News

10, January 2017

Anglophone detainees being received by North West governor ¹

Southern Cameroons detainees released late last night in Yaounde have arrived Bamenda, the capital of the North West region. The freedom fighters were welcomed home by the Francophone governor. The whereabouts of many are still not known.

10, January 2017

Panic in Yaounde as Southern Cameroon engineers release photo of Made in Bamenda AK47 ⁴

Southern Cameroon engineers will begin mass production of the largest AK47 rifle ever. The demand for the made in Bamenda weapon has been alarming following the atrocities committed recently in Southern Cameroons by the Francophone army. A senior Southern Cameroons commander announced the decision on Tuesday, adding that Anglophones are also building a strategy of self defense if talks between the Consortium and the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime fail.

The commander further pointed out that Southern Cameroonians who have served in the US, French and British militaries abroad have been contacted to start the process of building a Southern Cameroons army. One of the foot soldiers of the last riots in Kumba told Cameroon Intelligence Report that the Southern Cameroons military will be a a strategic force with the power and capabilities of playing a very influential role in protecting British Southern Cameroons interests both at home and abroad.

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

10, January 2017

Anglophone Problem: Former Governor David Abouèm à Tchoyi sounds a note of caution to Biya ¹

The former governor of the South West and North West region, David Abouèm à Tchoyi has sounded a note of caution to President Biya and his Beti Ewondo gang, that the Anglophone crisis may become a more dangerous version of Boko Haram. The respected former civil administrator who served as governor of the two Anglophone regions noted recently that “One can remain deaf to appeals, close one’s eyes to the obvious, clash in denial, or even think like the first Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Cameroon who, answering this question in 1964, had this memorable phrase: “There is no Anglophone problem; All Anglophones learn French very quickly “. But it is all of us who, very quickly, will be able to be caught up by the realities, warned the experienced administrator.

David Abouèm à Tchoyi pointed out that the Anglophone problem is not about vain threats and rhetoric that Cameroon is one and indivisible. The former governor observed that it is not a problem of living together. He revealed that Southern Cameroons as a nation welcomed thousands of French Cameroonians who escaped indigenous and forced labor from the French colonialists and other French Cameroonians who were involved in the UPC struggle for independence including thousands of men and women from African countries who lived and prospered there in harmony.

So, what’s the problem? How does it arise? Why these recurring eruptions in these two regions? David Abouèm à Tchoyi said there is obviously, an Anglophone problem in Cameroon. “This is not a problem between Anglophones and Francophones: there has never been a conflict between compatriots on both shores of the Mungo, on the basis of linguistic differences. It is not the rejection of what comes from Francophone Cameroon: no community in the North West or South West has ever opposed the practice in its territory of Bassa, Beti, Bamileke, Peuhl, Sawa … or other communities of the former East Cameroon.

David Abouèm à Tchoyi indicated that six facets come to mind:

1- Criticism of the centralized state.

2- The transfer of the decision-making centers to Yaoundé, far from the populations and their problems.

3- Failure to respect commitments to equitably take into account the institutional, legal and administrative cultures and traditions inherited from the former administering powers.

4- Non-compliance with the solemn promises made during the referendum campaign.

5- The change of the name of the State: replacement of “the United Republic of Cameroon” by “the Republic of Cameroon”.

6- Non-respect of bilingualism in the public sector, although the Constitution makes French and English two official languages of equal value.

The former has been making public a better understanding of the Anglophone problem to his French audience.

By Rita Akana with files from CIN

9, January 2017

Consortium suspends Ghost town, strikes to continue ⁰

The civil disobedience campaign launched by The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium was widely followed this Monday by the populations of the Northwest and Southwest regions. The Consortium had called for a ghost town operation and a pacific resistance without a protest march or street demonstration for Monday, January 9, 2017

The Francophone Yaounde regime had hope for an effective back to school in the Anglophone section of the country. The authorities went further and launched a dubious offensive to sensitize Southern Cameroons parents to send their children to school. However, the streets remained deserted. No public transport, buses or motorcycle taxis were seen in the streets of Bamenda, Bali, Batibo, Kumbo, Mamfe, Kumba, Menji, Akawaya, Tiko, Mutengene, Muea, Muyuka and Buea, for fear of reprisals.

The shops and markets remained closed and some barricades were erected on the public road by some individuals in Buea. The Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime that recently announced the recruitment of 1000 new teachers is now considering suspending the salaries of the striking teachers.

The authorities have been consistently inconsistent in their handling of the situation. Yaounde opened a dialogue on the main demands of the striking teachers and lawyers and later on denounced the protesters as “extremist”. The CPDM government further opined that the Anglophone leaders were being manipulated by individuals with a hidden agenda from abroad.

President Biya (83) reaffirmed that Cameroon remains “ONE” and “Indivisible”. Today’s event will surely give the Cameroonian dictator a rare opportunity to think and rethink things. The Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium has announced a suspension of the ghost town operations. But maintained that all strike actions by the teachers and lawyers will continue until the Francophone government provides acceptable solutions to the Anglophone problem. Correspondingly, all schools and law firms will remain close indefinitely.

By Rita Akana

9, January 2017

Anglophone Crisis: French experts helping Biya ⁰

An anonymous source inside the presidency of the republic has hinted CIR that France has secretly sent some top advisers on African Affairs to help the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime handle the Anglophone crisis.

Our informant revealed that the decision to release the Southern Cameroons detainees came after a meeting the French think tank held with the 83 year old Cameroonian dictator. The French have also given the Yaoundé regime assurances that the French government will quickly develop a strategies to down grade the current Anglophone uprising.

This news item is still developing

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

9, January 2017

All academic institutions and businesses closed in Lebialem Division ⁰

BREAKING!!! Lebialem Division: No school opened in Fontem!! All businesses including Main Markets closed!!! No movement in Menji town.

9, January 2017

Anglophone largest civil disobedience campaign begins,Schools in Manyu closed ⁰

In one of the largest civil disobedience campaign launched by the Consortium, hundreds of thousands of parents, students and Southern Cameroons business community are taken part in an Anglophone boycott of all public and private school system reopening activity to demonstrate their support for the full integration of the Anglo-Saxon educational and political values inherited from our British colonial master.

The idea for a boycott began in the early 1990s, when leaders in the Union for Change attempted to oust the 83 year old Cameroonian dictator. Today ghost town operations have return, this time around only in Southern Cameroons. Cameroon Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers Trade Unions have brought parents, teachers, local civil rights activists including the business community together in a coalition called the Consortium.

The organization’s sole objective is to restore the Anglophone political and educational structure as was stated in the 1961 federal structure and to render the English speaking imbalance of Anglophone Cameroonians in schools and universities in Cameroun. After years of unsuccessful lobbying and deliberate silence, the new generation Anglophone leaders decided to take direct action against the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime.

Southern Cameroonians have been called to organize a one-day protest and boycott of schools all over the Anglophone territory, but it is now evident, the strikes will continue indefinitely. With the boycott already achieving great success contrary to what Francophone surrogates like the Senior Divisional Officer for Manyu Division announced earlier this morning over state radio and television, the response from parents and students in Mamfe communities has been overwhelming as thousands of students have refused to attend their respective schools today. (Picture of GHS Mamfe taken some 15 minutes ago)

By Sonne Peter with files from Tabe Carvalho Ako

8, January 2017

Prominent Iranian political figure passes away ⁰

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has passed away at the age of 82 due to heart condition. Ayatollah Rafsanjani was admitted to a hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday after having an acute heart attack.

Born on August 25, 1934, the influential Iranian politician and writer was the fourth president of the Islamic Republic, serving from 1989 to 1997.

Rafsanjani was the head of the Assembly of Experts from 2007 to 2011. The influential cleric was elected chairman of the Iranian parliament in 1980 and served until 1989. He assumed office as the Chairman of the Expediency Council in 1989.

This undated photo shows the last session of Iran’s Expediency Council headed by its late chairman, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attended the hospital where Ayatollah Rafsanjani was hospitalized, undergoing treatment. Head of Tehran’s Shohada Hospital has declared heart arrest as the cause of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s passing away. Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani was among the main aides to late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

This file photo shows Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (L) standing next to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (C) and late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

He played an influential role both during anti-Shah struggles before the victory of the Islamic Revolution and afterwards through various stages of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Rafsanjani was also a key figure during the eight years of Iraq’s imposed war on Iran (1980-88), serving as substitute to commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

According to IRNA news agency, the funeral for Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani will be held in Tehran on Tuesday. In a statement, the Iranian administration announced a three-day mourning period across the country and declared Tuesday as a national holiday.

Condolence messages pour in from Iran state officials, bodies

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani issued a condolence message on his Twitter account soon after Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s demise in which he said, “The soul of the great man of the revolution and politics has soared to the sky.” Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi also released a message, expressing his grief over passing away of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

In his message, Shahroudi described Rafsanjani as a true follower of late Imam Khomeini, who spared nothing on the path of the Islamic Revolution and was among confidantes of Imam Khomeini who shouldered heavy responsibilities following the Islamic Revolution. Many Iranian officials and state organs have offered their condolences over the demise of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Chairman of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said the influential figure diligently shouldered important responsibilities after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Ayatollah Jannati also condoled with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the demise of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Meanwhile, the Guardian Council expressed grief over Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s demise and said he provided great services to the Islamic Republic in different areas. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, for his part, expressed his condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Iranian nation, particularly Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s family.

He said the late cleric always made great efforts in carrying out his sensitive and crucial responsibilities and played a prominent and influential role in managing the country’s economic and social affairs as well as the complicated and difficult foreign policy of the Islamic Republic.

Foreign officials, dignitaries express condolences over Rafsanjani’s demise

Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah, the foreign minister of Bahrain, posted a message on his Twitter account expressing his condolences on passing away of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. Meanwhile, the Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Palestine’s Islamic Jihad Organization expressed their sorrow over the passing away of Iran’s former president. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also issued a message of condolence on the occasion of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani’s demise.

Presstv

8, January 2017

Biya orders release of all Southern Cameroons detainees ⁴

Biya has secretly requested the release of all Southern Cameroon detainees in order to facilitate the work of the so-called Ad Hoc Committee. The dictator has reportedly given standing orders to the judges at the military tribunal to free the protesters latest tomorrow Monday. CIR has learnt from reliable sources that the process will begin late today in Yaounde . Anglophone teachers and lawyers whose strike is at the origin of the troubles that rocked the Anglophone part of Cameroon had laid down conditions for dialogue with the Francophone regime in Yaounde.

Among these conditions is the release of all protesters arrested during the riots of 9 December 2016 in Bamenda and 15 December 2016 in Kumba. Of the 54 people (including 3 minors) arrested, Cameroon government spokesman and minister of communication, Issa Tchiroma observed that 13 had been released.

After a Francophone led investigations, the Yaounde military tribunal decided to keep 41 suspects in Yaoundé in preventive detention. In order to save the school year in the South West and North-West Regions, and to allow a resumption of negotiations with the Anglophone leaders, the Francophone Government has decided to release the protesters arrested and transferred to Yaoundé.

Our senior political analyst opined that the Anglophone leaders have reached a point of no return and will not make any concession to the Biya administration as the figures put forward by Minister Issa Tchiroma were not complete because there were other children like some students from the University of Buea who are missing. However, since the minister’s statement, there have been meetings that have resulted in disagreements.

At the time of filing this report, the Consortium confirmed that the ghost town operation including the closure of all schools in Southern Cameroons will go on as announced tomorrow the 9^th of January.

Culled from Cameroon Intelligence Report

8, January 2017

Ghost town and school closures to go ahead on Monday as talks end without agreement ⁰

The ghost town operation and the industrial action by the Consortium of Southern Cameroons teachers and lawyers will go ahead after last ditch talks with the Professor Ghogomu Paul Minglo so-called Ad hoc Committee end without agreement.

Consortium leaders have called on Southern Cameroonians to massively observe a ghost town for tomorrow Monday the 9^th of January 2017. The leaders have also promised to extend the strike action indefinitely if their demands are not met by the Francophone government. Schools around the Southern Cameroons nation will be closed tomorrow.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that both sides have agreed that talks will continue and further contacts will take place with a view to arranging more talks next week. Speaking after yesterday’s discussions, the Anglophone leaders said that large differences remain and progress has been slow, “almost static I would say” hinted Barrister Agbor Balla.

He added that the shutting of schools is the Consortium’s decision. The Gogomu Paul Committee earlier issued a circular to school principals dealing with the implications of the ghost town operation scheduled by the Consortium calling on schools to reopen on Monday the 9^th.

The Anglophone leaders described the move as very provocative and reiterated that the Biya Francophone Beti Ewondo regime no longer has legitimate authority in Southern Cameroons. Roman Catholic Education Secretaries including those of the Baptist and Presbyterian churches have all described it as a normal approach if teachers withdraw from core duties until the Anglophone issues are resolve. Wilfred Tassang noted that the action is going ahead because there is no offer on the table from the Yaounde regime.

By Rita Akana in Bamenda