By Joe DingaPefok The President and Secretary General of the legalised faction of the UPC have, since last week, bitterly disagreed over whether the party should support the candidature of President Paul Biya, or have its own candidate for the 2018 Presidential election. The Secretary General of the UPC, Pierre Beleguel Nkot last week, sparked the open conflict with the President, HabibaIssa, when he publicly declared that the UPC will not send in a candidate for the 2018 Presidential election and that the party will instead support the candidature of President Biya. The next day, the National President of this faction of the UPC, which used to be commonly known as Kodock’s faction, and now officially known as “President de Comité de Directeurs,” went public with a declaration that contradicted that of the Secretary General, by stating that party will have its own flag-bearer at the 2018 Presidential. These contradictory public declarations created both confusion and tension in the party throughout the week. By the close of the week, a former President of the UPC, Victor Onana, who is a member of the current ‘Comité de Directeurs’, disclosed that the committee will have to meet on a date yet to be fixed, to resolve the conflict between the President and the Secretary General. He said the committee will, as well, have to take a definite decision on the 2018 Presidential election. According to the former President, the committee has not yet taken a definite position on the issue of whether the party should support the candidature of President Biya or put up its own candidate at the elections. This also raised questions about the contradictory declarations when the party had not yet adopted a definite position. The former President asserted that the Secretary General of the party does not have the authority to make the declaration he made last week. Onana explained that when the ‘Comité de Directeurs’ of UPC adopts an important decision which the public needs to know, or whenever there is an important announcement to be made by the party, it is the President and not the Secretary General to make it public. Legalised Faction Also In Factions There are over 10 UPC factions in the country and that even the legalised faction is itself today in two factions. One of the factions has as President of the ‘Comité de Directeurs’, HabibaIssa, and as the Secretary General Pierre BelenguelNkot. The other faction of the legalised faction has as President of the ‘Comité de Directeurs’, Baba Garba, while the Secretary General is Hon Robert BapoohLipot. It is not clear as to which of the two factions the Biya regime will choose to recognise when elections come. For now, administrative authorities have allowed the two factions to operate unperturbed. Both have all held their different congresses, and each claims to be the legalised UPC. Meanwhile, political observers hold that it is part of the strategy of the Biya regime to keep all the different factions of the UPC, and even the legalised faction, divided and thus weak; just like in the late 1990s when Kodock started considering himself as the only UPC leader with whom the regime could negotiate any deal. Then, Prof Henri HogbeNlend, apparently with the complicity of the Biya regime, moved into the country from France and caused a split of the legalised faction of the UPC. The then Minister of Territorial Administration, André Tsoungui, amplified the scandal when he recognised the two factions of the UPC faction as UPC ‘K’ (Kodock) and UPC ‘N’ (Nlend). Kodock turned to Biya to cry for help to crush the HogbeNlend faction, but before he realised what was happening, HogbeNlend was appointed into Government while Kodock was kept out. After a few years, HogbeNlend was dropped and Kodock returned to Government and, of course, became very submissive to Biya. The Hunt For Ministerial Posts Political observers hold that the one major issue that regularly creates lots of friction in the leadership of that legalised UPC faction since the passing of Kodock a couple of years ago, is the relentless hunt for ministerial posts by the different personalities. The legalised faction of the UPC formally entered into an alliance with the Biya Government after the 1992 Parliamentary elections. Kodock entered the Biya Government twice. He was last dropped from Government in the cabinet reshuffle of September 7, 2007. Since then, Biya has not appointed any UPC person into Government, despite the fact that the alliance between the legalised UPC and the Government remains. Some officials of the faction are asking whether it makes sense for the party to continue the alliance with the Biya regime when the party has been out of Government for close to 11 years. However, the recent appointment of a Senator from the UPC seems to be regenerating much hope that President Biya has not forgotten the UPC. The declaration last week, by the SG of one of the ‘sub factions’ of the legalised UPC, BelenguelNkot, that the party will support Biya’s candidature, is seen by many political observers as a strategy by him to take credit for it and likely project him for appointment into the Government, if Biya is re-elected. Meantime, the Secretary General of the other faction of the legalised UPC, Hon BapoohLipot, has made a controversial pronouncement, accusing three Presidential candidates of the opposition, Joshua Osih, Maurice Kamto and AkereMuna, of allegedly […]

*Passengers Charged FCFA 12,000 From Kumba To Buea * But Gov’t Uses Military Might To Restore Circulation By Maxcel Fokwen A new twist is gaining ground along the Kumba-Buea Highway, which was blocked since last weekend with villagers in affected villages allegedly stoning vehicles attempting to ply the road, The Post has learnt. A traveller, who attested to such developments in Ediki on condition of anonymity, told The Post that, he had opted to travel to Limbe through Bamenda. “This is my fourth day in Kumba. I left Lagos-Nigeria since five days ago. I got to Kumba and I have been unable to go to Limbe. On Tuesday, June 19, I boarded a vehicle which tried to ply the blocked road, but villagers surfaced on the road at Ediki Village with stones,” the traveler narrated. Our source further stated that before their vehicle, another car which forced its way through the angry villagers was attacked and the windscreen destroyed. Asked if there was any reason for such attacks, our respondent said the villagers termed it “operation stoning”. Besides Ediki, a similar outpour of villagers to the road across the once teeming highway has also been signalled. The Post could not independently confirm findings suggesting that the villagers were using the opportunity to protest the destruction of houses and property in their villages owing to crossfire exchanges between the military and separatists. Stranded Families Pray In a last series of tours at travel agencies in Kumba early Wednesday, June 20, scores of families and business persons stranded had engaged in prayers for the military to succeed in opening the road. A military contingent was spotted leaving the Buea Road Gendarme Station early Tuesday, June 19 probably to open the blocked road. The contingent comprised armoured cars, caterpillars, tippers and other security vehicles. News of such military resolve to restore traffic is what the population looks forward to any time soon. In the process of the long wait with most of those caught on transit spending the night in the open, some passengers have opted to chart new courses. The Post spotted many early Wednesday bound for Bamenda through Mamfe. Some of those interviewed said they would alight at Bafoussam and Board vehicles headed for the Littoral and Southwest Regions. Fares for the destinations have witnessed a slight increase. Passengers said they were charged between FCFA 6000 to FCFA 6500 from Kumba to Bamenda. Those headed for Douala pay FCFA 12000 and those who are travelling to Limbe or Buea are charged FCFA 16,000. A lady who said she left Nigeria bound for Limbe lamented over her ordeal. She quipped: ” If I had known the road was blocked when I was at Ekok I wouldn’t have bordered coming to Kumba. Now after four days of waiting I’m forced to drive back through Mamfe to Bamenda and back to Buea”. In the face of the hard decisions, some still remained indifferent complaining of financial constraints. Gov’t Uses Military Might To Restore Circulation Before we went to press, on Wednesday, June 20, our security sources said they had finally succeeded to restore circulation on the highway. Going by him, they had attempted three times to do so but failed. He said the military during Wednesday’s campaign was ruthless as they were more determined to rescue Cameroonians who had been stocked at the various motor parks for close to a week. Going by him, travellers on the highway were very elated and congratulated them for a job well done. Flash Back The new twist of villagers allegedly taking up stones along the Kumba –Buea Road axis is a strange development. At the close of April and in the Month of May this year, sporadic separatists’ incursions triggered a military response. Consequently, hundreds of villagers especially in Ediki fled to Mbanga in the Littoral Region. Some had mustered the gumption to return home in the last couple of weeks. However, having persons believed to be inhabitants of the same villages holding stones against vehicles plying the road is what has put observers in a tight corner of reasoning.

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo Drivers along the Bamenda-Nkambe Highway have decried the numerous checkpoints on the stretch of road, which they said, are gradually rendering them jobless, given the widespread extortion on the highway by security operatives. According to some of the drivers, who elected for anonymity, each day, a driver loses between FCFA 8000 to FCFA 10,000 on the highway to security officers without any explanations. The drivers are irked by the fact that the money collected from them sink into a private pocket and not the State treasury. They made the revelation in an interview they granted to The Post in Kumbo recently. “Settling the numerous control points along this stretch of road is not a new thing to us, but what is sad is the fact that one is subjected to give what the police wants without any explanation,” a driver stated. According to these drivers, security operatives collect as much as FCFA 240,000 for every car that plies the Bamenda Ring Road monthly. “Let us make a simple arithmetic calculation of what these controls take from us in a month. Since they collect FCFA 8000 per day, if you multiplying FCFA 8000 by 30 days, it will give you a total of FCFA 240,000. Take the FCFA 240,000 per car in a month and multiply it by the number of cars plying this road. Let us say there are 50 cars; it means these control points fleece FCFA 12 million from drivers annually,” a driver lamented. Another driver added that, “it baffles me a lot because they do not check our cars. Whether you are carrying weapons in your car or not is not their problem, if you can give them what they want. Even if you have all the car documents, you will still give them money,” he said. “The problem here is that no one is ready to do anything to address the situation. If we complain, we will be called, terrorists, secessionists and troublesome people. As earlier as 4:00 am, these controls are already there, meaning that you can’t escape from falling into their trap,” a driver narrated. The Post learnt that this phenomenon has been ongoing for years. For once, drivers along this road have complained, but their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Meanwhile, there are over six police controls from Bamenda to Kumbo, headquarters of Bui Division and at each control point, the driver is expected to dole out FCFA 1000. While road control teams are being blamed for promoting the high rate of corruption along the Bamenda-Nkambe stretch of road, observers hold that drivers are also culpable of some the highway misdemeanors. “Most of them ply the road without the required documents. This makes it difficult for them to stand up and denounce the widespread corruption on the highway. Most often it is the drivers themselves who bribe the police officers on duty and these police officers have now legitimized this practice,” a traveler told this reporter. Meanwhile, some passengers on board a bus headed for Kumbo, told The Post that they are aware of what is going on along the Bamenda- Nkambe Highway and that the passengers are the ones who suffer most from the game between the drivers and the police “Drivers now sandwiched passengers in cars just to make up for what they will give the police officers on the way. A car that is supposed to carry only four persons ends up carrying eight to nine people. We are tired of all these things happening in front of us. Those manning the controls don’t even care about our lives, what they only think about is their money. It’s really bad, but what can we do?” a passenger asked rhetorically. However, attempt to get reactions from police officers on the control points did not yield any fruits, as they either preferred to remain silent or insult you to mine your business. Nevertheless, the extortion on the highway is really alarming and many passengers are praying for the Government to step in and put an end to it.

By Andrew Nsoseka Chiefs of Manyu Division in the South West Region of Cameroon have appealed to President Paul Biya to grant a general amnesty to all the Anglophones who were arrested in the wake of the Anglophone Crisis. The made the appeal in Yaounde, on Saturday, June 16, 2018, during a meeting that also that brought together elites of the Division, who are resident in Yaounde. Besides granting a general clemency to all those imprisoned, the traditional rulers also beseeched the President to convene an urgent inclusive dialogue to stop the spiralling crisis. The information was made public in a press release that was signed by various participants at the meeting. In the release, it was stated that the Chiefs and elite of Manyu Division, met in Yaounde, “under the chairmanship of His Excellency, Victor Arrey-Nkongho Mengot, Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic and Patron of the Manyu Elements Cultural and Development Association, MECDA, to review the socio-political and security situation in their Division of origin, marked by an armed conflict that has disrupted the ordinary course of life in the Division.” After deliberating on the different issues, the participants sent out a number of recommendations and pleas, which they directed to the head of State, as a remedy to the present situation in the region. First amongst the different recommendations, was the call on President Paul Biya, “to consider the convening of an all-inclusive, broad-based dialogue to examine urgent questions of national interest.” It was followed by an appeal to the Head of State to, “extend an olive branch to our youths who have taken up arms and urge them to drop their weapons and return to their respective communities.” To their young people now fighting against State security forces, they urged them to, “contribute to the creation of an enabling environment favourable for the construction of the Mamfe-Akwaya and the Bakebe-Menji-Dschang Roads”. Apeal for Clemency In relation to those already behind bars due to the Crisis, the Manyu elite prayed the Head of State to, “in promoting the spirit of national reconciliation, show clemency to all those imprisoned in connection with the Anglophone Crisis.” The Manyu gathering in Yaounde also appealed to Biya to envisage the implementation of an emergency reconstruction plan to rebuild villages and other infrastructure destroyed during the Anglophone Crisis. They further called on the President to contemplate the urgent creation of a special rehabilitation and reinsertion fund to assist the return of internally and externally displaced persons to their respective communities, and in facilitating the resumption of their normal lives through agricultural and economic activities. The elite concluded their demands, with a pledge of their “unflinching support and attachment to the Head of State President Paul BIYA and the Republican Institutions he incarnates.” The elite condemned what they termed “the manipulation of youths through social media postings emanating both internally and externally, particularly from the diaspora, pushing them towards radicalisation, drug abuse and endangering their lives through armed confrontations with security forces.” They also stated that they “take strong exception to the emerging culture of hate speech which is setting youths and communities against one another.” The meeting of Manyu elite in Yaounde comes after that of other Anglophone elites and traditional leaders who have held meetings and talks out of their communities, to discuss the Anglophone Crisis and called on the population to return to the villages and communities from which they have escaped, owing to the Anglophone Crisis.

By Joe Dinga Pefok President Paul Biya on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, wrote to the President of the Senate asking him to convene the Bureau of the Upper House in order to consult them about his intention to postpone the Legislative Elections for one year with effect from 29 October this year. On that June 13, a correspondence was addressed to the President of the Senate and allegedly that of the National Assembly, by the Head of State demanding that both the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament take the appropriate measures to permit him to prolong the mandate of the current MPs by one year. Worth noting that the Constitution of Cameroon, gives the President of the Republic the prerogative to prolong the mandate of MPs and councillors including mayors, in a case of a “’Force Majeur’. It would be recalled that the last legislative and municipal elections in Cameroon took place on September 30, 2013, as twin elections. The five year mandate of the councillors as well as the MPs that were all elected in 2007, was actually due to end in 2012. But then their mandate was extended to 2013, following a decision by President Biya to prolong their mandate by one year. Meanwhile, the five year mandate of the MPs and councillors that were elected at the twin elections of September 30, 2013, is due to end in October 2018. Experts on the Electoral Law had stated that, according to the Constitution, President Biya was supposed to announce the date of the 2018 Municipal elections latest June 20, 2018, and the latest date for the President to announce the date of the legislative election is June 21, 2018. They further stated that, in case the President was to decide to postpone the two elections as speculated, he would make it known before June 16. Thus, by addressing the correspondence to the President of the Senate as well as the President of the National Assembly on June 13, about his intention to postpone the two elections, Biya respected the Law. The Post has learnt that the President of the Senate, Marcel Niat Njipenji, and the President of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, will convene the Bureaus of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament to respectively early this week, if not today, June 18, to deliberate and take rapid action on the demand by the Head of State for the legislative elections to be postponed. This is apparently the only demand that President Biya makes to parliament that does not raise any type of objection from MPs of the opposition, because it has to do with their self-interest, as their mandate has to be prolonged. On this issue thus, there is always great unanimity in views and votes by both the MPs of the ruling CPDM and those of the opposition. Reason For Postponement President Biya claimed that the main reason for the decision to postpone the two elections is because of the fact that Cameroon’s electoral calendar for 2018 is so crammed up, arguing that it has become imperative to reduce the number of elections scheduled to be organised this year. If the elections are postponed, this will make the task for Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, less cumbersome and, perhaps, enable the organ to organise a hitch free election. Four major elections were, in fact, scheduled to hold this year– the senatorial, municipal, legislative and presidential elections. The senatorial elections took place last April. It should, however, be noted that, comparatively, the senatorial election is unlike the other three elections since it is less costly and less complicated to organise. For one thing the electorates are members of an Electoral College – comprising only councillors. Earlier, government sources had concordantly stated that this year’s Legislative and Municipal Elections would be postponed for security and financial reasons. As regards security concerns, there is, above all, the worsening insecurity in the two Anglophone Regions (Northwest and Southwest), caused by the escalating Anglophone crisis. There is also insecurity in the Far North Region where the war against Boko Haram, the terrorist group from neighbouring Nigeria, has been raging since 2014. In the East Region, the insecurity is caused by gangs from the neighbouring Central Africa Republic. The issue of insecurity is serious because, as it would be recalled, that, during the last senatorial elections, members of the Electoral College in Lebialem Division, for example, had to be transported by military helicopter to Dschang, in the Menoua Division, to vote there, because of the high level of insecurity in the Division. Even then, not all councillors could travel. It is, therefore, easy to imagine how challenging and hazardous it would be when it comes to the municipal, legislative and presidential elections that are by universal suffrage. The financial difficulties the country is witnessing could be a genuine reason for postponing of elections. It is no secret that Cameroon is, once more, plunged in a financial crisis and the country is, again, back at the Breton Woods Institutions, cap-in-hand, for loans. Osih urges Cameroonians To Register Meanwhile, the SDF flag bearer at the 2018 presidential elections, Hon Joshua Nambangi Osih, who just returned to the country from a trip to West Africa, has issued a call via twitter, urging all Cameroonians of voting age, who have not yet registered in the voters’ register, to try to do so as a matter […]

By Maxcel Fokwen Elite of Lebialem Division, Southwest Region are depressed that Government’s investments through public projects worth FCFA 4 billion in their ancestral land are still at a standstill six months gone into the 2018 fiscal year. The observation is one of the highpoints of a release the elite made public after a meeting in Buea on June 9 staged at the behest of Minister Delegate in the Ministry of the Economy Planning and Regional Division, Paul Tasong. According to the release, the dire situation which they resolve to handle is a consequence of the challenging security situation in the Division. “They were saddened by the fact that, not a single Public Investment Project, PIP, of the over FCFA 4 billion national budget earmarked for the 2018 financial year is currently ongoing in the Division because unidentified persons threaten workers on work sites and even destroy equipment and ongoing works,” the elites observed. Despite the depressing situation, the 8th commitment in the ‘Lebialem Release’ indicates the will of the elite to “ working very hard with all stakeholders ( including all the people who live in the Division) to get the ever increasing national budget earmarked for Lebialem executed, while lobbying for more especially in the area of road, water, energy and infrastructure. Only by so doing can we enhance the quality of life in our Division.” Besides, the Buea declaration of the Lebialem elite despite decrying the growing disrespect for traditional authorities affirmed to “bring pressure to bear on traditional rulers (fons and their chiefs), elites and other important stakeholders in the Division to immediately engage and extend a fatherly hand to their children (angry youths) to lay down their arms and come out of the bushes for a peaceful and non-violent solution to the Anglophone Crisis.” The same release upholds the wish of the elite to “transmit to the authorities (administrative and military) as far as possible, the people’s wish that a more humane approach should be adopted in the handling of the present crisis”. Among other observations, the release brings forth the will of the elite to ensure the protection of palaces, support the youths of Lebialem in the quest for knowledge, adhesion to non violent procedure, and to relate with the youths to ensure they are gainfully employed. On the electoral front, the calls for renewed education of the people of Lebialem to “enrol on the electoral register and eventually exercise their civic rights by voting whenever and whoever they wish each time the electoral corps is convened,” was also discussed. The same document makes clear an observation that Lebialem youths are reluctant to enrol on the voters’ register. The Buea meeting, going by the release, states the zeal of the Lebialem elite to “Lobby for the creation of a school of agriculture in the Division so that the youth can gain knowledge on modern farming methods to best exploit the natural resources that the Division is endowed with”.

By Maxcel Fokwen A reported separatists attack on a prison in Bavenga Village, Muyuka Sub-division of the Southwest Region on Wednesday, May 30, has triggered renewed commotion across the Sub-division. While prisoners are feared to have escape after the attack, villagers in Ikata nearest to Bavenga have fled into the bushes for fear of the unknown. Reports hold that on that Wednesday, unidentified men believed to be adherents fighting for the statehood of former British Southern Cameroons stormed the prison yard. The incident is believed to have happened in broad day light. Reports which The Post could not independently confirm indicate that warders on duty fled following the attack. There are equally fears that the attackers might have made away with guns from the same prison. Villagers told The Post that the separatists had earlier threatened to attack before staging Wednesday’s incident. Despite the varying narratives on the prison incident, the state machinery is yet to make an official statement on the Bavenga incident. The Bavenga Prison is known to mostly host detainees who are nearing the completion of their jail terms. Most of its detainees are believed to be transferred from the Buea Prison. Villagers Flee Since the incident, inhabitants of Ikata Village have fled into the bushes for fear of being casualties in case of any campaign against the authors of the prison break. A few others along the Bafia- Munyenge axis who had mustard courage to return home have also returned to their hideouts. Some told The Post that they are afraid of stray bullets in case of a crossfire exchange between security forces and the suspected separatists. The incident comes after a recent attack on the Muyuka police station. When the General Certificate of Education, GCE, examinations started on May 28, a gun attack in Muyuka forced authorities to relocate the students to Buea.

By MaxcelFokwen Separate incidents of theft and an attempt to kidnap a boy were recorded across Kumba last week owing to strange gangs marauding as elements of the Ambazonia Defence Forces, ADF. Only timely security interventions neutralised most of the operations while a man hunt remains on course for those on the run. Credit Union Raid On Wednesday, May 30, within the hours of 8:00 and 9:00am, a gang of six raided the head office of a popular credit Union in FiangoKumba. The attackers are reported to have sneaked into the credit union, took those on duty at gun point. After finishing their ‘transaction’ from within, the thieves then surfaced on the tar marc, took a biker at gun point and zoomed off. Few minutes after, the population was alerted. As scores of commercial riders pursued the gang, the rider negotiated a bend along Ntoko Street at Hill Top Fiango. They are said to have passed through the Head quarters of the Apostolic Church in Cameroon, TAC, crossed a bridge and landed on the main road again around BICECJunction Kumba. At a bridge around TAC, the thieves fired bullets into the air. This scared away those who were pursing them. While on the main axis, the bike which the thieves boarded was knocked off track. It had a collision with a tipper and the thieves fell to the tar marc before taking on their heels again. In the process, a pistol is reported to have fallen from one of the gang members. They then ran through Fomenky Street; through Alaska Street and headed for the unknown before police intelligence fished them out. Thieves In Search Of Goat On Alaska Street, the thieves ran through several compounds. A woman who encountered the thieves but opened up on condition of anonymity said most of the thieves had wounds on their knees and elbows. Our source said when she saw the first person and inquired, the thief claimed, they were searching for a missing goat. “When I saw the second person and asked what he was doing in our compound, he opened his dress … there was a pistol hanging on his waist. Then he said madam ‘wheti be your problem… we di fight na for wuna good..naweti..?’…Then the third ran through and that’s how they continued running,” our source confirmed. Police Raid Following the incident, police in Kumba conducted a raid. At least four of the thieves were arrested same day while investigations are ongoing. FCFA 1.5 Million Missing At least 1.5 million is said to have beencollected from the credit Union by attackers following the broad day light operation. ‘Fake’ Amba Visit Homes Earlier on Tuesday, May 29, a group of boys claiming to be Ambazonia soldiers raided homes in Pulletin(Meta) Quarters Kumba. The hoodlums are said to have tied red pieces of cloth on their head and arms to appear as separatists. Victims narrated that the supposed separatists carried away household items, phones and other utensils. A group of women who reportedly questioned the gang stating that their manner of operation was contrary to ‘AmbaBoys’ were forced to shut up. The gang told the inhabitants of the Dallas neigbourhood within Meta Quarters that they were fighting for the population.Security moves have been taken in this light. Snuff Poisons Dog In the course of the robbery, the unidentified men who masked their faces used snuff to weaken a dog in one of the compounds visited. The snuff is reported to have jagged the dog of its ability to alert its owners of the presence of the ‘visitors’. Police Thwart Kidnap Attempt Police officers on Thursday May 30, thwarted an attempted act of kidnap on the son of a fish griller along the BueaRoad neighbourhood. The gang took the teenager hostage to an unknown destination. They later returned with the victim forcing him to bring out money from their home. While the boy went inside the house and sat confused, a man who spotted the gang alerted the mother of the victim. The woman alerted the police. The elements of the police stormed the compound on a bike.Two of the members of the operation were arrested. At the moment, they are helping security forces to enhance investigations. Last week’s happenings in Kumba are said to be the handiwork of thieves masquerading as separatists to worsen the pain of the local population. At the moment, police and other security patrols have been stepped up across the Kumbametropolitan.

By Joe Dinga Pefok The acquisition of a modern Bombardier Q400 aircraft by Cameroon Airlines Corporation, Camair-Co, has sent another strong message of assurance to the Cameroonian people, that their national carrier, which, for some five years after its inaugural flight had disappointedly continued to creep, has not only finally found its wings, but has also found the right path to follow. The Bombardier Q400 bought by Camair-Co arrived Cameroon on May 16 and was received by authorities at the Air Force Base 201 in Douala. It was followed by the official launching with an inaugural flight, Yaounde-Douala-Yaounde, on May 29, presided over by the Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Messana Ngalle Bibehe, accompanied by the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary. The two members of Government and other dignitaries were received at the Yaounde –Nsimalem International Airport by the Board Chair of Camair-Co, Louis Georges Njipendi Kuoto, and the General Manager of the company, Ernest Dikoum. The Governor of the Centre Region, Naseri Paul Bea, and many other personalities were part of the delegation that flew in the inaugural flight. The Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, accompanied by his collaborators, received the delegation and the aircraft at the Douala International Airport. The ceremony was also attended by local municipal, traditional authorities, and other invitees from the private and public sectors who were shown a video of the aircrafts unique features. 78 Passenger Seats The Canada–made Bombardier Dash B-Q400 simply referred to as Bombardier Q400, is only two years old. It has a capacity of 78 passenger-seats, excluding seats for the two pilots as well as 2-3 cabin personnel. The aircraft has a larger space for luggage, made suitable with its ability to carry more kilogrammes of cargo. The Bombardier’s in-built technology gives the aircraft more stability in the air. The General Manager of Camair-Co, Ernest Dikoum told reporters that the Bombardier Q400 has a capacity to easily navigate its way through challenging topography, thus, as regard local flight, is very suitable to fly to places like Bafoussam and Bamenda. Dikoum asserted that the Bombardier is one of the best types of civilian aircraft in the world today. To him, the coming of the additional plane will enable the airline to increase the number of its flights and destinations “This is a happy day for Cameroon”, Dikoum asserted. Important Step In Restructuring Plan Talking to reporters, the Board Chair of Camair-Co, Louis Georges Njipendi Kuoto, said the acquisition of the Bombardier Q400 is in line with the plan for the restructuring of Camair-Co. He said two of the major aspects in the restructuring programme included the acquisition of more aircraft by Camair-Co, and the increase of the destinations of the airline. The Board Chair, said, among other things, the new aircraft will usher in an increase in the number of domestic flights and that it may likely prompt them to launch a daily flight to the Grand North. Njipendi Kuoto went on to say that there are quite a number of passengers in the Grand North, warranting a daily service to the area. He said the management of Camair-Co will soon inform the public on the new changes or modifications that the airline will be introducing. Camair-Co Now Has Six Aircraft The acquisition of the Bombardier Q400 brings to six the number of planes in Camair-Co’s fleet. At take-off, Camair-Co had barely three planes in its fleet. These included the then 10-year-old Boeing 767-300ER, The Dja, which Camair-Co ‘inherited’ from the defunct national carrier, Cameroon Airlines. The other planes were a 5-year-old Boeing 737-300ER, and six year old Boeing 737-300ER, both of which Camair-Co took on a leasing agreement. The Cameroon Government on the instruction of President Biya, a few years later, handed over two Chinese –made MA 60 aircraft to Camair-Co. The two small MA 60 planes were initially ordered by the Cameroon Government for use by the Cameroon Armed Forces. 13 Destinations Camair-Co presently flies to a total of 13 destinations in the country and in the African continent. The local destinations include Yaounde, Maroua, Garoua, Ngaoundere, Bafoussam and Bamenda. The airline is reportedly working on a plan to launch flights to Bertoua as soon as possible. The Bertoua Airport, which had been abandoned for a long time, is reportedly undergoing some rehabilitation work. Outside Cameroon, Camair-Co management is also reported to be working on a plan to reopen the Lagos (Nigeria) and Brazzaville (Congo Republic) destinations, as well as Bamako (Mali). Records show that in 2017, Camair-Co, still with five planes, transported a total of 235,686 passengers.

By Isidore Abah The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph BetiAssomo, has exhorted the new Commander of the 21st Motorised Infantry Brigade to instil prudence and discipline in the troops under his command. To him, prudence and discipline will deter them from exposing themselves to secessionists and terrorists, who assassinate them and wield their heads as trophies to intimidate other compatriots. Minister BetiAssomo was speaking at the Buea Independence Square, on Saturday, May 12, while commissioning Colonel David Jotsa as the new Commander of the 21st Motorised Infantry Brigade. Colonel Jotsa takes over from GeneralDonatienMelingiNouma, who was recently transferred to Yaounde as the Inspector General in the Ministry of Defence in charge of Forces. The Defence boss handed down eight tough points, which he said will serve as a compass toColonial Jostsa. The former Littoral Governor implored the new Commander to rally his infantry and get to work immediately. Going by the Minister, all the actions of the troops must be in strict respect of the law in force. Minister BetiAssomo also urged the newly appointed Commander of the 21st Motorised Infantry Brigade to work in synergy with administrative, political, traditional and religious authorities within the Southwest Region to make the Region safe and void of any threats. One of the daunting challenges which was handed down to the 57-year-old Commander was to ensure the effective commencement of work in the two giant agro-industrial plantations namely: PAMOL and CDC, which the Minister said, has been paralysed due to secessionist threats. Going by him, this economic sector needs to regain its verve given the thousands of workers it employs and it importance to Government’s revenue. “You must also work to preserve the territorial integrity of Cameroon, working in synergy with other security and defence forces,” the Minister said. Jotsa was also beseeched to respect his hierarchy and to uphold professional ethics by keeping all military information confidential. To the outgoing Commander, GeneralDonatienMelingiNouma, Minister BetiAssomo thanked him for “mission accomplished” in the Southwest Region and wished him well in his new assignment. Earlier, the Minister extended President Biya’s gratitude to the security forces in the Southwest Region for their professionalism in handling the security challenges posed by those he called “terrorists and secessionists.” He maintained that President Paul Biyahas vowed to crush “these hoodlums and outlaws who have no regards for the unity of Cameroon.” He also conveyed the Head of State’s deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones in the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. “For all our fellow military and civilians who have lost their lives recently, due to the despicable atrocities of secessionists, terrorists and other hoodlums who have no respect for human life, the blood of the elements of our defence and security forces shall be avenged by an outright victory over all these outlaws.” Meanwhile, before the Minister mounted the rostrum, the Mayor of Buea Council, Patrick EkemaEsunge, in his welcome address said the people of Buea have saluted the initiative of President Paul Biya, Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces to redynamise the Cameroon military,especially within the prevailing social unrest. This move, the Mayor said,will help in consolidating peace and unity in Cameroon. He thanked the outgoing Commanderand pledged the people’s support for the new Commander in effectively carrying out his assignment in the Southwest Region.

By Basil K Mbuye Youths have been challenged to take their role in society seriously during a seminar that took place in Buea on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Talking to the youths under the topic Leadership and Democracy Series with the theme: “Youth engagement in promoting good governance through dialogue and active participation”, the youths were challenged to be bold in making decisions that will help develop their nation and communities. While the youth should ideally be taught that actions speak louder than words, ground realities in Cameroon are divergent in terms of instilling civic responsibility in the upcoming generation. Considering this uphill negative trend, experts at a seminar organised at the Borstal Institute in Buea enlightened youths about upcoming challenges and role of youth in acknowledging their roles as responsible, democratic citizens. In his keynote address, Prof. Teke Charles talked about the engagement of youth leaders in good governance through dialogue and active participation. He also focused on what the youths have to do to be actively engaged in bringing out the principles of good governance. Looking at it from a holistic perspective, he evaluates the strength and weaknesses of youth leaders and governmental organisations and structures that all militate for the good of the youths. To the organiser of the seminar, Etta Roland Daru/HGC-Initiative, Canvasssity Pan African Fellowship, the essence of the workshop was for him to pass over the knowledge acquired while at the Canvassity meeting in Nigeria. “The Leadership and Democracy Series that we are witnessing here today is a Pass It On engagement I took as a delegate from the Canvasssity Pan African Democracy Fellowship I attended in Nigeria. We are here today to pass on the knowledge to Cameroonian youths,” he explained. He also stressed the fact that they will be doing a follow-up to know how the various participants after the seminar are doing in their respective groups. To him, with the present situation in Cameroon, educating the youths regarding how to make things better is one of their main objectives. With a pre-test and a post-test after the seminar, the organiser believes that it will help them know some of the positions that youths need to be coached on. On her part, Prudence Limunga a participant at the seminar said the workshop had helped her to know so many things that she was never aware of. “I have learned a lot from this workshop. Workshops like this are not usually common to come across. It has reawakened so much in me and also pointed out that youths should know their purpose in life, for that is the only way they cannot go astray,” Limunga averred.

By Francis Tim Mbom With the first phase of the Expansion and Modernisation of the National Oil Refining Company, SONARA’s Production Unit having been completed and the Company having taken a shut down for the new unit to be connected to the old one, the Labour Day was really an opportunity for the GM and his workers to celebrate such a milestone. “I would like to express to all SONARA workers the joy and happiness which I feel in seeing them in their usual numbers, always enthusiastic, in spite of the constraints of the moment, relating to the Connection Shutdown, within the framework of the completion of the Extension and Modernisation of SONARA, which will step up the Company’s production capacity from 2.1 million tons to 3.5 per year at its maximum speed,” the GM, Ibrahim Talba Malla, said. The celebration began with a march-past at the Manga Williams Avenue at Down Beach Limbe, as SONARA workers joined other workers in Fako Division to commemorate the day. They later converged at the SONARA Club House at Cape Limboh, where speeches, wining, dining and dancing marked the rest of the celebration. In his opening remarks, the GM said: “Permit me to tell you that your collective determination is a guarantee for the success of this transition, bearer of high hopes for SONARA and for Cameroon on this day of the celebration of the International Labour Day,” the GM added. SONARA was opened in 1981. Thus, after some 30 years, the management decided to expand and modernise the production installations and give the refinery the ability to refine both light crude imported from neighbouring countries such as Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea and heavy crude mined from Cameroon. Thus the successful completion of the first phase of the project will give the company just that capacity it needed. The current shut down is to connect the old facilities to the new ones. Thus, both the GM and the workers were very hopeful that the connection phase should go on successfully. The GM thanked his workers for their colourful match past which he said did not only show a sense of patriotism but the distinct display of the different tribal colorations in SONARA drew applause from the population. Talba Malla went on to congratulate the organization Committee for the ingenuity and the savoire faire they displayed in putting forth such a distinct show of style during the match past. The celebration was also an opportunity for the President of two SONARA based Trade Unions, Lembe Francis, President of the Union of Free Syndicates of Cameroon, USLC, and Fako Oil Refinery Workers Syndicate, Mr Samuel Eyango, to thank their GM on behalf of the workers. They pledged their continuous support and readiness to carry SONARA to greater success. They also said they were going to work hard to ensure that the connection of the first phase of the new units to the old ones is a total success. They used the occasion to put across some of the worries of the workers. For instance they called on SONARAto be able to provide assistance to their retired colleagues who happen to die as well as those that take ill. The GM said their grievances will be taken care of progressively as the budgetary means permit. But, in all, he promised his administration will continue to improve on workers conditions and wellbeing. But, he especially, asked the workers to show proof of their professionalism, especially during this period of the shutdown to carry on the connection of the new and old machines within the shortest time possible so as to enable the refinery to continue its operations. The celebrations was marked by the installation of the newly elected Staff Representatives of SONARA by the GM. The event was graced by the presence of the SDO of Fako, Emmanuel Engamba Ledoux and his wife.

By Maxcel Fokwen The Kumba City Council, KCC, has returned the gift of ‘Director of Urban Development’ which the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Jean Claude Mbuentchou, offered to the metropolis following controversies over the staff’s output. A few years back, Alima Nsom, a staff in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was appointed to the City Council as Director of Urban Development from Yaounde to help the Government Delegate realise his vision for the City. Yet as the Grand Councillors settled on April 17 to review the administrative and management accounts of the Council, the whereabouts of the Director of Urban Development came to the floor. Kumba III Councillor, John Kona Makia, raised the concern. The Mayor said the Councillors needed clarification on what happened to the city development staff, which was presented to the Board sometimes back. Makia’s observation came following a deliberation from the City Council to a sworn surveyor for the municipality. Setting the record straight, the Government Delegate, Victor Nkelle Ngoh, said he did not intend to discuss the issue. Ngoh said Nsom’s curriculum vitae and the certificates he presented with his output on the field are conflicting. Ngoh Nkelle said the Director of Urban Development could not even draw a site plan. “Every other person would have fallen prey to the impressive outlook of Nsom’s profile on paper,” Ngoh regretted that the output on the field was contrary to expectations. The Government Delegate said with such stalemate, he wrote back to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, indicating the stand of the City Council regarding the said staff.

By Chris Mbunwe Reverend Father William Neba, Principal of St. Bedes College, Ashing Kom, who was abducted while celebrating Holy Mass in the college hall with students on Monday, April 30 morning, at 6.20am, has been released by the so called Amba Forces In a terse communiqué issued Wednesday, May 2, by the Director of Communication of the Archdiocese of Bamenda, Fr. Humphrey Tata Mbuy, the Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Cornelius Fontem Esua and His Auxiliary, His Lordship Michael Miabesue Bibi, say they are “happy to announce” that Fr. William Neba has been released this day, Wednesday May 2, 2018, and is at Archbishop House.” The Bishops thanked God for bringing this trying moments to and end. The Bishops also thank all the priests, religious, Christians and all people of goodwill for their fervent prayers and concern. They equally thanked all those who collaborated in any way to ensure the safe release of Fr. Neba. The Bishops, the release continues, call on all Christians to continue praying that the present social-political situation, “We are going through may be speedily and peacefully resolved. Reactions Bernard Tossam, Belo Mayor It is very relieving that Rev. Father Neba has been released. When it comes up to the point of kidnapping and killing, it is not good and we are happy he has been released, because, almost everyone was afraid he was going to be killed, and that could have compounded issues. Abudolia Nfor, Health Technician, Bamenda I do not buy the idea of kidnapping and killings on either side. However, this could be a way of sending a message to the Catholic Education Secretary about schools attendance. Kidnapping a Priest and a Principal, for that matter, apparently is a way of sending a message to Rome, The Vatican, alerting the Pope that he should continue to mount pressure on President Biya to solve this problem for once. Charles Awemo, CMF President, PCC Azire, Bamenda It comes as a sign of relief, especially the faithful followers of Christ who, for all these while, have been praying fervently for divine intervention, which finally came true today, Wednesday, May 2, 2018.

By Chris Mbunwe The US Ambassador to Cameroon, H. E. Peter Henry Barlerin, has expressed satisfaction with the heavy impact created by the US Government through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief known as PEPFAR. The diplomat was speaking in Bamenda, during his maiden visit to the Northwest Region. He expressed gratitude to CBC Health Services, CBCHS, after a guided tour of the exhibition stands mounted by the Support Group Programme. The US Ambassador promised to continue supporting CBC Health Services in ensuring that the population enjoys good health services for a strong nation. In his speech, the Director of CBCHS, Prof. Pius Tih Muffih, said the HIV free project started in 2011 in the Northwest and Southwest Regions with PEPFAR funding and expanded to the Littoral and Centre Regions in April 2015. “It has continued to chat the way forward for HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment in Cameroon. The PEPFAR funding is facilitating access to life saving HIV/AIDS services to men, women, children and key populations in four Regions of Cameroon.” Prof. Tih said for all the four focused Regions, mother to child transmission of HIV has dropped from 9 percent in 2011 to under 3percent in 2017 and the HIV prevalence rate has also dropped from over 6 percent in 2011 to around 4 percent in 2017. “Currently, our Centre and Littoral clients are placed regularly on Anti-Retroviral drugs at the PEPFAR project sites. Our Ambassador, our hearts are filled with happiness and the desire to collaborate more with you so that together we can help the people of Cameroon reach the UNAIDS vision 2020 that 90 percent of all HIV positive people should know their HIV status and that 90 percent of those who are HIV Positive be placed on treatment, and of all who are on treatment, 90 percent of them should have viral suppression. Above all, we are exceedingly glad that finally our country operating plan (COP18) was approved in Washington last week,” he said. He thanked the US Government for sponsoring the EID reference laboratory in Mutengene, stating that this is one of the only few accredited laboratories in the country and the CEMAC Sub Region. “The laboratory runs HIV samples for Littoral and Southwest Regions and periodically for the Centre Region.” On his part, the Director of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, Dr. Thompson Kinge, said his institution has benefitted from the infrastructure and the training of personnel from the American Government which has impacted the lives of patients as direct beneficiaries.

Anglophones feel systemically marginalised by the government for a good number of reasons, despite the claim by a just a handful of persons to the contrary. The national entrance examinations into schools that develop the human resources of Cameroon are set by the French Subsystem. This makes it difficult for Anglophones and Francophones to compete on an equal playing field. The Examination Board members for these entrance examinations are all Francophones, which places some bias against Anglophone candidates. There are six ministries that concern education, but only one of them is headed by an Anglophone, Dr. Pauline Nalova Lyonga Egbe of Secondary Education Of the 36 Ministers who defended the budgets for the Ministries a couple of months, only one was Anglophone. In the 1961 Constitution, the Vice President was the second most important person in State protocol. Today, the Prime Minister (a appointed Anglophone) is the fourth most important person in State protocol, coming after the President of the Republic, the President of the Senate and the President of the National Assembly. The prioritisation of the French language over the English language is a very glaring issue. State institutions put documents and public notices in French, with no of poor English translations. Most public exams are set in French, most often than not, even in English-speaking Regions Most of the heads of government offices speak only French, even in the English-speaking Regions. Visitors and clients to government offices are then expected to speak in French. Most Senior Administrators and members of the forces of law and order in the Northwest and Southwest Regions are French-speaking and there is a lack of effort for them to demonstrate an understanding of Anglophone culture, which they think it’s of no importance to them. Members of Inspection Teams, Missions and Facilitators for Seminars sent from the Ministries in Yaounde to the erstwhile British Southern Cameroons are mostly French-speaking, and the English-speaking audience is expecting to understand them. Most of the Military Tribunals in the Northwest and Southwest Regions conduct their courts in French. Finance documents such as the COBAC Code, the CIMA Code and the OHADA Code were all conceived and published in French. The Magistrates in the Southern Cameroons regions are disproportionately Francophone. Government-appointed officials such as Senior Divisional Officers, the Divisional Officers, Commissioners and Commandants are disproportionately Francophone. There are Francophone principals in Anglophone schools, Francophone directors and doctors in Hospitals, managers of banks and mobile telephone companies are predominantly Francophone. Now, what has changed after almost two years of crisis with all the promises to redress the situation? That is why Anglophone Cameroonians continuously feel marginalised. Terence Nyanga Manih

By Yerima Kini Nsom The Permanent Secretary of the Police Chiefs Committee for Central Africa, CCPAC, Police Colonel Michel Koua, has been called upon to crush terrorism and other trans-border crimes in order to secure the free movement of persons and goods in the sub region. The call came from the Commissioner of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC, Jones Shey Yembe, as he installed the official into his functions in Yaounde last weekend. Colonel Michel Koua, who hails from Congo Brazzaville, was appointed last February 19 after the CEMAC meeting in N’djamena, Chad. Col. Michel Koua who was born in 1958, is expected to give a new lease of life to the permanent secretariat of the Central African Police Chiefs that was created in 1997. It was in tandem with this responsibility that the CEMAC Commissioner in charge of Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, Jones Shey Yembe, urged him to stamp out trans-border criminality in the sub region. Yembe said the police boss was shouldering responsibilities of great magnitude, because, he was taking office at a time that the international community is faced with terrorism and other transnational crimes. Hear him: “There are transnational organised crimes across national borders involving groups and networks of individuals working in more than one country to plan and execute illegal business ventures. In order to achieve these goals, these criminal groups utilise systematic violence and corruption. The most commonly seen transnational organised crimes are: money laundering, human smuggling, cyber-crime, traffic of humans, drugs, weapons, endangered species, body parts or nuclear material” The CEMAC Commissioner said transnational organised crime is widely opposed on the basis of its negative effects on countries. To him, crimes can undermine democracy, disrupt free markets, drain national assets and inhibit the development of stable societies. Above all, he said, national and international criminal groups threaten the security of a nation. He said it is incumbent on organisations to share information in the most timely and effective manner possible, in order to successfully fight terrorism and other transnational crimes. Yembe lauded the international police organisation widely known as INTERPOL for providing the tools and service necessary to facilitate exchanges on tracking down in crime. Its main role, he went on, is to ensure effective inter play among member states and to ensure that offenders are brought to book irrespective of their hiding places. Apart from working with the law enforcement agencies of each member state, he emphasised, INTERPOL is also working with various intergovernmental bodies of the world to have inclusive programming in their fight against terrorism and organised crime. These challenges, he pointed out, can be curtailed if all the member states work hand in hand with INTERPOL in the area of information sharing on suspected persons and groups. Turning back to the newly appointed official, Yembe said the CEMAC authorities have given him the privilege and responsibility of working with the entire police organisations of the Central African sub region. Hear him: “You are here today to draw up the strengths and aspirations of the police organisations of Central Africa and to crystallise their energy and ambitions into a vision and a future that permits the free movement of people and goods while at the same time ensuring security from terrorism and transnational crimes. For you to succeed in doing this task, you must learn the value of team-building and partnerships, of thoughtfulness and understanding, the importance of hard work, imagination, and respect for others. Qualities such as these should guide your efforts at CCPAC because “the key to successful leadership today is influence not authority.” The CEMAC Commissioner remarked that the context within which Michel Koua was appointed compels him to deliver the goods at all cost, given that the sub region is fighting to get out of economic recession. He urged him to mainstream all aspects of good governance in the management of his office, especially the budget. He advised him to work with INTERPOL to ensure the security of member countries. The Permanent Secretary of CCPAC is a high profile police officer with a rich academic and professional career that dates back to 1987 in his country, Congo Brazzaville. He is married and is a father of four children.

By Peter Adi Fonte The Christians of the St Bernard Parish Kedjom Keku in the Tubah Subdivision in Mezam Division recently organised a memorial mass in memory of their pioneer Parish Priest Rev.Fr Roberto Pirovana, alias ‘father magic’. Father Roberto died in Italy on the February 15, after taking ill. The mass in his memory, was said by the Archbishop of Bamenda alongside 17 priests. In attendance, were Capuchin brothers and sisters as well as Parish pastoral council executives alongside other invited guests. In his homily the vicar general said that Rev. Fr. Roberto Piravano alias ‘Father Magic’ as he was popularly known was a Parish Priest of Kedjom Keku for about two years. Going by him, Father Roberto did not look sick, thus he, the Vicar General was shocked when he learned of his death. The Vicar in his homily advised Christians to live good and holy lives, knowing that they are on a pilgrimage, and thus should be prepared to die one day, in order to meet God. He enjoined Christians to live according to the tenets of the 10 commandments, especially by loving one another and living in peace with one another. He said the deceased who also served as Parish Priest in Shisong had worked in the seminary for eleven years as well in Kumbo and Bambui where he was superior. The Vicar, said Fr. Roberto was a generous man who lived his vows in poverty, chastity and obedience. He told the Christians to immortalise late Rev Father Roberto by putting in to practice all the things he taught them. Father Ngalim extended condolences of the archbishop to the Christians of Kedjom Keku for the great loss. He called on the Christians to continuously pray for the repose of his soul while collaborating and giving Rev Father Amos Bongdin and his assistant full support. The Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Bernard’s parish Mr Peter Adi Fonte in his speech thanked all who turned out to celebrate the memorial mass with them, adding that it shows their love and concern. He credited the deceased priest with the erection of the St Bernard parish, renovation of the parish hall, school buildings and also the lobby for funds from friends in Italy to construct a basketball pitch.

By Andrew Nsoseka The Likoko Membea Community, the media family alongside a host of friends, family and sympathisers, on April 21, joined veteran journalist, now serving the Bilingualism and Multiculturalism Commission, Bernard Eko, to bid farewell to his 99-year-old grandmother. The grandmother, Mbamba Frida Mojoko Ekongo Ngalle passed on on March 25, 2018. Mourners thronged the family residence of the veteran journalist, former Station Manager of CRTV Buea, and Journalism Lecturer, to mourn and celebrate the life of his grandmother, Mbamba Frida Mojoko Ekongo Ngalle. The family residence at Likoko Membea was jammed with family members, grand and great grandchildren, friends and well-wishers who turned out in their numbers to pay last respects to the outstanding grandmother. Referred to by many as “a mother with rare qualities”, the turnout at late Mbamba Frida’s funeral was eloquent testimony of the person she was in her days with the people she loved and lived with. To the people who came out in their numbers to pray and celebrate her life, she was a rare breed with scarce qualities of love, care, coupled with her generous nature. She is said to have positively impacted dozens through her charitable deeds. She was buried in Likoko Membea after a church service at the PCC Church house, witnessed by her more than 60 descendants who referred to her as “heroine”. “For us, the children, grandchildren, great grand and great great grandchildren, this beloved lady, Mbamba Mojoko Mw’Ekong’a Kato, was quite special. She took care of almost all of us from the first generation to the fourth… throughout her time with us, we treasured the values she instilled in us.” Bernard Eko said, while paying tributes to her that, “For me in particular, my life’s story is closely linked to her. That is why I call her “mama” instead of “grandma”. I was born into her hands in Likoko Membea and she and my grandfather never let me go. They took me as their son… and to that end, I bow to her in adoration…”

Basil K Mbuye The 2018 season of the Southwest Regional League kicked off on Sunday, April 15, in Buea with 12 goals scored in two games. After a series of reschedules and hindrances, the season finally took off to the satisfaction of football lovers in the Region, when the opening day witnessed a 12-goal thriller for the first time in the history of the Southwest Regional League. The launching this year was done by the Vice President of the Southwest FECAFOOT Buereau, Helen Sakwe, who also doubles as the President of female football in Cameroon. While talking to pressmen after the kick-off, Helen Sakwe expressed her satisfaction with the fact that the season finally commenced. She also reiterated the fact that one of the innovations this year will be that the championship will be played in five towns due to the insecurity in some Divisions in the region. Going by this, town like Kumba, Muyuka, Limbe, Tiko and Buea will host games this year. She also made it clear that, unlike in the past years when the league was halted at some points due to some issues, this year, the league will run smoothly. The first encounter of the game saw Catholic University Sports Academy of Buea beat visiting Njalla Quan Sports Academy of Limbe 4-1 to carry the day. In the second encounter, Cinyodev Academy of Buea, formed in November 2011, lost at home to visiting Best Stars of Limbe founded in February 2007, 3-4. Best Stars came from behind to carry the day to the dismay of the home fans who believed it was all done and dusted for them to be winners of the game after an early 2-0 lead. Other Day One matches of the Southwest Regional League will continue on Thursday, April 19, with the top match of the day being Victoria United that will host Continental Football Academy of Buea. The game will take place at the Limbe Centenary stadium at night. It will be the first official outing for ‘Born Again” Continental Football Academy of Essa Pius Tabi since he bought the club four months ago. The encounter between OPOPO (One People One Power) and the GraGra Boys of Buea, is tipped to be a mouth-watering encounter by bookmakers. The early match in Limbe will see the Lava Boys of Mount Cameroon FC against their host LIFCA managed by the Limbe City Council. Great players who have made their names in Cameroon football and also out of Cameroon have plied their trade at the Southwest Regional League. These include players the likes of Valentine Atem, Pius Ndefi, Enoh Eyong, Robert NdipTambe, Niba Macdonald, Christian Basoggog, among others. The championship is made up of 26 clubs divided into four pools with two clubs expected to qualify in each pool for the Southwest Mini Interpools tournament (play-offs).

By Joshua Boanong Three Nigerian students on a field trip at the Bouba Ndijidda National Park in Rey Bouba Division in the North Region have died and several others injured, following a stormy weather that hit the area recently. The students undertaking the field trip were 50 in number accompanied by six trainers from Taraba State University Nigeria. While on a stop-over at the Bouba Ddijidda National Park, a storm broke out. According to eyewitness accounts, upon arrival at the park, it began raining cats and dogs, accompanied by violent winds. The intensity of the winds pulled down a huge tree that knocked students. Two died on the spot and one later in hospital. Meanwhile, 16 others were seriously injured. The injured are currently receiving medical attention at the Garoua Regional Hospital. The Governor of the North Region, Jean Abate Edi’i, accompanied by top security brass and other officials of the region paid a visit to the victims at the Garoua Regional Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment covered by the State. Speaking to the victims, Governor Jean Abate said he brought them words of comfort from the Head of State, Paul Biya, and also extended his condolences. Hear him: “I came here in the name of the President of the Republic H.E Paul Biya, to comfort you and to wish condolence to the bereaved families. The State will cover all your expenses.” According to Aboubaker Sadjo, the Director of the Garoua Regional Hospital, he received 16 patients, 14 are responding to treatment while two are in critical condition due to major fractures sustained. He also extended condolences to families of victims.

By Nformi Sonde Kinsai The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Supreme State Control, CONSUPE, Rose Mbah Acha, has called on auditors working in her Ministry to show integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and transparency in the discharge of their duties. She made the call in Yaounde, April 17, while launching the capacity building programme of CONSUPE personnel for 2018. Rose Mbah Acha reminded her collaborators about the importance of capacity building for the performance of a Supreme State Control Institution, which constitutes 40 percent of its programme. She said such trainings are avenues for exchange of values and cardinal norms, without which auditing will lose its specificity and become an ordinary and banal activity. The Minister recalled that in launching the same activity last year, she spoke on two key notions of auditing, which according to her still constitute the backbone of their work today, notably professionalism and competence. She stated that a new phenomenon has led the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, to send out a circular cautioning against the non-respect of professional secrets and confidentiality of information on State institutions and public sector companies. She said beyond these exigencies required of public agents, and more specifically from those of the Supreme State Control, she has observed a decadence in the behaviour of auditors during their control missions. Such a poor behaviour, she went on, pushed her to talk about deontology to the auditors. “As auditors in a Supreme State Audit Institution controlling public finances, you are requested to be a model in order to inspire confidence and credibility. You are thus subjected to the respect of norms of the code of deontology which are a set of values and principles that guide auditors in their work on a daily basis,” she maintained. Such values and fundamental principles that must guide decisions taken by the auditors and outlined by the Minister included integrity, objectivity, confidentiality and transparency. Minister Mbah Acha noted that integrity must lead the auditor to react in honesty, in a reliable manner, in good faith and in the interest of the public. On the other hand, objectivity would help them to avoid submitting to compromising influences or attitudes judged as such that could lead to impartiality. She said confidentiality and transparency are values geared at protecting information in an appropriate manner and as such collaborators of the Supreme State Institution must not divulge any information obtain within the framework of their work, especially if they have not been authorised to do so. “…The training activities we are launching today are of critical importance to the life of the institution. Continuous training is to further equip and upgrade the auditing skills of our personnel and [this] is complementary to the initial training and experience [which] all constitute the triptych of competence. For this reason, more than just a right for Supreme Audit Institution staff, it is an obligation upheld at the international level by International Supreme State Audit Institutions,” Mbah Acha stated. She insisted on regularity, punctuality and development of interest from both the trainees and trainers of CONSUPE throughout the capacity building activities for 2018. Meanwhile, in a message on a banner in front of the CONSUPE conference hall, it is stated that auditors must avoid to be corrupted as the corrupter belittles and always ends up betraying them.

By Maxcel Fokwen National Communication Council, NCC, President, Peter Essoka, Sunday April 8, was among hundreds of Presbyterian faithful, who witnessed the induction ceremony of Rev. Pius Bah Inobuh, as Parish Pastor of PC Three Corners Fiango. The newly inducted Pastor doubles as Southwest Regional PCC Youth Pastor. Essoka opened the support session for the vision of the man of God at his new place of assignment with a pledge of FCFA 500,000 to enhance ongoing work at the church premises. According to the ace journalist, the Regional Youth Pastor “is growing and learning” and so deserves every form of support to fulfil his Ministry. Even before the NCC President could utter a few words, hundreds of parishioners shouted spontaneously as the Rev. Bah introduced Essoka as “the President’s interpreter.” Besides Essoka, scores of other Christians drawn from the different places where Rev. Bah has served also joined the support movement to ease the expansion vision of the Pastor in his new parish. Presbyterian English Choir Association, PECA National President, Epey Bissong Nkongho, told reporters that the Christians of PC Three Corners should thank God for giving them a man of vision. Epey said they should be able to make full use of the versatile servant of God, given the exploits already recorded. Rev. Bah is also National Chaplain of PECA. Preach Hope In a sermon at the induction ceremony, the Secretary Committee of the Ministry, Rev. Johnson Bissong, charged the man of God to bring hope to God’s people as he embarks on his assignment. Ministering on the theme “there will be change”, the Secretary Committee of the Ministry charged his colleague to reorganise the spirituality of God’s people and prepare them for the second coming of Christ. The Chairperson of the congregation, Namata Ediage, took delight in the achievements recorded under Bah and appealed for him to be left at PC Three Corners till retirement. Speaking to reporters, the Rev. Bah said the glory for his induction and all the good memories shared of his past exploits at the occasion goes to God. He averred that his focus was on Christ to help him fulfil what he has set him to execute in his new place of assignment. On the charge from his hierarchy, the man of God said the death and resurrection of Christ makes Christianity a religion of hope to those who believe in God. Bah challenged youths to put their trust in God irrespective of the challenges. Bah told The Post that the appeal for him to serve at his present station till retirement is a mere expression of wish from God’s people. Rev. Bah is a Master student at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, PTS, Kumba, who was born in 1979. He attended St Therese Catholic School Fiango. After primary education, Bah attended Government Technical School, GTC Mundemba then GTHS Kumba before reverting to general education. He would enrol into Ages Comprehensive College Kumba for his advanced level. In 2002, Bah gained admission into PTS and graduated in 2005 with a Theology degree. He has served the PCC in different capacities for 13 years. He is also author of several publications.

By Maxcel Fokwen The Southwest Regional Chairman of the Social Democratic Front, SDF, cum Mayor of Kumba II, Martin Forcha Ndobegang, has appealed to Government to lift an injunction slammed on the FCFA 300 million Kosala modern market project. Ndobegang made the appeal on April 14 in a chat with reporters at the Kumba II Council chambers on the work that has stopped at the Kosala Market project following an order of the Meme High Court. The Mayor stated that a ministerial decision of February 20, 2017, had declared the said area for public utility. He said the Minister’s decision stated that the Council must utilise the area within two years or the land goes back to the original owners. According to the Mayor, eight months after the Minister’s decision, one of those who own a parcel of land on the site chosen for the market, Kamga Kabiwa Esae, seized the Meme High Court. The Mayor said two months after Kamga engaged legal action, the court placed an injunction order on the piece of land. He said some 40 stalls are supposed to have been constructed on the area. Mayor Ndobegang said, going by the Minister’s order, the said Kamga ceased to be the owner of the piece of land since February 2017. He lamented that, because of the legal order, the Council has lost 14 months out of 24 months during which she is expected to use the land. SDO, Kabiwa In Compensation Battle In a bit to arrest the situation, the Mayor said the SDO for Meme, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong, summoned him and Kabiwa. Ndobegang said Kabiwa refused to collect FCFA 2.71 million which the Minister had instructed in a letter to the Council and the SDO. Ndobegang said Kabiwa asked for FCFA 3 million. The Mayor continued that the SDO then advised the Council to pay the money, considering the threat of losing the FCFA 300 million development credit. Ndobegang said Kabiwa rejected the amount and demanded FCFA 3.5 million. He explained that a few weeks later, the Council brought the money but Kabiwa told the SDO that he was no longer interested in the money since the matter is in court. Contract, Credit As Stake In the meantime, the Mayor said, the contractor expected to build the stalls on the contested parcel of land could be fined. He said 21 days which the project controllers had issued for the work to start have elapsed. Ndobegang said the contractor should be treated with a human face, given that, it is the court order that is hindering work. Ndobegang said, the Council’s creditor, FEICOM, is also threatening to withdraw the money following the delays. The project was awarded to be executed for three months which have elapsed. Politics Versus Development Asked if the twist and turns were politically motivated given that the SDF is an opposition party, the Mayor said: “I don’t want to think it is politically motivated, because, when we were elected in 2013, we promised to talk and do development politics, even though one cannot rule out anything.” But for Kabiwa, the Mayor said, since 2012, a number of other persons have been compensated and their lands under use. Besides the market problem, the Mayor lamented that multiple litigations over land are choking the Council. He said compensation has been done for a Slaughter House, Cattle Market and Health Centres to the tune of FCFA 12 million. He said others are yet to be compensated. Kumba II Council faces acute land shortage with every development project coming at the expense of individuals surrendering land to Government.

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN Paix – Travail – Patrie —————- REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Peace – Work – Fatherland —————- MINISTERE DES FINANCES —————- MINISTRY OF FINANCE —————– SECRETARIAT GENERAL —————- SECRETARIAT GENERAL —————- DIRECTION DES AFFAIRES ECONOMIQUES —————- DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS —————- DIVISION DES FINANCES PUBLIQUES —————- PUBLIC FINANCE DIVISION —————- EXECUTION OF THE BUDGET AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2017 During the 2017 financial year, the State budget was implemented within a context marked at the international level by: (i) a global economy that was consolidated throughout the year, with a growth estimated at 3.7% compared to 3.2% in 2016, thanks in particular to the good performance of world industrial production and the recovery of international trade. According to the IMF, this dynamic should continue in 2018, in view of the first indices of the year, with growth expected to be higher than in 2017, between 3.8% and 3.9%, driven by United States and emerging countries. (ii) The low level of world oil prices, despite an increase of more than 20% in 2017 compared to 2016. The price of oil stands on average at $ 60 per barrel. At the national level, the budget implementation context was marked by: (i) a slowdown in economic activity, whose growth rate should be around 3.7% in 2017 against 4.5% in 2016 Economic activity should be revitalized in 2018, with a growth rate projected at 4.2%, driven by the tertiary sector and increased energy supply for secondary sector companies; (ii) the further decline in inflation, the rate of which, according to the NIS, is estimated at 0.6% in 2017 against 0.9% in 2016 and 2.7% in 2015; (iv) the budgetary support obtained from development partners, following the satisfactory implementation of the economic and financial programme at the end of the first half of 2017; (v) the second year of implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with the inclusion of the so-called second group goods and the doubling of the tariff reduction rate for goods in the first group; and (vi) the fight against insecurity in the North West and South West regions. Overall, the implementation of the State budget in the 2017 financial year was particularly characterized by a good performance of tax revenue and under-achievements in both oil revenue and non-tax revenue, as well as control of budgetary expenditure. The evolution in revenue and expenditure is as follows: I- BUDGETARY REVENUE During the 2017 financial year, total budgetary revenues stood at 4,451.9 billion. They are on the increase by 822.4 billion (+ 22.7%) compared to the previous year. This increase can be seen both at the level of internal revenues and that of loans and grants. Domestic budgetary revenue collected amounted to 3,057.1 billion, recording an increase of 218.8 billion (+7.7%) as compared to 2016, when it stood at 2,838.3 billion. This increase is mainly attributable to non-oil revenue. Borrowings and grants amounted to 1,394.8 billion at the end of December 2017 compared to 791.2 billion at the end of December 2016, showing an increase of 603.6 billion (+76.3%). This increase is mainly due to exceptional resources for budgetary support from development partners, within the framework of the implementation of the economic and financial programme with the IMF, and improved disbursements for project loans. With regard to forecasts, the target of total budgetary revenue for the 2017 financial year set at 4,373.8 billion was exceeded. Achievements stood at 4,451.9 billion, representing a completion rate of 100.8%. This overrun is attributable to loans and donations. In fact, internal budgetary revenues show an achievement rate of 97.3% compared to the 3,143.3 billion annual forecast, while loans and grants have a realization rate of 113.4% compared to the projected, 230.5 billion. By categories of revenues, the evolution is as follows: 1- Oil revenue amounted to 385.9 billion at the end of December 2017, down by 39.1 billion (-9.2%) compared to the end of December 2016, due to the effects of the low level of world oil prices. on the activity of the oil sector. It consists of 319.4 billion of NHC oil royalty and 66.5 billion tax on oil companies. Compared with the 455.1 billion annual forecast, its completion rate is 84.8%. The under-realization is attributable to the tax on oil companies which is affected by the low level of oil prices. 2- Non-oil revenue stood at 2,671.2 billion at the end of December 2017 as compared to 2,413.3 billion at the end of December 2016, representing an increase of 257.9 billion (+10.7%). Compared with the 2,688.2 billion annual target, it is on the decrease by 17 billion, representing a 99.4% achievement rate. The underperformance is observed at the level of customs revenue and non-tax revenue. The evolution and achievements of the main components of non-oil revenue is given below. a)- Revenue from taxes and levies collected during the 2017 financial year amounted to 1,790.4 billion compared to 1,585.6 billion in 2016, representing an increase of 204.8 billion (+12.9%). This increase results mainly from the 195.4 billion (+ 36.4%) increase in VAT, 16.5 billion (+15.6%) in the STPP, and 9.9 billion (+10.5%) registration fees and stamp duty. Non-oil corporations taxes and excise duties, on the other hand, recorded decreases of 32 billion (-9.1%) and 11.7 billion (-5.9%) respectively. Compared to the 1,719 billion forecast for the 2017 financial year, tax revenues are in excess by 71.4 billion, representing an achievement rate of 104.2%. This […]

By Chris Mbunwe Most administrative service cars, that were carrying ‘CA’ on their number plates, have, for some weeks now been circulating without such number plates. Most of the number plates have been replaced with chassis number or factory numbers. In our investigations we contacted Regional Delegates of Government services who disclosed that it was as a result of their reading of the prevailing situation in the two Anglophone Regions where Ambazonian Defence Forces have been seizing and burning cars carrying CA on their number plates. Since the Anglophone struggle took a nasty twist, more than 30 CA service cars have been burnt to ashes, most belonging to SDOs, DOs and Regional Delegates. It would be recalled that service cars West of the Mungo, used to carry Federal Cameroon Administration, FCA, which was for officials or institutions run by Federal Government up to the 70s. Vehicles belonging to CCAST Bambili were marked FCA.

By Andrew Nsoseka The Yaounde Military Tribunal has sentenced Terence Penn to 12 years in prison, alongside Benjamin Che, and Andrew Ambeizi who also received a sentence of 11 years in prison. Penn’s sentence was proclaimed with a fine of FCFA 5 million. Information made public by Barrister Agbor Nkongho of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, holds that Penn, who was charged with terrorism, secession, group rebellion and incitement to civil war, was found guilty by the military tribunal of; complicity to secession, complicity to financing terrorism, hostility to the fatherland and complicity to incite rebellion. Penn Makes Impassioned Statement Reacting to his heavy jail and that of two others sentenced alongside him as well as those awaiting trial, Penn told the Military Tribunal that their sentences and that of others will not solve the Anglophone crisis. Penn told Court that he is not a terrorist, nor is he a secessionist. After noting that he is for change in institutional laws to benefit the English minority in the country, Penn averred that “Terrorism is an attribute to people and individuals who decry societal injustice and inequality, then, find me guilty again because these are the reasons for which I stand before you today. Where then is the Justice that we seek?”

By Joe Dinga Pefok The American and French diplomatic missions in Cameroon have begun seeking for ways to nib the escalating Anglophone Crisis in the bud. Even though both diplomatic missions have been silent on their recent resolve to finding solutions to end the Anglophone Crisis, political commentators are unanimous that the involvement of these friends of Cameroon is an indication that the diplomatic missions are not only concerned with the escalating nature of the Anglophone Crisis, but they are also concerned with the manner in which the Biya Government has been handling the Crisis. Also, the decision by the US and French Embassies to encourage dialogue in an attempt to seek solutions to the Anglophone Crisis, instead of the use of force is a clear indication that the two countries do not buy the claims that the Anglophone activists are terrorists. In fact, a senior French diplomat from the French Embassy in Yaounde who was in Bamenda last week, did not only dismissed a spurious rumour that some French military officers were assisting the Cameroon military in the fight against secessionists in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, but he also made it clear that France considers the ongoing conflict in Cameroon as an internal matter and so cannot involve the French soldiers. Yaounde Meeting In the last edition of The Post, we reported that the US Ambassador to Cameroon, HE Peter Henry Barlerin, recently invited some distinguished civil society leaders, the clergy and the representatives of some political parties and human rights organisations to a roundtable discussion at the US Embassy in Yaounde. The meeting was meant for participants to share views and propose ways of solving the Anglophone Crisis. Those invited to the conference were: Christian Cardinal Tumi, Gregoire Owona, Prof. Maurice Kamto and Barrister Felix Agbor Balla among others. French Diplomat In Bamenda Meanwhile, on April 2 to 6, a senior French diplomat, Philippe Lario, Special Adviser at the French Embassy in Yaounde, was in Bamenda, where he held consultative talks with clergymen, members of the civil society and human rights organisations, The consultative meeting was to seek ways on how to end the escalating Anglophone Crisis. The French diplomat who spoke to Equinoxe Radio in Douala did not disclose the names of the personalities he met, but mentioned for example the meeting with Catholic clergymen. However, a source disclosed that the clergymen included the Archbishop of Bamenda, Mgr. Cornelius Fontem Esua, the Auxiliary Bishop of Bamenda, Mgr. Michael Bibi, among others. The French diplomat also met with other persons based in Bamenda and the leaders of the other main stream Churches in Anglophone Cameroon (the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon PCC, and the Cameron Baptist Convention, CBC.) The Moderator of the PCC, Rt. Rev Fonki Samuel Forba is based in Buea, while the Executive President of the CBC, Rev Godwill Ncham Chiatoh, is based in Ndu, where the CBC runs a theological seminary. It would be recalled that the Bishops of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference, BAPEC, have since the escalation of the Anglophone Crisis, written to the Government a number of times, tracing the causes of the Crisis, proposing solutions and at times objectively criticising Government’s poor handling of the Crisis. But unfortunately, the BAPEC Bishops were accused of supporting secession and Archbishop Cornelius Fontem Esua, Mgrs. George Nkuo, Immanuel Bushu, Andrew Founya Nkea Agapitus Nfon and Michael Bibi, were dragged to court. Meantime, the US Ambassador and the French diplomat who met in Yaounde and Bamenda respectively, are a sharp contrast to members of the Biya Government, who have been wasting State resources under the guise of looking for solutions to the Anglophone Crisis. Apologists of the regime like Philemon Yang, Peter Mafany Musonge and Paul Atanga Nji among others have on different occasions, led delegations to the field to discuss the Anglophone Crisis. But most often, the aforementioned CPDM barons preferred to meet only people who will tell them what they like to hear. Such persons include: money-minded and politically- partisan Fons and Chiefs, who have since lost the respect of their subjects because of their unbridled quest for money. Others include local CPDM militants, who are scared of speaking the truth for fear of being tagged as secessionists or opposition, some Anglophone Teachers’ Trade Unions leaders, who have become professional ‘gombo grabbers’, hired leaders of biker riders unions among others. The CPDM elite have avoided meetings with clergymen, genuine civil society organisations, human rights organisations and opposition parties that would insist on honesty and stating hard facts that can expedite the peace process. However, with the calibre of persons the US and French diplomats met with in Yaounde and Bamenda respectively, it is clear that both the US and French Embassies in Cameroon have been closely monitoring developments in the Anglophone Crisis since it started in 2016. They have also been taking note of Cameroonian patriots, who have been making objective, rational, realistic and concrete proposals on how the crisis can be resolved.

By Maxcel Fokwen Government through the Meme administration has asked Chiefs of the Division, most of who have deserted their villages for months now to return home and talk their subjects out of the forests. Instructions in this light surfaced Wednesday, April 4 as Meme Chiefs met with the administration in an emergency meeting at the Divisional Office in Kumba. According to the Meme administration, the custodians of tradition should rise to the billing as auxiliaries of the administration and talk to their subjects to return home and ensure a return to normalcy in the villages. Besides, the Chiefs are expected to give the administration on the ground report of houses destroyed in the villages. During the meeting, some Chiefs expressed fear over the security situation in their villages. One of the Chiefs told the administration that the mission is like sending the chiefs to die. Meme SDO assured them of security support but asked the royal fathers to be resolute even in the face of challenges. The SDO cited his own situation wherein he has survived some five attacks from separatists. Chiefs Condemn Killing, Burning Meme Chiefs’ Scribe, Eseme Mbonji Etongwe, declared at the meeting that they were against the burning and killings across the Division Etongwe said the tradition of the people sees such burning and killings as sacrilege. He furthered that such acts must stop irrespective of whichever angle it’s being perpetuated from. Form Of State On the form of State, Etongwe said Meme Chiefs stand for 10 autonomous decentralised states. He reiterated that Government should take measures to fully implement the provisions of the 1996 Constitution. Villagers Divided Days after the conclave, scores of villagers across Meme have read different meanings from the assignment given to Chiefs. Many of them who participated in radio programmes from the bushes reacted differently. Some hailed the initiative given that the farming season is at hand, while others criticised it asking Government to reconstruct villages burnt down and withdraw the military before they can return home. It remains to be seen if the traditional rulers will keep their promise of going home to talk with their people. For one thing, most of them reside permanently in Kumba and parts of Fako Division owing to death threats from unknown persons.

By Maxcel Fokwen Cameroon’s Head of State, Paul Biya, may take action towards rebuilding scores of villages which have been reduced to rubbles in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, The Post has learnt. The villages are those destroyed within the context of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis. Information in this light filtered out of an emergency meeting between Chiefs of Meme Division and the administration on Wednesday, April 4 in Kumba. According to the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Meme, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong, an exhaustive list of houses burnt down across his administrative unit will be forwarded to the President of Republic. The Prefect said once that is done, the high directives of President Biya will be awaited on the issue. Making inference to such presidential help in areas such as Shell Creek, Idabatu in Ndian Division, the SDO said such could be applied to the affected villages if Biya decides. He told reporters that as Prefect for Ndian at that time, he lived the importance of Biya’s intervention that changed the beauty of the sea-site settlement after a mishap. Traditional rulers have been tasked to do the identification in their respective villages and forward it to the hierarchy for onward transmission to the Head of State. However, it remains unclear if such help would be applied to Churches, health centres, business premises and other collective ventures that are now in ruins following the crackdown on separatists across Meme, Ndian, Lebialem, Manyu and Kupe-Muanenguba Divisions.

SDF National Chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi, says the appointment of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea, Dr. Nalova Lyonga as Minister of Secondary Education and Paul Atanga Nji as Minister of Territorial Administration, is an act of provocation of Anglophones. He made the observation in an exclusive interview with The Post in Yaounde recently. He argued that Atanga Nji and Nalova Lyonga are the very people who stoked the embers of the Anglophone Crisis by way of false, irresponsible utterances and dictatorial behaviour. Excerpts: The Post: You are one of those who have articulated the Anglophone Problem, SDF MPs were even demonstrating, both at the National Assembly and in the Senate for the Problem to be handled within this institution. Why would you be targeted by secessionists whom you said attempted to burn down your compound? Ni John Fru Ndi: I have absolutely nothing in my bag against the secessionists. I said that they are asking for secession because they’ve been pushed to the wall. If a child cries one, two, three times you don’t do something about it, then what do you expect? You remember that I am the first person who told the students in the Northwest that I support them in fighting for their rights. I also went down to the Southwest and met the students in Buea to tell them that I was with them. When the teachers and the lawyers rose in protest, I supported them. So, for people in diaspora, like your colleague, John Mbah Akuru, who picked on me and rained insults on me. Some of these people are those I protected, prevented from being imprisoned, from being killed. Their problem now is Fru Ndi. For them to leave Biya and focus on me, up to the point that they attempt burning my house is what I cannot understand up till today. Are you saying that there is smoke without fire? They thought that I’ll say something bad against the Anglophones. But the truth is that, there is an Anglophone Problem and it can be resolved in different ways. The people in the Diaspora are doing their own. We are also doing our own the way we started in the 90s. We think that we can change Cameroon through the ballot box, but for people to stand and say Fru Ndi get out of Parliament, get out of Council, get out of Senate, ”No elections in our Ambaland” is not reasonable. Who is a more Anglophone than I? We’re all Anglophones; we were born in Anglophone Cameroon. I challenged them over a BBC interview some few months back. I said if the Anglophone leadership in the Diaspora wants me for a talk with them anywhere in the world, they should tell me and for sure I will meet them there. This will be a chance for them to tell me what they are doing and I will let them also know what I am doing. But for a young man to sit in his taxi in America and say” Fru Ndi I’m telling you.” Who are you to give orders to Fru Ndi? For me to take a position on any issue I sit down with the National Executive Committee, we debate, deliberate and take resolutions. And up till now that I am talking to you, I believe that most of the so called Ambazonians are CPDM agents. Why do you think so? They have come down to attack Fru Ndi and the SDF Mayors and Councillors. Look at the situation in Belo, the entire Kom land. They are kidnapping Councillors or their siblings for ransom. We have CPDM Councillors in Fundong who all voted in the March 25 Senate elections and none of them has been harassed, let alone kidnapped. In Ndu the Mayor’s house was attacked and many things destroyed. When you complain to the administration, they tell you that the Mayor knows the people, he should denounce them. Is that an approach? Are the Mayors the police and army to go and arrest the boys if they know where they are and who they are? So I say that, the present situation has turned to guerrilla warfare where the CPDM people are targeting SDF militants and sympathisers. Can you imagine that in the last elections a camera was implanted in a polling station in Mbengwi? This camera was planted with the intention to see those that were going to vote against the CPDM, so that they will get them killed. We know the CPDM and their tricks. We are watching. For the past two weeks, Minister Atanga Nji, has been going with peace plants, suing for dialogue in the Anglophone Crisis. What is your reaction to this? Well, he is putting the cart before the horse. He would have told Mr. Biya to summon the discussion, to initiate dialogue, to call people in for dialogue. If he does that and Mr. Biya invites people, we can now be talking. The Anglophone children that have been pushed to the bush are merely defending themselves. It is Mr. Biya who declared war on the Anglophones. I remember the Pope came here about three times and Mr. Biya took communion from him directly and for him to be taking the very lips to declare war on the Anglophones is what I cannot comprehend. It’s unfortunate that the same Paul […]

By Joe Dinga Pefok Cameroon is playing host to the African Festival of Martial Arts, known by the French acronym, FADAM,under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya. The festival, which brings together some 400 participants from some 40 countries of the five continents, is scheduled to hold in three Cameroonian cities; Douala, Yaounde and Limbe. The FADAM is an initiative of Cameroonian born Maitre Dominique Martin Saatenang, the President of the International Shaolin Black and White Association, and Ambassador of the Shaolin Temple in China. The Chinese call Maitre Saatenang ‘The Black Eagle’. Africans say he is the ‘African Bruce Lee’, while Europeans know him as ‘The Black Chinese’. At a press conference which held at Sawa Hotel, Douala,on April 3, the initiator of the FADAM,Saateneng, and his collaborators,disclosed that he has done a lot of work with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education, as well as with some other State institutions, for things to be ready. Saatenangalso stated that, being a festival, the organisers thought it good to introduce other aspects beyond sports: cultural, economic and educational aspects. Talking about the Investment Forum which is the economic aspect of the festival, it is being jointly organised by the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce and the China –Africa Chamber of Commerce. The President of the China-Africa Chamber of Commerce who flew in from China for the event was at the press conference.MaitreSaatenang, who is also a businessman, is currently the Vice President of the Federation of Investors China-Africa, and the Chief Executive Office, CEO, of DMS International Group. Yaounde April 6, Limbe April 7 The hundreds of invited martial arts practitioners from across the world will start effectively participating in the festival on Friday, April 6. A group from France already arrived at Sawa Hotel in Douala in the course of the press conference. Most of the foreign artists (athletes) were expected to arrive in the country on April 4. The FADAM will hold in Yaounde at the Sports Complex, on Friday, April 6, beginning with a general rehearsal from 10.00am -1.00pm, followed by the cultural ceremony and parade of the different delegations, ending with the Night of Martial Arts from 8.00pm – 11.00pm. The festival will move to the Limbe Stadium, on Saturday, April 7 and will start in the early afternoon.The day as well as the festival itself will end in Douala with the Night of the Martial Arts at Canal Olympia Bessengue from 8.00pm-11.00pm. The cultural ceremony will feature a display by the national ballet and performances by several Cameroonian music stars. The Nights of Martial Arts will demonstrate different styles of martial arts from each country (about 30 martial arts disciplines). Spectators will watch displays of Kung Fu Shaolin, Karate, Krav Maga, Taikwendo,Jiu Jit Su, Judo, African traditional fight, and a host of others. As for the social aspect, Saatenang announced that part of the funds raised during the festival, will go to assist in the construction of health facilities and classrooms in the Northern Part of Cameroon that has been hard hit by terrorism. He also announced that he has a plan to open a National Academy of Martial Arts in Cameroon in future. International Invitees Meanwhile, many international invitees are expected; among the big names that confirmed their coming are the famous Actor and Filmmaker,Chan Konsan aka Jackie Chan. Born in Hong Kong in 1954, Jackie Chan studied film acting at the China Drama Academy, where he was also trained in martial arts and acrobatics. He was an actor in many great Chinese films including Operation Dragon where he met Bruce Lee in 1973. Another big name among the international invitees is French born film Actor and Producer, Gerard Depardieu, who also became a Russian citizen since 2013. Another is Abbot Shi Yongxin, the Current Spiritual Chief of the Shaolin Temple in China. Abbot Shi Yongxin is the 13th successor to Abbot Xue Ting Fu Yu. The Shaolin Temple is the most famous Buddhist Monastery in the Western World, thanks to Holly Wood and Jet Li. African Bruce Lee Saatenang aka the African Bruce Lee was born into the royal family of Bafou Village, Menoua Division in the West Region of Cameroon. As a kid he played footballand captained his primary school football team. But when the young prince discovered Bruce Lee and watched “Enter the Dragon”, the movie changed the course of his life by sparking the strong desire to practise martial arts. He started practising martial arts in high school, and joined the school of “Black Tigers”, with his greatest ambition being to go to China, the land of Kung Fu. After graduating with a Masters Degree in Management, Saatenang went to China for further studies and to live his dream. He was admitted into the Shaolin Temple. Chinese martial arts experts later recommended him to the Sport University of Beijing, from where he graduated in Wushu, with an outstanding academic record. He has since been taking part in many high level sporting events and competitions. In 2006, Saatenang grabbed two silver medals at the Wushu World Championship and a gold medal at the Wushu International Festival in Hong Kung. In 2009, he received a medal at UNESCO for his extraordinary history. A certified international judge and referee in Wushu, Saatenang is among the 33 best sportsmen inducted into the National Sports Hall […]

By Maxcel Fokwen Reports of long gunfire and burnings continue to put hundreds of people in rural Anglophone Cameroon in a fix, barely days after Territorial Administration Minister, Atanga Paul Nji, toured the two restive Anglophone Regions with a message of peace. As Minister of Interior, some critics dismissed the hilarious reception which Atanga Nji got in parts of the Northwest and Southwest Regions as being far from the atmosphere in the interior localities of Anglophone Cameroon. In the Northwest, the Minister demonstrated courage when he visited the restive Batibo Subdivision after holding meetings in Bamenda. In the Southwest Region, the MINAT boss stormed Buea and Kumba, addressed bikers, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, among others. His critics hold that the results of the tour may not be holistic given that, in the Northwest, Atanga Nji, as Minister of Interior, would have touched down on areas such as Kumbo, Jakiri, parts of Donga Mantung, Boyo and Mezam with traces of suspected separatists’ presence. It is same in the Southwest where the Interior Minister did not visit places such as Kwa Kwa, Bole, Mbonge, Ekondo Titi, Etam, Bangem , Ikiliwindi and parts of Manyu. Konye In Gloom Three days after Atanga Nji left Kumba, suspected separatists surfaced in Konye. Unconfirmed reports talk of military casualties. Thus, since the beginning of this week, Cameroon’s defence forces have been combing the subdivision. In the face of these happenings, the population of Konye has fled. Hundreds of people are reported to be seeking refuge in the bushes, while a few others have traced their relatives to some urban areas. In the face of the gunfire exchange between the military and separatists, houses are reported to have been reduced to ashes. Reports talk of such losses in villages such as Dikomie Bafaw. It remains unclear who set the houses ablaze. Since the military reinforcement in Konye, relative calm has returned to the Subdivision, while the separatists are said to have been pushed back. Before now, travellers have narrated instances of how the separatists were making surprise control of identification documents. More Villages Suffer Loses Across Mbonge Subdivision, reports have emerged suggesting that some more villages have suffered from destruction of houses and property. There are indications of such happenings in areas such as Bakumba, Masaka, Ngwandi and others in Mbonge Subdivision. Separatists’ activities in these zones have put the localities in the eye of the storm. The villagers have all fled into safety either in the bushes or with relatives. Ngwandi, for instance, said to be the biggest Mbonge Village in terms of population, infrastructure and other forms of Government investment, is said to have lost its shape in the last few days. In Bakumba, for instance, a structure hosting the integrated health centre went up in flames on March 30. What is left of the health structure now is only a toilet that was attached to it. At the moment, it remains unclear those behind the burning, even as the population continues to grief the loss of property. Military operations across Mbonge Subdivision have been on for months to suppress separatist activities. Military Save Woman In Labour There is the story of a woman on whom military officers stumbled while in labour. Soldiers at the scene are said to have ferried the woman to a health facility in Kumba. The young woman is said to have delivered safely. A military official is reported to have paid all the hospital bills of the woman picked out of the forest.

By Maxcel Fokwen Traditional rulers of the Southwest Region and Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Nji Atanga, have reportedly agreed on the creation of a commission to bring back home fleeing Anglophones from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The custodians of tradition and the MINAT head cogitated on the idea as they sat in a closed door conclave last March 28 in Buea during the Minister’s peace mission to the Region. A source which opened up to The Post on condition of anonymity said, the creation of such a commission formed the high point of the Chiefs’ meeting with Minister Atanga Nji. The same source explained that during deliberations, the suggestion for the creation of such a commission came from their peers of Manyu Division. Our source furthered said after deliberations, the Southwest Chiefs and the Minister saluted the idea and opted for the commission to swing into action without delay. The Post gathered that, if the idea gets the expected support, the commission whose members are yet to be made public would visit the Anglophone refugees in Nigeria this April. Reports hold that a host of Manyu elite are expected to be part of the commission geared towards concretising Government’s measures to bring normalcy to the Northwest and Southwest Regions. The proposal came in the wake of calls for traditional rulers, politicians and elite from across the Region to redouble their efforts in bringing peace and order to their communities. In a press outing on March 20 at the UN headquarters in Geneva Switzerland, the Spokesperson of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, Aikaterini Kitidi indicated that the number of Anglophone refugees registered in Nigeria had reached 20,000. The UNHCR holds that since October 2017, Anglophone refugees began fleeing violence into Nigeria and continue to pour into Nigeria’s Cross River, Benue and Taraba States. Of this number registered, women and Children account for four-fifth of the refugees. Reports hold that only five in every 100 of these Cameroonians have proper or independent shelter. The rest are squatting in rooms believed to host between 10 to 15 persons. Three quarters of the children who fled into Nigeria do not have access to school either because their parents cannot afford to pay for books or uniforms. “A political solution to the situation in Cameroon is urgently needed, so that Cameroonians can safely and voluntarily return home. Until then, UNHCR and its partners will continue their efforts to provide assistance and support to this population as long as we are able,”. UNCHR’s Kitidi declared in the March 20 outing. John Inaku, Director General of Nigeria’s State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, in a January 25 publication by Reuters news agency is quoted as putting the number of Anglophone Refugees then at 33,000. Other agencies put the total number of Anglophones who have fled into Nigeria at almost three times the number UNCHR said it has registered. Other Observations Other observations made during the deliberation with Chiefs highlighted the fact that, some elite and politicians have done little or nothing to communicate Government measure to their communities. Some Chiefs are reported to have indicated during the meeting that their elite and politicians are never in touch with their communities. Besides, the traditional rulers are said to have been assured complete security as they return to their communities to pass across the message of peace to their subjects. Among other resolutions reached during the meeting, the Chiefs requested the Government to fast track the decentralisation process. The chiefs used the conclave to salute the recent appointments of sons and daughters of Anglophone extraction in the March 2, cabinet reshuffle.

• 5 Lists Rejected • 36 Validated • SDF Backs Out In Centre Region • Santa Mafia Caused Achidi Achu, JB Ndeh Senatorial Seat • CPDM Central Committee Dumps Motomby’s List By Isidore Abah Cameroon’s election governing body, ELECAM, Wednesday, March 7, sent shocking waves down the spines of politicians and political parties vying for the March 25, 2018 Senatorial elections when it made Public the lists of the polls. According to ELECAM officials, five out of the 42 lists submitted by nine political parties that will be contesting the elections were rejected. The lists were rejected for various reasons, ranging from incomplete list of alternate candidates, absence of signature on the candidates’ declarations, absence of certificate of non-conviction, absence of the certificate of payment of deposit and absence of copies of birth certificates among others. From the lists published, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM, of President Paul Biya and the National Union for Democracy and Progress, NUDP, of Bello Bouba Maigari, are the only political parties that will be gunning for Senatorial seats in all the 10 Regions of Cameroon. The Social Democratic Front, SDF, which initially applied to contest in nine out of the 10 Regions of Cameroon will no battle only in five Regions viz: Northwest, Southwest, West, Littoral and Adamawa. The party’s backed out of the Centre Region, it list in the Far North Region was rejected because the documents were legalised without the signatures of candidates and the list of alternate candidates were incomplete. The party’s list in the East Region was also rejected because of incomplete nomination documents. The Union of the Population of Cameroon, UPC, will face up with other political parties in the Centre and Littoral Regions, but the party’s lists have been rejected in the North and Southwest Regions for one of the above reasons. Another party that will be showcasing its political strength in the 2018 Senatorial is the Cameroon Democratic Union of Adamou Ndam Njoya. The party will be flexing its muscles in the West and Littoral Regions. The ANDP, on her part, will compete in the East, Far North, South and Southwest Regions. On the other hand, the National Salvation Front of Cameroon, FSNC, of Issa Tchiroma Bakary, will be struggling to scoop the Senatorial seats in the North Region, while the UMS will be cutting its political teeth in the West Region. Major Upsets The greatest upset in the publication of the Senatorial list is coming from the Northwest Region, where the lists of two CPDM stalwarts, John Begineh Ndeh and Simon Achidi Achu, were discarded by the Central Committee of the CPDM in favour of the list of Regina Mundi, Poli-bureau member of the party. The two CPDM kingpins from Mezam refused to bury the hatchet and form a consensus list for the Senatorial, despite numerous appeals from the North West CPDM Regional Coordinator, Philemon Yang, for them to do so. Mrs Mundi and her list members will be the greatest beneficiaries in the political fight between two CPDM elephants. On her part, the Southwest Region CPDM militants have also had their fair share of humiliation, as the list led by Emmanuel Motomby Mbome, was conveniently discarded into the CPDM Central Committee trash can in favour of the list of the incumbent Senator. The validation of the Tabetando led list by the party and by extension ELECAM, if voted on March 25, will signal the end of the political career of Senator Daniel Matute, who was dropped from the list.