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The traditional rulers and notables from the Lebialem constituency in the South West region of Cameroon recently staged the thrilling dance steps of the "alungacha" to immortalize the explosive Lewoh cultural festival. The 2016 edition of the Lewoh cultural festival was heavily attended by the local elite and those from diaspora. It recorded a mammoth crowd including friends of the Fon of Lewoh, special invitees, tourists and hundreds of people from neighboring villages. Promoting the Lewoh culture and initiating youths into the traditions of the land was the main objective of the festival that comes up every two years.

The festival was also an occasion to mobilize support for a self reliant project worth some 150 million FCFA intended to construct a Lewoh multipurpose cultural center. Cameroon Concord understands the structure will host a library, traditional museum, a conference hall and offices. Administrative authorities who were present during the feast lauded the initiative and promised continues government support to the promotion of indigenous cultures of Cameroon.

Different speakers at the event saluted the availability of portable water, electricity among other essential necessities provided through the joint efforts of the population and the Lewoh Cultural Development Association. The people of Lewoh however called on the CPDM government to support their initiative to bring development in Lewoh. At the end of the outstanding cultural display, over 7.5 million FCFA was raised.

Details: CRTV; 25.Mar.2016; Hits: 3005

Cameroon and the Obama administration have signed a memorandum allowing US technical assistance to be devoted to border controls throughout the national territory. The protocol agreement was signed between the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele and Ambassador Michael Stephen Hoza.

Ruthless and armed terrorist groups threaten peace and stability in Cameroon from the Far North and East regions because of porous borders and lax supervision. The US government now has the legal tools to provide Cameroon border posts including airports with a comparative identification system, which will be operated by the border Police.

On behalf of the Government of Cameroon, Martin Mbarga Nguele welcomed the continued support that the United States brings to Cameroon in the fight against terrorism. Ambassador Michael Stephen Hoza (seen here with the Cameroonian dictator) observed that, "This assistance is based on a deep partnership between the security forces against barbarian threats worldwide. Boko Haram is a barbarism, a nightmare for humanity. We must do everything to ensure a bright future for our children”.

Details: Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai; 24.Mar.2016; Hits: 2519

Magnus Biaga, journalist and editor of a private daily "Emergence” with headquarters in Yaoundé, has received a death threat from Minister Atanga Paul Nji for stating that President Biya should step down at 83.

Paul Atanga Nji, Minister for Special Duties at the presidency of the Republic, Permanent Secretary in the National security Council and CPDM Section President for Mezam I, (North West region) summoned Magnus Biaga to the office of the Minister of Communications, Issa Tchiroma, and in the presence of security officials including the head of Police and the Commander of the Gendarmerie Legion of the Center region issued a death threat to the journalist.

Minister Issa Tchiroma has been contacted by some media houses over the incident but shied away saying he was busy with his high administrative functions. Several Cameroonian journalists are under pressure from the regime following President Biya’s bid to remain in power.

Details: Rita Akana; 23.Mar.2016; Hits: 4131

The thirteenth ordinary session of the National Communication Council that held on March 11, 2016 whose focused was mainly on finalizing the strategic plan of the Council’s functioning and the examination of eight petitions has instead slammed sanctions on ten journalists. The pro CPDM government body claimed the journalists violated the ethics and professional code of practice governing mass communication in the country.

The Council separately suspended the newspaper “Aurore Plus” and its Publisher for a period of three (03) months, and journalists Barthélemy Nzock and André Som from practicing journalism in Cameroon for a period of six (06) months. Both Nzock and Som were charged for disseminating unfounded claims which barely met the professional requirements of investigation, cross-referencing and the quest for balanced information.

The Publisher of the bi-weekly “La Nouvelle Presse” according to the NCC failed to meet the professional requirements of cross-checking and balancing information. The Council issued a warning to Mr. Nwe Charles René, journalist with “La Novelle Presse”, for violating the ethics and professional code of practice governing mass communication. The Publisher was instructed to publish the decision on the front page of his next issue following notification of this measure. Mr. Dewa Aboubakar, a journalist with the weekly “L’Anecdote”, was banned for a period of three (03) months from practicing journalism in Cameroon. The Publisher of the aforementioned newspaper, who was issued a warning, is required, in the very next issue of his newspaper following notification of the present decision, to have it published on the front page of his newspaper.

Haman Daniel,a reporter with “Le Soir” was given a one (01) month suspension for having published unfounded accusations in the 464th issue of the said newspaper in violation of the ethics and professional code of practice governing mass communication. The Council also suspended “La Météo” for a period of one (01) month and Mr. Mamouda Labaran, journalist in the said bi-weekly for a period of three (03) months.

The publisher of “Vision 4” was issued a warning and Mr. Amougou Nathan Homère,a correspondent with “Vision 4” and his program “Sans tabou” was banned for (06) months . Douala Manga Eric and Ndzana Arsène of the “L’Indépendant” newspaper were separately suspended for a period of three (03) months. The decisions taken according to the Chairman of the National Communication Council, Peter Essoka are intended to recall the social responsibility the journalist especially those who erroneously misinterpret the concept of press freedom.

Details: CRTV/CAMCORD; 23.Mar.2016; Hits: 2499

The mandate of the current executive committee of the South West Chiefs Conference led by the paramount ruler of the Bafaws, Nfon V.E. Mukete according to the constitutional provisions of the SWECC ends this May 2016. Nearly two months to election date, the major question now is who will replace the witty and heavy weight SWECC President Senator Nfon Victor E. Mukete.

The date of the election is expected any time as soon as the current mandate runs out. According to the rotation norms, the Fako constituency is next inline to occupy the SWECC presidency. “We are poised to sail the affairs of SWECC in tranquility and unity”, Chief Mokoto told Cameroon Concord. Chief Mokoto Njie also observed that aspiring candidates for the coveted office should file in their respective applications on March 30th, 2016 at the latest.

According to the Fako Chief’s Conference chair, in a few months, Fako division will constitutionally take over the presidency of the South West Chief’s Conference. In a bid to ensure a hitch-free and leveled transition, traditional authorities in the Fako jurisdiction who intend to vie for the post have been told to submit at the secretariat of the Fako Chief Conference, a manifesto on how to run the South West Chiefs Conference, a detail report of the positions held by the hopeful in the sub-divisional and divisional chiefs conferences and a non-refundable fee of one hundred thousand francs.

His Royal Highness Chief Mokoto Njie reiterated to Cameroon Concord that the race for the SWECC presidency is open only for enthroned traditional rulers in the Fako area. Chief Mokoto added that enthroned chiefs are backed by a prefectorial or ministerial order. The electoral college shall be made up of five chiefs from each sub-divisional chief’s conference.

It should be noted that Fako Divisional Chief’s Conference has over a hundred legitimate members. The current executive of the South West Chiefs Conference was elected far back in 2014 and their mandate expires on May 2016. It has a two years mandate and a rotatory presidency among the divisions that make up the South West region.

Details: Cham Victor Bama; 22.Mar.2016; Hits: 3403

The entire population of Mbalmayo and the Centre d’Orientation Educative came out in huge numbers to welcome the visiting Italian President Sergio MATARELLA on the third day of his state visit to Cameroon.

In his speech on the occasion, President MATARELLA said that the youths of Cameroon constitute the greatest asset of the nation and that Italy will support the efforts of Cameroon to transform this potential for the prosperity and wellbeing of its people.

Details: Elangwe Pauline; 20.Mar.2016; Hits: 3061

Gun shots have been heard early this evening at the Bangolan Palace, Babessi Sub Division of Ngokutunjia Division, Northwest Region. Angry villagers stormed the palace this evening demanding Fon CHAFAH XI who was dethroned weeks back, to leave the palace.
A source in BABA told our correspondent that gun shots were heard from the direction of the palace which wounded five persons. The fon’s son and four villagers. I am told no one has died.
Roads leading to the village have been blocked; Security forces don’t have access to the village.
Our correspondent was equally told the situation became worst when shots were fired from all directions, the TAKEMBENG women (Who usually march naked to denounce certain issues) came out naked, leaving many to flee from what they termed ill luck.
Fon CHAFAH XI who was dethroned while in Yaoundé has been struggling to gain favor from the villagers after a crisis meeting which held at the council hall of Babessi. According to villagers, the meeting did not yield fruits. They have continued to maintain that Fon CHAFAH is no more their Fon.
About 500 villagers from Bangolan on Wednesday February 24, 2016 staged a sit down protest in front of the governor’s office in Bamenda to demand an end to torture and massive arrest of youths by the army. They were rather referred to go back to the SDO for Ngoketunja, Kwela Valery for a solution.
The Fon is being accused of relegating tradition to the back ground after embracing religion, villagers hold that he burnt some traditional statues that represents the Bangolan village.
FON CHAFAH is still in palace surrounded by angry villagers.

Photo credits: Bamenda Online
By NFOR Hanson NCHANJI
With reports from Triyah Swebu Triyah and Jini Edmond.