Barrister Yondo Black and some others had been brutally arrested and thrown in jail for holding a preparatory meeting for the formation of a political party party in a notorious one-party state. There was prompt worldwide condemnation against the inhuman treatment meted out to them. In their mountainous characteristic falsehood, the New Deal denied they had been arrested for intending to form a political party. The explanation was that the Camerounese law allowed for multi-party system.

To the wonderment of all, smart and clever Ni John Fru Ndi, hitherto an obscure businessman(dealing essentially in books and stationery), promptly issued a release that (since the law allowed for the existence of political parties beside the ruling Cameroon’s People Democratic Movement –CPDM – he, Ni John Fru Ndi, had formed a party – Social Democratic Front – and that the launch was billed for May 26, 1990 (just within weeks). Even as they were caught in their own words, the New Deal called out the military to prevent the launch; and the end result was six fatalities. Fru Ndi was put under house arrest with intent to tactfully transfer him to Yaounde for trial. Miraculously, Fru Ndi stoically stood up to the Camerounese military to a happy end,with the active protection of the local population that his rare courage had galvanised
The legendary “Bamenda Boy” now epitomised contemporary David and support for him grew wilder than the wildest conflagration in the harshest dry season. Fru Ndi pulled the hugest crowd in post-independence Cameroun in living memory.

Persons who had not known even their nearest neighbours’ names recited “Ni John Fru Ndi” right in their dreams. Some newspaper summed it all with an article to the effect that some pupil was categorical that the parents should change his name to Ni John FruNdi…The most intriguing thing though is that this conqueror of fear has remained steadfast in his determination to stand for change over the decades. That uniqueness admits of no further illustration than his turning down every offer to join the “presidential majority” for over 26 years. The huge crowd he pulled recently in Buea in a solidarity march with “Anglophones” attests to his present overwhelming approval rating.

It has been argued that he accepted Biya’s invitation, and that he has hardly come out in a clear-cut manner in support of the “Anglophone cause”. Visiting Biya seems to be more of a mark of statesmanship; and a core value of thebeliever. Every step that does promote dialogue through human interaction is consistent with preventive diplomacy. And if our Lord mixed and mingled with sinners, why should his followers conduct themselves otherwise?Another remarkable quality is that Ni john Fru Ndi has been able to find the midway house between being an Anglophone and identifying with the Francophone electorate of 1992. We may never lose sight of the fact that honest historians will record that Ni John Fru Ndi is the third Camerounese president. Anglophones alone would not have put him on the pedestal.
All in all, Ni John Fru Ndi has made his mark; and his remaining the head of the party beyond some persons’ sense of tolerance would do little to overshadow the largely positive character of a man daring to the brink of audacity.
One would dare say “Ni john Fru Ndi, thy name is endurance”!

Ayah Paul abine

Details: Rita Akana; 31.Dec.2016; Hits: 2606

English Version of President Paul Biya's New Year Speech.

Fellow Cameroonians, My Dear Compatriots,

The year 2016 which is drawing to an end was marked by many events of great significance for our nation.

This year we got off to a good start. Donors, including the International Monetary Fund, hailed the resilience of our economy despite an unfavourable context.
Our defence and security forces beat back Boko Haram and put it on the defensive.
Our country resolutely embarked on a new phase of its grand project to accelerate growth and create jobs and wealth.

As the months rolled by, circumstances put this positive momentum to the test.
Similarly, some social and political unrest occasionally seemed to undermine the very foundations of our togetherness; but, ultimately, we were able to hold our ground.
Therefore, I would like, first and foremost, to solemnly state tonight that, more than ever before, Cameroon is standing on its feet. A country that is ONE and INDIVISIBLE, proud of its cultural diversity and jealous of its freedom. A country that is replete with talented and enterprising people. A country that is endowed with abundant resources. A country that is looking to the future with confidence and determination, resolved to meet the challenges of ensuring social progress and prosperity for all.
As the year 2016 draws to a close, I must recall the unprecedented bereavement our country suffered during the Eseka railway disaster. It was a time of profound grief for the entire nation. Our people demonstrated solidarity during that tragedy.
The probe I have ordered will reveal the truth. I will draw the conclusions thereon, as promised.
My dear compatriots,
I would now like to dwell on the events that have unfolded recently in the North-West and South-West Regions. Physically and emotionally, we are deeply concerned about these events.

Due to the acts of a group of manipulated and exploited extremist rioters, Cameroonians have lost their lives; public and private buildings have been destroyed; the most sacred symbols of our nation have been desecrated; economic activities have been paralyzed momentarily.

You would agree with me that all of this is UNACCEPTABLE.
Our country does enjoy political and trade union freedoms which are guaranteed and governed by our laws and regulations.

Against this backdrop, every citizen can rightfully opine on any aspect of national life, including through duly declared peaceful strike action.
This is a fundamental civil right as desired by the Cameroonian people given that it is enshrined in the Constitution.

This right is inalienable in the model of democracy which I proposed to the Cameroonian people and which, TOGETHER, we have been building daily, patiently and resolutely.
It is unbecoming of some people to use this context of freedom to commit acts of violence and try to undermine our country’s unity.

Under such circumstances, it is the State’s bounden duty to restore order, in the name of the law and in the interest of all. To act otherwise is to jeopardize our democracy and allow anarchy to prevail over the rule of law.
I strongly condemn all acts of violence, regardless of their sources and their perpetrators. We will fully draw conclusions from the various inquiries being conducted on the matter.

Let me make this very clear: it is not forbidden to voice any concerns in the Republic. However, nothing great can be achieved by using verbal excesses, street violence, and defying authority. Lasting solutions to problems can be found only through peaceful dialogue.

All the voices that spoke have been heard. They have, in many cases, raised substantive issues that cannot be overlooked. I have enjoined the Government to engage in frank dialogue with the various parties concerned to find appropriate solutions to the issues raised. I urge them to participate, without any bias, in the various discussions.
However, we should never forget that we are walking in the footsteps of our country’s founding fathers, our national heroes, who shed their blood to bequeath to posterity a nation that is united in its diversity.

Cameroon’s unity is therefore a precious legacy with which no one should take liberties. Any claim, no matter how relevant, loses its legitimacy once it jeopardizes, even slightly, the building of national unity.

All Cameroonians, without exception, have embarked on building a united, inclusive and bilingual nation. This is a unique experience in Africa. Like any human endeavour, our experience is not perfect. There are aspects that can be improved. We should therefore listen to each other. We should remain open to constructive ideas, to the exclusion, however, of those that would affect the form of our State.

Besides the bodies that I instructed the Government to set up and which are already at work, we are ready to go an extra mile. We are willing to move in the footsteps and spirit of the architects of Reunification, and put in place a national entity which will be tasked with proposing solutions aimed at maintaining peace, consolidating our country’s unity and strengthening our resolve, and our day-to-day experiences of LIVING TOGETHER. And this should be done in strict compliance with our Constitution and our Institutions.

Do I need to repeat this? CAMEROON IS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE! It shall so remain
…
Its wealth and strength are derived from the diversity of its people, its cultures and its languages. Such is the pluralism that has earned our country the esteem, respect and admiration it enjoys.

Cameroon is a democratic country, a State governed by the rule of law. Its problems should be resolved within the ambit of the law and through dialogue.
Our compatriots want to live in peace and harmony. They should not be disturbed!
That is also why our country is engaged in the war against Boko Haram.

In this regard, I can safely say that in 2016, this terrorist group was driven to the wall. There seems to be hope that this shady terrorist group may not recover from the setbacks it has suffered. However, there is a need to remain vigilant; the possibility of isolated suicide attacks, like that of 25 December last, cannot be ruled out.
Credit for this positive development goes to our national defence and security forces, the Joint Multinational Task Force and cooperation with the Nigerian authorities. We should also commend the support given us by our international partners to whom I extend my thanks.

Also, I should mention the key role of vigilante committees which, thanks to their courage and devotedness, were, on many occasions, able to foil planned attacks. I must once again commend the Cameroonian people for their steadfast patriotism during these difficult times.

Yes, ordeals help forge national unity.

We must now ramp up internal security, reconstruct, organize the return of displaced persons, and revive the local economy. In short, bring back life and tranquillity to the affected areas. To that end, the State will do its utmost, while counting on the dynamism of the people and support from development partners.
Despite the burden of security spending, the Government has not relented in its effort to promote our economic growth.
Many of our major first-generation projects such as the Kribi Port, the Lom Pangar Dam and the Memve’ele and Mekin power plants are virtually operational or about to be commissioned.
To bridge the energy gap and end load shedding, other major projects such as the Bini à Warak, Menchum, Song Dong and Nachtigal power plants will supplement this programme. Our power transmission and management problems will be resolved with the establishment of the National Electricity Transmission Corporation.

The development of our road network is also progressing. An extensive road construction or rehabilitation programme is ongoing nationwide. I will mention only the most notable of them, such as the Yaounde-Douala and Nsimalen-Yaounde motorways where work is going on normally, but also the east or west entryways to Douala and the second bridge over the Wouri.

In the longer term, there are plans to create an inter-regional road and rail network to ease access to our mineral deposits and stimulate trade with neighbouring countries. Cameroon lies at the crossroads of two major economic blocks, namely West and Central Africa. Why therefore should it not seek to become the hub it is geographically predisposed to be?

The main objective of boosting our energy capacity and extending our road network is to create the best conditions for our country’s industrialization. This is our major challenge for the coming decades. It will also confirm the positive employment trends observed in recent years. For instance, as at October 2016, 320 000 new jobs were recorded, representing an increase of nearly 20% compared with the previous financial year.

Given the overall gloomy economic situation, this performance is commendable. However, we should do better. To that end, we must improve the management of all the economies of our sub-region.

That is why I deemed it necessary to convene a meeting of all CEMAC Heads of State in Yaounde recently. This meeting enabled us to take measures to revive growth in our zone, while accelerating the integration of our economies and the free movement of goods and people. Cameroon will fulfil its duty to that end.

In keeping with our ambition of achieving emergence by 2035, we are relentlessly working to increase our agricultural production, ensure the industrial processing of our raw materials and expand the digital economy.
The 2017 State budget truly reflects this resolve to increase momentum on these highly strategic sectors.
My dear compatriots,
There are many ongoing projects designed to promote social progress and prosperity in our country. Our assets are known to all. However, we are still having difficulty unlocking our potential.

It was in a bid to reflect on such difficulty that in May 2016, I initiated the International Economic Conference on the theme “Investing in Cameroon: Land of Opportunities”.

Besides important business meetings held during the conference, this unique initiative which was hailed by our development partners, enabled us to share extremely valuable experiences on the path to economic emergence.
In this interconnected world, we sought, in all simplicity, to get others’ views on our capacity to access the global economy.

The harvest has been bountiful in terms of the principles of the actions adopted to improve the business climate in Cameroon. This will be reflected in our institutions in the near future.

I have already expressed my view on this issue on many occasions: our progress is constrained by various forms of resistance or inertia.

We should remove such obstacles and create a sound and attractive business environment that accelerates progress in our country by aligning with the appropriate global dynamics. Responsibility here lies with the government. I will see to it resolutely.
Though I believe that the State should play the role of regulator and facilitator, and even investor in some specific domains, I also believe that the private sector should invest wherever there are opportunities.

At a time when diversification is a veritable lifeline for CEMAC economies, our investors should, for instance, take advantage of the opportunities offered by regional integration or various economic partnership agreements to which Cameroon is a signatory.
I am therefore appealing to the creators of our wealth to fully play their role in stimulating our economic growth in everyone’s interest.

The Cameroonian people who are beginning to reap the benefits of the sacrifices made over the years do not wish to return to austerity. I see with them.
This requires us all to put our hands on deck in perfect patriotic fervour, like our heroic Indomitable Lionesses.

For many years they gave their all without seeking vain and early glories; they demonstrated hard work, resolve, talent, and bravery; they won hearts through the quality of their performance in the game; they appealed through their moral quality and the ethics of the game which earned them the fair play trophy; they reflected Cameroon’s great diversity as they defended the national colours; and though they did not win the coveted trophy of the 2016 women AFCON, they brought joy and pride to an entire nation.
Such an excellent demonstration of patriotic fervour is an appeal to everyone, each in his or her specific sphere, to defend Cameroon’s future everywhere, in an exemplary manner.

My dear compatriots,
Before concluding, I would like to invite you to spare a thought for our soldiers and civilians who fell while defending our fatherland in 2016, as well as for the victims of the recent Eseka railway disaster.

I would now like to express the wish, for our nation, that the year 2017 would abound with the fruits of peace and harmony, progress and economic prosperity for everyone.
Happy and Prosperous New Year 2017!
Long live Cameroon!

4,913 people reached

Details: Rita Akana; 31.Dec.2016; Hits: 2866

upportive of the concept of change, that, everything is constantly shifting, and becoming something other to what it was before, is the Common Law Lawyers’ and Teachers’ strike battle for the restoration of the English culture in Southern Cameroons. Until we renounce our wealth and fortune just like Heraclitus, then could we have plenty of time to reflect and appreciate the concept of change to the effect that, Change is the only thing that is inevitable in life. Everything changes and the history of Cameroon and Southern Cameroon in particular has changed dozen times since Heraclitus time. In a time like ours so clearly predominantly influenced by populists oriented views geared towards institutional- legal and infrastructural change, our leaders must be vigilant, thoughtful and more cautious with reactions of the governed propelled seemingly by the concept of change.

Change refers to a difference in a state of affairs/minds of the people at different points in time. Change is a consistent process. For instance, we can’t step into the river twice because the river is constantly changing. River Wouri isn’t the same river from moment to moment. When we step into the Wouri, we ‘step out of it again, when we step into it a second time, we step into a different water and thus a different river’.

Southern Cameroonians aren’t indifferent pertaining to the concept of change, and would never be the same again since injustice has become law and’ resistance a duty’ The co-existence of both the English Common Law and the Civil Law in West (Southern Cameroons) and East ( La Republique Du Cameroun) Cameroons respectively as appeared in the constitution, presupposes two distinct cultures and traditions- the English Common Law System and the French oriented Civil Law System.
It should be noted that, in between 1961 and 1984, we did witness an unprecedented and vicious change in Cameroon aimed at suppressing a people from their cultures and traditions (laws) which have been practiced/ observed for a very long period of time and developed through a system of precedent. Said change albeit without any referendum was never followed by any resistance whatsoever.

Exasperating and vexatious to note is the fact that, the vicious intent of La Republique Du Cameroon to erode or suppress the cultures and traditions of the people of Southern Cameroons dates far back in 1961 with the devastating harmonization of the Criminal Procedure Code, amongst others. It should be noted equally that, said adjectival piece of legislation came into force on the 1st January, 2007, after nearly thirty-two (32) years of research and huge financial sacrifices, cited as Law No. 2005 /007 of 27th July 2005 as the principal Code to guide and facilitate the institution of criminal proceedings in Cameroon. Meaning marginalization is an old story in Southern Cameroons while the present social unrest is consequently the manifestation of the concept of change and change. A change which we are bound to accept or be confronted with red lines- ‘the Arab Spring’.

Conclusively, in order to shun, evade/circumvent ‘the Arab Spring’ in Cameroon that would seemingly cause human and material damages, a meaningful and strong negotiation/dialogue predicated upon a WIN-WIN THEORY as opposed to WIN-LOSE becomes imperative and the ONLY solution to restrain further deaths and destruction of properties in Cameroon as a whole, for the concept of change and change moves around the ability to ‘fix and or destroy’. God bless Cameroon.

BY Barrister ATOH WALTER M. TCHEMI
MEMBER: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF THE CAMEROON BAR ASSOCIATION
LEGAL CRITIC, RESEARCHER AND AUTHOR
FOUNDER AND HEAD of THE TIME LAW FIRM, KUMBA
C.E.O: PRO BONO GROUP.
TEL: (00237) 77 62 73 08
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.thetimelawfirm.com

Details: Barrister ATOH WALTER M. TCHEMI; 29.Dec.2016; Hits: 3988

President Josef Kabila refusal to step down this month has many Congolese fearing more violence. New elections are tentatively scheduled for the end of 2017.

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Josef Kabila, has recently offered little hope for peace but rather perpetuated a fear of fresh violence. Kabila refused to step down in early December after his mandate ended saying that the election of a new president would take place in 2018. After his constitutionally limited two terms at the helm of the DRC, there is no sign that a peaceful succession to rule the country's population of 70 million people is on the horizon.

Kabila became president at a young age and - against many expectations - he moved his country forward. He assumed the presidency after his father, President Laurent Kabila, was assassinated 2001 by one of his own bodyguards. Almost 20 years later, the vast country again finds itself weakened by corruption, poverty, exploitation of its mineral resources and political unrest.

Corruption continues

The latest corruption scandal is in the banking sector and points to members of the Kabila family. Jean-Jacques Lumumba, a great-nephew of Patrice Lumumba, the former leader of the liberation movement, had to resign from his position at the "Banque Gabonaise et Française Internationale" (BGFI) after he discovered that large amounts of money had been flowing to the national independent election commission.

"I have to protect my career and the capital of the country," Lumumba told DW. He even received threats due to his disagreement with the management of the bank about these transactions. It turns out that the director of the bank is an adoptive son of the president's late father.

Lumumba subsequently went into exile. He added that he does not trust the ongoing dialogue that is taking place between the opposition and Kabila's government.

"The greed of some politicians is so huge that they have taken Congo hostage. People are dying and are being tortured. Many cannot speak anymore. We have returned to dictatorship because it is all about sustaining power," said Lumumba.

Who is Joseph Kabila?

Joseph Kabila was the oldest of 10 children. His father, Laurent Kabila, was also involved in politics early on. Kabila's childhood coincided with the low point of his father's political and military career. He had a twin sister, Jane, and one full-blood brother, Saide.

The relationship with his sister developed later in life. She became one of his most influential advisers after Augustin Mwanke, his right-hand, died in 2012. She reportedly owns stakes in the media group Digital Congo and was voted a member of parliament from the Katanga Province.

The twins were born in Hewabora, a small village in the Fizi territory of the South Kivu provincen located in eastern Congo. His mother was one of Laurent Kabila's three wives, Sifa Maanya. She was a member of the Bangubangu tribe in the Maniema province of eastern Congo, although some have claimed that she was a Tutsi from Rwanda.

Kabila went to school in Tanzania, where he learned to speak English and French at a young age. He is also fluent in Kiswahili, although not in Lingala, which is the language spoken in Congo's capital Kinshasa. This has led to many considering him a foreigner in his own country. After high school, Joseph Kabila followed a military curriculum in Tanzania and then at pursued further studies at Makerere University in Uganda.

Kabila leads military coup

In 1996 Kabila's father, the head of a guerilla force that opposed the government at that time, asked him to join him in a fight to overthrow then-President Mobutu Sese Seko. Kabila's father sent him to China to further his military training and six months later, in 1997, they led the revolt that overthrew the Congolese dictator and put Laurent Kabila into the office of president. When taking over the presidency, Laurent Kabila promised that he would change the corruption and bad politics that had plagued the government for the past 32 years. But his rule was just as corrupt.

Kabila's father appointed his son to the position of major-general in charge of the armed forces. In 2000 he became chief of staff of the land forces and was one of the main military commanders during the Congo war.

Joseph Kabila became the President of Congo ten days after his father was murdered in January 2001 when he was only 29 years old. Striving to end the atrocities that had taken place in his country up to that point, young Kabila worked to make treaties with Congo's neighbors and fought to remove foreign forces from the country. In 2003 Kabila successfully ended the war that had started when his father fought with their neighbors Rwanda and Uganda who had been occupying parts of the eastern Congo.

Over an estimated four million people were killed in the conflict, but due mainly to Kabila's diplomatic skills and his meetings with officials of the other countries, there was an end to the slaughter.

Democracy and reforms

Kabila won the democratic election in 2006 and became president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hopes were increasing that the living conditions for Congolese would improve. Kabila did manage to put Congo on the map as he worked to strengthen international relations. He also met with representatives from groups of different religious, social and commercial sectors which led to the beginning of the transformation of the country.

Profile

DRC President Joseph Kabila: reformer or corrupt authoritarian

President Josef Kabila refusal to step down this month has many Congolese fearing more violence. New elections are tentatively scheduled for the end of 2017.

The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Josef Kabila, has recently offered little hope for peace but rather perpetuated a fear of fresh violence. Kabila refused to step down in early December after his mandate ended saying that the election of a new president would take place in 2018. After his constitutionally limited two terms at the helm of the DRC, there is no sign that a peaceful succession to rule the country's population of 70 million people is on the horizon.

Kabila became president at a young age and - against many expectations - he moved his country forward. He assumed the presidency after his father, President Laurent Kabila, was assassinated 2001 by one of his own bodyguards. Almost 20 years later, the vast country again finds itself weakened by corruption, poverty, exploitation of its mineral resources and political unrest.

Corruption continues

The latest corruption scandal is in the banking sector and points to members of the Kabila family. Jean-Jacques Lumumba, a great-nephew of Patrice Lumumba, the former leader of the liberation movement, had to resign from his position at the "Banque Gabonaise et Française Internationale" (BGFI) after he discovered that large amounts of money had been flowing to the national independent election commission.

Protests against a delayed presidential election turned violent in Congo's capital Kinshasa

"I have to protect my career and the capital of the country," Lumumba told DW. He even received threats due to his disagreement with the management of the bank about these transactions. It turns out that the director of the bank is an adoptive son of the president's late father.

Lumumba subsequently went into exile. He added that he does not trust the ongoing dialogue that is taking place between the opposition and Kabila's government.

"The greed of some politicians is so huge that they have taken Congo hostage. People are dying and are being tortured. Many cannot speak anymore. We have returned to dictatorship because it is all about sustaining power," said Lumumba.

Who is Joseph Kabila?

Joseph Kabila was the oldest of 10 children. His father, Laurent Kabila, was also involved in politics early on. Kabila's childhood coincided with the low point of his father's political and military career. He had a twin sister, Jane, and one full-blood brother, Saide.

The relationship with his sister developed later in life. She became one of his most influential advisers after Augustin Mwanke, his right-hand, died in 2012. She reportedly owns stakes in the media group Digital Congo and was voted a member of parliament from the Katanga Province.

The twins were born in Hewabora, a small village in the Fizi territory of the South Kivu provincen located in eastern Congo. His mother was one of Laurent Kabila's three wives, Sifa Maanya. She was a member of the Bangubangu tribe in the Maniema province of eastern Congo, although some have claimed that she was a Tutsi from Rwanda.

Supporters of President Joseph Kabila celebrate at his office in Kinshasa after he won presidential elections in 2006

Kabila went to school in Tanzania, where he learned to speak English and French at a young age. He is also fluent in Kiswahili, although not in Lingala, which is the language spoken in Congo's capital Kinshasa. This has led to many considering him a foreigner in his own country. After high school, Joseph Kabila followed a military curriculum in Tanzania and then at pursued further studies at Makerere University in Uganda.

Kabila leads military coup

In 1996 Kabila's father, the head of a guerilla force that opposed the government at that time, asked him to join him in a fight to overthrow then-President Mobutu Sese Seko. Kabila's father sent him to China to further his military training and six months later, in 1997, they led the revolt that overthrew the Congolese dictator and put Laurent Kabila into the office of president. When taking over the presidency, Laurent Kabila promised that he would change the corruption and bad politics that had plagued the government for the past 32 years. But his rule was just as corrupt.

Kabila's father appointed his son to the position of major-general in charge of the armed forces. In 2000 he became chief of staff of the land forces and was one of the main military commanders during the Congo war.

Joseph Kabila became the President of Congo ten days after his father was murdered in January 2001 when he was only 29 years old. Striving to end the atrocities that had taken place in his country up to that point, young Kabila worked to make treaties with Congo's neighbors and fought to remove foreign forces from the country. In 2003 Kabila successfully ended the war that had started when his father fought with their neighbors Rwanda and Uganda who had been occupying parts of the eastern Congo.

Over an estimated four million people were killed in the conflict, but due mainly to Kabila's diplomatic skills and his meetings with officials of the other countries, there was an end to the slaughter.

Democracy and reforms

Kabila won the democratic election in 2006 and became president of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hopes were increasing that the living conditions for Congolese would improve. Kabila did manage to put Congo on the map as he worked to strengthen international relations. He also met with representatives from groups of different religious, social and commercial sectors which led to the beginning of the transformation of the country.

The Kabila family is assumed to have many business interests in the DRC including in the lucrative mineral extraction industry

Kabila recognized the need to make quick reforms to ensure unity among the country's stakeholders, bring peace and security to areas that struggled with foreign influences and establish a favorable environment for investors. In 2011 he was elected as president for the second time despite widespread irregularities. Kabila only secured 42 percent of the vote but was sworn into power under heavy military presence.

Instability in Congo

Clashes erupted at the end of 2016 between security forces and demonstrators after Congo's electoral commission said that the election slated for November wouldn't be held because of logistical reasons. A court determined that Kabila could stay in power until another election is organized.

Under young Kabila's rule, the DRC had begun to thrive and infrastructure improved. But later he departed further from democracy and put Congo in an increasingly unstable situation that has led to violent protests against his government and fears over the possibility of a new civil war if Kabila stays in power.

Details: DW.com; 29.Dec.2016; Hits: 1634

Boko Haram's elusive leader Abubakar Shekau appeared in a new video on Thursday to dispute a claim that the jihadist group had been routed from its Sambisa Forest stronghold.

"We are safe. We have not been flushed out of anywhere. And tactics and strategies cannot reveal our location except if Allah wills by his decree," Shekau said in the 25-minute video, flanked by masked armed fighters.

"You should not be telling lies to the people," he said, referring to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari who said on Christmas Eve that the extremist group had been defeated and driven away from the forest, its last known bastion.

"If you indeed crushed us, how can you see me like this? How many times have you killed us in your bogus death?" he asked.

It was not immediately clear where the new video was shot, but Shekau who spoke in both Hausa and Arabic said it was filmed on Christmas Day.

Shekau last appeared in a video in September where he disputed a claim by the Nigerian military that he had been wounded in battle.

He vowed to continue fighting on until an Islamic state was imposed in northern Nigeria.

"Our aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate and we have our own Caliphate, we are not part of Nigeria."

Buhari had announced that a months-long military campaign in the 1,300 square-kilometre (500 square-mile) forest in northeastern Borno state had led to the "final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest".

The government in Abuja and the military have frequently claimed victories against the Islamic State group affiliate but access to the epicentre of the conflict is strictly controlled.

That has made independent verification of official statements about victories virtually impossible.

Attacks have meanwhile continued, making claims of defeating Boko Haram questionable despite undoubted progress in pushing back the group.

The Boko Haram's insurgency has killed at least 20,000 and forced some 2.6 million others to flee their homes since 2009.

The violence has sparked a dire humanitarian crisis in the region, with thousands of children facing the risk of famine and starvation.

Details: Rita Akana; 29.Dec.2016; Hits: 2952

La Republique Pushes Manipulation, Bad Faith a Step Further!
The Common Law Delegation that attended the Yaounde talks chaired by Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice, Jean Pierre Fogui walked out of deliberations earlier in the day of yesterday, 28.12.2016 but on the 3pm and 5 pm newscasts on CRTV the impression was given that talks were going on frankly, honestly and serenely.
In fact, in his report at 3pm, CRTV News anchor Ashu Nyenty alleged that the talks were still going on with all members present, though some sticky points persisted. Although the reports at 3 and 5 pm tried to show some balance, no Common Law Lawyer was given speech- not even Ntumfor Nico Halle who is still President of the General Assembly of the Cameroon Bar Association, raising suspicions of manipulation.
Just minutes after Ashu Nyenty's report on the 3pm newscast, this reporter contacted Ntumfor Nico Halle who answered around Edea on his way back to Douala. The legal luminary made clear that all Anglophone lawyers left the hall over disagreements on preliminary objections they raised.
He said the government side refused to release Anglophone children still in detention, and that the issue of venue had yet to be resolved along with issues of representation at the commission. A position confirmed by Barristers Agbor Balla Nkonghor and Bobga Harmony Mbuton.
Great was thus the surprise to hear Minister Delegate Jean Pierre Fogui say on CRTV news that resolutions were arrived at and voted by consensus.
This is a clear indication that government is not willing to address the Anglophone problem comprehensively, it is definitely bent on manipulating the seemingly gullible public put of the strikes with the complicity of governing Anglophone elites as posited by the correspondence of the bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province.
According to Barrister Agbor Balla, the Consortium of Anglophone Civil Society Organizations will publish a press release today denouncing the Fogui resolutions.

Details: Akuroh John Mbah; 29.Dec.2016; Hits: 2411

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DRC President Joseph Kabila: reformer or corrupt authoritarian

Subcategories

Biya Article Count: 73

Southern Cameroons Article Count: 549

Editorial Article Count: 885

Boko Haram Article Count: 498