Politics

Joseph Beti Assomo made the call yesterday January 11, 2016 while receiving New Year wishes from the personnel of the Ministry of Defence. The Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo has called on the Defence Forces to uphold discipline which constitutes the principal force of the Army. He was speaking yesterday January 11, 2016 at the esplanade of the Ministry of Defence in Yaounde while receiving best wishes of 2016 from the staff of his ministry. Joseph Beti Assomo said the courage, loyalty, vigour, honour and professionalism exhibited by the military in the fight against the terrorist sect, Boko Haram, should continue in 2016 until victory against the enemy is attained. The Minister Delegate in charge of Defence saluted the bravery and determination of the defence forces in combating Boko Haram while paying homage to soldiers who were killed in the war front against Boko Haram and in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic. 

The Defence Forces, he added, will not only pursue the fight against the Boko Haram insurgent in 2016 but will also continue with resilience to combat maritime piracy, highway robbery, cyber criminality, maintenance of law and order amongst others so as to permit the country live in peace and security for economic growth to thrive. Minister Beti Assomo condemned in very strong terms, public demonstrations by military personnel last September prescribing secrecy and discreet in military affairs. “The military has to abstain from public demonstration”, he cautioned while promising sanctions to perpetrators. The New Year wishes ceremony that was void of handshakes attended by the Secretaries of State in charge of the National Gendarmeries and Ex-servicemen and War Victims, Jean Baptiste Bokom and Koumpa Issa respectively was also an opportunity for the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Rene Claude Meka to salute the determination and courage of the soldiers in defending the national territory. While paying tribute to the fallen soldiers and civilian victims, Lieutenant General Meka urged the Defence Forces to combat the enemy with their last energy while upholding discipline which he described as a mobilisation force in the army.

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Ngwa Bertrand

12.Jan.2016

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Circa 205 Nigerian men, women and children residing in the Mayo-Sava Division in the Far North region fleeing the atrocities of Boko Haram have been repatriated to Nigeria. Correspondingly, some 250 Cameroonian hostages previously held by the Nigerian Islamic sect, Boko Haram were freed during a joint commando operation by the Cameroonian and Nigerian forcess. The Cameroonian hostages including six babies who were taken prisoners since July 2015 are now being supported in health infrastructure in the Far North region. It is vital to include in this report that several young children were forcibly recruited into the ranks of Boko Haram during the early stage of the conflict.

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Ngwa Bertrand

11.Jan.2016

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) murdered former US President John F. Kennedy to ensure that America maintains a permanent war agenda, an author and political analyst in Chicago says. “Long-standing US policy remains the same no matter who is the head of state. America isn’t the two-party nation, it’s a one-party state; it’s a duopoly run by powerful moneyed interests,” Stephen Lendman told Press TV on Sunday. “The policies always stay the same with one exception. Each succeeding administration seems to be worse than the preceding one. You could go back, with one administration after another,” he said. “And the only exception in my lifetime was the days of Kennedy in the early 1960s.

A man who transformed themselves from a warrior into a peacemaker, and because of that the CIA murdered him, just to be sure that America maintains a permanent war agenda,” he added. Lendman said if Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump “becomes president, America would be at war from the day one to his last day in office, maybe even to a greater extent than Obama.” “It seems hard to believe. Obama’s agenda exceeded the worst of George Bush… and whoever succeeds Obama will exceed the worst of his agenda, both abroad geopolitically and at home,” he stated. “At home, US human rights and civil liberties are being systemically destroyed, as America increasingly becomes a police state, with no exaggeration whatever.

Anybody can test that argument by simply looking at the laws on the books. And there is only one conclusion you can draw: these are police state laws, freedom-destroying laws. This is what’s going on at home,” he continued. “Abroad, America has a long-standing permanent war agenda. And we can see how it played out,” he said. Lendman went on to say that “North Korea did not attack the South. The South, the fascistic and Stalinist regime, and Harry Truman attack the North and blamed the North for their crimes.” On Saturday, Trump praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for how he “wipes out” his political opponents. The outspoken billionaire businessman said it was "incredible" that Kim has managed to consolidate his grip on power after his father Kim Jong-il died in 2011.

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Ngwa Bertrand

11.Jan.2016

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An expert of US-Saudi relations in Washington says the United States has played the role of a "bodyguard" for Saudi Arabia but Riyadh has become a “burden” to America. In an article published in The New York Times on January 5, Ali al-Ahmed wrote that the US has long played the role of a "bodyguard" for Saudi Arabia, helping it to intimidate its regional rivals, including Iran. According to al-Ahmed, an expert on Saudi and Persian Gulf political affairs, said Riyadh is not a friend of Washington, but rather a burden to it. Saudi Arabia helped the Americans on several occasions and after that received everything it wanted. "America's needs in the Middle East are evolving from the supply of crude oil to combating violent extremism and ensuring genuine regional stability.

The Saudis aren't meeting or supporting these needs, which makes them a burden, not a friend," the expert noted. The author, referring to Saudi Arabia’s role in the fight against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, said, "After Saudi billions backed thousands of Saudi nationals to fight the Red Army in Afghanistan, the US was so grateful it gave Saudi Arabia virtually everything it asked for.” Since late 1970s, America has fought several wars in the Middle East while "the Saudis watched from the bleachers, cheering but extending nothing more than a large check," the expert wrote.

Al-Ahmed concluded that Washington should stop unconditional supporting of Riyadh, because such a close alliance with the country that supports terrorism and demands US intervention in other countries in the Middle East region seriously damages American interests. "In recent years, the Saudis have become a burden to the U.S. with their erratic behavior and at times child-like tantrums, demanding American intervention on their behalf in Syria, Iraq and Egypt," the author wrote.

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Ngwa Bertrand

08.Jan.2016

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The Former Mayor of Mamfe town, Eyong Ashu aka ARASCAM paints a sad image of the once vibrant Council he left and declares his intention to stage a come-back in the 2018 elections. In this thrilling interview with Cameroon Concord's Soter Agbaw-Ebai and Bertrand Agbaw-Ebai in Mamfe, Arascam says Manyu elites need to think and rethink things.

Cameroon Concord: Mr Mayor thank you for accepting to talk to Cameroon Concord. You did just one mandate as Mayor of the historic town of Mamfe. Looking back at your time, are you satisfy with the development of the Mamfe society?

Arascam : Yes and No!!! Yes because my team approached development with anger and we were able to give Mamfe a place under the sun.  But is a regrettable fact that what we achieved during my mandate is suffering from serious neglect by the current establishment. All risk I took as Mayor to create new roads have been abandoned without any refurbishment by the team that took over from me.

Cameroon Concord: We gathered intelligence that you were made Mayor by the big men in Yaoundé call the ministers and the same big men got you out. Is this true?

Arascam: No! My politicking and subsequent victory was achieved by the hand of God. I had never nurse any ambition of vying for a Mayor post. The late Mayor Ayuk Ndang suggested it to me and I refused. I wanted to concentrate on being a successful businessman. Before I knew it, many prominent opinion leaders had settled down for me saying it was my turn. Even the list that I headed and became Mayor was constituted by the local people who wanted me to head the council. There were attempts by the Yaoundé based elites to form a consensus list which I rejected. The will of the people prevailed and I was elected Mayor. 

Cameroon Concord: People reading this interview will be saying that you are not happy because you are nursing some hard feelings against the current Mayor Hon. Ayuk Takunchong whom many believe has a popular mandate?

Arascam: No! I have no personal issue with my successor. In fact Ayuk Takunchong is my brother. We have a long standing relationship that runs between both families that was established by our parents and that cordiality has been there till date. It will interest you to know that Plaque as I often refer to him is my cousin.

Cameroon Concord: In a place call Mamfe, when a Mayor is prevented by a political party from running for a second mandate, he resigns from the party and joins another one. Lets get your take on this?

Arascam: Laughs and laughs hard!!!! I know what you are saying and where you are coming from. But it should be equally emphasized that all political parties are good and bad depending on the people managing the affairs. In Manyu, which is the strong hold of the CPDM, the elites are not helping the community. The party is at the mercy of President Biya and his appointees. Their self-serving character is counter productive to the constituency. Therefore, we need to change the boat not to risk the passengers. To be sure, the elites need to think and rethink things. Mamfe and Manyu needs a new idea and we as Manyu people are badly in need of a neutral third option to help move the constituency forward.

Cameroon Concord: Our readers would love to know if you will contest the 2018 elections?

Arascam: Yes! I have made up my personal decision to run and contest the 2018 Municipal elections. The council is a development agency and the post of Mayor is for the community. I should equally state here that during my mandate as Mayor, I taught the Mamfe people that a call to serve should never be compromised with money. I had no salary but just an allowance. Once you have the people at heart you don`t put any financial gains in front. A mayor should be in a position to impact on the lives of the community. In 2018, I will present a new development plan to the inhabitants of Mamfe. Mamfe belongs to all those who live there be you Bayangi, Boki or Ejagham

Cameroon Concord: As Mayor did you receive any Timber Royalties meant for Upper Banyang? If yes how much?

Arascam :That is a catchy question and my answer is yes. I made public the amount and we had very intensive and productive meetings with the Upper Banyang elites and thanks to former Governor  Enow Tanjong we succeeded to resolve the issues amicably. It was a difficult situation but Tanjong and his wisdom guided us out of the crisis and we emerged stronger and united as Manyu people.

Cameroon Concord: Describe in just one sentence the following personalities: Minister Agbor Tabi, Minister Tanyi Mbiayor Clarkson and Hon. Rose Abunaw?

Arascam: Minister Agbor Tabi: I reserved My comment.

Minister Clarkson Mbiayor: I reserved my Comment

Hon. Rose Abunaw: Has some weaknesses but deserved a pass mark.

Cameroon Concord: Former mayor Ashu thank you for your time

Arascam: Its my pleasure

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Ngwa Bertrand

08.Jan.2016

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Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara promised "a new departure" for French-speaking Africa's largest economy on Wednesday as he started to reshuffle the government following his landslide re-election last October. Ouattara, who won a second five-year term with nearly 84 percent of the vote, reappointed Daniel Kablan Duncan as prime minister and called for greater unity within the government. "We have started a new mandate that must mark a new departure in the direction of state affairs," Ouattara said at a meeting attended by journalists. "The objective is to establish a more unified government so that it can be more efficient." Earlier on Wednesday the government had handed in its resignation.

A senior official said ministers would be named over the coming week. Ouattara has promised to reduce poverty, promote ethnic and political reconciliation, write a new constitution and share the benefits of an economic boom more widely following nearly a decade of crisis that culminated in a civil war in 2011.. Ivory Coast is the world's top cocoa grower but many say they have not shared in wealth generated by economic growth rates of around 9 percent in each of the past three years. While more jobs are available and the minimum salary has increased, the cost of living remains high.

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Ngwa Bertrand

07.Jan.2016

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