Politics

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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It is certainly not the biggest catch ever since the re-introduction of Operation Sparrowhawk by the President of the Republic. But a serious client, Ngolzamba Camille Joseph, mayor of Mbang in the department of Kadey, Eastern Region was arrested on December 29, 2015.

The exact reasons for his arrest are not known but some media houses believe that the mayor was accused of misappropriation of $ 2 billion 62 million CFA francs. All indications are that his arrest was the result of numerous investigations made through intermediaries in Mbang on the management of the municipality by the accused, including embezzlement concerning the management of forest royalty.

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Ngwa Bertrand

06.Jan.2016

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The annual revision of the electoral register in Cameroon is underway across the country in accordance to the provision of Article 74 (2) of the Electoral Code which states that “the annual revision of the electoral register shall commence on 1 January and end on 31 August of every year”. Given that Monday 4 January 2016, was the first working day of the year, officials of Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) Council branches in Yaounde and elsewhere in the country opened the registers for a fresh revision for this year. The exercise in the nation’s capital however started off very timidly in some local ELECAM branches.

At the Yaounde III Council Branch, no case of revision, registration, deletion or modification was registered by mid-day on Monday. The Council Branch Head, Sylvesre Désiré Mvondo acknowledged the timid start but added that they are ready to receive users of their services. He stated that they will as usual adopt a proximity approach where they move closer to the electors because to him, Cameroonians are still very reluctant to come to ELECAM offices for registration. At the Effoulan neighbourhood in Yaounde, the staff held a strategic planning meeting. The mixed commission members for the revision exercise have also been designated by stakeholders. Voter’s cards are also ready for owners to collect.

At the Yaounde VI Council Branch, it was revealed that they are set and are just waiting for the instructions of hierarchy to start combing various neighbourhoods of their jurisdiction. It should be noted that the revision exercise is open for Cameroonians who have never registered and are 20 years old and above, those who changed residence as well as deletion of names of dead persons and those who have lost their voting right.

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Ngwa Bertrand

05.Jan.2016

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A quiet debate taking the form of the argument around the egg or the hen continues to make its rounds in the country about who, of President Paul Biya or his ministers or members of the administration, are responsible for what many Cameroonians consider a lacking performance of public services which many citizens blame for their woes today. Many lay the absence of the inadequacy of basic social infrastructure such as roads, medical services, energy supply and decent housing on President Paul Biya’s doorsteps while many others would rather lay the blame on his collaborators or appointees.

It is obviously easy to lay blame on the President on account of the fact that he is the sole duly elected person and into whose hands the people have bequeathed their trust. Granted the President is elected and is responsible before the people; but it is also a fact that the President of the Republic exercises his powers through a number of persons to whom he publicly delegates a portion of his powers. Such persons can be ministers, directors general, managing Directors, Directors as well as personnel of administrative services such as Governors, SDOs, DOs and the like. What do we observe today when there is wanton lack of a public service or utility? The tendency is for the public official to refer to what is perniciously referred to as ‘hierarchy’, a detested word that carries all the germs of inertia and government red tape and which is, to a large extent, responsible for the relative feet-dragging in carrying out essential and, sometimes, life-saving government projects.

In his address last Thursday night, the President laid blame squarely on government and the administration for any shortcomings observed in the carrying out of government projects. This was probably the umpteenth call for government to take an achieving posture. But this year’s call has a specific character because of the fact that the nation is resolutely set on the path of attaining economic emergence status by 2035. At this rate and without a violent wake-up call, this objective may not be attained. So, that is why the President of the Republic desires to see a paradigm shift in government attitude which should work henceforth with ore ardour, a greater spirit of inventiveness, and be more results-oriented.

There has been too much of a Pontus Pilatus posture by many decision-makers who would rather shift the power to decide to others whereas they were well placed to move things. The President last Thursday restated his resolve to improve the quality of life for ordinary Cameroonians. Many initiatives are in the pipeline, notably in the energy and public transport sectors. But for the effects of these dams, bridges and ports to reach ordinary Cameroonians, the government must work harder or even be seen to be doing so, so that the said projects are effectively completed and contribute to the improvement of the standard of life of all citizens in an inclusive manner.

This new year is setting in barely a few months after a new government was put in place with very specific objectives of jumpstarting a number of face-lifting projects, many of which are underway; so is there a three-year emergency plan underway. These are useful platforms on which government can show its determination to produce the results the President has been talking about and which will set Cameroon confidently on the road to 2035. Government must take this presidential admonishment very seriously because the President publicly told Cameroonians where to apportion blame henceforth.

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Ngwa Bertrand

04.Jan.2016

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