Politics
If Russia decides to engage Turkey in a military confrontation over the downing of its plane by Ankara, it could trigger a major war between world powers, an American political analyst in Virginia says. “If there is a military confrontation between NATO and between Russia that could indeed trigger a major World War III or something approximating that,” said Keith Preston, chief editor and director of AttacktheSystem.com, a website dedicated to encouraging revolt against domestic and foreign US government policies.
On Tuesday, NATO member Turkey shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer jet, claiming the aircraft had repeatedly violated its air space. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the jet had been attacked when it was 1 kilometer inside Syria. He warned of "serious consequences" and called it a “stab in the back” administered by "the accomplices of terrorists." In an interview with Press TV on Thursday, Preston said, according to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, if Russia decides to retaliate against Turkey, “that would be considered an act of aggression or an act of war against NATO itself,” because “an alleged attack on one particular member nation within NATO is considered an attack on all.”
Article Four of the NATO treaty calls for consultation over military matters when "the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened" Invoking Article Four, NATO countries met Tuesday after Turkey brought down the Russian jet. However, Article Five was not invoked during that meeting. After downing the Russian jet, which was the first such action by a NATO member since 1952, US President Barack Obama expressed his support for Ankara, saying, "Turkey, like every country, has a right to defend its territory and its airspace." “What the United States tried to do and what NATO has tried to do since the end of the Cold War is extending NATO right up to Russia’s borders and extend Western military bases in the Central Asia for the purpose of encircling Russia,” Preston noted. “And this is in fact an illustration of why it was a bad idea to keep the NATO alliance intact after the end of the cold war,” he added.
“The NATO alliance was created specifically for the purpose of countering the influence of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw pact during the Cold War and once the Soviet Union collapsed and the Warsaw Pact dissolved, there was no longer any rational reason to keep NATO together,” he noted. “Russia is involved… in Syria at the request of the Syrian government and it is necessary that the Syrian government be defended because the only alternative to the regime of President Assad is the seizure of power and then complete takeover of the nation by Daesh,” he argued. Russia has been conducting airstrikes on Daesh positions at the request of the Syrian government since September 30. Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. The United States and its regional allies - especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey - have been supporting the militants operating inside Syria since the beginning of the crisis.
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China is set to announce new aid to African nations when President Xi Jinping visits Zimbabwe and South Africa next month, a senior Chinese official said on Wednesday. The trip is likely to boost China's relations with Africa, which supplies oil and raw materials such as copper and uranium to the world's second-largest economy. China is Africa's largest trading partner and the trade volume between them amounted to $220 billion in 2014, according to China state news agency Xinhua. Zhang Ming, one of China's vice foreign minister, said President Xi will provide further details in his keynote speech on Dec 4. "As for whether China will continue to provide support and aid, there will be no doubt about it," Zhang said, declining to provide further details on the aid amount and its purpose.
Xi is scheduled to meet Zimbabwe's 91-year-old President Robert Mugabe on December 1-2, Zhang said. He will also meet South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on December 2-3 and co-chair a two-day summit between China and African countries in Johannesburg after the meeting. The summit in December will be the second such high-level forum following one held in Beijing in 2006, Zhang said. "This African trip by President Xi Jinping will be the most important, comprehensive and valuable visit in recent years," Zhang said. Xi visited Africa in 2013 shortly after he took office as president. Mugabe reciprocated with a visit to China in 2014 in an attempt to seek loans and investments to lift Zimbabwe's struggling economy.
Beijing's focus on growing trade and aid in Africa leaves it open to charges by the West of turning a blind eye to conflicts and rights abuses in the continent. Trade with resource-rich Africa has exploded in the last decade as China feeds its industrial machine amid African demand for cheap Chinese products. The EU has rejected what they call China's "cheque book" approach to doing businesswith Africa, saying it would continue to demand good governance and the transparent use of funds from its trading partners. Chinese firms in Africa also face criticism for using imported labor to build government-financed projects like roads and hospitals, while pumping out raw resources and processing them in China, leaving little for local economies. China's friendship with Africa dates back to the 1950s, when Beijing backed liberation movements in the continent fighting to throw off Western colonial rule.
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Although results of the ongoing reorganization of the basic organs of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement [CPDM] are known in some constituencies, fierce campaigns, unreached consensus, death threats, street protests and accusations of witchcraft has characterized the exercise in some localities nationwide. In Buea, Senators Mbella Moki and Peter Mafany, accused of being at the forefront of intrigues and open blackmail succeeded in disqualifying the list of the Mayor, Patrick Ekema who ‘’enjoyed’’ the backing from some Buea Chiefs. Despite street protests, a petition to the party chairman, and open fighting between Chief Njombe Johnson and Chief Njieh of Buea, Mbella Moki still reigns supreme.
Some youths who were hired to vote for a fee of between 5000frs to 15000frs also protested as their own part of the bargain was never met on time after voting. Although calm later returned to Buea when bank notes exchanged hands, some of the youths could be heard wondering aloud the kind of leaders Cameroonians are in for. In the North West Region, tension is gradually rising in Mezam 1A. According to media reports all the Fons in Bamenda 2 are behind the candidacy of Rose Saningong who has refused to step down in favor of Tazong Abel Ndeh [the former Government Delegate to the Bamenda city council] or Cletus Matoya, an ally of Minister Atanga Nji Paul. Acha Collins publicly observed that the CPDM has since the 90s lost elections in Mezam 1 because of bad leadership and called on his supporters to discard the old guards.
The situation in Menchum is recording another breakdance. Three contenders are at each others throat as counter accusations, panic, intrigues, manipulation, death threats, witch craft and black magic are the order of the day amongst aspirants and some militants. Some militants in Wum central have taken advantage of the gossiping, disunity backstabbing among the hopefuls to make quick cash. Cat calls have also greeted the appearance of a former SDF shadow cabinet Minister, Aka Amuams’ name on multiple lists. However, Hon. Wallang Richard, Mayor Dighambong Anthony and Chou Cyprain are warming up for the battle for Aghem.
The trio are alleged to have secured enough party cards and ‘’bought’’ a good number of idle youths for the voting day. Mayor Wasum of Balikumbat in Ngoketungia Division has rejected any alliance with Digha Ignatius. There is a deadlock in Babessi constituency as the Nkwen Fons’ Palace in Bamenda 111 has remained the permanent secretariat of the reorganization activities. It is certain that the reorganization of the basic organs of the ruling party has come to expose the other side of the coin many think it is a divided house under a leaking roof.
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BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Burundi's government on Monday suspended the licenses of 10 non-governmental organizations over allegations they have been involved in anti-government activities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the suspended groups played a role in a failed coup attempt in May against President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose decision to seek a third term sparked violent street protests in the capital, Bujumbura.
Gideon Niyungeko, whose group Focode is one of those under suspension, said he was not surprised by the decision and condemned a government he said "kills kids, young men and aged people." His group's stated goals are to promote good governance and development.
Many of Burundi's opposition leaders and rights activists have fled into exile, while some have been assassinated. Among the suspended groups is the one led by Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a prominent rights activist who is now exiled in Belgium after surviving an assassination attempt.
The U.N. said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken out repeatedly on the importance of civil society.
"It's clear that every society needs a healthy civil society," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said when asked the U.N. chief's response to the government's action.
He said the secretary-general's newly appointed special adviser on Burundi was arriving in Bujumbura on Monday and will be holding meetings and reporting back in response to the Security Council resolution adopted on Nov. 12. It condemned ongoing killings in Burundi, threatened sanctions, and asked Ban to deploy a team to Burundi to work with the government, African Union and other partners to "develop options to address political and security concerns."
The government has been carrying out a disarmament operation in volatile parts of Bujumbura, hoping to get weapons out of civilian hands, but many people here blame the security forces for a wave of extrajudicial killings that have raised international concern. Some of those killed, however, have been supporters of the government, including a military general who had served as a spy chief.
Gunfire and loud explosions now characterize life in Bujumbura, and many have fled their homes over safety concerns.
The U.N. says at least 240 people have been killed since April, but the actual death toll is likely much higher.
Although the current conflict appears political, Burundi has a history of deadly conflicts between the country's Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
Nkurunziza took power in 2005 near the end of a civil war in which some 300,000 people were killed between 1993 and 2006.
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U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday the Mali hotel attacks only stiffened the resolve of the United States and its allies, which would be relentless in fighting those targeting its citizens and would allow militants no safe haven. In a speech at a regional summit in Malaysia, Obama described Friday's raid and hostage incident in Mali as "another awful reminder of the scourge of terrorism."
"It stiffens our resolve to meet these challenges," he said. "The United States will be relentless." Obama said the United States is trying to account for Americans who may have been at Mali hotel. At least one American citizen has been identified among the 19 dead. He said U.S. forces in Mali helped prevent a greater loss of life.
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The Malian government has declared a 10 days state of emergency following the deadly attack of Friday. With the death toll of the Friday attack at a Radisson hotel Mali, Bamako seemingly to increase, the crisis has already attained a new apex and international attention attracted.
The United Nation´s Security Council has therefore in the strongest terms condemned this “horrendous terrorist attack” in the Malian capital Bamako. While lending support to the Malian government to fight against terrorist groups, the U.N. Security Council cautioned the Malian authority against any actions that may undermine the peace process in Mali.
With the support of the council, the authority in Mali has been called to thoroughly and rapidly investigate the horrifying attack and bring the perpetrators to book. The U. N. Security Council also reiterated the need for the whole world to collaboratively fight terrorist’s threats.
It should be recalled that an extremist group led by former al-Qaida commander Moktar Belmoktar claimed responsibility for the attack.
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Biya Article Count: 73
# Paul Biya and his regime
Explore the political landscape of Cameroon under the rule of Paul Biya, the longest-serving president in Africa who has been in power since 1982. Our Paul Biya and his regime section examines the policies, actions, and controversies of his government, as well as the opposition movements, civil society groups, and international actors that challenge or support his leadership. You'll also find profiles, interviews, and opinions on the key figures and events that shape the political dynamics of Cameroon.
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Learn more about the history, culture, and politics of Ambazonia, the Anglophone regions of Cameroon that have been seeking self-determination and independence from the Francophone-dominated central government. Our Southern Cameroons section covers the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian crisis, the human rights violations, and the peace efforts in the region. You'll also find stories that highlight the rich and diverse heritage, traditions, and aspirations of the Southern Cameroonian people.
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