Politics

The resignation of some highly placed CPDM officials in order to vie for elective positions and the decision that barred all North West Fons from contesting for posts within the ruling CPDM party has put the reorganization exercise in the North West Region at crossroads. Intrigues, manipulations, blackmail and the consensus idea brought in by some Fons and rejected by some interested persons has continued to make headline news in the region. Cameroon Concord’s Samuel Bantar paints the prevailing situation in this soul-searching report:

The journey began in Mezam-former Bamenda 1 which has been divided into 3 zones with Bamenda 1b that host the lucrative Congress Hall considered the hottest Section president seat. Here, Tazong Abel Ndeh [former Government Delegate to the Bamenda city Council], Tawa Cresy and Rose Saningam are all in for the race described by some political commentators as a clash of the Titans.

As CPDM customs and tradition demands the winner here must be the anointed one with blessings from the Fon of Mankon, 1st Vice National President of the CPDM and Minister Atanga Nji Paul. Mezam 2 involving the Bafourchou´mafia in Santa has her share of problems. With J.B.Ndeh out of the race, Fru Jonathan, the CPDM Central Committee delegate to the locality has declared himself a candidate contrary to party text. It is alleged that he bullied Michael Shupong to submission and has also been accused of accepting an over aged candidate for the post of YCPDM section president. Former Prime Minister and Senator, Simon Achidi Achu has been watching the drama from a distance and looks helpless. To be sure, in Bamenda 1a, there are 5 lists; Bamenda 2b, 4 lists and Bamenda 3-Nkwen is still quiet and relaxed.

In Mbengwi, cat calls had greeted the sacking of Ama Tutu Muna from government putting the party in that area in shambles. Supporters of the former Minister are undecided on which direction to follow. At the close of a meeting to select a candidate for section president, a motion of support and a peaceful match to thank the Head of State for appointing one of theirs Mbah Fomundam as Minister of State Audit was openly rejected by section president-Tembi Jacob whom it is alleged acted on Ama Tutu Muna’s instructions. Ama Muna was heard murmuring privately that Mbah Fomundam is not a politician. As head of the reorganization exercise in Menchum Division, Ama Muna boycotted the opening ceremony claiming it was a day of national mourning for victims of the Mina stampede in Saudi Arabia. Hon. Wallang Richard, Chop Cyprian and Mayor Dighambong Anthony who has reportedly gotten the backing from the Aghem Fons will all be challenging each other for post of Section president of Wum.

The Bafut story was a combined comedy and tragedy as a consensus list brought in by the Fon and headed by Ndifongwa Emmanuel was rejected by Tumngwa Henry, Mbonifor Kennedy and 3 other persons who want the job. The poor state of the road to Donga/Mantung Division did not hinder Mr. Tamfu Simon, head of the delegation to sort out matters in Nwa between the incumbent section president, Hon. Mbucksek Genesis and Mayor Ngomfe Loma-David. Cameroon Concord sources hinted that the mayor has secured party cards ahead of the battle. In Ndu, Abdou Borno Kanfon is enjoying a quiet day as he is the lone candidate while in Nkambe uncertainty still hangs over the candidacy of either Ngala Gerald or Ngabi Paul. In Oku, Ngum Jerome may win as the local population sees the current section president as an absentee landlord. Ngonketungia Division has been described by Dr. Calistus as smooth. Although elections have been held in some areas, tension seems to be mounting throughout the North West region.

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Ngwa Bertrand

01.Nov.2015

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Cameroon is definitely going to be another flashpoint in Sub Saharan Africa after Biya. As age continues to tell on the leadership, there are currently so many concocted judicial proceedings which have generated clashes among senior dignitaries of the regime. The goal is the elimination of most prominent members of the ruling elite. Recently, Essimi Menye, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development sacked on October 02 have seen so many allegations brought against him. 

Some of the Essimi Menye charges included the purchase of 50 hectares of land by his brother and assets improperly acquired from the liquidation of the defunct Cameroon tobacco company. Local media reports in Yaounde say many top ranking government officials were all involved in nasty deals now being placed on former minister Essimi Menye. Prominent among them is Minister Jean Baptiste Bokam, who reportedly acquired wealth from Cameroon Tobacco Company. Other highly placed CPDM barons who illegally acquired the Cameroon Tobacco Company property are the late Philemon Adjibolo, who moonlighted as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cameroon Tabacco Company, Janvier Mongui Sossomba, current president of the Cameroon Chamber of Agriculture and Siegfried Etamé Massoma, former Governor of the East region at the time of liquidation. General Ivo Desancio, Director of the presidential security and Fouda Joseph, special adviser to the Head of State, also bought part of the heritage of the Cameroon Tobacco Company.

However, while he was still a cabinet minister, Essimi was interrogated twice by prosecutors of the Special Criminal Court. Interestingly, the two hearings took place at the premises of the Ministry of Justice, on the 13th and 27th of January 2015. Laurent Esso, the current Justice Minister, is reportedly using the Special Criminal Court to settle personal scores against many including minister Essimi Menye.

The facts of the liquidation of the Cameroon Tobacco Company have all been made public and the greatest looting took place in Yaoundé. Paul Fokam Kamogne through CCEI Bank was given three nicely built storey buildings with an area of 17 039 m2. CCEI Bank acquired a property including land title number 588 with a capacity of 1530 m2 for just 200 million CFA FRANCS, and a second on which is built the PFK Institute Headquarters at Emana in Yaounde for only 300 million CFA FRANCS. The Oil Price Stabilization Fund of SNH also had a share of the deal worth one billion CFA francs for 5564 m2. So, who wants Essimi Menye's head?

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Ngwa Bertrand

01.Nov.2015

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Legitimate satisfaction characterised the various speakers who took the floor yesterday 29 October 2015 to highlight the way forward for both India and Africa as they design a new road map for mutual cooperation in the interest of their peoples. The inaugural ceremony which saw the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his co-chair of the event President Robert Mugabe who is the current President of the African Union as well as Mrs Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Minister of External Affairs of India, Shusma Swaraj all underscored the shared goals between Africa and India. Opening remarks by the Indian Minister of External Affairs were just to usher in the main speakers for the morning. The Summit Chairperson, Prime Minister, made a hair-raising declaration to send home his points. Having overcome the challenges of colonialism, neo-colonial and apartheid, Africa and India, he said could no longer afford to remain behind. He recalled the adage that, “if you want to go quickly, go alone, if you want to go far, go with others.” Saying India and Africa must go far since they had much in common. 

 He welcome the brilliant colours of Africa and India blending together grate names like Gandhi, Mandela etc. a vibrant mosaic of languages, religious and cultural ties now linked by the Indian Ocean, ties of kingship commerce united through centuries saying their presence of African leaders in India symbolised one third of humanity under one roof, in the same rhythm A people who have cough for their liberty and dignity, spoken in one voice in the world and formed a partnership of prosperity, He insisted that their youth constituted another precious element that united them and African like India now coming together to take responsibility for their development should be an unmistaken sign.

PM Modi visited the multitude of exhibitions at the Indira Gandhi Sport Complex that exalted creative talents endowed in Africa and India. The same messages were highlighted by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Mrs Zuma as well as the 39 Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents that led delegations to New Delhi for the Summit. The leaders lauded the role of Prime Minister Modi in boasting cooperation ties with Africa and the various scholarships, and capacity building offers that India is making to Africa. Some appreciated the specific development and investment opportunities that their countries are currently undertaking with India. A huge highway for mutual advances is therefore being opened between Africa and India with the youth being placed at the centre following chances for education, technological improvements and other refresher courses that can help them leverage for a better future.

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Ngwa Bertrand

31.Oct.2015

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Legitimate satisfaction characterised the various speakers who took the floor yesterday 29 October 2015 to highlight the way forward for both India and Africa as they design a new road map for mutual cooperation in the interest of their peoples. The inaugural ceremony which saw the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his co-chair of the event President Robert Mugabe who is the current President of the African Union as well as Mrs Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Minister of External Affairs of India, Shusma Swaraj all underscored the shared goals between Africa and India. Opening remarks by the Indian Minister of External Affairs were just to usher in the main speakers for the morning. The Summit Chairperson, Prime Minister, made a hair-raising declaration to send home his points. Having overcome the challenges of colonialism, neo-colonial and apartheid, Africa and India, he said could no longer afford to remain behind. He recalled the adage that, “if you want to go quickly, go alone, if you want to go far, go with others.” Saying India and Africa must go far since they had much in common. 

 He welcome the brilliant colours of Africa and India blending together grate names like Gandhi, Mandela etc. a vibrant mosaic of languages, religious and cultural ties now linked by the Indian Ocean, ties of kingship commerce united through centuries saying their presence of African leaders in India symbolised one third of humanity under one roof, in the same rhythm A people who have cough for their liberty and dignity, spoken in one voice in the world and formed a partnership of prosperity, He insisted that their youth constituted another precious element that united them and African like India now coming together to take responsibility for their development should be an unmistaken sign.

PM Modi visited the multitude of exhibitions at the Indira Gandhi Sport Complex that exalted creative talents endowed in Africa and India. The same messages were highlighted by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Mrs Zuma as well as the 39 Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents that led delegations to New Delhi for the Summit. The leaders lauded the role of Prime Minister Modi in boasting cooperation ties with Africa and the various scholarships, and capacity building offers that India is making to Africa. Some appreciated the specific development and investment opportunities that their countries are currently undertaking with India. A huge highway for mutual advances is therefore being opened between Africa and India with the youth being placed at the centre following chances for education, technological improvements and other refresher courses that can help them leverage for a better future.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

31.Oct.2015

Hits: 1233

Legitimate satisfaction characterised the various speakers who took the floor yesterday 29 October 2015 to highlight the way forward for both India and Africa as they design a new road map for mutual cooperation in the interest of their peoples. The inaugural ceremony which saw the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his co-chair of the event President Robert Mugabe who is the current President of the African Union as well as Mrs Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Minister of External Affairs of India, Shusma Swaraj all underscored the shared goals between Africa and India. Opening remarks by the Indian Minister of External Affairs were just to usher in the main speakers for the morning. The Summit Chairperson, Prime Minister, made a hair-raising declaration to send home his points. Having overcome the challenges of colonialism, neo-colonial and apartheid, Africa and India, he said could no longer afford to remain behind. He recalled the adage that, “if you want to go quickly, go alone, if you want to go far, go with others.” Saying India and Africa must go far since they had much in common. 

 He welcome the brilliant colours of Africa and India blending together grate names like Gandhi, Mandela etc. a vibrant mosaic of languages, religious and cultural ties now linked by the Indian Ocean, ties of kingship commerce united through centuries saying their presence of African leaders in India symbolised one third of humanity under one roof, in the same rhythm A people who have cough for their liberty and dignity, spoken in one voice in the world and formed a partnership of prosperity, He insisted that their youth constituted another precious element that united them and African like India now coming together to take responsibility for their development should be an unmistaken sign.

PM Modi visited the multitude of exhibitions at the Indira Gandhi Sport Complex that exalted creative talents endowed in Africa and India. The same messages were highlighted by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Mrs Zuma as well as the 39 Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents that led delegations to New Delhi for the Summit. The leaders lauded the role of Prime Minister Modi in boasting cooperation ties with Africa and the various scholarships, and capacity building offers that India is making to Africa. Some appreciated the specific development and investment opportunities that their countries are currently undertaking with India. A huge highway for mutual advances is therefore being opened between Africa and India with the youth being placed at the centre following chances for education, technological improvements and other refresher courses that can help them leverage for a better future.

Details

Ngwa Bertrand

31.Oct.2015

Hits: 1195

President Barack Obama notified the U.S. Congress on Friday that he plans to drop Burundi from the African Growth and Opportunity Act trade benefits program as of Jan. 1 because of violence related to a political crisis in the country.

"In particular, the continuing crackdown on opposition members, which has included assassinations, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture, have worsened significantly during the election campaign that returned President (Pierre) Nkurunziza to power earlier this year," Obama said in a letter to Congress.

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Ngwa Bertrand

31.Oct.2015

Hits: 2414