#2018 Archives - THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON https://thesunnewspaper.cm/tag/2018/ Nothing is hidden under the sun Fri, 27 Jan 2023 09:18:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://thesunnewspaper.cm/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cropped-favicon-32x32.png #2018 Archives - THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON https://thesunnewspaper.cm/tag/2018/ 32 32 Government bent on prosecuting strike actions leaders in Cameroon https://thesunnewspaper.cm/government-bent-prosecuting-strike-actions-leaders-cameroon/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/government-bent-prosecuting-strike-actions-leaders-cameroon/#respond Tue, 17 Sep 2019 11:37:45 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=6438 BY LUSY LIMA The Cameroon government has vowed to hunt down and prosecute leaders of major strike actions that have rocked the country within the last two years as a…

The post Government bent on prosecuting strike actions leaders in Cameroon appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
BY LUSY LIMA

The Cameroon government has vowed to hunt down and prosecute leaders of major strike actions that have rocked the country within the last two years as a way of deterring others from ever standing up against the state. The country has since 2006 been plagued by sporadic strike actions with the most prominent ones being the November 27, 2006 University of Buea strike action against the alleged manipulationof results of entrance examination into the institution’s medical school and the February 2008 strike action against hike in fuel prices, poor working conditions and the unlimited extension of presidential mandate.
With the instability and havoc which these strike actions brought to the state, the ring leaders have been arrested and placed under dehumanising conditions in different detention centres across Cameroon with trumped up charges levied against them, while many are reportedly on the run. A warrant of arrest has been issued against most of those on the run.
One of the most wanted strike leaders, more or less trapped in both the November 2006 university and February 2008 nation-wide strike actions is Ghang Jude Thaddeus.
Reports say after the 2006 University of Buea strike action, the then final year Law student, who was also Public Relation Officer of the University Students Representative Council, was arrested and detained in inhumane conditions at the Buea Central Prison alongside other leaders of the strike action. They were only released several weeks after the intervention of human right organisations.

Ghang Jude Thaddeus.
Ghang Jude Thaddeus

In February 2008, Ghang Jude mobilized youths in Buea who took park in the non-violent strike action against poor working condition, extension of presidential mandate and increase in fuel prices that turned violent, The SUN gathered. Reports have it that shortly after the Head of State, Paul Biya, in a televised nationwide address, promised to hunt down and prosecute all those who spearheaded the strike action, the military swung into action arresting and detaining leaders of the strike action.
According to credible family sources, warrant of arrest was issued against Ghang Jude, who fled to Nigeria, and since then, his where about remains a speculation.
Observers have interpreted the recent move by the government to prosecute strike action leaders as a mechanism to deter Cameroonians from speaking out or every protesting again. Human right organisations have widely criticised the Cameroon government for its track record of violent suppression of strike actions and uprisings, which are mostly characterised by gross human right violation.

The post Government bent on prosecuting strike actions leaders in Cameroon appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/government-bent-prosecuting-strike-actions-leaders-cameroon/feed/ 0
Anglophone Cameroon youths go underground as reprisal man-hunt intensifies https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-cameroon-youths-go-underground-reprisal-man-hunt-intensifies/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-cameroon-youths-go-underground-reprisal-man-hunt-intensifies/#respond Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:46:03 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=6363 BY LUSY LIMA As the tension mounts in the two restive English speaking regions of Cameroon, man-hunting has become the order of the day forcing many youths to go underground…

The post Anglophone Cameroon youths go underground as reprisal man-hunt intensifies appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
BY LUSY LIMA

As the tension mounts in the two restive English speaking regions of Cameroon, man-hunting has become the order of the day forcing many youths to go underground for fear of reprisals from the military. Youths accused by the military for assisting separatist fighters and or concealing their hide outs are either arrested, molested or killed, irrespective of their innocence.
The Anglophone crisis, which has been on for close to three years, started as a strike action by lawyers and teachers in the North West and South West regions but has metamorphosed into an arm conflict between separatist fighters and the Cameroon defence forces. Frequent clashes between these two have ravaged houses and villages in the North West and South West regions.
Many people have relocated to bushes while others are now internally displaced with thousands as refugees in neighbouring Nigeria. Reports from international humanitarian organisations indicate that over 500,000 people are displaced internally with over 300 houses razed in both regions, accompanied by constant lockdown, ghost towns and shut down of schools.
In the midst of these, the Cameroon Government is yet to respond to calls from international bodies like the United Nations, European Union, La Francophonie, the Common Wealth, African Union and other Western Nations for the government to call an inclusive and frank dialogue in order to bring an end to the crisis.
The situation has become worst, with more and more male youths placed under security light as they are regarded by the military as prospective separatist fighters. Consequently, many youths are relocating to safer zones out of the country. Cases abound of young people arrested, molested with some giving up the ghost during inhumane treatment by either the Cameroon defense forces or separatist fighters, while others are simply handed heavy jail sentence after trial at the military court in Yaounde.
The where about of a Kumba-based bus driver, Fonge Martin and a community youth president from the North West Region, Nkenglefac Sixtus Bebongchu, remain unknown, according to family sources. In the midst of this, The SUN has it on good record that their families and neighbours witness impromptu military and police patrols in their vicinity demanding their where about. The Quarter Head of Nkenglefac Sixtus Bebongchu’s community reportedly said “the way things are if Nkenglefac is arrested his life span will be short-lived”.
According to media reports, Nkenglefac Sixtus’ ordeal with the military started early January, 2018. Mr. While Nkenglefac was cleaning at his job site, he only noticed that the flag of secessionists had been hoisted on an electric pole around when the military arrived and arrested all youths in the neighbourhood around Small Mankon in Bamenda, including him. They were whisked away and detained at a military base around the airport.

Fonge Martin victim of circumstances in the ongoing Anglophone crisis.
Fonge Martin victim of circumstances in the ongoing Anglophone crisis.

After about five months incommunicado under degrading conditions, Nkenglefac was released thanks to the intervention of a relative. Despite spending some days at the hospital, Nkenglefac and other youths once again felt into the dragnet of the military in September 2018 while returning from work. This time around, they were taken to a nearby football pitch and molested to the extent that Nkenglefac only discovered himself hospitalised while others gave up the ghost, a source, who prefers anonymity, narrated.

Nkenglefac Sixtus Bebongchu, another victim of circumstances in the ongoing Anglophone crisis declared wanted
Nkenglefac Sixtus Bebongchu, another victim of circumstances in the ongoing Anglophone crisis declared wanted

In yet another encounter with the military, the community youth leader and some of his members were reportedly carrying out community labour when the military, who had earlier accused him of preaching anti-government doctrine, opened fire on them. While others ran into the bush including Nkenglefac Sixtus for safety, some were killed and others arrested and tortured, the SUN gathered.
It is also said that while taking refuge in Bafut, Nkenglefac received a call from the Quarter Head asking him to run for safety as he was under police search light. Shortly after this, Bafut came under attack as the military engaged separatist fighters in an exchange with sporadic gun shots here and there forcing community members, including Nkenglefac, to flee to the bushes.
According to a family source, Nkenglefac called his family in Mankon to know if it was safe for him to come back but was informed that the military had razed their lone family house mounted a manhunt for him. “This is how Nkenglefac Sixtus became frustrated and disappeared to an unknown destination,” the source stated.
On his part, Fonge Martin saw his vehicle carted away by separatist fighters who were going for a demonstration on October 1, 2018, as he prepared to transport passengers to Dschang from Kumba. Unfortunately for Fonge, the military seized the vehicle from the Separatist fighters and set it ablaze.
Frustrated by this, family sources disclosed that, Fonge auctioned their lone family house and bought a second- hand vehicle. Unfortunately, on December 9, 2018, it was reported that he has been molested, and his vehicle burnt by the military, who accused him of transporting separatists. All efforts to proof his innocence was futile as the military proceeded to burnt down their family house in the village, leaving him stranded.
As if this was not enough, Fonge according to reports, was detained at the police station under degrading conditions in a bit to cause him unveil the hide out of the separatist fighters. He was equally forced to accept that he is a good collaborator of the separatists which he all rejected. Since Fonge was too tough to succumb, the next option was to whisk him to Yaounde. Prior to this, a military officer hinted him that plans were underway to execute him on his way to Yaounde. This military officer helped him to escape against a huge financial reward from his family, a military source attested.
We gathered that Fonge escaped and went into hiding, and later smuggled himself out of the country thanks to some relatives and friends. Reports say he is still under police search light and just like any other youth caught in the web of this prolonged crisis, if arrested he will be prosecuted and jailed.
As we went to press, the question on every lips is when will this ” war” end so that Anglophone youths can really find a place to stay safe in their own fatherland?

The post Anglophone Cameroon youths go underground as reprisal man-hunt intensifies appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-cameroon-youths-go-underground-reprisal-man-hunt-intensifies/feed/ 0
SCNC activists home and abroad targeted by security operatives https://thesunnewspaper.cm/scnc-activists-home-abroad-targeted-security-operatives/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/scnc-activists-home-abroad-targeted-security-operatives/#respond Mon, 17 Dec 2018 10:16:42 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=5341 BY TALLA AGHAA CHRISTOPHER   The lives of activists of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) both at home and abroad are at risk as government security operatives are targeting…

The post SCNC activists home and abroad targeted by security operatives appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
BY TALLA AGHAA CHRISTOPHER

 

The lives of activists of the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) both at home and abroad are at risk as government security operatives are targeting them.

As the crisis rocking the North West and South West regions, which has now spiraled into an armed struggle, escalates, the government has intensified its efforts to crack down on SCNC activists. Many of them are being arrested and detained under horrendous and inhuman conditions. Some have died in detention.

The arrested SCNC activists are being tried under the anti-terrorism law whose maximum punishment is the death penalty.

The government has always accused SCNC members and other Anglophone secessionists in the diaspora of propelling the Anglophone crisis; which the government has labelled as “terrorism”. The Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakari, had emphasised that, the government will not dialogue or negotiate with terrorists. Sources have revealed that, the government is using its diplomatic networks to ensure that SCNC members and other Anglophone activists abroad are tracked down and extradited.

Anglophone Cameroonians abroad turn out for protest in London
Anglophone Cameroonians abroad turn out for protest in London

It should be recalled that, leading members of the separatist movement: Nfor Ngala Nfor Chairman of the SCNC, Sessekou Ayuk Julius Tabe, the Nigeria-based president of the Southern Cameroons Governing Council, were arrested in January 2018 alongside others at a hotel in Abuja, Nigeria. They were later extradited to Cameroon and detained incommunicado for several months. They are currently being tried at the Yaounde military tribunal.

SCNC activists during one of their gathering in UK
SCNC activists during one of their gathering in UK

Mancho Bibixy, the initiator of what is now known as the Coffin Revolution, together with many activists who were arrested and tried at the Yaounde military tribunal, are now serving long jail terms at the Kondengui maximum security prison in Yaounde.

Meanwhile, after releasing a list of Anglophone activists in the Diaspora, who were targeted for arrest some time ago, sources say a fresh list of SCNC members and other activists abroad has been re-established for arrest. More than a hundred names have reportedly been given to intelligence services.

Activists during protest in London
Activists during protest in London

We learnt from informants that after several meetings held in Yaounde in a bid to seek ways to neutralise the growing Anglophone activism both within and without the country, a bigwig of the regime was sent on a mission abroad to ‘bribe’ his way in causing the UN and other diplomatic services to frustrate the Anglophone struggle by neutralising those in the Diaspora via their arrest and extradition.

This move by government is reported to be one of the reasons which sparked widespread protests of Anglophones in the United Kingdom (London) during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this year. During the protests, SCNC members in the UK called on the Commonwealth to force the government of Cameroon to demillitarise the North West and South West regions, stop the ongoing mass killings of Anglophones and also to expel Cameroon from the Commonwealth.

The London protest is alleged to have been organised by UK SCNC Chairman, Robert Tamanji, alongside other members like: Ivo Kuka, Joseph Bikong Catherine Yambo, Divine Taminang, Omawah Elenor Charlotte Oyebog, Limunga Loridiana , Alain Bougan, amongst others.

The country is now considered unsafe by many Anglophones in the diaspora who fear arrest or death if they return to the country. if arrested they will also be tried under the anti-terrorism law.

 

Origin of crisis

It is also worth recalling that the Anglophone crisis, something that pundits say had been brewing for several years, boiled over in November 2016, when Common Law Lawyers in the North West and South West regions went on strike. They were demanding for the return of the federal system of government, redeployment of Civil Law Magistrates back to Civil Law Courts in French Cameroon, among other grievances. Not long after, teachers in the North West and South West regions also went on strike, demanding for the redress of several issues concerning the English system of education.

Things, however, got worst when Anglophones in both regions, who had been fed up with the unfavourable political and economic situation of the country, the use of French as the dominant and official language, and the marginalisation of the Anglophones, joined the strike.

The strike was met with brutal repression by the military which has today escalated into an armed conflict between the two camps with the rise of the “Ambazonian Self Defence forces”. Today it is estimated that over 20,000 Southern Cameroonians have fled the country to neighbouring Nigeria, thousands of internally displaced people have fled into bushes/forests, and hundreds are being detained and many others missing. A huge number of civilian and military casualties have also been recorded.

While the Anglophone crisis continues to escalate, international organisations and other Western powers have called on the Government to address the root cause of the crisis through dialogue. But the government continues to drag its feet.

 

 

 

The post SCNC activists home and abroad targeted by security operatives appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/scnc-activists-home-abroad-targeted-security-operatives/feed/ 0
Anglophone Crisis: More youths, businessmen go underground for allegedly siding with separatists https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-crisis-more-youths-businessmen-go-underground-for-allegedly-siding-with-separatists/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-crisis-more-youths-businessmen-go-underground-for-allegedly-siding-with-separatists/#respond Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:08:33 +0000 https://thesunnewspaper.cm/?p=8962 BY EVELYN KUBU More and more businessmen within the crisis-stricken Anglophone regions of Cameroon have resorted to going underground after surviving arrest torture and detention from the military for allegedly…

The post Anglophone Crisis: More youths, businessmen go underground for allegedly siding with separatists appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
BY EVELYN KUBU

More and more businessmen within the crisis-stricken Anglophone regions of Cameroon have resorted to going underground after surviving arrest torture and detention from the military for allegedly collaborating with separatist fighters, commonly known as “Amba Boys”, who are fighting for the restoration of the independence of the statehood of former British Southern Cameroons, termed Ambazonia. Reports say this situation has caused many to migrate to French Cameroon, while others have fled to neighbouring countries as refugees. According to statistics from human rights groups, over 3000 person have been killed, hundreds kidnapped, thousands of houses and over 300 villages razed with over 53000 persons identified as Internally Displaced, with over 35000 as refugees in Nigeria. Some have been left in constant fears either for the demise of their love ones or because their houses have been razed. These attacks have been so alarming that human rights groups across the board have concluded that Cameroon is no longer safe. The Cameroon Government has, for over two years now, been battling to arrest the situation but tensions continue to intensify with civilian population in the North West and South West Regions in peril, panic and pandemonium. Due to his confusion, and fear of the unknown, many youths and businessmen continue to go underground.

Reports say one of the most vibrant youth in Matoh village ,Konye Sub Division, Meme Division of the South West Region,  Motale Dieudonne Efilo like many others accused of siding with the Separatist is at large and his where about remains cloudy since November 2018. As the youth leader of his native Matoh village Motale has suffered from numerous arrests, torture, molestation due to his role rallying other youths, educating and sensitizing them carrying placards on the illegal annexation of southern Cameroon. Motale Dieudonne sources hinted that had the greatest molestation and torture was in August 2018 when the military invaded the village and arrested him alongside members of the village youth Council for aiding, supporting and sponsoring secessionist movement. Motale’s case even more complicated because the military had gathered information that he was the brain behind the holding of past rallies in the village. Reports hold that even though his mother Bokwe Lydia Bue challenged the allegations against Motale Dieudonne Efilo, the military threaten to detain her. Due to molestation and torture on Motale, he was hospitalized. Soon after he was discharged, due to fear of the unknown following frequent military raids in the village, Motale and other vulnerable youths  went underground  an till date his where about remains cloudy. As we went to Press the military had raided Matoh and shot to death Motale’s junior brother Ituka Desmond Maya thinking that he was Motale Dieudonne Efilo.


Motale Dieudonne Efilo on the run due to the arm conflict in the NW/ SW Regions of Cameroon.

It should be recalled that sometimes in September 2017 following the outburst of the Anglophone crisis that metamorphosed into an arm conflict, a Fontem livestock farmer and Businessman Asong Christopher Mbengu for example remains unknown since October 2017 after he suffered from a brutal military attack, according to family sources. Reports say Asong Christopher Mbengu who was operating one of the largest livestock farms in Nchentem Fontem in Lebialem Division, South West Region, witnessed the greatest molestation from the military. According to reliable sources Asong as a renowned livestock farmer. His farm had   above 1000 table birds, 100 pigs, goats, rabbits, and cattle’s. He also equally accompanied and educated other farmers technically in different villages. Sources in Fontem say he had gained the confidence of most farmers and consumers. Prior to the celebration of the “ independence of day of Southern Cameroon” on September 22 2017 he flooded most neighbourhood markets like  Menji  and Belua Azi  with his animals to sell.  Reports say September 25 2017 was the day everything went wrong for Asong Christopher. While feeding his animals in the farm two trucks carrying well armed military men call BIR fired gunshots creating panic and casualties. He was accused of organizing and feeding separatists groups in the different villages just because he was seen selling his animals as mentioned above. They broke into house ransacked all rooms and destroyed all  part of his pig building . Thereafter, they unlawfully humiliated, tortured him and killed two of his workers and carried the corpse away. Eye witnesses say, Asong was blind folded, his face cover by the military and transported by the military truck to an unknown destination. . Family sources hinted that Asong was finally jailed in Dschang West Region on trump up terrorism charges.

Asong Christopher Mbengu where about unknown.

It should be recalled that the crisis, which started in 2016 with a strike action by Common Law lawyers and Anglophone teachers against marginalization has transformed into an arm-conflict with Anglophones from all walks of life, including Southern Cameroon National Council, members, businessmen, nurses, youths and the clergy being killed in cross-fire between security forces and separatist fighters, while others are either termed black legs by “Amba Boys” and molested/kidnapped for ransom or arrested, tortured and tried at the military tribunals with life jail terms for allegedly taking side with the separatists.

As we went to Press, Source have disclosed that, since then Asong Christopher Mbengu where about remains a misery as the military keep parading their Nchentem village in search for him and many other suspected Anglophone activists.

The post Anglophone Crisis: More youths, businessmen go underground for allegedly siding with separatists appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/anglophone-crisis-more-youths-businessmen-go-underground-for-allegedly-siding-with-separatists/feed/ 0
Manyanye Ikome to give visibility to decentralisation process – The Director of Communication & Public Relations was among the pioneer officials installed by Minister Elanga Obam https://thesunnewspaper.cm/manyanye-ikome-give-visibility-decentralisation-process-director-communication-public-relations-among-pioneer-officials-installed-minister-elanga-obam/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/manyanye-ikome-give-visibility-decentralisation-process-director-communication-public-relations-among-pioneer-officials-installed-minister-elanga-obam/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:35:53 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4389 By Doh James Sonkey Pioneer senior officials of the central services of the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development have been told to put in their very best in order…

The post Manyanye Ikome to give visibility to decentralisation process – The Director of Communication & Public Relations was among the pioneer officials installed by Minister Elanga Obam appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Doh James Sonkey
Pioneer senior officials of the central services of the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development have been told to put in their very best in order to concretize the acceleration of decentralization and local development process as promised by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya in his swearing in inaugural speech for the great opportunity mandate.
The call was made by the Minister of Decentralization and Local Development, Georges Elanga Obam last November 28, 2018 while commissioning nineteen newly appointed senior officials at a solemn ceremony at the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM in Yaoundé.

Minister Georges Elanga Obam flanked by pioneer collaborators
Minister Georges Elanga Obam flanked by pioneer collaborators

Congratulating his collaborators following their appointment last November 8, 2018 by the President of the Republic, Paul Biya and last November 19, 2018 by the Prime Minister, Philemon Yang, the Minister promised them his total collaboration and availability.
Telling the Inspector General, Prof Tcheuwa Jean Claude, Technical Advisers, Nnoke Ngwese Anthony and Apala Moiffo Cyrille respectively No 1 and 2, Directors and others of similar ranks that they were appointed on the basis of competence, integrity, loyalty and patriotism, he challenged them to live up to the expectation of Cameroonians especially as “there is no time to waste.”
In his installation speech, Minister Georges Elanga Obam urged them not to hesitate in coming up with pertinent proposals to foster the progress of the ministry and the nation after strategic reflections.
Urging his new collaborators to work hard in order to make councils nationwide attractive and economically emergent in the days ahead to give meaning to the ministry and the presidential promise, the Minister equally asked them to use team work in order to adopt a results based managerial and participative approach in rendering service to the nation.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic, Paul Biya for creating the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development last March 2, 2018 and equipping it with human resources starting with its Secretary General, Ebongue Makolle Fred Aurelien last July 20, 2018.
He stressed that “the creation of our ministry on a technical and managerial plan is a response to the needs of coherence and optimal and local governance.”
Defining the task of each of his new collaborators, Minister Elanga Obam instructed the Director of Communication and Public Relations, Manyanye Paul Ikome who until his appointment was serving in similar capacity at the Cameroon Development Corporation, CDC, to elaborate and implement communication strategy intended to give visibility and meaning to the decentralization process which the Minister admitted is not well known and understood by the population.

The post Manyanye Ikome to give visibility to decentralisation process – The Director of Communication & Public Relations was among the pioneer officials installed by Minister Elanga Obam appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/manyanye-ikome-give-visibility-decentralisation-process-director-communication-public-relations-among-pioneer-officials-installed-minister-elanga-obam/feed/ 0
Separatist lock down Buea-Kumba highway again https://thesunnewspaper.cm/separatist-lock-buea-kumba-highway/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/separatist-lock-buea-kumba-highway/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:31:03 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4384 By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi Commuters who left Yaounde, Douala and Bamenda, heading to Kumba, on Thursday, November 29, were left stranded at the Mile 17 Motor Park, following the complete…

The post Separatist lock down Buea-Kumba highway again appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi
Commuters who left Yaounde, Douala and Bamenda, heading to Kumba, on Thursday, November 29, were left stranded at the Mile 17 Motor Park, following the complete lock down of the Kumba-Buea Highway.
It was a similar situation in Muyuka and Kumba, where travellers who were either heading to Buea, Douala or Yaoundé, were grounded at the Motor Park for over 72 hours as soldiers battled separatists to restore traffic.
According to information The SUN gathered, the Kumba-Buea Road was blocked by separatist fighters, as they try to assert their authority in the area.

Hold up on Kumba-Buea Road
Hold up on Kumba-Buea Road

Some of the commuters, who have no relatives in Buea, arriving the metropolis were forced to spend the night at the Motor Park, while those who have friends, relatives and tribespersons residing in the South West Regional capital had to squat with them until traffic on the Buea-Kumba Highway was timidly restored on Sunday, December 2, 2018 under heavy military escort.
Speaking to The SUN, a driver, who refused to be named, recounted the ordeal they faced along the stretch.
“We left Buea on Friday morning in a bus. Despite the warnings we received that we shouldn’t proceed to Kumba because the road was heavily barricaded, we couldn’t stop because most of the people in the bus had very important appointments in Kumba to honour. Other vehincles with us were transporting corpses and mourners destined for Muyuka and Kumba. There had been shootings between Amba boys and security forces. We learnt that an Amba big man had been killed in Ekona early Thursday morning, reason why the boys were out to retaliate. We had to end in Muyuka due to the tedious nature of the journey,” he said.
He added that a truck belonging to a local beverage company in Muyuka was set alight in Ekona, along with two transport vehicles. It is said that some civilians might have been burnt in the said cars.
We learnt that a truck transporting cocoa was also burnt to ashes in Muyuka by armed men believed to be separatist fighters.
When traffic was finally restored on Sunday under the guidance of soldiers and armored cars, transport fare had soared. Commuters from Buea to Kumba and vice versa were charged as much as FCFA 5,000, up from FCFA 1,500. Those from Kumba to Muyuka were charged FCFA 3,000 while leaving Muyuka to Buea and vice versa cost FCFA 2,000.v

The post Separatist lock down Buea-Kumba highway again appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/separatist-lock-buea-kumba-highway/feed/ 0
Ambazonia government calls off Monday ghost towns https://thesunnewspaper.cm/ambazonia-government-calls-off-monday-ghost-towns/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/ambazonia-government-calls-off-monday-ghost-towns/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:26:13 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4381 By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi Chris Anu, Ambazonia’s Secretary for Communication & IT has suspended the traditional Monday ghost towns in the North West and South West Regions. In a video…

The post Ambazonia government calls off Monday ghost towns appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi
Chris Anu, Ambazonia’s Secretary for Communication & IT has suspended the traditional Monday ghost towns in the North West and South West Regions. In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Anu says they want the population of the restive Anglophone regions to better prepare for end of year festivities.
“The restoration council on ground zero in collaboration with leaders on ground zero have agreed to call-off Monday ghost towns for the month of December,” Anu said in what he described as an important policy announcement.
The secretary for communication of the Ambazonia interim government said the temporal suspension of Monday ghost towns is expected to run into January.
“We want to give our people the opportunity to do what they can do to have a better Christmas. We know you have suffered enough, you have struggled enough. Do what you can do to have a better Christmas… we think there should be a little break,” Anu said.
He was however quick to add that should the need arise; they may decide to invoke the ghost town calls.
“Beginning Monday, December 3, 2018, there will be no Monday ghost towns till the end of December,” Anu emphasized in the viral video.

Chris Anu
Chris Anu

Ghost town calls were first respected on Monday, January 09, 2017 by members of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium as a way to frustrate school resumption.
Parts of Cameroon have been gripped by unrest since activists stepped up their campaign for independence in October 2016.
The clashes have been in the mainly English-speaking North-West and South West regions. Activists claim the country’s French-speaking majority is marginalising the English-speaking minority.
Common Law Lawyers announced a strike on October 11, 2016 to protest government’s attempts to annihilate the Common Law practice in a constitutionally bilingual and bi-jural Cameroon.
Anglophone teachers in the country joined the strike on November 21, 2016 to uphold Anglo-Saxon values under threat in Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions. The teachers’ strike coincided with a popular protest – coffin revolution – led by journalist Mancho Bibixy Tse.
Matters came to a head on Thursday, December 8 when the population of Bamenda took to the streets to denounce the politicisation of a strike action they consider genuine and borne of longstanding grievances.
Days of ghost town have since been observed throughout the South West and North West Regions of the country. The suspension of the Monday ghost towns has been well received by businessmen and the population alike.
But Ayaba Cho Lucas in a social media outing rejects the suspension of the ghost town call. “…It is not an emotional exercise where you get up one day and feel sympathy and pity,” Ayaba thundered.
It remains unclear what the situation will be like with the fight between Anu and Ayaba on whether the ghost town should be suspended or continued unabated.

The post Ambazonia government calls off Monday ghost towns appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/ambazonia-government-calls-off-monday-ghost-towns/feed/ 0
Nso Fon freed from Amba captivity https://thesunnewspaper.cm/nso-fon-freed-amba-captivity/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/nso-fon-freed-amba-captivity/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:19:38 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4376 By Sah Terence Animbom The English-speaking man of Cameroon, especially one from the North West region has always purported himself as a man ardent to the respect of human dignity,…

The post Nso Fon freed from Amba captivity appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Sah Terence Animbom
The English-speaking man of Cameroon, especially one from the North West region has always purported himself as a man ardent to the respect of human dignity, property, sacred places and beings which has actually earned for him admiration and the appellation of a true gentleman from the entire country.
The coming of the Anglophone crisis that has so far rocked this region of the country simultaneously with its akin region of the South West for over two years now, degenerating into what has been described by civil society organizations and international NGOs as a civil war has brought into survival the strangest acts of ferocity.
While the world was celebrating world AIDS day on December 1, 2018, some men who as at press time could not be independently inveterate as Amba Boys made their way to the paramount and sacred Nso palace to kidnap him. Atrociously, His royal majesty Fon Sehm Mbinglo II of Nso, one of the only four paramount Fondoms in the region was kidnapped by these yet to be ascertained gunmen.
Custodians of the Nso cultures and traditions like the shufais, the men of the Mfu houses, the Takembeng women and even Nwerong the most sacred society of the Nso land have all condemned in very strong terms the kidnap of their Fon.

His Royal Majesty Fon Sehm Mbinglo II of Nso
His Royal Majesty Fon Sehm Mbinglo II of Nso

They hold it presents their institutions as beggarly and shows a total disrespect for the existence of cultural discipline. They say on no account is their Fon supposed to be treated with such disrespect and call the act, from whoever perpetrated it, a ferocious taboo and an unforgivable atrocity.
“The people of the grass field have a lot of respect for their Fons and when you talk of the Fon of Nso who is not an ordinary Fon being kidnapped, I doubt if that could have come from Nso children, in fact I doubt in all firmness the involvement of any grass field child on the kidnap of the Fon of Nso. If truly any grass field child is involved in this, then this is the very apex of atrocious deeds from these children and I bet you their end will be very disgraceful”, a cultural custodian of Nso told The SUN Newspaper on basis of anonymity.
The Nso people have put all resources in place to see that their Fon is released. Some social media reports claim the Fon was kidnapped due to the recent death of some three virgins in Nso, a story The SUN is totally unsure of, while another social media claim says he was kidnapped by Amba boys after they failed to cause him to perform fortification rituals on them.
We learnt that the Fon was freed Sunday afternoon following pressure from within Nso and the diaspora.
Another atrocious act in the North West within the week was the setting ablaze for the second time a portion of makeshift shops at the Bamenda Food Market at about 2:00am on Thursday November 27th 2018. Waking by the scene of the incident and watching unfortunate traders lament their heavy losses counting from millions upwards. It was observed that these innocent and unfortunate traders who said they have been respecting the dreaded “contri Sundays” to the best of their abilities, had been left at a stormy point of the desert with no little protection at all.
Though the fire fighting brigade was there to salvage the situation, it was helpless for the shops had been severely consumed. Most painful is the fact that these shops are getting burnt by whoever or whatever just before the peak time of business in the country. It is worth mentioning that this fire incident erupted just about two weeks after some 14 shops were ruthlessly consumed by fire around the same Food Market vicinity.

The post Nso Fon freed from Amba captivity appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/nso-fon-freed-amba-captivity/feed/ 0
CDC GM begs workers to resume work – Trade Unions demand security guarantees https://thesunnewspaper.cm/cdc-gm-begs-workers-resume-work-trade-unions-demand-security-guarantees/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/cdc-gm-begs-workers-resume-work-trade-unions-demand-security-guarantees/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:19:30 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4375 By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi Social partners of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) have agreed to work together in ensuring that regular meetings with workers are held in order to get…

The post CDC GM begs workers to resume work – Trade Unions demand security guarantees appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi
Social partners of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) have agreed to work together in ensuring that regular meetings with workers are held in order to get them resume work for the survival of the company.
This is contained in a “company agreement” signed on November 29, 2018 between the CDC represented by her General Manager, Franklin Ngoni Njie and workers’ union representatives.
The Extraordinary Joint Industrial Council Meeting held in the Boardroom of the CDC at Bota Limbe was attended among others by: Franklin Njie, CDC General Manager; Yvette Litombo epse Lyonga, Regional Delegate of Labour and Social Security for the South West; Samuel Mokosso Ekema, Divisional Delegate of Labour and Social Security for Fako; Mbide Charles Kude, General Secretary of the Fako Agricultural Workers’ Union (FAWU); Mbene Gabriel Vefonge, President of the Divisional Syndicate of Agricultural Workers Fako (DISAWOFA); Vidini Demian Yufenyuy, Administrative secretary of the Agricultural Workers’ Union of Meme/Kupe Muanenguba (AWUM/K); and Emoh Maurice Takwa, independent staff representative from Illoani/Boa Area.

CDC GM begs workers to resume work - Trade Unions demand security guarantees
After the closed door meeting, the attendees resolved that:
“Management [of CDC] should communicate sufficiently using all the appropriate media on all significant issues affecting the corporation during this period of ongoing socio-political crisis affecting the North West and South West Regions.
“Social partners are appealing to the state of Cameroon to intensify security measures within the Corporation to create an enabling environment that will guarantee the security of workers to resume work.
“Social partners agreed to work together in ensuring that regular meetings with workers shall be held in order to get them resume work for the survival of the CDC.
“Regarding the outstanding arrears of salaries of workers and other debts, social partners enjoined the General Manager to continue appealing to the Government to provide the approved funds.”
The government is apparently not showing concern to the plight of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a giant agro-industrial outfit badly bruised by the socio-political unrest in the North West and South West Regions.
With the growing fragility of the social peace among the large labour force of the CDC, government has since been expected to take urgent measures to save the company. In fact, the Anglophone crisis only came to add to the problems of low yields, old factories and outdated mills rocking the CDC.
The government on June 20, 2018, rather opted to sign three memoranda of understanding with three international investors – two French and one Egyptian – as part of a process to restructure and step up production at the CDC without any mention of Pamol.
The agreements link CDC to Fertilore for the possible supply of fertilizers, TIMAC AGRO for the potential supply of specialist fertilizers mostly for the banana sector Tyllium for the eventual construction of a Rubber Factory and a Palm Oil Mill.
CDC General Manager, Franklin Ngoni Njie is quoted as saying that “the fertilizers will help to increase the CDC’s current annual production of 18,000 m3 tons of rubber, 25.000 tons of palm oil and 110.000 tons of banana” and that “the new rubber factory and oil mill will bring an end to frequent breakdowns and significantly reduce the cost of production, thereby making the Corporation more profitable and sustainable”.
Njie went on to sign a contract with TIMAC AGRO for the training of agronomists of the CDC and for it to oversee the fertilization of 400 hectares of specially chosen parcels of banana plantations with a view of increasing production by about 30% in a year.
CDC officials had said the June 20 memoranda will pave the way for negotiations, which if successful, will culminate in real contractual engagements.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Henry Eyebe Ayissi had on May 22, 2018 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Canadian company for the eventual supply of heavy equipment to the CDC.
After the agreements signed in Yaoundé, the general Manager of the CDC came back without the much needed money to pay its workers who have since written to the Head of State. CDC staff reps and unionists in a June 15, 2018 letter addressed to President Paul Biya urge him to “speedily seek appeasing solutions to the ongoing crisis” and as well “provide urgent financial assistance to workers in crisis-hit estates”.
With the CDC in need of over FCFA 80 billion subvention from the state to stabilize itself, the fact that the General Manager returned from Yaoundé without the much needed subvention points to government insensitivity to the plights of the workers of the company.
During a meeting, Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Senior Service (SS) Club Bota chaired by CDC General Manager, Franklin Njie, staff representatives were told that the corporation plans to lay-off workers in estates badly affected by the civil unrest – close to nine thousand workers may be affected by this decision. While work has been paralysed in most of the units of the CDC, the few workers who went about their regular duties have hardly been paid. Others were attacked by suspected separatists and had their fingers chopped off.
Going by a report presented on May 8, 2018 during a meeting attended by 17 persons including CDC management staff, labour administrators and trade union leaders, “the crisis is taking a toll on the socio-economic situation of workers as several establishments are no longer in operation given that workers, out of fear and threats on their lives no longer go to work”.
The CDC has about twenty thousand contracts of employment and a related monthly wage bill of about FCFA 2.5 billion. “Considering the fact that production activities have ceased in many of the estates and industrial units; taking into account the likely deterioration of the existing socio-economic situation;” the CDC social partners recommended that “the government should take hasty measures to redress this situation so that social peace and economic revival be restored in CDC establishments.”
The staff reps and unionists want the state to take its responsibility as owner of 100 percent shares of the CDC, which responsibility includes and is not limited to providing money for the payment of salaries and seeking measures to resolve the current crisis.
Franklin Njie used the November 29, 2018 meeting to clear rumours that CDC had on November 9 received a grant of FCFA 86 billion. “It is not true. CDC has not received a grant of FCFA 86 billion,” the general manager insists.

The post CDC GM begs workers to resume work – Trade Unions demand security guarantees appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/cdc-gm-begs-workers-resume-work-trade-unions-demand-security-guarantees/feed/ 0
Biya creates committee to disarm, reintegrate ex-Boko Haram, separatist fighters https://thesunnewspaper.cm/biya-creates-committee-disarm-reintegrate-ex-boko-haram-separatist-fighters/ https://thesunnewspaper.cm/biya-creates-committee-disarm-reintegrate-ex-boko-haram-separatist-fighters/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2018 13:57:02 +0000 http://thesuncameroon.cm/?p=4367 By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi President Paul Biya on Friday signed a decree creating a committee to disarm fighters of terror group Boko Haram and armed separatists and to help with…

The post Biya creates committee to disarm, reintegrate ex-Boko Haram, separatist fighters appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
By Atia Tilarious Azohnwi
President Paul Biya on Friday signed a decree creating a committee to disarm fighters of terror group Boko Haram and armed separatists and to help with their reintegration into civil life.
“The committee shall be responsible for organizing, supervising and managing the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-fighters of Boko Haram and armed groups in the North West and South West Regions willing to response favourably to the Head of State’s peace appeal by laying down their arms,“ Biya said in a decree made public Friday evening.
According to the 85-year-old president, the committee dubbed National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee (NDDRC) will take appropriate measures to collect and destroy weapons, munitions and explosives captured from the separatist and Boko Haram fighters. It will be lodged in Yaounde with offices in Bamenda, Buea and Mora.
The committee will provide the ex-fighters with better means of livelihood, he said.

Paul Biya
Paul Biya

“(The committee will) facilitate the reintegration of ex-fighters particularly by organizing, training and providing them with tools and means of production and assistance for the creation of income generating activities,“ Biya said.
Boko Haram has killed nearly 2,500 Cameroonians between 2014 and 2017, according to Cameroon’s defense ministry. On Wednesday, two Boko Haram suicide bombers detonated in a busy market in Amchide of the Cameroon’s Far North region, 29 people were injured, according to the national channel CRTV.
Fighting is still intense in the two English-speaking regions of North West and South West where more than 430,000 people have been displaced internally according to the United Nations. Armed separatists are seeking to secede from the Francophone-majority Cameroon and create a new Anglophone nation called “Ambazonia.”
In early November, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration said “many” armed separatists have surrendered and asked to be reintegrated into society. Separatists said the minister’s declaration was “fake” and insisted those who surrendered were “not fighters.”
George Ngwane, a writer, poet, peace activist, educationist, political analyst, Pan Africanist and founder/Executive Director of AFRICAphonie had proposed that separatists be given a way out of the bushes where they are fighting.
“…However what they all agree is that an amnesty programme is cost-effective but not a substitute for a substantive discussion on the root and/or proximate causes of the conflict. In fact, fighters are often willing to surrender their weapons only when there is a clear and concrete agenda for addressing the issues that led them to take up arms in the first place,” Ngwane wrote in a piece below…

The post Biya creates committee to disarm, reintegrate ex-Boko Haram, separatist fighters appeared first on THE SUN NEWSPAPER CAMEROON.

]]>
https://thesunnewspaper.cm/biya-creates-committee-disarm-reintegrate-ex-boko-haram-separatist-fighters/feed/ 0