The Eye Newspaper

H.E Ama Tutu Muna: The Woman Emancipator If there is any area in Cameroon where the African woman can be assessed after 50 years, it is the Ministry of Culture headed by Mafor Ama Tutu Muna. This woman has shown that women in leadership could mean a lot to Cameroon. Ever since this daughter of the great statesman, late Solomon Tandeng Muna became the Minister of Culture, the ever first woman to lead that Ministry, she ignited the hope that women in leadership position could mean a lot to Cameroon. Hitherto considered a no go zone for women, Ama Tutu has not only dismantled the male barriers constructed round that Ministry but has more importantly handed some key positions to women. Another key innovation has been the transfer of authority from the tortuous and rugged CMC to SOCAM with a woman at the head. Since her appointment, Ama Tutu Muna had helped a great deal in transforming President Biya’s policy of greater ambitions to greater achievements. Even though a ...

In all, six barons of the Biya regime have been given life sentences in connection with proceedings concerning Operation Sparrowhawk. These are respectively Alphonse Siyam Siewe former Minister of Mines and Director of the Autonomous Port of Douala (Pad), Bartholomew and Kamdem Assan'a Mba Thompson sentenced to life in the context of the trial on the embezzlement of public funds to pad. The judgment was delivered by the Court of Appeals for the Coast June 11, 2009. Then there Kingué Eric Paul, former mayor of the town of Njombe Penja sentenced to life by the High Court (Tgi) of Mungo in 2011. He is accused of embezzling money meant for the installation of a water network in the town of Snec Penja. Then Zacchaeus finally come Mungwe Forjindam, former CEO of Shipyard and Industrial Cameroon (CNIC) and John Simon Ngwang worker at Chantier Navale. They are accused of having diverted funds at the CNIC. Their verdict was delivered by the  Wouri High Court last July 20, 2012. At...

The greatest casualty of the famous advocacy for a life Presidency for the sitting Head of state of Cameroon masterminded by former Chantier Naval (CNIC) Boss, Zacheus Forjindam was the Social Democratic Front SDF that lost eight of nineteen seats in Parliament to the CPDM in the North West Region. This technocrat from Santa Subdivision specialized in shipbuilding used the same tactic and knowhow to rekindle the lost power base of the CPDM in the North West Region. He personally bankrolled deposits for twenty parliamentary candidates to the tune of FCFA 10 million and an undisclosed amount for councilors. Nine parliamentary seats and eighteen councils were won over by CPDM in the 2007 twin elections.  It was no news that Zacheus Forjindam was so attached to the presidential family. How true was even a claim by the public rumour mill that he was a godfather of one of President Biya’s son is yet to be verified. And that he even went as far as bankrolling birthday parties for the...

Fellow Cameroonians especially patriots and our friends, get set! No one is spared as long as this one-man-show reigns in Cameroon. L’Epervier (‘Sparrow Hawk’) and other setups said to be fighting corruption done not constitutionally but by one man – President Biya appointment is serving ulterior purposes not the people of this country. Biya’s appointed ministers, directors etc especially those who eye his presidential throne are picked up, incarcerated by L’Epervier.  Biya will likely make up charges and use this very structure for knocking any one who points out the ills of his regime. He will knock out the veritable opposition – with the slightest fault. However Paul Biya’s crimes are sky-high: The killings and maiming of Cameroonians at the launch of the SDF party in Bamenda over 22 years ago. The carnage and hardship – orchestrated death and poverty caused by lack of access roads, portable water, and good health facilities etc yet we are rich in natural and human reso...

  The SDF Member of Parliament for Ndu, Hon. Esther Ngala has demonstrated that a woman in leadership position is worthwhile. After distributing tons of improved maize seeds to women last March 2012, Hon. Esther Ngala has again introduced another innovative action. In order to curb water crisis in Ndu Sub Division as well as mitigate the phenomenon of Climate change, the SDF lone female Parliamentarian has donated improved seedlings to women to integrate in their family exploitations. While handing over the grafted fruit trees to beneficiaries, she told the population that planting a tree nowadays is the best gift a woman can offer to the unborn children and humanity. She said “operation one woman, one tree” is a programme will help to redress the water crisis in Ndu, mitigate climate change, combat global warming as well as improve on their nutritional standard. The tree to be planted by each family she said is “a family tree” that could easily raise eno...

 SDF mayor for Batibo, Tenoh Lawrence is reported in police dragnet for alleged misappropriation of public funds. According to information gathered, Tenoh Lawrence's arrest is linked to management style at the helm of the Batibo Council. It should be recalled that a week ago, Tenoh was listed among mayors who have embezzled money for communal stamps in the North West Region. It is aired that Tenoh's financial crimes are not just stamps and that other charges would be unveiled in the days ahead. Sources say, more than 12 mayors of the North West Region will fall into police dragnet in the weeks to come. The case of the mayor of Mbengwi, Tah George is also pathetic as he is constantly at logger ahead with his Secretary General who has decided to open a can of worms exposing Tah George's obnoxious practices at the helm of the Mbengwi Council. Besides, it is alleged that even some secondary school principals of the Northwest have been placed under strict surveillance. More so,...

  There was a free-for-all fight at the Nkwen Palace premise where the maor of Bamenda III Council was distributing some gifts from Suwon City in Korean. In fact those who took the pains to witness the distribution exercise went home more confused than when they were going. However, a school of thought holds that Bamenda III Council area has been transformed into a dumping pit by the Koreans while another school holds that the mayor of Bamenda III Council Fonguh Clestus is actually putting into the mouth of the population the flavour of Korean made article for an imminent invasion of Korean traders in the area. The most pathetic thing is that news had circulated in njangi groups that the council was going to distribute some items yet, the item remained undisclosed until when they arrived the avenue to uncover that they were dresses, slippers, sport wears, women dresses etc… Some groups stormed out of the ceremonial ground in anger while those who stayed behind suddenly engag...

The celebrated prisoner and former Minister of Territorial Administration, and Decentralization, Marafa Hamidou Yaya has released his 5th letter. The letter titled fifth declaration outlines some pertinent issues ahead of his trial billed for July 24, 2012. In his 5th letter, Marafa Hamidou Yaya is demanding for a fair trial so that he could express himself. He also reveals what he told the court yesterday, July 16, 2012 during his first appearance in court.  Here below is the letter in its entirety.    My statement to the Judge The reasons for my refusal to receive the judge and those of his absence in court July 2, 2012 and promises to deliver all purchase of BJJ. Mr. Chairman and members of collegiality let me first offer you my sincerest apologies for not being able to stand here last Monday, July 2. I thought I had to do in the presence of my lawyers that I was not able to reach on time,... given my conditions of detention. Compared to my alleged refus...

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

  Former Minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya appeared in court yesterday, July 16, 2012 in what appears to be one of the most spectacular court cases in Cameroon.  Former Minister and former Secretary General at the Presidency, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, imprisoned since April for alleged embezzlement became a celebrated prison when he engaged in fight with the regime he served through “open letters”. Marafa Hamidou Yaya is indeed preceded by his published letters from prison. In his letters, he maintains his innocence and has claimed he is a victim of court intrigues, but also accuses some of his former colleagues of corruption. Thus, his revelations about the deadly crash of an airliner in 1995 grabbed headlines in the country. He revealed how the money that would have been used to compensate the families of the victims was hijacked by some personalities still in government. He is accused of embezzlement in connection with the acquisition of a presidential aircraft in 2001. It ...

  Rev. "Mbangfor" Kisob Bertin The outspoken Rev. Kisob Bertin, chairman of Cameroon Party for Social Justice-CPJS has been recognized by the people of Bamali village in Ngoketunjia of the North West Region. In what has been described by many as an outstanding coronation event ever, Rev. Kisob Bertin was canonized with the title of “Mbang for” meaning the walking stick of the fon. Before the rite, the fon of Bamali village, HRH Fon Waika III described Rev. Kisob Bertin an exemplary citizen and a man of trustworthiness. He narrated how Rev. Kisob had rescued the people of Bamali in an embarrassing court case which would have landed the fon in prison. Yet being the only eyewitness, Rev. Kisob snooped all the odds and stood for the truth thus serving the fon as walking stick. To the villagers, Rev. Kisob is the most pragmatic politician who could be relied upon for being truthful. Before leaving Bamali village for Bamenda, Rev. Kisob told this reporter that he is happ...

The world’s judges, prosecutors and legal experts adopted a powerful call to action to build capacity for implementation and enforcement of national environmental laws at the conclusion of UNEP’s Rio+20 side event on justice, law, and governance. “The Rio+20 Declaration on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability” recognizes the critical importance of national compliance promotion as part of an effective governance strategy to meet green economy and sustainable development objectives. The Declaration was the outcome of the first ever gathering of more than 200 Chief Justices, Attorneys General, Auditors General, Chief Prosecutors, and other high-ranking representatives of the judicial, legal and auditing professions during the World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability held on 17-20 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro. Following four days of discussions on the role of these communities in achieving environmental sustainability, t...

 The Southern Cameroons People's Organization-SCAPO has written an open letter to President Paul Biya. The open letter signed by Dr. Gumni and Mr. Ndangam addresses some pertinent issues on the union between Southern Cameroons and La Republique. Here below is the letter in its entirety.      His Excellency, President Paul Biya, Unity Palace , Yaounde Republic of Cameroon Your Excellency Mr. President, Subject:      YOUR PLAN TO CELEBRATE 1 ST OCTOBER AS RE-UNIFICATION DAY           The Southern Cameroons People’s Organization (SCAPO) is a political Party in Southern Cameroons working to end the annexation and foreign occupation of Southern Cameroons since 1961.           Your plan to celebrate 1 st October 2012 as Re-Unification Day and to do so in Buea capital of Southern Cameroons takes many people in Southern Came...