Ivory Coast in Shock as 61 Die at New Year’s Fireworks

Source (AP)

A crowd stampeded after leaving a New Year's fireworks show early Tuesday in Ivory Coast's commercial center, killing 61 people - many of them youths - and injuring more than 200, rescue workers said.

The death toll was expected to rise, the officials said.

Thousands had gathered at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan's Plateau district to see the fireworks. After the show, the crowds poured onto the Boulevard de la Republic by the Hotel Tiama at about 1 a.m., said Col. Issa Sako of the fire department rescue team.

"The flood of people leaving the stadium became a stampede which led to the deaths of more than 60 and injured more than 200," Sako told Ivory Coast state TV.

Most of those killed were between 8 and 15 years old, he said.

Desperate parents went to the city morgue, the hospital and to the stadium to try to find children who are still missing.

Mamadou Sanogo was searching for his 9-year-old son, Sayed.

"I have just seen all the bodies, but I cannot find my son," said a tearful Sanogo. "I don't know what to do."

President Alassane Ouattara and his wife visited some of those hospitalized and he pledged that the government would pay for their treatment, his office said.

The government organized the fireworks to celebrate Ivory Coast's peace, after several months of political violence in early 2011 following disputed elections. It was the second year that Abidjan had a New Year's fireworks display.

Hours after the stampede, soldiers patrolled the site, where victims' clothes, shoes and other debris littered the street.

State TV showed traumatic scenes: a woman sobbed in the back of an ambulance; another was bent over on the side of the street, apparently in pain; and another, barely conscious and wearing only a bra on her upper body, was hoisted up by rescuers.

There were also scenes of small children being treated in a hospital; one boy grimaced in pain and a girl with colored braids in her hair lay under a blanket, with one hand bandaged.

This is not Ivory Coast's first stadium tragedy. In 2009, 22 people died and over 130 were injured in a stampede at a World Cup qualifying match at the Houphouet Boigny stadium, prompting FIFA, soccer's global governing body, to impose a fine of tens of thousands of dollars on Ivory Coast's soccer federation. The stadium, which officially holds 35,000, was overcrowded at the time of the disaster.

A year later, two people were killed and 30 wounded in a stampede at a municipal stadium during a reggae concert in Bouake, the country's second-largest city. The concert was organized in the city, held by rebels at the time, to promote peace and reconciliation.

Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producer, growing more than 37 percent of the world's annual crop of cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate.

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

Nollywood Actress, Bisi Komolafe is No more

The Nigerian film industry has received another deadly blow. This morning, we were reliably informed that another tragedy has just hit Nollywood. We learnt with a lot of sadness that one of Nollywood’s finest actresses, Bisi Komolafe is said to have died yesterday night at UCH, Ibadan. According to reports the cause of her death is linked to the complications she had with her four months pregnancy which resulted to miscarriage. In fact, the year 2012 has not been a glorious one at Nollywood. I remember the passing away of Sam Loco, and many others who left this world unceremoniously.

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

Biya Announces Senatorial Elections for this Year

President Paul Biya

President Paul Biya has declared that Senatorial Elections will take place this year 2013. He made the declaration in his traditional end of year message to the nation on December 31, 2012. In urging Cameroonians to register massively in the electoral list he said that measured will be taken for Cameroonians to continue to swim in the sea of an advanced democracy. In introducing some of the measures he has personally taken to guarantee that there is massively registration, he said that "  I take this opportunity to urge Cameroonians to register massively on electoral registers. To facilitate this process, I have decided that, as from 1 January 2013, national identity cards should be issued free of charge.

The recent adoption of a single electoral code is also geared towards modernizing our democratic process. It was also necessary to harmonize some provisions relating to the Constitutional Council with the Constitution in order to set up this superior court, after the senatorial elections slated for 2013". A critical judgment analysis of this statement, clearly indicates that the Constitutional Council will certainly go functional this year. He also added that " Government’s focus on reviving growth did not prevent politics from claiming its place. In a bid to modernize our democratic process and enhance the transparency and credibility of our elections, a decision was taken to recompile electoral registers and introduce biometrics in the production of electoral documents. It is absolutely necessary to carry through this operation on schedule". By implication, 2013 is a year of elections in Cameroon. Certainly, municipal and legislative elections as well as Senatorial Elections will take place this year.

On the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds, President Biya noted that " I am fully aware that we still have to deal with the inertia, incompetence or malice of some people, which all constitute constraints on our recovery. In addition, there is corruption in various forms and public procurement fraud. In this regard, the latest NACC report is extremely revealing. Obviously, the embezzlement of public funds will not go unpunished. I count very much on the Minister of Public Contracts to put an end to such abuses in his sphere of competence.

The said failings are all the more reprehensible as a substantial segment of our population continues to languish in harsh living conditions. Obviously, the huge sums of money embezzled should have contributed to improving their situation in the domains of education and health. How many schools, health centres, and water supply schemes could have been built with the sums embezzled!
Such criminal behaviour on the part of a minority clearly tarnishes our country’s image. It is used by critics in and outside the country who are unwilling to acknowledge the progress we have achieved in recent years. They claim that we are “stagnant” and our very stability is doubtful. Such lack of objectivity can only be due to some kind of political myopia that prevents them from seeing things as they are, and to failing memory which prevents them from having any recollection of the hardships that our people have suffered to overcome unfair terms of trade, structural adjustment constraints and the damage caused by the recent economic and financial crisis".

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

Pope Marks End of Difficult Near, Notes God's Good

 (Source AP)
 Pope Benedict XVI marked the end of a difficult year Monday by saying that despite all the death and injustice in the world, goodness prevails.
Benedict celebrated New Year's Eve with a vespers service in St. Peter's Basilica to give thanks for 2012 and look ahead to 2013. He appeared tired during the service and used a cane afterward - an indication that the busy Christmas season may be taking a toll on the 85-year-old Benedict.
In his homily, Benedict said it's tough to remember that goodness prevails when bad news - death, violence and injustice - "makes more noise than good." He said taking time to meditate in prolonged reflection and prayer can help "find healing from the inevitable wounds of daily life."
This past year was full of highs and lows for the pope, including a successful trip to Mexico and Cuba but also the betrayal of his butler, convicted in October of stealing Benedict's personal papers and leaking them to a journalist.
After the service, Benedict was brought out in a covered car to pray before the Vatican's main nativity scene in St. Peter's Square. Walking with a cane in the chilly piazza, Benedict chatted animatedly with the artist who crafted the scene, which recreated an entire village from the poor, southern Italian region of Basilicata which donated this year's crèche.
The Vatican gladly accepted Basilicata's donation after the €550,000 price tag the Vatican paid for the 2009 nativity scene was revealed in the documentation leaked by Benedict's ex-butler Paolo Gabriele.
Gabriele was convicted of aggravated theft by a Vatican tribunal and sentenced to 18 months in prison. He received a pre-Christmas papal pardon and is expected to soon leave his Vatican City apartment for a new home and job elsewhere.
On Tuesday morning, Benedict celebrates a New Year's Day Mass, which the Catholic Church celebrates as its world day of peace.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa

President Biya's Speech to Cameroonians (Full text English Version)

Fellow Cameroonians,

My dear compatriots,

I told you a year ago that the period starting in 2012 would be devoted to the stimulation of growth which, as you are aware, is indispensable for achieving our objectives, that is, improving living conditions and curbing unemployment. This end-of-year message affords me the opportunity to take stock with you of our efforts and to know where we stand and where we are going.

It is heartening to note that investment is recovering. After a long period, during which national and foreign investors were hesitant to commit themselves, due to the crisis, more and more investors are now expressing interest in various sectors of our economy: energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, among others. This is clearly a sign of the confidence they have in us so that, together, we can successfully implement some of our major projects.

The first sector I want to mention is that of energy because it is THE sine qua non for the development of our economy. In recent months, we launched the construction of several dams and hydro-power plants: Lom Pangar and Memve'ele. In early 2013, we will launch the construction of the Mekin dam. Others will follow, particularly when we will have developed the Sanaga River. The Kribi Gas-fired Power Plant will soon complete this system. Thus, we will increase our electricity generating capacity and put an end to shortages which have penalized our people and industries for a very long time. At the end of this process, we should even be able to export energy to less endowed neighbouring countries. Thus, in the medium term, we will have won the energy "battle".

The optimization of our power generating capacity will provide much better conditions for the development of our industrial fabric. Entrepreneurs who could hesitate to commit themselves for lack of assurance about power supply will no longer have reasons to postpone their projects. It therefore appears that we will be able to embark on the second phase of our country's industrialization. Henceforth, we will be able to process our raw materials and, why not, access more advanced technologies. We are already assembling tractors. We may soon assemble cars. Industrial development is the lever for modernity. We will obviously do everything possible to promote it.
Investors are equally willing to support us in implementing our major infrastructure projects. The Kribi Port is a good example. Another is the Yaounde-Douala highway project, whose first section should soon be launched. The second bridge over the Wouri River and the east and west access roads to Douala, whose works will soon begin, will help to improve traffic flow in our economic metropolis. Our road network will be completed or rehabilitated such that all our regional capitals will soon be linked by tarred roads. Part of these works is already underway. We see the benefit that it will represent for the movement of people and goods within our country and with neighbouring countries.
The resources of our subsoil are also rousing the interest of foreign companies vying for their exploitation. Oil exploration and exploitation is making progress. Although at present our expectations in this domain are modest, we cannot rule out the possibility of making new discoveries. Conversely, we have promising natural gas deposits. Part of the gas will be exploited to supply energy like in Kribi, and to satisfy the domestic needs of the population; another part will be liquefied for export. A project of this nature will soon be implemented.
The mining sector is expected to witness intense activities in the coming months. Exploitation of the Lomie cobalt deposit and other associated minerals should start as soon as financing arrangements are completed. The Mballam “iron ore” project entered its final phase with the recent signing of the agreement between Cameroon and CamIron. Negotiations for the exploitation of the Minim-Martap and Ngaoundal bauxite are continuing normally. The Mobilong “diamond” project is in the exploitation phase. It will take into account the rules of the Kimberley Process to which we have adhered and which ensures traceability of diamond from Cameroon. Similarly, strict order will be restored in gold exploitation.
With respect to the mining sector, our attitude should be guided by two concerns: on the one hand, the State – that is the general interest – should derive due benefit from it; on the other hand, our minerals should, as much as possible, undergo primary processing before exportation.
As you can see, and as I indicated to you, Cameroon has become a “vast construction site”, and there is every reason to believe that it will continue to be for a longer time.
Lastly, agriculture, our main source of wealth. At the Ebolowa Agro-pastoral Show, I outlined the major thrusts of what should be a real “agrarian revolution”. I am fully aware that it is a complex issue on account of both the size of the population involved and the number of problems that need to be solved. But I am also aware that agriculture is our development trump card. That is why we must successfully implement our agrarian revolution at all costs. To that end, we need to modernize our methods, provide better training for our farmers, take advantage of scientific progress, secure innovative financing; in other words, move onto second generation agriculture. In so doing, we will not only be able to consolidate our food self-sufficiency, but also to process our agricultural raw materials, export our products, reduce our imports of some foodstuffs and, lastly, create tens of thousands of jobs.
Job creation is our constant concern. The State is playing its role by absorbing many youths into the public service and the security forces. The growth recovery we are experiencing has already triggered some upturn in employment. As an illustration, and according to available statistics, Cameroon’s economy created about 160 000 jobs in the modern sector in 2012. There is reason to hope that with the pick-up in economic activity, the trend will increase. I am aware that the problem is particularly acute among youths, graduates and non-graduates alike. That is why our educational system reform lays emphasis on professionalization.
One of the conditions for renewed growth was the improvement and consolidation of our public finance. Throughout the year that is coming to a close, and in compliance with IMF recommendations, we continued efforts to increase our revenue and better manage our expenditure. We will continue along this path. Concerning the budget, we will, in 2013, implement the transition from resource budget to programme budget based on medium-term objectives, together with measurable indicators that conform to our development strategy. This will enable us to better assess our performance and adjust its course, if necessary.
Regarding this new budget, I will make just a few remarks which, I think, are not unimportant. I will, first of all, point out that it has increased by 15%, which is an expression of our will to give fresh impetus to our economy. I will add that the budget is hinged notably on a 6.1% growth assumption, which means that we are banking on marked progress in economic activity. Lastly, I will point out that the public investment head represents close to 30% of the overall expenditure envelope.
Socially, the Government stayed on the path of continuity in 2012. In the major sector of education, it pursued its infrastructure construction, teacher recruitment and professionalization efforts. It remains true to its objective of providing the widest possible access to knowledge at all levels and ensuring equal opportunities.
With respect to health, mother and child care and pandemic control activities, immunization campaigns, etc. were continued. New outreach hospital infrastructure was constructed and state-of-the-art equipment provided to referral hospitals. In the same vein, there are ongoing efforts to develop a social security system that is accessible to the greatest number of people. The proportion of the population covered by social security is expected to increase from 10% in 2012 to 20% in 2015. These rates are unsatisfactory and should be improved as much as possible.
Moreover, I am not forgetting that the goal of the progress our country can pride itself on is to improve the living conditions of our people. However, in that regard, it must be acknowledged that much remains to be done. Access to water and electricity remains largely inadequate in urban and rural areas. This situation should improve significantly in the short and medium term. Major works are under way and, hopefully, will provide solutions to these shortages. Similarly, low-cost housing in our country is not commensurate with the needs of the population. To offset this shortage, we will soon launch pilot programmes in Yaounde and other urban centres, where our SMEs will have their own part to play. If the results are satisfactory, they would be replicated in our regional capitals.
Still in the social sphere, I would like to address our retirees who have trouble obtaining their pensions. Delays of several months are sometimes noted, which is unacceptable. Instructions given to remedy the situation are already bearing fruit.
Government’s focus on reviving growth did not prevent politics from claiming its place. In a bid to modernize our democratic process and enhance the transparency and credibility of our elections, a decision was taken to recompile electoral registers and introduce biometrics in the production of electoral documents. It is absolutely necessary to carry through this operation on schedule.
I take this opportunity to urge Cameroonians to register massively on electoral registers. To facilitate this process, I have decided that, as from 1 January 2013, national identity cards should be issued free of charge.
The recent adoption of a single electoral code is also geared towards modernizing our democratic process. It was also necessary to harmonize some provisions relating to the Constitutional Council with the Constitution in order to set up this superior court, after the senatorial elections slated for 2013.

Fellow Cameroonians,
My dear compatriots,
Thus, whatever may be said, we are forging ahead resolutely on the path to becoming an emerging country, guided by our roadmaps, like a navigator guided by his compass, watching out for any pitfalls along his way and taking advantage of favourable winds to shorten the distance. Yes, I affirm that the fresh impetus is on course and nothing and nobody can stop it.
Should we therefore rest on our laurels? Definitely not. I am fully aware that we still have to deal with the inertia, incompetence or malice of some people, which all constitute constraints on our recovery. In addition, there is corruption in various forms and public procurement fraud. In this regard, the latest NACC report is extremely revealing. Obviously, the embezzlement of public funds will not go unpunished. I count very much on the Minister of Public Contracts to put an end to such abuses in his sphere of competence.
The said failings are all the more reprehensible as a substantial segment of our population continues to languish in harsh living conditions. Obviously, the huge sums of money embezzled should have contributed to improving their situation in the domains of education and health. How many schools, health centres, and water supply schemes could have been built with the sums embezzled!
Such criminal behaviour on the part of a minority clearly tarnishes our country’s image. It is used by critics in and outside the country who are unwilling to acknowledge the progress we have achieved in recent years. They claim that we are “stagnant” and our very stability is doubtful. Such lack of objectivity can only be due to some kind of political myopia that prevents them from seeing things as they are, and to failing memory which prevents them from having any recollection of the hardships that our people have suffered to overcome unfair terms of trade, structural adjustment constraints and the damage caused by the recent economic and financial crisis.
Well, my dear compatriots, let us show these critics what we are capable of doing. When, in a couple of months, or a couple of years, our country will be dotted with construction sites, dams, power plants, ports, factories and roads, will they continue to say that we are “stagnant”.
But, before concluding, I would like us to spare a thought for all our compatriots who were affected a few months ago by severe floods. They should know that we have not forgotten them and that the recently established Natural Disaster Relief Fund will be there to help them.
On the other hand, I am pleased to announce that within the next few months, the right conditions should be in place for us to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Reunification with all due solemnity.

Fellow Cameroonians,
My dear compatriots,
I am well aware of the terms of the pact we entered into a year ago. We can already see the first achievements. Others will follow in the months ahead. Let us take advantage of the peace and stability our country is enjoying to do great things. I am determined to do so and I urge you to support my efforts. Of course, there will be obstacles, but with the support of everyone, especially the youth, I am sure we will overcome them.
We are a great people, a great Nation. We must show it, now or never.

Let me now extend to you all, my most sincere wishes for health and happiness in the New Year.

Happy New Year 2013!

Long live Cameroon!

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

Central African Republic Rebels Ignore Negotiation

 Courtesy of (Associated Press) by  Kirubel Tadesse

BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) - Rebels in the Central African Republic on Monday rejected appeals for them to halt their advances and to negotiate to form a coalition government.

The rebels had been urged Sunday by the visiting leader of the African Union and by President Francois Bozize to stop seizing cities and preparing to attack the capital, Bangui. The Seleka rebels have taken 10 cities in Central African Republic's north in the past three weeks and have moved within striking distance of the capital, Bangui, a city of 600,000.

AU president Thomas Boni Yayi, who is the president of Benin, called on the rebels to enter into negotiations with the aim of forming a government of national unity. Bozize also appealed to the Seleka rebels to halt their advances and said he would agree to bring them into the government.

But the rebels on Monday said they did not trust Bozize's offer.

"We are not convinced of the commitments made ??by President Bozize," said rebel spokesman Juma Narkoyo when reached by telephone. "Bozize has always spoken, but he never keeps his word."

The rebels - who call themselves Seleka which means alliance in the local Sango language - said they would enter negotiations "only if the head of state releases all our relatives they have arrested without reason." The rebels claim that Bozize has abducted more than a dozen of their family members. They warned if Bozize uses foreign troops to protect his government, they may continue their campaign toward the capital.

In response the rebels were told by the African Union that if they seize power they will face sanctions and Central African Republic will be suspended from the organization.

The African Union rejects any attempt to seize power forcefully, said chairwoman of the AU Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Monday. Any attempt to seize power unconstitutionally will result in sanctions against the perpetrators and their total isolation, Zuma said at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Zuma urged the rebels to immediately end to their military offensive and to commit to dialogue with the view to finding a lasting solution to the recurring instability experienced in the country.

French President Francois Hollande Monday welcomed the efforts by the AU and the group of neighboring states to find a negotiated solution. Hollande called for "opening a dialogue between CAR authorities and all the parties present, including the rebellion." Hollande last week said his government would only protect French interests in CAR, but would not prop up the Bozize government.

Central African Republic has suffered many army revolts, coups and rebellions since gaining independence from France in 1960.

The rebels behind the current instability signed a 2007 peace accord allowing them to join the regular army, but insurgent leaders say the deal wasn't fully implemented.

The rebels have made a rapid advance across the country's north and residents in the capital, Bangui, now fear the insurgents could attack at any time, as the rebels' new remarks contradict earlier earlier assurances that they are willing to engage in dialogue instead of attacking the city.

On Saturday the rebels seized the city of Sibut, 185 kilometers (114 miles) from Bangui. Sibut, a key transportation hub, fell without a shot being fired because the Central African Republic army and forces from neighboring Chad had pulled back to Damara, 75 kilometers (46 miles) from Bangui on Friday, said Minister of Territorial Administration Josie Binoua.

Neighboring African countries have agreed to send more forces to support the Bozize government.

Representatives from the 10-nation Economic Community of Central African States, or ECCAS, agreed at a meeting in Gabon Friday to send forces to CAR, but did not did not specify how many troops would be sent or how quickly the military assistance would arrive.

The ECCAS states, with more than 500 soldiers via their regional peacekeeping force in Central Africa, over the weekend warned the rebels to halt their advances.

The neighboring Republic of Congo sent 120 troops from Brazzaville Monday to bolster the regional force, according to a New Year's statement from Congo president Denis Sassou Nguesso.

The ongoing instability prompted the United States to evacuate about 40 people, including the U.S. ambassador, from Bangui on an U.S. Air Force plane bound for Kenya, said U.S. officials who insisted on anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the operation.

The United States has special forces troops in the country who are assisting in the hunt for Joseph Kony, the fugitive rebel leader of another rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army. The U.S. special forces remain in the country, the U.S. military's Africa Command said from its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

The evacuation of the U.S. diplomats came after criticism of how the U.S. handled diplomatic security before and during the attack on its consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11. The ambassador and three other Americans were killed in that attack.

China announced Mondaythat it is evacuating its 300 citizens from CAR, although its embassy staff will stay.

French diplomats have remained in Bangui despite a violent demonstration outside its embassy last week. Dozens of protesters, angry at France's lack of help against rebel forces, threw rocks at the French Embassy in Bangui and stole a French flag.

CAR is a landlocked nation of 4.4 million people is one of the poorest countries in the world. The current president himself came to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion in this resource-rich yet deeply poor country.

Despite Central African Republic's wealth of gold, diamonds, timber and uranium, the government remains perpetually cash-strapped.

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