At CPDM Senatorial Launch: Campaign Team Unveils Plans to Cage CPDM Councilors

 By Kimbi V Muku

Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry, head of the CPDM senatorial campaign team to Donga Mantung Division has declared that all CPDM councilors will be caged for three days and will only be released to go and vote. The strategy to keep CPDM councilors from each council area together in one house he said is intended to avoid any kidnapping from SDF militants. Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry made the statement today April 6, 2013 in Nkambe during the official launching of CPDM senatorial campaigns in the Division. According to Dr. Fuh Calistus CPDM councilors will have to spend three days in an enclosed house and would be transported in luxury buses to the polling stations in Nkambe on April 14, 2013 where they will cast their votes. He observed that councilors have made themselves so cheap that they can easily be bought with ten thousand francs note. CPDM councilors of Nwa, Ako and Misaje councils, we gathered will be kept in three spots. Confidential sources hinted that councilors from Nwa will be lodged at Taku in Ndu Sub Division. According what we gathered, a certain Tamfu Simon has offered his residence in Taku for the purpose. More so, those from Ako will be lodged at Hon. JK Ntoi’s house while those of Misaje council will be lodged at Dr. Fuh Calistus’s residence. He cautioned all CPDM militants to shy away from any provocation because the SDF is ready to create unpleasant situations for results in a particular polling station to be cancelled.

Harping on the participation of the main opposition party in Cameroon, the SDF, the leader of the CPDM campaign team to Donga Mantung emphasized that the CPDM accepted SDF national chairman to come to the table because the CPDM “pitied him (Fru Ndi)”. He continued that the SDF has nothing to offer to Cameroonians given their candidates for senatorial election have created a lot of doubts. To Dr. Fuh Calistus, the victory of the CPDM resides in Donga Mantung Division reasons why senatorial campaigns will be person-to-person and not in public rallies. He wondered how the SDF did the selection of its candidates given that even their militants are complaining. “The senate is the place that people should be selected based on personal relationship as is the case in the SDF”. He called on the militants of the CPDM to be confident that it is Donga Mantung that will declared the closure of the SDF given that the SDF is already collapsing in Boyo. “We have allowed the CDU of Ndam Njoya to deal with them in the West Region” and as if to say all is done with the SDF, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry continued that Kum Henry Echu (former SDF Provincial chairman) will be in Donga Mantung to talk to councilors emphasizing on the fact that there is no single drop of trust within the SDF. Reacting to the statement made by SDF National chairman that if CPDM bigwigs come to them they should collect the money and eat, Dr. Calistus Gentry said that the CPDM has people that are smarter. “We have with us people who will check that”, he reiterated. To Dr. Fuh Calistus, nothing will stop the CPDM from winning because their candidates have been selected based on competence and not personal relationship. Convinced that the CPDM has won up-front in the North West Region, he added that the five councilors’ gap between the CPDM and SDF has increased now with SDF decamped councilors like Fon Benchep Nfor Adamu, Ngingyu Beri and one councilor of Kudu that decamped as well as three others from Boyo. The gap he said is growing wider and wider.He said the CPDM candidates are credible personalities. Prof. Jikong he said is a man who has done alot in this country and voting him to senate is a blessing for the people of Donga Mantung Division.

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

Senatorial Challenges: Who Will Biya Appoint as Senators from the NW?

 By Fai Cassian Ndi

After April 14, 2013 President Biya is expected to sign series of important decrees. One of such decrees would certainly be the decree appointing three Northwesterners senators. The question as to whether who will be appointed from the North West Region has been rife. The political elite who attempted to contest but their aspirations were short-lived are all positioning. But really who will President Biya appoints? President Biya has been talking of a 30% quota for women in the senate. By this, it implies that out of the 10 senators from the North West, automatically three women should be among. The CPDM Senatorial list has Eno Emma Lafon as the lone female substantive candidate. SDF senatorial list has Cheka Gladys Ntala as well as the lone female candidate.  Unreservedly if the CPDM or SDF list wins, two women must be appointed to make up the 30% quota for women. It is therefore indicative that President Biya will give two positions to women and one to a man.

The question every Northwesterner has been asking is whether President Biya also promised North West Fon when he last visited Bamenda that one of them would be appointed senator. If President Biya did told fons that who then would be appointed? Fon Chafah, Fo Angwafo III, Fon Aneng, Fon Selhm Mbinglo, Fon Gahyonha or Fon Teche Njei. Fon Chafah is the Secretary General of Cameroon Traditional Rulers Forum, yet when postulated for senate and the central committee rejected his name from the list. Fon Chafah’s list was the best given that his list produced 80% of the candidates that were invested. The fact that he was rejected speaks volume. Fon Aneng of Bafmen is a member of the politbureau of the CPDM. Fon Aneng was made member of the politbureau when he was President of North West Fons Union-NOWEFU. Many doubts have been raised as to whether he could be appointed. Fon Selhm Mbinglo of Nso is very reserved when it comes to politicking. But he had never made public whether he is interested in partisan politics.  

The fon of Bali, HRM Gahyongha is a member of the Central Committee but he submitted in Achidi Achu’s list. He was not invested by the central committee which many see it as already analytical. Fon Teche Njei is the section President of Momo West or something like that. He was also an aspirant on Achidi Achu’s list but was not invested as well. Fon Teche led the delegation to North West Governor and they expressed their wish for President Biya to appoint a traditional ruler of the region as senator. However, the question as to whether he could be appointed as come to naught given that he was not invested. Fo Angwafo III of Mankon is the 1^st Vice President of the CPDM. He is also the regional campaign team leader and he was also the man who supervised the recompilation of voters register using biometric. He is a wealth of experience in politics starting from the days of KNDP. He entered into records as the ever lone Anglophone independent candidate that won elections to the West Cameroon House and a former member of the defunct House of Chiefs of West Cameroon. Public opinion holds that if there is any traditional ruler to be appointed, it is likely going to be Fo Angwafo III of Mankon.

As for the women, Regina Mundi and Patience Tamfu are the most talked about women. With Eno Emma Lafon already contesting for elections, these two female political giants’ public opinion holds can make good senators for the North West Region.

To start with, Regina Mundi is the lone female in the politbureau of the CPDM from the North West Region. She is a diehard and has an intellectual thoroughness that is very rare in women. Catapulting her to that level will certainly give her the opportunity to make her contribution to nation building.

Patience Tamfu is the daughter of the late statesman Hon. SN Tamfu. That apart, she has been able to build a reputation based on her devotion to the CPDM. She is a member of the national bureau of the CPDM and one of those who worked hard to implant the CPDM in the USA. Her ability to have a mastery of issues simply makes her one of the best woman for senate. She understands the ups and downs of the common man and since the senate is not a retirement home for retired civil servants, she is up to the task if President Biya decrees her for that job.

In fact judging from popular opinions, these women are the best that North West can offer for now.

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

Senatorial Challenges: The Unexpected at CPDM Regional Launching in Bamenda

 By Fai Cassian Ndi

The launching of the senatorial campaigns by the ruling CPDM took place today April 5, 2013 in Bamenda under the auspices of President of the CPDM campaign team for North West Fo Angwafo III of Mankon, 1^st National President of the CPDM. Sources hinted that one of the key speakers during the launching was Madame Regina Mundi, member of the CPDM Politbureau and Vice President of the campaign team. To Bamenda based journalists of the private press, the launching of the senatorial campaigns by the CPDM in the Northwest was considered as a non-event. Those who took the pains to be part of the launching went home more confused than when they were given that even the few councilors in Mezam were conspicuously absent, as well as journalist. Journalists in Bamenda especially of the private media according information gathered have decided to turn their backs on anything CPDM at the regional level. Moreso it should be recalled that last March North West Journalists and Newspaper publishers wrote to President Biya decrying the poor treatment and sidelining of journalists of the private media during public manifestations. In a letter signed by over 17 practicing journalists of the private media, and another signed by 10 newspaper publishers based in the North West Region, they complained bitterly that the independent media (print and audio visual) were subjected to marginalization. Beside, they also mentioned that during the 2011 Presidential elections, Northwest journalists were still sidelined in the distribution of government support to private media. In the letter to President Biya the two groups also observed that 10 million FCFA has been disbursed to other regions to enable journalists cover the upcoming senatorial election, yet Northwest Region was sidelined. They however observed that few unscrupulous and misguided collaborators of the head of state in members of “government are busy destroying” the good intention of the head of state “in the hope that we will be mute as usual”.

Accordingly, the journalists called on the head of state to look into their worries and that if funds have been allocated to facilitate private media houses do their job during the April 14, 2013, senatorial elections, media houses based in the North West region should as well be given their own share. The unexpected took place today at the launching in Bamenda as journalists of the private media really demonstrated that they have decided to turn their backs on the CPDM. Talking to this reporter on phone, one journalist name withheld said that since Northwest elite under Yang Philemon have always claimed that they can easily manage the press, they should do it. He said it is just the beginning because those ministers who usually travel from Yaounde with their pocket journalists should keep it up. Sources say the Press briefing by SDF Senatorial list leader was heavily attended by journalists as well as councilors as compared to what took place at the Bamenda Congress Hall today. "The same people traveled from Yaounde to Bamenda to come and address themselves", it is really unfortunate that these people continue to placard the CPDM to hide their ordeals, one passer-by is quoted to have observed.

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

Dr. Fuh Calistus Leads Senatorial Campaign Team to Donga Mantung

Dr. Fuh Calistus to line up wooing strategies

The head of the CDPM Central Committee Campaign team to Donga Mantung Division who doubles as the campaign manager for the Ako/Misaje Special Constituency, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry has announced the official launching of senatorial campaigns for Saturday April 6, 2013. The official launching which will take place at the Nkambe Council Community Hall is expected to one of the biggest crowd puller. Classified sources hinted that the CPDM Divisional campaign team headed by Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry has been hailed for its flamboyant political diversity. With the CPDM run councils of Nwa, Misaje and Ako, prospects are high that the CPDM could have an easy ride over the opposition SDF, yet per the 2007 municipal election results; the CPDM had 91 councillors as against 84 for the SDF. However, within the past years some councilors resigned, some died and this has reduced the margin. The tussle between the ruling party and the SDF in Donga Mantung Division has been placed under Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry. Even though the tussle is between Prof. Jikong Stephen Yeriwa CPDM who hails from Jato village in Nwa, indicators are rife at that Cheka Gladys Ntala SDF senatorial candidate is not a woman to pigeon-hole with. Yet with Ngi Christopher as alternate, the CPDM pundits say may likely spring a lot of surprises. Notwithstanding, with Minister Fuh Calistus Gentry as head of the Divisional Campaign team for Donga Mantung is another giant whose savoir-faire in politics could equally turn tables. Dr. Fuh Calistus according to sources link to the Central Committee of the CPDM is expected to woo CPDM councilors as well as SDF councilors to vote for the CPDM come April 2013
(a suivre)

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

Nkambe Mayor Donates to School, Youth Group and Palace

By Fai Cassian

Mangoh Jones Tanko, the mayor of Nkambe cum 2013 senatorial aspirant (alternate on SDF ticket representing Donga Mantung Division) has extended a hand of fellowship to the people of Mbot village in Donga Mantung Division. In line with the promise, he made some months ago when youths came knocking for help. The support which was handed to the beneficiaries on April 4, 2013 was graced by merrymaking, singing and dancing. When contacted on phone, Mangoh Jones told this reporter that he supports and promotes participatory development reasons why he is always ready to accompany those who have started something. He added the case of Mbot village was a single case in a hundred philanthropic gestures he has engaged himself in. Noting that as a Christian, he always tries as much as possible to extend a helping hand to people in need.

Receiving the delegation at the Mbot Palace esplanade HRH Fon Mbunwe III of Mbot expressed gratitude to the mayor for his timely intervention. He described Mangoh Jones Tanko as a true development luminary. HRH Fon Mbunwe II used the occasion to make a clarion call to other elite to always look back at home like Mangoh Jones who has demonstrated to have the welfare of the people at heart. The fon also used the opportunity to urge the population to always support those who often think of them. It should be noted that the Mbot Fon’s palace received a bundle of three meters zinc.

On his part the PTA chairperson of Government School Mulah-Mbot was elated with the support from the mayor of Nkambe. The PTA president recounted how the mayor of Nkambe has been doing a lot to promote and encourage the less privilege to go school. She expressed how they have waited patiently for the school to receive support. The PTA President also said that it is not today that the Nkambe Council has devoted time in primary education given that some years ago the school also benefited from teachers recruited by the council. She however added that “it is certain that this support is the beginning of more others to come” since they are also expecting a similar support from Hon. Awudu Mbaya. “Nothing is so important than for children to study in an enabling environment” she concluded. 

elated and parents school children appreciating the support

When the delegation stormed the premise of the Mbot Youth Hall, there was jubilation and fanfare. What could not be said in speeches was sung in songs. The youths hailed Mangoh Jones Tanko for remembering them and promised their unalloyed support. The youth president in his welcome address said the mayor has shown proof of his commitment toward youth development. ”He therefore merits the support of all the youths”, he reiterated. Nfor Elvis thanked the bearers of the donation Langhi David and said that the Almighty will grant them journey back to their various destinations. Nfor Elvis said it is historical that Mbot youths will henceforth have a hall of their own. He added if all the elite of Mbot were like Mangoh Jones Tanko, the village would have been a place to be. “When we started this project, our problem was on how we will get funds for roofing” and fortunately for us the mayor heard our cry and “we are living witnesses of a dream comes true”.  Nfor Elvis described Mangoh Jones as a cheerful giver and called on God to always replenish his pockets. For as the Bible teaches us, a cheerful giver never lacks.

The head of the delegation,told the population where he handed the bundles of zinc that Mangoh Jones is a man of his words reasons why he did not forget the promise he made to the youths, palace and the school. Since charity as they say begins at home, Langhi David urged the population to settle witchcraft using legal instruments and not by excommunication. He however frowned at those who are propagating faulty information claiming that Mangoh Jones Tanko used his position as mayor to lobby the administration to stop the act of expelling people suspected in witchcraft practices from villages. Langhi David was categorical that experts in the art of slanders have gone out tarnishing the mayor’s image that was supporting those perpetrating witchcraft in Mbot village. 

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

Wahala at National Assembly as MPs Threaten Boycott, Circulate Tracts Over 500 Million Scandal

By  Fai Cassian Ndi (The Eye)

The fear that MPs may stage a boycott at the Cameroon National Assembly looms large. According information filtering into our newsroom an atmosphere of uncertainty and suspicion looms over the fate of House Speaker who is being accused of financial mismanagement by his colleagues. A Presidential insider however hinted that President Biya is on the alert over the financial scandal tearing the Cameroon National Assembly apart. An authoritative voice also hinted this reporter that Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril is on a hot seat given  that allegations of financial mismanagement have been denounced by backbenchers at the National Assembly. One of the MPs names withheld hinted that the vagueness in the financial management by the President of the National Assembly and his Bureau is however a disastrous one. According to the hint it is alleged that government allocated 500 million FCFA for MPs to maintain their cars during this period that their mandates were extended. Yet the Bureau of the National Assembly allocated a total of 47.1 million FCFA to 157 MPs. The MPs are aghast that 23 MPs who make up the Bureau chopped 453 million FCFA with the blessings of House Speaker Hon. Cavaye Yeguie Djibril. The Eye is aware that tracts were circulated at the National Assembly denouncing the obnoxious mismanagement act by the 23 members of the Bureau.

Classified sources hinted that MPs non-members of the Bureau are threatening to boycott the session if the situation is not redressed. Another source hinted that elements of the judicial police were spotted at the National Assembly yesterday yet the outcome of the investigation has not been made public. More so, the MPs are also raising hell on the lateness of the micro project money. Besides, it is even alleged that some of them have not yet received their salaries.

It is even alleged that the police were acting on instructions from the head of state that is bent to uncover the truth. “We are very angry right now, and we are asking that for justice” one MP told this reporter on phone. It should be recalled that some years ago, MPs staged a silent demonstration on the controversy surrounding the condition of car loan. It is alleged that in the past, backbenchers used to pay back car loans whereas members of the Bureau did not. The injustice resulted to an uprising within the house and the matter was settled to the benefit of all. Since then, car loans are non-reimbursable to all the MPs. In fact our MPs have been behaving like the ugly bird, Eagle.

It is widely acknowledged that the Eagle is the only bird in the bird kingdom that sheds tears! It does this only when it’s renewing its youth on rocky hidden altar somewhere on mountains! Our Parliamentarians are like the Eagle because they only shed tears when their interest in at risk. If the Cameroon National Assembly has been tagged a rubber stamp, it is not by mistake because whenever their interest is protected, they always play the ostrich by staging some dramatized acts infront of TV cameras and journalists. When a proposal was made for the extension of their mandates for six months they all applauded. When proposals were made for them to pay a deposit fee of FCFA 5 million, they took Cameroonians as witnesses that government wants to sell the country to conmen. And for their interest, they all stood against the proposed article that once an MP is dismissed from the party, he or she should automatically give up the seat at the National Assembly. Whenever they smile anything that could juxtapose their interest, they sometimes make a lot of noise but when they are fine, there is silence.

Concerning the bill on electoral code they only fought to make sure their own interest was protected. Their interest according to what we gathered is centered on money and how much enters their pockets. It is even alleged every MP that voted for or against the Electoral Code received at least FCFA 5 million while Members of the Bureau had between FCFA 10 million and FCFA 30 million for the speaker. While Cameroonians have been wondering whether their MPs too cannot fight as it is being done in other places, sources linked to the National Assembly has hinted that such a scenario can never take place because the MPs have been spoiled by huge salaries and advantages that the public is not aware of.

How Government has Spoiled MPs

With FCFA 8 million non-refundable car loans and a sitting allowance of 1.2 million per session awarded to each Member of Parliament and an additional FCFA 900,000 to FCFA1.3 million per month as salaries, there is every reason for MPs to think of themselves first before the people they represent. Yet reliable sources say the backbenchers (hand clappers) have a net salary of FCFA 900,000 per month, as too low from FCFA 500.000.  

Being a member of the Bureau of the National Assembly is a super job. The advantages numbers and attached to it is a super salary. We also learnt that all MPs however, are not housed in the same boat. Those who were lucky to pick positions into the Bureau including Parliamentary group executives sometimes receive up to double the salary of backbenchers, as well as various advantages, such as a free mansion, drivers, guards, cars, entertainment expenses, telephone, water, petrol vouchers, house-helps (in short seven house helps) etc.

This avalanche of membership benefits according to what we gathered exploded in 2007 with the decision by the National Assembly to increase funding for vehicles and maintenance. Thanks to two Orders signed in September 11, 2007, the speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Djibril Cavaye Yeguie, increased premiums for the purchase of official cars for bureau members. It was, after this text that the President of the National Assembly started allocating a non-refundable car loan to MPs.

Our investigation further revealed that before then, only Bureau members and Group leaders had non-refundable car loan. Thank God, young MPs from the North Region revealed to other backbenchers and a revolt was organized. Like the Eagle, the protest took place in hiding. Note that within 5 years (mandate), the Speaker of the National Assembly gets as much as FCFA 60 million from non-refundable car loan scheme while the 1st Vice president now receives FCFA 50 million non-refundable. The remaining vice Presidents FCFA 45 million each, the Quaestors FCFA 40 million and the secretaries’ FCFA 35 million each. The Secretaries on the other hand also receives FCFA 40 million. Each of these recipients get from the third year of the current legislature two-thirds of the amount for the maintenance of the car purchased. That is fantastic!

Faced with such generosity, they have nothing to protect more than their own interest reasons why those who think that they could one day witness boxing at the national assembly will never live such a scenario. It is to protect these numerous advantages that they hang on party allegiance to mock at Cameroonians or close their eyes to vote bills without looking back at the people who voted them to Parliament. In addition, each MP also receives a sitting allowance of about FCFA 1.2 million for each session. Since there are three sessions each year, MP will receive at least make FCFA 3.6 million per year excluding extraordinary sessions. The amount increases when there are extraordinary sessions. These adjustments have never been given publicity ever since they became effective in 2008, probable because like the Eagle, they keep it secret to reassure the public they deal with their problems.

At the close of the last session, pay vouchers of our MPs are great people. The least the hand clappers received as salary was FCFA 899,000 while the least for Bureau members was FCFA 1,300,000. That is why there is no pressure from MPs on government for salaries of civil servants. Notwithstanding, they also console themselves with the eight million micro project money they receive yearly. During their five years in office they get 40 million each, ostensibly to finance micro-projects for the benefit of people. In truth, these funds, although in principle under control are used as pocket allowances for leisure in beer parlors, snack bars and restaurants. Indeed, no member has ever denied this kitty, even though people complain of not seeing the trace on the ground. “Too little, our needs are enormous,” retorted the elect. The most intriguing thing is that the very MPs are designated to follow up whether the money was used properly. How can you send a thief on another?

 “MPs are not there to implement projects, which is the role of the executive. Their role is to monitor budget performance and vote bills” yet the National Assembly of Cameroon is filled with goats in sheep clothing.

Some MPs spend time to go on missions abroad to make money while a majority usually transfer their constituencies to Yaounde once elected.

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