Speech of the Head of State, Paul Biya at Reunification Celebration in Buea

•The President of the Senate,

 •The President of the National Assembly,

•Prime Minister Head of Government,

•The President of the Supreme Court,

•Heads of Diplomatic Missions and Representatives of International Organisations,

•My dear compatriots,  

•Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Mayor of Buea for the warm words of welcome addressed to my wife and me.

I wish to extend my warm greetings to the dynamic people of the South-West region who have come out in such great numbers, from Fako, from Kupe Manenguba, from Lebialem, from Manyu, from Meme and from Ndian to welcome my wife and me on this great occasion. As you all know, the South-West region has always been very close to my heart.

I also thank you all who have come from the other regions of the country, from the Adamawa, from the Centre, from the East, from the Far-North, from the Littoral, from the North, from the North-West, from the South and from the West. Your massive presence here today is testimony not only of our unity in diversity, but also of the importance you attach to the Reunification of our country.

I have not forgotten our friends, the members of the diplomatic corps and the representatives of International Organisations, who have come to attend this important ceremony. I thank them immensely for their participation and support.

At the beginning of this commemorative ceremony, I would like to express our great appreciation to the United Nations and to friendly countries who have worked with us for the independence and reunification of Cameroon.

I also want to thank all our external partners whose support to our development efforts, over the past fifty years, remained constant. We know we can continue to rely on their friendship, for the future.

•Fellow compatriots,  

•Ladies and gentlemen,

At long last, here we are in Buea ! Here we are in Buea to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Reunification. As the English people say, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. In fact, after a long period of preparation, we are finally glad to be here in this historic town of Buea, the town of LEGENDARY HOSPITALITY. I am glad to be in Buea, the bedrock of our Reunification. History has not forgotten that Buea was the headquarters of West Cameroon. History has not forgotten that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons. And history has not forgotten that Buea was once the capital of German Cameroon. That is why I say that Buea is a historic town.

I am proud, very proud to be in Buea, proud to walk on the same soil like our heroes who fought for Reunification.

I have been to Buea several times. Today I can see that Buea has changed a great deal. I hope that you are also of the same opinion. I hope that you too see the same things I see. There is no doubt that Buea is now a befitting capital for the South-West region. A lot of work has been carried out here. It is my wish that other regional headquarters look as beautiful as Buea.

•Mes chers compatriotes,  

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Pendant le cycle des festivités des Cinquantenaires, nous avons revisité notre histoire ; nous l’avons fait  découvrir aux jeunes générations. 

Notre jeunesse a pu ainsi faire la connaissance des hommes et des femmes qui ont écrit les pages glorieuses du Cameroun. Elle a pu constater ô combien il est difficile de fonder une nation, de rassembler un peuple et de faire son unité. 

Car, en ce 1er octobre 1961, après plus de quarante ans de séparation, les Camerounais des deux rives du Moungo se sont retrouvés. 

La marche vers la réunification fut une odyssée qui n’était pas sans risques. Ce fut un chemin parsemé d’épreuves, de délicates négociations pour notre jeune diplomatie, et quelque fois d’oppositions internes qu’il fallait prendre en compte. Notre unité nationale n’a vu le jour que grâce au courage, à la volonté, à l’audace et à la sagesse de Camerounaises et de Camerounais de conviction, qui avaient foi en leur peuple et en leur capacité à prendre en main son destin.

Nous tenons aujourd’hui à rendre un vibrant hommage à ces dignes fils et filles du Cameroun dont le nationalisme a conduit à l’indépendance et à la réunification de notre Patrie.

Nous pensons à ces compatriotes qui, en signant le traité de protectorat, ont refusé d’aliéner l’essentiel, c’est-à-dire la terre de nos ancêtres. Cette volonté de défendre le patrimoine du Cameroun continue de nous habiter de nos jours notamment à travers nos vaillantes forces armées. Elles n’hésitent pas à sacrifier leurs vies pour la sécurité de nos frontières.

Nous pensons également à nos représentants qui ont plaidé avec acharnement le dossier de notre réunification auprès de la Société des Nations d’abord, de l’Organisation des Nations Unies ensuite.  Nous sommes restés fidèles à cette tradition de recours aux organisations internationales pour faire triompher nos revendications légitimes. Cette attitude résolue mais pacifique, nous l’avons adoptée lorsqu’il s’est agi de rétablir la souveraineté camerounaise  sur la presqu’île de Bakassi.

Les étudiants de l’Ecole Normale de Foulassi, auteurs de ce chant de ralliement devenu notre hymne national dont nous sommes si fiers aujourd’hui, méritent d’être cités en exemple. Il en est de même de ces étudiants de la diaspora qui, en leur temps, ont apporté une contribution majeure dans la restauration de notre unité d’antan.

Nous célébrons aujourd’hui la mémoire, dans le recueillement et avec reconnaissance, de nos héros nationaux. Nous associons à cet hommage les participants à la Conférence Constitutionnelle de Foumban  qui se déroula du 16 au 21 juillet 1961.

Nous les remercions tous au nom de la Nation tout entière pour leur vaillance, pour leurs sacrifices, pour leur abnégation. Ils nous ont légué un Cameroun devenu Un et Indivisible. En ce jour exceptionnel, nous nous devons d’avoir, à leur égard, une pensée émue, mêlée d’un sentiment de profonde gratitude. 

Aujourd’hui plus qu’hier, nous leur disons que nous tenons indéfectiblement à l’unité nationale qu’ils nous ont léguée, que nous préserverons notre souveraineté qu’ils ont conquise et notre indépendance qu’ils ont payée quelque fois au prix de leur sang. Nous exhortons notre jeunesse à être fière de l’histoire de notre pays. Nous lui demandons de perpétuer, avec ferveur, la mémoire de nos héros nationaux et de célébrer les évènements fondateurs de notre pays. Il n’y a pas de grand peuple sans mémoire du passé.

•Camerounaises, Camerounais,

 Le 1er octobre 1961 est un jour historique. Un jour de grand bonheur pour tous les Camerounais. Après 42 ans d’incertitudes et de vicissitudes, des frères, longtemps séparés, qui n’ont jamais cessé de se rechercher, se trouvent enfin réunis… et réunis pour toujours.

Le 1er octobre 1961, jour de la Renaissance du grand Cameroun, est un jour de gloire immense pour notre pays.

•Mes chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Qu’avons-nous fait durant ces cinquante dernières années ? Nous nous sommes attelés à construire peu à peu dans l’unité cette nation camerounaise tant désirée. Mais il faut se souvenir qu’au lendemain de notre indépendance et de notre réunification, des oiseaux de mauvais augure prédisaient notre échec. Certains allaient jusqu’à dire que le Cameroun sombrerait dans le chaos.

Et de fait, durant les cinquante premières années, nous n’avons pas eu la vie facile. A une douloureuse guerre civile a succédé une sévère crise économique. Tout au long de ces épreuves, le peuple camerounais a fait montre d’un courage exceptionnel et a déjoué tous les pronostics pessimistes. Il a travaillé pour construire patiemment, dans l’unité et la paix, cette nation camerounaise dont nous sommes si fiers. Il s’est efforcé de rattraper les retards et de réparer les injustices accumulées pendant la colonisation.

S’il va de soi que nous avons un devoir de mémoire,  nous avons aussi une obligation de vérité. Le devoir de mémoire ne saurait avoir de valeur ni exister, sans l’obligation de vérité.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était permettre à chacun de recevoir une éducation assurant l’égalité des chances. Au moment de l’indépendance et de la réunification, c’est-à-dire, après soixante dix ans d’occupation étrangère, 3% des Camerounais étaient scolarisés ; il n’y avait     pas      une      seule       université. 

Aujourd’hui, notre taux de scolarisation, selon l’UNICEF, est de 90%. Nous avons  construit 15123 écoles primaires, 2413 collèges et lycées.  Et aujourd’hui nous avons bâti huit universités d’Etat réparties à travers le territoire national.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était donner à tous l’accès aux services de santé. Au moment de l’indépendance et de la réunification, on comptait au total 555 formations sanitaires. A ce jour, nous disposons de 2260 formations sanitaires publiques dont 4 hôpitaux généraux, 3 hôpitaux centraux, 14 hôpitaux régionaux, 164 hôpitaux de district, 155 centres médicaux d’arrondissement et 1920 centres de santé intégrés. Je note en passant que l’espérance de vie qui était de 40 ans en 1960 est passée à 52 ans actuellement.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était désenclaver le pays et l’ouvrir vers l’extérieur. A l’indépendance et à la réunification, notre réseau routier comportait 621 km de voies bitumées. Aujourd’hui, le peuple camerounais dispose de 250 000 km de routes dont près de 5200 km bitumées, de 21 aéroports dont 4 internationaux, d’un  port fluvial et de trois ports maritimes. Le port de Douala est  le plus important de la CEMAC. 

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était créer des richesses et  de l’emploi. L’Etat camerounais est le plus important employeur de notre pays. Il a favorisé le développement d’un secteur privé dynamique. Des hommes et des femmes de talent ont créé des centaines d’entreprises, générant des emplois et produisant de la richesse. Le niveau de vie de nos concitoyens s’en est trouvé sensiblement amélioré. 

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était aussi industrialiser le pays. Nous sommes passés à la deuxième phase de notre industrialisation. Avec le développement de notre capacité énergétique en cours, nous allons pouvoir transformer nos matières premières d’origine agricole, minière et à partir de nos gisements d’hydrocarbures jeter les bases d’une industrie chimique. Parallèlement, nous continuerons à développer notre industrie de l’aluminium et à utiliser le gaz comme source d’énergie pour nos usines.

Nous avons prouvé ainsi, que nous sommes capables de sortir de l’économie de traite où nous avons été longtemps confinés.

Construire la nation camerounaise, c’était également créer un véritable Etat souverain. Nous avons fait d’un État embryonnaire un véritable État démocratique, avec des institutions modernes qui fonctionnent, une Assemblée, un Sénat, un Conseil Constitutionnel bientôt en place. Nous avons mis en place une justice et une administration sur toute l’étendue du territoire et bâti des forces de sécurité fortes capables de se déployer pour garantir notre intégrité territoriale. 

•Mes chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs,

Notre Unité Nationale a été à la base de cette exceptionnelle réussite. Elle est l’ossature autour de laquelle s’articulent les organes de notre société. Elle se confond avec l’existence même de notre peuple. J’en appelle donc à tous nos concitoyens, tout particulièrement à nos jeunes,  à veiller jalousement sur elle,  pour que jamais elle ne s’altère. 

Je leur demande d’éviter  le piège tendu par certaines forces centrifuges régionales, tribales ou religieuses qui peuvent  compromettre la cohésion nationale. 

•Chers compatriotes, 

•Mesdames et Messieurs, 

Lorsque nous parlons d’Unité Nationale, nous ne négligeons pas pour autant notre pluralisme linguistique et culturel. Notre diversité fait partie de notre identité. C’est elle qui permet au Cameroun de s’adapter plus facilement aux changements induits par la mondialisation, en particulier grâce au bilinguisme.

•Ladies and Gentlemen,

Three years ago, we launched the jubilee period with celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of our Independence. With the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Reunification here in Buea where it took place, we will be closing this cycle which has helped us to revisit our history.

We have every reason to be proud of our Reunification and the best way of being worthy of it is to spare no effort to preserve our national unity. 

Long live Independence!

Long live Reunification!

Long live Cameroon! 

(I now invite you to join me in singing our National Anthem)

Buea, 20 February 2014

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

Governance/Transparency: EITI Puts Youth Leaders Behind Big Thieves

By Fai Cassian Ndi

A two-day inter-regional workshop aimed at empowering some 32 youth leaders of the North West, West and South West Regions on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative –EITI has raised pertinent points on the corrupt practices in the oil, gas and mining sector which have become endemic. Participants expressed fear that the most outstanding challenge is not on the interpretation of EITI reports but on how youth pressure can control the use of revenue accrued from oil, gas and extraction in a country like Cameroon when figures are a taboo or when management of revenue and extraction is in the hands of the big thieves, mostly politicians and multi-internationals. Organized by Dynamique Mondiale des Jeunes-DMJ in collaboration with the World Bank, the Bamenda workshop is also geared to promote the rapid adoption and exploitation of the new EITI standard by young people so much so that they are able to make critical readings of EITI reports. Yet, some participants during the workshop expressed doubts whether they would ever have the opportunity to question, interpret and control the use of extraction revenues. This is so due to the fact that in Cameroon, nobody knows how many companies are carrying out explorations and not to talk of exploitation. More so, another worry also steamed from the fact that local government structures like councils hardly organize public hearings whereby youths could ask question on the management of resources. In the North West for example, BOCOM Exploration Company is currently carrying out iron ore exploration at Mayo-Binka (Nkambe Central) and Petroleum exploration in Mbembe (Ako Sub division) in Donga Mantung Division. Yet no youth leader from this part of the North West Region was present. From all indications, the Bamenda workshop was addressing a wrong audience.  The Eye is aware that in seeking solutions, EITI believes that all stakeholders have important and relevant contributions to make in order to encourage high standards of transparency and accountability in public life but this action can only be sustainable when the right targeted group is reached. Implicitly, the reason why local communities have no knowledge on the EITI abound high. However, the fact that its organizers couldn’t use the Cameroon National Youth Council that oversees the activities of youth groups in the North West Region speaks volume. A question which is hungry for answers is whether the organization didn’t fall into wrong hands. However, it should be recalled that Bamenda workshop is the second in the series of workshops that would be organized nationwide to build the capacity of youth leaders. Note should be taken that Cameroon joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in March 2005 and was accepted as an EITI candidate country on September 27, 2007. It was on October 17, 2013 became a fully compliant member country. This is so due to the fact that Cameroon failed to validate its candidacy in October 2010 and February 2012. Since then, and in compliance with EITI process, Cameroon has published six conciliation reports of volumes and figures under the impetus of a Tripartite Monitoring Committee made up of representatives of the state, civil society and extraction companies. This initiative which seeks to promote good governance and transparency in the management of revenue from the exploitation of subsoil resources places a lot of emphasizes on criterion 1 of its Rules which states that: all significant payments made by companies to governments, in respect of oil, gas, and mining exploitation and all material revenues received by government from oil, gas and mining companies, are published and regularly disseminated to the public in an accessible, comprehensive and comprehensible form.

It should be recalled that before Cameroon became a member, information on the production of oil and gas was a highly classified. Only few state personalities were privy to it. 

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

Fru Ndi Lambastes Reunification, Says Biya Failed to Recognize It Heroes

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Ni John Fru Ndi, chairman of the leading opposition party in Cameroon has declared that there is no time for Cameroonians to continue to dream when everything around them is falling apart. According to Fru Ndi, President Biya's reunification speech was like a pack of disillusion that has shown the regime's inability to provide concrete solutions to basic problems of Cameroonians. SDF National Chairman made that declaration at the end of the civil and military parade yesterday in Buea . According to him , this celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Reunification has brought nothing to Cameroonians . After a critical and comparative study of the organizing committee SDF chairman questioned the number of Anglophones in it . To him, the SDF will not close their eyes because Anglophones are not happy. In a furious mode SDF chieftain said that normally the celebrations were suppose to have taken place in 2011. "We are celebrating 53 years of independence and reunification", he reiterated. Fru Ndi also discarded the speech by President Biya to the youth as another blatant empty promise. He wondered how Biya will create 250,000 jobs for young people in a year when his government is unable to industrialize the country since his accession to power in 1982 . He said what transpired during the celebrations in Buea is not enough to convince Cameroonians. "They are not fools" and these lies will no longer pass", he hammered.

He blasted the Reunification celebration as complete failure that will anger more Cameroonians. He decried how the Biya regime has destroyed its own very foundation. I was shocked that no photo of the real actors of this important moment in our history was present at the march-pass. "I saw no picture of President Ahidjo, or John Ngu Foncha , Muna or Endeley . What are we celebrating? he asked with a frown on his face. He wondered why Biya could not promise the entire South West the construction of a culvert at a point that they were expecting to get giant projects like the Limbe Deep Seaport and or the Kumba-Mamfe road. These, he said are signs of regime failure in meeting the aspiration of the people. 

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

Reunification Celebration: How Patrick Ekema, Mayor of Buea Dashed South West Hopes

By Fai Cassian Ndi

Patrick Ekema

Late Jumua Pefok, the former Government Delegate to the defunct Bamenda Urban council lived and died as a man of conscience and character. Late Jumua Pefok has remained in the minds of Northwesterners for telling President Paul Biya the truth about the region. When President Paul Biya visited Bamenda, the then Government Delegate to the Bamenda Urban council received a speech from the Yaounde cronies with instructions not to change any word. He accepted it, rehearsed it but when the moment came for him to present the speech, he pulled one from the pocket and told Biya in his face the truth. That was the first time that President Biya became conscious of the importance of the Bamenda Ring Road, the need for North West to have a state university and how the Menchum Fall could produce enough electricity. President Biya after listening to the Government delegate was oblige to react to the problems of the region raised. It came to passed that when President Biya visited Bamenda last December 2010, he dolled out meaningful development projects such as the tarring of the Bamenda Ring Road, the creation of the University of Bamenda and for studies to be carried out at the Menchum Fall to harness electricity.

Patrick Ekema, the mayor of Buea was given the same opportunity to tell Biya the realities about the South West Region but he dashed the hopes of the entire region into the gutter. Patrick Ekema had the opportunity to make a name but he fell into the trap of the Yaounde cronies. Tongues are waging in Buea over the speech presented by the mayor of Buea for the entire South West Region. The population of Buea and the entire South West region have expressed regrets over the choice of their mayor. To Makia Jonas, Patrick Ekema has sold his conscience. “I thought that he will tell President Biya about the poor road network in the region”, he lamented. Talking to this reporter, an influential traditional ruler name withheld was very bitter that Patrick Ekema was blinded by his vaulting ambitions of becoming the Government Delegate of the yet to be created Buea City Council to the point that he could not even talk of the Kumba-Mamfe road, the Limbe Deep Seaport etc. The germ of politics of the lie that has chopped the roots of humanity in the South West Region has reached its apex with the Patrick Ekema tagged as the Judas Iscariot of the region.

Patrick Ekema: The Judas Iscariot of the South West Region?

Biblically, the name Judas Iscariot symbolizes hypocrisy. That is why most parents, when choosing a name for their children or soon-to-be born child, seldom choose the name Judas or Iscariot.  When one is familiar with the biblical anecdote of Judas Iscariot, the reason for avoiding the name becomes understandable.

The Bible as earlier stated teaches us that Judas Iscariot was one of the Disciples of Jesus yet he remained committed to his own selfish plans and desires instead of following Jesus with all his heart. By thinking only about Buea, bookmakers say the mayor played Judas Iscariot just like the Biblical Judas Iscariot who walked so close to Jesus but missed the truth.  Impressionists have been apt to say that the act by the mayor of Buea shows how we can commit Judas’ same tragic act today if we are willing or not willing. The distortion to which some scholars’ yield, in desperate attempts to preserve cherished ideologies, is as amazing as it is disheartening. In trying to embalm the dogma of “once-saved, always-saved,” the disciples of Calvin have but two choices: they must contend that those described as lost were never saved, or allege that though the redeemed subject “fell,” the mishap did not involve the forfeiture of salvation. One popular preacher, John F. MacArthur Jr., argues that “while the others [the eleven] were growing into apostles, Judas was quietly becoming a vile, calculating tool of Satan. Whatever his character seemed to be at the beginning, his faith was not real (John 13:10-11). He was unregenerate”. And because of the one-for-all syndrome, the South West Region could not benefit from any Presidential largess. Even the Bible teaches us that “ask and it will be given”. Since nobody asked, nothing was given.  Buea will live to regret the absence of Senator Mbella Moki at the helm of the Buea council. 

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

The President, The Crematorium, and Turkey Pardon

By Boh Herbert

Buea was bound to produce its surprises. Here is my list of the most intriguing ones so far, as read in reporting out of the foot of Mount Cameroon.

- Mrs. Anna Foncha could not travel from Bamenda to be in Buea because, as she told a local radio station, her invitation from the presidency was not delivered until the very last hour before the celebrations were due to open. The 91-year-old realized she could make it to Buea, but her health would take such a beating from the excellent roads the regime has tarred all across Southern Cameroons that she won’t have the strength to attend the celebrations.

- The reunification monument which is supposed to be the showpiece of the celebrations had hardly been unveiled for a full day than the good people of Southern Cameroons had given it a not-so-Christian name. The monument has appropriately been named the Crematorium. Talk of throwing a wish horse in hell fire!

- With time running out, the emperor is not yet seen as the star. Stealing the headlines is one of those SCNC vandals, Mola Njoh Litumbe, who has earned the only standing ovation not praising reunification, but for literally “spitting on the grave” of what he considers a farce of a reunification. 

- Freed of the obligation as a member of government to “Dimabola”, Professor Ephraim Ngwafor helped Njoh Litumbe to rob salt into the reunification wounds by pointing to the regime’s failure to respect Article 18 of its own Constitution.

- I guess you have to forgive Bishop Emeritus Lysinge for not expecting that use of the word “conversion” could leave such a bad taste in the ears of Southern Cameroonians. The pastor should re-read Exodus. Moses, he will find out, did not invite the Israeli people to conversion when asked to lead them out of slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land.

- Prime Minister Yang reportedly missed the best opportunity he has had so far to acknowledge that any reasonable government negotiates – if need be - with even armed insurrections, instead of blackmailing the civil society groups SCNC and SCAPO into conversion – here you go, Mgr. Lysinge – into political parties before any meaningful dialogue can be opened between them and La Republique. Never mind that La Republique engaged the same groups in an international court in Banjul, The Gambia!

- What is a celebration like this worth unless – in the absence of the ceremonial release of white doves to signify peace (of which the president apparently wants nothing) – the emperor chose instead to release a few jail birds? "All bird, nobi bird? Haabaa!" 

- How symbolic that the president came to the hometown of Ewukem’s Prisons Buea; that he came to the home of West Cameroon’s Prison Warden Training School; that he came to the hometown of the country’s best production prisons to sign a decree granting pardon and commutation of jail terms for certain privileged jail birds - some of them freed ostensibly "by order of the colonial master Hollande". Sorry, Chief Inoni. Not this time! Her Majesty the Queen of England has not spoken yet.

A few more words on this freedom for jailbird decree before I close:

- The decree teaches something some already knew: if you want to steal in Cameroon, heed the slogan is “chop broke pot”. Petty theft or petty corruption does not pay. You want proof? It is especially all the “grands katikas” – I mean all the “grands bandits” – those who have done the most harm to the country - that are walking free. The petty thieves and pickpockets neither have wings strong enough nor godfather's powerful enough to help them in their flight from jail.

- The decree proves - if ever there was still need for evidence - that those who have looted the public treasury will be free while citizens pay the price for daring to seek freedom! Remarkably, there will be no presidential pardon for those students of the University of Buea, who will continue to languish in jail for daring to protest against poor learning conditions or calling for an end to practices such as “sexually transmitted marks”. There will be no presidential pardon for SCNC/SCAPO members who are in jail for daring – many times, over all these past years, notably since 1990 - to celebrate the same illegality called reunification that Mr. Biya is visiting Buea at this moment to celebrate. There will be no amnesty for political prisoners, such as the writer Enow who is held at the Kondengui Prison for daring to run for president from a region whose votes are exclusively reserved for the emperor and whose supporters had the effrontery to embarrass the emperor durng one of his latest trips to Europe. 

- The decreee teachers that persons thrown in jail for committing even the most violent of crimes do not even have to have shown remorse to regain freedom. Apologies to all what the Buea Production Prison stands for. The UB students who appealed for clemency in writing will not walk out of jail. Despite being signed only a few days after celebrations marking the so-called Youth Day, the presidential pardon does not aim to release juvenile delinquents serving short sentences in jails across the country. 

Writing these lines got me wondering: is it possible that the president treats fellow Cameroonians in jail the same way the “lottery” system works when picking the turkey that is ultimately presented to the American President on each Thanksgiving Feast to receive presidential pardon at the White House? 

Don't get me wrong. Look - I want to see Chief Inoni free. I want the student leaders freed. I want SCNC members freed. I want political prisoners freed. But, I hate to even imagine that anyone - be he the president - thinks any of these Cameroonians is just another turkey.

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

Live Gossips from Buea Reunification Celebration at Bongo Square

Can you imagine that your Writam-pen almost got buried in the crowd at the Bongo Square today morning? I was wondering in which language Popol was going to address Cameroonians. At last, he spoke in English. Let me tell you that it was good English and not slippery like his ministers. But the speech had no substance. Anyway history is history except otherwise. When Popol arrived at the Bongo Square, I observed that he decided to change his seat. Chantou sat on his right. It seems he did not want to chat with somebody. Or this is another innovation. This is just a signal that truly, Popol is determined to introduce the post of vice President.

In his speech he started by congratulating the people of the South West Region for the warm welcome given him and wife, Chantou. He said the South West Region has always being very close to his hearts. Trust Popol, he talked of the reunification of Cameroon without mentioning its architects like late President Ahmadou Ahidjo, Foncha, ST Muna, Endeley etc. Can we say that this was intentional? Popol in his speech thanked the United Nations and other friendly nations who worked for the independence and reunification of Cameroon. Like the heroes of reunification, Popol said he was glad to rewrite history by walking on the same soil the architects of independence walk on some 53 years ago. You know Popol knows how to flatter. I listened to him praising himself for changing the face of Buea. He said that the level of litercacy in Cameroon is about 90%. Can you imagine that Popol said that there are 12 airports and 4 International airports in Cameroon? And there are 2260 hospitals in the country. I told you that Popol is a good juggler; now he talks with statistics. I hope you heard what he said about Buea. Popol knows very well that Buea was the capital of Southern Cameroons, former capital of West Cameroon and today the capital of the South West Region. Yet Popol beat about the bush without addressing the issue at stake but finally confirmed that Southern Cameroons got its independence on February 11, 1961. So Popol wanted Cameroonians to sing which Anthem? Is this an attempt to colonize Southern Cameroons or to show the world that it is two separate nations with two different anthems ruled by one President. The Anglophone problem which has ignited secessionists tendencies were completely ignored in the speech. Surprisingly, Popol has again dribbled Cameroonians. It has been a tradition that everywhere he goes; he dishes out development projects. But it is not the case in Buea and the South West Region. Can we say that Southwesterners are not good at lobbying for development projects or Popol has changed his strategies? I am sure Abgor Tabi, Mengot, Philip Ngwesse and  co, the regime vuvuzelas would never be forgiven for not lobbying for projects as expected. I saw signs of disappointment on the faces of South West elite(s) when Biya concluded his speech without any Presidential largess. I hear mayor Patrick Ekema is on heat for not addressing the problems of the South West Region. The mayor of Buea was more concern with Buea. You heard what he said that even though Buea is the capital of South West Region, it is a sub Division. Buea is the only regional capital without a city council. Can you imagine that even though Buea is the capital of the South West Region, the Capital of Fako is Limbe? I just spotted the chiefs with scares on their faces. 

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

Reunification Celebration Gossips: Undeclared State of Emergency in Buea

Country people I salute. Accept good morning greetings from Buea. Do not ask how is Buea today morning because i will not say anything. I hope you know that when Popol moves out of Ngola, the capital moves too. So i am actually enjoying the legendary hospitality of Buea, the city of versions. I am right now somewhere called Molyko enjoying the protection of Popol’s soldier. I thought that Bagdad was the only place where you meet soldiers on the street after every 10 meters, Buea this morning is more than Bagdad. I hear all the Buea pick-pockets trans-neared to Kumba  and Limbe due to the presence of the military. Do not ask me whether it is an undeclared state of emergency. It is for the security of Popol and his Special Guests...

A Presidential insider hinted your Writam-pen today morning that Popol may receive some special guests in Buea. Yet the no one knows who the special guests are.

Have you heard from Hon. Ayah Paul? The man says Buea is under military occupation. And that he is a victim of persecution by security agents but this doesn’t bother since he knows that the God he serves will continue to protect him.

Wonders they say shall never end. I spotted Hon. Njingum Musa (the MP who speaks in tongues) trying to organize a cultural fiesta. You know ever-since Nji Fidelis was booted out of Parliament, Njingum Musa stepped into his shoes as President of the Yaounde elite group. Do you know that these Yaounde based elite(s) are really a problem to the existence of the Bamenda. I am aware you heard Prof. Uphie Melo Chinje, the talking cricket over CTV, making noise. Who told them to organize a cultural fiesta in the South West? Yanki, is seemingly getting out of ideas. Ntumfor Nico Halle is not a new name. You know the talkative President of CMF, the peace-crusader who is on tree tops calling on all those who care to listen to be peaceful. I heard him this morning over ctv radio talking and claiming a lot of importance. C’est la fete, donc peace is necessary. I really doubt whether some of them have or may have not stumbled.

As you know the entire nation is looking towards Buea as Popol is expected to deliver a keynote address. I hope he will address the issue of Anglophone marginalization that has put to question the marriage between La Republique and the Southern Cameroons. I am saying so because yesterday he declared that these celebrations are intended to make Cameroon more united. I hope you are aware of the SCNC syndrome that is threatening the very foundation of a united and indivisible Cameroon. As you all know, Popo is not only a dribbler but he is a perfect juggler that can toss several balls at the same time and catches them without one dropping off his hand. You heard him giving the reason for the remittance of prison terms. I told you that Popol is very conscious of everything that happens around him. In which language will Biya speak today in Buea. That is the question that I have been pondering over since 4am. However, that is not our interest for now. Your Writam-pen is more interested in what President Biya will say on the Anglophone problem.

But what will Popol tell Southern Cameroonians. I heard one SCNC activist around Molyko saying that he is very convinced that Popol will declare the independence of Southern Cameroons today. I have just been hinted that Popol is determined to leave Cameroon better than he found it. If he extends a hand of fellowship will the SCNC adhere to the advised that they should create political parties? Will he repeat the same statement? Will he call for dialogue? A suivre 

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

Reunification Gossips: Buea Touristic Heaven without Food, Hotels

Reunification monument 

Country people, your Writam-pen is actually in Buea enjoying the atmosphere of an undeclared state of emergency. I am sure you will be more than flabbergasted that I am enjoying part of the 25 billion FCFA Popol disbursed for this celebration. Can you imagine that when I got to Buea, I could not recognize the old Buea town? Have you had a glimpse of the Reunification monument that Popol inaugurated today? It is magnificent.  The coming of Popol has completely transformed Buea into a touristic heaven. Hotels are all full. The Presidency has privatized all the hotels. All the hand clappers have dived into Buea. Those seeking for appointments are there. They have all boycotted reunification celebrations at their various regions to go to Buea. I am sure Popol is conscious and some of them will be sanctioned. To get a place to pass a night, students have decided to transform their rooms to motels. 10.000 FCFA per night. That is where your Writam-pen found solace. Yesterday I was shocked that at the open Air Amphitheater 700, the event to showcase the cultural heritage was transformed into the singing of panegyric to Popol. Country people, I hope you all saw Fon Fobuzie of Chomba doing what he knows how to do best. Before I forget, food is as rare as dog tears in Buea. This is serious. Condoms too I hear have got finished and shopkeepers have run out of stock. You remember the famous Mboma man saga, I though it was going to scare UB girls. Yesterday night Molyko Street showed it true colours, red, blue, pink and all you can imagine.  Do you even know that to get an invitation for the dinner and grandstand Molyko is the best place? Someone just hinted me that 25.000 FCFA can afford for such a ticket.

 I hope you have heard how Popol is dishing out fiftieth anniversary gifts. He just dished out Presidential clemency to some of his former allies who were arrested and detained like Titus Edzoa and Thierry Atangana. I hope our elder brother Zacheuse Forjindam will also benefit. When the United Nation started threatening that Thierry Atanga should be freed, I knew Popol was going to succumb and was just waiting for the right opportunity. You know Buea caught cold as the Inoni factor resurfaced after that Presidential clemency. I hear Bakingili is in total silence. You know Popol also disbursed 10 million FCFA each for the Divisional Officers to ferry the population from the suburbs to Buea. The population of Bakingili have vowed that no Inoni no Bakingili in Buea to cheer Popol. But the question I keep asking is of what importance is this fiftieth anniversary when important issues affecting the marriage between Southern Cameroons and La Republic cannot be discussed. I hear the coming of Popol has finally dissolved the UBSU. I spotted John Ntarinkon with a convoy of about six cars. You know the second face-to-face  meeting with Popol may take place in Buea. SCNC is gaining steam with the arrival of Popol in Buea. Mola Njo Litumbe has not stumbled on any block. His detractors who were claiming that he was to sign a secret deal in the name of the SCNC has all been put to shame. Do you know that it is today morning that the delegation from Manyu arrived Buea? I hear the road Mamfe -Kumba is not only a nightmare but it demands prayers and fasting. Do you know that for someone in Manyu to get to Buea, that person has to pass through three other regions before getting to his/her own regional capital. Well, i hope Popol will pity them this time. If not i see no reason why we should be celebrating 5o years of reunification when Manyu Division is an island on land. Am sure if Popol has anything for the people of the South West, it should be the construction of the Kumba-Mamfe road. You remember what he said in Bamenda during the 50th Anniversary of the Armed Forces, he dolled out projects including the University of Bamenda..

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

Reunification Celebrations: What Will Biya Tell Manyu People

By Muchop Devoe

Manyu Delegation caught on camera at City Chemist-Bda

It is common that when President Biya makes an official visit to any region, expectations as to what he will say are always high. This is so because every time President Biya moves to any region, he dishes out development projects. In December 2010 during the 50^th Anniversary of the Cameroon Armed Forces, Paul Biya in his speech told Northwesterners that he has decided to create the University of Bamenda. He also mentioned the tarring of the Bamenda Ring Road and the studies to harness electricity at the Menchum Water Fall. It came to passed that the University of Bamenda is operational, the tarring on the ring road is ongoing and studies on the Menchum Water Fall have been done. President Biya is in Buea for the 50^th Anniversary celebration of reunification yet bookmakers have been speculating over what he will tell the people of South West especially the Manyu people. This is so because 53 years after reunification, Manyu Division in the South West Region could be likened to an Island on land. Historically, Manyu formerly Mamfe Division is one of the oldest Divisions in the country. This is perhaps the only division in the entire country that is not linked to its regional headquarters by a motorable road. Travelling from Manyu to Buea, the regional capital of the South West is not only a nightmare; but has been described as one of the darkest corners in human history in the 21^st century. The Kumba-Mamfe road is not only a nightmare; because attempting it demands serious fasting and prayers. 

However, allegations abound that the contract for the construction of the road from Kumba to Mamfe was awarded in Senator Chief Tabentando’s palace in 2013. Another school holds that the contract for the construction of that road has been awarded this year. Regrettably, fears abound high in Manyu that funds allocated for the construction of this road may end up in some private pockets given the level of corruption in the country. With all the cacophony, President Biya is the only person that is expected to break the deadlock in his policy speech. Will he say I have decided to construct the road linking Kumba to Mamfe? This is the most awaited declaration Paul Biya is looked up to as he will doll out development projects for the South West Region. If President Biya forgets about the Kumba-Mamfe road, his trip to Buea would have produced no impact expressionists say.

Hopes have been dashed about the collapse of the Mamfe river seaport which disappeared just after the Union Jack was lowered in the Southern Cameroons territory. It is no more news that Biya reached Buea before the Manyu delegation. He might have been fouled by a few handpicked militants who were placarded by the people of the lie and the unfamous Manyu vuvuzelas of the Biya regime. Since truth is like a heavy load thrown into the sky that must fall, the unkown and not hidden is that Manyu Division is an island on land. If the notion that where the road passes development follows is tenable nowadays, Cameroon may emerge in 2035 without Manyu. This is not only a serious challenge to the Vision 2035, but a devastating failure on the part of its promoter, President Paul Biya, a school of thought holds. The Trans Enugu-Bamenda road is what helped the Manyu delegation to travel through Bamenda via Bafoussam, Loum before entering Buea, passing through three regions before entering to their own regional headquarters. Is President Biya aware? If yes what will he say about the Kumba-Mamfe road and if no, will he tell them that he will make sure that he will personally supervise the construction of that road like was the case with the Bamenda Ring Road in 1985?

If he says he is personally going to supervise it, then all the dreams have been dashed.

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

50th Anniversary of Reunification: A tale of Anglophone Subjugation(1)

By Fai Cassian Ndi

(Courage brothers, do not stumble/ though thy path be dark as night/ there’s a light to guide the humble/ trust in God and do the right).

Those who lived the early years of the Anglophone revival: (All Anglophone Conference-AAC) AAC1 and AAC2 would surely recall these words. It is actually the opening stanza of the hymn which was song at the commencement of discussions on the Anglophone problem in Cameroon. The choice of this hymn was anything but an accident. Its choosers knew that many of those who attended AAC1 in Buea in 1993 and AAC2 in Bamenda in 1994 would stumble and fall along the side. Nfor Nfor, Chief Ayamba, Thomas Nwanham, Awanga, Litumbe, Prof. Chia and others say it is a birth right. When was unification before there was reunification? If no one has never ever seen history that is written backward, Cameroon history is the best place for such a research.

Ni John Fru Ndi, Ayah Paul, and a host of other Anglophone political figures have clearly not given up but the failure by Fru Ndi to take a definite position on the Southern Cameroons question has actually retarded the liberation struggle than accelerated it. Dante tells us that the hottest part of hell is reserved for those who in the heart of a heated controversy choose to be neutral. At one of the symposiums on reunification in Buea, Prime Minister Yang Philemon in responding to a question on the SNC struggle said that those belonging to SCNC should transform it into a political party.  History is acclaimed as the story of man’s past events. And not scholar of would defy this simple plain explanation. All history students know this definition. All rational persons know that history cannot be change. Even God cannot change history. The question is whether Southern Cameroons existed, and if yes, anyone who advocates that SCNC should be transform to a political party should be considered as being in a state of sin. On the contrary, Nfor Nfor would say they are fighting for what is rightfully theirs by birth. Actually, the facts, figures and statistics that have stirred Anglophones to think of going back to their roots are very glaring. It steams from the fact that Anglophone marginalization is vividly a mind bugging, when SCNC activists think of the inferiority many are subjected to. From historical facts and following the realities of today, the subjugation is such that there are some key positions in this country that are no go zones for Anglophones. These positions have been at the beck and command of the Francophones since reunification. For example no Anglophone would ever dream of becoming the Minister of Defence, Finance, Territorial Administration, and Education and or even the President of FECAFOOT. Implicitly, any Anglophone who condemns UNO state, SCNC, SCAPO or any other Anglophone pressure group needs to have his conscience and head examined. Even the praise singers of the CPDM of Anglophone origins would admit this except those who have gone insane. By the time of Reunification, the economy of Southern Cameroons was booming, Manyu was not an island on land. By then there was the Cameroon Bank, National Producing Marketing Board, the Wum Area Development Authority. Today, all these structures have disappeared. From the day the Union Jack was lowered on the Southern Cameroons territory, it was the beginning of suppression. It became an unwritten law that no Anglophone could become the President of Cameroon. I remember how a certain minister said sometimes ago that an Anglophone youth must have at least 3 “A” to be considered an equivalent of Bac. It required the angry demonstration of the civil society and the Anglophone press for the situation to be reversed. When a Francophone minister describes Anglophones an enemy in the house, there is much to write home about the marriage.

Double think they say is the ability to hold two contradictory opinions at the same time and to believe both of them. It is an Orwelian concept and the forerunner of doublespeak. For instance, the same version of democracy which Cameroon practices is both young (nascent, budding) and advanced.

Another example is the idea of double nationality. Footballers that have double and even triple nationalities are often called upon to defend national coulours. But the same CPDM cohorts, who make this appeal to the nationality, denounce as foreign persons who don’t belong to the party and who inspire to or are elected to elective positions in the country.  The case of Mongo Beti and Ndedi Eyango abound. Such double standards are common with Francophones. But when an Anglophone indulges in it, the conduct is less forgivable because honesty and sincerity are integral parts their bringing up.

Anglophones have been complaining about marginalization but they have their own part of the blame for what is happening. The first thing is that Anglophones intellects have been brainwashed to the point that they happily accept to assume a position of inferiority. Look the way Anglophone ministers and appointees struggle over slippery French to please a regime. In fact they have completely forgotten that they have to refuse to “succumb to the emotion”. When an Anglophone is appointed, his/her first enemy is the other Anglophones who are experts in petition writings. Even so, those who are appointed develop think skins, they see the appointment as a sort of favour and not merit.

The Anglophone intellectuals and politicians unfortunately have embraced this obnoxious concept of double think; although it must be said in fairness to them that circumstances plunged them into it. But the truth is that no human being an escape his or her past neither can a group of community try to do so. Many of us have thought the 50^th Anniversary of Reunification would be an opportunity for the authorities to examine the contours of the marriage between La Republique and the Southern Cameroons. An opportunity to shape the past and prepare the future but seemingly, it is not the case. Cameroon history is checkered, distorted and has never been written in its entirety. History as Dr. Anthony Ndi told me is about facts and they never change. The other day I was listening to a live drama from Buea, I was shocked that history was told as if it occurrences premeditated. The Anglophone intellect may have sold their birth rights given that some of them have contributed to the distortion of history. When President Biya anticipated his trip to Buea, I said this could be another trap. The continuation of the Foumbam traps that Dr. Anthony Ndi talked about in one of his books.  I remember how SDF National chairman, Ni John Fru Ndi after his petition on the irregularities that characterized the October 9, 2011 Presidential elections reminded Supreme Court President Alexis Dipanda Mouelle, that what was transpiring in Cameroon was not what was agreed upon in 1961. A clear reference to the Plebiscite that resulted to the reunification between La Republique du Cameroun and the Southern Cameroons. 

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

Have You Heard the News from Camer?(Part Four)

By Writam-Pen alias Cassimania

Country people, I say na wa fo Cameroon. I think I told you two weeks ago that Popol is good dribbler. He has dribbled Cameroonians again. I hope you all got the trumpeted communiqué from the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency announcing that Popol and Chantou will storm Buea on February 20 to preside over activities marking the fiftieth anniversary of reunification. Contrary to that communiqué, Popol has changed his mind that he will not wait for February 20; instead Popol has decided to be the first person in Buea. I hear there is commotion in Buea and the entire South West Region. Popol has taken everyone including the organizing committee by surprise. Journalists have been hooked. Accreditation application are just arriving Ngola when Popol has already left for Buea. Do not be surprise that some media organs will not be part of this celebration. The question as the whether the state Vuvuzela will have time to sign the accreditation for journalists to cover the event remains another big headache. Don’t be surprise that all TV channels will not broadcast Popol’s arrival live from Buea. They too were taken unaware. Those who said Popol will not show up in Buea are shocked that the man has decided to take permanent residence in Buea ahead of D-Day.  I am sure that Popol and Chantou will only spend a day in Buea but more than two days. The personalities who had prepared to leave for Buea today have been blocked. Entering Buea now is difficult. Popol has outsmarted his detractors and taken them unaware again. Some Ministers are on their way rushing to Buea to receive the Presidential couple and late-comers will have themselves to blame. Poor ministers!!

I hear Philemon Yanky told SCNC activists point blanch yesterday that there is no room for secessionist ideas. Philemon Yanky who was the personal representative of Popol at a symposium hammered on Anglophone secessionists who have been advocating for the independence of Southern Cameroons that they should regularize themselves by transforming the various SCNC factions to political parties.  Nfor Nfor is raising hell. SCNC strongman says some SCNC traitors have been tipped to sign a concocted treaty with Popol in Buea. To Nfor Nfor there is no marriage certificate between La Republique and Southern Cameroons. I hear Popol has also decided to give preference to the politicians especially leaders of political parties of English expression. By yesterday, all political leaders of English expression were handed sealed envelops invitation. I hear the gombo is luck-mouth.  500.000 FCFA to 2.5 million FCFA is the amount that has been disbursed to the leaders of the political parties invited. John Ntarinkon has been privy to have another tete-a-tete with Popol. I have been told that Popol has in his agenda to receive Leaders of political parties of English expression yet John Ntarinkon will be the only political leader that will sit and discuss intimate issues with Popol. Other political leaders will be received in a group. You know Popol knows very well that his strength comes from these people of the lie so he had prepared fat envelopes for them. I have been hinted that the smallest envelope contains a check of 500.000 FCFA and the biggest is about 2.5 million FCFA. This is just for fuel because Popol has already assigned people to take care of their lodging. Na real time for chop this!!

However, as Popol comes to Buea, operation zero alcohol has been declared. All drinking spots, bars etc have been closed. You know Popol hate noise. And these drunkards are fun of making noise.

Have you ever witnessed the collapse of a regime? I am sure this regime is joking with fire. These teachers again have gone wild!  They have vowed that they will all sink with Popol and his ministers including our children. They say they need a change in their salaries and that in as much as Popol doesn’t increase their salaries, no classes. For two days now, pupils and students of government schools have turn selves to teachers. They have decided that no gombo, no classes.  Schools have been paralyzed nationwide. They are claiming that this is just an avant gout and that next time, the strike will be endless. I hear the SDOs and Dos are on hot seats as Popol is threatening to dismiss all of them for failing in their duties. Popol landed at the Tiko airport at precisely 13:31. 

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

Reunification Celebrations: Biya Dribbles Cameroonians Again

Nfor Marcbright

President Biya and wife, Chantal Biya will be in Buea, today February 18, 2014, contrary to a communique announcing the visit for February 20, 2014. A second communiqué of the Civil Cabinet clearly states that the Presidential couple begins the official visit to the South West Region today. This is so because President Biya preferred to personally preside over the Reunification march in Buea, a Presidential insider hinted. However, those who were preparing to storm Buea by February 19 to receive the Presidential couple have been hooked. Notwithstanding, the local organizing committee according to what we gathered had a sleepless night yesterday trying to cut the Ts for a hitch-free celebration. It should be recalled that reunification celebrations started yesterday February 18 in the historic town of Buea with a symposium which brought on a table intellectuals who discussed on the 50 years of reunification. The symposium which took place at the University of Buea on the theme “From Reunification to Integration: 50 Years of Nation Building” was presided over by Yang Philemon, Prime Minister and Head of Government. Answering a question on whether the Cameroon Government had any intention to dialogue with SCNC, Prime Minister Philemon Yang ruled out any such dialogue until SCNC had been registered as a political party. He described the Southern Cameroons’ liberation movement as people seeking to destroy the country. “If you want to be a political party, you must let go the idea of secession”, Yang told the press.

Philemon Yang’s critics say he (Yang) failed to understand is that force has never resolved any issue as much as any quarrel ends up in a peace settlement. Another school of thought holds that no real statesman refuses to give peace a chance. 

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

Reunification Celebration: Biya to Meet Fru Ndi in Buea

It is clear that President Biya and wife, Chantal Biya will be in Buea on February 18, 2014 for the belated Reunification Celebrations. It is no more news that President Biya will grant audiences to some influential personalities. The Eye is aware that eventhough President Biya will grant audiences to elite(s) of the South West Region as it was the case in Bamenda during the 50th Anniversary of the Cameroon Armed Forces, leaders of political parties have been preferred. According to a classified source at the Presidency, invitation letters and sealed enveloped have been channels to all the political leaders of English expression. It is but normal that the second encounter Biya-Fru Ndi will take place in Buea. According to the hint President Biya prefers to receive Fru Ndi and his SDF delegation before proceeding to receive other political leaders as a group. Our source further revealed that the Presidency has dolled out a lumpsum to facilitate the movement of all the political leaders of English expression to Buea. Allegedly, the amount to be disbursed ranges from 500.000 FCFA to about 2.5 million FCFA. More so, each political leaders has been dotted with a "laisez passer", invitation to the grandstand and dinner while lodging facilities have been taken care of. 

Speculations as to whether President Biya will ask Ni John Fru Ndi's SDF to enter government abound high. However, commentators hold that the anxiety that greeted the first encounter between President Biya and Chairman Ni John Ndi cannot be the same.  A school of thought holds that this is the right time for the SDF to enter government as Kwemo and co have started wet-nosing to beg their way into government. 

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Finance Minister Bans 83 Microfinance Institutions, RECCU-CAM too

By Fai Cassian

Alamine Ousmane Mey, Minister of Finance has made public a list of 83 Microfinance Institutions which have not been approved to operate in Cameroon. Surprisingly, the minister’s sledge hammer also fell on the Renaissance Cooperative Credit Union of Cameroon-RECCUCAM, a breakaway faction of the Cameroon Credit Union League-CamCCUL. In the communiqué Minister Ousmane Mey outlined that the decision was taken after a control mission of June 3, to July 12, 2014 the 84 microfinance institutions were found operating in illegality. With RECCUCAM featuring on the list of the microfinance institutions operating in irregularity, there is an atmosphere of uncertainty in the Renaissance Cooperative Credit Union in Cameroon-RECCUCAM. The question as to whether RECCUCAM needs an accreditation as an umbrella organization or an authorization from the ministry abound high. Yet a close source link to RECCUCAM hinted that the control team came when RECCUCAM had not completed its documentation for accreditation. According to the hint, the control mission visited when RECCUCAM hadn’t received the certificate of incorporation from the court and secondly the process of raising capital was ongoing. Sources say by February 6, RECCUCAM had raised over 210 million FCFA as equity capital. It should be recalled that before the minister’s ax, some microfinance institutions like EdenCCUL and Calvary had closed their doors. However, The Eye is aware that this action by the Minister of Finance is intended to check quakes from invading the sector. Bad memories of COFINEST and FIFFA Bank are still fresh in the members who got up one morning just to discover the doors of the banks closed. There is therefore every reason for such checks and balances. (a suivre) 

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

GP DERUDEP Phase II: Minister Essimi Menye Dictates New Roadmap

By Fai Cassian Ndi

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lazare Essimi Mennye has installed members of the steering committee of the Grassfield Participatory and Decentralized Rural Development Project-GP DERUDEP Phase II. It was on February 12, 2014 at the Bamenda Congress Hall that Essimi Menye commissioned into office members of the Steering Committee and project management team of GP DERUDEP Phase II. The team headed by the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele L’Afrique is expected to steer the grand orientations of the project for the next five years. Besides, the project management team headed by Muluh Gregory also has the task to implement the various project components in the beneficiary communities. Unlike Phase I, Phase II of GP DERUDEP has sidelined some major production basins in the North West Region. The case of the Kumbo irish potato cluster, the Mbembe production basin and the high productive maize, beans of the Nkambe plateau which have not been taken into the project account continue to raise dusk. GP DERUDEP it should be recalled came into existence following studies conducted by MIDENO in the year 2000 which indicated low level of income in the rural areas. From 2004-2011, GP DERUDEP reached out to the rural poor by providing seed material to farmers, capacity building to community leaders, provision of potable water, classrooms for schools, community halls, water schemes, slaughter slabs etc. some of the projects have not yet been received by the communities. When Phase II was approved and protocol agreement was signed between the African Development Bank-ABD and the Cameroon Government, the rural poor were hoping to get the same largess but the project concept had change. Even though ABD and Cameroon government rated GP DERUDEP as the best project so far, development experts are of the opinion that the steering Committee of GP DERUDEP Phase II would have to work an extra mile to overcome the Santa syndrome that may likely chop its roots. This is so because the project lays a lot of emphasizes in the Santa area especially with the installation of an equipment pool at the former Santa Coffee Estate which has been in dispute. Notwithstanding, GP DERUDEP Phase I was initiated to alleviate poverty in the North West Region by 10% and with approval of Phase II, many had hoped that its spillover effect will reach the nocks and crannies of the Region. GP DERUDEP Phase II, as observed covers only some production basins in some council areas of the region. The council areas to benefit include, Widikum, Ndu, Zhoa, Santa and Tubah councils. Minister Essimi Menye said that the Steering Committee of the project plays the role of the governing body of the project making sure that government policy in the domain is strictly respect, while making sure that the project implementation unit charged with the execution of the project is living up to plans and expectation. According to the MINADER Minister, the Steering Committee has as functions to streamline project activities as well as follow the proper implementation to make sure that the norms are respected. As to the role of MIDENO in the implementation of the project, Essimi Menye was completely mute over it. 

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Youth Day Celebration at Border Village in Ako ( Ceremony in Pics-Prt Two)

By Haruna Mohammadou

There was fanfare at the newly created Abafum Youth Day Centre in Ako Sub Division in the North West Region of Cameroon. It was Hon. Abe Michael, MP for the Ako/Misaje Special Constituency who added colour to the event. It was a moment of consolidating the good neighborliness between the border villages given the presence of some dignitaries from across Nigeria. The personal representative of the Chairman of the Kurmi Local Council who was flanked by the Chief of Bissola and the Queen Mother were received by the Fon of Abafum into the grandstand. It should be recalled that the neigbouring villages speak the dialect (language). As a matter of fact, the economy of the six villages that make up the Abafum Zone (Youth Day Centre) is in the hand of Nigeria. This is so because the population of these villages hardly use the Francs CFA, they are more verse with the Nigerian Naira. The main problem is the lack of road linking the villages to Ako town. Most of the youths attended secondary school in Nigeria until recently when GSS Buku was created. However, it is very difficult for a stranger to differentiate who is Cameroonian and who is not. Abafum is rich in timber, cocoa and non-timber products Bush onion, bush pepper, Njangsa etc. Unfortunately all these produce are sold in Nigeria due to bad road. Hon. Abe Michael traveled to Abafum on a bike due to the state of nature of the road. He was also opportune to visit GS Ekepio, primary school that has no classrooms not to talk of benches. Hon. Abe Michael upon visiting this school said the construction of classrooms will be top on his agenda. He promised to do his best to see to it that youths who are leaders of tomorrow should feel and enjoy their youthfulness by studying in a conducive environment. "I will make sure that these future leaders should study in good buildings, write on good benches etc", he told this reporter. 

A stop at GS Ekepio

GS Ekepio

Queen of Bissola (special quest)

Chief of Bissola and Queen

farotage in Nigerian Naira (currency recognise by the population)

Fon of Abafum

Hon. Abe handing report cards to pupils

Hon. Abe joins in the dance

VIPs at the Abafum Youth Day Centre

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

Mbatcha Eric, Ngalim Lizette Win Big at Mt. Cameroon Race

 By Fai Cassian

Ngalim Lizette

With over 600 athletes at the starting block, the athletes’ natives of Donga Mantung Division in the North West have again emerged victorious from the madding crowd at this year’s edition of Mt. Cameroon Race of Hope.  Mbatcha Eric covered the distance in 4h26mn to beat his personal record of 4h: 29mins of 2011. Aged 30, Eric Mbatcha is at his 15th participation in this very popular competition.  The new King of the Mountain succeeds Godlove Gabsibuin still from Donga Mantung who came this time in the second position with a time of 4h: 32mins while Wingo Emmanuel completed the podium in the third position. In the women's category,  Lizette Ngalim came first and she was closely followed by Yvonne Ngwanya. Lizette succeeds Nwanya to take home the crown of Queen of the Mountain. While the 16 years old Form Five student Tata Carine came third to complete the podium. It should be recalled that all the female athletes are from the North West Region of Cameroon. Sarah Etongue, the veritable Queen of the Mountain with seven titles also made a spectacular finish this year. At 48 years old, Sarah may be making her last appearance in the competition. Her son, we gathered also made a spectacular run at the race. With the sponsorship of Guinness Cameroon, the winners will each pocket a sum of 10 million FCFA. 

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