SDF At 25; When Every Newspaper Reader Becomes A Professor Of Journalism

By Aminateh Nkemngu

NI John FRU Ndi

The month of May is an eventful one in Cameroon. If not for anything, but for the fact that it carries four significant celebrations for Cameroonians who enjoy “enjoyment” especially beer drinking. And this “enjoyment” usually begins with Labour Day celebrations. Far from being a moment for workers in diverse fields to articulate work related issues, it is usually the day to forget all frustrations on the job and go merry making. And then comes the 3^rd of May, otherwise referred to as “World Press Freedom Day”. For some unexplained reasons ,journalists and media houses in Cameroon usually shy away from labour day, only to come out two days later on 3^rd May ,to make a lot of noise about press freedom ,oftentimes without addressing working conditions in their respective media houses, as many as they are. But this does not in any way cancel the fact that the world over, press freedom  is a measuring instrument  of democratic progress .Then comes 20^th May, the National Day when all Cameroonians celebrate as one people irrespective of region of origin  ,ethnicity , race, religion,polticial affiliation  or any other social variable. Under normal circumstances, National Day is the most important in the life of every nation, as is rightly the case with Cameroon, especially in the face of the Boko Haram War. But some “misguided “individuals have continued to hang on to colonial cleavages and vestiges to sow seeds of discord. Finally, but more subjectively is the 26^th of May ,which is the birth day of the SDF party, already going down in history as Cameroon’s leading oppositions party for more than 25 years. This will formally be confirmed on 26 May when the party celebrates its silver jubilee in Bamenda, its birth place on 26^th May 2015.The sensitivity of this issue can be reflected in an article captioned “SDF 25^TH Anniversary; “Founding Militants Want Fru Ndi Out”, published on page 6 of The Sun Newspaper No 0312 of Monday April 20, 2015.The reactions to the said article is not only mind bugling, but has also pushed the author of the article to revisit it. During a brief private stay to the South West Region recently, the said article came under a lot of debate to the point where the publisher and editor of the Sun Newspaper both received several calls on the position of the article that “founding militant want Fru Ndi out at 25^th anniversary”. That’s not all, the national media including CRTV ,Canal 2,LTM,STV and several local radio stations in Bamenda and the South West  region as well as newspaper readers ,TV viewers and radio listeners have  taken much interest and reacted diversely to the story including dictating what ought to have been written and who ought to have been quoted. And all of these debates bring us back to the story; Firstly, the article was written in a particular context, the National Executive Committee Meeting, NEC, whose sole agenda was to discuss the 25^th anniversary of the party. The author of the article was physically present at the gathering. In fact the Chairman of the organizing committee, Honourable Awudu Mbaya Cyprian and the National chairman of the SDF, Ni John Fru Ndi are extensively quoted in the article.

Secondly, the article made mention of “founding militants” and not “founding fathers”. In as much as stereotyped readers might have erroneously understood “founding militants “ to mean the same as  “founding fathers,” the article simply broke the stereotype and took the debate out of the box. This means that away from the “Founding fathers” who have all along taken to the rostrum, several or many “founding militants” or those who were at ‘Liberty Square” when the party was launched in 1990 and who have braved the “labourious existence “ Awudu Mbaya referred to  are still alive and have also found time to air their opinion on the functioning of the party. Afterall, the author of the article was a primary school pupil on 26 May 1990.

Thirdly, many newspaper readers cum “professors of journalism “who have never taken a single lecture on journalism have claimed that the article did not quote any militants. But they must also be reminded of the sacrosanct principle of protection of sources especially in such a sensitive context where witch-hunting can set in as is now proving. This issue is particularly addressed in section 50(1) of law no 90/52 of 19 December 1990 which states that “journalists and their collaborators shall not be bound to disclose their source of information”. Section 47(1) of the same law states that “a journalist shall be bound to process information in an objective and responsible manner”. The chairman of the anniversary organizing committee, Honourable Awudu Mbaya Cyprian and party chairman Ni John Fru Ndi are widely quoted in the write-up. Why must there be emphasis on the release of the identity of the “founding militants” contrary to section 50(1) of the law just quoted above, if not for ulterior motives by self seeking individuals?

Furthermore, the reaction to the story is an indicator that the article and the newspaper are widely read, contrary to doomsday prophets who have undertaken to attack the newspaper and not the issue. Above all, even in mass communication theory in university lecture halls, ”Agenda Setting “ is one of such theories. Without prejudice, the article has only successfully ignited a debate on the “information market place”. This could just be a good research topic for the roadside “journalism professors” to go back to the laboratory .After all, the position of National Chairman of the SDF is elective, and only the militants can decide who stays and who goes.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Xenophobia: Nigeria May Take Zulu King to International Criminal Court

 Source: Vanguard

The Senate, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to recall Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa, following the wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa.

It also hinted that the Federal Government would formally file a criminal case at the International Criminal Court, ICC, Hague, against the Zulu King, who was believed to have instigated the uprising through inciting comments.

The Federal Government also lodged a formal protest to the South African government, demanding compensation for victims of the attacks.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, summoned South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Mnguni "to register Nigeria's protest over the ongoing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans in South Africa."

A statement from the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Abuja yesterday said: "During the meeting with the envoy, Ambassador Obanikoro condemned the attacks on foreigners in South Africa, expressing concern on the fate of Nigerians and other nationals, who are migrants in the country.

"South Africa needed to take concrete steps to quell the unrest and bring the culprits involved to book to act as a deterrent and prevent further violence."

He also called on the South African authorities to compensate the victims of these attacks, stressing that since South Africa was a major player in the continent, it should have its nationals live in peace in other countries.

South African envoy reacts

Mnguni, according to the statement, informed Obanikoro that the South African government was doing everything possible to address the attacks and prosecute those behind it.

Mnguni expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the manner it had handled the crisis so far.

Soldiers were said to have been deployed overnight to tackle gangs hunting down and killing foreigners after about seven people had died in violence in the last few weeks. Yesterday, Police said 11 men were arrested in a raid in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, after an open demonstration of its anger against the government and people of South Africa over the xenophobic attacks, Senate, yesterday, asked President Jonathan to immediately recall Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, for urgent consultation.
This was just as it summoned the Foreign Affairs Minister to appear before it for a possible briefing on, not only the situation, but also measures being taken to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa.
The Red Chamber also hinted that the Nigerian government would formally file a criminal case at the ICC against the Zulu king, believed to have instigated the uprising through inciting comments.
These decisions were sequel to a motion, tagged Rising Incidence of Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa, sponsored by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central and 107 others, and presented for debate during plenary, yesterday.

In the motion, the senators said South Africa was ungrateful, regretting that despite the sacrifices made by Nigeria to put an end to Apartheid and ensure the emancipation of South Africa, the people of South Africa continued to maltreat and humiliate Nigerians without just cause.

The Senate urged Federal Government to mount pressure on South African government to bring the perpetrators of the act to justice and ensure adequate protection of Nigerians and their investments, as well as compensate families who lost members and property.

Commends Nigerians' maturity

It commended Nigerians for their restraint in the face of the attacks, just as it noted that the xenophobic attacks were precipitated by the comments of the renowned Zulu King.

The Senate, insisted that it was concerned that Nigerians living in South Africa have been seriously affected by the crisis "as no fewer than 50 have been reportedly rendered homeless after being displaced by these attacks and about 300 others displaced near Johannesburg."

"By the last count, property and Nigerian businesses worth millions of naira have been destroyed," the Senate added.

All the senators, who contributed to the debate during the day's plenary went emotional, expressing surprises that South Africans could maltreat foreigners, especially Nigerians, who they noted sacrificed so much to see a new South Africa.

In his remark, after taking contributions from senators, Senate President, David Mark, warned that Nigeria may not wait to see the South Africa stretch it beyond its limit.

He said: "What is happening in South Africa is totally unacceptable; it is unexpected and my humble suggestion will be that South Africa should not stretch us beyond our elastic limit on this matter.

"There is a limit beyond which the nation will not accept what is happening in South Africa and if we go beyond that limit, Nigeria will be forced to act.

"All of you have very clearly enumerated the assistance we gave to South Africa to liberate them when they had their crises. Students contributed, we accommodated so many of them, we gave the scholarships.

"For them to repay us this way, I think it is totally unacceptable and uncalled for; we need to stand up also for all other Africans in South Africa.

Mark on Zulu king

"The African Parliament must take this up seriously; we cannot have a situation where one king gets up and begins to say that people should go away. That is preaching hatred and is unacceptable.

"I agree with most of you that we have a responsibility to protect our citizens, in fact, that is our first responsibility and we must do that without thinking twice.

"South Africa must show Nigeria and the rest of Africa that they have taken legal steps against those who are involved," he insisted, just as he said the Senate should also transmit its resolutions to the South African Parliament.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon, APC, Lagos West, said: "This is not the way to pay us back after our fights in liberating South Africa.

"We are wasting too much time; we should have recalled our High Commissioner even if we will still hold further discussions. This thing has happened before and it will be endless except something drastic is done."

On his part, Senate Deputy Leader, Abdul Ningi, recalled the roles some of them played as students in Ahmadu Bello University to champion the cause of South Africa.

He said: "Some of us had to contribute money out of very tight budget to emancipate South Africa. We had to house some of them and contribute money to some of them."

Other senators, who spoke against the xenophobic attacks, were Senator Helen Esuene, Labour Party, Akwa Ibom South; Senator Boluwa Kunlere, PDP, Ondo South; Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia South, and Senator Ita Enang, APC, Akwa Ibom North-East, among others.

Reps meet with Mnguni

Meanwhile, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora has called on the South African government to immediately compensate Nigerians, who are victims of the xenophobic attacks.

The committee's Chairman, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made the call yesterday, while presenting the resolution of the House to the South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, in Abuja.

She said apart from putting an end to the provocative and barbaric attacks on immigrants, the South African government should compensate survivors.

She expressed regrets that the attacks had undermined the unity, which African Union had fought for over the years.

The High Commissioner apologized for what had happened.

He said: "The issue of compensation has been raised on a number of fora, but threat to life still remains our concern for now. We want to secure life and livelihood and stabilize the situation."

He said plans were in place to include in South African schools syllabuses the roles of African countries in anti-Apartheid fight, so as to change the orientation of post-Apartheid generation.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Black Friday Boycott of SA Shops in Full Force in Malawi Reports Say

By Tikondane Vega & Solister Mogha

In the wake of a boycott call by the Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA), of South African shops and businesses, major South African outlets like Game, PEP and Shoprite closed shops in Blantyre and Lilongwe.

This despite a seemingly stuttering start in Malawi's Capital, Lilongwe earlier in the morning as Shoprite and other shops remained opened before eventually closing later.

Shoprite had only operated until 10:20 AM when the police, shop management and civil society leaders agreed to close it instantaneously for fear of sparking violence.

Before the closure, Kapito and Billy Mayaya were seen hovering inside Shoprite asking people to adhere to the boycott.

"You are a Malawian and why don't you show solidarity to our brothers and sisters who have been attacked in South Africa. This boycott is just for a day and why don't you be part of that," Kapito and Mayaya were overheard by this reporter telling one person found buying groceries in the shop.

Shoprite in Lilongwe opened in the morning of Friday before closing later - Pic by Abel Ikiloni

Kapito and Mayaya who could not talk to the media mistakenly told the Mana reporter that they were in the shop to remind those Malawians who had not heard and adhered to the call to stop buying while at the same time ensuring that there was peace.

"Actually our presence here is not to stir violence but rather make sure that there is peace and that people do not take advantage of the situation," Kapito said.

He was however bitter with the Shoprite management for not emulating from what other shops had done by closing business for the whole of Friday.

"Why should they open today when other shops here in Lilongwe as well as in Blantyre have completely closed down, we would like to urge them to do the same before Malawians get angry at them," they (Kapito and Mayaya) said....... to read more click  http://allafrica.com/stories/201504241858.html

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Public Health Minister Inaugurates Imagery Center at Regional Hospital, Bamenda (PhotoNews)

The Minister of Public has inaugurated an Imagery Center at the Regional Hospital. Before cutting the symbolic ribbon, Public Health Minister, Mama Fouda promised that government will in the days ahead provide an industrial generation to curb electricity problems. He called on the hospital administration headed by Dr. Kinge Thompson Njie to make sure that the center is used for the purpose that it deserves. Estimated at about FCFA 700 million, the Imagery Center is expected to improve on the health services provided by the hospital.

On his part, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council who doubles as the chairman of the management committee of the Regional Hospital, Bamenda thanked Public Health minister for the construction and equipping of the center. He also expressed gratitude for the construction of the Referral hospital. Vincent Nji Ndumu also used the occasion to inform the minister on the acute shortage of nurses, the epileptic nature of the electricity, and the poor state of machines in the hemodialysis center.

The Director of the hospital, Dr. Kinge Thompson promised that the Center will be used for the purpose that it deserves. Dr. Kinge took time to paint a picture of the equipment and the various specialties that the center will take care of. 

It should be recalled that ever since Dr. Kinge took over the Director of the regional, numerous innovative actions have been implemented. Recently, he initiatied the recreation garden which has changed the face of the hospital

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

SDF Silver Jubilee: Will Fru Ndi Step-down as Natural Candidate, NEC, NAC, Investiture Chairman?

NI John Fru Ndi

The National Executive Council of the Social Democratic Front-SDF met last weekend in Bamenda to plan for the Silver Jubilee of the party whose activities are expected to start on May 16, 2015. Allegedly, a colossal budget of FCFA 100 million has been budgeted to enable SDF militants to celebrate the event with fanfare. Since politics as they say is a serious business, The Eye got a hint that a caucus has been put in place to pressurize SDF National Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi to step down from the positions of chairman of National Executive Committee-NEC, National Advisory Council-NAC, Investiture Committee and SDF natural candidate. The Eye is aware that there is an urgent need for structural changes in the SDF and there is also the need to change the way party issues are managed. But the bone of contention has been how to go about it given that Ni John Fru Ndi heads all the organs of the party making self the Alpha and Omega.  Former SDF scribe, Dr. Elizabeth Tamanjong in her resignation letter recently did frowned at concentration of powers in the hands of the Chairman, which apparently is blocking the other aspirants to leadership positions and so on. It should be recalled that Siga Asanga, Ngwasiri, Ben Muna, Kwemo, Paulinus Jua and others were “scape-goated” for challenging Ni John Fru. These critics hold have contributed enormously to SDF losing touch with the grassroots. More importantly, skeptics are of the opinion that if Fru Ndi rejects the proposal to decentralize power, Mbah Ndam’s commission which seeks to reconcile disgusted SDF militants will yield no fruits.

However, Cameroon Concord quotes SDF Chairman to having said in one of his press briefings early last year that he will not be standing as the party candidate in the next presidential election come 2018. Yet a school of thought holds that Ni John Fru Ndi should remain as National Chairman of the SDF and nothing more.

Nonetheless, popular opinion continue to hail the man of May 26,1990 who took the courage to launch  the SDF in Bamenda against the backdrop of a heavy deployment of troops and skirmishes between security forces and ordinary, unarmed, citizens leading to the loss of six innocent lives.

As Chris Fomunyoh once put it, he said “that, indeed, was a moment of courage”. And like the late Robert Kennedy once said, speaking in Capetown, South Africa in 1966..."It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance".
When Fru Ndi will arrive the United States, many of these speeches will be pronounced. The Eye is aware that the key message will be a clarion call for Fru Ndi to relinquish the position of NEC, NAC and Investiture chairman. No one doubts the fact that Chairman Ni John Fru Ndi made history, and there too comes the extra load to make sure that in the next century the story can be told of how the success began. Power sharing is therefore very necessary for the SDF to hope. More so, Fru Ndi relinquishing from some of these positions is a cause for concern. As SDF National Chairman is expected to visit USA, it is hoped that SDF militants in the diaspora will also use the opportunity to tell him the truth. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Suspension of ELECAM Divisional Heads: Mighty Storm Gathers to Sweep Fonkam Azu'u

By FC Ndi

Samuel Fonkam Azu'u                 Sani Tanimou

An atmosphere of uncertainty looms at Elections Cameroon-ELECAM as the brouhaha between the Chairman of ELECAM and Director of Elections has reached its crescendo.  The Eye gathered that matters came to a head last week following the suspension of some Elecam Divisional heads for attending a meeting organized by Dr. Fonkam Azu’u, chairman of ELECAM; a meeting, which according to the Director of Elections, Sani Tanimou was illegal. Classified sources linked to ELECAM hinted this reporter that all the ELECAM Divisional who attended the meeting were served an eight day suspension letter last week by the Director of Elections. More so, those who took pains to travel to South Africa for a training seminar have been drop from their positions, reasons being that they obtained the permission from the wrong authority. The Eye is aware that the Divisional head for Ngoketunjia has been transferred to the to the North West Elecam regional office on grounds that he attended the training seminar in South Africa. Elecam Council head for Santa is also said to have been demoted. It is alleged that all the Elecam Divisional heads in the North West and South West Regions were all slammed eight days suspension by Tanimou.

Even though the position of a director general of elections has sweeping administrative and financial powers Tanimou has engaged in a tug of war with Fonkam to establish that he is the man in charge. Even though the law stipulates that he operates under the authority of the board headed by a president to “ensure the smooth functioning of Elections Cameroon, the Director of Elections says Fonkam Azu’u has been interpreting only one part of the law.

Though Dr. Fonkam is a former law lecturer of great repute he is apparently hooked in the fight given that the staffs have respected the decision and sanctions from the Directorate of Elections.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Sani’s disrespect for the ELECAM electoral board and insubordination also greatly ridicules Dr. Fonkam Azu’u.

It is alleged that Tanimou has taken upon himself to obstruct the execution of an act duly taken by a superior authority. A case in point is the annual meeting with stake holders that has not hold for a long time now.  Public opinion holds that ELECAM Board members have not gone down to the field to evaluate registration process due to the leadership crisis rocking Elections Cameroon.  Besides, he (Tanimou) relies on the South solidarity given that he hails from the same region with the head of state. 

Some years back, Fonkam rightly said, that the crisis is not between him and Sani. It is a problem between the directorate general and the board caused by the law designed to brew such conflicts. A suivre

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Youth Leader Calls for End of Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa

 By Fai Cassian N

The National Youth President of NUDP and activist has called on Cameroon government to look into the plight of Cameroonians living in South Africa. While expressing disgust on the xenophobic attacks on foreigners (mostly blacks) working in South Africa, Ndansi Elvis Nukam assured South African nationals living in Cameroon that they will never be attacked. He however emphasized that “ youths of Cameroon wish to inform the South African government that if the violence continues and many more Africans are killed, it will consider joining forces with other African youth movement to stage a boycott of South African business empires”.

Full text of the Press Statement below

 Yaounde-April 19, 2015

National Mobilisation Against Xenophobia in South Africa

Press Statement by Ndansi Elvis 

Ndansi Elvis in a briefing with the Press in Yde

Concerned Cameroonian Youth Leader/Activist Ladies and gentlemen of the Press.

Its my pleasure to have you here today at short notice for this very important press briefing on a call for national mobilization against xenophobia in South Africa. Two weeks ago, Africa and the entire world was shocked by a strange phenomenon that erupted in South Africa in the city of Durban, where in residents accusing immigrants of taking their jobs and committing crimes had to launch an attack on foreigners mostly black burning and looting shops owned by these foreigners. This violence led to the death of five persons amongst them a 14 year old boy. This violence has since then continued and as of yesterday the violence had extended to Johannesburg where in burning, looting of shops owned and molestation of immigrants continues.

Minute of Silence.

A word that was hidden in the dictionary of many has been introduced in the vocabulary of millions across the world-Xenophobia, meaning a Strong and unreasonable fear of that which is perceived to be foreign or strange. For many Africans, South Africa represents a land of opportunity and a heaven of tolerance, but a wave of violence has tarnished this image and sent foreigners fleeing for safety. This situation as of now is still very dangerous for foreigners in South Africa especially in its third largest city of Durban and recently Johannesburg. There are fears that these attacks will be extended to other parts of the Country. On Thursday, there was a big rally against xenophobia in Durban, and condemnation from President Jacob Zuma, called for peace and calm, yet the violence has not stopped, as many shops of foreigners have been set ablaze and many families of immigrants tortured. It is estimated that over 8500 foreigners have fled to refugee centers or police stations and are seeking refuge not including those who have moved in with friends or relatives or to cities not yet hit by xenophobia.

 As President Jacum Zuma said, “ No amount of frustration or anger can justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops.” Consequent to this, several African states have said they are prepared to help their nationals return home. Zimbabwe is helping its citizens returning home and it is estimated that about 1000 Zimbabwe nationals will be returning by next week. Malawi has asked for a boycott of South African Business empires. While other African countries have made strong statements condemning these acts and taking measures to assure the security of its nationals, Its is embarrassing that Cameroon has remained quiet up till now despite the fact that over 1000 of its nationals are immigrants in South Africa and are subject to these attacks. Our brothers and sister leaving in South Africa have been turning to our TV and radio channels to hear if they will get any message of hope and assurance of safety from their own government to no avail. I have received calls from many Cameroonian youths in Durban who say their life is not safe and that they cannot even get any message from the Cameroon embassy as to any orientation they can take for their safety. Some few weeks ago, we all came out as a united Cameroon to stage several street demonstrations to show our support to the Arm forces and to say no to Boko haram.

This is because our territory and citizens is under attack costing our country the lost of lives of our precious citizens. 

We all understand that the life of any single citizen of Cameroon is of great concern to the government, and that the country will always stand out at any time to protect the lives of its citizens no matter where they are found. Mindful of the fact that Cameroon is a peaceful country and a lover of foreigners Mindful of the fact that many of our African brothers and sisters are in south Africa and are victims of these attacks. Mindful of the fact that the youths of Cameroon are well cultured and responsible Mindful of the fact that as Africans we are one and should live in unity 

Mindful of the fact that Cameroon is a state of law and order, The youths of Cameroon say no to xenophobia in South Africa and any part of the world The youths of Cameroon calls for a national mobilization against xenophobia in South Africa and any part of the world.

The Youths of Cameroon Calls on the Cameroon Government to tell us what plans and measures it has taken to assure the safety of our brothers and sisters in South Africa.

 The Youths of Cameroon wish to inform all South African nationals in Cameroon that they will never face such attacks from any Cameroonian. The youths of Cameroon wish to inform the South African government that if this violence continues and many more Africans are killed, it will consider joining forces with other African youth movement to stage a boycott of South African business empires. Above all, we call on all Cameroonians living in South Africa to be vigilant and stay away from any form of crime and violence. Together, we remain Africans and this episode of disorder is not strong enough to dismantle the love and unity and aspiration that we share as Africans to become one. Thanks you very much dear journalists for coming and I do hope that you will communicate this briefing to the widest segment of the globe.

Thank you very much.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Mystery Disease Claims 18 Lives in Southeast Nigeria

Source: Press TV

At least 18 people have been killed in a southeastern Nigerian town due to a "mysterious" disease which kills in less than 24 hours, government says.

"Twenty-three people (were affected) and 18 deaths were recorded," AFP quoted the Ondo state health commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, as saying on Saturday.

Earlier in the day a government spokesman, Kayode Akinmade, had put the number of casualties at 17, saying that the mysterious disease broke out early this week in Ode-Irele town.

Akinmad added that all the victims perished within a day of falling ill and that Ebola or any other known virus has so far been ruled out as the cause by Laboratory tests, noting, "There is no patient of the disease in any hospital and the disease has not spread beyond the town."

He added that apart from government experts and health officials, World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologists had also arrived in the town for further investigation.

WHO has confirmed having information on 14 cases and 12 deaths.

"Common symptoms were sudden blurred vision, headache, loss of consciousness followed by death, occurring within 24 hours," said WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic, adding that an investigation was currently underway.

Urine, blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples had been taken from victims, he added. "All samples have been sent to Lagos University Teaching Hospital this morning, and results are still pending. Investigations are still ongoing"

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Youth Leader Expresses Fears Over Fate of 1000 Cameroonians in SA

With Inputs from NewsWatch

Ndansi Elvis at Press Briefing 

Ndansi Elvis Nukam, youth leader and activist has declared that he is embarrassed that Cameroon government has been mute over the fate of some 1000 Cameroonians in South Africa. Talking to journalists in Yaounde on Saturday April 18, 2015, Ndansi argued government to denounce xenophobic attacks in South Africa with the energy it used against the Islamic Sect Boko Haram.

This is following worries raised by Cameroonians living in South Africa as other countries have engaged in repatriating their nationals. Ghanaians for example are hooked to the social media to get alerts thanks to government efforts.  “Malawi and Zimbabwe are repatriating their citizens based in South Africa but our High Commission here is not doing anything,” a Cameroonian based in South Africa is quoted to have told News Watch.

“I called the High Commissioner and he told me he was in a meeting. He has since not called back like he promised,” another South Africa-based Cameroonian said.

Rumours that a special flight would ferry Cameroonians back home spread within the week, raising the hopes of fretting Cameroonians. But nothing of the sort has happened and it remains unclear if government is making such plans.

Government should tell us what its plans are and measures it has taken to ensure the safety of our brothers and sisters in South Africa, Ndansi told journalists.

He said Cameroonian youths will not repay violence with violence but insisted that a boycott of South African businesses present in the country would not be ruled out if the attacks on foreigners continue.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

NOWEFU Crisis Deepens as Ntumfor Rejects Offer to Reword Constitution

Launching of NOWEFU at Nkwen Palace

By Fai Cassian Ndi

The legality and leadership crisis rocking the North West Fons Union-NOWEFU is far from being over regardless of attempts by Mezam SDO Nguele Nguele Felix to reconcile disgruntled factions. Classified sources say Mezam SDO has confirmed that NOWEFU is an illegal association. The information was made public during a meeting at the SDO’s office last Friday April 17, 2015. During the meeting, it was agreed that NOWEFU was not legalized even though there is a receipt to that effect. it should be recall that it was during a meeting with Governor Lele Lafrique that two constitutions were presented. One presented by Fon Chafah and another by Fon Teche, both of them members of the so-called Kaduna mafia who are at each other’s throat. Public opinion holds

An impeachable source hinted that the outgoing President declared during the meeting that the only person to rescue the union from the mess is Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle. During the meeting with the SDO, the fons unanimously agreed that Ntumfor Nico Halle should rewrite a constitution for NOWEFU. Sources close to Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle casted doubts whether the peace crusader will accept the offer. According to our source, Ntumfor Nico Halle had long rejected the offer from the outgoing President of NOWEFU, Fon Teche, when he brought a delegation to meet him when the crisis erupted.

 Ntumfor is quoted to have argued that both Fon Teche and Fon Chafah are birds of the same feather. “Where was he (fon Teche) when Ntumfor was suspended in June 2007. When he took over office what did he do just resurfaces at the end of his mandate? he questioned.

When contacted, Ntumfor Barrister Nico Halle told this reporter to know whether he could rescue NOWEFU, Ntumfor Nico Halle laughed and said that it is out of question for him to intervene in NOWEFU issues. To Ntumfor Nico Halle, there is a lot of dishonesty in what is happening within NOWEFU. He cited the Secretariat project which for more than 10 years has remained where he left, the management of funds etc. And even went further to questioned the rule of the big fons in handling NOWEFU issues.

Commentators are of the opinion that Ntumfor is not that kind of a person that could be used and dumped given that he sacrificed a lot for the fons. A school of thought holds that the legality crisis has signaled the collapsed of NOWEFU. Greed, we gathered is what has landed the union into the gutter. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Innovating Juvenile Justice Program Kick-starts in Bamenda

VIPs at project launch at Ayaba Hotel 

An innovating program known as Juvenile Justice Reform has been launched in Bamenda in the North West Region of Cameroon. This program which seeks to address societal issues like alternatives to detention, humane incarceration, and reintegration of children-in-conflict-with-the-law is spearheaded by the Bamenda-based international Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, CHRAPA, Bamenda City Council, BCC, and the Health Development Consultancy Services, HEDECS, was launched last Thursday April 9, 2015 in the presence of administrative, judicial and local authorities of the North West Region.

Present at the official launching ceremony was Ann Charlotte Sallmann, of the Economic, Commerce and Governance Department of the European Union, funders of the Juvenile Justice Reform program in Cameroon.

Vincent Nji Ndumu, government delegate to the Bamenda city council in his welcome speech said he was delighted that the Bamenda City Council was associated to the project. He applauded CHRAPA, the lead organization in the execution chain for championing and bringing the idea to fruition.

On his part, the Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Chrapa, Mr. Chongsi Joseph Ayeah who is also Cameroon’s U.N Permanent Mission Representative to the Geneva Human Rights Council said the new project was CHRAPA’s wish that the rights of the Cameroonian Child be fully protected and promoted in accordance with existing regional and international instruments. He narrated how the project has come to fill a felt-need given that all countries across the world were urged to move toward juvenile justice reform and Cameroon could not be left behind.

According to Chongsi Joseph, of all the justice areas in Cameroon that need reform, juvenile justice reform was urgent given that the child was not just father of man but also that juvenile justice reform leads to a more open, just and democratic society. Although the initiative was Cameroon to Cameroon after being implemented in South Africa, Nigeria and Malawi, it was going to be more in-depth and more enclosing in Cameroon as they were going to benefit from the good practices and experiences of Nigeria and South Africa.

After x-raying the existing legal instruments in Cameroon in relation to children’s rights and more especially children-in-conflict-with-the-law, the Executive Director of Chrapa was conclusive that although Cameroon has signed and ratified the convention on the rights of the child and its optional protocol, enacted protections in the 2005 Criminal Procedure Code, and, with the assistance of the European Union and UNICEF, trained and equipped some judicial and Ministry officials to protect the rights of children-in-conflict-with-the-law, major gaps still exist. It is because of these gaps that the project: Juvenile Justice Reforms: Diversion, Humane Incarceration and Reintegration of Children in Conflict with the law finds its relevance.

The two year project which has as primary beneficiaries’ children-in-conflict-with-the-law has as primary objective to unify all None State Actors, NSA, and Local Authorities, LA, to transform children-in-conflict-with-the-law in Bamenda into productive citizens by giving them constructive skills and opportunities in the pre-trial, trial, incarceration, and post-incarceration stages of the judicial chain.

On the choice of Bamenda to implement this project, Mr Chongsi Joseph Ayeah said Bamenda has been known over the years to be receptive to new ideas and its activism in human rights has not been beaten by any other town or region in Cameroon. Going by this, he said Bamenda fulfilled all the conditions for the launch of the project and being a prototype other cities and regions would welcome the project after the Bamenda initiative.

In presenting the components of the project, the Program Officer for the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, Jane Francis Mufua said the project had four major components, viz: Electronic Tracking System, ETS, Juvenile Justice Reform, Advocacy and Diversion.  By Electronic Tracking System, ETS, is meant a computerized system where minors in conflict with the law are monitored at each stage of the judicial chain via a software system of information with the use of ombudspersons and other secret service providers. This serves as a check to abusers of the law in relation to children’s rights and enables prompt intervention for respect of the laid down procedures in dealing with Juveniles. By advocacy is meant the lobbying at all levels of state organs and policy makers for better collaboration between the government and the civil society, and possibly drafting of better policies in favour of the child’s rights.

This include the use of authorities like the Bamenda City Council, parliamentarians and senators to spearhead in their own spheres of intervention the protection of children-in-conflict-with-the-law. By diversion is meant the provision of alternative behavioural therapy to children-in-conflict-with-the-law rather than repression in public detention centres. This will entail the use of psychologists and social workers to work to diagnose the causes of deviant behavior in children as well as liaise with their families for possible reintegration. And finally by Juvenile Justice Reform is meant, the ensuring of strict implementation of laws and procedures put in place by the State of Cameroon in conformity with international instruments in the protection of the rights of the child.  It targets law enforcement officials, the police, the gendarmes, state counsels and Examining Magistrates as well as Prison Officials.

Jane Francis was the more convinced that once these four components are implemented with exactitude wayward children in Bamenda would be transformed into productive members of their communities by letting them opt out of the judicial chain prior to trial for constructive skills-building opportunities in Diversion programs. She was also confident that by creating housing alternatives to jail prior to trial and improving conditions for those in jail who do not qualify for non-custodial alternatives would greatly work to achieve the objectives of the 24 months project.

To this, the European Union Representative, Ann Charlotte SALLMANN agrees and says all European Union’s efforts would be geared at helping Cameroon achieve those objectives. She thanked Chrapa for bringing up the initiative and for choosing viable partners to work with given that such work needs collective effort. She was optimistic the juvenile justice reform project would register great success as obtained in Georgia, South Africa, Nigeria and Malawi. She pledged the European Union’s support to civil society in Cameroon and was confident government would join hands with CSOs to see to it that Cameroon is more open, just and democratic.

While declaring launched the Juvenile Justice Reform program in Bamenda, Inspector General of Services in the North West Governor’s Office, Makoge Ivo said the government of Cameroon has done a lot in the domain of juvenile justice reform and given that no effort was enough, it welcomed that brought in by the collective of CSOs represented by CHRAPA. He pledged the support of the North West administration and thanked the European Union for always being there for Cameroon.

Source: Dignity TV

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