Cameroon: John Fru Ndi needs to shape up...

Cameroon Opposition leader, John Fru Ndi`s political project needs to take shape over the next year, said yesterday one of his close political and strategist adviser who has asked not to be named by the media.

The political-strategist adviser said , John Fru Ndi has a project that needs to take shape, become better defined during the course of the coming year.

" ...People want to see more definition of what the new project is all about, perhaps more policy and fewer jokes at  the Government`s questions in the National Assembly.." and also less dictatorship as " the only person who is keeping members of the party from making a decision on whether they want to form a coalition government or not is John Fru Ndi". There is a need of change of policy.

Incumbent John Fru Ndi vowed to re-energise his party as a matter of urgency after the presidential election held on October 9, 2011 ahead of the next general election to be held in 2012..

The number of fully paid-up members and sympathisers has dipped.

There is no official records available at the moment way long after the presidential election to confirm the lost and the diminution of membership.

The smaller a party`s membership, the harder it is to campaign and fight elections. There were too many committee meetings ahead of the presidential election in what it was considered as dirty or draughty halls and a book rule.

John Fru Ndi has recognised after the results of the last presidential election that there is a real need for the party to become more welcoming and also to make it much easier to be an active Social Democratic Front member.

" People are hungry for change" said John Fru Ndi, before recognising that  " there is a real need of reaching out to supporters and bring them back in. The new party`s project wants to make people who have been for long and those who are still sceptical about the Social Democrat to listen to the Social Democrat again."

This is all about rebuilding the trust of the people of Cameroon. The national chairman has recognised that the party has " been badly defeated and people are demoralised and there is a sense in which the party has lost confidence in our voice as a party that can and will bring the change that its needed for a stronger, fairer and developed Cameroon."

Worries as Paul Biya " too tired" for Christmas

Speculation is growing over the future of Biya`s leadership after members of his close entourage have seen him increasingly tired.

The recent cancellation of his national tour after winning the last presidential election and many other meetings are listed as the direct consequence of the general state of health of the Head of State being " questionable".

Worries have been raised in the run up to this year`s gruelling two-weeks Christmas celebrations.

Those who have spent time with 78 year old Paul Biya report in secret and away from the ears of those in charge of the surveillance equipment and the security service, he was weaker than ever before and too fatigued to listen to what they were saying.

Those aware of his health condition have been dispatched from the presidential offices to run ministerial`s departments out of the inner circle of the "Boss" or the "Leader".

 A week ago before the new cabinet was made public, he started according to a source reducing the number of audience and he no longer meets individually with fixed appointment at his office. Others say he has lost his spark and no longer talks off the cuff.

Frail Biya is  expected to attend the Christmas Eve mass with his family and the location is still kept secret by the authorities.

The health worries raise questions about the future of his presidency. Before he became the oldest president ever re-elected age 78 after the last presidential election held in Cameroon in October 9, his close entourage said he has planned to retire to spent more time with his family and write in his native M`vomeka`a.


The President can step down under the constitution if the resignation is " freely made and properly manifested". Biya will then become the second Head of State in Cameroon after his predecessor to respect that.

Officials at the Civil Cabinet and the Communication department have denied a medical condition prompted the decision to cancel the national " Thank You" tour and reduce the number of individual appointment ahead of the festive period.

There are millions around the country waiting " passionately" the visit of the Head of State since his last reelection as the Cameroon`s President for the next 7 years.

Cameroon: Biya "fortifies" his power base

Almost 9 weeks have passed since Paul Biya "won" the last presidential election in Cameroon and has been also "declared" "winner" of the election even observers said there were numerous falsifications and rigging and the results do not reflect the people`s will.

Imperturbable and politically impervious, the national chairman of the main political party in Cameroon, the Cameroon People Democratic Movement has not yet decided who will be working or  will be called to join the cabinet. But according to the latest investigation, there are some movement on the way.

There are preparations on the way for the Cameroon`s ruling party to announce the formation of a new Cabinet which will include a number of new opposition parties.

It is extremely hard to see how in this event, Paul Biya would be able to justify any role of the newcomers in the Cabinet.

The move appeared to be aimed at bolstering support of President Paul Biya`s government in the wake of an unprecedented economic hardships and a growing number of leadershipsceptics in the party.

The shuffle will give ministerial posts to a number of opposition parties that formed the majority for the presidential coalition.

There is enough space here just for Paul Biya and his team to navigate his way through the formation of the new Cabinet that will fortify his power. He has played down losses by his party, CPDM, whose support dropped "sharply" from above 80% to just less than " reality" 75% of the vote.

The opposition will only grow, as will pressure for a real change of direction and improvement of the life of millions who are still leaving in deep poverty in many corners of the country.

Biya and his team will need all the political cover that his coalition with the new opposition parties affords. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said Washington and its allies for foreign Aid wanted Mr Paul Biya to make way for a Government ready to establish the rule of law and protect the right of all citizens.

CPDM in search for a " brave" man to lead the party

Pr Joseph Owona has accused Cameroon People Democratic Movement`s leadership hopefuls of lacking the courage to speak out on big issues.

The former general secretary of the presidency in Cameroon and Education minister has urged those in the secret race to be bolder on topics such as leadership alternative and corruption and to appeal more to the Cameroon public rather than focusing on the people who will choose the new leader.

Many today are battling to replace Paul Biya, who will be standing down following his long and disreputable reign as the national chairman of the party. Pr Maurice Kamto, Gilbert Tsimi Evouna, Laurent Marie Esso, Ibrahim Talba Malla, Rene Emmanuelle Sadi and Philipe Mbarga Mboa are on the race to become the next national chairman of the party.

But Joseph Owona said the contest has yet to attract much public interest and the party constitution should allow militants to express their views and also encourage them to stand for the leadership contest as long as they can show that they are capable of conducting the 26 year old party to a real democratization..

Pr Owona said, the potential candidates don`t have the courage to speak up loudly and boldly about the future of the country.

He then added that the new leader of the party had to be prepared to take on the country future. The constitutional debate has been dominated by the opposition. Paul Biya is bulldozing his way forward with very little resistance from the opposition.Under the leadership of Paul Biya it is like living with a quack doctor selling a miracle cure

Cameroon people want to know who can be the real alternative to Biya departure and also what the party can offer. The public is tired of the party leader just saying no to things.

Pr Joseph Owona declined to back any of the leadership hopefuls but said he believed they could lead the party to victory at the next general election. He added " Paul Biya is a formidable politician but the candidates should stop thinking about  what he has done in the past and focus on what they can bring to the country". The new leader priority should be to reconnect with the real Cameroon people and for a long time Cameroon has needed someone to lay the harsh economic and social facts of life on the table..

Cameroon: A new beginning for the country as Biya`s 29yr rule is nearly ended

President Paul Biya agreed to quit as national leader of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement, (CPDM) after a long 36 months of discussions, negotiations and proposals and directions to end his nearly 30-year forced and unwillingly grip on power.

Paul Biya signed an international backed deal, to open the position of the national chairman of the party to challenges and encourage others members with capacities and abilities to lead the party to the future. It`s understand that young people who are active and involved in political activities around the party have been encouraged to show their intention to be at the top of the party.

Ill-feeling over his high-handed attitude began slowly but over the past few months, has grown.

Now every day brings a demand for the date to be set, to bring it forward and above all to explain precisely what the decision would mean for the party and for the country.

There is also a call for women to come forward and prove that they have what it takes to take control of the vehicle and confront the future challenges for the country. The departure of Mr Biya will led to the implementation of the reforms on the functioning of the Central Committee and the Politburo or the "Bureau Politique" of the party.

 Throughout, the CPDM remains silent except to deliver its usual bluster and tell people everything will be all right on the night.

The international deal has been backed by the Us, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Germany, Japan. Only at the moment China has decided not to join that agreement for his deep knowledge of the country internal affairs.

This disagreement from China for the last 36 months has had a big impact on the country national economy and finances. There are fears the political environment will struggle to regain people confidence after Biya exit from politic. Some investors have been forced to almost halve investment to help generate the cash needed in case there is an instability situation.

 China`s politburo thinks that the forced departure of Paul Biya will lead to a threat to national unity and destroyed what Biya`s regime for the last 29 years has been built in past years.

The news of the deal sparked in Us, UK, Belgium, and France mass celebration from those in opposition. Celestin Ngoa, an exiled journalist based in Us said the departure of Biya will mark a very important beginning that will allow people in Cameroon the much needed hope they can embrace a new future.  Some voters know the country is not that in a too bad situation even it is in an almighty mess by the CPDM. They will probably forgive the failure to achieve one of the big three promises and even tolerate a regime that falls short on two fronts if things are heading in the right direction.

The Us and other world leaders had battled to get the 78 year old " Democrat-Dictator" to agree to the International cooperation deal that will protect the country unity and social stability.

In Scotland, Hugh O`Donnell, a former Liberal Democrat  Member of the Scottish Parliament who quit his party after the alliance signed between the Lib-Dem and Tories coalition government in London, described the deal as one of the " turning of a new page in the history of Cameroon and that those in charge will do everything now to help the country and create a much more lovable and stable country where it will be good to see growth and prosperity and less and less destruction and abuses" before adding that " it will be good to see investors and investments directed to the country where there will be a real democracy".

Biya agreed and backed out three times before finally signing the handover. Alain Bihapap, young leader of the political group based in Birmingham and totally in support of Biya regime do believe that nations that negotiated Paul Biya exit  have arranged that there won`t be any trouble after that.

But for Brice Nitcheu, political and human rights activist based in London, it is understand that, those world leaders are covering for his alleged crimes.

... In US, there are concerns about the military supreme council role and their ability of ruling the country in case there is any disagreement between the government and the opposition parties. For over 28 years the military supreme council had prevented the country to collapse.

Biya who has ruled the country since 1984, will be the second president in the history to be forced to handover the power.

Cameroon leader will step down as coalition deal struck in

Paul Biya, the embattled Cameroon Head of State could resign before the middle of his third term in power after he agreed to form a new national unity government. Mr Biya will lead for a short period of time the new government which could be sworn in within the next couple of weeks before the end of the year.

 According to the Cameroon constitution, the newly appointed Prime Minister will have the duty to form the new government and then will submit his first draft proposal to the Head of State for approval and then the President elected will have to officially confirm the new cabinet team. Philemon Yang,( photo down) was the mastermind of Paul Biya victory for October 9, 2011 presidential elections and there is no guaranteed information or a sign that he will keep his position in the cabinet as  Prime Minister and the Head of the Government.

But in Cameroon, the " luckiest" man is chosen  by a closed team of president`s advisors and then will be " forced" to work with a team of cabinet`members in which " he" has no real power of control on them except the " supervision" power of the daily government business. At the end it is Paul Biya who is the only " accountable" and " responsible" and the one to share and wear the blame of any government policy failure.

 Last week in Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, Paul Biya, according to an insider sources, held secret crisis talks with some opposition leaders and  they will meet again next week to discuss the finer details of the new national unity government.

There are new comers in politic that will join the cabinet and some old faces as well to help implement the new government agenda for the next 7 years.

 Some will have to prepare the next year general elections. Acho Bernard Muna could be the next Justice secretary or the Justice minister to join the cabinet and Garga Haman , could make a come back in the government with a secret mandate to rebuild a strong union with the North and the Far North region of the country behind Paul Biya.

 At the moment it is not clear how long the acting Prime Minister Philemon Yang will last as head of the government. A coalition of opposition parties represented in the Parliament is already in discussion to name his replacement. It sounds like a difficult task for them as they have no real power at all in the Parliament and could only " suggest" who could be the " best man" to lead the new national unity government.

 It is believe that France, Us, Britain, China, Japan, Italy and Israel had given Paul Biya until the end of November 2011 to explain how it will form a unity government so it can receive the " financial support that is crucially needed to boost the national level of investment and create growth and wealth in Cameroon for at least the next 5 years..". 

The new government could secure the social and political stability in the country and avoid any organised strike action from the unions and a new year of discontent in Cameroon. 

This year will mark the end of British existing bilateral commitments in Cameroon,but the coalition government in Britain  will continue to support Cameroon through the UK`s increasing share of the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Commission  and other multilateral programming. 

The UK still have all eyes on the country forestry sector as it is considered as " vitally" by the government and also for the future generations. Paul Biya insisted last week he has enough support to pass urgent reforms to fight off financial, political and social disaster the country could be heading to in the next couple of months. 

In the Parliament, the Cameroon People Democratic Movement, Paul Biya`s party has the number to " push through measures he promises will rein in new encouraging and decisive initiative for the future of the country". 

The crisis of corruption between members of the " Bureau Politique" and " Central Committee" of the party and the regime, the members of the previous governments, the police, and the Army has brought huge reverses for the entire regime in Cameroon...It is time to act now or there is a real risk that the whole country could be pulled into a social and financial storm.

Cameroon to lose British-Aid for his anti-gay legislation

In Cameroon homosexuality is a criminal offence. Britain now has decided that British aid to Third World countries will be slashed if they persecuted gays.

 Cameroon is at risk of losing dozen of  millions of pounds of taxpayers  cash for the development and improvement of his justice system and its  independence, because it has been funded by the British government under a cooperation program.

David Cameron made the announcement during a meeting last week in Perth with leaders of the Commonwealth. Cameron`s position is that if no reforms are made to the constitution in order to respect people freedom of choice and human rights then no aid to be sent to the country.

The Prime Minister said taxpayers`cash would only be handed out with strings attached in future. The move will help according to some political analysts, to appease Tory backbenchers angry that foreign aid is going up as public services are facing cuts.

In some African countries, homosexuality is a criminal offence. Many gays around African countries members of the Commonwealth where homosexuality is a criminal offence are being persecuted, then prosecuted and jailed under unfair trail and some even killed or burnt alive by a bunch of  so called anti-gays criminals.

In Cameroon  homosexuality is a criminal offence and punished by the law. 

The country still using an old legislation inherited from the French and had never ever decided to bring a real change in that law while in France the same law has been improved and new ideas have been brought in. 

In France with the same law, gay men are allowed to live their live as everybody else and enjoy their life, while in Cameroon they are being persecuted and prosecuted. The English speaking Cameroon side of the country now might have the opportunity to push forward their French  fellow compatriots to rewrite that law in order to keep their relationship and ties with Britain.

The Prime Minister David Cameron said he hoped that withholding financial help would encourage governments to look at ways to bring a real change in their constitution in order to allow people to express their feeling and also to respect the Human rights.

Alice Nkom a female attorney took the lead long time ago in Cameroon to fight and challenge the law in order to protect the rights of the gay men accused by the government of  being in breach of the law. Alice Nkom is pushing for a change of the law that will enable gay men in Cameroon to enjoy their life as millions like them around the world do. She successfully won a legal battle against the government will of keeping in prison 17 gay man accused of breaking the law by practising the homosexuality. 

Recently she launched a Facebook campaign to raise the awareness of the brutality of the behaviour that the government in Cameroon was using to intimidate gay men and also to crack down their activities around the country to the International community. She is looking for a support in order to bring that real change needed in Cameroon in order to change the law.

Commonwealth Summit 2011: Paul Biya`s private meeting request with the Queen, rejected

The incumbent Cameroon President, Paul Biya has guaranteed himself a third term by winning more than 70% of the vote in Sunday October 9`s presidential elections. It is the third widest victory margin since the country`s return to the fake democracy in 1992.

 In a sign of his confidence, the 78 year-old has made a request to be received by the Queen Elizabeth II in Perth in Australia during the summit on Friday 28 October, unfortunately according to an insider from the Clarence House the private meeting with the Queen has been denied and rejected .

This is the second time that Buckingham Palace has refused to offer private meeting between Paul Biya and the Queen. Human rights abuses, violation of the Press Freedom and unlawful and arbitrary arrest and incarceration  of former ministers  without fair trials and killings or disappearance of dissidents may be some of issues Buckingham Palace need some clarifications....

 The Queen will personally preside the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Perth, Australia on Friday 28th October 2011, where 54 heads of government will attend the event. While the economy will be top of mind from 54 Commonwealth countries, Human Rights and development issues are also expected to dominate the agenda..

This time again Paul Biya has designated Yang Philemon, the head of Government as his representative at the summit after Trinidad and Tobago summit. There is no official confirmation from Yaounde if Paul Biya has renewed his intention to have a private meeting with the Queen in order to discuss the progress of the long relationship between both countries and also the last presidential elections and the future of the country.

 Britain has supported the process of the implementation of the independence of the judicial system in Cameroon and also helped the organisation of the  presidential elections and the 2012 legislative and municipal elections  by providing hundreds of  transparent ballot boxes as well.

 There are conflicting informations about the publication of the final results of the presidential election. A coalition of leaders of the opposition parties has decided to protest against what they call " a rigged election and a violation of the constitution and also the non respect of the people demands...", That coalition held a press conference on Monday 15th October in Yaounde in order to express " their collective anger against Biya`s regime and the lost of people`s aspiration for a real change and democracy..". 

As Human rights and the respect of democracy will dominate the agenda of the summit in Australia, Paul Biya might have just decided not to attend and give another opportunity to the his Prime Minister Philemon Yang  to lead the Cameroon delegation at the Summit and avoid to face the media scrutiny about the recent presidential elections in Australia. In Perth, the Prime Minister will have the opportunity to meet the British Prime Minister David Cameron and renegotiate the Head of State intention to meet the Queen in a private meeting.

Biya according to some officials will continue to strike a conciliatory tome he has done throughout the campaign, calling for a national unity after the coalition of opposition leaders has decided to take control of the streets by organising sit-in and demo amid his intention to continue with the expansionist economic policies and reforms that brought him " a controversial victory". For many others millions, around 22% of those who didn`t voted for him, they are just demanding his resignation as President and the end of his dictatorial regime.

 Britain has followed with interest the last presidential elections and the coalition government has not yet made an official reaction after Biya`s re-election.

Call for Cameroon to show fight for the future

The opposition is no longer considered  a serious party of government in Cameroon and its risks becoming a permanent irrelevance, according to a former deputy general secretary of the presidency.

Next Sunday, October 9 will be another strong test for the opposition in Cameroon to see if its can pull off an unprecedented victory in the presidential election, clearing the way for the first time in the history of a change of direction in the governance.

 Despite calls for civil disobedience from activists in exile in the Us, Uk, Belgium and France, around 7.5-9 millions of voters in Cameroon will not miss their Sunday service before heading to the thousands of polling station to make their choice.

Paul Biya warned Cameroon it was now facing a fresh and deep social contract crisis, but urged it to conjure up the calls for civil disobedience and election boycott and to show the world some fight. Fight against the spirit  " of   the devil of division"

 For this time, the calls for civil disobedience that is normally the refusal by ordinary people in Cameroon to obey laws and pay taxes in order to protest about something or try to persuade the government to change its policies, will be against Paul Biya regime. Chief Mila Assoute, on of the presidential candidate disqualified by the government body in charge of the organisation of the presidential election, " Elecam", called Cameroon Elections, has called for a non-violent demonstration against Paul Biya and his " tyrannical rule". Bello Bouba, leader of the Undp and member of the coalition government has seen his influence in the Parliament largely reduced.

According to the former deputy general secretary for the presidency in Cameroon, Rene Owona, " the opposition uncertainty is the biggest threat to the implementation of the real democracy in Cameroon and leaders must have to bring internal change and accept leadership challenging before even starting to look at ways to bring more or recruit more and more members to their own political party".

 This presidential election will become a proof that tyrannical rule will not be accepted indefinitely by oppressed public. Jean Jacques Ekindi, former " lion hunter" for ages is back to the Parliament with a single seat with one goal, to oust Mr Biya from the presidency. He will  need  a support of almost 200 Mps to win that battle.

Even thought the entire country will be on high alert according to internal sources close to the secret police and the Home Office, in order to avoid any disturbance, or hijacking movement by some " anarchists" mainly from opposition groups and even from the government strategic group of action according to some local newspapers, the government has decided to use to full force of the law to fight against any attack to the property or any demonstration on the streets.

Taking control of Cameroon in 1984 on a wave of popular support, Paul Biya promised to bring peace and reconciliation  to a country divided after a failed plot to remove him from the power. 29 years on, Paul Biya merely tightened his grip on power and carried out a brutal suppression of any opposition to his rule and government.

Amid allegations of intimidation and torture, Paul Biya has been able to stifle any political opposition.In place in Cameroon there is a body of ruthless men to carry out  Biya`s orders and the dirty one is done by military elite and the secret police is there to coordinate all the action leaving the opposition with a limited margin of manoeuvre and action.

The Cameroon people Union one the first opposition party created under the French domination and to become official has been dismantled.

The Social Democratic Front and the Southern Cameroon National Council have suffered the same, but with different level of official recognition and public support. Paul Biya has crushed anyone who defied him.

Adamu Ndam, former government minister has been sacked by Paul Biya and now in control of the city of Foumban, West-Cameroon as the mayor.

 We see with Biya, and others leaders of the main political opposition parties the rise of the modern totalitarism despot who combined the growing appeal of nationalism with that of a new political ideology to bind the people to his wishes.

There is a real concern with these unrecognised, disorganised  and uncoordinated calls for civil disobedience and a unconvinced creation of transitional government. These are not really different with what George Orwell, the English author and journalist  said when he wrote " Power is not a means, It is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution. One makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship" 

But it is clear that growing discontent over Cameroon is driving social justice and the opposition lacks a tradition of strong democratic government, and retains a history of internal ethnic conflict. It is time now for the opposition in Cameroon to show a real fight for the future.

Can a " divided opposition" write a new chapter for Cameroon?

The question of which opposition leader will face Paul Biya in next week presidential election has been blown wide open, after the main opposition leader will have to face his previous campaign director, Bernard Muna who is now considered as the " heavyweight opposition candidate" to enter the race.

Ni John Fru Ndi, leader of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), the main opposition party with seats in the parliament looked in danger of becoming the latest contender to see his campaign disturbed by his brother Bernard Muna, from the English speaking Cameroon. Fru Ndi is the only opposition leader who has been since 1992 the close rival of Paul Biya and since then has lost and regained his popularity on the ground.

Paul Biya still leading the party 26 years after his last controversial presidential election in 2007 and " expected usual victory". This is a far better moment for Paul Biya and the Cameroon People Democratic Movement (CDPM) party than seemed possible in 2008 when a stunned and somewhat hostile group of politic bureau watched the national chairman amend a provision of the constitution to allow him to run again in 2011 for presidency in Cameroon. Paul Biya has survived since 2008 and even won some of his critics.

Is Paul Biya making a real impact on the country at large? The polls, tough, showed that his " performance" wasn`t noticed by the opposition in general. Next week election is CPDM`s chance to get once more public attention where a large number of the population has no access to proper and clean water and enough food to eat, where there are no jobs, youth unemployment is rising, police and military police still harassing and abusing people, corruption and embezzlement still at the heart of the administration and the country, soaring prices and less is being done to stop or to fight against that situation.

Paul Biya and his contenders are all hunting for policies to appeal to the 85% of the population who no longer feel that the government care about them and also think about alleviating the suffering and the poverty in which they have been left with no option and alternative and is scared and worried about the future.

 About jobs creation, Paul Biya is the only one to make his political campaign announcement whilst opposition leaders have nothing at the moment to offer except that all contenders today are promising to break the closed circles of Cameroon.

It is true that Cameroon had reached the time and a moment where the entire rule-book had to be changed. John Fru Ndi from the SDF, Adamu Ndan Njoya for the UDC, Jean Jacques Ekindi, Bello Bouba Maigari from the UNDP are the only leaders with representatives in the parliament today whilst others have never ever won a single seat in the House. 19 contenders for the presidency race have never won a popular vote and today just seek to convince voters that they can bring that change, million are expecting in Cameroon.

Opposition leaders and Paul Biya are all in the same time promising a " new bargain in Cameroon economic and finance system and on the sustainable development strategies" and to ensure responsibility from top to bottom. But it is time now to break up vested interests that hold the country back...All of them today want and aspire to write a new chapter for Cameroon...

Biya is abandoning young people

Unemployment is rising. Jobs fall. The attractiveness of education rises but the government has refused to lift the cap on the number of jobs to create.With a financial capability to create at least 1 million over his 28 years in power, only 25 000  jobs position were politically created. Biya`s administration has failed to secure young people future.

Young people today in Cameroon who are unemployed are on the edge to go out on the street, with the inevitable effect of disruption, troubles, uprising and possible riots. 

 Young people who had the least to do with causing economic and financial instabilities are now paying the highest price.

Biya`s regime protected the army generals and their close relatives and those who steal from the government and many of them, especially ex-government ministers diverted cfa tens of  billions while writing off the young. It has abandoned a generation of potential hard working young people.

The supply of young people graduated from state owned universities and private has grown while demand for them in the jobs market has totally collapsed under Biya`s previous governments. 

The real risk today in Cameroon is that if the government cannot show any ability to deliver and youngsters who think or could imagine they had no opportunities, then they will have no option than to react very angrily and take over the streets to express their anger against the government.

The next government or whosoever will be elected in October Cameroon next president will need new policies targeting young people and also they must reduce the cap on university fees so young people are or will be in education rather than on the streets without a purpose.

Acho Muna in pledge to stop Biya`s regime

Bernard Acho Muna since the 28th  of May 2011 has vowed to block Biya plans to run again for president in Cameroon deepening a bitter row within the divided opposition coalition. 

He portrayed himself as the Cameroon Nelson Mandela who came in power and just complete one term in the office after been released from prison. Mandela is 20 years older than him and taking his credentials for a campaign in a country like Cameroon where now more and more are hoping for a younger head of state rather than another " old man" in power could be complicated for his campaign team.

 But Bernard has never been a political prisoner in Cameroon and even detained for his views as well. 72 year old Barrister in law and former Deputy Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and also former president of the Cameroon Bar association said  the ruling party ( CPDM) has used the political machine of the one party state to deny Cameroon a genuinely free society underpinned by free and fair elections, the respect of all aspects of human rights and an independent judiciary..

His comments came after the launch of his website campaign where the team is looking for donation in order to run the campaign and produce the campaign material. 

Son of the former Cameroon speaker of the House under the former ruling single party Cameroon National Union, Salomon Tandeng Muna, the barrister in law promised if elected as president of Cameroon, to draw up a new constitution and carry out needed reforms in the administration of the nation and taking in consideration the specificities of the multi-ethnic-tribal-cultural society that Cameroon is. 

According to him such constitution which shall be adopted by the people by way of referendum shall specifically contain a provision that shall oblige any change or amendment of constitution to be equally effected by way of another referendum.

There is no plan or intention of nationalize industries or companies that are operated in the country also no information about where the money for this plan will come from. Will he renegotiate all the previous agreements signed by the constitutional outgoing president and his government, there is no sign of answers for this questions.

If elected the former Deputy Chief Prosecutor will lead a government of transition for a period of single term of office during a period of five year and shall not seek re-election or to renew his hold of office as president of the Republic of Cameroon

Acho Muna has a plan and the question is when are we going to see this really implemented in the country where there is lack of indication on where the money will come from or even where and how the government under him will create financial gain to motivate the country economic and financial system .For the moment there is no information about how many political parties have endorsed his candidacy for the presidential election.

And also the political process and vision of his party are totally different from the main " anglophone" or English speaking leading political parties in Cameroon with the Social Democratic Front and the Southern Cameroon National Council who are fighting for the division between the British Cameroon and the French Cameroon.

This is just the beginning of a huge interesting political battle in Cameroon where the game has already been played behind closed doors..

Helping Cameroon to succeed is Britain`s cause too

The foreign secretary William Hague rushed out a statement before the next presidential election official campaign open next month, pledging to take coordinated action where necessary to prevent serious disruption before and after the election in Cameroon.

If authorities in Cameroon do not observe fundamental rights and reform, they will lose in the long term and so may Britain, warned Hague.

William Hague said " we support democracy, human rights and economic freedom because they are universal.." and " the idea of freedom cannot be confined behind bars, however strong the lock.

 There will be no long-term stable future for the country without political and economic reform, which will not be achieved without support from the outside world"

For those in opposition, the foreign secretary reminded them that the absence of quick and easy answers does not mean that there is a comforting alternative available to patient and determined engagement with the country.

Britain recognizes that it is indisputably the legitimate right of the people of Cameroon to use peaceful means to demand greater political and economic freedom, although what this will mean in practice will vary markedly from region to region. It is also strongly in our interest,  said the foreign secretary, that " Cameroon `s people aspirations are fulfilled and also that Britain must do what its can to help the country become more democratic over time, because our fortune is linked to it as thousands  of  British jobs are linked to trade  and commerce with the wider Central Africa region and the country "

The UK-coalition government " will not stay silent where repressive regime seek to crush legitimate aspirations from the population, but will press for necessary, legal actions to hold them account". Britain, concluded the foreign secretary, " will continue to work and lead other international action at the G8, EU and UN and to offer practical support to reforming governments through our own Africa Partnership Initiative."

 

Call to scrap Cameroon`s human rights and freedoms watchdog

Cameroon`s human rights and freedoms watchdog should be scrapped because it contributes very little to meaningful equality and human rights promotion in the country. Lots still to be done and CFA millions spent on luxuries whilst human rights abuses are rising in an appalling situation..and no place to create a fairer Cameroon.

In a report, the civil society group. ACAT-Cameroon, says that the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms cost CFA millions a year to run. It also accused the commission of using statistics in an illogical way and of a narrow approach to social policy which is neither reasonable nor useful.

But Dr Divine Chemuta Banda, the chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms rejected the claims and said its job is to start a debate on issues where we could see better outcomes for people suffering unfair disadvantages.

Based on Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, local human rights activists groups  insist that torture is never legitimate and that the dignity of all human beings must be respected.

The fight against torture has been responsible for the creation of the National Commission and therefore according to the local and international human rights group, and the failure of Dr Divine Banda`s administration to protect those who have been abused by the authorities should then force the total scrap of that government agency and save taxpayer some money....

The commission has failed to defend  all victims of torture and ill-treatment, both prisoners of conscience or common law, whether held by state or non-state entities.

In its report ACAT-Cameroon.described the commission`s goal of equality as impractical, saying it wishes that life outcomes be entirely divorced from politics. Since an editor died in prison in Cameroon, no independent report has been made public and the Commission has failed to act.

Lagarde to be " investigated" by court

The newly-elected head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, is to face a judicial inquiry into whether she was wrong to approve a large out of court settlement to a controversial French businessman Bernard Tapie.

Close supporter of Nicolas Sarkozy, Bernard Tapie was paid according to sources from the team in charge of the judicial inquiry, £249m from the French state in 2008 to settle a decade long court battle with the bank Credit Lyonnais, but a court has ruled that Lagarde`s decision should be investigated over concerns that she ignored expert advice.

In 2008 Christine Lagarde was the acting French Finance minister and Tapie was  the chairman of the football club Olympique de Marseille when the deal was passed between the French businessman and the state represented by the former French finance minister Christine Lagarde.

 Lagarde who was speaking last night after a meeting with Jean Claude Trichet in an attempt to calm fears over the debt crisis by announcing a return to its bond buying programme, confirmed that if there is or would be any judicial inquiry against her she will seek advice from her legal department and then she will comply totally with the inquiry without damaging the work that she is doing within the International Monetary Fund in dealing with the debt crisis within the Eurozone.

Camair-Co revenue falls as customers leave

Camair-Co lost a net number of customers in the second quarter but continued its upward revenue momentum, with tickets sales growing under 3% to an estimated less than £ 150m..and as it struggles against strong performances at its rivals and a reputation for poor customer service. Its revenue decreased 5%. The company does not disclose its profits until interim results in October. 

Camair-Co are not really a good team player company in the aviation business world as they are reluctant to provide financial information when asked to do so.

Its average revenue per user rose to £25 a month. The Cameroon national airlines company reported smaller losses for the first half of the year, boosted by more passengers demands for travelling.

Demands for travelling is growing but actually many more prefer to use Air France-KLM rather to travel with the company.

There are losses made in pre-tax and the management is willing to change that by offering more and more exciting and attractive tickets cost.

Air France-KLM losses widen after the company posted a £186.5m net loss for the quarter on July 27 as fuel bills rose and it took a knife to plans to offer more seats next winter amid mounting fears over the Eurozone debt crisis.

In the other hand regarding the fuel bills rising, Camair-Co appears reluctant of providing information about losses as the company also has been affected and badly affected by the fuel bills rising.

Europe`s largest airline by revenue said its operating loss widened from a year ago to less than £120m but predicted it would still be able to eke out a positive result for the year.

Revenue rose 8.7% to£7.028bn and passenger traffic rose 9.4%. But turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East and the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis all combined to cause £ 113m in losses.

Camair-Co will be opening new destinations in order to increase revenue and also to improve the company financial capability.

  At the moment as one of the company`s mission is  to change the landscape of the air transport in Cameroon, in Africa and in the rest of the world, the management doesn`t seem to communicate too much even one of the insider said that the group recurring operating profit would still be higher than last year`s level for the year as a whole, helped by  a productivity improvement plan.

Camair-Co need to buy a specialist travel group in order to boost their revenue and that could also generate more money in from its international operations...

Paul Biya must breathe new life into his government

Paul Biya has lost his political virginity on scandal and corruption. There are more ex-government ministers in jail from his several previous government than there were during the first ever " democratic" elected "  former president", El Hadji Amadu Ahidjio.

Close relatives of the former Cameroonian Head of State, revealed once that, he had in private told them that " Your senses and decision-making are upended, tossed about on the waves of some fresh revelation until you fear that you will never get to calmer waters".

This was when he was told about corruption allegations where some of the government ministers were deeply involved and most of them were his close ones.

The country has shown just little intention of getting ride of the corruption after Transparency International 2000`s annual report put the country ahead of those who made no single effort to fight against corruption.

 There are policies in place. But in reality less is being done to fight against corruption and embezzlement.  Cameroon has long projected an image of itself since year 2000 as a paragon of good governance and the rule of law.

After his three days official visit to China where he renewed a 40 years old cooperation between both countries, Paul Biya now must face the reality.

As he prepares to head off with his family on private holiday in a couple of weeks time, his government battered and bruised by the turmoil over corruption. Paul Biya has always been pleased with how he managed to salvage a situation that at any time can spiralling out of control.

He is that charismatic showman able to shake off shackles threatening him with doom. Paul Biya of course had people such as Pr Jacques Fame Ndongo, Rene Sadi, Gregoire Owona, Bello Bouba Maigari, Isa Tchirouma Bakary who are never afraid to throw themselves on a microphone to defend the government and the Head of State action.

 But today there is a dearth of confident and combative performance in the government`s upper ranks, a problem that needs to be addressed rapidly before the next presidential election. Everything is done to hampering its ability to get across its message.

 In this situation, the Prime Minister needs a pugnacious party  chairman to tour broadcasting studios, on-line magazine and print press in a crisis.There is unlikely to be an immediate reshuffle, although the promotion of new faces would strengthen the government.

 Paul Biya strongly believes in keeping people in post for longer than has been the case in recent political history. Biya has only two months left after his holiday break to think about reinvigorate his government, armed with a renewed sense of purpose, bold new reforms and possibly even......
Paul Biya needs to review his policies and reshuffle the ministers charged with delivering them...

Cameroon`s opposition threatens million-strong protest to stop Biya`regime winning power

Secularists in power in Cameroon say they are not yet ready for a change in power and regime....

Cameroon activists are threatening to bring mass pro-real-democracy protests and call for a regime changed in Yaounde, with a million-strong occupation of " Rond-point de la Poste Centrale" in September unless the ruling coalition government and his " Fidelity and Honour " strong and heavily armed, army generals abandon their current " road map" to Cameroon future or a new vision for the country...

In an increasingly rancorous debate which has developed into a proxy underground war between the nation`s secular political forces and a coalition of newcomers, that describe  themselves as liberal and modernists, opposition and human rights campaigners have joined forces to demand that plans to hold elections in October  are dropped and that the coalition government should the election register to all who are eligible and can vote to register before the end of the legal procedure of registration...

Campaigners fear the existing underground and unofficial post Biya transition programme will just be a continuation of the same regime without any change and that programme might cede permanent power to the army.

Cameroonians will not remain silent on attempts by an irrelevant elite to impose a liberal secular regime on the people, said Celestin Bedzigui  the former president of the " Party pour l`Alliance Liberal" Pal that has emerged long time with the Undp..." The National Union for Democracy and Progress" led by Bello Bouba Maigari.

Whoever wins the next presidential elections is going to play a major role in writing a new constitution and they are therefore going to play a major in shaping the political foundations of the new Cameroon.

Concerns are mountains that a raft of new political parties, including many claiming to represent the " revolutionary women and youth movement" that helped in the last couple of months to dismantle and to reduce the influence and the popularity of the opposition in some regions of the country have no even completed the formal party registration process yet and will be in no position to mount a successful appeal for votes by October this year..

The coalition government is clearly ready for the elections now. The main political party in the coalition government is been ready for long time whereas the newcomers who have not participate in the political process under Biya`s regime are not and still looking to recruit voters and sympathisers around the country...

Cameroon, another failed States in the "danger " zone...

 With a flurry of elections hitting Africa this year, Cameroon is one of the many countries where things could get lively, may be too lively.

From the new Failed States Index, three African states -- Somalia, Chad, and Sudan -- once again top this year's Failed States Index, the annual ranking prepared by the Fund for Peace and published by FOREIGN POLICY of the world's most vulnerable countries.

Cameroon from that report scored 94.6 compare to last year and occupied the 24 rank from 26th. That means that the country is doing less effort to improve democracy and accountability and the country is listed on the danger zone.


But there are young political leaders and activists who think that, there is another way of bringing the change to all this. Jean Blaise Gwet former CEO and businessman now running for the presidency. Talking on the phone he said that he will renegotiate all the previous cooperation agreement that the government has signed with former imperialists.

Jean Blaise said that there is a fundamental need of change and also of reviewing all the agreements that the country signed long time ago with foreign donors so that the country could be able to benefit from this and no to continue to act as a beggar and not a donors as well.

Gwet believes that the country has the potential to change and to improve governance and also move into the world market with new faces and real motivation rather than to stay stuck or stagnant. He also call those who are in exile to come back and join to fight for a real change and help the country to become the real " Indomitable Lions" on economic and growth in Africa.

The new edition of the index draws on some 130,000 publicly available sources to analyze 177 countries and rate them on 12 indicators of pressure on the state during the year 2010 -- from refugee flows to poverty, public services to security threats.

Taken together, a country's performance on this battery of indicators tells us how stable -- or unstable -- it is.
And the latest results show how much the 2008 economic crisis and its ripple effects everywhere, from collapsing trade to soaring food prices to stagnant investment, are still haunting the world.


Kenya moved out of the top 15, showing that the country continues to recover from its bloody post-election ethnic warfare of recent years. Liberia and East Timor, wards of the United Nations, largely stayed out of trouble.

But Haiti, already a portrait of misery, moved up six places on the index, battered and struggling to cope with the aftermath of January 2010's tragic earthquake, which left more than 300,000 dead. Another former French colony, Ivory Coast, rejoined the top 10, grimly foreshadowing its devastating post-election crisis this year, while fragile Niger leap four spots amid a devastating famine.


It's the year of the African election, with 27 countries scheduled to hold presidential, legislative, or local polls throughout 2011. And as much as elections can contribute to democratic progress, in the immediate term they can often be a flash point for conflict.

Recent examples abound: The Ivory Coast was thrown into a four-month crisis when its outgoing president, Laurent Gbagbo, refused to accept the victory of his opponent, President Alassane Ouattara. Uganda's incumbent President Yoweri Museveni won reelection in February, but the opposition has cried foul and his inauguration was marred by violent protests.

In regional giant Nigeria, post-election violence killed as many as 800 people. Sudan's closely watched referendum in January on an independent southern state was surprisingly free of bloodshed, but the country continues to hover on the brink of new violence.

Cameroon is on a critical constant   watch by  US, France, UK, China, Canada, Japan. UAE and many more countries...and there is a huge accumulated frustration among many section of the Cameroonian public over the slow pace of reform since the last election in 2004. There has been particular anger over the perceived lack of accountability for the old regime.

Cameroon elections 2011: New talks with the Southern Cameroon National Council

Obama`a administration will resume discretionary contact with the Southern Cameroon National Council. This has been put on hold by Bush`s administration because of the frequent instability of the leadership of the group.

The move is likely to upset France and its US supporters who have deep misgivings about the Southern Cameroon National Council. a movement founded  in the early 1990s in Cameroon, the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) is an Anglophone separatist organization.

The SCNC advocates the secession of the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest provinces from the mostly French-speaking remainder of Cameroon.

 The group has been outlawed by the Cameroonian government.

But since Paul Biya brought what it stand today as a kind of " democracy" in cameroon where mbers of the movement are frequently arrested and detained for " illegal activism" and also " unauthorised actvity" in the entire territory, the southern cameroon national council is seen as a major force in forthcoming elections.

One of the Secretary of State advisors, portrayed the administration`s decision as a continuation of an earlier policy, but according to him, it reflects a subtle shift in that US officials will be able to deal directly with officials of the Scnc who are not yet recognised officially as members of an authorized political party, but who are all cameroonian citizens.

A spokewoman from the Secretary of State, said that " it is in the interests of the United States to engage with all parties that are peaceful and committed to non-violence". But government official said that the " Southern Cameroon National Council`s action is to divide a unite country and this is something that the government will fight against and will not permit anyone to divide the country". 

Nfor  Ngala Nfor, the acting vice-chairman and the self proclaimed president of the new country, the English cameroon, Frederick Alobwede Ebong are the main figure of the english speaking cameroonian who are in favor of the seceesion of the One country.

Britain in " secret " talks with opposition leaders in Cameroon

Britain led the way to negotiation  talks with opposition leaders in Cameroon ahead of the next presidential election to be held later this year.

But negotiation with people who have been inactive in the  opposition for a long period of time  can be very distasteful and also unproductive.

Prime Minister David Cameron and the Foreign secretary persuaded Obama`s administration and France that negotiations  were the right forward to help Cameroon not to fall into trouble and political and social instability after the results of the presidential election.

 One of the close advisors of the Foreign secretary William Hague admitted a deal could  mean swallowing "distasteful things" and risk outrage among army generals  and the families of those who have been abused by the current regime and also those who have benefited from it.

But the Foreign secretary entourage believes that the realistic and practical people of Britain will accept an end to the long standing regime of President Biya will be the best way to safeguard the unity and the stability of the country.

Officially no government minister has confirmed the information that Britain is in " secret" talks with opposition leaders based in the North and South West of Cameroon, representing the " British Cameroon"

There are words that the UK coalition government is connected to what happens in Cameroon and it will assist where it can and also strongly supportive of it.

People in Cameroon have a strong desire of change and they are ready to do whatever it takes to have that change and make it happens by using the democratic ways, that`s means the election, Britain has been in Cameroon for so many years because of the economic interest that links both country.

British people have a good strong sense about democracy, human rights, tolerance, change, alternative, reforms  and they want to see as much as the same happening in Cameroon where people are free to choose who they want and really want to me the next president of the country.

 The Cameroon government must also do more to provide answers to people desire and needs by reducing the extreme poverty and fighting against the corruption.

Britain`s clandestine action and effort is being run by specialist advisors over which the foreign secretary William Hague has overall control. No official speeches have been given about this action. Britain has worked hard behind the scenes and will continue to.

The real objectiveness here is to have all parties proposal about the future of the country after the election and also how to bring back those who have been put aside because of their views against the president of the government.

At the moment it is too far early to give any updates on the progress of these " secret talks". Opposition in Cameroon has suffered heavy losses, certainly in the last 15 years and  the work of British diplomats and development workers in the last 7 years according to service users in Cameroon is absolutely outstanding.

Ivorian plea for the Unity of the country

To understand the Ivorian crisis it is also important to understand how the crisis is portrayed and hence perceived by different actors and  their followers. 

An external reading of the crisis might place particular emphasis on the division between a disenfranchised Muslim North and the more affluent Christian and animist South. 

This  reading is confirmed by the principal political players, Alassane Ouattara, a Muslim from the North, and Laurent Gbagbo, an evangelical Christian from the South.

 This reading is also favored by the Young Patriots (Jeunes Patriotes) who have painted the image of a rebellion dominated by Dioulas and foreigners in their vast majority Muslim. In order to help people in Glasgow to fully understand what is happening or has happened in Ivory Coast, bizarrely the Ivorian community in Glasgow deeply in their division after the presidential election has organised two events on Saturday June 11. 

While Alassane Ouattara supporters under the Ivorio-Panafrican Association of Glasgow, have invited friends and sympathisers to celebrate what they called, " The Past, Present and Future of Ivory Coast, Together as one, the members of the Young patriots on their side have organised a conference to reflect about  the " Insight into the Ivorian crisis".

 In order to give their own side of the story about the Ivorian crisis, members of the Ivorian Popular Front,  have invited from London, Mrs Djah Rachel, Marie France Gore and Sidonie. All of them were unanimously angry and upset against what France, Germany and Us have done to their country.

 They said that " French and Us ambassadors in the Ivory Coast invited the chairman of the electoral commission to Ouattara`s headquarters, at l`Hotel du Golf where he solely declare him as a winner of the election..". 

This was followed by a recorded video of CBS news it was clearly said that " France and Germany have organised a soft coup d`Etat in Ivory Coast". Some unverified videos footage were shown as a proof of atrocities that have been committed in the country.

 It is said that both side have committed atrocities and they should accountable. Patriot are not yet ready to share a bare of chocolate with republican even they all said that they are going to work for the Unity of the country and unite Ivorian. 

Those female political activists are calling for all Panafricanists and nationalists to rise against the imperialism in modern time and to join force to fight against the old agreement rule and cooperation between the West and Africa. 

It is time they said, Africa must stand firm and speak with one voice. They have launched a revolutionary work pledging to support all those who want to work for the unity of the country even they are not yet ready for compromises.

On the other side of the city, Republican were celebrating the winning of the election and talking about the future of the country and how they would work for the unity. Time by now is and will be for both sides a great healer and it will be for a great benefit for all that Ivory Coast get back on tract. 

Biya to be crowned " unchallenged" at the fourth extraordinary congress to be held in July

The fourth extraordinary congress of the Cameroon People`s Democratic Movement to be held next 16th or 23th July 2011 in Yaounde will see Biya, national president crowned as the "king". The crown is the monarchy, regarded as an institution concerned with the government of a country rather than as an individual.

 It will be the coronation of a leader of a corrupt government in a country in which more than 65% of the population is still struggling to get food on the table for the family, while less than 20% is siphoning the country wealth. It is clear that after 29 years in control, power and wealth have corrupted Paul Biya.

By appointing Rene Emmanuel Sadi as the general secretary of the CPDM, the national president was looking for a dynamic and driven and experienced senior executive to take on one of the most exciting and challenging positions in Cameroon politics.

 But that wasn`t the case, as Rene Emmanuel Sadi didn`t fit those criteria and has just been referred  by relatives from the first lady, Chantal Biya  entourage.

 Rene might be experienced but not dynamic as nothing in the structure and the functional party is working properly.

 He has been called there at the general secretary in order to provide the organisational leadership and vision to the party and also to ensure that the party is fit and ready to fight election. He was been around the country visiting councils and local committees where the party has a great influence and also  is facing a rude challenge from the opposition.

 Where Rene has never been able to bring a real change in the heavy functional machine of the party is making sure the party has sound finances and is generating sufficient levels of income. The party has never published his financial report after the last extraordinary congress held five years ago.

Emmanuel works closely with senior politicians and stakeholders on a day-to-day basis trying to deliver political and organisational strategies. The general secretary of the central committee hold a great discretionary power within government ministers and chief executive officers for state own companies.

 Sadi has never organised a fundraising for the party and the only way to re float the party cash flow is sending compulsory sponsoring letters to state own companies for their participation to the party activities program..

 He has been committed to the CPDM values but has never shown a successful leadership by reuniting those who have been suspended from the party for their intention of challenging the national president authority...