Frail Biya in a rare first hint of a successor

Cameroon`s President Paul Biya was due to return to the Research Foundation of Cardiology University of Geneva, department of Cardiology  couple weeks  ago as an outpatient for more scrutiny and an exploratory surgery to his heart about a recurrence of severe fatigue.

It is said that last week, sustaining a black out during a meeting with close senior government ministers led him to name a successor for the first time, in a sign that the disease may force and end his 30 year reign.

Fears Paul Biya is showing sign of serious and severe fatigue are growing inside his own inner circle of friends and close collaborators.

Biya had considerably reduced his public appearance and the message from the Prime Minister`s office is " comfortable and in good spirits" is the " boss" and " any unofficial statement about the state of the Head of State`s health would only as usual be a machiavellian rumour".

The entire government is under pressure to keep quiet about the " boss"`s health situation. It has always been the rule and millions of supporters have been kept without accurate information regarding his health, a matter of " high level of national security".....

Even though Biya on his private holidays most of the time in Geneva usually undergo routine tests about his heart condition and the level of his blood pressure, blood sugar, heartbeat and show signs of being in good spirits, nowadays he is getting actively reduced.

Unnamed relative last week revealed in a private conversation " our brother-in-law is showing signs of severe fatigue and has even reduced some family`s activities around the house.."

The 79 year old communist-liberal leader made what it looks like a surprised announcement to his inner circle of the army general`s council.from the Presidential Palace.

In the clearest indicator yet that health problems could spell and end his tumultuous 30 years in power, Mr Biya it is suggested, may have said that  party members and sympathisers should show their full support to the secretive and most reserved Ayang Luc,( pictured greeting President Paul Biya) the  incumbent President of the Social Affairs and Economics Council  , if a new election had to be held..

Cameroon: Biya expands global communication spy network

Biya`s administration is planning a major expansion of Cameroon`s international spy network, creating a new generation of undercover communication agents to get a better handle on critical issues such as corruption, violation of Human Rights, breach of the freedom of expression and the rising influence of activists against his regime in Africa, Europe and Us.

The country is to send hundreds of spies overseas as part of a plan to assemble an espionage network that rivals the civilian national central intelligence agency in size, marking a major expansion in Cameroon`s communication espionage network. The aim for this is to bring peace to the country. But the country is not a war.

According to Issa Tchiroma, "....lawlessness, breach of press ethics and corruption have robbed the country of peace and freedom and it is time to put things right and to bring back the good journalism, the responsible and accountable journalism..".  The real objectives for the conference here are to avoid the press to acting together in order to set up a system of robust regulation.

Corrupted publications are lining up to have their men being taken while the Cameroon national union of journalists is calling for a new press regulator without being compelled by legislation.  

According to an insider at the national conference on the state of the government`s communication policy being held in Yaounde until Friday, December 7, 2012, hundreds of editors have already spoken to Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is the head of the communication department and leader of a political party without any representative at the National Assembly to agree to have their men in the network.

The expansion will change the complexion of the embassies` communication department body which is expected to end up with as many as over thousands intelligence communication collectors worldwide. The new recruits will follow and monitor critics in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Tchad and many more in Africa, Belgium, Paris, London, Spain, Geneva in Europe, Ottawa, and others in Us. 

Biya`s administration is decided to have a grip on the communication and especially to those journalists who are critical to his regime. Paul Biya at 79 keeps going but those who fought by his side on April 4,5,6 1984 his closest associates in politics and his best friends pass on.

Cameroon: A possible way forward for an Independent system of regulation for the Press

Should Cameroon continue to have a strong-biased press regulated by a highly controversial 1990 communication`s law or for the first time ever strive to have a free press, a real free press away from politicians?

In Cameroon looking into the culture, practices and ethics in the press and the examination of the relationship of the press with the public, police, military-police and politicians, a lot can be said and also be done to set out boundaries in order to have a real free press accountable to the public. 

There is a huge need for a radical shake-up in the way Cameroon`s press has operated since it began. Hafis Ruefli, an outspoken opponent of Biya`s leadership is in favour of a properly accountable media complaints commission and explain on how the newspaper industry in Cameroon should be allowed to function and restore public confidence in the press.

The Cameroon Journalists Union (CJU) with his Press Complaints Commission created and funded by press freedom`s organisations has become infiltrated with government spies`s boys, spurned lovers and smears artists. Decency, privacy and old fashioned honour no longer mattered and at the end , the public were repulsed. 

The creation by the government funded of a fake national union of journalists ( members were all residents in Yaounde, political capital city of Cameroon) which followed was intended to restore public confidence in the press and avoid the division in the press`s family. 

But it was a chaos and once more the government has registered a failed regulatory systems. There has never really been a regulator even a  complaints mechanism under Biya`s regime and authority.

There is a need of a creation of a regulator which guarantee independence from ownership control. These minimum standards include civic society involvement and representation of the profession which is provided by all journalists organisations legalised and there won`t be any direct or indirect State involvement in the regulatory system. No publisher is forced to join.

In Cameroon there is a need of  an independent regulatory body, independent from the government and the industry that will really protect free expression and free press, ensure high standards of journalism, fully defend journalists who protect their source, provide a right of reply, be backed by the ability to impose sanction such as fines, have the authority and ability to regulate all commercially-driven press.

It will be good to have such unions or organisation that can play a huge and an important role in maintaining  standards and standing up for ethical journalism. Hafis believes it is possible and can be done.

However, any conversion from sinners to saints would be short-term and once public and political attention went elsewhere, it will be business as usual.

Cameroon: Women don`t make the front page, except in pictures

Treating women in a cruel and unfair way and not giving them the same freedom, rights, spaces as other people representation in the media in Cameroon under the current regime is just appalling and disastrous and discriminating.

Women are still sidelined and stereotyped on the front page of Britain`s newspapers, according to research published by Women in Journalism (WiJ). The results of the research and figures can be also be extrapolated to Cameroon.

Male dominated journalists wrote 78% of all front-page articles and  men accounted for 84% of those mentioned or quoted in them, according to WiJ`s analysis of nine national papers over four weeks earlier this year.

Predictable as the general results may seem, the research did produce some surprises, with the worst gender ratios on what many would consider the most progressive papers.

The most male-dominated title was the Independent, with 91% of its 70 front-page articles written by men. At the Telegraph the proportion was 89%, at The Times 82% and 78% at The Guardian.

But the Express had a 50/50 share and at the best quality paper, the Financial Times, the figure was 66%. Across all the titles, of people named in lead articles, 84% of those quoted or mentioned were men, most in a professional capacity. 

The 16% of women were disproportionately likely to be quoted as celebrities, or as victims.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there were higher proportions of photos of women-though most were celebrities.

 The  results of the study published by the Journal of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, found not a single female politician or leader in the top 10 images used during the month in question.

And where powerful women were featured, the images were often unflattering. The were few pictures in which women looked powerful and serious.Francoise Foning, Mayor for Duala 5, Prof Asheri Kilo Vivian and the government minister Muna Tutu have featured in some rare front page.

 The same research can be used for Le Messager, The Herald, La Nouvelle Expression, Cameroon Tribune, Dikalo, The Nation, Le Jour, Mutations, Reperes, L`Action, Le Patriote, Germinal, L`Oeil du Sahel, Aurore Plus, The Messenger, L`Anecdote, Le Proces International,

 Le Nouvel Independant, L`Independant, La Nouvelle Afrique and many more strong male dominated titles where the image of the first lady Chantal Biya can be featured and appeared as the main picture many times during a certain period of time.

 Female government ministers are sometimes featured only when on usual government business with images of them in some unfortunnate face.

Prof Asheri Kilo Vivian and Ama Tutu Muna have never kept the front page of many publication and this is a kind of discrimination compare to their male colleagues.

Greedy Ministers and MPs have learned nothing about morals

Politicians in Cameroon have always been regarded as liars. The joke that you could tell when a politician is or was lying because his lips moved is as old as the hills, but the political cleasing corrupted operation by the incumbent President Paul Biya and  some of his ministers made a bad reputation worse. Far worse.

Since one of the most often used definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result each time, it may be that there are at least 135 MPs who are insane.

Remember the African United Organisation Summit and the purchase of the presidential aircraft and the management of the purchasing power of some members of the government scandal..?

Couple of years ago a leak of  Paul Biya confidential weekly report brought the entire political class to its knees.

 Many members of the government and Members of the Parliament were and are....and remain decent, honest and hardworking.

But many others were and are exposed as greedy, dishonest and dishonourable. They were caught fleecing the taxpayer.

 Some committed basic fraud, pocketing money to which they weren`t entitled through abuse of their power. Others simply pushed the boundaries of legitimate purchase.

Some were jailed for fraud. Others stood down from public office and activities rather than to be kicked out not by voters at the moment but by the " Boss". Plenty are going to be kicked out when comes the 2013 elections.

As is always the way the bad eggs tarnished the entire group. But so extensive was the abuse and so widespread, that only few people were prepared to make the distinction between the corrupt and the honest Members of the government and Members of the Parliament...

This week it was revealed that there are 135 Mps who are directly connected with all those former government ministers who are in jail in Cameroon. It should be said that be connected to a Member of the government is not illegal or against the rules.

 But the connection itself can become illegal according to the rules. At this point it will be good for the entire opposition to request an Independent Parliamentary Standard Authority or Commission to be put in place in order to deal properly with all these mistakes and set the rules. 

The right honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, the speaker of the house with an extended mandate term for 6 months might have some institutional questions to answer about the behaviour of some high rank members of his own political party and government who are now in jail since the launch of the political cleasing corruption operation headed by Paul Biya himself as supreme chief in command.

The opposition parties have been given a welcome opportunity to continually highlight the serious disagreement within the main political party in power, the Cameroon People Democratic Movement, (CPDM) over a hugely important matter, the economy and the good governance of the country. But the opposition stumbles from one disaster to another, all entirely of their own making.

 Gregoire Owona, Minister of Social Security and Labour yesterday reminded everyone why the entire opposition in Cameroon right now is still regarded in many quarters as the " nasty party".

 Pr Maurice Kamto, former government Minister and newly appointed chairman of a coalition of political parties (MRC) for the Renaissance of Cameroon,  with no representatives in the Parliament said, some in the government today have always been regarded as liars and nothing good and reliable can come from them.

In the wake of the purchase of the presidential aircraft, we`ve heard constant moans from Ministers and Members of the Parliament about how difficult life now is for them and their family.

 Their every step is monitored, they are treated as corrupt by nature and the bond they felt they once had with the public has been shattered.

Polls show that where as 78% of us today trust doctors and 36% for journalist and only 14% for politicians.

 It would be very interesting to speak to that 14% who might be some generous souls to continue to trust politicians or must be family related...Minister of Labour and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, a long standing Biya`s supporter might also have some institutional questions to answer about those of his colleagues who have been arrested and jailed for serious allegation of corruption, even they are still portraying their " boss" as a talented Head of State.

It is now time, they plead for us to trust MPs and government Ministers again and knowing that the rest of us are scrutinising every franc they claim..Every government minister and those who are in power today or in an influential position today will have his action scrutinised by the people.

Former Minister and a group of MPs reveal plot to oust Biya

The backbench rumblings against Paul  Biya`s leadership grew in volume last week with the launch of a new right-wing Cameroon People Democratic Movement  faction.

 An internal plot to oust him has  been revealed after a highly regarded former minister confirmed he was asked to consider a " stalking horse" leadership challenge against the national chairman of the party.

Pr Joseph Owona ( pictured ) said he has been approached to consider a leadership to challenge against the President.

He claimed the idea was brought to him by a group of former colleagues and Members of the Parliament, mainly from the North and the Far-North region of Cameron (Muslim) before the return of the President from his private respite in Europe.

 At the moment there are conflicting information about the response they received from the former minister. This is a familiar conflict between Paul Biya and Muslim brotherhood in Cameroon and it has been for so long impossible for the President Biya to make an official decision and a choice. Biya has been in a state of indecision.

 Some said the former Minister told them to  " get lost " and to "mind their business" where they are, while another suggested that he might need time to consult his inner group of advisers before making up his mind.

 At this time the President is locked in a battle with backbenchers over a planned mass rebellion on the way the government is conducting the judicial procedure of the " Operation Epervier".

 People are still questioning the ethical code of the way judicial procedures in the punishment of the embezzlement by former public officials is being carried out.

Pr Joseph Owona who was one of those former presidential`s general secretary, and also former Education Minister under Paul Biya presidency might have said " it was a silly suggestion that i dismissed. I told them to get lost. I was not having anything to do with it". The former Education Minister refused to name the plotters and said he had not been told on whose behalf they were agitating.

 The plot emerged as former deputy Justice Minister Pr Maurice Kamto (pictured above) has offered his resignation from the government and now leading a newly created coalition of political parties. Pr Kamto`s insider said " the new group would work alongside the leadership, targeting such policy areas as tax, public services and political reform."

Discontent voices appear to have been borne out of frustration that working alongside the coalition government, Biya`s administration and the party values have become diluted somewhat and need to be reinvigorated ahead of the next General Election in 2013

Opposition in Cameroon could push for a raise of living wage

Hafis Ruefli, the head of a political movement that is calling for a radical change of power in Cameroon and political mediator, brandished the most potent weapon in his policy arsenal, unveiling an attractive economic plan yesterday by suggesting that an apposition Government in Cameroon could encourage the introduction of a living wage much higher than the national minimum wage as the country, he said has a lot of financial potential to fight against the state of low-wage economy.

The political mediator praised the growing grass-roots campaign for an CFA 312.50 an hour living wage in the political and economic capital cities, Yaounde and Douala and CFA 212.50 an hour outside the capital in order to reflect the real cost of living.

 The mediator is the first one to make such proposal to a group of opposition leaders determined to create a strong coalition against Biya`s administration.

In reality the figures proposed by Hafis are significantly higher than the legally-binding less than CFA 156 an hour minimum wage.

His comments could pave the way for the coalition`opposition manifesto at the 2013 general election and 2018 presidential election saying that private companies winning government contracts would be forced to pay the higher rate if the coalition of opposition won power.

Senior Social Democratic Front sources said yesterday that no decision had been taken for the moment to join the coalition and also stressed that the party`s decision would depend on the state of the economy in 2013 and 2018.

Business leaders will be worried about the imposition of higher wage costs, especially if the economy is flat. The living wage could form part of Hafis`s anti-poverty strategy and the aim would be to boost wage packets by improving education, skills training and urging companies to pay more.

Biya must stop the rot or...

The CPDM-led corrupt coalition government limps from one crisis to another, its credibility draining away, its coherence evaporating.

Poorly led, devoid of concrete achievement, it clings to office with neither purpose nor resolution, buffeted by events instead of shaping them.

Most ministers appear weak, unable to stick to their policies or challenge vested interests. Even on the central issue of tackling poverty, corruption and deficit, which are meant to be the coalition`s overriding priority, they have failed  dismally.

Something has to be done to reinvigorate the Government. If the CPDM are to have any hope of winning the 2013 council and legislative general election and the 2018 presidential election, the slide towards paralysis and breakdown has to be halted.

 So Paul Biya is about to embark on that time-honoured manoeuvre so often used him and not his Prime Minister consent or agreement to restore his popularity. The Government reshuffle.

Many Etoudi`s Palace insiders have a touching faith in the reshuffle, regarding it as a panacea for political ills, an elixir that will lead to a sudden rise in the polls.

Paul Biya is not so credulous. He knows reshuffles never have much impact on the public and believes that endlessly changing personnel instead of just leaving the office after nearly 30 years in power denies his colleagues a chance to get to grips with their portfolios. Throughout his poor leadership of the party he has always been reluctant to change his team.

 Several of his key ex-ministers are facing what it is called by campaigners extra-judicial and political procedures for alleged corruption and embezzlement. In Cameroon where people have been used to the Night of the Long Knives, Paul Biya sacked nearly a third of his Government.

 In today`s corrupt led coalition, some ministers are eager for a move, others have proved they are simply not up to the job. Yet the speculation about the changes has only succeeded in reinforcing the image of chronic enfeeblement at the heart of the Government.

In removing the dead wood Biya can make room for new ministers who  could bring a fresh impetus to the Government. He should be bold and consider abandoning his prejudice against the reformists of his party. Changing the Government has always be a new start but is not enough.

 The Government needs a new sense of direction, a focus on the country national interests and the young people and the abandonment of the progressive orthodoxies that have done so much damage. Sadly there is little sign of that happening under the current leadership.

After over 10 years spent in a wedlock, is Chantal Biya suffocating...?

Despite her presidential status, Chantal Biya is happiest when enjoying simple pleasures away from the spotlight...

It`s a little hard to imagine the First Lady popping down to the nearest supermarket to stock up on  groceries.

 Nor is it easy to picture her slaving over a hot stove preparing matched aubergines.for her husband, but that`s exactly what goes on when the Head of State  and the First Lady retreat into their own private world and most of the time in Geneva in Switzerland and in Mvomeka`a in Cameroon..

Behind closed doors far away from the media glare, Paul and Chantal are very much a low-key couple who love nothing more than home-cooked " ndomba and ntumba i goan", a special dish dearly appreciated by men from Biya`s native region and made of freshwater fish cooked in deep steam covered with banana`s leaves and natural ingredients,.and home cinema.

Chantal Biya has taken to the role of dutiful wife like a duck to water. After a long day at work dealing with the day to day internal affairs and other serious businesses, Paul Biya returns home ( private apartment in the Presidential Palace) to find a warm bath waiting and a dinner on the table.

They are actually surprisingly normal and down-to-earth when the cameras are off, says an insider. Chantal  has been a great influence on Paul Biya in that way. She introduced him to a simpler, easier way of life and he loves it. They like to watch movies, sleep in and have nice meals at home.

It`s the small pleasures in life that bring them the most happiness. Friends have revealed that the couple enjoy reading the papers together. It`s important to the pair that they`re able to do the everyday things we all take for granted, like attending a Sunday service in Church. They also love romantic dinners.

Amazingly Chantal recently in Paris has sneaked out of the palace grounds for secret evenings with another man.  She likes to enjoy impromptu nights out to attend friends`cat walk  and art exhibitions, passions not shared by Paul Biya.

 She has kept closed contact with her friend and star Paris Hilton and also may have been advised by some to try and have with her some of the spice girls who can help  her by funding her national campaign against Aids in Cameroon and in the rest of Africa. The first lady is working also to give back hope to young people and specially those from disadvantaged families.

Once upon a time she declared her love by jumping on a couch at the Presidential Palace. Now the passionate romance of Paul and Chantal Biya looks like it has been lost down the back of it. And things seem set to get very nasty indeed between the one-time lovebirds as Chantal seeks to get sole custody of their children according to an insider.

There are rumours that Chantal Biya who has made no secret of his dreams to become again a mother and step-grandmother is planning on taking a break from her presidential status.

Shunned by rich donors, Cameroon opposition may soon regret....

A good rule for determining who is likely to win the next legislative, council and presidential elections has always been " follow the money". Applying the rule now it will be a brave punter who bet on the opposition.

Alhadji Abbo, Mohamadou Danpullo, Hayatou, Fadil, Kadji, Fotso, James Onobiono, Siaka, Hafis Ruefli, Yerima Dawa and many more unknown Cameroon multi millionaires fear the opposition can`t win the next election and therefore don`t wish to throw away their money.

 It is presumably also because they find so little in the party`s policies to inspire them to give generously or to give at all.....".I don`t think the opposition is representing core opposition voters or values...." said Yerima Dawa , who used to be a strong supporter to Bello Bouba Maigari`s political party. Other plutocrats are being similarly careful with their wallets.

 While some like Protais A, acting president of E-Cam, a leading employers`organisation have drastically cut their donations, others are giving nothing and it is possible some will never give again.

The problem for the Cameroon opposition is that they have come to rely on huge donations from small number of people to remain solvent. So when those people stop giving, revenue plummets, along with the means to conduct election campaigns.

Cameroon opposition prefer the big-hitter approach to the old method of raising much of their money from activists in constituency parties and from the State,

How irritating for party leaders to see these grassroots members who pay subscriptions and buy raffle tickets and who like to think they are participating in a form of democracy, and then expect to be given a say on important political matters. The former Head of State pictured above, Ahmadou Ahidjo during his 25 years in power has crushed the opposition and the freedom of expression and association. In hiding many Human Rights`activists spent time criticising the policies Mr Ahidjo was following.

The truth is that some of the opposition leaders owe their position to those same rank-and file members because they voted for them handsomely,

However, i know from talking to several of them that they have grave doubts about other important policies and have stopped donations because they hold out little hope of the President, Paul Biya changing course and doing what they regard is sensible.

Opposition in Cameroon want two things above all. The first is a change of direction in the electoral procedure and mechanism, specially along the lines of the International community suggestions and recommendation on ways of improving the country electoral system.

 The second one will be on the direction of the economic and measure of boosting that in creating growth along the lines of  employers leading organisation, Gicam, Mecam, E-Cam, Gfac and many more..And when the opposition can`t secure the support of  businesses, it is in serious trouble.

Why Cameroon opposition is divided over how to handle the after-Biya question

Against a background of increasingly strident rhetoric, Cameroonian politicians and activists have been lining up to establish their credentials as hawks or doves as the government considers its option on the vexed question of an alternation or political transition after Paul Biya, national chairman of the Cameroon People Democratic Movement  (CPDM) and the acting Head of State.

Tradition holds that the president of the Cameroon Republic matters about as much as an anonymous leader of a strong opposition party. Modern commentators and journalists are no less scornful.

With a belligerent Head Of State in power for nearly 30 years most of the attention has been centred on the unknown successor who has let it be known that unless France, Great Britain, China, Russia and the United States toughen its stance against Biya`s decision to nominate his successor;

Next month, Paul Biya will travel to New York for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

 According to Cameroon diplomats, Paris, Washington and London offices are working to arrange a meeting between Barack Obama, Francois Hollande and David Cameron in order to seek three commitments, namely a promise that the US, France and the UK will increase the level of their financial support to the country after his departure from the power.

( In the picture Ahidjo shaking hands with Paul Biya...)

From Switzerland,where Biya and his entourage are on holidays break,  Hafis Ruefli,.leader of a political movement calling for a national citizens advice  in Cameroon would like the introduction of a tight deadline for negotiations with leaders of the largest world economic and industrialised countries.and that if these don`t work, some members of the opposition in Cameroon will join forces in a decisive action to force Biya to stand down. Ruefis is not alone in cranking up the pressure.

 John Fru Ndi leader of the Social Democratif Front (SDF), Adamu Ndam Njoya of the (CDU), Lady kah Walla, former SDF member,  Albert Ndzongang of the Dynamic,   and a coalition of small political parties named G7  have already announced that while a decision had not been taken by Biya to publicly declare who could possibly become his successor, the detailed plans to act had already been drawn up and were simply awaiting implementation.

The mutual dislike felt by both sides, government and the strong opposition means that Paul Biya will never sit by and allow the opposition to produce a workable plan that could bring peace and prosperity in Cameroon. However, this time around the talk between the government and the opposition is not confined to the possibility of war. 

The bottom line is that very few Cameroonians mainly outside the country, ( France, Belgium, US, UK,Germany,Chad...etc..)  want to ignite a war which would cause chaos in Cameroon, plunge the Central Africa region into a new economic downturn and cause huge numbers of unnecessary deaths.

 By the same token every Cameroonian wants to live in peace without the threat of uprising or a revolution at the hands of a group of political organisations whose leaders are pronounced undecided and unctuous.

Anger as Biya refuses to reveal secret dossier on risks of an alternation of power...

CPDM Ministers are refusing to make public a secret dossier drawn up to identify the risks to Cameroon after Paul Biya`s presidency.

The decision to block release of the internal risk situation on the 2013 poll means voters will not be able to find out the potential hazards flagged up by Cameroon government civil servants.

The refusal to publish, which the SDF has put down to the CPDM`s secrecy obsession will now be investigated by a coalition of opposition parties represented in the National Assembly and organisations from the civil society in accordance with the Parliament`s regulation.

Risk situations which are compiled by the government bodies to outline the dangers of policies, shot up the political agenda last year during the debate over Cameroon Coalition government`s controversial corruption and embezzlement's trial of former members of the government and former Chief Executive Officers of state owned companies  within the so called " Operation Epervier" or the systematic cleaning of likely challengers to the presidency.

Activists and freedom of expression campaigners think that there is a huge considerable public interest in disclosure and therefore the government should release the information. Alex Gustave Ahttp://www.facebook.com/alex.gustave  a human rights activist said " there is nothing the public hates more than hypocrisy".

Although the Government confirmed holding the documents, the request was turned down on the grounds that Ministers required time for seeking individually private advice. The coalition government has no real intention of publishing the risk situations before the 2013 poll is held.

Joseph M. Ndam, leader of the SDF parliamentary group at the National Assembly said that the decision to block release of the risk dossier comes amid fears Paul Biya is taking an unduly conservative attitude towards the freedom of expression and information from the constitution.

An internal review of the decision also backed secrecy with officials noting that the situation was an assessment based on what might hypothetically happen rather than fact. 

The review, conducted by a group of officials in the government`s department of strategic and policy forecast, concluded that it was in the public interest for Ministers to receive advice which includes a comprehensive assessment of all risk.

Poverty gap teaching appeal in Cameroon

Fresh calls have been made to provide more financial incentives to attract the most talented teachers in Cameroon to schools serving deprived or controlled opposition municipalities.

The demand came after it emerged more than 250 municipalities over 350 have come bottom of a new national league table that records the gap between reading and the writing skills of the cleverest pupils from both affluent and deprived areas.

Research by the leading teachers`union based in Yaounde revealed the difference in achievement between all the public schools  in the country. The worst areas are those in the opposition controlled municipalities. It comes after one of the opposition leader and prominent challenger to the acting Cameroon Head of State by the help of some internal reports from the leading teachers national union revealed inspections are failed by almost one in three primary and secondary schools in deprived areas.

Jean Marc Bikoko, one of the most influential civil servant union activist said  he " was sympathetic to the idea of encouraging staff and head teachers with a proven track record to kick-start schools failing to achieve acceptable levels in provinces and not just wanting to stay in the capital close to the administration.." and also suggested " the attainment gap could be closed by getting the best leaders and teachers into the areas where they were needed the most..." before describing the actual regime as the " enemy of the education, growth and prosperity.."

Ruefli Hafi said " providing a financial incentive would be a positive step forward even the latest figures on reading and writing are appalling and after more than 29 years of Biya`s administration and the failure of their national education policy, it is something we should all be concerned about.."

There is a real and urgent need for the country benefit as a whole to " put a lot more funding into early years education to ensure this gap is eradicated because we know intervention does work if it is done early enough....

 Enough public monies have been diverted for unnecessary expenditure and it is time to change direction and vision and think about giving financial incentives to actively recruit the most gifted and effective teachers and leaders. We know our education system at the moment has failed and we have to address this and increase the gap as children get older and public funding has to go into narrowing the gap at an early stage and sustaining that gain through the life of the young person.." he said.

He then concluded by saying that  " policy-makers must turn their attention to reducing inequalities in educational achievement among the brightest children in society, to ensure those from disadvantaged families in controlled opposition municipalities around the country are not left behind.."

London2012: Mpah welcomes Cameroon`s Olympians in Aberdeen

Councillor Willie Young of Aberdeen City Council in Scotland and Patrice Mpah, the acting president of the Cameroon association in Aberdeen have welcomed the first half of the Cameroon Olympic Team in the UK ahead of the Olympic Games.

On Sunday 15 July in Aberdeen, the Cameroon women`s Olympic football team will face Scotland women`s squad at the Aberdeen Sports Village.

 After the Olympic torch fewer it will be an opportunity for football fans to see and appreciate an Olympian team in action.

There are athletes, coaches, managers, physiotherapists and officials. Mr Essama, the head of the Cameroon Olympic team delegation arrived at Aberdeen Airport with a team of around 60 Cameroonians eager to make history at the London Olympic Games.

After their arrival in Scotland, the Cameroon Olympic team members were greeted by the piper and were taken straight to the Aberdeen Sports Village, where the delegation will spend some time before heading down South the Borders for the games. The Aberdeen Sports Village  is the premier sports facility in the North East of Scotland hosting an array of first class sporting facilities. 

This venture is the realisation of a vision first discussed in 2003 by funding partners, the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland.

 The mission is to deliver high quality sport services and it will be a huge opportunity for the athletes to build up their strength, technique and qualities before the games.

 Patrice Mpah a father of two and an oil engineer working at one of the Aberdeen oil company has managed with his friends to welcome the delegation and to show some around the City.

 Athletes have been accommodated at the Linksfield Road. They are happy with the standard of the facility and can also move around to visit the area and talk to people. Cameroon should be grateful to Aberdeen City Council as they have managed to create a join venture with their partners in order to offer a great opportunity to the Olympians and provide them with a tailored  training programmes designed to prepare them for the build up leading to the Olympic campaign.

 The false start of the Olympic campaign in UK is the absence of M. Nkwelle Ekaney, the Cameroon High Commissioner or any official from the London`office at the welcoming reception of the delegation in Aberdeen Airport. 

It will be very interesting to know if at the London`s office something has been put in place in order to welcome the Olympic delegation.

 The official communication around the arrival of the Cameroon Olympic team has failed where citizens`journalism and social media have took over the control of the communication. For more updated infos about the Cameroon`s Olympians, just follow the link here .http://www.okabol.com/

 Patrice Mpah ( in pic wearing a blue shirt  with friends)  who is the acting president of the Cameroon association in Aberdeen has played a huge and important role since the arrival of the Olympic delegation in Aberdeen. People are calling for Patrice Mpah to receive an honour for what he has done since the arrival of the delegation. People in Aberdeen now are showing their deep interest on Cameroon and also on the  Cameroon`s culture. 

Without any public funding the group has put the strong delegation team members at ease by facilitating their stay while officials in London haven`t managed to travel to Aberdeen. 

Soboth: Cameroon economy still run by Biya`s supporters

A new report  from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation ( IFC) finds that government implemented business reforms in Cameroon has been to slow to pay off and it is not making it easier for local entrepreneurs to start and operate a business throughout the country.

 One of the country leading employers`organisation and lobbying group is trying his best to reverse the situation, but unsuccessful they have been even the authorities are still promising to do what they can and what it is on their power and possibilities in accelerating the political process that will enable businessmen and women to create growth and wealth for the country without any political restriction.

The Groupement Inter-Patronal du Cameroon (Gicam), the leading employers`organisation which hold business and economics reforms with the government under a framework of dialogue between Public and Private sectors has been promised that everything will be done to remove all the blockages  that reduce or refrain people doing business in Cameroon.

 For the moment there is no sign coming from the government that they are willing to do so.

The newly elected president of the leading employers`organisation, Andre Fotso said during the 113th session of the  general assembly meeting  held in Douala on May 30th 2012  that the only way to put pressure on the government is to maintain the continual  dialogue on the economics reforms.

The group has managed with his government consultation and constant dialogues to reduce the average time to start a business in Cameroon. But still a lot more needs to be done by the government.

According to Jean Marc Soboth, senior economics journalist and former reporter from La Nouvelle Expression, " Cameroon`s economy is still mostly under the control of  Biya`s regime supporters who held power under the first dictatorship regime of Ahmadu Ahidjo" and there is a real need for the " government to take more drastic steps to make sure that other employers`organisation can benefit from its wealth". He thinks that the actual administration is not ready yet to change what it has been ongoing for almost three decades now and only a strong and impartial lobbying group can bring the regime to listen and act for the good of struggling dozen of millions people across the country.

President Andre Fotso speaking recently after the event organised by the lobbying group has acknowledged the fact that the challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality posed long-term risk for the country nearly 30 years after Ahmadu Ahidjo, former Head of State handed over the power to Paul Biya.

The ownership of the economy is still primarily in the hands of males dominated who pay allegiance to the corrupted regime as it has always been.

 It is believes that the Gicam has drafted a raft of policy documents that call on the government to do something special and unbelievable towards economic transformation and freedom to help share the national wealth and growth. " A growing population needs a similar growth in employment opportunities and this is a possibility available for the government and we will support it" said Andre Fotso.

Time to strike as Biya regime voice doubts

One sure thing about the anti-Biya regime campaign that`s being launched next week is it won`t be called "enough is enough with Biya regime" or No more Biya campaign.

Just as alternation has apparently become the forbidden word for " Biya is a guarantee for Peace in Cameroon" campaigners, a simple No or enough is enough with the corrupted regime or No more Biya is seen as too negative and even too disastrous for those who don`t want Paul Biya to resign from his position as the Cameroon`s longest serving Head of State to hold the post.

So, apart from an upbeat alternation is and could be possible slogan, what else should people in Cameroon expect when Ruefli Hafis and others launch the " Yes we can make it possible with alternation"?

Setting aside dark mutterings from some opposition comrades who are still uncomfortable about sharing a pro-Alternation platform with coalition politicians, the one plus for the no more with Biya campaigners is that it would be hard for their launch to be as big as a disaster as that of the " Only Biya is the guarantee for Peace in Cameroon" lot.

The RDPC and the opposition have both  used showbiz and sporting supporters for their campaign. Endorsements from showbiz and sporting supporters are all very well. But allowing them actually to speak is way too risky.

 Far away from home and with local connection, hopefully there will be some of those embittered, discontented and abused by the regime, hard-headed businessmen and women who have been around the block a couple of times and know how tough it is for a country like Cameroon to survive in an ever more globally competitive world.

Sure, Cameroon is capable of having an alternation. But at what cost and for what purpose?

What people in Cameroon need to heard next week is why Paul Biya is not the only one who can preserve the peace in Cameroon and also that after him, there will be a huge possibility for the country to move forward both in term of prosperity and national security. 

 An alternative to the present state is the best choice for over 19 million of people with more than 53% living in depth poverty. 

On the economic front, Ruefli Hafis said that the journey to alternation would be " painful and uncertain"...

Hafis C. Ruefli, tells Global investors he has yet to be convinced about "after Biya" in Cameroon

It is the worst thing when people feel their views are not heard by politicians. So it is quite refreshing when they are. Paul Biya in Cameroon had to bow to popular opinion and reverse the way his administration is handling issues that affect the majority of the population.

 In an age of cynicism about politics, when anti-politics flourishes, what it is happening inside Biya political party shows that people power still works.

Times change and public taste is fickle and despot Biya in Cameroon during his nearly three decades in power has dragged once-wealthy Cameroon into the gutter.

 Corruption has precipitated the collapse of the economic policy, leading to devastating poverty in the country. Paul Biya is personally responsible for the downward spiral of the economy and destroyed investment industry in the process.

 Hafis Ruefli, from Muttenz in Switzerland and leader of the HR Globalinvest organisation said, the alternation or the after Biya regime was not a magic bullet for the country and admitted he has yet to be convinced of the wisdom of all those fighting underground and in exile about taking the power after Biya

 Hafis said that his attitude towards the issue had changed since as a young man from the Far North in Cameroon, he has supported his country`s independence.

Hafis said that, after Biya, the newcomers would have to find a way of working with those in place rather than competing against them.

 Asked if the after Paul Biya is workable, Mr Ruefli said " it depends what model you are looking for really, whether it would help the country to be separated from those who have worked with Biya regime, I really don`t know. Personally I still have to be persuaded about that"

 Hafis Ruefli said " the after Biya is not an end in itself but should only be the result of concluding that it is the best way of bringing about real social justice."

This debate said Hafis, needs to be rooted in how best we care for the vulnerable, stand by the poor, nurture our children, protect the environment and welcome the stranger. Hafis is looking forward to the after Biya for a Cameroon working together with the other in a real need to build a fair society and successful Cameroon economy.

Promoting a development oriented micro-finance adapted to the creation of wealth in rural sector is one of the philosophy of the HR Globalinvest, and what Biya regime has failed to deliver since in Cameroon. Hafis has a real intention about Cameroon future.....

Camair-Co falls to a loss

Rocketing fuel bills and austerity in Spain and losses will wipe out profits at the Cameroon Airways Company. Alex Van Elk, the man in charge of the Cameroon Airways and head of the secretive Cameroonian government investment unit at the top of the transport department cannot openly admit that the company had lost over CFA 150 millions because of a botched and sloppy government business strategy.

 Camair-co which is the main Cameroon Airlines will find it difficult to reveal to the public and the government when it will drop its bombshell about the losses. It could easily get worse and the final bill could be much higher, Edward Standford an airlines analyst at Oriel Securities said.

Camair-co administration in an unambiguous admission of failure rare in the world of investment in the aviation industry should admit that the business projection and financial analyses were flawed, complex, poorly reviewed, poorly executed and poorly monitored.

Soaring oil prices are taking their toll on the aviation industry, with Camair-co fuel spending likely to hit over CFA 2 billions in 2012. Camair-co investment strategic purchase programme could potentially add to a short-term financial squeeze, sapping more than CFA 500 millions from annual profits.

Camair-co was highly loss-making and had been for some time, said anonymously one of the government strategic adviser on transport. It is important according to the government adviser to restructure very quickly the business.

One of o close lieutenant of the charismatic chief executive, Alex Van Elk, said that the purchase of new aircrafts will allow Camair-co to expand its presence at Yaounde International Nsimalen airport. Industry experts had expected Camair-co to make profits of at least CFA 112.50 millions this year. But the company is losing money even the secretive Alex Van Elk still saying that is going to do his best to make the business full in profit without being optimistic.

But the national company is making huge losses and according to Clement Joscelyne an analyst working for the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the losses at Camair-co are going to be a bit more than we were thinking.

There has been a massive improvement in performance with a poor communication strategy and some better news. However, unpredictable Paul Biya could be forced if the national airlines company is not taking a real step on the road to financial stability to be close to announce a new chief executive.

Biya " in good health" as he heads home

Paul Biya last week was discharged from a private hospital in Switzerland following his monthly routine health check to determine the cause of a sudden chest pain whilst having a private reception at his no more secret respite home in Geneva.

The 79 year old Cameroon president was sent home as the full examination of the chest infection failed to reveal anything seriously wrong with him according to a source close to the First Lady, Chantal Biya.

Doctors are happy at the moment with the progress, Paul Biya is making away from home growing governance and accountability problems.

 But intelligence said that Doctors warn the head of state about his fragile heart condition with his age and advise him to reduce the amount of work he used to do back home.

He was encouraged to take a break or risk heart failure condition. At 80 year old he will try again to lead his political party to the upcoming general elections.

The First Lady has been assured that there is nothing to worry about for the moment and the father of 3 and step father of 2 can still enjoy playing at his private residence with his children.

Paul Biya used unmarked escort vehicle to leave the high secured private hospital to be reunited with his whole family and the selective members of the delegation that always travel with him on private holidays.

Biya and his entourage don`t communicate a lot and always keep the country away from pressure and anxious about his whereabouts and precisely his health condition to govern the country. Concerns about Paul Biya`s health surfaced last year in December when he became impossible for him to attend many security brief meetings with his army generals.

In Geneva where he is at the moment with the First Lady and children, well-wishers have organised a vigil to pray for a prompt recovery has the Head of State will be heading back home in Cameroon.

The leader of the main opposition party,  John Fru Ndi, fromthe Social Democratic Front on a foreign radio last week criticised the government for showing a lack of respect for the Cameroon people by not telling them exactly where is the man who is supposed to be conducting the Cameroon day to day train...