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...

Equatorial Guinea exposes an insolent wealth

From June 23 to 1July, Equatorial Guinea will host the 17th government and Heads of State summit of the Africa Union. The third largest Africa`a crude exporter with an oil earning now over $3 billion a year will welcome 52 African leaders and their first ladies...

 President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, 69 year old will preside over the summit.

 In order to welcome politicians representing some of the world`s poorest nations in Malabo, capital city of Equatorial Guinea, the government has transformed a small resort just 20 minutes from the centre of the capital in a new El Dorado.

 Obiang Nguema`s administration has built a multimillion pound deluxe city to host African leaders and heads of governments.

 According to the state media, Sipopo boast over 50 luxury presidential villas, a conference hall, artificial beach, luxury hotel and the country`s first 18-hole golf course. All this was built over two years to host an African Union summit that will last just a week.

The government hasn`t yet announced who will benefit from the new investment after the summit. Sources from the government are confident that the government will allocate some presidential villa to government ministers and also to some members of the parliament and military leaders as well.

 There is no official or presidential confirmation for the moment. But during last Sunday inauguration ceremony, president Obiang Nguema congratulated his entire government and construction companies for completing the luxurious new city in a record of two years.

 The poverty in Malabo still high and the government has not yet done enough to alleviate this from his own people.Thousands still living in slum inside the capital city.

 In Sipopo, from next week, experts and foreign African ministers will have the privilege to see with their eyes what oil wealth can do in a country where according to some reports, 75% of people in the country live on less than $1 or 60p a day.

 During that week, African leaders will and their first ladies will have access to jacuzzi, heated pool, sauna, fitness centre and country`s first spa at the Sofitel Malabo Sipopo Le Golf.

 The country will also co-host the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament with Gabon next year.

.Instead of having many African leaders in one or two hotels, Obiang has decided to build 52 presidential villas. Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader is expected to attend the summit and at the moment there is no confirmation about that. An insider said that, invitations have been sent to all African leaders to attend the 17th African Union summit.

 Human rights activists have accused the country`s leadership of brutal repression and also breach of the freedom of the press and information. There is no information available about how much money the country has spent to build the new city.

 According to an underground union, in Malabo, wages for low and middle income families have virtually stagnated over the past three decades while a small financial elite have seen their pay rise and wage rises for government ministers and barristers have grown by at least 100%.

 The reality is that, the government has spent a large amount of money to build these facilities and nothing done by the same time to alleviate poverty.

 As a repressive government, everything has been put in place to avoid any unauthorised uprising or protest from the population and opposition leaders have been offered a deal according to an insider to keep low profile during the summit.A special task force has been formed to tackle any anti-government campaign and protest during the summit.

Police and military chiefs across the country and specially around the town city Malabo have launched a summit campaign to crackdown on human rights activists and anti-government protesters. The campaign co-ordinated by officers from the secret services and the supreme military council  will run according to some insider sources for two weeks until Sunday July 3.

Camair-co in a tailspin as oil prices rocket

Surging oil prices will deal a shattering blow to global airline profits this year and threaten the industry`s recovery, the International Air Travel Association warned yesterday.

IATA now fears airlines will post profits of just $4 billion ( £ 2.44 billion) around 2.73 billion euros in 2011, less than half the amount it forecast in March and a fraction of the $18 billion (£29.52 billion) around 20.16 billion euros in profits seen last year.

The forecast comes as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)  faces pressure to ease the pressure on oil prices by upping production at the cartel`s meeting in Vienna today.

Director general Giovanni Bisignani warned " there is little buffer left against further shocks". Giovanni said that " we are making any money at all in a year with this combination of unprecedented shocks is a result of very fragile balance. The efficiency gains of the last decade and the strengthening of global economic environment are balancing the high price of fuel".

Camair-co is in a situation of holding up better than increasingly price-sensitive leisure travel, according to numerous sources who have spoken anonymously to IATA. Camair-co today faces fresh headwinds the political turmoil in the North Africa as well as the high oil price, IATA said.

Tomorrow  in Vienna, members of the OPEC will decide to increase or not of at least one million barrels a day, as they have so far failed to fill the gap in the market left by Muammar Gaddafi`s battle for survival that has left the global market around 1.4 million barrels short.

An insider source from Camair-Co recently warned that the rising cost of oil would force its fares up by an average between 10-12% this year and the company could even see losses virtually doubled.

But the company will have to review his forecast and then talk about the raising oil output for the first time since the launch of the first commercial flight to Paris. It seems that the government and the managing executives of the company slowly, but surely are getting ready to respond to an environment of higher oil prices and lower growth.

Camair-Co still failing to satisfy its customers and poor customer service comments still dominate and is likely to continue to be perceived as one of the worst rather than one of the best airline national company.