Breaking News
USA: Cameroonian man dies in police custody
A 37-year-old man from Cameroon died Tuesday in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, after undergoing treatment for a brain hemorrhage since Sept. 26 at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.
Nebane Abienwi was being detained at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, according to an ICE news release. He was rushed to the emergency room Thursday after experiencing a hypertensive event in the middle of the night, according to the news release.
BuzzFeed News first reported on the man’s in-custody death Wednesday.
The man applied for admission into the United States in early September at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
According to DHS records, he did not have proper entry documents when he crossed on Sept. 5 through the port of entry. He was transferred to ICE custody on Sept. 19, according to ICE.
Physicians at Sharp Chula Vista provided treatment to Abienwi, who was non-responsive to questions. He appeared paralyzed on his left side and remained in the hospital until he passed away Tuesday, according to ICE.
Medical staff at the hospital pronounced Abienwi dead on Oct. 1. His next of kin and the Consulate General of Cameroon were notified of his death.
Physicians identified the cause of Abienwi’s death as brain death secondary to basal ganglia hemorrhage, ICE said.
The agency said Abienwi received comprehensive medical care while he was in custody.
“ICE is firmly committed to the health and welfare of all those in its custody and is undertaking a comprehensive agency-wide review of this incident, as it does in all such cases,” a statement from ICE said. “Fatalities in ICE custody, statistically, are exceedingly rare and occur at a small fraction of the rate of the U.S. detained population as a whole.”
Abienwi’s death is the first in ICE custody in the new fiscal year, which began Tuesday, as BuzzFeed News reported Wednesday morning.
Source: The San Diego Union Tribune
Yaounde and Qatar discussing ‘revival’ of Camair-Co
Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority confirmed (27-Sep-2019) discussions between Cameroon and Qatar’s Ministries of Transport on 25-Sep-2019 focused on the “revival” of Camair-Co.
Discussions covered the “densification” of the airline’s fleet, the training of flight crew and technical personnel, the opening of a maintenance centre, technical support and opening the capital of Camair-Co.
Source: Centre for Aviation
Ambazonia Independence Day 2019: Read full speech of Vice President Dabney Yerima
Fellow Ambazonians,
Twenty-four months ago today, we, the people of Ambazonia, made a momentous decision to restore our independence. That significant resolution gave birth to the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. On the 1st of October 2017, we affirmed the statement that all men are created equal with SAME inalienable rights. Amongst these rights are; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For fifty-six years prior, we, the people of Southern Cameroons, lived under an illegal annexation and occupation by French La Republique du Cameroun.
My fellow southern Cameroonians, my fellow Ambazonians, my fellow people, today is your 1st October, today is your day, today represents more than anything the strongest symbol of our resistance. On this day we remember the greats like ALBERT MUKONG, CHIEF AYAMBA, MARTIN LUMA, MOLA NJOH LITUMBE, AMBASSADOR FOSSUNG, PA NFOR NFOR, NGALA, PROFESSOR CARLSON AYANGWE, GOVERNOR ACHU MOFOR, JUSTICE EBONG, DR ARNOLD YONGBANG and many more. On this day we remember the fallen represented by SAM SAWYER, BABY MARTHA, MAMI APPIA brutally slain by French Cameroon terrorist forces. In all of this, we are defined as an unstoppable generation and must celebrate as we match triumphantly towards reclaiming our land.
Fellow Ambazonians,
The last two years have been challenging and bloody. Since our restoration of independence, more than 10,000 of our people have been brutally murdered by the regime in Yaoundé. More than 270 of our villages have been burned down. The United Nations and other respected international agencies report that there are more than half a million internally displaced persons (IDPs). There are more than 150,000 refugees living in neighboring Nigeria and other countries. Life has become unbelievably difficult for many who still live in Ambazonia.
The question often asked of me by Ambazonians and some of its well-wishers during my travels and meetings is- was it worth it? Was our restoration of independence worth the suffering and the sacrifices thus far? My answer is an emphatic YES. In answering this, let me draw your attention to the fact that international law is unequivocal that people have the right to determine their own destiny, including their political status. The rights to selfdetermination is enshrined in the UN Charter, and clarified in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Yes, it was right that we discontinued the annexation of our land. The idea that freedom and independence can be given by occupiers is a delusion.
Today, I want us to consider the theme; Let us rebuild together- owning our space.
It was never going to be easy as a new state after the 1st of October 2017. The neo-colonial French Cameroun regime was never going to leave our nation voluntarily and peacefully. But their barbarism and murder have shocked all. From Kwakwa to Bafut Palace, from Muyuka to Batibo, from Pinyin to Mamfe, from Akwaya to Njong village in Santa, they have unleashed killings and genocidal crimes upon our people. The currency of the regime in Yaoundé is massacre. Their aim is to impart fear and maximum damage on us with the pretext that their failed annexation of Southern Cameroons makes the two Cameroons one and indivisible. As Southern Cameroonians, we must debunk this falsehood.
Over the last two years, some of the bravest soldiers our land would ever produce have fallen. My thoughts are with their souls and their families. Their great service to our nation shall never be forgotten. Four months old, baby Martha, who was shut in the head by the forces of the regime in Yaoundé, and the thousands of our people who have been violently and thoughtlessly murdered by the regime in Yaoundé will remain in our memories forever. The glorious fallen shall rise again. MY FELLOW AMBAZONIANS, MY FELLOW PEOPLE, JOIN ME LETS OBSERVE A MINUTE OF SILENCE IN HONOUR OF THE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OUR PEOPLE SLAUGTHERED BY FRENCH CAMEROONS BRUTAL MILITARY FORCES AS A RESULT OF THEIR SENSELESS WAR.
The world is aware that Atanga Nji and others in La Republique du Cameroun are operating militias in Ambazonia with the sole aim of kidnapping, terrorizing, maiming and slaughtering our people. Their cruelties are being recorded and circulated on social media to paint a deplorable picture of our restoration forces. As a government, we urge all our restoration forces to respect our civilian population at all times. These crimes perpetrated by the regime in Yaoundé shall be laid bare for the world to see in not too distant a future. WE REMAIN FULLY COMMITTED TO THE PROTECTION OF ALL CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AND TO THE RESPECT OF ALL INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW.
Our REVOLUTIONARY LEADER AND President Sisiku AyukTabe, and his leadership team were abducted on the 5th of January 2018 at the NERA Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria and unlawfully returned to La Republique du Cameroun two weeks after. After a charade of a trial at the military tribunal in Yaoundé lasting nine months, on the 19th of August 2019, they were all given life sentences despite the Abuja High Court RULING/declaration that their abduction was unlawful and ordered their return to Nigeria. Their courage and unflinching determination continue to be a continuous source of inspiration for us as a nation.
The role of the diaspora in our struggle is vital. From demonstrations at embassies to lobbying in the US Congress, BRITISH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND ALL OTHERS, from fundraising to political activism, the diaspora’s role has increasingly become forceful and needed. But, over the last few months, [SOME], in the diaspora have lost [THEIR] focus. [THESE] have directed [THEIR] energies shamefully into attacking [OTHER AMBAZONIANS RATHER THAN KEEPING THEIR RELENTLESS EFFORTS TOWARDS ROOTING OUT THE OCCUPAYER FROM EVERY INCH OF AMBAZONIA]. [THESE] have taken [THEIR] eyes off the prize. The time for this to stop is now. Has the goal-Buea- become insignificant?
As we celebrate our second anniversary, my message to the diaspora is simple- UNITE, UNITE FOR THE FREEDOM OF HOMELAND LIKE GROUND ZERO. The significance of unity has never been more crucial. We unite now or we perish. Unity now or the memories of all our fallen heroes become futile. When I look at the diaspora, I don’t see the CONSORTIUM, SCOOP, APLM, AGovC, IG, SCACUF, MORISC, SCEW, SCAW, ROA, SCNC, etc, I see you ALL AS VEHICLES ORDAINLY CREATED TO FREE HOMELAND; l SEE YOU ALL AS MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Let’s have honest conversations and debates to build alliances which will focus on the bigger picture- Buea. WE HAVE STARTED THIS PROJECT OF BUILDING ALLIANCES AND ASK THAT WE ALL GET THIS WORK FOR OUR PEOPLE, WE DO THIS FOR THE SAKE OF HOMELAND, FOR THE SAKE OF THE FALLEN.
Smear and destructive commentary of other frontline movements is unacceptable. Any activity from anyone or group that adds value to our revolution should be applauded not derided. We have diverse networks, opinions and directions but the core foundation remains our main goal- Buea. Our energy and resources should be directed to fighting a fierce and determined enemy.
The fight for independence and freedom is not for the fainthearted. We take inspiration from the lives of Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther Walter Sisulu, Mahatma Ghandi, PATRICE LUMUMBA, THOMAS SANKARA and many greats of the past. Their stories do open our eyes unto the gigantic prize of freedom and independence even when our bodies are too weak to carry us. Their stories must inspire us to guard against slander and blackmail of fellow comrades. A house divided against itself cannot stand. As a nation, we need to stand together in other to fight together. Fighting together, we shall cross the finish line together to taste the sweet victory and build one of the greatest nations the world has ever seen in Ambazonia.
Over two weeks ago, President Paul Biya of La Republique du Cameroun announced a national dialogue. The Interim Government is open and ready for negotiations but we wouldn’t be conned by Mr Biya’s public stunt. If he really wants dialogue, it should be on neutral ground with impartial mediators. Any negotiations or dialogue without the involvement of our LEADERSHIP in his detention PLAYING FRONT ROLE IS unacceptable. We would continue to defend our people, land and property until the moment for serious negotiations arises. LET US REMIND MR BIYA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION THAT THE RELEASE OF OUR LEADERS AND ALL AMBAZONIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS, A CEASEFIRE DECLARED BY THAT ADMINISTRATION AND WITHDRAWAL OF ALL LRC FORCES OF OCCUPATION ARE MINIMUM CONFIDENCE BUILDING MEASURES FOR OUR PEOPLE TO TAKE NEGOTIATIONS ON FOREIGN TERRITORY AS GENUINE AND WELL INTENDED.
The esteemed Southern Cameroons scholar, COMRADE Abdul Karim, was abducted by the security forces of the regime in Yaounde and is currently being held incommunicado in SED Yaoundé. This action doesn’t demonstrate a regime interested in negotiations OR dialogue. We condemn his abduction and demand his immediate AND UNCONDITIONAL release.
Underestimating human potential is one of mankind’s favorite pastimes. We are more resilient and capable than we give ourselves credit for. Ambazonia as a nation has a larger population than over 130 countries around the world. Our vast human and natural resources are untapped. We have the power as a people to achieve anything. The only thing capable of stopping us is ourselves. Ours is the generation ordained to free our land. We, thenever-again generation must make sure we rise to the occasion. Southern Cameroons is for Ambazonians. There is no room for any invader, oppressor or annexationist. THIS HISTORIC RESPONSIBILITY TO FREE HOMELAND WILL NOT BE PASSED ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. TAKE YOUR PLACE IN HISTORY FELLOW COMRADE AND BE COUNTED. FREEDOM WE WANT AND FREEDOM WE WILL GET.
All through history, the great nations always owe a debt of gratitude to one generation. In our country, that happens to be ours. History and truth are on our side. We haven’t come this far to fail. It’s not an option worth contemplating on. The task before us is huge but we must face this historic assignment and enemy with all our valour.
Let us celebrate our Independence Day with pride knowing that justice is being delayed but will never be denied.
Happy Independence Day
THE AMBAZONIAN DREAM IS REAL AND WILL BE DELIVERED IN OUR LIFE TIME
Vice President
Dabney Yerima
US: Trump, RNC announce record $125m ahead of 2020 election
US President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have raised $125 million in the third quarter of the year.
“President Trump has built a juggernaut of a campaign, raising record amounts of money at a record pace,” said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale.
The third quarter covers the three months of July, August and September.
The Trump campaign, his joint fundraising entities and the Republican National Committee ended September with more than $156 million cash on hand, an RNC official told ABC News.
The pro-Trump effort made the headline as the president was facing an impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders leads the Democratic race with a $25.3 million third quarter haul. The number leaves Independent candidate with over $61.5 million in receipts this year.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren have not yet announced their third-quarter cash hauls.
The money raised by the pro-Trump groups stands way beyond the Democrats’ at more than $308 million in total in 2019.
“We are investing millions on the airwaves and on the ground to hold House Democrats accountable, highlight their obstruction, and take back the House and re-elect President Trump in 2020,” GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.
Source: Presstv
Grand National Dialogue in Yaounde goes on without Southern Cameroonians
Cameroon President Paul Biya announced the National Dialogue earlier in September when he also called on all the Separatists in the South West and North West English-speaking regions to surrender and be forgiven. Nearly 3 000 people have died since 2017 in regions. This number includes 300 defence and security personnel. The violence has forced more than 500 000 people to flee their homes.
Separatists want international mediation
The National Dialogue being led by Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute extends through Friday in the capital, Yaounde. Prime Minister Ngute asked the more than 1 000 delgates at the Yaounde conference centre Monday if they would want to make history by bringing peace or war.
The Separatists have refused to attend the talks, demanding that the government release their leader Julius Ayuk Tabe, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in August by a military tribunal that found him guilty of crimes including secession and hostilities against the state.
The rebel groups also say they would only agree to such negotiations if they take place in a foreign country with UN mediators and in the presence of world powers such as the United States, Britain, France and Germany.
In his national address at the beginning of September, President Biya denied any marginalisation of English-speaking regions, saying he has always appointed Cabinet ministers from the troubled areas.
English-speaking regions feel marginalised
On Monday, the prime minister said by solving issues of marginalisation, even without the presence of the separatists, many fighters would give up their struggle.
The violence first erupted in 2016 when teachers and lawyers protested against alleged discrimination at the hands of Cameroon’s French-speaking majority. English speakers make up 20 per cent of the country’s 24 million people and have long complained of being marginalised by the French-speaking majority.
The government responded with a crackdown that sparked an armed movement for an independent, English-speaking state called Ambazonia.
Source: Vatican News
Ambazonians Celebrate ‘Independence’ as Dialogue is Held
English-speaking Cameroonians came out in huge numbers on Oct. 1 to celebrate what they call their independence day, declared by separatist leaders in 2017.
“We are celebrating our independence,” said Godlove Azeng, 31, “and at the same time asking the president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, to remove his military from our territory and asking him to free our leader [Julius] Ayuk Tabe who is jailed in his country.”
Separatist leader Ayuk Tabe was arrested in Nigeria with 47 of his supporters and extradited to Cameroon in January 2018. In August, he was given a life sentence by a military tribunal in Yaounde that found him guilty of crimes including secession and hostilities against the state.
The Oct. 1 celebrations marked the second anniversary since separatists in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions proclaimed an independent state they call Ambazonia.
During the gatherings, nine people were reported killed in gun battles with the military in Kumbo, the Northwest villages of Kikaikom and Mbveh, and the Southwest towns of Kumba and Mamfe.
Deben Tchoffo, governor of the English-speaking Northwest region, says government troops are deployed to protect citizens and Cameroon’s territorial integrity.
“Most of those areas have been secured by our security forces,” Tchoffo said. “Cameroon is ruled by laws and regulations and we are going to take our responsibility to secure the villages and while waiting, I am asking the population of the Northwest region to remobilize themselves [against those who want separation].”
The U.N. reports that the separatist war has forced more than 530,000 people to flee their homes since the conflict erupted in late 2017. It says at least 2,000 civilians and 300 defense and security forces have lost their lives in the war.
National dialogue
A government-run dialogue ordered by Biya and aimed at resolving the separatist crisis is under way in Yaounde.
Separatist backers who live outside Cameroon refused to attend, demanding the government first release Ayuk Tabe and accept negotiations led by the Swiss government.
On social media, they say no talks can start until Biya withdraws troops from English-speaking regions of Cameroon as a sign he has accepted their independence.
Political analyst and U.S.-based Cameroonian Humphrey Nsonka, who is taking part in the national dialogue, says it is unfortunate Cameroon is not doing enough to quell the anger of English-speakers in the country, where French is the majority language.
He says the best option for Cameroon is a federal state, a concept the government rejects in favor of decentralization.
“The huge numbers of people that came out in almost all the villages and towns is an indication of how much English-speaking Cameroonians are disgruntled with the domineering attitude of the French majority,” Nsonka said. “I think Cameroon should consider [a] federal state with the Anglophones on one part and French speakers on the other.”
Source: VOA
On October 1, 1961, 2 countries, La Republique du Cameroun (formerly colonized by France) and ‘Southern Cameroons’ (colonized by Britain) came together
With the prayers of Pope Francis, a major national dialogue to resolve the crisis that has been rocking Cameroon’s English-speaking regions began on Monday, although separatist rebels refused to attend.
Cameroon President Paul Biya announced the dialogue earlier in September when he also called on all separatists in the South East and North East English-speaking regions to surrender and be forgiven.
Nearly 3,000 people have died since 2017 in fighting in the regions over the separatist issue, including 300 defense and security forces. The violence forced more than 500,000 people from their homes.
The talks being led by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute extend through Friday in the capital, Yaoundé.
On Sunday, Francis prayed during his Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square that “this dialogue may be fruitful and lead to solutions of just and lasting peace, to the benefit of all.”
The pontiff expressed his closeness to the “sufferings and hopes of the beloved Cameroonian people.”
The “Anglophone Crisis” began in 2016, when demonstrations broke out in the English-speaking North West and South West regions after there were demands to use French in their common law courts and English-modeled schools. English speakers make up around 20 percent of the country’s population and have long complained about being marginalized by the French-speaking ruling class.
After Cameroon’s security forces’ heavy-handed response – including using live ammunition on demonstrators – rebel movements arose calling for the independence of Anglophone Cameroon, saying the new country would be called Ambazonia.
Biya said the national dialogue – although primarily dealing with the Anglophone crisis – will also focus on issues of national interest such as “national unity, national integration and living together, it is obvious that it will not concern only the population of these two regions.”
As the approximately 500 delegates meet in Yaoundé for the dialogue, the Cameroon bishops of the Bamenda province, which covers the English-speaking regions of the country, have called for the root causes of the Anglophone crisis to be addressed.
In a statement submitted to the prime minister on Thursday, the Anglophone bishops laid out the case for their people.
“On October 1, 1961, two countries, namely La Republique du Cameroun (formerly colonized by France) and the ‘Southern Cameroons’ (colonized by Britain) came together to form one country-the Federal Republic of Cameroon,” the statement said.
The bishops noted that the federal nation of the original union is no more, having been dissolved in 1972.
“Southern Cameroons has disappeared and is now known as the North West and South West regions. The people of these two regions (formerly Southern Regions) feel that they have been annexed, and they now vehemently reject it, and so think that the national territory of Cameroon should revert the appellation and respect the agreement of 1961,” the bishops said.
They said the change to a unitary government led to “a feeling of domination, marginalization, subjugation, and assimilation” for the country’s English speakers.
They also accused successive administrations in Yaoundé, saying they “manipulatively, for the past years, violated the agreement and dismantled or destroyed institutions, practices, procedures, way of life or living and doing, or in general, way of governance in the former Southern Cameroons in all spheres-political, administrative, economic, social, cultural, legal, educational, etc…and have replaced them with those practiced in the territory of the former ‘Republique du Cameroun’.”
The bishops said the ongoing crisis is “a response to a state of affairs Anglophones are no longer willing to endure.”
As prerequisites for the dialogue, the Catholic leaders called for a ceasefire on both sides, the liberation of all those detained or imprisoned as a result of the crisis, as well as amnesty to be granted to Anglophones in the diaspora, so they can freely participate in the dialogue.
The bishops also called for a neutral body to mediate the talks in order to enhance trust in the process. They called for the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission “where atrocities committed must be confessed, and justice and reconciliation done.”
Separatists fail to attend the dialogue over security issues
The separatists have shunned the talks, citing security concerns. On Sept. 22, the main separatist leaders abroad expressed willingness to dialogue, but posed a set of conditions the government has not been willing to accept. They called for international mediation, a meeting place outside the country, and an agenda focused on the terms of separation.
The government had made it clear that talks about separation will never be tolerated and has offered no concessions that could persuade the separatists to reconsider their stance.
Separatist leaders are still in jail, a ceasefire has not been declared, and the president’s threat to deal firmly with the “terrorists” means they can’t be assured of their security if they were to attend the meeting.
Cardinal Christian Tumi, the emeritus Archbishop of Douala, and a delegation of religious leaders met with Ngute on Sept. 18 with the results of a survey conducted in the country’s Anglophone regions.
Tumi said over 1,000 Anglophones responded to the questionnaire, and that a vast majority – 69 percent – want to secede.
Source: Crux
Southern Cameroons: Health officials reports monkeypox case in Ekondo-Titi
Health officials have reported a confirmed case of monkeypox in the Ekondo-Titi health district in South-west region of Cameroon last week. Supportive measures for case management have been put in place and community-based surveillance has been stepped up in the region.
The region and the country is also experiencing outbreaks of cholera and measles.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs throughout remote parts of Central and West Africa, often near tropical rain forests. Fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion are followed by a rash. Patients are usually ill for 2–4 weeks. Monkeypox is fatal in as many as 10% of people who get it.
Source: Outbreaknewstoday
UN Security Council: There will be 40 meetings this month but none on Cameroon
With the UN Security Council presidency for October being taken over by South Africa’s Jerry Matjila, he bragged in his 1 October 2019 press conference that there would be 40 meetings in the month.
None, though, on the slaughter in Cameroon. And Inner City Press which most asks about that UN failure remains banned from the UN by Antonio Guterres. Matjila’s predecessor Mutaboba raised it; Matjila has not. It was whispered to him to hand the third question to his own state media, after the first question was by the head of UNCA just back from a junket in China, asking about Chinese power. This is today’s UN.
The Great Lakes of Africa? Guterres’ envoy Huang Xia will brief on October 3. Killing off the mission in Haiti, after the UN killed 10,000 people with cholera and didn’t pay one cent. Lunch with corrupt Guterres on the 17th, after reviewing his corrupt policies on Yemen and then Darfur. A trip to Addis and side trip to Juba – Inner City Press used to go on such Council trips, until Guterres’ reign of censorship – and at the end, Burundi on which Matjila was apologetic. Kafando has failed. We’ll have more on this.
Source: Inner City Press