Breaking News

Somaliland ready to give US access to its minerals, military bases

23/02/2026

A Somaliland official has revealed that the country’s leadership is prepared to give the United States access to its mineral resources and military bases in exchange for recognition of the breakaway entity as an independent state.

“We are willing to give exclusive access to our minerals to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States,” Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Somaliland, Khadar Hussein Abdi, told AFP in an interview on Saturday.

He added, “We believe that we will agree on something with the United States.”

The Somali government has canceled security and defense agreements with the UAE concerning key ports, citing breaches of the country’s sovereignty.

The Israeli regime is the only entity in the world that has recognized the area as an independent state.

Somaliland’s president said he would give the Israeli regime privileged access to its mineral resources in exchange for its recognition.

Nevertheless, it remains to be recognized by the rest of the world as a breakaway region of Somalia, covering the northwestern area once considered a British Protectorate.

Source: Presstv

Trump ‘curious’ why Iran hasn’t ‘capitulated’ despite massive US military buildup

22/02/2026

US special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, said on Saturday that US President Donald Trump is “curious” as to why Iran has not “capitulated” to US demands to strike a deal on its nuclear program.

Speaking to Lara Trump, the president’s daughter-in-law on Fox news, Witkoff said, “The president asked me that this morning, and he’s — I don’t wanna use the word frustrated… because he understands he’s got plenty of alternatives, but… he’s curious as to why they haven’t, I don’t wanna use the word capitulated, but why they haven’t capitulated.”

He added that Trump is wondering “why, under this pressure, with the amount of sea power and naval power over there, why haven’t they come to us and said, ‘we profess we don’t want a weapon, so here’s what we’re prepared to do?’”

Claiming that Iran has enriched uranium beyond levels needed for civilian purposes, Witkoff said that Trump’s red lines require Iran to maintain “zero enrichment” of uranium.

He also confirmed in the interview that he had met with Reza Pahlavi, “I met him at the direction of the president,” he said, without providing further details.

While the interview came in the backdrop of Iran-US tensions, on one hand, Trump is constantly calling upon Iran to “make a deal,” while on the other hand, he is continuously increasing military presence in the region.

Meanwhile, Tehran has also constantly stated that it would respond decisively to any act of fresh military adventurism, as in the case of the US attacks last June, which prompted a ballistic missile barrage against Al Udeid, Washington’s most important regional airbase, which is located in Qatar.

Source: Presstv

Biya authorizes up to CFA1, 650 billion in domestic and external borrowing

22/02/2026

Cameroon has begun outlining how it plans to finance its 2026 budget, with a strong focus on capital markets. On February 19 in Douala, Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé presented the state’s 2026 financing program to investors. The session aimed to attract participation in upcoming fundraising operations intended to supplement budget resources.

The event followed thematic discussions led by the Directorate General of the Treasury under the theme “Diversification of funding sources and sustainable management of public debt.” The discussions were designed to clarify the government’s borrowing strategy and reassure investors about its approach to debt sustainability.

The framework for accessing markets has already been set. In a presidential decree signed on January 21, 2026, President Paul Biya authorized the finance minister to raise up to CFA1,650 billion on domestic and international capital markets.

According to the decree, the funds will be used to finance development projects and to settle outstanding payment arrears, known as restes-à-payer (RAP). These arrears refer to invoices pending payment by the Treasury for several months and represent a liquidity constraint for suppliers working with the state.

The presentation in Douala forms part of the government’s broader effort to structure its borrowing early in the fiscal year and position itself with investors ahead of new issuances.

Source: Sbbc

The Holy Father skips America’s 250th anniversary despite invitation

21/02/2026

Pope Leo XIV has rejected a formal invitation to attend the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebration, opting instead to go to an immigrant reception center on a tiny, remote island.

The Vatican officially announced on Thursday that Pope Leo will be in Lampedusa, a small Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea that serves as a gateway for asylum-seekers heading from West Asia and North Africa to Europe in an effort to flee from poverty, persecution, conflict, and the horrors of war in their native homeland.

The pope had been invited to the United States to attend the US 250th Independence Day events on July 4.

US Vice President JD Vance had personally handed Pope Leo the invitation back in May 2025, inviting the first US-born American pontiff to take part in the Fourth of July 2026 celebrations.

Vatican’s announcement of the Pope’s visit to Lampedusa came just days after it publicly refused US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace” initiative for the Gaza Strip. “The Vatican will not participate in the Board of Peace for Gaza,” Leo’s Secretary of State announced this week.

The deadly crackdown by immigration police in the United States is condemned in the European Parliament.

Trump plans to mark America’s 250th Independence Day anniversary by holding “the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen.”

His promised goal, Trump says, is to showcase American greatness and unity on a grand scale.

Instead of taking part in the Fourth of July celebrations, Pope Leo will kneel with migrants, praying for the thousands of asylum seekers in desperate search of a better life, many of whom perished after their boats capsized on the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea.

However, this is not the first time that the pope’s schedule has upstaged the president’s plans.

On June 14, 2025, Trump’s birthday, the president reveled in a military parade he’d ordered in Washington, part of his effort to appropriate civic rituals for personal glory. On that same day, Pope Leo appeared on a giant screen in Chicago’s Rate Field to deliver Mass.

Pope Leo delivered an uplifting message of unity and hope to 30,000 hometown faithful attending the Mass in honor of his election.

The Pope’s message urged young people to “build community” and put aside “egotistical ways.”

Simultaneously, anti-authoritarian protesters were staging rallies across the US, denouncing Trump’s authoritarian stance.

Chicago’s “No Kings” rally drew thousands of protesters who were decrying the very authoritarian spectacle taking place in Washington, DC, where tanks rolled past the Lincoln Memorial monument.

Source: Presstv

Indomitable Lions: Four dual-nationals ready to switch allegiance

20/02/2026

Cameroon national football team could be on the verge of bolstering its ranks, as four talented dual-nationality players have publicly expressed their desire to represent the Indomitable Lions.

While the Indomitable Lions will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the squad continues to attract interest from players eager to contribute to the national setup.

Among those seeking to don the green, red, and yellow jersey is Franco Tongya, a 23-year-old midfielder who currently plays for Gençlerbirliği FK in the Turkish Süper Lig. Tongya, who also holds Italian nationality, has chosen Cameroon as his international destination and is keen to make an impact on the national stage.

Oliver Kamdem, a right-back with French and Cameroonian nationality, has similarly declared his ambition to play for the Indomitable Lions. Kamdem, who currently represents Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, sees international duty with Cameroon as a key milestone in his career.

Defensive reinforcements are also in sight, with Lilian Njoh, a left-back playing for Servette FC, openly expressing his desire to commit to Cameroon despite being born in France.

Adding attacking depth, Yonis Njoh, a 22-year-old striker at Viborg FF, has also signaled his intention to represent the Indomitable Lions, completing a promising quartet of prospective talents.

The willingness of these four players to commit to Cameroon underscores the enduring appeal and competitive potential of the national team, even as it prepares for competitions beyond the World Cup. Their arrival could provide fresh energy, versatility, and international experience to a squad aiming to maintain its stature on the African football scene.

Source: Africasoccer

Yaoundé: 4 journalists detained while investigating U.S. deportees

20/02/2026

Four journalists and a lawyer were arrested Tuesday in Cameroon while reporting on Africans recently deported from the United States.

The journalists were in a compound in Yaoundé where the deportees were being held to interview and document the conditions, when they were detained by Cameroon authorities, multiple news outlets report.

The judicial police separated the reporters from the lawyer and brought them in for questioning. During his detention, an Associated Press reporter said a police member struck him. The police confiscated cameras, phones and laptops before releasing the reporters.

Cameroon officials said the journalists held sensitive government information, but no formal charges have been filed.

None of the deportees were citizens of Cameroon, and many had legal protections against removal to their home countries, where many of them said their lives would be at risk, according to reports.

Their lawyers said none of the deportees were accused of violent crimes. They also said that those held in detention were told they could not leave the facility unless they agreed to return to their respective countries, despite having gained previous removal protections.

The case has raised concerns over transparency and press freedoms in Cameroon and the U.S. deportation practices that place many in dangerous situations.

It is unknown whether there is a formal agreement between the U.S. government and Cameroon on the placement of deported individuals.

Cameroon’s Ministry of External Affairs has made no public comment and the State Department told The New York Times it would not comment on “diplomatic communications with other governments.”

Critics, including former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official Scott Schuchart, said the deportations to Cameroon are potentially illegal.

Source: Washington Times

Far North: 5 Boko Haram militants killed in attack on military outpost

20/02/2026

At least five Boko Haram militants were killed after launching a coordinated overnight assault on a military outpost in Cameroon’s Far North region, military sources said on Thursday.

The attack occurred late Wednesday into early Thursday in Hile Alifa, a locality in the Logone and Chari division. Weapons used by the militants were seized during the confrontation.

The targeted outpost hosts Cameroon’s elite Rapid Intervention Battalion.

“There were more than 40 terrorists. They ambushed and attacked the outpost. Our brave soldiers responded professionally and repelled the assault. Many of the attackers fled with bullet wounds,” a senior military officer, who requested anonymity, said.

Local media reported that one soldier was killed in the attack.

Boko Haram has been active in Cameroon’s Far North region since 2014, carrying out attacks against security forces and civilians.

Source: Xinhuanet

AP journalist detained in Cameroon while reporting on U.S. deportees

19/02/2026

An Associated Press journalist was beaten by police and briefly detained alongside three other reporters and a lawyer in Yaoundé while attempting to interview Africans recently deported from the United States, two sources told Reuters.

The journalists had their equipment confiscated, which has yet to be returned, and were taken to the judicial police by plainclothes officers on Tuesday after attempting to film the facility hosting the deportees, sources said.

“It was an extremely stressful experience,” said freelance journalist Randy Joe Sa’ah, who was briefly detained.

“I was surprised by how quickly the situation escalated. It felt as though our only ‘offence’ was simply being present at the facility where people were being held,” he said.

AP declined to comment.

Cameroon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and police did not respond to requests for comment.

The first group of deportees arrived in Cameroon in January, including two individuals from Ghana, two from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two from Morocco, two from Angola, and one from Zimbabwe. The Moroccans have since returned home but the remaining seven migrants remain in Cameroon.

A second group arrived early on Monday and included three Ethiopians, one Senegalese, one Kenyan, one Sierra Leonean, and two from the DRC.

The Trump administration has approached a number of African governments about accepting deportees as part of its campaign to deter immigration through high-profile deportations to so-called “third countries.” In some cases migrants have voiced concerns for their safety. Cameroon has not disclosed whether it participated in the U.S. administration’s program. The State Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

The recent flights brought the total number of deportees in Cameroon to 17, according to four deportees and two lawyers.

All the deportees had been granted withholding of removal status in the U.S., which protects individuals from deportation to countries where they fear persecution or harm.

Source: Reuters

Should Pope Leo Visit Cameroon?

19/02/2026

Pope Leo plans to visit Cameroon shortly, although details of the controversial trip have not yet been confirmed by the Vatican. Questions are being raised about whether the Pope’s presence bestows legitimacy on the regime of 93-year-old President Paul Biya. In the nineth year of a vicious civil war, the Central African nation held an election last October which was considered neither free nor fair by respected monitoring groups. Biya remains in power after four decades at the helm of a country considered corrupt by Transparency International and other observers. Meanwhile, Amnesty International points to dozens of political prisoners held in appalling circumstances.

Does the Pope’s visit offer an opportunity for the Church to draw attention to the regime’s shortcomings, urging a change of direction, and a respect for human rights and democracy? PAV asked several Cameroonian civil society leaders for their views. Some names have been omitted to preserve their safety.

According to Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, winner of the International Women of Courage Award in 2021, “The Pope embodies the voice of the voiceless and intercedes with Jesus to end our suffering. That is why we are happy with the arrival of the Pope in Cameroon. His visit must be part of our reconciliation and social justice process. We ask Pope Leo to entrust the Virgin Mary to undo the knots of disagreement, establish mutual forgiveness, and talk to leaders in order to cultivate compromise.”

Madame Ngo Mbe draws attention to the truth and reconciliation process inspired by Pope Francis in the Central African Republic as an example of what can be achieved.

Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, senior associate at the National Democratic Institute in Washington DC agrees. “His Holiness is in a position to know the suffering and misery that Cameroonians have endured under the repressive and kleptocratic regime of a 93 years old autocrat. The world will be watching the Pope’s every step and every word to be sure the biblical downtrodden who constitute the vast majority of the Cameroonian population can find voice and a future while counting on the Holy Father.”

However, Paul (his last name is omitted for his security), who leads a development NGO, asks what the Pope hopes to achieve. “Is it to endorse the current system, encourage looting, the appropriation of resources by the system’s elites, violence, and political grudges? To help Cameroonians mourn the thousands of deaths resulting from conflicts in the Northwest and Southwest or post-electoral crises?”

Like Madame Ngo Mbe, Paul hopes Pope Leo will prompt a process of reconciliation and sustainable peace. “Knowing the regime’s ability to deceive everyone in order to maintain power and preserve its privileges, one fears that the visit might be nothing more than an endorsement, a blessing that the regime is seeking.”

Judith (last name omitted to protect her security), a Cameroonian Diaspora “seeking positive change back home and conflict resolution through dialogue”, urges the Pope not to visit Cameroon “at this fraught moment.” She continues, “If he does come, I pray he will speak with the moral clarity of our social teaching – affirming the dignity of every person, the primacy of the common good, and the duty of authority to serve the people – by urging the regime to respect the will of the electorate.”

Sharing Judith’s concerns is Serge Banyongen, professor of political science at the University of Ottawa. “If Pope Leo XIV visits Cameroon, he will be welcomed by ceremonies and carefully curated images of stability, in which the Yaoundé regime excels. Above all, the Pope must learn the truth about the suffering Church in Cameroon. Priests, religious, and lay faithful have been murdered, some in cold blood. Two bishops, Mgr. Balla and Mgr. Plummey, along with countless priests and nuns, have died in circumstances that were never credibly investigated. Their deaths remain wounds that have yet to heal. When the Catholic Church has spoken prophetically, calling for justice, dialogue, and reform, it has been humiliated, intimidated, and pressured into silence.”

Source: panafricanvisions

Iran Supreme leader to Trump: “Warships can be sent to the seabed”

17/02/2026

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has responded to repeated US military threats against Iran, saying that the weapons that can sink the American carriers are “more dangerous” than the warships.

“The American president [Donald Trump] repeatedly says that their military is the strongest in the world. The strongest military in the world, however, can sometimes be struck so hard that it cannot even get back on its feet,” Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday while addressing thousands of people from East Azarbaijan Province.

“They keep saying, ‘We have sent an aircraft carrier toward Iran.’ Fine—an aircraft carrier is certainly a dangerous piece of equipment. But more dangerous than the carrier is the weapon capable of sending it to the bottom of the sea,” he added.

Source: Presstv

«< 7 8 9 10 11 >»