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Cameroon has arrested and jailed more than a dozen government administrators and project managers in a crackdown on corruption. But many think President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 34 years, is just silencing his opponents.

Among the 14 senior state officials arrested and detained within the past two weeks is Joseph Andre Eyebe Eyebe, the highest ranking government official in the western town of Bangante.

Cameroon's Justice Ministry says he and 13 others were charged by the country's special criminal tribunal for corruption cases and taken to prison in Yaounde, the capital.

Justice Ministry spokesman Etienne Dika says the 14 men are accused of embezzling $9 million that was to be paid as compensation for people evicted from land used for the construction of a deep sea port in Kribi.

Dika says Cameroonians who have been advocating for transparency should assist the government in its fight against corruption instead of complaining of political witch hunting.  He said charging the accused will help establish the truth.

At least two dozen former officials, including immediate past prime minister Ephraim Inoni, and heads of state corporations have been arrested in what the government says is a campaign against corruption.

President for life?

Among them is former senior government minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya, who insists they are victims of President Paul Biya's desire to stay in power for life. 

In a letter to journalists, Yaya states that in 2008 he advised Biya not to change the constitution that limited his mandate, but that the president ignored his calls, changed the constitution, ran for president and was declared the winner.

Etienne Haman of Cameroon's non-governmental organization "Peoples' Rights" says it looks like the anti-corruption campaign targets Biya's opponents.

He says people think the detention of corrupt officials has political undertones because corruption has continued, despite the mass arrests and detention of suspects.  He says many Cameroonians are indifferent about the arrests that were originally intended to discourage the theft of public funds.

The communications secretary for Cameroon's main opposition Social Democratic Front, Beatrice Animbom, says Biya should instead ask the suspects to pay back the money.

"First, there were ministers and persons of that rank who were embezzlers in this country.  Now, it is the turn of DOs and SDs (local administrative leaders).  Cameroonians are asking that these monies embezzled be returned to the treasury to help build roads and provide water and electricity.  That is what Cameroonians want," Biya said.

The government has complained about lengthy judicial processes and difficulties tracing embezzled funds in foreign banks, but last year Cameroon said it had recovered $4 million in public funds.   

The state estimates $152 million in public funds has been stolen.Cameroon law states corruption suspects can be detained and their travel documents seized during investigations.

VOA

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Elangwe Pauline

16.May.2016

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The Cameroon football family led by the representative of president Paul Biya, the Minister of Sports and Physical Education Bidoung Kpwatt has accompanied the late midfielder, Patrick Claude Ekeng Ekeng who passed away on May 6 during the Romanian Championship game to his final resting place.

The remains of the former Canon of Yaounde player arrived last night and given a state tribute prior burial in strict family intimacy.

Meanwhile during the burial the Ekeng Billong family hailed the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung kpwatt for his advice during national homage to the fallen player that militated for the funeral to take palace without any problems.

Problems ensure as to the sharing of the money provided by the head of state and it was resolved to share the FCFA 10,000,000 into two between Ekeng’s wife and the mother.

“We take the commitment that this is a peaceful house”, Ekeng Billong family head said.

Speaking after the colleague of religious leaders who jointly preached forgiveness and love, the he declared that peace would reign.

“My in-laws, we are going to talk about things after the novena and we would come and see you”, he added.

To Ekeng’s wife, he said, “this is your home with your children and if I took the engagement to bury Ekeng here because this is your home, do not abandon it”.

Patrick is gone and we the two families have to continue his works, he recalled the words of the Minister, Bidoung Kpwatt.

For the brother Jacques Ekeng, Patou as Ekeng was fondly called, “gave more love to his friend than to his family. That is Patrick, he was generous”.

“No matter the beauty, riches and cars you cannot be saved from death”, he told Patou’s friends.

He narrated that since 2009 when Patrick became a professional player he never stopped preaching to him and two months before his death he decided to confess and change his ways and give his life to Christ.

On this premise Jacques Ekeng called on Patou’s friends to repent.
“My brother is dead with a smile and this is what comforts me.

If Patou wanted to put order in his life at the same time God decided to take him, may God’s name be glorified, he reiterated.

Jacques Ekeng maintained that the day death comes nobody will be given some seconds to change things just as when Patou was getting into the stadium he did not know that was the end.

The Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Bidoung Kpwatt, on the occasion read the message of the presidential couple extending his sympathy to the bereaved family.

During the ceremony the little daughter sat on her mother’s laps playing with the programme calling papa ignorant of the fact that the father is dead.

Lions4life

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Elangwe Pauline

16.May.2016

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Western diplomats showed their dismay at President Museveni's mocking of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by walking out of his swearing-in ceremony in Kampala . Museveni called the organization "useless."

Representatives of the US, Canada and Europe walked out of Uganda's presidential inauguration on Thursday after leader Yoweri Museveni mocked the International Criminal Court (ICC). The 71-year-old was being sworn in for his fifth term as president of the east African nation.

Even before his comments, Museveni's inauguration was controversial not only for opposition allegations that he only won re-election by fraud, but for the appearance of Sudan President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on genocide charges, but he has repeatedly rejected the court's authority and flouted its warrant by taking trips abroad.

Although Uganda is a signatory to the ICC, Museveni derided the court as a "a bunch of useless people" during the inauguration's welcoming remarks.

At this, many Western diplomats walked out of the ceremony.

US statement

"In response to President Bashir's presence and President Museveni's remarks, the United States delegation, along with representatives of the European Union countries and Canada, departed the inauguration ceremonies to demonstrate our objection," US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told the press.

"We believe that walking out in protest is an appropriate reaction to a head of state mocking efforts to ensure accountability for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity," Trudeau added. The United States is not a signatory of the ICC.

Museveni has ruled Uganda for thirty years. For his inauguration, the government blocked Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter and other social media platforms across the country, citing security reasons. In his speech, Museveni vowed to wipe out corruption and punish inefficient bureaucrats.

DW

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Elangwe Pauline

14.May.2016

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Several hundred people from Central African nations are stranded in the southern region of Cameroon after being expelled from neighboring Equatorial Guinea and Gabon this month.

Equatorial Guinea and Gabon say they are expelling foreigners who do not have proper identification papers.

The majority of those being expelled are economic migrants from around Central Africa(CEMAC).  They complain that authorities in those two countries ransacked their homes, seized their money and deposited them on the border at Kiossi in Cameroon.

CCTV

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Elangwe Pauline

14.May.2016

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French President Francois Hollande is due in Africa on a visit that will take him to the Central African Republic and Nigeria. The visit is seen as part of a strategy to revamp France's stand on terrorism in Africa.

Hollande is expected to arrive in the Central African Republic later on Friday. France sent troops into the C.A.R to help curb violence between Muslim and Christian militias that led to thousands of deaths. It now intends to withdraw them this year.

Hollande will then go to Nigeria to take part in a regional summit, focused on fighting Boko Haram. France and Nigeria signed a road-map for military cooperation at the end of last month.

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Elangwe Pauline

13.May.2016

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An explosion has rocked Borno state Secretariat in Maiduguri, the state capital, on Thursday killing 8 people and injuring 19. Witnesses said the explosive device taken to the gate of the secretariat was conveyed in a tricycle. The secretariat has been sealed up barring movement in and out of the building. Reporters on the ground said the explosion killed 8 people and injured 19. 

Meanwhile the state governor Kashim Shettima and the GOC Commanding the 7 Division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu visited the scene of the incident and the hospital where the injured were taken to. They commiserated with the victms of the attack and assured residents of their safety.

Daily Trust

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Elangwe Pauline

12.May.2016

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