Afrique

Ekondo Titi Mayor contradicts earlier claims that security has returned, blames population

Published

2 weeks ago

November 14, 2023

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Utam Margaret Ndiba, the Mayor of Ekondo Titi subdivision in the Ndian Division, South West Region of Cameroon, has castigated the local population for failing to collaborate with security forces. This assertion was made during a recent “peace” tour orchestrated by the Senior Divisional Officer of Ndian.

Expressing her concerns about the precarious security situation in the subdivision, Mayor Utam Margaret pointed accusatory fingers at the residents, holding them responsible for not reporting incidents and cooperating with the established security forces. In a meeting with the local population, she remarked, “How many reports have you passed over to the security forces to collaborate with them? To ensure that they know that what comes from you is something that, when they go for it, they will have the answer.”

On his part, the Senior Divisional Officer, Gilbert Guibai Baldena, urged the population to actively counter separatist fighters. He outlined specific measures, stating, “To terrorise terrorists is to speak with one voice, to put an end to terrorism, to enrol in vigilante groups. To say no to ghost town, to stop financing terrorism, to say no.”

Ironically, security and defence officials recently stated that the security situation is “improving” due to the support from the population. Colonel Onambele Louis, the most senior army official in the region, shared his perspective, asserting, “Now, the security situation is calm, and it’s improving. We are backing our population, who are giving us a lot of intel at this point. So the situation is improving,” during a joint security evaluation meeting chaired by Cameroon’s Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Rene Claude Meka.

Ekondo Titi Locals in a Conundrum

Ekondo Titi has faced numerous challenges since the onset of the Anglophone crisis in the North and South West Regions of Cameroon. For years, local residents have called for a lasting solution to the crisis that has claimed numerous lives in the subdivision.

However, they find themselves entangled in a dilemma as they navigate instructions from both the administration and separatist fighters. The local population, conscious of their safety, frequently becomes paralyzed by this conundrum even though the government expects cooperation with security forces, which has occasionally had tragic results.

The most recent unfortunate incident in the Ndian Division was the attack by separatist fighters at Pamol Plantations’ Lobe Estate on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Pamol’s management confirmed the attack, attributing it to “unknown armed men” in a release published on September 18 and signed by its General Manager, Mbile Tapea Solomon.

Mimi Mefo Info

Afrique

Canada Boosts Cameroon’s Health Information Management with Equipment Donation

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2023

Thomas Mbida

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The Canadian government has provided a valuable consignment of medical equipment in a move aimed at enhancing health information management in Cameroon. The Canadian High Commissioner to Cameroon, Her Excellency Lorraine Anderson, delivered the equipment on November 22 during an audience with the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie.

The donation, part of the Canadian Global Initiative and Vaccine Equity (CanGive) project, includes 1,900 electronic blood pressure monitors, 1,900 glucometers, 150 boxes of 50 strips, 270 tablets, and 310 smartphones. The equipment, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of FCFA, is specifically aimed at strengthening health information management and improving decision-making in health districts.

Her Excellency Lorraine Anderson emphasised that the equipment would play a crucial role in supporting the delivery of COVID-19 vaccine services, particularly for at-risk groups in the East, Far North, North West, and South West regions of Cameroon. Canada is actively partnering to enhance routine immunisation, focusing on zero-dose and undervaccinated children and unreached communities.

“As part of the #CanGIVE project, Canada is proud to have contributed $3 million, and to deliver medical and monitoring equipment, in collaboration with #WHO, to Cameroon’s Minister of Health public,” a tweet from the High Commission read.

The donation also addresses the need to reinforce immunisation services’ quality in the targeted regions, along with enhanced screening for chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension.

Expressing gratitude, Minister Manaouda Malachie thanked the Canadian government and the World Health Organization (WHO) for their continuous support in Cameroon’s health challenges. The minister highlighted that the provided equipment, including vaccination monitoring and prevention tools, aligns with the country’s new epidemiological monitoring tool.

While acknowledging Cameroon’s satisfactory response to the COVID-19 health crisis, Dr. Manaouda stressed the ongoing need for vigilance. The collaborative efforts between Canada and Cameroon aim to fortify the healthcare system and contribute to the nation’s public health goals.

Mimi Mefo Info

Afrique

Tubah Mayor Urges Calm Amidst Bambili-Nkwen Land Dispute

Published

5 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Thomas Mbida

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In the wake of heightened tension and street protests in Bambili, Mayor Tanjong Martin of Tubah Council has appealed for calm among the residents. The unrest stems from a longstanding land dispute between Bambili and Nkwen villages.

Speaking on Thursday, November 23, in Bambili, Mayor Tanjong addressed a crowd of agitated women and youth, urging restraint and emphasising the need to await the intervention of the state to address the complex land issue.

“I have called for calm. We cannot sacrifice life for land. In the 21st century, we are still fighting, killing, and destroying properties for land. I have called on my people to be calm. Let’s follow the law; we in Tubah believe in law and not aggression,” Mayor Tanjong stated.

Accompanied by the Divisional Officer (DO) of Tubah, Massango Metouge Narcisse, the Mayor stressed the importance of a final solution from the state to enable people to live peacefully. He appealed for swift action to bring an end to the conflict so that residents could resume their daily lives.

Mayor Tanjong also called for a halt to the burning of houses and the destruction of properties at the scene, addressing those involved in these activities. “If it is non-Bambili people burning these houses, we are calling for an immediate stop to this ill activity,” he asserted.

The recent unrest saw houses in Bambili reportedly set ablaze at the borderland with Nkwen on Thursday, November 23. In response, angered residents of Bambili mobilized, attributing the act to individuals hired to commit atrocities. Some accused the people of Nkwen of pushing them out to sell their lands.

The disputed land is situated around the Bamenda industrial zone, bordering Bambili, Bambui, and Nkwen. The conflict, with roots stretching back several years, has yet to receive comments from other authorities at the time of this report.

Mimi Mefo Info

Afrique

Car crash leaves 8 dead, 11 injured in West Region

Published

9 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Thomas Mbida

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By Tata Mbunwe

Eight people have died and 11 others sustained injuries in a ghastly car accident that occurred 10am today along the Bafoussam-Foumbot road in the West Region.

The tragic collision involved a heavy-duty truck and a Hiace bus belonging to the Avenir du Noun travel agency.

According to a press release from the West Regional Governor, Awa Fonka Augustine, the accident unfolded around Banefo in Bafoussam I Subdivision.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the collision was the result of “a bad overtaking”.

The vehicles involved were identified as a truck transporting goods, registered SW 013 AA, traveling from Bafoussam to Foumbot, and a Hiace car from the Avenir du Noun travel agency, registered LT 768 LN, en route from Foumbot to Bafoussam.

The force of the impact left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of eight individuals and causing injuries to 11 others.

“The Governor of the West Region extends his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” Govenor Awa Fonka wrote in the release.

The aftermath of the accident saw emergency response teams rushing to the scene to provide assistance and transport the injured to the Kouékong Regional Hospital.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and exercising caution on the roads to prevent such tragic accidents.

Mimi Mefo Info