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CAMEROON'S PUBLIC DEBT: HIGH BUT NOT TOO HIGH, YET

By Clarice Arrey Tarkang

By April 2020, it was estimated at 38.2% of the gross domestic product representing 8, 826 billion CFA francs owed by the State. By the end of the same year, analysts are looking at that indicator to go up to 45%. The question is should contractors be worried about doing business with the government? Well, officials say far from it. No need to panic yet as the public debt remains sustainable meaning the current debt level and future borrowing do not affect the State's ability to honour its financial obligations. Furthermore, the threshold for the public debt in the CEMAC zone stands at 70% with respect to the convergence criteria. Credibility is therefore not an issue.

Be that as it may, the 2021 draft budget is in the making and one of the things to closely monitor is the public debt officials of the Ministry of Finance insist. Any spending decisions described without a strong and sure foundation to create jobs and wealth may end up becoming paving the way for an economic time bomb they expound. Covid -19 has brought with it fears about the the advent of a situation which will see the public debt continue rising without any guarantee of having a plan B to fall back on when the creditors come calling. Uncertainty surrounding the evolution of the disease calls for caution public finance specialists recommend. A line of thought echoed by officials of the Directorate General of the Budget at the Ministry of Finance. They hold that while it is necessary to push through with the development agenda, it is nonetheless essential to keep the country out of debt distress.

The how is subject to various schools of thought. For some, concessional loans are the way to go if at all necessity takes precedence over logic. They are extended on terms more generous than market loans with interest rates lower or flexible periods of grace. The economy could handle it but not an avalanche of them though, they caution. For others, projects which were built on debt must be made to function without delay in order to enable investors begin getting a return on their investments. Still others argue that it all starts with the proper management of public finance by spending to make growth happen. Resources should be for the right purpose or project as the case may be, in the right place and at the right time. Fast tracking decentralization and the COVID -19 response plan are some points of interest. Any cash disbursement which targets these may get many approving but in the end for many, visible impact is what they hope to see.

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Limbe Councils on a demolition spree

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

The Limbe I, II, III and City Councils began a demolition exercise in the entire municipality on Wednesday July 15, 2020, kicking off at Bonadikombo. Accompanied by the forces of law and order and with the use of bulldozers, the demolition team brought down any structure that was situated near the main street that does not comply with the 5-metre distance as prescribed by the law.

The demolition exercise is not only important to keep the Town of Friendship squeaky clean and looking neat all the time, but also to permit the city compete favourably in the just-launched competition for the “Cleanest City of Cameroon” that pits Limbe against the cities of Douala and Yaounde.

Naturally there was a general outcry in the municipality as scores of affected families lost their main and only source of livelihood in the demolition that met severe resistance from them. According to Council officials, sufficient “quit notices” had been served to city dwellers that have buildings or extension structures along the main street of the metropolis that gives it a clumsy and dirty look. The four-day demolition exercise that continued, witnessed the destruction of Call Boxes, Mobile Money Transfer kiosks, Bar extensions and other structures put up by hawkers of various articles, including restaurants, shaving salons, cafeterias, motorcycle or phone repair outlets.

The case of IDPs

The Crown spoke to some affected people, most of whom were young boys and girls who were either Internally Displaced Persons or graduates who had no gainful employment. They had to undertake street-selling in order to make ends meet. One said, `this was my main source of livelihood. What will I do now, where will I go?’ A young woman with two children lamented, `I had to run away from Ambas from my village in Manyu only to be driven from the street by these Council people. It is not fair, it is wicked. How will I feed my children, where will I have money for their hospital bills?

Generally the distressed residents decried the action and complained the Council’s inability to relocate them. As they picked up whatever they could from the rubble, they at the same time pleaded with the city council authorities to immediately reposition them to a suitable area that will keep them away from harm’s way. With the approach of schools, the ever present need to feed and clothe their children, pay house rents and other regular bills, they said it was difficult for them to cope.

THE CASE OF THOSE WHO LIVED IN THE DESTROYED EXTENSIONS

Meanwhile the situation was even dire for those who lived in the destroyed extension structures. They have nowhere to go. They explained that all pleas to the authorities to be patient a little with them while they look for alternative accommodationfell on deaf ears. Parents and children were all wailing in the streets, as they lacked any hope for a way forward.

Some regretted leaving their war-torn villages, even though the only sounds they knew were those of gun-shots and the unforgettable experience of burnt houses. A pregnant IDP questioned what the difference was between the village and Limbe. `In the village our houses were burnt down and our property looted. Is it not the same?’ she questioned. A group of women crowding in front of a store moaned why they had bothered to come to the city when, despite the struggles there, they at least had enough food to eat. Talking about the humanitarian assistance that they receive occasionally, they rubbished it as insignificant, too little to last even a few days.

Meanwhile their situation was made worse by the fact that their Call Boxes, parasols, chairs and other valuables were carted away by elements of the Municipal police to unknown destinations. Their pleadings were in vain for as the Council authorities present explained they had been notified as far back as April, 2020.

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MBONGE COUNCIL EVALUATES ACTIVITIES IN MID-TERM SESSION

By Asong Sylvester in Kumba

The session for the first time since its creation held in Mabonji and not Mbonge Marumba, its headquarters for security reasons.

Municipal Councilors of Mbonge Council in Meme Division of the South West Region have evaluated the activities of the Council following the Mid-Term session(from January 1 2020-June 30, 2020) that took place at G.S Mabonji along the Kumba-Buea road axis. The session was held in the presence of the 2nd Assistant S.D.O for Meme,Njonje Hermia.Also present were the Member of Parliament of Meme West Constituency and the Divisional Delegate for Decentralisation and Local Development,Meombo Linonge Daniel. Addressing the Councilors, the Mayor of the Mbonge Council,Chief Daniel said the Mbonge Council Internal Tenders Board awarded a contract to construct a borehole with an electrical pump which has been realized.The Council also in the coming days would receive,a pick-up truck which it purchased.For Public Investment Projects he explained that roads have been rehabilitated in Mbonge Marumba. In line with the Covid-19 scare,Mayor Mokambe noted that the Council bought some Personal Protective Equipment in a bid to curb the spread of the disease. Some of these equipment he pointed out was used to disinfect some Government offices, schools, markets, churches and some other public places.The Council in its Mid-Term budget had a revenue of 767.602.496 with a percentage of 58 .75 percent, expenditure stood at 192.298.115 with a percentage of 14.72. On the situation of staff,he intimated that the council has a staff strength of 73 permanent workers.These workers, he underscored,received monthly salaries together with their National Social Insurance Fund dues.These, he said, are priority of priorities.He noted that a commission was also set up to advance and reclassify meritorious workers to different categories and echelons.Arrears of 9,121,891 FCFA have been paid. Apart from this,the Mayor posited the Council also envisages to alleviate poverty by employing some Youths as Municipal Police following the request granted by the Ministry of Decentralisation and Local Development. In conclusion, he said the Council receives appeal letters for assistance daily but the various Communities are hesitant to pay their discharge taxes.He then implored the Traditional Rulers and Councilors to sensitize their populations on their Civic responsibility. Commending the activities of the Council,the 2nd Assistant S.D.O for Meme, Njonje Hermia congratulated the Councilor for performing their role as real actors of the Decentralisation chain.She noted that the Council's activities are outstanding because of their hard work.He called on them to perform better.

Mbonge Mayor posed with Member of Parliament from left to right 2nd Assistant S.D.O for Meme and Divisional Delegate for Decentralisation and Local Development.

For Leasing out an abandoned Government Health Facility to an individual:

Limbe Youths take to the streets to protest against sale of Health Facility

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

A mammoth crowd of youths thronged the main streets of Limbe to the Down Beach office of the Senior Divisional Officer for Fako in protest at the alleged leasing to an individual, the unused and almost abandoned structure that formerly housed the services of the then Preventive Health Centre situated directly opposite the SociétéCamerounaise des Banques (S.C.B.) and adjacent to ENEO at Down Beach Limbe. The property, they said, had served their parents enormously and it is of paramount importance to them and the society.

The peaceful march that took place on Thursday July 16, 2020, lasted for almost four hours and was not interrupted by the forces of law and order. Meantime the protesters carried placards displaying various messages including “Public Buildings Belong to People Not Individuals; The Youths of Limbe Stand for Their Right to Health; A Big NO To Negative Favouritism; Historical Structure Cannot Be Sacrificed For an Altar of Greed”. As for the chants, they went “We Want Hospital, Not Hotel; We No Go Greeoooh, We No Go Gree”.The march led them first to the building in question and finally to the Senior Divisional Officer’s office, where they were received and addressed by the 1st Assistant Senior Divisional Officer for Fako, MaylineWirkomYefon. A memorandum was handed to the S.D.O after a speech by the group’s leader, Ekema Roger Ngalle. The authority present, MarylineWirkomYefonentreated them to calm down, promising to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters for a quick solution.

Meanwhile in their memorandum to the S.D.O., the youths said they were protesting against the alleged sale of a Government Health structure, to an individual for selfish reasons, a structure that saved the lives of many in the past. They held that the building must be turned into its original purpose of saving lives and therefore should not be sold to any individual for any reason whatsoever.

THE ACCUSED FIGHTS BACK

In another development, The Crown spotted a Notice Board placed by the wall of the structure in question, with the inscription “NO TRESPASS,” implying that the property belongs to a Limbe-based business guru of NDYKOSON INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD. To dig deeper into the crux of the matter, The Crown visited the offices of NDYKOSON INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD situated besidethe Community Field and directly facing the Limbe River where we met the director, Chief Ndiko Henry Fonderson.

Asked what he knew about the building in protest and its sale, Chief Fonderson said “The protest march you just witnessed there is a mere sterile conspiracy by some disgruntled politicians and administrators who want everything for themselves so that others can die. They selected those “Bolo boys and girls” from Down Beach to go to the street for their selfish reasons. There is nothing they can do about the building. My Company, in collaboration with a Turkish business firm won a bid that involved four entities for that building. Accordingly, the Honourable Minister of State Property has approved the Lease of the property in my favour and, in collaboration with my Turkish Business firm, we are going to put up a complex Audio-Visual outfit that will employ not less than one hundred Cameroonians in a no distant period from now.”

The Limbe business magnet questioned the legitimacy of a protest march that will last for close to two hours without the intervention of the forces of law and order. He concluded that it was just a mere complicity that will never work; explaining that all the documentation to prove his right to the said property is intact.

In what looked like a Greek melodrama, the Spokesman and leader of the protesting youths accompanied by a few others were present in the office of Chief Fonderson during the press briefing. They knelt down pleading for forgiveness, explaining that they were only misleadfor a mere 2,000 Francs and did not know what was actually going on. They immediately denounced the protest against Chief Fonderson on camara,promising in the days ahead a counter public march in favour of the Chief to show prove of his right to the property.

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BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19 PANDEMIC-HUMANITARIAN NGO, REWAC DONATES TO WIDOWS, ELDERLY IN BAMENDA.

The Refugee Welfare Association(REWAC) on Saturday July 20, 2020 donated some anti Covid-19 material including food items to some elderly persons, widows and heads of households within the Bamenda 3 sub-division.

The brief event which took place at a residential neighbourhood within the Bamenda 3 municipality brought together more than a hundred beneficiaries amongst them, family heads, widows and the elderly. The items given them include alcoholic gels, face masks, cooking pots and kettles.

According to Jingkoh Laura, programs officer at REWAC, the project is funded by The U.S-based non- profit organization, Avaaz. She added that the assistance she thinks would go a long way in boosting their efforts in the fight against the killer pandemic, thus curbing its spread.

"It's a way to support them during this challenging period to combat Covid-19 that is affecting the whole world and Cameroon in Particular and the northwest region", She said.

Questioning her on the choice of the beneficiaries, she said these groups of persons are very vulnerable and the need to support them.

"The elderly persons are vulnerable, yes, they would not have the energy like the young ones to run around to see how they can help themselves.

And then the heads of families, you know with the crisis, they are taking care of so many persons in their homes like the Internally displaced persons fleeing the conflict in the rural areas in the northwest and southwest regions of Cameroon",.

"It is really a challenge for them because the number of persons they used to take care of has increased.So supporting them would actually reducethe burden on them ", Njingkoh added.

One of the widows, a 44-year-old mother of four, Njika Rose expressed gratitude to the benefactors adding that the material are going to help her entire family in the fight against the Pandemic.

"I am really grateful for these gifts from REWAC.There are moments we go for days without soap at home and many of us at home do not even have face masks.But with this support though small, it's going to make a big difference".

According to statistics from the northwest regional delegation of public health, as of July 13, 2020 the northwest region had total of 610 people infected with coronavirus, 390 recovered cases and 61 deaths.

Health authorities in the region are therefore calling on the population to continuously respect all the barrier measures put in place by the authorities such as the compulsory wearing of face masks in public places, maintain social distancing and the frequent washing of hands with soap and clean running water. Health Workers drilled on COVID 19 pandemic in Douala

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HEALTH WORKERS IN DOUALA RECEIVE TRAINING ON THE UNDERSTANDING AND DATA MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

Some 150 health workers drawn from various district hospitals and COVID-19 Management Centres in the metropolis of Douala, have been drilled on the proper understanding and data management of the killer disease, coronavirus.

The three-day workshop that rounded off over the weekend was jointly organized by the World Health Organization and Cameroon’s Ministry of Public Health. Experts drilled the health personnel on the various steps involved in the process, from sensitization through testing to counseling and care provision to hospitalized patients. Data management of the pandemic has been an important aspect in the response strategy against the coronavirus. They were told that teams should be set up to harmonize data before they are announced to the public.

“Data is a fundamental aspect in the management of a pandemic like the one the world is facing today. Getting qualitative and quantitative data helps to make informed choices in the response against the pandemic,” Dr.MokossiMakembe, regional coordinator for the fight against pandemics and one of the trainers at the workshop said. These health workers were drilled on data collection, management, interpretation and analysis with the various essential tools put at their disposal.

With the skills acquired, some workers will have to be redeployed to various health facilities to produce quality data that will help reinforce the response strategy in terms of data management.

PUBLIC HEALTH MINISTER VISITS EBOLOWA

By Josiah Ngwa

Manaouda Malachie arrived at the construction site of the Ebolowa -NgalanGyneco-obstetric and Pediatric hospital as the workers were concluding the installation of medical equipment. Engineers too were busy working on the project, which is 95% complete, and which is one of the fruits of the 3-year Emergency Plan to accelerate economic growth as was recommended in 2014 by President Paul Biya.

Also on the Minister’s itinerary to the south was the inauguration of a COVID-19 Isolation Centre of the Ebolowa Regional Hospital and yet another tour of the Modern Hospital Centre. Here, Manaouda Malachie was told that everything will be ready for the health facility to receive its first patient by October 2020. In reaction, the Minister said, `we were told that construction work stands at 95% and we’ve seen the installation of the equipment. We’ll follow up so that it’s ready within the given time’.

The hospital has a capacity of 118 beds alongside an administration block and offices, spread over a surface area of 12,000 metres square. It is hoped that the Ebolowa Gyneco-Obstetric and Pediatric hospital will improve the health not only of Cameroonians but also of those beyond the CEMAC sub-region.

NORTH PRODUCERS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

By SebastienAtanganaCheques worth the sum of 147 million CFA Francs have been given out to 41 producer groups and organizations in the North Region as financial support for their agricultural activities. The subsidy by the governments of Cameroon in partnership with France fell within a programme known as PCP-ACEFA. It aims to finance their projects, increase production and transform their agro-pastoral and fishery productions within the ongoing world health crisis.

The coming of the COVID-19 to the North Region, agro-pastoral sector has been hard hit and producers from the four divisions have had to cope with great difficulties toward the impending food crisis. One of the producers couldn’t resist expressing his satisfaction with the government gesture, `we are very happy because the State has not forgotten us. We’re are saying a big thank you to President Paul Biya. This gesture will enable us to buy cattle, sprayers, carts and to farm large pieces of land’. Another one said, `I used to face difficulties to produce, this time round the state of Cameroon has given me a money that will enable me to buy everything that I need to make a large farm’.

Meanwhile the Cheque-handing ceremony was presided over last Friday July 17, 2020 by the National Coordinator of the ACEFA Programme, Dr. BoubaMoumini. With a huge pastoral and fishing resource potential, north producers who are beneficiaries of the present government largesse will hardly feel the worst effects of the ongoing food crisis occasioned by COVID-19.

Cameroon’s Pioneer female Minister dies

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

Cameroon’s ever pioneer female Minister, Delphine Tsanga, née ZangaTsogo is no more. She died on Thursday July 16, 2020 in Yaounde at the age of 85 following a prolonged illness.

Minister Delphine Tsanga was born on December 23, 1935 in Lomie, around the vicinity of Abong Mbang of in the East Region of Cameroon, has lived a fulfilled life, with a rich profile having served both in the public and private sectors, is now resting in the bosom of the Lord peacefully.

Delphine Tsanga started her educational career in the Littoral Regional Chief Town of Douala, where she attended the CollègeModerne de JeunesFilles and Lycée de Jossand later travelled to Toulouse, France, where she studied nursing. In 1960, she returned to Cameroon and worked as a nurse in various hospitals, occupying numerous positions. ZangaTsogo entered into politics in the year 1964 when she was elected National President of the Council of Cameroonian Women. In 1970 she was appointed Vice Minister of Health and Public Welfare, a position she held up to 1975 after which she was called to serve as Minister for Social Affairs from 1975 to 1984. Thereafter, she became the President of the Administrative Council for the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, as well as Vice President of the International Council of Women. She served as Cameroon Member of Parliament from 1965 to 1972. Minister Delphine Tsanga was a writer, feminist and politician. One of her books, ‘L’Oiseau en Cage’(Bird in Cage) was published in 1984.

Minister Delphine Tsanga was crowned with the Order of Isabella the Catholic and was named to the French National Order of Merit. On May 7, 2011 she was appointed member of Cameroon’s ELECAM’s Electoral Board a position she held until the cold hands of death snatched her on Thursday July 16, 2020.

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Murder of Limpopo grandmother and two grandchildren sparks manhunt in South Africa

The murder of a 67-year old woman and her two grandchildren in Limpopo has sparked a manhunt for a suspect believed to be behind the horrendous killing.

The bodies of the elderly woman and her two grandchildren, aged six and nine-years-old, were discovered at their home in Making village on Tuesday 7 July after neighbours became concerned having not seen the family all day.

Mother was not in the house when killings took place

Police arrived at the crime scene having been called by the concerned neigbours, who had tried to contact the family all day on Tuesday with no success. They had then gone over to the house to investigate when they discovered the bodies lying in a pool of blood.

Police spokesperson Brigadier MotlafelaMojapelo said that when police arrived, their preliminary report indicated that the murders could have been carried out any time between Monday 6 July and Tuesday morning.

“The South African Police Service at Senwabarwana, in Capricorn District have launched a manhunt for an unknown suspect after an elderly woman aged 67 and her two grandchildren aged 07 and 09 were found brutally murdered in a house at Maokeng village yesterday, Tuesday 07 July 2020 at about 16:00.”

“The police were called and on arrival at the scene, the three bodies were found lying in a pool of blood with gaping wounds. The mother of the two children aged 29, who is also the daughter of the 67 year old deceased, was allegedly not in the house during this brutal attack.”

Three counts of murder opened

The deceased were identified as 67-year-old Paulina Mafifi, nine-year-old Nathaniel Mafifi, and seven-year-old Selaelo Mafifi.

“The motive for the killings is not known at this stage and police investigations are continuing,” said Mojapelo.

Police have opened three counts of murder and have appealed to the public to assist by providing any information they may have on the gruesome murders.

“The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has instructed that the killer be hunted down and brought to book,” added Mojapelo.

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SOURCE: thesouthafrican.com

Man robbed, killed after date with woman he met online

By: Hannah Button

AUBURNDALE, Fla. (WFLA) – An Auburndale man looking for love was lured to his death through an online dating site.

On Friday Auburndale Police found 27-year-old Adam Hilarie shot to death in his apartment on Sunset Avenue.

According to police, Hilarie met 18-year-old Haliey Rose Bustos on the online dating site “Plenty of Fish.” They went on a date Thursday evening. After he dropped her off, Bustos allegedly conspired with three others. She and the other suspects returned to Hilarie’s apartment Friday to rob him, which ultimately led to his murder, police said.

“Once she got home, they talked together; they worked out the details and then went back and committed the murder,” Auburndale Police Deputy Chief Andy Ray said. “I think the plan was that he get robbed and that they take his stuff.”

Auburndale police detectives charged and arrested Bustos, 18, of Auburndale; Andre Warner, 26, of Auburndale; Gary Terrell Gray, 31, of Lakeland; and Joshua Ellington, 26, of Lake Alfred.

Detectives believe Bustos went on the online dating site and met Hilarie with the intent of setting him up for the robbery. “Her comfort with the way this went, didn’t seem like it was her first time. If she hasn’t done it before, then she has talked to people who have done it,” Deputy Chief Ray said.

Hilarie’s family, including his 5-year old daughter, is devastated. “She doesn’t even quite understand yet. I would never want anyone to be in the shoes I am in right now, or my family, or any of our close friends, anyone. I don’t want no one to feel the way we’re feeling right now,” the victim’s brother, Angel Cruz, said.

GoFundMe for Adam Hilarie

Cruz hopes others will take a warning from this. “He had to sacrifice his life for it not to happen anymore,” he said.

Deputy Chief Ray said this is a good reason to get to know someone before going out with them. “There’s so many places that you can check people out now on the computer. It’s probably a good idea to that first. You need to get to know them better so you can judge their character and also judge their intentions. Sometimes you can figure that out. But, also, as a first date, it’s not a good idea to take somebody to your home,” he said.

The suspects’ charges include conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm/deadly weapon and first-degree murder.

Copyright 2020 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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SWITZERLAND - CAMEROON PROJECT TO SOLAR LIGHT VILLAGES IN THE NORTH/FAR NORTH REGIONS

Josiah Ngwa

The locality of Kawadji in Logone and Shari division of the Far North Region is among four localities in the North and Far North Regions to benefit from a 1 billion CFA Francs scheme to provide portable water and solar energy. The scheme is styled, `water for all in the Sahel through solar energy’. According to the Project Coordinator, Patrice Asana, the objective is to `encourage the production of local onions, potatoes which are the main stays of the area to empower them financially’.

The earmarked solar plant will supply some 100 households and also facilitate irrigation in a bid to reduce the negative effects of climatic change and hike agricultural production.

Speaking in the same vein, an environmentalist, Professor KoussamaLiba Nathalie explained that, `this project is coming within the context of climate change and the activities put in place here permits the population to adapt themselves to the problem of climate change”.

The idea for the Cameroon/Switzerland project is to build a power plant that will pump water to farms for irrigation and to solar electrify the village of Kawadji.

A NEW ROAD MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY EXPERIMENTED ON BERTOUA STREETS

By Joshua Mukete

The new road maintenance technology known as the road compact concrete technology has been experimented with success in Bertoua by the Ministry of Housing and Town Planning. In order to promote and to strengthen the capacities of journalists and other social actors, the Ministry organized a one-day workshop on Friday July 17, 2020.

The road compact concrete technology has been experimented in Cameroon for 15 months now by the Debt Relief and Development Contracts in three towns namely Garoua, Bafoussam and now Bertoua.

It is a revolutionary and innovating technology in the road construction sector as well as in the quality, durability and in the firmness of the pavement. The 8km of road in the Bertouaneighbourhoods of Carrefour ItalietoCarrefour Mont Cameroun, TigazatoCarrefour GMI, Nyangansa road to Hausa quarters, or again the road Bertoua 1st Council to the NkolBikong modern market are sufficient proof.

Governor Grégoire Mvongo presided over the official side of the ceremony that was intended to present the technology to stakeholders in the road construction sector.

BRIEFS

ONE SOLDIER DEAD AND 7 INJURED IN ACCIDENT

One soldier has died and 7 are injured following a fatal accident along the Mora – Kousseri Road. The dead is adjutant Boukar and 3 are in a critical condition. Situated at 2KM away from Wasa, soldiers of the 41st Motorized Battalion were returning from a mission and were led by Lt. Colonel Feindjou who is Commander of the this battalion.

SUSPECTED AMBAS BOYS ATTACK MILITARY VEHICLE INJURING 5 CIVILIAN WOMEN AT MASORE BALUE

An Ekondo Titi-based soldier two weeks ago travelled the short distance to Masore Balue along the Ekondo Titi – Mundemba highway where his wife comes from. The soldier, who was accompanied by a handful of his colleagues, was travelling to Masore Balue to bury the wife’s relative.

On their way back from Masore, barely 2 km away, suspected Amba boys opened fire on the vehicle. Our source in EkondoTiti says the Ambas were under the impression that soldiers were inside the military truck. The result was five civilian women were seriously injured and were rushed to the Ekondo Titi District hospital. Meanwhile the condition of one of the women deteriorated and was evacuated to a hospital out of Ndian Division.

CAMEROON’S AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRY ABOUT TO REOPEN

Transport Minister Ngalle Bibehe Jean Ernest Massena has in a circular letter of July 15, 2020 announced an incremental, progressive opening of the national and international airspaces within the context of COVID-19. In order for the operation to be successful, he calls on his collaborators in all levels of operations to ensure the protection of airports, passengers, companies and freight as the country opens up its airports. He cites sanctions that will be used against anyone who goes against the measures.

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OPINION

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By Christy Lobe

MONOGAMY OR POLYGAMY, IS THE CHOICE REALLY NECESSARY?

Geraldine opens the door and finds her friend sitting on the floor. Geraldine: Serah, why are you sitting on the floor?

Serah: I feel like relaxing, why?

Geraldine: You don’t need to sound like that; I heard your husband just got married to a brand new second wife.

Serah: Didn’t you also hear I bought a new shirt?

Geraldine: I know how you feel right now, remember I warned you right? When you were signing a polygamous marriage certificate.

Serah (after a short laugh): You signed for monogamy. Can you boost of being the only woman in Bernard’s life, we all know your husband is keeping a woman with who he has two kids. He has built a house for her and when he says he is going for mission we both know he is going to spend time with the other woman. So how are you different from me? Geraldine: I’m different in that I can sue him to court for adultery. Serah: so why haven’t you done it? Geraldine: More over if the man dies today I’m the only recognized wife.

Serah: Really? Is that so? You are wishing him to die? What if there is a concrete will where your husband wills things to his children with the other woman. Don’t forget he has recognized those children in front of the law.

Geraldine: Are you trying to make me feel worse than you?

Serah: No I’m trying to make you know we are in the same pot of soup;

No matter what our married certificates are saying. The African man has always been polygamous by nature. Our mothers accepted this regime of marriage and they lived happily with it but for a modern woman this is a taboo. No android woman in her right mind will sign a polygamous marriage certificate. Yet few women can boost to be the only woman in their husband’s life. So does it really matter the regime you signed? I attended a court wedding which did not push through because when Mr.Mayor said ‘’regime’’ the man said ‘’polygamy’’ while the woman said ‘’monogamy’’. They couldn’t come to as compromise, so the mayor sent them home to come back when they reach an agreement. That’s how they went their separate ways though they have two kids. Was it not better for her to sign and trust her husband? I know many women will say NO! Another woman will come into my home, reap from where she did not sow, there will be a lot of quarrelling, fighting, division amongst children and you can name the rest. I think as human beings we have high level of IQ which enables us to make decisions if we want to leave in peace or to go into a war. We should also remember children are empty vessels being filled by their parent’s teachings especially by that of their mothers. If you teach your child hatred, he or she will hate and there will be war but if you teach them love, they will love and peace will reign. Let’s look at a case where a woman struggles to get a monogamous certificate with a man. Two years later he gets a mistress and gives to her everything he gives to the wife and sometimes even more. While he gives his wife 50.000FCFA, he gives the mistress 150.000FCFA, he buys a simple car to his wife while he bought a jeep for his mistress. While her children go to government schools, the child of the mistress goes to the best private school. In the shoes of such a wife, it would have been better you leave in the same place and monitor each other. I know of many cases whereby older women have signed in for polygamous marriages but ended up the only wife in that house.

Finally I bring down the problem to your attitude as a wife. If you are a good wife no matter the regime of marriage you signed you will end up as the only woman in that man’s house and in this life. Since he will be satisfied with you and will see no reason to keep searching. On the contrary, if you are the type who believes that because of your monogamous marriage certificate, you have tied down the man; if he dares you will release a law suit that will give you all your right as a monogamous wife. Then, get ready to spend your life in court because when a man is unhappy, he will still go out searching. The regime of marriage certificate you sign will not really be important at that time.

Sylvester Stallone’s Romance Story

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

Sylvester Stallone a.k.a. Rambo has enjoyed a long career in the film industry, stretching back as far as over five decades. Rambo, as he is fondly called, is one of the most popular actors in the Hollywood film industry who has amazed the world with his bravery extravaganzas actions in several films over the years.

Rambo, now 74, has suffered his fair share of despair when his romantic life became as dramatic as any Hollywood film. In 1988 he fell in love with an eye-catching model, Jennifer Flavin and even got married to her. Five years into their marriage, Rambo met Janice Dickinson, now 65, and immediately called off his romance with Jennifer through a handwritten note, as he got married to Janice.

Just then, Rambo soon had a daughter with Janice who was named Savannah. He loved and adored Savannah jealously. Savannah, now 26, was even given his surname at birth. Surely the gloomiest jiffy in his courting life was when he discovered through a DNA test that Savannah, whom he believed he shared with Janice Dickinson, turned out not to be his biological child. It turned out that Stallone was one of three men Janice Dickinson slept with in a week when Savannah was conceived. It was but natural that she is Stallone’s child since he was married to the mother.

Meanwhile, in her 2002 autobiography No Lifeguard On Duty, Janice Dickinson admitted that she had slept with three men in the space of a week. Janice believed that Stallone, Michael Birnbaum and an unnamed artist could have been Savannah’s father. These are the three men she slept with the week she conceived Savannah. But Janice strongly believed that it should be Stallone. She later on confessed that: "Things hadn't been going well with Michael for some time, and we split up later that week when I came clean about Stallone. "I called Sly (Stallone) and went over to see him. We had supper and made love - he'd improved considerably since our brief debut. Then I told him I was pregnant. "'How do you know it's not Michael Birnbaum's?' he asked. But when she was walked down the runway she realized he had gone and she found him back at their hotel.

Then Rambo wrote to Janice: "'She's not mine,' he said. 'I just heard from the DNA lab in Long Beach. Savannah's not mine. Send my regards to Mr. Birnbaum' - and with that he stood up.

"'We had a good run, Janice. Say nice things about me and I'll say nice things about you.' "And then he turned and walked out."

Stallone reunited with Jennifer Flavin. They were married in 1997 and share three daughters: Sophia, 24, Sistine, 22, and Scarlet, 18.

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The murder that shook South Africa

Courtesy Channel 24

Candles are lit in memory of AnniDewani at the Shree KadwaPatidarSamaj in Harrow. (Getty Images)

Cape Town - A lavish wedding, a dream honeymoon … it was the stuff of fairy tales, but it ended in tragedy for AnniDewani. Was it a botched hijacking, or cold-blooded murder?

We may never know the whole truth about what happened that night, but a new documentary on Crime + Investigation (DStv 170) tries to piece together the events, gives insight into Anni's life, and speaks to the real people affected by her death – her family.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO KNOW

When Swedish engineer AnniHindocha married her British businessman fiancé, ShrienDewani, no one could have imagined how it would end. The two met in 2009, but it wasn't until Anni moved to the UK in March of 2010 that the couple became engaged. Seven months later, they were married in a lavish three-day ceremony in India. Their future had never seemed brighter when, in November of that year, they arrived in South Africa on their honeymoon.

A week later, AnniDewani was dead. She had been shot and killed in the back of their driver's hijacked taxi. From the start, the case looked cut and dried – a botched hijacking, resulting in Anni's tragic death. Her husband Shrien returned to the UK, a broken man, suffering from mental health issues as he struggled to overcome the tragic loss.

Over the next few days, three suspects were arrested – XolileMngeni, MziwanmadodaQwabe and the couple's driver, Zola Tongo. They all admitted to being involved in the killing. But one of them, MziwamadodaQwabe, made the claim that they had been hired by ShrienDewani to kill his wife.

The questions quickly piled up. Could Dewani have orchestrated the killing of his wife? What were a millionaire tourist and his wife doing in Gugulethu in the middle of the night, anyway? Why did the hijackers spare both ShrienDewani and the driver, Zola Tongo? If it was a hijacking, why did the hijackers leave the car? And why was ShrienDewani caught on hotel security footage, handing a package to Tongo days after Anni's death?

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

The case drew international speculation and accusations, first against South Africa's rampant crime, and then against Dewani himself. A month later, in December 2010, Dewani was remanded in custody in the UK as the SA authorities began what would end up being a three-year process to extradite him to South Africa for trial.

Dewani spent those three years in custody, being cared for at several mental health facilities in the UK, all the time continuing to appeal against the extradition. In January 2014, Dewani lost his appeal, and on 7 April, he finally arrived back in South Africa to face murder charges. At last, it seemed, the truth would come out.

But in a shock ruling, the trial was thrown out of court for lack of evidence. And just like that, for ShrienDewani, the ordeal was over. Just last year, Shrien was pictured with his new partner, Brazilian-born photographer Gledison Lopez Martins. Shrien has moved on, but for Anni's family, there is still no resolution and no answers as to what actually happened to their beloved sister and daughter.

Murdered on Honeymoon takes a look at the murder and subsequent investigation surrounding Anni's death and the men accused of killing her. The documentary paints a picture of a young woman preparing to start her life with the man she loved and offers an emotional glimpse of a family in mourning.

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What Donald Trump’s niece said about him in her book.

Donald Trump has described his psychologist niece as a "mess" who knows little about him after she criticised the US President as a narcissist who was "utterly incapable" of leading the country.

Key points:

• Ms Trump says in the book that Mr Trump is psychologically damaged and fits all nine criteria for narcissism.

• The book was released after a judge lifted an order blocking its publication.

• The book 950,000 copies on its first day of release, a record for the publisher

Mr Trump posted a series of tweets on Friday attacking Mary Trump over her tell-all book about life in the Trump family, which traces the President's governing style back to his upbringing.

Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man was released last week after a New York Supreme Court judge lifted an order that had blocked Ms Trump from publicizing or distributing her work.

In the book, Ms Trump, a trained psychologist and the President's only niece, characterizes Mr. Trump as a narcissist, saying "he meets all nine criteria as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders."

Mary Trump's book was ranked at the top of Amazon's best-selling books prior to publication.(AP: Simon & Schuster and Peter Serling)

Ms Trump has since criticised the President further in television interviews promoting the book, describing Mr Trump as "utterly incapable of leading this country" in an interview with America's ABC News, saying it was "dangerous to allow him to do so".

"Donald is a psychologically deeply damaged man, based on his upbringing and the situation with his parents," she told CNN."He is not going to get better, and he is, without question, going to get worse."

Whether government permits or not, the 31 July Demonstrations will take place

Whether government permits or not, the 31 July Demonstrations will take place. Ngarivhume was speaking in an exclusive interview with NewZimbabwe during which he hinted that the demonstrations will be nationwide “to demand the availing of the Unites States dollar for all citizens, end of poverty, equality and better health care.” He added: We are preparing notifications to police, which we will send out early next week.

Jacob Ngarivhume, leader of the opposition Transform Zimbabwe who is organising the “#ZANUPFMustGo,” and “#31July” demonstrations has said the protests will proceed whether authorities sanction them or not. He speaks when government officials, including President Mnangagwa, have hinted that lockdown regulations will be tightened in some parts of the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

Our intention is to come up with one national notification which we will give to the police command and others which will address specific district police centres. But what you need to bear in mind is that this is a mere notification and not an application for approval and whether or not they permit, the demonstrations will proceed.

The demonstrations have also been endorsed by a number of opposition leaders and parties including MDC Alliance, Norton legislator (independent) Temba Mliswa and ousted ZANU PF youth leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu.

dailyadvent.com

Fourth Catholic priest dies of Covid-19 in India

Father B K Francis Xavier, parish priest of Holy Trinity Church Mogappair East, died at Chennai’s St Thomas Hospital. He was 59. He is the fourth priest to die of Covid-19 in India.

On July 10 itself, Father Anthony Swamy, a former chancellor of the archdiocese of Bangalore, died of Covid-19. He was 61. The first Catholic priest to die of Covid-19 in India too was Father Pascal Petrus of the Madras-Mylapore archdiocese.

The disease claimed Jesuit Father Joseph L Pragasam on July 3. He was 83 and a Jesuit for 64 years. Father Xavier was admitted to Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (MIOT) Hospital in Chennai with pneumonia related complication but recovered from it. Ten days ago, he was shifted to St Thomas Hospital as directed by the doctors, Father Varghese Rosario, archdiocesan chancellor, told Matters India.“He became critical three days ago, but we never expected that he would die,” Father Rosario said. “He received the all the final Sacraments even though he was in sedation,” the chancellor added.

Father Xavier’s body was buried in Luz cemetery for priests. The burial took place in the presence of government officials and police as per the directions from the government, Father Rosario explained. “We gave him a solemn burial and the archbishop was present at the burial place,” Father Rosario said and recalled that Father Xavier was “very spiritual, simple and loving priest.” “It is very sad that the archdiocese has lost two priests within 40 days and it is great loss for us,” Father Rosario added. Father Xavier is survived by his mother and sister, but they could not attend the funeral.

He was a priest for 33 years. Earlier he had served as parish priest at AnnaiVelankanni Shrine, Besantnagar, and St Joseph’s Church at Porur.

Source: gunnliberia.com

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FIFA disburses 118 million CFA Frs to 26 Cameroonian clubs

By MESEMBE John Etongwe

The World’s football governing body (FIFA) has dished out the sum of US$205,508 (an equivalent of about FCFA 118 million) to some 26 Cameroonian football clubs whose players participated in the 2019 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament that took place in France as club solidarity fund.

A whooping sum of US$8.46 million will be distributed to some 822 professional and grassroots clubs the world over, with 26 Cameroonian clubs amongst the beneficiary clubs.

FIFA report says that the fund award payments to clubs across the globe is a reward for helping develop players who represented their respective nations on the world stage. Another reason for this award is to facilitate beneficiary clubs create a high-performance atmosphere for the best players in the world and invest in the development of women’s football at the grassroots stage.

“By providing opportunities for talented players to pursue their careers and to further professionalize women’s football, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Club Solidarity Fund should ensure that the phenomenal success of France 2019 is by no means a one-off.” The report reads.

African Champions League: Tunisia, Egypt ready to replace Cameroon as hosts

By SouhailKhmira and Nick CavellBBC Sport Africa

Egypt and Tunisia have both said they are prepared to host the semi-finals and final of this year's African Champions League. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is looking to replace Cameroon who on Monday withdrew from hosting the matches due to a spike in coronavirus infections in the country.

The Tunisia Football Federation (FTF) insists it should be hosting the games, which are planned for September."When CAF first sent the call for countries to host the matches, we applied alongside Cameroon," FTF spokesman Amine Mougou told BBC Sport Africa. "It should be the standard procedure that we would be next in line, should Cameroon fall short on their commitments.We are prepared and willing to host the matches if we receive a request from CAF.The only thing left for us to do would be to coordinate with local authorities on organizational matters."

Meanwhile the Egypt Football Association has also put itself forward as hosts."I talked with Ashraf Sobhi, the sports and youth minister, who stressed Egypt's readiness to host such a major event," EFA member Mohamed Fadl told Time Sports TV channel.We have already done for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the under-23's.We seek to help both Ahly and Zamalek in the Champions League by hosting the remaining games in Egypt."

The semi-finals are both set to be Morocco against Egypt as Al Ahly play Wydad Casablanca while Zamalek take on Raja Casablanca.Before the postponement of sport around the globe, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the semi-finals were set to be played over two legs home and away with the final a one-off match on neutral territory for the first time ever.

Last month the CAF executive committee decided that the Champions League and the Confederation Cup will resume in September in a final four format and the semi-finals reduced to a single match.The Confederation Cup matches will be played in Morocco.

Nigeria table tennis great Oshonaike: 'I was physically and sexually abused'

By Juliet MafuaBBC Sport Africa in Lagos

Funke Oshonaike, 45, first started playing table tennis at the age of 14

“Every time I hear the news of rape, it takes me back to my past. I was physically and sexually abused. It is my true story."

Nigeria is a country taking a serious look at sexual assault and the way women are treated. And, amongst those who are talking for the first time about what they have been through is six-time Olympic table tennis player Funke Oshonaike.Oshonaike, who is also a three-time African champion, has been inspired to tell her story after the rape and murder of Uwa Omozua a 22-year-old Nigerian woman, in a church in Benin City.

Omozua was found dead, half-naked, at the church - sparking protests across Nigeria with many demanding justice.Oshonaike says Omozua’s story brought up memories of her own horrific experience of being sexually assaulted.

"He was a friend - I was naive," she recalls. “When he got angry, he beat me. He used his two thumbs to press my eyes. And he sexually abused me.I felt helpless, with blood all over me.I never knew it was called rape. All I knew was I felt dirty.”

Funke Oshonaike wants to be a role model to other women who are victims of sexual abuse.

'He had total control'

Oshonaike first started playing table tennis at the age of 14, and just two years later she was part of Nigeria's team for the 1991 All Africa Games.

But her first Olympics was Atlanta 1996 - by which time the abuse had begun.“I was in the University of Lagos - I would go to school with bruises all over my body and people would question what was wrong with me," she says."But I couldn’t tell anyone. I felt hypnotized. I was a slave in his hand.”The abuse happened while Oshonaike was competing successfully and winning national championships.

But despite the attention on her, she found herself unable to escape from her misery. Compounding her situation was that the man had gained control of her earnings.Each time she wanted to leave and demanded her money, she ended up being beaten with bruises.

“He told me to give him all my earnings," she says."Each time I tried to run away, I would request my money - but he refused to release it. I was the Nigerian champion at this time, but I was not strong enough to tell anyone. I would go to my little corner and cry. Sometimes I felt like taking my life.”

Fighting back

But Oshonaike said she summoned the courage to survive and knew quitting was not her option. She had to pursue her dream of being a table tennis star.

“I lost everything to this man. But I fought and got back on my feet," she adds."God kept me going on. The stories of Oprah Winfrey and Joyce Meyer kept me going through.

"I started my life all over again.”

Funke Oshonaike competed at six Olympics for Nigeria

Team Nigeria’s flag-bearer at the most recent Olympics, the 2016 Games in Rio, Oshonaike endured the impact of what happened long after she had finally left her abuser.

“The trauma stayed with me for years and it affected my sex life and marriage," she says.

FunkeOshonaike's roll of honour

• 25-time Nigerian Table Tennis Championship winner

• 11-time All African Games medallist

• 3-time International Table Tennis Federation Africa Senior Championships winner

• The first African woman to secure a seventh appearance at the Olympics.

"I am just getting my mental health back.”

The 45-year-old blamed the lack of exposure and social media for the inability of women to speak up about their sexual abuse in the past.“During my time we didn’t have social media, women were not bold to speak out.I didn’t understand what he was doing to me. I have only recently realized it was rape."

Oshonaike says she is now a role model to other women who are victims of sexual abuse. She is determined to make women take back their power after such a traumatic experience.“Everything I’ve gone through has made me a mentor to others. I am able to share my stories with women who have been victims and encourage them to not give up on themselves. I hope more women will be bold enough to come out and speak up.“I am a survivor."