Author: Pearl Obim

Yaounde – January 5, 2018, will forever be etched in the history of Ambazonia as a day of betrayal and defiance. It was on this fateful day that Sisiku Julius Ayuk Tabe, the leader of Ambazonia’s struggle for independence, and nine of his comrades were snatched from Nera Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria. This joint operation, orchestrated by Nigerian police and Cameroonian authorities, marked the beginning of a grim chapter for these leaders.Two weeks of silence and speculation followed their arrest until the Cameroonian government finally admitted to holding the Ambazonian leaders. What came next was nothing short of a travesty of…

Maroua – In a major breakthrough, authorities in Maroua, Cameroon, have dismantled a sophisticated trafficking network dealing in military equipment and explosive-making materials. The operation, carried out by the regional division of the judicial police, unfolded in the Palar neighborhood, uncovering a chilling cache of items with alarming security implications.Among the seized items were complete sets of military uniforms and over 400 canisters of tear gas, alongside liquid substances suspected to be used for manufacturing explosives. These materials raise fears that they were intended for equipping unauthorized groups or escalating the instability plaguing the region.Governor Midiyawa Bakari, who visited the…

Yaounde – Starting January 1, 2025, Cameroonians will face a new fee of 4 Francs on every mobile money transaction. This increase was announced via SMS by the country’s major mobile operators, MTN and Orange.Orange informed customers through a message stating, “Dear customer, following the 2025 financial law, transfer and withdrawal rates will increase by 4F per transaction as from January 1. Thanks for your loyalty.” MTN echoed this sentiment, attributing the fee to the “Law of Finance for 2025” and reminding users of an existing 0.2% tax on the total transaction amount.This development continues a trend of rising taxation…

Yaounde – Speculation is mounting over President Paul Biya’s potential bid for an unprecedented eighth term following his New Year’s Eve address. At 91 years old, Biya’s prolonged tenure has left many Cameroonians questioning his fitness for leadership, fueling a growing call for change across the nation.Prominent voices within the country, including religious leaders, have begun to amplify this sentiment. Cabral Libii, leader of the PCRN party, recently urged the clergy to step up and champion the movement for renewal. His appeal seems to have struck a chord, as several church leaders have openly opposed Biya’s rumored candidacy.However, the movement…

Douala – Prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Alice Nkom, has been summoned by Cameroon’s Gendarmerie following serious allegations brought against her by the Observatory for Societal Development (ODS). The claims include “financing terrorism” and “attempting to undermine national security.”The official summons, delivered via a bailiff, requires Nkom—who serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Central African Human Rights Defenders Network (Redhac)—to appear before the Central Judicial Research Service of the National Gendarmerie on January 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM.This legal development comes amidst escalating friction between Redhac and Cameroon’s Ministry of Territorial Administration. Just three weeks…

Yaounde – In a daring move to enforce religious regulation, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has ordered the closure of all unregistered churches across the nation. He said of the thousands of churches operating in Cameroon, only 47 have official registration.Atanga Nji made the announcement in December, declaring that unregistered churches must shut their doors immediately. “Any church that is not registered should close down. I am advising them to close down before I get to them,” he warned.Since 2010, Cameroon has not approved any new church registrations, leaving many congregations in limbo. According to existing laws,…

Yaounde – Paul Biya, Cameroon’s 91-year-old president and one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, has dropped hints about contesting the 2025 presidential elections, despite growing calls for him to step aside after more than four decades in power.In his 27-minute New Year’s address on December 31, Biya underscored his dedication to serving Cameroonians, saying, “My commitment remains steadfast and grows stronger by the day.” While he stopped short of explicitly declaring his candidacy, his words signaled a clear intention to remain a central figure in the nation’s political future.“I deeply appreciate the unwavering trust and massive support you have given me…

Yaoundé, Cameroon – Early on December 25, the news of Ayah Paul’s death, a former Member of Parliament and Supreme Court magistrate, sparked a heartfelt response from prominent figures in Cameroon. Among those paying tribute are Maurice Kamto, head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, and Barrister Michèle Ndoki, co-founder of the Nation Builders Movement.Both Kamto and Ndoki took to social media—X and Facebook, respectively—to honor Ayah Paul’s unwavering dedication to justice and truth, especially during a time when many chose silence. They stressed the importance of preserving the values for which Ayah Paul stood, viewing them as part of his…

Yaounde – From his prison cell in Kondengui, Yaoundé, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, issued a powerful Christmas message in 2024 urging his supporters to shift focus from international intervention to self-determination.In his statement, Sisiku emphasized the importance of Ambazonians taking full ownership of their struggle for independence, rather than relying on external powers. “The international community is saddled, plagued, and distracted by a mirage of global challenges. We cannot entrust our fate to external organizations,” he declared, calling for renewed commitment and unwavering dedication to the cause.Although skeptical about international support, Sisiku acknowledged events that might reignite hope for the Ambazonian…

In a move that has sparked widespread debate, Cameroon’s President Paul Biya announced on Friday, December 20, the appointment of new board members to Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the institution tasked with overseeing the nation’s elections. Among the new appointees are Moutou Ze Jean Bernard and Nanga Charles, while the mandates of four existing members—Titi Nwel Pierre, Christopher Tambe Tiku, Mohammadou Boubakar, and Njipendi Salifou—were renewed.As the country prepares for the pivotal 2025 presidential election, these appointments have raised concerns about the neutrality and integrity of ELECAM. The body, chaired by Enow Abrams Egbe and directed by Erik Essousse, holds the…