Four days after a deadly landslide claimed about a dozen lives along the Dschang cliff in the West region, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute expressed the “condolences of the government of the Republic.” The Prime Minister issued his statement on November 9 via social media, including X (formerly Twitter) while the landslide occurred on November 6.

The delay in his response drew sharp criticism from social media users, who accused him of a lack of urgency. “Your condolences come too late, Mr. Prime Minister. Sadly, I thought you were different from the others. Finished celebrating? Enjoy your digestion. This is lacking in humanity. Truly sad,” one user commented. Another remarked, “A disaster like this, and you didn’t even bother to comfort the victims’ families. Instead, you chose to celebrate. We already knew the lives of Cameroonians mean little to you, and now everyone can see it. Shame on you.”

Criticism of Dion Ngute began on the day of the disaster itself. As the landslide unfolded and the governor of the West region initially reported five deaths, the Prime Minister was posting on social media about the 42nd anniversary of the Renouveau (the “New Deal”) and reflecting on his journey since President Paul Biya took office.

This focus on the anniversary struck many as insensitive, given the unfolding tragedy. “Cameroonians are buried in Dschang, and this is your priority?” questioned one user.

The landslide, which occurred in two waves along the Dschang cliff—a major route linking Douala with several towns in the West and Northwest regions, including Dschang, Mbouda, and Bamenda—initially cut off traffic. As crews worked to clear the road, a second landslide struck, bringing the official death toll to five. Later searches revealed several more bodies, with unofficial reports now putting the toll at 12. Authorities have directed travelers to an alternative route as work to reopen the main road continues.

Source: Sbbc

At least three members of the Boko Haram terror group have been killed in Cameroon’s Far North region, security sources said Thursday.

They were killed in a military offensive against the terror group in the region’s Walassa locality Wednesday night, a senior military official in the region said.

“They (Boko Haram) tried to fight back when our troops attacked, but they were overcome. Several of them escaped with wounds. Our forces will continue to secure the region and protect civilians against the terrorists,” the official, who asked not to be named, said.

Boko Haram has been operating in Cameroon’s Far North region since 2014.

Source: Xinhuanet

President Paul Biya issued a decree establishing a Cameroonian general consulate general in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. This new consulate will operate under the authority of the Cameroonian embassy in Beijing and is strategically located in Guangdong’s primary city. It will also serve the provinces of Hunan, Jiangxi, and Fujian.

For Cameroonians living in Guangzhou, the opening of this consulate represents the culmination of a process that began in 2014. Pascal Dieu Seul Assala, a Cameroonian resident of the city since 2010, articulated the significance of this development to SBBC. Assala stated that a general consulate in Guangzhou had become essential due to the increasing number of Cameroonians in Guangdong province. “It was clear that the community’s growth and activity would make it the largest Cameroonian community in China,” he emphasized. Most Cameroonians in Guangzhou, who are there for work or study, are organized under the Community of Cameroonians of Guangdong China (CCGC). As a board member of this group, Assala estimates the local Cameroonian population to be “close to 1,000, if not more.”

Among the benefits that the consulate will provide, Assala highlighted its potential to “significantly enhance relations between Cameroonians and the local government.” He also noted that one of the most immediate advantages will be savings in both time and money when obtaining official documents.

Currently, Cameroonians in Guangdong must travel to Beijing by plane or high-speed train to access consular services. “The minimum round-trip fare from Guangzhou to Beijing, by air or train, is 160,000 CFA francs. Traveling there for a passport or any other service costs both time and money. The consulate will resolve all of this,” explained another community member.

The establishment of this consulate follows President Paul Biya’s working visit to Beijing two months ago, during which he participated in the China-Africa summit.

Source: Sbbc

Cameroon’s Ministry of Finance has announced that no new commitments on the 2024 state budget will be allowed after November 15, 2024. This instruction, detailed in a letter from Finance Minister Louis Paul Motazé, is directed at all officials involved in managing the country’s budget. Moreover, December 31, 2024, will be the final day for issuing payment orders under the 2024 budget.

According to public finance experts, a budget commitment is the first step in authorizing a state payment, typically taking the form of a purchase order or a contract. Once a commitment is made, an administrative payment order is issued, directing the public accountant to release funds for that expense.

This means that starting November 15, no official will be authorized to sign new purchase orders or service contracts funded by the 2024 state budget. Likewise, no new payment orders will be issued after December 31, marking the final deadline for settling any outstanding expenses under this year’s budget.

Source: Business in Cameroon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Susan Ngongi Namondo of Cameroon as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tanzania, with the host Government’s approval, on 1 November 2024.

Most recently Ms. Ngongi Namondo served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda from 2021-2024. Prior to that, she served as UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Eritrea from 2017-2021. 

Before joining the Resident Coordintaor System, she served as UNICEF Representative in Ghana (2013-2017) and Comoros (2010 – 2013), as well as in various positions as Emergency Programme Specialist in UNICEF. 

Ms. Ngongi Namondo holds a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, a master’s degree in animal health from the University of Reading, and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Maryland in animal health and government and politics.

Source: UN

The heads of the five families that make up Manyemen village, Upper Balong in Nguti Subdivision have rejected the dubious selection of a non-native of their village Mr Williams Mbue Bisong, as traditional ruler of Manyemen a year ago by the Senior Divisional Officer for Kupe-Muanenguba.

On November 2nd, they or their representatives, led a delegation of villagers to meet the DO of Nguti, Etengeneng Kevin Oben and express their disapproval of the malicious shortcut procedure followed by the Kupe-Muanenguba SDO, Ekema William Mungambo to choose Bisong as chief of Manyemen following the death in 2022 of Chief Jacob Eben.

“As far as we are concerned, our village does not yet have a new chief,” said Manyemen family heads in a petition to the SDO of Kupe-Muanenguba dated October 7th.

The family heads explained: “(1.) No family designated Mr Williams Mbue Bisong for the throne. By the practice under our customs and traditions, the family designates a son as chief and presents him to village kingmakers for vetting before he is presented to the administration. Those steps were bypassed. (2.) Those you admitted as Kingmakers to enable the selection of Mr Williams Mbue Bisong as chief of Manyemen are not the kingmakers we chose to represent our families. Kingmakers cannot be self-declared nor chosen in any haphazard manner by whosoever except by us. (3.) Conducting the selection of the chief of Manyemen in your office in far away Bangem, outside our village was a traditional sacrilege as we can only choose our chief in the sacred forest which we call “Ntem”. (4.) Mr Williams Mbue Bisong is not a native of Manyemen. He is the son of a known man from another village, whose parents — duly married — were both not natives of our village. His father’s father was from a neighbouring village. He, therefore, cannot, under whatever condition, be the chief of Manyemen. (5.) The questionable process followed in selecting Mr Williams Mbue Bisong as chief of Manyemen has left a bitter taste in the mouth of our people and triggered widespread anger among villagers and elites. (6.) Your recognition of Mr Williams Mbue Bisong has apparently emboldened him to disregard both our tradition and even administrative orders, apparently sure that even you can do nothing to stop him, as if he is above the law. On Sunday, 11th August 2024, in violation of an order by the Divisional Officer of Nguti postponing all public manifestations, including Mr Williams Mbue Bisong’s announced coronation, Mr Williams Mbue Bisong went ahead and staged a so-called coronation, filmed by a TV crew and broadcast over television viewed all over Cameroon and the world. To do so, he again violated our traditional practices by causing the village patriarch (the oldest man in the village or Tanyie) to crown him, a highly sacred act reserved only for the village Chief of Tiger.”

In the petition signed by the family heads of Bafene, Nsuk ô Mbi, Njet, Ndong and a representative of Ntimbuk, the Manyemen family heads tell the Kupe-Muanenguba SDO, “Manyemen is a renowned and respected village with worthy sons we can place on our throne through our established traditional procedures. We shall not accept any process that disregards, violates and mocks our customs and traditions.”

They call on the SDO “to review your decision of 23rd November 2023 and allow us to choose our traditional ruler in accordance with our established traditional procedure.”

The delegation of the five families at the meeting with the DO of Nguti was led by Francis Ebenson for Ntimbuk, Stephen Chu Tabi for Bafene, Franklin Sone Bayen for Nsuk ô Mbi, Lawrence Diffang Tabi for Njet and Ashu Moses Mcmoi Ndi for Ndong.