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Tag: Cameroon

  • 10,000 Cameroonian refugees in Nigeria – UN

    The United Nations has expressed concerns about the swelling numbers of people fleeing English-speaking areas of Cameroon for Nigeria, saying it is particularly worried over safety of women and children.

    William Spindler, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), decried the precarious situation of women and children, who make up about 80 per cent of the approximately 10,000 registered refugees in Nigeria’s Cross River.

    “Some of these are boys and girls who fled to Nigeria alone,” Spindler said, adding that unaccompanied and separated children are particularly vulnerable.

    “UNHCR has received numerous reports that children have to work or beg to survive or to help their families.

    “Many reported that they were unable to attend school, for lack of time and money.

    “Thousands more are among the population of unregistered Cameroonians in neighbouring states, where some of the children are unaccompanied and vulnerable.

    “UNHCR is working with the Nigerian authorities to assist with the reunification of separated children with their families, to provide unaccompanied children with protection services and to restore the basic right of all children to education,” Spindler said.

    He said some of the children fleeing to Nigeria told UNHCR that they had been out of school in Cameroon for all of 2017.

    “For women, the lack of work combined with the over-stretched reception facilities, creates a higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly from survival sex.

    “While only a limited number of cases have been recorded, mainly in the Amana community of Cross River state, UNHCR is concerned that many more go unreported or are referred only to community elders.

    “Incidents of domestic violence, as well as cases of teenage pregnancies involving girls as young as 14, have also been reported,” the spokesperson elaborated.

    He said in Benue, two school buildings were serving as temporary refugee accommodations, where women and their families sleep inside communal school halls – deprived of private space and the right to family dignity.

    “For them, and for the rest of the population living in temporary tents hastily built next to local residences, sufficient and appropriate shelter is key to ensure adequate registration, systematic aid distribution and reduced protection risks,” Spindler stressed.

    According to him, UNHCR and the Nigerian authorities are currently working to identify sites away from the border, where the refugees can live according to international standards.

    “We are also establishing offices in the towns of Calabar and Adikpo to better provide assistance and protection to the women and children,” he said, noting that support includes food, basic relief items, water and sanitation facilities.

    Since mid-2017, Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have seen demonstrations as tensions have mounted over what the country’s English-speakers see as discrimination against them in favour of the majority French-speaking population.

     

  • Amnesty International warns against extradition of Cameroon separatist leaders arrested in Nigeria

    Ten leaders of the independence movement in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon could be at risk of torture and an unfair trial if extradited from Nigeria, where they have been arrested and detained in secret for one week, Amnesty International said on Friday.

    On January 5, armed men in plain clothes stormed a hotel in the capital Abuja where the activists, all members of the pro-independence Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC), were meeting, and arrested them without presenting a warrant or providing an explanation.

    They are being held incommunicado, without any access to a lawyer, in contravention of Nigerian law which demands they must be seen by a judge within 48 hours.

    Human rights lawyers in Nigeria have said that an extradition request has been made by the Cameroonian government, but no details of the request have been made public.

    “By holding these activists in secret, without charge, the Nigerian authorities are failing to respect both national and international law. If they are extradited to Cameroon, they risk an unfair trial before a military court and the deeply disturbing possibility of torture,” said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

    “Efforts to tackle the Anglophone crisis should always respect the law, and avoid restrictions on freedom of expression. Authorities in Nigeria should immediately disclose the activists’ whereabouts, allow them access to a lawyer, and unless they have sufficient evidence to charge them with a recognisable crime, release them immediately,” said Mr. Ojigho.

    The SCNC members have said that they were meeting in Nigeria to discuss the influx of thousands of asylum seekers following protests in October, in which over 20 civilians were killed by security forces.

    In recent months, over 10 members of security forces have also been killed by more radical pro-independence groups. The SCNC has throughout claimed to pursue their aim of independence for the Anglophone regions through peaceful means.

    All those arrested were legally living in Nigeria, and some had been granted political asylum.

    Under Nigerian law, it would be illegal to extradite the activists for political crimes, or if they faced the risk of torture or an unfair trial.

    In Cameroon, those charged with crimes related to national security are prosecuted by military courts without respect for due process, and Amnesty International has documented a widespread pattern of torture by security forces and intelligence agencies.

    In July 2017 the organisation published a report documenting over 100 cases of torture of people accused without evidence of supporting Boko Haram.

  • Senate investigates clashes between Nigeria, Cameroon communities

    The Senate has mandated its committees on Police Affairs and National Security to investigate clashes between border communities in Nigeria and Cameroon, which has claimed lives and property of Nigerians.

    The resolution to this effect emanated from a point of order raised by Sen. John Enoh (APC-Cross River) during plenary on Thursday.

    Enoh said that it was Federal Government’s duty to protect its citizens from internal and external aggression, lamenting that affected people from his political jurisdiction had been abandoned to attacks from Cameroonian aggressors.

    He said, “I rise to call attention to a dire and serious security situation that is occurring in my senatorial district between the communities in Cross River and communities in Cameroon.

    “This crisis has taken international dimension. The porous nature of our borders, especially at that particular axis, is a great concern.

    “The main reason why government exists is to protect people’s lives and property; I, therefore, call on Nigerian authorities to increase security presence because there is still rising tension in that part of the country.”

    The lawmaker also urged the security agencies to see how much help they could provide to ensure that people in that area were protected.

    In his remark, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, stressed that it was the responsibility of government to provide adequate security at the borders and also ensure safety and security of the citizenry in the country.

    He, therefore, referred the matter to the Committees on Police Affairs and National Security, mandating them to carry out a thorough job on the conflict and report back to the chamber.

     

    NAN

  • Over 400 Boko Haram fighters surrender in Cameroon

    Some Boko Haram fighters of Cameroon nationality numbering over 400 at the weekend surrendered themselves to local vigilante group in Mozogo town on Nigeria’s border in Northern Cameroon.

    Head of the vigilante group, Ousmane Kouila, who was in Maiduguri yesterday told reporters that they were out on a patrol in the border area when they met the fleeing Boko Haram fighters along with their families.

    According to Kouila, the former Boko Haram fighters confessed that they were taken hostage by Boko Haram fighters during attacks on their villages and taken to Nigeria, where they were forced to join the jihadist group.

    He said: “Among the people we handed over to the Cameroonian authorities today are 70 men, 86 women and 244 children.

    “They confessed that after spending two years with Boko Haram, they decided to flee their families and hand over themselves. They said they had fought for Boko Haram and chose to lay down their arms on their own will.”

  • 17 shot dead, several injured as Cameroon Anglophone protest for independence

    Police and the military in Cameroon have shot dead at least seventeen Anglophone people as members of the community continue protesting for independence from the majority Francophone nation.

    The unrest took place Sunday on the anniversary of Anglophone Cameroon’s independence from Britain in the country’s English-speaking regions.

    Five prisoners were killed in the jail where they were being held in the town of Kumbo.

    Donatus Njong Fonyuy, mayor of the town said a fire erupted in the jail and soldiers shot dead five prisoners at around 6 a.m. (0500 GMT).

    “We don’t know what caused the fire in the prison … But five prisoners were killed by soldiers. Two were wounded by bullets and are at the hospital,” said the official, adding that two civilians were also injured in the incident.

    Reports said soldiers shot dead a demonstrator in the same town after he attempted to raise the blue and white flag of the Ambazonia separatist movement in the local chief’s palace. Two demonstrators who had raised the flag were also shot and wounded around midday.

    Security forces attempted to block pro-independence marchers from entering the city of Buea, a major hub of protests. Witnesses said one protester was killed in the clashes on the edge of the city.

    A similar protest was held in Bamenda where young men brandishing improvised secessionist flags clashed with security forces. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters trying to march on the regional governor’s office. There was no account of casualties in Bamenda.

    Security was high in Buea and Bamenda as military helicopters circled overhead and businesses remained shuttered for the entire day. Troops from the Cameroonian army’s Rapid Intervention Brigade, a unit known for its fight against the militants of Nigeria-based Boko Haram group, were also deployed in the two cities. There were also reports of gunfire although it was not clear whether they targeted the protesters or were only fired in the air.

    In anticipation of the protests in English-speaking regions, authorities had ordered Cameroon’s border with Nigeria closed for the weekend. All gatherings of more than four people had been banned and movement between different parts of the region had been forbidden.

    Police and the military have yet to comment on the shootings that led to deaths Sunday. A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said security forces were taking restraint in dealing with the fresh bout of violence.

    “We won’t use violence unless there is major cause. There are numerous risks, even terrorist risks. We’re keeping calm,” said the source.

    The months-long protests are viewed as a sign of increasing dissatisfaction with President Paul Biya’s 35-year rule.

    Biya said the acts of violence, “regardless of their source and their perpetrators”, were deplorable.

    “Let me make this very clear: it is not forbidden to voice any concerns in the Republic. However, nothing great can be achieved by using verbal excesses, street violence, and defying authority,” the president wrote on his official Facebook account.

    Cameroon, a former German colony under the name of Kamerun, was divided between the allied French and British victors at the end of World War One.

  • Choosing between Nigeria and Morocco – Owei Lakemfa

    By Owei Lakemfa.

    With the 42-year old Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting in December to decide on the divisive application of the North African Kingdom of Morocco to join, an all-inclusive public forum was held in Abuja.
    Organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) with support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, it drew diplomats, Labour leaders, intellectuals, civil society activists, ECOWAS officials and the international community. CDD Director, Idayat Hassan set the tone by pointing out that ECOWAS was transforming from an “ ECOWAS of Nations to an ECOWAS of Peoples” Implied is the fact that Morocco is a monarchical dictatorship.
    ECOWAS Commission President, Marcel . A. De Souza gave the Opening Address delivered on his behalf by Dr. Babatunde Idowu. He said ECOWAS has had lots of achievements making it become attractive adding that the application of Morocco can be analyzed in that context.
    Political scientist, Dr. Adewale Aderemi argued that economy cannot be the basis of admitting Morocco as even in Africa, it ranks sixth while Nigeria is the largest economy. The Moroccan economy he argued is very weak as it is not only agrarian but also weighed down by mass unemployment and huge debts. He said Morocco’s main trading partners are France, the European Union and Spain and so it is of little value to West African trade and that its benefit to ECOWAS is likely to be quite marginal. Dr. Aderemi explained that the phosphate Morocco is selling is like Blood Diamond as it is taken by force from Western Sahara, the African country it is colonizing.
    The intellectual argued that Morocco’s twin motives for wanting to join ECOWAS are as a proxy of its former colonial master, France and to get back at Nigeria for its principled support of Western Sahara independence.
    Mr. John Odah, Secretary of the Organisation of Trade Unions in West Africa (OTUWA) pointed out that one of the basic principles of the Organisation of Africa Unity, now African Union (AU) was the decolonization of the continent. Morocco, he argued, should not have been welcome to the AU when it is still defying it by colonizing Western Sahara.
    In my presentation, I argued that the dehumanization of the Saharawi by Monarchical Morocco, is no different from the dehumanization of Africans by the Apartheid regime. I made reference to the June 19, 2017 sentencing of 24 Saharawi to between 20 years, to life imprisonment by Morocco for voicing their demand for freedom. I pointed out that Morocco is the only country in the world I know, who deports its claimed citizens, as it did to the Saharawi liberation campaigner, Hajia Aminatu Haidar. That despite its atrocities in Western Sahara and against its own people, Morocco has not been sanctioned either by the United Nations which has a Mission, MINURSO in Western Sahara, nor by any of the Western countries who are loud on human rights.
    I condemned the EU for entering into agreements with Morocco to exploit Saharawi resources pointing out that the West did the same thing supporting Apartheid and declaring freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela as “terrorists”
    I argued that Morocco is ineligible to join ECOWAS because its application violates the ECOWAS Treaty which states the body is primarily to promote the integration of West Africa into “an economic union”
    For those who may argue that Morocco has some resources it can bring to ECOWAS, I said since China and United States have more resources, ECOWAS may well invite them to join it rather than a dictatorship which will be an economic, cultural and political liability. I pointed out that Morocco already belongs to the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) but that even with its Secretariat in Rabat, Morocco, the AMU has become moribund due to the aggression of Morocco which is in perpetual conflict with most of its neigbours.
    Historian, Professor Issac Olawale Albert pointed out that Morocco’s monarchism cannot fit into West Africa’s democracy adding that Morocco’s entry will be divisive as it would weigh in on the Francophone against Anglophone. He also warned that with more Moroccans joining the Islamic State (ISIS) and that organization shifting to Africa, Morocco’s admission may worsen the war against Boko Haram terrorists implying that Moroccan terrorists may take advantage of the Free Movement Protocol in ECOWAS to come undetected to Nigeria and join the terrorists.
    Retired Ambassador Dahiru Suleiman informed that after storming out of the OAU, Morocco in 1987 applied to join the EU but had its application literarily thrown to its face. Suleiman who was Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan said
    Morocco is involved in “Cheque Book Diplomacy” and that those promoting its application to join ECOWAS were doing so for private ends. He added: “I have been to Morocco several times and I can say the peace there is the peace of the graveyard”
    Hajia Hauwa Mustapha of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wondered if ECOWAS citizens should not challenge in court the move to admit Morocco, and if Western Sahara should also not be admitted if ECOWAS admits Morocco.
    Professor Nuhu Yaqub, former Vice Chancellor of the Universities of Abuja and Sokoto State, argued that Morocco is a Trojan Horse and that the issue of admitting it should be subject to referendum.
    Retired Ambassador Zango Abdu, said if ECOWAS were to follow clearly laid down procedures, Morocco’s
    application is “Dead on Arrival” Dr. Remi Aiyede of Ibadan University argued the application is part of Morocco’s efforts to position itself as a Regional player. Former Nigerian Ambassador to Libya, M.K. Ibrahim informed that when the Moroccan Monarch visited Nigeria in December 2007, with a 300-member delegation, 50 of them were Islamic clerics of a particular Sect adding that this was dangerous for Nigeria, a multi- religious country with multi-Islamic Sects.
    The President of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) Professor Shuaib A. Ibrahim said the Regional Arab Maghreb Union Morocco founded, admits only Arabs, so why should it “become an interloper” wanting to join
    ECOWAS?
    ECOWAS Commissioner, Shaibu Lawali said the Secretariat was not consulted on the issue of Morocco; that it was a political decision by the Heads of State which the Commission will have to implement if passed.
    With the conference solidly opposed to Morocco, Dr. Habibu Yaya Bappah from ECOWAS said Morocco does not intend to join ECOWAS “immediately, but it will do so slowly” and asked if the Moroccan application will be favourably considered if it grants Western Sahara independence. The reaction was that Morocco will not be allowed to join ECOWAS under any condition.
    The Conference decided that if by any subterfuge, Morocco is admitted into ECOWAS, there will be a mass mobilization of Nigerians to withdraw their country from ECOWAS and kick the organization and its Secretariat out of Nigeria.
  • BREAKING: [Sallah gift]Super Eagles thrash Indomitable Lions 4-0 in Uyo

    BREAKING: [Sallah gift]Super Eagles thrash Indomitable Lions 4-0 in Uyo

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday beat Cameroon 4-0 to consolidate its position at the top of Group B in the 2018 World Cup African qualifiers.

    A goal apiece from Odion Ighalo, Chelsea FC winger, Victor Moses; skipper Mikel Obi and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho ensured Nigeria grabbed the maximum three points at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.

    After a sluggish start, Ighalo puts Nigeria ahead after receiving a fine pass from Mikel in the 28th minute. The China-based forward, however, got yellow-carded for taking off his jersey while celebrating.

    Mikel made it 2-0 in the 42nd when he latched onto a Victor Moses corner.

    Eleven minutes into the second half, Victor Moses combined with gangling winger Moses Simon before slotting home from inside the box.

    Iheanacho, who came in for injured Ighalo, made it 4-0 when he nodded past goalkeeper Fabrice Ondo from Ogenyi Onasi assist in 77th minute.

    With the victory, Nigeria top Group B with nine points, while Cameroon have just two points from three matches.

  • Nigeria vs Cameroon: Gov Emmanuel vows to compensate Eagles with $10,000 per goal

    The Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, has promised to pay the Super Eagles $10,000 for every goal the team score against Cameroon in their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo on Friday.

    The governor also redeemed his pledge of $30,000 to the Eagles for their 3-1 win against Algeria in a 2018 World Cup Group B qualifier last year.

    Emmanuel called on Nigerians to support the Eagles with prayers as well go to the Uyo stadium to cheer the team to victory against the Indomitable Lions.

    “You (Eagles) should be able to hold the Lions; I believe the Lions by this time tomorrow (Friday) will not be able to roar. We believe in prayers. We also need your support. You have to do something to ensure that, at least, we project our own to the world.

    “I don’t know how I feel when I hear of some people collecting almost £300m and some of our players are equally talented enough to collect that kind of money. Nobody has the monopoly of sports. Let us also encourage our own. I’ll like to see some of these players there,” he said.

  • Boko Haram attacks Cameroon village, kills 11, kidnaps eight

    Some suspected Boko Haram militants killed 11 people and kidnapped eight others in an overnight raid on a village in northern Cameroon near the Nigerian border, officials said on Friday.

    The attackers burned down around 30 houses in Gakara village, just outside the town of Kolofata, which has been a frequent target of suicide bombings by the Islamist group.

    An army colonel put the death toll at 11, while a district official said that 15 people had been killed.

    The mayor of Kolofata confirmed that an attack had taken place but said he did not know the death toll.

    Boko Haram attacks have killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 2.7 million during the group’s eight-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic caliphate in the Lake Chad region.

    “The attack happened around midnight.

    “The Boko Haram assailants arrived.

    “They set 32 houses on fire killed, pillaged, and traumatised the population,” said the district official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak.

    “Many people fled the village for a camp near Kolofata that houses thousands displaced by Boko Haram violence,” he said.

     

     

    Reuters/NAN

  • FG evacuates 170 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has evacuated another batch of 170 Nigerian repatriated refugees mostly Women and Children from Cameroon.

    The Director-General of the Agency, Alhaji Mustapha Maihaja, disclosed this at Mubi International Transit Camp, Adamawa, on Sunday.

    Maihaja, who was represented by Idris Garga, NEMA Coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba, said that the evacuation exercise was the second in three months.

    “Today, we are evacuating another batch of 170 Nigerian repatriated Refugees from Cameroon Republic ,the first evacuation was conducted in May 2017 and involved about 300 Nigerians.

    “The refugees were intercepted along Nigeria-Cameroon boarder by teams of Nigeria security operatives and after thorough investigation and screening they were confirmed to be Nigerians.

    “The refugees are indigenes of Gomboru- Ngala in Borno who escaped Boko Haram attacks and ran to Cameroon for safety in 2013,” he said.

    Terry Igue, the Yola office Head of Search and Rescue of the agency, said the refugees had undergone several medical check-ups at Mubi camp and had been “well taken care before their evacuation to their local government and state of origin to meet their relatives”.