In-depth News Info

20/05/2025

Clash of Authorities in Fako: SDO, House of Chiefs President, and Regional Assembly President Spar Over Unity Day Directive

By Yusinyu Omer Yinyu | In-depth News | May 20, 2025

As Cameroon marks the 53rd edition of its National Unity Day on May 20, 2025, a storm is quietly brewing in the South West Region, particularly in Fako Division, following a fiery exchange between three key regional figures: the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) of Fako, the President of the South West House of Chiefs, and the President of the South West Regional Assembly. The controversy stems from a directive issued by the SDO requesting the compulsory attendance of all traditional rulers at the ceremonial grandstand on Unity Day, a move that has ignited a public debate on administrative authority, traditional respect, and institutional representation.

The original order, issued under the authority of the SDO of Fako Division, directed all Divisional Officers in the area to ensure the effective presence of traditional rulers of all three classes (First, Second, and Third) at the ceremonial grounds. The message emphasized that any unjustified absence would result in disciplinary measures, including a request for explanation and the opening of a disciplinary file. The communication, marked “TREAT AS IMPERATIVE,” was firm in tone and intent.

However, the directive was not received in silence. Dr. Chief Atem Ebako, President of the South West House of Chiefs, fired back with a strongly-worded letter dated May 19, 2025. In his rebuttal, Chief Ebako acknowledged the importance of National Unity Day but decried what he described as the SDO’s "rude and callous" treatment of traditional rulers. According to the chief, the message was not only disrespectful but also undermined the divine honor and cultural dignity of traditional institutions.

“In your message, you unfortunately crossed the red line… I find the above statement not only frustrating, but disparaging to the status, divine honor, and dignity of traditional rulers not only of Fako Division but of the entire South West Region,” the letter read. He further advised the SDO to “refrain from being insolent and disrespectful to the institution of the Traditional Ruler.”

While Chief Ebako’s letter gained traction on social media, drawing both commendation and criticism, it also triggered an institutional backlash. Later that same day, the President of the South West Regional Assembly issued his own response in a letter of observation, distancing the Assembly from Chief Ebako’s correspondence. The Assembly President contended that the Chief acted without consultation or authorization from the Regional Assembly, thereby violating Section 312(1) of the General Code of Regional and Local Authorities.

“Writing on the official headed paper of the South West Regional Assembly without the knowledge and consent of the president on a sensitive issue of that nature is not only misrepresentative… but equally violates standing provisions and previous calls to order,” the Regional Assembly President wrote. He reiterated that the only official spokesperson between the Assembly and the public is the President of the Regional Executive Council.

The Assembly President further rebuked Chief Ebako for missing an opportunity to promote peace and unity. “In your capacity as President of the House of Chiefs, you could have added your voice to that of the administration by urging your colleagues across the region to turn out massively… Unfortunately, by your correspondence, you are combating global State and collective efforts to bring back normalcy to our beloved region,” the letter stated.

This public fallout between prominent regional figures has brought to the surface the complex dynamics between traditional authority and modern administration in Cameroon. While traditional rulers are recognized as custodians of cultural heritage and respected for their local influence, they are also auxiliaries to the state, expected to support national programs and unity initiatives.

The tension also underscores a broader question: where does administrative oversight end, and where does respect for traditional autonomy begin? Observers argue that the incident reflects a delicate balance that must be maintained in a country where modern republican governance and ancient customs coexist.

As Unity Day unfolds with parades and patriotic displays across the nation, the events in Fako serve as a potent reminder of the need for diplomacy, respect, and collaboration among institutions. At a time when Cameroon is still navigating socio-political challenges in its Anglophone regions, public discord among leaders—no matter how well-meaning—can fuel division rather than unity.

In the spirit of the day, many Cameroonians will be watching closely to see whether this institutional rift will be quietly resolved in the background or further escalate into a broader debate about the roles and responsibilities of traditional leadership in modern governance.

25/02/2025

Tony Elumelu Pledges Business Expansion in Cameroon

February 25, 2025 – Nigerian business magnate Tony Elumelu has announced plans to expand his business operations in Cameroon, with a focus on electricity production and distribution. Elumelu made the declaration today in Yaoundé after a high-profile audience with Prime Minister and Head of Government, Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, who received him on behalf of President Paul Biya.

His visit comes ahead of a major business forum set to open tomorrow in the Cameroonian capital, where investors and economic stakeholders will discuss opportunities for business growth and development in Africa.

Speaking to the press after his meeting with the Prime Minister, Elumelu reaffirmed his commitment to investing in Cameroon’s energy sector, noting that reliable electricity supply is a key driver of economic development.

Elumelu, who is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has been a strong advocate for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Africa. His investment interests span multiple sectors, including banking, energy, hospitality, and healthcare.

As discussions continue at the upcoming business forum, stakeholders will be keen to see how Elumelu’s investments materialize and contribute to Africa’s economic landscape.

18/01/2025

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20/06/2024

Experts from the World Bank and its partners have made the case for refugees to be allowed to work in order to cut the cost of humanitarian assistance.
They were speaking June 18 during a crucial webinar that addressed the sustainability of hosting refugees.
The discussion centered on reducing the costs of humanitarian assistance while simultaneously fostering economic development for both refugees and host communities.
“We live in a world where the number of refugees has been constantly increasing. Over the last ten years, it has essentially tripled. At the same time, external assistance has been flat. That means less money per refugee, “said Xavier Devictor, Adviseron Fragility, Conflict, and Violence Group, a t the World Bank Group.

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29/05/2024

Latest from Our Updates
AN ARMLESS REVOLUTION IS THE OPTION
by Paul Tar
The numerous calls for registration and reregistration and eventual voting in choosing the next president of Cameroon, come next year is a call to reawakening: reawakening of consciousness, consciousness to civic responsibility; a call to reawakening, reawakening of the love for the fatherland; reawakening of the consciousness for a rebirth of Cameroon. But experience, they say, is the best teacher. What have we experienced in the last four decades? The changelessness of non-change. A state where man, to use the view of Thomas Hobbes, is a wolf to fellow man. Hopes should not be lost given that we have another option.
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AN ARMLESS REVOLUTION IS THE OPTION

29/05/2024

Latest from Our Updates

AN ARMLESS REVOLUTION IS THE OPTION

27/05/2024

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04/09/2023

Catholic Christians all over the United Arab Emirates gathered at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish Mussafah in Abu Dhabi on Sunday August 27, 2023, to end a four days retreat organized under the theme “BE STILL FOR I AM GOD”.

In his homily, his lordship emeritus Paul Hinder encouraged African Catholics to remain firm to God who has never failed to respond to the calls from his children.

The retreat which had always been annual is taking place for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 which brought virtually everything in the world to a standstill.

18/11/2022

Alcoholic beer will not be sold at Qatar's World Cup stadiums, world soccer governing body FIFA said on Friday, a last minute reversal which raised questions among some supporters about the host country's ability to deliver on promises to fans.

18/11/2022

Breaking News: Senegalese captain Sadio Mane ruled out of the world cup squad.

In a statement officially made public on Thursday 17, 2022, Sadio Mane will not be participating at the World Cup with the Senegalese team, after being unable to recover from injury in time. Mane suffered a leg injury in Bayern Munich's 6-1 win over Werder Bremen earlier this month, which put into doubt his hopes of competing at the tournament.

“We all knew from the moment it happened, but Bayern's communication team wanted to drive the bitter pill down our throat in bits. First they played down the gravity of the injury. Secondly they said let's wait for the medical team to evaluate. Thirdly, they said "we are in touch with the Senegalese Team doctors". Fourth, Mané would miss the first games of the World Cup. And now....Sad”, lamented a fan in a facebook comment.

“This will be heart breaking for Mane after a year when everything was going like a dream for him at international level", said John Bennett, BBC World Service in Doha on BBC sports.

"His performances in helping Senegal win the Cup of Nations and qualify for the World Cup, combined with his displays in the first half of the year with Liverpool, helped the Bayern Munich forward to be voted in second place for the Ballon d'Or award", he added.

"Only an inspired Karim Benzema stopped him becoming the first African player since George Weah to win that accolade. But the best was yet to come; Mane was hoping to help Senegal to emulate the nation's class of 2002 and make it to at least the quarter-finals in Qatar", Bennett continued

"Now, without their talisman, it's going to be extremely difficult for Senegal to make an impression here in Qatar. They have other quality players such as Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Ismaila Sarr but Mane is their inspiration and game-changer. A sad moment for Mane and for the whole of Senegal”, John Bennett, concluded

07/10/2022

Former US Ambassador calls for Marafa’s release
In-Depth News
The former US ambassador to Cameroon, Niels Marquardt has once again called on the Biden administration to force Cameroon to release Marafa Hamidou Yaya.
The former Secretary General at the Presidency is serving a 20-year jail term over accusations of “intellectually complicity” to the embezzlement of 29 million US dollars.
But writing in Foreign Service Journal, Ambassador Niels Marquardt who served in Cameroon from 2004 – 2007 has put down Marafa’s incarceration to a political witch hunt.
“While Mr. Marafa was accused of corruption, his only real crime was having told me, in confidence in 2006, that he “might be interested” in seeking Cameroon’s presidency one day, if ever the incumbent president, Paul Biya, were to leave office,” Marquardt recalls.
That revelation of Marafa’s higher political ambitions was duly captured and adequately reported the US Embassy’s political section,”speculating on succession scenarios in a post-Biya era.”
But the brief was made public by wikkileaks. That alone,according to Marquardt sealed Marafa’s fate.

“Once that cable to Washington was released by WikiLeaks in 2010, Mr. Marafa’s revelation immediately became front-page news in Cameroon. This led directly to his arrest, and then to a classic “show trial” the following year,”the former Ambassador writes.
He said the question of succession in Cameroon is a sensitive one, especially given that Biya, now in power for 40 years, has built his power relations on a tribal basis, so that Marafa’s higher political ambition “deeply rattled the country’s delicate tribal and political balance.”
“Evidently, Biya’s coterie of mostly southern, Christian supporters from the Beti tribe felt sufficiently threatened by the prospect of Mr. Marafa becoming president that they decided to sideline him permanently, and manipulated the country’s judicial system to do just that.”
Mr. Marafa is a northern Muslim, like the country’s only other president since independence, Ahmadou Ahidjo.
“After 40 years of political advantage under Biya, little bothers privileged southerners more than the thought of a northerner regaining power,” Marquardt writes.
The former Ambassador then called on the Biden Administration to pressure the Cameroon government to release the “political prisoner,” if for nothing else,at least to permeat him get critically needed health care.
“Because Mr. Marafa’s health has deteriorated significantly during his decade-plus in prison, the case for his release is ever more urgent. Now in old age, he survived COVID-19 (unvaccinated) while in detention last year. He has gone almost completely blind, suffers from a serious heart condition, and desperately needs medical treatment unavailable in Cameroon.” the Ambassaodor writes.
"He is incarcerated in a military prison, in a damp cell, where no daylight can filter through. After his arrest, the woman who had been his faithful secretary for some twenty years was brutally murdered in her home. As for his wife, she died without having been able to visit him even once," he adds.
Marquartd isn’t the only US diplomat to push for Marafa’s release.
“Seven former US ambassadors to Cameroon (Frances Cook, Harriet Isom, Charles Twining, John Yates, George Staples, Janet Garvey and Robert Jackson), who know and respect Mr. Marafa, have written to successive US administrations to ask them to help us obtain his release. To no avail," he says.

01/09/2022

Disagreements mar Chad’s National dialogue
In-DepthNews

More than 1,400 delegates from Chad's military government, civil society, opposition parties, trade unions and rebel groups are taking part in the Sovereign National Dialogue that is aimed at charting a new way for sustainable peace in Chad..
The Transitional Council led by General Mahamat Idriss Deby says the meeting should result in free, fair and transparent elections to restore power to civilian rule.
“Chad has suffered so much from fratricidal wars, from divisions, community violence, bad governance and corruption,” Deby told delegates.
“At the end of this dialogue, I dream of a Chad resolutely looking to the future; a Chad that is prosperous and modern, a country where everyone enjoys the same privileges; where social justice isn’t an empty slogan but a reality,” he said.
But hardly had the Presidium been constituted had a sizeable number of delegates-mostly from opposition parties and armed groups stormed out in protest.
“We have realized that the same system that has ruled for 30 years, that has brought the country to its knees wants to stay in power and this against the interests of the people,” said one opposition leader.
He said those chosen to run the dialogue all belonged to the old guard, and criticized it for lacking representation.
“That is why we have unanimously decided to walkout of this masquerade, either we have a sincere dialogue, or we will take to the streets,” he threatened, raising concerns that the country could slide into chaos.
The country’s communication Minister ,ABDRAMAN KHOULAMALLAH said those boycotting the dialogue have” turned their backs on the people of Chad and the welfare of the country.”
He said it wasn’t just another folkloric meeting, describing the current meeting as “real dialogue.”
But political science professor, Dr Ngarle Evariste ToLde casts doubts that the current effort would be any different from the 1993 Sovereign National Conference whose recommendations were widely accepted by the Chadian people, but unfortunately “have remained in the drawer up to this day.”