Day: April 22, 2023

An individual from Ariana, wanted for suspected membership in a terrorist organisation and sentenced to 13 years in prison, was arrested by a unit of the National Guard’s research brigade in Tebourba. According to the spokesman of the National Guard, the individual in question was arrested during the night of April 21, as part of the operations to track down wanted persons. Measures have been taken against him, after consultation with the public prosecutor’s office, according to the same source.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

In observance of Arab Day of Awareness about the Suffering of Terrorism Victims, Interior Minister Kamel Feki Saturday laid a wreath at the foot of the penitentiary and police staff martyrs memorial in January 14 Square near the seat of the Interior Ministry and recited the Fatihah in their memory. Feki was accompanied by the Chief of Staff and directors general of national security, the National Guard and Civil Protection. The minister took cognisance of the preparedness of various police units and commended their efforts to protect the country and citizens. He urged increased preparedness and vigilance while extending best wishes on Eid al-Fitr,

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Ghazi Chaouachi, lawyer and former secretary general of the Popular Current party, will appear next Tuesday before the investigating judge at the Tunis Court of First Instance to be heard in a complaint filed against him by the Minister of Justice, on the basis of the decree-law No. 2022-54, relating to the fight against offences relating to information and communication systems. Ayachi Hammami, member of the defence committee, called on Saturday in a statement to mobilise for his client’s cause and to work to have this decree-law annulled, which he described as “a sword hanging over every free voice and undermining the foundations of the profession of journalism and freedom of expression and information”. Minister of Justice, Leila Jaffel, had filed a complaint against Ghazi Chaouchi following a statement he made to the media claiming that Prime Minister Najla Bouden had submitted her resignation to the President of the Republic and that the latter had not accepted it. He also claimed that there were conflicts behind the scenes regarding his succession. Chaouachi has been arrested since February 24 for “plotting against the internal and external security of the state”. Political activists and leaders of opposition political parties are also arrested in connection with this case. They include Abdelhamid Jelassi, Lazhar Akremi, Khayam Turki, Issam Chebbi, Chaima Issa and Jawhar Ben Mbarek. In early March, President of the Republic, Kais Saied, had stressed, during a meeting with the Minister of Justice, that “the plotters against the internal and external security of the state cannot continue to be the victims”. The real victim, he said, is the people who are deprived of their right to health and the attributes of a dignified life.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) political party, Maurice Kamto has urged President Paul Biya to clarify the public on his son’s role in state and public affairs when he takes steps to defend his private interests under an official flag.

This is contained in a release signed by the official on April 22nd.

Chad announced on April 20, 2023, that it had recalled its Ambassador to Cameroon for consultations. In its statement, the Chadian presidency claims to have written several times to Yaounde to deplore the “unfriendly actions” of Cameroonian representatives within Cotco and the interference of Cameroonian personalities “brewing” around the Savannah Energy.

According to a statement from Savannah Energy PLC, the company has signed a sales agreement with Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons (SNH) to hand over 10% of the capital of Cameroon Oil Transportation Company S.A. (COTCo). The transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.

Kamto stated that he learned Franck Emmanuel Biya went to N’Djamena in September 2022, as part of this case to intervene in favor of this company. He outlined that the trip, with no official functions within the state, was followed by that of Elung Paul Che, Deputy Secretary General number 1 of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, from November 21 to 30 2022.

“It is urgent that he clarifies the situation and explains the role of his son in public affairs where he takes steps to defend private interests under an official flag. If not, national and international public opinion will be justified in suspecting him of being personally involved in this other scandal of our republic,“ he explained.

He noted that Chad is the only country in Central Africa that has stood by Cameroon in its fight against the Boko Haram cult since 2014 and a country where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment.

“It is a brotherly and friendly country, which has historically always had very good relations with our country. As proof, it is the country in the sub-region where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment and humiliation of all kinds from the authorities of the host country,” he stated.

He calls on the Parliament to open a parliamentary inquiry into this scandal.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Frontline Ambazonian activist, Edith Ngang, popularly known as Ma Ngang, has been sentenced to three years, 10 months in a federal prison in Minnesota, United States of America followed by two years supervised release, for conspiracy, and for illegally exporting firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria without obtaining the required licenses from the U.S. State.

In a press release issued by the U.S States department of justice on April 21, 2023, it reveals that the 57 year old Cameroonian and her conspirator, Tse Ernst Bangarie have been found guilty of all the charges.

Before and after her sentencing, Edith Ngang revealed in a social media post, which CNA got that she is happy because the number of years are not many. She added that it is all for the freedom of Ambazonia.

“House, just to inform you all that I was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months to a low minimum federal prison in Minnesota. I am happy for it could be worst than this. For the sake of the freedom of Ambazonians it is more than worth it. I am so honored to have been at the position where I could serve my people and the battle continues once I am out…,” Edith Ngang said in a post that CNA got from social media.

A post purportedly shared in a WhatsApp group, obtained by CNA via Twitter post by an Activist.

In an interview granted to Esteem television, the activist added that her sentencing is also an eye-opener for the United States and the world to see what the people of Ambazonia are going through.

“I feel good because the legislative part of U.S has had the opportunity to hear about the issue. The executive knows about it and the only part I thought didn’t know was the judiciary and this case has brought the issue of the plight of southern Cameroonians the fact that they were not brought to self governing. The whole of America now knows about the issue of the plights of Ambazonians…,” She said in the interview with Esteem tv.

On several occasions, she has been seen on social media platforms, supporting the creation of the state of Ambazonia through secession from Cameroon.

Reason for her sentence

According to information from the press release issued by the court, Ngang and her conspirator pleaded guilty for exporting firearms, ammunition and other military-type items through Nigeria to support separatist fighters fight the government of Cameroon since 2017.

“Ngang admitted that she also participated in the reloading of ammunition in the basement of St. Michael’s residence in at least August and October 2018. However, the conspirators banned her from coming in person after a video of Ngang loading the ammunition was posted on social media in October 2018, something the conspirators considered a serious security breach. Ngang remained a member of the conspiracy and continued to communicate with St. Michael and others about the ongoing efforts to unlawfully export the firearms, ammunition and other items from the United States”

The press release furthered that while in court in 2018, Ngang provided information on how a container full with arms and ammunition is on the way to Cameroon. The ship transporting the container was trapped and all the contents were sent back to the US, according to the release.

It was also revealed that Tamufor St. Michael, age 42, of Rosedale, Maryland, Wilson Che Fonguh and five co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

Meanwhile Eric Fru Nji and Wilson Nuyila Tita, were already sentenced to 63 months of incarceration in March 2023.

Source: Cameroon News Agency