Suspended But Still Present: Did Former Cameroon Rugby Boss Patrice Monthé Defy His Five-Year Suspension?

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

On Saturday, October 31, in Yaoundé, a rugby event organized by Barrister Patrice Monthé, former President of the Cameroon Rugby Federation (FECARUGBY), sparked debate over whether he has chosen to ignore his suspension by the continental body, Rugby Afrique.

**Barrister Patrice Monthé (Right) during the Rugby activity on Saturday October 31, 2026**

Barrister Monthé was reportedly suspended on November 15, 2025, by the Legal and Disciplinary Commission of Rugby Afrique, alongside several officials and members involved in the management and electoral process of the sport’s governing body in Cameroon.

The five-year ban covers all rugby-related activities and, under Article 30 of the federation’s statutes, had also make him ineligible to serve as FECARUGBY President.

Against that backdrop, many are asking how someone balled from all rugby activities last year could organize an event in the name of Cameroonian rugby. It is worth noting that the gathering was a solemn reception in honor of the Cameroonian Rugby Association (ACR), whose team made a splash in June by winning the Africus Shield in Gabon.

Presenting himself as President and stressing the need to place grassroots players at the center of the renewal of Cameroonian rugby, Barrister Monthé conveyed the federation’s gratitude by distributing significant financial bonuses to the players and technical staff.

Since then, the discussion has spread well beyond Yaoundé to other parts of the country, with many wonderings how this could be happening and whether the man suspended last year has simply brushed aside the decision of the continental body.

One sports reporter said he was surprised when he learned of the event, since he knew Barrister Monthé had been suspended from all rugby activities for five years. “This is not good and I want to believe that there are consequences for that,” he said.

A sports fan, Edwin stated that he believes legal action should be taken against the former President, arguing that the five-year period is far from over and that the situation does not reflect well on the country.

Barrister Monthé was not the only official affected. Other members of the federation were also suspended, with their sanctions ranging from three to four years.

The ruling, issued on November 15, 2025, also targeted the federation itself. After reviewing the case, the commission immediately suspended FECARUGBY from all activities, competitions and decision-making bodies, as well as from representation within Rugby Africa and World Rugby. A second decision invited Cameroon’s Ministry of Sports and Physical Education to work with Rugby Africa to establish a Transitional Management Committee within 30 days.

Since the contested election of Barrister Patrice Monthé on December 28, 2024, domestic competition activities have remained completely stalled. Instead, conflict has erupted between Barrister Monthé and a two-thirds majority of the Executive Bureau, who accuse him of financial embezzlement, poor collaboration, and non-compliance with the Cameroon Rugby Federation’s statutes.

With the October 31 event now fueling controversy, sports fans are waiting to see how the authorities, Rugby Afrique and World Rugby will respond.

Ndemaze Volleyball Club Clinches Centre Regional Title With Convincing Victory

Ndemaze Volleyball Club (NVC) of Yaoundé have been crowned champions of the 2026 Centre Regional Volleyball Open (Ladies), following an impressive 3–1 victory over Mayokani Evolution (MKE) in a thrilling final.

The triumph marks a significant achievement for the Yaoundé-based club, whose determination, discipline and collective strength were evident throughout the competition. Ndemaze’s journey to the championship title was characterised by consistent performances, tactical organisation and a strong competitive spirit, as the ladies overcame every challenge on their path to the trophy.

The champions began their campaign in the pool stage with a convincing 2–0 victory over Cité-U before securing a hard-fought 2–1 win against FAP in their second encounter. These results set the tone for what would become an impressive championship run.

In the semi-final, NVC maintained their momentum with a commanding 2–0 victory over Nyong et Kelle Volleyball Club (NKV), booking their place in the final and moving one step closer to the ultimate prize.

The final encounter against Mayokani Evolution proved to be the decisive test. However, Ndemaze rose to the occasion, displaying composure, resilience and determination to secure a 3–1 victory and lift the 2026 Centre Regional Volleyball Open trophy.

For Ndemaze Volleyball Club, the championship is more than just another title. It is a reflection of the club’s commitment to discovering talent, nurturing potential and building a competitive team anchored on discipline, teamwork, passion and excellence.

Operating under the philosophy “Where Talent Meets Excellence,” NVC continues to position itself as a club determined to make its mark in women’s volleyball, while creating opportunities for talented players to grow, compete and achieve sporting success.

With the Centre Regional title secured, attention now turns to the next major assignment: the National Elite Championship, scheduled to take place in Yaoundé on November 7 and 8, 2026.

The upcoming competition presents another important opportunity for Ndemaze Volleyball Club to test its strength against the country’s top-level opposition and build on the confidence gained from its regional triumph.

The club will be looking to carry its winning mentality, competitive discipline and team spirit into the national championship as it seeks to continue its impressive run.

As the celebrations continue, the message within the Ndemaze camp remains clear: winning is a collective responsibility, excellence is a continuous pursuit, and every competition presents a new opportunity to raise the standard.

Ndemaze Volleyball Club – Building Talent. Inspiring Excellence. Creating Champions. We play to win. We compete to excel. We remain committed to excellence.

By Sylvester Atemnkeng (Doc Moore)

Head of Communications Ndemaze Volleyball Club (NVC), Yaoundé

Is Tchiroma’s FSNC Party, Being Locked Out Of 2027 Legislative, Municipal Polls?

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

On the busy corners of Mvog-Ada and at the crowded taxi stands near Mokolo, one subject has dominated conversation since Tuesday, October 27. Word traveled fast when Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji signed an order suspending all activities of the Front pour le Salut National du Cameroun (FSNC) for three months.

**Issa Tchiroma Bakary, President of the National Salvation Front Party speaking during the press conference ahead of the 2025 Presidential Elections** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The order, which applies nationwide, cites alleged threats to national unity, incitement to violence and disturbances of public order linked to the aftermath of the October 12, 2025 presidential election. FSNC leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who challenged President Paul Biya in that contest, has claimed victory despite official results declaring Biya the winner.

For many residents of the capital, the suspension feels less like a technical measure than a warning.

“We are told this is about public order, but people are asking why now,” said a 36-year-old trader at Mokolo market, who asked not to be named. “Elections are coming. How can a party prepare if it cannot even meet?”

That question sits at the heart of the debate. With legislative and municipal polls expected early next year, three months without activity could seriously limit the party’s ability to mobilise supporters, organise its structures and prepare candidates. Political parties, after all, are built on gatherings, registrations and local meetings—all of which the order places on hold.

A university student in Ngoa-Ekélé said the timing was hard to ignore. “Even if you are not a supporter of Tchiroma, this does not look good for democracy,” she said, speaking anonymously. “A young person like me wants to believe that every party can compete freely. When one is suspended before the campaign, it sends the wrong message.”

Others voiced frustration in more personal terms. “I am tired of hearing that politics is a danger,” said a motorcycle taxi driver in Biyem-Assi. “We are the ones who suffer when tension rises, so we want peace. But peace does not come by silencing people. It comes by talking.”

Legally, the picture remains unclear. The suspension order does not explicitly declare the FSNC ineligible to contest future elections. Whether it could lead to such an outcome would depend on the applicable electoral laws, the party’s legal status and any subsequent decisions by the competent authorities. The government maintains the measure rests solely on public-order concerns.

That distinction offers little comfort to some residents. “They say it is only three months, but three months is exactly the period that matters,” argued a retired civil servant in Bastos, who declined to give his name. “If the party is weakened now, what remains for the elections? This is how a door slowly closes.”

A shopkeeper near Marché Mfoundi struck a more cautious tone, though she too was uneasy. “I do not know the law, and I do not want trouble,” she said. “But I know that when a political party is stopped, many ordinary people feel that their voice has been stopped too.”

Not everyone sees the decision as a prelude to exclusion, yet even those willing to give authorities the benefit of the doubt expressed concern about how it would be carried out. Much, observers note, will depend on the order’s implementation and on whether the FSNC chooses to mount a legal challenge—both of which could prove decisive in shaping the party’s political future.

For now, Yaoundé waits. In bars, offices and buses, the same uncertainty surfaces again and again. “We want elections that everyone believes in,” said the Mokolo trader as she packed up her stall at dusk. “If people feel the game is decided before it begins, why would they come out to vote?”

That is the question the suspension leaves hanging. Is it simply a measure to protect public order, or could it become a pathway to excluding one of the country’s most prominent opposition parties from the next electoral contest? The coming weeks may offer the first answers.

Free Specialist Care Comes Home: Indian Doctors Bring Kidney & Digestive Health Clinics to Cameroon

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroonians are getting access to free consultations with Indian specialists in digestive and kidney diseases, as the Cameroon Red Cross Society and India’s Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai hold a second round of joint medical clinics.

**Indian specialists engage with Cameroon Red Cross officials on the first day of the campaign in Yaoundé** (Photo: CRC)

The consultations took place in Yaoundé on 25 and 26 October, followed by Douala from 27 to 28 October. They are led by Dr. Guruprasad Shetty, a specialist in general surgery and surgical gastroenterology, and Dr. Amit Langote, a nephrologist with expertise in kidney transplantation, home haemodialysis and the management of high blood pressure.

Speaking to journalists in Yaoundé, Dr. Shetty said the team came with a clear purpose: meeting the needs of patients with digestive complaints.

**Dr. Guruprasad Shetty attends to patients during the campaign** *(Photo: CRC)*

“We’re seeing there’s a lot of patients who require gastroenterology support,” he said. “A lot of them suffer from a lot of acid peptic disease, some of them suffer from some liver diseases also.”

The clinics covered diseases of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts, tumours of the liver and pancreas, gallstones, and conditions requiring specialist surgery. On the kidney side, doctors advised patients on preventing and monitoring chronic kidney disease, as well as managing high blood pressure.

Dr. Shetty explained that the goal was to bring care closer to people in their own communities, and that the response so far had encouraged the team to plan further clinics.

“The intent was to come and provide this service to them at a local community level,” he said. “I think it’s been a very good response and we expect to do many such more clinics in the future.”

He added that patients needing more advanced treatment could be supported in travelling to India to receive care at Apollo Hospitals.

Red Cross Secretary General, Bodiong Bombang Renault Gilles praised the Apollo hospital’s contribution and described the campaigned as a continuation of a partnership that began in 2023. He noted that more than 450 Cameroonians received free consultations that year, and said he hoped even more would come forward this time.

The collaboration dates back to July 2023, when the Cameroon Red Cross hosted three Indian physicians from Apollo’s training programme from 11 to 16 July. During that visit, the doctors delivered a conference at the Red Cross event hall and held free consultations in oncology, cardiology, and orthopaedic and spinal surgery.

MINDDEVEL Urges Financial Transparency In Management Of Municipal Housing Estates

Esuka Mafany

The Minister of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL), George Elanga Obam, has called on local authorities to ensure financial transparency in the management of resources that will accrue from the municipal housing estate.

**Minister Elanga Obam inaugurating the water supply in Poli, Faro Division**

Minister Elanga Obam made the call in Poli, Faro Division of the North Region, on Saturday, October 24, during a double ceremony to officially inaugurate the municipal housing estate and a potable water supply network.

The official inauguration ceremony of the magnificent projects was attended by the Secretary General of the North Governor’s Office, Joseph Densou, personal representative of the Governor, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Faro, Dr. Absalom Woloa Monono.

In his inauguration speech, Minister Elanga Obam urged local authorities to lead by example.

“I urge you to put in place a commission that will ensure the recovery of rents, financial transparency, accountability, and proper maintenance of both projects. The money that will be generated from these houses through rents will be used to repay the contracted loan,” he said.

The Mayor of the Poli Municipality, HRH El Hadj Sadou Yaouba, noted that the realization of both projects was eloquent proof that the policy of decentralization, as prescribed by the Head of State, is concrete and not a myth.

Acting like Oliver Twist, Mayor Sadou expressed the desire for the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) to accompany the council in financing other key projects that will go a long way toward improving the living conditions of the population.

**Cross-section of the municipal housing estate in Poli, Faro Division**

He mentioned the installation of solar energy, the construction of a multipurpose hall, modern market stores, and the realization of a modern motorcycle park, among others.

Presenting the municipal housing estate, the representative of the General Manager of FEICOM said the realization of both projects falls within the National Strategic Development Plan, SND 2020–2030, which aims to ensure quality healthcare and provide decent living conditions for all.

The realization of the twenty-four apartments cost about FCFA 381,184,091. Each apartment is made up of a veranda, a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a balcony.

With a population of about 57,000, the installation of the potable water supply network will go a long way toward addressing the problem of acute water shortage in the municipality.

Constructed to the tune of about FCFA 288,602,205, the Poli potable water supply network is composed of four boreholes, a water reservoir, twenty-one taps installed around the municipality, and a distribution point.

Minister Elanga Obam Hails FEICOM For Constructing New Primary School In Dembo

By Esuka Mafany

Decentralization and Local Development Minister George Elanga Obam has praised the Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) and local authorities for building and equipping the Government Primary School Administrative Center in Dembo.

**Minister George Elanga Obam cutting the inaugural ribbon**

The Minister was speaking on Friday, October 23, during the official inauguration of the school in Dembo, a border locality in the Benoue Division of the North Region. He expressed great satisfaction with the quality of the infrastructure.

The ceremony drew a broad cross-section of the population, including the Governor of the North Region, Jean Abate Edi’i, and the Senior Divisional Officer for Benoue, Oumarou Haman Wabi.

“I am pleased to see the involvement of FEICOM, the education community, and the administrative and traditional authorities in the realization of this magnificent project,” the Minister said.

Before the Minister’s address, the Mayor of Dembo, Dr. Hayatou Hamagado, presented some of the major education and healthcare projects completed in the municipality through effective decentralization. He then appealed to the government, through the Minister, to deploy more teachers and healthcare personnel to Dembo to meet the population’s growing needs in both sectors.

Representing the FEICOM General Manager, the Director in charge of Follow-up and Investment said the project cost about 160 million FCFA. He stressed that the funding was a gift from FEICOM to the people of Dembo and not a loan.

**Cross Section of the newly constructed Government Primary School and administrative center in Dembo**

The new school comprises two blocks of three classrooms each and an administrative block housing the head teacher’s office, a storeroom and a meeting room. It also includes the head teacher’s residence, a solar-powered borehole, and a toilet block with six compartments for both boys and girls. Each classroom is furnished with a teacher’s chair and table, and the school has 30 benches in total.

Created in 1993, the Dembo municipality has about 50,000 inhabitants and covers roughly 750 square kilometres. Decentralization has enabled it to benefit from key projects, particularly in education, healthcare and water supply.

In education, 106 classrooms have been built and furnished with benches and other essential equipment. Five buildings have been constructed to house teachers, a nursery school has been built and equipped, and six primary schools have been created. The municipality has also seen about 200 boreholes drilled, 12 health centres built, and an ambulance donated to the district hospital.

2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Pagou Calls Up 5 Newcomers, Recalls Ebosse & Drops Kofane For Namibia Clash

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon coach David Pagou has handed first senior call-ups to five players and brought back defender Enzo Ebosse for a pair of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Namibia in November.

**David Pagou, Coach of the Cameroon Indomitable Lions**

Pagou announced his squad on Monday October 26 for the third and fourth rounds of qualifying for the 2027 tournament, scheduled for Nov. 12 and 16. The 28-man squad has four goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and four forwards.

The biggest talking point is the attack. Bayer Leverkusen forward Christian Kofane and Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong who are both left out. Pagou gave no public reason for Etta Eyong’s omission, though it may be meant to give him more time to recover fully.

In their absence, Pagou will lean on Dorinel Yondjo, Nsongo Tonfack, Geovanni Vianney Agbor Ndjee and Ivan Cedric Bikoue Embolo.

Among the newcomers, 19-year-old Ivan Jordan Nana recently captained Cameroon’s Under-20 side to the UNIFFAC title. Agbor Ndjee, a forward, plays for Copenhagen. The other three debutants were not identified in the reports reviewed for this article.

Ebosse’s recall ends a long absence. The Udinese defender has not played for Cameroon since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Manchester United midfielder Carlos Baleba also returns after recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of the first two group games.

Domestic players got a look as well. Colombe Sportive goalkeeper Edouard Sombang and midfielder Jean Hugues Eyango Priso were both included. Bryan Mbeumo is also in the midfield group.

Former Cameroon defender Aaron Mbimbe said the selection fits Pagou’s plans. He described it as a mix of stability and renewal rather than wholesale change.

Group G: Cameroon lead, but the margin is thin

Cameroon’s group also contains Namibia, Comoros and Congo. In round one, Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1 and Namibia beat Congo 1-0. In round two, Comoros beat Namibia 1-0 and Congo held Cameroon to a 1-1 draw.

That leaves Cameroon first with four points. Comoros and Namibia follow with three each, and Congo have one. A win over Namibia would lift Cameroon to seven points. A stumble would leave the group tightly bunched.

The top two teams in the group qualify for the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

What to watch

Pagou’s approach is to test new players in competitive games rather than friendlies. The matches against Namibia will show whether a young, reshaped attack can score without Kofane and Etta Eyong, and whether Ebosse’s return steadies the defence.

Cameroon’s U-20 Lions Reclaim UNIFFAC Crown and Book a Ticket to Ghana

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s youngest Lions have ended a painful wait. The U-20 squad won the 2026 UNIFFAC tournament, staged in Cameroon from October 15 to 24, and the title brings a return to the continental stage after two editions on the sidelines.

**Cameroon’s U-20 Lions celebrate their UNIFFAC triumph in Yaoundé**

A single strike settles the final

In front of a home crowd in Yaoundé, Cameroon edged the Central African Republic 1-0 in the decider. Jean François Manguele made the difference in the 19th minute, curling home a free kick that proved to be the only goal of the afternoon.

The visitors thought they had levelled just before the half-hour mark, in the 36th minute, but the referee ruled the effort out. Cameroon then defended their advantage until the final whistle.

The result was also a repeat of an earlier meeting. The two sides had already faced each other in the group stage on October 18, when the hosts won 2-0.

A flawless campaign

Cameroon were consistent throughout, winning all four of their matches. They scored ten goals and conceded just one. Samuel Achu led the attack with five goals, making him the squad’s standout performer.

Redemption for a team with a point to prove

For coach Yvan Kenmoe and his players, the trophy carries extra meaning. Cameroon had not featured at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations since the 2021 edition in Mauritania, where they went out in the quarter-finals. Qualification then slipped away twice.

In the run-up to the 2023 tournament in Egypt, a 1-0 loss to the Central African Republic ended their hopes. For the 2025 edition, they topped their group in Brazzaville but were beaten by DR Congo on penalties in the semi-final after a 1-1 draw.

The Central African Republic, for their part, will still be heading to Ghana, where they will appear at the U-20 AFCON for the fourth edition in a row.

What awaits in Ghana

The 2027 tournament will feature twelve teams, and Ghana will host it for only the second time, after 1999. The four semi-finalists will earn places at the 2027 U-20 World Cup, jointly hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Ten teams have already secured their places:

Ghana (hosts) and Burkina Faso (WAFU Zone B)
Morocco and Egypt (UNAF)
Cameroon and the Central African Republic (UNIFFAC)
Sudan and Tanzania (CECAFA)
South Africa and Mozambique (COSAFA)

The last two berths will be decided within WAFU Zone A, where Guinea, The Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Mauritania are still in contention.

Late Drama As US Embassy’s Striking Eagles Outlast UN System Team In Yaoundé

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Striking Eagles of the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé beat the UN System Team in Cameroon 7-6 in a hard-fought friendly football match on Oct. 24 at the Yaoundé Military Stadium. The high-scoring contest ended in a dramatic finish, with the winning goal coming only minutes before the final whistle.

**Striking Eagles of the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé and the UN System Team in Cameroon battle for supremacy during a thrilling friendly match** (Picture: Mainimo Etienne)

The game showcased the competitive spirit of both sides and underscored the enduring partnership between the two institutions, which work side by side in Cameroon on diplomatic, humanitarian and development priorities.

Both teams played with intensity from the opening whistle, each looking to impose its style on the game. Just minutes in, the Striking Eagles took the lead from the penalty spot, converting calmly to settle early nerves and set the tone for an open, attacking match. The UN team responded with composure and equalized shortly after, bringing the contest level.

The Striking Eagles then regained the initiative, scoring twice more before the break to lead 3-1 at halftime.

The second half was wide open as both teams raised their level of play. The UN team kept pushing to close the gap, while the Striking Eagles held their grip on the match. The sides traded goals in a back-and-forth exchange that kept spectators on the edge of their seats and drew regular applause from the sidelines.

**Striking Eagles FC of the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé** (Picture: Mainimo Etienne)

With only minutes remaining, the score stood at 6-6, and both teams pushed forward in search of a decisive goal. It was the Striking Eagles who found it, scoring the winner from a free kick to seal a dramatic victory.

After the match, officials from the U.S. Embassy and the UN System team praised the quality of play and the spirit in which it was contested. They said the fixture strengthened relations between the two institutions and opened the way for further cooperation, including possible future events that bring staff from both sides together outside the workplace.

**UN System Team in Cameroon during a thrilling friendly match** (Picture: Mainimo Etienne)

The match was more than a game. It was a celebration of Freedom 250, the yearlong commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, and an occasion to mark UN Day. Diplomats, staff and their families came together for an afternoon of friendly competition, shared community and true sportsmanship.

**Striking Eagles of the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé and the UN System Team in Cameroon posed for a family picture after the thrilling friendly match** (Picture: Mainimo Etienne)

**John G. Robinson, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon handing gifts to the UN System official** *(Picture: Mainimo Etienne)*

As AI Threats Rise, Cameroonians Need a Culture of Proactive Verification – Cyber Security Experts Warns

Kome Mohamad, a cybersecurity expert, has said Cameroonians need to foster a cultural shift towards proactive verification as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to advance. He made the statement in an exclusive interview with The Post recently. He noted that as voice cloning, deepfakes, and AI-written scams become cheap and widely accessible, the gap between what looks or sounds real and what is actually real will continue to shrink. The defense, he said, will not be merely technical but cultural—building a national habit of verification, such as calling back, checking sources, and slowing down before paying. To secure their digital lives, Cameroonians must enable a PIN or fingerprint lock on their phones, turn on two-factor authentication, and pause before clicking or paying. Read the excerpts:

***Kome Mohamad, Cybersecurity Expert***

Excerpts:

If you were explaining ‘cybersecurity’ to a street vendor in Douala or a student in Yaoundé who just bought their first smartphone, how would you describe it—and why should they care?

Kome Mohamad: Explaining cybersecurity in environments like a bustling market in Douala or a university campus in Yaoundé requires grounding technical concepts in everyday realities. Cybersecurity is simply the act of locking your digital shop. Just as a vendor would never leave their physical shop door wide open at night or hand a stranger the key to their cash box simply because they smiled, digital security is about ensuring that your phone, your mobile money PIN, your WhatsApp, and your photographs are not things a stranger can just walk into and take. This protection matters deeply, even for individuals who mistakenly believe they have nothing to hide. A smartphone today holds much more than personal data; it houses mobile money accounts, business contacts, family communication channels, and sensitive documents like school fee receipts. If an unauthorized person gains control of a device, the consequences extend far beyond compromised data to include stolen funds, damaged reputations, and shattered peace of mind. For instance, a local vendor who loses access to a mobile money account for just two days due to a SIM swap is not facing an abstract technical issue, but rather an immediate, painful loss of real income.

With Mobile Money, WhatsApp, and social media now central to daily life in Cameroon, what are the most common traps everyday people fall into online?

Common online traps frequently target these vulnerabilities across the country. Fraudsters routinely deploy fake promotional messages via SMS or WhatsApp claiming victims have won airtime, phones, or cash from telecommunications operators or banks, while demanding a PIN or code to confirm the prize, even though real promotions never require a PIN. Another prevalent tactic involves scammers impersonating customer support agents to claim there is an urgent account problem, tricking victims into reading out incoming one-time passwords, known as OTPs, which grant immediate access to funds. Account hijackers also compromise messaging applications like WhatsApp to impersonate trusted friends or family members in distress, soliciting urgent financial assistance for fabricated emergencies. Additional schemes include fraudulent job postings and investment advertisements demanding upfront processing fees, sophisticated SIM swap operations that intercept verification codes through manipulated telecom procedures, and cloned social media pages mimicking banks or utility providers. The common thread across all these deceptive practices is the deliberate creation of artificial urgency and fear, forcing targets to act quickly before they have time to think critically.

Many people log onto free Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels, or public spaces. What actually happens when we use public Wi-Fi, and how can we stay safe on open networks?

Public connectivity environments introduce distinct risks that demand caution. Connecting to free Wi-Fi networks in cafés, hotels, or airports means sharing a network infrastructure with numerous strangers, including potential bad actors. On unsecured networks, attackers can engage in eavesdropping to intercept unencrypted traffic and login credentials, deploy malicious evil twin hotspots disguised as legitimate venue networks, or quietly redirect users to fake login portals. To mitigate these risks, individuals should avoid accessing sensitive banking or mobile money services on public networks, rely instead on secure cellular data for sensitive transactions, ensure websites feature secure HTTPS encryption, utilize reputable virtual private networks when open networks are unavoidable, and disable automatic network connection settings on their devices.

If a regular citizen can only do three simple, practical things today to secure their phone and accounts, what should those be?

For everyday citizens looking to secure their digital lives efficiently, three practical habits make an immediate difference. First, users should activate strong device locks using a PIN or fingerprint, and maintain absolute secrecy regarding mobile money PINs and OTP codes, knowing that no genuine operator or bank will ever request them. Second, enabling two-factor authentication on messaging applications, email accounts, and social media profiles effectively halts the vast majority of account takeovers. Third, cultivating the habit of pausing before reacting to urgent demands allows individuals to spot manufactured crises and verify claims through official channels before taking action.

Agencies like ANTIC (National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies) frequently warn against identity theft and fake social media accounts targeting public figures and businesses. How serious is this issue in Cameroon, and why is identity theft so profitable here?

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Institutional vulnerabilities mirror these individual challenges, particularly regarding identity theft and public impersonation. Agencies like the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies, ANTIC have repeatedly flagged the rise of fake social media accounts targeting public figures and commercial entities. This illicit activity thrives because trust functions as a powerful currency. When a fraudulent profile impersonates a respected business owner, religious leader, or politician, followers readily dispatch funds for fake giveaways or emergency appeals simply because they trust the name associated with the profile. Furthermore, the low cost and minimal risk of creating fake profiles, combined with the complexities of cross-border digital enforcement, make these crimes highly lucrative. Businesses frequently suffer financial losses and brand damage through fake pages collecting payments for non-existent goods. Addressing this challenge requires a dual approach combining individual vigilance with proactive monitoring, rapid reporting, and clear public education from institutions and public figures.

Many small businesses and fintech startups across the country are moving their operations online, but many operate without dedicated IT security teams. What are the biggest security oversights local business owners are making right now?

Small businesses and fintech startups migrating online often face severe operational oversights by operating without dedicated IT security teams. Common missteps include failing to separate personal and business accounts by housing critical operations on a single personal device, utilizing weak or shared administrative passwords distributed casually among staff, omitting two-factor authentication on commercial pages, neglecting regular data backups, and failing to provide basic security awareness training for employees who serve as the primary entry point for social engineering attacks. Many organizations mistakenly treat security as an afterthought to be addressed later, rather than embedding protective habits from inception.

Cameroon—and Africa as a whole—faces a growing deficit in certified cybersecurity talent. How can we encourage and train young Cameroonians to build careers in cybersecurity to bridge this gap?

Overcoming the broader deficit of certified cybersecurity talent across Africa requires targeted strategies. Entry barriers can be lowered by promoting affordable, practical, and bilingual training programs focused on local scenarios like mobile money fraud and small business protection, which resonate far more effectively than abstract theories. Creating visible career pathways through structured internships and industry partnerships bridges the gap between training and employment, while community-driven peer learning initiatives such as mentorship cohorts and hackathons sustain long-term engagement. Introducing foundational digital safety concepts early within secondary and tertiary education further normalizes security awareness as a core life skill.

Artificial Intelligence is making scams look much more convincing. How is AI changing the threat landscape, and how can everyday citizens stay one step ahead?

Looking toward the future, artificial intelligence is radically transforming the threat landscape by lowering the technical and financial barriers for malicious actors. Threat actors now leverage advanced writing tools to craft fluent, grammatically correct phishing messages in multiple languages, employ sophisticated voice cloning technology to deceive family members through audio impersonation, deploy deepfake imagery to endorse fraudulent investment schemes, and execute automated, large-scale targeting. To stay ahead of these evolving threats, foundational defenses must adapt.

Looking ahead over the next few years, as AI tools become accessible to both bad actors and defenders, what is the single biggest digital threat Cameroonians should prepare for?

The single most critical preparation for Cameroonians is fostering a cultural shift toward proactive verification. As voice cloning, deepfakes, and AI-written scams become cheap and widely accessible, the gap between what looks or sounds real and what is actually real will continue to shrink. The defense will not just be technical, but cultural—building a national habit of verification, such as calling back, checking sources, and slowing down before paying. Just as generations learned to carefully inspect physical currency notes for counterfeits, society must develop an ingrained national habit of slowing down, verifying sources through independent channels, and questioning urgent financial requests, thereby building collective resilience against sophisticated digital manipulation.

Interviewed by Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo (First published in The Post Edition number 02595 of October 16, 2026)

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