Ten Years Of Tears, A Child’s View Of Cameroon’s Anglophone Crisis

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

It started quietly in 2016. Teachers and lawyers in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon stopped working. They were angry. They felt their culture and their way of life were being pushed aside. No one expected that this peaceful protest would grow into a conflict that has now lasted ten long years.

**Children fetching water in the Anglophone Region (File Photo)**

For Demine Tila, the war is all he has ever known. His parents say their child was just one year old when the crisis began. At that age, he could not understand what was happening. But as he grew, the sounds of gunfire and the sight of people running for safety became normal parts of his daily life. By the time he was five, he had already started to feel the harsh edges of this conflict.

Yet, even then, he held onto a simple dream. He wanted to go to school. He wanted to become a teacher. But going to school in a war zone is not easy. Some private schools and community schools tried to stay open, but there were many days when no one could leave their homes. Heavy shooting would fill the air. Some days, the streets were empty because of “ghost towns” – days when everything was shut down in fear. Demine managed to attend classes whenever he could, but his education was broken, piece by piece.

Now, at ten years old, the fighting continues. His village, once a peaceful place, has become a nightmare. People are shot without warning. Dead bodies are seen so often that many have grown numb to the sight.

“If you come across a body, you just keep walking,” one neighbour said quietly.

Demine has learned to survive in this harsh world. He can now tell the difference between the sounds of different guns. This is not a skill any child should ever have to learn. It is a sad reality of his everyday life.

Demine is not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of children like him in the Northwest and Southwest regions. They were born around the same time he was. In any other part of Cameroon, these children would now be in secondary school, learning maths, reading books, and making friends. Instead, they are trapped in a place where violence has stolen their childhood.

The crisis has become a terrible machine that grinds up ordinary people. Many have been killed. Many more are being killed. Homes have been burned to the ground. Families have been scattered. Children have been left without schools. The peaceful strike of 2016 has become a distant memory, replaced by grief and loss.

Today, there is a lot of finger-pointing. Both sides in the conflict blame each other. While the leaders fight and argue, it is the civilians who suffer the most. The very people who claim to be protecting the ordinary citizens are often the ones causing them harm. Kidnapping has become common. Ransom demands are now part of daily life. Families who have never had much money are being forced to sell their land, their livestock, and even their homes if they stiil has to pay huge sums for the release of their loved ones.

“I had to sell everything just to get my brother back who even came back dead,” a woman said while crying. She did not want to give her name, for fear of reprisals. “We paid FCFA three million. We did not have that money. We borrowed from everyone we knew. Now we have nothing.”

Farming, which used to be the backbone of life in these regions, has also been destroyed. Farmers cannot take their goods to the market to sell. Some are left with empty hands and empty stomachs. Many wonder where all the weapons are coming from. How do guns and bullets keep arriving in the conflict zone? These questions are asked over and over again, but no one seems to have the answers.

Meanwhile, the cries for peace grow louder. Ordinary people are begging for an end to what they call the “stupid war.” They want everybody to be freed. They want a real and honest dialogue. They want a chance to sit down and find a way forward. But every day, more innocent lives are lost. Every day, the fighting continues.

To many, some people have grown rich from this war. It is a painful truth that many cannot ignore. While families mourn their dead, others are counting their profits. This makes the suffering even harder to bear.

After ten years, those leaving in the rural communities say “we must ask ourselves the hard question. Is it not time to stop? Is it not time to admit that mistakes have been made on all sides? Is it not time to come back to the table and talk?”

A national dialogue was held a few years ago. There have been other efforts to bring peace. But still, the guns keep firing.

“We have seen terrible things,” said a local chief. “We have seen barbaric acts. We have heard terrible stories. All we want now is peace. We are tired of the suffering. We are tired of burying our children.”

To experts, there is no magic button to press. There is no quick fix. But there is a path. It begins with admitting the truth. It begins with listening to the voices of those who have suffered the most. It begins with the courage to put down weapons and pick up the work of building a nation again.

Many say, the people of the Northwest and Southwest regions are not asking for much. They are asking for a chance to live in peace. They are asking for their children to go to school. They are asking for a future where a boy like Demine can grow up to become a teacher, not a soldier.

To elvis, “Cameroon is a beautiful country. It has the potential to be strong and united. But first, it must heal the wounds of this crisis.” He added, “That healing can only begin when both sides decide that enough is enough. It can only begin when the innocent are no longer the ones paying the price.”

He continued, “Let us put our hands together. Let us find a way to bring back peace. Not just for the leaders, but for the mothers, fathers, children, and all the ordinary people who have suffered too much for too long. That is the only way forward. That is the only way to honour those who have been lost and to give hope to those who are still here.”

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses Crush Malawi 3–0 To Claim First WAFCON Crown

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses claimed their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title Sunday August 16, dominating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 behind a explosive three-goal performance in the first half in Morocco.

**Cameroon, champions of African Women Football 2026**

Striker Marie Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a header before midfielder Naomi Eto doubled the advantage 10 minutes later with a crisp volley. Eto turned provider in first-half stoppage time, setting up Ngah Manga’s second goal to seal the victory before halftime.

Under head coach Valentine Nguele, Cameroon abandoned its traditional defensive posture in favor of an aggressive attacking system that overwhelmed Malawi early. Although Malawi adjusted after the break, Cameroon’s backline successfully contained star forwards Thabita Chawinga and Temwa Chawinga to preserve a clean sheet throughout the knockout stage.

The triumph establishes Cameroon as only the fourth nation to lift the trophy, joining 10-time champions Nigeria, two-time winners Equatorial Guinea and 2022 champions South Africa. Cameroon also joins Nigeria and South Africa as the third country to claim both the men’s and women’s continental titles.

The championship completes a remarkable turnaround for a squad that originally missed qualification before gaining entry through the tournament’s expansion to 16 teams. Cameroon navigated a difficult route to the final, defeating Ghana in group play, edging Nigeria 1-0 in the quarterfinals and prevailing 3-1 on penalties against host Morocco following a scoreless semifinal.

For veteran captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné and her teammates, the victory erased memories of three previous final defeats in which the squad failed to score a single goal. While the loss ended Malawi’s campaign, the Southern African nation made history as the first debutant from its region to reach the final, finishing as the competition’s highest-scoring team.

History Awaits In Landmark 2026 WAFCON Final As Cameroon Faces Debutant Malawi

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

History is set to be written on Sunday August 16 at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON final as traditional power Cameroon meets tournament debutant Malawi in a decider filled with unprecedented milestones.

Marking the first final since 2022 in which neither contender has previously lifted the WAFCON trophy, this clash will produce only the fourth different champion in the tournament’s history, joining Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.

For Cameroon, reaching its fourth final offers an opportunity to join Nigeria and South Africa as the only nations to achieve a sweeping continental double by capturing both the men’s and women’s AFCON crowns.

However, history in the final hurdle has been unforgiving to Central African sides, who have lost five of their seven deciders. Cameroon dropped all three of its previous final appearances in 2004, 2014, and 2016. A loss would equal South Africa’s record of four WAFCON final defeats.

Conversely, Malawi enters as only the second Southern African nation to reach the final after South Africa, aiming to become the region’s second champion. The Scorchers are the first Southern African side to reach the final in their tournament debut.

They have matched a historic standard by winning four games in open play, a feat previously achieved among debutants only by Nigeria when the Super Falcons won five matches in the inaugural 1998 edition.

First-Time Champions Guaranteed As Cameroon, Malawi Meet In WAFCON Final

The contrast in playing styles presents a compelling tactical narrative. Malawi boasts the tournament’s most potent attack with 12 goals scored, whereas Cameroon has leaned heavily on defensive solidity, conceding just twice while registering three clean sheets across the tournament.

Cameroon punched its ticket to the final by eliminating host Morocco in the semi-finals, navigating a North African venue for the first time after playing past finals in Southern Africa or at home. Notably, this is Cameroon’s first final without facing their long-time nemeses, Nigeria. Defensively, Cameroon has allowed just two goals en route to the final, its best run prior to a decider since holding opponents goalless in 2016.

Their semi-final advancement came via a penalty shoot-out victory against Morocco after managing a low 36 percent possession. Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina proved pivotal, becoming the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a WAFCON shoot-out. Bihina has made 12 saves across two knockout matches, while midfielder Monique Ngock provided the physical engine by winning 20 duels against Morocco.

On his path, Malawi secured its place in the final with a dramatic 3-1 semi-final victory over Algeria in a match where both teams received red cards. Rose Kadzere was sent off in second-half stoppage time, joining Rose Alufandika as the second Malawian player sent off in the tournament. Remarkably, Malawi has won both matches in which it suffered a red card.

The Scorchers’ attack has been driven by the formidable Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who have accounted for nine of Malawi’s 12 goals. Tabitha scored twice against Algeria to reach four goals, while Temwa also found the net to bring her total to five, drawing level with Zambia’s Barbra Banda as the tournament’s co-leading scorer.

Consistency and reliance on a core squad have defined Malawi’s run, using just 17 squad members with five core players—including goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo—playing every single minute of the campaign.

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Historically, WAFCON finals lean heavily toward low-scoring, tight affairs. Of the 13 previous finals, nine have been won via clean sheets, and only five finals have been decided by a single goal. Both teams have scored in only four previous finals, and just one final in tournament history has ever ended scoreless or been decided by a penalty shoot-out.

As the two teams prepare to write their own chapter in WAFCON history, one thing is certain: when the final whistle blows, a new name will be etched onto the trophy for the first time since 2022.

First-Time Champions Guaranteed As Cameroon, Malawi Meet In WAFCON Final

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

A historic chapter in African women’s football will be written Sunday when Cameroon and Malawi collide in the final of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON at Moulay El Hassan Stadium.

With neither nation having ever lifted the trophy, the tournament conclusion promises a coronation for a first-time champion following a dramatically expanded 16-team competition.

For Malawi, the journey to Rabat has been nothing short of a fairy tale. Entering their maiden WAFCON appearance as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament at 153rd in the world, the Scorchers emerged as the surprise narrative of the competition.

They opened Group C with a staggering 3-2 upset of traditional powerhouse Nigeria before securing victories against Egypt and Zambia to sweep the group. Malawi then eliminated Ghana 2-1 in the quarterfinals and dismantled Algeria 3-1 in the semifinals. Driven by an explosive attack, the debutants have scored 13 goals while allowing six across their five matches.

Cameroon, meanwhile, took a far more grind-it-out path to the final. After gaining entry into the tournament through its expansion from 12 teams, the Indomitable Lionesses topped Group D with wins over Mali and Ghana alongside a draw against Cabo Verde.

In the knockout stages, Cameroon ground out a 1-0 victory over defending champions Nigeria before defeating host nation Morocco 3-1 on penalties following a scoreless draw through 120 minutes. Cameroon has relied heavily on defensive solidity, allowing just two goals during regulation play in the entire tournament while scoring five.

This marks Cameroon’s fourth WAFCON final appearance. The Lionesses are seeking to erase decades of heartbreak, most notably a agonizing loss on home soil to Nigeria in the 2016 final.

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Sunday’s final presents a classic dynamic between Malawi’s high-octane offense and Cameroon’s ironclad defense.

Malawi’s attack flows through the prolific Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who both found the back of the net in the semifinal win over Algeria. Temwa Chawinga currently leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race with five goals and two assists.

To claim the title, however, the Chawinga sisters must break down Cameroon’s standout goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina. The 22-year-old shot-stopper, who recently joined Portuguese club Benfica, produced a nine-save performance against Nigeria before delivering a masterclass against Morocco, saving a penalty in extra time and stopping three more attempts in the decisive shootout.

When the whistle blows on Sunday, the final will ultimately answer whether Malawi’s relentless attack or Cameroon’s resolute defense holds the key to continental glory.

Gov’t Mobilizes Strategic Partners To Drive Youth Investment, Policy Reform

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The government of Cameroon has mobilized partners to invest in youth empowerment, the key takeaway from a roundtable discussion held on August 11 in Yaoundé. The event was co-chaired by Paul Tasong, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, in charge of Planning, alongside Mounouna Foutsou, Minister of Youth and Civic Education.

***Officials during the roundtable discussions***

The Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Irène Nguéné, as well as representatives from sectoral administrations, the United Nations system, technical and financial partners, the private sector, civil society, and youth organizations also attended the event.

According to officials, the objective of the meeting was to transition from vision to action through enhanced resource mobilization, coordinated interventions, and rigorous monitoring of commitments to youth.

Speaking during the event, Paul Tasong emphasized that young people should no longer be viewed merely as a demographic category, but rather as a driving force and determining factor for economic transformation, innovation, and social cohesion.

He underscored the importance of the “Youth Approach,” an institutional innovation that mandates the systematic integration of the youth dimension into the design, planning, budgeting, and evaluation of public policies.

This approach, he said, marks a shift from fragmented programs to an integrated, results-oriented public action plan designed to better coordinate interventions across government departments, local authorities, development partners, and the private sector to optimize available resources.

For his part, Minister Mounouna Foutsou called on partners to move beyond traditional project funding and instead forge structuring partnerships, secure additional financing, and establish sustainable cooperation mechanisms.

He highlighted that the relaunch of the Platform for Youth in Cameroon (PPJC)—conceived as a strategic dialogue and coordination framework between the State, financial partners, the private sector, and youth organizations—will strengthen coherence between national priorities and partner interventions while enhancing accountability.

Beyond establishing a framework for partner mobilization, the roundtable represents a critical milestone in implementing the National Youth Policy 2025-2035. The initiative aligns closely with the guidelines of the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (NDS30), the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Cameroon Silences Host Morocco In Shootout To Reach WAFCON 2026 Final Against Malawi

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon’s national women’s football team, the Indomitable Lionesses have sailed through to the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nation, WAFCON 2026 after overcoming host nation Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes.

**Cameroon Women National Team during the semi finals in Morocco** (Photo: FECFAOOT)

On August 12, the Indomitable Lionesses secured a 3-1 victory on spot-kicks at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, ending a long-standing jinx in high-stakes tiebreakers. Before Wednesday’s triumph, Cameroon had failed to win any of its previous three WAFCON penalty shootouts, including a painful semi-final exit against Nigeria in 2018.

The outcome capped a grueling evening for the host country, which squandered a prime opportunity to seal the contest late in extra time when forward Fatima Tagnaout missed a penalty.

**Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Michaely Bihina after stopping a penalty** *(Photo: FECFAOOT)*

When the match moved to spot-kicks, Cameroon demonstrated superior composure. Marie Ngah, Rose Bella, and Myriam Nyadjou all converted their attempts. Morocco’s offensive struggles persisted into the shootout, with Kenza Chapelle, Meryem Atiq, and Sakina Ouzraoui failing to score, leaving Hanane Aït El Haj as the sole Moroccan player to convert.

**Cameroon and Morocco battling for a place in the 2026 WAFCON finals** *(Photo: FECFAOOT)*

The victory halts Morocco’s ambition of reaching a third consecutive continental final and claiming a maiden championship on home turf. For Cameroon, the win extends a remarkable knockout run. The squad reached the semi-finals after eliminating 10-time champion Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals, meaning the team has now ousted two of the tournament’s biggest heavyweights in back-to-back matches.

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The contest itself began as a tactical stalemate, with both teams exhibiting extreme caution. Under coach Jorge Vilda, Morocco controlled early possession and utilized the flanks to stretch Cameroon’s defense. However, the Lionesses maintained a disciplined low block that neutralized the hosts’ attack.

Seeking a breakthrough in the second half, Mr. Vilda reshuffled his lineup, withdrawing key players Ibtissam Jraidi and Nouhaila Badri to introduce fresh attacking options. Despite the tactical adjustments and sustained pressure from the home crowd, Cameroon’s backline held firm through the end of regulation time.

**Cameroon’s team celebrate after sailing through to the finals of the 2026 WAFCON** (Photo: FECFAOOT)

Cameroon will now face Malawi in Sunday’s final, putting the team within one win of its first continental title in four final appearances. Malawi secured its spot in the championship match earlier on Wednesday by defeating Algeria 3-1, propelled by a two-goal performance from forward Tabitha Chawinga.

Minister Ousmane Mey, Outgoing EU Ambassador Review Projects, Programs

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), Alamine Ousmane Mey, and the outgoing Head of the European Union Delegation to Cameroon, Jean-Marc Châtaignier, have reviewed projects and programs developed in the country.

**Minister Ousmane Mey and Ambassador Châtaignier during the audience** (Photo: MINEPAT)

This is the substance of the audience Minister Ousmane Mey granted Ambassador Jean-Marc Châtaignier on August 10 in Yaoundé. During an hour-long discussion, both figures reviewed three years of cooperation and examined prospects for strengthening this strategic partnership between Cameroon and the European Union.

“It was a farewell meeting, but it was also a review of all the projects and programmes we have developed,” Ambassador Châtaignier said.

According to Ambassador Châtaignier, particular focus during the discussions was placed on European Union interventions in the fields of economic and social development, infrastructure, governance, social inclusion, and urban development, in line with national development priorities.

Ambassador Jean-Marc Châtaignier also highlighted several achievements and key projects that marked cooperation during his term, including the bridge over the Logone River, the Nachtigal power plant, and upcoming projects such as the Yaoundé bypass, the bridge project over the Ntem River with Equatorial Guinea, and the future Kikot dam and hydroelectric power plant.

“These infrastructures,” he said, “are important tools for strengthening mobility, improving access to energy, developing trade, and supporting regional integration.” He also commended efforts to mobilize and implement the first funding in Cameroon under the NDICI–Global Europe programme, the European Union’s main instrument for financing external action.

Beyond infrastructure, the European diplomat noted that Cameroon–European Union cooperation places significant emphasis on initiatives supporting youth and women, as well as private-sector development. He particularly praised these initiatives for young entrepreneurs, which, according to him, represent “a source of hope and optimism.”

He also took the opportunity to commend the quality of the dialogue with Cameroonian authorities and the strength of the partnership between the two parties. He reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to continuing this momentum with the MINEPAT teams and to contributing to building “a strong, benchmark partnership in the region with Cameroon.”

The continuity of this cooperation will be ensured by Veronika Boskovic Pohar of Slovenia, who has been appointed to succeed him as Head of the European Union Delegation to Cameroon.

Within the framework of the 2021–2027 financial programming period, the European Union allocated €239 million to Cameroon, equivalent to approximately 156.784 billion FCFA. An additional 30.741 billion FCFA is allocated, primarily from the remaining funds of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and other European budgetary instruments.

Cameroon Red Cross Receives 200 Bags Of Rice From KOYA S.A In Push Against Food Insecurity

Benevolence Ankinibom Ngam (Uba Journalism journalism student on internship at The Post)

The Cameroon Red Cross has received more than 200 bags of rice, each 50kgs from KOYA S.A, an emerging regional agri-food trading company, in a donation that officials said marks the start of a long-term partnership to address food insecurity.

*Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross and* Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General in an audience (

The handover took place Aug. 12 in Yaounde. Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General, presented the gift to Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross.

Speaking at the ceremony, Karla Joana said the initiative extends beyond a single contribution. “It conveys our conviction that a company grows with society and must, in turn, contribute to the well-being of its populations,” she said.

She also noted the donation carries special significance for KOYA S.A’s leadership, citing a 16-year relationship with the Swiss Red Cross. “This initiative also reflects a particular dimension for our General Directorate because for 16 years now, our General Directorate has maintained a relationship of trust and collaboration with the Swiss Red Cross, in particular through solidarity actions and support for vulnerable populations,” she said.

**Cécile Akame Mfoumou, National President of the Cameroon Red Cross speaking during the ceremony**

Praising the work of the Cameroon Red Cross, Karla Joana added, “Through this donation of 200 bags of rice, KOYA S.A wish to bring to our level a concrete contribution to the actions carried out by your institution in favour of vulnerable populations.”

She described the gift as an initial step, expressing hope for a lasting alliance. She said a multiyear schedule and program would be developed, and KOYA S.A would continue backing the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts.

In her response, Cécile Akame Mfoumou thanked KOYA S.A for the timely assistance, which she said would aid populations in dire need. She linked the donation to an emergency appeal for food security launched months ago with government support.

**Cantrell Karla Joana, representative of KOYA S.A’s Director General speaking during the ceremony**

“Access to sufficient and adequate food remains a major challenge for many people facing vulnerable situations,” Mfoumou said. Acknowledging that the government cannot address the crisis alone, she emphasized that the Cameroon Red Cross views the private sector as a vital partner in building a stronger, more sustainable humanitarian response.

She urged other private companies to follow KOYA S.A’s example and pledged that the Red Cross would ensure the rice reaches its intended recipients. “This donation represents a contribution from the private sector to the humanitarian and social efforts undertaken by the Cameroonian Red Cross in support of vulnerable people,” she said.

**Officials pose for a family picture after the handing over ceremony** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

Garbage Returns to Haunt Yaoundé as Waste Piles Swell After Months of Relief

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

For a few brief months, residents in Yaoundé felt they could finally breathe easy. The mountains of rotting refuse that had long defined the city’s streets had disappeared, replaced by a fragile—yet welcome—sense of cleanliness.

**Garbage heaps along the Tam-Tam and Rond Point Express Road blocking traffic** (Photo: Mainimo Etienne)

But that temporary relief has quickly faded. The garbage is back, and this time, it is reclaiming the city with renewed force. Today, particularly along the roads in the Yaoundé VI subdivision, the stench of decay is hard to miss. Heaps of household waste—plastic bottles, food scraps, and torn packaging—spill onto pavements and spill further onto the road. In some places, the problem has narrowed traffic to a single, hazardous lane.

For both pedestrians and motorists, daily commutes have become an ordeal—an unrelenting struggle between the need to move and the overwhelming instinct to step back from the foul odour that hangs in the air like a thick fog. The situation is especially alarming along the Tam-Tam Road, from Rond Point Express. What was once a relatively orderly stretch has deteriorated into an open-air dump. Residents appear to have abandoned any pretense of civic pride, using the roadside as an all-purpose disposal point for everyday refuse.

But this is not limited to one area. Across the capital, new dumping hotspots are emerging at an alarming pace—on street corners, in drainage ditches, and even beside signage erected by the Yaoundé Urban Council that prohibits dumping under threat of heavy fines. The warnings, printed prominently, have become little more than symbolic reminders as residents ignore them with impunity.

To many residents, the renewed wave of dirt is more than an eyesore. It represents a failure of governance and a breakdown in shared responsibility. The dominant mood is frustration—and growing calls for urgent action.

“I don’t know what to say anymore about waste management in this city,” Peter, a resident, told The Post, shaking his head in exhaustion. “The problem is never really solved. You think it’s gone, then the next week it returns worse. The government needs stronger policies and real enforcement, because what we have now is clearly not working.”

A young woman who asked not to be named said, “People don’t seem to understand how serious this is. They throw rubbish anywhere, anytime. We need to be more responsible—we need to keep our environment clean at all times. This is not just about beauty. It’s about our health. Diseases spread in this filth.”

Public health experts warn that the danger is real. Accumulated waste attracts rodents, flies, and mosquitoes—creating conditions that can fuel outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and malaria, illnesses that often hit the urban poor hardest. Yet for many residents, the immediate challenge of navigating roads littered with rubbish is already severe enough to eclipse these broader concerns.

Mere Mary, a trader operating in affected neighbourhoods, described what she sees as a near-total institutional absence. “When I walk through Yaoundé VI and other areas, it makes me feel we are still far from finding a solution,” she said. “We don’t see council workers cleaning like they used to. The garbage trucks that came regularly have stopped showing up. The system is not clear—nothing seems to be working, and nobody is taking responsibility. Who is supposed to do what?”

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Her question goes to the core of the crisis. Many observers argue that the problem is twofold: a failure of citizenship and a failure of the state. Residents, they say, must take back personal responsibility—stopping the casual habit of dumping waste into gutters and streets. At the same time, government bodies must carry out their duties, ensuring regular collection services, consistent enforcement, and a clear long-term strategy.

There are signs that authorities have not entirely ignored the issue. Official sources indicate that measures have been introduced to tackle the growing crisis, with additional steps reportedly underway. However, despite announcements and the distribution of waste management equipment to local councils, residents say the situation remains largely unchanged on the ground.

The stakes are high. Yaoundé is not just a city—it is the seat of national power and, according to many analysts, a symbol. Its cleanliness—or lack of it—reflects directly on governance and the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ well-being. When the capital is overwhelmed by garbage, it sends a damaging message about priorities, competence, and the social contract.

As dusk settles over the Tam-Tam Road, refuse piles cast long shadows across the roadway. Children pick through the debris; motorbike taxis weave between mounds; and an acrid smell of burning plastic drifts from a nearby corner where someone is trying to reduce the waste by fire. This is the new normal—only it is not new at all. The months of cleanliness are fading into the past.

Fixing the crisis will require far more than temporary clean-up campaigns or fines alone. It demands a sustained, multi-pronged approach: dependable weekly collections, accessible public bins, aggressive public education, and a justice system willing to penalize repeat offenders.
Above all, it requires partnership—an unspoken agreement between the governed and those who govern. A clean city is not the work of one side. It must be a shared goal, supported by every citizen and every official.

Until that partnership becomes real, many residents fear the streets of Yaoundé—and other Cameroonian cities—will remain a battleground. Not between armies, but between laziness and ambition, between dirt and civility. And for now, the garbage is winning.

Colombe Sportive To Face Stade Malien In 2026/27 CAF Champions League Preliminaries

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Colombe Sportive of Cameroon will face Stade Malien FC of Mali in the first preliminary round of the 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, following the draw that took place in Cairo on August 6.

The Cameroon champions, who clinched the 2025/2026 Elite One title, will host the first leg before travelling to Mali for the return fixture. The victor over two legs will progress to the second preliminary round, where they are set to meet the winner of the tie between FC Canchungo of Guinea-Bissau and Teungueth FC of Senegal.

A total of 61 clubs have entered the competition. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, Espérance Sportive de Tunis of Tunisia, and Morocco’s RS Berkane have received byes directly to the second preliminary round.

Sundowns, who defeated AS FAR 2-1 on aggregate to win their second continental title last season, will bid for consecutive crowns.

The first preliminary round first legs are scheduled for September 4-6, with return matches set for September 11-13. The second preliminary round first legs will take place October 16-18, with the return fixtures from October 23-25. The 16 winners will advance to the group stage, which begins in late November.

The overall champions will receive a record USD 6 million in prize money. Clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds will each receive a USD 100,000 subvention from CAF to assist with travel and logistical costs.

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