Colombe Of Dja & Lobo To Face Panthère Of Nde In 2025 Cameroon Cup Finals

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Just days from now, Colombe of Dja-et-Lobo will face Panthere of Nde in the finals of the 2025 Cameroon Cup. The final, announced by the government, is scheduled for Dec. 14 and will crown the 2025 sporting season in Cameroon.

**Colombe of Dja and Lobo confronting Canon FC of Yaounde during the 2022/2023 Football season in Cameroon** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Colombe enters the final aiming to solidify their recent dominance. They are the reigning champions of the Cameroon Cup, having secured the title in the previous season. Their appearance marks the club’s second consecutive final, showcasing their consistency at the highest level.

The team’s confidence stems from an impressive run, which saw them achieve a domestic treble—winning the League, the Cameroon Cup, and the Super Cup—in a previous campaign.

This history of success, coupled with recent participation in continental competitions, has instilled a strong winning mentality. For Colombe, this final is about continuing their reign and establishing a football dynasty.

Panthere of Nde on their part brings a proud legacy and a burning desire to reclaim former glory. Known historically as one of Cameroon’s major clubs, Panthere has previously lifted the Cameroon Cup trophy twice, in 1988 and 2009. Their last final appearance was a decade ago, in 2015, where they finished as runners-up.

Their journey to the 2025 final was marked by a tenacious semi-final victory, including a hard-fought 1-0 win over the venerable Canon FC of Yaounde. For Panthere, this match represents more than just a trophy; it is a critical opportunity to revive their hopes, reconnect with their championship history, and restore their status among the nation’s elite clubs.

The final will be a fascinating contest of contrasting drives: Colombe’s push for sustained dominance versus Panthere’s quest for revival. All eyes will be on Yaoundé on Dec. 14 to see who will be crowned the 2025 Cameroon Cup champion.

Demand For Answers Grows Louder After Anicet Ekane’s Death In Detention

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroon is reeling from the death of Anicet Ekane, 74-year-old leader of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party, who died early Monday, December 1 while in detention in Yaounde.

**Anicet Ekane speaking at a press conference on July 19, 2025 after his party endorsed Prof. Kamto for the 2025 Elections** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

His passing, just five weeks after his arrest in the wake of disputed Presidential Elections, has ignited fierce accusations of state-sponsored neglect and prompted widespread demands for an impartial investigation.

Ekane, a lifelong critic of President Paul Biya’s 43-year rule, was taken from his Douala home on October 24 by plainclothes officers. Authorities accused him of inciting rebellion and hostility toward the state—charges his supporters dismiss as politically motivated.

Known to suffer from serious heart and respiratory problems, Ekane is said to have reportedly begged for his medication and inhaler in the days before his death. Family members and lawyers say repeated appeals to allow his personal doctor or to transfer him to a civilian hospital were ignored.

The government insists Ekane received proper medical attention at a military Medical Center of the National Gendarmerie facility in Yaoundé and died of natural causes linked to long-standing “chronic illnesses”.

A statement from the Ministry of Defense expressed regret and announced that an internal inquiry has been launched, with President Biya reportedly ordering a full review. Yet few in the opposition or civil society believe an investigation conducted by the same institutions that held him will deliver the truth.

MANIDEM has gone further, openly accusing the authorities of deliberate murder through medical neglect. “They knew he was gravely ill. They refused him care. This was execution by another name,” a senior party official declared outside their Yaoundé headquarters, where distraught supporters gathered in tears on Monday.

The case has swiftly garnered international condemnation. Cameroonians on the streets of Yaoundé have characterized Ekane’s death as a government-orchestrated plan to silence opposition in the country.

“We are not surprised by what is happening because the regime that stole our elections is capable of anything to maintain power. Even if they haven’t done anything, all fingers are pointing at them. Why were they arresting him?” said a street vendor.

Another resident voiced concerns, stating, “The government must be accountable. The Territorial Administration arrested him, and now the Defense Ministry is attempting to justify the incident by revealing his medical conditions. How can they initiate investigations when they were the ones holding him? Does that mean they don’t trust their own doctors? Many questions remain unanswered.”

The European Union delegation in Cameroon called the death “deeply troubling” and renewed demands for the release of dozens of activists and politicians rounded up after the October 12 election.

Germany and Britain issued similar statements, insisting on a transparent probe. Human Rights Watch described the circumstances as “highly suspicious” and urged the involvement of independent medical experts.

On their path, Ekane’s relatives is said to have hired a prominent French criminal attorney who is pushing for an autopsy to be performed outside Cameroon, fearing that any examination conducted locally could be manipulated. A collective of Cameroonian human rights lawyers has echoed that demand.

A veteran of the 1990s struggle to end one-party rule, Ekane remained a thorn in the government’s side for decades. Though he had endorsed Prof. Maurice Kmato for the 2025 Presidential Elections, but his preferred candidate was disqualified.

His death has become a rallying cry for a fragmented opposition still contesting Paul Biya’s declared victory in an election marred by low turnout, allegations of fraud, and deadly post-vote repression.

As grief transforms into anger on the streets of the country, many fear that Ekane’s fate is not an isolated tragedy but a warning of the lengths to which authorities will go to silence dissent in a nation sinking deeper into political crisis. Whether the promised investigation will bring clarity or merely exacerbate mistrust remains a significant cause for concern.

Fon Of Nso Announces Release Of Landmark Royal Memoir

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Fon of Nso, HRM Fon Sehm Mbinglo I, has announced the forthcoming release of a landmark royal memoir titled, “The Fon of Nso and the Anglophone Crisis: A Testimony for Reconciliation and Peace.”

The publication represents going by sources is the first time a reigning Fon of Nso has offered a personal and reflective account of the Anglophone Crisis—one of the most defining and painful conflicts in recent national history.

According to the official announcement, the memoir is described as a “deeply compelling work” in which HRM Fon Sehm Mbinglo I “provides a rare, dignified, and courageous testimony rooted in lived experience, ancestral wisdom, and the sacred responsibility of custodianship.”

The volume chronicles the trials endured by the Nso people, the Fon’s own personal ordeals, and the resilience of a community bound by culture, identity, and an unwavering longing for peace.

“Through this work, the Fon speaks to trust, and commitment to a peaceful future,” the release stated. “The Fon of Nso and the Anglophone Crisis: A Testimony for Reconciliation and Peace is therefore not simply a narrative; it is a moral appeal, a historical record, and a pathway towards true peace and reconciliation.”

While the official launch date and ceremony are yet to be determined, this testimony underscores the urgent need for a return to ancestral wisdom, respect for the dignity of human life, and collective healing.

It positions the Nso Monarch not only as a custodian of tradition but also as a crucial bridge-builder in a time of profound national difficulty.

HRM Fon Sehm Mbinglo I is the 24th paramount ruler of Nso, one of the most influential traditional kingdoms in Cameroon. A revered custodian of culture and a respected moral voice, His Majesty has led his people through years of conflict, displacement, and transformation. This memoir marks his first public and written intervention on the Anglophone Crisis.

Ethio Telecom Urges CAMTEL To ‘Go Beyond Connectivity’ In New Strategic Partnership

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s state-owned telecommunications company, has challenged Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL) to “go beyond connectivity” following the signing of a three-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) between the two public entities. The call for broader digital transformation was made on December 4 in Yaoundé during the signing ceremony.

**CAMTEL GM, Judith Yah Sunday and Ethio Telecom GM, Frehiwot Tamiru penning that agreement** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Ethio Telecom’s Director General, Frehiwot Tamiru, who led a high-level delegation, showcased the remarkable achievements of her company over the past six years. She stressed that Ethio Telecom’s success—evidenced by growth in revenue, subscribers, and products—stemmed from a clear, holistic vision.

“In order to achieve this, CAMTEL must go beyond connectivity, and that is what is driving us,” Tamiru stated. She stressed that realizing this goal—to create “A one, Africa, prosperous, inclusive, and digitally empowered. No one left behind”—requires courage, commitment, vision, strategy, and bold steps.

According to Tamiru, both Ethio Telecom and CAMTEL have a mandate that extends past simply being operators. They must act to “go beyond connecting and enabling the government, create an inclusive, affordable, accessible for urban and rural communities.”

**Ethio Telecom GM speaking during the occasion**

“Expanding infrastructure alone is not enough,” she continued. “To be relevant and to stay in the market, relevant meaning to their customers, to the nation and the government, we need to embrace digital transformation first for ourselves.”

Tamiru affirmed that Ethio Telecom is in Cameroon to share its extensive experience in digitally transforming its company and the country, noting that millions of Ethiopians now benefit from the strategic initiatives taken over the last decade.

“At the center of this transformation and the strategic alliance, we are aiming to accelerate the economic growth of Cameroon. The digital transformation is not going only to benefit Cameroon but it’s going to benefit its customers, government, the ecosystem at large,” she concluded.

CAMTEL: Partnering With A Proven Performer

For CAMTEL, General Manager Judith Yah Sunday epse Achidi welcomed the Ethio Telecom delegation, describing the MSA as the “culmination of months of profound and constructive exchanges, of transparent and ambitious discussions and of rigorous technical work.”

She highlighted a shared conviction: “Africans can no longer be satisfied with following global digital revolution. We must become architects of our own.”

In choosing Ethio Telecom, one of Africa’s largest operators, CAMTEL is “not merely entering into cooperation but aligning Cameroon with the trajectory of proven performer, strategic discipline and operational excellence,” Judith Sunday said.

She added that the agreement comes at a pivotal moment, as citizens’ digital expectations rise and as the Cameroonian government, led by President Paul Biya, has prioritized digital modernization.

**CAMTEL GM, Judith Yah Sunday and Ethio Telecom GM, Frehiwot Tamiru exchanging MoUs** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

Judith underscored the agreement’s pragmatic value, calling it technical, operational, and strategic. The MSA creates a structured framework for joint infrastructure planning and modernization, the mastery of mobile money operations, the strengthening of sovereign digital services, the improvement of customer experience and service quality, and the development of human capital.

“Africa does not need to import all its models as Africa can generate its own models,” Sunday asserted. “Your institution demonstrates that a public operator can transform itself, scale digital adoption, sustain financial performance, drive national innovation, foster inclusion, and to do so while remaining fully aligned with the strategic vision of the state.”

She stated the partnership is a “new bridge, a digital bridge, a bridge of expertise, a bridge of ambition, a bridge of technological solidarity,” affirming that Africa’s future will be shaped by African innovators and leaders like Frehiwot Tamiru.

**CAMTEL GM, Judith Yah Sunday speaking during the occasion** (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

The three-year strategic partnership is designed to strengthen South-South cooperation and accelerate Cameroon’s digital transformation. The collaboration focuses on four priority areas to support the country’s digital ecosystem.

These include the expansion of CAMTEL’s Blue Money electronic payment service and the digitalization of public services through the deployment of a sovereign Government Cloud. Furthermore, the partnership involves the modernization of telecommunications networks with the advancement of 4G, 5G, and other innovative technologies.

The collaboration aims to support CAMTEL’s internal transformation, covering organizational improvements, upgrades to information systems, and initiatives to strengthen customer-centric culture.

**CAMTEL and Ethio Telecom Delegation pose for a family picture** (Picture Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

During their mission in Yaounde, the Ethio Telecom delegation participated in technical and commercial working sessions, met with government authorities, and engaged with key institutional and strategic partners to ensure a smooth implementation of the Master Service Agreement.

KONAMI Becomes Official Gaming Partner Of AFCON 2025 & 2027

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and KONAMI Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“KONAMI”) have signed a landmark agreement naming KONAMI the Official Gaming Sponsor of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the 2025 and 2027 editions.

CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba and Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer at KONAMI echanging MoUs (Photo Credit: CAF)

According to the CAF website, KONAMI has secured exclusive rights to feature the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in its renowned eFootball™ franchise, bringing the tournament’s excitement to millions of gamers around the globe.

CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba stated: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will be one of the most exciting and widely followed editions of our flagship competition. This partnership with KONAMI reflects CAF’s commitment to innovation, global fan engagement, and creating new opportunities for African youth in both football and digital spaces.”

Koji Kobayashi, Senior Executive Officer at KONAMI (the world’s leading interactive entertainment companies), expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are truly excited to deliver the passion of African football—one of the most powerful and vibrant forces in world soccer—to fans around the globe through eFootball™. This partnership opens up exciting new possibilities for the gaming experience.”

He added: “Through this initiative, we look forward to introducing new African star players and officially licensed tournaments such as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, further enhancing the realism and excitement of eFootball™.”

This partnership represents a major milestone in CAF’s digital transformation strategy, enriching fan experiences and reinforcing the organization’s long-term commitment to football development across the continent.

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will take place from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

Meet Elsila Nyuyleiyi, Rising Voice Connecting Cultures & Hearts

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

In a music industry often saturated with rapid trends and disposable hits, one artist is steadily forging her own path: Mary Elsila Wirba Nyuyleiyi, known artistically as “Nyuyleiymo”.

**Mary Elsila Wirba Nyuyleiyi, aka Nyuyleiymo**

Growing up in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, Nyuyleiymo was deeply influenced by the rich tapestry of traditional rhythms, church choirs, and the vibrant storytelling of her community. It was in this culturally diverse atmosphere that her passion for music blossomed.

“I’ve always believed that music serves as a bridge,” she reflects with a warm smile. “It’s a connection between hearts, generations, and tribes. This message has guided me since childhood—preaching peace and love among all.”

This profound sense of purpose fuels every note she sings. Nyuyleiymo’s music unapologetically celebrates African identity, intertwining gospel harmonies with traditional melodies and modern Afrobeat elements.

“My musical journey has inspired me to create cultural songs that resonate with our roots and personal journeys,” she explains. Each track is a chapter of her life, a testament, or a gentle invitation for reflection.

Over the years, Nyuyleiymo has developed a robust catalog: two full albums and a growing array of impactful singles, including “Mbam,” “Kingan,” “Celebrate God,” “You’re Who You Are,” and the uplifting “Authority Remix,” which showcases collaborations with some of Cameroon’s rising talents.

“My music embodies my thoughts, emotions, and experiences,” she says. “Through it, I aim to address themes of self-identity, cultural pride, and societal issues.”

Despite facing the familiar struggles of independent artists—limited funding, fierce competition, and the pressure to remain relevant—Nyuyleiymo steadfastly adheres to her vision.

Her formula for success? Hard work, consistency, and authenticity. “Challenges will always present themselves,” she acknowledges, “but when your music stems from a genuine place, people resonate with it. They connect.”

Nyuyleiymo is passionate about passing this authenticity on to the next generation. To young dreamers picking up microphones across Nso, Cameroon, and beyond, her message is clear: “Be yourself. Work hard. Never give up. The path may be difficult, but if you stay true to who you are, your voice will find its audience.”

Outside of music, Mary Elsila Wirba Nyuyleiyi is a multi-talented individual—a skilled songwriter, dedicated freight forwarder, talented esthetician, and passionate naturopath. Yet, no matter how many roles she takes on, music remains her most powerful calling.

With each new release, Nyuyleiymo continues to rise—not just as an artist, but as a quiet revolutionary, using her melodies to remind a divided world that unity is possible, one song at a time.

Meet Macson Nsoyuka, Alias ‘Dragon’ Blending Afropop & Rap To Realize Dream

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

In the misty hills of Mbiame, a small village in Cameroon’s Northwest Region, Macson Nsoyuka was born with no outward sign of the fire he would later unleash.

His roots remained deep in Mbiame’s soil, but it was in the neighbouring village of Nseh—amid dusty streets, flickering kerosene lamps, and late-night cyphers where rhymes were traded like precious coins—that a shy teenager first seized a borrowed microphone, whispered the name “Dragon,” and let something fierce slip from his throat.

The village had no idea it was witnessing the birth of a voice that would soon echo far beyond the hills. For years, music simmered quietly inside him. Then came the visions—vivid, insistent—and the ache of growing up.

Those private storms finally pushed him through the door of a recording studio while he was still young. “My visions, the pain I carried growing up, and even what I’m going through now—all of it created an urgent need to make music,” Dragon says, his voice steady with conviction.

What emerges from the speakers is unmistakable: a molten blend of Afropop’s bright rhythms, Rap’s sharp lyricism, and the home-grown pulse of Mboko. He wields this mix deliberately, turning every beat into a plea for love, peace, and unity in a region that needs those words more than most.

**Macson Nsoyuka, aka “Dragon” back from the studio**

He name-checks his influences with gratitude—Richard Kings, Tina Vernyuy, Mic Monster, and global heavyweights Future and Lil Durk—artists whose philosophies mirror his own hunger to say something that lasts.

Life, however, has not been gentle. Just as his career was gaining momentum in Kumbo, the ongoing crisis in the Northwest and Southwest Regions forced him to uproot everything and start over in a new place. The reset has been brutal, but Dragon refuses to let it silence him.

After nearly 12 years grinding in the industry—releasing singles, honing his craft—he is now deep into recording his debut album. Step inside the studio with him and you’ll feel the shift: tension melts, eyes light up.

“I see myself living my dream,” he says. “Life is finally becoming real.” He pauses, then adds with quiet certainty: “My soul is happy because God laid a message on me to deliver to His people. Every time I obey that call, I’m at peace.”

The album is coming—soon, he promises—and with it, the full arrival of the artist the villages of Mbiame and Nseh first met as a nervous boy with a borrowed mic.

**Macson Nsoyuka, aka “Dragon” going to the studio**

Outside the booth, Macson Nsoyuka is just as resourceful. By day he’s a skilled shoemaker, stitching soles and dreams with equal care, proof that a man from the hills can build more than one kind of future with his own two hands.

From red earth to rhythm, from borrowed microphones to a voice the nation is starting to recognise—Dragon is no longer waiting in the shadows.

He has begun to roar.

G20’s Lost Opportunity On Africa’s Debt Reforms As Crisis Deepens

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

South Africa’s historic turn as the first African host of the G20 Summit culminated on Nov. 23, 2025, with the adoption of the Leaders’ Declaration. Hailed by President H.E. Ramaphosa as a “victory for diplomacy” that placed Africa and the Global South at the G20’s heart, the summit’s legacy is now being scrutinized for what was left out: a robust response to the continent’s deepening debt emergency.

Despite the summit being a diplomatic landmark, critics argue the final declaration prioritized diplomatic consensus over meaningful action on Africa’s debt and development crisis.

While the South African presidency came at a difficult time for multilateralism, there has been little tangible progress throughout the year to alleviate the severe debt burdens facing many African nations.

The crisis, described by observers as having the “scale of an emergency,” was significantly watered down in the final text.

This outcome suggests a failure by the South African presidency to advance critical reforms to the global financial architecture and to effectively champion progressive proposals put forth by African nations.

A key point of disappointment is the omission of texts from the Common African Position (CAP) on debt, outlined in the Lomé Declaration. The CAP called for a unified, rules-based multilateral debt workout mechanism under the United Nations, emphasizing debt transparency and accountability, and measures to stem illicit financial flows out of the continent.

Furthermore, the G20 Declaration failed to commit to the Sevilla Commitment (Compromiso de Sevilla)—specifically Section 50(f) of the FfD4 outcome—which mirrored the CAP’s spirit by calling for intergovernmental negotiations at the UN on a sovereign debt workout mechanism.

These omissions, critics contend, amount to an “unfair disinclination” to address the structural drivers of Africa’s indebtedness. By framing the problem as merely a technical insolvency and liquidity crisis, the declaration promotes a “recipe that pushes countries down the path of recurrent debt cycles that ultimately fuel the interests of the global North.”

The G20 Declaration missed a critical opportunity to offer more ambitious debt restructuring mechanisms, particularly as an estimated 44 percent of Africa’s external debt stock is held by private creditors, according to UNCTAD. This significant private-sector involvement has made timely and orderly debt resolution exceedingly difficult.

The G20’s existing Common Framework for debt restructuring has been widely criticized for failing to deliver swift and effective relief for countries like Zambia and Ethiopia. Instead of fundamentally reforming the mechanism, the declaration only preserved its status quo, calling for its “strengthening” despite its obvious failings and the prioritization of private sector profits over the sustainability of African governments.

Riska Koopman, International Public and Private Finance Officer at AFRODAD, commented: “South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the Leaders’ declaration water down this attempt by African governments to be willful actors in reforming the global financial architecture to their benefit… The debt challenges facing African governments seep into every fibre of everyday life on the continent and can’t be separated from the urgency of global financial architecture reform.”

Adding to the summit’s complex outcome, post-event tensions between the United States and South Africa have intensified. The U.S. did not participate in this year’s G20 and has since reportedly uninvited South Africa from its 2026 Summit in Florida. The U.S. exit from multiple multilateral processes poses an increasing risk to the G20’s stability and threatens progress on global financial reforms.

In light of the G20’s inability to adequately address the needs of the Global South, AFRODAD and other organizations are now reaffirming the need to move decision-making to more democratic spaces like the UN. They continue to advocate for the establishment of a United Nations Framework Convention on Sovereign Debt—a legally binding mechanism rooted in fairness and equity to provide urgent multilateral solutions.

Ministers Go Head-To-Head In Defense Of 2026 Fiscal Year Budget Allocations

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Several government Ministers are presenting their funding requests for the 2026 fiscal year budget to the Lower House Finance and Budget Committee, as outlined in the framework provided by Prime Minister Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute.

**Minister of Public Works, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi** (Photo Credit: CRTV Web)

Prime Minister Dion Ngute presented government’s Economic, Financial, Social and Cultural Programme to Parliament on Nov. 26. He announced the state budget for 2026 is projected to balance at FCFA 8,816.4 billion in both revenue and expenditure.

Going by the PM, this figure represents a substantial increase from the FCFA7,735.9 billion budget in 2025, reflecting an absolute increase of FCFA 1,080.5 billion or a 14 percent rise. The Prime Minister stated that of the total, FCFA 8,683.9 billion is dedicated to the general budget and FCFA 32.5 billion is allocated to Special Appropriation Accounts.

The official document presented by Ngute forecasts domestic revenue at FCFA 5,887 billion, which is FCFA 452 billion more than in 2025. This revenue is primarily sourced from tax and customs duties, expected to reach FCFA 4,889.5 billion.

**Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gabriel Mbairobe** (Photo Credit: National Assembly)

Oil and gas revenue is projected at FCFA 523.7 billion, with non-tax revenue estimated at FCFA 400 billion and grants at FCFA 73.8 billion. Public expenditure, excluding debt principal, is set at FCFA 6,210.5 billion, a 10 percent increase.

This spending is broken down into FCFA 1,625.4 billion for personnel expenses, FCFA 1,206 billion for goods and services, FCFA 820.3 billion for transfers and subsidies, FCFA 532.5 billion for debt interest, and FCFA 2,026.3 billion for investment expenditure. Investment expenditure accounts for 22.8 percent of the total budget, slightly lower than the previous year.

**Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Prof. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi** (Photo Credit: CRTV Web)

The draft budget law anticipates an overall deficit of FCFA 631 billion, significantly higher than the FCFA 309.9 billion recorded in 2025. The total financing requirement for 2026 amounts to FCFA 3,104.2 billion, compared to FCFA 2,326.5 billion in 2025.

This higher requirement results from adding the amortization of domestic and external debt, estimated at FCFA 1,870.6 billion, arrears payments of FCFA 498.8 billion, and VAT credit refunds estimated at FCFA 84 billion.

To cover this need, the government plans to mobilize funds through several sources: disbursements from project loans are expected to reach FCFA 826.7 billion issuances of public securities FCFA 400 billion, and bank financing FCFA 589.7 billion. Budgetary support is expected to reach FCFA 120 billion, exceptional financing FCFA 167.8 billion, while a volume of FCFA 1,000 billion of external borrowing is included in the financing scheme.

**Minister of Labour and Social Security in Cameroon, Grégoire Owona** (Photo Credit: National Assembly)

The committee heard presentations from several ministers outlining their departmental plans for the coming year. Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries Dr. Taiga defended an allocation of FCFA 56.5 billion, stressing accelerating the Agropastoral and Fisheries Import Substitution Plan (PIISAH), with a focus on the rapidly profitable fish sector.

Of this amount, FCFA 12.5 billion is earmarked for PIISAH activities, including 6.5 billion FCFA to support actors in the fish value chain through the SME Bank. Dr. Taiga also announced that the ministry would complete work on the draft law on livestock farming and finalize the National Development Plan for the Dairy Sector.

**Minister of Secondary Education, Prof. Pauline Nalova Lyonga** (Photo Credit: CRTV Web)

Development works on 15,280 hectares of hydroagricultural land in Adamawa will be launched to boost fodder and milk production, accompanied by 1.26 billion FCFA in support to dairy stakeholders and a FCFA 2 billion- transfer to SODEPA.

The Ministry plans to complete the Bamenda industrial slaughterhouse, advance similar projects in Douala and Yaoundé, intensify vaccination campaigns, and expand aquaculture and capture fisheries through new infrastructure, equipment and support to producers.

Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts Achille Bassilekin III sought approval for his ministry’s allocations worth over FCFA 15 billion for the fiscal year, stating the budget lay emphasis on promoting youth and women entrepreneurship, as well as strengthening the craft and social economy sectors in Cameroon.

**Minister of Women Affairs, Marie-Thérèse Abena Ondoa** (Photo Credit: National Assembly)

Minister of Secondary Education Prof. Nalova Lyonga stated her ministry’s budget increase is mainly due to the government’s commitment to paying the debt owed to teachers. She also announced plans to introduce artificial intelligence–powered software to modernize teaching and improve administrative efficiency, while stressing that ensuring safe and secure schools remains a core priority.

Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform Joseph Le proposed a budget of FCFA 19.875 billion, outlining his ministry’s priorities and key reforms planned for the year ahead.

**Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Joseph Le** (Photo Credit: CRTV Web)

The macroeconomic outlook supporting this budget projects national growth of 4.3 percent in 2026, driven by the non-oil sector, while inflation is expected to fall to 3 percent, after reaching 3.2 percent in 2025.

The government states this budget aims to reconcile the consolidation of public finances, adherence to the CEMAC convergence pact, and the implementation of the priorities of the 2030 National Development Strategy. The text also introduces several budgetary innovations, including the elimination of common chapters, the full application of the revised budget nomenclature, and the splitting of the Conflict-Affected Regions Reconstruction Fund.

A key element is the creation of a special fund of FCFA 50 billion dedicated to women’s economic empowerment and the promotion of youth employment, in line with commitments made by Paul Biya.

Cameroonians Condemn Encirclement Of Prof. Kamto’s Home Following Ban On Party Convention

By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo

Cameroonians have strongly condemned the heavy security presence surrounding the residence of opposition leader Prof. Maurice Kamto following the government’s ban on an extraordinary convention of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party.

Prof. Maurice Kamto (Photo Credit: Mainimo Etienne)

This outcry comes after a statement from Mamadou Mota, the CRM’s Interim President, who declared that Kamto’s home has been under a “de facto siege, without any legal justification” for several days.

“For several days, President Kamto’s residence has been under a de facto siege, without any legal justification being provided by the authorities,” Mota stated. He criticized the “abusive encirclement and the resulting restriction on movement, which constitutes a clear violation of rights.”

Mota argued that these actions reflect the Yaoundé regime’s disdain for the rule of law and respect for opposition leaders. He lamented that Kamto, leader of a legitimate political party, is being “treated like a criminal, in violation of all applicable laws.”

Some believe the authorities hold the CRM accountable for Issa Tchiroma’s issues, while others suggest the ban and security measures relate to the CRM’s extraordinary convention scheduled for November 29. This gathering aimed to elect new party leadership, with Kamto expected to return as president and reorganize the party ahead of the 2025 Legislative and Municipal Elections, according to sources.

The convention was formally banned by the Divisional Officer of Yaoundé IV Municipality in a decree signed on November 27. The administrative authority cited the risk of a “serious threat to public order” as justification for the decision.

Reliable sources have reported that security forces also blockaded the CRM headquarters in Yaoundé on Saturday. This security encirclement has drawn sharp criticism from citizens, who accuse the regime of provoking unrest.

One concerned CRM militant expressed deep sadness over the situation at both Kamto’s home and the party headquarters. “Why couldn’t the government deploy security officers to ensure nothing happens during the convention?” the militant questioned.

A citizen named Emelda remarked, “The government continually provokes citizens, and when they react, they claim Cameroonians are being manipulated, when in fact they are the ones doing the manipulating. After stealing elections, they are still not satisfied. Let them allow Cameroonians to suffer in peace.”

Another citizen, Steven, questioned the government’s motivations: “Why is the government afraid? Do they have skeletons in their cupboard? The questions are numerous, but the government should be cautious—if they keep pushing Cameroonians to the wall, there will come a day when they will react, no matter how they try to bribe them.”

Prof. Kamto, who stepped down from party leadership last July to avoid legal issues related to his candidacy in the October 12 Presidential Election, ran under the MANIDEM banner after his resignation. However, his candidacy was ultimately rejected by the Constitutional Council.

With the authorities’ ban in place, the CRM faces a period of uncertainty just as the party attempts to solidify its leadership and internal organization. This administrative blockade marks a pivotal moment, occurring right before an electoral cycle in which the party aims to reposition itself on the national political stage.

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By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo