Mayor Ekema of Buea Council Passes on at 43

The death has been announced of the Mayor of Buea, Ekema Patrick Esunge.

Ekema is said to have succumbed to the cold hands of death at Polyclinique IDIMED, Rue Koloko – Bonapriso in Douala after a malaise. It is believed that the lion-hearted Mayor of Buea suffered from a heart attack Sunday morning although rumours suggest he might have been poisoned Saturday night.

Born September 26, 1976, Ekema shot to prominence when he welcomed President Paul Biya in Buea in February 2014 during celebrations of the country’s independence and reunification.

He was elected councillor of the Buea Council during the 2007 twin elections. He would later become first deputy mayor until a feud between him and the then Mayor, kept him away from Council business.

When Mayor Mbella Moki Charles was elected into the pioneer Senate legislature in April 2013, Ekema Patrick Esunge resurfaced to claim the mayoral seat. He was then installed on Monday 27 May, 2013, at the Buea council hall, to complete Charles Mbella Moki’s term of office.

During the September 30, 2013 municipal elections, the CPDM list won in Buea and on October 16, 2013, Ekema Patrick got a fresh mandate as Mayor of Buea – a mandate that was due to expire on February 29, 2020.

On November 22, 2013, Ekema told the people of Buea in a message that “Change has come to Buea”. His words: “Change has come to Buea. Ekema Patrick Esunge, the Lord Mayor of the Buea Council, thanks the entire population for their fervent support and promises to bring development to the Buea Municipality.”

Indeed, Ekema brought change to Buea. He changed Buea from Mbella Moki’s “Town of Legendary Hospitality” to the “City of Excellence”. He realised many projects although the Buea Central Market FCFA 2.5 billion project never saw the light of day.

His friends were as many as his enemies. It is under his chairmanship that the likes of Councillor Chief Molinge Ikome David (of blessed memory), Councillor Prof. Victor Julius Ngoh, Councillor Thomson Kinge, Councillor Chief Njie Mandenge, Fourth Deputy Mayor Comfort Ojongnkpot and First Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Motomby Mbome were “dismissed” from the council.

Ekema crashed out of the race to become the Section President of the Fako III CPDM in 2015. Something about his Advanced Level Certificate having issues as well as being photographed by a naked photographer put Ekema on almost every lip.

His fight against separatist tendencies in Buea earned him multiple recognitions, the latest being a recognition from the traditional rulers of the South Region. In July 2019, traditional rulers of the South Chiefs Conference crowned Ekema “Nyamoto Kpwatolo” - the great warrior – for his never-seen bravery.

Ekema was married and had many children. He was a member of the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon and worshipped at PC Molyko. Ekema unfortunately stopped going to church following apparent disagreements with the leadership of the church.

Nigeria Closed borders Plant Gross Economic Hardship & Uncertainty to Neighboring Countries

Nigeria recently partially closed its border with Benin in an effort to stem the smuggling of rice. It then went on to close its land borders to the movement of all goods from Benin, Niger and Cameroon, effectively banning trade flows with its neighbours.

Border closures are not new in Africa. But Nigeria's actions raise important concerns about the seriousness and prospects of regional integration in Africa.

Nigeria acted just three months after it had signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. With 55 member countries, a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion and a total population of 1.2 billion, the agreement will create the world's largest free trade area. Its aim is to promote intra-Africa trade, which is abysmally low at 16%.

To restrict trade flows so shortly after this momentous feat is a major blow to integration efforts. It also shows how unprepared African countries might be for free trade. It's hard to see how the free trade deal can increase intra-Africa trade to 60% by 2022, as projected , when it is being undermined from the start.

These early trade tensions between Nigeria and its neighbours are hardly surprising. They underlie some of the fundamental problems that must be addressed before cordial free trade can succeed on the continent.

In the case of Nigeria, Africa accounts for only 13% of its exports and 4% of its imports. These statistics probably underestimate the true volume of trade between Nigeria and its neighbours. But they show that Africa is a dispensable market.

Border closure

Nigeria's economy declined in 2015 and further contracted by 1.6% in 2016 . This was largely due to a worldwide drop in the price of crude oil in 2014. The country has since fallen on hard times. Foreign direct investment inflows have plunged by 55% . There have also been shortages of foreign exchange which have put the Naira in a tailspin, causing the government to implement stringent foreign exchange controls.

Crude oil accounts for over 95% of Nigeria's total exports and 90% of its foreign exchange earnings. This shows that Nigeria has neglected other sectors of the economy.

The recent oil crisis highlighted the need for the country to diversify and restructure its economy. The result was increased attention being accorded the agriculture sector, which had declined significantly since the late 1960s.

Nigeria's 2017 Economic Recovery and Growth Plan aimed to deepen investments in agriculture and increase the sector's contribution to economic growth from 5% in 2017 to 8.4% by 2020. The idea is to revive domestic farming and save on food imports (over $22 billion a year).

It is this national plan that precipitated the border closure. The government wants to protect domestic farmers from cheap imported foodstuff.

While Nigerian rice farmers are happy about their government's actions, there are concerns about whether domestic food production can meet domestic demand. In 2017, demand for rice in Nigeria reached 6.7 million tons, almost double the 3.7 million tons produced domestically.

Since the border closure, the price of a 50 kilogram bag of rice has increased from 9,000 naira ($24) to 22,000 naira ($61).

This is good for the farmers. But it is hurting consumers.

Oil exports and fuel imports

Then there is the bigger problem of government-subsidised petroleum being smuggled out of Nigeria and sold in neighbouring countries.

World Bank data show that between 2010 and 2016, the average pump price of petrol was $0.52 per litre in Nigeria, $1.01 in Benin, $1.14 in Cameroun and 1.04 in Niger. Current data show that petrol is sold at $0.40 per litre in Nigeria and at $0.91 and $1.07 in Benin and Cameroon respectively.

The price difference creates the incentive to smuggle petrol out of Nigeria.

Nigeria's largest export is crude oil, and its largest import is refined oil. Domestic refineries are reportedly operating well below their capacity, causing fuel imports to average 29% of total imports over the past three years. Roughly 90% of fuel in Nigeria is imported, and all of it is subsidised. Last year, the subsidy bill was estimated to reach $3.85 billion.

Smuggling fuel out amounts to the use of public resources to subsidise neighbouring countries. Since the border closure, reports suggest that the delivery of fuel in Nigeria has dropped by 20% and sales by 12.7%.

This suggests that the demand for fuel in Nigeria is high because some of it is bought and smuggled out.

Why the border closure is worrying

African countries have different economic configurations and strategic priorities. The huge number of diverse countries within the free trade area isn't going to make things easy.

Indeed, free trade has its benefits, but it also has costs. Nigeria's bid to protect a declining rice farming industry and save foreign exchange has led to protectionism that defies the principles of a free trade area.

The African Union (AU) has been muted on the issue of the border closures. This might be because it does not yet have detailed institutional arrangements for settling disputes within the free trade area.

Another factor might be that it has been quiet because Nigeria is involved. As Africa's largest economy, the AU courted it earnestly to sign. The agreement needs Nigeria, arguably at whatever cost.

The regional trade bloc ECOWAS has also failed to bring Nigeria to heel. Both Nigeria and Benin are members of the bloc, created in 1975. All it has done so far is to appealfor the borders to be opened. It clearly has no enforcement power.

Nigeria's border closure may be a precursor. More incidents like this can be expected as the realities of free trade kick in. Some countries will lose, others will gain.

The AU needs protocols and measures to manage free trade, as well as programmes to prepare political leaders for the realities that will follow.

The free trade area should not be a mere symbol. It must be fully understood and appreciated for it to succeed.

The Nigeria border closure must be resolved as soon as possible. It is diverting attention and positive energy from matters that can promote the free trade area, such as investments in transport infrastructure, trade data capture and border protection.

More importantly, it is a bad precedent that could reduce other countries' commitments to economic integration in Africa. The AU must act now, or prepare to bury the free trade deal.

Cameroon Anglophone Struggle Takes a Different Twist as Comrade Tassang Wilfred Writes Lamenting in Jail

DEACON TASSANG WILFRED WRITES
THE AMBAZONIAN STRUGGLE: WHEN EGO AND PASSION BLUR VISION
To the Ambazonian Diaspora,

To

Genevites and anti-Genevites
Dear all,
I once more find myself in the difficult situation of having to write to you from prison. Be it as it may, that I have to do this is absolute, seeing what is happening in the struggle. I have learned with a heavy heart that many of our people in the diaspora have with "good" reason resigned to the struggle, and that many more are contemplating the same. Dear diasporans, I share your frustrations and pain. How I wish things were different! Today though, I come to you in the name of God and on behalf of our suffering people with a message I hope will touch your hearts and make you feel our people's frustrations and pain once more.
On January 17, 2017, the Consortium took a momentous decision and exported the voice of the resistance to the diaspora. My brothers Bara and Tapang were asked to hold the fort, which assignment they carried with brilliance until we were free to take over. And when we did, we had also joined the colony of exiles of Ambazonians. This was according to God's design.

Many have agreed with me that this phase of the struggle was specifically ordained by and commanded of God. From the unset, the Lord knew that this time would come and that the wickedness of Yaoundé would be such that none would be able to raise their voice on the territory. The terror from Yaoundé is so terrifying that even the  Church is intimidated in the homeland. It was exactly on account of this knowledge that the decision was taken to export the Consortium. The Lord God in His infinite wisdom had also placed each one of you where you are for a time like this.
Esther 4:13-14 ... Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Indeed, God turned what was supposed to be our curse into Ambazonia's blessing. Your exodus was expected to keep the homeland down forever, but see what God has turned it into? Imagine for one moment what would have happened to the struggle if you were not out there to both speak and foot the bills. Would you now disobey God and abandon your people for any reason whatsoever?
When the children of Israel left Egypt, Pharaoh didn't want to let them go. It is not different with Ambazonia. This much is obvious to all of us. What is not obvious is the tactics of Ambazonia's Pharaoh. To understand these tactics, we have to first and foremost recall to mind why we are running away. Yes, we are running away from annexation and all its ills; discriminations of all sorts, corruption and embezzlement of the public till, oppression and "political suppression", to quote Rev. Father Andrew Ambiezeh of SOCALIM.
58years in these vices have certainly left their mark negatively on our people. As you all can bear witness, these vices are pursuing us on our way out. For the Israelites, their challenges were fear, hunger and thirst. Ambazonia's challenges are perhaps much more but we shall overcome them all if we all stand firm.

On Corruption and Embezzlement

This is Yaounde's trump card. They're masters of this art. Yaoundé doesn't only corrupt people, she lies about it when they fail in their attempt. It was by God's special grace that the struggle didn't miscarry whilst teachers and lawyers were on strike. Yaounde churned out lie after lie concerning how many hundreds of millions we had  "collected" from government. Remember also how the very advocates of the struggle relayed these falsehoods and almost caused the people to turn their backs on us. Am I saying that some of my colleagues didn't get compromised? No. What I am saying here is that Yaounde's tactics have not changed. I can state with certainty that it the cacophony going on about embezzlement is presently working against the struggle, and in the interest of the oppressor. Am I saying that leaders have not misappropriated? Again, NO. How can I hold such a position when this evil started under my own very stewardship? In the event where these new allegations were true, thehe question you all in the diaspora must answer is this; "Are embezzlement and misappropriation of struggle funds good enough reasons for anybody to turn their backs on our people? Help me someone. If this were so, then we actually don't know why we are running away. The same ills from which we are running will follow us into Ambazonia. It will be several years after homeland restoration and after hard labour and determination that these same vices shall be rooted off. For now dear people, I implore you to both bear and endure while being watchful.
You cannot for any reason, resign. To do so, I am sure you all know, is tantamount to conceding defeat. Can we surrender after coming this far? That is exactly what Yaoundé wants. And many of you are playing into Yaounde's hands; many others are actually working for Yaoundé without knowing. Yes, I can say it again. I have seen it happen over and over from prison.
On Geneva: to Talk or not to Talk
I am sure that Ambazonians know that all wars end on the table of negotiations. The current genocidal war going on in the homeland will not be different. It shall end on the table.
At this point where both sides of the talk divide are at each other's throat, exposing the very secrets of the struggle and making nonsense of the people's efforts, I feel that I shouldn't be quiet in spite of the fact that I , am only a common teacher, and not a legal luminary. I am not even a student of international relations, talk less of being a diplomat/expert in whatever domain. However, I learned  a few things during the few months I spent at the helm of the struggle.
*Secrecy and Discretion: Pillars of Revolutions and Diplomacy
Ours is not the first revolution and quest for statehood restoration. Before ours were the South Sudanese, Eritrean and East Timorese revolutions. On paper, they all are the same but the situational realities are not. The former didn't take place during this social media boom. This is perhaps where the difference lies. But social media or not, do we all need to be practicing communicators and politicians to know the damage that information or the lack thereof can cost an endeavour like ours?
I am not a journalist but I have practiced as one and can say with authority that the information craze that is driving this struggle has done a lot of damage and has certainly caused huge delays. That was why in the Summer of 2017, Foley Hoag, the law firm the struggle had hired put an embargo on information sharing without their prior approval because, said they, we have to chose between satisfying the thirst of our people to know what efforts and strides we were making and letting Yaoundé into every door we were knocking. Of course we all know that Yaoundé has sabotaged many of our efforts because we made noise. Most, if not the entire leadership of the struggle today know that the noise they make is causing more harm than good. Some have taken advantage of the confidential nature of certain transactions to accuse their "rivals" knowing that they cannot come out to explain without making themselves vulnerable to some clauses in international law. This is wickedness.
On the Swiss talks, both the Genevites and anti-Genevites did well at the beginning. Proponents of the talks have done well in that they have let the whole world know that the struggle is ready to talk. Those who didn't go also did well in that they let the world know that the resistance will not be precipitated into just any kind of arrangement in the name of talks. At the unset, to talk and not to talk were both correct. However, what is happening now is absolute madness in the name of defending positions.  I hear more of ego than good sense. Ego and passion have blurred their vision. One would have thought that it made sense for the two sides to sit at table and compare notes. Why are we opposed to this project? Why do we have confidence in this project? What is it that we were told and have seen whilst there that have increased our trust in the Swiss? All these are not issues that should be seen in the social media. What kind of revolution is it that does not have classified information? We throw out everything including making very falacious statements that debunk our claims to expertise. How many Ambazonians out there have taken part in such conflict resolutions prior to this? Does someone become a poet by reading poems or is a poet one who has written and published poems?
You all may be "diplomats and or legal luminaries", mastering tenets and principles, but how many revolutions have been run by laid down principles? And where are these laid down by the way? If it were as simple as it is written, Foncha and Muna would have secured restoration in 1995. International law testifies to the fact that the Ambazonian case is cut out. The UN statutes and relating treaties are therefore all in our favour yet we still have to put up a fight for it. How then can anyone claim that this revolution be run according to "as it is written"? Revolutions are generally characterised by disorder and non respect of established orders each one (revolution) being unique, their similarities notwithstanding. Running a revolution during this social media age has turned out to be more tasking than in 1789.
In the midst of all this confusion, I will not join the cacophony by pointing out in this same medium where I think each side is wanting, but will rather have you bear me witness that I have appealed and here again appeal that both the Genevites and anti-Genevites should sit down and reason together. This cannot be done in zoom conferences. There are compatriots out there who are willing to host this project in all aspects. Can you all avail yourselves? If there will be talks, we all must go together or all stay back if we convince ourselves that it is a trap. Anything short of a united front will mean 1961 all over. Yet, I am convinced that this is the generation that God has chosen to right the wrongs of history.
Before I end on this, let me state categorically that it is not a revolutionary sin for the struggle to go all out and lobby for a mediator. In fact, it is the proper thing to do (It would be a sin if we did not). It is our people dieing after all. It is our communities being burned and our kids staying at home. It is therefore in our best interest that mediation should happen soonest. However, we must not throw caution to the wind when doing so. The struggle must be suspicious of all offers to mediate even if it came from the Americans. It is only when we do this that we shall be alert and watchful. In this regard, I should indicate here that the SCNC had several years ago lobbied for mediation even when there was no war, and that under my brief tenure, we also lobbied for a nation to do that. The latter nation is on standby to come in even as an observer in the Swiss process. The reason these efforts were never made known I have made clear above: discretion and confidentiality.
In the same breath, to refuse to give heed to critical objections and to call those who don't trust the Swiss, federalist, is also not in the interest of the struggle. No, it isn't.
I put my reputation on the line to say that I trust both the proponents and opponents of the Swiss project. It is evident that both sides are determined to give our people the best. But it is also evident that both sides continue to work against the struggle in refusing to sit together.
 I suggest strongly dear compatriots, that there be a meeting, and if need be, the two sides should secure the services of an internal mediator. This is right and proper to do at this juncture. Once we are reconciled, we should also do a mock negotiation to mimick what we expect to meet wherever.
Ambazonia! I have spoken. Mount pressure on these to get together before these squabbles discourage Ground Zero as it has done to many in the diaspora.
Once, more dear diasporans, the assignment is yours to both talk for ground zero and to put together all that it takes to prosecute this struggle to the end. And for those who feel discouraged, remember that many have sacrificed with their lives; remember that thousands yet languish in jail and are not giving up. I know how much you love your people, I know how much you love us in jail. If you can't control the "Central Treasury", you can at least take control at the micro level, LGA by LGA, County by County.
I came to you in the name of the Lord and depart in His name.
From Prison Principale, Kondengui Yaoundé have I this 19th Day of October 2019, with my own hand written and signed,
Deacon TASSANG Wilfred

Senior Justice Take Rubishes Cameroon's Just Ended Major National Dialogue

THE RECENTLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE BAR ASSOCIATION, SENIOR BARRISTER CHARLES TAKU HAS LAST OUT AGAINST THE SO-CALLED DIALOGUE INITIATED BY PM NGUTE. 

Hear him:

"PRIME MINISTER, SIR, THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF GENOCIDE AND NOT DIALOGUE

Dr Dione Ngute was the agent representing LRC at the hearing of the case brought on behalf of the Southern Cameroons by Dr Gwang Gumne and others in the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. Judgement in the case was rendered  in Banjul, the Gambia during the 45th Ordinary Session that held from 13 - 27 May 2009.  

 In the Judgment that was subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly of African leaders during the AU conference in Sirtre in Libya, the African Commission unequivocally called for dialogue to resolve the crisis and offered its services to facilitate the dialogue.  It gave LRC 180 days to comply with its Judgment.  It is on the records of the African Commission that LRC asked for an extension of time  to comply with the Judgment.

 Mr Prime Minister, true to itself, LRC did not comply with that Judgment and did not respect the decision relating to dialogue facilitated by the African Commission, even after the expiration of the extended timeline it sought and obtained. What a reckless display of bad faith! . 

In its characteristic exercise of impunity, LRC intensified its  systemic and widespread violations of the protections afforded Southern Cameroons in international law. These violations have been ongoing since an unprecedented conspiracy facilitated the breach of the UN Charter and UN Resolutions paving the way to the annexation and colonisation of Southern Cameroons by the LRC. The escalation of the violations has led to genocide, also called the mother of crimes on the watch of a slow to act civilized world.  This is unacceptable.

The Government of Cameroon considers these atrocity crimes as its legitimate exercise of impunity with arrogant alacrity.  Its civilian and military commanders have in publicly available and well documented statements taken responsibility for these crimes.  They have consistently praised the professionalism of its military for conducting a war of genocide in which more than 200 civilian settlements have been torched with shocking charred remains of  vulnerable children, women, the old and the sick left in the debris.  The Prime Minister Dr Dione Ngute himself on this so-called dialogue with the dead, praised the professionalism of these soldiers.  During his visit  there  perpetrated egregious violations even in the neighbourhood of Bambili which he visited. There, they massacred in a cold blood, a mother and her baby.  Mr Prime Minister, this is genocide and not dialogue.  I did not hear you order the arrest and prosecution of the criminal soldiers who massacred that mother and her baby.  The massacre of that woman and her child a few metres from where you visited indeed symbolizes the fate of hundreds of thousands of Southern Cameroonians for no reasons other than that they are Southern Cameroonians. That again sir, is genocide. 

I began this piece by making a reference to the Judgment of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights which LRC accepted and asked for time to comply with but reneged on.  LRC  in contempt instead intensified its 58 year old campaign of intimidation, humiliation, dehumanisation, indignity and death. As the representative of LRC during the entire proceedings and judgment, you were and are better placed to advise your government to the hard reality that international legality may be slow but effective.  When Justice catches up with the arrogant exercise of impunity and criminality, its impact may devastate the soul of conscienceless predators of human life.  Differently, stated, a time  comes when the victims of atrocious crimes are given a voice from their unmarked lonely graves to seek justice on their own behalf.   That time sir, will come, sooner or later, here or in the hereafter. This truth sir, is sacrosanct. 

Therefore, sir, I beg to ask. How do you feel conveying the concomitant message of conditional dialogue and genocide from your President to his victims? Does the said message not   greatly contradict the dialogue decided by a respectable continental justice mechanism the African Commission which was endorsed by continental leaders?   Was it not obvious from the Judgment of the African Commission that an international facilitator would be required to oversee the dialogue? And was it not for this reason that it offered to play that role?  In your so-called ongoing dialogue, sir, I did not hear you regret the massacres, the genocide, the crimes against humanity, the war crimes etc. Why?  I did not hear you talk about a transitional justice mechanism to prosecute civilian and military commanders responsible for these atrocity crimes in the Southern Cameroons. I did not see you feel the pain and suffering of millions of civilian victims of the atrocity crimes. Rather, I heard the evocation and rendition  of the  typical and resentful CPDM sycophantic war cries and slogans praising the god-president for his promise of mercy for those who lay down arms.  Laying down arms to facilitate the atrocity crimes sir?  Those you alleged laid down arms, have the locations from which they allegedly defected been spared the visit of your angels of death and the mayhem they bring to the civilian population? Have they sir? I bey to ask. 

There is a common and recurring position taken by the international community on this war that was declared by LRC. That position is that there should be an inclusive dialogue with no pre-conditions, to tackle to the root causes of this conflict.  From where then did you come about with the exclusion of the so-called secession or separation?   Is this pre-condition not a distraction and an attempt to obviate the mandatory root causes of the conflict? Are the root causes not the umbilically linked violations that eviscerated the Southern Cameroons right to external self determination under the UN Charter guaranteed by UN Resolutions which LRC opposed and opted for  annexation and colonial rule?  

The right to resolve this conflict through an internationally organised dialogue in which negotiations will hold sway was obtained through a legal process before a Continental legal mechanism and endorsed by African Leaders. The international community has overwhelmingly taken the same position with renewed vigour.  That position is therefore, not subject to a unilateral modification by LRC. That sir, is an unacceptable diktat.  This  unacceptable diktat tantamount once more to a disregard for the  international rule of law on the basis on which international legality, peace and security are founded.   

Mr Prime Minister, sir, as you pursue this futile adventure to insult the memory of victims, permit me to remind you that the informal meeting of the UNSC on this crisis on 13 May 2019, apart, the celebration on the 23 May 2019 at the UN of the 70 th anniversary  of the Geneva Conventions which LRC is a state party, should be a shock reminder to LRC that the spirit of that multilateral treaty and many others is alive. That LRC place  on the radar of the Geneva Conventions will soon be guaranteed, not for the right reasons, but for its atrocity crimes in the Southern Cameroons against civilians who are protected by the convention. The anniversary ceremony of the 23 May 2019 of the Geneva Conventions 1949 and the ten anniversary of the UN Resolutions for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts should be an opportunity for LRC to seriously consider, calling off this genocidal war and withdraw its soldiers for peace to prevail.  It's military misadventure and atrocity crimes have failed and will continue to fail to tame the spirit of Southern Cameroons  freedom seekers who are inspired and emboldened by the justice of their cause,  international legality and the pursuit of legitimate self defence. 

History sir, provides you and the government you serve another opportunity to listen to the voice of humanity and the international community and get to the negotiating table while there is time.  Stop the callous slaughter and the genocide now. Your present tour is a celebration of genocide and not dialogue"

Hopes for a Single Currency to West African Nations Flop

The plan to have a single East African currency within the next five years has collapsed, sending member countries back to the drawing board.

The East Africa Community (EAC) Council of Ministers, the central decision-making and governing organ of the EAC, has resolved that the 2024 deadline by which the region was supposed to have formed a monetary union and adopted a common currency is not attainable.

The Council, which was on Friday locked in a day-long meeting in Arusha, has therefore resolved to draw new timelines to achieve the ambitious target of creating an EAC Monetary Union, which is one of the four pillars of regional integration.

The EAC is way behind in setting up relevant institutions to support a single currency, most important being the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI), the equivalent of a regional central bank that was supposed to be up and running in 2015.

“It has been noted that there are some elements of the East African Monetary Union (EAMU) roadmap lagging behind the agreed timeless. So directive by the Sectoral Council on Finance and Economic affairs is to review the EAMU roadmap and advise accordingly,” the EAC director of Monetary and Fiscal Affairs Pantaleo Joseph Kessy told The EastAfrican on Friday.

Member countries were also supposed to comply with the EAC macro-economic convergence targets on inflation, public debt, forex reserves and budget deficits.

Progress

Little progress has been made in harmonising the key economic policies, casting doubts on the region’s commitment to the Monetary Union dream.

The first two pillars of EAC integration; creating a Customs Union and Common Market have already been achieved, while the ultimate target of setting up a Political Federation was supposed to come after the creation of a Monetary Union.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary in-charge of EAC Affairs Adan Mohamed, who sits on the EAC Council of Ministers, in an interview said that there is still a lot of work needed towards implementation of the Monetary Union.

“I think the first thing to do is to set up the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI) then we take it from there in terms of making the necessary progress. However, the necessary instruments for the creation of this body have been approved by the heads of state,” Mr Mohamed said in an interview.

The EAC single currency is expected to create more economic unity among member countries and help eliminate transaction costs related to exchanging currencies and exchange rate volatilities.

The Protocol for the establishment of the EAC Monetary Union was signed by the heads of state in Kampala on November 30, 2013, providing a 10-year roadmap for member states to embrace a single currency regime.

The EAC Customs Union and the Common Market Protocols were signed in 2004 and 2009 respectively.

The EastAfrican has learnt that the EAC Council of Ministers has agreed to review the roadmap for the implementation of the single currency with the technical committees expected to draw new timelines.

“The review is on-going and we expect it will be completed by early next year. We will then know if new timelines will be proposed or not,” said Mr Kessy.

Key institutions

Under the Monetary Union Protocol, partner states agreed on the creation of four key institutions and for member states to attain and maintain a set of four primary convergence criteria for at least three years before joining the bloc’s planned single currency.

The institutions comprise the East African Monetary Institute (EAMI), the East African Financial Services Commission, East African Statistics Bureau and the East African Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement Commission.

According to the Monetary Union Protocol, the EAMI was supposed to have been up and running by the year 2015 while the other institutions were supposed to be operational last year.

The EAMI is expected to be a transitory institution to do all the preparatory work for the activation of a single currency regime before eventually transforming into an East African Central Bank.

Member countries are required to meet and comply with a debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 50 per cent, fiscal deficit (including grants) of 3 per cent of the GDP, overall inflation of 8 per cent and forex reserves of 4.5 months of import cover for at least three years before the launch of the single currency regime.

Member countries have reported mixed performances on this front with the deadline for compliance (2021) less than two years away.

The delayed activation of these key institutions and the inability of member states to comply with the stipulated convergence indicators has slowed down the pace of creating the EAMU.

In May, EAC director of Monetary and Fiscal Affairs Pantaleo Joseph Kessy said compliance has been slower than expected.

Challenges

Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile said several challenges stand in the way of fully implementing the single currency regime.

Mr Tumusiime-Mutebile said there has been progress towards the EAMU Protocol in terms of harmonisation of monetary policy frameworks, exchange rate policies, rules and practices governing bank supervision, and payment systems.

“However, there have been delays in realising targets set out in the EAMU roadmap and there are several challenges that could further impede the full implementation of EAMU Protocol.

“It is therefore imperative that we assess the realism of the timelines,” Mr Tumusiime-Mutebile said at the 23rd Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee in Kigali in July.

A common currency within divergent economies is fraught with challenges, as the fallout in the European Union has showed, with weak nations always threatening stability of the Euro.

According to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca) report released last year, establishment of institutions to support the implementation of the EAMU protocol has been delayed due to the lack of clear commitment by partner states.

“The lack of firm commitment to implement decisions taken by different regional committees to fast-track the implementation of the EAMU protocol due to more focus on relative national gains and sovereignty is one of the big challenges in the journey towards full regional integration,” according to the Uneca report dubbed The East African Monetary Union: Ready or Not?

“In addition to the commitment to fiscal discipline, there is a need for the establishment of an institution or strong mechanism for enforcing and ensuring compliance by all countries.”

According to the report the experience of the European Monetary Union has shown that the European Monetary Institute (EMI) played a crucial role in the establishment of the monetary union by spearheading the harmonisation of policies, monitoring and convergence criteria, standardisation of statistical procedures and the conduction of relevant studies.

The report also notes that complying with fiscal convergence criteria for EAC countries is not easy considering their divergent macroeconomic contexts.

EAC countries are developing economies with significant need for investment and development spending.

In addition, member countries face significant macroeconomic shocks, such as terms-of-trade shocks from international commodity prices and agricultural productivity shocks from weather events.

“Furthermore, these shocks affect EAC countries differently,” said Uneca.

The EAC central bank governors in July noted that there have been delays in realising targets set out in the EAMU roadmap

Cameroon Gov’t Intensify Crack Down Against Homosexuals and Gay Practices;  Cameroon Human Rights NGOs Take up Arms in Counter Defense of Gay Rights

Ø Orders Mass Arrest of Individuals Associated to what is Termed, Unorthodox, immoral, Satanic and Charged for Felony Against article 347 of the Cameroon Penal Code

Ø Cameroon Human Rights NGOs Take up Arms in Counter Defense of Gay Rights

                                  Njie Martin Gay Victim Amongst Others Currently Wanted

Inside information and close sources to the Cameroon’s Ministry of Defense, has it on good footing that there are plans to conduct mass arrest of individuals practicing Gay, homosexual activities, its promoters and Human rights NGOs trying to justify their actions termed criminal and liable under the Cameroon penal code article 374 and punishable with a six to Five years prison term, a fine of 20,000frs to 200,000frs respectively.

Gay practices, as we report was once unusual, but Western influence suddenly and steadily made it to become an enshrined or established tradition in the Cameroonian context to the gross dislike of government who consider it as an offense to the Law and has since arranged for mass arrest of committers and perpetrators of act.

The horrible Information circulating, our news room gathered is motivated by a latest crime scene that took place at Cassava Farm a quarter in Limbe on the 30th of Sept 2019 which Saw two young men (boys) one 25 Njie Martin the other 24 years having sex. Because of basic rights issues we prefer to hold much of their identity undisclosed. They were caught red handed in open romance and love making to the bewilderment of the population who called security intervention and they were taken to the Limbe Central Police station Bota where they were incarcerated under police custody and interrogation pending trials only for the most senior in the act to escape accidentally in the hands of the police and is seriously wanted. 

As we report, there is serious man hunt of the said Njie and plans for multiplied security crack downs in areas where gay practice is fast becoming a common and celebrated phenomenon. This ruthless or harsh action by government which is uncommon has and is so far receiving the highest criticisms from Human Rights NGOs who have programmed with a chain of lawyers to prosecute government in defense of parties whose rights are currently or presently under abuse in a world where Western powers are fast giving room for the rights of such persons to be respected and are even conducting official marriages amongst partners.

More to it, Republican forces of late have resorted to mass arrest and conviction of families of individuals involved in the acts causing friends, families and love ones to flee from their respective residence.

Some where around the social circles, which is not common placed, there is what is now termed today as “Mass gay Exodus” to the hinterlands, border towns and abroad for fear of the unknown while seeking refuge for safety.

It is unfortunate, but at the same time an incumbent call on us as Media Activists to cry foul to Western powers to also strongly come in to the aid of such individuals who are grossly been denied the right to exercise their emotional feelings with who they like and parties they desire or are in love with.

Justice Ayah Paul Rubishes Special Status Option to N.W & S.W Instead of Federal Option

October 7, 2019

SPECIAL STATUS IS A FUSS

Several persons have expressed the strong feeling that PA Ayah ought to have said something about the offspring of the National Dialogue christened SPECIAL STATUS. PA Ayah’s silence was the need to reconcile his activities with medical counsel. Bear with him for the belated reaction!

To PA Ayah the so-called SPECIAL STATUS is a RARE curiosity: something that tantalizes him. Without going into definitions, suffice it to begin by stating that SPECIAL STATUS automatically conjures up DEPENDENCY and resting upon the PROTECTION of a higher authority. That ipso facto discards INDEPENDENCE and reliance on one’s own absolute ability to manage oneself and one’s business.

It goes without saying that SPECIAL STATUS is inappropriate, inadmissible and inapplicable in the case of Southern Cameroons, often referred to as the Northwest and Southwest. It could only so be if Southern Cameroons was a dependency of the Republic of Cameroon. To put it in the form of a question: is Southern Cameroons a colony of the Republic of Cameroun?

The answer is OBVIOUSLY in the NEGATIVE! It is common knowledge and a celebrated fact that Southern Cameroons achieved independence on October 1, 1961. Even if any dependence there had ever been, (and let it be REPEATED that there had been none), such dependency was extinguished by the fact of achieving independence. Southern Cameroons and the Republic of Cameroun went into a de facto cohabitation as partners EQUAL IN STATUS. Neither partner is more important or less important than the other. That ABSOLUTELY rules out either partner being given attributes inconsistent with the status of EQUALITY!

Listening to and/or reading some persons, the temptation is ever present and real that many people are corrupt, ignorant or they are of average intelligence. Experience shows that, once an utterance has been made, there often follows a continuous or continual wave of easy recitations. Whereas one could be tolerant with Camerounese from their culture of corruption and subservience, it is bloodcurdling that Cameroonians should swim with the current in abject psychological enslavement.

If we take the SDF, for instance, one, at times, wonders the role of lawyers in that political party. Is it that they shirk their duty of dispensing legal counsel, or that they do descend from the lofty plane of learning to the inferior plane of subservience to beneficial expediency?

When in their communiqué and from the utterances of their national chairman, Mr. John Fru Ndi, the case of Quebec is cited to justify the proposed SPECIAL STATUS for Southern Cameroons, is it that they do lose sight of, or that they do not know the legal status of Quebec? Be the situation as it may, for their information and culture, the French COLONY of Quebec was ceded, (without saying, SOLD), by France to the United Kingdom as per the Treaty of Paris after the Seven Years’ War. It is important to note here that Quebec was a COLONY; that the ceding was evidenced by a TREATY (and it became incorporated as a part of Canada in 1867). Where in all this does Southern Cameroons resemble Quebec?

One may be bold enough to opine that Quebec is to Canada almost as Alaska is to the United States of America. It could be added that the reality is staring us in the face that it was high time we took some time off Export beer to cultivate and water our gardens! We would lose little.

For the good of all of us, let it be counseled here, just again, that the quest for money, position and the singing of sterile psalms to the gods in human form to the detriment of the GENERAL interest, and at the expense of human blood are inconsistent with morality and civilized manners!

SPECIAL STATUS FOR THOUSANDS OF LIVES! 

SECTION 62 OF A NEW CONSTITUTION?

SILENCE IS GOLDEN, YOU KNOW!

[PICS: SOUTHERN CAMEROONS’ PRIME MINISTERS]