January 9, 2024 – Page 11 – L' Observateur Burundi

January 9, 2024

Anglophone Problem: Simon Munzu says late Owona failed as statesman

The former UN diplomat sent his condolence to the family of Professor Joseph Owona, a Constitutional expert who was part of Cameroon’s 1996 constitutional amendment.

The former Education Minister and President of the Fecafoot Normalisation Committee, died in France on Sunday.

His role during the early days of the Anglophone problem has been questioned with Simon Munzu, arguing that the former could have played a huge role in favour of the people of the North West and South West regions.

‘In his public career, Owona had many opportunities to speak truth to power and help to steer Cameroon to safer shores but chose the path of immediate gratification and the role of the Biya regime’s apologist-in-chief. He was the high priest of the ‘Essingan’ facing the ‘Laakam’, two ethnocentric organizations headed by ethnocentric intellectuals.’ Munzu said in a post.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

January 9, 2024

Mvondo Ayolo on hot seat as NGO promises justice for tortured Cameroonians

The Mandela Center International, an international Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) specialized in consultative status with the United Nations has condemned the act of torture perpetrated by the Director of Civil Cabinet at the Presidency of Cameroon, Samuel Mvondo Ayolo.

Mvondo Ayolo and the Director of Military Security, Colonel Emile Joël Bankoui reportedly tortured some Cameroonians in contradiction to the international law on human rights on Monday 4, 2023 and as such the Mandela Center International has called on government officials to open investigations in accordance with republican laws and in compliance with the Istanbul Protocol of 2022.

According to an official release from the said NGO, the victims of torture were allegedly accused of stealing about F CFA 2 billion while on duty at Mvondo Ayolo’s residence during a thanksgiving mass in Sangmelima.

The victims were allegedly tortured using machetes, clubs, planks, fire and electricity among others. The Mandela Center International affirmed
that these were illegal arrests, the detentions were arbitrary and these are not in accordance with the International Law which the country agreed to.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

January 9, 2024

Cameroon vs Zambia pre-AFCON friendly match preview

With the 2023 Africa Nations Cup barely 4 days away, the Indomitable Lions will face off against Zambia’s Copper Bullets in a friendly match at 2 PM Cameroon time and 3 PM Zambian time in Saudi Arabia.

This will be the 16th meeting between the two teams across competitions like the African Nations Cup, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and International friendlies.

Out of the last 15 encounters disputed by these two, Cameroon has won 7, drawn 5, and lost 3 to the copper bullets of Zambia.

Zambia’s current national team boast of a talented lineup, especially in their attack with players like Fashion Sakala, Zambia’s top scorer in 2023 with 22 goals and 11 assists in 52 appearances.

Patson Daka is another Attacking warrior who is Zambia’s second-highest scorer of the year with 7 goals in 7 appearances at both club and country level since mid-November.

Similarly, Cameroon has a strong attacking lineup with players like Vincent Aboubakar who has 11 goals in 22 games, Faris Moumbagna who has 18 goals in 36 games, a
nd George Kevin Nkoudou who has 14 goals in 17 games .

Zambia is in Pool F along with Morocco, DR Congo, and Tanzania, playing their first match against DR Congo on January 17.

Cameroon on the other hand is paired with Senegal, Guinea, and Gambia in Group C, with their first match against Guinea on January 15.

Source: Cameroon News Agency