Spotlight | Cameroon
Anglophone crisis plays into hands of government hardliners

Cameroon
Business leaders divided over plan to merge employers' bodies

Private sector chiefs don't see eye to eye about the merging of two organisations representing their interests. Both camps are trying to rally support, right up to the highest echelons of state.

Palace Intrigues
Mamadi Doumbouya, Paul Biya, Mohamed Benchaaboun and Zinedine Zidane

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond. This week: Mamadi Doumbouya's luxury watch collection, Paul Biya's NY wishes cull, Mohammed VI snubs ex-ambassador Mohamed Benchaaboun and French VIPs celebrate NYE in Marrakech.

Guinea Colonel Doumbouya's €400,000 wristwatch

Cameroon Everyone wants their New Year's photo with Biya

Morocco Glacial reception for Mohamed Benchaaboun in Rabat

France-Morocco Zidane among French VIPs in Marrakech for NYE

Cameroon
Secessionist mediation attempts lead nowhere

There has been no dialogue between the Cameroonian government and Anglophone separatists in the North-West and South-West regions since the crisis began in 2016. In the run-up to the Africa Cup of Nations, a string of ill-prepared initiatives from the English-speaking separatists has failed to change the situation.

Cameroon
Is top Biya aide Ngoh Ngoh losing his influence?

The position of the chief of staff of the president's office, who enjoys the support of first lady Chantal Biya, seems to be under threat. Until now, he has always managed to save his skin.

Cameroon
Jean-Claude Ayem Moger, Yaoundé's favourite troubleshooter

Jean-Claude Ayem Moger, Paul Biya's technical advisor, was just named to two key roles.

Cameroon
While waiting for Biden, Paris steps up pressure over Anglophone crisis

After the Vatican made its voice heard, Paris has reminded the Cameroonian government of its concerns about the continuing crisis in the English-speaking provinces. European Union states hope that the new US administration, which purports to put human rights at the heart of its foreign policy, will come to their help.

Cameroon
Ministers ruled offside over FIFA boss's route to African Nations opening match

Government ministers clashed with the president's office over the route to be taken by the official convoy bringing FIFA chairman Gianni Infantino and his entourage to the opening match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) between Cameroon and Zimbabwe in Yaounde on 16 January.

Cameroon
Paul Biya has deep pockets... and they're lined with ammo

As Cameroonian authorities prepare for a second round of negotiations with separatist leaders from the Anglophone West, the government awarded its army a hefty budget increase.

Cameroon, France
Ambassador sent packing from Paris after falling out with long-serving bursar

Replaced by André-Magnus Ekoumou, Cameroon's ambassador to France Alfred Nguini only lasted 17 months in the job before falling foul of in-house politics.

Cameroon
Amid Covid-19 pandemic, revenue vs safety debate divides Cameroon government

The pandemic has led to the further isolation of the Cameroonian president, who now addresses the population only via social media, and has aggravated the war between government factions, who have to choose between closing bars and keeping alcohol tax revenue flowing.

Africa, France
Sant'Egidio at the Elysée

Andrea Riccardi, the founder of the lay Catholic Sant'Egidio community and former minister of cooperation under Mario Monti, was granted [...]

Cameroon
Port of Douala seeks its independence

Without waiting for the outcome of its legal action against Bolloré, the Port autonome de Douala has hunkered down and is running operations itself.

Cameroon
Switzerland abandons mediation in anglophone west

Involved since June in mediating between the Cameroonian government and most of the separatist groups active in the anglophone west [...]

Document | Cameroon
Jean-Yves Le Drian intervenes in port of Douala saga

Until now, the Elysée had refrained from getting involved in the saga of the renewal of the Bolloré Logistics concession [...]

Cameroon
Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh governs by correspondence

Addressed to ministers and heads of civil service departments alike, the letters from the president's secretary-general, Ferdinand Ngoh, which invariably [...]

Spotlight | Cameroon
Multinationals slug it out over container terminal at docks of Douala

The standoff that began last year between the giants of maritime logistics which are in the running for the Douala container terminal concession has entered a critical phase. Currently held by Bollore and Moller-Maersk, the contract is up for renewal [.

Cameroon
Chantal Biya stamps her influence

The first lady is exploiting her power to secure appointments for her husband's ministers and collaborators. An investigation.