Day: April 22, 2023

Today marks the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr for many Minnesotans. And this year, there were some notable differences. For one, the early morning prayers did not take place in an open field or stadium like they have in the past, largely due to the wind and rain. So the celebrations moved indoors. Many gathered in the gymnasium of Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minn. The first Salat al-Fitr, or Eid prayer, began at 7 a.m. and prayers continued every hour through 11 a.m., with hundreds coming for each service. The center offered prayers in Arabic, English, Somali and, for the first time, Pashto. Abdiwahab Mohamed, assistant commissioner for immigrant and refugee affairs at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said the addition of Pashto was a special way to welcome the arrival of new Afghan community members. ‘This was such a special pride [because of] the language access and welcoming the communities [by] opening up the mosque so that they feel part of the tradition here,’ he said.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu, Somalia, SONNA)-:The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Serbia, Mohamed Abdullahi Ahmed, met on Saturday with the Mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Šapic. During their meeting, they discussed the twinning of Mogadishu and Belgrade. Ambassador Ahmed and Mayor Šapic discussed three main issues: The expansion of the two capitals The development of a drainage system in Mogadishu The management of urban traffic Mayor Šapic stated that the relationship between the two capitals is very strong. He recalled how leaders from Mogadishu and Belgrade have worked together in the past. Ambassador Ahmed also delivered an official message from the Mayor of Mogadishu, Yusuf Hussein Jimaale ‘Madaale,’ about restoring the traditional relationship between the two capitals. Since the reopening of the Federal Republic’s Embassy in Belgrade, relations between Somalia and Serbia have improved. The relationship between the two countries is based on cooperation, respect, and mutual interest.

Source: Somali National News Agency

The president of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) political party, Maurice Kamto has urged President Paul Biya to clarify the public on his son’s role in state and public affairs when he takes steps to defend his private interests under an official flag.

This is contained in a release signed by the official on April 22nd.

Chad announced on April 20, 2023, that it had recalled its Ambassador to Cameroon for consultations. In its statement, the Chadian presidency claims to have written several times to Yaounde to deplore the “unfriendly actions” of Cameroonian representatives within Cotco and the interference of Cameroonian personalities “brewing” around the Savannah Energy.

According to a statement from Savannah Energy PLC, the company has signed a sales agreement with Cameroon’s National Hydrocarbons (SNH) to hand over 10% of the capital of Cameroon Oil Transportation Company S.A. (COTCo). The transaction is subject to certain conditions and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023.

Kamto stated that he learned Franck Emmanuel Biya went to N’Djamena in September 2022, as part of this case to intervene in favor of this company. He outlined that the trip, with no official functions within the state, was followed by that of Elung Paul Che, Deputy Secretary General number 1 of the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon, from November 21 to 30 2022.

“It is urgent that he clarifies the situation and explains the role of his son in public affairs where he takes steps to defend private interests under an official flag. If not, national and international public opinion will be justified in suspecting him of being personally involved in this other scandal of our republic,“ he explained.

He noted that Chad is the only country in Central Africa that has stood by Cameroon in its fight against the Boko Haram cult since 2014 and a country where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment.

“It is a brotherly and friendly country, which has historically always had very good relations with our country. As proof, it is the country in the sub-region where Cameroonian citizens suffer the least harassment and humiliation of all kinds from the authorities of the host country,” he stated.

He calls on the Parliament to open a parliamentary inquiry into this scandal.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Frontline Ambazonian activist, Edith Ngang, popularly known as Ma Ngang, has been sentenced to three years, 10 months in a federal prison in Minnesota, United States of America followed by two years supervised release, for conspiracy, and for illegally exporting firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria without obtaining the required licenses from the U.S. State.

In a press release issued by the U.S States department of justice on April 21, 2023, it reveals that the 57 year old Cameroonian and her conspirator, Tse Ernst Bangarie have been found guilty of all the charges.

Before and after her sentencing, Edith Ngang revealed in a social media post, which CNA got that she is happy because the number of years are not many. She added that it is all for the freedom of Ambazonia.

“House, just to inform you all that I was sentenced to 3 years and 10 months to a low minimum federal prison in Minnesota. I am happy for it could be worst than this. For the sake of the freedom of Ambazonians it is more than worth it. I am so honored to have been at the position where I could serve my people and the battle continues once I am out…,” Edith Ngang said in a post that CNA got from social media.

A post purportedly shared in a WhatsApp group, obtained by CNA via Twitter post by an Activist.

In an interview granted to Esteem television, the activist added that her sentencing is also an eye-opener for the United States and the world to see what the people of Ambazonia are going through.

“I feel good because the legislative part of U.S has had the opportunity to hear about the issue. The executive knows about it and the only part I thought didn’t know was the judiciary and this case has brought the issue of the plight of southern Cameroonians the fact that they were not brought to self governing. The whole of America now knows about the issue of the plights of Ambazonians…,” She said in the interview with Esteem tv.

On several occasions, she has been seen on social media platforms, supporting the creation of the state of Ambazonia through secession from Cameroon.

Reason for her sentence

According to information from the press release issued by the court, Ngang and her conspirator pleaded guilty for exporting firearms, ammunition and other military-type items through Nigeria to support separatist fighters fight the government of Cameroon since 2017.

“Ngang admitted that she also participated in the reloading of ammunition in the basement of St. Michael’s residence in at least August and October 2018. However, the conspirators banned her from coming in person after a video of Ngang loading the ammunition was posted on social media in October 2018, something the conspirators considered a serious security breach. Ngang remained a member of the conspiracy and continued to communicate with St. Michael and others about the ongoing efforts to unlawfully export the firearms, ammunition and other items from the United States”

The press release furthered that while in court in 2018, Ngang provided information on how a container full with arms and ammunition is on the way to Cameroon. The ship transporting the container was trapped and all the contents were sent back to the US, according to the release.

It was also revealed that Tamufor St. Michael, age 42, of Rosedale, Maryland, Wilson Che Fonguh and five co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.

Meanwhile Eric Fru Nji and Wilson Nuyila Tita, were already sentenced to 63 months of incarceration in March 2023.

Source: Cameroon News Agency