Day: July 19, 2023

The National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga called on the media to play constructive role by creating awareness in the process of disarming and rehabilitating ex-combatants following the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

A discussion in the process of disarming, organizing and rehabilitating 371, 000 ex-combatants and the role of the media was underway in Addis Ababa.

During the discussion, National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga recalled that the disarmament of ex-combatants had been a priority for a ceasefire in accordance with the Pretoria Peace Agreement.

He elaborated that efforts are being made to disarm ex-combatants and join normal lives following the peace agreement, enabling them to contribute to the country's peace building development and democratic endeavors.

More than 60 disarmament and rehabilitation programs have been carried out since 1990, he said, emphasizing that financial and logistic resources as well as awareness raising activities are imperative for rehabilitation, he added.

Accordingly, the commission is in the process of disarming and rehabilitating more than 371,000 ex-combatants in seven regions.

To this end, the media should play a constructive role in educating various sections of the society and civic organizations, he urged.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The National Rehabilitation Commission has been carrying out activities that enable it to reintegrate 75,000 ex-combatants across the country by the end of 2023, the commissioner disclosed today.

A one-day consultative meeting organized with the view to discussing about the role of the media in implementing the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program opened this morning. Opening the consultative meeting, National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga said the meeting would explain the activities of the commission and future cooperation with the media.

"We called this meeting because we want the media houses to work on awareness creation and advocacy about the DDR program and its significance to the country."

The commission is working to reintegrate 75,000 ex-combatants in 2023, of which 50,000 are found in Tigray region.

“We are preparing camps, training materials, and mobilizing resources. Considering our capacity, we have decided to begin by reintegrating 75,000 ex-combatants. We will start this task by completing the ongoing preparation soon, and we intend to complete it (the reintegration) by the year 2023.”

According to Teshome, 371,971 ex-combatants have been identified thus far and the budget needed could exceed the initial estimated 554 million USD.

As the government is doing its level best to undertake the task of reintegrating the ex-combatants, all concerned domestic and foreign actors and partners ought to play their respective role, he noted, adding that the finance needed to implement the program is huge.

“DDR activities need the support of all actors because they require huge finance. We have national priorities and all partners should play their role because Ethiopia’s peace, security and development are crucial for all,” the commissioner underscored.

It was pointed out on the occasion that the commission plays mainly the role of coordination and the success of the program largely hinges on supports from the government and all concerned actors.

The commission has engaged with officials in 8 regions of the country to implement the DDR program.

Moreover, the commission has been discussing and working in cooperation with several countries and institutions to mobilize resources for the implementation of the DDR program, it was learned.

But there was no significant financial support despite commitments so far, according to the commissioner.

The commission is expected to implement the DDR in two years, with a possibility of extention by the House of People's Representatives.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Inhabitants of Old Town in Bamenda II Subdivision, Mezam Division are in shock following an explosion that took away the life of a man, Wednesday July 19, 2023.

According to sources in the neighborhood, the deceased whose name we got as Michelle picked a bag on the streets containing an explosive. He took the bag home thinking it was an old iron for him to sell but the bag exploded, killing him in the process.

Inhabitants of the neighborhood said they could not say who had deposited the explosive at that spot.

Michelle was finally confirmed dead at a nearby hospital. His corpse has been deposited at the mortuary, pending burial, we learned.

This comes at a time when there is upheaval in the town of Bamenda, following the shooting to death of at least 15 persons within 48 hours.

Read also: Shooting in Nacho, Bamenda, what CNA knows so far

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Calm and serenity are the main adjectives best placed to qualify the atmosphere that continues to reign at the Mbouda District hospital after a false alert launched last night to distabilize the institution.

“Enough is enough, pay our monthly bonuses and motivations” this is the message that could be read on flyers and posters in some major corners of the town of Mbouda, chief town of the Bamboutos seemingly expressing the grievances of some health workers. A message destined to the management of the Mbouda District hospital.

In reaction, Mr Njip Jean Marie, Director of the hospital denied any links to the messages declaring that he has no salary problem with his staff.

“The hospital has no internal dispute linked to salaries and the messages were pasted by evil hearted individuals whose aims are to destabilize the institution.”

“For the past 33 months that I have been managing this hospital, workers have been paid their 32 months and they receive their salaries at the beginning of each month, something which did not exist before my arrival,” the Hospital Director added.

To make things clear, an extraordinary staff meeting was held in the premises of the hospital on the afternoon of Tuesday July 18. During the meeting, no health member expressed worries in salaries and bonuses meaning no arrears are being held in the hospital.

The management instead complained of and the diversion of patients to private clinics by some hospital staff.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The National AIDS Control Committee in Cameroon estimates that 510,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS in Cameroon out of which over 91,000 are said to be eligible for treatment with antiretroviral drugs.

The Executive Director of UN AIDS who doubles and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Winnie Byanyima has appreciated efforts made by the Cameroon government to reduce new AIDS infections over the past 10 years. She was speaking during an audience with the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute as part of her five-day official visit to Cameroon.

“Cameroon has been succeeding in fighting against HIV aids for the last 10 years. Bringing down deaths, infections to more than 60 percent,” Winnie Byanyima said.

The two officials also examined efforts needed to keep the spread of HIV in Cameroon even lower.

The Executive Director stated that: “Cameroon still faces some key challenges especially on children, stopping mother to child transmission and keeping young children on treatment, just like adults are on treatment. We can support Cameroon in this,” Winnie added.

They discussed plans to boost the education of the girl child as a means of limiting new HIV infections as well as health financing to ensure affordable health coverage in the country.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Here is Abangoh junction in Bamenda I subdivision, the scene where 10 persons were killed and two others wounded on Sunday, July 16, 2023.

The junction is still scary and scanty, littered with the blood of the victims.

CNA reporter has premised that the shooting actually took place in Abangoh and not Nacho. Abangoh is in Bamenda I, while Nacho is in Bamenda II. The two communities share a boundary.

The Defense Ministry said the shootings were carried out by separatists in Bamenda, North West regional capital.

Several persons have also condemned the act Personalities speak on Nacho killing – Cameroon News Agency

Denizens are hunched over with worries, who and what next?

This picture was taken on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, two days after the incident. Shops around the area have remained closed. Th sad memories of Sunday are still fresh in the minds of shop owners, it could have been them!

Source: Cameroon News Agency