They were convinced by their friends to go swimming.

Pupils of PS Ntamulung in Bamenda are in a mourning mood following the death of their school mates, Fabrice and Jean Paul who drowned in the Mulang River last Thursday February 4. They were amongst four who were on their way for dance practice when disaster stroke. Eye witnesses said the four class five pupils of Presbyterian School Ntamulung were on their way to meet others in Presbyterian School Mulang for joint dance practice in preparation for youth day 2010 when one of their friends derailed them by asking them to follow him to visit his aunt in the neighbourhood of Mulang. One of the pupils, Christian said on their way to the Aunt’s house their friend persuaded them to have a swim in the Mulang river and so they did. “Fabrice and Jean Paul removed their dress while the other friend refuses to swim.

As I step in to the water while removing my dress, I felt like somebody was dragging my leg into the water”, Fabrice and Jean Paul he went on, had already jumped into the water. I started shouting “Jesus! Jesus!” then I was able to relinquish the grip on me. He said when he came out he called the two who were already in water but did not get any response neither did he see them subsequently. He then ran and shouted for help. People around rushed to the scene but the two were nowhere to be found. The Bamenda Fire Brigade was alerted. Led by their commander Afou Hansel, they rushed to the scene only to pullout the corpses of Frabrice and Jean Paul.

The Mulung River is about 2.5 meters deep and muddy and stagnant during the dry season. Some inhabitants in the Mulang neighbourhood said pupils and students are fond of dogging classes to go swimming in the deadly river.

Cameroon tribune

High rates of the most effective type of malaria-fighting drugs sold in three African countries are poor quality — including nearly half the pills sampled in Senegal — raising fears of increased drug resistance that could wipe out the last weapon left to battle a disease that kills 1 million people each year, according to a U.S. report released Monday.

Between 16 percent and 40 percent of artemisinin-based drugs sold in Senegal, Madagascar and Uganda failed quality testing, including having impurities or not containing enough active ingredient, the survey found.

Results from the other countries surveyed — Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania — have not yet been publicly released by the WHO. But Clive Ondari, who worked on the study for the WHO in Geneva, said failure rates in three of those countries were also significantly high.

Artemisinin-based drugs are the only affordable treatment for malaria left in the global medicine cabinet. Other drugs have already lost effectiveness due to resistance, which builds when not enough medicine is taken to kill all of the mosquito-transmitted parasites.

If artemisinin-based drugs stop working, there is no good replacement and experts worry many people could die.

“It is worrisome that almost all of the poor-quality data that was obtained was a result of inadequate amounts of active (ingredients) or the presence of impurities in the product,” said Patrick Lukulay, director of a nongovernmental U.S. Pharmacopeia program funded by the U.S. government, which conducted the survey. “This is a disturbing trend that came to light.”

The study is the first part of a 10-country examination of antimalarials in Africa by the U.S. and the World Health Organization. It follows evidence from the Thai-Cambodian border that artemisinin-based drugs there are taking longer to cure malaria patients, the first sign of drug resistance.

The three-country report also found bad drugs in both the public and private health sectors, meaning governments — some buying medicines with donor funds — are not doing enough to keep poor-quality pills out. All of the drugs tested from the public sector in Uganda, however, passed the quality tests. But 40 percent of the artemisinin-based drugs in Senegal failed.

“There are countries where donated medicines are not subjected to quality controls, they’re just accepted,” said Lukulay. “There are countries in Africa where Chinese products have been donated and found to be unacceptable later in the public sector.”

A total of 444 samples of artemisinin-based combination drugs along with the antimalarial sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine — to which resistance has already developed — were first screened locally using visual inspection and basic lab tests. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is still used, mainly for preventative treatment for pregnant women.

Nearly 200 samples then underwent full quality control testing in a U.S. laboratory to examine the amount of active ingredient present and drug purity. For both drugs, 44 percent from Senegal failed the full quality testing, followed by 30 percent from Madagascar and 26 percent from Uganda.

While the study is not the first to assess the quality of antimalarials in Africa, it is the most rigorous and complete. Similar failure rates were found in previous work, but those did not focus specifically on artemisinin-based drugs.

“I am alarmed by these results because it means there are many cases of malaria that are being only partially treated, and that just guarantees acceleration of artemisinin drug resistance,” said Rachel Nugent, deputy director for Global Health at the Center for Global Development, a U.S. think tank. “It is the most comprehensive study out there on antimalarials and should be a wake-up call.”

Nugent was not involved in the study.

In all three countries, the antimalarial brands collected from various areas and sectors tended to either do well across the board or poorly, which could prove helpful for governments working to ban low-grade drugs.

Results from the other countries surveyed — Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Tanzania — have not yet been publicly released by the WHO. But Clive Ondari, who worked on the study for the WHO in Geneva, said failure rates in three of those countries were also significantly high.

Ghana has already withdrawn more than 20 drugs from the market after receiving the initial results, Lukulay said.

Associated Press

Le Conseil des Camerounais de la diaspora (CCD) a déposé aujourd’hui une plainte pour “recel de détournement de fonds publics” qui vise le président camerounais Paul Biya, soupçonné d’avoir constitué un patrimoine immobilier en France financé par des détournements.

Le CCD, une association de Camerounais vivant en France, a déposé plainte mardi au parquet de Paris, selon le récépissé de la plainte. Cette plainte, qui vise le chef de “recel de détournements de fonds publics”, est dans la droite ligne des plaintes déposées ces deux dernières années par plusieurs associations comme Transparency international visant trois chefs d’Etat africains: Denis Sassou Nguesso du Congo, Teodoro Obiang Nguema de Guinée-Equatoriale et le défunt chef d’Etat gabonais Omar Bongo.

La doyenne des juges d’instruction du tribunal de grande instance de Paris, Françoise Desset, avait donné son feu vert en mai 2009 à l’ouverture d’une information judiciaire après le dépôt de ces plaintes mais le parquet avait saisi la cour d’appel de Paris qui a finalement rejeté cette enquête au motif que les plaignants n’avaient pas subi de préjudice direct lié à d’éventuels détournements.

“Cette plainte contre M. Biya est le fait d’une association de Camerounais, et non d’une ONG française, nous sommes directement concernés par d’éventuels détournements,” a expliqué le président du CCD, Robert Waffo-Wanto, au cours d’une conférence de presse.

Selon les plaignants, le patrimoine acquis en France par Biya, à la tête du Cameroun depuis 1982, pourrait atteindre plusieurs centaines de millions d’euros.

Le Figaro

Ce qu’il faut retenir de l’échange entre le Mincom et la presse, notamment au sujet des précisions sur les questions de procédure, les prétendues pressions de l’Exécutif sur la Justice, l’éventualité du rapatriement de sommes détournées, etc.

• La conduite de l’opération

« Rien n’est laissé au hasard. » Pour le ministre de la Communication, l’impulsion donnée par le sommet de l’Etat dans la lutte contre la corruption n’est pas près de s’estomper. Bien au contraire. En ce moment, affirme Issa Tchiroma Bakary, au niveau de l’Exécutif, « il y a des dossiers ». Le combat contre les prédateurs de la fortune publique ne date d’ailleurs pas de ces dernières années, a relevé le Mincom, rappelant que dès son accession à la magistrature suprême, le président Biya avait prôné rigueur et moralisation. La procédure est respectée, assure le Mincom, qui déplore les écarts ayant pu se produire, notamment lors de l’arrestation de tiers. Tout le monde a le droit à la protection de sa dignité et bénéficie de la présomption d’innocence, a-t-il rappelé.

• Des pressions sur la Justice

La Justice est jalouse de son pouvoir et de ses prérogatives, a en substance déclaré le Mincom sur ce point. C’est donc par la négative qu’il a répondu à la question portant sur d’éventuelles pressions que l’Exécutif exercerait sur la Justice, relativement au traitement de certains dossiers. « C’est un procès d’intention. Protéger la fortune publique est un devoir sacerdotal pour tous », a dit le Mincom. Le gouvernement, par le canal du parquet, peut initier des affaires, mais dès lors que la phase de l’information est terminée, « la balle se retrouve du côté de la Justice », sphère dans laquelle, réitère le ministre de la Communication, le gouvernement ne se permet « pas d’immixtion ». Et la Justice a, par ailleurs, indiqué Issa Tchiroma, suit des procédures et « a son rythme ».

• Quid des fugitifs ?

C’est connu, un député en fonction, ancien ministre de son état, a récemment quitté le pays. Il craignait, semble-t-il, d’être interpellé. « Les frontières ne sont pas étanches », a regretté le Mincom, tout en ajoutant que ce cas « a été l’exception. » Aujourd’hui, garantit-il, le filet s’est resserré. « Tous ceux sur qui pend l’Epée de Damoclès font l’objet d’une attention particulière. De jour comme de nuit », a-t-il affirmé. Pour le cas du député sus-évoqué, poursuivra le Mincom, « il y a des possibilités. On peut lancer un mandat d’arrêt international » afin de le faire revenir au pays…

• Rapatriement des fonds

L’opération est possible. Mais, a d’emblée souligné le Mincom, « ça va prendre du temps. » Cela dit, il y a bon espoir. Nombre de missions diplomatiques et de pays amis sont disposés à aider le Cameroun à « localiser » les lieux où des sommes détournées par des compatriotes ont pu être planquées à l’étranger. A un stade du processus, a expliqué l’orateur, il faudra que l’Assemblée nationale vote une loi habilitant le président de la République à poursuivre l’opération. Le journaliste souhaitant avoir une idée de la totalité des deniers publics ainsi détournés n’a pas été satisfait. Le Mincom n’a pas ce chiffre pour l’instant, et quand il l’aura, il le divulguera seulement après avoir obtenu l’autorisation de le faire.

• Rembourser et sortir

Selon diverses informations qu’il a reçues, le gouvernement s’est bâti une conviction : les Camerounais préfèrent que l’argent détourné soit remboursé au lieu de voir des gens en prison. Rappel du Mincom, le code pénal autorise ce genre de « transaction » entre le juge et le prévenu. « C’est possible de négocier, relève Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Parmi les prévenus, s’il y en a qui sont prêts à rembourser, ils sont les bienvenus », a poursuivi le Mincom. Cette démarche entraîne « l’extinction des poursuites». « La liberté est possible », a-t-il ajouté.

• L’Article 66, toujours

Issa Tchiroma a été le premier à en parler au cours du point de presse d’hier. Des journalistes ont saisi la balle au bond pour demander à quand son entrée en vigueur effective. Il n’y a pas encore de décret d’application mais, d’après M. Tchiroma Bakary, « l’objectif poursuivi » par cette disposition constitutionnelle, à savoir la protection de la fortune publique, est en train d’être atteint par la campagne anticorruption. Les gestionnaires du bien public faisant preuve d’ostentation, d’étalage, savent désormais à quoi ils s’exposent.

• Trop de structures contre la corruption ?

Ce n’est pas l’avis du Mincom. « Il n’y a pas pléthore. La lutte contre la corruption est extrêmement âpre », va-t-il déclarer. D’après Issa Tchiroma Bakary, « pour l’instant, il y a ce qu’il faut. » D’ailleurs, ajoutera l’orateur, de nouvelles structures de lutte contre la corruption peuvent même être créées, si elles permettent d’accélérer le rythme contre le fléau. « Toutes ces institutions ont leur cahier de charges. Chacune a sa raison d’être. Il n’y a pas d’empiètement de compétences ». En d’autres termes, le Contrôle supérieur de l’Etat, la Conac, l’Anif, l’Armp etc. jouent respectivement leur rôle dans cette opération qui, a souligné le Mincom, n’est pas à tête chercheuse.

Cameroon Tribune

Issa Tchiroma Bakary says the fight against corruption is permanent.

Cameroon’s Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has said the ongoing fight against corruption will continue till the country is purged of corruption and public wealth protected for the general interest. Issa Tchiroma in a press conference in Yaounde yesterday, February 02 explained what the executive and judiciary arms of government were doing to fight against corruption.

Operation Sparrow Hawk selective

In answering the question on whether the current arrest and trail of corruption suspects known as “Operation Sparrow Hawk” was not selective, the Communication Minister said the fight against corruption was permanent and that no corrupt manager of public funds could escape the dragnet of the anti-corruption drive. Mr Tchiroma said President Paul Biya who is accountable to the Cameroonian people started the fight against corruption as far back as 1982 when he acceded to the Supreme magistracy. He noticed the deviant behaviour of some managers and came out with “Rigour and Moralisation” as a guide. Government, the minister said, knows where it is going with regard to the fight against corruption and the Head of State has the timing for every file at the level of the executive. Nobody can force the Head of State against his timing and once the executive arm of government finishes its own part in the anti-corruption fight, the judiciary which is independent takes over.

Humiliation of suspects

The Minister of Communication also answered another question that stated that the way Operation Sparrow Hawk is carried out leaves many people to believe that the suspect is already condemned. He said justice is the same for all and there is the presumption of innocence. Police officials sent to arrest people for interrogation are not instructed to humiliate them as the dignity of the suspects should be protected. Mr Tchiroma also said nobody is brought before the law courts without his or her lawyer. The protection of the citizens, the Communication boss stated, is the responsibility of the Head of State, adding that as far the anti-corruption fight was concerned nobody could dictate to either the executive or judiciary arms of government what to do and the time because there is separation of powers.

Paying back the embezzled funds

Issa Tchiroma was also questioned on the preference of many Cameroonians that embezzled funds be paid back instead of imprisoning the corruption officials. He said Cameroon’s Penal Code allows for negotiations between the suspected embezzler and the judiciary for the money to be paid back into the State treasury, further stating that the suspects have lawyers who master the Penal Code. The minister disclosed that as at now, nobody has openly declared the readiness to negotiate. The property of some corruption officials was confiscated by the courts. In this connection, Mr Tchiroma said the property was just a tip of the iceberg of the public wealth embezzled and said government was diligently investigating where the stolen wealth was stocked. The process, he said, was delicate but government will spare no effort in going right to the end.

Law on declaration of assets

The Head of State, the communication minister said, was gradually applying Article 66 of the Constitution which provides for a certain category of State officials to declare their assets and property when entering and leaving office. Journalists said the inexistence of a text of application to the law was encouraging corruption. According to Issa Tchiroma, the law was not imposed on the Head of State, stating that he is applying the law through anti-corruption institutions such as units in ministries, Supreme State Audit Office, National Anti-corruption Commission, National Programme on Governance and other independent institutions. The institutions check the ostentatious living conditions of some managers of State funds. The minister concluded that Article 66 of the Constitution is producing the desired results.

Anti-corruption to eliminate political rivals

The Minister of Communication singling out the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), President Biya’s party and commented on statements that the Head of State was using the anti-corruption fight to eliminate his rivals within the party in the next presidential election. Issa Tchiroma said the CPDM constitution provides that the party’s candidate in a presidential election is its national chairman. Since the party has only one chairman, the arrest, trial and jailing of corrupt officials, some of whom happen to be CPDM militants, cannot be considered as a means by the Head of State to eliminate his rivals. He said honest militants could still gather money not from public funds to contest for elections.

Cameroon Tribune