A deep looters' trench led archaeologists to a series of amazing
macabre finds beneath the El Diablo pyramid at the modest Maya city of El Zotz
just 10 feet beyond where the looters had stopped digging
including bowls containing severed fingers
"There was mounting evidence of weirdness there," says Stephen Houston of Brown University
who co-led the excavation with Edwin Roman of the Universities of Texas and San Carlos of Guatemala
The offerings were adjacent to an Early Classic Maya tomb containing the remains of a king dressed as a ritual dancer
complete with a belt adorned with shell "bells" and mammal teeth
"This guy would have made quite a racket," says Houston
He was buried with the skeletons of four infants
including a tamale bowl depicting a peccary
researchers believe the king may have been the founder of a dynasty
The tomb is located in a palatial complex high above the central part of the ancient city
next to a spectacular stuccoed pyramid that would have been visible for miles around
"We're looking at the way in which the Maya create dynasties," says Houston
The discovery also shows that even sites hit hard by looters have much to offer
"It's just a miracle this thing wasn't looted," says Houston
More Top Discoveries of 2010
Patel is a contributing editor at ARCHAEOLOGY
Unveiling Tomorrow's Cameroon Through Today's News
caused by the ignition of several drums of adulterated fuel stored in a residential house
located in the Kupe Muanenguba Division of the South-West region of Cameroon
with numerous houses and vehicles reduced to ashes
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the explosion was fueled by petroleum products obtained through illicit trafficking
The volatile nature of these adulterated fuels transformed the residential area into a scene of chaos and destruction
this incident highlights the dangers associated with the underground trade of adulterated fuel
which poses grave risks to both individuals and communities
Despite awareness of the illicit trafficking by town authorities
their complicit silence has allowed such activities to persist
ultimately leading to catastrophic consequences
efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to affected residents
including firefighters and medical personnel
have mobilized to the scene to address immediate needs and prevent further harm
As the community of Tombel grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy
questions linger about the underlying factors that contributed to the explosion and the need for decisive action to prevent similar incidents in the future
It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat illicit activities and prioritize the safety and well-being of all citizens
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the Northwest and Southwest crisis had displaced over 638,000 people within Cameroon
and markets to varying degrees across the country
this is resulting in less access to food and income and significantly higher food prices
sporadic clashes between government forces and non-state armed groups disrupt people’s ability to work and drive up the cost of production and trade due to increased financial risks
The June 2023 Food Security Outlook for Cameroon shows that the crisis has put the resilience of affected communities at risk
and many poor households could not generate an income
households are experiencing acute food insecurity
families will begin to run out of stocks from their harvests
while high food prices will limit their ability to purchase enough food
in Northwest Cameroon with her husband and their first child
and her husband worked as a trader to support their family
Gwendoline and her husband were living peacefully and were able to ensure the family’s livelihood
When she was pregnant with her second child
everything changed – the crisis began
"It was more and more difficult for us even to go out to work
I was looking at myself pregnant and wondering what will happen
But I had hope that everything would work out,” Gwendoline recalls
and it started to have a huge impact on her family
her husband’s store was destroyed after he was attacked and almost left for dead
They were forced to flee to Melong in the Littoral region to find refuge
whom she called Angel in the hope that things would get better
she decided to move with her family to Tombel in the Southwest region
where they settled in a welcoming community
forcing the family to return to Melong until 2020
which has grown to five with the birth of her third child
he was doing a job on the farm for a man who was not paying frequently
We had no money and three little children to feed
This crisis destroyed my family life and my hopes
Look at my children – they don’t deserve this!" she says
has lived in Tombel with her husband and four children since 2021 because of the crisis
They used to live in the centre of Bamenda City
where her husband supported the family with temporary jobs
They fled to Tombel and decided to stay despite the escalation of violence
But we were lucky that my husband found a job on a farm
but where could we go without money and with four children
I was just praying that nobody got killed," she recalls
Anna’s husband got injured and could no longer work
making things more difficult for the family
Anna used part of her modest savings to open a shop
“I used 5,000 Central African CFA francs [8 USD] from the 25,000 [42 USD] we had
and I bought some merchandise,” she says
But it was not enough to support her family
A total of 2.6 million people needed emergency food assistance in 2022 in Cameroon
One of the ways that the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) assists to people affected by conflict is through multi-purpose cash assistance
People displaced within their own country and host communities receive cash assistance support to help pay for temporary accommodation
We work with partners to target those most likely to need assistance
Anna and Gwendoline were both able to access cash assistance in 2023
aimed to partially or fully cover the cost of their families’ basic needs
"I am more than grateful for what I received
I was able to pay my rent for three months and stock up on food
I was able to buy a few bags of rice and other essentials
But I also took the opportunity to prepare for my baby’s delivery and do some hospital visits," Gwendoline says
With support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)
NRC provided affected families with cash assistance to support their household needs for three months beginning in February 2022 in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the country
NRC coordinated with money transfer agents to deliver the payments — approximately USD127 per person per month — to displaced families
"I was selling tomatoes and other small things
my husband and I decided to use the money to upgrade my business
This was the best decision we ever made," Anna says
Anna is now owner of a thriving shop in the heart of Tombel
where she supplies many of the village's residents with essential goods
Thanks to her shop and the income it generates
Although she can't control what the future holds
Anna says she will keep fighting to keep her business going
Anna and Gwendoline were among 39,231 people who received assistance from NRC
with the support of BHA in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon between 2022 and 2023
They received digital vouchers and cash for food assistance and grants for starting a business and vocational training
Displaced people in Cameroon still face many challenges
Southwest and neighbouring Littoral and West regions
Communities lack access to water and sanitation
lack of investment in basic social services by the Government of Cameroon
and the insufficient response of humanitarian actors
communities have to walk long distances to access safe drinking water
and they don’t have enough containers to collect and store water
Communities in these regions also lack access to toilets
A total of 1.08 million people in the four regions need humanitarian assistance
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Cameroon (Reuters) - Troops and attack helicopters opened fire on protesters at the height of separatist rallies in English-speaking areas of Cameroon over the weekend
witnesses and rights groups said.The army dismissed the reports from sources in five towns as "completely false" and said helicopters had only been used for surveillance.Any use of air attacks would mark a major escallation in a government crackdown on separatist protests that have been rumbling in Anglophone districts of the central African oil producer for almost a year.Thousands took to the streets in towns across the Northwest and Southwest regions on Sunday
calling for independence from the country's French-speaking majority.Rights groups said they started to collect reports on ensuing violence in the areas bordering Nigeria as the week progressed.Eight people in the towns of Bamenda
Tombel and Kumbo told Reuters that police and soldiers moved in to stop the protests and in some areas
low-flying attack helicopters fired tear gas and live rounds on the crowds.Etienne Ndage
a 31-year-old journalist for Savannah Frontier Radio in the northwest tea-plantation town of Ndu said he saw helicopters firing at around 1 pm local time
killing two protesters as a 1,000-strong march gained momentum."They were firing like in a war film," he told Reuters.Hilary Manjong
private secretary to a local Member of Parliament in Ndu
said witnesses had shared similar accounts with him.Army spokesman Didier Badjeck dismissed the accounts
"Reports that the helicopters fired on protestors is completely false
The helicopters were only conducting surveillance," he said.The government earlier this week said about 10 people had died on Sunday including five in a prison fire that may not have been linked to the protests.The governor of Southwest region
told the Cameroon Tribune newspaper in an article published on Tuesday that protesters had ambushed soldiers in Kumba
forcing them to open fire in self defence.Amnesty International told Reuters on Thursday that more than 20 people were killed between Oct
1 and 2."THE INNOCENT ONES"Demonstrations began nearly a year ago when Anglophone lawyers and teachers protested against having to work in French
saying it showed the wider marginalisation of the English-speaking minority.The protests gained support and have increasingly called for Cameroon's five million English speakers to get their own country.The rallies have also have become a lightning rod for opposition to President Paul Biya's 35-year rule.Campaigners called more protests on Sunday
the anniversary of Anglophone Cameroon's independence from Britain.In the southwest town of Tombel
a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that a military helicopter came so low over the town centre that the wind gusts threw a man off his motorbike.First the helicopter fired teargas to disperse the crowd
but I could tell from the sound that these were real," they added.Outside Buea
police on the ground and a helicopter opened fire on protestors who had run into the bush to bypass a military checkpoint
a 35-year-old taxi driver from Buea."The helicopter came close to the ground," he added
"We heard the gunshots and the bullets coming through the trees," he told Reuters.After the demonstrations police went door-to-door in some towns
residents said."Soldiers came to our neighbourhood and broke into homes and carried boys away," said Lanya Joel
"I am scared and will be away until it's all over."Rights group the Southern Cameroon's Public Affairs Committee said in a report that a 12 year-old girl was shot by security forces from a helicopter in the town of Kumbo.The Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference of Anglophone Christian Bishops said in a statement this week that is was disturbed by reports that "some of our Christians were ..
some from helicopters."Helene Mekem said her son was shot dead by security forces outside his home in Kumba on Sunday
even though he was not involved in the protests."They are killing the innocent ones," she told Reuters.Writing by Emma Farge and Edward McAllister; Editing by Andrew Heavens
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• The South-West region went for a year without a case of cholera
• The first case was reported on the 27 of July in Buea Health District
• Buea and Tiko Health Districts have reported more than 90 cases with 1 death
• A localized vaccination campaign was carried out in Tiko Health District
• The first case of Tombel Health District was reported on the 24 of September
• Tombel HD has 28 cases with 4 deaths
Buea and Tiko Health Districts have been reporting cholera cases since the 27 of July 2023
(WHO and UNICEF) has been responding to the outbreak in Buea and Tiko
to prevent the spread to other Health Districts
the South-West region had reported 83 cases with 1 death
a 60-year-old male from Ehom Village in Ebonji Health Area presented at Ebonji Health Centre with numerous episodes of watery stool
and a rapid test was done which turned out to be positive
Another sample was then taken to Laquantinine Hospital on the 22nd of September 2023 for confirmation
The suspected case was later referred to Tombel District Hospital but died before arrival on Sunday the 24th of September
2 other cases from the same neighborhood presented with similar symptoms (Vomiting and Diarrhea) resulting in 2 deaths
Samples had been collected and sent to the reference laboratory which came out positive for Vibrio cholerae
Tombel Health District has a total of 28 cases
ACCESS: Tombel Health District is one of the 21 Health Districts in the South-West Region
It is situated in the KupeMunenguba Division
The Health District shares boundaries with Kumba South
which shares boundaries with Kumba-South and Konye Health Districts
The Health Area can be accessed through KumbaSouth(N8) and through Loum (N5) in the Littoral region
The most preferred road is through Loum in the littoral region for security reasons
The operation was launched in Tombel on May 27
2024 during an enlarged Kupe Muanenguba III Section stakeholders meeting chaired by the Section President
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(Business in Cameroon) - According to reliable sources
the Ministry of Industry and Mining has granted the Cameroonian subsidiary of Dangote Cement
a five-year approval for a 27 hectare pozzolan quarry in Tombel in South-West Cameroon
In addition to annual royalties (the amount has not been disclosed) that the company will have to pay to the Tombel district and neighbouring communities
Dangote Cement reassured local residents and district leaders that 100 local jobs would be created within the framework of the pozzolan quarry
The raw material excavated from this quarry will help produce cement in the Nigerian billionaire’s factory built on the banks of the Wouri River in Douala
which is scheduled to officially be launched in this October 2014
the Dangote cement factory will produce a million tonnes of cement per annum
The cement factory will bring Cameroonian cement production to over 3 million tonnes (1.6 million tonnes for the Lafarge group’s Cimencam and 500,000 tonnes for Moroccan company
Addoha’s CIMAF to meet an official demand estimated at 2.5 million tonnes
Kribi Bitumen Plant Set to Start Construction in 2025 with Government Backing
CEMAC Bond Market Hits CFA 8.45 Trillion in March 2025, Interest Rates Drop
Cameroon’s Timber Output Projected to Rise in 2025 Despite Higher Export Taxes
Central Africa Stock Exchange Sees 98% Drop in Trading Value in Q1 2025
Every week the economy and investment news from Cameroon
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Camwater Seeks Global Bids to Launch Bottled Water Lines in Five Cities
Bafoussam Workshop Highlights Benefits of Cameroon-EU Trade Agreement
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The people of Kupe- Mwanenguba Division will be celebrating tomorrow Saturday the 30th of January 2016
It will be a celebration aimed at building a spirit of active citizenship among all Cameroonians which is required to drive the implementation of the 2035 Emergency Plan
The Travel to Tombel for Minister Elung Paul Che seeks to uphold the ideals
values and actions of President Paul Biya’s legacy by encouraging Cameroonians to play their part towards the creation of positive change by building their communities and upholding a spirit of support and social cohesion with the Cameroon army in its fight against Boko Haram
Cameroon Concord will be there to give full coverage
This report is produced by OCHA Cameroon in collaboration with humanitarian partners
It covers the period from 1 to 31 March 2024
The next report will be issued in May 2024
Five attacks on education were reported in March
bringing the cumulative number of attacks on education to 17 since January 2024
NSAGs enforce a one-month movement suspension on the Bamenda-Mamfe-Ekok road axis without any humanitarian exemption
About 160 houses damaged or destroyed in Etam village in Tombel subdivision of the SW following heavy rains
The situation in the North-West and South-West (NWSW) regions remained concerning
Non-State armed groups (NSAGs) continue to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to target State security forces (SSFs) convoys
At least nine IEDs incidents were reported (seven in the NW and two in the SW)
The population continued to be accused by warring parties of collaborating with or supporting the other side
incidents were reported severally affecting civilians based on such allegations
Formal education continued to be seriously threatened by NSAGs in the NWSW
members of a nonState armed group entered two government schools in the localities of Weh and Esu
opened fire and burned down examination papers
The vice principal and two teachers were abducted in Weh and three teachers in Esu
a cumulative 17 attacks on education have been reported since January
Menchum and Momo divisions have been particularly impacted
Humanitarian partners continue to advocate for a safe education environment for pupils
The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by natural disasters caused by heavy rains leading to floods
suffered significant losses after a devastating thunderstorm hit their village on 27 March 2024
affecting more than one hectare of crops vital to the community's livelihood
leaving many families homeless and creating an urgent need for shelter and repairs
Funding shortfalls in the NWSW humanitarian response plan hamper the ability of partners to respond in a timely manner to sudden emergencies whether caused by the ongoing crisis or by natural disasters
NSAGs enforced a one-month movement suspension along the Bamenda – Mamfe - Ekok highway from 4 March to 4 April
with the announced objective to create a corridor to conduct operations against the SSF and to hinder Government economic activities
As no humanitarian exemptions were granted
the closure had a negative impact on the humanitarian response to populations
including people recently displaced from Widikum in the NW and some communities in Upper Bayang subdivision in the SW
Humanitarian activities continue to be interrupted or delayed by insecurity
and risk of IEDs in public spaces and main roads used by humanitarians and persons in need
Assistant Secretary-General at the Presidency
Elung Paul Che is also the patron of the Peace Consolidation and Unity Football tourney organised in prelude to November 6 celebration
Post Courier
A youth leader of the PNG Bible Church is challenging all youths to find hope in Christ
a youth leader from the Lae PNG Bible Church Town church said that life is too short to be wasted
“Young people must know that life is too short
we only get to live about 30 to 40 years,” said Mr Tombel
there is a heaven and a hell and this time on earth is temporary.”
The young man from the Southern Highlands province said that if anyone misses heaven then there is no missing hell and vice versa
Mr Tombel stressed that a lot of things are bringing the attention of the youths away from God
He said when the enemy comes in like a flood
some young people should stand up and be ready to be used by God
“Jesus Christ is coming back very soon so get ready for his second coming,” he said
He warned that the more young people misuse life
the more their chances are of dying anytime
are they ready to meet the creator when he comes or when they die?” he said
Mr Tombel will be graduating from Lae Unitech this Friday and thank God for his achievements which he said would never be possible with God
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