Latest news with #Cameroonian
eNCA
15 hours ago
- Business
- eNCA
Istanbul's 'suitcase trade' stalls as African merchants face crackdown
Porters roam the narrow streets of Laleli in central Istanbul carrying parcels ready for shipment to customers all over the world. The maze of alleys that lead down to the Sea of Marmara have long been the centre of the "suitcase trade" to sub-Saharan Africa, a route through which merchants carry goods back and forth in their baggage. But Laleli's informal shipping scene, once a bustling hub of cross-continental trade, is now facing growing pressure from rising costs and tougher residency rules imposed by Turkish authorities. African traders, who helped drive demand for Turkish goods through the "kargo" system -- small-scale shipping services between Turkish wholesalers and buyers across Africa -- say business has slumped, even as official export figures continue to rise. - Facing pressure - While some still make round trips, most trade now moves through shipping services. AFP | Yasin AKGUL For agents like Fadil Bayero -- a Cameroonian who runs a kargo business that ships clothing, cosmetics and home textiles from Turkey to clients across Africa -- business is slow. Turkish products have a very good reputation in Africa, he said. "Before this room was filled to the ceiling. Today it is half-empty," the 39-year-old said. Like many Africans in the neighbourhood, he claimed that shipments have dropped, even as Turkish exports to Africa have generally soared -- from $11.5 billion (10.1 billion euros) in 2017 to $19.4 billion last year. Turkish textiles, once known for their affordability, have grown more expensive in recent years. Merchants say inflation -- above 35 percent since late 2021 -- has pushed African buyers toward cheaper suppliers in China and Egypt. But for Bayero, the explanation lies elsewhere. "It's not inflation that's the problem, it's the arrests. Many people have been deported," he said. - 'Everything is empty' - Since 2022, Turkey's migration policy has toughened, with the authorities blocking new residence permit applications in several districts of Istanbul, including Fatih, where Laleli is located. AFP | Yasin AKGUL The goal is to limit the proportion of foreigners to 20 percent per neighbourhood. "The stores, the streets, everything is empty now," said Franck, one of Bayero's colleagues. "Look out the window -- the sellers sit all day drinking tea while waiting for customers." A few streets away, Shamsu Abdullahi examined his spreadsheets. In his dimly lit room, dozens of bundles are stacked on the white tiled floor, awaiting shipment. Since January, he and his two colleagues have shipped over 20 tons of goods by air freight and filled the equivalent of 15 maritime containers. The Nigerian has also made around 15 round trips to his homeland, bringing 80 kilos of goods with him on each journey. "My residence permit expires in two months, and I think the authorities won't renew it," he said. He and his associates generate over a million euros a year in revenue. "It's money spent in Turkey that fuels the local economy," he said. - 'Golden age' - Historian Issouf Binate, a lecturer at Alassane Ouattara University in the Ivory Coast, said much of the trade is informal, making it hard to track. "It's difficult to provide figures on the volume of Turkey's exports to Africa because many businesses are informal," he said. AFP | Yasin AKGUL "Kargos" are "transitional businesses", with improvised activity shared between friends or family members. Many in Laleli now believe that the golden age of the "kargo" and suitcase trading is over. "In one year we went from about three tons of shipments per week to 1.5," said a young Congolese who has lived in Istanbul for five years and asked not to be named. "Even if we still manage to find low-cost products, we cannot compete with China," he added. Arslan Arslan, a Turkish merchant who sells African dresses a few metres away, painted the same picture. "Before, I had customers from morning to evening... but the authorities sent them back." Now Arslan searches for his African customers on social media. "I'm on Telegram, Instagram, Facebook. But here, everything has become expensive," he said. "I've lost 70 percent of my revenue in a year."
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Cameroonian sued France over denied Schengen visa, won €1,200 in compensation
Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian, won a legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was unjustly rejected. Despite his rejection, Mboulè successfully contested the decision in French courts, receiving compensation and his visa. In 2024, African applicants collectively lost €60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, with prices recently increased further. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Mboulè's experience has brought renewed attention to long-standing frustrations among African travellers over what many view as discriminatory and opaque visa policies enforced by European countries. Visa rejection despite stronger credentials Mboulè, who was born in France, had applied for the visa alongside his wife, a South African citizen, according to a report by CNN. Though she was unemployed at the time and had no personal income, she received a visa based on Mboulè's financial documents. His application, however, was rejected. 'The embassy said they refused my application because my documents were fake, and they weren't sure I would come back to South Africa, where I am a permanent resident," Mboulè said. The 39-year-old regional executive took legal action in French courts and won, forcing the French embassy in Johannesburg to grant his visa and pay him a fine of 1,200 euros. After he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. But even after he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. Millions lost to Schengen Visa rejections. The Cameroonian's case is unique as many Africans denied Schengen visas rarely appeal or contest the decisions in court. Instead, applicants often reapply, incurring additional costs in the process. In 2024 alone, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, according to data from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research group tracking global mobility. 'The financial cost of rejected visas is just staggering; you can think of them as 'reverse remittances,' money flowing from poor to rich countries, which we never hear about,' the LAGO Collective's Foresti says.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Donnarumma and Sommer offer last line of defence
Yann Sommer will be treading familiar turf when he steps out at the Allianz Arena tonight. The Swiss shotstopper spent a six-month stint as first choice for Bayern Munich in 2023, signed after Manuel Neuer suffered a leg fracture while on a skiing holiday. The German's recovery later that year meant Bayern were prepared to listen to offers for Sommer, and it was Inter who came calling for the former Gladbach man. Having sold Andre Onana to Manchester United for in excess of £40m, Inter struck gold with the capture of Sommer for a fraction of the fee received for the error-prone Cameroonian. Inter must have been laughing all the way to the bank in replacing the former with the latter. Having been the bridesmaid two years ago, Inter will have welcomed a shot at redemption in 2025, with Sommer key to their progression to the Champions League showpiece. Indeed, the experienced Switzerland international was named Player of the Match in Inter's entertaining 4-3 second leg win over Barcelona this month, and you can be sure the Nerazzurri will look to Sommer to put in another match-winning display when they take on Paris Saint-Germain. Only Barcelona (43) have scored more goals than PSG (33) in the Champions League this season. They are led by Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele, flanked by two of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, and Desire Doue. Inter will look to Sommer to provide another resolute showing between the sticks. Not only are PSG second for goals scored, they're also top for non-penalty xG (36.02), second for shots per game (18.6), and third for shots on target per game (6.9) in the competition. Sommer is expected to be a busy, busy man in Munich, especially as Simone Inzaghi's side rank 10th for shots conceded per game (15.3) in the competition. Champions League final: Donnarumma v Sommer. However, Sommer has largely been equal to the task in the Champions League. A save success rate of 82.8% is the best of goalkeepers to have made at least seven appearances in Europe's elite club competition this season. He's been nigh-on impenetrable on Inter's path to the final. While the same cannot be said of PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian has still been crucial in the French side's campaign. The Ligue 1 powerhouse are on the cusp of a historic treble, having followed up their comfortable league success with the Coupe de France triumph over Reims at the weekend. Like Inter two years, PSG were one win away from a place in the history books back in 2020 as they fell to a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich. Narrative dictates that they look to banish that demon at the home of the German side on Saturday. There is the extra needle in this tie, too, with Donnarumma looking to atone for his 2021 AC Milan exit by denying their city rivals a fourth European cup. The towering 26-year-old has come in for criticism for a dip in domestic performance levels this season, yet he reminded the footballing world of his quality with back-to-back standout displays in the semi-final victory over Arsenal. That being said, Donnarumma hasn't been quite as dependable as Sommer in the Champions League. The former boasts a save success rate of just 69.4%, has kept fewer clean sheets — five to Sommer's seven — and has conceded three more goals (14) than his Inter counterpart (11). That's not to say Donnarumma isn't one of the elite goalkeepers in football, but that he'll need to up his game to ensure PSG emerge victorious in Munich. The clash between the two men between the sticks is expected to have a huge say on whether Marquinhos or Lautaro Martinez hoists the Champions League into the German sky tonight. 'Behind our wall' Inter stated with a number of key Sommer stats on Instagram this week, reinforcing the experienced shot stopper's importance on the Nerazzurri's route to the Champions League final. While Sommer has rarely earned his plaudits, the semi-final showing against Barcelona thrust the Inter No.1 into the spotlight, and not a moment too soon. By comparison, Donnarumma is the more globally recognised in his position, even if his showings have perhaps been a level below their opponent both domestically and on the continent. There are a number of key battles that'll determine Europe's best team at the Allianz Arena. There is a crunch midfield battle, while the tactical mismatch that'll pit PSG's full-backs against Inter's wing-backs is well worth keeping tabs on. However, when all is said and done, the last line of defence is what is imperative, and the respective showing ultimately decisive, in matches like these. Whether Donnarumma or Sommer come away on top, this will be a battle between two heavyweight goalkeepers rather than boxing gloves.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers held by Galway United but maintain lead at the top
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Galway United Shamrock Rovers couldn't take advantage of their nearest rivals Drogheda United dropping points, but they still head into the mid-season break with a six-point lead at the top of the Premier Division. It was a frustrating evening for the Hoops against Galway United, as John Caulfield's side put up a solid defensive display. Caulfield punched the air at the final whistle to signal his delight at a job well done. Having lost four on the bounce before last weekend's win over Cork City, it was another confidence boost for the Tribesmen, particularly as it came against a side that had won their previous five games. Heimir Hallgrímsson and John O'Shea turned up but, unfortunately for Josh Honohan, the same couldn't be said for the Rovers wing-back. It was an uncharacteristically quiet night for the 24-year-old, thanks in a large part to the performance of Galway United' Cameroonian full-back Jeannot Esua. But Honohan has more than done enough over the past season and a half at Tallaght Stadium, both at home and in Europe, to merit the attention of the Ireland boss. Taken off just before the hour for Rovers' exciting Under-17 international Victor Ozhianvuna, he can now look forward to his first week of senior Ireland duty. It wasn't just Esua who was playing the spoiler role for the visitors. After a dominant start, in which the Tribesmen pinned their hosts back and came close to scoring through Vincent Borden, they retreated into a formidable defensive shape and soaked up lots of pressure. With Garry Buckley and Rob Slevin at the heart of their rearguard action, Galway kept the Premier Division leaders a safe distance from goal. They gave goalkeeper Evan Watts plenty of protection, and the on-loan Swansea City youngster only had to dirty his gloves twice in the first-half. The first was 12 minutes in, when Aaron McEneff attempted to bend the ball inside the right-hand post, but was denied by the flying Welshman. McEneff's effort was the last of a flurry of activity around the Galway box. Slevin did a brilliant job of cutting out Graham Burke's low cross from the left, with Michael Noonan lurking behind him. The Galway defender could easily have diverted the ball into his own net, but got his angles spot-on to send the ball to safety. Buckley deflected a Noonan shot over, while Jack Byrne drilled a low 25-yard shot well wide during that dangerous spell. Midway through the first-half, Danny Grant's cross was met acrobatically by McEneff, but his bicycle kick cleared the crossbar. Noonan was constantly on the shoulder of the last defender, inviting his teammates to tee him up for a run on goal. When Byrne did just that, with a pass from deep inside Rovers territory, the 16-year-old sprinted towards goal, with Graham Burke in support. Burke opted to run inside, rather than continue on Noonan's right, and that squeezed the space available to his young teammate, who still got his shot off, but saw it spin wide off a Galway boot. Watts' second stop, low to his left, denied Grant six minutes before the break, while moments later Rovers had a loud penalty appeal waved away, after Burke's shot hit Slevin on the knee and then the hand. Galway defender Buckley had a big let-off seven minutes into the second-half when he got his foot to McEneff's low centre and sent the ball just wide of his own goal. Hoops boss Stephen Bradley turned to an embarrassment of riches on his bench to try to break the deadlock, with Danny Mandroiu, Ozhianvuna, Rory Gaffney, Aaron Greene and Dylan Watts all coming on. There were chances for Ozhianvuna and Gaffney, but they could not break the deadlock. Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty 6; Adam Matthews 6 (Rory Gaffney 76), Roberto Lopes 6, Cory O'Sullivan 7; Danny Grant 6, Aaron McEneff 6 (Danny Mandroiu 59, 6), Matthew Healy 6, Jack Byrne 6 (Dylan Watts 69, 6), Josh Honohan 6 (Victor Ozhianvuna 59, 6); Graham Burke 7, Michael Noonan 7 (Aaron Greene 69, 6). Galway United: Evan Watts 7; Jeannot Esua 8, Garry Buckley 8, Robert Slevin 8, Greg Cunningham 7 (Robert Burns 57, 6); David Hurley 6 (Conor McCormack 76), Vincent Borden 6 (Stephen Walsh 89), Cian Byrne 7, Ed McCarthy 6; Patrick Hickey 6, Moses Dyer 6 (Killian Brouder 89). Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Cameroonian sues France over denied Schengen visa, wins €1,200 in compensation
Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian, won a legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was unjustly rejected. Despite his rejection, Mboulè successfully contested the decision in French courts, receiving compensation and his visa. In 2024, African applicants collectively lost €60 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, with prices recently increased further. Jean Mboulè, a Cameroonian won a landmark legal case against France after his Schengen visa application was rejected on questionable grounds. Mboulè's experience has brought renewed attention to long-standing frustrations among African travellers over what many view as discriminatory and opaque visa policies enforced by European countries. Visa rejection despite stronger credentials Mboulè, who was born in France, had applied for the visa alongside his wife, a South African citizen, according to a report by CNN. Though she was unemployed at the time and had no personal income, she received a visa based on Mboulè's financial documents. His application, however, was rejected. 'The embassy said they refused my application because my documents were fake, and they weren't sure I would come back to South Africa, where I am a permanent resident," Mboulè said. The 39-year-old regional executive took legal action in French courts and won, forcing the French embassy in Johannesburg to grant his visa and pay him a fine of 1,200 euros. After he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. But even after he got the visa, he chose to go to Mauritius instead as he didn't want to spend his money in France. Millions lost to Schengen Visa rejections. The Cameroonian's case is unique as many Africans denied Schengen visas rarely appeal or contest the decisions in court. Instead, applicants often reapply, incurring additional costs in the process. In 2024 alone, African applicants lost nearly €60 million ($67.5 million) in non-refundable Schengen visa fees, according to data from the LAGO Collective, a London-based research group tracking global mobility. 'The financial cost of rejected visas is just staggering; you can think of them as 'reverse remittances,' money flowing from poor to rich countries, which we never hear about,' the LAGO Collective's Foresti says.
