National and international news Briefs: March 26th 2020

After three years of fighting in the Anglophone regions, there are possibilities of a truce. This comes after some Ambazonian leaders accepted the call for a ceasefire from the UNSG, to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Barely hours after the call for ceasefire by some Ambazonian activists, the United Nations has welcomed the move.

Cameroonians are in a state of uncertainty following a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the Country. Today government said the country has 88 cases, a sharp increase from two cases weeks back. Government has however given no explanation regarding how the increase in cases comes about.

A total of 1497 calls have been received by coronavirus hotline- 1510. The figure was revealed by Health Minister Manaouda Malachie this evening who said of the 88 coronavirus cases in the country, 60 are found in Yaoundé, 25 in Douala and 3 in Bafoussam. He has called on the population to remain vigilant and adopt responsible behaviour.

Some members of Cameroon’s National Assembly have boycotted a Thursday March 26th parliamentry seating over fear of Coronavirus contamination. Just 46 members of Parliament were present at the National Assembly building this day out of atleast 160 MPs expected as works continued for the March session of Parliament. Note that Some MPs like Honourable Nourane Fotsing had earlier announced that they will boycott the seatings following failures by National Assembly officials to respect some recommended preventive measures against COVID-19.

Marcel Niat Njifenji has been re-elected Senate President in Cameroon. The 86-year-old got 88 votes in his favour to be maintained at the helm of Cameroons upper House of Parliament. The election of the new senate bureau took place thursday March 26th 2020. The ailing Senator was nominated for the post of President by the ruling CPDM senate Bureau.

Martinez Zogo has been released after completing a two-month jail sentence. The journalist and presenter of one of the most popular radio programs in Yaounde was arrested on January 17th 2020 by gendarmarie elements in Yaounde for alleged defamation. He was finally tried and jailed for two months.

Dilan Moffo, 10-year-old form one student was discovered dead while hanging in a family house at Bepanda Tonnere in Douala . He is believed to have taken away his own life following a punishment meted on him by the father for his recalcitrant behaviour. Investigations have been opened to get the circumstances surrounding his death.

The official number of deaths in Cameroon as a result of COVID-19 stands at 2, with 88 confirmed cases. This is according to the Minister of public health Dr Manaouda Malachie. During a press briefing in Yaounde Thursday March 27th 2020, the Public Health Minister detailed that 25 cases have been confirmed in Douala, 60 in Yaounde and 3 in Bafoussam West region. According to Minister Manaouda Malachie, the second death case is that of Achilles Moukouri, who died at the Douala Laquintinine hospital recently.

Markets in Douala II will remain closed through out the day of Friday March 27th. That has been announced by Mayor Denise Fampou. To her, the measure is to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, the Council has banned the sale of foodstuffs displayed on the ground.

Officials of the Buea health district say the two suspected cases of COVID-19 announced in Buea recently have tested negative. They say results of their samples sent to Yaounde have proven that they were not suffering from COVID- 19. With regards to the case in Limbe, the officials say the patient has still not manifested enough symptoms to link him to Coronavirus. Vigilance in the health facilities and communities should be intensified.

Two deaths as a result of coronavirus in Cameroon. That has been announced by the Minister of public health. Meantime, the same source revealed the number of infected persons has risen to 88 today while two have been treated.

Cameroon government back pedals, accepting that Achille Essome Moukouri died of coronavirus. This has been acknowledged by the Minister of public health Dr. Manounda Malachie. The sixty three years old died this week in Douala and despite declarations by some family members that he died of coronavirus, government initially denied the information describing it as fake news.

The government of Cameroon has received medical materials to fight against coronavirus. The materials from Ali Baba Foundation in China arrived Yaounde today. The materials are expected to boost the process of testing for coronavirus in the Country.