National and International News Roundup: 10 October

The slogan ‘Living together’ has been brought under questioning in Sangmalima in the South Region of Cameroon. The indigenous population is demanding for the departure of some persons from particular tribes on accusations of wrongdoing.  An uneasy calm now reigns in the capital of the Dja et Lobo Division. A crisis meeting has been scheduled to take place tomorrow Friday bringing local authorities and some leaders of the populations in conflict.

Cameroon President Paul Biya has pledged the sum of three billion francs CFA in France today to help the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria. In an interview granted to journalists, the president affirmed the considerable decrease in the rate of infected persons. World powers are raising the sum of 14 billion US dollars for that purpose.

President Paul Biya and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have discussed a wide range of issues from health, the socio-political situation in Cameroon and Central African Sub Regional politics. This was in the course of a meeting today in Lyon France. Emmanuel Macron has lauded Cameroon’s organisation of national dialogue

The leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement political party says the party will continue to protest against what they call ‘electoral holdup’. In his first Press Release since leaving prison last Saturday, Prof Maurice Kamto says militants and Cameroonians should remain on alert waiting for instructions on how to continue the protest. On the issue of national dialogue, Professor Maurice Kamto thinks the regime cannot implement a Special Status in the North West and South West Regions, a recommendation arrived at the dialogue. 

Paddy Asanga has mentioned that he was arrested at the Kondengui prison for taking pictures without authorization. Arrested, detained for hours and later released yesterday, the Cameroonian, based in the diaspora has attested that they are some Cameroonians who do not want the war in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon to end. Paddy Asanga it should be noted arrived Cameroon two weeks ago from Germany and attended the national dialogue.

A presidential decree prolonging the retirement age of some civil servants has divided public opinion in Cameroon. To some individuals, the president reserves the right to do so for the interest of the country while critics say President Paul Biya wants to keep these civil servants on duty just as he has opted to remain in power.

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions against the Gupta family and an associate over alleged corruption in South Africa. The sanctions were targeted at brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta, and South African businessman Salim Essa. They are accused of using their friendship with Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former president, to profit financially and influence ministerial appointments.

Riot police have shut a popular radio station critical of Liberia’s president and former football star George Weah. The officers broke a steel gate and stormed the offices of Roots FM in the capital, Monrovia, shortly after its breakfast programme, The Costa Show, discussed alleged wasteful spending by Mr Weah while “his people suffer”.

Tunisian presidential candidate and media mogul Nabil Karoui – who was freed from prison on Wednesday – says he will “wage battle and win” Sunday’s run-off election, AFP news agency reports. Mr Karoui received a hero’s welcome from his supporters in the capital, Tunis, after a court ordered his release.

For the first time, a woman has been chosen as the chief justice in Sudan. The Sovereign Council, which is made up of civilian and military officials, confirmed that Supreme Court judge Neemat Abdulllah would head the country’s judiciary.

Uganda police have withdrawn officers deployed on Wednesday around the home of musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine. They had been sent to block him from leaving the property for a concert he had organised to coincide with Uganda’s Independence Day.

Uganda FA (Fufa) president Moses Magogo has been suspended from all football-related activity for two months and fined $10,000 by Fifa for his role in the resale of World Cup tickets. The Fufa president was sanctioned by Fifa for reselling tickets relating to the 2014 World Cup. Mr Magogo had taken charge of Ugandan football just a year earlier. (Source Foreign News: BBC Africa)