It has been a tense Monday November 11, 2019, in Bambui, Tubah subdivision in the North West Region of Cameroon. Sounds of gunshots and locally fabricated bombs were heard in some parts of the town. Tubah subdivision is the seat of the University of Bamenda and other institutions of higher learning. Lecturers and students have been complaining of the high rate of insecurity in the town over the past weeks.
At least three houses have been set ablaze in Bambili and Bambui of Tubah subdivision, Mezam division in the North West region of Cameroon. Soldiers stormed the localities early Monday, following the kidnapping of some 10 students of the Bamenda university. Unidentified armed men attacked a student hostel in Bambili last weekend, and took students captive. One of them who attempted to escape was shot dead.
Members of the Brigade Anti Sardinard (BAS) have this evening staged a demonstration against President Paul Biya in France. The anti-Biya activists are calling on the 86-year-old president who has been in power for 37 years to step down. They accuse the president of being the root cause of all the violence, misery and killing in Cameroon. This is not the first time members of the BAS are protesting against President Paul Biya.
The Cameroon Minister of territorial Administration has confirmed that there is insecurity in the North West and South West Regions but says it will not hamper the elections scheduled for the 9th of February 2020. Paul Atanga Nji was speaking Monday in a meeting with officials of Elections Cameroon, (ELECAM).
The Cameroon Renaissance Movement political party will participate in the twin elections slated for next year. The Secretary-general of the party, Bar Ndong Christopher however says “the electoral code cannot guarantee a free and fair election. He also raised concerns on the war in the North West and South West Regions. He, however, insists that opposition parties need to win municipal and legislative seats to change the country.
The Cameroon People’s Party (CPP) has described the convening of elections by president Paul Biya as a mere distraction from real issues affecting the country. The party says that the country needs reforms in the fundamental documents of the land, that is the constitution and the electoral code. In the meantime, the CPP calls for a political transition with Biya and his government to step down before any meaningful elections.
Access to “Parc de Prince”, area of Ngondo Trade fair has been blocked. This follows a fire incident that broke out at about 5:30 am this morning that burnt down several installations in the area. Despite this, traditional leaders of the SAWA community have said the fair will go on as planned.
Inhabitants of Kotto Deido, Akwa Nord, MTN Data Center, Bonakouamouang, Akwa Boulevard de la Liberté, Sandaga, Rondpoint 4ème, Bonatone, Marché Saker, Bonamouti, Bonangando, Rue de la Joie Deido, Bépanda, Boulevard Leclerc, Zone Portuaire Amont, Bonewonda, Bonamouang, Bonabo, Bonabassem, Zone Commerciale Akwa and Boulevard Amadou Ahidjo neighbourhoods in Douala have gone into their second night without electricity. The localities went dark on Sunday night after the main transformer in Akwa caught fire.
Another Corpse has been removed from the river at mile 10 Ndikiliwindi in Meme Division South West region of Cameroon. The man known as Tabe according to family members was shot by soldiers on Friday. They say soldiers stormed the village on Friday, November 8th shooting civilians suspected to be Ambazonia fighters. The bodies of some individuals were seen along the river banks same day
The political class remains divided over the announced municipal and legislative elections in February 2020 in Cameroon. While part of the opposition like the SDF, APF and CPP outrightly oppose the holding of the election within the current security context, the CRM, PURS and CPNR see the convened elections as the moment to vote out the CPDM party which has been in control of the country for over four decades.
A gang of four alleged thieves has been dismantled in Bangante in the West Region of Cameroon. Part of the gang is made up of three women in their early 30s. They were in possession of car keys and mobile phones and other items believed stolen at the time of their arrest. They have been presented to the public at Bamena.
The indomitable lions of Cameroon will play against Cape Verde this Wednesday in the first round of African Cup of Nations 2021 qualifiers. In a press conference this afternoon, Captain Eric Maxime Tchoupou Moting expressed their determination to secure victory. It should be noted that many players are still to join the others in the lions’ den.
The Under 23 lions of Cameroon have defeated Mali in their second match at the ongoing African under 23 championship taking place in Egypt. Following the victory, the team has recorded four points after an earlier draw against Ghana. Their next match will be against the host country, Egypt.
A local radio station that has been involved in efforts to stop the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has closed down after one of its journalists was murdered. Staff at Lwemba Radio in the eastern town of Mambasa say they have received numerous threats and have stopped broadcasting for safety reasons. Papy Mumbere Mahamba, was killed in his home on November 2, 2019, after hosting an Ebola awareness programme.
How safe and comfortable are we in our health units? A survey by the White Ribbon Alliance found that 300,000 women in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are not satisfied with government-run hospitals. Many said that they shun government hospitals due to verbal abuse and harassment from medical staff and a lack of security.
The Ethiopian cabinet has proposed new legislation to help stop hate speech and the spreading of false information, at a time when ethnic related violence is on the rise. The draft bill will now be debated in parliament. Last month 86 people were killed in ethnic conflicts which are believed to have been fuelled in part by divisive, inflammatory videos shared on social media.
Meantime, police in Ethiopia have arrested 13 university students in connection with deadly clashes over the weekend. Two students were killed and at least a dozen others injured.
The Gambia has filed a lawsuit at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague accusing the authorities in Myanmar of carrying out a genocide against the country’s Rohingya Muslims. The Gambia – which has a largely Muslim population – is acting on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Human Rights Watch says it is a welcome move.
Zimbabwe’s central bank failed to introduce new banknotes as expected on Monday. It had announced that it would roll out the two and five Zimbabwe dollar notes and coins, the first real currency notes in 10 years. They were expected to deal with the cash shortage. There was some confusion however as there was no sign of the promised new cash. Critics have warned it could fuel inflation, which at 300% is the highest in a decade.
At least 200 elephants have died due to a lack of food and water as a result of severe drought, the authorities in Zimbabwe say. Last month they said 55 had died. Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said there were plans to move 600 elephants from the Save Valley Conservancy in the south-east of the country to three other national parks.
(Foreign News Source: BBC Africa)
