National And International News Roundup – 12th February 2021

Two houses were burnt down this morning at New Bell neighbourhood in Douala. Though inhabitants managed to rescue some household items, some were burnt to ashes. They have blamed the incident on poor electrical connection caused by people who illegally connect electricity to their homes in the quarter.

Another tragedy happened today in Dschang as three children of the same parents perished in a fire accident. The three children were reportedly locked in the house by their mum who went to a wakekeeping. The fire fighting brigade was alerted about the incident but unfortunately they arrived too late. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigations have however been opened by the police.

Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji has congratulated defence and security forces in the Far North region for conquering elements of Boko Haram. During the visit, he stressed that activities are gradually reopening in places where the insurgents have earlier terrorised, though insecurity persists.

South West Region youths have been called upon to go to the bushes and convince boys fighting against the state to lay their arms and start a normal life of peace. Bernard Okalia Bilai, Governor of the South West told a group of young people originating from the South West region that matched to his office yesterday, whilst pledging to help the government in the process of peace. Following the task given to the youths to convince fighters, some of them say they fear for their lives and therefore cannot go to the bushes to preach peace to fighters.

The court hearing between the Mukete brothers in the South West Region has been programmed to happen on 04 March 2021. The case involves the two sons of late Albert Nfon Mukete who have a disagreement concerning their fathers properties. Prince Esoka Ndoki Mukete is reportedly taking his brother Nfon Victor Mukete to court as concerns their fathers will and the management of their father’s properties.

There was consternation yesterday at GBHS Ekonou in Yaoundé as a student fired two bullet shots in the air to threaten his teacher to give him a pass mark. The student had reportedly not written the English test and was consequently failed. He insisted to be given a 10/20 which the teacher declined, before he pulled out a gun and fired in the air to threaten the teacher. He was later apprehended by elements of the Gendarmerie, along with his friend who had provided him with the gun.

Two students of the Government High School Grand Batanga in the Ocean Division have reportedly died in a swimming contest. These students were swimming in a river as part of the contest of their Youth Day activities. Attempts to save them were futile. Their families have been inconsolable.

Officials of the Ministry of Public Health have congratulated themselves for a brilliant performance during the African Nations Championship. Despite this, Cameroonians say the health sector tarnished the image of Cameroon in the competition by issuing fake COVID-19 results to some players and match officials forcing CAF to intervene.

Cameroon Under 20 Lions have trained today in the Ccpital city of Mauritania. The boys will take their last training session tomorrow and grant a press conference ahead of their opening match against host country Mauritania this Sunday. Cameroon is in group A of the U20 African Cup of Nations.

The purchase of gifts for loved ones is on in Douala ahead of Valentine’s Day also known as Lovers Day. Many are making arrangements on how to spend the day in a memorable manner this Sunday February 14th.

Nigerian Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka has come put with an alarming prediction if the increasingly deadly conflict between cattle herders and others does not cool down. “If we’re not careful… we’re going to have a famine when farmers cannot go to their farms,” he told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme. “This is serious… right on my doorstep we’re having food producers being thrown out of their livelihood.” He alleged that farmers were being kidnapped and killed.


The US Embassy in Chad has asked opposition leader Succès Masra to leave its grounds. The leader of the Transformers Party sought refuge at the US Embassy on 6 February along with 10 of the party’s top staff, as government forces sought to arrest them for staging what they say was a peaceful protest. They were protesting against President Idriss Déby’s attempt at a sixth term in office.


Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the suspension of a multi-million dollar European Union fund operating in the country that supported local democracy and governance groups. It follows the European bloc’s decision to recommend sanctions against Uganda in light of arrests and a crackdown on political opponents since President Museveni’s contested re-election in January. In a letter to his finance minister, President Museveni said funds paid by the EU to the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) ended up being “used to finance activities and organizations designed to subvert Government under the guise of improving governance”.


Police in Sudan are reported to have arrested about 200 armed young men who they say were intent on looting a market. The arrests reportedly took place in Nyala in South Darfur state. The Sudanese news agency said a further 100 people had been rounded up in North Kordofan state. The latest incidents follow weeks of protests against rising food prices and fuel shortages.


Health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed a third case of Ebola in the east of the country. The case occurred in North Kivu province, the same area as two earlier cases were detected. Efforts are underway to trace people who have come into contact with the infected people, and a vaccination programme is being prepared.

Foreign news: BBC