National and International News Roundup – 16th January 2020

Juvenile delinquency is on the rise in Cameroonian schools. Observers say the surge in the phenomenon is proof of poor home training, adding that parents have practically abandoned their duties at home while televisions, internet and the society negatively shape their lifestyles.

The Minister of Secondary Education, Pauline Nalova Lyonga says schools need to step up security measures for a hitch free learning environment. In a visit to the city of Douala where a student is being investigated for bringing a knife to school, Nalova Lyonga urged all institutions to station surveillance cameras to monitor happenings on campus.

Another death has hit the Cameroon media family. Journalists and well wishers have been pouring out condolence messages following the death of Jack Ekwe Kingue. The former reporter and news anchor at Equinoxe radio and television died this morning in Limbe, SWR. The body of late Jack has been transported to his hometown in Dibombari, Littoral region, pending burial arrangements.

Asuspected killer in Tinechung village in Momo, Northwest of Cameroon was Thursday caught by villagers. He is said to have admitted to killing a man after stealing his goat last month before he went into hiding. The body of his victim was discovered in a bush around a cattle market in Tinechung.

How ready are the restive Anglophone regions ahead of the February 9 twin election? That was the purpose of the visit of Cameroon’s chief of army staff, General Rene Claude Meka to the South West Thursday. “Everything is in order to ensure the election is free, fair and hitch free” General Menka told the press. Separatists fighting for an independent state of Ambazonia have called for a special lock down, few days to the polling day. Their goal is to disrupt the process.

For the first time since 2016, more schools have opened their doors in Ako, Barabe and Abuenshie in Ako Donga Mantung Division, North West region. GS Abuinshie which was partially burnt down is one of them. The Divisional officer of Ako made the announcement as he toured his area of command, urging other kids to return to school.

The Divisional officer of Nkambe central subdivision Mr Ngida Laurence Che says life is returning to normalcy in the 17 villages under his command. The civil administrator says, he has taken a commitment with his people who have assured their massive participation in the upcoming twin elections. He adds, parents have also accepted to send their kids to school.

Controversy looms over the cause of the death of Maitre Sylvain Souop, member of the Cameroon Bar Council. The lawyer died Thursday in Yaounde as he continued treatment of an arm fracture sustained in last week’s accident. Barrister Souop was the coordinator of lawyers who defended the 2018 MRC Party presidential candidate’s litigations before the constitutional council.

ELECAM is expected to update its list of candidates for the February 9 municipal elections in the hours ahead. This comes after the administrative unit of the Supreme Court in Yaoundé yesterday during pre-electoral hearings overturned the verdict of the administrative court of Bafoussam. The party of prophet Frankline Ndifor whose file was rejected in Banka, West region has been admitted.

Colonel Tabot Orock Samuel heading United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, MINUSCA forces has been dismissed. The information is contained in a notice signed by the minister delegate at the presidency in charge of defense, Joseph Beti Assomo. The motive behind his dismissal is not known. While awaiting the replacement of Colonel Tabot, the MINUSCA forces will be led by Captain Awono Louis Thadée.

A new mascot and an anthem for the African Football Championship, CHAN have been made public. The mascot is called “Tara” though with a different shape after the former received nationwide backlash. The title of the anthem is: “We are the champions”. The presentation was made Wednesday in the presence of CAF president, Ahmad Ahmad.

Sub contractors of the Puccini construction company in charge of the 50 thousand Capacity Paul Biya stadiums in Yaoundé, have gone on strike over unpaid salaries. Their decision to strike comes less than 24 hours after CAF confirmed Cameroon’s hosting of AFCON 2021, and CHAN 2020.

Former player of the Indomitable Lions, Thimothee Ateba is the new team manager of the intermediate lions of Cameroon. The ministry of sports and physical education announced his appointment in a release this Thursday January 16, 2020.

Candidates running for the February 9 municipal and legislative elections in Cameroon are rounding up with their campaign messages and gadgets. Campaigns officially begin on February 25, 15 days to the polls, as per the electoral code.

More than 90 Ugandan women and girls who were trafficked across the border to Kenya have been rescued and returned home. Police in Uganda say they were smuggled to Nairobi over the past three years to work as housemaids.

Gunmen have killed six people, injured five and kidnapped others in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state. Police have not said how many people were taken but say they are working to rescue the abducted and are investigating the incident.

A huge diamond unearthed in Botswana in April has been sold to French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed sum. The 1,758-carat stone is reportedly the second-largest found in a century.

The billionaire daughter of Angola’s ex-president, Isabel dos Santos, has said she would consider running for president in the next election in 2022. That’s despite an asset freeze and accusations of diverting more than a billion dollars of state money, which she denies. (Source Foreign News: BBC Africa).

Mimi Mefo Info