National and International News Roundup – 18th February 2020

Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi has decried what he says are false allegations and second-guessing regarding military action in the restive North West and South West regions. In a statement at a press briefing in Yaounde, minister Emmanuel Sadi addressed the Ngarbuh massacre, stating that “without any prior investigation or any cross-checking of factual data, several political activists, diehard detractors presenting themselves as “human rights specialists” “leaders or spokespersons of political parties” immediately stormed national and international media to attribute responsibility for the consequences of this incident to the National defence and security forces through untimely and ungrounded statements “. The government since the incident has provided contrasting responses to the incident that leftover 35 dead.

Tibor Peter Nagy Jr. United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs condemns Ngarbuh massacre, urges President Biya government to conduct an “independent investigation”. “We condemn the killings of civilians in Ngarbu, NW Region of Cameroon, and offer condolences to the victims’ families. We call on the government to authorize an independent investigation, ensure the safety of witnesses, and bring perpetrators to justice”. He adds that “the violence must stop”.

The Network for the Defense of Human rights in Central African sub-region RHEDAC says President Paul Biya should call for a ceasefire in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Blaming the government for the Ngarbuh massacre, it also demanded the release of people arrested in the crisis-hit zones in the country’s English-speaking regions. RHEDAC says 36 people were killed in Ngarbuh at the weekend by government soldiers.

Former Ghanaian military leader Jerry John Rawlings has condemned killings in Southern Cameroons. “If we are so powerless to act, can’t we at the very least condemn this mindless savagery by President Paul Biya? How can we live with the thought of human beings being surrounded by guns and lighted up to burn, roasted alive? Why? The time has come to put an end to this modern-day barbarism. Enough of paying lips service to the South Cameroons problem,” Jerry Rawlings said referring the AU.

French MP, Sebastien Nadot has expressed shock at the killings in Ngarbuh, Donga Mantung on Valentine’s Day. The Member of Parliament for the Haute-Garonne in France, last year said Cameroon was not far from witnessing genocide if the situation was not brought under control. He had called on France to intervene before the conflict gets out of hand.

The UN says witnesses attest that government carried out the Ngarbuh massacre. “According to information from UN colleagues on the ground, among the over 23 people killed were 15 children, nine of whom were under the age of five. The victims also included two pregnant women, one of whom died of her injuries in hospital,” the UN stated. It has since urged Cameroon authorities to ensure that the investigation it is conducting is independent, impartial and thorough. The body also said those responsible must be fully held to account.

The Cameroon Baptist Convention health service has dismissed rumours on the social media that Mboppi Baptist Hospital is selling tablets to prevent coronavirus. In a release, the health service says the information is fake and unfounded. It also declared as false reports that a case of coronavirus has been detected in Cameroon by health authorities.

The board chair of Elections Cameroon has praised the February 9^th 2020 electoral process in Cameroon describing it as hitch-free. Enow Abrams Egbe was speaking Tuesday in Yaounde. He added that the election was free, fair and transparent despite “minor incidents” in the Anglophone regions of the country. National and international bodies have however questioned the fairness of the polls citing insecurity.

Hundred of women in Yaounde are trooping CICAM, where locally produced fabrics are sold, scrambling for the 2020 International Women’s Day fabric. Some have spent over six hours, trying to get the material. A piece of the fabric is sold at 6800FCFA (11 Euros).

Lovers of local music genre in Cameroon are mourning one of Cameroon’s makossa icons, Ntomba Minka. The artist died in France Monday. Many have described his death as a huge loss, saying he promoted culture and upheld morality in his music.

Six Cameroonians have been arrested in the Republic of Uzbekistan for fabricating and distributing fake US dollars to the tune of 10 million.  The information was relayed to Cameroonian authorities by its embassy in Russia. The six Cameroonian counterfeit dealers were presented on the state media.

Abdou Kamfon Borno is the new Mayor of Ndu Council Donga Mantung Division. He was elected today at the Ndu Council hall. His 1st deputy is Njeta Keneth, 2nd deputy is Nsame Emmanuel, and 3rd deputy is Massa Ernest and 4th deputy Tangiri Victorine.

At the Nkambe Council, the new team is led by Musa Shey Nfor as Mayor. Hajara Danjuma as 1st deputy, Ngala Mbaya Tamfu as 2nd deputy, Nsah Chrysantus Yembe as 3rd deputy and Nformi Elvis Kwa as 4th deputy. They were elected at the Nkambe Council Chambers today.

The new team at the helm of the Foumban Council in the Noun Division of the West region of Cameroon consists of: Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya; Mayor, Fouata Ibrahim 1st deputy; Mme Ngachili Sabiatou; 2nd deputy, and 4th deputy Mounchive INOUSSA; 3rd deputy Monvera Ismaila.

Barrister Mafani David Namange is the new Mayor of Buea, South West region. He was elected today at the council chambers.  The new team also includes First Deputy, Mme Akawoh Minerva Epse Molinge; Second Deputy, Mr Mosoko Edward Motuwe; Third Deputy, HRH Marcus Motove Etonge and Fourth Deputy, Mme Enjema Mbonde Magdalene Epse Vevanje.

A gendarme commander has killed two suspected Ambazonia supporters in Ndop. Dozens of villagers, reports say, are still in the gendarmerie custody in Babessi. Some are paying as much as one million francs CFA in order to be released on bail.

Elements of the army rescue unit were deployed to Souza in the Moungo Division today to pull out a man trapped in a deep hole, between Souza and Loum. The man whose name we got as Nana reportedly left Loum to get his vehicle from a mechanic in Souza. While on his way, Nana fell into a hole as he tried to escape an oncoming vehicle, according to local sources. His corpse was pulled out after hours of intervention.

Two persons were today hospitalized at the Mbanga District Hospital in the Moungo Division of the Littoral region following an accident at a locality known as Mujuka, on the Douala-Nkongsamba highway. According to Security reports, a lorry was heading towards Douala when it accidentally fell into a valley. The driver of the lorry and one other were later transported to the hospital by elements of the Gendarmerie brigade.

Lovers of football in Cameroon are rejoicing that the Intermediate Lions of Cameroon have been placed in Group A for the African Football Championship (CHAN). Cameroon will face against Mali, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe which are no major threats according to them. Football analysts have, however, called for proper preparations if the Lions desire to win the trophy at home. Draws ahead of the championship took place Monday in Yaounde.

Two Ghanaian university lecturers have been suspended without pay after a BBC investigation reported they had sexually harassed undercover reporters posing as students. The University of Ghana suspended Ransford Gyampo for six months and Paul Butakor for four months. Both deny the allegations made last year in BBC Africa Eye’s sex-for-grades documentary. The body representing university lecturers in Nigeria is opposing a bill aimed at preventing sexual harassment at universities. The Academic Staff Union says the law unduly targets and stigmatises university lecturers.

Nigerians on social media are challenging a popular pastor who suggested men should not marry women who cannot cook. The leader of Nigeria’s biggest church, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, made the statement on Twitter on Monday.

The US has pledged to provide $8m (£6m) to control desert locusts in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced this support in a joint press conference with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew in Addis Ababa.

The murder trial of the wife of Lesotho’s prime minister, accused of murdering his previous wife, is set to start next month, a court official is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying. The magistrate court set 17 March as the date for the start of the trial, a spokeswoman for the court Mampota Phakoe told Reuters.

The main opposing sides in South Sudan’s civil war are due to meet in the capital Juba to agree on details for a joint transitional government, which is meant to be formed on Saturday. Two deadlines have already been missed. Discussions will focus on security arrangements and the sharing of power in a new administration.

Ugandan MPs have donated $31,000 (£23,000) to popular dance group Ghetto Kids who were to be evicted from their new home. Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had promised last year that the 461 legislators would each contribute $68 for the dance group. (Source Foreign News: BBC Africa).

Mimi Mefo Info