National And International News Roundup – 1st October 2020

October 1st marks the date of the self-proclaimed restoration of independence of Ambazonians/British Southern Cameroonians. Read more about it here.

Today marches were carried out by activists and separatists in different parts of the Anglophone regions of Cameroon to commemorate the day. Celebrations equally took place in refugees camps hosting Anglophone Cameroonians, in Ghana and different parts of the world.

October 1st was commemorated today amidst violence and fear following a heavy military presence in several parts of the restive Anglophone regions of Cameroon. In Bamdzeng, a village in the North West region, five persons were shot to death as soldiers carried out a raid. Shootings were equally reported in villages in Boyo and Bui Divisions.

Separatist leaders today urged their followers to remain steadfast in the struggle. Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, Cho Ayaba and Samuel Sako in different declarations reiterated their commitment to seeing their independence drive become a success regardless of all obstacles faced. Jailed Sisiku AyukTabe called for unity among English-speaking citizens as they prepare to “get to Buea”, which was the former capital of the former British West Cameroon.

President Biya today remained indifferent to the October 1 date, as he turned his attention to neighbouring Nigeria. The president in a message wished Nigeria a happy independence day. He and all members of his government ignored today’s independence day of the former British Southern Cameroons – which saw its reunification with French Cameroon.

Human rights activist, Nkongho Felix Agbor has highlighted the historical importance of October 1st to Anglophone Cameroonians. The head and founder of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, CHRDA took to social media to state that it was a day worth celebrating as he urged Anglophones to be proud of their history.

To ace historian, Prof Julius Ngoh, October 1st is not just about the marginalisation of Anglophones in Cameroon. Talking to MMI, he said the challenge stems from the failure to respect terms of reunification.

There have been voices, backing school resumption in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon. School-going-kids have been out of school for nearly four years. Recently, some pro-independence activists have urged stakeholders in the struggle to allow kids to return to school. The endorsement of school resumption in the North West and South West Regions by some key Ambazonia activists has given hope to some parents and students. Mark Bareta and Eric Tataw contrary to other Ambazonia leaders have given their support for schools to resume. The idea is, however, opposed by many who argue the restive regions are unsafe for studies.

The cleaning of school campuses in Ako Sub-Division by the population is ongoing. Traditional rulers in collaboration with administrative and local authorities have been campaigning for school resumption. The Mayor and the D.O were in Barabe this week.

Edith Kah Walla has reiterated the need for Cameroonians to resort to non-violent actions to force out the regime of Paul Biya. Speaking on Sweet FM radio this evening, the leader of Cameroon Peoples’ Party (CPP) called on Cameroonians to put on black tomorrow Friday to denounce poor governance and call for a political transition.

At least 41 people have died due to flooding in northern Nigeria, and more than 10,000 have been forced from their homes. The head of the emergency agency in Jigawa state, Yusuf Sani Babura, told the BBC’s Chris Ewokor that many families whose houses were destroyed are now staying in temporary shelters in public schools. Many have also lost their livelihoods after crops and livestock were washed away.

The lawyer for South African athlete Caster Semeny has said she is “up for further fighting” after she lost her appeal in Switzerland last month against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners, AFP news agency reports. Semenya is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs, following a 2019 rule change by governing body World Athletics. Lawyer Gregory Nott told AFP that the runner was prepared to go to the European Court of Human Rights to challenge the ban.

Authorities in Ethiopia’s most populous state Oromia say they have arrested more than 500 people who they alleged were working to cause disturbances during the annual Irreecha thanksgiving festival, observed by the Oromo, the country’s largest ethnic group. Oromia police commissioner Ararsa Merdasa said on Thursday that in addition to the individuals, a number of firearms, pistols and hand grenades were seized. The arrests come amid growing concerns about political violence in the country.

Just a day after bars reopened in Kenya, two people died in a bar brawl in the capital, Nairobi. The ministry of health’s secretary Rashid Aman on Wednesday said bar owners should follow the guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. He termed the deaths “unfortunate” and said the incident was “sad and alarming”. The bars were allowed to operate until 22:00 local time, an hour before the start of the curfew.

The lawyer for Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga wants him to be tried in The Hague rather than a UN tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania. His comments come a day after a top French court backed a decision to send him to East Africa. Lawyer Emmanuel Altit told the BBC it could be a “violation of his rights” to transfer him to Arusha “considering the global pandemic, his health and age”.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says the record floods in Sudan have affected nearly one third of cultivated land, and close to 600,000 households. Over a million tonnes of grain have been destroyed, particularly sorghum, which is a staple crop, and many families are having to cut down to one small meal a day. The floods have killed over 100 people.

Mimi Mefo Info