National And International News Roundup – 20th January 2021

Four people wounded in an explosion in Bamenda, are responding to treatment in hospital. Inhabitants are pointing accusing fingers on the military for being absent at T- Junction when the explosion took place.

Journalists in Cameroon breath à sigh of relief following the release of John Fung earlier kidnapped this morning by unidentified gunmen. Circumstances leading to his release remain unclear. He was taken at Ntarikon neighbourhood in Bamenda, as he set out for work.

The sum of 10 billion FCFA is said to have been disbursed towards resolving the water crisis in the country. The sum is expected to boost the activities of state-owned water utility corporation, CAMWATER. Access to portable water remains a major challenge in several parts of the country.

The identity of the five supposed separatists believed to have dropped weapons presented by Minister Paul Atanga Nji, remains unknown. The supposed fighters have not been seen but their supposed guns have been presented by Paul Atanga Nji. Some inhabitants of Bamenda think this must have been orchestrated by the Minister of Territorial Administration.

The Minister of Territorial Administration has given strict security measures in the West Region that shares borders with the restive North West region of Cameroon. His visit to the region comes after a similar session in Bamenda with administrative authorities. Minister Atanga Nji called on traditional rulers in the West region to reduce their involvement in politics and focus more on developing their localities. Speaking today while visiting the region, he called on them to lead an agricultural revolution in their various areas of command.

Wouamane Mbelle; President of the East Regional Council has been sworn in. He took the oath of office at the Appeal Court in Bertoua. He pledged to contribute his quota and use the regional council to enforce decentralisation.

Higher education Minister, Nalova Lyonga warned against the collection of late fees for GCE Examinations. The warning was made after she announced the extension of the latest date of registration for the examination.

Malian security forces used tear gas to disperse a banned protest in the capital Bamako against France’s military presence in the country, one of the rally’s organisers is quoted by Reuters news agency as saying. Police were deployed in riot gear to block around 1,000 protesters from gathering in Bamako’s Independence Square, organiser Adama Diarra is quoted by Reuters as saying. “We demand the departure of French forces. After eight years of intervention it’s been a total failure,” he told the news agency.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta says the country is determined to sign a new trade deal with the US despite a change in US president. The two countries initiated trade negotiations in July 2020. But in November, the US voted Republican President Donald Trump out of office and his successor, Democrat Joe Biden, has just been inaugurated as president.

Thousands of Eritrean refugees living in two camps to in Ethiopia’s Tigray region are in desperate need for basic supplies, the UN’s refugee agency has told the BBC. Many had fled conscription and political persecution in neighbouring Eritrea but then fighting broke out in Tigray in early November between federal troops and forces loyal to the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The UNHCR has regained access to two camps, Mai Aini and Adi Harsush, for Eritrean refugees in Tigray.

The office of the French President Emmanuel Macron has said he will not repent or apologise for France’s colonial past in Algeria. The comments come before the publication later today of a report he commissioned into how France is facing up to the legacy of that period. Mr Macron’s office says he will seek to promote reconciliation through a number of symbolic acts.

Kenya expects to receive 24 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Astrazeneca and Oxford University next month, Reuters news agency reports. Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said the vaccines were ordered through an African Union (AU) initiative. The UK Foreign minister, Dominic Raab, who is in the country for a one-day visit, is quoted as saying Britain was helping Kenya to prepare to roll out the vaccine.

Foreign news: BBC Africa