The Presidential gifts from Paul Biya to fight COVID-19 in the 360 Sub Divisions of Cameroon continue to suffer rejection in local council areas based on quantity. After an outright rejection by the traditional rulers of Minkang 2 village in the South Region, the gifts suffered another public rejection in Loum today, in the Moungo Division of the Littoral Region. Gathered at the Loum council building to receive the kits from the DO, the Mayor of Loum told the DO that the kits were largely insufficient compared to the number of people in his municipality. He outlined that the insufficient quantity is proof that the objective of President Paul Biya to help the local popultion fight COVID-19 has failed.
President Paul Biya has not endorsed coronavirus treatment produced by Archbishop Samuel Kleda. In an address to the nation yesterday, the President called on Cameroonians to take seriously COVID-19 preventive measures until a medicine is found. This has been criticised by those who expected him to approve a medicine that has treated over 500 coronavirus patients.
The courage of health workers in Cameroon in treating coronavirus patients has been appreciated by President Paul Biya. In an address yesterday, he equally acknowledged national and international generosity towards funding the fight against the pandemic.
Ahead of school resumption on June 1st, the University of Buea says it is stepping up measures against COVID-19. Among them, the disinfection of classrooms, laboratories, residential halls and the restaurant every morning and evening. Thermo flashes will also be used to check temperatures of staff and students at different entrances to the University.
The Lamido of Maroua in the Far North Region of Cameroon has cancelled religious prayers marking the celebration of the Muslim feast of Ramadan. In a press release Wednesday May 20th 2020, Lamido Bakary Bouba said faithfuls in Maroua must stay away from group prayers in order to curb the spread of Coronavirus. The religious leader said faithfuls could assembly in their private homes with family members, in strict respect of the preventive measures.
Bernadette Mebe Ngo, wife of former Minister Edgar Allain Mebe Ngo has been released. The wife of the one time defense boss benefited from a special freedom but will remain under house detention. Bernadette Mebe Ngoo, the husband and three close aids were arrested in March 2019 for alleged corruption. Their arrest however sparked a debate over whether the government was actually trying to stamp out corruption, or it was cracking down on any long term challenger to President Paul Biya.
Cabral Libii of the CPNR says the something worst than the Anglophone crisis might befall Cameroon if nothing is done, and done on time to curb the growing tribalism and tribalistic tendencies. Addressing his supporters and sympathisers within the context of the 48th National Day celebration in Cameroon, he called on citizens to watch against political manipulation that has taken an ethnic and tribal tone in Cameroon. He thinks the Biya regime has proven incompetent in all aspects of life and Cameroonians must take up the task to safe the Country
The French government has adopted the bill to terminate the contract on its control of the franc cfa. According the spokes person of the government Sibeth Ndiya, the bill was received on Wednesday May 20th 2020 by the council of ministers. The project intends to see the transformation from the franc cfa to ECO for members of the French West African monetary community.
Cameroonians in different corners of the country have reflected on how far national unity has been a reality since 1972. 48 years after the two Cameroons opted to form a unitary state, national unity remains questionable given four years of war for the restoration of the state of Ambazonia comprised of the North West and South West Regions.
The forces of law and order even without public celebration to mark the National Day today have respected a flag hoisting ceremony to mark the day. Today at 10:00 AM, flags were hoisted with the singing of the national anthem.
Inhabitants of Ntabessi, Nintop and other villages along Mbengwi road in the North West say relative calm has returned to the area after a tense afternoon marked by gun shots between separatist fighters and the military. The gun battle lasted for several hours.
The people of the North West region and Bamenda in particular are expecting to resume their activities normally tomorrow after two days of ghost town. Amba boys imposed the ghost town despite no public celebration to mark National Day.
The family of 70 year old Tita Tambi, an inhabitant of Babessi, North West Region of Cameroon has decried the excesses of the forces of law and order. The night watch has been detained for almost a week today after he was arrested in a raid. Sources close to the family say they are demanding a million francs for his release.
Students of the School of Geology and Mining Engineering (EGEM) in Meiganga, Adamawa Region say there has been a rise of insecurity in their residential areas. Caused by the sudden break due to the coronavirus pandemic, they say frequent power outages make matters worse.
The University of Buea has had its first-ever PhD defense in the Department of Political Science and Comparative Politics at the Faculty of Laws and Political Science. Candidate Munjah Vitalis Fagha in his PhD thesis presented had as thesis titled “The African Peer Review Mechanism and the Strengthening of Political Institutions in Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Cameroon and Rwanda”. In his recommendations, he urged the Head of State to personally commit to the African peer review mechanism so that Cameroon can get some of the benefits that have accrued from other African states.
Kenyan health officials have stopped 182 foreigners from entering Kenya from Tanzania after they tested positive for coronavirus. They were attempting to enter at various points along the border: 126 tested positive at the crossing of Namanga; the others were diagnosed at four other points. Their nationalities were not disclosed. On Saturday, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta closed borders with Tanzania and Somalia following an increase in cross-border infections. However, cargo vehicles are exempt, as long as drivers are tested for coronavirus at the border.
Voters in Burundi are heading to the polls to elect their new president. The incumbent, Pierre Nkurunziza, is stepping down after 15 years, but with state-funded private housing, a lifetime salary and an official title. Seven candidates hope to replace Mr Nkurunziza as the next president of Burundi. The governing CNDD-FDD party candidate Evariste Ndayishimiye and opposition leader Agathon Rwasa of National Congress for Liberty (CNL) are considered the main contenders.
Some South Africans have lashed out at the education minister following Tuesday’s announcement that schools will reopen on 1 June. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga announced that the National Command Council (NCC) and cabinet had approved a phased reopening. Grades seven and 12, the final years of primary and secondary school respectively, will be first to resume. Teachers will report to schools on 25 May. The ministry said schools and classrooms were being cleaned and sanitised in readiness. Pupils will be given cloth masks and classrooms will be rearranged to ensure social distancing.
Social media platforms have become inaccessible in Burundi as voting kicked off across the East African country on Wednesday. The BBC has confirmed that access to Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook has been blocked. Only those using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which masks a user’s identity, can access social media sites. The government has not commented on the development.
Forces loyal to the Libyan renegade General Khalifa Haftar say they will withdraw up to 3km (1.9 miles) from the front lines around the capital, Tripoli. A spokesman said this would make it easier for people to move around in the last days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. General Haftar has been trying to capture Tripoli from the UN-backed government, but he has lost ground in recent days. Pro-government fighters have seized territory south-west of the capital, including a key airbase.
A top Tanzanian official has accused Kenya of economic sabotage and questioned the reliability of Kenyan coronavirus test kits in an ongoing row over testing for the virus at the border. A statement from Arusha’s Regional Commissioner Mrisho Mashaka Gambo says 19 drivers who were turned away at the border for testing positive for Covid-19 have tested negative back in Tanzania. The statement also gave figures showing a majority of Kenyan truck drivers tested positive for coronavirus in Tanzania.
(Foreign news: BBC)
