National And International News Roundup – 22nd September 2020

As anti-Biya protest gained steam in French-speaking parts of Cameroon, tension continued unabated in the restive Anglophone regions of the country where a bloody gun battle has ensued for nearly four years. This Tuesday, September 22, 2020, a taxi driver and a trailer were reportedly shot dead in Likomba, South West region of the country. They were killed as soldiers opened fire in a supposed exchange with separatist fighters.

In Ntankah, a locality in Bamenda, North West Region, soldiers opened fire on four boys. The former who claims to have launched a “clean-up campaign” against Ambazonian fighters, killed the boys earlier today. A source has told MMI that all of them are not separatist fighters, while another says otherwise.

Today was the D-Day. It was marked by the nationwide protest called by the leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement party, MRC. The protest went ahead in the absence of key opposition leaders like Maurice Kamto and three other leaders of Popular Action Party (PAP) who were placed under house arrest in Yaounde. Professor Maurice Kamto’s residence was surrounded by security agents last night, preventing him from stepping out to protest for the departure of President Paul Biya. The secretary-general of the PAP party Chief Bar. Ndong Christopher, says the protest went on “hitch-free”, despite all odds.

At least four media workers have been arrested in Cameroon today while covering the protest. Military men accused them of covering the protest without authorisation. The national President of Cameroon Association of English speaking journalists, Jude Viban has condemned the arrest, calling for their immediate. One of the journalists, Rodrigue Ngassi, was released, while three others including Jarvis Tah of My Media Prime are still in detention.

At least 20 people were arrested at Mabanda quarter in Douala by military men. Security and military service intercepted a crowd of peaceful protesters brutalising before whisking them off to the station. The protesters had placards calling on President Paul Biya and his entire government to resign.

Douala central market, Mboppi market, Ndokoti, other markets and business centres in Douala remained closed today as many voluntarily stayed indoors, for fear of the unknown. This follows threats of brutality earlier issued by the regime of President Paul Biya, hours to September 22nd.

Militants of Cameroon Renaissance Movement party say military men used live bullets on peaceful protesters around Ndokoti in Douala 5. To them, one civilian was shot at Cité Cicam, a quarter in Cameroon’s economic capital. They have called on the national and international community to bear witness of human rights violation in Cameroon.

Protesters in Baham in the West Region of Cameroon called on President Paul Biya to resign. The protesters defied heavy military presence to send across their message denouncing poor governance.

Candidates wishing to run for regional election have up to this midnight to deposit their candidatures. Elecam offices will remain open until the early hours of tomorrow.

Human Rights Watch has accused the Cameroonian government of using the Coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to “quell the right to assemble” ahead of protests planned for Tuesday. Dozens of pro-Kamto supporters and others, were arrested as they took to the streets to demand change and political transition.

Four persons who were this Tuesday taking part in a protest in London have been arrested. They were among the hundreds of anti-Biya demonstrators at the Cameroon High Commission in London. A Brigade Anti-Sardinard – BAS member has said: “the British police seem to be trying to protect their government’s interest in Cameroon… we often see these arrests as intimidation tactics”. Click this link to follow live updates on MMI ?? https://mimimefoinfos.com/live

The UN has warned that escalating conflict in northern Mozambique could mean “crisis” levels of food insecurity continue into next year. The World Food Programme said it was deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado Province, with more than 300,000 people reliant on aid after abandoning their homes and crops. The UN agency said population displacements could also accelerate the spread of Coronavirus in the province, which currently has the second highest number of infections in Mozambique.

The head of Mali’s military government, Colonel Assimi Goita, has called on West African leaders to lift economic sanctions imposed in the wake of last month’s coup, following the nomination of a civilian interim president. Mali’s military rulers on Monday appointed a former defence minister, Bah Ndaw, as president of a transitional government due to return the country to civilian rule in 18 months. He will be sworn-in on Friday. Speaking at a ceremony to mark Mali’s 60th anniversary of its independence from France, Colonel Goita – who will serve as vice-president of the transitional government – also urged support for French and UN troops in the West African country.

The authorities in Niger have postponed the reopening of schools across the country following heavy floods that have killed more than 70 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Most of the flood victims are sheltered in schools and the authorities say they need time to relocate them to other shelters. Schools were due to reopen on 1 October, but the government has said they will now reopen on 15 October for the new academic year.

Burundi’s main opposition party, the National Freedom Council (CNL), has condemned what it calls the mass arrest of its members who are accused of being linked to rebel attacks in the west of the country. “CNL members are being arrested while we have nothing to do with the rebels,” party leader Agathon Rwasa told the BBC. The party said nearly 100 of its members have been arrested in less than two weeks and most of them have not been taken to court.

Mauritius will reopen its borders from 1 October under strict Covid-19 safety measures. Those arriving will be required to quarantine for 14 days at their cost – which is estimated to be about $1,300 (£1,000) per person. Tourism experts have faulted the quarantine cost as too high. Tourists can choose to spend the fortnight in either three-star or five -star hotels.

South Sudan’s first vice-president, Riek Machar, will not participate in this year’s national dialogue conference, according to the organisers. Dr Machar was to participate in the closing ceremony but has withdrawn citing “reservations due to lack of implementation of some provisions of the 2018 revitalised peace agreement”. The national dialogue, initiated by President Salva Kiir in December 2016, is aimed at discussing solutions to end political and communal violence in the country.

(Foreign briefs: BBC)