National And International News Roundup – 26th January 2021

Human rights lawyer, Nkongho Felix Agbor has reignited calls for the release of three students handed 10-year jail terms six years ago. Ivo, Nivelle and Lewis were jailed for sharing a joke in terrorist sect, Boko Haram. All appeals and calls for their release have proven futile.

Security has been tightened in Limbe, South West Region of Cameroon, as matches for the ongoing African Football Championship continue in the city. An artisanal bomb explosion at Isokolo Old Road last evening by unknown individuals, has further raised fears of the unknown.

Sport journalists and volunteers at the Japoma Stadium have been accused of making away with some media equipment from Japoma press centre. The president of the Association of Sport Journalists in the Littoral Region has launched a call for the return of the materials.

Two police men were today rushed to the hospital in Limbe as they sustained injuries from an explosive that was planted in the town. Separatist fighters in Fako have claimed responsibility for the explosion. The explosion is likely to strike fear into many citizens of the town especially as it is one of the main hosts of the CHAN.

Inhabitants of Denver quarter in Douala have protested against the construction of a night club in the area. To them, insecurity will increase should the night club be constructed. To those wishing to construct, they have shown an authorisation from the Mayor of Douala 5. Inhabiatants are calling on the SDO of Wouri to intervene.

Two commercial bike riders lost their lives on the secondary road linking Galim and Bamesso in the Bamboutos Division. The two bike riders reportedly collided as they came from opposite directions. Both riders died on the spot.

One of the teenage boys killed by military forces in Bamenda, Fon Blaise was today taken back to his native village, Bambui, where he will be laid to rest. Blaise was alongside 3 of his friends shot and killed in cold blood by Cameroon’s military as they launched an operation in Meta Quarter in Bamenda in a bid to fish out separatist fighters.

Cameroon’s custom department has pledged to do more in revenue collection to help finance activities in Cameroon. This was during commemorative activities today to mark World Custom Day 2021.

Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo are optimistic their country will defeat the Lions of Cameroon this Saturday in Douala. After beating Libya yesterday, DR Congo will take on Cameroon for a quarter final game. Mali will take on Niger.

Some Cameroonians have expressed fears that Dr Congo may use unethical means to win this Saturday. They are expressing concerns following the declaration of over nine players of the Dr Congo team suffering from COVID-19. On the other hand, no Cameroonian player nor football official has been declared COVID-19 positive.

CHAN2020: the Intermediate Lions have arrived Douala where they will be meeting the DR Congo in the Round of 16 tie at the newly constructed Japoma Stadium. Cameroon will now face a daunting task of overcoming one of the favorites of the competition and two-times holders of the trophy. Should the Lions prevail over the DRC, they will become the new favourites to take the trophy.

Morocco is set to become the latest country in Africa, after Egypt, to roll out a vaccination programme against Covid-19. Morocco was hit hard last year when it recorded a higher number of cases compared to its neighbours. Health officials say frontline medical staff will have priority.

Tunisian police have blocked the path of hundreds of protesters who were trying to reach the parliament building in the capital, Tunis. It is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have been fuelled by frustration at the lack of jobs and spiralling prices. More than 1,000 young protesters had been arrested during the previous protests – and many of those demonstrating on Tuesday were calling for their release.

Tunisian police have blocked the path of hundreds of protesters who were trying to reach the parliament building in the capital, Tunis. It is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have been fuelled by frustration at the lack of jobs and spiralling prices. More than 1,000 young protesters had been arrested during the previous protests – and many of those demonstrating on Tuesday were calling for their release.

The African Union (AU) has urged Kenya and Somalia to engage in dialogue and ensure peace at their border. Chairperson Moussa Faki tweeted that peace at the border was important for regional stability. Fighting broke out at Baled-Hawo, a town in the south-western region of Gedo in Somalia, on Sunday night.

Unidentified people have torched a house belonging to a Nigerian who campaigns against allowing cattle herders to graze for free in the south-west of the country, Oyo State police say. Fulani herders and their families walk for hundreds of kilometres from the extreme north to central Nigeria and beyond at least twice a year to find the best grazing land for their cattle. But this often leads to friction with the communities they visit. Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, had recently asked Fulani herders to leave the south-west, accusing them of kidnapping and other crimes.

Foreign news: BBC