National And International News Roundup – 26th October 2020

The events of Kumba on October 24 whereby over 7 school children were murdered in cold blood at Mother Francisca Bilingual International College, Fiango Kumba; has prompted some major spontaneous reactions from women in key towns of Cameroon. Women today in Yaoundé and Douala took to the streets, to protest the killings of the children in Kumba. They to demand the government to look for an ultimate solution to the crisis in the two English-speaking regions.

Cameroonians are divided over which group is responsible for the killing of students in a private school in Kumba. To some inhabitants of Kumba, the successful operation at the heart of Kumba without military intervention points that the government knows a lot concerning the manslaughter. Despite this, a majority of people hold the view that boys fighting for the restoration of Ambazonia, could also be responsible.

Dr Akwe Samuel; a medical officer at the Presbyterian General Hospital in Kumba, has frowned at the action of some parents of children shot in Kumba, who refused blood transfusion for their wounded children on religious grounds. The parents signed an undertaking and took away their daughter. Some Cameroonians are calling for the parents to be arrested for placing the lives of their child in danger in the name of religion.

President Biya has broken a 48-hour silence on the school shooting in Kumba. In a series if tweets today, he condemned the shooting, describing the incident as horrific. President Biya noted that he had urged security forces to go after the perpetrators of the act and bring them to book.

Several political parties in Cameroon have taken turns to condemn the killings in Kumba. Cabral Libii of PCRN, Joshua Oshih of SDF, Maurice Kamto of CRM, Robert Bapot Lipot, Serge Espoir Matomba of Le PURS and a lot more.

Heavy protective measures are being taken in Kumba, South West Region in view of the inter-ministerial visit following the events of Saturday October 24, 2020. The President of the Republic has dispatched an emissary of four state Ministers to bring government aid to the bereaved families. The day for the ministers’ visit is still however unknown for security reasons.

Musicians and other artists in Douala are fed-up with the government’s inability to maintain security in Cameroon and the entire country. Led by Salatiel, a popular urban musician and producer, the artists held a consultation meeting today in Douala strategising on the best way to intervene and ensure peace. One of the resolutions is for a media campaign for peace.

PM Dion Ngute has arrived Congo Brazzaville ahead of a meeting that opens tomorrow Tuesday. He travelled to Douala on his way to Congo, using a CAMAIR-Co plane as a means to boost the company. The Head of Government will be travelling to the country to represent President Paul Biya at the Free France States scheduled from October 27th to 29th, 2020. The event is organised by the President of the Republic of Congo in collaboration with the French Embassy and the Charles de Gaulle Foundation. It should be noted that PM Dion Ngute turned down requests by journalists to comment on the killings in Kumba.

Three boys have been arrested in Douala for attempting to kidnap some children in a private school at Bonamousadi, Douala. Locals have appreciated the prompt intervention of Cameroon security service

A buglary case at the Doungue Hospital in the Moungo Division has led to the disappearance of over 300,000FCFA. Armed men who reportedly attacked the Doungue Hospital, tied up the security guards before carrying out their operations risk-free. It is alleged the thieves were four in number and carried along large quantities of drugs.

The construction site of the Olembe Football Stadium currently carries a huge risk for its visitors. According to reliable sources, the frames of the gigantic structure are shaky and present an impending danger. This has brought about a lot of questions regarding the quality of the work that has been done by the company in charge. An inspection mission from CAF will be arriving Cameroon and tomorrow will begin inspection of facilities to host the 2021 CHAN.

The United Nations says rich countries are dumping millions of highly polluting used cars on poorer nations. An investigation by the UN Environment Programme found that between 2015 and 2018, 14 million old, poor quality vehicles were exported from Europe, the US and Japan. More than 40% of them went to Africa. Few African countries have regulations on car imports.

The United Nation’s Mission to Libya has announced the start of political talks which are expected to pave the way for elections. The virtual meetings for what will be called the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum will bring together 75 participants from across the country’s regions, including ethnic, political, and tribal representatives.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has denied allegations that governors hoarded coronavirus relief packages meant for distribution to vulnerable Nigerians to help during the first wave of the pandemic. Their statement comes after reports of warehouses around the country being looted of food and medication.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for “peace” as authorities struggled to halt looting across the country, the latest in a wave of unrest sweeping Africa’s most populous nation. A statement from the presidency said Buhari backed a judicial inquiry in Lagos “to give justice to peaceful protesters who lost their lives, security men who were murdered” and those who lost property in days of violence.

A court in the self-declared republic of Somaliland has ordered the deportation to Somalia of a popular social media star after a video was released of him drinking tea which was decorated with the image of the Somali flag. Bilal Bulshawi, who is known by Somalis as “the president of TikTok”, has been in detention for nearly two months. Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia nearly 30 years ago, has punished others for displaying the Somali flag.

Talks between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over the controversial mega-dam across the Blue Nile are set to resume on Tuesday after a seven-week hiatus. The announcement by South Africa’s President and Africa Union chairman, Cyril Ramaphosa, comes days after US President Donald Trump suggested that Egypt might “blow up” the dam. Ethiopia sees the US as siding with Egypt in the dispute and termed Mr Trump’s remarks as “reckless, unproductive and a violation of international law”.

The Lagos State Information and Strategy commissioner has told the BBC that the judicial panel investigating police abuses and extra judicial killings has already begun work this morning. Gbenga Omotoso said the panel, set up by the Federal Executive Council, is already on location in Lekki area after being inaugurated. He added that the formal sitting of the panel begins on Tuesday.

Foreign news: BBC