National And International News Roundup – 29th December 2020

The Cameroon government has slapped Avenir Voyages travel agency, with a one-month ban following Sunday’s deadly accident in Ndikinimeki, Centre Region. The Transport Minister Ernest NGALLE, says investigations have been opened into the incident. The agency is set to hold a vigil tomorrow in honour of the victims from Sunday’s accident.

The President of Cameroon Renaissance Movement party, Maurice Kamto, has extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the Ndikinimeki accident. He made these reactions via his Facebook page where he showed his support for the affected families as well as wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

There is an ongoing political conflict brewing in the town of Sangmalima as a member of the PCRN party got arrested on the orders of the Divisional Officer. The party has now issued a statement indicating that Arthur Assam, who has been under detention since 17th December, be unconditionally released. Reports also say that the PCRN party chairman, Cabral Libii went in person to try and secure his party member’s release.

The Ministers of Public Works and of Finance; Emmanuel Ngannou Djoumesi and Louise Paul Motaze respectively will tomorrow sign a partnership deal with a Chinese company called Harbour Engineering Company. This partnership will give this company the authority to finance, design, construct and exploit works on the 38 km Kribi-Lolabe motorway.

The Mayor of the city of Yaoundé, Luc Messi Atangana has inaugurated a fruit market in the town. The fruit space was inaugurated at a retail space opposite Parcours Vita on 26th December 2020. Upon inauguration, the Mayor noted that its purpose was to accommodate the sale of fruits in compliance with hygiene standards.

AFCON/CHAN mascot, Tara has started it’s nationwide tour. The Mascot was in Douala today and will visit Limbe and other towns across the country in the days ahead.

In a rare victory for women’s rights in Egypt, a 22-year-old student has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexually harassing two women using social media. Ahmed Bassem Zaki was arrested in July in Cairo, where he attended the elite American University. Accusations against him sparked a wider MeToo campaign as women reported their experiences of sexual harassment.

United Nations human rights experts have called on Uganda to drop charges against activists and opposition supporters arrested ahead of next month’s presidential election. They said the security forces had used excessive force during political protests and rallies. The leading opposition candidate, the pop star Bobi Wine, said one of his bodyguards was killed on Sunday when he was run over by military police.

New Libya coach Zerwan Filipovic has said he will “change everything” as he takes over the Mediterranean Knights for a year into 2022. The Montenegrin is the third overseas coach in Libya’s history, and took over from Ali El Margini, who resigned after just three games in charge. Filipovic will be assisted by Mohammad Al-Kikli, who was appointed following success as coach of Benghazi-based Al-Nasr in the Libyan league.

Zimbabwean music mogul Munya Chanetsa felt his hackles rise when he learnt about the royalties battles that have been fought over the song Mbube – also known as The Lion Sleeps Tonight. It is arguably the world’s most famous song about a lion – and for more than eight decades it has made a lot of money for many people around the world. But the composer of the catchy tune, South African Solomon Linda, died destitute in 1962.

Foreign news: BBC