National And International News Roundup – 5th August 2020

Few absences have been recorded in the North West Region of Cameroon as Cameroon General Certificate of Education, GCE Ordinary and Advance levels started today. In the North West and South West regions, candidates are writing in accommodation centers that comprise many examination centers. The purpose is to ensure their security.

There have been diverse reactions following the endorsement of the reconstruction plan of the Anglophone regions by some religious leaders  originating from the North West and South West Regions. In a meeting yesterday in Douala, the religious leaders say the reconstruction plan will enhance social cohesion and provide basic services to the local population.

Hundreds of youths in Buea are still in doubt over what has become  of their personal information as authorities remain mute. On Monday security officers rounded them up and forcefully collected information about them including their names and passport size photographs. Some say they fear authorities will use the information to their disadvantage.

Cocoa farmers in the Kupe Muanenguba Division, South West Region say separatist fighters are compelling them to make financial donations. In a letter addressed to storekeepers and farmers, the fighters say anyone who fails to live up to the financial obligations will have themselves to blame.

Coton Sport football Club risks being sanctioned by FECAFOOT. The club has been summoned for the wrongful termination of the contract of player, Christian Landry Kemssi. It is expected to pay him close to 2 million FCFA in compensation.

Some locals of Mbalangi village in the South West region are still in the bushes for fear of their lives. They were sent running days ago after soldiers opened fire in the village while seeking separatist fighters. Reports say 8 persons were killed and others wounded.

The promoter of Biggy237 TV reality show has denied allegations of secretly being sponsored by a member of government. To the native of Ndop in the North West region, his passion for entertainment urged him to launch the first ever TV reality show in Cameroon bringing together 25 contestants.

Authorities in Douala have launched a war against urban disorder. The Governor of the Littoral Region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboa championed a demolition exercise  of makeshift structures around Japoma football stadium.  The civil administrator says the process will continue in other places in Douala.

The population of Jakiri Bui, Division in the North West region of Cameroon  is yet to identify who killed a man called Nyudeh Nelson. His body was discovered this morning at a place called Mantum.

Two pilots have died after their light aircraft crashed at the airport in the Egyptian coastal resort of Hurghada, a spokesman for the civil aviation ministry has said. The pilots had suffered multiple injuries, including “fractures to the skull”, and died shortly after being admitted to hospital, the state-owned al-Ahram news site reported. The two-seater private tour plane, registered to Airman Sky Sports, was on a test flight when it crashed, civil aviation ministry spokesman Bassem Abdel Karim is quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

A vessel carrying about 40 migrants has sank off the coast of Mauritania, with only one survivor, a UN refugee agency official has said. The survivor had come from Guinea, added Vincent Cochetel, the UN refugee agency’s special envoy for the central Mediterranean.

A new law is on the cards in Zimbabwe to punish political parties for “campaigning against the country” after cabinet approved the plan. It comes days after the President Emmerson Mnangagwa accused the opposition and Western diplomats of fomenting “terrorism”, and businesses of “economic sabotage”. The cabinet also recommended tightening laws governing speech by public officials, media houses and citizens, including on social media.

Mauritania’s Prime Minister Ismail Ould Bedde Ould Cheikh Sidiya has resigned, along with his entire cabinet. The government submitted its resignation to President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. The resignation comes as a key investigative report into the former President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz and associated officials was submitted to the judiciary. It’s believed members of Oul Cheik Sidiya’s cabinet were also being investigated as part of the inquiry.

The authorities in Mauritius have warned of an oil spill along its south-eastern coast following a “breach” in a Panama-flagged ship carrying oil and diesel. The vessel, MV Wakashio, had reported a “leakage of oil”, and its crew had been evacuated, the Ministry of Environment said in a statement. It ordered the public, including boat operators and fishermen, not to venture to the beach and in the lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg.

Foreign briefs: BBC