Cameroon President Paul Biya has promulgated to law nine bills adopted recently during the November ordinary session and the December extraordinary session of parliament. Among the bills promulgated is that on the general code on regional and local authorities, bilingualism and finance bill for 2020. Supporters of the regime have applauded the quick decision of Paul Biya ahead of 2020.
It was a painful Christmas day celebration to inhabitants of Ekombe Bonji in Kumba Meme Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. This came as a result of the killing of at least three persons in a shootout between the Cameroon Military and Separatist fighters. Local sources say one of the three persons is a three-year-old Sunday school kid of Presbyterian Church Ekombe Bonji, killed by stray bullets from soldiers who allegedly shot at random from Ekombe, Mbonge Road to Kumba station.
Some inhabitants of Babessi in the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region of Cameroon are still in the bushes following frightening gunshots that sent them running for safety. Local reports say gunshots began in the village in the early hours of December 25th, and extended further into the day, creating total panic. It is believed to have been a gun battle, between Cameroon defence and security forces and separatist fighters.
A man has been arrested at Youpwe quarter in Douala, Littoral Region, Cameroon, for attempting to stab his friend. Witnesses attest that an argument erupted between the two at a drinking spot. Thanks to the intervention of mobile policemen on patrol last night, the unfortunate situation was brought to order.
Bishop Jean Mbarga of the metropolitan diocese of Yaoundé has called on Cameroonians to take responsibility and reinstate peace in the country. He was preaching today in Yaoundé to mark the feast of Christmas. He acknowledged the precarious situation in Cameroon that has brought untold misery to millions of people.
Christians of Presbyterian Church Bonaberi in Douala have prayed for peace in Cameroon. In Church service today, followers of Jesus Christ agreed that the violence in Cameroon today does not glorify the name of God and the teaching of Jesus Christ. They request that the symbolic birth of Christ on Christmas day should bring about peace.
Some internally displaced families in Loum, Moungo Division of the Littoral Region of Cameroon say Christmas 2019 is the worst feast of nativity they have experienced. They regret that they could not afford food for their families or get clothes for children because of hardship, in a place they call ‘strange land’. The IDPs blame the worsening and prolonged Anglophone crisis for their suffering.
The city of Bafoussam has been buried in darkness as Christians celebrate the feast of Nativity. Inhabitants say electricity went off in the city in the late afternoon of Wednesday, December 25th, 2019 and has since not been reinstated. Eneo officials have not commented on the blackout.
Pope Francis has told Christians to strive for peace as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. “I wish you all should invite Jesus in your lives and be born again. That is what Christmas is about,” he said in a Facebook message.
Burkina Faso President, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré has declared two days of national mourning after suspected Islamist militants killed 35 civilians, 31 of them women, in an attack on a military base and a town in Burkina Faso. Officials say seven soldiers and 80 militants were also killed as the army repelled Tuesday’s attack in Arbinda, in northern Soum province.
The United States Ambassador to Zambia has been recalled in the midst of a diplomatic row. The row started when the diplomate criticised the imprisonment of a gay couple, according to embassy sources. In November, Daniel Foote expressed indignation by stating that he was “horrified” at the sentencing of the men to 15 years in prison after they were apprehended in a same-sex act in 2017. The Zambian government accused the US diplomat of trying to dictate policy, and he was declared persona non grata by President Edgar Lungu. Zambia is a profoundly conservative society where same-sex relationships are illegal
Thousands of prisoners have been freed on the request of South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of Christmas. Among them is South African student who was jailed for violently protesting against tuition fee increases. Kanya Cekeshe who received an eight-year sentence in 2017 for public violence and malicious damage to property during the #FeesMustFall protest that hit South African universities a year earlier, has been released in time to spend Christmas with his family. His and the release of others fall under what is described as a “special remission” by the president.
The controversial Zambian musician and anti-corruption campaigner Fumba Chama who was arrested on Saturday have been freed on bail. He was arrested and charged with holding an “unlawful assembly” in the southern city of Livingstone, for addressing a youth meeting. Upon his release, the musician/activist, whose stage name is Pilato, confirmed to the BBC that he will continue with his activism. According to Chama. his arrest is confirmation that there were “scared little men and women somewhere who are benefiting from our corrupt systems,” but he would not be “intimidated” into giving up the campaign for greater transparency and accountability.
Ivory Coast has issued an arrest warrant for former rebel leader and ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro who intends to run in next year’s presidential election. Mr Soro had been due to return to the country on Monday after several months abroad but instead landed in Ghana.
