The government of Cameroon and that of France are in a rift following the death of all time saxophone Legend Manu Dibango who died of COVID 19 in Paris France early Tuesday march 24th 2020. While the government of Cameroon immediately engaged proceedings to bring his mortal remains home for Burial, the French government reports say has maintained that Manu Dibango be buried immediately in France, to avoid risk of further contamination. Sources say the entire family has remained voiceless, amidst the fight.
In the meantime, President Paul Biya has extended his condolences to the family of the deceased artist. In a message through the minister of arts and culture, the artist he says “achieved an exceptional career in art by his longevity, his density and his diversity.”
Cameroonians and lovers of music in the world have also been expressing condolences to the family of Emmanuel N’Djoke popularly known as Manu Dibango. The song writer, musician and saxophonist died in France today at the age of 86. A release posted on his official Facebook page says he died of coronavirus.
COVID 19 has reached The South West region of Cameroon.
According to the South West regional delegate of public health, three suspected cases of covid19 have been registered in the region. Speaking during a crisis meeting in Buea, the delegate said two (2) are in Buea and one (1) in Limbe. He sounded extremely worried, but promised adequate measures by government.
Cameroon has said it has no plans of implementing a lockdown yet. Speaking on national TV, the PM, Dion Ngute said “no decision to confine the population totally or partially has been prescribed by the head of state so far … Nevertheless it is essential to limit gatherings and nonessential movement and to respect the instructions already given” he added. Cameroon has the most COVID-19 cases in Central Africa.
Cameroon today officially recorded its first death caused by COVID-19. “This is patient 3 who came to us from Italy already very affected by the disease” says Minister Manaouda Malachie. The patient’s death comes after that of another which left government and the family of the deceased in a war of words over the real cause of death.
Security officials placed in charge of some passengers quarantined after arriving the Douala airport last week are accused of letting them go after accepting bribes. Many of the passengers had in the first days of their quarantine period decried the living conditions, noting that not only were the hotel rooms not up to standards, but their living and feeding conditions were neglected by staff set to cater for them.
After declaring that Cameroon has 66 patients who have tested positive with the COVID-19 virus, government has been accused of concealing the actual figures. Among the supposed hundreds contaminated a medical source claims are health workers in facilities hosting COVID-19 patients and some top state officials and their family members.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, institutions have responded to the crisis in different ways. One if them is the St Elizabeth Catholic General Hospital and Cardiac centre Shisong in Kumbo, North West region which has put in place measures to prevent the virus. They include making available water for hand washing as well as hand sanitisers for clients entering and leaving the hospital. With much applause, many hold that the spread of the virus will hardly be limited if such measures are not copied and adopted on a large scale.
How to tackle coronavirus in Cameroon, civil administrators take diverse measures. The Senior divisional officer for Ndian division has banned the functioning of beer parlours and bars in the the division.
The Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) marks 35 years in low gear. This follows the outbreak of coronavirus in the Country. The party has been greatly criticised for a firm grip on power yet little development progress for the people of Cameroon.
Residents of Buea in the South West region are still in shock after heavy rains left some homes and streets flooded. The rainwater mixed with mud interrupted traffic in some parts of the town for several minutes. The town is yet to fully witness its rainy season this year.
Former member of the Ayah International Foundation and national communication secretary of the Popular Action Party, Fabrice Lena today underwent a three hour questioning at SED in Yaounde. Speaking to Mimi Mefo Info on phone, Fabrice Lena says “I was questioned on the activities of Ayah International Foundation (AIF) and my pronouncements as a politician militating with the Popular Action Party.”
Inhabitants of Mbengwi in the North West region are still in fear after gunshots were heard Tuesday. “We found bullets today on our front door as we were coming back from the market. Our neighbors said it was from a helicopter that was flying around Mbengwi today following a military operation,” a resident writes. Since the February 9 twin elections and the March 22 rerun, soldiers have intensified raids in several villages in the crisis-hit regions.
Days after his death, President Paul Biya has extended his condolences to the family of late millionaire and businessman, Fotso Victor. The late business man, the head of state says “was a reference whose reputation had crossed national borders.”
The administrative court in Bafoussam has cancelled municipal elections in Foumbot, Koutaba, Banja and Bafoussam 1 subdivision. At the end of a post electoral litigation in Bafoussam, the administrative court ordered a rerun of elections in these areas. Recall that the councerned councils were worn by political parties of the opposition, notably the CDU, CNCM, and the SDF
2020 Tokyo World Olympic games has been postponed to 2021. That has been announced by the Prime Minister of Japan Shenzo Abe. The decision follows the spread of coronavirus in the world. This is the first time the world’s biggest sports jamboree has been postponed.
Algeria’s health ministry has said hospitals in the North African nation can use chloroquine to treat patients infected with coronavirus. However, the statement specifies that the drug should be used to treat “certain cases” of Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, in accordance with “specific medical protocol”. Chloroquine is one of the oldest and best-known anti-malarial drugs – though it is no longer recommended in much of Africa because of the resistance built up to it by the malaria parasites.
German officials are trying to track down six million face masks ordered to protect health workers, which have gone missing from an airport in Kenya. Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine said the shipment was due in Germany on 20 March but never arrived after disappearing at the end of last week.
Ghana’s health authorities have recorded 25 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 52. This is almost double the cases reported earlier on Tuesday. The patients have been isolated and are receiving treatment. More than 1,000 people are in mandatory quarantine and nearly 600 contacts are being tracked. The country also recorded a second death resulting from covid-19 today.
“The night Cyril Ramaphosa became a wartime president” is how South Africa’s leading News24 website described the president’s decision on Monday night to impose a nationwide lockdown to defeat the coronavirus. The country’s health minister Zweli Mkhize on Tuesday said the figures had seen a jump from 152 to 554 cases.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria has risen to 40. This is after four more people tested positive, three in Lagos and one in the capital, Abuja.
The health ministry in Rwanda has announced 17 new coronavirus cases, the country’s highest single-day increase in the number of confirmed infections. The country now has a total of 36 confirmed cases, which is the highest in the East Africa region.
Uganda has confirmed eight new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to nine. All the new cases involve its nationals who recently travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. (Source Foreign News: BBC Africa)
