National and International News Roundup. September 3rd, 2019.

1 Ahead of their crucial military Court appearance on Friday, September 6th, 2019, Maurice Kamto and allies of the CRM winning coalition have advanced conditions that must be implemented by officials of the military Court before they show up for the hearing. Maurice Kamto and Co say access to the Yaoundé Military Court must be given to the public, national and international Press during the court hearing else they will not go to the court. They also question the capacity of the Yaoundé Military Court to contain the huge number of people, witnesses and lawyers expected to show up for the hearing and said no military official should restrict access for anyone on that day.  

2 Traders at the Kumba Main market are questioning the actions of the Government Delegate to the City Council, that saw the sealing their shops earlier today. The traders argue that administrative authorities do not care about their security when they open during lockdown days imposed by separatist fighters. The government delegate Victor Ngoh Nkelle says victims will pay the sum of 25000f each to regain access to their shops.

3 It is the second day of school in Cameroon. In the Anglophone Regions, most localities remain deserted as inhabitants are observing lockdown.  In a report published by the North West Regional delegate of secondary education, fifty-five secondary schools opened their doors across the Region yesterday.

4 The North West, South West and Far North Regions of Cameroon have been classified as “economically risk zones”. In a Prime Ministerial text, the government is allocating some advantages to businesspersons that will invest in these risk zones. According to the text, businesses in the zones will benefit some tax exemptions. Twenty companies have shut down and over 269 billion FCFA lost in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon since the current crisis began. Some economists in Cameroon have been questioning how effective tax exemptions to businesses in the far North, North west and South West Regions can contribute towards resolving the crisis and reinstate peace. To some businesspersons in Douala, investing in a risk zone is what a business person who wants to make a profit will not do. They cite the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) that has almost completely shut down in the South West Region because of insecurity.

5 One thousand one hundred Cameroonian soldiers are heading to the Central African Republic to participate in a peacekeeping mission called the ‘United Nations Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission’ (MINUSCA). They are to maintain peace, care for international displaced persons and maintain the territorial integrity of the country. This is the 6th military contingent Cameroon is sending to the Central African Republic. The contingent of soldiers to fight within MINUSCA left Yaoundé Tuesday afternoon.

6 The Roman Catholic Community is mourning the death of His lordship Mgr Athanase Balla, Bishop of Bafia between 1977 and 2003. Bishop André was succeeded by Bishop Jean-Marie Benoît Balla, who died under controversial circumstances.

7 The war at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has taken a more disturbing twist. Executive members of FECAFOOT during an Exco meeting today in Yaoundé decided to put in place a technical transitional committee lead by Aboubakar Alim Konaté to head the professional football league. This body was before today headed General Pierre Semengue, who was due to hold the position until 2021. Shortly after the decision of members of the executive bureau of FECAFOOT, General Pierre Semengue convened a press conference, during which he declared that he was elected for a four-year mandate, and he is ready to defend his mandate at all cost.

8 Calm has returned to national road number 11 linking Bamenda and Nkambe, Donga Mantung Division in the North West Region. Villagers along the road were inundated with sounds of gunshots throughout the afternoon.

9 Resit examinations have started today at the University of Buea. The administration of the University says they have taken measures to ensure security on campus during this period. Earlier, members of the Association of University Teachers (SYNES) UB Chapter issued a statement indicating why resit exams could not take place at UB during this time.

10 Xenophobic attacks in South Africa has intensified. In retaliation, an MTN office in Apapa Lagos in Nigeria has been set ablaze by some Nigerians. Other South African businesses such as Shoprite are also at risk in Nigeria.

11 Kenya has received a boost in its bid for one of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seats. This came against the backdrop of assurances given to President Uhuru Kenyatta by many envoys of their countries’ support. These pledges to back Kenya’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat during the election scheduled for June next year were made at State House, in Nairobi, when President Uhuru granted audience to eleven new foreign envoys.