National and International News Roundup: Wednesday 05 February 2020

Reports say three boys have been shot dead in Bamali, Ngoketunjia Division, in the restive North West region of Cameroon. A source said villagers are now seeking refuge in bushes after two women were arrested by security forces. “Soldiers believe the women are related to Amba fighters,” the source said. “House to house search was equally conducted,” another source added.

Two people have been killed in a military-ambazonian confrontation in Alakuma quarter in Bamenda. The incident happened between 10 and 11:30 a.m this morning. The incident paralyzed activities in that part of the town.

Besinga Ely Itone has been installed as the new Divisional Officer of Muyuka Subdivision in the South West region of Cameroon. Muyuka, being one of the worst-hit areas by the crisis, the Divisional Officer has been called upon to foster peace. Nkeng Michael, Mayor of Muyuka Council says justice needs to be put in place for permanent peace to reign.

Medical kits to check coronavirus have arrived Cameroon.  The Secretary-General at the Ministry of Public Health received the material this evening. Officials of the Ministry of Public Health will be trained by foreign experts on how to use the equipment.

National and international election observers have been briefed ahead of elections this Sunday. The Director-General of Elections at Elections Cameroon Dr Essousse Erik gave directives to observers with particular attention on the two restive regions of Cameroon.

Ten bags of marijuana seized along the Tiko-Douala road heading to the South West are at the Gendarmerie Brigade in Buea. Two persons arrested have denied accusations saying a certain  Mr. Ngum in Limbe is the owner of the bags. The driver of the car and another passenger have been detained for further investigation.

Teachers of the agro-industrial institution at the University of Ngaoundere are on strike. They are demanding unpaid financial engagements owed to them by the administration for over a year. They mentioned the nonpayment of research allowances, leave allowances among others.

The house of the lamido of Mozougo village and other houses set ablaze in Mayo Tsanaga Division in the Far North region of Cameroon by the insurgents Boko Haram. Two persons were practically burnt alive. Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie who is presently in the Far North region for campaign visited the affected families.

The Prime Minister has appreciated works at the football infrastructure in Douala. Joseph Dion Ngute visited the Japoma and Omnisport Stadia alongside the Mbapelepe training ground. The PM is expected in the South West Region tomorrow for a similar inspection visit.

Four persons have been arrested in Bangante for calling for an election boycott. Earlier, the Minister of Territorial Administration had threatened severe administrative sanctions on anyone that will call for a boycott of the elections.

Two ladies died in a motorcycle accident this morning in Bafoussam in the West region. The bike rider transporting both ladies, a witness says, “was struggling to overtake two trailers”. Both female passengers were crushed to death while the rider sustained injuries and a broken leg.

Massive arrests have been recorded in the Anglophone regions ahead of Sunday’s elections. In Wotutu, in the South West region, a resident said over 300 young men were arrested and taken away. A similar act was done in Muyuka and other towns.

Huge numbers of people have fled the North West and South West regions as the February 9 municipal and legislative elections draw near. This comes as some separatist groups have sent out messages calling for a complete lock down of the regions from the 6th to the 12th of February.

Two soldiers perished today in a road accident in Abong Mbang. The accident involved a military truck with soldiers on board, and a cargo vehicle transporting livestock. The victims died on the spot.

Uganda’s ministry of health says over one 100 people who arrived at Entebbe International Airport from China have been placed under a 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of a coronavirus outbreak. Minister of Health Dr Jane Aceng told journalists during a media briefing in the capital, Kampala, that 44 of those quarantined are Chinese nationals.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled a new visa policy which he says is intended to attract innovation, specialised skills and knowledge from abroad. The president had last November in Egypt, announced the new visa policy which he described as a “strategic decision to bring down barriers that have hindered the free movement of our people within the continent”. The new policy sees the introduction of visas on arrival for short visits for holders of passports of African Union countries.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has told Nigerian media that the vast majority of victims of Islamist group Boko Haram’s attacks are Muslims and that the militants are using religion to divide Nigerians. Boko Haram has waged a decade-long campaign of violence in the country. The president said in an article on the Christianity Today website that the militants “cannot be allowed to divide good Christians and good Muslims”.

Guinea’s President Alpha Condé has announced that a constitutional referendum that has sparked protests across the country will be held on 1 March. The referendum plan had been opposed on grounds that it could pave the way for President Condé to seek a third term in office. Several protesters have died in various anti-government demonstrations.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has pardoned more than 3,000 prisoners serving short sentences in the country, as he tries to garner support after months of political unrest. There have been hundreds of arrests of those protesting against the ruling establishment. President Tebboune was elected in December in a vote opposed by a large protest movement which wanted the entire ruling class removed.

The wife of the prime minister of Lesotho has been charged with murder and attempted murder. First Lady Maesaiah Thabane appeared in court on Wednesday. She had handed herself in on Tuesday to be questioned about the killing of the prime minister’s previous wife. At least seven people are reported to have been killed by suspected Islamists in northern Mozambique. Local media reported that all of the dead were farmers, attacked on their way to their fields. All were beheaded.

A motorcycle taxi driver in Lagos has been given a free car as the ban on okadas and tricycles in Nigeria’s commercial capital continues to stir widespread disaffection. Sandra Eghaghara was a driver with ride-hailing service Gokada. He was put out of work when the ban came into effect. (Source Foreign News: BBC Africa)