Trending news stories in Cameroon – 5th April, 2021

Some secondary school students in Cameroon say they are witnessing major difficulties with distance learning. Other worries raised are lack of android phones or computers to follow lectures, and frequent blackouts and epileptic Internet service. Online learning was once more recommended as the resumption of classes for the third term was pushed to April 12 to curb COVID spread.



President Paul Biya of Cameroon has addressed a message of condolence to His Lordhsip Samuel Kleda of the Douala Archdiocese. This follows the death of Christian Cardianl Tumi on the night of Good Friday breaking Saturday. The Pope, the Moderator of PCC, politicians and other personalities have been sending condolence messages since the Cardinal’s demise. Late Cardinal Tumi is being known and described as a fierce critic of the Biya regime.




The populaton of Garoua is mourning its traditional leader. Alim Garga Hayatou passed on early today. The secretary of state at the Ministry of Public Health is the second member of government in active service to die since the beginning of 2021. A state funeral in his honour will be held tomorrow.




The ‘search’ of the moon by Muslim faithful for the start of fasting will begin next Monday April 12th. If seen, Muslim religious authorities say fasting will start on Tuesday April 13th. If the moon is not spotted, muslim holy preiod will automatically start on Wednesday April 14th, MMI has learned.




Secondary Education Minister, Pauline Nalova Lyonga has ordered that timetables for examination students be made known to their parents. This, she explains, will permit parents know when to expect their kids back home. She adds that classes should not exceed 2:00PM — and two shift classes should not be practiced during this period. The recent measure by the minister comes to boost the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as deviant behaviour in schools.



Customers of COMECI micro finance institution in Douala for the second week continue to assemble at its Akwa, Douala officer to register for reclamation of their savings. The micro finance house was shutdown 4 years ago and its customers say they have since been stranded.




Ambulances packed in front of the Laquintinie hospital in Douala were vandalised by unknown individuals last night. This morning, one of the drivers discovered a note in one of the damaged cars asking for the payment of the sum of one million FCFA [over 1,700 US Dollars]. It is unclear what the “suspected vandals” want.




Cameroonian Movie, ‘The Fisherman’s Diary’ has become the second Cameroonian movie to be aired on Netflix. It was officially made available on April 4th, 2021.




The Divisional Officer for Jakiri in the North West region has banned all motor bikes from circulation in the Sub Division. The reason for the ban is unknown. Adminsitrative authorities in the region, however, have often expressed disdain to commercial motorbikes which they say aid separatist fighters in their attacks.




A 7-year-old boy from the South West Region has drowned in a river in Makenene, Centre region of Cameroon. The kid drowned as he went swimming with friends. His death comes barely a week after the passing of his father.