Monthly Archives: April 2026

12, April 2026

Bamenda: 97-year-old man ready for his third papal encounter ⁰

At 97 years of age, Pa Chrysantus Nfor sits quietly at his Nkwen residence in Bamenda, his frame slightly frail, but his eyes fixed on a horizon of hope.

He has traveled from his hometown in Tabenken, Donga Mantung Division – a district to the northwest of the city – to Bamenda, not this time on the arduous trek he undertook nearly four decades ago, but to seek medical treatment.

Surrounded by children and grandchildren, the nonagenarian finds himself waiting for something far more miraculous than medicine. He is waiting to see the pope.

Pope Leo XVI is expected in Cameroon from April 15 to 18. That visit is stirring excitement across the nation. Pa Nfor stands out as a veteran of papal expeditions, having witnessed the visits of Pope John Paul II in 1985 and 1995; Pope Benedict in 2009, and could witness his fourth papal visit when Pope Leo comes calling.

“I heard that the Pope is coming to Bamenda again, so I have just been waiting that if he comes, then I may likely see him too as well,” Pa Nfor told Crux Now in a shaky but firm voice.

He recalls the historic visit of Pope John Paul II in 1985 with the vividness of yesterday. But the memory of that visit is not just about the arrival of a pontiff; it is about the journey it took to witness the event.

Pa Nfor was about 56 years old then. He recalls the priest for Tabenken at the time putting out a call for volunteers to travel to Bamenda to greet the pope. While many hesitated due to the daunting distance, Nfor stepped forward.

The journey was a test of endurance that few would volunteer for today. The group left Tabenken by vehicle to Kumbo, where they spent the night. But the real pilgrimage began at dawn. They walked from Kumbo to Babessi, then to Ndop, then to Bambui, and finally to the Bafut Airport, where the pope was to land.

They trekked for over 62.14 miles, but Pa Nfor insists the physical weight of the journey was lightened by their spiritual purpose.

“We were praying, we were singing. That was the main thing we were doing,” he recalls. But there was a physical burden as well. Pa Nfor was one of the chosen few who carried a heavy wooden cross along the route, symbolizing the faith they held in their hearts.

Reflecting on that trek today, surrounded by his children and grandchildren who have come to support him during his treatment, Pa Nfor believes that journey was a turning point for his life. He notes that many of those who trekked with him have since passed away, but he has remained standing.

“I don’t know whether it is the cross I carried that has made me live up to now,” he humbly admits. But the fruits of that journey are evident to him.

“Since I took the trek to Bamenda and back, my family and I are still here… No trouble in the house. No quarreling as a father and the children. I feel that journey, meeting the pope has been a blessing to me,” he said.

Today, the trek has been replaced by a different kind of waiting. Pa Nfor is suffering from breathing difficulties, back pain, and frequent urination— ailments that have worn him down. His hope for the visit of Pope Leo XVI is simple and profound: That healing may come.

“As a patient, that’s the main thing I pray for,” he says. “I think the main thing he can do for me is to pray for me for a long life and good health.”

“I would be grateful to God if I live up to 100 years,” he adds, putting up a smile that momentarily shades the pain he is going through.

However, his vision extends beyond his own health. As Cameroon grapples with internal turmoil, particularly the separatist crisis that for ten years now has resulted in the deaths of at least 6,500 people and the displacement of nearly a million others, Pa Nfor sees the Papal visit as a potential balm for the nation.

“I have a feeling that if the Pope should reach here, this trouble in Cameroon would end,” he says with quiet conviction.

Pa Nfor, however, wonders if the spirit of sacrifice that fueled his 1985 journey still exists in his children and grandchildren.

” The young children, they cannot do it because they expect money,” he muses.

“If somebody is doing anything that should affect them, they should get money. They cannot just travel like that,” Pa Nfor said.

Despite the changing times, his advice to the youth and his family remains anchored in the faith that carried him from Kumbo to Bafut all those years ago. He urges them to look past their screens and their desire for material gain.

“They should all believe in God,” he advises. “If somebody hears that the Pope is coming, they should also come to see the Pope. And then get the prayer which the Pope gives to people.”

“Let them turn off the screens and make the trip,” he continues.

As Bamenda prepares to roll out the red carpet for Pope Leo XVI, Pa Chrysantus Nfor will be there, not carrying a cross this time, but bearing the weight of nearly a century of faith and the hope that a prayer from the Holy Father will bring healing to his body and peace to his country.

Source: Crux

12, April 2026

Yaoundé says preparations complete for Pope Leo XIV visit ⁰

The Government of Cameroon has declared full readiness for the planned Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled to take place from April 15 to 18.

Speaking during a press briefing that was held on Wednesday, April 8 in Yaoundé, the Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, René Emmanuel Sadi, assured journalists that all necessary arrangements had been finalized to guarantee the success of the four-day papal visit.

“A few days ahead of the coming of His Holiness to our country, I can assure you that all is ready to ensure that this Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV takes place under optimal conditions, guaranteeing every success,” Sadi said.

He added, “The people of Cameroon as a whole are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the Supreme Pontiff in our country, to express their joy and enthusiasm to host him on their soil.”

“All necessary arrangements have been made, under the esteemed auspices of the President Paul Biya, to provide an exceptional welcome to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and to ensure every success to his Apostolic Visit to Cameroon,” the Government Spokesperson said.

The Minister highlighted the longstanding ties between Cameroon and the Holy See, noting that the Apostolic Visit represents a historic milestone for the central African country.

“Our bilateral and spiritual relations, formally established in 1966, continue to bear fruit today in education, healthcare, and social development,” Sadi said.

He emphasized the Church’s contribution to the nation, saying, “The Catholic Church operates an extensive network of high-quality educational institutions nationwide and numerous hospitals, often serving remote or underprivileged populations. Its work demonstrates the social significance of Catholicism in Cameroon.”

The government official also highlighted the religious harmony in the country, saying, “Catholicism coexists peacefully and in perfect harmony with other religious denominations present across the national territory.”

Pope Leo XIV is expected to arrive in Cameroon on April 15 on the second stage of his four-nation African trip. After a welcome ceremony at the Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport, he is to meet the country’s President and address authorities, civil society leaders, and diplomats.

The Holy Father will visit the Ngul Zamba Orphanage and meet privately with members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).

During his time in Cameroon, the Holy Father is expected to place particular emphasis on reconciliation and social healing. On Thursday, April 16, he will travel to Bamenda, where he is scheduled to hold a “Meeting for Peace” with the local community at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral and celebrate Mass at Bamenda International Airport.

The Papal visit to Bamenda carries symbolic significance given the region’s experience of political and social tensions in recent years.

On Friday, April 17, the Pontiff will visit Douala, where he is scheduled to preside over a large Eucharistic celebration at Japoma Stadium. The program also includes a private visit to Saint Paul Catholic Hospital and a dialogue with university students and professors at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC).

He is expected to leave Cameroon on April 18 for the third leg of his trip, which is to take him to Angola.

Source: aciAfrica

12, April 2026

New low for US Vice President as his popularity plummets to historic depths ⁰

US vice president JD Vance is now sitting at the bottom of the political ladder in the country, with approval numbers sinking to levels never seen before for a vice president at this stage in office, according to CNN.

Drawing on aggregated national polling averages tracking Vance since he took office in January 2025, the data reveals that the vice president’s standing has nosedived sharply, landing him in the “historically the worst” position when compared with his predecessors at the same point in their terms.

The numbers tell a stark story. Vance’s net approval rating has plunged from a positive 3 points down to negative 18 – a dramatic 21-point swing in the wrong direction.

“Down he goes,” CNN data analyst Harry Enten, who worked on it, remarked on air while presenting the details, adding that Vance is “not doing too hot to trot at this point.”

For context, Enten walked viewers through the records of other vice presidents at comparable moments in their tenures. Kamala Harris stood at minus 13, Mike Pence at minus 7 and Joe Biden at a net positive of 4.

While Enten acknowledged that vice presidents have generally become less popular over time, he noted that this trend alone does not fully account for the severity of the former Ohio senator’s dramatic collapse.

The sharp decline, Enten suggested, is not happening in a vacuum. Vance appears to be “dragged down along with the president of the United States,” caught in broader political headwinds weighing on the entire administration.

Trump’s ratings have also dramatically sunk amid his deeply controversial foreign policy decisions, including the unprovoked and illegal war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Interestingly, it coincides with Vance’s role as the lead US negotiator in talks with the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, which ended early on Sunday on a negative note.

The talks, which followed the 40-day war of aggression against the Islamic Republic, failed to produce any breakthrough due to the US delegation’s maximalist demands.

Source: Press TV

11, April 2026

MP for Eyumojock spreads hope in his constituency ⁰

The Member of Parliament for Eyumojock Subdivision in Manyu Division, Honorable Teku Tanyi, is spreading hope in his constituency by paying for the grading of some of the roads in his constituency.

The Member of Parliament has taken it upon himself to pay for the grading of the stretch of road from Bessenge to Ossing, a decision which has been welcome by residents of Ntenako, Ndekwai and Ossing, especially as the rainy season is fast approaching.

Over the last years, transport fare from Ossing to Mamfe by motor bike, just like from Ndekwai and Ntenako to mamfe had escalated from CFAF 500 to CFAF 2,000 and CFAF 1,000 frs respectively, due to the poor state of the road.

Many small vehicles had abandoned that stretch of road to four-wheeled trucks.

The movement of farm products to Mamfe was expensive for farmers, leaving them at the mercy of buyers who offered them low prices for their produce, thus making it hard for the farmers to make any profit from their activities.

The residents of the villages concerned have expressed appreciation to the Member of Parliament for always showing concern about the sufferings of his people, urging him to keep on fighting for them at the national level.

By this gesture, the residents of the villages through which the road goes through will face limited challenges during the coming rainy season.

Manyu Division has always had to deal with long periods of torrential rains during the rainy season and the rainy season is always a disaster to road users during this period.

By Staff man Kingsley Betek

11, April 2026

Nalova Lyonga adjusts academic calendar to match rescheduled school games ⁰

Cameroon has adjusted the start date of the third school term, delaying the return to class for secondary school students by nearly a week.

In an April 9 statement, Secondary Education Minister Nalova Lyonga announced that the term, initially set to begin on April 21, will now start on Monday, April 27, 2026.

The change is tied to the rescheduling of the national finals of the Fenassco League A school games, now set to take place from April 19 to 26 in Bafoussam and Bangangté, in the West region. The competitions were originally planned for April 8 to 15 but were postponed on government instructions, requiring an adjustment to the academic calendar.

Authorities say the decision is meant to balance school sports activities with academic continuity. The Fenassco games, which bring together thousands of students from across the country each year, are seen as a key platform for promoting school sports and identifying young talent.

However, the delay is expected to affect the organization of teaching schedules. To address this, the minister has instructed regional education officials to organize catch-up classes in all secondary schools.

The aim is to preserve instructional hours and ensure that the 2025–2026 academic calendar remains on track, particularly as the final term is critical for national exams.

School administrators, teachers, students, and parents have been urged to strictly follow the revised schedule to ensure the smooth completion of the academic year.

The adjustment comes as the school year enters its final phase, under the framework set by the joint order issued in August 2025 by the ministries of Basic and Secondary Education.

Source: Sbbc

11, April 2026

Israel: Netanyahu requests delay in corruption trial testimony ⁰

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the court responsible for his corruption trial to postpone his testimony, citing “security concerns.”

His lawyer made the request in a court filing on Friday.

Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial was set to resume on Sunday, after Israel lifted a state of emergency imposed over its war of aggression on Iran following Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement.

The defense said it was prepared to continue ⁠hearing the testimony of a prosecution witness.

“Due to classified security and diplomatic reasons connected … to the dramatic events that have taken place … in recent times, the Prime Minister will not be able to testify in the proceeding for at least the next two weeks,” the filing said.

It said that a sealed envelope detailing the classified ‌reasons ⁠was delivered to the court, which will rule once the prosecution submits its response.

Netanyahu, the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime, denies charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust brought in ⁠2019 after years of investigations.

His trial, which began in 2020 and could lead to jail terms, has been repeatedly delayed due to various wars his cabinet has initiated, including the Gaza genocide since 2023, which has killed at least 72,000 Palestinians, two wars of aggression against Iran in 2025 and 2026, and recurring assaults on Lebanon since 2023, with ⁠no end date in sight.

The charges against Netanyahu, along with the al-Aqsa Flood Operation conducted by Palestinians resistance movements in October 2023, have damaged his standing.

Israel is due to hold an election in October that Netanyahu’s coalition, the most right-wing in Israel’s history, is likely to lose, according to polls.

Source: Presstv

10, April 2026

CPDM Crime Syndicate: PhD selection list sparks protests and claims of unfairness ⁰

The publication of a list of 600 selected PhD candidates for admission into Cameroon’s 11 state universities has triggered mixed reactions, with celebrations among successful applicants but protests and allegations of unfairness from those left out.

The list, published by the ministry of higher education recently following validation by the scientific councils of the universities, comes two months after applications were submitted via an official notice.

While those selected view their admission as a long-awaited opportunity to join the country’s academic community, critics argue that the limited intake risks deepening inequalities in access to doctoral education.

The responses to the list also come against the backdrop of the suspension of PhD programmes in July 2024 at all Cameroonian institutions after the ministry expressed concern over the financial implication and academic readiness of institutions to provide PhD education. Many candidates have had to put their applications on hold while waiting for the resumption of PhD programmes.

Celebration and opportunity

Abdoulaye Nfor of the University of Bamenda, who was selected for a PhD in chemical pathology, described his inclusion on the list as a personal milestone.

“It’s finally a dream come true. I have been looking forward to carrying out my research on the assessment of lead and cadmium exposure and associated metabolic dysfunction in mining communities in Cameroon,” he told University World News.

Selected students will start their PhD training from this month (April 2026). A notice from the vice-chancellor of the University of Buea instructed admitted candidates to report for classes on 6 April, according to a public notice.

Limited access and criticism

However, students and academics say the selection of only 600 candidates from more than 5,000 applicants nationwide leaves many qualified candidates without opportunities.

“The selection of just 600 out of over 5,000 applicants nationally is a complete denial of access to this prestigious level of academic qualification,” said Professor Mathias Eric Owona Nguini of the University of Yaoundé I.

“A PhD is the pinnacle of academic achievement, symbolising a profound commitment to research and scholarship that any brilliant student dreams of. Denial is an injustice,” he told University World News.

Some unsuccessful applicants have criticised what they describe as a lack of transparency in the selection process.

“While other countries are improving their research ecosystems by increasing the number of young researchers, our higher education policy is, instead, limiting. This is a big setback,” said Oumarou Dika, a PhD applicant at the University of Ngaoundéré.

Philip Ebontane, who applied to the University of Buea, also questioned the outcome.

“The selection process to me is doubtful. After obtaining my BSc and masters degrees in mass communication and corporate communication respectively from the University of Buea with excellent grades some five years ago, I see no reason why my application for a PhD programme was not accepted,” he said.

Allegations and official response

According to media reports, unsuccessful applicants from the University of Yaoundé I have lodged a collective complaint with Jacques Fame Ndongo, the Minister of Higher Education, alleging favouritism and lack of merit in the selection process. In a letter cited in the report, students warned of possible protests if no explanation is provided.

“By denying us the fundamental right to education, we are being pushed towards revolt and despair,” the students wrote.

The allegations follow an earlier statement by the rector of the University of Ngaoundéré in February 2026 warning against rumours of corruption involving members of the scientific council responsible for the selection.

However, Ndongo rejected claims of irregularities, stating that the selection process was based on merit.

“The selection operation was done on the basis of merit and the quality of research projects presented in line with the country’s SND30 development vision,” the minister said in a press release.

University authorities have encouraged unsuccessful candidates to reapply in future selection rounds.

“We could not select students above the quota of 60 set by the ministry of higher education. Contrary to claims by some non-selected students, the scientific council did its best in the selection procedure based strictly on merit,” said Professor Remy Magloire Etoua, rector of the University of Yaoundé I, speaking on state radio on 27 March 2026.

Calls for broader reform

Experts say the controversy highlights deeper structural challenges in Cameroon’s higher education system, including limited capacity for doctoral training and insufficient investment in research.

A report by Africa Online & Publications notes that Cameroon’s universities lag in global rankings due to political interference, underfunding and outdated curricula.

“Integrating doctoral reforms with investments in teacher training, digitalisation and research grants would create a more holistic system,” the report states.

It adds that, while the expansion of doctoral programmes is a positive step, long-term success will depend on sustained investment and structural reform.

“Stakeholders, including government, universities and international partners, must prioritise sustainable funding, infrastructure and inclusive policies to transform challenges into opportunities,” the report recommends.

Culled from University World News

10, April 2026

Popemobile arrives as Cameroon gears up for the Holy Father visit ⁰

The official vehicle of Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Cameroon, marking a key milestone in preparations for the Holy Father’s planned Apostolic visit scheduled for April 15–18.

The vehicle, widely known as the “Popemobile” and bearing the registration SCV 1, landed on Wednesday, April 8, in the afternoon via a special cargo flight at Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport.

A Boeing 777F operated by MSC Air Cargo transported the vehicle from abroad.

The Popemobile,short for Status Civitatis Vaticanae (State of Vatican City), will be used by the Holy Father during the various stages of his visit, including stops in Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala.

Selected Archbishops from these cities may have the privilege of accompanying the Pope in the vehicle.

The vehicle was officially received at the airport by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, alongside the Local Ordinary of Yaoundé, Archbishop Jean Mbarga.

This marks the fourth time the Popemobile has been brought to Yaoundé, following previous papal visits in 1985, 1995, and 2009.

While the Popemobile used during this visit appears to be an American-made model—possibly a Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac—it differs from the Pope’s primary vehicle at the Vatican, a fully electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class Electric (G580). That model, originally offered to Pope Francis in 2024, reflects the Vatican’s commitment to environmental sustainability and has been used in several recent public appearances, including a visit to Monaco.

Although the exact cost of a modern Popemobile is not publicly disclosed, base models like the electric G-Class are estimated to exceed 115 million FCFA (US$204,871.24). These customized vehicles are typically donated and built on high-end SUV platforms.

The Holy Father is also to visit the Ngul Zamba Orphanage and meet privately with members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).

During his time in Cameroon, the Holy Father is expected to place particular emphasis on reconciliation and social healing. On Thursday, April 16, he is to travel to Bamenda, where he is scheduled to hold a “Meeting for Peace” with the local community at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral and celebrate Mass at Bamenda International Airport.

The Papal visit to Bamenda carries symbolic significance given the region’s experience of political and social tensions in recent years.

On Friday, April 17, the Pontiff is to visit Douala, where he is scheduled to preside over a large Eucharistic celebration at Japoma Stadium. The program also includes a private visit to Saint Paul Catholic Hospital and a dialogue with university students and professors at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC).

He is expected to leave Cameroon on April 18 for the third leg of his trip, which is to take him to Angola.

Source: aciAfrica

10, April 2026

Iran says continuation of truce hinges on US adherence to commitments ⁰

The Iranian president says the continuation of a temporary ceasefire agreement depends on the adherence of the United States to its commitments.

Masoud Pezeshkian made the remarks during a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, one day after a two-week truce went into force between Tehran and Washington to pave the way for negotiations.

The Pakistan-mediated ceasefire deal followed the failure of the US and the Israeli regime to achieve their objectives after 41 days of war against the Iranian nation.

“Iran’s responsible approach towards accepting the ceasefire is in line with preserving regional stability and preventing the spread of clashes,” he said, adding that the truce’s “continuation depends on the opposite side’s adherence to its commitments.”

Pezeshkian also expressed gratitude to the efforts of friendly countries to stop the illegal US-Israeli act of aggression against Iran and praised Turkey’s condemnation of the military assault and the Turkish nation’s solidarity with the Iranian nation during the imposed war.

“Despite the United States’ betrayal of diplomacy and attacks against Iran during the last two rounds of negotiations, the Islamic Republic maintained its responsible stance and accepted the request of neighboring and friendly states to stop fighting and establish a ceasefire,” he said.

Both US-Israeli wars against Iran, including the 12-day aggression in June 2025 and this year’s 41-day war, occurred amid indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States.

The latest criminal US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

Iranian armed forces responded by launching daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets across the region.

Source: Presstv

10, April 2026

Yaoundé gains diplomatic visibility from WTO Summit ⁰

Cameroon is seeking to leverage the diplomatic momentum from hosting the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (CM14), held in Yaoundé from March 26 to 29, 2026.

In a letter to Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised the quality of the country’s organization and the engagement of Cameroonian authorities throughout the event. The WTO has formally documented the conference as successfully held in Yaoundé.

The recognition reinforces Cameroon’s image as a capable host of major multilateral events. It comes, however, in a tense global context marked by deep divisions among WTO members on several key issues.

For Yaoundé, the diplomatic challenge is twofold: highlight the success of the event’s organization while avoiding overstating its political outcomes. Although the conference helped sustain dialogue among members, it did not result in a final package of agreements adopted by consensus.

The European Commission noted after the meeting that no comprehensive deal was reached. Negotiations stalled on sensitive topics, including WTO reform, the moratorium on customs duties for e-commerce, and other issues that have now been referred back to Geneva.

Brussels pointed in particular to the lack of consensus on extending the e-commerce moratorium, which prevented the finalization of the broader package under discussion in Yaoundé.

In this context, the positive assessments directed at Cameroon remain largely tied to protocol and organization. Still, they carry weight for the authorities, who see them as validation of the country’s ability to host high-level international gatherings and provide a suitable working environment.

The next step for Cameroon will be to convert this reputational gain into more durable influence within multilateral economic forums. For now, however, the diplomatic impact of CM14 rests more on how it was organized than on any substantive breakthroughs in global trade negotiations.

Source: Business in Cameroon