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13, April 2020

COVID-19: Global caseload exceeds 1.84mn; deaths in Europe on downward trend ⁰

At least 1,844,410 people are diagnosed with COVID-19 across the globe, and 114,090 others have so far died of the disease, according to the latest data collected by Johns Hopkins University.

Slowing death rates from the coronavirus epidemic in Italy, France and Spain — the worst-affected nations after the United States — have provided some hope in Europe, where millions of people celebrated Easter Sunday under lockdown in their homes.

Here are the world’s key developments related to the pandemic over the past 24 hours:

Italy reports lowest daily death toll in 1 month

Deaths from coronavirus infection in Italy rose by 431 on Sunday, down from 619 the day before, official said. That was the lowest daily rise in deaths since March 19.

The number of new cases also slowed to 4,092, from a previous 4,694.

The total death toll rose to 19,899, the Civil Protection Agency said, also confirming the number of known cases of COVID-19 at 156,363.

Spain reports drop in daily toll

Presenting its daily update on Monday, Spain’s government said the death toll had resumed a downward trend with 517 more people dead.

The overall number of fatalities was reported at nearly 17,500.

The data also showed confirmed cases rose by 3,477 — the lowest daily figure since March 20.

The country started loosening the lockdown and reopened parts of its economy with construction and manufacturing workers returning after a two-week period.

France deaths decline

France has reported a drop in fatalities from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, with 315 deaths in hospitals on Sunday, compared with 345 the day before.

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the nation for a third time over the outbreak later on Monday. Official said he is due to stress the need for the lockdown to continue.

The total death toll, which includes data from hospitals and nursing homes, reached 14,393 in the country, with a total 132,591 infections as of Sunday.

Russia reports new record daily rise of COVID-19

In a record daily rise, Russia reported 2,558 more positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

The figure brought the country’s overall tally to 18,328.

According to Russia’s coronavirus crisis response center, 18 patients also died of complications from the viral infection, bringing the country’s overall death toll to 148.

Meanwhile, police have tightened a lockdown in the capital, Moscow, where more than 10,000 people are infected with the virus.

Traffic police have set up checkpoints on major thoroughfares on the outskirts of the city to control traffic.

China reports 108 new cases

China recorded 108 new cases of the disease on Sunday, marking the highest number of cases in more than five weeks.

The National Health Commission said 98 cases had been travelers from abroad.

Two deaths were also recorded.

The new figures brought China’s total confirmed cases to 82,160, and the number of deaths to 3,341.

Recent increases in the number of imported cases have sparked fears of a second wave of infections in the mainland. As part of the latest restrictions in the country, cities near the border with Russia are tightening border controls and imposing stricter quarantine after officials reported an influx of infected cases from Russia. The northeast Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia, has become the new battleground against the coronavirus outbreak.

More recovered patients test positive again in South Korea

South Korea said on Monday that at least 116 people who had recovered from COVID-19 had tested positive again.

While the country reported 25 first-time infections on Monday, the number of “reactivated” patients had more than doubled since a week earlier, when officials started reported such cases.

South Korea health officials are investigating the cause of the apparent relapses. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also opened an investigation into the cases.

Jordan extends lockdown till end of April

In the Middle East, Jordan extended its month-long lockdown until the end of this month on Sunday.

The country has reported 389 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths.

Jordan had declared a 24-hour nationwide curfew on March 20.

Turkey’s Erdogan rejects minister’s resignation over hasty curfew

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected the resignation of his interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, who had hastily declared a weekend lockdown that led to a surge in panic buying and traffic in Istanbul.

Soylu announced his resignation in a Twitter message on Sunday, saying he was responsible for implementing the lockdown.

Erdogan, however, refused to accept his resignation. Health officials reported 97 more deaths on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 1,198. The country of 80 million has nearly 57,000 confirmed cases of the viral infection.

In Israel, former chief rabbi dies of COVID-19

A former Israeli chief rabbi died of complications caused by the new coronavirus on Sunday.

Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, 79, who had served as Israel’s top chaplain for Sephardim from 1993 to 2003, died of COVID-19 in a hospital in Jerusalem al-Quds.

Israel has reported 11,145 cases of infection and 103 deaths.

Sudan introduces emergency laws

In Africa, Sudan was set to introduce emergency laws, including banning all passenger road transport between cities, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

It has registered 19 cases and two deaths.

Mexico reports 442 new cases

In Mexico, the Health Ministry reported 442 new cases of infection and 23 more deaths on Sunday.

That brought the country’s total to 4,661 cases and 296 deaths.

Culled from Presstv

13, April 2020

Former SDF Parliamentary Group leader dies of heart attack ⁰

Former Momo West sub constituency MP Hon. Mbah Ndam Joseph Njang has died. An SDF spokesman says the 65-year-old suffered “a major heart attack” Monday morning and died at his Yaoundé residence.

The opposition MP represented the Momo County legislative district for more than two decades. The district includes parts of Batibo sub division. Mbah Ndam also was the parliamentary group leader of the Social Democratic Front (SDF).

In a statement released today by his family in Essen, Germany, Mbah Ndam Jr called the late Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam a “dedicated public servant and successful legal practitioner.”

Hon. Mbah Ndam recently survived an attack on his campaign convoy that left at least four persons injured. Momo West was among ten other electoral constituencies in Southern Cameroons that witnessed election rerun as a result of a Constitutional Council decision of February 25, 2020 that annulled the contest in Menchum North, Bui West, Mezam South, Bui Centre, Bui South, Mezam Centre, Momo East, Menchum South, Momo West and Mezam North – and Lebialem in the Southern Zone of Ambazonia.

Mbah Ndam, a product of Government High School Mamfe and a graduate from the University of Yaoundé and Member of Parliament since 1997, was born on February 28, 1955 in Batibo, Momo Division of the then North West province. He has been a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the SDF since 1991.

He was a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Yaoundé from 1988-92. In 1992, he became the adviser on legal and judicial matters of National Financial Credit Bank and he was the chair of the Momo Cultural and Development Association.

Joseph Mbah Ndam was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, married and a father of six children.

His retirement home in Batibo was burnt down by armed Southern Cameroons fighters on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai with additional reporting from Oke Akombi AyukepiAkap in Glasgow

13, April 2020

Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam has died at 65 ⁰

Hon. Joseph Mbah Ndam has died at 65

This item is still developing

13, April 2020

The Holy Father calls for global ceasefire amid Covid-19 pandemic in livestreamed Easter address ⁰

Pope Francis called on Sunday for global solidarity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, urging the relaxation of international sanctions, debt relief for poor nations and ceasefires in all conflicts.

“May Christ our peace enlighten all who have responsibility in conflicts, that they may have the courage to support the appeal for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world,” the pope said in a live streamed Easter message.

He condemned arms manufacturing and said the pandemic should spur leaders to finally end long-running wars such as that in Syria. He also appealed for help for migrants and others suffering from existing humanitarian conflicts.

The pope also warned the European Union that it risked collapse if it did not agree on how to help the region recover.

The pope’s Easter “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message, delivered from an empty St. Peter’s Basilica instead of to the usual crowd of tens of thousands in the square outside, was by far his most pressing and political since his election in 2013.

Saying the message of this year’s “Easter of solitude” should be a “contagion of hope,” he heaped praise on doctors, nurses and others risking their lives to save others and hailed those working to keep essential services running.

“This is not a time for indifference, because the whole world is suffering and needs to be united in facing the pandemic,” he said in the message, almost entirely dedicated to the pandemic’s effects on personal and international relations.

“Indifference, self-centredness, division and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time. We want to ban these words forever!” he said.

Easter in the time of Covid-19

Francis expressed sympathy for those not able to bid farewell to their loved ones because of restrictions, for Catholics who have not been able to receive the sacraments and for all those worried about an uncertain future.

“In these weeks, the lives of millions of people have suddenly changed,” he said.

The pope said it was up to politicians and governments, too, to avoid “self-centredness” and take decisive, concerted action to help each others’ populations live through the crisis and eventually resume normal life.

“May international sanctions be relaxed, since these make it difficult for countries on which they have been imposed to provide adequate support to their citizens,” Francis said.

He also called for debt reductions or forgiveness for the poorest nations, without naming any countries.

Europe’s divisions

Francis expressed particular concern for the future of Europe, saying it was vital that rivalries that existed before World War Two “do not regain force” as a result of the pandemic.

European Union nations are divided over how to help the continent’s economy recover – with Italy and other eurozone members seeking the issuance of euro bonds backed by all, but Germany, the Netherlands and other countries opposed to this.

“The European Union is presently facing an epochal challenge, on which will depend not only its future but that of the whole world,” Francis said.

That echoed a position by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, whose country has suffered one of the highest death tolls from Covid-19.

“This is not a time for division,” Francis said.

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AFP)

13, April 2020

COVID-19: African ambassadors write letter of complaint to China over ‘discrimination’ ⁰

African ambassadors in China have written to the country’s foreign minister over what they call discrimination against Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus.

Several African countries have separately also demanded that China address their concerns that Africans, in particular in the southern city of Guangzhou, are being mistreated and harassed.

Having brought under control the original outbreak centred on the city of Wuhan, China is now concerned about imported cases and is stepping up scrutiny of foreigners coming into the country and tightening border controls. It has denied any discrimination.

In recent days Africans in Guangzhou have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public. Such complaints have been made in local media, and on social media.

The ambassadors’ note said such “stigmatisation and discrimination” created the false impression that the virus was being spread by Africans.

“The Group of African Ambassadors in Beijing immediately demands the cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans,” it said.

The note was sent to State Councilor Wang Yi, the Chinese government’s top diplomat, copying the chair of the African Union, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and all African foreign ministers.

“The Guangdong authorities attach great importance to some African countries’ concerns and are working promptly to improve their working method,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement published Sunday, referring to the province in which Guangzhou is located.

“African friends can count on getting fair, just, cordial and friendly reception in China,” he said, adding the foreign ministry will stay in close communication with Guangdong authorities and address the “African side’s reasonable concerns and legitimate appeals”.

Zhao’s statement did not reference the ambassadors’ note to Wang and did not mention the allegations of discrimination against Africans in the city.

Foreign affairs official Liu Baochun told a news conference separately on Sunday that Guangzhou is enforcing anti-virus measures on anyone who enters the city from across the national border, regardless of nationality, race or gender.

The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe on Saturday dismissed the accusation that Africans were being deliberately targeted.

“It is harmful to sensationalize isolated incidents,” it said in a tweeted statement. “China treats all individuals in the country, Chinese and foreign alike, as equals.”

Disappointment

The ambassadors’ note highlighted a number of reported incidents, including that Africans were being ejected from hotels in the middle of the night, the seizure of passports, and threats of visa revocation, arrest or deportation.

On Saturday, Ghana’s foreign minister of affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said she had summoned the Chinese ambassador to express her disappointment and demand action.

Kenya’s foreign ministry has also “officially expressed concern”, adding the government is working with Chinese authorities to address the matter.

On Friday, Nigerian legislator Akinola Alabi tweeted a video of a meeting between the leader of Nigeria’s lower house of parliament, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Chinese Ambassador Zhou Pingjian. In it, Gbajabiamila demanded an explanation from the diplomat after showing Zhou a video of a Nigerian complaining about mistreatment in China.

The ambassador said in response to the questions from the house leader that he took the complaints “very seriously” and promised to convey them to the authorities back home.

Source: REUTERS

13, April 2020

Cameroon college students opt for local solutions in fighting COVID-19 ⁰

Starting from the upcoming Monday, wearing a mask in public spaces in Cameroon shall be compulsory, according to a government order.

Mouhamed Amin Nsangou, 26, a student at the University of Yaounde I, did not wait for this decision before starting the production of masks.

Failing to find protective masks in quantity on the market, Nsangou and his university peers set up a workshop to manufacture masks with local fabrics.

“When our country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt we had to get involved in the fight,” he said. “We make the protective masks using 100 percent cotton fabrics found on the market.”

These masks, which sell for 1,000 CFA francs per piece (about 1.7 dollars), “are washable for many times, because many Cameroonians could not afford to buy masks all the time,” Nsangou said.

In addition to the masks, students majoring in biology and chemistry also produce hydro-alcoholic solutions, which are also rare in local market as more and more COVID-19 cases are reported.

“Thanks to the protocol made public by the World Health Organization (WHO), we get our raw materials on the market to produce hydro-alcoholic gels,” said Michel Pepouore Ngoundam, a student in industrial microbiology at the University of Yaounde I.

According to the students, so far, their initiatives have helped to provide about a hundred students with face masks and hydro-alcoholic gels.

The Cameroonian government is planning a massive local production of masks, hand gels, and other materials to fight the virus, according to the government decree making it mandatory to wear the mask.

According to the latest report from the country’s health authorities, as of April 11, Cameroon has reported 836 COVID-19 cases, making it one of the African countries worstly hit by the pandemic.

Source: Xinhuanet

13, April 2020

Federal Republic of Ambazonia: Integrity, sound and honest leadership is a MUST ⁰

Searching the pages of history and examining personal experiences, one appreciates the significance of great leadership to a family, organisation and a country. Had Winston Churchill not been the leader of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, there is a valid argument that the world would be different today. The same applies to Nkwame Nkrumah, Patrice Limumba, Nelson Mandela and the many giants of Pan-Africanism who fought all over Africa to break the shackles of colonialism thus attaining freedom and independence for millions of us. Of the many definitions of leadership, the following is of particular significance today; ‘leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.’

Cameroon Concord News Group believes that it speaks for the Ambazonian nation in stating that a lack of leadership after the abduction of Sisiku Ayuk Tabe in Abuja, Nigeria on the 5th of January 2018 is the fundamental reason for our lack of progress in our pursuit of independence and freedom. French Cameroun’s decapitation strike on our revolution achieved its aim. The appointment of Comrade Dabney Yerima as Vice President in May 2019 has steadied the shivering revolutionary boat. Prior to his appointment, wretched leadership was a grave reality in our struggle for justice, peace and independence. Unfortunately, much to the astonishment of this media outlet, over the last few months, pockets of this absurdity are now reappearing. We are incredulous at the bulk of people in this struggle for self-determination who seek power for self-aggrandizement.

After Ikome Sako failed woefully as acting leader of the Southern Cameroons struggle, Cameroon Concord News Group deemed it of paramount importance that anyone who seeks leadership at LGA, County or National level should be vetted and auditioned vigorously. Rev Sako and many in his mob were dubious and possessed less than a honorable past. They slipped through the net with little or no vetting. Correspondingly, many like them shouldn’t be allowed to do so in future. As we all volunteer our time, energy and money, the red lights should start flashing when comrades become vicious and dishonorable in their quests for control.

Cameroon Concord News Group has examined potential and current leaders at various sections of this struggle and whilst some exude confidence and the skill set to take Ambazonians to their intended destination, quite a significant proportion possess not the elementary skills required for leadership. This trend is disquieting and must be addressed immediately to snuff out stagnation. The insistence on titles and positions sounds trivial but it’s now a major concern and a dangerous trend that must be discouraged and stopped. We of the Concord Group have concluded that the French Cameroun system of titles for pomposity has infested the Southern Cameroons psychic. We must call this out at every opportunity for we intend to build a nation on sound human values.

Cameroon Concord News Group is cautioning Ambazonians to allocate no time and tolerance to comedians and administrative utopians to whom only tittles are of significance! Ambazonia is at war! Special and challenging times call for brilliant leaders. And in this exceptional Ambazonian revolution, we need decent men and women with integrity and decorum to be the leaders at all levels. We need leaders who are trustworthy and accountable. We need leaders who are motivated to work for Ambazonia and its people not ego soothing fanatics. We need reliable leaders who inspire trust and confidence not leaders who engage in backstabbing.

Individuals with sound judgment wouldn’t entrust their political futures and a revolution to anyone thoughtless, calculating and lacking in self-control. The generosity and tolerance of the good people of Ambazonia should never be taken for granted. Comrades should never be deluded that they have supernatural rights and abilities so leadership must gravitate to them. Leadership is trust from the governed and must be earned!

The political illiteracy of the nice people of Southern Cameroons is no longer an opinion, it’s a fact. The evidence is obvious from the multitude of untruths consumed from social media platforms.

Cameroon Concord News Group stresses on the deployment of caution in appointing and electing leaders at any level of this struggle for we can’t afford unfortunate leadership anymore. Good leadership matters in this revolution as it makes a difference between being alive or not.

Isong Asu

London Bureau Chief

12, April 2020

Cameroon Coronavirus Update: Cases climb to 820, Total Deaths reaches to 12 today 12-Apr-2020 ⁰

Cameroon coronavirus cases climb to 820, total deaths reaches to 12 today 12-Apr-2020! Total confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) have increased to 820, while 12 people died due to the growing infection in the country.

Here are the latest cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Cameroon:

Sr. No.	Date	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	Deaths
1.	18-Mar-2020	13	3	0	0
2.	19-Mar-2020	13	0	0	0
3.	20-Mar-2020	27	14	0	0
4.	21-Mar-2020	27	14	0	0
5.	22-Mar-2020	40	0	0	0
6.	23-Mar-2020	56	16	0	0
7.	24-Mar-2020	66	10	1	1
8.	25-Mar-2020	75	9	1	0
9.	26-Mar-2020	75	0	1	0
10.	27-Mar-2020	91	16	2	1
11.	28-Mar-2020	91	0	2	0
12.	29-Mar-2020	139	48	6	4
13.	30-Mar-2020	139	0	6	0
14.	31-Mar-2020	193	54	6	0
15.	01-Apr-2020	233	40	6	0
16.	02-Apr-2020	306	73	7	1
17.	03-Apr-2020	509	203	8	1
18.	04-Apr-2020	555	46	9	1
19.	05-Apr-2020	650	95	9	0
20.	06-Apr-2020	658	8	9	0
21.	07-Apr-2020	685	27	9	0
22.	08-Apr-2020	730	45	10	1
23.	09-Apr-2020	803	73	12	2
24.	10-Apr-2020	820	17	12	0
25.	11-Apr-2020	820	0	12	0
26.	12-Apr-2020	820	0	12	0

Source: NewsdeskIndia

12, April 2020

Former OAU Chief Edem Kodjo dies aged 82 ⁰

The government and people of Togo are mourning the death of a former Prime Minister of the West African country, Edem Kodjo. The former diplomat died at the age of 82 in the French capital Paris on Saturday, April 11.

The current Togolese Foreign Minister in reacting to the news posted on Twitter: “A brilliant academic, and an ardent Pan-African, our beloved Edem Kodjo died in Paris after a long illness.

‘You will always remain a reference for us’. On the eve of Easter, you practicing Christian return to your creator. Condolences to his family,” Minister Robert Dussey added.

In Togo, Kodjo spent two stints as Prime Minister, the first period from 1994 to 1996 and again from 2005 to 2006 under former president Gnassingbe Eyadema. He also held a number of ministerial posts.

Kodjo served in Eyadéma’s government as Minister of Finance from 1973 to 1976 and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1976 to 1978. He was elected as the Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) at its summit in Khartoum on July 18–22, 1978.

At the time he took over the OUA leadership from Etéki Mboumoua, a Cameroonian diplomat reputed as the man who dismantled the Portuguese colonial empire in Africa. Eteki died in October 2016 at the age of 83 in the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde.

In his condolence message, the current African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, described Kodjo as “a brilliant African intellectual,” and “a distinguished statesman and tireless knight of peace.”

The AU chief continued that death was “painful” before extending on behalf the staff of the AUC, his most sincere and deep condolences to his family, the Togolese people and all the African peoples. May his soul rest in peace and may his example continue to inspire the continent,” the statement concluded.

Namibian president Hage Geingob was one of the earliest African leaders to react to the death as well as Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Geingob wrote: “With the passing of Edem Kodjo, Africa has lost an illustrious former SG of the OAU, a former Prime Minister of Togo and a refined intellectual. A towering Pan-Africanist who contributed immensely to a peaceful and better Africa is no more. Condolences to the people of Togo. RIP.”

Aside his work as OAU chief which ended in 1983 following which he returned to France to continue with academic pursuits at the prestigious University of Sorbonne; the AU named him envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the electoral crisis in the late years of Kabila’s mandate.

Source: Africa News

12, April 2020

Coronavirus: Africa is still doing well compared to other continents ⁰

According to www.worldometer.com, Africa has lost some 710 people to the Coronavirus.

Since the virus started, many people around the world have been worried about Africa, a continent many people say is bereft of world-class health infrastructure.

Egypt, Algeria, Morocco have registered the highest numbers of people killed by virus on the continent.

It should be pointed out that Africa is a continent and not a country. It is a continent of 54 countries and more than a billion people, many of whom are young and are blessed with very strong immune systems.

At the beginning of the viral pandemic, many westerners had predicted that there would be an apocalypse on the continent due to the lack of proper medical facilities and experts, but things are pointing in a different direction.

Much of the success is also due to the distancing and containment measures that most African countries have put in place. The wearing of face masks is now compulsory in many African countries and the use of hand sanitizers is mandatory in many shops and government offices.

The population is complying with most of measures in place and this is delivering some impressive outcomes.

Africans have to continue doing the right things. They must make social distancing a significant part of their lives, regardless of the challenges that come with it.

The virus is still alive and it is leaving a trail of death and destruction in other parts of the world. Africans must learn from the mistakes of other people and with their natural advantage, they will be able to keep the death rate at the barest minimum.

By Dr Joachim Arrey