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.

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 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

10, April 2026

Yaoundé summons Russian envoy over deaths of Cameroonians in Ukraine ⁰

The Cameroonian government summoned Russia’s ambassador to Cameroon, Georgy Todua, in Yaounde on April 7, 2026, following the reported deaths of 16 Cameroonian nationals who had been serving as contract soldiers in what Russian authorities describe as a “special military operation zone.”

In an official statement, Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella conveyed to the ambassador “the deep concern of the Cameroonian government and the victims’ families.” Yaounde is seeking clarification on the circumstances under which some of its nationals, who had reportedly left the country for civilian purposes, including tourism or study, became involved in military operations.

The diplomatic move comes as the presence of foreign fighters in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has drawn growing scrutiny. Several analyses have cited financial incentives as a possible factor driving such enlistments. Foreign recruits were reportedly offered bonuses of up to 10,000 euros, or approximately 6.5 million CFA francs, a prospect that could appeal to young people seeking economic opportunities.

Cameroonian authorities had previously taken steps to curb the trend. In a March 13, 2025 message, Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense Joseph Beti Assomo asked defense and security force commanders to strengthen measures aimed at preventing soldiers from deserting to conflict zones in Eastern Europe.

The situation comes against a sensitive diplomatic backdrop. Cameroon and Russia maintain cooperative ties across several sectors, including military training, higher education, energy and diplomacy. Cameroonian students regularly receive scholarships to study in Russia, and political exchanges between Yaounde and Moscow have increased in recent years.

This cooperative framework makes the matter delicate for Cameroonian authorities. Yaounde is seeking to shed light on how its nationals were recruited and deployed, while avoiding any damage to a bilateral relationship that has until now been presented as stable.

Source: Business in Cameroon

9, April 2026

Bamenda: How a papal visit is sparking an infrastructure ‘miracle’ ⁰

Beyond hopes for spiritual renewal and reconciliation in a country fractured by violence, Pope Leo XVI’s planned visit to Cameroon has sparked what the Archbishop of Bamenda describes as “an infrastructure miracle.”

In a wide-ranging interview on PRC TV – a channel affiliated with the Presidency of the Republic that broadcasts news about presidential activities – Archbishop Andrew Nkea stated that the papal visit has served as an unmatched catalyst for socio-economic and infrastructural development in Bamenda. This city, where nearly all development had stalled – either due to the ongoing separatist conflict or government neglect – has experienced significant progress.

The archbishop marveled at the “miraculous” transformation taking place, including the construction of new highways, the installation of running water in areas that lacked it for decades, and the historic reopening of the Bamenda airport after six years of inactivity.

“I am Archbishop of Bamenda, and what I am seeing here is nothing short of a miracle,” Nkea said.

“Highways are being built, roads in the quarters are being constructed.” He said since the Bamenda Archdiocese was opened in 1970, there has never been a sustainable source of water for the bishops’ residence that happens to be found on a hill.

“All of a sudden, water is going up to my hill,” Nkea said, thanks to the coming of Pope Leo.

Terrence Shey Tume, a motorcycle rider in Bamenda, told Crux Now that for years, riding his bike through the streets of Bamenda was a nightmare.

“Roads were filled with potholes. I could spend a whole day and not make up to 5,000 CFA (about $8.) This has changed. The roads are so smooth that one can close his eyes and still ride his bicycle,” he said.

And with approximately 650,000 people expected to attend the Bamenda stop of the visit, along with at least 750 priests and bishops, the hotel sector is also on the rise.

Nkea said that for the first time in seven years, a plane will land at Bamenda airport.

“The pope will not carry all these roads, water, hotels and other development projects back to Rome,” the archbishop said.

“Bamenda people will benefit from these roads, because when the pope goes, these roads will remain with us,” he added.

The archbishop recently distributed helmets to bikers in Bamenda because he fears that the good roads might become a source of danger.

“In late January, I met with motorcycle taxi operators to emphasize the need for collaboration during the construction works, highlighting that these roads are a permanent legacy for the community. We also distributed safety helmets, recognizing that improved infrastructure often leads to higher speeds and a greater risk of falling. We urged the riders to use the helmets to prevent head injuries on the tarmac,” the archbishop said.

The pope’s effect is also felt in other areas he will visit.

Cameroonians, witnessing such a transformation, have been vocal in their praise, with some telling Crux Now that it would be great if the pope visited Cameroon every year.

“It will become our development blueprint since our government has always failed to develop even the basics to make life better for us,” Assumpta Demse, a member of the Catholic Women’s Association told Crux Now.

Pope Leo will visit Bamenda, the capital of the war-torn North West region, during his stay in Cameroon, where he will meet with religious and traditional leaders as well as civil society members to discuss justice and peace. In Douala, the economic capital, he will meet with youth to address issues of unemployment and migration. In Yaoundé, he will meet with government officials to talk about good governance.

A visit unlike others

Although the improved infrastructure definitely creates a celebratory mood among the citizens, the pope’s visit, according to Mgr. William Neba, General Coordinator of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Bamenda, signifies something larger than just an ordinary Apostolic visit.

In a letter dated April 2, 2026, sent to the bishops, clergy, religious, and lay members of the Bamenda Catholic Church, Father William Neba highlighted the seriousness of the moment.

“This visit is not just like any other Apostolic Visit… but this one has significant overtones, especially for us in this province, when we look back on what we have gone through for the past nine years and are still going through today,” he said.

“The Holy Father shall celebrate Holy Mass for Peace and Justice at the Bamenda International Airport,” Neba added.

The archbishop of Bamenda had recently come under intense scrutiny for emphasizing the need for a return to peace: He overlooked the importance of justice.

By including the word justice in his April 2 letter, Neba suggests that Pope Leo might be more interested in addressing the root causes of the conflict, and “the Peace and Justice our Province has been longing for… may become a reality.”

Source: Crux

8, April 2026

Iran declares ‘historic victory’ over US, says enemy forced to accept its proposal ⁰

Iran has declared a “historic and crushing defeat” of the United States and the Israeli regime after 40 days of war, announcing that Washington has been forced to accept a 10-point Iranian proposal that includes a permanent ceasefire, the lifting of all sanctions, and the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region.

In a statement addressed to the “noble, great, and heroic nation of Iran,” the Supreme National Security Council said the enemy had suffered an undeniable defeat and now saw “no way forward but to submit to the will of the great nation of Iran and the honorable Axis of Resistance.”

The announcement comes on Day 40 of the US-Israeli war of aggression on Iran, which began with the assassination of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and top-ranking commanders on February 28.

According to the statement, the United States has agreed to a 10-point proposal that fundamentally commits Washington to:

No new aggression against Iran

Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz

Acceptance of enrichment

Removal of all primary sanctions

Removal of all secondary sanctions

Termination of all UN Security Council resolutions

Termination of all Board of Governors resolutions

Payment of compensation to Iran

Withdrawal of US combat forces from the region

Cessation of war on all fronts, including against the heroic Islamic Resistance of Lebanon

“Iran has achieved a great victory and has forced criminal America to accept its own 10-point proposal,” the statement read.

The statement by the top security body described the past 40 days as one of the “heaviest combined battles in history,” in which Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and occupied Palestine inflicted blows that “the historical memory of the world will never forget.”

“Iran and the Resistance have almost completely destroyed the American military machine in the region,” it stated. “They have inflicted crushing and deep blows on the vast infrastructure and capabilities that the enemy had built and deployed around the region over many years for this war against Iran.”

The statement added that within the occupied territories, Resistance forces had dealt “devastating and crushing blows to the enemy’s forces, infrastructure, facilities, and assets.”

It further stated that the United States understood as early as 10 days into the war that it could not win.

“Not only did none of the enemy’s main objectives materialize, but the enemy realized from about 10 days after the start of the war that it would have no ability to win this war,” the statement said. “For this reason, through various channels and methods, the enemy began efforts to establish contact with Iran and request a ceasefire.”

The top security body further said the enemy had initially imagined a quick military victory, believing Iran’s missile and drone capabilities would be “quickly extinguished,” and noted that the “vile global Zionism” had convinced the “ignorant President of the United States” that the war would finish Iran.

While declaring victory, the top security body also urged continued vigilance.

Source: Presstv

8, April 2026

Yaoundé confirms deaths of 16 Cameroonians fighting for Russia in Ukraine ⁰

Cameroon said Russia had confirmed the deaths of 16 of its nationals who were killed while fighting for Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the central African nation acknowledged the deaths on state television by urging relatives of the deceased to contact the foreign ministry for further information.

The outlet also cited a “Cameroonian diplomatic note” on Monday that mentioned “military contractors of Cameroonian nationality” who died in a special military operation zone – terms that align with Moscow’s official designation for its Ukraine invasion.

The document did not provide details on the circumstances of their deaths or explain how the 16 men became involved with Russia.

Cameroon had not previously acknowledged that its citizens were fighting for Russia, despite reports in local media describing appeals from families seeking information about relatives believed to have been recruited by Russian authorities.

In February 2026, Ukraine’s foreign minister said over 1,700 African nationals have been enlisted to fight alongside Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion started in 2022, with Egypt, Cameroon and Ghana among the most common countries of origin.

Ghana’s foreign minister visited Kyiv the same month to appeal for the release of two prisoners of war (POWs) captured by Ukraine, while acknowledging that at least 55 of its nationals have died fighting for Moscow.

The statements came just days after reports of Ukrainian troops operating out of bases in north Africa’s Libya, though Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) has refused to comment on the reports.

The same month, the watchdog organization “All Eyes on Wagner” published a list of 1,417 African nationals from 35 nations recruited by Moscow between January 2023 and September 2025, estimating that at least 316 of them were killed.

Ukrainian officials have reported that Russian recruitment of foreign nationals has intensified as Moscow seeks to fill manpower gaps, with recruits lured into signing contracts after being promised education opportunities, employment and high monthly salaries, before being dispatched to combat units.

Source: Kyivpost

6, April 2026

Planet Labs withholds US military loss imagery upon Trump censorship request ⁰

Satellite imaging company Planet Labs says it will indefinitely withhold visuals of American military losses to comply with a censorship request from US President Donald Trump amid the ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

In an email to customers on Saturday, the US company announced that the Trump administration had asked satellite imagery providers to impose an “indefinite withhold of imagery.”

Planet Labs further said that it would now switch to a “managed distribution of images” deemed not to pose a risk to safety.

The firm, which was founded in 2010 by former NASA scientists, will release imagery on a case-by-case basis for urgent, “mission-critical requirements or in the public interest.”

“These are extraordinary circumstances, and we are doing all we can to balance the needs of all our stakeholders,” the California-based firm said.

The restriction expands upon a 14-day delay on imagery of the Persian Gulf and West Asia region that Planet Labs implemented last month, which extended an initial 96-hour delay.

The firm said the move was meant to “prevent adversaries from using the imagery to attack the US and its allies.”

Planet Labs said it will withhold imagery dating back to March 9 and that it expects the policy to remain in effect until the end of the war.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of military aggression against Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The US-Israeli aggression led to the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and hundreds of Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as several senior military commanders.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missiles and drone attacks on Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases and interests in regional countries.

Source: Press TV

3, April 2026

Russia conducts massive rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine ⁰

Russia has conducted rolling aerial attacks on Ukraine ‌since Thursday evening, Ukraine’s air force said Friday, ⁠adding that a large number of enemy drones were in Ukrainian airspace.

The bombardment was the second ‌time in a week that Russia has followed a overnight drone barrage with ⁠heavy daytime attacks, a new tactic as Moscow probes ways to penetrate Ukraine’s air defences.

“The Kyiv region is once again under a massive enemy missile and drone attack,” Mykola Kalashnyk, the regional governor, said.

“We can see that the enemy is using new routes, new drones which they are constantly ‌modernising, and new tactics,” air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said on state television.

He added that Russia had launched more than 400 long-range drones in the past ‌24 hours, as well as ten ballistic missiles that primarily targeted areas near the front line.

Ihnat said the bombardment was similar to Tuesday’s attack which killed at least four people when an overnight barrage of over 300 drones was followed by another of similar size in the middle of the day.

Large-scale Russian bombardments cause disruption across Ukraine as many government institutions, public transport services and businesses close during the attacks, which can last many hours.

“The enemy is exerting (pressure) on our population, paralysing the work of certain public institutions, as well as learning institutions,” Ihnat said.

In the eastern region of Kharkiv, one person was killed and 25 others injured by missile, bomb and drone ⁠attacks over the past 24 hours, governor Oleh Synehubov said on social media.

That included four ⁠ballistic missiles that struck the regional capital, also called Kharkiv, overnight. Authorities only reported one injury from that strike.

“Duty fighter jets have ‌been scrambled, and ground-based air defence systems as well as radar reconnaissance have reached a state of maximum readiness,” said the Operational Command of the ⁠Polish Armed Forces on X.

No violations of Polish airspace ⁠were recorded and military aviation operations linked to Russian strikes on ‌Ukraine ended later Friday, said the Operational Command of the ‌Polish Armed Forces.

“Activated ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have returned to standard operational activities,” the army wrote on X. “We inform that no violation of the airspace ⁠of the Republic of ⁠Poland was observed.”

Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited US negotiators to Kyiv to relaunch three-way talks with Russia, according to comments released Friday.

“I invited the American negotiating delegation to Kyiv. The delegation will do everything possible in the current conditions – during the war with Iran – to come to Kyiv,” Zelensky told journalists on Thursday.

Source: Reuters

3, April 2026

Iran’s military vows to continue war until US, Israel ‘regret’ aggression ⁰

The senior spokesman for Iran’s Armed Forces says the country will continue the war as long as it makes the United States and the Israeli regime “regret” their illegal act of aggression.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi made the remarks on Friday, the 35th day of the criminal US-Israeli military assault that has triggered Iran’s powerful reprisal attacks against the enemies.

“Our strategy is not limited to eye-for-an-eye or reciprocal actions. Our strategy is to punish the aggressor so that it fully regrets [its move] and to guarantee the permanent removal of the threat posed to the nation,” he said.

“The goal is not to announce a ceasefire today and see the resumption of the aggression tomorrow under various pretexts, with people feeling worried and remaining in anxiety.”

Shekarchi also noted that the world has realized the invincibility of the Islamic Republic, which stems from its large capacity.

Many countries in the world condemn the imposed war on Iran while many of Washington’s allies are not willing to join it as they see the catastrophe caused by the US’s presence in the region, he added.

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

The Iranian Armed Forces have 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.

They have also blocked the Strait of Hormuz to oil and gas tankers affiliated with the adversaries and those cooperating with them in an attempt to maintain security at the strategic waterway.

The US has sought to form a coalition to open the strait, asking NATO countries to contribute naval and air assets. However, most of Washington’s allies have declined to commit forces.

Source: Presstv