National Solidarity Against COVID-19:

Opposition Leaders Isolate Kamto, Vindicate Biya
Leaders of political parties represented in parliament have pledged support to efforts by government to combat the coronavirus. They have enjoined their militants to contribute to the National Solidarity Fund created by President Biya.
By Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Yaounde

President Biya’s covid-19 measures have been endorsed by opposition

Leaders of the seven opposition parties represented at the National Assembly have pledged the total support of their parties to the measures taken by the government to fight the propagation of the coronavirus pandemic in Cameroon.
    The political leaders made the pronouncement jointly and severally, during a concertation they had with the Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, at the Star Building, on Thursday 9 April.
    The meeting that saw the participation among others of the leaders of the SDF, UNDP, PCRN, UDC, FSNC, MDR and UMS, was convened by the PM on behalf of the Head of State, Paul Biya.
    Attending the meeting, the president of the leading opposition party in the National Assembly, UNDP, Bello Bouba Maigari, pledged the support of his party to the measures by government to fight the coronavirus. He said all initiatives seeking national generosity towards fighting coronavirus must respect the laws of the republic.
    “The NUDP hereby pledges its support and contribution to government’s response to the coronavirus. UNDP militants would be sensitized to adhere strictly to the safety measures prescribed by the government and to contribute generously to the National Solidarity Fund instituted by the head of state to fight the disease in Cameroon,” Minister Bello Bouba pledged,inviting militants of his party to contribute their widow’s mite to the solidarity fund.
    For his part, the 1st Vice President of the SDF, Hon. Jushua Nambangi Osih, also pledged his party’s support to the national solidarity effort.
    “The SDF appreciates the fact that it was invited to participate in this concertation on civid-19. We hold the opinion that when the country is attacked by external forces, be them invisible, like the coronavirus, everybody should rally in solidarity behind the government to fight the enemy. We must keep aside our political inclinations and see how together we can keep the enemy at bay. We must put country first in all we do,” Hon. Osih said.
    Other opposition party leaders including Issa Tchiroma Bakari, Cabral Libii, Dakolle Daissalla, Francis Kwemo etc also joined their voices to herald support to the national effort to combat coronavirus.

    The support of opposition parties to the government’s effort against coronavirus is an indication that they have turned their backs on the ‘National Survival Project’ initiated by CRM leader, Prof. Maurice Kamto.
    The CRM leader had initiated a national fundraising drive to collect funds to support victims of the coronavirus and also prevent the spread of the disease. But the government through the minister of territorial administration, Paul Atanga Nji, banned the project, which was already enjoying prompt and commendable response from the wider public.
    It however remains to be seen whether Prof. Kamto will ignore the Minat and carry on with his national survival project, or whether he would heed the ban by government, especially now that his peers have isolated him.

Church Leaders also Pledge Support
    Leaders of various churches in the country have also pledged their support to measures by the government to combat coronavirus. They also pledged the contribution of faithful to the National Solidarity Fund instituted by President Biya.
    Church leaders made the solemn pledge during a meeting with the PM, Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, at the Star Building on Thursday.
    Meanwhile, PM Dion Ngute, Thursday announced new responses to the covid-19 .