6PM NEWS MONDAY MAY 25, 2026 - EQUINOXE TV

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:10]It's 700 p.m. in Milan, Italy and 6 p.m.

[00:00:13]right here in Cameroon. Good evening, dear viewers. Thank you so much for joining me on this edition of the 6 p.m.

[00:00:18]prime time newscast on television. Our major stories tonight. Shock and disbelief have gripped residents of Upper Moto neighborhood in Limbe after a 63-year-old woman allegedly became the target of a poisoning attempt orchestrated by her own grandchildren.

[00:00:35]The incident reportedly occurred after a grandmother reprimanded the children over theft with a minor later confessing to mixing bleach into her drinking water before because they wanted her dead. And also we'll tell you how the written phase of the balor examination officially kicked off today across Cameroon with candidates in crisis hit northwest and southwest regions defying insecurity and fear to answer present in several towns affected by years of conflict. Students arrived at examination centers are under heightened security determined to pursue their academic ambitions despite the challenges surrounding them. Those are top stories tonight. Good evening once more and thank you so much for choosing Ekinox television.

[00:01:32]We begin this newscast in the southwest region of Cameron, precisely in Limbe, where a 63-year-old grandmother in that part of the country narrowly survived an alleged poisoning attempt by her own grandchildren on Sunday after reportedly disciplining them over theft. And according to family sources, the children confessed to mixing bleach into her drinking water before they wanted her because they wanted her dead. And the shocking incident which occurred in upper motorway neighborhood has left residents in disbelief while the children are currently being held under family supervision pending further action. Albe details with Mala Glory. It was a normal Sunday in upper motor in the town of Limbeed southwest region that nearly turned fatal for 63year-old Taco Helen. Her only crime she says was trying to be a good grandmother after punishing the children for stealing spot uniform from school, money from their uncle and fruit from a neighbor's tree.

[00:02:35]For school money some >> she never expected their response will be an attempt on her life.

[00:02:47]The victim described the moment she realized something was wrong as she lifted a water bottle to take a drink.

[00:02:54]The sharp pungent smell of bleaching agents hit her. Acting quickly, she spat out the liquid and consume palm oil, a common local remedy to neutralize any swallowed toxins before confronting the children. Let me assume that >> the revelation was darker than a simple prank. During questioning, the children admitted to a calculated plot. They initially considered using cocoa spraying chemicals in her food, but eventually settle on pouring bleaching agent in her drinking water.

[00:03:29]>> This one say that her can even poison her. If only I accept that we should do it. He say that we should go and take it. I go and take it now. They have whatever she drink that was in the container. I put it there. This one said that no herac is smelling. One of the children, a young girl named Purity, claimed she was being instructed by the spirit of her auntie to carry out the killing.

[00:04:19]>> But now the children remain under the watchful eyes of family members. While the community of Liebeck grapples with the shock of the event, the family has yet to decide whether to involve the authorities or seek spiritual and psychological intervention by the miners.

[00:04:39]And we stay in the southwest region as a roadside for vendor who goes by the name Tony was killed on Saturday after gunmen attacked a security post in Kosala, precisely in Kumbatu subdivision. The attack has sparked fresh padnik in Kusala, a neighborhood still recovering from years of displacement during the angle crisis and authorities say investigations are currently on way.

[00:05:01]Smart tells us more.

[00:05:05]>> Two cars reduced to arches.

[00:05:10]>> Yes.

[00:05:11]>> A roadside business stained with blood and a single abandoned shoe. These are the remnants left behind in Kosala Kumbatu subdivision after gunmen stormed the neighborhood over the weekend.

[00:05:29]Sources in the area say six armed men carrying AK-47s arrived and opened fire indiscriminately at the security force control post. In this situation, a stray bullet struck the fuel vendor by name Tony. He could not survive the wound. The attack caught Kosala by surprise as it came just days after Kumba joined the rest of Cameroon to celebrate the 54th National Day on May 20. Kosala has been a hot zone since the angophone crisis began. Many residents had fled and are only now trying to return. This weekend's violence has reignited fear in a community struggling to rebuild. Local authorities say investigations are now on the way to identify the attackers and restore calm in Kusala. For now, an uneasy calm hangs over Kusala. Residents here say they want security, but more than that, they want peace.

[00:06:42]And now in education despite the usual tents and also semi- ghost atmosphere in Buoya which is still found the southwest region on Mondays candidates sitting for the written phase of the balary examinations at Balingu grammar school Miko began their exams in calm conditions with many expressing confidence after the first papers. 505 candidates in total are writing the exam across four towns in the region. Rex Aon tells us more from Boya.

[00:07:10]>> The reaching phase of the Balora examinations 2026 session is officially underway at Bilingual Grammar School Miko in Buoya. In this center BJS Mono we have 122 candidates who are right back this morning and all answered present for the morning session abing while the day and philosophies >> in a calm and serene atmosphere the students under the careful supervision of invigilators quietly settled down to take their exams.

[00:07:48]So far the atmosphere is calm and serene. All the villators are present and the officials of the asams as like the center >> for some candidates. The first papers were manageable giving them hope that the remaining subjects will be just as accessible. Today we started our questions in philosophy and this morning I wasn't feeling very excited as usual.

[00:08:18]I was a little bit afraid to not be able to do to perform well but when I started writing I've seen that the subject wasn't so difficult as I thought for me it was nice was nice and I'm I'm hoping that the other papers will be like that.

[00:08:36]This year's exam session in Buoya is unfolding within the town's familiar semigos town atmosphere with several shops in Miko. The municipality's busier commercial hub remaining closed.

[00:08:49]Anticipating such a situation the school administration took preventive measures ahead of time to ensure the smooth running of the exams.

[00:08:58]>> Over the years some class exams are written on Mondays. The mock is an blank use. They told them that those who are living in red zones put their uniforms on their back and graph when they get to school. So by the grace of God they all here.

[00:09:15]>> A total of 505 candidates are sitting for the examinations in the southwest region across four centers located in the towns of Limbe, Tiko, Kumba and Buoya.

[00:09:29]Rex Aon reporting in Buoan. Over year in the economy capital city duala hundreds of candidates turned out massively and arrived at early and arrived early in the different examination centers to sit for their first papers under the close supervision of strict invigilators deployed to ensure transparency and discipline throughout the writing process. L Manu has more on that.

[00:09:56]At the entrance of the examination centers, strict security measures are being enforced. Students must remove their shoes and their pockets are well checked. Only identity cards and essential exam materials are allowed inside. This trick routine demonstrates how effective the first day of the official baloria examination has begun.

[00:10:22]Everything started well with the proper checking of candidates and their identifications by imigrators. The first subject started at 8:00 this morning with no incident.

[00:10:39]The first subject which began at 8:00 a.m. in examination centers was literature or culture general which lasted for 4 hours before 1 hour break.

[00:10:52]>> Today we have passed the first subjects of the balora exam. We have done philosophy. It was very interesting and easy. So I hope that the next stage of the exam will be easy to >> for the principal of the government bilingual high school Bjongo Madame Mukoko Ehana the general overview seems encouraging according to the statistics and the atmosphere >> uh here in Bjongo we have for the balora 649 candidates and as of this morning all of them were there but for three one in Siri espanol one in Siri and one in Siri day three absences so so far everything is going on well we have started this morning at 8:00 and they are still on for the first subject paper we hope that all goes well >> as well as the regional delegate after a round in government bilingual high school Lum 2 and many others This morning we are running the general certificate in French general. So uh from the centers that we have visited we have noticed that the exam is running smoothly everything is set have been seted so that the candidates are there. The official examination balora which started on the 25th of May 2026 will end on Saturday 30th for the general students. All has been given. As commonly said, an official exam is not a barrier but a gateway where preparation meets opportunities.

[00:12:46]And now in religion, the Catholic community in Cameron is celebrating a historic spiritual milestone following a recent decree by Pope Leo the 14 recognizing the heroic virtues of Camelite Fry Jang Tier Bogu. The pope authorized the decastry for the courses of sense to promugate the decree conferring on the late religious who died of cancer in January 2006 at the age of 23 the title of venerable advancing him further on the path to sinhold. Innocent a has more that >> it often a lifetime. The decree of Pablio the 14th issued on May 22nd authorizing the promuggation of the heroic virtues of Cameroonianb born Camelite fire Jang theiogo has marked a major step toward saintthood bringing pride and renewed spiritual inspiration to Catholics in Cameroon and beyond. The Holy Father officially authorized the Dcastaster, an administrative office of the central government of the Catholic Church, which helped the Pope govern the church worldwide for the causes of saints to promugate the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the servant of God, John theory of the Trit Jesus, and of the Passion, thereby granting him the title of venerable. The title officially given to a deceased person whose life is recognized by the pope as having demonstrated heroic virtue or having been a mata for the faith. It is the second of four major steps towards becoming an officially recognized saint. Born in 1982 in Fuawei in the Roman Catholic Ash diosis of Yaundi, Jeang Theory joined the order of the discouraged Camalite in 2003. Driven by a deep desire to dedicate his life to God. But barely a year into his religious formation, doctors discovered a malignant tumor in his right knee, abruptly changing the course of his young life. Despite the devastating diagnosis, and the amputation of his leg in 2004, the young Camelite became widely admired for his serenity, unwavering faith, the constant concern for others. Witnesses say even in moments of intense suffering, he comforted fellow patients, caregivers, and visitors. Transferred to Italy in 2005 for treatment and rehabilitation.

[00:15:07]Medical examinations later revealed that the cancer had spread throughout his body. Yet, Jangi Ebogo continued to yet joy and spiritual strength. In a deeply emotional moment, he professed his solemn vows from his hospital room in Lano with special authorization from the Vatican surrounded by priest, religious men and women, young people, friends, and his mother. Brother Jeang theiugo died in January 2006 after receiving the eukarist hours before sleeping into a coma. He reportedly pointed to an image of divine mercy and declared in French, "How beautiful is Jesus?" Now unofficially declared venerable Jangi Ebogo becomes the second Cameroonian to receive the title after Simon Pek bringing Cameroon one step closer to witnessing another possible sense of the Catholic Church.

[00:16:03]And may soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen. And now we take you out of Cameroon. Synagal's political landscape has been thrown into turmoil after President Basu Jamaifi dismissed Prime Minister Usman Sunku and dissolved the government late Friday, shattering their lands that swept them to power just over a year ago. A dismissal and followup that has seen a perspective setup for Sunko becoming president of the National Assembly. The crisis is set to be connected to Sagal's delicate negotiations with the IMF that is the International Monetary Fund. More with for Yamstrong sand.

[00:16:40]>> The surprised announcements read on state television by a presidential aid followed months of mounting tensions between the two former allies tent rivals. Analysts say that the past struggles stems from a fundamental conflict. While the president whose constitutional authority, his charismatic ex-mentor remains the most influential figure within the ruling past political party in Seneagal. In the months leading up to the dismissal, the president had publicly criticized what he called Mr. Sunku's excessive personalization of the party. Hours before his removal, the prime minister signaled the break, defiantly telling the parliament that he was not a premier who blindly obeys and agrees to everything. Just 2 days later, the crisis escalated dramatically when the National Assembly President El Malik Nay, a close Sunko ally announced his resignation. On social media, Mr. Andai called a personal choice taken for the greater interest of the Senagalist nation. A move widely interpreted as clearing the way for a major power play by the outstate prime minister Osman.

[00:17:51]With Mr. and die out. The state is set for a confrontation. Lawmakers have been summoned for a plenary session on Tuesday where they are expected to reinstate Mr. Sunko as member of parliament and vote for a new assembly speaker. This sets up the very real prospect of Osmano becoming the president of the national assembly under the constitution of sagal. The speaker is elected by members of parliament not the president and Mr. Sunko's past political party holds a commanding majority of 130 out of 165 seats in parliament. Such an outcome would create two competing centers for power at the highest level of state. A situation that Professor Maurice Sudak Noer of the Gaston Beji University wants that could trigger a prolonged political conflict.

[00:18:44]The crisis comes as Seneagal is locked in delicate negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, the IMF over a frozen 1.8 billion US lending program and any political paralysis in this situation could have severe consequences for the debt laddening West African nation.

[00:19:05]>> And the second part of this newscast, we are going to be expansiating more on the rift between President Jumay and Osmano.

[00:19:13]Talking point comes up next.

[00:19:23]On the line in the Netherlands is Eric Ching, a veteran journalist. Good evening, Eric. It's a pleasure to have you talking point tonight.

[00:19:33]>> Well, thank you very much. Uh, immaculate and again once happy to be here. Uh and greetings to everyone especially all of you in um listening to the program in Cameroon but around the way.

[00:19:50]Eric we just watched in the reports done by for Armstrong Sander what's happening in Sineagal. Many observers were shocked by the reported dismissal of Usman Sunung as prime minister of Synagal as a journalist closely following up international political development.

[00:20:08]What was your first reaction to this situation, >> Senator? When the crisis between um Mr. Sanko and Mr. Jay Pai first emerged um back in uh December of um last year and uh I had an appointment with someone who was going to take me to to meet with Mr. Tonko to discuss the issue of Cameroon and I had that appointment. I I went to meet with this guy Mr. Sack and uh Mr. Sack told me oh you know um Tonko left last night for Kazam for his political days and told me um there's a problem between Sona and the president Mr. Tech told me and so we couldn't have that meeting and before I left Dhaka anyway uh the older men from the past from the party had intervened and got the two the president and the prime minister to kind of resolve their differences and Sonko came back to Dhaka. So I knew from then I had this intimate knowledge of what was going on between the two men and I've had time to think about it because I you know at the time I felt saddened by the fact that this experiment of the young leadership of Africa isn't working the way it should. I felt saddened by it. But I came to understand something more fundamental.

[00:22:02]The two men literally represent the two forces at play in Africa today. And if we do not understand and deal with it, this problem will continue not only in Dhaka but across the continent. This is a real This is the the the case in Sagal is so uh genuinely African so intentionally driven by these forces.

[00:22:37]So we have a situation now where Jumifi the president has looked at the survival of his regime and come to the conclusion that he needs stability which would only come with that compromise with the West.

[00:23:07]with the powers that be with institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, like the French government, he's come to that conclusion that it would be more difficult for him to govern if he does not work out compromise with those people. And this is real. Every African leader has to deal with this. It's important to understand that every African leader has to deal with it.

[00:23:36]But stono, let me finish. Stonko represents the true desire from the ground. What people want to see, what people are demanding, they are demanding. What are people demanding? They're demanding that government create an environment where they can be productive and through their productive abilities create the wealth that they need put in place the institutions that they need to live a normal and a good life.

[00:24:09]>> Now from explanation it's quite clear that both leaders had different mindset as far as how their country should be governed. One is for now and the other is for long term. Now what many observers considered the final straw was the growing disagreement between Osman Sunko and President Dumayi over economic policies and governance issues. Do you think Sonko was politically right to openly criticize the president at the National Assembly despite their political alliance?

[00:24:42]So I invite every Cameroonian, every African to look closely at what is happening in Saga. Do not criticize President Fi for the sake of criticism and do not condemn Prime Minister Sonko for the sake of um condemning him. both have good reasons for doing what they're doing and they're hoping Jamaifi is hoping that he will stabilize Sagal and improve on the quality of life in Sagal um in the short term. Trunko believes that he has a long-term plan and that's what would work out just like in the Sahilian states. But God alone knows we'll see how it all plays out.

[00:25:31]With apparent fallout involving Usman Sunko, some analysts believe this could simply be, let's say, a political strategy rather than a real division.

[00:25:41]How true can that be?

[00:25:44]>> I hope it's a strategy. I hope they know what they're doing. I hope that at the end of the day, what we want is stability and improvement in the quality of lives of citizens. That's what we want. So, uh, but as I say, one is has adopted a long-term strategy. the other is looking at a short-term strategy and we have to you know hope for the best hope that um one will play out in you know at the end of the day what we need is you know for things to work out well in semin for for seaggal citizens that's what we want in the end if the there's going to be some short-term value in getting money from the IMF getting money from the World Bank in getting the support of the French but that unfortunately will sacrifice the long-term value that Sono wants to see based on a still reality the use of the resources that Sagal has that's that's more long-term but will are Sagal people going to be patient enough to adopt that approach uh something is happening here tonight is betting on the fact that no they wouldn't so he goes of the short-term um uh results because in 3 years he'll be facing the citizens in you know in the election of a president and I can I can guarantee you he will be a candidate will be a candidate whoever wins in 2028 29 will be a signal to the rest of Africa >> and what if this separation turns out to be real whose political future do you think is more at risk Sonos or that of President Jay and why do you think so?

[00:27:35]>> Well, look my dear, if you don't have the power, you can't do anything. So, uh we're going to see who becomes president. Jayi at this point in time has everything, you know, he's in control of the the power and therefore of the outcomes. Um, so he he's more likely going to, you know, um um you know, he'll have the upper hand at this time. But if I had to choose, I I'll go with Sonko. You know why?

[00:28:08]Because this is the long-term game one.

[00:28:11]I believe Sonko is the more uh charismatic and has the ability to communicate what you know what he is doing and and ultimately just as Ibraim is doing in Bkina Faso if he gets the Sagalis who are very smart people to understand his own strategy and play the long-term game with which I think is the more ultimately is what pays off the most.

[00:28:46]I believe that Sonos is Sonos is the winning strategy. So I'll go with Sonko.

[00:28:54]>> Now let's look at this this way. Some people believe President Basu Deayi has not shown enough political loyalty to Usman Seko considering that Sunko stepped aside and supported his rise to the presidency. In your opinion, was fire expected to remain more aligned with Sonko's political vision or was he right to assert his independence as head of state of Synagal?

[00:29:19]>> He did exactly what he should have done.

[00:29:22]That's in my view. He did exactly what he should have done. He's demanding power. He's when we judge what you know things happening in Sagal today, we're we're we're judging uh Jumifi. We're not judging Sonko. When we talk about um the success of the last 8 years, we're talking the only name that comes to us is um Makisowl. Prior to that, it was Abdwad. We don't talk about prime ministers. So, Sonko had to take his responsibilities. And as I say, these two men were caught in a game that is very international, very African, and based on a certain real politic of the world.

[00:30:06]So somebody had to lose or step back if you like and the one with the power forced the other one to step back.

[00:30:14]That's exactly what we're going through in Sagal. That's why I invite all of us to watch closely how it plays out alternately. Will Sonko build the ground support that he will need to overcome the forces that the president Jumifi can muster? Will he? That is the question.

[00:30:35]And he'll do that by helping synagogues understand the long-term game. Will President Pi do what it takes to get people to appreciate his short the short-term gains of his strategy? Will he do what it takes for them to understand that and to elect him back into power in the next elections? That is the big question. And I hope that they do it. I hope one of them does it. But as I said, if I had to choose as an African, as a Cameroonian, I'll choose the long-term strategy.

[00:31:09]>> Now, with the resignation of the National Assembly speaker who goes by the name El Malik D and reports that Usman Suno may seek a stronger role in parliament, what do you think is truly at stake politically for Synagal at this moment? Could this reshape the balance of power within the ruling coalition and the country's political future?

[00:31:32]Unfortunately, you know, this is we're we're we're in a situation where global forces are at play. And I'm saying that it the the loser could be the loser could ultimately be the people of Sagal and or they could be the winners. We just you know we have to uh it's important that's why it's important that we have these conversations on a persistent basis and let us be talking and educating our people of what is at stake and what is at stake here is whether we continue we survive as a dependent set of Africans in the short term we're still dependent we will be for a long time for some time to come or do we make the sacrifices that we need to make for our long-term independence.

[00:32:26]Will Sonko succeed in getting sag on the stand? I don't know. Will in July impress his people with the short-term view maybe. But let's watch and see. But if succeeds, think about what happens in the Sahelian states. If succeed today, the Sahelian option, the option of Bukinasu, Mali, Nijer would have succeeded or at least will be the beginning of a sense of victory. And if they do, I will tell you this, Ben will come around, Guinea will come around and that's the start of the major revolution in Africa. And you see then the IMF and the World Bank and the others playing to our song. They'll be contributing to us rather than becoming a problem.

[00:33:22]You just highlighted Benin beyond Sagal another West African country. Benin as you said recently drew international attention for achieving a peaceful democratic transition of power. What lessons do you think other French-speaking African countries including Cameron of course can learn from such democratic experiences?

[00:33:46]>> Well, I was saying that the star of the moment in Africa is actually uh Talon, President Talon. Why? He's coming to his country. He's respected the con the constitutional uh engagement he took two terms ago and at the end of his second term he's left office he helped bring up um the current president who will continue what he is doing which is what we seek transformed this country to an extent he's protected those transformations by bringing in somebody who understands what he was doing and we seeing us looking at is the new government today.

[00:34:28]Technocrats at all levels a reduced government has 65 ministers. This guy has 24.

[00:34:39]And the very you in very specific areas in the economic area. He has three ministers. He has four. The minister and three minister delegates with specific responsibilities. That's what it takes.

[00:34:55]So we should you know we should not only pick the light in what is happening in what is happening in Benin but we should copy it. We don't need 65 ministers to run Cameroon. We need 12 15 20 maybe or if we have to push it 24. We don't need all those in you know who display big cars on roads that don't exist.

[00:35:20]We don't need >> Jay thank you for accepting my invitation on talking point tonight.

[00:35:26]You're welcome. Anytime. Immaculate.

[00:35:28]Thank you so much.

[00:35:31]>> That's how we saw it on tonight's edition of the 6 p.m. prime time newscast on Nickox television. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for your keen attention. Stay in the company of interesting programs on television.

[00:35:41]Bye-bye for now.