Tag: AFRICA

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Africa News COVID-19 News

UNICEF launches campaign to boost Covid-19 vaccination in Africa

UNICEF

The UN children’s fund (UNICEF) has kicked off an eight-week campaign to help boost Covid-19 vaccinations across Africa…reports Asian Lite News

UNICEF on Wednesday said the first ever U-Report Challenge which comes a week after COVAX delivered its billionth dose in Rwanda, calls on all 13.3 million U-Reporters in Africa to help get vaccines to the unvaccinated, Xinhua news agency reported.

“Through improving access and confidence in Covid vaccines, the #GiveItAShot challenge aims to activate young people in motivating those eligible in their community to get vaccinated,” it said in a statement issued in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

U-Report is a messaging tool that empowers young people around the world to engage with and speak out on issues that matter to them.

The U-Report is currently active in 88 countries worldwide, with 19.3 million U-Reporters all over the world, and works with SMS, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp.

According to UNICEF, Covid information and advocacy messages have been packaged and disseminated via SMS, Facebook Messenger and other communication channels.

UNICEF said the campaign dubbed “U-Report #GiveItAShot challenge” which will initially focus on six countries on the continent, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, will be rolled-out for eight weeks.

ALSO READ: Covid cases in Africa drops for first time since 4th wave

It said weekly messages will be sent on U-Report to encourage young people to learn about Covid vaccines. They will be engaged in community actions (both online and offline).

It is estimated that about 10 per cent of the adult population on the African continent is vaccinated. The total number of confirmed Covid cases in Africa reached 10,609,112 as of Tuesday, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

It said the death toll across the continent stands at 237,197 and 9,534,559 patients have recovered from the disease, so far.

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Africa News News World

Tunisian President’s Chief of Staff resigns

Tunisian President's Chief of Staff resigns

Nadia Akecha, the Chief of Staff of Tunisian President Kais Saied has announced her resignation from the post…reports Asian Lite News

“Today, I made my decision to submit my resignation to the President of the republic, after two years of work,” Akecha said in a Facebook post on Monday.

“I had the honour of devoting myself to the service of the best interest of my country,” she said, adding that because of “fundamental differences in viewpoints related to this best interest, I consider it my duty to leave my position.”

ALSO READ: Tunisian President eyes early end of exceptional measures

Akecha was appointed as Head of Saied’s presidential office on January 28, 2020, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Africa News News World

Burkina Faso President tweets to lay down arms

Amid ongoing unrest and a coup in Burkina Faso, a tweet was sent out by President Roch Kabore’s official account calling on the army to lay down arms and to safeguard democratic achievements…reports Asian Lite News

“Our nation is going through difficult times. At this precise moment, we must safeguard our democratic achievements. I invite those who have taken up arms to lay them down in the higher interests of the nation. It is through dialogue and listening that we must resolve our contradictions,” read the tweet posted on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, Burkina Faso’s Army said that it had ousted President Kabore, suspended the Constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the country’s borders.

Kabore has been detained and taken to a military camp following the mutiny, a security source has confirmed.

Also in the day, the ruling party of Burkina Faso, People’s Movement for Progress (PMP) announced that the President survived a “failed assassination attempt”.

On Sunday, a nationwide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso, following reports of gunfire in some barracks in the morning.

Another statement, from the Minister of National Education, announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday.

Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire but had denied reports on social media about an army takeover.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has condemned the coup and called on the military to “ensure the protection and the physical integrity” of Kabore.

ALSO READ: Burkina Faso President detained by mutinous soldiers

The African Union and regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, have also condemned the forceful takeover of power, with the latter saying it holds the soldiers responsible for the deposed President’s well-being.

The coup camea week after 11 soldiers were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow Kabore.

Burkina Faso is now the third West African country to witness a military takeover in recent years.

Guinea and Mali have had sanctions imposed on them by Ecowas to press them to return to constitutional order.

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Burkina Faso President detained by mutinous soldiers

Burkina President detained by mutinous soldiers

Burkina Faso President, Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been detained overnight by mutinous soldiers…reports Asian Lite News

“President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has been detained by soldiers,” local radio Omega FM reported on Monday.

“The President was taken to a military camp following the mutiny,” a security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

On Sunday, a country-wide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso, following reports of gunfire in some barracks in the morning, according to a decree signed by President Kabore, Xinhua news agency reported.

Another statement, from the Minister of National Education, announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Burkina Faso imposes nationwide curfew after unrest

Gunshots were heard early Sunday morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities. The government confirmed the gunfire but denied reports on social media about an army takeover.

Also on Sunday, Defense Minister General Barthelemy Simpore said on state television that the situation was under control, and rejected reports as rumors that President Kabore had been detained by soldiers.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for calm and reaffirmed its support for President Kabore.

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Africa News Arab News News

Suspected al-Shabab suspects burn down 8 trucks in Kenya

Suspected al-Shabab suspects burn down 8 trucks in Kenya

Estimated eight construction vehicles and equipment were set ablaze by suspected al-Shabab militants at 29 km from Hindi Town in the coastal Kenyan county of Lamu, a government official said…reports Asian Lite News

Lamu County Commissioner, Irungu Macharia on Sunday said the trucks are part of a fleet of vehicles belonging to the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) that is currently building the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor project access road.

Macharia also confirmed that there were no casualties during the incident.

He added the areas are marred with mobile network challenges, making it hard to communicate with police officers and units on the ground but promised that attackers were being pursued and that security has been heightened.

“I am aware the attackers destroyed construction equipment. It has been a challenge trying to reach my officers on the ground but security agencies are currently pursuing the gunmen. I will give more details as I get them,” said Macharia.

Security reports indicate that the heavily armed gunmen attacked a parking lot at the mini-constriction at 4 a.m. and engaged the Kenya Defense Force before they threw gasoline bottles that burnt most of the equipment.

The site is manned by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Xinhua news agency reported.

A fire exchange lasting for over two hours ensued at the site between the gunmen and KDF, before the militants were finally repulsed and retreated back into the Boni forest.

ALSO READ: Kenyans on protest as China proposes Lanka Model

Officers who spoke on condition of anonymity said the network challenges in the area made it impossible for them to call for backup when the attack happened.

“There is no network in this area and that has been the major issue in dealing with the terrorists here. We called for backup but the response was slow due to that. By the time we got help, a lot of damage had been done,” said the officer.

The LAPSSET project is touted as East Africa’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure project connecting Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

On Saturday, intelligence reports indicated that the militia group was planning attacks in Lamu targeting the Lamu Port and the road leading to the facility.

The Chinese company is constructing the road that will run through Lamu, Ijara and Garissa.

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Africa News COVID-19 News

Burkina Faso imposes nationwide curfew after unrest

A nationwide curfew was imposed in Burkina Faso following reports of gunfire in some barracks, according to a decree signed by President Roch Marc Christian Kabore…reports Asian Lite News

Another statement from the minister of national education announced the closure of schools on Monday and Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The curfew imposed from 8.30 p.m. on Sunday night to 5.30 a.m. was imposed hours after gunshots were heard earlier in the morning in barracks in the capital Ouagadougou and other cities.

Burkina Faso’s government confirmed the gunfire but denied the information on social media about the army takeover.

ALSO READ: Covid cases in Africa drops for first time since 4th wave

Defence Minister General Barthelemy Simpore declared on state television that the situation was under control, denying rumours that the President had been detained by soldiers.

According to local sources, later in the day, the headquarters of Burkina Faso’s ruling party in Ouagadougou was set on fire by protesters.

Internet was partially cut off.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for calm and reaffirmed its support for President Kabore.

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Africa News COVID-19 News

Algeria reports 2,211 new Covid cases

Algeria reports 2,211 new Covid cases

Algeria registered a record 2,211 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, taking the total tally of infections to 234,536…reports Asian Lite News

The North African country also reported 13 deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours on Saturday, bringing the death toll nationwide to 6,481, according to the daily briefing released by its health authorities.

Amid the strong surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant, Algeria shut down schools for 10 days starting Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Covid cases in Africa drops for first time since 4th wave

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Africa News COVID-19 News

Covid cases in Africa drops for first time since 4th wave

Africa's Covid-19 cases surpass 11.74 mn: Africa CDC The resolution "rejects and condemns without any reservation any denial of the Holocaust as a historical event, either in full or in part", and urges all UN member states to do so as well. The resolution commends those member states that have actively engaged in preserving those sites that served as Nazi death camps, concentration camps, forced labour camps, killing sites and prisons during the Holocaust, as well as similar places operated by Nazi-allied regimes, their accomplices or auxiliaries. It urges member states to develop educational programs that will inculcate future generations with the lessons of the Holocaust in order to help prevent future acts of genocide. It also urges member states and social media companies to take active measures to combat anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial or distortion by means of information and communications technologies and to facilitate reporting of such content. The resolution requests the UN Outreach Programme on the Holocaust as well as all relevant UN specialized agencies to continue to develop and implement programs aimed at countering Holocaust denial and distortion, and to advance measures to mobilise civil society, and invites all relevant stakeholders to educate their societies truthfully about the facts of the Holocaust and the importance of its lessons as a countermeasure against Holocaust denial and distortion, in order to prevent future acts of genocide.

Weekly Covid-19 cases in Africa have dropped significantly and deaths dipped for the first time since the peak of the fourth wave of the pandemic propelled by the Omicron variant, said the World Health Organization (WHO)…reports Asian Lite News

New cases fell by 20 per cent in the week ending on January 16, while deaths dropped by 8 per cent, Xinhua news agency quoted a statement issued by the WHO’s Regional Office for Africa here.

According to the WHO, South Africa, where Omicron was first sequenced, has recorded a downward trend over the past four weeks, while only North Africa reported an increase in cases over the past week, with a 55 per cent spike.

The Omicron-fuelled pandemic wave has resulted in the lowest cumulative average case fatality ratio, the proportion of deaths among confirmed cases, to date in Africa, standing at 0.68 per cent compared with the three previous waves during which the case fatality ratio was above 2.4 per cent.

“While the acceleration, peak and decline of this wave have been unmatched, its impact has been moderate, and Africa is emerging with fewer deaths and lower hospitalizations. But the continent has yet to turn the tables on this pandemic,” warned Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, noting that the continent needs to brace for further waves.

“So long as the virus continues to circulate, further pandemic waves are inevitable. Africa must not only broaden vaccinations, but also gain increased and equitable access to critical Covid-19 therapeutics to save lives and effectively combat this pandemic,” Moeti said.

The African region’s current case fatality ratio remains the highest in the world, as availability of medical oxygen and Covid-19 vaccines remains a challenge across the continent, reads the statement.

ALSO READ: Global Covid caseload tops 340.4 mn

“The deep inequity that left Africa at the back of the queue for vaccines must not be repeated with life-saving treatments. Universal access to diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics will pave the shortest path to the end of this pandemic and no region of the world should be left on the fringes of this endeavour,” said Moeti.

In Africa, while vaccine supplies have been on the rise in recent months, the rate of vaccination still remains low, with just 10 per cent of the continent’s population fully vaccinated.

Africa has so far received about 500 million Covid-19 vaccine doses and administered 327 million, said the WHO.

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Africa News News World

Sudan’s Sovereign Council agrees to form government led by civilian PM

Sudan’s Sovereign Council agrees to form government led by civilian PM

Sudan’s ruling and military-dominated Transitional Sovereign Council has agreed to the formation of a government led by a civilian Prime Minister to complete the tasks of the ongoing transitional period…reports Asian Lite News

Chairman of the council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan made clear the council’s stand when he received a SS delegation, headed by Assistant State Secretary Molly Phee and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield, at the Republican Palace here on Thursday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In a statement, the council said it expressed readiness to make amendments to the constitution to adapt to the new developments and the conduction of free and fair elections in Sudan by the end of the transitional period.

ALSO READ: UN allocates $1.9 billion aid to Sudan

The Sudanese and American sides stressed the inclusion of all Sudanese parties into a comprehensive round-table national dialogue involving all political and societal forces, excluding the dissolved National Congress Party, to reach a national consensus out of the current crisis, the statement added.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after Al-Burhan, who also serves as the general commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, declared a coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government led by then Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.

Since then, violent street protests have erupted across the country demanding for a civilian rule.

Till date, more than 55 people have been killed and thousands others injured in the demonstrations.

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Boris: UK-Africa investment can help alleviate climate change

The service provides practical online support to businesses in Africa that want to export to and invest in the UK, and businesses in the UK that want to export to and invest in Africa…reports Asian Lite News

The UK must boost green investment in Africa and become the continent’s investment partner of choice as it transitions to clean growth, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told a trade conference.

Johnson made the comments as he opened the latest UK-Africa Investment Conference, a one-day virtual event with UK and African ministers, business leaders and heads of international organisations meeting to discuss sustainable investment.

Johnson said he wants Britain to finance critical infrastructure projects in those African countries worst hit by climate change, which will in turn help the region achieve its full economic potential.

He pointed out that the UK is already the biggest investor in renewable energy in South Africa and has helped finance the export of 87 emergency bridges made in Gloucestershire to strengthen flood defences in Ghana.

“By 2050, Africa’s population is set to double to 2.5 billion and the mother continent of humanity will be home to a quarter of the world’s population”, Johnson said in the opening address.

As part of the drive, the UK Department for International Trade is launching Growth Gateway — a digital tool to link African and British businesses to UK trade, finance and investment services and opportunities.

The service provides practical online support to businesses in Africa that want to export to and invest in the UK, and businesses in the UK that want to export to and invest in Africa.

The UK’s export credit agency — the UK Export Finance (UKEF) — has significantly increased support for markets in Africa in the past year from approximately £600 million ($820m) in 2018-19 to more than £2.3 billion in 2020-21, in countries from Côte d’Ivoire to Uganda.

“This conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring British and African businesses together to unlock millions of pounds of new investment, especially in clean energy industries in both the UK and across Africa,” said the UK’s Minister for Africa Vicky Ford.

“There is so much more that the UK and African countries can do together. Growth Gateway will make it easier than ever for African and British businesses to access the support they need to boost two-way trade and investment.”

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