AFRICA

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | The African Union (AU) warned that travel and entry bans in connection with the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant limit the free movement of people and goods, imposing immediate and significant impact on African countries. The 55-member pan African bloc, in a statement issued …

Abidjan, Ivory Coast | THE INDEPENDENT |  For the fourth consecutive year, Uganda’s electricity sector is Africa’s best regulated across a number of key metrics, according to the African Development Bank’s 2021 Electricity Regulatory Index. Other strong performers include East African neighbours, Kenya and Tanzania, as well as Namibia and …

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Xinhua | A UN official on Tuesday urged the Ethiopian government to promptly sign onto an agreement with the world body to prevent conflict-related sexual violence. Pramila Patten, the UN secretary-general’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, said extreme brutality and sexual violence have been hallmarks …

Harare, Zimbabwe | Xinhua | The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday expressed deep concern at the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country driven by the omicron variant, and plans to bar the unvaccinated from boarding public transport. “Cabinet notes with concern that there has been a sharp increase in the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed George William Okoth-Obbo of Uganda as his Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. He will succeed Karen Smith of South Africa, to whom the Secretary-General is deeply grateful.   So honored to receive this trust to serve as …

Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Conservation organizations and the government of Uganda and Rwanda have adopted new guidelines to protect the mountain gorillas from catching the Covid-19 Virus. Under the guidance of the International Gorilla Conservation Program and Gorilla Friendly, updated gorilla trekking protocols have been issued to ensure …

United Nations | Xinhua | A strictly military approach to the security challenges in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has its limitations, a UN envoy said on Monday. “The challenges the government is facing in implementing the state of siege highlight the fact that there …

Banjul, Gambia | Xinhua |  Alieu Momar Njie, chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of The Gambia, declared on Sunday that Adama Barrow, the leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), as the winner of the presidential election held on Saturday. Barrow amassed 457,519 votes, around 53 percent of …

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | Xinhua | Tanzania’s Private Health Laboratories Board on Friday announced the suspension of 114 health laboratories over poor performance. “The 114 laboratories across the country have been suspended pending their improvement that will enable them to deliver high standard services,” said Dominic Fwiling’afu, the registrar of …

Harare, Zimbabwe | Xinhua | Zimbabwe will start administering COVID-19 booster shots to frontline workers, people with chronic diseases, and the elderly with immediate effect, a senior Ministry of Health and Child Care official said on Friday. The announcement came as the country on Thursday confirmed its first case of the …