AFRICA

  Johannesburg, South Africa | THE INDEPENDENT |  Anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died at 90. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate  died in Cape Town, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a statement on Sunday. Alongside late Nelson Mandela, Tutu was a leading voice against white minority rule …

Uganda has dropped to eighth spot on the Africa Visa Openness Index this year according to the latest rankings published on Dec.13 by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Union Commission.  Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | The Africa Visa Openness Index which has been published since 2016 …

But deaths remain low ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | An 83% surge in new COVID-19 cases in early December in Africa, driven by the Delta and the Omicron variants, is causing fewer deaths than previous surges—but more waves could be building as updated forecasts warn that the continent may not …

Abuja, Nigeria | Xinhua | Nigerian government on Wednesday destroyed over 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine withdrawn from across the country after being identified for having a short shelf life. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), which coordinates vaccination in the country, and the National Agency for Food …

Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | East African leaders met for just the second time this year today and agreed to fast track the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) request for membership to their regional body EAC. The 18th Extra-ordinary Summit of the East African Community heads of state received and …

Yaoundé, Cameroon | Xinhua | The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has said that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for next year in Cameroon, will go on as planned, ending widespread speculation that the biennial football competition could be postponed again due to COVID-19. “I’m going …

Johannesburg, S.A. | Xinhua | South Africa’s North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday granted former president Jacob Zuma leave to appeal last week’s court ruling that declared his medical parole release unlawful. Judge Elias Motojane said it was necessary to allow the appeal because another court could come …

Johannesburg, South Africa | Xinhua | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday came out of self-isolation after contracting COVID-19 and resumed work, the Presidency said. Ramaphosa thanked South Africans and “leaders and friends internationally” who sent messages of good wishes. “The President wishes all persons infected with COVID-19 a safe …

Khartoum, Sudan | Xinhua | Thousands of Sudanese protesters on Sunday managed to break a security cordon and reach the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum to demand civilian rule on the third anniversary of the December revolution, which toppled the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir. The huge crowds managed …

  Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Eastern Africa Standby Force – EASF curators have pitched to funders sh13 billion, about USD 3.7 million to enable her finance various activities in 2022. On Friday 17 December, the delegates who consist of the Military, Police and Civilian components concluded five …