Beijing, China | XINHUA | Experts have voiced concerns over the U.S.’ inaction in joining the international community to help Africa amid the pandemic, the continent hit hardest by COVID-19. “The U.S. has basically been missing in action on the global front, which is very heartbreaking for me to see,” …
Read More »Zimbabwe gov’t summons Pope’s envoy to Zimbabwe as row with Catholic bishops rages
Harare, Zimbabwe | XINHUA | The Zimbabwe government on Wednesday summoned the Pope’s envoy to Zimbabwe as it escalated its feud with the Catholic Church to diplomatic level after Catholic bishops wrote a stinging pastoral letter last Friday accusing the government of human rights violations. In the fourth response by …
Read More »AU says “unconstitutional change” of gov’t in Mali further complicates security situation
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | XINHUA | The African Union (AU) Commission said the “unconstitutional change” of government in Mali further complicates the situation on the ground, particularly the implementation of the peace and reconciliation agreement as well as the current efforts in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime …
Read More »WHO urges safe reopening of schools in Africa amid COVID-19 risks
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged African countries to put solid COVID-19 prevention measures in place before embarking on reopening of learning institutions. WHO said in a statement released in Nairobi that reopening of schools in the Sub-Saharan African region should be accompanied by …
Read More »MTN appoints new CEO
Johannesburg | THE INDEPENDENT | Chief Financial Officer of MTN Group Ralph Mupita will on September 1 take over from Rob Shuter as president and CEO. “After a rigorous and extensive search process, we are pleased to have appointed someone of Ralph’s calibre, experience and ability to fill the group president …
Read More »UN chief calls for immediate restoration of constitutional order in Mali
United Nations | XINHUA | United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate restoration of constitutional order and rule of law in Mali after the country’s president was arrested. “The secretary-general is following with deep concern the unfolding developments in Mali, including the military mutiny which culminated in the …
Read More »Six months of COVID-19 in Africa
The virus has since moved from high density urban areas to the congested slums Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Aug. 14 marked six months since COVID-19 was first detected on the continent. While the virus has accelerated in many other regions of the world, the pandemic’s evolution on the …
Read More »Detained Malian president Keita announces resignation
Bamako, Mali | XINHUA | Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, currently detained by mutinous Malian soldiers in a military camp, announced late Tuesday his resignation and the dissolution of the National Assembly and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse’s government. “I have decided to quit my functions, all my functions from this …
Read More »New round of load shedding plunges S. Africa into darkness
Cape Town, South Africa | XINHUA | A new round of rolling power blackouts plunged South Africa into darkness on Tuesday as the country was struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a drop in demand due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Eskom has implemented three rounds of load shedding since the …
Read More »China-Africa cooperation key to boost COVID-19 response, industrial growth: experts
Nairobi, Kenya | XINHUA | African countries should leverage on robust bilateral ties with China to boost action on COVID-19 pandemic and hasten growth of the continent’s manufacturing sector, experts said on Tuesday. Speaking at a virtual forum in Nairobi, the experts from Africa and China noted that Africa’s COVID-19 battle …
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