But CSOs say carrying out negotiation virtually will defranchise majority of the stakeholders Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | African Business leaders across the continent have signed a joint letter calling for the ministers and heads of state to stick to the July 1 deadline for the free trade agreement …
Read More »Top aide to DR Congo president goes on trial for corruption
Kinshasa, DR Congo | AFP | The powerful top aide to DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi goes on trial for corruption on Monday in a case without precedent in the vast African country. Tshisekedi’s chief of staff Vital Kamerhe, who has been at the very heart of political life in DR …
Read More »Over 10,000 coronavirus cases in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa has topped 10,000, including 194 fatalities, Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize announced on Sunday. “As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 10,015, the minister said in a statement. “We note with concern that the …
Read More »One of world’s oldest men Blom marks 116th birthday
Cape Town, South Africa | AFP | South African Fredie Blom celebrated his 116th birthday on Friday unfazed by the coronavirus crisis, over 100 years since the Spanish flu pandemic killed his sister. “I have lived this long because of God’s grace,” said Blom, possibly one of the oldest men …
Read More »Benin starts testing school teachers for virus
Cotonou, Benin | AFP | Benin on Saturday was conducting mass coronavirus testing of teachers ahead of the reopening of schools as part of a plan to loosen measures against the pandemic. The West African nation of 11 million is set to end six weeks of travel restrictions to key …
Read More »S. Sudan rivals face fresh feud over control of states
Juba, South Sudan | AFP | South Sudan’s main rivals were at loggerheads Friday over who will control the country’s 10 internal states, an issue that analysts and diplomats worried could jeopardise a power-sharing deal reached earlier this year. President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, old foes whose fallout in 2013 sparked civil …
Read More »Top Malawi court upholds poll rerun, rejects president’s appeal
Lilongwe, Malawi | AFP | Malawi’s top court on Friday rejected President Peter Mutharika’s bid to overturn a landmark ruling quashing his controversial re-election, paving the way for a rerun in July. Mutharika had garnered just 38.5 percent of the annulled May 21 vote to win a second term but the …
Read More »African artists take creative approach to fighting COVID-19 pandemic
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Top artists from across Africa and throughout the African Diaspora have joined forces with UNESCO, to save lives and counter misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are creating public service announcements, songs and music videos as part of an online campaign called #DontGoViral which has …
Read More »WHO cautions against use of Madagascar anti-virus potion
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | The World Health Organization on Thursday advised governments to clinically test a herbal drink touted by Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina as a remedy against coronavirus. The Covid-Organics infusion is derived from artemisia — a plant with proven anti-malarial properties — and other indigenous herbs. Rajoelina …
Read More »Deforestation in Africa accelerates: UN food agency
Paris, France | AFP | Africa is the only continent in the world where deforestation is accelerating, according to key findings of a five-year report released Thursday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In South America, where some countries have been blamed for rampant forest exploitation, the rate of forest loss was …
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