As the pandemic started to unfold early in 2020, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a plea for a global cease-fire, saying the world needed to focus on “the true fight” against the coronavirus. “Silencing the guns will not only support the fight against COVID-19, but also create opportunities for life-saving aid, open windows for diplomacy, and bring hope to people […]
Read MoreMonth: December 2020
Nigerian CDC Investigating New Coronavirus Variant
ABUJA – The Africa and Nigerian Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said a new variant of the coronavirus has emerged in Nigeria. The head of Nigeria’s CDC said it is studying the new strain, which is different from new strains discovered in Britain and South Africa. The variant strain was discovered in […]
Read MoreCentral Africa Rebel Groups Call Off Cease-Fire Before Election
BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – A rebel coalition that has been fighting the government in the Central African Republic said Friday that it was calling off a three-day cease-fire ahead of a tense general election on the weekend. The rebel groups launched an offensive a week ago threatening to march on the capital, Bangui, in […]
Read MoreSudanese Church Leaders Preach Caution About COVID-19 on Christmas
KHARTOUM – Church leaders in Sudan are asking people to strictly follow government and World Health Organization guidelines this Christmas to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Some churches have suspended the traditional midnight prayer service to avoid transmission of the virus. The Reverend Shimal Kuwa, head of the Christ Church in the Isba neighborhood of Khartoum, […]
Read MoreReport: Sudan Security Forces Who Killed Kassala Protesters Never Held Accountable
WASHINGTON – Sudanese security forces who killed seven Sudanese protesters in Kassala two months ago were never held accountable, according to a recent report released by Human Rights Watch. Mohamed Osman, an assistant researcher with HRW’s Africa Division, said Sudan’s transitional government must bring all perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice to prevent further […]
Read MoreResidents of Kenya-Somalia Border Area Fear Conflict Amid Diplomatic Tensions
NAIROBI – There is growing concern the tensions between Kenya and Somalia may erupt into fighting, due to a military buildup along the two countries’ borders. The Somali federal government has sent troops to the border town of Beled-Hawo, while forces from Somalia’s Jubaland region, which enjoys a good relationship with Kenya, are stationed in […]
Read MoreMalawi Reintroduces COVID-19 Restrictions as Cases Surge
BLANTYRE, MALAWI – Malawi has closed its borders after confirmed cases of COVID-19 jumped 75 percent in the past two weeks. Malawi authorities attribute the surge to relaxed preventive measures and increased cross-border traffic for the holidays. Health campaigners have welcomed the border closure, but say Malawi should also mandate face masks and sanitizers. Malawi […]
Read MoreUganda’s Health Care System Struggling Against Second COVID Wave
KAMPALA, UGANDA – A second wave of COVID-19 infections in Uganda is overwhelming hospitals. The country has close to 32,000 confirmed cases of the virus, and at least 238 people have died. Ugandan talk show host Charles Odongtho was only showing mild symptoms from his COVID-19 infection until he was about to complete his 14-day […]
Read More