Sudan: UN official decries attacks against civilians in Al Jazirah state
Preliminary reports indicate that between 20 and 25 October, fighters from the paramilitary RSF launched major attacks across eastern parts of the Al Jazirah state (also spelled Gezira), indiscriminately shooting at civilians and committing sexual violence against women and girls….
IMF raises concerns about effects of Sudan conflict on neighbors
WASHINGTON — The war in Sudan is likely to cause heavy economic damage in neighboring countries, the IMF’s deputy director for Africa, Catherine Pattillo, told AFP. “What is going on there for the people in Sudan is just so heart…
Snakebite victims in Southern Africa struggle to get antivenom
Snakebites are classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. In South Africa and other countries in the region, there are numerous barriers to getting the antivenom necessary to save limbs and lives. But scientists are working…
Ethiopia begins selling stakes in state-owned company
Ethiopia’s state-owned telecommunications company has started selling shares to the public, in a move aimed at establishing a new national stock market and giving Ethiopians a stake in the company, one of the country’s largest and most profitable. Ethio Telecom…
Polio resurfaces in Ivory Coast, threatening country’s children
Health officials say there have been six cases of polio reported in Ivory Coast in 2023, and one so far this year. It doesn’t seem like many, but any polio cases are cause for concern among health officials trying to…
WFP delivers life-saving aid to one million people in Burkina Faso
The agency has provided assistance to more than one million crises affected people so far this year through crucial funding from the United States. The humanitarian response comes at a critical time for the West African nation, which has been…
In Ethiopia, UN chief advocates for permanent Security Council seats for Africa
In a speech delivered during the inauguration of the renovated Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the building’s historic and symbolic importance for Africa’s unity and progress. “This hall is where Africa came together to give life to…
WHO urges Rwanda to see off Marburg outbreak
Geneva — The WHO chief on Sunday urged Rwanda to keep up its fightback against Marburg, as the country battles an outbreak of one of the world’s deadliest viruses. There have been 62 confirmed cases and 15 deaths in the…
Nigeria rolls out long-anticipated malaria vaccine
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria officially launched its malaria vaccination campaign this week to protect millions of children from the deadly disease, focusing heavily on high-risk states. The first 846,000 doses of the R21 malaria vaccine arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, on…
African port growth hindered by poor road, rail networks, report says
NAIROBI, KENYA — Africa has seen the capacity of its ports grow significantly over the years, but a report from the Africa Finance Corporation says the expansions, upgrades and investments have not led to better inland logistics and supply chains….