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Africa

Senegal tightens anti-COVID controls after Mecca deaths

Dakar, Senegal —  Senegal said Monday it had implemented voluntary COVID-19 screening tests and reimposed the wearing of masks at Dakar’s international airport for returning pilgrims fearing the virus was linked to the deaths of some Mecca pilgrims. Dakar suspects…

Officials highlight ongoing terrorist threats and dire humanitarian needs in Somalia

James Swan, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) briefed ambassadors noting that the Somali government is prioritising security and combating Al-Shabaab fighters on many fronts. “For its part, Al-Shabaab remains determined to continue terrorist attacks with little…

Sudan: WHO appalled by horrific attack on El Fasher’s maternity hospital

The attack on the only maternity hospital in the town in Sudan’s western state of North Darfur is “shocking and appalling,” the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, calling on warring parties to “protect mothers and…

In South Africa, traditional healers join fight against HIV

BUSHBUCKRIDGE, South Africa —  The walls of Shadrack Mashabane’s hut in the rural South African town of Bushbuckridge are covered with traditional fabrics, with a small window the only source of light. What stands out among the herbs and medicines…

Thousands die every year in Kenya amid scarce snakebite treatments

MWINGI, Kenya —  Esther Kangali felt a sharp pain while on her mother’s farm in eastern Kenya. She looked down and saw a large snake coiling around her left leg. She screamed, and her mother came running. Kangali was rushed…

Ivory Coast sets up mobile enrollment for problematic health coverage program

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast —  Health authorities in Ivory Coast launched mobile enrollment centers for the country’s universal health coverage program, which has been criticized since its 2019 inception over difficulties accessing benefits. Ivory Coast is one of a handful countries…

2 dead in Kenya youth protests

Nairobi, Kenya —  A 21-year-old man died after being hit by a tear gas canister during protests in Kenya this week, a human rights official and the victim’s relative said Saturday, in the second fatality in connection with the youth-led…

African leaders, French president seek vaccines for Africa

African leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron have partnered on an approximately $1-billion project to make vaccines more available in Africa after the COVID-19 pandemic revealed global inequity in vaccine access. The project, known as the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator,…

Libya: UN official highlights need for inclusive talks to end stalemate

Briefing ambassadors at the UN Security Council, Stephanie Koury added that many Libyans have deep concerns, which she shares, about the de facto division of the country. Rival administrations have evolved, one led by the internationally recognized Government of National…

WFP increases response in West and Central Africa to address rising hunger

The programme will aid the response plans of national governments in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria. With the right amount of funding, WFP’s initiative can reach 12 million people, but with diminishing resources…