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Africa

'We had to run for our lives’: The pregnant women fleeing Tigray

UN News Centre - Africa - Tue, 16/02/2021 - 15:45
Pregnant women are amongst the tens of thousands of people in need of assistance in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where fighting between the Government and regional forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have been ongoing since November 2020. Hiwot* is one of them.
Categories: Africa

EU calls for bold measures to control deteriorating economic situation in Sudan

Sudan Tribune - Tue, 16/02/2021 - 08:03

February 15, 2021 (KHARTOUM) - European Union diplomats in Khartoum urged the Sudanese government to take bold reforms to halt the deteriorating economic situation in the country.

Hamdok government had failed to stop the collapse of the Sudanese pound as one dollar is sold for over 400 pounds; while in January it was sold for over 250 pounds. However, the official exchange rate is 55 pounds for one dollar.

Also, the inflation rate in Sudan for the month of January jumped to 304.33% compared to 269.33% in December 2020, which represents n increase of 35 points.

On Monday, the head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan received a number of EU diplomats to Sudan including ambassadors of the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

Following the end of the meeting, Robert van den, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sudan told the media they discussed with al-Burhan a range of issues related to the recent political developments and the formation of the new transitional cabinet, tensions with Ethiopia, and the economic situation.

Dool said they briefed al-Burhan about the current size of the EU support to the democratic transition process and the humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

"We noted that the pressure on the Sudanese people is palpable, but we also noted that the government has to take bold and fast solutions to reform the economy," he stressed.

The government has implemented a number of economic reforms and ended the fuel subsidy but it is reluctant to liberalize the currency and to end administrative controls over foreign exchange.

A week ago, a Western diplomat told Reuters that donors countries are frustrated by the government delay to float the pound would not trigger more pressure on the pound or inflation since almost all transactions are already carried out at black market rates.

The message from donors to Sudanese authorities was: “This will unlock huge amounts of financing, grants, assistance, development, investment, and the situation is just becoming worse and worse day by day,” the diplomat told Reuters.

The delay of the pound liberalization in exchange rate reform is holding up the launch of a family support programme to pay a monthly $5 cash subsidy to 80% of Sudan's population.

"Some $400 million in aid and World Bank pre-arrears clearance grants for the first phase of the programme has been withheld because the money would be worth much less if converted at the official exchange rate," further said Reuters.

Recently, a series of protests denounced the government's failure to redress the economic situation, as Prime Minister appeared under pressure from the left groups.

Now, with his recently-formed all parties government, it is not clear if he would keep on reforms and meets the IMF requirements for debit removal and get the needed economic support from the international financial institutions.

EU Ambassador Dool said they also discussed the situation of the eastern Sudan border with Ethiopia, as the two sides are massing troops, creating conditions for a conflict that would destabilize the whole region.

He said they expressed "concern about the troubled period the Horn of Africa is currently traversing".

"We commended the constructive role played by Sudan as the Chair of IGAD and declared our support for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia," he further stressed.

(ST)

Categories: Africa

How Congo-Brazzaville's shark population came under threat

BBC Africa - Tue, 16/02/2021 - 01:12
The shark population off Congo-Brazzaville is threatened as desperate fishermen search deeper waters.
Categories: Africa

Two die as new Ebola outbreak declared in southern Guinea

UN News Centre - Africa - Mon, 15/02/2021 - 09:21
Guinean health authorities have declared an outbreak of Ebola in a rural community in the south of the country, with at least seven people infected, two of whom died, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Sunday.  
Categories: Africa

Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: 'I lost my hand when a soldier tried to rape me'

BBC Africa - Mon, 15/02/2021 - 01:57
A teenager caught up in Ethiopia's Tigray conflict tells of her and her grandfather's near-death encounter.
Categories: Africa

Where are Cape Town's great white sharks?

BBC Africa - Sun, 14/02/2021 - 01:02
Barely a single great white shark has been spotted off the city's coast for two years, where once there were hundreds.
Categories: Africa

Mali: UN chief says ‘complex attack’ against blue helmets may constitute war crime 

UN News Centre - Africa - Sat, 13/02/2021 - 18:14
 Secretary-General António Guterres condemned  on Saturday, a “complex attack” against the UN mission in the West African country of Mali 
Categories: Africa

Ethiopia: ‘Incomplete but troubling picture’ reveals impact of Tigray crisis on children

UN News Centre - Africa - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 17:21
Humanitarians are learning more about the dire situation of children in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where fighting continues between Government troops and regional forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). 
Categories: Africa

Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis: What does the future hold?

BBC Africa - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 13:43
What does the future hold for Ethiopia, and what challenges remain in the Tigray region?
Categories: Africa

South African variant: What is behind the Covid-19 surge in southern Africa?

BBC Africa - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 10:02
Coronavirus cases have been on the increase across countries in southern Africa.
Categories: Africa

You're divisionist, mischief maker if you disagree with some church activities — Pastor Chris to congregants

ModernGhana News - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 04:46
The LoveWorld Incorporated which is also known as Christ Embassy leader, Pastor Dr Chris Oyakhilome has pointed out what constitutes a mischief maker in the church. He stated that, if anyone says I don 39;t agree with everything or some of the things done in the church even though I 39;m a member of the church, then, something is wrong with you.
Categories: Africa

Pastor Chris reveals why most pastors are poor

ModernGhana News - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 04:27
Leader and Founder of the LoveWorld Incorporated popularly called Christ Embassy, Pastor Dr Chris Oyakhilome has given reasons why some pastors are financially broke and things seem not to be going well with them.
Categories: Africa

'Nkoranzamanhemaa' praises Akufo-Addo for Adu Gyan's nomination

ModernGhana News - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 03:55
Nana Adutwuwaa Mmorosa Dudaa Kani II, the Paramount Queen of Nkoranza Traditional Area has heaped praises on President Akufo-Addo for the nomination of her son, Mr. Akwasi Adu Gyan as the Bono East Regional Minister-designate.
Categories: Africa

Pillars holding Accra Conference Centre very weak — Ayorkor Botchwey

ModernGhana News - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 03:47
Structural engineers have recommended the shutdown of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) to avert any potential disaster. Ms Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, whose Ministry has oversight responsibility over the operations of the Centre, said steps were being taken to close down the facility for repair works.
Categories: Africa

COVID-19 vaccine costing Ghana US$200 million — GHS

ModernGhana News - Fri, 12/02/2021 - 03:47
Government of Ghana is spending over 200 million dollars to procure COVID-19 vaccine for the entire population. Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), who said this in Accra on Thursday, said the price of the vaccine available presently ranged from USD 4 to USD 20 and that would be the cost at which every Ghanaian would be vaccinated.
Categories: Africa

Egypt urged to remove activists from ‘terrorist’ list

UN News Centre - Africa - Thu, 11/02/2021 - 16:46
UN independent human rights experts appealed on Thursday for authorities in Egypt to remove two activists from a “terrorist” list and to stop systemic use of terrorism powers. 
Categories: Africa

Mali: Around 20 UN peacekeepers injured in major attack on MINUSMA base

UN News Centre - Africa - Wed, 10/02/2021 - 16:53
Some 20 UN peacekeepers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, were injured on Wednesday, after their temporary base came under attack in the restive central region of the country.
Categories: Africa

Libya: Security Council urges interim leadership to prepare for December polls

UN News Centre - Africa - Wed, 10/02/2021 - 13:18
The UN Security Council on Tuesday called on the new interim leadership of Libya to swiftly form an inclusive Government and make necessary preparations for December’s presidential and parliamentary elections. 
Categories: Africa

FROM THE FIELD: Teaching Chad’s scientists of the future

UN News Centre - Africa - Wed, 10/02/2021 - 02:30
The study of science could have a “transformational” impact on young people living in different conflict areas across the world according to the UN’s Education Cannot Wait programme.
Categories: Africa

Ethiopia: Government approves ‘first step’ towards Tigray emergency assistance 

UN News Centre - Africa - Mon, 08/02/2021 - 23:04
UN agencies have received approval from the Ethiopian Government for 25 international staff to provide humanitarian assistance inside the country’s conflict-torn Tigray region, the UN Spokesperson said on Monday. 
Categories: Africa

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