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Burundi: Election campaigns kick-off amid COVID-19 pandemic

Political campaigning ahead of the 20 May presidential elections officially kicks off in Burundi today against a backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued intimidation of people by the Imbonerakure youth wing of the ruling party, the National Council for Defence of Democracy – Forces for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD-FDD). “Fleeing refugees consistently told […]

S. Africa receives Cuban medics to help treat COVID-19 patients

South Africa on Sunday received a medical team from Cuba to help health officials treat COVID-19 patients. The 217 health care professionals include doctors, nurses, epidemiologists and technical experts. “It’s really something great, the feeling for what is being done to help other countries with fewer resources deal with this pandemic is hard to describe, […]

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Egypt releases 4,011 prisoners on Sinai Liberation Day

Egypt’s Prisons Authority, which operates under the auspices of the interior ministry, ordered on Thursday the release of 4,100 prisoners on the occasion of the Sinai Liberation day, which falls on 25 April. 3,778 prisoners will be released upon a presidential pardon, and 233 will be released conditionally. A list of those released was not […]

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Kenya hopes to test 250,000 people for COVID-19 by June

Kenyan laboratories on the front line in the fight against coronavirus are stepping up their preparedness. At the Kemri Medical Research Institute in the capital Nairobi, researchers are tracking the virus with a range of newer equipment. They are preparing samples in machines capable of testing several thousand people in a day. “The beauty of […]

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South African treatment centre intensify battle against COVID-19

In South Africa, provision has been made at a treatment centre for those infected by the coronavirus. At a visit to a COVID-19 treatment centre in Johannesburg Friday, president Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his satisfaction with the level of preparedness. “The country now needs to get very well prepared, because we are going to be reaching […]

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DR Congo: 12 Rangers Among 17 Killed in Attack in Virunga Park

At least 17 people, including 12 rangers were killed Friday in an attack in Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, an official said. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the park, Africa’s oldest and most biologically diverse protected area. Besides the […]

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Sports: Drogba offers hospital for COVID-19 efforts

Former Ivorian international Didier Drogba has availed his private hospital for use as a government coronavirus facility, according to reports. The news was also posted on a Facebook page called Fans de Didier Drogba. The hospital in question, located in the city of Abidjan, is named after Ivory Coast footballer Laurent Pokou, who died in […]

Egypt: coronavirus dampens Ramadan mood

Majority of Muslims across the world started Ramadan fasting today but across the Middle East, preparations for the month-long religious exercise was dampened thanks to the global threat of the novel coronavirus. The faithful who have witnessed the cancellation of Iftar – fast breaking feasts – and the suspension of prayers at the mosque as […]

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ECOWAS affirms election of Guinea-Bissau president

Months after Guinea-Bissau’s disputed presidential election, leaders in the West Africa bloc, ECOWAS, have acknowledged the victory of Umaro Sissoco Embalo. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Economic Community of West African States said the decision followed “a thorough analysis of the political situation in the country.” The development signifies a diplomatic victory for […]

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Coast, Northeastern at risk of flooding

Coast and Northeastern are staring at flooding after the water levels of rivers Sabaki and Tana, as well as three dams, went up following heavy rains. Areas at risk include Garissa, Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta. Reports indicate rivers Sabaki and Tana could burst their banks any time soon. Residents of Tana River […]

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Facebook expands Coronavirus Information Center to 24 more countries in Africa

Facebook (Facebook.com) is expanding its Coronavirus Information Center to 24 more countries in Africa as part of its ongoing commitment to empowering people around the world with timely and accurate news from trusted health authorities. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center is featured at the top of News Feed and provides a central place for people […]

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Ethiopia coronavirus cases at 117, Tigray relaxes state of emergency

Northern Tigray regional state, the first to declare a COVID-19 state of emergency have announced a relaxing of the measure, the regional information outfit reported. The state of emergency declared in late March is now expected to last for three months according to the state council. In explaining the rationale for the current move, regional […]

Cameroon admits army massacred innocent civilians

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has acknowledged that the military massacred innocent people, including women and children, in a northwestern village in February after the government first denied it. “The corpses of the three women and 10 children, whom the military killed and tried to cover up their actions by also torching several houses and blaming […]

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Muslims start Ramadan fasting on April 24 amid pandemic

Saudi confirms sighting of moon, Ramadan starts April 24 Majority of Muslims around the world will start fasting on April 24 which is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. Various news agencies dedicated to the activities of the two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia confirmed the sighting of the hilal (new moon). […]

Ghana: face masks made compulsory in capital Accra

Days after a three-week lockdown was lifted on the capital Accra and two other metropolis, the Greater Accra Regional minister has announced a compulsory use of face masks in public. An April 22 statement signed by minister Ishmael Ashitey said the regional coordinating council had met in an emergency meeting as part of efforts to […]

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Seychelles: Muslims set to adapt Ramadan rituals to health needs of COVID-19 era

Weekly Friday prayers during the religious period of Ramadan this year are likely to be aired either on radio or television to allow the Muslim community in Seychelles to stay connected while observing restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vice-chairman of the National Muslim Council of Seychelles, Ibrahim Afif, told SNA on […]

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Burkina Faso: New killing by Islamist Armed Groups

Suspected Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso killed at least 90 civilians in 3 attacks on villages in late January 2020 that forced thousands to flee, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks, between January 17 and 25, accelerated government plans to create a new militia force, raising concerns of future abuses. The killings in […]