AFRICA

Rwanda’s successful Eurobond repayment serves as a reminder that there is resilience in African bond markets, despite the “perfect storm” of COVID-19, high inflation and trade disruptions SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In the face of economic challenges, Rwanda has achieved a significant milestone by successfully repaying its $400 …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda might not get maximum benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unless the cost of doing business in the county and East Africa is worked on, according to the private Sector. The costs cited include in areas of access to finance, quality …

Nairobi, Kenya |  Xinhua | Kenya’s President, William Ruto, formally unveiled the country’s joint bid with East African neighbours, Uganda and Tanzania, to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals on Monday in Nairobi. Ruto noted the joint bid, dubbed “Pamoja” – the Swahili word for together – is …

Mogadishu, Somalia | Xinhua |  The new force commander of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), Sam Okiding, has prioritized a smooth transition of security responsibilities to Somali security forces while consolidating the gains made in stabilizing the country. Okiding, who arrived in the Somali capital Mogadishu on …

Mogadishu, Somalia | Xinhua | The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said on Sunday that it has stepped up preparations for the withdrawal of 2,000 soldiers by June 30 from Somalia. Mohammed El-Amine Souef, special representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for Somalia and head of ATMIS, …

Nairobi, Kenya | Xinhua | Kenyan investigators on Saturday exhumed 22 more bodies from a suspected cult grave in the Kenyan coastal town of Malindi, a government official said. Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said so far 201 bodies have been exhumed since the discovery of the mass graves on a …

Khartoum, Sudan | Xinhua | The Sudanese government announced Friday that it had allocated three airports to facilitate the arrival of humanitarian aid. The airports in Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna, as well as Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance, said the Council of …

Gaborone, Botswana | Xinhua | COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern in Botswana, Christopher Nyanga, the spokesperson for Botswana’s Ministry of Health, announced in a statement Friday. “Botswana had actually de-escalated COVID-19 response activities over the past six months and has reduced measures and protocols …

Khartoum, Sudan | Xinhua | The Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have promised to protect civilians and achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate emergency humanitarian assistance, as they signed the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan. In response to various parties’ concern over …

As desperate civilians and expatriates flee the country, local midwives are stepping up and helping pregnant women bring new life into the world despite the intense clashes. SPECIAL FEATURE | BIRD AGENCY | In the heart of a war-torn Sudan, an ancient tradition is being rekindled amidst the chaos: midwifery. …