SENEGAL HEALTH MINISTER SACKED AFTER DEADLY HOSPITAL FIRE

The tragedy late Wednesday in the western city of Tivaouane was just the latest in a series of hospital deaths that have exposed the weaknesses of the nation's healthcare system.

Family members console each other outside the Mame Abdoul Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital, where eleven babies died following an electrical fault, in Tivaouane, on May 26, 2022. Picture: SEYLLOU / AFP

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TIVAOUANE - Senegal's President Macky Sall fired his health minister on Thursday as his country mourned the death of 11 newborn babies in a hospital fire blamed on an electrical short circuit.

The tragedy late Wednesday in the western city of Tivaouane was just the latest in a series of hospital deaths that have exposed the weaknesses of the nation's healthcare system.

Sall earlier announced the tragedy on Twitter and declared three days of national mourning.

"I have just learned with pain and dismay about the deaths of 11 newborn babies in the fire at the neonatal department of the public hospital," he wrote.

"To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy."

Outside the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital in Tivaouane, a city with a population of 40,000, one of the distraught mothers called out for her son.

"Where is Mohamed?" she cried.

Her baby son was taken to the hospital 10 days ago and was baptised on Monday, Mohamed's 54-year-old father Alioune Diouf said.

The city's mayor Demba Diop said the fire had been caused by a short circuit and spread very quickly.

He denied allegations from relatives at the hospital and across social media that the babies had been left alone, saying a midwife and nurse were present on Wednesday evening.

"There was a noise and an explosion that lasted three minutes at most," he said outside the hospital entrance.

"Five minutes after, the fire brigade arrived. People used fire extinguishers."

The mayor said the air-conditioning had accelerated the flames and added that the two nurses fainted but were revived.

"There was no negligence," Diop insisted.

The disaster however sparked calls for the resignation of Health Minister Abdoudaye Diouf Sarr, who was quoted in media reports also as blaming an electrical fault.

The presidency in the evening said he would be replaced by Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye, formerly the director-general of the public health authority.

Sall would return early from abroad and visit the hospital on Saturday, his office said.

BEYOND HEARTBROKEN

The maternity unit was equipped to take care of 13 babies.

"At the time of the fire, there were 11 whom nurses were unable to save," the minister said.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted that he was "beyond heartbroken with this tragic news.

"I'm sending my deepest condolences to the parents and families of the babies who lost their lives."

Outgoing health minister Sarr, who had been in Geneva attending a meeting with the WHO, said an investigation is under way.

The tragedy in Tivaouane comes after several other public health incidents in Senegal, which suffers from a great disparity between urban and rural areas in healthcare services.

In the northern town of Linguere in late April, a fire broke out at a hospital and four newborn babies were killed.

The town's mayor cited an electrical malfunction in an air-conditioning unit in the maternity ward.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE

Wednesday's accident came over a month after the nation mourned the death of a pregnant woman who waited in vain for a caesarean section.

The woman, Astou Sokhna, arrived at a hospital in the northern city of Louga in pain. The staff refused to accommodate her request for a C-section, saying it was not scheduled.

She died on April 1, 20 hours after arrival.

Sokhna's death caused a wave of outrage across the country over the dire state of the health system. Sarr acknowledged two weeks later that the death could have been avoided.

Three midwives on duty the night Sokhna died were given a six-month suspended prison sentence on May 11 by the High Court of Louga for "failure to assist a person in danger" in connection with her case.

Amnesty International's Senegal director Seydi Gassama said his organisation had called for an inspection and upgrade for neonatal services in hospitals across Senegal after the "atrocious" death of the four babies in Linguere.

With the new tragedy, Amnesty "urges the government to set up an independent commission of inquiry to determine responsibility and punish the culprits, no matter the level they are at in the state apparatus", he tweeted.

Opposition lawmaker Mamadou Lamine Diallo also responded with outrage to the Tivaouane blaze.

"More babies burned in a public hospital... this is unacceptable @MackySall," he tweeted.

"We suffer with the families to whom we offer our condolences. Enough is enough."

AU Chairperson Calls for Lifting of Western Sanctions Imposed on Zimbabwe

Senegal President, Macky Sall, the new chairperson of the African Union (AU) on February 6, 2022.

TONY KARUMBA/AFP or licensors

Africa News with AFP

27/05 - 19:38

Macky Sall reiterated the African Union’s call for the lifting of Western sanctions that have targeted Zimbabwe for more than 20 years. He was delivering a speech in Malabo Friday, during the first AU humanitarian summit. The UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, found earlier this year that Western sanctions had exacerbated Zimbabwe’s economic and humanitarian crisis.

Two African Union extraordinary summits kicked off in Malabo, Friday. After Equatorial Guinea’s president Teodoro Obiang addressed the opening session, the Senegalese president serving as AU chairperson delivered a speech. He called for the lifting of western sanctions that have been affecting Zimbabwe for more than 20 years.

"Bearing in mind the repeated request of the African Union, I solemnly call for the lifting of the foreign sanctions that have been imposed for years on our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. In these times of deep crisis, these sanctions further worsen the living conditions of the Zimbabwean people."

The first day of the AU summit was dedicated to the humanitarian crisis. Due to a three-day national mourning decreed home Macky Sall cut short his stay but announced Senegal’s monetary contribution to an African relief initiative: "In anticipation, I would simply like to announce a modest contribution from Senegal of three million dollars for humanitarian action in Africa."

Following the opening ceremony, a pledge conference took place in order to address the challenge of financing humanitarian aid. It’s the AU's first "extraordinary humanitarian summit". International donors also took part in the meeting. A 2020 UN report said 282 million African faced malnutrition. A number that could still increase in 2022 due to effects of the war in Ukraine, conflict and climate shocks.

Tunisian Court Bans Travel for Islamist Party Chief, Others

By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — A court in Tunisia has issued a travel ban on 34 people, including the head of the moderate Islamist Ennahdha party, all suspected of involvement in an alleged parallel security service reportedly put into place after the 2011 Tunisian revolution.

Ennahdha party chief Rachid Ghannouchi and 33 others have been targeted in an investigation into the alleged service, dubbed the “secret apparatus,” which has been blamed by some for the still-unsolved murders of two leftist militants in 2013.

The spokeswoman for the court in Ariana, Fatma Bougottaya, claimed on Friday night that the suspects had illegally gained access to information concerning state institutions and allegedly shared it with someone with no legitimate reason to have it, which amounts to an abuse of power. She did not elaborate.

The travel bans were issued on orders of Justice Minister Leila Jaffel, the court spokeswoman told Radio Mosaique.

Ghannouchi, who also headed Tunisia’s parliament — which was suspended then dissolved by Tunisian President Kais Saied — said in a statement that the “so-called secret apparatus is pre-fabricated” and represents a “falsification of facts.” He denounced “a deliberate operation” by authorities “with a goal of distracting the public from true problems” like the political and economic crisis and social problems in the North African country.

He denounced “continued pressure exercised by President Saied” on the judiciary, which he has ordered to hunt out corruption.

Ghannouchi, an adamant adversary of the president, has denounced the exceptional and controversial measures taken by Saied last July 25 as a “coup d’etat,” claiming the goal was to restore a dictatorship in Tunisia.

Saied conferred on himself sweeping powers. Besides dissolving parliament, Saied fired the prime minister and gave himself the power to rule by decree — measures the president claimed were needed to “save the country from imminent peril” and fight widespread corruption.

Under pressure from Tunisia’s allies, who are concerned about democratic backsliding in Tunisia, Saied has laid out a roadmap that foresees organizing a referendum on July 25 on political reforms to amend the constitution, then holding a parliamentary election on Dec. 17.

Algerian Dissidents: Victims of Crackdown, or Outlaws?

By ELAINE GANLEY

FILE - Officers of the Algerian Rapid Intervention Force (BRI) patrol outside the palace of justice on Dec. 2, 2019. A team from Algeria's Rapid Intervention Force on March 24, 2022 put Mohamed Benhalima, 32, in their vehicle, strapping him with a protective vest before the ride to his still unknown destination, video on social media shows. hree days later, Algerians could watch the televised confession of Benhalima, who went from faithful servant of his homeland as a non-commissioned officer to supporter of a now-banned pro-democracy movement with a large social media following then deserter who fled to Europe. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudoud, File)

PARIS (AP) — Mohamed Benhalima looks wary and frightened as he is led off a plane at Algiers airport, handcuffed with a security officer’s arm wrapped around him. A team from Algeria’s Rapid Intervention Force then puts him in their vehicle and whisks him to an unknown destination.

The video was posted online on March 24. Three days later, Algerians watched on television as the 32-year-old confessed to involvement with an organization that authorities have listed as an Islamist terrorist group plotting against the Algerian government.

Once a faithful servant of his homeland as a non-commissioned army officer, Benhalima became a supporter of Algeria’s pro-democracy movement, then a deserter who fled to Europe. Spain expelled him after Algeria issued a warrant for his arrest.

The confession scene was made public by Algeria’s General Directorate of National Security, in what could be seen as a warning to other soldiers or citizens.

Hundreds of Algerian citizens have been jailed for trying to keep alive the Hirak movement that held weekly pro-democracy protests starting in 2019, leading to the downfall of longtime Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The marches were banned last year by the nation’s army-backed government.

Authorities then expanded their sweep, linking some Hirak supporters to two groups added to Algeria’s terror list last year: Rachad, regarded as Islamist infiltrators whose leaders are in Europe, and MAK, a separatist movement in Kabylie, home of the Berbers.

“For the last two or three years, there have been thousands of legal cases against activists,” said well-known lawyer Mustapha Bouchachi. “Their only error is that they expressed their political opinions on social media … and are fighting for a state of law.”

For authorities of the gas-rich North African nation, guaranteeing the stability of the state is at the heart of their actions. For human rights groups, Benhalima and others are victims of an unjust, antiquated system of governance that views dissidents, or any critical voices, as criminals. They say that Algerian authorities use threats to national security to stifle free speech, including among journalists, and justify arrests.

A campaign on social media, with the hashtag #PasUnCrime (not a crime) was launched May 19 by dozens of non-governmental organizations against repression of human rights.

The U.S. State Department’s 2021 report on human rights in Algeria cited a long list of problems, including arbitrary arrests and detentions and restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association. In March, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, asked Algeria to “change direction” to “guarantee the right of its people to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”

“To be a human rights activist in Algeria has become very difficult,” said Zaki Hannache, a Hirak militant recently temporarily released from prison. “To be an activist who refuses the system is complicated. It even means sacrifices.”

Hannache, best known for keeping track of Hirak-related arrests, was arrested and jailed in February on a string of charges, including defending terrorist acts.

The alleged confession of Benhalima captures the combination of evils that Algeria claims it is up against. He said that he was under the spell of Rachad and in contact with its London-based leader and his two brothers. The official APS news agency said Benhalima confirmed “the implication of the terrorist organization Rachad in abject plans targeting the stability of Algeria and its institutions by exploiting misguided youth.”

Rachad’s website claimed the police video showed the forced confession of a “hostage” in a security services propaganda exercise.

Rachad’s true goals are unclear, but it is a key target of Algeria’s crackdown. In December, Rachad said it had submitted a complaint to a U.N. special rapporteur over Algeria’s “arbitrary” classification of the group as a terrorist organization and asked U.N. authorities to urge Algeria to cease its “illegal practices.”

Spain expelled Benhalima based on national security interests and activities “that may harm Spain’s relations with other countries,” according to Amnesty International. Spain expelled another deserter, Mohamed Abdellah, a dissident gendarme, to Algeria last August. Amnesty International described him as a whistleblower.

Spain has a special interest in remaining on good terms with Algeria, which provides much of its gas needs.

According to the National Committee for Freedom for the Detained, some 300 people are behind bars in Algeria for their political opinions. Up to 70 were given provisional freedom at the the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but others have since been arrested.

In a case emblematic for Algerian journalists, the man who heads the outspoken Radio M and the online news site Algerie Emergent, Ihsane El-Kadi, risks three years in prison with a five-year ban on working for allegedly attacking national unity, among other things. He had raised the ire of a former communications minister with a column pleading for the protest movement Hirak not to divide itself over Rachad. The verdict is set for next week.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently launched an ill-defined initiative dubbed “outstretched hands,” described as an “internal front” to promote dialogue across all sectors of society. Army chief Said Chengriha suggested in several speeches that it is also to counter Algeria’s perceived enemies. The initiative precedes the July 5 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Algerian independence from France, which was won after a brutal seven-year war.

“No one can refuse” to take part in this initiative, said Abou El Fadl Baadji, secretary-general of the National Liberation Front, once Algeria’s sole political party. He was among the officials that Tebboune has recently met with on the subject. People “await with suspense the contents of this initiative ... but we’re for this idea, even before knowing the details.”

Benhalima awaits a verdict of his appeal of a 10-year prison sentence after being convicted in absentia for invasion of privacy and attacks on state interests, linked to his online posts on the Algerian military, including confidential information on senior officers.

___

Lotfi Bouchouchi in Algiers, Algeria, contributed.

Congo’s M23 Rebels Attack Military Base in Country’s East

By JEAN-YVES KAMALE

May 26, 2022

People walk on the road near Kibumba, north of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as they flee fighting between Congolese forces and M23 rebels in North Kivu, Tuesday May 24, 2022. Congolese authorities have accused Rwandan forces of supporting armed groups in mineral-rich eastern Congo, where dozens of such groups are active. Rwanda has described allegations of supporting rebels in Congo as baseless. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo’s army defended a major military camp in the country’s east on Thursday after days of fighting with M23 rebels making advances in the region.

Clashes continued at the Rumangabo base in the Rutshuru area of North Kivu province about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the provincial capital, Goma.

“There is no truce. The fighting is still continuing this morning on the same fronts as yesterday,” deputy army spokesman Gen. Sylvain Ekenge said.

Gunfire exchanges have been heard there since early in the morning, said Manouvo Nguka, who lives in Rumangabo where the base is located.

“The army seeks to regain full control of Rumangabo,” he told The Associated Press.

The situation has been critical since Wednesday night, he added.

“There was more than an hour of exchange of fire between the loyalist army and the M23 rebels,” he said.

The army earlier confirmed the rebels also attacked its positions in the Nyragongo and Rutshuru areas.

More than 20 shells were fired by the rebels on Tuesday and Wednesday on Rumangabo, Natale, near the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature, and the surrounding area, according to a statement from military spokesman Lt. Gen. Constant Ndima.

The M23 is largely an ethnic Tutsi group opposed to the Congo government that started in 2012 and seized control of Goma, a city of more than 1 million for nearly a month. U.N. forces and Congo’s army dislodged the M23 from Goma and many of rebels fled to Rwanda and Uganda before a 2013 peace agreement. Rwanda and Uganda deny claims that they support M23.

The group has recently resurfaced with increasing attacks in eastern Congo. It accuses the Congo government of not respecting the commitments it made to integrate rebel fighters into the national army.

“Knowing the position of the Congolese government on the process of demobilization and disarmament, it is clear that they act in this way because the Congolese head of state has been clear: There is no question of reintegrating the rebels into the army,” said Congo political analyst Christian Ntumba.

“The population is paying the price ... Our brothers and sisters in the east are tired of living this situation over and over,” Ntumba said, encouraging Congo’s government to boost diplomacy to get the international community to take the fighting in eastern Congo more seriously. Thousands have been displaced by this recent fighting and the east is home to myriad armed groups vying for control of the mineral-rich region.

He said that Congo must also put more pressure on neighboring Rwanda, whom he said is backing the rebels. The government has accused Rwanda of complicity with M23 rebels.

“Suspicions are crystallizing on support that would have been received by M23 from Rwanda,” said Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya.

In the capital of Equatorial Guinea, Malabo, where African foreign ministers are meeting as a prelude to two African Union summits scheduled to take place this weekend, Congo’s Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula directly blamed Rwanda.

“Rwanda, I say it without hesitation, attacked the Rumangabo camp, an important military base of the Congolese armed forces,” he said.

Rwanda has described allegations of supporting rebels in Congo as baseless.

Earlier this week, Rwanda’s military accused neighboring Congolese forces of injuring several civilians in cross-border shelling and asked regional monitors to investigate.

Gen. Benoit Chavanat, Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations mission in Congo, said its forces are backing the Congolese army against M23. He told U.N.-backed Radio Okapi the joint forces are stabilizing the situation in the Tchanzu, Runyonyi and Bunagana areas.

Pope Francis is expected to visit Congo at the beginning of July, including a trip to Goma to celebrate Mass and meet with war victims, according to Congolese authorities. However, the Vatican did not immediately respond when asked Thursday whether the current fighting would bring the pope to alter his plans.

___

AP writer Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed.

Children Among 31 Killed at Church Fair Stampede in Nigeria

By CHINEDU ASADU

A view of sandles outside Kings Assembly Pentecostal church, following a stampede in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Saturday, May 28, 2022. Police say a stampede at a church charity event in southern Nigeria has left at least 31 people dead and seven injured. One witness said the dead included a pregnant woman and “many children.” Police said the stampede took place at an annual “Shop for Free” program organized by the Kings Assembly Pentecostal church in Rivers state. Such events are common in Nigeria, (AP Photo)

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A stampede Saturday at a church charity event in southern Nigeria left 31 people dead and seven injured, police told The Associated Press, a shocking development at a program that aimed to offer hope to the needy. One witness said the dead included a pregnant woman and many children.

The stampede at the event organized by the Kings Assembly Pentecostal church in Rivers state involved people who came to the church’s annual “Shop for Free” charity program, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokeswoman.

Such events are common in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, where more than 80 million people live in poverty, according to government statistics.

Saturday’s charity program was supposed to begin at 9 a.m. but dozens arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, Iringe-Koko said. Somehow the locked gate was broken open, creating a stampede, she said.

Godwin Tepikor from Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency said first responders were able to evacuate the bodies of those trampled to death and bring them to the morgue. Security forces cordoned off the area.

Dozens of residents later thronged the scene, mourning the dead and offering any assistance they could to emergency workers. Doctors and emergency workers treated some of the injured as they lay in the open field. Videos from the scene showed the clothing, shoes and other items meant for the beneficiaries.

One witness who only identified himself as Daniel said “there were so many children” among the dead. Five of the dead children were from one mother, he told the AP, adding that a pregnant woman also lost her life.

Some church members were attacked and injured by relatives of the victims after the stampede, according to witness Christopher Eze. The church declined to comment on the situation.

The police spokeswoman said the seven injured were “responding to treatment.”

The “Shop for Free” event was suspended while authorities investigated how the stampede occurred.

Nigeria has seen similar stampedes in the past.

Twenty-four people died at an overcrowded church gathering in the southeastern state of Anambra in 2013, while at least 16 people were killed in 2014 when a crowd got out of control during a screening for government jobs in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

—

Associated Press journalist Hilary Uguru in Warri, Nigeria, contributed.

‘We Don’t Have Food’: African Leaders Meet as Crises Grow

By SAM MEDNICK

People lean on a tree in Djibo, Burkina Faso, Thursday May 26, 2022. African leaders have gathered for a summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to address growing humanitarian needs on the continent, which is also facing increased violent extremism, climate change challenges and a run of military coups. Leaders on Friday called for increased mobilization to resolve a humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and more than 280 million suffering from malnourishment. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)

DJIBO, Burkina Faso (AP) — African leaders gathered for a summit Friday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to address growing humanitarian needs on the continent, which is also facing increased violent extremism, climate change challenges and a run of military coups.

Leaders called for increased mobilization to resolve a humanitarian crisis that has left millions displaced and more than 280 million suffering from malnourishment.

For people in Djibo, a town in northern Burkina Faso near the border with Mali, any help can’t come soon enough.

The city in the Sahel region -- the large expanse below the Sahara Desert -- has been besieged since February by jihadis who prevent people and goods from moving in or out and cut water supplies. Few truckers want to run the jihadist gauntlet. Residents are suffering with no food or water, animals are dying and the price of grain has spiked.

“The goods are not arriving anymore here. Animal and agricultural production is not possible because the people cannot go back to their villages,” U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator Barbara Manzi told The Associated Press from Djibo this week. “Unless (a solution) is found, it’s going to be really a tragedy for the entire group of people that are here.”

Djibo has been at the epicenter of the violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displaced nearly 2 million people. While Djibo — and Soum province where the town is located — experienced periods of calm, such as during a makeshift ceasefire between jihadis and the government surrounding the 2020 presidential election, the truce didn’t last.

Since November, insecurity in the region has increased. Jihadis have destroyed water infrastructure in the town and lined much of Djibo’s perimeter with explosives, blockading the city, say locals.

The town’s population has swollen from 60,000 to 300,000 over the last few years as people flee the countryside to escape the violence.

Blockading cities is a tactic used by jihadis to assert dominance and could also be an attempt to get Burkina Faso’s new military junta, which seized power in January, to backtrack on promises to eliminate the jihadis, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, a group that provides intelligence analysis.

“Militants resort to blockading when they see an opportunity to gain incentives in negotiating with the government and simultaneously send a message to their base that they are in control. It’s a bargaining card and a winning one,” he said.

A U.N. team flew in briefly to assess the situation. The AP was the first foreign media to visit the town in more than a year.

“Today there is nothing to buy here. Even if you have cash, there is nothing to buy. We came here with four donkeys and goats and some of them died because of hunger. We were forced to sell the rest of the animals and unfortunately prices of animals have decreased,” said cattle owner Mamoudou Oumarou.

The 53-year-old father of 13 fled his village in February and said the blockade in Djibo has prevented people from coming to the market to buy and sell cattle, decreasing demand and lowering prices for the animals by half.

Before the violence, Djibo had one of the biggest and most vital cattle markets in the Sahel and was a bustling economic hub. Some 600 trucks used to enter Djibo monthly, now it’s less than 70, said Alpha Ousmane Dao, director of Seracom, a local aid group in Djibo.

Burkina Faso is facing its worst hunger crisis in six years, more than 630,000 people are on the brink of starvation, according to the UN.

As a result of Djibo’s blockade, the World Food Program has been unable to deliver food to the town since December and stocks are running out, said Antoine Renard, country director for the World Food Program in Burkina Faso.

Efforts to end the blockade through dialogue have had mixed results. At the end of April, the emir of Djibo met with Burkina Faso’s top jihadist, Jafar Dicko, to negotiate lifting the siege. However, little progress has been made since then.

Locals say the jihadis have eased restrictions in some areas allowing freer movement, but that the army is now preventing people from bringing food out of Djibo to the surrounding villages for fear it will go to the jihadis.

The army denied the allegations.

Meanwhile residents in Djibo say they’re risking their lives just trying to survive.

Dadou Sadou searches for wood and water in the middle of the night outside of Djibo, when she says the jihadis are not around.

“We no longer have animals, we don’t have food to buy in the market … If you have children, you don’t have a choice,” she said.

WHO: COVID-19 Cases Mostly Drop, Except for the Americas

May 26, 2022

A worker wearing a protective suit to help protect against COVID-19 stands outside an ambulance parked along a street in Beijing, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

LONDON (AP) — The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths are still falling globally after peaking in January, the World Health Organization said.

In its latest weekly assessment of the pandemic, the U.N. health agency said there were more than 3.7 million new infections and 9,000 deaths in the last week, drops of 3% and 11% respectively. COVID-19 cases rose in only two regions of the world: the Americas and the Western Pacific. Deaths increased by 30% in the Middle East, but were stable or decreased everywhere else.

WHO said it is tracking all omicron subvariants as “variants of concern.” It noted that countries which had a significant wave of disease caused by the omicron subvariant BA.2 appeared to be less affected by other subvariants like BA.4 and BA.5, which were responsible for the latest surge of disease in South Africa.

Salim Abdool Karim, an infectious diseases expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said it appeared that South Africa had passed its most recent wave of COVID-19 caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants; the country has been on the forefront of the pandemic since first detecting the omicron variant last November.

Karim predicted that another mutated version of omicron might emerge in June, explaining that the large number of mutations in the variant meant there were more opportunities for it to evolve.

Meanwhile in Beijing, authorities in the Chinese capital ordered more workers and students to stay home and implemented additional mass testing Monday as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. Numerous residential compounds in the city have restricted movement in and out, although lockdown conditions remain far less severe than in Shanghai, where millions of citizens have been under varying degrees of lockdown for two months.

China is vowing to stick to a “zero-COVID” policy despite the fact that the WHO describes the policy as “unsustainable,” given the infectious nature of omicron and its subvariants.

Russia Calls on WHO to Investigate US-funded Laboratories in Nigeria — Defense Ministry

According to the Defense Ministry’s briefing slides, two US-controlled biolaboratories operate in the city of Abuja, one in the city of Zaria, and another one in Lagos

Chief of Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Igor Kirillov Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

© Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Russia calls on the WHO leadership to investigate the activities of US-funded Nigerian laboratories in Abuja, Zaria and Lagos, Chief of Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force Igor Kirillov said on Friday.

"Against the background of numerous cases of US violations of biosafety requirements and facts of negligent storage of pathogenic biomaterials, we call on the leadership of the World Health Organization to investigate the activities of US-funded Nigerian laboratories in Abuja, Zaria, Lagos and inform the world community about its results," Kirillov said.

He recalled that according to the WHO report, the West African strain of the monkeypox pathogen came from Nigeria, another state in which the US has deployed its biological infrastructure. "According to available information, there are at least four Washington-controlled biolaboratories operating in Nigeria," the official stressed.

According to the Defense Ministry’s briefing slides, two US-controlled biolaboratories operate in the city of Abuja, one in the city of Zaria, and another one in Lagos.

Russian Ambassador Says Food Crisis Worsened Due to Western Sanctions on Russia

They face blocked payments, denials of loans and insurance, problems with booking freight ships, Antonov said

Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

WASHINGTON, May 28. /TASS/. Russian ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov on Friday said the food crisis, which had been unfolding for the past couple years, worsened due sanctions on Russia by the US and its satellites.

"The crisis was further exacerbated due to the introduction by Washington and its satellites of illegitimate sanctions against Russia," he said in statement released by the Russian embassy in Washington. "Despite the references of US officials to exemptions from the restrictions, which allegedly provide for the opportunity for our country to trade in farm goods, domestic exporters often don’t have a chance to make shipments."

"They face blocked payments, denials of loans and insurance, problems with booking freight ships, purchase of farm equipment and even seeds," he went on to say. "In addition, the US continues to increase import taxes on our fertilizers."

Antonov described such actions as "the utmost hypocrisy" and called the US attempts to blame Russia for the food crisis as absolutely unfounded.

"We urge a halt to shifting the blame," he continued. "Russia is committed to its export obligations and is ready for negotiations to resolve this most serious problem, including through the UN."

The diplomat also said that difficulties in the food market have been building up for a long time, at least over the past two years. "They are associated with miscalculations and systemic errors in the macroeconomic policy - primarily financial and foreign trade policies - and energy and food policies of Western countries," he said. "At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions of supply chains."

"Freight costs have almost doubled," he continued. "Naturally, all this couldn’t not fail but lead to a sharp increase in food prices. Wheat prices increased by a quarter over 2021."

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is negotiating with Russia and Ukraine to unblock the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea in exchange for the lifting of a number of sanctions that hinder the export of Russian fertilizers. Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Vasily Nebenzya and Permanent Representative of the United States Linda Thomas-Greenfield confirmed that there are talks on resuming the exports of Ukrainian grain and Russian fertilizers to the global market. However, the sides insists that these issues are discussed separately from each other and don’t assume any exchanges.

Kissinger Blacklisted in Ukraine for Role in "Russia’s Special Information Operation"

He is also charged with "propaganda, blackmail and encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine"

Henry Kissinger EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN

© EPA-EFE/CLEMENS BILAN

KIEV, May 27. /TASS/. The United States’ former Secretary of State and presidential national security advisor, Henry Kissinger, has been blacklisted by Ukraine’s notorious website Mirotvorets (Peacemaker) for "participation in Russia's special information operation against Ukraine."

Also, he is charged with "propaganda, blackmail and encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine."

The website’s authors asked Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies to regard the very instance of blacklisting as an official statement the person in question committed "conscious acts against national security."

On May 24, Kissinger told the World Economic Forum in Davos that a settlement process in Ukraine should be launched within the next two months in order to prevent more serious consequences for international relations in Europe.

"Negotiations need to begin in the next two months before it creates upheavals and tensions that will not be easily overcome. Ideally, the dividing line should be a return to the status quo ante," said Kissinger.

Achieving Ukraine’s neutral status and its function as a bridge between Russia and Europe should be the main goal in the current situation, Kissinger stressed.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky criticized Kissinger's statement, saying that the Secretary of State’s calendar showed 2022, and not 1938. And an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Mikhail Podolyak, said that proposals by some Western partners for territorial concessions were a stab in the back for Kiev.

Belarus Plans to Create People’s Militia — Defense Minister

Viktor Khrenin pointed out that this will "increase the number of defenders of the homeland multifold"

Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin Nikolai Petrov/BelTA/TASS

© Nikolai Petrov/BelTA/TASS

MINSK, May 27. /TASS/. Belarus plans to create a people’s militia, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced Friday.

"During correction of issues and clarification of development of the armed forced at a meeting yesterday, the commander-in-chief [Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko - TASS] ordered to establish a people’s militia in our country," the Khrenin said, according to Defense Ministry press office.

According to the Minister, "the most important thing is that we have both people and weapons."

"We need to discuss these issues with the governor, define it in terms of law," Khrenin said, adding that this will "increase the number of defenders of the homeland multifold."

"It is important for us, especially in the current situation, that we are able to show everyone peacefully that they should not come [to Belarusian territory], because they will get an adequate response," the Defense Minister said.

UK Foreign Minister Says West Won’t Feel Safe if Russia Succeeds in Ukraine

The foreign minister reiterated that appeasement is not an answer in the situation

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN

© EPA-EFE/ANDY RAIN

LONDON, May 28. /TASS/. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Friday said Western countries won’t feel safe if Russia succeeds in Ukraine.

"We must ensure Ukraine wins this great fight for freedom," she said in a speech while visiting Prague. Truss stated that Russia is acting not only against the Ukrainian people but also "freedom, sovereignty and the rule of law" in the Western countries.

"If he [Russian President Vladimir Putin-TASS] succeeds in Ukraine, we will never feel safe again," she said, according to a copy of the speech released by the UK Foreign Office.

The foreign minister reiterated that appeasement is not an answer in the situation. "We must respond with strength. Appeasement cannot be the answer," she said.

On February 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. The US, EU, UK and some other countries retaliated by imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia.

Economic War Started by West Will Not Prevent Further EAEU Integration, Says Kremlin

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council overall is one of the most advanced integration formats in Eurasian space, Dmitry Peskov noted, adding that "the most advanced format is probably the Union State of Russia and Belarus"

Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Mikhail Metzel/TASS

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. The economic war started by the West against Russia and Belarus will not prevent further integration in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

Speaking about the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on Friday, Peskov noted that such an integration form "is very advanced," while its development continues.

"There are difficulties connected with the economic war that has been started at least against two EAEU members, meaning Russia and Belarus. However, it cannot and will not prevent further development and strengthening of this format," he said.

The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council overall is one of the most advanced integration formats in Eurasian space, Kremlin Spokesman noted, adding that "the most advanced format is probably the Union State of Russia and Belarus."

Earlier reports said the participants of the meeting were expected to consider the relevant aspects of the activities of the Eurasian Economic Union, including strategic areas of integration development through 2025, as well as to approve the guidelines for macroeconomic policy of the Union’s member states for 2022-2023, and to discuss the issues of expansion of the EAEU’s trade and economic cooperation with foreign partners.

Statements of Russia’s Default Out of Touch with Reality — Finance Minister

Russia will keep by all means the image of the reliable borrower, despite constraints of sovereign debt repayments, Anton Siluanov stressed

© Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS

MOSCOW, May 27. /TASS/. Statements of the West about Russia’s default are absolutely out of touch with reality, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Friday.

"Current statements about the default are out of touch [with the reality] at all. This is the default of Western countries before themselves. We have money. I reiterate we will make payments," Siluanov said.

Russia will keep by all means the image of the reliable borrower, despite constraints of sovereign debt repayments, the Minister noted.

"We will acknowledge the reliable borrower’s role by all means, and even in the current environment, when restrictions for payment of our debt are announced to us, we will give opportunities to receive appropriate coupon on our commitments from us, in order to keep the image of our country as a reliable state that can be dealt with," Siluanov added.

Biden’s Administration Approves Sending Multiple Launch Rocket Systems to Ukraine — NYT

The systems in question could be M31 GMLRS, short for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, the report said

© Dmitry Kirsanov/TASS

NEW YORK, May 28. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden’s administration has approved sending multiple launch rocket systems to Ukraine, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing unidentified US officials.

The systems in question could be M31 GMLRS, short for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, the report said.

The transfer, which will be part of the next weapons package for Ukraine, will be announced next week, the officials said. The M31 GMLRS has the range of 70 km to 500 km depending on the ammunition. The system can be equipped with satellite-guided missiles.

M31 GMLRS is a tracked vehicle, and further weapons packages could include wheeled High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS.

The Pentagon said on Friday that the US hadn’t yet made a final decision about shipping MLRS’s to Ukraine. US news media have reported the US didn’t make these shipments yet in an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating.

On February 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, but aims to demilitarize and de-Nazify the country. The US and its allies retaliated by imposing sweeping sanctions on Russia and boosted arms supplies to Kiev. Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov has warned the militarization of Ukraine by the West is a direct threat for European and global security.

U.S. Urges Israel to Not Normalize with Sudan’s Coup Leader

May 27, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – U.S. State Department urged Israel to not normalize relations with the military-led government in Sudan, the Jewish Insider reported on Friday.

The Sudanese military officials, in October 2021, overthrew a civilian government implementing democratic reforms and working to bring peace to the country, because their economic interests and privileges were threatened by the process.

Military delegations intensified their visits to Israel to reaffirm their commitment to Abraham Accords which Sudan joined in January 2021. They also requested Israel’s support to quell anti-coup protests.

“We strongly encourage the State of Israel to join us and the broader international community in vocally pressing for Sudan’s military leaders to cede power to a credible, civilian-led transitional government,” a State Department spokesperson told Jewish Insider.

The U.S. official underscored that the 25th-October coup “has made any further progress in improving these countries’ relationship unsustainable.”

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereign Council, stated earlier this year that they only have developed security cooperation with Israel, adding the political process should be done by a civilian government.

A former Israeli diplomat said that his government seems to pause Sudan’s relationship for the moment.

“It’s on the back burner and awaiting a decision or developments in Sudan that can actually make way for this to happen,” said Dan Arbell.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, told the Jewish Insider that he was is not aware of recent Israeli efforts to finalize the normalization process.

Shapiro pointed out that Israel admits that it would be difficult to normalize with the Sudanese military without the U.S.’s full support.

“(..) Also, perhaps, they recognize that that could compromise the support for [normalization] within Sudan itself, and then it’s a question of how sustainable it would be if and when the civilian government is restored,” stressed the diplomat who is now a Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Shapiro made his comments in response to Sudan’s former Justice Minister who called on Israel to clarify its position on the coup leader in an opinion article published in Haaretz on April 12, 2022.

“For the sake of future relations, Israel must clarify its position regarding the undermining of Sudan’s transition to democracy by the military,” wrote Nasredeen Abdelbari who is also a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

The Israeli government has avoided condemning the coup in Sudan. Also, several Israeli security officials visited Khartoum.

(ST)

Measures on Services Push Earning from Manufacturing: Expert

wendimagegn — May 27, 2022 

ADDIS ABABA – Taking series of scientific measures in the service sector would help Ethiopia earn more from manufacturing, an expert in the area said.

Assistant Professor at Ethiopian Civil Service University Wondaferw Mulugeta (PhD) told The Ethiopian Herald that the government has to work on avoiding bureaucratic red tape, providing the private sector with inputs, offering loans, conducting researches, and establishing responsible investment offices in a bid to encourage local manufacturers and producers as manufacturing sector has shown sluggish pace compared with that of the service sector.

According to Wondaferaw, lack of adequate input and infrastructure, finance and working place, as well as the bureaucratic red tape are the main constraints private investors have been facing. Due to these reasons, local investors are fond of engaging in the service sector to earn profit within the shortest time possible instead of investing in time taking manufacturing one.

He further said that following such a tumultuous way of doing business, Ethiopia has lost a lot from the manufacturing sector. The government has thus been exposed to burdens that pull subsidizing sectors.

He said he observed that fruits like Avocado, Papaya, and Mango are hugely produced in Jimma, Oromia State, but not more than ten percent is used for human consumption. Besides, coffee product wastage is also common. Therefore, the agro-industry is significantly useful in processing fruits and protecting coffee product wastage.

Moreover, the government has to capitalize on applying flexible approaches and provide the concerned with research-based solutions to problems so as to encourage local investors to work more on the manufacturing sector, and private companies have to in turn exert utmost effort to contribute a lot to the national economy using various ways, he advised.

BY MESERET BEHAILU

The Ethiopian Herald  27 May   2022

Engaging Youth for the Prosperity of Africa

wendimagegn — May 27, 2022

Africa is the continent characterized by the youngest population worldwide. As of 2021, around 40 percent of the population is aged 15 years and younger, compared to a global average of 26 percent.

However, these massive and powerful forces, which have the ability to shape the future of their respective countries and peoples, bring about substantial socio economic development to the continent; have never been utilized at the desired level due to various reasons. Including poor political leadership and dictatorship tendencies, the absence of strong institutions coupled with political greed and bad governance, corruption as well as having a conscience of dependence among others have challenged the socioeconomic development of the African region despite its abundant natural resources. Worse than this, giving less attention to its productive forces has compelled the continent to pay dearly.

In fact, since the last decades, though it is not at the desired level, African countries are struggling to exploit their untapped potential and revamp their economies through equipping the young people with the required knowledge and skills.

Currently, African leaders, understanding that young people are central in the realization of their countries overall activities and to let their voices be heard by key decision makers at all level, are integrating their youth populations in the social, political and economic affairs. And nowadays it is common to see young African peoples taking part at the tables where the problems and the fate of Africa are entertained.

As part of this action, at present African youths are holding the Pan African Youth Summit here in Addis Ababa, under the theme ‘Building on Pan-African ties and Promoting indigenous knowledge in Africa.’

The three days summit which started last Wednesday (May 25, 2022) by celebrating Africa Day; and expected to be concluded today will deliberate various matters.

In his keynote speech, Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that Africa is facing a number of challenges and African youth should change challenges into opportunity by equipping themselves with the desired knowledge and skills as well as filtering information.

“Today, it may not be necessary for us to gather with the sentiment of Pan Africanism as our forefathers did for freedom. However, Africa is still in poverty; and we must get together to detach Africa from the vicious circle of poverty,” he remarked. As to him, greater integration, cooperation, collective action and response is order of the day to free the continent from all forms of challenges it is in now.

Recalling the liberation struggle Africans had exerted, he called on the youth to join hands and work together in fighting contemporary challenges.

Africa is a continent with tremendous values and wisdoms. By utilizing these highly valued knowledge and wisdom that are a blessing for the continental development aspirations, Africa’s youth population should work diligently to grow and prosper Africa, he underlined.

Most importantly, he further said, African youths, instead of fleeing fearing hardship saying the setting is unfavorable and narrow, should be optimistic and face every challenge they may encounter in their daily lives to gain the best out of it.

Ergogie Tesfaye (Ph.D.), Minister of Women and Social Affairs on her part said that the youths of Africa should join hands and work together to the realization of Africa’s unity through utilizing social media accordingly.

Mentioning that out of the total population of Africa 65 percent is young; the Minister said that Africa can make a lot of differences by using this powerful potential.

According to her, blessed with vast natural resources along with a high number of young people, Africa has immense potential for development.

Poverty still challenges the continent. Thus, the youth should deal with it, mainly with a problem-solving mentality and undivided attention, Dr. Eregogie said.

The government of Ethiopia has devised a homegrown economic reform plan and identified priority sectors to engage the youth in productive activities.

The output of the summit would contribute to the policymakers and all other stakeholders, she expressed her hope.

BY STAFF REPORTER

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 27 MAY 2022

President, Foreign Minister Extend Congratulatory Messages to Eritrea

wendimagegn — May 27, 2022

ADDIS ABABA – President Sahlework Zewde has extended a congratulatory message to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and through him, to the people and government of Eritrea on the occasion of marking the country’s 31st Independence Anniversary.

In her message to President Isaias, Sahlework assured her country’s commitment to further enhance its relations and cooperation with the people and government of Eritrea. “This special occasion gives me the opportunity to present my best wishes for Your Excellency’s personal will-being and prosperity for the brotherly people of Eritrea.”

By the same token, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen extended his warmest congratulations and best wishes to his Eritrean counterpart Osman Saleh Mohammed for the same reason. “I am confident that our brotherly ties and excellent cooperation between our two countries will be further developed and fruitfully strengthened in the years to come for the mutual benefits of our people.”

“[Let me] take this auspicious occasion to wish Your Excellency good health, wellbeing and continued success in your noble tasks.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s (PhD) bold steps to reconcile with Eritrea is widely regard as instrumental to end the two-decade long ‘no war no peace” condition and bring a new era of peace and cooperation in the turbulent Horn of Africa region.

BY MULATU BELACHEW

The Ethiopian Herald  27 May   2022