Ebola: Vaccination campaign begins in DR Congo as Tanzania, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia triggers emergency measures

The campaign started in the city of Butembo in eastern DRC KINSHASA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Ebola vaccination campaign has begun in the city of Butembo, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a tweet on Monday.Health workers at Matanda health centre, where…

History is made: Nigerian Okonjo-Iweala appointed as next Director-General

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the new director-general GENEVA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — WTO members made history Monday when the General Council agreed by consensus to select Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the organization’s seventh Director-General.When she takes office on March 1, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first…

DR Congo president appoints new PM, further sidelining Kabila

Tshisekedi (l) with Kabila during cordial times KINSHASA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday appointed the head of the state mining company Sama Lukonde Kyenge as the new prime minister, capping a series of victories for Tshisekedi over his once-dominant predecessor Joseph Kabila.Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, a…

Covid-19: WHO gives green light to AstraZeneca vaccines produced in India, South Korea

GENEVA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization gaveemergency use approval to AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines on Monday, allowing distribution to some of the world’s poorest countries to begin. “The WHO today listed two versions of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to…

Tunisian PM dismisses 5 ministers from gov’t

A general view of Tunisian Parliament TUNIS, Feb 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tunisian head of government Hichem Mechichi on Monday decided to remove five ministers from their duties, said the government in a statement. “Pending the completion of the cabinet reshuffle procedures, according to which the new ministers obtained the confidence…

Nigeria says kills 2 most wanted Boko Haram commanders

ABUJA, Feb 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian security forces have killed two of the most wanted Boko Haram terrorist leaders in the northeast state of Borno, the army has said. The two, identified as Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib, were killed in an operation in Pulka axis of the restive Borno state,…

Covid-19: Mosques reopen in Algeria as restrictions ease up

Mosques reopen in Algeria ALGIERS, Feb 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The Algerian government decided to reopen all mosques across the country in strict compliance with health measures and protocols. This comes as part of the moves to ease coronavirus-prevention restrictions in light of a national drop in infections. In addition, the…

Haiti envoy calls for international support to help resolve political conflict

WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (NNN-Caribbean News Network) — Haiti’s ambassador to the United States has requested for international community’s help to support talks between President Jovenel Moise’s government and the opposition in resolving the country’s constitutional crisis. There has been an on-going dispute between Moise’s administration and the opposition on when…

ICJ rejects Kenya’s request to delay Somalia maritime case

Map showing disputed maritime area. THE HAGUE, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s request for further postponement of the maritime case with Somalia had been rejected by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) “Having duly considered the arguments presented by the parties, the court has decided to maintain the hearings as…

Nigeria: We’ll act decisively to stop spread of ethno-religious violence – Pres Buhari

ABUJA, Feb 14 (NNN-NAN) — The president warns that his government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to fan the embers of hatred and violence against other groups. President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his government will protect all religious and ethnic groups, whether majority or minority, in…