Senior UN official warns against derailment of Sudan’s transition

Peacekeepers from Pakistan engage the local population in North Darfur, Sudan UNITED NATIONS, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned that Sudan’s democratic transition could still be derailed despite progress in recent months. “Sudan is at a critical juncture. It can move forward…

Covid-19: UK records another 12,282 cases with 616 deaths

People wearing face masks walk in Apple Market at Covent Garden in London LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Another 12,282 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 1,750,241, according to official figures. The coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose…

EU, UK leaders to meet late Wednesday to resolve post-Brexit agreement

BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will arrive in Brussels for an in-person meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday evening, on the eve of the summit of the leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member states. “I look forward to…

Second US judge blocks outgoing Pres Trump’s TikTok ban

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A second US federal judge has suspended a Trump administration executive order threatening to ban TikTok in the United States. The preliminary injunction granted by judge Carl Nichols in a district court in Washington DC comes more than a month after a similar decision in…

Covid-19: UN offers bleak outlook for East Africa due to pandemic

The region will see a sharp GDP growth slowdown from 6.6 percent in 2019 to 0.6 percent in 2020 ADDIS ABABA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Only four East African countries are still on course to record positive economic growth in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to…

Kenya and UK sign trade deal following Britain departure from EU

UK’s Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena and Kenya’s Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina in London LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya and the United Kingdom formally signed a trade agreement ending an era of doing business through protocols of the European Union, from which London will be exiting by the end…

Ethiopia-Tigray unrest: Govt admits forces ‘shot at’ UN team in Tigray

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ADDIS ABABA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Ethiopian spokesman admitted that government forces fired on a UN team for ignoring instructions and driving through government checkpoints in the northern region of Tigray.“Some of the UN staff were actually detained and some were shot at,” said…

Liberians voted Tuesday in crucial mid-term elections, referendum on president term

Liberia’s President George Weah MONROVIA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Liberians went to the polls on Tuesday to vote on a series of issues, including a referendum to reduce the number of years per term for the president.The vote is part of the midterm election in the West African country, which…

Ghana elections: Two political parties claim early lead as Ghanaians await poll results

ACCRA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As Ghanaians anxiously awaited the results of presidential and parliamentary elections, the two top political parties claimed victory, even as the Electoral Commission warned parties and the media against declaring results.Me Jean Mensa, the head of the Electoral Commission, said the agency is the only one allowed by law…

Ethiopia: ‘Active’ army campaign in Tigray over, says Ethiopia’s PM

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 8 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Ethiopian government says the “active phase” of military operations in Tigray is over, following the capture of the regional capital Mekelle. Addis Ababa on Monday questioned the ability of the rebel administration to mount a guerrilla war, while a UN security team was…