News24 | DRC withdraws former president Kabila's govt security and support staff

The Democratic Republic of Congo government has recalled all civil servants working for former president Joseph Kabila, effectively stripping him of state security and supporting staff. Source

Africa: AHAS 2024 - Technology is a key part of Tobacco Harm Reduction Approach, according to Dr Kgosi Letlape

[allAfrica] The 2024 edition of Africa Healthcare Summit was held in Accra on April 22-23, 2024. Organized by Zenith Global Health, this year's theme was " Advances in Public Health-Tackling Inequities and Access: A One Health Approach". The organization's mission is to foster partnership, collaboration and share learning, thereby bridge the global south/north divide and form partnerships (PPP) involving all stakeholders, policy makers in positive and meaningful engagement to ensure health equity and access. Source

Africa: TB Clinical Trials: An UnPrecedented €34 Million Price Tag in Drug Development

[MSF] Geneva -- At the 5th WHO Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies conference today, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) presented the costs of its landmark TB-PRACTECAL clinical trial that helped identify a shorter, all-oral treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB),* which totalled €34 million. This is the first time the detailed costs of an individual clinical trial will have ever been shared publicly, challenging the lack of transparency around drug development and the prevailing public Source

Rwanda: Rwandan Opposition Deplores UK Deportation Deal As 'Modern Slavery'

[RFI] A British law to send unwanted migrants to Rwanda, which passed this week after months of wrangling, has generated fierce criticism at home and abroad. In Rwanda, opponents of the longtime president say the country is unfit to host asylum seekers - while accusing the UK of outsourcing its responsibilities. Source

Ghana: Negotiation for Funding Underway to Complete Sekondi Interchange - Roads Minister

[GhanaToday] Government is negotiating with its creditors in a bid to secure funding to restart and complete the PTC Interchange Project in the twin-city of Sekondi-Takoradi. Source

Mozambique: Ports and Rail Company Handled 26.6 Million Tonnes in 2023

[AIM] Maputo -- Mozambique's publicly owned Ports and Rail Company (CFM) handled, in 2023, 26.6 million net tonnes. Source

Rwanda: Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Challenging Public Indecency Law

[New Times] The Supreme Court on Friday, April 26 dismissed a petition brought by a feminist organisation challenging the country's public indecency laws. Source

Rwanda: No Genocide Happens Without a Plan, Preparation, State Involvement - Rwandan Envoy

[New Times] No Genocide happens without a plan, preparation, and without state involvement, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to the UK, Johnston Busingye, noted on April 25 during an event marking the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London. Source

South Africa: AU Chief Appeals for 'Respect and Full Implementation' of Pretoria Agreement

[Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- AU Chairperson said he is "following with deep concern the escalating tensions between local communities" and "appeals for "the respect and full implementation" of the Pretoria agreement. Source

Tunisia: Trade Deficit Shrinks 4.16 Percent to Tnd 1,540.1 Million in March 2024 [upd 2]

[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis -- The monthly trade deficit shrank 4.16% in March to TND 1,540.1 million compared to the previous month, reads the National Institute of Statistics (INS) monthly report on Foreign Trade at Current Prices, March 2024. Source

Gambia: The Malaria Burden!

[The Point] Malaria is one of the most severe health problems worldwide. Despite being the leading cause of death in many developing countries, studies revealed that nearly half the world's population lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission in 87 countries and territories. Source

Burkina Faso: Catechist Murdered in the East of the Country

[Agenzia Fides] Ouagadougou -- The catechist Edouard Zoetyenga Yougbare was kidnapped and killed near Saatenga, in the diocese of Fada N'Gourma, in eastern Burkina Faso. According to a diocesan priest quoted by the Aci Africa news agency, the catechist was looking for his donkey on April 18 when the area where he was staying was about three kilometers from Kamona, a suburb on the outskirts of the center of Saatenga, was attacked by an armed group, possibly shepherds from the Peuls tribe. Several people who were in the area were Source