In the news

Human Rights Watch has accused the Ethiopian military of indiscriminately shelling urban centres during the conflict in the northern region of Tigray last November. The US-based group said the attacks violated the “laws of war” and urged the government to investigate. The government has not immediately reacted to the accusations …

Humanitarian convoys have made way in the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui after rebel groups losing ground to pro-government forces temporarily allowed passage. The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), an alliance of six of the most powerful armed groups that have controlled two-thirds of the Central African Republic’s eight-year …

The African Union’s disease control body said on Thursday that it was not “walking away” from AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, after trial data showed it had greatly reduced efficacy against the coronavirus variant dominant in South Africa. Africa CDC Director John Nkengasong told a news conference that more work needed to …

Namibia’s national carrier Air Namibia has decided to suspend all operations, cancelling all of its flights and grounding its aircraft with immediate effect. The airline urged all customers to cancel reservations and request refunds. According to the state-owned New Era newspaper, the announcement leaves more than 600 employees without jobs. …

Malagasy police have banned all political rallies in the capital, Antananarivo ahead of planned protests by the opposition. There are growing concerns in the country over unemployment and poor economy. Opposition lawmakers, under the banner of Miara-manonja Malagasy for Let’s make waves together have demanded for the withdrawal of security …

The municipal authorities in Chimoio city in Mozambique have announced plans to expand the morgue at the main provincial hospital citing rising Covid-19 deaths. City mayor João Ferreira has confirmed the expansion. The project will include expanding the mortuary building and refrigeration capacity at a cost of $5,300 in Manica …

Eight canditates are running for the presidential elections in Congo Brazaville and their names have been submitted to the constitutional court for validation ahead of the 21 March election. President Denis Sassou Nguesso will face seven challengers including the former finance minister, Mathias Dzon, and Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, the son …

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has warned of the global economic consequences of delayed vaccination in Africa. In an op-ed published on 7 February on the British news website The Guardian, the Rwandan leader pointed to a “nationalism” of Covid-19 vaccines on the part of the United States and Europe. …

China called on the United States on Wednesday to invite the World Health Organization to investigate origins of the COVID-19 outbreak there, as sparring over the pandemic continued after the WHO wrapped up its field work in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Hours after the WHO team revealed preliminary findings …

South Sudan’s central bank on Tuesday introduced a banknote of 1,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP), the largest denomination in the country, amidst high inflation. The local currency continues to depreciate against foreign currencies, but Bank of South Sudan governor, Dier Tong Ngor, said the new banknote “will partially restore the …