VIF News Digest: International Developments (Africa), 22 – 28 April, 2019

Drones to deliver vaccines, blood and drugs across Ghana: Reuters, 24 April 2019

Hundreds of drones will begin delivering life-saving vaccines, blood and medicines to patients in Ghana this week in the largest scheme of its kind, the global vaccine alliance GAVI said on Wednesday. Medics will place orders by text message when supplies run dry, said GAVI chief executive Seth Berkley. Drones will then fly in from four distribution centers, hover over health posts and drop deliveries using tiny parachutes.

“The idea is that these four distribution centers can make up to 600 on-demand delivery flights a day,” Berkley told reporters in a telephone briefing. “And that can expand up to 2,000 (a day) over time.” Click here to read... [2]

South Africa floods toll 'around 70': AFP, 25 April 2019

Around 70 people have been killed in devastating floods in South Africa, an official said on Thursday, while 1,000 people have been forced from their homes.

Heavy rains have lashed the southeast of the country, tearing down homes and ravaging infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape provinces. The acting leader of KZN province, which includes port city Durban, Sihle Zikalala said "we are worried and quite devastated by the increase of the number of fatalities".Click here to read... [3]

Cyclone Kenneth: Flooding feared as heavy rains hit Mozambique: BBC News, 26 April 2019

A powerful cyclone has smashed into Mozambique, flattening thousands of homes and flooding low-lying areas. Cyclone Kenneth struck with winds of 220km/h (140mph) barely a month after a previous cyclone killed hundreds and devastated large areas. Heavy rain continued to fall on Friday, raising fears of more floods.

Authorities have advised people to move to higher ground amid concern that thousands may be trapped in remote villages. Mozambique was still recovering from Cyclone Idai, which killed more than 900 people across three countries in March. Click here to read... [4]

World Bank's new president skips China's Belt and Road for Africa trip: Reuters, 26 April 2019

Nearly 40 world leaders and scores of finance officials, including International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde, are gathered in Beijing for China’s second Belt and Road infrastructure summit, but the World Bank’s new president is not among them.

David Malpass, fresh from a senior Trump administration post at the U.S. Treasury Department, is instead making his first foreign trip as the World Bank’s leader to sub-Saharan Africa to highlight his vision for the bank’s poverty reduction and development agenda. Click here to read... [5]

S. Sudan: crisis blocks oil shipment: africanews, 27 April 2019

The socio-political crisis in Sudan is already impacting crude oil exports from South Sudan. The third largest crude oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, is looking for alternatives to deal with the rehabilitation of some abandoned oil wells.

South Sudan’s crude oil exports through Port Sudan have been delayed following Omar Al-Bashir’s ouster in neighboring Sudan, according to Information Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth. " target="_blank">Click here to read... [6]

Boko Haram attacks the most vulnerable in Niger: Aljazeera, 27 April 2019

The armed group Boko Haram has been fighting the Nigerian government from more than 10 years and that conflict has spilled over into neighbouring Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Boko Haram fighters have recently increased attacks on civilians with suicide bombings, kidnappings and burning entire villages. Many families have fled Nigeria's Borno state, the centre of the Boko Haram rebellion, but the attacks have followed them across the border and they are still looking for safety. Click here to read... [7]

Xi calls for advancement of China-Djibouti strategic relationship: africanews, 28 April 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for the advancement of China-Djibouti strategic relationship. Xi Jinping made the call when he met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Beijing.

Xi said China is willing to work with Djibouti to continuously promote the bilateral strategic partnership, stressing the joint building of the Belt and Road and the implementation of the outcomes reached at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. “China will continue to provide support for Djibouti’s economic and social development, exchange experience on development, and encourage competitive Chinese enterprises to invest and expand businesses in Djibouti,” he said. Click here to read... [8]