Africa

Sudan’s water crisis deepens amid cholera threat

Africa /

Khartoum, are facing a deepening water crisis alongside severe food shortages. Many now rely on fetching water from the Nile River using carts or purchasing untreated water, which has become increasingly scarce. “We’ve been without water for 17 days. The situation is unbearable. Now we have to buy water, but prices are skyrocketing—two barrels cost 1,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1.66),” says local resident Ahmed Musa. For context, the average annual income in Sudan is $2,379, or roughly $6.50 per day, according to UN statistics. The city’s vital water infrastructure, including a treatment plant on the Nile and several supply stations, has been severely damaged by ongoing fighting. A shortage of personnel and spare parts has further disrupted water networks across multiple districts, leaving tens of thousands of households without access to clean water. The reliance on untreated water has led to a rise in illnesses, including cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease. As winter approaches, the escalating health crisis and lack of basic necessities threaten to worsen the humanitarian situation in Sudan. Epidemic diseases such as cholera, malaria, measles, and dengue fever have emerged, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The health ministry has reported 25,037 cholera cases and 702 related fatalities. On Friday, UNICEF warned that 3.1 million people, including 500,000 children under five, are at risk of cholera in Sudan. In response, the Sudanese Ministry of Health announced that a vaccination campaign targeting more than 1.4 million people against cholera has begun in the eastern and northern regions of the country.

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Somalia strikes Al-Shabab, kills 30 militants

Africa /

Somalia’s Information Ministry said Saturday the country’s military is targeting al-Shabab militants in the Galmudug region of central Somalia and is making progress in eroding the group’s operational effectiveness.  In a coordinated military operation, the Somali National Army, or SNA, supported by Galmudug State forces and pro-government local clan militias, killed 30 al-Shabab militants and injured dozens more, according to a government statement released Saturday.  “The Somali National Army killed 30 al-Shabab militants and injured 40 others after conducting an operation at the Qeycad location in the southern Mudug region for the past 48 hours,” the statement reads.  Somali authorities say the operation was conducted after the army received intelligence regarding al-Shabab militants’ maneuvers in the region.  The government says three of its soldiers were injured during the operation.  Witnesses in Qeycad, near Ba’adweyn town in the Mudug region, said an intense gunbattle between the two sides lasted several hours, inflicting substantial damage on the militants.  “The fight lasted for hours, and the terrorists were heavily damaged, and the Somali National Army took over the area, and the group’s strongholds in the area were also destroyed during the operation,” the government statement said.  During the engagement, several al-Shabab commanders surrendered to the SNA. Among those were two significant militant leaders, “Mohamed Bashir Muse and Madey Fodey,” according to the government report.  This military action follows an incident two days prior when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest outside a crowded restaurant in Mogadishu, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people. The operation also occurred concurrently with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s official visit to Kampala, Uganda, where he aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance regional security cooperation with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.  “The president will discuss with his counterpart, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and Uganda, fostering enhanced regional security and stability cooperation,” a brief Somali National News Agency announcement stated.  As Somalia navigates ongoing diplomatic disagreements with Ethiopia — particularly regarding a maritime agreement signed with Somaliland, a breakaway region — its government has sought closer ties with Egypt and Eritrea, both of which have historical disputes with Ethiopia.  Earlier this month, leaders from Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea convened in Asmara, reinforcing what analysts describe as an emerging “axis against Ethiopia.”

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South Africa asks Taiwan to move embassy, signaling China’s influence

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South Africa has requested that Taiwan relocate its de facto embassy from Pretoria to Johannesburg, giving Taipei six months to make the move. This decision underscores Beijing’s growing influence among developing nations. While Taipei accuses Pretoria of yielding to Chinese pressure, Beijing has welcomed the move. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated, “The One China principle is the foundation for China’s diplomatic relations. We appreciate South Africa’s decision to relocate the Taipei liaison office from Pretoria. Taiwan independence is unpopular and doomed to fail.” China established its embassy in South Africa in 1998, following Pretoria’s severance of formal ties with Taiwan, over which Beijing claims sovereignty. However, South Africa has continued to maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan. This development occurs amidst rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan recently celebrated its national day, rejecting China’s sovereignty claims, while China conducted military drills near Taiwan shortly thereafter. China is South Africa’s largest global trading partner, and both nations aim to enhance cooperation. They are also members of the BRICS bloc, which will hold its annual summit in Russia next week.

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Somalia receives 3,000 tons of aid from Turkey

Africa /

A Turkish ship carrying humanitarian aid for Somalia docked Saturday at the Mogadishu’s seaport. The Ship of Goodness, carrying 3,000 tons of aid, sailed Sept, 29 from Mersin in the southern province of Türkiye and was received by senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Salah Jama alongside Disaster Management Commissioner Mahamuud Moallim at a ceremony at the port. Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktas and representatives from humanitarian aid agencies from Türkiye were also present. “The assistance comprises a diverse range of food items, tents, and essential life necessities, amounting to a total of 3,000 tons. This support aims to significantly improve the living conditions of those in need,” the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) said in a statement. “As always, Türkiye will continue to extend its helping hand to the brotherly Somali people. Toward a brighter future with the brotherly Somalian people,” the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu said in a statement. Türkiye has delivered more than 60,000 tons of aid since 2016 to the East African country, which is prone to natural disasters, including droughts, famine, floods and cyclones. Türkiye, a longtime close ally of Somalia, has also invested in Somalia’s education, infrastructure and health sectors. It has its largest overseas military facility in Mogadishu to train the Somali National Army.

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New insights into Dag Hammarskjöld’s unsolved plane crash

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A significant mystery in the history of the United Nations remains unsolved: the 1961 plane crash that claimed the life of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld and everyone on board as he sought to negotiate peace in the Congo. A new assessment released on Friday reveals that “specific and crucial” information is still being withheld by several Member States. Hammarskjöld, who became the youngest UN Secretary-General at the age of 47, was renowned as a visionary diplomat and reformer, playing a vital role in elevating the UN’s stature during a tumultuous period marked by decolonization in Africa and Asia. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq noted that “the Secretary-General emphasizes that the Eminent Person is nearly certain that significant undisclosed information exists in the archives of Member States. With progress being made, the Secretary-General urges all parties to reaffirm their commitment to uncovering the complete truth about the events of that tragic night in 1961.” Hammarskjöld’s leadership was pivotal during the crisis of 1956, where he led a ceasefire mission in the Middle East and effectively managed the Suez Crisis, facilitating the withdrawal of foreign troops from Egypt and overseeing the UN’s first emergency peacekeeping operation, the UN Emergency Force. Celebrated for his integrity and dedication to public service, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in transforming the UN into a dynamic and effective international organization that upheld the principles of the UN Charter. Hammarskjöld served as Secretary-General from April 1953 until his untimely death at age 56. On the night of September 17-18, 1961, the Douglas DC6 aircraft he was aboard, registered as SE-BDY, crashed near Ndola in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). He was en route to negotiate a ceasefire between UN peacekeepers and separatists in the Congolese region of Katanga, aiming to establish a broader peace agreement for the newly independent Congo. The crash on September 18 resulted in the immediate deaths of 15 other passengers, while the sole survivor succumbed to injuries days later. An initial inquiry by Rhodesian authorities attributed the crash to pilot error, a conclusion that has since been contested. Haq stated, “The Secretary-General has sent the report from the Eminent Person, former Chief Justice of Tanzania, Mr. Mohamed Chande Othman, to the President of the General Assembly… At this point, the Eminent Person believes it remains plausible that an external attack or threat contributed to the crash; other possibilities include sabotage or unintentional human error.”

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Economic hardship linked to tragic fuel tanker explosion in Nigeria

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Residents of Lagos on Wednesday linked economic hardship and hunger to the tragic deaths of individuals who were collecting fuel from an overturned tanker before it exploded. The explosion in Nigeria claimed over 140 lives, including children, and left many injured. The incident occurred in Majiya, Jigawa State, around midnight when the driver lost control of the gasoline tanker on a highway, leading to a massive fire as people rushed to scoop up the spilling fuel, according to emergency services. “I blame both the people and the government,” said civil servant Emenike Okpaga. “If the government prioritized citizens’ welfare, incidents like this wouldn’t happen.” Software engineer Emmanuel Isaac added, “No one in their right mind would scoop fuel unless driven by hunger. When people see a chance to make money from it, they take it.” In Majiya, residents mourned as they held a mass burial for the victims, most of whom were unrecognizable, according to emergency responders. Fatal tanker accidents are frequent in Nigeria, where traffic regulations are often ignored and efficient cargo transport systems are lacking. The rising fuel prices, which have tripled since the end of government subsidies last year, have led many to salvage fuel from such accidents.

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Nigeria to launch new malaria vaccine

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Nigeria is set to become one of the first countries to deploy a new malaria vaccine after receiving an initial batch of 846,200 doses. Developed by scientists at the University of Oxford and produced by the Serum Institute of India and Novavax, the R21 vaccine marks a significant step in the country’s fight against malaria. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate noted that these doses are crucial for eliminating malaria, a disease that affects around 97% of the Nigerian population. Nigeria is the hardest-hit country globally, accounting for 31% of malaria-related deaths. The vaccines, acquired in partnership with the international Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, will be provided free of charge. A trial rollout will start in Kebbi and Bayelsa, the states with the highest malaria burden, before expanding nationwide. An additional 153,800 doses are expected to arrive on October 26, bringing the total to nearly one million.

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Senegal performs 1st eye transplant

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Senegal on Thursday performed the West African nation’s first eye transplant. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called the milestone a “big step for eye health in our country.” Cheikh Khadim Ndoyem, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Awa Diama Thiam performed the cornea transplant. Ophthalmic surgeon Andre Mermoud and Dr. Felix Hammer supervised the procedure, which was carried out at the Swiss Visio clinic in Saly Portudal in the seaside resort of Thies. The landmark operation combined “local expertise and international training,” said the president. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the African region is seeing a decrease in vision loss due to vitamin A deficiency, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, but emerging eye health challenges are growing. One in every six blind people globally live in Africa, along with 26 million others grappling with some degree of visual impairment, it said in a report last week. Statistics show only 14% of people who need cataract surgery receive it, while more than 80% of people with shortsightedness receive no treatment. In addition, only 12% of people in Africa who need glasses or surgical interventions to address blurred vision will receive the necessary care, at significant economic cost to countries. “The global estimated costs of uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts is $14.3 billion annually,” said the WHO.

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Climate change and conflict drive rising malnutrition rates

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Climate change and ongoing conflict in northeastern Nigeria have led to a sharp rise in severe malnutrition cases. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports a 24% increase in young children suffering from malnutrition compared to last year, highlighting the struggles families face in the Lake Chad region. Rabiatu Jubrilla shared her experience of bringing her son to the ICRC’s Mubi stabilization clinic, stating he was unable to sit up on his own. After stopping breastfeeding at 1 year and 9 months, he began to lose weight, raising concerns about his health. The protracted conflict has displaced millions and destroyed livelihoods, severely impacting access to agricultural land. Paul Ezra, a farmer from Adamawa State, lamented that violence from groups like Boko Haram has made farming nearly impossible. The ICRC’s Nigeria Head of Delegation, Yann Bonzon, noted a 58% increase in fighting in the Lake Chad region in the first half of 2024, coinciding with rising food insecurity. The area’s reliance on subsistence farming makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has caused irregular rainfall and devastating floods that destroyed crops. The ICRC estimates that over six million people in the Lake Chad region will face food shortages in the coming months due to the combined effects of conflict and climate change.

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Mpox deaths exceed 1,000 as outbreaks widen across Africa

Africa /

Mpox-related deaths have surpassed 1,000 amid outbreaks affecting 18 of Africa’s 55 nations, according to the head of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya. This week alone saw 50 new fatalities, bringing the total to 1,100. Kaseya urged international partners to fulfill their pledges to support Africa’s response, highlighting a nearly $600 million budget for a six-month plan developed by Africa CDC and the WHO. Of this amount, 55% is earmarked for addressing mpox in 14 affected nations and enhancing preparedness in 15 others. Mpox, related to smallpox, typically causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches, but severe cases can result in lesions. Zambia and Zimbabwe recently confirmed new cases, with eastern DRC remaining the epicenter of the outbreak. The mpox virus was first identified in Denmark in 1958, and while it had sporadically spread in central and West Africa for years, a global outbreak began in 2022, prompting rapid vaccine distribution from wealthy countries.

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