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Diphtheria Claims 1,191 lives in Nigeria over 17 months

Africa /

Nigeria’s Disease Control Center Reports 1,191 Deaths from Diphtheria Outbreak The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported that 1,191 people have died from a diphtheria outbreak in the country over the past 17 months. Muzzammil Gadanya, Director of the Diphtheria Emergency Operations Center at the NCDC, stated that between May 2023 and September 2024, 1,191 individuals lost their lives to the outbreak. During this period, over 38,000 suspected diphtheria cases were recorded, with confirmed cases numbering around 23,000. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the country is experiencing a second wave of the outbreak due to the rising number of diphtheria cases. In response to the crisis, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) sent 9.3 million doses of vaccine to Nigeria last year as part of the effort to combat the outbreak. Diphtheria, also known as “corynebacterium diphtheriae,” is caused by a microorganism that infects the throat, nose, eyes, and skin. The contagious disease can lead to severe health complications and even death.

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Morocco rejects division of Western Sahara

Africa, Discover /

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita announced that Morocco firmly rejects any proposals for the division of Western Sahara, asserting that this issue is not open to negotiation. Speaking at a press conference in Rabat alongside Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Bourita addressed a recent suggestion from UN Special Representative for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. During de Mistura’s visit to Morocco last April, the Moroccan delegation made it clear that proposals for dividing the territory would not be entertained, reaffirming that Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco. Bourita emphasized that Morocco does not negotiate its sovereignty and territorial integrity concerning Western Sahara but engages in discussions related to regional disputes with neighboring Algeria. He reiterated that the status of Western Sahara, tied to the country’s sovereignty, cannot be a subject of negotiation or agreement. He also called for transparency from de Mistura about the origins of his proposal, questioning who inspired it and whether it was his initiative or influenced by external parties. Reports suggest that de Mistura proposed the division of Western Sahara between Morocco and the Polisario Front, envisioning a state for the Polisario in the south and Moroccan governance in the north. Background on the Western Sahara Issue The tensions between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front date back to Morocco’s annexation of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara in 1975. While Morocco maintains that the region is under its sovereignty, the Polisario Front asserts that it is an independent state. The Polisario Front conducted an armed struggle against Moroccan forces until a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1991, but subsequent negotiations over the territory’s status have not been successful. Roundtable Discussions In recent years, UN-supervised roundtable discussions have occurred between Morocco and the Polisario Front, with participation from neighboring Algeria and Mauritania. The first meeting was held in Geneva in December 2018, followed by another in March 2019. A planned third meeting in May 2019 was canceled after the resignation of then-UN representative Horst Köhler due to health issues. Staffan de Mistura was appointed as the new UN Special Representative for Western Sahara on October 6, 2021, following Köhler’s resignation. Algeria announced its withdrawal from the roundtable discussions on October 22, 2021.

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Bodies of two migrants recovered off Samos after boat capsizes

Africa /

A search and rescue operation off the coast of Samos, Greece, has recovered the bodies of two individuals reported missing after a boat carrying 24 migrants encountered trouble in rough seas, according to the coast guard. Authorities received a distress call from the vessel, which was found partially submerged north of Samos. Twenty-two people were rescued, and survivors informed the Coast Guard about the missing passengers. Last week, four migrants, including two women and two children, died near the island of Kos when a smuggling boat capsized while crossing from Turkey. In a separate incident days later, one man died, two were reported missing, and 97 were rescued by a passing cargo ship south of Gavdos. Survivors indicated they had paid between 7,000 and 10,000 euros each for their journey from Libya to Greece. Greece is a key entry point into the EU for individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The UN refugee agency reports that over 42,000 migrants had arrived in Greece by early October, primarily by sea. The bodies of the two missing migrants—a man and a woman—were recovered early Monday morning, marking yet another tragic incident in the ongoing crisis of migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea.

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Macron to visit Morocco for amid renewed bilateral relations

Africa /

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to embark on a three-day state visit to Morocco, as announced by the Moroccan royal palace on Monday. The palace emphasized that the visit reflects “the depth of bilateral relations based on a deep-rooted and solid partnership.” This visit follows France’s recent efforts to revive ties, notably its endorsement in July of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara, marking a significant shift in its position. This change aligns with similar moves by countries like the US, Israel, and various African nations, as Morocco seeks to strengthen trade relationships. Macron labeled the autonomy plan as the only viable solution to the long-standing conflict over Western Sahara, which Morocco claims as its territory, while the Algeria-backed Polisario Front seeks independence. France’s change in stance angered Algeria, which promptly recalled its ambassador to Paris. Tensions had previously risen between France and Morocco when France reduced visa allocations for Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in 2021, although these restrictions were later lifted.

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32 illegal oil refineries have been destroyed in Nigeria

Africa /

In Nigeria, Africa’s oil and gas-rich country, 32 illegal refineries where crude oil was being processed have been destroyed. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting director of the Nigerian Army’s Public Relations, stated that operations against oil smugglers in the Niger Delta region are ongoing. He reported the destruction of these refineries, along with the seizure of oil tankers and 25 boats, and the recovery of 250,000 liters of stolen oil. Oil theft is negatively impacting Nigeria’s economy. Senator Ned Nwoko revealed that the country faced over $3 billion in losses in 2023 due to increasing oil theft and pipeline attacks. Nigeria has approximately 37 billion barrels of confirmed oil reserves, accounting for 3.1% of global reserves. Ranked among the top 15 countries in crude oil production, Nigeria is the eighth largest holder of oil reserves worldwide and the sixth largest exporter. In the Delta region, home to these oil deposits, armed groups have been involved in sabotage, conflicts, and kidnappings related to oil fields.

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US, UAE discuss ongoing efforts to deescalate regional tensions

World /

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed ongoing efforts to deescalate regional tensions in a phone call Monday. Blinken and Al Nahyan exchanged views on “the importance of bringing the war in Gaza to an end, securing the release of all hostages, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. While discussing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict across the Blue Line, a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, that fully implements UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Blinken also thanked Al Nahyan for the United Arab Emirates’ continued provision of humanitarian aid for both Gaza and Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Israel and other countries in the Middle East from Oct. 21-25. Last week, US President Joe Biden said he was sending Blinken to Israel and was more “hopeful” about a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The White House has sought to reach a cease-fire deal for months, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to end Israel’s offensive on Gaza standing in the way. Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire, has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas last year. More than 42,600 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 99,800 injured, according to local health authorities. The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza. Last month, Israel stepped up its attacks on neighboring Lebanon, despite warnings that doing so raises the risk of a larger regional war.

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Biya returns to Cameroon after Six-Week Health Absence

Africa /

After a six-week absence that raised concerns about his health and whereabouts, Cameroonian President Paul Biya has returned to the country. Upon his arrival in Yaoundé from Geneva with his wife, Chantal Biya, the 91-year-old did not address the public but waved to supporters as his car left the airport. Thousands of supporters of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement lined the route to the presidential palace, with some carrying placards welcoming the president back and sending well wishes. Biya’s absence sparked widespread speculation about his health, but authorities have reassured the public, stating he is well and that his absence was due to national security matters.

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95 al-Shabaab terrorists killed, 7 villages liberated in Somalia

Africa /

The Somali Defense Ministry said on Monday that the army, backed by local and international partners, carried out military operations against the al-Shabaab militant group, killing over 95 terrorists. The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted operations in Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and the north-central province of Mudug. First Lieutenant Sheikh Abukar Mohamed, the ministry’s spokesperson, said in a media briefing in Mogadishu on Monday evening that 45 terrorists were killed and three villages were liberated during the military operation in Middle Shabelle. In another operation in the Galgadud region of the central state of Galmudug, 50 more al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and five villages were taken back from the terrorist group. Earlier on Oct. 10, the Information Ministry announced that 59 al-Shabaab terrorists and four soldiers were killed during military operations in Somalia’s south and central provinces. Over 100 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed earlier this month, bringing the total number of militants killed to 254 in this month’s military operations. The Somali government has been fighting al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists since the Somali president declared “an all-out war” earlier in 2022, but both sides have a history of exaggerating casualty figures.  Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups. Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) — a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

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