Category: Africa

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Today, the United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), committed to continue a transformative partnership that will improve the quality of life for the people of Southern Africa. This five-year regional development objective agreement, with a total USAID government estimated contribution of over $223 million (approximately 3 billion Pula or 4 billon Rand) and an initial commitment of over $35 million, endeavors to deliver citizen-centered governance and enterprise-driven development through USAID partners to achieve sustained and inclusive growth, peace, and stability throughout the region.  

“The U.S. government is committed to the principle that SADC and SADC member states must lead their own development journey. The U.S. government will work to foster a relationship that strengthens equal partnership for the benefit of all,” said Howard Van Vranken, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana and U.S. Representative to SADC.  

The Executive Secretary of SADC, His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, expressed his profound appreciation to the U.S. government for the continued support and commitment in supporting the implementation of the SADC regional integration agenda in line with the regional aspirations espoused in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (2020-2030) and the SADC Vision 2050.  

“The Agreement signed today provides an excellent opportunity to support the financing of regional programs and thereby contributing to the common objective of facilitating socio-economic development aimed at reducing poverty and improving the livelihood of our people,” said Mr. Elias Magosi.  

He added, “Together, SADC and the U.S. government can make a meaningful impact on the lives of SADC citizens and, by extension, give a good level of fulfillment to U.S. citizens who have been gracious enough to share their resources with the SADC region.”  

The agreement also outlines activities focused on sustainability, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.  

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) welcomes the election of Jim Skea, of the of the United Kingdom, as the new Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The ECA also congratulates Prof. Skea and all the new members of the IPCC Bureau on their election. We note that this election marks the beginning of the 7th Assessment Cycle of the IPCC, which comes at a particularly critical juncture when the existential threat posed by climate change to our planet are starkly pronounced, especially for Africa where adverse climate change impacts are estimated to be costing the continent an average of 5% of GDP per year. At the same time, the challenges posed by climate change, together with the right support and partnerships, can be a growth opportunity for Africa, capitalizing on its abundant clean energy resources and transition minerals.

The ECA acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Antonio Pedro, noted that the African region is well represented in the new leadership team, and looks forward to partnering with IPCC on regional climate science and research issues in the context of the 7th Assessment Report.  

ECA notes that in their approval of the sixth cycle IPCC assessment synthesis report, many governments emphasized the need for alignment of the IPCC assessment cycle with the UNFCCC global stocktake. We therefore anticipate that the seventh assessment cycle scheduled for the next five to seven years starting July 2023, will focus on improving the implementation of the Paris Agreement to ensure achievement of the 1.5 degrees target of global climate policy, and that the seventh assessment report will feed into the second GST in 2028. In this regard, ECA notes that Africa remains the most vulnerable continent to the accelerating impacts of climate change, and that to address this situation, the continent requires greater and more consistent access to sustainable climate finance to build resilience and also to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals in the context of its Agenda 2063. ECA’s African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) – in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and with the support of partners such as the Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia, the Africa Climate Foundation, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO), the World Bank, the Nordic Development Fund, the NDC Hub and other partners – continues to support African member States with the implementation of enhanced NDCs and on policies that integrate climate resilience in development planning. 

On behalf of the Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management Division of ECA, Mr. Nassim Oulmane called on the IPCC’s new leadership team to ensure that its 7th Assessment Report produces outcomes that better inform efforts to shield the region’s economic development from the increasingly devastating climate extremes.

ECA calls upon the incoming Chair of the IPCC to work with his bureau to advance the scientific basis of climate change policy, building upon the key findings of the 6th Assessment Report, specifically that:

• The pace and scale of climate action are insufficient to tackle climate change.
• Multiple, feasible, and effective options are available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change.
• Enabling conditions include finance, technology, capacity building, and international cooperation.

The ECA recognizes that Africa’s contributions to the IPCC assessment reports continues to be marginal, due to low investments in research and development, limited access to scientific publication processes, and other capacity challenges. That is why, together with WMO, AUC, AfDB and the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and in collaboration with the African Academy of Sciences(AAS), with initial funding support from the UK-FCDO, ECA operationalised the Climate for Development in Africa (CR4D) programme to enhance the quantity and quality of climate research from Africa feeding into the IPCC process (see https://www.uneca.org/cr4d).  We therefore look forward to supporting Africa’s contributions to the IPCC process and urge the IPCC Chair to urgently address these shortcomings to enhance the contributions of African scientists and policy analysts to global climate policy and governance, and thereby contribute to resilience building on the continent.  In this regard, ECA assures Prof. Skea of our continuing support towards achieving his priorities which he outlined to delegates at the IPCC elections, ”…. I will pursue three priorities – improving inclusiveness and diversity; shielding scientific integrity and policy relevance of IPCC assessment reports; and making effective use of the best available science on climate change. My actions as the Chair of the IPCC will ensure that these ambitions are realized.”

Finally, your term of office coincides with the implementation of the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032). The successful implementation of this strategy, which will undergird the continent’s efforts towards building resilience over the next decade, will depend on the availability of relevant and accessible scientific information.  ECA will support the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle to ensure it backstops this strategy as a contribution towards its successful implementation.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with His Excellency, Mr. Matemela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.

The two leaders positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation, including in the context of the thirtieth anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations being celebrated in 2023.

President Ramaphosa invited PM for the BRICS Summit being hosted by South Africa on August 22-24, 2023 and briefed him on the preparations for the same. PM accepted the invitation and conveyed that he looked forward to his visit to Johannesburg to participate in the Summit.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest.

President Ramaphosa conveyed his full support to India’s initiatives as part of its ongoing G-20 Presidency and said that he looked forward to visiting India to attend the G-20 Summit.

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in New Alamein.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the meeting witnessed bilateral talks followed by extensive discussions between the delegations of the two countries. President El-Sisi welcomed the Greek Prime Minister to Egypt, congratulating him again on the ruling party’s electoral victory in the parliamentary elections, the results of which confirmed the Greek voter’s confidence in the leadership of the Greek Prime Minister. The President also commended the depth and consistency of Egypt’s outstanding strategic relations with Greece, the tangible development of bilateral cooperation in various areas, and the distinct level of political coordination between the two States on issues of mutual interest. His Excellency expressed appreciation for Greece’s positions towards Egypt, both bilaterally and within the European Union, and for the fruitful cooperation regarding the trilateral cooperation with Cyprus.

The Greek Prime Minister stressed the close and historic ties between the two countries, welcoming the remarkable progress in the level of cooperation over the past years. He also expressed his country’s desire to continue promoting relations between the two countries at various levels, particularly in light of Egypt’s outstanding role in addressing the current crises and challenges in the Mediterranean region.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis also expressed appreciation for the aid Egypt dispatches to assist in the suppression of forest fires in Greece. Also, the President expressed his sincere condolences and solidarity with Greece in the face of the effects and repercussions of the forest fires.

The meeting also discussed ways to enhance the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries. Mutual interest was emphasized in the speedy activation and implementation of the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries and the continued promotion of cooperation in the areas of military, economy, culture, energy, natural gas and electrical connectivity, as well as cooperation in the green transition sectors.

The discussions also exchanged views and perspectives on regional files of common interest in light of the two States’ common positions in the Eastern Mediterranean region, while emphasizing that the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum is one of the most important tools in this framework. The two leaders also discussed developments in the phenomenon of illegal migration in the Mediterranean basin. The Greek Prime Minister praised Egypt’s efforts to combat this phenomenon, especially in light of the burdens it imposes since millions of refugees are hosted on Egypt’s territory.

The meeting also discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, the global consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, as well as the ongoing crises in the region, particularly in Libya. President El-Sisi stressed Egypt’s position in support of the political path and the importance of holding presidential and parliamentary elections, the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory and the restoration of Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability. The two sides agreed to continue to coordinate intensively to address the various common challenges facing the region, thereby realizing the aspirations of its peoples to live in peace, security and stability.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is working closely with the Ministry of Health in the Republic of South Sudan to manage a suspected disease outbreak, exhibiting symptoms similar to those of Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) in the remote areas of Dukubela, Pacime, and Dajo areas of Longechuck County, Upper Nile State.

The outbreak was initially reported on June 16, 2023 by the Nile Initiative Development Organization (NIDO) during a supervisory visit to Dajo Primary Health Care Unit. NIDO found that the disease seemed to have originated from Dukubela, a mountainous area of Longechuk county that borders the Southern Blue Nile in Sudan and Assosa areas in Ethiopia. This area has recently seen an influx of returning residents and refugees from the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The Africa CDC deployed technical experts to support the Ministry of Health in conducting a comprehensive risk assessment, support the development of a comprehensive national response plan, and strengthen capacity in coordination, surveillance, laboratory operations and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE).

Symptoms observed in the affected individuals include high fever, bloody vomiting and stool, rash, cough, sore throat, red eyes, runny nose, blurred vision, and generalized weakness. NIDO reported that the disease had affected approximately 150 people, resulting in 23 deaths. These deaths occurred within three days of the onset of the disease. However, those who survived past the initial five days showed signs of improvement.

In response to the health crisis, the Ministry of Health, alongside the World Health Organization, swiftly dispatched a multidisciplinary Rapid Response Team to Longechuk. This team delivered medical supplies, carried out disease-specific consultations and conducted active case finding in the Dajo & Pacime communities.

After a thorough field investigation, the Rapid Response Team line-listed 227 suspected cases and 29 related deaths. Laboratory tests for 45 samples confirmed cases of malaria and measles, with 71% of samples testing positive for malaria, 58% for measles and a co-infection rate of 45%. Despite that all the 45 samples tested negative for viral haemorrhagic fevers, ruling it out as a potential source of the outbreak, health authorities remain on high alert by maintaining surveillance measures in place to promptly identify and respond to any disease threat.

“Our strategy includes escalating preparedness and response activities, intensifying cross-border collaboration for improved surveillance and information sharing, and rolling out an integrated campaign for Measles vaccination and Malaria control in Longechuck County and surrounding areas. We are appealing to our partners, including Africa CDC, to strengthen our laboratory capacity, particularly in pathogen genomic sequencing for timely detection of diseases threat,” said Hon. Dr. Ader Macar Aciek, Undersecretary, Ministry of Health.

Longechuck is a remote location bordering Ethiopia and Sudan, and the difficult terrain, particularly in Pacime, poses unique challenges to managing this health crisis. Residents face a challenging nine-hour walk to the nearest healthcare facility in Dajo. The influx of returnees and refugees further strains the existing scarce medical resources in the area.

Communication infrastructure like phones and the Internet are unavailable in the area, leaving the only feasible means of communication as satellite phones. Despite these hurdles, an integrated response plan is underway.

Africa CDC is working closely with the Ministry of Health to identify priority areas of intervention with greater impact. Ongoing initiatives include coordinating emergency response systems at national and sub-national levels, procuring lab equipment and supplies, and boosting laboratory capabilities for efficient sample handling. Communications are underway between the Ministry of Health and Africa CDC’s technical team to explore the possibility of institutionalizing sequencing capacities in the Republic of South Sudan.

In these difficult circumstances, the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Health, Africa CDC, and partners aim to alleviate the current emergency and strengthen healthcare systems to manage future disease outbreaks better.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

HIV/AIDS epidemic. 

MSF first began HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities in Malawi in 1994 in the district of Mwanza before expanding to Chiradzulu in 1997, where 20 per cent of the district’s adult population was estimated to be HIV-positive. In August 2001, MSF started a programme to provide free access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) at Chiradzulu’s district hospital. Before this date, no HIV treatment was available in the country, and medical action regarding people suffering from AIDS was limited to preventing and treating opportunistic infections. According to UNAIDS, some 86,000 people died of AIDS-related causes in Malawi in 2001.  

Fred Minandi, a retired farmer, proudly recalls that he was the fourth patient to receive ART in the Chiradzulu project on 16 August 2001 at the age of 41. 

“In those days (1990s-2000s) it was very bad, people were dying. I lost my brother and my sister to AIDS. When I was sick, I had no hope. At that time no one was receiving ART until MSF began providing it,” Fred explains. “In 1999, I went for an HIV test at Chiradzulu district hospital. I was not working anymore because I was too sick and had been suffering from opportunistic infections since 1997. I tested positive to the virus. Later, I met with MSF counsellors who told me they were going to begin dispensing ART. I was lucky to be one of the first patients to receive treatment. After a month, I was able to start work again.” – Fred Minandi

The story of the project in Chiradzulu is not just about providing drugs to patients. It proved it was possible to tackle HIV in poor rural settings and that patients would comply with the strict HIV treatment routine, an idea met with significant cynicism at the time. The project set a precedent and helped pave the way to advocate for cheaper drug prices and ensure access to ART in low-income countries. 

In July 2002, Fred was invited to speak at the 14th International Conference on HIV/AIDS in Barcelona, where MSF’s presentation on “Access to ART in MSF programmes” included the Chiradzulu experience. 

“I am one of the first patients to benefit from free treatment in Malawi and if I am here to talk to you about it today, it’s because I am receiving treatment. Some of you will say that Africans cannot take medicine properly because we don’t know how to tell time. I don’t have a watch, but I can tell you that since I began my triple therapy, I have never forgotten to take a single dose,” Fred told the conference. 

By the end of 2003, more than 2,000 patients were on ART in the Chiradzulu programme, at an average rate of 200 new patients per month, showing clinical results comparable to those found in high-income countries. 

As the years went by, scaling up the number of patients receiving ART was made possible by simplifying treatment approaches, decentralizing care to peripheral healthcare facilities and task-shifting certain tasks from medical to para-medical – and even non-medical – staff. Advances in treatment strategies also allowed patients in stable condition who had been on treatment for at least a year to have their medical consultations once every six months instead of every two to three months. This six-month appointment (SMA) system helped reduce the burden on patients and medical staff.

The collaboration between MSF and the Ministry of Health, along with this model of decentralization and task-shifting, contributed to shaping policies and guidelines in Malawi on the care and treatment of people living with HIV. 

By 2009, every health structure in the Chiradzulu district could provide a range of services for HIV/AIDS patients, from testing to prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) co-infected patients.

In 2013, an MSF study in the district showed that 65.8 per cent of people needing ART were receiving the appropriate medicines, and a population-based survey revealed that there was also a very low level of new infections (0.4 per cent), suggesting that the large provision of HIV treatment had played a role in reducing transmission.

Such progress was made possible by the partnership between MSF and local health authorities and by the patients themselves. Patients such as Fred formed support groups and were employed by MSF as peer care counsellors to encourage people to get tested and help patients comply with their treatment. 

“This approach of having care-givers team up with peer counsellors empowered patients to take charge of their care and support others in their treatment journey,” Fred recalls of his days as a peer counsellor at Mauwa health centre in Chiradzulu district.

While people living with HIV face many of the same issues regardless of their age and circumstances, over time, it became clear that children and teenagers face specific challenges of their own, needing extra attention and dedicated care. With patients sometimes under ten years old, even the simple explanation of what HIV-positivity is and what it means for one’s life can be complicated; other patients might just be approaching sexual maturity and struggle to come to terms with the fact that they live with a sexually transmittable disease.

MSF started dedicated Saturday “Teen clubs” in 2017 and continued to run them until the end of 2022, offering HIV care, follow-up, sexual and reproductive health services, and psychological and social support to teenagers living with HIV. Attendance at these clubs, which provided a safe, friendly space where teenagers could also benefit from peer support, showed enhanced adherence to treatment and contributed to a patient’s overall well-being.

For many of these adolescents, attending “Teen clubs” helped them transition from being overwhelmed by a condition they struggle to make sense of to be better prepared to tackle it. In 2019, as many as 9,200 adolescents attended the clubs in Chiradzulu district. 

After over 20 years of collaboration with MSF, Chiradzulu district health authorities and their partners fully took over all patients and activities between 2022 and 2023, ensuring the continuity of HIV treatment and care. 

Malawi has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with 990,000 people (UNAIDS, 2021) living with the virus out of a population of nearly 20 million. Projects such as the one in Chiradzulu set a benchmark in Malawi for HIV care. In collaboration with MSF and other partners, the country scaled up HIV prevention and treatment programmes resulting in great strides. Of 990,000 people living with HIV, 93 per cent know their status, 91 per cent are on ART, and 85 per cent have suppressed viral loads (UNAIDS 2021).

“When I go for viral load testing nowadays, the virus is undetectable. In 2001, when the counsellor said ART could prolong my life, I thought it would be two to three years but here I am, 22 years later,” 63-year-old Fred says with a cheerful grin. 

Overall, 55,000 people who tested positive for HIV were enrolled in the Chiradzulu cohort between 2001 and the closure of the project in 2023.