OZATP Summary

ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region will head to the polls on Wednesday in defiance of the federal government, the latest challenge to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from a slew of regional leaders flexing their muscles ahead of next year’s national elections. The World Health Organization wants to secure an initial 230 million doses of any COVID-19…

Ethiopia’s Tigray region to holds poll, defying federal government

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region will head to the polls on Wednesday in defiance of the federal government, the latest challenge to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from a slew of regional leaders flexing their muscles ahead of next year’s national elections.

Thousands rally to support Congo’s threatened Nobel Laureate

BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) – A city in eastern Congo has rallied in support of Denis Mukwege, the Congolese Nobel Laureate who received death threats in recent weeks after he called for justice over serious human rights violations.

WHO aiming for 20% of Africa to get initial COVID jabs from access plan

The World Health Organization wants to secure an initial 230 million doses of any COVID-19 vaccine for Africa, officials said Thursday, while emphasising that any vaccine in development should also be tested on the continent.

Kenyans fear ‘ecological disaster’ if two swollen lakes merge

BARINGO, Kenya (Reuters) – The fresh waters of Kenya’s Lake Baringo teem with birds, fish, hippopotamuses and crocodiles and sustain tens of thousands of people. But none of them can survive in the alkaline Lake Bogoria nearby.

Macron to meet Ivory Coast President on Friday in Paris-Elysee

PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron will meet Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Friday at the Elysee Palace in Paris, his office said on Thursday.

Elderly Guinea president confirms 3rd term bid, vows to represent young people

Guinea’s octogenarian President Alpha Conde said on Wednesday he would be the candidate of young people and women in October’s election, confirming his party’s announcement that he would seek a third term.

U.S. to cut $100 million in aid to Ethiopia over dam dispute

The United States has decided to cut $100 million in aid to Ethiopia amid a dispute with Egypt and Sudan over a dam Ethiopia is building on the Nile, a congressional source told Reuters on Wednesday.

South Africa ready to help insurgency-hit Mozambique, if asked

South Africa is ready to help insurgency-hit Mozambique with support from its intelligence services or military, but its neighbour would first need to request that help, South Africa’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Long-missed pink flamingos return to Kenya’s Lake Nakuru

LAKE NAKURU, Kenya (Reuters) – Eight years ago, rising water levels in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru drove away the clouds of pink coloured flamingos that were the park’s biggest draw. Rangers say their disappearance triggered a drop in visitor numbers by for the Nakuru National Park.

Zimbabwe finds more elephant carcasses, death toll at 22

Zimbabwe’s wildlife agency said on Wednesday it had discovered more elephant carcasses near a major game park, bringing the number of dead animals suspected to have been killed by a bacterial infection to 22, double the initial figure.