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Total number of tests performed to date: 135545 New cases confirmed in the last 24 hours: 14 Cumulative number of cases confirmed to date: 10281 Total cases currently under follow up/active cases: 333 Number of cases that are severe in the IDU: 1 Number of cases that are in critical condition in the IDU: 0 Number of cases recovered: 9835 Number of new death in the last 24 hours: 0 Cumulative number of death: 113
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan.

Coronavirus – South Sudan: Overall COVID-19 cases status as of 04-04-2021

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The Islamist armed group Boko Haram has stepped up attacks on civilians in towns and villages in the Far North region of Cameroon since December 2020, killing at least 80 civilians, Human Rights Watch said today. The group has also looted hundreds of homes in the region. The government should take concrete measures to both increase protection to vulnerable communities and ensure a rights-respecting security force response to the worsening violence.
“Boko Haram is waging a war on the people of Cameroon at a shocking human cost,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “As Cameroon’s Far North region increasingly becomes the epicenter of Boko Haram’s violence, Cameroon should urgently adopt and carry out a new, rights-respecting strategy to protect civilians at risk in the Far North.”
Human Rights Watch documented how a Boko Haram suicide bomber blew up fleeing civilians, dozens of local fishermen were killed with machetes and knives, and an elderly village chief was assassinated in front of his family. Research suggests that the actual number of casualties is much higher, given the difficulty of confirming details remotely and that attacks often go unreported.
From January 25 to February 25, 2021, Human Rights Watch interviewed by telephone 20 victims and witnesses to 5 Boko Haram attacks since mid-December in the towns and villages of Blabline, Darak, Gouzoudou, and Mozogo in the Far North region, as well 4 family members of victims, 2 humanitarian workers, and 5 local activists. Human Rights Watch also interviewed 2 victims and a witness to human rights violations in the region by Cameroonian soldiers. Human Rights Watch reviewed reports from humanitarian and other nongovernmental organizations and local media reports on attacks in the region and consulted with academics, political analysts, and representatives of the African Union, the United Nations, and the European Union.
Human Rights Watch shared the research by email with Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo, the Cameroonian army spokesperson, on February 1 and again on March 19, requesting information about the Boko Haram attacks, the ongoing military operations, and the specific allegations Human Rights Watch documented. The army spokesperson did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
Cameroon’s territorial administration minister said on February 12 that the security situation in the Far North region is “under control” and that Boko Haram is “living its last days.”
One of the deadliest recent attacks was in Mozogo on January 8, when Boko Haram fighters killed at least 14 civilians, including 8 children, and wounded 3 others, including 2 children. As fighters shot at residents and looted homes, a female suicide bomber infiltrated a group of fleeing civilians and then detonated her explosive vest, witnesses said.
“As the shooting started, I ran away toward the forest,” a 41-year-old resident said. “I heard a powerful explosion and lay on the ground. I saw a 7-year-old child covered in blood running toward me. He took me to the place where the kamikaze detonated her explosive vest. It was a bloodbath.”
The Boko Haram insurgency began in Nigeria in 2009 and then spread across the Lake Chad basin countries, including Cameroon. Boko Haram’s attacks are often indiscriminate, including suicide bombings in crowded areas that appear designed to maximize civilian deaths and injuries. Cameroon has had a sharp spike in attacks over the past year. According to a November 2020 report of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a United States Department of Defense think tank, the number of Boko Haram attacks against civilians in Cameroon in 2020 was higher than in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad combined.
In 2015, the African Union established the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), made up of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, to respond to Boko Haram attacks across the Lake Chad basin. Comprising over 8,000 troops, the MNJTF receives technical, financial, and strategic support from international partners, including the European Union, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. The multinational force has conducted joint military operations across the Lake Chad basin.
It is essential for Cameroon and the multinational force to improve the conduct of forces deployed to counter Boko Haram attacks and to ensure that allegations of human rights violations by its forces are investigated and prosecuted, Human Rights Watch said.
Since 2014, rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have documented widespread human rights violations and crimes under international humanitarian law by Cameroonian security forces deployed on operations in the Far North, including extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, incommunicado detention, systematic torture, and forced return of refugees. 
On December 9, soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), an elite unit of the Cameroonian army, arrested four fishermen in Dabanga, in the Far North region, beat them, and took them to the Dabanga military base, where one of them died, said two of the fishermen and a family member. The fishermen said that the soldiers accused them of being Boko Haram members and that they saw one of the fishermen who was arrested with them taken from the cell soon after they arrived.
A family member of the fisherman who died said that BIR soldiers brought his body to their home hours after he was arrested, claiming he had died of a heart attack. The two fishermen and the family member said they believe the security forces killed him.
Cameroon’s international partners should push for accountability for human rights violations and work to strengthen the civilian component of the multinational force and its human rights compliance office, Human Rights Watch said.
Human Rights Watch also urges the Cameroonian parliament to hold a hearing to explore the government’s response to the increasing attacks on civilians in the Far North, to provide recommendations on how to enhance civilian protection, and to seek input from international actors as needed.
International humanitarian law, applicable to the armed conflict with Boko Haram, prohibits deliberate disproportionate or indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects. Those who order or commit such attacks with criminal intent are responsible for war crimes.
“With Boko Haram attacks on the rise in Cameroon, more needs to be done to effectively protect civilians, including by boosting the military presence and patrols across the Far North region and ensuring that the soldiers respect people’s rights,” Allegrozzi said. “Cameroon’s regional and international partners, including those supporting the multinational force, should bolster these efforts and ensure that their assistance does not contribute to human rights violations.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Cameroon: Boko Haram Attacks Escalate in Far North

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The Ministry of Transport and Communications announced that partial flight from and to Asmara will resume in mid April.

According to the program there will be weekly flights from Asmara-Addis Ababa and Asmara-Dubai with implementation of strict preventive measures including prior PCR testing, Rapid Antigen Testing upon arrival at the Airport and other preventive measures.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea. Media files

Partial flight to resume from and to Asmara

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Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the United Nations in Somalia highlighted this year’s theme of ‘Perseverance, Partnership, Progress’ in working to eliminate the threat of explosive hazards to Somalis.

“While the country is improving in preventing explosive hazards, we must continue to work together to rid Somalia of this scourge which not only kills and injures so many innocent civilians each year, but also puts a brake on the country’s development,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
In 2019, there were 1,140 civilian casualties due to Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). In 2020, that number dropped to 454. Also, in 2019, there were 59 civilian casualties due to Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and that number dropped to 53 in 2020.
While there has been a welcome decline in the number of casualties, they are still a major concern which requires our dedicated attention, according to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Somalia.
“The major impact of explosive hazards is on civilians and, particularly, on children. Together, we must press on to reinforce the development of national mine-action capacities and continue to support Somalia, ensuring protection of civilians as well as social and economic development,” said UNMAS’ Programme Director in Somalia, Qurat-ul-Ain Sadozai.
UNMAS is working with the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States, along with national and international partners, to support the Somalia Transition Plan. This includes clearing explosive hazards, delivering explosive ordnance risk education, raising awareness at the community level, enhancing national mine action capabilities, and supporting government efforts to serve survivors of landmines and explosive remnants of war and persons with disabilities. 
UNMAS’ efforts advance the UN’s collective commitment to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted by all UN member States in 2015, the Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone everywhere.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

UN Highlights Need for Perseverance and Collaboration on Mine Action Day

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The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, James Swan, condemned yesterday’s attacks against the Somali National Army bases in Barire and Awdhegle towns in Lower Shabelle region.

“We strongly condemn these attacks that targeted Somali forces. This is a vivid reminder of the sacrifices being made by Somali soldiers every day as they fight bravely to keep Somalia and its people safe,” said  Mr. Swan. “We extend our condolences for the loss of life, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and has reportedly sustained heavy losses in the face of strong action by the Somali National Army.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

UN Envoy to Somalia Condemns Attacks In Lower Shabelle

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New confirmed cases: 107 Deaths: 4 Recoveries: 82 Active cases: 1897
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Social Services, Namibia.

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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New Cases: 1 Total Confirmed: 3,988 Deaths: 79 Recovered: 2,824 Total in quarantine: 48 Discharged from quarantine: 14,669
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Coronavirus – Sierra Leone: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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New cases: 14 Cumulative confirmed cases: 33,661 Active cases: 1,718 Total recovered: 30,686 (93 new) Currently admitted in treatment units: 23 (2 new) New discharges from treatment units: 4 Total tests conducted: 220,384 (210 new) Total deaths: 1,123 (3 new) Total vaccinated to date: 159,574 (1,993 new)
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health and Population, Republic of Malawi. Media files

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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Daily: Laboratory test: 6,962 Severe cases: 857 New recovered: 742 New deaths: 27 New cases: 1,878

Total: Laboratory test: 2,389,558 Active cases: 50,256 Total recovered: 161,968 Total deaths: 2,963 Total cases: 215,189
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Ethiopia. Media files

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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Tests conducted: 9,968,203 Positive cases identified: 1,551,964 Total recoveries: 1,477,363 Total deaths: 52,987 New cases: 463
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa, Department of Health. Media files

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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911 people have tested positive, from a sample size of 6,045. Positivity rate is at 15.1%. Total confirmed positive cases are 138,988. Cumulative tests are 1,517,637.

533 patients have recovered, 420 from Home Based &#038; Isolation Care, &#038; 113 from various health facilities. Total recoveries stand at 94,183.

DEATHS: 18 deaths have been reported, 11 in the last one month &#038; 7 are late death reports. Cumulative fatalities 2,224.

1,586 patients are admitted in various health facilities countrywide. 5,903 patients are on Home Based Isolation and Care. 198 patients are in the ICU, 43 of whom are on ventilatory support and 125 on supplemental oxygen. 30 patients are on observation.

*236 patients are separately on supplementary oxygen with 222 of them in the general wards and 14 in the High Dependency Unit (HDU).

VACCINATION: A total of 282,518 people have been vaccinated across the country as of April 3, 2021.
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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82 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria;

Lagos-33 Yobe-15 Abia-11 Rivers-10 Imo-5 Akwa Ibom-4 Katsina-2 Osun-2

163,195 confirmed 151,998 discharged 2,058 deaths
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Media files

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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As of 4th April 2021, we recorded 130 new cases out of 3,166 tests (4% positivity), 51 recoveries and sadly 5 new deaths (MTSRIP).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). Media files

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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Network International (www.Network.ae), the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has announced the appointment of Egyptian national Hany Fekry as Regional President – Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa.

In his new role, Hany will be responsible for all aspects of Network&#39;s acquiring and issuing business in Egypt and Nigeria, and for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to drive Network’s business growth and increase digital payments adoption in Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hany joined Network in 2016 as Managing Director for Egypt and and Deputy Managing Director for Africa, leading the company&#39;s business development activities across the Northern and Sub-Saharan region. Previously, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer of Emerging Markets Payments (EMP) Africa, which was acquired by Network International in 2016. Hany&#39;s more than 20-year career has included developing business in markets including Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Nandan Mer, Group CEO of Network International, commented: “Building an effective payments infrastructure requires a thorough understanding of the needs of local merchant and issuer clients to address their pain points and build locally relevant payments solutions.
Since joining the team in 2016, Hany&#39;s deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges in digital payments adoption across Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa has been instrumental in helping Network deliver customised and relevant solutions. I am confident he is the right person to strengthen our offering to clients, in addition to driving greater inclusion and building a stronger payments infrastructure in these fast-growing markets.”

Hany Fekry, Regional President – Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Network, with tremendous opportunities to accelerate the positive trends in digital payments across the region and increase financial inclusions. I look forward to helping build a best-in-class payment ecosystem that will support local merchants and financial institutions, and positively impact the economies across the Northern and Sub-Saharan African markets.”
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.
Network International: Tricia Kaul ASDA’A BCW, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 450 7600 Email: tricia.kaul@bm.com
About Network International: Network International comprises a group of companies and is the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive ever-evolving range of value-added services. 
Network International Holdings Plc is the holding company for Network International and the group companies.
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Network International appoints Hany Fekry as Regional President – Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa

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Total cases: 22,482 (+239) Recovered: 20,519 (+47) | 91.2% Active cases: 1,652 In critical condition: 4 Tests: 1,177,519 (+5,500) Test positivity rate: 4.3% Vaccinated: 348,926 Deaths: 311 (+0) | 1.4%
 Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Rwanda. Media files

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi&#39;s COVID-19 update on 4 April 2021:

New cases: 3 Total cases: 17 352
Active cases: 65
New recoveries: 11 Total recoveries: 16 616
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

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Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE supported families of more than 50 casual workers from the capital city of Burundi, Bujumbura, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, through community donations.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted lives of the unprivileged in cruel ways. Merck Foundation came together with The First Lady of Burundi and our Ambassador, to support the livelihoods of more than 50 families of casual workers, the ones most affected by the pandemic”.
Appreciating Merck Foundation’s support, The First Lady of Burundi and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than A Mother, H.E. Mrs. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE emphasized  “We sincerely appreciate the support provided by the Merck Foundation to help the families of the worst affected people from the Burundian workforce. The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the casual workers and their families harshly, making it difficult to survive. The donations will help them.”
“As a response to Coronavirus pandemic, Merck Foundation has made Community donations to support livelihood of thousands of women, casual workers and persons living with disabilities, affected by Coronavirus lockdown in the following countries in partnership with their First Ladies; Liberia, DRC Congo, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Ghana. Merck Foundation has also undertaken similar relief activity in Egypt”, explained Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Through their partnership with the Burundi First Lady, Merck Foundation has been building healthcare capacity, by providing specialty training to more than 33 young Burundian doctors in various specialties like Fertility &#038; Embryology, Oncology and Diabetes. Merck Foundation will continue to provide scholarships of training to more doctors over the next 10 years to continue their mission of transforming healthcare sector.
More than 1100 doctors across Africa and Asia have benefited from Merck Foundation scholarship in multiple specialties to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions in Africa and Asia.
Merck Foundation launched Stay at Home Media Recognition Awards to help raise awareness about COVID 19, and also released a storybook “Make the Right Choice” to sensitize children and youth on how to keep healthy and safe during COVID 19 pandemic across Africa.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: bit.ly/2LdbD8F Twitter: bit.ly/2LesKH8 YouTube: bit.ly/3sdHMxm Instagram: bit.ly/2LC26rm Flickr: bit.ly/2XqzQdU Website: Merck-Foundation.com Download Merck Foundation App: bit.ly/2MmNvAU
About Merck Foundation: The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality &#038; equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.merck-foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation (bit.ly/38w0OXL); Facebook (bit.ly/2MU6Fht), Twitter (bit.ly/3scVf8t), Instagram (bit.ly/3boJ0jr), YouTube (bit.ly/3sf4aWX) and Flicker (bit.ly/3snPHZ8).
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Coronavirus – South Sudan: Overall COVID-19 cases status as of 04-04-2021

Cameroon: Boko Haram Attacks Escalate in Far North

Partial flight to resume from and to Asmara

UN Highlights Need for Perseverance and Collaboration on Mine Action Day

UN Envoy to Somalia Condemns Attacks In Lower Shabelle

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Sierra Leone: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Network International appoints Hany Fekry as Regional President – Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Merck Foundation, Burundi First Lady supported families of casual workers affected by Coronavirus pandemic

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Coronavirus – South Sudan: Overall COVID-19 cases status as of 04-04-2021

Cameroon: Boko Haram Attacks Escalate in Far North

Partial flight to resume from and to Asmara

UN Highlights Need for Perseverance and Collaboration on Mine Action Day

UN Envoy to Somalia Condemns Attacks In Lower Shabelle

Coronavirus – Namibia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Sierra Leone: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Malawi: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – South Africa: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Kenya: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Zambia: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Network International appoints Hany Fekry as Regional President – Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa

Coronavirus – Rwanda: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Coronavirus – Eswatini: COVID-19 update (4 April 2021)

Merck Foundation, Burundi First Lady supported families of casual workers affected by Coronavirus pandemic

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