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guest column:Admire Dube The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was established in 2018 with the aim to create a single market for goods and services, facilitated by movement of people to deepen the economic integration of the continent, under the Pan African Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.” Consolidating Africa into one trade area provides great opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses and consumers across the continent and ultimately countries, which boosts chances to support sustainable development in the world’s least developed region. With the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic exponentially increasing the challenges of a continent already ravaged by socio-economic ills, AfCFTA offers great potential to not only offer economic mitigations against the pandemic, but also speedily extricate African nations from regression and to a path of self-betterment. 2019 statistics show that Africa’s population stood at 1,3 billion with a combined nominal GDP of US$2,58 trillion and a healthy 3,7% growth rate. This stood firmly abreast of fellow rising economies like India with the exact same population count and a GDP of US$3,2 trillion and Brazil with its nominal GDP of US$2 trillion. However, in 2020 the pandemic took a toll on African lives and economies as economic activity declined by a projected 3,3%, confirming the region’s first recession in 25 years. The substantial downturn in economic activity cost the region at least US$115 billion this year, in part caused by depressed domestic consumption and competition as investments were divested to measures for mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. This situation could also push up to approximately 40 million people into extreme poverty erasing at least five years of progress in fighting poverty. Similarly, COVID-19 could set back progress in building human capital, as school closures continue to affect nearly 253 million students, potentially causing losses in learning which does not bode well for the continent’s future. The full implementation of the AfCFTA will certainly stem a downward trajectory by progressively eliminating tariffs on intra-African trade, making it easier for African businesses to trade within the continent and benefit from the growing African market. Africa, being a diverse continent fragmented into 54 States which are organised into trade blocs and associations under the African Union as members, will necessarily morph into a single business entity, or as close to one as anyone can hope for such a heterogeneous cocktail of diverse people. COVID-19 aside, the continent already faced a myriad of social, economic, and political challenges weakening current African trading blocs and their ability to promote integration and intra-trade among each other. The share of intra-African exports among constituent countries (trade among each other) as a percentage of total exports out of the African continent was still a miniscule 17% as at 2017, which remains low compared to levels in Europe (69%), Asia (59%), and North A
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
ORGANISERS of the July 31 anti-corruption march yesterday alleged harassment by suspected State security agents in a bid to stop the planned nationwide protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE/JAIROS SAUNYAMA Former Zanu PF youth leader and Front for Economic Emancipation Zimbabwe (FEEZ) leader Godfrey Tsenengamu, MDC Alliance deputy chairperson Job Sikhala, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Peter Mutasa and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) president Obert Masaraure have vowed to press on despite alleged intimidation by suspected State security agents. Tsenengamu, who yesterday revealed that his family had been attacked in Bindura, vowed the raid would not stop him from exercising his constitutional right. “My family has been attacked in Bindura and a report has been made to the police. It is true I am under hostile surveillance, but I am not moved. I am not planning anything sinister and have no reason to run away from anyone. I have spoken and continue to speak against corruption and looting and will not be forced to stop. Threats, harassment and intimidation will not stop me from exercising my constitutional right,” he said. Tsenengamu said the protests would go on. Zanu PF has threatened to unleash violence on protesters, with youths in Mashonaland East, saying they were mobilising forces to quash any dissenting voices that threaten Mnangagwa’s rule. Zanu PF provincial youth boss Kelvin Mutsvairo told a provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Marondera on Saturday that they were already mobilising to counter the demonstrations and defend their vote. “We are aware of their plot on July 31, but as Zanu PF youths from this province, we stand with our leader President Mnangagwa. We will also do what it takes to defend our vote and the President. As youths, we are ready to ensure that there will be no skirmishes and this province will never experience such demonstrations,” he said. Provincial chairperson Joel Biggie Matiza also echoed similar sentiments, saying Zanu PF would not be moved by the protests. The nation is currently experiencing an economic turmoil that has sent tempers simmering with opposition party leaders calling for protests against Mnangagwa’s administration which they say has failed to turnaround the country’s economic fortunes. Sikhala, who is allegedly being trailed by security agents, said he was ready for any consequences. “The business of trailing me started long before my treason trial. However, it intensified recently. This is done by people who refuse to accept that Zimbabwe belongs to all Zimbabweans, a tiny group of insolent individuals who think they own it and the rest are subjects of abuse. Thriving in frightening other people is a Stone Age mentality. Not in the 21st century. We will not allow it,” he said. “Since the false accusations by Kazembe Kazembe (Home Affairs minister) that I am part of coup conspirators, stalking of my person intensified. But I am ready for any consequences. Freedom for all Z
By PAN PYLAS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Around 1,000 British soldiers were spending Christmas Day trying to clear a huge backlog of truck drivers stuck in southeast England after France briefly closed its border to the U.K. then demanded coronavirus tests from all amid fears of a new, apparently more contagious, virus variant. Even as 4,000 international truck drivers spent yet another day cooped up in their cabs, some progress was evident Friday, with traffic around the English Channel port of Dover moving in an orderly fashion towards the extra ferries that were put on to make the short […]
The post British army helps clear backlog of virus-stranded drivers appeared first on Black News Channel.
Peace Calls for Northern Ethiopia
The African Union (AU) called on Tuesday for an end to hostilities in the Northern Tigray region of Ethiopia, where the nations Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is currently in conflict with regional authorities of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
This comes after the head of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, publicly expressed concern on Monday over “the escalation of the military confrontation” — encouraging both \"parties to dialogue to find a peaceful solution in the interest of the country.”
A Peaceful Resolution?
The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ahmedy — who ordered military intervention in Tigray on November 4 following an attack on federal troops orchestrated by their regional authorities, has assured that operations are proceeding as planned and are close to a successful conclusion.
Now, weeks later, she wears a necklace with his ashes.
\"He meant the world,\" Jessica, who is from Hidalgo County in South Texas, said, remembering her 27-year-old brother. \"I just wish it wasn't him.\"
Health experts say there's no evidence that bodies are contagious after death, but the moment speaks to the fear and concern in Hidalgo County, where health officials say Covid-19 is wreaking havoc on communities. Hospitals started reaching capacity earlier this month in the Rio Grande Valley, which has become the main hotspot in Texas.
\"It's a tsunami what we're seeing right now,\" said Dr. Federico Vallejo, a critical care pulmonologist. Vallejo said he's treating nearly 50 to 60 patients a day. Sometimes he takes care of 70. Normally, a critical care doctor sees about 15 to 20 patients during a rotation for a critical care doctor, according to Vallejo.
Vallejo said walking through the hallways at the hospital is a \"massive shock,\" and he worries about the mental health of his colleagues who are overwhelmed with the sheer number of patients. \"It's not easy to handle something like this.\"
The situation has grown so dire that Hidalgo County officials threatened this week to criminally prosecute people who don't quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a shelter-at-home order for all residents starting Wednesday.
The order includes a curfew, travel limitations and facial covering requirements and comes as the county's hospitals have hit capacity, Cortez said.
\"Please stay in compliance and protect yourself and your loved ones by following these important steps,\" Hidalgo County officials tweeted on Tuesday. \"Failure to comply could result in criminal prosecution.\"
The state's response
The state of Texas has identified 351,071 Covid-19 cases, and 4,199 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Johns Hopkins University data. On Monday, Hidalgo County reported 34 new deaths due to Covid-19 complications, and 524 new cases.
Dr. Peter Hotez of the Baylor College of Medicine said Southern states like Texas and Florida are seeing increased deaths because \"the hospitals are overwhelmed.\"
\"We had 34 deaths in the last 24 hours in not a very large county, so South Texas is just getting hit incredibly hard,\" Hotez said Tuesday on CNN.
Texas was one of the first states to reopen in May after Gov. Greg Abbott ended the state's stay-at-home order and allowed businesses such as retail stores, malls, restaurants and theaters to reopen that day at limited capacity.
In late June, Abbott announced he was pausing any further phases to reopen the state as cases surged.
While Abbott implemented a mask requirement for nearly all Texans in early July, he has kept in place a ban on local officials from issuing stay-at-home orders, despite increasing pressure from leaders of major areas like Houston and Dallas.
In an interview Tuesday night with CNN affiliate KRGV in McAllen, Abbott acknowledged the
After U.S. House Passes Bill, Ossoff Calls on Sen. Perdue to Immediately Support $2,000 Stimulus Checks After the U.S. House passed a bill on Monday to send direct $2,000 stimulus checks to American families, investigative journalist and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Jon Ossoff called on his opponent, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), to support the legislation … Continued
The post Ossoff Calls on Sen. Perdue to Immediately Support $2,000 Stimulus Checks appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.
“Indiana has some incredibly restrictive voter laws, and currently we only have one early voting site in all of Indianapolis,” stated Robert Shegog, CEO at the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper and Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “A few more will open Oct. 24, but significantly more are needed given the size of the city. However, it is very refreshing to see so many people voting early. This has been a trend in Indianapolis for over ten years now, and the numbers keep increasing,” Shegog noted.
The post Voter Suppression Tactics And Long Lines Fail To Quell Resolve Of Black Voters appeared first on The Seattle Medium.
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that officials are conscious of the potential threat, and he warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches. “We’re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,” McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday’s inauguration.
[allAfrica] Cape Town -- Who gave the greenlight to that Africa sketch? I have questions...
[UN News] The Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is urging Libya's warring parties to implement their recent historic ceasefire agreement, calling it a \"welcome concrete development\" for a population that has been yearning for peace.
Retail giant Lowe's and Daymond John are teaming for a new virtual pitch challenge to help small businesses from diverse backgrounds get their products onto the retailer's shelves.
Michigan Senate candidate John James has been called a rising star of the Republican Party so many times it’s become a cliche.
For months, the party has been using digital ads and social media to attack James as a Trump ally who’s hiding from voters and avoiding questions about his far-right positions on issues such as health care.
Democrats also are emboldened by their 2018 midterm election gains and by polls showing Trump is less popular in Michigan than Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has exchanged jabs with the president over the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 5,000 people in the state and notched an unemployment rate of roughly 25%.
James’ supporters say that the West Point graduate’s service as an Army pilot and successful business record will appeal to the working class voters who backed Trump in 2016 and that he will attract African American voters who traditionally back Democrats.
“This time I will have the resources to tell the truth, and they will see that Sen. Peters and (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer and their D.C. allies have been lying about me, and who I am,” James said, “and I don’t believe that will be received very well by the people of Michigan.”
