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BY HARRIET CHIKANDIWA CRISIS in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has expressed concern over the apparent attempt by the government to sideline vulnerable citizens from the COVID-19 vaccination programme by prioritising the political elite. This came after head of monitoring and evaluation in the Health and Child Care ministry Robert Mudyiradima announced that government was failing to procure enough COVID-19 vaccine, adding that of the three million doses set to be acquired under the COVAX scheme and it would prioritise frontline healthcare workers, ministers, MPs, the security sector and senior government officials. 'While we applaud the move to prioritise vaccination of frontline health workers (who have largely been exposed to the pandemic due to lack of personal protective equipment at public hospitals) we bemoan the fact that the government has deliberately left vulnerable groups out of the vaccination programme,” CiZC spokesperson Marvellous Khumalo said in a statement. 'The COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed more than 1 000 lives, has largely affected ordinary Zimbabweans; most of whom are living far below the poverty datum line and cannot afford medical care.' Most Zimbabweans suggested on social media that a vaccine, not trusted by many, should be tested on government officials who make decisions and only cascade to the people once its efficacy has been proven on the officials. Many people in various countries have reportedly died due to side effects of the vaccines. But Khumalo said it was a known fact that over the years, Zimbabwe’s health sector had been in the intensive care unit and ordinary Zimbabweans have had to bear the brunt of a failed healthcare system. Following the announcement by Mudyiradima that government would prioritise ministers, MPs and top government officials, Khumalo said the COVID-19 pandemic had further exposed the rot within the health sector and it was highly irresponsible for the government to prioritise political elites while sidelining vulnerable citizens. He said over the years, we have witnessed cases of patients dying at public hospitals while top government officials, who are largely responsible for the rot in the health sector were seeking medical treatment abroad. 'For the government to prioritise the same people behind this rot is just but a confirmation of the fact that the welfare of ordinary citizens is secondary to our current crop of leaders,” Khumalo said. He said the CiZC would like to remind the government of its obligation to provide healthcare services to citizens as set out under section 76 of the Constitution. “Moreover, section 82 of the Constitution states that citizens over the age of 70 have the right to receive healthcare and medical assistance from the State while section 83 implores the State to provide medical care to persons with disabilities and it is a serious abrogation of duty for the government to sideline these vulnerable populations in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.” “The COVID-19 vaccine should never be a preserve for the elite and we
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.
Somalia joins the league of country’s that cannot hold elections – not because of the coronavirus as in the case of Ethiopia but because of preparatory challenges, the elections chief has disclosed.
According to National Independent Electoral Commission head, Halima Ismail Ibrahim, the NIEC has ruled out holding elections which were scheduled to hold on November 27.
She told lawmakers that the earliest an election could hold in the country was in March 2021. In her address to the lower house of parliament, she presented two options – an election based on biometric registration which would be possible in August 2021 or a manual-based registration that can be held in March 2021.
The issue of upcoming elections has been a big issue in the Horn of Africa country with incumbent Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo certain to seek re-election. A united opposition front, involving two former presidents, is also lacing its boots to challenge him.
The last poll was in February 2017 when after months of delays, some 275 MPs and 54 senators met in a fortified airport in the capital Mogadishu to choose between then incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for a second term, or one of his 21 other rivals.
After three rounds of voting, incumbent Abdullahi Farmaajo emerged winner in an electioneering process marred with corruption and vote-buying. Mogadishu was on security lockdown for the vote after an increase in al-Shabaab attacks in lead-up the vote.
The hangar at the Mogadishu International airport was thought to be the safest place to hold the event. The government dropped an initial plan to give each adult a vote owing to challenges in securing national polling stations. Instead, about 14,000 clan elders and regional figures chose the 329 lawmakers who in turn voted for the president.
Meanwhile, the parliament has also approved a move that gives the capital 13 seats in the house. The capital falls under the Banadir region in the regional administrative structure of the government.
BREAKING: Lower House of parliament votes overwhelmingly 13 seats for #Mogadishu in the Upper House of the parliament. 142 MPs voted in favour out of 146 MPs present in the house, while 4 objected. Last week 130 MPs opposed 7 seats suggested by the parliamentary ad-hoc committee. pic.twitter.com/FsmWmVWu0g— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) June 27, 2020
Despite a near 100 per cent overrun and two-year delay in completion of the Junction roadworks in St Mary, “billions of dollars more” will be needed to rehabilitate a discrete gutted stretch of the key corridor linking Kingston to the northeastern...
A former White House employee who worked with 11 presidents ― from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama ― died over the weekend after contracting the coronavirus.
Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, who appeared alongside the Obamas in a photograph published in former first lady Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir “Becoming,” retired in 2012 following 55 years of service.
He began his White House career in 1957 as a cleaner, gaining promotion to the role of butler during the Kennedy administration, his granddaughter, Jamila Garrett, told FOX 5 DC on Wednesday.
Garrett described her grandfather as a “loving and genuine man” who was “always about service” and “really authentic.”
Check out the interview here:
Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush paid tribute to Jerman, describing him as “a lovely man.”
French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta preside over a ceremony at the Elysee Palace for the signing of three infrastructure contracts in Kenya awarded to French groups.
Upon his return from a visit to Lithuania and Latvia, Emmanuel Macron received his Kenyan counterpart at the end of the day, the two leaders later retreated for private talks.
The signing of three bilateral agreements were witnessed before leading their delegations at a State Banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Kenyan leader.
They signed several PPP agreements on water, infrastructure and energy. A major road contract worth 1.6 billion euros piloted with Vinci was signed.
The five day visit is seen by many as an effort for Kenya, east Africa's biggest economy to ramp up its bilateral relations.
In March 2019, Emmanuel Macron visited Kenya, the first official trip by a French head of state to Kenya since independence. The beginning of the two presidents commitment to several infrastructure projects.
Chairwoman of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barger stated that recent rise in positive cases can be linked to events that took place on July 4, results in spread show up 2-3 weeks after a person has contracted the virus. “We cannot stress this enough; we need everyone to do their part and adhere to all the guidelines public health officials have put in place to keep Los Angeles county safe.”
The post Los Angeles County Officials Trace COVID-19 Escalation to Group Gatherings on July 4 appeared first on Los Angeles Sentinel.
With more time spent at home than ever before, there are many benefits to incorporating smart-home technology. Because life (and living through a pandemic) is busy enough, smart home gadgets […]
The post Elevate Your Home With These Smart Tech Devices appeared first on Essence.
Fifteen percent increase in payments will help families cope with pandemic Wondering how to put food on the table should not be an additional concern for beleaguered Michiganders already facing the pandemic - in particular, for the over 1.2 million residents who are eligible for food assistance benefits. These recipients will receive an additional payment … Continued
The post Whitmer, MDHHS Announce Food Assistance Benefits Increase in January appeared first on The Michigan Chronicle.
BY VANESSA GONYE ZIMBABWE has reportedly lost between 30 and 34 tonnes of gold which was smuggled to South Africa last year in a new wave of illicit financial flows (IFFs) that are affecting the country, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) has said. In a recent report on IFFs, Zimcodd said the bulk of capital flight currently affecting Zimbabwe was happening in the gold mining sector. The revelations also come at a time suspended Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya is in custody following her arrest last week at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on charges of attempting to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai. Zimcodd said a recent study by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development estimated that between the period of 2009 and 2013, Zimbabwe also lost US$2,83 billion through IFFs, which translates to an annual average of US$570,75 million. It said this was the number one cause for the country’s loss of money, which has led to underdevelopment. “Of the cumulative outflows, 97,88% of US$6 billion IFFs were in the mining sector. In 2019, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development (Mthuli Ncube) is quoted to have said that Zimbabwe may have lost between 30 tonnes and 34 tonnes of gold to smuggling in the neighbouring South Africa,” Zimcodd said. “During this week, both mainstream and social media platforms were awash with stories of the arrest of Rushwaya at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while trying to smuggle 6kg of gold to Dubai in contravention of section 182 of the Customs and Excise Act, which sets out penalties for any person found smuggling goods into or outside the country. “The attempt by Rushwaya to smuggle gold with an estimated worth of US$333 000 is only a microcosm of the macrocosm of the huge sums of gold and other precious minerals smuggled out of the country. If the figure is anything to go by, if sold officially, the amount from the gold would go a long way in covering the financial gap existing in the public service delivery sector.” The debt watchdog said government must now consider an upward review of the foreign currency retention threshold in the gold sector to motivate gold producers to sell their gold through the formal market in order to curb gold leakages. “Lack of political will and political interference in the operations of the anti-corruption institutions undermines the effectiveness of institutions and legislation responsible for combating illicit financial flows. There is need for the government to demonstrate political will to arrest and prosecute perpetrators and guarantee the independence of the responsible institutions,” Zimcodd said, adding that government should invest in information communication technologies to curb under declarations of minerals.
[New Times] Rwanda's Isabelle Kamariza is among the 10 finalists nominated for the Waislitz Global Citizens' Choice Award, an award that seeks to celebrate individuals who make extraordinary contributions in the society.
The COVID-19 variant that was recently discovered in Brazil can result in a rapid increase of cases in Guyana so with the aim of ensuring that this does not happen, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said that the land borders will remain closed.
The article Guyana Gov’t concerned over COVID variant in Brazil appeared first on Stabroek News.
WASHINGTON — President Trump’s former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been released from prison to home confinement over fears about the coronavirus.
The move marks a new twist in one of the most high-profile cases of the investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia, which sent Manafort and others in Trump’s inner circle to prison.
Manafort was charged with financial crimes and failing to register as a foreign agent in relation to his work as a consultant for the Russia-friendly former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, but he wasn’t accused of any criminal wrongdoing in direct connection with his role with the Trump campaign.
Manafort appeared in court in a wheelchair during the latter days of his 2018 trial, and his attorneys said he suffered from gout and severe depression.
Source: Paul Manafort Just Got Out of Prison Years Early Because of Coronavirus
Emmy/Golden Globe-nominated Host Anthony Anderson will lead with laughter a star-studded night of gospel music to unite and heal WASHINGTON, D.C. – (January 14, 2021): On Wednesday, January 20th at 8pm EST, join Emmy/Golden Globe-nominated Host Anthony Anderson, along with esteemed invited honored guests President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, for the first-ever virtual 2021 Inaugural Gospel […]
The post Welcome a New Era of Inspiration and Unity at the Virtual 2021 Inaugural Gospel Celebration appeared first on Milwaukee Community Journal.
