Author: prtimesafrica

NEW YORK, United States of America, October 22, 2024/ — The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights should focus on the most critical issues facing Burkina Faso during its country review on October 23, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. The Burkinabè government should urgently address the need to protect civilians affected by armed conflict; safeguard civic space for activists, journalists, and the political opposition; and pursue accountability for serious abuses.

State Reporting, an African Union mechanism established to monitor member states’ adherence to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, requires countries to submit regular reports detailing legislative and other measures taken to uphold the rights enshrined in the charter. Current human rights concerns are not addressed in Burkina Faso’s report dated May 2023, which covers 2015 to 2021. These include widespread conflict-related abuses by state forces and Islamist armed groups, restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms, and pervasive impunity.

“The African Rights Commission review of Burkina Faso offers a unique opportunity to engage with Burkinabè authorities on their human rights practices,” said Allan Ngari, Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The commission should press the authorities to prioritize protection of civilians during military operations and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law.”

Burkina Faso has been fighting an insurgency by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen, JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) since the armed groups invaded the country from Mali in 2016. Burkina Faso has had two military coups since 2022.

The Burkina Faso report outlines measures purportedly taken to tackle “violent extremism” and terrorism, such as establishing a pool to investigate and prosecute terrorist acts, and mobilizing provost marshals responsible for discipline in the armed forces and the protection of detainees’ rights. The report also states that security forces receive training in international human rights and humanitarian law to prevent abuse, and that those responsible for “inhumane or degrading acts” are held accountable.

Human Rights Watch has documented grave abuses by Burkinabè security forces during counterinsurgency operations throughout the reporting period and since then, including crimes against humanity. Soldiers have unlawfully killed and forcibly disappeared hundreds of civilians whom they accused of collaborating with Islamist armed groups.

The Islamist armed groups have committed serious abuses against civilians, including summary executions, sexual violence, abductions, and pillaging, and continue to besiege numerous towns and villages across the country.

In April 2023, the African Rights Commission issued a communiqué following the killing of scores of civilians by alleged security forces in the village of Karma, Yatenga province, urging the authorities to initiate investigations and “ensure the protection of civilians.” In November 2023, the commission’s Working Group on the Death Penalty, Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings and Enforced Disappearances in Africa signed an urgent appeal letter following an attack on civilians in the village of Zaongo, Namentenga province, also calling for an investigation.

Under international law, the Burkinabè government bears primary responsibility for ensuring justice for the most serious crimes. Yet, it has made limited progress in investigating, much less prosecuting, those responsible for the many grave offenses committed during the armed conflict since 2016. The report from Burkina Faso provides no information on investigations into alleged abuses by government security forces during the reporting period, nor on any judicial proceedings.

The report also mentions measures taken to uphold civil and political rights, including a June 2017 law designed to protect human rights defenders. Nevertheless, the Burkinabè authorities have restricted civil and political rights during and since the reporting period, Human Rights Watch said.

Since taking power in 2022, the junta has systematically cracked down on activists, opposition party members, journalists, and critics. Human Rights Watch has extensively documented the use of unlawful conscription to silence dissent, as well as abductions and enforced disappearances of dozens of government critics and dissidents.

In December 2023, the African Rights Commission expressed concern about the abduction of the prominent human rights defender Daouda Diallo, and “acts of intimidation, judicial harassment and reprisals” against all rights defenders. In July, it denounced the alleged enforced disappearance of three Burkinabè journalists, calling on the authorities to provide information on their whereabouts and release them. The authorities have not provided any information regarding the journalists’ whereabouts, despite requests from their families and lawyers.

The African Rights Commission has not visited Burkina Faso for several years. It should consider requesting permission for a formal visit to assess the human rights situation and publish a comprehensive report, Human Rights Watch said.

“The African Rights Commission should raise in detail the grave abuses by security forces and Islamic armed groups and the need for accountability,” Ngari said. “The commission should also recommend concrete measures to ensure that activists, journalists, and political opponents are protected, allowing them to carry out their work without fear.”

 

CAIRO, Egypt, October 20, 2024/ — The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified Egypt as ‘malaria-free’, marking a significant public health milestone for a country with more than 100 million inhabitants. The achievement follows a nearly 100-year effort by the Egyptian government and people to end a disease that has been present in the country since ancient times.

“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge. I congratulate Egypt on this achievement, which is an inspiration to other countries in the region, and shows what’s possible with the right resources and the right tools.”

Egypt is the third country to be awarded a malaria-free certification in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region following United Arab Emirates and Morocco, and the first since 2010. Globally, a total of 44 countries and 1 territory have reached this milestone.

“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase. We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, integrated vector management and sustaining our effective and rapid response to imported cases. Our continued multisectoral efforts will be critical to preserving Egypt’s malaria-free status,” said H.E. Dr Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt.

I reaffirm that we will continue with determination and strong will to safeguard the health of all people in Egypt under the wise leadership’s guidance and proceed with enhancing our healthcare system, this will remain a cornerstone in protecting the lives of all people living in and visiting Egypt.”

Certification of malaria elimination is granted by WHO when a country has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, that the chain of indigenous malaria transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted nationwide for at least the previous three consecutive years. A country must also demonstrate the capacity to prevent the re-establishment of transmission.

Egypt’s journey to elimination

Malaria has been traced as far back as 4000 B.C. in Egypt, with genetic evidence of the disease found in Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian mummies.

Early efforts to reduce human-mosquito contact in Egypt began in the 1920s when the country prohibited the cultivation of rice and agricultural crops near homes. With most of Egypt’s population living along the banks of the Nile River and malaria prevalence as high as 40%, the country designated malaria a notifiable disease in 1930 and later opened its first malaria control station focused on diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

“Today, Egypt has proven that with vision, dedication, and unity we can overcome the greatest challenges. This success in eliminating malaria is not just a victory for public health but a sign of hope for the entire world, especially for other endemic countries in our region. This achievement is the result of sustained, robust surveillance investments in a strong, integrated health system, where community engagement and partnerships have enabled progress. Furthermore, collaboration and support to endemic countries, such as Sudan, remain a priority,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

By 1942, malaria cases in Egypt had spiked to more than 3 million as a result of World War II population displacement, the disruption of medical supplies and services, and the invasion of Anopheles arabiensis, a highly efficient mosquito vector, among other factors. Egypt succeeded in controlling the malaria outbreak through the establishment of 16 treatment divisions and the recruitment of more than 4000 health workers.

The construction of the Aswan Dam, completed in 1969, created a new malaria risk for the country, as standing water produced breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Egypt, in collaboration with Sudan, launched a rigorous vector control and public health surveillance project to rapidly detect and respond to malaria outbreaks.

By 2001, malaria was firmly under control and the Ministry of Health and Population set its sights on preventing the re-establishment of local malaria transmission. Egypt rapidly contained a small outbreak of malaria cases in the Aswan Governorate in 2014 through early case identification, prompt treatment, vector control and public education.

Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free-of-charge to the entire population in Egypt regardless of legal status, and health professionals are trained nationwide to detect and screen for malaria cases including at borders. Egypt’s strong cross-border partnership with neighbouring countries, including Sudan, has been instrumental for preventing the re-establishment of local malaria transmission, paving the way for the country to be officially certified as malaria-free.

 

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 18, 2024/ — A project led by the UN Refugee Agency and the Accenture Foundation v , Italy, launches “ReadyForIT: Labour Pathways for Refugees”, a pilot that helps place refugees from Africa in the local IT job market in Italy – with ITC support.

Through  Work Corridors for Refugees, refugees with professional skills are now given the opportunity to enter Italy with a valid work visa.

Twenty-five refugees from various sub-Saharan countries currently hosted in Uganda, are the first to benefit from a new pilot project called “ReadyForIT – Labour Pathways for Refugees” launched by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Accenture Foundation, Italy, together with a large consortium of partners.

With a background in information technology (IT), they have been selected to participate in an online training that enables them to acquire software programming skills through Java and SQL, and to learn Italian. After passing a final test, they will safely and formally migrate to Italy with a work contract in the IT sector, hired by the following companies: Accenture, Aubay, Btinkeeng, Gruppo SCAI, OverIT, Reale ITES and Valuetech.

According to UNHCR, to date, more than 120 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations.  Very often, in the first host country, refugees do not find the opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity and are forced to migrate by facing long and dangerous journeys.

The initiative recognizes the value of training and work as essential tools to restore dignity and confidence to those who have had to leave everything behind. Through the Work Corridors for Refugees, refugees’ skills potential is matched with the need for workers in Italian companies, generating mutual benefit.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) supports this initiative by having identified the local partner in Uganda, Refactory, to prepare the candidates for their technical interviews with employers while complementing their IT training delivered by DevelHope with onsite tech coaching and in person training on Java. It is part of ITC’s Refugees & Trade Programme that helps build a conducive ecosystem in support of refugees, displaced populations and host communities and unlocks economic opportunities and jobs.

Refactory is an academy focusing on reskilling African tech talents. In just a few years, Refactory has equipped more than 500+ learners with the skills needed to pursue a tech career of their choice with 80% employment rate.

UNHCR is planning to extend training programmes and work corridors to Italy for refugees in Egypt and Jordan in the shipbuilding and goldsmith sectors by the end of this year.

 

 

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, September 20, 2024/ — Three organizations, Jamiii Forums, Smart Foundry Ltd., and The Launchpad Tanzania were today named the winners of the U.S.-Tanzania Tech Challenge, which brought together leading technologists, government officials, civil society, academia, and media professionals to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions in the realms of civic participation, media literacy, and information integrity.

Through the program, Jamii Forums will receive US$100,000, Smart Foundry will receive US$80,000, and The Launchpad will receive US$70,000.

Guest of Honor Jerry Silaa, Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, provided opening remarks at the event, which was also attended by Michel Toto, UNESCO Head of Office, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Lentz, and Daniel Kimmage, Principal Deputy Coordinator of the Global Engagement Center.

“Partnering like we are today – government officials, private sector entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and consumers – can inspire the next great innovation and collaborative effort to shape our shared future,” said U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Dr. Michael A. Battle. “Together we can strengthen the free and open global information infrastructure.”

Launched in June, the U.S.-Tanzania Tech Challenge sought innovative solutions to promote information integrity, fostering greater participation and involvement in civic activities, and strengthen the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and interpret information in the digital age.

More than 100 entries were received and evaluated, and eight finalists were selected. These eight finalists then presented how their technologies can tackle pressing issues in the information space to a panel of judges from the United States and Tanzania on September 18.

On September 19, finalists, participants, business and technology leaders, and government officials gathers to engage in a series of meaningful panel discussions and presentations centered around the themes of the Tech Challenge, as well as discussing the future of technology in Tanzania, the influence of artificial intelligence, and how to monetize and gain access to capital for technology businesses.

 

 

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, September 20, 2024/ — IMF staff and the Sierra Leonean authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies and reforms that could be supported by a new 38-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, with requested access of SDR 187 million (about US$253 million); The ECF would support restoring stability through continued macroeconomic adjustment to address debt vulnerabilities, reduce inflation, and rebuild international reserves; bolster inclusive growth and poverty reduction through structural reforms and targeted social spending; and revitalize the reform agenda to strengthen governance and institutions – all advancing the poverty reduction and growth aspirations outlined in the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-30; The Article IV consultation focused on fiscal and debt sustainability, monetary policy operations, drivers of inflation, external sector stability, trade facilitation, macroeconomic implications of gender inequality, climate-related risks, and the adequacy of social policies.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Mr. Christian Saborowski, visited Sierra Leone from September 4 to 13, 2024, to conduct the 2024 Article IV consultation and discuss with the Sierra Leonean authorities economic and financial policies that could be supported by a new 38-month ECF arrangement, with requested access of SDR 187 million (about US$253 million). The staff-level agreement is subject to approval by the IMF’s Management and Executive Board.

Today, Mr. Saborowski made the following statement:

“A new economic team took over last year and has since taken bold measures to tackle Sierra Leone’s macroeconomic imbalances including a severe cost-of-living crisis. The authorities reduced the domestic primary deficit by 2.8 percent of GDP in 2023 and are on track toward reducing it by another 2.1 percent this year. They also tightened monetary policy sharply by reducing year-on-year base money growth from a peak of 63.4 percent in June 2023 to 8.8 percent in June 2024, and raising the policy rate by 7.25 percentage points since end-2022.

“The reform momentum has borne fruit. Inflation declined to 25 percent in August 2024, down from a peak of 55 percent in October 2023, and the sharp exchange rate depreciation experienced in 2022 and early 2023 was arrested. However, T-bill rates remain stubbornly high at over 40 percent, international reserves have fallen to less than two months of imports, and the electricity distribution company (EDSA) continues to make losses, resulting in significant fiscal pressures.

“Economic growth reached more than 5 percent in 2022 and 2023, buoyed by strong mining activity. Sierra Leone’s public debt continues to be assessed as sustainable but at high risk of distress, while its external position in 2023 is assessed as broadly in line with the level implied by fundamentals and desirable policies.

“The new ECF arrangement would aim to (i) restore stability by bolstering debt sustainability, addressing fiscal dominance, bringing down inflation, and rebuilding reserves; (ii) support inclusive growth through reforms—including to narrow gender gaps—and targeted social spending; and (iii) confront corruption, as well as strengthen governance, institutions, and the rule of law. These objectives would advance the poverty reduction and growth aspirations outlined in Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-30.

“Restoring stability in the Sierra Leonean economy will require a continued ambitious macroeconomic adjustment over the program period. Enhancing revenue mobilization, boosting spending efficiency, and managing fiscal risks will be critical to make room for priority spending on social policies and investment. Strengthening the monetary policy framework and maintaining appropriately tight monetary conditions will be important to safeguard internal and external stability.

“Making durable progress in fighting poverty and raising standards of living will require a commitment to reform, sustained political and social consensus, and well-targeted social policies. Promoting gender equality and increasing women’s economic participation are crucial to boosting Sierra Leone’s growth potential. So too are reforms to enhance the business environment by improving EDSA’s operational and technical efficiency, strengthening customs administration and transparency, and addressing climate change risks. Guided by the MTNDP 2024-30, steadfast progress in addressing these challenges will be critical.

“The staff team is grateful to the authorities for the open and productive discussions. The team met with President Bio, Finance Minister Bangura, Deputy Finance Ministers Alie and Kalokoh, Financial Secretary Dingie, Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) Governor Stevens, Deputy Governors Tucker and Sesay, Commissioner General Bangura of the National Revenue Authority, and senior government and BSL officials. The mission also had fruitful discussions with representatives from the private sector and development partners.”

More information about ECF: Extended Credit Facility