Across the 54 Countries in Africa, these are the 5 top stories you may have missed:
Tanzania: MPs approve Philip Mpango as the new VP
The Tanzanian Parliament has confirmed the appointment of Finance Minister, Philip Isdor Mpango as the new vice-president – Africa News reports
Job Ndugai, Parliarment Speaker, announced Mpango’s nomination ahead of his approval by the Members of Parliament. A total of 363 MPs voted to endorse Mpango after he was nominated.
Mpango will be sworn in on Wednesday, 31st March.
J&J pledges 400 million COVID-19 vaccines to Africa
Pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson has said it will provide up to 400 million doses of its one-dose COVID-19 vaccine to African countries, starting in August – News Central Africa reports
Under an agreement with the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust, the company will provide over 350 million vaccine doses for the African Union’s 55 member states, and delivery will begin in the third quarter of 2021.
Mozambique: Portugal mobilises military to fight hardline Islamist militants
Portugal will send a team of 60 troops to its former colony Mozambique after an attack by Islamic State-linked jihadist group – RFI reports
A northern town was attacked by the Islamic Jihad group, ISIS, on Tuesday 30th March.
Augusto Santos Silva, Portuguese Foreign Affairs Minister, told state media in Lisbon that military personnel will be sent to help Mozambican forces fight jihadists in Palma.
Coronavirus: South Africa bans takeaway alcohol
The South African government has banned the sale of ‘takeaway alcohol’ for the upcoming weekend Easter holiday to prevent a rise in coronavirus infections – BBC Africa reports
Speaking about the ban, South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said alcohol had a role in encouraging negligent behaviour.
However, Bars and restaurants may still serve drinks.
Continent nears 4.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19
As of March 30, confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 55 African countries reached 4,193,082 while over 6,423,351 vaccinations have been administered across the continent – All Africa reports
Reported deaths in Africa reached 112,227 and 3,778,956 people have recovered. South Africa has the most reported cases – 1,545,979 – and 52,710 people died. Other most-affected countries are Morocco ( 494,756 ), Tunisia ( 251,169 ), Ethiopia ( 202,545 ), Egypt ( 200,739 ) and Nigeria ( 162,641 ).
