Across the 54 Countries in Africa, these are the 5 top stories you may have missed:
Tanzania: Nationals pay last tribute to Magufuli
Tens and thousands of Tanzanians have continued to pay their final respects to late President John Magufuli – Africa News reports
On Sunday, 21st March, many collapsed with grief at a public ceremony in the country’s largest city Dar es Salaam. The president died suddenly last week after an illness that officials say was heart failure.
South Africa sells unwanted COVID-19 vaccine
South Africa has reportedly sold one million doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine that it decided not to roll out to other African states – BBC Africa reports
Zweli Mkhize, the SA Health Minister gave the update to newsmen in a statement. Last month, the Southern African nation dropped plans to use the vaccine to curb the spread of COVID-19 after a study suggested it had a “minimal” effect against the country’s new variant in young people.
CAR ex-President François Bozizé takes charge of rebel alliance
Former president of the Central African Republic (CAR), François Bozizé, has taken control of a rebel alliance aiming to overthrow the central government, according to the coalition’s spokesman – Aljazeera Africa reports
In 2003, Bozizé seized power in a coup but was removed 10 years later, an act that sparked a brutal civil war that claimed thousands of people and tipped CAR further into instability.
Sassou expected to continue 36-year rule in Congo Republic Elections
The Congo Republic voted in presidential elections on Sunday, 21st March, with the incumbent leader, Denis Sassou Nguesso widely expected to extend his 36-year rule despite an economic crisis in the Central African oil-producing nation – Reuters reports
Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, the president’s main rival, was reported to be hospitalised with COVID-19 and could be evacuated to France, Kolelas’ campaign said.
Africa nears 4.1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases
As of March 21, the confirmed cases of Covid-19 from 55 African countries reached 4,095,576 while over 5,599,955 vaccinations have been administered across the continent – All Africa reports
Reported deaths in Africa reached 109,674 and 3,673,287 people have recovered. South Africa has the most reported cases – 1,536,801 – and 52,082 people died. Other most-affected countries are Morocco ( 491,463 ), Tunisia ( 245,405 ), Egypt ( 194,771 ), Ethiopia ( 185,641 ), and Nigeria ( 161,651 ).
