Youth Minister Bakary Badjie has congratulated Ousman Touray on his notable success of being crowned the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021.

Mr Touray won the Africa Illustrious Award as the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021 at an event held in Nigeria recently.

Minister Badjie said: “Received gratifying news that Gambia’s own fine young man Ousman Touray has won the Africa Illustrious Award as the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021.

“Mr. Touray is among distinguished Africans who had their work of creating a better, and promoting a brighter Africa recognized at the continental event held in Lagos, Nigeria.

“On behalf of the Ministry and government, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ousman and wish him continued success in his work in the continent.”

By: Christian Conteh

Ahead of the UN-backed Global Disability Summit to be co-hosted by Ghana and Norway in February 2022 the United Nations Secretary-General has called for a disability-inclusive pandemic response to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. According to António Guterres, those with a disability are among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has laid bare the persistent barriers and inequalities faced by the world’s one billion persons with disabilities”, he said.

Mr. Guterres argued that a disability-inclusive pandemic response and recovery should be guided by persons with disabilities themselves.
The response he further noted should, “forge partnerships, tackle injustice and discrimination, expand access to technology and strengthen institutions to create a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

According to the UN, about 80% of persons with disabilities live in developing countries with an estimated 46% of people aged 60 years and over having one form of disability. One in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while for children, that figure is one in ten.

To respond to the needs of these people, the UN Secretary-General urged all countries to fully implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Governments, he said, should also work to increase accessibility, and dismantle legal, social, economic and other barriers with the active involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations.

“Realizing the rights, agency, and leadership of persons with disabilities will advance our common future”, he argued.

Adding that, “we need everyone, including persons with disabilities on board, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Audrey Azoulay is Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) speaking about the digital world she narrated how the pandemic has battered those with disabilities.

“As part of our lives moved online, confinement measures have brought to the fore another series of inequalities affecting people with disabilities: the inequalities relating to technology and the digital world,” she said.
According to the latest Education Monitoring Report, only 68% of countries have a definition of inclusive education and just 57% mention all the multiple marginalised groups.

For Azoulay, these are some of the issues that should be discussed at the next UN-backed Global Disability Summit.

By Dawda Baldeh

Hearing in United Democratic Party’s petition against the December 4 election has been adjourned amid an application seeking the dismissal of the petition by lawyers of President Adama Barrow.

UDP sued the president at the Supreme Court over the December 4 presidential election, asking the top court to declare as invalid the poll over alleged bribery and non-citizens voting.

The case began on Friday but was adjourned amid a motion by President Barrow’s lawyers led by Ida Drammeh.

The lawyers are arguing that President Barrow cannot be taken to court both in his official or private capacities.

Lawyers on both sides are now set to fight over motion on Tuesday.

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Wednesday 15 December, 2021 made a courtesy call on the privately-owned The Point newspaper where he worked as news editor for both the English and French versions of the paper until 2005.

Minister Tangara was received upon arrival by the Managing Director and Co-founder of The Point newspaper, Mr. Pap Saine, accompanied by the Editor-in-Chief of the paper, Mr. Bekai Njie.

The Honourable Minister was at The Point newspaper offices at the Centenary building in Westfield to pay homage to the legacy of the late Mr. Deyda Hydara, Co-founder and Editor of The Point newspaper until his assassination on 16 Dec, 2004. This year, 16 Dec, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of The Point newspaper and the 17th anniversary of the murder of Deyda Hydara.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Tangara said The Point newspaper played a significant role in the transformation of The Gambia to democratic rule. The paper created space where the voiceless people were heard and suggestions were recommended with a view to addressing challenges in governance. Many young people were inspired and had their lives shaped by this institution, he added.

“The Point has contributed a lot to not only the lives of individuals but even in broadening the democratic space here in The Gambia. The Point started operating during times, when many people would not speak. Today, everybody is courageous; everybody speaks his mind. But difficult times when many of those who are very vocal today did not have the courage to speak, The Point was here to make the voice of the people loud and clear,” Minister Tangara noted.

Dr. Tangara recalled that his stint at The Point was well spent and made great impact on his life as a young man. “At personal level it was a fulfilling journey, where I met great people like the late Deyda Hydara, from Pap Saine to the late J. Saidy and so many other people. I think, as a person, it helped me to widen my horizon and to know that when you have willed, you can achieve a lot, because with the little resources, The Point is doing miracles.

The Hon. Minister also used the opportunity to call on cub reporters to stay focus and indulge in capacity building activities and to maintain high sense of team work, unity and be result oriented.

For his part, the Managing Director and Co-founder of The Point newspaper, Mr. Pap Saine, commended Foreign Minister Tangara for honouring the legacy of Mr. Hydara and also for support and encouragement given during the difficult days and years following the murder of Mr. Hydara. “He has always been supportive to our cause and we are grateful for that,” Mr. Saine posited.

According to Mr. Saine, Tangara is the pride of The Point. “He worked here and we trained him and that is something we are proud of,” said Mr. Saine.

As the year ends, the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has encouraged taxpayers including those with outstanding Trade Licence invoices and property owners to settle their 2021 tax arrears. This according to KMC will ensure they avoid fines and court summons.

“Canteen and Kiosk leaseholders are kindly urged to pay by end of the year or they risk a fine being added to their balance and being taken to court for default and could lose their lease. Businesses with outstanding Trade Licence invoices are urged to pay by the end of the year. In doing so, they avoid receiving summons to go to court and penalties being added to the sum owed,” the KMC statement said

Adding that, “Property Owners are urged to pay their rates and outstanding arrears or risk being served summons to court and a fine being added to their arrears.”

It went on to thank the huge majority of taxpayers for paying their taxes on time. Noting that everyone needs to pay taxes for the development of Kanifing Municipality and better facilities and services.

The statement added that not everyone is paying and it is only fair that everyone pays so that there is equitable access to amenities and proper service delivery.

“Please note that if you are absent, your property whether it is rented out or left vacant, you have to inform KMC and ensure that rates are paid. You can lose your property if you do not keep up with payments to Council, whether or not you appear in court,” the statement maintained.

The World Bank Board has approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of $75 million to improve natural resources governance, enhance inclusiveness and promote sustainability of development financing. This Development Policy Operation (DPO) is the first in a series of three operations focusing on Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Financing, aimed at supporting the government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic.

“The World Bank continues to be an active partner in supporting Sierra Leone’s recovery from severe shocks in the aftermath of the Ebola Virus Disease, and the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “We stand ready to further support the Government of Sierra Leone to transform the economy, make it resilient to shocks while improving the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people.”

Sierra Leone faces major economic and social challenges, including substantial gender gaps, that lead to low human development outcomes. The country’s growth potential has been constrained by limited spillovers from the mining sector, and poor access by the population to financial services, natural resources (such as, land and minerals), and high-quality education.

The reforms supported by this DPO address some of the most critical structural impediments to raising potential output and improving resource allocation in key sectors of the economy and are well-anchored in Sierra Leone’s Medium-term National Development Plan (MTNDP, 2018–2023). This DPO supports the Government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic and promote sustainable development financing of the Budget.

In the short term, the operation will help the government close the country’s large financing gap, as it emerges from the pandemic. It supports policy reforms under three pillars: improving natural resources governance through land and mining reforms; enhancing inclusion through reforms to support women’s economic participation, access to quality education and financial inclusion; and ensures sustainable development financing through measures to improve fiscal sustainability and debt transparency and management.

This DPO will address poor governance of the mining and land sectors, limited access to financial services, limited job creation, and the quality of education.  As the COVID-19 shock has eroded the country’s fiscal position, this DPO proposes reforms that will help minimize the immediate tradeoff between supporting the economy and maintaining fiscal sustainability.

It aims to improve fiscal and debt sustainability and address weaknesses in the public procurement process. By addressing regulatory issues in the land and mining sectors, this DPO is expected to help mitigate climate risks through progressive afforestation of mining sites, protection of forest reserves, improved environmental standards and community involvement in managing the environment.

“This Operation builds on previous development policy engagement in Sierra Leone, while also introducing new elements. It has a direct connection with the previous DPO series (“Productivity and Transparency Support Grant” over the period 2017-2020) and continues two policy reforms –the mineral and mines and lands reforms – whose implementation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kemoh Mansaray, Senior Economist and Task Team Leader.

The financing by this DPO closes a critical fiscal gap essential for maintaining macroeconomic stability during the pandemic.

The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.

Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.6 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $21 billion over the last three years, with about 61 percent going to Africa.

Source: World Bank SL Media

The United Democratic Party’s petition against the December 4 election result will come up at the Supreme Court on Friday at 10am.

UDP has filed a petition at the apex court seeking the court to cancel the December 4 poll for alleged bribery and non-citizens voting in the election.

UDP is being led into the battle by top lawyer Borry Touray.

President Adama Barrow and the Independent Electoral Commission are the respondents and The Fatu Network understands the president will be defended by top attorneys Ida Drammeh, Chris Mene and Sheriff Tambadou.

The four PIU officers arrested by the Gambian navy onboard a canoe have been released, the spokesman of the army Captain Malick Sanyang has said.

Four PIU officers were on Wednesday arrested along with two foreign nationals onboard a canoe.

Reports on Wednesday said mercenaries had entered into the country with dangerous weapons but police quickly issued a statement dismissing the reports as false. Police said the two men were in fact private security officers who have been protecting a cruise ship against pirates.

Captain Sanyang told Paradise TV on Thursday: “This has been informed by the fact that disturbing information was received by the Gambian navy and as of yesterday in the morning, an operation was launched to go out at sea and then verify what information they received in terms of its veracity. When going at sea, the navy was able to capture a local canoe.

“After, an arrest was effected of that local canoe. It was discovered that there were two foreign nationals believed to be of European origin allegedly. And together with them were also four PIU officers who were also onboard the canoe with their personal rifles, and also the boatman who is also believed to be a Gambian.

“So when the arrest was effected, they were driven to the naval fleet complex which is situated in Banjul at Bond Road just close to the Gambia Ports Authority. But as of today, the PIU officers have been released, their statements were taken and they have been released. The two foreign nationals have also been held by the navy and their statements have also been taken.”

Youth leader Lamin K Saidy has gifted three sets of football jersey to the sport committee of his native Siffoe.

Mr Saidy presented the sport attires to the committee at an event held in Siffoe on Wednesday.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Saidy praised the young people of Siffoe for exercising maturity during and after the election irrespective of their political differences.

“I presented this as a citizen of Siffoe and it bears no party symbol because sports is an activity that his supposed to unite people,” he said.

Saidy revealed that he wanted to donate the jerseys earlier but he held back to avoid claims he was doing so for political reasons. He thanked the minister of youth and sport Bakary Badjie for his efforts and commitment to the development of the nation’s youth.

Saidy is the deputy national youth president of National People’s Party.

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced arresting a tailor and retrieving suspected drugs from him.

According to DLEAG on Thursday, Ousman Joof, a tailor by profession was apprehended at Kololi with four small bundles and 20 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa.

DLEAG also said Omar Camara of Churchills Town was arresred at Ebo Town with 33 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa. Both suspects were arrested on the 15 December 2021.

DLEAG also said its Siffoe field office nabbed one Mustapha Darboe at Sinchu Wuri village on the 15 December 2021 around 20:50 GMT onwards with one big bundle of suspected cannabis sativa.

Kenya’s High Court has suspended a government order to prevent those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from accessing services and entering public places such as national parks, bars and restaurants. The country announced last month it would require people to show vaccination certificates from December 21 to access in-person government services, including hospitals, schools, tax and immigration offices.

But on Tuesday, High Court Judge Antony Mrima suspended the order pending a hearing of the case filed by a businessman who termed the directive “tyrannical” and a gross violation of the constitution.

Campaigners, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have criticised the directive as discriminatory and urged the government to abandon the plan, which also requires visitors from Europe to provide proof of full vaccination.

“While the government has an obligation to protect its people from serious public health threats, the measures must be reasonable and proportional,” HRW said on Tuesday.

“Requiring proof of vaccination to access public services may act as a powerful incentive for people to get vaccinated, but the way it is carried out should also account for the numerous reasons that a person may not be able to receive the vaccine in time,” the rights watchdog added, noting that there was not enough stock to vaccinate all adults before the deadline.
Last October, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the lifting of a nationwide curfew that had been in place since March 2020.

“It is now time to shift our focus from survival to co-existing with the disease,” he said at the time. Kenya has fully vaccinated only 3.2 million people, or 12% of the adult population, according to official figures, well below the government target of 10 million by the end of 2021. Its target is to vaccinate 27 million people by the end of 2022.

But Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe defended the order on Sunday, saying it was the government’s duty to protect the rights of the vaccinated from exposure to infection.
“This is even more critical with the emergence of the Omicron variant. Experts have warned that it is more infectious than previous forms of the virus,” Kagwe said.

Kenya has recorded a total of 256,484 coronavirus cases, of which 5,349 have been fatal.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

By: Dauda Baldeh

Apart from its economic benefits, eating fish is also very important as it provides the body with minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium. In recent times this rich source of protein is in short supply in the local market.

In response to the fish scarcity, Gambian fishermen have called on authorities to provide them with the much-needed support to ensure they provide more fish for the local markets.

Assan Gaye is a Gambian fisherman residing in Bakau, he said that they as fishermen are committed to their fishing job but noted that they lack the necessary support from the government.

He used the opportunity to respond to allegations that other nationalities are the only ones involved in fishing, stating that Gambians are also fully involved in the trade but are not as capacitated as their Senegalese or Chinese counterparts

Assan called on the government to act and help the youth who are willing to work in the fishing industry by giving them the necessary support.

“I am very happy to see you coming here to ask me about the causes of fish scarcity in our markets. Since I left school, I started going with my father for fishing and I have no other job apart from fishing.

There was a time we had enough fish in our river. At that time, fishermen were not many but if you go to the market, you will buy the type of fish you want because we have it in [abundance] bulk. In previous years you can have big fish but now you cannot.

The Chinese vessels that are fishing in our river are affecting us,” he explained.

“We want the government to help us. I hear people saying the youths are not hard-working, but I doubt it. We don’t have the support that the Senegalese fishermen are given by their government. We have fishermen but we lack the support. Our parents have been here fishing and we have grown up fishing, so we have fishermen,” he said.

Sheikh Tijan Joof is a businessman who buys fish from the fishermen on a wholesale basis and sells it on retail at the market. He said the scarcity of fish has contributed to the high cost of fish price, adding that it has affected his daily income.

“The scarcity of fish has caused the increase of its price in the market. The people who need fish are more than the available amount. Now our river is experiencing overfishing.  Before you can buy a full box of fish at D4,500, now they are selling it at D20,000 which is very expensive,” Sheikh Tijan Joof said.

Speaking about the causes of fish scarcity in the market Demba Faal another fish seller noted that the demand for fish is high while the supply is low. This he says is affecting the public.

He joined other fishermen to call on the government to come to their aid by providing them with adequate support

“We started engaging in fishing business in the 1980s then you could buy fish as low as ten dalasis (D10), to thirty dalasis (D30), but now it is very expensive. This is part of life but that is in the past, new developments have come. Some of our youths are determined while others are not. I believe this is part of the home training they are given. I don’t think fish will be that cheap but we hope and pray for Allah to continue blessing our river with fish,” he said.

The essential nutrients provided by eating fish keep our hearts and brain healthy. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week as part of a healthy diet.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the ceebu jën onto its list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Ceebu jën is a dish that originated in the fishing communities on the Island of Saint-Louis in Senegal.

Although recipes vary from one region to the next, the dish is typically made with fish steak, broken rice, dried fish, mollusk and seasonal vegetables such as onions, parsley, garlic, chili pepper, tomatoes, carrots, eggplant, white cabbage, cassava, sweet potato, okra and bay leaf.

The inclusion of ceebu jën onto UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity follows and application by the Senegalese government in October.

The dish is the most popular in the West African country’s 16 million population and is widely consumed in homes and restaurants. It is also a popular dish among street vendors.

President Macky Sall welcomed UNESCO’s recognition of ceebu jën.

“I welcome the inclusion of ceebu jën, Senegalese national dish, on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. It is a fine illustration of the international fame of Senegalese culinary art,” he wrote on Twitter.

According to UNESCO, the quality of the fish and the choice of vegetables are determined by the importance of the event or the degree of affection one has for the guest.

The agency notes that the recipe and techniques are traditionally passed down from mother to daughter.

The dish is so valued in the country that people are forbidden from sitting with a raised knee while eating it. The bowl must also be held with the left hand, and grains of rice must not be dropped when eating.

“Ceebu jen” joins other food-related items on the UNESCO list, such as the art of Neapolitan “Pizzaiuolo”, and couscous culture in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. (CGTN)

An unidentified man allegedly trying to steal transformer cables was electrocuted in the early hours of Thursday at Labour Quarters of Tumfure community in Akko Local Government, Gombe State.

Dr Adakole Elijah, Head, Corporate Communications, Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Thursday.

Elijah said “on Dec. 16, about 3.30 a.m., a vandal was electrocuted and died instantly while carrying out vandalism at Labour 1 Distribution Transformer of Tumfure 11 kv feeder.

“The vandal attempted to vandalise the upriser cable at the distribution transformer,” he said.

He said the incident was reported at Tumfure Police Division, and subsequently, policemen brought down the deceased who had not been identified. (Vanguard Nigeria)

Gambia Moral Congress leader Mai Ahmad Fatty has said that UDP supporters have singled him out for insult.

Speaking strongly on Thursday, Mr Fatty said: “My inbox is full of messages of solidarity from Gambians of all walks of life showing concern about the growing hostility demonstrated in malicious audio messages making the rounds in UDP fora against me. I wouldn’t have ignored this as I did in the past, if many of you didn’t show concern. The reason relates to my public view as expressed by Gambian civil society election observers, that election was free and fair as conducted on December 4th itself. Truth be told, polling on December 4th was largely peaceful, free and fair, and no narration can alter that fact. Even UDP big wigs, including Mayors of Banjul and KMC and popular UDP financiers such as Mr. Alagie Conteh, congratulated the President. Why was I singled out for insults?

“Having stated that, GMC is on record for abundantly asserting that the fairness of an election should be determined by the processes leading towards an election. We had always impeached the integrity of the electoral and executionering processes as fraught with palpable irregularities. We were not supported in this assertion by any political entity at the right time. Instead, we were vilified in certain quarters as a small Party crying wolf. Today, our very assertion of yesterday has now been assumed by others as the crux of the electoral issue. Well, we told you so.

“A lot of very hurtful lies continue to be made against me, especially outrageous audio fabrications from supporters the insult camp of UDP. There is growing evidence galore. I call on GMC and my other supporters to treat such insults as emanating from enemies of UDP within. The leadership of UDP would not have encouraged, condoned or supported such syndicated calumny against the Leader of another political Party. GMC will continue to grow in all positive ways and among others, I shall continue to offer superior legal service to Gambians who need it.”

The United Democratic Party made its way to court yesterday to challenge the validity of the December 4th, 2021, presidential election. Contrary to the earlier supposition that the party was only bringing a case against President Adama Barrow and his NPP party, the party brought an amended election petition before the Supreme Court against Adama Barrow and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Adama Barrow (President-elect) is now the 1st Respondent and the IEC now joins him as 2nd Respondents. The first lawsuit filed on Tuesday only targeted President Adama Barrow.
In its quest to challenge the validity of the 4th December polls, the UDP claims the election was invalid and accused the IEC officials of malpractices including strong allegations that Adama Barrow and his NPP induced voters in violation of the country’s electoral laws.

The UDP maintained that the election was invalid because there were involvements of public officers in the period leading to the elections as well as fraudulent practices and wrongful insertion of non-Gambians in the voter’s list.

The Supreme Court is now tasked with the duty to determine whether Adama Barrow was duly elected amidst UDP allegations of non-compliance with the electoral laws, widespread irregularities and corrupt practices.

Barrow pulled 457,519 of the valid votes cast, whilst his close contender opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe pulled 238, 253. Mama Kandeh of the GDC recorded 105,902 followed by veteran politician Halifa Sallah of PDOIS who got 32, 425 of the valid votes cast. Independent Candidate Essa Faal had 17, 206 and NUP Leader Abdoulie Jammeh recorded 8,252.

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved a line of credit of €70 million and an equity investment of $24 million, to be granted to the West African Development Bank.

The line of credit will support businesses in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, particularly in job-creating sectors such as agribusiness, renewable energy, health, and information and telecommunication, which were drastically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The €70 million forms part of a €150 million facility, which will be co-financed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (€60 million) and FINDEV (€20 million). The $24 million equity investment is part of a capital increase transaction, which will allow the African Development Bank to increase its shareholding from 0.55% to 1%, and therefore retain its seat on the Board of Directors of the West African Development Bank.

In addition, the African Development Bank will assist the West African Development Bank, through funding from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) to set up a technical assistance program to mainstream gender aspects in its project review process and to promote women’s entrepreneurship. The project should help to create or consolidate at least 5,900 jobs (including 2,000 to women).

The facility is strongly aligned with three of the Bank High 5 strategic priorities, namely Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa and Improve the quality of life of Africans.

Source: African Development Bank Group (AFDB)

The Ebola outbreak that erupted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s North Kivu Province in October the second in 2021 has today been declared over, the national health authorities announced after no new cases were reported at the end of a 42-day countdown, or two incubation periods after the last confirmed case was discharged.

In total, 11 cases (eight confirmed, three probable), including six deaths were reported in the outbreak that was declared on 8 October after a new case was confirmed in Beni health zone in the country’s North Kivu Province. This was the country’s 13th outbreak and occurred in the same area as the 2018 outbreak which lasted two years.

More than 1800 people were vaccinated in a campaign that kicked off just five days after the first case was detected. The outbreak marks the first time the recently licensed ERVEBO vaccine against Ebola was used in the country. ERVEBO is the same as the compassionate-use vaccine, but as a licensed vaccine, rollout is less cumbersome operationally.

“Stronger disease surveillance, community engagement, targeted vaccination and prompt response are making for more effective Ebola containment in the region,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “During this outbreak, the Democratic Republic of Congo was able to limit widespread infections and save lives. Crucial lessons are being learned and applied with every outbreak experience.”

Swift response comprising key outbreak control measures such as contact tracing, testing, disease surveillance as well as community collaboration efforts helped contain the outbreak within Beni, where the initial case was detected. In support of the country, WHO deployed experts, supplies, and contributed funds to help contain the outbreak.

However, unpredictable and sometimes volatile security in parts of Beni hampered response in some localities, with health workers and other frontline responders unable to access insecure areas to monitor high-risk contacts or administer vaccines.

The prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation was a core pillar of the response. An expert was deployed to train WHO personnel and partners on preventing inappropriate and abusive behaviour. Every person involved in field work received training and each partner agency signed a code of conduct. Trainers engaged directly with community members where health authorities were working to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and abuse and how to report it safely. Radio spots and pamphlets in local languages also helped spread the message.

With the outbreak now declared over, the health authorities are maintaining surveillance and are ready to respond quickly to any flare-ups. It is not unusual for sporadic cases to occur following a major outbreak. Results from genome sequencing conducted by the country’s National Institute of Biomedical Research found that the first Ebola case detected in the just-ended outbreak likely represented a new flare-up of the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak due persistence of the virus in the community.

The country has set up an Ebola Survivor Programme which currently has more than 1100 people from previous outbreaks in North Kivu Province. The two survivors from the now-ended outbreak have been enrolled in the survivor programme. For the next 18 months they will receive monthly check-ups, which include medical evaluations, psychological and nutritional support.

Source – WHO Media

Police have explained that the two men accused of being German mercenaries are in fact private security officers who work for a private security firm that specializes in protecting cruise ships against pirates.

Reports emerged online on Wednesday of foreign mercenaries entering the country with dangerous weapons.

But police said: “To set the records straight, the two men shown in the picture published in the Facebook post are security personnel of Trident Group America (a private American Maritime Security Company ) specialized in protecting cruise ships along the Gulf of Guinea against attacks by pirates.

“As part of the company’s standard operation procedures and in conformity with international maritime security protocols; the company was obliged to seek entry permit, and clearance for the arms and ammunitions coming into the territorial waters of transit countries.

“Following such clearance sought, transit country’s Police are mandated to retrieve for custody all weapons on arrival and hand over same on departure. This is to ensure such weapons are not used for any unintended purposes.

“It was in observant of the above protocols that personnel of the PIU were directed to escort the weapons to be handed over to the cruise ship as they depart the territorial waters of The Gambia.

“It is important to note that, information in view of the retrieval and custody of the weapons was shared with all relevant stakeholders accordingly.”

Tournament organisers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have insisted that the competition will go on despite the outbreak of COVID-19. The tournament is said to hold in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, but there are conflicting reports about whether it will be called off.

An earlier report by French outlet, RMC Sport had claimed that the Central African Federation could be forced to postpone the tournament.
Italian top site, La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy claim that there is no risk of calling off the competition.

However, Marca is reporting that the organisers have remained adamant that the binary football event will still happen. Sixteen Premier League clubs could see players called up by their national teams for the tournament with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool among those facing the prospect of losing key members of their squads.

CAF has denied the legitimacy of a cancellation report that emanated from France but the pressure is mounting following a surge in coronavirus cases, coupled with lingering doubts over host nation Cameroon’s ability to be ready in time.

A letter from the European Clubs Association, circulated on social media this morning and dated 10 December, says that “clubs will be entirely within their rights not to release any player in relation to whom travel restrictions or mandatory quarantine applies” and called the tournament’s schedule “unmanageable.”

It continues: “As you know, the pandemic and its associated implications raise three fundamental concerns for clubs when it comes to the release of players to national teams: first and foremost, the clubs’ duty to ensure every player’s wellbeing is properly protected; second, that clubs are not forced to be without players for club competition matches; third, that all players resume their activities with their clubs following national duty in a timely fashion, as per the applicable rules.”

Developing story.