Agreement needs to allow for 'Egypt's water interests as well as those of Ethiopia and Sudan' says foreign ministry. Source: Hiiraan Online

The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) on Thursday said it has invited expressions of interests for two telecom licenses. Source: Hiiraan Online

Washington (Caasimada Online) – Xoghayaha arrimaha dibedda Mareykanka Mike Pompeo ayaa waxaa kusoo baxay fadeexad la xiriirta hub laga iibiyey dalalka Sacuudiga iyo Mareykanka, xilli uu diiday congress-ka Mareykanka, balse loo sameeyey qiil aan jirin. Baaris uu wado dambi baaraha guud ee Wasaaradda Arrimaha Dibadda ee Marykanka oo ku saabsan haddii maamulka Trump uu si sharci darro ah ugu dhawaaqay xaalad “deg deg ah” si u hareer maro mamnuucistii Congress-ka ee in ah hub laga iibiyo Sacuudga iyo Imaaraadka ayaa waxa ay hadda iska cabin kala kulmeeysaa Aqalka Cad. Isaga oo isku dayaya in baarista uu carqaladeeyo, ayaa Xoghayaha Arrimaha Dibedda Mike Pompeo axa uu diiday codsi wareysi ah oo uga yimid baareyaasha, waxaana taas beddelkeeda uu dalbaday in uu ka jawaabo su’aalo qoraal ah oo uga yimaada baareyaasha la shaqaynaya dambi baaraha guud Steve A Linick. Linick waxaa eryay Madaxweyne Trump todobaadkii lasoo dhaafay. Waxaa lagu eedeeyay in uu baarayo go’aankii Madaxweynaha ee ku dhawaaqista xaalad deg deg ah oo la xiriirta amniga qaranka, si uu cudurdaar ugu sameeyo in hub dhan $8.1 billion uu u dhoofiyo Sacuudiga. Jariidadda New York Times ayaa warisay in xilliga la eryay Linick iyo diidmada Pompeo ee wareysiga ay muujinayaan in xoghayaha arrimaha dibadda ka warqabay baaritaanka, islamarkaana uu ogaa su’aalaha ku jira ee ku saabsan hubkii laga iibiyay dalalka Khaliijka. Aqalka cad waxaa lagu eedeeyay in uu wax qarinayo. “Waxaa jiri kara in sabab kale loo eryay Linick. Xafiiskiisu waxa uu codsigeyga ku baarayay ku dhawaaqistii xaaladda deg-degga ah ee Trump, si uu hub ugu diro Sacuudiga,” ayuu yiri Eliot Engel oo ah dimoqraadi ka tirsan Congress-ka. “Sawir buuxa ilaa hadda kama hayno, waa wax xun in xoghaye Pompeo uu doonayay in Linick la eryo ka hor inta uusan shaqadiisa dhameysan.” Kilaafka u dhaxeeya Congress-ka iyo Aqalka Cad waxaa uu soo billowday sanadkii lasoo dhaafay. Sharci dejiyeyaashu waxa ay ka careysan yihiin dhimashada badan ee shacabka ee ka dhalatay dagaalka cirka ah ee Sacuudigu uu ka wado Yemen iyo sidoo kale xad gudubyadda xuquuqda aadanaha ee oo ay ka mid tahay dilkii Jamal Khashoggi. Congress-ku waxay ku guul dareysteen in ay hor istaagaan qalabkii militari ee sanadkii lasoo dhaafay laga iibiyay Sacuudiga iyo Imaaraadka, oo ah labada dal ee dagaalka iyo xasuuqa ka wada Yemen. Trump waxaa uu diiday in uu u hogaansamo wicitaankooda waxaana uu iska indho tiray walaacooda. “Iibinta hubku waxaa ay taageeri doontaa xulafadeena, waxayna horumarin doontaa xasiloonida Bariga Dhexe. Wuxuuna dalalkas ka caawinayaa in ay iska difacaan Jamhuuriyadda Iran,” ayuu yiri Pompeo. Talaabada hubka looga iibiyay Sacuudiga iyo Imaaraadka waxay cambareeyay labada xisbi, xildhibaanadu waxay si cad u diideen sida qorshaha loo sameeyay; waxay talaabadaasi wadada u xaartay in madaxweyneyaasha mustaqbalku ay awoodooda ku xadgudban iyagoo baal maraya walaaca Congress-ka. Pompeo ayaa hadda wajahaya baaritaan ka imanaya congress-ka oo la xiriira arrintan.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has extended his warm and best wishes to the people of Somalia on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Mr. Mohamed also congratulated Muslims in Somalia upon completion of the holy month of Ramadan. The president who commended the act of supporting the needy people urged the public to use the occasion to forgive and help each other. “These holy days are important days for our religion and culture. Today is the day when our people extend support and comfort one another and pray to God for happiness, prosperity and good for all,” the president said. President Farmajo has also commended the Somali people for the patience they observed during the the month of Ramadhan as the government imposed lock-down to stem the spread of coronavirus which has wreaked havoc in the country. The president has also thanked the government troops who ensured Somali people had peace and tranquility during the holy month of Ramadan, across the country, especially in the capital city of Mogadishu.

Sacuudiga,Kuwait,UAE,Qatar,Malaysiya,Turkey, Bahrain,Jordan,Egypt,Indonesia,Libya.lubnaan,Suuriya & Dalal kale oo muslimiina oo shaaciyey inay ciidayaan Axadda 24-ka May 2020 Mas’uuliyiinta Sacuudiga,Kuwait,UAE,Qatar,Malaysiya,Bahrain,Turkey, Jordan,Egypt,Indonesia Libya,lubnaan,suuriya & dalal kale oo Islaami ah ayaa ku dhowaaqay in Axadda ay tahay maalinta koowaad ee Ciidul Fitriga. Dalka Sacuudiga, dadaal dheer oo loo galay in bisha Shawaal la arko caawa ayaan la guuleysan, waxaana mas’uuliyiintu sheegeen in 30-ka Ramadan la dhameystirayo maalinta Sabtida ah. Sidoo kale, xarumaha Saadaasha Hawada ee dalalka Indonesia iyo Malaysia ayaa si rasmi ah u sheegay inaysan helin bisha taas oo macnaheedu yahay in Axadda ay tahay maalinta koowaad ee Ciidul Fitriga. Sidoo kale, warbixino laga helay Turkiga ayaa sheegaya inaan bisha laga arag, islamarkaana lagu dhowaaqay in maalinta koowaad ee Ciidda ay tahay Axadda, 24-ka May. Guddiga Aragga Bisha ee Wasaaradda Awqaafta iyo Arrimaha Diinta ee Dalka Qatar ayaa Iyana sheegay in Axadda ay tahay maalinta koowaad ee Ciidda, kadib markii caawa la waayey bisha. Qaran News

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Hambalyada Madaxweynaha Jmahuuriyadda Somaliland Ee Munaasibadda Ciidul-fidriga- 23/05/2020 Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda, Mudane Muuse Biixi Cabdi, waxa uu shacabka reer Somaliland iyo guud ahaanba ummadda Islaamka ku hambalyeeyey munaasibadda ciidal-fidriga ee sanadka Hijriyada Islaamka ee 1441-naad. Waxaanu Madaxweynuhu munaasibadda ciidul-fidriga awgeed hambalyo u dirayaa dhammaanba ummadda Islaamka meel ay joogaanba, gaar ahaan ummadda reer Somaliland, waxaanu Ilaahay inooga baryayaa inuu innaga aqbalo soonkii, ducadii iyo cibaadadii aynu bishan Ramadaan soo gudannay muslim ahaan, Ilaahayna inoo dambi-dhaafo, wixii dhibbana dhibta Alle ka dulqaado, xanuunkan aduunka sameeyey ee karoona-fayris-na innaga dulqaado culayskiisa. Sidoo kale waxa uu Madaxweynuhu, ummadda reer Somaliland u rajeeyey inay sanadkan sanadkiisa ku gaadhaan barwaaqo, kana midho dhaliyaan hiigsigooda dhinaca horumarka ee ay ku jireen, nimcadana khayrkeeda inna siiyo, nabad iyo caano, colaad la’aan, caydh la’aan iyo cudur la’aana Ilaahay inaga yeelo, Ilaahay idankiina bishan bisheeda aynu ku gaadhno innaga oo halkan aynu joogno meel ka fiican joogna. Ugu danbaynna, madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyadda Somaliland, waxa uu dhambaal hambalyo ah u dirayaa guud ahaan shucuubta Islaamka ee ku dhaqan dunida dacaladeeda. Aamiin Aamiin Aamiin Maxamuud Warsame Jaamac Af-hayeenka Madaxweynaha JSL. Qaran News

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — A jetliner carrying 98 people crashed Friday in a crowded neighborhood near the airport in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi after an apparent engine failure during landing. Officials Source: Hiiraan Online

WAR DAG DAG AHWasiirka wasaarada Diinta iyo awqaafta Somaliland Sheekh khaliil Cabdilaahi Ahmed oo goordhaweyd warbaahinta la hadlay ayaa sheegay inay Bari tahay Ciid The post Maamulka Somaliland ku dhawaaqay in beri oo Sabti ay tahay Ciid appeared first on . Source

The post Daawo Madaxweyne Farmaajo oo Soomaalida ugu Hambalyeeyey Ciida appeared first on . Source

Wasiirka Cadaalada Cawil Xaamuud ayaa caawa goor dambe(Jamce) wuxuu ku dhawaaqay in ay Ciid tahay Sabtida. Kadib markii Jubbaland ay ku dhawaaqday in bishii la [...] The post Puntland oo Iyana ku dhawaaqday in Sabtida ay Ciid tahay appeared first on . Source

Madaxweynaha dowladda Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa u hambalyeeyay dhammaan ummadda Soomaaliyeed munaasabadda barakaysan ee Ciidul Fidriga awgeed, wuxuuna Alle uga baryey inuu ka aqbalo soonkii iyo cibaadadii wanaagsanayd intii lagu jiray bishii Barakaysnayd ee Ramadaan. Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa ku bogaadiyey shacabka Soomaaliyeed sida wanaagsan ee ay ugu dulqaateen bandawgii lagu soo rogay dalka ee lagu ilaalinayey badqabka caafimaad ee dadka Soomaaliyeee, gaar ahaan Bisha Ramadaan oo caadi ahaan uu kordho culeyska nololeed. “Waxaan idin xasuusinayaa in farxadda maalmahan barakaysan ee Ciidda aynu si gaar ah ugu istaagno la shaqaynta laamaha caafimaadka, si buuxdana ugu hoggaansanno talooyinka iyo awaamiirta caafimaad ee lagu ilaalinayo bulshadeenna.” ayaa yiri Madaxweyne Farmaajo. Madaxweyne Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa munaasabadda Ciiddan waxa uu si gaar ah ugu hambalyeeyay ciidamada galabka sida ee har iyo habeenba u taagan difaaca dadka iyo dalka, isaga oo ku bogaadiyey in ay dardar geliyeen amniga iyo nabadgelyada intii lagu guda jiray bisha barakaysan. “Ciidamadeenna geesiyaasha ah waxa ay xaqiijiyeen in shacabka Soomaaliyeed ay nabad iyo xasillooni ku gutaan cibaadada iyo acmaashii bishii barakeysnayd ee Ramadaan, guud ahaan dalka, gaar ahaan Caasimadda Muqdisho oo sanaddo badan kaddib ay shacabkeennu ku soomeen kuna afureen nabad.” ayuu mar kale yiri Madaxweyne Farmaajo. Madaxweynaha Soomaaliua ayaa kula dardaarmay dadka Soomaaliyeed in farxadda Ciidul Fidriga awgeed uu qof kasta gacan ka geysto farxad gelinta dadka tabaaleysan, ka shaqeynta danta guud oo amnigu ugu horreeyo, midnimada iyo wadajirka, kuwaas oo dhammaantood tiirar u ah waajibaadka diinta Islaamka. PUNTLAND POST The post Madaxweyne Farmaajo oo ugu hambalyeeyay dadka Soomaaliyeed munaasabada Ciidul Fidriga appeared first on Puntland Post.

Madaxweynaha Dowlada Federaalka Soomaaliya Maxamed Cabdullaahi Farmaajo ayaa ku dhawaaqay in beri oo sabti ah ay Tahay Maalinta Ciida. Madaxweyne Farmaajo ayaa Shacabka Soomaaliyeed u [...] The post Madaxweyne Farmaajo “Ciid wanaagsan” appeared first on . Source

Xili Caalamka Islaamka la isku raacay in Sabtida ay tahay maalin Soon ayaa Shekh Maxamed Cabdi “Sheikh umul” oo kamida Culumada igu Caansan Gayiga Soomaaliya [...] The post Sheikh Umul oo shaaciyey in Sabtida ay Ciid tahay appeared first on . Source

Muqdisho (Caasimada Online) – Wasaaradda Awqaafta iyo Arrimaha Diinta ayaa goor dhow shaacisay in Sabtida 23-ka May ay tahay maalinta koowaad ee Ciidul Fitri, kadib markii la xaqiijiyey in bisha laga arkay Soomaaliya Wasiirka Awqaafta iyo Arirmaha Diinta Sheekh Nuur Maxamed Xuseen, oo ay wehliyaan culumo uu ka yimid Sheekh Cali Wajiis, ayaa warbaahinta dowladda ka sheegay in deegaano badan oo ka mid ah koonfurta Soomaaliya laga arkay bisha. Waxay sheegeen in ugu yaraan 8 qof la dhaariyey islamarkaana ay xaqiijiyeen inay bisha arkeen, ayaga oo jooga deegaano kala duwan. Sidoo kale, ra’iisul wasaraaha Soomaaliya Xasan Cali Kheyre ayaa Soomaalida ugu hambalyeeyey ciidda, isaga oo muuqaal soo dhigay warbaahinta dowladda. Go’aanka dowladda ayaa yimid saacado kadib markii ay shaacisay in bisha la waayey sidaas darteedna ay ciidda tahay Axad, hase yeeshee waxaa kadib aad isu soo taray warka ah in bisha laga arkay meelo badan. Ku dhowaaqisay aragtida bisha ayaa waxaa ku horreeyey maamulka Jubaland iyo Al-Shabaab oo si kala gooni gooni ah u shaaciyey in bisha laga arkay deegaano badan, sidaas darteedna ay ciidu tahay Sabti. Bahda Caasimada Online oo isku duuban waxay idin leeyihiin ciid wanaagsan.

Wasarada Diinta ee Jubbaland ayaa ku dhawaaqdey in Sabtida ay ciid tahay, kadib markii ay sheegeen in la arkay Bishii. Mashidyada waxaa Salaadii Cishe la [...] The post Jubbaland oo Sabtida laga ciidayo appeared first on . Source

Prof. Ahmed Ismail Samatar, called for a hearing of youth – more than a hundred issued this week. Prof. Samatar sent an e-mail to a large number of people, including an image of the teenager, in English, saying: “A special day is one of the best times to do it. celebration and a wise critique of the past, present and future. This is even more important for the community who are genuinely concerned about the state of public awareness and how central institutions are functioning. These are some of the most inspiring voices for Somaliland youth. I considered it valuable to have a hearing to consider looga reasonable concern. “ Qaran News

Kismaayo (Caasimada Online) – Maamulka Jubbaland ayaa caawa ku dhawaaqay in beri ay tahay maalinta koowaad ee Ciidul Fitriga, kadib war kasoo baxay wasaaradda cadaalada, garsoorka iyo arrimaha diinta Jubbaland. Agaasimaha waaxda arrimaha diinta Jubbaland Cabdullahi Maxamuud Ibraahim ayaa warbaahinta maamulka ka sheegay in berri oo ah Sabti ay tahay maalinta Koowaad ee Ciida. “Waxaan rabaa in aan shacabka la wadaago in maanta ay u dambeysay bisha Ramadaan, tan iyo afurkii waxaa nala soo xariirayey dad leh bishii waan aragnay, balse intaas waan xaqiijineynay, oo hadda oo ay tahay 10:00pm aan ku dhiiranay in aan ku dhawaaqno kadib markii aan dhaarinay dadkii arkay” ayuu yiri Cabdullahi Maxamuud Ibraahim. Isaga oo sii hadlayey ayuu yiri “Meelaha bisha laga arkay waxaa ka mid ah tuulada Xayo oo hoos tagta degmada Afmadow ee gobolka Jubbada Hoose, oo uu ka arkay nin lagu magacaabo Ciise Xaaji Axmed, iyo nin kale oo la dhaho Feysal Aadan, sidoo kale gabdho ayaa sheegay inay arkeen, balse gabdhahaas ma aysan hor imaan hey’adda ay khuseysay, si looga xaqiijiyo.” Dhanka kale maamulka degmada Beled-Xaawo ee gobolka Gedo ayaa ku dhawaaqay inay Berri Ciid tahay, kadib markii 5 qofood oo ku nool degmada Dolow ay sheegeen inay arkeen bisha Shawaal oo dhalatay. Dhankooda ururka Al-Shabaab ayaa war ay soo saareen ku shaaciyey inay berri ay tahay Ciid, kadib markii sida sheegeen 15 qofood oo kala jooga seddax gobol ay arkeen bisha oo dhalatay. Deegaanada kala ah Ufuroow oo ka tirsan gobolka Bay, Dhoobley oo ka tirsan Jubbada Hoose iyo Gamboole ka tirsan Shabeellada Dhexe ayey warkooda ku sheegeen Al-Shabaab inay kala joogaan 15-kaas qof ee arkay bilashada bisha Shawaal. Fiidkii hore ee caawa dowladda federaalka Soomaaliya, gaar ahaan wasaaradda Awqaafta iyo arrimaha diinta ayaa ku dhawaaqday in maalinta berrito ay tahay 30-ka bisha Ramadaan, isla markaana Axdda la ciidi doono. Halkan ka Daawo warka Jubbaland

Garowe (PP News Desk ) — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni has fired cabinet members and appointed new Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Ministers who were sacked are Ali Sabarey, the Information Minister; Farah Awaash, Fisheries Minister; Omar Hassan Omar, Deputy Finance Minister. The following appointments were made: 1. Abdullahi Ali Hersi: The Minister of Information, Telecomunications and Tourism. 2. Mohamud Haji Salah: Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources. 3. Abdi Ibrahim Warsame: Deputy Finance Minister. 4. Ismail Saleban Gelle; Deputy Minister for Security. 5. Ahmed Said Ismail: Deputy Minister for Water,Energy and Minerals. 6. Saynab Ismail Mohammed: Deputy Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Climate Change 7. Mohammed Ahmed Hassan: Deputy Minister for Labour, Youth and Sports. 8. Mohamud Ahmed Ismail: Deputy Minister for Planning, International Cooperation and Economic Development. © Puntland Post, 2020 The post PUNTLAND PRESIDENT MAKES MINOR RESHUFFLE appeared first on Puntland Post.

VITAMIN D-GA OO HOOS U DHIGA KHATARTA QAYBO KA MID AH CANCER-KA AH Vitimin D-ga oo Hoos u Dhiga Khatarta Qaybo ka mid ah Cancer-ka Khubar ku xeeldheer cilmiga Science-ka oo u dhashay dalka Maraykanka, ayaa sheegay in Vitamin D-gu uu yarayn karo khataraha qaar ka mid ah noocyada uu ka kooban yahay cudurka Cancer-ku. Khubaradaasi waxa ay dib u eegis ku sameeyeen 63 cilmi-baadhiyeed oo hore loo sameeyey, kadibna waxay ogaadeen in Vitamin-diigu yareeyo fursadaha uu ku faafi karo ama uu horumar u samayn karo noocyada Cancer-ka, kuwooda ugu khatarsan sida Cancer-ka naasaha dumarka ku dhaca “breast cancer” iyo cancer-ka nooca dhaxalka ku yimaada ee loo yaqaan Colon cancer. Cilmi-baadhistan ayaa laga soo dhoweeyey jaamacadda California, laakiin waxay haddana ka digayaan khubaradu in qaadashada Vitamin D xad-dhaaf ah ay dhibaato ballaadhan gaadhsiin karto kelyaha iyo beerka, iyaga oo intaa raaciyey in loo baahan yahay in la sameeyo baadhis intaa ka dheer. Vitamin D-ga dabiicaga ah ee loo yaqaano D3, ayaa caadiyan waxaa soo saara jidhka ka dib marka qofka jidhkiisu loo Qorax ku filan helo, waxa kale oo laga heli karaa Cutooyinka qaar sida Kaluunka saliida leh, margarine-ka, cabbitaanada tayadooda la kordhiyey iyo hilibka. Cilmi-baadhistan oo lagu sameeyey Jaamacadda California ee ku taal Sandiego ayaa waxa ay eegeysaa xidhiidhka ka dhexayn kara vitamin-D-ga ku jira dhiigga iyo khatarta cancer-ka. Waxa ay sheegayaan Khubaradu qaadashada 1000 unit oo caalami ah (IU) ama 25 microgram oo vitamin-D ah maalin walba waxa 50% yaraan karaya khatarta noocyada cudurka sida breast cancer-ka, ovarian-ka iyo colonka. Sida ay sheegeen culimadu qaadashada 2000 oo unit ama 50 micrograms oo vitamin D ah waxay keeni karaysaa in jidhku qaato calcium fara badan, taas oo suurtogal ka dhigaysa in uu burbur ku yimaaddo beerka iyo kelyaha. Professor Cedric Garland oo isagu hoggaaminaya hawsha dib-u-eegista ah, ayaa sheegay in laga heli karo Vitamin D tayo sare leh iyada oo aan jidhka loo dhigin qorraxda, kaas oo uu sheegay in laga helo cuntooyinka caadiga ah iyo kuwa tayadooda la kordhiyey. Professor Garland waxa dadka aan jidhkoodu qorraxda u adkaysan karayn uu uga digay inay isu dhigaan qorraxda, maxaa yeelay ayuu yidhi, “taas qudheeda ayaa dhibaatadeeda leh.” Source: Medical Journal Waxa soo Tarjumay: Osman Abdillahi Sool…..Freelance Journalis Qaran News

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Dowladda Soomaaliya ayaa caawa ku dhowaaqday in maalinimada barito ay tahay maalinta ugu dambayso bisha Ramadaan lana ciidi doono maalinimada Axadda ay tahay 1-da Shawaal oo ku aadan 24-5-2020-ka. War qoraal ah oo ka soo baxay wasaaradda Awqaafta iyo arrimaha diinta xuluumadda federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa sheegay markii baaritaan laga sameeyey gudaha dalka aan la helin bisha sidaas darteena bari ay tahay Ramadaan. “Waxaan shacabka Soomaaliyeed la wadaagaynaa xaqiijin qotodheer ka dib in berri oo Sabti ah aanay ahayn Ciid; sidaas darteed waxaa la dhamaystiraynaa Bisha Ramadaan” ayuu yiri Wasiir Sheekh Nuur. Dowlada Islaamka ayaa dhankooda caawa ku dhawaaqay inaan la arag bilashada bisha Shawaal sidaas darteedna ay bari tahay maalinta 30-aad ee Bisha ramadaan, wadamada Sacuudiga, Turkiga Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines iyo Singapore ayaa dhammaantood isku raacay inaan maalinimada la ciidi doonin sida ay baahiyeen warbaahintooda. Goobjoog News Source: goobjoog.com

PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus – Kenya: Total of 1161 test positive in the country NAIROBI, Kenya, May 22, 2020/ — This now brings to 1161 the number of people who have so far tested positive for the disease in the country. The cumulative tests conducted so far is 55, 074. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya. SOURCE Ministry of Health, Kenya Qaran News

Madaxweynaha Dowlada Puntland ayaa maanta oo Jamce ah wuxuu Magacaabay Laba Wasiir iyo lix Wasiir Xigeen. Wareegto kasoo Baxdey Madaxtooyada oo aan wali Saxaafada lasoo [...] The post Madaxweyne Deni oo Magacaabey Wasiiro iyo Ku xigeeno appeared first on . Source

PRESS RELEASE Coronavirus: Africa COVID-19 cases top 100 000 Despite crossing this threshold, the pandemic, which has struck with such devastating force in much of the world, appears to be taking a different pathway in Africa BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), May 22, 2020/ — The COVID-19 pandemic today reached a milestone in Africa, with more than 100 000 confirmed cases. The virus has now spread to every country in the continent since the first case was confirmed in the region 14 weeks ago. Despite crossing this threshold, the pandemic, which has struck with such devastating force in much of the world, appears to be taking a different pathway in Africa. Case numbers have not grown at the same exponential rate as in other regions and so far Africa has not experienced the high mortality seen in some parts of the world. Today, there are 3100 confirmed deaths on the continent. By comparison, when cases reached 100 000 in the World Health Organization (WHO) European region, deaths stood at more than 4900. Early analysis by WHO suggests that Africa’s lower mortality rate may be the result of demography and other possible factors. Africa is the youngest continent demographically with more than 60% of the population under the age of 25. Older adults have a significantly increased risk of developing a severe illness. In Europe nearly 95% of deaths occurred in those older than 60 years. African governments have made difficult decisions and were quick to impose confinement measures, including physical and social distancing, which will have significant socio-economic costs. These measures, which along with contact tracing and isolation, expanded or increased hand washing have helped to slow down the spread of the virus. “For now COVID-19 has made a soft landfall in Africa, and the continent has been spared the high numbers of deaths which have devastated other regions of the world,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “It is possible our youth dividend is paying off and leading to fewer deaths. But we must not be lulled into complacency as our health systems are fragile and are less able to cope with a sudden increase in cases.” The continent has made significant progress in testing with around 1.5 million COVID-19 tests conducted so far. However, testing rates remain low and many countries continue to require support to scale-up testing. There is a need to expand the testing capacity in urban, semi-urban and rural areas, and provide additional test kits. Cases continue to rise in Africa and while overall it took 52 days to reach the first 10,000 cases, it took only 11 days to move from 30 000 to 50 000 cases. About half of the countries in Africa are experiencing community transmission. More than 3400 health care workers have been infected by COVID-19. It is important that health authorities prioritize the protection of healthcare workers from COVID-19 infection at medical facilities and communities. There is also a need to provide enough personal protective equipment to health care workers and raise their awareness as well as increase infection prevention and control in health facilities. “Testing as many people as possible and protecting health workers who come into contact with suspected and confirmed cases are crucial aspects of this response. Despite global shortages, we are working hard to prioritize the delivery of testing kits and personal protective equipment to low- and middle-income countries that have the most vulnerable populations, based on the number of cases reported,” said Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite the relatively lower number of COVID-19 cases in Africa, the pandemic remains a major threat to the continent’s health systems. A new modelling study by WHO predicts that if containment measures fail, even with a lower number of cases requiring hospitalization than elsewhere, the medical capacity in much of Africa would be overwhelmed. Now that countries are starting to ease their confinement measures, there is a possibility that cases could increase significantly, and it is critical that governments remain vigilant and ready to adjust measures in line with epidemiological data and proper risk assessment. WHO has offices in every country on the continent and is working closely with the Africa Centres for Disease Control, Ministries of Health, United Nations agencies and other partners to support the scale-up of the response through coordination, technical expertise, the provision of much needed medical supplies and assisting with data collection and analysis. WHO has trained more than 7000 health workers, including 1000 district health teams to support the decentralization of the response. So far, more than 225 experts have been deployed to over 39 countries in Africa and over 900 staff have been repurposed at the regional and country level to support the response. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa. SOURCE WHO Regional Office for Africa Qaran News