COVID-19: Congo’s presidential candidate dies in France
“A Congolese opposition presidential candidate died of COVID-19 in France early Monday.”
News & Analysis: Republic of Congo
African Health Ministers urge greater vigilance in COVID-19 fight
Latest Developments Ethiopia / Republic of Congo WHO Africa Press release by John Schellhase“African Health Ministers gathering for the resumed Seventieth session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa took stock this week of the region’s efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, with calls to step up vigilance and head off a possible resurgence of infections.”
Bargaining with Beijing: A Tale of Two Borrowers
Analysis and Opinion Republic of Congo / Seychelles Center for Global Development Report/Study by John Schellhase“The fact that the Republic of Congo was worse off after rescheduling its debts with Beijing underscores the importance of exposing these deals to public scrutiny before they are finalized and building borrower country capacity to negotiate more favorable deals.”
‘Health is a vital aspect of diplomacy,’ says Matshidiso Moeti WHO Africa director
Analysis and Opinion Republic of Congo The Africa Report Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“We know that health is a vital aspect of diplomacy. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic goes far beyond health. Economies have been devastated and life as we know it has been upturned.”
‘It weighs you down,’ Congo COVID-19 survivor recounts
Analysis and Opinion Republic of Congo WHO Africa Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Yaffa Fatoumata hoped that the fever and the sore throat she was suffering were just signs of a passing flu. However, when the symptoms persisted, the26-year-old legal assistant in Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Communication decided to get tested for COVID-19. Two days after the test, her results turned out positive for the virus.”
External debt complicates Africa’s COVID-19 recovery
Analysis and Opinion Angola / Cabo Verde / Djibouti / Egypt / Mozambique / Republic of Congo Sierra Leone Telegraph Op-ed by John Schellhase“For sub-Saharan African economies, interest repayments constitute the highest expenditure portion – and fastest-growing expenditure – of budgets.”
Fitch: Sub-Sahara African debt burdens rising faster than elsewhere
Latest Developments Angola / Gabon / Nigeria / Republic of Congo Reuters Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Government debt burdens across sub-Saharan Africa are rising at a faster pace and to higher levels than elsewhere in emerging markets, heightening the risk of further rating downgrades and defaults, ratings agency Fitch warned.”
Africa and creditors wake up to debt dilemma
Latest Developments Eritrea / Ghana / Nigeria / Republic of Congo / South Africa / Sudan / Uganda / Zambia / Zimbabwe African Business Magazine Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“In the tough years ahead, heavy debt burdens could push inflation up and pull growth down. Suppliers sink when the government stops paying its bills, and trade slows with uncertainty. Africa’s debt burden suddenly looms larger.”
Sovereign Defaults Set to Hit Record in 2020
Analysis and Opinion Gabon / Mozambique / Republic of Congo / Zambia Fitch Ratings Report/Study by John Schellhase“Fitch rates five sovereigns at ‘CCC’ or below (excluding those in default): Gabon, Mozambique, Republic of Congo and Suriname at ‘CCC’ and Zambia at ‘CC’. The average annual default rate over 1995-2019 for ‘CCC/CC/C’ sovereigns was 26.5% and the cumulative five-year default rate was 38.5%.”
The World Bank provides $11.3 million to support the Republic of the Congo’s response to the coronavirus pandemic
Global Response Republic of Congo World Bank Press release by John Schellhase“The World Bank approved $11.3 million in financing from the International Development Association to help the Republic of the Congo fight COVID-19 and respond to public health emergencies. The COVID-19 emergency response project has been launched to respond to the Congolese people’s public health needs and step up government prevention, disease surveillance, and early case detection and confirmation action.”
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