“A solution to finance Africa’s commercial debt service could free up over $44bn of fiscal space for Africa in 2020, providing immediate liquidity to governments – a much needed immediate bridge to renewed growth for Africa and the global economy.”
“With a rise in populism and associated patterns of scapegoating, response to any crisis in the United States tends to default towards denial, deflection, blame-shifting, and foot-dragging, rather than the proactive, collective response necessary for resilience that is so much more evident in West Africa. Governments in much of the region have responded swiftly and urgently to curb COVID-19, with the memory of the Ebola outbreak still strong.”
“As COVID-19 races its way across Africa, there are two stories happening at once. The first is of governments using their armies and militarized police to beat, threaten, and shoot their way to public health…The second is of communities knitting together their meager resources to fill the gap of failed services and absent states.”
“What are the consequences of the pandemic on the living conditions in African prisons?”
“Local development agents, and political, civil society and religious leaders are on the ground, communicating closely with communities on a daily basis, to raise awareness of the fight against the virus. The measures put in place over the last decade to combat the various epidemics, particularly the Ebola virus, have made it possible to ensure that infrastructure, people and resources can be mobilized quickly.”
“The announcement comes as the virus spirals out of control, with new cases increasing by the day and spreading across the country, despite the imposition of tough measures that include movement restrictions.”
“After losing their jobs, or escaping abusive households, their only source of food and shelter is the local Sierra Leonean charity which rents the apartment. Social distancing, imposed amidst the current lockdown, is a privilege they cannot afford.”
“Examples of the importance of engaging citizens and local networks during epidemics abound. During the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, local community leaders were important in disseminating timely preventative information. Today in Kenya, grassroots organizations have already emerged—including from the Kibera slum in Nairobi—setting up handwashing stations and combatting misinformation.”
“The coronavirus disease has reached prisons in Guinea and Sierra Leone, government officials said on Tuesday, raising the spectre of outbreaks in unsanitary and overcrowded jails. Bouna Yattassaye, the deputy director-general of Guinea’s national health security agency said that authorities had discovered an infection in the capital Conakry’s central prison.”
“…Government must endeavor to put together the SPHE regulations, properly tabled in Parliament, gazetted and publicized.This way, the public would be adequately and guided as to what is required of them under the circumstances. This will also help to ensure clarity and certainty in fighting against the pandemic.”
A hub for information, analysis, and the global response to COVID-19’s impact on Africa