News & Analysis: Somalia
“What has received less attention to date, but is equally as important, is the way that Covid-related restrictions are now being used to undermine democratic freedoms… In the midst of the pandemic, African opposition parties and civil society groups have little opportunity, tools or platforms with which to defend their hard-fought gains.”
“The G20 is calling on commercial creditors to follow their lead and extend a moratorium on their debt. But if past is precedent external commercial debt could be shaping up to be major fault line in the debt relief process moving forward.”
“The vast majority live in rural areas, and depend on agricultural production, seasonal jobs in agriculture, fishing, or pastoralism. If they become ill or constrained by restrictions on movement or activity, they will be prevented from working their land, caring for their animals, going fishing, or accessing markets to sell produce, buy food, or get seeds and supplies.”
“From top politicians – former presidents, prime ministers and lawmakers – to entertainment icons and top sportsmen, the virus has left in its wake prominent casualties who could hardly get the send-off they would have been accorded in ‘normal times.’”
“From top politicians – former presidents, prime ministers and lawmakers – to entertainment icons and top sportsmen, the virus has left in its wake prominent casualties who could hardly get the send-off they would have been accorded in ‘normal times.’”
“Somalia’s Federal Health Minister, Dr Fawzia Abikar Nur, on Wednesday night confirmed the country’s first death due to the coronavirus and announced four more confirmed cases, raising the number to 12. In a statement, Dr Nur said the person who died in Mogadishu was a 58 year-old citizen who had never left the country.”
“African countries face varying levels of risk that will require adapting a diversified set of response strategies to the coronavirus. The most vulnerable countries may not be those with the earliest onset… Understanding the relative risks each country faces can better guide response efforts in both the introductory and subsequent stages as the pandemic evolves.”
“The high densities of forcibly displaced populations and the mobility of migrants make both groups highly vulnerable to exposure and therefore a priority for reducing the spread of the coronavirus in Africa. This will require informed and efficient policy engagements and public messaging, as well as the tamping down of the stigmatization and fear-based xenophobia toward these groups.”
“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank’s International Development Association have determined that Somalia has taken the necessary steps to begin receiving debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Somalia is the 37th country to reach this milestone, known as the HIPC Decision Point.”
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