South Sudan reopens schools after six-month lockdown
“South Sudan’s Council of Ministers has lifted the ban that President Salva Kiir imposed in March in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus in schools.”
News & Analysis: South Sudan
Africa’s agricultural sector faces up to COVID-19 crisis
Analysis and Opinion Cote d'Ivoire / Ethiopia / Ghana / Kenya / Malawi / Nigeria / South Africa / South Sudan / Tanzania / Zimbabwe African Business Magazine Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“African farmers have begun to experiment with apps and new technologies. Meanwhile, policymakers and relief organisations are refocusing on food production and provision. Pioneering policymakers are prioritising food security and shifting to clean energy sources, such as hydroelectric and solar.”
Chinese Medical Team Arrives in South Sudan
Latest Developments South Sudan China-Africa Project Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“In Juba, the capital of South Sudan, a medical team from Anhui province embarked on a nine-day visit to train local healthcare stakeholders on COVID-19 mitigation and response.”
Big retailers need to step up to the plate
Analysis and Opinion South Sudan Mail & Guardian by Gaby“The recently released National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) Coronavirus Rapid Mobile (Cram) survey has found that South Africans, and worse, children, are hungry, hungrier than they have been in years. This persistent hunger is likely to result in a national malnutrition crisis with such far-reaching consequences that it will make the effects of the coronavirus pale in comparison.”
The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Governance, Peace, and Security in the Horn of Africa
Analysis and Opinion Djibouti / Eritrea / Ethiopia / Somalia / South Sudan / Sudan African Union and UNDP Report/Study by John Schellhase“COVID-19-related containment measures—together with the global recession, lower oil prices and damage to agriculture from locusts and flooding—are increasing poverty levels and jeopardizing livelihoods.”
EAC cash crisis deepens as ministers push back budget meeting
Latest Developments Burundi / Kenya / Rwanda / South Sudan / Tanzania / Uganda The East African Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“The East African Community is facing a deeper financial crisis after a crucial Council of Ministers meeting on budget was postponed for two weeks.”
Zindzi Mandela had tested positive for COVID-19, says son
Latest Developments South Sudan MSN Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Zindzi Mandela will be buried on Friday, a day before the world celebrates her father’s birthday. The news was confirmed by her son Zondwa, who also said on SABC’s ‘Full View’ his mother had tested positive for COVID-19 prior to her death.”
South Sudan’s central bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 10%
Latest Developments South Sudan Reuters Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“South Sudan’s central bank said it cut its benchmark interest rate to 10% from 13%, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy. This is the second time the central bank has slashed its rate since April, when it cut by 200 basis points to 13%.”
Economic impact of COVID-19: Protecting Africa’s food systems from farm to fork
Analysis and Opinion South Sudan / Sudan / Zimbabwe Brookings Institution Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“Receiving less public attention, and yet also putting at risk lives and livelihoods, is the likelihood that COVID-19 and the associated economic challenges will spill into an African food crisis if the food system cannot cope. Half of Africans already face food insecurity, of which 50 percent are severely food insecure, while the number of people who are hungry is likely to double in 2020.”
South Sudan ambassador to Belgium dies aged 64
Latest Developments South Sudan The East African Article/Blog post by John Schellhase“South Sudan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Jwokgwen Severio Yukwan, has died, Information Minister Michael Makuei has confirmed. He died in Juba on Monday.”
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