News & Analysis: US-Africa relations
“Yellen called on richer countries to step up both economic and public health assistance to poorer nations reeling from COVID-19. She noted as many as 150 million people across the world risk falling into extreme poverty as a result of the crisis.”
“Ten countries are responsible for three-quarters of all doses administered worldwide, whereas 69 nations have yet to administer a single shot.”
“‘Do not travel to Tanzania due to COVID-19. For the duration of the pandemic, Tanzania has not implemented stay at home orders, nor limited transportation options or business operations,’ the embassy said.”
U.S. support for COVAX and other initiatives could prove to be critical in the global effort to end the devastation caused by COVID-19.
COVID-19 Africa Watch talks to Dr. Youssef Boutros-Ghali, former Finance Minister of Egypt and former chairman of the IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee, about the economic impact of the pandemic, the policy response, SDRs, and more.
“Since the end of the Cold War, a handful of powers have been able to exert influence across the African continent: the United States, China, the European Union, and India. The resource-scarce post-COVID environment will accelerate competition between these powers and lead them into intersecting spheres of influence. The United States is set for declining influence on the continent, creating a vacuum for Europe and China to either willingly or begrudgingly fill.”
“African countries face another debt crisis and will need more long-term help than the latest G20 debt plan offers them to ward off trouble ahead and keep much-needed investments coming in, according to policymakers, analysts and investors.”
“The USAID has terminated its COVID-19 cash transfer programme in Uganda. The decision followed the Ugandan government’s indefinite suspension of GiveDirectly, a non-profit organisation that was conducting the programme.”
“The World Health Organisation said 76 rich nations were now committed to joining a global COVID-19 vaccine allocation plan that aims to help buy and fairly distribute the shots. The United States said it would not join the effort, called COVAX, due to President Donald Trump’s administration’s objection to WHO involvement.”
“African governments do not have the financial resources to weather this storm, and its healthcare systems are ill-equipped to respond to long-term challenges posed by COVID-19. Without greater coordination, there is a risk of a mismanaged international response to this historic crisis.”
A hub for information, analysis, and the global response to COVID-19’s impact on Africa