Mozambique Reports Huge Drop In Elephant Poaching

Published

2 weeks ago

September 17, 2020

ANN

Mozambique Reports Huge Drop In Elephant Poaching

Mozambique’s Land and Environment Minister Ivete Maibasse has said the country has recorded a 70% drop in elephant poaching.

Maibasse in a statement attributed the drop to the commitment of security forces protecting conservation areas including more investment on law enforcement, technological methods and education.

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The minister said “until 2014, we would register the loss of 1,200 elephants per year,” she said, adding that the numbers reduced to 360 elephants per year between 2015 and 2019.

According to her, the Niassa Reserve which is the largest protected area in the country, had not lost an elephant to poaching in the last two years.

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Elephants population in the area was said to have reduced from an estimated 15,400 to an estimated 6,100.

Elephant tusks are prized in Asia, where they are carved into ivory statuettes and jewellery.

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Across Africa, up to 30,000 elephants are estimated to be killed illegally each year to fuel the ivory trade.

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Uganda ‘To Begin Human Trials’ Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Published

9 hours ago

September 29, 2020

ANN

Uganda 'To Begin Human Trials' Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Uganda is set to start human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine starting in November as the country continues to fight against the pandemic.

The vaccine trials are a partnership exercise between Uganda’s Virus Research Institute and the United Kingdom’s Imperial College.

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Uganda has recorded more than 7,000 coronavirus cases and 75 fatalies so far.

According to BBC, Monica Musenero who is the head of a presidential taskforce on epidemics is quoted as saying the first trial will be conducted on 10 Ugandans.

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She added that if successful, a second trial will involve about 100 to 200 persons followed by a final trial of between 1,000 and 3,000 persons.

WFP Seeks Aid For South Sudan Flood Relief

Published

12 hours ago

September 29, 2020

ANN

WFP Seeks Aid For South Sudan Flood Relief

Heavy seasonal rainfall, followed by devastating floods in South Sudan since June, have impacted more than 700,000 persons across the country. A large part of the nation is reported to be under water with the Nile River at its highest level in 50 years.

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South Sudan was already in a precarious situation due to food shortages from an overwhelming locust infestation and a health crisis from the global coronavirus pandemic.

The World Food Programme (WFP) says it has been providing food assistance to more than half a million persons in South Sudan’s flood-affected areas as the threat of famine increases within the country.

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A flood-displaced victim from Mathiang village says rains have destroyed everything, including houses, cattle, crops and sources of livelihood.

WFP spokesperson, Peter Smerdon says they are already under pressure in South Sudan because of conflict, high levels of displacement and, the added burden from flooding.

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World Food Programme is now seeking to raise 58 million dollars to continue providing relief.

African News

Libyans Protest Armed Militias In Tajoura City

Published

12 hours ago

September 29, 2020

ANN

Libyans Protest Armed Militias In Tajoura City

Libyans have taken to the streets in the southeast of the capital Tripoli to protest against the presence of armed militias in the city of Tajoura.

Clashes broke out on Thursday between two militias loyal to the Tripoli-based and UN-recognized government of national accord. Militias used heavy weapons in a residential suburb that consequently resulted in the death of at least three persons. Several others were reported injured from the two camps and some private properties were damaged.

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The United Nations support mission in the country had called for an urgent security reform on Friday as they reminded both parties of international humanitarian law obligations.

READ: First Mozambican President's House In Bad State Of Repair