Newscast - Africa

Somalia’s first large-scale factory producing much-needed medical oxygen has been opened in the capital, Mogadishu.
The plant will produce 1,000 cylinders of oxygen per week and is seen as a huge step forward in strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure.
Health Minister Fawzia Abikar Nur admitted that people had great difficulty in getting medical oxygen, vital in saving patients’ lives when the pandemic first hit.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a new Covid-19 vaccination certificate, which he said would ease travel and access to events that require proof of vaccination.
He pressed Britain to relax travel restrictions imposed on his country after discussing the issue with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Ramaphosa also eased pandemic restrictions, including reducing the hours of a nationwide curfew, now in place from midnight to 4 am.
He ended a ban on weekend alcohol sales and allowed larger public gatherings.
He says the government aims to administer 250,000 first dose vaccinations every single weekday until mid-December.

Algeria has recalled its ambassador from Paris, accusing France of unacceptable interference in its affairs.
Algeria says it was responding to comments attributed to President Emmanuel Macron by French newspaper Le Monde.
The diplomatic spat comes days after France cut the number of visas it issues for citizens of Algeria and other North African countries.

The French army says Algeria has banned French military planes from flying over its territory as the diplomatic row between the two countries intensifies.
The move comes a day after Algeria recalled its ambassador from Paris, accusing France of unacceptable interference in its affairs.
Algeria says it was responding to comments attributed to President Emmanuel Macron by a French newspaper.
Macron says the former French colony was ruled by a political-military system with an official history that was based not on truth, but on hatred of France.

The Sudanese government says the country is on the point of running out of essential medicines, fuel, and wheat.
The cabinet says that while disaffected eastern tribes had some valid grievances, their two-week blockade of Sudan’s main port was harming the whole population.
It promised to work on a solution to the economic and political marginalisation of eastern Sudan and urged the protesters to join in talks.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to be inaugurated and form a new government on Monday, following controversial elections last June that saw a landslide win for his Prosperity Party.
His party’s win, overshadowed by a deadly war in the northern Tigray region, means Mr Abiy will stay in power for the next five years.
His administration is now accused of blocking aid to Tigray. June’s elections were marred with controversy, with some of the major opposition groups boycotting them.
Mr Abiy will face old problems finding a solution to a deadly war being the most pressing one.

Ekiti State Government has procured a drone to monitor areas regarded as hot spots, where bandits use for kidnapping.
The Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, says the drone has been procured adding it has to be manufactured.
He says they have to get the necessary certificates from the federal agencies.
Oyebanji added that personalities regarded as the real architects of the creation of the state and its builders would be conferred with honours by the governor to mark the 25th anniversary of the state creation.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, says teachers will begin to enjoy the new salary structure promised by President Muhammadu Buhari from January 2022.
The minister noted that work was being concluded on the enhanced salary structure.
He further disclosed work was also being concluded on other incentives promised by the president during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day.
He stressed that the other incentives ranged from allowances, housing, training, to elongated service years from 35 to 40.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has postponed the official launch of its digital currency, the E-naira.
The CBN spokesperson, Mr Osita Nwanisobi, says the decision to postpone the unveiling of the E-naira, scheduled for October the 1st, was made to avoid any distractions from the country’s 61st Independence Day celebration.
The bank has assured Nigerians that the bank and other partners are working to ensure a seamless process for the benefit of all.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, says at no other time in Nigeria’s history had members of the armed forces been so engaged in addressing the myriad of security challenges confronting the country and threatening the very foundation of her unity, security and wellbeing.
He however said that these notwithstanding, the armed forces remained proud of its critical role in project Nigeria as the nation marked her 61st independence anniversary celebration.
Irabor says security forces were undaunted in spite of the challenges of insecurity and assured the citizens that the nation would be victorious.