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World Health Organization (WHO) prequalifies diagnostic test to support safer administration of P. vivax malaria treatments

Decision reflects updated processes to improve efficiency, access. The World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified on the 18 December 2024h, te first diagnostic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency which can help to safely deliver WHO-recommended treatments to prevent relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection. The prequalification of this G6PD diagnostic test marks a significant milestone in facilitating safe and effective P. vivax malaria treatment, reaffirming WHO’s dedication to ensuring equitable access to life-saving health solutions globally. Some 500 000 people die each year from malaria, most of them children. The prequalification of this test immediately followed the prequalification, in early December, of two new tafenoquine products for anti-relapse treatment of P. vivax malaria, and these therapeutics were recommended in updated WHO malaria guidelines released a few days earlier, in late November. This package of actions by WHO reflects the o...

Ambassador Yin Chengwu met with Liberian Foreign Minister Nyanti

Chinese Ambassador Yin positively commented on the development of China-Liberia relations and the results of practical cooperation in 2024. Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia on January 5th, 2025. The two sides exchanged views on China-Liberia relations. Ambassador Yin positively commented on the development of China-Liberia relations and the results of practical cooperation in 2024, appreciated Liberia's contribution to the success of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and expressed China's willingness to work with Liberia to steadily and solidly push forward the implementation of the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state and the FOCAC Summit, so as to push the China-Liberia strategic partnership to a new level in the new year. Foreign Minister Nyanti highly appreciated the development of China-Liberia relations, stressing that ...

Young Man’s Life Transformed After Mercy Ships Removes Life-Threatening Tumor

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Alex maxillofacial patient at his home in Freetown after his surgery The first surgery in October 2023 required removing Alex’s entire jaw, with a second surgery to reconstruct it using bone from his head. A young man from Sierra Leone who was forced to leave school due to relentless mockery over a life-threatening facial tumor has had it successfully removed by international charity, Mercy Ships ( www.MercyShips.org ). Alex, now 23, first noticed a swelling on his jaw in 2016 as a teenager. Over the years, the tumor grew significantly, making it difficult for him to eat, speak, and swallow. It left him increasingly isolated and raised fears that it could eventually impair his breathing. Despite numerous attempts to seek treatment by his family—including medication, herbal remedies, and an unsuccessful surgery at a local hospital—the tumor continued to grow, causing physical and emotional distress. “At first, it was okay, but later, the tumor started to grow again,” recalled Alex from ...

Wang Yi to Visit Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria

This will be the 35th consecutive year that Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of the year Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announces has announced that ember of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Chad and Nigeria from January 5 to 11 at the invitation of these countries.  This will be the 35th consecutive year that Chinese foreign minister visits Africa on the first overseas trip at the start of the year. Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor

Elinor Hammarskjöld appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel

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Elinor Hammarskjöld appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Elinor Hammarskjöld as Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel. Ms Hammarskjöld currently serves as Director-General for Legal Affairs and Head of the Directorate-General for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. “We are very proud of Elinor Hammarskjöld’s appointment. It is among the highest offices a Swede has held in the UN. This enhances Sweden’s representation in the UN and shows that we have a great deal to offer as regards knowledge of international law. This is good for Sweden. At the same time, we are losing a valued key employee here at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard.  Ms Hammarskjöld has more than 30 years’ experience working in foreign and security policy, public international law and human rights. She is currently...

African Development Bank Group Announces Plan to Build a State-of-the-Art Headquarters in Abidjan

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Rising on the site of the current headquarters, the new building will showcase architectural innovation through its energy-efficient design and advanced security features, marking a new chapter in the African Development Bank Group’s presence in Abidjan The executive directors unanimously approved the proposal, stating it was important for the Bank to maintain its strong presence in Abidjan and to invest in a work environment that supports the well-being of its staff. The African Development Bank Group’s ( www.AfDB.org ) Boards of Directors have approved yesterday the proposal by the Bank’s Management to construct a modern, state-of-the-art building to host its headquarters in Côte d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, Abidjan. The executive directors unanimously approved the proposal, stating it was important for the Bank to maintain its strong presence in Abidjan and to invest in a work environment that supports the well-being of its staff. The President of the African Development Bank Grou...

Les entrepreneurs de la diaspora en RDC mis à l’honneur par la diplomatie francaise

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  L’Ambassadeur de France en République Démocratique du Congo, M. Rémi Maréchaux, a accueilli le jeudi 12 décembre 2024, une soirée à la Résidence de France en l’honneur des entrepreneurs congolais participant au projet « Le Succès des Repat ». Cette initiative, conduite par l’Ambassade de France en partenariat avec RFI, offre une tribune aux talents de la diaspora congolaise à travers une rubrique diffusée dans l’émission « 8 milliards de voisins ». Ces portraits mettent en avant les parcours de ces entrepreneurs, appelés repats, qui partagent les défis surmontés liés au retour à leur pays d’origine pour mener à bien un projet entrepreneurial. Célébration des talents congolais : un modèle de réussite pour la coopération franco-congolais La soirée a été marquée par la présence des cinq entrepreneurs congolais ayant pris part au projet : - Tisya Mukuna de la marque de café La Kinoise - Christelle Nkento Mabungu - Ursula Ndombele de la plateforme Hoja - Marie-Ange Lub...