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Dozens of al-Shabab terrorists eliminated by villagers in fierce battle in Central Somalia

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The Somali Army says dozens of al-Shabaab terrorists have been killed in fierce fighting between residents backed by government forces and al-Shabab militants in the town of Adado in central Somalia on Friday.

Somali officials and witnesses in the region said the fighting erupted when members of the terrorist group invaded the small town of Bahdo, about 60 kilometers east of Adado, but met stiff resistance from the residents.

The Somali military spokesman, Yabal Haji Aden, who confirmed the incident while addressing journalists at a press conference, said the militants began their attack with a suicide vehicle-borne explosive which they detonated near the entrance of the town.

“They tried to detonate three explosives-laden vehicles … one of which detonated when our soldiers hit it with a rocket-propelled grenade.

“They then abandoned the second one, and the third vehicle escaped,” the military spokesman said.

The Galguduud regional Governor Ali Elmi Ganey who also spoke at the press conference, said the joint forces killed about 47 fighters from the extremist group.

“The terrorists have tasted death, both inside and outside of the town. They left 47 dead bodies, guns and military ammunition,” Ganey said.

Residents in the town and officials however, said three children, a well-known religious scholar and three soldiers were also killed during the fighting.

The Information Minister for Galguduud administrative region, Ahmed Shire Falagle, said the militants’ attack on the town did not come as a surprise as they had intelligence reports of the impending attack.

“Our forces, those of Ahlu-Sunna and the residents, were tipped off prior to the al-Shabab attack,” he said, adding that al-Shabab suffered about 100 casualties, including the dead and injured.

Friday’s fighting was said to be the deadliest in recent years for al-Shabab and came days after Somalia’s president appointed a new prime minister, who has called the fight against al-Shabab a priority.

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Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

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A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.

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Mpox immunisation scarcity slows Kinshasa’s epidemic fight

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A lack of mpox vaccine doses has prevented the Democratic Republic of the Congo from starting a campaign in the capital, Kinshasa, the response commander has confirmed.  However, the number of cases nationwide is still rising, particularly among youngsters.

 

In mid-August, a new strain of pox started to spread from the Congo to neighbouring countries, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency. However, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, donors have been hesitant to turn their pledges into cash and vaccines.

 

The head of operations for Congo’s mpox control program, Cris Kacita, stated on Tuesday that the country needed more than 162,000 doses of vaccine to start a vaccination campaign in the capital, but that 53,921 doses were still available for use in prisons, where inmates are at greater risk because of unsanitary conditions.

 

The capital, which is home to about 20 million people, has so far been less impacted than other parts of the nation. In six other provinces, vaccination campaigns are now underway.

 

Along with additional shipments from Germany and the African Union, France has committed to providing 100,000 doses.

 

He added the arrival of vaccines was also delayed by the administrative process, which includes sending an official request, manufacturing, creating documentation and gaining import authorisations.

 

“As long as we don’t have the necessary quantity, it’s going to be complicated to launch (vaccination) in the 14 health zones,” Kacita told Reuters, referring to areas of Kinshasa.

 

According to a health ministry study, from October 28 to November 2, 1,017 new suspected cases were registered nationwide in Congo, including 45 confirmed cases and 16 fatalities.

 

Since children are almost four times more likely than adults to die from the new strain of mpox, the charity Save the Children warned on Wednesday that targeted vaccines were necessary to halt the virus from spreading quickly among children.

 

“Children are especially vulnerable to mpox – they explore by touch and taste, don’t always understand health guidance, and have weaker immune systems than adults,” Katia Vieira de Moraes LaCasse from Save the Children said.

 

According to Africa CDC data, there have been over 42,000 suspected cases of Mpox in the continent, with 1,100 deaths reported so far this year.

 

The Mpox virus can spread from person to person via intimate contact and also from place to person through objects and surfaces that a person infected with Mpox has touched.

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