Musings From Abroad

US sends Marburg vaccines to Rwanda

Published

2 months ago

October 6, 2024

Thierry Roels, the United States CDC Country Director in Rwanda, has confirmed to journalists that Washington had successfully delivered the first shipment of vaccination doses and therapeutic medications for Marburg disease to Rwanda on October 4.

According to him, the US government is also closely collaborating with foreign partners and Rwanda’s Ministry of Health to initiate clinical trials to assess innovative countermeasures.

Roels did not specify how many dosages had been given on Friday, but he did add that the US government was thinking about sending in more shipments to support the clinical research.

The first known outbreak of viral hemorrhagic fever in Rwanda was discovered in late September; to yet, 36 cases and 11 fatalities have been reported. The death rate in Marburg might reach 88%.

Rwanda will begin clinical trials of experimental vaccines and treatments for the illness, the country’s health minister, Sabin Nsanziman, announced on Thursday.

WHO has assessed four vaccine candidates for possible use in trials, but only one—produced by the nonprofit Sabin Vaccine Institute—had results from preliminary human studies demonstrating safety and eliciting an immune response BECAUSE of the hazards, it is not possible to test the vaccinations further outside of outbreak situations.

The vaccine, which is intended to be used in a study aimed at frontline workers, including medical professionals, was sent to Rwanda on Saturday, according to a statement made by the Sabin Vaccine Institute.

The nonprofit organisation added that it intends to provide further vaccinations subject to approval from the U.S. Centre for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and a request from the Rwandan government.

In reaction to the outbreak, Gilead Sciences announced on Thursday that it will give the Rwanda Medical Supply around 5,000 vials of its antiviral medication Remdesivir for use in an emergency.

Within seven days of infection, Marburg symptoms include a high fever, excruciating headaches, lethargy, and severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Fruit bats carry the virus, which subsequently transmits to people who come into touch with the bodily fluids of the sick.

Musings From Abroad

France, Nigeria sign agriculture, infrastructure deals

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Two agreements to improve food security and infrastructure development have been struck between France and Nigeria, while Nigerian lenders, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank, have expanded their operations into France.

The agreements were signed during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Paris, according to Nigeria’s presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who said on Friday that the agreements included a 300 million euro investment plan to support the development of human capital, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure throughout Nigeria.

A letter of intent was signed by French Economy Minister Antoine Armand and Nigerian Finance Minister Wale Edun to enable the investments. Onanuga added in a statement that both countries have promised to simplify trade and investment procedures.

“The two countries committed to forge a strategic relationship in project implementation and enhance mutual trade and cross border services by removing fiscal barriers while protecting labour rights,” a joint statement said.

Zenith Bank opened its doors in Paris in addition to the government-level accords, and UBA is expected to follow after reaching an agreement with French authorities to start business in Paris, according to Onanuga.

Nigeria is the fourth-largest trading partner of France in Africa, behind Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, and the top trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria Exports to France was US$4.26 Billion during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

Musings From Abroad

Chad terminates defence cooperation with France

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

France’s influence in Sub-Saharan Africa has suffered a fresh setback as the government of Chad says that it has terminated its defence cooperation agreement with France, potentially leading to the withdrawal of French troops from the Central African nation.

After more than 60 years of independence, Chad, a crucial Western partner in the war against Islamic terrorists in the area, said in a statement that it wants to completely establish its sovereignty.

It stated that it would be allowed to reinterpret its strategic alliances as a result of the 2019 revision to the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

Although Chad has always worked closely with the military forces of Western countries, in recent years it has become more close to Russia.

After being forced to withdraw its soldiers from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso due to military coups, the decision represents yet another blow to France’s colonial and historic position in West and Central Africa.

Since then, the military juntas have looked to Russia, which has been developing stronger connections with Chad’s president Mahamat Deby and has mercenaries stationed throughout the Sahel area, a group of nations that stretches from the northwest to the northeast shores of Africa.

“Under the terms of the accord, Chad will respect the modalities of the termination including the necessary deadlines, and will collaborate with French authorities to ensure a harmonious transition,” the statement said.

The French foreign ministry is yet to officially comment on the development.

Although a French envoy to President Emmanuel Macron this week submitted a report with recommendations on how France could scale back its military presence in Chad, Gabon, and Ivory Coast, where it has stationed thousands of troops for decades, there were no signs that Paris had been informed in advance of the decision.

Approximately 1,000 French soldiers and combat aircraft are presently stationed in Chad.

In a further setback for France, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye stated Thursday in an interview with French state television that French troops should not be stationed in his nation.

He stated that Paris would be the first to know, but he did not specify whether or when French forces would be ordered to depart. There are about 350 French soldiers stationed in Senegal.

The decision to terminate the country’s defence relationship with France should not in any way jeopardise the two nations’ cordial ties, according to a statement from Chad’s foreign ministry.