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WHO Calls for End to Africa Conflicts to Fight Coronavirus

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - The World Health Organization is calling for an end to
   conflict in Africa so governments and health officials can focus on
   combating the spread of coronavirus.

   The continent has recorded more than 600,000 cases of the virus, with
   14,000 deaths.

   "For at least three months, vulnerable communities have been
   experiencing social-economic difficulties exacerbated by COVID-19,"
   WHO's Africa head, Matshindiso Moeti, said Thursday in a media briefing
   held over Zoom. "It is in the interest of peace, international
   security, and equity that all countries and partners do more for the
   civilians affected by the violent conflict. I'll call for all parties
   to the conflict to implement the U.N. Security Council resolution on
   COVID-19, focusing on our common enemy, the virus, and ceasing
   hostilities."

   Several African countries such as Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Mali are
   coping with Islamist insurgencies, while others like South Sudan are
   dealing with inter-communal fighting.

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