Domestic Politics
Gambian police clashed with ‘Operation 3 Years Jotna Movement' protestors demanding the resignation of President Adama Barrow. When Barrow took power in 2016, he promised to resign after three years in a transitional government, but now seeks re-election in 2021. [Africa Feeds]
The Tanzanian government unveiled new guidelines to encourage businesses to invest in waste recycling and waste management. It also targeted 100% water access in urban areas and 95% in rural areas, 75% access to improved access to sanitation in rural areas by 20215, and elimination of open defecation by 2025. [African Vibes]
The West African countries of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Togo are all gearing up for elections in 2020. [Africa News]
International Relations
US President Donald Trump added seven new countries–Belarus, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Tanzania and Sudan– to his travel restriction list. [All Africa]
During the UK-Africa Summit, Kenya and the UK discussed ways to address Kenya's negative trade balance with the UK. In 2018, Kenya exported £237.5 million worth of goods to the UK and imported goods worth £303.6 million. The gap can be bridged by exporting more Kenyan textiles and mineral products, and through greater UK investment in Kenyan pharmaceutical and service industries. [The East African]
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni received a commitment of $19.6 million on Ugandan beef exports to Britain during the UK-Africa Investment Summit. It was part of a $419 million UK aid package for 21 African countries. [The East African]
Economy
The state-owned South African Airways' high running costs and lack of funds have driven it to cancel a number of domestic and interntaional flights this week. The airline spends roughly $5 million per day., and the $138,400,000 given in December was immediately burnt on staff salaries and old operating costs, including fuel. [The Africa Report]
Health
Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control confirmed 29 deaths and a further 190 infected from the Lassa fever, which belongs to the same family as Marburg and Ebola. The virus spreads through contact with food and household items contaminated with rat urine or faeces or after coming into contact with an infected person's body fluids. During the last outbreak in 2016, over 100 people died. [Africa Feeds]
Image Source: Business Live