Domestic Politics
Malawi's President, Peter Mutharika, dissolved his cabinet ahead of the May 19 elections. Experts suggest that this is to consolidate the newly formed alliance between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). [Africa News]
International Relations
Nigeria and Ethiopia signed a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders to strengthen bilateral relations and military cooperation in the areas of “training and education, technical assistance, and [...] defence technology transfer”. [African Vibes]
Zimbabwe's Defense Minister, Oppah Muchinguri, said the coronavirus pandemic is God's punishment for countries placing sanctions on Zimbabwe. [Africa News]
Society
Kenya's Lived Poverty Index (LPI rose from 0.93 to 1.06 between 2014 and 2018. The LPI is a five-point scale, on which 0 indicates no lived poverty, while 4 represents a constant and total absence of all basic necessities. Nearly 50% of Kenyans lack clean water, food, and medicine. [News Zetu]
At least 17 people have died in an explosion in Nigeria’s capital, Lagos. Roughly 50 buildings were damaged and over 200 people have been rendered homeless as a result of the blast. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) are still investigating the cause of the blast, but the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says it was due to a truck striking some gas cylinders. [All Africa]
Economy
South Africa's Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni said that the country will be using money from the national disaster fund to contain the spread of the coronavirus and the economic effects arising from it. He did not specify the amount of money to be withdrawn. [Mail & Guardian]
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI announced the creation of a $1 billion fund to improve the nation's healthcare infrastructure and help its economy stay afloat in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The fund will be used to purchase medical supplies, maintain jobs, and help the tourism sector. [Africa Feeds]
Health
26 African countries account for a combined total of 273 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 6 deaths. [Africa Feeds]
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