Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya, addressing an online briefing on Thursday about the multi-country mpox outbreak and other health crises, stressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat mounting public health emergencies.
“We see that the number of disease outbreaks in 2024 was more than in 2023… In 2024, we had 213 events, while in 2023, we had 166. We hope that this year will be different from the last year,” Kaseya said.
The Africa CDC chief identified cholera, measles, dengue, mpox, and diphtheria as the top five high-burden diseases in Africa for 2024.
Cholera was “the first killer in Africa,” as the African continent reported some 204,115 cholera cases and 3,747 deaths last year. Measles followed closely, with 234,320 cases and 3,220 deaths in 2024.
Mpox ranked third in fatalities among the five high-burden diseases, with 21 African countries reporting 77,888 cases and 1,321 deaths since the start of 2024, according to data from the African Union’s specialized healthcare agency.
Kaseya highlighted the pressing need for Africa to address public health emergencies more effectively, citing the compounded effects of climate change, urbanization, and other contributing factors.
The Africa CDC chief also called for significant investment in laboratory infrastructure, critical public health facilities, and local vaccine and medical equipment production. He emphasized the need to boost the continent’s public health workforce, improve genomic sequencing for priority diseases, and bolster national public health institutes to enhance their role in managing health emergencies.
“We are following what is happening in Africa in terms of diseases, and we know exactly what is happening, when, and where so that we can respond by supporting our members,” Kaseya said.
A modular operating theatre is a specially designed surgical room that is built using pre-fabricated, modular components.
This allows for flexibility in its design, enabling it to be customized and adapted to meet specific needs or requirements.
It can be expanded or modified easily, depending on future needs, and is equipped with advanced medical technology for performing surgeries.
The event was graced by the CEO of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda, alongside the CEO of Alvo Medical, the esteemed manufacturer of advanced Operating Room (OR) solutions.
Also in attendance were the Deputy CEO (DCEO) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of KFH, along with theatre users, including surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff, who will directly benefit from this cutting-edge facility.
The newly inaugurated modular theatre is equipped with the latest technology designed to support complex cardiac procedures, significantly enhancing patient safety and improving surgical outcomes.
In his address, the CEO of KFH reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing surgical care through innovative OR solutions.
He proudly announced that all 18 theatres planned in the hospital’s expansion project will be built to an even higher standard than the newly inaugurated one.
He emphasized that KFH will no longer construct theatres below this level of excellence.
The CEO of Alvo Medical expressed pride in partnering with KFH to deliver this modern, high-performance surgical environment.
He highlighted Alvo Medical’s commitment to providing innovative and sustainable medical infrastructure capable of serving hospitals for up to 20 years.
King Faisal Hospital has made significant strides in advancing healthcare. In May 2024, the hospital announced that over 300 patients, including children aged between 100 and 150, had undergone heart surgery in the past three years using cardiac catheterization procedure.
In January 2024, it was also reported that in the previous year, more than 175 patients had undergone surgery for heart related diseases, while 18 patients received kidney transplant services in Rwanda.
Besides, the foundation stone for the expansion of King Faisal Hospital, a project that will increase its capacity threefold was laid on July 22, 2024.
The expansion is expected to add nearly 88,000 square meters to the hospital, with a focus on treating rare diseases that are not commonly treated in Rwanda, such as heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and others.
During this meeting, they explored potential areas for further strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation between Rwanda and Azerbaijan in multiple sectors.
So far, the two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations and a visa waiver agreement for service and diplomatic passports.
As Ambassador Lt Gen (Rtd) Charles Kayonga presented his credentials to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in October 2024, both countries expressed their desire to collaborate in advancing various sectors.
At that time, Amb. Kayonga highlighted potential areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, science, education, and humanitarian efforts.
In a recent interview with an Azerbaijani newspaper, Amb. Kayonga shared that the two countries could engage in mutually beneficial trade.
On November 13, 2024, President Paul Kagame met with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, where they discussed the partnership between the two countries in advancing key sectors.
The two heads of state focused on strengthening cooperation in areas such as investment, trade, and knowledge exchange to ensure the successful implementation of their objectives.
The relationship between Azerbaijan and Rwanda began in 2017. Azerbaijan has an ambassador to Rwanda, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while Ambassador Kayonga is based in Ankara, Turkey.
The procedure was carried out to treat fetal anemia caused by insufficient blood, particularly low red blood cells.
If left untreated, this condition could lead to fetal death or premature delivery in the early stages of pregnancy.
Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi Emmanuel, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at CHUK, explained that the problem arose from a blood type mismatch between the mother and the fetus.
The mother had blood type O-, while the fetus had Rh-positive blood. This mismatch caused the mother’s immune system to produce antibodies that attacked the fetus’s blood, leading to anemia.
The pregnant woman, who was seven months along, initially sought care at a health center but was referred to a district hospital. Upon further examination, it was discovered that the fetus had low blood levels, necessitating intervention at CHUK.
Upon arrival at CHUK, an ultrasound confirmed that the fetus was indeed anemic. Further tests revealed the mother’s blood type and the cause of the immune reaction.
Normally, women with Rh-negative blood receive medication after childbirth to prevent future immune responses. However, in this case, the woman had not received the medication, possibly due to an oversight during her previous delivery.
Given the urgency of the situation and the rarity of the procedure in Rwanda, the medical team decided to proceed with the transfusion, using blood that matched the mother’s type. This prevented her immune system from attacking the fetus’s blood.
“The procedure was successful, and the fetus is doing well,” said Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi. “We will continue monitoring the baby and provide further transfusions until birth to ensure a safe delivery.”
He also stressed the importance of early screening for pregnant women, including checking for blood type compatibility with the fetus, and taking immediate action if issues arise.
“Blood transfusions in the womb are rare in Rwanda and the region. This breakthrough demonstrates our medical progress and underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in saving lives,” he noted.
During the procedure, specialized needles were used to inject blood directly into the fetal bloodstream, a delicate and precise task.
Dr. Nshimiyumuremyi assured that the blood transfused was of the universal O- type, ensuring no adverse effects for the fetus.
He urged expectant mothers to undergo early prenatal check-ups, including blood type tests, to ensure compatibility with their babies and called on healthcare workers to quickly refer mothers with Rh-negative blood to higher-level facilities for further care.
Dr. Kadozi brings 14 years of extensive experience in capacity building, focusing on business, economics, energy utilization, and environmental conservation.
His academic career includes teaching and research roles at leading institutions such as the University of Rwanda and Kigali Independent University (ULK), where he taught master’s students in economics and development while conducting training sessions across various sectors.
Over the years, he has mentored more than 50 students conducting research at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. These students hailed from Rwanda, Europe, and the United States.
In 2019, Dr. Kadozi earned a PhD in economics from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. His academic credentials also include a master’s degree from Tsinghua University in China and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rwanda, further cementing his expertise.
The Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) also welcomed new leadership, with Dr. Flora Mutezigaju appointed as Deputy Director General.
Dr. Mutezigaju holds a PhD in inclusive education for persons with disabilities from Kenyatta University in Kenya, where she also completed her master’s degree.
She joined UNICEF in August 2023 as an education specialist and, in 2021, worked with the World Bank on promoting inclusive education. Prior to that, in 2018, she served as the Director of Inclusive Education Development at REB.
Another notable appointment is Carlène Seconde Umutoni, who became the Deputy Director General of the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).
She transitioned from MINEDUC, where she worked since 2021. Previously, from 2018 to 2021, she managed projects at MTN Rwanda. Umutoni holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees from AUCA, showcasing her strong academic foundation.
Further changes in MINEDUC saw Rose Baguma appointed as the Head of the Education Policy department.
Adia Umulisa now heads the education sector planning, monitoring, and evaluation department, while Jimmy Christian Byukusenge takes on responsibilities as the Director General of Corporate Services.
Esther Shaban Tuyizere has been named an advisor to the Minister of Education, and Jean Baptiste Doxa Niyibizi assumes the role of legal analyst.
New provincial education coordinators have also been appointed. Emmanuel Butera oversees the Eastern Province, Augustin Uwimana is responsible for the Northern Province, Christophe Nsengiyaremye takes charge of the Southern Province, Eric Niyongabo leads in Kigali City, and Jean de Dieu Ntaganira manages education coordination in the Western Province.
Beyond the education sector, other significant appointments include Dr. Edgar Kalimba as Deputy Director General for Medical Services at King Faisal Hospital (KFH). The hospital also established a new board chaired by Dr. Thierry Kalisa, with Dr. Natalie McCall as Vice Chair.
Other board members include Israel Bimpe, Dr. Sanctus Musafiri, Dr. Regis Hitiman, Flora Nsinga, Theogene Maniragaba, Jeannette Rwigamba, and Natacha Butera.
Lastly, Agnes Muhongerwa was named Deputy Chief Gender Monitor in charge of Gender-Based Violence at the Gender Monitoring Office.
The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Kigali Convention Centre on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The project is being implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP). The Ruzizi III Regional Hydropower Project will hold a 70% stake, while the remaining 30% will be shared equally among the three participating countries.
Once completed, the project is expected to benefit all three nations, as the electricity produced will be distributed equally among them.
Mohsin Tahir, the project manager of Ruzizi III, explained that discussions about the project have been ongoing for over a decade among the three countries. However, the project is now in its final stages of preparation, and construction is expected to begin soon, with a timeline of five years for completion.
“This project will not only benefit Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC but will also have a significant impact across the continent. Ruzizi III is the first hydropower plant of its kind in the region,” Tahir said.
“We expect construction to take five years, and by 2030, the plant will begin supplying electricity. The construction phase alone will create over 2,000 jobs. This will be one of the most substantial infrastructure projects undertaken in the past 30 years, leveraging shared natural resources for the collective benefit of all involved nations.”
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Gasore Jimmy, emphasized the importance of the project in addressing the region’s energy needs while promoting sustainable development.
“This project represents more than just a hydropower development. It is a beacon of hope for a sustainable and energy-secure future for the people of Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Minister Gasore stated.
The Minister reassured stakeholders that any political or diplomatic challenges among the participating countries would not hinder the project’s progress.
“Our confidence is based on past collaborations. For example, we have another joint project that has been operational since the 1990s and continues to function effectively. Meetings are held regularly, decisions are made collaboratively, and progress is achieved. For Ruzizi III, we have followed a similar approach, which has brought us this far.”
He further revealed that by September 2025, all stakeholders, including financiers, implementers, and the participating governments, are expected to reach a comprehensive agreement. This will allow construction to commence.
“We have already started issuing contracts to the builders. Once financial close is achieved, construction will begin in 2026 and is expected to take five years to complete,” Minister Gasore stated.
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Charles Vumbi Mbenga, the Director General of the Great Lakes Energy (EGL) company, which oversees energy projects in the East African Community, noted that all three countries are committed to implementing the project.
He urged security agencies in the respective countries to ensure safety in the areas where project activities will take place, as agreed by the participating nations in 2019.
The agreement to implement the Ruzizi III Hydropower Plant project was signed in Kinshasa on July 29, 2019.
The project is expected to cost $625.19 million, with $138.88 million provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and $50.22 million from a private-sector funding mechanism.
Ruzizi III is part of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and will be constructed along the Ruzizi River, located between Rwanda and the DRC. The project will also include infrastructure for distributing electricity.
This initiative is expected to address energy shortages in Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC, which have been exacerbated by rapid population growth outpacing the development of energy infrastructure.
In a statement released on Friday, January 17, 2025, the management attributed the move to sustained market challenges, including economic pressures, currency depreciation and rising operational costs.
“Over the past 40 years, CMC Motors Group has played a vital role in supporting East Africa’s agricultural sector through the delivery of quality service, mechanization solutions, and steadfast support to its customers. However, despite restructuring efforts and a transformation program initiated in 2023, the market conditions have not provided a sustainable path forward,” the statement reads in part.
According to the company, the gradual winding down of operations in the three countries will be done in “full compliance with local regulations and distributorship agreements.”
“The company is committed to supporting its employees during this transition and will ensure a smooth and orderly wind-down in adherence to all relevant agreements and regulations,” the management added.
CMC Motors Group Ltd, owned by CMC Holdings Ltd, was acquired in 2014 by the Al-Futtaim Group, a multinational conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Other trading subsidiaries owned by CMC Holdings Ltd include Cooper Motor Corporation (Uganda) Ltd, Hughes Motors (Tanzania) Ltd, and Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers Ltd (33% Shareholding).
The company deals in a comprehensive range of automotive and related products and services, making it a key player in the East African market. This includes the sales and distribution of a variety of vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles such as UD Trucks, Eicher Trucks, and MAN Trucks.
They also cater to the construction and agricultural sectors, distributing Bobcat and Case construction equipment, and New Holland tractors with various farming implements. Beyond sales, CMC Motors Group provides extensive after-sales services through its network of showrooms and service centers, offering maintenance, repairs, and spare parts.
Additionally, they have a specialized engineering division, CMC Engineering, which designs and builds custom truck bodies, trailers, and other fabrications, along with an accident repair workshop equipped for dent repair and re-spraying.
In April 2023, CMC Motors Group declared 169 of its workers in Kenya redundant after three vehicle brands namely Mazda, Ford and Suzuki terminated their distribution deals with the company.
Speaking during a press conference at ACT-Wazalendo headquarters on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the party leader outlined several critical issues driving her decision to seek the highest office including declining economic growth, the rising cost of living, youth unemployment, and alleged mismanagement of the country’s natural resources.
“Tanzania needs new leadership that will protect national interests, foster a strong economy, promote equal opportunities, and ensure transparent governance,” Semu stated.
Semu claimed that Tanzania’s economic downturn was a key concern, citing the World Bank’s 2024 report, which recorded a decline in growth from 6.8% in 2019 to 4.6% in 2023. She attributed the slowdown to unstable investment policies and the ineffective implementation of development projects.
She also emphasized the impact of inflation, which stood at 3.1% in December 2024 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and lamented over what she termed as the country’s failure to invest in job-creating sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.
Semu has over a decade of political experience and previously served in public administration for 17 years.
In 2022, she was appointed Prime Minister of the party’s shadow cabinet, which was created to ensure accountability within the government.
She expressed confidence in her readiness to lead Tanzania, saying “I am not entering this race to lose.”
“I have been groomed for this role, and my party is equipped with the vision and strategies needed to build a prosperous Tanzania,” she stated.
Semu also expressed openness to collaborating with other opposition parties to challenge CCM, which has been in power for nearly five decades since its formation in 1977.
“We are ready to work with serious opposition parties, but first, we must ensure our own house is in order,” she said.
Semu’s announcement follows ACT-Wazalendo’s recent call for party members to declare their candidacy for the upcoming polls, as well as a similar declaration by party chairperson Othman Masoud Othman, who seeks to run for Zanzibar’s presidency.
If nominated by ACT-Wazalendo, Semu will face President Suluhu, who is expected to seek re-election under CCM.
President Suluhu ascended to the presidency in March 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli.
The late Magufuli had secured a second term in the October 2020 presidential election with a landslide victory, garnering over 84% of the vote. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu of Chadema party, received just 13% of the vote.
The incident occurred at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT) when SpaceX mission control lost contact with the newly upgraded Starship during its test flight. The rocket, carrying its first payload of mock satellites but no crew, disintegrated eight minutes after liftoff from SpaceX’s South Texas launch facilities.
Fiery debris was spotted streaking across the skies of the Caribbean, with videos shared online showing orange trails over Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
“We did lose all communications with the ship—that is essentially telling us we had an anomaly with the upper stage,” said SpaceX Communications Manager Dan Huot. Minutes later, SpaceX confirmed the rocket’s loss.
The disruption extended beyond the launch site, as dozens of commercial flights were forced to divert or alter their routes to avoid the debris field.
At Miami International Airport, some flights were temporarily grounded, according to eyewitness accounts.
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that air traffic across the region had been rerouted, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a brief airspace restriction.
The FAA, responsible for regulating private space activities, stated that normal operations had resumed shortly after the debris cleared. The agency regularly closes airspace for rocket launches and reentries but expands these closures if anomalies occur.
Elon Musk responded to the incident with characteristic optimism, posting on X: “Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!”
Preliminary assessments from SpaceX pointed to an internal liquid oxygen fuel leak as the cause of the rocket’s failure.
The mishap comes amid fierce competition in the private space race.
A day earlier, Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time. SpaceX’s Starship—standing 2 meters taller in its latest version—was designed with significant upgrades for long-distance space missions, including Mars exploration and satellite deployment.
Despite the setback, Musk has reiterated his commitment to an aggressive testing schedule, aiming for up to 12 Starship flights this year. He downplayed the potential for significant delays, stating that “nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.”
However, the FAA’s forthcoming mishap investigation could affect timelines, especially if debris is found outside designated zones or near populated areas.
Thursday’s test marked the seventh Starship flight since 2023, as part of SpaceX’s test-to-failure approach. While the method has resulted in high-profile failures, it has been instrumental in advancing the engineering limits of reusable rockets. The explosion, however, occurred during a mission phase that SpaceX had successfully completed in prior tests.
The towering Super Heavy booster, a crucial part of the Starship system, performed flawlessly, returning to its launchpad seven minutes after liftoff. The booster executed a controlled descent by reigniting its Raptor engines and latching onto giant mechanical arms affixed to the launch tower—a bright spot in an otherwise troubled mission.
During a press briefing on January 16, 2025, Brigadier General Baratuza acknowledged the losses, stating: “Death is possible because they are not exchanging flowers at war. That is what they signed up for. Even in a bathroom, one can slip and fall to their death. On the battlefield, we say they have fallen with honor.”
The statement came in response to reports of heavy casualties during clashes with the M23 rebel group in Ngungu, Masisi Territory, on January 14.
Allegations have surfaced accusing the Burundian government of concealing information about the fatalities, reportedly transporting bodies to hospital morgues in Bujumbura under secrecy before burial.
While some reports suggest that around 200 Burundian soldiers were killed in Ngungu, Brigadier General Baratuza characterized these figures as exaggerated.
The M23 rebel group has previously shown captured Burundian soldiers in their custody, with some pleading for international assistance to return home.
However, in December 2023, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye denied these claims, stating that the individuals in question were not Burundian soldiers but members of the RED Tabara rebel group.
This statement drew criticism, with families of the captured soldiers confirming their identities as members of the Burundian national army.
Burundian troops have been deployed in North Kivu province since November 2023 under an agreement signed between the Burundian and DRC governments in August the same year.
