“What’s Going On” Tallies Notable News Headlines From Across The Continent — The Good, The Bad, And The Horrible — As A Way Of Ensuring That We All Become A More Sagacious African Generation. With This Column, We’re Hoping To Disseminate The Latest Happenings In Our Socio-Political Climate From Across The Continent, Whilst Starting A Conversation About What’s Important For Us To All Discuss. From Political Affairs To Socio-Economic Issues, ‘What’s Going On’ Will Discuss Just That.

Over 100 Killed in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region

Witnesses confirm over hundreds of civilians have been killed in an attack in Ethiopia’s Oromia region. The regional Government confirmed the attack but failed to go into further details as no mention about casualties was made. Witnesses have, however, stated that over 200 people have been killed. Abdul-Seid Tahir, a resident of Gimbi county, shared with The Associated Press news agency: “I have counted 230 bodies. I am afraid this is the deadliest attack against civilians we have seen in our lifetime.” Bodies have been buried in large numbers and in mass graves and more bodies are still being collected.

Another victim said that ethnic Amhara that have been living in the area for over 30 years are now being “killed like Chickens.” It has been reported that the Amhara people — the second largest ethnic group in Ethiopia have been a frequent target in regions like Oromia. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared on his twitter: “Attacks on innocent civilians and destruction of livelihoods by illegal and irregular forces is unacceptable,” without going deeper into details or addressing any killings. Thousands of people have been killed, and millions of others have been left homeless and without shelter as a result of the fighting between forces loyal to Abiy and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and their allies. Ethiopia is experiencing widespread ethnic tensions in several regions, most of them over historical grievances and political tensions. 

Attacks on innocent civilians & destruction of livelihoods by illegal and irregular forces is unacceptable. There is zero tolerance for horrific acts claiming lives recently in both Beninshangul & Oromia regions by elements whose main objective is to terrorize communities.1/2

— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) June 20, 2022

Attackers Target Church In Kaduna, Nigeria 

Places of worship in Nigeria have become targeted by attackers and bandits in the past few weeks as just recently, a church in Owo, Ondo state was attacked, killing over 40 people while leaving others injured and hospitalised. Three people have been killed while two others have been injured after bandits attacked a church in Kaduna, Nigeria. The state’s Commissioner of Internal Security Samuel Aruwan mentioned that an unknown number of criminals on motorcycles entered four villages in co-ordinated attacks robbing people and later targeted Maranatha Baptist and St. Moses Catholic churches respectively, leaving people killed, injured and also kidnapped. Police investigations have been sped up as ordered by Kaduna Stata’s acting governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe. Goods, valuables and other important materials were stolen by bandits. 

BREAKING: Two Weeks After Ondo Terrorist Attack, Gunmen Storm Catholic Church In Kaduna, Kill Three Worshippers, Abduct Many | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/uw0h4JshDG pic.twitter.com/pDbLPxutQl

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 19, 2022

South Sudan Minister of Water Resources Dies In Egypt 

Over the weekend, Manawa Peter Gatkuoth Gual, South Sudan’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation died in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. After developing chest pains which demanded instant attendance, the minister was flown out on Friday from Juba to Cairo. He immediately faced a surgical process on Saturday but did not survive it as he died 05:00am on Sunday. The late minister was a member of the political bureau of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO). The president, President Salva Kiir stated that he received the news of the death with profound sorrow. The Vice President Riek Machar said in a condolence message to the deceased’s family:

“Mr Manawa was a strong student leader during his university days as well as a leader in the youth movement in Sudan. He was a committed nationalist. He was a strong believer in reforms in the Republic of South Sudan”

Developing countries Win Five-year Waiver On Vaccines Against Covid-19.

Since the start of the pandemic, South Africa and India have repeatedly denounced inequalities in access to vaccine doses, in what has been called a “vaccine apartheid”. Developing countries have now won a five-year waiver of patents on vaccines against Covid-19. This decision was established on Friday 17th of June, following fervent negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO.) The 164 member body shared their decisions made just a few days ago. The agreement is intended to allow local factories to produce vaccines or the ingredients necessary to make them, without the consent of the patent holders and now, Covid-19 vaccines can be exported to other countries. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) , 60% of the world’s population has received two doses, but the situation is still inequitable with only 17% of the population vaccinated in Libya, 8% in Nigeria and less than 5% in Cameroon.

At last, we delivered! A successful @wto MC12 with 6 plus solid deliverables, from the TRIPS waiver, to fisheries to the e-commerce moratorium and more! Sincere thanks and congratulations to Ministers, Ambasadors, Senior Officials and Secretariat Staff for making this work! pic.twitter.com/qlaL2WTY9c

— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) June 17, 2022

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