The money will come from the fund’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust.

IMFManaging Director Kristalina Georgieva says the debt relief will run for an initial period of six months.

She says it will enable the poor and vulnerable countries to channel financial resources towards dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic.

Advocacy groups have been calling for debt cancellation as relief for African countries hit by coronavirus infections and the drastic economic measures needed to curb its spread.

The World Bank has forecast that COVID 19 will drive Africa into the first recession is has experienced in a quarter of a century.

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French President Emmanuel Macron will return 26 works of art to Benin seized by French troops in 1892.

It’s the start of his quest to repatriate artworks looted by his colonialist forbearers.

An expert study commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron says 90 percent of Africa’s cultural heritage currently lies outside the continent.

The study released in Paris yesterday says laws must be changed to allow the stolen artworks to be returned.

Macron’s not waiting for the new legislation to keep his promise  made in Burkina Faso last year to return Africa’s heritage.

His action will  make other former colonial powers consider the origin of artworks obtained during that dark period.

Critics say many of the countries which fell victim to colonialist theft no longer exist.

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Voters are going to the polls in six African countries today in what’s being dubbed the continent’s super Sunday.

African Union Commission President Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s calling for free, and transparent voting processes accepted by electors.

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Denis Sassou Nguesso’s odds on favorite to win a third consecutive term as president of Congo Brazzaville.

In Niger, opposition  leader Hamad Amnadou was let out of prison to seek medical treatment in France.

Incumbent Mahamadou Issoufou is the favorite to win the run-off .

Benin’s President Thomas Boni Yayi stands out among African peers by stepping down after two terms. Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou and businessman Patrice Talon to contest the succession.

Zanzibaris are voting in elections annulled lat year because of violence.

Senegalese President Macky Sall has called a referendum aimed at reducing presidential terms from seven to five years.

In the archipelago of Cape Verde is having parliamentary elections.

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He’s stepping down after the legally mandated two terms, leaving 33 candidates to compete for power in the West African country.

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By leaving office after two terms, President Thomas Boni Yayi is reinforcing Benin’s reputation as a model of democracy on a  continent, where many leaders are revising their countries’ constitution so they can remain in power.

As one of 4,7 million voters eligible to cast their ballots, the outgoing president says he’s leaving behind a unified Benin.

He’s backing Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, who is favored along with businessman Patrice Talon. If neither wins a clear majority, a run-off election will be held in two weeks.

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