West Africa

Sierra Leone Rolls Out Ebola Vaccine a Decade After Outbreak

Sierra Leone launched a nationwide single-dose Ebola vaccine campaign, targeting 20,000 frontline workers. This initiative, a collaboration between the government, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF, marks the first such campaign in West Africa, following the devastating 2014 Ebola outbreak that killed nearly 4,000 Sierra Leoneans. The vaccine offers protection against a disease that previously claimed a significant portion of the country’s healthcare workforce and left lasting trauma on survivors. The campaign is seen as a crucial investment in public health and a step toward preventing future outbreaks.

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Mali Criminalizes Homosexuality, Sparking Outrage Amidst Poverty and Instability

Mali’s National Transitional Council has passed legislation criminalizing homosexuality, with a vote of 131-1. The bill, which awaits the signature of military leaders who seized power in 2021, will outlaw gay sex between men. The legislation follows a pattern of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in the region, mirroring similar laws in other West African nations. This move further marginalizes the LGBTQ+ community in Mali, potentially exposing them to increased discrimination and prosecution. The details regarding sanctions for those convicted remain unclear.

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