COVID-19 has shone a light on the acute vulnerabilities of a deeply interconnected world. No country, regardless of its size, wealth, or technological sophistication, can tackle this crisis alone.

With the world gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers have turned their attention to economic stimulus and financial support of households and firms.

So Meskel is finally going to be celebrate as usual this year. This time, the number of participants are going to be limited due to the Corona virus.

Inside the restaurant known for its mouthwatering Kifto in Bole, by Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant, this year’s celebration of Meskel festivities is in some ways somber. There were a much smaller crowd of people than the place is used to pre–COVID-19 pandemic, but that did not mean the day was not marked, with people eager to showcase the unique culture of the Gurage people.

Most of the hotels in Addis Ababa and regional towns, which were out of business in the past six months due to COVID-19, are reopening their doors for business. With the exception of those serving as quarantine centers, most hotels were closed for renovation in the past several months.

Closed for more than half the school year, the government has further relaxed restrictions to allow the reopening of schools amid the spread of COVID-19 across the country, leaving many parents in limbo.

It is more than five months since the most hyped general elections postponed at the backdrop of the global coronavirus pandemic. Preparations were continuing by the restructured National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to hold polling on August 29, 2020. The advent of coronavirus pandemic ensued restrictions imposed on public gatherings and many other social activities by the government.

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to accelerate the global trends of democratic backsliding and weakening respect for human rights.

The human tragedies and massive economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 have rightly commanded the attention of the public and policymakers for more than six months, and should continue to do so.

Over the next 30 years, Sub-Saharan Africa’s population will double to over two billion, and its economies will industrialize.