The deadly coronavirus is hellbent on exterminating mankind as the disease has claimed several lives in Africa and other continents.
In the list are former presidents, prime ministers, lawmakers, entertainers and sportsmen.
1. May 10: Somali envoy to Egypt, Arab League dies
Somali ambassador to Egypt, Abdikani Mohamed Wa’ays, died of COVID-19 on May 10.
2. May 2: Nigerien minister succumbs to the virus
Nigerien minister of employment and labour Mohamed Ben Omar died of COVID-19 on May 2.
Omar died at the main hospital in the capital Niamey.
3. April 28: Revered Kenyan Bishop dies in Italy
Bishop Silas Njiru died of COVID-19 while undergoing treatment at the Rivoli Hospital. He was 92-years-old.
4. April 18: Sékou Kourouma: Guinea’s chief of staff succumbs
Sékou Kourouma, the secretary-general of the government and a relative of President Alpha Condé died of coronavirus.
This was announced by the Guinean government on Sunday, April 19.
5. April 17: Nigerian president’s top aide succumbs
President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief of staff Abba Kyari died of COVID on Friday, April 17.
He was said to have contracted the virus while on official duty in Germany.
6. April 17: Amadou Salif Kebe: Guinea elections boss dies
Amadou Salif Kebe, the chairperson of Guinea’s elections body, died of coronavirus.
Kebe had died on Friday, April 17, 2020.
7. Benedict Somi Vilakazi: South Africa mourns celebrant of history
Benedict Somi Vilakazi, who was 57 years, died of COVID-19.
8. Emeka Chugbo: Nigerian doctor infected on duty, dies
A Nigerian doctor, Emeka Chugbo, died of COVID-19 after contracting the virus while managing an infected patient at his private clinic.
9. April 12: Khalif Mumin: Top Somalia regional official
Khalid Mumin died of coronavirus at a hospital in the capital Mogadishu.
10. April 10: Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule: Ghana loses renowned physician
Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule was a renowned Ghanaian physician. He died of COVID-19 on Friday, April 10 Accra.
11. Ahmed Ismail Hussein Hudeydi: Father of modern Somali music
Ahmed Ismail Hussein Hudeydi was one of the founders of modern Somali music.
He died of COVID-19 in London at the age of 92.
12. Ex-Libyan PM who served after Gaddafi ouster
Mahmud Jibril died of COVID-19 in an Egyptian hospital.
He was a former head of the rebel government that overthrew Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
13. Ex-Somali prime minister “Nur Adde”
Former Somali prime minister Nur Hassan Hussein, also known as “Nur Adde,” died of coronavirus in London.
14. Top Zimbabwean broadcaster becomes first COVID-19 casualty
Prominent broadcaster Zororo Makamba became the first person to die of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.
He was 30 years at the time of his death.
15. Aurlus Mabele – Congolese ‘King of Soukous’
Congolese lost a music start identified as Aurlus Mabele to COVID-19.
He was reputed by his fans as ‘King of soukous’ – a high tempo dance music enjoyed across the continent.
16. Ex-Congolese president Yhombi-Opango
Jacques Joaquim Yhombi-Opango, a former president of the Republic of Congo, died after contracting coronavirus.
The 81-year-old died in a Paris hospital.
17. African music icon, Cameroon’s Manu Dibango
Cameroonian Afro-jazz legend, Manu Dibango died of COVID-19. The ‘Soul Makossa’ author died at the age of 86.
18. Mukendi wa Mulumba – top legal aide to DRC president
Jean-Joseph Mukendi wa Mulumba, a top legal aide to President Felix Tshisekedi, died of COVID-19.
He is believed to have contracted the coronavirus while in France for a medical check-up.
19. Rose Marie Compaore: Top lawmaker becomes Burkina Faso’s first COVID-19 casualty
Rose Marie Compaore died of COVID-19 on March 17, becoming the first person to succumb to the deadly disease in Burkina Faso. She was 62 at the time of her death.
20. Senegalese journalist, sports administrator – Pape Diouf
Journalist and sports administrator Pape Diouf died of COVID-19.
He was a former president of French soccer club Marseille between 2005-09.
