Weakened by huge inequalities in vaccine access and major economic divergences the institutions that have underpinned international solidarity for decades are now reaching their limits COMMENT | EMMANUEL MACRON, PAUL KAGAME, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AND MACKY SALL | The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we can no longer treat seemingly …
Read More »S. African president sends condolences to Tanzania after Magufuli’s death
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA | THE INDEPENDENT | South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday sent condolences to the government and people of Tanzania after the passing of their leader John Magufuli. Magufuli passed away on Wednesday in a Dar es Salaam hospital at the age of 61. “South Africa is …
Read More »34th AU Summit kicks off virtually amid joint commitment against COVID-19
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | XINHUA | The 34th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) kicked off virtually on Saturday amid COVID-19 concerns and a joint commitment in the fight against the pandemic. The AU summit is being held under the theme of “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers …
Read More »CDC unveils COVID-19 vaccines pre-order programme for Africa
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |African Union member states can now start placing online pre-orders for their COVID-19 vaccines after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through an online platform Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) commenced a pre-order programme for countries. The move follows an announcement by …
Read More »South Africa beer manufacturers appeal to lift alcohol sales ban
Johannesburg, S.A. | Xinhua | The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) on Wednesday appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift the blanket ban on alcohol sales to save the livelihoods of some people. The BASA, which comprises the Craft Brewers Association, Heineken South Africa and South African Breweries, said they …
Read More »Free ARVs program helping people with HIV in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa | Xinhua | Every two months, 49-year-old Albert Khumalo goes to a public hospital to collect his antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) which are distributed by South African government free of charge. Since tested positive to HIV in 2010, he has been taking the HIV pills. “I follow the HIV …
Read More »Africa needs USD 12 billion to access COVID-19 vaccine
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The African Union has a commitment of USD 5 billion promised by the World Bank and other donors, out of the USD 12 billion that African countries need to access the coming COVID-19 vaccine. This revelation was made at a teleconference meeting convened Tuesday …
Read More »AU chair urges Africa to prepare to implement AfCFTA
Johannesburg, S.A. | Xinhua | The African Union (AU) chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday called on the continent’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to prepare to start trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement effective from Jan. 1, 2021. Ramaphosa made the remarks in his closing address at …
Read More »Egyptian, South African leaders discuss Ethiopia’s Nile dam
Cairo, Egypt | XINHUA | Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi received on Wednesday a phone call from his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, during which they discussed the Ethiopian grand hydropower dam built on the Nile River, said the Egyptian presidency in a statement. Sisi reiterated Egypt’s stance regarding the Grand …
Read More »S. African president reaffirms commitment to empowering women
Cape Town, South Africa | XINHUA | President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the empowerment of women, saying it is one of national priorities and central to the country’s development strategies. “By unleashing the economic potential of women, we are unleashing the potential of our economies …
Read More »