ADDIS ABABA – Much publicized COVID-19 supplies donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma and his Alibaba Group never made it to Eritrea, despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s saying the supplies had been delivered to the entire continent. The reasons why the goods did not reach Eritrea are unclear, but rights activists accuse the government […]
Medical/Health Care
Botswana Kills Five Suspected Poachers in Effort to Save Rhinos
GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Botswana has seen an unprecedented rise in rhinoceros poaching in the last 12 months. The government reports nearly 50 of the animals have been killed in the last 10 months, about one-tenth of the country’s rhino population. Officials say at this rate, the black rhino population, which numbers just a few dozen, could be wiped out by the end of […]
African Conflict Zones in Need of Cease-Fires for Coronavirus Aid
ACCRA – Africa security experts say efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic has been complicated by armed conflicts on the continent. Calls are growing for cease-fires to give health care workers safe access to all those at risk. As African nations gear up and lock down to fight the spread of the coronavirus, security experts […]
UN General Assembly to Decide on Rival COVID-19 Resolutions
UNITED NATIONS – How should the U.N. General Assembly and its 193 member states respond to the coronavirus pandemic? Members have been sent two rival resolutions for consideration — and under new voting rules instituted because the global body isn’t holding meetings, if a single country objects a resolution is defeated. One resolution, which has […]
Botswana Declares Emergency on First Confirmed COVID Cases
GABARONE, BOTSWANA – Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Tuesday declared an indefinite state of emergency effective after the southern African country recorded its first confirmed cases of coronavirus. Botswana had appeared to be keeping the virus at bay. But, on Monday night, the country’s health minister announced three people, who had traveled abroad, tested positive. […]
Coronavirus – South Africa: Minister Naledi Pandor on South Africans stranded abroad during Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown Speaking notes for the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor at the press briefing on South Africa’s response to Covid-19 Pandemic
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, South Africans stranded abroad The Covid 19 pandemic is unprecedented and is giving rise to problems and challenges that governments across the world are struggling to deal with. Over the last two months the world has changed dramatically and this impacts on governance challenges. As DIRCO we have to focus on […]