Speaking to the virtual meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia, Ramaphosa said the coronavirus pandemic has had a unprecedented  impact on health, societies and economic around the world.

“In the middle of the pandemic – even as we battle rising global infections – we must look to an inclusive  economic recovery where no country is left behind,” he said as Zambia last week found itself unable to meet interest payments on Eurobonds loans.

Africa has been hit less badly by infections than was initially feared. However African economies have borne the heaviest economic impact from the lockdown

“It was at the extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit in March this year that members committed to strengthening national, regional and global capacities to respond effectively to future pandemics,” Ramaphosa said

“As the African continent, we are playing our part, including through the establishment of a Covid-19 Response Fund to mobilise resources for a continental response and to support recovery. We also launched the African Medical Supplies Platform to ensure equitable access to medical equipment and supplies.

“We have been involved in the formation of the Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator, a global network to ensure access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for all those who need it. We are pleased that there appears to be consensus in the G20 that access to an effective Covid-19 vaccine should be universal, fair and equitable” 

Ramaphosa believes a commitment by G20 leaders to invest substantially in the ACT-Accelerator’s immediate funding gap of $4.5 billion (R692bn) will immediately save lives, lay the groundwork for mass provision of Covid-19 tools around the world, and provide a way out of this global economic and human crisis, the president said.

“We look to the G20, international partners and the international financial institutions to work with African countries to rebuild their economies.”

He says the AU has proposed several measures, including debt relief in the form of interest-payment waivers and deferred payments. He urged leaders to invest in funding and research in order to prepare for a post Covid-19 future.

“We must bolster health infrastructure and health systems. We are encouraged by the continued commitment of the G20 to financing universal health coverage in developing countries. We must accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen the capacity of all countries to better withstand the impact of future crises.

“This pandemic has demonstrated the interconnectedness of our world. It is only through co-operation and solidarity that we will ensure the future health and welfare of our global community.”

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The civilian groups have rejected fresh calls from the Transitional Military Council for talks, saying the army cannot be trusted.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been leading demonstrations for the military to hand power to civilian administration, demands that an international committee be set up to investigate what it is calling a massacre.

The generals say they will look into what the Rapid Support Force – formerly known as the Janjaweed – did to disperse demonstrators on Monday and punish anyone who’s crossed the line.

There’s growing international condemnation of the killing of unarmed protestors.

Saudi Arabia, that supported the military after the April coup that ousted President Omar Al Bashir, now says it is watching developments with concern.

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They accuse the transitional military councilor being remnants of the 30-year Bashir regime.

The disparate pro-democracy groups spearheaded by the Sudan Professionals Association had gathered outside military headquarters in Khartoum to hear a suggested list of people for a  transitional government.

Instead they got the defiant statement from the groups urging them to escalate their protests.

It’s an indication that the demonstrators could not agree on personalities able to replace the military and a sign that there are tense and confusing times ahead for Sudan.

The generals, meanwhile have enjoyed financial support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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The Sudanese Professional Association, which has organized months of mass protests calling for Al Bashir’s fall has distanced itself from this say, saying it will only accept a civilian transitional administration.

ends intro

The Sudanese Army’s named Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf as head of the transitional council.

There’s no word of the whereabouts of President Omar Al Bashir.

Security authorities will be at pains to keep him out of the clutches of the International Criminal Court where he has been indicted for war crimes in Darfur.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have both offered him asylum.

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The telecoms billionaire was speaking in Cote d’Ivoire at a meeting of his foundation that publishes an annual index of good governance and rewards democratically elected African leaders who stand down voluntarily.

Mo Ibrahim’s call comes as Saudi Arabia and Egypt offer asylum to Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, who’s facing unprecedented and persistent mass protests to stand down.

With demonstrators camping for a fifth night outside army headquarters in Khartoum and vowing to stay there until Al Bashir goes, 

Britain, Norway and the United States  have called on the government there to deliver a credible political transition plan. 

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They’ve become part of the 23 countries blacklisted by the European body seeking to avoid becoming a destination for illicit money.

The European Union’s Commissioner for Justice and Gender Equality Vera Jourova explains that the grouping is determined to avoid allowing its financial system to serve as a vehicle for money laundering or as an instrument for financing crime including terrorism. 

Placing Saudi Arabia on the dirty money list has caused a rift between the EU Commission and some of the larger member states who regard the Kingdom as an important ally despite recent tension over the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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Two of the five coup leaders have been killed as the army restores control, closing down the internet and broadcasting services in the oil-rich, small West African state.

The South African statement recalls the African Union’s rejection of any unconstitutional change of government and calls on the Gabonese army to restore the democratically elected government in Gabon.

That’s headed by President Ali Bongo who is recovering in Morocco from a  stroke suffered in Saudi Arabia two months ago.

Bongo took the reins when his father died in 2002 having seized power in 1967.

Ali Bongo won an election in 2016 by fewer than 6 000 votes and  at least  seven people died in demonstrations calling for an end to the 50-year Bongo dynasty in Gabon.

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The coup leader says a New Year’s eve address by Bongo reinforced doubts about the president’s ability to continue to carry out of the responsibilities of his office.

Speaking for the putschists is Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang. 

He leads the self-declared Patriotic Movement of the Defence and Security Forces of Gabon.

He’s calling on Gabonese to join his national restoration movement. 

President Ali Bongo has been out of the country since suffering a stroke while attending an economic summit in Saudi Arabia two months ago.

There have been several calls of late for an end to the Bongo dynasty that started with Omar Bongo seizing power in 1967.

Ali Bongo took power after his father’s death in 2002.

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It’s blaming Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for fomenting riots and violence that’s cost at least 37 lives.

Saudi Arabia and the the UAE want to exclude Turkey from the international Muslim community.

They offered Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir generous aid if he cut ties with Ankara.

They also made their aid to Sudan conditional on it turning its back on Iran and Qatar.

Al Bashir, who’s an Islamist, refused.

Highly placed advisers in in the ruling Sudanese National Congress say Saudi and UAE support for the protests against a tripling of the bread price and fuel and food shortages is designed to make Al Bashir reconsider.

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Tunis authorities say the ban will last until UAE meets international law and agreements.

There was a public outcry in Tunisia after UAE authorities barred Tunisian women.

Human rights groups called it racist.

The Gulf country cited security considerations for targeting women from that North African country.

UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash insists his government highly values Tunisian women and respects them.

The restrictions on them have been lifted.

Tunisia has strong links with Qatar which has been ostracized by  Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt for allegedly backing terror groups in the region.

Qatar strongly denies the charge.

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