Category: Uncategorized

29 August 2022

Angola bids farewell to the country’s former President, who passed away on 8 July 2022, at the age of 79.

The official ceremony was held with the participation of João Lourenço, President of Angola.

Angola’s former strongman President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, was buried in Luanda on Sunday. The funeral was held at the historic palm tree-lined Praca da Republica in the seaside capital on what would have been dos Santos’s 80th birthday.

Dos Santos died last month following a cardiac arrest and will be remembered as a “statesman and devoted pan-Africanist”, said Namibia’s ex-president Sam Nujoma, 93, who told the hundreds of mourners in attendance.

The funeral ceremony of José Eduardo dos Santos was attended by several Heads of State including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s leader Felix Tshisekedi and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Former Heads of State and Foreign Dignitaries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the  State Funeral Service and paid his last respect on behalf of the Republic of South Africa to the late Former Angolan President, His Excellency José Eduardo dos Santos at the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial, Republic Square in Luanda, Angola

South Africa and Angola enjoy strong bonds of friendship dating back to liberation Struggle.

Josiane dos Santos, the late leader’s daughter, sobbed while recalling her father’s love for music.

During Angola’s war for independence, the young “Zedu”, as he was called, began his career as a revolutionary by recording LPs that encouraged the fight against coloniser Portugal while he took refuge in neighbouring DRC, she said.

A 21-gun salute rang as a portrait of dos Santos was carried ahead of the coffin, supported by military-clad pallbearers, in a slow procession to a specially built tomb behind the Neto mausoleum where he was buried.

Under dos Santos, Angola became one of Africa’s top oil producers. He stepped down in 2017, appointing Joao Lourenco his successor, who now stands to win a second term in office.

Dos Santos passed a series of laws before his departure from government, granting himself broad judicial immunity.

28 August 2022

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (#TICAD8) Summit, hosted by the Republic of Tunisia, and co-organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (UNOSSA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank took place on 27th to 28th August 2022.

“No matter how important is official cooperation, it is still insufficient,” Senegalese President Macky Sall told attendees of the opening session of TICAD 8, the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (August 27-28 in Tunis).

“It is through private investment that our partnership can be scaled up to ensure shared growth,” he added.

The Senegalese president hailed the Japanese and African private sectors for their participation in the conference. He also called on Japan to innovate and look for solutions to seek a way out of traditional cooperation considering that the regulations of the World Trade Organisation do not provide for high trading volumes.

It is regrettable that African Union member Morocco failed to attend to conference, he said, over the lack of consensus about the issue of representation.

He expressed the hope the issue will be definitely solved to secure the smooth functioning of the union and a successful partnership.

“Since its launch, TICAD continues to deliver on its promises by yielding concrete results, notably in education, training, agriculture, health and water resources. Such performances make of TICAD a reference partnership mechanism. “

In connection to pharmaceutical sovereignty, Sall said he seeks expanded partnership, particularly in vaccine manufacturing and biotechnological material in the continent. “This is possible as a number of countries already embarked on the the process,” said the Senegalese president.

In times of acute economic crises, the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the war in Ukraine are taking their toll on African countries.”

“This is why we keep on advocating for special drawing rights (SDRs), an issue which requires the full mobilisation of Africa and the international community. The SDRs need to become a reality to underpin post- COVID-19 recovery efforts.”

There is likewise need to advocate for the effective implementation of the G20 initiative on the suspension of debt-service payments as a measure to support efforts to strengthen economic resilience and recovery.

“Africa wants a fair and equitable energy transition that allows countries to tap into available resources to secure sought-after economic competitiveness and universal access to electricity,” further said the President.

“Food sovereignty is a challenge that needs to be taken up as soon as possible,” the President of Senegal added. This is possible through the development of large-scale agricultural production, processing and a better conservation of products.

The continent has over 60% of arable lands and considerable water resources and labour force, thus the importance of promoting public/private partnerships. He said, in this vein, he had requested the support of G20 members to have the African Union sit on the council. This will help the African bloc better defend the continent’s interests.

27 August 2022

Prime Minister Kishida delivered a message at #TICAD8:- “Japan and Africa are ‘partners who grow together’ and who also work together to tackle the various social challenges faced in Africa.

The Gov’t of Japan will make its utmost efforts to support businesses in Africa. In particular, I would like to highlight the importance of support for startups, green investment, and investment to foster human resources.”PM Kishida

PM Kishida announced that Japan will invest a total of $30 billion across the public and private sectors over the next three years in Africa, “Japan’s partner growing together”

 #Ticad8

 AUGUST 27

Moldova Independence Day is celebrated on August 27 annually. The Diplomatic Informer Magazine wishes to congratulate the Government and the people of Moldova on the occasion of the anniversary of the independence day.

We sincerely wish the Government & the people of Moldova continued unity, peace and increased prosperity.

Moldova Independence Day is celebrated annually on August 27. In Romanian, it is named ‘Ziua Independenței.’ This is Moldova’s National Day. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union on August 27, 1991. The people of Moldova celebrate with fireworks, concerts, and military parades. The president also addresses the nation with a patriotic speech. Because it is a public holiday, most citizens and employees have the day off, and, like some other holidays, most businesses in Moldova are closed on August 27 each year.

Moldova is an Eastern European Country and was formerly part of the Soviet Republic. The country shares borders with Romania and Ukraine. A great part of Moldovan territory was a part of the principality of Moldavia from the 14th Century until 1812 when it conceded to the Russian Empire, and that part of the country became known as “Bessarabia.”

In 1856, Southern Bessarabia was returned to Moldavia and in 1859, merged with Wallachia to form Romania, but Russian rule was soon restored over the whole region in 1878. During the 1917 Russian Revolution, Bessarabia briefly became a self-governing state within the Russian Republic, known as the Moldavian Democratic Republic. In February 1918, the Moldavian Democratic Republic declared independence and then integrated into Romania later that year following a vote of its assembly.

In 1940, as a consequence of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Romania was compelled to concede Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union, leading to the creation of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. On August 27, 1991, as the dissolution of the Soviet Union was afoot, the Moldavian SSR declared independence and took the name Moldova.

On 21 December 1991, Moldova, along with 10 other Soviet republics, signed the act that formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.). Moldova’s Independence was officially recognized on March 2 1992 when the country became a member of the United Nations.

Before 1991 parades in the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic were held in honor of the October Revolution, and Victory Day, but by 2001 the first military parade was held in honor of their independence.

26 August 2022

TICAD is an open and inclusive forum that brings together African countries and development partners, including international and regional organizations, donor countries, Asian countries, the private sector and civil society organizations, dealing with African development.

Promoting Africa-led sustainable dev, the 8th Tokyo Intl Conference on African Development @Ticad8Tunisia comes at a critical time.

The opening ceremony will take place tomorrow 27-28 August. WATCH TICAD 8 activities here https://www.ticad8.tn/

Tunisia Strategic geographical position.

With a strategic geographical position, at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, a highly qualified human capital, an advanced infrastructure and an advantageous legal framework in terms of investment incentives, Tunisia aspires to become an industrial and technological hub in the Mediterranean region

Minister Naledi Pandor to lead the South African delegation to the Eighth TICAD Summit in Tunis, Tunisia on 27 – 28 August 2022

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, will lead the South African Delegation at the Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Summit, scheduled to take place from 27 – 28 August 2022 in Tunis, Tunisia.

The Summit is organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC).

The Eighth TICAD Summit will highlight the close connection between Japan and Africa, as well as set out a pathway for African development, looking ahead to the post-pandemic era.

It will comprise the plenary sessions and the Japan – Africa Business Forum. The plenary sessions will be on the following topics: Economy; Society and Peace and Stability.

It will be attended by the African Heads of State, the Japanese Government as well as representatives of the private sector such as the Japan Business Federation, Japan Association of Corporate Executives, and others.

Also forming part of the programme will be the presentation of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize.

The main purpose of the prize is to honour individuals and organisations with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.

Co-organizers @japan @UNDP @UNOSAA1 @WorldBank will reinforce partnership w/ #Africa to boost economic dev.

26 August 2022

KAUNGA MAULID

INDIA through Apollo Hospitals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Eclipse Group Africa to set up a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre for cancer in Tanzania.

The MoU agreement was signed on Friday at the Indian High Commission in Tanzania and was witnessed by various people including Indian High Commission Mr Binaya Pradhan.

Speaking during the signing   of the agreement, Eclipse Group Africa Chairman Mr Zahir Damji said that through the partnership Apollo Hospitals will provide health care services with advanced cancer care treatment.

“The construction of the hospital will greatly help Tanzanians and many other African countries to be treated here in Tanzania,” said Mr Zahir.

Mr Zahir also said that the project will start with 60 beds that will provide comprehensive care for cancer from diagnosis to treatment.

He said that the hospital will offer medical, surgical and radiation treatment to cancer patients across age groups from paediatric to adults.

“In line with the vision of Apollo Hospitals, the centre will offer best-in-class treatment and care with a team of experienced oncology, cancer care management and the world’s finest technology to make quality cancer care to over 55 million people in Tanzania,” said Mr Zahir.

Mr Zahir said that the rising cancer cases and a lack of quality cancer care are prevalent issues in Tanzania so Apollo hospitals will help to bring about a change and give opportunities to the people of Tanzania to live a healthy and cancer-free life.

On his part, Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India Mr Lav Agarwal said the collaboration between Apollo Hospitals and Eclipse Group Africa will strengthen international relations and lay the foundation for many more strong associations to come.

“It is the privilege to witness the beginning of a positive change in the health care segment in Tanzania that will significantly help Africans in general,” said Mr Agarwal.

President of Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited Mr Denish Madhavan said they have partnered with Eclipse Group of Africa to build a quality-driven Apollo centre in Tanzania that will touch billions of lives across the globe.

He also said the collaboration with the eclipse group will strengthen the health care ecosystem of the country and support Tanzanians and people from neighbouring countries.

The Indian High Commissioner in Tanzania Mr Binaya Pradhan said that health has been an important area of collaboration between the two countries, adding that Tanzania and India have been development partners for several years.

He also said that Appolo hospital will offer high-end laboratories, ultrasound and imaging facilities that are easy to access to high-end PTE, CT and MRI services to enable the right and accurate diagnosis for the broader population of Tanzania.

Indian High Commission Mr Binaya Pradhan.

25 August 2022

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine wishes to congratulate the Government and the people of Uruguay on the occasion of the anniversary of independence day. Wishing Uruguay continued peace and prosperity.

“Independence Day in Uruguay is celebrated on August 25th of every year. This day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of gaining independence from Brazil in 1825.”

It marks the day in 1825 when what was then called La Banda Oriental declared independence from Brazil.

In this context “Oriental” in Spanish means East, in the same way that the Orient is East of Europe. La Banda Oriental is the land on the East bank of the Uruguay River.

The region was originally occupied by several Indigenous tribes. The Portuguese arrived in what is now Uruguay in 1512. The Spanish arrived in 1516.

The region became a frontline in the power struggle between the Portuguese and Spanish, and later Argentines and Brazilians. They were not Argentines yet because modern South America was still forming.

The trigger for the independence of countries in Latin America was the collapse of the Spanish monarchy in the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815). When Spain became ruled by the French, first Criollos (American-born Spanish) and later Americans (the Latin mix of Native, European, and African) took the opportunity to seize power.

On August 25, 1825, a group called the “Thirty-Three Orientals” led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja and Manuel Oribe declared independence from Brazil. They were supported by forces from Buenos Aires.

The struggle between the Argentines and Brazilians continued. The modern state of Uruguay was established through the Treaty of Montevideo in 1828.

24 August 2022

Today, Ukraine commemorates Independence Day, in the midst of war crisis, we pay tribute to the strength & courage of the Ukrainian people.
Today some veterans are on the frontline and some died as heroes in the past horrible 6 months. Ukrainian people are showing outstanding courage in fight for their country and values of the free and democratic world.

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine wishes the Government and the people of Ukraine recovery, peace, unity & prosperity in the years ahead.

Ukraine Independence Day is always celebrated on August 24th and marks Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the U.S.S.R. in 1991.

The start of the 1990s saw the collapse of the Soviet Union. On July 16th 1990, the Ukrainian government had declared state sovereignty. July 16th was celebrated as Independence Day one year later.

In August 1991, there was a failed coup to restore the communist rule in the Soviet Union. As a result of the attempted coup and increasing fears about a return to Soviet rule, the people’s deputies brought the Ukrainian flag into the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada.

On August 24th, the Act of Independence of Ukraine was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament, and a yellow and blue flag appeared on the building of the Verkhovna Rada.

A condition of the declaration was that a national referendum should take place on December 1st 1991. Despite outside concerns that Ukraine could split into east and west, the turnout was over 80% and the result of the referendum was that over 92% voted in favour of their independence.

In June 1992, Parliament voted for an amendment to the legislative framework, according to which July 16th was officially replaced by August 24th as Ukraine’s Independence Day.

Continue praying for Ukraine!
Let peace prevail!

#prayforukraine
#ukraineindepenceday
#ukraine24thAugust
#UkraineEmbassyPretoria
#UkraineinSA

24 August 2022

Let democracy prevail today in Angola

Angolans go to the polls today to vote in parliamentary elections. The leader of the party with the most seats in parliament automatically becomes the president.

Angola, Polls opened at 7 a.m. across the country. More than 14 million people are expected to vote to elect 220 members of parliament & a president simultaneously with a single mark on the ballot paper.

22 August 2022

On 21 August 2022, Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini arrived in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,  and was received by South Africa’s Ambassador to Jordan, H.E Ebrahim Saley.

Relations between South Africa 🇿🇦 and Jordan 🇯🇴 are sound. Jordan was the first Arab country to establish full diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1993.  In December 1994 South Africa established a resident mission in Amman.

Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini is on a Working Visit to the Levant region from 21- 26 August 2022.

Photo Credit: Dirco

#SAJordanRelations

#BilateralRelations