The EU will welcome more than 40 African leaders to Brussels on Thursday in an effort to reassert its influence on a continent. EUAUSummit
The European Union will offer several packages of support at the summit to bolster health, education and stability in Africa, and will pledge half of a new 300 billion euro investment drive launched to rival China's Belt and Road Initiative.
But the meeting also takes place just as France and its allies fighting Islamist militants in Mali said on Thursday they would begin their military withdrawal from the country. European and other wealthy nations were heavily criticised for hoarding protective equipment and later vaccines during the pandemic, with some African leaders saying the slow pace of donations could lead to “vaccine apartheid”.
Ties have worsened since Mali’s military junta went back on an agreement to organise elections in February and proposed holding power until 2025. The race to establish the African Medicines Agency comes after the pandemic exposed the region’s dependence on imported vaccines. Part of the funding for the AMA will come from 150 billion euros to be mobilised for Africa over the next seven years under the EU’s Global Gateway scheme.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa should look at Chinese-model on jobs: RamaphosaWhile the state has a clear role to play in job creation, it is ultimately the private sector that creates the most jobs, says president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Read more »
Plan to turn taxi ranks into mini-CBDs in South AfricaThe Gauteng provincial government will hold hearings this week to discuss the Gauteng Township Economy Development Bill, which includes proposals to turn townships into key business hubs.
Read more »
Two new universities to be confirmed for South Africa this yearThe Department of Higher Education and Training says it will complete planning work on the formation of two new universities for South Africa this year.
Read more »
Renault's new Clio has been launched this week in South AfricaRenault has launched its fifth-generation Clio hatch in South Africa this week. The fresh-looking model is priced from R309 900 and is powered by a 1,0-litre turbopetrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Read more »
South Africa could go off script with petrol taxes next week: economistWhile the National Treasury typically announces increases in fuel taxes its February Budget, this year could see a shift in trends, says Jeff Schultz, senior economist of BNP Paribas South Africa.
Read more »