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“Let’s transform the fortunes of all Africans”

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER

AFRICANS, including those in the diaspora, should use the experience garnered in the fight against COVID-19 to manage future pandemics, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.

In his remarks at the 1st Africa-Caricom Summit Heads of States and Government, Ramaphosa said the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value and the necessity of confronting challenges together.

Ramaphosa, a former chairperson of the African Union, said: 

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“This pandemic has demonstrated the value and the necessity of confronting challenges together.  From the onset of the pandemic, we developed a united African continental response strategy, established a special COVID-19 Response Fund, and launched the groundbreaking African Medical Supplies Platform to enable countries to access vital medical supplies.

“We share a determination that when it comes to vaccines and other critical health interventions, no region, no country and no person should be left behind.  It is therefore a matter of great significance that Caribbean countries have joined in the efforts galvanized by the African Union on acquiring vaccines.

“Just as we have worked together to access vaccine doses for our peoples, we need to share experiences, expertise and technology to better respond to COVID-19 and future pandemics. 

“We must mobilise the global community behind the call for a temporary waiver of the TRIPS agreement at the WTO, and continue to lobby for partnerships on licensing and technology transfer with those countries that have the capacity to produce their own vaccines. The pandemic has shown what is possible when principled solidarity is put to the service of the common good.”

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The SA president said the common heritage of all Africans, wherever they are, should encourage them to deepen their engagement, strengthen trade and investment, collaborate in research and development, and to share expertise and knowledge amongst countries. 

He said Africans and Africans in the Diaspora not only shared a common history, but common challenges as well.

“We are all contending with the devastating human, social, political and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are all working to overcome the effects of colonialism and underdevelopment by building inclusive economies and creating more opportunities for our people. We are all vulnerable to the effects of climate change through rising sea levels, adverse weather effects and social and economic disruption,” he said.

He called on Africans and those in the Diaspora to explore the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to advance their aspirations towards economic integration and shared prosperity. “Through this partnership, let us work to transform the fortunes of all the people of Africa and all the people of African descent.  Through our actions, let us be the architects of our common future, where Africa and the Caribbean are joined together by the common goal of the prosperity of our people,” he added.

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By The African Mirror

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