19 February 2025 Issue 330 - A Historic Day for Africa
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| February 15, 2024: A Historic Day for Africa |
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Mohamoud Ali Youssouf, Foreign Minister of Djibouti is the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission (photo supplied) |
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By Ahmed Naji Bakal, Deputy Ambassador of Arab League in Pretoria
February 15, 2024, marked a historic moment for both the East African Community and the African continent as a whole, for a variety of reasons as outlined in this article.
The African Union (AU) Summit, held in Addis Ababa, brought together delegations from 49 African states. Six members were absent due to their suspension from the organization. The summit also welcomed a handful of international guests, including representatives from the League of Arab States and the United Nations.
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| Destination Arabian Gulf – Trade, Tourism, Investment |
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By Kirtan Bhana – TDS
It is not surprising that four countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC are host to the prestigious Formula 1 motorsport event annually, considered to be the pinnacle or Grand Prix of the sport. The Arabian Gulf’s transformation into a global powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable, attributed to the leveraging of abundant energy resources of oil and gas.
A History from Ancient Civilizations to Modern Wealth
The four countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar established the GCC in 1981 together with their fellow Arab nations of the State of Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman to form a pivotal intergovernmental Arabian Gulf organization.
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| 3rd Bespoke Destinations launched at Steyn City |
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The third edition of Bespoke Destinations, a publication on travel, tourism and hospitality was launched at Steyn City amid a tinge of sadness due to the passing of Douw Steyn, a doyen of South African business. Born in 1952 Steyn was one of the first Afrikaner business leaders to reach out to President Nelson Mandela and share in the vision of reconciliation and build a unified South African Republic.
It is the same commitment and dedication that Rocco Olivier of Bespoke Destinations shares. He is aware of the potential that the tourism industry in Africa has to offer to a unique, discerning traveller. He has combined his love for the great African outdoors with his passion for sharing the abundant natural beauty of this vast continent to those who desire tailor made experiences.
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| The African pole of a multipolar world |
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In November 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the first-ever ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, held in Sochi following the Russia-Africa summit that had taken place in St. Petersburg a year earlier. The conference accelerated the development of reviving ties with the African continent and marked another significant milestone in Russia’s foreign policy reorientation toward the Global South and East.
As a planner, I was particularly interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of our African partners – their perspectives, concerns, anxieties, and aspirations. Upon returning home to Moscow, I implemented a long-standing idea: I put down on paper the impressions, thoughts, and ideas about Africa and its growing role in world affairs that had emerged from years of observations, travels and interactions, and from reading specialized literature.
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| Lerato Mataboge appointed AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy |
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The South African government has congratulated Lerato Mataboge on her historic election as Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union (AU). Mataboge, who is currently the Deputy Director-General at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), has an impressive track record.
She is the founder and former leader of Trade Invest Africa, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable partnerships between governments and the private sector, with a particular emphasis on boosting intra-African trade and investment in infrastructure and energy.
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| AU endorses Nigeria as AfCFTA Digital Trade Champion |
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by Oru Leonard - newsdotafrica
The African Union (AU) has endorsed Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion for the continent under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Digital Trade protocol, following the impressive record of the Federal Government in promoting digital enterprise and innovation.
This is contained in the press release signed by the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Mr. Bayo Onanuga on Monday.
The 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which concluded on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recognised Nigeria’s proactive role in advancing the implementation of the digital trade protocol adopted in February 2024. |
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| Sri Lankan High Commission in Pretoria Celebrates Independence Day with Renewed Hope |
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Acting High Commissioner Suminda Mendis with young attendees lighting the lamps (photo: TDS) |
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The Sri Lankan High Commission in Pretoria marked the 77th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence with a celebration attended by members of the Sri Lankan diaspora from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region as well as friends of Sri Lanka. The event, hosted by Acting High Commissioner Suminda Mendis, reflected on the nation's history, recent transformations, and future aspirations.
The ceremony commenced with interfaith prayers led by representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic communities, emphasizing the nation's cultural and religious diversity. The symbolic lighting of the traditional oil lamps was carried out by young attendees, underscoring the role of the next generation in shaping Sri Lanka’s future. |
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