Page 35 - The Presidency may 2020 _Neat

The President’s Digest May 2020 Surmounting CV-19 Challenge

Africa to pursue loan waive as safeguard against

adverse economic impact of Coronavirus pandemic

As part of efforts to mitigate against the adverse effects medicines.
of the global Coronavirus pandemic, African The African leaders however underscored the need to
governments will unite in pushing for loan waivers. ensure that the free movement of goods across the
The resolution was made last month during a virtual continent does not aid the spread of the infectious
meeting of the Bureau of the African Union Heads of disease. They tasked their respective ministers of
State and Government. transport and health to establish appropriate safeguard
measures.
The leaders said foreign debt is a common challenge
for all African countries and agreed to forge a common Further, the Heads of State and Government resolved
front in asking bilateral and multilateral partners to to enhance the sharing of experiences on the
waive loans that African countries owe. management of the disease and resources noting that
African countries need to support each other now more
They noted that Africa needs an economic stimulus than ever.
package since the slow down in economic activities
occasioned by the Coronavirus outbreak will cost the President Emmanuel Macron of France who took part
continent jobs and affect incomes of vulnerable in the virtual meeting as a guest backed African
populations. leader's position saying the continent deserves an
economic stimulus package.
The African Leaders further called for collaboration
from international partners and the private sector in He says said the stimulus package will ensure African
rolling out measures to mitigate against the adverse economies bounce back after the pandemic.
effects of the pandemic. The French leader suggested that African leaders

President Kenyatta, who took part in the consider a humanitarian approach to the stimulus
teleconference convened by South African President proposal saying it will ensure people have access to
Cyril Ramaphosa, said Africa should step up its basic needs such as food, shelter and water.
Coronavirus testing capacity. Speaking at the meeting, also attended by WHO

He said mass testing will be the only sure way of Director General Dr Tedros Adhanon, Africa Centre for
stopping the spread of the virus. Disease Control (Africa CDC) Director General Dr John
Nkengasong called on African countries to intensify the
―As a continent we need to focus on expanding our isolation, testing and treatment of Coronavirus victims
testing capacity to enable us conduct mass testing as so as to curb its spread.
this is the only sure way we will manage this problem,‖
the Kenyan leader said. On his part, Dr Tedros assured the Heads of State and
Government of the World Health Organisation's
President Kenyatta also underscored the need for continued support for Africa in the fight against the
African countries to support each other. Coronavirus pandemic.
―Let us buy from each other what we can make on our Presidents Macky Sall (Senegal), Emmerson
continent even as we seek help from our international Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Felix Tshisekedi (DR
partners,‖ said President Kenyatta. Congo), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
(Egypt), Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Mali) and Prime
On intra-Africa trade, the African Heads of State and Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed participated in the
Government agreed that there is need to keep their teleconference.
territorial borders open for distribution of supplies as
this will enable populations to continue having an
inhibited access to key commodities such as food and

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