Corona Voice- Angola. The tok show with Sofonie Dala. Don't Miss Out. Day 24

 Our Coronavirus show is ongoing. Day 24

The COVID-19 crisis has affected societies and economies around the globe and will permanently reshape our world as it continues to unfold. However, it also creates new opportunities for some people.

Today we invited Ezequias, he will share with us the impact of Covid-19 in his life.

Hello! My name is Ezequiel Dalas. I'm here to talk about the coronavirus situation worldwide.

For me the coronavirus caused positive and negative consequences in my life.

The first positive aspect is that the coronavirus has brought many opportunities in the case of academic training.

The difficulties that covid-19 caused me is that it created me a limited life with people, today I can not do what I did before the pandemic. 

The main idea that I want to transmit to the world is that regardless of the consequences that the coronavirus may have on your life or on the world, it can not be an impasse for our life focus.

As I have said before, for me the coronavirus brought its advantages and disadvantages.

Izequias, do you mind sharing with us one of the positive points that the coronavirus has caused in your life?

A positive point that the coronavirus brought is the reflection that I had on my life focus.

Before the emergence of the coronavirus I had a focus, but I did not have time to reflect. With the beginning of the pandemic I had a lot of time to be alone and be able to reflect. This reflection led me to reach my goal which is the academic training that I have today.

There is so much haste to go back to the ‘normal’ way of life. The novel coronavirus gives us the opportunity to deconstruct the ‘normal’, which is riddled with abnormalities. We can certainly make different choices.

This is the first and the only Coronavirus show in Angola where the most ordinary citizens show their brilliant talents.

The heroes of the program are the most ordinary citizens - they share with the audience their songs, poems and real stories of how the Coronavirus pandemic affected their lives.

We launched the “Corona Voice show” campaign to provide a space for young women and men around Angola to share their views, experiences and initiatives.

FIND SOMEONE TO SPONSOR TODAY

Your sponsorship will help the most affected people by covid-19 to take the first step out of poverty.

Click here to watch free full webisodes: https://coronavoice-angola.blogspot.com/

Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola. Season 3. Don't Miss Out! Webisode 10

 Our girls back to school campaign is ongoing. Day 10

Girls spend 160 million more hours than boys doing household chores everyday. As a result, girls sacrifice important opportunities to learn, grow, and just enjoy their childhood.

Our today's guest is Angelina, she will share with us her academic experience during school lockdown.

I haven't been studying at home because I've been too busy with housework.

Hello! I'm Angelina, I'm 17 years old, I live in Angola and I'm studying in the 8th class.

How has the coronavirus affected your academic life?

Covid-19 affected my academic life by stopping my studies, I miss my teachers and colleagues very much, I miss school so much. I ask Angola to return to normal, please.

Now that the schools have reopened, have you gone back to school?

Well, I didn't go back to school because of the coronavirus. In addition, when school reopened, the school board made the decision to assist only students from grade 8 and up. And I study in the 7th grade.

Have you done anything to continue learning at home?

No, I have not been studying at home because I have been very busy with housework.

Have you been following the coronavirus prevention measures?

Yes I do. I Always wash hands with soap and water, disinfect them with gel alcohol, make the use of facial masks and prevent myself at home.

Aren't you afraid of the coronavirus?

I'm so scared.

Thank you! bye, kisses.

This campaign focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls ’education and the long-lasting consequences it will have on gender equality and women’s human rights. We noticed that girls ’work is less visible and often undervalued. Too often adult responsibilities such as caring for family members, including other children, are imposed on girls. Time spent on chores limits a girl’s time to socialize with friends, study and be a child. In some communities, collecting firewood and water puts girls at risk of sexual violence.

We launched this campaign to ensure that every girl is able to learn while schools are closed and return to the classroom when schools safely reopen. Everyone can play a role in supporting girls ’education - whether you’re a teacher, parent, student, journalist, policymaker, or simply a concerned citizen.

Don't miss this opportunity to bring girls back to school. Tell us your story!

Do you have a personal experience with the coronavirus would you like to share? Or a tip on how your town or community is handling the poverty among women?

FIND SOMEONE TO SPONSOR TODAY

Your sponsorship will help the most vulnerable girls and women to take the first step out of poverty.

Click here to watch free full webisodes: https://she-leads.blogspot.com/

‘Lingering crisis’: What people in CAR think about Sunday’s polls

 The Central African Republic (CAR) is due to go the polls on Sunday for presidential and parliamentary elections.

On Saturday, the constitutional court denied opposition requests to delay the elections, ensuring they will go ahead as planned, despite an escalating threat of violence.

Earlier, unidentified “armed combatants” killed three United Nations peacekeepers, hours after a rebel coalition fighting the government called off a unilateral truce and reiterated calls for the suspension of the polls.

The UN’s human rights office, OHCHR, warned days ago that armed violence posed a serious threat to the security of civilians and their right to vote.

A new rebel alliance has recently clashed with security forces in different parts of the country, including near the capital, Bangui, the OHCHR said on Wednesday.

President Faustin-Archange Touadera is seeking a second term governing the country of five million on Sunday.

Earlier this month, the court rejected former President Francois Bozize’s presidential candidacy, saying he did not satisfy the “good morality” requirement because of an arrest warrant and UN sanctions against him for allegedly ordering assassinations, torture and other crimes when he was president.

CAR, which is rich in diamonds, timber and gold, has experienced five coups and numerous rebellions since independence from France in 1960. It has been gripped by insecurity since Bozize was overthrown in 2013.

President Touadera’s international security partners, including Russia, France and Rwanda have responded to the violence by sending troops and equipment.

Here is what people in CAR told Al Jazeera about the current situation in the country and their thoughts on the elections:

Alexander Cyril Ngozo, 30

[Adrienne Surprenant/Al Jazeera]

Alexander Cyril Ngozo is an election observer in Bangui.“We are going through a crisis but the government wants these elections to take place, regardless of the pressure enforced by the armed groups. Since the moment that ex-president Francois Bozize registered his candidacy without complying with all the requirements, I have been doubtful, thinking that problems could happen.

“I’m especially worried for my fellow citizens in the countryside. They are people who don’t do politics. What is happening is not in their interest and they are the ones finding themselves in this bad situation once again.”

Rusquin Ganzo, 28

[Adrienne Surprenant/ Al Jazeera]

Rusquin Ganzo has his voting card and is ready to vote but remains “worried”.“It’s because almost all of the territory is occupied by the rebels. I’m perplexed given the security situation that prevails. We are a democratic country but have always been in different political and military crises.

“For now, we feel a bit of peace in Bangui, but in the regions, rebels have started to fight again ahead of the elections. For now, I’m seeing a humanitarian crisis lingering on the horizon. With recent events, it is very complicated for my fellow citizens that took refuge in the forest.”

Yvonne Vola, 80

[Adrienne Surprenant/ Al Jazeera]

Yvonne Vola is a mother of nine and has three grandchildren. She sells peanuts and cassava on a roadside in Bangui.After a rumour that the rebel coalition was heading to Bangui, panic took over the capital.

“I’m already old, but I had to flee that morning. I don’t think it was true, it was one of those things that were just said. But people shouted and told everyone to run. I was scared. It reminded me when the Seleka [rebel armed groups alliance] arrived.

“I have taken my voting card and I will go vote. It is my country, and I will vote to find lasting peace. I want peace to continue selling my things. With nine children, I have to make a lot of effort. Without peace, it does not work. We will be hungry.”

Gypsiane Dhot, 26

[Adrienne Surprenant/ Al Jazeera]

Gypsiane Dhot is a trained accountant but works as an electoral card distributor while waiting to find a job in her field.“We had a very sad day, where people came massively to collect their cards in the morning but with rumours and fear, almost nobody came in the afternoon,” she said, as the distribution of cards was extended for a day after panic in Bangui over rumours that the rebels had arrived.

“I want Sunday to come quickly, to do my role. We want to vote for our new president so he can bring peace to the country. For now, there is no peace in the provinces. People die because of the rebels and they don’t know if they have security.”

Innocent Sanzima, 33

[Adrienne Surprenant/ Al Jazeera]

Innocent Sanzima (right) sits on a road outside Bangui.He said: “We have the right to go and vote on Sunday. I will go to the office a kilometre away from here [to vote] because we are seeking a president that can manage this country well. We are in uncertainty, often, the UN forces are there, but the armed groups can come.

“There are currently lots of people [talking shelter] in the bushes, behind the hill. People pass with their luggage. We come on the road to see what is happening. We are always victims on this road, it reminds us of the bad memories when the Seleka came. My brother was shot and we lost many things.”

Reporting by Adrienne Surprenant in Bangui

SOURCE : AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

ANGOLA APPEALS FOR SOLIDARITY WITH CAR

 Angolan Foreign minister, Téte António, appealed last Saturday for the support of the international community towards the efforts to resolve the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Speaking at the 10th Virtual Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of Central African Sates (ECCAS), Téte António said Angola is monitoring the latest developments of the situation in CAR with some concern.

To the minister, who spoke on behalf of the Angolan President, João Lourenço, the crisis in the Central African Republic has been causing growing degradation of the humanitarian situation and extreme violence, particularly affecting the civilian population, threatening putting at risk the holding of the presidential and legislative elections, set to happen this Sunday (27).

Thus, he called on the political players in CAR to urgently cease the hostilities and work together to guarantee favourable conditions for the holding of credible, inclusive, peaceful and transparent polls.

The minister also reiterated the country’s support for the legitimate institutions in CAR, underlining that in its capacity as acting chair of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), Angola backs the ECCAS and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in CAR (MINUSCA).

He went on to say that the country supports the CAR’s partners in the ambit of the bilateral and multilateral co-operation, aiming at the finding an immediate solution to the conflict in CAR and secure the holding of elections within the established deadlines.  

Téte António seized the occasion to present the condolences of the Angolan Executive to the Republic of Burundi for this country’s loss of some military personnel that integrated  

TAAG SUSPENDS FLIGHTS TO SOUTH AFRICA

 Angola’s Airlines TAA has, as from Saturday, 26 December, suspended its flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town (South Africa), due to the emergence of a variant of the SARSC-CoV-2 virus, which represents an increase in increase in the Covid-19 transmission potential.

TAAG decision, which comes twenty days after the company increased its frequencies to the southern Africa’s nation, follows a joint dispatch of the ministries of Health, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Transport of Angola to suspend air, road and maritime connections. 

The statement clarifies that at the moment the restriction covers passengers coming from South Africa, Australia, Nigeria and UK, with effect from midnight on Saturday, 26 December 2020.

 “The public measure aims to ensure the health prevention due to the upsurge of a variant of the virus SARSC-CoV-2 which represents an increase in the Covid-19 transmission potential”, states the document.

The ministries further explain that the objective, in view of this new virus SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01, linked to a most intensive Covid-19 transmission, is to ensure the prevention and control on the national air, road and maritime boarders. 

COVID-19: ANGOLA WITH 17,149 INFECTIONS

 The number of positive cases of Covid-19 in Angola has risen in the last 24 hours to 17,149, the Health authorities announced Saturday evening in Luanda.

 

This is after 50 new infections have been reported in the same period, including 55 recoveries and three deaths.

Delivering the daily Covid-19 update briefing, the secretary of State for Public Health, Franco Mufinda, said of the overall number of infections, from March to December this year, 774 are active cases, 976 recoveries and 399 deaths.

The official stated that the active cases include three in critical condition, five in grave 78 in moderate, 107 in light and 6,581 asymptomatic cases.

The newly infected people include 26 from Luanda, 14 from northern Zaire province, six from northern Malanje, two from central Bié, one from northern Cuanza Norte and one from northern Uíge, with their ages ranging from six months to 55 years, 35 males and 16 females.

The source added that the number of recoveries in the period in respect reached 37 from Luanda, 14 from northeastern Lunda Sul and four from Uíge, with ages from 17 to  65 years.

The deaths have occurred in Zaire (02) and Luanda (01), all three Angolan nationals with ages from 53 to 81 years, two males and one female.

The country’s labs conducted in the last 24 hours 940 RT-PCR tests, which detected 50 infections, a daily infection rate of 5,3 percent.

From March this year to the latest update of Saturday evening, Angola conducted 302,787 RT-PCR tests, with 17,149 positive results, representing an overall infection rate of 5,7 percent.

Currently, the treatment centres are looking after 193 patients.

France, Lebanon confirm first cases of new coronavirus variant

 Health authorities in France and Lebanon have confirmed their first cases of the coronavirus variant that prompted global travel restrictions and strict lockdown measures in the United Kingdom.

The French health ministry said a French man who arrived in France from the British capital, London, on December 19 had tested positive for the new variant on Friday.

He had no symptoms and was isolating in his home in the central city of Tours.

Authorities have carried out contact-tracing for the health professionals taking care of the patient, the ministry said. Any of their contacts that were seen as vulnerable would similarly be isolated, it said.

In addition to this first case, several other positive samples that “may suggest the VOC 202012/01 variant are being sequenced” by the specialist laboratories of the national Pasteur Institute, the statement added.

In Lebanon, the country’s caretaker health minister said on Friday that a case of the new variant was detected on a flight arriving from London.

The Middle East Airlines flight 202 arrived on December 21, Hamad Hassan said, urging all passengers on the flight and their families to take precautionary measures.

Italian authorities have detected the new strain in a patient in Rome, while Japan reported five cases in passengers arriving from the UK. Singapore confirmed one case of the new variant, while the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nine cases have been detected in Denmark and one each in the Netherlands and Australia.

More than 50 countries have banned travel from the UK after British Prime Minister imposed a strict lockdown in London and warned that the new variant could be up to 70 percent more transmissible. The United States on Thursday said it will require all passengers arriving from the UK to present a negative COVID-19 test for entry, while China suspended all flights from Britain over the new strain.

Other countries that have suspended travel for Britons include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, India, Pakistan, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, and Jordan.

In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman closed their borders completely.

Authorities in France, following a snap 48-hour travel ban this week, reopened its borders to the UK – partly to allow French citizens to return home, as well as to relieve the massive build-up of freight goods – but had instituted a testing policy.

France’s interior ministry said Thursday that limits on travel from the UK will continue “until at least January 6”.

For now, only citizens of France or the EU, those with residency rights there or business travellers are allowed to make the crossing from the UK – if they can show a negative COVID-19 test less than three days old.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock had said on December 14 that a spike in COVID cases in the UK might have been linked to the new variant of the virus and that more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England.

Before Christmas, the health minister had announced the expansion of strict lockdown measures across further parts of the south of England to contain the spread of the disease.

With more than 68,000 deaths from the virus, the UK is one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe.

Countries around the world have in recent days closed their borders to both the UK and South Africa following the identification of cases of the new, fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus in those countries.

France, meanwhile, registered 20,262 new, confirmed COVID-19 cases and 159 more related deaths in hospitals in the last 24 hours.

France’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases now stands at 2,547,771 while its COVID-19 death toll has reached 62,427 – the seventh-highest in the world.

Lebanon, with an estimated population of 6 million people, has reported more than 165,000 cases and 1,000 deaths as a result of COVID-19.

SOURCE : NEWS AGENCIES