Covid-19 : ANGOLA records the recovery of 449 patients, the registration of 82 new cases and 3 deaths.

Luanda - The health authorities announced Monday the recovery of 449 patients, the registration of 82 new cases and 3 deaths.

According to health minister, Silvia Lutucuta, who was speaking at a press conference, amongst those recovered, 315 live in Luanda, 61 in Cuando Cubango, 27 in Huambo, 18 in Namibe, 11 in Huila, 5 in Zaire, 3 in Benguela, 3 in Cuanza Sul, 2 in Bengo, 2 in Cunene, 1 in Bié and 1 in Lunda Norte.

Among the new cases, she said, 49 were diagnosed in Luanda, 11 in Huila, 7 in Cuando Cubango, 4 in Huambo, 3 in Bié, 2 in Cabinda, 2 in Cuanza Norte, 2 in Malanje and 2 in Zaire.

The new patients, whose ages range from 3 to 83 years old, include 56 mem 26 women.

According to the Cabinet minister, the deaths were registered in Luanda, with 1, and Huíla with 2.

The general figure shows 35,854 positive cases, with 800 deaths, 29,329 recovered and 5,725 active.

United States Government Donates Equipment to the Barbados Coast Guard

On Friday, June 4, U.S. Southern Command, donated vital maritime parts to the Barbados Coast Guard at a handover ceremony held at the Barbados Coast Guard Headquarters, HMBS PELICAN. The donation, which is valued at approximately US$195,000, is part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) Foreign Military Financing Program and was led by the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown with support from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of International Acquisitions Program. The maritime spare parts package will support multiple vessels previously donated by the U.S. Embassy’s Military Liaison Office and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs to the Barbados Coast Guard and will assist with future maintenance and operations to ensure capability to conduct maritime patrols, counter illicit-trafficking operations, and maintain border security.

Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, Joaquin Monserrate, noted that the handover ceremony reflects the long-standing commitment of the United States to Barbados and the region to support sustained peace and security. He added, “We are proud of the opportunity to continue to partner with the professional men and women of the Barbados Defence Force and Coast Guard.” Speaking on behalf of the Barbados Coast Guard, Commander Mark Peterson, said, “The donation is timely, well-received and will undoubtedly boost the Barbados Coast Guard’s maritime capacity. Barbados, allied with the United States, continue to play a pivotal role in maritime safety and security.”

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Mali coup leader Goita sworn in as interim president, appoints PM

Assimi Goita, the Malian colonel who has overthrown two presidents in the past nine months, said he would oversee a transition toward democratic elections as he was sworn in as interim president on Monday.

Goita, a 38-year-old special forces commander, had already been declared president by the constitutional court last month after ousting Bah Ndaw, but was formally sworn in on Monday during a ceremony in the capital Bamako.

Within hours, he appointed opposition leader and former minister Choguel Maiga as prime minister, according to a decree read on state television.

It was not immediately clear to what extent Maiga’s appointment would satisfy calls from Mali’s neighbours and military allies like France and the United States for a civilian-led government.

Those countries, fearful the political upheaval could undermine a fight against Islamist insurgents across the Sahel region,have also been pressing to ensure elections go ahead next February as scheduled. Goita’s advisers have suggested those might be delayed.

“The situation offers us the opportunity to put the process of transition back in the direction desired by the people,” Goita, who had traded his camouflage fatigues for a dark gray officer’s uniform and a yellow sash, said at his inauguration.

A supporter of Mali’s M5-RFP opposition coalition, holds a poster of the colonel Assimi Goita during a rally to mark a year since the start of protest marches that contributed to the ouster of former President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita at the Independence Square in Bamako, Mali June 4, 2021. The poster reads “President Assimi Goita – the hope of Mali”. REUTERS/Amadou Keita

He said he was committed to implementing “the actions necessary for the success of the transition, notably the organisation of credible, fair and transparent elections that are held as scheduled.”

Goita was one of several colonels who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last August.

A transitional government that would oversee an 18-month transition to democratic elections was then put in place with Ndaw as president and Goita as his vice.

Goita last month ordered the arrests of both Ndaw and the prime minister for not informing him about the details of a cabinet reshuffle, which he alleged violated the transitional charter. Both later resigned while in custody.

West African regional bloc ECOWAS and the African Union last week suspended Mali from their organisations, although they declined to impose further sanctions. The World Bank said on Friday it had temporarily paused payments to the country.

Former colonial power France, which maintains more than 5,000 troops in Mali to combat Islamist militants, said it would temporarily suspend joint military operations with Malian troops but would continue to operate in the country separately.

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