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Amid tensions between Pretoria and Washington, the gathering was marked by the absence of a senior US delegation.
In May, Burundi held a presidential election which was won by Evariste Ndayishimiye, candidate of the ruling National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) party.
Ndayishimiye was hurriedly sworn in after the untimely death of president Pierre Nkurunziza in June.
Rights violations continue
The Council encouraged donor countries which had suspended aid to Burundi to continue dialogue towards resumption of development assistance.
A report by a UN watchdog in September said human rights violations were still being committed in Burundi, including sexual violence and murder.
The country was plunged into a crisis in April 2015 when Ndayishimiye’s predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza decided to run for a controversial third term, which he ultimately won in July 2015.
His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted in a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup in May 2015.
Hundreds of people were killed and over 300,000 fled to neighboring countries.
[Monitor] By Rajab Mukombozi
BY SHARON SIBINDI SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean Amapiano star Sha Sha and entrepreneur Tatenda Mungofa were the biggest winners as they scooped two gongs each at this year’s sixth edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) South Africa held in Johannesburg on Sunday. The awards recognise the leading lights in the Zimbabwean communities whose contributions have changed societies both locally and abroad. Sha Sha born Charmaine Shamiso Mapambiro won the Outstanding Achievement in Music and Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment awards while Mungofa walked away with the Male Entrepreneur of the Year and Business Innovation Award respectively. The ZAA international chairman Conrad Mwanza in a statement said the global COVID-19 pandemic did not dampen the spirit to host the awards. “It is very heart-warming and beautiful to gather here today (Sunday) as one people and celebrate all that we have done in such a difficult year. Our annual dinner gala was postponed from April due to COVID-19-induced lockdowns, but that did not dampen the will to succeed for our people and today we gather to celebrate each other,” he said. “What we are seeing is an example of Zimbabwean resilience and excellence in difficult times… Zimbabwe needs more people and organisations like these as we work towards the common goal, a big thank you to our sponsors and partners for this amazing event.” Other winners on the night were Plan My Wedding South Africa founder Chelsea Evans, musician Nox Guni who got an Honorary Award for Services to Music, Mukuru.com, Sony ATV artists and repertoire (A&R) manager Munya Chanetsa as well as EFC champion Themba Gorimbo. South African filmmaker and legendary actor Thapelo Mokoena, who received the Chairman’s Honorary Friend of Zimbabwe Award, paid tribute to the natural beauty and friendly nature of Zimbabwe. “I have always said to my brother Conrad Mwanza, Zimbabwe is like the love I never experienced. I call it the land of the living. When I first moved to Joburg I stayed at an apartment with a friend Terrence Springer who grew up at a farm near Lake Kariba who always told me stories about Zimbabwe and how beautiful it was,” he said. “It was always my desire to visit and I recently experienced the beauty firsthand. Through those stories I have always wanted to make a film about Zimbabwe.” The awards were sponsored by life assurance firm Zororo Phumulani and recognised recipients in categories such as business, entrepreneurship, media, sport, entertainment and community, among other categories. Top actress and socialite Mbo Mahocs, was the host at the event that was also graced by Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa David Hamadziripi. Guests were entertained by Bekezela and rising star Lolo Skai. This year will see the inaugural ZAA Botswana edition which will be held at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Gaborone on December 11 and this becomes ZAA's second annual edition on the continent after South Africa. Follow Sharon on Twitter @SibindiSharon
[UN News] There is a critical need for State institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to provide more stability and safety for citizens facing multiple threats, the head of the UN mission there told the Security Council on Monday.
Morocco is gearing up for an ambitious COVID-19 vaccination program, aiming to vaccinate 80% of its adults in an operation starting this month that’s relying initially on a China's Sinopharm vaccine.
The first injections could come within days, a Health Ministry official told The Associated Press.
While Britain began its vaccination program Tuesday with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the U.S. and European Union are racing to approve a series of Western-made vaccines, other governments are looking to use vaccines from China and Russia.
Morocco is battling a resurgence in virus infections, with the number of recorded deaths from the virus surpassing 6,000. The North African kingdom is pinning its hopes on two vaccine candidates, one developed by China’s Sinopharm and the other by Britain’s Oxford University and AstraZeneca.
The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for emergency use in a few countries and the company is still conducting late-stage clinical trials in 10 countries.
Morocco’s government seeks to vaccinate 80% of its adults, or 25 million people, as soon as the vaccines are approved by domestic regulators. Priority will go to medical staff and other front-line workers, as well as the elderly.
It will start with the Sinopharm vaccine, which was tested on 600 Moroccans as part of clinical trials this autumn. Morocco has ordered 10 million doses of the vaccine.
The initial deliveries will come from China, but Morocco also plans to produce the vaccine locally, Abdelhakim Yahyan, a senior official at the Ministry of Health, told the state-owned news agency MAP.
In the Moroccan trial of the Sinopharm vaccine, carried out in Casablanca and the capital Rabat from August through November, healthy volunteers received two separate doses of the vaccine. In the advanced trial, volunteers either received the vaccine or a placebo.
According to the health minister, early results have proven the vaccine to be “safe and effective” with no severe side effects reported.
Sinopharm’s shot relies on a tested technology, using a killed virus to deliver the vaccine, similar to how polio immunizations are made.
Leading Western competitors, like the vaccine made by Oxford and AstraZeneca, use newer, less-proven technology to target the coronavirus’ spike protein.
AP
[GroundUp] But City of Cape Town says the tests used by activists are not an accurate reflection
Now that Zimbabwe has reopened its land borders to visitors, why not explore 'The Smoke that Thunders'?
Outgoing President Donald Trump is considering a final, dramatic White House event to in an effort to outshine President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration
