EU in Africa
Missed handshake at Africa summit has awkward Sofagate echo
Vaccine bad blood troubles EU’s Africa reset
With vaccines centerstage at summit, 6 African countries to get mRNA technology
France announces Mali troop pullout and rethink of counterterrorism plan for Sahel
EU scrambles to patch up relations at Africa summit
The grand pivot to Europe’s southern neighbor has not worked out as planned.
BioNTech to supply modular vaccine plants to African countries
The ‘BioNTainer’ is made up of six containers that can be shipped and assembled to produce mRNA vaccine drug substance as well as the eventual jab formulation in bulk.
EU tempts Africa away from Chinese influence
The bloc has pledged €150 billion in funding for major projects in Africa.
EU risks token climate offer to Africa
‘More about looks than about substance,’ a European Commission official said ahead of summit.
Vaccine access puts EU and Africa at odds ahead of summit
Europe pitches broad health alliance, while ignoring Africa’s call to waive vaccine patents.
Copying Moderna’s jab: The project to democratize vaccine production
A lab in South Africa aims to become the developing world’s hub for sharing the know-how to produce mRNA vaccines.
France can’t stay in Mali at any price, Defense Minister Parly says
Relations between Mali and its international partners are fraying.
Evidence from civilian bombing in Ethiopia points to Turkish drone
Turkey’s drone exports are giving the country greater geopolitical sway but Ankara is coming under pressure over their use in Ethiopia’s war.
Macron says EU and Africa seek vaccines deal at February summit
The French President says he is in favor of a global license for coronavirus vaccines that would remove intellectual property barriers.
What Emmanuel Macron won’t tell the European Parliament
POLITICO presents an alternative preview of the French president’s big speech.
Vaccine equity at risk from demand for modified COVID jabs, warns Gavi
Head of donor alliance warns of “Inequity 2.0” as rich world looks to secure supplies of vaccines tweaked to target new coronavirus variants.
The world won’t be able to boost its way out of the coronavirus pandemic
Israel and Chile move ahead with fourth doses as experts question sustainability of strategy.
South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90
An anti-apartheid campaigner, Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.
BioNTech/Pfizer protects against hospitalization in South African Omicron wave
Early data shows that people jabbed with the vaccine still had 70 percent protection against hospitalization.
South Africa’s Omicron wave provides hope on disease severity, vaccine protection
Evidence indicates vaccines provide ‘very strong’ protection against the new coronavirus variant, health minister says.
EU to hit Russian mercenary group Wagner with sanctions
Individuals and organizations face asset freezes and travel bans for rights abuses in conflict zones, documents show.
UK foreign secretary signals drive for strategic autonomy
Liz Truss said Britain regards the EU as a key ally, despite policy differences since Brexit.
First studies suggest Omicron can evade vaccine protection, boosters needed
Variant spreading rapidly in Europe with case numbers doubling every three days or less.
EU makes late bid to rival China on the Silk Road
Ursula von der Leyen will unveil €300 billion spending plan on Wednesday.
WHO chief: Omicron backlash against Africa shows why world needs pandemic treaty
Countries are disincentivized from reporting health threats, says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Portugal finds 13 Omicron cases at top-division football club
One of the players recently returned from South Africa.
Omicron outbreak turns up heat on EU over vaccine access
India and South Africa want a waiver on patents, but Brussels is not budging.
New coronavirus variant detected in Belgium as Europe bans Southern Africa travel
One case of the B.1.1.529 variant, named ‘Omicron’ by the WHO, is detected in Belgium.
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Belgium gambles on Congo’s President Tshisekedi
Brussels is trying to make amends for its past actions in the Congo, but risks legitimizing a contested president.