afrol News, 17 March - The Swedish government has promised to help South Africa develop more renewable energy sources as the two countries vow to fight the devastating effects of climate change.
Briefing the media following their meeting in Tuynhuis on Wednesday, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Sweden Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson both committed themselves to working towards cleaner energy ahead of the climate change talks in Mexico later this year, the government BuaNews agency has reported.
While South Africa relies heavily on coal for its energy, Sweden is committed to clean energy with 50 percent of that country's energy coming from renewable energy sources.
Olofsson said Sweden supports the World Bank's loan to power utility Eskom and has defended South Africa's use of coal. "South Africa is not alone; there are many countries that use coal as the main source of energy as they grow their economies," she said.
Motlanthe said the scope of the discussion in the meeting on national, regional and global issues of common interest confirmed "the longstanding, sincere and mutually beneficial relationship" between the countries.
Both countries emphasised the importance of a truly global legally binding agreement on mitigating the effects of climate change. They said the Copenhagen accord, reached in Denmark, should give direction to the negotiations leading up to a global agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
They agreed that all countries have a responsibility to take action in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and that South Africa will play a key global role as host of COP17.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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