Addis Ababa: The Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has today urged African leaders to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Brazil across various sectors to achieve mutual progress and address global challenges.

Speaking at the opening of African Union Summit in Addis Ababa today, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said ”over 200 million Brazilians recognize themselves as Afro-descent.”

The President emphasized the need for Africans and Brazilians to forge their own path in the emerging international order and create a new global governance system to tackle contemporary challenges.

We, Africans and Brazilians, need to design our own path in the international order that is now emerging. We need to create a new global governance capable of confronting the challenges of our time.”

The President highlighted that the era of minimum state intervention is no longer effective, stressing the importance of agricultural and industrial development in public policies worldwide.

He also emphasized the sign
ificance of the digital and energy transitions, which require government incentives and guidance.

Lula acknowledged the undeniable progress of the BRICS alliance in networking emerging countries and emphasized the crucial role of developing countries in addressing global crises, particularly those that disproportionately affect the poorest and migrants.

Furthermore, the President rejected the notion that the solution to global challenges lies with extreme right-wing ideologies and emphasized the need for inclusive social projects that ensure prosperity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty for all.

The President expressed the need for a strengthened United Nations, including a Security Council with greater representation from African and Latin American countries.

The President acknowledged Africa’s immense potential, pledging Brazil’s commitment to grow alongside the continent. He highlighted Brazil’s efforts to restore political and economic sovereignty, promote participatory democracy, combat hunger and
poverty, and provide inclusive education.

The President also expressed willingness to collaborate with Africa in areas such as food production, renewable energy, healthcare, and environmental protection, particularly in safeguarding the Amazon and Congo tropical forests.

To advance these initiatives, the President proposed the establishment of an advanced cooperation post with the African Union.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: The late President Hage Geingob broke barriers and made it possible for a girl on crutches to present him on issues of disability, Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs, Alexia Manombe-Ncube, has said.

Paying tribute to Geingob during a candlelight vigil here on Friday, Manombe-Ncube said Geingob’s belief in inclusivity in the Namibian House led to her appointment in 2015.

‘The girl on crutches had many dreams but never dreamed of becoming a national leader, but Dr Hage Geingob made it possible. It was important to Dr Geingob that persons with disabilities and marginalised communities have access to him and therefore placed us in the Presidency,’ she said.

Manombe-Ncube narrated that it was her desire to join the liberation struggle, however, was stopped by her parents due to her disability, noting that she then joined civil society groups, which allowed her to contribute to the struggle.

She noted that while serving as Namibia’s first Prime Minister, Geingob championed the establishment of a di
sability unit in his ministry, with the desire to ensure that affairs of persons with disabilities are attended to.

‘This is a clear indication of the president’s heart for vulnerable people and his desire to ensure they are included in all spheres of Namibian society,’ she said. Manombe-Ncube further noted that under Geingob’s leadership, grants for persons with disabilities increased from N.dollars 250 to N.dollars 1400, noting that the Harambee Prosperity Plan l and ll equally speak of Geingob’s heartfelt desires of bringing everyone on board to prosper, advance and live a better life.

‘If you wonder how you can honour the late president, let us embrace the principle of inclusivity as our late leader did. It is only when everybody takes responsibility that Namibia will truly become an inclusive country,’ she said.

Geingob died at the age of 82 in a Windhoek hospital. His memorial service is scheduled for 24 February, to be followed by his burial on 25 February 2024 at Heroes’ Acre Cemetery on the outski
rts of Windhoek.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency