Cardinals to elect a new Pope
Should he be elected, it would mark the first African pope in 1500 years.
Vatican City is a hive of activity today as cardinals from around the world gather to enter conclave, to elect the 267th pope.
The process will be held behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel.
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Daily Maverick
9 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Help pressurise Putin to agree to a ceasefire, Ukraine urges African countries
Under almost constant deadly bombardment by Russia, Ukraine has appealed to African countries to pressure Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire in the 40-month-old war. Ukraine does not ask much from Africa. Mainly just more principled votes at the UN condemning Russia's invasion. But now, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has issued the ceasefire appeal through African journalists visiting Ukraine in a brief respite between concerted missile and drone attacks on the capital, Kyiv, and other cities. He noted that Ukraine had accepted the US proposal for an unconditional, full ceasefire. 'Now we need to pressure Russia to say unconditional yes and to accept a ceasefire… That is why it is also important to support our peace efforts from your countries, from your capitals,' he told the journalists. Just before we arrived in Kyiv on a study tour, hundreds of projectiles had hit the city on 17 June. A few days later we visited the epicentre of that attack, an apartment building in the Solomianskyi district, which had taken a direct missile hit, collapsing 32 apartments from the ninth floor to the ground floor, killing 23 civilians and injuring 27 more. Workers were clearing rubble. They were joined by two boys, aged about 11 and wearing hard hats, who had volunteered to help their neighbours. An elderly woman sat on a bench in the grounds, quietly weeping. Tsiupko Mykola, the deputy head of the local emergency services, said 13 surrounding buildings had also been damaged, including a kindergarten. So far none of the dead seemed to be children, 'but there are several unidentified bodies still', so they didn't know for sure. Could the Russians have mistakenly hit this civilian target? He rolled his eyes. 'You can see with your own eyes it is a residential building that took a direct hit,' he said, adding that there were no military targets in the vicinity. Five more civilians died elsewhere in Kyiv that night. Two days after we left Ukraine, Russia launched 352 drones, 11 ballistic and five cruise missiles, killing at least six civilians in Kyiv and one in Bila Tserkva. Then, on Sunday, 29 June, Ukraine suffered its largest Russian attack in a single night, when a barrage of 537 drones and missiles again hit Kyiv and several other cities, including some as distant from the front as Lviv in the far west of the country, which is rarely targeted. The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, said Russia had significantly ramped up its use of drones over the last nine months, 'increasing from approximately 200 launched per week to more than 1,000 per week by March 2025 as part of a sustained pressure campaign'. The United Nations human rights office reported on Sunday that civilian casualties in Ukraine had increased by 37% from December 2024 to May 2025, compared to the same period the previous year, with 968 civilians killed and 4,807 injured. The majority of these casualties occurred in Ukrainian-controlled areas. 'The war in Ukraine — now in its fourth year — is becoming increasingly deadly for civilians,' said Danielle Bell, the head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Unacceptable Russian demands Ukraine's special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Maksym Subkh, said it had been more than three months since Ukraine had offered an unconditional ceasefire, but Russia had not accepted the offer. In the last two rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul in May and June, the Russians had put preconditions for negotiations that were completely unacceptable, said Subkh. Apart from claiming the Ukrainian land they had occupied — and even some land still under Ukrainian control — Russia had insisted that Ukraine should not join Nato; it should not maintain strong and modern armed forces; it should destroy the weapons it had received from its Western partners to counter Russia's aggression; and it must adopt Russian as an official language. Subkh said these demands showed that Russia was treating Ukraine as a colony, adding that Ukraine was experiencing the hardship and brutality African people had experienced during their colonisation. Meanwhile, Russia was continuing its constant shelling of Ukraine and 'the death toll is rising dramatically'. He said the conditions that either side had should be discussed after the ceasefire, during negotiations. He stressed that Ukraine remained determined to join the European Union and Nato, as it saw no other way of getting the security guarantees it needed for its protection. EU membership The EU ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernová, told us that the EU had had to step up its military support because at the start of the war Nato had 'armed Ukraine for defence, not victory', as the US feared a nuclear backlash. And the EU — or at least almost all of it — remained committed to admitting Ukraine as a member. However, while Ukraine was rapidly fulfilling the many conditions required to join the EU, the EU was not in a position to accept it because one member state, Hungary, was blocking Ukraine's accession. Mathernová said polls indicated that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party might lose elections later this year, and so the objection to Ukraine joining the EU could fall away. Foreign Minister Sybiha said that in the two rounds of direct peace talks in Istanbul this year, Russia had shown it was not serious by sending low-level delegations. Now it was time 'to engage all instruments of diplomacy … time for full diplomatic mobilisation'. Apart from putting pressure on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire, it was crucial that African countries should support Ukraine by backing resolutions at the UN General Assembly seeking an end to the war. Sybiha was clearly referring to Ukraine's past disappointments that so many African countries — including South Africa — had abstained from UN General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanding that it withdraw its forces. This was often because these countries had historical relations with the Soviet Union, although Subkh pointed out that Ukraine had also been part of the Soviet Union and many African leaders had been educated or received training in Ukraine. Military support Sybiha also sent a message to African leaders who had committed themselves to Russia, referring apparently mainly to those African countries which receive military support from the private military company Wagner, or its successor, the Africa Corps. 'Look at facts, first of all, and sooner or later you will get the bill,' said Sybiha. 'So that is why it is always important to diversify your relations with different parties. To diversify your security, to diversify your energy security, your food security.' Subkh stressed that Ukraine had had good relations with Africa for a long time, and noted that it had intensified relations since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Last year, it opened eight new embassies in Africa. Mathernová said that after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia had switched the focus of its disinformation campaign away from Western countries and 'massively invested' in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The West underestimated the importance of this shift, 'because the imperialist nature of this war, the imperialist desire of Putin, was so obvious in our case. 'And looking at it from different parts of the world, it's not so obvious. 'And I must say that they are so, so, so much better, the Russians, at the game of disinformation, false narratives, coming up with using existing grievances and just multiplying and making them a lot bigger.' Mathernová said Russia had switched its disinformation campaign to Africa, Asia and Latin America because it knew it would be successful internationally, as 'it's the West against the rest, right?' Moscow's disinformation includes characterising the Ukraine government as neo-Nazi and accusing it of being a puppet of the West. 'People are exhausted' In three visits to Ukraine — in November 2023, May 2024 and now June 2025 — I found that the Ukrainian people remained remarkably resilient in the face of unprovoked aggression, death and destruction. But the growing strain of the war, amid the rising toll of death and destruction, had also become apparent. Mathernová said the Ukrainian leadership was doing remarkably well. 'But people are exhausted, tired. They don't see a clear end.' She noted that President Volodymyr Zelensky's popularity had ebbed and flowed, from 98% when the war started, down to about 50% and then to above 70% after US President Donald Trump called him a dictator in the White House earlier this year. Nonetheless, she said, 'Ukrainians are knowingly by now facing a situation where there is no good and bad option. It's bad and worse options, right? 'I mean, that's the reality.' She believes the war will end 'with a temporary loss of some territories, but a sovereign and independent Ukraine.' For that to happen, an unconditional ceasefire is necessary very soon to stop the steady destruction of Ukraine and its people. Yet we do not hear the South African government using its friendship with Russia to demand that it stop bombarding Ukraine so that peace negotiations may begin. DM Peter Fabricius was visiting the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine on a journalists' study tour sponsored by those three governments.
The Citizen
13 hours ago
- The Citizen
US tariff pause ends on 9 July: Tau says what happens now
South Africa, along with other African countries, is still seeking an extension beyond 9 July to submit a new deal proposal in response to US tariffs. With the United States (US) tariff pause of 90 days coming to an end on 9 July, there seems to be nothing happening now, but Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau says South Africa is one of the countries that is asking for an extension because there is so little time left. US President Donald Trump instituted tariffs on goods imported into the US in April, marking the day as 'US Liberation Day'. South Africa got slapped with a 30% tariff, but Trump decided to pause the tariffs for ninety days until 9 July. President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a quite acrimonious visit to the White House for a meeting with Trump, followed by trade talks between South African ministers and their US counterparts. Tau said afterwards that the South African delegation submitted a proposal to the US regarding a framework agreement, focusing on issues related to trade and investment. The proposal identified areas for increased trade and access to each party's markets, while illustrating the benefits of keeping channels as open as possible. ALSO READ: Will Trump's tariffs have major negative effect on South Africa's economy? Talks about US tariffs in Angola last week Last week, Zuko Godlimpi, deputy minister of trade, industry and competition (DTIC), met with the US trade representative responsible for Africa, Connie Hamilton, on the sidelines of the United States of America-Africa Summit in Luanda, Angola. According to a statement from the DTIC, the meeting followed South Africa's submission of a proposed Framework Deal with the US on 20 May 2025, which outlines measures to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations with the US. The submission was immediately followed by Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump on 21 May. The Framework Deal addresses US concerns relating to issues such as non-tariff barriers, the trade deficit and commercial relations through two-way procurement or importing strategic goods. It also aims to resolve long-standing market access issues of interest to both sides and promote bilateral investments in a mutually beneficial manner. According to the DTIC, South Africa is also seeking, through the Framework Deal, to have some of the key export products exempted from the Section 232 duties, including cars and car parts, as well as steel and aluminium through tariff rate quotas. ALSO READ: Tariffs and Agoa: How Parks Tau summarised US-SA trade talks SA prepared to settle for maximum US tariffs of 10% South Africa is also seeking the maximum tariff application of 10% as a worst-case situation. The Framework also seeks exemption for small and medium enterprises, counter-seasonal products and products that the US cannot produce itself. The DTIC says South Africa used the meeting with Hamilton in Luanda to continue to raise its concerns about the impact of the reciprocal tariffs on African countries, especially. 'One of the key issues that emerged from the meeting is that the US is developing a trade-matters template, which will be the basis for its engagements with countries in sub-Saharan Africa. 'The template will be shared as soon as it has gone through the internal approval processes in the US administration. South Africa welcomed this indication and expressed a preparedness to engage with the template once it is finalised.' Considering this development, including the limited time between now and the deadline for the expiry of the 90-day pause, African countries, including South Africa, have advocated for the extension of the 90-day deadline to enable countries to prepare their proposed deals according to the new template. ALSO READ: South Africa faces 25% tariff on US car imports, Minister Parks Tau voices concern Tau says SA would like to resubmit deal for US tariffs 'We believe that South Africa may need to resubmit its Framework Deal in accordance with the new template, and therefore, we expect that the deadline may be shifted,' Rau says. 'We urge the South African industry to exercise strategic patience and not take decisions in haste, and that government will continue to use every avenue to engage the US government to find an amicable solution to safeguard South African interests in the US market.'
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa prepares for US trade framework amidst Trump's tariff uncertainties
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said South Africa welcomed this indication and expressed a preparedness to engage with the said template once finalised. Image: Independent Media Archives Banele Ginidza The ongoing evolution of trade relationships between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa has entered a critical phase as the USA moves towards establishing a new trade-matters template. This template will guide its future engagements with African nations, a development revealed by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, following discussions last week with the US Assistant Trade Representative for Africa, Connie Hamilton. On the heels of South Africa's submission for a proposed Framework Deal aimed at bolstering trade and investment relations with the US, the government has urged local businesses to brace themselves for potential changes poised to emerge from this new framework. Godlimpi's dialogue with Hamilton occurred during the recent US-Africa Summit in Luanda, Angola, where pertinent issues surrounding reciprocal tariffs were also addressed. While the proposed Framework Deal, submitted on 20 May 2025, underscores measures designed to resolve trade deficits and promote bilateral investment, its future may hinge on the forthcoming US internal approval process. The expiry of a 90-day tariff freeze, initially set for 9 July 2025, has raised concerns within the South African government about the adequacy of this timeline. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As such, African countries are collectively advocating for a deadline extension to allow adequate preparation for aligning their proposed deals to the forthcoming US template. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said South Africa welcomed this indication and expressed a preparedness to engage with the said template once finalised. 'In this regard, we are of the view that South Africa may need to re-submit its Framework Deal in accordance with the new template. It is thus expected that the deadline may be shifted,' Tau said. The government is keen to ensure that the new requirements do not unduly disadvantage local enterprises, hence the appeal for strategic patience from the South African industry. Prospectively, South Africa's Framework Deal aims to tackle a range of US concerns, including non-tariff barriers and longstanding market access issues. It seeks specific exemptions from Sections 232 duties for key export products such as automobiles, auto parts, steel, and aluminium, ensuring these critical sectors can remain competitive in the US market. South Africa is also seeking the maximum tariff application of 10%, as a worst-case situation. The Framework also seeks exemption for Small and Medium Enterprises, counter-seasonal products and products that the US does not have productive capacity for. 'We urge the South African industry to exercise strategic patience and not take decisions in haste and that the government will continue to use every avenue to engage the US government to find an amicable solution to safeguard South African interests in the US market,' Tau said. As South Africa navigates these complexities, international sentiment has shifted towards urgency. The New York Times recently reported that governments around the globe were racing to negotiate trade deals with the US in order to forestall President Donald Trump's punishing tariffs. Trump announced what he referred to as 'reciprocal tariffs' on April 8, saying they were in response to other countries' unfair trading practices. However, he agreed to pause those levies for 90 days to give countries time to reach trade deals with the US. The coercive nature of previous tariffs has spurred conversations across the globe about fair trade practices, with Trump signalling readiness to impose tariffs on countries perceived as uncooperative—compounding existing anxieties surrounding the impending July deadline.
