Quotes

‘Libya today is closer than it has been for many years to solving its internal crisis and breaking the cycle of political transitions. We cannot miss this opportunity. Elections are an essential next step on the road to peace and stability. This step has to be built on a strong foundation of inclusive and credible frameworks that can guarantee its success.’

– UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has urged Libyans to forge a spirt of national unity and overcome any remaining differences ahead of next month’s elections.  Nearly three million people have registered to vote so far, he noted, and their aspirations and determination to participate in free and fair elections must be met.

‘The racism, human rights violations, illegal settlements, ongoing unlawful occupation and the apartheid laws of Israel are well documented and should be compelling enough for your withdrawal.’

– ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe calling on Nine-squared, which owns the Miss SA organisation, to hear and listen to ‘the overwhelming call for the Miss SA team to boycott the upcoming apartheid Israel-hosted Miss Universe’.

‘Our continent collectively, and her individual countries is made to bear the brunt for heavy polluters. We are being pressured, even compelled, to move away from all forms of fossil fuels, including resources such as gas, which have been regarded as key resource for industrialisation … I think Africa must get together to develop a strategy to deal with this reality. Africa must seize the moment, we must indeed position Africa oil and gas at the forefront of global energy growth.’

– SA’s Mineral Resources & Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who has called on African nations to urgently form a united front to resist global pressure to rapidly abandon fossil fuels in a message contrary to that which government was relaying to the world at the UN COP26 summit.

‘The authorities have remained firmly committed to their economic programme in this complex environment.’ 

– IMF team leader Mary Goodman. The IMF has praised Kenya's economic policies, saying it had reached an agreement to release the next instalment of $264m under the country's ongoing aid programme.