"On the same day that Europe stopped flights from and to Maputo (Mozambique's capital), Mozambique registered 5 new cases and 0 deaths from COVID 19. In the rest of the Austral Africa the situation was similar. Meanwhile, most of the countries in Europe face a dramatic wave of new cases.
South African scientists were able to detect and identify a new variant of SARS Cov 19. They immediately and transparently shared their research and discoveries. Instead of being praised, theirs and the rest of their neighbouring countries were punished. Instead of offering African researchers their help, the European governments turned their backs on them.
You don't close borders, you close people, economies, societies, ways for progress. The punishment that these countries are now suffering will only endure the impoverishment that the citizens of these countries are being subjected to by the pandemic isolation.
Once again science became a hostage of politics. Once again, fear defeated reason. Once again, selfishness prevailed. The lack of solidarity was already present (and accepted) in the shocking disparities we saw during the distribution of the vaccines. While Europe is taking a 3rd dose and even discussing a 4th or a 5th, most African countries haven't benefited from a single shot. For example Botswana who paid for their fair share of vaccines was left in shock when they found out that those vaccinations were diverted to richer nations.
The European continent that so often claims to be the birth of science forgot the most important principles of science. Without proof of the geographical origin of this variant or it's true harm, the European governments imposed immediate restrictions regarding the traffic of citizens. The governments took the easiest and less efficient escape route: they built a wall to create a false image of safety. It was predictable that new variants would appear outside the walls of Europe. But there's no in or out of these walls. Viruses suffer mutations without any geographical preferences.
The African countries were once again discriminated against. And the social-economic effects of these new measures are hard to even imagine. But Austral Africa is far, far away. It's no longer just about lack of solidarity. It's about acting against science and humanity. "
MIA COUTO
JOSÉ EDUARDO AGUALUSA
Translated with a foreword by Afonso, a portuguese volunteer from Praxis.