More African countries joined the rush to suspend air links with the south of the continent after the emergence of a new Covid variant, sparking a cry of anguish from South Africa.
The world’s widening travel bans also prompted the postponement of Africa’s biggest shop window for investment, as a glittering top-name gathering in Abidjan was postponed.
South Africa says it is being made a scapegoat for discovering the Omicron variant.
Foreign ministry spokesman Clayson Monyela says It is quite regrettable, very unfortunate about travel restrictions imposed by a fellow African country.
He noted that South Africa had recently made substantial donations of vaccines to some of the countries that were now imposing flight bans.