Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO – Report:

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A series of major developments in the last month is reshaping investor expectations for Suriname’s offshore sector. TotalEnergies awarded a major contract for its landmark GranMorgu development, Petronas announced another discovery in Block 52 and new geological research identified a highly prospective oil-generating “sweet spot” offshore. Together, these milestones reinforce Suriname’s emergence as a leading deepwater exploration market and strengthen the case for a more connected Caribbean energy system.

As discoveries advance toward commercial development and offshore infrastructure begins to take shape, Suriname is positioned to become a cornerstone of the Guyana-Suriname Basin – one of the world’s fastest-growing petroleum provinces – with significant implications for regional investment, supply chains and energy security.

The clearest indication of this transition came in July, when TotalEnergies awarded Halliburton a major contract covering drilling services, well completions and digital workflows for the GranMorgu deepwater development in Block 58. The project, which targets first oil in 2028, will be developed using a FPSO vessel with capacity to produce 220,000 barrels per day from the Sapakara and Krabdagu fields, which together contain an estimated 760 million barrels of recoverable reserves.

Beyond bringing Suriname closer to first production, GranMorgu will establish critical offshore infrastructure that can support future tie-backs and additional developments, creating a foundation for sustained production growth across the basin.

Meanwhile, exploration success continues to expand across Suriname’s offshore acreage. In June, Petronas announced the Sloanea-2 gas discovery in Block 52, adding to a series of successful wells including Caiman-1, Roystonea-1 and Roystonea-2. The discoveries are estimated to contain more than one billion barrels of oil equivalent, reinforcing Block 52 as one of Suriname’s most promising growth areas while reducing geological risk for future investors.

The basin’s long-term outlook received another boost this month, when new geological research identified a major oil-generating “sweet spot” extending toward Suriname’s offshore acreage, including Block 52. The findings suggest significant exploration potential remains beyond existing discoveries, supporting expectations that the Guyana-Suriname Basin will continue attracting investment and delivering new commercial opportunities.

That outlook is creating fresh opportunities for international investors. Through its open-door licensing program, state oil company Staatsolie is offering more than 70,000 square-kilometers of offshore acreage across five exploration areas, seeking to attract new operators as confidence in the basin continues to grow.

Collectively, these developments are shifting the regional conversation beyond individual discoveries toward long-term integration. As Guyana expands production and Suriname advances toward first oil, opportunities are emerging to develop shared offshore services, fabrication capacity, logistics hubs, ports, LNG infrastructure and export corridors that can improve project economics while strengthening regional energy security. Combined with Trinidad and Tobago’s established LNG and petrochemical infrastructure and the broader energy capabilities of neighboring producers, the region has the potential to evolve into a globally competitive Caribbean Energy Corridor.

These opportunities will take center stage at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, operators, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Suriname’s exploration momentum – alongside continued growth across the Guyana-Suriname Basin – can be translated into cross-border investment, integrated infrastructure and long-term regional economic development.

Caribbean Energy Week 2027 will host its in-country launch at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on September 1, 2026, bringing together government officials, investors, operators and industry stakeholders for an early look at the opportunities, priorities and partnerships that will shape the region’s energy future. To register, please visit https://apo-opa.co/4g7qDz0

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO – Report:

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Chad and Head of State, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, on his country’s national day.

In this message, the Sovereign extends His warmest congratulations to President Deby Itno, as well as His best wishes for his personal happiness and for the prosperity of the Chadian people.

On this occasion, HM the King recalls the deep ties of brotherhood and friendship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Chad, expressing His wish to see them strengthened further.

To this end, the Sovereign assures President Deby Itno of His determination to maintain their joint action for reinforced bilateral cooperation, in the service of both peoples and a united and prosperous Africa.

– on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Source: APO

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The near simultaneous attacks – which occurred on Sunday in two communities in Tonj North county – caused widespread displacement as well as the destruction and looting of property, including theft of large numbers of cattle. 

The acting head UNMISS Graham Maitland said intercommunal violence is causing immense harm to communities that are already vulnerable, and he warned of the risk of further revenge attacks. 

Assess and engage 

The mission is sending a long-duration peacekeeping patrol to the impacted area. 

“Blue helmets” will assess the security situation, investigate human rights violations, and help deter further conflict. 

UNMISS is engaging intensively with officials at all levels to de-escalate tensions, calling on the authorities to strengthen security in the area and ensure accountability. 

Patrols in Upper Nile 

Meanwhile, peacekeepers have also increased patrols in parts of eastern Upper Nile state, where people are returning to their villages following intense clashes between government and opposition armed groups. 

Civilians are bearing the brunt of the fighting. 

The violence forced families to flee. Many lost their homes, livelihoods and much-loved relatives along the way, the mission said. 

‘Nothing but devastation’ 

“We lost people in the bushes and later returned to find nothing but devastation; our homes were deliberately burned down by fire,” said Thabitha Nyitapo, Women’s Leader in Udier village.  

She said the entire community was drawing water from a single borehole, while pregnant women had nowhere safe to deliver their babies and children lacked medicine. 

‘Everything was looted’ 

Today, Udier has become a place of refuge for more than 36,000 displaced people and returning residents as a fragile calm takes hold.  

However, immense challenges lie ahead as people wonder how they will build their lives with no secure shelter, reliable access to food, clean water, healthcare, education, or the means to earn an income. 

“We have no school now,” said Wochan Wuordol, Commissioner of Udier. He told UNMISS that “everything was looted” – including hospital beds, educational materials and even chairs, and “there is nothing here now”. 

Ease the tension 

UNMISS peacekeepers recently patrolled the area to assess the security situation, meet local authorities and hear directly from affected communities. 

The mission said its priority is to protect civilians, reduce tensions and help ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance can reach people most in need. 

“People in this community have different political views which can cause tension,” said William Jial, an UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer. “Our goal is to ensure that, regardless of their differences, they can live peacefully together.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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The current Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species, was declared by DRC health officials on 15 May and declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) two days later.

With more than 4,000 confirmed cases, it is both the second-largest and the fastest-growing on record. Only West Africa’s 2014 to 2016 outbreak, which saw more than 11,000 deaths, was larger.

Just three months into this Ebola emergency, the death toll is already close to the total number of people killed in the 2018 to 2020 epidemic, which saw fewer overall cases.

Mutation fears arise

Alarmed by the virus’s rapid spread, local health officials have recently raised concerns that the virus could be mutating.

In response, the director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention met WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently to investigate the threat of the virus mutating.

There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.

Vaccine trials have been authorised in Canada and the UK, though results are likely several months away. Treatment trials are underway in the DRC’s Ituri province – the epicentre of the outbreak.

Julian Harneis, the UN’s senior Ebola coordinator in the DRC, said aid workers, organizations, governments, donors and local communities “must do more, and do it today, to save lives and stop Ebola.”

Violence, geography imperil response

The Ebola Bundibugyo virus is proving hard to control in eastern DRC because of ongoing violence by non-State armed groups in the remote and mineral-rich region and a lack of accessible healthcare for vulnerable populations.

In addition, at least a dozen facilities treating Ebola have been attacked, largely due to fear, misinformation and deep community mistrust of outside authorities.

WHO reported that between 60 to 70 per cent of Ebola deaths occur in communities, and that many patients can’t been seen by a doctor until it is too late.

Further complicating the response is the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC between the Congolese military and Rwanda-backed M23 militia.

According to the UN’s humanitarian aid office (OCHA), at least 13 civilians were killed, several more were abducted and homes were burned in a Friday attack on the village of Banana École in Ituri, causing more than 28,000 people to flee.

News reports indicate the attacks were likely carried out by militants affiliated with the local ISIL terrorist group.

“We, along with our partners, continue to support the response, but our work is hindered by insecurity,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Tuesday.

Responding to the outbreak

Briefing journalists in New York the previous day, he said OCHA was working with partners to prepare neighbouring Rwanda for the possible spread of Ebola.

Although Rwanda has not confirmed any Ebola Bundibugyo cases, the country remains at risk due to frequent border crossings.

WHO has helped train Rwandan healthcare workers on prevention and surveillance. The UN is also working with local authorities to improve screening, traveller monitoring, personnel deployment, provision of protective equipment and community engagement.

The UN and its partners also run mobile Ebola testing labs, operate nurseries for children in Ebola-affected families, protect medical facilities, upgrade hygiene infrastructure and distribute infection prevention equipment.

“We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and facilitate safe and sustained humanitarian access to communities impacted by both violence and the outbreak,” Mr. Haq said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

The State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang has told Parliament that majority of former students of St. Stephen Nursery Teachers’ College (SSNTC) have received their academic documents from Ndejje University.

According to the Minister, the university has also processed 50 certificates and transcripts that are pending verification and collection, whereas some documents have not been printed due to outstanding information yet to be submitted by the Teachers’ College.

Presenting a statement to the House on Tuesday, 11 August 2026 on allegations regarding withholding of transcripts and certificates, the Minister said his interaction with Ndejje University revealed that the College accumulated significant arrears, leading to delays in processing academic documents.

“An MOU between the two institutions indicates that SSNTC was responsible for remitting students’ tuition to the University. Ndejje states that it has engaged SSNTC on several occasions to recover the outstanding funds and facilitate release of students’ academic records,” said Ogwang.

The Minister’s statement follows a directive by the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa on 05 August 2026, requiring the Minister to intervene in the matter involving the delayed release of the transcripts and certificates.

This came after a presentation of a petition by Hon. Eunice Otuko (UPC, Oyam County North) on behalf of Ms. Tamali Okao, the former Director of St. Stephen Nursery Teachers’ College in Lira, who stated that 102 students who completed their studies between 2017 and 2022 under Ndejje University had not received their academic documents.

The petitioner had called on Parliament to compel the university to release the academic documents without further delay and establish an inquiry into similar cases affecting other students.

Minister Ogwang said that the University revealed inconsistencies in figures by SSNTC which complicated verification of the exact number of affected students and outstanding academic documents required for processing.

The Minister noted that Ndejje University is committed to resolving all outstanding cases and complying with its statutory obligations.

“I want to implore my colleague to follow up this matter with me so that we can solve it administratively once and for all, if there are other students who have not received their documents,” Ogwang said in reference to Hon. Otuko, who presented the petition on behalf of former students of SSNTC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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• IMF staff and the Guinean authorities have reached staff-level agreement on a 41-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement of SDR 310.59 million (145 percent of quota). The agreement is subject to approval by IMF management and the Executive Board, which is expected to consider it in September 2026, together with the conclusion of the 2026 Article IV consultation.
• The program is designed to help Guinea transform its resource wealth into sustainable and inclusive growth by mobilizing revenue for priority spending, strengthening fiscal, monetary, and governance frameworks, and enhancing transparency.
• Guinea’s economy has remained resilient, and growth is expected to accelerate as mining production scales up. The program provides a policy framework to contain inflationary pressures, support growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, and strengthen external buffers. With sustained implementation, the medium-term outlook is favorable.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Ms. Izabela Karpowicz, conducted discussions with the Guinean authorities in Conakry during June 16–29, 2026, in the context of the 2026 Article IV consultation and the authorities’ request for a 41-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The mission met with Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah; Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget Mariama Ciré Sylla; Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Guinea Karamo Kaba; Minister of Planning, International Cooperation, and Development Ismael Nabe; Minister of Mines Bouna Sylla; Minister of Energy Laye Sékou Camara; Minister of Agriculture Aminata Kaba; other government officials; and representatives of the private sector, civil society, and development partners.

At the conclusion of the mission, Ms. Karpowicz issued the following statement:

“IMF staff and the Guinean authorities have reached staff-level agreement on policies to be supported by a 41-month arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility in the amount of SDR 310.59 million (145 percent of quota). The agreement is subject to approval by IMF management and the Executive Board in September 2026.

“Guinea is at an important economic juncture as the Simandou iron ore project enters production and mining activity expands, creating significant opportunities to support higher growth and revenue mobilization. The proposed program would help the authorities channel these opportunities into lasting development gains by supporting sound resource management, investment in people and infrastructure, economic diversification, and prudent macroeconomic policies.

“Guinea’s economy has remained resilient despite repeated shocks, and growth is expected to gain momentum over the medium term. Inflationary pressures have increased recently, while fiscal and external buffers remain below desired levels, underscoring the need for continued policy discipline and timely reform implementation.

“Risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, including from commodity price and financing shocks, spillovers from the war in the Middle East, prolonged cash shortages, and slower reform implementation. The outlook could surprise on the upside if mining production is scaled up faster than expected and non-mining activity strengthens.

“Anchored in the authorities’ national development strategy and the Simandou 2040 vision, the proposed program is organized around four mutually reinforcing priorities. These include mobilizing revenue—especially from mining—to finance priority spending while preserving debt sustainability; strengthening liquidity management and preparedness for shocks; rebuilding reserves, supported by greater exchange rate flexibility; and advancing governance and transparency reforms, including reforms to central bank governance, the framework for gold operations, and integrity and anti-corruption frameworks.

“Article IV discussions focused on balancing fiscal sustainability with Guinea’s development needs. They covered options for a rules-based fiscal framework to manage resource wealth, including a possible sovereign wealth fund, as well as policies to build human capital, expand employment opportunities beyond mining, and support economic diversification.

“The IMF team thanks the Guinean authorities for their cooperation, the high-quality policy dialogue, and the warm hospitality extended during the mission. The IMF stands ready to continue supporting Guinea’s reform agenda.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Source: APO

• An MSF survey has found shocking levels of malnutrition among children in displacement sites in Baidoa, Somalia.
• Malnutrition and displacement are most severely affecting women and children across the country, as donors continue to withdraw their support.
• MSF calls on the donor community to ensure an adequately funded emergency response in Baidoa and other affected areas.

One in every two children screened in displacement sites in Baidoa, South-West state, Somalia, is acutely malnourished and one in every four is severely malnourished. These shocking statistics are the findings of a malnutrition survey carried out in July by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

“Behind every statistic is a child,” says Allara Ali, MSF’s project coordinator in Somalia. “What we are seeing is shocking and far beyond the threshold of an extremely critical emergency.” 

“What is equally shocking is the lack of urgency from donors who continue to downscale and withdraw support from Somalia,” says Ali. “While other organisations are attempting to respond, their capacity is limited by funding constraints.”

The results are consistent with MSF’s regular malnutrition surveillance in Baidoa, where teams have screened more than 21,000 children under five since the beginning of the year and found global acute malnutrition levels of around 50 per cent.

The survey, conducted across 888 households in 14 displacement sites in Baidoa, also found that one-third of families are surviving on just one meal a day, while only two per cent can afford three meals a day.

MSF is urgently calling on the donor community, international organisations, and health authorities to ensure a well-coordinated, adequately funded and effective emergency response without delay in Baidoa and other affected areas of Somalia.

“The world cannot wait for a famine declaration before acting,” says Ali. “Action is needed now to prevent loss of lives.”

Consecutive failed rains and worsening drought have affected hundreds of thousands of people across Somalia, depriving families of food, water, crops and livestock. According to the UN, in the first three months of 2026, more than half a million people were displaced in Somalia, with nine out of 10 displacements driven by drought. Alarmingly, 85 per cent of those displaced are women and children, who are also among the most severely affected by malnutrition.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 21,000 children have been admitted to MSF-supported outpatient malnutrition facilities in Baidoa — more than double the number recorded during the same period last year. Over the same period, 2,890 children have been admitted for inpatient care, an increase of 78 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. Figures in 2025 were already higher than the year before. A similar trend is being seen in Mudug, where admissions to MSF-supported inpatient facilities increased by 70 per cent in June and July.

“It is rare that we are able to get two meals a day,” says Nuriyo, mother of a child being treated for severe acute malnutrition in Baidoa. “There is no organisation helping us. An organisation gave us some cash assistance, but that was three years ago.” 

Measles and diphtheria are spreading in a context where vaccination campaigns are not reaching everyone effectively. Since the beginning of the year, MSF has treated around 2,500 measles cases in Baidoa, compared with about 1,700 cases during all of 2025. Pregnant and lactating women are also severely affected. In the past two months alone, MSF has admitted more than 2,600 pregnant and breastfeeding women for malnutrition support. When mothers are malnourished, the risks extend to their babies — before birth, during delivery, and in the first months of life.

To respond to the surge in patients, MSF has expanded one medical facility from 50 to 150 beds. MSF teams have also distributed relief items to displaced families and are trucking safe water to displaced communities in Mudug and Baidoa. But medical care and emergency assistance alone cannot meet the scale of this crisis.

“A hospital bed can save a child today. But it cannot protect that child if they return to a shelter with no food, no clean water and no basic services,” says Ali. “Without comprehensive support, including social protection, the cycle of relapse and readmission will continue.” 

Despite the level of suffering, Somalia is being deprioritised by major donors, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Somalia’s humanitarian response plan has been reduced by 40 per cent in 2026 and was still less than one-third funded by July. Funding cuts are weakening already fragile health services and forcing the health system to absorb a crisis far beyond its capacity.

“The malnutrition and health crisis in South-West [state], Somalia, is becoming a clear example of dangerous indifference and a failure of responsibility, as Somalia is pushed further down the global agenda,” says Ali. “The scale of this crisis should be a wake-up call for the international community.” 

MSF is calling for an urgent scale-up of inpatient treatment for severe acute malnutrition, particularly for children with medical complications. This must include increased bed capacity and additional medical staff, as well as uninterrupted supplies of therapeutic food, medicines and medical equipment. We also urge vaccination campaigns to reach missed and hard-to-reach communities, with stronger coverage and more effective delivery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure has demanded that Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) account for 81 wagons reportedly sold as scrap for Shs3.7 billion.  
The committee chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka raised the concerns during an on spot inspection of URC’s headquarters on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

The visit to the URC offices are part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into the corporation’s operations, assets, expenditure and procurement. The probe comes ahead of the planned allocation of resources for the recovery of the corporation.

Mpaka questioned the management of URC over the disposal of railway assets saying the committee had established that 81 wagons had been sold off as scrap adding that they had learnt of an advertisement sale of for additional wagons. 
“We have come across another advert of wagons you want to sell in Tanzania, and you had not told us,” ,” Mpaka said.

Mpaka said the inspection was intended to establish the state of URC’s assets and expenditure before Parliament considers allocating additional resources to the corporation.
The scrutiny comes as URC seeks sustained government funding to rebuild its operations after years of inadequate investment, ageing equipment and shortages of specialised railway personnel.

The URC Managing Director, Benon Kajuna told MPs that the corporation currently has only four mainline locomotives available for cargo operations, while its Kampala-Mukono passenger service operates with five coaches.

Kajuna said URC now requires support of over Shs100 billion annually for five years to stabilise its operations.

The corporation is also pursuing the procurement of 10 new locomotives and 100 flat wagons with support from the African Development Bank, alongside major rehabilitation of the railway line between Mombasa and Kampala.

But MPs questioned whether Ugandans should wait five years before seeing significant improvements in railway services.

Bunyole West County MP, Hon. James Waluswaka challenged the proposed recovery timeline saying the corporation needed to deliver results more quickly.
“When you talk about five years, that means we shall be serving the lunch at dinner time,” Waluswaka said.

He questioned whether the procurement of new locomotives can be accelerated given the urgency of restoring an efficient railway system.

Kajuna said the manufacturing lead time for a new locomotive is about 2.3 years after signing a contract because the equipment has to be manufactured, tested and delivered.
The committee also revisited concerns over locomotives purchased during the 10th Parliament which had reportedly failed to operate effectively on Uganda’s metre-gauge railway.

Kajuna disputed suggestions that the locomotives were incompatible with the railway. He said their longer design created difficulties at a turning point affected by construction works for a flyover.

Kajuna added that the URC faces a shortage of specialised railway personnel.
“We don’t have a signalling and telecommunications engineer. We don’t have an electrical engineer in the URC,” he said.

He attributed the skills gap partly to the suspension of railway staff training from the 1990s, when government was pursuing plans to concession the railway.

He said URC is now recruiting specialised staff and plans to establish a railway training institute under an African Development Bank-supported project.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.