Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

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Malawians will go to the polls on September 16 to vote for the president and Members of Parliament. At this juncture, Malawi finds itself in an unenviable environment with questions about the impartiality of its electoral commission, and the protection of rights critical for a credible, free and fair election, including freedom of expression, association and assembly.

Echoes of Malawi’s contentious 2019 election still reverberate. In a landmark judgment, Malawi’s Constitutional Court nullified the 2019 presidential election due to widespread irregularities, becoming only the third African country to nullify a presidential election, after Côte d’Ivoire in 2010 and Kenya in 2017.

The judgment, which was scathing of the conduct of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in its management of the election, was hailed as a triumph for democratic accountability and electoral justice.

As things stand today, Malawi’s electoral landscape presents a stark paradox: on one hand, the memory of judicial courage and reform following the 2019 annulled elections; on the other, a deepening crisis of confidence that threatens to reverse those very gains.

The warning signs of voter apathy, political violence, contested electoral authority, unequal campaign conditions and biased media coverage are symptoms of a democratic system under strain.

Malawi teeters on the brink of regression in terms of governance. Reports of politically motivated violence have surged. In one of the most brazen incidents, on June 26, 2025 the police stood by as weapon-wielding men attacked demonstrators calling for an independent audit of the voters’ roll and the resignation of top electoral commission officials.

Civil society groups and opposition parties allege that those behind the political violence have links to a youth militia aligned to the ruling Malawi Congress Party, though the party has denied such claims.

In November 2024, opposition parties and civil society organizations had alleged that the governing party had organized the violent attack by masked men with weapons on a demonstration urging electoral reforms. At that time, as at the June 26 protests, witnesses said that law enforcement officers stood by while the masked men assaulted peaceful protesters.

The police’s apparent unwillingness to intervene to stop the violence – or to arrest those responsible, even when their identities were known – raises grave concerns about the government’s ability to conduct the September general election in a fair and impartial manner. The authorities’ muted response to attacks on civil liberties risks normalizing impunity that could undermine the country’s hard-won democratic gains.

At the heart of the storm lies the national electoral commission. Civil society groups and opposition parties have raised alarm over the composition of the commission’s secretariat and perceived political affiliations of its leadership. The commission’s top management remains in the hands of people widely believed to have strong links to the governing party. This has proved detrimental to the credibility of the MEC as a fair and impartial arbiter.

The commission’s refusal to allow local organizations access to inspect the voters’ rolls has raised concerns about the fairness of the process. And the commission’s adoption of Smartmatic technology, intended to modernize the electoral process, has instead sparked concerns due to a lack of transparency.

Voter registration figures are equally troubling. Of the estimated 10.9 million eligible voters, only 7.2 million have registered. This glaring gap may reflect inadequate civic education and raises concerns about voter apathy.

Malawi’s Political Parties Act of 2018 remains toothless, especially on campaign financing. The governing party has allegedly exploited state resources for campaign purposes, while opposition parties struggle with unequal access to public funds.

Meanwhile, the governing party is perceived to have in effect captured the state-funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, evidenced by its skewed coverage and denying airtime to dissenting voices.

In July, the Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) and the Media Council of Malawi issued a joint statement  reminding the MBC leadership to “adhere to the Communications Act (2016) that mandates the outlet to be balanced and objective in its coverage of news, including political discourse.”

The governing party’s monopoly of the state media is not only incompatible with Malawi’s laws, but also the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which call for “equal opportunity for all political parties to access the state media” during the campaign period.

Malawi’s democratic story need not end in disappointment. The reforms initiated after 2019 proved that reform is possible.

But for that momentum to continue, democracy-supporting institutions such as the judiciary, the police and the executive need to uphold the integrity of the elections. Political leaders should denounce violence in all forms.

And the government needs to ensure the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including for those seeking electoral justice.

International and regional stakeholders should publicly press for elections that meet international standards before the entire process descends into disarray.

Without urgent and coordinated responses from domestic institutions and regional actors, Malawi risks descending into a cycle of contested legitimacy and democratic decay.

They should urgently call for an environment free of intimidation, harassment and violence. They should also urge the government of Malawi to observe its own laws, and to implement the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections and the African Union’s African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

With sustained support, vigilant observation and a recommitment to electoral fairness, Malawi can reaffirm its place as a regional exemplar of democratic resilience. The time to act is now, while the promise of credible, peaceful and participatory elections can still be upheld.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO

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 The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has noted the termination of the Master Service Agreement (MSA) between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) at the end of September 2025. SASSA has informed the committee that the resources that were allocated to the Postbank for the infrastructure for mobile cash withdrawal services will now be used to roll out its digitisation of its business processes, including the biometric verification of all new grant applications that will commence on 1 September 2025.

The committee received a briefing from the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, and SASSA today on the termination of the MSA. The Minister explained that SASSA entered into a contractual relationship with the SAPO in 2018 after the Constitutional Court ordered government to terminate the unlawful Cash Paymaster Service (CPS) contract. The liquidation of the SAPO in 2023 necessitated the closure of costly cash pay points and over-the-counter services, and the contract was ceded to Postbank.

In 2019, the South African Reserve Bank limited the Postbank from issuing new bank accounts until it dealt with the replacement of the SASSA gold cards. These were the main elements of the MSA, hence with the withdrawal of these services render the MSA no longer serving its original intent.

Minister Tolashe assured the committee that there will not be any interruptions to the payment of grants as a result of the MSA termination. Payments will continue being disbursed through all the banks operating in South Africa, including Post Bank, as it is the current arrangement.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Bridget Masango, said: “The main interest of the committee is to ensure that there is no interruption of the payment of grants to the 3 million beneficiaries who bank with Postbank, post the termination of the MSA.”

The committee resolved to conduct an oversight visit to rural communities to assess the impact of the closure of the cash pay points services to grant beneficiaries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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President of the Republic of Ghana John Dramani Mahama is on a State Visit to Singapore. President Mahama received a ceremonial welcome and called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 27 August 2025.

President Tharman and President Mahama reaffirmed the warm friendship between Singapore and Ghana, and the significant potential to deepen cooperation. They discussed areas for stronger collaboration, including bilateral investments, sustainable development, agri-business, and financial innovation such as fintech and cross-border payments. Both leaders also exchanged views on Africa’s and Ghana’s economic development – including fiscal reforms and the urgent task of creating jobs.

President Mahama also met Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong on 27 August. They discussed cooperation in capacity building as well as opportunities to expand two-way trade and investment flows, including by fast-tracking the ongoing negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Noting that Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to have concluded a Carbon Credits Implementation Agreement with Singapore, both leaders agreed to build on this foundation and advance cooperation in the green economy. They exchanged views on global and regional developments, including the importance of multilateralism, and regional security. After their meeting, President Mahama and Prime Minister Wong witnessed the signing of two MOUs on bilateral consultations and capacity building in investment promotion.

President Mahama visited the National Orchid Garden on 27 August, where a new orchid hybrid, the Vanda John Dramani Mahama, was named in his honour. He attended the 8th Africa-Singapore Business Forum and delivered the keynote speech on 26 August. Thereafter, he visited the Singapore Institute of Technology and Biopolis. President Mahama will participate in a business dialogue organised by the Singapore Business Federation before departing Singapore.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Singapore.

Source: APO

A group of Tebu called for greater political inclusion during a meeting Monday with Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Koury.

The twelve-member delegation included political, legal, and tribal figures, members of social councils, women, youth, and civil society activists, reflecting the Tebu community’s active engagement in shaping the country’s future.

The Tebu group expressed concerns about the limited political representation and visibility of components within decision-making structures in Libya at the local and national levels.

“Our representation is not a privilege, it’s a basic principle of any meaningful and fair political process,” said one participant, suggesting that UNSMIL establish an active line of communication and coordination with the Tebu community.

The group emphasized the imperative of ensuring stronger representation for components in the constitutional, electoral, and institutional tracks.

“There needs to be a space for the cultural components in Libya,” said one civil society member. “We are asking the United Nations to help open the door.”

DSRSG Koury briefed them on the political roadmap announced by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh in her 21 August briefing to the Security Council.

“All cultural components should have meaningful participation in the political process,” DSRSG Koury said. “Every Libyan has a right to be part of the country’s future.”

Towards the end of the meeting, Mr. Moulai Salih spoke in the Tabawi language, highlighting the rich diversity of Libya.

She expressed a strong desire to visit again communities in the south to directly engage with the people of southern Libya, so she can hear firsthand from communities on the ground and better understand their needs and priorities.

Read more about the political roadmap here: https://unsmil.unmissions.org/political-roadmap

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO

With the support of the Government of Japan, UN Women Sudan—in partnership with the Sudanese Coalition for Education for All (SCEFA)—distributed 2,500 dignity kits and 3,275 kitchen utensil sets to displaced women and girls in Red Sea and Gedaref States. These kits not only meet urgent needs but also support women’s livelihoods and resilience.

Among the recipients is Bakhita, who has been displaced multiple times—from Khartoum to Madani and finally to Port Sudan—along with her seven family members, including a son with disabilities and a sick father. Despite these challenges, Bakhita opened a small shop at the gathering site, selling biscuits and candies. She is known for offering her products freely to neighbors and visitors, reflecting the Sudanese spirit of generosity. “Even in hardship, we welcome others. That’s who we are,” she said. The kitchen utensils she received have enabled her to expand her business and invest more in her shop, helping her support her family with pride.

Another example is Gisma, a widow who fled from Khartoum to South Sudan and then to Port Sudan, now raising four orphaned children alone—one of whom lives with a disability. Before receiving support, she was baking cookies using broken equipment, borrowed items, and plastic buckets repurposed for baking—none of which were ideal or safe. “I had proper baking tools in Khartoum, but lost everything when we fled,” she shared. Thanks to the kitchen kits, Gisma can now bake more efficiently, increase her income, and restore a sense of normalcy for her children.

Their stories reflect the power of small, well-timed support to help displaced women not only survive but rebuild their lives with courage and determination.

“These utensils are more than tools,” Bakhita said. “They gave me back my ability to provide for my family with dignity.”

“I never imagined I’d be able to bake again,” Gisma added. “But now, with this support, I can dream of growing my business.”

As Sudan continues to grapple with one of the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises, initiatives like these offer a glimmer of hope for the most affected communities. Over 7 million people are currently displaced across the country, and nearly half of Sudan’s population faces acute food insecurity. Against this backdrop, the support provided through the Japan-funded project not only meets urgent basic needs but also restores dignity and stability to women who have lost so much. By investing in community resilience, UN Women and its partners are ensuring that recovery is rooted in empowerment—and that no one is left behind.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO

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African health ministers and partners are calling for increased investment in integrated health services to address the growing burden of severe noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly those affecting women and underserved populations across the region.

At a high-level side event during the Seventy-fifth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, delegates emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation across the continuum of care for NCDs. Disparities are especially pronounced in rural areas, where health infrastructure and services remain inadequate.

Breast and cervical cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa—particularly cervical cancer, which is both preventable and treatable. It remains the most common cause of cancer death for women in the region. In 2022, Africa accounted for nearly a quarter (23%) of the 76 000 global cervical cancer deaths.

Meanwhile, severe NCDs such as Type 1 diabetes, sickle cell disease, and heart conditions claim more than half a million lives annually, including among children, adolescents, and young adults in some of the continent’s poorest communities. Inequitable access to health services continues to hinder efforts to reduce this burden.

To improve cervical and breast cancer care in the region, urgent investment is needed in leadership, governance, and financing. Strengthening these foundations is critical in the current funding landscape. Advancements in strategic planning, healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, and—most importantly—equitable access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services are essential.

To address these challenges, WHO and its partners showcased successful integrated models such as the Women’s Integrated Care for Cancer Services (WICS), the BEAT Breast Cancer Project, and the PEN-Plus Strategy. WICS strengthens early detection, treatment, and integration of women’s cancer services into primary health care systems in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. The BEAT Breast Cancer Project is a transformative multi-year initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality among women in Tanzania and Ghana through early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment access.

“PEN-Plus, WICS and the BEAT Breast Cancer Initiative are models for a new standard of care, rooted in equity, access and health justice. I urge countries to prioritize policies that embed these models into broader health system strengthening, said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa”.

Côte d’Ivoire offers a compelling example of progress, combining high HPV vaccination coverage—reaching over three million girls (91.4%)—with WICS-supported community-based screening campaigns to strengthen cervical cancer prevention. In Kenya, cervical cancer screening has been successfully integrated into national health services.

“This gathering marks a pivotal moment to accelerate action for breast cancer prevention in Africa. We deeply value the leadership of the Ministries of Health of Ghana and Tanzania, and the steadfast support of the Pfizer Foundation in helping us achieve this milestone.   The side event builds momentum for the policy prioritization of women’s cancers, partnerships to strengthen the broader women’s cancer ecosystem, and advance a health-systems approach to breast cancer prevention and management”, said Dr Somesh Kumar, Senior Director, Jhpiego.

PEN-Plus expands access to care for severe NCDs at the district hospital level. Since its implementation, 20 countries in Africa have increased access to services for severe NCDs. Over 15 000 people are currently receiving treatment for chronic conditions such as sickle cell disease and Type 1 diabetes through PEN-Plus clinics.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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Five Members of Parliament from the Committee of Physical Infrastructure will carry out an oversight visit to the Nakivubo drainage channel and report back to Parliament.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), Hon. Medard Sseggona revealed that the Speaker Anita Among had directed the Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure to carry out the oversight visit.

Sseggona read the contents of the letter from during a meeting with officials from Kampala capital City Authority (KCCA) led by the Lord Mayor, Hon. Erias Lukwago on Tuesday, 26 August 2025.  

The KCCA leadership had sought parliamentary intervention on matters pertaining to redevelopment of the Nakivubo drainage channel in downtown Kampala.

On 18 August 2025, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Prime Minister to approve businessman Hamis Kiggundu’s plan to redevelop Nakivubo channel and support him in its implementation.

Sseggona revealed that the team is expected report on their findings within 14 days o.
“In light of those developments, it is the view of this committee that we shall not proceed with a matter that is before another committee of Parliament. We are advising the Clerk (of the committee) to ensure that matters related to this particular issue be sent to that committee,” Sseggona said.

He added that inquiries into other matters related to encroachment onto KCCA land as contained in the Auditor General’s report for the year ended December 2024 shall continue to be investigated.

A section of MPs on the committee challenged the directive.

Hon. Allan Ssewanyana (NUP, Makindye Division West) noted that committees severally work together in handling matters before them and sought to justify the intervention of COSASE on the matter of redevelopment of Nakivubo drainage channel.
“I did not hear the Speaker communicate her position in the directive to this very particular committee,” Ssewanyana added.

Mawokota North MP, Hon. Hillary Kiyaga questioned the validity of the oversight directive which Sseggona confirmed was duly authored and signed by the Speaker.

Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago who addressed the media after the meeting wondered why the process of investigation should not be allowed to continue.

The redevelopment project by Kiham Enterprises started after the directive from the President. 
The development has seen environmentalists, politicians and civil society criticize the move.

The KCCA technical wing also halted the development until formal plans for the project are submitted. 

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

Source: APO

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Sudan’s ongoing crisis has displaced millions and disrupted livelihoods across the country. But through the support of the Government of Japan, a UN Women project in partnership with SCEFA is helping women reclaim their dignity—not only by offering skills training, but by empowering them to empower others. In Red Sea and Gedaref States, more than 1,000 women have participated in vocational training programmes, learning tailoring, soap making, and more. The impact, however, has extended far beyond these numbers. The programme’s unique approach of engaging female trainers—many of whom are also affected by displacement—has created a cycle of strength and transformation.

Huda, the tailoring trainer in Red Sea State, who had been displaced by the conflict and is now living in the largest camp in the region, spoke about how becoming a trainer changed her life. “Everything changed for me when I was trusted to train others,” she said. “I found light in my life again.” Despite her years of experience in tailoring, displacement left her without a place to work or means to earn a living. Now, not only does she train others, but she also operates a small tailoring station in the site, guiding former trainees who continue to seek her advice. Her station has become a symbol of resilience, and she is now one of the most trusted tailors in the area. “When you’re given a chance to rise, you want to lift others with you,” she reflected.

In Gedaref State, Mona, who  fled Khartoum with her family used her passion for local products to train others in soap and detergent production. Self-taught and deeply committed to community-led solutions, she helped women use local ingredients to create sustainable alternatives to imported goods. “At first, I was nervous,” she admitted. “I wasn’t sure if I could handle the responsibility, especially in a new environment. But every day, I saw the excitement of the women, and it gave me confidence.” She now continues to mentor some of the participants and hopes to expand the training to reach more displaced women.

For both trainers, the opportunity to lead was transformative—not just for the participants but for themselves. “This is more than work,” Mona said. “We are building something that can last—if we continue to support each other.”

Their stories are a testament to how women can be empowered by empowering others. By transforming trainers into leaders and learners into changemakers, the project has nurtured a sense of ownership and long-term sustainability. As Huda concluded: “We were displaced, but we are not defeated. We will never give up.”

As the conflict in Sudan persists, the country is facing one of the most severe food security emergencies globally. According to the latest reports, over 24 million people are acutely food insecure, and more than 638,000 are experiencing extreme levels of hunger, with insufficient access to food for survival. Amid this crisis, the livelihoods component of the UN Women project—supported by the Government of Japan—offers a vital lifeline. By equipping women with income-generating skills and support networks, the programme not only enhances resilience and self-reliance but also plays a critical role in mitigating the worst impacts of Sudan’s deteriorating food situation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.