Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

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On July 22, Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, and the two sides exchanged views on China-Liberia relations.

Yin stated that China is willing to work with Liberia to steadily promote the implementation of the outcomes of the meeting between the two heads of state and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, and promote the continuous development of the China-Liberia strategic partnership.

H.E.Nyanti spoke positively of the development of bilateral relations and said that Liberia adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China and work together to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

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Across South Sudan, tens of thousands of inmates are crammed into overcrowded prisons with dire living conditions, including poor sanitation and limited access to food, clean water and healthcare. In some locations male and female prisoners are housed in the same cells due to a lack of space, creating safety concerns and the risk of abuse.

The Aweil Central Prison, in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, is not immune from this problem. Constructed with the capacity to house 150 inmates, it is now overwhelmed by more than 700 prisoners. In these conditions, disease can run rampant, particularly cholera, with more than 9300 cases already recorded in the region since the deadly outbreak began last year.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is responsible for monitoring prison environments, management, and the rights and wellbeing of inmates. After assessing conditions in the Aweil Central Prison, the mission’s Rule of Law team requested prison authorities and the State Minister of Health to prioritize health services.

“We advocated very strongly for improved hygiene and sanitation for the prisoners, and particularly requested improved disease prevention because, if cholera takes erupts in this closed environment, it would be disastrous,” said UNMISS Corrections Advisor, Amina Kavirondo.

As a result of this advocacy, all inmates and prison officers have now been vaccinated with the support of the World Health Organization and State Ministry of Health.

“Given the large number of inmates accommodated in such a crowded facility with dire living conditions, we were very worried about their exposure to disease and felt it was important to vaccinate the prisoners to prevent cholera taking hold,” said the Ministry of Health’s immunization manager, Philip Malong Thiel.

“We were afraid because of the rumors that there were already cholera cases in the prison,” says one female inmate. “I now feel prepared and protected after my vaccination.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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The Select Committee on Security and Justice has recommended that the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) confirm the provisional suspension from office of Ms SSE Fredericks, an additional Magistrate at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court, and the determination to withhold her remuneration.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Jane Seboletswe Mananiso, said the recommendation to withhold her remuneration is in terms of the Magistrates Act.

She went on to say that the recommendation follows its consideration of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development’s report, tabled in Parliament on 1 July 2025. This report, dated 26 June 2025, was based on advice from the Magistrates Commission following an extended period of unauthorised absence by Ms Fredericks since November 2019, during which she continued to receive full remuneration.

The committee previously heard that, the matter was brought to the Commission’s attention in April 2024, when the Secretary of the Commission learned of Ms Fredericks’ prolonged absence during a departmental leave management meeting. Subsequent investigations confirmed her continued absence from her duties at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court, with no official permission or satisfactory explanation provided.

Following a series of internal processes—including attempts to engage Ms Fredericks, legal consultations, and correspondence with the Department of Social Development—the Magistrates Commission resolved in June 2025 to recommend a disciplinary hearing and to advise the Minister that provisional suspension and the withholding of remuneration were warranted.

Ms Mananiso said the committee found that as Ms Fredericks has been absent from duty since November 2019 without authorisation; while continuing to receive full remuneration, her absence has adversely affected the functioning of the court and the administration of justice. Despite being offered the opportunity to respond, Ms Fredericks failed to make any representations to the Commission. All reasonable avenues to resolve the matter were exhausted before a recommendation was made.

She said the committee resolved to recommend that: “Having considered the Minister’s Report concerning the provisional suspension from office of Ms Fredericks, pending the outcome of a hearing into her fitness to hold office as a magistrate, the Committee recommends that the NCOP confirm the provisional suspension of Ms Fredericks. The committee further recommends that the NCOP resolves to confirm the determination to withhold Ms Fredericks remuneration pending the outcome of the hearing into her fitness to hold office as a magistrate,” emphasised the Chairperson.

The committee also adopted the reports on two other magistrates. The committee recommended to the NCOP confirm the provisional suspension from office of Ms TF Kekana, an additional District Court Magistrate at Secunda, Mpumalanga pending the outcome of a misconduct hearing into her fitness to hold office as a magistrate.

Ms Mananiso said the committee also recommended that the NCOP resolves not to restore Ms N Naudé, an additional magistrate in the district court at Kimberley, to the office.

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

Source: APO

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Officials from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital have been tasked to explain circumstances under which they paid Shs1.2 billion to clear water arrears despite being allocated only Shs68 million.

The hospital officials led by the Director, Dr. Alfred Yayi appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) chaired by the Vice Chairperson, Hon. Gorreth Namugga on Tuesday, 22 July 2025 to respond to queries in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year 2023/2024.

The legislators were concerned that clearing of the water bill with an amount more than had been allocated amounted to diversion or mischarge of funds.

The committee members wondered if the hospital administration had sought authorization from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. “We actually applaud your creativity in trying to save lives in Jinja City and beyond but we need transparency. Where exactly did you get the money? Which budget votes did you cut? If you used funds from the private wing, say so”, Namugga said.

According to the Auditor General’s report, the hospital has accumulated water arrears of over Shs3.7 billion in a 10-year period.

MPs questioned why the hospital had failed to prioritise settling such a substantial domestic arrear. “So National Water and Sewerage Corporation is that lenient that you have been consuming water for over 10 years without payment? How did you manage that?” Namugga wondered.

MPs were also dismayed with the continued under budgeting for utilities by the hospital administrators. “It seems you are the ones creating these financial problems. You cannot expect government to give you more money when you are under-budgeting. If you need Shs90 million and only budget for Shs30 million, where do you expect the shortfall to come from?” asked Hon. David Karubanga (NRM, Kigorobya County).

UPDF Representative, Hon. Victor Nekesa questioned how such a persistent issue continues unresolved even though the hospital submits its budget.

Dr. Alfred Yayi requested for more time to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the source of funds used to clear part of the water arrears after his initial explanation citing a USAID-funded project, was dismissed as insufficient. “We have not fully addressed the specific issue raised. We request a few hours and will respond by the end of the day,” Dr. Yayi said.

He added that while the hospital receives funds from government, it also benefits from a USAID initiative called G2G which reimburses funds upon meeting certain milestones.

According to Dr. Yayi, these reimbursements can be used for hospital priorities. 

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

Source: APO

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, arrived in South Africa to represent the Arab Republic of Egypt at the 4th meeting of the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) and the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting, held under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, themed “Solidarity, Sustainability, and Equality,” with the participation of representatives from G20 countries, and a number of representatives of relevant governments and organizations.

The meetings address several important issues, most notably the fundamental principles of global public goods and public investment, in addition to discussing mechanisms for mobilizing development financing and ways to implement them, with focus on building global resilience through the provision of comprehensive social protection. The meetings also discuss the outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, which recently held in Seville, Spain.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is also participating in the First Global Ministerial Meeting for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) organized by the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC), which is also being held in conjunction with South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The meeting aims to establish strategic global partnerships to enhance trade, technology, and investment opportunities for SMEs, and accelerate their growth and integration into global markets.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat is scheduled to participate in numerous events and panel discussions, in addition to holding bilateral meetings with development partners and government representatives to explore avenues to strengthen joint cooperation to advance development efforts in Egypt and enhance international partnerships. H.E. will also present the outcomes and efforts of the Ministerial Group on Entrepreneurship in supporting the startup ecosystem.

The meeting will also witness the launch of the 2025 SME Competitiveness Outlook Report, which provides practical insights on how digital tools and innovation can empower SMEs to succeed in the global economy.

The first Global Ministerial Meeting for SMEs will witness the participation of Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and numerous representatives of governments and international organizations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.