Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Twenty-five Congolese prison administration officers from the Beni region in North Kivu, including four women, took part in a training session on June 10, 2025, focused on preventing radicalization and violent extremism of detainees. Organized at Kangbayi Urban Prison by MONUSCO’s Prison Administration Support Unit in Beni, the training aimed to strengthen prison staff capacity in managing inmates at risk of radicalization.

The session covered the definitions of radicalization and violent extremism, identification of risk factors, indicators of prison radicalization, and best practices for prevention, management, and reintegration of affected detainees. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for an approach that respects the rights and dignity of incarcerated individuals.

Like many penitentiary facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kangbayi Prison houses a diverse inmate population. Located in a conflict-affected area, it holds a significant number of armed group members, including elements of the ADF, Maï-Maï militias, and more recently, the AFC/M23. Around 400 individuals are currently detained for offenses related to armed activity.

The prison director, Tsongo Makelele, highlighted the challenges:
“It has been observed at the national level that some inmates become radicalized within prison walls. Beni prison houses individuals from armed groups, especially the ADF, and others involved in the eastern DRC conflicts. With only two cells, it’s difficult to ensure proper separation between different categories of inmates.”

In light of the risk of extremist ideologies spreading, he welcomed the training:
“Our staff now have tools to prevent radicalization. It’s a critical issue for the security of the facility. When a radicalized inmate adopts a violent or extremist posture, it poses a real threat. Equipping our personnel with the skills to anticipate and manage this phenomenon is essential.”

This training is part of MONUSCO’s broader efforts to strengthen the resilience of penitentiary institutions in eastern DRC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi spoke by phone with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President El-Sisi congratulated the German Chancellor on his well-deserved victory in the German elections, which reflected the confidence of the German people. The President wished the new government success in its ambitious plans to consolidate Germany’s pivotal role on the European and international arenas. The President noted that the current situation is of paramount importance in light of the accelerating regional and international changes and the urgent need to respect established international rules and principles and international law, in alignment with Germany’s efforts and expertise over recent decades.

The German Chancellor expressed his appreciation for the kind gesture and emphasized his country’s commitment to maintaining close relations with Egypt. Both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening and deepening bilateral relations in all fields, particularly economic, trade, and investment, as well as enhancing development cooperation, thus strengthening ties between the two friendly peoples.

The call focused on the current regional and international developments. President El-Sisi reviewed ceasefire efforts in Gaza and stressed that it was important for the international community to exert pressure for an immediate cessation of military operations in the Strip and the provision of humanitarian aid, in addition to the complete rejection of plans to displace Palestinians from their land. The President noted the importance of expanding recognition of the Palestinian state in line with the two-state solution.

The call also touched on the developments in Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia, as well as ways to restore stability in the Middle East. The German Chancellor affirmed his country’s commitment to continuing coordination and consultation with Egypt to restore regional calm and peace.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today flagged off 3 million doses of BCG (used to prevent tuberculosis) and 3.2 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at Afya House, Nairobi, marking a major boost to Kenya’s national immunisation programme.

During the flag-off, the CS called on all county governments—through the Council of Governors (CoG) and their County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) for Health—to prioritise the collection of the vaccines from regional depots and ensure timely distribution to health facilities, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Hon. Duale commended the government for moving with urgency to facilitate the delivery of the vaccines, describing it as a strong demonstration of Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its children.

He acknowledged immunisation partners, including UNICEF, for their rapid procurement and delivery of the vaccines, and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and sustain the country’s immunisation momentum.

Parents and Caregivers across the country are encouraged to visit local health facilities to have their children vaccinated and catch up on any missed doses.

The CS was joined by Principal Secretaries Dr. Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms. Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, CoG CEO Ms. Mary Mwiti, and representatives from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Hon. Samuel Chepkonga, to discuss the Social Health Insurance (Tariffs for Healthcare Services) Regulations, 2025 (Legal Notice No. 56 of 2025). The session was held at Bunge Towers, Nairobi.

During the engagement, Hon. Duale provided a comprehensive briefing on the scope of services covered under the tariff structure, anchored on the three key health funds established under the Social Health Authority:

1. Primary Health Care Fund – Supports access to preventive and basic healthcare services, with a focus on community-level interventions, disease prevention, and health education.
2. Social Health Insurance Fund – Provides coverage for essential medical services, targeting routine and necessary treatments to ensure members receive comprehensive healthcare.
3. Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illnesses Fund – Offers financial protection for high-cost and urgent medical needs, including long-term and specialised care.

The CS also explained the use of means testing during SHA registration to determine eligibility for government support based on income and assets. He highlighted the Lipa SHA Pole Pole initiative—an instalment-based contribution model—and the planned shift from monthly to annual payment cycles to enhance flexibility and compliance.

Hon. Duale reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to good governance, transparency, and robust public participation in the formulation of statutory instruments, in line with the Statutory Instruments Act, Cap. 2A.

He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and Social Health Authority CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

On June 6, the Chinese Embassy in Namibia donated a batch of mattresses to pediatric patients in Gobabis District Hospital. Namibian Officials including Hon. Pijoo Nganate, Governor of Omaheke Region, Hon. Ruth Masake, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ms. Tuyakula Haipinge, Executive Director of the Office of the Prime Minister attended the handover ceremony and gave speeches respectively. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) covered the event on the scene.

In her speech on behalf of Namibian Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Elijah Ngurare, Ms. Haipinge expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government for its long-term strong support in the areas of health, education, agriculture to Namibia in achieving national objectives. Governor Nganate and Deputy Minister Masake said that the mattresses donated by the Chinese Embassy are very handy for child patients in the hospital to get through winter warmly.

On behalf of Ambassador Zhao Weiping, Minister Counselor Shen Jian delivered a speech saying that the sector of health has always been a priority for China’s development assistance cooperation with Namibia. During the FOCAC 2024 Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping announced that China will work with Africa to take Ten Partnership Actions for Modernization, which included the partnership action for health. China is actively implementing relevant achievements and is ready to work with Namibia to strengthen cooperation in the field of health.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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Niger’s economy recorded robust growth in 2024, driven by large-scale oil exports. However, short-term sources of growth remain limited and exposed to downside risks, according to the World Bank’s latest economic update for Niger, published today.

The report analyzes the country’s economic, and poverty trends and provides a three-year outlook. A special chapter is dedicated to analyzing Niger’s agri-food system, offering recommendations for its effective transformation.

According to the report, Niger’s economy grew by 8.4% in 2024, up from 2% in 2023. This acceleration was primarily fueled by the start of large-scale oil exports and strong agricultural production, supported by favorable weather conditions. Despite high inflation, including rising food prices, sustained growth contributed to a reduction of extreme poverty. Government revenues fell in 2024 due to a decrease in tax revenues – particularly trade-related taxes – leading to a reduction in investment spending. The resulting deficit, combined with a rapid accumulation of debt, led the IMF and World Bank to jointly downgrade Niger’s debt sustainability risk rating from moderate to high.

“Economic growth is expected to remain relatively high in the short-term, but Niger’s sources of growth – oil and rain-fed agriculture – are limited and vulnerable to shocks and volatility,” said Han Fraeters, World Bank Country Manager for Niger. “Investing in an efficient and resilient agri-food system is crucial if Niger is to achieve long-term, sustainable, and inclusive growth.”

Economic growth is projected to slow down in 2025, due to a high base effect from 2024 but is expected to remain above 6%, supported by the continued expansion of the oil sector. Inflation is expected to ease, thanks to the strong 2024 harvest. The extreme poverty rate is project to decline in 2025-2027 if agricultural output remains robust. However, food insecurity will remain a challenge.

“If security risks are contained and efforts to expand irrigation are successful, growth could be higher,” said Danon Gnezale, Economist at the World Bank and co-author of the report. “Several options exist to strengthen the agri-food system, including strengthening value chains and producer organizations, investing in climate-smart agriculture technologies, adopting better regulations, and improving infrastructure.”

– on behalf of The World Bank Group.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (EnergyChamber.org) – representing the voice of the African energy sector – has launched specialized Advisory Services to support the development of the African energy sector. Aligned with the organizations broader mandate to improve the landscape of the African energy sector and support a results-focused business environment for companies operating across the market, these services are tailored to the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors, supporting clients through the full project lifecycle.

Building on the AEC’s extensive African and international footprint, the Advisory Services will support business transactions, foreign investments and Merger & Acquisitions (M&A) in Africa, and are geared towards alleviating energy poverty by unlocking greater value from the continent’s resources. AEC capabilities in this regard include comprehensive project planning and execution support; investment-grade feasibility studies and financial modeling; and stakeholder alignment and communication strategies. The AEC also offers services related to the application of industry-leading practices to optimize returns and drive growth as well as advisory on regulatory compliance, market entry and risk mitigation. These services will not only enable clients to invest strategically across key markets in Africa, but maximize their returns on investment, boosting profitability and continental expansion.

Beyond Advisory Services, the AEC also offers specialized expertise in identifying and executing high-value investment opportunities across Africa’s petroleum value chain. Leveraging its international footprint, expertise in strategic markets across Africa and strong public and private sector ties, the organization is committed to supporting mutually-beneficial investments in Africa. The AEC’s key capabilities in this area include origination and advisory of upstream, midstream and downstream investments; pre-feasibility studies, contractor representation and project structuring; technical services, including engineering, maintenance and material sourcing; and strategic planning and operational guidance to maximize investment performance. These services not only provide international financiers and project developers with the tools they need to succeed in Africa but underscore the role the AEC plays as the partner of choice for energy stakeholders seeking growth opportunities across the continent.  

These services come as Africa’s energy industry is on the precipice of witnessing significant growth, as international operators expand their portfolios, regional players increase their investments and petroleum demand continues to grow across the continent. The AEC’s State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report shows that investment remains strong in 2025, with total capital expenditure estimated at $43 billion. By 2030, investment is expected to increase to $54 billion, highlighting the continent’s attractiveness as an energy investment destination. In tandem, African M&A activity has shown robust growth, rising 73% in Q1, 2024 compared to 2023 levels. This was largely attributed to growing interest by Asian and Middle Eastern national oil companies (NOC) in Africa as well as regional expansion by African NOCs.

Looking ahead, M&A activity is expected to continue to grow as companies seek new opportunities in both established and frontier markets. In response, African countries are offering greater investment opportunities. In North Africa, these include upcoming bid rounds in Libya (22 blocks), Egypt (12 blocks) and Algeria (6 blocks). In East and Southern Africa, these include Angola (10 blocks) and Tanzania (24 blocks), while South Africa is expected to open offshore and onshore acreage. Mauritania is also preparing to launch a 15-block licensing round while Nigeria and Liberia have both launched bid rounds in 2024. As market opportunities continue to open up, countries are also reforming their regulatory and fiscal policies, seeking to entice investment through competitive terms. Given the complexity of oil and gas transactions, understanding these changes as well as the respective regulatory climates of African countries become imperative. The AEC – through its range of investment and advisory services – represents a strong partner for companies seeking to invest and sign deals in Africa.

“The AEC has set a strong mandate to make energy poverty history in Africa, and to do this, the organization has committed to working closely with African governments, international operators and financiers. Through a combination of sector expertise, technical proficiency and market insight, the AEC enables clients to capture value, manage risk and achieve sustainable growth in complex energy markets,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.