Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

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At an activity assessment meeting conducted in Barentu from 17 to 19 November, it was reported that encouraging efforts have been exerted to strengthen women’s organizations in the Gash Barka Region.

According to reports presented by heads of the National Union of Eritrean Women branches in the sub-zones, commendable activities have been carried out to ensure maternity and child health, promote the use of maternity waiting rooms, enhance the participation of females in education and health, as well as strengthen their contribution in development programs.

Indicating that the vocational trainings being organized are significantly contributing to empowering women, the reports further called for reinforced participation on the part of partners in the effort to eradicate harmful practices, including female genital mutilation and underage marriages.

Ms. Yihdega Yohannes, head of the union branch in the region, said that encouraging activities have been carried out in collaboration with partners, noting that the use of educational and health facilities by women is growing from time to time. She also stated that more efforts are expected to enhance the economic capacity of women.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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The Research and Documentation Center of the PFDJ conducted a seminar for employees of various government institutions engaged in documentation activities, with a view to reviewing strengths and challenges they face in their daily documentation work.

Mr. Tesfay Keleta, head of research at the PFDJ central office, said that the objective of the seminar was to conduct a preliminary study on documents recorded in the form of photographs, audio, and written materials, and to remind those engaged in documentation to be diligent and serious in their daily activities.

At the event, research papers were presented focusing on the administration and conservation of documents and other issues related to the documentation process.

Ms. Azieb Tewolde, head of the Research and Documentation Center, on her part, gave a briefing on the efforts the center is exerting to safeguard documents from damage and the challenges they have been facing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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The UN Deputy Secretary-General voiced deep alarm on Saturday over the latest mass abduction from a school in Nigeria, calling for the immediate release of those taken.

It was originally reported that 215 pupils had been kidnapped from St.  Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, early on Friday morning – but the figure was revised upwards to 303 students and 12 teachers, according to The Christian Association of Nigeria.

The association’s chair who reportedly visited the school on Friday said that more than 80 students had been captured after trying to escape during the abduction by armed assailants. The students were both male and female, aged 10 to 18.

Second mass abduction this week

The number snatched from the Catholic school in the centre of the country exceeds the 276 girls abducted during the infamous Chibok incident of 2014 and is the latest in a series of mass abductions – including earlier this week when 25 pupils were taken from a school in Kebbi state.

No group has yet claimed responsibility and authorities have deployed security forces to try and locate the students and their captors. Niger state has reportedly closed all schools until further notice.

Perpetrators must be held accountable

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed – a former environment minister in Nigeria – said in a social media post that schools should be “sanctuaries for education, not targets…We must protect schools and hold perpetrators accountable.”

The UN’s top official in the country, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall, posted that news of yet another mass abduction was heartbreaking, coming just days after the kidnappings in Kebbi.

He passed on his sympathies to the families of those taken and their communities, adding that all efforts must be made to ensure their safe return of students and staff.

“It’s time to fully implement the Safe School Principle,” he said, which was launched at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, in 2015. Nigeria was among the nations who endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration that year.

Stand with the victims

UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said this week it is continuing to work closely with government partners, civil society and communities, to strengthen child protection systems in line with the declaration that no child should be put at risk while pursuing an education.

The UN culture, education and science agency’s (UNESCO) office in Nigeria also condemned Friday’s latest mass abduction, saying that schools must never be targets.

“We stand with the victims, their families and the Government of Nigeria and call for the immediate release of all abducted children,” the agency said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, has just spent two days in East and Central Africa. Peace efforts to resolve the crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) formed the focal point of his visit to Kinshasa on Friday 21 November. On Thursday 20 November, Mr Cassis inaugurated the new Swiss embassy in Rwanda, a symbol of the growing bilateral ties between the two countries, and took part in the 46th Francophonie Ministerial Conference.

The peace processes in the Great Lakes region were at the forefront of Mr Cassis’ discussions in the DRC and Rwanda. On Friday in Kinshasa, he met DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. In addition, he met with civil society and Catholic church representatives to discuss the situation in the DRC’s east and the ongoing efforts to promote peace. The visit was also an opportunity for Mr Cassis to highlight Switzerland’s expertise in mediation and its willingness to contribute to these efforts.

Switzerland has been active in the east of the DRC since the 1990s under its international cooperation remit. It prioritises humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the ongoing conflicts in the region and strengthening their capacity to tackle the challenging situation. Switzerland has committed CHF 550 million to the Great Lakes region since 2009. Earlier this year, following the military offensive by the M23 militia, Switzerland was the only bilateral actor to have maintained its presence in the east of the DRC with its cooperation office in Bukavu. The DRC is the second largest country in Africa by surface area and one of the world’s richest in terms of natural resources.

Strengthening ties with Rwanda

On Thursday 20 November, Mr Cassis was in Rwanda to take part in the Francophonie Ministerial Conference and to inaugurate Switzerland’s new representation in Kigali, which has been upgraded to an embassy. He met with his Rwandan counterpart, Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, and paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva. In addition to discussing the issue of regional peace, the visit was an opportunity to mark the deepening of relations between the two countries. (see press release dated 20 November link)

Switzerland’s activities in the region are based on the Africa Strategy 2025–28, which focuses on managing armed conflicts and protecting particularly vulnerable population groups in Central and East Africa. In addition to reinforcing democracy and the rule of law, Switzerland’s priorities in the region include the continuing diversification of relations in fields such as business, science and digitalisation.

La Francophonie must remain effective and useful

This year’s 46th Francophonie Ministerial Conference, entitled Thirty years on from the Beijing Conference: the contribution of women in the French-speaking world, was an opportunity to take stock of the advances made and the progress still to be achieved in the field of gender equality. Federal Councillor Cassis highlighted the challenges facing the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF), which brings together 90 countries. In a polarised world marked by mistrust, La Francophonie must become a space of trust and cooperation that encourages linguistic diversity and solidarity. To achieve this, the organisation must remain effective and useful.

The ministerial meeting also provided an opportunity to meet with the foreign ministers of Cambodia, whose country is taking over the presidency of La Francophonie, and Senegal, as well as France’s Minister Delegate and Representative for La Francophonie.

Mr Cassis was accompanied on his trip to Rwanda and the DRC by a parliamentary delegation comprising two members of the foreign affairs committees: member of the Council of States Petra Gössi (FDP/Schwyz) and member of the National Council Piero Marchesi (SVP/Ticino).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland.

Source: APO

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• Economic activity is gradually recovering from an abrupt contraction during the last quarter of 2024, and inflation pressures are muted.
• Growth is expected to remain moderate, as challenges including a constrained funding environment, policy uncertainty, and foreign exchange shortages are holding back faster growth. At the same time, government financing challenges have become acute.
• Decisive and coordinated policy action is critical to restore macroeconomic stability and tackle external imbalances. Such action is also needed to improve growth prospects, facilitate job creation, and reduce poverty.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Pablo Lopez-Murphy, IMF mission chief for Mozambique, visited Maputo from November 12–21 to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Mozambique. The team met with Finance Minister Carla Loveira and Governor Rogério Zandamela of the Bank of Mozambique. The team also met with other senior government and central bank officials, members of the Parliamentary Budget Commission, the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners.

At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Lopez-Murphy issued the following statement:

“Mozambique is navigating a complex macroeconomic environment. While inflation remains contained and economic activity is gradually recovering from the social unrest following the October 2024 elections, growth remains subdued.

“The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. On the positive side, the recent announcement by TotalEnergies to resume its major LNG project offers a potential boost to medium-term growth. Mozambique’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list further reflects progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks. These developments could help catalyze investment and support external financing.

“However, significant challenges remain. Elevated fiscal and debt vulnerabilities, including government arrears, continue to weigh on the country’s near-term growth prospects. FX pressures add to the challenges. Without decisive policy action, vulnerabilities could deepen, undermining macroeconomic stability and the wellbeing of the population.

“Discussions focused on policies to restore macroeconomic stability and anchor debt sustainability. A coordinated policy package that includes urgent fiscal consolidation while protecting the vulnerable and poor, greater exchange rate flexibility, and structural reforms to improve governance and foster private sector-led growth would help Mozambique address its challenges.

“The team wishes to thank the Mozambican authorities, civil society, and development partners for their frank and constructive engagement and support during the mission.”

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

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expresses deep concern over the recent reported abduction of school children and teachers in Kebbi State, North-Western Nigeria, and Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.

The Chairperson strongly condemns this despicable act committed against children and innocent people and decries the persistent threats posed by terrorism, violent extremism and banditry in Nigeria. He calls for the full activation of accountability mechanisms to ensure that the perpetrators of these grave crimes are identified and swiftly brought to justice in accordance with existing national, continental and global legal frameworks.

Across the African continent, children are at significant risk of experiencing the six (6) grave violations of children’s rights, including recruitment and use by armed groups, sexual violence, abduction, killing, and maiming. The abduction of children remains a deeply troubling and abhorrent trend in Africa, which the AU Commission is actively addressing through various collaborative measures with Member States, regional actors, partners and civil society, to ensure children’s rights are fully protected.

Furthermore, the African Union encourages coordinated efforts to secure the immediate release of the abducted school children and others, to ensure their safety and well-being, while reaffirming full solidarity with the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this difficult time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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On November 21, Ambassador Yin Chengwu met with Liberia’s new Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. R. Matonekay Tingban.

Ambassador Yin congratulated Hon. Tingban on his assumption of the office of the minister of Mines and Energy, and present the state of current China-Liberia relations. He expressed hope that both sides would jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two Presidents during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and steadily enhance collaboration, particularly in the mining and energy sectors. He also briefed the minister on the key outcomes of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Hon. Tingban expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Yin’s congratulations, and emphasized the significant accomplishments in bilateral cooperation in the mining and energy sectors. He also expressed willingness to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.

After the meeting, Ambassador Yin attended the official handing over ceremony for the Minister of Mining and Energy of Liberia.

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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The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins has called for more urgent official measures to curb the alarming rate of insecurity across the country.

He said the festering terrorists’ attacks in parts of the country and the mass killing of innocent Nigerians in recent times, have underlined the need for the federal government and the Security Agencies to, as a matter of urgency, identify and deal decisively with the terrorists and their sponsors.

Archbishop Martins lamented the predawn attack on Monday, 17 November, 2025, at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were violently taken from their dormitory, and a similar attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday, 21 November 2025, where some students were also abducted. These incidents, he said, are regrettably reminiscent of the abduction of the Chibok girls in April 2014, which still stirs the nation to the core.

In the same vein, he condemned the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Father Bobbo Paschal, from St. Stephen Catholic Church in Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State. During this raid, Gideon Markus, the brother of another local priest, was killed as he tried to intervene. These attacks, he noted, demonstrate the brazen audacity of those who seek to terrorize our nation.

“It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in the cases of terrorist attacks across the country in recent times, especially since the threat made by President Donald Trump. It seems there are some elements who are making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos. For instance, how does one describe the manner in which the school girls were kidnapped, the brutal murder of a staff member, the school’s Vice Principal and Chief Security Officer, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who was shot when assailants broke into his residence on the school premises? It is sad that these children, aged approximately 12 to 17, were seized under the cover of darkness by gunmen who scaled the school fence, exchanged gunfire with police, and ultimately took these innocent daughters away into the forests. We are heartened that one student has escaped and returned home, but we remain deeply troubled about the safety and well-being of the 24 who remain in captivity.”

According to him, the recent killing of Muhammad Uba, a General in the army, by the terrorists and the gruesome attack of worshippers at a Church in Eruku, Kwara State, have further shown that “more needs to be done to secure the lives and properties of our citizens wherever they may be living”.

“If the terrorists can kill a whole serving army general in such a brazen manner, I wonder how secure the average citizens of this country are? It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security.”

The Archbishop warned that time was ticking fast and government at all levels along with the security agencies need to enforce their constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and properties of the citizens, as they needed to act fast to regain the confidence and trust of all citizens.

While acknowledging the assurances that the military have been on their readiness to secure all Nigerians, he wondered why they continue to appear powerless in the face of the incessant attacks.

He therefore tasked the Tinubu-led administration to, as a matter of constitutional duty, bring home all those who are in the hands of these brazen terrorists.

He equally urged the political class to unite and support the security agencies in their efforts to defeat the terrorists, warning that no stone should be left unturned to bring the culprits and their sponsors to justice.

Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu,
Director.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria.