Category: Africa

Source: APO

A senior Eritrean delegation led by Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is participating in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

On the sidelines of the assembly, Minister Osman Saleh met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday for extensive discussions on key global matters.

At the meeting, Minister Osman Saleh conveyed Eritrea’s appreciation for the Secretary-General’s services to the organization and his constructive engagement with Eritrea. Minister Osman further underlined the enduring importance of the United Nations Charter and the fundamental principles it espouses, including sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Foreign Minister Osman also elucidated Eritrea’s position on Sudan, which is anchored in support for a united, sovereign and stable Sudan and a Sudanese-owned, inclusive political process supported by regional and international mechanisms.

On the wider region, particularly the security of the Red Sea and Bab al Mandab, Minister Osman stressed Eritrea’s support for safe maritime navigation and international cooperation, while respecting the sovereignty and legitimate interests of the Littoral States.

Minister Osman also dwelt on the provocative acts of Ethiopia’s Prosperity Party towards its neighbors in flagrant breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations and international law.

Throughout the session, the Eritrean delegation will conduct a series of crucial bilateral and high-level meetings reflecting Eritrea’s steadfast commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, inclusive and equitable multilateralism, and a just world order.

As will be recalled, Eritrea was elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. In this regard, Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam presided over the evening plenary debate on the opening day of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, on behalf of Eritrea and in her capacity as a Vice-President of the General Assembly.

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

Source: APO

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of the Republic of Senegal received Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

President Faye welcomed the Foreign Minister and asked him to convey his greetings to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The Senegalese President commended the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their continued growth across areas of mutual interest. He also highlighted Bahrain’s active diplomatic role during its current membership of the UN Security Council, and wished the Kingdom continued progress and prosperity.

Dr. Al Zayani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to President Faye, along with their wishes for Senegal’s continued progress and prosperity.

The meeting addressed bilateral relations and growing coordination at all levels in support of the two countries’ shared interests. The two sides also discussed regional developments and their implications for regional and international security and stability, as well as issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Jamal Fares Al Rowaiei, Permanent Representative of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York; Ambassador Saeed Abdulkhaliq Saeed, Chief of Coordination and Follow-up; and the Minister’s accompanying delegation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Source: APO

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Speaking at a side event co-hosted by Ghana, Germany & France, under the theme “FROM COMMITMENTS TO ACTION ON REPARATORY JUSTICE: Advancing International Cooperation for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Properties and Heritage,” President Boakai proposed a Liberia–Ghana Cultural Heritage and Historical Recovery Cooperation Framework. He said the two countries should turn their shared commitment to Africa’s history into practical work.

“I believe the next phase must move from conversation to practical cooperation,” President Boakai said.

Under the proposed framework, Liberian and Ghanaian institutions would work together to digitize historical records, train archivists and museum professionals, research and preserve historic sites, and develop exhibitions and educational programs. The partnership would also support efforts to identify cultural materials of African origin and explore their possible return.

President Boakai said Ghana’s experience would be valuable as Liberia advances plans for a Peace, Reconciliation, and Memorial Museum. The proposed museum would preserve Liberia’s national memory and help future generations understand the country’s difficult history and its path toward peace.

The Liberian Leader also highlighted Providence Island and other significant sites in Liberia, calling for preservation efforts that include research, community participation, and opportunities for young people to learn their history.

President Boakai expressed the view that the return of cultural objects is only one part of a larger responsibility, positing that, “Restitution should ultimately be about more than the physical return of objects.” He furthered that, “It should also be about the return of knowledge, the recovery of historical records, the restoration of dignity, the preservation of memory, and the renewal of African institutions.”

The President proposed that Liberia and Ghana appoint a small technical working group to identify immediate areas of cooperation, to eventually be formulated into a formal agreement.

“Ghana and Liberia have an opportunity to demonstrate that African solidarity can translate into practical action,” President Boakai noted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Government of Liberia.

Source: APO

Members of Parliament have called for a comprehensive assessment of government interventions and money spent in Karamoja to establish their impact and identify why previous programmes have failed to deliver lasting change.

The MPs made the call during a meeting of the Presidential Affairs Committee, chaired by Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, with the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs led by Hon. John Baptist Lokii, Minister, Office of the Prime Minister (Karamoja Affairs), and Hon. Esther Anyakun, Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister (Karamoja Affairs).

The meeting held on Thursday, 24 September 2026 was considering the proposed Karamoja Regional Development Plan (KRDP), a Shs15 trillion, 10-year plan intended to transform the region from a nomadic and agro-pastoralist society into a settled and commercially productive one.

Lokii outlined some of the interventions under the proposed plan, including a man-made lake, bulk water transfers from Lake Bisina, a seed project, livestock-related industries, industrial parks, schools, electrification and a railway.

Hon. Lucy Akello (FDC, Amuru District Woman Representative) questioned whether government had ever evaluated programmes and money directed to Karamoja.

“Have we ever done any evaluation of the programmes and the money that have gone to Karamoja?” Akello asked.

She also raised concern about duplication, with different ministries and entities implementing interventions in the same areas.

Hon. Harriet Nakweede (NUP, Kayunga District Woman Representative) also called for an evaluation of previous projects and interventions.

“Can we as people now feel so much attached to the region, get to look through all the projects, all the interventions that were attached to Karamoja, make some evaluations, know why they failed?” Nakweede asked.

She said the assessment should establish why previous interventions had failed so that the new plan does not repeat the same mistakes. She also proposed that the committee visit Karamoja to verify projects and the situation on the ground.

Hon. Mapenduzi also questioned the effectiveness and coordination of existing interventions, citing reports of government-funded dams that had not been completed.

He asked the ministry whether it was aware of such projects and whether it had documented them to establish who received government funds for projects that were not implemented.

He further questioned conflicting accounts over the Shs45 billion emergency food intervention, saying the Ministry for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees had reported spending Shs40 billion on food and having Shs5 billion remaining, while the Karamoja Affairs ministry reported that only 300,000 households had received food.

Mapenduzi said the new plan must ensure better coordination of interventions.

“The whole thing takes us to one: making sure that the plan is implemented. And also two: making sure that you get the money you need, and you start to coordinate all the interventions effectively,” he said.

Hon. Isaac Malinga Maikut (NRM, Soi County), supported concerns over duplication, saying there was a need to align the various projects being implemented in the area.

Responding, Minister Anyakun said the KRDP had been designed as a whole-of government approach to avoid duplication, with ministries, departments and agencies working together.

“So that means Karamoja Affairs will not be doing dams, we shall not be doing the electricity, we shall not be doing roads as KRDP. It will be a whole government approach,” Anyakun said.

Meanwhile, Mapenduzi said the KRDP proposal had lapsed with the dissolution of the 11th Parliament. Citing Rule 245, he said pending business could only be reinstated within 14 sittings of the new Parliament, a period that had already expired.

He proposed that the ministry reintroduce the plan as fresh business in Parliament.

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

Source: APO

The Talentz MEDIA African Correspondents Network (TMACN) (https://TalentzMedia.com/) has announced the development of a performance-based incentive framework aimed at recognizing correspondents who demonstrate consistent participation and make meaningful contributions to the network’s mission of promoting African journalism, entertainment, arts, culture and creative talent.

The initiative follows internal discussions by TMACN management on strengthening correspondent engagement and establishing a structured approach to recognizing members who actively contribute to the network.

Under the framework, registration as a TMACN correspondent alone will not determine eligibility for recognition or incentives. Instead, management intends to consider factors including active participation, consistency, quality, originality and the relevance of contributions made by individual correspondents.

The initiative is designed to encourage correspondents to move beyond membership and become active contributors to a growing African media network connecting journalists and media contributors across the continent and the African diaspora.

Recognizing active contributions

Correspondents who consistently submit original and relevant stories, conduct interviews, identify emerging talents, cover entertainment and cultural events, document creative activities and provide valuable information from their respective locations may be considered within the incentive framework.

TMACN management says the approach is intended to recognize contributors who demonstrate sustained commitment to documenting and promoting African stories.

The network’s correspondent model is designed to provide coverage from different countries, communities and creative environments, allowing stories that may receive limited attention from larger media organizations to reach wider audiences.

Commitment to professional journalism

As TMACN develops the framework, management has emphasized that correspondents are expected to maintain professional standards when gathering and submitting information.

Accuracy, originality, responsible reporting, proper attribution and respect for individuals and communities remain important principles for contributions to the network.

TMACN is also encouraging correspondents to verify information before submission and to ensure that submitted material contributes genuine editorial value.

The emphasis on original reporting is intended to strengthen the credibility of the network while encouraging correspondents to develop their own reporting, interviews, observations and locally sourced stories.

Supporting African stories and creative talent

TMACN was established as part of Talentz MEDIA’s broader commitment to increasing the visibility of African stories and creating opportunities for journalists and media contributors to document the continent’s entertainment, arts, culture and creative industries.

The network’s areas of interest include emerging and established artists, musicians, actors, filmmakers, cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs, entertainment events and other developments within Africa’s creative ecosystem.

Through correspondents working from different locations, TMACN seeks to create a wider network capable of bringing local African stories to regional and international audiences.

Consistency to be a key consideration

TMACN management says consistency will be an important consideration within the developing incentive framework.

Correspondents who maintain regular participation through relevant and quality contributions will be able to demonstrate a stronger record of engagement with the network.

The approach is intended to encourage a culture of sustained participation while providing management with a clearer basis for recognizing correspondents who actively contribute to TMACN’s objectives.

The network believes that meaningful participation can also help correspondents build their reporting portfolios, develop professional experience and establish connections with other media contributors across Africa.

Incentive details to follow

TMACN management has clarified that the specific incentive categories, eligibility requirements and implementation details are still being developed and will be communicated officially once finalized.

The announcement therefore marks the introduction of the performance-based approach rather than the publication of a finalized schedule of incentives.

In the meantime, TMACN is encouraging its correspondents to remain active, submit quality material and continue contributing to the network’s mission.

Building a connected African media network

As TMACN continues to expand its correspondent network, management says its focus will remain on building a community of media contributors committed to increasing the visibility of African journalism, entertainment, arts, culture and creative talent.

The network believes that correspondents working from different locations can provide diverse perspectives and help ensure that African stories are documented by people with direct knowledge of the communities and creative environments they cover.

TMACN is consequently encouraging its correspondents to remain active, consistent, professional and committed to the network’s objectives.

The management maintains that the strength of the network will depend not only on the number of registered correspondents, but also on the quality, originality and relevance of the contributions made by its members.

Further information regarding the incentive framework will be announced by TMACN management as the process progresses.

Distributed by Talentz MEDIA on behalf of the Talentz MEDIA African Correspondents Network (TMACN).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Talentz MEDIA.

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​Accra, Ghana

Source: APO

The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has commended the People’s Republic of China for decades of infrastructure, agricultural, and healthcare cooperation with Uganda.

Speaking at a reception to mark China’s 77th National Day and to welcome the country’s new ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Wu Guangrong, Oboth reflected on more than sixty years of bilateral friendship dating back to 1962.

“The gathering here itself is a reflection of the true kinship and shared bonds between our two nations,” Oboth said at the event held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Oboth singled out several flagship infrastructural projects as evidence of the partnership’s impact including the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway, the Karuma and Isimba hydropower dams, upgrades to Entebbe International Airport and the National Stadium.

He also pointed to agricultural cooperation through the Kibimba and Doho farms, as well as the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, as examples of tangible gains for Ugandans in the agricultural and health sectors.

Speaker Oboth reserved particular praise for Chinese medical teams, which have served continuously in Uganda since 1983.

The reception doubled as a farewell to the outgoing 25th Chinese Medical Team and a welcome for the incoming 26th, with the Speaker crediting the teams for the countless lives saved in local hospital wards.

He noted that cooperation between the two countries now extends well beyond infrastructure and medicine, spanning education, technology, culture, trade, agriculture, security, and parliamentary exchanges.

Welcoming Ambassador Wu Guangrong to Uganda, Speaker Oboth pledged Parliament’s full support for deepening bilateral ties in the future.

H.E Wu Guangrong described relations between China and Uganda as a fast-expanding comprehensive strategic partnership.

He pointed to hydropower, oil, agriculture and trade as the areas where cooperation is showing results.

“Hydroelectric projects now light Ugandan homes and supply industrial parks, supporting the country’s drive toward industrialisation,” he said of the partnership gains between Uganda and China.

He also highlighted a milestone at the Kingfisher oil field in Western Uganda where on 2 September 2026, President Yoweri Museveni named Uganda’s crude oil “Pearl Sweet” at an official ceremony.

Wu called the field Uganda’s pride and an industry that would boost the economy.

On agriculture, the ambassador said Chinese hybrid rice technology is helping Ugandan farmers raise yields and keep food security in their own hands.

Wu also said that Ugandan products are gaining access to the Chinese market where the zero tariff treatment for 53 African countries took effect on 1 May  2026, and he said high-quality African goods, including Ugandan coffee are entering China at an unprecedented pace.

Other notable figures who attended include; the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Haruna Kasolo, the State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, State Minister for Finance and Economic Development (Investments), and the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission Ms. Mariam Fauzat Wangadya.

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

Source: APO

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, met with H.E. Khalilur Rahman, President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, to discuss Africa’s priorities and reform of global governance.

They reaffirmed the need for Africa’s full, permanent and equitable representation on the UN Security Council, and Africa’s essential role in advancing peace, security and effective multilateralism.

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