Category: Africa

Source: APO

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‘Let children be children.’ This is the one of the messages that resonated most with participants during the many meetings preceding and informing the reform of customary law, also known as Naath law. Today, they are. At least by law.

Updating this customary law was not easy. And it hadn’t been done since 1942.

Following many failed attempts over past decades, in an inception workshop in Juba last October where paramount chiefs, government officials and community leaders came together to initiate the process; these discussions were subsequently trickled down to various counties across Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states.

These discussions exposed major disconnects between formal law and current customary practices, gaps that not only keep women disadvantaged but also propagated harmful cultural practices such as exorbitant dowries. But the power of community collaboration when it came to providing justice for all cannot be overstated in South Sudan.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), therefore, facilitated and provided legal advice during the meetings headed by the Naath Law Review Committee

“As women, we traditionally sit together and discuss which laws are good for us. We also go to payams to raise awareness on revenge killings, visit prisoners and advise incarcerated women. Therefore, we were very happy to participate in reviewing and passing the Naath law,” revealed Mary Nyathum Kher, Chair of the Akobo Women’s Association during a local reform meeting.

Across these states, Committee members critically evaluated and revised a complex system of customary law that had been developed over centuries, coming up with a version that is fit for purpose today. For example, the updated Naath law has placed a cap on dowry, recognized child rights and abolished forced marriages.

Although reforms like this do not eliminate inherent challenges in navigating customary law, they are expected to ease them.

“What makes this reform such a groundbreaking initiative is that it is one of the few examples where it was possible to create pathways for a harmonious balancing between customary and statutory law,” explains Anees Ahmed, Chief of UNMISS Rule of Law section.

The creation of such commonly agreed upon justice infrastructures are an important step towards a better future for all South Sudanese.

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

Source: APO

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In Yambio, a message from a disability rights advocate captured the spirit of a new push to ensure every South Sudanese voice is heard in the country’s first elections, currently scheduled for December 2026.

“As persons with disabilities, we must be included in planning for elections. It is our constitutional right,” said Moses Louis, Chairperson of the Association of People Living with Disabilities, Western Equatoria.

As Moses spoke to a crowded hall, his words carried the weight of millions of South Sudanese who rarely have a seat at the table. Around him sat police officers, journalists, civil society activists, and election officials, all confronting the same question: How can this young nation ensure that its first election truly includes everyone?

Across the country, people living with disabilities face barriers that make participating in civic life difficult.

For Moses, the answer lies in inclusion: “We are happy to be invited to this workshop,” he says. “This enables us to reach people with disabilities across the state and help them understand their rights, roles and responsibilities.”

Across South Sudan, preparations for elections continue as part of the country’s broader peace process following years of conflict and political instability. But peaceful and inclusive elections depend on more than ballot boxes.

Security will be one critical piece of the puzzle.

“For us as national police, we play a major role in providing security for citizens and safeguarding electoral materials. With this training, we are better prepared for our responsibilities,” explained Major Martin Joseph Nyodu, a public relations officer with the South Sudan National Police Service in Yambio.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that citizens are safe before, during and after elections,” added Major Nyodu.

Another challenge is helping communities understand how elections work and why their participation matters.

“This training is timely, it will enable us to take a key role in actioning civic education so that people at the grassroots understand their responsibilities and rights as we approach elections,” said Joseph Dani, a civil society representative.

Baraka John, a journalist, said the training changed how he views election coverage.

“Today’s session helped me understand that as journalists, we can help inform the public and report factually accurate information across the country.”

For electoral officials, the workshop strengthened coordination among the many actors responsible for delivering credible elections. Simon Serowasi, an electoral official in Western Equatoria State stated: “This is an opportunity for different actors to understand their responsibilities and collaborate effectively.”

Opubo Good Head, a Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), reinforced UN’s ongoing support.

“The UN remains committed to supporting all stakeholders as the country prepares to hold its first elections,” he stated.

The workshop was organized by the State High Election Committee (SHEC) with support from the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT).

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

Source: APO

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Four more men removed by the United States arrived in Eswatini on 11 March and are being detained in the Matsapha Correctional Complex, a maximum-security prison located some 2 kms from the country’s international airport. 

According to information received by Amnesty International, the men – two Somali nationals, one Tanzanian national and one Sudanese national – arrived at around 11PM on a flight originating from Phoenix, Arizona. 

“This latest unlawful transfer makes clear that the United States is continuing to send people to Eswatini under a secretive third-country removal arrangement, and that Eswatini is continuing to hold them in unlawful detention without transparency or adequate legal safeguards,” Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said. 

“People with no known ties to Eswatini are transferred there and arbitrarily detained while their fate is decided behind closed doors. The authorities in Eswatini must immediately disclose the legal basis for these detentions, guarantee regular and confidential access to lawyers and families, and guarantee due process to ensure that no one is held arbitrarily.” 

In July 2025, the US removed a first group of five people to Eswatini where they were kept in arbitrary detention. This was followed by the removal of a further 10 individuals from the US to the Southern African country in October 2025. None were known to have ties with Eswatini, where human rights under the absolute monarchy continues to be curtailed. 

“No one should be removed to a country where they face a real risk of unlawful detention, onward refoulement or other serious human rights violations. Both Eswatini and the United States must end this deeply abusive practice,” Vongai Chikwanda said. 

Background

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 14 May 2025 and published in the United States following a Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request, the government of Eswatini agreed to accept up to 160 third country national removed from the United States, in exchange for $5.1 million USD “to build its border and migration management capacity”.  

According to media reports, three men previously deported from the United States to Eswatini have filed a complaint before the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, alleging that their prolonged detention is unlawful.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO

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The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has drawn mixed reactions among legislators, particularly over a proposal to grant additional pay to producers and performers when their sound recordings or audio-visual works are commercially used in broadcasting and public performances.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, who moved the Bill for its second reading, said that the proposal responds to demands by the creative industry for more protection of their literary, scientific and artistic intellectual works.

“Musicians are frustrated that their works are exploited, copied and played without any earnings from them. This Bill ensures that the intellectual property that is inherent in the creatives gets rewarded appropriately,” Mao said during the House sitting on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Hon. Stephen Baka, the Chairperson of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, said the provision creates systems for equitable sharing of revenue generated from the use of creative works, particularly in the digital realm.

“This Bill enhances remuneration mechanisms for the creative industry such as benefits from call back ringtones and provides for better compensation beyond the model of one-off payments,” Baka said.

Hon. David Kabanda (NRM, Kasambya County) raised concern over making legal provisions that cause radio or television stations which play an artist’s music, to pay the artist.

“The radio or television may benefit in playing these songs, but so do the artistes because they are being popularised?” Kabanda said.

Hon. Rachel Magoola (NRM, Bugweri District Woman Representative) who is also a performing artiste, noted that the purpose of the Bill would be defeated if broadcasting entities were to use creative works without remunerating their originators.

“It is internationally recognised that creators are compensated for their work. The radio stations that play any work, have the burden to compensate the creators of that work,” she said.

The Attorney General, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, clarified that the proposed law allows broadcasting stations to make arrangements with musicians to play their music.

“If an artiste has made music and has not requested for it to be promoted, the least you can do is to tell them that you would like to promote their work. Unless an artiste requests you to promote their music for commercial purposes, you will have to pay for it if you play it,” he said.

Hon. Michael Lulume (DP, Buikwe County South) urged the Committee to inform the House whether a cost-benefit analysis on the proposed clause was done, while interacting with the creatives.

“We need to know what the creatives benefit out of this and what they will could lose. We also want to know what the consumers of their creativity will benefit out of playing their music and what they may lose if they do not play it,” Lulume noted.

The Speaker, Anita Among halted debate on the Bill while reiterating the need for a cost-benefit analysis.

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

Source: APO

As exploration momentum builds across West Africa’s (Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Bissau-Conakry) MSGBC basin, Guinea-Conakry is seeking to position itself as the region’s next frontier for oil and gas development while accelerating investment in large-scale power infrastructure. At the upcoming Invest in African Energy Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris, Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Health, Sanitation, Energy, Hydraulics and Hydrocarbons of Guinea-Conakry, will outline the country’s strategy to unlock upstream potential and expand electricity generation to support industrial growth.

Guinea’s hydrocarbon sector remains largely underexplored compared to its regional neighbors. To stimulate exploration activity, the government has been preparing a licensing round covering 22 onshore and offshore blocks designed to attract international operators. As of late 2025, authorities were finalizing the technical framework and fiscal terms while expanding access to geological data through a National Seismic Data Visualization Center, developed in partnership with SLB and TGS. The data platform is expected to provide prospective investors with improved visibility into Guinea’s offshore basins ahead of the planned bid round.

While Guinea has historically seen limited drilling activity, interest in the country’s offshore margin has grown in recent years as major discoveries in neighboring Senegal and Mauritania have reshaped perceptions of the MSGBC basin’s resource potential.

Alongside upstream ambitions, Guinea is advancing a series of large-scale power projects aimed at addressing electricity shortages and supporting its expanding mining sector. Hydropower remains the backbone of the country’s electricity system, with major projects developed along the Konkouré River significantly increasing generation capacity in recent years.

The 450 MW Souapiti Hydropower Plant and the earlier 240 MW Kaleta facility have significantly expanded national generation capacity in recent years, strengthening grid reliability while providing power to mining operations and urban centers. Additional large-scale projects are progressing across the pipeline, including the 300 MW Amaria hydropower project and the 294 MW Koukoutamba hydropower plant, which is being developed under the Senegal River Basin Development Authority to supply electricity across several West African countries.

Beyond hydropower, authorities are exploring opportunities to diversify the country’s energy mix through gas and renewable energy investments. One proposal involves the development of an LNG terminal at the Port of Kamsar to support both import and export operations while supplying a planned gas-fired power facility capable of generating up to 1,900 MW of electricity.

Solar energy is also gaining momentum as part of Guinea’s long-term strategy to strengthen grid reliability and reduce seasonal dependence on hydropower. Government plans call for the addition of up to 500 MW of solar generation capacity in the coming years, opening new opportunities for independent power producers and infrastructure investors.

At the same time, regional transmission initiatives are expanding Guinea’s integration within the West African Power Pool. Financing approved in 2025 for the Guinea–Mali electricity interconnection project aims to improve electricity supply in eastern Guinea while enabling cross-border power trade and strengthening regional grid stability.

The IAE 2026 Forum offers Guinea-Conakry an opportunity to present its evolving energy strategy to international investors. By highlighting frontier exploration acreage alongside major power infrastructure developments, the government aims to attract the partnerships needed to accelerate the next phase of the country’s energy sector development.

IAE 2026 (http://apo-opa.co/4urkt3f) is an exclusive forum designed to connect African energy markets with global investors, serving as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to African Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22–23, 2026, in Paris, the event will provide delegates with two days of in-depth engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or register as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), in collaboration with AU‑IBAR’s Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) Project, has taken a major step towards operationalizing Uganda’s Feed and Fodder Data Ecosystem. This follows a high-level technical workshop and ministerial briefing held in Kampala from 9–11 March 2026, designed to move the system from design and documentation into real-time deployment within government platforms.

A key highlight of the mission was the engagement with the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Lt. Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama. The Minister fully endorsed the national feed and fodder dashboard and expressed strong interest in its rapid deployment as a core decision-support tool for the sector. He supported its integration within the National Food and Agricultural Statistics System (NFASS) and the National Integrated Food and Agricultural Management Information System (NIFAMIS), confirming government commitment to treat the ecosystem as a long-term national asset. Building on this political support, technical teams from MAAIF and partners agreed on an ambitious go‑live date of 15 April 2026 for the first operational version of the dashboard, signalling strong ownership and readiness to use the tool for policy, planning and market development.

Over the three days, the “Operationalization and Institutionalization of the Uganda Feed and Fodder Data Ecosystem” workshop brought together MAAIF, Uganda Bureau of Statictics (UBOS), National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO), district representatives and value-chain actors to work directly within NFASS and related systems. Participants advanced the mapping of Uganda’s validated feed and fodder indicators to the NFASS data architecture and metadata structures, ensuring that priority indicators are properly embedded in the national platform. 

The team also made substantial progress in configuring backend data pipelines and ingestion workflows so that feed and fodder datasets can be systematically collected, validated, processed and stored in NFASS/NIFAMIS. A functional prototype of the Feed and Fodder Dashboard was demonstrated, showcasing feed balance, trends and key analytics at both national and sub‑national levels, giving stakeholders a clear view of how the system will support decision-making.

A distinctive feature of the emerging ecosystem is its strong focus on practical use cases. During the ministerial briefing, the team presented an ecosystem milestones package that included validated indicators, the institutional framework, a prototype dashboard demonstration and a draft 6–12‑month rollout roadmap. The dashboard is built around national and sub‑national modules, together with an indicator management module, and is linked to a compendium of use cases that translates analytical insights, such as feed deficits or surpluses, into concrete, time-bound actions with clearly assigned responsibilities. One example discussed with the Minister focused on identifying opportunities for market and regional trade expansion in feed and fodder, illustrating how data signals can trigger targeted interventions by government, private sector and other actors.

The Minister welcomed the progress and endorsed the overall direction of work, while giving clear guidance to ensure that the platform delivers tangible benefits on the ground. He stressed the importance of integrating genetic efficiency of animals and seeds into the framework, so that production systems are built on efficient biological resources. He also highlighted the need to classify feeds by species and production objectives, such as dairy, beef, layers or fish, so that farmers receive precise nutritional advice and avoid costly, ineffective feeding practices. A major emphasis was placed on repackaging complex analytics into simple, accessible formats for farmers, using tools such as mobile applications, SMS and simplified advisory products, to enable them to understand, test and adopt recommendations and see concrete results. The Minister underlined that the long-term sustainability of the platform will depend on its practical usefulness to farmers and on strong private sector engagement in driving investment, innovation and market development in the feed industry.

In response, the technical team confirmed that the national feed balance already incorporates parameters such as crude protein, metabolizable energy and dry matter, providing a solid basis for species- and purpose-specific guidance. The consultants and AU‑IBAR team reaffirmed their commitment to further integrate genetic resource considerations and to prioritize user‑friendly packaging of insights for farmers, extension workers and investors. AU‑IBAR reiterated that a key ambition of the RAFFS Project is to support Member States to move from isolated, project-based data activities to fully institutionalized, nationally owned data and analytics ecosystems, and confirmed its continued support to Uganda’s animal resources sector.

A central pillar of the Kampala discussions was the integration of the Feed and Fodder Data Ecosystem into Uganda’s NIFAMIS platform, developed by Sybyl Limited for MAAIF. NIFAMIS already automates several regulatory and market functions, including phytosanitary services, agrochemicals, seeds and permits, while providing market information and tracking agricultural goods along value chains. By housing the feed and fodder datasets and dashboard within NIFAMIS/NFASS, Uganda will secure government ownership and continuity of the system beyond project cycles, allow both public and restricted access to standardized reports and analytics in different formats, and embed feed and fodder analytics directly into routine planning, early warning and investment decision-making processes.

Looking ahead, the next phase of work will focus on finalizing and validating the indicator list, dataset inventory, governance summary and the 6–12‑month roadmap for scale‑up. The technical teams will complete configuration of data ingestion and validation workflows within NFASS/NIFAMIS, refine institutional business processes among data custodians and further enrich the dashboard’s use case compendium with farmer‑oriented and private‑sector‑relevant scenarios that respond to the Minister’s guidance. In parallel, they will develop accessible knowledge products and communication channels to translate analytics into clear advisory messages for farmers, extension workers and investors, ensuring that insights from the system are widely understood and applied. With strong political backing, an agreed implementation timeline and a committed technical team, Uganda is now firmly on course to fully institutionalize its Feed and Fodder Data Ecosystem as a strategic national asset for resilient, evidence‑based agricultural transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

Source: APO – Report:

• Three-year Memorandum of Understanding signed to strengthen ICD’s cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
• ICD to support Shariah-compliant financing mobilization for a proposed mining project of strategic importance.
• Cooperation to support sovereign credit rating readiness, PPP ecosystem development, and SME financing.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-PS.org), the private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for strategic cooperation across key areas of private sector development and economic capacity building.

The agreement was signed at ICD Headquarters by H.E. Dr. Abdellah Souleymane Cheikh-Sidia, Minister of Economic Affairs and Cooperation, IsDB Governor and the Acting CEO of ICD, Dr Khalid Khalafalla in the presence of H.E. Mohamed Lemine Dhehby, Central Bank of Mauritania, IsDB Alternate Governor, and senior officials from the IsDB Group and members of the Mauritanian delegation.

An important part of the MoU is ICD’s continued engagement, on a strictly non-binding and best-effort basis, to arrange a Shariah-compliant syndicated or club financing facility for a proposed mining project of strategic importance.

Beyond this flagship initiative, the cooperation framework encompasses a range of activities aimed at strengthening Mauritania’s institutional foundations and broadening access to private sector financing. These include supporting Mauritania’s sovereign credit rating engagement, developing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) ecosystem, and extending lines of financing to local financial institutions to enhance SME access to capital. ICD will also work to identify and finance bankable projects in priority sectors, including energy.

Commenting on the signing, Dr. Khalid Khalafalla, Acting Chief Executive Officer of ICD, said: “We are honored to formalize this cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. This MoU reflects our commitment to deploying Shariah-compliant finance as a catalyst for sustainable development. From supporting one of the country’s most significant mining project to building institutional capacity in areas such as PPP and sovereign credit rating readiness, ICD is proud to play a role in Mauritania’s long-term economic transformation.”

H.E. Abdullah Suleiman Sheikh Sidiya, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and IsDB Governor for Mauritania, stated:  “This partnership marks an important step in strengthening Mauritania’s efforts to accelerate sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Through this cooperation with ICD, we aim to mobilize innovative and Shariah-compliant financing solutions to support strategic investments, strengthen our institutional framework, and expand opportunities for private sector development. We particularly welcome ICD’s support in areas such as sovereign credit rating engagement, the development of a robust PPP ecosystem, and improving access to finance for SMEs. These initiatives will contribute to unlocking Mauritania’s economic potential and advancing our long-term development objectives.”

H.E. Mohamed Lemine Dhehby, Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania and Alternate Governor of the IsDB Group, said: “Strengthening Mauritania’s sovereign credit profile is an important step toward deepening our integration into international financial markets and unlocking new sources of sustainable financing for our development priorities. We welcome ICD’s support in advancing our sovereign credit rating engagement and in reinforcing the financial ecosystem necessary to attract long-term investment. This collaboration will contribute to enhancing transparency, strengthening investor confidence, and supporting the continued development of Mauritania’s financial sector.”

– on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

For media inquiries, contact:
icd.communication@isdb.org

About the Islamic Republic of Mauritania:
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a member state of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Its Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development is the government body responsible for formulating and implementing national economic strategy, coordinating development programming, and managing Mauritania’s engagement with international financial institutions.

About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector:
ICD, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, is a multilateral financial institution established in 1999. ICD promotes economic development in member countries by financing private sector projects, fostering competition and entrepreneurship, offering advisory services, and encouraging cross-border investments. It holds strong credit ratings, including A2 by Moody’s, A+ by Fitch, and A- by S&P. ICD focuses on Shari’ah-compliant financing for projects like infrastructure and private equity funds, aiming to create jobs and boost exports.

For more information, visit https://ICD-PS.org and follow ICD on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube @icdps.