Category: Africa

Posted on

Warsai-Yikealo School Officially Begins Academic Year

Source: APO

Students who went to Sawa from high schools across the country to pursue their 12th-grade education and fulfil their national service obligations as members of the 39th round have officially begun the 2026/2027 academic year.

At the opening event conducted on 16 August, the director of the school, Mr. Russom Gebrehiwet, provided detailed information regarding the school’s regulations and guidelines. He also called on the students to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the school and excel in their studies.

Noting that the number of students has increased by 20% compared with last year, Mr. Russom confirmed that the school and the national service training center have made all the necessary preparations.

Mr. Russom went on to say that, alongside its regular academic program, the school also conducts various activities, including sports and cultural activities, general knowledge competitions, debates and discussions, programs aimed at empowering females, seminars, entertainment programs and popular campaigns.

Commending the detailed information provided, the students expressed their readiness to make the best use of the opportunities available to them.

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

Media files

.

Posted on

East African Community (EAC) to Convene 2nd Regional Education Conference in Nairobi to Drive Education Transformation

Source: APO


.

The East African Community (EAC) will convene the 2nd EAC Regional Conference on Education in Nairobi, Kenya from 24th to 28th August 2026 to accelerate practical action towards transforming education systems in the region.

The Conference will be held under the theme, “Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact, Fostering Resilience and Future-Ready Systems for Sustainable Development.”

It will bring together high-level government officials, policymakers, education practitioners, teachers, students, youth representatives, academia and research institutions, civil society organisations and development partners from the EAC Partner States and beyond.

Register for the 2nd EAC Regional Conference on Education

The Conference will provide a strategic regional platform for stocktaking, policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and collective action, with a strong focus on moving from commitments to measurable and sustainable impact.

Participants will review progress since the 1st EAC Regional Conference on Education held in August 2024, identify systemic and implementation gaps and agree on priority actions to accelerate education transformation at national and regional levels.

The 2nd Conference comes at a critical time when education systems across East Africa continue to face persistent inequalities in access and quality, weak transitions across levels of education, skills mismatches and limited links between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and industry.

Speaking ahead of the Conference, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Aguer Ariik Malueth, said the Conference will focus on strengthening foundational learning and teacher capacity as well as promoting inclusive education.

“Particular attention will be given to future-ready skills, leveraging digitalisation and innovation and improving education financing and governance,” said Hon. Ariik.

The Conference will also advance the East African Common Higher Education and Research Area (EACHEA), with emphasis on harmonisation, innovation and partnerships to improve the quality and relevance of higher education.

Hon. Ariik said the Conference is expected to generate practical policy recommendations and implementation actions. It is also expected to produce a Conference communiqué or roadmap outlining agreed commitments, flagship initiatives, timelines and next steps.

The Conference builds on the outcomes of the 1st EAC Regional Conference on Education, held in August 2024 at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. It follows the approval by the 15th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports to establish an EAC Regional Forum on Education, anchored in Articles 102 and 103 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, which provide for cooperation in education and training, and science and technology.

Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, Co-Chair of the Conference Organising Committee, called on stakeholders across the region to participate in the Conference and strengthen collective action towards transforming education systems.

“We call upon all stakeholders – governments, academia, civil society and development partners – to join us in Nairobi. Together, we can foster resilient and future-ready education systems that drive East Africa’s transformation,” she said.

The five-day Conference will feature pre-conference co-workshops, keynote addresses, plenary and roundtable discussions, policy dialogues, country exhibitions, fireside chats and interactive question-and-answer sessions designed to facilitate evidence-based dialogue, cross-country learning and the co-creation of solutions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

Posted on

Welcome remarks by Dr Tshepo Motsepe at the Spousal Luncheon, 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, Dube House, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Our honoured guests, the First Ladies of SADC, 
Representatives of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government,
Chief Executive Officer of the Early Care Foundation, Ms. Ipeleng Mohlala,
Representatives of civil society organisations,
Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon.

Allow me to begin by extending a warm welcome to you all to South Africa, and to the beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal, as we gather on the margins of the 46th SADC Summit.

I extend a special and heartfelt welcome to the First Ladies. 

Your presence here today reflects the strength of our regional solidarity and our shared commitment to improving the lives of women and children across Southern Africa.

As leaders and advocates, we understand that the future of our region depends on the opportunities we create for our youngest citizens today. Early Childhood Development (ECD) is not simply a social investment; it is one of the most powerful foundations for human development, economic growth, and social cohesion.

In South Africa, we have made important progress in expanding access to early learning opportunities. However, we remain acutely aware of the challenges that still confront us. 

Today, approximately 3.5 million young children in our country are not accessing early learning programmes. Behind this number are children whose potential remains untapped and families who require greater support to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Encouragingly, there is strong political will in South Africa to address these challenges. 

Early Childhood Development has been recognised as a national priority in our National Development Plan 2030, which acknowledges that investing in young children is critical to breaking cycles of poverty, reducing inequality, and building a more prosperous and inclusive society. 

This recognition provides a powerful foundation for collaborative action and demonstrates our country’s commitment to ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.

As we engage today, let us be guided by our shared vision for Africa’s children and by the conviction that quality early childhood development is not a privilege, but a right. By working together, and by building on the commitments outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 and similar regional aspirations, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and realise their full potential.

I would like to acknowledge the remarkable leadership and dedication of South Africa’s Department of Basic Education, which continues to drive the transformation and expansion of the early childhood development sector. Through its commitment to improving quality, registration, funding, and access, the Department is helping to create pathways for more children to benefit from quality early learning experiences.

I also wish to recognize the invaluable contribution of civil society organisations, many of whom work tirelessly in communities every day to support children, families, practitioners, and early learning programmes. Their innovation, commitment, and deep community connections have been instrumental in advancing the ECD agenda.

We are equally grateful to local government structures that play a critical role in creating enabling environments for ECD services, as well as to private sector partners whose investments and collaborations continue to strengthen and expand opportunities for young children.

This collective effort demonstrates what is possible when we unite around a common purpose: ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances of their family, has access to quality care, protection, nutrition, and early learning.

I will now hand over to Ms. Ipeleng Mohlala from the Early Care Foundation, a South African non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services for young children, particularly in underserved communities.
 
Through training, mentoring, and capacity-building programmes, the Foundation supports ECD principals and practitioners to provide safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environments. 

For over 35 years, Early Care Foundation has worked to strengthen early learning opportunities, empowering children to reach their full potential and laying a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Our nation’s founding father, President Nelson Mandela, whose birthday we celebrated last month, reminded us that “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

These words ring as true today as when he said them. They are an inspiration, but above all they are a call to action.

It is my hope that our discussions will strengthen partnerships across our region, encourage the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and inspire greater action to advance the wellbeing of young children throughout the SADC region.

Once again, thank you for joining us and for your continued dedication to building a brighter future for Africa’s children.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to giving every child the strongest possible start in life.

I thank you.  
 

Posted on

Cabo Verde: Primeiro Ministro recebe em audiência Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos Os Estados Unidos da América (EUA)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

Primeiro Ministro recebe em audiência Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos EUA

O Primeiro-Ministro, Francisco Carvalho, recebeu em audiência de cortesia o Encarregado de Negócios da Embaixada dos Estados Unidos da América em Cabo Verde, Dr. Mark Weinberg. O encontro serviu para abrir canais de diá. sobre projectos futuros e reforçar a parceria estratégica entre as duas nações em áreas de interesse mútuo.

Cabo Verde e os Estados Unidos mantêm uma relação histórica de amizade, alicerçada numa vasta comunidade residente naquele país e numa cooperação sólida em sectores como a segurança, a educação e o desenvolvimento económico.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

Media files

Baixar .tipo

Posted on

In Madagascar, Gen-Z overthrew a corrupt regime but the battle against state capture has barely begun

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Tom Shipley, Research Fellow, Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex

Youth-led demonstrations that shook Madagascar in late 2025 began as protests over water and electricity shortages. They quickly evolved into bigger demands for political change, forcing president Andry Rajoelina into exile. The Gen-Z protesters (most born between 1997 and 2012) spoke of dignity, corruption and a broken social contract.

A military-led transitional government took advantage of the turmoil to take power. In a new book chapter and co-authored paper published by the GI-ACE research programme at the University of Sussex, Ketakandriana Rafitoson and Tom Shipley argue that the protesters overthrew a captured state.

But what is state capture? What does it look like in Madagascar? And what could happen next?

What is state capture?

State capture is a harmful corruption phenomenon. It involves powerful political and business networks reshaping the rules – laws and institutions – to serve their own ends.

Originally conceived by economists at the World Bank, state capture has the distinct idea of “shaping the rules of the game”. This is in contrast to everyday forms of corruption, which involve breaking the rules. It’s the difference between the pharmaceutical firm that uses its political connections to lower regulatory standards and the bribe paid to a nurse by a patient to secure vital treatment.

During protests in countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Serbia and Madagascar, the language of state capture provided a powerful mobilising force. This has brought new attention to a concept which for many years was a niche academic term.

What does state capture look like in Madagascar?

It is no accident that Madagascar was ranked among 10 countries at the bottom of the UN Human Development Index in 2025. Access to basic public services is low, holding back the economic prospects of young protesters.

State capture helps explain why.

Our colleague Liz Dávid-Barrett at the Centre for the Study of Corruption has developed a helpful framework that unbundles state capture into three pillars.

The first pillar is about fixing the rules governing key aspects of economic and political life. In Madagascar, the constitution has formed the bedrock of capture. Enacted amid a political crisis in 2010, it grants the presidency extensive powers. These include the right to appoint one-third of the members of the senate, a power relentlessly exploited by former president Rajoelina (2009-2014 and 2019-2025) to build patronage networks.

The second pillar is about controlling the implementation of public policy. Madagascar’s state bureaucracy is packed with political loyalists. Captors have also zeroed in on certain institutions, such as the national power and water utility, where there are opportunities to profit from corruption. This has had disastrous economic consequences. For instance, Madagascar’s electrification rates are among the lowest globally and power cuts are common.

The third pillar is about deflecting accountability by controlling or attacking institutions like the judiciary, the media and civil society. As an example, captors cleverly manipulated the design of an anti-corruption court to ensure their own immunity from prosecution. A High Court of Justice was created in 2018 to try senior officials. It has made zero prosecutions despite 37 cases being brought before the court. Threats of violence and legal action against activists were constant, repressing democratic activism.

Control of central state structures is only part of the story, however.

Captor networks have generated vast profits in vacuums of state authority, giving them powerful incentives to resist efforts to regulate those sectors.

At an early stage illegal rosewood logging helped captor networks under Rajoelina build the wealth used to control state institutions. Over time, these networks adapted as new economic opportunities emerged. They shifted from rosewood to vanilla and gold. Madagascar is the world’s leading producer of vanilla, while illegal gold exports have been a major source of profits for captor networks.

This economic activity in the shadows illustrates a conundrum that also applies to other countries where there is not much of a functioning state. Captor networks do not always need state institutions to control resources and retain power. They use formal rules when those rules serve their interests – and bypass them when they don’t.

Madagascar’s Gen Z-led protests brought these questions of concentrated political and economic power into focus.

How likely is change?

This isn’t the first time the Malagasy people have created a window of opportunity for change. Street protests against the rising cost of living and corruption facilitated Rajoelina’s entry into power in 2009. These windows have been shut without much achieved, however.

Exploiting the most recent upheaval, a transitional military government headed by Colonel Michael Randrianirina seized power in late 2025. It made commitments to a two-year transition period before elections.

But concerns the timetable will slip are merited. This is especially given growing Russian influence around Randrianirina which could lead to the postponement, or even cancellation, of elections in 2027.

The protest movement faces complications of its own. A recent survey found that 52% of citizens don’t trust the movement. The military government and old networks have also sought to infiltrate and intimidate activist groups.

The Concertation Nationale (national dialogue) – scheduled to begin in August 2026 but repeatedly delayed – will be a test of the direction of travel.

A national dialogue is an inclusive process for building consensus at a time of crisis. In theory, then, it could be a valuable forum for re-defining the rules of the game in a captured state. Constitutional change is expected to be on the table in a process overseen by church groups, but there are concerns about their independence.

What needs to happen instead?

The main focus of European governments now is the elections timetable. These donors retain influence but are in competition with Russia for the transition government’s ear.

Elections are important, of course, but likely to be flawed if structural issues around how they run are not addressed. Political finance, for example, has long been a black hole, which works to the advantage of established powerbrokers.

On anti-corruption, measures supported by international donors tend to focus on law enforcement efforts – going after the bad guys – over systemic reform. In a situation of state capture where corruption is systemic, this carries risks and can be counterproductive. Enforcement bodies can be captured and used to pursue political opponents.

Ultimately, breaking the cycle of state capture requires more than reshuffling elites.

Gen-Z reformers, civil society organisations and supportive foreign donors need to push for measures that can deliver quick and tangible benefits for citizens. For instance, strengthening the governance of the state power utility to improve basic public service provision. Other countries have made progress in tackling corruption in critical development sectors, like health.

Gen-Z protesters created an opening in Madagascar. But it is the months leading up to elections in late 2027 that will determine whether that leads to meaningful and lasting reform.

– In Madagascar, Gen-Z overthrew a corrupt regime but the battle against state capture has barely begun
– https://theconversation.com/in-madagascar-gen-z-overthrew-a-corrupt-regime-but-the-battle-against-state-capture-has-barely-begun-289407

Posted on

Returning bones to Madagascar doesn’t just right a colonial wrong: why a royal skull still has power

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Maurizio Esposito La Rossa, Associate Professor of Anthropology, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS)

France’s Ministry of Culture handed over three Malagasy skulls to Harea Georges Kamamy, the reigning king (ampagnito) of the Sakalava people in Menabe, a western region of Madagascar, on 26 August 2025. The skulls had been held for more than a century in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris.

One was identified as belonging to Toera, the Menabe king killed by French colonial troops in 1897. When handed over, it was placed in his tomb to complete his skeleton. A “bathing of the relics” ceremony (fitampoha) completes the process of the late ruler becoming an ancestor. This ceremony also consecrates the accession of the new sovereign.

Anthropologist Maurizio Esposito La Rossa’s research on the Sakalava monarchy has resulted in a new book, Sovereigns of Gold, Spirits of Silver: Ritual, History and Hierarchy in Madagascar (HAU Books, in press). This work informs his explanation of what the return of the skulls means, spiritually and politically, and why it has proved divisive.

What do physical relics mean to the Sakalava people?

Among the Sakalava people of the Menabe region, royal relics (dady) have been central to political life since the first kingdoms were founded in the 17th century. Made from fragments of the skull and other parts of the deceased sovereign’s body, relics carry the generative power (hasina) of royal ancestors. It is this power that legitimises the rule of the living king. The relics are made by ritual specialists drawn from local groups, and allow the dead sovereign to return as a spirit, or tromba.

It’s a practice that embodies the alliance between the political power of the “stranger-king” (anthropologist Marshall Sahlins’ term for a ruler who originates from elsewhere) and the ritual authority of the “masters of the land” who legitimise him.

What has your research in Madagascar explored?

My fieldwork in Madagascar (2015-2025) focused on how royal rituals reframe the dynastic conflicts between the “gold” and “silver” princely branches, hence my book’s title.

“Gold” princes are the legitimate heirs: they alone may rule, and they alone possess relics. “Silver” princes, descended from a king’s sisters or secondary wives, have no right to hold relics, nor to have relics made from their own remains after death.

Historically, silver princes faced a choice: stay and take up ritual office within the existing kingdom, or leave to found a new one elsewhere, stealing or fabricating relics of their own. Many of them chose the second path. Combined with the slave trade conducted with foreign powers, this dynamic drove the Sakalava monarchy’s expansion along the west coast between the 17th and 19th centuries.

What does the return of the skulls mean?

The return of Toera’s presumed skull belongs to a much longer history of relic politics involving the French, the Sakalava and the Merina.

In the Sakalava monarchy, succession rules have long been flouted, and polygamous marriage strategies have produced no shortage of princes with a claim to the throne. Possessing the relics – or even just credibly claiming to – has for centuries been the decisive factor in legitimating royal power. It’s driven disputes that continue today.

Relics were also a target of the two conquests the Sakalava kingdoms suffered: by the Merina kingdom of Madagascar’s highlands in the 1820s, and by the French colonial army at the end of the 19th century. When the French took control, they returned relics to Sakalava rulers after the Merina had earlier confiscated them. In doing so, they helped restore the rulers’ political legitimacy, enabling the French to govern through them as local intermediaries.

Return of skulls to Madagascar.

The latest gesture has been framed as an act of reconciliation between former coloniser and formerly colonised. But it has also reopened tensions within Madagascar: between the central government and the local Sakalava monarchy, and between rival dynastic branches contesting the Menabe throne.

The restitution was negotiated between the French and Malagasy governments, with the Malagasy side represented above all by then-president Andry Rajoelina, a Merina from the capital. Menabe royals have complained they were not adequately consulted over how the ceremony was organised, and the Menabe king regretted that the skulls were handed to Madagascar’s government instead of the royal family. One royal descendant, Joe Kamamy – descended from Toera through the female line, and therefore ineligible to rule under patrilineal succession – reportedly sought to claim the skull for himself, to found a new tomb and a new kingdom.

HAU Books

This echoes the age-old pattern of “silver” princes seeking to become “gold” kings by founding kingdoms of their own.

It would be too simple to read this restitution solely through the lens of former coloniser versus formerly colonised. That decolonial framing has real merit – it does justice to a history of dispossession ignored for far too long.

But it can also obscure internal power relations. In doing so, it can legitimise forms of domination exercised by local elites and, in some cases, reignite conflicts among them. Restitution, while undoubtedly a gesture of repair, is also a political act that can redifine (or consolidate) pre-existing local hierarchies.

– Returning bones to Madagascar doesn’t just right a colonial wrong: why a royal skull still has power
– https://theconversation.com/returning-bones-to-madagascar-doesnt-just-right-a-colonial-wrong-why-a-royal-skull-still-has-power-289536

Posted on

Environmental Considerations Alone Must Not Stall South Africa’s Exploration and Job Creation Ambition

Source: APO


.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule, has noted the judgment of the Constitutional Court, which has blocked Shell and Impact Africa’s offshore exploration activities along South Africa’s Wild Coast.

Mr Mahlaule said the committee respects the authority of the Constitutional Court and recognises the importance of ensuring that communities are meaningfully consulted and that environmental considerations are properly addressed in decisions relating to the country’s natural resources.

However, he expressed concern about the broader implications of prolonged legal uncertainty and repeated delays for investment, exploration and economic development in South Africa’s offshore petroleum sector.

“The country cannot afford for potentially significant economic opportunities and job creation initiatives to remain permanently at the conceptual stage because of uncertainty around exploration. Exploration is the process through which we establish whether resources exist and whether they can ultimately be developed for the benefit of the economy and the people of South Africa,” said Mr Mahlaule.

He stressed that economic development and environmental protection should not be treated as mutually exclusive objectives. “South Africa needs a regulatory framework that protects our environment and the rights of affected communities, while at the same time providing investors with sufficient certainty to undertake responsible exploration. If uncertainty continues to delay exploration indefinitely, we risk losing investment and opportunities for economic growth, skills development and employment,” he said.

Mr Mahlaule said South Africa cannot afford to fall behind other resource-rich countries in attracting investment into exploration and developing its natural-resource base. The committee will continue to engage with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on the implications of the judgment and the broader challenges facing offshore exploration, including regulatory certainty and the need to create an environment conducive to responsible investment.

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

Posted on

Seychelles: President Herminie Joins Regional Leaders at 46th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Durban

Source: APO

President Dr. Patrick Herminie joined fellow Heads of State and Government at the Official Opening Ceremony of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit, held at the Durban International Convention Centre.

South Africa formally assumed the Chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the Ceremony.

His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, opened proceedings as Interim Chairperson, setting the tone for a Ceremony that opened with a vibrant cultural performance before President Herminie took to the podium to deliver his maiden address to the Summit.

The Ceremony’s defining moment came with the formal handover of the SADC Chairpersonship, as His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, passed the mantle of regional leadership to President Ramaphosa, who accepted the Chairpersonship before the Assembly.

President Herminie thereafter joined his regional counterparts in closed session, where deliberations on the Summit’s agenda got underway.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Media files

.

Posted on

East African Community (EAC) Hands Over Two Border Patrol Vehicles to Burundi to Strengthen Regional Border Security

Source: APO

The East African Community has handed over two border patrol vehicles to the Burundi Border Police in an effort to strengthen border security, improve mobility and enhance the fight against cross-border crime and illicit activities.

The vehicles were handed over by the EAC Secretary General, H.E. Amb. Stephen Mbundi, at a ceremony held in Bujumbura on Wednesday, 12 August, 2026. The support is being provided under the EAC–United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) project, Creating a Secure Trading and Customs Environment in the EAC through Enhancing Border Security, with funding from the Government of Japan.

The two vehicles form part of a regional deployment of 16 patrol vehicles, with each of the eight EAC Partner States receiving two vehicles for use at key and porous border points. Burundi is among the first Partner State to receive the vehicles.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, EAC Secretary General Amb. Stephen Mbundi said the initiative was a regional milestone that demonstrated the Community’s commitment to collective security and regional integration.

“This is more than the handover of vehicles; it is a demonstration of what we can achieve when we act together as a Community. With sixteen patrol vehicles being deployed across all Partner States, we are strengthening our shared commitment to secure borders, safer communities and a more integrated region,” said Amb. Mbundi.

He noted that the intervention was informed by technical assessments of EAC One-Stop Border Posts, which identified mobility gaps as a key challenge affecting border security and trade facilitation.

The EAC Secretary General emphasised the close link between security and regional trade, noting that secure and efficient borders are essential to unlocking the benefits of the EAC’s regional market.

“These vehicles will strengthen the presence of our border police, enable faster responses and reinforce our collective fight against smuggling, trafficking and other forms of cross-border crime. By securing our borders, we are not only protecting our people and communities; we are creating the confidence and stability needed for trade, investment and prosperity to flourish across East Africa,” said Amb. Mbundi.

Representing the Government of Burundi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, H.E. Amb. Édouard Bizimana, welcomed the support and underscored the importance of strengthening coordinated responses to security challenges along the region’s borders.

He noted that borders face multifaceted challenges, including organised and transnational crime, while cross-border agencies often face logistical constraints in carrying out their duties.

“This logistical support is of strategic importance to Burundi and the region. It will strengthen the mobility of our border security teams, enhance border control and operational efficiency, and reinforce regional cooperation. Ultimately, stronger border security creates a safer and more conducive environment for the movement of people and goods and for the growth of cross-border trade,” said Amb. Bizimana.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the EAC Secretariat, UNOPS and the Government of Japan for supporting the initiative, noting that the vehicles would enhance the operational capacity of agencies responsible for cross-border security and trade facilitation.

The support follows assessments conducted by the EAC Peace and Security Department at various One-Stop Border Posts across the region, which identified transport and mobility as key areas requiring intervention.

The EAC and its partners reaffirm their commitment to deepening regional cooperation and strengthening cross-border security, recognising that secure and efficient borders are essential to the free and safe movement of people and goods. The initiative underscores the EAC’s shared vision of a peaceful, secure and integrated region where stronger border security creates the foundation for expanded trade, greater connectivity and shared prosperity across East Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

Media files

.

Posted on

Algérie – Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) : Signature du Plan de travail 2026-2027

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Le ministre de la Santé Dr Mohamed Seddik AIT MESSAOUDENE et le Représentant de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) en Algérie, Dr Phanuel Habimana, ont procédé à la signature du Plan de travail conjoint Gouvernement algérien – OMS pour le biennium 2026-2027, lors d’une cérémonie organisée au siège du ministère de la Santé ce jeudi 13 aout 2026.

La cérémonie s’est déroulée en présence du représentant du ministère des Affaires étrangères, de la communauté nationale à l’etranger et des affaires africaines des cadres du ministère de la Santé et du bureau de l’OMS en Algérie.

À cette occasion, les deux parties ont réaffirmé leur engagement commun à poursuivre et à renforcer leur coopération au service de l’amélioration de la santé des populations et du développement durable du système de santé national.

Le Plan de travail conjoint 2026-2027 définit les principaux axes de coopération entre le Gouvernement algérien et l’OMS pour les deux prochaines années. Il s’articule notamment autour du renforcement du système de santé et des soins de santé primaires, de l’accélération des progrès vers la couverture sanitaire universelle, ainsi que de la prévention et de la lutte contre les maladies transmissibles et non transmissibles.

Le Plan de travail prévoit également des actions visant à renforcer la préparation, la surveillance et la réponse aux urgences sanitaires, conformément aux engagements internationaux en matière de sécurité sanitaire.

Une attention particulière sera accordée à la promotion de l’innovation et de la santé numérique, à la consolidation des capacités nationales dans le domaine de la réglementation et de l’accès à des produits de santé sûrs, efficaces et de qualité, ainsi qu’au développement d’approches intégrées et multisectorielles pour faire face aux nouveaux défis sanitaires.

La signature de ce plan de travail témoigne de la volonté commune des deux parties de consolider leur partenariat stratégique et de poursuivre leurs efforts conjoints en faveur d’un système de santé plus performant, résilient et équitable, au bénéfice de l’ensemble des citoyens.

Distribué par APO Group pour WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Media files