Category: Africa

Source: APO

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up food assistance, logistics and telecommunications support in eastern DRC, where Ebola is spreading through communities already hit by conflict, displacement and severe hunger.

The outbreak is unfolding in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Without urgent support, rising hunger, insecurity and population movement could make it harder for families to comply with recommended health measures, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Here are the latest updates on food security and WFP operations in eastern DRC and the region:

Health and Food Security Situation in eastern DRC:

• Ebola cases continue to be reported in Ituri and northern North Kivu, requiring sustained containment measures to prevent further spread within and beyond the affected provinces.
• The virus now affects 34 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
• Thirty of those zones are already facing crisis levels of hunger or worse (IPC Phase 3+), including seven facing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4).
• More than 10 million people across eastern DRC are food insecure, leaving many families with limited ability to absorb another shock.

WFP Operational Food Response:

• WFP is supporting more than 1.2 million people with food assistance, nutrition support, logistics, telecommunications and air services that help keep the health response moving.
• More than 36,000 hot meals have reached over 1,600 patients, caregivers and contacts across 14 treatment and isolation centres since 28 May.
• Take-home rations have supported more than 2,600 people in North Kivu and Ituri.
• Monthly food assistance is reaching 14,000 people in ten quarantined villages in South Kivu.
• WFP is currently supporting nutrition activities in seven affected health zones. However, gaps in nutrition screening, and weak triage systems, are limiting targeted interventions.

WFP Logistics and Supply Chain Operations:

• WFP is providing the logistics backbone of the Ebola response, helping health and humanitarian partners reach affected communities quickly and safely.
• The WFP-managed United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has conducted 268 flights, transported more than 1,750 humanitarian responders and delivered 36 metric tons of critical cargo to frontline areas.
• UNHAS operates daily flights linking Kinshasa, Bunia, Beni and other priority outbreak locations.
• WFP-chartered aircraft have moved nearly 154 metric tons of medical supplies, PPE, laboratory equipment and other life-saving cargo to Ebola-affected areas.
• A dedicated helicopter facilitates access to Ebola hotspots such as Mongbwalu and Nyakunde.
• A Hercules C-130 aircraft has transported vital cargo from Uganda to Bunia, with more than 150 mt of essential supplies moved to date.
• Three Epishuttle isolation units have been prepositioned in Bunia, to evacuate confirmed cases safely, with MEDEVAC training coordinated alongside partners.
• WFP and partners are expanding access to newly affected areas, including Butembo, Bambu, Kilo, Nizi, Tchomia and Kasenyi, where severe hunger and displacement are already widespread.

Challenges and Funding Requirements

• Insecurity and access constraints remain major obstacles, with affected health zones close to conflict frontlines and communities forced to move in search of food and safety.
• WFP urgently requires USD 72 million over the next six months to sustain food assistance, UNHAS and logistics operations for the Ebola response.
• Across DRC, WFP needs USD 286 million over the next six months to keep vital food assistance moving.

• WFP is deeply concerned for vulnerable people trapped in inaccessible areas, where hunger and malnutrition are likely to worsen as the lean season approaches.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to France from 10-12 July 2026. 

The visit comes at the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Khaled El-Enany, to co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4) on education, which will be held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10 July 2026.

This will be followed by the Transforming Education Summit (TES) Stocktake.

On 12 July, President Ramaphosa is expected to attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood which will be held at the South African Memorial in Longueval, approximately two hours from Paris.

The historic commemoration will honour South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

The commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by various Ministers and senior government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

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Aisha Ibrahim watched her 18-month-old son, Dauda, play outside their home in Maliki 2 settlement, Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Just weeks earlier, he had become weak, lost weight and stopped eating.

During a routine outreach visit, a mobile health team deployed by the Adamawa State Government with support from World Health Organization (WHO) screened children for malnutrition and other health conditions. When Dauda was assessed using a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tape, he was identified as malnourished and referred for treatment.

“I did not know it was malnutrition,” Aisha said. “I was worried because he kept getting weaker.”

Following treatment and follow-up care, Dauda’s condition improved. Four weeks later, he had regained strength and resumed normal activities.

His recovery highlights the importance of community-based screening and early referral to identify malnutrition and connect children to care before complications develop.

Detecting malnutrition early
Dauda’s case reflects broader efforts to strengthen community-based primary health care in Adamawa State. Supported by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the State Government and WHO are expanding integrated outreach services combining nutrition screening, immunisation and referrals for underserved populations.

Early detection and treatment of malnutrition are proven to improve survival and recovery outcomes, particularly in fragile and hard-to-reach settings.

In Nigeria, malnutrition remains a major public health challenge. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2023–2024) indicates that 40% of children under five are stunted and 8% are wasted, while around 2 million with severe acute malnutrition each year.

The burden is particularly high in northern regions, including Adamawa State. In 2025, an estimated 6.4 million children aged 0–59 months across the north-east, north-west and north-central regions were affected by acute malnutrition, including about 2 million with severe acute malnutrition, while conflict and displacement continue to limit access to essential services.

Bringing services closer to communities
To address these challenges, the Adamawa State Government is scaling up nutrition interventions in line with national priorities, focusing on prevention, early detection and prompt treatment.

With technical support from WHO, 10 mobile health teams have been deployed to security-compromised and hard-to-reach communities across 10 local government areas. These teams, comprising nurses and community health workers, deliver integrated services including nutrition screening, basic treatment and referrals.

Between September and December 2025, outreach teams screened 36 727 children, identifying 527 with severe acute malnutrition and 1263 with moderate acute malnutrition. All identified children were referred to treatment centres for follow-up care.

“My son, Tikle, gained weight and started playing with his friends about four weeks after we visited the health centre,” said Salamatu Sani, who lives in Kwana Billa settlement in Gombi Local Government Area. “The health team measured his arm and referred us to the clinic, where they gave ready-to-use therapeutic food and showed me how to feed him. Now he is active again.”

Health workers emphasise that early detection is critical.

“When we identify children early, they recover faster and avoid complications,” said Amina Aliyu, a community health worker supporting community-based management of acute malnutrition services. “It also helps families continue care at home with the right guidance.”

Strengthening systems for impact
These outreach activities form part of wider efforts to strengthen the health system and expand access to life-saving services. Early nutrition screening is being integrated into routine primary health care to ensure continuity of care at community level.

This approach aligns with national frameworks, including the National Strategic Plan of Action for Nutrition (2021–2025) and the National Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016–2025; 2026–2035), which emphasise integrated, community-based service delivery.

WHO supports the State Government by training more than 40 frontline health workers across 10 local government areas, strengthening nutrition surveillance systems, and providing technical guidance and standards.

“Strengthening early detection and treatment for acute malnutrition is critical to improving child survival, particularly in underserved communities,” said Dr Yusuf Abdulhakeen, WHO State Coordinator in Adamawa.

At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare highlights the need to scale up such approaches.

“Malnutrition continues to threaten the survival, growth and development of many Nigerian children,” said Olufunmilola Adegbite, Director and Head of Nutrition.

“Expanding early detection and treatment through primary health care is essential to reducing preventable child deaths.”

For children like Dauda and Tikle, early screening supports timely treatment and recovery. Expanding integrated nutrition services through primary health care will be critical to reaching more vulnerable children, preventing complications and accelerating progress towards improved child survival in Nigeria.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

Source: APO – Report:

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The annual Financial Stability Report (FSR) serves as a platform to highlight and discuss key systemic risks to the financial system, while enhancing accountability and transparency on financial stability matters. Following the presentation of the report to the President, the Chairperson of the Financial Stability Committee noted that the report is a collective effort led by the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS), with contributions from members of the CBS, the Ministry responsible for Finance, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The Chairperson provided a brief overview of the report, highlighting key risks and the ongoing work undertaken in collaboration with other financial institutions.

She noted that for the year 2025, the banking sector remained stable, particularly in light of the newly introduced financial policies. She also highlighted a growing concern regarding individuals taking out loans and subsequently facing difficulties in repayment. She explained that there is a general lack of understanding of the risks associated with borrowing, and emphasised that the Central Bank will strengthen public education efforts on responsible borrowing and loan repayment.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to update the President on current financial developments.

The delegates discussed the challenges facing the sector, particularly the rapid advancement of technology, including artificial intelligence. Concerns were raised regarding increased risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing, cybersecurity threats, and attempts by malicious actors to compromise financial systems. The Chairperson reiterated the need to continuously strengthen systems and enhance training to ensure resilience against these evolving threats.

Sanctions were also discussed at length, particularly those imposed by other countries, including the European Union. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf region was highlighted as a factor placing additional pressure on the financial services sector and increasing risks within the banking system, notably given that cyber threats tend to intensify during periods of conflict.

Those attending the meeting included Secretary of State Mr Patrick Payet, Director of the FSA Mr Pascal Morin, Director of the FIU Mr Philippe Moustache, and other members of the committee, namely Mr Mike Tirant, Ms Sharon Uranie, Ms Samata Esparon, and Mr Brian Commetant.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the future of peace is now being shaped with a distinctly feminine sensitivity and strength. This was the powerful message that opened, on June 17, the strategic retreat of the Women’s Advisory Group on Security Sector Reform (SSR). Gathered under the evocative theme “From participation to influence,” and with the support of MONUSCO through the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Section, the participants reaffirmed a fundamental principle: women are not merely beneficiaries of security policies, but a key driver in building sustainable and inclusive peace.

For Ely Dieng, Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Division and Acting Deputy Special Representative at MONUSCO, this approach is, above all, a matter of institutional effectiveness: “Integrating women into security sector reform is not only about promoting equality, but also about building more legitimate, accountable institutions that are closer to the citizens.”

Sharpening skills to impact decisions
Far from being a simple series of speeches, this retreat was designed to be highly practical. The second day, June 18, was entirely dedicated to strengthening the technical capacities of the participants. The agenda included advanced mediation techniques, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and strategic analysis.

The objective of this immersion is clear: to equip the women of the Advisory Group with the necessary tools to translate harsh field realities and early warnings into concrete, sharp, and actionable policy recommendations for high-level decision-makers.

Déborah Nyamugabo, a member of the Synergie pour la Paix, perfectly summarized this ambition: “Wherever women are present, humanism takes root. The advisory group aims to look ahead at what works, what does not work, or what needs improvement. That is why it is crucial to speak about strengthening existing reforms and institutional mechanisms, but also about empowering the women who are themselves active within this security sector.“

A Roadmap for the country’s future
Security a domain long perceived as the exclusive preserve of men in uniform? This stereotype was swiftly dismissed by Colonel Nénette Mukembe, former battalion commander within the FARDC Land Forces: “Security is not just a matter for soldiers or police officers; it is an issue that concerns everyone.“

In the face of the humanitarian and security challenges shaking the country, the urgency to act is pressing. Ms. Faida Mwangilwa, Coordinator of the Women’s Advisory Group on SSR, sounded the call to action: “We know that women have faced many problems in recent years. But now is the time to resolve them and see how we can find appropriate solutions for our own security, the security of our children, and the future of our country.“

On June 19, at the conclusion of the third and final day of reflection, a decisive step toward real impact was taken. The participants formally defined their engagement priorities and adopted a strategic roadmap. This framework document will now serve as a compass to guide their future actions and ensure that the voice of Congolese women permanently carries weight in the major security orientations of the DRC.

Thanks to this Kinshasa retreat, the Women’s Advisory Group on SSR is no longer just participating; it has firmly established itself as an essential influential actor for the stability of the DRC.

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

Source: APO

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Rainbow World Group (“Rainbow”) (https://RainbowWorldGroup.com/) today announced that Rainbow Images, a subsidiary of Rainbow World Group, is about to commence legal proceedings to enforce its image rights and related intellectual-property agreements concerning footballer Yan Diomande, following what the company describes as a failure to honour the commercial terms agreed during his development.

Rainbow makes clear that the dispute concerns image rights and intellectual property specifically — not any question of representation or agency, nor Diomande’s playing career, which the company continues to support.

Rainbow says it was a commercial partner of the player and played a central role in his identification, education and exposure.

Years of Investment Behind a Rapid Rise

Diomande’s emergence as one of European football’s most closely watched young players has been widely covered in recent months. What has been far less reported, Rainbow says, is the work that came before it: the company identified Diomande several years before his rise and committed substantial financial, operational and personal resources to his development.

According to Rainbow, that support included funding key stages of his progression, managing his international travel and visa processes, supporting his educational and footballing pathway from Côte d’Ivoire onward, and arranging training with clubs including Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC, Newcastle United FC, Olympiacos FC and CD Leganés at various stages of his career.

“None of this happened by chance,” the company said. “It is the result of several years of planning, investment and commercial risk — the kind of work required to build a professional athlete long before the market recognises his value.”

A Dispute Centred on Image Rights and Intellectual Property

Rainbow states that, at the time of its investment, it entered into commercial agreements governing image rights and associated intellectual property specifically, distinct from any agency or representation arrangement. Those agreements were designed to ensure that the company could share in the commercial value it had helped create should Diomande achieve professional success.

The company considers that these image-rights and intellectual-property agreements remain valid and enforceable, and that it will seek their recognition and enforcement before the courts.

“These proceedings are not intended to prevent Yan Diomande from pursuing his football career, nor to interfere with his professional opportunities,” the company said. “We remain proud of the role we played in his development and wish him continued success on the field. This is solely about enforcing image-rights and intellectual-property agreements we believe remain valid and enforceable. Nothing more.”

A Broader Test for African Football

Rainbow regards this dispute as going beyond the contract of a single player. In the company’s view, the matter raises questions of contractual certainty, image-rights protection and corporate governance in football and, more specifically, whether Africa can continue to attract long-term investment in player development.

“For African football to attract serious, long-term investment, there must be confidence that image-rights and intellectual-property agreements will be honoured,” the company said. “Sustainable player development depends not only on the ability to identify talent, but on a culture that respects commercial commitments and the rule of law.”

Proceeding Through the Courts

Rainbow says the case will be filed before the High Court in London and in the British Virgin Islands.

Rainbow states it has assembled extensive contemporaneous records, compiled throughout its support of Diomande, documenting its investment in and support of the player’s career, including the image-rights and intellectual-property agreements at issue. That evidence will be presented through the judicial process, in accordance with the applicable rules of evidence.

Yan Diomande and his legal representatives have been formally notified of the proceedings Rainbow is about to commence.

“Rainbow’s objective is the recognition and enforcement of the agreements it believes remain valid and enforceable, and it will pursue that through the appropriate legal channels,” the company said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rainbow World Group.

Media Contact
Rainbow World Group
info@rainbow-sports.com