Category: Africa

Source: APO

Can a four-page document, negotiated in conference rooms and signed by people in suits, really influence the everyday lives of women and girls?

On 31 October 2000, world leaders at the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution that recognized how women and girls are impacted by conflict. Moreover, it codified women’s right to participate, equally, in peace processes. Resolution 1325, which launched the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, was designed to empower women everywhere to build, maintain and lead peace.

But how can the ambition of this global agenda reach those in remote villages, refugee camps or on the frontlines?

UN Women spoke with women across Uganda who show exactly how: Peace is seeded in communities. It is nurtured by individuals and coalitions who understand local issues intimately, who meet stakeholders where they are, and who work to empower them.

Women with lived experience are key to peacebuilding

You wouldn’t build an entry ramp for a building without consulting someone who uses a wheelchair, explains Juliet Mbambu, Executive Director of the Bwera United Women with Disabilities Association. If you do not understand their lived experience, you could make things harder for the people you’re trying to help – building “a mountain,” instead of a ramp. “‘Nothing for us without us,’ is our saying.”

Diagnosed with polio at the age of 10, Mbambu defied the odds in her community with the advocacy of her sisters and friends who, at times, carried her on their backs so she could attend school. Now, the social worker and mother of three leads support groups for children with disabilities, as well as their parents.

“I grew up in a very difficult situation. This is why I formed a group of women with disabilities – to amplify the voice, to create awareness, to advocate for rights – so that at least people should learn [directly] from us.”

Mbambu applies these experiences to her work in the Kasese District which, along with neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, has faced ongoing threats of violent extremism.

Bolstered by conflict mediation trainings she received through Coalition for Action on 1325 (CoACT) with support from UN Women, Mbambu leads community dialogues to prevent violent extremism and conducts outreach among the young people that extremist groups try to recruit. “And these youth, by the end of the dialogue, they come out with their own action points to prevent extremism and commit to [raising awareness among] their peers.”

Youth empowerment fuels peace

Angel Musiime speaks with pride about the ways in which she has been able to change the trajectory of people’s lives, like convincing young boys to return to school and navigating difficult conversations to support a woman in an abusive relationship.

“I want to be a great woman of peace,” says the 26-year-old.

Musiime, who serves as a local parish chief and peace mediator in Kyegegwa Town Council, has had to overcome her own obstacles as a young woman, including losing her mother and experiencing pregnancy while still at university.

“In our settings, they say this is the end of you: ‘Get married, give birth to babies, and that’s life. Live like an African woman. Don’t work, be home.’ But I thank God I had this voice that kept on telling me, ‘Make your mother proud.’”

In 2023, Angel jumped at the opportunity to attend a peace mediators training with CoACT. “I remember that morning! I woke up, organized myself, breastfed my baby,” she says with a smile. “Of course, I saw it as an opportunity to do what I always wanted to do: to stand and defend people; to help women and girls have their equal rights.”

Through the training, Musiime not only learned conflict resolution and leadership, but how to “extend leadership to others,” she says. “From the skills we attained, I’ve touched people’s lives.”

Peacebuilding requires meeting people where they are

“When there’s no space in the car, you just jump on the back of someone’s pickup,” says Sharon Kabugho, a Communications Officer with the Kasese District Local Government, describing how she reaches remote community meetings. “You have to get there.”

Uganda’s Third National Action Plan to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda includes working at the grassroots level to stop conflict where it starts, including disputes over land, and gender-based violence. These Local Action Plans adapt WPS’s far-reaching priorities to unique on-the-ground contexts and boost accountability.

To get the information she needs as a peacebuilder driving the District’s Local Action Plan, Kabugho always meets stakeholders where they are. It’s a critical step, she says, “in enlightening [local] religious, cultural and district leaders to appreciate what real peace means.”

To Kabugho, peace means “seeing the humanity” in one another – and seeing women as true equals. She credits peacebuilding trainings for her understanding of how gender inequality hurts women and girls. “Through the training, I understood that disaster affects women differently from men… I came to appreciate that things I had accepted as normal, [actually] violate women’s peace.”

In her work, Kabugho meets many women facing physical, emotional and financial abuse. To get them the resources they need, she uses every tool at her disposal – not just pickup trucks – but radio shows, hotlines and social media.

For peace; for “the fact that our women are still undergoing different forms of abuse,” says Kabugho, “let us keep the candles up. Let us keep fighting until we are there. Let each stakeholder come out to see that Women, Peace and Security is fought for.”

Women are driving sustainable peace and stability in Uganda

“A society that guarantees women’s safety, guarantees its own stability,” says UN Women Deputy Country Representative for Uganda Adekemi Ndieli.

Across the country, UN Women has directly supported the development of 16 Local Action Plans, with critical funding and support from the Government of Norway. More women are now participating in peace building and conflict prevention, with representation on local peace committees in UN Women’s targeted Districts at 46 per cent – up from 17 per cent in 2022.

“In 2024 alone, approximately 500 community-level conflicts were successfully mediated or resolved through the women that we work with,” says Ndieli. “Women, men and youth are actively participating in – and benefiting from – conflict resolution, prevention, protection, and livelihood opportunities.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO

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The Walt Disney Company (https://TheWaltDisneyCompany.eu/) has announced that Rochelle Knock has been named Vice President, Disney+ & Networks and Country Head, Sub-Saharan Africa and will start at the company in December. Knock joins from Yoco Technologies, most recently as Head of Customer Value Management.

As Country Head, Sub-Saharan Africa, Rochelle will represent The Walt Disney Company in Sub-Saharan Africa, driving the overall business growth strategy in this territory and fostering collaboration across the team to deliver on growth opportunities. In addition, she will lead the direct-to-consumer business, as well as the family and factual linear networks activity, support and partner with the platform distribution team, and support the development of the business in other areas managed at a regional EMEA level, whilst ensuring that the local organisation consistently aligns with the company’s brand, franchise, and overall business priorities.

Commenting on the appointment, Simon Amselem, Senior Vice President Direct-to-Consumer & Networks and Country Manager Iberia and Sub-Saharan Africa, said: “Rochelle’s appointment to lead the Disney business and team in Sub-Saharan Africa is an important milestone in our 60+ years on the continent. Her deep understanding of the industry landscape coupled with her expertise in customer value and product management complements our ambitious plans to drive growth and reach new audiences with our storytelling.”  

Rochelle added: “I am honoured to be leading the Disney team in Africa and to collaborate with colleagues across EMEA in delivering long-term growth and impact. It’s an exciting time to be in the media industry and I look forward to building on the strong, dynamic established business to help further deliver Disney’s beloved brands and stories across the continent.”

The Walt Disney Company, through its subsidiary and affiliated companies, has been active in Africa, primarily in South Africa, for more than 60 years. With 60 employees and two offices based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, The Walt Disney Company Africa entertains, informs and inspires millions of consumers in 40 Sub-Saharan countries through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Disney+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, is currently available in South Africa. 

Rochelle has extensive leadership experience across media, telecommunications and digital payment businesses spearheading growth and innovation across some of Africa’s most recognisable and trusted brands.

At Yoco Technologies as Head of Customer Value Management, she managed lifecycle engagement, delivering strategies to enhance customer retention and product growth in the pivotal field of digital payments. Previously, Rochelle held senior executive positions at MultiChoice Group, including Executive Head of Product and Base Management and Executive Head of Customer Value Management, where she led cross-functional teams across product, consumer marketing, data and analytics, and operations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Walt Disney Company Africa.

Media contacts:
The Walt Disney Company Africa
Jared Stokes
Senior Manager: Communications, PR and CSR
Jared.Stokes@disney.com

About The Walt Disney Company EMEA:
The Walt Disney Company has been in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for over 90 years and employs thousands across the region. Between Disneyland Paris and its other iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, 20th Century Studios and ESPN, The Walt Disney Company EMEA entertains, informs and inspires millions of consumers in more than 130 countries through the power of unparalleled storytelling. Disney+, the company’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, is currently available in 85 markets across EMEA. 

About Rochelle Knock: 
Rochelle Knock brings over 15 years of leadership experience across media, telecommunications, and digital payments businesses, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation across some of Africa’s most recognized brands.

Rochelle served as Head of Customer Value Management at Yoco Technologies, where she spearheaded lifecycle engagement driving strategies that enhanced customer retention and product growth in the field of digital payments.

Previously, Rochelle held senior executive positions at MultiChoice, including Executive Head of Product and Base Management and Executive Head of Customer Value Management, where she led cross-functional teams across product, consumer marketing, data and analytics, and operations. During her tenure, she launched and scaled key content partnerships with global streaming services such as Disney+ while driving retention and growth of DStv flagship products like DStv Streaming and Showmax and developed and launched the award-winning DStv Rewards program.

Earlier in her career, she spent several years at Vodacom, where she directed customer value and retention strategies as Executive Head of Customer Value Management. She was instrumental in driving data-driven lifecycle marketing and predictive analytics capabilities that improved customer loyalty and commercial performance.

Source: APO

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Team Europe and its African partners launch today a new regional initiative to strengthen health systems and expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across East and Southern Africa.

The programme Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity in East and Southern Africa (RAISE SRHR) aims to improve access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and commodities, while enhancing regional collaboration and accountability.

With a total investment of approximately EUR 19 million, the European Union, Germany, and Sweden fund the initiative. It is implemented in close partnership with the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), UN partners — including UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO — as well as other key stakeholders.

RAISE SRHR builds on long-standing investments by the European Union and its Member States under the broader Africa–EU Health Partnership. The programme focuses on:

• Strengthening data and accountability systems for SRHR;

• Supporting equitable access and an increase of availability to quality-assured sexual and reproductive health commodities through regional pooled procurement and local manufacturing

Together, these efforts are strengthening resilience and regional cooperation to improve health and wellbeing for people across East and Southern Africa.

Petra Pereyra, Ambassador of the European Union to Botswana and SADC, said: “The programme we launch today reflects what Team Europe stands for: partnership, solidarity, and shared ambitions. Together with EU Member States, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community, we are investing in health systems that deliver by strengthening data and accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ensuring access to essential health commodities. This is Team Europe in action, collaborating with our African partners — united for equality and human rights for all.”

Eric Nzeyimana, Principal Health Officer, East African Community, stated: The RAISE SRHR Initiative represents a significant milestone in our collective journey to strengthen and sustain resilient health systems across the East African region and beyond. It builds on our ongoing efforts to enhance the use of health data, improve access to quality SRHR commodities, and address persistent inequalities within our health systems. I’m truly pleased to see this regional flagship initiative – co-created through strong collaboration among our partners – come to fruition and begin delivering tangible impact.”

Lamboly Kumboneki, Senior Programme Officer, Southern Africa Development Community said: This initiative takes place at a crucial moment for our region, the sustainability of health systems in our Member States is at a crossroads, shaken by the new architecture of Official Development Assistance. This programme will support our ambition as a region to build resilient and sustainable health system by building local and regional capacity and facilitate access to quality and affordable medicines. 

Simone Goertz, Head of Economic and Development Cooperation at the German Embassy Gaborone, said: “The pharmaceutical sector is not just an industry; it is a cornerstone of health security and economic resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of regional production, regional collaboration, increased availability and equitable access to essential medicines. The programme fits well with Germany’s long-standing global support of gender equality and EAC’s and SADC’s regional value chain development, regulatory harmonisation, and access to finance for pharmaceutical companies. The programme launched today is a testament to the power of partnership among Europeans and with Africa.”

Elisabeth Hårleman, Head of Development Cooperation, Sweden’s Regional SRHR Team stated: “This programme embodies Sweden’s integrated foreign policy and development cooperation where we team up, within the EU, to ensure a coordinated and efficient engagement with our partners on the African continent. Health and SRHR is a prioritised area for the Swedish Government’s global assistance – as it sets conditions and circumstances for social, gender and economic inclusion.”

The official launch takes place during the International Conference on Public Health in Africa in Durban on 23 October 2025, 14:00–15:30, Hall 2D.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Botswana and SADC.

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with His Majesty the King of Belgium, King Philippe, at the Royal Palace of Brussels. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El- Shennawy, said the official reception ceremony included the Royal Guard of Honor in the palace courtyard. King Philippe was at the forefront to receive the President and accompanied him to his private office, where a commemorative photo was taken.

King Philippe welcomed the President and expressed his appreciation for his visit, which reflects the deep historical relations between Egypt and Belgium, both at the official and popular levels. The King noted the significant development in coordination and political consultation in recent years and commended Egypt’s intensive efforts, and the President personally, in coordination with the other mediators, to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, stressing that these efforts represent a fundamental pillar in supporting regional stability and enhancing the chances of peace.

President El-Sisi expressed his deep appreciation for His Majesty the King for the warm welcome, noting Belgium’s noble stance and King Philippe’s personal support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. This was embodied in Belgium’s recognition of the Palestinian State.

The meeting addressed regional developments. Both sides emphasized the need to resolve crises by peaceful means to ensure safeguarding states’ sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as the resources of their peoples.

President El-Sisi looked forward to the participation of His Majesty King Philippe in the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, scheduled for November 1st, stressing that His Majesty’s presence carries special significance in light of the deep interest the Royal Family and the Belgian people have in the ancient Egyptian civilization. The President added that Egypt also looked forward to boosting incoming tourism from Belgium.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of increasing Belgian investments in Egypt, given Egypt’s promising potential and investment opportunities, in addition to ways to strengthen bilateral relations across all sectors.

King Philippe expressed his appreciation for President El-Sisi’s interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries, stressing that the Belgian people value Egypt’s pivotal role in consolidating stability in the Middle East and the Southern Mediterranean. The King also highlighted the importance of joint action between governments to address challenges and achieve the aspirations of the Egyptian and Belgian peoples.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

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“In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”

Mr. António Costa,
President of the European Council;

Your Excellencies and Honorable Leaders,
Leaders and Heads of Government of the Friendly European Countries;

Ms. Ursula von der Leyen,

President of the European Commission,

I extend my sincere gratitude and profound appreciation to Mr. Costa for his kind initiative in organizing this dinner. I am deeply pleased by the scale and level of participation from the friendly European Leaders and Heads of State and Government, and from the President of the European Commission. This gathering represents a unique opportunity for consultations and exchange of views regarding the course of bilateral relations, ways to further advance them, and regional and international issues of common interest.

This comes at a delicate international moment that necessitates that we all strengthen the bonds of understanding and cooperation to ensure a more stable and prosperous future for our peoples, our regions, and our shared neighborhood.

I would like to seize this opportunity today to emphasize to all distinguished attendees the significant attention that Egypt places on collaborating with the European Union to strengthen the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two sides. This partnership is not viewed merely as being between Egypt and the institutions of the European Union, but also encompasses the full scope of bilateral relations between Egypt and all EU Member States, thereby serving the interests of the Egyptian and the European peoples alike.

I was deeply honored to participate today in the proceedings of the first-ever EU-Egypt summit. During the gathering, we emphasized our aspiration for this summit to represent a true starting point in the path of coordination, cooperation, and advancement of the Strategic Partnership between Egypt and the European Union in its broadest sense, establishing a model to be emulated in cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

Allow me to, once again, express my sincere gratitude to my friend President Costa and to all attendees for the generous hospitality. I wish us all a productive evening and constructive dialogue.

Thank you very much

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

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For the first time ever, a circulating variant poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) was fully sequenced in Cameroon, marking a major milestone in Africa’s efforts to detect and respond  faster to polio outbreaks. 

Poliovirus has three types: 1, 2, and 3. Although wild polio type 3 was declared eradicated in 2019, variant type 3 can still appear where immunity is low, making quick detection and response essential to contain outbreaks. 

Cameroon’s expanded sequencing capacity now allows its national polio lab to detect and provide provisional results before confirmatory testing by the regional reference lab in Ghana. Local provisional results help speed up outbreak response by reducing delays.   

On this occasion, although a sample was still provided to Ghana for quality assurance, detection and intervention commenced promptly at the national level. This approach enabled a more rapid response, enhanced national ownership, and demonstrated the significant impact of Africa’s expanding network of sequencing laboratories on efforts to eradicate polio. 

Cameroon’s milestone is one aspect of ongoing change in Africa, supported by WHO AFRO’s polio laboratory programme led by Dr. Kfutwah.  “Expanding polio sequencing labs in the African region is a key goal that will significantly aid efforts against polioviruses and other vaccine-preventable diseases, representing progress in public health for the área.”- Dr Kfutwah  

Two key flagship initiatives are spearheading this transformation. First, countries are expanding in-country sequencing laboratories to bring virus detection closer to where outbreaks occur. By bringing sequencing closer to where outbreaks occur, countries are cutting delays and boosting rapid response capacity. A clear example comes from Nigeria: the recent addition of the Ibadan sequencing laboratory has led to a 41% reduction in variant polio type 1 sequencing turnaround time for isolates from across the country. 

Prior to the establishment of the Ibadan sequencing facility, samples were required to be transported over long distances, frequently crossing international borders. With the development of local capacity within Nigeria, results are now delivered more promptly and consistently, enabling teams to respond more efficiently and minimizing opportunities for viral transmisión and spread.  

At the same time, the region is embracing next-generation technologies to make virus detection even faster and more flexible. One of these is the MinION nanopore platform, a small, easy-to-carry device that can read the genetic code of viruses quickly, even outside of big laboratories. 

By bringing this kind of technology closer to where outbreaks may occur, health teams can detect and respond to the virus much faster, helping to protect more children and stop the spread of polio. 

A recent analysis of two variant type 3 isolates utilized both MinION and Sanger sequencing methods. MinION, when used near outbreaks, typically delivers results more quickly than Sanger sequencing, which can be important for timely outbreak response. 

Response time can determine whether an event remains contained locally or becomes a large-scale outbreak. 

The recent detection in Cameroon marks increased national leadership and resilience in Africa’s polio response, as countries now generate their own data and act quickly instead of relying solely on foreign labs. 

The expansion of laboratories and the use of advanced tools are improving the speed and effectiveness with which countries can detect and respond to poliovirus. In Africa, a large and interconnected region, these changes will demonstrate technical progress in disease detection and outbreak prevention. 

With each day saved in detection, more children are protected and Africa moves closer to its goal: a continent free of polio.

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

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, extended his warmest congratulations to Ms Sanae Takaichi on her election as Prime Minister of Japan, becoming the first woman in Japan’s history to hold this esteemed position.

South Africa and Japan share a long-standing partnership founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared aspirations for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. 

The South African Government looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Takaichi and her administration to further strengthen bilateral relations and collaboration across a range of areas, including trade and investment, education, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

President Ramaphosa wishes Prime Minister Takaichi every success as she assumes her new responsibilities and leads Japan into a new era of progress and innovation.

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

Source: APO

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On October 22, Ambassador GAO Wenqi paid a courtesy call on Hon. Amb. Christine Nkulikiyinka, Minister of Public Service and Labour of Rwanda. They exchanged views on the human resource development cooperation between China and Rwanda in recent years. Counselor GAO Zhiqiang attended the meeting.

Amb. Gao expresses China’s willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation with Rwanda, strengthen capacity building in artificial intelligence and medical fields.

Christine appreciates the long-term support of China to the human resources development cooperation with Rwanda. She expresses her readiness to work with Chinese side to explore new opportunities for collaboration in more areas.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Rwanda.