Category: Africa

Source: APO – Report:

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Nigeria is accelerating its efforts to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Until recently, HIV prevention primarily depended on daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The introduction of long-acting injectable PrEP is expected to broaden access, provide more options, and help bridge prevention gaps — supporting both national and global HIV objectives.

With technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the Global Fund, the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), HIV implementing partners, and representatives of people living with or at substantial risk of HIV, conducted a PrEP landscape and site-readiness assessment in over 70 public health facilities across 10 states. The exercise reviewed existing delivery platforms, assessed readiness for implementing multiple PrEP options, and provided evidence to guide national planning.

“This assessment offers key insights on integrating injectable PrEP into public health services,” said Dr. Bashorun, NASCP Coordinator. “We aim to ensure HIV prevention tools serve diverse populations and meet national goals.”

Expanding Access and Choice

Daily oral PrEP has been available in Nigeria since 2016, but uptake varies. Adherence issues like pill fatigue, stigma, limited awareness, and inconsistent access have hindered wider use.

Newer PrEP options include injections that last two or six months, providing an alternative for those who prefer less frequent dosing and may overcome many barriers of daily oral use.

“My partner is HIV-positive, and I’m negative,” said Effiong (surname withheld), 52, from Ugep, Cross River State. “Taking pills daily is hard. If available and affordable, I’d prefer the injection — it would give me peace of mind.”

Hauwa, 28, from Gombe, added: “My work puts me at high risk of contracting HIV. If injectable PrEP can protect me, I’m ready to take it.”
WHO advises providing a variety of PrEP options tailored to individual preferences and risk profiles as part of comprehensive HIV prevention. Evidence indicates that long-acting injectable PrEP substantially lowers the risk of HIV acquisition and is particularly effective for those who struggle with daily adherence.

Strengthening Systems for Implementation

The 10-state assessment, supported by WHO, reviewed key service components such as availability, screening, supply chain, health worker capacity, and data management. The findings will inform:

•    Identification of barriers and enablers to equitable PrEP access.
•    Phased introduction of injectable PrEP in public health facilities.
•    Integration of PrEP within broader health service platforms.

Currently, PrEP in Nigeria targets populations at substantial risk of HIV infection, including:

•    Individuals in serodiscordant relationships (where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is negative).
•    People recently diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections or who have multiple sexual partners.
•    Pregnant and breastfeeding women in serodiscordant relationships or at high risk of infection, to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
•    Vulnerable and key populations, including sex workers and men who have sex with men.

Integration into routine services remains key to Nigeria’s prevention, enabling clients to access PrEP at familiar points like antenatal clinics, family planning units, and outreach programmes.

“We must ensure HIV prevention services are client-centred and accessible to everyone who needs them,” said Dr Bashorun. “Injectable PrEP adds an important option to help close prevention gaps.”

WHO Support and Next Steps:

WHO continues to provide technical support to Nigeria’s HIV programme, including capacity-building, policy development, and integration of PrEP into sexual and reproductive health services. The Organization also assists in developing national guidelines and monitoring systems to ensure safe, effective, and equitable roll-out.

“Embedding PrEP into existing health services — such as sexual and reproductive health clinics and community-based outreach — is essential for sustainability,” said Dr Oluwafunke Odunlade, WHO HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STI Technical Officer in Nigeria. “Integration strengthens health systems and ensures prevention reaches people where they already seek care.”

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

Source: APO – Report:

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For years, the 20 000 residents of Bulape have lived with a harsh reality: to fetch water, they had to walk several kilometres through the forest, often at dawn or dusk, to reach stagnant and unsafe pools.

“The water was often dirty, but we had no choice,” recalls Henriette Byongo, a mother of seven. The long trek stole hours from women’s days, delayed children on their way to school, and fuelled outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

That all changed with the installation of a water supply system, initiated by World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with national and local authorities. Set up to support the Ebola response following the outbreak of the disease declared on 4 September 2025, the system has gone on to transform life beyond the emergency.

“The danger was everywhere,” says Dr Serge Bulangyene Loso, medical director at Bulape General Referral Hospital. “Without water, we couldn’t disinfect, wash hands or provide safe care. We did what we could, but we knew it wasn’t enough.” 

A sustainable solution was urgently needed—one that could meet the immediate demands of the Ebola response, while leaving a long-term legacy of health and dignity.

The answer came through an ingenious system: a protected spring 2.5 kilometres from the village was tapped and connected to Bulape by a network of pipes. Two large storage tanks now hold 20 000 litres of water, continuously supplying the hospital, the Ebola Treatment Centre and several community access points. 

A dual-flow mechanism delivers chlorinated water for clinical use and untreated water for household needs, ensuring both infection control and everyday supply.

“The water we use now is clean, drinkable and safe,” says Dr Loso. “It’s not just a comfort – it’s survival.”

The installation meets WHO’s standards for water, hygiene and sanitation, providing up to 150 litres per person per day—a remarkable achievement in such a remote area, and a testament to equitable access in action.

Implementation was not easy. Rugged terrain and the distance from the source had thwarted several earlier attempts.

 “Some people said it was impossible,” recalls Mamadou Zongo, a WHO health logistician. “But with the right decisions at the right time—and the resources mobilized by WHO and its partners—we designed a system that is simple, robust and adapted to the terrain.”

That combination of technical ingenuity and strong community mobilization made the difference. Villagers joined from day one, digging trenches, carrying materials and connecting pipes. Today, they maintain the network themselves, a sign of true local ownership.

“This is more than infrastructure,” says Zongo. “It is a collective achievement born of solidarity and the will to build a better future.”

For Dr Richard Kitenge, Incident Manager for the Ministry of Health’s Ebola response, the lesson is clear: “Water is the first line of defence. Without it, there is no hygiene, no safe care, no prevention. Bulape shows how a coordinated response can go beyond the emergency and leave a lasting legacy.” 

Dr Mory Keita, WHO Africa’s Incident Manager for the Ebola response, echoes this sentiment: “This water source doesn’t just help fight Ebola. It restores confidence, dignity and community resilience. It strengthens both health and the social fabric of the village.”

At the community water point—six taps in a neat row—life in Bulape now flows to a new rhythm. Children play around the basins; women exchange news and containers fill without haste. What was once a daily struggle has become a space of connection and renewal.

As Byongo fills her container, she smiles: “This water is our collective victory,” she says, surrounded by laughter and conversation. “It has changed our lives. It gives us hope—for our children, for our health and for everything we have built together.”

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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On October 15, 2025, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Patrick Herminie on his election as President of the Republic of Seychelles.

Xi Jinping noted that China and Seychelles have a traditional friendship. The two sides have supported each other on issues related to each other’s core interests and major concerns, and bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and green development has been fruitful. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Seychelles. Xi Jinping said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Seychelles relations and is ready to work with President-elect Patrick Herminie to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to continuously elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to higher levels and better benefit the two peoples.

– on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.

Source: APO – Report:

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Pursuant to the decisions adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 1305th and 1306th meetings held on 14 and 15 October 2025, respectively, on the situation in the Republic of Madagascar, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, underscores the urgency of concerted diplomatic efforts to promote genuine and constructive dialogue among Malagasy stakeholders, including the authorities, political parties, civil society, youth representatives, and other actors, with a view to facilitating a peaceful return to constitutional democratic order.

Acting under the good offices of the Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola, the African Union Commission will immediately deploy a High-Level Delegation to the Republic of Madagascar. In coordination with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Commission will also dispatch members of the Panel of the Wise and a Special Envoy to Antananarivo in the coming days.

These AU-led diplomatic engagements are aimed at supporting the launch of an inclusive, Malagasy-owned, and civilian-led national dialogue and consultations conducive to restoring stability, strengthening social cohesion, and upholding constitutional governance.

The Chairperson of the Commission reaffirms the African Union’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Madagascar in their legitimate aspirations for good governance, democracy, sustainable development, and prosperity. He further calls upon all Malagasy stakeholders to engage, in good faith, in a spirit of compromise and national unity, towards a peaceful and consensual resolution of the current political situation.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO – Report:

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“The Secretary-General condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and calls for the return to constitutional order and the rule of law,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that the UN stood ready to support national efforts “towards the attainment of that goal,” in collaboration with regional partners including the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The Secretary-General also encouraged all Malagasy stakeholders, “including the youth,” to work together to address the underlying causes of instability in the country, which has experienced recurring political crises over the past two decades.

Unfolding crisis

The statement came as media reports said an elite army unit known as CAPSAT seized power earlier this week, hours after parliament voted to impeach President Rajoelina.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, who now controls the military, told reporters he would be sworn in as president on Friday and was open to dialogue with the AU, which has suspended Madagascar’s membership following the end of civilian rule.

The military authorities have reportedly promised elections within two years.

A three-time president, Mr. Rajoelina left the country between 11 and 12 October following the weeks-long “Gen-Z” protest.

Humanitarian situation

Beyond the political turmoil, Madagascar continues to grapple with overlapping humanitarian emergencies.

Years of drought, cyclones and locust infestations have devastated crops, while a malaria outbreak has further strained the fragile health system.

Nearly 29,000 people are already facing emergency levels of hunger in the Grand Sud region – a figure projected to rise to 110,000 by early 2026.

Mr. Dujarric warned that funding cuts have further constrained UN relief operations, urging international partners to maintain support for the Malagasy people.

– on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO – Report:

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The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is scheduled to visit Mozambique for the second time from 20 to 30 October 2025 to assess the country’s implementation of its previous recommendations.

“We are looking forward to evaluate how the Government of Mozambique has acted on the recommendations we made nearly a decade ago, following our 2016 visit,” said Chris Nissen, head of the SPT delegation. “We also look forward to seeing how the country’s national mechanism for preventing torture has improved in its structure and work.”

Mozambique ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in 2013.

During this mission, the delegation will visit prisons, police stations and other places where people are detained. It will meet with Government and other State officials, representatives of civil society and UN agencies. The delegation will also hold meetings and conduct joint visits with the Mozambican anti-torture watchdog, the National Human Rights Commission (Comissão National dos Direitos Humano), the official National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of the country.

At the end of the visit, the delegation will present its confidential preliminary observations orally to the Government of Mozambique and to the National Preventive Mechanism. The SPT will then issue a report for the State Party, which will remain confidential until the national authorities request that it be made public, as was the case with the first report, which was welcomed.

Since it began operating in 2007, the SPT has been mandated to visit all States Parties to the OPCAT and to conduct unannounced visits to any places where people are or may be deprived of their liberty. To date, 95 States have ratified the Optional Protocol.

The SPT delegation will be composed of Andrew Christoffel NISSEN, Head of Delegation (South Africa), Uju AGOMOH (Nigeria), Paul LAM SHANG LEEN (Mauritius and Julia KOZMA (Austria), together with two Human Rights Officers from the SPT Secretariat.

– on behalf of United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Source: APO – Report:

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World Food Day and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty were observed at the national level today at Hotel Mai-Nefhi under the respective themes “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” and “Empowering Communities through Climate Change Action and Food Security Initiatives to Eradicate Poverty and Foster Prosperity.”

The conference was attended by Ministers, senior Government and PFDJ officials, members of the diplomatic community, heads of UN offices in Eritrea, as well as invited guests.

In his keynote address, Mr. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, said that this year’s observance is particularly significant for Eritrea. He noted that Eritrea reaffirms its commitment to food security not only as a national priority but also as a cornerstone of its development strategy.

Mr. Tekleab went on to state that the Government of Eritrea is working tirelessly to modernize traditional agricultural practices by introducing new technologies while preserving its heritage. The focus, he said, is on increasing productivity, diversifying crops, and promoting sustainable agricultural techniques that safeguard the environment.

In a video message, Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, and Ms. Ariella Glinni, FAO Representative in Eritrea, said that FAO’s work is guided by the principles of “Better Production,” “Better Nutrition,” “Better Environment,” and “Better Life.” They noted that these principles resonate with the Ministry of Agriculture’s roadmap and provide a strong foundation for aligning efforts to build resilient national agrifood systems.

Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai, UNDP Resident Representative in Eritrea, for his part, expressed readiness to work in line with Eritrea’s development priorities. He said that climate-resilient agriculture is being introduced in various regions of the country, emphasizing that eradicating poverty requires an integrated and collective effort.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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Mr. Romodan Ahmedin, Head of Public and Community Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy in South Sudan, conducted a meeting on 12 October in Juba focusing on enhancing nationalism and strengthening organizational capacity.

The objective of the meeting, which was attended by heads of Eritrean community, the National Union of Eritrean Women, and the YPFDJ, was to discuss the basic strategic objectives of the Fourth Front as well as initiatives to strengthen national organizations and enhance their effectiveness.

Mr. Romodan stated that the objectives of the Fourth Front include nurturing Eritrean citizens who possess a strong national identity and awareness, who preserve unity and deep attachment to their homeland, who play an active role in national development and in safeguarding national sovereignty, and who are equipped with education, skills, and economic capacity.

Highlighting the role and contribution of Diaspora nationals in the successful implementation of national development programs, Mr. Romodan emphasized the significance of organization and unity for the realization of national objectives.

Mr. Tsegay Mehari, Eritrea’s Consul in the Republic of South Sudan, and Mr. Marikos Merhatsion, Head of the National Committee, gave briefings underscoring the importance of strengthening organizational capacity to ensure the rights and participation of citizens.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

“Al-Mashat”: 

• We appreciate the World Bank’s efforts for integration among its organizations, which enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of work and offers more integrated solutions to member countries.

• The country platform for the “NWFE” program established an integrated model for finance, technical support, and international partnerships based on state ownership.

• More than $4.5 billion in funding for the private sector within the program, and signing of power purchase agreements for 8.25 GW of renewable energy out of a targeted total of 10 GW.

As part of her ongoing participation in the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in two panel discussions organized by the Center for Global Development (CGD), to discuss the role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in addressing current global challenges, as well as country platforms for boosting the effectiveness of development efforts.

The first session, was moderated by Sir Masood Ahmed, CGD President emeritus, and attended by Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, and Bertrand Dumont, Director General of the French Treasury. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that middle-income countries are working to support less developed countries through their contributions to the International Development Association (IDA).

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reaffirmed that development finance is no longer directed solely towards financing specific projects, but is being directed towards policy-based financing and fostering the role of the private sector, while also highlighting the importance of the “One World Bank Group” concept, which aims to achieve cooperation, coordination, and integration among the World Bank Group organizations, in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of work, and offer more integrated solutions to address global challenges and support development in member countries.

Dr. Al-Mashat added that the world today is witnessing new financing patterns, such as debt-for-development swaps, which can be implemented at the bilateral level or within a multilateral framework. She noted that middle-income countries are presenting an important model and a useful experience for how to use financing tools in different and more efficient ways.

Dr. Al-Mashat stressed that responsibility in the current phase does not fall solely on international institutions, but also extends to include national efforts and internal reforms. She highlighted that the world is currently witnessing a broad dialogue about the importance of transitioning towards an investment-led economy, where economic growth is based on attracting productive investments rather than an increasing reliance on debt, as countries share the willingness to reduce public debt levels and limit their burdens on national budgets.

Minister Al-Mashat explained that most countries in the world, including middle-income countries, suffer to varying degrees from the burdens of external and domestic debt, which makes the transition towards more sustainable growth necessary, through the implementation of deep and comprehensive structural reforms that affect the structure of the economy and ensure the enhancement of its efficiency and competitiveness.

Country Platforms

The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation also participated in a session on country platforms. Dr. Al-Mashat reviewed Egypt’s efforts in attracting climate investments through the implementation of the Country Platform for the “NWFE” program – the nexus of Water, Food, and Energy projects – which served as a model for creating constructive partnerships between various international partners, based on national ownership, to drive green transition efforts.

Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the country platform of “NWFE” program changed the concept of how to obtain development financing, by establishing an integrated structure that links policy reform, investment-attractive projects, and financing instruments, which has enabled the local and foreign private sector to obtain concessional financing of more than $4.5 billion to implement renewable energy projects with a capacity of 5.2 GW.

Dr. Al-Mashat mentioned that the total power purchase agreements signed by the government with the private sector under the “NWFE” program reached 8.25 GW out of the program’s total target of 10 GW by 2028, and plans are also underway to halt thermal power plants with a capacity of 5 GW, which enhances Egypt’s direction towards becoming a regional hub for renewable energy.

Minister Al-Mashat underscored that the program includes many financing mechanisms, not only concessional financing but also grants, private investments, debt-for-development swaps, and technical support. She reiterated that multilateral development banks played a pivotal role in providing financing for the implementation of the program’s pillars.

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.