Category: Africa

Source: APO – Report:

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has commenced a series of regional consultations in Senegal to advance the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. The first meeting was held in Matam on 22nd September 2025, bringing together government officials, youth representatives, civil society organisations, and development partners to kickstart the process of developing Senegal’s National Action Plan (NAP) on YPS.

The consultations, which will also take place in the regions of Tambacounda and Kédougou, are a key step in promoting youth inclusion and empowerment as essential elements for building a safer, more stable, and prosperous West Africa. The initiative aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, and reflects Senegal’s commitment to ensuring young people play a central role in decision-making and peacebuilding processes.

Declaring the meeting open, the Deputy Governor of Matam, Mr. Baba Hann, emphasised that the consultations reflect Senegal’s inclusive approach to developing its National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace, and Security. He pledged to share the outcomes with the Presidency of Senegal and urged young people across the region to actively participate and commit themselves to advancing the YPS agenda.

Mr. Constant Gnacadja, Acting Head of the ECOWAS Mediation and Coordination of Regional Political Affairs Division, represented by Mr. Arthur Obayuwana, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to promoting youth inclusion in peace and security processes across the region. He highlighted that the initiative is guided by the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF) and draws inspiration from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises the critical role of young people in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

The Deputy Mayor of Matam, Mr. Ameth Gueye, welcomed the opportunity for young people in his community to contribute their views and priorities to the National Action Plan, underscoring the importance of local voices in shaping national policies on peace and security.

Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of key stakeholders, including the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), local government officials, youth leaders, and civil society organisations. They collectively reaffirmed their commitment to working with ECOWAS and national authorities to promote youth engagement, peacebuilding, and social cohesion in Senegal.

The consultations were facilitated by the Association pour la Promotion du Leadership des Jeunes Femmes et Filles (APELJFF), led by its coordinator, Ms. Simone Diouf, with support from youth development experts. Participants engaged in breakout sessions structured around five strategic pillars of Senegal’s National Action Plan: governance, peace and security, employment, economy and technological innovation, education, basic social services and inclusion, environment, climate and energy, and communication, resource mobilisation and partnerships.

The discussions also examined critical issues such as human security and the socio-economic exclusion of young people, which have been identified as key factors fuelling vulnerability to violence and instability in the region. Stakeholders explored ways to address these challenges through inclusive policies, capacity building, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

With young people representing nearly 70 percent of West Africa’s population of over 400 million, the Youth, Peace, and Security programme is a critical regional priority. By engaging youth as active partners in peacebuilding and governance, ECOWAS and its member states aim to create pathways for sustainable development while reducing the risks of recruitment by extremist groups and other destabilising actors.

The outcomes of the consultations will inform the drafting of Senegal’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, which will serve as a model for similar initiatives across the region, contributing to the ECOWAS Vision 2050 goal of building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous West Africa that is truly people-centred.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

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A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, led by Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, paid a working visit to the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in Ghana.

The purpose of the visit was to assess and monitor the implementation of ECOWAS humanitarian assistance provided in response to the devastating floods of 2022 and 2023, which severely impacted communities across the Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, with Nsawam Adagyiri, Ga West, Ga South, and Weija Gbawe among the hardest hit.

In response, ECOWAS donated targeted emergency relief assistance. In partnership with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Abantu for Development, the intervention aimed to restore livelihoods, strengthen community resilience, and accelerate recovery for the most vulnerable households. The ECOWAS support package included emergency relief, livelihood restoration, and resilience-building interventions aimed at helping affected families recover and rebuild.

Beneficiaries carefully selected by NADMO, received food and non-food items, as well as training in essential livelihood skills such as baking, hairdressing, soap-making, and farming. At the end of the training session, each participant was equipped with start-up kits, designed to foster confidence, independence, and self-reliance. These tools empowered individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Some beneficiaries present shared their personal experiences,

In his opening remarks, Major General (Rtd) Joseph B. Kuyon, Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO, stated

“ECOWAS has once again demonstrated its commitment to the ideals of its mandate and standing with Ghanaians in times of crisis,” he stated. “These interventions have produced tangible and life-changing results with strong emphasis on livelihood recovery and resilience-building.”

In response to the devastating floods in Ghana, ECOWAS humanitarian assistance reached more than 5,100 households with emergency relief, including food, clothing, mattresses, and other essentials, prioritizing vulnerable groups such as women-headed households, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Beyond immediate aid, over 190 individuals received financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, 90 farmers were equipped with climate-smart farming techniques and modern tools, and artisans and small business owners were supported with start-up kits. Communities also benefited from 10 new boreholes, the establishment of Water and Sanitation Committees, and industrial handwashing stations in schools to safeguard public health.

To strengthen long-term resilience, NADMO enhanced its institutional capacity through training in disaster risk reduction, early warning, and post-disaster recovery, supported by a new training manual to guide sustainable disaster management practices in Ghana.

Representing Abantu for Development, Dr. Rose Mensah-Kutiw emphasized the inclusive and empowering nature of the initiative:

“This programme placed dignity and resilience at the heart of recovery, ensuring that no one was left behind.”

Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe reaffirmed ECOWAS’s people-centered humanitarian approach, noting that 85% of funding directly supports communities through livelihoods, food aid, water, and sanitation. She stressed that ECOWAS interventions go beyond emergency relief, focusing on resilience, dignity, and sustainable work opportunities.

“Our interventions go beyond emergency relief—we emphasize livelihoods, resilience, and restoring dignity,” Dr. Ugbe added. “

Highlighting a shift from high-level meetings to tangible community projects, she commended the collaborative model involving governments, civil society, and local communities. Despite declining donor funding, she emphasized that ECOWAS remains a reliable partner in resilience, providing direct support and empowering communities across West Africa.

The event was highlighted with a powerful example of how ECOWAS initiatives restore dignity and resilience in vulnerable communities. A beneficiary, Aunty Cici, a petty trader and sole guardian of her 7yr old grandson showcased her new acquired skill in soap making. She was trained and equipped through ECOWAS support. With start-up capital, she now earns steady profits, supports her family, and rebuilds her life.

Her story is a powerful testament to ECOWAS’s mission: promoting solidarity, resilience, and sustainable recovery across West Africa. These efforts not only uplift individuals but also complement national strategies to protect citizens from climate-related disasters and economic shocks.

This field assessment mission reflects ECOWAS’ broader vision of promoting solidarity, resilience, and sustainable recovery across West Africa, while complementing national efforts to protect citizens from climate-related disasters.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais will speak at African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies in Cape Town to discuss the continent’s growing role in the global energy landscape. Since assuming office in 2022, Al Ghais has been a staunch advocate for Africa’s oil and gas sector, emphasizing the continent’s pivotal role in global energy security. His participation at AEW 2025 highlights OPEC’s strategic focus on fostering investments and partnerships that bolster Africa’s energy infrastructure and economic growth.

Al Ghais has consistently highlighted Africa’s vast untapped energy potential, with estimates suggesting the continent holds up to 120 billion barrels of oil reserves. During the Nigeria International Energy Summit in February, he reiterated OPEC’s commitment to unlocking Africa’s full oil potential, describing it as an “utmost priority” for the organization. This emphasis aligns with OPEC’s broader strategy to ensure a balanced and sustainable energy mix, advocating for investments that not only meet current energy demands but also pave the way for future energy security.

A notable development in this regard is OPEC’s engagement with Namibia, a country poised to become a significant player in the global oil market. Following major offshore discoveries, Namibia is on track to commence production by the next decade. Al Ghais has expressed OPEC’s readiness to support Namibia’s oil exploration and production efforts, emphasizing the importance of such partnerships in meeting future energy demands.

“Secretary General Al Ghais’ participation in AEW 2025 highlights the organization’s recognition of Africa’s strategic importance in the global energy landscape. By fostering partnerships and encouraging investments, OPEC aims to unlock the continent’s energy potential and support sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

As an Official Partner, OPEC’s involvement at AEW 2025 underscores its strategic commitment to Africa, fostering partnerships and encouraging investments that unlock the continent’s energy potential and support sustainable growth in the oil and gas sector. OPEC’s contributions to the agenda include the World Oil Outlook session as part of the pre-conference program and the OPEC-Africa Roundtable, both designed to provide insights on market trends, investment opportunities and strategies for advancing Africa’s oil and gas development.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

About African Energy Week:
AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Source: APO – Report:

By NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber (https://EnergyChamber.org/).

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi has never stopped making Africa his and Eni’s first choice for investment.

I know Mr. Descalzi as a shrewd negotiator, a disciplined CEO, and a strong advocate of natural gas development on our continent. As he champions African energy independence and sovereignty, natural gas has been and remains key to his work in Africa.

Even during difficult times, he has persisted in furthering his company’s investments in Africa, as he did following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At that critical time, he encouraged the EU to consider imports from Africa to replace Russian petroleum, including the 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas Italy was importing annually.

As a longtime promoter of African energy potential, Descalzi has overseen major hydrocarbon projects in countries from Congo to Libya to Nigeria — both oil and natural gas. Under his leadership, Eni has launched some of the continent’s fastest-moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects while prioritizing low carbon output.

Along with the business side of his role, the CEO has encouraged the company’s country managers and executives to take on many social responsibility efforts in Africa.

On a more personal note, when you talk to many African President’s, Ministers and business leaders, he is always a source of wise counsel — something I see as the mark of a true legend. He is always willing to work with others and share his experiences and knowledge about doing business in other markets.

The Man and the Company

A native of Milan and a 1979 physics graduate of the city’s namesake university, Descalzi has a deep history with Eni, having started in 1981 as a field petroleum engineer. His broad understanding of the industry and the company has been forged within many roles of increasing responsibility — in Africa, the Middle East, China, and — from 2010 to 2014 —as Chairman of Eni UK.

In May of 2014, he took on the role of CEO for Eni.

Among the founding CEOs of the 2014 Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, Descalzi is also a member of the European Round Table for Industry and co-chair of the Oil and Gas Governors Community of the World Economic Forum.

A Visiting Fellow at The University of Oxford, he has received many significant industry awards, among them the esteemed Charles F. Rand Memorial Gold Medal award from the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

To its great credit, Eni has been working in Africa since the 1950s to develop the continent’s resources and form partnerships that secure a supply of natural gas and advance the world’s energy transition.

Those efforts, employing a mix of traditional, renewable, and bio energy, are making progress toward the 2050 Net Zero target in 13 African countries. It’s also important to note that the company employs thousands in Africa, and that 80% of the gas it produces there goes to local markets.

Eni Activity in Africa Under Descalzi’s Leadership

Egypt, Algeria, and Libya have been cornerstones of Eni’s African presence. Eni’s history in Libya began in 1959 with the acquisition of its first concession. After a 10-year hiatus in onshore drilling in Libya, caused primarily by the country’s civil war, Descalzi made sure that Eni was one of the first companies to re-enter the country in 2024.

Eni’s activities in Algeria date back to the early 1980s, and Algeria remains one of the company’s largest suppliers of gas to Europe.

Egypt, meanwhile, gained global attention in 2015 with Eni’s Zohr discovery, one of the largest gas finds ever in the Mediterranean.

Eni now plans to invest close to USD9 billion each in Algeria and Egypt, as well as Libya, over the next four years. Descalzi has stated (https://apo-opa.co/46MtAlb), “Internal demand in these countries — because of demographic growth — is increasing at about 7 to 8% every year, this means they need gas … they need investment.”

In Angola, I was lucky to have been with Mr. Descalzi when his efforts alongside BP to launch the Agogo floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel and to form the first major international oil company (IOC) joint venture in Africa, Azule Energy.  During a recent meeting with Angolan President Lourenco in Luanda, the two leaders talked about Azule’s exploration and delivery achievements. They noted that the Agogo, planned to become the first carbon-neutral FPSO in Angola, began production 10 months ahead of the original plan.

As the biggest independent equity oil and gas producer in Angola, Azule Energy holds 18 licenses, 11 of which are operating and producing a total of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Congo:  In 2023, Descalzi was instrumental in launching the Congo LNG project, encompassing the installation of two floating LNG (FLNG) plants to process gas from the country’s current and future fields, helping foster European energy security, while providing sufficient gas for Africa. Tango FLNG, with a 0.6 million tons per annum (MTPA) capacity, began production in December 2023. Nguya FLNG is set to begin production (2.4 MTPA) by the end of this year, boosting the total capacity of the project to 3 MTPA.

In Côte d’Ivoire, under Descalzi’s leadership, Eni has been working since 2015, and is currently working in 10 deepwater blocks.

Eni’s Baleine field offshore project is the first net-zero upstream project in the world for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. After Eni fast-tracked the building project, it went from discovery to first oil in less than 19 months.

Baleine Phase 1 began production in 2023, and Phase 2 started producing in December 2024. Phase 2 is expected to meet local energy needs by connecting with pipeline constructed during Phase 1 and solidifying Côte d’Ivoire’s status as a producer.

Elsewhere on the continent:  In Mozambique, while many companies evacuated due to escalating violence and terror attacks in Cabo Delgado province since 2017, the CEO chose to proceed with Eni’s Coral South and Coral Norte FLNG projects, achieving a final investment decision (FID) for Coral South in 2017 and advancing Coral Norte to pre-FID stage, despite serious security concerns. In Namibia, Descalzi is looking toward more exploration. And, as a legacy producer in Nigeria, Eni, under his leadership, plans to continue working on deepwater and LNG projects, while expanding into the agri-feedstock sector as per the company’s 2023-2026 plan (https://apo-opa.co/3IakaGU).

Social Responsibility Efforts

Eni’s social responsibility initiatives include something very dear to Descalzi’s heart — facilitating clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently, approximately 1 billion Africans lack access to clean cooking. The African Energy Chamber is heartened to see Descalzi’s efforts on this front, including Angola’s Clean Cooking Program, begun in 2024, which already benefits over 500,000 residents in seven of the country’s provinces. He is pushing to get 2 million people in the country access to clean cooking technology very quickly.

On the employment front, Descalzi is ensuring the training and development of Africans — and that they are hired at the highest levels. He is also empowering African women by providing jobs throughout the company. Countless African women can tell stories of him giving them opportunities in the industry.

I would compare Mr. Descalzi to Patrick Pouyanné, the CEO of TotalEnergies, in his engagement with African presidents. He personally goes to each country Eni operates in, unlike most CEOs. He builds personal relationships with presidents and ministers, showing a humility that has made him one of the most favorite CEOs among the IOCs in Africa.

This was illustrated in his September 2025 meetings with Angola’s President Lourenco, where the two talked about Azule’s continuing work on the health, education, and economic diversification fronts. This work includes support for Luanda’s Cardiopulmonary Hospital Complex, business training and financial education programs, and construction and rehabilitation of 14 facilities to help educate over 17,000 children.

His style is not to stop with getting to know the well-knowns, either. He sits with young Africans and jokes with them, motivates and encourages them.

We Applaud Descalzi

It is fitting that we applaud a man who has made a global energy giant a truly African company. Eni’s expertise is evident in all it does in Africa, with its great exploration teams and the projects it completes in a timely, technically savvy way.

In his own quiet way, without international fanfare, Descalzi has worked to the benefit of Africa and Africans.

Descalzi’s care for Africa shows; although he oversees operations across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, he engages the most with Africa, making Africa the largest part of his work.

In short, Africa is part of his family.

– on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, met with Ahmed Attaf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the sisterly People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. The meeting took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.  

The two sides discussed the close fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, as well as ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on Algeria’s experience during its current membership in the United Nations Security Council and the lessons learned in addressing international issues, particularly those concerning the Arab region. Both parties emphasised the importance of enhancing joint cooperation and coordination in this regard.

In addition, the two ministers discussed the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and its implications for regional security and stability.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Jamal Fares Al Ruwaihi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, and Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, with Mr Nasser Bourita at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The meeting took place on the margins of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.  

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the distinguished historical fraternal relations that bind the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Morocco, characterised by their strength and depth. They also discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordination across various political, economic, and cultural fields, with a view to advancing them.

The two Ministers also exchanged views on the latest regional and international developments, including the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and the escalating tensions and hostilities. They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries on matters of mutual concern, in order to contribute to the promotion of security and stability in the region.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Jamal Fares Al Ruwaihi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Khaled Youssef Al Jalahma, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Source: APO – Report:

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The decision by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt not to sign a flawed Criminal Procedure Code and to send it back to parliament for revision was a positive move, 20 civil society organizations including Human Rights Watch said today. Parliament should completely revise the draft law to eliminate a series of provisions that raised human rights concerns. The following is the groups’ statement:

We the undersigned Egyptian and international civil society organizations welcome the decision of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to not sign the draft Criminal Procedure Code into law and instead to send it back to parliament for revision. The House of Representatives has since announced that it will convene an urgent session on October 1 on the matter and has invited the Prime Minister to make a statement on the draft law.

In August 2024, Egypt’s House of Representatives began discussing a draft Criminal Procedure Code that, if enacted into law, would have set the country’s criminal justice system back decades. Though some minor changes were made to the text before it was ultimately approved and voted on by the House in April 2025, core human rights concerns within the law remained.

If enacted as currently formulated, the draft law would have significantly expanded prosecutorial powers, including the right to intercept private communications and issue open-ended travel bans and asset freeze orders; expanded the judicial powers of the police; permitted warrantless searches of a person’s home; restricted a defense lawyer’s access to case files and investigation records, interfering with counsel’s ability to defend their clients; normalized and expanded remote legal proceedings, allowing them at the discretion of prosecutors and judges without cause or fair trial guarantees; and placed limitations on the ability of journalists and civil society organizations to conduct proper trial monitoring. Although the draft law did set out to decrease the maximum caps on pretrial detention, the revised limits would fail to curb prosecutors’ powers to extend abusive pretrial detention without judicial oversight or to institute measures that would address the recurring practice of rotation which circumvents limits on pretrial detention periods by adding a defendant to multiple, near-identical cases, thus restarting the clock on pretrial detention indefinitely.

As the draft law made its way through parliament, it was widely critiqued by Egyptian and international civil society organizations, the Egyptian Lawyers’ and Journalists’ Syndicates, a large group of United Nations Special Procedures, and numerous other expert and policy voices around the world. Last May, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also issued a public statement calling on the Egyptian President to “to consider carefully the proposed Criminal Procedure Code in light of these concerns prior to granting any assent, in order to ensure that it fully complies with Egypt’s international human rights obligations.”

The Presidency’s statement highlights a number of the same concerns raised by independent voices over the last few months, including those on warrantless home searches, the restrictions on the rights of a defendant in interrogations and before courts, the need for alternatives to pretrial detention, and more generally, concerns around vague language present throughout the text that can be subject to discretionary interpretation.

As the draft text is returned to the Egyptian House of Representatives, we call on the House of Representatives to course correct by conducting a comprehensive re-write of the legislation that centers the due process rights of Egyptians, that respects Egypt’s international and domestic legal commitments, and that is informed by the guidance offered by UN experts. We ask that a wide-ranging consultation process that brings in a diverse group of Egyptian legal, judicial, and human rights practitioners and experts be held to meaningfully inform the process.

Noting that although the Presidency’s statement highlights a number of key concerns in the draft, the list of problematic provisions that it highlights is not exhaustive and, accordingly, a holistic reevaluation of the draft is necessary to ensure that any future version of the law meets all of Egypt’s commitments and obligations enshrined in both Egypt’s constitution as well as the international human rights treaties to which Egypt is bound.

Signatories

• Amnesty International
• Arab Reform Initiative
• Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression for Human Rights (AFTE)
• Committee for Justice (CFJ)
• Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms
• Egyptian Front for Human Rights
• Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
• Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
• Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)
• Human Rights Watch
• HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
• International Commission of Jurists
• Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
• MENA Rights Group
• Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)
• Najda For Human Rights
• REDWORD for Human Rights & Freedom of Expression
• Refugees Platform In Egypt (RPE)
• The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)
• Their Right – To Defend Prisoners of Conscience

– on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO – Report:

“My people, cultivate healthy habits and mindsets. Engage in activities that bring joy and create a peaceful environment. Nurture yourselves with compassion and let go of what you cannot control.”

This was the powerful message from the State Minister of Information, Peter Ngojo, as communities in Malakal came together to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

His commitment to work “day and night” to restore peace resonated with the hundreds of people gathered at the local stadium at a time when communities across the region are suffering immense harm from persistent violence, including military confrontations between armed forces aligned with the main parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, with many losing their lives, homes and incomes.

“The cycle of violence has particularly victimized youth,” said Lunia James Okech, the Chairperson of the Youth Peace Ambassador’s Group. “We have been used and abandoned. Many of us are unemployed and that is contributing to instability. We need peace now.”

He urged the government and people of Upper Nile to work with the United Nations and other partners to restore calm and secure durable peace to enable recovery, development and economic growth.

The commemoration of this special event included cultural performances celebrating diversity and promoting unity. Youth were a particular focus as they performed dramas demonstrating the challenges they face and the opportunities they crave as well as sharing messages calling for reconciliation, the resolution of differences through dialogue, and concrete action to prevent conflict.

Another priority was to enable the full participation of youth and women in nation-building and preparations for the country’s first democratic elections.

“As an impartial partner for peace, the United Nations stands shoulder to shoulder with you, working to prevent and end violence, promoting human rights, providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to millions in need, and laying the foundations for a peaceful and prosperous future,” said UNMISS representative, Paul Ebikwo.   

Despite the ongoing conflict, the proud and resilient people of this region are united and committed to the pursuit of peace so that they and future generations can enjoy the better future that they so richly deserve.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).