Category: Africa

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has welcomed presentations on the 2025-2030 strategic plans, 2025/26 annual performance plans and budget estimates of the Department of Employment and Labour, Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE), Productivity South Africa (PSA), the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

The committee is of the view that more resources are needed to adequately fund the department and its entities. More resources are needed to increase the department’s inspection and enforcement capacity, to fund SEE’s procurement initiatives and the employment of persons living with disabilities in line with United Nations’ conventions, to address the CCMA’s case backlog, and to fund NEDLAC’s mandate of facilitating national dialogue, among other things.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Boyce Maneli, said that the contribution of SEE, CCMA and NEDLAC to the country’s economic growth cannot be overstated. “An inclusive growth of the economy requires that there be a harmonious work environment, and the CCMA is best placed as an arbiter. Greater participation of everyone in the economy [is also required], including persons living with disabilities, and SEE is best placed to facilitate that aspect; and continuous facilitation of national dialogue, which is a mandate of NEDLAC,” said Mr Maneli.

To this end, the committee has called on the department to provide in writing the various creative measures that will be implemented to cover budget shortfalls.

Mr Maneli said that while legislative review may be needed to motivate budget increases for some aspects, the committee will work within the current legislative framework around budget process to get possible increases through the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters process in future financial years.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Police is concerned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) continues to face a huge case backlog, which negatively impacts on its ability to deliver on its mandate. The committee met with both IPID and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) on the revised annual performance plan and strategic plan.

“IPID plays a critical role in ensuring accountability from the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the backlog directly undermines this drive. While the committee has noted various interventions to clear the backlog, the reality is that victims of police abuse of authority remain without recourse,” said Mr Ian Cameron, the Chairperson of the committee. The committee is concerned that there is a backlog of 14 469 cases carried over to this financial year and has called for urgent strategies to remedy the concern.

While the committee welcomes the R126.3 million additional funding over the medium term and is hopeful that it will significantly contribute to reducing the case backlog, it is concerned that the additional allocation without clear plans to overcome some of the internal systematic challenges will not resolve the problem. A major impediment for the IPID is the proportionally high case per investigator ratio, and the nominal increase of employees from 387 in the 2025/26 financial year to 421 in the 2027/28 financial year will not adequately resolve the challenge.

In the context of the increasing cases reported to IPID, it is necessary to ensure that the directorate is adequately capacitated to increasing demand.

Meanwhile, the committee acknowledged IPID’s intentions to implement a new digital case management system that will enable the entity to monitor cases and ensure better tracking and communication with victims. Notwithstanding the plan, the committee has urged IPID to effectively implement the plan, as a functional system might have a positive impact on the case backlog.

The committee also welcomes the establishment of the internal investigation, Forensic Services, quality assurance and research units. The committee is of the view that the envisioned capacity will ensure that IPID will have the skills set it needs to investigate complex reported corruption cases.

The implementation of the recommendations made by IPID to SAPS is also a point of concern for the committee. The meeting today highlighted a concerning trend of SAPS seemingly ignoring strong recommendations made by IPID. “This phenomenon erodes the effectiveness of IPID and its mandate and the committee resolved that there is a need for a laser focus on the rate of implementation of the recommendations,” Mr Cameron said.

Meanwhile, the committee agreed with the Minister of Police that there must be a general improvement in the conduct of SAPS members. “The bottom line is that there is no place in the SAPS for rogue police officers who engage in criminal activity. While the IPID provides the necessary checks and balances, the SAPS members must always be fit and proper for the service they must render to the people,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

With regard to PSiRA, the committee has acknowledged the intention to implement a digital strategy that will ensure a seamless interaction process with users. Of major importance is functionality, such as verifying the training of private security officers through the digital platform.

The committee also welcomes the intention to increase PSiRA’s footprint to ensure that private security companies in Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West are able to access its services more easily. Also, the intention to increase monitoring operations will be critical in ensuring that private security companies are legally registered and compliant with legal prescripts. The committee has always emphasised the importance of the private security industry in efforts to combat crime in the country.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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He said he began the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has been able to come up with various poverty alleviation programs to ensure that his dream is realized.

“Don’t lose this chance because it’s a big support to you. Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM program. I know that we are all not equal but when you embrace the PDM program you will eradicate poverty in your households,” he said.

President Museveni made the remarks today during his PDM assessment tour at Mr. Muwereza Wako ‘s farm situated at Buyego cell, Buvuma sub-county in Buvuma district.

Mr. Wako, a PDM beneficiary, owns three cows and a milling machine.

The President, who was pleased to visit Mr. Wako’s farm, said that the government has for years been sending resources to the public to curb poverty but in one way or the other some government officials have been mismanaging it.

President Museveni however narrated that the government now gives each parish Shs.100m annually and in his next five years’ term in office, each parish will have received Shs.500m.

He revealed that the first batch which received Shs.1m PDM money each, two years back will return it to their parishes with an interest of Shs.120,000, to give chance to other adults to benefit.

The President supported Mr. Wako with Shs.12m to purchase an acre of land at Shs.10m and use the Shs.2m to buy livestock like goats and pigs.

In response, Mr. Wako commended the President for initiating the PDM program that has enabled a section of Ugandans to improve their standard of living through wealth creation. He asserted that he was so poor to an extent that he couldn’t afford food for his family but currently he is called a rich man.

Mr. Wako and his wife Mirembe Eseza together with their eight children live on half an acre of land and according to the farmer, the PDM money has enabled him to add value to his family through wealth creation.

He said on 21st June 2023, he received Shs. 1 million PDM cash and after the bank charges, he remained with Shs. 980,000.

Mr. Wako noted that using the PDM money, he added some of his savings to buy a bull and a cow which conceived and gave birth to a calf in May 2024.

During the same month, he sold a bull at Shs.1m and used it to purchase an old milling machine at Shs.2.5m.  

Mr. Wako explained that the machine seller allowed him to clear his remaining balance of Shs.1.5m in installments. He asserted that he started using the machine which fetched him money to clear the balance.

The PDM beneficiary revealed that the milling machine earns him Shs. 15,000 every day, after deducting Shs. 5,000 for fuel, thus remaining with Shs. 10,000 and he earns a total of 300,000 per month. The dairy cow gives him 3 litres of milk. He sells two litres at Shs.1000 each and earns a total of Shs. 60,000 per month. The cow dung and urine is used as fertilizers in his garden.

– on behalf of State House Uganda.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Aeneas Chuma chaired a meeting with the Tripoli Center Outreach Committee Monday to discuss de-escalation efforts in Tripoli. These leaders, who has contributed to brokering and sustaining the truce since the May crisis, have been pivotal in preventing violence through community engagement. The Mission has facilitated targeted mediation meetings to reinforce their peacebuilding capacities, encourage coordination with official security institutions, and amplify local ownership in sustaining stability.

During the same week, UNSMIL’s SIS met with notables and community leaders from across the western region as part of ongoing efforts to support local peacebuilding. The meeting followed up on previous engagements and recognized their critical role in sustaining the truce. Participants discussed ways to further contribute to the implementation of local security arrangements and enhance coordination with official institutions. UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive dialogue and community-driven stabilization. “UNSMIL and IC need to urge all parties to refrain from provocative speech and actions,” one of the notables said. 

During the meetings, the leaders shared their efforts and presented recommendations for peace initiatives. Participants stressed the need for a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program, warning of the risks of military presence in residential areas. “We share the demands of Tripoli’s people and aim to demilitarize the capital,” stated the participants. UNSMIL expressed its intention to increase collaboration and ensure that local voices continue to shape both local and national peace processes.

– on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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The Presidency has announced that President John Dramani Mahama will host His Majesty King Mswati III, Ingwenyama of the Kingdom of Eswatini, for a state visit to Ghana next week. The visit is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 June to Saturday, 28 June 2025, spanning four days of official engagements.

King Mswati III is expected to arrive in Accra on Tuesday, 24th June. Upon his arrival, he will be welcomed at the Presidency for bilateral discussions with President Mahama and a high-level Ghanaian delegation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries is anticipated to be signed during this meeting.

On Tuesday afternoon, the King is scheduled to meet with officials at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra before departing for Kumasi later in the day.

In Kumasi, His Majesty will be the distinguished guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The itinerary in the Asante capital includes official visits to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a tour of the historic Manhyia Palace Museum. King Mswati III is also scheduled to address the National House of Chiefs and attend a grand durbar of chiefs organised in his honour at Manhyia Palace.

A Royal Banquet will be held in Kumasi on Friday evening. On Saturday, the final day of the visit, King Mswati III will join the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a ceremony at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) before departing from Ghana.

King Mswati III’s visit is expected to significantly strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Ghana and the Kingdom of Eswatini and deepen the historical and cultural links between the Asante Kingdom and the southern African nation.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ministerial Level is holding its 54th Ordinary Session today,18th of June 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

During the meeting, Ministers will consider the report of the 42nd Session of the MSC at the Ambassadorial Level, along with memoranda on the political, security, and humanitarian situations in the Region. Key updates will include the transition process in the Republic of Guinea, negotiations with Burkina Faso, Republics of Mali, and Niger, as well as maritime security, counterterrorism and organised crime, among other pressing matters.

In his welcome address, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted that the 54th Ordinary Session of MSC convenes at a defining moment as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary. President Touray commended Member States for their unwavering commitment to peace, security and regional stability, noting that despite persistent challenges, the Community remains resilient and unified.

He emphasised the Council’s enduring contribution to maintaining security over the past 25 years and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the regional peace and security architecture, improving communication to counter misinformation, and preserving the achievements of the Community amidst growing geopolitical complexities.

“For over 25 years, the Mediation and Security Council has contributed immensely to the security and stability of our region, through its numerous sessions. Therefore, in celebrating the Golden Jubilee, we must recognise the contribution of this august body to the Community,” President Touray added.

H.E. Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council at the Ministerial Level, welcomed delegates to Abuja and acknowledged their continued dedication to strengthening peace, security, and democratic governance in West Africa. He outlined the Council’s focus on key regional priorities, including political transitions, upcoming elections, maritime security, terrorism, organised crime and financial transparency.

Ambassador Tuggar also highlighted progress on the Early Warning and Response Centres, the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy, and the completion of the Lungi Military Logistics Depot, a milestone in operationalising the ECOWAS Standby Force.

He further underscored the need for collective ownership of regional initiatives and cautioned against restrictive policies that could hinder trade and investment opportunities vital to the region’s prosperity.

“In these challenging times, our ability to come together to consult, collaborate and take decisive action remains vital to advancing peace, security and good governance across our region,” he added.

A report will be adopted by the Ministers at the end of the MSC Session and presented to the Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, scheduled to take place in Abuja from the 19th to 20th of June 2025.

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

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The ECOWAS Commission in a significant collaboration with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Environment’s Department of Planning, Research, and Statistics, on the 17th of June, 2025 celebrated the 2025 World Environment Day. The commemorative event, held in Abuja, Nigeria, themed: “Ending Plastic Pollution“ with the slogan “Beat the plastic“

Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi, Acting Director of Environment and Natural Resources, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of H.E. Massandjé Toure-Litse, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, and H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. He underscored the profound significance of the occasion, particularly as it coincided with ECOWAS’s Jubilee Year, marking five decades of regional solidarity, integration and shared responsibility.

Mr. Bernard Koffi reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to fostering a clean, resilient, and sustainable environment for current and future generations. He highlighted ECOWAS’s proactive stance in addressing persistent environmental challenges, including the adoption of a regional regulation on plastic management in 2023, which mandates member states to harmonize their plastic waste management regulations. Furthermore, ECOWAS Vision 2050 identifies environmental sustainability as a crucial pillar for inclusive development and emphasizes the vital role of fostering youth-driven climate action, acknowledging that the future belongs to them. He concluded by urging tangible action over mere words and unity over indifference, stating, “The ECOWAS Commission stands ready to work side-by-side with Nigeria and all partners to beat plastic pollution not tomorrow, but today.” And that the commisson remains resolutely committed to working alongside member states to beat Pollution.

In his keynote address, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Honorable Minister of Environment, emphasized the critical global urgency of this year’s theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution.” He stressed that plastic pollution transcends environmental concerns, posing significant economic and public health crises.

The Minister highlighted the alarming rate at which plastic waste infiltrates oceans, rivers and drainage systems, endangering wildlife and exacerbating urban flooding. Minister Lawal outlined Nigeria’s initiatives, including the launch of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which obliges producers to manage the entire lifecycle of their plastic products. He expressed profound appreciation to all development partners, particularly the ECOWAS Commission, commending its steadfast partnership in environmental governance, climate change response, and sustainable development across the West African sub-region, as well as its leadership in addressing transboundary environmental issues.

Mr. Mahmud Adam Kambari, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, delivered the welcome address, reinforcing the dire threat plastic waste poses to ecosystems, public health, and the planet. He stated, “Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, clogging waterways, endangering marine life, and contaminating our food systems.”

Mr. Kambari reiterated Nigeria’s direct experience with the devastating impacts of plastic waste and issued a clarion call for intensified efforts through effective policy implementation, robust public awareness campaigns, responsible consumption patterns, and strategic investment in sustainable alternatives. He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing circular economy principles, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and promoting innovations that reduce reliance on single-use plastics. Mr. Kambari extended sincere commendations to all partners, stakeholders, and environmental advocates for their tireless efforts, urging everyone present to reflect on individual and collective actions to “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

The occasion also saw the notable presence of representatives from key organizations, international partners and stakeholders, including UNICEF, Oando Foundation, Oando Clean Energy, OXFAM, Zoom Lion Nigeria, RCEI, RUWES, and the Head of Mission to the Netherlands, alongside invited students from various schools. These stakeholders collectively underscored the paramount importance of a safe environment, emphasizing the pivotal role of women and children as not only integral to addressing climate and environmental issues but also as vital agents of community awareness and crucial actors in forging a greener, plastic-free future.

The joint commemoration underscored the shared commitment of ECOWAS and Nigeria to combat plastic pollution through coordinated regional action and national policy implementation, reinforcing their dedication to a sustainable future.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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From the 1st to 3rd of July 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will be holding its Regional Youth Forum in Saly Portudal, Senegal, under the theme: “Engaging ECOWAS for a new vision of youth”. This high-level meeting will bring together young leaders, representatives of youth organisations, political decision-makers and regional and international experts. It will provide an inclusive platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing young people in the ECOWAS region, particularly in the areas of employment, entrepreneurship, education and vocational training.

The conference is part of the celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of ECOWAS, and marks an essential stage in the regional organisation’s determination to strengthen the active participation of young people in building a peaceful, integrated and prosperous West Africa. They illustrate the ambition to forge a new regional vision, placing young people at the heart of social, economic and political transformation.

The main objective of this initiative is to create a space for direct dialogue between young people and ECOWAS, in order to harmonise points of view on the issues faced by young people in the region, and to co-construct concrete solutions to encourage their socio-economic development and civic participation.

The Saly meeting is the culmination of a series of pilot national consultations organised in several West African capitals, including Cotonou (Benin), Accra (Ghana), Yamoussoukro (Côte d’Ivoire) and Dakar (Senegal). These consultations laid the foundations for a participatory and regional process, of which the regional meetings are the concrete expression.

Through this initiative, ECOWAS is reaffirming its commitment to developing innovative strategies and defining shared priorities to strengthen the involvement of young people in local, national and regional governance. This conference reflects this vision, considering young people not only as beneficiaries, but also as key players in the development of the region. Organised under the coordination of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), the conclusions of this conference will feed into the development of a strategic roadmap, in line with ECOWAS Vision 2050, and will lay the foundations for a new regional policy dedicated to youth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare reported that the Government of Eritrea has disbursed about six billion Nakfa in support of the families of martyrs.

Mr. Zeray Tekleab, Director of Martyrs’ Families’ Welfare, noted that the Government began providing monetary support to martyrs’ families in 1995. At that time, each family received 10,000 Birr each to ease the burdens they might face in their lives. After the Government issued Proclamation No. 137/2003, every family began receiving 500 Nakfa monthly starting in 2004.

Mr. Zeray also stated that a rehabilitation program for martyrs’ families has been introduced, and many families have been supported with livestock and small-scale businesses. Vocational training programs have also been organized to enhance the skills of these families in various fields.

Regarding contributions by nationals at home and abroad, Mr. Zeray said that Eritreans residing overseas have initiated that one citizen to contribute 720 USD annually, with some extending permanent support. Nationals within the country are also contributing individually and collectively, including Government workers and students who have joined the initiative.

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