Various programs in connection with Martyrs’ Day, 20 June, have been conducted in Asmara from 16 to 18 June.
The National Confederation of Eritrean Workers conducted a popular campaign at Asmara Martyrs Cemetery, along with cultural programs and support initiatives for martyrs’ families. The campaign at the Martyra Cemetery was attended by 160 workers from the central office and affiliated workers’ confederations.
At the cultural program organized at the confederation’s central office, Mr. Tesfay Girmay, Head of Administration and Finance, stated that over 80 members of the central office have been supporting eight families of martyrs since 2024.
In related news, the cooperative association of members of the 52nd Division organized a program in connection with Martyrs’ Day at the Meshalit historical site on 17 June. The event was attended by members of the association and youth workers’ organizations.
At the event, veteran fighters provided briefings on the heroic feats demonstrated by the then 52nd Division of the EPLF in its 1988 battle against enemy forces at the Meshalit Front.
Meshalit Front is located 30 km north of Keren.
The cooperative association of the 70-16 Division also conducted a popular campaign at the Barentu Martyrs Cemetery, which included tree planting and environmental sanitation activities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Prayer services and sermons in commemoration of Martyrs’ Day were held at St. Michael Church and Al-Khulafae Al-Rashideen Grand Mosque in the capital city, Asmara.
In the morning hours, a prayer service was conducted led by His Reverence Abune Basilios I, 5th Patriarch of the Orthodox Tewahdo Church of Eritrea, along with heads of various dioceses and other Church leaders.
Religious leaders from the Catholic and Lutheran Churches also participated in the service. During the event, Abune Basilios delivered a speech emphasizing the profound significance of the day and the solemn responsibilities it entails for every citizen.
Merigeta Mulugeta Simon from the Office of the Patriarch, indicating that the martyrs paid their precious lives for their people and country, urged citizens to renew their pledge to live up to their expectations.
Similarly, in the afternoon hours, Salat and Dua services were conducted at the Al-Khulafae Al-Rashideen Grand Mosque, led by Sheik Salem Ibrahim Almukhtar, Mufti of Eritrea.
Sheik Salem Ibrahim said that the martyrs are our heroes who sacrificed their lives for independence, national sovereignty, and for us to live in peace and harmony. He also called for reinforced contributions in support of the families of martyrs.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
As security concerns continue in parts of Upper Nile state, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is making every effort to protect civilians and boost community confidence.
As an example—Blue Helmets from India hosted a two-day medical outreach at the UN Protection of Civilians site, adjacent to the Mission’s base in Malakal where some 315 displaced people received free treatment.
Patients suffering from various ailments were diagnosed and provided with care options.
For Dr. Sandeep Ravi, a medical peacekeeper, such interventions lie at the heart of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s mandate to help build lasting peace in this country.
“Accessible and inclusive healthcare is key for communities to thrive. Across Upper Nile state, conflict has disrupted not only people’s lives and livelihoods but also reduced the number of available health facilities. So, we decided to come together and, for a limited time, bridge this gap as much as possible,” he explained.
“Bringing quality healthcare directly to communities goes beyond free consultations and treatment. It gives hope to people who are most vulnerable.”
Mary Joseph, a 20-year-old patient, can testify to Dr Ravi’s opinion.
“I’ve had a problem with my leg for three months now but had no money to pay for treatment at the local clinics in town. Today, Indian doctors have examined me carefully and given me medications to treat the condition as well as manage my pain. I hope I can restart my small business soon,” she said with a smile.
Albino Amum, a community leader residing at the camp who helped peacekeepers mobilize this event, described the activity as timely and significant.
“Earlier, we were receiving healthcare from various international and nongovernmental organizations, but we understand that there is a reduction in funding, which has left a big vacuum. So, this medical drive by our friends at UNMISS came at a very opportune time. We hope they’ll consider doing similar activities for us for five or six days in future. It makes a big difference for those who are financially constrained yet need urgent health checks,” stated Mr. Amum.
For his part, Dr. Ravi reveals that the biggest satisfaction was the response from community members.
“As medical professionals and peacekeepers, there is no greater reward than the genuine appreciation we have received from the displaced communities we treated. I believe this initiative is a testament to what collective effort and compassion can achieve in strengthening public health.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Accor (www.Group.Accor.com), a world-leading hospitality group, has announced the signing of Novotel Victoria Falls, a landmark project set within Victoria Falls – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The agreement, signed during the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa, marks Accor’s market entry into Zimbabwe, leveraging a first-mover advantage in one of Africa’s most iconic destinations and underscoring the Group’s commitment to pioneering development in emerging markets.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the 111-key new-build property will be developed under a management agreement with Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust, a Development REIT focused on high-quality assets across tourism, hospitality, health, retail, and residential sectors.
Located in the Eagle Heights precinct, in a prime location overlooking the Masuwe River, the hotel will blend natural beauty with Novotel’s modern, family-friendly hospitality. Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully designed experience, with facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, kids’ club, all-day dining restaurant, and destination bar – designed to meet the needs of modern travellers seeking comfort, connection, and local discovery.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls is not only a dramatic natural wonder but also a world-renowned hub for adventure tourism, offering white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic helicopter flights.
“This signing represents a bold step forward in our development strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Maya Ziade, Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye at Accor. “Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations, and we are proud to bring the Novotel brand experience to Zimbabwe for the very first time. As a first mover, we see this project as a gateway to long-term sustainable growth in the country.”
The signing signals a strategic entry for Accor into a destination with growing regional and domestic tourism and a limited presence of global hotel brands.
Bevin Ngara, Managing Director of Eagle Asset Managers, the Eagle REIT Fund Managers, added: “We are delighted to partner with Accor to bring an international standard of hospitality to Victoria Falls. This project reflects our vision of investing in transformative developments that elevate tourism and deliver value to local communities and investors alike.”
Novotel, with over 590 hotels across 68 countries and 180+ more in the pipeline, champions balanced living for both business travellers and families. As the first internationally branded Novotel in Zimbabwe, the hotel will meet the rising demand for high-quality yet accessible accommodation in Victoria Falls supporting the city’s evolution into a year-round destination for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Accor.
Contacts media relations:
Cybelle Daou Khadij
Director PR & Communications
Middle East, Africa and Türkiye Cybelle.daou@accor.com
About Accor:
Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle, with Ennismore. ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.Group.Accor.com.
About Eagle Real Estate Investment Trust (Eagle REIT):
Eagle REIT is Zimbabwe’s first dollar-denominated Development REIT focusing on developing high-impact real estate assets across the hospitality, healthcare, and residential sectors. It is also the first REIT to be listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX), a member of the International Financial Services Center. The REIT is managed by Eagle Asset Management, a licensed investment manager and a subsidiary of Zimre Holdings Limited.
A high-level delegation from global energy services company NOV has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place on September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. With a focus on digitization, a wealth of knowledge in oilfield services and a dedication to balancing operational efficiency with sustainable development, NOV is well-positioned to lead dialogue around the future of energy development in Africa. Underscoring the company’s commitment to unlocking technology-driven solutions in Africa, the NOV delegation comprises Arthur Ename, Vice President, Business Development: Africa; Cobie Loper, Senior Vice President, Operators and Geographical Sales; Johann Jansen van Rensburg, Director: Sub-Saharan Africa; and Marien Ibiaho, Area Sales Manager: Europe & Africa. The delegation will participate in a variety of panel discussions and technical workshops, providing insight into innovative tools to unlock rapid, low-carbon growth in Africa.
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. Visithttp://www.AECWeek.comfor more information about this exciting event.
With an extensive presence in Africa, NOV delivers a range of solutions for the continent’s oil and gas industry. Key markets include Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Angola, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. The company’s cutting-edge technologies and services support clients to enhance operational efficiency while spearheading sustainable development, with its portfolio of capabilities ranging from drilling to well construction, completion and control to offshore rigs and platform repurposing to service and repair. With over 150 years’ experience and a global footprint, NOV represents a strong partner for African oil and gas projects.
Looking ahead, NOV strives to consolidate its position as a leading energy service provider. In 2025, the company rolled out ChatGPT Enterprise – OpenAI’s most advanced generative AI platform – to advance AI-driven innovation. The enterprise has been deployed across its global workforce, putting cutting-edge tools in the hands of over 25,000 employees. For Africa, this technology will support energy projects by supporting decision-making, insights and innovation. Meanwhile, the company’s Drilling Beliefs & Analytics solution continues to gain traction globally and has been applied across 20 million feet of drilling operations in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. This solution leverages AI to deliver real-time insights into critical well conditions during the drilling process.
Beyond the oil and gas sector, the company also has extensive experience in emerging industries such as the energy transition. Capabilities include geothermal solutions, hydrogen solutions, lithium extraction, offshore and onshore wind, and more. With oil and gas as the focus, NOV offers a range of services that support operators reduce their emissions while scaling-up output. The company is also committed to local content and workforce development, with training initiatives, skills development programs and partnerships serving as a catalyst for capacity building in the markets in which is operates. By working closely with African partners, NOV is creating jobs, enhancing skills and empowering communities.
“Now more than ever, Africa requires innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency while reducing emissions across oil and gas projects. Companies such as NOV provide the technology and expertise to deliver these goals, and as such, play a prominent role in the industry. Looking ahead, as African countries look to scale-up operations and reduce their climate footprint, NOV’s solutions will continue supporting clients safely produce energy while minimizing environmental impact,” states Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President, African Energy Chamber.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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World Drought and Desertification Day was commemorated at the national level at Embasoira Hotel, Asmara, on 17 June under the theme “Restore the Land – Unlock the Opportunity.” The event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, was attended by experts from the Ministries of Agriculture and Land, Water and Environment, the Forestry and Wildlife Authority, Higher Education Institutions, stakeholders, national associations, and farmers.
In his keynote address, Mr. Semere Amlesom, Director General of Agricultural Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, highlighted the Eritrean Government’s commitment to combating drought and desertification and emphasized the need for collective action to restore degraded land. He further noted that drought and desertification are among the main causes of biodiversity loss, poverty, forced migration, and conflict, and that restoring the land is essential to addressing these issues and reversing their consequences.
The event featured presentations on various topics, including Eritrea’s commitment and experience in combating drought, land degradation, and desertification; land use change and its impact on poverty and livelihoods; conservation and sustainable land-use management practices; agroforestry systems for restoring land; environmental impact assessments of agricultural farms; and the role of date palms in restoring degraded land, among other relevant subjects.
The participants, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to address drought and desertification, called on stakeholders to work in partnership to achieve the intended goals. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, it is essential to accelerate the implementation of sustainable land-use practices and conservation measures.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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Ghana continues to make impressive strides in the fight against poliovirus, with the last confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) recorded in 2008 and the most recent Variant Poliovirus (VDPV) detected in 2024. As the number of confirmed polio cases and detection of the virus in the environment decline steadily, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners remain committed in minimizing the risk of reintroduction of poliovirus.
On 5 June 2025, the Ghana Health Service, with funding and technical assistance from WHO, organized a training for field officers for a nationwide survey on poliovirus containment and risk assessment. The exercise was designed to ensure that biomedical laboratories handling poliovirus infectious or Potentially Infectious Materials (PIMs) are not inadvertently creating pathways for virus reintroduction.
Participants at the orientation were trained on the use of the WHO Open Data Kit (ODK) toolkit for conducting surveys, assessing risks in biomedical laboratories, and supporting facilities to implement appropriate biosafety and decontamination measures in line with WHO’s containment guidelines (GAPIII and GAPIV). Discussions also covered survey methodologies, biosafety and biosecurity practices.
Speaking at the training, Dr. Lawson Ahadzie, Chairman of the National Certification Committee on Polio Eradication, stressed the importance of following up with the recommendations of the survey.
“We are in the final lap of polio eradication. What remains is ensuring that all possible sources of virus reintroduction—especially from laboratories—are identified and secured. This training equips field officers with the skills to do just that”, he said.
Dr Raymond Dankoli, Global Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the survey and implementation of findings. “This can also be seen as part of the general response measures to the confirmed Polio event in August 2024”, he added.
The last PIMs Survey and national risk assessment in 2022 identified seven laboratories across the country storing Poliovirus Potentially Infectious Materials (PV PIMs). These materials were classified as PIMs due to no laboratory investigations conducted. They were however securely contained within Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories, with stringent decontamination and waste management protocols. Additionally, 66 vaccine repositories across regional and district hospitals were found to contain Sabin/bOPV stocks for routine vaccination activities.
Dr. Michael Adjabeng, Surveillance Officer with WHO Ghana, emphasized the need for the involvement of all stakeholders in the containment activities. “Ghana has come far, but the job isn’t finished. Containment is about responsibility. It’s about making sure we build upon progress made. This survey is a key part of that effort”, he stated.
Findings from the survey will be disseminated to key stakeholders, given the broader implications for containment and risk mitigation strategies. This survey will help identify any PV PIMs present in biomedical laboratories and ensure their appropriate handling and disposal in accordance with WHO containment guidelines for a polio free world.
– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
My research on Zambian agriculture finds that Chinese land grabbing is a myth. Instead, Chinese investors have preferred different investment models according to the specific rules of land access, transfer and control of three land tenure systems in Zambia.
What ties the three types of Chinese agricultural investments together is this: land institutions matter. Whether it’s central government rules or traditional authority, these systems shape how foreign investment happens and what impact it has.
Each of the three models raises new opportunities and challenges for rural development and land governance. These findings matter because they offer insights into the future of land rights, livelihoods and state-building in African countries.
Not all land is the same
After independence, all land in Zambia was vested in the president, held in trust for the people. Today, the country still operates under a dual land system, as outlined in the 1995 Lands Act. State land, managed by the central government, includes both private and government leaseholds. Customary land, on the other hand, remains under the authority of traditional chiefs. The exact proportion of state and customary land in Zambia is contested, with estimates of customary land ranging widely from 94% to 54%.
This tenure distinction is significant because each type of land is governed by different rules regarding foreign access and ownership, which shape how foreign investors choose their investment models.
Over four months of fieldwork in Zambia, I gathered data on 50 Chinese agricultural projects (41 remained active) through 96 qualitative interviews. These projects were spread across three types of land tenure: private leasehold (37), government leasehold (1), and customary land (3).
Model 1: Commercial farm on private land
My fieldwork data showed that the majority of Chinese agricultural investments in Zambia are located on private leasehold land, typically following the commercial farm model. This type of land functions much like private property, held under 99-year leases that can be bought, sold or transferred. Investors use it for large-scale farming operations, such as maize, soybean and wheat production.
Even in these seemingly privatised spaces, however, state power remains influential. When Zambia proposed a draft National Land Policy in 2017 aimed at tightening rules for foreign land ownership, Chinese investors responded strategically. Many began aligning their projects with Zambia’s development priorities, emphasising contributions to local food security, donating to charities, and promoting themselves as responsible corporate actors.
Model 2: Farm block on government land
In northern Zambia, for example, a Chinese company partnered with the government to develop a farm block on state-owned land that had been converted from customary tenure for national development. Unlike the commercial farm model, the government played a central role, selecting the investor, managing the land and negotiating the deal. The project promised infrastructure and jobs, enhancing the political standing of local officials.
But this kind of state-led development works only when the promises are delivered. In other areas where farm blocks failed to materialise, traditional chiefs reclaimed the land. In the northern case, actual physical infrastructure investment helped reinforce state authority.
Model 3: Contract farming on customary land
The third model is very different. For instance, a Chinese agribusiness company arranged contract farming deals with over 50,000 smallholders in Zambia’s Eastern Province. Instead of buying or leasing land, the company provided seeds and bought cotton from farmers after harvest. This let the company access land informally, without triggering the legal and political risks of converting customary land to leasehold.
Operating on customary land posed challenges for investors. When farmers defaulted on loans or engaged in side-selling, companies had limited legal recourse and often had to negotiate with chiefs and local communities rather than the state. In such contexts, traditional authorities – not the central government – wielded the decisive power over land and its governance.
Why this matters
In a world where land deals are often controversial, understanding how local rules shape global investment is crucial. It’s not just about who buys the land, but under what terms, and how those terms are enforced. African governments are not just passive bystanders; they’re active players who use land institutions to negotiate power and development.
This research urges us to look beyond the headlines about “land grabs” and instead focus on the everyday politics of land. If African states want to steer rural development on their own terms, understanding and strengthening land institutions – both statutory and customary – is key.
– Are Chinese investors grabbing Zambian land? Study finds that’s a myth – https://theconversation.com/are-chinese-investors-grabbing-zambian-land-study-finds-thats-a-myth-257644
The Earth of the last Ice Age (about 26,000 to 19,000 years ago) was very different from today’s world.
In the northern hemisphere, ice sheets up to 8 kilometres tall covered much of Europe, Asia and North America, while much of the southern hemisphere became drier as water was drawn into the northern glaciers.
As more and more water was transformed into ice, global sea levels dropped as much as 125 metres from where they are now, exposing land that had been under the ocean.
In southernmost Africa, receding coastlines exposed an area of the continental shelf known as the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain. At its maximum extent, it covered an area of about 36,000km² along the south coast of what’s now South Africa.
This now – extinct ecosystem was a highly productive landscape with abundant grasslands, wetlands, permanent water drainage systems, and seasonal flood plains. The Palaeo-Agulhas Plain was likely most similar to the present day Serengeti in east Africa. It would likely have been able to support large herds of migratory animals and the people who hunted them.
We now know more about how these people lived thanks to data from a new archaeological site called Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1.
Archaeologists at Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1.Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)
The site sits 23 metres above sea level on the southern coast of South Africa overlooking the Indian Ocean. You can watch whales from the site today, but during the Ice Age the ocean was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the site looked out over the vast grasslands; the coast was 75 kilometres away.
Archaeological investigation of the cave began in 2014, led by Naomi Cleghorn of the University of Texas. This work shows that humans have been using the site for much of the last 48,000 years or more. Occupations bridge the Middle to Later Stone Age transition, which occurred sometime between about 40,000 and 25,000 years ago in southern Africa.
That transition is a time period where we see dramatic changes in the technologies people were using, including changes in raw materials selected for making tools and a shift towards smaller tools. These changes are poorly understood due to a lack of sites with occupations dating to this time. Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1 is the first site on the southern coast that provides a continuous occupational record near the end of the Pleistocene (Ice Age) and documents how life changed for people living on the edge of the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain.
Before the Ice Age, people there collected marine resources like shellfish when the coastline was close to the site. As the climate began to cool and sea levels dropped, they shifted their focus to land-based resources and game animals.
Archaeologists working at Knysna Eastern Heads site.Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)
I am one of the archaeologists who have been working here. In a new study, my colleagues and I analysed stone tools from the cave that date to about 19,000 to 18,000 years ago, and discussed how the techniques used to make them hint at the ways that prehistoric people travelled, interacted, and shared their craft.
Based on this analysis, we think the cave may have been used as a temporary camp rather than a primary residence. And the similarity of the tools with those from other sites suggests people were connected over a huge region and shared ideas with each other, much like people do today.
Robberg technology of southern Africa
In human history, tools were invented in a succession of styles (“technologies” or “industries”), which can indicate the time and place where they were made and what they were used for.
The Robberg is one of southern Africa’s most distinctive and widespread stone tool technologies. Robberg tools – which we found at the Knysna site – are thought to be replaceable components in composite tools, perhaps as barbs set into arrow shafts, used to hunt the migratory herds on the Palaeo-Agulhas Plain.
Stone tools, Robberg technology.Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)
We see the first appearance of Robberg technology in southern Africa near the peak of the last Ice Age around 26,000 years ago, and people continued producing these tools until around 12,000 years ago, when climate conditions were warmer.
The particular methods and order of operations that people used to make their tools is something that is taught and learned. If we see specific methods of stone tool production at multiple sites, it indicates that people were sharing ideas with one another.
Sites in southern Africa where Robberg technology has been found.Sara Watson, Author provided (no reuse)
Robberg occupations at Knysna date to between 21,000 and 15,000 years ago, when sea levels were at their lowest and the coastline far away.
The Robberg tools we recovered were primarily made from rocks that were available close to the site. Most of the tools were made from quartz, which creates very sharp edges but can break unpredictably. Production focused on bladelets, or small elongated tools, which may have been replaceable components in hunting weapons.
Some of the tools were made from a raw material called silcrete. People in South Africa were heat treating this material to improve its quality for tool production as early as 164,000 years ago. The silcrete tools at Knysna were heat treated before being brought to the site. This is only the second documented instance of the use of heat treatment in Robberg technology.
Silcrete is not available near Knysna. Most of the accessible deposits in the area are in the Outeniqua mountains, at least 50 kilometres inland. We’re not sure yet whether people using the Knysna site were travelling to these raw material sources themselves or trading with other groups.
Archaeological sites containing Robberg tools are found in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini, indicating a widespread adoption by people across southern Africa. The tools from the Knysna site share many characteristics with those from other sites, which suggests people were sharing information through social networks that may have spanned the entire width of the continent.
Yet there are other aspects that are unique to the Knysna site. Fewer tools are found in the more recent layers than in deeper layers, suggesting that people were using the site less frequently than they had previously. This may suggest that during the Ice Age the cave was used as a temporary camp rather than as a primary residential site.
Left with questions
Stone tools can only tell us so much. Was Knysna Eastern Heads Cave 1 a temporary camp? If so, what were they coming to the cave for? We need to combine what we learned from the stone tools with other data from the site to answer these questions.
Something we can say with confidence is that we have a very long and rich history as a species, and our innovative and social natures go back a lot further in time than most people realise. Humans living during the last Ice Age had complex technologies to solve their problems, made art and music, connected with people in other communities, and in some places even had pet dogs.
Despite the dramatic differences in the world around us, these Ice Age people were not very different from people living today.
– Stone tools from a cave on South Africa’s coast speak of life at the end of the Ice Age – https://theconversation.com/stone-tools-from-a-cave-on-south-africas-coast-speak-of-life-at-the-end-of-the-ice-age-258317
Les directeurs du protocole des ministères des Affaires étrangères et les points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs des pays membres régionaux (PMR) du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement (www.AfDB.org), réunis les 12 et 13 juin 2025 à Abidjan, ont adopté une plateforme numérique qui leur permettra de partager les informations afin de renforcer la mise en œuvre des accords d’établissement des bureaux pays et des opérations de l’institution dans les différents pays.
Réunis dans le cadre du deuxième atelier de haut niveau sur le Cadre de collaboration avec les États membres régionaux, les membres du Réseau des points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs des PMR du Groupe de la Banque et les directeurs du protocole des ministères des Affaires étrangères ont échangé sans détour sur les entraves à la mise en œuvre efficiente des accords d’établissement des bureaux pays, des dispositions pertinentes sur le Statut de la Banque, les privilèges, immunités et exemptions accordés à l’institution et à son personnel, et leurs impacts sur les projets et programmes du Groupe de la Banque dans les pays régionaux ainsi que du déploiement de certaines de ses activités.
Afin de faciliter la circulation des informations et surtout le partage d’expérience, les participants ont adopté la plateforme numérique, conçu par la Banque, comme l’un des meilleurs outils de partage d’expérience et d’information. Ainsi, ils sont convenus de mettre en place une banque de données qui comprendra les directeurs de protocole, les points focaux des bureaux des gouverneurs, les directeurs généraux, les directeurs généraux adjoints et les responsables pays du Groupe de la Banque ainsi que les chargés de protocole régionaux de l’institution. D’autres parties prenantes pourront faire partie de la base de données pour renforcer l’action de la Banque sur le terrain.
« Nous sortons de cet atelier avec de nombreux acquis » s’est félicité le secrétaire général du Groupe de la Banque africaine de développement, Vincent Nmehielle. « Vous êtes les principaux points de contact pour continuer à maintenir cet état esprit de collaboration afin que les opérations mises en place par le Groupe de la Banque transforment davantage la vie des populations », a insisté M. Nmehielle.
Au cours des deux jours de réunion, les participants ont exploré les difficultés liées à la mise en œuvre des privilèges, immunités et exemptions prévus dans les accords entre les États membres et la Banque ; par exemple, la réticence persistante de certains pays africains à reconnaître le Laissez-passer de la Banque, comme ils le font pour d’autres organisations internationales, ou encore les exemptions de la TVA.
« La mission première de la Banque est de contribuer au développement de nos pays membres et pour cela, nous devons créer un environnement propice en facilitant la libre circulation qui est aussi essentielle pour l’intégration africaine, le commerce inter-africain et le développement du continent », a insisté M. Nmehielle.
Lors d’une présentation de la stratégie de décentralisation mise à jour par la Banque, les participants ont eu des échanges enrichissants sur les difficultés qui entravent la mise en œuvre efficace et efficiente de certains projets.
Plusieurs hauts fonctionnaires de l’institution ont fait des présentations sur les Conseils d’administration du Groupe de la Banque, leur structuration et leur mode de travail, la politique de la Banque en matière de prêts et de recouvrement des arriérés de prêts souverains et non souverains, mais aussi sur le système de sanctions de la Banque pour les employés et les autres parties prenantes, le processus de décentralisation pour permettre à la Banque d’être près de ses clients ainsi que le calendrier des futurs événements, et la manière dont les PMR peuvent contribuer à leur succès.
Tout en maintenant le format du Réseau avec ses réunions annuelles, les participants ont décidé de tenir des réunions régionales en 2026, avant une globale en 2027.
« Cette rencontre a été enrichissante pour chacun de nous. Et nous pouvons dire que nous repartons avec beaucoup d’informations qui nous permettront de renforcer notre collaboration avec la Banque », a déclaré notamment la responsable du protocole au ministère des Affaires étrangères du Kenya.
La rencontre a surtout permis à la Banque de sensibiliser les parties prenantes sur ses actions et de fournir des informations utiles pour une collaboration plus efficiente.
Distribué par APO Group pour African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
