Category: Africa

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Wang Yi, held the 9th China–African Union Strategic Dialogue at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa on 8 January 2026. On the same occasion, the two principals jointly attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The Chairperson and the Minister exchanged on China-Africa joint efforts to advance modernization, global governance, zero-tariff treatment, the International Organization for Mediation and the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa.

Both sides noted that China and the African Union, members of the Global South, share broad consensus on major international and regional issues. They underscored the importance of jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other to safeguard their respective core interests and major concerns. In this regard, they emphasized the need to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in order to inject positive momentum into global and regional peace, stability, and development.

The African Union side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China principle, and reaffirmed that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and firmly supported all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.

The two sides reiterated the imperative of upholding a global order based on international law, in particular the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Both sides expressed concerns on the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and reaffirmed that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, and the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law must be adhered to.

They exchanged views on the cooperation in various fields including China-Africa joint efforts in advancing modernization. In this context, they underscored the importance of enhanced alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 of the African Union and FOCAC commitments.

Both sides agreed to enhance communication, coordination and mutual support in their respective major initiatives, including Agenda 2063 as well as its flagship projects on Silencing the Guns by 2030, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on the African side, as well as the Global Security Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative and the International Organization for Mediation on the Chinese side.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China reaffirmed their commitment to promote the effective implementation of all signed cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding. They further agreed to explore the full potential for practical cooperation between China and the African Union, with a view to delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of Africa and China.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Nuur Mohamud Sheekh I Spokesperson of the Chairperson I African Union Commission I Email: SheekhN@AfricanUnion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi met on Thursday with HE Special Representative of the African Union Commission for Mali and the Sahel region and Head of the African Union Mission in Mali and the Sahel, Mamadou Tangara, who is visiting the country.

During the meeting, they discussed developments in the African Sahel region, in addition to initiatives to support stability and strengthen regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and development in the Sahel countries. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Source: APO

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The Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Henry Jardine paid a virtual farewell call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mr. Barry Faure on Thursday 08 January 2026.

During the call, Ambassador Jardine expressed his gratitude to the Minister and staff of the Ministry for the strong collaboration during his three-year tenure as non-resident Ambassador. He emphasised that bilateral cooperation between the two countries would remain strong and that existing programmes would continue.

He highlighted several areas of cooperation, including collaboration between the Central Bank of Seychelles and the United States Department of the Treasury to combat financial crime, law enforcement training initiatives, capacity-building in the military domain, and the United States’ annual participation in Seychelles’ National Day celebrations.

Minister Faure thanked Ambassador Jardine for his commitment and engagement towards the relationship between the Seychelles and the U.S.A.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Republic of Seychelles.

Source: APO

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On January 7, Ambassador Yin Chengwu and Hon. Gregory O.W. Coleman, Inspector General of the Liberia National Police, attended the handover ceremony for the China-Aid police supplies project to Liberia. The event was also attended by Counselor Zhang Yimin of Chinese Embassy, Hon. William K. Mulbah, Deputy Inspector General for Administration of Liberia National Police, and others.

Ambassador Yin noted that these police supplies are one of the outcomes of the meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyuma Boakai during the Beijing Summit of the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation. They concretely demonstrate China’s support for Liberia in strengthening its law enforcement capacity, reflect China’s commitment to supporting the ARREST agenda of the Liberian government. Furthermore, they serve as a vivid demonstration of China-Liberia strategic partnership. China remains committed to strengthening law enforcement cooperation with Liberia and promoting the development of China-Liberia strategic partnership.

Coleman expressed gratitude for the long-term strong support from the Chinese side. He stated that the supplies would significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Liberian police. He reaffirmed Liberia’s firm adherence to the One-China Principle and support for China’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Following the ceremony, both sides signed the handover certificate and cut the ribbon for the assisted supplies.

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

Source: APO

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On January 6, 2026 the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Evgueni Sobolevski, met with the First Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt and Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, Abdelaziz Al-Sherif.

The schedule of high-level visits to Belarus and meetings of bilateral cooperation bodies, including the organization of the 8th meeting of the Belarusian-Egyptian Joint Trade Commission in Minsk, was discussed.

Particular emphasis was placed on industrial cooperation, including the resumption of assembly operations for Belarusian agricultural machinery in Egypt, and the need to establish direct interbank cooperation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

Source: APO – Report:

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Tomorrow marks 1,000 days since armed conflict erupted in Sudan, a war that has devastated lives, shattered communities, and driven the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. What began as a deadly power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has spiraled into a full-scale humanitarian disaster, marked by mass displacement, famine-level hunger, and widespread violence. 

Across the country, health systems have collapsed, sanitation and water systems are destroyed, and disease outbreaks are sweeping through overcrowded displacement sites. Humanitarian needs are far outstripping resources. Without a dramatic increase in funding and unhindered humanitarian access, more lives will be lost and communities destroyed.

Bob Kitchen, IRC’s Vice President of Emergencies, recently visited Darfur and said,

“One thousand days of war is one thousand days of failure. After 50 hours of driving across Darfur, I witnessed a stark convergence: streams of people fleeing conflict and convoys of humanitarian aid moving toward one another through a landscape of difficulty and violence. I watched families fleeing south with whatever they could carry—and at the same time saw our teams grinding north through mountain passes to meet them with health care, clean water, and cash assistance.

“El Fasher, once home to more than 1 million people, has become a grim emblem of Sudan’s descent. Those who were able to flee to Tawila have described to IRC aid workers large-scale sexual violence, executions, forced recruitment, and children separated during escape routes. 

“In Tawila, Zalingei, and El Geneina, I met people who have survived horrors most of the world will never see, yet remain determined to keep their families alive. The IRC is one of the largest providers of lifesaving services in these areas, supporting more than half a million people who have been displaced again and again by relentless violence.

“As we approach this catastrophic milestone, the world must not look away. Civilians have paid the highest price for a conflict they did not choose and need decisive international action, unfettered humanitarian access, increased funding, and real diplomatic pressure on those fueling this crisis. The people of Sudan deserve safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.”

The IRC’s 2026 Emergency Watchlist highlights Sudan is a stark symbol of the “New World Disorder,” in which:

• Warring parties and regional backers continue to benefit from conflict;
• Diplomacy has repeatedly fractured, with failed ceasefires, U.N. Security Council vetoes and fragmented mediation efforts; and
• Humanitarian funding has collapsed by 50%, leaving millions without the assistance required to survive.

The IRC urges immediate and sustained international action, including increased humanitarian funding, guarantees of safe passage for civilians and diplomatic pressure on all parties to prevent further loss of life and support pathways to peace.

– on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

Source: APO

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Across the Central Sahel region, millions of children carry deep mental scars resulting from exposure to extreme violence and armed conflict. Through its Better Learning Programme (BLP), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has helped close to 100,000 children across the region to begin to recover, giving children, teachers, and entire communities a chance to rebuild hope after trauma. A severe lack of funding means support is only available for a fraction of those in need. Donors must step up and fund these programmes at the scale this crisis demands. At the same time education authorities must ensure that mental health and psychosocial support are fully integrated into teacher training and classroom practice — as an essential part of helping children learn and thrive again.

Across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which make up the Central Sahel, 12 million people now require humanitarian support, including 8.2 million children.

“Imagine a child in your care telling you: ‘I saw a motorbike hit a child until his head exploded.’ This offers a small window into the immense trauma being endured by children in some of the world’s most complex – and neglected – humanitarian crises, in the Central Sahel,” said Hassane Hamadou, NRC’s regional director for Central and West Africa.  

“Gunfire, displacement, and food insecurity have become part of daily life, with many children also witnessing terrible atrocities. Children urgently need psychosocial support to process this trauma, and to give them the tools not only to begin healing, but also for their communities to begin to rebuild.” 

Testimonies collected by NRC demonstrate that children continue to live with the trauma and sense of danger generated by such experiences long after the immediate threat has passed. Their mental wounds are compounded by a lack of educational opportunities, and an even deeper lack of psychosocial support, which both have a detrimental effect on children’s ability to learn.  

Amid these challenges, governments across the Central Sahel are showing leadership by helping to keep children learning and integrating psychosocial wellbeing into education policy and practice. NRC’s Better Learning Programme, developed in partnership with the Arctic University of Norway and implemented in partnership with education ministries, builds on this momentum. It offers a tested approach to address trauma and restore learning abilities; several countries, including Burkina Faso, are now adopting it at national scale.  

The programme, which mobilises the support network of caregivers, teachers, and counsellors, aims to restore a sense of normality, and hope. It works to provide children with the tools and techniques needed to process their trauma and regulate their emotions during times of stress. This includes breathwork and other exercises for emotional regulation. This in turn helps them to feel safer, get back to learning, and ultimately to return to some semblance of childhood. 

Many children confided in their parents and teachers, explaining how the programmes have helped them begin to recover. “These are movements that turn a sad person into a happy person,” explained one child from Dori in Burkina Faso.  “I was scared when I heard shots and I took a deep breath, it passed,” said another.

Teachers have also faced huge challenges trying to support children who lived through traumatic experiences. The programme has offered them practical support, allowing them to strengthen their own skills. “When we use the exercises, I feel calmer, more able to manage the class even when it’s crowded or noisy. It helps me to focus and not let fear take over,” reported a teacher working with the BLP programme. 

“These programmes have given a lifeline to children who have experienced situations beyond the imagination of most people,” said Hamadou. “With NRC’s work we have shown just how effective psychosocial support can be – for children, teachers, and ultimately for communities building a future.  

“It is now vital that donors invest in a way that allows these programmes to be implemented at the scale required. Ministries and educational leaders must strengthen the support they give to teachers and ensure that psychosocial support is properly integrated throughout both teacher training and the wider curriculum.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).