Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

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At the meeting, held under the chairmanship of Liberian president Joseph Boakai on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, Bourita noted that Morocco and Liberia are following increasingly convergent paths, driven by shared commitments to advancing women’s leadership in the areas of peace and security.

In his address, the minister congratulated Liberia on the efforts it has made in advancing this Agenda, commending the proven experience of Liberian women who have been mobilized since 2003 as part of the “Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace” movement.

“Liberia’s experience reminds us that women’s role in peace is not defined by their vulnerability to conflict, but by their ability to prevent conflict, play a role in mediation, and support societies in resolving crises,” Bourita stressed.

“For Morocco, this conviction is fundamental. In accordance with the High Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, the Kingdom has sought to translate this conviction both through its diplomatic action and its continued international engagement,” he added.

At the heart of this approach, the minister went on, “lies the conviction that women’s participation must extend across the entire peace continuum,” recalling that Morocco, as a long-standing peacekeeping actor, has committed to strengthening the participation of Moroccan women among peacekeepers, as well as enhancing women’s capacities in mediation and conflict prevention.

During the meeting, Bourita announced that Morocco will host the 6th Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policy in 2027, the first such conference to be held on African and Arab soil. He underlined that Africa has much to contribute to the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda, as well as to the broader debate on feminist foreign policy.

As part of its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028-2029 term, the Kingdom intends to make this issue a priority within the Council and to advance its Agenda, the minister pointed out.

He also stressed the need for collective reflection on the next steps to be taken under the “Women, Peace and Security” Agenda, taking into account emerging challenges related to women, peace and cybersecurity.

The minister noted that Morocco and Liberia could make a “distinctive” joint contribution by consolidating the gains achieved over the past 25 years in implementing this Agenda, while addressing the requirements of the next 25 years.

– on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Source: APO

Behind every service member stands a family whose encouragement, understanding and support contribute significantly to the resilience required for military service. Recognising this important relationship, personnel from various military dioceses, together with their families, gathered at the Defence Headquarters Camp Administration Unit (DHQ-CAU) for the Roman Catholic Family Day Celebration.

The occasion provided a platform for military families to interact, strengthen relationships and share in fellowship away from the demands of routine duties. It also highlighted the important role of faith and family support in promoting the welfare, morale and resilience of military personnel.

Providing spiritual guidance during the celebration, the Bishop of the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Kenya, Rt Rev Wallace Ng’ang’a, emphasised the importance of faith, family unity and mutual support in strengthening the well-being of military personnel and their loved ones.

He observed that strong and supportive families provide personnel with a dependable foundation from which they can draw encouragement and strength as they undertake the unique responsibilities and demands associated with military service.

Representing the Kenya Army Commander and the Roman Catholic Patron,Lieutenant General David Ketter, the Deputy Army Commander, Major General John Nkoimo, underscored the central role of the family in sustaining the morale, welfare and resilience of military personnel. He noted that healthy family relationships provide stability and encouragement, enabling personnel to remain focused on their responsibilities while maintaining a balance between service and family life.

“The strength of our military community is deeply rooted in the strength of our families. When families support, encourage and stand together, they give our personnel the confidence and resilience required to serve with dedication and commitment,” said Major General Nkoimo.

The celebration further recognised the sacrifices made by military families as they support personnel through deployments, training commitments and other demands of service. Their emotional support, patience and encouragement remain integral to sustaining morale and strengthening the overall well-being of personnel.

Drawing inspiration from 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, participants reflected on the theme of a family that respects and serves generously. The biblical account of David exercising restraint and respecting Saul despite having an opportunity to harm him highlighted the virtues of respect, self-control, integrity and service—values that are equally important in nurturing strong families and building a cohesive military community.

Beyond fellowship and spiritual reflection, the Roman Catholic Family Day Celebration reinforced the understanding that military effectiveness is supported by strong families and communities. Families provide an enduring support system that helps personnel navigate the demands of service while remaining grounded, motivated and resilient.

By bringing personnel and their families together, the celebration strengthened fellowship, mutual support and a shared sense of belonging, affirming the family as an important pillar of personnel welfare, resilience and mission readiness.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to bring together 60 of West Africa’s most promising startups for the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards, taking place from 21–30 September 2026 at the new ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja. Under the theme “Scaling West African Startups for Digital Transformation, Regional Integration and Sustainable Value Chain Ecosystem Development to drive Market Access,” the initiative will spotlight home-grown solutions with the potential to transform businesses, create opportunities and accelerate regional integration.

The 10-day programme will move from a Virtual Masterclass (21–25 September) to a high-energy Pitching, Exhibition and Awards programme (28–30 September), connecting startups with investors, business leaders and development partners. The 60 startups span six strategic sectors — FinTech, HealthTech, AgriTech and Food Systems, EdTech and Skills Development, CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation, and Tourism, Hospitality and Travel Tech — with the top three startups set to receive US$30,000, US$20,000 and US$15,000 in seed funding. The programme also targets US$5 million in deals across the thematic tracks.

Building on the inaugural Awards held in Niamey in 2021, the 2nd ECOWAS Startup Awards goes beyond a competition to create a lasting regional platform for entrepreneurship and innovation. A key legacy will be the ECOWAS Private Sector Development Academy, a permanent digital learning platform designed to strengthen the capabilities of startups, entrepreneurs and policymakers in enterprise development, trade and competitiveness. With support from partners including ITC, GIZ, ASKY, UNIDO and the Bank of Industry of Nigeria, ECOWAS is working to turn West Africa’s entrepreneurial energy into scalable enterprises, stronger regional value chains and greater access to markets across the region and beyond.

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

Source: APO

The donation formed part of the GHANCOY’s planned Civil-Military-Cooperation activities aimed at sustaining the goodwill that exists between the contingent and the populace. It was also to win hearts and minds as well as reaffirm the importance of partnership in promoting peace, security and economic stability.

The Director of the HMP, Colonel (Col) Ramalho Cunda expressed his appreciation to the CT Comd and the GHANCOY for the gesture. He revealed that the hospital virtually offers free healthcare, as many patients are unable to pay for outpatient services. Col Cunda assured the CT Comd that the medication will be put to good use and he is positive it will save lives as well as bring some relief to patients and their families.

The medical items donated included Antibiotics, Hypertension medication, diabetes medication, non-medical consumables among others.

Lt Col Danful, during the presentation, said the gesture was to support patients, both military and civilian, who are unable to afford medication. He expressed hope that the medical items would help alleviate some financial burdens on patience and bring relief to their families.

The CT Commander was accompanied by the CT Second-in-Command Major (Maj) Collins Nkansah, the Senior Medical Officer, Maj Sylvester Alhassan, the Logistics Officer, Maj Prince Opoku Agyemang and other personnel of the GHANCOY.

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

Source: APO

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Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, has congratulated South Africa’s athletes on securing fifteen medals, including nine gold, at the 30th Tug-of-War World Championships. The championships concluded this weekend in Hartenbos, Mossel Bay The tournament featured national teams and clubs from sixteen countries. 

The championships returned to the Western Cape eight years after Cape Town hosted the Outdoor World Championships in 2018. The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) invested R1.5 million in the championships, following two years of planning and partnership. 

This investment forms part of the Western Cape Government’s commitment to strengthening sporting pathways from school to club, to provincial and national colours, and onto the world stage, alongside its R130 million school sport strategy over three years.  

The championship week opened on Wednesday, 16 September with the TWIF Open Club Championships, followed by the World Championships on 18 and 19 September, when athletes competed in their national colours. The competition spanned junior, under-23 and senior weight categories. 

South Africa’s medal tally for the championship week was as follows:

1. World Open Club Championships: five gold and two silver medals. 

2. World Championships – National Teams: four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

   This brings South Africa’s combined total to nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals. 

South African club gold medallists included Hartenbos in the Under-23 Men’s 600kg, Goudini in the Under-23 Women’s 500kg, Drostdy A in Junior Men’s 560kg, Robertson High School in Junior Mixed 520kg, and Valsbaai A in Under-23 Mixed 560kg. Swellendam and Valsbaai B secured silver medals in their weight categories. 

South Africa’s national teams claimed gold in the Junior Men 560kg, Under-23 Men 600kg, Under-23 Mixed 560kg, and Senior Men 600kg. This also includes silver in Junior Women 480kg and senior mixed 580kg, and bronze in the Senior Men 680kg and Under-23 Women 500kg. 

Adding to these achievements, Kittie Terblanche from South Africa was named the TWIF Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year, following a public voting process. 

Reflecting on the championships, Minister Mackenzie said, “What I saw this week was not just competition. I saw the professionalism of the athletes and officials, the commitment of the organisers, the pride of teams representing their countries, and the warmth of the entire tug-of-war community. To our South African clubs and national teams: baie geluk! To win fifteen medals, including nine gold, against some of the world’s best on home soil is an outstanding achievement.”

The championships also generated significant public interest online with Minister Mackenzie’s TikTok videos attracting more than half a million views. Audiences asked where they could watch more competitions and how they could get involved.

“When you give a sport the platform it deserves, people respond. I certainly see an opportunity to promote tug-of-war more, share more of these incredible moments, and introduce the sport to people who have never experienced it before”, said Mackenzie.

At the farewell ceremony held on 19 September, President of the Tug-of-War International Federation (TWIF), Mr Dan McCarthy (Ireland), acknowledged the Western Cape Government’s support for the championships. 

“Minister, thank you for your financial contribution, and I hope you will continue to support tug-of-war,” said McCarthy. 

Minister Mackenzie also thanked the South African Tug-of-War Federation and its President, Mr Luther Anton Botha, Convenor of the Selection Panel, Mr Carel Moller, the Local Organising Committee, the officials, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the successful hosting of the championships. 

“What an incredible World Tug-of-War Championships! With eight medals secured in the World Championships, including four golds, our athletes and officials have demonstrated remarkable dedication, determination and teamwork. Behind the success of this event stands an exceptional team of volunteers who have given their time, passion and energy so generously. Their commitment reminds us that, together, we truly pull stronger,” stated Mr Botha. 

The championships placed Mossel Bay and the Western Cape firmly on the international sporting map, demonstrating the province’s capacity to host world-class sporting events, inspiring young athletes across the province that the journey to the world stage can begin right here.

The opportunity now is to grow participation, build on the enthusiasm generated in Hartenbos, and to ensure that the legacy of these championships extends beyond the final pull.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Cape Government: Office of the Premier.

Source: APO – Report:

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The East African Community (EAC) has reactivated the Capital Markets Sub-Committee of the Capital Markets, Insurance and Pensions Committee (CMIPC), paving the way for accelerated implementation of regional capital markets integration initiatives supporting preparations towards the East African Monetary Union.

The commitment was made during a three-day meeting of the Capital Markets Sub-Committee held from 15th to 17th September, 2026, that brought together Chief Executive Officers and senior technical representatives from Securities Exchanges, Capital Markets and Securities Regulatory Authorities, and Central Securities Depositories across the EAC Partner States.

– on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

Source: APO – Report:

The French diplomat also discussed with General Diop the security situation in the ECOWAS region. The two leaders addressed the security challenges hindering peace and stability in West Africa, including terrorism, organized crime, insecurity, cybercrime, cross-border crime, misinformation, and disinformation.

Marc Fonbaustier reiterated France’s commitment to further supporting ECOWAS’s efforts to address these challenges and promote regional peace, security, and stability.

He congratulated the new Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission and assured him of his support in fulfilling and successfully carrying out his mission within the regional organization.

Gen. Birame Diop expressed his gratitude to his host and praised the strong ties of friendship and cooperation between ECOWAS and France. He reiterated his determination to contribute to improving and strengthening these ties. “We will add our own values to these relationships that we have inherited from our predecessors,” he said.

Speaking about global relations, the President of the ECOWAS Commission expressed his conviction that tomorrow’s world will be dominated by dialogue, consensus, peace, humility, harmony, understanding, and tolerance. “The world is changing; we must change with it and follow its trend,” he said.

“We must move toward multilateralism, which is under attack today. We have a duty to further preserve the United Nations, which is the best means of unifying and bringing peace to the world,” General Diop emphasized.

He called for respect, tolerance, and patience: with these three words, the world will be at peace and in harmony, he noted, adding that it is important to restore humanity’s central role in today’s society. To this end, he plans to write a book titled “How to Rehumanize the Human Race.”

It should be noted that during this visit, Gen. Birame Diop was accompanied by Vice President Anthony Ogunjimi, his political and diplomatic advisor, Ms. Isabelle Sandra Folquet, and the Director of External Relations at the ECOWAS Commission, Jérôme Boa, respectively.

As for the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Marc Fonbaustier, he was accompanied by his political advisor, Ms. Alice Ellenbogen.

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