Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

Effective waste management is increasingly becoming an important part of building clean, efficient and sustainable military installations.

Through Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is developing practical solutions that transform waste from a disposal challenge into a valuable source of energy and reusable resources.

At Water Camp Cantonment, Defence National Security Industries (DNSI), under the leadership of Director General Major General Faustino Lobaly, is implementing the Defence Headquarters Camp Administration Unit (DHQ CAU) Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS). The initiative is transforming how waste is collected, processed and recovered within the installation.

Central to the system is a waste-to-energy model that integrates biogas production, recycling and resource recovery. Food waste generated from the messes is channelled into a modern biogas plant, where it is processed to produce renewable energy. The resulting biogas is compressed and stored for use at the DHQ CAU Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess, turning everyday organic waste into a practical source of energy.

The project also incorporates a paper and plastic baler for processing non-biodegradable waste. By compacting recyclable materials, the equipment improves waste segregation and handling, facilitates recycling and reduces the volume of waste requiring final disposal.

Technical collaboration between DNSI and the Numerical Machining Complex (NMC) has further enhanced the system’s efficiency and reliability. NMC has supported the restoration of the biogas supply, rerouting of pipelines and improvement of slurry preparation. Backup shredders have also been incorporated to strengthen the processing of biodegradable waste and sustain continuity of operations.

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the system’s development. Plans to integrate smart waste bins and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring of the biogas digester will provide improved oversight of waste collection and processing. Automated baling systems are also expected to enhance efficiency in handling recyclable materials.

Beyond renewable energy generation, the process produces bioslurry, a nutrient-rich by-product that can be utilised as organic fertiliser. This creates a circular system in which waste generated within the installation is progressively converted into energy, recyclable materials and agricultural inputs.

The ISWMS at Water Camp demonstrates the practical application of RSTI in addressing everyday operational and environmental challenges within military establishments. It also illustrates how locally driven innovation can contribute to resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and reduced dependence on conventional energy and waste-disposal systems.

By turning waste into value, KDF is advancing a more sustainable approach to managing its installations while strengthening energy efficiency and institutional self-reliance. The initiative provides a practical model that can inform the development of similar waste-management solutions across other KDF establishments.

– on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

For more than a month of static combat deployment in Mambasa Territory, Ituri Province, Kenya’s 5th Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF 5) has supported MONUSCO’s protection of civilians mandate through sustained operational readiness, visible presence and community engagement aimed at strengthening confidence among local communities.

The Commander Force Intervention Brigade (FIB), Brigadier General Alexander Masangura, visited the contingent in Mambasa, where he commended the troops for their professionalism, dedication to duty and contribution to peace and stability in the area.

Brigadier General Masangura noted that the contingent’s presence and continued engagement with local communities had helped reassure residents and strengthen confidence in ongoing security and peacekeeping efforts. He encouraged the troops to maintain high standards of discipline, vigilance and operational readiness as they continue executing their mandate.

The command visit coincided with a KENQRF 5 community engagement initiative at Bavalakaniki football ground on the outskirts of Mambasa. During the activity, the troops installed goalposts and donated sports kits to provide young people with opportunities for constructive engagement through sport.

Brigadier General Masangura encouraged the youth to play an active role in promoting peace within their communities by remaining vigilant and reporting potential security threats to the relevant authorities to facilitate timely response.

KENQRF 5 also supported the Muslim community in Bavalakaniki through the donation of construction materials for Masjid Taqwa Mosque. Construction of the mosque began eight years ago but had stalled, affecting the community’s efforts to complete an important place of worship.

The FIB Commander welcomed the initiative, noting that community-focused activities complement security operations by addressing local needs, strengthening relationships and supporting the well-being and resilience of communities within the mission area.

The visit highlighted the complementary relationship between operational effectiveness and community engagement in the protection of civilians. While KENQRF 5 maintains a security presence in Mambasa, its interaction with residents provides an important avenue for building trust, understanding local concerns and strengthening cooperation.

Through sustained operational readiness and targeted community initiatives, KENQRF 5 continues to contribute to MONUSCO’s efforts to protect civilians, strengthen community resilience and create conditions conducive to lasting peace and stability in Mambasa.

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

Source: APO

 A new vocational training programme in Bor is giving 80 young South Sudanese the chance to acquire practical skills to help them earn incomes, build small businesses, and support their families.

The programme provided by the Republic of Korea’s Hanbit Unit, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, will run for three months at the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology.

The trainees will learn carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, agriculture and poultry farming, with the focus on hands-on skills that can be applied immediately after graduation.

For many of the trainees, these new skills are key to becoming self-reliant.

“Once I get my new electrical skills, I will be able to depend on myself,” explained Othow Omot. “I have seen successful people emerging from this training centre, and I am inspired to be like them.”

For another trainee, plumbing offers an opportunity to respond to the growing need for water and sanitation services in Bor and elsewhere in Jonglei State.

“I chose to be a plumber for myself and for the benefit of our community. I want to be self-reliant. Since we have an urban water system in Jonglei State, I want to be one of the people connecting the pipes.”

Other trainees are looking to agriculture and poultry farming as pathways to self-employment and food production.

“In our country we should prioritize food production. The more food we produce, the more prosperous we become, and there will be fewer cases of cattle raiding, and communities fighting,” said student Ajang Abraham.

The Hanbit vocational programme has trained 862 people since it began in 2015.

Graduates have acquired skills in other areas such as bakery and masonry. Some former trainees have secured employment with the United Nations and local businesses, while others have started small enterprises.

University Vice-Chancellor Abraham Matoc Dhal said the institution appreciates the support from the Republic of Korea.

“Dr. John Garang provided the necessary land for the operation of the vocational school,” explained University Vice-Chancellor, Abraham Matoc Dhal. “South Korea has done so much to support us. We know it and the Government knows it.”

For UNMISS, vocational training can also contribute to wider community resilience.

UNMISS Head of Field Office, Geetha Pious, encouraged the trainees to use the skills they acquire to create opportunities for themselves rather than waiting for formal employment.

“Study well, use it, and start your own businesses or create your own jobs. Don’t wait for somebody to offer you a job. Every big organization starts from small.”

The Commander of the Hanbit Unit, Colonel Joang-Dae Lee, said the programme is intended to support both individual development and the wider Jonglei State economy.

“The Hanbit Vocational Training School is more than simply a place of learning. It is a place of hope where you can build the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to pursue your dreams and shape your future.”

For the 80 trainees, the next three months are about more than learning a trade.

It’s about securing a pathway to employment, self-employment and income generation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

 A music concert marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Revolution School was held yesterday, 18 September, at Bahti Meskerem Square in Asmara. The program, organized in collaboration with the Commission of Culture and Sports and the National Holidays Coordinating Committee, was broadcast live by Eritrean Television.

Mr. Zerit Tewoldebrhan, Managing Director of the Central Region, said that the establishment of the Revolution School was one of the EPLF’s significant initiatives during the struggle for independence.

During the program, which lasted about two hours, veteran and young artists performed songs originally presented by members of the Revolution School and Red Flowers during the armed struggle.

Concert participants said that, beyond reviving memories of the past, the program was important in passing on the history of the Eritrean people and the hardships they endured to future generations. They also called for such programs to continue in an organized manner.

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

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Raafat Hindy, and Director of the Signals Department of the Armed Forces Major General Hany Mahmoud Mansour.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting addressed developments pertinent to expanding the implementation of the Unified Government Services Card system, as part of the state’s digital transformation plan and efforts to facilitate citizens’ access to services. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology noted that the Ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade to develop the system, enhance its technical and operational efficiency, and gradually expand the range of services provided through it. President El-Sisi stressed that the implementation status of the unified card system be continuously monitored to ensure the integration of databases, operational efficiency, and support for efforts to further develop the government services system.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology reviewed efforts to boost exports of the CIT sector and localize the electronics industry. He noted that Egypt aims to reach $8 billion in digital exports by 2028, explaining that digital outsourcing exports are expected to rise to $12 billion by 2029. It is also targeted to increase the number of companies operating in the field of electronics design to 120 companies by 2030.The meeting also reviewed MCIT’s efforts to provide the advanced digital infrastructure required to develop smart applications and solutions based on AI technologies to maximize their developmental returns and deepen the societal impact of modern technologies. The meeting further addressed efforts to integrate AI applications across a number of vital sectors, including the pivotal role of the Applied Innovation Center, affiliated with the Ministry, in developing innovative solutions based on emerging technologies.
President El-Sisi underscored the need to attract and stimulate investment in cloud computing and AI, in parallel with expanding the construction of hyperscale data centers, as the fundamental pillar of the digital economy.

Eng. Hindy reviewed the status of the presidential initiative “Digital Pioneers – Digilians”, implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Egyptian Military Academy. President El-Sisi stressed the need to adhere to accuracy, transparency, and impartiality in the selection process of the beneficiaries of the initiative, thereby strengthening public confidence in it, as it helps qualify beneficiaries for employment opportunities in demand in the labor market. The meeting also addressed cybersecurity as a key pillar of the digital transformation strategy and a fundamental element in enhancing confidence in digital services. It also reviewed updates on the implementation status of “Karnak”, the national AI program that contributes to achieving digital sovereignty and provides a foundational platform for developing generative AI applications in Arabic.

Eng. Hindy reviewed the measures taken by the Ministry to implement the President’s directives to protect children under the age of 15 from the risks posed by harmful content on social networks and platforms, including details of the joint decision issued in this regard by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation on September 17, 2026.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President El-Sisi gave directives to expand the use of AI applications and cloud computing technologies, while continuing to develop the structure of Egypt’s telecommunications market and enhancing opportunities for digital transformation to improve the quality of services provided to citizens and consolidate Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for data centers.

The President also gave directives to expand the 5G network deployment, strengthen the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure, and reduce concentration risks, thereby supporting the efficiency and sustainability of the CIT sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.