The Foreign Ministry expresses the Sultanate of Oman’s welcome of the peace agreement signed between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Sultanate values the active role played by all parties in prioritising dialogue and diplomacy as a means to resolve disputes and conflicts.
Oman also commends the constructive efforts undertaken by the sisterly State of Qatar and the United States of America to reach an agreement that leads to lasting peace between the two friendly countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Foreign Ministry of Oman.
The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda in Washington, commending it as a significant step towards reinforcing peace, security, and stability across the African continent.
His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, commended the extensive efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in facilitating this positive and constructive achievement, which comes in support of the African Union’s mediation efforts and the outcomes of the joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). His Excellency considers the agreement a reflection of the strong determination and unwavering commitment of both parties to peaceful solutions and dialogue.
His Excellency underscored that the international cooperation, which led to the signing of this agreement, reflects the significance of collective action in addressing regional issues, and the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic means to achieve the aspirations of the peoples of the region for stability and prosperity.
H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan emphasized the deep-rooted historic ties between the UAE and the countries of the African continent, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, reiterating the country’s steadfast approach in consolidating bridges of partnership and dialogue and its support for any efforts that contribute to enhancing security, peace, and sustainable development on the continent.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The shareholders of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) have appointed Dr. George Elombi as the next President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the continental financial institution. He becomes the fourth President to lead the Bank since its establishment in 1993.
His appointment was one of the key decisions of the 32nd Afreximbank group annual meetings and associated events held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 25 to 28 June, with the formal annual general meeting of shareholders taking place on Saturday, 28 June 2025.
He succeeds Professor Benedict Oramah, who has served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2015, and who will be stepping down in September 2025.
A Cameroonian national, George Elombi has been with Afreximbank since 1996, joining as a Legal Officer. He rose through the ranks to become Executive Vice President, Governance, Legal and Corporate Services. Over his nearly three decades at the Bank, he has served as Director and Executive Secretary (2010–2015); Deputy Director, Legal Services / Executive Secretary (2008–2010); Chief Legal Officer (2003–2008); and Senior Legal Officer (2001–2003).
Prior to joining Afreximbank, he taught law at the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Dr. Elombi played a pivotal role in establishing Afreximbank group’s structure, including the formation of key subsidiaries that have expanded the Bank’s capacity to deliver on its mandate. As Chair of the Emergency Response Committee, he led the Bank’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, mobilising over $2 billion for vaccine acquisition and deployment across African and Caribbean nations. Under his supervision of the Equity Mobilisation and Investor Relations department, the Bank’s total ordinary equity mobilised amounted to USD 3.6 billion as at April 2025.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Elombi expressed a deep commitment to the Bank’s mission and future, stating:
“I have worked alongside remarkable colleagues and extraordinary leaders to help shape this institution’s vision, its mandate as well as its growth. As we look to the future, I see Afreximbank as a force for industrialising Africa and for re-gaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are. I will work to preserve this important asset.”
He accepted the shareholders’ desire as expressed by his predecessor to make the institution a US$250 billion bank in ten years.
Dr. George Elombi holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the London School of Economics, University of London, and a Ph.D. in commercial arbitration from the same university. He obtained a ‘Maitrise-en-Droit’ from the University of Yaoundé in 1989.
His appointment followed a rigorous selection process initiated in January 2025, which included a global call for applications published in international media and on the Afreximbank website. Shortlisted candidates were interviewed by an international human resource executive search firm. The top candidates were presented to the Board of Directors, which recommended Dr. Elombi to the General Meeting of Shareholders for final approval.
Under the Afreximbank Charter, a president is appointed by the general meeting of shareholders upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors for a term of five years, renewable once.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
The National Awards Ceremony 2025 was held on Friday 27th June, in a distinguished event hosted at State House under the patronage of the President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan.
The ceremony began with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem performed by three talented Seychellois youths — Farhine Ally, Allessandro Evenor, and Danielle Morel — setting a patriotic tone for the proceedings.
In his opening remarks, the Chairperson of the National Awards Committee, Mr. Robert Grandcourt, commended the resilience, dedication, and accomplishments of the awardees whose service has contributed immensely to the development and unity of the Seychelles nation.
President Wavel Ramkalawan delivered the keynote address, paying tribute to the honourees for their outstanding service and unwavering commitment to the country. He reaffirmed the importance of recognising Seychellois citizens who embody national pride, integrity, and perseverance.
The President then led the Presentation of Awards, honouring a total of 13 exemplary citizens and two Seychelles National Sports teams:
MEDAL OF HONOUR
The late Dr René Guy Ah Moye
The late Mr Thomas Vaune Alexis
Mrs Milcah Emilien
Mr Antonio Gopal
Mrs Syldovia Rachel Larue
Shinan Philippe Moustache
Dr. Nirmal Kantilal Jivan Shah
MEDAL OF MERIT
Ms Beatrice Aglae
Mr Lienal Joey Thierry Bibi
Mr Jerris Cesar
Ms Marie-Thérèse Hossen
Mrs Daniella Johnstone
Mr Gerry Legras
PRIDE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES
National Women’s Volleyball Team
National Beach Soccer Team (Paradise Boys)
Each award symbolised the nation’s deepest appreciation and respect for the remarkable contributions made by the recipients across various fields of national life.
The ceremony culminated in a moving musical tribute to the late Seychellois music legend, Mr. Thomas Alexis, with stirring performances of two of his most cherished songs, “Manman mon manman” and “Sesel mon pei”, lovingly interpreted by his son and daughter, Mr. Amos Alexis and Ms. Josepha Lepere. Their tribute not only honoured their father’s legacy but also stirred a deep sense of cultural pride among those present.
The National Awards Ceremony 2025 stands as a powerful reminder of the value of service, patriotism, and the vibrant spirit of the Seychellois people.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.
HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received today a phone call from HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Arun Hemachandra.
The call dealt with discussing cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, and discussed a number of topics of common interest.
During the call, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his country’s solidarity with the State of Qatar following the attack launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base.
The State of Qatar participated in the signing ceremony of the Peace Agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which took place today in Washington, facilitated by the United States of America.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represented the State of Qatar at the signing ceremony.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the State of Qatar’s welcome of the conclusion of this Agreement, as well as its commendation of the sincere will and genuine commitment demonstrated by both Parties to the approach of peaceful and diplomatic solutions.
His Excellency also expressed Qatar’s pride in contributing positively to facilitating the achievement of this Agreement through hosting several negotiation sessions between the two parties, as a result of Doha’s hosting of the trilateral meeting between His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, His Excellency President Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, and His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on March 18, 2025, which constituted a significant milestone for direct dialogue and confidence-building between the two sides.
His Excellency commended the constructive role played by the United States of America in completing these efforts and reaching this significant Agreement, which is expected to enhance security and stability in the Great Lakes region.
His Excellency the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these efforts are in support of the African Union’s mediation and the outcomes of the Joint Summit of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, which was held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on February 8, 2025. In this regard, he expressed the State of Qatar’s full readiness to collaborate with all regional and international partners to achieve lasting peace that benefits the peoples of the region.
The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of promoting and protecting children’s right to education, especially in countries affected by conflict, highlighting its leading efforts in this field, which have received international recognition.
This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, during the UN Security Council’s open debate on effective strategies to end and prevent grave violations against children in armed conflict, held at UN headquarters in New York.
Her Excellency referred to the State of Qatar’s key partnerships with the United Nations, which reflect the country’s commitment to supporting international efforts to protect children affected by armed conflicts. She pointed to the State of Qatar’s hosting and support of the Analysis and Outreach Hub of the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, noting that the center continues to play a vital role in advancing child protection efforts in conflict areas.
Her Excellency also noted that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1612 (2005), which was a landmark step and solid framework for improving the protection of children affected by armed conflict. It led to the creation of a monitoring and reporting mechanism focused on children and armed conflict. She stressed that all commitments must now be translated into concrete actions.
Her Excellency expressed the State of Qatar’s deep concern over the increasing number of grave violations against children, citing the UN Secretary-General’s report that said violence against children in armed conflict reached its highest level in 2024, and added that children have borne the brunt of relentless hostilities and indiscriminate attacks.
Her Excellency also strongly condemned the grave violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli occupation against children in the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to urgently act to compel Israel to comply with international laws, end its brutal war on Gaza immediately, and address the resulting catastrophic humanitarian conditions.
Her Excellency said that it was extremely alarming what the report documented regarding the scale of grave violations against children in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly the widespread use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas, the sharp increase in violations in Gaza, and the escalation of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Her Excellency emphasized that it is absolutely unacceptable for children to remain victims of grave violations in ongoing conflicts, and underscored the importance of ensuring their protection in such areas.
In conclusion, Her Excellency expressed her appreciation for HE Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, praising her tireless efforts and extensive expertise.
The State of Qatar reaffirmed its support for the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact and its unwavering commitment to actively participating in relevant regional and international initiatives aimed at enhancing regional and global security and stability.
This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by HE the State of Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani during her participation in the opening of a meeting organized by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. The event, held at UN headquarters in New York, was on enhancing partnerships between regional organizations and the UN Counter-terrorism Coordination Compact to support the coordination of political interventions and capacity-building efforts.
Her Excellency emphasized the importance of the meeting as a constructive platform for strengthening dialogue and coordination among the members of the UN Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, contributing to more integrated and effective international efforts to combat terrorism.
Her Excellency also highlighted the ongoing partnership between the State of Qatar and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, commending the continuous efforts to enhance international cooperation and implement a shared vision for countering terrorism through coordinated and integrated action.
For his part, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism Vladimir Voronkov praised Qatar’s leading role in supporting UN counter-terrorism initiatives, especially those focused on preventing violent extremism by addressing its root causes, primarily through promoting education and supporting sustainable development.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
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The Presidency of the Republic of Ghana is pleased to announce that the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi, will undertake a two-day Official Visit to Ghana from Wednesday, 2nd July, to Thursday, 3rd July, 2025.
The visit highlights the warm and longstanding friendly relations between Ghana and India, as well as the importance both nations place on strengthening their strategic partnership.
The itinerary for the visit includes a bilateral meeting between President Mahama and Prime Minister Modi at the Presidency. The two leaders will engage in discussions aimed at deepening cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, technology, education, healthcare, and energy. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Key highlights of the visit will include the signing of several bilateral agreements to consolidate cooperation frameworks between Ghana and India, followed by a joint Press Conference addressed by President Mahama and Prime Minister Modi. President Mahama will also host a State Dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi and his delegation.
The visit by Prime Minister Modi is expected to strengthen bilateral ties, foster deeper economic cooperation, and solidify the bonds of friendship between the peoples of Ghana and India.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University
In the shadows of Python Cave, Uganda, a leopard leaps from a guano mound – formed by bat excrement – and sinks its teeth into a bat. But this is no ordinary bat colony. The thousands of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) found in this cave are known carriers of one of the world’s deadliest viruses: Marburg, a close cousin of Ebola.
I am a conservation scientist with over 17 years of experience in wildlife ecology, monitoring and human-wildlife conflict. I’m the co-founder of the Kyambura Lion Project, which made this discovery.
For years, scientists studying how diseases spread from animals to humans have hypothesised that zoonotic diseases jump from a wildlife reservoir (like a bat) to an intermediate host (monkey) and potentially to us, humans.
For past Marburg outbreaks in Uganda, two spillover pathways have been identified: the first, involves humans coming into contact with a fruit bat habitat (namely caves filled with bat guano). Indeed, fruit bats are thought to have infected two tourists at Python Cave in 2007 and 2008.
The second pathway involves humans and animals eating the same fruit that bats have fed upon or made contact with. This second spillover pathway was identified by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists in 2023. They tracked bats from the cave entering cultivated gardens to feed.
But Atukwatse and the team of young Ugandan scientists (Yahaya Ssemakula, Johnson Muhereza, Orin Cornille and Winfred Nsabimana) have potentially found another pathway: predation by at least 14 species.
Such rich visual evidence of a viral interface – bats, predators and people – is virtually non-existent in the literature. Many theoretical depictions of this process exist, and there are isolated incidents of a monkey predating on a bat or wildlife feeding on bat guano, but Atukwatse’s discovery of this many different predators repeatedly feeding on a known Marburg virus reservoir is a first.
A leopard grabs a fruit bat at Uganda’s Python Cave.Bosco Atukwatse/Kyambura Lion Project
His discovery highlights two uncomfortable truths:
many potential zoonotic interfaces remain undocumented – often right under our noses
the people most likely to detect them first are those living closest to wild frontiers.
But the bigger message is this: global health institutions need to stop overlooking local scientists and start funding field-based detection systems across Africa and Asia.
If we want to detect the next outbreak early, we should be empowering more Atukwatses, not waiting for the next lab test.
Atukwatse had heard from nearby guides that a large bat cave lay close to the survey grid. That kind of site, he reasoned, could be perfect leopard territory: a place to hunt, rest or avoid the heat.
This is ecological attentiveness at its best – the field biology equivalent of a commodities trader spotting volatility in a geopolitical flashpoint.
A blue monkey with bat in hand at Python Cave.Bosco Atukwatse/Kyambura Lion Project
Atukwatse had his radar on and acted on instinct, setting five camera traps at the cave’s entrance and along the surrounding animal trails. Just one week later, he got what he hoped for: three separate clips of a leopard hunting bats in broad daylight. He left the cameras in place in protective casing. He checked them every 7–10 days.
But that was just the beginning.
The scale of the discovery
When I first looked at Atukwatse’s videos, our joint excitement was around the leopard footage. We knew they were adaptable and could even eat small rodents , but no one had ever recorded them eating bats in Africa.
As more clips came in, we realised something bigger was unfolding. Blue monkeys were seen grabbing bats mid-roost. A crowned eagle and a Nile monitor fought over two bat carcasses. A fish eagle – typically a piscivore, which is a carnivorous species that primarily eats fish – was filmed clutching bats in its talons.
Over 304 trap-nights, Atukwatse’s traps recorded 261 independent predator events from at least 14 different species.
Then came the second shock: over 400 human visitors – many of them tourists – were filmed approaching the cave mouth without any protective gear. Some stood just metres from a known Marburg virus reservoir. Importantly, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has built a sanctioned viewing platform about 35 metres from the cave. However, tourists broke park rules and walked within two metres of the cave mouth.
Bosco Atukwatse.
It was only after I visited the cave myself to take stills of the team that we put this all together. Atukwatse had just found the first visual evidence, at a large scale in nature, of at least 14 predators feeding on a known wildlife virus reservoir harbouring one of Earth’s deadliest viruses.
This wasn’t the result of million-dollar pathogen surveillance. It wasn’t even the core aim of our leopard survey. This happened because a young Ugandan field scientist followed his ecological gut.
Why does the discovery matter?
For decades, disease ecologists have known that major outbreaks often originate in wildlife – swine flu, avian flu and even SARS-CoV-2 all trace back to animal hosts. But what’s often missing is direct observation of spillover interfaces – the exact moments when a virus jumps from a bat, goose, or other animal into new species like humans, livestock or other wildlife.
Atukwatse’s discovery may be the first large-scale visual record of such an interface in nature: a roost of Egyptian fruit bats known to harbour a deadly virus, actively predated upon by at least 14 species, with hundreds of humans visiting the same cave mouth unprotected.
This may be a Rosetta Stone moment for spillover ecology – shifting our understanding from hypothetical models to a real, observable interface.
These kinds of spillover sites exist in other places in nature: in a Chinese wet market where a civet meets a meat processor, or in a Gabonese village where a bat is butchered for bushmeat. The difference? Most of them go undocumented. Atukwatse just filmed one.
– How does Marburg virus spread between species? Young Ugandan scientist’s photos give important clues – https://theconversation.com/how-does-marburg-virus-spread-between-species-young-ugandan-scientists-photos-give-important-clues-259806
