Category: English

Source: APO

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This morning, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the second edition of El Alamein International Air Show 2026 “EIAS 2026”, at El Alamein International Airport.

Upon their arrival at the exhibition hall, President El-Sisi and President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, were received by Prime Minister, Dr. Moustafa Madbouly; Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher; Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa; Minister of Aviation, Dr. Sameh El Hefny; and Commander of the Egyptian Air Force, Lieutenant General Pilot Amr Saqr.

Spokesman for the Presidency Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy said the two Presidents took a commemorative photo with senior guests, after which President El-Sisi and attendees viewed a documentary film highlighting the exhibition.

President El-Sisi and Cypriot President Christodoulides conducted an inspection tour of the exhibition pavilions, where they received a briefing from Chairman of the Arab Organization for Industrialization, Major General Mohamed Abdel-Fattah Abou El-Bakr, on the organization’s pavilion, before inspecting the open-air exhibition area. This was followed by an outstanding aerial display presented by the Egyptian Air Force alongside teams from Russia, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, and India.

At the conclusion of the events, the Egyptian aerobatic team performed a stunt maneuver, after which the President and the President of the Republic of Cyprus departed the main stage, signaling the end of the opening ceremony for the second edition of the El Alamein International Air Show.

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

Source: APO

• As war is driving people’s health needs in Sudan, humanitarian aid funding cuts are leaving people without lifesaving care.
• As more clinics close, people are forced to take longer, more dangerous journeys to reach care.
• Governments and institutional donors must protect funding for essential health services, and provide flexible transitional financing where facilities are at risk of closure.

Amidst a brutal ongoing war and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, people in Sudan face reduced access to healthcare as facilities across the country close their doors. The impact of broad and historic international aid funding cuts by governments has begun to take hold. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns that this withdrawal of support from an already chronically underfunded crisis is cutting off lifesaving care and pushing the few remaining hospitals to breaking point.

As world leaders gather at the UN General Assembly, governments and institutional donors must protect funding for essential health services in Sudan and provide flexible transitional financing where facilities are at risk of closure.

With aid organisations pulling out, local clinics are left without the funds or medicines needed to function. For patients, this means enduring long, dangerous journeys just to receive treatment. As they seek help wherever they can, the few hospitals still operational are absorbing the overflow: between January and April 2026, admissions in MSF supported facilities in Zalingei and Rokero, in Central Darfur state, jumped by 22.5 per cent compared to the same time last year. The situation has deteriorated even further as in May alone 45 general healthcare centres in Central Darfur stopped receiving support as the organisation that had been providing resources lacked funding.

“War is driving Sudan’s needs; funding cuts are shrinking the response,” says Muhammad Ibrahim, MSF head of mission in Sudan. “MSF’s work in Sudan is privately funded. But when funding disappears from other health services, clinics close, patients have fewer places to go, and pressure shifts to the facilities that remain, including ours.”

“Donors must protect essential health services and provide sustained, flexible funding to organisations that depend on it,” says Ibrahim.

In Tanedba camp, in Gedaref state, home to 18,400 refugees, the sudden departure of a humanitarian organisation in June resulted in the camp’s maternity and surgical wards closing. Pregnant women who need caesarean sections now face three-hour journeys to the nearest city. MSF has stepped in to run the emergency room there through the end of 2026.

In 2021, around 35 aid organisations were working in and around Um Rakuba camp in Al-Gedaref state. Today, fewer than 10 remain. The camp now hosts around 17,000 refugees, mostly women and children.

“Our hospital in Um Rakuba is now the only lifeline left for both refugees and the local Sudanese community,” says Fabrizio Locuratolo, MSF humanitarian affairs manager. “But the cuts here go well beyond healthcare. Food rations are shrinking and protection programmes are being dismantled, pulling away the last safety nets and leaving refugees completely exposed.”

After the United States (US) government announced the closure of USAID[1] in 2025, the grants to many organisations funded to work in Sudan ended in June this year. Although the US government continues to be the largest donor to Sudan, providing funding to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other organisations, many of the existing healthcare providers have been unable to find alternative funding to continue providing services, with health facilities closing in Sudan as a result.

Just as health providers faced the impending removal of US support, many European governments also reduced their assistance to people in Sudan. European and multilateral aid budgets are also shrinking globally. OECD[2] preliminary data show that aid from EU institutions fell by 13.8 per cent in 2025, while several major European donors also reduced their overall aid spending.

Globally, humanitarian aid fell by 35.8 per cent. These figures do not represent equivalent cuts to Sudan, where some European donors have maintained or increased their support. But they point to a sharply contracting international funding environment. In Sudan, that wider squeeze is compounding an already severe health crisis, as specific funding withdrawals and programme closures reduce access to healthcare.

“Closing a clinic does not remove a single patient. It just sends them to the next facility,” says Sebastián Traficante, MSF emergency coordinator in Darfur. “After a longer and more expensive journey, patients often arrive in a much more serious condition, and the hospital may already be full. MSF can reinforce some services, but we cannot absorb every closure.”

In Central Darfur’s Hamidiya displacement camp, a health centre that previously provided maternity, paediatric, and mental health care is now operating at sharply reduced capacity after an international aid organisation ended its support. Daily patient visits have dropped from 200 to barely 40, and vaccinations have stopped. The fall was not a sign that people had become healthier. They had stopped making the journey to a centre that could no longer treat them. A labourer in Darfur earns roughly US$1[3], a day. The US$2 transport fare to reach a working clinic therefore costs about two days’ wages, leaving residents to choose between healthcare and food. 

“That money could buy food instead,” a patient told MSF. “If there is no food, there can be no health.”

Despite the presence of around 50 NGOs in Tawila, critical gaps persist for up to 600,000 displaced people. MSF runs the only 200-bed hospital in the area and is the only organisation capable of mounting a large-scale epidemic response. Malaria and malnutrition cases are already rising despite limited rainfall, ahead of the peak of the rainy season — and we expect numbers to increase as the rain intensifies. In August, our teams admitted 191 children under five with severe malnutrition to our inpatient feeding centre, and nearly 22 per cent also tested positive for malaria.  

These closures are happening during a large-scale, severely underfunded humanitarian crisis. The UN reports that 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition and 19.5 million people faced crisis-level hunger earlier this year, meaning families either do not have enough food to eat or can only meet basic food needs by resorting to measures such as selling the assets they depend on to survive. Yet the UN’s $2.87 billion response plan is barely 41 per cent funded, and 37 per cent of Sudan’s health facilities are estimated to be completely out of service.​​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

Former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has expressed his appreciation to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio for facilitating his return to Sierra Leone from Nigeria, reaffirming his commitment to national cohesion, peace and the continued development of the country.

Former President Koroma made the remarks when he visited President Bio at State House in Freetown, where he personally thanked the President for the decision and support that enabled his return home.

Accompanied by Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the former President expressed his joy at being back in Sierra Leone and thanked President Bio for facilitating his homecoming.

“Mr President, it is good to be back here at home. I have to be here to thank you personally for the great decision you took on my return,” he stated.

Former President Koroma also assured President Bio of his continued commitment to national unity and pledged to support national development efforts.

He further expressed his willingness to make his experience available to President Bio whenever required, emphasising that his commitment to Sierra Leone transcends political differences.

Welcoming the former President back to Sierra Leone on behalf of the Government and people, President Bio acknowledged the significance of his return and the value of his experience as a former Head of State.

“God has put you in this position before, and only a few of us can come here as President. It is good that you are back home,” President Bio said.

The President stressed that the progress and development of Sierra Leone require the collective contribution of all citizens, irrespective of political affiliation or previous position.

President Bio recalled his own participation in the national sensitisation campaign during the Ebola outbreak, noting that his involvement in that national response demonstrated the importance of bringing Sierra Leoneans together in the interest of the country.

The meeting underscored the importance of dialogue, and collective responsibility in strengthening Sierra Leone’s peace and national unity, while reaffirming the shared obligation of current and former national leaders to contribute to the country’s continued progress.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

Source: APO

Following the retirement of Mr Patrick Andre as Principal Secretary for Land Transport, the Office of the President has announced changes in the leadership of the Land Transport and Homeland Security Departments. 

Ms Sheryl Vangadasamy has been appointed as the new Principal Secretary for Land Transport. At the time of her appointment, Ms Vangadasamy was Principal Secretary for Homeland Security.

Ms Vangadasamy is an experienced public sector professional with a diverse background spanning public administration, law enforcement, national security, legislative affairs, financial regulation and compliance. She previously served as Principal Secretary in the Office of the Designated Minister from January 2020 to June 2021, where her responsibilities included overseeing programmes relating to regional maritime security and information coordination, contributing to the development and review of policies and legal frameworks. 

She has also served as Special Advisor in the Ministry of Home Affairs and, from 2011 to 2016, as an elected Member of the National Assembly for Mont Buxton. Earlier in her career, Ms Vangadasamy served with the Seychelles Police Force, including as a detective involved in crime scene investigations and investigations into serious crimes, and as a Public Prosecutor with the Department of Legal Affairs. 

Prior to returning to public service, Ms Vangadasamy worked with the Financial Services Authority, most recently as Manager responsible for Virtual Asset Service Providers within the AML/CFT Unit. Her work included regulatory supervision, policy and legislative development, compliance monitoring, capacity building and engagement with industry. 

Ms Vangadasamy holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership and Strategy from the National University of Ireland, undertaken as a joint programme with the University of Seychelles. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Crime Compliance, which she completed with distinction. 

The Office of the President takes this opportunity to express its sincere appreciation to Mr Patrick Andre for his long and dedicated service to the Government and people of Seychelles.

Mr Andre has devoted more than four decades to the public service, with a career closely associated with the development and management of Seychelles’ land transport sector. He began his public service career in 1981 as a Survey Technician before joining the transport sector later that year as a Traffic Engineering Technician. He subsequently progressed through a range of technical and senior management positions, including Traffic Engineer, Principal Traffic Engineer, Director of Transportation, Director General of the Land Transportation Division, Technical Advisor and Road Transport Commissioner.

Mr Andre served as Principal Secretary for Land Transport from January 2013 until his retirement, bringing extensive technical expertise and institutional experience to the leadership of the sector. His professional development included studies and specialised training in civil engineering, highway engineering, urban traffic management, transportation planning and design, road safety and transport management.

The Office of the President thanks Mr Andre for his 45 years of dedicated service and for his significant contribution to the development of Seychelles’ land transport sector. It wishes him a peaceful, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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Ms. Gina Uika (IFS: 2006), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Botswana.

2. She is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

Source: APO

The State Department for Foreign Affairs has begun a review of its Staff Wellness Policy as it seeks to strengthen the wellbeing, resilience and effectiveness of officers serving at Headquarters and Kenya’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The review is being undertaken through a retreat bringing together officials and staff to assess the existing policy framework, examine emerging workplace and psychosocial challenges, and identify practical measures to strengthen support for employees across the Foreign Service.

Opening the retreat, Caroline Imbayi, Deputy Head of Department (HOD), Staff Wellness and Welfare, called for an inclusive review anchored in staff experiences and capable of delivering a practical, responsive and sustainable framework.

“Let us work together to develop a comprehensive, practical, and responsive Wellness Policy that will contribute to a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce,” Imbayi said.

She stressed the importance of translating the Department’s commitment to employee welfare into practical interventions that reflect the realities of officers serving both in Kenya and in diverse diplomatic environments abroad.

Esther Kinyanjui, Director of Counselling and Wellness Services at the State Department for Public Service and Human Capital Development, brought a broader mental-health perspective to the discussions, highlighting the importance of awareness, early support and tackling stigma in building healthier workplaces.

“Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness; it is a positive state of wellbeing that enables individuals to function effectively at work, in their families and in society. Strengthening awareness, encouraging early support and addressing stigma are therefore critical to building a healthy and resilient workforce,” Kinyanjui said.

The emphasis on mental-health awareness comes against a significant global and national burden. According to the presentation to the retreat, the mental-health challenge is global and was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation cites World Health Organization data ranking Kenya among the African countries with a high burden of depression and notes estimates that one in 10 Kenyans may experience mental-health-related challenges, while one in four patients seeking outpatient services may have a mental-health condition.

The presentation identified low awareness and stigma as major challenges, noting that limited understanding of mental-health conditions can delay people from seeking appropriate support. It also highlighted factors that can affect mental wellbeing, including trauma, social isolation, discrimination, bereavement, prolonged stress, physical health conditions and substance misuse.

For the workplace, the implications can extend to productivity, relationships and institutional performance. Early recognition of changes in behaviour, mood, engagement and work performance can help institutions respond appropriately and connect employees with support.

The review therefore provides an opportunity to strengthen a wellness framework that recognises the employee as a whole. The existing Staff Wellness Policy provides for psychological, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing, with interventions covering areas such as stress management, counselling, physical wellness, nutrition, financial management and conflict resolution. It also provides for Wellness Champions to help promote wellness initiatives across the organisation.

For Kenya’s Foreign Service, the need for a strong wellness framework carries an added dimension. Officers serving abroad may face the pressures of deployment and transfers, demanding workloads, separation from family, adjustment to different cultural environments and the responsibilities associated with representing Kenya overseas.

The review comes amid growing international recognition that employee wellbeing is closely linked to productivity, institutional resilience and effective service delivery. The World Health Organization estimates that one in eight people globally lives with a mental health condition, while depression and anxiety are estimated to cost the global economy about US$1 trillion annually in lost productivity.

The WHO and International Labour Organization have also estimated that approximately 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, underscoring the wider economic and organisational consequences of mental-health challenges in the workplace.

For the State Department for Foreign Affairs, investment in staff wellness therefore has implications beyond individual wellbeing. Through its Headquarters and diplomatic missions abroad, the Department advances Kenya’s foreign-policy and national interests, including trade and investment promotion, tourism diplomacy, development cooperation and international partnerships.

A healthy, supported and resilient diplomatic workforce is consequently an important foundation for effective representation of Kenya and the pursuit of the country’s economic and strategic interests internationally.

The policy’s guiding motto “A healthier Foreign Service for better diplomatic representation” captures the link between staff wellbeing and the country’s diplomatic effectiveness.

The retreat is expected to generate recommendations aimed at strengthening the policy, improving implementation and reinforcing staff wellness as an integral component of a resilient, productive and effective Foreign Service.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Kenya.