Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

In Otallo, pursuing education often means embarking on a dangerous journey.

In an area that doesn’t offer formal education at the upper primary or secondary levels, girls determined to reach their full potential in life are forced to put themselves at risk by navigating insecure conditions to reach far-away schools in Pochalla South County or even across the border into Ethiopia.

The dilemma they face is not whether they can complete the required schoolwork or pass exams, but whether it’s worth the risk.

It’s also a painful choice for parents. Do they protect their daughters from danger or risk their safety in the hope that education will give them a better future.

“Our girls can be abducted or abused along the road,” explains mother, Ajulu Pio Obang.

“We already live in fear – like asylum seekers on our own land because we do not know who is next on the death list. But it’s even worse when we have to worry about exposing our girls to danger when they go to school.”

Families shared their concerns with peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on a patrol to their area, where they provide a protective presence, assess the security situation, and engage with communities to understand their needs.

“The patrol gave us an opportunity to hear directly from women and ensure they play a more prominent role in conflict prevention, reconciliation, and peacebuilding,” says UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Anne Nduta Muriithi.

It became apparent during the discussions that, for women, insecurity doesn’t begin and end with armed attacks. Instead, it follows them to their farms and homes, as well as to the dreams of their daughters.

“The fear in our community is beyond comprehension,” says mother, Aga Ojulu Oman. “They even kill people in their houses nowadays. This is new.”.”

“Although it is the 21st century, we are still fighting over two boreholes because of water scarcity and congestion at the water point. And if something happens, there is no early warning or means to gather support due to the lack of network,” argued Elizabeth Mose Odol.

These concerns are amplified by concerning statistics released by the Jonglei State Ministry that more than 700 children have been abducted since 2023, with 25 women and children reported missing in Otallo alone.

But for the mothers, it action to strengthen protection rather than a collection of statistics that is needed.

For them, the education of their daughters’ education is not just a simple need. It is their families’ lifeline – their hope for a brighter future.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Chief of Staff, ECOWAS Standby Force (COS ESF), Brigadier General Sheikh Massaquoi and the Commander, ECOWAS Logistics Depot (ELD), Lungi, Navy Captain Idenyi Jude Akpa, accompanied by staff officers of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) and the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) of the ECOWAS Commission, on Wednesday, 30th of September 2026, paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. 

The visit formed part of ongoing engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Military Component of the ECOWAS Comission and the Nigerian Army, particularly in the areas of regional security, defence cooperation, operational readiness, interoperability, training and logistics support.

During the engagement, Brigadier General Massaquoi conveyed the greetings of the President of the ECOWAS Commission and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (CPAP) to the Chief of Army Staff. He expressed appreciation to the Chief Of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army for the warm reception and acknowledged Nigeria’s longstanding contributions to peacekeeping, regional security and defence cooperation within West Africa. He stressed the need to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force into a more proactive, interoperable and responsive regional security capability capable of addressing evolving threats.

The Chief of Staff, ECOWAS Standby Force (COS ESF) further highlighted the importance of updated military doctrines, enhanced joint training and exercises, intelligence sharing and stronger defence partnerships among ECOWAS Member States. He also solicited the continued support of the Nigerian Army towards enhancing the operational effectiveness and readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force and strengthening its capacity to discharge its mandate in support of collective security, peace and stability across the subregion.

The Commander, ECOWAS Logistics Depot, Lungi, Navy Captain Akpa highlighted the critical role of effective logistics support in sustaining the operational readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force. He underscored the importance of strengthening the capacity of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot to support force deployment, sustainment and other operational requirements of the ECOWAS Stamdby Force, while emphasising the need for continued cooperation and support in enhancing regional logistics capabilities.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, called for deeper regional security cooperation and stronger defence partnerships among ECOWAS Member States to confront contemporary and emerging security threats. He noted that terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime and other cross-border threats require collective action, intelligence sharing, regular dialogue, joint training and greater interoperability among regional armed forces.

The Chief of Army Staff reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to Nigeria’s regional security obligations and assured the delegation of continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the ECOWAS security architecture. He emphasised that sustained military-to-military cooperation, harmonised doctrines and enhanced operational readiness remain essential to building a responsive regional security framework capable of promoting peace, stability and sustainable development across West Africa.

The courtesy visit provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on contemporary regional security challenges and reaffirm their commitment to enhanced military cooperation, interoperability, joint training, intelligence sharing, logistics support and the development of a more responsive regional security architecture for West Africa.

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

Source: APO – Report:

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The African Union (AU) Commission strongly condemns the attack attributed to the Houthis against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on 10 October 2026, which reportedly claimed 12 lives and injured more than 300 people, according to Saudi authorities.

The Commission expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, extends its condolences to the bereaved families and countries concerned, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The Commission underscores that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in accordance with international law and must never be targeted.

It calls for an immediate cessation of attacks and urgent de-escalation to prevent further escalation and safeguard regional peace and security.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO – Report:

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On 8 October 2026, Junior Joint Command and Staff Course No. 105/26, led by the Head of Junior Division, Lt Col Elvis Obara, undertook team-building activities at Karura Forest, Nairobi. The activities included soccer, lawn tennis, volleyball, chess, a relay sprint race, a 20-kilometre mountain bike trail ride and an inter-syndicate tug-of-war challenge.

The delegation, comprising Directing Staff, Student Officers and support staff from the Joint Command and Staff College (JCSC), Karen, was received by Mr Edward Munene, Principal Conservator in charge of the Karura Forest ecotourism facility.

The activities aimed to enhance physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork and discipline among Student Officers. They also strengthened interpersonal bonds, encouraged mutual support and reinforced the collective spirit essential for effective joint operations.

The visit further highlighted the importance of interagency collaboration between national security institutions and agencies responsible for environmental conservation. Karura Forest provided an ideal setting for reflection on the contribution of environmental stewardship to national development and security, reinforcing the need for a collaborative approach to safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage.

– on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expresses his profound sorrow over the tragic loss of 109 lives, including children, following the capsizing of a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Djibouti, as reported by the United Nations.

He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased and expresses his solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy.

Mr. Youssouf underscores the urgent need for strengthened regional and international cooperation to address the root causes of irregular migration, combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, and promote safe, orderly and regular migration, in accordance with relevant African Union frameworks and international commitments.

The Chairperson reaffirms the AU Commission’s commitment to working with Member States and partners to protect the lives and dignity of migrants, particularly vulnerable groups, including children, and to advance coordinated efforts to prevent such tragedies.

– on behalf of African Union (AU).