Category: English

Source: APO – Report:

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The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Shipokosa Paul Mashatile, has officially resumed work since the beginning of the week, following his full recovery.

The Office of the Deputy President wishes to extend its appreciation to all South Africans and various stakeholders for the messages of goodwill and support.

“Your thoughts, prayers and calls have been greatly appreciated,” said the Deputy President, “they have all made a positive impact on the journey towards recovery. For that, I am most grateful.”

The Office of the Deputy President also commends the members of the media for their continuous inquiry and communication, as well as monitoring the Deputy President’s healing progress.

Over the coming days, Deputy President Mashatile will, among other things, chair Cabinet Committees, attend Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement, engage inter-faith communities, respond to Oral Questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and resume his political programme.

– on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

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On October 7, 2026, His Excellency Mr. Édouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Development Cooperation, received a delegation from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) led by Ms. Nelly Banaken, Commissioner for Gender Promotion, Human and Social Development. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the progress of preparations for the third edition of the International Exhibition on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Central Africa, held under the theme: “Central African Women in Action: Economic Integration, Cross-Border Solidarity, and Diaspora Dynamism.” This event, held under the high patronage of Her Excellency Mrs. Angéline NDAYISHIMIYE, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, will be organized jointly with the Forum of Women Leaders Entrepreneurs. Both events are scheduled to take place in Burundi from November 3 to 6, 2026.

During the discussions, the head of the delegation expressed her gratitude to the Government of Burundi for the welcome and support extended to the ECCAS mission. She requested the Ministry to facilitate the issuance of visas on arrival at Melchior Ndadaye International Airport for the participants expected at these events. She also advocated for the exemption of duties on products intended for exhibition and sale at the fair. Furthermore, Ms. Nelly Banaken addressed logistical aspects regarding the organization of the activities, specifically the provision of a suitable venue for the events and a room for the press briefing for the Forum of Women Entrepreneur Leaders. To this end, she requested the Minister’s support in exploring the possibility of holding these activities in the vicinity of Intwari Stadium.

In response, the Minister reassured the delegation that participants would be able to obtain visas upon arrival. Regarding the exemption for products intended for exhibition and sale, he noted that this matter required prior consultation with the relevant sectoral ministries before a decision could be reached. As for the venue, His Excellency Mr. Édouard Bizimana explained that Intwari Stadium is currently under FIFA management, which could limit the feasibility of hosting the planned events there. However, he proposed exploring the Jardin Public as an alternative site and pledged to facilitate the necessary steps to assess its feasibility.

This meeting demonstrates Burundi’s commitment to supporting regional initiatives aimed at promoting women’s entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, and regional integration in Central Africa.

– on behalf of Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Burundi.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on Wednesday expressed concern about waste-management failures and gaps in climate monitoring. The committee warned that weak environmental governance increases risks to communities and the environment.

The concerns were raised after a briefing today by the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on the audit outcomes of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and its entities for the 2025/26 financial year.

On waste management, the committee heard that Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs) in four provinces were not approved by the Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. It also heard that five provinces could not provide evidence that they acted against municipalities that had not submitted IWMPs. Five provinces also did not prepare implementation reports. Members were concerned about the implications of this for environmental protection and public health.

Climate-monitoring targets were also missed. Members heard that the South African Weather Service (SAWS) achieved 62% availability of greenhouse gas data against a target of 85%. It also achieved 89% availability of climate data against a target of 90%.

Another concern was about weaknesses in environmental law enforcement. The national Environmental Management Inspectorate (EMI) register comprises 3 559 inspectors, but 68% are Grade 5 field rangers. There are no national norms for EMI numbers per province. Provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Free State had no approved environmental compliance inspection plans. Members also heard that there is an average delay of 24 months in the Free State’s referral of criminal cases to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Furthermore, the Free State and Northern Cape did not track implementation of administrative enforcement notices.

Other missed targets included managing invasive species and wetland rehabilitation. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) achieved 32% against a target of 35% for risk analyses on alien invasive species. The committee also heard that the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority treated not a single hectare against a target of 60 000 hectares for invasive alien plants. It also made no progress against its wetland rehabilitation target. The department, in turn, reported that it finalised 99% of environmental impact assessment applications within 107 days against a target of 100%.

The committee noted the portfolio’s overall audit outcomes, including iSimangaliso and the Marine Living Resources Fund (MLRF), which maintained clean audit opinions – unqualified with no findings. The department, South African National Parks (SANParks) and SANBI all received unqualified audit opinions with findings. The SAWS regressed to a qualified audit opinion with findings, and the audit of the South African Forestry Company (SAFCOL) remained outstanding. The committee heard that it is expected to be signed off on 30 October 2026. SAFCOL, which was first under the then Department of Public Enterprises, now falls under DFFE’s oversight.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Nqabisa Gantsho, commended the two clean audits and stressed the need for sound financial management that translates into effective delivery to communities. It was, however, concerned that previously identified information technology and cybersecurity weaknesses have not been addressed. Findings included weak vulnerability remediation, issues with access control, disaster recovery and backup governance. Members heard that a system at SANParks, for example, allowed visitor entry despite bank card payments that were declined. “The IT environment, waste management and compliance monitoring failures at provincial level require urgent intervention,” the Chairperson said.

Ms Gantsho said delays in referring alleged environmental offences to the NPA undermine timely investigation and prosecution. She said the committee would address these concerns in its Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report under section 5 of the Money Bills and Related Matters Act. Proposed recommendations would include stronger annual financial statement review controls at DFFE, SANBI and SAWS; finalising consequence management standard operating procedures; quarterly reporting on irregular expenditure and investigations; risk-based inspection plans for all provinces and urgent finalisation of the SAFCOL audit.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Ministry of Health, through the National Eye Health Program (NEHP), has joined local and international partners to commemorate World Sight Day, calling for increased investment in eye-care services, specialized health workers, early screening and expanded access to treatment across Liberia.

The celebration brought together Ministry of Health officials, eye-health professionals and representatives of Lions Club International, Sightsavers, OneSight, Samaritan’s Purse, the World Health Organization (WHO), Good Vision and New Sight.

In a remark, Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, said the Ministry is working to expand basic eye-health services nationwide, with emphasis on human-resource development.

“We are reaching out to individuals in the community to ensure that our people are safe,” she said, while thanking partners for their continued support.

“We want to reaffirm the Ministry of Health’s commitment to ensure that no one is left behind,” Dr. Jabbeh-Howe added.

Dr. Molley R. Goe, Director of the National Eye Health Program, said the Ministry and its partners have conducted eye screenings in schools across Monrovia and surrounding communities, reaching students, faculty and other residents.

“We want to remind the public that eye health is everybody’s business. People should not wait until they have severe problems with their vision before seeking care,” Dr. Goe said.

He urged Liberians to prioritize regular eye examinations and seek treatment when changes in vision occur.

“Early detection is very important because some eye conditions can be managed successfully when they are identified at an early stage,” he added.

Dr. Lawrence K. Bropleh, Chairman of the National Eye Health Steering Committee, commended the Ministry and its partners but stressed that infrastructure and equipment alone cannot address Liberia’s eye-health challenges.

“We can have all the best equipment here, but if doctors, nurses and administrators do not come with the requisite skills and know-how to attend to the people who need to receive care at this center, then it means that the real ends and objectives of this eye center and the equipment will not be achieved,” Dr. Bropleh said.

He called for greater investment in specialized eye-care professionals, including optometric nurses and ophthalmologists.

Dr. Bropleh urged the government and partners to integrate eye-health services into county health systems and school-health programs.

“Owing to the high burden of morbidity caused by blindness and its bi-directional link to poverty, it is my humble plea to state actors through the Ministry of Health to commit to supporting and working with existing partners to ensure that eye-health services are gradually integrated into all of our county health systems, as well as school-health services across the country,” he said.

He also called for greater support to eye-care facilities outside Monrovia, describing county facilities as critical to bringing services closer to communities.

“These facilities across our country need to be supported because they stand as the bedrock,” he

The Steering Committee Chairman also called for stronger professional training and warned against unqualified personnel presenting themselves as eye-care specialists.

“We must commit to intensively training our health practitioners to become excellent and dependable optometric practitioners to deliver the very best health-care services,” he said.

“Healthcare personnel who are not trained in optometric nursing or ophthalmology must not pretend,” he added.

Dr. Bropleh said eye health should be viewed as an essential component of national development, noting that farmers, engineers, teachers, police officers, health workers and other professionals depend on good vision to perform their duties.

“No country can thrive in prosperity and development in the absence of a healthy population,” he said.

He called for early screening, particularly among infants and children, as well as increased funding and logistical support for eye-care centers nationwide.

“When I travel across the country and interact with the population, especially in some of our counties, there are no eye clinics, no optometric nurses, no ophthalmologists,” he said.

He urged national authorities and partners to strengthen community screening, early diagnosis, public education, prevention and treatment of avoidable eye diseases, while expanding capacity for eye surgery and other sight-saving interventions.

Mr. Hiaka Hinneh, Deputy Director, Eye Health Program, highlighted the significance of World Sight Day, emphasizing public awareness, regular eye examinations, early detection and timely treatment as key measures in preventing avoidable blindness.

Representatives of Lions Club International, Sightsavers, OneSight, Samaritan’s Purse, Good Vision and New Sight also reaffirmed their support for Liberia’s eye-health agenda.

The observance underscored the need for continued collaboration among the government, partners, health workers and communities to expand access to quality eye-care services and reduce preventable vision loss in Liberia.

– on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO – Report:

Not too long ago, across Madagascar, in regions facing severe drought and extreme poverty, some young girls were in dire straits, unable to buy basic necessities, some-times having to exchange unprotected sex for commodities as commonplace as a single tomato. 

For many years, Madagascar’s HIV response was focused primarily on key populations including men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs and prisoners. But on the ground, warning signs were emerging that the picture was changing. 

“We began seeing clear indications that the epidemic was no longer confined to traditionally defined key populations but was increasingly affecting bridge populations and the wider community,” said Jude Padayachy, Secretary of State, Ministry of Health, Seychelles and former UNAIDS Country Director for Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros. 

By 2024, Madagascar had recorded a 151% increase in new HIV infections since 2010. At the same time, HIV treatment coverage remained at just 24%, among the lowest in the region and far below UNAIDS’ target of 95%. Weak surveillance systems, low HIV prevention and limited capacity to test for HIV meant that the country did not have a clear picture about the true scale and changing nature of the epidemic. 

Changing the response required better surveillance and service delivery, but also political leadership and commitment and the willingness to challenge assumptions that had shaped the HIV response for years. “Overcoming the initial resistance to shift our strategic approach required robust evidence and persistent dialogue,” said Mr Padayachy. 

Over several years, UNAIDS worked alongside the Government of Madagascar, communities, civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen surveillance systems, improve data collection and build a stronger evidence-base to inform the decision-making. 

“UNAIDS played a vital role in helping Madagascar strengthen the evidence-base for our HIV response and foster dialogue around this evidence,” said Norosa Rakotoherimora, Programme Manager, STI and HIV Control, Ministry of Health, Madagascar. 

Then came a critical turning point. 

In 2026, new data revealed that HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care services had reached 1.1%. This is above the 1% threshold that signals a generalized epidemic. The finding was a powerful signal that HIV transmission was reaching beyond the populations traditionally at the centre of Madagascar’s response. The young girls exchanging unprotected sex for a single tomato were outside of the picture the HIV response had been built around. The epidemic could no longer be understood only through the lens of key populations. 

The new evidence transformed the national conversation. It created an opportunity to bring the next National Strategic Plan in line with the reality of the epidemic, including expanding HIV prevention efforts, strengthening community action, increasing access to testing for HIV and engaging sectors far beyond health. 

The new evidence is also influencing conversations with international partners, including The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as Madagascar’s HIV response is increasingly considered as a more widespread epidemic. 

While the story is not yet over, the country has a clearer picture of the challenge it faces and a stronger basis for how it responds. 

Madagascar’s experience shows how data combined with sustained advocacy, leadership and political commitment, can change how a country understands its epidemic, how it responds and ultimately, how many lives it can save. 

Today, UNAIDS no longer has a country office in Madagascar, however, that did not end its support. The UNAIDS Regional Support Team for East and Southern Africa has kept the work going, continuing to provide technical support and helping to ensure the HIV response follows the evidence. 

– on behalf of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Source: APO – Report:

The management and staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) Ethiopia warmly congratulate H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba on her reappointment as Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

We commend Dr. Mekdes Daba for her exemplary leadership, dedication and continued commitment to advancing Ethiopia’s health agenda and strengthening the country’s health system. Her leadership has contributed to improved health outcomes and well-being of the people of Ethiopia.

WHO Ethiopia looks forward to further consolidating its longstanding partnership with the Government of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Health under her leadership. Together with national and international partners, WHO remains committed to supporting Ethiopia’s health priorities of building a resilient and equitable health systems, that advances the health and well-being, for all its people.

WHO Ethiopia wishes H.E. Dr. Mekdes Daba every success in her continued service to the people of Ethiopia.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO – Report:

The Ministry of Education’s 2026 School Health and Hygiene Kits Distribution Exercise has reached 659 learners across five schools in Bong and Grand Cape Mount counties.

In Grand Cape Mount County, 270 learners were reached across three schools in Gola Konneh District:

2. Kinjor Public School: 79 learners; 34 males and 45 females

1. Tahn Public High School: 137 learners; 64 males and 73 females

3. Daniel F. Tolbert Vocational Academy Institute: 54 learners; 36 males and 18 females

In Bong County, 389 learners were reached across two schools in Gbarnga District:

1. Dolokelen Gboveh High School: 344 learners; 157 males and 187 females

2. Gbarnga Central School for the Deaf: 45 learners; 26 males and 19 females

Across the two counties, the distribution reached 317 male and 342 female learners.

The exercise continues across additional counties as the Ministry works to strengthen school health and hygiene and support safer learning environments for students across Liberia.

– on behalf of Ministry of Education: Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO – Report:

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcomes today’s launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture and expanding the continent’s capacity to generate credible, independent analysis of African credit risk.

Credit ratings play an important role in determining access to capital, influencing investor perceptions and shaping the cost at which governments, institutions and businesses can finance development. It is therefore essential that assessments of African credit risk are independent, rigorous and evidence-based, while reflecting a complete understanding of the structures, institutions and economic realities being assessed.

The establishment of AfCRA adds an important African-led source of credit opinion to the market. Its value will not be measured by whether it produces more favourable ratings, but by the credibility of its analysis, the quality of its data and transparency of its methodology, and its ability to deepen understanding of African sovereigns, sub-sovereigns and corporate credit.

This is particularly important given that many African issuers remain unrated, while local-currency and sub-sovereign markets continue to have limited rating coverage. Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets.

Alongside fellow members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Afreximbank has consistently maintained that African Multilateral Financial Institutions should be assessed on the basis of their fundamentals, performance, legal frameworks, mandates and operating models. Ensuring that these institutional characteristics are properly understood is essential to achieving informed, balanced and credible assessments of African risk.

Commenting on the uniqueness of the African market, and need for AfCRA’s rating methodology to reflect this, Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, said: “The rating methodology AfCRA develops must recognise the uniqueness of our environment and its institutional structures. The Agency must set its own standards and not follow those set elsewhere — it must build a unique identity that conforms to an ‘African best practice.”

Highlighting the need for the autonomy of the Africa Credit Rating agency as it takes off, Mr Denya added: “Most importantly, AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans. We must all use it, and in return expect a complete assessment of where we (Africa) stand: the strengths the market has ignored, and the weaknesses we still need to fix.” 

AfCRA should therefore be seen as complementary to existing international and regional rating agencies, broadening the range of credible analysis available to investors and issuers while strengthening competition, transparency and analytical capacity within Africa’s credit markets.

As Africa seeks to mobilise the scale of capital required for industrialisation, trade, infrastructure and economic transformation, credible African institutions that improve information, strengthen market confidence and deepen the continent’s financial markets will become increasingly important.

Afreximbank congratulates the African Union, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and all those involved in bringing AfCRA from concept to launch, and looks forward to the contribution the Agency will make to deeper, more transparent and more efficient African capital markets.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

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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 strong 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 2025, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$48.5 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$8.4 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), GCR (A), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), Moody’s (Baa2) and S&P Global Ratings (BBB+). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com