Category: English

Posted on

Qatar Takes Part in Extraordinary Session of Council of Foreign Ministers of OIC Member States to Consider Continuing Israeli Aggression Against Palestinian People

Source: Government of Qatar

Jeddah, August 25 

The State of Qatar took part Monday in the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to consider the continuing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, led the State of Qatar’s delegation to the session.

In the State of Qatar’s statements before the session, His Excellency said the Palestinian cause remains central for the Islamic nation, which grapples today with dire challenges and threats, triggering this emergency convention amid the unprecedented escalation of the Israeli aggression against the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Over a million humans face systematic starvation crimes and a tight blockade, amid the announcement of an Israeli plan to militarily take over the entire Gaza Strip to impose a new forced reality that reconsolidates the occupation in unconscionable breach of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, Al Muraikhi added.

He stressed that the State of Qatar confirms its flat-out rejection and condemnation of all the Israeli unlawful practices, in terms of any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their territories whether in Gaza, the West Bank, or the occupied Jerusalem, along with the policies Israel pursues to expand settlement, and cautions against the menacing consequences of these kinds of policies and plans on regional and global security.

Al Muraikhi reiterated the State of Qatar’s condemnation of the latest crime to displace the Palestinian journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, which resulted in killing six of them, among them five who were working for Al Jazeera network.

It is no doubt that targeting media practitioners represents an egregious violation of international humanitarian law and a deliberate attempt to muzzle the voice of truth, which, at the end of the day, exposes the Israeli occupation’s crimes, His Excellency underlined.

Al Muraikhi further expressed the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the assaults on medical personnel and paramedics who operate in profoundly tough humanitarian conditions to save lives, since this move constitutes a double crime against humanity that requires holding the perpetrators to account and ensuring full protection for those medical practitioners.

The unabating Israeli military transgressions and disregard for humanitarian and legal principles are emboldened by inaction on the part of the international community to uphold its responsibilities and encourage impunity, His Excellency underlined.

Accordingly, His Excellency said, there is a desperate need for immediate and effective international action to bring the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and the entire occupied Palestinian territories to an end, lift the unjust blockade imposed on Gaza immediately, allow the unhindered and unconditional flow of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and fuel, ensure protection for civilians and infrastructure, and enable relief organizations to undertake their duties based on international humanitarian law.

In addition, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s undertaking to diligently continue its efforts alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States to reach a lasting ceasefire, ensure the release of hostages and prisoners as a springboard for a serious political path toward the two-state solution, culminating in the establishment of the independent Palestinian State on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al Muraikhi underscored the importance of executing the outcomes of the High-Level Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, convened in New York and co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic.

Finally, His Excellency added that the State of Qatar reiterates its commendation and welcome of the decisions taken by the nations that declared their recognition of the Palestinian statehood, as positive steps that align with international legitimacy and support the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to have their independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Posted on

What makes Lake Iro in Chad so special? It’s not just a viral sunglint photo

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pierre Rochette, Emeritus professor in geophysics, Aix-Marseille Université (AMU)

Lake Iro in Chad was in the news in early August 2025 after a picture taken by a NASA astronaut was published showing it looking like a large, circular silver mirror as sunlight reflected off its surface and into space. The phenomenon is known as a sunglint and can happen to any water surface under the right conditions. The startling picture led The Conversation Africa to find out more about the lake. Pierre Rochette is an emeritus professor in geophysics from Aix-Marseille University in France. He has studied the lake, and navigated it too for a geophysical study. He answers questions about its properties as an impact crater from an ancient meteor.

What’s there to know about Lake Iro?

The lake is in south-eastern Chad, about 120 km from the border with the Central African Republic.

Lake Iro lies in the middle of an “inland delta”, which was formed by river waters diverging from the Bahr Salamat, a river which flows in the wet season, with very limited flow in the dry season.

It has a semi-circular shape and is about 12 km in diameter. A number of rivers meander around it.

Iro Lake is a vital resource for people living in the area. It provides permanent water and fodder for the large herds of cattle migrating from the Sahelian zone when it’s too dry to keep the animals up north.

People there also produce dried smoked fish, which is exported.

What’s unique about the lake?

Iro may be the largest extraterrestrial impact crater lake in Africa. Volcanic or karstic (where rock has dissolved) crater lakes are much more abundant on Earth.

When an asteroid or comet strikes the Earth’s surface at a speed of about 10km per second, it excavates a crater about ten times larger than itself. So the extraterrestrial body must have been 1km wide in the case of Iro Lake.

My research shows several examples of such impact craters in Chad. Their age is unknown, but likely older than ten million years.

The crater that is home to Lake Iro is a bit larger than the better known Bosumtwi Lake in Ghana. Bosumtwi crater was also excavated by an asteroid strike, but more recently, about one million years ago.

Africa has only 20 proven impact craters (among which seven have a diameter larger than 10km). That corresponds to one tenth of the total proven craters on Earth.

Since 2014, no new crater has been discovered in Africa. A large number (around 49, according to some studies) and a few other potential impact structures have been proposed in Africa, mostly based on satellite imagery and topography.

But solid proof for impact in these proposed structures, including Iro lake, is lacking due to limited or non-existent field studies.

As a group of scientists we have been heavily involved in tracking down impact craters on the continent. Our most recent work involves an ongoing study of the 40km diameter Velingara structure in Senegal.

Studying large impact craters is important to better evaluate the future threat of asteroid impacts. They also provide potential resources (like water, petrol and metals) and a record of ancient climates in the sediments accumulated in the crater lake.

Crossing the river to reach the Iro lake. Author supplied

How do you know it started off as a meteor crater?

Proving the impact nature of a circular structure requires traces of either extraterrestrial matter or of very high pressures endured by the target material.

Due to the likely old age and thus strong erosion of Iro’s circular depression, hardly any rock can be found on the surface. Only drilling for several hundred metres can reach the impacted rocks and thus provide definitive proof. This is a very hard task in such a remote area.

Nevertheless, the known geological features of the area provide no other explanation for the presence of this circular depression, apart from an impact.

That’s why we consider Iro Lake as a potential impact structure. It’s still unproven, but likely.

Can you spot the hippo in the Iro lake? Author supplied

What are its distinctive geological features?

The area around Iro is extremely flat, as demonstrated by the slope of the Bahr Salamat river, south of the lake, of the order of 0.2 metres per kilometre. This explains the meandering nature of the river, highlighted by the published sunglint image.

Topographic map of Iro area, indicating drainage and flow direction. Author supplied

Bahr Salamat’s altitude south of Iro is 396 metres, higher by only 40 metres from its altitude 160km to the west-south-west. In fact the Bahr (“river” in the local language) seems to go around the Iro lake depression (the average altitude of the lake is 387 metres).

This is odd as the river should have been attracted towards the depression, but can be explained by the fact that the impact generated a regional uplift that resulted in the Bahr changing its course to the south, to avoid the uplifted region.

What is a sunglint?

Depending on the angle of view, any body of water can behave as a mirror for a light source, such as the sun.

Completely still water just reproduces the object emitting the light, like a perfectly still mountain lake reproduces the rocky landscape above it.

But if the water surface is disturbed by wavelets, the perfect reflection vanishes, and is replaced by blurred light – in this case from the sun. This is the sunglint.

Anybody can experience it in clear weather from an aeroplane or from the top of a mountain, looking at a landscape containing water surfaces riddled by a breeze, in the direction of the sun.

Spectacular examples of sunglints, especially when the sun is not at its highest point (at noon), are reported from satellite imagery, as can be seen here.

The visual phenomenon is not limited to satellite imagery. The term sunglint has been in use since the 1960s. Earlier mentions of the phenomenon used the term “sun glitter”.

– What makes Lake Iro in Chad so special? It’s not just a viral sunglint photo
– https://theconversation.com/what-makes-lake-iro-in-chad-so-special-its-not-just-a-viral-sunglint-photo-263228

Posted on

Christians and the British empire: how a church NGO got entangled in colonial violence in Kenya

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Poppy Cullen, Lecturer in International History, Loughborough University

In the 1950s, Kenyans fought against colonial control in what came to be known as the Mau Mau rebellion. In response, the British government announced a state of emergency in 1952 and engaged in a brutal counter-insurgency campaign to secure control of colonial Kenya.

During the emergency, tens of thousands of Kikuyu, Embu and Meru – tribal groups predominantly from central Kenya – were detained without trial in camps. These detention camps relied on torture sanctioned by government to get detainees to renounce their nationalistic ambitions.

More than one million other Kenyans were forcibly relocated into new and controlled villages. These were frequently sites of forced labour, coercion and violence.

This was supported by the colonial policy of “rehabilitation”. The objective was to get Mau Mau adherents to “confess” their Mau Mau activities, give up their ties to the movement and receive education to become valuable colonial subjects.

But rehabilitation became a cover for excessive violence perpetrated against those in camps and villages.

It was not just the colonial state which engaged in rehabilitation. NGOs also employed people and spent money to help enact rehabilitation policies. These organisations included Save the Children and the Red Cross.

Read more: Academic sleuthing uncovered British torture of Mau Mau fighters

My recent research looks at another organisation that became actively involved: the Christian Council of Kenya. I am a historian of the relationship between Kenya and Britain before and after independence, and interested in the intersection between humanitarianism and decolonisation.

The Christian Council of Kenya was established in 1943 as an ecumenical group of missions and churches based in Kenya. It involved all the major Anglican churches, but few African Independent Churches. It was mostly made up of white European Church leaders and missionaries.

It was not a very powerful organisation until the 1950s. This all changed with the Mau Mau emergency. The council viewed its involvement in Mau Mau rehabilitation as an opportunity to evangelise and win converts to Christianity.

The council’s involvement reveals the variety of ways that NGOs became involved – and sometimes implicated – in policies of colonial violence.

The emergency provided the Christian Council of Kenya the opportunity to grow through a process of “NGO-isation”. This involved the transformation of missionary organisations into NGOs during the period of decolonisation.

As secular NGOs emerged, and policies of development increased, missions expanded their activities. This included employing new staff, fundraising, organising ambitious development projects, and working with governments and other NGOs. These were all things the council first did during the emergency.

In the process, the council became part of the colonial system of violence and mass incarceration. While sometimes directly criticising the government, it came to support the government and sanction its violence.

This was especially clear in later years when violence and torture increased but the council spoke out less against them. Through its place on a rehabilitation advisory committee and its direct connection to the governor, the council positioned itself as an ally of government rather than a critic.

The council’s involvement

In 1954, the Kenya colonial government invited the Christian Council of Kenya to help with the project of rehabilitation. This involved employing staff who could work in detention camps and new villages.

The council worked with Christian Aid in Britain, which raised funds for its activities. Christian Aid was at the time expanding from its roots in Europe. Working with the council in Kenya was Christian Aid’s first major project in Africa. The council also received colonial government grants.

The Christian Council of Kenya appointed a general-secretary, Stanley Morrison, a British national who led council efforts in the rehabilitation programme. Morrison believed that detainees would feel a spiritual lack after renouncing Mau Mau and that Christianity could fill the gap.

He saw working with Christian Aid and the government as a chance for growth and actively set about pursuing these opportunities. A key part of this involved sending priests into prisons and detention camps. This was a vast and literally captive audience for evangelism.

The council also designed a “cleansing ceremony” for detainees. This was intended to follow an extensive programme of Christian instruction, in which detainees would renounce their adherence to Mau Mau and embrace Christianity.

But the Christian revival it hoped for did not take place. The council’s activities and influence were limited, mainly due to the fact that there were hundreds of thousands in detention and over a million people in new villages. The council did not have the funds to employ enough people to meet this need. This meant that interventions like the cleansing ceremony weren’t widespread.

The complexities

The Christian Council of Kenya’s relationship with the colonial government was complicated.

On the one hand, it shared common aims with the government. On the other, the council was also concerned about the violence and abuses that occurred in the emergency.

This raised a challenge frequently faced by NGOs working in sites of violence: whether and how to voice criticism while ensuring access to their intended recipients.

Council members had different views. The group criticised the government publicly several times, but more often preferred to raise concerns privately. In this way, it ensured its friendly relationship with the colonial government.

The biggest clash was between Anglican bishop Leonard Beecher and David Steel, the moderator of the Church of Scotland. Steel favoured a direct approach against the violence, preaching a sermon that was broadcast on radio to raise awareness of abuses. Beecher criticised this as likely to damage the Christian Council of Kenya’s relationship with the government.

The government invited the council to join the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee in October 1954. This gave it the chance to mitigate excesses, but also meant it was implicated in government policy.

The council’s criticisms decreased further over the final years of the emergency. For example, when told of the “dilution technique”, which involved beating detainees who refused to confess their Mau Mau oaths, the council shrugged it off with the view that those men were probably psychiatric cases.

As the fighting wound down from 1957, the council no longer focused on rehabilitation, but on long-term development activities, such as training church leaders, running youth training programmes and working with industry.

By the official end of the emergency in 1960 when the colonial government lifted restrictions, the Christian Council of Kenya was well established as a development-focused NGO, with an active portfolio of activities, supported by Christian Aid in the UK, and with close relations to the Kenya government.

The opportunity that the council expected from the emergency – more converts – did not arise. But there was an opportunity for it in its own expansion.

The consequences

My findings highlight the need to pay more attention to missions and churches as major actors at the end of empire. They are often overlooked in favour of political actors, but could have played significant roles behind the scenes.

The council, with Christian Aid’s ongoing support, continued working in Kenya past independence, and still exists. It was renamed the National Council of Churches of Kenya. In 1963, the year of Kenya’s independence, the council appointed its first African general-secretary. Its role in the emergency helped set up its later success.

– Christians and the British empire: how a church NGO got entangled in colonial violence in Kenya
– https://theconversation.com/christians-and-the-british-empire-how-a-church-ngo-got-entangled-in-colonial-violence-in-kenya-262566

Posted on

Fashion and Art with Purpose: Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) harnesses creativity to drive meaningful change and raise awareness of critical social and health issues across Africa

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marks ‘World Art Day 2025’ through their Pan African ‘Art and Fashion with Purpose’ Community, established by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation. Through this dynamic community, Dr. Kelej continues to raise awareness on critical health and social issues while empowering artists across Africa and beyond to use their creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering a cultural shift within their communities.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of 100 Most Influential Africans 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 emphasized, “I am delighted to mark ‘World Art Day 2025’ as I strongly believe that art, fashion, and media hold immense power in raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues—ultimately creating a culture shift in the communities. Art and fashion, to me, go far beyond aesthetics or entertainment, they serve as meaningful tools for education and advocacy. With this vision, we have launched many initiatives including our first-ever pan-African TV program, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of our ‘Fashion and Art with Purpose’ community. Through this one-of-a-kind show and our other unique initiatives, we continue to raise awareness about critical social issues such as Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Empowerment, and also about health issues like diabetes, hypertension, and much more.”

‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa. The program has captured the attention and hearts of millions of viewers across Africa.

The TV program has been broadcasted on prime TV stations of many countries like KTN HOME (Kenya), GH One & TV3 (Ghana), NTV (Uganda), BTV (Botswana) Mashariki TV (Burundi), QTV (The Gambia), KTN (Kenya), LNTV (Liberia), Mibawa TV (Malawi), Deffi Media (Mauritius), AYV (Sierra Leone), NTV (Uganda), ZNBC (Zambia), ZTN (Zimbabwe), NTV (Namibia) and more.

“Our Africa” TV Program is currently on social media handles of Social Media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/47fDfBA), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4pbtyuz), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/41Wn5tb) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/41UlyUs)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4lPay1Q), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/47g24gC), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3HucKhl) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4mF6KBI)].

Watch the Promo of the Program here: https://apo-opa.co/4oRg070

Beyond Our Africa TV Program, Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa announces annually 8 important Awards, under two themes, for Media, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers and Musicians/ Singers, and potential young African talents in these fields. The themes of the two categories of awards are: 1) Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls’ Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and/ or Women Empowerment at all levels and 2) promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension. The 2025 editions were announced during the 11th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in Tanzania in October 2024.

Dr. Kelej emphasized, “It is very well known that Africa’s creativity reflects its rich heritage, expressed in the form of art, fabrics, music, and storytelling and is carried forward through generations. Hence, we launch these awards annually, with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. Through our Awards, we aim to inspire the continent’s youth to use their innate talents to address our important and critical social and health issues, by raising awareness through their creative work at all levels.”

Entries for the Awards can be sent to: submit@merck-foundation.com

Also, as a part of the Community Awareness Programs, Merck Foundation has created over 30 songs with many African Artists, in English, French, Portuguese and also local African languages to address critical issues like breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, diabetes awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and more.

Merck Foundation in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa has also launched 8 Children’s Storybooks in three languages: English, French and Portuguese. Additionally, Merck Foundation has adapted these storybooks to create interesting animation films with the purpose of reaching out to the communities to raise awareness on the important issues with an aim of instilling change at grassroot levels.

To listen to the Merck Foundation songs, read Merck Foundation storybooks and watch Merck Foundation animation films, click on the below links:  

https://apo-opa.co/47JD4P2

https://apo-opa.co/4mzhpgY 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager 
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4lPay1Q
X: https://apo-opa.co/3HucKhl
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4mF6KBI
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/47g24gC
Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4oUwlbc
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/41Lf8qX
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4p8rW4G

About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4lPay1Q), X (https://apo-opa.co/3HucKhl), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/47g24gC), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4mF6KBI), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4oUwlbc) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/41Lf8qX).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

Media files

.

Posted on

Justice DG, DDG face disciplinary proceedings over delayed Madlanga Commission

Source: Government of South Africa

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has instituted disciplinary proceedings against the department’s Director General (DG), Advocate Doc Mashabane.

This as the department grapples with the circumstances leading to the delay in the commencement of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System – known as the Madlanga Commission.

The Minister made the announcement during a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

She explained that she was notified on Friday that the commission would not be able to commence hearings on 1 September as previously announced due to delays on the side of the department.

“It was clear at the end of the day that it is practically impossible to intervene in procurement process without compromising what is required by law as compliance with PFMA and SCM policies.

“I immediately reported the situation to…President [Cyril Ramaphosa] who was travelling…[and] we immediately agreed that I will do a full report to him which was done by Friday.

“In the process, the President then delegated to the Minister of Justice…powers to institute disciplinary proceedings against the [DG] and this decision has been communicated to him this afternoon,” Kubayi said.

The department’s ICT Deputy Director General (DDG), Jabu Hlatshwayo, has also been placed on immediate suspension pending an investigation and disciplinary process.

“This is because of the failures and lapses on the system and also not being able to do due diligence in ensuring that the commission starts on time,” she added.

Ploughing ahead

Kubayi emphasised that despite these delays, the commission “has commenced with preliminary work that includes interaction with their witnesses”.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the commission begins its work without further delays and to strengthening the operational efficiencies of the department to prevent similar setbacks in the future,” Kubayi said.

During the question-and-answer session, the Minister expressed disappointment that the commission would not begin hearings as previously announced.

“I am disappointed like many South Africans. If you remember, General Mkhwanazi made reference even to prosecutors. What we are looking for, including myself as the Minister, is to look at rebuilding the brand of NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] for example and also building confidence in the JCPS [Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster].

“If this [commission] is not done and concluded in time, it will continue to have a cloud over our heads and it will also impede on our work. It can act as demoralising for the men and women who are committed in the [cluster] to work effectively.

“The President is committed and that’s why he…asked us to go public and explain in the most transparent and accountable manner to say what has led to where we are and the consequences. [We are] rebuilding public confidence in our work,” Kubayi said.

A look back

The establishment of the commission – chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga – was announced by President Ramaphosa following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi made several allegations about an alleged criminal syndicate that has spread influence into law enforcement, the NPA and intelligence services.

Mkhwanazi also made allegations against the Police Minister – alleging that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mchunu has since been placed on leave of absence with Professor Firoz Cachalia sworn in as Police Minister earlier this month. 

The commission’s hearings will be held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College starting at a date to be announced by the commission. – SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

Commission gears up for 2026 local government elections

Source: Government of South Africa

The Electoral Commission (IEC) is gearing up for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE)  with the Commission having  begun consultations with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said the law provides that the term of a municipal council is five years and that elections must be held no later than 90 days following the end of the term. 
The current municipal councils were elected on 1 November 2021. 

“This means that the current term will end on 2 November 2026. Therefore, the general elections of municipal councils fall due between 2 November 2026 and the end of January 2027. The authority to set a date and call an election lies with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs following consultation with the Commission.

“Consultations between the Minister and the Commission have commenced, but are yet to be concluded,” he said at the briefing held in Centurion, Pretoria.

WATCH | IEC briefing
 

[embedded content]

He added that the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) plays a pivotal role in shaping the political geography of the country through the determination of both municipal and ward boundaries.

Municipal wards are the political boundaries within which a single councillor is elected based on the first-past-the-post principle. 

“The MDB has indicated that it is about to conclude the process of ward delimitation. Crucially, the MDB will hand over final ward boundaries to the Commission at the end of October 2025. There will, however, be a residual of eighteen municipalities that will be handed over at a later stage. The latter case relates to municipalities that were subject to requests for the review of external municipal boundaries.”

Mamabolo said engagements with the MDB are planned to agree on the precise date for the receipt of wards for these residual municipalities.

Once the MDB provides the final set of wards to the Commission, the Commission will analyse its network of voting districts to ensure that they are geographically aligned to the final ward boundaries in preparation for voter registration ahead of LGE 2026- 2027.

Meanwhile, the Commission said the 2024 National and Provincial Elections met international standards for freeness and fairness and met the constitutional and legal standards.

Elections report 

This as the Commission tabled the 2024 elections report in the National Assembly in early July. The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs invited the Commission to a presentation of the report on 15 July.

It said that of  2024 elections that were held in May,  there were 27.78 million registered voters, which is the highest since 1999 when the voters’ roll was first introduced.

There was also increased litigation with 88 cases challenging various aspects of the electoral process. 

“The Electoral Commission prevailed in all except one, which relates to establishing special voting stations outside of the official foreign missions of the Republic. An appeal is pending in the Supreme Court of Appeal on this matter,” said the Commission.

At the conclusion of the session in July, the Portfolio Committee welcomed the report, acknowledged that there were areas for improvement, and commended the Commission for delivering free, fair, and credible elections. –SAnews.gov.za

Posted on

Thailand: Director-General of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs Department visits Republic of Côte d’Ivoire

Source: APO – Report:

.

On 31 July – 1 August 2025, Ms. Sasirit Tangulrat, Director-General of the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, together with delegates from the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and Thai agricultural experts, visited the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. They met with high-level Ivorian officials to strengthen bilateral relations and development cooperation, of which both sides agreed to move forward three areas of cooperation: food security, energy security and human security, with related details as follows:

(1) H.E. Mr. Léon Kacou Adom, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and the Ivorians Aboard, expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Thai side during his official visit to Thailand in February 2025. The Director-General reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to advancing cooperation in the three areas outlined and provided clarification on the situation along the Thai – Cambodian border, reiterating Thailand’s position in seeking to ease tensions and resolve issues through peaceful means.

(2) H.E. Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Minister of State for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production of Côte d’Ivoire agreed to strengthen development cooperation to enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s food security. The Thai rice experts had the opportunity to visit rice fields and discuss further cooperation on regional rice research and rice production technology transfer with Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production with the Africa Rice Center.

(3) Dr. Coulibaly-Koné Soltie Aminata, Chief of the Cabinet of the Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d’Ivoire agreed to promote cooperation in public health and health management, which constitutes a vital foundation for human security, particularly in the areas of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) management, food security, and pharmaceutical production.

(4) H.E. Mr. Evariste Koffi Yapi, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs of Côte d’Ivoire and representatives from relevant Ivorian government agencies jointly discussed follow up on the outcomes of the Ivorian Foreign Minister’s official visit to Thailand, where both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of Thailand – Côte d’Ivoire Political Consultations in 2026.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Posted on

Chandler Good Government Index 2025: Africa’s Top Governments Revealed

Source: APO – Report:

The 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) has identified Mauritius as the leading government in Africa, followed by Rwanda and Botswana. The average score for countries in Africa was the lowest amongst all regions, although there has been modest improvement between 2024 and 2025.

This is according to Dinesh Naidu, Director (Knowledge) at the Chandler Institute of Governance, who was speaking at a recent regional launch of the Index in Pretoria. The event brought together policymakers, academics, and practitioners to reflect on Africa’s governance journey and the lessons emerging from the latest findings.

Now in its fifth year, the CGGI provides one of the most comprehensive global measures of government capabilities and effectiveness. For Africa, the 2025 edition of the Index presents a mixed but forward-looking picture.

“As a region, Africa still has significant work to do in improving the quality of governance,” notes Naidu. “However, the recent progress recorded suggests an upward trajectory. Even in a challenging global environment, high performance African countries are making governance advances that can inspire peers across the continent.”

Covering 120 countries across seven pillars of capabilities and outcomes, the Index offers governments practical benchmarks to track progress, identify gaps, and strengthen public institutions. While many of Africa’s 28 CGGI‑ranked countries face fiscal and institutional challenges, several stand out for progress and resilience.

Africa’s top performers

In the 2025 rankings, Mauritius (51), Rwanda (59), Botswana (61), Morocco (75), and South Africa (77) emerged as the top five regional performers. While Mauritius remains the continent’s highest-ranked country for a fifth consecutive year, Rwanda stood out as the world’s best-performing low-income country, showing that national wealth is not necessarily a pre-requisite for effective government.

Botswana has improved its judiciary quality through digitalisation reforms in recent years, while Morrocco has made notable strides in data transparency and digital infrastructure. South Africa, despite fiscal pressures, remains one of the continent’s stronger performers and a key reference point for institutional capacity.

“South Africa continues to demonstrate real strengths in the areas of Robust Laws and Policies, as well as Strong Institutions, which help it remain among Africa’s top five performers,” says Naidu. “At the same time, persistent fiscal pressures and challenges in social outcomes highlight the importance of strengthening delivery in areas such as employment and income distribution. South Africa has the frameworks in place – it now needs to focus on turning this capability into more inclusive and tangible results for citizens.”

Tanzania: most improved over five years

Although outside the continental top five, Tanzania has recorded the most improvement of any African country since the Index was first published in 2021, rising from 82nd to 78th globally. In recent years, Tanzania’s government has expanded digital governance initiatives and introduced structural reforms to improve administrative efficiency and service delivery. The government’s Digital Tanzania Project is laying a foundation for technology‑driven governance solutions, while new regulatory frameworks, such as the Data Protection Act, seek to enhance security in the digital space.

“Good government is built over decades, but every step forward matters. The achievements we see in these African countries today – from digitalisation to reforms in public institutions – are building blocks for long-term transformation,” says Naidu.

A region of contrasts

The CGGI shows that Africa’s average governance score remains the lowest out of all regions worldwide. Only two countries – Tanzania and Rwanda – improved their rankings between 2021 and 2025. Financial Stewardship continues to be a major area of concern, as fiscal envelopes tighten and government debt burdens weigh heavily across the region.

At the same time, the continent’s strong demographic momentum offers promising opportunities. With 70% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population under 30, governments that can deliver on jobs, education, and inclusive growth stand to unlock a powerful dividend.

“What is encouraging is the progress in areas such as strong institutions and digital governance,” notes Naidu. “Across Africa, we are seeing examples of governments innovating to improve service delivery and strengthen accountability. These reforms show that even in a tough global environment, progress is possible.”

A practical tool for governments

With governments under pressure to deliver better services and governance outcomes, the CGGI provides actionable benchmarks across seven pillars: Leadership and Foresight, Robust Laws and Policies, Strong Institutions, Financial Stewardship, Attractive Marketplace, Global Influence and Reputation, and Helping People rise. Built by practitioners for practitioners, the Index provides a diagnostic tool that governments can use to identify opportunities for improvement and adopt good practices from peers.

“The Chandler Good Government Index is about recognising progress, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and inspiring improvements. We see it as a practical guide for governments committed to building long-term capabilities and improving service delivery,” says Naidu.

“The Chandler Institute of Governance remains committed to working alongside African governments, sharing insights, and strengthening public institutions to build a more resilient and inclusive future,” he concludes. 

– on behalf of Chandler Institute of Governance.

About the Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG):
The Chandler Institute of Governance (CIG) is a non-profit organisation that works with governments worldwide to build a strong and efficient public sector. We are a team of seasoned government practitioners grounded in real-world experience, focusing on the critical ‘how’ of governance in our partnerships with governments to strengthen institutions and systems, equip leaders, and share knowledge. Drawing on proven practices from Singapore and around the world, we tailor our solutions to each country’s unique needs – because context matters in governance. We are not affiliated with any national government or political party, and we do not represent any partisan or commercial interests.  

For more news and information, visit https://www.ChandlerInstitute.org or follow CIG on Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4mHkNqs), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4mTAsT8) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/3Jz9d1G) @ ChandlerINST 

About the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI):
The Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI) (www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com) is an annual index that measures the capabilities and effectiveness of 120 governments around the world. Built by practitioners for practitioners, the Index is designed to serve as a practical, diagnostic tool to support governments in benchmarking their performance and identifying areas for capability development.

For more information on the CGGI, visit  www.ChandlerGovernmentIndex.com

Media files

.

Posted on

Liberia: Dr. Kpoto Calls for Stronger Health System Resilience across Africa at the 75th Regional Committee Meeting (RC75)

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, has called on African nations to build stronger and more resilient health systems, urging member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region to unite in confronting the continent’s pressing health challenges. The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto, is accompanied by Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Deputy Minister/Chief Medical Officer R.L., and members of the County Health officials.

Delivering her remarks at the 75th Regional Committee Meeting (RC75) of the WHO African Region in Lusaka, Zambia, on August 25, 2025, Dr. Kpoto congratulated the newly elected WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, describing the election as a “resounding reflection of the trust and confidence that African member states have in your leadership capacity.”

She commended the new Regional Director’s vision and policy agenda, which she said offered a pragmatic and forward-looking roadmap to transform health outcomes across the continent. “Your vision in advancing public health in our region, and your manifestos which lay out a clear and pragmatic roadmap for transforming health outcomes in Africa, are more visionary and deeply rooted in the realities we face as African countries,” Dr. Kpoto declared.

She underscored that Liberia and other member states were particularly encouraged by the alignment between the new leadership’s strategies and their respective national health agendas. “Your focus on health system resilience, particularly primary healthcare revitalization, emergency preparedness, equity, and local interventions, resonates strongly with our collective aspirations,” she noted, adding that such priorities will be critical in accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Speaking in her capacity as Acting Chair of the RC74, Dr. Kpoto urged the new leadership to embrace the “spirit of African unity and common responsibility,” warning that the continent continues to confront multifaceted challenges, including recurrent outbreaks of cholera, mpox, and other infectious diseases, coupled with long-standing gaps in health financing and service delivery. “It is only by working together across sectors and borders that we can build resilient, people-centered health systems that our populations need and deserve,” she emphasized.

The Health Minister cautioned that shifts in the global development landscape were also affecting Africa’s progress in preventive healthcare. She pointed to disruptions in child immunization programs, challenges in combating preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, and the growing struggle to secure sustainable financing for essential services. “The shrinking donor envelope and shifting geopolitical priorities continue to affect our ability to sustainably finance essential health services and scale up innovation,” Dr. Kpoto warned. “Addressing this situation requires innovative approaches to increasing health financing, building stronger partnerships, and ensuring greater efficiency in resource mobilization and utilization. We must, therefore, redefine what self-resilience and sustainability mean for Africa.” On epidemic preparedness, she stressed the importance of strengthening continental capacity in surveillance, data management, vaccination, contact tracing, risk communication, and community engagement. “Breaking the chain of transmission for disease outbreaks requires a holistic strategy, one that integrates health, environmental, and intergovernmental approaches,” she said. “Such an approach must strengthen prevention and response systems across all sectors.”

Dr. Kpoto also highlighted the growing impact of climate change on public health, urging African governments to confront the crisis with urgency and coordinated action.

She concluded her address with a message of optimism, expressing confidence that the new WHO Regional Director will steer Africa’s health agenda toward greater resilience and sustainability. “I am confident that under this new leadership, we will rise to the occasion and confront the challenges before us with determination and solidarity,” she affirmed.

The RC75 gathering in Lusaka has brought together health ministers, policymakers, and development partners from across Africa to deliberate on health financing, system resilience, pandemic preparedness, and strategies for achieving Africa’s long-term health security.

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

Posted on

The European Union and International Rescue Committee (IRC) conclude groundbreaking project to strengthen flood preparedness in Nigeria

Source: APO – Report:

.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the European Union have successfully concluded an innovative disaster preparedness project aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from urban flooding in Adamawa State, northeast Nigeria. 

Climate-change is fueling disasters and floods at unprecedented rates in places already affected by conflicts and crises. In 2024, unprecedented flooding in Nigeria caused food insecurity and cholera outbreaks, last month’s devastating flash floods in Niger State claimed over 150 lives.

In a region facing escalating humanitarian needs due to conflict, displacement, and the growing impacts of climate change, urban flooding remains a persistent and deadly threat—especially in informal settlements. The project focused on reducing these risks through community-led anticipatory action, empowering local residents to prepare for and respond to floods before disaster strikes.

Throughout the project, communities were equipped with early-warning systems, inclusive planning tools, and localised preparedness protocols. Special attention was given to ensuring the participation of women, youth, people with disabilities, and displaced populations—those often most affected by climate-related shocks.

However, while this project marks a significant milestone, the need for anticipatory action in Nigeria is far from over. Climate change is accelerating the frequency and severity of disasters, and without sustained investment, the most vulnerable will continue to face devastating losses. We urge government, donors, and humanitarian actors to integrate anticipatory action into national disaster risk reduction strategies, ensure predictable financing for early action, and scale up community-led resilience programs nationwide. The lessons from Adamawa show that acting before disaster strikes is not only cost-effective, but essential for safeguarding lives, strengthening resilience, restoring livelihoods, and the dignity of our clients. 

Babatunde Ojei, IRC Nigeria Country Director, said:

“Investing in early action saves lives. This project has transformed how we respond to climate-driven disasters in fragile, urban settings. By putting communities at the centre—especially women and marginalised groups—we’ve helped lay the foundation for long-term resilience and local ownership.”

The IRC has operated in Nigeria since 2012, initially responding to catastrophic flooding in Kogi State. Today, the organisation supports crisis-affected communities across the northeast with health, protection, education, economic recovery, and climate resilience services. With over 700 staff in the country, the IRC brings deep expertise in disaster preparedness and anticipatory action.

The project also built on strong collaborations with local and national institutions, including the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) and the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), ensuring long-term sustainability of the model.

With over EUR 762,500 in funding from the European Union, the project has reached more than 52,000 people across the Adamawa State. As the program concludes, it leaves behind strengthened systems, trained local organisations, and empowered communities better equipped to face future floods—and a model for urban anticipatory action that can inform future interventions across the region.

– on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .