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Uganda’s autocratic political system is failing its people – and threatens the region

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Evelyn Namakula Mayanja, Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, Carleton University

When he was first sworn in as Uganda’s president in 1986, Yoweri Museveni declared that his victory represented a “fundamental change”. He promised that Ugandans would no longer die at the hands of fellow citizens. He also criticised African leaders who sought international prestige while their people lacked food, healthcare and dignity.

In his books Sowing the Mustard Seed (published in 1997) and What Is Africa’s Problem? (2000), Museveni condemned leaders who overstayed in power.

Now nearly four decades into his rule, Uganda’s promised democratic renewal has been replaced by increasingly autocratic governance. Once the liberator, Museveni has become the strongman, overseeing a deeply repressive system. Political opposition, civil society and ordinary citizens have faced growing human rights violations, violence and intimidation. This is particularly targeted at young people and political dissidents.

In the run-up to Uganda’s 2026 elections, political repression has intensified. Young people, under the leadership of opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi (popularly known as Bobi Wine), are at the centre of a growing struggle for freedom and democracy. And they are increasingly the targets of state violence.

I teach and research political repression and human rights. My work emphasises the importance of strengthening ethical and democratic leadership and governance. This enables sustainable peace, justice, development and human security to take root.

I have also argued that young people around the world can help save democracy – if they are supported. This is particularly the case in Uganda, which has one of the youngest populations in the world.

This support should come from the African Union (AU) in the first instance. Its peace and security council should make it clear to Museveni that he has obligations to respect people’s rights and freedoms. There is also a need for a standby military force from the AU and/or the UN to protect Ugandans against bloodshed.

The international community can also play a role by ending its supply of weapons and ensuring the implementation of international laws. This includes a commitment to arrest and prosecute those who commit crimes against humanity.

It is also urgent that Bobi Wine be granted special protection during and after the elections. The opposition leader has warned that the regime has plans to assassinate him.

What’s ailing Uganda

Museveni’s Uganda is marked by five key characteristics.

Firstly, authoritarianism and institutional control. To entrench his power, Museveni has rigged votes in every political election.

Authoritarianism is reinforced by personal and family control of institutions, particularly the military, police, the judiciary, the legislature and the electoral commission. The president’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba is Uganda’s chief of defence forces. Museveni’s wife Janet is the minister of education and a member of parliament. All institutions are headed and monopolised by people from the president’s ethnic group.

Secondly, corruption. Uganda is estimated to lose more than Sh10 trillion (US$2.8 billion) to corruption annually. Senior officials have amassed wealth through corruption.

Museveni’s recent political messaging has centred on protecting the gains of those in power. The president has referred to a national resource like oil, estimated at 6.65 billion barrels, as his.

For their part, the UK and US governments have sanctioned Ugandan officials for corruption.

Third, poverty. As of June 2025, Uganda ranked 157th out of 193 countries on a UN global development index. This index measures standards of living. Children still study under trees and hospitals are dilapidated. According to the World Bank, nearly 60% of the population lives on less than US$3 a day.

Fourth, human rights abuses, with perpetrators going unpunished. Supporters of Bobi Wine have faced beatings, torture, arrests, disappearances, military trials and extrajudicial killings. In 2020, security forces killed dozens of opposition supporters. Bobi Wine himself has survived several assassination attempts. His campaigns are frequently blocked. He has been pepper-sprayed, tear-gassed and denied accommodation.

Lastly, digital repression. The government has suspended internet access, and blocked platforms to prevent citizens from sharing evidence of state violence. This digital clampdown is a central tool of political control.

Opposition remains defiant

Despite repression, Bobi Wine, aged 43, has vowed to proceed with his campaign to unseat Museveni, 81. The opposition leader presents his movement as a fight to restore democracy, constitutionalism and civilian rule.

His political programme focuses on ending corruption and youth employment, healing national divisions, and improving access to public services. His manifesto talks about creating jobs, strengthening education, and restoring respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The youth-led struggle for democracy in Uganda reflects a broader continental reality: young Africans are demanding accountable leadership that reflects national potential rather than elite survival.

Why Uganda’s future matters

Reversing authoritarianism is essential if Uganda’s going to deal with its myriad social and political ills.

The biggest immediate threat is a real risk of mass violence. The president’s son, who is also the military chief, has publicly threatened Bobi Wine. The opposition leader has warned of reports suggesting preparations for mass killings.

A reversal of the current state of affairs would contribute to peace and stability in Uganda, and across the Great Lakes region, one of Africa’s most conflict-affected zones. All six of Uganda’s neighbours (Burundi, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya) face instability of one form or another.

The region has experienced cycles of violence dating back to the 1980s. Museveni’s bush war (1980-1986) was followed by the 1994 Rwanda genocide. In 1996, Uganda and Rwanda invaded the DR Congo, triggering a wave of violence that persists to date. The violence is heightened by Museveni’s militarisation of the DRC and Kagame’s support for militias in the country, including the March 23 Movement (M23).

In addition, some neighbouring countries are experiencing increased internal political tension. For example Tanzania, long seen as relatively peaceful, has experienced lethal crackdowns against political opponents and protesters.

For its part, Kenya’s young people’s protests against government corruption and police brutality have been met with violence and abductions.

In Uganda itself, ethnic and regional tensions are rising. Museveni has said every soldier will have 120 bullets to silence protesters in the January 2026 election. Civilians have previously been kidnapped, tortured, disappeared and killed.

What’s needed

The youth-led struggle for democracy in Uganda reflects a broader continental reality: young Africans are demanding accountable leadership that reflects national potential rather than elite survival.

In Burkina Faso, the people rallied in support of President Ibrahim Traore’s emancipatory leadership. In Kenya, young people have not stopped demanding democratic rule and accountable leadership.

For the wider international community, supporting democratic transitions is not only a moral responsibility. It is also central to long-term peace, security, development and reducing forced migration.

History shows that early international action can prevent atrocities – and its absence can enable catastrophe.

– Uganda’s autocratic political system is failing its people – and threatens the region
– https://theconversation.com/ugandas-autocratic-political-system-is-failing-its-people-and-threatens-the-region-273404

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Human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe is a crisis: who is in danger, where and why?

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Blessing Kavhu, Research Fellow, Remote Sensing & GIS Data Scientist I Conservationist I Transboundary Water Modeler I Technical Advisory Board Member I UCSC Climate Justice Fellow I UCSC Coastal Climate Resilience Fellow, University of California, Santa Cruz

In the fishing villages along Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe, near the border with Zambia, everyday routines that should be ordinary – like collecting water, walking to the fields or casting a fishing net – now carry a quiet, ever-present fear. A new national analysis shows that human-wildlife conflict in rural Zimbabwe has intensified to the point where it has become a public safety crisis, rather than simply an environmental challenge.

Between 2016 and 2022, 322 people died in wildlife encounters. Annual fatalities climbed from 17 to 67: a fourfold increase in just seven years. These fatal encounters are concentrated in communities that live closest to protected areas and water bodies. Here, people and wildlife compete for space and survival.

Protected areas and rivers provide water, forage and shelter for wildlife. Rural households rely on the same landscapes for farming, fishing and domestic water. The study shows that this overlap between human activity and wildlife movement sharply increases the risk of fatal encounters.

Historically, human-wildlife conflict research and policy in southern Africa focused on economic losses such as destroyed crops, livestock predation and damaged infrastructure. Fatal attacks on people were often treated as rare or incidental. This study shifts that perspective by showing that human deaths are not isolated events, but a growing and measurable pattern that demands urgent attention.

I am a US-based Zimbabwean scientist working with Zimbabwean conservationists. We analysed national wildlife-related fatality records from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. The central questions were: how many people are dying from wildlife encounters, where are these deaths occurring and which species are responsible?

The findings were stark. Fatal encounters are rising rapidly, are geographically clustered in the north and western districts, and are driven primarily by two species: crocodiles and elephants (not lions, as people might expect). The implications extend beyond conservation to include trauma, fear, retaliatory killings of wildlife and the need for targeted, locally specific interventions.

Patterns in the data

The study reveals that more than 80% of recorded deaths involved only two species, elephants and crocodiles. Crocodiles alone were responsible for slightly more than half of all fatalities. Many of these incidents happened during activities people cannot avoid: fishing, crossing rivers, bathing, or washing clothes in rivers and lakes. These encounters are sudden and often impossible to anticipate, especially in places where visibility is poor and safe water access is limited.

Elephants were responsible for nearly a third of the deaths. These happened mainly during crop-raiding incidents or when communities attempted to chase elephants from fields and homesteads, or when people were walking to school and work. These confrontations often occur at night or in the early morning when visibility is low. Lions, hyenas, hippos and buffalo contributed only 17% of fatal incidents during the study period.

Deaths caused by animals. Supplied

The rise in lethal encounters appears to be driven by several overlapping forces. Zimbabwe still holds one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, estimated at over 80,000 animals. This is second only to Botswana. In dry years elephants move over long distances in search of water and forage, increasing their presence in communal lands. Shrinking natural habitats and growing rural populations mean that human populations are expanding into wildlife corridors. Climate change, particularly recurring droughts, intensifies the competition for water and space.

The geography of the fatalities reveals a clear pattern. Most deaths occurred in Kariba, Binga and Hwange. These are districts along the country’s northern and western frontier, with a combined population of about 343,264 people. They have large water bodies that support abundant crocodile populations; they are close to protected areas with high elephant numbers; and people there depend heavily on farming, fishing and natural resource use.

How people feel

These encounters leave people with fear. Parents become anxious about children walking to school, farmers worry about tending crops at dawn and communities may avoid crossing rivers.

But people aren’t getting mental health support. So grief and fear can turn into anger, often resulting in killings of wildlife. A destructive cycle undermines conservation and damages trust between communities and authorities.

What to do about it

Different places face different dangers, and solutions should reflect that.

Areas near crocodile-prone rivers need safe water access and crossing points and redesigned community washing areas. Districts where elephants are responsible for most fatalities require better early-warning systems, community-based monitoring networks and low-cost methods to deter elephants from crop fields. These measures must be paired with community education and consistent follow-up support.

The findings highlight that coexistence will not be possible without recognising the emotional and psychological dimensions of living alongside wildlife. The responsibility lies with government agencies working with communities. These must be supported by conservation organisations and health services. Counselling, community healing processes and long-term engagement can help break the retaliatory cycle.

Research from other African settings shows that targeted solutions grounded in community involvement and local risk patterns are key to reducing conflicts. In northern Kenya, community-based early warning systems that alert villagers to elephant movements have significantly reduced fatal encounters. Beehive fences and chili-based barriers have helped protect crops without harming wildlife.

In Uganda’s Murchison Falls area, surveys found that local people preferred physical exclusion measures and the relocation of specific crocodiles as ways to lower the risk of attacks. In South Sudan’s Sudd wetlands, communities identified crocodile sanctuaries as one way to reduce dangerous interactions. In Zambia’s lower Zambezi valley, villagers highlighted the need for more alternative water access points (such as boreholes).

These examples show that fatal encounters are not inevitable. When interventions are matched to the species involved and the daily realities of local communities, both human deaths and retaliatory killings of wildlife can be reduced.

Zimbabwe’s wildlife remains a source of national pride and a cornerstone of tourism. But conservation cannot succeed if the people who live closest to wildlife feel unprotected or unheard. A future where people and wildlife thrive together depends on acknowledging that human wellbeing is inseparable from the wellbeing of the ecosystems they share.

– Human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe is a crisis: who is in danger, where and why?
– https://theconversation.com/human-wildlife-conflict-in-zimbabwe-is-a-crisis-who-is-in-danger-where-and-why-271117

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Lamola leads African Union delegation to South Sudan

Source: Government of South Africa

Lamola leads African Union delegation to South Sudan

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola has arrived in Juba, South Sudan, where he is leading a High-Level African Union Ad-hoc Committee of Five (C5) Visit. 

According to the department, Lamola is leading the delegation in his capacity as chairperson.

This visit, which takes place today and tomorrow, follows the previous C5 Ministerial Visit to Juba, which occurred exactly one year ago and aimed at assessing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The department announced that the visit is a precursor to a Peace and Security Council (PSC) Meeting of the African Union (AU) scheduled for 19 January 2026, which will evaluate the situation in South Sudan.

It also precedes the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government and the proposed C5 Plus Summit, which will convene on the margins of the AU Assembly, which kicked off today and will conclude on Thursday. 

“The year 2026 marks a pivotal moment for South Sudan, as the country is earmarked to hold its first-ever elections since gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011. 

“The role of the C5 is to oversee the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the department said.

South Sudan is currently led by a Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, with elections expected to be held in December 2026.

The C5 was established by the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on 5 December 2014. 

Its mandate is to enhance the AU’s support for the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The committee was officially launched at the 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State in Johannesburg on 15 June 2015.

The committee comprises one representative from each of the continent’s five regions, including Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. 

The C5, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, engages in direct diplomacy with the Government of South Sudan, opposition groups, and stakeholders to promote consensus. – SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile

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Undocumented minor children intercepted at Beitbridge Port of Entry

Source: Government of South Africa

Undocumented minor children intercepted at Beitbridge Port of Entry

Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, has confirmed the interception of another group of undocumented children at the Beitbridge Port of Entry on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. 

According to the BMA, the interception took place at approximately 12:30 when a Junior Border Guard, deployed during the relief shift, stopped and searched a Siyaya Zimbabwe-registered minibus taxi at the port of entry. 

The vehicle was found to be transporting 33 undocumented minor children, aged between four and 15 years old, who were travelling from South Africa to Zimbabwe. 

Two adult Zimbabwean male suspects, aged 32 and 23, were arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal movement of the children across the border.

Criminal cases have been opened against both suspects in terms of the Immigration Act, relating to the facilitation of illegal entry and movement of undocumented persons. 

All 33 minor children were immediately handed over to the Department of Social Development for further processing, in line with child protection protocols and South Africa’s domestic and international obligations to safeguard vulnerable persons. 

Masiapato commended the Junior Border Guard for his vigilance and professionalism, noting that the interception highlights the effectiveness of enhanced border management measures and the authority’s firm stance against crimes involving children. 

He further urged parents to refrain from sending undocumented children through ports of entry. 

“The Border Management Authority will not tolerate the exploitation of children or the facilitation of illegal cross-border movement. We remain committed to protecting the integrity of our borders while upholding human rights and child protection principles,” Commissioner, Dr Masiapato said. 

Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are expected to appear in court this week. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

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Alarming malnutrition levels raise famine risk in parts of South Sudan as humanitarian access and funding shrink, warns International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Source: APO – Report:

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that hunger and malnutrition are rapidly worsening in South Sudan, as conflict, flooding, economic decline and aid disruptions drive a dangerous expansion of emergency conditions.

New projections indicate that by May of this year, nearly half of the counties across South Sudan; 35, are expected to face emergency levels of food insecurity, more than double the number recorded in December 2025. 

Several counties including Nasir, Ulang, Longechuk and Panyikang in Upper Nile; Fangak and Canal/Pigi in Jonglei; and Rubkona, Panyijiar in Unity are expected to remain of highest concern through May. In inaccessible areas of Nasir and Fangak, some households are already projected to face famine conditions. Rising insecurity has repeatedly disrupted aid delivery, forcing pauses in food assistance and the evacuation of humanitarian staff from parts of Upper Nile and Jonglei, limiting the impact of planned aid.

Richard Orengo, IRC South Sudan Country Director said,

“It is incredibly alarming that a risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) may persist in counties like Nasir through at least May 2026. Should humanitarian access continue to be blocked or significantly restricted due to insecurity, famine is likely. At the same time, intensifying conflict in neighboring Sudan has driven new refugee arrivals into South Sudan. The conflict continues to threaten oil exports since it is transported through Sudan; a critical lifeline for the economy. Any prolonged disruption would further accelerate food prices, deepen economic hardship and push more communities into emergency and catastrophic hunger.

“South Sudan is at a breaking point. Women and children are bearing the brunt of this crisis. We are seeing alarming levels of acute malnutrition across the country, driven by conflict, unreliable climatic conditions, rising prices and repeated interruptions to aid. Without sustained access and urgent funding, more families will slide into catastrophe and lives will be lost to causes we know how to prevent.

“The trajectory is clear and deeply worrying. This crisis is not inevitable. With timely funding, safe humanitarian access and sustained international attention, we can prevent famine and protect children’s futures. The world must not look away.”

The IRC has been responding to malnutrition across South Sudan especially through integrated health and nutrition services, including cash for food, community-based treatment of acute malnutrition, support to stabilization centers for severely malnourished children, maternal and infant nutrition programs, and outreach to identify and refer at-risk children early. IRC teams also provide protection services, clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, and work with communities to prevent disease outbreaks that worsen malnutrition, particularly during the lean and flood seasons.

South Sudan is ranked third among the world’s most fragile crises on the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist, reflecting the scale of humanitarian need and the compounding risks facing civilians. Yet funding cuts threaten to delay the 2026 lean season response, which is meant to reach an additional 18 counties until May, precisely when needs are expected to peak.

The IRC calls on donors and the international community to urgently scale up funding for life-saving nutrition, health and food assistance, and to press for unimpeded humanitarian access across South Sudan before conditions deteriorate further. Additionally, IRC calls on the country’s leaders to prioritize implementation of the 2018 peace deal in order to promote stability of the country. 

For over three decades, the IRC has stood with communities in South Sudan, responding to the urgent needs of those affected by conflict, displacement and disaster. As one of the country’s largest humanitarian actors, we reach over one million people with health, nutrition, protection, education and economic empowerment services. In South Sudan, the IRC’s work is not only lifesaving, it is life-restoring, helping individuals and families rebuild with dignity and hope.

– on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

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Appointment of the Secretary of State for Mental Health Care

Source: APO – Report:

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The Office of the President has today announced the appointment of Mrs. Beryl Naiken as the Secretary of State for Mental Health Care.

Mrs. Naiken holds a Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling from the University of Adelaide and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from Edith Cowan University. She is currently completing a PhD in Relationship Dynamics.

Mrs. Naiken is an experienced Senior Clinical Psychotherapist and public service executive, with over 28 years of professional experience across psychotherapy, counselling, public sector leadership, and human rights-based practice. Her career spans clinical intervention, crisis management, rehabilitation, community wellbeing, and national-level policy and programme leadership.

Mrs. Naiken has served in several senior leadership roles, including Director General at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, Advisor to the Minister of Family Affairs, and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation (APDAR). She has also held key clinical and advisory positions within government and non-governmental institutions, contributing significantly to social development, mental health services, and human rights advocacy in Seychelles.

Prior to her appointment, Mrs. Naiken was occupying the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission.

Mrs. Naiken’s appointment as Secretary of State for Mental Health Care will take effect on 15th January 2026.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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ORUN Launches Heirs of Greatness in Casablanca, a Pan-African Platform Advancing Cultural Sovereignty

Source: APO – Report:

ORUN, a subsidiary of African Currency Network (https://ORUN.Africa), announces the launch of the first edition of Heirs of Greatness Day, a foundational initiative that brought together key players from the cultural and creative industries (CCI) in Casablanca.

Conceived as a structuring activation, Heirs of Greatness Day is part of the deployment of a strategic platform combining vision, method, and action. The initiative aims to position CCIs as levers for sustainable development, cultural sovereignty, and African soft power.

Held in a continental context marked by the Africa Cup of Nations and heightened international attention on the continent, the event affirms Casablanca as a symbolic crossroads where creation, transmission, and global projection converge.

At the heart of this activation is The Sovereign Code, the foundational methodology developed by ORUN, structured around three complementary pillars: Memory, Structure, and Transmission. Serving as a true reference framework, The Sovereign Code informs all ORUN programs and seeks to transform African cultural heritage into sustainable value-creation systems that are measurable and enduring.

Heirs of Greatness Day gives concrete expression to this methodology by highlighting the seven Houses of Art: Weaving, Foundry, Crochet, Tannery, Dyeing, Ceramics, and Tailoring. Designed as spaces for transmission, experimentation, and structuring, these Houses bring together master artisans, designers, and partners around a shared ambition: to create a dialogue between ancestral know-how and contemporary standards of creativity, quality, and responsibility.

On this occasion, Roméo Moukagny (Gabon, Senegal), Kader Diaby (Ivory Coast), Anil Padia (Kenya), Jennifer Mulli (Kenya), Henri Philippe Maidou (Central African Republic), Sonia Ahmimou (Morocco, France), and Lucette Holland (Senegal, France) presented works and approaches embodying a rigorous vision of African creation, deeply rooted in local territories while fully oriented toward the international stage.

The day’s program was designed as an immersive and narrative experience, blending institutional sequences, artistic installations, editorial exchanges, and symbolic moments. The evening featured the presence of Her Majesty Queen Temitope Morenike Enitan-Ogunwusi, Queen of the Yoruba People in Nigeria; Olivia Yacé, Miss Ivory Coast, Miss World Africa 2022, 2nd Runner-up Miss World 2022 and Miss Universe nominee; as well as singer Singuila, all coming together to celebrate greatness and exemplify the dialogue between cultural heritage, contemporary creation, and international influence..

The Sovereign Code – Build to outlast time

This cultural showcase reflects ORUN’s commitment to anchoring Heirs of Greatness Day in a continuity that goes beyond a single event. It was also the occasion for ORUN to receive ISO 20121 certification, attesting to its commitment to responsible and sustainable event management aligned with international standards.

This sustainability policy aligns with ORUN’s mission, The Sovereign Code (Memory, Structure, Transmission), and the core values guiding its action: Transmission, Responsibility, Inclusion and Equity, Excellence and Rigor, Local Anchoring and Lasting Impact, Integrity and Transparency. These principles structure all of ORUN’s commitments and its relationships with partners and stakeholders.

The initiative also benefited from significant diplomatic and institutional support, highlighting the growing recognition of cultural and creative industries as strategic sectors in Africa’s development trajectories. The presence of personalities from cultural, institutional, and international spheres reinforces the symbolic reach and credibility of this first edition.

Finally, Heirs of Greatness Day is part of an ambitious trajectory led by ORUN toward 2025-2030: structuring cultural sectors, building the capacities of designers and artisans, creating skilled employment, developing local value chains, and promoting African talent on the global stage.

This first edition thus marks the starting point of a movement set to establish a lasting presence in the continent’s cultural and economic ecosystem.

– on behalf of ORUN, part of African Currency Network (ACN).

Press Contacts: 
Christelle Bochet:
christelle.bochet@acn.africa

Lamiaa Bassim:
lamiaabassim@gmail.com

Follow and Stay tuned:
#HeirsOfGreatness
#HeirsOfGreatnessDay
#BuildToOutlastTime
#ORUN

About ORUN:
Backed by African Currency Network (ACN) and a member of the Kigali International Financial Centre, ORUN is a Pan-African organization dedicated to structuring cultural and creative industries (CCI) as levers for sustainable development, cultural sovereignty, and soft power for the African continent.

As a true strategic tool serving African economies, ORUN is engaged in transforming territories by showcasing the continent’s talent and know-how. At the crossroads of creation, design, craftsmanship, and transmission, ORUN converts African professions, stories, and talents into sustainable cultural, economic, and symbolic assets capable of generating local value while engaging with strategic partners and international platforms.

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Basic Education Committee Chairperson Wishes Learners Well for Start of New Academic Year

Source: APO – Report:

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, wishes learners, teachers, parents and education officials well as public schools reopen today for the 2026 academic year.

The Chairperson noted that the reopening of schools marks an important moment in the country’s education calendar, particularly for learners entering Grade 1 and those in Grade 12. “For Grade 1 learners, this year signals the beginning of a lifelong learning journey, while for Grade 12 learners it represents the final and most critical phase of their schooling. We encourage parents, caregivers and families to support the learning of foundation phase learners from an early stage, as families share responsibility with educators for learners’ development.” The Chairperson further encouraged the Class of 2026 to approach the year with discipline, resilience and determination.

The committee, however, remains concerned about ongoing challenges that may affect teaching and learning in KwaZulu-Natal. “We have noted worrying reports of delays and gaps in the delivery of learner teacher support material (LTSM) to no-fee-paying schools. This needs urgent attention to ensure that learning is not compromised from the start of the academic year.” She said the province performed exceptionally well in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examination by achieving the highest overall performance despite existing challenges. “We want to see KwaZulu-Natal continue on this positive trajectory.”

The committee is also concerned by reports that some schools in parts of Limpopo are unable to reopen due to damage caused by recent flooding. Ms Maimela called on the Department of Basic Education and provincial authorities to act promptly to support affected schools in the two districts and to put in place contingency measures to safeguard learners’ right to education. “The committee intends to visit education districts in this province later this month, where it will be able to assess the measures put in place,” the Chairperson said.

The committee expressed concerns about the persistent challenge related to learner placements, particularly in provinces such as Gauteng and the Western Cape, where many learners remain without confirmed school placements at the start of the academic year. The Chairperson noted that urgent intervention is needed to ensure that all unplaced learners are accommodated without further disruption to their schooling.

Ms Maimela emphasised that every learner has a constitutional right to basic education. “No child should be excluded due to administrative delays, infrastructure shortages or inadequate planning.” She called on provincial education departments to strengthen coordination, improve admissions systems and ensure that temporary or alternative placements are implemented where necessary.

“The committee will continue to exercise oversight to ensure that all learners are provided with safe, functional schools and the necessary resources to succeed in 2026,” Ms Maimela said.

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

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President El-Sisi Receives United States (U.S.) Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs

Source: APO – Report:

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos. The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty, Head of the General Intelligence Services Major General Hassan Rashad, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Egypt Evyenia Sidereas and U.S. Embassy Political Counselor Nathaniel Turner.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that Mr. Boulos conveyed to President El-Sisi the greetings and appreciation of US President Donald Trump. The President expressed his appreciation and confirmed the significance of the strategic cooperation between Egypt and the United States. The President also asked that his greetings be conveyed to President Trump.

The meeting addressed ways to advance and strengthen relations between Egypt and the United States. President El-Sisi stressed the importance of building on the momentum that the strategic bilateral relations have gained in the past period in order to elevate joint cooperation in various fields and achieve the interests of both sides. The meeting emphasized the importance of holding the second edition of the Egyptian-American Economic Forum 2026, as well as the need to increase consultation and coordination between the two countries on various regional issues, most notably the situation in Sudan, Libya and the Horn of Africa, in order to achieve stability in the region.

The meeting reviewed a number of regional issues of mutual interest, particularly the developments in Sudan. President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the U.S. President’s keenness to ending the war in Sudan. The President highlighted Egypt’s support for all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in Sudan. The President reaffirmed Egypt’s steadfast stance in supporting Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The President also reiterated Egypt’s absolute rejection of any attempts to undermine Sudan’s security and stability. The President emphasized that Egypt will not allow such actions, given the deep connection between the national security of both brotherly countries.

The discussions also touched on the situation in a number of countries in the region. Both sides reached a consensus on the necessity to de-escalate tensions and boost joint efforts to find political solutions to the various crises affecting the region. These efforts aim to strengthen regional peace and stability, preserve the sovereignty of countries, maintain the unity of their territories, and protect the resources of their peoples.

In a related context, the issue of water was also addressed. The President stressed that Egypt’s water security is a matter of existential importance and a top priority for Egypt, as it is directly linked to Egypt’s national security.

For his part, Mr. Boulos expressed his appreciation for meeting with President El-Sisi and lauded Egypt’s role in promoting regional peace and security. He also valued the ongoing cooperation and coordination between Egypt and the United States on a number of regional files of mutual concern, aimed at de-escalating tensions and achieving stability in the region.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

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W Cape encourages safe driving practices as schools reopen

Source: Government of South Africa

W Cape encourages safe driving practices as schools reopen

As schools reopen and daily travel routines return, the Western Cape Mobility Department has encouraged drivers to plan their journeys, drive responsibly, buckle up, adhere to speed limits, and stay vigilant on the roads. 

Today marks the start of the 2026 academic year across all provinces, with schools welcoming back thousands of students.

“By looking out for one another and prioritising the safety of vulnerable road users, we can prevent further loss of life and ensure that Western Cape roads are safer for all road users,” said Chief Director Traffic Management, Maxine Bezuidenhout. 

According to the provincial department, the Western Cape has recorded a notable reduction in weekly road fatalities compared to the previous week.

For the period 5 to 11 January 2026, the province recorded a total of 11 fatal crashes resulting in 12 fatalities on the province’s roads. 

This reflects a significant decrease from the 25 fatalities recorded between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026.

Of the 12 lives lost during the most recent reporting period, eight were pedestrians, two motorcyclists and two drivers, highlighting the continued vulnerability of those who are most exposed on our road network.

During 5 to 11 January, Provincial Traffic Services implemented 240 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations across the province. 

More than 51 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, resulting in over 15 000 fines issued for a range of traffic violations related to driver behaviour and vehicle fitness. 

According to the statement, 79 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by reckless and irresponsible driving.

The department believes that the reduction in fatalities is attributed to the sustained visibility, commitment and hard work of traffic officers as holiday travel volumes begin to ease and residents return home.

Western Cape MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileku welcomed the improvement but cautioned against becoming complacent.

“The reduction in fatalities over the past week is encouraging and demonstrates the impact of sustained and visible enforcement on our roads. However, the loss of 12 lives remains deeply tragic and unacceptable. Every fatality represents a family and a community left grieving, and this must continue to drive our collective commitment to road safety,” said Sileku.

Bezuidenhout reiterated the importance of responsible road use, particularly as the province prepares for the return to full productivity and the reopening of schools. 

“Our officers will maintain a strong presence on key routes. We urge motorists to obey the rules of the road, remain patient, and be especially mindful of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who account for a significant portion of fatalities,” said Bezuidenhout.

While the decline in fatalities over the past week is a positive development, the Western Cape reminds all road users that one life lost is one too many. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

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