Category: English

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the continuing gruesome killings of civilians and attacks on essential services, such as healthcare centres, in Sudan.

He said the persistent acts of impunity that have resulted in a devastating humanitarian catastrophe, leaving over half of the country’s population in dire need of life-saving aid, are unacceptable and regrettable. He said the committee welcomes the emergency meeting convened by the African Union Peace and Security Council to discuss the gravely worsening situation in the Republic of Sudan.

Mr Mahumapelo said: “The committee also welcomes the decisive intervention of the African Union at this critical juncture. It is imperative to stop what is happening in Sudan and to restore peace and stability.”

The committee adds its voice to that of the South African government calling upon the Sudanese armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to immediately and unconditionally implement an verifiable cessation of hostilities, adhering strictly to their obligations, including protecting medical personnel and allowing safe passage for those seeking refuge, and to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected populations across Sudan.

“We also call upon all external actors involved in this crisis to adhere to international law, and to stop any form of supporting, supplying or enabling the armed belligerents,” added Mr Mahumapelo.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Mr Mava Lukani
Cell: 081 503 1840
Email: mlukani@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Leon Basson, has noted with concern the reports of increasing cases of typhoid in Hammanskraal and Bronkhorstspruit in the City of Tshwane. While the Chairperson has noted assurances that the city, the Department of Health and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are working collaboratively to trace the source, he has called for effective communications to allay fears.

“In the context of the recent cholera outbreak in the area and the fact that the source was never officially confirmed, it is critical that stakeholders effectively communicate to allay fears within the community. While we don’t want to pre-empt the investigative work, it remains critical that quality and safe drinking water is always provided to citizens. This is their constitutional right,” Mr Basson emphasised.

While the Chairperson acknowledge that water is not the only source of the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, the reality is also that many of South Africa’s wastewater works do not produce quality water as per the South African National Standards, specifically SANS 241, which sets the minimum requirements for water to be considered safe for human consumption (potable). It is in this context that the city and the DWS must ramp up their water testing to ensure that the system is not responsible for the outbreak.

“It is important that those tests are ramped up to reassure users that they have clean drinking water. Above all, effective communications will ensure that there is no mass panic within the city,” Mr Basson emphasised.

Broadly, the current challenges in Tshwane should be a forewarning for authorities to get their act together and ensure that the entire value chain operates effectively to prevent such outbreaks. “In a country with technical skills and resources, such occurrences highlight the impact of poor planning and endemic corruption on the entire system,” Mr Basson emphasised.

Upon completion of the investigation by the city, NICD and the Department of Health, the committee will request a comprehensive report to ensure effective oversight and to ensure that such outbreaks are prevented.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AND SANITATION, MR LEON BASSON

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The first Regional Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action, held from 28 to 30 October 2025 in Dakar, concluded with a strong collective commitment from participants – including FAO’s Emergency and Resilience Unit (REOWA) – and a clear consensus on the need to act earlier and together in the face of recurring crises affecting West and Central Africa.

Organized by the Anticipatory Action Task Force (TFAA) in partnership with the Anticipation Hub, under the leadership of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), the event brought together more than 150 participants representing national authorities, civil society organizations, UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral partners, international and local NGOs, and regional institutions.

Over three days, discussions provided a regional overview of anticipatory action, identified existing synergies, and formulated operational recommendations to strengthen planning, financing, and implementation of early and coordinated interventions.

“Faced with the upsurge of crises, no institution can act alone. Under CILSS leadership, by pooling our resources, knowledge, and effective early warning mechanisms, we can build a collective, anticipatory, and solidarity-based response to protect lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities,” said Dr. Abdoulaye Mohamadou, Executive Secretary of CILSS.

FAO: A Pioneer and Key Actor in Regional Coordination of Anticipatory Action

Through its Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), FAO plays a major role within the regional Task Force on Anticipatory Action (TFAA). It provides technical leadership on food security and livelihood resilience while supporting countries in integrating anticipatory action into their national preparedness and crisis response plans.

“Anticipatory action is no longer an option but a necessity, given the increasing frequency and intensity of crises. As FAO, we are committed to strengthening the capacities of countries in the region so they can act earlier, in a coordinated and effective manner. By anticipating, we sustainably protect agricultural livelihoods and food security for vulnerable communities. Let’s not forget that we have all committed to eradicating hunger by 2030 – and 2030 is only five years away. It is by anticipating better and more effectively that we will achieve this goal,” emphasized Mr. Koffy Dominique Kouacou, Head of the Emergency and Resilience Team (REOWA) at FAO’s Subregional Office for West Africa.

Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, FAO Subregional Coordinator for West Africa, reiterated the importance of this collective dynamic:

“FAO is fully committed, alongside CILSS and all partners, to strengthening early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms across the region. Together, we can build a more resilient West Africa, capable of acting before a crisis occurs.”

Towards a Strengthened Regional Dynamic

West and Central Africa remain among the most vulnerable regions to extreme climate shocks such as floods, prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and coastal erosion. These hazards compound interconnected crises marked by conflicts, population displacement, and growing food insecurity, with at least 49 million people at risk of food and nutrition insecurity according to the March 2025 Harmonized Framework.

In this context, anticipatory action emerges as a strategic and proactive approach that enables action before crises occur – through forecasting, preventive planning, and pre-arranged financing. This approach reduces response costs, saves lives, and preserves the dignity of affected populations.

The first dialogue platform concluded with the development of national Roadmaps, in which each of the 13 participating countries outlined their priorities for anticipatory actions. This event laid the foundation for a regional collaboration framework that will ultimately facilitate the implementation of funded anticipatory actions integrated into national risk management and humanitarian response plans.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The United Arab Emirates has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of Kenya over heavy rainfall which caused landslides in the west of the country, and resulted in a number of deaths. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Kenya over this tragedy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: APO

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On this One Health Day of 2025, we the Regional Representatives/Directors in Africa representing the Quadripartite Regional Coordination Group comprising of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), hereby reaffirm our commitment to advancing the One Health approach as a cornerstone to  sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems, globally and regionally.

Indeed, the world continues to face complex and interconnected health challenges at the human–animal–environment interface. Many countries in Africa bear high burdens of zoonotic disease outbreaks – such as the on-going outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Western Africa, outbreaks of Avian influenza, Mpox, Marburg and Ebola across the continent, and persistence of neglected zoonoses including rabies, brucellosis, zoonotic tuberculosis, and also milliards of food-borne diseases.

Furthermore, the irrational uses of antibiotics in health care and agriculture leading to the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of critical concern to human, animal, plant and ecosystem health across the continent. The resulting effect not only impact on health of our people, animals and ecosystems, but also restrict local and international trade, driving food insecurity and negative effects on livelihoods. Environmental factors such as ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution and climate change, are further exacerbating the above situation, because unhealthy and degraded environments cannot provide the ecosystem services needed to sustain the health of animals, humans and plants.  

Tackling these complex health threats demands the involvement of whole-of-government, whole-of-society approaches, including the effective engagement of the private sector. Our collective efforts are needed to enhance One Health capacities in our Member Countries, to advocate for the One Health approach at global, regional, national and local levels, to bring about sustainable solutions for health of communities. The Quadripartite has developed the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA)  and its associated Implementation Guide  which offer a transformative framework and practical steps, respectively, to address these challenges through multisectoral collaboration, community engagement, and evidence-based action – leaving no one behind. Furthermore, the Quadripartite and other partners have taken initiatives to support countries and regional entities in implementing the OHJPA, including to establish their OH platforms to strengthen their multisectoral collaboration, including joint resource mobilisation.

Mobilizing financing for One Health implementation is an important consideration which requires collective action involving various partners. The Quadripartite Joint Offer, for instance, “is a strategic call for targeted One Health investment aimed at supporting member states in implementing the One Health Joint Plan of Action. It provides a coordinated platform that brings together resources and expertise across sectors to more effectively prevent, prepare for and mitigate health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Preventive investments through a One Health approach have consistently demonstrated strong returns, significantly reducing the expected costs associated with health emergencies.  It advocates for investments that emphasize prevention over reaction or response as well as investment in preparedness, will be more impactful on the long-term.

To accelerate the implementation of One Health approach in Africa, the Regional Quadripartite Coordination Group makes a united call for increased investment towards implementing the foundational aspects of the One Health approach; including through policy and legislative support to strengthen national and regional One Health governance coordination mechanisms, building institutional and workforce capacity across sectors, and enhancing data systems and knowledge exchange platforms. An example is the Pandemic Fund projects  in Africa where 14 projects have supported 26 countries.  Such investments will secure great gains in anchoring upstream preventive measures  in One Health initiatives.

Recognising the limitations for funding and resources for Health, we call on all stakeholders to capitalise on the collective pooling of resources. We advocate for domestic investments through government budget allocations in respective countries, coupled with funding from development partners, and private sector partners to support One Health initiatives. Further, countries should explore mechanisms for innovative financing and expansion of partnerships for One Health initiatives beyond traditional donor aid and government budgets by tapping into public-private partnerships, blended financing, and others.

The Regional Quadripartite Coordination Group   stands ready to support African countries in implementing  One health initiatives through technical assistance, policy guidance, and strategic advocacy. We commend the collaborative spirit and commitment of African institutions, including the Africa Union agencies and Regional Economic Communities, Non-governmental organisations, development partners and national governments. We will continue to work with partners to ensure that the One Health approach is embedded in National development plans, , health security strategies, biodiversity strategic action plans, and climate resilience frameworks .

Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Africa where the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems is sustainably protected and promoted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The African Union Commission deployed a Humanitarian Assessment Team composed of humanitarian experts voluntarily nominated by Member States, and led by H.E. Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, and H.E. Amb. Nasir Aminu, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, permanent representative to the African Union, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and representative of the PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees, and IDPs, in the Republic of the Sudan, from 22－31 October 2025.

During the visit, the delegation held high-level consultations with senior government officials, including the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minister of Health, the Governor of the Red Sea State, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, the Advisor to the President on Humanitarian Affairs, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for Human Resource and Social Development, the Director General of National Intelligence, and other senior officials.

The delegation also met with representatives of key humanitarian and development partners, including the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The delegation also visited the Darser IDP camp in Port Sudan, where 107 displaced families are sheltered, and interacted with community representatives, humanitarian workers, and local authorities to better understand the conditions, needs, and coping mechanisms of displaced populations, and provided humanitarian assistance. The team also delivered food items (FIs) and non-food items (NFIs), procured from local vendors, to the Humanitarian Aid Commission of the Republic of the Sudan.

The discussions focused on ways to:

l Strengthen coordination between the African Union, the Government of Sudan, and humanitarian actors in responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis;
l Support the protection and assistance of refugees, returnees, and IDPs in line with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention);
l Reinforce national and local capacities for humanitarian action, resilience building, and recovery; and
l Explore avenues for closer collaboration in the operationalisation of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA).

The Commission wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the Government of Sudan and its partners for their fruitful engagement with the delegation, and for their continued commitment to supporting affected populations under very challenging conditions. The Commission also reaffirms the African Union’s solidarity with the people of Sudan and its commitment to work with national, regional, and international stakeholders towards durable solutions to the humanitarian crises in the country.

The findings and recommendations from this mission will inform the AU’s forthcoming policy discussions and advocacy efforts within the PRC, the Executive Council, the Assembly, and the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

– END –

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Rita Amukhobu | Head of Humanitarian Affairs Division | Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail AmukhobuR@africanunion.org

For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. King David Cartey | Strategic Communication Expert I Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission | E-mail CarteyD@africanunion.org

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador Mohamed Idris Farah, currently Senior Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Republic of Djibouti, as Special Envoy to the Republic of Madagascar.

Ambassador Farah brings to this new role, a wealth of cognitive expertise, experience and top performing Pan- African Diplomat with full knowledge of African Union approaches in promoting conflict prevention and resolution, preventive diplomacy, transformative mediation and dialogue. He served meritoriously as the Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the African Union for over a decade and the Overall Dean of African Ambassadors. He was also Advisor to the AU High Level Panel on the Ethiopian peace process for Tigray region from 2022-2023.

This appointment forms part of the roadmap setup by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) based on the decisions adopted, at its 1305th and 1306th meetings, held on 14 and 15 October 2025, respectively, on the ongoing political situation in the Republic of Madagascar.

The Special Envoy’s mandate encompasses the intensification of engagements with governmental authorities, youth leaders, civil society, regional actors and organizations, as well as all relevant stakeholders, with a view to fostering inclusive dialogue, building consensus, and promoting mutual understanding towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis and the swift restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Madagascar.

With his extensive professional experience, profound understanding of the regional dynamics and deep knowledge of the inner functioning of the AU system, the Chairperson reposes full confidence in the capability of Ambassador Farah to contribute to the effective delivery and coordination of the AU efforts towards addressing the current political situation in the Republic of Madagascar.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission expresses full support to Ambassador Farah in the execution of his mission and calls upon all Malagasy stakeholders, regional actors and partners to collaborate with the Special Envoy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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As part of efforts to enhance youth workers awareness, the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) branch in the Northern Red Sea Region organized an awareness-raising training program for young workers from various government institutions in the port city of Massawa and Ghinda. The training took place at the Massawa Workers Training Center.

The program covered topics such as the role of youth workers in the current stage, positive thinking, self-assertiveness, the importance of having vision, objectives and planning, safety at workplace, challenges faced by women in the workplace, and labor law in Eritrea.

Noting that capacity-building programs for workers have been regularly organized, Mr. Habtemariam Tesfamicael, Head of the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers branch in the Northern Red Sea Region, called on the trainees to apply the knowledge they gained in their respective workplaces.

Similarly, the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers branch provided training for unit heads of the confederation, focusing on the basic concepts of administration and leadership, the background and significance of the workers’ confederation, and joint discussion and collective agreements.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare reported that Eritrean nationals residing in various countries have extended monetary contributions towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund and in support of families of martyrs.

Accordingly, nationals in the Swedish city of Norrköping contributed 91,676 Nakfa; the Eritrean communities in Söderhamn and Bollnäs contributed 40,935 Nakfa; and individual Eritreans in Västerås contributed 2,235 Euros. The Eritrean community in Tromsø, Norway, contributed 31,800 Nakfa, while the Eritrean community in Calgary, Canada, contributed 17,400 Dollars towards the National Martyrs Trust Fund.

Similarly, Eritrean nationals residing in Germany under the group “Eritrea Red Sea Paltalk” contributed 4,300 Euros; the cooperative association of Eritreans in Tübingen and its environs, Sweden, contributed 2,160 Euros; nationals in Nybro and its environs, Sweden, contributed 1,440 Euros; the Eritrean community in Olaskjeret, Norway, contributed 20,000 Kroner; Ms. Shewainesh Negash contributed 20,000 Nakfa; and nationals in Zestrossen, Sweden, contributed 14,303 Nakfa in support of the families of martyrs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.