Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

Senior leadership of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) visited the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-led Sector Two, strengthening command-level engagement and gaining first-hand insight into the operational environment, ongoing activities and priorities within the Sector.

The AUSSOM Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC), Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, accompanied by the AUSSOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma, visited Sector Two Headquarters, where they were received by the Sector Commander, Brigadier Joel Maiyo.

During the visit, Brigadier Maiyo briefed the AUSSOM leadership on the prevailing security situation, ongoing operations and activities being undertaken by KDF troops in support of the Mission’s mandate. The briefing also highlighted operational priorities and the challenges confronting troops operating within the Sector.

The engagement provided an important platform for the Mission’s strategic and operational leadership to assess developments on the ground, exchange perspectives with the Sector leadership and appreciate the contribution of KDF personnel towards advancing peace, security and stability in Somalia.

Despite heavy rainfall, Ambassador Diene and Lt Gen Kavuma proceeded to engage directly with KDF troops serving at the Sector Headquarters. The interaction enabled the senior leadership to hear from personnel operating on the ground and appreciate their experiences in a complex and demanding operational environment.

Addressing the troops, the AUSSOM leaders commended their professionalism, resilience and dedication to duty, acknowledging their contribution to the Mission’s objectives. They encouraged the personnel to maintain high standards of discipline, teamwork and operational readiness as they continue executing their assigned responsibilities.

The engagement also reinforced the importance of effective leadership, communication and cohesion between Mission Headquarters, Sector commanders and troops deployed at the tactical level. Such interaction enables senior leadership to maintain situational awareness while ensuring operational priorities remain responsive to realities on the ground.

For KDF personnel, the visit provided an opportunity to interact directly with the Mission’s senior leadership and receive guidance on the broader objectives of AUSSOM and the importance of their individual and collective contribution to the Mission.

The visit reaffirmed the KDF’s continued role within AUSSOM and its contribution towards supporting security and stability in Somalia. It further underscored the importance of sustained leadership engagement, operational coordination and troop readiness in advancing the Mission’s mandate and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Strengthening institutional governance, promoting professionalism, and ensuring that public bodies effectively manage the workforce entrusted with executing state mandates depends heavily on continuous human resource training. Regular orientation and skill-building for public servants also enhance compliance with established regulations, guidelines, and national standards, while strengthening administrative systems for improved service delivery.

The Ministry of Defence has strengthened its capacity in civilian workforce governance following a four-day training programme for members of the Ministerial Human Resource Management Advisory Committee(MHRMAC), Heads of Sections, and Secretariat staff in Naivasha. The programme was facilitated in partnership with the Kenya School of Government (KSG) and the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The Director Administration officially opened the training program, underscoring the indispensable role of the civilian workforce as a critical asset in supporting the strategic objectives of the Ministry and the Kenya Defence Forces.

He noted that the program provided an important opportunity to finalise the implementation framework for the Defence Civil Staff Management Policy, aimed at enhancing synergy, integration, and coordination among civil staff. The engagement covered key operational areas including an overview of Human Resource Management and Development (HRM&D) functions, the specific role of the Human Resource Advisory Committee, structured mentorship and succession planning, and pre-retirement transition planning.

The initiative underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to strengthening human resource governance, fostering professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality, and ensuring prudent management of its human capital in support of effective service delivery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Reliable access to water is critical to sustaining troops in operational areas, directly supporting their welfare, health and ability to maintain mission readiness in demanding environments.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Engineers have rehabilitated Sangailu Dam, restoring a critical water source serving personnel deployed at Sangailu Forward Operating Base (FOB) and significantly easing water supply challenges at the facility.

The rehabilitation works were undertaken by the Combat Engineer Brigade through 12 Engineers Battalion between 14 August and 25 September 2026. The dam, originally constructed in 2018, required rehabilitation to improve its capacity, reliability and effectiveness in supporting personnel stationed at the FOB.

Drawing on their specialised engineering expertise, equipment and resources, the military engineers carried out extensive works on the existing facility, including excavation of the dam and installation of a new liner to enhance water retention and improve its overall functionality.

The rehabilitation has restored the dam’s usability, providing Sangailu FOB with a more dependable water source while reducing the logistical burden associated with transporting and supplying water to personnel deployed in the area.

For troops operating away from established military facilities, reliable access to water is essential to sustaining daily activities and maintaining effective operations. The restored dam therefore represents more than an infrastructure improvement; it strengthens the FOB’s ability to support personnel while enhancing their living and working conditions.

The project further highlights the important role of KDF Engineers in supporting military operations through the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Beyond their conventional combat engineering responsibilities, military engineers provide specialised capabilities that help sustain troops, enhance mobility and improve operational effectiveness in challenging environments.

Their ability to apply engineering expertise to practical challenges within operational areas remains an important force-enabling capability, ensuring deployed formations and units have the infrastructure and essential services required to accomplish their missions.

At Sangailu FOB, the impact is immediate and practical: a rehabilitated dam, improved water security and a more sustainable operating environment for personnel serving on the frontline.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

Less than two years after overhauling its licensing architecture, Liberia has attracted supermajors, ratified eight production sharing contracts (PSCs) and resolved a high-profile institutional dispute that threatened to undermine investor confidence.

Behind that momentum sits a regulatory strategy built around transparency, flexibility and legal certainty. Evidence seems to suggest the country’s state-owned LPRA has solved the problems that stalled exploration for more than a decade, and recent reforms, commercial success and institutional developments are proving Liberia is marketing governance as a competitive advantage.

“Liberia is entering an important period in the development of its petroleum sector and we want to engage directly with investors and strategic partners,” said Special Envoy for U.S. Trade and Investments at the Liberian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Isaac E. Taggart Jr. during an investor showcase in Houston on August 19.

A New Rulebook for Frontier Capital

Liberia has strengthened its petroleum framework through reforms to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, establishing a modernized process for attracting investment into its offshore sector. It also allows companies to establish their technical and financial eligibility before specific acreage opportunities are launched.

Working alongside international law firm Watson Farley & Williams, the LPRA designed the 2024 Direct Negotiation Round, blending structured prequalification with negotiated awards. Companies first complete rigorous financial and technical screening before nominating specific acreage, eliminating speculative applications while accelerating negotiations for qualified operators.

Together, these provisions reduce frontier risk without sacrificing state oversight, creating a licensing model that balances investor flexibility with regulatory discipline.

The Investment Case Moves Offshore

The strongest endorsement has come from the industry rather than government. Following the 2024 licensing process, TotalEnergies secured four offshore permits – LB-6, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29 – covering roughly 12,700 km² across the southern Liberia Basin, committing to a firm 3D seismic acquisition campaign.

The momentum continued with Atlas/Oranto Petroleum, which secured LB-15, LB-16, LB-22 and LB-24, bringing Liberia’s total to eight ratified PSCs. Signature bonuses reached $12 million, while projected exploration spending approaches $200 million per block, representing well over $1.5 billion in long-term capital commitments.

Exploration activity has accelerated accordingly. TotalEnergies has advanced offshore geological surveys, seabed mapping and seismic acquisition while partnering with Canada’s BluEnergies to mature prospects across the undrilled Harper Basin, one of West Africa’s last frontier deepwater provinces.

Governance Becomes Liberia’s Competitive Advantage

Investor confidence ultimately depends on regulatory clarity. In May 2026, the LPRA formally reaffirmed its exclusive authority to administer petroleum rights, clarifying that even Executive Allocation awards to the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) remain subject to LPRA approval, statutory due diligence and ministerial authorization.

“Frontier exploration requires agreements that can work over time,” said LPRA Director General Marilyn Logan at the investor showcase in Houston. “We want [companies] to have enough time to allow them to move quickly,” she added while encouraging prospective investors to focus on moving from potential to execution.

That position has since been reinforced in practice. A Senate-brokered agreement between NOCAL and the LPRA confirmed the regulator’s exclusive authority to issue reconnaissance licenses, ending a public institutional dispute while strengthening governance credibility and investor confidence.

The resolution complements broader reforms that have modernized Liberia’s petroleum framework without weakening regulatory oversight. By pairing commercial flexibility with transparent licensing, institutional accountability and predictable legal processes, Liberia is repositioning itself as one of West Africa’s most credible frontier exploration destinations.

The Launch of the Liberia 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round – organized by Energy Capital and Power – will take place at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on October 14 at The Orchid, CTICC 2. Visit, https://apo-opa.co/4AOM8yq for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

On 25 September 2026, Mr. Chulvat Narinthrangura, Director-General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and Associate Professor Dr. Kongsak Thiangtum, President of Kasetsart University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Capacity Building in Agriculture and Fisheries in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The signing ceremony took place at TICA and was witnessed by representatives from the Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, and Kasetsart University.

This MoU serves as a framework for cooperation in human resource development, knowledge and technology transfer, as well as the sharing of Thailand’s good practices in agriculture and fisheries. It aims to support Nigeria in achieving self-reliance and long-term food security, guided by the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). Given its substantial population and economic potential, Nigeria’s agriculture and fisheries sectors are vital to its employment and food security.

Both sides also discussed ways to advance future cooperation to support the Thailand–Africa Initiative (TAI) and extend these efforts to other African countries in the years ahead.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Source: APO

Nationals residing in the Swiss cities of Geneva, Basel and Lausanne have conducted various activities, including public seminars and conferences, aimed at strengthening their organizational capacity and contributions to national development programs.

At the seminar conducted in Geneva, Mr. Habtom Zeray, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Switzerland and Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council and other international organizations in Geneva, gave a briefing on the objective situation in the homeland, as well as regional and global developments.

Mr. Habtom stated that the progress Eritrea is registering at a time when the world is tormented by war and a lack of peace is the result of the unity of its people and commitment of its leadership. He also called on Eritrean communities to strengthen their role in preserving the noble societal values nurtured through heavy sacrifice and passing them on to future generations.

Noting the significance of unity to the existence of society and the country, Mr. Habtom said that the lifting of the unwarranted unilateral sanctions imposed on Eritrea was the result of the unity and steadfastness of the Eritrean people.

Mr. Ismail Mohammed-Nur, head of Public and Community Affairs, also gave a briefing on the programs of the Fourth Front.

In the same vein, the Eritrean community in Basel and the Lausanne branch of the National Union of Eritrean Women held activity assessment meetings and discussed future programs. They also elected executive committees for a two-year term.

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

Source: APO

A senior Eritrean delegation comprising Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs, and Mr. Nesredin Mohammed Saleh, Minister of Trade and Industry, held talks today, 1 October, in Cairo with Dr. Badr Abdellaty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Expatriates, and Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Transport.

During the meeting with Dr. Badr Abdellaty, the two sides reviewed progress in implementing the agreement previously reached and discussed the next steps, areas of bilateral cooperation, and regional matters of mutual interest.

The discussion with Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir focused on enhancing investment and trade in construction equipment and materials, pharmaceuticals, agricultural produce, and marine resources, as well as maritime transport.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Berhane Gebrehiwet, General Manager of the Housing and Commercial Bank, and Mr. Aman Abdelwase’e, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Egypt.

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

Source: APO

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For decades, “frontier basin” has been synonymous with uncertainty. Investors have typically associated frontier exploration with limited geological data, unclear regulatory frameworks, speculative acreage allocation and elevated commercial risk. That perception no long accurately reflects Liberia.

The country’s offshore sector is entering a fundamentally different phase. Risk has not disappeared – no frontier basin is without it – but it has become increasingly identifiable, measurable and manageable. Through institutional reform, structured licensing and one of the most comprehensive offshore data acquisition campaigns in Liberia’s history, the country is systematically reducing the uncertainties that have historically constrained investment.

Regulatory certainty forms the first pillar of this strategy.

The Amended Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 2019 clearly separates regulatory oversight from commercial participation. The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) independently administers licensing, compliance and petroleum agreements, while the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) manages the state’s commercial interests. Distinct institutional mandates create transparent decision-making and reduce governance risk for investors.

The market has responded. In September 2025, TotalEnergies signed PSCs for Blocks BL-6, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29, generating a $16 million signature bonus and ending more than a decade of limited upstream activity. In January 2026, the company extended into the Harper Basin through a Joint Study and Application Agreement with BluEnergies covering Blocks LB-26, LB-30 and LB-31 across 8,924 km².

Liberia’s second competitive advantage is geological visibility.

Frontier exploration has historically relied on limited subsurface information. Today, operators are evaluating Liberia using modern seismic imaging and geochemical analysis designed to identify the highest-confidence drilling opportunities before exploration wells are committed.

TGS has surpassed the halfway mark in reprocessing more than 6,100 km² of legacy 3D seismic using advanced pre-stack depth migration workflows that preserve direct hydrocarbon indicators. Since June 2026, GeoPartners has simultaneously conducted a 4,045 km² seabed survey aboard the R/V GYRE, integrating bathymetric mapping, water-column imaging and piston coring across water depths of 500‒3.500 meters. Combined datasets scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026 will significantly improve target definition and reduce subsurface uncertainty.

Liberia is also de-risking investment through disciplined licensing.

Rather than allocated acreage to the highest bidder, the LPRA’s targeted direct negotiation framework prioritizes companies with proven technical capability, financial capacity and long-term commitment. Applicants are expected to demonstrate access to more than $50 million in liquidity per block alongside ultra-deepwater operating experience before negotiations advance.

Equally important are Liberia’s “drill-or-drop” provisions. Exploration licenses require operators to execute agreed work programs or relinquish acreage, preventing speculative block holding and ensuring continuous investment across the basin.

Institutional reforms have continued alongside technical progress. During 2025 and 2026, the LPRA strengthened regulatory cooperation with the U.S., signed a strategic partnership with Ghana’s Petroleum Commission and worked with NOCAL to enhance judicial capacity for petroleum dispute resolution. Meanwhile, the government expects active mining and petroleum agreements to mobilize $4.8 billion in investment, including approximately $800 million dedicated to upstream exploration.

No frontier basin is without risk. Commodity prices fluctuate, exploration can disappoint and deepwater developments require significant capital. Investors understand those realities.

The difference is that Liberia is systematically addressing the risks it can control. Strong regulation, transparent licensing, active data acquisition and disciplined contract enforcement are transforming uncertainty into informed investment decisions. For companies seeking exposure to one of the last underexplored basins along the West Africa Transform Margin, Liberia’s greatest asset is not longer simply its geology. It is the confidence created by a regulatory framework deliberately built to support responsible, long-term investment.

The Launch of the Liberia 2026 Offshore Direct Negotiation Licensing Round – organized by Energy Capital and Power – will take place at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on October 14 at The Orchid, CTICC 2. Visit, https://apo-opa.co/4y0VlRB for more information.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.