Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

.

In a significant public health achievement, Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have eliminated measles and rubella, becoming the first sub-Saharan countries to attain this milestone.    

The three countries were verified by the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, established by World Health Organization (WHO).

Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles join 94 and 133 others globally verified as having eliminated measles and rubella respectively. Measles and rubella are highly contagious airborne viruses. Measles can result in severe complications and death, especially among young children, and rubella can cause irreversible birth defects if infection occurs during pregnancy. Both diseases are vaccine preventable.  

The achievement by the three countries follows the recommendation of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, which met in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 2025. After reviewing comprehensive programmatic and surveillance data, the commission confirmed that the three small island developing states have interrupted endemic transmission of both viruses for more than 36 months, while maintaining high-quality disease surveillance systems capable of rapidly detecting and containing any imported cases.  

“This is a major public health achievement. Congratulations to Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles on this important milestone in our collective efforts to control and end diseases in Africa. It shows what’s possible when countries put prevention first and make vaccines a priority,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We must build on this success so that every child in Africa can grow up healthy and protected.”  

Cabo Verde has fully funded its immunization programme since 1998 and maintained coverage above 90% for 2 decades. Strong political engagement on immunization, especially towards measles and rubella immunization has been critical in ending the local transmission of the two diseases. The country has not had a confirmed measles case since 1999. The last confirmed rubella cases were in 2010. 

“Today, we stand together at a truly historic moment—not only for Cabo Verde, but for the entire African region,” said Honourable Jorge Figueiredo, Minister of Health, Cabo Verde. “This achievement is a testament to what is possible when governments, health professionals, communities, and international partners unite behind a common goal. For decades, measles and rubella have threatened the health and futures of our children. Today, we celebrate the end of that threat in our countries.”

In Mauritius, no measles cases have been reported since 2019 and all recent suspected measles and rubella cases were adequately investigated and discarded as non-measles and non-rubella cases. The country responded to a 2018–2019 measles outbreak with renewed vaccination and surveillance efforts. By 2024, measles-mumps-rubella vaccination coverage at national level reached 98% for the first dose and 96% for the second dose.  

“This milestone reflects decades of investment in strong public health systems, unwavering political commitment and the dedication of our health professionals and communities,” said Honourable Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mauritius.  

“Elimination is not the end of the journey. Sustaining this status requires constant vigilance, rapid detection and immediate response to any imported case. Mauritius remains fully committed to maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening cross-border health security and reinforcing early warning systems,” she added.

Seychelles has maintained over 95% coverage for the first and second measles vaccine doses for more than two decades, supported by vigilant surveillance, laboratory confirmation and health screening at points of entry. The last measles outbreak was contained in 2020. No rubella cases have been confirmed since 2016.  

“This sustained effort has not been without its challenges but through the dedication of our Extended Programme on Immunization team we have successfully kept measles and rubella transmission at bay for decades,” said Honourable Marvin Fanny, Seychelles Minister of Health. “I am proud to announce that … Seychelles was certified as measles and rubella free, a monumental achievement for our nation.”

Since 2001, countries across the African region have implemented measles control strategies that include providing two primary vaccine doses, conducting periodic mass vaccination campaigns, intensive disease surveillance and improved outbreak response as well as clinical care for measles cases. Between 2000 and 2023, these efforts are estimated to have prevented almost 21 million deaths, a 79% reduction in estimated annual deaths during this period.    

Over the years, immunization coverage across the region has increased. In 2024, coverage of the first dose of the measles-rubella vaccine reached 71%, up from 67% in 2022, while coverage of the second dose rose from 43% to 55% in the same period. In 2024, five countries—Botswana, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Rwanda and Seychelles—have achieved the 95% coverage benchmark needed to interrupt transmission.

Under the Measles and Rubella Partnership, of which WHO is a founding member, coordinated efforts aim to achieve a world without measles and rubella. Led by WHO, UNICEF, the American Red Cross, the Gates Foundation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the UN Foundation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the partnership works with countries to raise vaccination coverage, fund, plan, implement and monitor quality supplementary campaigns, investigate outbreaks and provide technical and financial support for effective outbreak response and support a global laboratory network for measles and rubella.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Cabo Verde.

Source: APO – Report:

.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) expresses its deep concern at the unprecedented scale of internal displacement in Sudan and the resulting rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The country is experiencing the world’s most serious internal displacement crisis, with nearly nine million people displaced within the country and millions more forced to flee across borders to neighbouring states. Persistent clashes, particularly around El Fasher (North Darfur), are exposing civilians to extreme risks, while humanitarian access remains severely hampered.

Since the capture of El-Fasher on 26 October 2025, successive waves of families have fled to neighbouring localities that are already saturated, notably Tawila, Mellit and Saraf Omra. Between 26 October and 9 November, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimated that nearly 90,000 people had been newly displaced from El-Fasher and surrounding villages; between 26 October and 2 November alone, UNICEF recorded more than 70,800 departures. The escape routes remain dangerous and the reception sites are struggling to absorb these arrivals, which include an The Commission is also alarmed by reports of famine conditions in El Fasher (North Darfur) and Kadugli (South Kordofan), as well as a critical risk of famine in other areas, if humanitarian access is not secured and intensified as a matter of urgency.

The Commission reminds the belligerents of their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and reiterates the need to effectively implement the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Kampala Convention on the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons, and all other relevant instruments for the protection of internally displaced persons in Sudan.

Given the urgency of the situation, the Commission, while reiterating the conclusions and recommendations of its Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan, once again calls for rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, including through the opening of safe corridors to and from El Fasher and other besieged areas — notably the El Fasher–Tawila corridor — as well as security guarantees for civilians, humanitarian and health personnel and facilities.

In the reception areas, humanitarian assessments report immediate survival needs (shelter, water, healthcare) and overexposure of women and children to violence, including sexual violence. Acute malnutrition rates among children newly arrived in Tawila exceed 70% for those under five, while relief operations in North Darfur are described as ‘on the brink of collapse’ due to insecurity, access restrictions and underfunding. At the same time, unaccompanied and separated children are being identified and, in some cases, reunited with their families, but care capacities remain very limited.

The Commission urges international partners to urgently increase funding for nutrition, health, protection and education, and encourages enhanced monitoring of population movements by the IOM, data registration and disaggregation in order to better target the response, including family reunification for unaccompanied or separated children.

The Commission expresses its full solidarity with internally displaced persons, host communities and the entire Sudanese people. It commends the dedication of humanitarian actors operating in extremely difficult conditions and reaffirms the need to adopt urgent protection measures aimed at opening up and securing assistance, stabilising displacement sites and preventing further loss of life.

Done at Banjul, 14 November 2025.

Commissioner Selma SASSI-SAFER

Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa

Commissioner Essaim HATEM

Commissioner in charge of the human rights situation in Sudan

– on behalf of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has taken a pioneering step to strengthen regional cyber resilience by launching a landmark Training of Trainers (ToT) Program on Cybersecurity and Cyber Diplomacy, from November 10th to 13th 2025, in Praia, Cabo Verde.

This strategic initiative addresses the capacity-building needs of diplomatic academies and training institutes across West Africa, positioning ECOWAS as the first Regional Economic Community (REC) to institutionalise cyber diplomacy training within foreign service education.The in-person workshop marked the culmination of a two-part training series. It followed a four-week online course launched in September, which introduced core concepts in cybersecurity and cyber diplomacy. The final workshop emphasised hands-on methodologies and practical application.

Participants acquired essential skills in both subject matter and pedagogy. Certified trainers from ECOWAS diplomatic academies are now equipped to develop and deliver courses within their institutions, ensuring long-term sustainability and regional capacity building.

This program was delivered in partnership with the German Federal Foreign Office and the European Union, co-implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Diplo Foundation and co-hosted by the Cabo Verdean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration.  Their support was instrumental in driving this initiative forward and reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to regional cooperation and resilience.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

.

From 12th to 14th of November 2025, the Energy and Mines Directorate organised a regional workshop in Accra, Ghana, to validate the preliminary feasibility study for the Regional Programme for the Electrification of 20,000 Villages in West Africa (PRODEL20000). This three-day workshop brought together experts from the ministries responsible for energy, national electricity companies and national electrification agencies of ECOWAS member states, as well as representatives from ECREEE and the consulting firm BNETD.

Participants examined all the elements necessary for the success of PRODEL20000: technical design and sizing, socio-economic impacts, investment needs, general guidelines and mechanisms for managing social and environmental impacts. An in-depth and constructive analysis was carried out for each component of the report, accompanied by the identification of gaps and practical recommendations to strengthen the study’s conclusions.

Opening the workshop, Dr Ismael Ackah, Technical Adviser to Ghana’s Minister of Energy and Green Transition, described PRODEL20000 as a flagship initiative that confirms the collective commitment to accelerating universal access to electricity in West Africa. He added that the project is a model of regional collaboration and emphasised that Ghana is particularly proud of the ECOWAS rural electrification component, which will help reduce inequalities between urban and rural areas.

Mr Arkadius Koumoin, Acting Head of the Conventional Energy Division, recalled that despite the region’s vast energy potential, millions of citizens, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, still do not have access to reliable and affordable electricity. PRODEL20000 is designed as a major priority for the Commission in order to respond to the urgent need to electrify a large number of localities, either through grid extension or solar systems.

This initiative embodies ECOWAS’ shared vision for universal access to sustainable energy, also aiming to stimulate local entrepreneurship, improve health and education services, and create employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people. He concluded by stating that the completion of the feasibility study will enable ECOWAS to begin mobilising funding for the implementation of the project.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, has called for bold, African-led strategies to tackle the continent’s health challenges. Speaking as Chief Guest at the Inaugural Africa Health Summit in Kampala, held under the theme “Reclaiming Africa’s Health Future: From Dependency to Sovereignty through Innovation and Solidarity”, Hon. Kingi emphasized that Africa must move beyond diagnosing problems to delivering solutions at scale.

“We must not only diagnose the challenges, but also prescribe the solutions, and most importantly, implement them,” he said, urging African scientists to innovate on African soil. He further emphasised the need for sustainable domestic health financing, highlighting opportunities through capital markets, sovereign funds, and public-private partnerships.

Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Director of Programme Management, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to building sovereign and sustainable health systems across Africa. His message was clear:

“Africa’s health systems must be designed, led, and owned by Africa. If we can transform a hospital, we can transform a continent. If we can save one life, we can inspire millions.”

Dr. Diallo called on leaders to create enduring systems, thriving communities, and lasting solutions.

Uganda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, underscored the importance of strengthening health systems to ensure accessibility, equity, and quality, both for primary healthcare and specialized services. She emphasized community engagement as a cornerstone for informed health decisions and advocated for widespread dissemination of health information.

The summit brought together high-level delegates, including Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, and Minister of Science and Technology, Hon. Monica Musenero, alongside representatives from Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Kenya, policymakers, researchers, health professionals, private sector actors, civil society, and development partners. It served as a continental platform for strategic dialogue, showcasing African-led innovations and generating actionable commitments to advance health sovereignty, resilience, and equity.

The event concluded with the Heroes in Health Award, Uganda’s flagship recognition platform, established in 2019 to celebrate individuals, institutions, innovations, services, products, and programs that make outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery and outcomes in Uganda.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – Uganda.

Source: APO – Report:

.

H.E. Zelma NOBRE FASSINOU, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, presided on 13 November 2025 in Saint-Louis over the enrolment ceremony and the signing of agreements between the Senegalese Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SEN-CSU), Public Health Establishments (EPS), the Health District, and the Local Council for Artisanal Fisheries (CLPA). This ceremony marks an important milestone in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage in the Saint-Louis region.

On this occasion, political and administrative authorities welcomed the initiative, which demonstrates ECOWAS’ concrete commitment to the implementation of the Accra Declaration adopted in 2022 by Member States on Universal Health Coverage. The Declaration reaffirms their collective determination to guarantee every citizen of the Community access to essential, quality healthcare without financial barriers. According to the Governor, the Prefect and the Mayor, who made a point of being present at the ceremony, this Declaration is not merely a political commitment: it is a moral, social, and human obligation, recalling that health is both a fundamental right and a key factor in stability, productivity, and social cohesion.

The support provided by the ECOWAS Permanent Representation to communication and to national efforts aimed at strengthening health governance, digitalization of information systems, financial protection, and community mobilization for SEN-CSU in the Saint-Louis region is fully aligned with Vision 2050, which places citizen well-being and human capital development at the heart of its social and educational framework. This support has enabled the agency to progressively integrate informal-sector workers into a sustainable health-insurance mechanism, strengthen territorial cohesion, and promote strong local partnerships among institutions, professional communities, and health facilities.

Through this initiative, ECOWAS demonstrates its commitment by translating decisions into tangible results on the ground, where real change occurs for families, workers, and communities.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Source: APO – Report:

.

From 17 to 19 November 2025, AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, GALVmed, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and their partners are convening a consultative meeting in Nairobi to advance the harmonisation of veterinary product regulation across Africa. The meeting has gathered national regulatory authorities, Chief Veterinary Officers, regional bodies, manufacturers, and technical organisations to address long-standing challenges in accessing quality veterinary medicines and vaccines. 

In her opening address, Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, underscored the role of livestock in food security, livelihoods, and resilience. She noted that Africa continues to lose over USD 4 billion annually due to preventable animal diseases, with weak access to quality veterinary products being a major contributor. Key constraints include fragmented regulatory regimes, slow approval processes, limited enforcement, the presence of counterfeit medicines, and inadequate cold-chain infrastructure. 

She called for accelerated reforms to strengthen the availability, affordability, and oversight of veterinary products, highlighting ongoing AU-IBAR initiatives, including support for veterinary legislation, surveillance, vaccine production capacity, and the harmonisation of PPR vaccine registration.

A central focus of the meeting has been the presentation and review of the draft Terms of Reference for the Pan-African Regulatory Authorities Network on Veterinary Products, jointly developed by AU-IBAR and AU-PANVAC. 

The Network aims to:

• Harmonise regulatory standards
• Improve information sharing via interoperable systems
• Build national and regional regulatory capacity
• Support emergency authorisation mechanisms
• Foster transparency between regulators, industry, and stakeholders

According to the proposed TORs, the Network will operate through a Steering Committee, a Secretariat hosted at AU-IBAR, and a continent-wide membership of national regulatory authorities. 

The meeting will include breakout sessions to discuss pathways for faster registration timelines, more vigorous enforcement against counterfeit products, regulatory alignment with One Health and AMR priorities, and improved public-private collaboration.

By the close of the meeting, stakeholders hope to reach agreements on:

• Priority elements of the PARAN-VPs TORs
• The governance structure and implementation roadmap
• A joint communiqué outlining next steps

Upcoming actions include political endorsement through AU structures, resource mobilisation, and establishment of the Secretariat, paving the way for full operationalisation of the Network.

The Nairobi consultative meeting goes beyond regulatory harmonisation to address a wide range of priorities reflected in the agenda, such as governance, technical capacity, One Health integration, AMR mitigation, public–private collaboration, and improved communication and transparency within regulatory systems. Stakeholders will examine issues such as slow registration timelines, counterfeit products, vaccine manufacturing standards, regional mutual recognition processes, and mechanisms for stronger coordination among AU institutions, RECs, national authorities, and industry.

By reviewing the draft TORs, refining the implementation roadmap, and agreeing on next steps, delegates will demonstrate a strong collective commitment to strengthening Africa’s veterinary governance landscape. This initiative supports the implementation of the existing MoU, particularly between AU-IBAR and GAVNET, to improve veterinary services and promote preventative animal health measures in the livestock sector. Through this effort, AU-IBAR also reaffirms its dedication to working with AU-PANVAC, regulatory authorities, and partners to advance these agenda items by ensuring that veterinary product regulation becomes more efficient, collaborative, and responsive to the continent’s animal health challenges.

More Information: https://betterregulationconference.org/

– on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

Source: APO – Report:

The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) (www.AfricaScot.com/) is pleased to announce Ebury as a sponsor for Scotland London Africa Week 2025. Ebury will support the Scotland Africa Networking Reception at Dover House, hosted with kind permission by the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, as well as Commonwealth Briefings with selected African Heads of Mission, that will take place during the week. Their contribution strengthens the programme and reflects shared commitment to developing meaningful trade and commercial relationships between Scotland and African markets.

Scotland London Africa Week has quickly become one of the foremost platforms connecting business leaders, investors and institutions with opportunities across the African continent. Last year’s event welcomed senior representatives from government and industry, delivered focused market insight sessions and helped build new commercial partnerships that are already delivering value. The momentum has only grown and with nearly 20 Scottish companies already confirmed and over 150 Africa focussed attendees for this year’s programme, interest continues to accelerate.

International trade remains a crucial driver of economic growth. For Scotland and African partners alike, increased collaboration supports jobs, innovation and long-term resilience. As global dynamics shift and supply chains diversify there is a clear need for agile partnerships and reliable financial infrastructure to support cross-border expansion. SABA has seen a rising appetite from Scottish organisations across sectors including energy, maritime & ports, agriculture, education & skills training and aquaculture to deepen their engagement with African markets. African economies meanwhile continue to scale rapidly and present significant opportunities for high quality investment and partnership.

Ebury’s involvement reflects the organisation’s strategic interest in supporting global business flows. As a global financial services provider specialising in international transactions, FX and trade finance Ebury brings world-class capability that will benefit companies exploring and expanding into African markets. Diageo’s continued support strengthens the growing collaboration between major international organisations and the Scotland Africa business community.

Frazer Lang, Chief Executive of the Scottish Africa Business Association, said:

“Scotland London Africa Week is now a vital platform for dialogue and action. We are delighted to welcome Ebury as a sponsor. Their expertise and global reach align perfectly with our mission to unlock trade and investment with the African continent. The success of last year’s event demonstrated the appetite for deeper collaboration and we look forward to building on it with an even stronger programme this year.”

Phil Monkhouse, UK Country Manager at Ebury, said:

“Africa continues to be one of the most dynamic regions for trade and investment and Scottish organisations have much to offer. By partnering with SABA for Scotland London Africa Week we are supporting businesses that want to connect with high growth markets and move with confidence on the international stage. We look forward to contributing insight and practical support to help companies make the most of these opportunities.”

SABA continues to position Scotland as a trusted partner for African nations and a serious contributor to trade and development across priority sectors. Ebury’s partnership reinforces the importance of effective financial solutions in underpinning successful cross-border growth.

– on behalf of Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA).

About the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA):
SABA is the preeminent non-political, Africa focussed, members trade organisation with an unrivalled board of experienced directors which promotes trade, investment and knowledge sharing between Scotland’s world class expertise and Africa’s priority sectors including energy, agriculture, the blue economy, healthcare, skills training and education by leveraging extensive commercial, trade, political and government contacts across Scotland and Africa.

As part of this, our team organises private meetings, round tables, seminars, conferences, global trade missions and offers market research, intelligence sharing and consultancy services.