Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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Anseba Elementary, Junior, and High School has recognized 24 outstanding students who qualified for degree and diploma programs in the 2024/2025 National School Leaving Examination.

At the event held on 5 August, Mr. Mohammed Salah, Director of the school, said that encouraging outstanding students significantly contributes to motivating them to strive for higher achievements in their college education and in inspiring their peers to follow their example and become competitive students.

Mr. Kiflai Andemicael, Head of the Education Office in the region, noted that this practice of recognizing outstanding students has become a tradition and plays a vital role in encouraging others to work hard and excel in their education. He also urged the awardees to continue working diligently for even better results in their college education.

During the event, a briefing was provided on the background of higher education institutions in the country and the guidelines students are expected to follow.

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

Source: APO

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Col. Debesai Ghide, Commander of the Sawa National Service Training Center, conducted a seminar for members of the 38th round of national service on 5 August.

The seminar, held on 5 August, focused on the role of Sawa in enhancing students’ academic and vocational capacities, nurturing national values, supporting psychological and physical development, fostering group living and nationalism, as well as the progress of national development programs. He also provided a briefing on the guidelines and regulations of the training center.

Col. Debesai, noting that Sawa has two main objectives, providing 12th-grade academic education and fulfilling national obligations, called on students to make the most of the opportunities provided.

Lt. Col. Temesgen Samuel, Deputy Commander of the training center, urged the students to develop unity and mutual care and to adhere to the center’s guidelines and regulations during their one-year stay.

The participants, for their part, expressed their determination to pursue their education and fulfil their national obligation.

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

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy. He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time.

H.E. Mr. Youssouf stated, “The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.”

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

Source: APO

With violence intensifying in South Sudan, more than 33,000 refugees have fled to northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In May, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams launched emergency activities to provide lifesaving medical care to a community facing crisis. 

“We saw people shooting guns. Then we saw planes shooting people from the sky,” says Blessing Halima, a refugee from Morobo County, South Sudan, who recently fled to Adi, northern DRC, with her six children. “They began killing people and stealing everything. They took my husband. That’s why we ran.” 

Blessing Halima is not alone. In April, Atay Rose travelled for several days through the bush to reach Adi from Panyume, South Sudan. 

“If we used the main road, we would have been killed. They rape young girls and even married women,” says Atay. “I don’t know if I can go back. There’s still looting. There’s still raping. There’s still the killing of women and children. That’s what we fear the most.”

South Sudan is experiencing its most severe surge in violence since the signing of the peace agreement and end of its civil war in 2018. The crisis escalated in February, when clashes broke out between government forces and armed youths, known as the White Army, in the northeastern state of Upper Nile. 

The violence quickly spread to other parts of the country, incorporating armed groups in Central Equatoria state, which borders DRC to the south. There have been widespread civilian casualties throughout the country – with more than 730 civilians killed between January and March alone. [1]

Between January and June, an estimated 300,000 people were displaced by the violence according to the UN,[2] of whom 125,000 fled to neighbouring countries, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and DRC. In DRC, more than 33,000 people have arrived since April, according to the country’s National Council of Refugees. 

Instability has led to the total collapse of already-fragile public services, and MSF has been forced to close two hospitals and scale down operations in the country amid attacks on health facilities. 

Most people arriving in DRC have fled Morobo county in Central Equatoria state, which has become highly volatile due to intensified fighting this year. A few days ago, we were forced to suspend all activities in Morobo—including services in camps for internally displaced people—as well as in neighbouring Yei River county. This decision followed the abduction of health workers, including one of our own staff members.

Arriving with nothing

Ituri province, in northeastern DRC, where most of the South Sudanese crossing into the country arrive, has itself been beset by conflict for decades, characterised by violence, ethnic division and a wide prevalence of armed groups. Even prior to the arrival of South Sudanese refugees, health systems were under strain and almost non-existent in the border area.

Many refugees arrive with few or no possessions whatsoever, having hastily fled South Sudan for their lives.

“We are suffering,” says Jacob Justin, who travelled alone with nothing but the clothes on his back. “We have no schools, no hospitals and no access to clean water.”

Viola Kani fled across the border in May with her brother and four children. 

“We ran away with nothing. They took our food and clothes,” she says. “Now we are dying of hunger and don’t have anything to sleep on.”

Six percent of children aged 6 to 59 months seen by MSF teams near the border are suffering from severe malnutrition, which represents a major public health problem, according to Dr Léonard Wabingwa, MSF’s medical activity manager in Adi. 

MSF response

To address the growing needs of the refugees, MSF launched an emergency response in May. We sent two mobile clinics and set up six community healthcare centres. 

In less than two months since activities were launched, more than 3,000 medical consultations were carried out—with the weekly average of more 370 consultations continuing to rise. Malaria accounts for more than half of all cases, followed by respiratory tract infections and acute gastroenteritis. We screen children under five years old for malnutrition, treating patients with therapeutic food.

“We have also provided care to several survivors of sexual violence, including some as young as 12,” says Dr Wabingwa.

Risk of disease outbreaks

Measles cases have already been reported among the refugee community, and an MSF-supported mass vaccination campaign, targeting 62,000 children, is set to begin in August to reduce the risks of an outbreak. A parallel vaccination campaign will seek to provide routine vaccinations to a further 520 infants and 310 pregnant women. 

“Instability in South Sudan means routine vaccinations have been interrupted,” says Félicien Lwiteo, MSF project coordinator in Adi. “If you are running for your life, it is difficult to respect a medical appointment. There’s a real risk of disease outbreaks and it’s vital that we act quickly.”

MSF is also working on critical infrastructure projects. Our teams are installing six water distribution points and 200 latrines and showers, expected to be completed by mid-August. Additionally, nearly 6,000 non-food item kits containing essential items—such as mosquito nets, buckets, soap, and portable toilets—will be distributed to families.

Mounting needs, limited support

With more refugees arriving daily in DRC, MSF’s capacity to meet the growing needs is under pressure.

“There are very few international organisations on the ground and none that are providing the same range of medical services as MSF,” says Asiyat Magomedova, MSF Head of Programmes covering the area. “Without support from other partners, there is a risk that further lives will be lost.”

In South Sudan, the situation remains “critical” according to Dr Ferdinand Atte, MSF Head of Mission in the country. 

“It is crucial to ensure safe and unobstructed access to populations in need, and to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, before we can consider resuming our activities,” says Dr Atte. “While we are deeply committed to providing care to those in need, we cannot keep our staff working in an unsafe environment.”

For the South Sudanese refugees now living in DRC, there is little hope of returning home anytime soon.

“If we go back, that means we are going to die,” says Viola. “How can we go back there?” 

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

Too often in South Sudan, women are excluded from political and peacebuilding opportunities, despite their critical importance in advancing peace and security in the conflict-ridden country.

To help women increase their visibility and secure funding for peacebuilding initiatives, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan hosted 30 women at a strategic communications workshop in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal.

“I used to think that writing grant proposals was solely for experts, but that illusion has vanished,” says participant Linda Hussein. “I thought that only people with specific qualifications or perfect English would succeed in securing financial support for important initiatives, but now I’ve learned that it’s more about understanding the work you do, the people you serve, their needs, and simply just getting started.”

Many women at the workshop had a breakthrough moment when they understood that leadership starts with finding their own voice.

“Today was the first time I stood before a group to facilitate a session,” says Juliet Luka, a journalist who also works with a women’s initiative in Wau. “It has always felt challenging for me. However, now I feel ready.”

The International Labour Organization’s 2023-2025 report states that only 13% of South Sudanese women have formal employment and, as a result, they suffer from persistent economic insecurity.

“Women in the informal sector already do impactful work, but without strong communication skills, they struggle to grow,” explains Sapia Taulani, an UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer.

A key focus at the workshop was also how to progress the commitment in the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement for 35% women’s participation in governance processes and institutions.

“If we want women at decision-making tables, we must equip them with the skills to be heard,” adds Sapia.

At the end of the workshop, the women gained knowledge, empowerment, and a renewed spirit to lead.

“Learning knows no bounds; share your knowledge,” stressed Linda Hussein to fellow participants, as they vowed to share their new skills for the betterment of all women across South Sudan.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS Commission and the World Bank, through the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) programme, convened a regional validation workshop from 24 to 27 June 2025 in Accra, Ghana. The workshop brought together foundational identity (fID) agencies and functional service providers from WURI participating countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Togo), alongside representatives from ECOWAS Member States, to review and validate two strategic documents: the Stakeholders Assessment, Engagement and Management Strategy, and the Foundational Identification Systems Interoperability and Mutual Recognition of ID Credentials Strategy.

The aim of the Stakeholders Strategy is to ascertain the broad spectrum of actors in the foundational and functional ID ecosystems in the countries while the Interoperability Strategy aims to support the countries to make informed decision in the formulation, harmonisation and adoption of a common position on the fID systems interoperability and mutual recognition of fID credentials agenda. The latter equally seeks to guide the WURI participating countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Togo) on the right steps towards the realisation of the programme success.

Delivering the keynote address, Ghana’s Minister of the Interior, Honourable Mubarak MOHAMMED-MUNTAKA, emphasized the profound importance of identity, not merely as legal recognition but as a fundamental human right and an enabler of access to services, social protection, security, economic inclusion, and regional integration. He praised the WURI initiative as a vital opportunity to ensure that “everyone counts”. “WURI represents our collective aspiration for a more inclusive and connected West Africa, where everyone counts,” he stated.

Mr. Emil Tesliuc, Senior Economist and Social Protection Specialist/WURI Regional Task Team Leader of the World Bank urged all participants to reflect on the significance of WURI’s development agenda of fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals  target 16.9 – “to provide legal identity for all, including birth registration” – by 2030, and its transformative potential in the West African region in creating a seamless, interoperable ID system that will serve as a tool for inclusion, regional integration and development, whilst mitigating the negative effects of the use of multiple single-use functional ID credentials for service delivery – the effect of which is disproportionately borne by the poor and marginalised population.

The Chairperson of the Coordination Committee and WURI Project Coordinator of Niger, Mr. Abdourazakhe ABANI on his part, stressed the importance of preserving the principles of integration which are essential and indispensable to the survival of African nations and urged everyone to participate actively in the workshop as it is helping to put in place instruments that will enable millions of citizens living in our common space to access basic services offered by public and private providers in each country and on a cross-border scale.

Speaking on behalf of H.E. Mrs Massandje TOURÉ-LITSE, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mr. Albert SIAW-BOATENG, Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration, stated: “The Strategies were developed in such a manner that the accomplishments in the WURI participating countries are not infringed upon and they are coming to fruition at a time countries across the region are digitising their ID systems for improved service delivery, free mobility of persons, and regional integration”.  He also expressed hope that the strategies would be utilised in a such a manner that WURI is beneficial to all – the people, the governments and businesses.

The Strategies were developed in collaboration and coordination with the lead ID agencies in the region, including Burkina Faso and Niger and are expected to guide long-term digital transformation efforts in the identity and service delivery space. The workshop featured stimulating deliberations which resulted in concrete recommendations amongst which include for the region to advance its digitisation agenda particularly that its benefits outweighs the risks and for ECOWAS and WURI participating countries to adopt a progressive approach to the deployment of interoperability due to the varying levels of development of countries’ fID systems and of maturity of their digital economy ecosystems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).