Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

On the second day of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2025), a symbolic tree-planting ceremony was held in Grenada to honour Professor Benedict Oramah, outgoing President of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com), for his enduring contributions to Africa-Caribbean relations.

The Flamboyant tree, native to Madagascar but widely rooted across the Caribbean, was chosen for its beauty and symbolic resonance. Known for its brilliant red blooms, it is seen as a representation of vitality, peace, and the promise of growth, which echoes the very principles that have defined Oramah’s leadership.

Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dickon Mitchell led the tribute, praising Oramah’s transformational impact across the region.

“This symbolic but substantive planting of a Flamboyant tree, a tree which originates from Madagascar but has found its way to the Caribbean and adorns the landscape wherever you go, and when it blooms its beautiful red flowers inspire beauty, tranquility, and peace in all of us, is reflective of the significant role that you have played in ensuring that Global Africa can rise, can blossom, can bloom and can stand as a testament and a legacy for future generations,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.

In response, President Oramah expressed his deep gratitude to Grenada and the wider Caribbean community:

“As an agricultural economist, I know the value of a plant. In the food life cycle, it is the plant that stands as an anchor. As I join the Honourable Prime Minister in planting this tree, I am reminded that I have found a very deep anchor in Grenada and the CARICOM.”

Reflecting on the symbolism, he continued:

“A person who plants a tree must tend the tree, a person who plants a tree must come and harvest the tree, a person who plants the tree must always make sure that the tree lasts and lasts… That is why I regard this as that anchor that will bring me here and keep me here.”

“Africa is the cradle of civilisation. Africa has given the world life, and to use this tree planting to honour me means that you value the work we are doing to give life to people. I would like to reassure you that I will do whatever I can, until I’m not able to do anything, to keep us marching on– something I believe we are all committed to.”

The tree planting took place as ACTIF2025 enters its second day, bringing together high-level government officials, business leaders, and civil society from Africa and the Caribbean to deepen economic and cultural integration under the theme: “Resilience and Transformation: Enhancing Africa-Caribbean Economic Cooperation in an Era of Global Uncertainty.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow us on:
X: https://apo-opa.co/3U0vVlv
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4mbOqPG
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/3GOxFLL
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4mgF6Km

About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Source: APO

.

Western Union (www.WesternUnion.com), Zoona Transactions Zambia Limited and Chipper Cash today announced the launch of international money transfer services in the Chipper Cash app. The co-branded service enables customers in Zambia to send and receive money globally, based on their convenience and needs.

Zoona is a leading fintech and enterprise payments platform in Zambia. Acquired by Chipper Cash in 2022, the two brands now support 5 million customers across Africa. Today’s announcement combines Western Union’s global strength and 175 years of expertise in international money movement with Chipper Cash’s and Zoona’s deep local payments knowledge and innovative mobile technology platform. Chipper Cash app users can now support their loved ones by sending and receiving money seamlessly across Western Union’s network of over 200 countries and territories. They also have the flexibility to send funds to mobile wallets worldwide, as well as for cash pick-up at hundreds of thousands of locations abroad. Payout to bank accounts shall be launched shortly.

“Zambia’s digitally savvy population of over 20 million is driving a remarkable shift toward mobile-first financial solutions,” said Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Western Union’s Regional Vice President of Africa. “Integrating our international money transfer services in the Chipper Cash app means customers can transfer funds across our global network – reliably and with ease. I am delighted then that, together, we are expanding the possibilities for Zambians to connect, transact and thrive in the global economy.”

The Chipper Cash app is available for download on both Android and iOS smartphones. To initiate a Western Union transaction, customers can use funds stored in their Chipper Cash wallet. The wallet can be conveniently topped up at multiple cash and digital payment touchpoints, including retailers, mobile network operators, banks and ATMs.

“At Zoona, we’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible evolution of Zambia’s financial landscape—from the early days of cash-based transactions and agent networks to a thriving ecosystem of mobile and digital payments,” said Brett Magrath, CEO at Zoona and CPO at Chipper Cash. “This partnership marks the next chapter in that journey. With smartphone adoption on the rise, there’s an increasing appetite for digital financial services that move beyond USSD to deliver richer, app-based experiences. This partnership extends the reach of Zambia’s vibrant fintech ecosystem—connecting more users to global financial services through a seamless digital experience.”

The collaboration builds on Western Union’s well-established physical presence in Zambia that caters to diverse and fast-evolving customer needs. The move also supports Western Union’s, Zoona’s and Chipper Cash’s shared mission to make financial services accessible to all consumers in Zambia – regardless of their banking status.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Western Union Holdings, Inc..

Media Contacts:
Western Union:
Nicholas Mandalas,
Nicholas.Mandalas@wu.com

Chipper Cash:
Goldie Iyamu:
Goldie@chippercash.com

About Western Union:
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is committed to helping people around the world who aspire to build financial futures for themselves, their loved ones and their communities. Our leading cross-border, cross-currency money movement, payments and digital financial services empower consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments—across more than 200 countries and territories and over 130 currencies—to connect with billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and a global footprint of hundreds of thousands of retail locations. Our goal is to offer accessible financial services that help people and communities prosper. For more information, visit www.WesternUnion.com

About Chipper Cash:
Chipper Cash is a financial technology company serving more than five million customers across the African continent. In 2018, Chipper Cash revolutionized moving money in Africa by providing a frictionless way to send and receive money cross-border. Since then, Chipper has increased its product suite by offering personal investments and digital business transactions and expanded its reach into the US. Led by co-founders Ham Serunjogi and Maijid Moujaled, Chipper Cash is focused on its mission to provide the most trusted and accessible financial services for people living in Africa and beyond.

About Zoona:
Zoona is a fintech platform building intelligent financial infrastructure for local and global businesses. With operations rooted in Zambia, Zoona offers a suite of services including mobile money, enterprise disbursements, digital collections, and cross-border remittances. Regulated by the Bank of Zambia, Zoona leverages over a decade of experience—one of Zambia’s earliest mobile money pioneers—to deliver secure, accessible, and scalable financial solutions.

Source: APO

.

The decision by Cameroon’s electoral board to exclude Maurice Kamto, a key opposition leader and challenger to incumbent President Paul Biya, from the country’s upcoming presidential elections raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process, Human Rights Watch said today.

On July 26, 2025, Cameroon’s Election Commission (ELECAM) approved 13 out of 83 prospective candidates, including the 92-year-old Biya, who has been running the country since 1982. Elections are scheduled for October 12. Excluded candidates had 72 hours to appeal the decision to the constitutional council.

“The election commission has raised doubt on an election before the votes are even cast,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Excluding the most popular opponent from the electoral process will leave a shadow over whatever results are eventually announced.”

The decision to bar Kamto from the presidential race reflects the government’s long-standing intolerance for any opposition and dissent and comes amid an increased crackdown on opponents, activists, and lawyers since mid-2014, ahead of elections later this year. 

The commission justified its decision to exclude Kamto, saying it was because the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Mouvement africain pour la nouvelle indépendance et la démocratie, MANIDEM), the party that sponsored him, was also sponsoring another candidate, Dieudonné Yebga.  

However, Kamto’s lawyers and Anicet Ekane, the party’s president, said MANIDEM was not sponsoring Yebga and that the decision is arbitrary and politically motivated. The party sought to hold a news conference at its headquarters in Douala, Cameroon’s largest city, but security forces shut it down.

Kamto, who used to be the leader of the opposition party Cameroon Renaissance Movement (Mouvement pour la renaissance du Cameroun, MRC) and had already challenged Biya in the 2018 elections, sought to run as MANIDEM’s candidate for this year’s election because the Cameroonian electoral code bars parties with no elected officials from sponsoring a candidate.

Kamto’s lawyers have appealed the election commission’s decision and filed a petition with the Constitutional Council on July 28. Yebga also announced that he will appeal to the Constitutional Council. 

“ELECAM’s decision has no legal basis and only aims at eliminating a key challenger from the elections, supporting the ruling party’s long-term strategy of power confiscation,” Menkem Sother, a member of Kamto’s legal team, told Human Rights Watch. 

Biya is serving out his seventh term. He was last reelected in 2018, after which Kamto challenged the official results and declared himself winner of the election.

Biya’s 2018 election sparked a wave of political repression. After the vote, opposition-led protests erupted across the country, and the government responded with a heavy crackdown deploying the police, army, and gendarmes who used excessive force against protesters. In January 2019, Kamto and over 200 of his supporters were arrested and detained. Kamto was charged with insurrection, hostility against the homeland, and criminal association, among other charges. He was freed on October 5, 2019, and the charges were dropped, though the crackdown on the opposition continued.

In early September 2020, the authorities banned demonstrations across Cameroon after Kamto’s MRC encouraged people to protest the government’s decision to call regional elections for that December. Opposition parties had expressed concerns that the elections could not be conducted freely and fairly without reforming the electoral code and addressing the lack of security in the country’s minority Anglophone regions, where separatist groups and security forces have repeatedly clashed.

On September 22, 2020, Cameroonian security forces fired tear gas and water cannons and arrested over 550 people, mainly MRC members and supporters, to disperse peaceful protests across the country. Many of those arrested were beaten and mistreated. While the majority of them were eventually released, others including Olivier Bibou Nissack and Alain Fogue Tedom, two MRC leaders, remain behind bars after being sentenced to seven years in prison.

In December 2023, Kamto announced the creation of the Political Alliance for Change, an opposition coalition led by Jean-Michel Nintcheu, a member of Cameroon’s parliament. In March 2024, the territorial administration minister banned the coalition, saying it was “illegal,” and “clandestine.” 

Cameroon is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and as such is required to ensure that every citizen, without discrimination on the basis of political opinion, has the opportunity to take part and vote in genuinely free elections. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has found that “freedom of expression, assembly and association are essential conditions for the effective exercise of the right to vote and must be fully protected.”

“The Election Commission’s decision de facto reduces the upcoming vote to a mere formality, buries what remains of Cameroon’s democracy, and triggers fears of renewed violence,” Allegrozzi said. “The commission should reverse its decision and allow Cameroonians to decide their own future.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO

.

• Malagasy government violated right to freedom of movement and choice of residence of Antandroy IDPs
• Amnesty International research documents arduous 1,500km journey in search of survival 
• French colonial policies contributed to Antandroy’s vulnerability to climate-exacerbated droughts leading to displacements

Malagasy authorities have failed to protect and assist thousands of Antandroy people who have been forced to flee their homes since 2017 because of drought-induced famines in the Androy region, in southern Madagascar, Amnesty International said in a new report.

“’That Suffering Haunts Me Even Here’ – The Struggle for Human Rights of the Antandroy People Displaced by Climate Change from Southern Madagascar”, documents how Antandroy people have been forced to travel to other parts of the country in search of better conditions, with many internally displaced people (IDPs) making the arduous 1,500km journey to the northern Boeny region. The report exposes the government’s violation of their rights to freedom of movement and choice of residence within state borders, adequate housing, and an adequate standard of living.

“From insufficiently addressing the impacts of droughts in the south, to its lack of protection and support for internally displaced persons, the government has repeatedly failed the Antandroy,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

“To mitigate against these failures and their effects on IDPs, Madagascar must do more to improve its response to a changing climate by urgently adopting comprehensive national and local strategies to address drought-induced displacements, and by prioritizing the human rights needs of displaced Antandroy.”

Drought induced displacements in southern Madagascar are deeply rooted in the French colonial era which introduced cochineal parasites to eradicate the opuntia monacantha, a drought-resilient cactus growing in the region. This policy contributed to the vulnerability of the Antandroy people to droughts, which the government of Madagascar and scientists have in recent years linked to global climate change.

More recently, the effects of climate change have made droughts more severe, leading to displacements towards the Boeny region in north Madagascar and other parts of the country.

“Madagascar’s contribution to global carbon emissions is negligible. Yet, the Antandroy people find themselves bearing the brunt of a crisis created, in part, by the actions of high-income historical emitting countries and French colonial rule. France must own up to its historical role in the ongoing crisis and provide reparatory justice for the colonial wrongs against the Antandroy,” said Tigere Chagutah. “High income, historical emitting states must financially support Madagascar with grants and the transfer of environmentally–sound technologies.”

To understand the plight of those displaced, Amnesty International visited six villages of Antandroy IDPs and the main arrival bus station. In total, Amnesty International interviewed 122 IDPs, and also consulted government officials, local and international organizations, academics, climate scientists, and analysed satellite imagery.

The government responded to Amnesty International, underscoring efforts to improve drought resilience in southern Madagascar. It also explained that plans for a local displacement management strategy had been delayed partly due to limited logistical and financial resources. The response, however, failed to address France’s responsibility dating back to the French colonial period, the 2021 forced evictions, or the inadequacy of the 2023 pilot resettlement site.

An arduous journey

Between 2018 and 2024, about 90,000 people from southern Madagascar, mostly the Antandroy, were forced to leave their ancestral lands due to drought-induced famines.

Those interviewed by Amnesty International described the journey from Androy to Boeny as long and difficult. In most cases, they travelled by bus, with two main routes connecting southern Androy to northwestern Boeny, which are about 1,500 km apart. Many could not afford the trip and had to borrow money, sell their belongings, take stops on the journey to do casual jobs, or call on family members to send them money. In some cases, families made stops along the way to work and feed themselves, sleeping in markets and forests before continuing their journey.

The journey put families at risk of exploitation. One woman, Lia, told Amnesty she was coerced into exchanging sex with bus drivers for a seat.

One man, Masoandro, 48, said: “I negotiated with the driver. To repay him, he employed my son as a herder for one year, and the debt to the driver amounted to 220,000 Malagasy Ariary (about US$50). My son did this because he had no choice, as the driver had threatened to imprison us if the debt was not repaid.”

Upon arrival

Once in Boeny, they received no support from the government, including access to productive land.

Boeny Governor Mokthar Andriatomanga told Amnesty International: “All available land has already been allocated to the local community.”

Rather than providing support or alternatives, from April to July 2021, the government forcibly evicted Antandroy people who had built homes or cultivated land within a designated reforestation area bordering the Ankarafantsika National Park, violating their right to adequate housing.

Betro, a 28-year-old woman, recalls how she was taken by surprise during an eviction in July 2021 as the gendarmes stormed a church where she was praying: “At that time, upon the shock of seeing them, I gave birth and then I fled [she was nine months pregnant]. The umbilical cord had not even been cut yet…The state did not do anything… They just arrested people.”

The authorities’ failure to address the Antandroy’s plight and its root causes, including historic neglect by central government, has resulted in families being separated, with no support from the government or aid organizations for reunification.

Reny, 46, said: “Those strong enough to work and earn money are the ones who leave [for Boeny]. Those with children, and those who are weak, stay behind.”

Amnesty International calls on the Madagascar government to ensure all evictions comply with international human rights law.

Placed in an open-air prison

A resettlement site constructed by the Boeny regional government lacks essential services. It consists of 33 tiny huts with leaky walls, which let in rain, wind, and sweltering heat. During the rainy season the nearby Kamoro River swells dangerously, encircling the site with fast-flowing and crocodile-infested waters cutting access to essential services such as markets, chemists, hospitals and schools. In 2023, one man was killed by a crocodile and another drowned while trying to cross.

Mandry, a mother of eight, expressed her frustration: “What can we say? There’s not much we can do. If we fall ill, it’s death because we can’t cross this body of water – we don’t have money for a pirogue (small boat).”

In January 2025, a newborn, Anakaondry, died after her mother, weakened by hunger and thirst, could no longer breastfeed.

Despite these conditions, the regional government estimates that around 100 Antandroy IDPs enter the region each week.

“Responsibility for the support and protection of the Antandroy IDPs goes beyond Madagascar – regional and international partners including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), the United Nations, as well as humanitarian organizations, must mobilize resources to speed up adaptation efforts,” said Tigere Chagutah

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO

.

Excitement and jubilation filled Kololo Independence Grounds on Tuesday, 29, July 2025 as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni extended a cash capital boost worth Shs 300 million to street hawkers operating across Kampala City.

Each vendor received Shs 100,000, in addition to buying their merchandise they brought to the function.

According to the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, this was part of an ongoing presidential initiative to uplift informal traders and integrate them into the formal money economy.

Delivering the funds on behalf of the President, Ms. Barekye emphasized the President’s vision to reach even the most marginalized.

“The President is determined to ensure that every Ugandan joins the money economy. That is why he’s reaching out to even the street vendors, supporting them with capital. This program has been ongoing, and it will continue across the country,” Ms. Barekye told the hawkers.

Ms. Barekye noted that the President would follow up to assess the impact of the support and determine how best to assist further. She also extended gratitude to Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Mobilization, Mr. Moses Byaruhanga for organizing the event and mobilizing vendors effectively.

Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, delivered greetings from President Museveni and urged hawkers to observe city cleanliness and proper conduct.

“Please avoid operating in the wrong places and don’t litter the streets. We need a clean and organized Kampala. Carry polyethene bags for your banana peelings and fruit remains, and avoid stepping on green spaces,” she said.

Hajjat Kabanda also encouraged vendors to take advantage of other government programs such as the Presidential Skilling Centers, Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

In a direct political appeal, she urged vendors to support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 general elections.

“I want to inform you that President Museveni will be on the ballot in 2026. Please vote for him and all NRM candidates. Where you see a bus, tick,” Hajjat Kabanda said, referring to the NRM party symbol.

Mr. Byaruhanga, lauded the hawkers for staying organized, which, he said, allowed the President to identify their needs and deliver targeted support.

“The President has always asked how you survive on the streets. Through your leaders, we have found out how to support you,” Mr. Byaruhanga explained.

He dismissed fears that supporting vendors would lead to more unregulated hawking, noting that while Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has operational guidelines, the government will continue to support the vulnerable.

“We cannot leave them to die on the streets just because we fear many more will come. As the city becomes more organized, they will be able to work in places where customers can find them easily,” he said.

Mr. Byaruhanga echoed the call for cleanliness and discipline, asking hawkers to respect KCCA regulations to maintain a tidy and organized city.

Kampala Central Division Mayor, Mr. Salim Uhuru, who also attended the function, rallied behind the hawkers and thanked President Museveni for recognizing their resilience and importance to the city’s economy.

“Others want to chase you from the city, but President Museveni insists that you remain and work for your families. Please don’t forget to vote for him in the upcoming elections,” he said.

The event was attended by several other leaders, including Presidential Advisor on Kampala Affairs Hajjat Sarah Kanyike, Kampala Division NRM chairpersons and other party officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

Source: APO

.

The Sumbe Pediatric Hospital is under pressure due to the significant increase in measles cases in recent weeks. Currently, 23 children remain hospitalized with a diagnosis of the disease and, according to the hospital’s management, there has been an average of eight new admissions a day. At times, such as last week, the unit has received up to 40 cases at the same time, with days when 15 children were admitted with symptoms compatible with measles. 

Isilda Ngunza Manuel, a vendor in Matabicho square and resident of Bairro da Pedra, is one of the mothers affected. Her four-month-old daughter began to show persistent fevers and red spots all over her body. “I was very scared. At first, I thought it was just heat or allergies. But then it got worse, and I had to go to hospital straight away…” she says. Like the case of Isilda’s daughter, many others have come to the unit with warning signs. According to the Director of the Provincial Children’s Hospital, Dr. Andreza das Dores Bastos Diogo, the impact of the disease on families’ lives and on the hospital’s capacity has been evident. “What needs to be done first is to thoroughly investigate the cases, understand how they are emerging and vaccinate the affected communities immediately.” 

According to the health authorities who are closely monitoring the situation, so far 264 suspected measles cases have been reported, spread across 16 of the province’s 24 municipalities. Of the total number of suspected cases reported and investigated, 34 are positive (of which 2 with double infection “Measles and Rubeola”), 29 negatives, 65 pending, 148 confirmed by epidemiological link and 9 deaths. 

The cases range from 4 months to 35 years. The most affected age group is children from 1 to under 5 years old, including unvaccinated babies, schoolchildren and young adults. 

According to vaccination status, 224 of the 264 children affected by measles have not been vaccinated. Of the 40 vaccinated, 29 received the first dose and 11 completed the second dose. 

To contain the spread, epidemiological surveillance teams have been conducting active house-to-house and health unit searches, taking samples for laboratory analysis and filling out notification / investigation forms. At the same time, a vaccine blockade action is underway, with the mobilization of health professionals, community technicians and local leaders, who have been sensitizing families and offering the vaccine directly in the communities where cases have been identified. 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, severe diarrhea, encephalitis and, in extreme cases, lead to death, especially among young children and unvaccinated people. Although preventable with a safe and effective vaccine, measles continues to pose a significant risk in contexts with low vaccination coverage. 

For Dr. Manuel Muixi, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert deployed in the province, the response depends on swift and coordinated action. “Measles is a serious threat to children’s health, as well as adults, but it can be contained with effective vaccination, active surveillance and strong community mobilization. We are working hand in hand with the local authorities to stop this chain of transmission,” he says. 

The Director of the Cuanza Sul Provincial Health Office, Dr. Nelson Camilo, stresses the importance of collaboration between all sectors. “We are mobilized to protect our communities. It is essential that parents take their children for vaccination and that everyone follows the guidelines of the health authorities.” 

With technical and logistical support from the WHO, the Ministry of Health and the Expanded Vaccination Program (EPP) are stepping up efforts to contain the outbreak and strengthen prevention throughout the province. The expectation is that, with block vaccination, the active search for cases and the direct involvement of communities, the number of new infections will begin to fall in the coming days. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

Source: APO

.

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has presided over the official swearing-in ceremony of Mr. Alex Pat Labib Saffa as the newly appointed Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region, following his unanimous approval by Parliament.

The ceremony, held at State House, formalized Mr. Saffa’s appointment in line with Section 32(6) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which requires Electoral Commissioners to take and subscribe an oath of office before assuming their duties. Leading the proceedings, Secretary to the President Mr. Barba Brima Fortune noted that Mr. Saffa had successfully passed a thorough due diligence process and received the full endorsement of Members of Parliament.

Taking the oath of office before the President, Commissioner Saffa pledged to uphold, support, and maintain the Constitution in the execution of his duties, committing to impartiality, transparency, and integrity.

In his acceptance remarks, Mr. Saffa expressed gratitude to President Bio for the trust reposed in him and described the appointment as a profound honour. “Your Excellency, I am deeply humbled. This appointment speaks volumes of your commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions,” he said.

He further pledged to collaborate with fellow commissioners and stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Sierra Leonean people. “An impartial and transparent electoral commission is the backbone of any vibrant democracy,” he added.

Commissioner Saffa emphasized his readiness to work across political lines and civic interests in the Eastern Region to build an electoral environment that upholds the aspirations of the people. He also thanked the President for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the country’s democratic development.

In his response, President Julius Maada Bio congratulated the newly sworn-in Commissioner and acknowledged the weight and complexity of the role. “Your task is huge and difficult, but you are familiar with the terrain,” he noted.

The President called on the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and all Commissioners to begin preparing early for the 2028 electoral cycle, emphasizing the importance of mental and operational readiness. “The 2028 elections will come with pressure, but I urge you to rise above all odds and ensure credible election results,” he stated.

He concluded by encouraging Commissioner Saffa to serve in the best interest of the country, with a clear focus on upholding public trust, delivering on the will of the people, and preserving the integrity of Sierra Leone’s democratic process.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

Source: APO

.

World Hepatitis Day was observed at the national level in Asmara yesterday under the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”

Dr. Araya Berhane, Director of Communicable Diseases Control at the Ministry of Health, stated that although hepatitis has various forms, this year’s observance focused on infection-related hepatitis, which remains a leading cause of illness and death in the country.

Citing a study by the Ministry of Health, Dr. Araya noted that in Eritrea, 30 out of every 1,000 people are carriers of Hepatitis B virus, while 5 out of every 1,000 are carriers of Hepatitis C. He also highlighted that the rate of infection varies across regions, and chronic illnesses are often associated with these two viruses.

He further stated that the primary means of controlling Hepatitis B is through vaccination, which has been in place in Eritrea for over 23 years. Since newborns must be vaccinated within 24 hours of birth, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with its partners, plans to expand the vaccination program starting in November 2025.

Dr. Mary Stephen, WHO Representative in Eritrea, and Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Yousuf, UNICEF Representative, commended Eritrea’s efforts in controlling and eradicating hepatitis. They emphasized that the observance of the day serves as a reminder to give due attention to hepatitis and to combat it through integrated and timely efforts.

Participants held extensive discussions on the current situation of hepatitis and strategies for its control.

The event featured a general knowledge competition among secondary schools in the Central Region, with awards presented to the winners.

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