Category: MIL-OSI

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Eritrea: President Isaias Afwerki Meets with High-Level Italian Delegation

Source: APO


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President Isaias Afwerki met, at Denden Guest House in mid-afternoon hours today, the Italian delegation led Mr. Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests; and Mr. Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The extensive discussions centered on enhancement of bilateral ties and partnership as part and parcel and continuation of the concrete areas of cooperation on various sectors that had been reached between President Isaias Afwerki and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Italy in February 2024 last year.

The broad areas of cooperation include the sectors of energy, mining; physical infrastructure; manufacturing; Agriculture, Marine Resources, Tourism, Culture and Sports, Human capital development, economic cooperation and finance. The two sides also discussed regional peace, security and stability.

A Comprehensive Plan of Action on Bilateral Cooperation Between the State of Eritrea and the Italian Republic (as specified above) was signed after the meeting by Mr. Nesredin Mohamed, Eritrea’s Minister of Trade and Industry; and Mr. Edmondo Cirielli, Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The two sides further agreed to hold continuous meetings in Eritrea and Italy in the period ahead to monitor and expedite the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement.

In a brief statement to the Eritrean News Agency, Minister Francesco Lollobrigida underlined that the progress achieved today reflects the initial tangible step in the efforts that have been exerted in Asmara and Rome to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, Head of Economic Affairs of the PFDJ, and Mr. Alfonso Di Riso, Ambassador of Italy to Eritrea.

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

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The Western Indian Ocean Network for Small-Scale Octopus Fishers (WION-SOF) Moves Forward by Enhancing Governance and Gender Inclusion in Octopus Fisheries

Source: APO


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Building on the momentum of its June 2025 establishment in Mombasa, Kenya, the Western Indian Ocean Network for Small-Scale Octopus Fishers (WION-SOF) has taken a decisive step forward. With support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), AU-IBAR convened a landmark workshop on 29 July 2025 aimed at strengthening governance structures and promoting gender-responsive approaches in small-scale octopus fisheries across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

The virtual gathering brought together fisheries experts, policymakers, and community representatives from across the WIO region to finalize governance structures and action plans for the newly formed network. Mrs. Hellen Guebama, representing the AU-IBAR Director, opened the session by emphasizing the network’s potential to “transform coastal livelihoods through collaborative, gender-responsive fisheries management.”

Key outcomes of the workshop included:
•    Adoption of a governance framework and rules of procedure for WION-SOF
•    Expansion of the network’s membership to include Seychelles and Mauritius
•    Commitment to develop national chapters in all participating countries
•    Appointment of a Communications Officer to enhance regional coordination

A defining feature of the proceedings was the dedicated focus on gender mainstreaming, aligning with the recently endorsed Continental Gender Strategy for Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation. Multiple presentations and country-led sessions addressed practical mechanisms for ensuring women’s participation in decision-making, resource management and market access. Representatives emphasized the need to nurture enabling environments for women in both leadership and operational roles throughout the fisheries value chain.

This initiative aligns with the African Blue Economy Strategy and builds on AU-IBAR’s ongoing efforts to conserve aquatic biodiversity while supporting coastal livelihoods. With its governance structure now in place, WION-SOF is poised to implement its action plan, which focuses on reducing post-harvest losses, improving market access and promoting sustainable fishing practices across the region.

Read more on WION-SOF Initial Meeting

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

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Liberia-India Health Partnership Gains Momentum as Minister Kpoto Meets Dr. Salgotra

Source: APO


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The Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, held a high-level meeting with Dr. Nitin Salgotra, a renowned medical expert from India and representative of the International Relations Department of Yashoda Hospitals.

The discussion focused on advancing the strategic partnership between John F. Kennedy (JFK) Medical Center and Yashoda Hospitals, following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cardiovascular (heart) surgery services in Liberia.

The collaboration aims to elevate cardiac care at JFK Medical Center through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and infrastructure development. As part of this initiative, a high-profile Liberian delegation of four officials will visit Yashoda Hospitals in mid-September 2025.

The visit will include on-site inspections of cutting-edge medical facilities and discussions on a doctor exchange program to facilitate training in advanced cardiac procedures, as well as world-class infrastructure and personalized patient care.

Minister Kpoto emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing Liberia’s growing need for specialized patient care. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare system. By leveraging Yashoda Hospitals’ expertise, we can enhance local capacity, reduce medical travel, and save lives,” she stated.

Dr. Salgotra expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Yashoda Hospitals’ commitment to providing the best-in-class expertise and personalized patient care. “We are honored to support Liberia in building a top-notch program. Our goal is to empower Liberian medical professionals with skills and technology to deliver exceptional healthcare locally,” he said.

This initiative underscores the Government of Liberia’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery through strategic international partnerships.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.

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Macpherson outlines report recommendations on R800m oxygen plant tender

Source: Government of South Africa

The final PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forensic report into the R800 million Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant tender has made recommendations for disciplinary action to be taken against all individuals implicated in wrongdoing in the awarding of the tender.

The tender was intended to deliver life-saving PSA oxygen plants to 60 hospitals across the country, which were meant to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of oxygen, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a project worth R836 million, of which R528 million had been allocated directly to the IDT for implementation.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, on Tuesday addressed a media briefing in Pretoria on the outcomes of the forensic investigation by PwC. 

“The investigation… recommended disciplinary referrals against several other IDT executives and SCM officials,” Macpherson said.

The investigation by PwC into circumstances surrounding the tender follows the IDT’s admission last year that three companies were awarded the tender, despite two lacking the necessary registration with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). This includes claims that one company may have submitted fraudulent documentation.

At the time of the appointment of PwC, Macpherson expressed confidence that the investigation would clear innocent individuals, while holding guilty parties to account.

“I have formally briefed the newly constituted IDT Board on the contents of the report. I am confident that the board will consider the report’s recommendations and other related matters in due course,” Macpherson said.

Report findings

According to Macpherson, over the last six months, investigators conducted over 40 interviews with departmental officials, IDT executives, contractors and oversight stakeholders.

“They reviewed more than 90 procurement documents, analysed financial records, and conducted Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and SAHPRA verifications,” Macpherson said.

Among others, the forensic report confirmed that multiple companies awarded work under the PSA project did not have valid SAHPRA licensing.

One company, Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd, submitted a SAHPRA licence belonging to Atlas Copco Industrial SA without the knowledge or consent of Atlas Copco. 

Investigators found that the bid evaluation process was deeply flawed. This also includes discovering that meeting minutes were missing or incomplete, and that committee appointments were not properly constituted and bid scores were not properly documented.

In one example, the investigation found that the original Department of Health budget for the project was R216 million, but when the IDT issued the request for quotation (RFQ), prices ballooned to over R590 million without documented approval or value-for-money assessment.

Recommendations

Macpherson outlined recommendations from the PwC forensic report, which proposed that appropriate action be taken “against the relevant officials who were involved in the PSA oxygen plant project, as far as they have not addressed the issues that were raised by the NDoH [National Department of Health] adequately during the procurement process”.

This, according to the report, includes action against, but not limited to:

Ms Malaka, as the IDT CEO, for confirming the procurement process followed in the RFQ process was correct, whereas there were irregularities identified, and for the appointment of NDoH officials as members and not as observers, as prescribed by the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), as well as the Infrastructure Programme Implementation Plan (IPIP).

Ms Malaka for not ensuring the proper establishment, composition and functioning of the Bid Specification Committee (BSC) and Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC), as stipulated in paragraph 8.1 of the National Treasury Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) Supply Chain Management (SCM) Instruction No. 03 of 2021/22 on Enhancing Compliance, Transparency and Accountability in SCM by appointing NDoH officials as members and not as observers to the respective committees, as prescribed in the MoA.

Ms Malaka, together with Dr Sisi, the as SCM General Manager, did not handle the issues identified and raised relating to the procurement process followed in a fair, transparent and equitable manner as provided for in the IDT SCM Policy (paragraph 39.1.1) and Section 217(1) of the Constitution.

In July 2025, Cabinet appointed a full-term Board to the IDT.  That Board took office on 5 July, ending more than a year of instability.

The new Board includes the reappointment of Zimbini Hill as Chairperson and Professor Raymond Nkado as Deputy Chairperson.

Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the IDT has confirmed that it has received the final forensic report.

“The Board notes the serious findings highlighted in the Minister’s public address today, including evidence of procurement irregularities, governance failures and regulatory breaches related to the PSA oxygen plant project. 

“We echo the Minister’s commitment to clean governance, institutional accountability and the protection of public and donor funds,” the Board said in a statement.  

The Board said it is committed to ensuring a lawful, fair and transparent response guided by both the recommendations of the report and the requirements of internal policies. 

“We wish to assure all stakeholders that we take these matters seriously. The board is determined to restore institutional credibility, rebuild confidence in the IDT’s procurement and governance systems and uphold the trust placed in us by the South African public.” – SAnews.gov.za

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GABON-DIPLOMATIE : Les adieux de René MAKONGO au Président SASSOU NGUESSO

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Après un cycle diplomatique ouvert en 2013 à représenter le Gabon en République du Congo, S.E.M René MAKONGO, Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire de la République Gabonaise, a été reçu en audience par le Président Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO à l’occasion de la fin de sa mission diplomatique, c’était le 24 juillet dernier.

La rencontre, empreinte de cordialité, a permis aux deux personnalités d’évoquer les grandes lignes de la coopération entre Libreville et Brazzaville. Le diplomate gabonais a salué les relations fraternelles et durables qui lient les deux pays, tout en exprimant sa gratitude pour l’hospitalité dont il a bénéficié tout au long de son séjour au Congo.

« Je pars du Congo avec un très bon souvenir. Je salue le leadership du président Denis SASSOU N’GUESSO dans la gestion de son pays, la cohésion sociale, l’unité nationale, la construction des infrastructures, tout comme sa politique en matière de protection de l’environnement », a déclaré René MAKONGO à l’issue de l’audience.

L’Ambassadeur gabonais a indiqué que son successeur aura pour principale mission de consolider les acquis de cette coopération bilatérale, en vue d’un partenariat encore plus dynamique. Il n’a pas manqué de souligner l’activisme du Congo sur la question climatique. Depuis la création en 2021 de la Commission Climat du Bassin du Congo, présidée par Denis SASSOU NGUESSO, Brazzaville s’est hissée au rang d’interlocuteur incontournable dans les forums internationaux. Les forêts du bassin, dont 10 % se situent en territoire congolais, captent chaque année près de 1,5 milliard de tonnes de CO₂. La valorisation de ce « patrimoine commun », selon les mots de M. MAKONGO, ouvre un espace de convergence stratégique avec Libreville, déjà réputée pour ses politiques de séquestration carbone. Les deux capitales revendiquent un leadership conjoint, susceptible d’attirer financements verts et investissements technologiques.

Au moment de dresser son bilan, l’ambassadeur a insisté sur la cohérence de la politique publique congolaise, « conjugaison pragmatique de la stabilité intérieure et de la projection régionale ».

Distribué par APO Group pour Republique Gabonaise : Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et de la Cooperation.

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GABON-ESPAGNE : L’Ambassadeur sortant du Royaume d’Espagne décoré par le Président OLIGUI NGUEMA

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le lundi 28 juillet dernier, le Président de la République, Chef de l’Etat, Chef du Gouvernement S.E Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA a décoré l’Ambassadeur sortant du Royaume d’Espagne S.E.M Ramón MOLINA LLADO, Commandeur dans l’Ordre de la Libération, au Palais du Bord de Mer. Ce n’est pas un simple geste protocolaire qui manque la fin de mission du diplomate en terre gabonaise. Elle s’inscrit dans la consolidation des relations bilatérales entre les deux pays.

Il est à rappeler que ces dernières années, les deux pays ont œuvré à une coopération accrue dans des domaines clés comme, l’éducation (coopération universitaire), les énergies renouvelables, la pêche et la gestion durable des ressources marines, ainsi que des investissements privés espagnols au Gabon. La distinction souligne donc l’appréciation officielle de cette coopération et l’intérêt stratégique que Libreville accorde à Madrid comme partenaire européen.

Le choix de l’Ordre National de la Libération est un signal politique fort plutôt qu’une simple médaille diplomatique, envoie un message clair. Clairement cet hommage participe également dans un contexte où le Gabon cherche à diversifier ses alliances au-delà de ses partenaires traditionnels que sont la France, Chine, États-Unis.

Cette décoration, historiquement liée aux valeurs de souveraineté et de libération nationale, est souvent réservée aux figures ayant apporté une contribution significative à la nation.

En l’attribuant à un diplomate étranger, le Président Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, reconnaît l’importance géopolitique de l’Espagne dans la diplomatie gabonaise, valorise la qualité du travail diplomatique accompli durant le mandat de l’Ambassadeur LLADO et surtout, projette une image d’État ouvert, mais ferme dans ses choix de partenaires.  La diplomatie gabonaise est en constante mutation. Elle est plus proactive, plus symbolique et plus diversifiée.

Le Gabon se repositionne sur l’échiquier international après une transition politique délicate, attire des investissements étrangers directs (IDE), et renforce sa légitimité institutionnelle auprès des puissances étrangères.

Distribué par APO Group pour Republique Gabonaise : Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et de la Cooperation.

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Cabo Verde: Governo reafirma o compromisso com uma nova geração de jovens empreendedores com o lançamento do programa BOOST.CV

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Governo de Cabo Verde reafirmou a sua aposta no digital como prioridade estratégica para o desenvolvimento do país com o lançamento oficial do programa BOOST.CV, uma iniciativa que visa impulsionar uma nova geração de jovens empreendedores, capacitando-os para construir um futuro inovador para si e para o país, afirmou o Vice-Primeiro Ministro, Ministro das Finanças e Ministro da Economia Digital.

Olavo Correia fez esta afirmação, ao presidir a cerimónia de lançamento oficial do programa BOOST.CV, que foi realizada, neste segunda-feira, 28 de julho, no Centro de Formação do TechParkCV.

“Hoje é um dia simbólico. Um dia que confirma, mais uma vez, que Cabo Verde escolheu o digital como prioridade estratégica para o seu desenvolvimento”, afirmou o Ministro da Economia Digital, sublinhando que o BOOST.CV é uma aposta estratégica no talento nacional.

“Não se trata apenas de uma ferramenta tecnológica, mas de um instrumento de política pública, pensado para criar um impacto real. Acreditamos firmemente que o talento cabo-verdiano, tanto nas ilhas como na diáspora, é o nosso maior recurso. E é nossa responsabilidade, enquanto Estado, criar as condições para que esse talento floresça e inove”, referiu.

Este programa é parte de um ecossistema ambicioso que inclui a capacitação de centenas de jovens, a incubação de ideias inovadoras e o fortalecimento da inovação nas ilhas, afirmou o Vice-Primeiro Ministro, acrescentando que com iniciativas como o Startup Act, Fundo Morabeza e GoGlobal, entre outras, estão a garantir um ambiente propício para que as startups possam prosperar.

“Com esta iniciativa, dizemos aos nossos jovens: não caminhem sozinhos. E à nossa diáspora, voltem, mesmo que virtualmente, para apoiar a próxima geração”, afirmou o Ministro da Economia Digital, sublinhando que com BOOST.CV, o Governo está a transformar Cabo Verde num país-ponte, ligando África, Europa e América, e unindo passado e futuro.

O Governo de Cabo Verde reafirma assim, segundo Olavo Correia, o seu compromisso com uma Nação Digital, inclusiva, justa e global, acrescentando que este é um projeto de país, e ninguém ficará de fora.

Por sua vez, o Secretário de Estado da Economia Digital, afirmou que este programa visa reforçar as competências dos jovens que estão nesta caminhada do empreendedorismo de base tecnológica.

“Vão ser 150 jovens apoiados com o programa BOOST.CV, que é exatamente para dar este Boost. Cerca de 50% dos selecionados serão meninas e mulheres. Nós queremos cada vez mais meninas e mulheres no empreendedorismo de base tecnológica em Cabo Verde”, referiu Pedro Lopes que fez o encerramento deste evento.

O BOOST.CV é uma proposta do Governo de Cabo Verde, coordenada pelo Ministério da Economia Digital em colaboração com a Pró Empresa e a Cabo Verde Digital. Com financiamento do Banco Mundial e a execução a cargo da Djassi África, este programa alinha-se com a visão do governo de estabelecer Cabo Verde como um ecossistema digital dinâmico, inovador e acessível, que conecta as ilhas e as comunidades na diáspora.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Ministro da Saúde visita Bloco Operatório remodelado e nova Unidade de Atendimento Psiquiátrico do Hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto (HAN)

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Bloco Operatório do Hospital Dr. Agostinho Neto recebeu obras de profundas remodelações em toda a sua estrutura, num valor que rondou os 20 mil contos.

Hoje, terça-feira, 29 de julho, o Ministro da Saúde, Jorge Figueiredo, realizou uma visita de trabalho a esta infraestrutura remodelada, para constatar o término das obras e acompanhar o pleno funcionamento do Bloco Operatório e das 4 salas cirúrgicas.

Uma estrutura inaugurada em 2002, e que carecia de intervenção, pois, da última avaliação feita, em 2024, o relatório apontou para a necessidade de obras para correção de fissuras, infiltrações e corrosão da armadura.

Consequentemente, o Ministério da Saúde determinou a realização das intervenções nesta importante estrutura, que responde às cirurgias mais complexas realizadas no país, com o objetivo de modernizar e otimizar o serviço, melhorar as condições de trabalho, aumentar a capacidade de atendimento e reduzir o tempo de espera para as cirurgias.

Trata-se de uma obra de remodelação interna, executada pelo Ministério da Saúde, que abarcou as 4 salas cirúrgicas, as salas de pré e pós-operatório, o gabinete e sala de receção dos materiais, entre outros.

A intervenção consistiu na colocação de novos pavimentos, correção e substituição de cobertura, renovação do sistema elétrico, melhorias da cobertura externa com a impermeabilização, manutenção e/ou substituição dos vãos metálicos e carpintarias, manutenção da rede de AVAC e revisão das redes de águas e esgoto.

As melhorias no Bloco Operatório fazem parte também de um esforço maior para otimizar o sistema de saúde em Cabo Verde e preparar, assim, as condições para o transplante renal.

Ainda no decurso da sua visita, o Ministro esteve na nova Unidade de Atendimento Psiquiátrico, criada recentemente em resposta à determinação do Ministério da Saúde em melhorar as condições de atendimento, seguimento e consultas dos doentes mentais na Cidade da Praia. A nova unidade está situada no espaço dos quartos particulares do HAN, que foi completamente remodelado para dar esta resposta.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Guinea-Bissau deepens national commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda through Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)-led in-country Continental Results Framework (CRF) capacity building workshop

Source: APO – Report:

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From the 22nd  to  24th of July, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DAHS), in close collaboration with other relevant directorates and agencies, the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the ECOWAS Women, Peace and Security Regional Steering Group (WPS-RSG), successfully organized a national capacity-building workshop in Bissau. The three-day workshop, aimed at stakeholders and focal points of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, focused on the application of the African Union’s Continental Results Framework (CRC-UA), simplified and adapted to the West African context by the ECOWAS Commission for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the WPS Agenda.

This initiative is part of ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national accountability mechanisms and data systems, in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions. It is implemented with the technical and financial support of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG), co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and carried out with the support of GIZ.

In her opening speech, Her Excellency Maria Inácia Có Mendes Sanhá, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, underlined Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace-building processes. She reaffirmed the government’s support for the WPS Agenda, citing several national policies and legal frameworks, including the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PNIEG), the Parity Law, as well as laws on gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Mrs. Cristina da Silva Pedreira, Director General of Regional Integration and Head of the ECOWAS National Unit at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, welcomed the participants, stressing that the workshop offered a platform for adapting continental frameworks to the local level and strengthening the role of women in sustainable development and peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau. She reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS processes in national institutions.

Representing the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Her Excellency Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, Dr. Aishatu Morido Yanet praised the collaborative spirit that had animated the workshop and encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training to fill the data and coordination gaps, as highlighted in the first ECOWAS regional WPS report (2024). She stressed that the CRC is not just a technical tool, but an essential accountability mechanism ensuring the visibility and impact of women’s contributions to peacebuilding.

On behalf of the ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, Program Manager for the Social Dimensions of Human Trafficking, stressed the importance of the CRC in institutionalizing monitoring and reporting on the WPS. He pointed out that the Guinea-Bissau workshop is the ninth of its kind organized by ECOWAS, following similar initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia, Togo, Senegal and Ghana. “Women and girls must be visible actors in peace and governance,” he said, adding that the CRC’s simplified tool is a crucial step in ensuring evidence-based implementation and monitoring of national WPS commitments.

Speaking on behalf of the German government, Mr. Carsten Wille, Head of the Liaison Office of the German Embassy in Dakar and Guinea-Bissau, reaffirmed Germany’s strong commitment to feminist development cooperation and inclusive peacebuilding. “We are proud to support national actors through the EPSG project. Guinea-Bissau’s adherence to this CRC training demonstrates its willingness to strengthen its institutional response to the gender dimensions of peace and security,” he asserted.

The workshop, led by Ms Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit, Integrated Expert on Women, Peace and Security for the EPSG Project at the ECOWAS Commission, and Ms Edineusa Lopes José da Cruz Figueiredo, President of the Institute for Women and Children, brought together over 35 participants from ministries, security institutions, civil society organizations, academia and the media. Through participatory exercises, group work and technical presentations, the workshop strengthened participants’ ability to use the CRC tool and its complementary questionnaire, enabling better monitoring of WPS indicators in line with national and regional frameworks.

At the close of the workshop, five gender assessment reports were officially handed over to the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau and to the ECOWAS National Office. During the presentation of the reports, Ms. Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit, the EPSG Project’s Integrated Gender Expert at the ECOWAS Commission, provided a summary of the main findings and practical recommendations for strengthening national coordination and policy responses. She stressed the importance of transparency and collective ownership, pointing out that the reports are now publicly available via the ECOWAS website, to serve as a resource for advocacy, research and evidence-based decision-making.

Participants hailed the workshop as a timely initiative and called for further training, institutionalization of the CRC in national monitoring systems, and enhanced collaboration between stakeholders. They also expressed their willingness to contribute to the next national WPS reporting cycle using the simplified CRC tool.

The workshop concluded with a strong call to action: to take the Women, Peace and Security Agenda beyond political declarations, towards concrete and measurable impacts for women and girls in Guinea-Bissau and West Africa.

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

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South Africa: Deputy Minister Botes undertakes Official Visit to Cuba

Source: APO – Report:

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The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, is on an Official Visit to Havana, Republic of Cuba, on 29 July 2025 to co-chair the 18th South Africa-Cuba Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) with his Cuban counterpart, First Deputy Foreign Minister, HE Mr Gerardo Peñalver Portal.

The 18th JCM takes place against the backdrop of the excellent bilateral and fraternal ties between the two countries that go beyond the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in May 1994.

Bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Cuba spans several key sectors, including Health, Basic and Higher Education, Science, Innovation and Technology, Defence, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Water and Sanitation, Human Settlements as well as Sports, Arts and Culture. The JCM will allow both delegations to reaffirm their commitment to these existing partnerships and to further deepen their sectorial collaboration.

The platform will also provide an opportunity to discuss regional and multilateral issues, particularly within the context of South-South cooperation and the promotion of a more just and equitable global order. Both countries share a commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the United Nations Charter, and international law.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.