Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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The ongoing siege of Bamako is having unacceptable consequences for civilians’ freedom of movement and may lead to serious violations of their rights to food security, health and life, Amnesty International said today, as it called on the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) armed group to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians.

Three main roads leading to Bamako have been blocked since 28 April, after GSIM, a non-state armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda, announced a siege of the Malian capital. On 6 May, GSIM attacked a convoy of trucks carrying cargo belonging to civilian companies, including fruit, between Bamako and Bougouni. These trucks were not under military escort and were not carrying military personnel or equipment, according to information gathered by Amnesty International.

A siege against the rules of war

On 28 April, a GSIM spokesperson announced in an online video a siege of Bamako, starting that day. In contrast to the siege announced in September 2025, when fuel trucks supplying Bamako were exclusively targeted, the current siege appears to apply to all trucks going into the capital.

As of 15 May, at least three of the six main roads leading to Bamako and connecting it to regional ports were disrupted by attacks against incoming traffic, cutting off the capital from vital routes for the movement of goods and the supply of provisions to residents. The media and residents Amnesty International spoke to reported on rising prices for certain basic necessities.

“Sieges should not violate the economic and social rights of the civilian population. GSIM must respect the rules of international humanitarian law. They must ensure that the civilian population of Bamako still has access to adequate water, food, and other necessities,” said Marceau Sivieude.

“Attacks on civilian vehicles with a civilian purpose are unlawful. Under international humanitarian law, all parties to an armed conflict must always make a distinction between civilians and combatants. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects, including vehicles and infrastructure indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, are prohibited” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. 

A siege against the rules of war

On 28 April, a GSIM spokesperson announced in an online video a siege of Bamako, starting that day. In contrast to the siege announced in September 2025, when fuel trucks supplying Bamako were exclusively targeted, the current siege appears to apply to all trucks going into the capital.

As of 15 May, at least three of the six main roads leading to Bamako and connecting it to regional ports were disrupted by attacks against incoming traffic, cutting off the capital from vital routes for the movement of goods and the supply of provisions to residents. The media and residents Amnesty International spoke to reported on rising prices for certain basic necessities.

“Sieges should not violate the economic and social rights of the civilian population. GSIM must respect the rules of international humanitarian law. They must ensure that the civilian population of Bamako still has access to adequate water, food, and other necessities,” said Marceau Sivieude.

On 5 May, the UN’s OHCHR called for an immediate end to the fighting and urged all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by ensuring protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. 

On 6 May, GSIM announced an easing of the siege and said that people seeking healthcare would be allowed to travel to Bamako. Amnesty International has not been able to verify whether this announcement is being implemented.

Unlawful and deadly attack by GSIM on convoy reported by survivor

Amnesty International spoke with the driver of a fuel truck that was targeted during GSIM’s previous siege on Bamako. In September 2025, GSIM announced its intention to block and disrupt all fuel supply towards Bamako from regional ports and attacked several incoming trucks from Dakar on the Kayes-Bamako Road. In November, GSIM announced that fuel truck drivers would be targeted and considered as combatants. 

Amnesty International calls on GSIM to immediately cease all attacks targeting civilians, including indiscriminate attacks.

Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.   

On 29 January 2026, the driver was part of a fuel truck convoy under military escort that was attacked between Diboli and Kayes. Several drivers and their driver apprentices caught while fleeing were executed, according to the driver. “Twenty kilometres from Diboli, we were attacked by jihadists on motorcycles who shot at the convoy. There were more than two hundred of them,” the driver told Amnesty International on condition of anonymity.

“After the attack, three military pickup trucks arrived as reinforcements and the soldiers on board were killed by the jihadists, who then set the pickup trucks on fire. At least 12 drivers and apprentices were captured by the jihadists and held until the following day. They made them dig graves for the few jihadists who died in the ambush and then slit their throats.”

“International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties to the conflict. Amnesty International calls on GSIM to immediately cease all attacks targeting civilians, including indiscriminate attacks. We are calling on the Malian authorities to investigate these abuses as potential war crimes. Victims and survivors of crimes under international law have a right to truth, justice and reparations,” said Marceau Sivieude.

Background

On 25 April, GSIM or Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, also known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin – JNIM and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) carried out simultaneous attacks on Bamako, Kati, Mopti, Sévaré, Gao and Kidal, targeting military camps and the residences of key Malian politicians and military. In Kati, defence minister Sadio Camara was killed along with several members of his family, after his home was targeted by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.

On 6 May, GSIM assailants attacked the villages of Kori Kori and Gomassagou, in Central Mali, causing ‘several losses in human life and property’ according to regional authorities, leaving at least 40 people dead and several persons unaccounted for, according to local sources contacted by Amnesty International.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany commemorates World Health Day 2026 in partnership with First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign, with a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to improving and revolutionizing healthcare access across Africa, Asia and beyond through their Scholarships and Capacity Building Program.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation shared, “At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to transforming the patient care landscape and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare solutions across Africa, Asia, and beyond. For the past 14 years, we have marked World Health Day every day through our ongoing efforts to build healthcare capacity in underserved communities.

I am proud to share that we have provided more than 2,600 scholarships for young healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. Through these scholarships, many of our Merck Foundation alumni are becoming the first-ever specialists in their respective fields in their countries, including Namibia, Liberia, The Gambia, Burundi, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Guinea, Ethiopia, Congo, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe, among others.”

“This is truly history in the making, and we are proud to be a part of Africa’s legacy by empowering a new generation of healthcare specialists who will serve generations to come.” Added Dr. Kelej.

As you all know, the lack of financial resources is not the only challenge facing Africa. A far more pressing issue is the scarcity of trained healthcare providers capable of effectively preventing, diagnosing, and managing diseases.

This sweeping shortage of medical and healthcare personnel has been one of the most critical barriers to access to quality healthcare across the continent.

As per WHO 2021 report, African region has 24% of the world’s disease burden, whereas there are only 2.9 healthcare workers per 1000 capita. This gap has a profound impact on health outcomes.

Therefore, the Merck Foundation scholarships are highly significant, as they provide doctors with specialized training, helping to bridge healthcare gaps and improve patient care in underserved communities.

Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African and Asian First Ladies and local partners such as Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities.

Merck Foundation also actively empowers women and youth in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.

Dr. Kelej shared, “This theme of World Health Day 2026 ““Together for health. Stand with science,” aligns perfectly with our program that train healthcare providers and empower women and youth in STEM”.

Merck Foundation CEO also announced the Call for Applications for 2026 Scholarships.

“I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for the 2026 Scholarships for young healthcare providers with special focus on women medical graduates. These include on-site fellowship programs, clinical training programs and online one-year diploma & two-year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country,” shared Dr Rasha Kelej.

To Apply for In-campus Scholarships in Fertility, Oncology, Diabetes and other specialties:

https://apo-opa.co/49Tt06e

To Apply for Online Scholarships, visit:

https://apo-opa.co/4u8tbTo

The selection for each scholarship will be based on request by First Lady Office, Ministry of Health and / or Medical Society with the aim to fill the gaps of public healthcare system in each country.

The selection will be based on eligibility criteria fulfillment of each training Institute and Foundation, scholarship availability and fund availability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com  

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4ueAf0N), X (https://apo-opa.co/4uq1g1p), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/4ugBKM8), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4drvVnD), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4uhCWPi) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4uye4mF).

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

Source: APO – Report:

To help boost local currency financing, private sector growth, and job creation across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the West African Development Bank (BOAD) (www.BOAD.org) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, today announced the signing of two reciprocal financing facilities for an aggregate amount of up to EUR 600 million in euro (EUR) and West African CFA franc (XOF).

Under the partnership, signed on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, IFC will provide BOAD with long-term EUR funding to help the bank expand lending across energy, agribusiness, transport, urban development, and MSMEs across the WAEMU, in line with BOAD’s 2026-2030 Strategic plan “Djoliba….La suite”. In return, BOAD will provide IFC with a flexible XOF facility to support cost-efficient, long-term local currency financing for high-impact, job-creating projects in the region.

This large-scale operation, supported by Galite, BOAD’s structuring advisor, aims to institutionalize local currency financing as a cornerstone of regional development in West Africa

“This landmark transaction with BOAD represents IFC’s first-ever reciprocal facility between development finance institutions and will support the expansion of BOAD’s private-sector lending across WAEMU. It will also broaden IFC’s sources of long-term local-currency financing at competitive cost, benefiting projects while advancing regional growth and job creation. Above all, it underscores the strength of our partnership and our shared capacity to deliver effective financial solutions at scale in support of IFC’s 2030 ambitions,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director.

“Strengthening access to long-term local currency financing is a core priority of the “Djoliba…La suite” 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. Our collaboration with IFC enhances our capacity to serve the private sector across all eight member states. This operation reflects our shared ambition to deepen cooperation between development finance institutions to support sustainable and inclusive growth in West Africa,” said Serge Ekué, President of BOAD.

In the WAEMU region, bank lending remains predominantly short-term, limiting the availability of long-term financing for infrastructure and other key transformational investments in various sectors. As most private sector borrowers generate revenues in XOF, local-currency financing is essential to mitigate foreign-exchange risk. 

By optimizing resource mobilization, this reciprocal structure aligns the long-term objectives of both institutions with WAEMU’s financing needs. It will deepen local markets by strengthening the XOF market and expanding diversified, resilient funding options for West African companies, while also supporting macroeconomic resilience by helping preserve the stability of foreign-exchange reserves across the WAEMU region.

IFC and BOAD have a strong track record of collaboration in the WAEMU region, including joint financing in key growth sectors such as housing, MSME finance, digital, and infrastructure.

– on behalf of Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD).

Press contacts:
For IFC
Abdoul Maiga
Senior Communications Officer for West Africa
amaiga7@ifc.org
+1 202 967 8969

For BOAD
Head of Communication and Public Relations
dndiaye@boad.org
+228 99 86 41 44

Follow BOAD: 
LinkedIn: @BOAD (https://apo-opa.co/4eQvohx)

About IFC: 
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.IFC.org.

About BOAD:
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) is the common development finance institution of the member countries of the West African Monetary Union (WAMU). It is an international public institution whose purpose, as provided under Article 2 of its Articles of Association, is to promote the balanced development of its member countries and foster economic integration within West Africa by financing priority development projects. It is accredited to the three climate finance facilities (GEF, AF, GCF). Since 2009, BOAD sits as an observer at the UNFCCC and actively participates in discussions on devising an international climate finance system. Since January 2013, it has been home to the first Regional Collaboration Centre (RCC) on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), whose aim is to provide direct support to governments, NGOs and the private sector in identifying and developing CDM projects. The Bank has been holding the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) ’s sole presidency as of 27 February 2025, that it had been co-chairing since 15 October 2023. This Club brings together 27 national, regional and multilateral development banks from around the world.

For more information: www.BOAD.org

Source: APO

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Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women, conducted a seminar for female members of the Eritrean Defense Forces focusing on the “Role of Eritrean Women in Resilience and Development.”

At the seminar, conducted today, 15 May, at Denden Camp, Ms. Tekea noted that the EPLF exerted strong efforts to realize equality through practice and carried out extensive awareness and organizational activities. As a result, the National Union of Eritrean Women was established in November 1979 during the armed struggle for Independence.

Ms. Tekea went on to say that, as a result of the opportunities created for women during the armed struggle for Independence, Eritrean women were able to receive political and vocational training and effectively participate in all sectors of the struggle, including as army commanders.

Noting that after Independence the Eritrean Government abolished and amended laws that harmed and discriminated against women and issued new equitable laws, Ms. Tekea said that these measures, combined with the values nurtured during the armed struggle, have created new opportunities for women.

Ms. Tekea also said that the union is exerting strong efforts to strengthen its organization inside the country and abroad, and called for reinforced efforts and greater participation of women.

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

Source: APO

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Independent assessment recommends closure of the 2021 variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak, while calling for sustained immunization and surveillance. 

Guinea-Bissau has reached an important milestone in its continued commitment to a future free from polio. After being certified free of wild poliovirus in 2019 by the Africa Regional Commission for the Certification of poliomyelitis eradication (ARCC), the country has now received a recommendation for the formal closure of the variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak detected in 2021. 

The recommendation follows an independent assessment conducted by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative Outbreak Response Assessment team. After reviewing the country’s response, including population immunity, supplementary vaccination campaigns and surveillance, the team concluded that there is no evidence of continued transmission of the virus.

This is a significant public health achievement for Guinea-Bissau and an important step in protecting children from a preventable disease. It also reflects the commitment of health workers, communities, parents, caregivers, national health authorities and partners who contributed to the response.

Understanding the 2021 outbreak

On 14 October 2021, Guinea-Bissau was informed by the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, through WHO, of the isolation of variant poliovirus type 2 in four samples. These included three children affected by Acute Flaccid Paralysis and one contact of an AFP case. The cases were identified in the Autonomous Sector of Bissau and in Biombo region.

The Ministry of Public Health declared the outbreak a public health emergency event on 21 March 2022. In response, Guinea-Bissau organized two rounds of supplementary immunization activities from 27 to 30 April 2022 and from 22 to 25 June 2022, with technical and financial support from partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

More than 600,000 children aged 0 to 59 months were vaccinated using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2. The response also included activities to strengthen population immunity, reinforce Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance, and expand environmental surveillance.

A collective response to protect every child

The response was carried out under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health and with the engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, including health professionals, political, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, media, communities, parents and caregivers.

Reaching children across the country required not only vaccines, but also trust, communication and community engagement. These efforts were essential to ensure that families had access to reliable information and that children, including those in hard-to-reach and border areas, were not left behind.

Sustaining a polio-free future is also an equity commitment. Every child has the right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, regardless of where they live, their family’s income, disability status, ethnicity, gender or access to health services.

Sustaining the gains

Although the recommended closure of the outbreak is a major achievement, continued vigilance remains essential. The Outbreak Response Assessment team will provide detailed technical recommendations to support Guinea-Bissau in sustaining population immunity, closing surveillance gaps and reducing the risk of future importations, including through strong cross-border initiatives.

WHO recognizes the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, the dedication of health professionals, the trust of communities and the continued support of partners in achieving this important milestone. WHO reaffirms its commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau in maintaining strong immunization systems, sensitive surveillance and a future free from polio.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Guinea-Bissau.

Source: APO

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• Ghana’s ECF-supported economic program has delivered substantial stabilization gains driven by strong reform efforts and significant progress in public debt restructuring, leading to sharply lower inflation, higher external buffers, improved confidence in the cedi, and marked debt sustainability gains.
• As stability takes hold, IMF engagement is shifting beyond the ECF toward reform-focused PCI. Discussions combined the 2026 Article IV consultation, final ECF review, and negotiations on a 36-month non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI), focusing on a credible fiscal path, resilience building, and structural reforms.
• Improvements in the debt trajectory created fiscal space to advance development objectives while preserving hard-won stabilization gains. This space is contingent on strong implementation of ambitious public financial management and structural reforms to mitigate risks associated with contingent liabilities.
• Amid external uncertainty and elevated fiscal risks –notably from SOEs and ongoing quasi-fiscal activities, the PCI reform agenda will prioritize stronger safeguards, transparency, and accountability to entrench policy credibility, rebuild buffers, and create space for priority investment and development spending.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Mr. Ruben Atoyan, visited Accra during April 29 – May 15, to discuss the 2026 Article IV consultation, the sixth and final review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), and the authorities’ request for a non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI). The team met with senior officials and a broad range of stakeholders.

At the end of the mission, Mr. Atoyan issued the following statement: 

“Ghana’s ECF-supported program has delivered substantial stabilization gains. Inflation has declined rapidly, international reserves have been rebuilt, and confidence in the cedi has improved. Fiscal performance has strengthened markedly, with the primary surplus overperforming the program target in 2025, while the public debt ratio declined sharply. Growth exceeded expectations in 2025, supported by broad-based activity, and the external position strengthened on the back of historically high gold export receipts. Program performance has remained broadly satisfactory, with quantitative targets mostly met, while structural reforms were implemented with delays. Going forward, sustaining the reform momentum is critical.”

“The global environment remains uncertain. While direct spillovers from the war in the Middle East have so far been limited, the impact of the war is expected to be transmitted through higher energy, food, and fertilizer prices. The volatile external environment underscores the importance of preserving prudent policies and strengthening resilience.

“The authorities have made significant progress in advancing domestic and external debt restructuring, contributing to an improved debt trajectory. Bilateral debt relief agreements have been reached with about half of official creditors under the G20 Common Framework, with steady progress continuing toward agreements with the remaining official and commercial creditors. The successful resumption of domestic T-bond issuance earlier this year signals a return of investor confidence. Maintaining prudent borrowing, implementing the IMF‑supported debt rollover strategy for 2027–28, and strengthening debt management and transparency would help secure durable market access.

“As macroeconomic stability takes hold, IMF engagement is pivoting from crisis stabilization to consolidation, with a focus to help sustain reform momentum and build resilience beyond the current ECF program. It is in this regard that the authorities and the IMF have also reached staff-level agreement on policies that will be supported by a non-financing 36-month PCI aimed at: (i) sustaining growth-friendly fiscal adjustment; (ii) safeguarding debt sustainability; (iii) strengthening fiscal transparency and governance, particularly for state-owned enterprises; (iv) enhancing the monetary and exchange-rate policy framework; (v) reinforcing financial sector stability; and (vi) supporting economic diversification and inclusive growth.

“Recent improvements in the debt trajectory have created carefully calibrated fiscal space under the PCI. This space will help Ghana address pressing development needs, promote youth employment, and strengthen social spending, while preserving the achievement of the legislated 45 percent of GDP debt anchor by 2034. Staff assess that lowering the primary surplus to 0.5 percent of GDP from 2027 would remain consistent with safeguarding debt sustainability, provided that further progress is made in strengthening public financial management, including in the areas of fiscal risk management, state-owned enterprise governance, and quasi-fiscal activities. 

“Maintaining a forward-looking, prudent monetary policy is instrumental to firmly anchoring inflation expectations. Efforts to ensure effective monetary policy transmission and confidence should focus on strengthening the central bank’s balance sheet. The losses associated with the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme (DGPP) underscore the importance of increasing transparency and limiting quasi-fiscal activities that weaken the central bank’s balance sheet. Efforts to protect the Bank of Ghana’s balance sheet from DGPP-related quasi-fiscal risks and budget recognition of future costs would help enhance accountability and oversight. 

“Reinforcing financial sector stability remains a priority. Staff welcomed recent progress in strengthening banks’ recapitalization, unwinding temporary regulatory forbearance introduced during the debt exchange, and intensifying supervision and corrective actions for weaker institutions. Going forward, continued vigilance is essential to address the remaining vulnerabilities, including through effectively implementing reform and restructuring strategies for state-owned banks and specialized deposit-taking institutions, reducing high non-performing loans (NPLs), and supporting sustainable credit growth.

“Protecting public resources requires continued reform efforts in the energy and cocoa sectors. In the energy sector, priority should be given to tackling distribution and collection losses at the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), including by finalizing the private sector participation in distribution sector, enhancing payment discipline, clearing legacy arrears, and reducing generation costs. In the cocoa sector, recent interventions have provided some relief, but deeper reforms are needed to address longstanding vulnerabilities. Priority should be given to strengthening the legislative framework to streamline costs, including through more frequent farmgate price adjustments, improve efficiency, and ensure Cocobod’s long-term financial sustainability.

“Eliminating gaps in the anti‑corruption framework would strengthen Ghana’s governance record and support investor confidence. A meaningful public disclosure of standardized asset declarations, subject to appropriate privacy safeguards, would be a key step in this direction.  

“The IMF staff team commends the resilience and determination of the Ghanaian people and thanks the authorities for their constructive engagement and candid policy discussions. Avoiding past policy slippages—including recurring cycles of fiscal imbalances, rising debt, weak buffers, and reform reversals—will be critical to safeguarding the hard-earned success. Sustaining a prudent policy mix and accelerating structural reforms remain essential to strengthen resilience, build confidence, and support inclusive, private-sector-led growth. To entrench stability and support stronger, more inclusive growth and job creation, post-ECF policies should be anchored in a robust institutional framework and sustained reform implementation.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).