Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

 A new vocational training programme in Bor is giving 80 young South Sudanese the chance to acquire practical skills to help them earn incomes, build small businesses, and support their families.

The programme provided by the Republic of Korea’s Hanbit Unit, serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, will run for three months at the Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology.

The trainees will learn carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, agriculture and poultry farming, with the focus on hands-on skills that can be applied immediately after graduation.

For many of the trainees, these new skills are key to becoming self-reliant.

“Once I get my new electrical skills, I will be able to depend on myself,” explained Othow Omot. “I have seen successful people emerging from this training centre, and I am inspired to be like them.”

For another trainee, plumbing offers an opportunity to respond to the growing need for water and sanitation services in Bor and elsewhere in Jonglei State.

“I chose to be a plumber for myself and for the benefit of our community. I want to be self-reliant. Since we have an urban water system in Jonglei State, I want to be one of the people connecting the pipes.”

Other trainees are looking to agriculture and poultry farming as pathways to self-employment and food production.

“In our country we should prioritize food production. The more food we produce, the more prosperous we become, and there will be fewer cases of cattle raiding, and communities fighting,” said student Ajang Abraham.

The Hanbit vocational programme has trained 862 people since it began in 2015.

Graduates have acquired skills in other areas such as bakery and masonry. Some former trainees have secured employment with the United Nations and local businesses, while others have started small enterprises.

University Vice-Chancellor Abraham Matoc Dhal said the institution appreciates the support from the Republic of Korea.

“Dr. John Garang provided the necessary land for the operation of the vocational school,” explained University Vice-Chancellor, Abraham Matoc Dhal. “South Korea has done so much to support us. We know it and the Government knows it.”

For UNMISS, vocational training can also contribute to wider community resilience.

UNMISS Head of Field Office, Geetha Pious, encouraged the trainees to use the skills they acquire to create opportunities for themselves rather than waiting for formal employment.

“Study well, use it, and start your own businesses or create your own jobs. Don’t wait for somebody to offer you a job. Every big organization starts from small.”

The Commander of the Hanbit Unit, Colonel Joang-Dae Lee, said the programme is intended to support both individual development and the wider Jonglei State economy.

“The Hanbit Vocational Training School is more than simply a place of learning. It is a place of hope where you can build the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to pursue your dreams and shape your future.”

For the 80 trainees, the next three months are about more than learning a trade.

It’s about securing a pathway to employment, self-employment and income generation.

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

Source: APO

 A music concert marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Revolution School was held yesterday, 18 September, at Bahti Meskerem Square in Asmara. The program, organized in collaboration with the Commission of Culture and Sports and the National Holidays Coordinating Committee, was broadcast live by Eritrean Television.

Mr. Zerit Tewoldebrhan, Managing Director of the Central Region, said that the establishment of the Revolution School was one of the EPLF’s significant initiatives during the struggle for independence.

During the program, which lasted about two hours, veteran and young artists performed songs originally presented by members of the Revolution School and Red Flowers during the armed struggle.

Concert participants said that, beyond reviving memories of the past, the program was important in passing on the history of the Eritrean people and the hardships they endured to future generations. They also called for such programs to continue in an organized manner.

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

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Raafat Hindy, and Director of the Signals Department of the Armed Forces Major General Hany Mahmoud Mansour.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting addressed developments pertinent to expanding the implementation of the Unified Government Services Card system, as part of the state’s digital transformation plan and efforts to facilitate citizens’ access to services. The Minister of Communications and Information Technology noted that the Ministry continues to coordinate with the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade to develop the system, enhance its technical and operational efficiency, and gradually expand the range of services provided through it. President El-Sisi stressed that the implementation status of the unified card system be continuously monitored to ensure the integration of databases, operational efficiency, and support for efforts to further develop the government services system.

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology reviewed efforts to boost exports of the CIT sector and localize the electronics industry. He noted that Egypt aims to reach $8 billion in digital exports by 2028, explaining that digital outsourcing exports are expected to rise to $12 billion by 2029. It is also targeted to increase the number of companies operating in the field of electronics design to 120 companies by 2030.The meeting also reviewed MCIT’s efforts to provide the advanced digital infrastructure required to develop smart applications and solutions based on AI technologies to maximize their developmental returns and deepen the societal impact of modern technologies. The meeting further addressed efforts to integrate AI applications across a number of vital sectors, including the pivotal role of the Applied Innovation Center, affiliated with the Ministry, in developing innovative solutions based on emerging technologies.
President El-Sisi underscored the need to attract and stimulate investment in cloud computing and AI, in parallel with expanding the construction of hyperscale data centers, as the fundamental pillar of the digital economy.

Eng. Hindy reviewed the status of the presidential initiative “Digital Pioneers – Digilians”, implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Egyptian Military Academy. President El-Sisi stressed the need to adhere to accuracy, transparency, and impartiality in the selection process of the beneficiaries of the initiative, thereby strengthening public confidence in it, as it helps qualify beneficiaries for employment opportunities in demand in the labor market. The meeting also addressed cybersecurity as a key pillar of the digital transformation strategy and a fundamental element in enhancing confidence in digital services. It also reviewed updates on the implementation status of “Karnak”, the national AI program that contributes to achieving digital sovereignty and provides a foundational platform for developing generative AI applications in Arabic.

Eng. Hindy reviewed the measures taken by the Ministry to implement the President’s directives to protect children under the age of 15 from the risks posed by harmful content on social networks and platforms, including details of the joint decision issued in this regard by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation on September 17, 2026.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President El-Sisi gave directives to expand the use of AI applications and cloud computing technologies, while continuing to develop the structure of Egypt’s telecommunications market and enhancing opportunities for digital transformation to improve the quality of services provided to citizens and consolidate Egypt’s position as a regional and international hub for data centers.

The President also gave directives to expand the 5G network deployment, strengthen the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure, and reduce concentration risks, thereby supporting the efficiency and sustainability of the CIT sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Source: APO

Delays in accessing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, alleged illegal deductions, fear of reporting corruption and limited youth representation on PDM committees are some of the key challenges raised during Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s assessment of the programme in Ruhinda North County.

Tayebwa, together with Mitooma District political and technical leaders, spent Wednesday, 16 September 2026 and the day thereafter, meeting residents across his constituency to assess the performance of PDM funds and hear concerns about their implementation.

Several applicants told the Deputy Speaker that they had waited for extended periods after registering for the funds, with some reportedly waiting for up to two years.

Tayebwa said the delays were partly linked to the way the funds are released but stressed that the selection of beneficiaries must be transparent and follow the order in which people applied.

“The money comes in installments; there are parishes which are small, they have given all people and they are now starting the second round. But there are parishes that will take time because every year we give 100 million,” he said.

“If a parish has 1,000 families, it means it will take 10 years to cover them. We have to be patient. But what is important is transparency. If a person applies first, a person who applies after that person should not receive money before the one who came first,” Tayebwa said.

He advised that lists of PDM applicants be displayed on parish noticeboards according to the date of application so that beneficiaries can be selected transparently.

Concerns over corruption and illegal charges also featured during the meetings. Tayebwa said residents should not pay anyone to access PDM funds and encouraged them to report attempts to solicit money.

“There are some of you who are afraid to speak out, fearing that the people you are reporting are the ones who will come back to ask you to pay it back,” Tayebwa told residents. He added that money repaid under the programme remains available to other members of the community.

“This is your money. If someone does not pay, he is costing you as a group and a community,” he said.

The assessment also uncovered cases involving beneficiaries who received less than the Shs1 million expected under the programme, especially during its initial implementation.

Tayebwa explained to beneficiaries that they are required to repay the amount they actually received but noted that a problem arises where someone signed for Shs1 million but received a smaller amount.

He urged those who received PDM funds during the programme’s initial phase to repay the money so that they can apply for another round.

“If you received PDM money when the programme was starting, I would encourage you to start paying back. After paying, you can apply for the second round, and in the second round, you will receive one million,” Tayebwa said.

Another concern involved youth participation in the committees responsible for managing the programme. Ronald Nasasira, the youth councillor for Kigyende Sub-county, said young people were not adequately represented on PDM committees, making it difficult for them to access their share of the programme.

“When they are selecting PDM committee members, they don’t consider youth, yet 30% of the money is supposed to be for youth. We end up not getting our fair share because we are not represented. We appeal that youth be represented at all committees,” Nasasira said.

Tayebwa directed local leaders to review the composition of the committees and ensure that youth are represented.

“You should review all committees and show the youth who are representing them on the committees. If they are not represented, the committees should be changed to add youth representatives,” he said.

There was also confusion over whether people receiving Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), the government programme providing regular cash support to vulnerable older people, qualify for PDM funds.

“If you get SAGE money, you qualify to get PDM money,” Tayebwa clarified.

Other concerns raised during the two-day consultative meetings included attempts by some people to use identity cards that did not belong to them to apply for PDM funds. There were also reports of beneficiaries who were allegedly misled into believing that the funds did not have to be repaid.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended – to Monday, 25 January 2027 – the deadline for the submission of the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.

The new deadline allows the Commission to process additional evidence, including the testimony of various experts who have made recommendations relating to the Commission’s terms of reference.

President Ramaphosa once again expresses his deepest appreciation for the work conducted by Commission as well as for the manner in which law enforcement agencies are following up testimony emerging from Commission hearings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

Source: APO

On September 11, Ambassador Zhao Weiping delivered remarks at Namibia-China (Guangdong Province) Business Forum, which was co-hosted by Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board,the Guangdong economic and trade delegation,and Association of Chinese Enterprises in Namibia. More than 50 representatives from government departments, industry associations, and businesses from the two countries participated in the Forum.

Ambassador Zhao said that Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah chose Guangdong as the first stop during her recent state visit to China, where she held in-depth discussions with Guangdong provincial leaders on deepening economic and trade cooperation between Namibia and Guangdong. It is hoped and believed that the visit of the Guangdong economic and trade delegation to Namibia will further advance economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

In her remarks, Ms. Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, expressed appreciation for Guangdong Province for sending a delegation to Namibia shortly after the Namibian President’s visit to China. She said that Namibia is richly endowed with natural resources, particularly in agriculture and mining, and welcomed Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Namibia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.

Source: APO

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. General Birame Diop, received the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Yousef Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hailand and the Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Mohammed Abdelaai in two separate audiences at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria on the 17th of September, 2026.

The  meetings provided an opportunity to discuss ways of strengthening relations and enhancing cooperation between ECOWAS and the state of Qatar on matters of mutual interest, including regional integration, peace and security and development.

The engagement underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening partnerships with countries beyond West Africa in support of regional stability and sustainable development.

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