Category: MIL-OSI

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Eritrea: Call for Reinforced Participation in Eradicating Harmful Practices

Source: APO – Report:

Mr. Gebrehiwet Tekeste, head of healthcare services in the Teseney sub-zone, called on the public to strengthen its participation in efforts to eradicate harmful practices.

Underscoring that female genital mutilation and underage marriage are still practised in some areas, Mr. Gebrehiwet said that awareness-raising activities are being conducted in 11 administrative areas of the sub-zone. He further called for a stronger role and greater contribution from religious leaders and area administrators in the effort.

Underlining that maternal deaths during childbirth can result from the consequences of female genital mutilation and underage marriage, Mr. Gebrehiwet emphasized the importance of the participation of influential members of society in controlling these practices, which are punishable by law.

Ms. Hafisa Mohammed, from the prosecutor’s office in the sub-zone, indicated that female genital mutilation is prohibited in Eritrea under Proclamation No. 158/2007, while underage marriage is prohibited under Article 581 of the Civil Code. She added that those who participate in these illegal practices are punishable by law.

The religious leaders, noting that female genital mutilation is not accepted by religion, expressed their readiness to conduct awareness-raising activities alongside their religious sermons.

Mr. Seium Gebreyesus, administrator of the sub-zone, called on the public to participate actively in efforts to eradicate harmful practices. He also called on area administrators and village coordinators to conduct regular follow-up activities.

The participants expressed their readiness to strengthen their participation in efforts to eradicate harmful practices and control the prevalence of malaria.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

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Morolong hails UCR FM as vital community voice at 30th anniversary

Source: Government of South Africa

Morolong hails UCR FM as vital community voice at 30th anniversary

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has praised UCR FM for its three decades of service to communities in the Eastern Cape, describing the community broadcaster as an important platform for information, dialogue and local development.

Morolong was speaking at UCR FM’s 30th anniversary gala dinner in Mthatha on Friday, where he said the station had grown from a modest university initiative into a trusted community broadcaster reaching more than 450 000 listeners.

UCR FM was established following the vision of the late Professor Tokollo Moleah, then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Transkei, to create a platform for the voices of people in the province to be heard, Morolong said.

“What began as a modest campus initiative soon grew beyond the boundaries of the university,” he said, describing UCR FM as a broadcaster that had become part of the daily lives of people in homes, taxis, workplaces and villages across the province.

Morolong said the station’s longevity was particularly significant given the financial pressures facing community media, including declining advertising revenue, rising operating costs and the rapid shift towards digital media.

He attributed UCR FM’s survival and growth to its leadership, staff, volunteers, listeners and the communities it serves.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the station’s programming model, which consists of 60% talk and 40% music. He said the balance had allowed UCR FM to combine entertainment with discussions on issues affecting its audience.

Its multilingual programming in isiXhosa, English, Sesotho and isiZulu was another strength, Morolong said, arguing that access to information in languages people understand and trust was central to government’s communication efforts.

He said UCR FM had gone beyond its role as a broadcaster by giving communities space to share their stories, concerns, achievements and aspirations, while contributing to local development and social cohesion.

Morolong used the anniversary event to reaffirm government’s commitment to strengthening the community media sector.

He said the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) had supported hundreds of community media initiatives across radio, television and print, with assistance aimed at improving governance, developing skills, upgrading infrastructure and promoting long-term sustainability.

He also announced that the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) was finalising a Media Buying Policy intended to give effect to the provision in the Government Communication Policy that “30% of government advertising expenditure should be allocated to community media”.

According to Morolong, the measure would help improve the financial sustainability of community radio, television and print outlets.

“We do not see community media as an optional extra to South Africa’s media landscape,” he said, calling it a critical partner in deepening democracy, expanding access to information, strengthening social cohesion and advancing development.

Community radio and constitutional democracy

Morolong linked UCR FM’s anniversary to the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution, saying community radio provided a practical expression of constitutional rights such as freedom of expression, access to information and meaningful participation in public life.

He said community broadcasters provided platforms for women, young people, workers and people with disabilities to participate in shaping their communities.

“In many ways, our community radio sector really is constitutional democracy at work,” Morolong said.

The Deputy Minister also reflected on other major historical milestones being commemorated this year, including 50 years since the 1976 youth uprising, 70 years since the 1956 Women’s March and 60 years since the forced removals from District Six.

He said these milestones formed part of South Africa’s journey from apartheid to a society based on equality, dignity and human rights.

Morolong said the commemorations were aligned with the national Milestones of Freedom Campaign, launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa under the theme, “Honouring the Past. Delivering the Future.”

He said the campaign was also a call to strengthen service delivery, deepen social cohesion and ensure that the benefits of democracy reached communities across the country.

Morolong said UCR FM’s impact could also be measured by the opportunities it had created for aspiring media professionals.

The station, he said, had provided a platform for local artists, entrepreneurs, educators, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, young people and community activists.

He singled out former UCR FM figures who had gone on to establish careers in the national media and public sector, including Sizwe Kupelo, Mthunzi Mhaga, Zintle Mbusi, Monwabisi Bangi, Busi Zide and Baphilise Manduluka.

Their careers, he said, formed part of the station’s enduring legacy of developing talent and opening opportunities for young people. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Save a life: register as an organ and tissue donor

Source: Government of South Africa

Save a life: register as an organ and tissue donor

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has urged communities to register as organ and tissue donors to give potentially life-saving hope to patients on transplant waiting lists.

Some 6 500 people in the country are on waiting lists for organ and tissue transplants, with Gauteng alone having some 1 100 patients either waiting for a kidney transplant or under assessment for placement on the transplant waiting list.

“For those waiting, organ donation represents far more than a medical procedure. It is the possibility of a second chance at life. It may mean a child getting the opportunity to grow up, a parent being able to spend more time with their family, or a patient no longer having to endure regular dialysis treatments while waiting for a suitable donor.

“Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas. Tissue donation can include corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels and connective tissue, helping to restore sight, improve mobility and significantly enhance the quality of life for recipients,” the department stated.

Living people are also eligible to donate one kidney or portions of the liver and will continue living healthy, normal lives.

“Medical advances have made living donation a safe and effective option for many patients in need of a transplant.

“Although South Africa performed approximately 317 solid organ transplants in 2024 across public and private healthcare facilities, the demand for donor organs continues to far exceed the available supply.

“As a result, many patients spend months or even years waiting for a suitable match. Sadly, some become too ill to undergo transplantation, while others lose their lives before a donor organ becomes available,” the GDoH said.

The department acknowledged that organ donation is a “deep personal decision” which can be a difficult subject to broach with families.

The department added, however, that organ donation “is one of the most selfless acts a person can make”.

One organ donor could save up to seven lives and tissue donations can “improve the lives of as many as 50 people”.

“Many people remain hesitant because of myths and misconceptions surrounding organ donation. It is important to know that age alone or the presence of certain medical conditions does not automatically prevent a person from becoming a donor. Suitability is carefully assessed by medical professionals at the appropriate time.

“The department also encourages people to share their decision with family members and loved ones. In many cases, families are asked about organ donation during moments of immense grief. Having previously discussed a loved one’s wishes can provide guidance and comfort when making difficult decisions.

“By registering as an organ or tissue donor, individuals can leave behind a legacy of hope and healing. Every donor has the power to transform multiple lives and help families facing some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable,” the department urged.

Enquire at your nearest hospital or register with the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa at www.odf.org.za to become an organ donor. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Woman in blue turns dedication to justice into a calling

Source: Government of South Africa

Woman in blue turns dedication to justice into a calling

For Warrant Officer Gloria Vatiswa Nontshokweni, policing is more than a profession – it is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people.

The 46-year-old acting unit commander of the Makhanda Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in the Eastern Cape is among the dedicated women in blue being recognised by the South African Police Service (SAPS) during Women’s Month.

Through its Women’s Month campaign, SAPS is celebrating the dedication, resilience and professionalism of female officers who stand at the forefront of protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups while helping to build safer communities.

For Nontshokweni, that commitment has been at the heart of her policing career since she joined SAPS in 2008 as a constable at Kensington Police Station’s Community Service Centre in Cape Town.

Her ability to take down quality statements soon caught the attention of the Station Commander, who recommended that she become an investigator. Two years later, she joined the Cape Town Central Detective Service.

It was a move that would shape her career and deepen her passion for investigating cases involving women and children.

“I give all cases assigned to me my best. But it gives me great pleasure when my investigations lead me to trace and arrest perpetrators of gender-based violence and femicide,” Nontshokweni said.

In 2013, she joined the Motherwell FCS Unit in the Eastern Cape as an investigator. Today, at the Makhanda FCS Unit, she carries the dual responsibility of acting as unit commander while continuing to work as an investigator.

One of the cases that stands out in her career is that of convicted serial rapist Anele Mabheka Lati, who was sentenced to six life terms of imprisonment by the Makhanda High Court on 27 March 2026.

Lati was convicted on multiple counts of rape, sexual assault and attempted rape after targeting boys between 2022 and 2023, the youngest of whom was eight years old at the time.

Nontshokweni noticed similarities in the modus operandi contained in several case dockets and began connecting the dots.

Lati would approach boys while they were playing with groups of friends and ask a victim to accompany him to get something to eat before luring them to a dumping site, where he sexually assaulted them.

For Nontshokweni, securing justice was only one part of supporting the young victims. She remained committed to keeping them motivated throughout the court proceedings and ensured they were referred to psychologists for counselling.

She takes pride in the outcome of the case, which she regards as an important step towards holding perpetrators of sexual offences accountable.

Beyond her demanding responsibilities as a police officer, Nontshokweni is an avid long-distance runner. Running helps her maintain her physical and mental wellbeing, which she considers essential to remaining operationally ready and performing at her best in a demanding profession.

Her commitment to professional development is equally strong. She holds a Bachelor of Policing Practices degree from Stadio and a Diploma in Policing from Tshwane University of Technology.

“I always make it my mission to ensure victims receive services of the highest standard. Being an FCS investigator gives me an opportunity to serve our country with dignity, honour and pride,” she said.

Nontshokweni’s journey reflects the values at the heart of the SAPS Reset Agenda – perseverance, professionalism, service and an unwavering commitment to justice.

As a woman in blue, she continues to turn those values into action, one investigation and one victim at a time. – SAnews.gov.za

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Mpumalanga residents urged to save water

Source: Government of South Africa

Mpumalanga residents urged to save water

Residents across Mpumalanga are being urged to use water sparingly as provincial dam levels continue to show marginal declines.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) said the province’s average dam levels fell from 98.7% to 98.5% in the latest Weekly State of Reservoirs Report released this week.

While levels remain high, the department said the downward trend highlights the need for continued water conservation and responsible use.

Both of Mpumalanga’s Water Management Areas recorded slight decreases. The Limpopo-Olifants Water Management Area declined from 100.3% to 100.1%, while the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area dropped from 98.2% to 98.0%.

Water levels also decreased across all three districts.

Ehlanzeni fell from 100.2% to 100.1%, Gert Sibande declined from 96.7% to 96.6%, and Nkangala dropped from 100.5% to 100.2%.

The Lowveld and Ehlanzeni District recorded mixed results, with several dams declining while others remained unchanged.

Inyaka Dam was the only listed dam in the district to record an increase, rising from 100.1% to 100.4%. Witklip remained unchanged at 100.3%, while Longmere stood at 101.3%, Klipkopjes at 99.6% and Da Gama at 100.3%.

Among the dams that recorded declines, Kwena fell from 100.5% to 100.3%, Blyderivierpoort from 100.5% to 100.3%, Buffelskloof from 100.5% to 100.3%, Driekoppies from 100.3% to 100.2%, Primkop from 101.3% to 101.1%, and Ohrigstad from 92.8% to 92.2%.

Gert Sibande also recorded a mixed picture.

Grootdraai remained at 96.9%, Nooitgedacht at 99.5%, Morgenstond at 100.4% and Heyshope at 100.1%.

However, Vygeboom Dam declined from 100.5% to 99.5%, Jericho from 92.8% to 92.6%, and Westoe from 59.9% to 59.1%.

In Nkangala, Middelburg Dam was the only listed dam to record an increase, rising from 99.8% to 100.1%.

Loskop Dam recorded a slight decrease from 100.9% to 100.4%, while Witbank and Rhenosterkop remained unchanged at 99.3% and 100.4%, respectively.

Despite the relatively healthy dam levels, the department has called on households, businesses, farmers and institutions to avoid unnecessary water use.

The department reminded residents that water has no substitute and that “every drop counts”.

It urged water users to repair leaking taps and pipes, avoid wasting water and report burst pipes and leaks to the relevant water services authorities.

The department said water conservation was a shared responsibility and that simple water-saving measures incorporated into daily life could help protect scarce resources, strengthen water security and support reliable water supplies for communities.

“While current dam levels remain healthy, even small changes reinforce the need for continued water conservation and responsible use,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Asantehene opens Africa Business Investment Summit in Washington, DC with a $500m Investment Target in Africa

Source: APO

  • Asantehene presented a royal vision for Africa’s economic renaissance
  • Day 1 proceeded under the theme – The Vision Day: Unlocking Africa’s Century, A Diaspora Mandate”
  • Fireside chat with Boris Kodjoe on The Diaspora Return

The Africa Business Investment Summit 2026 opened this morning at the MGM National Harbor, in Washington D.C. Metro, with a royal keynote by the Summit’s Patron, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, as the Millennium Excellence Week hosts its first event outside of Ghana.

The opening ceremony, themed “The Asante Crown Meets the Diaspora,” convened more than 400 registered delegates, including senior government officials, C-suite executives, and US-based institutional investors. They were drawn together under a single mandate: to facilitate $500 million in structured capital commitments between African deal originators and US institutional capital during the two-day summit.

Delivering his keynote address, His Majesty articulated a vision of African economic sovereignty where the diaspora serves as architects of continental development. Speaking with characteristic authority, His Majesty called on African governments, diaspora communities, and international institutional partners to align capital, policy frameworks, and political will behind a shared agenda for the continent’s economic future.

In his address, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene said: “For too long, Africa has been described mainly in terms of its deficiencies. We have heard of the roads not built, the electricity not generated, the jobs not created, the capital not available, and the institutions not strong enough,”

Speaking further he noted that “Africa must no longer be regarded merely as a continent of future potential. Africa is already becoming a central part of the future global economy, and those who understand this early will position themselves advantageously.”

Honorable Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, who represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, detailed macroeconomic indicators signalling domestic economic recovery and industrial policy priorities: “ Our ambition is transformation. We want an economy that moves beyond exporting raw materials to manufacturing finished products, creating value, jobs, and shared prosperity. We want capital that drives productivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This is the philosophy behind the twenty-four-hour economy program, which is a commitment stimulating round-the-clock production, improving productivity, and developing a competitive and export-oriented economy.”

The first day of the summit concluded under the theme “The Vision Day: Unlocking Africa’s Century, A Diaspora Mandate”, exploring through a series of plenary sessions the most pressing deal themes in US–Africa investment today.

Programme spotlights included: The Diaspora Return, a fireside chat with Boris Kodjoe, Beyond Remittances: Building Africa’s Sixth Region, diaspora capital beyond transfers, The New Gold Rush: Africa’s Seat at America’s Critical Minerals Table,  Ghana’s Gold Moment: From the Gold Coast to Global Market Power, The Diaspora Dollar: Fintech and the Next Remittance Corridor and Powering the Continent: Energy, Infrastructure and the US–Africa Partnership

The second and final day of the event will continue to explore investment opportunities across the continent through sector spotlights on the Creative Economy, Health & Pharma, Technology, and Digital Financial Services.

Following these plenaries, the event will conclude with bilateral investment meetings that will translate the vision outlined in the plenary hall into concrete investment decisions.

Review Day 1 Plenary Sessions: https://apo-opa.co/4cPkRRP

Watch Day 2 Live Stream: https://apo-opa.co/4gYIxFP

  • Day 2 to explore investment opportunities and conclude with bilateral investment meetings

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Millennium Excellence Foundation.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nina Smith
nina@polisolpublicaffairs.com

ABOUT THE AFRICA BUSINESS INVESTMENT SUMMIT 2026:
The Africa Business Investment Summit (ABIS) 2026 is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering engineered for one purpose: results. Hosted by the Millennium Excellence Foundation, ABIS 2026 convenes the most influential voices in African development finance, private investment, and government policy. The summit is designed to facilitate a minimum of $500 million in structured capital commitments between African deal originators and US-based institutional investors. 27–28 August 2026, MGM National Harbor, Washington D.C. Metro. Website: ABIS-Africa.com

ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION:
The Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF) is a global organisation dedicated to fostering excellence, leadership, and sustainable development across Africa and the African diaspora. MEF convenes leaders across government, business, and civil society to drive meaningful impact at scale.

Website: MillenniumExcellenceFoundation.org 

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Federal Government (FG) Activates Emergency Task Force to Respond to Diphtheria Outbreak in Katsina, Kano

Source: APO

The Federal Government has activated an emergency task force to contain the outbreak of diphtheria among children in parts of Katsina and Kano States, with immediate measures being deployed to strengthen surveillance, close immunisation gaps and ensure timely access to treatment.

The directive was issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, as part of the Federal Government’s continuing commitment to protect the health of Nigerian children and strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected state governments and international health partners, has constituted a multi-agency task force to coordinate the response.

The task force will be co-chaired by the Director-General of NCDC and the Director of Public Health, with membership drawn from NPHCDA; the Honourable Commissioners for Health of Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto States; the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF; and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina State. The Ministry’s Chief Epidemiologist will serve as Secretary.

The task force has been directed to act immediately on three fronts:

  • Outbreak containment and immunisation: Conduct outbreak investigations, strengthen disease surveillance and intensify community sensitisation to close population immunity gaps through the immunisation of unvaccinated children. As part of the immediate response, NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano States to support intensified immunisation activities in affected and at-risk communities.
  • Expanded access to treatment: Work with the Katsina State Government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua — to bring care closer to affected communities and facilitate early intervention.
  • Emergency support for referral care: Mobilise urgent support to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, the principal referral centre for the state and parts of neighbouring states, including Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment (PPE).

The task force will provide weekly updates to the Coordinating Minister on progress, emerging challenges and additional requirements, with identified bottlenecks escalated for immediate resolution.

The Federal Government reaffirms its resolve to protect Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases and remains committed to a swift, coordinated and evidence-based response to bring the outbreak under control.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Nigeria.

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South Africa Moves to Institutionalise the African Fisheries and Aquaculture Database

Source: APO – Report:

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AU-IBAR, through the European Union-funded Fisheries Governance Project Phase Two (FishGov2), convened a capacity-building training on institutionalising and operationalising the African Fisheries and Aquaculture Database (AFAData) in Cape Town from 23 to 24 July 2026. Sixteen participants took part, including thirteen national technical officers from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat and AU-IBAR. Ms Hellen Guebama of AU-IBAR, Dr Motseki Hlatshwayo of the SADC Secretariat, and Mr Belemane Semoli, Acting Deputy Director General of Fisheries Management, opened the workshop.

AFAData is a continental repository for the entry, retrieval, updating and analysis of fisheries and aquaculture data by African Union Member States, linked to AU-IBAR’s Animal Resources Information System (ARIS). It is now operational and open to all Member States at https://afadata.au-ibar.org/. South Africa is one of five countries — with Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia and Uganda — selected to accelerate operationalisation by populating the database during hands-on training.

Opening remarks: data as the basis of public policy

Speaking on behalf of AU-IBAR, Ms Hellen Guebama situated the training within the reform agenda that FishGov2 supports—implementing the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa through stronger institutional capacities, information systems, and data-driven decision-making.

“High-quality data is now essential for developing effective public policies, guiding investments, measuring sector performance, and ensuring rigorous monitoring of commitments made at the national, regional, and continental levels.”

— Ms Hellen Guebama, AU-IBAR

She recalled the platform’s political mandate — its adoption by African Ministers at the Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and the Environment, which recommended its gradual deployment across Member States — and noted that South Africa is now actively engaged in that continental dynamic. Thanking the Government of South Africa for its collaboration, she closed with an expectation rather than a formality:

“I am convinced that this training will be an important step in strengthening the national information system on fisheries and aquaculture in South Africa and that it will contribute to better decision-making, for the benefit of fishing communities, fish farmers and the sustainable development of the sector.”

— Ms Hellen Guebama, AU-IBAR

What the training delivered

Ms Adeline Oduor of AU-IBAR led participants through the database design and logic before the national team moved to live data entry. Three outcomes stand out.

  • A national account was created, with a designated focal point to manage membership.

  • South Africa’s 2024 annual fisheries and aquaculture data was reviewed jointly and entered in full — the training ended with real national data in the platform, not a demonstration dataset.

  • The Acting Deputy Director General designated data validators in each Chief Directorate: Marine Resources Management for fish trade and vessels; Fisheries Research and Development for capture fisheries and effort; and Aquaculture and Economic Development for aquaculture production and farms.

The third outcome is the most consequential. Naming validators within existing directorate structures turns AFAData from a system a country has been trained on into a system a country reports through — the difference between capacity built and capacity institutionalised.

Because participants worked with genuine data, the sessions also surfaced refinements that will improve the platform for every Member State that follows: registration numbers rather than vessel names as unique identifiers, corrections to import templates and species reference lists, and definitional questions of continental relevance — how to classify restocking with hatchery fingerlings, or wild-caught fish fattened in cages.

Contribution and relevance

For continental reporting: AFAData strengthens the representation of fisheries and aquaculture in the Kampala Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration and its Biennial Review process, which commenced in 2026. A sector that cannot report consistently cannot be counted, and a sector that is not counted is not prioritised.

For national systems: South Africa now has a populated account, trained personnel across three chief directorates, and named validators—a functioning reporting chain rather than a one-off event.

For regional integration: SADC’s participation links national practice to regional oversight, supporting harmonised reporting across the region.

For the sector: reliable data on production, effort, trade and aquaculture underpins rational resource management, credible investment cases and defensible policy — ultimately in the interest of fishing communities and fish farmers.

The lessons from Cape Town will inform the next phase of the rollout to remaining Member States. AU-IBAR thanks the Government of South Africa, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the SADC Secretariat and the European Union for their support, and encourages Member States yet to nominate an AFAData focal point to do so.

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

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Liberia Positions Itself at United Nations (UN) Security Council, Hosts Guterres and E10 Ahead of December Presidency

Source: APO – Report:

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Liberia’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Lewis G. Brown II on Monday hosted a working lunch in honor of UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the 10 elected members of the Security Council.

The lunch held at UN Headquarters in Manhattan, positioned Liberia at the center of United Nations diplomacy. 

Liberia, coordinating both the A3, Africa’s three Council members and the E10 — the 10 non-permanent members since August 1, held the lunch to align positions ahead of one of the busiest months on the Council’s calendar.

The lunch, not ceremonial brought together the E10 which includes Bahrain, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia.

Three of the states DRC, Liberia and Somalia also constitute the A3, the group that articulates African priorities inside the Council.

Liberia’s dual coordinating mandate has given Ambassador Brown unusual convening power this month, at a time when the Council is handling crises across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

The month also includes two signature events: an August 19 open debate on Council working methods, and the August 25 high-level debate on “Food Under Fire” — conflict and hunger.

Diplomats are also monitoring Ukraine, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and the planned closure of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon at year’s end — any of which could trigger emergency sessions.

LIBERIA SETS TONE ON MIDDLE EAST AND REFORM:

At the Council’s 10,207th meeting on August 17, Ambassador Brown presented Liberia’s position on the Middle East, warning that prospects for a two-state solution are “rapidly diminishing” due to continued violence, Palestinian displacement, and settlement expansion.

He invoked Liberia’s 1947 vote for UN General Assembly Resolution 181, the original partition plan, to frame the stance as one of long-standing principle.

Speaking for the entire E10 during the working methods debate, Brown called for reforms to Note S/2024/507.

He urged time-bound leadership of subsidiary bodies after two years of delays in appointing sanctions committee chairs, and pushed for elected members who make up two-thirds of the Council to be included at the beginning of the drafting resolutions, including thorough shared “penholdership” now dominated by the P5.

As A3 coordinator, Liberia is also steering African positions on Libya, South Sudan, the DRC’s eastern conflict, and AU-led responses in the Sahel and Horn of Africa.

Diplomats say the A3 under DRC, Liberia and Somalia has favored political solutions over sanctions, a posture expected to continue through August.

The coordinating role carries added significance because Liberia will assume the Security Council presidency in December for the first time since 1961.

President Joseph Boakai is expected to chair high-level sessions that month.

UN officials described August as a “rehearsal” for the larger task. 

Monday’s lunch, they say demonstrated how Liberia intends to use the presidency by driving direct dialogue between the Secretary-General and elected members, rather than leaving coordination to fragmented channels.

Liberia’s engagement is being  described as consequential for both the August’s immediate decisions and for laying groundwork for December.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

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Inspetor-Geral da Inspeção-Geral das Atividades Económicas (IGAE) toma posse: Governo quer uma instituição moderna, preventiva e parceira da transformação económica

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Governo, através do Ministro da Economia, Comércio, Indústria e Transição Digital, António Baptista, defendeu, esta sexta-feira, 28 de agosto, uma Inspeção-Geral das Atividades Económicas (IGAE) moderna, profissional, digital e orientada para a prevenção e para a transformação da economia cabo-verdiana.

Esta posição foi defendida durante a tomada de posse de Elisângelo de Deus Léger Monteiro como novo Inspetor-Geral da IGAE, testemunhada pelo Primeiro-Ministro, Francisco Carvalho, e que contou com a presença de membros do Governo, dirigentes e colaboradores da instituição, bem como de representantes de entidades públicas e privadas ligadas aos setores da economia e da fiscalização.

Na sua intervenção, o Ministro António Baptista sublinhou que a fiscalização económica deve ser entendida como parte integrante da política de desenvolvimento do país e defendeu que a IGAE deve ir além da fiscalização e da sanção, assumindo um papel ativo na transformação da economia cabo-verdiana.

A ideia central defendida pelo Ministro, que considerou a fiscalização económica como uma componente essencial da estratégia de desenvolvimento do país, foi “Fiscalizar para transformar”.

Mais do que isso, António Baptista salientou que a ambição de produzir mais, transformar mais, exportar mais e aumentar a presença dos produtos nacionais nos mercados exige o reforço das normas de qualidade, segurança, rastreabilidade e certificação.

O Ministro defendeu ainda uma fiscalização que apoie e oriente os operadores que cumprem as regras, mas que atue com firmeza perante práticas que coloquem em causa a saúde pública, os consumidores e a concorrência leal.

Uma IGAE mais digital e inteligente

Ao tomar posse, Elisângelo Monteiro, que já havia dirigido a IGAE entre 2015 e 2020, afirmou assumir novamente a função com “responsabilidade acrescida e sentido de humanidade mais apurado”.

O novo Inspetor-Geral assumiu o compromisso de reforçar a modernização e a transformação digital da instituição, apostando na inovação, na utilização de dados e numa forte componente científica para tornar a fiscalização mais eficaz e assertiva.

“Estamos confiantes de que seremos a polícia económica mais digital da nossa comunidade”, afirmou Elisângelo Monteiro, que apelou igualmente ao reforço dos investimentos e da capacidade institucional da IGAE, considerando que investir na instituição é garantir maior proteção, segurança alimentar e um ambiente de negócios mais saudável e atrativo ao investimento e ao empreendedorismo.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.