Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

 Eritrea participated in the Africa Commerce and Industry Summit 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 to 16 October under the theme “Driving Africa’s Next Era of Trade”.

The summit, organized by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce, brought together over 5,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, including producers, exhibitors, investors and chamber of commerce representatives.

Discussions focused on trade, investment and innovation through leadership and networking.

At the summit, Mr. Beyene Russom, Eritrea’s Ambassador to Kenya, delivered a speech focusing on security, maritime sovereignty and peace; centering women and youth in continental trade; and the role of the diplomatic corps and industrial sovereignty.

To promote trade among African countries, Ambassador Beyene called for a strong commitment to prioritizing industrial development and domestic value addition when building partnerships with developed economies.

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

Source: APO

A meeting aimed at strengthening the teachers’ association was held in Adi-Keih town on 18 October.

At the meeting, attended by association members from 26 schools, Mr. Yohannes Petros, chairman of the association in Adi-Keih sub-zone, highlighted the central role of teachers in developing educational capacity and said that joining the association offers significant benefits to teachers.

Noting that organization is power, the participants called on all teachers to join the association.

Mr. Beyene Tesfay, head of educational facilities in the sub-zone, called on teachers to serve as role models in efforts to enhance the teaching and learning process. He also called for ongoing training programs to strengthen teachers’ capacity.

The National Teachers’ Association branch in Adi-Keih sub-zone has 750 registered members.

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

Source: APO

Professional military training is essential in developing officers who can adapt, lead and make sound decisions in increasingly complex operational environments. In line with this commitment, General Service Officer (GSO) Cadets at the Kenya Military Academy (KMA) have successfully completed a two-week field training exercise conducted in the general areas of Lanet and Gilgil.

The exercise was designed to enhance the cadets’ tactical proficiency through urban warfare operations and exposure to the evolving dynamics of asymmetric warfare, strengthening their combat readiness and ability to operate effectively in demanding operational environments.

Through practical field scenarios, the cadets translated classroom instruction into essential military skills, reinforcing discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership while sharpening their critical thinking and decision-making under pressure.

The exercise also provided an opportunity to assess the cadets’ ability to respond to emerging threats, adapt to changing battlefield conditions and execute tactical tasks with confidence and professionalism.

The successful completion of the exercise underscores KMA’s commitment to producing competent and professionally grounded future officers capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.

As a key component of the Academy’s officer development programme, the exercise prepares the cadets to assume the responsibilities of junior officers and contribute effectively to the operational readiness and mission success of the Kenya Defence Forces.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

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The Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Dehpue Yenpea Zuo, held a meeting with Togo’s Minister of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal Protection and Climate Change in Togo on October 9th, 2026. The engagement focused on strengthening cooperation between the ECOWAS Commission and the Togolese government on environmental protection, natural resource management, and sustainable development within the broader framework of regional integration and economic resilience.

The meeting highlights the importance of regional collaboration to address pressing environmental challenges confronting West Africa, including climate change, coastal erosion, deforestation, land degradation, and heightened pressure on natural resources. These challenges directly threaten livelihoods, agricultural productivity, critical infrastructure, and broader economic activities across member states.

For the ECOWAS Commission, environmental sustainability is intrinsically linked to agricultural output, economic stability, and food security. The Commission recognizes that climate-induced pressures exacerbate rural vulnerability, disrupt development gains, and strain public resources, necessitating coordinated regional policies, shared technical expertise, and joint investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices.

During the dialogue, the alignment between Togo’s national environmental conservation efforts and ECOWAS regional sustainability goals was underscored. Discussions noted Togo’s active measures to strengthen coastal protection, particularly along the Gbodjomé–Agbodrafo–Goumoukopé–Kpémé coastline where 26 groynes have been deployed to stabilize the shore and mitigate erosion. Attention was also drawn to Togo’s ambitious forest conservation targets, which include planting one billion trees by 2030, raising national forest cover to 26 percent, and establishing mobile environmental and forestry surveillance brigades to protect forests and natural resources. These national initiatives provide critical avenues for regional collaboration, joint environmental programming, and enhanced mobilization of international climate finance and development assistance across the bloc.

The engagement forms part of Commissioner Zuo’s official activities following his assumption of office on September 1, 2026, under the ECOWAS Commission’s 2026–2030 mandate. Covering Economic Affairs and Agriculture, his portfolio prioritizes economic cooperation, agricultural development, and environmental sustainability as essential pillars for building economic resilience and safeguarding vulnerable communities across West Africa.

The consultation reinforces the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to sustain dialogue with national authorities to advance regional environmental protection, resource management and sustainable economic growth.

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

Source: APO

KDF personnel operating from Hoosingo area under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) conducted a Key Leader Engagement (KLE) and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activity in Hoosingo town, aimed at strengthening relations with the local population and enhancing situational awareness.

As part of the outreach, the team conducted a medical camp at Hoosingo Town Dispensary, providing basic medical services to residents. The initiative offered essential healthcare support to the community, with beneficiaries expressing appreciation for the continued assistance and acknowledging the cordial relationship between AUSSOM personnel and the local population.

The team also engaged local leaders and administrators to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen cooperation between the mission and the local administration. The engagement reinforced the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration in supporting community welfare and promoting stability in the area.

The activities reaffirmed the role of community engagement and medical outreach in fostering trust, supporting local welfare and strengthening cooperation between security forces and the communities they serve.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

In parts of the Karamoja region, north-eastern Uganda, the effects of prolonged drought are already visible. Water sources have dried up or fallen to very low levels. Families are travelling further to find water, while pasture continues to deteriorate, putting pressure on livelihoods that depend on livestock and crop production. 

One of the clearest signs of the worsening situation is Kobebe Dam in Karamoja’s Moroto district, normally a critical source of water for communities and their livestock. This year, the dam has dried up. 

In Nakidongo, Moroto district, more than 645 households displaced from Kotido District have moved closer to the area in search of water. Pastoralists from Loima in Kenya’s Turkana County have also crossed into the area with their livestock, seeking water and pasture. As more people and animals depend on an increasingly limited supply of natural resources, pressure on already vulnerable communities continues to grow. 

For these families, disaster risk is not a distant forecast. It is already shaping where they live, how they care for their livestock and how they meet their most basic needs. 

The Uganda Red Cross Society is responding by providing multipurpose cash assistance to more than 5,000 people affected by drought in Karamoja. It is also providing water for livestock, supporting pastoralist communities and their animals, including goats, sheep, cattle and camels. This assistance is helping address critical water shortages and protect livestock and livelihoods during the ongoing drought.  

Red Cross volunteers, who are part of the communities they serve, play an important role in understanding local needs, sharing information and helping communities respond to changing risks. Their local knowledge and trusted relationships can help ensure that warnings reach people and translate into practical action to protect lives and livelihoods. 

Yet significant gaps remain. Communities need sustained support for water access, livestock, food security and the protection of livelihoods. And the situation extends beyond Moroto: other parts of Karamoja, including Kaabong, Karenga, Napak and Kotido, are facing similar challenges linked to water scarcity, depleted pasture and growing food insecurity. 

On 13 October, the world marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home.” The situation in Karamoja is a reminder that resilience is not an abstract idea. It is about whether families can access water, protect their livelihoods, understand warnings and get support before a crisis deepens. 

One climate pattern, different risks across Africa

El Niño is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon, but its effects are not the same everywhere. Its impact depends on where people live, the season, existing vulnerabilities and how prepared communities are to respond. 

Across parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, forecasts point to an increased likelihood of heavy rainfall and flooding during the October–December 2026 rainy season. Meanwhile, rainfall deficits have already affected parts of Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda’s Karamoja region. 

Further south, the coming season brings an increased risk of below-average rainfall, prolonged dry spells and above-average temperatures. Parts of the Sahel are also experiencing rainfall deficits. 

These risks can have far-reaching consequences. Flooding can damage homes, destroy crops, contaminate water sources and cut off roads. Drought and heat can reduce water availability, undermine livestock and crop production, and put further pressure on household incomes and food supplies. 

For communities already facing conflict, displacement or food insecurity, another climate shock can deepen existing hardship. The consequences may take months to emerge as harvests, livestock and household incomes come under pressure and families struggle to meet their needs during subsequent lean seasons. 

The challenge is not simply to anticipate the weather. It is to understand what changing conditions could mean for people—and to act on that information in time. 

Turning forecasts into action

Acting early means preparing before a crisis escalates and being ready to respond when risks become more immediate. This includes ensuring warnings reach communities, mobilising volunteers, positioning essential supplies and putting plans in place to protect lives and livelihoods. 

Across Africa, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies are working to translate risk information into practical action. 

In Southern Africa, Early Action Protocols for droughts have been activated in Lesotho and Eswatini. These interventions include cash assistance, early warnings, community preparedness, water support and measures to protect livelihoods, helping households meet essential needs and prepare for worsening conditions. 

In areas facing potential flooding, preparedness includes strengthening early warning systems, mobilising volunteers, checking emergency supplies, planning evacuations, and ensuring teams are ready to support search and rescue if needed. 

The work is different from one place to another because the risks are different. But the objective is the same: to give communities more time and more options to protect themselves before the worst happens. 

National Societies are central to this effort. Their volunteers and local branches understand their communities, know who may need additional support and can help turn warnings into decisions people can act on. They also help ensure preparedness reaches people who might otherwise be overlooked. 

Resilience starts at home, but cannot end there

Households play an important role in disaster preparedness. Knowing what to do when a warning is issued, protecting essential supplies, planning where to go during a flood and taking steps to safeguard water and livelihoods can all help reduce risk. 

But households cannot prepare for every threat on their own. They need timely and accessible warnings, reliable information, safe infrastructure, and essential services. Communities also need trained responders, functioning local systems and the resources to act when risks increase. 

Building resilience therefore requires collective action. The IFRC Africa Regional Office works with National Societies to strengthen coordination, identify readiness gaps and improve operational preparedness, helping ensure volunteers, supplies, logistics and early action mechanisms are in place as risks evolve. This support helps National Societies prepare for different scenarios and respond quickly when communities need assistance. 

Early action cannot prevent floods or droughts, and forecasts cannot remove all uncertainty. But acting on credible warnings can help reduce avoidable losses, protect livelihoods and ensure assistance reaches people before their options narrow. 

Acting on what we know 

Preparedness must continue as forecasts evolve and conditions change. It means listening to communities, monitoring local risks and adapting plans as new information becomes available. 

In Karamoja, the drying up of Kobebe Dam shows what resilience means for communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on access to water and pasture. When these resources disappear, families need the support and means to protect their livelihoods and cope with growing pressures. Resilience starts at home, but it depends on communities having access to information, support and resources to face the challenges ahead. 

Across Africa, the risks ahead are varied, and communities will not experience El Niño in the same way. What they share is the need for timely information, practical support and the opportunity to act before conditions deteriorate further. 

 We cannot control the weather. But we can act on what we know. 

Resilience starts at home. Preparedness helps make it possible.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).