Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

Senegal has once again emerged as the overall champion of the 14th edition of the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament (TOLAC 14), concluding a thrilling three-day competition at the Serrekunda East Mini Football Stadium in The Gambia.

In a fiercely contested final, the Senegalese team, fondly known as the Lions defeated Nigeria 3–2 to retain their title as West African champions. The victory secured Senegal the championship trophy, gold medals, and a grand prize of $10,000. Nigeria finished in second place with $6,000, while host nation The Gambia claimed third place with a prize of $3,000 in the team category.

The tournament featured high-level competition across multiple weight categories, showcasing the strength and diversity of traditional wrestling across the region. In the Individual Competition Highlights, in the women’s 66kg category, Ebipaté Mughengofa (Nigeria) claimed gold, while Bakayoko Nogona (Côte d’Ivoire) secured silver, and Safiétou Goudiaby (Senegal) took bronze. While in the 76kg category, gold went to Youin Amy (Côte d’Ivoire), silver to Biogos Ebi (Nigeria), and bronze to Khady Diandy Badji (Senegal).

The men’s categories were dominated by Senegal. In the 86kg category, Mbaye Diop (Senegal) secured gold, followed by Boni Iliassou (Benin) with silver, and Moro Ibrahim (Ghana) with bronze. In the 100kg division, Siny Sembene (Senegal) took gold, Babacar Mboge (Gambia) won silver, and Ballo Alexis (Côte d’Ivoire) earned bronze. In the heavyweight 120kg category, Ngagne Sene (Senegal) claimed gold, while Fuseini Issah (Ghana) took silver and Arices Djiame (Gambia) secured bronze.

Prize money for individual categories ranged from $1,000 for bronze medalists, $1,500 for silver, and $2,500 for gold winners.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the tournament.

He extended special gratitude to President H.E. Adama Barrow for facilitating The Gambia’s hosting of the event, and to Bakarie Y. Badjie the Gambian Minister for Youth and Sports development, for his commitment and excellent collaboration.

Dr. Njoaguani also commended the 11 participating countries, wrestling federations, athletes, and supporters for their contributions, noting that their involvement continues to sustain the TOLAC tradition.

“The competition reflects ECOWAS’ continued commitment to promoting African cultural values, fostering social cohesion, and strengthening unity among member states through sport as a tool for diplomacy and cooperation,” he stated.

In a symbolic closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Gambian National Sports Council officially handed over the hosting baton to his counterpart from Côte d’Ivoire, confirming that the next edition of the tournament, TOLAC 15, will be hosted in Côte d’Ivoire in 2027.

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

Source: APO

.

Eritrean nationals residing in Luxembourg and Germany have celebrated the 35th Independence Day anniversary with patriotic zeal under the theme “Our Resilience: Our Guarantee.”

At the celebratory event in Luxembourg on 16 May, Mr. Russom Habtai, representing the Eritrean community, congratulated the Eritrean people and its Defense Forces, and called on the Eritrean community to strengthen its organizational capacity and contribution to national development drives.

Noting that the Eritrean people have ensured their independence and national sovereignty in unison by foiling all sorts of hostilities, Mr. Michael Tesfay, First Secretary at the Eritrean Embassy in Belgium, said that the colorful celebratory event attested to that.

Eritrean nationals in the German cities of Stuttgart, Kassel, Cologne, and Ulm enthusiastically celebrated the 35th Independence Day anniversary under the theme “Our Resilience: Our Guarantee.”

At the event in Stuttgart, Mr. Yohannes Woldu, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy, congratulated the Eritrean people and its Defense Forces, and said that the contribution Diaspora nationals are making to national development programs attests to their commitment and love of country.

At the celebratory event in Kassel, Mr. Kibreab Tekeste, Eritrea’s Consul General in Frankfurt, delivered a message of congratulations.

Similarly, nationals in Stockholm, Sweden, celebrated the 35th Independence Day anniversary with patriotic zeal, featuring sports and general knowledge competitions as well as cultural programs.

Nationals in the Norwegian city of Trondheim and its environs also enthusiastically celebrated the 35th Independence Day anniversary, featuring various programs.

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

Source: APO

.

Progressing through his official engagements on La Digue, President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, made his fifth stop on the island with visits to the District Administration Office and the island’s library.

At the District Administration Office, discussions focused on matters relating to community services and the daily needs of residents as the President continued his engagements with public institutions and stakeholders.

Continuing his programme, President Herminie also toured the island’s library in the spirit of cultivating active learning and enhancing knowledge among young people and the wider community.

During the visit, staff members highlighted concerns regarding the limited size of the facility, explaining that the library regularly accommodates a large number of students and children despite restricted space capacity.

Discussions centred on the growing demand for educational and reading spaces on La Digue and the importance of providing an environment conducive to learning, literacy, and personal development.

President Herminie took note of the concerns raised and acknowledged the significant role libraries continue to play in supporting education and lifelong learning within communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ali Nafti. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Chargé d’Affaires at the Tunisian embassy in Cairo Doha Al-Showeikh, and Director General of Bilateral Relations with Arab Countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Samir Mansar.

The President welcomed Mr. Nafti and asked for his greetings to be conveyed to Tunisian President Kais Saied, stressing that Egypt highly values the distinguished relations it shares with Tunisia at both the official and popular levels. This is in addition to the need to strengthen cooperation across all fields and implement the recommendations of the 18th session of the Joint Higher Committee, held in Cairo in September 2025.

Mr. Nafti expressed his appreciation to the President, and conveyed the greetings of President Saied, stressing Tunisia’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties, economic cooperation and political coordination with Egypt, noting the distinguished level of consultation between the two countries. Mr. Nafti also conveyed the invitation of the Tunisian President to President El-Sisi to visit Tunisia at the earliest opportunity.

The Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the meeting touched on the regional situation and the need to intensify consultation, coordination, and cooperation to preserve the stability and sovereignty of Arab states and safeguard the resources of their people. The President stressed the important role of neighboring countries in ensuring the stability and unity of Libya, underscoring the importance of the continued operation of the tripartite mechanism among Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria

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

Source: APO

.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcome the announcement by the Government of the Republic of Togo, under the leadership of H.E. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, regarding measures to facilitate visa-free entry for all nationals of African States holding valid passports, as announced by the Minister of Security on 18 May 2026.

The announcement was made in Lomé on the sidelines of Biashara Afrika 2026, the continent’s premier trade and business platform, which has brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, investors, and stakeholders from across Africa to advance dialogue on intra-African trade, investment, and regional integration.

Throughout the engagements, participants underscored the importance of facilitating the movement of African citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors as an important enabler of intra-African trade and economic cooperation. Against this backdrop, the announcement reflects the growing continental momentum towards strengthening connectivity and deepening African integration.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank, to which Togo is a State Party and a Member State, envision a continent where goods, services, capital, and people move more freely across borders in support of an integrated African market. Measures that facilitate mobility and connectivity continue to contribute towards advancing the broader mandate of both institutions; the attainment of the aspirations of Agenda 2063.

The AfCFTA Secretariat and Afreximbank commend the Government and people of the Republic of Togo for hosting Biashara Afrika 2026 and for their continued commitment to advancing Africa’s economic integration agenda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.