Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) strongly condemns Al-Shabaab’s terrorist attack on the National Intelligence and Security Agency-controlled prison facility in Mogadishu on Saturday.

“The cowardly attack on the NISA-controlled facility is another proof of Al Shabaab’s single aim of disrupting peace and stability in the capital, Mogadishu, and its environs to deny residents the much-needed peace, security and stability,” said the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene. “This attack once again demonstrates the group’s utter disregard for human life and its attempts to reverse the hard-won gains in peace and security.”

AUSSOM commends the Somali Security Forces (SSF) for the swift response in repelling Al-Shabaab militants and minimizing fatalities in the heinous attack. The Mission also praises the medical personnel who attended to the injured for their dedication and professionalism.

Ambassador Diene extends his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wished a quick recovery to those injured in the attack.

AUSSOM remains committed to working closely with the federal government and Somali Security Forces in the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab and other illegal armed groups.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Source: APO

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The 16th sports competitions of the Eritrean Defense Forces, which had been underway since 1 September in Keren, concluded on 4 October.

The competitions included seven types of sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and athletics, featuring both male and female participants. Benifer Club emerged as the overall winner of the competition.

Outstanding players and exemplary coaches were awarded by various dignitaries.

The closing ceremony was attended by Ms. Askalu Menkorios, Minister of Tourism; Maj. Gen. Asmerom Gerezgihier, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics of the Ministry of Defense; Brig. Gen. Tekle Libsu, Commander of the Popular Force; army commanders; and invited guests.

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

Source: APO

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Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, chaired a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces at the Egyptian Military Entity (El Kayan) in the New Administrative Capital, as part of celebrations in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Armed Forces marking the 52nd anniversary of the glorious October 6th victories. 

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the President began the meeting by extending greetings to the great Egyptian people and the valiant members of the Armed Forces on the anniversary of the October War Victory. 

The President lauded the Armed Forces for their ongoing efforts to strengthen the pillars of security and stability across all strategic directions. The meeting also discussed a number of issues in light of the regional and international developments and their connection to Egyptian national security.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Abdel Mageed Saqr, offered an overview of a number of topics related to the Armed Forces’ duties, including their role in protecting the state’s borders, in addition to the cooperation with all ministries and institutions to foster Egypt’s sustainable development plans across all sectors.

The President paid tribute to the righteous martyrs of the nation, emphasizing that the spirit of the October Victory will remain firmly rooted in the conscience of the Egyptian people for generations to come. 

President El-Sisi stressed that the prosperity the country enjoys today would not have been achieved without the sacrifices of the heroes of the Crossing epic, who manifested the highest forms of selflessness for the dignity and pride of the homeland.

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

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS Commission on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October 2025, hosted the Youth Creative Conference 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The Conference organised in partnership with the African Union and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development was under the theme: “Silencing the Guns.” The two-day youth-led conference brought together thousands of young leaders, innovators, peacebuilders, and policymakers from across Africa to advance the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative and promote sustainable peace through non-kinetic approaches.

Delivering the goodwill message, Mr. Piex Joseph AHOBA, Head of Small Arms, ECOWAS Commission on behalf of Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, underscored the central role of the youth in the regional and continental peace and security agenda. “Our greatest resource is our youth, with over 60% of West Africa’s population under the age of 25, young people are not only the future but also the present drivers of peace, democracy, and sustainable development,” he emphasized. Highlighting ECOWAS’ ongoing youth empowerment programs, including the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYDC) and various youth-led peacebuilding initiatives, he called on young people to be “leaders of today,” noting that “Silencing the Guns is not just about disarmament, it is about building societies where justice, equality, and opportunity prevail.” He further urged governments, civil society, and development partners to harness the talents of young innovators, entrepreneurs, and activists in addressing root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, marginalization, and lack of access to education.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, and Special Guest of Honor commended Nigeria and ECOWAS for their steadfast commitment to peacebuilding. He stressed the importance of youth as indispensable actors in conflict prevention and reconciliation: “The goal of silencing the guns by 2030 is unattainable without the full, active, and meaningful participation of Africa’s youth. Africa is the most youthful continent in the world, and this demographic is not a challenge to be managed but a strategic asset to be harnessed.” He highlighted youth-led peace initiatives across Africa from intercommunal mediation in South Sudan to digital counter-extremism in Somalia as living demonstrations of the power of youth in building sustainable peace.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Honorable Minister of Budget, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu commended the African Union and ECOWAS for their steadfast partnership in advancing peace and stability. He described the Youth Creative Conference (YCC) as an imaginative and noble course that galvanizes action, particularly by empowering young people to contribute to the restoration of peace in Nigeria and across Africa. At the continental level, he emphasized that “we need to build peace, and we need our youth to help in silencing the guns” for silencing the guns implies ending their misuse for purposes other than peacekeeping. Reflecting on the past three decades of Africa’s evolution, he urged young people to confront false narratives, amplify their voices to wider audiences and embrace their unique experiences as essential assets in shaping the future and achieving what past generations may have missed.

Speaking on behalf of the organizing team, the Convener of the Youth Creative Conference, Amb. Blaise – Kizito Ndukwe expressed gratitude to ECOWAS, the AU and Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development for their partnership in advancing this youth-driven agenda. He recalled the challenging journey of establishing YCC, sharing achievements including skills training, mentorship programs, and youth empowerment initiatives across several Nigerian states. “Today, I’m proud to announce that the African Union has adopted YCC as an AU-recognized youth platform, a homegrown Nigerian initiative founded by a typical village boy that has become a continental model for youth-led peacebuilding,” he declared. He also called on the Federal Government, African Union, and ECOWAS to deepen collaboration with YCC in scaling its programs across Nigeria and the region, including the creation of a sub-regional youth observatory on peace and security. He urged African youth to remain steadfast: “Tomorrow is indeed now, and together, we will shape a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.”

As a continental movement, YCC continues to call on governments, civil society, private sector, and international partners to invest in Africa’s young peacebuilders, transforming potential frustration into productive innovation.

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

Source: APO

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This morning, as part of Egypt’s and the Armed Forces’ celebrations of the 52nd anniversary of the glorious 6th of October Victories, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi laid a wreath on the Memorial of the Armed Forces’ Martyrs and the tomb of late President Anwar El-Sadat in Nasr City.

Upon his arrival at the memorial, the President was received by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Abdel Mageed Saqr, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, along with the commanders of the main branches of the Armed Forces and the Commander of the Central Military Region.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the President laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the military band played the “Martyr’s Salute” in tribute to the souls of Egypt’s noble martyrs, embodying the meanings of loyalty and appreciation for their eternal sacrifices. Then President El-Sisi greeted a number of veteran commanders of the October War.

The President also laid a wreath on the tomb of late President Mohamed Anwar El Sadat, and greeted members of the late President’s family, military commanders and a number of senior officials.

Later, President El-Sisi, accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Minister of Defense and Military Production, General Abdel Mageed Saqr, visited the mausoleum of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, where he was received by a number of the late President’s family members. President El-Sisi laid a wreath on the mausoleum, and greeted members of the late President’s family.

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