Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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Sierra Leone has officially acceded to the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention) in a high-level ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing commitment to sustainable water governance at both the national and regional level.   

The country now joins a growing group of West African nations that have acceded to the UN Water Convention— including Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo — and who are aligning their water governance with international standards and embracing cooperative approaches to shared basin management. The Water Convention counts now 57 Parties with 13 from Africa. 

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, stated “Sierra Leone’s accession to the UN Water Convention, under the astute leadership of His Excellency the President, Retired Brigadier Dr Julius Maada Bio,  will further enhance transboundary water cooperation, reduce the risk of conflict over shared water resources, foster peaceful cooperation and deepen economic cooperation within the Mano River Union.” 

UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean stated “Sierra Leone’s accession to the UN Water Convention further consolidates the strong momentum for water cooperation in Africa, where over 90% of freshwater is in shared basins. I welcome this important step and encourage all countries sharing water with neighbouring states to harness the UN Water Convention for cooperation to strengthen peace, security, climate change adaptation and sustainable development”. 

As climate change intensifies its impact on water availability across West Africa and brings greater unpredictability in rainfall patterns, longer dry seasons, and increased competition for water, Sierra Leone’s accession sends a clear signal of leadership and readiness to work with its neighbours for shared solutions. With a population of over 8.6 million people, Sierra Leone is located at the center of a hydrologically interconnected region in West Africa. The country shares several transboundary water basins — including the Moa, Great and Little Scarcies, and Mano River basins — with neighboring countries Guinea and Liberia. These shared rivers are not only critical sources of freshwater but also play a vital role in supporting livelihoods, food security, hydropower generation, and ecosystem services for millions.  

Recognizing the importance of these shared water resources, Sierra Leone’s accession to the UN Water Convention seeks to enhance its institutional and technical capacity to manage its rivers more effectively. It also reflects a broader goal to reduce the risk of water-related conflicts, foster regional cooperation, and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the face of mounting pressures from climate change and population growth.  

According to the 3rd global cycle of national reporting on SDG Indicator 6.5.2 (2024) measuring transboundary water cooperation, for which UNECE and UNESCO are co-custodians, 64 transboundary rivers, lakes and aquifers are situated across Africa. This makes transboundary water cooperation a must across the continent to adapt to climate change, prevent conflict and ensure the protection of shared water resources.    

Sierra Leone has been engaging in Convention activities since 2022, taking part in activities aimed at building awareness, knowledge, and national readiness. A major milestone in this process was the National Workshop held in January 2024, which brought together stakeholders, including representatives from government ministries, local transboundary water committees, parliament, regional organizations, academia, and civil society. 

This detailed the obligations and benefits of joining the Convention and emphasizing the critical role of transboundary water cooperation in supporting biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, and climate change resilience.

– on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Source: APO – Report:

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• The Tanzanian government has intensified political repression, raising grave concerns that the general elections scheduled for October 29, 2025, will be free and fair.
• The authorities have suppressed the political opposition and critics of the ruling party, stifled the media, and failed to ensure the electoral commission’s independence.
• The authorities need to stop muzzling dissenting voices and the media, and instead engage in meaningful reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

The Tanzanian government has intensified political repression, raising grave concerns that the general elections scheduled for October 29, 2025, will be free and fair, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities have suppressed political opposition and critics of the ruling party, stifled the media, and failed to ensure the electoral commission’s independence.

“Tanzania’s authorities should take immediate measures to protect the integrity of the October elections, which are currently at great risk,” said Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities need to stop muzzling dissenting voices and the media, and instead engage in meaningful reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections.”

From July to September 2025, Human Rights Watch interviewed remotely or in person 24 civil society activists, lawyers, religious leaders, academics, journalists, and opposition party members, including 8 victims of abuses, from mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Human Rights Watch wrote to the Tanzanian Police Force, Independent National Electoral Commission, Communications Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 19 to present the research and to ask for information on the allegations, but has not received any response at the time of publication.

“The right to life of people who have different opinions from the government is endangered,” a religious leader who said he was assaulted for his activism, told Human Rights Watch. “People should be able to criticize the government. It should not endanger their lives. Abductions, disappearances, and some killings which cannot be explained. And you cannot get an explanation from the government.”

Human Rights Watch documented 10 cases of politically motivated assault, harassment, abduction, and torture, and the impact of extensive restrictions on traditional and social media.

In one case, on May 2, unidentified individuals beat and abducted the prominent opposition party activist Mpaluka Nyagali, known as Mdude, from his residence in Mbeya, in southwestern Tanzania, his wife told the media. The Mbeya High Court dismissed the wife’s habeas corpus petition on July 9, and Mdude’s whereabouts remain unknown. The police denied involvement in his abduction.

On June 16, in Dar es Salaam, unidentified assailants beat Japhet Matarra, a frequent critic of the government on X (formerly known as Twitter), with a metal bar until he lost consciousness. A credible source told Human Rights Watch that while he awaited surgery at a hospital, people dressed as doctors entered his room and attacked him. He shouted at them and they fled. Photographs seen by Human Rights Watch show injuries to his jaw, and more than a month after the attack, he still had difficulty speaking.

Human Rights Watch research corroborated findings of Tanzanian human rights organizations. The Legal and Human Rights Centre documented about 100 cases of abductions and enforced disappearances between 2015 and February 2025. The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition recorded 48 attacks on human rights defenders, activists, and others in 2024.

In June the police responded to the growing number of missing people by issuing a statement listing those they alleged had orchestrated their own kidnappings. The list excluded high-profile cases of opposition and civil society members, reinforcing concerns about the credibility and impartiality of government investigations.

The government has also repressed opposition parties and their members. In April, the authorities arrested Tundu Lissu, the leader of the main opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), during a rally. He has been on trial on fabricated charges, including treason, which is non-bailable and carries the death penalty. A Chadema official attending Lissu’s trial said, “On a number of occasions, especially when I go to attend the court sessions of our national chairman, I am harassed: they stop you from accessing court premises, they beat you.”

Another opposition party member said: “I don’t feel safe being a politician in Tanzania. I don’t feel free to criticize the government … [W]e find ourselves under constant attack by the police.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, despite its name is appointed by the president and its decisions cannot be challenged in court, barred Chadema from the elections for not signing the controversial electoral code of conduct. In June, the High Court then fully suspended Chadema’s political activities over an unrelated dispute. The electoral commission has since blocked the nomination of Luhaga Mpina, the presidential candidate of the opposition Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo).

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s government pledged at the United Nations Human Rights Council in June to uphold human rights and democratic principles throughout the election period. Since then, however, the government has not adopted the needed reforms.

The electoral commission’s banning of opposition political parties and opposition presidential candidates effectively removes competition facing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, Human Rights Watch said.

The government has continued its crackdown on the media in the lead up to elections, restricting the rights to freedom of expression and information, and exerting a chilling effect on media outlets.

In recent months, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, United Nations human rights experts, and the European Parliament have also raised concerns regarding the pre-election environment in Tanzania. The institutions cited repression of rallies and peaceful assemblies, enforced disappearances, torture and arbitrary arrests, restrictions on access to information, and freedom of the media and speech, including blocking access to social media sites.

“The electoral commission’s disqualification of presidential candidates and political parties raises questions as to whether any elections in Tanzanian will reflect the will of voters,” Masiko-Mpaka said. “The government needs to urgently stop repressing the political opposition, impartially investigate attacks and abductions of human rights activists, opposition members, lawyers and religious leaders, and ensure the electoral commission’s independence.”

Harassment, Assaults, Abductions and Torture

Human Rights Watch documented 10 cases in which Tanzanian authorities harassed, assaulted, abducted or tortured human rights activists, opposition party members, lawyers, and religious leaders since mid-2024.

On June 23, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, police arbitrarily arrested Edgar Mwakabela, an activist known as Sativa who has spoken out about shrinking civic and political space in the country. They took him to a police station where they removed his clothes, beat him with iron bars, and deprived him of food, water, and access to the toilet. The next day, they transferred him to a police station in Arusha, in northern Tanzania, and detained him for three days. On June 26, they took him by car and drove for three to four hours, then beat him and abandoned him, unconscious, in Katavi National Park, about 1,300 kilometers east of Dar es Salaam.

The media reported that on September 6, 2024, unidentified armed men abducted Ali Kibao, a Chadema secretariat member and retired military intelligence officer, in Dar es Salaam after two white police Landcruiser vehicles blocked the bus in which he was travelling. His body was found a day later on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Chadema’s then-chairperson told the media that the postmortem indicated that Kibao had been severely beaten and doused with acid. While President Hassan reportedly ordered an investigation into the matter, there have been no arrests for the killing.

A credible source said that on January 12, 2025, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a prominent media owner and critic of President Hassan, was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya. She was blindfolded, handcuffed, and could not see her abductors, who kept asking for the passcode to her phones. During a news conference after her release, Sarungi said, “I’m sure that the reason for the abduction was to get access to my social media and [because of] the whistleblowing job that I do.”

On June 20, ACT-Wazalendo women’s wing chairperson, Janeth Rithe, presented herself to the police after they came to the party’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam looking for her. An ACT-Wazalendo member and media reports indicated she was arrested for saying during a campaign rally that the president was wrong about the state of Tanzania’s economy and that the ruling party was running a police state. The police detained her for over 24 hours, then released her on June 23, without charge.

Religious leaders have also faced attacks after speaking out. On the night of April 30, , unidentified assailants struck Father Charles Kitima, a prominent Catholic priest and government critic, on the head at a conference center in Dar es Salaam. The attack occurred hours after a video circulated in which he called for reforms before elections. He reported the incident to the police, but no one has been arrested.

In June, the government withdrew the registration of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in the country after its founder, Bishop Josephat Gwajima, a parliament member of the ruling CCM party, spoke out against increasing abductions and other human rights violations. The Home Affairs Ministry said these remarks sought to pit the government against its citizens. A human rights activist said: “Bishop Gwajima from CCM made it clear that he is against the kidnappings, and all churches linked to him have been closed down.”

A lawyer said that he had survived three attempted abductions, including two in 2024. During the latest attempt in December, two men in civilian clothes and no identity cards approached him while he was parking at his office and introduced themselves as the police. He fled on foot, but the two men confiscated laptops and documents from his office. He said he was targeted because he brought cases against the government.

A knowledgeable source said police reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that the men who approached him were police but claimed that it was a case of misidentification. During the attempted abduction earlier in 2024, the police also claimed a case of mistaken identity.

Lack of Independence of the National Electoral Commission

In April, the Independent National Electoral Commission banned Chadema from offering candidates in the upcoming election and in by-elections until 2030, reinforcing concerns about the commission’s independence. The commission banned the party because of its refusal to sign a code of conduct by April 12, 2025, although the relevant law, the National Elections Act, does not clearly state the timeline.

The commission’s decision to disqualify ACT-Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, added further concerns. Mpina had previously served as a government minister under former President John Magufuli. The electoral commission’s decision followed the Registrar of Political Party’s ruling that Mpinga’s nomination violated ACT-Wazalendo’s internal rules and procedures. On September 11, the High Court ruled that under the constitution, the commission is not obligated to accept instructions from authorities, and must accept Mpina’s nomination form. While the commission did so on September 13, two days later it announced that it had disqualified Mpina following an objection from the attorney general.

Longstanding concerns about the electoral commission’s independence stem from article 74 of Tanzania’s constitution, which provides for the president to appoint and dismiss commission members, including the chairperson and vice chairperson. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other actors have raised concerns that the courts are not able to consider cases challenging the commission’s decisions under article 74. In February 2024, the parliament passed a set of laws to reform the framework governing elections. However, these did not address presidential appointments of commission members and the domestic courts’ lack of jurisdiction over commission decisions.

Restrictions on the Right to Vote in Zanzibar

Opposition party officials and activists said that thousands of voters in Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous island, have been unable to get identity cards required for voter registration. The cards are essential to access many government services, including registering to vote. Even those who successfully register have trouble getting their cards because the authorities require people to collect them from district offices, whereas previously they were available in their localities.

A human rights defender said: “[I]f the system perceives you as someone voting for the opposition, you do not get a Zanzibari ID. You need someone in local government to sign you off as a resident in that area. The local government official in the area knows you very well. And they know where you come from. If it is a family that traditionally votes for the opposition, you will not get it.”

Restrictions on Media

The Tanzania authorities severely restrict the media. The Cybercrimes Act of 2015, the Electronic and Postal Communications Act of 2022, and the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulation of 2020 give the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) broad discretion to suspend media using vague terms such as “deceptive, misleading, and inaccurate information.”

In October 2024, the communications authority suspended online licenses of three leading newspapers – the Citizen, Mwananchi, and Mwanaspoti – for 30 days after they published an animated clip on increased abductions in the country.

In May, the communications authority shut down over 80,000 websites, social media accounts, blogs, and online platforms for publishing “unethical content that poses a risk to children’s mental health.”

Since May, the government has blocked access to X, claiming that the site promotes pornographic materials. The authorities also restricted access to the social audio app Clubhouse and the Telegram messaging service.

Effective September 6, the communications authority suspendedJamiiForums, a Tanzanian online platform that facilitates public discourse and whistleblowing, for 90 days. The authority said the platform had “published content that misled the public, insulted, and disrespected the government and the President of the United Republic of Tanzania.”

One media owner said that they had received several letters from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority demanding that they take down content.

A journalist who was told twice by the communications authority to remove content, including an article about families whose relatives had been abducted, said: “If the regulator asks you to take down a certain content, you can not do so at your own risk. You can have your license revoked or website taken offline, and people will no longer be able to access it.”

A media owner who fled Tanzania said that he had received several death threats for the social media platform he operates. “I know there are repercussions and that is why I had to flee,” he said. They do not know where I am … I have been told to ‘stay safe’ wherever I am, even by people from the ruling party.” He reported that authorities had phoned his family several times to ask for his whereabouts.

The Chanzo, a digital media outlet in Tanzania that delivers independent public-interest journalism, issued a statement saying they were taking down an article about a May 24 news conference on abductions in Tanzania by Bishop Gwajima after the communications authority issued a directive.

Another journalist said that the authorities informally called media outlets, including his, to remove the bishop’s news conference: “Many took it down but we did not,” he said. “When we failed to do that, they went to the regulatory body [TCRA]. They [people from the state house] are sometimes from the president office. I know they are from there because I know they work there. The TCRA is the big dangerous dog – the pit bull – that they would just unleash on you.”

“If we want to be honest,” said one journalist. “There is no space for independent journalism.”

– on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO – Report:

• Awards celebrate Export Excellence and Innovation across SSA
• Recognising the role of SMEs in growing regional economies

DHL (www.DHL.com) is proud to announce the inaugural launch of the DHL Exporters of the Year Awards across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region, highlighting the crucial role they play in driving market growth, economic development, and promoting best practices within the international trade community.

The DHL Exporter of the Year awards are built on DHL’s wider commitment to SME growth through its GoTrade program, where the company uses its network and global leadership to help entrepreneurs overcome barriers such as access to training, finance, logistics, as well as ICT.

The awards are open to SMEs that are formally registered within their country across the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Eligible companies must have 25 or fewer full-time employees, actively trade goods and products cross-border for at least 12 months, sustainably operate their business and demonstrate compliance with international trade regulations.

‘We know that SMEs are the backbone of societies and the driving force behind sustainable economic growth. This is why we are excited to launch these awards under the banner of our DHL GoTrade program, where we advocate for sustainable SME trade across markets and industries. We aim to use these awards as a platform to celebrate our SMEs, promote the incredible work they do and use our voice to advocate for their sustainable participation in the global marketplace, said Hennie Heymans, DHL Express CEO Sub-Saharan Africa.

The DHL Exporters of the Year Awards will feature three distinct categories:

ESG Excellence Exporter Award: This award honours exporters who demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainable environmental practices, ethical governance, and social responsibility in their operations.

Women Exporter of the Year Award: This category recognises women exporters who show exceptional leadership, innovation, and success in expanding their businesses into global markets.

Global Expansion Exporter Award: This category celebrates excellence in international trade expansion and recognises SMEs that have experienced significant growth as a result of their increased participation in global trade.

Winners will receive a cash award of 4,000 Euros per category. In addition, winners will be recognised at a special ceremony at DHL’s Innovation Centre in Dubai, where they will have the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and gain business insights from DHL’s global experts and partners.

‘The Exporters of the Year Awards are our way of showcasing the important role that SMEs play in international trade because as SMEs grow, economies grow, and the lives of people in societies are improved. This is a clear reinforcement of DHL’s commitment to Connect People and Improve Lives,’ said Heymans.

Entries for the awards are open and will close on October 30, 2025.

To enter the awards, click here (https://apo-opa.co/4nthhjL).

– on behalf of DHL Express.

Media Contact:
DHL Express SSA
Lerato Moeletsi-Banda
Phone: +27 71 352 3300
E-mail: lerato.moeletsi-banda@dhl.com

Follow us at:
DHL Africa (https://apo-opa.co/46pUKOK)

About GoTrade:
GoTrade is a specialised program where DHL collaborates with different public and private sector partners to address common challenges faced by SME and to advocate for sustainable SME trade globally.  The GoTrade program leverages DHL’s international network, knowledge, and expertise to facilitate trade and connect SMEs across the world with growth opportunities. Through Capacity Building and Trade Advocacy, the GoTrade program empowers small businesses to sustainably participate in the global marketplace and drive economic growth of countries where they operate.

DHL – The logistics company for the world:
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialised solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”. DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

Source: APO – Report:

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Eastern African exports are demonstrating remarkable resilience amid global trade turbulence, defying expectations of decline following sweeping US tariffs and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Recent data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) reveals that several countries in the region have not just weathered the storm but have significantly expanded their exports.

Surging exports to the United States

Despite the introduction of broad US tariffs in April 2025 – part of the “Liberation Day” package imposing up to 30 percent duties on major Asian exporters – countries in Eastern Africa have seen a surprising uptick in exports to the US. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) led the charge with its exports to the United States increasing by more than a billion between April and July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Ethiopia and Kenya also posted large increases in exports to the US, with a rise of 95 percent and 22 percent, respectively. These gains are largely attributable to trade diversion effects, combined with strong demand in the US for Eastern African commodities  – although the region was also hit by tariffs, the tariffs imposed on other leading exporters to the US market were much higher – 30% in the case of China, vis-à-vis just 10% for the Ethiopia and Kenya, for instance. Meanwhile, Chinese exports to the United States are down 35.6% in the year to July 2025, compared with the previous year.

Intra-African trade gains momentum

Regional trade is also on the rise. In 2024, total trade within the East African Community (EAC) surpassed for the first time $11 billion, marking a 22 percent increase from 2023. Intra-African trade grew by 8.5 percent, far outpacing the 0.4 percent growth in exports to markets outside the continent. Agricultural produce and manufactured goods such as textiles, chemicals, cement, and pharmaceuticals, are driving this growth, high- lighting the potential of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Commodity boom fuels export growth

The region’s export performance has been buoyed by increases in key global commodity prices. Gold prices rose by over 60 percent between January 2024 and July 2025, while coffee prices nearly doubled. Tanzania and Uganda, both major gold producers, capitalised on this trend, with Uganda also benefiting from strong exports of coffee, tea, fish, and flowers. Kenya’s tea exports hit a record $1.7 billion in 2024, up from $1.4 billion the previous year.

Structural challenges persist

Despite these successes, the region faces significant structural vulnerabilities. Mineral exports now dominate the trade landscape, with minerals now accounting for 53% of all Eastern African exports. Meanwhile, the share of manufacturing in exports has declined steadily, falling to just 17.5 percent in 2024.

Policy responses and infrastructure investments

Governments across Eastern Africa are responding with strategic initiatives to bolster trade. In September, Kenya launched Phase II of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, while Tanzania has recently completed the expansion of Tanga Port and initiated agricultural export corridors. In September, Uganda a bilateral agreement with Kenya to eliminate non-tariff barriers. On its part, Rwanda is developing Rusizi Port to enhance regional logistics, and Ethiopia is upgrading the Moyale One-Stop Border Post and expanding industrial parks.

Looking ahead

As the future of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) remains uncertain, Eastern Africa must prepare for a post-AGOA landscape by diversifying export markets and strengthening intra-African trade. The region’s recent performance offers a blueprint for resilience, but long-term competitiveness will depend on reducing reliance on commodities, revitalising manufacturing, and deepening regional integration.

The subregional office for East Africa of UNECA serves 14 countries: Burundi, Comores, RD Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.  

– on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Source: APO – Report:

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H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, participated in the Board of Directors meeting of the UN Generation Unlimited initiative, held alongside the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

In her remarks, Dr. Al-Mashat stressed that Egypt places youth at the center of its development strategy, recognizing that investment in human capital is the foundation for economic resilience and sustainable growth.

The Minister highlighted that 2025 marks 80 years since the establishment of the Egypt–UN partnership, a historic milestone that reflects a development model built on investing in people as the main driver of progress. Over these decades, Egypt and the UN, with the support of bilateral partners, have carried out numerous development projects across different sectors.

Al-Mashat reviewed the progress made under the “Shabab Balad” initiative, Egypt’s version of Generation Unlimited, launched in 2022. She noted that the initiative has become a national model and is now embedded within development strategies and the national narrative for economic growth.

The Minister added that the initiative has already had a tangible impact, including the establishment of the Shabab Balad Academy headquarters and significant contributions from the private sector. This, she said, demonstrates the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing education, employment, and entrepreneurship pathways for youth.

She further explained that the “Shabab Balad” platform has become a hub for multi-stakeholder cooperation, bringing together the private sector, civil society, and young people themselves as decision-makers—enhancing inclusivity and sustainability in outcomes.

On future financing, Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that the global financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals exceeds $4 trillion annually. This, she stressed, requires innovative solutions that go beyond traditional development financing. Egypt, she explained, has adopted the National Integrated Financing Strategy and advanced innovative tools such as blended finance and debt swaps as scalable mechanisms to bridge financing gaps.

She also emphasized the importance of investing in digital skills and artificial intelligence, and in expanding green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth—especially young women—to ensure their leading role in development efforts.

Dr. Al-Mashat concluded by reaffirming Egypt’s strong commitment to multilateralism, and to continuing its partnership with the United Nations and Generation Unlimited to provide real pathways for youth from education to employment, thereby securing a more sustainable future for coming generations.

It is worth noting that the Generation Unlimited initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General during the UN General Assembly in 2018. It is a pioneering global partnership that brings together the public and private sectors with youth, aiming to empower 1.8 billion young people worldwide by connecting them to opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, employment, and civic engagement.

– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

Source: APO – Report:

The Eighth East African Youth Parliament concluded in Arusha with impassioned calls for courage, humility, unity and meaningful action as the region’s young leaders debated their role in advancing integration, governance, and peace across the Community.

The two-day sitting, held on 26 and 27 September 2025 under the theme “Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond,” brought together 80 delegates from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) hosted at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

The Clerk of EALA, Alex Obatre opened the session with a challenge to delegates to go beyond speeches and symbolism, urging them to ensure that their debates produce formal communiqués that could be tracked and acted upon by national parliaments and  EALA itself. 
“You have set yourselves goals. You are going to debate this. You come up with proposals. Where will those proposals end?” he asked. 
“I urge that we move from debates to communiqués, and these communiqués are followed up to parliaments and to EALA… What standardised documents can we have out of these eight parliaments which we can simultaneously present to all our parliaments?”

He emphasised that such communiqués would be vital to measure the Youth Parliament’s influence on regional policy, adding that, ‘in that way, we shall be able to track whether our resolutions are sinking down, finding their way onto the agenda of national parliaments’.”

Erik van der Zanden of the Sankara Peace Foundation urged delegates to embrace leadership rooted in courage and humility.
“The most important quality of any leader is courage. But courage without humility will lead to destruction. If we train ourselves to be humble and courageous, it is destiny for us that we become great leaders,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Akina Mama Wa Africa (AMwA), Stella Nansamba reminded participants that meaningful inclusion is not charity but justice. “Effective youth participation is about creating opportunities for young people to influence, shape, design and contribute to policy. Womens’ and youths meaningful participation ensures accountability, strengthens democracy and builds resilience in societies facing multiple crises,” she said. 
Elijah Tipango of the East African Youth Network reminded delegates of their responsibility, warning them against treating the sitting as symbolic.
“We gather here not as representatives of our nations, but as custodians of our shared dream. You are not here just for pictures. We are not the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today… Any table without a youth, we shall bring this table,” he declared.

David Ivan Masajjage, the Assistant Director Communications and Public Affairs at the Parliament of Uganda asked the youths to take advantage of the opportunities they have like the Youth Parliament to transform their lives.

Other speakers echoed the call for urgency. Philip Nabyama of the Parliament of Uganda urged the youth to embrace their legislative mandate, while Edmund Akoto of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Ghana quipped that eloquence alone was meaningless.

Representing Faraja Africa Foundation, Joseph Munyangabo reminded the delegates that youth power must be exercised responsibly, urging them to speak with substance, lead with courage, debate with integrity and legislate with vision.
The Youth Parliament quickly moved into substantive business and adopted several key motions.

The first, introduced by Uganda’s Ivan Ahurra and seconded by Ivan Lakisa, called on East African Community (EAC) member states to safeguard the digital rights of young people, citing violations of freedom of expression, social media shutdowns, and high roaming charges.

The second, tabled by Jean Felix Rugongo of Rwanda, urged the Community to operationalise youth inclusion in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

A motion was adopted calling on the Community to promote inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents and young people, with a strong commitment to removing barriers to access.

Another motion was passed urging the Community to strengthen education systems across partner states to ensure quality, equity, and broader opportunities for learners.

The House also adopted a motion on increasing youth participation in economic development and governance, recognizing the central role of young people in shaping the region’s future.

Finally, a motion was endorsed to enhance peace, security, and youth-led cross-border cooperation in support of deeper regional integration and free movement.

Closing the session, Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana urged the youth to claim their space in shaping the region’s future but to do so wisely. 
“You still have a long way to go… If you do not stand up, if you do not address issues, you get nothing from me,” he said.

Reflecting on decades of political life, he noted how many leaders cling to power until old age. “Some are 90s, 100. Some cannot even move, but it’s a fact to stay there,” he observed.

He cautioned against reckless action, instead urging careful strategy. 
“Please… fight, but in the way that you should remain alive… Use your mind, your brain,” he said.

Ending his address on a hopeful note, the Speaker added, ‘we love you. We want you to grow up and to replace us. And we always open our doors to you’.

The East African Youth Parliament, established in 2017, continues to provide a platform for young leaders across the region to shape the future of integration.

It has grown into a recognised space for amplifying youth voices on governance, peace and development.

This year’s sitting was supported by the Faraja Africa Foundation, the Parliament of Uganda, EALA, AMwA and other partners.

As delegates departed Arusha, they carried the challenge set before them to ensure that their unity, resolutions and energy translate into concrete action across East Africa.
 

– on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.