Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

Women queue at water points in the Al-Safa camps in Abu Jubayhah locality, South Kordofan state, Sudan. Jerrycans surround them, waiting to be filled. Until recently, getting water meant walking at least three kilometres.

This daily scene is part of a wider reality in Abu Jubayhah, which has become one of the main areas hosting displaced people in South Kordofan. Some live in camps such as Al-Safa, while many others have settled within the host community.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 57,880 displaced people are living across 62 locations in Abu Jubayhah, making it the second-largest hosting locality in South Kordofan, after Kadugli. Local authorities estimate the true number to be higher.

The scale of displacement may not be immediately visible in Abu Jubayhah town, but the conditions in the camps near the town centre tell a different story.

“When you go to the camps, you see the conditions people are living in,” says Ayşe Bilge Öztürk, MSF project coordinator in Abu Jubayhah.

Families live in temporary and semi-permanent shelters, including fabric tents and straw structures covered with plastic, as well as some concrete structures. Some tents are as small as 10 square metres, leaving little space for daily life. Many of the displaced people are women and children.

“The support available has not kept pace with the number of people who have arrived or the length of time they have been displaced,” says Öztürk.

Water: One of the first needs

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) began our response in Abu Jubayhah in June 2026. Providing water in the three Al-Safa camps were among our first priorities.

At first, water was brought to the camps by truck while teams worked to establish a more sustainable water source. This included drilling a borehole, laying a water network and installing a solar-powered water pump. Teams also repaired latrines and provided cleaning materials.

Since we began this activity, MSF has provided more than one million litres of water to the community. Families in the camps depend on this water.

Aisha Ahmed first stayed in a school after being displaced before moving to Al-Safa camps. She remembers water as one of their most urgent needs at the time.

“Sometimes we would go a whole week without water,” Aisha says. “Now, after MSF drilled the borehole and extended the network, water is available 24 hours a day.”

Smiling, Aisha describes how she feels about the change: “I am happy. Now the water is there whenever we need it.”

For Aisha and other displaced people living in the camps, the change was not only about having water available. It also meant no longer having to go so far to collect it. Previously, people had to walk at least three kilometres each day to reach a water source.

Bringing healthcare closer to people

Water is only one of the needs displaced families have.

During one visit to the Al-Safa camps, an MSF team met a mother whose daughter was suffering from severe diarrhoea and needed urgent medical care. The team assessed the child and referred her to Abu Jubayhah hospital. Cases like this show how living conditions and health needs can become closely connected for families in the camps.

As teams identified more health needs, they began testing for and treating malaria in Al-Safa camp. Soon, however, patients were arriving with other health conditions, leading us to broaden our medical activities.

At the reception area for newly displaced people in Abu Jubayhah, MSF teams established a clinic. They screen new arrivals for malaria, malnutrition, and maternal health and general health conditions, and refer those who need immediate medical attention. 

MSF also provided logistical support to a multi-antigen catch-up vaccination campaign led by the Ministry of Health, which included measles, rubella, polio, and yellow fever vaccines, alongside other routine vaccinations. Many displaced people also live within the host community and rely on the same basic services.

At Abu Jubayhah General hospital, MSF is strengthening the emergency department through rehabilitation, equipment, medicines, and other essential supplies, while access to more specialised care remains limited.

Rainy season

The rainy season brings further challenges, as unpaved roads make it harder for people to move around and for teams and supplies to reach some locations.

Despite these challenges, something fundamental has changed in daily life in the Al-Safa camps — water is now closer and more reliably available.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

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Dr. Al Zayani welcomed the Ambassador and affirmed the strong fraternal relations between Bahrain and Algeria, as well as the Kingdom’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in support of their shared interests. He wished the Ambassador success in his diplomatic duties.

Ambassador Amini expressed his pride in representing Algeria in Bahrain and affirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries and people.

The meeting was attended by Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director-General of Bilateral Relations; Ambassador Salah Mohammed Shehab, Chief of Protocol; and Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Al Tarifi, Chief of Arab and African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Source: APO

‘Justice must not depend on who you are, whom you know, or the position you hold’ — President Herminie

Mr Divino Junior Sabino was officially sworn in as the new Attorney General this afternoon at State House, in the presence of President Dr Patrick Herminie, Chief Justice Mr Rony Govinden, Leader of Government Business Honourable Sylvanne Lemiel, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Egbert Aglae.

Mr Sabino has built a career spanning over two decades in the legal profession. His professional experience encompasses law, arbitration, financial services, regulatory affairs and corporate governance, with affiliations to national and international legal and arbitration institutions.

He has held several senior leadership and advisory roles across regulatory, professional and national institutions, including chairmanship and board-level positions in the financial services, anti-money laundering, media, and cooperative and business sectors.

During the ceremony, Mr Divino Sabino took two oaths: the oath of allegiance and the official oath.

In his remarks, President Dr Patrick Herminie stated firmly that one principle must remain beyond compromise: the law must apply equally to all. He stressed that when a citizen encounters the power of the state, he or she will be treated fairly. ‘Justice must not depend on who you are, whom you know, or the position you hold,’ he said.

The President congratulated the new Attorney General and wished him and his office every success, adding that his tenure would strengthen the institution he leads, reinforce confidence in the rule of law, and contribute to a safer, fairer and stronger Seychelles.

Mr Divino Junior Sabino replaces Mr Vincent Perera, who served in the office from October 2024 to 2026.

This marks a new chapter for the Office of the Attorney General.

Also in attendance at today’s ceremony were Secretary of State Ms Margaret Moumou, Chief of Staff Ms Jennifer Vel, the Chairman and CAA members, family, and distinguished guests.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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Vice-President Sebastian Pillay has departed Seychelles for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he will hold follow-up discussions with officials of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

The visit follows bilateral discussions held between President Dr Patrick Herminie and BADEA President, Mr Abdullah KH Almusaibeeh, on the margins of the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit in Durban recently. The discussions focused on strengthening financial cooperation between Seychelles and BADEA, with a view to identifying potential financing opportunities in support of national development priorities.

Vice-President Pillay will be absent from the country from 1 to 4 September.

During his visit, he is expected to advance the areas of cooperation identified during the discussions in Durban, ahead of further consideration at the Bank’s upcoming meeting later this year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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MONUSCO reinforced its presence in Bamande, in Irumu Territory, on Monday, August 31, following clashes between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), supported by the Ugandan army (UPDF), and suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The violence prompted several residents to flee the area. Two rapid reaction teams of peacekeepers were dispatched to the area, followed by the deployment of a mobile operating base to strengthen the protection of civilians.

The clashes broke out early in the morning in Bandikafu, a village located approximately 1.5 kilometers east of Bamande. The area is crossed by National Road 4 (RN4), an important route linking, among other places, Komanda and Bunia, the provincial capital.

The presence of suspected ADF elements had been reported in the area that morning. The FARDC, supported by the UPDF, intervened. The exchange of fire reportedly lasted about two hours.

The clashes quickly affected the civilian population. Several residents left Bamande and surrounding areas, with some using the RN4 toward Komanda to seek safety.

Rapid response to protect the population

Alerted by local sources about the situation in Bamande, two reaction teams from MONUSCO’s Indonesian contingent were dispatched from the permanent operating base in Komanda. Upon arrival, the peacekeepers observed civilians moving along the RN4, fleeing areas affected by the clashes.

Ground patrols were conducted, while drones were used to monitor the area and track developments. Information gathered through this surveillance also helped improve situational awareness on the ground.

Given the continued risks to the population, MONUSCO subsequently deployed a mobile operating base (MOB) from Komanda to Bamande. This arrangement enables peacekeepers to maintain a presence close to exposed communities, monitor high-risk areas, and respond rapidly in the event of a new threat.

A medical team was also placed on standby to provide assistance or carry out a medical evacuation if necessary.

According to initial information available from the area, no civilian casualties have been reported. However, one house was reportedly set on fire during the incident, and two Congolese soldiers were reportedly killed in the clashes. Five individuals suspected of belonging to the ADF were also apprehended.

The situation remains under surveillance. Peacekeepers are maintaining their presence in Bamande and continuing their protection activities to help prevent further violence and reassure civilians.

A strengthened presence

The intervention in Bamande is part of MONUSCO’s efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians in areas of Irumu Territory exposed to the activities of armed groups.

MONUSCO maintains a presence in Komanda, an important crossroads in southern Ituri. From this base, peacekeepers regularly conduct patrols and can deploy mobile operating bases to areas where the security situation requires it.

MONUSCO Force Commander Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes recently visited the area to assess the security situation and evaluate the measures in place to protect the population.

The deployment to Bamande therefore reinforces this presence and enables peacekeepers to remain closer to communities facing threats from armed groups.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations (UN).

Source: APO

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On September 1, the Government of Japan has decided to provide an Emergency Grant of USD 5 million to support strengthening epidemic prevention and other measures in response to the Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
With this Emergency Grant, Japan will deliver humanitarian assistance in sectors such as epidemic prevention and health. This assistance will be implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Source: APO

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, this morning received the Letters of Credence of H.E. Mrs Siv Cathrine Moe, Ambassador Designate of the Kingdom of Norway to the Republic of Seychelles, during an official ceremony held at State House.

President Herminie warmly welcomed Her Excellency Mrs Moe and congratulated her on her appointment as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Seychelles. The President also passed on his sincere condolences and sympathy to the Ambassador on the passing of King Harald V. The presentation of credentials marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations, established since 1 February 1985, and reflects their shared commitment to expanding practical cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.

During their meeting, President Herminie and Ambassador Moe held wide-ranging discussions on areas of mutual interest, reaffirming the strong partnership between Seychelles and the Kingdom of Norway. Both leaders acknowledged the shared opportunities and challenges, particularly in advancing climate change resilience through resilience funding, and how Norway can support the adoption of the Index as well as support in disaster and risk management.

Mental health was also identified as a priority area for future cooperation. President Herminie outlined the recent establishment of Seychelles’ Mental Health Agency, which has been tasked with addressing the country’s growing mental health challenges and developing long-term strategies to improve mental health services. In this regard, Norway recognised that best practices could be a beneficial support to Seychelles in strengthening its mental health framework and enhancing the delivery of care.

Another area of discussion was ocean management, the blue economy, fisheries management and aquaculture, as both are ocean nations.

Tourism also formed part of the discussions. The two leaders recognised the importance of expanding cooperation in this sector by reinforcing connectivity between the two countries through Air Service Agreements. They also discussed collaboration on tourism management opportunities, including opportunities for Seychellois students and the exchange of best working practices between the two countries.

President Herminie is keen to also collaborate with Norway to increase Seychelles’ renewable energy production capacity to 15% by 2030, as anticipated by the government.

Her Excellency Mrs Moe thanked President Herminie for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to her upon her arrival in Seychelles and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to present her Letters of Credence. She reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Her Excellency stated that she looks forward to working closely to enhance cooperation between the two nations, as both share the same goals and challenges.

The President once again congratulated Her Excellency, expressing his hope that her tenure would bring a fruitful partnership between the two countries.

Her Excellency Mrs Moe will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will hold a tenure of four years.

Also in attendance were the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mr Barry Faure; Ambassador Ian Madeleine, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; and members of the Foreign Affairs team and the Norwegian delegation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

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Estêvão Tomás Rafael Pale, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy of Mozambique, has been confirmed to participate in African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 on behalf of H.E. Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique. His participation provides investors with direct access to the government leadership overseeing Mozambique’s efforts to monetize its world-class gas resources, expand electricity access and position the country as a major regional energy hub.

AEW is timely with Mozambique advancing its National Electrification and Just Energy Transition strategies, leveraging natural gas and renewables to expand electricity access from 60% to universal coverage by 2030.

Central to these strategies is a concerted push to accelerate the development of Mozambique’s 160-plus trillion cubic feet of natural gas through strategic international partnerships. Flagship developments – including TotalEnergies’ $20 billion Mozambique LNG, ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG Phase One, and Eni’s Coral North FLNG – are cementing the nation’s position as a vital regional and global gas supplier.

In a major step forward for the Chapo administration’s energy agenda, ExxonMobil issued a letter of intent to McDermott for engineering and procurement services on the Rovuma LNG Phase One project. The award signals accelerating momentum ahead of an anticipated final investment decision (FID) later this year.

Further driving this momentum, Technip Energies secured an engineering and procurement contract in June for the Eni-led Coral Norte FLNG project. This follows the African Development Bank’s $150 million financing approval earlier this year, underscoring robust institutional confidence in Mozambique’s gas sector. Capitalizing on this growth, Eni has launched an international tender for a third FLNG platform at the Rovuma project to help meet global energy demand.

TotalEnergies’ January restart of the Mozambique LNG project marked a major turning point for the nation’s energy sector. Set to create over 17,000 jobs during construction, the development will strengthen energy security, boost government revenues, and drive local workforce development.

These gas developments will be pivotal in enhancing domestic energy reliability, directly supporting Mozambique’s goal to expand clean cooking access from 17% today to 54% by 2030. Against this backdrop, AEW provides an ideal platform for Minister Pale to highlight these flagship projects, present policy reforms designed to fast-track discoveries, and showcase high-yield opportunities for global investors across the supply chain.

Mozambique’s investment potential extends well beyond oil and gas. To reinforce grid security following a recent El Niño drought that reduced hydropower capacity by 25%, the country is actively expanding its power infrastructure and targeting an 80.6% renewable energy share by 2032. Key developments driving this transition include the 450 MW Temane Thermal Plant and the 1,500 MW Mphanda Nkuwa Hydroelectric Project.

To position itself as a regional power hub, Mozambique is also constructing a 400 kV transmission backbone to connect its Northern, Central, and Southern regions while expanding cross-border interconnectors. With the country seeking $18.6 billion to fund its broader power sector reforms, AEW 2026 offers Minister Pale an ideal platform to negotiate deals and secure strategic investor partnerships.

“Mozambique is a blueprint for how rich oil and gas resources, a favorable business environment, and strong government resolve combine to optimize energy development,” stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “The country’s gas sector offers immense potential to create jobs for youth and enable local businesses to thrive.”

At AEW, Minister Pale will participate in high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, connecting global investors directly with emerging opportunities across Mozambique’s energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.