Source: Government of Qatar
Colombo, December 24, 2025
HE Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Rohana Ambagolla received a copy of the credentials of HE Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dosari as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to Sri Lanka.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Victoria Gibbon, Professor in Biological Anthropology, Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, University of Cape Town
Museums and universities around the world hold vast collections of cultural artefacts, artworks, objectified belongings and even ancestral remains. Many were not freely given but taken during colonial times, through force, manipulation, theft or violence. For decades, they have sat in storerooms and display cases, classified into categories like anthropology, natural history or ethnology, separated from the people and communities to whom they once belonged.
In recent years, there has been growing recognition that these collections carry painful legacies.
Calls for their return have become part of a global conversation about decolonisation, justice and healing. In 2018 French president Emmanuel Macron produced a report which called for a new ethics of humanity, setting off a new willingness to return African artworks and material culture. But African calls for restitution were made at least five decades earlier following former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mobutu Sese Seko’s address to the UN.
In all these engagements, two words are often used: repatriation and restitution.
At first glance they may seem to mean the same thing, and both involve the return of something. But as South African scholars, working in the fields of history, museum studies and human biology, we argue that the difference between these terms is not just semantic. The choice of word reflects deeper politics of justice, recognition and repair.
In our recent article we explained how we see this difference, and why the work of restitution restores people’s power over their future, and gives them a sense of agency. We argue that, for its part, repatriation has come to represent something less concerned with community restoration and has more to do with an administrative and logistical exercise.
We argue that, unlike repatriation, restitution speaks directly to justice.
The word repatriation comes from the Latin patria, meaning “fatherland”. Traditionally, it refers to the return of a person or their remains to their country of origin. Governments often use this term for the logistical and legal transfer of people, artworks, or ancestral remains across national borders.
In countries that were settled by colonisers, like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, repatriation has become the dominant language. This is partly due to specific laws and frameworks. In the US, for example, the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act requires museums to return human remains and cultural items to Indigenous communities in a proactive manner.
In New Zealand, the national museum Te Papa plays a central role in repatriating Māori and Moriori ancestral remains from overseas institutions before returning them to local communities. In Australia, the choice of repatriation by activists, communities and scholars also sought strategically to draw a connection with the return of the remains of fallen soldiers.
In these contexts, repatriation is often framed as a process of giving back. States or museums take the lead, and communities receive.
Some Indigenous scholars and activists have challenged this framing, pointing out its patriarchal and statist overtones. They have introduced the concept of “rematriation”, signalling a return to “Mother Earth” rooted in Indigenous feminist perspectives, spirituality and community balance.
In South Africa, too, the term repatriation has been used, especially when the state arranged for the return of remains from abroad, as in the case of the return of Sarah Baartman from France.
Baartman was a 19th century Khoe (Indigenous South African) woman put on display in freak shows in Europe. Her body was later dissected by scientists within the realm of racial science and made to enter the systems of collecting and exhibition at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris. After being turned into an international symbol of the oppression of black women, Baartman also became a focus of claims for return made by Khoe and other activists and social movements in South Africa.
Repatriation has also been used for the return of the remains of ex-combatants and other patriots.
But unease began to grow. Was this language adequate for the deep work of justice and healing that communities were calling for? Or was it more concerned with national prestige than with community restoration?
Restitution is about returning something to its rightful owner, not simply as a transfer of property, but as an act of recognition, repair and healing.
Restitution is not just an event, like handing over an artefact in a ceremony. It is a process, time-consuming, emotional, and often painful. It involves research into how items were acquired, conversations with descendant communities, and decisions about how to care for or honour what has been returned. It recognises that the belongings taken were not just curiosities or objects, but were tied to community, and to language, ceremony and identity.
Read more: Looting of African heritage: a powerful new book explores the damage done by colonial theft
In many cases, ancestral remains were classified and objectified as human remains and specimens, stripping them of their humanity. Restitution, by contrast, restores them as ancestors with dignity and agency.
Our research uses the phrase “restitutionary work” to describe the labour involved. This work goes far beyond diplomacy, logistics and transport. It includes:
Acknowledgment of injustice: Recognising that items were wrongly taken, whether through violence, coercion, or theft.
De-objectification: Treating ancestral remains and cultural belongings not as human remains and museum objects but as ancestors or cultural treasures.
Community involvement: Ensuring that descendant groups and local communities decide what happens after return, in conversation with museums and national governments.
Healing processes: Creating spaces for mourning, ceremony and closure.
New futures: Seeing restitution not just as recovering the past but as opening pathways for cultural renewal and social justice.
For example, South Africa’s land restitution programme has shown that restitution is not simply about restoring what once was. It is about creating conditions for justice today and possibilities for tomorrow.
Similarly, cultural restitution is less about putting things “back where they came from” and more about empowering communities to reconnect with their heritage in ways that matter today.
The distinction between repatriation and restitution is not academic nitpicking. Words shape power. If return is framed as repatriation, the emphasis is often on the giver, the returner, in the form of the state or museum, granting something back. If it is framed as restitution, the emphasis shifts to the claimant, to the community asserting rights and demanding justice.
Restitution is not about recovering a lost past. That past cannot be restored exactly as it was. Instead, it is about creating new futures built on justice, dignity and respect. For communities around the world still living with the legacies of colonial dispossession, that distinction matters deeply.
– Looted African belongings must be returned: is it repatriation or restitution? The words we use matter
– https://theconversation.com/looted-african-belongings-must-be-returned-is-it-repatriation-or-restitution-the-words-we-use-matter-268710
Source: APO
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of the Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, and four of his accompanying officers while returning from an official trip from Ankara.
The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to the authorities and people of Libya, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy. He further expresses his solidarity with the Libyan Armed Forces as they confront the profound impact of this loss.
In reflecting on this tragedy, H.E. Mr. Youssouf underscored that the passing of Lieutenant General al-Haddad and his colleagues represents a great loss not only to Libya but to the wider region. He also commends the Libyan authorities for their ongoing efforts to advance peace, stability, and security in the country and the region.
He affirmed the African Union’s support to the Government and the people of Libya, during this moment of grief and prayed for comfort, strength, and peace for all affected families.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Source: APO
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
Ahead of presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections in the Central African Republic on 28 December, the Secretary-General calls on all Central Africans to participate in the electoral process and also calls on authorities to ensure that the polls are conducted in a peaceful, orderly, inclusive and credible manner.
The Secretary-General urges all stakeholders to refrain from actions that could incite violence or undermine the credibility of the process and underlines the importance of safeguarding the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the electoral period.
The Secretary-General notes that municipal elections, which have not been held in the Central African Republic since 1988, are a key provision of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic. Their conduct represents an historic milestone in the peace process and a critical step towards consolidating the decentralization of State authority.
The Secretary-General acknowledges the continued support to national authorities provided by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for the organization and conduct of these elections, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He notes the efforts of the Central African authorities and all those involved in preparing these elections. The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support the Central African Republic in its efforts to consolidate peace, stability and democratic governance.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General.
Source: APO
Training on administration and leadership was provided to 72 youth in the Massawa sub-zone.
The training covered administration and leadership, self-development, communication, promotion of club activities, as well as teamwork and collective work.
Mr. Dawit Teklom, head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in the sub-zone, indicating that the objective of the training was to enhance the overall capacity of the youth, said that similar training programs will be organized for members of the union.
Mr. Suleiman Yosuf, head of Political Affairs of the union branch, said that strong effort will be exerted to enhance the program in collaboration with partners so that it will have a solid community foundation.
At the event, an assessment of activities of 2025 was conducted, along with discussion on programs planned for 2026.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
Source: Government of Qatar
Doha, 24 December 2025
The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement on the exchange of prisoners and detainees in Yemen, which was signed in the Omani capital, Muscat, and considers it an important step towards addressing humanitarian issues and advancing efforts to achieve security and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Qatar’s full appreciation for the tireless efforts exerted by the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this regard, in addition to the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Ministry reiterates the State of Qatar’s steadfast support for Yemen and its continued commitment to assisting its brotherly people in achieving their aspirations for security, stability, and development.
Source: Government of Qatar
Doha, 24 December 2025
The State of Qatar welcomes the agreement on the exchange of prisoners and detainees in Yemen, which was signed in the Omani capital, Muscat, and considers it an important step towards addressing humanitarian issues and advancing efforts to achieve security and stability.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Qatar’s full appreciation for the efforts of the sisterly Sultanate of Oman in hosting and facilitating the negotiations, in addition to the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Ministry reiterates the State of Qatar’s steadfast support for Yemen and its continued commitment to assisting its brotherly people in achieving their aspirations for security, stability, and development.
Source: APO – Report:
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The President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, attended the Ministry of Local Government & Inner Islands (MLGII) End-of-Year Award Ceremony held yesterday at Beau Vallon Bay Resort. The President was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs. Véronique Herminie. Also in attendance were the Vice-President, Mr. Sebastien Pillay, and Mrs. Lina Pillay.
This annual ceremony recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements and exemplary service across the Ministry and District Administrations throughout the year 2025.
The ceremony opened with a poignant memorial video honoring staff members who have passed away, followed by an inspiring performance by the MLGII Choir, which set both a reflective and celebratory tone for the evening.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards across six categories, recognizing excellence throughout the District Administrations. Grand Anse Praslin District received the award for Most Environment-Friendly District Administration, while St. Louis District was honored for Excellence in Community Projects Implementation. Anse Boileau District distinguished itself by winning both the Outstanding District Administration in Customer Care and the Excellence in Initiative Development awards. The Outstanding District Partnership Award was presented to Baie Ste Anne Praslin, and Bel Air District earned recognition for Excellence in Community Engagement. Port Glaud District claimed the Best Festive District Presentation award.
The evening’s most prestigious honor, the Best Overall District for 2025, was awarded to Anse Boileau District.
In her address, Minister of Local Government and Inner Islands, Ms. Eveline Rose commended the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the Ministry’s team, she expressed confidence in their capability and readiness to serve the nation effectively.
Addressing the year ahead, the Minister acknowledged that 2026 would present its share of challenges, but emphasized the Ministry’s collective determination to meet them head-on and deliver results of the highest standard. She called upon all staff to remain disciplined, focused, and hardworking in their efforts to enhance the lives of citizens across all communities, ensuring that residents feel pride and satisfaction in the services provided to them.
The event was also attended by Mrs. Shella Mohideen, Chief Secretary of the Public Service Bureau; Mr. Daniel Frichot, Special Advisor to the Minister of Local Government; Mrs. Vicky Van Der Westhusien, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government; and Mr. Denis Antat, Principal Secretary of Inner Islands.
The ceremony concluded with a commemorative group photo and dinner, providing attendees an opportunity to celebrate their collective achievements.
– on behalf of State House Seychelles.
Source: APO – Report:
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H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Mr. Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, co-chaired the 6th session of the Egyptian-Armenian Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, held in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, with the participation of representatives from relevant entities on both sides.
The committee held extensive discussions with active participation from representatives of both sides to explore opportunities for enhancing joint cooperation, particularly in agriculture and food security, advanced technology and artificial intelligence, youth and sports, scientific research, and increasing trade exchange.
In her remarks during the session, H.E. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of bilateral relations based on mutual respect and joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in economic, cultural, and social fields. These relations have gained momentum through ongoing high-level dialogue, as well as the historic visit of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Yerevan in January 2023 — Egypt’s first presidential visit to Armenia since its independence — which opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.
She stated that Egypt is committed to deepening cooperation with Armenia across all areas of mutual interest. The partnership extends beyond diplomatic frameworks to include economic development, scientific collaboration, cultural exchange, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Looking ahead, the potential to expand economic cooperation between the two countries is clear and promising, with significant untapped opportunities to diversify trade and investment flows.
H.E. Al-Mashat highlighted that agriculture, food industries, construction materials, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and light manufacturing represent promising areas for expanding joint cooperation. Meanwhile, Armenia’s industrial capacity, skilled workforce, and access to regional markets offer important opportunities for Egyptian partners and investors.
She also addressed tourism as a key pillar of cooperation and explored partnership opportunities in ICT, digital transformation, capacity building, youth training, and cultural heritage digitization.
H.E. Al-Mashat concluded her remarks by emphasizing that the work of the Joint Committee provides an important platform to translate shared political will into practical initiatives, sustainable partnerships, and measurable outcomes — with both peoples rightfully expecting tangible results.
For his part, the Armenian Minister of Economy stressed that Egyptian-Armenian relations exemplify cooperation based on mutual respect and shared interests, rooted in historical and cultural ties. He highlighted a shared commitment to deepening economic and trade partnerships. Given ongoing reform and development efforts in both countries, he emphasized the importance of building on this foundation to enhance trade, diversify cooperation, and open new opportunities for the private sector, contributing to sustainable economic growth and integration into regional and global value chains.
He added that the Joint Governmental Committee plays a central role in organizing and developing economic relations between Egypt and Armenia, providing an institutional framework to coordinate relevant entities, monitor progress, and set clear sectoral priorities. The committee also serves as an effective platform to convert opportunities into concrete projects and support more sustainable and balanced trade and investment flows, reflecting the shared political will to elevate bilateral relations into a long-term economic partnership benefiting both peoples.
At the conclusion of the session, the ministers — co-chairs of the Joint Committee from Egypt and Armenia — signed the 6th session protocol for economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. The protocol includes multiple promising areas to expand bilateral relations, particularly in trade cooperation, increasing bilateral trade, leveraging competitive advantages, encouraging the private sector to develop new partnerships, and creating alliances to promote economic development and organize joint exhibitions.
The cooperation protocol also aims to promote investment partnerships, knowledge exchange, and invites the Armenian side to explore investment opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, especially in industry and logistics services, in addition to collaboration in SMEs, electricity and renewable energy, youth and sports, culture, and higher education.
From the Egyptian side, participants included representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Investment and International Trade, Agriculture, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Culture, Higher Education, Youth and Sports, Health, Communications and Information Technology, the Public Business Sector, as well as the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprise Development Agency, and the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority.
From the Armenian side, participants included Mr. Armen Sarkissian, Ambassador of Armenia to Egypt, and representatives from the Ministries of Economy, Foreign Affairs, High-Tech Industry, Health, Education, Science and Culture, Youth, and other relevant entities.
– on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – French
Jean-Tobie OKALA
Des habitants du territoire de Djugu commencent à regagner leurs villages. C’est le résultat des opérations menées par les Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) contre la milice CRP, un groupe armé récemment actif dans la zone, et d’une campagne de sensibilisation conduite conjointement par des représentants du gouvernement provincial et la MONUSCO à Bule et Fataki. Des affrontements armés entre membres de différentes communautés avaient entraîné ces dernières semaines le déplacement de nombreuses personnes et alimenté la méfiance. La campagne a permis de rapprocher les communautés et de dissiper les malentendus.
Restaurer la confiance
Des séances de sensibilisation se sont tenues du 17 au 19 décembre à Bule et Fataki. Elles visaient à rétablir la confiance entre les FARDC, la MONUSCO et les populations concernées, tout en renforçant la protection des civils et le dialogue intercommunautaire.
« Ces échanges ont permis de restaurer la confiance entre les communautés Lendu et Hema et de relancer le dialogue », explique Dieudonné Cumo Kparri, chef du Secteur des Walendu Pitisi. Il indique également que cette campagne de sensibilisations visait à adresser un message clair aux groupes armés, les appelant à s’inscrire dans les mécanismes nationaux de désarmement et de réinsertion, notamment la RAD ou le PDDRC-S.
La RAD (réinsertion et amnistie pour la désescalade de la violence) est un mécanisme mis en place par les autorités congolaises pour encourager les membres de groupes armés à déposer les armes et à se réinsérer dans la vie civile.
Refus de toute stigmatisation
À l’issue des discussions tenues à Bule et Fataki, des déplacés ont exprimé leur volonté de regagner progressivement leurs villages, de reprendre leurs activités et de renouer la collaboration avec les services de sécurité. C’est ce qu’ils ont commencé à faire depuis quelques jours.
Pendant la campagne de sensibilisation, ils ont également rappelé l’importance du respect des droits humains, condition essentielle à une relation de confiance durable.
En outre, les communautés plaident pour l’intensification des patrouilles mixtes entre les armées congolaise, ougandaise et la force de la MONUSCO.
Les militaires ougandais sont déployés en Ituri dans le cadre d’opérations conjointes menées avec les FARDC, conformément aux accords bilatéraux entre la République démocratique du Congo et l’Ouganda.
La question de la stigmatisation des communautés a également été évoquée au cours des séances de sensibilisation. Les participants ont insisté sur la nécessité d’éviter toute assimilation systématique des jeunes membres de certaines communautés à des groupes armés actifs dans la zone.
« Il est important d’éviter d’assimiler, sans éléments probants, tout jeune Lendu au groupe CODECO ou tout Hema à Zaïre ou à la CRP. Dans un contexte de conflit asymétrique, ce type de stigmatisation peut accentuer les tensions, alors que les sensibilisations encouragent les jeunes à se désolidariser des groupes armés », insiste Dieudonné Kparri.
Depuis ce lundi 22 décembre 2025, la situation sécuritaire est jugée calme dans les secteurs des Walendu Pitsi et de la chefferie des Bahema Badjere. Des patrouilles mixtes FARDC–MONUSCO ont pu y être menées sans incident, selon les autorités locales.
Environ une centaine de personnes, dont des autorités coutumières Lendu et Hema, des acteurs de la société civile et des représentants des déplacés de Lodha et Djaiba, ont pris part à ces séances de sensibilisation.
Distribué par APO Group pour Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
