Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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Ethiopia has unveiled its fourth National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), reaffirming its commitment to tackling this pressing global health threat.

The launch places Ethiopia among a growing number of African countries with firm strategies to address AMR, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to withstand drugs designed to kill them.

Support for this effort was provided by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the World Bank, and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).

“Resistance to infection is rising worldwide. Without decisive measures, by 2050 we could see a 70% increase in AMR-related impacts, costing the global economy an estimated USD 1 trillion,” warned Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr Mekdes Daba. Speaking at the launch event marking World AMR Awareness Week, she described antimicrobial resistance as a growing crisis that demands urgent and coordinated action.

Africa CDC Deputy Director General, Dr Raji Tajudeen, echoed this concern, calling AMR “no longer a silent pandemic.” Ranked among the top ten global public health threats, AMR is already undermining health systems, food safety, economic growth, and environmental stability across Africa. “This is not a distant threat – it is a present reality,” he said.

Africa currently accounts for over one million AMR-related deaths annually, representing approximately 21% of the global toll. Without immediate action, projections indicate that by 2050 AMR-related deaths in Africa could soar to 4.1 million each year, pushing millions into extreme poverty and reversing decades of progress in infectious disease control.

Ethiopia’s new action plan positions the country as a continental leader, setting a model for progress and inspiring other nations to act. Dr Mekdes highlighted Ethiopia’s strong track record, including its active membership in the Global Leaders Group on AMR and its success in increasing AMR awareness among health professionals by 50%. The country has also conducted over 54 public awareness campaigns, mobilising communities to confront this growing threat.

Dr Tajudeen noted Africa’s progress on antimicrobial resistance, citing strengthened national coordination committees, enhanced surveillance and laboratory capacity, and baseline data from the influential Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership (MAAP) study, supported by the AU’s Landmark AMR Report released in 2024.

Yet challenges remain, including poor access to quality diagnostics and medicines, underfunded action plans, weak infection prevention and control, limited data for policymaking, and fragmented One Health surveillance systems.

“I would like to encourage Member States to ensure that AMR remains one of the critical agendas at the highest political levels, including within AU bodies,” said Dr Tajudeen.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO

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The new Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) headquarters has been officially inaugurated. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Hon. Beatrice Askul, Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Regional Affairs and Chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers, on behalf of H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the East African Community Heads of State Summit.

Hon. Askul said the new complex symbolises East Africa’s collective vision for a stronger, more integrated, and more prosperous region. She noted that the headquarters is more than a physical structure, describing it as a strategic investment in the livelihoods of the millions who rely on Africa’s largest freshwater ecosystem.

“Today, as we inaugurate this magnificent new building, we reaffirm our commitment to science-based management, environmental conservation, regional cooperation, and inclusive development,” she said.

She further highlighted that in the Republic of Kenya alone, more than 200,000 people benefit directly from Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world and one of the East African Community’s most treasured resources.

“Millions of people living within the Lake Victoria Basin depend on this critical natural resource for their livelihoods. Communities around the lake benefit through fishing, agriculture, transport, energy, and tourism providing both economic opportunity and social well-being,” she added.

EAC Secretary General Hon. Veronica Nduva praised the Republic of Kenya for its continued support for regional institutions. She noted that the inauguration of the new headquarters strengthens the Commission’s strategic role.

“It is more than a workplace, it is a regional hub for innovation, research, policy coordination, climate resilience, environmental protection, and transboundary water resource management. Within these walls, we envision enhanced action in biodiversity conservation, improved fisheries governance, strengthened water quality management, and expanded blue and green economic opportunities for our communities,” she said.

Hon. Nduva urged partner states to leverage the new facility as a centre for research, innovation, and collaborative solutions.

“The true legacy of this building will be measured not by its architectural beauty, but by the ideas generated and the partnerships forged to improve lives across the Basin,” she noted.

LVBC Executive Secretary Dr. Masinde Bwire said the inauguration marks the culmination of a 17-year journey since the Republic of Kenya donated land for the headquarters.

“This ceremony marks the culmination of a journey that began in 2008 when the Government of the Republic of Kenya generously donated this 2.8-hectare prime land along the shores of Lake Victoria,” he said.

He added that the modern complex will serve as the Commission’s nerve centre for coordination, research, and innovation, enhancing its capacity to promote environmental stewardship, socio-economic transformation, and cross-border cooperation.

Dr. Bwire also thanked development partners including the World Bank, GIZ, KfW, the European Union, UNESCO, and the African Development Bank—for their technical and financial support, which has strengthened LVBC programmes over the years.

“This achievement reinforces our shared responsibility as custodians of the world’s second-largest freshwater lake,” he said.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, said the new headquarters aligns seamlessly with the county’s development agenda, particularly in fisheries, climate resilience, maritime transport, and the blue economy.

He cited ongoing initiatives, including the acquisition of modern fibreglass fishing vessels, expansion of fish landing sites, promotion of ecotourism, and revitalisation of lake transport corridors in partnership with Kenya Shipyards Limited and Kenya Railways.

The project was fully funded by the EAC Partner States at a total cost of USD 3.54 million, with technical expertise provided by Kenya’s State Department for Public Works under the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development. The 2.8-hectare parcel of land on the shores of Lake Victoria was donated by the Government of Kenya in 2008, and construction officially began in 2020.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

Source: APO

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The Republic of Congo has officially reaffirmed its desire to accede to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, better known as the ‘United Nations Water Convention’. The announcement was made during a national workshop held on 26–27 November 2025 in Brazzaville, coupled with the inaugural session of the Water Advisory Council. The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics, the Secretariat of the UN Water Convention and the UN System in Congo. 

Strengthening water governance in Congo 

The inaugural session of the Water Advisory Council was marked by the adoption of the Brazzaville Declaration, in which the Council committed to supporting Congo’s accession to the Water Convention. The Council is a multisectoral body responsible for guiding, coordinating and supporting actions in the field of water in Congo. By supporting this inaugural session, the Convention Secretariat is contributing to strengthening the country’s institutional capacities, enabling Congo to benefit from concrete support as of now. 

The Republic of Congo has significant water potential, notably thanks to the Congo River, its tributaries and its groundwater resources. The Congo Basin is the second largest freshwater reservoir in the world. Despite these assets, inequalities in access to water persist, while urbanisation, population growth and the effects of climate change are increasing pressure on the resource. Integrated and sustainable management is therefore more necessary than ever. 

Cross-border cooperation: an essential lever 

In this context, cooperation between riparian states appears to be an indispensable tool for addressing common challenges. The Congo is already involved in regional water cooperation frameworks, such as the International Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Commission. 

Accession to the Water Convention will enable the Congo to consolidate existing cooperation, in particular by facilitating the establishment of more robust and harmonised regional legal frameworks. 

Speaking at the national workshop, the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, Mr Émile Ouosso, said: “By acceding to the Convention, the Republic of Congo reaffirms its commitment to cooperate at the international level and to anticipate the risks associated with conflicts of use and the effects of climate change on water resources. ” 

Involved in the work of the Convention since 2020, Congo will, by becoming a Party, continue to benefit from technical support from the community of Parties and the Secretariat. This cooperation will promote, in particular, the adaptation of shared basins to climate change, the fight against pollution and better use of the practical tools developed under the Convention. 

Furthermore, the Convention provides a solid basis – recognised by international financial institutions – for mobilising funding and reducing the risks associated with investments in water infrastructure. 

The Secretary of the Convention, Ms Sonja Koeppel, said ”Accession to the Convention can provide support from the community of Parties, enable the sharing of experiences with basins and countries around the world, facilitate access to financing and raise the country’s profile internationally.” 

The high-level opening session was also attended by the Ambassadors of the European Union and France, as well as the UN Resident Coordinator in Congo. All partners reiterated their support for Congo’s accession to and implementation of the Convention. 

Growing global commitment 

The Congo’s forthcoming accession is part of a growing international political interest in transboundary water cooperation. The 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-chaired by Senegal and the United Arab Emirates, will be a major opportunity to advance these issues, particularly in the context of the interactive dialogue dedicated to “water for cooperation .” 

Since the Convention was opened for global accession, 16 States have acceded to it, including 13 African countries. Among the States bordering the Congo River, Cameroon is already a Party, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic are in the process of acceding.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Source: APO

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On the eve of the West African Arts and Culture Festival (ECOFEST), the Commissions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) convened a meeting of ministers responsible for culture from both organizations’ Member States on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Fatou Sow SARR, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, underscored that West Africa’s cultural heritage is not only a living testament to its history but also a fundamental pillar of regional identity and a vital source of pride.

“It is therefore essential that, wherever cultural property belonging to our States may be found, we undertake coordinated, sustained, and consistent efforts to secure its return and reinforce the regional heritage that binds us,” she stated.

Mr. Mamadù Serifo JAQUITE, UEMOA Commissioner for Human Development, called on the ministers to embrace their historic responsibility by adopting an ambitious and pragmatic action plan. Such a plan, he emphasized, would enable countries of the region to present a united front in international fora and accelerate the restitution of heritage to their peoples.

In his welcome address, Senegal’s Minister responsible for Culture, the Crafts sector, and Tourism, Mr. Amadou Ba, expressed appreciation for the presence in Dakar of ministers and senior officials from West African countries attending the meeting and ECOFEST. “You are welcome in Senegal, the land of Teranga—not only as political leaders, but above all as members of the same large family, that of West Africa, united by deep historical, linguistic, and cultural ties,” he declared.

He further affirmed that reclaiming the cultural and historical heritage of West African peoples is part of a broader struggle to recover their collective soul and sovereignty—a just cause that requires a coherent action plan and a comprehensive, collective, and coordinated strategy.

During the meeting, ministers examined and endorsed the recommendations put forward by experts who had convened earlier to discuss key issues, including the implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan (2027-2031); the progress and challenges faced by member states in securing restitution and return of cultural property; and the status of national cultural policies and institutions responsible for heritage protection and the cultural and creative industries.

The ministers also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with international organizations, development partners, civil society, and cultural networks to advance the region’s cultural agenda.

As a reminder, the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan follows the Political Declaration adopted by Heads of State and Government at the 54th Ordinary Summit held in December 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria, on the return of African cultural property to their countries of origin. The ECOWAS Cultural Policy serves as a key instrument to promote cultural diversity and foster sustainable socio-economic development and regional integration through support for cultural and creative industries.

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

Source: APO

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Women and girls in Unity State are urging the Government to pass long-pending legislation to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, stressing the need to shield them from harmful practices such as early and forced marriage.

The call was made during a three-day women’s forum in Bentiu, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and State Ministry of Gender as part of the global 16 Days of Activism campaign, which brought together 80 participants, including women leaders, traditional chiefs, youth, and senior government officials.

“Among the challenges facing girls in South Sudan are many cases of early and forced marriages,” said women’s representative, Nyataba Gatluak Dor. “A strong law would help prevent these harmful practices and convince communities that gender-based violence must stop.”

Unity State’s Gender Advisor, Stephen Liah Kuach, stressed the government’s commitment to tackling the concerns raised at the forum.

“The Anti-Gender-Based-Violence Bill must be passed into law,” he said. “Women and girls in this country need to have equal rights, and this law will ensure that no one breaches these rights.”

Among the many topics debated at the forum was the importance of protecting women’s property rights.

“Some families still seize a husband’s belongings after his death, leaving their widow vulnerable. Both State and national governments need to work together urgently to enact legislation to protect their rights,” said women’s union representative, Mary Nyakun Diu.

“We need a law to stop the humiliation of women in this country. You cannot protect vulnerable women without regulations and rules.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO

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President Isaias Afwerki returned home yesterday afternoon, concluding a two-day working visit to Sudan on the invitation of General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council.

During his visit, President Isaias held extensive meetings with General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Prime Minister Dr. Kamal Idris, the Governor of the Darfur Region, Mr. Minni Arko Minnawi, and other senior officials. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, the overall situation in Sudan and possible pathways for resolving the current crisis, as well as regional and global issues of interest to the two countries.

President Isaias Afwerki reiterated that the objective of the visit was to reaffirm Eritrea’s firm and principled stance on, and support for, the unity and sovereignty of Sudan, and to stand alongside the Sudanese people and Sudan’s Sovereign Council who are shouldering the responsibility of ensuring the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

General Al-Burhan, for his part, paid tribute to Eritrea’s position, which is anchored in the historic ties between the two peoples, and affirmed that he will exert vigorous efforts to consolidate these ties for the benefit of both nations.

Upon arriving in Port Sudan by road travel, President Isaias was accorded a warm official and public welcome.

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