Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

The Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America, His Excellency Momodou Lamin Bah, held discussions with the Governor of the State of Maryland, the Honourable Wes Moore, on the margins of the 55th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre.

During the engagement, the two leaders explored opportunities for collaboration and reflected on the historical significance of Maryland as the entry point for enslaved Africans who first arrived in the United States through the state’s port. The dock in Annapolis, Maryland, which hosts the memorial of Alex Haley, remains a powerful symbol of shared heritage and collective memory.

His Excellency Ambassador Bah underscored that collaboration with the Governor’s Office “could open doors for trade, investment, education, cultural diplomacy and diaspora engagement,” noting that such partnerships would further strengthen ties between The Gambia and communities across the State of Maryland.

The Ambassador indicated that the Embassy is committed to advancing cultural and economic cooperation while honouring the enduring legacy of African American history and its deep connections to The Gambia.

The Governor of the State of Maryland, the Honourable Wes Moore, stated his interest to invite Ambassador Bah to Annapolis to visit the Alex Haley Memorial, and to discuss possible areas of collaboration.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the republic of the Gambia – United States of America.

Source: APO

More than 200 researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and finance leaders gathered at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) on 23–24 September for “Values for Impact 2026: Solidarity, Authenticity and Prosperity,” a conference co-organized by the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) (https://IsDBInstitute.org/) and IUS. Across two days of discussions, participants explored a central question: can finance be both profitable and principled?

In his remarks during the opening of the conference, Dr. Sami Al-Suwailem, Acting Director General of IsDBI, emphasized that Islamic finance matters more for its ideas than for its market size.

“Islamic finance, above all, is an idea, and we should never underestimate the power of ideas,” Dr. Al-Suwailem said, noting that the underlying fundamentals of Islamic finance, such as risk-sharing, resilience, and stronger links between finance and the real economy, are increasingly being embraced by regulators and policymakers beyond the industry.

Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Kuşakcı, Rector of IUS, reiterated the importance of integrating ethical values with economic and social advancement. He said, “The challenge is not to choose between values and progress. It is to build forms of progress that are economically productive, socially responsible and intellectually authentic”. He also underscored the role of universities in transforming talent into knowledge, knowledge into innovation, and innovation into sustainable value creation.

The conference began a day earlier with a masterclass titled “Islamic Finance for the 21st Century,” delivered by Dr. Al-Suwailem and organized by the IUS Center for Islamic Finance, Innovation and Sustainability.

The session brought together academics, professionals, and students to examine some of the most pressing questions facing the industry, including the risks associated with excessive debt, the balance between risk-sharing and risk transfer, and the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in preserving the ethical foundations of Islamic finance.

The main conference opened with a panel on technoparks and talent retention, moderated by Dr. Migdat Hodžić of ARTI Analytics. The panel featured representatives from BH Telecom’s BHTech Lab, the Christian Michelsen Institute in Norway, the Federal Ministry of Education and Science, and Technopark Istanbul.

A second panel explored whether Islamic finance can offer a more effective model for startup-financing. Moderated by Dr. Šejma Aydin of IUS, the discussion brought together Dr. Al-Suwailem, Dr. Natalia Jiménez Arroyo of IE University, Dr. Zlatan Mujak of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Economy, and Dženan Šarić of the Mozaik Foundation.

The conference also featured keynote addresses by Prof. Dr. Mehmet Asutay of Durham University, Dr. Afan Kalamujić, Minister of Finance of Sarajevo Canton, and Semih Sel of Kuveyt Türk.

Beyond the panel sessions, more than 200 research papers were presented across 12 academic sessions, covering green waqf donations in Indonesia, cryptocurrency inheritance in Malaysia, AI ethics through a Maqāṣid lens, climate risk and bank stability, gamification in Islamic crowdfunding, and waqf governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Across these discussions, a common theme emerged: how to build environments where innovation takes root and talent chooses to stay.

The conference concluded with a forward-looking forum focused on the future of Islamic finance. Participants reflected on the changes needed by 2030, the practices that require reform, and the measurable outcomes that should demonstrate genuine impact over the coming years.

Dr. Al-Suwailem returned to first principles. “At its core, Islamic finance is a grand idea. It is moral, rational, and universal,” he said.

Rector Kuşakcı turned that idea into a challenge for everyone in the room: “We should move from values to institutions, from institutions to action, and from action to measurable outcomes.” He also reaffirmed the long-term partnership between IUS and IsDBI: “We value IsDBI not simply as a partner for these two days, but as a partner in the future we hope to build.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI).

About the IsDB Institute: 
The Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) is the knowledge beacon of the Islamic Development Bank Group. Guided by the principles of Islamic economics and finance, the IsDB Institute leads the development of innovative knowledge-based solutions to support the sustainable economic advancement of IsDB Member Countries and various Muslim communities worldwide. The IsDB Institute enables economic development through pioneering research, human capital development, and knowledge creation, dissemination, and management. The Institute leads initiatives to enable Islamic finance ecosystems, ultimately helping Member Countries achieve their development objectives. For more information, visit: https://IsDBInstitute.org/

Source: APO

The Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development (a.i.), Professor FUH CALISTUS Gentry, is participating in the 10th Global Conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), taking place on 8 and 9 October 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, under the theme “Transparency for Shared Prosperity.”The first day of the conference featured the official opening ceremony, attended by Mrs Maria van der Hoeven, the new Chair of the EITI Board. The Minister also participated in the Leaders’ Forum, which focused on commitments to strengthening transparency and good governance in the extractive sector.On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister held discussions with Mr Ahmed ZOUARI, Advisor for Francophone Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the EITI International Secretariat, who is responsible, among other duties, for supporting EITI implementation in Cameroon. He also visited the EITI Cameroon stand, which showcases the country’s experience in promoting transparency in the extractive industries.

Cameroon’s participation underscores its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and responsible governance of its extractive resources in support of sustainable development and shared prosperity.​

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministère des Mines, de l’Industrie et du Développement Technologique, Cameroun.

Source: APO

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The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Nairobi conducted a briefing session on Sri Lanka Expo 2027 on 2 October 2026 at the Sapphire Hotel in Mombasa, bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to explore opportunities to strengthen trade, investment, tourism and business partnerships between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

The event was organised as part of the High Commission’s efforts to promote Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will provide a platform for international businesses and investors to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse products, services and investment opportunities.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Kenya, Ruvini De Silva, followed by presentations and discussions on opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Representing the County Government of Mombasa, County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism and Culture, Mohammed Osman, participated in the event and highlighted the importance of Mombasa’s strategic position as a gateway connecting East Africa with international markets, including Asia.

The event was also attended by Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to Mombasa, Prageeth Senevirathne, who has supported the promotion of Sri Lanka–Mombasa relations, particularly in trade, investment, tourism and consular engagement.

The briefing also featured a presentation on “Kenya and the Asian Trade Corridor: Unlocking Opportunity Through Sri Lanka” by Managing Director of the East African Tea Trade Association, George Omuga, while discussions on the digital corridor examined the role of technology partnerships in facilitating trade between Africa and Asia.

Two panel discussions were held under the themes “Moving the Corridor”, focusing on tea, freight, ports and finance, and “Beyond the Cup”, focusing on capital, enterprise and wellness. The panels brought together representatives from the logistics, shipping, tea, finance, business, wellness and private sectors.

The Acting High Commissioner emphasised the importance of strengthening Sri Lanka–Kenya economic relations and encouraged Kenyan businesses, investors and other stakeholders to explore opportunities available through Sri Lanka Expo 2027.

The Sri Lanka Expo 2027 Briefing Session in Mombasa formed part of the High Commission’s broader economic diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting Sri Lankan products and services, attracting investment and creating new avenues for business-to-business engagement between Sri Lanka and Kenya.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka looks forward to welcoming Kenyan businesses and stakeholders to Sri Lanka Expo 2027, which will provide an important platform to further develop commercial and economic partnerships between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism – Sri Lanka.

Source: APO

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The Political Affairs Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission organised the second edition of its ‘Brown Bag’ seminar on Wednesday 7th of October 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, on the theme: ‘The New Has Not Yet Been Born: Global Africa in the Era of Chimerica’. 

The aim of the seminar was to promote knowledge-sharing and to deepen reflection on the emerging world order, characterised by the dynamics of cooperation and competition between China and the United States, as well as on its implications for Africa and West Africa.

The Guest Speaker was Professor Adekeye Adebajo, a Senior Researcher at the Centre for the Promotion of Research at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, who was the guest of honour at the event. In his address, he analysed Africa’s interests and priorities within a rapidly changing world order, whilst calling on the continent’s stakeholders and think tanks to promote a strategic positioning for Africa in the face of current geopolitical shifts.

Participants included serving and retired Diplomats, personnel of multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, various ECOWAS Directorates, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the West African Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), the Nigerian National Defence College, and renowned scholars and practitioners.

In his welcome address, the ECOWAS Director of Political Affairs, Dr Babatunde Afolabi, welcomed the participation of the various stakeholders. He emphasised the importance of strengthening knowledge-sharing and understanding of contemporary geopolitical dynamics in order to better address the challenges affecting West Africa and Africa in general.

This Brown Bag seminar was the second iteration of the series convened by the ECOWAS Directorate of Political Affairs. It is aimed at promoting dialogue, institutional learning and strategic reflection on the political and geopolitical issues shaping the region’s future.

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

Source: APO

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The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, presided over the swearing-in of five new Judges of the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for a four-year, non-renewable term in Abuja, Nigeria, on 6 October 2026.

The ceremony brought together H.E. General Birame Diop, President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Hadja Mémounatou IBRAHIMA, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, H.E. Cheikh NIANG, Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of Senegal, Hon. Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President and Judges of the Community Court of Justice, members of the Judicial Council, representatives of Member States and other distinguished guests.

In his address, President Faye urged the newly sworn-in Judges to remain guided by their oath of office throughout their tenure, stressing the responsibility entrusted to them in upholding the credibility of the Community justice system. He underscored that “the reputation of the Court depends on the quality of its decisions and the trust it inspires.”

President Faye further called on the new Judges to consolidate the achievements of the Court and contribute to its continued modernisation in line with the evolving realities of the Community. He stressed the need for Community justice to be increasingly effective, accessible and people-centred, particularly in the face of the political, economic, security and environmental challenges confronting the region.

The five new Judges, Hon. Justice Désiré Henri AIHOU of Benin, Hon. Justice Awa BAH of The Gambia, Hon. Justice Charlyne M. BRUMSKINE of Liberia, Hon. Justice Henrietta Uzoamaka DIDIGU of Nigeria and Hon. Justice Yaouza OURO-SAMA of Togo, took their oath of office, solemnly committing themselves to discharging their responsibilities with independence, impartiality and integrity.

Congratulating the new Judges, Hon. Justice Mouhamadou Mansour Mbaye, Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council and First President of the Supreme Court of Senegal, emphasised the weight of the responsibility entrusted to them and the fundamental importance of judicial independence, impartiality and integrity in the administration of justice.

He recalled that the independence of the judge is not a privilege, but a fundamental guarantee owed to the litigant, stressing that the independence of the new Judges must remain constant, their impartiality beyond question and their integrity beyond reproach.

In his welcome address, H.E. General Birame Diop, President of the ECOWAS Commission, paid tribute to the outgoing Judges for their contribution to the development of Community jurisprudence, access to justice and the protection of human rights.

He described the oath of office as a solemn commitment to serve the Community and its citizens with integrity, impartiality and conscientiousness. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the Community Court in the discharge of its mandate and called for strengthened cooperation among ECOWAS institutions, Member States and national courts.

The President of the Commission urged the new Judges to uphold the highest standards of judicial conduct and to place the interests of the Community and its citizens at the heart of their responsibilities.

The swearing-in ceremony marks an important step in the continued strengthening of the ECOWAS Community justice system. It reaffirms the central role of the Community Court of Justice in upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and consolidating the Community legal order, while strengthening public confidence in regional justice.

At a time when West Africa continues to face complex political, economic and security challenges, the effective functioning of Community institutions remains essential to advancing the principles and objectives of regional integration. The new Judges therefore assume office with a renewed responsibility to contribute, through independent, impartial and credible justice, to peace, stability, the protection of rights and the consolidation of the ECOWAS Community.

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

Source: APO

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A General Court Martial conducted in Wau has found a soldier serving with the South Sudan Peoples’ Defense Forces guilty of the abduction and murder of a United Nations Mission in South Sudan national staff member, while he was on official duty in Hai Masna, Western Bahr-el-Ghazal, on 15 December 2025.

The Court Martial sentenced the accused to ten years’ imprisonment, ordered a reduction in rank and dismissal from the SSPDF, and awarded compensation of 51 head of cattle to the victim’s family. The judgment provides for a right of appeal.

“This judgment is a milestone in efforts to ensure accountability for crimes against United Nations personnel in South Sudan,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Anita Kiki Gbeho. “We appreciate the participation of our deceased colleague’s family in the case and express our deepest sympathy for their loss.”

UNMISS also appreciates the witnesses who gave evidence in the pursuit of justice for his death and recognizes the efforts of national authorities to advance accountability in this case.

Since UNMISS was established on 9 July 2011, 19 peacekeepers have been killed and 32 injured due to malicious acts.

In total, the General Court Martial in Wau heard 10 cases and delivered judgements in eight cases, resulting in the conviction of four members of the SSPDF and four acquittals. Additional cases remain under investigation and consideration for trial.

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

Source: APO

Protection of civilians requires more than being present.

For police to effectively prevent crime, respond to emergencies and protect those most vulnerable, communities must have enough trust to report incidents, especially sensitive cases such as sexual and gender-based violence.

In Bor, United Nations Police officers serving with the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan are helping to strengthen community policing by training 40 national counterparts, including 15 women, in how to respond to emerging security and social challenges while strengthening their engagement with the communities they serve.

“We understand that trust is crucial for us to effectively protect our communities, so we are excited to employ the knowledge we gained,” said First Lieutenant, Agoot Philip Yai.

Warrant Officer, Nyandit Bol, who is deployed with the Special Protection Unit, stressed that police officers handling cases involving women, children and other vulnerable people need to have the skills and empathy to respond without discrimination or stereotypes.

“Police cannot effectively protect communities if people are afraid or unwilling to share information. This training incentivizes us to work closely with local authorities and communities to strengthen cooperation and trust.”

With cattle raids and other security threats increasing, the training came at a crucial time.

“Policing is all about professionalism which also means treating civilians with dignity and respect, particularly when dealing with vulnerable people and sensitive cases such as gender-based violence,” explained UNPOL Commander in Bor, Mwenda Musonda.

For police officers, community trust helps gaining the information they need to prevent incidents before they become larger security threats while creating more secure environment for their investigations.

Accordingly, public confidence has to be the center of any police activities.

When communities know that their concerns will be handled professionally, confidentially and without discrimination, their confidence allows police officers to be more than responders to incidents, but rather a trusted partner in preventing violence and protecting civilians.

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

Source: APO

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Environmental conservation and disaster risk mitigation are essential to safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage, protecting livelihoods and building resilience against climate-related threats. Effective protection of critical ecosystems requires coordinated interventions that combine institutional capabilities, community participation and sustainable environmental management practices.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel, working alongside residents of Marania and Ruthumbi, successfully contained a rapidly spreading forest fire in the Mt. Kenya Forest, demonstrating the value of civil-military collaboration in environmental protection and emergency response.

The joint intervention brought together military expertise, specialised equipment and community mobilisation to prevent further destruction of the forest ecosystem. Using heavy machinery, including graders, the teams established strategic firebreaks that helped contain the flames and protect vulnerable sections of indigenous forest and bamboo vegetation.

Beyond the immediate firefighting operation, KDF personnel undertook preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of future outbreaks. Approximately 37 kilometres of firebreaks were established using a bulldozer, creating protective barriers to limit the spread of potential fires and facilitate faster emergency response.

The firebreaks also improved accessibility to neighbouring farms, providing additional benefits to surrounding communities while enhancing their capacity to respond to future environmental emergencies.
Complementing the fire mitigation efforts, local residents participated in agroforestry initiatives aimed at increasing tree cover, promoting sustainable land use and supporting the long-term restoration and conservation of the forest ecosystem.

The operation highlighted the strategic importance of integrating disaster preparedness, environmental conservation and community engagement in protecting critical natural resources. It also demonstrated the KDF’s capacity to deploy specialised engineering capabilities in support of civil authorities and communities during emergencies.

The collaboration further reinforced the importance of community ownership in environmental protection, recognising that sustainable conservation depends on the active participation of populations living alongside vulnerable ecosystems.

Through coordinated emergency interventions, preventive infrastructure and community-led conservation initiatives, the KDF and local residents contributed to safeguarding the Mt. Kenya Forest ecosystem while enhancing preparedness against future environmental threats.

The initiative underscores the broader contribution of civil-military cooperation to national resilience, environmental security and sustainable development, providing a foundation for continued collaboration in protecting Kenya’s natural heritage for present and future generations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Defence – Kenya.

Source: APO

The Central African Republic today marked the establishment of its first integrated criminal database, supported by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The ceremony, attended by HE President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, highlighted national efforts to modernize policing, strengthen criminal investigations and consolidate security gains.

This database is designed to improve information-sharing, identify crime trends and support coordinated responses, including to cross-border criminal threats.

“Investments in capacity-building aim to ensure the gradual and effective autonomy of the institutions being strengthened,” said Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSCA. She stressed that equipping national institutions to progressively assume greater responsibilities was essential to sustaining security gains and protecting civilians.

The Minister of the Interior and Public Security, General Bienvenu Zokoué, welcomed the initiative as an important step towards strengthening national security institutions and their ability to respond to the population’s needs. “Together, with the support of our partners, let us make these new tools effective instruments for the security, peace and stability of our country,” the Minister said.

The UNODC Country Representative, Kameldy Neldjingaye, emphasized that effective use of the database would require sustained cooperation among security, investigation and justice institutions. “Technology alone is not enough. The true value of this tool will lie in how national institutions use it, in accordance with established procedures, the confidentiality of information and the safeguards provided by national law,” the representative said.

Ms. Rugwabiza called for qualified and stable staffing, dedicated national funding for operations and maintenance, and sustained connectivity. She stressed that services must contribute information within a framework protecting personal data and individual rights.

MINUSCA financed the construction of the center, equipment and servers, while UNODC provided technical expertise, training and support for connectivity. The Government provided the land and additional works.

The next steps include extending the system to the judicial police and the gendarmerie’s investigations service, establishing reliable data backups and progressively deploying it across the regions. MINUSCA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting this process and encouraged other partners to contribute.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).