Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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Yesterday afternoon, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, walked up the ramp of the newly constructed Rise and Shine Day Care Centre at Mont Fleuri, hand in hand with two young children who beamed with excitement as they welcomed him to their new sanctuary, marking the official opening of the centre.The ceremony commenced with a musical performance by the children of the day care center, setting a joyful and celebratory tone for the occasion.

In her address, Principal Secretary Vicky Van Der Westhuizen highlighted the Government’s commitment to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for the development of young children. She emphasized that investments in early childhood development remain a national priority, ensuring that every child is afforded the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

The children of the center further entertained guests with a song presentation and a poem, showcasing their talents and reflecting the positive learning environment fostered at the facility.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the commemorative plaque by President Herminie, alongside the Minister for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs Evelyne Rose, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr David Pierre and the Minister for Family Affairs, Social Affairs and Equality, Mrs Pamela Charlette. The unveiling was followed by a special benediction for the new facility.

Following the formal proceedings, President Herminie toured the newly built center and interacted with staff and children. The Rise and Shine Day Care Centre currently accommodates 70 children and is supported  by a dedicated team of 12 professionals committed to providing quality early childhood care and education.

Among those in attendance were the MNA for Mont Fleuri Mr. Michel Roucou, Chairman of the Institute of Early Childhood Development, Dr Xavier Rose, CEO Institute of Early Childhood Development Ms Shirley Choppy, Principal Secretaries, the District Administrator for Mont Fleuri day care staff; parents and other distinguished guests.

The opening of the Rise and Shine Day Care Centre marks  another significant milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen early childhood development services and expand access to safe, inclusive, and stimulating spaces for the nation’s youngest citizens, laying a strong foundation for their future growth and success.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Source: APO

In a village in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), health workers arrived a few days ago to help bury a person who had died from Ebola. Instead, they were threatened, told armed rebels would be called if they stayed, and forced to leave.

The family carried out the burial themselves – potentially exposing dozens more people to the virus.

The incident offers a stark illustration of one of the biggest obstacles facing efforts to contain the latest deadly epidemic, which has infected 381 people and claimed 64 lives in DRC as of 3 June.

For Marie Roseline Belizaire, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Preparedness and Response Director for Africa, the most challenging part is not always the virus itself – it can be sitting with families who believe the disease is caused by witchcraft, persuading traditional healers to work alongside health teams or health teams returning to communities that threatened them – only days earlier.

“We are not trying to overcome their culture,” she said. “We’re trying to involve the science in their own belief.”

Progress, but not yet control

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus – for which there is no vaccine or treatment – continues to spread in eastern DRC while cases have also been reported across the border in Uganda.

Speaking to UN News from Bunia, in Ituri province, Dr. Belizaire said the response has made significant gains in recent weeks, particularly in testing capacity.

At the start of the outbreak, laboratories could process about 40 tests a day. That capacity has now expanded to 800 daily tests, allowing suspected cases to be confirmed or ruled out much more quickly.

“All the tests that we are receiving, we are rolling them out at the same day, almost,” she said. “The time to expect your result has been reduced. Twenty-four, maximum 48 hours you have the result.”

Community alerts are first investigated in the field, with those meeting the outbreak’s case definition tested and either confirmed or ruled out – allowing suspected cases to be cleared from the system more quickly than at the start of the outbreak.

Firmer trace

Contact tracing rates have improved from around 25 per cent to 45 per cent, but that remains far below the 90 to 95 per cent coverage needed to effectively contain transmission.

“We still have a lot of challenges,” she said, adding that the outbreak’s regional dimensions remain a concern.

Uganda has recorded 15 confirmed cases and one probable case linked to the outbreak. One Congolese national also travelled through the United Arab Emirates before arriving in Uganda, highlighting how quickly infectious diseases can move across borders.

“When there is an outbreak and you have mobility, it is always a concern,” Dr. Belizaire said, stressing however that mechanisms such as WHO’s International Health Regulations help countries share information rapidly and coordinate responses.

Trust in public health

For WHO teams on the ground, one of the most complex tasks is building trust. Many communities in affected areas have experienced years of conflict and insecurity. Cultural beliefs and misinformation can also shape how people interpret illness and death.

“The disease symptoms are very malaria-like in the community,” Dr. Belizaire explained.

Some families attribute deaths to witchcraft or poisoning rather than infection.

Health workers therefore focus on coexistence rather than confrontation.

“We don’t stop them to believe in witchcraft, to believe any other things in their culture,” she said. “We just ask them to simultaneously believe in the disease existence also.”

Ancient and modern

Traditional healers are also being engaged as partners rather than excluded.

“We don’t stop them going to traditional healers,” she said. “We ask [the healers], if you see someone with those symptoms, refer it also to us.”

The approach reflects lessons learned from previous Ebola outbreaks, where mistrust often proved as dangerous as the virus itself.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who recently visited the outbreak’s epicentre, warned that “misinformation is almost as dangerous as the virus itself, and spreads just as fast.”

Reasons for hope

Despite the difficulties, there have been encouraging signs. Seven people have recovered from Ebola, including six healthcare workers.

Most sought treatment early and received intensive supportive care, including rehydration and treatment for symptoms while their immune systems fought the infection.

“They recovered because they went early to the hospital,” Dr. Belizaire said.

Candidate vaccines under development

There is currently no licensed vaccine or approved treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, although candidate vaccines are under development.

But Dr. Belizaire stressed that even a vaccine would not replace the need for early detection and treatment.

“The key is, as soon as you have symptoms, you go to the healthcare centre,” she said.

A survivor’s determination

Among the encounters that have stayed with Dr. Belizaire most is that of a healthcare worker who contracted Ebola while caring for a patient. The female medic later recovered.

Rather than leaving the profession, she said she intends to continue serving others.

“She said she will not stop,” Dr. Belizaire recalled. “She said she was born to give care to others, and it is what she will continue doing.”

That story reflects the resilience of health workers and communities confronting the outbreak every day.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Source: APO

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The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with Women in Law and Development (WILDAF), organized a five-day training workshop in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, from 18 to 22 May 2026. The overall objective of the workshop is to strengthen the capacities of women traders and entrepreneurs in the agribusiness sector to enable them to better understand, use, and comply with the legal, regulatory, and policy instruments that govern their business activities.

In her opening remarks, delivered on behalf of Dr. Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Miatta French, ECOWAS Permanent Representative to The Gambia, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building a people-centered community characterized by peace and shared prosperity. She emphasized that this activity is in alignment with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which places women and youth at the core of the region’s development agenda and community activities.

She reaffirmed the critical role women play in cross-border trade, highlighting the tangible progress made in recent years toward their empowerment. She underscored ongoing efforts to implement policies aimed at improving the conditions of women entrepreneurs and traders across the region.

Of note is the three-year work plan of the Women in Trade Sub-Committee under the Regional Trade Facilitation framework. This plan outlines targeted interventions, including the development of women-friendly border infrastructure, the adoption of a simplified trade regime, and the establishment of effective mechanisms for reporting incidents of harassment at border crossings, among other strategic actions.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration, and Employment, Mr. Jammeh, emphasized that cross-border trade remains a critical driver of economic integration, growth, and resilience in West Africa. He noted that it facilitates the movement of goods and services across national borders, strengthens regional value chains, and promotes the free movement of people—key pillars underpinning the ECOWAS vision.

He further highlighted that, across West African economies, informal cross-border trade accounts for a significant share of regional commerce. This sector plays a vital role in supporting livelihoods, reducing poverty, and enhancing food security, with women forming the backbone of cross-border trading activities in the region.

Mme. Antoinette Mbrou, Coordinator for West Africa of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), expressed her sincere appreciation to the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG) for its outstanding collaboration and steadfast commitment to the organization’s activities. She underscored the importance of strengthened collaboration among civil society organizations, public institutions, and regional partners in promoting women’s participation in regional trade. She noted that such synergies are essential to overcoming the structural barriers that hinder women’s economic potential.

In concluding her remarks, she reaffirmed her conviction that investing in women produces transformative and lasting impacts. She posited that educating women strengthens families, supporting women traders stimulates economic growth, and empowering women across the region contributes to sustainable progress in food security and overall regional development.

During the five days, participants acquired a solid understanding of the legal frameworks governing cross-border trade in West Africa, particularly within The Gambia. They also developed their capacity to identify and comply with the required documentation for lawful business operations. They learned to recognize the value of formalizing their economic activities, including its immediate and long-term benefits.

Furthermore, the training strengthened participants’ communication and advocacy skills, enabling them to effectively engage decision-makers and defend their economic rights. At a collective level, participants developed a structured advocacy plan outlining priority actions to be pursued with relevant authorities. In addition, a comprehensive mobilization and awareness-raising strategy was established to enhance knowledge and empowerment among women traders within their communities, thereby contributing to more inclusive and sustainable regional trade practices.

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

Source: APO

Mr. Negassi Kassa, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the European Union and Benelux countries, conducted a seminar for nationals in The Hague, the Netherlands, on 31 May.

At the seminar, Ambassador Negassi provided an extensive briefing on the objective situation in the homeland, as well as regional and global developments, and called on nationals to strengthen organizational capacity and participation in national affairs.

Ambassador Negassi further noted that in this volatile time, Eritrea is focused on implementing development programs, ensuring its internal peace and stability, as well as making its modest contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Mr. Kibreab Tewolde, head of Consular Affairs, also provided a briefing on the efforts being exerted to provide timely and efficient consular services.

Commending the participation of nationals in the Netherlands in national affairs, Mr. Isak Minasie, head of Public and Community Affairs, called for strengthening contributions to the boarding school projects.

The participants expressed conviction to strengthen unity and participation in national affairs.

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

Source: APO

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The Ministry of Information has provided two months of theoretical and practical training on photography and video production to its members and partner institutions.

At the concluding event of the training on 4 June, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed-Nur, head of human resources development at the Ministry, said that the Ministry of Information is regularly organizing training programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of its members and developing media production in content and quality. He also indicated that 19 members of the Ministry of Information, including 10 females, two from the Ministry of Marine Resources, and one from the Ministry of Public Works participated in the training program. He also commended the interest the trainees demonstrated during the training program.

The training covered basic concepts of still and video cameras, basic photography, alignment and coordination of photos, lighting, color and sound, construction of photo history, as well as photo evaluation.

The participants, commending the training they were provided, expressed that the knowledge they gained from the training will have a significant contribution in producing quality photo and video productions.

Mr. Solomon Berhe, Director General of Press at the Ministry of Information, handed over certificates of participation to the trainees.

In related news, the Department of Culture and Sports of the Southern Red Sea Region has provided two months of training on traditional musical instruments to youth in the region.

Ms. Hawa Mohammed, Director General of Culture and Sports in the region, said that the training, which was the first of its kind, will have a significant contribution in transferring knowledge of traditional musical instruments to generations.

Ambassador Mohammed Seid Mantai, Governor of the Region, expressed his expectation that the trainees will serve their society with the knowledge they have gained from the training.

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