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World Food Programme (WFP) warns of major cuts to food aid in Cameroon as resources risk running out

Source: APO – Report:

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Half a million refugees and the most vulnerable Cameroonians risk being cut off from humanitarian food assistance in the coming weeks as resources reach critically low levels, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today.

Without urgent new funding, WFP will be forced to stop life-saving food assistance at the end of August to over 240,000 people who have escaped conflict in Cameroon. Additionally, more than 200,000 children and mothers will lose vital nutrition support, and school meals for 60,000 children will stop, putting their health, education, and futures at risk.

“We have reached a critical tipping point,” said Gianluca Ferrera, WFP’s Country Director in Cameroon. “Without immediate funding, children will go hungry, families will suffer, and lives will be lost.” 

Assistance to refugees inside Cameroon has already begun reducing as resources ran out; in July, WFP was forced to end assistance for 26,000 refugees from Nigeria in the Minawao refugee camp in the north; and refugees from the Central African Republican (CAR) in the Gado Camp in eastern Cameroon are now receiving only half of their daily food needs, pushing families to adopt negative coping strategies such as skipping meals, or selling their limited belongings to afford food.

In 2025, WFP has delivered lifesaving food assistance to 523,000 people, including internally displaced families, Nigerian and CAR refugees, and vulnerable host communities. Almost 300,000 women and children have also benefited from nutrition support and school meals. This support has helped stabilize communities, improve childhood and educational outcomes, and prevent hunger from deteriorating in some of Cameroon’s most fragile regions. 

Without immediate funding, these gains will be reversed.

“These cuts will worsen food security in the short-term but also have long-term implications for the country, Ferrera warned. “Cutting school meals will likely reverse hard-won gains in education, including school attendance and retention. This is a crucial moment to protect the most vulnerable, preserve progress, and prevent a deeper crisis.”

An estimated 2.6 million people across the country are projected to face acute food insecurity between June and August 2025, a 6 percent increase from the same period last year according to the March 2025 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis. The Far North and Northwest regions account for the largest share of the food-insecure population.

An additional US$65.5 million is urgently needed to continue lifesaving assistance over the next six months extending from August 2025 to January 2026.

– on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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Qatar: His Highness (HH) the Amir Receives Written Message from Egypt’s President

Source: APO – Report:

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HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a written message from HE President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them.

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received the message on Tuesday during his meeting with HE Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Qatar Amr Kamal El Din El Sherbini.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

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New United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)-funded prosecutor’s residence helps strengthen justice system in conflict-torn Upper Nile

Source: APO – Report:

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Communities across Upper Nile continue to suffer immense harm from escalating conflict, severe food insecurity, and the strain of hosting most of the 1.1 million people who have fled across the border from the war in neighboring Sudan. 

Despite the best efforts of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, humanitarian partners, and local authorities, the situation continues to deteriorate. A driving factor of conflict and a source of great concern for affected communities is the lack of accountability. 

When civil war erupted in 2013, many police posts, courts, judicial residences and prisons were destroyed or left to fall into severe disrepair.

Knowing they have little hope of receiving justice because of the absence of a formal system and infrastructure, many civilians take the law into their own hands, leading to revenge killings, destruction of property and livelihoods, and displacement.

To help rebuild the formal judicial system, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has launched several initiatives, including constructing a new court and judicial residence in Malakal, five court rooms in Renk, and deploying a mobile court. 

“If people have a case, rather than taking it into their own hands, they must take it to the police to handle and the law will then take its course in court,” says UNMISS Head of the Field Office in Malakal, Alfred Orono Orono. 

“Our top priority is to work with government, our partner for peace, to bring peace to this region by empowering the rule of law system to ensure everyone has access to justice.” 

Through an implementing partner, Humanitarian Organization for Empowerment, the peacekeeping mission has now built an additional prosecutor’s residence, which will support more effective and efficient execution of duties. 

Previously, office space and residences were shared by police and legal officers, posing challenges in terms of impartial and transparent preparation of prosecutions and court proceedings.

“Sharing offices made it much harder to carry out our individual responsibilities. These new spaces will also help the judges we are expecting from Juba to settle in and take on their responsibilities serving the people of Upper Nile,” explains Nyanagun Arop Mony Kuach, the Head of Legal Administration.

While these improvements seem small in the face of seemingly overwhelming challenges, every step taken towards justice and accountability helps to prevent violence and build the peace that these communities have been craving for far too long.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

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President Ramaphosa arrives in Japan to participate at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 19 August 2025, arrived in Japan to lead South Africa’s High Level Delegation participation to the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development Summit (TICAD9).

TICAD9 Summit will convene in Yokohama from 20 – 22 August 2025 under the theme “Co-creating Innovative Solutions With Africa”. The Summit is underpinned by (3) Plenary Sessions, which illustrate established areas of cooperation between the African Union and Japan, namely: 

i) Society: Realising a Sustainable Future; 
ii) Economy: Promoting Trade and Investment; 
iii) Peace and stability: Ensuring Human Dignity and Human Security.

The 9th TICAD Summit takes place at a time of unprecedented threats to global peace and security, ongoing conflicts in some regions of the world, distortions and disruption to global trade and a concerning revision by some states to unilateral action at a time when multilateralism and collective solutions to common challenges is crucial.

Rising fuel, food and energy prices have severely impacted developing countries, entrenching poverty and fuelling higher levels of inequality in the face of constrained employment and job opportunities. The debt and liquidity crisis on the African continent is worsening the challenging socio-economic environment and constraining the fiscal space for governments to cast a safety net over its citizens. The AU discussions with the government of Japan under the auspices of TICAD presents an opportunity for the two sides to engage in discussions that seek to foster collective solutions to these challenges.

South Africa, as a Member State of the AU, will prioritise support from the government of Japan for the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, especially in the priority areas of infrastructure development, peace and security, and health.

President Ramaphosa will advance South Africa’s Presidency of the G20 and pursue bilateral economic engagements with the government of Japan with a view to strengthening trade and investment ties between South Africa and Japan.

The 2025 year marks 115 years of relations between South Africa and Japan. The two countries enjoy well-established bilateral relations within the framework of the Partnership Forum held at a Ministerial level, and maintain strong cooperation in the fields of trade and investment; science and technology; education; skills transfer and capacity building through development cooperation. Bilateral trade between Japan and South Africa had been expanding since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1992.

Japan is one of the major investors (over R90 billion) in the South African economy, with 260 Japanese companies, sustaining over 150,000 local jobs. Japan is the 4th largest economy in the world, and total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2024 was R132 billion, with South Africa recording a trade surplus of R52 billion.

President Ramaphosa will engage with leading captains of Japanese industry and business. Japan is one of South Africa’s major economic partners with sizeable investments in the South African economy, and the potential for further investments exists. A South African high level business delegation is also participating at the TICAD9.

Also at the margins of TICAD9, In his capacity as the chair of the Global Leader’s Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, President Ramaphosa will deliver a keynote address to parliamentarians, business and developmental agencies on the importance of increasing investments into women’s, children’s and adolescents health as an imperative for peace and security.

President Ramaphosa is accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola; Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau; Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla; and senior Government officials. 

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Deputy Minister Mhlauli to attend the first District Development Model meeting in Frances Baard

Source: President of South Africa –

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Ms Nonceba Mhlauli, will tomorrow, Wednesday, 20 August 2025, attend the first District Development Model (DDM) meeting at the Frances Baard District Municipality in the Northern Cape, in her capacity as the National District Champion.

The DDM seeks to foster integrated planning and implementation across the three spheres of Government, ensuring that resources and programmes are coordinated for maximum impact in local communities. The Frances Baard District One Plan outlines key priorities such as economic diversification, infrastructure development, job creation, and social development interventions that respond directly to community needs.

This inaugural meeting follows the engagements led by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive, and aims to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial, and local government leadership.

Deputy Minister Mhlauli will engage with the Executive Mayor and Councillors of Frances Baard District Municipality. The meeting will also reflect on catalytic projects identified under the One Plan and review progress on service delivery programmes.

The Deputy Minister will underscore the importance of building partnerships across Government and with social partners to deliver inclusive growth and better services to the people of Frances Baard.
 
Details of the Meeting:

Date: Wednesday, 20 August 2025
Time: 09h00 – 14h00
Venue: Frances Baard District Municipality Council Chambers, Kimberley

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Head: Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 / mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

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Media, advertising and communication sector vital in connecting SA

Source: Government of South Africa

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong says the media, advertising and communication (MAC) sector not only connects South Africans as compatriots but also with the rest of the continent and the global community.

“It is a sector that draws on the creative spirit of our nation, both to celebrate and magnify the best of who and what we are,” Morolong said.

Speaking at the inaugural Out-Of Home (OOH) Media Owner’s Session in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Morolong said the sector can help the country overcome the many persistent challenges that confront society and the economy. 

“Our expectations of this sector are therefore onerous,” Morolong said at the gathering, which brings together media owners across all scales – from established industry leaders to emerging independent operators fostering meaningful dialogue built on unity, transparency, and the collective commitment to advancing the OOH landscape.

Morolong said government viewed the broader MAC and Out-of-Home-Media as crucial to creating jobs, alleviating poverty and growing the South African economy.

“We undertook to have a government that develops investor-friendly policies, laws and regulations including municipal by-laws.”

He said the creative sector should be supported by government and by the private sector as a sector that has great potential for growth and job creation.

“This represents an enormous challenge for the South African government, and we will look to this forum to provide leadership and advice on how best government can match other countries’ successes in redressing the economic imbalances in a digital and multi-platform environment.

“In 2024, government and the private sector joined hands to celebrate 30 Years of Freedom and Democracy across the country. We are proud to report that several policies have been implemented by government to facilitate a better match of the demand and supply of labour. 

“The unemployed section of our population, however, often lives far from jobs, in rural areas, making transport costs unaffordable,” Morolong said.  

He said the lack of nearby amenities and expensive transport costs raise the cost of job- seeking for those least able but competent to apply.

“While there has been huge improvement from 1994 to date, unfortunately economic growth has not been equitably distributed throughout the population, making the per capita figures an inaccurate reflection of the change in well-being for the poorest segment of the population,” the Deputy Minister said.

Morolong said one of the strategic objectives of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is to ensure a transformed, print and digital media, advertising sector as well as community media.

“The GCIS is mandated by the B-BBEE Act of 2003 to drive the seven pillars of the B-BBEE Codes (ownership and control, management control, skills development, enterprise development, employment) through the Sector Code whose mandate is overseen by the Sector Charter Council.

“Therefore, the role of the MAC Sector Charter Council becomes more urgent to ensure that transformation is promoted, monitored and reported to the GCIS, the dtic, B-BEE Commission and the President’s Advisory Committee on B-BEE,” Morolong said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government hands over houses to KZN flood victims

Source: Government of South Africa

Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane, alongside KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Human Settlements and Transport Siboniso Duma and local municipalities’ mayors, is leading a two-day programme to hand over homes to families affected by the 2022 floods.

The programme, taking place from 19–20 August forms part of Operation Siyahlola to assess interventions made in response to disasters that affected parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

The programme includes site visits to eThekwini, uMsunduzi and Impendle Municipalities to assess progress on disaster recovery interventions.

On Tuesday morning, Simelane received a briefing on temporary residential units and long-term housing plans in the Umgungundlovu District.

Together with uMgungundlovu District Mayor, Mzi Zuma, the Minister held an engagement with the affected communities in Impendle Municipality, where she introduced a contractor to begin building permanent homes for the families affected by recent disasters.

The delegation also handed over newly built houses in Copesville to flood survivors in uMsunduzi Municipality.

According to the department, central to the planned Operation Siyahlola is the delivery of permanent houses to families affected by disasters in eThekwini and uMsunduzi Municipalities.

“Minister Simelane and the provincial government will also hand over title deeds as part of the government-wide campaign to register and hand over 80 000 title deeds by 2029, thus unlocking over 16 billion asset value.

“Working with all stakeholders, including traditional leaders and community members, the government is convinced that interventions aimed at settling all flood victims will continue to yield positive results,” the department said.

On Wednesday, Simelane is scheduled to hand over houses at the Illovo Infill and Cato Crest housing projects, both built for victims of the 2022 floods in eThekwini.

Upgraded Coedmore bridge reopens

Meanwhile, eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has officially reopened the Coedmore bridge, which was severely damaged during the April 2022 floods.

The R47 million project included the construction of a 150-metre access road, installation of traffic-calming measures, and enhances surface drainage systems to improve water management.

Speaking at the recent opening of the bridge, Xaba said the state-of-the-art bridge will benefit residents by eliminating their travel time, which had increased due to detours.

“The bridge has been widened and is now two lanes. Following the damage caused by the floods, we are building back better and have rebuilt three bridges of this nature, with state-of-the-art, resilient infrastructure. So, even during heavy rains, the structures will not collapse,” Xaba said.

The project also benefited local communities, as it created 10–15 job opportunities per month, with community-based subcontractors contributing to specialised works including earthworks, concrete placement, steel fabrication, drainage installation, landscaping, and electrical services.

Xaba said this inclusive approach ensured that economic benefits were shared locally, while building skills and capacity in the area. 

Mayor Xaba noted that while completion was initially scheduled for late last year, delays were caused by unfavourable weather and unforeseen geotechnical complexities at the site.

“This rebuilt bridge is one of the three best bridges in the city. We are happy that we have these unique bridges, which have brought hope to people. We are not concerned about heavy rains as these bridges have been built to be resilient,” the mayor said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Le commandant de la Force de la Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO) à Bunia pour renforcer la coopération avec l’armée dans la protection des civils

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Le commandant de la Force de la MONUSCO, le général Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, est arrivé à Bunia lundi 18 août pour une visite consacrée à l’évaluation de la situation sécuritaire en Ituri, au renforcement de la protection des civils et à la consolidation de la coopération opérationnelle avec les Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC).

A son arrivée, il a rencontré le vice-gouverneur de l’Ituri et les membres du conseil provincial de sécurité. Cet échange a permis d’apprécier conjointement les défis sécuritaires actuels et de dégager des pistes de solutions afin d’améliorer l’impact des opérations menées conjointement par les FARDC et les Casques bleus de la MONUSCO dans un contexte marqué par une recrudescence des violences. À la fin du mois de juillet, une attaque armée a fait plus de quarante morts à Komanda.

Au cours de sa visite en Ituri, le commandant de la Force se rendra dans cette localité où des troupes additionnelles ont été déployées. Le général Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes ira ensuite à Fataki pour rencontrer les communautés, évaluer les besoins et adapter la posture de protection des civils sur le terrain. « Cette visite témoigne de la solidarité de la MONUSCO avec les populations de l’Ituri à la suite de l’attaque tragique de Komanda. Nous sommes ici pour évaluer la situation, renforcer la coordination avec les autorités et accroître l’efficacité de nos opérations conjointes », a déclaré le commandant de la Force.

Pour sa part, le vice-gouverneur de l’Ituri, le général Raüs Chalwe, a salué l’engagement continu de la MONUSCO ainsi que la coopération entre les FARDC et les Casques bleus : « Vous pouvez constater les patrouilles mixtes dans la province ; sans une bonne collaboration, elles n’existeraient pas. Nous agissons en prévention pour que de telles tragédies ne se reproduisent plus et pour que la population se sente en sécurité. Le dispositif sécuritaire a été renforcé, nos forces de sécurité sont à pied d’œuvre en coordination avec la MONUSCO ».

Les autorités provinciales ont exprimé des attentes claires : une protection accrue des civils pour restaurer le calme et la confiance envers les institutions ; une montée en puissance des capacités opérationnelles conjointes et un partage renforcé d’expertises ; un appui soutenu au processus de désarmement, démobilisation et réintégration à travers le PDDRC-S, avec l’implication des leaders communautaires pour faciliter la réinsertion des ex-combattants.

La MONUSCO reste profondément préoccupée par l’évolution de la situation en Ituri. Elle réaffirme sa détermination à renforcer sa posture opérationnelle, intensifier la coordination avec les FARDC et l’ensemble de ses partenaires et soutenir les efforts des autorités afin de regagner le contrôle total des zones affectées et rassurer les populations civiles.

Distribué par APO Group pour Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

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The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launch $82.5 Million project to eliminate harmful firefighting foams in African airports

Source: APO


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The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have jointly launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project, which aims to phase out the use of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams and replace them with safer alternatives at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.  

FIRE – a $82.5 million initiative with a $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $72.5 million in co-financing from partners – will phase out firefighting foams containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), hazardous “forever chemicals” linked to serious environmental and health risks.  

“The FIRE project shows how sector-focused action can drive the elimination of hazardous chemicals across value chains,” said Anil Sookdeo, Senior Chemicals Specialist, Global Environment Facility (GEF).  “The GEF is proud to support this effort, which we hope will inspire both participating countries and the wider aviation sector to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams.”  

“FIRE is an important initiative that empowers countries to eliminate one of the most harmful groups of pollutants found in firefighting foam supply chains,” said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division. “It supports a practical transition to safer, accessible, and affordable alternatives, showing that environmental and health protection can go hand in hand with business and operational viability.” 

A safe and sustainable transition in airports and beyond 

Together with participating airports, FIRE will support the transition from highly toxic firefighting foams  to fluorine-free foams while maintaining safety and operational integrity. These efforts are expected to promote safe removal of 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated material from fire trucks and safe disposal of 130 tonnes of PFAS-based foam concentrate.  

“This project marks a significant step forward in Kenya’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment,” said Dr Mohamud Gedi, CEO and Managing Director of Kenya’s Airport Authority. “By phasing out harmful PFAS chemicals from firefighting foams, we are safeguarding our communities and contributing to a cleaner, safer future for all.” 

“The International Civil Aviation Organization is committed to supporting the adoption of safer and more sustainable firefighting practices at airports worldwide,” said Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO Secretary General at ICAO. “The facilitation of access to safe alternatives to PFAS foams will be a very significant step for the recipient countries.” 

Turning Global Commitments into Action 

“PFAS is an invisible pollution time bomb that demands urgent, globally coordinated action before it is too late,” said Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. “The inclusion of several major PFAS under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants marks a critical step in international efforts to reduce exposure and environmental contamination. Initiatives like FIRE, which aim to eliminate PFAS from high-risk open applications such as firefighting foams, demonstrate how the Convention fosters multilateral cooperation, drives innovation, and transforms practices—ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment and a healthier planet and people.” 

The FIRE Project is implemented by UNEP, executed by ICAO, and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This project is part of a broader set of UNEP-GEF activities dedicated to global monitoring and eliminating the use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and reducing the impacts of POPs on human health and the environment.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

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Suspects arrested for possession of illegal firearm and dealing in drugs

Source: Government of South Africa

Suspects arrested for possession of illegal firearm and dealing in drugs

Police members attached to Operation Shanela II, who are deployed in the Western Cape to combat the ongoing gang violence, have arrested several suspects for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition as well as possession and dealing in drugs in separate incidents. 

On Saturday afternoon, the police members arrested a 48-year-old female at a premises in Buall Walk, Hanover Park, Philippi for the possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as for the possession of drugs. 

The members followed up on a tip off that firearms and drugs were being stored at the mentioned address. 

They immediately operationalised the information and searched the identified premises where they confiscated a 9mm pistol with four rounds of ammunition, mandrax tablets and six sachets of tik.

Later in the afternoon at about 16:30, the members arrested a 42-year-old male for dealing in drugs at the corner of Govan Mbeki and Ottery Road, Hanover Park when he was found in possession of 300 mandrax tablets. 

“The members performed stop and search operations in the Philippi policing precinct when they saw the suspicious male at the mentioned address. 

“They stopped and searched him and found the mandrax tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime in his possession,” the SAPS said in a statement.

The members arrested a 40-year-old male in the same vicinity for possession of drugs when he was found in possession of 50 whoonga and tik in a plastic bag.

In the Ravensmead area, the members of Operation Shanele II arrested two males, aged 22 and 45, for dealing in drugs. 

“The members deployed in the Ravensmead policing precinct performed patrols in Jakaranda Street, Uitsig in Ravensmead. 

“They saw the two males, stopped and searched them upon found 100 mandrax tablets and one plastic bag containing tik and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of crime. Both were arrested and detained at Ravensmead SAPS,” the SAPS said. 

All the arrested suspects appeared in the Athlone and Goodwood Magistrate’s Courts on Monday on their respective charges. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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