MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, has learned with despair of the fire at the Department of Home Affairs’ Germiston office. Mr Chabane called for a speedy investigation that will lead to prosecution, as the damage is not only infrastructural but will impact negatively on users’ ability to access home affairs services.

“The burning of public infrastructure during a protest is regressive and robs citizens of accessing the necessary services from the DHA. This trend also puts more pressure on an already stretched fiscus as more resources would have to be found to establish a new office,” Mr Chabane said.

The South African Police Service must move with speed to investigate and arrest whoever is involved in the incident. “The South African Constitution recognises and protects the right to protest, but that must be done within the confines of the law. The lawlessness that resulted in the burning of the DHA office must not be tolerated,” Mr Chabane emphasised.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson welcomed the swift action by the DHA in making available mobile trucks to ensure that innocent clients are not deprived of DHA services while investigations are underway. In addition, the activation of additional nearby offices will ensure that citizens who rely on the Germiston offices are not adversely affected.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, has called on all government departments and officials to let the President give guidance on matters related to diplomacy and the US.

Mr Mahumapelo said diplomatic relations is a complex terrain and needs to be monitored by people who are authorised at all times. It appears, he said, that everyone has an opinion on how the government and South Africa should relate with the world, owing to the much-publicised diplomatic challenges in South Africa’s relationship with the US and the steep 30% US tariff increases imposed on South Africa, along with a host of other countries.

Mr Mahumapelo said the committee believes that the government must be given space to consider how it will rebuild lasting relationships with the US that will be beneficial to South Africans and Americans alike.

He added that it would be preferable if South Africa’s special-envoy designate to the US leads in South Africa’s response to any new trade packages. “This will also enable for diplomatic negotiations between Pretoria and Washington, which is in the interest of all our citizens. We believe that South Africa remains the gateway to the markets in sub-Saharan Africa. It therefore is a diplomatic and trade channel that the US cannot contemplate to lose.”

Mr Mahumapelo also noted what he called the unfortunate utterances attributed to the General of the South African National Defence Force relating to South Africa’s relations with Iran. “We believe our ambassador in the Middle East needed to have given guidance and approval on what had been widely reported, but the country requires no permission or endorsement on who it deals with at diplomatic level,” said Mr Mahumapelo.

He said the absence of synergy in diplomacy may ruin South Africa’s potential in an era of unstable geo-political relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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• The worst cholera outbreak Sudan has had in years is currently spreading, fuelled by the ongoing conflict.
• People are now grappling with the outbreak on top of the all out war they have experienced over two years.
• In Darfur region alone, MSF teams saw over 2,300 cholera patients, and 40 deaths, in the last week alone.

On top of an all out war, people in Sudan are now experiencing the worst cholera outbreak the country has seen in years. First declared by the Ministry of Health one year ago, there has since been 99,700 suspected cases and more than 2,470 related deaths, as of 11 August. In Darfur region alone, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams treated over 2,300 patients and recorded 40 deaths in the past week for cholera, at facilities run by the Ministry of Health.

Across Darfur, cholera is hitting people who already struggled with water shortages that made it impossible to follow essential hygiene measures, such as washing dishes and food. The situation is most extreme in Tawila, North Darfur state, where 380,000 people have fled to escape ongoing fighting around the city of El Fasher, according to the United Nations.

By the end of July, after one month of responding, MSF teams treated over 2,300 cholera patients in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Tawila. The cholera treatment centre at Tawila Hospital, officially equipped with 130 beds, had to accommodate 400 patients during the first week of August, overwhelming the facility and forcing staff to add extra mattresses on the floor to cope.

In Tawila, people survive with an average of just three litres of water per day, which is less than half the emergency minimum threshold of 7.5 litres needed per person per day for drinking, cooking, and hygiene, as stipulated by the WHO. As cholera cases rise and resources run out, clean water and sanitation services are urgently needed to prevent more deaths.  

“In displacement and refugee camps, families often have no choice but to drink from contaminated sources and many contract cholera,” says Sylvain Penicaud, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. “Just two weeks ago, a body was found in a well inside one of the camps. It was removed, but within two days, people were forced to drink from that same water again.”

About 100 kilometres from Tawila, cholera was reported in Golo, Central Darfur state, on 13 July. MSF opened a 73-bed cholera treatment centre in Golo hospital. This centre was quickly overwhelmed, with 137 patients arriving on 3 August alone. Five oral rehydration points were set up around Golo to manage mild cases and prevent deterioration, but our teams see that the outbreak is still spreading fast. In early August, cholera reached Zalingei and Rokero in Central Darfur state, and Sortony in North Darfur state.

Heavy rains are worsening the crisis by contaminating water and damaging sewage systems. Cases are continuing to rise in South Darfur state, as well, where MSF, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, has expanded the cholera treatment centre in Nyala to 80 beds. There, the response is waiting for vaccines and facing a severe shortage of water purification tablets.

“The health centres are full,” says Samia Dahab, a resident of Otash displacement camp in Nyala. “Some areas have water, others have kiosks that are far or empty. Some water is salty, and we drink it unboiled, unsure if it’s safe.” 

As people move around to flee fighting, cholera is spreading further, in Sudan and into neighbouring Chad and South Sudan. In Damazin, Blue Nile state, Sudan, MSF and the Ministry of Health expanded the Damazin hospital cholera treatment centre from 50 to 250 beds in July to cope with an influx of returnees from South Sudan. At this centre, our teams are seeing a deadly combination of cholera and malnutrition. Between 3 and 9 August, six cholera patients who died were also suffering from acute malnutrition.

“The situation is beyond urgent,” says Tuna Turkmen, MSF’s head of mission in Sudan. “The outbreak is spreading well beyond displacement camps now, into multiple localities across Darfur states and beyond.”

“The international response must have an outbreak emergency coordination mechanism able to provide healthcare, improve water and sanitation services, and begin cholera vaccination campaigns in affected areas at a pace that matches the urgency this catastrophic situation requires,” says Turkmen. “Every day of delay costs lives. MSF stands ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and WHO to launch mass vaccination campaigns across Darfur. Survivors of war must not be left to die from a preventable disease.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Source: APO

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The iconic Africa Hall has won its first 2025 International Architecture Award, given by The Chicago Athenaeum – Museum of Architecture and Design; and The European Centre for Architecture Art, Design and Urban Studies – in the restoration/renovation category.

Originally designed by Arturo Mezzèdimi, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa officially opened in 1961, but over 50 years later, the building required significant intervention that would ultimately lead to a decade-long investment to restore the building.

“The modernist masterpiece was tasked with the aspirational goal of bringing unity to Africa – on behalf of our heritage team, it was a privilege to restore this cultural landmark. Thank you to the jury for recognising the project, and congratulations to all involved in the awards program,” Architectus Conrad Gargett, representatives say on the company’s LinkedIn page. The company also acknowledged Rory Gardiner, a specialised visual artist and a photographer of architecture, interiors and landscape, often commissioned to capture prestigious architectural sites around the world. His specialised approach to taking the images of Africa Hall has been key to Africa Hall’s global appeal among architects, historians and visual artists.

ECA congratulates Architectus Conrad Gargett for submitting the renovation project for an award and recognises the important role of the Africa Hall Project Team Lead, Antonio Baio, for upholding the vision of retaining Africa Hall’s authenticity in the course of the renovation works over 5 years. 

“I’m delighted to share with all this recognition we got for a great achievement. I had the honor to lead the team that made it possible, and the pleasure to share nine years with such a great group of colleagues and partners. Sincerely proud of us, a wonderful example of teamwork. My best wishes to ECA colleagues who are now taking it over and making it serve the African People, to whom this marvellous piece of architecture and art was dedicated,” says Antonio Baio.

The restoration of this monument to Africa’s History would not have been possible without the steering role played by the ECA leadership and the former Deputy Executive Secretary Antonio Pedro, the Africa Hall Advisory Board members, contracted personnel, the Government of Ethiopia and staff across the entire ECA and the UN system, who played their part in many unique and unsung ways. This iconic building also holds significant historical restored artworks, such as those by #AfeworkTekle and #NenneSanguinetiPoggi.

Now in its 20th year, The International Architectural Awards are the oldest and most prestigious distinguished global building awards program that honors new and cutting-edge design worldwide. This annual programme also promotes international architecture and design to a worldwide public audience and is supported by the online magazine Global Design News.

According to Ioannis Karalias, Architect and Museum Vice President at the Chicago Athenaeum, this year, the Museum received a record number of projects for new buildings, landscape architecture, and urban planning projects from the most important international firms practising globally. 

An international jury composed of several distinguished designers worked remotely and selected over 250 Awards and Honorable Mentions from a shortlist of over 1,200 submitted projects. 

A full list of winning projects for 2025 can also be viewed soon at the Museum’s websites at www.chi-athenaeum.org and internationalarchitectureawards.com or at www.europeanarch.eu.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

Source: APO

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The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA) has granted a Foreign Carrier Operating Permit to Air Tanzania to commence scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam and Lagos. Commencement of direct flights between Tanzania and Nigeria will ease connectivity and boost business, investment and tourism, thereby strengthening existing ties between our two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania Abuja, Nigeria.

Source: APO

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One year since World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), African countries have scaled up response measures and made progress to curb the spread of the virus.

Coordinated action between governments, WHO, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), communities and partners has helped strengthen disease surveillance, expand laboratory testing, roll out vaccination and improve treatment and care of people with mpox.

Mpox remains a serious public health challenge in Africa. In the past year, 28 African countries have been affected, with more than 174 000 suspected and nearly 50 000 confirmed cases reported. Around 240 lives have been lost.

However, response efforts are paying off. In the last six weeks, the weekly number of confirmed cases declined by 34.5% compared with the preceding six weeks. Over 3 million doses, almost half of the target have been delivered, more than 951 000 doses administered and around 900 000 people vaccinated with at least one dose.

Thanks to sustained efforts, Cote d’Ivoire, for instance, has brought its outbreak under control after 42 days with no new cases. Angola, Gabon, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe have also gone more than 90 days without any new confirmed cases.

“Our collective efforts have been crucial in strengthening measures for an effective response,” said Dr Otim, Patrick Ramadan Programme Area Manager, Emergency Response at WHO Regional Office for Africa. “It is critical to sustain what works, which includes rapid case detection, timely targeted vaccination, strong laboratory systems, and active community engagement.”

Collaboratively, WHO and Africa CDC have developed continental Mpox Preparedness and Response Plans and co-led the implementation through continental Incident Management Support Team in collaboration with partners.

“The partnership between Africa CDC and WHO highlights strong African leadership. With limited resources, there is a critical need to be more efficient which means working as one team, with one plan budget and monitoring framework,” said Professor Yap Boum, Deputy Continental Incident Manager for Africa CDC

Since August 2024, WHO has worked closely with countries to boost response capacity. Thirteen of the 22 countries with active transmission now have vaccine deployment plans, and eight are vaccinating high-risk groups and contacts.

However, challenges persist. These include limited access to vaccines, competing emergencies, funding gaps, inadequate access to care, and stigma that keeps people from seeking care. Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to disrupt response efforts.

“Our priorities for the next six months are to expand community-based surveillance in high-risk areas, continue to procure and distribute essential supplies to hotspots, support the integration of mpox response into other health programs for sustainability, support targeted vaccination and advocate for more funding for vaccine deployment,” said Dr Otim.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.