MIL Africa Engine

August 5, 2026

World Food Programme ramps up preparedness and response plans as El Niño threatens to push tens of millions into acute hunger

Source: APO

Analysis from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) shows that the strengthening El Niño weather pattern is set to significantly worsen food insecurity in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries into 2027. The agency is ramping up its preparedness and response efforts as impacts from El Niño are already hitting the most vulnerable on the frontlines of hunger.

“El Niño is a massive threat to the food security of millions who are already vulnerable,” said Carl Skau, WFP’s Acting Executive Director. “The sooner we help families to prepare for these climate shocks, the greater our ability to save lives and protect livelihoods. Severe floods and droughts can quickly push communities from coping to crisis. WFP is already ramping-up early response efforts in eight countries, and we stand ready to do even more.”

El Niño is expected to peak between September and December 2026, but in many locations the effects will be felt throughout 2027, due to impacts on future harvest cycles. Drought, flooding and extreme temperatures are already putting communities at risk.

WFP and its partners are taking early action now, preparing for floods, droughts, and storms before they hit, to reduce humanitarian needs. Working closely with FAO, OCHA and other partners, WFP has active anticipatory action plans in over 50 countries, is supporting governments in their preparations, and helping communities to reduce risks.

Since May, WFP has triggered anticipatory action plans in South Sudan, Chad, Mauritania, Uganda, Guatemala, and El Salvador, providing over USD 14 million in life-saving responses to support half a million people. This includes scaling its pre-arranged financing mechanisms such as disaster risk insurance, credit, and digital payments, to make more money available at lower cost.

These efforts help communities and governments prepare for and withstand sudden shocks while reducing future humanitarian needs. In fact, experiences from prior El Niño events have shown that USD 1 invested in anticipatory programs can save between USD 3 and USD 7 in avoided losses and response costs.

PROJECTED SCALE OF EL NIÑO IMPACT

The 2015-2016 El Niño impacted the food security of 60-100 million people. WFP’s early analysis projects that this 2026-2027 El Niño could push at least 49 million more people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027.

The analysis focused on 45 countries already considered food insecure, and where El Niño will significantly influence rainfall patterns, temperatures and the occurrence of floods and droughts. Across these countries, the total number of acutely food insecure people (families that are unable to meet their daily food needs) would rise from approximately 225 million to 274 million people: an increase of approximately 22 percent.

The largest impacts are expected in parts of Central America and southern Africa, with significant effects also anticipated in eastern Africa and south and southeast Asia.

WFP expects that countries already grappling with poverty, conflict, economic instability and repeated weather extremes will likely bear the brunt of El Niño, and that its impact will not be experienced uniformly. Some countries are already experiencing below-average rainfall, flooding, and unusually hot temperatures, while others are expected to face deteriorating conditions during upcoming planting seasons and harvests.

Key findings of the report include:

Latin America and the Caribbean could see one of the sharpest rises in food insecurity with more than 16 million people affected. Particularly, Central America is projected to have the largest proportional increase (83.1%) of all analyzed areas.
East and Southern Africa face substantial risks, particularly where upcoming rainy seasons are critical for food production. More than 18 million people could see their food security deteriorate, representing a 26 percent increase. Southern African countries are particularly exposed because many households depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture.
Asia and the Pacific could see significant impacts in several already vulnerable countries with an estimated 8.2 million additional people facing acute food insecurity.
West and Central Africa are also at risk with food insecurity projected to increase by 12 percent, affecting nearly 6 million additional people.

WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have already appealed for increased support to help at-risk communities prepare for El Niño to help protect lives, livelihoods and food security before emergencies escalate.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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August 5, 2026

Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Validates Second Chance Education Training Module to Expand Opportunities for Women and Girls in Liberia

Source: APO

Last week, Spotlight Initiative 2.0, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented through the Government of Liberia and UN Women, in partnership with the HOPE (Helping Our People Excel) Consortium and Youth Crime Watch of Liberia reached another significant milestone with the successful validation of the Second Chance Education (SCE) Training Module.

The validation workshop brought together representatives of the Government of Liberia, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and technical experts to review and strengthen the training package, which is designed to equip women and girls with literacy, life skills, vocational and entrepreneurship skills, and pathways to economic empowerment.

Across Liberia, many women and girls—particularly survivors of gender-based violence, adolescent mothers, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups—continue to face barriers to education, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods. Although national policies promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, stakeholders identified the need for a comprehensive Second Chance Education model that integrates literacy, life skills, vocational training, leadership development, entrepreneurship, protection, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) into a single learning programme.

To address these gaps, Spotlight Initiative 2.0 supported the development of the integrated Second Chance Education Training Module through a participatory and consultative process that included:

A comprehensive review of national policies and existing programmes;
Key informant interviews conducted across the eight Spotlight Initiative implementation counties of Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Maryland, Montserrado, and Nimba;
Consultations with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and organizations representing persons with disabilities; and
The development of a Facilitator’s Manual and Learner’s Workbook tailored for participants with limited formal education.

During the validation workshop, participants assessed the curriculum’s relevance, practicality, and inclusiveness, providing technical recommendations to strengthen implementation, disability inclusion, learner-centered approaches, and long-term sustainability. Emphasis was placed on accessibility measures, including the provision of learning materials in braille and local languages, ensuring physically accessible training venues, and addressing cultural considerations to support inclusive participation.
The workshop resulted in several key outcomes, including:
•    Validation of the integrated Second Chance Education Training Module;
•    Agreement to incorporate stakeholders’ technical recommendations before finalization;
•    Recognition of the module’s potential to serve as a scalable national model beyond the Spotlight Initiative; and
•    Strengthened collaboration among the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government, the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the European Union, UN Women Liberia, and implementing partners.
Participants also recommended that the curriculum remain flexible to support future implementation cycles and be regularly reviewed to capture lessons learned and improve effectiveness. They further emphasized the importance of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, including clear performance indicators, routine data collection, and beneficiary feedback mechanisms to inform continuous improvement.
“This module is more than a literacy programme. It provides women and girls with practical skills, confidence, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods while strengthening community resilience. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that it is implemented successfully and sustainably,” said Hassan G. Robert, Data Analyst at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Following the validation workshop, stakeholders will incorporate the agreed technical recommendations into the final training materials before proceeding with a Training of Trainers (ToT). Implementation of the Second Chance Education programme will subsequently begin across the eight Spotlight Initiative implementation counties, expanding access to education, skills development, and economic opportunities for women and girls throughout Liberia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

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August 5, 2026

Qatar Participates in Meeting of Arab Ministerial Committee Tasked with Mobilizing International Action to Address Israeli Policies and Measures in Occupied Jerusalem

Source: Government of Qatar

Amman, August 05, 2026

The State of Qatar Participated in the meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee tasked with mobilizing international action in response to illegal Israeli policies and measures in occupied Jerusalem, held Wednesday in Amman, Jordan.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani led the State of Qatar’s delegation at the meeting.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkiye, along with representatives from the Republic of Indonesia and Malaysia also participated in the meeting.
The meeting dealt with the dangerous and unprecedented Israeli escalation in the occupied city of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites. In addition, a joint action was launched to address all illegal Israeli measures that are pushing the region toward further conflict.
The committee includes in its membership the State of Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Tunisia, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Republic of Iraq, the State of Palestine, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Secretary-General of the Arab League.

August 5, 2026

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (Paps) Holds Departmental Review and Coordination Retreat in Lagos

Source: APO

The ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) holds a 3-day retreat in Lagos, Nigeria from the 3rd to 5th August 2026, with the theme: “Positioning PAPS for Strategic Transition, Institutional Continuity and Emerging Peace & Security Challenges in the ECOWAS Region”.

The retreat is a strategic platform for PAPS to reflect on its achievements, challenges and lessons learned under the outgoing management, while strengthening coordination across its Directorates, Divisions and relevant ECOWAS institutions. It will also assess the Department’s operational effectiveness in responding to evolving regional peace and security challenges, identify innovative approaches to resource mobilisation and programme implementation, and formulate strategic recommendations to facilitate a smooth leadership transition. The meeting will further examine ways to reposition the Department to contribute more effectively to the implementation of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Community Strategic Framework. The retreat is being attended by all staff of the Department cutting across various cadre, relevant Directorates within the Commission, Force Commanders of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

Dr. Danjuma AKU, the Chairman of the Technical Organising Committee welcomed participants to the PAPS Departmental Retreat, describing the gathering as a strategic opportunity for staff and leadership to step away from their routine responsibilities, reflect on the Department’s achievements and challenges, strengthen collaboration, and identify practical measures to enhance the delivery of ECOWAS’ peace and security mandate. The Committee noted that the retreat is particularly significant as it marks the final one under the current management team, providing an opportunity to reflect on the Department’s journey, consolidate institutional gains, and chart a sustainable path for continued excellence and effective service to the region.

In his opening statement, H.E. Amb. Abdel-Fatau MUSAH, PhD described the retreat as a critical opportunity to strengthen institutional continuity and position the Department to respond more effectively to the region’s evolving peace, security, and governance challenges. He said the retreat, held under the theme “Positioning PAPS for Strategic Transition, Institutional Continuity and Emerging Peace & Security Challenges in the ECOWAS Region,” would enable participants to assess achievements, document lessons learned, identify operational priorities, and develop practical recommendations to guide the incoming management while reinforcing the long-term effectiveness of the Department in advancing the ECOWAS peace and security agenda.

“This Retreat is more than a routine departmental gathering; it is an opportunity for institutional reflection, accountability, and renewal. As we prepare for a leadership transition, we must ensure that the knowledge, experience, and lessons acquired over the past four years are preserved and transmitted, while positioning PAPS to respond more effectively to the increasingly complex peace, security, and governance challenges confronting our region.” he added.

By the end of the retreat, participants are expected to have developed a shared understanding of the Department’s achievements, transition priorities, and future strategic direction, while producing actionable recommendations to support the incoming management. The retreat is also expected to strengthen institutional coordination and coherence, clarify operational priorities for addressing emerging peace and security challenges, preserve institutional memory, and reinforce continuity within the Department. Ultimately, it will reaffirm the Department’s collective commitment to advancing the ECOWAS peace, security, and governance agenda in line with the Community’s strategic objectives and Vision 2050.

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

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August 5, 2026

Handing and taking over ceremony between the commanding officers of Nigerian company 4 and Nigerian company 5, (Economic Community of West African States) ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB)

Source: APO

The Commanding Officer of Nigerian Company 4 (NIGCOY 4), ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), Lieutenant Colonel Bibode Clarke, has formally handed over command of the Nigerian Contingent to Lieutenant Colonel Afam Junior Chidi, the Commanding Officer of Nigerian Company 5 (NIGCOY 5). The transition followed the successful rotation of Nigerian troops in the mission area and culminated in an official handing and taking over ceremony held at the Nigerian Contingent Headquarters in Bissau on 3 August 2026.

In his farewell address, Lieutenant Colonel Bibode Clarke described the rotation of troops in the mission area as a routine exercise aimed at rejuvenating operational effectiveness and sustaining the professionalism of the Nigerian Army. He expressed gratitude to the officers and soldiers for their unwavering support throughout his one-year tenure, during which the contingent contributed significantly to the maintenance of peace, security, and stability in Guinea-Bissau. He urged the personnel of Nigerian Company 5 to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and commitment in the discharge of their duties.

In his acceptance remarks, the Commanding Officer of Nigerian Company 5, Lieutenant Colonel Afam Junior Chidi, commended his predecessor for his exemplary leadership and for ensuring a seamless transition of command. He pledged to consolidate on the achievements of Nigerian Company 4 and to continue supporting the mandate of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in promoting peace, security, and stability in Guinea-Bissau.

Highlights of the ceremony included the signing of the handing and taking over notes, inspection of the Quarter Guard, the formal handover of command and the Nigerian Company flag, as well as group photographs.

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

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August 5, 2026

Drought and the war in Ukraine changed what families in Kenya could afford to eat – research tracked food and cooking gas use

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Matthew Shupler, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Environmental Public Health, Harvard University

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had an almost immediate impact on global energy markets and the movement of food around the world. During the first year of the conflict, international crude oil and natural gas prices rose sharply. Disruptions to exports of wheat, maize, sunflower oil and fertilisers from Russia and Ukraine contributed to record global food prices.

Kenya was badly affected as the country imports about 92% of the wheat it consumes.

I am a global health researcher and was interested in tracking how the war in Ukraine affected Kenyans’ ability to afford food and cooking fuel. In 2022, I worked with a team in Mukuru, an informal settlement in Nairobi, to understand how the war had affected the way families used liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for clean cooking.

Most Kenyan households still rely on biomass fuels like wood for cooking, but LPG is used by about one-third of Kenyans. LPG is much more commonly used in Kenyan cities (about 60% use) compared with rural areas (about 10% use). Since Kenya does not produce any LPG domestically, changes in global energy prices and supply disruptions can greatly increase cooking costs.

During 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine, food inflation in Kenya nearly doubled from 8.9% to 15.4%. This sharp price rise was driven by rising global food and transport costs and also a multi-year drought, which reduced harvests across the region.

We analysed data from families’ smart meters, which showed how often they cooked with gas and how much they spent on fuel. We also surveyed the households to understand how rising food and fuel prices changed what they ate during 2022.

We found these drastic changes in dietary and cooking behaviours:

three-quarters of families in our study changed the foods they cooked. More than half ate less meat and fish in 2022. They consumed more ugali (maize porridge, a staple food in Kenya), vegetables and fast food.
half of families skipped more meals
one-third reduced the amount of gas they consumed for cooking.

Following families through the food price crisis

Cooking in Makuru settlement. Courtesy Matthew Shupler.

Mukuru is a large informal settlement, with a population of 500,000-800,000 people. The families we surveyed were customers of a company called PayGo Energy. The company allows customers to pay for gas in smaller increments rather than having to purchase a full cylinder of gas at once.

As purchasing a full gas tank can be very costly for families living below the poverty line, a pay-as-you-go option can make cooking with gas more accessible for families. These families might otherwise cook with cheaper biomass fuels, like wood, that often generate more air pollution when burned.

Because PayGo Energy monitored their customers’ gas use using smart meters, we measured their use before and after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war to estimate the change in their consumption. We also surveyed the families and held focus group discussions.

We used a United Nations World Food Programme tool which measures the steps households take over the previous week to cope with food shortages. We also asked participants whether they were skipping more meals or eating different foods than usual.

Families used less gas

We found that households greatly lowered the amount they cooked with gas in 2022 compared with 2021. Families only used their gas stove for an average of eight days a month in 2022 compared with 19 days a month in 2021. Their total cooking time per month decreased from 12.8 hours to 8.3 hours.

These results matched our survey findings, in which 63% of participants reported changing the type of food they consumed, 50% shared that they skipped more meals and 30% stated that they cooked with gas less frequently in 2022 compared with 2021. One participant said:

I have shifted to rice and spaghetti because it takes less time to cook hence saves gas.

People ate less food

Another person said:

There has been a high rise in food and fuel (prices). We have had to create a balance by lowering the food and maintaining the gas usage.

Reducing their cooking time led households to spend an average of 86 Kenyan shillings (US$0.66) less per month in 2022 compared with 2021. One person told us they were decreasing their spending on cooking and skipping meals:

Our children have a feeding programme at school which is advantageous so we adults can just skip meals and wait for supper to save.

Finding policy solutions

Although our research studied the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, geopolitical conflicts will likely continue to threaten global food and energy security, as demonstrated by the war between the US and Iran.

In 2026, the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted energy markets and raised concerns about fertiliser supplies and food prices. The impacts in east Africa are likely similar to what they were in 2022.

As economic crises will continue to occur and as climate change intensifies, national and global policies can help protect against food insecurity risk. This will require direct safety nets for families, including cash transfers or payments from the government.

The government could also subsidise nutritious foods that are cheaper and faster to cook, such as canned beans, frozen vegetables and fortified foods.

Supporting small-scale farmers with better seeds, access to credit and water-saving farming methods can also help communities produce more food and become more resilient to drought and climate change. Taken together, making these investments can help build a more adaptable food system.

– Drought and the war in Ukraine changed what families in Kenya could afford to eat – research tracked food and cooking gas use
– https://theconversation.com/drought-and-the-war-in-ukraine-changed-what-families-in-kenya-could-afford-to-eat-research-tracked-food-and-cooking-gas-use-287424

August 5, 2026

République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) : « l’épidémie d’Ebola ne montre aucun signe de ralentissement »

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

À l’occasion de la visite du Directeur général de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) en République démocratique du Congo, la Dre Philippa Boulle, directrice médicale adjointe de Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), alerte sur la gravité inédite de l’épidémie d’Ebola qui sévit dans l’est du pays depuis deux mois et demi.

« Deux mois et demi après la déclaration de l’épidémie d’Ebola, la situation dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) est plus critique que jamais. L’épidémie se propage à un rythme alarmant et sans précédent malgré les efforts inlassables des équipes médicales qui sont en première ligne.

Un bilan bien plus élevé que lors des épidémies précédentes

Selon l’OMS, 3 605 cas ont été confirmés au 1er août, ce qui fait de cette épidémie d’Ebola la plus grande jamais enregistrée en RDC, devant celle de 2018. Seulement 11 semaines après sa déclaration, près de 1 500 personnes étaient décédées. Il s’agit d’un bilan bien plus élevé que lors des épidémies précédentes sur des périodes comparables : sur le même laps de temps, l’épidémie d’Ebola dévastatrice de 2014 en Afrique de l’Ouest avait causé 279 décès.

Plus inquiétant encore, l’épidémie ne montre aucun signe de ralentissement. De nouveaux cas suspects sont signalés presque quotidiennement dans de nouvelles localités et en dehors de chaînes de transmission déjà identifiées. Pour éviter davantage de pertes humaines, la riposte doit accélérer pour surpasser la vitesse actuelle de transmission. La réponse médicale internationale doit s’intensifier sans délai et de nombreuses lacunes critiques doivent encore être comblées.

Placer les communautés au centre de la riposte

Des progrès indéniables ont été réalisés dans le dépistage et le suivi des contacts, mais ces efforts restent insuffisants pour contenir l’épidémie. Dans le centre de traitement Ebola (CTE) de MSF à Bunia, 90 % des patients admis n’étaient pas des contacts suivis, tandis que dans toute la province d’Ituri, seuls 59 % des contacts ont été tracés. Pour ce faire, il est urgent de collaborer mieux avec les communautés. Une réponse réussie ne peut être obtenue que si elle est construite avec et menée par des acteurs locaux. Sans les communautés au centre de la riposte, la surveillance épidémiologique et le suivi des contacts continueront de passer à côté de certains cas. Une meilleure intégration des membres des communautés est donc impérative pour garantir que les cas soient détectés le plus tôt possible et suivis rigoureusement.

La réponse s’intensifie, mais elle n’atteint toujours pas les communautés assez rapidement pour rompre les chaînes de transmission. Il est nécessaire d’agir sans délai. Chaque journée perdue permet au virus de conserver sa longueur d’avance et que davantage de vies soient emportées.

Le soutien crucial aux établissements de santé

Cette épidémie aggrave une crise humanitaire déjà existante. Le paludisme, la rougeole, le choléra, la malnutrition et d’autres pathologies évitables néanmoins traitables continuent de provoquer des maladies graves et des décès. Continuer à soutenir les établissements de santé est donc tout aussi crucial, afin qu’ils puissent fournir des services médicaux essentiels tout au long de la réponse Ebola et ainsi contribuer à protéger les soignants.

L’accès aux zones reculées, un défi à relever

L’accès reste un enjeu critique, en particulier dans les zones reculées où le début de la saison des pluies compliquera les déplacements et risque de perturber les opérations. Il est essentiel d’assurer l’acheminement des fournitures médicales, ainsi que de maintenir les indemnités et le soutien aux agents de santé en première ligne. Des garanties claires sont nécessaires afin que les restrictions aux frontières, les mesures sanitaires ou les contraintes administratives n’entravent pas la rotation du personnel humanitaire, les évacuations et transferts médicaux, ni la livraison des approvisionnements. À ce stade, la situation reste incertaine.
Renforcer la surveillance épidémiologique, améliorer l’engagement avec les communautés et garantir l’accès du personnel humanitaire sont des priorités absolues. »

Distribué par APO Group pour Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

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August 5, 2026

Diplomatie : Le Président Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema en visite d’État en Côte d’Ivoire

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Arrivé le 04 août dernier pour une visite d’État en Côte d’Ivoire à l’invitation du Président Alassane DRAMANE OUATTARA, le Président de la République, Chef de l’Etat, Chef du Gouvernement, S.E Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, accompagné de la Première Dame, Zita OLIGUI NGUEMA, prendra part en tant qu’invité d’honneur aux célébrations du 66ᵉ anniversaire de l’indépendance ivoirienne qui auront lieu le 7 aout prochain.

Au-delà de sa participation aux cérémonies officielles, cette visite sera marquée par une rencontre avec la communauté gabonaise établie en Côte d’Ivoire, la découverte de projets d’infrastructures structurants ainsi que des échanges avec des acteurs économiques en vue de consolider les partenariats stratégiques entre les deux pays.

Cette étape s’inscrit dans la dynamique de renforcement de la coopération régionale engagée par les autorités gabonaises et traduit leur volonté de promouvoir une diplomatie tournée vers le développement, l’intégration et le rapprochement des peuples. Elle illustre également la qualité des relations d’amitié et de coopération qui unissent le Gabon et la Côte d’Ivoire.

Distribué par APO Group pour Republique Gabonaise : Ministère des Affaires Étrangères et de la Cooperation.

August 5, 2026

Revised policy puts funding, community media in focus

Source: Government of South Africa

Revised policy puts funding, community media in focus

Government is stepping up efforts to transform the way it communicates with South Africans, with a revised communication policy placing greater emphasis on coordinated messaging, adequate funding for communication and increased support for small commercial and community media.

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and Brand South Africa have undertaken a series of engagements with provinces and other stakeholders to build support for the revised Government Communication Policy.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong said the policy is aimed at ensuring coherent and coordinated communication across all spheres of government, public entities and government agencies.

Speaking in KwaZulu-Natal during an engagement with the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council on Wednesday, Morolong highlighted the allocation of between three and five percent of government budgets towards communication as one of the key provisions of the revised policy.

“We have agreed that communication can no longer be an afterthought. It is an important function that must be enhanced through funding,” Morolong said.

He said the policy also places a strong focus on supporting small commercial and community media, with government expected to set aside 30% of its advertising spend for these media outlets.

“[The] second part of the Government Communication Policy which we socialise with the provincial executive council is for support for small commercial and community media,” he said.

Morolong said government was encouraged by the progress being made in KwaZulu-Natal in advancing the objectives of the revised policy.

“We are quite encouraged by the progress registered, particularly here in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the role of Brand South Africa in promoting the country both domestically and internationally.

He said discussions with the province had identified opportunities for greater collaboration, particularly in promoting KwaZulu-Natal as an economic destination.

“We have identified areas of collaboration, particularly in respect of promoting the province from an economic point of view. These discussions will continue between the province and our entities as we believe that there will be areas of collaboration that will be identified,” Morolong said.

The Mayor of the City of eThekwini said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the revised Government Communication Policy and the importance of strengthening coordination within government.

“It is important to note how things are done successfully. The Deputy Minister’s engagements are to ensure coherence within government,” he said.

The KwaZulu-Natal engagement forms part of government’s ongoing communication policy advocacy programme aimed at strengthening a coordinated and integrated government communication system across all spheres of government.

The engagement follows similar sessions held in the North West, Free State and, most recently, Mpumalanga, as part of a nationwide rollout.

The programme seeks to strengthen communication planning, promote a cohesive national narrative, expand support for community media and advance South Africa’s nation-branding objectives. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin
Wed, 08/05/2026 – 16:32

August 5, 2026

Seychelles: Appointment of Acting Attorney-General

Source: APO

The Office of the President announces the appointment of Ms. Corrine Rose to perform the functions of Acting Attorney-General with effect from 5th August 2026, pending the appointment and assumption of office of an Attorney-General.

Ms. Rose’s appointment ensures the continued discharge of the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the Office of the Attorney-General during the interim period.

The Office of the President extends its congratulations to Ms. Rose and wishes her every success as she assumes these responsibilities in the service of the Republic.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.