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Advisor to Prime Minister: Qatar Not Engaged in US-Iran Mediation, Backs Diplomatic Efforts to End War

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, March 24, 2026

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari, has emphasized that the State of Qatar wasn’t engaging in any direct mediation efforts between the United States of America and Iran.

He noted that Qatar fully supports all diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and end the war.

He added during the Foreign Ministry’s weekly press briefing that there was currently no direct Qatari effort to mediate between the two parties.

He added that the State of Qatar was focusing instead on defending the country and addressing damage from the various attacks on the nation.

Dr. Al Ansari said that, since day one of the war, the State of Qatar’s position has been crystal clear in terms of the necessity of ending it through diplomatic means, adding that it was a position that Qatar has been pursuing across all world conflicts.

He highlighted that all conflicts get resolved at the negotiating table, and that the sooner this happens, the fewer casualties there will be. 

Dr. Al Ansari reiterated that the State of Qatar backed all diplomatic efforts in this respect, whether through official or unofficial channels, as well as any effort that would ultimately bring the war to a close through diplomacy. He said that, as part of efforts to end the war, talks continue with countries in the region and internationally through multilateral meetings and international institutions.

Dr. Al Ansari further noted that Qatar will remain vigilant amid ongoing military operations, security, economic, and political fallout arising from them.

He added that this can be understood in two ways: the first was as an attempt to sow division and create the impression of disagreements between parties or fabricate non-existent alliances, and the second as an effort to undermine any potential opportunity for de-escalation.

Concerning coordination between the State of Qatar and the United States, Al Ansari asserted that Qatar was partnering with the American side and working fully to engage with the US to present the full picture, especially since the attack on the State of Qatar has engendered catastrophic consequences for the Qatari economy.

He said that the State of Qatar came under more than 200 missile attacks and a significant number of unmanned aerial vehicles, with over 90% of these attacks being countered.

The attack on gas facilities in Ras Laffan led to a 17% decline in production, while the scale of the losses was projected to reach approximately $100 billion over five years, with restoration efforts likely to take a similar time frame, he noted.

Al Ansari highlighted that the devastation in the energy sector did not impact Qatar alone, but would have broader fallout. He reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of any attacks targeting energy facilities or infrastructure, stressing that these attacks were unprovoked.

Regarding the escalation and mutual threats, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari indicated that the State of Qatar is communicating with the US administration to clarify the impact of the attacks and to coordinate to protect its territory, while emphasizing that Qatar reserves the right to respond and take appropriate measures in response to any attacks.

Regarding relations with Iran, he said that Iran is a country that has existed in this region since ancient times, and it will remain here, just as the other neighboring countries will remain. This war or any political event will not lead to the disappearance of these peoples, and all will remain neighbors in this region. Therefore, we must find ways to coexist.

He added that Qatar has been attacked, which has left an impact on the economy and the daily lives of individuals. Qatar does not underestimate such developments at all, but ultimately it must live alongside a people whose population exceeds 90 million.

He indicated that communication with Iran naturally depends on its stances and actions, especially regarding the attacks that countries in the region have been subjected to, saying that Iran must decide how it can rebuild the trust that was lost because it attacked Qatar’s sovereignty.

Regarding regional affairs, Al Ansari said that one of the key outcomes of this war is that it revealed the breakdown of the concept of the regional security system in the Gulf region. This system was based on certain principles, and it became clear during the current war that many of these principles have been disregarded.

He added that the Gulf states, which are working in a parallel and coordinated manner to ensure their security, need a real reassessment of what the common regional security system means after this war. He also noted the Gulf defense partnerships that proved their effectiveness during this war.

He stressed that any end to this war or agreement resulting from it must take into account the national interests of the affected countries, and that these countries should have an active role in reshaping the regional security system in accordance with their strategic interests.

He indicated that this threat not only affects people, but also extends to include the land and economy in the region, which makes dealing with it in terms of national borders require joint regional cooperation.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that coordination is ongoing between the State of Qatar and the countries of the region, and is based on three main pillars: ensuring a cessation of attacks, pushing for a diplomatic solution, and coordinating on escalation stances.

Regarding the military escalation, he stressed that there are no indications of an inevitable ground invasion of Iran, warning that continued escalation will not have positive results.

Regarding the internal situation, Al Ansari indicated that no attack had been recorded in the past few days that would warrant issuing warnings, while the state of vigilance and caution continues. He pointed out that the decision to return to work and resume studies is linked to the security situation and was based on security and strategic assessments, while emphasizing the need to adhere to the directives issued by the official authorities.

He affirmed that the State of Qatar had requested the departure of both the military attache and the security attache at the Iranian embassy in the country, through official diplomatic channels, in the context of the attack it had been subjected to.

He reiterated that the State of Qatar supports all diplomatic initiatives that could lead to an end to this crisis, even though it is not currently involved in any direct efforts. He noted that the State of Qatar is known for its various roles in mediation and dispute resolution, and this is not something new for it.

He pointed out that Qatari diplomatic efforts are still ongoing and effective in many other areas, and indicated that Qatar will not allow the current circumstances or any other circumstances to change the face of its foreign policy, as a peace-making state.

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed Al Ansari opened the press briefing by honoring the fallen martyrs of the nation from the heroes of Qatar’s armed forces, their brothers in the joint Qatari-Turkish forces, and the collaborators who lost their lives following the crash of a helicopter while carrying out their national duty, embodying the highest meanings of sacrifice and dedication for the nation.

He added that this is an occasion to reaffirm that thousands of members of the Qatari Armed Forces and security personnel, alongside their brothers from the sisterly Turkish forces and various participants engaged in safeguarding this country, head daily to the frontlines of danger, placing their lives on the line to ensure the security and safety of everyone living on the soil of the State of Qatar.

This incident and the joint mission that brought together Qatari and Turkish blood, he continued, confirms that this partnership is not merely one between two countries, but rather a deeply rooted brotherhood and a religious and historical bond between the two peoples.

It reflects the depth of trust and military integration, alongside the humanitarian and Islamic brotherhood between them, noting that the mingling of Qatari and Turkish blood in this incident stands as a testament to the unity of destiny between the two sisterly nations.

While remembering the nation’s men and honoring the martyrs, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the State of Qatar, through its military and security forces, is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all individuals living in this country and to protecting its unity and territorial integrity.

He also expressed Qatar’s profound gratitude to these martyrs who fell in this incident, and affirmed that everyone living in this country has demonstrated during this crisis the utmost love for the nation and support for all that preserves its security and stability, and that we remain united in the face of risks.

Al Ansari pointed out that last Saturday, at 10:42 p.m., an AW139 helicopter, during a routine aerial sortie, experienced a technical malfunction while carrying out a standard mission, leading to its crash in the country’s territorial waters.

He stated that all those on board the helicopter were martyred: four members of the Qatari Armed Forces, Captain (Pilot) Mubarak Salem Daway Al Marri, Captain (Pilot) Saeed bin Nasser bin Smeikh, Sergeant Fahd bin Hadi Al Khayarin, and Warrant Officer Mohammed bin Maher Mohammed, in addition to Major Sinan Tashtekin from the joint Qatari-Turkish forces, and two civilian collaborators, Suleiman Cemra Kahraman and Ismail Anas Can from the Republic of Turkiye.

He noted that immediately following the incident, the competent authorities launched search and rescue operations in the country’s territorial waters, including maritime search and rescue teams of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, along with the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya).

By the following morning, all the victims had been recovered, and funeral prayers were held in the presence of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and State officials, in a deeply moving national scene reflecting the magnitude of the sacrifice. 

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Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) demande des investissements durables pour lutter contre la tuberculose chez les enfants

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


À l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de lutte contre la tuberculose, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) appelle les gouvernements et les bailleurs internationaux à placer les enfants au cœur de la lutte mondiale contre la maladie et à s’engager à garantir des investissements durables pour son diagnostic, son traitement et sa prévention chez les plus jeunes, qui demeurent parmi les plus vulnérables. 1,2 million d’enfants sont atteints de tuberculose dans le monde, mais près de la moitié ne sont ni diagnostiqués ni traités. La tuberculose est pourtant une maladie évitable et curable.

« Dans le contexte d’une riposte à la tuberculose déjà insuffisamment financée, les enfants sont encore plus marginalisés lorsque les services sont perturbés par les réductions d’aide, les conflits ou les déplacements de populations », explique Cathy Hewison, référente tuberculose pour MSF. « Les outils pour diagnostiquer et traiter la tuberculose chez les enfants existent, même s’ils restent imparfaits. Pourtant, seule la moitié des enfants concernés sont diagnostiqués ou pris en charge. Pour que la lutte globale contre la tuberculose soit réellement efficace, les enfants doivent devenir une priorité immédiate. »

Selon le Rapport mondial 2025 de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) sur la tuberculose, 1,2 million d’enfants et de jeunes adolescents de moins de 15 ans ont contracté la maladie en 2024. Le rapport souligne également qu’un pourcentage alarmant de 43 % d’entre eux n’ont pas été diagnostiqués ni pu accéder à un traitement en 2024. La situation est encore plus critique chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans atteints de tuberculose : seulement la moitié d’entre eux bénéficie d’un diagnostic et d’une prise en charge. Par ailleurs, la combinaison des perturbations des services de lutte contre la tuberculose, liées aux récentes baisses de financements internationaux, et d’un nombre record de personnes déplacées dans les pays les plus touchés laisse présager une hausse du nombre d’enfants non diagnostiqués et non traités. 

Les équipes de MSF sont souvent confrontées à des enfants atteints de tuberculose dont la prise en charge est retardée, faute de méthodes diagnostiques adaptées ou disponibles, ou simplement parce que la maladie n’est pas envisagée par les médecins. 

Malgré cette situation préoccupante, il est possible de mieux repérer les enfants qui échappent au diagnostic et au traitement de la tuberculose en appliquant pleinement les recommandations de l’OMS. Par exemple, chez les enfants de moins de 10 ans, l’utilisation des algorithmes décisionnels thérapeutiques recommandés par l’OMS constitue une approche efficace : ces outils, basés sur des systèmes de scores, permettent aux soignants de poser un diagnostic à partir des seuls signes cliniques (éventuellement complétés par une radiographie, si disponible), notamment lorsque les tests de laboratoire sont indisponibles ou négatifs. Selon des recherches récentes menées par MSF dans cinq pays africains (Guinée, Niger, Nigeria, Soudan du Sud et Ouganda), le recours à ces algorithmes pourrait presque doubler le nombre d’enfants diagnostiqués et, par conséquent, mis sous traitement vital.

« La mise en œuvre des algorithmes décisionnels thérapeutiques de l’OMS au Niger a représenté un véritable signe d’espoir », a déclaré le Dr Moussa Mamane Oumarou Farouk, référent tuberculose pour MSF au Niger. « En 2024 et 2025, près de la moitié des enfants de moins de cinq ans chez qui une tuberculose a été diagnostiquée dans le pays se trouvaient dans les cinq districts où MSF accompagne la mise en œuvre des algorithmes. Étendre ces méthodes à l’ensemble des 72 districts du Niger, en partenariat avec le ministère de la Santé publique et de l’Hygiène, pourrait considérablement réduire le retard de diagnostic chez les enfants et prévenir un plus grand nombre de décès. » 

Tout symptôme ignoré et toute décision thérapeutique retardée exposent les enfants atteints de tuberculose à des formes graves de la maladie, voire à la mort. Il est urgent que les gouvernements et les bailleurs internationaux fassent preuve de volonté politique et renforcent leurs investissements afin de garantir l’accès de tous les enfants aux outils vitaux de prévention, de diagnostic et de traitement de la tuberculose. 

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

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Uganda: Cost of Busega – Mpigi Expressway doubles with little progress made

Source: APO – Report:

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Parliament is concerned about the escalating cost of the Busega–Mpigi Expressway with lawmakers questioning how the project’s contract price doubled from the initial Shs547.5 billion to over Shs1.2 trillion.

The Committee on Physical Infrastructure chaired by Hon.  Dan Kimosho raised these concerns on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 while meeting officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport led by Gen. Katumba Wamala.

The meeting centred on the planned activities in the Ministerial Policy Statement for financial year 2026/2027.

Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala attributed the cost escalation to changes in the project’s design and scope which he said include revised road alignments and additional infrastructure like interchanges and connecting roads.

Engineer-in-Chief, Stephen Kitonsa said that a technical review team had reassessed the project and arrived at the revised cost.

Kimosho dismissed explanations that the increase was purely technical, arguing that such a sharp jump pointed to deeper issues.

“This is science, not gambling. It is not possible that changes could amount to double the price,” he said adding that, ’there is a smelling rat in the project’.

He added that those responsible for the apparent financial loss had yet to be identified warning that accountability must be established.

The committee also heard that negotiations with the contractor remain incomplete despite Parliament previously approving additional funding to facilitate the project’s completion.

“As we speak now, we have not yet fully contracted the contractor for completion. The negotiations are still ongoing,” Gen. Katumba Wamala said.

He revealed that the contractor had initially lodged claims worth Shs578 billion, citing delays and idle equipment. 

Following negotiations, the claims were reduced significantly, with the contractor agreeing to settle for Shs78 billion.

Lawmakers expressed frustration at the prolonged negotiations with Bukanga North Member of Parliament, Hon. Nathan Byanyima questioning the delay.

The 23.7KM expressway is meant to ease traffic along the Kampala–Masaka Highway. 

Its construction stalled due to funding challenges before government secured additional financing from the African Development Bank.

Despite construction progress on the ground, MPs warned that continued delays and unexplained cost variations could expose the project to further financial risk.

“You can even have a third renegotiation at this rate if you don’t zero down on someone’s neck,” Kimosho cautioned.

Moroto District Woman Representative, Hon. Stella Atyang also raised concern over what she described as poor negotiation practices, arguing that taxpayers are bearing the cost of penalties and inefficiencies in road projects.

The committee directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to submit the original contract for the Busega–Mpigi Expressway as part of a probe into the project.

– on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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Municipality responds to fire at Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha

Source: Government of South Africa

Municipality responds to fire at Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality says its fire and rescue teams are actively responding to a blaze at the Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha, with the situation currently under control.

In a media statement issued on Tuesday, the municipality said the fire was swiftly reported by members of the public, allowing emergency services to respond without delay. Authorities expressed appreciation for the public’s vigilance, noting that early reporting played a critical role in the rapid deployment of firefighting teams.

“Emergency teams are on site, working to contain the fire and ensure the safety of surrounding areas. The situation is currently being actively managed. The cause of the fire is not yet known,” the municipality said. 

The Botha Sigcau Building is an 11-storey government complex that houses more than 11 departments, including health, education, agriculture and rural development, as well as several key provincial offices. 

Preliminary reports indicate the fire may have started on the fourth floor at around 7pm, though this has not yet been officially confirmed.

The incident has raised concerns about potential disruptions to government services in the region, given the building’s importance as a central administrative hub. 

No injuries have been reported at this stage. The municipality said further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. – SAnews.gov.za

 

DikelediM

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South Africa advances governance of digital platforms at TikTok Safer Internet Summit 

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa advances governance of digital platforms at TikTok Safer Internet Summit 

By Kenny Morolong 
Not so long ago, the ability to share information with large audiences was limited to a small group of people, such as journalists and broadcasters. Today, digital platforms have flipped the script, giving anyone with a smartphone and internet the power to reach a global audience. 

This shift has broken down old barriers, allowing anyone, anywhere, to join the conversation instantly. It has also widened access to global knowledge, showcased creativity to millions, and created new economic opportunities.

For governments, these platforms are powerful tools to connect with citizens directly. In South Africa, government is increasingly embracing the digital sphere to keep people informed about policies and services that affect their daily lives. Through social media, communication is becoming faster and more responsive. 

Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) has already moved publications to a digital-only format to extend their reach and launched podcasts to reach a younger, more mobile audience. Through WhatsApp channels it sends news and job opportunities straight to citizens’ pockets.  Moving forward, GCIS will expand high-impact tools like GoZA TV and zero-rated data services to ensure every South African stays informed without the barrier of data costs.

While digital infrastructure spreads important information and creates economic opportunities, it can also act as a megaphone for misinformation and disinformation. A single post can reach millions in seconds making it difficult to keep up with content that moves faster than it can be checked. Moreover, by choosing what shows up on our screens through algorithms, these platforms have a powerful influence over how we understand the world. The rapid spread of harmful information is one of the biggest challenges for our society. 

This reality was the focus of the TikTok Safer Internet Summit held on 9 and 10 March 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya where African leaders and technology companies met to build safer online environments. South Africa had joined these talks to advance responsible governance and improve transparency. The summit highlighted that digital safety cannot be the responsibility of governments alone; it requires collaboration between tech companies, educators, and civil society to protect online communities.

Across the continent, encouraging steps are being taken, such as the African Union and TikTok launching the #SaferTogether campaign to equip youth with digital tools. In this new world, knowing how to use the internet safely is essential. It requires specific skills to check sources, verify facts, and spot misleading content. This aligns with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy, which recognises that a connected continent must also be a safe one.

At the same time, tech companies must act more responsibly. Their systems should not just optimise for clicks; they should be built to discourage the spread of lies and harmful content. Greater transparency regarding how a specific story shows up on our feed is a major step toward making the internet a more honest and reliable space.

To make digital literacy work, governments and schools must join forces with tech companies to reach as many people as possible, especially the youth. This effort is not about silencing voices rather it is about responsible stewardship of the digital world. The goal is to ensure the internet remains a helpful space where everyone has the tools to navigate information safely.

The task before us is to ensure that these powerful networks serve humanity rather than destabilise it. The narratives that are circulating through our digital systems every day are doing more than just filling time they are actively shaping the future of our societies.

*Morolong is the Deputy Minister in the Presidency

Neo

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Ministra da Justiça preside abertura da Semana Cultural no Centro Socioeducativo Orlando Pantera

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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A Ministra da Justiça, Joana Rosa presidiu, segunda-feira, 23 de março, a Semana cultural que decorre, entre os dias 23 e 27, sob o lema “Identidade, Arte e Transformação”. A iniciativa constitui uma intervenção socioeducativa estruturada, voltado ao desenvolvimento pessoal, social e cultural de adolescentes em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas, promovendo valores de responsabilidade, cidadania e reinserção social.

Na ocasião, Joana Rosa usou da palavra para destacar o trabalho desenvolvido em várias setores, como o desporto, a cultura, a formação com os menores em conflito com a lei, com forte investimento na reinserção e reintegração social, procurando trazer as famílias ao convívio com eles, para lhes transmitir amor e carinho”.

Garantiu “uma aposta na formação nas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs) e em várias outras áreas, conforme a apetência de cada educando e a criação de um ambiente interno acolhedor, de solidariedade, de cooperação e de compreensão entre os educandos, a fim de evitar conflitos e ajudá-los a se preparar para se reinserirem no seio das respetivas famílias e comunidades, no final do cumprimento das medidas socioeducativas”.

“Os menores que estão aqui no Centro são oriundos de família desestruturadas, muitos deles vivem com avôs, abandonaram o sistema de ensino e acabaram por estar na rua, cometendo delitos e sendo usados para práticas ilícitas, por isso temos a obrigação de trabalhar com eles para também evitar que haja reincidência. Temos de trabalhar também na prevenção, junto das famílias e das comunidades”, sublinhou a Ministra.

Quanto aos resultados dos trabalhos desenvolvidos pelo Centro, Joana Rosa considera que “são bons, pois muitos educandos já saíram, estando a trabalhar, a estudar, não tem havido reincidentes e, ao nível das infraestruturas, foram realizadas muitas obras de requalificação para tornar o espaço normal, diferente de um estabelecimento prisional.”

As atividades da semana cultural abrangem serenata, dança tradicional, momentos literários e introspetivos, exibição de filme, roda de diá. e visita à galeria de arte “viagens nas tintas”. Também haverá atividades desportivas.

Recorde-se que, atualmente, estão 47 educandos, sendo apenas uma menina. Está prevista a saída de um número significativo de educandos nos próximos tempos.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Faster diagnosis, earlier treatment: Tanzania advances the fight against Tuberculosis (TB)

Source: APO – Report:

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In Kigoma Region, a quiet but important change is transforming the fight against tuberculosis (TB). People who are suspected to have TB are now getting accurate results within hours instead of days. This means they can start treatment much earlier, recover faster, and reduce the risk of spreading the disease to others.

This progress is largely due to increased access to WHO-recommended molecular rapid diagnostic tools, including GeneXpert 10-color machines. These technologies are helping to strengthen TB and HIV services where it matters most at the frontline. It shows what can happen when countries invest in better diagnostic systems and make sure communities can access them.

Across the WHO African Region, TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases. Every 83 seconds, someone loses their life to TB. In 2024 alone, the disease caused about 378,000 deaths and 2.7 million infections accounting for a significant share of the global burden.

Tanzania is among the high TB burden countries, with an estimated 118,000 people infected and 23,500 deaths in 2024. Despite this, the country is making real progress. Between 2015 and 2024, TB deaths dropped by 75%, a major achievement that reflects years of focused effort.

These gains come from continued investment in the health system expanding diagnostic services, improving treatment, and reaching more people. In places like Kigoma, these efforts are already making a visible difference.

“We are grateful for the strong partnership between the Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Health, and WHO,” said Dr Joseph Emmanuel Nangawe, Medical Officer in Charge at Maweni Regional Referral Hospital. “With these advanced machines, we are expanding services to more facilities so people can be tested quickly and start treatment without delay.”

The benefits are clear: quicker and more accurate diagnosis, better detection of drug-resistant TB, and earlier treatment. For health workers, it makes decision-making easier. For patients, it brings hope—and a quicker path to getting better.

But ending TB is not just about hospitals and machines. It also depends on communities. Across Tanzania, community health workers, civil society groups, and TB survivors are helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage people to seek care early and complete their treatment.

One TB survivor, Tausi Muhohoro put it simply:

“Tuberculosis can be treated, and people can fully recover. If you know someone who has been coughing for more than a week or shows signs of TB, please support them and help them get checked at the nearest health facility.”

Reaching a TB-free future will take continued effort. Governments need to keep investing in health systems. Partners and donors must help close funding gaps. And communities must stay involved driving awareness and supporting those affected.

From laboratories in Kigoma to communities across the country, Tanzania is showing that progress is possible. With strong leadership, sustained investment, and community involvement, ending TB is no longer out of reach it is achievable.

As WHO Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Mohamed Janabi, reminds us:

“Yes, we can end TB: led by countries, powered by people.”

Building on this momentum, WHO Country Representative to Tanzania, Dr Alex Gasasira, highlighted new efforts being introduced this year to improve TB diagnosis and access to care.

“WHO is introducing new recommendations to help close gaps in TB diagnosis, including easier testing methods like tongue swabs and more affordable, portable diagnostic tools that can reach people in remote areas,” he said.

WHO will continue to support the Ministry of Health to roll out these innovations and strengthen Tanzania’s response to TB.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

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Uganda: World Health Organization (WHO) field coordination turns zero dose data into targeted action to reach every child

Source: APO – Report:

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Across the hills and lowland communities of Eastern Uganda, strengthened collaboration is transforming how routine immunisation and public health emergencies are addressed. In many of the 16 districts and one city that make up the Mbale Region, children in remote, hard-to-reach areas continue to face challenges in accessing life-saving vaccines. 

Through community-driven insights, committed district leadership, and sustained field coordination from the World Health Organization (WHO), partners have successfully turned data into meaningful action, extending services to children who had long remained underserved.

A major turning point came when the African Network for Care of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (ANECCA) conducted extensive mapping of zero-dose and under-immunised children in Mbale, Tororo, and Kibuku districts. Going door to door, ANECCA teams identified children who were not captured in the routine immunisation system and highlighted health facilities struggling to deliver essential services. 

When WHO’s field coordination team received these findings, they acted quickly. Working alongside ANECCA and district leaders, WHO helped transform the data into targeted interventions. Joint supportive supervision visits were conducted in poorly performing facilities; health workers were assisted in identifying bottlenecks; and Village Health Teams and community influencers were mobilised to increase immunisation uptake.

With logistical support from WHO, teams reached hard-to-access facilities in Budwale, Wanale, and Merikit, even during heavy rains and difficult terrain. This support ensured that communities facing the steepest barriers were not left behind. 

Reflecting on the experience, Hilary Chelangat Ruth from ANECCA noted, “Basically, we are strengthening integration and collaboration now. Without you, some activities would have been so hard for us to implement. Just imagine those rainy days moving to Budwale and Wanale on a boda boda. WHO really did us well.”

Building on this momentum, the WHO field team expanded collaboration with District Health Teams in Pallisa, Sironko, and Butaleja districts, as well as Mbale City. Using the Reach Every District/Reach Every Child (RED/REC) categorisation approach, the team worked with district leaders to identify facilities most in need of support. 

Over time, they visited 28 facilities and conducted detailed assessments using the WHO Open Data Kit. These assessments helped document service delivery gaps, review immunisation performance, and develop immediate corrective actions. 

Health workers were supported in interpreting vaccination monitoring charts, improving data accuracy, and expanding the number of static immunisation sessions available to families throughout the week. At every facility, district Expanded Programme on Immunisation focal persons and assistant district health officers played an active role, ensuring strong district ownership and sustained follow up.

Alongside efforts to strengthen routine immunisation, the region also experienced several public health emergencies that required rapid WHO involvement. When measles outbreaks occurred in Butaleja and Bulambuli, the WHO coordinator joined the Regional Emergency Operations Centre to guide outbreak investigations, lead root cause analyses, and coordinate response actions with partners such as Baylor Uganda. 

This support helped reinforce district emergency response systems and ensured the timely implementation of control measures. Suspected anthrax outbreaks in Kween, as well as floods and landslides in Kween, Kapchorwa, and Bukwo, triggered additional WHO deployments. In each case, WHO provided technical leadership, facilitated coordination among national, regional, and district structures, and supported a harmonised response in areas affected by difficult terrain and rapidly changing conditions.

Together, these achievements show how partnerships and integration, driven by a shared commitment to ensure no child is left behind, make a difference. ANECCA’s community-level mapping illuminated the realities of children missing essential services, while WHO translated these insights into coordinated, district-led action. 

District Health Teams and Village Health Teams ensured that solutions were relevant and grounded in community needs. Through this collaboration, health systems in Eastern Uganda have grown stronger, communities have gained better access to essential services, and children who were once unreachable are now closer than ever to receiving the life-saving protection they deserve.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – Uganda.

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African Union Pan-African Institute for Education for Development (AU IPED) Supports South Sudan to Strengthen Education Data Systems through Education Management Information System (EMIS) Reform

Source: APO – Report:

The African Union Pan-African Institute for Education for Development (AU IPED), through the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX) Africa 19 Hub a joint initiative with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), has successfully concluded a three-day workshop in Juba, South Sudan, to support the strengthening of the country’s Education Management Information System (EMIS).

The workshop was undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) and brought together senior government leadership and technical teams from key departments, including EMIS, Planning and Budgeting, ICT, and Policy. The engagement enabled cross-functional dialogue and alignment across units responsible for the production, management, and use of education data, advancing a shared agenda for strengthening data systems and improving evidence-based decision-making. Strengthening EMIS remains critical for tracking progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) as well as the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026–2035).

The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Adoumtar Noubatour, Head of AU IPED, alongside the Director General for Planning and Budgeting from South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education and Instruction Hon. George Maggo, and Mr. Mabor Tur, GPE KIX Focal Point for South Sudan. In their remarks, they underscored the central role of reliable and well-governed data systems in enabling effective planning, resource allocation, and improved learning outcomes across the education sector. “Without reliable data, planning remains guesswork, strong education systems are built on strong information systems.” – Hon. George Maggo, Director General for Planning and Budgeting from South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education.

Over the three-day engagement, AU IPED led technical consultations, system mapping, and collaborative working sessions with Ministry officials across EMIS, Planning, ICT, and Policy units. Through these engagements, participants traced how education data moves across the system – from handwritten classroom registers and school-level record books to state-level aggregation and national reporting platforms. This process revealed an EMIS landscape that is largely manual, fragmented across multiple systems, and heavily dependent on partner-supported tools, with limited integration between data streams. In practice, this has resulted in parallel reporting processes, inconsistencies in key education indicators, and delays in data availability for decision-making.

Through facilitated discussions, AU IPED supported participants to critically examine bottlenecks in data flow, gaps in standardization, and institutional capacity constraints, as well as the implications these challenges have on planning, resource allocation, and system performance. Particular attention was given to how data is collected, validated, and transmitted across levels, highlighting points where data quality is compromised or lost.

To ground these discussions in operational realities, AU IPED conducted field visits to public schools in Juba, where the team observed firsthand how education data is generated, recorded, and transmitted. The visits provided critical validation of system-level findings – demonstrating the reliance on paper-based tools, the burden placed on school-level staff, and the resilience of educators working within constrained environments, ensuring that proposed reforms are both practical and context-responsive.

The workshop highlighted a number of persistent and interrelated challenges affecting the effectiveness of EMIS in South Sudan:

  • Fragmented and parallel data systems, including EMIS, statistical systems, and partner-supported tools, resulting in inconsistencies in key education indicators and limited interoperability
  • Limited technical capacity across national and subnational levels, particularly in data management, analysis, and system administration
  • Heavy reliance on manual, paper-based data collection at school level, increasing risks of data errors, delays, and limited real-time access to information
  • Inadequate ICT infrastructure and connectivity, including limited access to computers, internet, and power supply – especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas
  • Weak coordination mechanisms among stakeholders and development partners, leading to duplication of efforts and misalignment with Ministry systems
  • Low levels of domestic financing for education data systems, resulting in high dependence on external funding and limited sustainability

Priority Recommendations to Strengthen EMIS

In response, participants identified a set of priority, system-level reforms:

  • Strengthening data governance frameworks by clearly defining institutional roles and responsibilities, establishing data standards, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms
  • Developing and institutionalizing standardized data collection tools, including instruments to capture critical indicators such as reasons for student dropout and exclusion
  • Establishing structured partner coordination mechanisms, led by the Ministry, to align investments, harmonize tools, and reduce duplication
  • Designing and implementing a sustainable capacity development strategy, targeting EMIS personnel at national and subnational levels
  • Investing in ICT infrastructure and system integration to improve data reliability, accessibility, and use across the education system

A Costed National EMIS Action Plan

A key outcome of the mission was the development of a costed national EMIS action plan, led by the Ministry and supported by AU IPED. The plan translates identified challenges into a set of prioritized, actionable interventions, providing a clear framework for implementation.

Structured around five core investment areas, namely; capacity development, data quality improvement, ICT infrastructure and system integration, governance and policy strengthening, and decentralization, the plan outlines specific activities required to strengthen the EMIS ecosystem at national and subnational levels.

Indicative budget allocations – including targeted investments in training, infrastructure, data quality, governance, and decentralization, were proposed to support implementation. By linking priorities to costed interventions, the plan provides a sequenced and implementable roadmap to guide resource mobilization, partner alignment, and sustained system strengthening.

Looking Ahead

As South Sudan continues its transition from emergency response to long-term system strengthening, the outcomes of this mission represent an important step toward institutionalizing data-driven education planning and decision-making, in line with national priorities, Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), and Continental Education Strategy for Africa CESA 2026–2035.

Closing the engagement, Adoumtar Noubatour, Head of AU IPED, emphasized the importance of sustained leadership and commitment:

“Transforming education systems requires us to confront difficult realities and make deliberate choices. Strengthening education data systems is not easy – but it is essential if we are to build systems that serve every learner and support informed decision-making at all levels.”

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

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Eurico Monteiro enaltece papel da mulher cabo-verdiana na sociedade e na formação de valores familiares

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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O Ministro da Promoção de Investimentos e Fomento Empresarial e Ministro da Modernização do Estado e Administração Pública enalteceu o papel da mulher cabo-verdiana na sociedade e na formação de valores familiares. Um papel que, conforme Eurico Monteiro, foi sendo redefinido desde a independência, passando esta a ocupar um lugar de destaque também na construção da nossa sociedade, deixando de se limitar às funções tradicionais de mãe, esposa e dona de casa.

“Em 50 anos de independência, talvez um dos ganhos mais importantes tenha sido a circunstância de as mulheres terem ganho mais de 20 anos de esperança média de vida, passando de 60 para 80 anos”, afirmou Eurico Monteiro durante a abertura de uma palestra alusiva ao Dia da Mulher Cabo-verdiana, que se assinala a 27 de março, e do Pai, celebrado a 19 de março, promovida pelos serviços de recursos humanos dos dois ministérios que tutela.

Para o Ministro, mais do que o aumento de tempo vivido, esse importante marco representa uma mudança na perspetiva de vida, porquanto associada à esperança média de vida mais alta, estão a melhoria das condições de saúde, da qualidade de vida e do contexto no qual se vive.

“Isso significa que um conjunto de fatores associados à mulher evoluiu, o que por si só já potencia esse aumento considerável na esperança média de vida”, reforçou o Ministro, sublinhando em como o papel da mulher cabo-verdiana redefiniu ao longo dos 50 anos de Cabo Verde independente.

“Não obstante tudo aquilo que ganhou em termos de ativismo profissional, relevância, e do peso decisivo que passou a ter até no contexto da economia da família, ainda que com muito menos disponibilidade de tempo, a mulher continua a ter um peso marcante na orientação e transmissão de valor à família”, acrescentou o Ministro, reconhecendo em como a presença e o envolvimento da mulher, não apenas pela sensibilidade, mas pelo olhar diferenciado para os problemas e para as relações interpessoais, contribui para melhorar o contexto de atuação, em casa ou no trabalho.

“No contexto laboral essa atuação diferenciada se revela de extrema importância, não só porque na diversidade encontra-se qualidade, mas, sobretudo, porque a forma como encara o trabalho é, em muito boa medida, diferente, o que não só enriquece como humaniza o ambiente de trabalho”, concluiu o governante, agradecendo aos palestrantes –  António dos Anjos, Pastor da Igreja Adventista e Eloisa Cardoso, presidente da Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde e, particularmente, às equipas dos serviços de recursos humanos dos ministérios pela iniciativa e engajamento em causas desta natureza.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.