MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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Mr. Barry Faure, Seychelles’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, concluded a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the margins of the African Union (AU) Executive Council in Addis Ababa. The discussions centered on deepening strategic partnerships, streamlining diplomatic protocols, and fostering regional solidarity within the Indian Ocean and the broader African continent.

Minister Faure met with H.E. Taher al-Baour, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the State of Libya where both parties agreed to conclude a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and initiated discussions on the signing of a visa waiver agreement for ordinary passport holders. They also agreed on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations.

Minister Faure also engaged with H.E. Mrs. RAZANAMAHASOA Christine, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar, and H.E. Mr. MBAE Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Union of the Comoros. These talks reinforced the shared objectives of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), focusing on leadership, maritime security, sustainable development, and the collective voice of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the AU framework. Madagascar and Seychelles agreed to work on the possibility of establishing a Joint commission to broaden partnerships between both sides in mutually beneficial sectors.

The Minister also had an exchange with Honorable Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of Mauritius. They discussed the upcoming State Visit of President Herminie to Mauritius in March 2026.

Minister Faure also exchanged views with special envoys from Kyrgyzstan, Germany and Portugal who are contesting for a non-permanent seat as on the United Nations Security Council. He also had talks with the French Minister for Europe and the Francophonie on the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi in May 2026.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Republic of Seychelles.

Source: APO

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The Women, Gender and Youth Directorate of the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Republic of Ghana, convened a High-Level Breakfast Meeting on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Organised by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and AU Champion for Gender and Development Issues, the meeting brought together Heads of State and Government, policymakers, development partners, financial institutions, private sector leaders, and civil society representatives to revitalize the AU Gender Champion’s Agenda and mobilize political and financial support for the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion 2030 initiative.

President Mahama outlined a renewed strategy built on five core pillars: political leadership, resource mobilization, policy coherence, accountability, and strategic partnerships. He emphasized that while progress has been made, the pace of change must dramatically accelerate to meet continental and global goals.

“Advancing gender equality is not merely a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative for Africa’s sustainable development and inclusive growth,” President Mahama stated.

In his remarks, President Mahama emphasized the need to move beyond policy declarations and ensure that commitments are matched with concrete budgetary allocations, measurable targets, and transparent accountability mechanisms. He underscored that advancing gender equality is both a moral obligation and a strategic imperative for sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long-term stability across the continent.

The meeting reaffirmed that Africa’s path to achieving Agenda 2063 is closely tied to unlocking the economic potential of its women and youth. Participants acknowledged that despite the existence of strong continental frameworks, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, and the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion 2020 to 2030, implementation gaps persist.

Structural barriers, including limited access to credit, land ownership, markets, and digital innovation, continue to impede women and youth from fully participating in economic life. Delegates also noted that recent economic shocks and climate related crises have slowed or reversed progress on gender equality in several regions.

The High-Level Meeting focused on four strategic objectives:

• Secure renewed political leadership for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in line with Agenda 2063.
• Advocate for increased and targeted financing to bridge gender gaps in financial and economic inclusion.
• Strengthen and reposition the AU Gender Champion’s Agenda as a robust continental accountability and visibility mechanism for implementing gender commitments. and
• Promote strategic partnerships with the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society under the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion 2030 initiative.

The meeting concluded with a strategic panel discussion focused on strengthening stakeholder collaboration for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE). The session aimed to catalyse partnerships to translate high-level commitments into tangible, scalable outcomes for Africa’s women and youth through the WYFEI 2030 Initiative.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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On February 12, 2026, the Zambian Ministry of Defence held a ceremony to award the “International Friendship and Cooperation Medal” to the 28th Chinese military medical experts team to Zambia. Mr. Maambo Haamaundu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier GeneralLevi Muchemwa, Commandant of Mania Soko Medical Centre, Wang Sheng, Chargé d’Affairesof the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Chinainthe Republic of Zambia and Senior Colonel Bai Yunfeng, Defense Attaché, attended the ceremony.

Mr. Maambo Haamaundu conveyed the warm greetings Mr Hakainde Hichilemaof the Zambian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forceto the 28th Chinese military medical experts team. Mr. Haamaundu stated that the Chinese military doctors have made significant contributions to the Zambian military’s medical and health services. Zambia is committed to continuing to strengthen cooperation with China in the field of military medical and health services and deepening the friendly relations between the two countries.

Wang Sheng stated that the medical team embodied the spirit of perseverance and boundless compassion, winning praise for their noble medical ethics and outstanding capabilities. He expressed his hope that exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries would reach a new level, continuing to benefit both countries and their people.

Wang Zhiyi, the team leader of the 28th Chinese military medical experts team, said that the awarding of the medal, is a great recognition of the work of the team and also a testament to the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries and militaries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.

Source: APO

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H.E. Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, convened an expanded meeting with the Ministry’s senior leadership in his first official engagement following the constitutional oath before H.E. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic.

The meeting focused on reviewing priority workstreams, the draft annual plan, and the medium-term framework in line with the Unified Planning Law. The Minister directed the swift completion of ongoing efforts to ensure operational efficiency and stressed the importance of reflecting presidential directives to the newly formed government within the draft plan.

Dr. Rostom underscored the need to maintain uninterrupted institutional performance, calling for regular monitoring of implementation rates and accelerated execution to maximize the effective use of resources. He emphasized strengthening internal coordination and fostering a unified team spirit across all sectors involved in the planning process, in alignment with Egypt Vision 2030.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to implementing the directives of President El-Sisi, placing citizens at the forefront of government action. He noted that current priorities focus on achieving sustainable growth, reinforcing macroeconomic stability, and improving the efficiency of public expenditure to enhance living standards.

He added that government action in the coming phase centers on improving quality of life, upgrading service delivery, creating decent employment opportunities, and expanding social protection coverage.

In this context, Dr. Rostom referred to directives issued by H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, regarding citizen-focused priorities. These include accelerating the implementation of the Presidential Initiative “Hayah Karima” (Decent Life) to develop the Egyptian countryside, as well as expediting the rollout of the Comprehensive Health Insurance System in accordance with its national implementation plan.

The Minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening public investment governance as a cornerstone of expenditure efficiency and maximizing developmental returns. He stressed adherence to objective project selection criteria, alignment with national strategic objectives, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Rationalizing public investments and directing them toward priority sectors, he noted, are essential to achieving fiscal sustainability and enhancing economic competitiveness.

Dr. Rostom concluded by emphasizing the need for deeper coordination and integration across ministries and relevant entities to ensure coherence between sectoral plans and the objectives of the annual and medium-term frameworks. He affirmed that unified government action is critical to avoiding duplication, optimizing resource allocation, and delivering measurable developmental impact that responds effectively to citizens’ needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.