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Ambassador Gao Wenqi Visits Northern Province of Rwanda

Source: APO


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On October 28, Ambassador Gao Wenqi visited Northern Province of Rwanda and paid a courtesy call on Hon. MUGABOWAGAHUNDE Maurice, Governor of Northern Province. Also present were Mr. NGENDAHIMANA Pascal, Executive Secretary of Northern Province, Mr. NSENGIMANA Claudien, Mayor of Musanze, and Counselor Gao Zhiqiang from the Embassy.

Amb. Gao noted that China’s cooperation with Northern Province infrastructure, TVET, and sister-city has been at the forefront of China-Rwanda exchanges. He expressed China’s readiness to work with the Rwandan side to implement the consensus of the two Heads of State, deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, including local cooperation, tighten people-to-people bonds, and advance the high-quality building of China-Rwanda comprehensive strategicpartnership, so as to bring about more benefit for both countries and both peoples.

Hon. Governor MUGABOWAGAHUNDE Maurice commended fruitful outcomes of exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, from which Northern Province has greatly benefited. He looked forward to leveraging respective advantages, and strengthening practical cooperation to achieve shared prosperity.

Amb. Gao, along with Mr. NGENDAHIMANA Pascal, visited the campus of IPRC Musanze, and Rwanda Luban Workshop which has been jointly built by Jinhua University of Vocational Technology and IPRC Musanze. He afterwards visited the volcano belt water supply project implemented by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

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

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Amb. Guo Haiyan Attends the Opening Ceremony of 2025 Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine

Source: APO


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On October 30, as a key program of China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season, 2025 Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine successfully launched at Kenya Utalii College (KUC) in Nairobi. Forty teams from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal and other countries participated. H.E. Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Hon. John Ololtuaa, PS for Tourism attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

Amb. Guo noted that cuisine is a reflection of civilization, and food serves as a bridge of exchange. The journey of Chinese cuisine in Africa is a vivid story of cultural exchange and fusion. It was convinced we would see interpretations of classic Chinese dishes as well as creative fusions with African ingredients. This embodies the essence of Chinese culinary philosophy—harmony in diversity, and reflects the spirit of China-Africa friendship — beauty in mutual appreciation. And it was expected that China and Africa can fully utilize cuisine as a medium to deepen exchanges and cooperation, and inject new vitality into building an All-weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.

The Kenya guests highly commended the major contribution of the Chinese catering industry in Kenya to local employment and economic development, and expressed their willingness to take the championship as an opportunity to promote the in-depth development of friendly cooperation between China and Kenya.

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

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​Chinese Embassy in South Africa Collaborates with Fujian Foreign Affairs Office on Consular Protection Awareness Campaign

Source: APO


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On 27 October, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa collaborated with the Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office to conduct an online consular protection awareness campaign. The event was attended by the Embassy’s Minister Qin Zhanpeng and Counsellor Liao Xiaoying, as well as Deputy Director Huang Shaorong of the Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. Participants included representatives from the Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Fujian Provincial Department of Public Security, relevant departments of Fuzhou City and Fuqing City, as well as overseas Chinese community leaders and family members of overseas Chinese.

In his speech, Minister Qin expressed gratitude for Fujian’s strong support for consular protection efforts in South Africa. He highlighted the positive role played by Fujianese expatriates in South Africa in advancing China-South Africa friendship, supporting their homeland, serving the overseas Chinese community, and fostering a positive image for overseas Chinese. Minister Qin provided a detailed overview of China-South Africa relations, as well as South Africa’s security situation and related risks. He urged overseas Chinese to take primary responsibility for their own safety, ensure lawful and compliant business operations, integrate into local communities, and strengthen their risk-prevention capabilities. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in South Africa will continue to spare no effort in protecting the safety and legitimate rights of overseas Chinese, ensuring they have a “home away from home”. Counsellor Liao Xiaoying delivered a systematic presentation on crime prevention and emergency response, illustrated with case studies.

Deputy Director Huang Shaorong noted that Fujian Foreign Affairs Office will continue to deepen collaboration with the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in South Africa, to enhance consular protection outreach and case-handling capabilities. Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on consular protection practices, observing that the event helped them improve their awareness and capabilities to guard against risks.

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

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Macpherson to pay courtesy visit to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will on Monday pay a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the KwaKhangela Royal Palace in Nongoma.

“During the meeting, the Minister will present the department and its entities’ plans for infrastructure delivery in KwaZulu-Natal to His Majesty, including ongoing construction and maintenance projects, job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the implementation of infrastructure reforms like the upcoming Social Facilitation Framework (SFF) to improve delivery performance in the province,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

The Minister will be joined by KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure Member of the Executive Council, Martin Meyer; Chairperson of the Independent Development Trust, Zimbini Hill; Chairperson of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Khulile Nzo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Built Environment Dr Msizi Myeza. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet approves SA’s assumption of interim leadership of SADC

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Cabinet has at its meeting this week approved a request from the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Elias Mpedi, for South Africa to assume interim leadership of SADC – due to the recent political developments in Madagascar. 

This includes hosting all SADC meetings scheduled from November 2025 and South Africa is expected to assume interim responsibilities until the Summit makes a formal determination.

“This request is in line with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty which states that when a sitting Chair is unable to fulfil its duties, the incoming Chairperson should resume interim responsibilities until the Summit decides,” Cabinet said in a statement.   

An Inter-Ministerial Committee will be established to guide, coordinate and monitor preparations and execution of South Africa’s interim SADC Chairship responsibilities. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet welcomes smooth start of 2025 matric exams

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Cabinet has welcomed the smooth start of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with more than 900 000 candidates sitting for the final exams across the country. 

Cabinet commended the Department of Basic Education for the effective systems put in place to ensure the credible and secure administration of the exams.

“Cabinet urges parents and guardians to continue supporting learners during this period by creating a calm, quiet environment for them to study and monitor their anxiety levels until the release of the final results in January 2026. 

“These young people represent the future of our nation, and they must know that we remain proud of them,” Cabinet said in a statement.

Concerns over bullying in schools

Meanwhile, Cabinet also expressed concern over recent reports on incidents of bullying that occurred at various schools across the country.

“Bullying in schools is an extremely serious matter and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that our schools are safe and welcoming places of learning. Cabinet calls on all schools to take allegations of bullying, violence and harassment seriously and to investigate them. 

“Learners are encouraged to report incidents of bullying and harassment to principals, educators, parents and guardians,” Cabinet said.

Cabinet reaffirms that schools must adhere to the National School Safety Framework, which provides guidance on addressing violence, including bullying. 

“There is also a need for schools to stringently enforce Learner Codes of Conduct that include clear expectations for behaviour and consequences for bullying,” Cabinet said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet welcomes South Africa’s removal from FATF greylist

Source: Government of South Africa

Cabinet, at its meeting held in Cape Town this week, welcomed the official removal of South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist. 

The decision follows the successful completion of all 22 action items by June 2025 and a positive outcome from the FATF’s on-site assessment in July, which confirmed that South Africa’s reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems are both effective and sustainable.

“Cabinet commended the sterling and coordinated work of the inter-departmental team of National Treasury, State Security Agency, National Prosecuting Authority and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, for the measures put in place to counter and prosecute terrorism and terror-financing,” Cabinet said in a statement.

Cabinet said the greylisting milestone ends a two-year period of heightened monitoring since the country’s greylisting in 2023. 

“This demonstrates South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law, strengthening key institutions, and improving enforcement and governance processes.

“The de-listing is expected to improve business confidence, strengthen financial systems, reduce the cost of borrowing, contribute to the integrity of our economy,  and increase appetite for more investments and creation of jobs. 

“Furthermore, the de-listing will ease illicit cross-border financial transactions and reinforce South Africa’s reputation as a reliable and compliant player in the international financial system,” Cabinet said. 

The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation and finance watchdog that was established to combat money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, as well as other threats to the integrity of the international financial system. 

It sets global standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, promotes the effective implementation of these standards, and conducts mutual evaluations of member countries to assess their compliance with the FATF Recommendations. 

The FATF requires countries that have exited the greylist to demonstrate continued commitment through measurable outcomes, including successful investigations, prosecutions, and sanctions as they relate to Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism – AML/CFT.

These actions will form the basis of the next FATF Mutual Evaluation for South Africa, which is expected to commence in the first half of 2026 and conclude in October 2027. – SAnews.gov.za

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José Luís Livramento assume Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Vanuza Barbosa é a nova Secretária de Estado das Comunidades

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Sob proposta do Primeiro Ministro, José Ulisses Correia e Silva, o novo Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Cooperação e Integração Regional e das Comunidades, José Luís Livramento, foi empossado hoje, 30 de outubro, pelo Drecreto Presidencial n.º 13/2025, de 28 de Outubro, como novo Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Cooperação e Integração Regional e das Comunidades. Vanuza Francisca Correia Teixeira Barbosa assume, a partir de hoje, as funções de Secretária de Estado das Comunidades, na sequência das recentes nomeações efetuadas sob proposta do Primeiro-Ministro, Ulisses Correia e Silva.

Doutorado em Economia (2013), com MBA em Gestão (2003) e Licenciatura em Engenharia de Telecomunicações e Eletrónica (1979), todos pela Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, José Luís Livramento vinha exercendo as funções de Embaixador de Cabo Verde nos Estados Unidos da América desde outubro de 2020. Entre 2016 e 2020, foi Presidente do Conselho de Administração, CEO e CTO da Cabo Verde Telecom, tendo anteriormente desempenhado cargos de liderança nos antigos Correios e Telecomunicações de Cabo Verde e sido consultor da empresa entre 2000 e 2016.

José Luis Livramento integrou vários governos. Entre 1995 e 1999, foi Ministro da Educação, Ciência e Cultura, Ministro da Educação, Juventude e Desportos e Secretário de Estado da Economia, além de ter exercido o mandato de Deputado Nacional. É também autor de diversas publicações sobre economia, educação e regulação em Cabo Verde.

Vanuza Barbosa, é natural da ilha do Fogo.  Foi empossada a 30 de novembro como a nova Secretária de Estado das Comunidades, pelo Decreto Presidencial n.º 14/2025. Deputada Nacional eleita pelo Movimento para a Democracia (MpD), integrava a Comissão Especializada de Educação, Cultura, Saúde, Juventude, Desporto e Questões Sociais, e é Membro da União Interparlamentar desde 2021.

Pós-graduada em Ciências da Linguagem, com especialização em Psicolinguística, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, e licenciada em Linguística pela Universidade de Lisboa, Vanuza Barbosa tem ainda formação avançada em Marketing pelo Instituto Superior de Ciências Jurídicas e Sociais (ISCJS). Com experiência nas áreas de comunicação e ensino superior, foi Professora Assistente e Diretora do Gabinete de Comunicação e Imagem do ISCJS (2010-2021), além de ter lecionado na Universidade de Santiago e no Instituto Pedagógico do Fogo.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Cabo Verde socializa Estratégia Nacional para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional – Horizonte 2035

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Realizou-se hoje, 30 de outubro, na cidade da Praia, a XIIª Reunião Ordinária do Conselho Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (CNSAN). O encontro teve como objetivo socializar a Estratégia Nacional para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional – Horizonte 2035 (ENSAN 2035) e apresentar as principais linhas orientadoras do Plano de Ação para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN).

Ao presidir a cerimónia de abertura do evento, o Ministro da Agricultura e Ambiente, Gilberto Silva, frisou que Cabo Verde enfrenta desafios estruturais significativos – forte dependência das importações alimentares, recursos naturais limitados e grande vulnerabilidade climática.

Apesar desses desafios, a ENSAN 2035 surge como um instrumento estratégico e transformador, assente em três pilares fundamentais: sistemas alimentares sustentáveis, resilientes e inclusivos; proteção social promotora do desenvolvimento económico, bem como a saúde e nutrição baseadas numa alimentação adequada.

A Estratégia está alinhada com o PEDS II e com os principais planos e políticas setoriais do país, reforçando o compromisso nacional com o Direito Humano à alimentação adequada, o desenvolvimento sustentável e a resiliência alimentar de Cabo Verde.

Para Gilberto Silva, apesar das crises vividas, secas cíclicas, pandemia e choques externos, Cabo Verde tem demonstrado resiliência e capacidade de adaptação, através de políticas públicas inovadoras e estruturantes, que reforçam a sustentabilidade e a eficiência do setor alimentar.

Entre as medidas implementadas, foram destacadas a dessalinização da água do mar para fins agrícolas; a criação da Empresa Logística Agroalimentar de Cabo Verde; a reutilização de águas residuais tratadas; o fortalecimento das cadeias de valor agroalimentares; o reforço da alimentação escolar, entre outras iniciativas.

“Com visão estratégica, cooperação e vontade política, construiremos juntos sistemas alimentares mais justos, mais resilientes e mais sustentáveis, colocando a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional no centro das políticas públicas e do futuro que queremos para Cabo Verde”, sublinhou o Ministro.

A ENSAN 2035, é acima de tudo, salientou, uma estratégia de esperança e transformação e traduz o compromisso do país em fazer da alimentação um instrumento de dignidade, saúde e prosperidade para cada cabo-verdiano e cabo-verdiana.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Sudan: Carnage in Al Fasher must end

Source: APO


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“The horror unfolding in Al Fasher is beyond words. The Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) assault on civilians and the terror inflicted on families trying to flee are indefensible. Civilians are being shelled, hospitals have been hit, and aid workers and local volunteers are being targeted. Families fleeing the city describe running through gunfire and armed checkpoints, facing extortion, harassment and fear at every turn. No one is spared. Many of our Sudanese colleagues are grieving the loss of loved ones. This carnage has to stop.

“Tens of thousands of civilians are believed to have fled Al Fasher, but only just over 5,000 people have reportedly reached Tawila. We fear that many civilians have been detained, disappeared, or killed as they fled to safety. Those who make it arrive exhausted, starved, injured and traumatised. People report facing armed checkpoints, extortion, arbitrary arrests, detention, looting, sexual violence and harassment along the way.

“Our NRC teams are working day and night with local responders to deliver lifesaving aid, but this is far from enough. World leaders must urgently act to demand the release and safe passage of those detained and to protect civilians still trapped or missing.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing assault on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure. There must be an immediate cessation of hostilities in and around Al Fasher, and all parties must guarantee safe movement for civilians as well as access for humanitarian aid.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).