MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

• Eswatini’s artisans have already shown their work in Paris and Copenhagen.
• At Decorex Johannesburg, they brought the INDALO collection to Africa’s largest design market and found buyers ready for it.

A woven grass lampshade. A soapstone bowl. A ceramic piece that carries decades of tradition in its glaze. These may seem like souvenirs you would bring home from travels. At Decorex Johannesburg 2026, they were design.

For five creative enterprises from Eswatini, the show – one of Africa’s largest interior design and décor exhibitions – was the latest chapter in a journey that has already taken their work to Paris and Copenhagen. This time, the destination was closer to home, and in some ways more significant: the African market, where the conversation about what contemporary African design can be is only just beginning.

From 30 July to 2 August, Favourite Swaziland, MasterArtworks, Siyaphambili, Tintsaba, and Welcome Mashaba presented the INDALO collection to an audience of approximately 48,000 visitors: interior designers, retailers, hospitality buyers, and design professionals from across South Africa and the region. The collection spans ceramics, woven grass, sisal lighting, soapstone, and home accessories: a range of materials shaped by hand and rooted in Eswatini’s craft heritage, reimagined through collaborations with European and local designers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

Source: APO

Mr. Kibreab Tekeste, Eritrea’s Consul General in Frankfurt, Germany, conducted public seminars for nationals in Kassel and Hanover on 15 and 16 August.

The seminars focused on the objective situation in the homeland, regional and global developments, the role of conscious participation in strengthening national organizations, the Afambo Boarding School project, and consular services.

Mr. Kibreab noted that, at a time when the world is being tormented by war and a lack of peace, Eritrea is focusing on nation-building, safeguarding its unity and peace, and consciously pursuing its course of development despite smear campaigns intended to derail it.

In a briefing titled “Conscious and Strong Public Participation in Strengthening Organizations,” Mr. Teame Haile, Head of Public and Community Affairs, said that strong organizations could not be established without public participation. He also said that concerted efforts were being exerted to ensure strong public participation.

Mr. Teame underlined that nation-building should not be left to the Government alone but is the responsibility of every citizen. He called for the strengthening of national organizations and increased participation in national affairs.

The participants, on their part, expressed their commitment to strengthening national organizations and contributing to national affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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OCHA warns that the Ebola outbreak continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with national authorities recording more than 5,200 confirmed cases and nearly 2,500 deaths as of 18 August.

The Senior Ebola Coordinator, Julien Harneis, said that the Government and partners are scaling up the response, with five operational priorities: tripling safe care capacity, strengthening community engagement, doubling the number of safe and dignified burial teams, expanding disease surveillance, and increasing support to the most vulnerable.

As part of this broader effort, this morning, the Government launched the “Congo River Without Ebola” initiative, with support from the UN and its partners.

This initiative aims to strengthen disease surveillance and preparedness along the Congo River, a major route stretching over 1,700 kilometres that connects communities, markets and several provinces.

With funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, the International Organization for Migration, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Food Programme and their partners will support the initiative alongside national authorities. Together, they will strengthen disease surveillance at priority ports and transit points, improving early warning and referral systems, and reinforce preparedness among riverine communities and people travelling by boat.

Today, WHO announced that 70,000 doses of the Ebola Zaire vaccine have been allocated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The doses will support front-line health workers and a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s potential against the Bundibugyo virus.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Source: APO

The National Conference on Eritrean Agricultural Studies 2026 opened today, 20 August, at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers Hall in Asmara under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Agri-food Systems for National Economic Growth.”

At the opening ceremony, attended by Ministers, senior Government and PFDJ officials, experts, farmers’ representatives, food processors and partners, Dr. Efrem Gebremeskel, Chairman of the Conference Coordinating Committee, said that the conference had been organized to provide a platform for sharing research findings, examining current agricultural challenges and opportunities, discussing innovative approaches, and identifying practical directions for the sustainable transformation of Eritrea’s agricultural sector.

Representing the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Tekleab Misgina, Director General of Regulatory Services, said that the inspiration for holding the conference stemmed from the International Conference on Eritrean Studies held in January 2025. He noted that the event signifies a renewed commitment to transforming Eritrean agriculture and consolidating its role as the cornerstone of the country’s economic prosperity.

Noting that the conference provides an opportunity for open dialogue, knowledge-sharing and collaborative planning, Mr. Tekleab said that the contributions and active participation of all partners are essential in shaping the future of Eritrean agriculture.

During the two-day conference, 77 research papers will be presented on topics including Agricultural Extension and Farmers’ Adoption; Agricultural Digitalization; Value Chains and Agribusiness; Food Safety, Security and Nutrition; Agricultural Biotechnology and Laboratory Services; Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; Genetic Resources and Biodiversity Conservation; and Agricultural Policy, Regulatory Frameworks and Governance.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

As part of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to improve health outcomes for the people of Liberia, the Ministry of Health, along with its partners, has officially opened the Koon’s Town Primary Health Care Clinic in Todee District, rural Montserrado County.

The event brought together key representatives of stakeholder institutions and individuals, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the French Development Agency, the Government of France, Action Against Hunger, community leaders, religious leaders, traditional midwives, community dwellers, among others.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, Minister of Health, applauded development partners, especially the Government of France, Action Against Hunger, and the French Development Agency, for their continued support to Liberia’s health sector.

“On behalf of the President and the people of Liberia, particularly the Ministry of Health and the people of Koon’s Town, I would like to express our profound thanks and appreciation to the Government and people of France, the French Development Agency, and Action Against Hunger for their important investment in healthcare. I also want to appreciate the healthcare workers here who are doing extremely well for the various communities here,” Dr. Kpoto lauded.

The Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that Koon’s Town Clinic has its own ambulance following the procurement of 15 ambulances, which she said is underway.

The Ambassador of France to Liberia, Mrs. Isabelle Le Guellec, who spoke on behalf of the French government, stated that the facility is a “concrete expression of France’s commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia in strengthening its national health system.”

“France and its partners have supported the construction and equipping of the facility; it is now time to hand it over to the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Health, and the County Health Team. The sustainability of this investment is in your hands. The continued commitment of national and local authorities, health workers, and also the communities that this clinic will serve will be essential to ensuring that it remains a place of quality care for many years to come,” she noted.

Describing the gathering as a shared vision for better health outcomes for the people of Koon’s Town and surrounding communities, Mr. Sukhdev Sharma, Country Director of Action Against Hunger, expressed profound gratitude to the Government of Liberia, especially the Minister of Health, whose leadership he said was instrumental to the journey.

“Today, we are celebrating a shared vision for better health, dignity, and hope for the people of Koon’s Town and the surrounding communities. This clinic stands as a clear example of what can be achieved if government institutions, development partners, health workers, local leaders, and communities come together with a common purpose.

“I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the French Development Agency for the generous support and continued partnership with Liberia, and also a heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Health, under the distinguished leadership of the Minister, Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, whose guidance has been very instrumental to this journey,” Mr. Sharma stated.

“This Koon’s Town Clinic reflects a strong collaboration between the Government of Liberia, the Government of France, the French Development Agency, Action Against Hunger, County Authorities, and, most importantly, the people of Koon’s Town community,” he added.

Other participating stakeholder institutions, including WHO, thanked the Ministry of Health, the Government of France, the French Development Agency, Action Against Hunger, County Authorities, and all healthcare workers for their intervention, which they described as a success. They also reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Ministry to ensure that Liberians continue to receive quality healthcare.

Before its construction by Action Against Hunger, in partnership with the Government of France and the French Development Agency under the BEHOL Project, the existing health facility had significantly deteriorated and no longer met the minimum standards for structural integrity or safe service delivery.

The facility’s condition posed serious risks to both patients and staff, limiting its functionality and undermining the quality of care. Given these challenges, the Minister of Health and her senior management team, along with their partners, conducted a comprehensive assessment and recommended the construction of a new Level 2 Primary Health Care (PHC) building to replace the outdated structure. The intervention was essential to restore safe, reliable, and accessible services to the community.

Koon’s Town Clinic is a Primary Health Care-1 clinic located in rural Montserrado County, Todee District. The facility was built in 2008 by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment as an emergency structure to serve the people of Koon’s Town due to the need for a clinic in the community.

The facility has 64 catchment communities, with 10 communities within a 5-kilometer radius and 54 communities beyond a 5-kilometer radius, serving a catchment population of 6,970 people.

The clinic also provides Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health services, including labor and delivery, immunization, HIV/AIDS counseling and testing, especially for pregnant women, mental health services, and nutrition counseling.

The newly constructed clinic is well equipped with all necessary systems, including a 17.6 kW solar system installed to supply electricity, a new waste management system, and new medical equipment and furniture for essential and critical areas of health service delivery, including the Maternal and Child Health Unit

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia.

Source: APO

The rollout of new national identity cards has come under fresh scrutiny in Parliament, with Aswa County, Hon. Patrick Okello reporting that failures in the cards’ QR-code verification system are leaving citizens unable to access essential services.

Hon. Okello (DP), who raised the matter during the plenary sitting presided over by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth on Thursday, 20 August, 2026, said that some holders of the newly issued national IDs are being turned away when seeking services that require electronic identity verification.

“Ugandans are crying out because when seeking banking services, buying new SIM cards from the telecom service providers and SIM card replacements, some of these services that require the QR code, the new IDs’ QR codes are not responding,” he said.

Hon. Okello urged the government and the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to explain why the QR codes embedded on the new cards were reportedly still failing to authenticate users.

He highlighted that NIRA publicly acknowledged on 9 February 2026 that the QR-code functionality had not yet been integrated into its digital operational system and had indicated that the problem would be resolved by 31 March 2026.

He further questioned why the problem was allegedly persisting months after that deadline.

“I therefore pray and request that the Minister for Internal Affairs and NIRA explain to the country and give a deadline when the national IDs will be operationalised,” he said.

He also raised concerns over a Shs5,000 charge for a NIRA letter intended to enable one whose card cannot be electronically verified to have their details integrated into the system.

Under the Registration of Persons Act, 2015, NIRA is mandated to create, manage, maintain and operate the National Identification Register, issue national identification cards and verify and authenticate information relating to registration and identification of persons.

Government Chief Whip, Hon. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, acknowledged the concern and said the government would seek a response from the Minister of Internal Affairs.

“Government has taken note of the question. I will ask the Minister of Internal Affairs to respond,” Aceng told Parliament.

Relatedly, the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, told MPs that the forth coming government mass registration and issuance drive for national identity cards would reduce the number of unregistered Ugandans from 11.9 million to below two million.

Responding to a concern on decentralisation of issuance of national identity cards at parish level, raised by Busongora County North MP, Hon. Sowedi Kitanywa, the Prime Minister said the drive will also seek to bring the number of unissued cards from seven million to less than 500,000.

“Government also plans to utilise parish chiefs to support the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) in carrying out registration and mobilisation at parish level,” Nabbanja noted.

She revealed that plans are on course to expand the NIRA staff structure from 571 to 997 employees, to enable the deployment of three officers in every district.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

The Health Service Commission has proposed sector specific standing orders to expedite disciplinary action against health workers implicated in negligence, absenteeism, dual employment and other forms of misconduct.

The Chairperson of the Health Service Commission, Dr Henry Mwebesa, told the House Committee on Health that the proposed rules arise from a presidential directive to establish a disciplinary framework for health workers similar to that governing the armed forces.

“The President directed that there should be standing orders for the health sector, just like it is for the army. Health workers will remain subject to the general standing orders of the Public Service, but there will be specific standing orders, especially regarding discipline,” Mwebesa said.

This was during the Health Committee’s introductory meeting with the Commission and the leadership of national and regional referral hospitals, on Thursday, 20 August 2026.

Mwebesa explained that disciplinary action under the existing Public Service procedures take between six months to one year, even in cases where negligence by a health worker results in the death of a patient.

“If a health worker, out of negligence, causes the death of a mother, you need six months to one year to discipline that person. Under the specific standing orders, we will not have to wait for six months to show you the exit,” he said.

The proposed standing orders will also address dual employment, requiring health workers to choose between serving the government or working with private or donor-funded institutions.

Other infringements to be covered by the standing orders include proceeding for further studies without obtaining official study leave.

Mwebesa asked the committee to support their plans to establish an assessment center at Butabika and wage to hire 1200 health workers while processing the 2026/2027 budget.

Legislators raised concerns about under staffing in various health facilities in their constituencies and failure to attract the right persons upcountry.

Hon. Miriam Mukhaye (NRM, Mbale District Woman Representative) proposed to the commission to team up with health training institutions in order to identify and attract competent personnel.

Hon. Bernard Otim (NRM, Maruzi North County) expressed concern for what he described as a rampant practice where staff have been made to act for long in acting capacity, saying it is unlawful.

“There are several staff who have served in acting capacity for more than six months. I hope that they are still receiving their allowances, and in case you advertise for the same jobs, they are given priority after acting for years,” said Otim.

The committee chairperson, Hon. Julius Monday, said the committee is set to meet heads of health training universities and other tertiary institutions to streamline issues related to staffing and recruitment.

“We for example want to project how many health workers we will be training in the next five years, in order to plan for internship payment and sort out issues including dual employment,” said Monday. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

Source: APO

In a solemn gathering to honour a life devoted to service, President Dr Patrick Herminie joined family, friends, national leaders and members of the diplomatic community this afternoon in bidding a final farewell to Ambassador Dick Esparon, who was laid to rest following a funeral service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Victoria. 

Standing alongside the President in paying their last respects were First Lady Mrs Veronique Herminie, Vice President Mr Sebastien Pillay and his wife Mrs Lena Pillay, as well as former Presidents Mr Wavel Ramkalawan and Mr Danny Faure, both accompanied by their wives.

The ceremony featured a moving eulogy delivered by the President himself, who described Ambassador Esparon as a dear friend a determined man who believed deeply in equality and opportunity, and who gave so much of himself to his country and its people. Further tributes were shared by his brother, Ambassador Silvestre Radegonde, who described him as someone who loved life and was a backbone to the family caring and supportive to all and by his wife, Vivienne, whose words reflected on his character and the depth of his commitment to those he served. Prayers offered during the service further enriched the solemn tribute to his memory.

Following the service, Ambassador Esparon was laid to rest at the Mont Fleuri Cemetery, surrounded by family, friends, and close ones who came together to bid him a final farewell. Also in attendance were members of the Cabinet of Ministers, members of the National Assembly, and numerous friends and family who came to honour his memory.

He leaves behind his wife, three adult children, and three grandchildren.

Ambassador Esparon’s career of public service was marked by extraordinary breadth. He served three terms as a Member of the National Assembly, representing his district of Pointe Larue with dedication and integrity. In the diplomatic arena, he served with distinction as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, including as Seychelles’ first resident High Commissioner to India and as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, in addition to serving as Secretary of State for Poverty Alleviation. Most recently, he served as Secretary General of United Seychelles, guiding the party with a steady hand and unwavering commitment.

The country as a whole joins the family in prayer, for the eternal rest of Ambassador Dick Esparon. The nation salutes a man who gave so much of himself in service of his people, and whose legacy of dedication, integrity, and compassion will continue to inspire generations to come.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.