Category: Africa

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the launch of its Propcom+ programme supporting climate and growth by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use system.

A £55 million contract and £2.89 million grant were announced as part of the £95 million Propcom+ eight-year UK International Climate Finance programme aimed at supporting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and forestry that benefits people, climate, and nature.

The programme aims to support more than 4 million people, 50% of whom will be women, to adopt and scale sustainable agricultural practices that increase productivity and climate resilience while reducing emissions and protecting natural ecosystems.

Propcom+ builds on the UK government’s investment in agriculture through the Propcom Mai-karfi programme which ended in March 2022 after supporting over 1.25 million people with improved incomes through key market reforms and policies that benefitted poor women and men in Northern Nigeria.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also highlighted how UK support will help to unlock $210 million of financing from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for participating Nigerian states for the development of critical infrastructure and related activities under the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

Speaking after the event, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Richard Montgomery, said:

Tackling the effects of climate change and lowering emissions is a key priority for the UK government and we remain committed to building sustainable pro-poor climate-resilient growth in Nigeria through the new Propcom+ programme, which will address environmental, social and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use systems.  

It will do this by working through strategic market actors to increase productivity of smallholder farmers, improve nutrition and food security, enhance climate resilience, pursue lower emissions, and protect and restore nature, while also tackling some of Nigeria’s underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity.

The new programme, which kicked off in May 2023 is implemented by The Palladium Group.  

The programme has initial focal states in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Edo, and Cross River where it will deliver climate-smart agricultural interventions to help the poor and climate vulnerable. It will also work in some Southern Nigerian states to address issues around deforestation, to foster sustainable land-use management. 

Propcom+’s Political Director and Country Representative Adiya V. Ode, said: 

Propcom+ will work as a market facilitator to identify constraints in market systems and will implement interventions through three broad-based inter-linked pillars. Pillar one will scale-up a focused basket of proven climate-smart interventions around agriculture and primary processing and storage practices and models for adoption by millions of poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs using a market-systems approach. 

Pillar two will build, pilot and scale new business models that improve productivity, enhance resilience to climate change, reduce emission and improve nutrition outcomes and pillar three will seek to support a strengthened enabling environment for sustainable food and land-use systems through enabling policies.

The new Propcom+ programme reinforces the UK government’s commitment to working with the Government of Nigeria to increase the depth of investment in the agricultural sector, this time, helping the vulnerable to build resilience and adapt to the effects of climate change.  

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Extensive war crimes are being committed in Sudan as the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) ravages the country, Amnesty International said in a new report.

The report, ‘Death Came To Our Home’: War Crimes and Civilian Suffering In Sudan, documents mass civilian casualties in both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks by the warring parties. The report also details sexual violence against women and girls, targeted attacks on civilian objects such as hospitals and churches, and extensive looting.

Some of the violations documented – such as attacks targeting civilians, attacks on humanitarian infrastructure, rape and other sexual violence, and pillage – amount to war crimes. The report focuses primarily on Khartoum and West Darfur.

“Civilians throughout Sudan are suffering unimaginable horror every single day as the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces recklessly vie for control of territory,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

“People are being killed inside their homes, or while desperately searching for food, water and medicine. They are being caught in crossfire while fleeing, and shot deliberately in targeted attacks. Scores of women and girls, some as young as 12, have been raped and subjected to other forms of sexual violence by members of the warring sides. Nowhere is safe.

“The spiralling violence in the region of Darfur, where the RSF and allied militias are causing untold death and destruction, is raising the spectre of the scorched earth campaign of previous decades, at times involving some of the same actors.

“The RSF and SAF, as well as their affiliated armed groups, must end their targeting of civilians, and guarantee safe passage for those seeking safety. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure justice and reparations for victims and survivors.”

Since 15 April 2023, the SAF (led by Sudan’s Sovereign Council Head General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan) and the paramilitary RSF (led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti) have been fighting for control of Sudan.

Considering the scale of fighting and organization of both sides, the situation qualifies as a non-international armed conflict under the Geneva Conventions. As such, the fighting between the parties is governed by international humanitarian law, which seeks to protect civilians and other non-combatants in armed conflict, and international human rights law, which continues to be applicable. Certain serious violations of these rules constitute war crimes, for which individual soldiers and commanders can be held criminally responsible.

Civilians killed in crossfire

Men, women and children have been caught in crossfire as both sides, often using explosive weapons with wide area effects, have launched frequent attacks in densely populated civilian neighbourhoods.

Fighting began in the Kalakla neighbourhood in southern Khartoum on 20 April. Kodi Abbas, a 55-year-old teacher, told Amnesty International that two of his sons, Hassan, six, and Ibrahim, eight, and his nephew Koko, seven, were killed as they tried to escape gunfire.

He said: “My wife and my children ran away from home when clashes broke out in our neighbourhood… but my two youngest boys… were small and couldn’t run away fast enough… I don’t know who shot them. The war killed them.”

Amnesty International has not been able to ascertain which side fired the shots that killed the three boys.

Ala’ Fawzi al-Mardi, a 26-year-old doctor, was killed in her home in Omdurman’s Hay al-Manara neighbourhood on 15 April, the day clashes first erupted.

Fawzi al-Mardi, her father, told Amnesty International that his wife was also seriously wounded. He said: “That morning we woke up to hell. The sound of shooting and bombing was everywhere, relentless… I was worried about my daughter Ala’ who had gone to work at the hospital.

“A few minutes after she had arrived home, a bullet came through the living room window, and it hit my wife in the face. It went through the right side of her face and neck, and then it hit Ala’ in the chest, killing her instantly. That one single bullet destroyed our family in the space of a few seconds… As soon as [Ala’] arrived home, where she should have been safe, death came to our home.” 

Many civilians told Amnesty International they had been injured and their relatives killed where they sought safety. On 6 June, repeated strikes with ground-launched projectiles in West Darfur killed and injured dozens of civilians in and around the El Geneina University female dorms, where many people were sheltering after fleeing fighting in their neighbourhoods.

Deliberate targeting of civilians

Civilians have been deliberately killed or injured in targeted attacks. Survivors and other witnesses generally identified RSF members as the perpetrators.

On 13 May, RSF members broke into the Mar Girgis (St George’s) Coptic Church complex in the Bahri area of Khartoum. Several witnesses said they shot five members of the clergy, and stole money and a gold cross. 

On 14 May, Dr. Adam Zakaria Is’haq, a 38-year-old medical doctor and human rights defender, was killed along with 13 patients at the Markaz Inqadh al-Tibbi (Medical Rescue Centre), a health clinic in the Jamarik neighourhood of El Geneina. Two of the doctor’s colleagues told Amnesty International that armed Arab militia members shot the 14 victims. 

One said: “Dr. Adam… was treating sick people at a small clinic when he was killed, because the main hospital in El Geneina was destroyed by the same armed militia and RSF in late April. He was shot in the chest. He left behind his wife and two young boys, aged four and six.”

Ethnically motivated attacks in West Darfur

As tensions increased in West Darfur, many ethnic Masalit people fled to eastern Chad. People who fled El Geneina told Amnesty International that the town had been attacked by heavily armed Arab militias, supported by RSF fighters.

On 28 May, dozens of civilians were killed in Misterei, a town south-west of El Geneina, when clashes broke out between RSF and allied militias, and Masalit armed groups. Residents told Amnesty International they buried 58 civilians killed that day.

In one family, five brothers were shot dead in their home, including Al-Haj Mohamed Abu Bakr, Zeinab Ibrahim Abdelkarim’s husband. The mother-of-two, aged 27, said: “Six RSF members broke into our home at 8am and went into the room where my husband and his four brothers were and shot them all dead… The RSF then came to the room where I was staying with my children and 12 other women and children… They beat us with sticks and whips and asked, ‘Where are the guns?’, and then stole our phones.” 

International humanitarian law forbids the deliberate targeting of civilians, as well as attacks that fail to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.

Sexual violence

Scores of women and girls, some as young as 12, have been subjected to sexual violence, including rape, by members of the warring sides. Some were held for days in conditions of sexual slavery.

In most cases documented by Amnesty International, survivors said the perpetrators were RSF members or from allied Arab militias. Rape, sexual slavery, and other forms of sexual violence committed in the context of an armed conflict are war crimes.

A 25-year-old woman from El Geneina told Amnesty International that three armed Arab men in civilian clothes forced her into the Civil Records building in the al-Jamarik neighbourhood on 22 June, where they raped her.

She said: “There is no safety anywhere in El Geneina. I left my home because there was shooting everywhere… and these criminals raped me. Now I’m afraid I may be pregnant… I can’t cope with that.”

In another case, a group of 24 women and girls were abducted by RSF members and taken to a hotel where they were held for several days in conditions amounting to sexual slavery. Many survivors have had no access to medical and psychosocial support.

Many health and humanitarian facilities have been destroyed or damaged across the country, depriving civilians of food and medicine, and exacerbating an already dire situation. Most documented cases of looting involved RSF members. Intentional attacks on humanitarian personnel or objects, or on health facilities or medical units, amount to war crimes.

Recommendations

Amnesty International is calling on the UN Security Council to swiftly extend the arms embargo that currently applies to Darfur to the whole of Sudan, and ensure it is enforced.

“The international community should significantly increase humanitarian support for Sudan, and neighbouring countries must ensure their borders are open to civilians seeking safety,” said Agnès Callamard.

“The international community must also immediately extend the existing arms embargo to all of Sudan and ensure its enforcement. Countries with significant leverage over the warring parties must use their influence to end the violations.

“The Human Rights Council should heed the calls from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and establish an independent investigative and accountability mechanism to monitor, collect, and preserve evidence of human rights violations in Sudan.”

Methodology

Amnesty International interviewed 181 people for the report, primarily in eastern Chad in June 2023 and remotely via secure calls. The organization also reviewed a large volume of audio-visual materials of potential violations, and examined satellite imagery to corroborate other incidents.

On 21 June 2023, Amnesty International wrote to the SAF and RSF sharing its findings, and requesting information relating to specific allegations documented in the report.

The SAF and RSF responded on 12 and 14 July respectively, both claiming adherence to international law and accusing the other side of violations. The SAF said it had established a cell to ensure targeting decisions minimized civilian harm, while the RSF denied allegations of sexual violence and said it formed committees to investigate all allegations of misconduct. The RSF also denied involvement in “what occurred” in West Darfur, including Misterei, and said “the majority” of Arab militias were connected to the SAF. Consistent witness testimony and other evidence identified RSF members in grave violations in West Darfur, at times alongside Arab militias.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) is gravely concerned about the severe impact of the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supported by Arab militias and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on civilians in the Darfur region. 

UNITAMS strongly condemns the indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations and public facilities by the RSF and allied militias, particularly in the locality of Sirba, 45 kilometers north of El Geneina in West Darfur, from 24 to 26 July 2023. The Mission is also concerned by similar incidents in Nyala, South Darfur, and Zalingei, Central Darfur.

“I am alarmed by reports indicating that civilians are being prevented from leaving for safer areas, resulting in numerous casualties. These reports are reminiscent of the violations committed in El Geneina, West Darfur, last June”, says Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNITAMS.

“We are documenting all the violations and I recall that these heinous acts are serious violations of the human rights of civilians and may constitute war crimes under international law. I remind all parties involved to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law to ensure the safety and protection of all civilians”, adds Perthes.

UNITAMS urges all forces engaged in hostilities to cease their military operations immediately and call on them to resume the Jeddah-facilitated talks and reaffirms its commitment to support and facilitate efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict throughout Sudan. 

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Darfur and remain dedicated to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region”, concludes Perthes.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Director of the Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi inaugurated the digital media laboratory at Addis Ababa University (AAU) in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which was developed by Al Jazeera Media Institute, within the Media for Development initiative, and a grant from the State of Qatar.

President of AAU Prof. Tassew Woldehanna and Head of AAU’s School of Journalism and Communication Dr. Abdulaziz Dino attended the opening ceremony, along with officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Director of the Media and Communication Department held a dinner party on the occasion of the inauguration, which was attended by the dean of the college, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the parliament, and editors-in-chief of the Ethiopian newspapers and networks.

In a speech delivered on this occasion, Al Hashmi said that the opening of this laboratory at AAU reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to support development projects in Ethiopia that directly benefit the friendly Ethiopian people.

For some people, this may merely seem like a media lab with some devices and equipment, but it represents a space that will help journalism and media students receive quality training and fulfill their dreams and aspirations of participating in changing the media landscape in Ethiopia and the region, which is why Qatar has been committed to supporting this project since the very beginning, he added.

Al Hashmi considered the inauguration of the laboratory as a milestone in cooperation and joint work between the two countries, noting that it reflects their aspiration to build on their successful experiences and learn from each other.

The digital media laboratory is a significant stage in Addis Ababa University’s digital transformation process and the development of journalism education in cooperation with Al Jazeera Media Institute. It also contributes to the promotion of innovation and practical application as well as the introduction of modern materials in the curricula for journalism students, such as mobile journalism, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in collecting and making news.

The digital media laboratory at AAU will also provide practical training for journalists working in public and private press institutions, as well as journalism students.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

On August 3, from 10:30 a.m. local time (4:30 p.m. JST) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, held a foreign ministers’ meeting with H.E. Mr. DEMEKE Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The overview is as follows.

1. At the outset, Minister Hayashi stated that he was pleased to visit Ethiopia for the first time in four years as the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also stated that he would like to further strengthen bilateral relations with Ethiopia through this visit. In response, Minister Demeke welcomed Minister Hayashi’s visit to Ethiopia and stated that this visit would be an opportunity to further advance the bilateral relations that have a long history.
2. Minister Hayashi mentioned Japan’s support for the peace agreement, and stated that he would like to consider further cooperation towards the implementation of the agreement. In response, Minister Demeke expressed his gratitude for Japan’s assistance and stated that the reconstruction assistance requires enormous funding. He asked that Japan continues to provide the assistance. Minister Hayashi also introduced Japan’s efforts through “invest in people,” and stated that he would like to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economic field. In response, Minister Demeke welcomed the support and investment from Japan and expressed his desire to continue to cooperate closely with Japan on the economic front.
3. Minister Demeke explained the results of the Russia-Africa summit held in Russia on July 27 and 28. Minister Hayashi, in view of the situation in Ukraine, expressed his hope to cooperate in order to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law. Minister Hayashi also stated that he shared serious concerns about the impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on food security in Africa. He stated that Japan deplores that the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) was terminated by Russia’s refusal, and has a hope to work together towards the resumption of the initiative. The two ministers affirmed the need for both countries to cooperate to ensure food security in Africa.
4. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on such issues as the situation in Africa including the conflict in Sudan and the situation in Niger, regional situation in East Asia, including responses to North Korea on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abduction issue. They also discussed on the various issues in the international community, such as the uncertain and unfair development finance and the strengthening of the functions of the United Nations including Security Council reform. The two ministers affirmed that they would continue to work closely together.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Leadership Impact Award.  This annual award recognizes the individual achievements of one member of the nearly 6,000 strong Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Network. Jamila was selected from among hundreds of nominations of alumni who have made a significant impact in their communities upon their return from the program.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).  Since 2014, nearly 5,800 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. The program fosters closer relations between Americans and fellows from 49 Sub-Saharan African countries and empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement.

Speaking about Jamila’s award, the U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, said “Jamila is one of the most active, passionate, creative, innovative, and impactful alumni. We are proud of her work with Smart Girls Uganda and the leadership she provides in the alumni community.”

Jamila Mayanja is the Founder and CEO of Smart Girls Uganda, a non-profit organization that equips young women with hands-on vocational and practical skills through their Girls with Tools skilling program. They have also innovated a water-proof Solar Smart Bag that includes reusable sanitary pads and a solar panel that charges a light bulb so the girls can stay safe walking to school and can read at night, enabling the young girls stay in school.

To date, Smart Girls has reached more than 30,000 girls with their signature Solar Smart Bag menstrual kits (including 10,000 who have consequently stayed in school), 300 women with skills-based training in male-dominated career trades like electrical and mechanical engineering, and 50 women with career placement opportunities. The organization’s efforts have had a huge impact on the families and communities of women and girls across Uganda.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is a U.S. government-funded program. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit www.mandelawashingtonfellowship.org

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and that of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Festus Usifo, held a meeting with President Bola Tinubu Wednesday evening at the State House, Abuja.

Consequent upon the fruitful and frank discussion with President Tinubu and their confidence in his ability to encourage open and honest consideration of all the issues put forward by the Labour Movement, the Labour Leaders resolved to stop further protest.

They opted for further constructive engagement with the government to resolve all outstanding issues as they affect the working people and Nigerians in general.

President Tinubu gave his commitment to the Labour leaders that the Port Harcourt refineries will start production by December 2023 after the completion of the ongoing rehabilitation contract between NNPCL and Italian firm, Maire Tecnimont SpA.

President Tinubu assured the Labour leaders that he would continue to work for the best interest of Nigeria while pleading with the Labour leaders to join hands with him to birth a better and economically buoyant country.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said that over £38 million of UK humanitarian assistance has saved the lives of vulnerable, conflict-affected people in North-East Nigeria – including women and girls. The Foreign Secretary made these remarks whilst visiting the United Nations’ Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Abuja, meeting UNHAS staff.

The UN estimates that over 8 million people in North-East Nigeria urgently require life-saving humanitarian assistance due to protracted conflict and crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Earlier this year, the UN launched a special humanitarian appeal to prevent famine and provide life-saving assistance in North-East Nigeria over the critical ‘lean season’ months (June to August). Also, the Nigerian government recently declared a ‘state of emergency’ on food insecurity across the country.

The UK’s humanitarian assistance has been directly responding to these urgent calls for action, in partnership with the Nigerian people and its government.

Over the last 12 months, the UK has provided over £38 million of humanitarian assistance in North-East Nigeria. This funding is helping to protect people, build their resilience to the ongoing crisis, and prevent famine in this extremely food-insecure region.

During his visit to UNHAS – one of several UK humanitarian partners in Nigeria – the Foreign Secretary heard directly from aid workers and government representatives responding to the crisis, including on how UK International Development is delivering assistance to people who need it most.

The Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. This ministry is responsible for coordination of the Federal Government’s humanitarian response and aligning stakeholder responses.

The Foreign Secretary was also accompanied by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale; the Deputy Country Representative of UN World Food Programme Guy Adoua; Country Representative of UNICEF Cristian Munduate; ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Nigeria Yann Bonzon; and Trond Jens, Head of Office of OCHA in Nigeria.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, said:

I am very proud of the UK’s humanitarian partnerships in North-East Nigeria. The £38 million we have contributed over the last 12 months is saving the lives of vulnerable people, including women and girls, who are demonstrating extraordinary resilience in the face of this protracted crisis. We will continue to work with the new Nigerian government and other partners to support North-East Nigeria so the whole country can reach its potential. The whole international community must support these efforts.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale, said:

On behalf of the humanitarian community, I am deeply grateful for the £38 million contribution of the UK for humanitarian action in the North-East, which is contributing to giving countless people and, notably vulnerable women and children, a second chance. We are facing further funding challenges and are hoping that partners will step up their support to prevent further deterioration of the dramatic food insecurity and malnutrition situation.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, said:

We are keen to intensify cooperation with the UK government, particularly on increasing coordination between our new ministry and other ministries and partners across the humanitarian response. We particularly appreciate the UK’s humanitarian assistance because it is not only financial, but also based on strong coordination, which we are keen to develop further.

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Today, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced nearly $48 million in additional urgently needed humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland announced the funding, which will provide support for nearly 2 million crisis-affected people in eastern DRC, during a visit to Kinshasa today. This funding builds on the continuing support the United States has provided to the people of the DRC, bringing total U.S. humanitarian assistance to nearly $486 million this fiscal year in response to urgent needs in the DRC.

Ongoing fighting between the DRC’s military, Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) elements, and other armed groups has prompted large-scale displacement and limited access to basic services. More than 26 million people are projected to require humanitarian assistance in the DRC during 2023, and approximately 1.3 million people, many of whom are living in unsafe and overcrowded camps without adequate access to food, water, or medical care, have been displaced in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces alone since the beginning of the year.

The crisis has also resulted in serious protection violations, including a sharp increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases that the non-governmental organization Médecins Sans Frontières has described as “catastrophic” in scale. The new assistance will support protection activities, such as GBV prevention and response and psychosocial support services, for the most vulnerable and at-risk populations in the DRC.

This new USAID support, which includes $3 million directly for Congolese non-governmental organizations, will also bolster efforts by partners providing emergency food assistance, health care, nutrition support, shelter materials, and safe drinking water, among other assistance 

The United States is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the people of the DRC. We continue to stand with conflict-affected populations in the DRC and support our partners working tirelessly to save lives and alleviate suffering in one of the world’s most dire humanitarian emergencies.