Africa – Page 415 – AfricaMidEastNgin

August 3, 2023

South Africa’s new Marriage Bill raises many thorny issues – a balancing act is needed

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Anthony Diala, Director, Centre for Legal Integration in Africa, University of the Western Cape

South Africa is changing its marriage law to recognise all types of intimate partnerships – irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, or religious, cultural and other beliefs.

The Department of Home Affairs has invited public comment on the Draft Marriage Bill 2022. The bill amends some marriage laws, and prescribes what’s required for marriages to be considered valid, forms of registration, and the property consequences of marriage. As the preamble shows, it seeks to promote liberal values of equality, nondiscrimination, human dignity and freedom of thought.

While it is innovative for bringing all forms of intimate partnerships under one piece of legislation, the bill raises thorny questions. Liberalism – or openness to different behaviour, opinions or new ideas – is a strange beast. It pushes accepted conduct to its limits.

For instance, if the bill truly seeks equity, why does it not recognise intimate partnerships such as cohabitation? Why does section 22(6) criminalise marriage between people who are related to each other by adoption or by blood (to certain degrees)?

I have researched these issues, notably as a member of the Advisory Committee on Matrimonial Property of the South African Law Reform Commission.

I believe that even though the bill promotes important constitutional values, it does not sufficiently reflect changing social and economic conditions. Specifically, it ignores polyandry – marriage of a woman to more than one man – and unmarried partnerships. This is significant because other laws recognise civil unions, which include formalised marriage-like partnerships of same-sex couples.

The thorny issues

Firstly, radical socioeconomic changes require society to reevaluate traditional assumptions about accepted forms of relationships. Due to urbanisation and the interaction of different cultures, relationships such as cohabitation and polyandry are rising. A couple could live together for reasons such as exorbitant rent, distance to workplaces, and prohibitively high bridewealth (ilobolo).

The bill doesn’t recognise such intimate partnerships, which the Constitutional Court has accorded the same legal status as formal marriages. As the court has acknowledged, unmarried partnerships have serious implications for finances, human dignity, property ownership and child custody.

Secondly, the Marriage Bill defines ilobolo as

property in cash or in kind … which a prospective husband or the head of his family undertakes to give to the head of the prospective wife’s family in consideration of a customary marriage.

This implies that only (traditionally male) family heads can receive it. The definition does not anticipate a role for women, as happens among the Galole Orma people of northeastern Kenya.

Also, the position of family head could be disputed where the mother is divorced and raised the bride alone. As far back as 1997, the Transvaal High Court ruled that the bride’s mother could negotiate and receive ilobolo. The bill should therefore redefine bridewealth as “money, property, or anything of value given by the groom or his family to the bride’s family in consideration of marriage and/or to symbolise a union between the groom and bride’s families”.

This definition is consistent with the decreasing role of the extended family in the education or raising of the bride. Uncles and aunts should not benefit from bridewealth if they did not assist in raising the bride.

Thirdly, the bill is silent on the coexistence of a civil law marriage with a customary or religious marriage. For reasons like legal certainty and communal respect, double marriage is common. Previously, if a couple in a civil marriage subsequently concluded a customary or religious marriage, the state regarded the latter marriage as invalid.

The bill creates ambiguity because it does not stipulate the fate of a subsequent customary or religious marriage. This could affect inheritance, property and child custody because legal systems may govern these issues differently.

Furthermore, the bill defines polygamous marriage as “a marriage in which a male spouse has more than one spouse at the same time”. This patriarchal definition does not promote equality. It implies that a woman should not marry more than one man.

Finally, the bill imposes an omnibus standard for divorce on all marriages. This standard may complicate divorce under Islamic and customary law, where the standard is relaxed. Also, section 21(1) of the bill states that a marriage may be dissolved by the “continuous unconsciousness of one of the spouses,” without specifying how long a spouse must be unconscious following an injury, for example.

If the thorny issues in the bill are not addressed, the eventual legislation could be challenged as discriminatory. Its amendment would then drain the public purse.

A balancing act

Significantly, the bill emerged from the 2022 White Paper on marriages and life partnerships. The advisory committee that worked on the Single Marriage Statute (Project 144) proposed two options for regulating life partnerships in its discussion paper.

These are a Protected Relationships Bill and a Recognition and Registration of Marriages and Life Partnerships Bill. It appears Home Affairs did not add life partnerships to the bill because it is controversial. But legislative avoidance is unhelpful because it postpones inevitable problems. The Constitutional Court recognises the right of a woman in a life partnership to inherit or claim maintenance from her deceased partner’s estate.

Ultimately, new forms of relationships demand legislative recognition. Law reform should be carefully handled to ensure that non-discriminatory cultural and religious practices are respected. The bill should strike a balance between preserving these practices, promoting liberal values, and recognising the evolving realities of contemporary relationships.

– South Africa’s new Marriage Bill raises many thorny issues – a balancing act is needed
– https://theconversation.com/south-africas-new-marriage-bill-raises-many-thorny-issues-a-balancing-act-is-needed-210343

August 3, 2023

Zimbabwe’s rulers won’t tolerate opposing voices – but its writers refuse to be silenced

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Gibson Ncube, Lecturer, Stellenbosch University

The ruling elite in Zimbabwe has always tried to silence opposing political voices and erase histories it does not wish to have aired. Although “democratic” elections have been held since 1980, the country has become what the scholar Eldred Masunungure calls a state of “militarised, electoral authoritarianism”.

As Zimbabwe heads to the polls again in 2023, it’s worth considering the role that writers have played in engendering political resistance. Their voices have been important in challenging oppression, exposing social injustices and advocating for political change.

The liberation struggle

Literature was vital for raising awareness about the harshness of colonial rule. It was used to mobilise resistance against the white minority regime and garner international support for the liberation struggle.

Heinemann African Writers Series

Texts like Ndabaningi Sithole’s foundational 1955 novel Umvekela wamaNdebele (The Revolution of the Ndebele) and Dambudzo Marechera’s 1978 magnum opus The House of Hunger were instrumental. Many others like Charles Mungoshi, Tsitsi Dangarembga and Chenjerai Hove produced texts that encouraged resistance against colonial rule.

These works showcased the resilience of Zimbabweans in the face of adversity, inspiring the population to continue their fight for freedom.

Independence

Since independence in Zimbabwe, there has remained little space for dissenting voices – first under the leadership of Robert Mugabe and then Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Gukurahundi genocide, which novelist Novuyo Rosa Tshuma called the country’s “original sin”, marked the first instance in which the state quashed opposing voices. Between 1982 and 1987, the government sent a North Korean-trained brigade to quell dissenters in the provinces of Matabeleland and the Midlands. An estimated 20,000 civilians were killed.

The Women’s Press

Interestingly, despite the shrinking of the civic and political space in Zimbabwe, literary production has thrived in providing political resistance.

My research as a scholar of African literature has demonstrated that literature in Zimbabwe has highlighted diverse forms of state sponsored violence. Through their works, writers have raised awareness, sparked dialogue, and inspired readers to engage in opposition and activism.

The turbulent ‘lost decade’ (2000-2010)

From around 2000, Zimbabwe experienced economic meltdown, coupled with an increased shrinking of the civic space. The rise of a formidable opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change, in 1999 was met with violence by the state.

This period also saw a flourishing in literary production. Fresh voices emerged, among them Brian Chikwava, NoViolet Bulawayo, Petina Gappah, John Eppel, Christopher Mlalazi and Lawrence Hoba.

Literature from this period captured the socioeconomic realities of the country. Gappah’s debut collection of short stories in 2009, An Elegy for Easterly, depicts the emotions experienced by Zimbabweans in the face of diverse challenges. Some characters express disillusionment and despair, while others maintain optimism and resilience, representing a complex reality.

Random House

Bulawayo’s award-winning 2013 novel We Need New Names depicts the political situation through the perspective of its teenage protagonist, Darling. The story delves into the effects of political turmoil, economic challenges and societal changes on regular lives. Her 2022 novel Glory parodies a dictatorship, protesting the irrationality of a police state.

White Zimbabwean writers have also criticised autocracy in books like Catherine Buckle’s African Tears: The Zimbabwe Land Invasions (2000) and Graham Lang’s Place of Birth (2006).

Faber and Faber

These novels portray the emotional effects of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme on many white Zimbabweans, who found themselves dispossessed of their farms and their sources of income.

Writers from the 2000s have offered multifaceted portrayals, highlighting the interconnectedness of personal lives and political realities. The stories illuminate the human cost of political decisions and the resilience of ordinary people in the face of hardships.

Literature in the Second Republic

Literature after the demise of Mugabe and his four-decade regime – a period referred to as the Second Republic – has continued to grapple with Zimbabwe’s prevailing sociopolitical environment. In the book The Zimbabwean Crisis after Mugabe, my colleagues and I contend that today’s Zimbabwe is similar to the Mugabe years in many ways.

Tsitsi Dangarembga was arrested in 2020 for staging a protest. Zinyange Autony/AFP/Getty Images

Batsirai Chigama’s collection of poems Gather the Children captures the vicissitudes of contemporary life in Zimbabwe. In his analysis of this collection, literary scholar Tinashe Mushakavanhu explains:

Zimbabwe’s political crisis has been a different kind of catastrophe, one that has occurred in slow motion: its mechanisms abstract and impersonal, although the economic, physical, and psychological consequences have been very real and devastating. These strictures insinuate themselves into the ambience of everyday life and language, something that Chigama observes with careful attention.

In her poem Zimbabwe, Chigama writes:

Like eating olives

we have acquired the taste of discomfort

over the longest time

it has gently settled on our tongues

Her poems highlight how Zimbabweans have normalised the abnormal.

Other writers from the post-Mugabe period like Panashe Chigumadzi and Novuyo Rosa Tshuma grapple with similar issues and themes. Writer and academic Siphiwe Ndlovu explains that in contemporary Zimbabwean fiction

there is anger, outrage, disappointment, disillusionment, hope (and the loss of it), but most importantly, there is a call for reckoning and change that the politics of the country have failed to successfully address.

The power (and limits) of literature

Despite its power, reading remains a luxury that many Zimbabweans cannot afford. Books are extremely expensive and few people have disposable income to read for pleasure.

Ntombekhaya Poetry

It’s for this reason that, since independence, the state has not banned the many novels which are critical of the situation in the country. Writer Stanley Nyamfukudza explains: “It has been suggested that one of the best ways to hide information in Zimbabwe is to publish it in a book.”

Literature can achieve greater effects if there is a robust culture of critical thinking and reading.

However, despite the continued oppression and the lack of a robust reading culture, Zimbabwean writers have been unrelenting in telling the world what is really happening in Zimbabwe. They have always spoken truth to power.

– Zimbabwe’s rulers won’t tolerate opposing voices – but its writers refuse to be silenced
– https://theconversation.com/zimbabwes-rulers-wont-tolerate-opposing-voices-but-its-writers-refuse-to-be-silenced-210199

August 3, 2023

Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) concludes tour of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, consulting with partners on the joint Government-MONUSCO transition process

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, has concluded a two-week mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where she consulted with provincial governments and communities on priority actions needed for a smooth yet accelerated transition process.

The tour began in Goma on 11 July and then moved to Bukavu, Uvira, Bunia and finally concluded in Beni. Ms Keita met with the Governors of North Kivu, South Kivu and then Ituri provinces, as well as territorial and municipal administration authorities, civil society, and non-governmental organizations. The field trip also included visits to MONUSCO bases, internally displaced persons sites, including Lala, which suffered an attack in mid-June, resulting in 46 deaths.

The Special Representative’s mission to the field comes in the context of the development of a special report by the UN Secretary-General as stipulated in resolution 2666 of 20 December 2022. In the resolution, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to provide options for adapting MONUSCO’s configuration of its civilian, police and military components in the DRC and the United Nations’ future configuration in the DRC beyond MONUSCO’s current mandate once the joint review of the Transition Plan for MONUSCO is concluded and no later than July 2023. The options should take into consideration MONUSCO’s role with respect to the East Africa Community (EAC) Regional Force and other existing international, regional, and bilateral initiatives in support of the DRC.

“The last mile in peace operations is the hardest. By listening to the people, we are committed to protecting, and consulting with close partners working in the field, we can ensure a responsible drawdown,” said Ms Keita.

In September 2021, a joint transition plan was adopted by the Government of the DRC and MONUSCO and by June 2022, the Mission had reduced its field of operation for United Nations Peacekeepers to three provinces from six in 2020. However, following the request by His Excellency President Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo that MONUSCO draw down after the elections in December 2023, the organization has accelerated the pace of its transition process. In the three provinces where it is still present, the Mission has identified 13 priority territories out of the country’s 145 territories, where insecurity is high causing significant challenges to the protection of civilians and requiring sustained attention jointly by the national security forces and MONUSCO troops. In Djugu territory alone, MONUSCO currently provides physical protection to more than 100,000 internally displaced persons through its four Temporary Operating Bases in Bayoo, Fataki, Rhoo and Gina and Standing Combat Deployments (SCD) in Drodro and Amee.

“2024 is the year of transition, where the Mission will increasingly transfer its responsibilities including in terms of protection of civilians to the Government of the DRC, “said Ms Keita. “We are working with authorities to ensure that national capacities will address the minimum-security requirements to allow for a responsible drawdown in areas where MONUSCO currently protects civilians. We are also leveraging the expertise and resources of the United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes to intensify their efforts in accompanying the Government to implement national plans in support of development and humanitarian needs.”

MONUSCO as part of its protection of civilians mandate also continues to support the DRC government in its efforts to strengthen its justice system, the capacity and presence of the national police and the implementation of its Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration programme as well as Security Sector Reform.

Insecurity places a heavy burden on women and girls and Ms Keita engaged actively with their representatives and leaders at every stop on her tour. In 2022, MONUSCO documented nearly 700 cases of conflict-related sexual violence affecting women and girls, but many in incidents remain undocumented and the numbers are likely to be much higher. Women candidates in the upcoming elections also shared their concerns about the harassment and threats they face regularly.

“As a grandmother and mother, I am committed to amplifying the voices of women and to recognizing the immense contributions Congolese women have made to resolving conflicts in their communities,” said Ms Keita. “I am also encouraged to see the enthusiasm of women candidates in the upcoming elections. MONUSCO is committed to gender parity in all aspects of public life.”

August 3, 2023

La cheffe de la MONUSCO achève sa tournée de consultations avec ses partenaires sur le processus de transition conjoint entre le Gouvernement et la MONUSCO dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

La Représentante Spéciale du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies (ONU) et Cheffe de la Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO), Mme Bintou Keita, a conclu une mission de concertations d’une semaine dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC), où elle a consulté les gouvernements provinciaux et les différentes communautés sur les actions prioritaires nécessaires pour un processus de transition fluide mais accéléré. La tournée a débuté à Goma le 11 juillet, ensuite à Bukavu, Uvira, Bunia et s’est finalement terminée à Beni. Mme Keita a rencontré les Gouverneurs des provinces du Nord-Kivu, du Sud-Kivu puis de l’Ituri, ainsi que les autorités de l’administration territoriale et municipale, la société civile et les organisations non-gouvernementales. La visite sur le terrain comprenait également des visites des bases de la MONUSCO, des sites de déplacés internes, dont Lala, qui a subi une attaque à la mi-juin, ayant fait 46 morts.

La mission de la Représentante Spéciale sur le terrain s’inscrit dans le contexte de l’élaboration d’un rapport spécial par le Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies, comme stipulé dans la Résolution 2666 du 20 décembre 2022. Dans cette Résolution, le Conseil de Sécurité demande de proposer des options pour adapter la future configuration des composantes civile, policière et militaire de la Mission ; et des entités des Nations Unies dans le pays. Ceci, en tenant compte du rôle de la MONUSCO par rapport à la Force régionale de la Communauté d’Afrique de l’Est et d’autres initiatives internationales, régionales et bilatérales existantes à l’appui de la République démocratique du Congo.

« La dernière ligne droite des opérations de paix est l’étape la plus difficile. En écoutant les personnes que nous nous engageons à protéger, et en consultant des partenaires proches qui travaillent sur le terrain, nous pouvons assurer un retrait responsable », a déclaré Mme Keita.

En septembre 2021, un plan de transition conjoint a été adopté par le Gouvernement de la RDC et la MONUSCO et en juin 2022, la Mission a réduit son champ d’opération pour les Casques bleus des Nations Unies à trois provinces contre six en 2020. Cependant, à la suite de la demande de Son Excellence le Président Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo que la MONUSCO se retire après les élections de décembre 2023, l’organisation a accéléré le rythme de son processus de transition.

Dans les trois provinces où elle est encore présente, la Mission a identifié 13 territoires prioritaires sur les 145 que compte le pays, où l’insécurité est élevée posant des défis importants à la protection des civils et nécessitant une attention soutenue conjointe des forces de sécurité nationales et des troupes de la MONUSCO. Dans le seul territoire de Djugu, la MONUSCO fournit actuellement une protection physique à plus de 100 000 personnes déplacées à travers ses quatre bases opérationnelles temporaires à Bayoo, Fataki, Rhoo et Gina et des déploiements permanents de combat (SCD) à Drodro et Amee.

« 2024 est l’année de la transition, où la Mission transférera de plus en plus ses responsabilités notamment en matière de protection des civils au Gouvernement de la RDC », a déclaré Mme Keita. « Nous travaillons avec les autorités pour nous assurer que les capacités nationales répondront aux exigences minimales de sécurité pour permettre un retrait responsable dans les zones où la MONUSCO protège actuellement les civils. Nous tirons également parti de l’expertise et des ressources des agences, fonds et programmes des Nations Unies pour intensifier leurs efforts pour accompagner le Gouvernement dans la mise en œuvre des plans nationaux à l’appui du développement et des besoins humanitaires. »

La MONUSCO, dans le cadre de son mandat de protection des civils, continue également d’appuyer le Gouvernement de la RDC dans ses efforts pour renforcer son système judiciaire, la capacité et la présence de la police nationale et la mise en œuvre de son programme de désarmement, démobilisation et réintégration ainsi que la réforme du secteur de la sécurité.

L’insécurité pèse lourdement sur les femmes et les filles et Mme Keita s’est engagée activement auprès de leurs représentants et dirigeants à chaque étape de sa tournée. En 2022, la MONUSCO a documenté près de 700 cas de violences sexuelles liées au conflit affectant les femmes et les filles, mais de nombreux incidents restent encore non documentés et les chiffres sont probablement beaucoup plus élevés. Les femmes candidates aux prochaines élections ont également fait part de leurs préoccupations concernant le harcèlement et les menaces auxquelles elles sont régulièrement confrontées. Malgré tout, c’est avec enthousiasme qu’elles abordent les prochaines élections.

« En tant que femme, mère et grand-mère, je m’engage à amplifier la voix des femmes et à reconnaître les immenses contributions que les femmes congolaises ont apportées à la résolution des conflits dans leurs communautés », a déclaré Mme Keita, qui ajoute ” La MONUSCO est attachée à la parité hommes-femmes dans tous les aspects de la vie publique.”

August 3, 2023

As Conjoined Twins, We Share Responsibility of Lifting our Economies, President Tinubu Tells Beninise Leader in Cotonou

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Honoring a rare invitation as Special Guest at the 63rd Independence anniversary of Republic of Benin, Tuesday, in Cotonou, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the commonality of cultures, history and demographics of both countries will be explored to the advantage of citizens.

President Tinubu, who was invited by the President of the neighboring country, Patrice Talon, noted that the proximity of the two countries, and similarity in economy, and outlook on development, makes it compulsory to collectively pursue same goal of growth, and elevating the populace, particularly the youths.

“Nigeria and Benin Republic are conjoined twins. We are joined from one stomach. In every aspect, we are one and we share much in common,’’ he said, during an interaction with journalists.

The President said the vision of political and economic stability of Nigeria and Benin can only be realized by working together, assuring that the partnership will be strengthened and upscaled at various levels.

President Tinubu thanked Talon for the honor, and for also inviting six Nigerian governors, who graced the occasion. The governors are: Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo, Seyi Makinde; Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq; Kebbi, Nasir Idris, and Niger, Mohammed Umar Bago.

In his remarks, President Talon said the historic invitation of having another leader at the country’s independence celebration was to show high respect for President Tinubu, following his track record of providing leadership in Nigeria, and the West Coast.

“I want to really appreciate President Tinubu for honoring our invitation to participate in our 63rd anniversary. It is not a normal practice to invite a foreign leader for independence celebration, but this signals the constructive and positive relationship we have enjoyed, and more benefits to come,’’ the Beninese leader added.

Apart from the shared border, President Talon noted that Nigeria and Benin have stayed together over many years as a family, and the good relationship should be encouraged among citizens.

President Tinubu returned to Nigeria after the Independence event.

August 3, 2023

Cabo Verde: 22 projetos foram selecionados no edital Núcleo Nacional de Cinema e Audiovisual (NuNaC) para o ano 2023

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese

O Ministério da Cultura e das Indústrias Criativas, através do Núcleo Nacional de Cinema e Audiovisual (NuNaC), recebeu um total de 35 projetos, no âmbito do edital NuNaC nº 1/2023 – – Candidaturas de projetos para as áreas do Cinema e do Audiovisual. Destes 35 projetos foram 22 selecionados, sendo 13 projetos enquadrados no quadro do Programa de Apoio aos Jovens Talentos e às Primeiras Obras, 21 no Programa de Apoio à Produção e 1 no Programa de Apoio à Internacionalização (área que não faz parte deste presente edital), nas tipologias Longa Metragem, Curta Metragem, Filme Documentário, Filme de Animação, Série Televisiva, Publireportagem.

No âmbito da presente candidatura ao Edital NuNaC Nº1/2023 – Candidaturas de projetos para as áreas do Cinema e do Audiovisual, os 22 projetos selecionados representam um total de 5.100.000,00 ECV (cinco milhões e cem mil escudos cabo-verdianos).

O edital foi lançado no dia 24 de abril e encerrado a 24 de maio de 2023, seguindo critérios de candidatura próprios, com foco em duas categorias: (1) Programa de Apoio aos Jovens Talentos e às Primeiras Obras e (2) Programa de Apoio à Produção.

De referir que o Edital NuNaC Nº1/2023– Candidaturas de projetos para as áreas do Cinema e do Audiovisual, visa incentivar o setor do cinema e do audiovisual no país, promovendo a descentralização da execução dos projetos e a democratização no acesso aos recursos disponibilizados pelo Governo de Cabo Verde.

O NuNaC tem por missão apoiar o desenvolvimento das atividades cinematográficas e audiovisuais, desde a criação até à divulgação e circulação nacional e internacional das obras, potenciando o surgimento de novos valores, contribuindo para a diversidade de oferta cultural e para os setores cinematográfico e audiovisual em conformidade com a sua missão.

August 2, 2023

Department of Foreign Affairs Engages Filipino University Students through its Participation at the 2023 Diplomatic League Conference

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

The DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (OUCSCA) and the Department’s Youth Outreach partner, the Diplomatic League of the Philippines (or D League), co-organized on 30 June 2023 the Diplomatic League Conference 2023 in partnership with the Cavite State University’s International Studies Students’ Association (CavSU-ISSA).

The whole-day event, entitled, “Fostering Cavite Diplomacy Through Young Caviteños” aimed to inspire college-level students from several universities based in Cavite to enter into careers in diplomacy. The DFA’s strong support for the conference could be seen from the high and mid-level representation of its officials to the event, led by OUCSCA Undersecretary, Hon. Jesus Gary S. Domingo. The Undersecretary was joined by three women Foreign Service Officers, all of whom had been able to serve for many years at various Philippine Embassies abroad. Ms. Christina Rola-Mckernan served at the Philippine Embassies in Belgium and France, Ms. Judy Razon served at the Philippine Embassy in Israel and Ms. Maria Christina Cecelia Hernandez at the Philippine Embassy in Libya.

Apart from sharing with conference participants their own professional and personal journeys as Philippine diplomats, the DFA representatives had elaborated on key concepts in the conduct of diplomacy. Undersecretary Domingo provided an overview on Philippine Foreign Policy and Cultural Diplomacy. Other subjects tackled were Gender and Development in Public Diplomacy and Careers in Diplomacy.

Other speakers included officers of D League, namely Mr. Ervine Jules Sape (Director for Internal Affairs) and Ms. Angelita Bonsilao (Youth Lead Coordinator), who shared more about the organization’s activities with various universities throughout the Philippines and some overseas. Professor Gil Ramos, from Cavite State University, spoke more about the significance of Cavite and Filipinos of Cavite in Philippine history.

Towards the latter part of the day, groups from three different universities in Cavite had made their respective presentations on stage, before the panel composed of the DFA and D League representatives, on their views on how to help address UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 5: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. The panel had provided experience-based insights on how to enrich the very promising projects presented.

The Diplomatic League (D League) is the first and leading global diplomacy organization based in the Philippines. D League prides itself as the primary institution for developing diplomacy as a practice in the sector of the youth. From its founding of 7 member universities, the membership has now grown to 20 and continues to expand. D League has also successfully established a presence in the United States, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

August 2, 2023

Action needed now for timely, credible elections next year, says top United Nations official, Nicholas Haysom

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

A race against time has begun in the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, as it looks toward completing its democratic transition by holding free, fair, and credible elections in December 2024.

Despite the clock ticking down, foundational tasks necessary for South Sudanese to head to the ballot boxes without further delays remain incomplete.

Intercommunal violence, too, continues to surge coupled with increasing pressure on scarce resources, as tens of thousands continue to enter the country through border areas, fleeing fighting in neighbouring Sudan.

Against this backdrop of multiple challenges, Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) briefed members of the press today in the capital city, Juba.

“With only 17 months remaining on the Roadmap timelines before elections in 2024, I repeat what I had said in an earlier press conference, that 2023 is a ‘make or break’ year,” said the top UN official.

“Key decisions and actions must be made now have to be made to pave the way for holding peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections next year.”

Chief among these, according to SRSG Haysom, is the need to reconstitute three essential bodies, namely, the National Constitutional Review Commission, the National Elections Commission, and the Political Parties Council; finalize transitional security arrangements; progress the permanent constitution-making process; and create civic and political spaces where every citizen is free to debate and engage on the political and constitutional options South Sudan is facing, without fear.

“Simply holding elections is not enough – the credibility, transparency and inclusivity of the process is what brings legitimacy. This includes that political parties must be able to register and campaign freely; a civil society that will serve as extended arms for civic education and act as observer watchdog of the process. It includes a media that can report on the process and give space to the variety of voices and opinions for voters to make informed choices,” stated the SRSG.

In this regard, Mr Haysom reiterated UNMISS’ ongoing support, upon request by the Government of South Sudan, to electoral and constitution-making processes together with regional partners such as the African Union and IGAD.

Critically, the Head of UNMISS highlighted the impact of the Sudan crisis on South Sudan.

“The war in Sudan dominates regional and global attention, while South Sudan bears a share of the crisis. Food prices have increased, lowering the ability of vulnerable households access food and meet basic requirements, while reduced cross-border trade has led to localized scarcity of food commodities,” he said.

As per latest counts, some 190,000 entrants have been recorded, the overwhelming majority of whom are South Sudanese, revealed SRSG Haysom.

Given rising numbers, the humanitarian community has called for urgent funding to be able to provide onward transportation from border areas for people seeking refuge from the Sudan conflict.

Worryingly, there is a clear and present danger of potential violence, given the daily influx of people.

“The congestion and increased competition over scarce resources could exacerbate existing inter-communal tensions between the returnees and host communities and between some of the returnee communities and this needs to be averted. UNMISS has intensified patrols and reinforced its military presence in Renk to mitigate and prevent any outbreak of violence,” stated the Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission.

Additionally, Mr Haysom spoke about the mission’s ongoing efforts to protect civilians in and around Malakal, Upper Nile, where the impact of last month’s clashes in the UN Protection Site on communities is still palpable; it’s proactive response to reported escalations in Jonglei and Greater Pibor; and warned of continued cattle-related conflict in the Equatorias.

In conclusion, Mr. Haysom highlighted the pressing need within South Sudan to deepen mutual trust between communities and their leaders, build common purpose and a shared vision of the future.

“I believe there will be international willingness to support the peace process and the elections if there are demonstrable actions by the principal stakeholders in those elections and the right frameworks to allow for the receipt of such assistance. But key decisions about electoral, constitutional and security structures must be made urgently; and these decisions do not require special additional resources. Success in this area will persuade donors and international partners that a peaceful and secure South Sudan is a viable place for investment and support.”

August 2, 2023

Kenya: Government Ministries Sensitization on Workplace Support for Breastfeeding

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2023, the Ministry of Health’s division of Nutrition and Dietetics Services today conducted a sensitization program aimed at all government ministries. The central focus of the program was to tackle the vital issue of workplace support for breastfeeding parents.

During the meeting, the main objective was to raise awareness among all government ministries about the significance of providing workplace support to breastfeeding parents.

Additionally, the participants discussed potential strategies and plans for the effective implementation of support measures. This initiative highlights the ministry’s commitment to promoting a supportive and inclusive environment for working parents, ultimately benefiting the well-being of both parents and their children.

August 2, 2023

New Permanent Representative of Chad Presents Credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English

Jean Pierre Baptiste, the new Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations Office at Geneva, today presented his credentials to Tatiana Valovaya, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Mr. Baptiste had been serving as the World Health Organization Representative in Mali from August 2019 to April 2022; in Benin from February 2017 to August 2019; and in Mauritania from July 2010 to February 2017. He held the position of Regional Tobacco Control Advisor for the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa from 2005 to 2010.

A medical doctor by training, Mr. Baptiste was the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and Health of Chad from September 2002 to December 2004, among various other posts.

Mr. Baptiste has a master’s degree in public health from Abomey-Calavi University in Benin (2017–2019) and a certificate in epidemiology from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research in Paris (1999-2000). He specialised in pulmonology at Bordeaux Mountain University, France (1984–1988). He obtained his doctorate in medicine from Rostov State University in the former Soviet Union (1976–1983). He is 65 years old and married.