The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita delivered, on Thursday, 18 April, 2024 by videoconference, a speech during the North Africa regional ministerial conference under the theme of “Pan-Africanism and Migration”.

On this oocasion, Mr. Nasser Bourita affirmed that the African identity is deeply rooted in Morocco’s institutions and political choices, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Mr. Nasser Bourita pointed out that the Kingdom is strongly enriched by its assertive Afro-optimism, reflected in its proactive African policy encompassing various areas of cooperation and its humanist policy on migration.

Morocco, he added, has advocated a humanist and supportive approach, adopting in 2013 a new migration policy based on a participatory approach comprising various aspects, including respect for human rights, compliance with international law, international cooperation and shared responsibility.

As a symbol of this Afro-optimism, the Kingdom’s migration policy has enabled the regularization of tens of thousands of migrants in a complicated regional and international context, said Mr. Nasser Bourita.

Co-chaired by Mr. Nasser Bourita and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad, Mr. Robert Dussey, whose country chairs the High Committee in charge of the agenda of the Decade of African Roots and Diaspora, this video conference meeting takes place as part of the preparatory process for the 9th Pan-African Congress (October 29-November 02 in Lomé).

The organization by the Kingdom of Morocco of this Conference, which will be attended by several ministers and senior African officials, is a continuation of the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field of migration, in line with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Leader of the African Union on the migration issue.

It is also an opportunity to reaffirm and recall the Kingdom of Morocco’s commitment and leadership on migration issues, and its initiatives to promote safe and responsible migration at continental and international levels.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

President William Ruto has condoled with the family of the late Chief of the Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla at their home in Nairobi.

General Ogolla passed on yesterday while on duty, following the crash of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

In his message of condolence, the President described General Ogolla as a dedicated, professional and visionary leader who had served his nation passionately.

He said his loss was not only a big loss to the family, but also to the military and the country.

President Ruto urged the family to find comfort in the knowledge that General Ogolla made Kenya proud.

“Mama Aileen and your children, I want you to know that your husband, the father of your children, was a great Kenyan, a professional soldier and a military officer who made a difference in our republic,” he said.

The President said General Ogolla made a big difference in the short period that he served as the Chief of the Defence Forces.

He said the late CDF built synergy with other security agencies to safeguard the nation’s security.

President Ruto said under his leadership, there were very few terrorist incidents in the country because he was smart and provided effective leadership.

“If there is one appointment that I made and I am very proud of, it is that of General Ogolla. He was a professional and a leader,” he said. “We have lost a man who, I believe, would have transformed our military.”

He said General Ogolla had pledged to secure funds and personally supervise the rebuilding of schools in the troubled Kerio Valley.

He died on duty, President Ruto explained, while responding to the cries of women and children who suffered at the hands of bandits and cattle rustlers.

“That is how much General Ogolla believed in country,” he said.

He asked Kenyans to emulate General Ogolla, saying: “In his humility, he has lessons for all of us.”

First Lady Rachel Ruto said the death of General Ogolla was a big blow to the nation, and pointed out that he dedicated his time to the service of the nation.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said General Ogolla was a humorous person who had high hopes for the country and was keen on security.

“He was a committed general and a patriot, a man who loved his country,” he said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo described General Ogolla as a humble person who loved associating with everyone despite his rank in the military.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday at his home in Alego, Siaya County.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

The African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) hosted an enriching E-Symposium on 18th April, 2024, under the theme “ECOSOCC Beyond 20: Redefining the Role of Civil Society in the African Union Ecosystem.” The symposium is one of the key engagements in the build up to the 20th anniversary commemorations scheduled for July 2024.  

The symposium convened key stakeholders and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) across Africa to not only reflect over two decades of vital contributions by civil society but to also look ahead to enhancing future collaborations within the AU ecosystem.

Ms. Fatima Karadja, former Deputy Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, reflected on the founding principles of the African Union, emphasizing that public policies should emanate from the people, thereby underscoring the critical role of CSOs in policymaking.

Ms. Karadja also stressed the timely need for ECOSOCC to undertake a comprehensive review of its past achievements and challenges to better target future objectives.

“ECOSOCC is at a point of maturity at the border between teenage and adulthood. We want to take stock of what has been done so far to better shoot at a target in the future.

“So, these 20 years will enable us to draw lessons from the past, to assess the extent and the impact of its action, to assess and redefine what have been the assets, the ups and the downs, the shortcomings. That is a complete stocktaking so that we improve our aiming and set objectives,” she said.

Mr. Fabien Anthony, Chairman of the Pan-African Council highlighted ECOSOCC’s role in facilitating the involvement of African CSOs and the diaspora in AU policy dialogues, thus ensuring a broad spectrum of voices are heard in critical discussions.

Participants from various CSOs then shared their experiences and visions for the future, discussing the value of civil society voices in AU decision-making processes and strategies for enhancing policy impact.

Mr. Khalid Boudali, Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, said that the symposium is an essential platform for civil society to shape its interaction with the AU. He noted the historical resilience and transformation of CSOs over the past two decades and their proactive role in advocacy and policy formation.

“Through this symposium, we did engage in a series of enlightening deliberations on the involved role of CSOs in policy making, delving deep into the intricate complexities of citizen engagement within the African ecosystem,” said Mr. Boudali.

“But as ECOSOCC or the leadership of ECOSOCC, we still strive to unearth novel avenues for collaboration and passionate advocacy,” he said.

Echoing Mr. Boudali and Ms. Karadja’s sentiments, Mr. Richard Ssewakiryanga, ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Emeritus, lauded civil society as the continent’s lifeblood.

“While Africa has governments, we know that civil society are the lifeblood of the continent. In many parts of Africa, the state is not as efficient, is not as equipped, and what supports people across the continent is the work, the energy, and the efforts of civil society. This role of civil society is unique to African countries,” he said.

Mr. Ssewakiryanga also highlighted ECOSOCC’s role in transforming CSO grassroots experiences into advisory opinions that position CSOs as thought leaders.

Mr. William Carew, Head of Secretariat, spoke on the centrality of citizen engagement in the development process. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities encountered by ECOSOCC over the past twenty years, he described the symposium as a “golden opportunity” to discuss and devise solutions to enhance civil society engagement with the AU.

“As we discuss ECOSOCC Beyond 20, we also want to look at how we redefine the role of civil society organizations within the AU ecosystem,” said Mr. Carew as he closed the E-Symposium.

An outcome document will be developed from the symposium discussions and presented to AU Member States ahead of the ECOSOCC’s 20th Anniversary celebrations in July 2024. This document will also serve as a reference for ongoing reviews of ECOSOCC’s legal instruments and will encapsulate the symposium’s deliberations.

The symposium was a testament to ECOSOCC’s commitment to advancing the role of civil society within the AU ecosystem.

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

The worldwide effort to combat Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is about to reach a defining moment with the upcoming Inter-Regional Economic Community Meeting. The event, organized by AU-IBAR and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) will take place in Rabat, Morocco, from April 21st to 24th, 2024, with the objective of coordinating and mainstreaming eradication efforts throughout Africa. At the meeting, one of the main goals is to validate the North African Regional Strategy to Control Priority Small Ruminant Disease and Eradicate PPR. In the ongoing global drive to eradicate PPR from the continent, this gathering is shaping up to be a crucial occasion.

Building on the momentum generated since the approval of the PPR Global Control and Eradication Strategy (PPR GCES) in 2015, stakeholders are poised to make significant strides. The first five-year PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) laid the groundwork, and insights gained during this period have informed the development of operational guides, such as the Blueprint for PPR Eradication by 2030 (PPR GEP II and III), launched in 2022. As participants convene in Rabat, they are expected to review progress, share lessons learned, and chart a course for future action in line with global and continental strategies.

Prioritising this issue in continental policies and programmes demonstrates the African Union’s unwavering commitment to eradicating PPR. The Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of PPR (2023–2027) and the Pan-African Strategy for the Eradication of PPR and the Control of Other Priority Small Ruminant Diseases offer a thorough plan of action. The formation of the Pan-African PPR Secretariat (PAPS) by AU-IBAR in coordination of these activities is a clear indication of the continent’s will to fight PPR comprehensively.

To propel regional prosperity, Regional Organisations and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are expected to play pivotal roles. Regional strategies will be in line with continental objectives owing to the leadership, cooperation, and coordination provided by these entities. Egypt and the other member states of the Union Magreb Arab (UMA) are expected to work together to validate the North African Regional Strategy. To ensure the strategy is relevant and successful in addressing regional concerns, stakeholders have contributed to its refinement and finalisation through consultative processes and workshops.

The three-day Inter-Regional Economic Community Meeting on PPR Eradication in Africa has an extensive programme covering a wide range of issues with the goal of increasing eradication efforts. Session topics on day one centre on outlining PPR frameworks throughout Africa, including the Pan African PPR Eradication Programme, the PPR Global Blueprint, and regional PPR plans and initiatives. The second day is devoted to PPR control and eradication efforts in Africa. Topics covered include interventions by the FAO and WOAH, funding from the EU, and actions by RECs. Sessions on developing roadmaps for PPR eradication, coordinating and harmonising PPR control activities, and jointly mobilising resources are also on the agenda. Agreements are finalised, communiques are drafted, and deliberations are concluded on the last day. Group projects, presentations of national and regional strategies, and the acceptance of the strategy are all part of the agenda’s sessions devoted to validating the Regional Strategy for the Eradication of PPR and other priority Small Ruminant Diseases in North Africa. The schedule also includes a stop at the MCI Laboratory for a guided tour.

The attendees at the Inter-Regional Economic Community Meeting on PPR Eradication in Africa represent a diverse range of organizations and institutions dedicated to combating Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). Among them are representatives from AU-IBAR, AU-PANVAC, UMA, RAHC/ECOWAS, RAHC/ECCAS, LTC-SADC, IGAD/ICPALD, EAC, VSF Regional Africa, Red Cross regional Africa, ILRI, IAEA, FAO regional and sub-regional Office (RAF), WOAH Regional Office for Africa, FAO PPR Global Secretariat, and others such as AfDB, BMGF, DTRA, GalvMed, EU, and IsDB. The meeting will also include attendees such as the Comité Vétérinaire Maghrébin Permanent, Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) from Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and Egypt, PPR National Coordinators from the same countries, representatives from Réseau Méditerranéen de Santé Animale (REMESA), and various other regional organizations and partners from development and civil society sectors, including Farmers/traders associations.

Stakeholders hope for a recommitment to PPR eradication initiatives when the Inter-Regional Economic Community Meeting takes place. Participants may speed along the path to a future without PPR by working together, coordinating their efforts, and confirming regional approaches. In the face of intractable global problems, such endeavours demonstrate the best of international cooperation and unity. Stakeholders will leave the meeting with a more defined strategy and a stronger commitment to combat PPR throughout Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).