As part of ongoing U.S. government negotiations with the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP), U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Major General Kenneth Ekman, Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs for U.S. Africa Command, will meet with CNSP officials in Niamey on April 25 to initiate discussions on an orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. In the week of April 29, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Christopher Maier and Lieutenant General Dag Anderson, the Director for Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, will hold follow up meetings in Niamey to coordinate that withdrawal process with transparency and mutual respect.

The United States is proud of the security cooperation and shared sacrifice of U.S. forces and Nigerien forces, a partnership which effectively contributed to stability in Niger and the region. Amid discussion underway since July 2023, we have been unable to reach an understanding with the CNSP to continue that security cooperation in a manner that addresses the needs and concerns of each side. The United States welcomes CNSP interest in maintaining a strong bilateral relationship. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell will travel to Niamey in the coming months to discuss ongoing collaboration in areas of joint interest. The United States reaffirms our support for the Nigerien people as they combat terrorism, develop the country’s economy, and transition to democratic rule.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Niger.

Kinshasa, April 25, 2024: More than 20 years after their arrival in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are preparing to leave the country. The contingent has constituted the bulk of the UN’s troops deployed in South Kivu province and their important contributions to peace consolidation and security was recognized during a tribute ceremony today.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in the DRC and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), Ms. Bintou Keita, MONUSCO’s Force Commander a.i. Major General Khar Diouf, the South Kivu provincial minister of Infrastructures and representative of the interim governor, Mr. Cissa wa Numbe, the Government Delegate General in charge of liaison with MONUSCO, Ambassador Noel Mbemba, participated in the ceremony today in Kavumu, 32 km from Bukavu. The departure of the Pakistani contingent is part of MONUSCO’s disengagement plan from the DRC, initiated in early January 2024.

Since 2003, when they were first deployed, more than 100 000 Pakistani Peacekeepers have served in South Kivu and 31 have died in the line of duty. For Pakistan that’s the greatest number of Blue Helmets they have lost in the 46 Peacekeeping missions in the 29 countries where they have been deployed.

“I pay tribute to the immense contribution the troops from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have made to advancing peace and security in South Kivu. I honour the 31 Blue Helmets who have paid the ultimate price. Over the years, their sacrifice, professionalism, and commitment have helped protect millions of people in DRC”, the head of MONUSCO said.

The Pakistani troops have been engaged in military operations aimed at protecting civilians and maintaining peace and security in South Kivu. In 2017, together with the Armed Forces of the DRC, the Pakistani contingent stopped a coalition of armed groups from taking over the city of Uvira. In 2018, they pushed back an offensive by armed groups in the Hauts Plateaux of Uvira, protecting more than 120 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Over the years, the Pakistani Peacekeepers have protected millions of IDPs, many of whom have established camps around their bases.

“MONUSCO is handing over the responsibility of ensuring security and the physical protection of civilians to the defence and security forces of DRC, who will continue to undertake this responsibility in close coordination with community and other local leaders. According to the disengagement plan, in parallel with the withdrawal of UN troops, the government will increase its presence in the areas the Mission is vacating at its request”, Ms Bintou Keita concludes.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

In a significant shift in infrastructure strategy, the government will now have renewed focus on the maintenance of existing roads over construction of new ones.

This decision comes amidst reduced allocations of funds and inadequate releases, which have led to a substantial maintenance backlog in the road network across the country.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala in a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, emphasised the need to prioritise maintenance to preserve and protect the existing road assets.

“This has created a significant maintenance backlog that shall necessitate increased focus on maintenance of the paved road network,” he said.

Katumba Wamala said Increased allocation of resources in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV is crucial to preserving road assets and expanding the road infrastructure stock.

He blamed this on the reduction in resources which has delayed key interventions planned under NDPIII including upgrades to support tourism, oil and gas activities and congestion relief in urban areas.

The NDP III period saw plans for road development, with over 3,500KM of new roads earmarked for upgrading and the construction of strategic bridges.

According Gen. Katumba Wamala, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic shocks, led to a drastic reduction in funding for infrastructure projects.

“Allocations for road development dropped significantly, affecting both domestically funded and externally funded projects. The pandemic disrupted construction activities and land acquisition processes further hampering project implementation,” he added.

Despite these challenges, the Works Minister revealed that the government managed to achieve some success in road development.

“By June 2023, 750KM of national roads had been upgraded to paved standard, albeit falling short of the target of 1,500KM,” he said.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has carried forward debts of Shs215 billion, Shs471 billion, and Shs629 billion respectively, for the last three financial years in the NDP III period.

“Rising cost of construction especially after Covid-19 has led to an increase in key road construction and maintenance inputs such as bitumen, steel, timber and fuel thus increasing the costs of operation,” Katumba Wamala added.

On the Kampala – Jinja Expressway, the minister said that government needs over Shs236 billion to pay the project affected persons adding that right of way will be acquired by the end of December 2024 for section 1 and 2, and section 3 by December 2025.  He revealed that road construction works are expected to start in December 2025.

The Speaker, Anita Among gave an assurance that Parliament will support the allocation of funds to the ministry for  since roads infrastructure is key for development.

“We are going to make sure we prioritise your sector. The number of people who have died due to accidents are so many, ” Among said.

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

Speaker Anita Among has directed the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Milly Babalanda to present a list of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and their deputies and assistants to Parliament for scrutiny.

This followed a statement presented by Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda in response to the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi who questioned the caliber of some of the recently appointed RDCs.

During the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 23 April 2024, Ssenyonyi cited Gomba Assistant RDC, Yiga Kisakyamukama whom he said undressed in public and hurled insults at traditional leaders.

While chairing the House on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, Speaker Among noted that whereas appointment of RDCs is enshrined in Article 203 of the Constitution, the Minister for Presidency ought to prove that due diligence is performed before their appointment. “We need the qualifications of these RDCs. After you bring that, we will refer it to the Committee on Presidential Affairs,” she said.

She added that the minister must also prove that regional balance was considered in the appointment of the RDCs. Hon. Kabanda said that the matter will be brought to the attention of President Museveni, adding that Section 72 (1) of the Local Government Act mandates the President to appoint a number of Deputy or Assistant RCCs in a district as deemed necessary. “In the financial year 2023/2024, Parliament appropriated salaries for RDCs, Deputy RDCs and Assistant RDCs,” she added.

Ssenyonyi however, said that the minister’s statement was not satisfactory, noting that she did not respond to a concern as to why government continues to recruit RDCs at the same time rationalising government entities.

“In the spirit of rationalisation, how does this make sense? We have 147 RDCs on whom over Shs4 billion is spent, 163 Deputies on whom we spend Shs2.5 billion and you are bringing assistants on whom we will spend Shs2.8 billion and that is just salaries alone,” he said.

Lwemiyaga County MP, Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo called for withdrawal of the appointment of Yiga, saying that based on his behavior in public, there is no need for Parliament to wait for his qualification.

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