Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Royal Thai Embassy, Cairo, Egypt.

Foreign Minister of South Africa Naledi Pandor, in a phone call with her Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian who is in  New York, discussed the latest developments in the two country’s bilateral ties and the situation in West Asia, especially following Iran’s legitimate response to the Zionist regime’s recent military attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

 The Iranian foreign minister stated that Iran decided to target the Israeli regime’s two military and intelligence bases involved in the attack on the Iranian Embassy based on the principle of legitimate defense and the inherent right to self-defense.

 He added Iran made the decision only after the UN Security Council failed to give an appropriate response to the raid and did not slam the Israeli regime’s attack, and some permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely the US, UK and France, blocked a move to condemn the Israeli crime by the Security Council.

 Amirabdollahian further said, after the operation Iran announced to the international community, including the US, that Iran was not seeking to spread the conflict but warned in case the Israeli regime once again takes action against Iran, it will respond strongly and firmly.

 Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign minister lauded the South African government for its historic initiative to file a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the Zionist regime for committing genocide.

 For her part, the South African foreign minister appreciated her Iranian counterpart for his statements and stressed that an immediate ceasefire should be established in Gaza.

 She further noted that South Africa has put a visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to her country in 2024 on its political schedule.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Islamic Republic of Iran.

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs held a press conference at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja on 19 April 2024. Professor Fatou SOW SARR took the opportunity to talk about ECOWAS policies relating to humanitarian issues and youth. She heads a department that steers ECOWAS policy in the areas of science, education and culture, humanitarian affairs, equality and gender, youth and sport.

Each of the components works for the development of the Community through regional policies that take into account sectors such as gender, education, youth and humanitarian aid. With the many challenges facing the region, humanitarian issues remain a priority for the Commission. In the event of natural disasters or security-related challenges, this department intervenes to provide support to Member States and affected populations.

The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian Affairs, provides financial resources to manage issues relating to floods and the migration crisis. Specifically, ECOWAS provided financial assistance to Guinea during the fire at the oil depot and the floods. In 2024, more than $9 million was made available for internally displaced persons, refugees and host communities.

As part of its policy to stabilise the region and fight terrorism, ECOWAS has provided financial support to Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso for the rehabilitation and strengthening of community resilience. To further its peace-building efforts, ECOWAS has set up an Observation, Monitoring and Early Warning Centre based in Abuja, which works to prevent violent extremism in the region. This centre helps to ensure that humanitarian issues are properly addressed in the ECOWAS region.

As far as youth is concerned, the ECOWAS Youth and Sport Development Centre implements the Commission’s policy in areas related to youth, sport and volunteering. Since 2014, 217 volunteers have been sent to Member States including Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. This Directorate works to promote the spirit of volunteering in the region and the commitment of the youth to serve the communities.

Beyond its recreational aspects, sport is an original mechanism for promoting regional integration. Aside wrestling, marathon and cycling, the EYSDC provides annual support to sports federations, with loans of 100,000 dollars per federation.

In terms of the socio-economic integration of young people, incubation and vocational training programmes are being implemented by the Commission. Examples include training in refrigeration and mechanical air conditioning and building electrician in Burkina Faso and Mali. As part of the partnership with China, 12 projects by young people in the region have been selected and funded for 2023.

The Education Directorate is actively involved in the academic mobility and professional integration programme for young people within ECOWAS institutions to provide more learning and skills expression platforms for young people in the region. Since 2016, 845 young people have benefited from this policy. Between 2021 and 2022, the programme to integrate young people into private-sector industries has benefited 180 young people.

Since 2019, 42 young people have been sent to Spain for Master’s Degrees in diplomacy and international relations. Between 2018 and 2024, the research and innovation support programme ensured the training of 30 young people in Masters and PHD programmes, with funding of nearly US$700,000.

ECOWAS is also active in the field of culture. Prizes are awarded to artists at film and art festivals. Examples include FESPACO in Burkina Faso and MASA in Côte d’Ivoire.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President William Ruto led the country in giving the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla a befitting send-off.

General Ogolla was laid to rest at his Alego home in Siaya County in a colourful ceremony complete with a 19-gun salute.

President Ruto said the country had lost a great military leader who served his country with passion and unwavering commitment.

He described General Ogolla as a consummate military officer, a passionate commander and a patriot of great humility and integrity.

“Many people do not understand the loss that we have incurred as a country. There are very few leaders who can fit in the categorisation and shoes of General Ogolla,” he said.

Speaking during General Ogolla’s burial service at Obama K’Ogello Primary School, President Ruto said he was proud to have appointed and worked with the fallen CDF.

“He loved this country and wanted the best for Kenya and would stop at nothing to make sure that Kenya was safe,” he said.

Present were First Lady Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, governors, Cabinet Secretaries and MPs, among others.

The President assured the country of thorough investigation on the cause of the accident that claimed General Ogolla’s and the lives of nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers.

“I want to assure the country that KDF and the Kenya Air Force have the requisite integrity and professionalism to make sure that there will be no shroud of doubt on what happened to General Ogolla,” he said.

The President said the days of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations are long gone.

“There shall never be extrajudicial killings or political assassinations. It will never happen again that bodies float in River Yala. Not under my watch,” he said.

President Ruto also said tribalism and ethnicity will no longer drive the politics and governance of the country. He said every Kenyan will have an opportunity to serve the nation on account of merit as opposed to tribalism and political affiliation.

“There is no position reserved for any group or any community or any region. Kenya belongs to all of us,” he said.

This, he said, will give every child in the country hope that they can grow up and become anything they want.

“I want every child, as they grow up in Kenya, to know that merit is going to be the yardstick of how far they can go,” he said.

“That is the Kenya we all want to belong to. That is the Kenya I will work hard to make sure becomes a reality,” he added.

Mr Gachagua commended General Ogolla’s leadership capabilities, saying he made an impact in the military during his tenure of service.

Mr Mudavadi said the late CDF was not only an accomplished military leader but also a diplomat.

“He used these skills to serve his country,” he said

Mr Wetang’ula said the late CDF was a fine military leader whose contribution to the nation’s security is invaluable.

“He had clarity of mind of what we needed to do to secure our region,” he said.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described General Ogolla as disciplined and a man of honour whose leadership in the military will be missed.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, Senator Oburu Oginga, and Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua also spoke.

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