On March 21, U.S. Ambassador Michael Battle, alongside Mafia District’s Administrative Secretary, Hon. Olivanus Paul Thomas, commemorated the successful completion of the third phase of the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) project to restore the historic Swahili ruins of Kua on Juani Island, within the Mafia Island archipelago.

From 2017 through 2022, the U.S. Embassy awarded a total of $434,929 (approximately Tshs 1.1 billion) to World Monuments Fund (WMF) via the AFCP program of the U.S. Department of State. This funding supported the preservation of these ancient ruins in a collaborative effort with the local community. The celebratory event at the Kua Ruins hosted local government officials, a delegate from the Ministry of Natural Resources, WMF representatives, and community members.

Nestled off Tanzania’s coast on Juani Island, the ancient Swahili town of Kua traces back to the 13th century, standing as one of East Africa’s largest medieval Swahili settlements. The site boasts a significant number of residential structures that have withstood the test of time, including a grand palace and five mosques. Protected under the Antiquities Act No. 10 of 1964, as amended by Act No. 22 of 1979, the Kua Ruins are a testament to Swahili architectural ingenuity and historical importance. Ambassador Battle noted, “Through the AFCP program, the U.S. has not only preserved the essence of Kua but also ensured local communities benefit from these preservation efforts.”

Since its inception in 2001, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has aimed to safeguard notable cultural heritage sites across the globe. The American people have generously contributed over one million dollars in grants since 2002, supporting a wide range of preservation projects in Tanzania. These projects include the restoration of the 18th-century Kizimkazi Mosque in Zanzibar, the ancient trade port ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, the prehistoric rock art in Kondoa, the 19th-century Bwanga House in Pangani, and the historical Shumba and Micheweni mosques in Pemba, among others.

World Monuments Fund (WMF), the project’s lead implementing organization, is a premier non-profit entity dedicated to preserving the world’s most iconic heritage sites. With over 50 years of experience in more than 90 countries, WMF’s skilled experts employ advanced preservation techniques to safeguard architectural and cultural landmarks worldwide.

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

An aircraft belonging to the Qatar Armed Forces arrived in the city of El Arish in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, carrying 20 tons of aid, including food supplies provided by the Qatar Charity, in preparation to be delivered to Gaza, bringing the total number of planes of aid to 87.

HE Minister of State for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater received the aircraft at El Arish Airport.

This aid comes within the framework of the State of Qatar’s support for the brotherly Palestinian people and its full support for them during the difficult humanitarian conditions they are currently exposed to. Moreover, a number of Palestinians holding Qatar residency permits were evacuated from the Gaza Strip, returning to Doha.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

Following the recent terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall which occurred on Friday 22nd March 2024, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, has sent a message of condolence to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

In his message, President Ramkalawan, stated: 

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the devastating terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall, claiming numerous innocent lives.  

At this moment of profound tragedy, I extend our deepest condolences to you, your Government and the Russian people during these trying times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. 

We condemn in the strongest terms such acts of violence. In the face of such adversity, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to peace, unity, and the preservation of human life and dignity. May the resilience and solidarity of the Russian people serve as a beacon of hope in these difficult times.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

National Tuberculosis (TB) Research Conference officially opened in Addis Ababa on March 21, 2024, with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in attendance.  Organized by the Ministry of Health and partners, the event ran until March 24th, culminating with the celebration of World TB Day.

Unique to this year were outdoor activities to educate the public that included a police march, a public sport activity between Addis Ababa Municipality and EPHI staff, social and mainstream media public awareness campaigns, and graduation of TB patients that completed an income generating capacity building activity.

USAID made three funding announcements at the conference. Mission Director (MD) Scott Hocklander shared the news that Ethiopia is one of a limited number of countries that will benefit from the new “USAID Global Accelerator Plus Initiative,” to help end TB by 2030. As part of this initiative, Ethiopia will receive an additional $6 million in 2024 to fight TB.  The Government of Ethiopia has committed to allocating an additional $6 million to match USAID’s contribution. Second, MD Hocklander informed the audience that the USAID TB Local Organizations Network (TB LON) Activity launched on Sunday, March 24, 2024 to support the TB program in Afar, Benshangul Gumz, Gambella, and Somali. In addition, USAID manages a $1 million seed fund that will expand access to testing for TB.

USAID has invested nearly $350 million over the last 25 years to support Ethiopia’s TB program. The mission procured nearly 350 cutting-edge rapid TB diagnostic GeneXpert machines; constructed 16 multidrug resistant TB treatment centers and 15 reference laboratories, procured thousands of microscopes, trained tens of thousands of health workers, and reached millions of Ethiopians with different TB and multidrug resistant TB services.

On March 24, 2024, USAID supported the celebration of World TB Day. Various activities took place to mark the event, including speeches from government and development partners, a TB Awareness Creation Walk, and testimonials from TB survivors. USAID Deputy Health Office Director Karen Koprince delivered remarks and reaffirmed the U.S Government’s commitment to continue supporting the Ethiopian people and government to end TB by 2030.

2024 marks an important milestone in the relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Ethiopia.  It was 120 years ago that the two countries established formal diplomatic ties and 60 years later that USAID was established in Ethiopia.  USAID has continued to support Ethiopia’s efforts to end TB.

To learn more about the #US-Ethiopia120Years of partnership, visit: U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia and follow U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa | Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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