The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Patrice Talla paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Umberto Malnati, the Italian Ambassador to Zimbabwe at his offices in Harare. The courtesy visit is part of existing and ongoing collaborative programmes between Italy and FAO to promote agriculture investment and trade, food security and mitigate impact of climate change, with a view to implement the 2030 Agenda and translate political commitment into concrete actions.

During the meeting, discussions focused on deepening collaboration between FAO and the Italian Government and also to update on FAO’s readiness to rollout the two programmes being supported by exploring potential future programmes in the two countries that could be supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. FAO is preparing to receive EURO 8.5 million from the Italian government to implement programmes in both countries. The funds will be committed towards implementation of two programmes on agriculture value chain and trade, and transboundary integrated sustainable management of the miombo woodlands valued at EURO 3.5 million and EURO 5 million respectively.

H.E Ambassador Umberto Malnati considered that Agriculture stands as the cornerstone for realizing the SDGs outlined in the UN Agenda 2030, epitomizing the vital intersection of environmental stewardship, economic growth and social equity necessary for sustainable global progress.

Italy, in collaboration with FAO, promotes sustainable food to assist member states throughout the globe in eradicating hunger and to achieve the SDGs of the 2030 UN Agenda while contributing to the four pillars of food security: availability, access, use, and stability.

“We are confident that these programmes will contribute significantly to the development goals of both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. FAO is working closely with the relevant Ministries and stakeholders in the two countries to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives. FAO already has formal cooperating frameworks with the relevant Ministries in both countries. We look forward to collaborating with the Italian Embassy and the two countries to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes,” said Patrice Talla during the visit.

The courtesy call comes at an opportune time when FAO is in the process of expanding the reach and effectiveness of its programmes including the Regional Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHi) for Southern Africa. Building on the successful design of the existing initiatives, FAO is developing a subregional initiative modelled after the Trade and Development Initiative under the HiHi in Southern Africa.

The Ambassador expressed keen interest in exploring opportunities for deepening private sector facilitation for agriculture development and investment. In collaboration with the SADC, FAO is currently designing this regional initiative aimed at stimulating private sector investment in agriculture and fostering deeper trade connections within Southern Africa.  

During the courtesy call, FAO took the opportunity to present to the Ambassador its flagship report “The future of food and agriculture – Drivers and triggers for transformation.” This report analyses major drivers of agrifood systems and explores how their trends could determine alternative futures of agrifood, socio-economic and environmental systems.

The meeting was concluded with the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa expressing his commitment to engaging the Italian government throughout the design processes and implementation of these programmes to ensure alignment with FAO and Italy’s development strategic objectives.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FAO Regional Office for Africa.

​The 1st Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Mauritania was held in Nouakchott on 21 March 2024, co-chaired by Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary (Central&West Africa), Ministry of External Affairs from Indian side and Mr. Mohammed El Hanchi KETTAB, Ambassador, Director General of Bilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

​During the consultations, both delegations engaged in constructive discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest. The discussions encompassed various facets of collaboration, including political cooperation, economic partnership, development assistance, cultural exchanges, and cooperation in multilateral forums.

​India and Mauritania share long-standing ties of friendship and collaboration. The bilateral trade between India and Mauritania has grown steadily during the last three years and it reached US$ 378.24 Mn during 2022-23, from US$ 108.91 Mn in 2021-22. Both sides agreed to continue engagements through institutional mechanisms. India’s Resident Mission has been opened in June 2021 which has been providing impetus in strengthening our bilateral relations.

The next round of FOC will be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

The process of forming the unified national army in South Sudan, as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement, is slow. The same goes for the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration into their communities of individuals who will not be part of this single armed force, leaving these former combatants in a limbo.

In an effort to address related issues, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Development Programme, and the National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Commission (NDDR), have partnered with the government of France to launch the second phase of a pilot Community Violence Reduction project in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

“It aims to mitigate any form of violence that could be provoked by former combatants or armed youths in their host communities,” explained Kuot Kuot Deng, a community violence reduction expert with the NDDR.

The first phase of the project, consisting of providing trauma healing and psychosocial support to these ex-soldiers, was implemented last year by the civil society organization Solidarity Ministries Africa for Reconciliation and Development.

“The workshops I attended helped improve my relationship with my community. I am currently sharing my own experience as an ex-combatant with young people, to tell them about the dangers of carrying weapons,” said project beneficiary Anthony Mungu.

The initiative has indeed changed the lives of more than 100 young men and women from different communities in the counties of Wau and Jur River, with many having enrolled in vocational trainings like welding, electrical work, car repairs, tailoring, and pastry-making.

One of them is Elino Uding Bolo.

“I am very grateful to everyone involved in providing us with opportunities to acquire skills that will enable us to earn a living,” he said, beaming with joy.

Akuet Nydemo from River County is equally grateful, and also picking up new livelihood know-how.

“Life can be very difficult for us women whose husbands have left the army and come back to a household in a community with few possibilities to earn an income. Idleness and frustration are major causes of domestic violence.”

UNMISS representative Xavier Blais is convinced that the community violence reduction programme is having its intended impact.

“Joining community-based initiatives, along with women and youths, helps the ex-warriors’ transition into civilian life because they can see quick results and opportunities to create a robust future for themselves,” he affirmed.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Located some 80 kilometres west of South Sudan’s capital Juba, Rokon has recently been rocked by intercommunal feuds between farmers and cattle herders, at least in part induced by climate change prompting large-scale movements of the sometimes crop-munching beasts.

These concerns came to light when the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) organized a protection of civilians training for 50 people living in the area, including chiefs, local authorities and representatives of women and youth.

”When cattle keepers lead their animals to greener pastures, there are sometimes clashes with local farmers who are keen to protect their produce,” observed Lauro Ohiyu, a representative of the peacekeeping mission.

Momur Kenyi, a Rokon resident, believes that the government needs to support pastoralists so that they won’t feel compelled to move into farming areas.

“That could be avoided if cattle keepers are made aware of modern ways of rearing animals, such as ranching, and if sufficient water can be availed where they live,” he said.

A general lack of the precious liquid, essential for the wellbeing of animals and humans alike, can be spotted when looking at swamps and streams running dry due to heatwaves and other climatic changes.

“It’s an environmental disaster in the making. Unless we plant more trees, and now, it will be difficult to reverse this process,” alerted Samuel Jada, a Catholic Deacon.

Another human-made challenge with far-reaching consequences is the harmful cultural practice of early and all-too-often forced marriages. With these arrangements frequently resulting in premature pregnancies, girls and young women are not only subject to numerous health risks but are also deprived of school, vocational trainings and other learning opportunities.

This devastating trend, perpetuating gender inequality, has not gone unnoticed by Esther Frazer Ladu, another resident attending the training.

“I will continue to work tirelessly to raise our community’s awareness on the fundamental importance of making sure that all our children have access to education,” she said.

Conflict mitigation and community policing techniques were also discussed by those participating in the workshop.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).