In West and Central Africa, more than 14,000 schools have been forced to close due to violence and insecurity as of June 2024, impacting the learning of hundreds of thousands of children across the region, highlights the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Children’s right to an education must be protected as the future of an entire generation hangs in the balance. 

Across the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso and Mali as well as Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), school closures affected millions of children in 2023 and continue to do so this year. Many of the impacted children are at risk of being recruited by armed groups or exposed to severe protection risks such as child labor, physical violence, and sexual exploitation. 

“Education is under siege in West and Central Africa. The deliberate targeting of schools and the systemic denial of education because of conflict is nothing short of a catastrophe. Every day that a child is kept out of school is a day stolen from their future and from the future of their communities,” said Hassane Hamadou, NRC’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “We urgently call on all parties to conflict to cease attacks on and occupation of schools and ensure that education is protected and prioritised.” 

In Cameroon, the compounding effects of three concurrent humanitarian crises left 1.4 million school-age children in dire need of educational assistance in 2023.  

In DRC, violence and inter-community tensions have forced the closure of 1,457 schools since the beginning of 2024, affecting over 500,000 students and 12,700 teachers. Armed groups continue to occupy school buildings, using them for military purposes and further disrupting education. 

The ongoing attacks on education and the resulting school closures have far-reaching consequences. Without immediate intervention, the region risks losing an entire generation of educated youth and adults, which will have severe socio-economic impacts in the long term. Girls face heightened risks of forced marriage and exploitation, further compounding gender and social inequalities. 

Moreover, the recruitment of children by armed groups disrupts their education, decreases their chances of ever going back to school, and increases their vulnerability to violence and exploitation, perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability in the region. 

While the situation remains dire, there are glimmers of hope. In Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR), the number of attacks on education decreased between 2022 and 2023, due to the decline in violence in certain parts of these countries. In Burkina Faso, around 1,300 schools have reopened this year in several government-controlled areas, allowing thousands of children to return to the classroom. 

“The reopening of schools in Burkina Faso and the reduction in attacks on education in Mali and Central African Republic show that progress is possible,” said Hamadou. “We must build on this momentum to ensure that all children have access to safe and inclusive quality education.” 

On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the NRC calls on the international community, governments, and all parties to conflict to take immediate and sustained action to protect education. This includes ending attacks on and occupation of schools, ensuring the safety of students and teachers, and providing adequate funding for education programmes in conflict-affected regions. 

“Education is a lifeline for children in crisis. We cannot allow violence to rob them of their future,” added Hamadou. “We urge all stakeholders to prioritise the protection of education and work together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.” 

Facts and figures 

Across 24 countries in West and Central Africa, more than 14,364 schools have closed due to armed violence according to the regional situation report Q2 2024 of Education in Emergencies Working Group for West and Central Africa, an increase from 2023 when 13,200 schools were closed ( ECW ) and (EiEWG). 
Last year, in 2023, 1 school in 4 – or 6,149 – was closed in Burkina Faso (UNICEF). 
School closures affected 2.5 million children across the region in 2023 (EiEWG) 
In DRC, 1,457 schools remain closed since January 2024. This affected over 500,000 students and 12,700 teachers (R-EiE WG).   
According to the GCPEA report, the number of schools closed in Mali and CAR has decreased in the 2022-2023 study period (GCPEA). 
In Burkina Faso, about 1,300 schools have been reopened in between October 2023 and June 2024 (Education ministry of Burkina Faso). 
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

President Isaias Afwerki on 6 September met and held talks in Beijing with General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, President of Sudan’s Sovereign Council. The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on the current situation in Sudan, the bilateral ties between their countries, as well as regional and global matters of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman Saleh, Eritrea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Tsegay Tesfatsion, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Representing Sudan were Mr. Hussein Awad, Sudanese Foreign Minister, and Dr. Jibril Ibrahim, Sudan’s Minister of Finance.

In a statement to the Eritrean press, General Burhan expressed his gratitude for Eritrea’s principled support of the Sudanese people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Engineer Hassan El-Khatib.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the meeting reviewed the strategic axes for advancing the investment and trade sector in the coming period, in alignment with Egypt Vision 2030. This strategy has been developed through partnership and dialogue among the various stakeholders in Egypt’s investment and trade sectors. It includes a main goal of achieving significant and broad progress in investment and export files through expanded plans to attract major global investment entities to invest in Egypt across several sectors, particularly the industrial sector as the engine of the country’s economic growth. The strategy seeks to enhance investor confidence in the Egyptian economy by relying on stable monetary and financial policies and reinforcing the commitment to the state ownership policy document, which aims to strengthen the role of the private sector in economic activities. This is in addition to providing a conducive and attractive economic environment for investments, and opening new export markets in cooperation and coordination with export councils and joint business councils.

The President gave directives to provide the necessary facilities to increase investment rates, encourage both the Egyptian and foreign private sectors, build on the recent growth in foreign direct investment rates, and continue expanding the issuance of “Golden Licenses” to investors in key priority sectors for Egypt, including industry, green energy, transportation, information and communications technology, agriculture, and healthcare. This shall take place in a manner that fulfills the state’s comprehensive development goals.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, and Minister of State and Member of the Saudi Cabinet, Dr. Essam Bin Saeed. The meeting was also attended by Minister of Interior, Major General Mahmoud Tawfik, as well as the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmad Fahmy, said the Saudi Interior Minister conveyed to the President the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. President El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for the King and Crown Prince, confirming the profound brotherly and historical relations the two countries and their peoples share. The President emphasized the two countries’ pivotal roles as cornerstones for stability in the region, notably in light of the formidable and growing challenges that demand their constant and intensive cooperation.

The meeting underscored the vital importance of the joint cooperation and intensive coordination between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of the shared security challenges and threats emanating from the current developments in the region, notably in the areas of countering terrorist and extremist organizations, transnational organized crime and the surge in cybercrime. This represents an immense challenge that requires concerted efforts to mitigate these threats, which have evolved into new and changing patterns and necessitates continued development and joint training to keep pace with these developments and strengthen efforts to maintain security and stability.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.