HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani has met with HE Tom Perriello, the US Special Envoy to Sudan.

The meeting focused on the latest developments in Sudan, especially the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

Her Excellency pointed out that the State of Qatar has been operating an air bridge to Sudan since May 2023 as part of its support for the brotherly Sudanese people, and its full support for their steadfastness in the face of the difficult circumstances they are experiencing due to the ongoing fighting, in addition to providing shelter supplies to those affected by floods in Sudan last month.

She also pointed out that the State of Qatar has pledged USD 75 million to support brotherly Sudan since the outbreak of the crisis in the country.

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

Newly deployed military officers under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have received intensive training on civil-military cooperation (CIMIC).

The four-day training, organised by the UK Mission Support Team (UKMST) and ATMIS’ CIMIC Cell, equipped the officers with a clear understanding of CIMIC activities, project initiation, report writing and community engagements.

During the closing ceremony, on Thursday, ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka, expressed confidence that the training significantly improved the participants’ understanding of key CIMIC concepts.

“Make maximum use of the knowledge acquired by ensuring that it is applied in your day-to-day civil-military operations and duties in your respective areas of responsibility,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka.

ATMIS Chief CIMIC Officer, Col. Lutangu Sitali, emphasized the training’s pivotal role in preparing officers for successful CIMIC operations in support of the upcoming AU Mission.

“This course is designed to give the newly deployed sector CIMIC staff the knowledge, understanding and ability to enable them to conduct frontline CIMIC operations within their area of responsibility in conjunction with SNA and other agencies,” said Col.  Sitali.

Col. Shove Gilby, the Commander of UK Forces in Somalia, stressed the need to utilise CIMIC activities to strengthen relations between civilians and the military, crucial in countering Al-Shabaab’s influence in local communities.

“CIMIC operations are vital.  It is one of the methods we can use to secure the population and defeat Al Shabaab,” said Col. Gilby.

The officers thanked ATMIS for the training and requested additional in-mission training sessions within ATMIS’ sectors to further enhance their skills and capabilities.

“The knowledge acquired in this course will be useful to us throughout our operations here and thereafter. I thank ATMIS and UKMST for organising this important training,” said Capt. Fortunate Ogen from the ATMIS Level II hospital.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The Aligned for Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group continued its weekly virtual sessions on September 5, focusing on the expansion of emergency humanitarian access and respect for international humanitarian law. Last week, an estimated 3,114 metric tons of supplies reached approximately 300,000 people in Darfur with the support of the ALPS Group and through the courageous and tireless work of humanitarian actors on the ground.

The ALPS delegation members continue to engage the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with the urgent objective of expanding road access from Port Sudan through Shendi to Khartoum, as well as roads from Khartoum to El Obeid and to Kosti, including through Sennar. The ALPS delegations call for additional border crossings to be opened, including the Aweil crossing from South Sudan. ALPS Group members also continue to press the SAF to announce and meaningfully implement a simplified notification system and for the RSF to fully implement it, in order to streamline onerous bureaucratic barriers that cost Sudanese lives every day. With over 25 million people facing famine and acute hunger, notification must be sufficient to allow humanitarian cargo to move in Sudan. Every delay costs lives.

The ALPS Group acknowledged the issuance by the RSF of a new directive to all forces on the protection of civilians, supports the pledge of accountability, and will closely monitor implementation.  The ALPS Group identified several critical areas where the RSF and SAF should immediately deescalate hostilities, including El Fasher. This will ensure protection of civilians and urgent relief access in line with the commitments both parties made in the Jeddah Declaration. The delegation members call on members of the international community to pressure both sides toward this end.

The ALPS Group members reiterate their shared commitment to working with other international partners to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sudan and eventually achieve a cessation of hostilities agreement. They also reiterated their commitment to continue consulting with Sudanese women as part of this ALPS platform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.

Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, will visit Tanzania from September 9 to 11, 2024.

The Director General will participate in the 8th Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Oceans, Inland Waters, and Fisheries of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), which will take place on September 11 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. The meeting is expected to be graced by the President of Tanzania, Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

This visit reflects the European Union (EU) ongoing commitment to deepening its collaboration with Tanzania in the fisheries and blue economy sectors, following Ms. Vitcheva’s previous visit in 2023, during which she met with the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi.

Ahead of the OACPS ministerial meeting, Ms. Vitcheva will visit the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) in Kunduchi. During the visit, she will explore the institute’s research facilities and learn about TAFIRI’s efforts in marine ecosystem conservation. In addition, she will view exhibitions showcasing the institute’s conservation activities, including demonstrations of data capture and other marine research techniques. She will also attend the exhibition by Marine Parks and Reserves Unit, to learn about their work on marine governance and the efforts to support the livelihoods of communities living within the marine parks.

Ms. Vitcheva will also meet with several Tanzanian start-ups selected for the Blue Invest Africa initiative. These innovators are developing solutions to support sustainable development within the blue economy.

As part of her itinerary, Ms. Vitcheva will hold a bilateral meeting with Hon. Abdallah Ulega, Tanzania’s Minister for Livestock and Fisheries.

Ms. Vitcheva’s visit underscores the European Union’s commitment to advancing Tanzania’s blue economy and sustainable fisheries management. The EU’s support in Tanzania is delivered through its TZS 332.5 billion (EUR 110 million) flagship Blue Economy for Job Creation and Climate Adaptation Programme.

This programme is focused on building a climate-resilient Blue Economy in Tanzania’s coastal cities, Zanzibar, and the Indian Ocean’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The programme prioritizes the protection of coastal ecosystems, promotes sustainable, job-intensive businesses, and fosters long-term growth through transformative governance and policy reforms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community.