Following operations “Safe Domain I” in November 2021, and “Safe Domain II”   in September 2023, ECOWAS and its Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) for Zone E, which includes Togo, Benin and Nigeria, are organising Operation Safe Domain III: a major maritime initiative to strengthen to strengthen safety on the high seas from 5 to 9 August 2024.

The main objective of this inter-state operation is to combine efforts and resources to meet the challenges of maritime security. It covers key activities such as research, information exchange, maritime and aerial surveillance and the intervention of operational units where necessary.

Operation Safe Domain III will last 5 days. It is an operation to patrol and secure the maritime area of zone “E”, involving Togo, Nigeria and Benin. It is part of a code of conduct relating to the prevention and repression of acts of piracy, armed robbery at sea and illegal maritime activities in the ‘E’ economic zone. The ceremony brings together a number of political figures and civil authorities from the various national administrations of the three countries in zone E.

During the opening ceremony Commodore Aniedi Aniedu Iboki, Director CMMC Zone E noted that in view of the transnational challenges faced by the ECOWAS maritime domain in terms of maritime security affecting the economic development and livelihoods of its local communities, the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government, adopted a robust ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS), in March 2014. He thanked the various partners such as the European Union, UNODC, the United States, Denmark, Germany and France for their support in securing the ECOWAS maritime domain and to encourage them to continue these efforts.

In his speech, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission, stressed that the current 4 X 4 strategic objectives of ECOWAS, including objective 1 (strengthening regional peace and security), call for the full operationalisation of the ECOWAS maritime security architecture. Thus, the theme of Exercise 2024 “Protecting the blue economy of ECOWAS Zone E through collaboration on maritime security” is appropriate and in harmony with the Community’s vision. He further stated that the oceans are a major economic and environmental resource where some 90% of international trade is conducted. He thanked the development partners, including the European Union through the GoGIN (Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network) project, implemented by Expertise France, and praised their efforts to combat maritime insecurity.

Representing Mr Fortunet Alain NOUATIN, Minister Delegate in charge of Defence of the Republic of Benin, Brigadier General Abdul-Baki Sanni Bachabi, Chief of Staff, welcomed all participants in the operation to Benin and praised the commitment and determination of all those involved in organising this operation. He also thanked the Zone E CMMC and all the partners involved in the success of this 3rd Zone E maritime patrol operation, known as ‘Safe Domain III’.

These joint maritime patrols, which will come to an end on Friday 9 August 2024, mark ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts and commitment to strengthening maritime security in the region.

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

The African region is experiencing an unprecedented increase in mpox cases since the start of 2024, with more countries previously unaffected by the disease reporting cases in an expanding spread of the virus.

World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated the mpox outbreak response to the highest-level requiring organization-wide mobilization and scale-up. In addition, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called for an emergency committee of experts meeting to determine whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Fifteen African countries are currently reporting mpox outbreak, with a total of 2030 confirmed cases and 13 deaths so far this year compared with 1145 cases and seven deaths in the whole of 2023. Four countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – previously unaffected by mpox have reported cases since mid-July 2024.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounts for more than 90% of the reported cases, a new variant that emerged in September 2023 is circulating in its eastern region. Neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda have reported cases of the new variant. Kenya has also confirmed cases of the new variant. Analysis are ongoing in Burundi to determine whether the reported cases are due to the new variant.

“The priority is to rapidly interrupt the transmission of the virus. We’re collaborating with partners in support of countries to reinforce outbreak control measures and ensure that communities are central to ongoing efforts to effectively end these outbreaks,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The pattern of transmission varies across the region, with the spread of new variant (known as clade 1b) in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo linked to transmission through sexual contact and high population movement, while in South Africa most of the cases are among people identifying as men having sex with men. Transmission in West and Central Africa is associated with the 2022 global outbreak. However, further analysis is required to better understand the patterns of transmission to refine the response to the outbreak.

WHO is working at the global, regional and national levels as well as with partners, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and others to ensure effective response to the outbreak.  

In the African region, WHO is working through country teams and experts deployed on the ground to support national authorities strengthen key response areas, including disease surveillance, diagnosis testing and clinical care, infection prevention and control. WHO is working with the health authorities to access therapeutics, decentralize laboratory services for enhanced diagnostic capacities, and ramp up efforts to raise awareness about the risk of the disease among communities.

Field investigation and active case finding are also being reinforced in the affected and at-risk countries. The Organization is coordinating closely to enhance contact tracing, leveraging experience from prior outbreaks to ensure interventions best support and elevate the needs of key populations. WHO is also mobilizing financial support to help countries effectively respond to the outbreak.

WHO is advancing the process for Emergency Use Listing Procedure, an approach to assess and list unlicensed vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to expediting their availability for use during public health emergencies. The Organization is already working closely with countries to develop their vaccination strategies and plans, to roll out the vaccines as soon as they are available. Vaccines are one among many public health tools that are used to control mpox.

Mpox is transmitted from animals to humans, with cases often found close to tropical rainforests where there are animals that carry the virus. The disease can also spread from humans to humans through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.

Treatment of mpox patients is supportive dependent on the symptoms. Various therapeutics that may be effective against mpox are being developed and tested.  Prevention and control of rely on raising awareness in communities and educating health workers to prevent infection and stop transmission.

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

The winner of the Green Jersey at the Tour de France 2024, Eritrean professional cyclist Biniam Girmay, member of the Intermarché-Wanty Team, received a warm welcome from thousands of Asmara residents lining the streets. The welcoming ceremony began at Asmara International Airport, where Biniam, accompanied by officials from the Commission of Culture and Sports, numerous cyclists, and fans, made their way through the streets of Asmara to Bahti Meskerem Square. The ceremony at Bahti Meskerem Square, attended by senior Government and PFDJ officials, members of the diplomatic community, and numerous nationals, featured cultural and artistic performances.

Earlier in the morning, President Isaias Afwerki welcomed Biniam Girmay at his office in Adi-Halo. President Isaias conveyed a warm message of congratulations to Biniam’s family and the Eritrean people on his historic victory at the Tour de France 2024. He emphasized that Biniam is indeed a “pride for his nation and people” and that his unprecedented achievements will inspire other athletes to overcome all barriers and achieve more glories in the years to come.

As a gesture of gratitude to the people and Government of Eritrea, Biniam Girmay presented President Isaias Afwerki with the Green Jersey he won at the Tour de France 2024. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and Sports, members of the Cycling Federation of Eritrea, veteran cyclists, and Biniam Girmay’s family.

Biniam stated that the secret to his victory was strong effort and self-confidence. He acknowledged that the influence of veteran Eritrean cyclists, who have achieved great success on international stages, significantly contributed to his achievements. Biniam Girmay arrived at Asmara International Airport in the late evening hours yesterday.

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

Sticking to a varied, balanced diet is important for all of us. For various reasons, this may, however, be easier said than done, not least for women and men behind bars. A kitchen gardening programme in Torit is set to help inmates at the state prison stay healthy.

“The fruits and vegetables growing here makes it possible for us to supplement the meager food given to us, and that is great,” said prisoner Atango James, as she commented on this initiative, brought to her and her peers by Corrections Officers serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

For the last six months, these wholesome goodies, which include amaranthus, okra, bean leaves tomatoes and pumpkins, are grown around the perimeter of the prison walls, where they are nurtured and harvested by the inmates themselves.

“We noticed that the health of many prisoners, not least lactating mothers, was poor and seemed to be getting worse. When we talked to the authorities about our gardening proposal, they were very enthusiastic,” said Hillary Sengabo, a Corrections Advisor serving with UNMISS.

The first step of the nutritional project was to provide the prison with rudimentary farming tools and seeds. Once these were in place, inmates were taught basic agricultural skills.

Apart from significantly improving the health of the women and men being detained, the gardening initiative also gives the prison a measure of food security, in case the regular supplier of meals fails to deliver in a timely manner.

Large quantities of food are indeed needed, not least with the prison population, in a facility designed for 150 inmates, having reached more than 370.

“We are working on an improved bedding system to better accommodate all of them,” said Hillary Sengabo, adding that she and her colleagues are also trying to turn a vision of a biogas project into reality.

As for Ms. James and the other farming inmates, their idea of what they want is clear.

“We need more seeds. That way we can grow more, and more diverse produce.”

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