The meeting which held on September 2, 2024, at the Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja was an opportunity for Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to inform the President of ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray on new strategies to ensure prudent use of funds donated by ECOWAS to Nigeria to treat and rehabilitate women suffering from obstetric fistula.

Mrs Kennedy-Ohanenye said that funds donated by ECOWAS to Nigeria for the treatment of women suffering from obstetric fistula do not have an appreciable impact on the women as a significant amount is channeled to training doctors, sensitization programs and workshops instead of the treatment of the patients.

Reaffirming her commitment to a new approach, She said the Ministry of Women Affairs has collaborated with the Nigeria’s Ministry of Health to ensure that the bulk of donor funds and grants to treat fistula are spent on the actual treatment of the patients while the Ministry of health will handle the training of Doctors.

Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye therefore sought the cooperation of the Chairman ECOWAS commission to ensure effective utilization of the funds donated to Nigeria for the treatment of obstetric fistula and women empowerment.

Responding to the Minister, Dr. Touray welcomed an approach which prioritizes the treatment and rehabilitation of patients noting that this is the manner of collaboration the commission is seeking from member states.

He further stated that the commission is prepared to take on board the suggestions from the Minister and would adjust its programs as this would significantly impact the lives of the beneficiaries.

On December 7th , 2023, ECOWAS through its Gender Development Centre issued a $245,000 grant to Nigeria and seven other member states to treat fistula victims marking a significant step in addressing health challenges of women in the subregion.

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

The 2nd Indonesia – Africa Forum (IAF II) is a platform to enhance concrete economic cooperation with Africa as Indonesia’s key economic partner, following the success of the first IAF in 2018. The Forum is held under the theme of “Bandung Spirit for Africa’s Agenda 2063,” highlighting shared values and principles which would lay a strong foundation for robust, inclusive, equal, and sustained relations between Indonesia and Africa.

The Forum was officiated by President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo and was attended by several African Heads of States and Government including H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana; and H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia.

H.E. Damtien TCHINTCHIBIDJA, who led the ECOWAS delegation, provided remarks on the first panel discussion on the Update and Prospect for Cooperation between ECOWAS and Indonesia, highlighting shared aspirations, as well as current and potential areas of future cooperation.

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

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, took part, on Septemeber, 03, 2024 in Beijing, in the Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

This Forum, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year, represents a key partnership between China and the African continent, based on the fundamental principles of solidarity, cooperation, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

This Ministerial Meeting was chaired by the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, and the Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yassine Fall, whose country holds the rotating co-chairmanship of FOCAC for the African continent.

The Chinese and African ministers reviewed and adopted the Beijing Declaration and Action Plan, with a view to their final adoption by the Heads of State and Government who are expected to attend the FOCAC Summit, scheduled from September 4 to 6 in China.

This meeting provided an opportunity for Bourita to engage with several of his counterparts and to explore ways and means to strengthen peace, stability, and development on the African continent through effective bilateral South-South cooperation, as well as through triangular cooperation with China within the framework of FOCAC, in accordance with the High Orientations of His Majesty The King, may God assist Him.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$ 2 million contribution from the Republic of Korea to support the Chadian Government’s emergency response for crisis-affected people in eastern Chad.

The funding will allow WFP to provide cash-based transfers to 56,000 Sudanese refugees and Chadian people worst affected by the multiple crises in eastern Chad. Cash assistance provides the people we serve with more flexibility to choose what to purchase from the local market. It also helps families meet their essential needs while stimulating the local economy. 

“We welcome the Republic of Korea’s funding, which is crucial for our lifesaving operations. It enhances our ability to strategically prioritize our efforts where and when the needs are greatest,” said Sarah Gordon-Gibson, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Chad. “With people suffering from acute food insecurity and malnutrition, we must work hand in hand to support the government’s efforts.” 

Chad is experiencing the worst lean season on record and a nationwide food and nutrition emergency, with 3.4 million people currently suffering from acute hunger. 

The country is also facing another year of devastating floods which have already affected almost one million people, with 251,000 hectares of fields submerged, over 70,000 houses destroyed, and 29,000 heads of livestock swept away, according to Chadian authorities and partners, as of 25 August. 

With famine now confirmed in Sudan by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee, WFP is also expecting a rise in refugee numbers in eastern Chad in the next six months. This influx will add to the over 630,000 refugees and more than 201,000 returnees who have already sought refuge in Chad since the crisis began in 2023. 

To ensure continued support to crisis-affected people in Chad, WFP urgently requires US$ 97 million over the next six months. 

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).