H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, participated in a meeting of the special committee formed by the Parliament to discuss and study the new government’s work program for the period (2024/2025 – 2026/2027), chaired by Counselor Ahmed Saad, the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Mohamed Abou El-Enein, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and H.E. Dr. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Kouchouck, Minister of Finance, and Counselor Mahmoud Fawzi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Legal Affairs, and Political Communication.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Dr. A. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the utmost importance of continuous and effective communication with the parliament, transparently addressing all members’ inquiries regarding the government program. The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation noted that the pivotal phase our nation is undergoing requires integration and coordination among various sectors and societal institutions to meet aspirations and overcome challenges facing the state.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that while there are challenges, the new government is also a government of opportunities. The Minister emphasized that the merging of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of International Cooperation aims to achieve a different philosophy of work to enhance development plan effectiveness, strengthen state efforts in providing soft financing for the private sector to stimulate foreign investments, and achieve integration between the mechanisms available to both ministries to meet aspirations and implement the government program while increasing operational efficiency.

Al-Mashat mentioned that work is underway to formulate a new vision for the ministry in line with the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the new government work program (2024/2025 – 2026/2027), consistent with the requirements and changes of the pivotal phase in the Egyptian economy, global and regional economic challenges, ensuring strong and sustainable growth rates across most sectors, building upon the comprehensive economic and structural reforms implemented in recent years, and enhancing the efficiency of public investments while creating opportunities for the private sector to lead the development process, aiming to promote comprehensive and sustainable growth and job creation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

UNSMIL is deeply concerned by reports of another abduction, this time in Misrata. On 8 July, 29-year-old political activist Al-Moatassim Areebi was abducted by unidentified armed men in civilian clothes along with Mohamed Shtewi. While Mr. Shtewi was released after being beaten, the whereabouts of Mr. Al-Areebi remain unknown.

UNSMIL reiterates the call made by members of the Misrata Municipal Council and community representatives urging the city’s security and law enforcement agencies to urgently investigate the abduction of Mr. Al-Areebi, disclose his whereabouts, and secure his safe and immediate release.

The Mission has documented cases of at least 60 individuals currently detained across the country for their actual or perceived political affiliation. The actual number of individuals detained for peacefully expressing their political views may be much higher.

Reports of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, ill-treatment, torture, and deaths in custody committed with impunity continue to plague Libya. These unlawful practices have created a climate of fear, shrinking civic space, and eroding the rule of law.

UNSMIL calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and accountability for those responsible.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Residents along the rivers Turubwa and Bundri in Mundri West County are rejoicing, and why would they not? Thanks to two new bridges, they are no longer forced to cross sometimes flooded overpasses on foot.

“We used to fall into the water with our cassava flour and other crops on our way to the market, but now we feel safe and relieved,” said local farmer Mary Samiah, commenting on the two shining pieces of infrastructure financed by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and built, over the last three months, by the Hope Alive Educational Foundation.

Not only markets but also healthcare facilities, friends and schools are now significantly easier to reach for the good people of Mundri West, who are expected to enjoy a commercial boom, improved livelihoods and classes starting on time as dividends of the two multidirectional bridges.

“As students, we would often find ourselves stranded at school due to the flooded river, sometimes resulting in getting home late, much to the ire of our parents. We had no choice but to remove our shoes and clothes in order to cross the water,” explained 16-year-old Victoria Wilson, a student at the Ezra Baya Primary School, confirming that delays would at times occur traversing in the other direction as well.

Peacekeepers, humanitarian partners, security forces and rescue personnel are also benefitting from the improved road connections.

“These connections greatly improve service delivery and the swift deployment of security and emergency responses,” said Zelipha Dawa, the Mundri West County Commissioner.

Increased mobility, not least the way it can bring people together, is something that Thomas Bazawi, a representative of the peacekeeping mission, is also a fan of.

“These initiatives all contribute to achieving lasting peace in Western Equatoria and in South Sudan as a whole, and that is, at the end of the day, our top priority,” he said.

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

“During the civil wars of 2013 and 2016, we never imagined a time would come when we could be free to assemble and discuss the future of our nation without fear,” says Stephen Mathiang Deng, Minister for Cabinet Affairs in Lakes state, South Sudan.

Minister Deng was speaking at a three-day interaction, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), which brought together key stakeholders—politicians, youth, women, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and academics—to begin constructive conversations on the route towards free, fair, and inclusive elections that are currently scheduled for December 2024.

“Earlier, there was pervasive fear among communities, even to go to a local market. These days it is different. Stores and shops are open, vendors ply their wares; and people convene to talk to one another. It is this dialogue on the way forward towards a more peaceful, prosperous future, that we, as the government, would like to encourage,” adds the Minister, assuring all gathered of the state’s commitment to nurturing spaces for consistent civic and political engagement by all.

Intense and detailed discussions by participants focused on the roles and responsibilities of the National Elections Commission (NEC); the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and the Political Parties Council (PPC). Stakeholders also sought updates on the status of the Tumaini Peace Initiative, currently ongoing in Nairobi, capital of neighboring Kenya, where non-signatories to the 2018 peace deal are engaged in finding a consensus-based way forward for South Sudan to complete its long overdue democratic transition while incorporating viewpoints across the political spectrum.

“The shifts in the country’s political landscape in past weeks have been rapid, and in an information environment where people may find it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction, connecting state-level actors to national developments, plus raising awareness on individual obligations before citizens head to the polls, is vital,” reveals Guy Bennett, Chief of the UN Peacekeeping Mission’s Political Affairs Division.

“This political parties forum is the first of its kind supported by UNMISS at the state level. So far, we’ve only been rolling these out in different formats in Juba. What’s coming through quite clearly is that South Sudanese everywhere want to be actively involved in shaping a better future. This requires trust between citizens and their leaders; it requires that facts aren’t diluted by differing perspectives; and that everybody is cogniscent of what’s required to hold timely elections. We will, therefore, be replicating this event across all states,” he says.

Mr Bennett’s views are echoed simply, yet eloquently by Anjelina Adhel Malual, Chair of Lakes States’ Civil Society Organizations’ Network.

“We can’t sustain peace or development as individuals. It’s a collective undertaking. And the path towards that is through open, honest communication on what South Sudanese communities want. We are, therefore, overjoyed with the clarity this forum has provided us as well as the options we have jointly come up with to work keeping in mind the interests of all communities,” she avers.

Nyandiar Mabor, a women’s representative, echoes Angelina.

“It’s a fact that when women from all walks of life are fully and equally included in peace processes, they stand the test of time,” she states. “We can define a gender-sensitive political space when we participate in politics, governance, and decision-making. This is non-negotiable if our country is to become truly democratic,” she adds, while noting that the initiative had given participants several actionable ways to strengthen women’s voices.

In a joint communique issued at the end of their deliberations, delegates concluded that they will pursue all avenues to foster trust, build confidence, and work towards establishing versatile, dynamic civic and political discourses across Lakes.

For his part, Christopher Murenga, Head of the UNMISS Field Office in the state, was appreciative of the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by all participants, and called for nominees who could form a committee to disseminate these recommendations far and wide.

“Having open, inclusive civic space is a priority for any country. South Sudan is no exception. I am heartened by the conversations we have heard in the past three days. I am certain these will form a strong foundation for all communities across Lakes to participate in nation building,” he said.

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