President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Republic of Seychelles witnessed the reappointment of Justice Bernadin Renaud as Chairperson of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission and presided over the swearing-in of Mr. Elvis Julie as a new Electoral Commissioner during a ceremony at State House this afternoon.

Justice Renaud, initially appointed as Chairperson in July 2019 for a five-year term, has been reappointed under Section 5(1) of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission Act, 2018, following the President’s consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly. In the presence of distinguished guests, Justice Renaud took the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Judicial Oath.

The ceremony also included the swearing-in of Mr. Elvis Julie as a new Electoral Commissioner. Mr. Julie, currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Human Rights Commission, has been appointed in accordance with Article 115 of the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles. He replaces Ms. Veronique Bonnelame-Alcindor, whose term has ended. In the presence of family members and distinguished guests, Mr. Julie took the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Official Oath.

In his remarks, President Ramkalawan congratulated the two appointees, expressing confidence that their knowledge and extensive experience will enable them to discharge their responsibilities with utmost integrity and professionalism.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Justice Bernadin Renaud addressed the press, stating that over the past five years, the Human Rights Commission has focused on formalizing its structure and establishing regulations for its functions. He emphasized that the commission’s vision includes implementing more educational programs to inform the public about the Human Rights Commission and address priority cases.

Commissioner Elvis Julie expressed confidence that his experience and expertise will be a significant advantage in his new role, particularly in strategic planning and electoral education.

Also present at the swearing-in ceremony were First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, Vice President Ahmed Afif, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Gervais Henrie, Brigadier Michael Rosette, Commissioner of Police Ted Barbe, Ombudsman Georges Robert, Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Afif, members of the Constitutional Appointees, members of the Human Rights Commission, and commissioners of the Electoral Commission.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

Enhancing the economic inclusion of refugees necessitates acknowledging their economic contributions, according to the World Bank Chad Economic Update 2024, which dedicates a special chapter to examining the economic ramifications of refugee influxes.

The outbreak of the Sudanese crisis in April 2023 has led to a significant increase of refugee population in Chad, and this trend is expected to continue. As of December 2023, Chad was hosting 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers.

Chad’s economy has proven resilient despite the war in neighboring Sudan, although there have been spillover effects on trade, public expenditure, and inflation. GDP growth in 2023 is estimated at 4.1% (1% per capita). This growth is underpinned by oil production, which is estimated to have risen by 4.4%. Non-oil GDP is estimated to have grown by 4.1%, up from 2% the previous year, and driven by public investment. After recovering from the 2022 floods, the agricultural sector is estimated to contribute 1.6 percentage points (ppts) to growth, followed by the services and industry sectors. Public investment has been the main growth driver on the demand side, contributing 7 ppts to growth.

The Economic Update, titled “Hosting Refugees in an Inclusive Manner”, aims to fuel public debate on recent economic developments and prospects for macroeconomic and social policies to promote growth and reduce poverty.

The economic inclusion of refugees can be enhanced through improved mobility, restoration of assets, and integrated productive inclusion strategies. Chad’s authorities have adopted an open stance with respect to welcoming refugees, with a strong support for refugee’s local integration as evidenced by Chad‘s Asylum law signed in 2023. The government’s policy of refugee integration and dispersion also aims to reduce potential conflict hotspots and maximize economic inclusion benefits.

“Chad currently faces important challenges. In this difficult context, it is important to establish national safety net systems that promotes economic inclusion while being adaptive, productive, and tailored to the specificities of vulnerable populations including refugees and host communities, with a particular focus on women” declares Rasit Pertev, Country Manager for the World Bank in Chad.

The refugee response has been focused on covering humanitarian needs of refugees settled in large camps located in border areas. The influx of refugees has heightened food insecurity and strained basic services and natural resources. The integration of refugees into national systems and in the economy requires predictable, recurrent, and sustained donor funding, reports the authors.

“Strengthening social cohesion and avoiding further conflict, requires developing programs and reforms  that benefit both host communities and refugees. Integrated policies should target host provinces, combining humanitarian and development efforts to support local development” adds Claudia Noumedem Temgoua, Country Economist at the World Bank.

Download the report: Chad Economic Update 2024 – Special Chapter: Hosting Refugees in an Inclusive Manner

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in his own name, extended warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to the Government and people of Argentina on the exceptional occasion of the 208th Independence Anniversary on July 9, 2024.  According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Boakai expressed confidence that the warm relations subsisting between the two countries and peoples will continue to flourish as the two leaders work together for the attainment of global peace, security, economic and social development.  

He then assured his Argentinian counterpart, President Javier Milei of Liberia’s unwavering commitment to further renew friendship and cooperation with the sisterly Republic of Argentina in anticipation of broadening partnership in all spheres that promote prosperity in the two countries. President Boakai then prayed that the Almighty God will continue to endow President Javier Milei with wisdom, good health and happiness as he leads his people to greater prosperity.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.

On July 5, Yin Chengwu, Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, met with Hon.John-Charuk S. Siafa, Mayor of Monrovia. The two sides exchanged views on  sub-national affairs cooperation between the two countries.

Yin expressed China’s willingness to continue to promote friendly exchanges between local governments and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on urban governance of China and Liberia.

Hon. Siafa noted that Monrovia is willing to conduct communication and cooperation with more provinces and cities in China.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.