On this 31st anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, we urge South Sudan’s transitional government to safeguard civic and political space and to defend the rights of journalists to bravely pursue the truth. A free and independent press is fundamental to a free society and essential to transparent and good governance. Defending free press means granting journalists access to information, and protecting journalists from retaliation, harassment, and unlawful detention.

We take this opportunity to call again for a credible and comprehensive investigation that leads to accountability for the 2017 death of Christopher Allen, the American-British citizen who was killed while working as a journalist covering clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in Opposition.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in South Sudan.

Parliament has approved a motion to establish the National Institute for Teacher Education, marking a crucial step towards enhancing teacher training programmes in Uganda.

The Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, presented the motion during the plenary sitting presided over by Speaker Anita Among on Friday, 3 May 2024.

Hon. Ogwang highlighted the institute’s vital role in providing specialised education training programmes for career teachers. 

“The move will provide niche-based pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes for all levels of education,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of collaboration with the regulator responsible for teacher education training development.

A section of legislators had however argued that the motion be referred to the Committee on Education and Sports for scrutiny.

“This is a serious matter which should be laid and referred to the Committee on Education for scrutiny,” said Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju (FDC, Kira Municipality). 

Hon. Okin Ojara (FDC, Chua West County) echoed this sentiment, calling for the matter to be forwarded to the committee for serious examination. 

Furthermore, Hon. Nandala Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri County West) and Hon. Xavier Kyooma (NRM, Ibanda County North) echoed calls for the motion to be referred to the committee before extensive debate, emphasising the importance of procedural diligence in shaping the institution’s framework.

Hon. Patrick Oshabe (NUP, Kassanda County North) highlighted the need to address challenges in teacher education institutions. 

“We are living in a situation where National Teachers’ Colleges (NTCs) are weakened, yet those would have been better training institutions because they are regionally based,” Hon. Oshabe said.

AUDIO: Oshabe

In response to these concerns, Deputy Attorney General, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, provided legal reassurance, affirming that the Minister had the necessary powers to proceed with the motion without committee referral. 

“It does no harm for this House to consider the motion as presented by Hon. Peter Ogwang,” Hon. Kafuuzi said.

AUDIO: Kafuuzi

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), through Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, the Country Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Republic of Kenya, follows with profound concern the destructive floods affecting parts of the Republic of Kenya since 18 April, 2024. 

The African Commission expresses its sadness about the death of 200 people and the displacement of 150,000 others and sends its deep condolences to the families and communities affected by such loss of lives. 

The African Commission recalls the responsibility of states as part of its obligation under Article 1 of the African Charter to give effect to the rights enshrined in the African Charter to mobilize the necessary responses for mitigating the impact of the flooding on affected communities including the provision of assistance to the bereaved families and the internally displaced. In the light of potential continuity of heavy rains, this also requires that the state adopts protective measures including early warning and facilitation of relocation of communities in imminent risk of being affected and adoption of effective disaster management strategies.

Other relevant provisions of the African Charter that are particularly of direct concern in such cases are those on the right to life (Article 4), the right to property (Article 14), the right to economic, social, and cultural development (Article 22), and the right to a generally satisfactory environment (Article 24).

In the light of the foregoing, the African Commission calls on the Government of the Republic of Kenya to: 

Provide emergency relief services including food, shelter, and medical care to meet the basic needs of the displaced and affected populations.
Deliver assistance in rebuilding homes and infrastructure destroyed by the floods, with an emphasis on sustainable development and disaster-resilient construction.
Develop and strengthen infrastructure and systems that enhance the country’s resilience to natural disasters and facilitate effective response mechanisms.
Development of policies that focus on comprehensive disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation measures and ensuring active community involvement in these processes.

The Commission also supports the efforts of the Government and people of Kenya to manage this crisis effectively and mitigate future risks in accordance with human and peoples’ rights.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia notes the Joint Statement released by some Embassies in Addis Ababa on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

Ethiopia upholds the freedom of the press. This right must be exercised and protected within the confines of the rule of law. Ethiopia values the unprecedented growth of traditional and digital media outlets in the country demonstrating the full enjoyment of this fundamental right.

Ethiopia welcomes constructive engagement with partners and all stakeholders. Resorting to paternalistic joint statements is unhelpful for bilateral relations and undermines the rule of law in the country. Such a manner of conducting relations with the host state is unhelpful and discordant with acceptable bilateral diplomatic norms and practices.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.