Held within the framework of the Regional Commission for Africa, “Promoting Africa to Unlock Tourism Investments and the Sector’s Growth Potential”, brought together public and private sector leaders to identify new opportunities and find shared solutions to the most pressing challenges. The Forum formed part of UN Tourism’s wider emphasis on empowering its Members to advance a new, positive narrative for the sector across the continent.  

Celebrating uniqueness of African tourism  

Welcoming the high-level participants, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the importance of working closely with African Member States on promoting both the uniqueness and the diversity of tourism in the region. His sentiments were echoed by Executive Director Natalia Bayona, who also emphasized the urgent need to grow investments into the sector to fuel innovation and creativity, thereby putting African destinations more firmly on the global tourism map.  

Alongside key UN Tourism experts, stakeholders included the CEO of Zambia Tourism Agency, as well as the heads of Africa Tourism Partners, and key figures from leading civil society actors and businesses from the region, including Meta. Discussions focused on strengthening Brand Africa, including through greater public-private collaboration. Delegates also shared their insights into revolutionizing the image of African in order to drive greater tourism competitiveness, while top media thinkers provided their insights into Think Tank discussions on “shifting the narrative” of African tourism.  

Investments to advance Brand Africa  

Reflecting the importance of investments for advancing Brand Africa, the event also saw the official launch of the latest in UN Tourism’s series of Investment Guidelines. The latest publication, focused on Zambia, again provides vital information for international investors, identifying key areas of growth and other opportunities within Zambia’s burgeoning tourism sector.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The Ministry of Health jointly with the Council of Governors has been implementing the Medical Waste Microwave Project.

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni has 

today met the Belgium Ambassador H.E Peter Maddens to discuss Implementation of Phase II of the Clinical Microwave Project.

The project is aimed at reducing medical waste associated infections and environmental pollution.

10 counties benefitted from phase I of the project with 15 more equipment for phase II underway.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Weapons from China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates and Yemen identified; Existing arms embargo on Darfur completely ineffective; “This is a humanitarian crisis that cannot be ignored” – Deprose Muchena

The conflict in Sudan is being fuelled by a constant flow of weapons into the country, Amnesty International said today in a new briefing.

The briefing, New Weapons Fuelling the Sudan Conflict, documents how recently manufactured foreign weapons have been transferred into and around Sudan, often in flagrant breach of the existing Darfur arms embargo.

Amnesty International found that recently manufactured or recently transferred weapons and ammunition from countries including China, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen are being imported in large quantities into Sudan, and then in some cases diverted into Darfur.

To date, more than 16,650 people have been killed since the escalation in conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. Amnesty International has documented civilian casualties in both indiscriminate strikes and direct attacks on civilians. Some of the international humanitarian law violations by parties to the conflict amount to war crimes. More than 11 million people are estimated to have been internally displaced, and millions are at immediate risk of famine.

“The constant flow of arms into Sudan is continuing to cause civilian death and suffering on an immense scale,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Regional Human Rights Impact.

“Our research shows that weapons entering the country have been placed into the hands of combatants who are accused of international humanitarian and human rights law violations. We have methodically tracked a range of lethal weapons – including handguns, shotguns and rifles – that are being used in Sudan by warring forces.

“It is clear that the existing arms embargo that currently applies only to Darfur is completely inadequate, and must be updated and extended to cover the whole of Sudan. This is a humanitarian crisis that cannot be ignored. As the threat of famine looms large, the world cannot continue to fail civilians in Sudan.”

Amnesty International analyzed more than 1,900 shipment records from two different trade data providers, and reviewed open source and digital evidence – including approximately 2,000 photos and videos – showing recently manufactured or recently imported weapons in Sudan. Amnesty International also interviewed 17 regional arms and Sudan experts between February and March 2024 to corroborate data analysis and investigate weapons supply lines used by various groups.

A global trade in death

Amnesty International identified recently manufactured or recently transferred small arms and ammunition from a range of countries being used on the battlefield by various parties to the conflict. Advanced drone jammers, mortars and anti-materiel rifles manufactured in China have been used by both sides of the conflict. A variety of recently manufactured armoured personnel carriers from the UAE have been used by the RSF.

Shipment-level trade data indicates that hundreds of thousands of blank guns have been exported by Turkish companies to Sudan in recent years, along with millions of blank cartridges. Amnesty International believes that these may be being converted into lethal weapons in Sudan on a large scale, indicating the need for closer scrutiny of this largely unregulated trade.

Amnesty International also identified an emerging trend of small arms normally sold into the civilian market being diverted instead to government forces and armed opposition groups. Companies in Türkiye and Russia have exported civilian variants of small arms which are used by both parties to the conflict.

Weapons such as the Tigr designated marksman rifles or Saiga-MK rifles – manufactured by Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern – are normally marketed to civilian gunowners, but have been sold to arms dealers with strong links to the SAF.

Sarsilmaz, Türkiye’s main small arms manufacturer, supplies the SAF. Analysis of trade data also revealed how smaller Turkish companies – such as Derya Arms, BRG Defense and Dağlıoğlu Silah – have also been exporting Turkish hunting shotguns and rifles to Sudan in recent years. For instance, one video posted by the RSF on its official X account, reportedly filmed in Nyala in South Darfur on 15 February 2024, shows one RSF soldier equipped with a BRG 55 rifle manufactured by the Turkish company Burgu Metal. Amnesty International also uncovered evidence that recently manufactured Chinese mortars have been used in El-Daein in East Darfur, and that recent Chinese small arms are also widely present in other parts of Sudan.

“The UN Security Council must urgently expand the arms embargo to the rest of Sudan, and also strengthen its monitoring and verification mechanisms,” said Deprose Muchena.

“The expansion must effectively monitor and prevent international transfers and illicit diversion of arms to the country, and must cover the widest possible scope of weapons to combat the widespread diversion of shotguns, hunting rifles, blank guns and related ammunition into Sudan.

“By supplying arms to Sudan, states parties to the Arms Trade Treaty – such as China and Serbia – are violating their legal obligations under articles 6 and 7 of the Treaty, and therefore undermining the legally-binding framework which regulates the global arms trade.”

“Given the grave and ongoing human rights risks, all states and corporate actors must also immediately cease supplies of all arms and ammunition to Sudan, including the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and military materials, including related technologies, parts and components, technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance. States must also explicitly prohibit the transfer to Sudan of firearms marketed to civilians, which Amnesty International has repeatedly documented in the hands of parties to the conflict.”

Methodology

Amnesty International obtained details regarding more than 1,900 shipments of weapons from various countries into Sudan by reviewing shipment-level trade data collected from two providers, covering 2013-2023 and 2020-2023 respectively.

Amnesty International and its Digital Verification Corps then corroborated the presence of weapons systems identified in the trade data by compiling and analyzing a large number of videos and images gathered from social media platforms. The photos and videos include footage posted by the RSF or the SAF, and also content from known SAF or RSF affiliate operatives. Where possible, digital evidence was also analyzed and verified by Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab.

Due to the continuing conflict, Amnesty International researchers were not able to conduct investigations in Sudan. All companies and actors cited were presented with findings ahead of publication, and provided with an opportunity to reply and provide additional information. Where relevant, elements from these replies have been added to the briefing.

Background

Fighting erupted in Sudan in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF paramilitaries. Since then, other armed groups and actors have joined the conflict, aligning themselves with either the SAF or the RSF. The fighting came after months of tensions between the two groups over security force reforms, proposed as part of the negotiations for a new transitional government, among other issues.

The conflict has led to massive civilian displacement, with more than 7.3 million people estimated to have been internally displaced since April 2023 according to the UN. In addition, a further 2.1 million people are estimated to have fled to neighbouring Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, where they live in dire conditions.

On 15 April 2024, the first anniversary of the Sudan conflict, Amnesty International launched a global petition urging the UN Security Council to extend the existing arms embargo beyond Darfur to the rest of Sudan. This is part of a wider Amnesty International campaign advocating for protection of civilians in Sudan, and calling for accountability for those who committed atrocities against civilians.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

As the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem approaches on 26 July, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat, through the Go Blue project, are showcasing a transformative initiative to counter climate change in Lamu County, Kenya. 

The effort, known as the Lamu Blue Carbon Project, is aiming to enlist local residents in a push to conserve and restore 4,000 hectares of mangrove forests along Kenya’s coast. These salt-water-loving trees sequester planet-warming molecules of carbon, helping to combat climate change. The carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere by these mangroves will be measured and converted into carbon credits and sold on global markets, with proceeds going to community members. 

The Lamu initiative, launched in 2023, is an upscaling of the successful Mikoko Pamoja and Vanga Blue Forest projects, which also took place in Kenya. 

The Mikoko Pamoja project, covering 117 hectares in Kwale County, was the world’s first blue carbon initiative and is proof that community-led conservation can effectively manage marine ecosystems to sequester carbon while benefiting local communities, say observers. The project was recognized with the UN in Kenya Person of the Year Award for 2023, the first time a project has received the honour.  

The Vanga Blue Forest project protected 460 hectares of mangroves, further underscoring the potential of these ecosystems in mitigating climate change.   

“Projects such as Mikoko Pamoja show that community-based approaches to conservation and restoration can be effective in protecting unique ecosystems and ensuring that communities directly benefit,” said Leticia Carvalho, Head of UNEP’s Marine and Freshwater Branch. 

The Go Blue project in Lamu County is a large-scale effort that is expected to generate carbon benefits of over 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. 

Plan Vivo, a global certification scheme, will verify and accredit the Lamu project to facilitate the sale of carbon credits in global markets. This will help generate more than US$600,000 annually for local residents.  

The initiative not only contributes to global climate goals but also empowers communities through sustainable development.   

Lamu County, which hosts 65 per cent of Kenya’s mangroves, is considered a critical area for conservation efforts. While the Lamu blue carbon initiative is rooted in Kenya, observers believe its lessons can be applied globally.  

“[Mangroves] are essential not only for the health of our ocean, coasts and the biodiversity that they support, but for the wellbeing of humans,” said Carvalho. 

By protecting and restoring mangroves, the project also helps conserve biodiversity. More than 1,500 species, including fish, amphibians and mammals, depend on mangroves and mangrove forests provide up to 57,000 USD per hectare annually in ecosystem services highlighting their value to coastal communities. Balancing conservation needs with those of local communities is an aim of the Biodiversity Plan, a global framework to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. 

Funded by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the Go Blue project exemplifies how international partnerships can drive national initiatives with global significance, say observers.  

The Biodiversity Plan 

The planet is experiencing a dangerous decline in nature: 1 million species are at risk of extinction, soils are turning infertile, and water sources are drying up. The Biodiversity Plan, formerly known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aims to reverse this trend by 2030. UNEP is supporting countries to achieve The Biodiversity Plan’s goals and targets through restoring nature’s contributions to people, integrating biodiversity into policies, promoting sustainable use and preventing financial practices that harm the environment. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).