On a three-day mission to Ghadames, Derj and Awal last week, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Georgette Gagnon, discussed  with more than  100 community leaders, youth and women their concerns and proposed solutions to advance sustainable development and peace in their communities, and how the government and the United Nations in Libya can further support their efforts. 

Representatives stressed their need for basic services, including improved healthcare and psychosocial support, inclusive education and community facilities, particularly for youth and women. They highlighted the large gap in employment opportunities and the lack of equal access to employment in the public sector. 

“I heard many concerns on the need for trained healthcare professionals, quality education facilities and wider infrastructure needs such as water, transportation and roads,” said DSRSG Gagnon. “Through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the UN in Libya has been working with the government to support communities, but more financial support is clearly needed from the government to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for all,” she added.  

In a dedicated youth meeting in Ghadames city, DSRSG Gagnon also launched UNSMIL’s new youth strategy #YouEngage, with a focus on advocating for young women and men and offering training and networking opportunities to build their skills. Young people’s recommendations will be consolidated and relayed to decision-makers within Libya, and internationally, to ensure the voices of youth are amplified in national and local efforts to solve the country’s current challenges. 

“I had the great honor of visiting the old city of Ghadames and witnessing the efforts and plans to restore this unique city of peace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest and most celebrated Saharan cities,” Gagnon said, highlighting the urgent need to secure and preserve Ghadames’ rich cultural and economic identity. 

As part of the mission, DSRSG Gagnon visited three sites in Awal, Derj and Ghadames where UNDP Libya is supporting sustainable development through the installation of solar panels to provide electricity for lighting in medical facilities, a mosque and throughout the Ghadames old city’s tourist trail.  The DSRSG visited a refurbished and equipped women’s training center in Derj and a primary school in urgent need of rehabilitation in Awal where she also met with municipal leaders and Touraeg notables to discuss the community’s concerns.   

“People in Ghadames, Derj and Awal spoke about the great human and economic potential in their communities to advance sustainable development,” Gagnon said, adding that such potential can be fully realized with increased development support and investment from government. 

The UN in Libya will continue to support and work with communities and government authorities across Libya to accelerate sustainable peace and development for the benefit of all people in the country.

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

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announces:

As agreed by China and the Arab side, the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will be held on May 30 in Beijing. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the conference and deliver a keynote speech.

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperatin and Mauritanians Abroad Mohamed Salem Ould Merzouk will co-chair the conference. Foreign Ministers or representatives of the Arab states and Secretary General of the League of Arab States will attend the conference.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

The Menengai Cream Cheetahs claimed their third Rugby Super Series title with an 18-10 victory over the KCB Bank Lions in a tight final played at Nairobi’s RFUEA Grounds on Saturday 25 May 2024.

Two penalties from tournament top points scorer Quinto Ongo in between Levi Amunga’s penalty for the Lions gave the Cheetahs a 6-3 lead after a first half in which their hooker, Emmanuel Mboya was sin binned early for an incident that saw his side reduced to 14 men with Kevin Kiget temporarily replacing Elkeans Musonye to cover the front row deficit. 

His absence mattered little as Samson Onsomu expertly controlled the Cheetahs forwards, who soon returned to their full complement while Beldad Ogeta was a handful for the Lions. They also gave as good as they got from the Lions in what was a half of little chances, the match yet to get into full throttle. 

The Lions started the second half on a high, Givens Oduor landing the game’s opening try, reacting quickest to Emmanuel Opondo’s tap penalty, receiving the ball on the burst to go over the whitewash with Amunga converted for a 10-6 lead.

The response was always from the Cheetahs who were seeing more of the ball and territory, keeping the Lions on the backfoot. Dennis Abukuse’s big run saw him stopped on the five metre but Felix Odhiambo was lurking in support, receiving the pass from Onsomu to score at the corner and give the Cheetahs an 11-10 lead.

Lawi Buyachi’s Cheetahs were clearly the sharper side heading into the final quarter as Oliver Mang’eni’s Lions were guilty of indecision and indiscipline, highlighted by Griffin Musila’s yellow card which cost them the frontfoot advantage.

Ibrahim Ayoo would score a second try for the Cheetahs late in the game, Abukuse converted as the Cheetahs held on for the victory, adding to titles in 2004 and 2006.

Ongo emerged top points scorer on 22 points while three players – Griffin Chao (Kabras Sugar Buffaloes), Victor Odhiambo (Faiba Mobile Rhinos) and Givens Oduor (KCB Bank Lions) were joint top try scorers on two tries apiece.

The Kabras Sugar Buffaloes finished third overall with Faiba Mobile Rhinos finishing bottom.

Rugby Super Series Previous Winners

2003 Rhinos

2004 Cheetahs

2005 Buffaloes

2006 Cheetahs

2007 Rhinos

2008 Lions

2009 Rhinos

2010 Rhinos

2011 Rhinos

2012 Rhinos

2013 Ndovu

2014 Kifaru

2015-2023 Not Played

2024 Cheetahs

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

Prior to the official opening of the 77th World Health Assembly, Health Cabinet Secretary Nakhumicha Wafula met with World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. 

During the meeting, they discussed collaboration between Kenya and WHO. CS Nakhumicha briefed the Director-General on Kenya’s milestones towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

In particular, CS Nakhumicha reiterated Kenya’s commitment to re-engineering the health sector to prioritize promotive and preventive health.

She highlighted significant investments in strengthening primary healthcare, including the recruitment, training, and deployment of 100,000 community health promoters and the establishment of 200 primary care networks.

Additionally, she mentioned the enactment of 4 health acts to support universal health coverage efforts in Kenya.

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