The European Union Delegation to Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser, organised the Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence” on May 15, 2024, at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre in Abuja, Nigeria. The forum which was under the theme “Reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships”, functioned as a preparatory event for the main Schuman Forum on Security and Defence, scheduled for 28 and 29 May in Brussels.

The event brought together representatives from national and regional agencies, civil society organisations, academia, and international development partners. Participants engaged in knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration on pressing security issues in West Africa, with a focus on Nigeria’s and the region’s perspectives for partnership with the European Union.

The Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum” was a preliminary conversation aimed at reducing vulnerabilities through partnerships. It brought together representatives from national and regional agencies, civil society organisations, universities and international development partners. The agenda of the event focused on preparing discussions for the next Schuman Forum and creating a platform to deliberate on pressing security issues, with a particular focus on the prospects for Nigeria and West Africa.

Two speeches were delivered at the opening ceremony. Charlie Stuart, the European Union’s representative, said: “The European Union is still examining the right approach to good cooperation between Africa and the EU, and each country’s context is different. Together, we need to rethink what security means. In addition to the usual military and police security actions, we need to focus more on economic development solutions in the region”.

Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), pointed out that ECOWAS has put in place mechanisms such as the Accra Initiative, which aims to prevent the spread of terrorism from the Sahel to the coastal countries of West Africa.

During the event, representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, the Office of the National Security Adviser and EU Member States, Germany, discussed current security challenges in the Sahel region, the spread of threats to coastal states and the need to redefine the security architecture.

The Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum” also highlighted the EU’s role as a global organiser and strategic partner, underlining the importance of international partnerships in the fight against transnational threats such as terrorism and organised crime.

The discussions at the Abuja “Road to Schuman Forum” are expected to feed into the main Schuman Forum in Brussels and contribute to strengthened partnerships between the EU and West Africa in tackling regional security challenges.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

After six years of providing medical humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people in Benue state, Nigeria, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has taken the difficult decision to phase out our activities. By the end of June, basic healthcare and decentralised activities will be concluded. Family planning and sexual and reproductive healthcare activities will cease as of the end of July, and comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) care will end in August.

This decision was made considering the medical needs in Nigeria and to focus on reinforcing MSF’s response in other parts of the country. MSF operations’ core mission is to provide urgent medical humanitarian assistance in emergency contexts, and we have a responsibility to ensure this capacity to provide assistance at a moment’s notice is maintained.  

In 2018, MSF launched an emergency response to meet the medical and humanitarian needs of internally displaced people in Benue state, after more than 1,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes following episodes of extreme violence. 

Over the last six years, MSF collaborated with the Ministry of Health to ensure free access to a range of basic healthcare services for displaced people in Mbawa, Ortese, Naka and Agagbe camps and host communities. Between 1 May 2018 and 31 March 2024, MSF medical teams provided 412,832 consultations and treated 223,871 patients.      

In the summer of 2022, we began witnessing an increase of SGBV cases among the displaced community. This primarily afflicts women and girls. It is demonstrative of the acute vulnerabilities to which displaced people are exposed in Benue. In 2023, MSF admitted 1,731 people following instances of SGBV.      

We remain concerned for the safety of women and girls in Benue. We will continue to advocate for more action by the Nigerian government and the newly arrived international organisations present in the area, to recognise the threat that SGBV poses to displaced people and to provide survivors with the necessary care.  

The arrival of international organisations is a hopeful signal that MSF’s drive to recognise the plight of displaced people in Benue state is being heard. In late 2023, a new clinic, supported by UNICEF and WHO, began operating in three camps.   

MSF continues to provide free, quality health services to vulnerable communities in other areas of Nigeria where we are already present, such as in the states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Bauchi, Ebonyi and Cross River.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Kenya and Uganda have today signed a tripartite agreement on the importation and transit of petroleum products through the two countries.

President William Ruto said the agreement will enable Uganda to import refined petroleum commodities directly from the producer countries.

Speaking when he hosted President Yoweri Museveni for a State Visit at State House Nairobi on Thursday, President Ruto said: “We have just witnessed this agreement which enables the Uganda National Oil Company Ltd to import refined petroleum commodities directly from producer jurisdictions thus bringing to an end the challenges faced by the sector in Uganda.”

Seven other memoranda of understanding were signed earlier in the week in Kampala, President Ruto explained, during the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting ahead of the State Visit.

He said he was confident that these agreements will consolidate the strong relationship between the two countries and anchor it on a “transformative trajectory”.

“As leaders, we are committed to implementing all our obligations in order for our people and nations to reap the full benefits,” he said.

The two Presidents directed the ministers of trade in both countries to meet and resolve any outstanding barriers affecting trade.

“The meeting also emphasised the importance of extending the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba and all the way to Kampala and DRC as an efficient and sustainable infrastructure for the transportation of goods,” said President Ruto.

He pointed out that the two countries have instructed their respective ministers to take urgent measures and mobilise resources for the implementation of the regional shared infrastructure and report on progress by the end of this year.

“President Museveni and I appreciated the benefits and power of our close coordination with respect to the East African Community, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the African Union and other regional organisations, which we recognise as the building blocks for the greater integration of our countries at the continental and international levels,” he said.

President Ruto commended the Ugandan leader for the role he has played in regional integration.

“I appreciate, with tremendous gratitude, President Museveni’s contributions and selfless dedication to building a robust East African Community and the plan to transition it into a federation of shared vision and values,” he said.

On the agreements the two governments have signed, President Ruto said: “We now have a memorandum of understanding to anchor cooperation between our Foreign Service institutions which will ensure knowledge exchange and harmonisation of the structures and content of diplomatic training.”

Also signed is an MoU on Cooperation on Public Service Management and Development, whose objective is to enhance
service delivery.

“In addition to these, an MOU to facilitate cooperation in youth affairs has been signed, which enables us to optimise the
capabilities of our youth by obliging the two countries to implement innovative national policies and programmes relevant to young people,” he said.

President Ruto also pointed out that an MOU on cooperation in sports demonstrates the seriousness with which Kenya and Uganda attach to sports promotion, development and the mobilisation of investment to unlock the potential in the sector.

The agreement, he said, is timely as the two countries and Tanzania lay the ground for jointly hosting the 2027 African Cup of Nations.

“Additionally, we have an instrument to guide our strategic cooperation in education, training and scientific research, as well as MOUs in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, and gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said President Ruto.

On his part, President Museveni emphasised the need for the two countries to eliminate barriers hindering the development of trade.

“We should eliminate barriers which hinder trade not only between Kenya and Uganda, but also East Africa and Africa as a whole,” he said.

President Museveni said the East African Community and, indeed, Africa must deepen free market and modern economy policies for shared prosperity.

“Apart from the economic integration for prosperity, we need to strengthen strategic security through political integration,” he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently concluded a three-day workshop for justice actors in Gogrial West county, Warrap state.

Led by the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS), with support from its Gender Affairs Unit and United Nations Police (UNPOL) the transformative training, which aimed to bolster the criminal justice chain, saw an impressive turnout of 22 paramount chiefs, court clerks, and officers from the country’s National Police and Prisons Services.

The sessions, facilitated by the High Court President and Director of Legal Affairs, delved into crucial topics such as criminal law principles, handling gender issues, and protecting children’s rights.

Madut Aleu Aguek, a customary court clerk from Alek North, was enthusiastic about the interactive forum.

 “I’m thrilled with this opportunity because I could never imagine standing in front of a High Court judge to raise my questions and concerns. Learning about criminal law procedures and the importance of due process has been incredibly enlightening,” he stated.

Similarly, Mayar Ngong, a prison officer serving in Gogrial West county headquarters noted, “We have challenges in terms of facilities and resources, but this training has provided us with a clear understanding of each other’s roles. We are integrated actors along the justice chain, meaning we work together with coordinated procedures to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.”

A standout moment was the strong call for integrity and interconnectivity among justice actors by Anastasie Mukangarambe, the Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Kuajok.

“Interconnectivity among justice actors is vital. We must uphold national and international standards, especially during political campaigns and elections,” she stated, highlighting the importance of promoting ethical practices.

For his part, High Court President, Malou Yel, advised chiefs and justice actors to exercise their duties independently and without political interference. “We have a saying that when politics enter the room, the law leaves through the window. Court staff at the county level must not let commissioners or executive directors interfere with their work. Your reporting officer is the county court judge. Any disputes and complaints should follow the rightful legal process.”

Mr Yel also appreciated UNMISS and partners for their support and appealed for more resources.

In an engaging discussion, participants not only shared their perspectives but also forged a path forward.

“Through the presentations on sexual and gender-based Violence; women’s roles in the legal system; and the rights of minors in detention, we developed key recommendations and committed to collaborative efforts to enhance our legal framework,” one participant remarked. “We realized that incorporating gender considerations and child protection measures strengthens, rather than delays, our justice system.”

The workshop’s cooperative environment led to the identification of key challenges and the formulation of practical solutions. “Apply the knowledge gained here to serve your communities with integrity,” urged Mr. Yel, underscoring the importance of the training in enhancing justice delivery.

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