The ECOWAS Commission organized Hybrid preparatory Meetings with Liberia and The Gambia from the 25th to the 28th of March 2024, towards Operationalization of the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanisms (ECO-PHSICM).

Following the successful implementation of the In-Country High Level Advocacy, Coordination and Capacity Building of Multi-Stakeholders and Establishment of the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanisms (ECO-PHSICM) in Nine (9) countries between 2021 and 2023 with country specific roadmaps adopted by national stakeholders, the ECOWAS Commission earmarked funding support to the tune of 25,000 USD for each country.

The planning meeting which is in furtherance of operationalizing the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanisms is aimed at facilitating the development of coordination plans and sharing of information on accessing and the utilization of the funding support to enhance strategies that drive the protection and human security agenda.

Welcoming the stakeholders, the ECOWAS Director for Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, represented by Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, Programme Officer, Trafficking in Persons, appreciated the enthusiasm and commitment of stakeholders in the 2 countries in ensuring that all requirements for funds disbursements are met by their countries, making them a part of the 4 countries of the initial phase. He said the funds are to be administered through the offices of the ECOWAS Resident Representatives in the countries. He further emphasized that the funding support for the operationalisation of ECOPHISM in the Member States is to contribute to improved human security in the region by enhancing coordination and building capacities of relevant stakeholders in Member States towards creating a protection web and promoting a whole of country/society approach.

Remarks were received from the ECOWAS Resident Representatives to Liberia and The Gambia, Ms Josephine Nkruma during the opening session of the 2 day meeting with Liberia on the 25th; and Ms Miatta French at the opening of the 2 day meeting with The Gambia. The Representatives variously, emphasized the commitment of the President of the ECOWAS Commission to the strengthening of institutions in the Member States focused on building the resilience of systems and the citizenry and thus enhancing peace and security and the improved welfare.

Remarks were also delivered by the Directors of the National Centres for the Coordination of Response Mechanisms (NCCRM) which serve as a sercetariat for ECO-PHISM, Dr Roland Clarke – Liberia and Dr Abraham Thomas – The Gambia; both emphasizing the timeliness of the initiative and the commitment of the Member States in working with ECOWAS to enhance protection and human security in thier countries.

The meetings featured discussions on key coordination actions and further assessment of the current state of the  2 countries. The stakeholders were also briefed on guidelines for utilisation of the funding support and the planned in-Country facilitation workshops to take place in 2024.

The meetings were well attended and participants included ECOWAS Commission Staff, ECOWAS Resident Representatives in Liberia and The Gambia, Directors of NCCRMS in Liberia and Gambia and other personnel from the national Integrated Protection and Human Security Coordination Mechanisms in the respective countries.

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

In early February 2022 violent clashes erupted in and around Agok, in the Abyei special administrative area of South Sudan, and an estimated 70,000 people were displaced.

While the majority fled to the town of Abyei, others sought refuge in areas further south, with more than 20,400 people registered in Twic County in Warrap state as of March 2022.

In a region that was already vulnerable and prone to recurrent disease outbreaks, the influx of displaced people placed an additional burden on fragile communities. The situation has further worsened by heavy floods, and the area recently experienced another wave of violence.

“In January 2024 alone, we received more than 100 casualties, mainly gunshot wounded patients in need of surgery, and we have activated our mass casualty response plan multiple times,” said Zélie Antier, a project coordinator with MSF in Abyei, South Sudan. “As a consequence, we’ve upgraded our surgical capacity to be able to respond to the medical needs of the population.”

Today, in Abyei and Twic, MSF is providing comprehensive care in four facilities and supports integrated community case management sites in the camps for displaced people. There remains, however, a critical lack of hospital care available in the area; there is no operating theater in the whole of Twic County, leaving patients in need of surgical care at risk.

Decreased funding and overstretched services

“The main threat in 2024 is the decrease in funding for South Sudan, which has led to a significant decrease in the presence and response of [humanitarian] actors, with major concerns about lack of food and poor water and sanitation conditions—in the camps as well as in most host communities—and poor shelter conditions to [accommodate] the coming rainy season, with limited access to quality health care services,” said Nicolas Guiral, MSF project coordinator in Twic.

This renewed violence has led to deaths, serious injuries, destruction of property and livelihoods, and further displacement. These conditions have stretched our teams and equipment and, during the clashes, MSF lost two team members who, although off-duty and not targeted as staff, became victims of the violence.

“In Twic the recent violence has mainly affected our activities [in] receiving [people who are] wounded or killed,” explained Guiral. “It’s also affecting an important part of our team since most have family members who are from other communities and have been separated until now from the conflict.”

The magnitude of the crisis exceeds the capacity of any single entity, and a collaborative approach is essential for creating a more substantial and effective humanitarian response.

Challenges faced by refugees and returnees from Sudan

Amidst the already dire situation in Abyei, a new challenge has arisen: an influx of returnees and refugees fleeing the horrors of Sudan’s ongoing war that began in April 2023. There has been a significant influx of internally displaced people and refugees into South Sudan since the fighting started. Families who had been displaced from their homes sought refuge in Abyei, hoping for safety and a chance to rebuild their shattered lives.

“Most people fled from Agok, north of here,” said a community leader. “Some have come recently from Sudan, and they are still coming every day. More than 6,000 people are living in the camp. When there is peace and MSF goes back to Agok then we will go too. But if there is peace and MSF doesn’t go back, then we won’t go back either. We need MSF. Some [of the people arriving from Sudan] come by official routes and have vouchers and a pass to get food and shelter, but many come on unofficial routes from different directions and they don’t have the necessary papers,  so they get no help at all. This is a big problem, and it is growing.”

As of November 2023, more than 400,000 people, predominantly South Sudanese returnees, as well as refugees have crossed the border. The large number of arrivals, particularly women and children, presents challenges for transit sites. Rising market prices have contributed to worsening food insecurity. These add to the challenges South Sudan already faces, such as regular disease outbreaks, flooding, displacement, and high rates of malnutrition.

While MSF continues to provide health care and hospital services, there is an urgent need for additional support from other humanitarian actors in terms of food, water, sanitation, and shelter, especially with the impending seasons of floods as well as violent events that could cause the situation to deteriorate further. In the past year alone, our teams supported 50,000 people and conducted 23,000 emergency consultations.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has asked the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Attorney General to investigate claims of land grabbing and fraudulent issuance of land titles in Agago district.

Tayebwa gave the directive during following a petition by aggrieved community members of Lapono sub-county, presented by area MP, Hon. John Amos Okot (NRM, Agago North County),  during the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 02 April 2024. 

The petitioners faulted the Ministry of Lands for issuing title certificates without involving the community in the surveying process, adding that the Resident District Commissioner alleged in a 17 October 2023 meeting, that the community had willfully given their land to investors.

“The RDC is now using Police and the National Forestry Authority officials to intimidate some leaders who have been standing with the community to protect their right to this customary land,” said Okot.

He noted that NFA officials and some game rangers under Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have menaced the community, citing the destruction of over 10,000 acres of crops by animals.

He added that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development recently discovered mineral presence on the said land, and has since deployed soldiers who continue to intimidate the community.

“The prayer of these people is that this House should investigate the fraudulent issuance of land titles on this land and also investigate the actions of the RDC and other persons mentioned,” Okot added.

The Attorney General observed that all land owned by NFA and UWA is by gazette and all customary ownership of land can be determined by records under the Ministry of Lands.

“If titles have been issued, they should explain how they were given out. Ministry of Lands is within its right to cancel wrongly issued titles. I will work with the Ministry to get to the bottom of this within the 30 days,” Kiryowa Kiwanuka said. 

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

Trina Solar (https://www.TrinaSolar.com/), a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, has announced its partnership with China Energy International Group and China Gezhouba Group to power Mooi Plaats 283MWdc ground photovoltaic power plant project in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The project is financed by EDF Renewables, in conjunction with South Africa’s local financial institutes.

The signing ceremony, held to mark this significant collaboration, underscores Trina Solar’s commitment to driving renewable energy forward in Africa. The project will harness the power of 416,325 panels from the NEG21C.20 Vertex N, with impressive efficiency up to 23.2%. These modules are based on the 210mm product technology platform and excel in power, efficiency, reliability, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE). With a project duration of 22 months, the power generated from Mooi Plaats project will be connected to the Koruson substation, 12 km away via a 132 kV transmission line.

“We are proud to partner with China Energy International Group and China Gezhouba Group to bring this groundbreaking project to fruition,” said  Bao Yang, President, Global Sales&Marketing at Trina Solar. “With a total capacity of 283MWdc, the Mooi Plaats PV Power Plant project is considered the largest single PV power plant project in South Africa and is set to make a substantial impact on the region’s energy landscape. This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to driving sustainable development and powering the future of energy in South Africa.” added Yang.

“We are excited to join forces with Trina Solar on this landmark project,” said Hu Yuhong, General Manager at China Energy International Group South Africa. “This collaboration represents a significant step towards achieving our shared goal of promoting clean energy and sustainable development in South Africa.”

 Chen Zhipei, Project Manager of Mooi Plaats project, at China Gezhouba Group, commented, “As a leading player in the global energy sector, we are proud to contribute our expertise to this project, which will not only deliver clean, reliable power but also drive economic growth and job creation in the region.”

The Launch of 283MWdc Mooi Plaats PV Power Plant project represents a major milestone in South Africa’s new energy market, Trina Solar is honored to contribute its expertise and technology to this transformative project, which will not only accelerate South Africa’s transition to clean energy but also create new opportunities for economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Trina Solar.

About Trina Solar:
Founded in 1997, Trina Solar Co Ltd (stock symbol: Trina Solar; stock code: 688599) is engaged mainly in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy comprises mainly PV power generation and operations and maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. We are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future.

On June 10, 2020, Trina Solar was listed on the Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR Market) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange(SSE). It was the first PV and energy storage company to go public on the STAR Market providing PV products and systems, as well as smart energy. For more information, please visit www.TrinaSolar.com.