The African Risk Capacity, jointly with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (DARBE), the coordinating Department within the African Union (AU) Commission for ARC Agency matters, are preparing for the 14th session of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 14). The session, which will run from 22 – 23 April 2024 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will convene Senior Government Officials on the first day and a Ministerial Session on the second day.

The CoP, which is the supreme decision-making body of ARC Agency, has the responsibility to provide the final approvals on critical strategic matters that define the ARC Group’s work after Board reviews and endorsements. It is attended by all the countries that have signed or ratified/acceded to the ARC Treaty pursuant to the decisions of the Tenth and Thirteenth Conferences of the Parties in April 2021 and April 2023 respectively.  

CoP 14 comes at a time when the ARC Group is working to scale up its operations towards increasing its reach and impact across the African continent. This is also a critical time for the African continent, one of the hardest-hit by the climate crisis and disease outbreaks. Owing to multiple climate-induced disaster events such as droughts, floods, cyclones etc., the continent is facing extreme food insecurity and costly destruction of property and infrastructure, severely impacting lives and livelihoods and eroding development gains already made.

ARC Agency was established under the Agreement for the Establishment of the ARC Agency (ARC Treaty) as a Specialized Agency of the AU with a mandate to help Member States improve their capacities to better plan, prepare and respond to weather-induced events and disease outbreaks. The ARC Treaty was adopted by Plenipotentiaries of AU Member States on 23 November 2012. To date, the ARC Treaty has been signed by 38 Member States and ratified by 13. It definitively entered into force on 15 April 2020 following the deposit of the 10th instrument of ratification with the Chairperson of the AU Commission by Niger, in accordance with Article 26 (3) of the ARC Treaty.

Unless decided otherwise, the Fourteenth Session is an open session and non-signatory countries and partners will participate, without the right to vote. Amongst other things, CoP 14 will, inter alia, consider and take decisions regarding (i) activities of the ARC Group (ARC Agency and ARC Ltd) since the thirteenth session of the CoP; (ii) report of the ARC Group Board; (iii) appointment of the ARC Group Director General; (iv) selection of ARC Group Board Members; (v) ARC Agency’s 2024 Programme of Work and Budget; (vi) report on implementation of Governance Reform; (vii) sustainability of ARC Agency; and (viii) ARC Treaty signature and ratification.

As the ARC Group strives for continuous improvement, the organisation looks forward to outcomes from the CoP 14 to shape and grow this African organisation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed James T. Bot of Nigeria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Comoros, with the host Government’s approval.  His start date is tomorrow.

Mr. Bot has more than 20 years of experience in humanitarian affairs and response, development, project management, business development and peacekeeping. He currently serves as Head of Service of Civil Affairs in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).  Prior to this, Mr. Bot headed the Relief, Reintegration and Protection Section of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Before joining the United Nations, he worked in the African region with non-governmental organizations, including CARE International, Oxfam GB and Médecins Sans Frontières.

He holds a law degree from the University of Jos, Nigeria, and a master’s degree in human rights and democratization from the European Inter-University Centre in Venice, Italy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita delivered, on Thursday, 18 April, 2024 by videoconference, a speech during the North Africa regional ministerial conference under the theme of “Pan-Africanism and Migration”.

On this oocasion, Mr. Nasser Bourita affirmed that the African identity is deeply rooted in Morocco’s institutions and political choices, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

Mr. Nasser Bourita pointed out that the Kingdom is strongly enriched by its assertive Afro-optimism, reflected in its proactive African policy encompassing various areas of cooperation and its humanist policy on migration.

Morocco, he added, has advocated a humanist and supportive approach, adopting in 2013 a new migration policy based on a participatory approach comprising various aspects, including respect for human rights, compliance with international law, international cooperation and shared responsibility.

As a symbol of this Afro-optimism, the Kingdom’s migration policy has enabled the regularization of tens of thousands of migrants in a complicated regional and international context, said Mr. Nasser Bourita.

Co-chaired by Mr. Nasser Bourita and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Togolese Abroad, Mr. Robert Dussey, whose country chairs the High Committee in charge of the agenda of the Decade of African Roots and Diaspora, this video conference meeting takes place as part of the preparatory process for the 9th Pan-African Congress (October 29-November 02 in Lomé).

The organization by the Kingdom of Morocco of this Conference, which will be attended by several ministers and senior African officials, is a continuation of the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field of migration, in line with the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Leader of the African Union on the migration issue.

It is also an opportunity to reaffirm and recall the Kingdom of Morocco’s commitment and leadership on migration issues, and its initiatives to promote safe and responsible migration at continental and international levels.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

President William Ruto has condoled with the family of the late Chief of the Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla at their home in Nairobi.

General Ogolla passed on yesterday while on duty, following the crash of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

In his message of condolence, the President described General Ogolla as a dedicated, professional and visionary leader who had served his nation passionately.

He said his loss was not only a big loss to the family, but also to the military and the country.

President Ruto urged the family to find comfort in the knowledge that General Ogolla made Kenya proud.

“Mama Aileen and your children, I want you to know that your husband, the father of your children, was a great Kenyan, a professional soldier and a military officer who made a difference in our republic,” he said.

The President said General Ogolla made a big difference in the short period that he served as the Chief of the Defence Forces.

He said the late CDF built synergy with other security agencies to safeguard the nation’s security.

President Ruto said under his leadership, there were very few terrorist incidents in the country because he was smart and provided effective leadership.

“If there is one appointment that I made and I am very proud of, it is that of General Ogolla. He was a professional and a leader,” he said. “We have lost a man who, I believe, would have transformed our military.”

He said General Ogolla had pledged to secure funds and personally supervise the rebuilding of schools in the troubled Kerio Valley.

He died on duty, President Ruto explained, while responding to the cries of women and children who suffered at the hands of bandits and cattle rustlers.

“That is how much General Ogolla believed in country,” he said.

He asked Kenyans to emulate General Ogolla, saying: “In his humility, he has lessons for all of us.”

First Lady Rachel Ruto said the death of General Ogolla was a big blow to the nation, and pointed out that he dedicated his time to the service of the nation.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said General Ogolla was a humorous person who had high hopes for the country and was keen on security.

“He was a committed general and a patriot, a man who loved his country,” he said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo described General Ogolla as a humble person who loved associating with everyone despite his rank in the military.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday at his home in Alego, Siaya County.

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