The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, the in his capacity as one of the Patrons of the Ocean Decade Alliance, will participate in the upcoming 2024 United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade Conference to be held in Barcelona, Spain from 10th to 12th April.

The Ocean Decade, was a decision of the 2017 United Nations General Assembly  (UNGA) in New York, which was officially launched in January 2021. It provides a convening framework for a wide range of stakeholders across the world to engage and collaborate outside their traditional communities to trigger nothing less than a revolution in ocean science. It is geared towards generating the data, information and knowledge needed for more robust science-informed policies and stronger science-policy interfaces at global, regional, national and even local levels as well as align research, investments and initiatives around a set of common ocean challenges.

Following the UN Decade Conference, the President will proceed to Athens, Greece to attend the 9th Ocean Conference from 15th to 17th April, themed “Our Ocean, An Ocean of Potential.”

The Our Ocean Conference (OOC) initiative began in 2014 and is aimed to draw international attention to the serious threats facing the world’s ocean and to take concrete action around the globe to support marine conservation and sustainable development.

2024 is the tenth year anniversary to the first inauguration of the OOC in the USA. The principal goal of this action-oriented Conference is to boost ambitious commitments and actions and muster all stakeholders for the noble cause of assuring clean and healthy oceans and seas.

During President Ramkalawan’s absence from the country, his duties and responsibilities will be discharged by Vice-President Ahmed Afif.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), on Monday donated assorted food items to vulnerable families and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) living in the outskirts of the ATMIS Al-Jazeera II camp in Mogadishu.

The food donation which included rice, wheat flour, sugar, powdered milk, and spaghetti, will support 30 families affected by conflict and the effects of climate change in celebrating Eid-Ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

“It’s in the spirit of solidarity that ATMIS staff –the military, police and civilians made individual monetary contributions to support the most vulnerable people, particularly IDPs displaced from their homes and whose livelihoods have been disrupted during this Ramadan period,” said Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka, acting ATMIS Force Commander, who presided over the event on behalf of the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef.

Maj. Gen Ngendabaka reaffirmed ATMIS’ unwavering commitment to supporting ongoing efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia to combat Al-Shabaab and ensure peace and stability.

“ATMIS will continue to support the Somalia government to combat Al-Shabaab, restore peace and stability, and provide services so that the Somali people can coexist in harmony and celebrate Eid in a peaceful environment,” he added.

ATMIS Senior Humanitarian Officer, Abdul Diabagate said apart from security provided by ATMIS military and police personnel, the mission also supports communities with relief assistance to help alleviate people’s suffering.

“ATMIS supports local communities by providing relief assistance, providing water, escorts for people to move from one place to another and security escort to humanitarian agencies assisting vulnerable communities living across South-Central Somalia,” said Mr Diabagate.

Khadija Ali, a community representative, thanked ATMIS personnel for their selfless support.

“This is a good gesture which should be emulated, this month of Ramadan calls on us to give to charity, and that is why they remembered us. We want to sincerely thank them for their donations,” said Khadija.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

South Africa welcomes the adoption by the Human Rights Council of Resolution A/HRC/L.30 on the Human Rights Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Obligation to Ensure Accountability and Justice by 28 votes in favour, 13 abstentions and eight votes against.

The adoption of the resolution is historic as this is the very first time that the Human Rights Council has taken action on the unprecedented human tragedy taking place in Gaza, where at least 32,975 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 14,500 children, since Israel launched its onslaught over 180 days ago.

In calling for accountability and justice, the resolution emphasises the need to ensure that all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law are held to account and highlights the need to ensure the provision of an effective remedy for all victims and the need to pursue practical steps to ensure the prevention of future violations and international crimes.

As part of this process, the resolution recognises the importance of the order issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that indicated provisional measures in the case lodged by South Africa against Israel on the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

South Africa believes that it is only through ensuring accountability and justice that the impunity accorded to Israel that has entrenched the ongoing unlawful occupation can finally be brought to an end.

It therefore remains crucial that Israel respects and implements the ICJ’s orders, together with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2728 (2024) demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire, which resolution A/HRC/L.30 will no doubt contribute to its securing.

*During the debate on the resolution, South Africa’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Mxolisi Nkosi, stated that, “the international community can no longer choose to apply a parallel system of international law to Israel, nor can we be complicit in facilitating its actions. For international law to be credible, it must be uniformly applied and serve the victims that it is designed to protect”.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Palestinian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, and his accompanying delegation, including Minister of Planning, Wael Zakout. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister, Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala El-Said, in addition to Palestinian Ambassador to Egypt, Diab Al-Louh.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, stated that President El-Sisi welcomed the Palestinian Prime Minister, wishing him and the new Palestinian government success in their efforts to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people. The President emphasized Egypt’s immutable position in support of the Palestinian cause, until the just Palestinian rights are guaranteed for a sovereign and independent state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position was appreciated by the Palestinian Prime Minister, who conveyed to President El-Sisi the greetings and appreciation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian Prime Minister lauded Egypt’s steadfast support for the Palestinian rights, its tireless efforts, under the leadership of President El-Sisi, to stop the bloodshed of the Palestinian people and its categorical rejection of the liquidation of their cause and legitimate rights.

The meeting reviewed Egypt’s massive efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, exchange detainees, and ensure the delivery of much-needed aid and relief in adequate quantities to address the severe humanitarian crisis in the sector. The Palestinian Prime Minister commended Egypt’s historical role in assuming the responsibility of facilitating the delivery of relief aid into Gaza, despite the impediments and challenges encountered in this process.

The two sides confirmed their unequivocal rejection of the displacement of the Palestinians from their lands or the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, warning against the military escalation and the continuous expansion of the cycle of the conflict. They reiterated that a just settlement of the Palestinian issue is the guarantor for restoring security and stability in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.