Shri Sita Ram Meena (YOA: 2008), presently Director in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Niger.

He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

The United States Embassy in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe is pleased to invite the media to cover the upcoming visit of a delegation of U.S. Senators to the Instituto Técnico de Saúde de Luanda (formerly IMS) on March 28th at 13:30. The purpose of this visit is to highlight U.S. health assistance programs in Angola, particularly focusing on initiatives related to Malaria, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, community and health development agents (ADECOS), medicine supply chain management, training of health experts, and family planning.

The visit to the Instituto Técnico de Saúde de Luanda is part of a larger agenda by five U.S. Senators, led by Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, to conduct oversight of Department of State, Health and Human Services, and Defense equities in Africa, alongside official discussions with U.S. and host nation government officials regarding political, economic, and security issues affecting bilateral and regional relationships.

The United States of America has been a steadfast partner in improving the health outcomes of Angolans, with nearly half of the approximately $1.48 billion in USG assistance provided to Angola over the last 25 years devoted to enhancing the country’s health system, training health personnel, procuring essential medicines and vaccines, and strengthening local laboratories. This visit aims to track progress made thus far and evaluate the impact of these initiatives on the lives of Angolan citizens.

Following the tour and assessment, a Senator from the United States and a senior Angolan health official will address the media to provide insights into the visit’s findings and discuss the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Angola in the healthcare sector.

It is essential to recognize the pivotal role played by the U.S. Congress in funding international development and humanitarian aid, including assistance programs aimed at supporting health systems and addressing public health challenges in partner countries like Angola.

We look forward to your participation and coverage of this significant event. Please RSVP by March 26th at 12:00 pm to confirm your attendance and facilitate logistical arrangements. For further information, please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy via email at pressluanda@state.gov or by phone at 923-284-117.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy to Angola and Sao Tome and Principe.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa congratulated President-elect,  Mr Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on his election as the President of the Republic of Senegal.

The outcome of the election bears testimony to the resilient spirit of the Senegalese people who preferred the democratic course of change of government, through voting. The President applauded the other contestants for displaying maturity in accepting the election outcome.

South Africa and Senegal enjoy close political, trade and social relations deepened by strong historical ties rooted from the anti-apartheid struggle.

President Ramaphosa has committed to strengthen the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Senegal in pursuit of a better and peaceful continent.

President Ramaphosa said: “The Senegalese people have lightened a beacon which will usher in a new hope in the journey of rebuilding Africa by opting for peaceful change of government as opposed to violence”.

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

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with 123 partners, is seeking $1.4 billion this year to meet the needs of 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. A similar number of people living in local communities in the five asylum countries will benefit from services and support provided through a Regional Refugee Response Plan.

Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan over 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs compounded by dire food shortages, continued insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, have kept South Sudanese refugees in exile and prompted new displacement. Four consecutive years of flooding have also destroyed homes and livelihoods, triggering further cross-border movements.

“While significant strides and commendable efforts have been made over the last 10 years by partners, this year’s Regional Refugee Response Plan builds on the incremental progress made and demonstrates that if given the resources, humanitarian aid combined with investments in resilience – for both refugees and the host communities that welcomed them – will facilitate longer term solutions,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR’s Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

Partners will build on gains already made with host governments and regional bodies to improve the protection environment for refugees and asylum-seekers through enhanced access to asylum and civil documentation. The plan also aims to support efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection services, including the prevention of and responses to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

The inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers in national health-care, education and other systems, as well as initiatives to boost people’s self-reliance through employment opportunities, are at the heart of this year’s response plan. Partners will aim to enhance support for resilience and solutions for refugees and their hosts through strategic partnerships with private sector and development actors.

Mental health, particularly among young South Sudanese refugees, will also be prioritized, especially as many are losing hope for their future due to limited opportunities. A new element in this year’s plan are partnerships and increased financing to enable displaced populations and host communities to become more climate resilient.

The plan will build on inclusive policies led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC), and align with pledges made by governments, private sector and donors made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum last December.

Despite these inclusive policies and the generosity of host countries in welcoming South Sudanese refugees, global solidarity has been waning as the situation becomes more protracted. In 2023, partners only received 21 per cent of the resources needed, falling far short of what is required to ensure all South Sudanese refugees can live in dignity. In 2022, only a third of the requirements were received.

“Several countries in this region are undoubtedly experiencing complex challenges that often demand significant financial requirements. However, the people of South Sudan deserve our attention and support so they can contribute meaningfully to their societies and gain skills for when they eventually are able to return home,” said Balde.

South Sudan remains Africa’s largest refugee crisis. While the war in Sudan has forced nearly 200,000 South Sudanese to relocate to safer areas within Sudan and hundreds of thousands of others to return to their country prematurely, over 2 million remain in need of international protection in the region. We call for renewed solidarity with and support for the people of South Sudan and the countries that are hosting them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).