AU-IBAR is a fervent proponent of animal welfare in Africa, having been instrumental in the establishment of the African Platform for Animal Welfare (APAW) and the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA). These endeavours unite a diverse array of stakeholders to promote the humane treatment of animals across the continent. AU-IBAR participated in a Regional Training Seminar for National Focal Points for Animal Welfare, which was hosted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), as part of this mission. The purpose of this training was to share best practices and enhance collaborative efforts.

The training, taking place from September 3rd to 5th, 2024, addresses a variety of animal welfare topics; commencing with sessions for newly appointed focal points, which were succeeded by discussions on global and regional strategies. Practical challenges associated with animal transport and slaughter, updates on WOAH standards, and experiences were also addressed during the training. Presentations were delivered to WOAH Focal Points regarding the UNEA Resolution and AU-IBAR’s outreach initiatives, with an emphasis on the implementation of AWSA.

Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, delivered the presentation on AU-IBAR’s outreach through AWSA during the meeting, and underscored the critical significance of advocating for humane animal treatment. She emphasised that the AWSA, which was established in 2018 with the support of Chief Veterinary Officers, WOAH, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Animal Welfare Organisations, and other key stakeholders, offers a comprehensive framework for African Union Member States to develop and implement their own animal welfare strategies. Nevertheless, she recognised that AWSA is confronted with obstacles, including inadequate financial resources and technical capabilities, which have contributed to inadequate implementation.

“AU-IBAR acknowledges the necessity of enhancing the capacity of Country Animal Welfare Focal Points (CAWFPs) to address technical gaps and improve performance within the current financial constraints. CAWFPs are instrumental in the domestication and implementation of AWSA, as well as the monitoring of progress,” Dr. Salih stated.

The CAWFPs are indispensable in guaranteeing that national strategies are consistent with AWSA and WOAH standards. Additionally, they offer technical assistance to stakeholders, monitor progress by monitoring advancements and identifying obstacles in the implementation of animal welfare initiatives, and provide training.

“AU-IBAR is in the process of creating a comprehensive set of training resources for animal welfare in response to the necessity for robust training and capacity building.” Dr. Salih further stated that these resources will equip CAWFPs and other stakeholders with the necessary tools and information to effectively fulfil their duties.

In order to fortify these critical focal points, AU-IBAR is dedicated to working in close partnership with WOAH to accomplish shared objectives. Dr. Salih also emphasised that the African Union has taken a significant step by prohibiting the slaughter of donkeys in Africa for their hide, which underscores the organisation’s dedication to the preservation of these animals.

“AU-IBAR is overseeing the creation of a Pan-African Strategic Framework to protect the welfare of donkeys and provide assistance to the communities that depend on them.” “This initiative is designed to mitigate the hazards associated with the donkey skin trade and guarantee the longevity of this indispensable resource,” stated Dr. Salih.

The meeting underscored the significance of CAWFPs in the advancement of animal welfare throughout Africa by surmounting current obstacles through strategic frameworks, capacity development, and collaborative endeavors.

AU-IBAR is instrumental in the coordination, support, and guidance of the implementation of AWSA in its capacity as the secretariat of the African Platform for Animal Welfare. The Africa General Assembly for Animal Welfare (AGAAW) is a component of APAW that incorporates representatives from African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and other animal welfare stakeholders throughout the continent. The Coordination Committee of Animal Welfare in Africa (CCAWA) supervises APAW, which is comprised of stakeholders from AGAAW.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

Following consultations hosted by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) at its headquarters in Tripoli on Monday and Tuesday, the representatives of the House of Representatives (HoR) and High Council of State (HCS) reached important understandings on the crisis of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), particularly on the mechanism and timelines for appointing the CBL Governor and Board of Directors.

The representatives of the two chambers requested an additional period of five days to complete their consultations towards a final consensus on the arrangements of the management of the CBL until a new governor and board of directors are appointed.

UNSMIL reminds all Libyan stakeholders of the adverse impacts of the ongoing CBL crisis on the livelihood of citizens and on the confidence of international financial institutions in the Libyan banking system.

As UNSMIL commends the climate of cooperation that prevailed in the consultations with the representatives of both chambers on the one hand and the representative of the Presidential Council on the other, it calls on all parties to fulfill their obligations, refrain from any unilateral decisions and actions, and intensify efforts to reach an agreement without any delay.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation, has signed a USD$50 million agreement with China National Technical Import&Export Corporation for the SMART Sierra Leone Project.

The signing took place on the margins of the FOCAC Summit in Beijing, marking a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation efforts.

During the signing ceremony, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio highlighted the three main objectives of the SMART Sierra Leone Project: expanding internet connectivity to over 400,000 previously unconnected citizens, establishing national data centres to manage and protect sovereign data, and enhancing security measures around critical state infrastructure in Freetown.

Additionally, the Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Monorma Bah, signed an agreement with Huawei Group for the Digital Village Project, which will be implemented in Tormabum. This project aims to provide farmers and community members with access to vital online information to improve agricultural yields and expand market opportunities.

“I am delighted to be here this evening to witness the signing of two important projects in our digital transformation drive. The unveiling of the SMART Sierra Leone and Digital Village Projects today not only marks another milestone in our partnership with the People’s Republic of China but also underscores the priority placed on Tech and Infrastructure Development in our Big Five Agenda,” President Bio stated.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

On the morning of September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the African Union (AU) is a banner for Africa to seek strength through unity and an important platform for conducting international cooperation. In recent years, China and the AU have continued to deepen political mutual trust and maintained close coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Xi Jinping said that he is glad to see that the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aided by China for the AU, has been established and put into operation, contributing to Africa’s health cause as well as African people’s health and well-being. China supports the AU in playing a greater role in the cause of China-Africa friendship, and is ready to take this FOCAC Summit as an opportunity to push for more outcomes of China-AU cooperation in various fields and promote the building of a China-Africa community with a shared future to a new level.

Xi Jinping stressed that the current transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. The Global South, including China and Africa, is growing stronger, injecting stability and positive energy into world peace and development. Africa is an important pole in the world and an important priority in China’s diplomacy. China is ready to enhance political exchanges with Africa, deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen practical cooperation, share development experience and promote common development. Xi Jinping called on the two sides to strengthen solidarity and coordination, firmly support each other, advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice and the common interests of developing countries.

Moussa Faki Mahamat said that during his eight years as AUC Chairperson, he has witnessed the rapid growth of AU-China relations. He thanked the Chinese side, especially President Xi Jinping, for his outstanding leadership in promoting the development of the Africa-China partnership and the FOCAC institutional development. For more than half a century, China has been firmly supporting Africa’s struggle against colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination, providing valuable assistance to African countries in various fields such as infrastructure, health, energy, industry and security, and taking the lead in supporting the AU’s accession to the G20, which the African side highly appreciates and sincerely thanks. For this reason, the African side firmly pursues the one-China policy and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and other series of major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping are committed to helping people of all countries share peace and development opportunities, which is crucial to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among countries in the Global South and making the global governance system fairer and more equitable. The African side expects China to continue playing a key leading role and make greater contributions to helping Africa achieve modernization and world peace and development.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Namibia.