President Wavel Ramkalawan has sent a congratulatory message to his Indian counterpart, H.E. Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of the Republic of India on the occasion of 78th Independence Day of the Republic of India. 

In his message, President Ramkalawan stated: 

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Seychelles, as well as on my own behalf, I wish to extend to you and the people of the republic of India our warmest congratulations on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day of the republic of India.

India’s journey since attaining independence has been remarkable, marked by unparalleled achievements in various fields, including science and technology, culture, and economic development. As we celebrate this significant milestone in your nation’s history, I am confident that the Republic of India will continue to forge a path of progress and prosperity, both for its people and for the global community.

Built on deep cultural and historical connections, Seychelles and India have cultivated a strong and enduring friendship, evidenced by extensive collaboration across various domains. Seychelles remains committed to deepening our bilateral relations and building on the successes of our cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

UN aid agencies on Friday welcomed the news that the Sudanese authorities will open Adre border crossing from Chad into Sudan, as the war-torn country faces famine or acute hunger in many regions, with many roads impassable owing to heavy rains.

The vital humanitarian corridor will allow the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to scale up assistance to 14 areas facing famine in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Al Jazirah.

Convoys primed to go

“As we speak, two convoys with nearly 6,000 metric tons of food and nutrition supplies for around half a million people, are being loaded, destined for risk-of-famine areas in north, central and west Darfur states as soon as official Government communication and clearances are received,” said Leni Kinzli, spokesperson for WFP Sudan.

Just two weeks ago, famine was confirmed in Zamzam displacement camp near El Fasher, the wartorn capital of North Darfur. It shelters more than 400,000 displaced people.

In total, WFP aims to support up to 8.4 million people by the end of the year.

Sudan’s war – which erupted 16 months ago between rival militaries the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – has ravaged food production, destroyed essential markets and cut off communities from assistance.

Along with heavy fighting, the continuing rainy season has already caused major setbacks in delivering assistance, with flooded roads halting aid convoys.

“More than 50 trucks carrying an estimated 4,800 metric tons of food and nutrition assistance, enough for around half a million people, are stuck in various locations across Sudan and unable to move toward their final destinations due to flooded and impassable roads,” said WFP’s Ms. Kinzli, who insisted that humanitarian agencies urgently needed to “see the actual opening of (Adre) materialize and see trucks moving across the border as soon as possible”.

Hunger’s lasting impact

Echoing that message, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the immediate and lasting effects of poor nutrition and acute food insecurity among vulnerable people.

WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris told journalists in Geneva that a mild infection in a malnourished person with a weakened immune system can easily turn into a catastrophic illness.

Children in particular can die very quickly from what might be a minor infection, she said, adding that after 16 months of heavy fighting, Sudan was poorly equipped to provide lifesaving medical care, with up to 80 per cent of hospitals “non-functional”.

She added: “People are dying simply from a lack of access to basic and essential healthcare medication. We are seeing reports of cholera, measles, malaria, dengue and meningitis from several states.”

Preventable tragedy

The development comes amid ongoing conflict including a bombing attack on Wednesday that devastated a school and market in the city of El Obeid, leaving five girls dead and 20 children injured.

The UN migration agency IOM has also warned that Sudan is at “breaking point” and that there will be tens of thousands of preventable deaths from hunger, disease, floods and violence in the coming months without a larger global response.

According to IOM, more than 10.7 million people are seeking safety within the country and many have been displaced twice or more times. Almost all internally displaced persons across Sudan – 97 per cent – are in localities with acute levels of food insecurity or worse.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has made additional appointments in government affecting the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL), the Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA) and the local government of Lofa County.

These appointments where applicable, are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate.

The institutions and those appointed are:

I. National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL)

1. Dr. Adams K. Lincoln, Deputy Director General for Administration

II. Board of Directors Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSEZA)

1. Cllr. Kuku Y. Dorbor, Member
2. Mr. Kansualism B. Kansuah, Member 
3. Mr. Peter G. Roberts, Member
4. Mr. Roger S.Y.W Domah, Member

III. Local Government of Lofa County

1. Losene A. Dukuly, Commissioner, Quardu-Gboni District, Lofa County

These appointments supersede any previously published in similar or other agencies, and positions.

President Boakai calls on officials of government to continue to demonstrate diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in service to country.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

The Marley family, Scorpion Kings, Sofiya Nzau, Flavour, and Olodum unite on Groundbreaking EP “One Drum”; This initiative is under the auspices of CANEX Creations Incorporated which seeks to support the commercialization of IP assets.

African Export – Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Programme is thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated Extended Play (EP), “One Drum,” a collaborative masterpiece that bridges cultures and genres, celebrating the rich musical heritage of Africa and its diaspora.

This unique project brings together an extraordinary lineup of artists from Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil, the USA, and Europe. The investment is under the auspices of CANEX Creations Incorporated, an Intellectual Property Holding Company established by Afreximbank to support the commercialization of IP assets in Global Africa.

About the EP: “One Drum” is a celebration of the cultural ties that unite Africa and its diaspora, forged through the shared history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This EP highlights the enduring rhythms and musical traditions that have been carried across continents, from the magical drums of Brazil to the reggae and soul of the Caribbean and the global beats of Afrobeats and Amapiano.

Featured Artists: The EP features an impressive array of talent, including:

Olodum (Brazil): Renowned for their iconic Yoruba-inspired drumming and collaborations with legends like Michael Jackson and Paul Simon.
DJ Oskido (South Africa): Music pioneer and co-founder of Kalawa Jazmee Records.
Commissioner Gordon Williams (USA): Executive producer known for his work with Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Carlos Santana.
Flavour (Nigeria): Celebrated Afrobeat artist known for his powerful lyrics and dynamic performances.
Sofiya Nzau (Kenya): Globally recognized artist with a standout Electronic Dance Music (EDM) hit, “Mwaki.”
Stephen Marley, YG Marley, and Jo Mersa Marley (Jamaica): Reggae royalty bringing soulful and heartfelt tracks to the EP.
The Scorpion Kings (South Africa): Amapiano giants DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small, known for their innovative contributions to the genre.

Track Highlights:

“Let’s Dance” – A mid-tempo, sultry song featuring Flavour, DJ Oskido, and Olodum that combines samba, rumba, and marimba with Afrobeats and Igbo-highlife elements.
“Coming Home” – A deeply emotional Afro-reggae track featuring Jo Mersa Marley, Stephen Marley, Thee Legacy, YG Marley, and Ms. Lauryn Hill, celebrating the connection to Africa.
“Stop Stressin” – A powerful reggae and Afro-house track by Stephen Marley and Olodum, produced by DJ Oskido and Commissioner Gordon, delivering a message of resilience and positivity.
“Money (Besa)” – An EDM-inspired anthem by Sofiya Nzau, sung in Kikuyu, showcasing her charismatic charm and dynamic presence.
“Afro-Wave” – A vibrant collaboration by the Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa), DJ Oskido, TmanXpress, X-Wise, Phila Dlozi, and Olodum, blending Afrohouse with Amapiano and isiZulu lyrics.

Thematic Focus: The EP delves into themes of cultural pride, resilience, and the beauty of collaboration. It not only showcases musical talent but also celebrates the power of cultural exchange, creating a universal language that connects us all.

Release and Availability: “One Drum” will be available on all major digital streaming platforms starting Friday 16 August. Fans can also look forward to exclusive content, including behind-the-scenes footage and artist interviews, on the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Social Media platforms.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact Information:
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Vusi Vuma
strat@kalawa.co.za; press@afreximbank.com

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com