Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Finance, Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk, and Head of the Armed Forces Financial Affairs Authority, Lieutenant General Ahmed El Shazly.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, said the meeting focused on plans to develop the national electricity system and the available financing mechanisms for this purpose. The meeting also reviewed the investments required to enhance distribution networks and improve service quality for citizens, notably in Upper Egypt.

The President was briefed on efforts to expand electricity generation projects and renewable energy storage initiatives, aiming to manage high loads and stabilize the unified network. This reinforces the government’s efforts to eliminate previous load-shedding challenges.

The discussions also focused on work progress in the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, including its implementation, timeline and accomplishments at the engineering, technical, administrative levels as well as training and human resources development. This aligns with Egypt’s commitment to enhancing the nuclear power sector as a cornerstone for the diversification of electricity generation sources, as envisaged in Egypt Vision 2030.

Moreover, the meeting reviewed the program for the establishment of the electrical infrastructure in new cities, including transformer stations and the operational status for the extension of power lines and high-voltage cable tunnels to these cities.

Deliberations covered electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, and the preparedness of the national infrastructure for these interconnections. Additionally, the discussions reviewed strategies for cooperation with the private sector to leverage its administrative, technical and technological expertise so as to continue improving the service, ensure operational quality and enhance performance rates.

The President gave directives to continue efforts toward improving electricity services for various uses in all governorates of the Republic, and enhancing the capability of the national network to accommodate the expected increase in consumption, given both the population growth and development programs. This will be achieve through the continuous modernization of power generation plants, transmission and distribution networks and control centers, coupled with increased efficiency in utilizing new and renewable energy. This will ultimately support and reinforce efforts to achieve comprehensive national development.

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

92 health care workers trained; 119 metric tons of medical supplies distributed; 320 000 people assessed at WHO screening centre.

Cecilia Achuwor, a 38-year-old mother of six children, is one of the hundreds of thousands of refugees and returnees who have crossed the border into South Sudan since the beginning of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan 16 months ago. “My husband remains in Khartoum,” she says. “We separated from him without any communication. He doesn’t know where we are and we also don’t know where he is. I am here alone with the children, and they are all sick,” she says.

Achuwor, a South Sudanese national, is at a transit centre near Renk, a small town that borders Sudan to the north. Since the beginning of the Sudanese conflict, almost 60% of the 600 000 refugees and returnees who have entered South Sudan have done so through two points of entry near Renk. More recently, a new conflict has begun just to the east of Renk, and humanitarian workers have reported people arriving on foot through the bush.

“Rather than coming from an area like, say, Khartoum that had good access by road, now we’re seeing people literally walking into South Sudan for care and protection,” says Dr Brendan Deenan, World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer in South Sudan. “So, the situation is worse than it was previously, and we are seeing many health challenges, humanitarian challenges, and protection challenges on a daily basis.”

Refugees and returnees often present with a range of infectious diseases, as well as chronic diseases. “At least 50% of the cases are communicable diseases. Malaria is on top of the list, followed by acute respiratory tract infections and we are seeing a rise in acute watery diarrhoea,” says Dr William Nazario, a doctor with International Medical Corps.

Meanwhile, Dr Ayuel Deng, Medical Officer for Renk County highlights that more and more people are presenting with hypertension, diabetes and cancers and require chronic medication and specialist services.

WHO is supporting county health authorities to coordinate the health response for returnees and refugees. At two transit centres near Renk, the Organization is providing supportive supervision to three health agencies ‒International Medical Corps, Relief International and World Vision International ‒ who deliver primary health care services to 4000 refugees and returnees a week.

This has helped to ensure better access to health services for these vulnerable populations, who have to endure difficult conditions at the transit centres. “The service here is good” says Nailla Elhadi Hamid, a 40-year-old refugee from Sudan. “I even brought my son here, who is sick with malaria, and the medicine is available. Before that, my sister had eye pain and she found the medicine was also available.”

Following a cholera outbreak in Sudan in September 2023, WHO has trained around 92 health care workers from health facilities around Renk in cholera surveillance, prevention, treatment and control. The Organization has established a cholera screening centre at the Wunthou point of entry. Since December 2023, 320 000 people have been assessed by health workers here, not only for cholera, but also other infections diseases and health conditions. “We also provide oral rehydration solution because where people have come from, they are weak.” says John Toch, a clinical nurse at the centre.

Since the start of the conflict, WHO has also distributed 119 metric tons of medical supplies and equipment to treat 680 000 people, including kits for a range of infectious diseases and malnutrition. As part of its cross-border collaboration, WHO South Sudan country office in partnership with the WHO Sudan country office delivered 51 metric tons of emergency health kits to reach 830 000 people living in conflict-affected communities near the border. “We really appreciate WHO, because they support us a lot in terms of supplies to our partners,” says Deng.

“WHO, health authorities and implementing partners are collaborating daily to deliver health services to refugees and returnees hoping for a better life,” says Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative in South Sudan. “Without our donors this would not be possible. So, working together with others, WHO will continue to support the health emergency response in South Sudan.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – South Sudan.

While the cultural diversity of South Sudan was on show through the vibrant and energetic performances of multiple ethnic groups at an International Peace Day event in Juba, it was the collective desire for peace, democracy and a brighter future that attracted most attention.

Nineteen-year-old performer, Everlyne Batista, described her participation as an opportunity to put the trauma of conflict behind her and embrace feelings of unity and hope.  

“With peace, I can go to school, I can live without the stress I had before, including losing my relatives. That is the good news of the peace that I am enjoying now, even though everything is not all well. I want peace in South Sudan.”

Politics dominated discussions among the country’s leaders, civil society, and international peace partners at the event, particularly the extension of the transitional period of the government and postponement of elections for further two years.

Wearing a hat with the slogan, ‘peace is a right not a privilege’, civil society representative Edmund Yakani gave a fiery speech about the impact of the decision on the people of South Sudan.

“Unfortunately, we have seen our political leaders, and their various political establishments tend to treat peace for us as a privilege,” he said.

“Peace is not the responsibility for politicians to use it and keep us suffering in this economic crisis that we are in,” he said to applause from the crowd. “You have the responsibility, as our leaders, to make peace prevail in this country.”

“We are not suffering because peace requires the presence of donors. We are suffering because we need political leaders to say enough is enough to violence. Why are they spending millions of dollars to fight and buy guns, why can we not spend millions of dollars on ensuring the peace agreement is delivered?” said Edmund Yakani, from the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization.

The representative of the European Union described why it had not supported a resolution to extend the transitional period at a recent meeting between political leaders and peace partners.

“This was not a vote against the peace agreement. It was not a vote against peace. It was a signal of frustration and a message that this can’t be business as usual. A transition cannot go on forever,” said Ambassador Timo Olkkonen. “We need to see South Sudan, in the interests of peace, moving forward with its transition, forward with its democratization, forward with listening to its people in the formation of a permanent constitution. It is a question of a social contract and nation building,”

“We all want the country to go for elections, but we want to see elections that are peaceful, above all, transparent, free, fair and inclusive. When we evaluated, we found that this is not going to be possible,” explained keynote speaker, First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, citing numerous reasons for the extension, including the need to finalize the unification of forces, ensure the return of millions of South Sudanese refugees, resolve intercommunal conflict, determine the governance system, and agree on a permanent constitution.  

“These are the reasons why we decided it is best to extend for a period of 24 months. It is not for being in power. Many of us want to see the people of South Sudan elect their leaders but in an environment which is conducive for them to exercise their right. If we drive them into an election which is not conducive, in the end, we will be blamed for this because we know our people.”

The First Vice President pointed to the challenges facing the country, including the spillover of the Sudan conflict and a lack of revenue. He repeatedly stressed that financial support will be needed to implement the peace agreement and deliver elections.

On behalf of the Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and United States), the United Kingdom Ambassador, Guy Warrington, expressed deep disappointment and frustration at the persistent failure to implement key benchmarks in the agreement, despite the international community providing significant financial and other support for many years.

“Peace remains our priority. It drives everything we do,” he said. “We, the Troika, remain convinced that peace can best be secured through legitimate and peaceful elections and that South Sudan’s leaders bear a collective responsibility to act with urgency to create the necessary conditions for such elections to take place.”

 The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, pointed to this year’s theme: “Nurturing a culture of peace: our collective responsibility” as particularly relevant to the current situation.

“This theme reminds us that peace can only be achieved or secured together and it can only be sustained when there is a political will, a common purpose and shared aspirations. In my view, South Sudan still has some work to do to develop those shared ambitions to cherish its collective aspirations,” he said.

 “While this means that the people of this country are, yet again, being asked to show their patience in waiting for the long-promised peace and democracy benchmarks, this development does recognize the risk of renewed conflict, and the political vacuum caused as a result of the want of electoral preparations,” said Mr. Haysom. “But it also allows further opportunity for nation building and we recognize that the mountain that must still be climbed is steep. Urgency is required. Not a pause.”

Acting Minister of Peacebuilding, Losuba Wongo, acknowledged the collective responsibility for peace.

“Every individual has a role to play in nurturing peace in our communities and our hearts. Every act of kindness, every effort to understand each other and every dialogue brings us closer to lasting peace,” he said. “We have endured too much hardship, displacement and loss of life, yet amongst those challenges, we have demonstrated incredible strength and unity. Peace is not merely a dream; it can be achieved together”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Along with all countries in the world, Somalia observes The International Day of Peace, “World Peace Day” on 21 September, which provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace, above all differences, and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

The United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE) Somalia, part of the UPEACE Africa Regional Programme and one of the most influential institutions for peace in the region, acknowledges the annual day announcing its new academic courses

Master’s Programmes:

1) Blue Economy and Maritime Security (New)

2) Disaster Resilience Leadership and Humanitarian Action

3) Energy Economics and Governance (New)

4) Environment, Development and Peace.

o Specialization Environmental Security and Governance

o Specialization Sustainable Natural Resource Management

o Specialization Climate Change Policy.

o Specialization Sustainable Food Systems

5 International Law and Human Rights

6) Peace Governance and Development

7) Sustainable Water Resources Management and Climate Change Adaptation

Doctoral Programmes (PhD):

1) PhD in Blue Economy and Maritime Security

2) PhD in Land Degradation and Desertification

3) PhD in Leadership and Sustainable Development

4) PhD in Peace Governance and Development

Certificate Courses:

1) Business Administration

2) Health Systems Strengthening

3) Local Government Administration Management

4) Media Relations Management in Conflict and Crisis (New)

5) Monitoring and Evaluation

6) Procurement and Supply Chain Management

7) Project Planning and Management

Applicants can express their interest and get further information from the portal: (https://apo-opa.co/4euU1wF).

As the Africa Regional Director, Professor Samuel Ewusi stated,

“If the United Nations University for Peace should be anywhere, it should be in Somalia”,

Since establishing in Mogadishu in 2018, UPEACE Somalia has graduated more than 250 students, increasing the capacity of Somali leadership to identify and develop a culture of peace. Most notable among them is His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the Federal President of Somalia who defended his UPEACE PhD in “Peace Governance and Development” as one of the second cohort of graduating students.   

At the most recent UPEACE graduation, the Head of the UN in Somalia commented,

“This is the only tertiary institution mandated exclusively to deliver peace education, and has particular relevance here in Somalia”.  

As Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Anan echoed the famous statement of Carl Von Clausewitz about war,

“Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defiance spending there is”.

For more than four decades, the University for Peace has been providing this specialised and high level education globally, developing leaders dedicated to the cause of peace and promoting the Culture of Peace, the theme for this year’s Peace Day.  It has graduated more than 7,000 students now working in more than 100 countries in the construction of dialogues, conflict transformation and peace processes – from the United Nations System to local governments, from International Organizations to Universities, from NGOs to action in communities.

UPEACE Somalia recognises the essential part that peace education must play in enabling future leaders and decision makers and is dedicated to continuing its work as part of the higher education community in Africa.

“If you want Peace, work for Peace”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE).

Further information: upeacesomalia@gmail.com

UPEACE Africa Programme
P.O.Box 2794 Code 1250
Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
+ 251 11 1234026
+ 251 91 1837022 (Office)
africaprogramme@upeace.org

UPEACE Geneva
5 chemin du Rivage 1292 Chambésy, Geneva
Switzerland
+ 41 22 737-3080
info@upeace.ch

UPEACE Headquarters
P.O. Box 138-6100, San José
Costa Rica
+ 506 205-9000
www.upeace.org