Thousands of civilians remain trapped by heavy fighting in Al Fasher, Sudan, where Al Saudi, the only remaining hospital, has suffered repeated attacks, and the hospital staff is running out of medical supplies.

Despite numerous efforts, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not managed to bring humanitarian relief into the city to this day. We call on the parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and facilitate access for lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

The main supply routes around Al Fasher remain inaccessible, and humanitarian and commercial trucks cannot bring necessities like food and medical supplies. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of displaced people, who lost their livelihoods and access to farmland in places like Zam Zam camp, go hungry, as food shortages are becoming critical. Humanitarian organizations must be able to reach vulnerable communities in Zam Zam and other places with relief supplies before it is too late.

In the short term, we urge the parties to the conflict to open more supply routes to ensure the safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and the movement of essential commercial goods to Al Fasher, Al Obeid, Sennar, Al Jaziera, and other areas affected by fighting.

We welcome the Sudanese authorities’ decision to reopen the Adré crossing between Chad and Sudan for three months to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Darfur region. Any initiative that can improve humanitarian access is an important and encouraging development.

It is a positive first step, however, we remind all parties that the three months coincide with the rainy season, which naturally complicates access because of heavy rains and flash floods. And we urge the parties to keep the Adré crossing open to ensure the flow of aid.

We also call on the authorities to rapidly communicate operational modalities for cross-border operations and reduce bureaucratic impediments so that humanitarian organizations can fully take advantage of this window of opportunity to deliver urgent humanitarian aid.

We call on all parties to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law to address the basic humanitarian needs of the civilian population, and to consider a more permanent solution for cross-border humanitarian operations to ensure sustainable and safe humanitarian access.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a contribution of US$ 1.4 million (JPY 200,000,000) from the Government of Japan. This funding will allow WFP to support approximately 26,000 people affected by the ongoing El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe.

Over 5.9 million people in rural parts of Zimbabwe are at risk of food insecurity between January and March 2025, the peak of the lean season, the period between planting and harvest. 

“The Government of Japan and the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe are very concerned about the food insecurity in Zimbabwe,” said H.E Mr Shinichi Yamanaka, the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe. “I hope that this food assistance will help these vulnerable people to overcome the current crisis. We will continue our support to allow all Zimbabweans to meet their food security needs.” 

With this contribution, WFP will provide cereals, pulses, and vegetable oil to vulnerable communities in the hardest-hit areas impacted by the previous poor harvest due to the drought.

“Many families around Zimbabwe are worried about their next meal, so this timely and critical additional funding from the Government of Japan will help us reach the most food insecure people with nutritious food assistance,” said Mr Billy Mwiinga, WFP Zimbabwe Deputy Country Director. “We are grateful for Japan’s unwavering partnership in our mission to end hunger and contribute to building resilience.”

Through the Lean Season Assistance, WFP supports the Government of Zimbabwe’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy, which protects the most vulnerable individuals from worsening food insecurity.

“The declaration of a state of disaster by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, underscores the severity of the drought situation in Zimbabwe,” said Hon July Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare. “We deeply appreciate the support from Japan and the collaborative efforts with WFP to ensure that no one is left behind during these difficult times.” 

The Government of Japan’s continued support highlights the strong and enduring partnership between Japan, WFP, and the Government of Zimbabwe. Over the past five years, Japan has provided food assistance through WFP amounting to US$10 million, supporting about 190,000 people, including during the COVID-19 emergency.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

At its session on 22 August, the Government appointed a Deputy Director General to the Department for Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

The Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Helena Airaksinen to serve as Deputy Director General for a fixed term from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026.

Airaksinen has served as Deputy Director General since 2020. Her previous positions include Head of Mission in Addis Abeba and Director of Unit at the Department for Africa and the Middle East.

Airaksinen joined the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture and forestry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs wants the Uganda National Kiswahili Council to be hosted under the Ministry of Education and Sports as the suitable institution to promote Kiswahili language.

The Undersecretary in the Defence Ministry, James Mutabazi said their position is  premised on the basis of the ministry’s position in curriculum development and their overall supervisory function over the education sector.

“The Uganda National Kiswahili bill, 2023 does not clearly specify who the minister for Kiswahili will be; it does not spell out the domicile ministry to host the council. The council would be most suitably hosted under the Ministry of Education and Sports given its role in language education and curriculum development,” Mutabazi said.

Mutabazi said this while appearing before the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development on Wednesday, 21 August 2024 where they presented their submission on the Uganda National Kiswahili Council Bill, 2023.

The Bill was tabled in Parliament on 28 February 2024 for the First Reading. The bill seeks to promote the usage of Kiswahili language in administrative, judicial and legislative process as a medium of communication by local governments.

It also seeks to establish the secretariat of the council to be headed by an executive secretary, provide for funds and auditing of the Council, and provide for making of bylaws to regulate the affairs of the staff of the Council.

Led by the State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Sarah Mateke, the officials said the Education Ministry would work in unison with other government bodies such as the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi which already runs Kiswahili programmes. “Kiswahili is one of the areas of study at NALI; if you meet anybody who has trained from there, he has studied and has been assessed in Kiswahili,” said Maj. Gen. Henry Matsiko (UPDF Representative).

The Defence Ministry also proposes that the council that intends to establish the Kiswahili Commission should be looked at as a unifying factor for the diverse ethnic groups in Uganda and ultimately, the unity of the eight-member East African Community.

Kyotera District Woman Representative, Hon Fortunate Rose Nantongo supported the proposal for the Education ministry to host the National Kiswahili Council, cognizant of its influence over schools which have a wide audience. “The ministry has the mandate over curriculum development right from nursery to university. I think they can do a better job on promoting the language, they have the biggest audience considering the number of children in schools, when children learn language at an early age it is very possible that they will take it up,” she said.

MPs asked the ministry to justify its representation on the Kiswahili Council as proposed in the bill. “We need to know your relevance as representatives on the Council. What are you going to add to the council and what would be your input?” asked Nakaseke Central County MP, Hon. Allan Mayanja.

Hon. Innocent Kiyaga (NUP, Mawokota County North) sought to understand the army’s strategies used to promote Kiswahili which has since been one of the army’s languages of operation. “We are deliberating on the strategies of how Kiswahili can be promoted to the population. I would like to know how the army has managed to have Kiswahili as their language? Do we impose it on people and do we make it compulsory in schools?” Kiyaga asked.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.