On August 15, the Government of Japan decided to extend an Emergency Grant Aid of USD 2.5 million as part of its humanitarian assistance to Zambia and Namibia in Southern Africa, which has been experiencing serious food insecurity as a result of the worst-ever drought caused by El Niño.

This Emergency Grant Aid will enable the provision of emergency food relief through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The Government of Japan will continue to work to strengthen food security in Southern Africa, including by closely cooperating with the Governments of Zambia and Namibia.

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

Africa needs transparent and fair-trade practices for a just energy transition, said Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) at an African Consultative Webinar on Critical Energy Transition Minerals and the UN Global Framework on Just Energy Transitions in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

He said that Africa needs to create a competitive mineral resources development environment which “allows it to ride the crest of mineral prices because technological developments, including those that create substitutes, are developing fast.”

“Among other strategies to enhance the domestic footprint of the Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETMs) sector, African countries need to curb the export of unfinished mineral products through value addition and beneficiation to reap rewards at the higher end of the mineral value chains,” said Mr. Pedro. 

The webinar was attended by officials and experts from governments, civil society and other stakeholders from the region. 

Mr. Pedro noted the progress made by African countries to improve governance, but said challenges remain in many other areas such as taxation, value addition, and the strengthening of linkages. Furthermore, he said the exploitation of minerals poses multifaceted environmental, social and geopolitical challenges.

“The abundance of cobalt, manganese, lithium, nickel, copper, graphite, and other minerals positions Africa as a key player in shaping the future of clean energy supply and, with it, global sustainable development,” said Mr. Pedro. 

“But, a just and fair exploitation will generate sustainable jobs, diversify economies, and dramatically boost revenues which, can support development and transformation.”

Presenting the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Group on Critical Minerals for the Energy Transition and the UN Global Framework on Just Transitions, Angela Kariuki, Legal Officer at Law Division United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), discussed the UN’s efforts to support countries in transitioning to critical energy minerals through a just transition framework which aims to minimize environmental and social risked while harnessing the economic potentials of these resources.

“Key principles of the framework include assessing and managing nature and social-related risks, protecting local communities and promoting circularity in value chains,” said Ms. Kariuki emphasizing on the importance of protecting people and the planets through these efforts.

Clovis Freire, Economic Affairs Officer at the Division on Technology and Logistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) also stressed the importance of transparency and fair-trade practices for a just energy transition.

“Trust is crucial for a successful transition and there is need for communication and collaboration among stakeholders,” he said.

In his presentation on the Regional context of the UN’s work in the extractive industries sector, John Sloan Economic Affairs Officer, ECA emphasized the potential of mineral based development for economic transformation in Africa, highlighting the region’s vast mineral endowments and the need for value addition and job creation in mining industry.

He called upon the private sector, governments and civil societies to revisit incentives for job creation in sectors like manufacturing and the need to address need for global policy stability given rapid technology changes.

“There is need to focus on mineral based development in Africa focusing on value addition and economic transformation,” said Mr. Sloan

He highlighted that ECA is working with partners to support specific initiatives on battery and battery component manufacturing in DRC and Zambia.

In a panel discussion, Nellie Mutemeri, University of the Witwatersrand said sustainable mining practices for critical energy transition minerals in Africa should focus on artisanal and small-scale mining sectors.

He noted that artisanal and small-scale mining in Africa provides vital livelihoods for millions, particularly women and youth. However, challenges persist including lack of transparency and accountability in chains leading to unequal benefit sharing and negative impacts on vulnerable groups.

Gloria Magombo, Permanent Secretary for Energy and Energy Development, Ministry of Energy and Energy Development, Zimbabwe emphasized on the importance of value addition before exports citing the need for mandatory value addition to ensure maximum benefit from mineral resources. She reiterated the importance of value addition to maximize the benefit of mineral resources.

Moses Tshetlane, Director, Mienral Affairs Division, Ministry of Minerals and Energy, Botswana said regional cooperation is crucial in addressing climate change particularly in developing carbon sinks and funding university research in Africa to advance clean energy access.

“Countries must adopt policies with tangible targets to meet the threshold for clean energy access. Emphasis should be placed on the need for collective action to address this global challenge,” he said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) Police Commissioner, Hillary Sao Kanu has concluded a tour of Jubaland and South West State where she launched water projects for police officers and local communities.

During the visit, Commissioner of Police (CP) Kanu launched the commencement of solar-powered water projects at Bakiin Police Post in Baidoa and the Jubaland Police Headquarters in Kismayo.

“The construction of these boreholes will meet the water needs of the Somali Police Force (SPF) and the local community. The project aims to create a healthy environment for the SPF to efficiently perform their duties,” said CP Kanu in Baidoa.

She emphasised that the projects are crucial for strengthening police-community partnerships, which are critical in the peacebuilding process.

“There is a need for effective communication and shared intelligence between the police and community. I believe this project will enhance the much-needed collaboration,” she added.

Acknowledging the significance of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in empowering SPF officers to effectively perform their duties, CP Kanu underscored ATMIS’s commitment to improving the lives of local Somalis.

“These projects are crucial in improving the lives of the host nation. ATMIS has previously undertaken Quick Impact Projects, including hospitals and schools. We have started with the water project because water is life,” said CP Kanu.

Funded by the Kazakhstan Government, the Bakiin water project in the Bay region will be implemented within 60 days. The 10,000-liter facility will serve the Bakiin Police Station and the surrounding community, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the neighbouring Hannan and Towfiq IDP camps.

“It is important that the water project also serves the community, as this will help create a strong bond between the police and the civilian population,” CP Kanu said.

During the tour, CP Kanu met Jubaland Police Commissioner, Col. Sadiq Mohamed Dhogor, and Bay Regional Police Commander, Col. Amin Mohamed Osman, to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between ATMIS and the Somali Security Forces.

Col. Dhogor expressed his gratitude to the ATMIS Police Commissioner for supporting strengthened institutional capacity of the Somali Police Force (SPF) in training and mentorship programmes.

“With the increasing needs, particularly in newly liberated areas such as Buula Haji, where approximately 5,000 families reside, the demand for police services is significant,” said Col. Dhogor.

“Today, we received support for several projects, including the construction of solar-powered facilities and essential equipment. Additionally, we have received assurances for further support to enhance other police stations within the state.”

Col. Osman commended ATMIS for increasing access to water in the region.

“We are grateful to ATMIS for this project and for always coming to the aid of the Somali people. The water will benefit all of us, including our livestock. We also commit to taking care of it once the project is complete,” he said.

CP Kanu also toured Baidoa Central Police Station and ATMIS base, where she was received by Deputy Sector Three Commander, Col. Seboka Bekele.

The ATMIS Commissioner further held a meeting with the newly deployed Ghana Formed Police Unit (FPU) contingent and commended them for their immense contribution to developing the capacity of the SPF and stabilizing the Bay region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) convened in Abuja for their 42nd Ordinary Meeting, reaffirming their unwavering commitment to tackling the numerous security challenges that continue to threaten political stability and the socio-economic well-being of citizens in the region. The meeting emphasized the importance of cooperation through experience sharing, intelligence exchange, and collective efforts in combating terrorism and other forms of transnational organized crime. The Defence Chiefs expressed their firm resolve to pool resources and strengthen their collective determination to protect stability and democratic governance in West Africa, recognizing that no single nation can address these challenges alone.

The meeting was held at the National Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, from 7th to 9th August 2024. It was chaired by General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria and Chairman of the CCDS, with support from H.E. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. During the meeting, the Chiefs of Defence Staff discussed, assessed, and reached agreements on their state of readiness, focusing on capabilities, personnel, and logistics of their armed and security forces. This was in preparation for the swift activation of the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force (CTForce) within the ongoing operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF). The agenda also included other strategically important topics, such as ongoing and new security missions and logistical requirements.

In response to the directive of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its 64th Ordinary Summit held in Abuja on 10 December 2023 on the deployment of an ECOWAS Security Mission to Sierra Leone to help stabilize the country, the Defence Chiefs approved a Mission with a strength of 1200 all ranks and made pledges towards raising the force, including the establishment of a Force Headquarters, Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre, and a composite battalion. The Defence Chiefs were also briefed on the state of readiness of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot at Lungi, which is over 90 percent ready, and efforts to transfer logistical equipment to the facility.

In relation to the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) to fight terrorism in the Region, the Defence Chiefs reiterated their commitments to raising an overall 5,000-man ESF with a start-up of a 1,650-man Counter-Terrorism Brigade as an immediate priority. The ECOWAS Ministers of Finance are due to meet later in the month to finetune the modalities for funding and equipping the kinetic force, which would trigger the commencement of pledges and immediate action to activate the Force.

On the margins of the meeting, the Chiefs of Defence Staff paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The President commended the Defence Chiefs for the successful outcome of their meeting and their commitment to the security and democratic choice of the Community. He expressed the Authority’s commitment to provide the required resources to facilitate the successful execution of their mandate to secure the Region, while declaring the commitment of the Authority to ensuring the unity of the Community. Earlier, the Chiefs of Defence Staff also undertook a visit to the Nigerian National Counterterrorism Centre in Abuja where networking, synergies and partnerships were forged.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).