The Chairman of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Task Force that is set up to monitor the Free Movement of People and Goods across the region, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Ibn CHAMBAS, has been following efforts made by two former Presidents of Benin, H.E. Nicephore SOGLO and H.E. Thomas Boni YAYI, to normalize free movement of persons and of goods between Benin and Niger that has been interrupted since July 2023.

It should be recalled that, during the recent mediation visit of the two former Presidents to Niamey, His Excellency General Abdourahmane, Head of State of Niger granted them a solemn audience. On the occasion, the two parties exchanged in depth, on the way out of the crisis between Benin and Niger, two nations which are united by historic, geographic and social ties. Following this high-level mediation, the Republic of Niger returned the visit to Benin with a high-level delegation, led by the Minister of the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba.

It is in this same vein of African fraternity that the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency President Patrice Talon, granted the Nigerien delegation, accompanied by the two former Presidents of Benin, a solemn audience. The parties had very positive discussions on ways to resolve the crisis between the two brotherly countries.

In view of the mandate given by the Summit of Heads of State and Government to the ETLS Task Force, in promoting the facilitation of the free movement of persons and goods, I would like to commend the constructive initiative of the two former Presidents of Benin, and the spirit of openness shown by the Presidents of the Republic of Benin and Niger.

We take note of the fruitful consultations held in Niamey and acknowledge the reciprocal visit to Cotonou by General Toumba, Minister of Interior of Niger, with particular appreciation of the warm reception granted to the Nigerien delegation by H. E. President Patrice Talon.

The ETLS Task Force applauds the spirit of good neighborliness exhibited by both sides and encourages them to resolve any differences through dialogue and within the framework of African brotherhood. We urge them to move swiftly to reopen their common frontier to ease the suffering of people, border communities, cross-border transporters, traders, and travelers, in the spirit of Pan-African solidarity and integration.

As a reminder, the Task Force on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme was established by Implementing Regulation PC/REG 01/11/15 of 25 November 2015. It is an ad hoc consultative body placed under the authority of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, with the mission of ensuring the effectiveness of the free movement of people and goods within the Community, through arbitration and the amicable settlement of disputes between Member States as well as advocacy and mediation with the high political authorities of Member States.

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

ONOMO Hotels (www.OnomoHotels.com) is thrilled to announce the incredible success of this year’s edition of the popular Casablanca Summer Fest, presented for the first time in in partnership with Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service.

Taking place at Onomo Casablanca City Centre on 14 July, the Onomo X Spotify Summer Fest treated over 400 music lovers, fashionistas, and food lovers to a showcase by internationally renowned artists and emerging talents from Morocco and the continent.

The Onomo X Spotify Summer Fest is a celebration of African culture, talent, and innovation, and the collaboration demonstrates a mutual vision and commitment by both brands to providing a platform to promote music from Africa and the diaspora, introducing local and global audiences to the continent’s broad depth of musical talent.

Through the creation of the first Afro festival in Morocco, Onomo Hotels is rapidly positioning itself as a frontrunner in Africa’s lifestyle segment, and a strong proponent of the continent’s fast-growing musical and cultural landscape.

“We are so proud of the success of this year’s summer festival in Casablanca and the first-of-its-kind partnership with Spotify, a platform committed to connecting artists with fans in meaningful and innovative ways., For Onomo Hotels, the festival is a direct translation of our brand pillars and our Africa Finest Label,  demonstrating our  dedication to promoting  talent and culture in our hotels,” said Julien Renaud, Chief Executive Officer of Onomo Hotels.

“The Onomo Hotels brand extends further than hotel accommodation. Through events like the festival, our aim is to create a lifestyle experience that will enable our guests and our Onomo Fans community to immerse themselves in the true essence of Africa’s rich culture and diversity. This aligns perfectly with our core values and our brand’s vision of reimagining not only how the world sees Africa but how Africa presents itself to the world,” added Renaud.

The collaboration with Spotify provided further impetus to an already successful event, with both brands looking forward to developing the partnership even further into the future. The festival was brought to online audiences with the launch of an official playlist on Spotify, where fans could deep-dive into the line-up’s music.

“At Spotify, we continually strive to create touchpoints that bring artists and their fans closer through innovative product features and unique off-platform experiences. African culture is deeply embedded in Morocco, and we were thrilled to collaborate with Onomo on an event that brought the industry together and celebrated the vibrant mosaic of African music. Seeing the incredible reactions from fans both online and offline was truly rewarding,” said Naoufal El Amrani, Senior Artist and Label Partnerships for Maghreb.

Adding to the reach generated by festival-goers, artists with a combined Spotify play count of almost 30 million included:

Moroccan rapper, Stormy;
Moroccan singer and DJ, Kawtar Sadik; 
Key figure on the Afro DJ scene, French-Cameroonian DJ and producer, Dre Tala;
Rising star on the Moroccan music scene, Ramoon;
Moroccan R&B and soul artist, Flomine;
Senegal based afro-electro DJ Wutangu; and
French artist, Vacra.

This partnership highlights both brands’ commitment to celebrating culture and creating moments where artists and local communities can connect.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Onomo Hotel.

More Images: https://apo-opa.co/46u5DgK

Press Contact:
NASSILA Sandia
sandia.nassila@onomohotel.com

About Onomo Hotels: 
Onomo Hotels is the largest pan-African hotel group in the lifestyle segment, committed to providing authentic and unforgettable experiences across Africa. Our mission is to redefine hospitality in Africa by combining the highest international standards with a unique African flair.  At Onomo we dance to the heartbeat of Africa and passionately celebrate its diverse cultures. Our 23 hotels in 13 countries on the continent reflect this spirit, showcasing Africa’s rich cultural heritage and its vibrant art and design. With a lifestyle-centric approach, we create unique and inspiring spaces that are as diverse and eclectic as the continent itself. Committed to sustainable development and community engagement, Onomo Hotels actively supports local communities, artisans, and green initiatives, immersing guests in local culture and traditions.

Experience the essence of African hospitality with Onomo Hotels, where every stay promises an enriching journey into the heart of Africa.

For more information visit (https://www.OnomoHotels.com/en/) or follow Onomo Hotels on Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/4cfOiJz), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3ydRAzp), LinkedIn (http://apo-opa.co/46rB6QR).

About Spotify:
Spotify’s platform revolutionized music listening forever when we launched in 2008. Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage, and enjoy more than 100 million tracks and 6 million podcast titles on Spotify. Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, with more than 626 million users, including 246 million subscribers in more than 180 markets.

The opening

The 1st ever Pan African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education was held in Addis Ababa from July 02 – 05, 2024. Organised by the Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) Department of the African Union Commission (AUC) through its technical and specialised office; the African Union International Center for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (African Union CIEFFA). The gathering welcomed more than 600 in-person participants and close to 300 online participants. The four-day Conference was held under the theme “Prioritizing Girls and Women’s Education: A Strategy for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa”. The thematic focus aligns with the overall AU theme of the year on Education, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.”

Attending the gathering were over 30 government delegations including ministers and other government officials. During the opening ceremony, the event brought together stakeholders from across the board – United Nations agencies, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, youth, adolescents, and civil society organisations working at the intersections of education, gender, and social welfare.

The opening ceremony was graced by high-level officials representing civil society, development partners, Member States and the African Union. In her opening, Antara Ganguli, Director of the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) pointed out the need to go beyond the narrative of making sure girls have access to and attend school and think of solutions to attacking the root causes. “… just getting girls into school is not enough. These figures mask a much more concerning issue: the way we look at girls and what we imagine for their futures. A study done by UNGEI in Sierra Leone showed that despite the country’s success in raising awareness on girls’ education, people’s underlying beliefs about the role of girls and women in society had not changed”, she asserted.

The Central African Republic as Chair of the Steering Committee on Education, Science, and Technology was represented by the State Minister of Education, H.E. Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas. He acknowledged that, beyond being a human right, girls’ education must be seen as a necessity. “Today, it is important to recognize that the education of girls and women is not only a fundamental right but also an imperative necessity for the economic and social progress of our various nations”, he said.

The Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa stressed the need to use education of girls as a strategic tool. “Education, as a resource, is a game changer in our daily lives, particularly for girls and women’s empowerment. It helps eliminate gender inequalities and inequities, closing the gaps experienced in social, economic, and political spheres. It can help girls and women make informed choices, negotiate their way in all spheres competitively, and have a voice that is respected and understood” she stated.

The 8th High-level Dialogue on Gender Equality in Education

Day 1 of the conference had a keen focus on gender-responsive Education policies within African Union Member States. Under the auspices of the 8th edition of the African Union CIEFFA’s annual High-level Dialogue on gender equality in education, AU Member States represented by ministers and other stakeholders painted a picture of the state of education policies in their respective countries and what they are doing to ensure gender equality in education. The Dialogue was held under the theme, “Fostering gender responsive Education policies through the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign and the Transforming Education Summit commitments”. The draft Report on the Status of Girls’ Education in Africa, co-piloted by the African Union CIEFFA, UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), and UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) was presented.

During 4 parallel sessions, delegates attending in person and online had to opportunity to go in-depth on different thematic issues geared at promoting girls’ education policies. Side events included: “Advancing gender equality in Education: Lessons Learned from the Gender at the Centre Initiative and ways forward”; “Partnerships and Multisectoral Approaches as a Catalyst for Girls Education and Women Empowerment – Home Grown School Feeding”; “Gender Responsive Financing for Education: A Strategic Agenda for the AU theme of the Year of Education”; and “Every adolescent girl in Africa completing secondary school, safe, strong, empowered: time for Education Plus”.

Breaking barriers to girls’ education

Despite progress made in the education of girls and women over the years, multilayered challenges tend to undermine and short-circuit the efforts of the various stakeholders working to advance girls’ education on the continent. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, gender-based and school-related gender-based violence, and early and forced marriages are a few roadblocks to the advancement of girls and women’s education (GWE). It is in recognition of this fact that day 2 of the Conference sought to capture and seek concrete and feasible solutions to these often resistant setbacks. 

Representing the Commissioner for the Health, Humanitarian Affairs&Social Development (HHSD) Department at the AUC, Angela Martins, Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sport, HHSD, stated that, “it is important to take note of the intersection between gender-based violence including harmful practices, child marriages and FGM […] exploring how to tackle this perversive issues can hinder the access to and completion in the education of girls. […]. While GBV significantly hampers educational opportunities for girls, education itself is a powerful tool to combat GBV and drive a significant decrease in the cases of child marriages.”

Julie Mwabe, Global Advocacy and Public Policy Lead at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) acknowledged the toll conflict and security crises have taken on girls’ education, “We cannot let our foot off the gas on the support and financing for education given the poly-crises we see in the world today. The experiences many young people and particularly girls continue to face because of the multiple crises we see in the world today and in the African region have susceptibly posed a significant threat and continue to pose long-term implications that hinder girls from reaching their potential and by extension threatening an entire demographic’s future prosperity”

Parallel events included: “Empowering Communities: The Role of Religious and Traditional Leaders in Tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) to Enhance Girls’ Education and SRGBV Risks and Norms and Developing Community-based Solutions”; “Towards a Safe Learning Environment for Girls”; “Transforming Futures: Supporting adolescent and young mother’s health, educational and skills journey”; and “Innovative research methods and approaches for civil society collective action to contribute to improving girls’, in all their diversity, access to education and addressing harmful practices”.

Engaging youth participation to promote GWE

Day 3 of the conference was dedicated to collect, curate, assess and further stir young people to lead initiatives promoting GWE in Africa. During the different panels, young people from across the continent were opportune to showcase firsthand their initiatives in driving GWE.

During his opening remarks, the Director of ESTI, Prof. Saïdou Madougou emphasized the role of the youth in shaping the future of the educational landscape in Africa. “There is a need to fully exploit the demographic dividend and to include the voices of young people in the process of developing solutions and in leadership platforms”, he affirmed.

The closing

The conference ended on July 05 with a strong call for action and recommendations, emanating from all sessions that were held during the event. The call for action was endorsed by all stakeholders attending; 35 AU Member States, 6 AU organs and AUC departments, 7 UN agencies, 5 development partners, and 17 Civil Society Organisations.

While declaring the event officially closed, ESTI’s Commissioner, H.E. Prof Mohammed Belhocine attested to the Conference being “the single biggest Conference organised by AUC in collaboration with our partners, so far” in the implementation of the road Map of the AU Year dedicated to education.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

The President of Gabon, H.E Brice Oligui Nguema has today arrived in Uganda for a three- day private visit. The visiting Gabonese President is accompanied by the First Lady of Gabon, Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema and a high-level delegation comprising the Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers.

President Nguema, whose plane touched Entebbe International Airport runway this afternoon at 1pm, was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo.

Others who received the visiting Gabonese President included the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth-Oboth, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, among other senior government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.