Latest news with #AfricanUnionCommission

Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Rwandan President Kagame appoints new prime minister
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Rwanda's President Paul Kagame arrives at the African Union Commission (AUC) headquarters during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 15, 2025. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo KIGALI - Rwandan President Paul Kagame has replaced the country's prime minister, naming the deputy governor of the central bank to the role without explaining the decision. The appointment of Justin Nsengiyumva, a former British government worker who holds a PhD in economics from the University of Leicester, was announced by the office of the government spokesperson in a post on X late on Wednesday. The post did not say why the incumbent, Edouard Ngirente, was dropped. Ngirente, who had been prime minister since 2017, thanked Kagame on X, but did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure. "This journey has been deeply enriching," he said. In Rwanda, the prime minister is the head of government and is responsible for the running of the government's day-to-day operations. Rwanda last held elections in 2024 when Kagame was re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, extending his near quarter-century in office. REUTERS


Maroc
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
AU Hails Morocco's Contribution to Training Ectoral Observers in Africa
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, praised the Kingdom of Morocco's sustained efforts in strengthening African capacities in electoral observation and democratic governance. In his semi-annual report on elections in Africa, Ali Youssouf highlighted the growing impact of the electoral observers' training cycle organized in Rabat through a partnership between Morocco and the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission. The report was adopted during the 1,288th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), which welcomed the support provided by African countries in building the capacities of AU electoral observers in the areas of elections and democracy. Notably, it acknowledged the organization of the 4th annual edition of the specialized training for short-term AU electoral observers, held from April 22 to 25, 2025, in Rabat. This 4th training cycle enabled the training of 120 new observers from 52 African countries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since the launch of the program in June 2022 to over 300, including 175 women. This training cycle, the result of an effective partnership between Morocco and the AU Commission, is part of an ambitious dynamic to consolidate democratic governance in Africa. The report also highlights the importance of the seminar-dialogue on elections and democracy in Africa, held on the sidelines of the training at the Policy Center for the New South, affiliated with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat. Moreover, the report underscores the adoption of the Rabat Call to Action, issued following the seminar-dialogue and structured around five key pillars. These include establishing gender quotas within electoral bodies, allocating specific budgets to ensure the safety of women during observation missions, creating intervention units to combat gender-based violence, increasing the involvement of young human rights defenders, and systematically disaggregating electoral data by gender. MAP: 16 July 2025


The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
African ministers hold environment meeting with call for green transition
NAIROBI, July 14 (Xinhua) -- The 20th session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) opened Monday in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, with a call for securing a green, resilient and inclusive future for the continent. The five-day conference, held under the theme "Four Decades of Environmental Action in Africa: Reflecting on the Past and Imagining the Future," brought together more than 1,000 delegates, including ministers and representatives of multilateral agencies, civil society, academia and industry. Mensur Dessie Nuri, president of AMCEN, said the biannual meeting offers a platform for discussing Africa's ecological challenges such as climate change, habitat loss, pollution and biopiracy, while proposing durable solutions. According to Nuri, delegates attending the conference will also come up with the continent's common position on upcoming global environmental summits focusing on climate change, biodiversity protection, chemicals and waste management, plastic pollution and ocean governance. Fatima Zahra Jihane El Gaouzi, head of the Sustainable Environment Division at the African Union Commission, said that consensus is key to elevating the continent's green agenda, bringing benefits to communities and vital ecosystems. El Gaouzi stressed that regional collaboration is required to tackle ecological challenges of transboundary nature that have worsened poverty, conflicts and inequality across the continent. Rose Mwebaza, director and regional representative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Africa office, said the 20th session of AMCEN presents an opportunity for the continent to reimagine a green future in the wake of intensifying climate emergencies, food insecurity, conflicts and forced migration. In the face of geopolitical shifts and disruption to the global financial architecture, Mwebaza urged African countries to explore alternative ways of securing funds for climate action and nature restoration. Established in 1985, AMCEN has been fostering cooperation among African governments and their multilateral partners to design and implement policies that promote environmental sustainability. The UNEP Africa office serves as the secretariat for AMCEN, manages its trust fund and helps the organization implement its mandate.


Sharjah 24
13-07-2025
- Health
- Sharjah 24
Shakhboot bin Nahyan participates in African Union Meeting
During the meeting, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan delivered a speech in which he reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with African nations. He highlighted key initiatives in several vital sectors, including health, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, development, and food security. In addition, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan emphasised the UAE's continued dedication to expanding cooperation with African Union member states in areas of mutual interest, such as climate action, food security, digital innovation, and youth empowerment. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic health partnership in Africa between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the African Union, in the presence of heads of state attending the AUMYCM. During the signing ceremony, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan stated, 'This MoU reflects our shared aspirations to achieve a tangible and sustainable impact in African communities - aspirations that serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation in the healthcare sector.' The MoU reaffirms the commitment of the UAE and of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to promoting public health, supporting healthcare systems, and improving access to essential medical services. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan's participation in the AUMYCM underscores the UAE's commitment to multilateral cooperation and to fostering enduring partnerships grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision.


Al Etihad
13-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
On behalf of UAE President, Shakhboot bin Nahyan participates in African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Equatorial Guinea
13 July 2025 21:13 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, participated in the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (AUMYCM) held in Malabo, Equatorial the meeting, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan delivered a speech in which he reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with African highlighted key initiatives in several vital sectors, including health, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, development, and food addition, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan emphasised the UAE's continued dedication to expanding cooperation with African Union member states in areas of mutual interest, such as climate action, food security, digital innovation, and youth Shakhboot bin Nahyan and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a strategic health partnership in Africa between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the African Union, in the presence of heads of state attending the the signing ceremony, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan stated, 'This MoU reflects our shared aspirations to achieve a tangible and sustainable impact in African communities - aspirations that serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation in the healthcare sector.'The MoU reaffirms the commitment of the UAE and of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to promoting public health, supporting healthcare systems, and improving access to essential medical services. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan's participation in the AUMYCM underscores the UAE's commitment to multilateral cooperation and to fostering enduring partnerships grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision.