Latest news with #AfricanUnionCommission
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Empowering African Women from the Start: Integrating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Prevention into the First Bonds of Life
Each year, Pan-African Women's Day (PAWD) reminds us of the enduring legacy, resilience, and leadership of African women. However, as we celebrate, we must also confront a lingering truth: far too many pregnant and breastfeeding women in Africa are still left behind in HIV prevention efforts. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not merely recipients of care, they are architects of community wellbeing, leaders within households and societies, and central to the intergenerational health equity we must pursue. The theme for PAWD 2025, 'Advancing Social and Economic Justice for African Women through Reparations', reminds us of the critical need to address systemic social and economic inequalities hindering women's empowerment and advancement. PAWD 2025 coincides with the World Breastfeeding Week 2025, themed ' Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.' Therefore, we are also called to translate that legacy into concrete action for the next generation, starting from pregnancy and the earliest days of life. This year, we call for an intentional shift to integrate HIV prevention, including PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) into the broader maternal and child health ecosystem. Doing so is not only scientifically sound; it is a moral and human rights imperative, and a step toward redressing historic injustices through maternal health equity. A Gendered Lens on HIV Prevention The African Union Commission (AUC) has long championed the rights of African women and girls. AU frameworks, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, and the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, TB, and Malaria by 2030, guarantees equitable and affordable access to HIV prevention and treatment services. Nonetheless, gender inequality continues to drive HIV vulnerability, especially among adolescent girls, young women, and mothers. On a continent where women bear the brunt of both unpaid care work and HIV infections, we must place pregnant and breastfeeding women at the heart of HIV prevention strategies. Pan-African Women's Day is more than a celebration; it is a policy moment. We should use this occasion to strengthen the link between reproductive health, HIV prevention, and gender equity. In our communities, we have witnessed firsthand ways midwives and frontline workers can transform maternal care when equipped with the tools, training, and trust to do so. We need to reimagine HIV prevention not as a siloed programme, but as a foundational component of respectful, comprehensive, gender-responsive maternal health. Breastfeeding as a Health Justice Issue The 2025 World Breastfeeding Week theme urges us to prioritise breastfeeding through sustainable systems- systems that must also prioritise the health and HIV status of the mother and child. Offering long-acting PrEP like CAB-LA, ensuring routine HIV testing during antenatal care, and integrating EID into immunisation schedules are essential to building that system. This is how we ensure that breastfeeding is not only a biological bond, but also a protective, empowering act, free of fear, stigma, or silence. Sustainable breastfeeding support must include comprehensive maternal diagnostics and wraparound care. Let us also ensure that every woman is met with dignity, discretion, and informed choice — whether through access to long-acting PrEP, timely testing, or compassionate postpartum support. A United African Response We must elevate community engagement, involve Traditional and Religious leaders, and support healthcare workers who are often themselves women and the first and sometimes only line of care for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pan-African leadership on all levels, from governments to grassroots, must ensure that every mother has access to life-saving HIV prevention tools. Transforming outcomes for mothers and babies requires systems change, built on multisectoral partnerships. From ministries to midwives, from labs to legislatures, we must align our investments with our aspirations, for a future where no woman is left behind. The AUC Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate and Africa REACH Leadership Council stand together to say: African women should live, lead, and breastfeed without the shadow of HIV. As we celebrate Pan-African Women's Day and Breastfeeding Week, let us continue to advocate for and implement policies that lead to health emancipation. May we renew our collective resolve to ensure that African women can live, lead, and nourish the next generation, in health, in dignity, and in freedom from HIV. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
See - Sada Elbalad
8 hours ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
APD 2026 Launched at Historic Malabo Leadership Breakfast Meeting
Yara Sameh The Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 was officially launched at the Malabo Leadership Breakfast Meeting, bringing together over 500 of Africa's most influential political and business leaders on the sidelines of the African Union's 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting. The historic gathering, held under the theme 'Financing and Facilitating the Movement of People, Goods and Services Across Africa', marked a pivotal moment in the continent's journey towards economic integration and shared prosperity. High-Level Attendance The launch event was graced by an exceptional assembly of continental leadership, including His Excellency President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, President of Gabon, His Excellency Mohamed Yunus al-Menfi, Head of State of the State of Libya, and His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, as well as H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The gathering also featured Madam Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Advisory Council Chairperson of the Africa Prosperity Network, alongside ministers of state, heads of regional economic blocs, development finance institutions, and Africa's leading business executives. The meeting, organised by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) and Invest Equatorial Guinea, in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, demonstrated the powerful synergy between public and private sector initiatives in driving continental integration. Key Addresses and Vision Opening the breakfast meeting, President Obiang welcomed delegates to Malabo, emphasising the historic significance of the moment. "We are deeply pleased to welcome you to this city where African history is projected with hope towards the future. This morning of leadership is an opportunity to listen, coordinate and advance with a common vision towards the integration of the land of the African continent," he declared. The President articulated three profound convictions driving Equatorial Guinea's commitment to continental integration: "First, we believe in an Africa where integration is not limited to treaties but is reflected in the everyday life of our peoples, where Africans can move without obstacles, enriching the economic, social and cultural fabric of the continent." He strongly endorsed the proposed innovative $1-a-day fund initiative, stating: "We support initiatives such as the $1 a day fund for its innovation and symbolism that shows that Africa can finance its development without mobilising its inhabitants with common objectives and transparent mechanisms." Highlighting Equatorial Guinea's progressive immigration policy, President Obiang noted: "Our country receives all immigrants as long as they have an identity. We receive immigrants from West Africa without any problem... Therefore, we believe that free movement is necessary to end the shame that African immigrants suffer when they leave for other continents." H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson, African Union Commission, expressed his gratitude to the Africa Prosperity Network and Invest Equatorial Guinea for putting together such an important meeting ahead of the 7th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting and highlighted the challenging global environment, noting that protectionist measures have created "the greatest rupture of the international trade order since the end of the Second World War." He outlined the consequences for Africa: "The internet has lowered its economic growth forecast from 4.2% to 3.8% for the year 2025. These measures are likely to cause the volatility of the prices of raw materials, increase the costs of employment and limit access to financing on the international financial market." Referencing the continental vision, he stated: "We had the ambition, Madam Zuma, by deciding that for 2063, Africa must be a developed continent. And for this, we had to create the conditions for an economic growth of 7% every year over 50 years. Unfortunately, we have achieved only 4%. During the period of 2013-2023, we were behind. To compensate for this delay, we will now need a growth rate of 8% per year over the period of 2024-2063." The Chairperson outlined six critical corridors for regional integration, including the East Africa corridor, the West Africa corridor, the Central Africa corridor, the North-South Africa corridor, the Trans-Saharan Africa corridor and the Maritime corridor, a newly proposed plan to connect island states to the continent. H.E. Ali Youssouf also outlined 5 Sectoral Infrastructure Priorities: Transport Infrastructure: "The means of commuting, such as roads, railways and sea routes. These are the relevant pillars of African trade. I emphasise the urgent realisation of the African network of high-speed trains." Energy Infrastructure: "Access to reliable, competitive, sustainable and vital energy to support our industries and trade exchanges," with a comprehensive energy classification including electricity, nuclear, gas, solar, coal, fuel, wind, and geothermal sources. Digital Infrastructure: "Our continent must not remain on the verge of the digital revolution at this age of artificial intelligence." Aviation Infrastructure: Emphasising "the importance of making the unique market of maritime air transport effective" through the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). Financial Infrastructure: Highlighting the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the need for enhanced capitalisation of development banks. Madam Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma delivered a passionate address on the transformative potential of Africa's demographic dividend, particularly focusing on the continent's youth and women. She highlighted critical statistics: "Africa's future and prosperity can only be built or achieved by the Africans themselves. We are almost 1.4 billion strong, plus the diaspora, which is about 130 million plus. And together, we can build the Africa we want." Using the example of a Ghanaian shea butter producer, she illustrated the market expansion potential: "Let's take a woman in Ghana producing shea butter. If she starts thinking African, and the African continent has been changed, her market changes from 35 million plus to 1.4 billion people." The official launch statement for APD 2026 was delivered on behalf of the Executive Chairman & Founder, Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, by Board Member & Executive Director, Mr Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, with remarkable clarity on the event's transformative objectives. "What has been clear from this morning's rich discussions on trade agreements, protocols, ease of travel and movements of goods and services is that it has affirmed a simple truth: Africa's single market will only succeed if it becomes a market that allows the hundreds of millions of Africans involved in small and medium scale enterprises, our women, and our young people to effectively own and drive it." The statement outlined ambitious targets: "If we achieve this, the ripple effects will be transformative. It can easily lead to 50 million jobs created by 2030, 30 million Africans lifted from poverty, and a single market that is truly inclusive, one that leaves no one behind." Innovative Financing Mechanisms Eric Otoo presented the proposed innovative funding mechanism central to the APD vision, highlighting three key pillars driving optimism: the growing African middle class of 400-500 million people, the diaspora's $100 billion annual remittances, and transformative technology enabling financial inclusion. "Imagine if at least every middle class... if even just 10 per cent contribute at least a dollar a day for a year, we'll be able to mobilise at least $15 billion as Africans. This will be funding coming from Africans that will be utilised by Africans for the development and the growth of infrastructure and media industries across the continent," he explained. The APD 2026 Vision The launching the fourth Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) 2026 under the theme 'Empowering SMEs, Women & Youth in Africa's Single Market: Innovate. Collaborate. Trade.', saw high-level participants at the Malabo Leadership Breakfast meeting share in the bold reimagining of continental economic integration, placing small and medium enterprises (SMEs), women, and youth at the centre of Africa's single market vision. The initiative recognises that Africa's youngest population—60% under 35- is not merely beneficiaries of economic policy but active architects of the continent's future. Key statistics underscore the urgency of this focus: women drive over 70% of cross-border trade and contribute to nearly half of Africa's GDP, yet receive less than 2% of available venture capital. SMEs account for 80% of employment and 50% of GDP across African countries, yet most remain locked out of regional value chains. Policy Advocacy and Implementation The meeting track reinforced APN's record of driving tangible policy outcomes, including contributions to the AU's Digital Trade Protocol and the ongoing Nigeria-Ghana pilot programme for cross-border mobile money interoperability. The network's advocacy efforts continue to focus on accelerating SAATM adoption, reducing aviation taxes, eliminating visa restrictions, and mobilising investment in infrastructure. Looking Forward The APD 2026 launch marks a crucial milestone in Africa's journey towards genuine economic integration. By prioritising the empowerment of SMEs, women, and youth, the initiative promises to create a more inclusive and sustainable path to continental prosperity. The next Africa Prosperity Dialogues will convene in February 2026, building on the momentum generated at this historic Malabo breakfast meeting. The focus will remain steadfast on creating practical pathways for the continent's most dynamic demographic groups to drive and benefit from Africa's single market. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
Straits Times
6 days 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.
