KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Defense and foreign affairs ministers from troop-contributing countries to the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in Somalia have called for urgent action, warning that Somalia’s security is faltering as the al-Shabaab militant group gains ground. The ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, together with …
Read More »AU chair backs Togo president for DRC-Rwanda mediation role
LUANDA, Angola | Xinhua | Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who currently serves as the acting chair of the African Union (AU), has proposed Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe as the AU mediator in the peace process between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, according to a statement released …
Read More »Inside the economics of vaccine manufacturing
Why not all African countries should venture into vaccine business ANALYSIS | The African Union has embarked on one of its most audacious health security missions: Ensuring that the continent manufactures 60% of its own vaccines by 2040. Africa currently manufactures a lowly 1% of the vaccines. However, since April 2021, …
Read More »Uganda Airlines suspends flights to Kinshasa after violent protests
KINSHASA, DRC | Xinhua | Uganda Airlines announced on Tuesday the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where several embassies were damaged, looted, and even set on fire amid mass demonstrations. The decision was made after violent protests targeting foreign …
Read More »AU expresses concern over post-election violence in Mozambique
ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 26 | Xinhua | African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Thursday expressed concern over the post-election violence in Mozambique. In a statement, the AU chief called for a peaceful resolution of the escalating post-election violence in Mozambique, particularly following the recent pronouncement of the …
Read More »Candidates for AUC chairperson present visions amid call for enhancing AU’s role in Africa’s development
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA | Xinhua | As the African Union Commission (AUC) embarks on the election process of its senior leadership, the three candidates vying for the AUC chairperson position have announced their priorities for advancing the union’s aspirations for an integrated, united and prosperous Africa. In line with the …
Read More »UPDF deploys new aviation component in Somalia
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has deployed a new Aviation component in Somalia after the end of the one-year deployment period for the third group. These will join the more than 3,000 remaining soldiers serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia …
Read More »Ten African countries prioritising education
With Africa needing over US$77 billion annually to close existing education funding gaps, several countries are dedicating significant portions of their national budgets to the education sector. Here are the top 10 highest education sector spenders in Africa. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | In April 2024, the African Union …
Read More »East African leaders endorse Raila Odinga’s AU Commission chairmanship bid
NAIROBI, KENYA | Xinhua | Six leaders from the East African Community (EAC) on Tuesday vowed to support former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC). The leaders from Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda said Odinga is the right …
Read More »Uganda to host African Humanitarian Agency
Accra, Ghana | THE INDEPENDENT | In a landmark achievement, Uganda has been selected to host the African Humanitarian Agency, a specialized technical agency of the African Union. This decision was made during the 45th Session of the African Union Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Accra, Ghana. According …
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