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Just over a year ago, not many people outside South Africa’s rugby circles would have heard of Babalwa Latsha. That changed considerably in January 2020, when the law graduate from Khayelitsha made history as South Africa – and Africa’s – first professional Women’s rugby player. Since then, she has been racking up the accolades – and inspiring a new generation of potential players as a Rugby Africa #Unstoppable Ambassador. “My journey in rugby has been quite an explosive and inspirational one,” admits Latsha, who was introduced to the sport at university and “never looked back”. “The sport offered some kind of a refuge to me, and I hope that women’s rugby becomes a refuge for many young women, opening up lifechanging opportunities, coupled with sound education. I’d like to see women’s rugby, especially in Africa, grow in leaps and bounds, and become a massive global force.” This unwavering passion for rugby, and Latsha’s keenness to share it, led to her selection as one of only 12 women on the continent to be recognised by Rugby Africa as an unstoppable force in promoting and developing the game amongst her peers. “She is a true ambassador, dedicated to the sport and determined to set an example on the world stage. Not only has she boosted the profile of Women’s Rugby in her home country and on the continent, she is also unwavering in her determination to pass on the baton, and attract more professional clubs to Women’s Rugby in South Africa, and on the continent,” enthuses Coralie van Den Berg, General Manager, Rugby Africa. A pioneer for progress/beyond the norm Latsha’s athletic physique makes her an ideal fit for the physically demanding sport &#8211; but also contributed to the criticisms levelled at her. “This is particularly common for women in male-dominated sports; I have been, and still am, criticized for my muscular physique, the way I carry myself as a female athlete and my strong physical presence,” she reveals. “My existence questions many norms and standards perceived to be for women. To me, those criticisms serve as motivation to change the ‘norm’ and create new standards by constantly working towards breaking new grounds.” Latsha started breaking this new ground purely by chance. A born athlete who had played football and participated in athletic field events, she was studying towards her LLB degree at the University of the Western Cape in 2014 when she was asked to join the UWC Sevens rugby team for an upcoming tournament. Her trajectory in the sport since then has been, aptly, described as meteoric: by the time she graduated in 2018, she had captained her country to qualify for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. “Her incredible leadership skills, coupled with her prowess on the field, came to the fore during her Test debut with the Springboks Women on their UK Tour in 2018,” recalls Maha Zaoui, Women’s Manager, Rugby Africa. “This made her a natural fit as skipper for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in 2019, and Latsha proved it by leading the Springbok women&#39;s team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2021.” Unstoppable as both player and advocate for the sport, Latsha’s career has been on an upward trajectory since she entered the world stage. Her performance in the Springbok Women’s Test against Spain led to her being snapped up by Spanish club SD Eibar Femenino ­– and raising the bar for Women’s 15-a-side rugby players on the continent, where it is still an amateur sport. “I had always had the dream of playing rugby abroad, and worked towards that – but I had no idea that it would happen so soon. To me, it was clear proof that nothing is impossible. Now, the door for African women rugby players is open,” pronounces Latsha proudly. Recognition, too, has been coming hard and fast: Latsha headlined the 2020 Momentum gsport awards as a triple finalist, featuring in the categories for the Momentum Athlete of the year, Woman of the Year and the newly launched Global Woman in Sport category. In early February 2021, she was co-opted as a member of the Rugby Africa’s sub-committee for Player Welfare and Participation, which falls under the organization’s broader Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee (WRAC). This new commission focuses on governance and leadership, competitions, player welfare, development and retention to meet strategic goals for women’s rugby across Africa. “Since making history I have dedicated my efforts to being a good ambassador for women’s rugby and being actively involved in the development of women’s rugby. I aim to constantly be an inspiration and make positive impacts in the spaces I occupy,” she affirms. The Spring prop says she is now focused on making her mark “on the grandest stage of all.” “The prospect of competing in a World Cup is thrilling; it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There has been major changes to my routine as I am currently in camp with the Springbok Women’s team as until March, as we prepare for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand from 18 September to 16 October – and the preparations for it are unlike any other competition.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa.Media Contact: N: Fathima Ebrahim E: Rugby@apo-opa.com News &#038; results: Follow @RugbyAfrique on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Website: www.RugbyAfrique.com Women’s Ruby in Africa: On the African continent, women’s rugby has seen tremendous growth. In the last decade it increased from 50 000 female players in 2012, to over 260 000 in 2018. For this tremendous growth to continue, strong leadership in women’s rugby needs to continue, the Women’s Executive Leadership Scholarship is one of the tools that will enable this. Africa will also be well represented when South Africa participates in the next rugby World Cup women in New Zealand in 2021 and Kenya in the Olympic Games. About Rugby Africa: Created in 1986, Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com), previously the African Confederation of Rugby (Confédération Africaine de Rugby – CAR), is one of the six regional associations composing World Rugby (www.WorldRugby.org), the international organization responsible for the governing of Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens. Rugby Africa unites all African countries which play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes the qualifying competition for the Rugby World Cup, and Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. Rugby Africa has 39 members.Media filesDownload logo

Towards a New Normal: Rugby Africa’s #Unstoppable Babalwa Latsha on being a Changemaker

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Download logoRed Cross teams in Guinea and across West Africa are ramping up response efforts to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak. Red Cross volunteers and staff Guinea, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone have stepped up surveillance and community sensitization efforts. To support these live saving activities, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued an international emergency appeal for 8.5 million Swiss francs. Mohammed Mukhier, the IFRC’s Regional Director for Africa said:  “Ebola does not care about borders. Close social, cultural and economic ties between communities in Guinea and neighbouring countries create a very serious risk of the virus spreading to Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, and potentially even further. “That’s why we are launching an integrated cross-border operation aimed at rapidly confining the outbreak to its current location—and swiftly containing any eventual outbreak beyond Guinea.” In Guinea, Red Cross teams in N’zérékoré were mobilized to conduct safe and dignified burials for two people who were killed by Ebola. They also disinfected a local hospital and started efforts to create broad community awareness about the return of the disease in the urban areas of N&#39;Zérékoré and in Gouécké. There are an estimated 1.3 million people living in the health zone affected by the outbreak. The Guinea Red Cross and IFRC plan aims to support about 420,000 of them with a range of services, including community sensitization, community-based surveillance, water, sanitation and hygiene, safe and dignified burials, infection prevention and control, as well as psychosocial support. In surrounding countries, Red Cross actions will target an additional 6 million people. In Sierra Leone, a network 200 Red Cross volunteers in Kambia and Kailahun are now on high alert and are conducting surveillance activities. In addition, an alert was sent to the four other districts (Kono, Koinadugu, Western Area and Pujehun) bordering Guinea and Liberia, where an additional 100 volunteers are preparing social community awareness activities. In Liberia, in areas along the borders with Guinea, Red Cross volunteers are on high alert and are currently conducting awareness in communities. The most at-risk areas include Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties. Liberia Red Cross will be sending Personal Protective Equipment to the region. In Mali, Red Cross teams will provide services such as surveillance and community sensitization. The Senegalese Red Cross is beefing up surveillance efforts at border points, while ramping up community awareness activities.  In addition to enacting community response, surveillance and sensitization activities, Red Cross teams are also concerned about the needs being created by localized efforts to limit movements in a bid to contain the outbreak. As a result of these public health measures, people near the epicentre are already in need of water, sanitation and hygiene services as well as food assistance. IFRC’s Mukhier said: “This outbreak is likely to complicate an already challenging situation. COVID-related containment measures currently being implemented have exacerbated food insecurity in the region and this may lead to the reluctance of communities to respect new preventive measures that are being put in place to contain Ebola.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Ebola: Red Cross intensifies response amidst fears of regional spread

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Pan African Law Conglomerate, Centurion Law Group (www.CenturionLG.com) is pleased to have acted as local counsel to Panoro Energy ASA (Panoro) on the $105 million purchase of all Tullow Oil PLC (Tullow) assets in Equatorial Guinea. The parties have signed a sale and purchase agreement, pursuant to which Tullow has agreed to sell its entire interest in Tullow Equatorial Guinea Limited. “We are excited to have assisted Panoro Energy on this landmark Oil and Gas transaction,” said Manuel Oliveira Director and Shareholder, who led Centurion’s EG deal team. “This was a significant transaction that involved cooperation between experienced attorneys from Centurion and also Panoro’s team.” Added Mr. Oliveira. This transaction, which forms part of Tullow’s US180 million sale of assets to Panoro in West Africa, has been approved by the government of Equatorial Guinea. It is also a class 1 transaction under the UK listing rules and is subject to approval from both parties’ shareholders. Panoro is an independent E&#038;P company based in London and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker PEN. The Company holds high quality exploration and production assets in Africa with oil production from fields in Tunisia, Gabon, Nigeria and now Equatorial Guinea. “This was an exciting project and our team was able to seamlessly address the many and varied needs of Panoro,” said Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo. “This type of deal once again underscores Centurion’s ability to leverage our unparalleled energy industry experience to assist great companies in Africa” concluded Ms Ojogbo. Our team included partner Manuel Oliveira, Senior Associate Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo and Associates Pablo Obama Mitogo Shantel Mufandiadza.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Centurion Law Group.Media Contact: info@centurionlg.com About Centurion Law Group: Centurion Law Group (www.CenturionLG.com) is a pan-African corporate law conglomerate, with a specialized focus on cross-border business and energy law. We help you navigate the legal and regulatory environments of Africa’s many jurisdictions and ensure that deals are done and completed as efficiently and cost-effectively as is possible.Media filesDownload logo

Centurion Law Group Advises Panoro Energy on Its Acquisition of Tullow’s Oil Asset in Equatorial Guinea

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By Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth On 9 July 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was welcomed by millions of South Sudanese and the world as the world’s newest nation. Juba, the capital city of the republic, was flooded with people who came to witness its birth. The Republic of South Sudan had allies everywhere – including in the IGAD region (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda), the African Union, United States, Europe, China, the Middle East and the UN. The people of South Sudan were received warmly in all corners of the world. In the U.S., where I served as Head of Mission for the then Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to the United States and United Nations, President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit (who was then the First Vice President of Sudan and President of GOSS) was received with honor yearly in the White House by former US President George W. Bush – they would meet in the Oval Office from 2006 to 2009. The same goes with the former Secretary General of United Nations Ban Ki Moon. From 2009, President Barack Obama showed the same respect and honor to President Kiir at the White House. President Obama on September 24, 2010, organized a meeting at the UN General Assembly to prepare world leaders to support the upcoming independence referendum in Southern Sudan. President Kiir at that meeting delivered a speech, already showing that he was the president-to-be of the Republic of South Sudan, as it was soon to be. People were excited about President Kiir’s readiness and revolutionary leadership spirit. Dr. Susan Rice, with her “true love” and “unwavering support” for the people of South Sudan, was representing the U.S. as Ambassador to United Nations for President Obama. The world was standing with South Sudan as it prepared for the independence referendum on 9-15 January 2011. Moreover, China’s leaders, former President Hu Jintao and current President Xi Jinping, were supportive of South Sudan’s independence referendum. In 2007, President Kiir had an excellent meeting with President Hu. At the United Nations, Chinese Ambassador Li Baodong, who was very close friend of mine, was rightfully informing the world about the readiness of the Chinese people and government to accept the outcome of the referendum. We would meet frequently and talk about what was happening in New York and at home in Juba. In Europe and the Middle East, President Kiir was on tour, telling national leaders about the readiness and the determination of the people of South Sudan to be a free people. On 9 July 2011, the country was born and a long-held dream was realized. But not long after the triumphant celebration of independence and freedom, hell broke loose in 2013, and as leaders, we were blamed for an ugly and senseless war. It took us back to square one. Our staunch allies, and the world at large, were caught by surprise. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), supported by the AU, the UN, the ‘troika’ (U.S., UK and Norway) and the EU stepped in and called for an immediate ceasefire and peace talks. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) factions gathered in Addis Ababa under the banner of IGAD. In less than two years, the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) was signed on 17 August 2015. The country went back to war again in July 2016, but President Kiir and opposition leaders prevailed and the Revitalized Agreement (R-ARCISS) was signed in Addis Ababa on 12 September 2018. We the leaders and the people of South Sudan must retrace our path and regain our allies around the world to help with the restoration of peace, stability, reconciliation and healing. This will allow us advance the agenda of the development of South Sudan. It is not too late for us to reverse much of the damage that has been done. We were able to end the longest civil war in Africa with a dignified conclusion that paved the way for a peaceful, transparent referendum and our independence. With President Kiir leading the way, championing the implementation of the R-ARCISS and addressing all the challenges our people are facing on daily basis, together with his vice presidents and the cabinet, I am optimistic that we shall overcome our challenges and regain our standing on the world stage once more. The world is full of histories like ours. The difference is that we, the people, are now changing course, for the betterment of our nation and our future.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, former Petroleum Minister, Head of Mission for the Government of Southern Sudan to the United States and United Nations, recounts South Sudan’s early friendships and support, and charts a path to regaining its global partnerships.Media filesDownload logo

Retracing the Alliances of the Republic of South Sudan (By Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth)

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Download logoMs. Irene Charnley and Mr. Mohammad Wajih Sharbatly retire from the Group&#39;s Board of Directors; The Group&#39;s Board announces several new appointments to reinforce the Group in the coming era of Telecoms transformation. Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd., (www.Smilecoms.com) a Pan-African telecommunications group with operations in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announced after its board meeting held on January 15th, 2021, significant changes in the leadership of the Group&#39;s board and management. The Group announced the retirement of Ms. Irene Charnley and Mr. Mohammed Wajih Sharbatly from the Group&#39;s Board and all boards of the operating companies, effective January 1st 2021. Ms. Irene Charnley, the Founder of Smile, has retired as Deputy Chairman from the Smile Telecoms Limited Board. Mr. Mohammad Wajih Sharbatly is a Co- Founder of Smile and has acted as Co-Chairman of the Group through December 2020. Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ibrahim H. Sharbatly, Chairman of the Group said &#8220;Today we say farewell to our Founder and Deputy Chairman, Ms. Irene Charnley. We wish her all success in her new endeavors.&#8221; &#8220;We also want to say farewell to our Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Mr. Mohammad Wajih H. Sharbatly.” &#8220;May God bless them both.&#8221; Smile Telecom Holdings, in its Board meeting on January 15th, 2021, also announced the following Nominations: 	Mr. Osman Sultan has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the Group.  Mr. Sultan, the founding CEO of EITC (du) in the UAE, was at its helm from 2006 until the end of 2019. Before that, he was the founding CEO of Mobinil in Egypt (now Orange Egypt) from 1998 until the end of 2005. Mr. Sultan sits on several ICT Companies and Academic Boards. He has been actively involved with Smile as the Chairman of the Restructuring and Transformation Committee of the Group since July 2020. 	Mr. Albert Momdjian has been appointed as Board Member of the Group and Chairman of the Group&#39;s Audit Committee. Mr. Momdjian is a former corporate and investment banker with 27 years of corporate Investment banking and restructuring experience primarily in Media and Telecoms across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, having been involved in over USD 100 bn worth of M&#038;A, capital markets and restructuring transactions. 	Mrs. Caroline Chang, recently appointed as a Board Member of the Group in November 2020, has been appointed as a member of the Group&#39;s Audit Committee. Mrs. Chang is an experienced board member and former EMEA General Counsel of Farallon, the leading US hedge fund that has been active in Africa and Emerging Markets. 	These nominations come in addition to the appointment of Mr. Raihan Shaikh-Khaleel as Board Member of the Group in September 2020. Mr Khaleel is a Partner at Swinton Capital and an experienced restructuring advisor across EMEA, sitting on various Boards of companies involved in restructurings. He has 20 years of EMEA and other cross border experience, spending the last 10 years restructuring companies for a leading US hedge fund. &#8220;While we understand the desire of our Founders to retire after a challenging journey, we have been preparing over the past months for the future. We want to ensure that we bring the best competencies on board to enable the Group to face the various challenges and transformations that the Telecoms sector faces and take advantage of the opportunities ahead. Africa is the fastest-growing continent globally, and data is the new future in the world we live in,&#8221; concluded Mr. Ibrahim Sharbatly. Commenting on the changes Ahmad Farroukh, Group CEO, added, &#8220;I am looking forward to working with the new Board Members and counting on their diverse experience to prepare for the company&#39;s future in the challenging times the industry is going through.&#8221; Finally, Smile announced that the Group Board approved the Head Office and Centre of Main Interest (COMI) of Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd to shift from Mauritius to England and Wales. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd.By: Nicolene van Zyl Group Head: Corporate Communications and Marketing Email: nicolene.vanzyl@smilecoms.com Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd www.Smilecoms.com About Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd: Founded in 2007, with its head office in England, Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd (www.Smilecoms.com) is a Pan-African telecommunications group with operations in Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa. The company has one of the largest sub-1 GHz 4G LTE commercial networks in Africa, operating in the &#8220;future proof&#39; low band, 800 MHz band, and mid-band. Smile was the first to launch VoLTE on its network and continued its innovation, introducing SmileVoice, a free mobile app. SmileVoice enables customers with any Android or Apple iPhone device (including those which are not VoLTE-enabled) to make SuperClear voice calls over Smile&#39;s 4G LTE network. Smile was also the first to introduce an Unlimited offering, which enables SuperFast data and SuperClear voice, all on one bundle.

Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd. (“Group”) Announces Significant Changes in its Leadership

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The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) (www.TonyElumeluFoundation.org), Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering African entrepreneurs is accepting applications now on www.TEFConnect.com for its 2021 TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. With the deadline fast approaching, this year’s intervention which includes $5000 funding, mentoring and training for each selected business, prioritizes the economic recovery of young African entrepreneurs following the severe impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. To address the unique challenges arising from the pandemic, lift millions out of poverty and create sustainable employment across the continent, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme will empower over 3,500 young African entrepreneurs. The Tony Elumelu Foundation, which celebrated ten years of impact in 2020, is empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Successful applicants receive a world-class business training, mentorship, non-refundable seed capital up to $5,000, and global networking opportunities. The Programme is open to entrepreneurs across Africa, both new start-ups and existing young businesses, operating in any sector. CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu stated, “The Tony Elumelu Foundation now more than ever is demonstrating our commitment to unleashing the potential of young African entrepreneurs, the key to Africa’s long-term economic transformation. The pandemic has created challenges across the continent, but we know that with the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s tried and tested Programme, we can execute the largest Covid-19 economic recovery plan for African SMEs and break the cycle of poverty in Africa.” The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s $100million Entrepreneurship Programme, launched in 2015 to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs over 10 years, is now entering its 7th year and has empowered to date, over 9,000 young African entrepreneurs from 54 African countries. Prospective applicants should apply on the digital networking hub for African entrepreneurs, www.TEFConnect.com. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.Media filesDownload logo

Deadline to Apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme Fast Approaching

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FIFA (www.FIFA.com) and the African Union have agreed to launch a schools football competition following a meeting in Kinshasa between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, who is also the current Chairperson of the African Union (AU). The two presidents, who had initiated discussions last week by videoconference, met at the Palais de la Nation in the DRC’s capital to further their productive talks of the previous days, and central to their exchange was the need to use the power of football to improve lives and to harness the possibilities it offers to instil positive values in young people. On this subject, both the FIFA President and the AU Chairperson agreed to use the framework of the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union, FIFA and CAF, to organise schools football competition across Africa, which will kick off in the DRC. To initiate the project, a protocol was signed this afternoon between FIFA and the Ministry of Sports and Leisure of the DRC. “President Tshisekedi is passionate about football, and I’m delighted that we can work together to give hope to all children across Africa thanks to football,” the FIFA President said at the conclusion of the meeting. “Together, FIFA, AU, CAF and our member associations will develop competitions and training for the youth through football, because football is more than a sport, it is a school of life. Through football, you can teach respect for adversaries and rules, learning how to play as a team, how to win and lose. With this schools championship we plan to make these values, which are already strong in Africa, even stronger.&#8221; Subsequently, the FIFA President also had the opportunity to visit the offices of the Congo DR Football Association (FECOFA) and to meet with FECOFA President Constant Omari, the FECOFA executive committee and several representatives of the football community of Congo DR. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA).Media filesDownload logo

African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

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Another FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Regional Development Office, on this occasion in Brazzaville, the capital city of the Republic of the Congo, has been inaugurated, furthering FIFA’s commitment to support its member associations on the ground in the delivery of infrastructure, competitions, development and education projects. The trip to Brazzaville also included separate meetings for the FIFA President with the President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Minister of Sport of the Republic of the Congo, Hugues Ngouélondélé, and the President of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT), Jean-Guy Mayolas. “It is very important for FIFA to be present here today to listen to our member associations in central Africa and work together,” the FIFA President said at the ceremony. “We are doing this with the FIFA Forward programme that helps member associations, and that investment has been multiplied by five since I arrived at FIFA. We are here today with the staff of our regional development office to help the member associations, also together with CAF, to work hand-in-hand to tackle the challenges we face in the region.” “We increased the number of African national teams eligible to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 from five to nine or ten. So there is work to be done so that African teams don’t just participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026, but shine there,” he added. “FIFA wants to see African football reach the highest of heights and we are certain that our network of regional offices will complement the work already underway to elevate African football.” In 2017, FIFA took the decision to establish FIFA Regional Development Offices around the world in order to better serve its member associations and to be closer to their needs. Four of these offices are located in Africa: Dakar in Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa, Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo and Kigali in Rwanda. Following the official ceremony, FIFA President met with the FIFA team working at the regional office, which is also located in the same building as FECOFOOT. The team has been operational since November 2020, but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the office could not be officially inaugurated until today. Prior to the inauguration, the FIFA President met with Hugues Ngouélondélé, the Minister of Sport, to discuss how to elevate African football to the highest levels on the world stage, before a second meeting took place at Brazzaville International Airport with President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso. Discussions with the Republic of the Congo’s head of state focused on the opening of the FIFA Regional Development Office in Brazzaville and the important role that football plays in the country and across the region, as well as the recent success of the men’s national football team, the Red Devils, who reached the quarter-finals of last month’s CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN). “Today’s meeting with President Sassou Nguesso was extremely positive and we are delighted with the strong support both he, and the government of the Republic of the Congo, has provided this new facility,” the FIFA President said. “Passion for football is very strong here, and we hope to encourage and develop the game even further through our new office.” “On November 29, 2019, during your first visit, FIFA and the Republic of the Congo government agreed to install in Brazzaville, historic capital of African Olympism, the FIFA Regional Development Office for central Africa,” said FECOFOOT President Jean-Guy Mayolas. “On behalf of my colleagues, my fellow presidents of the federations of central Africa, I express all our gratitude. We can now say, that we are more close to FIFA and our various projects will be better managed and will have a happy outcome, for the positive development of football in central Africa. This is proof that Africa is your favourite land, and it is also proof of your commitment to support African football, which was a commitment you made during your election campaign to FIFA.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA).Media filesDownload logo

Brazzaville’s FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated

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“I would like to remind the players and officials to use the online resources on the World Rugby passport that give guidance for players, coaches and administrators on what to do to prepare ourselves to safely return to the sport.”- Dr Joseph Kalanzi. The Uganda Rugby Medical Society held a Return to Play workshop conducted by Dr. Joseph Kalanzi today at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds. In attendance were medics from the various rugby teams, representatives from the referee society, facility managers and players. The objective of this workshop was to take them through what the return to play guidelines looked like in regards to SOPs and the different roles of players, match officials and managers of the rugby facilities. This is in preparation for the resumption of the rugby league starting on 6th March, 2021. We also had a run through the different personal protective equipment and things to do with sanitization, sterilization and disinfection as well as what is done in training sessions and during games. In his closing remarks, Dr Joseph Kalanzi encouraged the medics to educate the players on the various protocols of return to play to ensure safety for all.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Uganda Rugby Union.Media Contact: Rugby@APO-opa.comMedia filesDownload logo

Uganda Rugby Medical Society Holds Workshop

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The long-term development of football in east Africa received a substantial boost with the inauguration of a new FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Regional Development Office in Kigali, Rwanda, following a signature and opening ceremony that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and the President of the Rwanda Football Association (FERWAFA) Jean-Damascene Sekamana. Other football dignitaries were also in attendance, including the President of the Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Wallace Karia, Célestin Yanindji, President of the Central African Republic Football Association, and Presidents of FOFA member associations from the region. “I would like to thank President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government for facilitating the opening of this office, as it sets the scene for us at FIFA level to be able to help all the associations at the regional level to develop football,” the FIFA President said. “Infrastructure, competitions, development and education, these are the key areas which FIFA is focused on, and the task of this office will be to implement the FIFA Forward programme in the region. &#8220;This means to support the development, to coordinate the programme, to help organise competitions for boys and girls, to foster women’s football, to ensure that the investment that FIFA is making is channelled in the right place, and to make sure that east African football will shine on the international stage. The talent is here. The passion is here.And together with the federations and the governments in this part of the world, we are creating the conditions for a better future.” In 2017, FIFA took the decision to establish FIFA Regional Development Offices around the world in order to better serve its member associations and to be closer to their needs. Four of these offices are located in Africa, namely Dakar in Senegal, Johannesburg in South Africa and the soon to be inaugurated one in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. “The Rwandan Football Association is grateful for the establishment of this office in the region, which proves the extent of FIFA’s commitment to the development of football in Africa, and we are profoundly grateful that Kigali has been chosen to be the home of this FIFA Regional Development Office,” said FERWAFA President, Jean-Damascene Sekamana. “We are extremely thankful for the Government of Rwanda and FIFA for reaching an agreement to host the regional office in Rwanda. By approving this agreement, the Government of Rwanda demonstrated its visionary leadership and its objective to gradually achieve an acceptable living standard for society through all sectors, including football and sports, in general.” Subsequently, the FIFA President met with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, to discuss the development of football in the country and in the region. “I was delighted to meet Mr Kagame again. He is a truly devoted football fan who is committed to promoting sport and football as a symbol of peace and means to drive important social values, especially among the young people in the community,” the FIFA President said. “From FIFA’s perspective, we are also appreciative of the support that the Rwanda government is giving FERWAFA and football locally. It is helping to build solid foundations for football in Rwanda to prosper.”Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Fédération internationale de football association (FIFA).Media filesDownload logo

FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated in Kigali

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Download logoThe International Organization for Migration (IOM) is mobilizing staff and resources to help national authorities in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prevent the spread of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) after reports of new outbreaks over the past two weeks. “We need swift containment action on all fronts so that we can save as many lives as possible, and minimize negative impacts on people’s health, social and economic well-being,” said IOM Director General António Vitorino. “As both countries are already grappling with COVID-19, health and other essential services are stretched to the very limit.” IOM’s public health interventions use analysis of human mobility within and across international borders to inform targeted preparedness and response measures to infectious disease outbreaks. In Guinea, as of 17 February, three cases have been confirmed in the southeastern N&#39;Zérékoré prefecture bordering Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, and the capital Conakry. This is the first time EVD has been reported in the country since the 2014-2016 outbreak, which spread across land borders into Sierra Leone and Liberia claiming more than 11,300 lives. IOM Guinea is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and has an office in N’Zérékoré with a public health team that includes two physicians and one epidemiologist. IOM has been asked to ramp up surveillance-related activities and will be deploying staff at points of entry along the borders, to support contact tracing, population mobility mapping and other critical activities. In addition, the Organization is reactivating the public health emergency operation center (PH-EOC) in N&#39;Zérékoré, seconding a physician, and setting up two health screening points in Goueké, the current hotspot. In the DRC, at least four new EVD cases have been reported in North Kivu province in the eastern part of the country as of 17 February. The previous outbreak that affected the same area – the country&#39;s tenth EVD outbreak, considered the second largest in the world – was declared over in June 2020 after claiming the lives of over 3,400 people. An IOM team has been dispatched to Butembo, where the first case was detected, to support the health authorities in strengthening surveillance. Three health screening points were reactivated on 15 February and an update of the existing population mobility mapping exercises is also underway to guide the positioning of additional health screening points. “After many years of fighting the virus on the ground, alongside communities and public officials, IOM has learned a number of lessons,” noted Director General Vitorino. “It is critical to remember that this disease moves fast and its effects can be catastrophic, so there is no time to waste.”   IOM’s EVD preparedness activities in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Since 2014, IOM Guinea has been working hand in hand with the Government to enhance preparedness by providing technical support for the establishment of PH-EOCs at the national and prefectural levels, strengthening the capacities at points of entry (airports, ports and land border crossings), supporting the implementation of real-time community-based surveillance through a network of over 9,000 volunteers, donating equipment to over 80 health centres, and more. In the DRC, a challenging operating environment due to ongoing conflict and a protracted humanitarian crisis, IOM has been a key player in the responses to the ninth, tenth and eleventh EVD outbreaks respectively in the provinces of Equateur, North Kivu and Equateur. The Organization deployed over 1,500 frontline workers who conducted over 194 million health screenings across 169 critical locations in the DRC and neighbouring countries – South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. In addition, over 30 population mobility mapping exercises were carried out within and across borders.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).

International Organization for Migration Responds to Resurgence of Ebola in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Download logoNiger, one of the Sahel region’s busiest transit countries for migrants, faces multiple emergencies. COVID-19, ongoing security threats and generations of deeply embedded poverty have contributed to a growing humanitarian crisis, with over half a million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and their host communities in need of essential services. Another 135,000 vulnerable migrants also need assistance in Niger in 2021. To be able to provide much-needed assistance, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today is appealing for USD 121 million to provide essential support to migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in 2021. Continuous returns of migrants from Algeria — as well as migratory movements through Niger, both to and from Algeria and Libya — leave migrants lacking shelter, food, water and health assistance. In addition to these essential humanitarian interventions IOM is equally committed to promoting stability and social cohesion between host communities, IDPs and migrants. Despite the official closure of land borders since 19 March, migrants continue to travel to, through and out of Niger on longstanding migration routes mainly to Libya and Algeria. IOM assists stranded migrants through its humanitarian operations (on the border with Algeria) and with search and rescue operations in Niger’s northern Agadez region, after which many migrants receive assistance in one of IOM’s six transit centres in Niger. An IOM assessment last year concluded at least 2.7 million migrants were stranded unable to return to their country of residence by COVID-19 mobility restrictions. “In 2020, IOM assisted more than 9,000 stranded migrants in Niger, the majority of whom were from countries in the West and Central Africa region,” said Barbara Rijks, IOM Niger’s Chief of Mission. “Many of these migrants have been supported with voluntary return to their respective countries of origin, despite the official closure of the borders, through a humanitarian corridor established with the Government of Niger.” Over 2,100 returning Nigeriens were also assisted with their COVID-19 isolation and onward assistance to their areas of origin once they arrived in Niger. Official convoys for stranded Nigeriens have been organized from various countries in West Africa by other IOM offices in collaboration with Niger’s government, including its consular missions. Some 3.8 million Nigeriens will need assistance in 2021 according to the Humanitarian Needs Overview released by the Humanitarian Country Team in Niger. IOM Niger plans to scale up its level of assistance in areas that have been affected by different crises, including natural disasters and insecurity as a result of increasing activity by violent extremist organizations in Niger. IOM’s Global Crisis Response Platform provides an overview of IOM’s funding requirements in 2021 and beyond. The Platform is updated regularly.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Organization for Migration (IOM).

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Appeals for Lifesaving Assistance to over half a million displaced and vulnerable migrants in Niger

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Download logoUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Khardiata Lo N’Diaye of Senegal as his new Deputy Special Representative for Sudan with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), serving also as the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator. Ms. Lo N’Diaye brings 35 years of experience in development, humanitarian assistance, women empowerment, democratic governance, conflict prevention and peacebuilding.  Most recently, she served as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim in Niger (2020) and as Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ad interim in Nigeria (2019).  Prior to this, she was Resident Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Togo (2011-2018), as well as Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Niger (2007-2011). Before joining the United Nations, Ms. Lo N’Diaye held several senior positions in Senegalese public administration, including as General Manager of the Social Development Fund, as well as in the Ministries of Economy, Women and Children’s Affairs, Social Development, Planning and International Cooperation. Ms. Lo N’Diaye holds a post-graduate degree in land management and urban planning, a master’s degree in economic geography and a bachelor’s degree in geography from La Sorbonne University, France.  She is fluent in English and French.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations (UN).

Secretary-General appoints Khardiata Lo N’Diaye of Senegal Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan

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Extreme violence and attacks involving thousands of fighters at a time have engulfed more than three-quarters of South Sudan, UN human Rights Council-appointed investigators said on Friday, warning that the bloodshed faced by civilians are “the worst recorded” since the country’s civil war began in December 2013. Highlighting a continuing lack of local and national infrastructure almost a year since the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan, Yasmin Sooka, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in the country noted that although the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement two years ago had “led to a reduction in hostilities at the national level”, the country seen “a massive escalation in violence” locally.  Power vacuum filled by fighting  Echoing that finding, Commission member Barney Afako explained that signing the cessation of hostilities ceasefire had left “a vacuum” at the community level.  “There are no governors in place or no county commissioners in place. So, there is nobody to deal with those cleavages which had remained. Instead what we saw, was that the weaponry that have been left in the community as well as that which is now supplied by others fuelled this communal violence”, he said.  Other worrying developments include restrictions and self-censorship among journalists and pressure groups.  New level of fear  “The level of State suppression and inability of civil society or journalists to operate is now completely different”, said Commission member Andrew Clapham. “There is sort of levels of fear and the State suppression and the fact that you can be picked up and tortured and killed is rather different”.  In its latest report, the Commission describes “waves of attacks and reprisals” that have left hundreds of South Sudanese women, men and children dead, maimed or destitute in Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.  Ms. Sooka told journalists via video conference that the armed groups and militias had mobilized along ethnic lines, often with the support of armed State and opposition forces.   She highlighted clashes last year between allied Dinka and Nuer militias and Murle pastoralist militias with massive violations against civilians, including killing and displacement.  “We have documented the new levels of militia violence engulfing more than three-quarters of the country at a localized level in which children carry weapons and women are traded as spoils of war like chattels”, Ms. Sooka said.  ‘Children all have guns’  The Commission Chairperson said that civilians described combatants using weapons that they had never seen before.   “One man told the Commission, ‘I went to Pibor town and I saw guns being sold there. There the black guns used by the NSS were being sold for 25,000 South Sudanese shillings, each less than a few hundred dollars.’ He also said that children all have guns”, she recounted.  Ms. Sooka also described as “shocking” the high number of fighters involved in localized conflicts and highlighted that women were traded as “spoils of war”.  Moreover, children carry weapons and the levels of violence “have already surpassed” those documented in December 2013, when civil war erupted.  Forced to fight, identities erased  Describing attacks in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor area, she pointed to “systemically and deliberately torched” homes, murders, forced displacements, abductions, rapes, sexual enslavement and, in some instances, forced marriages to captors. Abducted boys have been forced to fight and, sometimes “forcibly assimilated into rival armed groups”.  These victims have had their ethnic and other identities “completely erased”, according to the Commission’s report, which noted that as of December 2020, hundreds of abductees were still missing, with hundreds of thousands displaced by the violence and recurrent flooding.  The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan is due to present its report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 10 March. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.Media filesDownload logo

Violence in South Sudan engulfs country, 10 years after independence ‘children all have guns’

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The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned Wednesday’s attack on a boarding school in north-central Nigeria in which one student was killed and several students, as well as relatives and staff, abducted.  According to reports, gunmen stormed the Government Science College Kagara, in the Niger state of Nigeria, at around 2 am local time. Many students are also said to be unaccounted for, though the number is unclear and the information has yet to be confirmed.  In a note issued by his spokesperson on Wednesday, Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated that “attacks on schools and other educational facilities are abhorrent and unacceptable”.  The UN chief called on Nigerian authorities to “spare no efforts in rescuing those abducted and holding to account those responsible for this act”, the statement added.  Attacks a violation of children’s rights  The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also denounced the attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for the immediate and unconditional release of any children who may be missing, and their safe return to their families.  “Attacks on schools are a violation of children’s rights. Children should feel safe at home and at school at all times – and parents should not need to worry for the safety of their children when they send them off to school in the morning”, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative, said in statement.   “We acknowledge the efforts being taken by the Government of Nigeria for the safe return of any missing children”, Mr. Hawkins added.  The latest attack comes about two months after more than 300 students were abducted in a similar attack on a school in Kankara, Katsina state, about 280 kilometres (173 miles) north. The students abducted in that attack have since been released.   The abductions are a grim reminder of the April 2014 kidnapping of 276 girls from their school dormitory in Chibok by Boko Haram insurgents. Many of them remain missing.Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.Media filesDownload logo

UN chief condemns attack on school in Nigeria

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Results of COVID-19 tests done on 18 February 2021 confirm 14 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 40,168. The breakdown of the new cases are:  14 contacts and alerts: Kampala (9) Amuru (3) Bududa (1) Mbarara (1).Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health &#8211; Republic of Uganda.Media filesDownload logo

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 February 2021)

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877 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria; Lagos-273 Kaduna-87 Rivers-58 Akwa Ibom-47 Ebonyi-47 Edo-46 Ogun-46 Abia-34 Imo-34 Kano-34 Oyo-26 Osun-22 Gombe-20 Ekiti-19 Cross River-15 FCT-15 Plateau-11 Enugu-9 Kebbi-8 Borno-7 Niger-6 Bayelsa-5 Nasarawa-4 Kwara-2 Katsina-1 Sokoto-1Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).Media filesDownload logo

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African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

Brazzaville’s FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated

Uganda Rugby Medical Society Holds Workshop

FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated in Kigali

International Organization for Migration Responds to Resurgence of Ebola in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Appeals for Lifesaving Assistance to over half a million displaced and vulnerable migrants in Niger

Secretary-General appoints Khardiata Lo N’Diaye of Senegal Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan

Violence in South Sudan engulfs country, 10 years after independence ‘children all have guns’

UN chief condemns attack on school in Nigeria

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 February 2021)

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (18 February 2021)

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APO

Towards a New Normal: Rugby Africa’s #Unstoppable Babalwa Latsha on being a Changemaker

Ebola: Red Cross intensifies response amidst fears of regional spread

Centurion Law Group Advises Panoro Energy on Its Acquisition of Tullow’s Oil Asset in Equatorial Guinea

Retracing the Alliances of the Republic of South Sudan (By Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth)

Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd. (“Group”) Announces Significant Changes in its Leadership

Deadline to Apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme Fast Approaching

African schools football competition to kick off in DR Congo

Brazzaville’s FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated

Uganda Rugby Medical Society Holds Workshop

FIFA Regional Development Office inaugurated in Kigali

International Organization for Migration Responds to Resurgence of Ebola in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Appeals for Lifesaving Assistance to over half a million displaced and vulnerable migrants in Niger

Secretary-General appoints Khardiata Lo N’Diaye of Senegal Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan

Violence in South Sudan engulfs country, 10 years after independence ‘children all have guns’

UN chief condemns attack on school in Nigeria

Coronavirus – Uganda: COVID-19 update (18 February 2021)

Coronavirus – Nigeria: COVID-19 update (18 February 2021)

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