APO International

Presidency and National Treasury release progress report outlining advances in economic reform through Operation Vulindlela The Presidency and National Treasury have on Monday, 11 December 2023, released a progress report for Q3/Q4 2023 on the implementation of economic reforms through Operation Vulindlela. This quarterly report marks the three-year anniversary of Operation Vulindlela, which was initiated by President Ramaphosa in 2020 as part of the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Operation […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the judgement of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, setting aside the recognition of AmaZulu King, His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.  The court further ordered the President to institute an investigative committee to investigate allegations of violation of customary laws in the identification of King Misuzulu.  Following a study of the judgement, the President will apply for leave to appeal against the judgement. […]

The crucial need to accelerate access to surgical care and surgical education in West Africa as a global effort through partnerships was the focal point of events in the Netherlands last week. Dr. Austin Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation traveled to the Hague in the Netherlands to meet with Ernst Kuipers, the Dutch Minister for Health, Welfare and Sport and other government officials including those within the […]

Malawi’s per capita economic growth has been insufficient to reduce high and stubborn rates of poverty, according to the latest World Bank Country Economic Memorandum (CEM). The report argues that the pathway to achieve Malawi 2063, while achievable, is increasingly narrow and requires a fundamental shift in policy. Malawi, facing a "poly-crisis" from 2020-2023, has experienced negative per capita GDP growth, a surge in poverty levels, and severe food insecurity affecting more […]

Economic growth is projected to slow to 3.5 percent in 2024, a decrease from 4.5 percent in 2023, as agricultural output is expected to suffer from depressed global growth and the predicted erratic and below-average rainfall caused by the El Niño weather pattern, according to the fourth World Bank Zimbabwe Economic Update (ZEU) launched today. According to the report, titled Electrifying Growth Through Reliable and Universal Energy Access, Zimbabwe’s economy […]

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi. Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, said the call focused on bilateral relations between the two countries. The two Presidents reviewed key areas of cooperation and confirmed joint interest to further promote cooperation toward broader prospects, in light of the close relations between the two sides. President El-Sisi stressed […]

Given the current situation in the country, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan will not be attending the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Republic Madagascar, H.E Andry Rajoelina which will be held on Saturday 16th December 2023 in Antanarivo, Madagascar. The Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Ahmed Afif will now represent the President at the above ceremony. He will depart Seychelles on […]

Improving Living Conditions for Internally Displaced People in Ethiopia. The Qoloji IDP Camp in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia faces ongoing public health risks due to the spread of cholera and other epidemics. The COVID-19 pandemic also severely weakened the already precarious healthcare system due to crowded living conditions and limited access to necessary medicines. To address the spread of waterborne diseases in the camp, UNOPS enhanced the water […]

Parts of war-ravaged Sudan are at a high risk of slipping into catastrophic hunger conditions by next year’s lean season if the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is unable to expand access and regularly deliver food assistance to people trapped in conflict hotspots such as Khartoum, the Darfurs, and the Kordofans, warns the UN food agency today. Sudan – once described as East Africa’s future breadbasket – is facing […]