In the 1990s and 2000s, the exotic mango mealybug, Rastrococcus invadens, was effectively controlled in West Africa. This was achieved by introducing two parasitoids from India, the native country of both mango and mango mealybug.
In 2019, the same pest was detected for the first time in Eastern Africa, specifically in Rwanda. The infestation led to a staggering 92% reduction in mango production in 2022, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The cumulative mango production losses for Rwanda alone between 2019 and 2023 were estimated at USD 23.6 million.
To address this, the Food and Agriculture Organization financed a classical biological control program managed by the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE) and executed by IITA–CGIAR. The two biocontrol agents were reared in the insectaries at IITA-Benin, where extension agents from Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda received training in mass production and monitoring techniques. Initial field releases with parasitoids supplied by IITA-Benin took place in Burundi in May 2022 and Uganda in October 2022. Both releases were conducted near the Rwandan border. CGIAR
Noting the adverse global consequences of the war in Ukraine, President Ruto underscored the urgency of all parties committing to a path to peace
President William Ruto last evening held a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine on the margins of the peace summit in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.
President Zelensky reaffirmed the desire of Ukraine for peace and his openness to involve all parties in the search for a just and sustainable peace.
President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s unambiguous stand on the principle of equality of nations, inviolability of territorial borders, pacific settlement of conflicts and adherence to the rule of law.
Noting the adverse global consequences of the war in Ukraine, President Ruto underscored the urgency of all parties committing to a path to peace. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.
Established in Rwanda following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and legally recognized in 1995, the Association des Veuves du Genocide (AVEGA) Agahozo works nationwide to create forums for healing, mutual support, and socioeconomic development for genocide widows.
The Association of Genocide Widows, Avega-Agahozo, marked 30 years of resilience Friday, commemorating the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in an event attended by hundreds of survivors.
“During the journey of the last 30 years, we have received help in many ways, providing comfort and motivation through words of encouragement. This support has been essential as we continue our efforts in rebuilding,” said Immaculee Kayitesi, president of Avega-Agahozo, at the event in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.
She expressed gratitude to the government of Rwanda for supporting them during their suffering, showing them love and allowing them to live again.
“In the past 30 years, widows and orphans who survived the genocide have been helped in various aspects of life. The government, which took responsibility for their welfare, carried out many activities aimed at helping the widows of the genocide cope with its consequences,” Kayitesi said.
“We received a lot of help, comfort, and encouraging words that gave us the impetus to witness the journey of rebuilding.”
Kayitesi pointed out that over these years, they received treatment for injuries and diseases caused by the genocide, both within the country and abroad. She noted that rape victims, infected with HIV/AIDS and other serious diseases, were treated and provided with antiretroviral drugs free of charge.
Speaking at the event, Rwandan First Lady Jeannette Kagame said that the Genocide Against the Tutsi posed a great danger to Rwanda, and overcoming its impact on the survivors required a huge effort. “When someone needs you to listen to them and be able to get over it, it gives strength to the journey you are both committed to. Thank you for allowing us to understand and resolve to move on with resilience. Thirty years have passed, and another will come,” she said.
Jean-Damascene Bizimana, minister of national unity and civic engagement, said that members of Avega-Agahozo were involved in testifying about the crime of forced rape during the genocide. “Their testimonies led the International Criminal Court established in Rwanda to recognize this crime as part of the genocide, highlighting its severity and gravity at an international level.” Bizimana promised that the government would continue to support them to reduce the number of helpless survivors.
Established in Rwanda following the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and legally recognized in 1995, the Association des Veuves du Genocide (AVEGA) Agahozo works nationwide to create forums for healing, mutual support, and socioeconomic development for genocide widows. Xinhua
A United States military airstrike in Somalia targeted the top Islamic State leader in late May, but it remains unclear if the leader was killed in the airstrike, according to U.S. officials.
Abdulqadir Mumin has been identified by the U.S. as the head of the Islamic State in Somalia, an African affiliate of the terror group once known as ISIS.
A statement from U.S. Africa Command disclosed that on May 31 it had conducted an airstrike in a remote area of northeastern Somalia, south of the Gulf of Aden, that killed three militants affiliated with the Islamic State. The statement did not provide more accurate information about who was specifically being targeted in the airstrike.
Three U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News that the target of the strike was the top leader of the Islamic State in Somalia whom the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) identified as Mumin. However, the U.S. officials said it remained unclear if Mumin had been killed in the airstrike.
A fourth U.S. official would only confirm that a senior Islamic State leader was the target of the strike but would not comment on the individual's name.
NBC News was first to report that Mumin was the target of the May 31 airstrike and that he had become the global leader of Islamic State.
The NCTC describes Mumin as the founder and leader of the Islamic State in Somalia that operates primarily in the semi-autonomous area of northeastern Somalia known as Puntland.
Founded in 2015, the terror group became an official affiliate of ISIS in 2018 and is believed to have between 100 and 400 members that mainly carry out what are described as "small-scale, sporadic attacks and assassination operations against Somali Government officials and security forces, government-affiliated civilians, Puntland security forces, Africa Union Mission in Somalia peacekeepers, business owners refusing to pay extortion demands, and al-Shabaab."
Al-Shabaab is the main Islamic militant group in Somalia where its nearly 10,000 members operate in the southern part of the country and is the usual target of U.S. airstrikes in support of Somalia's government. ByLuis Martinez and Michelle Stoddart, ABC
Professor SARR presented the Nigerian Red Cross with a cheque for 906,205 US dollars, with the aim of reaching 3,500 households
ABUJA, Nigeria, June 16, 2024/APO Group/ -- At a brief ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday 13 June 2024, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation handed over cheques totalling almost $2 million to the World Food Programme and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. The funding was made available by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which asked the ministry to coordinate the project.
Professor Fatou SOW SARR, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, presented the two cheques to representatives of the Federal Ministry at the launch of its flood assistance programme, which was attended by the Nigerian Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Food Programme. The cheques were then presented to the Red Cross Society and the World Food Programme respectively.
Professor SARR presented the Nigerian Red Cross with a cheque for 906,205 US dollars, with the aim of reaching 3,500 households in the states of Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers in Nigeria. It will also dig 12 wells to ensure access to safe drinking water, thereby reducing the risk of water-borne diseases in the selected communities. According to Benson Agbro, Director of Disaster Management at the Nigerian Red Cross, ‘This agreement illustrates our shared commitment to humanitarian principles and the well-being of our citizens. It is a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration and solidarity. Together, we are not just responding to a disaster, we are laying the foundations for a more resilient and prosperous future for our nation”.
Professor SARR was then joined by representatives from the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Foreign Affairs to present a cheque for one million dollars to the Deputy National Director of the World Food Programme, Mr Guy ADOUA. In Mr Adoua’s own words: ‘This partnership will continue to provide essential food, nutrition and resilience building support to communities in Katsina and Sokoto States and strengthen state government institutions and programmes for greater sustainability”.
ECOWAS and the Government of Nigeria have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people with a generous contribution. “Together, we are creating sustainable solutions that will ensure long-term food security and resilience in the region”. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
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