Category: General

Mogadishu The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of the Federal Government of Somalia is implementing the order of President, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, as well as fulfilling its constitutional obligation of spreading basic education to every Somali child who has reached school age to receive quality education for free.

The Ministry will be hiring 3,000 teachers who will work in public schools in Federal Member States and in Banadir region.

In this event, which marked the start of the teachers recruitment process, the ministers of education from the Federal and regional States, members of the two houses of parliament and some of the country’s education teachers participated it.

The Ministry said the recruitment procedure is free and fair and everyone Somali national can apply for the positions.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Mogadishu, Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament on Monday voted in favor of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Act after a motion during their session here in Mogadishu.

144 members of the lawmakers voted for it ‘yes’ by raising hands while only one member who attended the session, rejected against the Act according to the Parliament.

“The National Intelligence & Security Agency Establishment Act is the first of many legislative priorities for the FGS. The next are CT Law, Immigration Act, Police Act and others”, Hussein Sheikh Ali, National Security Adivisor to the President said on Twitter Post.

The Parliament also approved the National Power Regulation Act, with 148 members voting in favor for it.

“In a groundbreaking achievement for Somalia’s electricity sector, the Federal Parliament of Somalia have approved the Electricity Act with a sweeping majority highlighting the robust sector reforms led by the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources”, said Jamal Taqal Abbas, Minister of Energy and Water Resources.

Source: Somali National News Agency

Pope Francis flew back to Rome on Sunday after a three-day tour of South Sudan. The pope concluded his visit with a Mass before an estimated 100,000 people at the John Garang Mausoleum, where he reiterated a message of peace for the country’s faithful.

“Jesus knows your anguish and the hope you bear in your hearts, the joys and struggles that mark your lives, the darkness that assails you and the faith that, like a song in the night, you raise to heaven.”

This was Pope Francis’s message during a Mass for South Sudan’s faithful in the nation’s capital of Juba Sunday morning. It was the final day of his African pilgrimage of peace.

The pope’s homily wove around the themes of mutual forgiveness for past wrongs and reconciliation.

Archbishop Stephen Ameyu says the pope’s message is timely and one the nation needs to hear. South Sudan has endured nearly a decade of civil war.

“It is discouraging that the peace process has moved forward so slowly, war has brought the indiscriminate destruction of human lives … we have been experiencing looting, raping, economic distortion and the displacement of countless people,” Ameyu said.

The pope asked worshippers to shun the “blind fury of violence.”

Speaking through an interpreter, Francis said that “today, I’d like to thank you because you are the salt of the Earth in this country. Yet, when you consider its many wounds the violence that increases the venom of hearted and injustice that causes misery and poverty, you may feel small and powerless at times when violence increases the venom of hatred, and injustice causes misery and poverty.”

During an earlier stop Saturday at Juba’s Freedom Hall, Pope Francis met with internally displaced people and listened to the testimonies of children, including that of 16-year-old Joseph.

“We have been affected by floods since 2020; many people have lost their livestock and crops,” said Joseph. “We urge the leaders to bring us peace and prosperity continue to pray for lasting peace in South Sudan.”

Johnson Juma Alex, another teenager at the IDP camp from Malakal said this to the pope:

“Peace is good, problems are not,” said Alex. “We want peace so that people can go back to their homes; there is no space to play football. I want to have a good future where there is peace… We thank the U.N. because they gave us peace and they gave us protection.”

The pope discussed his desire for a resumption of the peace process for South Sudan immediately.

Again, speaking through an interpreter, he said:

“This is my appeal to end all conflict and resume [the] peace process in a serious way and people can return to their homes and live in dignity. There is no room for delay.”

The pope was joined on his ecumenical peace mission by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Church of Scotland, representing the Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian religions that make up most of the population in South Sudan.

Source: Voice of America

The Senior Officials Meeting preparatory for the 49th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States, scheduled to be held on March 16-17, 2023 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, kicked off today February 5, 2023, at the headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah.

In his opening speech, the OIC Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, noted that the Palestinian Cause, the central issue for the Organization, is going through serious developments that have recently been discussed by the Executive Committee whose recommendations will be followed up. The same applies to the situation in Afghanistan, which was the focus of the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee that adopted a number of recommendations, including continuing engagement with the de facto authorities in Kabul through the Special Envoy, Ambassador Tarig Ali Bakheet, and arranging a second visit for a delegation of scholars.

With regard to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the Secretary-General indicated that the General Secretariat and the Special Envoy to Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Yousef bin Muhammad Al-Dobaey, are working on implementing the action plan adopted by the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir during its meeting held in Islamabad on the sidelines of the 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Secretary-General renewed the OIC’s firm support for the Republic of Azerbaijan with regard to the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. He stressed continued support for efforts to contribute to achieving peace, security, stability and development in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Libya, the Sahel countries, the Lake Chad basin, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Somalia. He also commended all efforts aimed at supporting Iraq’s unity, territorial integrity and reconstruction.

In the humanitarian field, the Secretary-General stressed that the General Secretariat is pursuing its role in coordinating humanitarian action amid increasing challenges, indicating that work is under way to hold a donor conference in the region of the Sahel and Lake Chad.

The Secretary-General had started his speech by extending his sincere congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on assuming the chair of the current CFM session, and by expressing his deep appreciation to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its valuable efforts during its chair of the 48th CFM session. He also commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the OIC host-country and Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, for its generous support to the Organization and for the keen interest it attaches to all its activities.

Source: Organization of Islamic Cooperation

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias to visit Brazil (Brasília, February 6, 2023), Uruguay (Montevideo, February 7, 2023), Argentina (Buenos Aires, February 8, 2023), Paraguay (Asunción, February 9, 2023), Panama (Panama City, February 10, 2023) and Jamaica (Kingston, February 10, 2023)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias will embark on a tour of six countries in Central and South America from 6 to 10 February 2023.

In particular, during his visit to Brazil, the first by a Greek Foreign Minister in many decades, Nikos Dendias will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Luiz Lecker Vieira.

In addition, the Minister will visit the country’s Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate where he will meet with parliamentary officials.

On February 7, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias will visit Uruguay, on the first-ever visit by a Greek Foreign Minister.

In the context of this visit, the Minister is scheduled to be received by the Vice-President of the Republic, Beatriz Argimon. The Greek Foreign Minister will also meet with his counterpart Francisco Bustillo Bonasso. During his stay in Uruguay, the Minister will visit the “Maria Tsakos” Cultural Foundation and the Hellenic Community offices.

On February 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias will visit Argentina, on the first-ever visit by a Greek Foreign Minister.

While in Buenos Aires, the Minister will meet with His Eminence, Metropolitan of Buenos Aires, and Exarch of South America, Iosif, and then with representatives of the Federation of Greek Communities and Diaspora associations.

Afterwards, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be received by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Cecilia Moreau. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Eduardo Félix Valdés, and the President of the Greece-Argentina Friendship parliamentary group, Liliana Paponet, will attend this meeting, as well.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias will then hold a meeting with his counterpart Santiago Andrés Cafiero.

The Foreign Minister is scheduled to be received by the President of the country, Alberto Fernández.

On February 9, the Minister will visit Paraguay, on the first visit of a Greek Foreign Minister to the country.

In Paraguay, the Minister will meet with his counterpart Julio Cesar Arriola.

Afterwards, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will address a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Paraguay themed “Greece’s foreign policy in its neighborhood and beyond: links with Latin America, the case of Paraguay”.

On February 10, Mr. Dendias will travel to Panama, where he will initially meet with the Honorary Consul of Greece as well as with members of the Greek Diaspora and church community.

The Minister will subsequently meet with the Foreign Minister of Panama, Janaina Tewaney.

In addition, he will meet with members of the maritime community and will be given a tour of the Panama Canal Museum by the Director of the Museum, Nikos Liakopoulos.

On the same day, the Greek Foreign Minister’s tour will conclude with a visit to Jamaica, the first-ever by a Greek Foreign Minister.

During his stay in Jamaica, Mr. Dendias will meet with his counterpart, Kamina Johnson Smith, and will then meet with officials from the International Seabed Authority.

In the course of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias’ tour of the above six countries, he is scheduled to sign with his counterparts Memoranda of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Talks will focus on further strengthening Greece’s cooperation with these countries in a wide range of areas, including the economy, investment, and culture.

In addition, discussions are expected to cover Greece’s cooperation with these countries, both bilaterally and within international organisations, to address common challenges, based on the shared commitment to International Law, including the International Law of the Sea.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic

Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, will participate tomorrow, Monday, February 6, in the EU General Affairs Council, to be convened in Brussels.

The discussion will focus on the preparation of the special European Council of 9-10 February 2023, whose agenda includes the migration-refugee issue, the war in Ukraine, and the economy.

Ministers will also discuss the state of play of the EU-UK relations, while the Swedish Presidency will present its priorities for the duration of its term of office.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic

ALGIERS— The Teranga Lions of Senegal defeated the Foxes of Algeria in the final of the 2022 CAF Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament. Senegal are the first Sub-Saharan country to lift the CHAN trophy after beating the host nation, Algeria on penalties.

The Senegalese made history as they became the first ever West African country to win the prestigious trophy since it was introduced in 2009.

Both teams started the game on a blistering pace with excellent passes from both set of players to make the match a highly-competitive one.

Algeria, the host nation were a bit stronger in the opening minutes of the match and created a lot of half chances but the defense of Senegal remained resolute.

Senegal also had their moments in the first half but failed to make it count as the opening 45 minutes of the match ended in a thrilling goalless draw.

Senegal played very well in the second half and gave the host nation no chance at the back putting their bodies on the line to block all attacks from the host nation.

The game ended in an entertaining end-to-end goalless draw during regulation time and also both teams were inseparable after extra time as it to the penalty shootouts.

After Senegal converted the first spot kick, their goalkeeper, Sy thought he saved the first Algeria kick only for the referee to ask for a replay after he stepped off the line.

Senegal missed the fourth penalty but Aymen Mahious failed to score the fifth spot kick as his tame effort was saved by the Senegalese goalie to send it to sudden death.

Senegal scored their sixth kick to make it five out of six with Algeria missing the last kick to hand the Local Lions of Teranga from Senegal the trophy at the end.

Algeria went through the tournament without conceding a single goal from open play with Senegal conceding just one goal throughout the competition.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

Pope Francis, the head of the Anglican Communion and top Presbyterian minister together denounced the criminalization of homosexuality on Sunday and said gay people should be welcomed by their churches.

The three Christian leaders spoke out on LGBTQ rights during an unprecedented joint airborne news conference returning home from South Sudan, where they took part in a three-day ecumenical pilgrimage to try to nudge the young country’s peace process forward.

They were asked about Francis’ recent comments to The Associated Press, in which he declared that laws that criminalize gay people were “unjust” and that “being homosexual is not a crime.”

South Sudan is one of 67 countries that criminalizes homosexuality, 11 of them with the death penalty. LGBTQ advocates say even where such laws are not applied, they contribute to a climate of harassment, discrimination and violence.

Francis referred his Jan. 24 comments to the AP and repeated that such laws are “unjust.” He also repeated previous comments that parents should never throw their gay children out of the house.

“To condemn someone like this is a sin,” he said. “Criminalizing people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice.”

“People with homosexual tendencies are children of God. God Loves them. God accompanies them,” he added.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, recalled that LGBTQ rights were very much on the current agenda of the Church of England, and said he would quote the pope’s own words when the issue is discussed at the church’s upcoming General Synod.

“I wish I had spoken as eloquently and clearly as the pope. I entirely agree with every word he said,” Welby said.

Recently, the Church of England decided to allow blessings for same-sex civil marriages but said same-sex couples could not marry in its churches. The Vatican forbids both gay marriage and blessings for same-sex unions.

Welby told reporters that the issue of criminalization had been taken up at two previous Lambeth Conferences of the broader Anglican Communion, which includes churches in Africa and the Middle East where such anti-gay laws are most common and often enjoy support by conservative bishops.

The broader Lambeth Conference has come out twice opposing criminalization, “But it has not really changed many people’s minds,” Welby said.

The Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, the Presbyterian moderator of the Church of Scotland who also participated in the pilgrimage and news conference, offered an observation.

“There is nowhere in my reading of the four Gospels where I see Jesus turning anyone away,” he said. “There is nowhere in the four Gospels where I see anything other than Jesus expressing love to whomever he meets.

“And as Christians, that is the only expression that we can possibly give to any human being, in any circumstance.”

The Church of Scotland allows same-sex marriages. Catholic teaching holds that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect, but that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.”

Source: Voice of America