Day: April 26, 2024

A three-year-old boy allegedly drowned in a water pond at Okakekete village in the Anamulenge Constituency on Thursday. The Namibian Police Force Omusati Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson confirmed this, saying that the incident occurred around 16h30. 'It is alleged that the minor boy drowned in a water pond next to their mahangu field while he and three others were preventing goats from entering the mahangu field,' he said. Basson said the deceased was identified as Simon Ihekeni. Police investigations into the matter continue. Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati region in a suspected case of human trafficking detained nine Ethiopian nationals on Thursday evening after they entered Namibia illegally from Angola. Omusati Regional Commander Commissioner Ismael Basson in a crime update, informed the media on Friday that the group was apprehended during a police patrol conducted by the Okapalelona sub-station while they were crossing the border between Omufituweelo and Okatanyange villages at around 22h50. According to Basson, the group consisting of four males and five females were transported across the border by a white Toyota pickup truck with an Outapi registration. The vehicle was confiscated and its 42-year-old Namibian driver was also arrested. 'The case has all the hallmarks of human trafficking and the Namibian suspect's name is withheld until his court appearance,' he said. The nine Ethiopian are listed as Adise Siyum Laloto (23), Abayinesh Abebe Leleto (32), Lopiso Eliyas Shanko (26), Marta Lopso Boloso (3 3), Genet Ashore Megabo (30), Gideon Yessama Manedo (22), Almaz Sied Araro (27), Wogayehu Mesfin Birhanu (23), and Balakata Eiso who was found with no identification documents. Police investigations continue. Source: Namibia Press Agency

Morocco and the European Union (EU) co-chaired a working meeting on Thursday in Brussels for the "Education for the prevention and fight against violent extremism leading to terrorism" initiative under the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF). During the meeting's opening, which reaffirmed the commitment to combat terrorism and violent extremism through education, Ismail Chekkori, Director of Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, emphasized that this initiative stems from the strong partnership between the Kingdom and the EU. He highlighted the shared dedication of both parties to global efforts aimed at preventing and combating violent extremism through education. Chekkori also underscored Morocco's efforts in combating extremism and radical ideologies, aligned with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He further emphasized the importance of adopting a proactive approach, focusing on collaboration and strengthening partnerships t o enhance educational capacities for preventing violent extremism. The meeting followed a workshop held on April 23 and 24, 2024, which was attended by a panel of experts from various organizations and research centers, including the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence. Representatives from African countries in the Sahel region and GCTF member countries also participated in thios event. Launched on November 23, 2023, in partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism "Hedayah," the initiative aims to identify emerging challenges, success stories, and best practices in preventing and countering violent extremism through education. The initiative was announced during the 21st meeting of the GCTF Coordination Committee in May 2023 in Cairo. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Morocco's ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Omar Hilale, in his capacity as co-facilitator of the UN process relating to the World Social Summit, carried out a working visit to Geneva with his Belgian counterpart, Philippe Kridelka, from April 22 to 24. This visit is part of the effort aimed at preparing the modalities of the Summit slated for 2025. During this trip, Hilale held meetings with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Volker Turk and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi. He also met with the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, and the Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo. During these high-level meetings, the ambassador had a fruitful exchange with the leaders of these international organizations whose contribution will be key to the success of the next social summit. Ranging from the role of multilateral trade in accelerating social development, to the centrality of the public health sector and medical coverage in consolidating cohesion and the well-being of populations, Hilale insisted on the need to strengthen these two sectors with a social vision focused on the human component of social development. He highlighted the key role of the WHO and the WTO in this sense under the leadership of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The exchange with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for its part, focused on the centrality of human rights for the achievement of social development. In this regard, the Moroccan ambassador underscored the need to change the narrative with regard to this issue and to mend the trend of international tension around issues related t o human rights. Regarding the meetings with the heads of the UNHCR and the IOM, they focused on issues relating to the social development of refugees and migrants, mainly the challenges linked to their integration and inclusion in host communities. To this end, Hilale underlined the opportunity that the World Social Summit gives the international community to put forward the political recommendations necessary to improve the conditions of refugees and migrants throughout the world, as well as to highlight the importance of migration as an opportunity for sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions. During the meeting with the ITU Secretary-General, the focus was on the access to new technologies for developing countries and the new economic and social reality marked by the rise of artificial intelligence. The emphasis was also put on the challenge that should be taken up by Member States and which consists of putting artificial intelligence and new technologies at the servi ce of social development by ensuring sustainable and inclusive access to developing countries. Hilale and his Belgian counterpart in New York also had a working session with more than 20 experts and directors of technical departments related to the ILO. This informative meeting was an opportunity to review the history of the preparations for the first World Social Summit in Copenhagen in 1995, its preparation, its duplication, as well as the monitoring of the implementation of the Copenhagen Action Plan for social development. During this meeting, the parties took stock of the perspectives and expectations of the ILO, 30 years after the historic Summit of 1995, during which heads of state and government defined an ambitious common vision of social development aimed at social justice, solidarity, harmony and equality within and between countries. The Moroccan diplomat highlighted, in this regard, that the next Summit should respond to the realities of today's world, strengthen the implementation of the Cope nhagen commitments and enhance an inclusive and united vision for social development. It should also revive the culture of trust between States and people in order to renew a social contract that fosters peace, coexistence and sustainable development in the world. Finally, the two co-facilitators of the UN process relating to the World Social Summit informed their interlocutors that the next stage of preparations for the Summit will be the presentation and negotiation of the draft modalities. These modalities will be negotiated by the member states of the United Nations as of next week. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

In a recent gathering in Madrid, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, the High Representative of the United Nations for the Alliance of Civilizations, commended the Spanish government's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan aimed at resolving the longstanding dispute over the Sahara region. Describing it as an "important political and strategic commitment," Moratinos praised Spain's stance during a meeting organized by Nueva Economía Fórum, a prominent debate platform in the country. "I support and defend the position of the Spanish government on the Sahara. It is an important political and strategic commitment of Spain," Moratinos stated, emphasizing the significance of Spain's decision in moving towards a resolution. Moratinos, a former Spanish foreign minister, expressed pride in the Spanish government's decisive action, describing it as a significant step forward. He urged the entirety of Spain to comprehend the wisdom behind this pivotal decision. Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Spain and Morocco, Mora tinos commended the joint decision of Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup, underscoring the strategic importance of the relationship with Morocco beyond mere geographical proximity. "For us, the relationship with Morocco is not only a neighborly relationship. It is a strategic relationship," Moratinos asserted, stressing the fundamental and vital nature of the ties between the two nations. Concluding his remarks, Moratinos predicted that Morocco and Spain would serve as the linchpin of relations between Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe in the 21st century, signifying the enduring significance of their partnership in regional affairs. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

In execution of the High Instructions of His Majesty the King, Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, President of the Social Works of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), chaired, Friday at the FAR General Staff headquarters, the Board of the FAR Social Works. Upon her arrival at the General Staff, Her Royal Highness was greeted by Lieutenant General, Inspector General of the FAR, Commander of the South Zone and President Delegate of the Board of the FAR Social Works, before reviewing a detachment of the FAR Headquarters Battalion. Her Royal Highness was then greeted by the members of the Board of the FAR Social Works, said the FAR General Staff in a statement. The meeting was attended by the Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of National Defense Administration, Lieutenant General Inspector General of the FAR and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, and members of the Board of the FAR Social Works. During the meeting, the Colonel-Major, Head of the General Directorate of Social Services, reported on the various services provided over the past year to beneficiaries of the FAR Social Works, including support actions for peacekeeping operations, pilgrimage and participation in the Marhaba operation to welcome Moroccans living abroad. The action plan also covered medical and social services to back people with disabilities and parents of autistic children, as well as solidarity and relief measures taken to support victims of the Al Haouz earthquake. At the end of the meeting, the Board examined the moral and financial report, as well as the 2024-2026 action plan, before approving the budget required for its implementation. The regular holding of Board meetings, under the effective chairmanship of HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, illustrates the High Solicitude with which His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, surrounds FAR members and their families. Source: Agence Marocain e De Presse