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Congo DR: Environmental groups allege threats to members over opposition to sales of oil bloc

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Environmental organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday said they are facing threat following their opposition to government auctioning of oil blocks.

The DRC government three weeks ago launched a call for tenders for 30 oil and gas blocks in the DRC, “environmental defenders continue to face direct threats,” eight of the organizations said in a statement.

Licensing rights for 30 oil and gas blocks in the DRC went up for auction on 28 July, opening parts of the world’s second-biggest rainforest to drilling that could release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, jeopardizing climate goals to tame global warming.

The organizations, notably among which are Greenpeace Africa, Rainforest Foundation and the Network for the Conservation and Rehabilitation of Forest Ecosystems (CREF) made the position in a joint statement.

“Statements by certain Congolese government ministers have fanned the flames,” the organisations said, “demanding that the authorities adopt a more tolerant attitude and take measures to protect the rights of environmental defenders.

Greenpeace in previous statement denounced these oil and gas projects, warning of the catastrophic consequences they could have on local communities, biodiversity and the climate as they affect a complex rich in peat bogs.

According to a report by worldometres, the DR Congo holds 180,000,000 barrels of proven oil reserves as of 2016, ranking 58th in the world and accounting for about 0.0% of the world’s total oil reserves of 1,650,585,140,000 barrels.

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EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

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The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

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World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

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The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.

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