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IOM Supports Somali AIDS Commissions
… to Present Their AIDS Responses at the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA)
GENEVA – For the first time in history, Somali National AIDS Commissions*, with technical and financial support from International Organization for Migration (IOM), were represented at the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).
“IOM is grateful to be part of supporting Somali AIDS responses to be known to the world through ICASA. This representation was historical and significant as it offered the international community valuable experiences and lessons learnt from conflict and post-conflict settings,” said Ali Abdi, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission.
Held during 07-11 December 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa, ICASA is the largest International HIV and AIDS conference in Africa. Over 7,000 leading scientists, policy makers, government leaders, people living with HIV and AIDS, national AIDS Commissions, United Nations (UN) agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), private sector, donors and research institutes attended the biennial conference being held under the theme “Now More Than Ever: Targeting Zero”.
IOM sponsored a booth for the Somali National AIDS Commissions at which they showcased achievements of their AIDS responses and interacted with conference delegates to learn lessons from other countries, in order to contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of their AIDS responses.
Since 2008, IOM, in close partnership with Somali National AIDS Commissions and Joint UN Team on AIDS (JUNTA) in Somalia, has been contributing to the fight against AIDS by providing technical assistance, conducting epidemiological research, and implementing prevention projects through an evidence-informed, migrant-friendly and human-based approach.
For instance, during 2010-2012, IOM, in partnership with 18 NGOs, has implemented a Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) HIV prevention and stigma reduction programme targeting hard-to-reach mobile key and bridging populations such as sex workers, truck drivers, uniformed services.
Some of the achievements include training a total of 108 peer educators on HIV awareness and 60 peer educators on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) awareness and micro loan management, conducting HIV sensitization workshop for a total of 5,110 at-risk and vulnerable women, port workers, truck drivers, uniformed personnel, migrants and internally displaced persons and, as well, training 60 vulnerable women as “Women’s Advocates” on modes of HIV transmission, SGBV and the right to health.
In addition, IOM, in collaboration with various partners, has been conducting several studies on HIV epidemic in various parts of the countries that contributed to the national AIDS responses.
Most notably, in 2008, IOM conducted an Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBS) Survey, a ground-breaking epidemiological study which identified priority populations where the HIV epidemic is concentrated. The study was published in a leading peer review journal, AIDS in July 2010. IOM is also currently conducting another round of IBBS Survey, which is expected to contribute to the new National Strategic Plan and publish in 2014.
In this context, the Somali national responses in this conference drew special attentions from the international community as their responses as well as epidemiological data have not been well articulated in international venues in the past.
Addressing HIV and AIDS is an integral part of IOM’s migration health programme. Established in 2010, the programme contributes to the UN Millennium Development Goals by pushing for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
*The Somali National AIDS Commissions are: Somaliland National AIDS Commission (SOLNAC), Puntland AIDS Commission (PAC), and South Central AIDS Commission (SCAC).
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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