African Union

Strong and effective regulatory systems are essential for achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to safe, effective and quality-assured medical products. Yet, many countries have not yet achieved a well-functioning, stable and integrated regulatory system, with capacity gaps continuing to hinder the performance of national regulatory authorities. In response, the World Health Organization developed the Five-Step Capacity Building Model to guide and strengthen regulatory systems and the Global Benchmarking Tool, and further established the Coalition of Interested Parties (CIP) Network as a global coordination mechanism to unify and optimize regulatory system strengthening support. This manuscript describes the development, operationalization and measurable impact of the CIP Network, which has grown to include 33 active members, including leading global donors, development agencies and technical partners. Between 2023 and 2025, the CIP Network facilitated over USD 235 million in targeted investment and coordinated nearly 600 technical activities across more than 50 countries. Anchored by WHO’s Global Benchmarking Tool and the implementation of Institutional Development Plans (IDPs), the Network operationalizes support through country-led coordination, shared visibility of priorities, continuous communication and accountability tracking. Member contributions span all regulatory functions, enabling rapid deployment of context-specific technical expertise. Regional and country-level case studies illustrate the transformative effect of this approach, demonstrating regulatory system strengthening, accelerated IDP implementation and maturity-level progression within a short timeframe. The CIP Network’s structured, scalable and country-driven model exemplifies how coordinated, evidence-informed and partner-aligned mechanisms can deliver sustainable improvements in regulatory performance, serving as a blueprint for global regulatory strengthening.

<title>Abstract</title> The discovery that the Maltese archipelago was reached by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers has upended the long-held view that the colonisation of small and remote Mediterranean islands was beyond the capabilities and/or desires of pre-agricultural societies. However, understanding of the corpus of knowledge required to both undertake long-distance sea journeys and survive on a small land-mass is still at an early stage. Here, we present a detailed zooarchaeological study of the vertebrates from the earliest Mesolithic (Phase V) at Latnija Cave, Malta, in order to explore how hunter-gatherers engaged with small insular environments. Based on morphological and collagen fingerprinting (ZooMS) identifications, a dwarf form of red deer, significantly smaller than their Sicilian and mainland counterparts, constituted the primary terrestrial source of proteins and fats for the site’s occupants. Besides a human fragment, the assemblage also includes testudines, fish, birds, seals, and dolphins. The results demonstrate the exploitation of a diverse range of habitats, indicating flexible diets and subsistence strategies, and a sophisticated understanding of island ecologies. Beyond illuminating early seafaring lifeways, these findings provide new insights into Malta’s early Holocene ecosystems prior to intensive human impact, establishing the first empirical baseline for assessing long-term ecological change and informing future restoration efforts.

Mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence play a critical role in optimizing food drying processes. This study innovatively combines thermodynamic, kinetic, and energy performance modeling of an IR-HA conveyor-belt dryer for Moringa oleifera leaves with multi-criteria optimization utilizing Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM). Drying experiments were conducted at air velocities ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 m/s, air temperatures of 30–50 °C, and infrared intensities of 100–600 W/cm². It was observed that increasing the air temperature from 30 to 50 °C and the IR intensity from 100 to 600 W/cm² significantly shortened the drying time by up to 42 % and reduced the specific energy consumption (SEC) from 4.3 to 2.1 MJ/kg. In contrast, higher airflow increased the drying time by 18 % and raised the SEC. The drying process exhibited an accelerating followed by a falling rate period, with the Midilli and Kucuk model providing the best fit to experimental curves (R² > 0.99, RMSE < 0.004). Maximum drying and thermal efficiencies of 29 % and 27 %, respectively, were achieved. To enhance predictive capability, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) were integrated with thermodynamic and kinetic modeling, enabling accurate prediction and clustering of optimal operating conditions. The proposed framework offers practical guidance for scaling up IR–HA conveyor drying of temperature-sensitive products, ensuring energy efficiency, sustainability, and quality preservation. This investigation examines the limitations of previous research on energy optimization and efficiency analysis of Moringa leaves using a conveyor belt dryer. Additional studies are necessary to assess the economic feasibility of implementing such a system for sample drying and to understand how drying affects the thermal properties of the products.

This paper examines the Murderhill Massacre, a pivotal event in South African history that occurred on May 30, 1830. The massacre, which resulted in the deaths of estimated 300-400 Griqua men, was instigated by Pilane, a powerful Bakgatla bagaKgafela chief. Through a critical analysis of primary and secondary sources, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex historical context surrounding the massacre, including the tensions between the Griqua and batwsana communities. The paper also seeks to shed light on the role of Pilane in orchestrating the massacre and the devastating consequences for the Griqua people. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex and often fraught history of South Africa's indigenous communities. The Murder hill massacre, which occurred in the 1830s, was a significant event in the history of southern Africa. This article examines the circumstances surrounding the massacre, in which Ndebele forces under the leadership of Mzilikazi launched a surprise attack on the Griqua camp.

Abstract This essay engages key insights in Donovan Schaefer’s Wild Experiments. In addition to Schaefer’s claim that scientific reason is infused with feeling and passion, I sit with a moment where he alludes to Denise da Silva’s description of how Euro-American sovereignty denies its own affectivity. I simply contend that heightening our sense of this denial enables us to explore the different ways that the reason/passion couplet gets constructed by marking racialized gender and sexuality as excessive and ungovernable.