Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Africa: Hydrogen Growth, Water Risk – Can Africa Balance Both?
Free Live Webinar Hosted by ESI Africa
Reserve My Seat Now (https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH)

As Africa positions itself to lead in the green hydrogen economy, one vital resource sits at the centre of this transformation: water.

Green hydrogen production via electrolysis requires large quantities of water — a pressing challenge on a continent where water scarcity already threatens communities, agriculture, and industry.

Join ESI Africa for a live webinar unpacking the complex connection between hydrogen development and water resource management across Africa. This session will explore the opportunities, trade-offs, and innovations shaping the continent’s sustainable hydrogen future.

What You’ll Learn:
- The water intensity of green hydrogen — and what it means for Africa
- Technologies enabling hydrogen production with minimal freshwater use
- Planning and policy tools to align hydrogen development with water sustainability
- Africa’s potential to lead a balanced, green hydrogen economy
Secure your seat now – space is limited (https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH)

Why Attend?

This is a critical conversation for energy planners, water authorities, hydrogen developers, policymakers, and anyone working at the intersection of Africa’s energy and environmental future. Learn how Africa can scale hydrogen without compromising water security.

Date: 24 July 2025
Time: 14:00–15:00 (SAST)
Format: Free Virtual Webinar
Registration Link: https://apo-opa.co/45OsWDH

Readers can also read more about the webinar here: https://apo-opa.co/4nsa2J3

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

MIL OSI Africa –
July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar strongly condemns attack on military convoy in Pakistan

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha – June 30, 2025

The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that targeted a military convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, resulting in deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the States of Qatar’s stance rejecting violence, terrorism and criminal acts, regardless of their motives and causes.

The Ministry extends the State of Qatar’s condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Expresses Full Solidarity with Sudan After Gold Mine Collapse

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha – June 30, 2025

The State of Qatar expresses full solidarity with the sisterly Republic of Sudan following the collapse of a gold mine in the Howaid area, which results in multiple deaths and injuries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveys Qatar’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Sudan, and wishes a swift recovery to those injured.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Greek Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 30, 2025

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call on Monday from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic George Gerapetritis.

The call discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them. It also discussed the developments in the region, in addition to a number of topics of common concern.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Copilot Vision on mobile now available
Source: Microsoft

Headline: Copilot Vision on mobile now available
Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more. Copilot Vision on mobile now available for free in the US Copilot Vision is now available to try for free in the US on iOS and Android devices. Vision will also be rolling out to all users worldwide in the coming weeks. With Copilot Vision, you can use

Welcome to Microsoft’s Copilot Release Notes. Here we’ll provide regular updates on what’s happening with Copilot, from new features to firmware updates and more.

Copilot Vision on mobile now available for free in the US

Copilot Vision is now available to try for free in the US on iOS and Android devices. Vision will also be rolling out to all users worldwide in the coming weeks. With Copilot Vision, you can use your phone’s camera to show Copilot what you’re seeing—and get real-time help, guidance, or conversation, just like you would with a friend.

Whether you’re:

Exploring a new city

Rearranging your living room decor

Navigating a confusing airport terminal

Trying to identify a strange object

Or just asking, “Does this setup look right?”

Please note that you must be signed in to Copilot with a Microsoft account (MSA) to use the Vision features on your Copilot mobile app.

Copilot Vision on Windows is here

We’re also excited to share that Copilot Vision on Windows is now available in the US and coming to more non-European countries by mid-July. When enabled, Copilot can see what you see on your screen and offer helpful, voice-guided support—whether you’re working across apps, browsing the web, or navigating a tricky task.

Need help finding an app? Want tips while editing a photo? Trying to understand a form or complete a task in a new tool? Copilot Vision can follow along, offer insights, and even highlight exactly where to click with Highlights, all while you stay in control.

Copilot Vision is fully opt-in and only activates when you choose to turn it on. You can start or stop sharing at any time with a single click.

Learn more in the official blog post.

Deep Research now in the Copilot app on Windows

Copilot Pro users can now access Deep Research directly from the Copilot app on Windows, the mobile app, and on Copilot.com. This powerful feature helps you tackle complex, multi-step research tasks by finding, analyzing, and synthesizing information from across the web, potentially saving you hours of work in the process.

Copilot Actions expands to more countries

Copilot Actions, our new feature that lets Copilot complete web tasks on your behalf (like booking hotels, placing shopping orders, or making dinner reservations), is now available to Copilot Pro users in the US, along with the following additional countries:

Australia

Canada

Great Britain

India

New Zealand

South Africa

Copilot Actions is available on Copilot.com on Windows and Mac. To get started, Pro users can open the dropdown menu in the Copilot composer and select Actions. Visit Copilot.com/Labs to learn more.

Cryptocurrency Finance Cards are now live

We’ve expanded our Copilot Cards collection with a new category: Cryptocurrency. These interactive cards are now fully rolled out across Copilot.com and bring real-time insights to your crypto-related questions. Here’s what’s new:

Interactive Charts: Real-time 24-hour data, just like our current finance cards.

Detailed Dashboards: View performance summaries, related news, and other trending cryptocurrencies.

Expanded Support: Now covers over 100 of the most popular global cryptocurrencies.

Local Currency Support: Ask for prices in your local currency such as “Bitcoin in CAD” or “Solana in INR.”

This update builds on the cards we recently introduced for Sports, Videos, Weather, and Stocks, giving you quick, visual answers across a growing range of topics. Crypto cards are available on web, with mobile and Windows support rolling out in the coming weeks.
MIL OSI Global Banks –
July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Norma Torres and Adriano Espaillat Relaunch the Congressional New Americans Caucus for the 119th Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

June 30, 2025

Honoring and Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. – In honor of Immigrant Heritage Month, Chair Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Co-Chair Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) have officially relaunched the bipartisan New Americans Caucus for the 119th Congress. This Caucus is composed of first-generation Members of Congress dedicated to advancing awareness and policies that uplift new Americans across the nation.

“As the only Member of Congress born in Guatemala, I am committed to amplifying the voices of new and aspiring Americans,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Our immigrant communities are the backbone of our country’s growth and innovation. Many new Americans continue to face systemic obstacles on their journey toward citizenship and full participation in society, especially during these difficult times. This caucus will continue to serve as a powerful platform to educate Congress and advocate for meaningful reforms that ensure everyone has the chance to succeed.”

“I’m proud to join Congresswoman Torres as Co-Chair of the New Americans Caucus during the 119th Congress and look forward to continuing our collective efforts to ensuring the rights of newly naturalized citizens to our nation,” said Rep. Espaillat, the first Dominican American and only formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Our nation is facing unprecedented challenges, which is exacerbated for immigrant families amid this current administration. For many, the path to becoming citizens can mean life or death. We must do all it takes to support new Americans and their families through the citizenship process in ways that will afford them equal opportunities in America today and for future generations.”

The Caucus membership includes: Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

The New Americans Caucus was founded in 2017 and honors the diverse origins of its members, who hail from countries including Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, India, Somalia, Taiwan, Ukraine, Mexico, South Korea, and Cuba.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s Joint Press Encounter with the President of Spain [scroll down for all-English and all-Spanish]

Source: United Nations secretary general

Querido Pedro Sánchez, Presidente del Gobierno de España quiero agradecerte y agradecer al Gobierno y al pueblo de España por la magnífica organización de esta Conferencia y por la extraordinaria hospitalidad que estamos recibiendo.

España es un pilar del multilateralismo, un socio firme de las Naciones Unidas y un defensor del desarrollo – como demuestra, una vez más, al acoger esta importante conferencia.

España es también una voz líder mundial por la paz – y comprende los profundos vínculos entre el desarrollo y la paz.

At a time of profound global turmoil, we must keep working for peace, for peace in the Middle East.

For an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.

For the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.

For a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.

For an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.

We know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media.

As I said in opening the Conference this morning, development is not just about numbers on a page.

It’s about food, health care and education.

It’s about jobs and social protection.

It’s about infrastructure like water systems, internet access and climate-resilient buildings.

It’s about providing equal opportunity for girls and women which moves all societies ahead.

It’s about easing human suffering, and driving progress across every community, large and small.

Development is about people.

And we have collectively made great strides in development in recent decades.

But progress doesn’t happen on its own.

It takes support and investment.

As we meet, the world is falling behind in its commitments to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving them will take an investment of more than $4 trillion a year.

And meanwhile, global growth is slowing, trade barriers are rising, and aid budgets are falling.

Developing countries are drowning in debt service payments, which have skyrocketed to $1.4 trillion every year.

And the great enabler of development — international cooperation — is being chipped away by geopolitical mistrust and division.

Now, this Conference is about rebuilding that trust with concrete commitments.

With the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment document, countries are proving their dedication to getting the engine of development revving again:

Through new domestic and global commitments that can channel public and private finance to the areas of greatest need…

By overhauling the world’s approach to debt to make borrowing work in service of sustainable development…

And by reforming the global financial architecture to reflect today’s realities and the urgent needs of developing countries, that must have a much stronger voice and participation in the institutions of this financial architecture.

The Sevilla Platform of Action being launched later today will help us move from words to action.

It contains dozens of new practical initiatives to accelerate funding for development around the world.

This includes the commitment to establish a borrowers forum for countries to learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring.

This is one of 11 immediately actionable proposals to help resolve the debt crisis, backed by my group of experts on debt that will be publishing their report.

I look forward to working closely with Member States — including the G20 — to bring this forum to life.

Por encima de todo, Sevilla va de soluciones.

Y de encontrar esas soluciones en un momento de dificultades y división para la familia humana.

Espero que nuestros esfuerzos colectivos aquí en Sevilla puedan inspirar y motivar a los países del mundo a trabajar unidos para resolver otros desafíos globales.

Y una vez más, quiero agradecer al Presidente del Gobierno y al pueblo español por dar la bienvenida al mundo aquí en Sevilla.

Muchas gracias.

****
[all-English]

Prime Minister Sánchez, my thanks to you and the government and people of Spain for your tremendous hospitality.

Dear Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, I would like to thank you and the Government and people of Spain for the magnificent organization of this Conference and for the extraordinary hospitality we are receiving.

Spain is a pillar of multilateralism, a steadfast partner of the United Nations, and a champion of development as we see once again in your hosting of this major conference.

Spain is also a leading global voice for peace — and understands the deep linkages between development and peace.

At a time of profound global turmoil, we must keep working for peace, for peace in the Middle East.

For an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.

For the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.

For a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.

For an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.

We know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

Ladies and gentlemen of the media.

As I said in opening the Conference this morning, development is not just about numbers on a page.

It’s about food, health care and education.

It’s about jobs and social protection.

It’s about infrastructure like water systems, internet access and climate-resilient buildings.

It’s about providing equal opportunity for girls and women which moves all societies ahead.

It’s about easing human suffering, and driving progress across every community, large and small.

Development is about people.

And we have collectively made great strides in development in recent decades.

But progress doesn’t happen on its own.

It takes support and investment.

As we meet, the world is falling behind in its commitments to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Achieving them will take an investment of more than $4 trillion a year.

Meanwhile, global growth is slowing, trade barriers are rising, and aid budgets are falling.

Developing countries are drowning in debt service payments, which have skyrocketed to $1.4 trillion every year.

And the great enabler of development — international cooperation — is being chipped away by geopolitical mistrust and division.

This Conference is about rebuilding that trust with concrete commitments.

With the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment document, countries are proving their dedication to getting the engine of development revving again:

Through new domestic and global commitments that can channel public and private finance to the areas of greatest need…

By overhauling the world’s approach to debt to make borrowing work in service of sustainable development…

And by reforming the global financial architecture to reflect today’s realities and the urgent needs of developing countries, that must have a much stronger voice and participation in the institutions of this financial architecture.

The Sevilla Platform of Action being launched later today will help us move from words to action.

It contains dozens of new practical initiatives to accelerate funding for development around the world.

This includes the commitment to establish a borrowers forum for countries to learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring.

This is one of 11 immediately actionable proposals to help resolve the debt crisis, backed by my group of experts on debt that will be publishing their report.

I look forward to working closely with Member States — including the G20 — to bring this forum to life.

Above all, Sevilla is about solutions.

And finding these solutions at a divided and difficult moment for the human family.

It is my hope that our collective efforts here in Sevilla can inspire and motivate the countries of the world to work as one to solve other global challenges.

Once again, I’d like to thank Prime Minister Sánchez and the people of Spain for welcoming the world to Sevilla.

Thank you.

*****
[all-Spanish]

Querido Pedro Sánchez, Presidente del Gobierno de España quiero agradecerte y agradecer al Gobierno y al pueblo de España por la magnífica organización de esta Conferencia y por la extraordinaria hospitalidad que estamos recibiendo.

España es un pilar del multilateralismo, un socio firme de las Naciones Unidas y un defensor del desarrollo – como lo demuestra, una vez más, al acoger esta importante conferencia.

España es también una voz líder mundial por la paz – y comprende los profundos vínculos entre el desarrollo y la paz.

En estos momentos de profunda agitación mundial, debemos seguir trabajando por la paz, por la paz en Oriente Medio.

Por un alto el fuego inmediato en Gaza, la liberación inmediata de todos los rehenes y un acceso humanitario sin trabas – como primer paso para lograr la solución de dos Estados.

Por el mantenimiento del alto el fuego entre Irán e Israel.

Por una paz justa y duradera en Ucrania, basada en la Carta de las Naciones Unidas, el derecho internacional y las resoluciones de la ONU.

Por el fin del horror y el derramamiento de sangre en Sudán.

Sabemos que una paz sostenible requiere un desarrollo sostenible.

Señoras y señores de los medios,

Como he dicho esta mañana al inaugurar la Conferencia, el desarrollo no es solo números en un papel.

El desarrollo tiene que ver con la alimentación, la atención sanitaria y la educación.

Con los empleos y la protección social.

Con las infraestructuras, como los sistemas de abastecimiento de agua, el acceso a Internet y los edificios resistentes al clima.

Se trata de ofrecer igualdad de oportunidades a las niñas y las mujeres, que tan a menudo son las primeras a quienes se deja atrás.

Se trata de aliviar el sufrimiento humano e impulsar el progreso en todas las comunidades, tanto grandes como pequeñas.

El desarrollo se trata de las personas.

Y colectivamente hemos hecho grandes progresos en materia de desarrollo en las últimas décadas.

Pero los progresos no se producen por sí solos.

Se necesita apoyo e inversión.

Mientras nos reunimos, el mundo se está quedando a la zaga en sus compromisos de impulsar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.

Para alcanzarlos, hará falta una inversión de más de 4 billones de dólares al año.

Y mientras tanto, el crecimiento mundial se ralentiza, las barreras comerciales aumentan, y disminuyen los presupuestos para ayuda.

Los países en desarrollo están ahogados por los pagos de servicio de la deuda, que se han disparado hasta los 1,4 billones de dólares anuales.

Y la desconfianza y la división geopolíticas están minando el gran motor del desarrollo, que es la cooperación internacional.

Esta Conferencia trata de reconstruir esa confianza con compromisos concretos.

Con la adopción del documento del Compromiso de Sevilla, los países están demostrando que quieren volver a acelerar el motor del desarrollo:

Con nuevos compromisos nacionales y globales que dirijan la financiación pública y privada a las esferas donde es más necesaria…

Revisando el enfoque global de la deuda para hacer que el endeudamiento esté al servicio del desarrollo sostenible…

Y reformando la arquitectura financiera mundial para que refleje las realidades actuales y las necesidades urgentes de los países en desarrollo que deben tener una voz y una participación mucho más fuertes en las instituciones de esta arquitectura financiera.

La Plataforma de Acción de Sevilla, que se pondrá en marcha hoy, nos ayudará a pasar de las palabras a los hechos.

Contiene docenas de nuevas iniciativas prácticas para acelerar la financiación del desarrollo en todo el mundo.

Este incluye el compromiso de establecer un foro de prestatarios para que los países aprendan unos de otros y coordinen sus planteamientos en la gestión de la deuda y la reestructuración.

Esta es una de las 11 propuestas de acción inmediata para ayudar a resolver la crisis de la deuda, respaldadas por mi grupo de expertos en deuda que publicará su informe.

Espero trabajar en estrecha colaboración con los Estados miembros -incluido el G20 – para dar vida a este foro.

Por encima de todo, Sevilla va de soluciones.

Y de encontrar esas soluciones en un momento de dificultades y división para la familia humana.

Espero que nuestros esfuerzos colectivos aquí en Sevilla puedan inspirar y motivar a los países del mundo a trabajar unidos para resolver otros desafíos globales.

Y una vez más, quiero agradecer al Presidente del Gobierno y al pueblo español por dar la bienvenida al mundo aquí en Sevilla.

Muchas gracias.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: New taxes on premium flyers and private jets: Greenpeace comment

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Sevilla, Spain – Barbados, France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Antigua & Barbuda supported by the European Commission, have announced they will form a ‘solidarity coalition on premium flyers’ to raise funds for climate action and sustainable development. Campaigners reacted to the announcement, which was made on the first day of the UN Financing for Development conference in Sevilla (FFD4).[1]

Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign said: “Flying is the most elite and polluting form of travel, so this is an important step towards ensuring that the binge users of this undertaxed sector are made to pay their fair share. With the cost of climate impacts surging in countries least responsible for the crisis, bold, cooperative action that makes polluters pay is not just fair – it’s essential.”

“The obvious next step is to hold oil and gas corporations to account. As fossil fuel barons rake in obscene profits, and people are battered with increasingly violent floods, storms and wildfires, it’s no surprise that 8 out of 10 people support making them pay. Members of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force and rich countries around the world should act upon this enormous public mandate: commit to higher taxes on fossil fuel profits and extraction by COP30, while ensuring that those being hit hardest by the climate crisis around the world benefit most from the revenues.”

Greenpeace International maintains it is critical that the revenues raised from solidarity levies in Global North countries go towards the countries and communities most affected by the climate crisis, for example through helping to fill the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

With demand for a climate damages tax on big polluters fast gaining momentum globally, Greenpeace urges all countries to join and implement the commitments of the new solidarity coalition on premium flyers by COP30. It also calls on all governments to adopt bold taxes and fines on greedy oil and gas corporations for the damages they have caused, without delay.[2][3][4][5][6]

ENDS

Notes:

[1] The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) takes place from June 30 to 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain, with participation of Heads of State and Government, relevant ministers, and other special representatives. Official website

[2] Popularity of climate damages taxes on fossil fuel consumption and production. A global survey, commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, found that 3 out of 4 people agree that wealthier airline passengers (i.e. those who fly more often, use business and first-class and or/private jets) should pay additional tax due to their outsized individual impact on climate change. The same survey found that taxing oil, gas and coal corporations for their climate damages is even more popular. 81% of people support this, while 86% support channeling the revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

[3] A call to action. The Polluters Pay Pact is a global alliance of more than 160,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups and political leaders. It demands that governments around the world make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause.

[4] 80% of the world’s population have never flown. A single transatlantic flight on a private jet can produce emissions equivalent to those generated by an average person over several years. Private jets are 10 times more carbon-intensive than commercial flights and 50 times more polluting than trains.

[5] Recent Oxfam International research found that a polluter profits tax on 590 oil, gas and coal companies could raise up to US $400 billion in its first year. This compares to estimated loss and damage costs of $290-1045 trillion in the Global South annually by 2030. Further, Oxfam analysis found that the emissions of just 340 fossil fuel companies each year make up half of all global emissions – emissions of just one year are enough to cause 2.7 million heat-related deaths over the next century.

[6] Over 100 climate groups are backing a ‘Climate Damages Tax’ on fossil fuels extraction. This could be imposed by OECD countries, which if introduced at low initial rate of US$5 per tonne of CO2e increasing by US$5 per tonne each year could raise a total of US$ 900 billion by 2030 to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable with climate damages, and pay for damages caused by some of the worst extreme weather events last year. Greenpeace is calling on governments to introduce frequent flyer levies so that those who fly the most, pay the most, while preventing the expansion of the aviation industry. Private jets are an extravagant luxury which should be banned altogether.

Contacts:

Tal Harris, Global Media Lead – Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, +41-782530550, [email protected]

Greenpeace International Press Desk: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

MIL OSI NGO –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: New taxes on premium flyers and private jets: Greenpeace comment

Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Sevilla, Spain – Barbados, France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Antigua & Barbuda supported by the European Commission, have announced they will form a ‘solidarity coalition on premium flyers’ to raise funds for climate action and sustainable development. Campaigners reacted to the announcement, which was made on the first day of the UN Financing for Development conference in Sevilla (FFD4).[1]

Rebecca Newsom, Global Political Lead of Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign said: “Flying is the most elite and polluting form of travel, so this is an important step towards ensuring that the binge users of this undertaxed sector are made to pay their fair share. With the cost of climate impacts surging in countries least responsible for the crisis, bold, cooperative action that makes polluters pay is not just fair – it’s essential.”

“The obvious next step is to hold oil and gas corporations to account. As fossil fuel barons rake in obscene profits, and people are battered with increasingly violent floods, storms and wildfires, it’s no surprise that 8 out of 10 people support making them pay. Members of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force and rich countries around the world should act upon this enormous public mandate: commit to higher taxes on fossil fuel profits and extraction by COP30, while ensuring that those being hit hardest by the climate crisis around the world benefit most from the revenues.”

Greenpeace International maintains it is critical that the revenues raised from solidarity levies in Global North countries go towards the countries and communities most affected by the climate crisis, for example through helping to fill the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

With demand for a climate damages tax on big polluters fast gaining momentum globally, Greenpeace urges all countries to join and implement the commitments of the new solidarity coalition on premium flyers by COP30. It also calls on all governments to adopt bold taxes and fines on greedy oil and gas corporations for the damages they have caused, without delay.[2][3][4][5][6]

ENDS

Notes:

[1] The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) takes place from June 30 to 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain, with participation of Heads of State and Government, relevant ministers, and other special representatives. Official website

[2] Popularity of climate damages taxes on fossil fuel consumption and production. A global survey, commissioned by Greenpeace International and Oxfam International, found that 3 out of 4 people agree that wealthier airline passengers (i.e. those who fly more often, use business and first-class and or/private jets) should pay additional tax due to their outsized individual impact on climate change. The same survey found that taxing oil, gas and coal corporations for their climate damages is even more popular. 81% of people support this, while 86% support channeling the revenues from higher taxes on oil and gas corporations towards communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

[3] A call to action. The Polluters Pay Pact is a global alliance of more than 160,000 people on the frontlines of climate disasters, concerned citizens, first responders like firefighters, humanitarian groups and political leaders. It demands that governments around the world make oil, coal and gas corporations pay their fair share for the damages they cause.

[4] 80% of the world’s population have never flown. A single transatlantic flight on a private jet can produce emissions equivalent to those generated by an average person over several years. Private jets are 10 times more carbon-intensive than commercial flights and 50 times more polluting than trains.

[5] Recent Oxfam International research found that a polluter profits tax on 590 oil, gas and coal companies could raise up to US $400 billion in its first year. This compares to estimated loss and damage costs of $290-1045 trillion in the Global South annually by 2030. Further, Oxfam analysis found that the emissions of just 340 fossil fuel companies each year make up half of all global emissions – emissions of just one year are enough to cause 2.7 million heat-related deaths over the next century.

[6] Over 100 climate groups are backing a ‘Climate Damages Tax’ on fossil fuels extraction. This could be imposed by OECD countries, which if introduced at low initial rate of US$5 per tonne of CO2e increasing by US$5 per tonne each year could raise a total of US$ 900 billion by 2030 to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable with climate damages, and pay for damages caused by some of the worst extreme weather events last year. Greenpeace is calling on governments to introduce frequent flyer levies so that those who fly the most, pay the most, while preventing the expansion of the aviation industry. Private jets are an extravagant luxury which should be banned altogether.

Contacts:

Tal Harris, Global Media Lead – Greenpeace International’s Stop Drilling Start Paying campaign, +41-782530550, [email protected]

Greenpeace International Press Desk: +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]

MIL OSI NGO –

July 1, 2025
From patrol vessels to air defence systems, Brazil keen on acquiring India’s indigenous innovations

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

As India continues to march ahead in pursuit of defence indigenisation and self-reliance, Brazil has shown keen interest in acquiring indigenous defence innovations, discussions on which are likely to be held during Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s visit to the Latin American nation starting July 6, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

“Yes, there are going to be discussions on defence cooperation and enhancing it with Brazil. We are looking at avenues for joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges. We are still in talks about what kind of cooperation is possible and what kind of defence platforms we can sell to Brazil, but there has not been much progress yet. Broadly, we have identified a few areas that seem to be of interest to the Brazilian side,” MEA Secretary East P. Kumaran told reporters during a media briefing ahead of PM’s visit.

PM Modi will be on a five-nation visit starting July 2. He will be arriving in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in the fourth leg of his visit after Ghana (July 2-3), Trinidad and Tobago (July 3-4) and Argentina (July 4-5).

After attending the BRICS Summit at the invitation of Brazillian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, PM Modi will travel to Brasilia for the State Visit and will hold bilateral discussions on the broadening of the strategic partnership between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade, defence, energy, space, technology, agriculture, health and people-to-people linkages.

“They (Brazil) are interested in secured communication systems on the battlefield, they are also interested in Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Brazil has Scorpene submarines, they are interested in partnering with us in maintaining those submarines. They also seem to be interested in the Akash Air Defence Systems and Coastal Surveillance System, Garuda Artillery Guns. They are also interested in defence industry joint ventures with us, joint R&D and co-development of systems. We also use the Embraer platform to develop reconnaissance systems on top of that.. So, there is a lot of potential for us to work with Brazil given their strength in aircraft industry in general,” Secretary Kumaran said on Monday.

India and Brazil have been involved in joint collaboration to develop Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft besides Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company, and Mahindra signing an MoU to collaborate on the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft.

Like several other nations, including from Latin America, Brazil too has been showing a keen interest in acquiring Indian defence equipment as the government led by Prime Minister Modi has transformed the country’s defence capabilities over the past 11 years.

India’s defence exports crossed the record figure of about Rs 24,000 crore in Financial Year 2024-25 with the government aiming at increasing the figure to Rs 50,000 crore by 2029.

With PM Modi and President Lula having met four times since 2023, strategic partners India and Brazil have consolidated bilateral ties through several institutional mechanisms including Joint Commission Meeting, Strategic Dialogue, Foreign Office Consultations, Trade Monitoring Mechanism and other joint working groups.

PM Modi visited Brazil in November 2024 for the G20 Summit and the forthcoming trip to the country would be the fourth visit of Prime Minister since 2014.

President Lula had also extended support against terrorism during a telephonic call with Prime Minister Modi on last month, following the heinous April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

(IANS)

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General Welcomes Signing of Peace Agreement between Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:

I welcome the signing of a peace agreement on 27 June in Washington, D.C., by the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, facilitated by the United States.

This agreement is a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. I commend the United States for its leadership in facilitating this process, in coordination with the State of Qatar and the African Union Mediator, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo. I acknowledge the contributions of the five co-facilitators designated by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

I urge the parties to honour in full the commitments they have undertaken in the peace agreement and pursuant to Security Council resolution 2773 (2025), including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures.

The United Nations, including through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), remains fully committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement, in close coordination with the African Union, regional and international partners.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets President of Somaliland

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 30, 2025

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Monday with HE President of Somaliland Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, who is visiting the country.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in Somalia and discussed the importance of supporting efforts aimed at achieving security and stability there, as well as ways to enhance communication and build trust between the various parties.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed the State of Qatar’s belief that Somalia’s future is built through openness and constructive communication among all its components, to ensure respect for the sovereignty and national unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Participates in High-Level Opening Session of FFD4

Source: Government of Qatar

Sevilla, June 30, 2025

The State of Qatar participated in the high-level opening session of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) currently taking place in Seville in the Kingdom of Spain.

The State of Qatar’s delegation to the session was headed by HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.

The conference comes to follow up on the United Nations’ (UN) process on financing for development by reinforcing the agreements and commitments of the three previous international conferences.

The first of which was held in Monterrey, Mexico, in 2002 where fundamental principles for development financing were established.

Doha hosted the second conference in 2008 amid the global financial crisis, giving it particular significance in addressing the impact of the crisis on developing countries.

The third conference, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2015, resulted in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a comprehensive framework for financing sustainable development.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Committee Pursuant to Resolution 2745 Holds Meeting to Consider Midterm and Final Reports of Its Panel of Experts

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Press Release

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2745 (2024) held informal consultations on 11 June 2025 to consider the midterm and final reports of its Panel of Experts, submitted in accordance with paragraph 7 of the same resolution.

The Coordinator of the Panel, joined by the other experts, presented an overview of the principal findings contained in the midterm and final reports after which Committee members engaged in an interactive discussion with the members of the Panel. The Committee members thanked the Panel for its rigorous work under challenging conditions and reiterated their commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Central African Republic and the wider region.

Following the Panel’s submission of its midterm and final reports to the Security Council no later than 15 June 2025, the reports will be issued as documents of the Security Council, and they will be available in all official languages on the 2745 Committee’s webpage: https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/2745/panel-of-experts/reports.

Central African Republic

For information media. Not an official record.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Algeria
Source: IMF – News in Russian

June 30, 2025

End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
- The near-term prospects for the Algerian economy remain broadly positive despite global uncertainty, but fiscal vulnerabilities are high.
- A gradual yet urgent fiscal adjustment is essential to strengthen fiscal resilience and rebuild buffers, while monetary policy should remain focused on price stability. Greater exchange rate flexibility would strengthen the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks, including from hydrocarbon prices.
- Strengthened policy frameworks, along with reforms to enhance fiscal resilience, diversify the economy, and promote private investment, are critical to lifting growth and creating jobs over the medium-term.
Algiers, Algeria: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Charalambos Tsangarides visited Algiers during June 16–30, to conduct the 2025 Article IV consultation with Algeria.

At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsangarides issued the following statement:

“Economic activity eased to 3.6 percent in 2024 from 4.1 percent in 2023, as OPEC+ production cuts weighed on the hydrocarbons sector, while nonhydrocarbon activity remained strong, expanding by 4.2 percent. The current account balance turned to a deficit in 2024 amid lower hydrocarbon output and gas prices. International reserves remained robust at US$ 67.8 billion, covering about 14 months of imports.

Inflation fell sharply from an average of 9.3 percent in 2023 to 4 percent in 2024, driven mainly by lower food prices, with core inflation also declining. Monetary policy remained accommodative in the first half of 2025. The budget deficit widened significantly in 2024, reaching 13.9 percent of GDP due to lower hydrocarbon revenues and higher wage and investment spending, and is expected to remain high in 2025.

The near-term outlook is broadly positive, supported by a gradual recovery in hydrocarbon production as OPEC+ production cuts ease, which is expected to sustain growth in 2025, while inflation remains moderate. However, growing fiscal pressures pose significant financing challenges and if continued, would increase public debt in the medium term. Continued global uncertainty and volatile hydrocarbon prices are likely to dampen exports and investment, contributing to a wider current account deficit in 2025.

Economic prospects face several risks, primarily from volatile hydrocarbon prices amid shifting trade policies and geopolitical tensions, and persistent fiscal deficits that strain debt sustainability and deepen financial linkages between the government, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and public banks (SOBs). However, medium-term economic prospects would improve with sustained reforms to diversify the economy, and effective implementation of the government’s Action Plan and structural reforms.

To safeguard macro-financial stability and mitigate near-term risks amid a volatile global environment, the mission recommends gradual yet timely fiscal rebalancing. This will curb rising financing needs driven by large deficits and falling hydrocarbon prices, helping to reduce vulnerabilities, rebuild buffers, and stabilize public debt over the medium term. Monetary policy should continue to be guided by economic conditions and firmly focused on its inflation objective, while maintaining close oversight of financial sector developments. More exchange rate flexibility will enhance the economy’s ability to absorb external shocks amid heightened hydrocarbon price volatility and global uncertainty.

Medium-term reform priorities include enhancing fiscal sustainability, strengthening monetary and financial frameworks, and advancing structural reforms to boost private investment, inclusive growth, and job creation.

The fiscal adjustment strategy would be strengthened by reforms to increase nonhydrocarbon revenues and streamline spending. A revised revenue mobilization strategy would support efforts to expand the tax base, including by rationalizing tax expenditures, and enhance compliance via digitalization. Reforming subsidies would help rebuild fiscal buffers and create space for priority expenditures, including targeted support for vulnerable households. Enhancing public investment efficiency would support the authorities’ economic diversification goals. Improving oversight, efficiency, and governance of SOEs would be essential to contain macro-financial risks. The mission welcomes progress in implementing the 2018 Organic Budget Law, which is expected to enhance transparency and accountability in budget execution, the establishment of a unit within the Ministry of Finance to oversee SOEs and strengthen fiscal risk management, and the expected implementation of the new Public Procurement Law.

The mission commends the authorities for their ongoing implementation of the 2023 Monetary and Banking Law, improvements in liquidity management, and strengthened capacity in macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis. Clarifying the monetary policy framework—by defining a clear primary objective and nominal anchor—would enhance policy transmission and effectiveness. Improving financial sector oversight is crucial to mitigate risks arising from strong financial linkages between the central government, SOEs, and SOBs.

The authorities’ efforts to diversify the economy and improve the business climate to boost private investment are welcome. Key initiatives include a one-stop digital shop for real estate access, aligning exports with international standards, and advancing online trade. The mission encourages continuing these reforms but cautions against broad application of fiscal incentives that may create revenue gaps. Additional gains can be achieved by removing administrative restrictions, increasing flexibility in product and labor markets, and ensuring a level playing field between public and private sectors. The mission also welcomes recent governance reforms and continued efforts to strengthen the AML/CFT framework and enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector.”

“The mission expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the authorities and all interlocutors for their warm hospitality and the open and constructive discussions.”

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/30/pr-25226-algeria-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Speech

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on the Middle East Peace Process.

Let me start by underlining that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran offers a much-needed moment of hope for the region.

This hope must extend to Gaza. We need a ceasefire now.

This remains the most credible path to end the terrible suffering of hostages and their families, to end Hamas’ control of Gaza and to allow Palestinians to rebuild.

We also need a ceasefire because the suffering in Gaza is appalling and cannot continue.

Israel’s aid delivery measures are inhumane.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations which are supposed to be saving lives, are themselves leading to mass casualties.

Starving people who are desperate to feed their families are told food awaits them.

But over 500 have reportedly been killed trying to access it.

And meanwhile, UNICEF reports that more than 5000 children between the age of six months and five years old were admitted for acute malnutrition in May alone.

It is truly appalling.

We are also deeply concerned by reports that Hamas has targeted Gaza Humanitarian Foundation staff and by reports of widespread looting by criminal gangs, which are undermining security around aid distribution.

This is unacceptable.

The more desperate people become, the more disorder becomes inevitable. The UN can deliver aid at scale without endangering civilians.

Israel must let the UN save lives, open all access routes and allow fuel into Gaza.

In addition, humanitarian workers need to operate in safety.

Just last week, another ICRC staff member was killed, a tragic reminder of the risks they face.

We have repeatedly called for credible Israeli investigations into Israel’s killing of aid workers, including World Central Kitchen, the Palestinian Red Crescent, and the UNOPS strike.

Israel must provide accountability for these terrible actions and ensure they are not repeated, in line with its obligations under international law.

Finally, amidst the bloodshed in Gaza, the situation in the West Bank is also deteriorating.

Israel’s withholding of tax revenues appears a deliberate effort to leave the Palestinian Authority crippled and unable to pay salaries.

Military operations have displaced over 40,000 people.

Just last week, an attack by violent settlers on Kafr Malik led to the killing of three Palestinians.

We condemn settlement expansion and settler violence and we demand that the Israeli government puts an immediate end to these unlawful acts.

We cannot stand by while the foundations of a two-state solution are systematically dismantled.

Madam President, it is time to bring the war in Gaza to an end, and to get the hostages home.

And more than that, we must renew our collective efforts toward a just and lasting two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians can both live side by side in peace and security.

It is beyond time to come together behind a sustainable end to this conflict, which has blighted so many generations on both sides.

Updates to this page

Published 30 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Stanbic Bank, National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa and Luol Deng Foundation Tip Off Second Season of Jr. NBA League in South Sudan

NBA Africa (www.NBA.com), Stanbic Bank and the Luol Deng Foundation tipped off the second season of the Stanbic Jr. NBA League for boys and girls ages 16 and under at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium in Juba, South Sudan last Saturday.

The league, featuring 28 boys and girls’ teams, will play regular season games through September, which will be followed by the second edition of playoffs and finals in October.

Prior to the season’s tip-off, a league draw was held at St. Mark’s Orthodox School on Thursday, where participating school teams selected jerseys of NBA teams which they will represent throughout the season. This was followed by a basketball clinic for 40 coaches and educators on Friday.

The inaugural season’s finals took place at Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium in Juba last August with two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng and 1995 NBA All-Star Cedric Ceballos in attendance. Juba One 76ers were crowned the inaugural season’s champions.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community – at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program has been launched in 19 African countries, reaching more than 350,000 youth from across the continent last year.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mukuru and Payfast Deliver on the Promise of Online Shopping for Cash-Paying South Africans

South Africa’s predominantly cash-based economy is making significant inroads into the e-commerce sector, thanks to the growing success of the partnership between financial services platform Mukuru (www.Mukuru.com) and payment gateway Payfast by Network. For over a year, the two businesses have been enabling access to online shopping for cash-paying South Africans. Through MukuruPay (MPay), cash-first customers can now participate in digital commerce, unlocking new market segments for thousands of local retailers.

The partnership’s success stems from its ability to address a long-standing gap in the e-commerce market—the exclusion of millions of South Africans who prefer or rely on cash. A recent Payfast (https://apo-opa.co/4eMSDXX) “State of Pay” report shows that cash is the fourth preferred payment methods for customers and competes with widely used options such as card, open banking/ instant EFT and QR code. Likewise, an SBV Cash Survey 2024 (https://apo-opa.co/40shqdC) white paper outlines that 22% (over 13 million) of South Africans are cash-reliant and are not willing or cannot switch to other forms of payment. The study reveals that this group is vulnerable in the shift to digital services, despite holding immense economic potential.

Mukuru’s partnership with Payfast is helping to bridge the gap between cash and digital commerce by making e-commerce more accessible to cash-first consumers in South Africa. Throughout 2024, the company has seen a growing number of businesses adopt its payment option via Payfast, reflecting increased demand across sectors such as internet services, digital goods, fashion, groceries, bill payments, and education.

Timothee Dura, Head of Merchant Payments at Mukuru, says, “South Africa’s e-commerce cannot accept only cards and digital payment methods like EFTs or wallets. It needs to work for everyone. We are bridging the digital divide by meeting cash-first consumers where they are—offering them convenience and access to goods and services that were previously out of reach with a payment method that is familiar to them. This is how we build a more inclusive financial ecosystem in South Africa.”

For merchants, MPay offers a way to reach customers who have traditionally been excluded from online shopping due to their reliance on cash. The payment method builds on Mukuru’s long-standing experience with cash-first communities and is available through the Payfast by Network dashboard for registered merchants. Once MPay is enabled, a customer shopping on the merchant’s online store selects Mukuru as the payment option at checkout. The system generates a unique order number, valid for 36 hours. The customer can then pay in cash at any of Mukuru’s 11,000+ payment points across South Africa—including major retailers like Spar, Pick n’ Pay, Boxer, and Shoprite.

As soon as the customer pays, Mukuru alerts the merchant—enabling swift order fulfilment. MPay also helps merchants reduce operational costs by cutting down on cash handling, removing the need for cash-on-delivery, and minimising the risk of fraud.

For consumers, MPay presents an alternative to cash on delivery, particularly relevant in informal or rural areas, where logistical challenges and safety concerns are more frequent. It enables participation in digital commerce while retaining the familiarity of cash payments, facilitated through Mukuru’s established physical network.

“The increasing adoption of MPay on Payfast by merchants reflects our conviction that cash-first customers are critical to South Africa’s e-commerce economy. We remain committed to bridging the gap between cash and digital payments, creating safer, regulated, and accessible pathways for unbanked and underserved communities to participate in the formal economy”, concludes Dura.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mukuru.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Kgomotso Hlakudi:
Email: kgomotso.hlakudi@mukuru.com
(+27) 73 333 1672

About Mukuru:
Mukuru is a leading next generation financial services platform in Southern Africa that offers affordable and reliable financial services to a customer base of over 17 million+ across Africa, Asia and Europe. With over 100 million transactions to date, our core was built providing international money transfers and from this base, we’ve developed a set of services to address the broader financial needs of our customers. We now operate in over 70 countries and across over 570 remittance corridors.

We are a business that puts the customer at the centre of everything we do, and for that reason, we serve clients across physical and digital channels, by various payment methods (cash, card, wallet) as well as a range of engagement platforms including WhatsApp, USSD, contact centre, App, website, agents and a branch and booth network.

Mukuru has been listed among the top 100 Cross Border Payments businesses globally for the sixth consecutive year in the 2025 FXC Intelligence Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies. In 2024, Mukuru won the IAMTN Payments Network Customers Experience Excellence Award for exceptional customer satisfaction and was accredited as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2024 and 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.

In 2023, Mukuru ranked sixth on the LinkedIn Top Companies List in South Africa. We aso received the Fintech Innovation of the Year Award at the 2023 Africa Tech Festival Awards for its role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion.

Further information can be found at: https://apo-opa.co/44x1h87

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Business-critical mails in spam folders: Why real emails look fake now

In the fight against phishing, forward-thinking organisations are winning. But there’s a twist. The heightened vigilance that has empowered employees to detect suspicious emails is now creating a new dilemma: legitimate, business-critical messages are being flagged, ignored, or buried in spam folders. And in today’s AI-fuelled cyber landscape, that reaction may be as justified as it is damaging.

Phishing works and it’s reshaping trust

The release of generative AI tools has supercharged phishing attempts. KnowBe4’s Phishing Threat Trend Report 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4kdUXIx) shows that more than 80% (https://apo-opa.co/3TNjJnN) of the analysed phishing emails were augmented by AI, and they’re far more convincing than before.

“The gut-check we used to rely on has been gamed – and even the large language models now being explored to help detect suspicious emails are also struggling,” says Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa. “They’re forced to dig deeper, assessing tone, context, and subtler red flags.”

The result? Suspicion is now the default

And it’s not unwarranted. Maturing cybersecurity awareness and phishing simulation programs have helped sharpen employees’ scepticism (https://apo-opa.co/3GpDVcj). But this success has revealed a new problem: overcorrection.

Emails that are real – from HR, IT, legal, or sales – are now increasingly being misjudged. In some cases, they’re wrongly flagged as phishing by either people or systems.

In others, they’re simply ignored. The irony is that some of the most common and legitimate corporate communication traits are now the very ones that raise red flags:

Urgency: “Sign this by COB today”; or when every email from a colleague is marked “urgent”
Unexpected senders: e.g. HR tools or SaaS platforms
Calls to action: “Click here to confirm”
Stylistic quirks: overly polished copy, too many links or bold phrases
Tech misalignments: emails from legitimate senders failing DMARC or DKIM checks

“Even just using a third-party sender domain can cause confusion,” says Collard. “If staff don’t expect it – or don’t recognise the platform – the message can get flagged.”

For good reason too, as according to KnowBe4’s Phishing Threat Trend Report (https://apo-opa.co/4kdUXIx) the top 5 legitimate platforms used to send out phishing emails include popular business tools such as DocuSign, Paypal, Microsoft, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

The cost of false positives

When real emails get sidelined, the impact is more than a missed message. Delayed IT updates, ignored HR deadlines, and lost sales opportunities can create serious ripple effects across operations. Deliverability issues also erode trust. And in high-stakes environments like healthcare, legal services or finance, false positives can become costly very quickly.

So, how do you write emails that get read – not flagged?

To combat this growing challenge, organisations need to stop thinking of phishing risk as purely a recipient problem. Legitimate internal emails need to look legitimate too.

Here’s how every team – from HR to IT to marketing – can write more trustworthy emails:

Write Like a Human, Deliver Like a Pro

Subject lines should set expectations

Use clear, predictable language. Instead of “IMPORTANT: Read this now!”, try “Reminder: Benefits enrollment closes Friday”.

Lead with context before asking for action

Start with a reference point: “You recently submitted a travel claim…” or “As part of your onboarding…”.

Limit urgency to what’s truly urgent

Too many “ASAP”s will breed indifference. Use urgency sparingly – and explain why it matters. Remember:
If everything is urgent; nothing is.

Minimise links and avoid vague CTAs

Avoid phrases like “click here” or hyperlinking whole sentences. Provide a fallback path:
“Or log into your dashboard directly (https://Training.KnowBe4.com)”.

Be cautious with tone and formatting

Avoid shouty subject lines, gimmicky language, or inconsistent formatting that can trigger filters.

Test before sending

Run your email through spam-filter testing tools to see what might flag it (Mail-Tester.com or GlockApps.com).

Get your digital paperwork in order

Even the best-written email may never reach its recipient if your authentication protocols aren’t properly configured. SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are three essential technical settings that help prove your email really came from your domain.

SPF tells email providers which servers are allowed to send emails using your domain name — helping stop spammers from pretending to be you.
DKIM adds a digital signature to your emails to prove they really came from you and weren’t changed along the way.
DMARC brings SPF and DKIM together by setting rules for what to do with suspicious emails (like send them to spam or block them) and sends reports to your IT team so they can spot abuse.

“These protocols are a bit like a digital passport,” Collard explains. “Without them, even a genuine email may not make it through.”

But even technically sound emails can fall flat if they don’t look legitimate to the reader. That’s why it’s just as important to consider how your internal teams craft and send messages.

Internal brand security: don’t just train recipients – train senders too

Cyber awareness is often focused on detection. But to maintain deliverability and trust, sender behaviour matters too. Teach teams to avoid accidental red flags. Share templates and subject line guides. And ensure that employees – especially those sending to large groups – understand the basics of trustworthy communication.

Consistency is key. Make sure communications come from the same official addresses, follow familiar formats, and maintain a recognizable tone. This teaches recipients what to expect – and what to be cautious of – building a clearer line between legitimate messages and possible fakes.

“This is part of internal brand hygiene,” says Collard. “When your team consistently communicates clearly and predictably, you build trust over time – with both employees and clients. That trust makes your emails easier to recognise, safer to deliver, and more likely to be opened.”

In a world where AI can impersonate your tone and template with ease (https://apo-opa.co/3TPcb3X), your best defence is to sound like yourself – and help others know what to expect when you speak.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

Contact details:
Anne Dolinschek
KnowBe4
Email: anned@knowbe4.com

TJ Coenraad
Red Ribbon
Email: tj@redribboncommunications.co.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025

MIL-OSI Video: Towards Parity in Power

Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

Women have made remarkable strides in political representation in the past decade, making up 35.5% of local government officials, 33% of parliamentarians, 24.4% of ministers and 15.5% of heads of state. Yet political power remains out of reach for a disproportionate number of women.

How can this persistent gap be tackled?

This is the full audio from a panel discussion from the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting on 22 January, 2025.

Watch it here: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2025/sessions/towards-parity-in-power/

Read the Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2025/

Speakers:

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief, The National

Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director, Europol

François Valérian, Chair, Transparency International

Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico

Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts (http://wef.ch/podcasts) :

YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts) – https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts

Radio Davos (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1504682164) : https://pod.link/1504682164

Meet the Leader (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1534915560) : https://pod.link/1534915560

Agenda Dialogues (https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/agenda-dialogues) – subscribe (https://pod.link/1574956552) : https://pod.link/1574956552

Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGxBd4fevMY

MIL OSI Video –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Jobless young South Africans often lose hope: new study proves the power of mentorship
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lauren Graham, Professor at the Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, University of Johannesburg

More than a third of young South Africans are not in employment, education or training. This cohort of 3.4 million (37.1% of those aged 15–24) risks long-term joblessness. Discouragement – giving up looking for work – is also a risk, as the latest data show.

This has serious social and economic implications. Social and economic exclusion can lead to declining mental health, social drift, long-term dependence on grants and lost economic potential.

To help break this cycle, a research team we were part of piloted a Basic Package of Support programme that offered personalised coaching and referrals to services to tackle the barriers young people face. Between 2022 and 2024 we worked with 1,700 young people in three of South Africa’s nine provinces – Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The team worked in peri-urban areas where there were high rates of young people not in education, employment or training.

The initiative aimed to help young people clarify their goals and find pathways into relevant learning and earning an income.

The results of the programme showed improved mental health, reduced distress and a stronger sense of belonging. The findings show the power of targeted and multifaceted support to prevent social drift.

The programme and its participants

The pilot took place in three peri-urban communities with limited job and learning opportunities, and high rates of poverty and unemployment. We chose these areas for their high rates of young people who are not in education, employment or training.

Over half of the participants (51%) were aged 18-20, 43% were 21-24 and just under 6% were aged 25-27. While 51% had completed high school, 30% had grade 9-11, and under 2% had less than grade 9. A further 17% held a university degree. Most (77%) had been actively seeking work, or opportunities in training or volunteering (73%), when they started the programme.

Data were collected at intake and after three sessions. A monitoring survey after each coaching session was used to determine whether the participant was in any earning or learning opportunity.

The qualitative component included in-depth interviews with young people who had completed multiple coaching sessions. Interviews were conducted six to eight months after pilot sites were opened to explore participants’ situations, experiences of coaching, and any shifts in perspective.

The primary objective of this pilot phase was to assess the programme’s capability to:
- engage and support disconnected young people
- achieve anticipated outcomes, including improved sense of belonging, wellbeing and connection to learning or earning opportunities.
In general, feelings of being supported and having access to resources in their community were low among the participants: 18.33% reported having had low levels of support in general, from adults and from peers. Young men reported considerably higher access to peer support than women (9% of men rated peer support as low relative to 24% of women).

One-third of young people reported a lack of access to, or availability of, resources in their community. These resources included health, psychosocial, or training resources.

Changes in well-being and mental health

Emotional wellbeing and psychosocial factors are critical precursors to engagement in the labour market. Having a sense of control, positive sense of self-esteem, and future orientation promote resilience, which is critical to searching for and taking up opportunities.

Research has also shown that spending a long time without learning or earning creates disillusionment and poor mental health, creating a cycle of chronic unemployment and social drift.

For these reasons we felt it was important to examine how the young people’s well-being had changed as they progressed through the programme. The programme involved:
- reaching out to young people
- conducting an assessment to understand where they wanted to go and the barriers they faced
- coaching sessions
- referrals to relevant services to overcome barriers
- opportunites to take steps towards their planned objectives.
The research team saw positive changes in all emotional well-being indicators, including quality of life, anxiety, emotional distress, and sense of belonging. Participants also showed an interest in taking up available training and work opportunities. They showed improvements in the three key outcomes we examined for this pilot phase.

Firstly, participants felt supported, were more resilient, and had better mental health outcomes than before they completed three coaching sessions.

Secondly, they showed increased capacity, knowledge and resources to navigate and access the systems and services needed to realise their aspirations.

Thirdly, 40% of them took up available opportunities to learn and earn income after just three coaching sessions. Larger numbers of these young people connected to training or education opportunities than to job opportunities. This is hardly surprising in the context of low job growth.

Taken together, these findings showed that the young people felt more positive about their lives after completing three coaching sessions. They indicated that, prior to starting the programme, they had been feeling unhappy about life and lost about how to move forward in their lives.

Part of their frustration was not having anyone to talk to about how they were feeling.

A 21-year-old female participant said after completing round two:

I didn’t know where I was going in life, what I was going to do, I didn’t know where to start. It was a whole blank page for me.

A young man said after round one:

Before I got here, the way I was feeling I didn’t think I can do anything progressive about my life. I had finished high school, but I didn’t know what step to take from there and … I did try but nothing worked … Coaching helped me cope and feel more optimistic.

Next steps

The programme is based on the idea that some young people need more time and support to find their way back into work or education. This might mean connecting them to counselling, childcare, nutrition or social grants.

The pilot revealed high levels of emotional distress, echoing recent labour force data that shows growing discouragement in the working age population. It’s clear that skills training alone isn’t enough; many young people need broader, deeper support to reconnect and thrive.

Efforts to help young people become employable need to offer more support than simply skills training. People involved in the youth employability/youth employment policy and programming sector have to understand young people from a holistic point of view and take into account the significant barriers that poverty and deprivation continue to create. This is the only way to achieve employability programmes that make an impact.

– Jobless young South Africans often lose hope: new study proves the power of mentorship
– https://theconversation.com/jobless-young-south-africans-often-lose-hope-new-study-proves-the-power-of-mentorship-259168

MIL OSI Africa –
July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: DRC and Rwanda sign a US-brokered peace deal: what are the chances of its success?
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jonathan Beloff, Postdoctoral Research Associate, King’s College London

The foreign ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a new peace agreement on 27 June 2025 under the auspices of the US.

The agreement aims to foster long-term peace, and increased economic trade and security. The DRC is one of Africa’s largest nations, with over 110 million people. Rwanda has a population of 14 million.

After three decades of war and tensions between the two neighbours since the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the hope is that this agreement will establish the foundations for progress that benefits both nations.

It was the Donald Trump administration’s moment to illustrate the effectiveness of its “transactional” foreign policy, focused on exchanges and short-term benefits for each actor.

Most of the agreement’s details remained undisclosed until its signing. One aspect that’s surfaced was the claim that the DRC abandoned its demand for the removal of Rwandan soldiers from its territory. The Congolese government, research groups and the UN have accused Rwanda of supplying military aid, including soldiers, to the March 23 Movement (M23), which has been at war with the government in Kinshasa since 2021. The Rwandan government denies any active involvement but has some sympathies for the Congolese rebel group.

Under the June 2025 agreement, each side provided concessions and demands that are perhaps easier said than done. Both countries also want to show the Trump administration their willingness to negotiate and make a deal. This is in the hopes of future deals with the US, which Trump has remained vague on.

The DRC has immense mineral wealth, including gold, diamonds, tungsten, coltan, tin and lithium. These latter minerals are used in computer chips, batteries and other technologies.

Read more: Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group seeks local power in DRC, not just control over mining operations

The question is whether this latest agreement will lead to peace in the DRC. The likely answer is no, based on research on instability in the eastern DRC, Rwandan foreign policy and the security and political dynamics between Rwanda and the DRC for over 15 years.

This is mainly because
- key players involved in the crisis were left out of negotiations
- no provisions are made for enforcement
- the opportunities for US companies remain questionable given the lack of security in the mining regions.
The roots of the crisis

After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, former genocide perpetrators used the DRC’s vast size as cover to plan attacks on Rwanda. They intended to return to Rwanda to finish the genocide. The consequences led to the First Congo War (1996-1997) and the Second Congo War (1998-2003).

It was during the bloody second war that the DRC was carved up by multiple rebel groups aligned with various nations and political actors. The UN accuses Rwanda and Uganda of carrying out a massive illegal mineral trade. Both nations deny this.

The consequences of the conflict are still felt over 20 years later. Despite multiple peace agreements, and disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes, an estimated 120 rebel groups remain active in the Congo.

One of them, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), aims to return Rwanda to ethnic division and the genocide. The Rwandan government fears the group’s genocide and hate ideology.

Additionally, the FDLR and other extremist actors such as Wazalendo target the Banyarwanda. This ethnic group, residing primarily in eastern DRC, is historically related to Rwanda. It has been the target of attacks, which have forced tens of thousands of people to flee into Rwanda.

Read more: The Banyamulenge: how a minority ethnic group in the DRC became the target of rebels – and its own government

These attacks led to the resurrection of the M23. Despite its failures in 2013, the M23 scored major advances in late 2021 in response to attacks on the Banyarwanda. The rebel group led a successful military campaign that occupied large swathes of territory in eastern DRC.

Their success is largely attributed to the Rwandan Defence Forces, despite Kigali denying this claim.

Concessions from each nation

The latest peace agreement addresses the security, political and economic interests of both nations.

The specifics are still unavailable. However, several assumptions based on the framework and leaked reports can be made.

The first is that both nations must respect each other’s territorial sovereignty and stop aiding rebel forces. This will include joint security coordination, and working with the existing UN peacekeeping mission. Additionally, Congolese refugees who fled eastern DRC – estimated to be over 80,000 – will be allowed to return. Finally, the two nations will establish mechanisms to foster greater economic integration.

The DRC has also signalled its willingness to attract American investors. DRC’s vast mineral wealth remains largely underdeveloped. American investment could develop mining that’s safer and extracts larger amounts of minerals than current methods. Kinshasa has also agreed to combat corruption and simplify the tax system.

While most of these incentives would be aimed at mineral extraction companies, they also include private security firms. The Congolese military’s inability to defeat the M23 highlights a problematic security environment that some in the DRC believe can be addressed through foreign intervention. However, these security guarantees are still relatively unknown and face complications that could affect the success of any agreement.

The weaknesses

There are a number of reasons this latest agreement is unlikely to lead to peace.

First, the M23 did not participate in the negotiations. Given that they are the primary military actor in eastern DRC, their commitment to a peace process cannot be guaranteed.

Second, other rebel forces in different parts of the country will feel left out too. They could see this agreement as an opportunity to press for greater concessions from the Congolese government.

Third, there are few mechanisms to enforce the agreement. Since the Second Congo War, there have been multiple treaties, agreements and disarmament programmes with little success. The Pretoria Accord between Rwanda and the DRC in 2002 did not lead to long-term peace. The M23’s name is a nod to their anger over a failed 2009 agreement. In 2024, Rwanda and Congo nearly reached an agreement under Angola’s mediation, but Angola stepped down. The process was then taken over by Qatar and later the US.

Lastly, American investors may be deterred by the security, regulatory and corruption issues that plague the DRC. Even if the Congolese government promises to address these issues, it lacks the necessary capabilities to fulfil its commitment.

– DRC and Rwanda sign a US-brokered peace deal: what are the chances of its success?
– https://theconversation.com/drc-and-rwanda-sign-a-us-brokered-peace-deal-what-are-the-chances-of-its-success-260066

MIL OSI Africa –
July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Eastern Cape flood death toll now stands at 102

Source: South Africa News Agency

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government says a total of 102 bodies have been recovered to date across various districts since the search and rescue mission began following the disastrous floods earlier this month.

According to the provincial government, the bodies were recovered across various districts.

The figure indicates an increase of one person from the previous update provided on 26 June.

O.R. Tambo remains the hardest hit district, with 78 fatalities; Amathole 10, Alfred Nzo five, Joe Gqabi two, Sarah Baartman two, and Chris Hani five.

From the 102 bodies recovered, which include 63 adults and 63 children, 96 bodies have been identified and handed over to families, while six remain unidentified.

Due to the passage of time, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed, thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased.

“The search and recovery teams are continuing with the search, working tirelessly to locate and recover any possible remaining bodies.

“The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) helicopters have been deployed to support the ongoing search and recovery efforts and this coordinated aerial support aims to intensify the search for possibly more victims, including two children who are still missing,” the provincial government said.

The provincial government is continuing to provide shelter, meals and all necessities to the displaced families in community care centres and accommodation establishments in and around Mthatha in O.R. Tambo District Municipality and Butterworth in Amathole District Municipality.

The Department of Health continues to provide essential medical services on-site at shelters and affected communities.

The Department of Social Development, supported by private sector partners, is delivering psychosocial support directly to grieving families and schools impacted by the floods.

Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs has dispatched mobile units to facilitate the replacement of vital documents, such as IDs and birth certificates, ensuring that affected individuals can access services without leaving their temporary homes.

To date, 478 ID replacement applications have been submitted, with three mobile units deployed in each of the two districts.

“Thus far, 56 victims of the floods have been buried across the province and government continues to offer sympathies to all the families of the bereaved, as well as critical support to ensure the burial of the deceased in a dignified manner,” the provincial government said.

The Eastern Cape has officially been declared a national disaster zone following widespread destruction caused by recent severe weather events.

In OR Tambo, water has partially been restored in various areas. Water tankers from both municipalities, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the Gift of the Givers, continue with the provision of water in the affected communities. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Economic empowerment laws key to redress – President Ramaphosa

Source: South Africa News Agency

South Africa’s empowerment laws may be distinct, however such laws are not a unique global occurrence, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The country’s empowerment laws, particularly the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment legal framework, have come under public and media debate over the past few months.

In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, the President said that the empowerment laws are practical, feasible and responsive to “economic conditions, without deviating from the objective of redressing the economic injustices” of the past when Africans and other people of colour were excluded from meaningful economic participation during apartheid.

“Empowerment laws are not unique to South Africa. These laws are often referred to as indigenisation or localisation measures. They exist in various forms in other emerging market economies with similar histories of race-based economic exclusion such as India, Zambia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Brazil.

“A number of these jurisdictions compel foreign investors or multinationals, who wish to invest in the economies of those countries or in certain sectors of their economy, to fully set aside equity stakes in their companies to local entities as a prerequisite for operating in the country. This can serve be seen as a barrier to entry for investment in certain environments.

“However, we have found that many would-be investors do embrace these measures as they enhance inclusiveness, lead to broad acceptance of their companies and tend to grow market share,” he said.

The President explained that South African empowerment laws earn distinction in that the measures are “practical and innovative”.

“In addition to having a pure equity participation measure, we have introduced the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP).

“It was created to accommodate multinationals whose global practices or policies prevent them from complying with the B-BBEE ownership element through the ‘traditional’ sale of equity or shares. It allows multinationals to invest in socio-economic, skills and enterprise development in South Africa without selling equity in their local subsidiaries,” President Ramaphosa said.

He pushed back on suggestions that EEIP is a circumvention of empowerment laws and public assertions that it is a “response to the conditions of a particular company or sector”.

“Neither are factually correct. Firstly, the EEIP is not new and has been in existence for a decade. It is firmly embedded in our laws and is not an attempt to ‘water down’ B-BBEE.

“Secondly, there are stringent requirements for multinationals to participate. All EEIP initiatives must be aligned to government’s economic policies and strategic goals. There is firm government-backed oversight over EEIP programmes that must be broad-based in terms of impact.

“Since its inception, the EEIP has encompassed a broad range of sectors and onboarded some of the world’s leading multinational firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Samsung, JP Morgan, Amazon, IBM and automotive firms such as BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota,” he highlighted.

President Ramapohosa cited technology conglomerate, Microsoft’s investment as an example of how EEIP can lead to local development.

“Microsoft announced a R1.32 billion investment over 10 years in skills and supplier and 4IR research and development – under the EEIP.

“These firms have leveraged the EEIP to direct investment into local development, to incubate black, youth and women-owned businesses, and to fund skills development. This has in turn assisted government in achieving a number of policy and also infrastructure goals.

“Equity Equivalents have been proven to be a practical B-BBEE compliance tool for multinationals operating in South Africa, and we will continue to leverage them in pursuit of economic growth and job creation,” he said.

Changing perceptions

President Ramaphosa reiterated his stance that economic growth and transformation can co-exist.

“Not only do we have to move away from the perception that we must make a choice between growth and transformation – we also have to shift the mindset that compliance with B-BBEE is punitive or burdensome.

“By supporting firms with compliance, they are able to embrace empowerment as a meaningful investment in South African’s long-term economic stability. This is a sound strategy that recognises that a transformed South African economy is one in which their investments are safe and guaranteed,” he said.

The President highlighted that since the introduction of empowerment laws, the “playing field” has evolved.

“The emergence of new industries, whether it is digital technology, advanced manufacturing, AI or renewable energy, means South Africa must actively position itself to attract greater foreign and domestic investment in these sectors or risk being left behind.

“As a country, we have had to adapt and evolve in response to these economic trends, and continue to do so,” President Ramaphosa said.

He emphasised that even as economies and trends evolve, economic transformation remains a government imperative.

“We are clear that our empowerment laws remain central to our goal of economic transformation in South Africa and are here to stay. As business and industry, as labour and indeed, as all of society we should remain firmly behind these laws that are integral to undoing the injustices of the past.

“Our focus going forward must remain creating an enabling policy environment, driving key structural reforms, supporting innovation, and reducing regulatory barriers to harness the potential of emerging industries and support existing ones.

“Beyond the spirited and often heated debates currently underway around B-BBEE and the EEIP, the pursuit of inclusive economic growth that creates jobs and improves the lives of our people remains our overriding goal,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mchunu speaks out on speculation of “impending arrest” of Police Commissioner

Source: South Africa News Agency

Monday, June 30, 2025

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has noted with concern media reports speculating about an imminent arrest of the National Commissioner of Police.

“As the Ministry of Police, we have not been made aware of such impending arrest. We have also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation,” the Police Ministry said in a statement.

“We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this, as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service,” the ministry said. – SAnews.gov.za

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MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Press Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Deportation of Haitian TPS Recipients

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This week, the U.S. State Department urged American citizens in Haiti to leave immediately due to escalating violence and instability. This is a clear admission: Haiti is not safe. Forcing 700,000 Haitians—who have lived here legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS)—to return to such life-threatening conditions is not just wrong, it is immoral and inhumane.

These individuals have been thoroughly vetted, obeyed our laws, and are vital members of our communities. They are nurses, teachers, business owners, and parents who have contributed to our nation for years. Ending their TPS status ignores their humanity and the reality on the ground.

Let’s be honest: Haitians with TPS are here legally. Yet, they face threats of deportation while white South Africans have often received expedited pathways to legal status. This double standard is indefensible.

I call on the administration and Congress to restore TPS protections for Haitians. Decency and justice demand we protect those who have built their lives here and who would face grave danger if forced to return. America must stand for fairness, compassion, and humanity—nothing less.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Funding shortages threaten relief for millions of Sudanese refugees: World Food Programme (WFP)

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In an alert, the UN agency warned that it faces having to make “drastic cuts” to life-saving food assistance, which may “grind to a halt” in the Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya in the coming months as resources run out.

WFP noted that the situation for many Sudanese refugees is already dire, more than two years since war erupted between Sudan’s national army and paramilitary rebels.

“In Uganda, many vulnerable refugees are surviving on less than 500 calories a day” – less than a quarter of daily nutritional needs – as new arrivals strain refugee support systems, WFP said. In Chad, which hosts almost a quarter of the four million refugees who fled Sudan, food rations will be reduced in the coming months without new contributions.

Vulnerable youngsters

Children are particularly vulnerable to sustained periods of hunger and malnutrition rates among young refugees in reception centres in Uganda and South Sudan have already breached emergency thresholds. According to WFP, refugees are already severely malnourished even before arriving in neighbouring countries to receive emergency assistance.

“This is a full-blown regional crisis that’s playing out in countries that already have extreme levels of food insecurity and high levels of conflict,” said Shaun Hughes, WFP Emergency Coordinator for the Sudan Regional Crisis.

“Millions of people who have fled Sudan depend wholly on support from WFP, but without additional funding we will be forced to make further cuts to food assistance. This will leave vulnerable families, and particularly children, at increasingly severe risk of hunger and malnutrition.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Stakeholders urge prioritisation of women in land governance

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The Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has called on national actors in the land sector to actively implement the provisions of existing policies, especially the National Land Policy of 2013, to promote equitable land ownership and management.

According to the premier, government has invested in land registration systems and community sensitisation programmes, however, gaps remain in implementation and cultural transformation of Ugandan societies.

“We still see customary practices that override statutory laws and discriminate against women. We must ask ourselves what are we doing as leaders, institutions and citizens to dismantle the invisible barriers that deny women their rightful stake in the land they till,” Nabbanja said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks were contained in a speech presented on her behalf by the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Judith Nabakooba, at the second National Symposium on Land Governance in Uganda.

The event held at Parliament on Friday, 27 June 2025 was premised on the theme, ‘Securing Women’s Agricultural Land Ownership: A Political and Development Imperative’.

Nabbanja said government is committed to bridging the gap through strengthening institutions that support land access and tenure security for women, fast-tracking gender responsive land registration processes, and promoting legal literacy and reforms that simplify access for women, particularly in rural areas.

“We must ensure that our policies, budgets and laws reflect the needs of women small-holder farmers. This journey requires more than political pledges, it requires systems that are transparent, accountable and gender responsive. We must ensure that land titling processes are simplified, decentralised and inclusive,” Nabbanja added.

She also made a call to cultural institutions to harmonise tradition with constitutional values, to promote customary land ownership by women.

“SDG 5 on gender equity and SDG 2 on zero hunger cannot be achieved unless women have control over productive assets, especially land. We must operationalise these commitments through national action and put women at the center of land governance,” the Prime Minister said.

The Chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentarians Land Management Forum, Hon. Christine Kaaya, called on focal entities in the land sector to work towards clearing the backlog associated with land advocacy.

“We must also amplify the discussions on land governance, dispute resolution, policies and all related statutory instruments. The debate on land governance should be on each and everyone’s agenda,” Kaaya, also the District Woman Representative for Kiboga, said.

The Oxfam Country Director in Uganda, Francis Odokorach, noted that 70 per cent of the workforce in the agricultural sector is comprised of women, however, only a small fraction of them own land, a disparity that undermines productivity.

“If they have full control over the land and can make decisions, we can expect sustainable development. But, it is not just a development question, it is a political imperative because it is deeply rooted in equity and constitutional values,” said. Odokorach.

He also urged government leaders to prioritise gender in land policy, track how much is budgeted to ensure land certification programmes will effectively prioritise women, and also strengthen land information systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Police Chairperson Calls for Immediate Suspension of Every Arrested South African Police Service (SAPS) Officer

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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to suspend every member of the SAPS arrested over the past week, pending finalisation of internal investigations.

“The sanctity of the investigations is dependent not only on justice being done, but also on the appearance that justice is done. It is essential for the credibility of the investigations as well as the SAPS reputation that arrested senior officers are suspended until the conclusion of the investigations,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

The Chairperson has noted that the SAPS have in the recent past taken a nonchalant attitude towards errant officers, returning them to work despite serious criminal charges. While the Chairperson acknowledges that everyone is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise, investigations must be completed urgently to ensure that only fit and proper individuals serve within the SAPS,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

The arrest of senior officers within the Crime Intelligence service has laid bare the level of rot within the environment. This has a chilling effect when considering the centrality of CI in combating crime in the country. “It is clear that a major pillar to fight crime has been disabled through rogue officers who are inclined to act criminally,” Mr Cameron said.

It is on this basis that a skills audit within the senior echelons of SAPS is necessary. Also, periodic lifestyle audits must be undertaken, especially in the CI environment and senior management of SAPS,” Mr Cameron contended.

Mr Cameron reiterated that the committee will not be complicit and allow rogue SAPS to remain unaccountable. “We will continue to insist that every rogue officer must be removed from the service to protect the reputation of the service,” Mr Cameron concluded.

The committee will soon schedule a meeting to assess the impact of the arrests and processes to be followed in instituting internal consequence management.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) applauds Mali’s adoption of landmark law to protect stateless people

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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the recent adoption of Mali’s groundbreaking legislation to protect the rights of stateless people and resolve their plight.

The law builds on Mali’s accession to the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions in 2016. Comprising 28 articles, it provides a definition of a stateless person, outlines their rights and duties, and provides long-term solutions. It applies to stateless migrants and those born in Mali, guaranteeing rights to health care, education, employment, housing and justice on an equal basis with Malians. The law also protects stateless people from penalties for not having legal documents, prohibits their expulsion (with certain exceptions), and offers a path to Malian nationality or having Malian nationality confirmed.

In Mali, a considerable number of undocumented residents, individuals belonging to nomadic groups, long-term refugees and those in remote border villages are at risk of statelessness or are of undetermined nationality. These communities often struggle to access civil registration and prove their nationality. Since 2017, supported by UNHCR, Mali has taken action to address these issues. Nearly 2,400 individuals at risk of statelessness have been naturalized, and over 30,000 have received birth certificates and other civil documents. Awareness campaigns and partnerships have also helped improve understanding and access to legal identity, even in hard-to-reach areas.

“The adoption of this law is a major step forward in the protection of human rights in Mali and a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to end statelessness. It is a beacon of hope for thousands of vulnerable individuals,” said Georges Patrick Menze, acting UNHCR Representative in Mali. “We are proud of our partnership with the Government of Mali and will continue supporting its efforts to ensure that everyone has the right to a nationality”.

UNHCR remains committed to actively supporting the Government with the effective implementation of the new law and sustaining progress in addressing statelessness, and emphasizes the importance of continued support from international partners and donors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 1, 2025

Category: Africa

Copilot Vision on mobile now available for free in the US

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IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s operations are leading to mass casualties: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Updates to this page

The programme and its participants

Changes in well-being and mental health

Next steps

The roots of the crisis

Concessions from each nation

The weaknesses