NewzIntel.com

Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Turkey is stepping up its influence in west Africa – what’s behind its bid for soft power

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Issouf Binaté, enseignant-chercheur, Université Alassane Ouattara de Bouaké

    Turkey is stepping up its influence in west Africa as the geopolitical and economic landscape in the region shifts. In Senegal, the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation has entered a key partnership in the oil and gas sector. Meanwhile, Karpowership, a company providing electricity via floating power plants, now supplies energy to eight African countries. But Turkey’s not stopping there. As part of its soft power strategy, it is also winning hearts and minds through education and culture while deepening trade and security ties.

    Historian Issouf Binaté, who has studied Turkey’s growing presence in west Africa, breaks down how Ankara is positioning itself as an alternative to both former colonial powers and newer global players competing for influence on the continent.

    What drives Turkey’s growing influence in west Africa?

    Turkey’s foreign policy in west Africa leans on two main pillars.

    One is institutional power, driven by state-backed agencies (embassies, the religious affairs directorate Diyanet, and the economic cooperation agency (TIKA) .

    The other is more grassroots, led by non-state actors such as religious foundations and NGOs.

    These groups laid the groundwork for Turkey’s African expansion long before Ankara officially stepped in.

    A key player in Turkey’s earlier outreach was the Gülen movement, named after preacher Fethullah Gülen (1941–2024). The Gülen movement pioneered Turkey’s soft power approach with “Turkish schools”, starting with the Yavuz Sultan Selim and Yavuz Selim-Bosphore high schools in Dakar in 1997.

    Also at the end of the 1990s a network composed of Turkish business leaders and social activists under the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists, which claimed over 100,000 member companies, expanded Turkey’s influence across Africa. At that time, Turkey had only three diplomatic representations for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

    The more recent contact with Africa comes at a time when western hegemony faces growing criticism from a new generation of Africans engaged in decolonial movements. Gülen-affiliated institutions now number 113, alongside religious and secular schools run by other groups like Mahmud Hudayi Vakfi and Hayrat Vakfi. Since the 2016 political rift between Gülen and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, these schools were gradually transferred to Maarif Foundation, Turkey’s state-run overseas education arm.

    Back in 2003, Turkey had only 12 diplomatic missions across Africa. Today, that number has grown to 44, bolstered by Turkish religious foundations (like Mahmud Hudayi Vakfi and Hayrat Vakfi), NGOs, and entrepreneurs who have filled the gap left by the Gülen movement.

    Another powerful player in Turkey’s Africa strategy is Turkish Airlines, now one of the top carriers on the continent. It is now flying to 62 airports in 41 African countries.

    What role do west African students trained in Turkey play?

    By investing in education, Turkey didn’t just open its doors to African students. It also planted the seeds for a long-term influence strategy. These students, and more broadly young African migrants trained in Turkey, are now among the key messengers of “Turkishness” back home.

    In doing so, Ankara is following a familiar path once used by colonial powers. They used student mobility as a powerful tool for their diplomacy.

    This policy of openness took several forms. As early as 1960, it welcomed students from non-self-governing territories in accordance with UN General Assembly resolutions.

    Then, in the 1990s, Turkey continued this effort through a scholarship programme for African students, supported by the Islamic Development Bank. During this period, Turkey launched the Büyük Öğrenci Projesi (Great Student Project), which provided scholarships to international students.

    Starting in 2012, this programme was re-branded as YTB (Yurtdışı Türkler ve Akraba Topluluklar Başkanlığı, or Directorate for Turks Abroad and Related Communities). It introduced reforms, including a digital application process for scholarships via an app on the YTB website. This shift caused a dramatic spike in interest. Applications soared from 10,000 to 155,000 between 2012 and 2020.

    For non-scholarship students, Turkey simplified visa processes, reduced tuition fees, and offered other incentives. These measures contributed to a significant increase in the number of applicants to study in Turkey. As the number of universities in Turkey jumped from 76 to 193 between 2003 and 2015, the country became increasingly attractive.

    By 2017, Turkey had become the 13th most popular destination for students from sub-Saharan Africa, according to Campus France (a platform that supports international students studying in France). By 2019, there were an estimated 61,000 African students studying in Turkey.

    Now, nearly three decades into this strategy, many of these former students are stepping into new roles. They are taking over from Turkish entrepreneurs in fostering socioeconomic ties with Africa. They also act as bridges, promoting Turkish universities and supporting visitors in areas like medical and industrial tourism.

    In Istanbul, some run cargo companies – some of them informal – that ship goods to Africa. Others are working to formalise these ventures and build long-term economic bridges. Groups like Bizim Afrika, a network of African Turkish-speakers, and the Federation of African Students in Turkey (founded in 2019), are playing key roles in shaping this next chapter of Turkey–Africa relations.

    How is Turkey’s strategy in west Africa different from that of China or France?

    In substance, Turkey’s strategy isn’t so different from that of France or China. It also carries traces of colonial thinking, even though its approach leans more on religious soft power like building mosques across Africa. Unlike France, which used force in its colonial past, Turkey is trying to gain influence through other means. It uses familiar tools: embassies, schools, cinema, security services, and development agencies.

    However, Turkey has learned from the criticism faced by western powers at a pivotal moment in Africa’s global relations.

    While access to Europe, the US and Canada has become more difficult due to stricter visa rules, Turkey has opened its doors. It eased visa procedures for African business people, expanded its universities, and promoted medical tourism.

    Turkey has become a hub for several sectors. It’s a major centre for nose surgery (rhinoplasty), hair transplants, and textiles. Its textile industry now supplies traders at Makola Market in Accra, Adjamé’s Forum in Côte d’Ivoire, and the Grand Marché in Bamako.

    Turkey has also capitalised on the security crisis in the Sahel, where France’s military presence has become controversial. It stepped in by selling Bayraktar TB2 drones and offering private security services to some governments.

    Is this Turkish presence set to last?

    Turkey’s presence in Africa is now visible in several symbolic ways. You can see it in Maarif schools, murals at Abidjan airport, the “Le Istanbul” restaurant in Niamey’s government district, or the National Mosque in Accra, modelled after Istanbul’s Blue Mosque.

    The. Amuzujoe

    Turkey’s engagement is a work in progress. But its outreach to Africa is already yielding results. Trade volume reached US$40.7 billion in 2022. The return of the first waves of African students trained in Turkey has shifted the dynamic. Cooperation no longer relies solely on Turkish business people and social entrepreneurs.

    Even though African elites often speak English, French or Arabic, new voices are emerging. Young people trained in Turkey are beginning to find their place. Many work in import-export, construction, and even Islamic religious leadership. This trend points to promising prospects for long-term ties.

    For Turkey, Africa represents a continent with major economic opportunities. Becoming a trusted partner is now a key goal. On the diplomatic level, Turkey gained observer status at the African Union in 2005 and has hosted Turkey-Africa summits in Istanbul since 2008.

    This growing involvement suggests that Turkey’s role in Africa is likely to last. It will depend on the continent’s market needs, especially at a time when many African countries are rethinking their relationships with traditional western powers and international institutions.

    – Turkey is stepping up its influence in west Africa – what’s behind its bid for soft power
    – https://theconversation.com/turkey-is-stepping-up-its-influence-in-west-africa-whats-behind-its-bid-for-soft-power-256929

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: BOBC Auction Results – 24 June 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    The Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) was unchanged at 1.9 percent of the previous week, for a paper maturing on 2 July 2025. For the 1-month BoBC paper maturing on 23 July 2025, the stop-out yield remained unchanged at 2.24 percent. The summarised results of the auction held on 24 June 2025, are attached below:

    BOBC Auction Results – 24 June 2025.pdf

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Situation in the Middle East – Repatriation flights for French nationals

    Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development

    1. Home
    2. Latest News
    3. Situation in the Middle East – Repatriation flights for French (…)

    Published on June 24, 2025

    Joint communiqué issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for the Armed Forces (Paris, 22 June 2025)

    Following the meeting of the Defence and National Security Council (CDSN), at President Macron’s request, the Minister for the Armed Forces, M. Sébastien Lecornu, and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, M. Jean-Noël Barrot, announce that in addition to civilian air links, in particular chartered flights leaving Amman, military (A400M) flights are now being deployed to transport French nationals who so wish from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel to Cyprus, subject to Israeli authorization.

    Since Friday 13 June, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’s teams have been working actively to lend assistance to our French nationals in the region. Teams at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Centre have answered more than 4,500 calls. The Crisis and Support Centre’s emergency numbers are still accessible at all times. They are posted on our embassies’ and consulates’ websites.

    On Sunday 22 June, 160 French nationals, most of them in situations of emergency and vulnerability, accompanied by a doctor from the Ministry’s Crisis and Support Centre, are being repatriated from Jordan (Amman). Other flights will follow, in addition to direct or indirect commercial links leaving Amman (Jordan) and Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt).

    On Monday 23 June at 4.00 p.m., an additional commercial flight from Amman is being put in place by Royal Jordanian at France’s request; it will enable 150 French nationals to return; for Tuesday 24 June, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is chartering a flight that will allow more than 150 nationals in vulnerable situations to return to France.

    Security advice and emergency information are being updated in real time here: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/afrique-du-nord-moyen-orient/article/consignes-de-securite-a-destination-des-ressortissants-francais-au-proche-et

    We remind all French people of the need to register on the Fil d’Ariane prior to any trip abroad: https://fildariane.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fildariane-internet/accueil

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Green Energy International Starts Operations at Nigerian Onshore Terminal

    Nigerian energy company Green Energy International has lifted its first crude cargo from the recently-completed Otakikpo onshore terminal, situated near Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The facility received its maiden cargo via a vessel chartered by energy major Shell in June 2025. Crude was transported from the Otakikpo marginal field – located in Rivers State and operated by Green Energy International – signaling the start of operations of the onshore terminal. Green Energy International is a Diamond Sponsor of this year’s African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference – taking place September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town.

    The Otakikipo facility represents the first indigenous onshore terminal constructed in the country in five decades. Construction started in 2023, with the terminal completed in June 2025, six-months ahead of schedule. Green Energy International began injecting crude in March 2025, with production averaging 5,000 barrels per day. Since March, the company has received regulatory approval to boost production to 30,000 bpd under a revised field development plan. This aligns closely with ambitions by the company to scale-up Nigerian crude production, supporting African energy development.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit http://www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    The Otakikpo facility aligns closely with national goals of increasing crude storage and production to two million bpd, as it is expected to play a major role in processing crude from marginal fields. The state-of-the-art facility has a storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, with plans underway to increase capacity to three million barrels, dependent on market demand. The terminal also features an export capacity of 360,000 bpd, with crude transported via a 23-km 20-inch pipeline, connecting to a single point mooring system in the Atlantic Ocean. This way, the terminal is capable of receiving crude from several marginal fields, allowing operators to significantly reduce transport costs by reducing the reliance on costly offshore floating stations. The terminal is also expected to unlock previously-stranded crude resources from more than 40 marginal fields across the region, with a capacity to receive up to 250,000 bpd from third-party producers. As such, the terminal offers a domestic solution to producing, storing and exporting crude, supporting national development goals.

    The milestone comes as Nigeria strives to increase production through diversified field developments. Marginal fields have been designated as a priority area for the country, with the government implementing mechanisms to attract investment and development across these assets. Notably, in 2020, the government launched a marginal field bidding round to entice operators – both indigenous and international – to invest in these fields. The bid round drew over 591 companies seeking to develop 57 oilfields, with 161 companies shortlisted. Most of these firms represented indigenous operators, highlighting both the commitment by indigenous companies to invest in Nigerian oilfields and the level of opportunity in the company’s offshore market.

    Green Energy International’s Diamond Sponsorship of AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 reflects the company’s long-term vision for the Nigerian oil sector. Uniting the entire African energy sector and its value chain in Cape Town, AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history, facilitating dialogue and dealmaking and driving projects forward in Africa. The event showcases major projects while connecting operators and financiers, with a view to unlocking new development across the continent. The Otakikpo facility is a critical step towards improving domestic storage and production solutions in Nigeria and serves as a strong example for other indigenous operators in regional markets.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/NIGERIA – Catholic priest killed: He tried to mediate a family dispute

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Abuja (Agenzia Fides) – A Catholic priest was killed in Nigeria while attempting to mediate a family dispute. Father Godfrey Oparaekwe, parish priest of St. Ambrose Church in Ubakala (Umuahia South LGA), in Abia State (southern Nigeria), died on the evening of June 17. According to information from the Diocese of Umuahia and sent to Fides, the priest, accompanied by the couple’s daughter and another man, had gone to the man’s house to recover a motorcycle belonging to the girl. The couple had been in a crisis for some time, to the point where the woman and children had left the house, leaving the man alone. Father Oparaekwe had tried to mediate but was threatened by the man. On the evening of June 17, the man stabbed Father Oparaekwe several times, seriously injuring him, and then threatened other people with the same weapon. The attacker was immobilized, and Father Oparaekwe was taken to hospital. However, the priest died from his injuries a few hours after his arrival.Father Godfrey was born on October 4, 1953, in Ulakwo, Owerri, Nigeria. He was ordained priest in 1983 at the St. Joseph Seminary of Ulakwo, Oweni, Nigeria, in the Diocese of Umuahia. In 2000, he received a Master’s degree in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Arizona. From 2002 to 2012, he held various positions in the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona (USA), and then returned to Nigeria. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – Bishops’ message for tomorrow’s day of protest: “No to violence, yes to life”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – “We are seriously concerned about the serious disregard for human life in our country,” said the Bishops of Kenya in a statement issued today, June 24, in anticipation of tomorrow’s day of protest in memory of the victims of last year’s demonstrations against the Finance Law (see Fides, 21/6/2024, 25/6/2024, and 26/6/2024).”Episodes of mysterious disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and violent intimidation have become too frequent,” the bishops denounce in the document, which was sent to Fides.The bishops recall the names of some of those killed or disappeared, emphasizing “that these are not just names, but brothers, sisters, priests, sons, daughters, and friends who deserve protection and justice.” They cite in particular the recent murder of Boniface Kariuki, a protester “shot at close range by a police officer.” The 21-year-old was shot dead during demonstrations demanding justice for the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in a security cell (see Fides, 12/6/2025 and 17/6/2025).”Security officers have taken an oath to protect the population and not to harm it,” the statement reads. The bishops ask the authorities to listen to the protests of young people, “Generation Z,” who are expressing their legitimate demands in the face of the serious economic problems they face (“high taxes, lack of opportunities, and a system that ignores their voices”).The Bishops ask young people not to resort to violence and to demonstrate peacefully: “Remain peaceful, sincere, and courageous,” they appeal. “The Church loves and cares for you. Beware of those who seek to manipulate or influence you for evil purposes.” Finally, the bishops appeal to the “conscience of political leaders” not to allow inhumanity govern the nation. “Do not remain silent about the deaths of Kenyans,” the statement reads. The Kenyan Bishops’ Conference announced that on June 29, Masses will be celebrated in all Catholic churches in Kenya in remembrance of the young people killed and the victims of kidnappings and extrajudicial killings. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by recent violence in Tripoli: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by recent violence in Tripoli: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

    President, I will make three points today.

    First, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned by recent violence and clashes in Tripoli. 

    We urge all parties to exercise restraint and engage constructively in mediation efforts to prevent further escalation. 

    The clashes underscore the fragility of Libya’s security landscape and the urgent need for sustainable political progress.

    Second, I want to echo the SRSG’s remarks and welcome the renewed commitment shown at the International Follow-up Committee on Libya in Berlin on 20 June. 

    We are concerned at Libya’s trajectory, particularly the worsening political and economic conditions. 

    And these trends threaten the country’s stability, sovereignty and unity. 

    We therefore fully support UNSMIL’s efforts to improve international coordination in support of the UN-facilitated political process.

    Third, the United Kingdom welcomes the valuable work of the Advisory Committee on technical options for elections pathways. 

    Now, as SRSG Tetteh engages stakeholders to devise a political roadmap, we call on all Libyan actors to engage meaningfully with UNSMIL as it moves into the next stage of the process. 

    Our message is clear: now is the opportunity for Libyan actors to shape the future of the political process, towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous Libya.

    In closing, we recognise the importance of creating conditions that ultimately enable national elections to be conducted safely, inclusively and credibly. 

    Forthcoming municipal elections provide an opportunity for Libyan institutions and security actors to demonstrate their commitment to this goal. 

    This is an opportunity for Libyans to exercise their democratic rights and shape local governance. 

    It is essential that all actors work to foster an environment in which democratic practice can take root and be sustained.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Affirms Adoption of Foreign Policy Based on Strengthening International Solidarity With All Countries, Regional, International Organizations

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Geneva, June 24

    The State of Qatar affirmed its adoption, over the past four decades, of a foreign policy based on strengthening international solidarity with all countries and regional and international organizations, pointing out that it has worked to implement numerous educational and development projects in various regions around the globe to achieve global peace and contribute to development efforts in various fields.

    This came in the State of Qatar’s statement, delivered on Tuesday by Third Secretary in the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Ali Al Baker, during the interactive dialogue with the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity, item No. 3, within the framework of the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    Al Baker stressed the importance of international solidarity in promoting and protecting the rights of individuals and peoples, explaining that, despite the fact that the responsibility for promoting and protecting human rights at the national level lies primarily with governments, international solidarity is crucially valuable to strengthen national efforts and assist governments in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities to realize these rights.

    The growing challenges facing the world’s countries and societies today require greater attention to international solidarity than ever before, he said, pointing out that this calls for international and regional development partnerships and cooperation that allow for the exchange of expertise and good practices, mitigate inequalities between countries, and preserve the rights of peoples. This enables them to confront their challenges, respond to their needs, and preserve their cultures and identities across generations, so that no one is left behind in the development process, he added. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets Lebanese Prime Minister

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 24  

    HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Tuesday with HE Prime Minister of the sisterly Lebanese Republic Dr. Nawaf Salam, who is visiting the country.

    During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them, especially in fields of energy, transportation and culture, as well as the reconstruction of southern Lebanon, and support for the army. They also discussed the latest developments in the country and ways to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomatic means to consolidate security and stability regionally and internationally.

    HE Lebanese Prime Minister reiterated his country’s strong condemnation of the Iranian missile attack on Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, which constitutes a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law and the United Nations Charter. He also stressed the necessity of de-escalation in the region in order to achieve regional and international security. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy President to attend Mozambique anniversary celebrations

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President to attend Mozambique anniversary celebrations

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile will represent President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa at the 50th national independence anniversary celebrations of Mozambique.

    The celebrations are scheduled for Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at Machava Stadium in Maputo.

    President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique has invited South Africa to celebrate his country’s anniversary. 

    This year’s celebration will focus on the theme “50 Years of Independence: Consolidating National Unity, Peace and Sustainable Development.”

    “The people of Mozambique will use this occasion to acknowledge their achievements, reflect on the challenges they face, and how to turn Mozambique into a prosperous, democratic and peaceful country in the next 50 years,” the Presidency said on Tuesday.

    The celebrations will start with a visit to the Mozambican Heroes Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony to honour 50 years of national independence before the main festivities at Machava Stadium.

    READ | President Ramaphosa and Mozambican counterpart solidify bilateral ties

    – SAnews.gov.za

    Gabisile

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Protecting those who protect us: Ensuring vaccinations for health workers on the frontlines


    Download logo

    It happened in seconds. The doors of the health facility flew open. A young man was rushed in, barely breathing, his family screaming behind him. Blood was everywhere, on the floor, his clothes, the hands of those trying to steady him. And without hesitation, the health workers moved towards him instinctively. There were no questions asked, no moments wasted, just an instinctive rush to save a life, guided by their training and dedication.

    Later, we learned it was a suicide attempt. He had ingested rat poison. But in that critical moment, nothing else mattered to the health workers fighting to stabilize him. There was no time to ask questions, assess risks, or think of their own safety.

    As I stood there, watching, one thought wouldn’t leave me: What if this had been something else? What if the blood, later discovered to be palm oil, carried something more? What if the man was unknowingly infected with mpox, or another infectious disease spreading quietly through communities?

    This is the daily reality faced by health workers across Sierra Leone. They are the first to respond, the first to make contact, and the first to put themselves at risk, often without knowing what dangers they might encounter. When hesitation could lead to death, their instinct to save lives overrides every fear. They are the backbone of our health system, yet they remain dangerously exposed.

    But who ensures their safety? In Sierra Leone, mpox is not a distant threat. Since the first case was reported earlier this year, the virus has spread to all 16 districts. Thousands have been infected. Health workers are on the frontlines, not only caring for known cases, but often unknowingly exposed to patients who may not yet show symptoms.

    Mpox can spread through close skin to skin contact, bodily fluids, blood. The very acts of care, cleaning wounds, delivering babies, providing urgent treatment carry huge risks.

    Dr. James Squire, the National Incident Manager, summed it up clearly: “Our health workers are our greatest asset. If we lose them, we lose everything.”

    We have lived this before, and the painful memory still lingers. During the Ebola crisis, several health workers died. The loss was catastrophic, not just for families and communities, but for the entire health system that was already so fragile. We cannot afford to allow history to repeat itself.

    This time, we have a tool, we didn’t have then: vaccines. In a remarkable show of solidarity, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation familiar with the challenges of mpox and Ebola outbreaks extended a helping hand. With the coordination and support of the World Health Organization (WHO), the DRC generously donated 75,000 doses of mpox vaccine to Sierra Leone.

    Fatmata, a health worker at a district hospital, expressed it poignantly: “We rush into danger without hesitation. But at the same time, we have loved ones waiting for us back home. We want to continue serving, but we also need to feel secure.”

    When health workers are vaccinated, entire communities are safer. Economies thrive. And outbreaks are contained before they spiral. The ripple effect of protecting one health worker reaches far beyond the four walls of a health facility.

    Now is the moment. Every health worker in Sierra Leone – nurse, doctor, cleaner, ambulance driver, laboratory technician – must be vaccinated.  No one who steps into a space of care should be left unprotected.

    Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone, emphasized: “We are at a turning point. The vaccines have arrived. Now we must act. Every health worker vaccinated is one pillar strengthening the entire health system. This is one of the tools we have to halt the outbreak.” 

    The health workers who rushed toward that patient didn’t stop to ask whether it was safe. They acted because that’s what they do. They show up, every day, in every crisis. But showing up should not cost them their lives. This time, we have a chance to protect them before they pay that price.

    In addition to pre-exposure vaccination against mpox and post exposure management, heath workers and all frontline workers should always observe strict infection prevention and control procedures and use personal protective equipment (PPEs) when handling suspected and confirmed patients.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – Sierra Leone.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Libya: Médecins sans frontières (MSF) stands ready to resume medical activities, two-and-a-half months following MSFs forced suspension


    Download logo

    Two and a half months after the forced suspension of its activities by Libyan authorities, following a wave of repression that affected ten humanitarian organizations present in the West of the country, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reaffirms its willingness to resume its medical services and its support to the Libyan authorities. The organization also remains very concerned about the health of its former patients and the interruption of access to healthcare for the most vulnerable populations in Libya.

    On March 27, 2025, MSF was forced to suspend the medical aid it was providing in the country, following the closure of its premises by the ISA and the interrogation of several members of its team. All MSF staff were released, but after the crackdown, MSF was forced to evacuate its international employees from Libya and to terminate the contracts of its Libyan staff.

    Since mid-March, the Internal Security Agency (ISA) of Libya began summoning and interrogating the staff of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) providing care to migrants and refugees in Libya.

    “MSF is ready to resume the medical projects that were underway for tuberculosis (TB), mental health and maternal health, for any patient in need of care, and in collaboration with the relevant Libyan authorities” states Steven Purbrick, MSF head of mission for Libya, “provided that the safety of our staff and patients is guaranteed, MSF calls for its suspension to be lifted.”

    MSF had received no formal notification of the basis for the ISA actions and regrets this intimidatory crackdown which compromises access to medical care. MSF is deeply concerned with the consequences for patients’ health. Among them, migrants and refugees are subjected to abuse and violence with severe health consequences and acute medical needs. MSF’s referral mechanism to UNHCR or IOM to evacuate migrants and refugee patients identified as medical priority cases has now come to a halt.

    Before the suspension of activities, MSF was treating a cohort of more than 300 Libyan, migrant and refugee patients, mostly for TB care, antenatal care and psychological support, especially for survivors of violence. Some patients were in a critical situation. MSF managed to refer most of them to other facilities, such as the National Center for Disease Control, but also lost contact with several of them.

    “Two of our TB patients died in Misrata immediately after our suspension. We hear that a further four other inpatients have since passed away in the same facility” says Carla Peruzzo, medical coordinator for MSF in Libya. “We are very concerned about patients with chronic diseases like diabetic patients in need of insulin and people in need of dialysis, with kidney chronic disease.”

    MSF was supporting the only public center for TB patients in Libya. The TB unit was implemented by MSF within the Misrata Chest Hospital in 2020.

    Medications destined for donation to public hospitals were locked inside MSF’s premises, which MSF will now be obliged to destroy due to the loss of temperature control.

    “The medical needs met by MSF are not always covered in Libya’s public health system, which faces structural challenges, such as understaffing and shortages of medication supply”, explains Carla Peruzzo. “A breakdown in TB treatment can lead to the development of a drug-resistant form of the disease, rapid deterioration in the patient’s state of health and even death”.

    Over the years MSF had successfully developed a technical collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Program to reinforce capacities to detect cases in specialized facilities, review national guidelines of the central laboratory in Tripoli and support the department of health education. MSF is ready to continue its planned support to the National Tuberculosis Program and the rest of its medical activities.

    MSF in Libya

    MSF has been working in eastern and western Libya since 2011, providing primary healthcare, TB diagnosis and care, mental health support and maternal health consultations.

    In 2023, MSF provided emergency medical support following the flooding in Derna, supporting two primary health care centres and providing medical consultations to almost 5,000 people. MSF also provided mental health services after the disaster.

    In 2024, MSF conducted 15,018 medical consultations, 3,024 mental health consultations, and 2,035 consultations on tuberculosis.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fewer babies in Botswana acquire Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) thanks to dedicated push to eliminate mother to child transmission


    Download logo

    Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV is possible. And Botswana is celebrating becoming the first country in Africa – and the first country with a high burden of HIV – to be awarded a Gold Tier status by the World Health Organization (WHO), for its efforts to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV completely.

    This is a huge accomplishment for a country with one of the most severe HIV epidemics in the world, which in 1999 had an estimated HIV prevalence among adults as high as 30%.

    Women living with HIV who do not receive antiretroviral (ARV) medicine have a 15–45% chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding. That risk drops to less than 5% if treatment is given to both mothers and children throughout the stages when transmission can occur.

    According to UNAIDS’ Spectrum report 2024, around 360,000 people are currently living with HIV in Botswana, with 98% of pregnant women living with HIV receiving treatment. Vertical transmission has dropped to just 1.2%, resulting in fewer than 100 infants being born with HIV in 2023. The goal is to reach zero.

    The Path to an HIV-free Botswana

    The Triple Elimination Initiative, led by WHO, in close collaboration with UNICEF and UNAIDS, aims to halt vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, by encouraging countries to integrate services to improve the health of mothers and children. In May 2025, Botswana’s Gold Tier status on the Path to Elimination of HIV, was unanimously agreed by the global validation committee, which assesses programme interventions, laboratory services, engagement of Civil Society Organisations and evaluates data against a set of elimination criteria.

    The attainment of ‘Gold tier’ status by Botswana can be attributed to several high impact initiatives:

    • Pioneering interventions over the years, such as the early adoption of Option B+ (lifelong treatment for all pregnant and breastfeeding women with HIV), free antiretroviral therapy for all, including non-citizens since 2019, and decentralisation of services through District Health Management Teams.

    • Digitising data collection systems with the Open Medical Record System (Open-MRS);

    • Championing the empowerment of community health workers (CHWs) through increased training;

    • Strong government leadership, including committing domestic resources.

    • Embracing the crucial importance of Civil Society Organisations, which engage communities in reducing stigma and violence, testing partners and encouraging adherence to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and treatment;

    Support from 2gether 4 SRHR

    2gether 4 SRHR is a joint UN Regional Programme, in partnership with Sweden, which brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa.

    The regional validation secretariat of the Triple Elimination Initiative includes the same UN agencies, which continue to support Botswana through its validation process, with funding support from 2gether 4 SRHR. In phase one of the programme (2018-2023), Botswana was supported as the first country globally to apply for the Path to Elimination of HIV. To meet these rigorous data requirements, 2gether 4 SRHR established a data mentorship programme, aiming to build the capacity of Ministries of Health across the region, to analyse and use data to prove progress on the path to elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

    Countries including Botswana also received financial support from 2gether 4 SRHR to develop HIV Prevention Roadmaps. These evidence-based, people-centred, HIV prevention plans focus on reducing new infections and ensuring long-term sustainability of prevention programming which can withstand funding shocks.

    Botswana was also one of ten countries to develop action plans to engage men in HIV prevention and leveraged the existing “Brothers Arise” #Nanogang campaign, to work with men to increase their uptake of HIV services and create male friendly platforms to discuss norms. In consultation with the Ministry of Health, a guide for best practice services for men and boys is now in use.

    This major milestone should be celebrated not only in Botswana, but across the Region. With 2.6 million new HIV infections in children averted since 2010, the 57% decline in new HIV infections among children in Eastern and Southern Africa is one of the top global public health achievements in decades. Botswana demonstrates that an AIDS-free generation is possible.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Prevention of Genocide

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Prevention of Genocide

    UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We thank the Special Adviser for their ongoing contribution to driving an atrocity-prevention approach across the UN system and raising atrocity risks to the Secretary-General and UN Member States.

    Effective early warning systems that escalate concerns before they arise are critical for early action in preventing atrocities. We continue to support the “early warning systems for all” principle laid out in the Pact for the Future.

    However, we also need to act on early warning signs. Atrocities continue to be committed across the world.

    In Sudan, particularly Darfur, the reports of violence are deeply troubling.

    In Myanmar, the military continues to escalate violence, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure. All parties must protect civilians.

    In Afghanistan, the Taliban continue to enforce their inhuman restrictions on human rights, especially for women and girls.

    On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Responsibility to Protect, we urge renewed global efforts to protect civilians and strengthen human rights in environments at risk. UN offices should continue to play a role in enabling the wider UN system in these endeavours.

    What are the challenges to enabling the wider UN system to act on atrocity risks and how can Member States help?

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supreme Court rules Trump can rapidly deport immigrants to Libya, South Sudan and other countries they aren’t from

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eleanor Paynter, Assistant Professor of Italian, Migration, and Global Media Studies, University of Oregon

    Internally displaced people walk along a street in Juba, South Sudan, on Feb. 13, 2025. Brian Inganga/AP Photos

    For the past several months, the Trump administration has been trying to deport immigrants to countries they are not from – despite an April 2025 federal ruling that had blocked the White House from doing so.

    A divided Supreme Court decided on June 23, in a brief emergency order, that the Trump administration can, for now, legally deport immigrants to countries they were not born in – known as “third countries” – without giving them time to contest their destination. The third countries that President Donald Trump has recently prioritized, including El Salvador, South Sudan and Libya, are known for being dangerous places with weak rule of law and routine human rights violations.

    The 6-3 decision did not specify a legal rationale for the ruling. The court’s three liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, all dissented.

    “Apparently, the Court finds the idea that thousands will suffer violence in farflung locales more palatable than the remote possibility that a District Court exceeded its powers when it ordered the government provide notice to the targeted migrants,” Sotomayor wrote in a 19-page dissent, joined by Kagan and Brown Jackson.

    Understanding this legal case

    The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court at the end of May to allow the rapid deportation of eight men who were convicted of crimes to South Sudan. Only one of those immigrants is from South Sudan, a politically unstable country in northeastern Africa. The rest are from Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

    Brian Murphy, a federal judge in Massachusetts, had blocked those immigrants’ deportation to South Sudan on May 21, saying that this move violated his April 2025 court order. In that ruling, he stated that people being deported to third countries should have time to contest their destination if it might put them in danger.

    The flight to South Sudan was rerouted to an American military base in the East African country of Djibouti, where the men are reportedly living in a converted shipping container while they wait to hear whether they will be deported to South Sudan.

    Murphy also ruled in April that the Trump administration cannot send other immigrants to Libya if they are not foreign nationals of that North African country.

    I study how restrictive immigration policies make people’s journeys into a new country dangerous and can harm their well-being. In that research, I have interviewed African migrants who have traversed the Sahara Desert, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, where they seek asylum.

    The White House has not explained why it wants to send immigrants to South Sudan or Libya.

    Libya’s government has denied any direct coordination with the U.S. on this issue, and South Sudan’s government has said that any immigrants deported there with criminal records would be sent to their own countries.

    But a May federal court filing said that Trump administration officials have tried to negotiate deportation arrangements with Libya and South Sudan that give the governments money or other benefits for taking in immigrants from the U.S.

    South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, right, meets with Abdel Fattah, a general from Sudan, at a September 2024 ceremony in Juba, South Sudan.
    South Sudan Presidency/Anadolu via Getty Images

    South Sudan’s shaky footing

    Migrants can legally be deported to another nation when their country of origin refuses to repatriate them – though this practice is rare.

    Former President Joe Biden, for example, deported Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to Mexico if it was politically or logistically difficult to repatriate them.

    But the Trump administration is the first to insist on expedited removal of immigrants to countries outside of Latin America.

    South Sudan became a country in 2011, when it split from Sudan after a decades-long war. Since then, South Sudan has been led by a single president – Salva Kiir – who has been described by international critics as authoritarian, meaning he tries to centralize his own power and limit other people’s political rights. In March 2025, Kiir oversaw the arrest of vice president and opposition leader Riek Machar.

    Fighting between the government and opposition forces has prompted more than 2.3 million South Sudanese to flee to neighboring countries since 2013.

    In 2025 alone, the country’s civil conflict has prompted more than 130,000 people to become internally displaced, meaning they were forced to leave their homes and live elsewhere within the country.

    In March, Uganda deployed its troops to South Sudan to support the president, prompting concern of a full-scale civil war between forces backing Kiir and opposition forces. The United Nations then extended a U.S.-sponsored arms embargo in May to prevent weapons from reaching the region.

    The conflict has also blocked the distribution of lifesaving aid, including food and other basic supplies, to reach people in South Sudan. About 57% of the country’s estimated 11 million people do not get enough food.

    In March, the U.S. State Department ordered nonemergency U.S. government employees to leave South Sudan.

    The State Department has also documented “significant human rights issues” in South Sudan, including threats to freedom of expression, as well as arbitrary arrests and detentions.

    Libya’s danger for migrants

    People demonstrate against the Government of National Unity in Tripoli, Libya, on June 20, 2025.
    Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

    The Trump administration is also trying to send immigrants to Libya, which has not had a stable government since the U.S. and other countries supported the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gadhafi in 2011. Libya is currently ruled by two rival governments: the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in the country’s western region and the Government of National Stability in the east.

    The U.S. has not had an embassy in Libya since 2014 due to unpredictable and unstable security there.

    Armed militias control sections of Libya, and in some cases, they are also embedded as part of the governments.

    Libya is a significant destination for migrants from countries throughout Africa and the Middle East who want to work in, or just pass through, Libya on their way north to Europe.

    It is also a dangerous place for migrants. A 2023 U.N. fact-finding mission in Libya documented what migrants have long maintained in interviews with advocacy groups – they are regularly held for ransom by human traffickers, enslaved, and arrested and tortured in detention centers partly funded by Europe.

    A mass grave found in 2021 near the village of Tarhouna contained the bodies of hundreds of locals who had disappeared under militia rule. In February 2025, the U.N. confirmed the discovery of mass migrant graves, with bodies showing signs of gunshot wounds.

    In a May 2025 court declaration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the injunction halting rapid third-country deportations threatens “a significant commercial deal to expand activities of a U.S. energy company in Libya.” In Libya, home to Africa’s largest oil reserves, U.S. companies are actively seeking to rekindle partnerships with the country’s national oil company.

    In June, Trump included Libya on the list of countries banned from sending citizens to the U.S., citing the inability to “safely and reliably vet and screen” citizens from Libya and the other banned countries.

    Other options for Trump administration

    The U.S. is actively seeking additional countries it could send immigrants to in the future, even if they are not from those places.

    Rubio issued a memo on June 14, about expanding the list of countries in the current travel ban against foreign nationals from 12 countries, including Libya. He noted that the 36 additional countries – mostly in Africa and including South Sudan – could mitigate the harsh policy by agreeing to accept immigrants from other countries who are deported from the U.S.

    Eleanor Paynter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Supreme Court rules Trump can rapidly deport immigrants to Libya, South Sudan and other countries they aren’t from – https://theconversation.com/supreme-court-rules-trump-can-rapidly-deport-immigrants-to-libya-south-sudan-and-other-countries-they-arent-from-258155

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Elevate Your Viewing Experience and Be Rewarded with Samsung’s #YouMake TV Redemption Promotion

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung South Africa is excited to announce the #YouMake TV Redemption Promotion. Running currently until 30 June 2025, this promotion offers South Africans more than just innovative televisions — it’s a chance to tailor your tech experience and receive a complimentary gift with every qualifying TV purchase.
     
    Samsung’s #YouMake initiative focuses on giving consumers more control over how their technology integrates into their daily lives. From customisable design to seamless connectivity, the campaign is a bold step toward a world where technology adapts to the user, and not the other way around.
     
    Buy a TV, Get Rewarded
    During the campaign, customers who purchase a qualifying Samsung TV, either online or from select retailers, will receive a complimentary gift ranging from smartphones to tablets, tailored to the specific TV model purchased. Participating retailers include Game, Takealot, Iser, Hirsch’s, House & Home, as well as Samsung’s branded stores and online store.
     
    This is the list of qualifying TVs (including product codes);

    Participating Retailer
    Model Code
    Product Name
    Gift

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA85Q60DAKXXA
    85-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy Tab S10FE Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA75Q60DAKXXA
    75-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA65Q60DAKXXA
    65-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA55Q60DAKXXA
    55-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA85DU7000KXXA
    85-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab S10FE Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA75DU7000KXXA
    75-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab A9+ Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA65DU7000KXXA
    65-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA65QN85DBKXXA
    65-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN85D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA55QN85DBKXXA
    55-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN85D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA75DU8000KXXA
    75-Inch DU8000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab A9+ Wi-Fi

     
    How to Redeem Your Gift
    Step 1: Buy a participating product on or before 30 June 2025.
    Step 2: Scan the QR Code or visit TV Offer Redemption and complete the redemption form, upload all required documents, then click submit.
    Step 3: An email will be shared once the completed redemption form has been submitted and evaluation of the redemption has been successful.
    Step 4: Once the redemption is approved, the complimentary gift(s) will be delivered within 21-30 days.
     
    Each purchase of a qualifying TV unlocks a gift, so there’s no limit to how many times you can redeem, as long as each purchase meets the campaign criteria.
     
    Make It Yours with #YouMake
    Samsung’s #YouMake campaign redefines personalisation and connectivity, allowing you to tailor your technology to suit your space, your preferences, and your life. Now, with every qualifying TV purchase, that experience comes with even more value.
     
    For more details, terms and conditions, visit: Samsung Offers

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Elevate Your Viewing Experience and Be Rewarded with Samsung’s #YouMake TV Redemption Promotion

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung South Africa is excited to announce the #YouMake TV Redemption Promotion. Running currently until 30 June 2025, this promotion offers South Africans more than just innovative televisions — it’s a chance to tailor your tech experience and receive a complimentary gift with every qualifying TV purchase.
     
    Samsung’s #YouMake initiative focuses on giving consumers more control over how their technology integrates into their daily lives. From customisable design to seamless connectivity, the campaign is a bold step toward a world where technology adapts to the user, and not the other way around.
     
    Buy a TV, Get Rewarded
    During the campaign, customers who purchase a qualifying Samsung TV, either online or from select retailers, will receive a complimentary gift ranging from smartphones to tablets, tailored to the specific TV model purchased. Participating retailers include Game, Takealot, Iser, Hirsch’s, House & Home, as well as Samsung’s branded stores and online store.
     
    This is the list of qualifying TVs (including product codes);

    Participating Retailer
    Model Code
    Product Name
    Gift

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA85Q60DAKXXA
    85-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy Tab S10FE Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA75Q60DAKXXA
    75-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA65Q60DAKXXA
    65-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA55Q60DAKXXA
    55-Inch QLED 4K Q60D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA85DU7000KXXA
    85-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab S10FE Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA75DU7000KXXA
    75-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab A9+ Wi-Fi

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA65DU7000KXXA
    65-Inch DU7000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy A16

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA65QN85DBKXXA
    65-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN85D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    QA55QN85DBKXXA
    55-Inch Neo QLED 4K QN85D Tizen OS Smart TV (2024)
    Galaxy A26 5G

    Samsung Brand Store
    UA75DU8000KXXA
    75-Inch DU8000 Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV
    Galaxy Tab A9+ Wi-Fi

     
    How to Redeem Your Gift
    Step 1: Buy a participating product on or before 30 June 2025.
    Step 2: Scan the QR Code or visit TV Offer Redemption and complete the redemption form, upload all required documents, then click submit.
    Step 3: An email will be shared once the completed redemption form has been submitted and evaluation of the redemption has been successful.
    Step 4: Once the redemption is approved, the complimentary gift(s) will be delivered within 21-30 days.
     
    Each purchase of a qualifying TV unlocks a gift, so there’s no limit to how many times you can redeem, as long as each purchase meets the campaign criteria.
     
    Make It Yours with #YouMake
    Samsung’s #YouMake campaign redefines personalisation and connectivity, allowing you to tailor your technology to suit your space, your preferences, and your life. Now, with every qualifying TV purchase, that experience comes with even more value.
     
    For more details, terms and conditions, visit: Samsung Offers

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Rack Centre welcomes TelCables Nigeria, integrates its international subsea-cable network at the Lagos campus


    Download logo

    Rack Centre, West Africa’s leading Tier III carrier – and cloud -neutral data centre, has signed a strategic collocation agreement with TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of Angola Cables (www.AngolaCables.co.ao) and one of Africa’s most connected network operators. Through the partnership, TelCables Nigeria is deploying its high capacity network and cloud infrastructure together with four international subsea cable systems (SACS, MONET, SEBRAS and EllaLink) directly into Rack Centre’s carrier ecosystem in the region. The move delivers the most resilient, low-latency south-bound routes to Europe, the Americas and Latin America, mitigating the risk of future cable-cut outages along West Africa’s coast and powering next-generation cloud services across the continent.

    “Our unique Africa – to – Latin America route via SACS, combined with MONET, SEBRAS and EllaLink, gives customers the lowest – latency paths to the Americas and Europe,” said Fernando Fernandes, CEO of TelCables Nigeria. “Businesses in latency sensitive sectors: financial services, content delivery and real-time communications will experience faster transactions, reduced lag and an enhanced user experience. By hosting at Rack Centre we also localise Clouds2Africa resources, price them in naira, and remove expensive ingress/egress charges or FX exposure.”

    Partnership highlights

    • Robust dark-fibre integration: TelCables Nigeria is lighting diverse, redundant dark-fibre rings into Rack Centre, ensuring always-on performance.
    • Clouds2Africa platform on-net: Customers can consume scalable IaaS, PaaS and CDN services from within the data sovereign walls of Rack Centre, paying in NGN.
    • Direct on-ramps to AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, supporting hybrid and multi-cloud strategies alongside Dedicated Internet Access, IP Transit and remote Internet Exchange (IX) peering.
    • Low-latency routes to three continents, including the only direct Africa to Latin America path, plus shortest-hop connections to Europe and the USA.

    Supporting Rack Centre’s expansion strategy

    Rack Centre’s 13.5MW data centre campus designed with its recently launched LGS2 facility that delivers a design PUE of 1.35 and powered from sustainable energy sources, already hosts 70+ carriers, ISPs and network operators.

    Lars Johannisson, CEO of Rack Centre, said:

    “Adding a global operator of Angola Cables’ calibre through TelCables Nigeria dramatically deepens our connectivity fabric. We can now offer 99.95 % SLA routes to more destinations, enabling enterprises, governments and cloud providers to meet performance and data-residency requirements while keeping traffic local.”

    With features such as N+2 high-efficiency cooling, an integrated Building Management System and AI-ready high-density racks, LGS2 combines capacity, sustainability and innovation reinforcing Rack Centre’s position as a critical digital hub for Nigeria and West Africa.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Angola Cables.

    For Media Enquiries:
    Ada Ibelegbu
    Senior Marketing Associate
    Rack Centre
    Email: ada.ibelegbu@rack-centre.com
    M: +234 80 904 03 473
    T: +234 1 700 5515

    About Angola Cables:
    Angola Cables is an international ICT solutions provider operating a 33,000 km subsea-cable network (WACS, SACS, MONET) and 50,000 km of partner routes, linking the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia. The company runs Tier III data centres in Fortaleza (Brazil) and Luanda (Angola), manages the Angonix IXP, and maintains 30+ PoPs worldwide. CAIDA ranks Angola Cables among the top-25 global ISPs (2023). www.AngolaCables.co.ao

    About Rack Centre:
    Rack Centre is West Africa’s leading Tier III carrier and cloud neutral data-centre operator. Since 2012 it has specialised in colocation and interconnection, offering customers a technically superior, physically secure and cost-efficient environment. The campus hosts 70+ carriers, ISPs and global Tier 1 networks, with direct links to every subsea cable landing on Africa’s Atlantic coast including Equiano and, soon, 2Africa. www.Rack-Centre.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola Becomes Shareholder in Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Reinforcing Commitment to Africa-Led Development

    Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, today announced that the Republic of Angola has become its latest sovereign shareholder. This strategic equity investment further strengthens Angola’s partnership with AFC and underscores the country’s confidence in AFC’s mandate to accelerate sustainable development and regional integration through transformational infrastructure.

    As a member of the Africa Finance Corporation since 2022, Angola has deepened its strategic partnership with the institution through a landmark equity investment commitment of US$184.8 million. This bold move reflects Angola’s confidence in the AFC’s institutional strength and its ambition to help shape Africa’s development agenda from within. It builds on nearly US$1 billion in AFC investments across Angola’s priority sectors—power, rail, logistics, and critical minerals—core to the country’s industrialization and economic diversification strategy. The investment also signals growing momentum for African-led capital solutions to drive long-term, transformative growth across the continent.

    Earlier this year, the Fundo Soberano de Angola, Angola’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, also made a US$25 million equity investment in AFC. Together, these investments reflect a cohesive national strategy to advance Angola’s infrastructure and industrial development agenda through close collaboration with the Corporation.

    With this milestone investment, Angola becomes the second Lusophone African nation, after Cape Verde, to join the growing list of equity investors in AFC. This underscores the Corporation’s expanding pan-African footprint and its commitment to accelerating the continent’s structural transformation through strategic, high-impact partnerships.

    “Angola’s capital commitment underscores the impact of sovereign alignment with AFC’s mandate to catalyse Africa’s transformation. It affirms the value of combining national vision with AFC’s model of delivering critical infrastructure, deploying innovative financing solutions, and forging catalytic partnerships across the public and private sectors”, said Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO of Africa Finance Corporation. “This marks a significant step in AFC’s journey to broaden shareholder representation across Africa”.

    Dr. Vera Daves de Sousa, Angola’s Minister of Finance, said: “Angola’s shareholding investment in AFC signals our strong belief in the power of partnerships to deliver lasting economic transformation. The Corporation has been a trusted ally over the last few years, financing strategic sectors including infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects critical to our diversification efforts, and we look forward to a continued, mutually beneficial partnership”.

    AFC and Angola have had a strong collaborative history over the years, exemplified by initiatives such as the Lobito Corridor project, where AFC is acting as lead developer alongside other partners. This transformational multi-country transport network connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has the potential to unlock new industrial and value-chain opportunities across key sectors, including mining, agriculture, energy, and tourism. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

    Media Enquiries:
    Yewande Thorpe
    Communications
    Africa Finance Corporation
    Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
    Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

    About AFC:
    AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

    Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 45 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception.

    www.AfricaFC.org

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola received H.E. @ymahmoudali, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission and his delegation, at the State House


    Download logo

    This morning in Luanda, on the margins of the US-Africa Business Summit, H.E. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola received H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission and his delegation, at the State House. The Chairperson briefed the President on the regional developments, including the situations in Eastern DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, the Sahel, and Somalia, as well as ongoing efforts to mobilise sustainable funding for African-led peace support operations.

    President Lourenço commended the Chairperson’s leadership in advancing peace, security, and regional integration, and encouraged continued diplomatic engagement in resolving ongoing conflicts, and AU activities in support of Agenda 2063.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Halting a sheep and goat plague outbreak to protect livelihoods in Sierra Leone


    Download logo

    When an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR)—also known as sheep and goat plague—threatened to wipe out people’s livelihoods in Kamasasa village, Sierra Leone, quick action from trained Sierra Leone Red Cross Society volunteers and local authorities stopped the spread of disease and minimized its damage on the community.

    Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting small animals, such as sheep and goats. PPR can be fatal and outbreaks, if left undetected, can have devastating consequences for people’s livelihoods, particularly in pastoral communities.

    In Kamasasa, a village in north-west Sierra Leone where people are reliant on goat and sheep farming to make a living, an outbreak of PPR struck in September 2022 and threatened to wreak havoc in the community.  

    “It was all over the town,” explains Pa Adikali Sesay, Chief of Kamasasa village. “Everywhere you would go, people would say that their goats were sick. Some people would be crying because they were losing hope. If there was an emergency and they or their children got sick or if they need to pay school fees for their children, how would they pay for those things if all the animals died?”

    Having never experienced a PPR outbreak before, people were unsure what to do. And misinformation was spreading alongside the disease. Some farmers even fled the village, believing that their animals were under some form of mystical attack.  

    But thankfully, local Sierra Leone Red Cross Society volunteers were on hand to support the community. Trained in epidemic control and community-based surveillance through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), they immediately recognized the disease as PPR, rapidly reported the outbreak to local animal health authorities, and mounted an effective response to halt its spread.

    “Our volunteers started mobilizing the community, sensitizing them, telling them not to eat these animals,” says Osman Justin Conteh, CP3 Manager with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society. “We separated the sick from those that are not sick so that then the disease will not continue to spread. Then specimens were collected and sent to the lab. We supported the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to treat these animals, vaccinating more than 10,000 goats and sheep against PPR.”

    This quick, coordinated action made sure that PPR stopped spreading in the community and that sick animals were able to recover, with volunteers earning thanks and recognition from community members. 

    Sorie Daba Sesay, a farmer from Kamasasa village, says: “The Red Cross arrived and told us to look for animals that were sick or had died. They helped get medicine to the sick goats so they would get better and not get sick again. We say to the Red Cross, thank you!” 

    And Kamasasa village chief, Pa Adikali, adds: “The Red Cross did an incredible job. Without their intervention, we could have lost all our animals. The Red Cross arrived right when we needed their help.”

    This PPR outbreak response is just one example of many disease outbreaks detected, reported and responded to through the CP3 programme in Kambia. Since the programme began in 2018, Sierra Leone Red Cross Society teams have improved their capacity to prepare for and respond to epidemics and developed close partnerships with human, animal and environmental health authorities to keep communities healthy and safe. 

    “The coming of CP3 and the Red Cross has helped us greatly in trying to mitigate the death toll of goats and sheep,” says Ibrahim Harri Sesay, District Livestock Officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Kambia. “They have trained over 250 volunteers across the districts here. CP3 volunteers are all over in the communities. They are with them, they know their problems. If there are any problems with disease, be it animal or human, they report to us directly and we react appropriately.”

    The activities featured in this article were delivered as part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) which ran from 2018-2025. 

    Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, started his Official Visit to Morocco with a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, in Rabat, on 24 June 2025. The Joint Summary of Meeting is attached
     

     
    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: Q1 update for the three months ended 30 April 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ICG Enterprise Trust plc

    24 June 2025

    Q1 update for the three months ended 30 April 2025

         
         
         
     

    Highlights

    • NAV per Share of 2,011p; LTM NAV per Share Total Return of 6.3% (5 year annualised: 14.8%)
    • Q1 Portfolio Return on a Local Currency Basis of 0.6%, offset by FX, resulting in Portfolio Return on a Sterling Basis of (2.4)% and NAV per Share Total Return of (2.6)%
    • Total Proceeds of £149m, including £62m net proceeds from the sale of a portion of our Portfolio at a 5.5% discount and £48m from sale of Minimax (previously our largest portfolio company holding)1; Total New Investments of £48m
    • £9m of buybacks during the quarter, adding 0.4% (8.4p) to NAV per Share Total Return
    • Robust balance sheet: low gearing ratio (3%); €300m revolving credit facility extended to May 2029
    • Q1 dividend of 9p per share; Board intends to pay total dividends of at least 38p per share for FY26 (FY25: 36p)
    • Secondaries are offering some compelling investment opportunities

    1 As announced in April 2025, and includes £3m of further Minimax proceeds received in late April 2025

    		  
      PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW      
            Annualised
      Performance to 30 April 2025 3 months 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
      Portfolio Return on a Local Currency Basis 0.6% 10.3% 8.4% 17.8% 15.1%
      NAV per Share Total Return (2.6)% 6.3% 6.3% 14.8% 13.4%
      Share Price Total Return (12.5)% (0.9)% 4.4% 12.6% 10.3%
      FTSE All-Share Index Total Return (1.2)% 7.5% 7.0% 10.9% 5.8%
      Portfolio activity overview for Q1 FY26 Primary Direct Secondary Total ICG-managed
      Portfolio Return on a Local Currency Basis 0.3% 1.5% (0.2)% 0.6% 1.4%
      Portfolio Return in Sterling (2.1)% (2.0)% (4.3)% (2.4)% (1.6)%
      New Investments £25m £14m £8m £48m £28m
      Proceeds £98m £36m £15m £149m £66m
      New fund Commitments £76m £—m £—m £76m £21m
      Closing Portfolio value £699m £475m £211m £1,386m £389m
      % Total Portfolio 50% 34% 15% 100% 28%

    ENQUIRIES

    Institutional investors and analysts:         Martin Li, Shareholder Relations                        +44 (0) 20 3545 1816
    Nathan Brown, Deutsche Numis                        +44 (0) 20 7260 1426
    David Harris, Cadarn Capital                        +44 (0) 20 7019 9042
    Media:                                        Clare Glynn, Corporate Communications, ICG        +44 (0) 20 3545 1850

    COMPANY TIMETABLE

    A presentation for investors and analysts will be held at 10:30 BST tomorrow (Wednesday 25 June 2025). A link for the presentation can be found on the Results & Reports page of the Company website. A recording of the presentation will be made available on the Company website after the event.

      FY26 First Interim Dividend
    Ex-dividend date 14 August 2025
    Record date 15 August 2025
    Dividend payment date 29 August 2025

    ABOUT ICG ENTERPRISE TRUST

    ICG Enterprise Trust is a leading listed private equity investor focused on creating long-term growth by delivering consistently strong returns through selectively investing in profitable, cash-generative private companies, primarily in Europe and the US.

    We invest in companies directly as well as through funds managed by Intermediate Capital Group plc (“ICG”) and other leading managers who focus on creating long-term value and building sustainable growth through active management and strategic change.

    ICG Alternative Investment Limited, a regulated subsidiary of ICG, acts as the Manager of the Company.

    NOTES
    Included in this document are Alternative Performance Measures (“APMs”). APMs have been used if considered by the Board and the Manager to be the most relevant basis for shareholders in assessing the overall performance of the Company, and for comparing the performance of the Company to its peers and its previously reported results.

    All performance figures are stated on a Total Return basis (i.e. including the effect of re-invested dividends).

    DISCLAIMER
    The information contained herein and on the pages that follow does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire or subscribe for, any securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation is unlawful or would impose any unfulfilled registration, qualification, publication or approval requirements on ICG Enterprise Trust PLC (the “Company”) or its affiliates or agents. Equity securities in the Company have not been and will not be registered under the applicable securities laws of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa (each an “Excluded Jurisdiction”). The equity securities in the Company referred to herein and on the pages that follow may not be offered or sold within an Excluded Jurisdiction, or to any U.S. person (“U.S. Person”) as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or to any national, resident or citizen of an Excluded Jurisdiction.

    The information on the pages that follow may contain forward looking statements. Any statement other than a statement of historical fact is a forward looking statement. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward looking statement, which speaks only as of the date of its issuance.

    MANAGER’S REVIEW

    Our investment strategy

    Within developed markets, we focus on investing in buyouts of profitable, cash-generative businesses that exhibit resilient growth characteristics, which we believe will generate long-term compounding returns across economic cycles.

    We take an active approach to portfolio construction, with a flexible mandate that enables us to deploy capital in Primary, Direct and Secondary investments. Geographically we focus on the developed markets of North America and Europe, including the UK, which have deep and mature private equity markets supported by a robust corporate governance framework.

    Investments managed by ICG accounted for 28% of the Portfolio.

      Medium-term target Five-year average Q1 FY26
    1. Target Portfolio composition 1      
    Investment category      
    Primary ~50% 56% 51%
    Direct ~25% 29% 34%
    Secondary ~25% 15% 15%
    Geography      
    North America ~50% 43% 45%
    Europe (inc. UK) ~50% 50% 49%
    Other — 7% 7%
    1 As percentage of Portfolio  

    Performance overview

    • At 30 April 2025, the Portfolio was valued at £1,386m. The Portfolio Return on a Local Currency Basis for the quarter was 0.6%, and in Sterling terms was (2.4)%
    • ICG Enterprise Trust generated a NAV per Share Total Return of (2.6)% during the quarter, ending the period with a NAV per Share of 2,011p
    • Over the last five years ICG Enterprise Trust has generated an annualised NAV per Share Total Return of 14.8%
    Movement in the Portfolio
    £m    		 3 months to 30 April 2025
    Opening Portfolio1 £1,523m
    Total New Investments £48m
    Total Proceeds £(149)m
    Portfolio net cashflow £(101)m
    Valuation movement2 £9m
    Currency movement £(45)m
    Closing Portfolio £1,386m
    1 Refer to the Glossary
    2 86% of the Portfolio is valued using 31 March 2025 (or later) valuations.    		  
    NAV per Share Total Return 3 months to 30 April 2025
    % Portfolio growth (local currency) 0.6%
    % currency movement (3.0)%
    % Portfolio growth (Sterling) (2.4)%
    Impact of gearing 0.1%
    Finance costs and other expenses (0.4)%
    Management fee (0.3)%
    Co-investment Incentive Scheme Accrual movement 0.1%
    Impact of share buybacks 0.4%
    NAV per Share Total Return (2.6)%

    Quoted company exposure

    • We do not actively invest in publicly quoted companies but gain listed investment exposure when IPOs are used as a route to exit an investment. In these cases, exit timing typically lies with the manager with whom we have invested
    • At 30 April 2025, ICG Enterprise Trust’s exposure to quoted companies was valued at £62.9m, equivalent to 4.5% of the Portfolio value (31 January 2025: 4.8%). There was one quoted investment that individually accounted for 0.5% or more of the Portfolio value:
    Company Ticker 30 April 2025
    % of Portfolio value
    Chewy CHWY-US 1.8%
    Other companies   2.7%
    Total   4.5%

    Realisation activity

    • Total Proceeds of £149m during the quarter, including £62m net proceeds from a sale of a portion of our Portfolio (see RNS here). The sale was executed at a discount of 5.5% to 30 September 2024 valuation and realised a 1.6x return on invested cost (15% IRR)
    • £48m (€57m) cash proceeds from realisation of Minimax, our largest portfolio company. ICG Enterprise Trust is reinvesting €10m alongside Management and other investors including certain ICG funds
    • 45 Full Exits completed LTM, at a weighted average Uplift to Carrying Value of 15% and a 3.0x Multiple to Cost

    New investment activity

    • Total New Investments of £48m during the quarter, of which 58% (£28m) was alongside funds managed by ICG
    • The split of Total New Investments was split by category as follows:
    Investment Category

    Cost (£m)

    		 % of New Investments
    Primary £25m 52%
    Direct £15m 30%
    Secondary £8m 18%
    Total £48m 100%

    Commitments

    • We made five new fund Commitments totalling £76.0m during the quarter:
    Fund Manager Commitment during the period
        Local currency £m
    Integrum II Integrum $15.0m £11.6m
    GHO Capital IV GHO €15.0m £12.4m
    Hg Saturn IV Hg $20.0m £15.4m
    TH Lee X THL $20.0m £15.9m
    ICG Europe IX ICG €25.0m £20.7m
    • At 30 April 2025 we had total Undrawn Commitments of £375m to funds in their investment period and a further £163m to funds outside their investment period

    Balance sheet and liquidity

    • Total available liquidity at 30 April 2025 was £201.5m (31 January 2025: £124.6m)
      £m
    Cash at 31 January 2025 3.9
    Total Proceeds 148.7
    New investments (47.7)
    Debt drawn down (79.6)
    Shareholder returns (14.5)
    Management fees (4.2)
    Co-investment Incentive Scheme distribution (0.5)
    FX and other income/(expenses) 1.4
    Cash at 30 April 2025 7.5
    Available undrawn debt facilities 193.9
    Total available liquidity 201.5
    • The cash balance was £7.5m (31 January 2025: £3.9m) and drawn debt was £52.3m (31 January 2025: £131.9m). As a result, we had net debt of £44.8m (31 January 2025: £128.0m)
    • Maturity of our €300m revolving credit facility extended to 29 May 2029. All other key terms remain the same as per December 2024 RNS (available here)
    • At 30 April 2025, the Portfolio represented 104.2% of net assets (31 January 2025: 114.3%)
      £m % of net assets
    Portfolio 1,385.9 104.2%
    Cash 7.5 0.6%
    Drawn debt (52.3) (3.9)%
    Co-investment Incentive Scheme Accrual (52.1) 0.2%
    Other net current liabilities (10.9) (1.0)%
    Net assets 1,278.0 100.0%

    Dividend and share buyback

    • Progressive dividend policy maintained: first quarter dividend of 9p per share (Q1 FY25: 8.5p)
    • It is the Board’s current intention to declare total dividends of at least 38p per share for FY26 (FY25: 36p)
    • The following purchases have been made under the Company’s share buyback programme:
      Long-term Opportunistic Total
      Q1 FY263 Since inception1 Q1 FY263 Since inception2 Q1 FY263 Since
    inception
    Number of shares purchased 245,000 2,997,688 473,000 1,965,175 718,000 4,962,863
    % of opening shares since buyback started           7.2%
    Capital returned to shareholders £3.1m £35.7m £5.8m £24.1m £8.9m £59.8m
    Number of days shares have been acquired 21 204 7 18 28 222
    Weighted average discount to last reported NAV 36.3% 38.3% 38.7% 36.8% 37.9% 37.6%
    NAV per Share accretion (p)         8.4 57.8
    NAV per Share accretion (% of NAV)         0.4% 3.0%

    1.Since October 2022 (which was when the long-term share buyback programme was launched) up to and including 30 April 2025.
    2. Since May 2024 (which was when the opportunistic buyback programme was launched) up to and including 30 April 2025.
    3. Based on company-issued announcements / date of purchase, rather than date of settlement.
    Note: aggregate consideration excludes commission, PTM and SDRT.

    Activity since the period end

    Notable activity between 1 May 2025 and 31 May 2025 includes Realisation Proceeds of £1.5m and Total New Investments of £10.9m.

    ICG Private Equity Fund Investments Team
    24 June 2025

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji advocacy group slams Indonesian role in MSG as a ‘disgrace’

    Asia Pacific Report

    A Fiji-based advocacy group has condemned the participation of Indonesia in the Melanesian Spearhead Group which is meeting in Suva this week, saying it is a “profound disgrace” that the Indonesian Embassy continues to “operate freely” within the the MSG Secretariat.

    “This presence blatantly undermines the core principles of justice and solidarity we claim to uphold as Melanesians,” said We Bleed Black and Red in a social media post.

    The group said that as the new MSG chair, the Fiji government could not speak cannot credibly about equity, peace, regional unity, or the Melanesian family “while the very agent of prolonged Melanesian oppression sits at the decision-making table”.

    The statement said that for more than six decades, the people of West Papua had endured “systemic atrocities from mass killings to environmental devastation — acts that clearly constitute ecocide and gross human rights violations”.

    “Indonesia’s track record is not only morally indefensible but also a flagrant breach of numerous international agreements and conventions,” the group said.

    “It is time for all Melanesian nations to confront the reality behind the diplomatic facades and development aid.

    “No amount of financial incentives or diplomatic charm can erase the undeniable suffering of the West Papuan people.

    “We must rise above political appeasement and fulfill our moral and regional duty as one Melanesian family.

    “The Pacific cannot claim moral leadership while turning a blind eye and deaf ear to colonial violence on our own shores. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

    ‘Peaceful, prosperous Melanesia’
     Meanwhile, The Fiji Times reports that the 23rd MSG Leaders’ Summit got underway on Monday in Suva, drawing heads of state from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and representatives from New Caledonia’s FLNKS.

    Hosted under the theme “A Peaceful and Prosperous Melanesia,” the summit ended yesterday.

    This year’s meeting also marked Fiji’s first time chairing the regional bloc since 1997.

    Fiji officially assumed the MSG chairmanship from Vanuatu following a traditional handover ceremony attended by senior officials, observers, and dignitaries at Draiba.

    Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape arrived in Suva on Sunday and reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to MSG cooperation during today’s plenary session.

    He will also take part in high-level talanoa discussions with the Pacific Islands Forum’s Eminent Persons Group, aimed at deepening institutional reform and regional solidarity.

    Observers from the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and Indonesia were also present, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand the bloc’s influence on issues like self-determination, regional trade, security, and climate resilience in the Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How aid cuts may be affecting humanitarian workers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lucia Berdondini, Associate Professor in Psychology, University of East London

    Humanitarian work takes a profound emotional toll on workers. It places them at the frontline of global crises, at times witnessing the devastating impacts of war, famine, natural disasters, mass displacement and systemic injustice. Humanitarian workers have to cope with emotional exhaustion and burnout, with stress levels in some humanitarian settings comparable to those in combat zones.

    The emotional burden deepens when workers feel unable to live up to the very values that initially drew them to the sector. It can be emotionally painful for people to watch aid fail, or to carry out policies they believe are wrong.

    Psychologists refer to this distress as moral injury — a form of psychological, emotional and spiritual distress that arises when people perpetrate, witness or fail to prevent actions that violate their deeply held moral beliefs. Moral injury arises from guilt, shame, betrayal and anger. This is often directed at others and sometimes at oneself for participating in a harmful system.

    As governments cut foreign aid, this disillusionment is likely to worsen. In our 2023 study published in Displaced Voices, we interviewed aid workers across international organisations and charities working in Calais and Dunkirk.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Participants shared their experiences of working in environments where they feel they are no longer making a positive impact — or where they must conform to work within systems they perceive as failing those who need assistance. Recent aid cuts are likely to exacerbate these sentiments.

    In the UK, Keir Starmer announced aid would fall from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027 — the lowest level since 1999 — to fund increased defence spending.

    In the US, the Trump administration suspended over 90% of USAid contracts worth around US$60 billion (£44 billion) — halting support for HIV treatment, reproductive health and crisis response. These cuts represent significant structural blows to humanitarian infrastructure. From mass layoffs in Kenya to the sudden closure of programmes worldwide, the consequences have been immediate and demoralising.

    Funding cuts don’t just disrupt operations, they erode the mental and moral resilience of humanitarian workers. Without support for their wellbeing, the sector’s ethical and effective functioning is at risk. Yet research on humanitarian mental health, especially moral injury, remains limited.

    Aid worker distress

    Based on our experience researching the sector, we expect that recent aid cuts in the UK and US will deepen moral injuries among humanitarian workers.

    In an ongoing pilot study, we are examining how aid cuts impact the psychological wellbeing of humanitarian workers. We have analysed 15 publicly available sources (ten blogs and five podcasts) created by aid professionals between 2023 and 2025. While the findings are not yet published, our observation reveals clear patterns of distress linked to moral injury.

    We have also observed some evidence of moral injury stemming from the aid cuts. Some workers expressed moral fatigue – slow exhaustion caused by ethical strain, and a sense of futility and loss of meaning. One practitioner wrote in a blog: “I used to believe we were helping — now I feel like I’m sweeping water uphill.”

    Several blog posts and podcast episodes suggested a sense of complicity; the pain of being part of organisational silence or failure. Workers spoke of “being the face of a broken system” or “used to justify programmes we knew were failing.” As one put it: “Being a human is messy; serving humanity is messier.”

    Still others described the ethical vacuum left by aid cuts, where workers are expected to care without mandate or resources.

    Protesters in the US gather in opposition to the USAid cuts.
    Philip Yabut/Shutterstock

    Our findings so far reveal a troubling overlap between ethical strain and systemic failure in the humanitarian sector. As aid budgets shrink and resources dwindle, workers are overwhelmed, emotionally disoriented and psychologically vulnerable — often forced to choose between compromise and burnout.

    Some may leave the sector; others will stay, but with hardened hearts. We’ve seen this first-hand through our work on the UEL Mental Wellbeing Portal, where professionals share stories of programme closures, job loss, grief and a deep sense of powerlessness — echoing our pilot-study findings.

    A sustainable (and compassionate) aid system must urgently recognise and address the psychological toll of working in a system that workers feel no longer aligns with their humanitarian values. This crisis of moral injury is not inevitable. The sector needs investment not just in operations, but in the people who carry them out. That starts with understanding and acknowledging the emotional cost of aid cuts.

    Lucia Berdondini: I received funding from DifD in 2010, the British Council in 2011 and the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020. I am an Associate Professor at the University of East London, where I lead the MSc in Humanitarian Intervention (Distance Learning) and the UEL Mental Wellbeing Portal for Humanitarian Workers. I also collaborate with NGOs and academic institutions in the humanitarian field. These affiliations are relevant to the subject of this article.

    Nomsa Sandra Wayland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How aid cuts may be affecting humanitarian workers – https://theconversation.com/how-aid-cuts-may-be-affecting-humanitarian-workers-257482

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses the South African Trade and Investment Seminar.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    The Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses the South African Trade and Investment Seminar, at the SPIEF 2025.

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement between Iran and Israel

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 24, 2025

    The State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses Qatar’s hope that the agreement serves as a meaningful step toward adopting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in the region and beyond. Qatar underscores the importance of using peaceful means to achieve lasting stability and comprehensive, sustainable peace at the same time, the Ministry reaffirms that the Iranian violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace forms part of a dangerous escalation in the region, which require sincere and collective efforts to deter all irresponsible actions.

    The Ministry reaffirms that the State of Qatar will continue to serve as a driving force for peace. Its commitment to peace is grounded in principle and is not influenced by specific events or shifting political considerations. Qatar remains dedicated to the values of good neighborliness and fully supports all sincere efforts aimed at resolving crises and building a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous world.

    The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s sincere appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency President Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, in facilitating this agreement. It also expresses hope that both parties will fully uphold and adhere to its terms.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Death toll from recent floods continues to rise

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has confirmed that the official death toll from the recent floods has risen to 100, following additional recoveries by search teams. 

    The numbers are likely to increase, as there are still individuals who have been reported missing by their families and search operations continue in the affected areas.

    The floods, which swept through the province early this month, have caused widespread loss of life, disruption in livelihoods and significant damage in infrastructure. 

    “As per the latest report, 94 bodies have been positively identified and handed over to their families, while processes are ongoing to identify the six remaining bodies. OR Tambo accounts for 76 of the deceased, while Amathole is 10, Alfred Nzo five, Chris Hani five, Joe Gqabi two and Sarah Baartman two. 

    “Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children of which 22 are learners,” said the provincial government in a statement on Tuesday.

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has extended heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and “are now left with a profound and multifaceted impact on their lives”. 

    The disaster has significantly disrupted families and Eastern Cape communities at large. 

    The provincial government continues with the provision of psychosocial support to the affected communities and schools, as well as the provision of relief efforts to overcome this disastrous situation. 

    “The provincial government further wishes to applaud the multidisciplinary search and recovery teams for their commendable work since the onset of the tragic weather event in the province. 

    “Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in recovering dozens of bodies and providing critical support to affected families, even as the search continues.

    The provincial government continues to provide humanitarian support in partnership with NGOs and the private sector, with Old Mutual and Amathole District Municipality due to implement a two-day humanitarian aid programme in Mnquma Local Municipality, on 26–27 June 2025. 

    The intervention will provide essentials, including blankets for beneficiaries. 

    Meanwhile, the OR Tambo District Municipality has made notable progress in restoring basic water services following the devastating floods. 

    Currently, 95% of the affected areas are receiving water, although some parts of Mthatha West, Coffee Bay, Mdlankala, and Mhlanga remain without water. 

    The municipality is providing water tankers in the affected areas. 

    “The provincial government expresses its sincere gratitude to the community for their patience while our teams work around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure, restore stability, and ensure access to clean water across the affected areas. 

    “Government remains committed to accelerating recovery programmes and ensuring that displaced and affected communities receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Infrastructure development key to economic growth

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, has reiterated that infrastructure development plays a significant role in government’s ongoing efforts to grow the economy, create jobs and deliver services to citizens.

    “As the South African government, we have committed significant investments towards infrastructure development. We have ambitious infrastructure development programs that have been undertaken in our country,” Masondo said on Tuesday, at the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI20) Summit.

    The SAI20 is an engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from countries that make up the Group of Twenty (G20). It is chaired by the SAI of the country holding the G20 presidency. 

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024 and it will run until November 2025 under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.

    The Deputy Minister said the country’s ambitious infrastructure development is necessitated by government’s desire to grow the economy through increasing the role of the private sector in the supply of electricity, freight logistics, telecommunications and water.

    “We are working with other international partners towards revitalising ports and harbours. We are upgrading our electricity and digital infrastructure. We are building roads, hospitals and schools. We do all these to improve the socio-economic conditions of ordinary South Africans,” Masondo said.

    In March 2025, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy launched an online Request for Information to develop an enabling environment for private sector participation and enhanced investment in rail and port infrastructure and operations.

    Last month Transnet issued a R17 billion concession contract to five private sector partners to fund, construct and operate several liquid bulk terminals at the Port of Richards Bay.

    Government has been collaborating with stakeholders to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies to turn around the fortunes of the rail and ports logistics systems.

    Through Operation Vulindlela, government is accelerating the implementation of structural reforms to enable economic growth and job creation.

    Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury.

    In its first phase, the reform programme focused on five area, namely energy, logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system, which were identified as the most important constraints on economic growth. 

    Government has made significant progress in advancing the reform agenda during implementation of Phase I of Operation Vulindlela as almost all of the reforms included in Phase I are either completed or on track.

    The initiative is now in its second phase and the focus areas include improving the performance of local government, addressing spatial inequality through housing policy and other reforms, and advancing digital transformation.

    It will include a rapid rollout of digital public infrastructure, such as digital identity and payments to enable economic activity and improve access to government services. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –