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Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s justifications for the latest travel ban aren’t supported by the data on immigration and terrorism

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Charles Kurzman, Professor of Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Taliban fighters guard the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on June 5, 2025. AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi

    The Trump administration on June 4, 2025, announced travel restrictions targeting 19 countries in Africa and Asia, including many of the world’s poorest nations. All travel is banned from 12 of these countries, with partial restrictions on travel from the rest.

    The presidential proclamation, entitled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” is aimed at “countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the entry or admission of nationals from those countries.”

    In a video that accompanied the proclamation, President Donald Trump said: “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted.”

    The latest travel ban reimposes restrictions on many of the countries that were included on travel bans in Trump’s first term, along with several new countries.

    But this travel ban, like the earlier ones, will not significantly improve national security and public safety in the United States. That’s because migrants account for a minuscule portion of violence in the U.S. And migrants from the latest travel ban countries account for an even smaller portion, according to data that I have collected. The suspect in Colorado, for example, is from Egypt, which is not on the travel ban list.

    As a scholar of political sociology, I don’t believe Trump’s latest travel ban is about national security. Rather, I’d argue, it’s primarily about using national security as an excuse to deny visas to nonwhite applicants.

    Terrorism and public safety

    In the past five years, the U.S. has witnessed more than 100,000 homicides. Political violence by militias and other ideological movements accounted for 354 fatalities, according to an initiative known as the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, which tracks armed conflict around the world. That’s less than 1% of the country’s homicide victims. And foreign terrorism accounted for less than 1% of this 1%, according to my data.

    The Trump administration says the U.S. cannot appropriately vet visa applicants in countries with uncooperative governments or underdeveloped security systems. That claim is false.

    The State Department and other government agencies do a thorough job of vetting visa applicants, even in countries where there is no U.S. embassy, according to an analysis by the CATO Institute.

    The U.S. government has sophisticated methods for identifying potential threats. They include detailed documentation requirements, interviews with consular officers and clearance by national security agencies. And it rejects more than 1 in 6 visa applications, with ever-increasing procedures for detecting fraud.

    Members of the Yemeni community and others wave American and Yemeni flags as they gather on the steps of Brooklyn’s Borough Hall to protest President Donald Trump’s first travel ban on Feb. 2, 2017, in New York.
    AP Photo/Kathy Willens

    The thoroughness of the visa review process is evident in the numbers.

    Authorized foreign-born residents of the U.S. are far less likely than U.S.-born residents to engage in criminal activity. And unauthorized migrants are even less likely to commit crimes. Communities with more migrants – authorized and unauthorized – have similar or slightly lower crime rates than communities with fewer migrants.

    If vetting were as deficient as Trump’s executive order claims, we would expect to see a significant number of terrorist plots from countries on the travel ban list. But we don’t.

    Of the 4 million U.S. residents from the 2017 travel ban countries, I have documented only four who were involved in violent extremism in the past five years.

    Two of them were arrested after plotting with undercover law enforcement agents. One was found to have lied on his asylum application. One was an Afghan man who killed three Pakistani Shiite Muslim immigrants in New Mexico in 2022.

    Such a handful of zealots with rifles or homemade explosives can be life-altering for victims and their families, but they do not represent a threat to U.S. national security.

    Degrading the concept of national security

    Trump has been trying for years to turn immigration into a national security issue.

    In his first major speech on national security in 2016, Trump focused on the “dysfunctional immigration system which does not permit us to know who we let into our country.”

    His primary example was an act of terrorism by a man who was born in the U.S.

    The first Trump administration’s national security strategy, issued in December 2017, prioritized jihadist terrorist organizations that “radicalize isolated individuals” as “the most dangerous threat to the Nation” – not armies, not another 9/11, but isolated individuals.

    If the travel ban is not really going to improve national security or public safety, then what is it about?

    Protesters wave signs during a demonstration against President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban on May 15, 2017, in Seattle.
    AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

    Linking immigration to national security seems to serve two long-standing Trump priorities. First is his effort to make American more white, in keeping with widespread bias among his supporters against nonwhite immigrants.

    Remember Trump’s insults to Mexicans and Muslims in his escalator speech announcing his presidential campaign in 2015. He has also expressed a preference for white immigrants from Norway in 2018 and South Africa in 2025.

    Trump has repeatedly associated himself with nationalists who view immigration by nonwhites as a danger to white supremacy.

    Second, invoking national security allows Trump to pursue this goal without the need for accountability, since Congress and the courts have traditionally deferred to the executive branch on national security issues.

    Trump also claims national security justifications for tariffs and other policies that he has declared national emergencies, in a bid to avoid criticism by the public and oversight by the other branches of government.

    But this oversight is necessary in a democratic system to ensure that immigration policy is based on facts.

    Charles Kurzman has received funding for research on terrorism from the National Institute of Justice and the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. Trump’s justifications for the latest travel ban aren’t supported by the data on immigration and terrorism – https://theconversation.com/trumps-justifications-for-the-latest-travel-ban-arent-supported-by-the-data-on-immigration-and-terrorism-255471

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) Opens its Doors to the Public as it Seeks to Transform Healthcare in Africa

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABUJA, Nigeria, June 5, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) officially opened today, marking a historic milestone in Africa’s journey towards healthcare sovereignty. The US$300 million tertiary medical facility, developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, welcomed His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as guest of honour, represented by His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside high-ranking Government and private sector officials, including the Minsters of Health, Finance, and Foreign Affairs, Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Bank of Industry (BOI), among others.

    Located in Abuja and designed to meet the highest global standards, AMCE Abuja offers world-class services across oncology, haematology, cardiology, and general medical services. More than a hospital, the facility represents a bold statement of Africa’s determination to reduce dependence on foreign health systems and reverse the estimated US$6-10 billion Africans spend annually seeking treatment abroad.

    The opening of AMCE Abuja comes at a critical time, as Africa seeks to strengthen its healthcare systems and reduce reliance on external providers. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of this reliance, with global supply shortages putting immense pressure on African nations. Similarly, past responses to health crises like Ebola have reinforced the urgent need for resilient, homegrown solutions. Decades after independence, millions of Africans continue to suffer from diseases like sickle cell and malaria, conditions that could be better managed with targeted local research and investment. Yet these illnesses often receive limited global attention or funding, leaving critical treatment gaps. AMCE Abuja represents a bold step forward, bringing world-class care to the continent, centering African health priorities, and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more self-reliant future. In strategic partnership with Bank of Industry (BOI), and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), AMCE reflects what’s possible when African institutions unite with shared purpose.

     “Today, we are not merely unveiling a building, we are making a bold, collective statement: we will no longer accept medical vulnerability as destiny. The African Medical Centre of Excellence stands as proof that Africa is ready to compete with the best in global healthcare. I commend Afreximbank and its visionary President, Professor Benedict Oramah, and salute the partnership with King’s College Hospital for turning this audacious dream into reality. This is what happens when African institutions confront African challenges with African solutions.

    “Over the past two years, we have taken deliberate steps to transform Nigeria’s health sector—from unlocking the healthcare value chain through the Presidential Initiative (PVAC), to expanding pharmaceutical production, regulatory systems, and diagnostic access, and securing over $2.2 billion in new investments through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative. But excellence must be sustained. That’s why we’re investing in the roads, power, and connectivity that enable great institutions to thrive. With the largest stem cell lab in West Africa and plans for a medical school, this Centre is more than a hospital, it is a place to heal the sick, and to train the future.” — H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by H.E. Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Commenting on the momentous achievement, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of both Afreximbank and AMCE, thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for providing the land on which the AMCE stands, adding: ” In 2013, I had my own close call when I became seriously ill and was evacuated to King’s College Hospital in London, where a frantic battle to save my life ensued. Being here today is a testament to the power of cutting-edge medical research, clinical knowledge, and a solid healthcare ecosystem. The event we mark today is proof that society is better off saving lives than burying its dead, and that it is a living person who can contribute to development and social transformation. This experience led me to conclude that one of the major contributions I could make to Africa was to help Afreximbank deliver on its health and medical strategy in every way possible. Our vision for the African Medical Centre of Excellence is not just to provide top-notch healthcare but to serve as a catalyst for the transformation of the African health sector, making a bold statement to the world that Africa is finally taking its destiny into its own hands in healthcare sovereignty and global standards.”

    President Oramah also announced the launch of the Africa Life Sciences Foundation to act as the vehicle for mobilising appropriate risk capital to drive research efforts and called on African and non-African governments, banks, high net worth individuals and corporate organisations to join the Bank in investing in the hospital, through this platform.

    Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, highlighted the facility’s comprehensive approach: “Today, we don’t just open a hospital—we launch a healthcare revolution for Africa. AMCE represents a paradigm shift in how specialised medical care is delivered on the continent. Our integrated model encompasses early diagnosis, advanced treatment, and long-term disease management, creating a seamless continuum of care that improves patient outcomes and health experiences.”

    He added: “Our mission extends beyond treatment to include world-class medical education, groundbreaking research, and continuous innovation. By combining international expertise with local talent development, AMCE will build sustainable healthcare capacity that serves generations to come.  

    AMCE’s opening signals a new era for Africa — one in which self-reliance replaces dependency, and world-class care is no longer the privilege of a few but the standard for many. By anchoring healthcare delivery, talent development, and innovation on the continent, AMCE is not just stemming the outflow of medical dollars, but redefining Africa’s place in the global health ecosystem.

    Through its clinical partnerships with King’s College Hospital, London and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, AMCE will be home to advance research, education, and medical excellence by fostering continuous knowledge exchange. In its next phase, AMCE will expand to include a second 350-bed hospital, medical and nursing schools, a medical sciences foundation, research centres, and residential facilities. Together, this integrated ecosystem will position Nigeria as a leading hub for specialist healthcare, medical training, and clinical research on the continent.

    Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive Officer of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said, “We are proud to partner with Afreximbank on this important initiative. The African Medical Centre of Excellence represents a positive step forward, and by bringing together world-class clinical standards, training, and research, we aim to share our expertise and support the development of a sustainable model of care that responds directly to the needs of African patients”.

    Now open, AMCE welcomes patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and partners to join its mission of delivering world-class healthcare, fostering innovation, and building a healthier, more self-reliant Africa. AMCE is the largest specialised private hospital in Nigeria and West Africa focusing on cardiovascular services, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medical services. It currently boasts of 170 beds with a plan to expand this to 500 beds upon completion. It features the largest stem cell laboratory in the region, fifteen post stem cell isolation rooms in West Africa alongside five theatres and three catheterisation laboratories. It also features a 20 bed intensive care unit, six critical care unit beds and 20 chemotherapy chairs with compounding pharmacy among others. Some of the specialised equipment in Nigeria and the region are exclusively hosted by AMCE Abuja. They include the 18 Mev cyclotron, 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 256 slices computed tomography, brachytherapy machine with iridium source, 4 biosafety cabinets and 128 slices computed tomography machines, among others. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Appoints Group Chief Financial Officer Ayo Adepoju as Group Executive Director

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LOMÉ, Togo, June 5, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Board of Directors of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) (www.Ecobank.com), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ayo Adepoju, the current group chief financial officer (CFO), to the Board as Group Executive Director, effective June 4, 2025. 

    Ayo brings two decades of broad-based leadership experience and deep institutional knowledge as a proud product of the Ecobank Group. His expertise spans financial management, capital markets, strategic planning, capital raising and structuring, treasury management, investor relations, business performance management, governance, enterprise transformation, financial due diligence, internal control, and risk-based audit. 

    As a distinguished finance executive, he has been instrumental in shaping the Group’s financial transformation, capital strategy, and long-term resilience. Since joining Ecobank in 2012, he has held several key leadership positions, including Group Financial Controller, Group Head of Business Performance and Analytics, and currently Group CFO. 

    Over the years, Ayo has led numerous strategic initiatives, including landmark capital market transactions such as Eurobonds, Basel III-compliant instruments, and sustainability-linked debt. These efforts have significantly enhanced Ecobank’s presence in international capital markets and strengthened transparency and investor engagement. 

    Prior to joining Ecobank, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in London and Lagos, serving in the Financial Services Practice. 

    Commenting on the appointment, Papa Madiaw Ndiaye, Chairman of the Ecobank Group, stated: “On behalf of my fellow directors, I commend Ayo for his outstanding performance and warmly welcome him to the ETI board. His proven leadership has fostered trusted relationships with the Board and made this appointment both natural and strategic for the Group’s future. I believe that Ayo embodies Ecobank’s renewed talent philosophy, a homegrown leader with global exposure and a compelling track record. His intellect, integrity, and impact-driven leadership have long been evident. His appointment to the Board is a testament to our belief in recognizing and elevating excellence from within.” 

    Jeremy Awori, Group Chief Executive Officer, added: “Ayo has played a critical role in strengthening Ecobank’s financial resilience and enabling sustainable business growth. His ability to manage complexity, innovate in financial strategy, align finance with enterprise-wide transformation, and lead collaboratively has made him a critical member of our executive team. I look forward to deepening our partnership as we drive forward our Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy.” 

    Ayo holds a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Lagos and is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), UK. He also holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, USA. 

    He has completed executive education programs at Wharton, London Business School, and most recently in 2024, the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. An official member of the Forbes Finance Council, he is also a published author and respected thought leader in finance and organizational strategy. 

    This appointment reinforces Ecobank’s continued commitment to nurturing internal talent and promoting leadership excellence across Africa.  

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Five countries elected to serve on UN Security Council

    Source: United Nations – Peacekeeping

    Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia were elected on Tuesday to serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, with two-year terms beginning in January 2026.

    They will serve through the end of 2027 on the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

    They will join the five non-permanent members elected last year – Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somalia – who will serve through 2026. The incoming members will succeed Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, whose terms end in December 2025.

    The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – who hold veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for staggered two-year terms.

    Elections are held annually by secret ballot, with seats allocated by regional group. Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority in the 193-member General Assembly to be elected.

    Vote tally

    A total of 188 Member States participated in the election, which required only one round of balloting.

    In the African and Asia-Pacific group, Bahrain received 186 votes, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) garnered 183 votes, and Liberia received 181 votes, with one country abstaining.

    In the Eastern European group, Latvia received 178 votes while 10 countries abstained.

    In the Latin America and the Caribbean group, Colombia received 180 votes, with eight countries abstaining.

    Debut for Latvia

    Latvia will take a seat on the Council for the first time in its history.

    With the exception of Latvia, all the elected countries have previously served: Colombia seven times, the DRC twice, and Bahrain and Liberia once each.

    Regional groups

    The non-permanent seats on the Security Council are distributed according to four regional groupings: Africa and Asia; Eastern Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and the Western European and other States group.

    This year’s election filled five seats: two allocated to Africa, one to Asia-Pacific, one to Eastern Europe, and one to Latin America and the Caribbean.

    By Vibhu Mishra

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: USA: Trump’s travel ban will harm people seeking safety, spread hate and discrimination

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In response to President Trump imposing a new discriminatory travel ban on visitors from Afghanistan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, and a partial ban on people from another seven countries, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said:

    “President Trump’s new travel ban is discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel. By targeting people based on their race, religion, or nationality, from countries with predominantly Black, Brown and Muslim-majority populations, this blanket ban constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law. It also spreads hate and disinformation, reinforcing the notion that these populations are more likely to pose security risks or engage in acts of violence. 

    “This arbitrary travel ban also violates the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution and the US obligation to protect them under international and national refugee law. With the right to seek asylum already non-existent at US borders, it will further inflict terrible suffering on people who are fleeing war-torn regions, massive human rights violations and other dangerous situations and seeking safety in the United States.

    This travel ban is yet another iteration of the Trump administration’s persistent trampling on the rights of immigrants and those seeking safety.

    Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General

    “This travel ban is no different than the ones that President Trump put into place in his first term. It is based on racism and xenophobia and has nothing to do with national security or keeping anyone safe.

    “Through targeting and detaining immigrants for exercising practicing their right to free speech, separating families, mass deportations and more, President Trump’s actions have already put tens of millions of people in the United States at risk. And now, this travel ban is yet another iteration of the Trump administration’s persistent trampling on the rights of immigrants and those seeking safety.

    “Communities thrive when governments prioritize the safety of all people, regardless of nationality, religion, or race. Amnesty International will never stop fighting for a world in which everybody is treated with dignity, immigrants and people seeking safety are welcomed and recognized for their contributions to society, and communities are united.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Competitive impacts of Regulation EU 2023/1115 on European producers of latex balloons – E-002122/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002122/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Salvatore De Meo (PPE), Marco Falcone (PPE), Giusi Princi (PPE), Massimiliano Salini (PPE), Flavio Tosi (PPE), Stefan Köhler (PPE), Niels Geuking (PPE), Tomáš Kubín (PfE), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Malika Sorel (NI)

    Regulation (EU) 2023/1115[1] imposes traceability, registration and verification obligations on all operators placing on the market raw materials listed in Annex I, including natural rubber latex (customs code 4001), which is used by European producers of latex balloons.

    Although they contain the same raw material (customs code 9503), finished latex balloons are not included in Annex I and are not subject to the same obligations, thus favouring non-EU producers who export these items to Europe without bureaucratic burdens.

    This regulatory disparity distorts competition, placing European producers at a disadvantage, subject to higher costs and obligations, and incentivising the import of finished products from countries not subject to the same environmental standards.

    Article 34 of the Regulation provides for a revision of Annex I, with the possibility of including products made from relevant raw materials, in order to avoid market imbalances and ensure the effectiveness of the standard.

    We ask the Commission:

    • 1.when the impact assessment provided for in Article 34(3) of the Regulation will be available, and whether it will also include finished products, such as latex balloons (CN code 9503), among those subject to the obligations;
    • 2.whether it intends to adopt corrective measures, including through delegated acts, to ensure a level playing field between European and non-European producers?

    Submitted: 27.5.2025

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation, OJ L 150, 9.6.2023, p. 206., ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1115/oj.
    Last updated: 5 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Turning the Tide: The Mission to Save Senegal’s Ocean | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Environmental activist and entrepreneur Babacar Thiaw shares his inspiring journey from a Dakar surfer surrounded by plastic waste to a passionate environmental advocate.

    Babacar’s commitment to a cleaner environment led to him co-founding the Senegalese affiliate of the Surfrider Foundation, with a focus on monitoring the water quality of Senegal’s ocean and taking community action to create lasting environmental impact.
    Babacar Thiaw: https://www.instagram.com/babscopa/
    Surfrider Senegal: https://www.instagram.com/surfridersenegal/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q7ks1e5C_4

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Opening of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference | United Nations (Nice, France)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility

    – Cultural Event
    – Opening segment
    – Beginning of the general debate

    The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be co-hosted by France and Costa Rica and held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025.

    The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. The Conference aims to support further and urgent action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and identify further ways and means to support the implementation of SDG 14. It will build on existing instruments to form successful partnerships towards the swift conclusion and effective implementation of ongoing processes that contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean.

    The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14. 

    The Conference will build on the previous UN Ocean Conferences, hosted by Sweden and Fiji in 2017 in New York and by Portugal and Kenya in 2022 in Lisbon.

    2025 UN Ocean Conference website: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025

    —

    Watch the opening of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in other languages (AR, CH, EN, FR, RU, SP) on the UN Web TV website: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1k/k1kj0sjklh

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcCtCy8gDM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: Ormat Technologies Announces Strategic Leadership Changes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ORMAT EXPANDS MANAGEMENT TEAM TO SUPPORT ELECTRICITY SEGMENT GROWTH AND EGS INITIATIVES
    • ARON WILLIS APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ELECTRICITY SEGMENT
    • DANIEL MOELK APPOINTED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, RESOURCES, DRILLING, & EGS

    RENO, Nev., June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) (the “Company” or “Ormat”), a leading geothermal and renewable energy company, is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished executives to its senior management team. These strategic appointments are poised to propel the next phase of the Company’s growth and enhance its operational excellence within the renewable energy sector.

    Aron Willis Appointed Executive Vice President, Electricity Segment

    Effective June 4, 2025, Aron Willis will assume the role of Executive Vice President, Electricity Segment at Ormat Technologies. In this capacity Aron will oversee the operations of the Electricity Segment, ensuring alignment with the Company’s strategic goals and financial targets. Aron will also be responsible for optimizing plant performance, implementing advanced AI tools, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to foster future growth.

    Aron brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the power generation industry, with a proven track record of leadership and financial and operational expertise. His career includes significant roles at TransAlta Corporation and Northwest Digital Power, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing large-scale operations and driving substantial growth initiatives. At TransAlta Corporation, Aron held several senior leadership positions, including Executive Vice President of Project Delivery & Construction, Executive Vice President of Growth and Senior Vice President of Operations & Commercial Management. He also managed TransAlta’s Australian operations for 10 years, comprising approximately 500MW of generating capacity. Aron holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Finance from the University of Calgary.

    Daniel Moelk Appointed Senior Vice President, Resources, Drilling & EGS

    In July 2025, Daniel Moelk will join Ormat as Senior Vice President, Resources, Drilling & EGS. Daniel will lead our Resources, Drilling, and EGS teams with a focus on implementing sophisticated processes and innovative technologies. His work will focus in part on creating efficiencies through the use and advanced AI tools and developing Ormat’s ongoing drilling and exploration global roadmap.

    Daniel brings nearly 18 years of valuable operations and drilling management experience within the geothermal industry. Most recently, Daniel served as the EVP of European Operations for Eavor Technologies Inc, a company focused on EGS development where he successfully executed some of the industry’s most challenging and complex drilling campaigns. Daniel has played pivotal roles in expanding geothermal drilling operations across his career, in particular at Steag GMBH, PT Sejahtera Alam Energy while he was located in Indonesia, Daldrup & Sohne AG, Mannvit Engineering Consultants, and Iceland Drilling Inc. Daniel holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iceland.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Aron Willis and Daniel Moelk to Ormat’s leadership team, where their valued backgrounds and experience will help drive the next phase of development and growth for our leading geothermal operations,” said Doron Blachar, Chief Executive Officer of Ormat Technologies. “Their extensive experience and proven track records in the power generation and geothermal industries will be invaluable as we continue to support our growth through continued innovation. These appointments reflect our commitment to strengthening our leadership team, advancing our strategic objectives for generation growth, expanding our profitability, and focusing efforts on EGS development. I am confident that Aron and Daniel, both of whom will report directly to me, will play pivotal roles in our ongoing success.”

    Blachar continued, “I also want to extend my sincere gratitude to Shimon Hatzir for his long-standing service to the Company and his exceptional leadership and dedication over the past 36 years. Shimon has made significant contributions to Ormat in various capacities, including leading our R&D and engineering division, leading wide range of technology developments, and managing the design of numerous power plants. He also led our energy storage segment, and most recently, heading the Electricity Segment including the Resource and Drilling operations I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

    ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES

    With six decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company, and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal and recovered energy generation (“REG”), with robust plans to accelerate long-term growth in the energy storage market and to establish a leading position in the U.S. energy storage market. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter – a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed for utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,400MW of gross capacity. Ormat leveraged its core capabilities in the geothermal and REG industries and its global presence to expand the Company’s activity into energy storage services, solar Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage plus Solar PV. Ormat’s current total generating portfolio is 1,538MW with a 1,248MW geothermal and solar generation portfolio that is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe, and a 290MW energy storage portfolio that is located in the U.S.

    ORMAT’S SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

    Information provided in this press release may contain statements relating to current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such matters as our projections of annual revenues, expenses and debt service coverage with respect to our debt securities, future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, development or operation of generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our business and operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, or “contemplate” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. These forward-looking statements generally relate to Ormat’s plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon its management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. Actual future results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties and other risks described under “Risk Factors” as described in Ormat’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2025, and in Ormat’s subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q that are filed from time to time with the SEC.

    These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as legally required, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Ormat Technologies Contact:
    Smadar Lavi
    VP Head of IR and ESG Planning & Reporting
    775-356-9029 (ext. 65726)
    slavi@ormat.com    		 Investor Relations Agency Contact:
    Joseph Caminiti or Josh Carroll
    Alpha IR Group
    312-445-2870
    ORA@alpha-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Statement on Trump Travel Ban 2.0

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s newly announced travel ban:

    “There are a myriad of reasons that people come to the United States, from travel and tourism to fleeing violent and dangerous situations. This ban, expanded from Trump’s Muslim ban in his first term, will only further isolate us on the world stage.

    “This discriminatory policy, which limits legal immigration, not only flies in the face of what our country is supposed to stand for, it will be harmful to our economy and our communities that rely on the contributions of people who come to America from this wide range of countries. Banning a whole group of people because you disagree with the structure or function of their government not only lays blame in the wrong place, it creates a dangerous precedent. Further, banning people fleeing dangerous countries like Afghanistan — a country where many people are in danger due to their work assisting the U.S. military — the Congo, Haiti, and Sudan will only further destabilize global security.

    “Trump is indiscriminately taking a chainsaw to our government — destroying federal agencies that keep us safe, indiscriminately cutting jobs, and hindering our progress across research fields. This will only further hurt our country and cannot be allowed to stand.”

    This travel ban fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

    The Travel Ban partially restricts entry of people from seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

    Jayapal is a cosponsor of the NO BAN Act, legislation to prevent this exact type of discriminatory travel ban, as well as the lead sponsor of the Access to Counsel Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained for over an hour by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She originally wrote this legislation following the first Muslim Ban in 2017, as legal residents were held at points of entry. 

    Issues: Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Nigeria’s renewable power capacity to reach 1.7GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Nigeria’s renewable power capacity to reach 1.7GW in 2035, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Power

    The renewable energy sector in Nigeria presents a wealth of growth opportunities. Nigeria plans to increase the share of renewable electricity generation to 23% in 2025 and 36% by 2030. Under the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP), the country planned to increase the cumulative installed capacities of small hydropower, solar PV, biomass, and wind power to 2GW, 500MW, 400MW, and 40MW by 2025, respectively. Against this backdrop, renewable power capacity in the country is expected to reach 1.7GW in 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.9% during 2024-35, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s latest report, “Nigeria Power Market Outlook to 2035, Update 2025 – Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape,” reveals that annual power generation in Nigeria is expected to increase at a CAGR of 17.5% during 2024-35 to reach 1.8TWh. Within the renewable energy sector, solar PV technology stands out as a significant investment prospect. There has been a noticeable increase in solar PV capacity additions in the country over the past few years. A primary catalyst for this surge is the REMP.

    Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Senior Power Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Nigeria relies heavily on thermal sources for its power generation. The nation possesses one of the largest natural gas reserves globally and the most extensive in Africa, which has led to the increasing prevalence of thermal power generation within the country.”

    A significant challenge that power generators encounter is the absence of a guaranteed fuel supply, resulting in the underutilization of assets. Following privatization, there was a lack of infrastructure to foster an environment conducive to the effective execution of fuel supply agreements, which are essential for establishing bankable power purchase contracts.

    To overcome this challenge, the country has placed focus on renewables, especially solar PV, to cater to a part of its electricity requirement. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is experiencing rapid urbanization, which is driving an increase in household electricity demand for lighting, cooking, refrigeration, cooling, entertainment, and various appliances. Power-intensive industries such as cement, food processing, and textiles are also significant consumers of electricity.

    Due to the unreliable supply from the grid, many businesses resort to operating diesel or petrol generators, indicating that the actual energy demand is considerably higher than what grid consumption data suggest. Renewable power capacity with energy storage will help overcome this issue.

    Saibasan adds: “The primary catalyst for the adoption of solar PV technology in Nigeria is the serious issue of energy poverty and the inconsistency of electricity supply. Consumers’ preference for solar PV arises from the demand for dependable power.”

    Innovations in solar technology, coupled with novel financing models such as Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), have propelled the growth of distributed solar power (DSP). These developments enhance the viability and scalability of solar initiatives, positioning them as compelling investment prospects.

    Saibasan concludes: “DSPs in Nigeria possess considerable potential, bolstered by the nation’s rich solar resources and escalating energy requirements. The Rural Electrification Agency is actively executing an expansive strategy that incorporates both energy service company-led and utility-led models. This approach is designed to expedite the electrification process via grid expansion and the deployment of green mini grids.

    “The primary focus is on electrifying market clusters, manufacturing centers, educational institutions—including schools and universities—and healthcare facilities, utilizing solar PV and hybrid solar PV-diesel systems.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF and AUC wrap up First MENA Economic Research Conference: Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 5, 2025

    Cairo: Following two days of high-level dialogue and expert analysis, the inaugural IMF MENA Economic Annual Research Conference co-organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the American University in Cairo, concluded with a strong call for coordinated, evidence-based policy responses to the region’s old and new pressing economic challenges. Held on May 18–19, 2025, the conference served as a critical platform for advancing rigorous research tailored to the realities of the Middle East and North Africa. It brought together global policymakers, academics, government officials and thought leaders to bridge the discussion on global economic issues with regional realities. The event marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the IMF and a leading university in the region, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening the link between academic research and policy development.

    Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, noted that trade tensions and increasing uncertainty affecting the global economy, alongside ongoing regional conflicts and climate risks, are creating new layers of complexities for MENA policymakers. Azour called for building a regional platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas that connects MENA to world-class research centers to provide reliable analysis and develop workable and innovative policy responses to old and new economic issues facing the region. “We are deeply grateful to President Ahmad Dallal and AUC for their commitment to fostering dialogue, research, and policy innovation in the region.”

    AUC President Ahmad Dallal highlighted the event’s role as a vital platform in fostering collaboration between governments, academia and the private sector. “This is about generating ideas that are globally informed but deeply rooted in the realities of our region,” he noted. Dallal affirmed that this type of multi‑stakeholder engagement is at the heart of AUC’s mission and reflects the University’s commitment to research, education, and open dialogue as drivers of stability, resilience, and inclusive growth.

    Under the theme “Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape,” discussions centered on four pivotal issues shaping the future of the MENA region and the global economy:

    • Fiscal Policy: With public debt at historic highs, experts stressed the importance of rebuilding fiscal buffers while tackling social inequalities, aging populations, and climate pressures. Proposals included reforms in fiscal frameworks and measures to mobilize revenues including through multinational taxation and more progressive tax systems.
    • Monetary Policy: Participants reflected on the lessons of recent inflationary shocks, emphasizing the need for more preemptive and well communicated policy responses to global shocks and sector-specific disruptions—particularly for emerging markets.
    • Industrial Policy: Speakers examined the renewed interest in industrial policy as a tool to drive inclusive growth, innovation, and climate resilience. The discussion highlighted the need to balance vertical strategies with horizontal reforms that promote private investment, trade integration, and productivity.
    • Green Transition and AI: The intersection of climate action and digital transformation sparked debate about their potential to reshape labor markets. Recommendations included investing in human capital, developing targeted safety nets, and aligning policy tools to support job creation in low-emission sectors.

    Throughout the sessions, there was a clear consensus that the MENA region’s economic resilience depends on institutional reforms, cross-border cooperation, and investment in skills and innovation. Participants also underscored the importance of embedding policy in local realities—an approach that both the IMF and AUC pledged to champion moving forward.

    In addition to prominent global and regional academics, as well as economists and government officials from across the region, and representatives of international and regional organizations, the conference brought together policymakers, including Rania El Mashat, minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation, Egypt; Youssef Boutros-Ghali, member of the Specialized Council for Economic Development, Egypt; Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; and Martin Galstyan, governor of the Central Bank of Armenia.

    As Nigel Clarke, IMF Deputy Managing Director concluded, “This conference is a milestone demonstrating the IMF’s commitment to deepening engagement with the research and academic community, as we strive to ensure that the IMF support is not only responsive to the needs of member countries, but also built on rigorous tested analytics and importantly, it’s aligned with local realities. Through this kind of multi-stakeholder dialogue, we aim to better understand how all our expertise and resources can be directed towards the most pressing challenges of the region.”

    Visit the conference website for more details and to rewatch Day 1 and Day 2 of the discussions.

    Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo (AUC) is a leading English-language, American-accredited institution of higher education and center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. It is a vital bridge between East and West, linking Egypt and the region to the world through scholarly research, partnerships with academic and research institutions and study abroad programs.

    The University offers 39 undergraduate, 52 master’s and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world.

    An independent, nonprofit, politically non-partisan, non-sectarian and equal opportunity institution, AUC is fully accredited in Egypt and the United States.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Angham Al Shami

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/04/pr25180-imf-auc-wrap-up-1st-mena-conf-macroecon-structural-policies-shifting-global-econ-landscape

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 5 June 2025 Donors making a difference: cholera

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Cholera is a severe diarrhoeal disease that can be fatal within hours if not treated. Quick access to treatment is therefore crucial. Researchers estimate that there are 1.3 to 4 million cases and 21 000 to 143 000 deaths from cholera worldwide each year, with cases surging since 2021. Over 40 countries reported cases last year, and WHO estimates that 1 billion people are directly at risk.

    Cholera remains a global public health threat closely linked to inequality and inadequate social and economic development. Access to safe water, basic sanitation and hygiene are essential to prevent cholera and other waterborne diseases.

    WHO works to improve prevention and control of cholera globally, as well as increase awareness. WHO and partners also support research for the development of innovative strategies to prevent and control cholera.

    Below are some examples of how WHO is collaborating with governments and partners across the world, with critical financial support from donors, to prevent and control cholera.

    WHO and the French Development Agency strengthen emergency community responses to cholera in Democratic Republic of Congo

    WHO and the French Development Agency launch a cholera response project in Haut-Katanga to strengthen emergency community responses.
    Photo by: WHO/Joel Lumbala

    WHO, in partnership with the French Development Agency, has launched a catalytic US$ 392 000 project, working closely with the health authorities of Haut-Katanga and the National Program for the elimination of cholera and the fight against other diarrheal diseases.

    This project aims to drastically reduce the risk of cholera epidemics in this southeastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project will provide medical supplies, improve infection prevention and control, install 40 oral rehydration points and build two semi-durable isolation treatment centres in the Kafubu and Kipushi health zones.

    Over six months, the project will train 50 registered nurses and 140 community health workers in integrated disease surveillance and response, while raising awareness amongst the population on good hygiene practices. The health zones will also be empowered to locally produce liquid chlorine (bleach) to facilitate the decontamination of households affected by suspected cases of cholera, the treatment of drinking water and medical needs in health facilities. Solar kits and reagents will be available for 6 months.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Angola reinforces actions to end cholera with WHO support

    Deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns is part of the urgent response measures against cholera. Photo by: WHO/Angola

    Since the onset of a cholera outbreak in Angola in January 2025, more than 14 000 cases and 505 associated deaths have been reported. Around 50% of the cases affected people under 20 years.

    The Ministry of Health, in close coordination with WHO and other development partners, carried out a series of urgent response measures. These included deploying rapid response teams, training health personnel, establishing cholera treatment centres and units, providing safe drinking water, intensive community engagement, and the rollout of targeted vaccination campaigns.

    In addition, health authorities, with support from WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), mapped and treated the country’s main water access points. In early 2025, 28 public health officials from 15 municipalities in five of the most affected provinces were trained in mapping water sources. Nearly 320 water sources were mapped, improving access to treated water for people, particularly in Luanda and Icolo e Bengo provinces, which account for around 94% of cholera cases and 15% of related deaths in the country.

    Read the full stories here and here

    How WHO is supporting cholera outbreak response in Sudan

    A child receives oral cholera vaccine in Baqa’a shelter for internally displaced people in Gedaref, October 2024. Photo by: WHO/Omer Tarig

    The Federal Ministry of Health of Sudan declared a cholera outbreak on 12 August 2024, following the confirmation of cases in Kassala State. Heavy rains, flooding, overcrowding, and limited access to clean water in displacement sites and within communities contributed to the rapid spread of the disease. As of 18 January 2025, the outbreak had affected 84 localities across 11 states, with more than 51 300 cases and 1 359 deaths reported.

    As part of the response, the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and UNICEF, has conducted oral cholera vaccination campaigns in 8 states, reaching 7.4 million people.

    WHO is supporting the outbreak response through comprehensive health interventions that include strengthening surveillance, deployment of rapid response teams for swift investigation of alerts, case management and improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene services in displacement sites and other at-risk communities.

    WHO is able to deliver on its cholera commitment through the financial contribution of donors: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the European Union Commission, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), and the Governments of France and Germany.

    Read the full story

    WHO and partners launch second cholera vaccine dose to protect young refugees in Cox’s Bazar

    A young girl receives the 2nd dose of the OCV Vaccine in the Rohingya Camps. Photo by: WHO/Terence Ngwabe Che

    In April 2025, WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and health sector partners, launched the second round of a targeted Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaign in Cox’s Bazar. This initiative aims to administer a second dose of the vaccine to Rohingya refugee children aged 1 to 5 years.

    This builds on the success of the initial mass vaccination campaign conducted in January 2025, across the Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban districts, and on Bhasan Char Island. A total of 1.4 million doses were administered from the 1.6 million doses supplied by the International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control.

    The vaccine deployment followed an approved request by the Directorate General of Health Services, Communicable Disease Control, with operational support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Read the full story

    WHO and King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Centre expand life-saving health interventions

    KSRelief Supervisor-General, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, and Dr Tedros, signing funding agreements in response to humanitarian crises at the Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum on 24-25 February 2025, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo by: WHO/Karim Yassmineh.

    WHO and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) agreed on a series of new pledges to deliver life-saving health measures for people threatened by cholera and malaria in Yemen. The pledges also support health services for Sudanese who have fled conflict to neighbouring Egypt, and to support polio eradication efforts in countries where the virus continues to circulate. The agreements were signed during the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, being held on 24-25 February.

    WHO’s Country Office in Yemen and KSrelief finalized a donation of US$ 2.1 million to support an existing agreement to expand cholera response and control measures, and improve access to treatment in affected and high-risk areas.

    Read the full story

    Purified water, lives saved: the fight against cholera in Haiti continues

    OPS/WHO delivering materials to the Ministry of Public Health and Population to respond against cholera. Photo by: OPS/WHO

    PAHO/WHO continued to support the Ministry of Public Health and Population in its fight against cholera since its resurgence in October 2022. Access to clean and safe water remains a major challenge in Haiti and is a key factor in the decline of the disease across the country.

    With support from the UNCERF and in partnership with the health authorities, PAHO/WHO implemented a project to improve access to drinking water for Acute Diarrhea Treatment Centres, facilities established to treat cholera patients.

    Installing a water treatment unit made it possible to supply drinking water, on demand, by tanker trucks to a network of 15 distribution points, consisting of tankers installed in as many health facilities throughout the department. In the second phase, 218 departmental health officers were trained on methods for accessing drinking water, effective sanitation techniques, and essential hygiene practices to prevent water-related diseases.

    Read the full story (in French)

    Malawi declares end of cholera outbreak

    Case management at Area 25 cholera treatment centre. Photo by: WHO/Ovixlexla Kamenyagwaza-Bunya

    The Government of Malawi, through its Public Health Institute, declared the end of a protracted cholera outbreak that started in March 2022 and lasted over two years. WHO and partners supported the set-up of cholera treatment centres and units and oral rehydration points, provided clinical mentorship, and supported the development of referral guidelines and standardized patient records from the initial stages of the outbreak.

    The surveillance team supported the roll out of the One Health Surveillance Data Platform, intensified case investigations, and strengthened laboratory testing and event-based surveillance. WHO also provided support for oral cholera vaccination campaigns, where over four million doses were administered with a utilization rate of almost 100%.

    To strengthen resilience and bolster global health security, in June 2023, WHO conducted a Scoping Mission which led to the development of a 2-year roadmap. WHO continues to work with multi-sectoral partners and the donor community to support implementation of these priorities. In 2024, USAID and FCDO UK provided funds towards preparedness activities.

    Read the full story

    South Sudan steps up vaccination, response measures to curb cholera

    A vaccinator administering oral cholera vaccine in Renk, Upper Nile State, during December 2024’s campaign after the September outbreak declaration.
    Photo by: WHO/Atem John Ajang

    The Government of South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in October 2024. In January 2025, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, rolled out several oral cholera vaccination campaigns in four high-risk countries: Malakal, Juba, Renk, and Rubkona.

    With support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, around four million doses of the vaccine were approved and around 910 000 doses administered (as of January 2025) in the four counties, which is above 90% coverage.

    WHO continues to distribute essential medical supplies for cholera response to local and national health authorities and partners, which can treat 4 700 cholera cases. WHO has also facilitated the establishment of a 50-bed cholera treatment centre at Juba Teaching Hospital and is supporting the deployment of nine rapid response teams from national level to 11 priority counties to support implementing partners on the ground to provide critical case management.

    Read the full story

    Scaling up cholera testing in Zimbabwe

    WHO staff build cholera treatment centres with support of communities. Photo by: WHO/Vivian Mugarisi

    To ramp up testing for cholera in Zimbabwe, WHO supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with training of 986 nurses in antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) testing, addressing critical staff shortages at rural health centres. Additionally, 44 laboratory personnel at provincial and district levels were trained in cholera culture, further strengthening diagnostic capacity.

    Prior to the training programme, testing capabilities were limited. Between the outbreak’s onset in February 2023 and 18 January 2024, only 2 090 antigen RDTs and 2 250 culture tests were conducted across 10 health centres. Following the training, the number of antigen RFT tests increased to 9 853, a staggering 371% increase. The success of the programme is attributed to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders including UNICEF, Higher Life Foundation, JHPIEGO, World Vision International and WHO, with MoHCC leading the efforts.

    Funding for the training activities came from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF), UNCERF and the United States Department of the State (USDOS). HRF is a pool of funding from the European Union, the Government of Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

    Additionally, in a significant boost to Zimbabwe’s healthcare infrastructure, WHO donated a wide range of medical equipment to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC). The equipment, valued close to USD$1.8 million, was funded by various donors and partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), USAID, and the Government of Japan.

    Read the full stories here and here

    ***

    Read more about WHO’s work on cholera

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order)

    African Development Bank, European Union, French Development Agency, Germany, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Health Resilience Fund, Higher Life Foundation, International Coordinating Group on Oral Cholera Vaccine Provision for Cholera Control, Ireland, Japan, JHPIEGO, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, UN Central Emergency Response Fund, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF), United States Department of the State, USAID, World Vision International.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Eric Storm, Senior Lecturer in General History, Leiden University

    Donald Trump’s controversial announcement of a travel ban on people from 12 countries visiting the US, immediately sparked questions about the implications for the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and next year’s men’s football World Cup, both hosted in the US, as well as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

    The Fifa Club World Cup starts on June 15 and is hosted at venues across the US including at stadiums in Miami, Los Angeles and New York. Teams will travel from across the world to the US for the tournament.

    The travel ban will start on June 9, just before the major tournament, which features some of the biggest football clubs in the world, will start.

    While the announcement says athletes competing will be exempt from the ban, it is not obvious that this will extend to fans. And further restrictions on who can enter the country may add to the fear many travellers are feeling of being stopped at the US border.

    The announcement states that “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives travelling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or other major sporting events as defined by the Secretary of State” will be exempted from the ban. There’s not yet a list of which sporting events will be included in the exemption, or clarification of how the phrase “support role” may be interpreted.

    Some teams that have qualified for the Club World Cup have players from countries listed in the travel ban, and Iran, which is listed, has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. The countries listed in the travel ban are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela may also face some restrictions.

    President Trump announces a travel ban on 12 countries.

    The US relationship with both of its co-hosts (Mexico and Canada) for the world cup in 2026 is already rather tense, because of the current geopolitics, rhetoric and US tariffs. There’s already been a significant downturn in Canadian travel to the US, and a boycott of US products, after Trump’s assertions that he could take over his northern neighbour. This has also resulted in some tension at sports matches.

    The rivalry against US teams is likely to be more intense than normal. And it’s possible that many foreign fans could take out their frustration with Trump on US sportspeople. The president, who chairs the taskforce for the 2026 footballing event, could take that personally. And hostilities between rival groups of fans might escalate during the event.

    In the current polarised atmosphere some artists may not want to participate in the opening ceremony, unless they are aligned with Trump’s politics.

    Historical sporting conflicts

    Historically, political tension has had some impact on international sporting events, and affected how they were carried out. During the cold war, 60 countries, including the US, boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980 in protest against the recent Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Four years later, 15 countries from the Soviet orbit responded by boycotting the Los Angeles games in 1984.

    After the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 brought an end to the cold war, international relations generally became more relaxed and this was also reflected in major sport events. Fifa sought to reconcile Japan and South Korea, who had a difficult shared history of colonisation and war-time exploitation, by pressuring them to host the 2002 World Cup together.

    The tournament became a great success, patching up relations between the two countries. Both national teams performed better than anticipated, leading to outbursts of feelgood patriotism. This was unprecedented for Japan, burdened by the memory of the second world war.

    Four years later, the world cup was held in a recently reunited Germany. Fans from around the world, dressed up in their national colours, were welcomed in the host cities. The German public threw off its generally restrained attitude – and celebrated by waving the national flag with enthusiasm. It was felt to be a symbol of a new positive phase of a reunified Germany.

    Since the reelection of Trump, the United States has signalled it is reviewing its support for many international organisations, and is largely disregarding traditional avenues for soft power, (influence through cultural means such as film, art or foreign aid). Trump has also shocked Nato partners by suggesting that the US may not be willing to defend them.

    In the shadow of these international events and the growing geopolitical tensions, the upcoming football world cups may find their atmosphere somewhat dampened.

    Eric Storm 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. Trump’s travel ban casts shadow over the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup and other US-hosted sporting events – https://theconversation.com/trumps-travel-ban-casts-shadow-over-the-upcoming-fifa-club-world-cup-and-other-us-hosted-sporting-events-253496

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Republic of Korea supports vulnerable families in Madagascar

    Source: World Food Programme

    ANTANANARIVO – The World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a generous contribution of 10,000 metric tons of rice worth US$12.5 million from the Republic of Korea to support the food and nutritional needs of 480,000 vulnerable people in southern Madagascar.

    The contribution will enable WFP to reach 290,000 people for six months, starting in October, during the upcoming lean season – the period between harvests when families often run out of food stocks. It will also provide school meals to 190,000 students in 586 primary schools from September 2025 to June 2026. The activities will cover ten districts in the Anosy, Androy, Atsimo Andrefana, and Atsimo Atsinanana regions.

    “This contribution comes at a critical time for communities facing food insecurity,” said Tania Goossens, WFP Representative in Madagascar. “Thanks to the Republic of Korea’s commitment, vulnerable households will be able to overcome the lean season and thousands of children will receive hot meals in primary school. We sincerely thank the Republic of Korea for their ongoing support and long-standing partnership in Madagascar.” 

    As recurrent climate shocks are aggravating 1.3 million people food insecure in southern and southeastern region, this contribution is especially critical in supporting the most vulnerable communities. 

    “This donation reaffirms the Republic of Korea’s solidarity with the Malagasy people, particularly the most vulnerable children and families in the South affected by climate shocks. We are demonstrating our commitment to collaborating with the Malagasy government, through WFP, in responding to food emergencies and strengthening the school feeding programme” said the Ambassador of ROK in Madagascar HEM. Park Ji-Hyun. 

    Since 2019, the Republic of Korea has provided a cumulative US$30.5 million through various funding mechanisms in support of WFP operations in Madagascar. This strong partnership reflects ROK’s growing commitment to combating hunger and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities across the country. 

    #                    #                     #

    The United Nations World Food Programme – saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 120 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.

    Follow us on:

    • Twitter: @wfp_media | @WFP_Madagascar | @AmbCoree_Mada
    • Facebook: World Food Programme Madagascar | Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Madagascar

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: OPEC Fund and WFP promote clean cooking in 440 schools across Sierra Leone

    Source: World Food Programme

    FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomes a US$ 1.2 million contribution from The OPEC Fund for International Development, to support clean cooking solutions in WFP-supported schools across Sierra Leone.

    The new funding will boost WFP’s climate-smart kitchens initiative in 440 schools across Pujehun, Kenema, and Kambia districts, through the installation of two fuel-efficient stoves per school and the creation of 15 community woodlots in selected schools to combat deforestation. 

    The support will also enable the training of volunteer cooks on stove use and maintenance, promoting cleaner cooking and protecting the environment.

    “This initiative supports multiple development goals, from improving health and learning conditions for children to protecting the environment and reducing emissions,” said Walid Mehalaine, Head of Grants at the OPEC Fund.  “Through our partnership with the World Food Programme, we are delivering practical, community-based solutions that make a real difference”. 

    While there is a growing government and international commitment to promoting clean cooking solutions, in Sierra Leone, access remains limited, with majority of the population relying on traditional biomass fuels. 

    The government is working with partners to improve access to clean cooking, but more investment and support are needed to address the challenge. 

    “Clean cooking technologies and efficient fuel usage in schools, will substantially reduce our carbon footprint associated with traditional cooking methods” said Yvonne Forsen, WFP’s Country Director and Representative for Sierra Leone. “This contribution reflects the OPEC Fund’s integrated approach to development, where climate, education and community resilience are addressed together” 

    WFP’s school feeding programme provides school meals to 254,000 students in five districts, including 26,000 school children benefiting from home-grown school feeding programme. The Government of Sierra Leone has prioritized home-grown school feeding as a key component of its National School Feeding Policy,

    #                           #                   #

    WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X (previously Twitter) @wfp_media, @WFP_WAfrica

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Harvard battle is Trump’s ‘Mao moment’: lessons from China’s state-sanctioned university crackdown

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Félix Valdivieso, Chairman of IE China Observatory, IE University

    Students, professors and staff protest against President Trump measures at the University of California, Berkeley.
    .     Phil Pasquini/Shutterstock

    During the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong pushed for the closure of Chinese universities, seeing higher education as little more than a breeding ground for counterrevolutionary bourgeois intellectuals. After closing for a period, China’s universities reopened on a limited basis from 1970, with selection criteria based on class background, revolutionary devotion and connections to the communist party.

    It was not until 1977 that the national university entrance exam (gaokao) was reinstated and a merit system put back in place. This period had been China’s “Mao moment” in higher education, but Mao’s historic mistake appears to be repeating itself in the US today.

    Over 13 centuries of tradition

    Imperial China had a sophisticated system of examinations (kējǔ, 科举) for citizens to reach the status of civil servant, or mandarin. These tests date back to the 7th century, under the Sui dynasty (581-618), and lasted until 1905.

    Depending on the period, the exams lasted from one to three days. Candidates were locked in a room, identified by a number, and their tests were copied by a third party so that their identity could not be recognised by their handwriting. All this was to ensure a fair and impartial contest for candidates whose futures were at stake.

    MIT professor Yasheng Huang says that if he had to highlight one fundamental difference between China and other civilisations, it would be the existence of these imperial examinations. He adds that they were both a blessing and a curse.

    He also points out that they are directly to blame for the state’s ongoing monopolisation of human talent in China. Put simply, the best and brightest became mandarins under this system. By depriving society of access to the best talent, the state also denied its people the chance of having any kind of organised religion, commerce or intelligentsia.

    For Huang, the imperial examinations were a significant cause of the decline of collective social action in China, one of the distinctive features of a civil society. This is reflected in the title of his 2024 book “The Rise and Fall of the EAST”, where EAST is not a compass point but an acronym for China’s defining features: Exams, Autocracy, Stability and Technology.

    China prioritises universities

    “The ‘Chinese phenomenon’ is why this ancient civilization
    with a long history of more than 2,000 years has declined in the modern
    era. Why is it lagging behind the modern nations of the world?”

    This question was posed in 1991 by the Chinese politician and intellectual Wang Huning, in his book America against America.

    Ever since Deng Xiaoping came to power in 1978, it became increasingly clear to China that its progress depended on raising its population’s education level, especially after the ravages of the Maoist Cultural Revolution.

    To do this, China created the C9 League in 2009. Composed of nine universities and similar to the American Ivy League, its members account for 10% of China’s national research budget, 3% of its total number of researchers, and 20% of published studies.



    Leer más:
    US-China tensions are an opportunity – the EU could become the world’s third great power

    Defund Harvard?

    When I spoke of “barbarians” in my 2024 book China for the New Barbarians,(Nola editores, 2024), I did so to call attention to the fact that there is a certain ignorance when the West speaks about China. However, the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks against Harvard, one of the world’s most renowned universities, can only be described as barbaric.

    Last week Harvard was barred from enrolling international students on the grounds of alleged leftist indoctrination and anti-Semitism. It has also revoked student visas and, as if that were not enough, it has demanded that universities hand over information on students who have participated in student protests.

    Students in Harvard protesting against president Donald J. Trump.
    Pietrorizzatoph/Shutterstock

    What the Trump Administration wants is for Harvard to cease foreign admissions, a move that would lock out 6,500 students. In addition to denying Harvard access to top international talent, it would also inflict enormous damage to the ever-weakening concept of the “American spirit”, made up of democratic values, freedom, generosity, equality of opportunity, universal education, courage and leadership.

    The measure has been temporarily blocked by a district judge, though this may not count for much – the Trump Administration has already set a precedent of disputing or ignoring court orders.

    The situation is so dire that Jerome Powell – the chair of the Federal Reserve who was appointed by Trump during his first term – has been unable to keep quiet. Addressing Princeton University students at the May 2025 commencement speech, he stressed that American universities are the envy of the world, and a crucial asset for the US to continue to lead in scientific innovation and economic dynamism.

    Powell’s speech to Princeton graduates in May 2025. Source: Princeton University, YouTube.

    Powell has himself been a target of Trump’s criticism. In response to Powell’s refusal to lower interest rates – which he has kept between 4.25% and 4.5% to contain inflation – the president has called him “Mr Too Late” and “Major loser”.



    Leer más:
    Harvard is suing the White House: here’s what Trump hopes to achieve by targeting universities

    What does the rest of the world think?

    The world watches in astonishment as the US federal administration attempts to dismantle the country’s university system, which for decades has been one of the US’ poles of attraction, and a bulwark of its economic and technological success.

    This was perhaps best expressed by Oriaku, a Nigerian taxi driver I met back in the nineties who ferried me and my colleague Juan Gordon around Lagos. He told us about his dream of sending his children to Harvard, and when Juan commented that this would be expensive he wisely replied “if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” “Harvard, Harvard,” Oriaku continued, “that’s the only reason I work myself to the bone.”

    Moves are already being made elsewhere to pick up the slack and welcome academics. The Hong Kong government, for instance, has called on its universities to attract the foreign talent that the US now wants to reject.

    Meanwhile, the Chinese can only smirk: they already lived through Mao’s brutal onslaught against their universities during the Cultural Revolution and know that it will bring no benefits. America is living through its own “Mao moments”, but we may soon be able rename them “Trump moments”.

    Félix Valdivieso no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoría, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y ha declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del cargo académico citado.

    – ref. Harvard battle is Trump’s ‘Mao moment’: lessons from China’s state-sanctioned university crackdown – https://theconversation.com/harvard-battle-is-trumps-mao-moment-lessons-from-chinas-state-sanctioned-university-crackdown-258127

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Julie Zollmann, Digital Planet Fellow, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

    Many argue that gig work involves exploitation, as research and media coverage have highlighted. But that doesn’t seem to deter ride hailing drivers on platforms like Uber and Bolt.

    In Kenya, in fact, many new drivers continued to join platforms even as fares were slashed starting in 2016.

    As a PhD student studying the role of digitalisation in development, I spent several years trying to understand how digital drivers experienced the quality of their work. My research found that in 2019, a typical digital driver in Nairobi worked about 58 hours a week and earned well below the minimum wage on an hourly basis. What made this work attractive? Why did drivers stay?

    In a new paper, I draw on a 2019 survey of 450 drivers in Nairobi and 38 subsequent qualitative interviews in Nairobi and Kenya’s second largest ride hailing market, Mombasa, in 2021 that explored drivers’ experiences in detail.

    In addition to measuring working hours and incomes, my survey team asked drivers if they considered their work “dignified”. Nearly eight in ten (78%) of our survey participants said yes. While that specific share of drivers may have changed since then, the underlying reasons drivers found the work dignified remain unchanged.

    In the global north, scholars have rung alarm bells about what “gig work” means for the erosion of standard jobs with legal protections around working hours, minimum wage and other benefits. But the drivers my team and I spoke with in Kenya felt that digital driving was a step towards formalisation rather than a drift away from an ideal formal job. Driving had diginity in contrast to the indignities of low-wage work and the vast informal sector, which was their realistic alternative for making a living.

    My findings highlight that workers’ experiences on global platforms like Uber are not universal and that digitisation may deliver some improvements in work quality relative to informal work in African contexts.

    How did digital work deliver dignity?

    Drivers explained that app companies imposed rules and structure that provided “discipline” in a transport sector more broadly associated with rudeness, unruliness, and disrespect towards passengers. Requirements for things like driving licences, proof of insurance, and ratings seemed to make drivers feel more professional and make passengers see them as such.

    Drivers felt proud to be part of a driver community that behaved professionally under these conditions. A 38-year-old male driver in Nairobi who had been working on the platforms for three years told us:

    We are very respected … Everyone trusts you to carry them. It’s not like the old days, when the taxi driver might rob you and dump you or even kill you. We are getting attraction from the society, even in the slums. They know you are an app driver, and they trust you because app drivers are good people. They know you can deliver, that you will be honest.



    Read more:
    Zimbabwe’s economy crashed — so how do citizens still cling to myths of urban and economic success?

    On platforms, drivers were matched digitally with riders. Respondents said this brought dignity by ensuring drivers would receive a fairly steady stream of clients. This meant that a driver could rest assured he would earn money every day.

    The alternative was to “hustle” in the informal economy to shake loose opportunities and constantly solicit those who might use their labour and beg for payment after a job was done. Constant solicitation and bargaining were exhausting and degrading.

    One driver explained:

    Most of us are poor. I have never walked out every morning sure that I would do a job. But now I know that if my car has been serviced and my phone is charged and working, I am going to work and not to some charity job. I used to wait at the base all day without getting a customer. Now, ….. at least two, three days are going to be good for you.

    Digital matchmaking also meant that drivers were not limited to serving the few clients they already knew or who happened to pass them at a fixed base. They found themselves serving new parts of the city and carrying important people, including business people, celebrities and local politicians. Serving these high-end customers made them feel proud and important. Wealthy neighbourhoods, luxury hotels and high-end restaurants felt more open to them in otherwise exclusionary and segregated cities.

    Some drivers felt that digitalisation had removed barriers to entry for taxi driving, like paying to join a parking base and building a client list.

    The app did away with parking bases, and about half of drivers joined the system through a “partner”, paying a fixed weekly fee to rent their car instead of buying it themselves.

    In efforts to make rides cheaper, in 2018 app companies in Kenya allowed smaller, less expensive cars on their platforms, lowering costs of ownership. Drivers in our survey showed that both formal and informal financiers were willing to offer loans to digital drivers, knowing they would have regular revenue to service their debt.

    Buying a car was seen as a huge, dignifying accomplishment. One driver in the survey told us:

    Growing up, I thought vehicles were owned only by the rich, but now digital driving has provided a means for me to own one and earn the respect of society.

    David Muteru, then chairman of the Digital Taxi Association of Kenya, echoed this sentiment: “Owning a vehicle, that’s an asset”.

    Dignity not always guaranteed

    The dignifying value of order was only possible when app companies enforced their own rules and did so fairly. Drivers preferred the stringent rule enforcement of one major app over the lax enforcement of another, which made for more stressful and undignified interactions with riders.

    When the rules were enforced, drivers could be sure that the app company would help if a rider refused to pay or if there was a dispute with the client. Drivers felt the stricter environment kept bad actors out.

    Over time, though, app companies slashed prices, competing for market share. Drivers felt less respected by riders who saw them as desperate for money. Low fares pressed drivers to negotiate with riders for offline trips and higher rates, reintroducing the indignity of haggling.

    Lessons for the future

    Digitally mediated work raises many questions about labour standards.

    This research shows how important it is to keep local context in mind. Digital driving is not the same experience for drivers in every context. Where people suffer indignities and deprivations in the informal sector, digitalisation may offer gains. But this potential depends on rule enforcement and pay. Material and subjective dignity are intertwined.

    Julie Zollmann received funding from Mastercard Foundation.

    – ref. Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-ride-hailing-drivers-say-their-jobs-offer-dignity-despite-the-challenges-257845

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks at the Annual Memorial Service to honour United Nations Personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty from 1 January to 31 December 2024 [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations – English

    ear colleagues, family members and friends,

    We gather to pay tribute to the 168 women and men who lost their lives in 2024 in the line of duty.

    We honour those who gave everything in the pursuit of peace, justice, and human dignity.  

    Not only were they dear colleagues, they were sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters.

    We extend our deepest condolences to the families with us today, both in person and online.

    Our thoughts and our hearts are with you.

    Your grief is shared by the entire United Nations family.

    Your sorrow is our sorrow.

    Please join me in a moment of silence to honour our fallen colleagues.

    [MOMENT OF SILENCE]

    Thank you.

    The women and men we honour today embodied the very essence of our mission.

    They were driven by the cause of peace, by the need to alleviate human suffering, and to ensure dignity for all.

    They came from all countries of the world, representing 31 nationalities.

    They were teachers, engineers, doctors, and administrators.

    They were military, police and civilian personnel.

    They were humanitarians, peacekeepers, and peacemakers and so much more.

    When conflict erupted, they worked for peace…

    When violence and disasters hit, they provided life-saving assistance…

    When human rights were trampled, they lifted people up …

    And when the vulnerable needed help, they worked to ensure no one was left behind.

    Recent years have been devastating for the UN family.

    We have suffered unspeakable and unprecedented losses in Gaza.

    This past year alone, 126 of our colleagues were killed in Gaza, including 125 women and men who worked for UNRWA.

    Some were killed with their families.

    I repeat my call for full accountability.

    Excellencies, dear colleagues, friends,

    Our work is far more than just a job.

    It is a calling. 

    All our fallen colleagues answered the call to serve humanity. 

    They did so in their own ways – without fanfare – and with determination. 

    They represented humanity in action.

    At a time when some may question international cooperation or the very notion of multilateralism, we would all do well to remember these lives taken far too soon.

    Let us take inspiration from how they lived.

    Let us commit to provide support and comfort to their families.

    Let us keep working to improve the safety and wellbeing of our staff.

    And let us vow that the memory and mission of our fallen colleagues will endure. 

    They were the best of us.

    Let them live on through our work.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Human remains identified as that of missing journalist and partner

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 5, 2025

    The South African Police Service has confirmed that the human remains found in Limpopo are that of missing journalist Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli.

    “The South African Police Service (SAPS) has concluded its extensive tests and analysis of human remains found in Rust De Winter earlier presumed to be that of missing Pretoria journalist and his partner. 

    “The SAPS can now confirm that a DNA analysis has been concluded and has positively linked the remains to that of Aserie Ndlovu and Zodwa Mdhluli,” said the SAPS.

    The couple had been missing since 18 February 2025.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the police said the human remains were analysed and matched with the reference sample of the biological relatives of the deceased.

    “A positive DNA match thus confirms that the discovered remains are that of the missing couple,” said the police, adding that the families of the deceased have been notified.

    The SAPS added that suspects arrested in this case are currently appearing before the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court on various charges ranging from kidnapping, house robbery to possession of stolen property.

    Last month the police discovered the two bodies after a lengthy and thorough investigation by a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement agencies. 

    Also last month, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, thanked members of the public for their cooperation and assistance in the case. 

    READ | Police commend community involvement in arrest of suspects in Ndlovu murder case

    This after the SAPS issued an alert requesting members of the public to assist police in tracing two outstanding suspects in the case. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government condemns acts of violence at WSU

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 5, 2025

    Government has strongly condemned the violent scenes that have unfolded at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. 

    This follows protests by students against the release on bail of the acting residence manager, Manelisi Mampana, who is facing charges relating to the fatal shooting of a student during an earlier protest.

    The WSU was forced to close its doors for students at all its campuses and residences due to aggressive student protests.

    “While government recognises the right of students to protest and express their dissatisfaction, the acts of violence and destruction of property, including the barricading of the N2 highway with burning tyres are strongly condemned,” Acting Government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said. 

    Such actions endanger lives, disrupt essential services, and undermine the very cause that students seek to highlight.

    “Government calls on all students and stakeholders to remain calm and engage in peaceful, constructive dialogue. Student leaders and university management must work with law enforcement to restore calm and ensure that justice takes its course. 

    “The rule of law must be respected, and due legal processes must be allowed to unfold without interference or intimidation,” Mnukwa said. 

    Government reiterates its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that institutions of higher learning remain safe spaces for all. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government condemns Riverlea shooting incident

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 5, 2025

    Government has condemned the shootout between illegal miners and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Riverlea, Johannesburg which claimed the life of a 59-year-old man.

    The man was killed after he was allegedly caught in the crossfire as police exchanged gunfire with three suspects. 

    Government extended its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.

    “This incident clearly demonstrates the severe threat that illegal mining poses, not only to law enforcement, but to the safety and well-being of communities.

    “Community members are called to cooperate with authorities and report criminal activities taking place in their areas. Members of the public must not take the law into their own hands but should work with law enforcement and allow due processes to unfold.
    “Government commends the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to clamp down on illegal mining operations, which continue to pose serious threats to public safety and infrastructure. 

    “Together, we must uphold peace, respect for the rule of law, and protect the rights and safety of all South Africans,” said Acting Government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa. 

    The police are investigating the shooting incident which took place at the notorious Zamimpilo informal settlement in Riverlea. The man’s body was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday morning. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: W Cape Health honours brave cancer survivors and fighters

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness commemorated Cancer Survivors Day on Wednesday by honouring individuals who have survived cancer.

    Yesterday’s occasion also served as a chance to remember those who are still bravely fighting cancer as well as the community and healthcare workers who support them in their journey.

    “We spoke to people who have survived cancer and are still fighting it. Through these stories, we are reminded that help is available to protect your health at every stage of your life,” the statement read. 

    When 58-year-old Fairouze Lawrence from Bridgetown started experiencing unexpected weakness in her legs, she knew something was not right. 

    Her family called an ambulance and she was quickly taken to the hospital for care.

    Lawrence, who receives ongoing care at Heideveld Community Health Centre, was later diagnosed with breast cancer and spinal compression at Groote Schuur Hospital. 

    She continues to receive treatment for her spine, but she remains positive.

    “I’m still on this journey, but I’ve come so far. I am now on bone-strengthening treatment, and it’s helping me to stand longer,” she added.

    Another cancer survivor, an Eerste River resident, Amy Britz, was just 12 years old when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, after discovering a swelling below her knee. 

    She was referred to Tygerberg Hospital after visiting Eerste River Hospital, where she started her treatment, which included chemotherapy and surgeries.

    “I became very depressed through this journey. I was missing school, especially my friends. I decided that I will win this battle, and I will get better. I started thinking more positively and saw the bright side of this condition.” 

    With the support of her mother, family, friends, school, healthcare workers, and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), she was able to survive.

    In October 2022, the teenager rang the bell to mark the end of her chemotherapy. 

    She is looking forward to her 16th birthday this July and is now back at school, cancer-free.

    Cancer signs

    The provincial department has advised parents to take their children to their nearest clinic or general practitioner if they notice any early warning signs of childhood cancer. 

    A paediatric oncologist at Tygerberg Hospital, Dr Leilah Schoonraad, explained that childhood cancer is proof that life can often feel unfair. 

    “We as doctors in oncology promise to stand by your side and help you on the journey to ringing the bell, one day at a time. And as the memory of your treatment becomes a thing of the past, I hope you will share your story with others, so that they can know how strong you are and how much you have overcome,” the oncologist explained. 

    If symptoms persist even after treatment at the primary healthcare clinic, Schoonraad advised patients to discuss their concerns with a healthcare worker and get a referral to Tygerberg Hospital or the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

    Doctors believe that in adults, early detection saves lives. 

    The World Health Organisation recommends being alert to several signs. These include unusual bleeding or discharge; sores that do not heal; changes in bowel or bladder habits; new or growing lumps, particularly in the breasts or testicles; a persistent cough or hoarseness; changes in moles, such as alterations in shape, colour, or size; and difficulty swallowing.

    “It is also important to live a healthy lifestyle by avoiding tobacco use, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise if you can. If you notice any of the signs, please visit your nearest clinic. Getting help early makes a difference.” – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tributes for late jazz promoter Rashid Lombard

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport says it is deeply saddened by the passing of Rashid Lombard at the age of 74. 

    Born on 10 April 1951 in Gqeberha, Lombard moved to Cape Town in 1962.  

    The provincial department described the late Lombard as the heart, soul, and mind behind the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and one of the country’s most remarkable photographers. 

    “Rashid made a huge impact in the cultural and music spaces, and his presence will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who knew him. His legacy will live on for many generations to come,” a statement read. 

    According to the family spokesperson, Benny Gool, Lombard was originally an architectural draftsman who began his career at Murray & Roberts. 

    He married Colleen Rayson in 1970 and they had three children – Chevan, Shadley and Yana. 

    “His childhood experiences during apartheid, along with the influence of the Black Consciousness Movement, fuelled his political activism,” Gool said. 

    Working as a freelance photographer during the anti-apartheid struggle, Lombard documented pivotal moments for international media. 

    With the advent of democracy, he embraced his passion for jazz, becoming station manager at Fine Music Radio and later programming manager at P4 Smooth Jazz Radio. 

    He founded the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2000, directing it until 2014.  

    As tributes pour in for the legendary figure, the Artscape Theatre Centre has paused to salute the stalwart. 

    It said he was an unwavering activist and a promoter of the arts in ways that some can only dream of doing.

    Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape Theatre Centre said: “The beauty of Rashid and his years of ploughing back to the communities in and around Cape Town as well as internationally is this: he was one of the most unassuming, humble, modest advocates for the arts…whether it was through his photography, his involvement in music, jazz in particular, or whether it was through his development and creation of work opportunities.” 

    Le Roux said the arts world was poorer now that he is gone. 

    “But his legacy lives on in people whose lives he touched, the work he created, and in the immaculate images only he could see through his lenses.” 

    The theatre centre said it would be burning a candle for him at the stage door in remembrance of this truly great soul.

    The President Cyril Ramaphosa has also paid tribute to Lomboard, calling him a cultural icon.

    “Rashid Lombard’s fearless depiction of apartheid’s endemic inhumanity and violence and his compassionate focus on the lives of oppressed communities and disadvantaged individuals is a powerful record of our struggle for basic human rights and dignity,” he said in a statement.

    President Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the Lombard family and his extensive network of friends, comrades, and creatives nationally and internationally. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Two in court for IFP murder case

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 5, 2025

    Two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Member of Parliament, Khethamabala Sithole, are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today.

    This as a task team established following the murder made a breakthrough in their investigation. 

    “Two suspects have been arrested and charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, following the incident which took place at Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong on 31 May 2025 at about 5:30pm,” said the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday.

    It was reported that unknown men opened fire on the group of people who had gathered for a meeting.

    “Sithole was declared dead on the scene while two more people were taken to hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the two injured was treated and discharged while the other one is still in hospital.”

    On Monday, 2 June 2025, the team brought in three people for questioning where two of the three, aged 30 and 32, were linked to the incident. The third person was released.

    READ | Police closing in on suspect in Khethamabala Sithole case

    Sithole served as the Deputy Chief Whip of the IFP.

    “The suspects will be appearing before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today, 5 June 2025,” said police. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Work underway to eliminate waste in government spending

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    In an ongoing effort to ensure that government manages its finances efficiently, the state is currently consulting on options for a formal fiscal anchor.

    This was outlined in the March 2025 discussion document issued by the National Treasury to prevent a recurrence of the cycle of high spending, large deficits, and rising debt.

    “Efficiency reforms continue to underpin our broader agenda. We are closing underperforming programmes, eliminating ghost workers through improved payroll systems, and establishing a centralised state-owned entity holding company to strengthen governance. 

    “Our tax administration continues to improve, with enhanced data systems and compliance measures supporting higher revenue performance,” Finance Deputy Minister, Ashor Sarupen, said on Thursday in Johannesburg.

    He was addressing the launch of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) research on South Africa’s economy.

    The OECD Economic Survey of South Africa is an independent and internationally peer-reviewed assessment of South Africa’s macroeconomic trends, structural reforms, and policy challenges.

    It suggested, among the other recommendations, that South Africa introduce stricter spending controls, reinforce spending rules and improve governance and administrative efficiency and reform state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to reduce fiscal transfers.

    The Deputy Minister noted the OECD’s recommendations while asserting that South Africa was already working towards achieving sustainable public finances.

    “We find strong alignment between our national reform agenda and the OECD Survey’s five priority recommendations for South Africa, which include enhancing fiscal sustainability while promoting inclusive growth, maintaining low and stable inflation, expanding job creation and workforce integration, enabling a just climate transition, and reforming the electricity sector.

    “Our commitment to inclusive economic growth and development remains firm, with 61% of non-interest spending being directed toward the social wage. 

    “Even as baseline spending has been reduced, we have shielded frontline services and protected the most vulnerable, focusing priority support on health, education, and social protection,” the Deputy Minister said.

    At the same time, government is investing boldly to drive growth and economic transformation. 

    Over R1 trillion has been allocated to infrastructure over the medium term, with a focus on energy, transport and water. Inclusive growth also requires labour market integration to spur job creation. 

    Government is scaling up youth employment programmes, technical training, and informal sector support.

    Operation Vulindlela

    Furthermore, government launched Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela as a step toward further accelerating structural reform.

    Phase 2 focuses on digital infrastructure, dynamic cities, and improved basic services. 

    This work complements government’s broader strategy to build a capable state and reduce regulatory and infrastructure bottlenecks – priorities the OECD has rightly emphasised.

    Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative between The Presidency and National Treasury which focuses on accelerating structural reforms to enable economic growth and job creation.

    With the OECD’s recommendations to revise municipal funding models and better align electricity revenues with infrastructure investment, the Deputy Minister highlighted work that was already taking place.

    “As part of Operation Vulindlela Phase 2, we are working to shift both water and electricity services to a utility model. This will help ensure that municipal services are financially sustainable and better managed. 

    “A broader review of the local government funding model is also underway to strengthen how infrastructure is funded and delivered at the local level.

    “Nowhere is the impact of reform more visible – or more necessary – than in the electricity sector. Load shedding has declined markedly, supported by improvements in generation capacity and the growing participation of the private sector. Investments in embedded generation are rising, and procurement has accelerated, helping to unlock new capacity and diversify the energy mix,” he said.

    The operationalisation of the National Transmission Company (NTCSA) marks a major milestone in the unbundling of Eskom. 

    “It lays the foundation for a more competitive and transparent electricity market. Independent power producers are expanding their footprint. At the same time, we are scaling up investment in the transmission network and addressing long-standing weaknesses in distribution. 

    “Restoring energy security remains essential to unlocking growth and enabling a just transition. A sentiment echoed by both ourselves and the OECD.

    “Looking ahead, we will deepen these reforms by prioritising the full restructuring of Eskom, establishing an independent transmission system operator, and creating a wholesale electricity market under Operation Vulindlela Phase 2,” Sarupen said. –SAnews.gov.za

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: ACSA ordered to engage in mediation efforts with ACS

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has issued a ministerial order to the Airports Company SA (ACSA) Board to engage in a mediation process with a company that conducts the baggage screening at its airports.

    This follows various engagements with the ACSA Board on several occasions to discuss its dispute with the Airports Co-ordination Services (ACS) Pty Ltd in relation to hold baggage screening and related services at ACSA’s airports.

    ACSA is an entity of the Department of Transport.

    The dispute also involves the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

    The order was issued in terms of section 10(1)(a) of the Airports Company Act No. 44 of 1993, which empowers the Minister to take necessary steps to safeguard national security where a risk to critical infrastructure, public safety, or the national interest has been identified.

    “I am concerned about the negative impact the protracted litigation could have on the integrity and reliability of hold baggage screening (HBS) as the first line of defence against threats in the aviation system at ACSA’s airports,” Creecy said on Thursday.

    The dispute has resulted in multiple review applications, interdictory proceedings, and related appeal proceedings in the High Court.

    “In this regard, I am satisfied that intervention is necessary to prevent potential disruption, compromise of national security, and reputational harm.

    “As such, my engagements with the ACSA Board have, in the main, related to finding a solution to resolve the dispute amicably and timeously to obviate any destabilisation of an essential national security function,” the Minister said.

    The objective of the mediation is to reach a settlement within the parameters of the applicable regulatory framework, which avoids a protracted legal dispute and safeguards national security.

    The board has therefore been ordered to finalise and execute a mediation agreement, which contains the following terms of reference:
    • Prepare and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks of the order setting out the total costs incurred in relation to the dispute to date. This report must include a detailed breakdown of all the legal fees, disbursements, and any other associated expenses borne by the State.
    • Negotiate, during the mediation proceedings must be in good faith as the legal prescripts require that parties to the mediation, act in the best interests of national security.
    • The long-term issues relate to the provision of service of HBS and its maintenance, compliance with the applicable regulatory frameworks, budgetary and fiscal constraints, the safety of passengers who use ACSA’s airports, potential revision of agreements, and the commercial relations between the parties.
    • Transitional – there is a short-term issue relating to the continued and efficient functioning of the HBS system at ACSA’s airports and compliance with regulatory and international frameworks; compliance with international safety standards, which include the implementation of interim measures relating to the maintenance regime; and whether ACS / ACSA can or should install any HBS maintenance-related equipment, including the back-up HBS units.
    • That the dispute pertaining to the entity that is statutorily responsible for the provision of the HBS and interrelated services, and by implication, the application of Section 217 of the Constitution, be addressed at the mediation. – SAnews.gov.za
     

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA’s plan to shield coastal assets from climate change

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    With the impact of climate change intensifying globally, government has launched a plan that aims to effectively manage South Africa’s coastal assets.

    This as the country’s coastline or coastal cities are at the frontline of climate change, facing severe and multifaceted complexities that threaten livelihoods, communities, economies, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

    “With climate change projected to increase the frequency and intensity of coastal storms, accelerate sea-level rise, and compound vulnerabilities due to population growth, the risks to infrastructure and ecosystems are escalating. 

    “Our coastal future rests on our ability to innovate and to act with unity and urgency. By investing in nature-based solutions, strengthening climate governance, and unlocking sustainable finance, we can shield our people and ecosystems from the harshest impacts of climate change,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George said on Thursday in Pretoria.

    The Climate Change Coastal Adaptation Response Plan builds on the National Coastal Management Programme – the department’s guiding instrument for coastal governance – by prioritising climate-focused interventions that protect natural heritage, support sustainable livelihoods, and foster inclusive economic growth. 

    This year’s celebrations of the World Environment Day (commemorated annually on 5 June) take place concurrently with the launch of the Climate Change Coastal Adaptation Response Plan to support the country’s commitment to the Group of Twenty (G20) Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, that is being led by South Africa. 

    South Africa assumed the Presidency of the G20 group of countries, which comprises many of the world’s largest developing and developed economies, on 1 December 2024.

    “South Africa contributes to global discussions on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land and ocean management, circular economy, and pollution reduction,” George said.

    This milestone initiative aligns with this year’s World Environment Day global theme, “Ending Plastic Pollution”.

    “It also underscores the importance of implementation support for developing economy countries, ensuring that climate and environmental targets are not only ambitious but also achievable. 

    “As the G20 increasingly focuses on aligning economic recovery with green development, South Africa continues to advocate for a balanced approach – one that upholds the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities,” the Minister said.

    Having a robust Climate Change Coastal Adaptation Response Plan is essential to supporting South Africa’s Operation Phakisa efforts to achieve a sustainable oceans economy. 

    Operation Phakisa aims to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s ocean economy—spanning sectors such as marine transport, aquaculture, tourism, and offshore resources.

    “As climate change increasingly threatens coastal infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods through rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events, adaptation measures ensure that economic activities in the ocean space remain viable and resilient.

    “However, without integrating climate resilience into planning and development, these gains are at risk. The Coastal Adaptation Response provides the necessary framework to manage risks, guide climate-smart investment, and ensure that coastal growth does not come at the cost of long-term sustainability. 

    “Together, these initiatives promote a balanced approach—driving economic development while safeguarding coastal ecosystems and livelihoods against the growing risks of climate change,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: RTMC online platform reaches four million transactions

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Thursday, June 5, 2025

    With more motorists opting for the convenience of online vehicle license renewal, the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) online platform has now reached four million transactions.

    “The increase in online activity since its introduction in February 2022 is a testament of public approval in our innovative initiative aimed at bringing convenience when renewing license discs and assisting motorists to avoid long queues at vehicle licensing centres,” the RTMC said on Thursday.

    These transactions affirm RTMC as the biggest and most reliable online vehicle license platform in the country.  

    RTMC has encouraged motorists to enjoy the benefit of the service by logging on the platform and registering an account in five easy steps using a smart cell phone, laptop or computer.

    To create an account follow these steps:
    •    Visit natis.gov.za;
    •    Click on register;
    •    Select whether you are registering as an individual or business;
    •    Enter your personal details, i.e. identity number, initials and surname. Click next;
    •    Enter your vehicle number plate;
    •    Click next and enter contact details; and
    •    Submit and finish registering.

    “After registration you will be entitled to receive email and SMS reminders when the renewals of your vehicle licence become due. The email reminder will contain a renewal form which you can use to fill in and renew online without hassle,” RTMC said. –SAnews.gov.za
     

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  • MIL-OSI Africa: Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Julie Zollmann, Digital Planet Fellow, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

    Many argue that gig work involves exploitation, as research and media coverage have highlighted. But that doesn’t seem to deter ride hailing drivers on platforms like Uber and Bolt.

    In Kenya, in fact, many new drivers continued to join platforms even as fares were slashed starting in 2016.

    As a PhD student studying the role of digitalisation in development, I spent several years trying to understand how digital drivers experienced the quality of their work. My research found that in 2019, a typical digital driver in Nairobi worked about 58 hours a week and earned well below the minimum wage on an hourly basis. What made this work attractive? Why did drivers stay?

    In a new paper, I draw on a 2019 survey of 450 drivers in Nairobi and 38 subsequent qualitative interviews in Nairobi and Kenya’s second largest ride hailing market, Mombasa, in 2021 that explored drivers’ experiences in detail.

    In addition to measuring working hours and incomes, my survey team asked drivers if they considered their work “dignified”. Nearly eight in ten (78%) of our survey participants said yes. While that specific share of drivers may have changed since then, the underlying reasons drivers found the work dignified remain unchanged.

    In the global north, scholars have rung alarm bells about what “gig work” means for the erosion of standard jobs with legal protections around working hours, minimum wage and other benefits. But the drivers my team and I spoke with in Kenya felt that digital driving was a step towards formalisation rather than a drift away from an ideal formal job. Driving had diginity in contrast to the indignities of low-wage work and the vast informal sector, which was their realistic alternative for making a living.

    My findings highlight that workers’ experiences on global platforms like Uber are not universal and that digitisation may deliver some improvements in work quality relative to informal work in African contexts.

    How did digital work deliver dignity?

    Drivers explained that app companies imposed rules and structure that provided “discipline” in a transport sector more broadly associated with rudeness, unruliness, and disrespect towards passengers. Requirements for things like driving licences, proof of insurance, and ratings seemed to make drivers feel more professional and make passengers see them as such.

    Drivers felt proud to be part of a driver community that behaved professionally under these conditions. A 38-year-old male driver in Nairobi who had been working on the platforms for three years told us:

    We are very respected … Everyone trusts you to carry them. It’s not like the old days, when the taxi driver might rob you and dump you or even kill you. We are getting attraction from the society, even in the slums. They know you are an app driver, and they trust you because app drivers are good people. They know you can deliver, that you will be honest.

    Read more: Zimbabwe’s economy crashed — so how do citizens still cling to myths of urban and economic success?

    On platforms, drivers were matched digitally with riders. Respondents said this brought dignity by ensuring drivers would receive a fairly steady stream of clients. This meant that a driver could rest assured he would earn money every day.

    The alternative was to “hustle” in the informal economy to shake loose opportunities and constantly solicit those who might use their labour and beg for payment after a job was done. Constant solicitation and bargaining were exhausting and degrading.

    One driver explained:

    Most of us are poor. I have never walked out every morning sure that I would do a job. But now I know that if my car has been serviced and my phone is charged and working, I am going to work and not to some charity job. I used to wait at the base all day without getting a customer. Now, ….. at least two, three days are going to be good for you.

    Digital matchmaking also meant that drivers were not limited to serving the few clients they already knew or who happened to pass them at a fixed base. They found themselves serving new parts of the city and carrying important people, including business people, celebrities and local politicians. Serving these high-end customers made them feel proud and important. Wealthy neighbourhoods, luxury hotels and high-end restaurants felt more open to them in otherwise exclusionary and segregated cities.

    Some drivers felt that digitalisation had removed barriers to entry for taxi driving, like paying to join a parking base and building a client list.

    The app did away with parking bases, and about half of drivers joined the system through a “partner”, paying a fixed weekly fee to rent their car instead of buying it themselves.

    In efforts to make rides cheaper, in 2018 app companies in Kenya allowed smaller, less expensive cars on their platforms, lowering costs of ownership. Drivers in our survey showed that both formal and informal financiers were willing to offer loans to digital drivers, knowing they would have regular revenue to service their debt.

    Buying a car was seen as a huge, dignifying accomplishment. One driver in the survey told us:

    Growing up, I thought vehicles were owned only by the rich, but now digital driving has provided a means for me to own one and earn the respect of society.

    David Muteru, then chairman of the Digital Taxi Association of Kenya, echoed this sentiment: “Owning a vehicle, that’s an asset”.

    Dignity not always guaranteed

    The dignifying value of order was only possible when app companies enforced their own rules and did so fairly. Drivers preferred the stringent rule enforcement of one major app over the lax enforcement of another, which made for more stressful and undignified interactions with riders.

    When the rules were enforced, drivers could be sure that the app company would help if a rider refused to pay or if there was a dispute with the client. Drivers felt the stricter environment kept bad actors out.

    Over time, though, app companies slashed prices, competing for market share. Drivers felt less respected by riders who saw them as desperate for money. Low fares pressed drivers to negotiate with riders for offline trips and higher rates, reintroducing the indignity of haggling.

    Lessons for the future

    Digitally mediated work raises many questions about labour standards.

    This research shows how important it is to keep local context in mind. Digital driving is not the same experience for drivers in every context. Where people suffer indignities and deprivations in the informal sector, digitalisation may offer gains. But this potential depends on rule enforcement and pay. Material and subjective dignity are intertwined.

    – Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges
    – https://theconversation.com/kenyas-ride-hailing-drivers-say-their-jobs-offer-dignity-despite-the-challenges-257845

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