Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Africa: Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kevin Kirkman, Professor of Grassland Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa’s rangelands have always had great value for the country. These areas offer more than just grazing for livestock. They provide services like purifying water, storing carbon and conserving biodiversity.

The grassland biome (28%), along with the savanna (32.5%) and the Nama-Karoo (19.5%), are collectively referred to as rangelands. They make up almost 80% of the land area of South Africa.

Their ecological services haven’t always been fully appreciated. Research into rangelands has evolved in response to environmental changes, human needs and scientific discoveries.

Commercial livestock production was the main concern when academics, researchers and practitioners met for the first congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa in 1966. Less than 15% of South Africa’s land surface area is arable. The only agricultural production possible on the balance of the land is livestock production from natural rangeland. Livestock production is thus a cornerstone of agriculture and food production in South Africa.

Six decades on, the Grassland Society has reflected – through a special issue of its journal, the African Journal of Range and Forage Science – on how it has tackled research challenges and adapted to shifting perceptions of rangelands.

Research has explored aspects of global change, bush encroachment and other changes in rangeland composition and function. Land transformation is another research area. Peri-urban sprawl, open-cast mining, timber plantations and other developments reduce and fragment rangeland. The result is increased pressure on the remaining, intact rangelands.

Widening scope

A review of research over the 60 years shows that early efforts focused mainly on forage production to support livestock industries. Research topics included rotational grazing and burning, as well as reinforcing rangelands by adding nutrients, forage grasses and legumes.

By the 1980s, it became clear that rangelands offered more than just grazing – they were vital ecosystems.

Rangelands in southern Africa span diverse climates and landscapes, from arid deserts to moist mountains. Kevin Kirkman, Author provided (no reuse)

In the early 1990s, around the onset of democracy in South Africa, local researchers became part of global conversations around rangeland ecology. In doing so, they started to use the international terminology, instead of the old Dutch-derived word “veld”.

This shift was not just about geography, but about scope. Rangelands were increasingly seen as multifaceted ecosystems critical in the fight against climate change. Increasing temperatures, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and changing rainfall patterns pose a threat to all ecosystems. Understanding the response of rangelands is increasingly important in devising management strategies to adapt to these changes.

Scientists expanded their attention to preserving soil health, restoring degraded landscapes, and maintaining biodiversity. Issues like overgrazing, soil erosion and invasive species gained recognition in southern Africa. Degradation of rangelands in South Africa was first highlighted in the mid 1700s, and became a “mainstream” issue in the 1930s. Replacing a diverse group of wild animals with a single species of grazer, such as cattle, is the reason generally given for degradation. Fire has also been linked to it (often unfairly).

The Grassland Society responded by promoting ideas like adaptive grazing management (making decisions in response to conditions, rather than following a recipe approach). It also encouraged integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific research to create more sustainable and resilient land-use systems. This has helped shape land management practices across the region.

Rangelands are dynamic, especially in the Karoo, where vegetation cover can shift dramatically in response to rainfall and grazing. Justin du Toit, Author provided (no reuse)

Many southern African rangelands face the challenge of balancing grazing with biodiversity conservation. Research on conservation agriculture and integrating livestock and wildlife systems is helping farmers and conservationists to find common ground. Wildlife, both in the conservation and the game production contexts, plays a critical role in South Africa’s economy. Tourism is one of the major contributors.

Land management is particularly important in the Mediterranean-climate regions of South Africa, where poor crop farming practices have damaged soil health. The research is guiding the development of more sustainable farming systems focused on soil regeneration and biodiversity.

A key indicator of ecosystem degradation is a decline in grassland forbs (herbaceous plants that are not grasses). They are highly sensitive to grazing pressure. So the role of wildflowers in ecosystem health and animal wellbeing has also become an important research area.

Climate change, fire suppression and overgrazing drive woody plant encroachment, where grasslands are turning into shrublands. This calls for integrated management approaches that consider fire, grazing and even controlled rewilding.

Fire is a natural element in many grassland ecosystems, and research has helped advance understanding of how it can be monitored and controlled to reduce risks while promoting healthy rangelands.

People and grasslands

Grazing contrast. Justin du Toit

Rangeland management has important social dimensions. Research is addressing issues such as land tenure, governance, community management systems on communal rangelands and indigenous knowledge in management decisions. These topics are essential for creating sustainable solutions that account for people’s livelihoods and needs.

In addition to these ecological, social and management advances, the Grassland Society of Southern Africa has worked to develop the next generation of rangeland scientists and practitioners. Through its congresses, workshops and journal publications, the society continues to foster dialogue across disciplines and communities. Its 60th congress will be held in July 2025.

– Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research
– https://theconversation.com/southern-africas-rangelands-do-many-jobs-from-feeding-cattle-to-storing-carbon-a-review-of-60-years-of-research-254736

MIL OSI Africa –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Forbes, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

Light is all around us, essential for one of our primary senses (sight) as well as life on Earth itself. It underpins many technologies that affect our daily lives, including energy harvesting with solar cells, light-emitting-diode (LED) displays and telecommunications through fibre optic networks.

The smartphone is a great example of the power of light. Inside the box, its electronic functionality works because of quantum mechanics. The front screen is an entirely photonic device: liquid crystals controlling light. The back too: white light-emitting diodes for a flash, and lenses to capture images.

We use the word photonics, and sometimes optics, to capture the harnessing of light for new applications and technologies. Their importance in modern life is celebrated every year on 16 May with the International Day of Light.

Scientists on the African continent, despite the resource constraints they work under, have made notable contributions to photonics research. Some of these have been captured in a recent special issue of the journal Applied Optics. Along with colleagues in this field from Morocco and Senegal, we introduced this collection of papers, which aims to celebrate excellence and show the impact of studies that address continental issues.

A spotlight on photonics in Africa

Africa’s history in formal optics stems back thousands of years, with references to lens design already recorded in ancient Egyptian writings.

In more recent times, Africa has contributed to two Nobel prizes based on optics. Ahmed Zewail (Egyptian born) watched the ultrafast processes in chemistry with lasers (1999, Nobel Prize for Chemistry) and Serge Harouche (Moroccan born) studied the behaviour of individual particles of light, photons (2012, Nobel Prize for Physics).

Unfortunately, the African optics story is one of pockets of excellence. The highlights are as good as anywhere else, but there are too few of them to put the continent on the global optics map. According to a 2020 calculation done for me by the Optical Society of America, based on their journals, Africa contributes less than 1% to worldwide journal publications with optics or photonics as a theme.

Yet there are great opportunities for meeting continental challenges using optics. Examples of areas where Africans can innovate are:
- bridging the digital divide with modern communications infrastructure
- optical imaging and spectroscopy for improvements in agriculture and monitoring climate changes
- harnessing the sun with optical materials for clean energy
- bio-photonics to solve health issues
- quantum technologies for novel forms of communicating, sensing, imaging and computing.
The papers in the special journal issue touch on a diversity of continent-relevant topics.

One is on using optics to communicate across free-space (air) even in bad weather conditions. This light-based solution was tested using weather data from two African cities, Alexandria in Egypt and Setif in Algeria.

Another paper is about tiny quantum sources of quantum entanglement for sensing. The authors used diamond, a gem found in South Africa and more commonly associated with jewellery. Diamond has many flaws, one of which can produce single photons as an output when excited. The single photon output was split into two paths, as if the particle went both left and right at the same time. This is the quirky notion of entanglement, in this case, created with diamonds. If an object is placed in any one path, the entanglement can detect it. Strangely, sometimes the photons take the left-path but the object is in the right-path, yet still it can be detected.

Read more: Quantum entanglement: what it is, and why physicists want to harness it

One contributor proposes a cost-effective method to detect and classify harmful bacteria in water.

New approaches in spectroscopy (studying colour) for detecting cell health; biosensors to monitor salt and glucose levels in blood; and optical tools for food security all play their part in optical applications on the continent.

Another area of African optics research that has important applications is the use of optical fibres for sensing the quality of soil and its structural integrity. Optical fibres are usually associated with communication, but a modern trend is to use the existing optical fibre already laid to sense for small changes in the environment, for instance, as early warning systems for earthquakes. The research shows that conventional fibre can also be used to tell if soil is degrading, either from lack of moisture or some physical shift in structure (weakness or movement). It is an immediately useful tool for agriculture, building on many decades of research.

The diverse range of topics in the collection shows how creative researchers on the continent are in using limited resources for maximum impact. The high orientation towards applications is probably also a sign that African governments want their scientists to work on solutions to real problems rather than purely academic questions. A case in point is South Africa, which has a funded national strategy (SA QuTI) to turn quantum science into quantum technology and train the workforce for a new economy.

Towards a brighter future

For young science students wishing to enter the field, the opportunities are endless. While photonics has no discipline boundaries, most students enter through the fields of physics, engineering, chemistry or the life sciences. Its power lies in the combination of skills, blending theoretical, computational and experimental, that are brought to bear on problems. At a typical photonics conference there are likely to be many more industry participants than academics. That’s a testament to its universal impact in new technologies, and the employment opportunities for students.

The last century was based on electronics and controlling electrons. This century will be dominated by photonics, controlling photons.

Professor Zouheir Sekkat of University Mohamed V, Rabat, and director of the Pole of Optics and Photonics within MAScIR of University Mohamed VI Polytechnic Benguerir, Morocco, contributed to this article.

– Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges
– https://theconversation.com/light-is-the-science-of-the-future-the-africans-using-it-to-solve-local-challenges-256031
MIL OSI Africa –
May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Kevin Kirkman, Professor of Grassland Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa’s rangelands have always had great value for the country. These areas offer more than just grazing for livestock. They provide services like purifying water, storing carbon and conserving biodiversity.

The grassland biome (28%), along with the savanna (32.5%) and the Nama-Karoo (19.5%), are collectively referred to as rangelands. They make up almost 80% of the land area of South Africa.

Their ecological services haven’t always been fully appreciated. Research into rangelands has evolved in response to environmental changes, human needs and scientific discoveries.

Commercial livestock production was the main concern when academics, researchers and practitioners met for the first congress of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa in 1966. Less than 15% of South Africa’s land surface area is arable. The only agricultural production possible on the balance of the land is livestock production from natural rangeland. Livestock production is thus a cornerstone of agriculture and food production in South Africa.

Six decades on, the Grassland Society has reflected – through a special issue of its journal, the African Journal of Range and Forage Science – on how it has tackled research challenges and adapted to shifting perceptions of rangelands.

Research has explored aspects of global change, bush encroachment and other changes in rangeland composition and function. Land transformation is another research area. Peri-urban sprawl, open-cast mining, timber plantations and other developments reduce and fragment rangeland. The result is increased pressure on the remaining, intact rangelands.

Widening scope

A review of research over the 60 years shows that early efforts focused mainly on forage production to support livestock industries. Research topics included rotational grazing and burning, as well as reinforcing rangelands by adding nutrients, forage grasses and legumes.

By the 1980s, it became clear that rangelands offered more than just grazing – they were vital ecosystems.

In the early 1990s, around the onset of democracy in South Africa, local researchers became part of global conversations around rangeland ecology. In doing so, they started to use the international terminology, instead of the old Dutch-derived word “veld”.

This shift was not just about geography, but about scope. Rangelands were increasingly seen as multifaceted ecosystems critical in the fight against climate change. Increasing temperatures, increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and changing rainfall patterns pose a threat to all ecosystems. Understanding the response of rangelands is increasingly important in devising management strategies to adapt to these changes.

Scientists expanded their attention to preserving soil health, restoring degraded landscapes, and maintaining biodiversity. Issues like overgrazing, soil erosion and invasive species gained recognition in southern Africa. Degradation of rangelands in South Africa was first highlighted in the mid 1700s, and became a “mainstream” issue in the 1930s. Replacing a diverse group of wild animals with a single species of grazer, such as cattle, is the reason generally given for degradation. Fire has also been linked to it (often unfairly).

The Grassland Society responded by promoting ideas like adaptive grazing management (making decisions in response to conditions, rather than following a recipe approach). It also encouraged integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific research to create more sustainable and resilient land-use systems. This has helped shape land management practices across the region.

Many southern African rangelands face the challenge of balancing grazing with biodiversity conservation. Research on conservation agriculture and integrating livestock and wildlife systems is helping farmers and conservationists to find common ground. Wildlife, both in the conservation and the game production contexts, plays a critical role in South Africa’s economy. Tourism is one of the major contributors.

Land management is particularly important in the Mediterranean-climate regions of South Africa, where poor crop farming practices have damaged soil health. The research is guiding the development of more sustainable farming systems focused on soil regeneration and biodiversity.

A key indicator of ecosystem degradation is a decline in grassland forbs (herbaceous plants that are not grasses). They are highly sensitive to grazing pressure. So the role of wildflowers in ecosystem health and animal wellbeing has also become an important research area.

Climate change, fire suppression and overgrazing drive woody plant encroachment, where grasslands are turning into shrublands. This calls for integrated management approaches that consider fire, grazing and even controlled rewilding.

Fire is a natural element in many grassland ecosystems, and research has helped advance understanding of how it can be monitored and controlled to reduce risks while promoting healthy rangelands.

People and grasslands

Rangeland management has important social dimensions. Research is addressing issues such as land tenure, governance, community management systems on communal rangelands and indigenous knowledge in management decisions. These topics are essential for creating sustainable solutions that account for people’s livelihoods and needs.

In addition to these ecological, social and management advances, the Grassland Society of Southern Africa has worked to develop the next generation of rangeland scientists and practitioners. Through its congresses, workshops and journal publications, the society continues to foster dialogue across disciplines and communities. Its 60th congress will be held in July 2025.

Kevin Kirkman receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

Helga van der Merwe receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

Craig Morris 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. Southern Africa’s rangelands do many jobs, from feeding cattle to storing carbon: a review of 60 years of research – https://theconversation.com/southern-africas-rangelands-do-many-jobs-from-feeding-cattle-to-storing-carbon-a-review-of-60-years-of-research-254736

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Forbes, Professor, University of the Witwatersrand

Light-based technologies have wide practical applications. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

Light is all around us, essential for one of our primary senses (sight) as well as life on Earth itself. It underpins many technologies that affect our daily lives, including energy harvesting with solar cells, light-emitting-diode (LED) displays and telecommunications through fibre optic networks.

The smartphone is a great example of the power of light. Inside the box, its electronic functionality works because of quantum mechanics. The front screen is an entirely photonic device: liquid crystals controlling light. The back too: white light-emitting diodes for a flash, and lenses to capture images.

We use the word photonics, and sometimes optics, to capture the harnessing of light for new applications and technologies. Their importance in modern life is celebrated every year on 16 May with the International Day of Light.

Scientists on the African continent, despite the resource constraints they work under, have made notable contributions to photonics research. Some of these have been captured in a recent special issue of the journal Applied Optics. Along with colleagues in this field from Morocco and Senegal, we introduced this collection of papers, which aims to celebrate excellence and show the impact of studies that address continental issues.

A spotlight on photonics in Africa

Africa’s history in formal optics stems back thousands of years, with references to lens design already recorded in ancient Egyptian writings.

In more recent times, Africa has contributed to two Nobel prizes based on optics. Ahmed Zewail (Egyptian born) watched the ultrafast processes in chemistry with lasers (1999, Nobel Prize for Chemistry) and Serge Harouche (Moroccan born) studied the behaviour of individual particles of light, photons (2012, Nobel Prize for Physics).

Unfortunately, the African optics story is one of pockets of excellence. The highlights are as good as anywhere else, but there are too few of them to put the continent on the global optics map. According to a 2020 calculation done for me by the Optical Society of America, based on their journals, Africa contributes less than 1% to worldwide journal publications with optics or photonics as a theme.

Yet there are great opportunities for meeting continental challenges using optics. Examples of areas where Africans can innovate are:
- bridging the digital divide with modern communications infrastructure
- optical imaging and spectroscopy for improvements in agriculture and monitoring climate changes
- harnessing the sun with optical materials for clean energy
- bio-photonics to solve health issues
- quantum technologies for novel forms of communicating, sensing, imaging and computing.
The papers in the special journal issue touch on a diversity of continent-relevant topics.

One is on using optics to communicate across free-space (air) even in bad weather conditions. This light-based solution was tested using weather data from two African cities, Alexandria in Egypt and Setif in Algeria.

Another paper is about tiny quantum sources of quantum entanglement for sensing. The authors used diamond, a gem found in South Africa and more commonly associated with jewellery. Diamond has many flaws, one of which can produce single photons as an output when excited. The single photon output was split into two paths, as if the particle went both left and right at the same time. This is the quirky notion of entanglement, in this case, created with diamonds. If an object is placed in any one path, the entanglement can detect it. Strangely, sometimes the photons take the left-path but the object is in the right-path, yet still it can be detected.

Read more:
Quantum entanglement: what it is, and why physicists want to harness it

One contributor proposes a cost-effective method to detect and classify harmful bacteria in water.

New approaches in spectroscopy (studying colour) for detecting cell health; biosensors to monitor salt and glucose levels in blood; and optical tools for food security all play their part in optical applications on the continent.

Another area of African optics research that has important applications is the use of optical fibres for sensing the quality of soil and its structural integrity. Optical fibres are usually associated with communication, but a modern trend is to use the existing optical fibre already laid to sense for small changes in the environment, for instance, as early warning systems for earthquakes. The research shows that conventional fibre can also be used to tell if soil is degrading, either from lack of moisture or some physical shift in structure (weakness or movement). It is an immediately useful tool for agriculture, building on many decades of research.

The diverse range of topics in the collection shows how creative researchers on the continent are in using limited resources for maximum impact. The high orientation towards applications is probably also a sign that African governments want their scientists to work on solutions to real problems rather than purely academic questions. A case in point is South Africa, which has a funded national strategy (SA QuTI) to turn quantum science into quantum technology and train the workforce for a new economy.

Towards a brighter future

For young science students wishing to enter the field, the opportunities are endless. While photonics has no discipline boundaries, most students enter through the fields of physics, engineering, chemistry or the life sciences. Its power lies in the combination of skills, blending theoretical, computational and experimental, that are brought to bear on problems. At a typical photonics conference there are likely to be many more industry participants than academics. That’s a testament to its universal impact in new technologies, and the employment opportunities for students.

The last century was based on electronics and controlling electrons. This century will be dominated by photonics, controlling photons.

Professor Zouheir Sekkat of University Mohamed V, Rabat, and director of the Pole of Optics and Photonics within MAScIR of University Mohamed VI Polytechnic Benguerir, Morocco, contributed to this article.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Light is the science of the future – the Africans using it to solve local challenges – https://theconversation.com/light-is-the-science-of-the-future-the-africans-using-it-to-solve-local-challenges-256031
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preston’s Mayor, Councillor Phil Crowe, bids farewell

Source: City of Preston

14 May 2025

Today, Councillor Philip Crowe, the 696th Mayor of Preston, steps down from his role, making way for Councillor Sue Whittam, who will proudly take on the title of Madam Mayor.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve as Mayor of Preston.”

To mark the occasion, Councillor Crowe will address fellow councillors and guests at the Mayor Making ceremony in the Council Chamber at Preston Town Hall.

Reflecting on his time as Mayor, Councillor Crowe has shared many memorable highlights, from unveiling the Feathers McGraw statue and opening the new Animate Leisure Complex, to meeting famous faces like Nick Park and Paddy McGuinness, and attending the unforgettable Radio 2 in the Park event, where he made a guest appearance on stage in front of thousands with Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox.

Speaking fondly about that weekend, Councillor Crowe said:

“That was brilliant — I was dying to see the Pet Shop Boys. We were taken to this huge tent, filled with screens, surrounded by police, fire and rescue, the ambulance service, and Preston City Council.

“Then the head of security announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the Mayor and Mayoress of Preston,’ and everyone stood up. It was incredible.”

Throughout his mayoral year, Councillor Crowe has championed several charities, including Furniture for Education Worldwide (FEW), Let’s Grow Preston, and Disability Equality North West.

He is especially proud of his ongoing work with FEW in The Gambia.

Reflecting on his time as Mayor, Councillor Crowe said:

“Every day has brought a new highlight. The number of people who volunteer in Preston is phenomenal. In addition to my mayoral duties, I’m also honoured to serve as Honorary President of St Catherine’s Hospice, which alone has more than 600 volunteers.”

Though his mayoral chapter is ending, Councillor Crowe will continue to serve as a councillor and remain committed to supporting his community.

Councillor Crowe added:

“I never imagined becoming a councillor, let alone the Mayor. It’s been an honour and a privilege to represent the city I love.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank Forge Strategic Partnership to Address Fragility and Build Resilience in Africa

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

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have reinforced their strategic partnership to enhance collective efforts in addressing fragility and building resilience across Africa. This commitment follows a high-level technical exchange held from 22-23 April at the Bank headquarters in Abidjan.

The two-day mission brought together senior officials from both institutions to align approaches, share best practices, and strengthen collaboration to address complex challenges– particularly in transition states or experiencing fragility. This meeting builds on previous engagements between the two development institutions, including a 2019 Civil Society deep dive facilitated by the African Development Bank’s Civil Society Division, where key areas for joint action were initially identified.

“This strategic alliance with IsDB reinforces our shared vision of addressing complex challenges in transition states through tailored, context-specific approaches,” said Yero Baldeh, Director of the Transition States Coordination Office at the African Development Bank. “By aligning our methodologies and leveraging our complementary strengths, we can deliver more sustainable solutions in places where development needs are most acute.”

The IsDB delegation was led by Ahmed Berthe, Lead NGO and Civil Society Specialist, and included Esra Sayhi and Abass Kassim, both Senior Fragility and Resilience Specialists.

“Our institutions serve many of the same member countries facing similar challenges,” noted Berthe. “What has impressed us most is the African Development Bank’s shift toward anticipatory action and prevention rather than simply responding to crises. This partnership creates a framework for maximizing our collective impact through coordinated investments, shared knowledge, and aligned strategic priorities.”

The exchange spotlighted the African Development Bank’s Transition Support Facility (TSF), which committed more than $610 million to projects in fragile contexts in 2024. Discussions explored how the TSF’s approach could complement IsDB’s financing tools and create stronger synergies in countries where both institutions operate.

Climate security emerged as a key theme, with both partners recognizing the role of environmental challenges exacerbating fragility, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The partnership will help develop integrated approaches that address immediate needs and build long-term resilience for both institutions.

The exchange also explored ways to harmonize assessment methodologies, coordinate financial instruments, and implement integrated approaches to climate security, with both institutions agreeing to establish a joint technical working group to operationalize the partnership.

“In line with our 2022-2026 Strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience in Africa, this partnership reflects the Bank’s strategic emphasis on building alliances that amplify our development impact,” said Ozong Agborsangaya-Fiteu, Chief Operations Officer at RDTS. “By combining our institutional strengths with IsDB, we’re creating a more powerful platform for advancing resilience where it’s needed most.”

The partnership includes a structured implementation framework scheduled for 2025-2026, in line with the duration of both institutions’ strategies for fragility and resilience. A joint technical working group will operationalize the partnership, ensuring that concrete actions follow this strategic alignment.

This strategic collaboration advances the African Development Bank’s approach to staying engaged in fragile contexts, focusing on prevention rather than crisis response, and building strategic partnerships across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus—all key principles of its fragility and resilience strategy.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2025 Discussions on Common Policies of Member Countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Source: IMF – News in Russian

May 6, 2025

Economic growth continues to be strong in the WAEMU. Inflation has fallen back to its target range, and recent improvements in regional external imbalances are supporting a strong recovery in reserves.
The Council of Ministers has agreed to submit for approval by Heads of State a proposal by the WAEMU Commission for a revised Convergence Pact maintaining the previous fiscal deficit and public debt ceilings of 3 and 70 percent of GDP, respectively.
Rapid adoption of this pact would signal a stronger commitment to debt sustainability and help guide sound fiscal policies. The WAEMU’s institutions should also continue to promote regional integration.

Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the annual discussions on common policies of member countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)[1]. The authorities have consented to the publication of the Staff Report prepared for this consultation.[2]

Economic growth continues to be strong in the WAEMU, with heterogeneity across countries, while inflation has fallen. Economic growth rose above 6 percent in 2024, near the average of the past decade, although gaps in per capita income among member countries have continued to widen due to significant variations in economic growth. After rising above target for much 2024, inflation has also fallen back within its target range since November 2024, due to easing regional food price inflation and an appropriately tight monetary policy. The banking system remains resilient, although it maintains large exposures to regional sovereigns.

Recent progress in reducing the WAEMU’s external imbalances, albeit with notable divergence among members, is supporting a strong recovery in reserves. After widening in 2021-2023, the WAEMU’s current account deficit narrowed significantly in 2024. The Central Bank of West African States’ (BCEAO) response to external reserves pressures has also been broadly appropriate, by tightening monetary policy via raising rates and containing the quantities of liquidity injected into the regional banking system. Reserves rebounded in late 2024 and early 2025, and are back above minimum adequate levels due mainly to windfall revenues from the annual cocoa harvest, high commodity prices, several IMF disbursements, and exports of new hydrocarbon resources in Niger and Senegal. The WAEMU’s external position is assessed to have been moderately weaker than fundamentals and desirable policy settings in 2024.

Public debt ratios have increased significantly and heterogeneously in recent years due to large fiscal deficits and stock-flow adjustments. Ongoing progress in union-wide fiscal consolidation is welcome, although it is proceeding at a slower pace than anticipated mainly because of large data revisions in Senegal. Public debt continued to increase in 2024 beyond the level projected during the previous discussions on common policies, with considerable variation across the WAEMU (and particularly high debt in Senegal). Higher debt issuances are leading to heavier reliance on financing on the regional market, which has limited absorptive capacity and relatively high costs, and could pose a risk to external reserves.

Executive Board Assessment[3]

Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed that the WAEMU is benefitting from strong growth, inflation within the target range, and progress in reducing fiscal and external imbalances, while also noting the significant divergence within the region. Highlighting that the region remains vulnerable to a wide range of shocks, Directors stressed the importance of prudent policies to ensure macroeconomic and financial stability and structural reforms to foster inclusive growth. They looked forward to the Fund’s continued support through tailored policy advice and financial and capacity development assistance.

Directors stressed the importance of a commitment to debt sustainability, grounded in progress towards fiscal consolidation, measures to contain debt‑creating stock‑flow adjustments, and close monitoring of regional financing capacity. In that context, they commended the proposed reintroduction of the WAEMU Convergence Pact with the previous fiscal deficit and debt ceilings and called for its rapid adoption with a well‑designed escape clause, a correction mechanism, and credible enforcement. Fiscal adjustment should be driven by revenue mobilization to protect priority spending. Directors also stressed the importance of transparent and accurate reporting of fiscal data and enhanced debt transparency.

Directors welcomed BCEAO’s tight monetary stance which helped bring inflation back to the target range and support reserves. Directors agreed that monetary policy should continue to be closely calibrated to external buffers and inflation developments, and that a cautious stance remains appropriate until there is a sustained recovery in reserve adequacy.

Directors welcomed the resilience of the financial system but noted that the sovereign‑bank nexus continues to pose risks to financial stability. They encouraged the introduction of macroprudential regulatory measures to help restrain sovereign exposures, and capital surcharges to manage concentration risk. Directors stressed the importance of closely monitoring bank soundness indicators, addressing the remaining FSAP recommendations to strengthen financial stability and deepening, and taking the necessary additional steps to facilitate the removal of WAEMU members currently on the FATF grey list.

Directors agreed that prosperity in the WAEMU will depend on progress on political cohesion, economic integration, and strengthening the regional institutional framework and infrastructure. A planned stabilization fund to support members impacted by idiosyncratic shocks could demonstrate regional solidarity, but contingent liability risks through leveraging should be avoided. Directors welcomed progress on the new fast payment system, which would promote efficiency, inclusion, and regional integration. Policies to diversify the economy and strengthen resilience would also be important.

The views expressed by Executive Directors today will form part of the Article IV consultations with individual member‑countries that take place until the next Board discussion of WAEMU common policies. It is expected that the next regional discussions with the WAEMU authorities will be held on the standard 12‑month cycle.

Table 1. WAEMU: Selected Economic and Social Indicators, 2021–29

Social Indicators
Social Indicators

GDP			Poverty (2021, latest available)
Nominal GDP (2024, millions of US Dollars)	219,784		Headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP, percent of population)								23.1
GDP per capita (2024, US Dollars)	1,447		Undernourishment (percent of population)							12.5

Population characteristics			Inequality (2021, latest available)
Total (2023, millions)	145.3		Income share held by highest 10 percent of population								28.4
Urban population (2023, percent of total)	40.6		Income share held by lowest 20 percent of population								7.7
Life expectancy at birth (2022, years)	61.1		Gini index							35.4


Economic Indicators


	2021	2022	2023	2024		2025	2026	2027	2028	2029
			Act.	SM/24/90. ¹	Est.	Projected

	(Annual Percentage Change)
National income and prices
GDP at constant prices ²	6.2	5.9	5.3	6.8	6.3	6.4	5.8	5.9	6.0	5.9
GDP per capita at constant prices	3.2	2.9	2.4	3.8	3.3	3.4	2.8	2.9	3.0	2.9
Consumer prices (average)	3.6	7.6	3.7	3.2	3.5	2.9	2.3	2.0	2.0	2.0
Terms of trade	-6.3	-12.3	7.9	4.2	12.4	9.3	3.6	-1.3	-1.0	-0.7
Nominal effective exchange rate	1.2	-2.3	6.3	3.5	…	…	…	…	…	…
Real effective exchange rate	1.5	-3.6	3.9	3.0	…	…	…	…	…	…

	(Percent of GDP)
National accounts
Gross national savings	20.4	18.8	18.8	22.4	20.8	21.7	23.1	23.2	23.4	23.8
Gross domestic investment	26.5	28.8	28.7	27.5	26.9	26.2	26.3	26.7	27.3	27.7
Of which: public investment	6.8	7.8	7.7	8.8	6.8	6.7	7.2	7.5	7.8	8.2

	(Annual changes in percent of beginning-of-period broad money)
Money and credit
Net foreign assets	1.7	-7.9	-7.2	0.5	6.1	2.7	2.1	3.2	3.2	2.2
Net domestic assets	16.9	20.7	10.0	12.6	3.4	9.9	10.3	9.9	9.7	10.2
Broad money	18.0	11.4	3.5	12.4	8.9	11.4	12.4	12.8	12.6	12.1
Credit to the economy	8.1	9.0	6.8	6.7	2.7	7.2	7.0	6.6	6.5	6.3

	(Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)
Government financial operations
Government total revenue, excl. grants	16.1	15.8	16.5	17.3	16.6	17.3	17.7	18.2	18.5	18.8
Government expenditure	23.9	24.7	23.8	22.6	22.4	22.0	21.8	21.9	22.2	22.5
Overall fiscal balance, excl. grants	-7.8	-9.0	-7.3	-5.3	-5.8	-4.6	-4.1	-3.7	-3.7	-3.7
Overall fiscal balance, incl. grants	-6.3	-7.8	-6.3	-4.2	-5.2	-3.8	-3.3	-3.0	-3.0	-3.0

External sector
Exports of goods and services ³	20.0	19.6	17.7	21.4	18.8	21.3	21.8	21.4	20.9	20.7
Imports of goods and services ³	25.9	29.7	27.5	26.5	24.6	24.4	23.8	23.4	23.3	23.2
Current account, excl. grants	-6.6	-10.7	-10.2	-5.4	-6.5	-4.9	-3.5	-3.7	-4.1	-4.1
Current account, incl. grants	-5.9	-9.8	-9.5	-4.8	-6.1	-4.5	-3.3	-3.5	-3.9	-3.8
External public debt	36.3	37.0	38.9	36.1	39.9	37.8	36.6	35.5	33.8	32.6
Total public debt	58.5	61.5	64.0	59.6	65.0	63.4	61.9	60.4	58.8	57.5

Broad money	40.7	40.8	39.1	40.6	38.8	39.4	41.0	42.8	44.6	46.3

*Memorandum items:*
Nominal GDP (billions of CFA francs)	100,963	112,343	121,414	131,429	133,227	145,965	157,833	170,313	183,993	198,973
Nominal GDP per capita (US dollars)	1,308	1,259	1,356	1,436	1,446	1,508	1,588	1,663	1,744	1,831
CFA franc per US dollars, average	554.2	622.4	606.5	606.2	…	…	…	…	…	…
Gross international reserves
In months of next year’s imports (of goods and services)	5.0	4.1	3.5	3.5	4.6	4.7	4.8	4.9	5.1	5.2
In percent of current GDP	13.9	10.1	7.8	8.2	10.1	10.0	10.1	10.3	10.6	10.7
In percent of the BCEAO’s sight liabilities	79.7	63.8	56.9	58.1	66.9	67.1	66.5	66.0	66.2	66.0
In millions of US dollars	24,172	18,398	15,764	17,872	21,593	24,165	26,254	28,967	32,156	35,185
Sources: IMF, African Department database; World Economic Outlook; World Bank World Development Indicators; IMF staff estimates and projections.
All projections presented were prepared in April 2025.
¹ Shows data from the IMF Country Report 24/90 issued on March 1, 2024.
² The acceleration in GDP growth in 2024 is due to the start of production of large hydrocarbon projects in Niger and Senegal.
³ Excluding intraregional trade.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Julie Ziegler

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

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/06/pr25130-imf-executive-board-concludes-2025-discussions-common-policies-member-countries-waemu

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Bitter Honey by Lola Akinmade Åkerström explores how mothers carry their histories into their daughters’ lives

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Olumayokun Ogunde, PhD Candidate in English, City St George’s, University of London

In Bitter Honey, novelist Lola Akinmade Åkerström explores the emotional undercurrents of motherhood and daughterhood. The novel reflects on how the past bears down on the present. How mothers carry their histories into their daughters’ lives – often uninvited, sometimes unrecognised.

My research is concerned with narratives that crack open the heart of African motherhood, stories that strive not only to expose pain, but to understand it. Bitter Honey gestures towards this emotional terrain.

One particular line is emblematic of this exploration: “‘When I was your age, I moved to Sweden without my mother. With nobody.’ Tina has heard this story a million times.” It captures both the weariness of inherited trauma and the fragility of the desire for understanding that threads through the novel.

Bitter Honey begins with the promise of protagonist Tina’s rising stardom. Alone in a dressing room, navigating fame and the sudden reappearance of her absentee father, Tina’s story has all the markings of a Bildungsroman (a coming-of-age novel shaped by psychological and moral growth). But the novel’s emotional nucleus is not fame, nor even fatherhood – it’s Tina’s mother, Nancy. Or at least, it wants to be.

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Nancy’s story is one of deep and curdled regret. Akinmade crafts a portrait of a woman who once stood at the cusp of a glamorous new world, having fallen in love with Malik, an ambassador’s son who offers her access to elite circles, state dinners and the Swedish prime minister. But it is Lars, her white Swedish professor, who slowly unpicks the seams of her life.

The novel promises a sense of romantic tension, inviting the reader to feel torn between Malik’s genuine warmth and Lars’s sophistication. But no such ambivalence materialises.

Lars is not charming. He is jealous, controlling and ultimately predatory. Akinmade’s portrayal of Lars makes it clear: he is not a romantic dilemma, he is a colonising force. Nancy’s life with him is one of slow suffocation, and her daughter Tina is born of that rupture.

Throughout the novel, there are subtle allusions and at times more overt depictions of Tina’s struggle with her mixed heritage. However, these moments feel overwritten, particularly in lines such as Tina’s desire to “fully wear her mixed skin”.

While the phrasing may aim for poetic resonance, for me, it comes across as reductive. The metaphor inadvertently simplifies a complex and embodied experience, raising uneasy questions. Can identity be worn? Is it something that can be adorned, removed or chosen at will?

Akinmade appears to be engaging with the constructedness of race and the illusion of agency within African diasporic identity. But Tina’s exploration of these themes lacks depth. There remains a striking incongruity between how she understands herself and how the world perceives her.

At times her lack of critical self-awareness is jarring. Particularly when set against the more richly developed and emotionally layered portrayal of Nancy.

Love and regret

Where Akinmade excels is in her rendering of Nancy. Her character is more vividly drawn, more emotionally accessible than Tina’s. We see her consumed by grief and fear, mothering from a place of survival rather than nurture.

“She would have resisted him. Even if it meant Tobias and Tina vanishing into thin air, never existing.” This is the agonising truth of Nancy’s lifetime: that her children are reminders of her own loss of agency. Her love is knotted with regret.

There’s an urgent question running through Bitter Honey. What does it mean to parent when your life has been violently derailed by structures beyond your control?

This legacy of cultural dislocation is a theme Akinmade touches on but stops short of fully exploring. Nancy, as an immigrant mother, carries a kind of preemptive grief. Her decisions are shaped not just by personal trauma but by a constant anticipation of harm. The immigrant mother often exists in survival mode, where care is expressed not through softness, but vigilance.

“You figured I have no agency without him?” A line Tina delivers in a moment of confrontation typifies the novel’s uneven dialogue. Akinmade at times stumbles into phrasing that feels stilted or overwrought, reducing what could be moments of real emotional depth into awkward exchanges. Yet her broader ambition, to map generational wounds and diasporic complexity, is clear.

The novel’s scope is wide. We move between Sweden and the United States, from the 70s to 2006, witnessing how each locale produces different shades of diasporic identity.

Akinmade is particularly attuned to how Gambian communities shift across contexts – Gambians in Sweden are not like those in London or in New York. This specificity highlights that place informs not only experience but the perception of self.

Ultimately, Bitter Honey is at its most compelling when it slows down, when it allows Nancy’s grief to speak plainly. One of the novel’s most poignant lines arrives when Nancy warns Tina before she signs with an American label that brands her the “Swedish siren”.

“The world gives you your heart’s desires, then violently rips it away from your hands when you’re most vulnerable. Please stay vigilant.” Here, Akinmade captures the cruel irony of diasporic ambition, the way success can echo colonial exploitation, offering visibility at the cost of safety.

Through Tina, the reader is kept at a remove from the raw reality of Nancy. The moments where we begin to glimpse the true texture of her life, her regret, her protectiveness, her survival, are all too fleeting.

What would their lives look like without this fear? This is the novel’s quiet, unanswered question. Are these maternal guardrails protection or shackles? Bitter Honey doesn’t offer a resolution. But in asking, it reveals the aching legacy that mothers like Nancy pass down: not just trauma, but the impossible task of surviving without softness.

Olumayokun Ogunde 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. Bitter Honey by Lola Akinmade Åkerström explores how mothers carry their histories into their daughters’ lives – https://theconversation.com/bitter-honey-by-lola-akinmade-akerstrom-explores-how-mothers-carry-their-histories-into-their-daughters-lives-254527

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI: insightsoftware Unveils New Leadership and Expands Business Unit Model to Accelerate Innovation for the Office of the CFO

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

RALEIGH, N.C., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — insightsoftware, the most comprehensive provider of solutions for the Office of the CFO, recently finalized a strategic realignment into four dedicated business units: ERP Reporting & BI, EPM, Controllership, and Data & Analytics. This new structure mirrors how modern finance teams operate, enabling insightsoftware to align with the evolving needs of CFOs and their organizations. By aligning to key functional areas within the Office of the CFO, the company is deepening its market focus, accelerating AI-powered product innovation, and enhancing the customer experience across its global footprint.

“As we scale and adapt to market demands, we’ve refined our organizational structure to help us move faster and remain close to our customers,” said Mike Sullivan, CEO of insightsoftware. “Expanding to four business units sharpens our focus on innovation, accelerates product development, and creates new opportunities to enhance how we work with customers and partners. Our newly appointed leaders will play a key role in delivering the speed, agility, and insight that today’s CFOs demand.”

As part of this evolution, insightsoftware is also announcing new Executive Leadership Team members:

Jennifer Warawa joins as General Manager of the Controllership business unit. With more than 25 years of experience in the Office of the CFO landscape, Jennifer brings a proven track record of operational excellence and customer-centric product development. Most recently, she served as president of North America at QuickFee, a payment technology platform. Prior to that, she held executive roles at Sage, where she focused on commercial strategy, partner development, and driving innovation across global markets. In her new role, Jennifer will oversee the equity management, lease lifecycle management, and tax reporting solutions, enhancing insightsoftware’s ability to deliver trusted and effective solutions for its customers.

Chad Theule joins insightsoftware as Chief Customer Officer. He is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience in customer success, leadership, and sales. Chad’s background includes serving as Vice President of Go-To-Market success at UKG, where he led initiatives to improve customer outcomes and expand relationships with key partners. At insightsoftware, Chad will focus on enhancing the customer experience, optimizing customer success strategies, and deepening relationships with customers.

Lindsey Paschal has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer. Since joining insightsoftware in 2020, Lindsey has been instrumental in shaping and scaling the Marketing organization, most recently as SVP, Global Growth Marketing. She has been a pillar of the department, leading rapid expansion of the team and helping to realign Marketing with the company’s evolving business unit structure. Previously, Lindsey held leadership positions at Relias, a B2B software company serving healthcare organizations, where she led product marketing teams and stood up a corporate marketing function. As CMO of insightsoftware, she will drive global marketing initiatives, focusing on brand growth, customer engagement, and driving impactful results that push the company toward its strategic objectives.

Finance teams are under immense pressure to make high-stakes decisions with speed and precision. With extensive financial reporting solutions that drive efficiency, ensure compliance, and enhance agility, insightsoftware is empowering teams to build the resilience required to navigate any environment. As insightsoftware continues to scale and innovate, its strategic realignment and leadership appointments strengthen the company’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions and exceptional service to the Office of the CFO.

Learn more about how insightsoftware is redefining the way finance teams operate at insightsoftware.com.

About insightsoftware
insightsoftware is a global provider of comprehensive solutions for the Office of the CFO. We believe an actionable business strategy begins and ends with accessible financial data. With solutions across financial planning and analysis (FP&A), accounting, and operations, we transform how teams operate, empowering leaders to make timely and informed decisions. With data at the heart of everything we do, insightsoftware enables automated processes, delivers trusted insights, boosts predictability, and increases productivity. Learn more at insightsoftware.com.

Media Contacts
Inkhouse for insightsoftware
insightsoftware@inkhouse.com

Daniel Tummeley
Corporate Communications Manager
PR@insightsoftware.com

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press encounter following the Ministerial Meeting on the Future of Peacekeeping

Source: United Nations secretary general

Minister Wadepuhl, Minister Pistorius,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank the Government of Germany for hosting impeccably this important meeting in Berlin.

Germany is a pillar of the multilateral system…

A strong and generous supporter of the United Nations…

And an essential partner in our peacekeeping, peacebuilding and humanitarian assistance efforts — with almost 200 German peacekeepers now serving in our ranks.

I am especially pleased to be here so soon after the new Government took office, and I look forward to building on our partnership in the time ahead.

The commitment of the German government — and the German people themselves — is strongly reflected in this Ministerial meeting on the future of peacekeeping.

As I said in my remarks, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

And nothing symbolizes our organization’s commitment to peace more clearly than our Blue Helmets.

UN Peacekeeping operations are a cornerstone of the United Nations.

Each and every day, peacekeepers are hard at work in trouble spots around the world.

Protecting civilians caught in the line of fire.

Maintaining ceasefires.

Keeping lifesaving humanitarian aid flowing.

And building the foundations of peace in countries shattered by conflict.

Many have paid the ultimate price over the years — 4,400 in all.

Their memories, and their service in the cause of peace, will never be forgotten.

Which is why the commitments being made here today and tomorrow are so important.

I am heartened by the exceptional turn-out of Ministers from across the globe, representing the full range of peacekeeping partners.

Now more than ever we need the political support of UN Member States.

The goal is not just to keep a lid on conflicts — but to build political support for lasting solutions that can build peace.

Over these two days, we welcome Member States’ statements of support for peacekeeping — as well as their pledges of military and police capabilities, new partnerships and technological support.

This meeting is also about something more fundamental:

The future of peacekeeping itself.

Let me be clear.

Peacekeeping operations today are facing massive challenges, increasing the dangers that our brave peacekeepers already face.

A record number of conflicts.

Deepening division and mistrust.

Terrorism and transnational crime.

And the direct targeting of peacekeepers through drones, improvised explosive devices and even social media.

We need to ask some tough questions about the mandates guiding these operations, and what the outcomes and solutions should look like.

Every context is different.

From our operations in Lebanon, the Central African Republic and South Sudan…

To our partnerships with the African Union, made stronger with the Security Council’s resolution to support peace enforcement missions under the AU’s responsibility, supported by the UN, including through assessed contributions…

We are working to adapt, to tailor and to support our missions to the needs and requirements of each context.

Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems.

It is absolutely essential that all Member States respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time.

At the same time, we’re moving forward on an ambitious Review of Peace Operations — including peacekeeping — but also the peace enforcing missions that are becoming more and more neccessary has called for by Member States in September’s Pact for the Future.

We’re examining how to make peace operations more efficient, cost-effective, flexible and resilient — including in contexts where there is no peace to keep.

Today’s Ministerial is an important part of this work as we share ideas, and explore ways to strengthen this important function for the future.

Peacekeepers — and the populations they protect — deserve nothing less.

In their names, I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Germany and all the countries in attendance, for helping us ensure that peacekeeping is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/DR CONGO – Testimony of the forgotten conflict in eastern DRC: The “100 days of liberated Goma”

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 wars

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “Goma, capital of the North Kivu region, two million inhabitants. An occupied city, on its knees. Stretched along the shores of Lake Kivu, caressed by the heat of the Nyiragongo volcano, its beauty and the peace of some thirty years are turning into tears of fear and death.” These are the words that highlight the dramatic testimony sent to Fides from Goma, a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that fell into the hands of the M23 rebels at the end of January. For security reasons, we are publishing it in full, omitting the author’s name: On January 28, after two days of intense fighting between the regular Congolese army, supported by the “Wazalendo” (patriotic militias), against the AFC (Congo River Alliance) and M23 (March 23, an invading rebel group supported by the Rwandan army), the city was once again declared “liberated.” A liberation that left a tragic toll of thousands of innocent civilians dead, many of them in their own homes, built with precarious materials, incapable of offering any shelter. Looting, rape, and abuse perpetrated by armed men from various factions have left deep scars. More than 100 days after the fighting, the wounds remain open, both on the body and in the collective memory of the population. Freedom of expression, human dignity, and the right to life and peace have been brutally violated. Today, the law of terror is imposed at gunpoint and with the blows of batons. The judicial system has collapsed. Instead of courts, detention centers have been set up that, in practice, function as places of torture. Prisons have been emptied—some 3,000 prisoners disappeared during the city’s capture—and trials, when they are held, are summary and improvised, even in the open air. The night has become a nightmare for the most vulnerable neighborhoods. Armed men break into homes to rob and sexually assault. These individuals include former prisoners, former military deserters, militia members, and others, operating anonymously under the cover of darkness. Sometimes, the attackers are captured by neighbors trying to defend the victims; their bodies often appear the next morning, abandoned or even burned. Fear, anger, and the absence of justice fuel a form of mob justice that is faceless and merciless. The search for alleged members of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), accused of participating in the 1994 genocide and now hiding in the neighborhoods of Goma, often serves as a pretext for personal vendettas or ethnic clashes, exacerbating already existing tensions. Arbitrary arrests and disappearances are part of a policy of repression aimed at silencing any dissenting voice. The economic situation is equally critical. The financial system is paralyzed: banks remain closed, preventing the payment of salaries, including those of teachers in affiliated schools. Commerce is at a standstill, and the international airport, vital to the city’s economic life, was bombed during the fighting and is out of service. The promises to keep alive hope for a better future—occupation propaganda comparing the supposedly more effective new “liberation” regime with the corrupt and ineffective old regime in Kinshasa—are numerous; but they fade with each passing day. Many young people, disillusioned with life or desperate with rage, volunteer to enlist in the army of the new masters and fight the regular army of the central government. Solution or illusion? Dying for the sake of dying: it’s worth a try. But the struggle for life has not been broken. The population helps each other in a thousand ways. The tens of thousands of displaced people, whose camps have been dismantled by the new authorities, have found refuge in the homes of friends, relatives, or people of good will. They share the same fears, the same suffering, but also the same hopes. The number of crosses increases, sometimes even invisible, because there is no trace left of the missing. But among the black lava rocks of the Nyiragongo volcano, scattered along the neighborhood roads, flowers are sprouting. With difficulty, because the earth is still soaked with blood. They are flowers with thin stems, but fragrant and colorful: red flowers, the color of the painful tears shed every day; green flowers, of hope and resistance, so that life does not die; flowers that symbolize a new society: the new society of Congo that is being born from the ashes of war. Yes, because life is like the sun: no matter how long and stormy the night, at dawn the sun reappears. (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CAMEROON – One of the hostages captured with Father Valentin Mbaibarem has been released

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Yaoundé (Agenzia Fides) – “A person who was kidnapped along with Father Mbaibarem was released this evening,” Archbishop Faustin Ambassa Ndjodo of Garoua confirmed to Fides. In the Archdiocese of Garoua, in northern Cameroon, Father Valentin Mbaibarem, parish priest of the parish of St. John the Baptist in Madingring, was kidnapped along with other people on the road between Guidjiba and Tcholliré on May 7 (see Fides, 13/5/2025). “We do not know if the family of the released hostage paid a ransom. Unfortunately, another person captured under the same circumstances has died. Apparently, this person was in poor health and could not withstand the conditions of hostage confinement,” Archbishop Ndjodo said. At present, Father Mbaibarem is still in the hands of his kidnappers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 14/5/2025)
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MIL OSI Europe News –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025: Innovative Financing to Unlock Africa’s Energy Potential

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

PARIS, France, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

Africa holds immense energy potential, with more than 125 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 60% of the world’s best solar resources. Yet, the continent continues to struggle with attracting the capital needed to leverage these resources for transformative development. Addressing this paradox, panelists at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris underscored how innovative financing mechanisms can help unlock Africa’s vast energy opportunities.

“There’s a huge amount of financing required to close the financing gap on the continent. It’s quite clear that there’s not enough capital and we need to think about innovative ways to source capital. With the right fiscal regimes, regulatory frameworks and policies, investors will come to invest in the energy sector in Africa,” stated Taiwo Okwor, Vice President: Invest Division and Natural Resources Division at development institution the Africa Finance Corporation.

By utilizing innovative financing tools and regional cooperation mechanisms, Africa will be able to scale investments and reduce risk. Additionally, by leveraging blended finance, de-risking strategies and multilateral partnerships, countries can not only secure capital but bolster energy access at a continental scale. However, challenges will need to be addressed, including lack of investor certainty, regulatory barriers and red tape.

“Investors thrive on predictability,” stated Ibra Ndiaye, Partner: Energy, Industry & Services at professional services network Forvis Mazars. “According to the African Energy Chamber, 45% of investors cite uncertainty in legal frameworks in Africa as a major concern before entering new markets. This ambiguity in regulatory frameworks creates a delay in project implementation.”

To address regulatory challenges and increase energy capacity, there is an urgent need for systemic reform in the continent’s utility companies. Stronger institutions and reforms have emerged as critical drivers for attracting private sector involvement. Panelists noted that many state-owned utilities across Africa are unable to deliver consistent and reliable energy services due to financial instability and poor infrastructure.

“What have we done to improve the quality of utilities going forward? I think 85% of utilities across Africa are technically insolvent and cannot meet the energy needs of Africans,” stated Reginald Max, Senior Advisor for Infrastructure and Independent Power Producers for financial institution the Trade and Development Bank. Max added that until the underlying inefficiencies in energy distribution and cost recovery are addressed, investor confidence will remain weak.

Another core issue raised was the necessity of implementing cost-reflective tariffs. Tariff policies in many countries have kept electricity prices artificially low, discouraging private investment and further burdening state utilities.

“The key is cost-reflective tariffs,” stated Liz Williamson, Head of Energy Corporate Finance at investment banking firm Rand Merchant Bank, adding, “We need the political will to go through the pain to get to cost-reflective tariffs. This could make a big difference in terms of liability.”

As the session concluded, the panelists emphasized that while the continent faces considerable hurdles, the combination of its resource wealth and growing investor interest presents a promising path forward – if governments and stakeholders can align on reform, innovation and regional integration.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 15, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Embrace the process: Master Sgt. Preston Lewis Reflects on service, leadership, legacy at African Lion 2025

Source: United States Army

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a picture during African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Agadir, Morocco on May 8, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) VIEW ORIGINAL

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

AGADIR, Morocco – On the surface, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis’s role in African Lion 2025 (AL25) might seem procedural—coordinating accountability, awards and human resource (HR) operations across four countries, including 50 multinational partner nations. But behind the spreadsheets, manifests and morning reports is a leader nearing the end of a 20-year journey through some of the most defining environments in the modern U.S. Army.

For Lewis, currently serving as the Plans, Operations and Personnel Accountability (G1) noncommissioned officer in charge (NCOIC) for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), AL25 has been both a capstone assignment and a full-circle reflection of what service means.

“I was assigned to assist in human resource operations, particularly personnel accountability for the entire area of responsibility,” Lewis said. “This is my first time supporting African Lion, and it’s been a great experience—setting the HR conditions and procedures across all spokes of the exercise.”

A global career, rooted in purpose

Lewis enlisted from Akron, Ohio, in 2005, beginning a career that would span the globe and multiple operational domains. From fueling helicopters in Korea, to serving as a gunner in Iraq, an inspector general at Fort Knox, and now a senior HR planner in Italy—his breadth of assignments reflects a generation of service shaped by war, reform and transformation.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo during African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Agadir, Morocco, May 8, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett) VIEW ORIGINAL

“I’ve been fortunate to serve all over the world,” Lewis said. “I’ve deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan, and Atlantic Resolve-Poland. I’ve served as a fueler, a drill sergeant and now as an HR professional. It’s been a journey.”

He joined SETAF-AF in April 2023 after serving as an inspector general with U.S. Army Cadet Command, then quickly integrated into one of the most operationally agile staff directorates in the theater. At AL25, his work enabled the personnel functions that make a 10,000-troop, 50-nation exercise succeed: accountability, essential personnel services and award recognition planning.

“Success for the G1 team during AL25 is 100% accountability, timely and accurate HR support and appropriate awards recognition,” he said. “And that’s a team effort—from my leadership to our junior NCOs [noncommissioned officers].”

Interoperability through friction

In a joint and multinational environment, personnel accountability is not just a checklist; it is a dynamic, evolving challenge. Working alongside units like the 646th Regional Support Group, U.S. Army Reserve unit under the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, and coordinating across language and procedural barriers, Lewis and his team had to balance doctrinal processes with real-world adaptability.

“Interoperability is a daily goal, but the friction it creates is also where the most meaningful growth happens,” he said. “It forces you to communicate better, plan tighter and adjust faster.”

He credited U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bridgette Bell, G1 division chief, SETAF-AF, and Staff Sgt. Alessandra Johnson, an HR operations NCO with the same unit, for creating an environment where clarity and initiative are standard.

Leadership, legacy and the long view

For Lewis, who will soon transition to serve as the brigade human resources NCOIC for the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, the pace has not slowed. But he is increasingly aware of his next chapter, especially as he watches his son, a newly minted geospatial engineer, begin his own Army career.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Preston Lewis, right, stands proudly beside his son, Pfc.Tristin D. Griffin, following Griffin’s Advanced Individual Training graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, April 16, 2025. The moment marked a generational milestone as one Soldier nears the end of a 20-year career, and another begins his own journey in uniform. The image accompanies Lewis’ African Lion 2025 (AL25) feature story on leadership, legacy and service. African Lion 25 (AL25), the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (Courtesy photo) (Photo Credit: SETAF Africa) VIEW ORIGINAL

“My son just graduated AIT [advanced individual training] and wants to become a warrant officer,” he shared proudly. “At the same time, my daughter was inducted into the National Honor Society at Vicenza High School. Seeing them grow reminds me that I’m at the point where legacy matters.”

That legacy is shared closely with his wife, Teresha, who also serves in the SETAF-AF community as a human resources specialist, Civilian Personnel Division. Together, they have raised a family and built a life anchored in purpose, service and resilience.

“Preston is the kind of leader who shows up for his people, even when no one’s watching.” said Teresha. “He’s devoted to his team, to our family, and to building something that lasts beyond the uniform.”

To those who wear a military uniform, including his children, he gives the following advice.

“Embrace the process. We live in a world of instant gratification, but the journey is the gift,” he said. “The most valuable lessons I’ve learned have come through struggle, reflection and the grind.”

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

Follow SETAF-AF on:

Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS

MIL OSI USA News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Angola Entry via Strategic Partnership with Corcel plc Investment in KON-16 Onshore Kwanza Basin

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (“Sintana” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the formation of a strategic partnership with Corcel, plc (AIM: CRCL) (“Corcel”) focused initially on opportunities in Angola.

Specifically, Sintana and Corcel have entered into an agreement which provides for Sintana’s acquisition of an indirect 5% net interest in KON-16 located in the onshore Kwanza Basin in Angola. Sintana will acquire its interest through the acquisition of a 5.88% equity stake in a newly formed Special Purpose Vehicle (“SPV”) that will hold Corcel’s consolidated 85% gross interest in KON-16. Additionally, Sintana will receive a future 2.5% Net Profits Interest (“NPI”) on Corcel’s interest in KON-16 of up to $50,000,000, after which the NPI reduces to 1.5%. The consideration for the transaction is a total of US$2.5MM payable by way of an initial US$500,000 deposit and a balance of payment at closing, which is subject to entry into definitive documents and other completion conditions expected to occur in Q3 2025.

KON-16 represents one of the most exciting opportunities in the onshore Kwanza Basin with a history of successful exploration establishing petroleum systems in both post- and pre-salt intervals. KON-16 has multiple exploration opportunities, including a large, multi-target prospect whose primary targets contain estimated unrisked volumes of several hundred million barrels of recoverable oil.

Corcel and Sintana have also executed a Joint Study and Bid Agreement establishing an alliance to evaluate and pursue oil and gas exploration and production opportunities in Angola. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly collaborate on the identification and review of new opportunities. Participation in any specific opportunity is voluntary and subject to unanimous agreement on commercial and other bid terms.

“Our emerging partnership with Corcel is emblematic of our strategy to work with best-in-class partners and deploy high impact capital that brings us exposure to large potential resource outcomes that require little additional capital,” said Robert Bose, CEO of Sintana. “We look forward to the expansion of our West African conjugate margin exposure through our acquisition of an interest in KON-16, one of the most promising blocks in a proven, underexplored basin,” he added.

ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY:

The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on six large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombia’s Magdalena Basin.

On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc.,

“A. Robert Bose”
Chief Executive Officer

For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintana’s projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Company’s website at www.sintanaenergy.com

Corporate Contacts:		Investor Relations Advisor:
Robert Bose	Sean Austin	Jonathan Paterson
Chief Executive Officer	Vice-President	Founder & Managing Partner
212-201-4125	713-825-9591	Harbor Access 475-477-9401

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighbouring properties, statements as to the future prospectivity of KON-16, the closing of the proposed transaction with Corcel as presently proposed or at all, the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, as well as the prospective nature of the Company’s property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Company’s public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56e0d936-7e4d-49ce-8408-a41979ca8677

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amy Kahn, Research Specialist at the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, Human Sciences Research Council

South Africa’s innovation fund, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2025 state of the nation address, was a response to the country’s urgent need for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Evidence from South Africa shows that public financial support for innovation influences the investment that businesses make in innovation.

The fund will focus on providing venture capital to tech start-ups from higher education institutions. In practice, its activities will complement several programmes that offer different forms of investment for innovation. These include the long-standing research and development tax incentives; the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund; and the SA SME Fund.

For these programmes to be effective, it’s important to understand the factors that either prohibit or enable innovation activity and innovation in businesses.

The South African Business Innovation Survey provides unique data on innovation activity and performance in the industry and services sectors. It’s performed over a three-year cycle by the Human Sciences Research Council’s Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Analysis of data from 2019-2021 provides important evidence for designing effective innovation policy support.

A key finding of the survey was that 62% of South African businesses carried out innovation activities between 2019 and 2021. This was noticeably lower than in the previous (2014-2016) survey round, when the rate was 70%. The reason might be the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses said that they had to make changes to their existing innovation activities between 2019 and 2021.

It is expected that the innovation-active rate may rise again in the next round. (Data for the 2022-2024 reference period will be collected in 2025.)

These results show that support for businesses is more pressing during times of economic crisis. It allows them to adapt and mitigate the negative impacts on their innovation projects.

South Africa’s business innovation picture

Less than two-thirds of South African businesses were innovation-active during 2019-2021. In addition, a significant proportion had innovation activities that did not result in product or process innovations.

An innovation-active business is one that undertakes activities intended to result in an innovation. Examples include research and experimental development, training or acquiring new equipment or machinery.

An innovation can be a new or improved product (including goods or services), introduced to the market. Or it can be a new or improved business process, implemented by the business.

Businesses that are innovation-active make a greater contribution to the economy and society compared with businesses that don’t innovate. The most recent Business Innovation Survey found that the computer sector had the highest proportion of businesses with innovation activities. It also found that innovation-active businesses had more skilled labour and greater access to external knowledge than other businesses.

Building human capabilities was an important component of innovation activity. Nearly half (47%) of innovation-active businesses reported training as an activity.

Businesses that did not carry out formal innovation activities (such as R&D or patenting), and did not collaborate with other institutions, were most likely to have abandoned or not completed their innovation activities.

Innovations tended to be incremental rather than radical. More businesses with product innovations reported improving existing goods and services rather than making new goods and services available to their customers. Only 10% of product innovators had “new to the world” innovations. Just over 50% had innovations that were new to their business only.

Innovation-active businesses were more likely to sell their goods and services in international markets. Businesses with novel product innovations that were attractive to international markets were likely to be from the technical sectors and acquired more intellectual property rights.

Over a third (36%) of innovative businesses considered the high costs of innovating to be highly important. Competition and the dominance of established businesses were also commonly cited barriers. Just over 40% of businesses that operated in domestic markets only, and innovated by modifying existing products from elsewhere, had more than 50 competitors. Businesses that introduced new-to-market (more novel) products faced less competition.

Innovation has two types of social effects. New goods or services can affect the lives of consumers and end users; and the innovation that happens within a business can have positive impacts on employees.

The survey revealed both effects. The most important outcomes of innovations were improved working conditions, improved quality of goods and services, and improved quality of life and well-being.

Growing South Africa’s innovation economy

Encouraging innovation requires targeted incentives for business. But can the precision of the support be improved?

We make a number of recommendations:
- Support mechanisms, including funding, should be tailored for different targets. This can be done by grouping businesses according to the types of activities they undertake to innovate.
- Businesses should also be grouped according to their R&D and collaboration activities. That makes it possible to design more targeted support mechanisms.
For example, we recommend that businesses that perform R&D and that collaborate with others require interventions to support those activities.
- Improve South Africa’s R&D as a proportion of its GDP. At the moment it is too low. Countries that innovate with a healthy ratio of gross domestic expenditure on R&D have delivered robust economic growth. Government can promote business R&D through policy tools like tax incentives.
- Policy instruments for businesses that do not perform R&D or collaborate should encourage knowledge-intensive innovation and building interactive capabilities.
- Group businesses based on their innovation outcomes to help design more tailored support. We suggest several examples of policy interventions based on the novelty of innovations, market reach, and the ability of businesses to develop innovations in-house.
Finally, policymakers should recognise that most businesses aren’t able to produce radical innovations. Support should rather help them take smaller innovative steps.

Gerard Ralphs and Katharine McKenzie contributed to the research for this article.

The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) receives funding from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) to conduct the Business Innovation Survey (BIS). Amy Kahn is the project manager of the BIS.

– ref. South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters – https://theconversation.com/south-african-companies-arent-innovating-enough-why-support-during-tough-economic-times-matters-253881
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on May 8th, 2025 2025-05-14 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on March 8th, 2025.

Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

On the afternoon of May 8th, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), answered recent media queries concerning the military.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on May 8th, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

Zhang Xiaogang: I have two pieces of information to announce on the top.

Firstly, in mid-to-late May, the Chinese and Cambodian militaries will hold the “Golden Dragon-2025” joint exercise in Cambodia. Focusing on joint counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, the exercise will be conducted both on land and at sea, as well as in relevant air spaces. Cultural and sports exchanges, and vessel open day activities will also be conducted. This exercise will be the 7th of its kind between the Chinese and Cambodian militaries. It will facilitate practical cooperation between the two sides and contribute to the building of a China-Cambodia all-weather community with a shared future for the new era.

Secondly, from May 13th to 14th, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense will host the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Military Medicine Seminar in Xi’an. Under the theme of “Building an SCO Community with a Shared Future: Contributions from Military Medicine”, leaders of military health departments and medical experts from countries including Russia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka will attend the event. As the rotating presidency of the SCO this year, China will host multiple events including the SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting and the Military Medicine Seminar, and actively contribute to building a closer SCO Community with a Shared Future.

Journalist: It is reported that the “Eagles of Civilization-2025” joint air force training between China and Egypt has recently concluded. Could you please review this joint training and brief us on its features?

Zhang Xiaogang: From April 17th to May 4th, the air forces of China and Egypt held the first “Eagles of Civilization-2025” joint training at an Egyptian air force base. The Chinese Air Force dispatched J-10C, KJ-500 and YY-20 aircraft to participate. This was the first time that China sent force packages to Africa for joint training, during which the two sides conducted drills on such subjects as air superiority operations, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), battlefield search and rescue, and mixed grouping. Discussions and exchanges on training models, air combat tactics and aerial refueling were also held. This joint training marks a new starting point for the cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries. It enhanced the technical and tactical competence of the participating troops, and deepened friendship, mutual trust, and practical cooperation between the two militaries. It is also an effective test of the Chinese Air Force’s capabilities in long-range force projection, agile deployment and systemic operations.

(Video by Yu Hongchun, Jia Chong and Li Kangxi)

Journalist: NATO recently released its annual report, labeling China as a “systemic challenge” and claiming that the country is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal and that its policies pose a threat to the interests, security, and values of NATO member states. What’s your comment on that?

Zhang Xiaogang: The relevant report by NATO reflects nothing but the Cold War mentality. The hype-up of the so-called “China threat” is in blatant disregard of the facts and simply barking up the wrong tree. China never seeks to challenge or threaten anyone. China’s nuclear policy is highly stable, consistent, and predictable. China unswervingly follows a nuclear strategy of self-defense, with its nuclear forces always kept at the minimum level required for national security.

In contrast, NATO has been overreaching in recent years, expanding its remit, and interfering in the Asia-Pacific. These actions seriously undermine regional peace and stability. NATO possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal through its nuclear-sharing arrangements. Some member states are investing heavily in upgrading their strategic forces and there are plans to pursue nuclear submarine cooperation that would involve the large-scale transfer of weapon-grade nuclear material to non-nuclear-weapon states. Relevant practices constitute a grave violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), severely undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system, and deal a huge blow to global strategic security and stability. We urge NATO to take a hard look at its own actions instead of making groundless accusations and shifting blame onto others.

Journalist: It is reported that during the Philippine-U.S. “Balikatan” exercise, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong appeared in the waters north of the Philippines. Some analysts believe this might be a response to the Philippine-U.S. military exercise, or to the Philippine patrol vessel’s entering into the waters near Huangyan Dao. Furthermore, the Philippine Navy spokesperson claimed that the Philippine military and Taiwan troops are only one step away from holding joint exercises. What is your comment on this?

Zhang Xiaogang: The Shandong aircraft carrier task group was conducting its annual training mission in relevant waters to further test and enhance the integrated combat capabilities of the carrier task group. This is in accordance with international law and common practice, and is not directed at any specific country or target.

Certain individuals in the Philippines are colluding with external forces such as the U.S., to “stir up the sea” for selfish gains, undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea region. They even attempt to play with fire on the Taiwan question. We sternly warn the Philippine side to cease its infringements and provocations, and stop offending China’s core interest in any form. China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), answers recent media queries concerning the military on May 8th, 2025. (mod.gov.cn/Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

Journalist: According to reports, the US Secretary of Defense has directed the development of the 2025 National Defense Strategy (NDS), with a particular focus on strengthening deterrence against China in the Indo-Pacific region. Besides, the US military also plans to establish a large storage facility in Subic Bay, the Philippines before 2026, to store weapons, equipment, and logistical supplies. What’s your comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: To maintain its hegemony and selfish gains, the US has repeatedly made an issue out of China in a vain attempt to turn the Asia-Pacific into a powder keg and reduce certain countries to pawns on the front line. Such actions seriously undermine the security and well-being of peoples across the region. Facts have repeatedly proved that being America’s enemy is dangerous, but being America’s friend can be fatal. We urge the countries concerned not to invite the wolf into the house or willingly become its pawns, and not to undermine the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

MIL OSI China News –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Rania El Rafie Appointed to Jury Panel of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards 2025/2026

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

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

APO Group (https://APO-opa.com) is proud to announce that Rania El Rafie, Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, has been appointed to the Jury Panel for the 2025/2026 editions of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards, an initiative recognising groundbreaking contributions and leadership by women across the African sports ecosystem.

Organised by Africa Sports Ventures Group (ASVG) and the Women Sports Africa Network (WSAN), the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards honour outstanding female leaders, athletes, executives, and changemakers who are reshaping the African sports landscape. The esteemed Jury Panel features professionals from across the continent and the diaspora, including Albert Kyei Frimpong, President of WBSC Africa and Board Member of the Confederation of African Olympic Sports Associations (CASOL), and Dr. Maha Zaoui, an experienced sports management expert currently serving as General Manager of Rugby Africa.

“I’m honoured to be considered for the Jury Panel of the 50 Most Influential African Women in Sports Awards for 2025 and 2026,” said El Rafie. “This platform plays a vital role in amplifying the voices and achievements of women shaping the future of African sport, and I’m proud to contribute to that mission.”

El Rafie is a seasoned public relations executive with over 22 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East. Based in Cairo, Egypt, she currently serves as Vice President of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at APO Group, where she became the first and youngest person internally promoted to this executive role in January 2024. She has led award-winning campaigns recognised by SABRE Awards, Brands Review Magazine, and World Business Outlook, and was recently awarded a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 category, and was recognised as one of Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.

Her experience in sports communication spans the NFL, Basketball Africa League, International Olympic Committee (IOC), and FIFA. She has also driven pan-African communications strategy for major brands such as Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, and Afreximbank. With a degree in Business Administration from the American University in Dubai, Rania brings strategic insight, media expertise, and a passion for sports and empowerment to the jury’s mission.

The announcement coincides with the official launch of the Awards’ new digital platform – (https://apo-opa.co/3SxXj9A) – a hub dedicated to honouring and celebrating the achievements of African women in sports. The site will serve as the central point for information, nominations, and public engagement in the lead-up to the 2025 Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on 31 July 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. All nominations will be reviewed by an independent Selection Committee.

This joint initiative marks a landmark moment for African women in sports, aiming to increase visibility, recognition, and opportunities across administration, business, media, technology, and athletics.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mauritania Shifts to Private Power with 550 Megawatt (MW) Gas Plant, Bids to Start Within Weeks

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

PARIS, France, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

Mauritania is accelerating its shift toward a fully privatized power generation model, with bids due in the next two to three weeks for a new independent power plant tied to the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. The country’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mohamed Ould Khaled, made the announcement at the Invest in African Energy 2025 Forum in Paris on Tuesday.

“All new power generation projects in Mauritania will be private. State-owned companies will no longer be involved in power generation,” said the Minister. He added that two projects currently being developed as IPPs will be fueled by domestic gas and will contribute a combined 550 MW to the national grid over the next couple of years.

The power sector reform is part of a wider transformation aimed at enabling Mauritania to harness its significant gas and renewable energy resources to power industrialization, expand electricity access and drive inclusive growth.

“We want to develop large-scale natural gas and renewable energy resources. We want to expand affordable, clean power access to our people and industries and power inclusive economic growth, especially to unleash our mining potential.”

Mauritania currently has 57% energy access and aims to achieve full national coverage by 2030, according to the Minister. Gas from the GTA project – shared with Senegal – will play a central role in this transition, supplying enough fuel for a 250 MW combined-cycle power plant in each country during the project’s first phase, he said.

The Minister described Mauritania as uniquely positioned for energy leadership on the continent and beyond, citing its combination of gas, solar, wind and strategic proximity to Europe. He also highlighted Mauritania’s position as the African leader in green hydrogen project development, backed by newly modernized regulatory frameworks.

“Mauritania holds the largest pipeline of green hydrogen projects in Africa, which are designed not only to export molecules, but to catalyze industrialization in Mauritania and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. We have the potential to produce 12 million tons of green hydrogen production per year, with wind speeds of 10 meters per second and amazing solar.”

“To support this transformation, we have completely modernized our framework,” the Minister continued. “We have opened up the electricity sector to private investments, introduced a new local content policy, and implemented new PPP and investment codes. Additionally, we have launched Africa’s first green hydrogen code, which provides clarity and long-term stability for investors.”

Looking ahead, Mauritania’s integrated energy vision includes the expanded development of the BirAllah gas field – another major deepwater discovery – along with subsequent phases of the GTA project to reach 10 million tons of LNG per year, cross-border electricity trade with neighboring countries and further development of its mining sector.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amy Kahn, Research Specialist at the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, Human Sciences Research Council

South Africa’s innovation fund, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the 2025 state of the nation address, was a response to the country’s urgent need for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Evidence from South Africa shows that public financial support for innovation influences the investment that businesses make in innovation.

The fund will focus on providing venture capital to tech start-ups from higher education institutions. In practice, its activities will complement several programmes that offer different forms of investment for innovation. These include the long-standing research and development tax incentives; the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund; and the SA SME Fund.

For these programmes to be effective, it’s important to understand the factors that either prohibit or enable innovation activity and innovation in businesses.

The South African Business Innovation Survey provides unique data on innovation activity and performance in the industry and services sectors. It’s performed over a three-year cycle by the Human Sciences Research Council’s Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators for the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Analysis of data from 2019-2021 provides important evidence for designing effective innovation policy support.

A key finding of the survey was that 62% of South African businesses carried out innovation activities between 2019 and 2021. This was noticeably lower than in the previous (2014-2016) survey round, when the rate was 70%. The reason might be the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses said that they had to make changes to their existing innovation activities between 2019 and 2021.

It is expected that the innovation-active rate may rise again in the next round. (Data for the 2022-2024 reference period will be collected in 2025.)

These results show that support for businesses is more pressing during times of economic crisis. It allows them to adapt and mitigate the negative impacts on their innovation projects.

South Africa’s business innovation picture

Less than two-thirds of South African businesses were innovation-active during 2019-2021. In addition, a significant proportion had innovation activities that did not result in product or process innovations.

An innovation-active business is one that undertakes activities intended to result in an innovation. Examples include research and experimental development, training or acquiring new equipment or machinery.

An innovation can be a new or improved product (including goods or services), introduced to the market. Or it can be a new or improved business process, implemented by the business.

Businesses that are innovation-active make a greater contribution to the economy and society compared with businesses that don’t innovate. The most recent Business Innovation Survey found that the computer sector had the highest proportion of businesses with innovation activities. It also found that innovation-active businesses had more skilled labour and greater access to external knowledge than other businesses.

Building human capabilities was an important component of innovation activity. Nearly half (47%) of innovation-active businesses reported training as an activity.

Businesses that did not carry out formal innovation activities (such as R&D or patenting), and did not collaborate with other institutions, were most likely to have abandoned or not completed their innovation activities.

Innovations tended to be incremental rather than radical. More businesses with product innovations reported improving existing goods and services rather than making new goods and services available to their customers. Only 10% of product innovators had “new to the world” innovations. Just over 50% had innovations that were new to their business only.

Innovation-active businesses were more likely to sell their goods and services in international markets. Businesses with novel product innovations that were attractive to international markets were likely to be from the technical sectors and acquired more intellectual property rights.

Over a third (36%) of innovative businesses considered the high costs of innovating to be highly important. Competition and the dominance of established businesses were also commonly cited barriers. Just over 40% of businesses that operated in domestic markets only, and innovated by modifying existing products from elsewhere, had more than 50 competitors. Businesses that introduced new-to-market (more novel) products faced less competition.

Innovation has two types of social effects. New goods or services can affect the lives of consumers and end users; and the innovation that happens within a business can have positive impacts on employees.

The survey revealed both effects. The most important outcomes of innovations were improved working conditions, improved quality of goods and services, and improved quality of life and well-being.

Growing South Africa’s innovation economy

Encouraging innovation requires targeted incentives for business. But can the precision of the support be improved?

We make a number of recommendations:
- Support mechanisms, including funding, should be tailored for different targets. This can be done by grouping businesses according to the types of activities they undertake to innovate.
- Businesses should also be grouped according to their R&D and collaboration activities. That makes it possible to design more targeted support mechanisms.
For example, we recommend that businesses that perform R&D and that collaborate with others require interventions to support those activities.
- Improve South Africa’s R&D as a proportion of its GDP. At the moment it is too low. Countries that innovate with a healthy ratio of gross domestic expenditure on R&D have delivered robust economic growth. Government can promote business R&D through policy tools like tax incentives.
- Policy instruments for businesses that do not perform R&D or collaborate should encourage knowledge-intensive innovation and building interactive capabilities.
- Group businesses based on their innovation outcomes to help design more tailored support. We suggest several examples of policy interventions based on the novelty of innovations, market reach, and the ability of businesses to develop innovations in-house.
Finally, policymakers should recognise that most businesses aren’t able to produce radical innovations. Support should rather help them take smaller innovative steps.

Gerard Ralphs and Katharine McKenzie contributed to the research for this article.

– South African companies aren’t innovating enough: why support during tough economic times matters
– https://theconversation.com/south-african-companies-arent-innovating-enough-why-support-during-tough-economic-times-matters-253881

MIL OSI Africa –
May 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Orezone Gold Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone” or “Company”) is pleased to report its operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2025. All dollar amounts are in USD unless otherwise indicated and abbreviation “M” means million.

First Quarter 2025 Highlights

Gold production of 28,688 oz
AISC per oz sold of $1,415
Revenue of $82.7M from the sale of 28,943 gold oz at an average realized price of $2,851 per oz
Adjusted EBITDA of $44.2M, Adjusted Earnings attributable to Orezone shareholders of $18.7M, and Adjusted Earnings per Share attributable to Orezone shareholders of $0.04
Liquidity of $130.9M at March 31, 2025 with cash of $102.0M and undrawn senior debt of $28.9M.
Stage 1 of the hard rock expansion reached 45% completion and remains on track for first gold in Q4-2025
Advancing work towards a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) by mid-2025

Patrick Downey, President and CEO, commented “The first quarter of 2025 marked another consecutive quarter of positive net earnings and free cash flow, driven by our unhedged exposure to rising gold prices. Production and costs were in line with expectations with annual guidance being maintained. Cash reached a record $102 million at March 31, 2025, providing the Company with significant financial flexibility in pursuing its strategy of expanding gold production at our Bomboré Mine.

Construction of stage 1 of the hard rock expansion made excellent progress in Q1-2025 with project completion hitting 45%. We remain firmly on track for first gold by Q4-2025 which will scale forecasted gold production to over 170,000 oz per year.

We are also well advanced in our ASX listing application and expect that to be completed later in mid-2025. The recent equity financing was well supported by several key Australian mining funds and by our cornerstone investor, Nioko Resources Corporation, through their pro-rata participation. These financings added over $32 million to the Company’s treasury and have provided us the opportunity to study the merits of fast-tracking stage 2 of the hard rock expansion to increase annual production to over 220,000 oz and to upsize our 2025 discovery-focus drill program. The Company expects to announce a Board-approved final investment decision on stage 2 in the coming months.”

Highlights for the First Quarter and Significant Subsequent Events

(All mine site figures on a 100% basis)		Q1-2025	Q1-2024
Operating Performance
Gold production	oz	28,688	30,139
Gold sales	oz	28,943	31,229
Average realized gold price	$/oz	2,851	2,066
Cash costs per gold ounce sold¹	$/oz	1,226	1,127
All-in sustaining costs¹ (“AISC”) per gold ounce sold	$/oz	1,415	1,324
Financial Performance
Revenue	$000’s	82,715	64,685
Earnings from mine operations	$000’s	38,563	26,882
Net earnings attributable to shareholders of Orezone	$000’s	15,979	11,697
Net earnings per common share attributable to shareholders of Orezone
Basic	$	0.03	0.03
Diluted	$	0.03	0.03
EBITDA¹	$000’s	41,182	30,329
Adjusted EBITDA¹	$000’s	44,194	25,928
Adjusted earnings attributable to shareholders of Orezone¹	$000’s	18,690	7,736
Adjusted earnings per share attributable to shareholders of Orezone¹	$	0.04	0.02
Cash and Cash Flow Data
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital	$000’s	39,986	26,485
Operating cash flow	$000’s	27,704	13,637
Free cash flow¹	$000’s	3,682	2,013
Cash, end of period	$000’s	102,016	15,597

¹ Cash costs, AISC, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings, Adjusted earnings per share, and Free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional information.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Safety Performance: Safety milestone of 20 million hours worked without a lost-time injury at the Bomboré Mine was achieved in March 2025 demonstrating the Company’s strong commitment to worker safety. In Q1-2025, 1.4M hours were worked without a lost-time injury and at a low total recordable injury frequency rate of 0.74 per million man hours. Sadly, an incident resulting in the death of one contractor employee occurred on May 8, 2025 at the hard rock expansion construction site. The Company is conducting a thorough investigation on the causes of the accident in order to further improve safety practices and procedures.
Improved Liquidity: Available liquidity rose to $130.9M at March 31, 2025 with $102.0M in cash and XOF 17.5 billion ($28.9M) available for drawdown on the Phase II term loan with Coris Bank International (“Coris Bank”). The Company remains well-funded to execute on its 2025 and future growth plans.
Positive EBITDA, Net Earnings, and Earnings Per Share: Reported EBITDA of $41.2M, net earnings attributable to Orezone shareholders of $16.0M, and net earnings per share attributable to Orezone shareholders of $0.03 per share on a basic and diluted basis as earnings benefitted from the record rise in gold prices and unhedged gold sales in the current quarter. These earnings figures were 36%, 37%, and 5% higher, respectively, when compared against Q1-2024.
Free Cash Flow Generation: Generated free cash flow of $3.7M with cash flow from operating activities totalling $40.0M after deducting income taxes of $4.1M but before changes in non-cash working capital. Non-cash working capital increased by $12.3M primarily from the build-up of VAT receivables and long-term ore stockpiles. Cash flow used in investing activities totalled $24.0M reflecting a ramp-up in spending on the stage 1 of the Phase II hard rock expansion currently under construction. Strong operating cash flow funded the Company’s large capital programs and resulted in positive free cash flow for the current quarter.
Stage 1 of Phase II Hard Rock Expansion – Tracking on Schedule and Budget: Project completion reached 45% at the end of Q1-2025 with total project costs at $34.3M after $19.0M was incurred in Q1-2025. The expansion continues to track towards first gold in Q4-2025 at a project budget of $90M – $95M. Once in commercial production, stage 1 of the expansion is expected to boost annual gold production of the Bomboré Mine to between 170,000 to 185,000 oz per year.
Debt Reduction of Phase I Financing: Principal repayments totalling XOF 3.0 billion ($4.8M) were made on the Company’s senior debt in Q1-2025. As of March 31, 2025, the principal on senior debt stood at XOF 39.5 billion ($65.2M), of which XOF 22.0 billion ($36.3M) related to Phase I.

CORPORATE

Bought Deal Equity Offering: On March 13, 2025, the Company closed on a bought deal offering pursuant to which the Company issued 42,683,000 common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for gross proceeds of C$35.0M. On March 19, 2025, the underwriter exercised its over-allotment option resulting in the Company issuing an additional 6,402,450 common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for gross proceeds of C$5.3M. Gross proceeds from the offering totalled C$40.3M ($28.0M) with net proceeds at C$37.6M ($26.1M) after commission and other transaction costs. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering towards the acceleration of stage 2 of the Phase II hard rock expansion, additional exploration, working capital, and general corporate purposes.
Proposed Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) Listing: The Company intends to pursue a secondary listing on the ASX by mid-2025, subject to market conditions and the satisfaction of ASX listing requirements as announced in its February 23, 2025 press release. The Company believes an ASX listing will improve its market trading liquidity, offer an opportunity to grow the Company’s shareholder base and research coverage, and provide a pathway for future index inclusion. Work with legal advisors and technical consultants on the ASX listing application continued to progress in Q1-2025.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Private placement with Nioko Resources Corporation (“Nioko”): On April 2, 2025, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement with Nioko for 10,719,659 common shares at a price of C$0.82 per share for gross proceeds of C$8.8M ($6.1M) in order to maintain its pro-rata share ownership in the Company.

2025 GUIDANCE FOR BOMBORÉ MINE

Bomboré Mine (100% basis)	Unit	FY2025 Guidance	Q1-2025 Actuals
Gold production	Au oz	115,000 – 130,000	28,688
All-In Sustaining Costs¹²³	$/oz Au sold	$1,400 – $1,500	$1,415
Sustaining Capital¹²	$M	$9 – $10	$3.2
Growth capital (excluding Phase II Expansion) ¹²	$M	$44 – $51	$7.7
Growth capital – Stage 1 of Phase II Expansion¹²	$M	$75 – $80	$19.0

Non-IFRS measure. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional information.
Foreign exchange rates used to forecast cost metrics include XOF/USD of 600 and CAD/USD of 1.35.
Government royalties included in AISC guidance based on an assumed gold price of $2,600 per oz.

Growth capital is expected to range between $119M to $131M on four major growth projects:

No.	Growth Capital Description	Unit	FY2025 Guidance	Q1-2025 Actuals
I	Phase II Hardrock Expansion – Stage 1	$M	$75 – $80	$19.0
II	Permanent Back-up Diesel Power Plant	$M	$22 – $24	$4.8
III	TSF Footprint Expansion – Cell 2	$M	$11 – $13	$1.3
IV	Resettlement Action Plan (“RAP”)	$M	$11 – $14	$1.6
	Growth Capital Total	$M	$119 – $131	$26.7

	Phase II Hard Rock Expansion – Stage 2	$M	No guidance provided	–

The Company has reserved guidance on 2025 expenditures for stage 2 of the Phase II hard rock expansion until the Company’s Board of Directors has issued a final investment decision to proceed with stage 2 expected later this year. Stage 2 would increase annual gold production to 220,000 – 250,000 oz.

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Bomboré Mine, Burkina Faso (100% basis)		Q1-2025		Q1-2024
Safety
Lost-time injuries frequency rate	Per 1M hours	0.00		0.00
Personnel-hours worked	000’s hours	1,357		1,410
Mining Physicals
Ore tonnes mined	tonnes	2,114,543		2,402,533
Waste tonnes mined	tonnes	4,018,182		3,123,099
Total tonnes mined	tonnes	6,132,725		5,525,631
Strip ratio	waste:ore	1.90		1.30
Processing Physicals
Ore tonnes milled	tonnes	1,511,303		1,355,619
Head grade milled	Au g/t	0.67		0.78
Recovery rate	%	87.9		89.0
Gold produced	Au oz	28,688		30,139
Unit Cash Cost
Mining cost per tonne	$/tonne	2.81		3.48
Mining cost per ore tonne processed	$/tonne	8.06		8.02
Processing cost	$/tonne	7.80		9.24
Site general and admin (“G&A”) cost	$/tonne	3.78		3.79
Cash cost per ore tonne processed	$/tonne	19.64		21.05
Cash Costs and AISC Details
Mining cost (net of stockpile movements)	$000’s	12,176		10,867
Processing cost	$000’s	11,782		12,520
Site G&A cost	$000’s	5,718		5,134
Refining and transport cost	$000’s	166		117
Government royalty cost	$000’s	6,602		5,132
Gold inventory movements	$000’s	(951	)	1,416
Cash costs¹on a sales basis	$000’s	35,493		35,186
Sustaining capital	$000’s	3,199		4,018
Sustaining leases	$000’s	73		73
Corporate G&A	$000’s	2,182		2,069
All-In Sustaining Costs¹on a sales basis	$000’s	40,947		41,346
Gold sold	Au oz	28,943		31,229
Cash costs per gold ounce sold¹	$/oz	1,226		1,127
All-In Sustaining Costs per gold ounce sold¹	$/oz	1,415		1,324

¹ Non-IFRS measure. See “Non-IFRS Measures” section below for additional details.

BOMBORÉ PRODUCTION RESULTS

Q1-2025 vs Q1-2024

Gold production in Q1-2025 was 28,688 oz, a decrease of 5% from the 30,139 oz produced in Q1-2024. The lower gold production is attributable to a 14% decrease in head grades and 1% decrease in recovery rates partially offset by a 11% increase in plant throughput.

Plant throughput of 1.51M tonnes in Q1-2025 continues to exceed nameplate design by 16% and was 11% higher than Q1-2024 as plant operating hours in Q1-2024 were reduced from the commissioning of grid power to site, a ball mill reline, and grid power interruptions. Hourly plant throughput was successfully improved starting in July 2024 by increasing the mill power draw and reducing residence time in the CIL circuit with only a minor loss in recovery. This higher hourly throughput has been maintained into 2025.

The better head grades in Q1-2024 were from the sequencing of higher-grade pits in earlier periods of the mine plan and the preferential stockpiling of lower-grade ore mined.

BOMBORÉ OPERATING COSTS

Q1-2025 vs Q1-2024

AISC per gold oz sold in Q1-2025 was $1,415, a 7% increase from $1,324 per oz sold in Q1-2024. The higher AISC is primarily the result of: (a) lower head grades and (b) greater per oz royalty costs from a 38% increase in the realized gold price ($2,851/oz vs $2,066/oz). This cost increase was partially offset by a reduction in power costs from the switch to lower-cost grid power in February 2024 and from a 11% increase in plant throughput resulting in economies for fixed costs. Grid utilization in Q1-2025 stood at 76%, a drop from 92% recorded in the second half of 2024, as site experienced higher occurrences of power dips from the national grid in Q1-2025, necessitating the use of back-up diesel gensets for longer periods. To avoid uncontrolled plant stoppages, Bomboré transferred power back to the grid only when stable.

Cash cost per ore tonne processed in Q1-2025 was $19.64 per tonne, a decrease of 7% from $21.05 per tonne in Q1-2024, mainly as a result of a reduction in processing costs ($7.80/tonne vs $9.24/tonne) from the use of lower-cost grid power throughout Q1-2025 compared with only partial use in Q1-2024 as the connection to the national grid was not energized until February 2024.

Mining cost per tonne has decreased in Q1-2025 when compared to Q1-2024 ($2.81/tonne vs $3.48/tonne) due to the greater proportion of material coming from the Siga pits which commenced mining in July 2024 resulting in less transition material and lower volume of drill-and-blast prior to excavation as softer oxide ore are mined in the upper benches of these new pits, and a shorter haul profile in comparison to ore mined from the A pits in Q1-2024. Mining unit costs in Q1-2025 also benefitted from less grade control drilling at a lower meterage cost as drilling in Q1-2024 was conducted using rented drills prior to the deployment of two new owner drills in the second half of 2024. However, the 19% decrease in unit mining cost was offset by a 46% jump in the strip ratio (1.90 vs 1.30).

BOMBORÉ GROWTH CAPITAL PROJECTS

Phase II Hard Rock Expansion

First gold remains on schedule and costs are trending in line with budget. The concentrated scope of this expansion when compared to a greenfield project significantly reduces schedule and budget risks with start-up to benefit from the well-established mining, processing, and maintenance teams already on site.

Construction of stage 1 of the Phase II hard rock expansion was officially approved by the Company’s Board in July 2024. Lycopodium Minerals Canada Ltd. was awarded the engineering and procurement contract and was chosen for their successful track record of designing and constructing numerous gold plants in West Africa, including the Company’s oxide plant which has consistently operated above nameplate design since start-up.

Progress and milestones achieved in Q1-2025 include:

Project completion reached 45%, slightly ahead of schedule.
Engineering and drafting progress stood at 85%, ahead of the 73% planned.
Procurement is essentially complete with all equipment and materials ordered except for top-ups of remaining bulks such as cabling which will be placed once final quantities are determined. Order deliveries are advancing with CIL tank platework and major SAG mill components already received at site.
Concrete volume poured of 2,326 m³ (44% of estimated total) including SAG mill footings and start of jaw crusher wing walls.
Mobilization of structural/mechanical/piping (“SMP”) contractor to site including set-up of construction camp.
Installation of bottom plates on the 5 CIL tanks with first set of strakes on the first 4 tanks in progress.
Operational readiness activities have commenced with safety and recruitment plans under preparation.

All major site installation contracts (concrete, SMP, electrical and instrumentation, and mill installation) have been signed with awards to the same contractors that successfully delivered on the Phase I oxide construction.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company has incurred $34.3M in costs to-date against the project budget, of which $19.0M was incurred in Q1-2025.

Permanent Back-Up Diesel Power Plant

The installation of the standby power plant remains on track for final commissioning in October 2025. Layouts and drawings are finalized and purchase orders on all key equipment have been placed. At site, civil works are underway including initial concrete pours for the structural footings of the engine hall.

The 18 Caterpillar diesel gensets have been packed for shipment and is currently awaiting export clearance prior to organizing transport to site.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company has incurred $4.8M against the project budget.

RAP Phases II and III

BV2 resettlement site construction commenced in Q4-2024 and is divided into two distinct communities: BV2 Peuhl and BV2 Mossi. BV2 Peuhl construction and relocation was completed in Q1-2025 allowing for construction activities at BV2 Mossi to commence in the same quarter. Compensation payments to affected residents for loss of land, crops, trees, and private structures commenced in March 2025 with majority of payments expected to be completed in Q2-2025.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company has incurred $1.6M in RAP costs for 2025.

TSF Footprint Expansion – Cell 2

Bush clearing and topsoil relocation of the Cell 2 basin was completed while placement and compaction of mining waste material on the eastern embankments of Cell 2 commenced in Q1-2025.

As of March 31, 2025, the Company has incurred $1.3M in costs for 2025.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

The Company has included certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that is not defined under IFRS, including “cash costs”, “AISC”, “EBITDA”, “adjusted EBITDA”, “adjusted earnings”, “adjusted earnings per share”, and “free cash flow”. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company uses such measures to provide additional information and they should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For a complete description of how the Company calculates such measures and reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 which is incorporated by reference herein.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

The condensed interim consolidated financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis are available at www.orezone.com and on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Orezone will host a conference call and audio webcast to discuss its first quarter 2025 results on May 14, 2025:

Webcast
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 8:00 am Pacific time (11:00 am Eastern time)
Please register for the webcast here: Orezone Q1-2025 Conference Call and Webcast

Conference Call
Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-715-9871
International callers: +646-307-1963
Event ID: 3969133

QUALIFIED PERSONS

The scientific and technical information in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Rob Henderson, P. Eng, Vice-President of Technical Services and Mr. Dale Tweed, P. Eng., Vice-President of Engineering, both of whom are Qualified Persons as defined under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

ABOUT OREZONE GOLD CORPORATION

Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its 90%-owned flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focussed on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets, and M&A.  

The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

Patrick Downey
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kevin MacKenzie
Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur, and include, amongst other statements, the Phase II hard rock expansion will increase annual gold production and is expected to pour first gold in Q4-2025.

All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, terrorist or other violent attacks, the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel, the spread of diseases, epidemics and pandemics diseases, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+ on www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to the Company’s ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

The MIL Network –

May 14, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Trahan Brings Haverhill Voice to the Fight for Medicaid during Energy and Commerce Reconciliation Markup

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – During today’s House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on reconciliation legislation, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) forcefully opposed proposed House Republicans’ Medicaid cuts by highlighting the devastating impact they would have on people with disabilities. She shared the story of Philip, a Haverhill resident whose independence and daily care depend on Medicaid-funded programs.
“Philip and millions of Americans across our country like him are not fat to be trimmed or waste to be rooted out by politicians in Washington. They’re hardworking Americans trying to live their lives with dignity and make their communities better,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “They’re our constituents. They need you to vote no on this bill. They need you to stand up to Donald Trump and protect Medicaid. Protect the independence of Americans with disabilities. And if you can’t do that – at least have the courage to look at the American people, people like Philip, in the eyes while you take it all away.”
CLICK HERE or the image below to view Trahan’s remarks during the Committee’s consideration of reconciliation legislation. A transcript is embedded below.

“For individuals like my son Philip, Medicaid is a lifeline. If funding is cut, it will devastate his life and the lives of many others who depend on these essential services. Medicaid funds the programs that allow Philip to engage in meaningful activities, such as volunteering with Meals on Wheels, helping to train service dogs, or caring for guinea pigs at the Guinea Pig Sanctuary. These programs give him the chance to contribute to society in ways that are vital for his sense of purpose and independence. Without Medicaid, these programs could disappear, and Philip would lose the opportunity to continue making a difference,” said Philip’s mother, Anne. “If Medicaid cuts happen, it won’t just impact Philip. Organizations like The Arc, which offer vital extracurricular activities such as dances, bowling, and other community events, would face significant cuts. These programs are essential for people with disabilities, providing opportunities for social interaction, independence, and personal growth – opportunities they could lose if Medicaid funding is reduced. I urge you not to dismiss this as a non-issue, because no one can guarantee that the disability community will be unaffected by Medicaid cuts. The reality is that these cuts will harm people with disabilities – including my son.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is currently marking up House Republicans’ reconciliation package that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would cut $715 billion from Medicaid and eliminate health coverage for at least 13.7 million Americans. The bill would also implement burdensome paperwork requirements that jeopardize Medicaid coverage for 954,000 Massachusetts residents, nearly half of all MassHealth enrollees in the Commonwealth, and impact another 392,790 individuals who receive coverage thanks to the expansion of the Affordable Care Act.
——————————————–
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Remarks As Delivered
House Energy and Commerce Committee Reconciliation Markup
May 13, 2025
It may be easy to sit here in Washington without having to face the people who will feel the impact of a bill that will strip millions of Americans of their health coverage – easy because you don’t have to look them in the eyes or hear their stories.
Let’s open the doors and allow the American people who have stood in line fill the open seats, first and foremost. In the meantime, let me share just one story from my district.
This is a photo of Philip, a resident of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Philip has a disability, but that hasn’t stopped him from giving back – whether volunteering with Meals on Wheels, training service dogs, or caring for animals at a sanctuary. He does all this because of Medicaid.
Medicaid funds the programs that help Philip gain skills, stay engaged, and remain independent. Medicaid isn’t just a health care program – it’s a foundation for independence for people with disabilities like Philip, who want to live their lives with dignity.
In Philip’s case, Medicaid funds Opportunity Works and Community Works, a program that helps folks build job skills, engage in volunteer work, and participate meaningfully in society. These initiatives don’t just keep Philip busy – they give him purpose. They help him grow, contribute to, and connect with his community.
But here’s why I’m telling Philip’s story. This bill – this “big, beautiful bill” as Donald Trump has described it – will slash the federal Medicaid funding that Philip’s program depends on.
And I know my Republican colleagues will say that states should make up for it – but they know that’s not possible. They know that when funds are cut, it’s initiatives like these that are always first on the chopping block.
So what then happens to Philip? He loses a lot more than a routine. He loses access to his community, his sense of contribution, his independence.
Mr. Chairman, Philip and millions of Americans across our country like him are not fat to be trimmed or waste to be rooted out by disingenuous politicians in Washington. They’re hardworking Americans trying to live their lives with dignity and make their communities better. They’re our constituents. They need you to vote no on this bill. They need you to protect Medicaid.
Protect the independence of Americans with disabilities. And if you can’t do that – at least have the courage to look at the American people, people like Philip, in the eyes while you take it all away.
I yield back.
###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-Angola trade mission strengthens economic ties
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

World news story

UK-Angola trade mission strengthens economic ties

British businesses explore Angola’s crucial sectors, forging partnerships for continued sustainable growth.
His Majesty’s Ambassador Bharat Joshi welcomed UK Trade Envoy Calvin Bailey MBE MP and a delegation of over 20 UK businesses eager to explore investment opportunities in Angola’s rapidly expanding infrastructure, agriculture and financial services sectors.

Together they have successfully launched their first trade and investment mission to Angola on 6 to 7 May 2025. This reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth.

HM Trade Envoy to Angola, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, Angolan Minister for Planning, Vitor Hugo Guilherme, HM Ambassador to Angola, Bharat Joshi, Angolan Deputy Minister for Industry, Carlos Carvalho and Director for Europe at the Angolan MFA, Ambassador Maria Cuandina de Carvalho

During the mission, delegates engaged in strategic site visits to landmark projects, such as: the New Luanda International Airport and the Special Economic Zone (ZEE). These visits complemented a high-profile business forum in Luanda. British and Angolan leaders, including H.E. Minister of Planning Victor Hugo Guilherme, H.E. Deputy Minister for Industry Carlos Rodrigues and H.E. Deputy Minister for Public Investment Ivan dos Santos, discussed collaboration opportunities to deliver mutual economic benefits.

His Majesty’s Ambassador Bharat Joshi highlighted the importance of the mission, stating:

I am proud to welcome the first Trade Mission of my tenure, led by UK Trade Envoy Calvin Bailey MBE MP.

UK companies have a fantastic record of creating local wealth and jobs, investing in local skills and markets and supporting development programmes that make a real difference in communities.

The size of the delegation reflects our excitement about the opportunities in Angola to build sustainable, long-term partnerships that deliver for both our countries.

Trade and investment remain central to the UK government’s international strategy, unlocking opportunities, generating high-quality jobs and improving livelihoods in both nations.

UK Trade Envoy Calvin Bailey reinforced this vision, stating:

Angola is a land of opportunity. This trade mission demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to forging stronger economic partnerships with Angola.

With £2.5 billion in bilateral trade already flowing between our nations, we’re connecting British expertise with one of Africa’s most dynamic economies through engagements at transformative projects like the Luanda Special Economic Zone and the New Luanda International Airport, creating meaningful opportunities that deliver prosperity for both our nations.

The mission has already delivered tangible results, with investment discussions underway and promising business relationships established. These efforts mark more than commercial transactions – they signify a deepening of the UK-Angola economic partnership, paving the way for long-term prosperity.

Delegates visit to the New Dr. António Agostinho Neto in Luanda

As the UK continues to strengthen its global trade relationships, this mission represents a significant milestone in fostering sustainable growth and opportunities that will benefit businesses and communities across both nations.

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Published 14 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI: Bitget Protection Fund Maintains Strength with $561 Million Average Value in April 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, reports that its Protection Fund held an average value of $561 million throughout April 2025, highlighting the exchange’s ongoing efforts to maintain strong security for its user base. The Protection Fund hit a high of $617M and a low of $496M for the month of April but maintained a strong average overall. The fund remains a key layer of protection against market instability, offering reassurance to users during a period of macroeconomic uncertainty and shifting investor sentiment in crypto markets.

The fund fluctuated in tandem with broader digital asset movements in April, as Bitcoin traded within a moderate range and altcoins showed mixed performance. Despite a challenging market, the Protection Fund sustained strong fundamentals, showcasing its stability and the resilience of Bitget’s risk mitigation framework.

“Our Protection Fund continues to reflect the strength of Bitget’s long-term security strategy,” said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget. “As conditions in the crypto market evolve, the fund’s performance shows our priority in safeguarding user assets and building a reliable ecosystem that can weather both volatility and growth.”

Launched in 2022 with an initial allocation of $300 million, the Protection Fund has more than doubled in size, bolstered by Bitget’s steady platform growth and smart financial management. Bitget’s security framework is built on a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that goes well beyond its $516M Protection Fund and 191% Proof of Reserves. With monthly Merkle Tree audits verifying full asset backing and ISO 27001:2022 certification reinforcing best-in-class protocols, the platform integrates SSL encryption and an advanced risk control system that actively monitors suspicious activity. This combination of rigorous standards and real-time protection has kept Bitget breach-free since 2018 and contributed to its AAA security rating and helped reinforce user confidence to set a benchmark for transparency across the industry.

For more information and monthly updates on the Protection Fund, visit here.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d71d7905-324d-44e1-be39-0046857f39ac

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3a3c692-7be0-41a9-9b0d-edd9ebc3511b

The MIL Network –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Formalizing Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) for Growth: Mining in Motion to Unpack Ghana’s Success, Ongoing Efforts

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

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

The upcoming Mining in Motion Summit – Ghana’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, scheduled for June 2 – 4, 2025 in Accra – will feature a high-level panel discussion on the country’s ongoing efforts to formalize its artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.

Titled Case Studies in ASGM Formalization: Learning from Successes and Addressing Challenges, the panel will explore regulation and programs enhancing the ASGM sector’s contribution to mining sector growth in Ghana. The panel will feature representatives from the Minerals Commission of Ghana, the World Bank and key ASGM industry players.

ASGM plays a vital role in Ghana’s mining sector, contributing over $5 billion in gold export revenue in 2024, employing more than one million people and accounting for over 40% of national gold production. Through the recently established Ghana Gold Board, the country aims to curb gold smuggling – estimated to cost the country $2.3 billion annually – by providing a legal platform for small-scale miners to sell gold and access financing to expand their operations.

Furthermore, the Ghana Land Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project – launched in partnership with the World Bank – offers financial and technical assistance to ASGM operators, helping them improve sustainable land use while providing legal integration into the broader mining economy.

The Minerals Commission of Ghana and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources are driving the country’s agenda to formalize the ASGM sector by simplifying licensing processes via District Mining Committees. In addition, Community Mining Schemes continue to play a critical role in combating illegal mining by organizing miners into formalized, community-based cooperatives, boosting their access to finance, technology and training.

Mining in Motion will not only showcase Ghana’s progress but also provide a platform for ASGM stakeholders to gain valuable insights into overcoming sector challenges and scaling their operations legally and sustainably. The summit, hosted by the Ashanti Green Initiative under the leadership of Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of the Ashanti Kingdom, is organized in collaboration with the World Bank and the World Gold Council.

Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting small-scale miners and medium- to large-scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MiningInMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Rallies for Gas-Driven Growth at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

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

PARIS, France, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

African energy leaders kicked off the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 Forum in Paris with a resounding call for deeper cross-border collaboration, strategic gas monetization and inclusive national development policies, signaling a united front in shaping Africa’s energy future.

Leading the charge, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, lauded the successful execution of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project by Mauritania and Senegal – which loaded its first LNG cargo last month – as a model for regional cooperation.

“No country has been able to do cross-border projects like Mauritania and Senegal. They showed that it is possible in Africa to come together and do cross-border collaboration,” he said, emphasizing that regionalism and pragmatism must outweigh isolationist tendencies. “Resource nationalism slows down projects.”

Technip Energies’ Chief Business Officer, Marco Villa, echoed Ayuk’s sentiment on the continent’s energy potential, calling natural gas a “strategic driver” rather than just a tradable commodity.

“Resources alone are not enough – the real opportunity is transforming this potential into sustainable, prosperous and inclusive growth,” said Villa. “We believe natural gas is more than a commodity – it is a strategic driver for countries and for Africa – in terms of industrialization, energy security and global integration.”

Villa stressed the importance of both large-scale export infrastructure and domestic gas valorization, positioning gas as a dual solution for global competitiveness and local economic development.

“While exports are important, local valorization of gas is equally crucial. Africa cannot only be an exporter of gas – gas can be a lever for domestic transportation, power generation, enabling petrochemical industries, modernizing refineries and supporting agribusiness.”

Petroleum Commissioner at Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, Maggy Shino, highlighted Namibia’s rapid emergence as a global hydrocarbon hotspot, following massive offshore discoveries from Shell, TotalEnergies, Galp and Rhino Resources in the deepwater Orange Basin.

“Namibia has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting hydrocarbon frontiers… These discoveries are among the largest of our decade. With more than 80% of our offshore unexplored, Namibia is not only a frontier – it’s a first mover advantage waiting to be seized,” said Shino.

She also emphasized Namibia’s commitment to fast-tracking development and fostering a responsible investment environment, highlighting the ongoing development of the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy as a key step toward embedding local content from the outset.

“This policy is more than a regulation for us. It’s a platform to align global expertise with Namibian empowerment. We are actively engaging industry stakeholders to create a framework that balances skill development, supplier integration and the upliftment of Namibian citizens with operational efficiency.”

Meanwhile, Anibor Kragha, Executive Secretary of the African Refiners & Distributors Association, cautioned against overdependence on petroleum imports and underscored the urgency of building domestic refining capacity and storage resilience.

“If you’re going to maximize your returns, then you have to run the full value chain and refine… What happens to Africa if we cannot import a single petroleum product for 30 days? How many countries have strategic storage beyond two weeks?” said Kragha. “Africa’s energy boom is not just about oil and gas.”

The opening keynotes set the tone for a forward-looking IAE 2025 agenda – one centered on transforming Africa’s resource wealth into tangible, inclusive and strategically driven development. The forum continues in Paris through May 14.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 to Spotlight the Impact of Gabon’s Mining Code

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

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

Gabon strives to expand the mining industry’s GDP contribution to over 30% by the mid-2030s, using policies such as the Mining Code to attract investment and fuel development. By offering competitive incentives such as tax holidays ranging from three to eight years and a modest 3-5% royalty on base metals, the Mining Code offers improved terms for investors, thereby providing positive implications for the country’s mineral sector.

African Mining Week – Africa’s premier gathering for African mining stakeholders, scheduled for October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town – will provide an overview of Gabon’s Mining Code. A dedicated panel discussion, titled Navigating Gabon’s Mining Code: A Guide for Investors, will explore how the country is using the Mining Code to catalyze mining development and attract capital.

Already the world’s third-largest producer of manganese (apo-opa.co/44ES9QA), Gabon is leveraging the code to strengthen the sector though international partnerships and new investments. French mining major Eramet, operator of the high-grade Moanda Minesin Gabon, signed a manganese supply agreement with Australia’s Firebird Metals (apo-opa.co/44yGrXD) to support electric vehicle (EV) battery production in China. Similarly, India’s state-run MOIL (apo-opa.co/4koDe1z) is in talks to develop manganese assets in Gabon, highlighting the country’s growing role in the global manganese, EV and battery storage market.

Beyond manganese, Gabon is diversifying its mineral production base. Canadian company Millennial Potash Corp (apo-opa.co/43gSiHB) is advancing the Banio Potash Project, where high-grade potash intersections were confirmed in May 2025. Once operational, the project will be Gabon’s first commercial potash facility, supplying a global market driven by demand for fertilizers and pharmaceutical applications.

Iron ore is another growth frontier where the country is using the Mining Code to secure investment. In partnership with Australia’s Genmin and China’s Sinohydro (apo-opa.co/43e25xN), the country is progressing the Baniaka Iron Ore Project, which targets five million tons of annual output initially, ramping up to 10 million tons in the future. Australia’s Fortescue is also expanding its Belinga iron ore project while South Africa’s Menar (apo-opa.co/3F7k0OO) signed agreements to invest in the sector, illustrating growing investor confidence fostered by Gabon’s Mining Code.

Amid this growth, African Mining Week will connect investors, government officials and private sector leaders to advance projects. With a focus on legal clarity, resource potential and project-ready opportunities, the event will foster high-level dialogue and promote Gabon as a rising hub for responsible, high-return mining investment in Africa.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Growth Hinges on Investment, Strategic Partnerships

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

PARIS, France, May 14, 2025/APO Group/ —

Accelerating Africa’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) ambitions will depend on mobilizing risk-tolerant investment, building strong technical and commercial partnerships, and committing to local capacity-building, according to panelists at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris.

Speaking during a discussion on monetizing African gas sponsored by Perenco, UTM Offshore Managing Director Julius Rone emphasized that LNG demand remains robust, but the missing piece is financing. “Investment is required. The market is there. LNG is not going anywhere – global gas demand is increasing every year. Therefore, we need the right investors to enable us to monetize our gas.”

The $5 billion UTM FLNG project offshore Nigeria is currently in its pre-construction phase. Rone emphasized that indigenous players like UTM Offshore are capable of forming the right partnerships to drive development, with plans to take FID in the coming months, move into the construction phase and expand the company’s FLNG technologies beyond Nigeria into other African markets.

Competitiveness Starts at the Wellhead

For international players, the viability of LNG in Africa hinges on low-cost resources and predictable legal frameworks. Golar LNG’s Chief Commercial Officer Federico Petersen noted that while Africa holds a geographic edge over the U.S. in terms of access to global markets, project economics must work from the start.

“In the U.S., both the liquefaction and transport sides are increasing – if Africa can beat the U.S. at the wellhead, then it can have competitive liquefaction and it is closer to Europe and Asia,” said Petersen.

He added that technical capability and financial strength are key to delivering projects at scale, along with speed and access to low-cost gas. “The asset needs to be cheap gas. We look at the asset, the contract and the partner… On the contract side, the legal framework and the stability needs to be there, both for upstream operators and for us.”

Infrastructure-First Approach

Gas infrastructure must come before LNG exports, according to Denis Chatelan, Head of Business Development at Perenco. The company’s strategy has focused on domestic gas use as a foundation for future liquefaction, citing gas-to-power and gas-to-industry projects in Gabon and Cameroon.

“We did not start with liquefaction, but to develop the gas resources… We managed to find the right compromise of investment, ROI and infrastructure,” said Chatelan. “At Perenco, we have deployed equity. If you want big rewards, then you have to take some risk. We have taken the risk of infrastructure, which is a very important first step to develop the gas resources of a country.”

Local Support Critical to Long-Term Success

Jiří Rus, Sales & Business Development Director at Neuman & Esser, stressed the importance of original equipment manufacturers building in-country operational support to sustain LNG and gas projects.

“Within our partnerships, we focus on operation. We need to support projects not from Germany, but through local service centers. We have one in Port Harcourt in Nigeria, for example, to support future projects, and now we are doing so in Mozambique,” said Rus.

Dominique Gadelle, VP of Upstream & LNG at Technip Energies, echoed the importance of anchoring projects in local benefits. “Boosting local economies, power generation… This is a must before going to international exports,” he said. “We can also look at monetizing gas in different ways – fertilizers, for instance. We also need to promote regional cooperation, and we cannot forget local skills, employment and education and training programs.”

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s statement on the passing of Mr. José “Pepe” Mujica, former President of Uruguay [scroll down for Spanish]

Source: United Nations – English

am deeply saddened by the passing of former President José Mujica. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, the Government, and the people of Uruguay.

President Mujica will be remembered not only for his steadfast commitment to social justice, equality, and solidarity but also for the deeply human way in which he embodied those values. He led with humility, choosing simplicity over privilege, and reminded us—through words and example—that power should be exercised with responsibility and compassion.

President Mujica championed dialogue and multilateralism, embodying the values at the heart of the Charter of the United Nations and lending his moral authority to the cause of peace and human rights.

***

Me encuentro profundamente entristecido por el fallecimiento del ex Presidente José Mujica. Mis más sinceras condolencias para su familia, el Gobierno y el pueblo de Uruguay.

El Presidente Mujica será recordado no solo por su firme compromiso con la justicia social, la igualdad y la solidaridad, sino también por la forma profundamente humana en la que encarnó esos valores. Lideró con humildad, eligiendo la simplicidad sobre el privilegio, y nos recordó—tanto con sus palabras como con su ejemplo—que el poder debe ejercerse con responsabilidad y compasión.

El Presidente Mujica fue un firme defensor del diálogo y el multilateralismo, personificando los valores fundamentales de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y aportando su autoridad moral a la causa de la paz y los derechos humanos.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s video message to the Europe Day event which marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration – the foundation of the European Union – and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations

Source: United Nations – English

strong>Download the video:
https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/evergreen/MSG+SG+/SG+5+May+25/3374143_MSG+SG+EUROPE+DAY+05+MAY+25.mp4

Excellencies,

I am honoured to send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating Europe Day.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the European Union – and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

Two organizations born from the same tragedy – and united by the same resolve:

To spare humanity from war and hatred.

Through the years, the European Union has stood strong as a union of peoples and principles…

A force for reconciliation, rights, and reason…

And a reminder that peace can endure, blossom, and inspire.

We need that spirit more than ever.

In a world of growing divides and cascading crises, the EU remains a vital partner of the United Nations:

Defending human rights and dignity;

Advancing climate action and sustainable development;

And championing multilateralism when it is most tested.

The Pact for the Future calls for stronger and fairer global institutions that reflect today’s realities and rise to tomorrow’s challenges.

Europe is essential in that effort.

Together, let’s keep working to bridge divides, foster bold transformations, and strive for solidarity and justice in a more united world.

Happy Europe Day.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 14, 2025

Category: Africa

Widening scope

People and grasslands

A spotlight on photonics in Africa

Towards a brighter future

Widening scope

People and grasslands

A spotlight on photonics in Africa

Towards a brighter future

Today, Councillor Philip Crowe, the 696th Mayor of Preston, steps down from his role, making way for Councillor Sue Whittam, who will proudly take on the title of Madam Mayor.

Speaking fondly about that weekend, Councillor Crowe said:

Reflecting on his time as Mayor, Councillor Crowe said:

Councillor Crowe added:

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

Love and regret

About SETAF-AF

South Africa’s business innovation picture

Growing South Africa’s innovation economy

South Africa’s business innovation picture

Growing South Africa’s innovation economy

UK-Angola trade mission strengthens economic ties

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