Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Africa: Nigeria’s growing security crisis: 6 essential reads

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adejuwon Soyinka, Regional Editor West Africa

Unidentified people attacked a community in Plateau State, Nigeria’s north central region, in mid-April, killing at least 52 residents. A similar attack in the same state claimed 48 lives earlier in the month.

In neighbouring Benue State, north central Nigeria, unnamed assailants attacked two communities in March, killing at least five people. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu described the Plateau violence as rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups.

Nigeria’s spiralling insecurity is sometimes blamed on armed herders, at other times on bandits or kidnappers. Then there are extremist groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Lakurawa, operating mostly in northern Nigeria. In the southern part of the country, there are also armed groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra.

At The Conversation Africa, we have been working with academic experts to gain insights into the various actors involved in Nigeria’s security challenge, their motivations and why efforts to rein them in haven’t succeeded. Here are six essential reads on Nigeria’s struggle with insecurity.

The drivers

At the centre of the most recent killings in Nigeria is the country’s north central region. Consisting of the capital city, Abuja, and six other states, the region is home to several minority ethnic groups. More than 200 languages are spoken there.

As Oluwole Ojewale explains, the region is vulnerable to various forms of conflict. It arises between ethnic and religious groups; people who trace their ancestry to a state and more recent residents; people who keep cattle and those who farm crops.

Read more: What’s driving violence in Nigeria’s north central region

Bandits range freely

Across the north central and north west regions of Nigeria, bandits stoke violence and insecurity.

They act in groups with varying operational and technical capabilities and do not have any central authority. Their main activities are cattle rustling, kidnapping civilians for ransom, armed attacks and community invasion. Over the years, the government has tried numerous military and non-military strategies to stamp out bandits. Sallek Yaks Musa unpacks why at least five different strategies have failed.

Read more: Nigeria’s banditry: why 5 government strategies have failed

Lakuwara enters the mix

In 2024, the Nigerian army spoke of attacks on the Niger-Nigeria border as being carried out by a new terrorist group. According to the military, the new group, identified as Lakurawa, is affiliated to terrorists in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger Republic.

The picture painted by the military suggests that the group emerged as a result of the turmoil following recent coups in the Sahel region. But John Sunday Ojo and Ezenwa E. Olumba argue that the group isn’t new. It’s been operating along the Nigeria-Niger border since 1999, an indication of the region’s growing ungoverned spaces.

Read more: Nigeria’s terror group Lakurawa is nothing new — it exists because of government’s failure: analysts

Kidnappings spread

Until recent years, large bandit and terror attacks were relatively rare in Lagos and other parts of the south-west region of Nigeria. Lately, crimes that were previously associated with the northern region appear to be spreading to the south-west. Adewumi Badiora outlines why Lagos may be a target and what to do about it.

Read more: Terror attacks and kidnappings spread in Nigeria: why Lagos could be a target

And Donald Trump happened…

In the midst of its struggle with insecurity, Nigeria was hit by the United States decision to cut international aid funding. Over the years, the US has granted hundreds of millions of dollars as security assistance to Nigeria, as part of a broader partnership to promote regional security and stability.

Security scholar Al Chukwuma Okoli describes how the cuts will affect Nigeria in many ways, including the fight against terror groups.

Read more: US funding cuts may affect Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. Here’s how

Meanwhile, bandits mine gold

While the Nigerian government struggles with cuts to aid funding, bandits are colluding with elites to mine gold illegally and undermine peace.

Oluwole Ojewale analyses how Nigerian elites weaponised access to mineral resources and the impact this has on violence in the north west region.

Read more: Nigeria’s illegal gold trade – elites and bandits are working together

– Nigeria’s growing security crisis: 6 essential reads
– https://theconversation.com/nigerias-growing-security-crisis-6-essential-reads-254639

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: JMU expert available to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, upcoming conclave

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HARRISONBURG, Va., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pope Francis died April 21 at the age of 88. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Argentina, he was the first pope from Latin America. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis was elected as his successor on March 13, 2013.

James Madison University’s Jennifer Aycock, an assistant professor of religion, is available to discuss the life and legacy of Pope Francis and next steps for the Vatican as they begin the mourning process and prepare the conclave to elect the next pope.

“Pope Francis likened the church to a field hospital, a place of care and presence for the disenfranchised, poor and marginalized,” said Aycock. “Migrants, as well as young adults living in zones of conflict such as in South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo where the pope intentionally visited, held a primary place in his vision of the church and of the ministry of Christ.”

“As the first pope from the Jesuit order, Francis pastorally opened the door of the church, shifting perceptions as well as ministry foci from rules to presence, from hierarchy to being with the people as he and so many Catholics understand Christ was and is. He repeatedly spoke moral truth to power rooted in a vision of the church and Christ, who stands with the poor and those living on the margins of political power,” added Aycock.

To arrange interviews with Aycock, please contact Chad Saylor, saylorcx@jmu.edu.

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Nigeria’s growing security crisis: 6 essential reads

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adejuwon Soyinka, Regional Editor West Africa

Unidentified people attacked a community in Plateau State, Nigeria’s north central region, in mid-April, killing at least 52 residents. A similar attack in the same state claimed 48 lives earlier in the month.

In neighbouring Benue State, north central Nigeria, unnamed assailants attacked two communities in March, killing at least five people. Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu described the Plateau violence as rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups.

Nigeria’s spiralling insecurity is sometimes blamed on armed herders, at other times on bandits or kidnappers. Then there are extremist groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Lakurawa, operating mostly in northern Nigeria. In the southern part of the country, there are also armed groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra.

At The Conversation Africa, we have been working with academic experts to gain insights into the various actors involved in Nigeria’s security challenge, their motivations and why efforts to rein them in haven’t succeeded. Here are six essential reads on Nigeria’s struggle with insecurity.

The drivers

At the centre of the most recent killings in Nigeria is the country’s north central region. Consisting of the capital city, Abuja, and six other states, the region is home to several minority ethnic groups. More than 200 languages are spoken there.

As Oluwole Ojewale explains, the region is vulnerable to various forms of conflict. It arises between ethnic and religious groups; people who trace their ancestry to a state and more recent residents; people who keep cattle and those who farm crops.

Read more:
What’s driving violence in Nigeria’s north central region

Bandits range freely

Across the north central and north west regions of Nigeria, bandits stoke violence and insecurity.

They act in groups with varying operational and technical capabilities and do not have any central authority. Their main activities are cattle rustling, kidnapping civilians for ransom, armed attacks and community invasion. Over the years, the government has tried numerous military and non-military strategies to stamp out bandits. Sallek Yaks Musa unpacks why at least five different strategies have failed.

Read more:
Nigeria’s banditry: why 5 government strategies have failed

Lakuwara enters the mix

In 2024, the Nigerian army spoke of attacks on the Niger-Nigeria border as being carried out by a new terrorist group. According to the military, the new group, identified as Lakurawa, is affiliated to terrorists in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger Republic.

The picture painted by the military suggests that the group emerged as a result of the turmoil following recent coups in the Sahel region. But John Sunday Ojo and Ezenwa E. Olumba argue that the group isn’t new. It’s been operating along the Nigeria-Niger border since 1999, an indication of the region’s growing ungoverned spaces.

Read more:
Nigeria’s terror group Lakurawa is nothing new — it exists because of government’s failure: analysts

Kidnappings spread

Until recent years, large bandit and terror attacks were relatively rare in Lagos and other parts of the south-west region of Nigeria. Lately, crimes that were previously associated with the northern region appear to be spreading to the south-west. Adewumi Badiora outlines why Lagos may be a target and what to do about it.

Read more:
Terror attacks and kidnappings spread in Nigeria: why Lagos could be a target

And Donald Trump happened…

In the midst of its struggle with insecurity, Nigeria was hit by the United States decision to cut international aid funding. Over the years, the US has granted hundreds of millions of dollars as security assistance to Nigeria, as part of a broader partnership to promote regional security and stability.

Security scholar Al Chukwuma Okoli describes how the cuts will affect Nigeria in many ways, including the fight against terror groups.

Read more:
US funding cuts may affect Nigeria’s fight against terrorism. Here’s how

Meanwhile, bandits mine gold

While the Nigerian government struggles with cuts to aid funding, bandits are colluding with elites to mine gold illegally and undermine peace.

Oluwole Ojewale analyses how Nigerian elites weaponised access to mineral resources and the impact this has on violence in the north west region.

Read more:
Nigeria’s illegal gold trade – elites and bandits are working together

– ref. Nigeria’s growing security crisis: 6 essential reads – https://theconversation.com/nigerias-growing-security-crisis-6-essential-reads-254639

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On The Passing Of Pope Francis

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

April 21, 2025

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the passing of Pope Francis:

“We have lost the messenger, but we must hold fast to the message of Pope Francis to love and respect one another. In a world of hate and fear, Pope Francis’ message of peace and understanding is needed now more than ever.

“We should honor the Pope with a ‘Francis Day’ of world peace: stop the bombing in Ukraine and Gaza; feed the dying in Sudan and around the globe; and show kindness to one another.”

-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: BOBC Auction Results – 22 April 2025

Source: Bank of Botswana

The Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) was unchanged at 1.9 percent of the previous week, for a paper maturing on 30 April 2025. The summarised results of the auction held on 22 April 2025, are attached below:

BOBC Results 22 April 2025.pdf

MIL OSI Economics –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Farewell to British High Commissioner Charles Moore: Tour of duty in Namibia ends
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

World news story

Farewell to British High Commissioner Charles Moore: Tour of duty in Namibia ends

The British High Commissioner, Mr Charles Moore, bid a final farewell to Namibia in April after four years and three months in the country.
On 9 April 2025, outgoing British High Commissioner to Namibia, Mr. Charles Moore, paid a farewell courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House in Windhoek.

His diplomatic term has ended after an eventful four years and three months. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed appreciation for Mr. Moore’s service, acknowledging that the recorded increase in trade between the two countries will go a long way in reducing the unemployment rate in Namibia.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also noted that she is looking forward to welcoming Mr. Moore’s successor, Mr. Neil Bradley, when his tenure begins. She remains hopeful for a continued positive trajectory in the bilateral relationship between Namibia and the United Kingdom.

On his end, H.E. Charles Moore stated that working in Namibia has been a privilege and a career highlight. He affirmed that even though his tour of duty has come to an end, he will continue to take a close interest in Namibia’s development and is excitedly looking forward to returning as a tourist in the future.

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Published 22 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s Local Government Minister Joins Mining in Motion Summit

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

ACCRA, Ghana, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development of Ghana, has joined the upcoming Mining in Motion 2025 Summit, taking place from 2-4 June in Accra, as a speaker. Minister Ibrahim’s participation underscores the vital role of gold mining in fostering job creation, empowering local communities and advancing economic development through strengthened local content policies and projects.

Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector directly employs over one million people and indirectly supports an additional 4.5 million individuals across the mining value chain and related industries. In 2024, the sector generated $5 billion in gold export revenue, contributing to household incomes and community development nationwide.

Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development plays a pivotal role in this progress, through strategic programs that integrate rural development with sustainable mining practices. Through the Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project – implemented in partnership with the World Bank – Ghana is formalizing its ASM operations, driving community engagement and promoting environmental stewardship.

In 2025, Minister Ibrahim is prioritizing the District Roads Improvement Program, an ambitious infrastructure plan aimed at modernizing rural road networks. Given that the majority of gold mining activities are located in remote districts, improved transport access will support mining growth by facilitating the efficient movement of goods, services and personnel.

At the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit, Minister Ibrahim will engage in high-level panel discussions and exclusive networking sessions, where he will outline the Ministry’s strategy for enhancing the mining sector’s contribution to community and national development. The summit offers an ideal platform for both public and private sector stakeholders to engage with the Ministry, explore investment opportunities and forge new partnerships, all while aligning on initiatives that deliver value to Ghanaian communities.

Mining in Motion 2025 is spearheaded by the Ashanti Green Initiative, under the leadership of Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of Ghana’s Ashanti Kingdom, and is hosted in partnership 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 https://apo-opa.co/4cLZqQs.For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery and Wawanesa Award $150,000 to Five Youth-Led Climate Projects
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HAMILTON, Ontario, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Innovative climate solutions require bold ideas, and young leaders are stepping up to the challenge. Wawanesa Insurance and Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) are thrilled to announce the latest recipients of the Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grants. The $150,000 in available funding will support youth-led projects focused on tackling climate change and building more resilient communities across Canada.

Through a competitive selection process, five outstanding projects have been chosen to each receive a $30,000 grant to develop and implement their climate-focused initiative with support from C2R2 partner institutions. These projects represent the creativity and commitment of young Canadians striving for meaningful environmental impact.

“The level of innovation and dedication from young leaders across Canada is truly inspiring,” said Has Malik, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Provost & Vice President Academic and C2R2 Co-Chair. “By investing in these projects, we are not only supporting youth-led ideas, but also empowering the next generation to take an active role in shaping a more sustainable future.”

Recognizing the critical role youth play in driving climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, Wawanesa first awarded the grant last year in partnership with C2R2. The initiative is part of the Wawanesa Climate Champions program, which reinforces the insurer’s annual $2 million commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.

“Canada’s youth are instrumental in building more climate-resilient communities,” said Jackie De Pape Hornick, Director, Communications & Community Impact at Wawanesa. “These grants are designed to empower young climate champions to transform their innovative ideas into action. We’re proud to once again partner with C2R2 to support another group of changemakers as they create a meaningful, lasting impact in our communities.”

The Wawanesa Climate Champions: Youth Innovation Grants received over 10 outstanding submissions from youth across seven of C2R2’s institution partners. Of the projects, the following have been selected to receive funding:
- Anamika Gupta at Saskatchewan Polytechnic for her project; Prairie EcoWatt: Energy Champions of Saskatchewan.
- Clarissa Getigan at New Brunswick Community College for her project; Sustainable Greenhouse Farming: Securing Food with Resource Efficiency.
- Dexter Guino at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology for his project; Enhancing the Durability Performance of Low-Carbon Concrete using Carbon-Sequestered SCM.
- Jeshuah Gilroy at Holland College for his project; Novel bioremediation approach to neutralize nitrous oxide precursors from water.
- Maninder Kailay and Nga Phan at the British Columbia Institute of Technology for their project; Supercritical CO₂ Techniques for Lithium-Ion Battery Metal Recovery.
These projects will be implemented over the next year, with recipients working alongside industry experts, academic mentors, and community partners to maximize their impact.

About Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2)

Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) is a coalition of 15 highly aligned colleges, cégeps, institutes, and polytechnics across Canada with an established commitment to sustainability. The coalition members have come together as a driving force, providing the skills required to transition to a clean economy in Canada. C2R2’s administration and secretariat are located at Mohawk College in Hamilton.

For more information, visit www.resilientcolleges.ca.

About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $3.5 billion in annual revenue and assets of $10 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with its National Headquarters in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada, and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than 1.7 million members in Canada. The company actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities, donating more than $3.5 million annually to charitable organizations, including over $2 million annually in support of people on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

For more information:

Sean Coffey
Director, Communications
Mohawk College
905-575-2127
sean.coffey@mohawkcollege.ca

Michel Rosset
Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
media@wawanesa.com

The MIL Network –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s oversight visit, engaging with the EC Provincial Executive Committee.

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s oversight visit to the Eastern Cape Province engaging with the Provincial Executive Committee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fuUh2LPGoE

MIL OSI Video –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Allenton to benefit from greater and greener transport choices
Source: City of Derby

Allenton is the latest community within Derby to become home to a mobility hub, joining Six Streets, Chaddesden and Normanton/Arboretum.

Building on the success of similar schemes elsewhere in the city, the new mobility hub will be installed at the Osmaston Road shopping precinct, giving citizens and local businesses greater choice when deciding how they travel around their local community.

Mobility hubs provide more opportunities for the local community to use sustainable and active travel methods – such as walking and cycling – making it easier for citizens to access local amenities. Not only do the hubs make it easier for residents to access local amenities, but it is hoped that they will draw more people into the area and enhance the local economy.

The hubs will also help the Council to learn more about the community’s travel needs and preferences, helping to shape future schemes.

Work on site to install the Osmaston Road mobility hub will begin later this spring, and will include:
- Electric vehicle (EV) charging and dedicated parking for up to three EVs
- An Enterprise Car Club location
- An accessible seating area with bike storage, designed in consultation with local businesses, ward councillors and the Police
- Interactive information totem with live travel updates
Councillor Carmel Swan, Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability said:

We’ve been working hard over the past few years to enhance and diversify Derby’s active and sustainable transport offer, giving citizens greater choice when it comes to deciding how to travel around the city.

This latest mobility hub will be a welcome addition to our ever-growing network, playing a key role in our combined efforts to combat climate change through reduced pollution and congestion in Derby.

Work on site to create the hub will begin later this spring and is expected to be completed in summer 2025.

The mobility hub will be funded by the Department for Transport (DFT)’s Future Transport Zones Fund, which was awarded to Derby City Council to trial new and exciting developments in transport.

Residents who would like to know more about the mobility hubs can get in touch with the Future Transport Zones team by emailing traffic.management@derby.gov.uk.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: South Africa-Lesotho Bi-National Council of Ministers

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

South Africa-Lesotho Bi-National Council of Ministers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLp46Cx4M3A

MIL OSI Video –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an Ecowas report card
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research, Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Center

The Economic Community of West African states (Ecowas) is set to mark 50 years in May 2025. It was established in 1975 by 16 member states. Though seven of the founding leaders had ascended to power through coups d’état, the initial focus was economic growth and regional trade and cooperation.

Within three years, however, its mandates were expanded to encompass political, security and other objectives. These additions were necessary as the west African post-independence governments sought to respond to shifting socio-economic and security challenges. These included coup d’états in Niger, Nigeria, Ghana and Mauritania. There were also other threats to the rule of law, electoral integrity and good governance.

To address the expansion of its mandate, the Ecowas treaties were revised in 1993 to pass more power to the regional bloc.

These changes unsettled the relationships among member states. Acting in unison or following the rules hasn’t always suited national agendas. That partly explains the decision by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to break away from Ecowas in 2024.

Most recently, the military government in Guinea, Togo’s Gnassingbe dynasty and Chad’s Déby regime have all resisted Ecowas pressure. Their domestic political agendas contradict the organisation’s norms and principles.

We have years of research spanning politics, citizenship, international relations and civil conflict.

Admittedly, the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – to form the Alliance of Sahel States – will form an unsettling cloud over the Ecowas anniversary. We argue however that despite inevitable upheavals during five decades of postcolonial nation-building, Ecowas can look back on successes in integration, peace and security, and good governance.

These include its emphasis on good governance; its conflict prevention framework; and member states’ responsibility to protect their populations from grave violations of human rights.

An unprecedented challenge

The consequences of the withdrawal of the three countries for Ecowas as a whole shouldn’t be overstated. Still, it is a telling blow to the organisation. It represents a direct questioning of the principle of regional integration and cooperation.

The three military juntas evidently see Ecowas as a dysfunctional club of self-interested heads of state that kowtows to Europe.

African public opinion has swung in favour of a brand of populism promising quick military solutions. It’s seen as the antidote to the failure of domestic and multilateral attempts to stem jihadist violence in the Sahel.

In practice, the juntas have relied on states of emergency as a cover for systematic aggression and abuse of civilian populations.

Even if one accepts the trade-off between security and democracy, the new military rulers have so far been unable to stem jihadist violence in their countries. Instead they have committed violence against their own populations. This is especially the case in Mali and Burkina Faso.

These acts include the summary execution of several hundred civilians in Burkina Faso in 2024.

Read more: Ecowas: 6 steps the leaders can take to restore stability and growth in west Africa

Despite these abuses, the military juntas have succeeded in framing Ecowas as part of the problem of external control over national sovereignty. This is at the heart of Ecowas’s emerging legitimacy crisis. It is a crisis which undermines many of the soft diplomacy tools that have worked relatively well in the past to unite its members.

The soft power tools include:
- the Council of the Wise – deployed in mediation and negotiation in a number of political crises in the region, including those in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Togo
- Offices of the Special Representative and Special Mediators, tasked with conflict mediation and election monitoring
- Traditional Authorities and Leaders, who are sent in when other mechanisms fail.
These diplomatic tools are less visible than high-level delegations and official statements or sanctions. But they have been employed in numerous political crises in the subregion over the past two decades.

They have arguably tempered the outcomes of constitutional crises, like the one sparked by a popular uprising in Burkina Faso in 2014. They also defused the political crisis in Guinea Bissau between 2015 and 2019.

The small victories of soft diplomacy don’t always lead to outright successes. But they have been a means to allow Ecowas involvement in mediation efforts. They have ensured the organisation’s overall relevance and justification in the face of unconstitutional changes of government.

The failure of the soft diplomacy mechanisms in the biggest crisis to face Ecowas tests the organisation’s ability to withstand future crises.

The way forward for Ecowas at 50

The next phase for Ecowas starts in the context of public perceptions critical of the member states. Criticism has been levelled against Ecowas as a “union of heads of state” prioritising their interests over the people’s.

Nevertheless, most of the citizens still prefer democracy as a political system. Even the military juntas embrace (at least on paper) these basic principles as their long-term aspiration.

Ecowas has championed democratic values of equality, freedom, justice, pluralism, tolerance, respect and public participation. These remain the keys to reversing the sub-region’s recent unconstitutional changes of government. Ecowas must strengthen its voice in calling for a return to civilian rule and the respect of its fundamental democratic principles.

Read more: Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

The organisation’s representatives must articulate these basic values as an expression of the will of its citizens.

On the other hand, Ecowas must continue to leave the dorrs openen to the military juntas. This could potentially facilitate the transition to civilian rule and signal a fresh start for regional collaboration. Its soft diplomacy tools will be essential for improving dialogue and reaching viable compromises.

Ecowas must strive to improve its legitimacy in the eyes of the populations of its member states. This can be achieved by applying its own democratic values consistently and objectively across the region. The anniversary provides an important opportunity for introspection and genuine institutional reform.

– West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an Ecowas report card
– https://theconversation.com/west-africas-bold-trade-experiment-turns-50-an-ecowas-report-card-238024

MIL OSI Africa –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: Fullstory Appoints Chad Gold as Chief Financial Officer

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ATLANTA, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fullstory, a leading behavioral data company, today announced the appointment of Chad Gold as its chief financial officer (CFO). Gold brings over two decades of financial leadership experience in high-growth technology companies to Fullstory, where he will oversee the company’s financial strategy and operations.

“Chad’s extensive experience in scaling technology companies aligns perfectly with Fullstory’s vision for growth,” said Scott Voigt, CEO of Fullstory. “His strategic financial leadership will be instrumental as we continue to expand our offerings and deliver data-driven value to our customers. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Chad to the team, especially given his deep ties to the Atlanta tech community and proven track record of helping high-growth companies thrive here.”

As CFO, Gold will focus on driving Fullstory’s continued growth, particularly as the company scales into the enterprise market. He will also work closely with the leadership team to support Fullstory’s product innovations, including the recent launch of new AI-agent-powered behavioral data solutions.

“Fullstory is in a prime position to lead the charge in AI innovation, thanks to the unmatched depth and quality of our behavioral data,” said Gold. “Businesses increasingly turn to AI to drive transformation, and I’m excited to contribute to that momentum. Fullstory is expanding its offerings, providing greater access to workforce intelligence and cutting-edge AI capabilities. I’m proud to be part of the team launching these innovations and am ready to start helping businesses turn data into meaningful, measurable outcomes.”

Prior to joining Fullstory, Gold served as CFO at G2, where he led financial strategy, investor relations, and business operations. He previously held the CFO role at Salesloft, guiding the company through rapid growth and a majority investment by Vista Equity Partners. Gold has also held senior finance roles at Rubicon Global, SAP Ariba, and The Home Depot. He was named CFO of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2022.

Gold’s appointment follows a series of strategic executive hires at Fullstory. In March 2024, the company welcomed Jason Wolf as president to lead growth and expansion initiatives. In August 2024, Fullstory appointed Claire Fang as chief product and technology officer – leading the product, design, and engineering teams. These additions underscore Fullstory’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team to support its ongoing growth and innovation.

About Fullstory
Fullstory is on a mission to help technology leaders make better, more informed decisions by injecting behavioral data into their analytics stack. The company’s patented technology unlocks the power of quality behavioral data at scale by transforming every digital visit into actionable data and insights. With Fullstory, enterprises can get closer to their customers’ true sentiments and intentions to predict what they want, create personalized experiences, and drive conversion, loyalty, and revenue. Fullstory is headquartered in Atlanta, USA, with regional teams across North America, EMEA, and APAC. For more information, visit www.fullstory.com.

Fullstory Media Relations
Alexandra King
Director of Communications
pr@fullstory.com

The MIL Network –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an Ecowas report card
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research, Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Center

The Economic Community of West African states (Ecowas) is set to mark 50 years in May 2025. It was established in 1975 by 16 member states. Though seven of the founding leaders had ascended to power through coups d’état, the initial focus was economic growth and regional trade and cooperation.

Within three years, however, its mandates were expanded to encompass political, security and other objectives. These additions were necessary as the west African post-independence governments sought to respond to shifting socio-economic and security challenges. These included coup d’états in Niger, Nigeria, Ghana and Mauritania. There were also other threats to the rule of law, electoral integrity and good governance.

To address the expansion of its mandate, the Ecowas treaties were revised in 1993 to pass more power to the regional bloc.

These changes unsettled the relationships among member states. Acting in unison or following the rules hasn’t always suited national agendas. That partly explains the decision by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to break away from Ecowas in 2024.

Most recently, the military government in Guinea, Togo’s Gnassingbe dynasty and Chad’s Déby regime have all resisted Ecowas pressure. Their domestic political agendas contradict the organisation’s norms and principles.

We have years of research spanning politics, citizenship, international relations and civil conflict.

Admittedly, the withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso – to form the Alliance of Sahel States – will form an unsettling cloud over the Ecowas anniversary. We argue however that despite inevitable upheavals during five decades of postcolonial nation-building, Ecowas can look back on successes in integration, peace and security, and good governance.

These include its emphasis on good governance; its conflict prevention framework; and member states’ responsibility to protect their populations from grave violations of human rights.

An unprecedented challenge

The consequences of the withdrawal of the three countries for Ecowas as a whole shouldn’t be overstated. Still, it is a telling blow to the organisation. It represents a direct questioning of the principle of regional integration and cooperation.

The three military juntas evidently see Ecowas as a dysfunctional club of self-interested heads of state that kowtows to Europe.

African public opinion has swung in favour of a brand of populism promising quick military solutions. It’s seen as the antidote to the failure of domestic and multilateral attempts to stem jihadist violence in the Sahel.

In practice, the juntas have relied on states of emergency as a cover for systematic aggression and abuse of civilian populations.

Even if one accepts the trade-off between security and democracy, the new military rulers have so far been unable to stem jihadist violence in their countries. Instead they have committed violence against their own populations. This is especially the case in Mali and Burkina Faso.

These acts include the summary execution of several hundred civilians in Burkina Faso in 2024.

Read more:
Ecowas: 6 steps the leaders can take to restore stability and growth in west Africa

Despite these abuses, the military juntas have succeeded in framing Ecowas as part of the problem of external control over national sovereignty. This is at the heart of Ecowas’s emerging legitimacy crisis. It is a crisis which undermines many of the soft diplomacy tools that have worked relatively well in the past to unite its members.

The soft power tools include:
- the Council of the Wise – deployed in mediation and negotiation in a number of political crises in the region, including those in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Togo
- Offices of the Special Representative and Special Mediators, tasked with conflict mediation and election monitoring
- Traditional Authorities and Leaders, who are sent in when other mechanisms fail.
These diplomatic tools are less visible than high-level delegations and official statements or sanctions. But they have been employed in numerous political crises in the subregion over the past two decades.

They have arguably tempered the outcomes of constitutional crises, like the one sparked by a popular uprising in Burkina Faso in 2014. They also defused the political crisis in Guinea Bissau between 2015 and 2019.

The small victories of soft diplomacy don’t always lead to outright successes. But they have been a means to allow Ecowas involvement in mediation efforts. They have ensured the organisation’s overall relevance and justification in the face of unconstitutional changes of government.

The failure of the soft diplomacy mechanisms in the biggest crisis to face Ecowas tests the organisation’s ability to withstand future crises.

The way forward for Ecowas at 50

The next phase for Ecowas starts in the context of public perceptions critical of the member states. Criticism has been levelled against Ecowas as a “union of heads of state” prioritising their interests over the people’s.

Nevertheless, most of the citizens still prefer democracy as a political system. Even the military juntas embrace (at least on paper) these basic principles as their long-term aspiration.

Ecowas has championed democratic values of equality, freedom, justice, pluralism, tolerance, respect and public participation. These remain the keys to reversing the sub-region’s recent unconstitutional changes of government. Ecowas must strengthen its voice in calling for a return to civilian rule and the respect of its fundamental democratic principles.

Read more:
Ecowas breakup could push up food prices and worsen hunger in west Africa

The organisation’s representatives must articulate these basic values as an expression of the will of its citizens.

On the other hand, Ecowas must continue to leave the dorrs openen to the military juntas. This could potentially facilitate the transition to civilian rule and signal a fresh start for regional collaboration. Its soft diplomacy tools will be essential for improving dialogue and reaching viable compromises.

Ecowas must strive to improve its legitimacy in the eyes of the populations of its member states. This can be achieved by applying its own democratic values consistently and objectively across the region. The anniversary provides an important opportunity for introspection and genuine institutional reform.

Emmanuel Kwesi Aning receives funding from D-SIP – Domestic Security Implications of UN Peacekeeping in Ghana, which is a Danish Funded Program

Jesper Bjarnesen receives funding from the Swedish Science Council (grant VR2019-03444).

– ref. West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an Ecowas report card – https://theconversation.com/west-africas-bold-trade-experiment-turns-50-an-ecowas-report-card-238024
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Mount Whitney conducts Tripoli and Benghazi port visits to promote regional stability, national unity and Libyan sovereignty

Source: United States Navy

TRIPOLI, Libya – The Blue Ridge-class command and control ship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), arrived in Libya for scheduled port visits, April 20-21, in support of enduring U.S.-Libya cooperation and regional security. While in Libya, Mount Whitney visited both Tripoli and Benghazi for key engagements with leaders from across the country.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s Rand Refinery Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joins Mining in Motion 2025

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

ACCRA, Ghana, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

Praveen Baijnath, CEO of Rand Refinery, has been confirmed as a speaker at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit, scheduled for June 2–4 in Accra. Baijnath will contribute to the panel discussion, Medium to Long-Term Funding Models for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, which will explore innovative financing mechanisms aimed at improving financial accessibility for small-scale miners.

As the head of the world’s largest integrated single-site precious metals refining and smelting complex, Baijnath brings a critical perspective on the downstream sector’s role in strengthening artisanal mining, supporting sector-wide growth and delivering value-added products tailored to African markets. Ghana’s small-scale gold mining activities generated $5 billion in export revenue in 2024, while South Africa accounted for 60.5% of Ghana’s gold exports to other African nations – highlighting the deep interconnection between the two countries’ gold sectors.

Rand Refinery’s major shareholders are also key players in Ghana’s upstream gold industry. AngloGold Ashanti, which owns 42.5% of Rand Refinery, operates major Ghanaian mines including Iduapriem and Obuasi. Gold Fields, holding a 33.15% stake, manages the Tarkwa and Damang mines. Baijnath’s participation is expected to foster stronger collaboration between South Africa and Ghana, promoting sustainable and inclusive development within the gold mining sector.

Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative in partnership with the World Bank, World Gold Council and other international stakeholders, Mining in Motion 2025 will be held under the theme Sustainable Mining & Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Impact. The event will welcome top-level decision-makers, including H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana, along with representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS, the United Nations and the private sector.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Powering the Future: Energy Leaders to Tackle Africa’s Grid Challenges at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

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

PARIS, France, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

As Africa faces a sharp rise in electricity demand driven by population growth, industrialization and rapid urban expansion, the continent’s power sector is at a critical juncture. At Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025, taking place next month in Paris, a high-level panel on Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa will bring together industry leaders to examine how a multi-pronged energy strategy can transform the continent’s electrification landscape.

Moderated by Paul Hickin, Chief Economist & Editor in Chief at Petroleum Economist, the panel will feature Jerome Bertheau, Executive Vice President of Global Projects at BW Energy; Christoffer Ek, Director of Decarbonization Services at Wärtsilä Energy; and Silvia Macri, Director at S&P Global Commodity Insights. The conversation will explore a blended approach to power generation – integrating renewable and conventional energy sources, grid and off-grid solutions, and cutting-edge storage technologies – to chart a realistic pathway toward sustainable energy access in Africa, while addressing the urgent need for scalable, resilient and inclusive energy solutions.

IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/3Rqu3RJ) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Africa’s current power generation capacity falls short of its development needs, with more than 600 million people lacking access to electricity. While renewables like solar and wind are gaining traction, the transition to sustainable energy requires a balanced and diversified energy mix, with gas-to-power playing an increasingly important role.

In Namibia, BW Energy is advancing its flagship Kudu gas-to-power project, which will supply up to 885 MW of electricity using gas from the offshore Kudu field, helping to strengthen both national energy security and regional grid stability. Meanwhile, with projects including the Sandiara gas-to-power plant in Senegal and the Soyo II combined-cycle plant in Angola, among others, African nations are advancing large-scale integrated gas projects to tap into underutilized reserves and support their electrification agendas.

As such, the Revolutionizing Power Generation in Africa session will explore how flexible power solutions can be integrated with renewable energy technologies to enhance grid stability and support the transition to cleaner, more reliable energy systems. As a key developer in the drive towards grid stability, Wärtsilä Energy is powering Africa’s mining and industrial sectors with projects including a 17 MW plant in Senegal, a 50 MW captive power plant in Nigeria, O&M contracts in Zambia and Madagascar and maintenance of power plants in Morocco. These efforts highlight the growing importance of hybrid and modular energy systems in meeting Africa’s evolving electricity needs, which will be discussed at the upcoming forum.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Azule Energy Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Gold Sponsor Ahead of Major Project Launches

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

LUANDA, Angola, April 22, 2025/APO Group/ —

International energy company Azule Energy has confirmed its participation as a Gold Sponsor at the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 conference, taking place in Luanda on September 3-4. As Angola’s largest independent equity producer of oil and gas, Azule Energy’s return to the event underscores its continued commitment to working closely with operators, service providers and government partners to drive forward the country’s energy agenda.

Azule Energy is advancing a series of large-scale oil and gas projects across the country, including Angola’s first non-associated gas project. Led by the New Gas Consortium (NGC) with Azule Energy as operator, the project will tap gas resources from the Quiluma and Maboqueiro (Q&M) shallow water fields. In February 2025, the NGC completed the offshore platforms for the project, with the Quiluma platform departing shortly thereafter for the installation site. The full development includes two offshore platforms and an onshore gas processing plant and will supply feedstock to Angola LNG, the country’s sole LNG facility. Production is expected to start in late 2025 or early 2026, with the platforms delivered six months ahead of schedule.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Another major development underway is the Agogo Integrated West Hub Development in Block 15/06. In February 2025, Azule Energy and its project partners announced the sail-away of the Agogo FPSO from the shipyard in China to Angola. The FPSO is expected to begin operations by late 2025, joining the existing Ngoma FPSO and producing hydrocarbons from the Agogo and Ndungu fields. The new unit will boost production by 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and features cutting-edge carbon capture and storage technology. Notably, it incorporates the world’s first post-combustion CO₂ capture plants installed on an FPSO, marking a significant step forward in reducing emissions from offshore production.

Azule Energy’s broader portfolio includes 18 licenses – 11 of which the company operates – spanning both Angola and Namibia. In December 2024, the company finalized a strategic farm-in to Block 2914A in Namibia’s PEL 85, marking its first international expansion. In 2024, Azule’s net production reached 210,000 bpd, with oil and condensates making up 80% of output. The company is targeting 250,000 bpd by 2027 as it advances its upstream operations.

In addition to oil and gas, Azule Energy is leading efforts to deliver low-carbon energy solutions in Angola. In partnership with Sonangol, the company is developing the Caraculo Solar Project in Namibe Province, with a total capacity of 50 MW. Phase one came online in 2023, delivering 25 MW of clean power to the grid.

Azule Energy is also deeply committed to local content and social development. In 2024, the company inaugurated a new school in Huambo, offering educational access to 720 students. Alongside its Block 15/06 partners, it also handed over two education facilities to the Government of Cabinda in 2024, funded by project revenues and reinforcing the social impact of Angola’s energy industry

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s Message for International Mother Earth Day [scroll down for French]

Source: United Nations – English

other Earth is running a fever.

Last year was the hottest ever recorded:

The final blow in a decade of record heat.

We know what’s causing this sickness: the greenhouse gas emissions humanity is pumping into the atmosphere – overwhelmingly from burning fossil fuels.

We know the symptoms: devastating wildfires, floods and heat. Lives lost and livelihoods shattered.

And we know the cure: rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and turbocharging adaptation, to protect ourselves – and nature – from climate disasters.

Getting on the road to recovery is a win-win.

Renewable power is cheaper, healthier, and more secure than fossil fuel alternatives.

And action on adaptation is critical to creating robust economies and safer communities, now and in the future.

This year is critical.

All countries must create new national climate action plans that align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius – essential to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe.

This is a vital chance to seize the benefits of clean power. I urge all countries to take it, with the G20 leading the way.

We also need action to tackle pollution, slam the brakes on biodiversity loss, and deliver the finance countries need to protect our planet.

Together, let’s get to work and make 2025 the year we restore good health to Mother Earth.

*****

La Terre nourricière est prise de fièvre.

L’année dernière a été la plus chaude jamais enregistrée – le coup de grâce d’une décennie de chaleur record.

Nous savons la cause de cette maladie : les émissions de gaz à effet de serre que l’humanité rejette dans l’atmosphère, et qui proviennent essentiellement des combustibles fossiles.

Nous en connaissons les symptômes : les incendies de forêt, les inondations et les chaleurs, qui font des ravages. Des vies perdues et des moyens de subsistance anéantis.

Et nous connaissons le remède : réduire rapidement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre et accélérer l’adaptation pour nous protéger – et protéger la nature – des catastrophes climatiques.

Tout le monde gagne à prendre le chemin de la guérison.

Les énergies renouvelables sont moins chères, plus saines et plus sûres que les combustibles fossiles.

Les mesures d’adaptation sont essentielles pour créer des économies solides et des sociétés plus sûres, aujourd’hui et demain.

L’année 2025 est décisive.

Tous les pays doivent établir de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat compatibles avec l’objectif de limiter la hausse de la température mondiale à 1,5 degré Celsius, qui sera primordial pour éviter la pire des catastrophes climatiques.

Il s’agit d’une occasion unique de profiter des avantages de l’énergie propre. J’invite tous les pays à la saisir, le G20 montrant la voie à suivre.

Nous devons également agir pour lutter contre la pollution, freiner l’appauvrissement de la biodiversité et fournir les fonds dont les pays ont besoin pour protéger notre planète.

Ensemble, mettons-nous à l’œuvre et faisons de 2025 l’année où nous remettrons d’aplomb la Terre nourricière.

MIL OSI Africa –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Human trafficking-fueled fraud ring dismantled in joint Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana operation
Source: Interpol (news and events)

22 April 2025
LYON, France – Two suspected traffickers have been arrested and 33 people rescued from a criminal network that sequestered victims and forced them into exploitative pyramid schemes.

The successful operation was carried out by police in Côte d’Ivoire, following a joint investigation with Ghanaian authorities and support from INTERPOL.

The case was brought to the attention of police in Ghana by the father of two victims who had been lured through fake job ads online. His daughters had paid nearly USD 9,000 to travel to Canada for work via a recruiter that used a Canadian phone number, giving the employment offer a sense of legitimacy.

In reality, the victims had been trafficked to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire for the purpose of exploitation where they were held against their will. Under physical and psychological coercion, including threats and abuse, they were forced to perpetuate the scam by enrolling new victims using popular multi-level marketing platforms.

To conceal the exploitation from friends and family, the organizers provided victims with Canadian contact details and prevented them from speaking openly about the situation. Victims were taken to upmarket shops or luxury hotels in Abidjan and made to pose for photos to falsely suggest a life of comfort abroad.

An investigation was launched in Ghana after one victim escaped the captors and returned home, alerting families and giving crucial information to police.

Thanks to a police cooperation agreement between Western African countries that enables free cross-border movement for criminal investigations, the escaped victim returned to Côte d’Ivoire to give vital evidence. As a key witness, the individual was able to provide intelligence for the rescue operation. The relatives of victims still held captive were also assisted with travel to Abidjan to give additional information to local forces.

Côte d’Ivoire – Victims were kept in harsh conditions

Throughout the investigation INTERPOL acted as a coordinator between the two countries, facilitating the organization of raids on two key locations in February 2025. The successful mission, carried out by specialized agencies in Côte d’Ivoire, resulted in two arrests and the release of 33 victims.

The rescued victims, who came from four different countries—Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo—were referred to a local NGO for assistance and care. The main suspect was arrested and handed over to Ghanaian authorities for legal proceedings.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

“This success involving Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana is an excellent example of how important police cooperation is when it comes to fighting human trafficking scams. Because of their joint efforts, victims have been saved and those responsible are now facing justice. INTERPOL will continue supporting our member countries’ work to bring down these criminal networks and put an end to human trafficking in all its forms.”

Youssouf Kouyate, Director General of the Côte d’Ivoire National Police said:

“Our close cooperation with INTERPOL and Ghanaian police was pivotal to the achievements of this operation and is a testament to the strength of our regional partnerships. I would like to commend the bravery of the victims who came forward to assist in this investigation and to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing and dismantling the networks that perpetrate these crimes.”

Scams on the rise: What to look out for

Exploitative pyramid schemes are a growing threat in West and Central Africa, often following similar patterns to the case outlined above. Victims are typically promised employment or educational opportunities abroad and persuaded to pay upfront fees for travel or administration costs.

Once ensnared by human traffickers, their personal documents are confiscated and they are often subjected to a horrific range of abuses, including forced labour, extortion, physical violence or sexual exploitation. To bring in new victims they are regularly forced to target their own friends, family or personal acquaintances, preying on trust to expand the scheme.

INTERPOL urges the public to be extremely cautious when approached about work or study opportunities, even when introduced by a personal contact. Some of the red flags to look out for include:
- Requests for personal information or money – One of the clearest signs of a scam is a request for payment or investment during the application, interview or onboarding process. You should never have to part with your money to receive a legitimate offer.
- Pressure tactics – Scammers may create urgency by setting short deadlines or claiming the offer will go to someone else if you don’t respond quickly. Genuine recruiters will allow you time to consider the opportunity.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers – Is the offer vague or poorly explained? Did you receive it without a thorough interview? Are the salary or conditions unusually generous? Compare it with similar offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Online presence – In the past, a simple online search could often expose a scam through its amateur website or unprofessional communication. Today, many criminal groups set up convincing companies or imitate well-known brands, often with a polished digital presence.
MIL Security OSI –
April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: FBI Marks the 45th Anniversary of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

LEXINGTON, SC—The FBI Columbia Field Office this week is recognizing the 45th anniversary of the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

The initial JTTF began in 1989 in New York City with a partnership between the New York Field Office and the New York City Police Department. Then, leaders from the agencies discussed how to combine expertise and resources to locate terrorist organizations responsible for attacks in the city. These conversations led to the creation of the first JTTF.

The JTTFs are the nation’s front-line defense against international and domestic terrorism. JTTFs gather evidence, follow leads, make arrets, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to various threats and incidents.

Following the 9/11 attacks, FBI leadership directed all FBI field offices to establish a JTTF. In addition, the FBI established its National Joint Terrorism Task Force to support the local task forces in June of 2002. The NJTTF, at FBI Headquarters, enhances communication, coordination, and cooperation from partner agencies. JTTFs have disrupted dozens of plots in the past four decades.

Today, there are nearly 200 task forces around the country, including at least one in the FBI’s field offices with about 4,400 members from participating state, local, and federal agencies.

The FBI Columbia field office’s JTFF has 19 task force officers and analysts from 12 participating agencies across South Carolina.

“The persistent threat of terrorism across South Carolina demands a united front,” said Reid Davis, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office. “The FBI Columbia Field Office relies on our strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and their JTTF members to swiftly disrupt threats and respond with precision whenever danger arises.”

The FBI Columbia Field Office counts numerous disruptions of its own, including a plan by a Barnwell man to detonate explosives in public locations in Pickens County in 2019 to express his frustration with the Department of Social Services. One device exploded near the Pickens County Courthouse causing minor damage to the building. Michael Lambert Seabrooke,41, was sentenced in 2021 to 12 years in federal prison for possession of explosive devices and two counts of malicious damage and attempt to damage by means of explosive materials.

The FBI Columbia JTTF also investigated a case where individuals shot at a Duke Energy regulator bank in Dalzell in 2023 which caused significant damage. One suspect, Donald Ray Hurst, 35, of Sumter, pleaded guilty to destruction of an energy facility, and is awaiting sentencing. A second individual allegedly involved, Chad Allen Kron, 33, of Sumter, was charged with destruction of an energy facility and possessing an unregistered firearm. Kron is awaiting trial.

If you see or know about suspicious activity involving chemical, biological, or radiological materials, report it to 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also submit online tips at tips.fbi.gov.

MIL Security OSI –

April 23, 2025
MIL-OSI: UPAY Inc. – AML GO Accelerates Growth with 30 New Clients in two weeks
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

DALLAS, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AML GO (Pty) Ltd (“AML GO”), a subsidiary of UPAY Inc. (OTCQB: UPYY) and a leading provider of advanced anti-money laundering (AML) and compliance technologies, is proud to announce a major growth milestone in its mission to revolutionize financial crime risk management.

In just under two weeks, AML GO has successfully onboarded 30 new clients, a surge directly driven by its strategic integration and partnership with ACPAS, UPAY’s loan management software platform. The newly onboarded clients represent institutions that utilize ACPAS’s platform—demonstrating the power of embedding compliance at the core of financial software solutions.

“These results show how embedding AML technology into financial systems like ACPAS creates immediate value for clients,” said Mia-Daniel Bester, Fintech Compliance Associate at AML GO. “It’s not just a growth milestone—it’s a validation of our embedded compliance strategy.”

Strategic Expansion through Group Partnerships

In addition to the ACPAS-led client onboarding, AML GO has secured two pivotal group partnerships:
- A Group Reseller Partner in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, allowing AML GO to expand its geographic footprint with tailored regulatory solutions for each country in the bloc.
- A Group Client Partner that is rolling out AML GO across multiple businesses within its structure. These businesses, in turn, are extending the platform to their own client bases—creating a self-propagating ecosystem of compliance.
These relationships are designed to scale AML GO’s impact and foster sector-wide adoption of robust AML technologies.

Advancing Industry Dialogue: Upcoming Regulatory Engagements

AML GO is preparing to present its compliance solutions to two influential stakeholders in the coming week:
- The Micro Finance Association of South Africa (MFSA)
- The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) – Regulator of South Africa
These sessions will spotlight AML GO’s innovative approach to mitigating money laundering (ML), terrorist financing (TF), and poor risk decision-making—while helping institutions fulfil regulatory obligations with greater efficiency.

About AML GO

AML GO (Pty) Ltd provides automated-rule-driven AML compliance, screening, credit vetting, and risk management tools. Focused on usability, scalability, and precision, AML GO helps financial institutions and other accountable institutions prevent financial crime and maintain operational integrity across Africa and beyond.

www.amlgo.co.za

About ACPAS

ACPAS, a subsidiary of UPAY Inc., is a leading provider of loan management software in South Africa. With a track record of innovation since 2012, ACPAS serves financial institutions with cutting-edge credit solutions, making it the ideal partner for integrated compliance deployments.

www.acpas.co.za

About UPAY

UPAY Inc. is a publicly traded fintech holding company that invests in financial software platforms and data intelligence tools. Through its subsidiaries—including AML GO, ACPAS and HUNTPAL—UPAY delivers solutions that bridge compliance, automation, and user experience.

www.upaytechnology.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements because of new information, future events, or other circumstances. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company’s future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

Contact Information
UPAY INC.
Media Relations
info@upaytechnology.com

The MIL Network –
April 22, 2025

MIL-OSI: Best No KYC Casinos 2025: 7Bit Casino Rated as the Top Instant Withdrawal Casino with No Verification

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

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The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The 6th edition of India Steel, a premier biennial International Exhibition-cum Conference on the steel sector, to be held from April 24 to 26, in Mumbai

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 8:19PM by PIB Bengaluru

The 6th edition of India Steel, a premier biennial International Exhibition-cumConference on the steel sector, will be held from April 24 to 26, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address the event on April 24 via video conferencing, in the presence of several dignitaries, including Union Ministers and Chief Ministers of three States. Organized by the Ministry of Steel, India Steel 2025 will bring together global stakeholders to discuss key issues such as growth strategies, sustainability in steel production, resilience in a changing global economy, and the role of innovation and digital technologies in enhancing competitiveness.

The event will witness high-level participation from the Centre, underscoring the strategic role of steel in realizing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Among the dignitaries expected to attend are Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal, and Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries. The event will also witness participation of dignitaries from States Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha.

These leaders will preside over key sessions, reflecting steel’s significance to India’s economic and industrial strategy and emphasizing steel’s cross-sectoral importance. Senior officials from the Government of India, including Secretaries from the Ministries of Steel, Coal, and Electronics & IT (MeitY), will lead important discussions, further driving the sector’s growth and strategic direction. Global industry leaders and foreign dignitaries, including the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia and Ambassadors of Australia, Mozambique, and Mongolia, will participate, enhancing international collaboration in the steel sector.

Since its inception in 2013, India Steel Expo has grown into a leading platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies and equipment, fostering strategic industry dialogues, and enabling global networking. This year’s edition is expected to draw professionals from across the world, including those from construction, oil and gas, and engineering sectors, who are keen to promote their services, forge business partnerships, and align with evolving market trends. Hon’ble Union Steel Minister Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy has warmly invited stakeholders from across the steel and allied sectors to participate in India Steel 2025 and urged the entire fraternity to join the event in large numbers and contribute to making it a resounding success.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP warns of rising hunger and malnutrition in Ethiopia as humanitarian needs outpace resources
Source: World Food Programme

WFP/Michael Tewelde. A 7-month-old baby girl, was identified as moderately malnourished during a TSF assistance program at the Endaba-Guna IDP camp in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Photo credit

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise in Ethiopia as ongoing conflict, regional instability, displacement, drought and economic shocks, leave millions without sufficient nutritious food, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned today. The organization’s life-saving response has been severely hampered by critical funding shortfalls as 3.6 million of the most vulnerable are at imminent risk of losing food assistance, including malnutrition treatment for 650,000 women and children.

Below is an update on food security and WFP operations in Ethiopia:

Food Security Situation
- More than 10 million people are facing hunger and malnutrition across Ethiopia. These include three million people forced from their homes due to conflict and extreme weather.
- Malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with 4.4 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and children in need of treatment.
- In parts of Somali, Oromia, Tigray, and Afar regions, child wasting has surpassed the 15 percent emergency threshold.
- Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia are rising due to conflict in neighboring countries. WFP already supports 800,000 refugees in Ethiopia, including 100,000 Sudanese refugees, while escalating insecurity in northeastern South Sudan could drive 10,000 more refugees across the border.
- Poor rainfall expected in south-eastern Ethiopia through May risks another drought in the Somali region as families are still reeling from the 2020-2023 drought – the country’s longest on record.
WFP Response
- WFP delivered food and nutrition assistance to more than three million people in the first quarter of 2025, with 80 percent rations to displaced and severely food-insecure Ethiopians, and 60 percent rations to up to one million refugees.
- This year, WFP has treated 740,000 children and pregnant or breastfeeding women for malnutrition and provided 50,000 families with fresh food vouchers.
- WFP provides daily school meals to about 470,000 children every month, including 70,000 children from refugee communities – prioritising conflict-affected and food-insecure woredas in northern Ethiopia.
- WFP is helping communities to prepare and protect their livelihoods in drought-prone Oromia, Somali and Southern regions, targeting over 200,000 people with early warning messages and cash transfers.
Access Challenges
- Ongoing violence and insecurity in Amhara are disrupting WFP’s humanitarian operations, threatening our ability to reach over half a million vulnerable people in the region.
- Criminal activities such as car hijacking, threats, and theft, are on the rise and pose serious risks to staff safety and impact the delivery of life saving assistance.
Funding
- Without urgent new funding, 3.6 million of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable people will lose access to WFP’s life-saving food and nutrition assistance in the coming weeks.
- WFP is being forced to halt treatment for 650,000 malnourished women and children in May due to insufficient funding. WFP had planned to reach 2 million mothers and children with life-saving nutrition assistance in 2025.
- Cash and in-kind food assistance for up to one million refugees will stop in June if additional funding is not received and the number of people fleeing violence in South Sudan continues.
- Despite the generosity of many governments and individual donors, WFP in Ethiopia faces a funding shortfall of US$222 million between April and September 2025.
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MIL OSI United Nations News –
April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: Call for Nominations: 2025 Global Citizen Award

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading international residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, in partnership with Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit humanitarian organization, is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2025 Global Citizen Award.

Created 11 years ago in 2014, the Global Citizen Award is a tribute that honors remarkable individuals working to advance any one of the global challenges affecting humanity today – challenges that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone.

The 2025 laureate will be selected by a distinguished, independent committee and honored at the Global Citizen Award ceremony. This is a gala evening event which forms part of the annual Henley & Partners Global Citizenship Conference which is taking place this year at The Dorchester, London from 2–4 November 2025.

Henley & Partners Chairman and Founder of the Andan Foundation, Dr Christian H. Kaelin, says the awardee’s work needs to demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable social groups, particularly with a connection to migration-related issues. “The Global Citizen Award is open worldwide to those working in a field with a direct link to the issues they are looking to affect. The committee is looking for remarkable and inspirational individuals who demonstrate vision, courage, and innovation in driving global change, and whose actions and outlook contribute to a more just, peaceful, connected, and tolerant world.”

The selection process is based on a majority decision of the Award Committee. The award itself consists of a bespoke sculptural medal designed by leading Italian artist Antonio Nocera, an award certificate signed by the Chairman of the Global Citizen Award Committee, and a monetary prize of USD 20,000, which goes towards supporting the awardee’s humanitarian efforts. In addition, Henley & Partners commits to working closely with the awardee for a period of one year, raising awareness of their work and supporting the selected project through the firm’s network of more than 60 offices worldwide.

Since its inception, the Global Citizen Award has honored many remarkable individuals, including German entrepreneur Harald Höppner, who set up the refugee humanitarian aid project Sea Watch, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Africa’s largest disaster relief organization and Monique Morrow, Co-Founder of The Humanized Internet, a digital identity project that aims to bring hope to the estimated 1.1 billion individuals in the world who cannot prove their legal identity.

Diep Vuong, Co-Founder and President of the Pacific Links Foundation, was awarded for her work in Southeast Asia campaigning for the rights of those enslaved by human trafficking, while Prof. Dr. Padraig O’Malley received his Global Citizen Award in recognition of his work on conflict resolution and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Iraq. Zannah Bukar Mustapha was recognized for the psychological, educational, spiritual and other developmental support provided to the children and widows affected by the insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria, and last year, Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and the current Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, was acknowledged for his pioneering work as a human rights activist and advocate for climate action.

Reflecting on the award’s legacy and impact, Dr. Kaelin explains that the ideals of global citizenship have always been central to Henley & Partners. Through its collaboration with the Andan Foundation, the firm extends vital support to individuals displaced by conflict, war, and climate-related crises. “Each of our Global Citizen Award recipients has moved us with their courage to tackle challenges many consider overwhelming,” he says. “Today’s global issues go far beyond individual communities or nations. More than ever, it’s essential to support those who are actively creating meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable communities worldwide.”

Nominations close on Tuesday, 1 July 2025. You can submit your nomination online here or send it to gca@henleyglobal.com.

Media Contact

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Nicklin
Group Head of Public Relations
sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com
Mobile: +27 72 464 8965

The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Bougainville takes the initiative in mediation over independence

By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist

In recent weeks, Bougainville has taken the initiative, boldly stating that it expects to be independent by 1 September 2027.

It also expects the PNG Parliament to quickly ratify the 2019 referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of Bougainvilleans supported independence.

In a third move, it established a Constitution Commission and included it within the region’s autonomous Parliament.

To learn more, RNZ Pacific spoke with Australian National University academic Dr Thiago Oppermann, who has spent many years in both Bougainville and PNG.

James Marape (second left) and Ishmael Toroama (right) during joint moderations talks in Port Moresby last month. Image: Autonomous Bougainville Government

Don Wiseman: We’ve had five-and-a-half years since the Bougainville referendum, but very suddenly in the last couple of months, it would seem that Bougainville is picking up pace and trying to really make some progress with this march towards independence, as they see it.

Are they overplaying their hand?

Dr Thiago Oppermann: I do not believe that they are overplaying their hand. I think that the impression that is apparent of a sudden flurry of activity, arises partly because for the first two years after the referendum, there was a very slow pace.

One of the shortcomings of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) was that it did not set out a very clear post-referendum path. That part of the process was not as well designed as the parts leading to the referendum, and that left a great deal of uncertainty as to how to structure negotiations, how things should be conducted, and quite substantial differences in the views of the Papua New Guinean government and the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government), as to how the referendum result would be processed further.

For instance, how it would it need to be tabled in Parliament, what kind of vote would be required for it, would a negotiation between the parties lead to an agreement that then is presented to the Parliament, and how would that negotiation work? All these areas, they were not prescriptive in the BPA.

That led to a period of a good two years in which there was very slow process and then attempts to get some some movement. I would say that in that period, the views of the Bougainvilleans and the Papua New Guineans became quite entrenched in quite different camps, and something I think would have to give eventually.

Why the Bougainvilleans have moved towards this point now, I think that it bears pointing out that there has been a long process that has been unfolding, for more than two years now, of beginning the organic process of developing a Bougainvillean constitutional process with this constitutional development committees across the island doing a lot of work, and that has now borne fruit, is how I would describe it.

It happens at a point where the process has been unblocked by the appointment of Sir Jerry Mataparae, which I think sets a new vigour into the process. It looks now like it’s heading towards some form of outcome. And that being the case, the Bougainvilleans have made their position quite clear.

Sir Jerry Mateparae (middle) with representatives of the PNG and Bougainville governments at the second moderation in April 2025. Image: ABG

DW: Well, Bougainville, in fact, is saying it will be independent by 1st September 2027. How likely do you think that is?

TO: I think there’s a question that comes before that. When Bougainville says that they will be independent by such a date, what we need to first consider is that the process of mediation is still unfolding.

I think that the first thing to consider is, what would that independence look like, and what scope is there within the mediation for finding some compromise that still suits Papua New Guinea. I think that there’s a much greater range of outcomes than people realise within this sort of umbrella of independence, the Bougainvilleans themselves, have moved to a position of understanding independence in much more nuanced terms than previously.

You might imagine that in the aftermath of this fairly brutal and bitter civil conflict, the idea of independence at that time was quite a radical cut towards “full bruk loose” as they say.

But the reality is that for many post colonial and new states since World War Two, there are many different kinds of independence and the degree to which there remains a kind of attachment with or relationship with the so called parent colonial country is variable, I should add.

I do not want to digress too much, but this concept of the parent colonial country is something that I heard quite a lot of when I was studying the referendum itself. Many people would say that the relationship that they had to Papua New Guinea was not one of enmity or of like running away, it was more a question of there being a parent and Bougainville having now grown up to the point where the child, Bougainville, is ready to go off and set up its own house.

Many people thought of it in those terms. Now I think that in concrete terms that can be articulated in many different ways when we think about international law and the status of different sovereign nations around the world.

DW: If we can just look at some of the possibilities in terms of the way in which this independence might be interpreted. My understanding is, for Bougainville it’s vital that they have a degree of sovereignty that will allow them to join organisations like the United Nations, but they’re not necessarily looking to be fully independent of PNG.

TO: Yes, I think that there would be like a process underway in Bougainville for understanding what that would look like.

There are certainly people who would have a view that is still more firmly towards full independence. And there will be others who understand some type of free association arrangements or something that still retains a closer relationship with Papua New Guinea.

I do not think many people have illusions that Bougainville could, for instance, suddenly break loose of the very deep economic connections it has with Papua New Guinea, not only those of government funding, but the commercial connections which are very, very deep. So suddenly making that disappear is not something people believe it’s possible.

But there are many other options that are on the table. I think what Bougainville is doing by having the announcement of the Independence Day is setting for Papua New Guinea saying, like, “here is the terms of the debate that we are prepared to consider”. But within that there is still a great deal of giving and taking.

DW: Now within the parliament in PNG, I think Bougainville has felt for some time that there hasn’t been a great deal of understanding of what Bougainville has been through, or what it is Bougainville is trying to achieve. There’s a very different lineup of MPs to what they were at the turn of the century when the Bougainville Peace Agreement was finalised. So what are they thinking, the MPs from other parts of the country? Are they going to be supportive, or are they just thinking about the impact on their own patch?

TO: I am not entirely sure what the MPs think, and they are a very diverse bunch of people. The sort of concern I think that many have, certainly more senior ones, is that they do not want to be the people in charge when this large chunk of the country secedes.

I think that is something that is important, and we do not want to be patronising the Papua New Guineans, who have a great deal of national pride, and it is not an event of celebration to see what is going on.

For many, it is quite a tragic chain of events. I am not entirely sure what the bulk of MPs believes about this. We have conducted some research, which is non randomised, but it is quite large scale, probing attitudes towards Bougainvillean independence in 2022, around the time of the election.

What we found, which is quite surprising, is that while, of course, Bougainville has the highest support for independence of any place in Papua New Guinea, there are substantial numbers of people outside Bougainville that are sympathetic to Bougainvillean independence or sympathetic towards implementing the referendum.

I think that would be the wording, I would choose, quite large numbers of people. So, as well as, many people who are very much undecided on the issues. From a Papua New Guinean perspective, the views are much more subtle than you might think are the case. By comparison, if you did a survey in Madrid of how many people support Catalan independence, you would not see figures similar to the ones that we find for Papua New Guinea.

DW: Bougainville is due to go to elections later this year. The ABG has stated that it wants this matter sorted, I think, at the time that the election writs are issued sometime in June. Will it be able to do this do you think?

TO: It’s always difficult to predict anything, especially the future. That goes double in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. I think the reality is that the nature of negotiations here and in Bougainville, there’s a great deal of personal connections and toing and froing that will be taking place.

It is very hard to fit that onto a clear timeline. I would describe that as perhaps aspirational, but it would be, it would be good. Whether this is, you know, a question of electoral politics within Bougainville, I think there would be, like, a more or less unanimous view in Bougainville that this needs to move forward as soon as possible. But I don’t know that a timeline is realistic.

The concerns that I would have about this, Don, would be not just about sort of questions of capacity and what happens in the negotiations in Bougainville, but we also need to think about what is happening in Papua New Guinea, and this goes for the entire process.

But here, in this case, PNG has its hands full with many other issues as well. There is a set of like LLG [Local Level Government] elections about to happen, so there are a great deal of things for the government to attend to. I wonder how viable it is to come up with a solution in a short time, but they are certainly capable of surprising everybody.

DW: The Prime Minister, James Marape, has said on a number of occasions that Bougainville is not economically ready or it hasn’t got the security situation under control. And my understanding is that when this was raised at the last meeting, there was quite a lot of giggling going on, because people were comparing what’s happened in Bougainville with what’s happening around the rest of the country, including in Southern Highlands, the province of Mr Marape.

TO: I think you know for me when I think about this, because I have worked with Bougainvilleans for a long time, and have worked with Papua New Guineans for a long time as well. The sense that I have is really one of quite sadness and a great missed opportunity.

Because if we wind the clock back to 1975, Bougainville declared independence, trying to pre-empt [the establishment of] Papua New Guinea. And that set in train a set of events that drastically reformed the Papua New Guinean political Constitution. Many of the sort of characteristic institutions we see now in Papua New Guinea, such as provinces, came about partly because of that.

That crisis, that first independence crisis, the first secession crisis, was resolved through deep changes to Papua New Guinea and to Bougainville, in which the country was able to grow and move forward.

What we see now, though, is this sort of view that Bougainville problems must all be solved in Bougainville, but in fact, many of the problems that are said to be Bougainville problems are Papua New Guinea problems, and that would include issues such as the economic difficulties that Bougainville finds itself in.

I mean, there are many ironies with this kind of criticism that Bougainville is not economically viable. One of them being that when Papua New Guinea became independent, it was largely dependent on Bougainville at that time. So Bougainvilleans are aware of this, and don’t really welcome that kind of idea.

But I think that more deeply there were some really important lessons I believe that could have been learned from the peace process that might have been very useful in other areas of Papua New Guinea, and because Bougainville has been kind of seen as this place apart, virtually as a foreign nation, those lessons have not, unfortunately, filtered back to Papua New Guinea in a way that might have been very helpful for everybody.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Advancing Africa’s Positioning within Global Development and Geopolitical Dynamics – Lecture delivered by Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, CON, CGH President…

Source: African Development Bank Group
I wish to thank the Vice Chancellor and the University Senate for the great honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). I am delighted to be here today with my dear wife, Grace.
I have great admiration for NOUN for three reasons.

MIL OSI Economics –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank approves $19.85 million grant for crisis response to the most vulnerable in Sudan’s conflict areas

Source: African Development Bank Group
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has recently approved a $19.85 million grant over two years to support a humanitarian and resilience operation in Sudan, with a strong focus on improving livelihoods of vulnerable populations and easing the impact of the…

MIL OSI Economics –

April 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Appraisal well confirms potential for future Bourdon development cluster

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BW Energy is pleased to announce that second sidetrack DBM-1 ST2 well has confirmed the substantial oil discovery with good reservoir and fluid quality of the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu Licence offshore Gabon, announced on 7 March 2025. Management estimates indicate 56 million barrels oil in place of which approximately 25 million barrels are considered recoverable.

“The appraisal well confirms the potential for establishing a new development cluster with a production facility following the MaBoMo blueprint. We expect at least four producing wells,” said Carl K. Arnet, CEO of BW Energy. “We continue to successfully expand the Dussafu reserve base which, together with multiple additional prospects yet to be to be drilled, will support long-term production and value-creation in Gabon.”

Initial data shows that oil from Bourdon field has the lowest viscosity of the Dussafu discoveries measuring an average of 3.5 centipoise (cp), compared to 5 cp and 7 cp for the Hibiscus / Tortue and Ruche fields, respectively.

Evaluation of logging data and formation pressure measurements confirm approximately 11.2 metres of pay in an overall hydrocarbon column of 35.2 metres in the Gamba formation. The well was drilled by the Norve jack-up rig to a total depth of 4,731 metres.

Bourdon is located approximately 15 kilometres west of FPSO BW Adolo and 7.5 kilometres southeast of the MaBoMo facility. The discovery will enable the Company to book additional reserves not included in its 2024 Statement of Reserves.

For further information, please contact:

Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy

+33.7.81.11.41.16
ir@bwenergy.no

About BW Energy:

BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

The MIL Network –

April 22, 2025

Category: Africa

The drivers

Bandits range freely

Lakuwara enters the mix

Kidnappings spread

And Donald Trump happened…

Meanwhile, bandits mine gold

The drivers

Bandits range freely

Lakuwara enters the mix

Kidnappings spread

And Donald Trump happened…

Meanwhile, bandits mine gold

Farewell to British High Commissioner Charles Moore: Tour of duty in Namibia ends

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An unprecedented challenge

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An unprecedented challenge

The way forward for Ecowas at 50