Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Tuesday, 1 April 2025
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the dicoese of Mzuzu, Malawi, presented by Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan, S.P.S., and has appointed Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, until now auxiliary of the same see and titular of Catrum, as bishop of Mzuzu. (EG) (Agenza Fides, 1/4/2025)
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Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you Madame Vice President,
We commend the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s strong engagement with the Council during its membership so far, recognising, in particular, their leadership in convening the special session of this Council last month.
The UK is deeply concerned by the significant deterioration of the situation in eastern DRC, where M23 and Rwanda Defence Force advances have displaced over one million people since January.
A resolution to this conflict is vital. We encourage all parties to engage in good faith and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric.
We are hearing horrifying accounts of human rights abuses and violations perpetrated by all parties including M23, the Rwanda Defence Force, the Armed Forces of the DRC, Wazelendo groups, and the Allied Democratic Forces.
We urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, particularly from sexual and gender-based violence, and immediately end the abduction and recruitment of children.
Lastly, the UK reiterates its objection to the death penalty in all circumstances and, once again, urges the DRC to reconsider its decision to lift the moratorium on the death penalty.
Madame Vice President,
What more can the UN and the international community do to address the human rights situation in areas under M23 and RDF control?
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR report on technical assistance for South Sudan. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Madame Vice President,
We are grateful for today’s update and commend OHCHR’s continued provision of technical assistance in South Sudan.
As we have heard today, the situation in South Sudan is extremely grave.
We are deeply concerned by the increase in fighting in recent weeks. Aerial bombardments have killed civilians, and over 63,000 people are newly displaced. The arrest of the First Vice President, Riek Machar is troubling.
President Kiir and all leaders with control or influence over armed groups must order an immediate ceasefire to prevent the collapse of the peace agreement – and a tragic return to full-scale conflict.
Legislation on transitional justice institutions has now been passed. But these have not yet come into existence. Elections have also been postponed, further delaying democracy, accountability and peace in South Sudan.
The technical assistance and capacity building provided by OHCHR plays an important role. Alongside this, it is clear that the independent scrutiny of the human rights situation provided by the Commission for Human Rights is as vital today as when it was established in 2016.
In conclusion, we firmly believe it is time for the peaceful and democratic future promised to the people of South Sudan to be realised.
Thank you.
Source: Amnesty International –
Full list of finalists across 10 categories announced
Jolyon Rubinstein announced as host
‘It’s an honour to host the Amnesty International Media Awards 2025. Especially in what will be the final year before journalists are officially designated as enemies of the state – what a send-off!’ – Jolyon Rubinstein
Amnesty International UK has announced the full list of finalists for the 2025 Amnesty Media Awards today.
The 10 awards categories celebrate outstanding human rights journalism over the past year and applaud the courage and determination of journalists who have shone a light on human rights issues in their work.
Each category was judged by a panel of prestigious journalists and media workers, including Ayshah Tull (Channel 4 News), Paul Murphy (Financial Times), Stuart Ramsay (Sky News), Lindsey Hilsum (Channel 4 News), Alex Crawford (Sky News), Claire Newell (Daily Telegraph), Catherine Philp (The Times) and Ollie Stone-Lee (BBC Radio 4).
Amnesty International is also pleased to announce actor, writer and director Jolyon Rubinstein as the host for the Amnesty Media Awards 2025 award ceremony – taking place at the BFI Southbank on Wednesday 4 June 2025 – where the winners will be revealed. The ceremony will also be live-streamed.
Jolyon said:
“It’s an honour to host the Amnesty International Media Awards 2025. Especially in what will be the final year before journalists are officially designated as enemies of the state – what a send-off! But with protests banned, billionaires calling the shots, and international law in tatters, what’s left to talk about? Don’t worry, though—under my stewardship, any award speech veering into ‘politically correct wokery’ will be swiftly cut off, and I promise I’ll mansplain and bluster my way through the night, blissfully unaware of what’s really going on, as only a white man can. How very 2025 of me!”
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
Broadcast Feature
BBC Current Affairs for BBC Two
· Dead Calm: Killing in the Med?
BBC News & Current Affairs, NI
· Spotlight: I Am Not OK
Channel 4
· Kill Zone: Inside Gaza
Channel 4
· The Cranes Call
Broadcast Investigation
Airwars
· The Killings They Tweeted
BBC Eye Investigations
· Settlements Above the Law
BBC Scotland / BBC Two
· Slavery at Sea
Channel 4 News
· Tortured and Abused at Sde Teiman
Broadcast News
Channel 4 News
· Settlers in the West Bank: A Year on the Frontline
ITV News / ITN
· The White Flag
Sky News
· Sky News investigates Hind Rajab’s killing
The Guardian
· Inside the war on kush: The drug ‘mixed with human bones’ taking over Sierra Leone
The Gaby Rado Award for New Journalist
Aidan Tulloch
· The Times
Misbah Khan
· The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Ornella Mutoni
· The Guardian
Sophie Neiman
· New Internationalist
Nations and Regions
BBC Northern Ireland
· Spotlight: Katie – Coerced and Killed
BBC Northern Ireland / BBC Sounds
· Assume Nothing: Murder at the Stables
The Ferret
· Saving lives in Toronto’s toxic drug crisis
UTV
· Fighting For Care
Photojournalism
Alixandra Fazzina
· The Financial Times
Hugh Kinsella Cunningham
· The Telegraph Magazine
Kiana Hayeri
· The Guardian
Tommy Trenchard
· Geographical Magazine
Radio & Podcasts
BBC News
· Locked Up and Abused at School – Britain’s ‘Calming Room’ Scandal
BBC Radio 4
· Our Whole Life is a Secret
ITN / ITV News
· The Trapped
Novel & Wondery
· Kill List
Written Feature
BBC News
· Gaza Medics
Financial Times
· How extremist settlers in the West Bank became the law
Financial Times
· The Smuggler’s Daughter and Other Tales From The Gulf of Aden
The Economist’s 1843 Magazine
· Life and death in Putin’s gulag
The Guardian & Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism
· ‘An incredible loss for Palestine’: Israeli offensive takes deadly toll on journalists
Written Investigation
SourceMaterial
· ‘Don’t look back or we’ll shoot’
The Guardian
· The IPP scandal
The Guardian
· The brutal truth behind Italy’s migrant reduction: beatings and rape by EU-funded forces in Tunisia
The Independent
· Russia told Ukrainians with disabilities they were visiting the seaside – but they were kidnapped and disappeared
Written News
Big Issue
· Refugees still flee war-torn Ukraine every single day. This is what their journey to safety is like
Financial Times
· FT investigation finds Ukrainian children on Russian adoption sites
The Guardian
· Mazyouna’s face was ‘ripped off’ when a rocket hit her home. Israel has refused to allow her evacuation
The Telegraph
· Children pull skulls from mass graves in Syrian killing field
Source: European Parliament 3
On Tuesday, MEPs approved two proposals granting Jordan and Egypt loans worth €500 million and €4 billion respectively.
The macro-financial assistance (MFA) for Egypt was adopted by Parliament by 452 votes in favour, 182 against and 40 abstentions. The MFA for Jordan was passed by 571 votes in favour, 59 against and 46 abstentions.
Given Egypt’s critical economic and financial situation and its role as an important stabilising presence amid geopolitical tensions in an increasingly volatile region, the Commission proposed to support the country on 15 March 2024 with macro-financial assistance in the form of loans worth up to €5 billion. These break down into a short-term loan of up to €1 billion – already disbursed at the end of 2024 – and another, regular, loan of up to €4 billion to be disbursed in three instalments. Parliament approved the proposal.
For Jordan this is the fourth MFA effort by the EU since 2013. It should help cover the country’s residual financing needs, support its structural reforms, and shore up its fiscal consolidation efforts. In January 2025, the Commission announced an additional financial package to help Jordan deal with existing financial and other challenges.
A pre-condition for the EU granting financial assistance shall be that Jordan respects effective democratic mechanisms – including a multi-party parliamentary system – and the rule of law, and guarantees for respect of human rights.
Quote
Rapporteur Celine Imart (EPP, France), said:
« This vote underlines Parliament’s support for our partners. The money for Jordan can be delivered quickly, and Parliament will enter into negotiations with member states on the proposal for Egypt with a strong mandate to make a swift agreement. Helping our partners means promoting European interests in an unstable region.”
Next steps
The MFA package for Jordan now needs to be formally approved by the Council before it can take effect. On financial aid for Egypt, negotiations between Council and Parliament are expected to start soon.
Background
These loans are part of financial support packages concluded with EU partner countries struggling with financial, economic, societal challenges, to help with structural political and economic reforms.
Source: NASA
Written by Natalie Moore, Mission Operations Specialist at Malin Space Science Systems
Earth planning date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Womp, womp. Another SRAP (Slip Risk Assessment Process) issue due to wheels being perched on these massive layered sulfate rocks. With our winter power constraints as tight as they are, though, keeping the arm stowed freed up more time to check some lines off our rover’s weekend list. To do: SAM activity to exercise Oven 2 (check!), Navcam 360-degree “phase function” sky movie to monitor scattering of Martian clouds (check!), APXS atmospheric measurements of argon (check!), ChemCam passive sky measurements of oxygen (check!), and a drive of about 50 meters (about 164 feet) to the southwest (check!). Curiosity gets busy on the weekends so us PULs can do some lounging.
On the Mastcam team, we’ve been pretty busy in the layered sulfate unit. The rocks are rippled, layered, fractured, and surrounded by sandy troughs. Where did it all come from? What current and past processes are at play in this area? This weekend we’re collecting 70 images to help figure that out. ChemCam is helping by collecting chemistry measurements of the lowest block in this Navcam image, with two targets close by aptly named “Solana Beach” and “Del Mar.” To help conserve power, we’ve been trying to parallelize our activities as much as possible. Recently this means Mastcam has been taking images while ChemCam undergoes “TEC Cooling” to get as cold as possible before using their laser.
We’re all hoping the arm can come back from vacation next week.
Source: Bank of Botswana
The Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) was unchanged at 1.9 percent of the previous week, for a paper maturing on 9 April 2025. For the 1-month BoBC paper maturing on 30 April 2025, the stop-out yield remained unchanged at 2.24 percent. The summarised results of the auction held on 1 April 2025, are attached below:
BOBC Auction Results – 1 April 2025.pdf
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 1, 2025/APO Group/ —
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has approved a $19.85 million grant to support emergency humanitarian operations in Sudan, with a strong focus on improving women’s livelihoods and easing the impact of the ongoing conflict on communities and infrastructure.
The Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project takes a gender-responsive approach to urgent humanitarian needs. Since April 2023, armed conflict has devastated critical infrastructure and triggered a humanitarian crisis that has disproportionately impacted women and children the hardest.
In the short term, the Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project will train and mobilize frontline workers such as health professionals, midwives, water and sanitation specialists, and market facilitators. The project will also restore five health facilities and four emergency centers in conflict zones, as well as construct and rehabilitate 10 water and energy systems in urban and rural settings.
The Bank financing also facilitates delivery of emergency food aid, from lentils and sorghum to other staples like tea leaves and sugar. Some 60,000 people will receive farming inputs like fertilizers and seeds this year alone. The project will facilitate cash grants to support livelihoods of another 125,000 people, with a focus on women and their dependents, as well as survivors of gender-based violence.
Overall, the project will benefit 1.5 million Sudanese, or 265,000 households, of which 65 percent are estimated to be led by women. The Bank categorizes the Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project “Category 1” on its Gender Marker System, indicating “the principal objective of the project directly addresses gender equality and/or women’s empowerment.”
“Peace, security and stability are urgently needed for Sudanese communities to reach its full potential,” Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, said about the project.
“The Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project will help restore social services and economic opportunities to some of the country’s most vulnerable communities. The Bank financing will also strategically promote inclusive and resilient economic activities,” she added.
The Bank’s Transition Support Facility (https://apo-opa.co/3DNnQfy) is financing the project. The Facility, introduced in 2008, provides additional concessional resources to countries facing situations of fragility and conflict.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, or ICRC, will draw on its deep operational experience and long-standing presence in Sudan to implement the Crisis Response for Women and Affected Communities in Sudan project. The ICRC will work through existing staffing and infrastructure, which include specialists in monitoring and evaluation, environment and safeguards, gender, procurement, and communications.
This Bank crisis response operation, implemented in collaboration with the ICRC, goes beyond short-term humanitarian interventions to invest in long-term resilience and sustainable development with a focus on women and affected communities. It adopts a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach which blends urgent humanitarian relief with efforts to lay the foundation for long-term development and peace. While addressing the conflict with a rapid response focused on food security and other livelihood support, the project’s focus remains on early recovery tactics for affected communities and displaced populations.
To date, an estimated eight million Sudanese have been displaced, and another 1.6 million — mostly women and children — have been forced to flee to neighboring countries. Supporting Sudan’s stabilization requires coordinated efforts of combined immediate relief laying the foundation for long-term development and lasting stability. Policy dialogue will be key to ensuring women’s participation in crisis management.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
HOUSTON, United States of America, April 1, 2025/APO Group/ —
The U.S.-Africa Energy Forum (USAEF) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Welligence, a leading provider of energy research and advisory services, to connect U.S. investors with Africa’s most promising energy opportunities.
As a trusted advisor with deep expertise in African energy markets, Welligence brings its extensive knowledge of the continent’s oil, gas and LNG sectors to support U.S. companies in navigating Africa’s evolving energy landscape. The partnership reinforces USAEF’s mission to facilitate high-value engagements between American stakeholders and African energy leaders, while also cementing its position as a data-driven event.
Welligence has a strong presence in Africa, providing critical insights and data on oil and gas reserves and infrastructure developments across key African markets. Their research and advisory work have supported numerous energy projects, helping investors assess risk, identify opportunities and optimize investment strategies. With a focus on providing accurate and actionable intelligence, Welligence’s partnership with USAEF will ensure U.S. investors have the information and connections they need to make informed decisions about Africa’s dynamic energy sector.
Data-driven exploration has become a central element in Africa’s energy transformation. By using advanced seismic data, exploration techniques and predictive modeling, Africa’s leading exploration markets are enhancing their ability to identify untapped reserves and yield new discoveries. In 2025, Angola is launching a limited public tender featuring 10 offshore blocks in the Kwanza and Benguela basins, with the National Agency for Oil, Gas & Biofuels committed to strengthening sub-surface data across both mature and frontier fields through additional 2D and 3D seismic data. Serving as Africa’s largest crude oil producer, Libya recently launched its 2025 bid round covering 22 on- and offshore concessions across the Murzuq and Ghadames basins. The Republic of Congo is similarly expanding its licensing opportunities with promising exploration areas in its coastal basin. These licensing rounds and more will be a core feature of USAEF, which will showcase the latest data-driven exploration developments and foster strategic partnerships in Africa’s growing energy sector.
In its 2024 exploration roundup, Welligence highlighted several key upstream developments in sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia’s Mopane discovery, the largest of the year, which requires further appraisal drilling to refine its liquid-to-gas split. Other notable discoveries include the Calao discovery in Ivory Coast – estimated at around 500 million barrels of oil equivalent – and Enigma and Mangetti in Namibia, both of which are under 500 million barrels and require further appraisal drilling. According to Welligence, additional developments to watch include TotalEnergies’ Niamou Marine-1 exploration well offshore Congo, ExxonMobil’s Arcturus wildcat in the deepwater Namibe Basin in Angola, and Apus Energy’s Atum prospect in deepwater Guinea-Bissau.
USAEF serves as the leading platform for driving U.S.-Africa energy investment, connecting American investors with high-growth opportunities across the continent. Through this collaboration, USAEF and Welligence will provide unparalleled access to critical energy projects, from oil and gas exploration to large-scale renewable initiatives. As global energy strategies evolve, Welligence’s expertise will be key in guiding U.S. companies toward impactful, profitable projects within Africa’s dynamic energy landscape.
“Welligence’s extensive knowledge of Africa’s energy markets and its role in providing strategic insights aligns perfectly with USAEF’s goal to bridge the gap between U.S. investors and Africa’s growing energy opportunities,” said James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power. “This partnership ensures that American stakeholders are well-positioned to tap into Africa’s energy potential and contribute to the continent’s ongoing energy transformation.”
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Irvin Kinnes, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Cape Town
A campaign against gangsterism in Cape Town, South Africa led by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) turned violent in the mid-1990s when a group known as Pagad G-Force began what became known as an urban terrorism campaign. Lives on the Line, written by security analyst David Africa, is the true story of the secret team in the country’s crime intelligence division that waged a six-year battle against the terror group – and won. The terror campaign was brought to a standstill in 2002. Criminology professor Irvin Kinnes sets out why it’s a riveting read, a bold tell-all account by a brave author.
In 1995, one year after the country’s first democratic elections, a new law was passed creating the newly constituted South African Police Service. It was a tough year because the elements of the old order in the police service had great difficulty accepting the new democratic dispensation. But they had to collaborate with the people that they had tortured, jailed and, in some cases, maimed as a result of their role in political oppression in support of apartheid.
The new centurions (police guardians of the new order) of democracy were not yet in place. A system of dual power emerged in the police, where some of the commanders that were appointed were former members of the liberation movements. They were seen as “plastic cops” because they did not train in the police academies around the country, but in the bush. Some subsequently attended various training academies. They were all integrated with other homeland police agencies from the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei states and other “independent” homelands that had existed under apartheid. In total, 11 agencies combined to form the newly created and democratic police service in 1995.
After 1994, many of the apartheid social controls such as restrictions on people’s movement, racially divided settlement and the death penalty were abolished. People were jubilant, hyper aware of their newly found rights.
The police were not prepared to deal with such a rights-aware population. In addition, freedom also unleashed huge social challenges such as crime and particularly drug and gang crimes. In the immediate aftermath of the political negotiations that ended apartheid and prior to the elections, crime rates surged, especially in 1993. Not all of the crime was criminal: some of the events related to political crime with mass movements and political parties clashing with each other and with the police.
The urban terror campaign, as labelled by members of the South African Police Service, extended from 1996-2002. This was also known as the Cape Flats war (referred to as the Pagad troubles by Africa) and was triggered by the campaign of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad). The organisation was initially made up of largely ordinary citizens across the religious divide, but later became almost exclusively Muslim led, and so was the G-Force.
Pagad led several marches on the Cape Flats against drug dealers and gangsters. These marches resulted in the death on 4 August 1996 of one of the co-leaders of the Hard Living gang, Rashaad Staggie, by a huge crowd of Pagad members who were escorted by the police’s Public Order Unit.
The execution resulted in a tit-for-tat killing between gang members and Pagad members.
The Pagad G-Force were a group of men inside Pagad. They operated clandestinely outside its circle of influence of its public structures, but sometimes with its tacit support. Many of the members of the G-Force had received military training both inside and outside the borders of the country.
Some people claimed they were trained in Afghanistan and Iran, and they were operators who were armed and could manage themselves against some of the threats that gang leaders had made against them. They were a tightly knit unit that was able to retain secrecy in most of their operations, guarding it against police infiltration – a battle they ultimately lost, as Africa’s book shows.
The unit was accused of executing up to 30 senior gang leaders and drug dealers. Pagad would lead public marches against them and often publicly warned them to stop their drug dealing. This was followed by the homes of drug dealers being attacked. In many instances they were killed.
There have been books that have attempted to document the Cape Flats war from different perspectives. But Africa tells the story from the inner sanctum of the state security apparatus that initially failed and eventually succeeded in penetrating the G-Force, Pagad and other formations.
His book provides significant insights that makes other books on the subject pale in comparison. Fighting terrorism (urban or other) requires patience and deliberate skilled analysis of data, patterns and personalities. It requires skills of analysis built up over many years of sifting through behaviours and actions of individuals and organisations perpetrating such crimes.
For the first time, we are made privy to the ideological reasoning and political thinking, strategising and implementation of police operations that was decidedly different from the old state thinking of actions against adversaries they were investigating.
This was painstaking work and the level of co-operation between the new centurions of democracy in the police under the leadership of Africa and the old order. The old-order guardians were the same men and women in the old South African Police Force that had defended the apartheid government and did not trust the new police investigators from the liberation movements. They still had control of the police service in 1996. This was a recipe for creative and disruptive tensions, mistrust and outright sabotage of each other’s operations.
The author was the head of a covert police intelligence team whose exclusive focus was to bring down the Pagad G-Force. He was central in conceptualising a new approach of working in a decontaminated group of intelligence officers made up of former liberation movement officers. Their job was to analyse information and turn it into actionable intelligence products that could be used to act against the Pagad G-Force.
What was different about this approach was they produced court-ready evidence which police detectives could use in courts against the accused Pagad bombers. He led the fight for the new covert unit to have the necessary resources, support from their colleagues when it was required and most importantly, the support of the then national commissioner, Jackie Selebi.
In this fight, Selebi quite clearly took sides and fully supported the actions of Africa and his colleagues to defeat Pagad’s G-Force. Africa makes this clear in his book and emphasises the support that was provided by Selebi.
The book puts together all the actors nationally and provincially and accords them the historical roles in each of their fields of expertise. It unravels the networks they spun to target, isolate, recruit and turn suspected G-Force operators.
This look from within the war machine against Pagad raises many questions for any reader.
It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the fight against terror, globally, regionally and locally, and what it really takes to bring people who commit such acts to justice.
Lives on the Line confirms why it is so difficult to investigate organised crime and urban terrorists today.
– Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town
– https://theconversation.com/inside-an-urban-terror-network-book-reveals-how-police-finally-cracked-pagad-gang-violence-in-cape-town-253447
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
MOFA response to South African government again pressuring Taiwan to relocate liaison office
Date：2025-02-02
Data Source：Department of West Asian and African Affairs
February 2, 2025Since last October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been in communication with South Africa through diplomatic channels. In accordance with the principles of parity and dignity, MOFA has engaged with the South African government, seeking to understand its views on future bilateral relations while still staunchly refusing to accept unilateral changes to the status quo. In late January, however, the South African government sent another letter to the Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa (TLO) demanding that it leave the capital city of Pretoria before the end of March. The South African government also attempted to downgrade the status of the TLO and have it renamed a trade office.Federal Chairperson Ivan Meyer of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party, was recently sanctioned by the Chinese government for visiting Taiwan. That the South African government has yet again set a deadline for the TLO’s relocation out of Pretoria—despite ongoing negotiations with Taiwan—demonstrates that China is ramping up efforts to suppress Taiwan in South Africa. Upon receiving a TLO report regarding the South African government’s repeated demand to relocate the office, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung again promptly convened a task force to discuss contingency measures. He remained in constant contact with the relevant MOFA officials both at home and abroad during the Lunar New Year holiday. He also instructed Director General Anthony Chung-yi Ho of the Department of West Asian and African Affairs to summon Representative Zakhele Mnisi of the Liaison Office of South Africa in Taiwan to convey the government’s serious concerns.MOFA reiterates that the Taiwan government remains steadfast in its refusal to accept the South African government’s unilateral violation of their bilateral agreement and that it will continue communicating with South Africa on the principles of parity and dignity. In line with the Taiwan government’s objectives, MOFA will adopt contingency measures depending on the South African government’s responses. It will also apprise the Taiwanese people and media of future developments at the appropriate times.MOFA once again solemnly urges the government of South Africa, which will host this year’s Group of 20 summit, to abide by the legal framework for bilateral relations signed in 1997. And before a consensus is reached through negotiations with Taiwan, MOFA calls on South Africa not to use coercive measures against the TLO or take any other action that could interfere with the TLO’s operations or services that it provides for Taiwanese abroad.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001120/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Milan Zver (PPE)
The Commission has announced that it will invest EUR 4.7 billion in South Africa under the Global Gateway initiative to support sustainable projects and the development agenda.
Recent reports point to increasing violence against white farmers in the country, and Amnesty International has reported various human rights violations and high levels of crime and economic inequality. South Africa also faces challenges of corruption and inefficiencies in public services, where international funds are often used in a way that is not transparent.
Submitted: 17.3.2025
Source: European Parliament
The EU reiterates the importance of upholding and protecting the right to freedom of expression, along with all human rights, while defending their universality.
Strengthening media freedom and ensuring the safety of journalists remain longstanding, key priorities for EU external action, as underlined by the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027[1] and the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline[2].
Moreover, respect for democratic principles and fundamental rights is an essential element of the EU-Morocco Association Agreement[3], which forms the foundation of EU-Morocco relations.
Given the Kingdom of Morocco’s membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 period, the EU expects additional opportunities to engage with the country on the protection and promotion of human rights.
Questions regarding human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of the media, are addressed in regular exchanges with the Moroccan authorities and civil society organisations.
Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001146/2025
to the Council
Rule 144
Rima Hassan (The Left), Manon Aubry (The Left), Majdouline Sbai (Verts/ALE), Carola Rackete (The Left), Marina Mesure (The Left), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Leila Chaibi (The Left), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Damien Carême (The Left), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Merja Kyllönen (The Left), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Nikos Papandreou (S&D), Anthony Smith (The Left), Isabel Serra Sánchez (The Left), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Marc Botenga (The Left), Catarina Vieira (Verts/ALE), Emma Fourreau (The Left), Mimmo Lucano (The Left)
The EU has maintained military cooperation with Rwanda, particularly in relation to operations in Mozambique, despite findings indicating Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In November 2024, the Council granted an additional EUR 20 million to Rwanda for the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.
However, UN reports have documented that RDF commanders Major-General Eugène Nkubito (report S/2024/432), Major-General Alexis Kagame (report S/2022/967) and Major-General Emmy Ruvusha (report S/2023/431), deployed in Mozambique, have been involved in destabilising operations in eastern DRC by supporting the M23 rebels, as well as in the current security crisis.
In the light of these UN reports:
Submitted: 18.3.2025
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Irvin Kinnes, Associate Professor of Criminology, University of Cape Town
A campaign against gangsterism in Cape Town, South Africa led by the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad) turned violent in the mid-1990s when a group known as Pagad G-Force began what became known as an urban terrorism campaign. Lives on the Line, written by security analyst David Africa, is the true story of the secret team in the country’s crime intelligence division that waged a six-year battle against the terror group – and won. The terror campaign was brought to a standstill in 2002. Criminology professor Irvin Kinnes sets out why it’s a riveting read, a bold tell-all account by a brave author.
In 1995, one year after the country’s first democratic elections, a new law was passed creating the newly constituted South African Police Service. It was a tough year because the elements of the old order in the police service had great difficulty accepting the new democratic dispensation. But they had to collaborate with the people that they had tortured, jailed and, in some cases, maimed as a result of their role in political oppression in support of apartheid.
The new centurions (police guardians of the new order) of democracy were not yet in place. A system of dual power emerged in the police, where some of the commanders that were appointed were former members of the liberation movements. They were seen as “plastic cops” because they did not train in the police academies around the country, but in the bush. Some subsequently attended various training academies. They were all integrated with other homeland police agencies from the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei states and other “independent” homelands that had existed under apartheid. In total, 11 agencies combined to form the newly created and democratic police service in 1995.
After 1994, many of the apartheid social controls such as restrictions on people’s movement, racially divided settlement and the death penalty were abolished. People were jubilant, hyper aware of their newly found rights.
The police were not prepared to deal with such a rights-aware population. In addition, freedom also unleashed huge social challenges such as crime and particularly drug and gang crimes. In the immediate aftermath of the political negotiations that ended apartheid and prior to the elections, crime rates surged, especially in 1993. Not all of the crime was criminal: some of the events related to political crime with mass movements and political parties clashing with each other and with the police.
The urban terror campaign, as labelled by members of the South African Police Service, extended from 1996-2002. This was also known as the Cape Flats war (referred to as the Pagad troubles by Africa) and was triggered by the campaign of the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad). The organisation was initially made up of largely ordinary citizens across the religious divide, but later became almost exclusively Muslim led, and so was the G-Force.
Pagad led several marches on the Cape Flats against drug dealers and gangsters. These marches resulted in the death on 4 August 1996 of one of the co-leaders of the Hard Living gang, Rashaad Staggie, by a huge crowd of Pagad members who were escorted by the police’s Public Order Unit.
The execution resulted in a tit-for-tat killing between gang members and Pagad members.
The Pagad G-Force were a group of men inside Pagad. They operated clandestinely outside its circle of influence of its public structures, but sometimes with its tacit support. Many of the members of the G-Force had received military training both inside and outside the borders of the country.
Some people claimed they were trained in Afghanistan and Iran, and they were operators who were armed and could manage themselves against some of the threats that gang leaders had made against them. They were a tightly knit unit that was able to retain secrecy in most of their operations, guarding it against police infiltration – a battle they ultimately lost, as Africa’s book shows.
The unit was accused of executing up to 30 senior gang leaders and drug dealers. Pagad would lead public marches against them and often publicly warned them to stop their drug dealing. This was followed by the homes of drug dealers being attacked. In many instances they were killed.
There have been books that have attempted to document the Cape Flats war from different perspectives. But Africa tells the story from the inner sanctum of the state security apparatus that initially failed and eventually succeeded in penetrating the G-Force, Pagad and other formations.
His book provides significant insights that makes other books on the subject pale in comparison. Fighting terrorism (urban or other) requires patience and deliberate skilled analysis of data, patterns and personalities. It requires skills of analysis built up over many years of sifting through behaviours and actions of individuals and organisations perpetrating such crimes.
For the first time, we are made privy to the ideological reasoning and political thinking, strategising and implementation of police operations that was decidedly different from the old state thinking of actions against adversaries they were investigating.
This was painstaking work and the level of co-operation between the new centurions of democracy in the police under the leadership of Africa and the old order. The old-order guardians were the same men and women in the old South African Police Force that had defended the apartheid government and did not trust the new police investigators from the liberation movements. They still had control of the police service in 1996. This was a recipe for creative and disruptive tensions, mistrust and outright sabotage of each other’s operations.
The author was the head of a covert police intelligence team whose exclusive focus was to bring down the Pagad G-Force. He was central in conceptualising a new approach of working in a decontaminated group of intelligence officers made up of former liberation movement officers. Their job was to analyse information and turn it into actionable intelligence products that could be used to act against the Pagad G-Force.
What was different about this approach was they produced court-ready evidence which police detectives could use in courts against the accused Pagad bombers. He led the fight for the new covert unit to have the necessary resources, support from their colleagues when it was required and most importantly, the support of the then national commissioner, Jackie Selebi.
In this fight, Selebi quite clearly took sides and fully supported the actions of Africa and his colleagues to defeat Pagad’s G-Force. Africa makes this clear in his book and emphasises the support that was provided by Selebi.
The book puts together all the actors nationally and provincially and accords them the historical roles in each of their fields of expertise. It unravels the networks they spun to target, isolate, recruit and turn suspected G-Force operators.
This look from within the war machine against Pagad raises many questions for any reader.
It is a book for anyone who wants to understand the fight against terror, globally, regionally and locally, and what it really takes to bring people who commit such acts to justice.
Lives on the Line confirms why it is so difficult to investigate organised crime and urban terrorists today.
Irvin Kinnes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Inside an urban terror network: book reveals how police finally cracked Pagad gang violence in Cape Town – https://theconversation.com/inside-an-urban-terror-network-book-reveals-how-police-finally-cracked-pagad-gang-violence-in-cape-town-253447
MIL Analysis: Here are the top five Russian language articles published today. The analysis includes five key articles prioritized at the moment.
In today’s analysis, credit and loans are trending toward new restrictions and changes. Consumer demand in loans and credit is growing.
The State University of Management provides foreign students with the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of Russia. In addition, scientists at NSU are working topically with the computerization of the tomograph.
Rosneft continues to actively support various organizations for the benefit of animals and people across Russia.
You can read one of the articles below.
The full credit cost (FCP) under consumer credit (loan) agreements concluded or amended from April 1, 2025, shall not exceed the average market value for the relevant category of credit (loan) by more than one third. Limitation of the CCP will help to control the growth of loan rates, which will ensure the protection of people’s interests.
2. Financial news: MFIs’ loan portfolio grew by more than 40% in 2024.
The loan portfolio of microfinance organizations reached RUB 624 billion last year, a growth stimulated by increased consumer demand.
More than half of the loans were medium-term, the value of the full cost of the loan is close to bank rates. Such loans were issued, among other things, to purchase goods on marketplaces. The share of the most expensive short-term loans “up to salary” decreased from 34% to 25% over the year.
3. Cultural adaptation of foreigners: GUU students visited the Museum of Time and Clock.
Students of the State University of Management, who came to study in Russia from Vietnam, India, China, Nepal and Ethiopia, visited the Museum of Time and Clock.
4. NSU scientists for the first time in the Urals studied ancient bone knives on a computer tomograph.
In the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine of the Faculty of Physics of NSU the research of archeological finds from the museum collections of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is carried out using a computer tomograph. Until recently, this device was used by research workers of the laboratory in preclinical studies of non-trophic therapy to examine animals and solve similar problems. However, the technical capabilities of the CT scanner allow to examine not only biological but also non-biological objects. Computed tomography of composite bone and horn composite implements of the late Pleistocene-early Holocene is currently underway.
5. With Rosneft’s support, an accreditation center was modernized at Medakadamiya Yugra.
“Samotlorneftegaz”, one of the largest production assets of Rosneft, provided financial support for modernization of one of the key units of Khanty-Mansiysk State Medical Academy – Simulation and Accreditation Center. The project was implemented under an agreement between Rosneft and the Government of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra.
Learn more about MIL’s content and data services by visiting milnz.co.nz.
Regards MIL!
Source: European Parliament 2
Present:
Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Bosanac Gordan, Boßdorf Irmhild, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Buda Waldemar, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Caspary Daniel, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Christensen Asger, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clergeau Christophe, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Demirel Özlem, Devaux Valérie, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Di Rupo Elio, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Droese Siegbert Frank, Dworczyk Michał, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Everding Sebastian, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Falcone Marco, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Fiocchi Pietro, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Fuglsang Niels, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Galán Estrella, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glück Andreas, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Griset Catherine, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Grudler Christophe, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Incir Evin, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Jongen Marc, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Khan Mary, Kircher Sophia, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Kohut Łukasz, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovařík Ondřej, Kovatchev Andrey, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Leonardelli Julien, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Loiseau Nathalie, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Lucano Mimmo, Luena César, Łukacijewska Elżbieta Katarzyna, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Marzà Ibáñez Vicent, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Maydell Eva, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Molnár Csaba, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Morano Nadine, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mullooly Ciaran, Mureşan Siegfried, Muşoiu Ştefan, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Nemec Matjaž, Nerudová Danuše, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Nica Dan, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Omarjee Younous, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Orlando Leoluca, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pietikäinen Sirpa, Pimpie Pierre, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Protas Jacek, Pürner Friedrich, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Rodrigues André, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Saramo Jussi, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schneider Christine, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Squarta Marco, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ştefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobback Bruno, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Tridico Pasquale, Tsiodras Dimitris, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Valet Matthieu, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Verheyen Sabine, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vigenin Kristian, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zarzalejos Javier, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan
Excused:
Hojsík Martin
By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent
Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court has ruled that Parliament must be recalled on April 8 to debate a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape.
In a decision handed down yesterday, the court found that actions taken by the Parliament’s Private Business Committee and Deputy Speaker, Koni Iguan, in November 2024 were unconstitutional and in breach of the principle of parliamentary democracy.
The ruling stems from an incident on 27 November 2024, when a notice of motion for a vote of no confidence was submitted to Iguan and found compliant with constitutional requirements under Section 145.
However, the motion was rejected by invoking Section 165 of the Standing Orders, which disallows motions deemed identical in substance to those resolved within the previous 12 months.
This restriction came into play just over two months after an earlier motion of no confidence had been defeated on 12 September.
Iguan disallowed the motion and prevented it from being tabled in Parliament, triggering legal action from Chuave MP and deputy opposition leader James Nomane.
The court emphasised that parliamentary democracy relies on the executive’s accountability to the people through such mechanisms as motions of no confidence.
Overstepped mandate
The court also found that the Private Business Committee had overstepped its mandate, taking actions that should have been handled by the Speaker or Parliament as a whole.
Marape has responded to the decision, saying his government will respect the rule of law and comply with the court’s directives.
“We are a government that respects the courts. The Supreme Court reads and interprets the Constitution better than all of us, and we will honour its ruling,” he said.
Marape commands the support of more than two-thirds of the MPs in the house which enabled him to pass several major consitutional amendments last month, including declaring Papua New Guinea a Christian nation.
He acknowledged the Supreme Court’s clarification of critical constitutional provisions which pertain to the right of MPs to introduce motions and participate in the democratic processes of government.
“The court found that there was a vacuum in the law and has provided direction,” he said.
“As the executive arm of government, we will not stand in the way. Parliament will sit as ordered by the court.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, confirms the upcoming listing of GUNZ (GUN) on March 31, 2025(UTC). To celebrate this listing, MEXC is launching a special event with a prize pool of 180,000 USDT for new and existing users.
GUNZ (GUN) is a Layer-1 blockchain developed by Gunzilla Games, designed to power AAA Web3 gaming. Originally created to support the community-driven economy for Gunzilla’s flagship title, Off The Grid (OTG), GUNZ has evolved into a full-featured platform offering blockchain-native infrastructure essential for modern game development. By leveraging blockchain technology, GUNZ aims to provide both developers and players with the tools needed for a decentralized, secure gaming ecosystem.
To celebrate the listing of GUNZ (GUN) on MEXC, the exchange has launched an exclusive Airdrop+ event with substantial rewards for participants:
Event Period: Mar 28, 2025, 11:00 (UTC) – Apr 11, 2025, 11:00 (UTC)
Benefit 1: Deposit and share 90,000 USDT in Futures bonus (New user exclusive)
Benefit 2: Spot Challenge — Trade to share 10,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
Benefit 3: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
Benefit 4: Invite new users and share 30,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
The listing of GUNZ (GUN) not only broadens MEXC’s asset portfolio but also underscores MEXC’s first-mover advantage in bringing innovative blockchain projects to its users. MEXC has solidified its position as an industry leader through its efficient asset listing strategy and broad selection of trend tokens. In 2024, MEXC introduced 2,376 new tokens, with 1,716 of those being initial listings.
According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings at 461 and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens in bi-weekly cycles, showcasing its exceptional ability to quickly capture market trends.
MEXC will continue to provide users with early access to promising projects, while leveraging platform advantages such as low fees, deep liquidity, and daily airdrops to ensure an optimal trading experience.
For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Risk Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.
Contact:
Lucia Hu
PR Manager
lucia.hu@mexc.com
Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
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Source:
We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in South Africa. South Africa is hosting the G20 in 2025. During the year there will be multiple meetings across the country, which may result in increased traffic and police presence.
Protests and large gatherings can occur anywhere. Avoid areas affected by protests, demonstrations or large public gatherings. Monitor media for updates and follow advice from local authorities. Use major roads where it’s safe to do so and verify that alternate routes recommended by your GPS are safe prior to travel. Express kidnappings happen in South Africa. Always be alert to your personal security and surroundings (see ‘Safety’).
You may not be allowed to enter or exit South Africa on an Australian passport if you’re an Australian-South African dual national (see ‘Full advice/Dual citizenship’).
The second of a two-part series on the historic Rongelap evacuation of 300 Marshall islanders from their irradiated atoll with the help of the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior crew and the return of Rainbow Warrior III 40 years later on a nuclear justice research mission. Journalist and author David Robie, who was on board, recalls the 1985 voyage.
SPECIAL REPORT: By David Robie
Mejatto, previously uninhabited and handed over to the people of Rongelap by their close relatives on nearby Ebadon Island, was a lot different to their own island. It was beautiful, but it was only three kilometres long and a kilometre wide, with a dry side and a dense tropical side.
A sandspit joined it to another small, uninhabited island. Although lush, Mejatto was uncultivated and already it was apparent there could be a food problem.Out on the shallow reef, fish were plentiful.
Shortly after the Rainbow Warrior arrived on 21 May 1985, several of the men were out wading knee-deep on the coral spearing fish for lunch.
But even the shallowness of the reef caused a problem. It made it dangerous to bring the Warrior any closer than about three kilometres offshore — as two shipwrecks on the reef reminded us.
The cargo of building materials and belongings had to be laboriously unloaded onto a bum bum (small boat), which had also travelled overnight with no navigational aids apart from a Marshallese “wave map’, and the Zodiacs. It took two days to unload the ship with a swell making things difficult at times.
An 18-year-old islander fell into the sea between the bum bum and the Warrior, almost being crushed but escaping with a jammed foot.
Fishing success on the reef
The delayed return to Rongelap for the next load didn’t trouble Davey Edward. In fact, he was celebrating his first fishing success on the reef after almost three months of catching nothing. He finally landed not only a red snapper, but a dozen fish, including a half-metre shark!
Edward was also a good cook and he rustled up dinner — shark montfort, snapper fillets, tuna steaks and salmon pie (made from cans of dumped American aid food salmon the islanders didn’t want).
Returning to Rongelap, the Rainbow Warrior was confronted with a load which seemed double that taken on the first trip. Altogether, about 100 tonnes of building materials and other supplies were shipped to Mejatto. The crew packed as much as they could on deck and left for Mejatto, this time with 114 people on board. It was a rough voyage with almost everybody being seasick.
The journalists were roped in to clean up the ship before returning to Rongelap on the third journey.
‘Our people see no light, only darkness’
Researcher Dr Glenn Alcalay (now an adjunct professor of anthropology at William Paterson University), who spoke Marshallese, was a great help to me interviewing some of the islanders.
“It’s a hard time for us now because we don’t have a lot of food here on Mejatto — like breadfruit, taro and pandanus,” said Rose Keju, who wasn’t actually at Rongelap during the fallout.
“Our people feel extremely depressed. They see no light, only darkness. They’ve been crying a lot.
“We’ve moved because of the poison and the health problems we face. If we have honest scientists to check Rongelap we’ll know whether we can ever return, or we’ll have to stay on Mejatto.”
Kiosang Kios, 46, was 15 years old at the time of Castle Bravo when she was evacuated to “Kwaj”.
“My hair fell out — about half the people’s hair fell out,” she said. “My feet ached and burned. I lost my appetite, had diarrhoea and vomited.”
In 1957, she had her first baby and it was born without bones – “Like this paper, it was flimsy.” A so-called ‘jellyfish baby’, it lived half a day. After that, Kios had several more miscarriages and stillbirths. In 1959, she had a daughter who had problems with her legs and feet and thyroid trouble.
Out on the reef with the bum bums, the islanders had a welcome addition — an unusual hardwood dugout canoe being used for fishing and transport. It travelled 13,000 kilometres on board the Rainbow Warrior and bore the Sandinista legend FSLN on its black-and-red hull. A gift from Bunny McDiarmid and Henk Haazen, it had been bought for $30 from a Nicaraguan fisherman while they were crewing on the Fri. (Bunny and Henk are on board Rainbow Warrior III for the research mission).
“It has come from a small people struggling for their sovereignty against the United States and it has gone to another small people doing the same,” said Haazen.
Animals left behind
Before the 10-day evacuation ended, Haazen was given an outrigger canoe by the islanders. Winched on to the deck of the Warrior, it didn’t quite make a sail-in protest at Moruroa, as Haazen planned, but it has since become a familiar sight on Auckland Harbour.
With the third load of 87 people shipped to Mejatto and one more to go, another problem emerged. What should be done about the scores of pigs and chickens on Rongelap? Pens could be built on the main deck to transport them to Mejatto but was there any fodder left for them?
The islanders decided they weren’t going to run a risk, no matter how slight, of having contaminated animals with them. They were abandoned on Rongelap — along with three of the five outriggers.
“When you get to New Zealand you’ll be asked have you been on a farm,” warned French journalist Phillipe Chatenay, who had gone there a few weeks before to prepare a Le Point article about the “Land of the Long White Cloud and Nuclear-Free Nuts”.
“Yes, and you’ll be asked to remove your shoes. And if you don’t have shoes, you’ll be asked to remove your feet,” added first mate Martini Gotjé, who was usually barefooted.
The last voyage on May 28 was the most fun. A smaller group of about 40 islanders was transported and there was plenty of time to get to know each other.
Four young men questioned cook Nathalie Mestre: where did she live? Where was Switzerland? Out came an atlas. Then Mestre produced a scrapbook of Fernando Pereira’s photographs of the voyage. The questions were endless.
They asked for a scrap of paper and a pen and wrote in English:
“We, the people of Rongelap, love our homeland. But how can our people live in a place which is dangerous and poisonous. I mean, why didn’t those American people test Bravo in a state capital? Why? Rainbow Warrior, thank you for being so nice to us. Keep up your good work.”
Each one wrote down their name: Balleain Anjain, Ralet Anitak, Kiash Tima and Issac Edmond. They handed the paper to Mestre and she added her name. Anitak grabbed it and wrote as well: “Nathalie Anitak”. They laughed.
Fernando Pereira’s birthday
Thursday, May 30, was Fernando Pereira’s 35th birthday. The evacuation was over and a one-day holiday was declared as we lay anchored off Mejato.
Pereira was on the Pacific voyage almost by chance. Project coordinator Steve Sawyer had been seeking a wire machine for transmitting pictures of the campaign. He phoned Fiona Davies, then heading the Greenpeace photo office in Paris. But he wanted a machine and photographer separately.
“No, no … I’ll get you a wire machine,” replied Davies. ‘But you’ll have to take my photographer with it.” Agreed. The deal would make a saving for the campaign budget.
Sawyer wondered who this guy was, although Gotjé and some of the others knew him. Pereira had fled Portugal about 15 years before while he was serving as a pilot in the armed forces at a time when the country was fighting to retain colonies in Angola and Mozambique. He settled in The Netherlands, the only country which would grant him citizenship.
After first working as a photographer for Anefo press agency, he became concerned with environmental and social issues. Eventually he joined the Amsterdam communist daily De Waarheid and was assigned to cover the activities of Greenpeace. Later he joined Greenpeace.
Although he adopted Dutch ways, his charming Latin temperament and looks betrayed his Portuguese origins. He liked tight Italian-style clothes and fast sports cars. Pereira was always wide-eyed, happy and smiling.
In Hawai`i, he and Sawyer hiked up to the crater at the top of Diamond Head one day. Sawyer took a snapshot of Pereira laughing — a photo later used on the front page of the New Zealand Times after his death with the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by French secret agents.
While most of the crew were taking things quietly and the “press gang” caught up on stories, Sawyer led a mini-expedition in a Zodiac to one of the shipwrecks, the Palauan Trader. With him were Davey Edward, Henk Haazen, Paul Brown and Bunny McDiarmid.
Clambering on board the hulk, Sawyer grabbed hold of a rust-caked railing which collapsed. He plunged 10 metres into a hold. While he lay in pain with a dislocated shoulder and severely lacerated abdomen, his crewmates smashed a hole through the side of the ship. They dragged him through pounding surf into the Zodiac and headed back to the Warrior, three kilometres away.
“Doc” Andy Biedermann, assisted by “nurse” Chatenay, who had received basic medical training during national service in France, treated Sawyer. He took almost two weeks to recover.
But the accident failed to completely dampen celebrations for Pereira, who was presented with a hand-painted t-shirt labelled “Rainbow Warrior Removals Inc”.
Pereira’s birthday was the first of three which strangely coincided with events casting a tragic shadow over the Rainbow Warrior’s last voyage.
Dr David Robie is an environmental and political journalist and author, and editor of Asia Pacific Report. He travelled on board the Rainbow Warrior for almost 11 weeks. This article is adapted from his 1986 book, Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior. A new edition is being published in July to mark the 40th anniversary of the bombing.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carbon Streaming Corporation (Cboe CA: NETZ) (OTCQB: OFSTF) (FSE: M2Q) (“Carbon Streaming” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. All figures are expressed in United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. The Company will host a live audio call at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. In addition, the Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sam Wong to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) effective April 1, 2025.
Carbon Streaming Chief Executive Officer Marin Katusa stated: “In the fourth quarter of 2024, Carbon Streaming focused on its restructuring efforts and evaluating strategic alternatives while taking significant steps to reduce costs and improve financial sustainability. We successfully reduced the number of individuals receiving full-time salaries from 24 at the start of 2024 to 4 by January 2025, resulting in significant savings to ongoing operating expenses. With cost reductions complete, our priority in 2025 is to maximize value from our existing portfolio while continuing to explore all strategic options to enhance shareholder value. More specifically, we will evaluate all potential acquisitions, divestments, corporate transactions, and strategic partnerships. While the voluntary carbon market continues to experience difficult market conditions and many economic uncertainties exist, we are committed to adapting to market conditions and ensuring the best path forward for our shareholders. With respect to the Rimba Raya, Magdalena Bay and Sustainable Community Streams, the Company remains focused on protecting our investments and preserving our rights as we will with all our investments.”
Annual Highlights
Fourth Quarter Highlights
Financial Highlights Summary
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 |
Three months ended December 31, 2023 |
Year ended December 31, 2024 | Year ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements | $ | (13,190) | $ | (23,952) | $ | (58,155) | $ | (32,897) | ||||
| Settlements from carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements1 | 513 | – | 1,550 | 55 | ||||||||
| Other financial highlights | ||||||||||||
| Other operating expenses | 1,760 | 2,691 | 10,340 | 12,035 | ||||||||
| Operating loss | (14,923) | (26,784) | (68,335) | (45,002) | ||||||||
| Net loss | (16,932) | (26,092) | (67,369) | (35,501) | ||||||||
| Loss per share (Basis and Diluted) ($/share) | (0.32) | (0.55) | (1.34) | (0.75) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net loss2 | (884) | (2,225) | (5,214) | (7,586) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share)2 | (0.02) | (0.05) | (0.10) | (0.16) | ||||||||
| Statement of financial position | ||||||||||||
| Cash3 | 37,350 | 51,416 | 37,350 | 51,416 | ||||||||
| Carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements3 | 9,081 | 60,122 | 9,081 | 60,122 | ||||||||
| Total assets3 | 48,683 | 117,111 | 48,683 | 117,111 | ||||||||
| Non-current liabilities3 | 112 | 1,083 | 112 | 1,083 | ||||||||
Portfolio Updates
Rimba Raya Stream: On April 26, 2024, the Company announced that it was informed that PT Rimba Raya Conservation (“PT Rimba”), the local concession holder for the Rimba Raya project, had its Forest Utilization Business License (the “Concession License”) revoked by the Indonesian Government’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (the “MOEF”). PT Rimba challenged the MOEF’s revocation of the Concession License, and in July 2024, the State Administrative Court of Jakarta (the “Court of Jakarta”) reached a decision on PT Rimba’s claim and declared that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void. The MOEF appealed the decision of the Court of Jakarta and in September 2024, the State Administrative High Court of Jakarta (the “High Court of Jakarta”) upheld the Court of Jakarta’s decision declaring that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void. The MOEF submitted an appeal of the decision of the High Court of Jakarta and as such, the decision of the High Court of Jakarta upholding that the revocation by the MOEF of the Concession License is void does not yet have permanent legal force. While the appeal process is underway, the interlocutory decision issued by the Court of Jakarta on May 16, 2024, requiring the MOEF to suspend the implementation of its decree in respect of the revocation of the Concession License, will remain in place.
In October 2024, InfiniteEARTH Limited and its Indonesian subsidiary PT InfiniteEARTH Nusantara, the project operators of the Rimba Raya project (collectively “InfiniteEARTH”) delivered a notice of intent to abandon the project (the “RR Notice of Abandonment”). Pursuant to the RR Notice of Abandonment, InfiniteEARTH claims that a Regulation entitled Regulation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Number 7 Year of 2023 issued on June 14, 2023 by the Indonesian Government (“Regulation No. 7 2023”), prohibits the issuance and transfer of carbon rights from PT Rimba to InfiniteEARTH. InfiniteEARTH claims that as a result of Regulation No. 7 2023, it has been unable to economically develop or continue to operate the Rimba Raya project and that this is a force majeure event under the Rimba Raya Stream. The Company has notified InfiniteEARTH that it rejects the assertion that Regulation No. 7 2023 is an event of force majeure and has commenced an arbitration seeking, among other things, an order that the RR Notice of Abandonment is invalid or void.
In October 2024, the Company commenced an arbitration administered by the International Centre of Dispute Resolution against InfiniteEARTH in accordance with the Rimba Raya Stream; and against the shareholders of InfiniteEARTH Limited in accordance with the Strategic Alliance Agreement (the “SAA“). The arbitration has since been bifurcated into two arbitration proceedings, dealing with (i) the Rimba Raya Stream; and (ii) the SAA.
In October 2024, the Company also issued a Notice of Action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice seeking declaratory relief against the principals of InfiniteEARTH Limited and their related entities, seeking to enforce its rights in relation to guarantees and non-competition agreements related to the Rimba Raya Stream and the SAA. Some of the defendants have counterclaimed. The dispute between the Company and InfiniteEARTH arises out of acts and omissions that the Company alleges are improper and in breach of the Rimba Raya Stream, the SAA and related agreements. Management of the Company believes that delivering the Notice of Arbitration and issuing the Notice of Action in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice were important steps in preserving the Company’s legal and contractual rights.
As a result of the uncertainty of the duration and outcome of the appeal process in respect of the Concession License and the ongoing legal dispute between the Company, InfiniteEARTH and the founders of InfiniteEARTH, the Company has reclassified the status of the Rimba Raya Stream to “Expired”. As at December 31, 2024, the Company has determined the fair value of the Rimba Raya Stream to be $nil.
Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream: In the third quarter of 2024, Fundación MarVivo Mexico, A.C. and MarVivo Corporation (collectively, “MarVivo”) delivered a notice of intent to abandon the project (the “MarVivo Notice of Abandonment”). Pursuant to the MarVivo Notice of Abandonment, MarVivo claims that the failure to transfer the concession rights from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (“SEMARNAT”), Mexico’s environment ministry, to the jurisdiction of Mexico’s National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (“CONANP”), constitutes an event of force majeure and that it is no longer economical to develop or continue to operate the project. The Company’s position is that the attempt to abandon the project constitutes a breach of the terms of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream. The Company has notified MarVivo that it rejects the assertion that the failure to transfer the concession rights constitutes an event of force majeure and that if MarVivo abandons the project or takes steps to wind-down, this will amount to a breach of the terms of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream. As a result of the MarVivo Notice of Abandonment and the assertions of MarVivo, the Company has determined the fair value of the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream to be $nil as at December 31, 2024. The Company reserves all rights with respect to the agreements between the parties and intends to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream.
Sustainable Community Stream: In the third quarter of 2024, the Company exercised its contractual rights to terminate the Sustainable Community Stream as a result of, among other things, the failure of the project operator, Will Solutions Inc., to meet its milestone related to the registration of its Ontario project and its failure to develop and implement the project in accordance with the project plan (including continued delays in project development activities and lower-than-expected project enrollments). As a result of the Sustainable Community Stream being terminated, the fair value of the Sustainable Community Stream was determined to be $nil as at December 31, 2024. The Company intends to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Sustainable Community Stream.
Cerrado Biome Stream: At the time of project registration, the project planned to expand the project to 80,000 hectares by incorporating more land parcels, and to generate approximately 13 million carbon credits over a 30-year project life. Enrollment of additional land parcels has been slower than anticipated, primarily due to declining demand and lower pricing for REDD+ carbon credits. As a result, the expected revenue from carbon credit sales has decreased, reducing the financial incentive for landholders to transition from agricultural production to REDD+ project enrollment. Currently, the project consists of two land parcels covering approximately 11,000 hectares, expected to generate 1.2 million carbon credits over 30 years; however, the actual number of carbon credits issued will depend on the project’s ability to attract additional landholders. Revenue shortfalls have been driven by delays in the Verra verification process and price volatility for credits issued by REDD+ projects.
Waverly Biochar Stream and Royalty: Following the accelerated payment of the final milestone payments in the second quarter of 2024, the project reached mechanical completion and first biochar production in the third quarter of 2024. However, additional technical challenges prevented continuous operation of the facility and have continued to delay full production capacity. The project is currently focused on securing additional funding to support commissioning, the initial facility audit, and the first output audit with Puro.earth. Verification was anticipated in the third quarter of 2025, with first issuance of carbon credits to follow immediately thereafter, but is now expected to be delayed.
In 2023, the Company announced an agreement to provide Microsoft Corporation with carbon credits from the Waverly Biochar Stream of up to 10,000 carbon credits per year. Under this agreement, the Company is committed to delivering a minimum quantity of credits on specified future dates. If the Company is unable to fulfill this commitment, Microsoft Corporation may request that credits be sourced from an alternative project of their choosing.
Community Carbon Stream: In 2024, the projects under the Community Carbon Stream issued over 1,600,000 carbon credits from the Mozambique cookstove project, the Uganda cookstove project, the Tanzania cookstove project, and the Uganda household safe water project. Additionally, the Community Carbon Stream generated $1.1 million in cash settlements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
On May 8, 2024, the Company amended the terms of the Community Carbon Stream resulting in, among other things, revising the Company’s economic interest to provide for a tiered streaming structure which is adjusted as certain return on invested capital thresholds are achieved, and adjusting the portfolio composition and milestone payments to focus on the five strongest projects, three cookstove projects in Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda and two water purification projects in Malawi and Uganda.
Following the May 2024 amendment, the Company anticipates that the project’s actual emission reductions will be materially lower than previously expected due to methodological changes and declining prices, which have reduced forecasted creditable unit deployments. Concerns over emissions reduction overestimation, additionality, and verification challenges have raised questions about cookstove credit quality, prompting methodological revisions as the market adapts to evolving buyer expectations. While these changes aim to enhance credibility, they have also reduced demand and driven down prices.
Nalgonda Rice Farming Stream: In December 2024, the Company delivered a notice to Core CarbonX Pte. Ltd. and its services provider, Core CarbonX Solutions Private Limited that an event of default occurred and is continuing due to the failure of the project to reach development completion prior to June 30, 2024. While no further action has been taken at this time, the Company reserves all rights under its agreements.
The project was registered with Verra on February 10, 2025, using the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism Methodology AMS-III.AU: Methane emission reduction by adjusted water management practice in rice cultivation in the VCS program (“AMS-III.AU”). Registration and first validation of the project was delayed when Verra temporarily inactivated AMS-III.AU as part of a broader review of validation and verification quality and began developing a revised rice-specific methodology to replace AMS-III.AU. During this review, Verra determined that certain projects identified as having quality issues with validations and/or verifications would remain on hold, but Core CarbonX’s projects, including the Nalgonda Rice Farming project, were approved for registration under AMS-III.AU.
Verra released the new VCS Methodology VM0051 (Improved Management in Rice Production Systems v1.0) on February 27, 2025, which the project plans to transition to for the second monitoring period. However, the project has already applied the guidelines required under the VCS Methodology VM0051. At this time, it is not known how the transition to the new methodology will impact the project, if at all.
As of December 31, 2024, approximately 32,000 landholders were enrolled in the project, covering 36,548 hectares of farmland. Enrollment remains ongoing, with a target of expanding to approximately 62,000 hectares. However, progress has been slower than expected due to registration delays, which have also postponed farmer compensation and, in turn, affected enrollment. The project was registered with Verra on February 10, 2025.
Enfield Biochar Stream: In April 2024, Standard Biocarbon Corporation (“Standard Biocarbon”) achieved its first biochar production. However, technical challenges have delayed the commissioning process. Standard Biocarbon is working with PYREG GmbH, the engineer and builder of the PYREG Machines, to resolve these issues as it scales toward full operating capacity. The project continues to collect operational data required for a facility audit and official registration with the Puro.earth carbon credit standard. Currently, the project is on care and maintenance while seeking additional funding to support commissioning, the initial facility audit, and the first output audit.
Azuero Reforestation Stream: On May 21, 2024, the Company, Microsoft Corporation and Rubicon Carbon Capital LLC (“Rubicon”) entered into a carbon credit streaming agreement, as amended on November 23, 2024 (the “Azuero Reforestation Stream”) with Azuero Reforestation Colectiva, S.A. (“ARC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ponterra Ltd. (“Ponterra”), for a reforestation project located on Azuero Province, Los Santos Province, Republic of Panama. Under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream, ARC will deliver 13.5% of the carbon credits created by the project to the Company. Additionally, Microsoft Corporation has entered into an offtake agreement to purchase 100% of the Company’s carbon credits delivered under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream through to 2040. Carbon Streaming will also act as the sole marketer of ARC’s carbon credits not already committed to the co-investors under the Azuero Reforestation Stream.
Under the terms of the Azuero Reforestation Stream, Carbon Streaming, alongside Rubicon and Microsoft Corporation, will fund 100% of project costs over seven years. The Company agreed to make an upfront deposit of up to $7.1 million with $0.3 million paid on closing, and additional milestone payments made as the project achieves planting and sapling survival milestones, and will receive 13.5% of total credits, which is expected to be approximately 438,000 carbon credits through 2052.
Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream: In January 2025, the Company received a Notice of Adverse Impact from Mast Reforestation SPV I, LLC (“Mast”) and the parent company of Mast, Droneseed Co. d/b/a Mast Reforestation under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream pursuant to which, among other things, Mast advised the Company that the Sheep Creek project has experienced significantly higher than expected mortality rates and that the surviving seedlings had exhibited slower than expected growth rates. As a result, Mast indicated to the Company that it no longer expects to deliver the Company the agreed-upon 286,229 carbon removal credits, referred to as forecast mitigation units (“FMUs”) under the Climate Action Reserve’s Climate Forward program under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream, as Mast no longer considers the existing Sheep Creek project plan and budget to be viable. The Company has formally responded to the Notice of Adverse Impact and requested that Mast respond to the Company’s significant concerns regarding, among other things, the timing of the delivery of the Notice of Adverse Impact, and the characterization of the cause of the adverse impact. The Company is continuing to evaluate all legal avenues available under the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream. As a result, the Company no longer anticipates generating cash flow from the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream and has determined its fair value to be $nil as of December 31, 2024.
Feather River Reforestation Stream: In 2024, carbon credit market demand has generally shifted towards lower risk carbon credits. FMUs, which are designed to facilitate forward financing, inherently carry higher risk, leading to supply that has exceeded demand. FMU issuance is expected in 2025. However, given the uncertainties surrounding FMU sales, the Company has determined the fair value of the Feather River Reforestation Stream to be $nil as of December 31, 2024.
Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream: In March 2025, Mast delivered the Company a notice of termination of the Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream and the Baccala Ranch project, thereby confirming it will forego any plantings. The Company had not advanced any funds for the Baccala project and the closing of the Baccala Ranch Reforestation Stream remained subject to customary closing conditions.
Amazon Portfolio Royalty: Following a corporate reorganization, Future Carbon assigned its interests in the Yellow Ipe, ABC Norte and Gairova projects (collectively the “Ecologica Portfolio”) to Ecological Assessoria Ltda. and its affiliates (collectively “Ecologica”), and retained the Rio Madeira Project, (the “Future Carbon Portfolio”). To reflect this restructuring, the Original Amazon Royalty was replaced on April 17, 2024, by two new royalty agreements: one between the Company and Future Carbon for the Future Carbon Portfolio (the “FC Amazon Royalty”), and another between the Company and Ecologica on the Ecologica Portfolio (the “Ecologica Amazon Royalty”). Each agreement carried a purchase price of $1.5 million, maintaining the original $3.0 million investment. No additional funds were advanced by the Company as part of Future Carbon’s reorganization.
Bonobo Peace Forest Royalty: The royalty agreement was originally intended to convert into a stream agreement upon successful validation and verification of the project. However, due to political instability in the DRC, weakened market sentiment for REDD+ projects, and a significant decline in demand for REDD+ carbon credits, Carbon Streaming decided to halt further investment. The Company currently has no plans to proceed with a stream agreement.
The project has been seeking additional investment to support a renewed technical effort for registration under the new Verra VM0048 methodology. Given the material uncertainty surrounding fundraising for REDD+ project development, the early-stage nature of the project’s technical development, and persistent weakness in demand for REDD+ carbon credits, the Company has determined the fair value of the Bonobo Peace Forest Royalty to be $nil as at December 31, 2024.
Strategy
Carbon Streaming is currently focused on maximizing value from the existing portfolio of investments and pursuing all options to achieve that goal. During 2024, the Company has undergone changes to the Board and management, including the termination of certain consulting contracts, which reduced ongoing cash expenditure and streamlined decision-making. The Company continues to focus on its previously announced evaluation of strategic alternatives with a focus on maximizing value for all shareholders. These alternatives could include acquisitions, divestments, corporate transactions, financings, other strategic partnership opportunities or continuing to operate as a public company.
The Company’s carbon credit streaming agreements are structured to retain a portion of the cash flows from carbon credit sales, with stream-specific retention varying. Project partners typically receive the balance through ongoing delivery payments under the terms of each agreement. Cash flows are subject to fluctuations based on realized carbon credit prices and agreement terms. As the Company continues to evaluate its strategic direction, it remains focused on optimizing portfolio economics and managing exposure to market volatility.
Outlook
Carbon Streaming continues to reposition itself for success and for maximizing shareholder value amid ongoing challenges. In May 2024, as part of its ongoing corporate restructuring first initiated in 2023, the Company announced changes to its senior management and Board after constructive discussions with certain shareholders. The Company continues to evaluate strategic alternatives for the business and remains focused on cash flow optimization through the reduction of operating expenses and a reassessment of its existing streams and royalties. Building on the previous measures implemented by the Company to reduce ongoing operating expenses, further steps have been taken in recent months, including significantly reducing employee headcount, renegotiating and amending vendor agreements to lower costs, eliminating cash-settled director’s fees to the Board and terminating certain consulting contracts. As the Company’s broader strategy continues to evolve, these recent steps are expected to result in significant reductions to annualized ongoing operating expenses when compared to 2024.
While the Company aims to increase cash flow generation through the sale of carbon credits from several streaming agreements over the next year, there remains ongoing uncertainty regarding the evolving nature of carbon markets, including potential registry delays, project-specific issues, and methodology-related risks, in addition to impacts the industry may face as a result of general economic, political and regulatory conditions. In 2024, the Company has recognized a decrease in the fair values of the Rimba Raya Stream, the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream, the Sustainable Community Stream, and the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream to $nil as a result of the failure of the respective projects to meet their obligations under the stream agreements and ongoing legal disputes. The Company is actively pursuing all available legal remedies to protect its investments and enforce its contractual rights. Given the multiple ongoing litigation matters, the outcomes remain uncertain and could materially impact the Company’s financial position and strategic direction. Please refer to the “Legal Proceedings” section of the Company’s most recently filed MD&A for further information.
Given the evolving nature of carbon markets and ongoing legal considerations, Carbon Streaming is focussed on maximizing value from the existing portfolio of investments and pursuing all options to achieve that goal.
For a comprehensive discussion of the risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s strategy and outlook, including without limitation, changes in demand for carbon credits and Indonesian developments described herein, investors are urged to review the section of the Company’s most recently filed AIF entitled “Risk Factors” a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
2024 Results Conference Call Details
The Company’s management team will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ET to provide a brief company update. Participants may join by dialing +1 289-514-5100 or toll free from North America at +1 800-717-1738. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company website until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, 2025.
About Carbon Streaming
Carbon Streaming’s focus is on projects that generate high-quality carbon credits and have a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and biodiversity, in addition to their carbon reduction or removal potential. This approach aligns our strategic interests with those of project partners to create long-term relationships built on a shared commitment to sustainability and accountability and positions us as a trusted source for buyers seeking high-quality carbon credits.
ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY:
Marin Katusa, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 365.607.6095
info@carbonstreaming.com
www.carbonstreaming.com
Investor Relations
investors@carbonstreaming.com
Media
media@carbonstreaming.com
Non-IFRS Accounting Standards Measures
Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Loss Per Share
The term “adjusted net loss” in this news release is not a standardized financial measure under the IFRS Accounting Standards and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies where similar terminology is used. These non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance, cash flows and financial position as prepared in accordance with the IFRS Accounting Standards. Management believes that these non-IFRS Accounting Standards measures, together with performance measures and measures prepared in accordance with the IFRS Accounting Standards, provide useful information to investors and shareholders in assessing the Company’s liquidity and overall performance.
Adjusted net loss is calculated as net and comprehensive loss and adjusted for the revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements, the revaluation of warrant liabilities, the impairment loss on early deposit interest receivable, the revaluation of derivative liabilities, the revaluation of the convertible note, the impairment loss on investment in associate, the gain on dissolution of associate, and the corporate restructuring which the Company views as having a significant non-cash or non-continuing impact on the Company’s net and comprehensive loss calculation and per share amounts. Adjusted net loss is used by the Company to monitor its results from operations for the period.
The following table reconciles net and comprehensive (loss) income to adjusted net loss:
| Three months ended December 31, 2024 |
Three months ended December 31, 2023 |
Year ended December 31, 2024 |
Year ended December 31, 2023 |
|||||||||
| Net loss and comprehensive loss | $ | (16,932) | $ | (26,092) | $ | (67,369) | $ | (35,501) | ||||
| Adjustment for non-continuing or non-cash settled items: | ||||||||||||
| Revaluation of carbon credit streaming and royalty agreements | 13,190 | 23,952 | 58,155 | 32,897 | ||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liabilities | (43) | (79) | (642) | (6,530) | ||||||||
| Impairment of early deposit interest receivable | – | – | 307 | – | ||||||||
| Revaluation of derivative liabilities | – | – | (680) | (686) | ||||||||
| Revaluation of Convertible Note | – | – | – | (558) | ||||||||
| Revaluation of preferred shares | 2,558 | – | 2,558 | – | ||||||||
| Impairment of investment in associate | – | – | – | 1,044 | ||||||||
| Gain on dissolution of associate | – | – | (104) | – | ||||||||
| Corporate restructuring | 343 | (6) | 2,561 | 1,748 | ||||||||
| Adjusted net loss | (884) | (2,225) | (5,214) | (7,586) | ||||||||
| Loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share) | (0.32) | (0.55) | (1.34) | (0.75) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net loss per share (Basic and Diluted) ($/share) | (0.02) | (0.05) | (0.10) | (0.16) | ||||||||
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking information, including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated impact of changes to the Company’s Board and management; the impact of the Company’s restructuring strategies, including evaluation of strategic alternatives; the ability of the Company to execute on expense reductions and savings from operating cost reduction measures; statements with respect to cash flow optimization and generation; its sales strategy; supporting the Company’s carbon streaming and royalty partners; timing and the amount of future carbon credit generation and emission reductions and removals from the Company’s existing streaming and royalty agreements; statements with respect to the projects in which the Company has streaming and royalty agreements in place; statements with respect to the Company’s growth objectives and potential and its position in the voluntary carbon markets; statements with respect to execution of the Company’s portfolio and partnership strategy; statements with respect to the ongoing legal process to protect the Company’s investment in the Rimba Raya project and to enforce its legal and contractual rights; statements ; and statements regarding the Company’s intention to strictly enforce its legal and contractual rights under the Sustainable Community Stream and the Magdalena Bay Blue Carbon Stream and the Sheep Creek Reforestation Stream.
When used in this news release, words such as “estimates”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “will”, “believes”, “intends” “should”, “could”, “may” and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. They should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: general economic, market and business conditions and global financial conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and stock market volatility; volatility in prices of carbon credits and demand for carbon credits; change in social or political views towards climate change, carbon credits and environmental, social and governance initiatives and subsequent changes in corporate or government policies or regulations and associated changes in demand for carbon credits; the Company’s expectations and plans with respect to current litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings; limited operating history for the Company’s current strategy; concentration risk; inaccurate estimates of project value, which may impact the ability of the Company to execute on its growth and diversification strategy; dependence upon key management; impact of corporate restructurings; the inability of the Company to optimize cash flows or sufficiently reduce operating expenses; reputational risk; risks arising from competition and future acquisition activities failure or timing delays for projects to be registered, validated and ultimately developed and for emission reductions or removals to be verified and carbon credits issued (and other risks associated with carbon credits standards and registries); foreign operations and political risks including actions by governmental authorities, including changes in or to government regulation, taxation and carbon pricing initiatives; uncertainties and ongoing market developments surrounding the validation and verification requirements of the voluntary and/or compliance markets; due diligence risks, including failure of third parties’ reviews, reports and projections to be accurate; dependence on project partners, operators and owners, including failure by such counterparties to make payments or perform their operational or other obligations to the Company in compliance with the terms of contractual arrangements between the Company and such counterparties; failure of projects to generate carbon credits, or natural disasters such as flood or fire which could have a material adverse effect on the ability of any project to generate carbon credits; volatility in the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; the effect that the issuance of additional securities by the Company could have on the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; global health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics; and the other risks disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated as of March 31, 2025 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
Source: African Development Bank Group
Turning Crisis into Opportunity: How Two Zimbabwean Women Entrepreneurs Are Building Thriving Businesses
When the Covid-19 pandemic brought much of the world to a standstill, Yollanda Mambeu saw an opportunity in the crisis. Amid the strict lockdowns that shuttered countless businesses, she launched her dream venture —a cake shop in a high-density suburb of Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city.
Since then, her ovens have rarely cooled. What began as a modest baking business has expanded into a thriving enterprise. Today, Mambeu supplies a wide range of baking products and accessories, from cake-making tools and spices to balloon stands, cake toppers, and edible image printing. She also offers baking lessons to aspiring entrepreneurs, aged 20 to 40, in smaller towns around Mutare.
Mambeu now earns an average of $4,000 in monthly profit, with peaks of up to $5,000 during national holidays and festive periods. She attributes her success to training received under the Sustainable Enterprise Development of Women and Youth – Business Growth for Young Entrepreneurs project, funded by the African Development Bank. The programme, which promotes entrepreneurship and job creation, has reached 984 beneficiaries to date—over 68% of them women.
Mambeu took part in two key training programmes: Sustainable and Resilient Enterprise and Improve Your Business, both funded by the Bank’s Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Multi-Donor Trust Fund and delivered by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe.
“Before the training, I struggled with market visibility and branding,” she said. “I learned how to position my business, and now everything is branded—from shop windows to refrigerators. People immediately know what we offer. That change boosted our monthly profits from $1,000 to $4,000.”
In January 2024, Mambeu formally registered her business as Yoyo’s Yummy Cakes and Baking Supplies and began advertising on local radio. The strategy paid off—by September, her customer base had quadrupled to 1,200 clients.
Her growing brand has attracted the attention of large corporates. One of Zimbabwe’s largest milk producers appointed her as a brand ambassador, supplying her with baking milk. She now provides confectioneries to a commercial bank, the national revenue authority, and a local NGO, among other clients. To meet rising demand, she invested $2,500 in heavy-duty baking equipment and is planning to open both a bakery and a wholesale outlet.
Mambeu’s story is echoed by Violet Mhute, a 44-year-old entrepreneur based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city. Like Mambeu, she benefited from Bank-supported training—this time to help women entrepreneurs break into the male-dominated leather industry.
Mhute founded Soko Genuine Leather in 2008 but initially struggled to establish herself in Zimbabwe’s $32 million leather sector. For years, she exported semi-processed hides to South Africa and the UK for low returns. Now, her business boasts a catalogue of high-quality leather goods—shoes, sandals, wallets, and belts—sold across Africa and beyond.
“Entering the leather industry as a woman was tough. Accessing the right information was a constant battle,” Mhute said. “But the training gave me the tools and confidence to navigate those challenges.”
With support from the African Development Bank and government policies that support local value addition, Mhute shifted from exporting raw materials to selling premium finished products. Her goods are now certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe, enabling her to participate in international expos and tap into new markets, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and the UK.
She was also trained on how to expand her business under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. The impact has been significant: monthly profits rose from $800 to $3,100.
Violet Mhute, founder of Soko Genuine Leather, a leather production company.
Mhute says she now employs five young people in her growing leather business.
Dr. Martha Phiri, Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development at the African Development Bank, says the success stories of Mambeu and Mhute reflect the Bank’s sustained commitment to private sector development—particularly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
“These efforts prioritize inclusion, with targeted support for underserved groups such as women and youth, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities,” said Phiri. “Through the Bank’s initiatives, we empower women entrepreneurs by providing technical assistance, skills training, and business development support.”
Both Mambeu and Mhute say they are optimistic about the future and aim to grow their businesses further while creating jobs for others.
“My dream goes beyond expanding my business,” said Mhute. “I want to establish an entrepreneurship institute that will help others break through the barriers in male-dominated industries—just as I have.”
Since its launch in 2017, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund has been a key catalyst for entrepreneurs like Mambeu and Mhute. The fund supports the African Development Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, providing grants to empower youth-led start-ups and MSMEs operating in both the formal and informal sectors.
Source: African Development Bank Group
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved Eswatini’s Country Strategy Paper (CSP) 2025-2030. The target is to accelerate the country’s structural transformation and build a strong foundation for a more inclusive, diverse, resilient, and competitive economy.
Source: African Development Bank Group
The African Development Bank Group’s Board has approved a $7.9 million grant to bolster Sao Tome and Principe’s economic recovery. The budgetary support operation aims to strengthen the country’s economic resilience through improved revenue and public expenditure reforms and lay the groundwork for sustainable energy sector reforms vital to a strong and vibrant private sector.
The support is from the African Development Bank Group’s Transitional Support Facility and is part of the country’s second phase of its Fiscal Sustainability and Economic Resilience Support Program.
The first phase of the support amounting to $5.3 million was approved on 1 December 2023. The approval of the second phase brings the total financing to $13.2 million.
The programme aligns with the Country’s Strategy Paper 2024-2029, the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, 2024-2033, and the High 5s development priorities, particularly the “Improve the Quality of Life of the People of Africa” and “Light up Africa” goals. It will greatly contribute to improving the business climate.
The key impediment to São Tomé and Príncipe’s economic recovery is an insufficient energy supply that is aggravated by worn-out fossil fuel-based electricity generation equipment and a loss-making state-owned utility, I, which hinder the efficient functioning of the economy. The African Development Bank’s support towards energy sector reform will result into improved energy sector governance and support the transition to renewable energy.
Highlighting the programme’s importance, the African Development Bank’s Director General for Southern Africa, Leila Mokaddem, said: “This budgetary support operation has come at a critical juncture to support economic recovery through revenue and public expenditure reforms while, at the same time, setting the foundations for sustainable energy sector reforms critical for a strong and vibrant private sector.”
She added that the operation strengthens the Bank’s position to provide policy and advisory support services, which are prerequisites for sustained economic recovery and inclusive growth
The African Development Bank Country Manager for Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, Pietro Toigo, said: “The budgetary support will greatly help close the financing gap faced by the country, boost foreign exchange reserves, which are at their lowest. It will further strengthen the government’s efforts to undertake further reforms required for economic recovery.”
Source: African Development Bank Group
The Kingdom of Lesotho, with support from the African Development Bank, is leveraging its abundant water and renewable energy resources to chart an ambitious path that will accelerate its economic transformation and have a huge impact on South Africa and Botswana.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
CHILANGA, Zambia, March 31 — China and Zambia on Monday signed an agreement on the export of macadamia nuts to the Asian country.
The signing ceremony was attended by Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Wang Sheng and Zambian Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri.
In his remarks, Wang said the signing of the agreement signifies a major step in opening up the Chinese market to Zambian nuts, which will greatly benefit local farmers in the foreseeable future.
According to him, in addition to this protocol and previous agreements on the export of blueberries from Zambia to China, negotiations are also underway for the export of other agricultural products, such as dry paprika and avocados.
“I am sure that before long, more high-quality agricultural products from this country will find their way to the Chinese market,” he said.
The agreement is an important outcome of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing in September last year when China announced its commitment to granting all least developed countries, including Zambia, with which it has diplomatic relations, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines.
According to him, as the world’s second-largest economy with a population of 1.4 billion, China offers a huge market for any country.
For his part, the Zambian minister thanked China for providing Zambia with an open and expansive market for its nut exports.
He said the move would help Zambia diversify its agricultural production and improve the quality of its products, as China maintains strict standards for agricultural imports.
The signing of the agreement reflected Zambia’s commitment to promoting trade and investment, as well as the strategic partnership with China, he added.
Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Media Contact 202-226-8467
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast led several members of the panel in demanding that UN Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber reject Francesca Albanese’s reappointment to another three-year term as special rapporteur for the “occupied palestinian territories.”
Mast and his fellow Republicans specifically outlined that Albanese has repeatedly failed to uphold the UNHCR code of conduct and made inflammatory and offensive comments about Israel in the wake of the October 7th attacks.
“[Albanese] has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the ‘Third Reich,’ and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Lauber. “The Council has allowed antisemitism and anti-Americanism to thrive within, with a seeming unwillingness to hold the most egregious violators of human rights to account.”
In addition to Chairman Mast, the letter was co-signed Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Keith Self (R-TX), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).
Read the full letter here and below.
Dear Mr. President,
We are writing to strongly object to the renewal of UN Special Rapporteur for the “occupied Palestinian territories,” Francesca Albanese, for a second three-year term. As you are well aware, UN Special Rapporteurs have a duty to uphold the code of conduct as written in Council Resolution 5/2. The code of conduct expressly asserts that Special Rapporteurs must act in an independent capacity with a professional, impartial assessment, and maintain the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity through impartiality, equity and honesty. Based on the following, Special Rapporteur Albanese has failed to uphold the code. Consequently, her term must not be renewed.
Ms. Albanese has repeatedly violated the code of conduct since she took the position on May 1, 2022. She has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the “Third Reich,” and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. Ms. Albanese unapologetically uses her position as a UN Special Rapporteur to purvey and attempt to legitimize antisemitic tropes, while serving as a Hamas apologist. Moreover, she has erroneously accused the United States Congress and our Executive of being bought and paid for by the Israel lobby. In her malicious fixation, she has even called for Israel to be removed from the United Nations while likening Israel to apartheid South Africa.
Since the abhorrent and cowardly October 7th attacks, Ms. Albanese’s inflammatory rhetoric has only increased in atrociousness. For example, following Hamas’ murder of over 1,200 people, 250 hostages taken – 59 of whom are still held by Hamas terrorists – and irreversibly changed the lives of countless others, Ms. Albanese wrote that the “violence must be put in context,” and that the attack occurred in response to Israeli “aggression.” In a statement that was rightfully condemned by the United States, France, and Germany, Ms. Albanese attempted to justify that the October 7th massacre was “in response to Israel’s oppression.” Such comments alone violate several provisions within the code of conduct.
Regrettably, Ms. Albanese’s rhetoric has perverted the very institution and its foundational principles in which she was appointed to serve. Her comments above, and many others she has made, are case in point as to why President Trump rightfully withdrew the United States from the Human Rights Council (Council). The Council has allowed antisemitism and anti-Americanism to thrive within, with a seeming unwillingness to hold the most egregious violators of human rights to account. Notably, in January 2023, I, along with many of my colleagues, sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary General and High Commissioner for Human Rights calling for Ms. Albanese’s removal. We were not alone in our requests for her admonishment. Several governments, including France, Germany, Canada and the Netherlands, have all condemned her statements as antisemitic, as well. To this day, no action has been taken.
Francesca Albanese’s service as a UN Special Rapporteur must end at the conclusion of her first term. Given the numerous instances provided above, but certainly not limited to, her behavior is not only reprehensible, but most unbecoming of a UN Special Rapporteur. As such, it is the view of the undersigned that Ms. Albanese must face serious consequences. As the new President of the Human Rights Council, it is your sworn duty to utilize your authority as stated in Presidential Statement 8/2 (PRST/8/2) to “convey to the Council any information brought to [your] attention of concerning cases of persistent non-compliance by a mandate-holder with the provisions of Council Resolution 5/2, especially prior to the renewal of mandate holders in office.” By rejecting the renewal of Ms. Albanese’s term, the Council would bring much needed credibility, integrity, and accountability back to the institution – attributes of which it has been severely lacking in recent years.
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39% of applicants were women, with 60% of the Top 10 finalists being female entrepreneurs.
For the first time, a Top 10 finalist hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – a powerful milestone for Central Africa.
And in another first, a Francophone entrepreneur – Henri Ousmane Gueye from Senegal – won the Grand Prize, marking a major moment for Francophone Africa.
Now in its 7th edition, ABH continues its mission to spotlight and support exceptional African entrepreneurs who are creating positive impact in their communities.
Why Apply? Unmatched Benefits for African Entrepreneurs
Winning a spot among the ABH finalists unlocks the resources and support needed to elevate a business. The Top 10 finalists share $1.5 million in grant funding, with the grand prize winner receiving $300,000, the first runner-up $250,000, and the second runner-up $150,000. The remaining finalists each secure $100,000, plus an additional $100,000 for global immersion training.
Beyond funding, ABH finalists gain unparalleled media exposure and access to an exclusive network of Africa’s top business leaders, investors and fellow entrepreneurs. This community enables high-level networking and collaboration as well as mentorship and strategic insights to help scale their ventures.
Throughout the competition, they also receive valuable feedback from seasoned professionals, strengthening their business acumen, storytelling and long-term growth trajectory.
A Testament to Resilience and Perseverance
ABH Managing Director for Africa, Zahra Baitie-Boateng, emphasized the resilience needed to succeed in entrepreneurship, highlighting two standout examples from the 2024 competition. “Henri Ousmane Gueye from Senegal won the Grand Prize on his third attempt, and Alexander Odhiambo from Kenya, our second runner-up, applied twice before reaching the Top 10. Their journeys are a powerful reminder that success at ABH isn’t just about taking home the prize. It’s about resilience – the courage to keep showing up, to learn, to grow and to keep believing in your vision even when the odds are tough. That’s the true spirit of entrepreneurship, and exactly what ABH celebrates.”
Eligibility Criteria
ABH welcomes applications from entrepreneurs across all sectors and African countries. To qualify, applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a business that is registered, headquartered, and primarily operating in Africa. They must be African citizens or direct descendants and have at least three years of revenue with proven market traction.
Application Process
The ABH competition offers valuable learning opportunities at every stage. Judges rigorously review applications in the first round, selecting the Top 50 based on merit. These finalists then face in-depth interviews with seasoned business leaders, who assess their potential and narrow the pool to the Top 20.
Following due diligence on the Top 20, they are announced and advance to the Semi-Final, where they pitch in person to a distinguished panel. Judges then select the Top 10, who compete in the Grand Finale’s live pitch competition to determine the winners of the $1.5 million grant funding.
How to Apply
Entrepreneurs eager to seize this opportunity can begin their journey by registering (https://apo-opa.co/4lc6DNy) an ABH account and confirming their eligibility. The application requires them to articulate their personal vision, business model and future plans, alongside submitting a reference and a video introduction. Aspiring business leaders across Africa are invited to take this bold step toward funding, mentorship and unparalleled exposure.
About Africa’s Business Heroes:
The Africa’s Business Heroes prize competition is the flagship philanthropic initiative spearheaded by the Jack Ma Foundation aimed at supporting and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs across all sectors who are building a more sustainable and inclusive economy for the future of the continent. Over a 10-year period, ABH will recognize 100 African entrepreneurs and commit to allocating grant funding, training programs, and support for the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each year, the ABH prize competition and show features 10 Finalists as they pitch their business to win a share of US$1.5 million in grant money. Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, created the prize after he made his first trip to Africa in 2017 and was inspired by the energy and entrepreneurial potential of the young people he met with there.
Source: WTO
Headline: WTO members make progress in revitalizing trade and development work
Members examined special and differential treatment provisions across WTO agreements based on an analysis by the WTO Secretariat. Welcoming insights from the WTO Secretariat, members called for further examining other provisions. It was noted that special and differential treatment provisions were an integral part of WTO rules designed to help developing economies participate more fully in global trade.
Members also continued debating the relevant WTO rules under which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union could be considered. They welcomed the WTO Secretariat’s note on this issue and will continue exploring how to consider this trading arrangement.
The WTO’s Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation provided an update on the financial situation of the Global Trust Fund, which finances WTO-led training programmes for government officials from developing economies to help them participate in international trade. It also talked about preparations for the next technical assistance plan for 2026 and 2027. Members called for innovative solutions for the delivery of technical assistance and said they would consider exploring additional support depending on needs expressed by beneficiaries.
Members also continued debating the relevant WTO rules under which the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union could be considered. They welcomed the WTO Secretariat’s note on this issue and will continue exploring ways of considering this trading arrangement.
The WTO’s LDC Group updated members on their request to resume preparations for the duty-free and quota-free market access for LDCs report. The objective is to facilitate the annual review of the steps members are taking to provide LDCs with market access free of duties and quotas. Members noted that consultations are ongoing with interested delegations to find a way forward.
The Committee on Trade and Development considered two requests from India on improving the functioning of the Committee and on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. Members will continue informal consultations on these requests.
Members also considered the Economic Complementarity Agreement between Argentina and Mexico based on the WTO Secretariat’s factual presentation.
Members elected Ambassador Mzukisi Qobo of South Africa as the chair of the Committee on Trade and Development and re-elected Ambassador Ib Petersen (Denmark) as chair of the Sub-Committee on Least- Developed Countries.
Small economies
Members welcomed the WTO Secretariat report entitled “Challenges and opportunities for small economies in using e-commerce and digital ecosystem to drive competitiveness” on 27 March.
“Many small and vulnerable economies still face high costs to access the internet, inadequate digital infrastructure and gaps in digital literacy, all of which hinder their ability to participate effectively in the global digital economy,” said Ana Libertad Guzman Villeda from Guatemala, which coordinates the Small, Vulnerable Economies. “Addressing these challenges requires targeted investments, capacity-building initiatives and policies that foster inclusive digital transformation,” she added.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) highlighted its work to support small economies in building their digital capacities, including several key initiatives ranging from implementation of national single windows for customs processes to upgrading e-commerce laws. The role of UNCTAD’s eTrade Reform Tracker in supporting developing economies with their e-commerce strategies was underscored. Members also drew attention to expanding coverage of UNCTAD’s eTrade Readiness Assessments, which provide a snapshot of the e-commerce ecosystem in developing economies.
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