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Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo – P10_TA(2025)0020 – Thursday, 13 February 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

    –  having regard to the statement by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU of 25 January 2025 on the latest escalation in eastern DRC,

    –  having regard to the statement by G7 foreign ministers of 2 February 2025 on the escalation of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,

    –  having regard to the press statement of the UN Security Council of 26 January 2025 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

    –  having regard to the special session of the UN Human Rights Council of 7 February 2025 on the human rights situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

    –  having regard to the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 28 January 2025 on the recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,

    –  having regard to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women of 18 December 1979,

    –  having regard to the Partnership Agreement of 15 November 2023 between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, of the other part(1),

    –  having regard to Rule 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas in January 2025, the armed rebel group M23, backed by Rwandan forces, further advanced in the eastern DRC and seized the regional capital city of Goma; whereas violence between rebel groups and the Congolese army increased sharply, causing a high number of civilian casualties; whereas an estimated 3 000 deaths occurred during the offensive on Goma; whereas approximately 800 000 internally displaced people were sheltering at that time in densely populated displacement sites around the city;

    B.  whereas M23 announced a unilateral ceasefire to begin on 4 February 2025; whereas fighting has nonetheless continued, Goma airport remains closed, air traffic management equipment is damaged and humanitarian access is still limited; whereas there are reports that the mining town of Nyabibwe in South Kivu has been captured by M23; whereas M23 leaders have declared their intention to continue advancing in the DRC; whereas the latest advances of M23 mark an alarming escalation of the devastating conflict in the eastern DRC, a violation of territorial integrity and an escalation in violence, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis, human rights violations and the further destabilisation of the country;

    C.  whereas the region has been plagued by decades of cyclical violence, causing a security and humanitarian crisis; whereas after a ceasefire that lasted several years, the M23 fighters took up arms again at the end of 2021; whereas martial law has been in force since 2021 in the eastern DRC and the civilian government has been replaced by the military; whereas the M23 forces have been expanding their presence in the eastern DRC, setting up new governance administrations and taxation systems, establishing military training camps and exporting minerals directly to Rwanda; whereas the long-term consequences of the terrible 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi are still fuelling violence, hatred and forced displacements today;

    D.  whereas on 23 and 24 January 2025, M23 fired on positions of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), which resulted in the deaths of 13 peacekeepers deployed with MONUSCO and the peacekeeping mission led by the Southern African Development Community (SADC);

    E.  whereas the UN Group of Experts concluded in its June 2024 report that the deployment of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) ‘violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’ and that the RDF’s ‘de facto control and direction over M23 operations also renders Rwanda liable for the actions of M23’;

    F.  whereas the seizing of Goma has led to significant displacement of civilians; whereas over 500 000 people are estimated to have been displaced since early January 2025; whereas thousands of Congolese people had previously fled to the city to escape violence and have been further driven from camps for internally displaced people into makeshift tents or forced to sleep out in the open; whereas the safety of internally displaced people is now seriously threatened, with women and girls suffering disproportionately;

    G.  whereas the deputy head of the UN peacekeeping force based in Goma has reported on the mass rape and killing of women inmates inside Goma’s Munzenze prison, and it is estimated that hundreds of women were raped and many burned alive in the prison;

    H.  whereas women and girls in the DRC face increased levels of sexual and gender-based violence, resulting in there being one victim of rape every four minutes; whereas the staff of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, which receives many survivors of sexual violence, is alarmed about the deteriorating security situation in the area and about the security of the staff and patients in Panzi Hospital itself;

    I.  whereas the seizure of Goma triggered violent protests in Kinshasa, with dozens of protesters attacking embassies and calling on the international community to halt the advance of M23;

    J.  whereas the conflict in the DRC is at risk of regional spillover; whereas a peacekeeping deployment from the East African Community Regional Forces withdrew in 2023; whereas the SADC deployed a peacekeeping mission to the DRC in December 2023 with troops from South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi; whereas at least 20 peacekeepers were killed during the M23 advance on Goma; whereas on 6 February 2025, Malawi announced the withdrawal of its troops from this mission;

    K.  whereas it is widely acknowledged that Rwanda is active in the conflict in the eastern DRC, including through its de facto control of M23, to which it supplies weapons, logistical support and troops; whereas UN experts estimate that there are between 3 000 and 4 000 Rwandan troops operating with M23;

    L.  whereas North Kivu is a resource-rich region, with vast supplies of critical raw materials including cobalt, gold and tin, which are necessary for the global digital and energy transition; whereas Goma is a major transport and trading hub for the export of minerals; whereas the UN estimates that around 120 tonnes of coltan are being moved by M23 to Rwanda each month; whereas UN experts further estimate that M23 is financed by around EUR 288 000 per month generated through its control of the mineral trade in the DRC; whereas the rebel groups often recruit child soldiers in a blatant violation of international law and humanity;

    M.  whereas the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations in the DRC have focused on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed mainly in the eastern DRC, in the Ituri region and the North and South Kivu Provinces, since 1 July 2002; whereas the DRC made a second referral to the ICC in May 2023 concerning alleged crimes committed in North Kivu since 1 January 2022;

    N.  whereas on 8 February 2025 at a joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the regional blocs of southern Africa, the SADC, and eastern Africa, the East African Community (EAC), called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, demanded the withdrawal of uninvited foreign armed forces from the DRC territory, urged all warring parties to hold peace talks within five days, and demanded the reopening of Goma airport and other key routes to facilitate humanitarian aid; whereas the African Union is set to address the matter at a meeting in Addis Ababa on 14 February 2025; whereas other mediation efforts are ongoing, notably by France, which aims to bring all actors to the negotiation table;

    O.  whereas the Foreign Affairs Council of the Council of the EU is expected to exchange views on the situation in the DRC on 24 February 2025;

    P.  whereas between 2021 and 2024, the EU provided EUR 260 million in funding to Rwanda, with an additional EUR 900 million pledged under the Global Gateway strategy; whereas following the latest developments in the eastern DRC, the EU declared that it stood ready to boost emergency assistance, particularly for the newly displaced populations in and around Goma, and on 28 January 2025, the Commission announced new humanitarian support for the DRC with an initial amount of EUR 60 million for 2025; whereas the EU is trying to intensify its presence in the region, including through its recent support for the ‘Green Corridor Kivu-Kinshasa’ programme via a Global Gateway initiative, which aims to help establish a sustainable 2 600 km corridor connecting the eastern DRC to Kinshasa and the Atlantic Coast, covering 540 000 km2;

    Q.  whereas the EU has formed raw materials partnerships with several countries, including the DRC, Rwanda and other countries in the region; whereas these partnerships are focused on, among other things, advancing due diligence and traceability, cooperation in fighting against the illegal trafficking of raw materials, and alignment with international environmental, social and governance standards; whereas Parliament, unlike the Council, was not given the opportunity by the Commission to share its political assessment of the decision to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rwanda or to provide technical feedback on the draft MoU;

    R.  whereas the DRC Foreign Affairs Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Nobel Prize laureate Denis Mukwage briefed Parliament on 5 February 2025, at an extraordinary meeting of the Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly (DAFR) and the Committee on Development, on the occupation of the eastern DRC and the dire humanitarian impact on the local population and internally displaced people;

    S.  whereas the Council appointed Johan Borgstam as the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region on 1 September 2024; whereas on 30 January 2025, DAFR organised an extraordinary hearing with the EU Special Representative and Bintou Keita, Head of MONUSCO;

    T.  whereas prior to recent developments, the DRC faced one of the largest displacement crises in Africa, with 6,7 million internally displaced persons, including 4,6 million in South and North Kivu; whereas the DRC also hosts over 520 000 refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries, while 1,1 million refugees from the DRC are being hosted in neighbouring countries in the region, more than half of them in Uganda; whereas the recent surge in violence has internally displaced over half a million people since the beginning of the year; whereas given the severe overcrowding in the displacement sites where people remain and the lack of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, the risk of a cholera outbreak is extremely high, along with that of a rapid spread of the Mpox epidemic;

    1.  Strongly condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories in the eastern DRC by M23 and the RDF as an unacceptable breach of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; urges the Rwandan Government to withdraw its troops from DRC territory, as they are in clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, and to cease cooperation with the M23 rebels; demands that Rwanda and all other potential state actors in the region cease their support for M23;

    2.  Strongly condemns the indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas of North Kivu by all parties, including on displacement camps and other densely populated areas near Goma, as well as the unlawful killings, rapes and other apparent war crimes, forced labour, forced recruitment and other abusive practices committed by M23 with the support of the RDF and by the armed forces of the DRC, the FARDC;

    3.  Is appalled by the shocking use of sexual violence against women and girls as a tool of repression and weapon of war in the eastern DRC as well as the unacceptable recruitment of child soldiers by the various rebel groups; demands that these matters be addressed by the international community without delay; strongly reiterates that any attack against UN-mandated forces is inexcusable and might be considered a war crime;

    4.  Calls for an immediate end to the violence, particularly the mass killings and the use of rape as a strategic weapon of war; calls on the DRC and Rwanda to investigate and appropriately prosecute those responsible for war crimes, including sexual violence, under the principle of command responsibility;

    5.  Is extremely concerned by the critical humanitarian situation in the country; calls for the immediate reopening of Goma airport to re-establish humanitarian operations and bring in supplies via the airport and the land border; calls for the creation and immediate opening of humanitarian corridors and for all parties, including armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate full humanitarian access based on needs and humanitarian principles, including ensuring that civilians and displaced people are not denied access to items essential for their survival;

    6.  Emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians, and that the safety of medical facilities must be preserved; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account; underlines that Rwanda and the neighbouring countries have a special responsibility to facilitate humanitarian access to the region;

    7.  Strongly condemns the attack on diplomatic institutions of the EU, its Member States and civil society organisations, such as political foundations in Kinshasa; underlines that the protection of civilians and diplomatic staff must be guaranteed;

    8.  Expresses concern over the lack of coherence in the EU response to the Great Lakes region’s crises and calls on the Council to reassess the implementation of its renewed EU Great Lakes strategy; recalls that the EU and its special representative for the region are ready to assist all mediation efforts;

    9.  Welcomes the increased humanitarian support pledged by the EU, notes that this still falls far short of meeting the basic needs for food, water, medical assistance and shelter in the eastern DRC, especially in the light of the recent termination of support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); calls on the Commission and the international community to significantly step up financial support for urgent and life-saving assistance;

    10.  Regrets that the EU has not taken appropriate measures to sufficiently address the crisis and effectively press Rwanda to end its support for M23, and that it has instead taken steps – including the signing in February 2024 of an MoU on sustainable raw materials value chains without sufficiently discussing the conflict, and the decision to top up support for Rwanda’s deployment in Mozambique under the European Peace Facility (EPF) – that have failed to demonstrate sufficient safeguards and that have contributed to sending an inconsistent message to the Rwandan authorities;

    11.  Urges the Commission and the Council to immediately suspend the EU-Rwanda MoU on sustainable raw materials value chains until Rwanda proves that it is ceasing its interference and its exportation of minerals mined from M23-controlled areas; calls on all actors to increase transparency and to effectively ban the entry of all blood minerals into the EU;

    12.  Calls on the Commission to render the future re-activation of cooperation on critical raw materials conditional upon Rwanda joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which the DRC is already part of;

    13.  Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the current Conflict Minerals Regulation(2) is strongly enforced and on the Commission to propose a revision of the EU rules, with the aim of ensuring the highest standards of traceability and transparency;

    14.  Notes that parliamentary oversight and civil society involvement in the preparation, signing and implementation of raw material MoUs and roadmaps are essential for an inclusive process with adequate scrutiny, and must become part of the MoU;

    15.  Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the international financial institutions to freeze direct budget support to Rwanda subject to it meeting conditions on, among other things, humanitarian access and the breaking of all links with M23; urges the Commission and the Member States to freeze their military and security assistance to the Rwandan armed forces to ensure that they do not contribute directly or indirectly to abusive military operations in the eastern DRC; calls strongly, in particular, for a review of the EU’s renewed support under the EPF to ensure that troops deployed in northern Mozambique and benefiting from EPF support, as well as their commanders, have been properly vetted and have not been involved in the eastern DRC or in other human rights violations, with a view to suspending the support if it is found to contribute directly or indirectly to abusive military operations in the eastern DRC;

    16.  Urges the Commission and all Member States to ban the transfer of weapons to the Rwandan forces and M23 and to ensure greater transparency of trade in EU weapons;

    17.  Urges the Council to expand sanctions against senior M23 commanders, leaders of other armed groups and senior officials from the DRC and Rwanda – including Major-General Eugene Nkubito, the commander of the RDF’s 3rd Division, and Major-General Ruki Karusisi, RDF Special Force Commander, identified in the June 2024 report of the UN Group of Experts, and Major-General Emmy K. Ruvusha, Commander of the Rwanda Security Forces, identified in the June 2023 report of the UN Group of Experts – and from other countries across the region, as being responsible for or complicit in recent serious abuses by their forces or those for which they have command responsibility;

    18.  Urges the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Member States and the Government of the DRC to take immediate action to prevent sexual violence and improve care for survivors, including by adapting the national legal framework to guarantee access to medical abortion care; draws attention to the health needs of pregnant women, notably those who are displaced and out of reach of medical support; calls on the EEAS and the Member States to further prioritise the disbursement of humanitarian support for women and girls in the region;

    19.  Calls on the Commission to continue supporting anti-corruption efforts and the strengthening of governance in the DRC;

    20.  Commends the Prosecutor of the ICC’s announcement that the ICC will continue to investigate alleged crimes committed by any person, irrespective of affiliation or nationality; reiterates the EU’s unwavering support for the ICC and calls on the Council and Commission to fulfil their obligations to ensure the functioning and effectiveness of the ICC;

    21.  Reiterates its full support for MONUSCO in protecting civilians and stabilising the region; urges the EU to cooperate with all actors on the ground, in particular MONUSCO, to ensure the protection of civilians in the eastern DRC; calls on the UN to work towards a stronger mandate for MONUSCO in order to enable peacemaking; calls on the UN to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law, particularly given the increased risk of gender-based violence, and to preserve the safety of humanitarian staff, health workers and medical facilities;

    22.  Calls on the UN to take immediate and specific measures to protect Panzi Hospital and its patients and staff;

    23.  Welcomes the special session of the UN Human Rights Council of 7 February 2025 on the human rights situation in the east of the DRC; supports the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry into serious violations committed since January 2022;

    24.  Reiterates its condemnation of hate speech and xenophobia, as well as ethnic-based politics; underlines that all those responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC must be held accountable;

    25.  Is concerned about the consequences of Russian interference in the conflict and more widely in the region, and about the increasing presence of disinformation campaigns; condemns, in particular, efforts by Russia to foster anti-Western sentiment through the dissemination of fake news on social media about Western players;

    26.  Expresses its concern about the increasing presence of Chinese actors in the mining sector of the DRC and the region acting without respect for economic and social responsibilities, and recalls that European industries and companies in the region will only have long-term security of supply if a long-lasting and peaceful solution to the conflict is found;

    27.  Recalls that only an inclusive and regional approach will be able to address and tackle the multifaceted, long-standing problems in the region; strongly welcomes the joint SADC and EAC peace summit in Dar es Salaam on 8 February 2025; reiterates, in this regard, its full support for the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls upon all Great Lake countries, in particular the DRC and Rwanda, to urgently pursue negotiations within these frameworks; emphasises that any solution must also address the root causes of the conflict, including, but not limited to, the illicit trafficking of natural resources; calls on the Commission and the Member States to fully support national and regional initiatives, such as the initiative of the Congolese Catholic and Protestant leaders, and the Luanda Process; underlines that regional organisations, such as the African Union, the SADC and the EAC, must play a central role in all of these efforts; underlines also that a lasting solution requires a reform of the DRC security sector, with a better organised DRC army and administration;

    28.  Calls on the international community and all actors involved to use the Addis Ababa framework agreement and to organise an international conference for peace in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region; stresses that this ‘Business for Peace’ conference will have the unique feature of having the private sector around the peace negotiation table, since the war is about strategic minerals; underlines that business people can have significant leverage to push their countries to act for peace; believes that the business for peace approach can help us move forward in finding a solution;

    29.  Calls for the cancellation of the 2025 International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Kigali if Rwanda does not change course;

    30.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Rwanda and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the African Union, the secretariats of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, and other relevant international bodies.

    (1) OJ L, 2023/2862, 28.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2023/2862/oj.
    (2) Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (OJ L 130, 19.5.2017, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/821/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK: PM must take ‘urgent action’ after meeting with Alaa Abdel Fattah’s mother and committing to secure release

    Source: Amnesty International –

    16 Feb 2025, 02:52pm

    Alaa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian-British national has been in detention in Egypt since September 2019

    Abdel Fattah’s 68-year-old mother Laila Soueif has been on a hunger strike for over four months in desperate appeal for her son

    In response to the Prime Minister’s meeting with Alaa Abdel Fattah’s family, Eilidh Macpherson, Campaign Manager for Individuals at Risk at Amnesty UK, said: 

    “We are delighted that the Prime Minister met with Laila and has committed to securing the release of Alaa Abdel Fattah and we appeal for increased and urgent action.

    “Alaa’s mother has been on hunger strike for 139 days as a desperate appeal to bring her son home and end this injustice.

    “Successive UK governments have a history of doing too little on behalf of UK nationals arbitrarily held overseas. The Prime Minister should make it absolutely clear to President Sisi that Alaa needs to be released as a matter urgency and allowed to safely leave the country.”

    Trumped up charges

    Abdel Fattah, a 43-year-old UK national, is a prominent blogger and writer who’s been in detention in Egypt since September 2019. He has already served a five-year jail sentence on trumped-up charges of “spreading false news” after a grossly unfair trial, yet last year his family were told he wouldn’t be released until January 2027.

    Despite having completed his unjust and arbitrary five-year sentence on 29 September 2024, the Egyptian authorities have refused to release him, ignoring his time served in pre-trial detention. This situation violates both international legal norms and Egyptian law. Amnesty is calling for the UK government to help secure Alaa’s release and ensure his safe return to the UK.

    Mother on hunger strike

    Abdel Fattah’s 68-year-old mother Laila Soueif has been on a hunger strike for over four months as part of the family’s campaign to push the UK government into doing more to secure the jailed activist’s release.

    Laila Souief previously, said:

    “I’ve been on hunger strike because I cannot allow my son to continue languishing in prison. Enough is enough, my son’s life should not be ignored. Alaa is a prisoner of conscience – he should never have been forced to spend a single minute behind bars. We know from how the Egyptian regime works that if he doesn’t get out now, he will never get out. Alaa has been unjustly prisoned longer than necessary and it’s time for his release.”

     

    View latest press releases

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: African Union Summit – Secretary-General’s Press Conference | United Nation

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Press Conference by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the 38th African Union Summit (14th January to 16th February 2025, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1L-GOoO5Fw

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sudan: In the grip of a crisis of staggering scale and brutality – UN Chief | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Remarks by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during the Sudan Humanitarian Pledging Conference on the Sidelines of the African Union Summit 2025.

    ——————————-

    Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to use “tremendous leverage for good”, generously support the humanitarian response and a cessation of hostilities that the people of Sudan so desperately need.

    The Secretary-General is attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, spoke to a high-level humanitarian conference for the people of Sudan.

    He said that in his previous capacity as High Commissioner for Refugees, he saw firsthand the enormous generosity of the Sudanese people – as they supported their own internally displaced population as well as refugees. Now, he added, the international community must show the same level of support to the Sudanese people in their moment of despair.

    He said, “Sudan is in the grip of a crisis of staggering scale and brutality. A crisis that is increasingly spilling over into the wider region. And a crisis that demands sustained and urgent attention, from the African Union and the broader international community.”

    “Humanitarian access remains a fundamental challenge, particularly where the fighting is most active,” the UN chief reiterated.

    He saluted local responders and civil society organizations — including women-led organizations – who continue to work bravely and tirelessly to provide assistance and services in their communities, often at great personal risk.

    The Secretary-General highlighted as we focus on the response to humanitarian needs, let’s also be clear about basic principles.

    He said, “Civilians, including humanitarian workers, must be protected. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access must be facilitated in all areas of need. The external support and flow of weapons must end. This flow is enabling the continuation of tremendous civilian destruction and bloodshed.”

    The Secretary-General concluded, “The holy month of Ramadan is around the corner. At this blessed time for peace, compassion, giving and solidarity, I urge all of you to use your tremendous leverage for good.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hlwEt1EXLI

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Deputy Head of Office in Sudan, Edmore Tondhlana, describes the situation in Sudan as dire, as the conflict continues and people continue to be displaced. OCHA will require $4.2 billion for Sudan in 2025, as they look to meet soaring humanitarian needs.
    Tondhlana mentioned four priorities; first, respect for life and an end to the war. Second, unimpeded humanitarian access. Third, funding. And fourth, strong diplomatic efforts towards a political solution.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhpOiXVcn14

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: DR Congo: Displaced people from Goma ordered to leave their camp | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Hundreds of people displaced by the recent fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been given a 72-hour ultimatum to pack up and return home. This is the testimony that UN News collected from a father from Saké, near Goma in North Kivu. According to Kibira Bakulu, he and his 5 children were ordered by the M23 rebels to return to their house in Saké under the pretext that the violence had stopped. However, he adds that, like many of them, as his house is destroyed and many uncertainties remain, he turns to the international community for solutions.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWe3sZTEMf0

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: African Union, Sudan, DRC & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (14 February 2025) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – Secretary-General
    – Sudan
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Humanitarian
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria/Humanitarian
    – Syria
    – South Sudan
    – Abyei
    – Financial Contributions

    SECRETARY-GENERAL
    This morning, the Secretary-General, who as you know, is attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, spoke to a high-level humanitarian conference for the people of Sudan. He said that in his previous capacity as High Commissioner for Refugees, he saw firsthand the enormous generosity of the Sudanese people – as they supported their own internally displaced population as well as refugees. Now, he added, the international community must show the same level of support to the Sudanese people in their moment of despair.
    Later in the day, he participated in meetings of the African Union Peace and Security Council [at the level of Heads of State and Government], on the situation in Sudan and on the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and I’ll have more on that later on the situation on the ground.
    On Sudan, the Secretary- General repeated that there is no military solution, that the parties to the conflict must engage for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
    The Secretary-General addressed the Peace and Security Council during a closed-door session.
    But as you can imagine, he repeated our call on the parties to the conflict to engage for an immediate cessation of hostilities there.
    Speaking about the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I can tell you that the Secretary-General called for the swift implementation of the conclusions of the Joint Summit of leaders of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.
    Throughout the day, the Secretary-General had a number of bilateral meetings. including with the departing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Moussa Faki, as well as the Presidents of Kenya, Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau.
    And as a reminder, he will deliver remarks tomorrow during the opening session of the African Union Summit, that will take place on Saturday.

    SUDAN
    On Sudan, just to give you more granularity, I can tell you that we are very much alarmed by the escalation of fighting in and around the Zamzam displacement camp in El Fasher, in North Darfur. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on the camp have increased over the past week, with reports – including satellite images – indicating the use of heavy weaponry and the destruction of the main market area.
    International NGOs in Zamzam have reported extensive civilian casualties, with humanitarian personnel among those reportedly killed.
    Zamzam is estimated to be hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people.
    And as you know, it is also among the locations in Sudan where famine conditions have been identified, making reports of the destruction of the camp’s market area particularly concerning and in fact, it’s one of these locations where we lose the right words to describe the horror of the situation. As you well know, the World Food Programme and partners have been working to deliver critical food and nutrition assistance to 300,000 displaced people in and around Zamzam. This latest round of violence puts families and critical aid operations at further risk.
    We demand that the parties to the conflict adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited. All sides must take steps to protect civilians from harm – and those seeking to leave the area voluntarily, must be allowed to do so in a safe and dignified manner.
    And just to flag that on Monday, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher – alongside Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will together launch the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan. They are expected to call for strengthened protection and support for civilians impacted by nearly two years of conflict and the need to assist nearly 26 million human beings in need inside Sudan and across borders.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=14+February+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfD1v8nGqeE

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: University on co-operatives to be set up soon to achieve ‘prosperity through cooperation’: MoS Shri Muralidhar Mohol

    Source: Government of India (2)

    University on co-operatives to be set up soon to achieve ‘prosperity through cooperation’: MoS Shri Muralidhar Mohol

    A three-day international conference sponsored by the Union Ministry of Cooperation concludes in Pune

    Posted On: 15 FEB 2025 9:02PM by PIB Mumbai

     

    : Pune, February 15, 2025

    The Government of India is setting up a national cooperative university, the bill for which has been tabled before the Lok Sabha in the budget session. Further, it will be taken up for getting approved in the next session. This was informed by the Union Minister of State for Cooperation Muralidhar Mohol in Pune today. The Minister added that Government of India believes and strives to work with the aim that prosperity can be achieved through co-operation.

    A three-day international conference which was organized by the Union Ministry of Cooperation at the Vaikunth Mehta National Cooperative Society (VAMNICOM) in Pune concluded today. The theme of conference was ‘Generating Prosperity through Cooperatives: Digital Innovation and Value Chain’. Shri Muralidhar Mohol was present as the chief guest on the occasion.

    Speaking further, Shri Mohol said, “There has been sustainable development in rural areas due to cooperative sector. The Government has made special efforts to strengthen the cooperative banks”.

    Union MoS for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Shri Mohol informed that the conference in Pune was the first event by the Government in the International Year of Cooperatives.

    The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025). The year’s theme is “Cooperatives Build a Better World”.

    Shri Mohol appreciated CICTAB and VAMNICOM for successfully organizing the conference. He further said that the relations in the field of cooperation with the participating countries of Asia and Africa will be strengthened. Around 36 delegates from 12 countries, namely, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Sri Lanka and Zambia attended the conference.

    In three days, experts gave guidance on topics like digital innovation in cooperatives, introduction of successful cooperatives, challenges and opportunities in value chain, sustainability in cooperatives, prosperity through cooperatives, global cooperation etc.

    The dignitaries present on the occasion included the Director of Rural Management Institute, Anand, Gujarat Dr. Umakant Dash; Director, National Institute of Bank Management, Pune, Prof. Partha Ray; Lao PDR (Laos) Ministry of Rural Development, Agriculture and Forestry, Deputy Director General Anosak Phangthimavong; and Gambia Cooperative Registrar General Abba Jibril Sankareh among others. The Center for International Cooperation and Training in Agricultural Banking (CICTAB) has organized this conference with the help of Vaikunth Mehta National Cooperative Society. The Director of VAMNICOM and CICTAB, Pune, Dr. Hema Yadav presented an overview of the three days of the conference.

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    SC/SP/PK

     

    Follow us on social media:  @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai     /pibmumbai   pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2103697) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan concludes a significant visit to Aero India 2025, boosting India’s strategic defence partnerships and capability development

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 15 FEB 2025 5:50PM by PIB Delhi

    Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held multiple high-level engagements at Aero India 2025, demonstrating India’s willingness to forge strategic defence partnerships. Key interactions included meetings with General Kevin B Schneider, Commander Pacific Air Force (USA), Lord Vernon Coaker , Minister of State it’s f Defence (UK) and Air Vice Marshal Suraya Marshall (UK), Lt Gen Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi (UAE), Maj Gen Duong Van Yen (Vietnam), Maj Gen Ro Jone Kalouniwai Logavatu (Fiji), General Paul Velentino Phiri (Malawi), Lt Gen Salum Haji Othman (Tanzania) and Vice Admiral Exon Oswaldo Ascencio Albeno (El Salvador). The discussions centered on enhanced military cooperation, capacity building, and strategic partnerships in the defence sector.

    The CDS engaged extensively with global defence industry leaders, conducting strategic discussions with executives from major aerospace companies including Saab AB, Airbus, Israel Aerospace Industries, BAE Systems, Dassault Aviation, and Rolls Royce. These interactions centered on indigenous manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of niche capabilities under India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

    General Chauhan also visited various defence pavilions, engaging with both Indian and foreign defence equipment manufacturers, MSMEs, and startups. He witnessed impressive displays of military aircraft from friendly foreign countries and received comprehensive briefings on the capability and performance parameters, including the F-35 from the USA, MRTT from Germany, A400 from Spain, SU-57 from Russia and H125 from France, underlining India’s commitment to fostering international defence collaboration while strengthening domestic capabilities.

    In a notable development, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh had unveiled a landmark document on ‘Network Centric Multi Domain Operations’ in the presence of key military leadership. This pivotal document, created by Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff , outlines the roadmap for preparing the Indian Armed Forces for future warfare, emphasizing decision superiority in an increasingly data-centric environment amidst rapidly evolving military technologies.

    The visit of General Chanegriha Said, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of Algeria’s People’s National Army, marked a significant milestone in Indo-Algerian defence relations. During his comprehensive tour of India’s vital defence establishments and industrial complexes, General Chanegriha expressed strong satisfaction with the similarities in military traditions and cultures between both nations, setting the stage for enhanced military cooperation and defence modernization initiatives.

    Aero India 2025 has emerged as a landmark event in India’s defence ecosystem, showcasing the nation’s growing stature as both a significant market and an emerging producer of defence technology. The unprecedented participation of military leaders from diverse nations, coupled with engagements with global defence industry giants, underscores India’s pivotal role in shaping international defence partnerships. The exhibition’s success not only highlights India’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing but also positions the country as a reliable partner for joint development and production of advanced military systems, marking a significant step toward realizing the vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’

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    SR/Anand

    (Release ID: 2103572) Visitor Counter : 7

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s congratulatory message to 38th AU summit draws warm responses

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows the buildings of the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, extending warm congratulations to African countries and people.

    Experts from African countries noted that the message highlights China’s unwavering commitment to China-Africa relations and its steadfast support for Africa’s independence, self-reliance and development.

    They said that China-Africa relations will continue to serve as a model of South-South cooperation, as the two sides work together on the path to modernization.

    Stronger Global South cooperation

    In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that over the past year, the AU has united and led African countries in vigorously advancing integration, actively responding to regional and global challenges and speaking in unison as the “voice of Africa.”

    Noting that these efforts have led to a continuous boost in Africa’s international status and influence, he sincerely wished African countries and people even greater success on their path to independence, self-reliance and development.

    Lerato D. Mataboge, the newly elected AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, could hardly contain her excitement during an interview.

    “We’re quite honored to receive the congratulatory message from President Xi. We all are quite proud of the China-Africa relationship over the years and the partnership in development,” Mataboge said.

    “President Xi’s congratulatory message on the ‘Global South’ is truly inspiring,” Ibrahim Gambari, a former Nigerian foreign minister, said after attending the opening ceremony of the AU summit.

    Gambari, who has made many trips to China, highlighted China’s role in strengthening the Global South’s influence, especially within the frameworks of the G20 and BRICS.

    “China was the first major country to openly support the AU’s entry into the G20, which ensures Africa’s voice is heard on the global stage,” he said.

    The 2025 AU summit, with the theme of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” reflects Africa’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and self-determined development.

    Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of foreign news at The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, said global governance structures have long been dominated by developed nations, often sidelining the interests of the Global South.

    By strengthening strategic partnerships with China and other emerging economies, Global South nations, including African countries, can navigate external pressures while pursuing self-reliant growth and sustainable modernization, he said.

    “There is no doubt that China has become the biggest champion of pragmatic multilateralism, coming up with proposals that have significantly transformed the world economy,” said Adhere Cavince, a Kenyan scholar on international relations.

    China-proposed initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, are designed to ensure that all nations share the benefits of peace and development, Cavince said.

    He noted that these efforts are particularly valuable for Global South nations, helping advance sustainable development, maintain regional stability and promote intercultural exchanges.

    Successful platforms, all-weather friends

    In his message, Xi said that the year 2024 saw a vigorous development of China-Africa relations.

    With the successful Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China and Africa have embarked on a new stage of jointly building an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era, and stayed at the forefront of building a community with a shared future for humankind, Xi noted.

    Xi’s message not only affirms the joint efforts of the two sides in the past but also expresses hope for brighter prospects regarding China-Africa relations, said Marius Kudumo, a Namibian public policy analyst and international relations expert.

    China has made immense contributions to Africa’s industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent cultivation as a major partner of the continent over the past years, he said.

    The message also resonated with Mathias Eric Owona Nguini, vice-rector of the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. He said that the FOCAC, which was established in 2000, marked a new phase of practical and friendly cooperation between China and Africa.

    The FOCAC has developed into an effective mechanism for China-Africa cooperation, and it has made remarkable gains in boosting mutual political trust and practical cooperation, benefiting the peoples of both sides, Nguini said.

    Roger Agana, managing director of News Ghana, said the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era exemplifies the fraternal bond between China and Africa.

    “China and Africa have been all-weather friends, that is to say, the two sides will always support and trust each other regardless of the chaos and vicissitudes; this brotherhood is unbreakable,” he said.

    Dennis Munene Mwaniki, executive director of the China-Africa Center at Kenya’s Africa Policy Institute, said that the concept of an all-weather community with a shared future for the new era reflects the deepening and multifaceted partnership between China and Africa.

    “It emphasizes a long-term, resilient and mutually beneficial relationship that transcends political and economic changes. It is not just about economic gains but also about creating a model of South-South cooperation that promotes peace, development and prosperity for all,” Mwaniki said.

    New journey of modernization

    In his congratulatory message, Xi expressed his readiness to work with African leaders to promote the implementation of the six proposals for jointly advancing modernization and 10 partnership actions, so as to bring more tangible results to benefit over 2.8 billion Chinese and Africans.

    “China has been quite a great contributor to infrastructure development on the African continent … I’m looking forward to further exploring the type of collaborations that we can have with China,” said Mataboge, the AU commissioner for infrastructure and energy.

    The six proposals and 10 partnership actions provide a structured framework for addressing key development challenges in Africa, said Zan Bi Claude Evariste, a researcher and lecturer at the University of San Pedro in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He suggested that to promote implementation, it is necessary to ensure the active participation of local governments, improve transparency, encourage the participation of the private sector, and establish a regular monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

    China’s zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for least-developed countries with diplomatic ties reflects its sincerity in fostering development and achieving win-win outcomes, said James Arrey Abangma, a political science professor at the University of Buea in Cameroon.

    The 10 partnership actions focus on the career development of African youth, help Africa cultivate a new generation of talents, and promote the long-term sustainable development of African countries, he said.

    China-Africa ties focus on infrastructure development, industrialization and people-to-people connectivity, fostering long-term sustainable growth, said Mgana.

    With the support of Chinese investment, Africa’s industrialization and agricultural modernization will enhance job creation, economic resilience and self-sufficiency, Mgana said.

    Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at the University of Buea in Cameroon, believed that sincerity, openness and mutual trust are the keys to China and Africa moving forward side by side.

    President Xi’s proposal to make sure “on the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind” has brought hope to the modernization of the Global South, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference – Apex Park, Cessnock

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    DAN REPACHOLI: G’day all. I just want to start by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Well, we’re here today with Minister Catherine King, Mayor Dan Watton of Cessnock, and what an announcement we’ve got today for you. We’ve got $14 million going to Apex Park, an amazing amount of money coming into the Cessnock region to really uplift this park and make a beautiful space for our kids, for adults to be here. And as you can see by the pool, the pool is chockers right now today, so there’ll be kids coming and playing in this park all the time. So, really looking forward to seeing what they can do. And I just want to say thank you to the Minister for seeing the value in this project and seeing the value in our area here in Cessnock, to make sure that we continue to deliver for the Hunter. And that’s what Labor does, and that’s why Labor is here. We’re here to deliver for the Hunter, and we will continue to do that as well. So, I’ll pass over to the Minister very shortly, then we’ll pass over to Dan as well. But this project only came about because of Cessnock City Council. They put this project forward to us so to see if they can get funding through a few different channels. So, we worked hard, we pushed extremely hard to make sure that we can get what we need for this project, and it’s going to be a $14 million project. And I can’t wait to see this get up and going. So, thank you all. Thank you to the Minister. Thank you to the Mayor and to council for all the work they’ve done on this. Now, I’ll pass to the Minister. 

    CATHERINE KING: Beautiful. Thanks very much. Catherine King, I’m the Federal Minister for infrastructure. And I’m here, of course, with the magnificent two Dan’s – Dan Repacholi, the Labor Member for Hunter, and Dan Watton, the Mayor of Cessnock. This is a great announcement for Cessnock today. The regional Precincts and Partnership Program that this funding is coming out of, I cannot think of a better example of what we are trying to do with this program than Apex Park. The regional Precincts and Partnerships Program is trying to take under-utilised areas of central business districts, towns, communities, larger centres, and reinvigorate them so that community can use them. And you can look around us here. Apex Park, you’ve got the sign and the gateway up there, 1930’s, honouring a former Mayor, this park really was put together for the community, is now really not a very well utilised space. The $14 million that the Albanese Labor Government is announcing today, budgeted part of the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, is going to see this space transformed. You will see more amenity for the local community – barbecue spaces, shade, seating, spaces, better parking, a kiosk which might provide the opportunity for a small cafe here. Really rewilding this magnificent- the creek that is here that has been concreted over for long peaks- a period of time. Rewilding it, trying to get, attract wildlife back into the area, but making it a beautiful place that is the gateway and part of the CBD. As I said, can I congratulate the Mayor, but also the staff at the city. As I said, we have been looking for projects that really take the CBD’s and those under-utilised areas that need repurposing, and lifting them up so you’re actually seeing the way in which your space is used in a city differently. The idea for the program actually came when Dan took me to Muswellbrook and showed me what had been done in the community of Muswellbrook. And that really is the catalyst for the idea of the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. The Hunter was the catalyst for this program, and now it’s very much here in Cessnock, the beneficiary of this program – $14 million announced here today. I might hand over to the mayor to say a few words and then happy to take questions. 

    CESSNOCK MAYOR DAN WATTON: Well, absolutely excited to be here this morning. It’s fantastic news. I want to thank the Honourable Catherine King for coming up to Cessnock to make this announcement, and of course, our local Member, our Federal Member, Dan Repacholi. There’s been so much work go into this behind the scenes so, firstly, I want to acknowledge that, and thank Dan Repacholi for his hard work behind the scenes for advocating for this project. Absolutely fantastic work. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears going into this, so I want to thank Dan for that. Also, really want to thank Council staff and I hope I don’t get in trouble for naming and shaming one particular staff member in particular, but Tony Chadwick worked really hard behind the scenes on this. So, I just want to really acknowledge Tony for his hard work. He had a vision for this. I believe there was a very slim chance of getting this grant, but combined with Dan’s hard work and working collaboratively with Council, that’s what it’s all about. We want to work together to get the best outcome for our community, and what an outcome we’re getting today. Fantastic – $14 million to revamp this area, the gateway to the Hunter as Catherine just mentioned before. Fantastic opportunity. We’re going to see this whole thing revitalised – parking, EV parking, disabled toilets. We’re going to see sandstone, it’s going to look beautiful – lighting, the whole thing. So, we welcome this. On behalf of Cessnock City Council, welcome this funding and thank you so much. 

    CATHERINE KING: Happy to take questions. Who would you like? 

    JOURNALIST: Either one. 

    JOURNALIST: Maybe one for Mayor Dan first? 

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, let’s go. 

    JOURNALIST: Just some of the nitty gritty. Obviously, this been something that you’ve been working towards for quite a while. Do you have, at this point, a sort of a timeline of when you’re hoping to have it completed by? 

    DAN WATTON: A timeline? Well, I guess we’ll get the funding. So, at the moment, we’re going through a master plan review, so we’re hoping that all ties up well with their CBD master plan. So we’re looking at finishing that by this year, end of this year, so hopefully we can break some ground following 2026. 

    JOURNALIST: And obviously, how important is it in Cessnock to have these kind of third spaces for people where they can just come and just be, rather than having to pay to be somewhere, especially in a cost of living crisis? 

    DAN WATTON: Huge. Yeah, absolutely huge to have three free things like this to do. So go into a park, close to the pool as well, which runs at a very good cost as well. So having amenities like this available to our community to come to sit around, to relax, have some lunch, is fantastic. So yeah, if you don’t want to pay money. You can come and park your car. And great for tourists as well – you know, we’ve got wine country just down the road, so they can come up, park their car, have a swim and explore a bit of Cessnock as well. 

    JOURNALIST: I’m not sure if this is a question for Dan or the Minister – just clarification, is this only if Labor is re-elected? 

    CATHERINE KING: No, this is actually a budgeted program as part of the normal funding. We’re getting on with the business of government. I know there is an election not too far away. You’ll hear us making election commitments. This is a budgeted, locked in program. It will- the funding will be delivered via the New South Wales State Government to the local council to do the delivery of the project, which is a good way of doing things. We’re used to doing that together. And it’s really- this will be delivered, absolutely – of course, unless Peter Dutton gets elected and decides to cut things. And we’ve heard already that he’s planning to do that; I’ll be very disappointed if he cuts something like this. 

    JOURNALIST: I only have one [indistinct], Minister … we’ve seen this morning that it’s possible that you could travel from Newcastle to Sydney within an hour on the high-speed rail. 

    CATHERINE KING: Yep. So the business case for high-speed rail is now being delivered to government. And it is under the assessment of Infrastructure Australia. Be in no doubt, the Albanese Labor Government is very serious about the delivery of high-speed rail between Newcastle and Sydney, and high speed rail will be a game changer for this region. What it will deliver is- but first, of course, it is about jobs. Jobs in construction, jobs in helping people getting to the CBD of Sydney and a rail project. But it is also about getting high quality, high paid jobs out of Sydney into the Hunter. Absolutely what it is about – getting those jobs out of Sydney, because we know people want to come and live in this area. We know through the delivery of the Housing Support Program which has delivered, I think, about $22 million here in Cessnock to unlock 900 new homes. We know people want to come and live here, but they also have to be able to work here as well. And so, high speed rail provides that opportunity, that if you do have a job in the city, in Sydney, you can actually live and work here and get into the CBD. We’ll make some announcements about what the next steps of the project are, but be in no doubt, Labor is very serious about delivering high speed rail between Sydney and Newcastle, and also some stops along the way at Central Coast. 

    JOURNALIST: What would it mean for Newcastle and Hunter residents to be able to travel to Sydney that quickly? 

    CATHERINE KING: What it will mean- so one of the things that I have had the opportunity to go and have a look at is High Speed Rail Two over in the UK, which is transforming Birmingham, a really important city centre, and what [indistinct] has actually seen. So the travel times are important – so being able to get from Birmingham into London really quickly, being able to get from Newcastle into Sydney is really important. It means you can work, you can live here in the Hunter and then you can get into town in that really quick time frame. It means why would you drive your car? Like, you wouldn’t. You’d just – you’d save a massive savings on petrol, parking costs, toll – all the toll costs. You would use the train- absolutely be a game changer. But the thing that High Speed Rail Two has been – has done for Birmingham, and why I’ve been at pains to make sure that the High Speed Rail Authority opened an office in Newcastle, and people can go in to that office and have a look at what high speed rail will do, is you have seen major banks that had their headquarters in London moved to Birmingham. All of those jobs allowing people to live in Birmingham and surrounds and have those high paid, high quality jobs in the region. And that is really what high speed rail delivers. It’s not just about faster rail, it’s about growing the economy of Newcastle and the Hunter. The jobs that will be in construction, again, on High Speed Rail Two – I met people who had come off- had come out of mining, had come out of a hairdressing salon, had- was doing environmental approvals on High Speed Rail Two – huge jobs, great opportunities for people in construction, but then- and also in train manufacture, all of those jobs. So this is a really big economic development opportunity for Newcastle and the Hunter, and we’re very excited to be part of it. We’ll have more to say about the next stages of delivery now that the business case has been delivered to government. This is a long term project. You won’t see shovels in the ground tomorrow, but this is a long term project that requires a serious long term government that wants to invest in infrastructure in the Hunter, and that’s what the Albanese Labor Government is. 

    DAN REPACHOLI: Can I just add something to that if I can please? 

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah, you can- yeah. 

    DAN REPACHOLI: As you can see, we’ve just had our $14 million upgrade to this park that we’ve promised that we’re going to do. And we’re the gateway to Paradise here in the Hunter. We really are. We have the beautiful wine country just there. Within five minutes we’re in a vineyard, so we have so much to offer this place. We are- between us here at the Cessnock LGA and Maitland LGA, we’re the two fastest growing LGAs in New South Wales. So we know people want to come here. We know people want to experience this beautiful place, and that’s why we’re also helping and putting funding into projects like this. We’re looking into the high speed rail to make sure that we can give people what they need and what they want, to make sure they can have the best of both worlds and have a really good paying job in the city, and then live in amazing, beautiful place like here in the Hunter. So we’re making sure we’re doing that along the way, and we’ll continue to work with council, continue to work with our ministers to keep pushing these things so that the Hunter does not get left behind, because we are here to keep growing the Hunter and to keep pushing to get more and more residents here, and more businesses to come and enjoy this beautiful part of the world. 

    CATHERINE KING: Lovely. 

    JOURNALIST: Thank you guys. 

    CATHERINE KING: Thank you, you’re welcome.

    MIL OSI News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech – Gen Q4 Threat Report: 321 Threats Blocked Per Second as Social Media Becomes a Playground for Scammers

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon for Gen

    Social media, AI and human trust led to a record-breaking year of  
    advanced scams and personal data loss

    AUCKLAND, 17 February 2024 – Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety with a family of brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner, today released its Q4/2024 Gen Threat Report. The report reveals a surge in online threats to close out a record-breaking 2024, with 2.55 billion cyberthreats blocked in October to December – equalling 321 threats every second. The risk ratio of encountering threats reached 27.7 percent in Q4, with social engineering attacks comprising 86 percent of all blocked threats, demonstrating the advanced psychological tactics used by cybercriminals today.  

    “We’re continuing to see scam-related threats becoming far more dangerous as they hide, sometimes in plain sight, throughout every aspect of our digital life,” said Siggi Stefnisson, Cyber Safety CTO at Gen. “This quarter we saw them prey on people’s emotions, such as the need to shop on budget during the holidays, the desire to find love during the end of the year, the hope for change during government elections and more. And, unfortunately, this is resulting in people continuing to lose money and control over their personal information. In 2025 we only expect these risks to increase as the rise of AI-powered systems and devices will mark the next frontier for cybercrime.”

    The Dark Side of Social Media
    Scam-related attacks continue to demonstrate global reach and adaptability. Phishing attacks rose by 14 percent in Q4 of 2024, with many exploiting platforms for creating websites like Wix and spoofing brands such as Apple iCloud with fake invoice scams. Meanwhile, malvertising remained a leading method of driving scams and malware delivery, comprising 41 percent of all blocked attacks for the quarter.  

    Social media platforms remained one of the prime grounds for scams and cybercrime at the end of 2024. Facebook stands out, accounting for a staggering 56 percent of total identified threats. YouTube trails behind at 24 percent, followed by X with 10 percent and Reddit and Instagram both accounting for 3 percent of all social media threats. When it comes to messaging platforms, despite WhatsApp’s larger user base, Telegram experiences six times more threats due to scammers utilising the platform’s additional privacy features to make their crimes harder to track by authorities.  

    The ways that scammers are using social media vary with such different people and use cases for the platforms. Gen found that the main ways people were scammed across social media were:  

    • Deceptive online ads (Malvertising) (27%): These deceptive ads spread malicious software onto the device being used or redirected people to malicious websites that can do the same. 
    • Fake e-shops (23%): People are lured by fraudulent online stores, also exposing personal and financial data. 
    • Phishing (18%): Scams aimed at stealing sensitive information like credit card numbers or passwords. 

    Social media is quickly turning into a playground for scammers to leverage platform algorithms, AI, and personalised interactions to scale their attacks faster and more effectively than ever before. Read the full analysis on social media threats in our latest blog.

    Year-End Spike in Financial Scams
    October to December marked the year’s most active quarter for financial scams, with mobile phones serving as a primary attack vector. Leading this trend were:

    • The largest deepfake crypto scam: The infamous CryptoCore group, known for hijacking YouTube accounts to promote their crypto scam campaigns, capitalised on the US Presidential Election. The group used deepfake videos featuring figures like Elon Musk to steal over $7 million from its victims. This marked the largest attack of its kind.  
    • Mobile banking trojans: New mobile bankers, phone applications designed to steal banking information, launched in Q4 of 2024. This included DroidBot which used remote access capabilities to go after banking details and crypto wallets. Another was ToxicPanda that disguised itself as Visa, dating apps and Chrome. The well-known BankBot banker saw infections rise by 236 percent compared to Q3 of 2024. 
    • Spyware and SpyLoans: Malicious apps promising quick money with high interest rates and predatory repayment schedules, also surged this quarter. Once installed, these apps request access to SMS messages, photos and other sensitive information, allowing them to spy on the victim. After a few weeks, the victim faces extortion and threats of their private data being published unless they pay to the cybercriminals. A new spyware strain disguised as a body mass index (BMI) calculator spread via the Amazon App Store, a novel distribution tactic reflecting the rising number of official Android app stores. 

    Personal Data – The New Gold
    Personal data loss continued to pose a high risk of identity theft and loss of privacy for consumers. Scam-Yourself Attacks, such as ClickFix and FakeCaptcha, grew rapidly. In Q4, Gen blocked attacks targeting 4.2 million individuals, a 130 percent increase from the previous quarter. These campaigns use psychological manipulation to deceive people into copying and executing malicious code, potentially leading to financial fraud, account takeovers or malware infections.  

    To help people stay protected from this threat and keep their data safe, Gen introduced a Clipboard Protection feature across the Norton, Avast and AVG brands that blocks clipboard-based threats before they can execute.  

    For the third consecutive quarter, ransomware continued its alarming upward trend, with a notable 50 percent increase in Q4. This highlights an escalating threat for both organisations and individuals globally.  

    To read the full Q4/2024 Gen Threat Report, visit: https://www.gendigital.com/blog/insights/reports/threat-report-q4-2024

    About Gen   
    Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN) is a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its trusted Cyber Safety brands, Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner. The Gen family of consumer brands is rooted in providing safety for the first digital generations. Now, Gen empowers people to live their digital lives safely, privately, and confidently today and for generations to come. Gen brings award-winning products and services in cybersecurity, online privacy and identity protection to nearly 500 million users in more than 150 countries. Learn more at GenDigital.com. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Bubanza

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, O.P., until now Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Bubanza (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Emmanuel Ntakarutimana, of the Order of Preachers, was born on 30 December 1956 in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gitega. After studying Philosophy at the Major Seminary of Bujumbura and Theology at the Université Catholique Du Congo in Kinshasa, he obtained a Doctorate in Fundamental Theology at the Université de Fribourg in Switzerland.He made his first profession in Ibadan, Nigeria on September 28, 1981, his perpetual vows in 1984 in Rweza (Burundi) and was ordained a priest in Gitega on August 23, 1987.He has held the following positions: Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Major Seminary of Gitega (1986-1989); Secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (1988-1990); Master of Students at the Inter-African Formation House of the Dominicans in Kinshasa (1991-1993); Advisor to the Superior and Coordinator for Africa of the Order of Dominican Fathers (1993-1999); Coordinator of the Ubuntu Center for the Promotion of Peace and Reconciliation in Bujumbura (2001-2015); Director of the Office of the Episcopal Conference for Evangelization (2015-2021); since 2021, Coordinator of the Council for the creation of the Catholic University of Burundi. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2024)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Forces Strike ISIS-Somalia

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia in Northeast Somalia on Feb. 16, 2025.

    The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed two ISIS terrorists and no civilians were harmed.

    U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    Degrading ISIS and other terrorist organizations’ ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians remains central to U.S. Africa Command’s mission.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/BURUNDI – Appointment of Bishop of Rutana

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Saturday, 15 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Francis has appointed Rev. Léonidas Nitereka, until now Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi, as Bishop of the Diocese of Rutana (Burundi).His Exc. Msgr. Léonidas Nitereka was born on 1 September 1960 in Martyazo, in the Diocese of Bururi. He studied Philosophy at the Saint Curé d’Ars Major Seminary in Bujumbura and Theology at the Saint John Paul II Major Seminary in Gitega. He was ordained a priest on 17 August 1986 in Bururi.He has held the following positions and carried out further studies: Chaplain of secondary schools in the Diocese (1986-1987); Parish Priest of Murago, Diocese of Bururi (1987-1990); Diocesan Treasurer (1990-1997); Doctorate in Anthropological Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Pastoral Service in the Diocese of Florence, Italy (1997-2006); Rector of the Minor Seminary of Buta and President of the Clergy of Bururi (2007-2012); since 2010, Vicar General of the Diocese of Bururi and Director of the Pastoral Office. (Agenzia Fides, 15/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – Angelus with Pope Francis in Hospital: “Thank you for the affection, let us continue to pray for peace”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Sunday, 16 February 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Thank you for the affection, prayer… I invite everyone to continue to pray for peace in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and all the Middle East, Myanmar, Kivu and Sudan”. These are the words that Pope Francis sent from Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he has been hospitalized since Friday 14, February for a respiratory infection. Words addressed in particular to the artists gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration of their Jubilee.All the Pontiff’s commitments scheduled for these days have been canceled with the exception of the Mass that he himself was supposed to preside over in St. Peter’s for the Jubilee event dedicated to the world of art and culture. On behalf of the Bishop of Rome, who sends his greetings, Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, presides over the Eucharistic celebration at the Altar of Confession and read the homily prepared by the Pope for the occasion, commenting on today’s Gospel passage, that of the Beatitudes, a text that Pope Francis has repeatedly defined as the “Magna Carta” of the Christian.In “a time when new walls are being erected”, artists, the Pontiff emphasizes in the homily read by the Portuguese cardinal – are “guardians of the Beatitudes. As artists and representatives of the world of culture, you are called to be witnesses to the revolutionary vision of the Beatitudes. Your mission is not only to create beauty, but to reveal the truth, goodness and beauty hidden within the folds of history. Let the Gospel of the Beatitudes guide you, and may your art be a herald of a new world. Never cease searching, questioning and taking risks. True art is never easy; it offers the peace of restlessness. And do not forget that hope is not an illusion; beauty is not a utopia. Yours is not a random gift but a calling. Respond, then, with generosity, passion and love”.A reference to the homily is also present in the text that had been prepared to accompany the Angelus prayer, a text released at midday by the Press Office: today’s event, it reads, “reminds us of the importance of art as a universal language that spreads beauty and unites peoples, contributing to bringing harmony into the world and silencing every cry of war. I would have liked to be among you but, as you know, I am here at the Gemelli Hospital because I still need some treatment for my bronchitis”. In this regard, the Pope expresses his “thank you” for the spiritual support and also asks to pray for all healthcare workers: “Thank you for the affection, prayer and closeness with which you are accompanying me in these days, and I would like to thank the doctors and healthcare workers in this hospital for their care: they do such a valuable and tiring job, let us support them with prayer!” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/2/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mrs. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

     
    The Secretary-General met yesterday with H.E. Mrs. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  They discussed the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and ongoing regional peace efforts.  The Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the populations in need.

    ***

    Le Secrétaire général a rencontré hier S.E. Mme. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Première ministre et Cheffe du Gouvernement de la République démocratique du Congo. Ils ont discuté de la situation à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo et des efforts de paix régionaux en cours. Le Secrétaire général a réitéré l’engagement des Nations Unies à fournir une assistance humanitaire aux populations dans le besoin.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa’s interview wrapping up his visit to the 38th AU Summit in Ethiopia

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

    President Ramaphosa’s interview wrapping up his visit to the 38th AU Summit in Ethiopia

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppP69pzk2kw

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia

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

    President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc4DO3DTjM8

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa concludes his working visit to the 38th AU Summit in Ethiopia

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

    President Ramaphosa concludes his working visit to the 38th AU Summit in Ethiopia

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNSsRBSs3fw

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa arrives in Ethiopia for the 38th AU Summit

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

    President Ramaphosa arrives in Ethiopia for the 38th AU Summit

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8WVgXW4mmw

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with The Prime Minister of Barbados

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

    President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with The Prime Minister of Barbados

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu6QMRFq0Gg

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with the President of Senegal

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

    President Ramaphosa on a bilateral meeting with the President of Senegal

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlX756_88U8

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Paul Buchanan: Trump 2.0 and the limits of over-reach

    COMMENTARY: By Paul G Buchanan

    Here is a scenario, but first a broad brush-painted historical parallel.

    Hitler and the Nazis could well have accomplished everything that they wanted to do within German borders, including exterminating Jews, so long as they confined their ambitious to Germany itself. After all, the world pretty much sat and watched as the Nazi pogroms unfolded in the late 1930s.

    But Hitler never intended to confine himself to Germany and decided to attack his neighbours simultaneously, on multiple fronts East, West, North and South.

    This came against the advice of his generals, who believed that his imperialistic war-mongering should happen sequentially and that Germany should not fight the USSR until it had conquered Europe first, replenished with pillaged resources, and then reorganised its forces for the move East. They also advised that Germany should also avoid tangling with the US, which had pro-Nazi sympathisers in high places (like Charles Lindbergh) and was leaning towards neutrality in spite of FDR’s support for the UK.

    Hitler ignored the advice and attacked in every direction, got bogged down in the Soviet winter, drew in the US in by attacking US shipping ferrying supplies to the UK, and wound up stretching his forces in North Africa, the entire Eastern front into Ukraine and the North Mediterranean states, the Scandinavian Peninsula and the UK itself.

    In other words, he bit off too much in one chew and wound up paying the price for his over-reach.

    Hitler did what he did because he could, thanks in part to the 1933 Enabling Law that superseded all other German laws and allowed him carte blanche to pursue his delusions. That proved to be his undoing because his ambition was not matched by his strategic acumen and resources when confronted by an armed alliance of adversaries.

    pic.twitter.com/95GzNiAaqs

    — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 15, 2025

    A version of this in US?
    A version of this may be what is unfolding in the US. Using the cover of broad Executive Powers, Musk, Trump and their minions are throwing everything at the kitchen wall in order to see what sticks.

    They are breaking domestic and international norms and conventions pursuant to the neo-reactionary “disruptor” and “chaos” theories propelling the US techno-authoritarian Right. They want to dismantle the US federal State, including the systems of checks and balances embodied in the three branches of government, subordinating all policy to the dictates of an uber-powerful Executive Branch.

    In this view the Legislature and Judiciary serve as rubber stamp legitimating devices for Executive rule. Many of those in the Musk-lead DOGE teams are subscribers to this ideology.

    At the same time the new oligarchs want to re-make the International order as well as interfere in the domestic politics of other liberal democracies. Musk openly campaigns for the German far-Right AfD in this year’s elections, he and Trump both celebrate neo-fascists like Viktor Urban in Hungry and Javier Milei in Argentina.

    Trump utters delusional desires to “make” Canada the 51st State, forcibly regain control of the Panama Canal, annex Greenland, turn Gaza into a breach resort complex and eliminate international institutions like the World Trade Organisation and even NATO if it does not do what he says.

    He imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court, slaps sanctions on South Africa for land take-overs and because it took a case of genocide against Israel in the ICC, doubles down on his support for Netanyahu’s ethnic cleansing campaign against Palestinians and is poised to sell-out Ukraine by using the threat of an aid cut-off to force the Ukrainians to cede sovereignty to Russia over all of their territory east of the Donbas River (and Crimea).

    He even unilaterally renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in a teenaged display of symbolic posturing that ignores the fact that renaming the Gulf has no standing in international law and “America” is a term that refers to the North, Central and South land masses of the Western Hemisphere — i.e., it is not exclusive to or propriety of the United States.

    Dismantling the globalised trade system
    Trump wants to dismantle the globalised system of trade by using tariffs as a weapon as well as leverage, “punishing” nations for non-trade as well as trade issues because of their perceived dependence on the US market. This is evident in the tariffs (briefly) imposed on Canada, Mexico and Colombia over issues of immigration and re-patriation of US deportees.

    In other words, Trump 2.0 is about redoing the World Order in his preferred image, doing everything more or less at once. It is as if Trump, Musk and their Project 2025 foot soldiers believe in a reinterpreted version of “shock and awe:” the audacity and speed of the multipronged attack on everything will cause opponents to be paralysed by the move and therefore will be unable to resist it.

    That includes extending cultural wars by taking over the Kennedy Center for the Arts (a global institution) because he does not like the type of “culture” (read: African American) that is presented there and he wants to replace the Center’s repertoire with more “appropriate” (read: Anglo-Saxon) offerings. The assault on the liberal institutional order (at home and abroad), in other words, is holistic and universal in nature.

    Trump’s advisers are even talking about ignoring court orders barring some of their actions, setting up a constitutional crisis scenario that they believe they will win in the current Supreme Court.

    I am sure that Musk/Trump can get away with a fair few of these disruptions, but I am not certain that they can get away with all of them. They may have more success on the domestic rather than the international front given the power dynamics in each arena. In any event they do not seem to have thought much about the ripple effect responses to their moves, specifically the blowback that might ensue.

    This is where the Nazi analogy applies. It could be that Musk and Trump have also bitten more than they can chew. They may have Project 2025 as their road map, but even maps do not always get the weather right, or accurately predict the mood of locals encountered along the way to wherever one proposes to go. That could well be–and it is my hope that it is–the cause of their undoing.

    Overreach, egos, hubris and the unexpected detours around and obstacles presented by foreign and domestic actors just might upset their best laid plans.

    Dotage is on daily public display
    That brings up another possibility. Trump’s remarks in recent weeks are descending into senescence and caducity. His dotage is on daily public display. Only his medications have changed. He is more subdued than during the campaign but no less mad. He leaves the ranting and raving to Musk, who only truly listens to the fairies in his ear.

    But it is possible that there are ghost whisperers in Trump’s ear as well (Stephen Miller, perhaps), who deliberately plant preposterous ideas in his feeble head and egg him on to pursue them. In the measure that he does so and begins to approach the red-line of obvious derangement, then perhaps the stage is being set from within by Musk and other oligarchs for a 25th Amendment move to unseat him in favour of JD Vance, a far more dangerous member of the techbro puppet masters’ cabal.

    Remember that most of Trump’s cabinet are billionaires and millionaires and only Cabinet can invoke the 25th Amendment.

    Vance has incentive to support this play because Trump (foolishly, IMO) has publicly stated that he does not see Vance as his successor and may even run for a third term. That is not want the techbro overlords wanted to hear, so they may have to move against Trump sooner rather than later if they want to impose their oligarchical vision on the US and world.

    An impeachment would be futile given Congress’s make-up and Trump’s two-time wins over his Congressional opponents. A third try is a non-starter and would take too long anyway. Short of death (that has been suggested) the 25th Amendment is the only way to remove him.

    It is at that point that I hope that things will start to unravel for them. It is hard to say what the MAGA-dominated Congress will do if laws are flouted on a wholesale basis and constituents begin to complain about the negative impact of DOGE cost-cutting on federal programmes. But one thing is certain, chaos begets chaos (because chaos is not synonymous with techbro libertarians’ dreams of anarchy) and disruption for disruption’s sake may not result in an improved socio-economic and political order.

    Those are some of the “unknown unknowns” that the neo-con Donald Rumsfeld used to talk about.

    In other words, vamos a ver–we shall see.

    Dr Paul G Buchanan is the director of 36th-Parallel Assessments, a geopolitical and strategic analysis consultancy. This article is republished from Kiwipolitico with the permission of the author.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 16 February 2025 Departmental update World leaders gather to reduce road deaths, boost road safety

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Leaders, ministers and officials from over 100 countries are set to advance commitments and actions to strengthen road safety worldwide at the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road safety that will be hosted by the Kingdom Morocco and the World Health Organization (WHO] in Marrakech this week.

    Leaders are set to endorse the ‘Marrakech Declaration on Global Road Safety’ which urges countries to make road safety a political priority and boost actions to achieve the goal of halving global road deaths by 2030 as set out in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

    Road crashes kill nearly 1.2 million people each year, which is more than two deaths every minute. Road crashes cost most countries around 3 to 5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) and transport accounts for around a quarter of the world’s harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

    “Road safety is a priority for people, planet and prosperity. It underpins individual opportunity and sustainable development globally. The Marrakech Declaration calls for a step-change in efforts to reduce road deaths and ensure safe and sustainable mobility for everyone. No road deaths are ever acceptable, or necessary, and we must double-down on our efforts to apply proven solutions,” said Mr Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics for the Kingdom of Morocco. 

    The Marrakech Declaration calls on governments to implement all recommendations set out in the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, including strengthening laws, safety regulations and coordination across government. The Global Plan calls for more cross-border knowledge-sharing, technical support, technology transfer and research into emerging technologies, as well as efforts to make walking, cycling and public transport more accessible for everyone.

    “Road deaths are preventable and making roads safe for everyone is within our reach. We know what to do, and this conference marks a clear call to urgent action. Leaders are making new commitments and advancing actions to save more lives but much more still needs to be done,” said Dr Etienne Krug, WHO Director of the Department for the Social Determinants of Health.

    The latest WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety (2023) shows that road deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million per year in 2021, which was a 5% reduction in fatalities since 2010. More than half of all UN Member States reported a decline in deaths over this period and 10 of these countries managed to halve deaths in the last 10 years, showing that a 50% reduction in a decade is possible. 35 of these countries reduced the number of deaths by between 30 and 50% between 2010 and 2021.

    The Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety takes place in Marrakech, Morocco on 18-20 February, with the theme of “Commit to Life”. Around 2500 delegates, including ministers, heads of national road safety agencies, government representatives, parliamentarians and experts from the United Nations, civil society, business and academia are attending.

    Focus areas for the conference include road safety governance, emerging trends in mobility, financing, working with the private sector, road traffic injury data, connections with other health, transport, environment and development agendas, and as the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety to be held on the African continent, a focus on Africa.

    WHO is hosting and participating in a series of events at the conference, including a meeting of the Global Network of Heads of National Road Safety Agencies in partnership with the World Bank, and sessions on road safety governance, data, legislation and enforcement and strategic communications.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa Creates Annual Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award

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

    SAN FRANCISCO, United States of America, February 16, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • New Award Will be Given Out Annually to Individuals and Organizations Making Exceptional Contributions to Humanitarian Efforts 
    • NBA Africa Will Donate 55 Basketball Courts to Communities on the Continent in Honor of Mutombo and His Iconic Jersey Number 

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today announced the creation of the NBA Africa (www.NBA.com) Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, a new annual honor that will recognize a person or an organization that works to advance health, education or economic opportunity across the continent of Africa. 

    The award is named after the late four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer who served as the NBA’s first global ambassador following his retirement from the league in 2009. 

    Silver also announced that NBA Africa will donate 55 courts to local communities on the continent in honor of Mutombo and his iconic jersey number, beginning in his native Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo where he first discovered his love for the game.  The courts will feature a distinct design inspired by Mutombo and contribute to NBA Africa’s commitment of building 1,000 courts on the continent over the next decade.

    The announcement was made at the 10th annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon in San Francisco, Calif. as part of NBA All-Star 2025. The award will be presented annually beginning at next year’s luncheon, with the recipient receiving a financial grant to further their humanitarian efforts and a donation from NBA Africa to a charity of their choice.

    “Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” said Silver. “This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honor Dikembe’s extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian.”

    Selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo spent 18 years in the NBA during which time he was an eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league in blocked shots three times and becoming the second-leading shot blocker in NBA history.  He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

    Recognized for his philanthropic and humanitarian work, Mutombo was a recipient of many awards, including the Congressional Humanitarian Award (2013), John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Goodermote Humanitarian Award (2011), Laureus World Sports Award (2010), John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award (2010) and the U.S. President’s Service Award (2000).  A general hospital he built in Kinshasa and named in memory of his late mother, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, opened its doors to the public in 2007.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 17, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FCDO statement on the situation in DRC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The FCDO has released a statement following the entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu​: 16 February.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    “The entrance of M23 and the Rwandan Defence Force into Bukavu​ is a violation of DRC’s sovereignty and​ territorial integrity, and a breach of​  the UN Charter. This is a serious escalation that heightens the risk of a wider regional conflict – the human cost of which would be devastating​. The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of all RDF from Congolese territory and a return to dialogue through African-led peace processes. There can be no military solution.

    “The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical. Close to a million people have already been displaced by this recent offensive and hundreds of thousands are now in desperate need of lifesaving support. It is appalling that vital aid routes have been cut off. All​ parties must restore humanitarian access as a matter of urgency.”

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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    Published 16 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Two-Time Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star and Basketball Analyst Chiney Ogwumike Named Basketball Africa League Ambassador

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

    SAN FRANCISCO, United States of America, February 16, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Basketball Africa League (BAL) (www.BAL.NBA.com) today named two-time WNBA All-Star and ESPN analyst, Chiney Ogwumike as the First Female BAL Ambassador. The announcement was made by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall during the Africa Luncheon at All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.

    Ogwumike is a passionate advocate for gender equity in sports and the sustainable development of basketball. Through her work, she aims to inspire young girls and women to take charge of their future and promote inclusive opportunities for all.

    As a BAL Ambassador, Ogwumike will take an active role in the league’s initiatives across Africa, with a focus on engaging and empowering women and girls on the continent. She will also lead various events as well as clinics throughout the season, beginning with the Kalahari Conference, which tips off on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

    Ogwumike joins several African NBA legends who are serving as BAL Ambassadors and helping to promote the league in Africa and around the world: 2011 NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks Ian Mahinmi (Benin), two-time NBA All-Star Joakim Noah (Cameroon), two-time NBA All-Star and South Sudan Basketball Federation President Luol Deng, and former NBA player and G League executive Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana). 

    “I am grateful for this tremendous opportunity to continue to inspire, uplift, and help grow the game across the continent, especially for young women and girls,” said Ogwumike. “Basketball has given me so much, and now, I get to give back in a way that creates real impact and celebrates my sisters on the continent. The future of basketball in Africa is limitless, and I can’t wait to be part of this journey.”

    Ogwumike’s appointment marks a significant step in elevating women’s representation within the BAL and expanding the league’s influence across the continent.

    Since its inception, the BAL has been a driving force for basketball development across the continent, providing meaningful opportunities for communities to engage with the sport. With Ogwumike’s leadership and advocacy, the BAL aims to expand its reach and impact, further inspiring the next generation of players and fans across Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Nara Monkam, Associate Professor of Public Economics, Chair in Municipal Finance within the Department of Economics, and Head of the Public Policy Hub at the University of Pretoria, University of Pretoria

    The African continent finds itself in a predicament. Advanced economies in the rest of the world developed through industrialisation: their economies transformed from mainly agricultural to industrial. This involved burning fossil fuels like coal, generating greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming.

    African economies have trailed behind industrially. They’re now industrialising at a time when the world is moving away from fossil fuels and towards solar power, wind energy and hydropower.

    Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources but only 1% of the world’s installed solar power systems. Despite renewable energy capacity nearly doubling in the last decade, only 2% of global investments in renewable energy went to Africa.

    Green industrialisation could be the answer: achieving long-term economic growth and industrial development that does not harm the environment. But in most African countries, renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels, which are readily available in many parts of the continent. Africa is also one of the world’s poorest regions and cannot easily afford green technologies.

    So a key issue in economic development is how to stimulate green industrial productivity. Green finance (funding from banks and investors specifically for environmentally friendly projects) can fund green innovations. These include renewable energy technologies, energy-efficient building designs, or electric vehicles.

    Read more: Africa doesn’t have a choice between economic growth and protecting the environment: how they can go hand in hand

    I am an economist who worked with a team of researchers to study the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa. We also wanted to find out if green innovation influenced the effect that green finance has on industrialisation. (This was measured in this study as the total industrial value added as a percentage of gross domestic product.)

    For example, switching to renewable energy like solar power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps mitigate climate change. But the high costs of renewable energy equipment could harm industrial growth.

    The research analysed macroeconomic and energy, green finance and industrialisation statistics from 41 African countries between 2000 and 2020.

    Our research found that green finance offers funding opportunities for clean and innovative technologies and creating new jobs in green sectors. However, the potential of green financing to drive industrialisation through green innovation (such as renewable energy projects) is not being realised.

    Read more: How green innovation could be the key to growth for the UK’s rural businesses

    This is because renewable energy comes with high costs. There also are not enough skilled people available to run green projects. There’s a lack of proper roads, connectivity or transmission lines to connect renewable energy to the main grid. The basic conditions for industrial growth through renewable energy are not in place.

    Governments in Africa should find ways to make green innovation work. This will mean that society can enjoy the benefit of new environmentally friendly projects.

    How to make green innovation work

    African governments should focus on increasing people’s access to renewable energy projects. For this to happen, they need to put more funding and effort into developing renewable energy infrastructure. Renewable energy technologies must be available and affordable.

    Education and capacity building is needed, particularly in rural communities. For example, community-owned solar microgrid projects provide people with the skills needed to manage and look after renewable energy systems.

    Governments will need to subsidise local manufacturing of renewable energy components. When these are produced locally, this can help harness the potential of green innovation for industrialisation and also create jobs.

    Countries must co-operate regionally on green innovation. This means sharing best practices, pooling resources, and making coordinated efforts towards green industrialisation.

    Our research found that it would be useful to set up regional centres of excellence for renewable energy research and development. Regional alliances are also needed, so that countries can work together to negotiate better terms for green finance. This could enhance Africa’s journey towards the kind of green industrialisation that is cost effective and sustainable over time.

    What needs to happen next

    These steps would boost the impact of green finance on industrialisation in Africa:

    • more climate finance, including finance from the private sector

    • environmental taxation – a policy tool to limit activities, goods or services that have negative environmental impacts

    • reform of multilateral development agencies to make it easier for African countries to access to climate funds

    • development bank funding tailored to the needs of African countries. Nations that invest in renewable energy manufacturing should get tax breaks and other incentives. Green bonds that only fund renewable energy projects should be issued to attract private investors

    • vocational training and higher education programmes that focus on training people in green technologies must get government funding.

    Africa has a huge problem with trying to build some resilience to the effects of climate change, such as floods and drought. Economic development is also a challenge on the continent. Both could be addressed by green industrialisation. With the right investments in green finance, innovation and infrastructure, the continent can unlock sustainable growth, reduce poverty and help curb climate change.

    – Has finance for green industry had an impact in Africa? What’s happened in 41 countries over 20 years
    – https://theconversation.com/has-finance-for-green-industry-had-an-impact-in-africa-whats-happened-in-41-countries-over-20-years-244567

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Zama Mthombeni, Senior lecturer, University of Pretoria

    In his 2019 State of the Nation address, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was creating a commission on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

    The term refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies like AI and robotics, as well as automation, into various economic and social domains. The first (1760s to early 1800s), second (1870s to early 1900s) and third (1950s to late 20th century) industrial revolutions were mechanical and electronic in nature. The 4IR is characterised by the fusion of physical, digital and biological systems. It is fundamentally reshaping industries, work and societies.

    Ramaphosa acknowledged at the time that the 4IR “may lead to job losses”. However, he added, it would also “create many new opportunities”:

    Through this transformation, we can build the South Africa we want, ensuring inclusive and shared growth for all.

    Six years on, the commission’s work has yielded some results. It’s led to the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Institute and the creation of AI hubs in key sectors like healthcare and mining.

    But how do ordinary South Africans view the 4IR? Globally, research has shown that there’s a stark divide in how people view the promises and perils of modern technological advancements. The wealthy, armed with access to education and resources, see opportunity. Marginalised groups, particularly those in lower-income brackets, are left fearing job losses and economic exclusion. Historical and cultural anxieties around technology also play a role in people’s perceptions.

    I’m a researcher whose work explores, among other things, the intersection of technology, policy and governance. I am especially interested in the 4IR in a South African context and recently co-authored a study with development studies scholar Oliver Mtapuri to examine the role of social class on people’s views of technological change.

    We found that wealthier South Africans, particularly those in urban areas, were more optimistic about automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging 4IR technologies than those in lower-income and rural communities. Racial disparities were evident, too. White South Africans were 2.5 times more likely to report feeling comfortable with technological change than Black South Africans.

    These findings can help policymakers understand how best to push for a 4IR in South Africa that doesn’t deepen existing inequalities. This will require inclusive digital policies and expanded access to technology and training. Here South Africa could learn from countries like Germany and Finland.

    Germany is working nationwide to equip workers with the skills needed for an increasingly digital economy. Finland, meanwhile, has focused on active labour market policies. It combines digital training programmes with progressive social welfare measures to support workers transitioning between industries. Both countries have also expanded social protections by extending unemployment benefits and offering financial support for retraining. They’ve also ensured that gig and platform workers have access to social security.

    Marginalised groups left behind

    Our data was drawn from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It’s a nationally representative survey of 2,736 adults (16 and older). We conducted a secondary analysis of the data. The focus was on questions in the survey about technological change, fears of job displacement and access to digital tools. This, alongside an analysis of demographic data in the survey, allowed us to examine class, race and geographic disparities in perceptions of automation, AI and digital transformation.

    Read more: South Africans are upbeat about new technologies, but worried about jobs

    Some of the key findings were:

    • 56% of South Africans believed that 4IR technologies would lead to job losses rather than job creation. Lower-income groups expressed the highest levels of concern.

    • Unemployment was a key determinant of 4IR scepticism: 63% of unemployed respondents felt threatened by automation, compared to 41% of those currently employed.

    • Only 29% of respondents from rural areas reported having regular access to the internet. The figure was 74% among urban respondents.

    There are structural and historical barriers to lower-income South Africans’ economic mobility, access to quality education and participation in the digital economy.

    Apartheid-era policies entrenched economic disparities. These still show in unequal access to education and infrastructure.

    Today, rural areas lack reliable internet connections. (About 31.18% of South Africa’s population live in rural areas.) This makes it nearly impossible for people to benefit from or contribute to the digital economy.

    Many industries at the forefront of automation, such as manufacturing and agriculture, are those with the highest number of low-skilled workers. Research by the International Labour Organisation emphasises that vulnerable workers all over the world often lack the skills needed in new job markets. This reinforces workers’ fears that technology will replace them.

    Closing the gap: policy solutions

    It will take bold, inclusive policies to address these inequalities.

    The South African government must do more to increase access to technology. It already subsidises internet costs especially to schools. It has also expanded broadband networks into some under-served areas. And it offers free digital skills programmes. The problem is that these efforts are piecemeal. A more cohesive national strategy is needed.

    Read more: The Fourth Industrial Revolution: a seductive idea requiring critical engagement

    Policies must also be developed with those who have been excluded from technological progress. This will allow them to participate fully in the digital economy – and, perhaps, come to understand and trust technology a bit more.

    In practice, this could mean expanding initiatives like the National Digital and Future Skills strategy, which aims to equip citizens with the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy. This focuses on developing digital skills across various sectors and communities, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation.

    Additionally, policies could support township-based digital innovation hubs such as the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. It provides training, incubation and resources to entrepreneurs from marginalised communities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

    Industries have a role to play, too. Singapore’s Skills Future initiative provides citizens with resources to adapt to changing job markets. This is a good example of government and industry working together. Closer to home, Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) brings together “government, industry, civil society and academia to co-design, test and refine policy frameworks and governance protocols that maximise the benefits of new technologies”.

    The 4IR has the potential to transform South Africa. But this will only happen if its benefits are shared equitably among all citizens. Innovation must be re-imagined not as a tool to consolidate wealth and privilege but as a means of creating a more inclusive society.

    – Fourth industrial revolution in South Africa: inequality stands in the way of true progress
    – https://theconversation.com/fourth-industrial-revolution-in-south-africa-inequality-stands-in-the-way-of-true-progress-248475

    MIL OSI Africa –

    February 16, 2025
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