Qatar Participates in High-Level Meeting on Combating Irregular Migration

Source: Government of Qatar

Rome, May 19, 2026

The State of Qatar participated in the high-level meeting on combating irregular migration, held Tuesday in the Italian capital, Rome, with the participation of the Italian Republic, the Republic of Turkiye, and the State of Libya.

The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.

During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments regarding the irregular migration file, and ways to enhance cooperation and joint coordination among the four countries to face the challenges associated with this file, including strengthening international coordination, exchanging expertise, and capacity building, in addition to discussing mechanisms to support regional and international efforts aimed at reducing irregular migration flows.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the State of Qatar’s keenness to support international and regional efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of irregular migration through joint cooperation and coordination, in a manner that respects humanitarian principles and international law, and contributes to achieving security, stability, and development for the concerned countries and societies.

New chapter for flood victims as homes handed over in Cornubia

Source: Government of South Africa

New chapter for flood victims as homes handed over in Cornubia

Flood victims were overcome with emotion and relief as they received the keys to their new homes at Cornubia, north of Durban, marking a long-awaited step towards stability and dignity after being displaced by the devastating 2022 floods.

For many beneficiaries, the handover of houses represents a turning point after years spent in temporary emergency accommodation.

EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba, together with KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, officially launched the handover of 113 houses on Monday, with further allocations set to continue throughout the week.

Between Monday, 18 and Friday, 22 May, houses will be handed over to families currently residing in Transitional Emergency Accommodation (TEAs) located in areas including Mahatma Gandhi (Point), Sydenham’s O’Flaherty Road, Dassenhoek and Ntuzuma.

The municipality said the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to transition flood-affected families in privately owned TEAs into sustainable and dignified housing solutions.

According to the municipality, since the 2022 disaster, more than 4 000 families have been accommodated through TEA arrangements. However, the city noted that these temporary arrangements, many of which involve privately owned facilities, have placed a significant financial strain on the city.

The municipality is therefore accelerating efforts to transition families into permanent housing.

Several interventions are currently underway to support relocation process. These include the allocation of newly built houses in Cornubia, relocation to newly acquired and refurbished units at Montclair Lodge, and placement in TEAs within Cornubia.

In addition, 37 houses have already been handed over to flood-affected families in Illovo, while a further 104 families are expected to move into upgraded flats at Montclair Lodge in the coming weeks.

Addressing the handover ceremony, Duma said progress is being made through collaboration between provincial and national government, as well as the municipality.

“Significant progress continues to be made in restoring dignity to flood-affected families, with more than 4 000 households already accommodated since 2022,” he said.

He added that the National Department of Human Settlements has appointed a contractor to build 500 temporary housing units in Cornubia, supported by an investment of approximately R400 million for bulk infrastructure development.

Xaba said the city has made substantial progress in rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the floods, including the reconstruction of roads, stormwater systems, bridges, and water and sanitation infrastructure.

“By the end of June next year, approximately 1 069 additional flood-affected families are expected to be accommodated,” Xaba said.

For the families receiving homes this week, the handover signals more than just shelter; it represents a renewed sense of hope after years of uncertainty.

The municipality reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all affected households are moved from temporary accommodation into dignified and permanent housing, as part of ongoing recovery efforts. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Statement on United States (US) Travel Restrictions Related to the Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak

Source: APO


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The United States remains a longstanding and valued partner of Africa in disease surveillance, emergency response, workforce development and global health security.

In March 2025, amid major shifts affecting USAID and other health programmes, Africa CDC engaged the US Government through a high-level dialogue at the Department of State involving multiple American to agencies. Meeting Africa CDC – US team (https://apo-opa.co/496EB1I). Africa CDC advocated for a new partnership model grounded in sovereignty, shared responsibility and sustainability, in which the US increasingly channels support through direct country funding while African governments progressively expand domestic co-financing for health systems and health security priorities.

Africa CDC also recalls the consensus reached by the African High-Level Ministerial Committee on Global Health Architecture, which convened in Geneva on 17 May 2026, bringing together 48 African ministers from all five regions of the continent. Ministers agreed that future strategic negotiations related to continental health security partnerships should increasingly be coordinated through Africa CDC to strengthen African solidarity, policy coherence, and alignment among Member States.

From the earliest stages of the current Ebola outbreak, Africa CDC acted rapidly, transparently, and responsibly. Following confirmation that at least two countries were affected, the agency exercised its continental mandate to declare this outbreak on 15 May 2026, elevating political attention and accelerating coordination across Africa. Since the beginning of the outbreak, Africa CDC has maintained continuous information sharing with Member States, partners, media, and the international community, with more than 1,600 global media citations referencing Africa CDC data and technical updates.

Africa CDC takes note of the US Government’s decision to issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the DRC and to impose entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who have recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan. The agency fully recognises the sovereign responsibility of every government to protect the health and security of its people. Our concern is not with the objective of protecting populations, but with the use of broad travel restrictions as a primary public health tool during outbreaks.

Public health measures during outbreaks must be guided by science, proportionality, transparency, international cooperation, and international health regulations. Africa CDC’s position is clear: generalised travel restrictions and border closures are not the solution to outbreaks. Such measures can create fear, damage economies, discourage transparency, complicate humanitarian and health operations, and divert movement toward informal and unmonitored routes – potentially increasing public health risks rather than reducing them.

“The fastest path to protecting all countries in the world is to aggressively support outbreak control at the source,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General. “Global health security cannot be achieved through borders alone. It is achieved through partnership, trust, science and rapid investment in preparedness and response capacity.”

This current Ebola outbreak highlights a deeper structural injustice in global health innovation: the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus was identified nearly two decades ago, yet no licensed vaccines or therapeutics specific to this strain exist today. Africa CDC believes that if this disease had predominantly threatened wealthier regions of the world, medical countermeasures would likely already be available.

The world witnessed a similar reality during the West African Ebola outbreak, when solutions were disclosed when an American doctor was infected, while thousands of Africans had already died without support. The world must not repeat the same mistake today.

The declaration of the PHECS on 18 May 2026, Africa CDC Official Website, was intended to mobilise political leadership, resources, and coordinated continental action. It is not a signal for panic, but a call for solidarity, urgency and collective responsibility.

Africa CDC is calling for intensified international support for:

  • Strengthened cross-border preparedness and regional coordination;
  • Sustained support to frontline health workers and Ministries of Health;
  • Support risk communication and strong community engagement;
  • Expansion of Bundibugyo Ebolavirus laboratory diagnostics and genomic sequencing;
  • Deployment of epidemiologists and emergency response experts;
  • Increased financing for surveillance, logistics, infection prevention and case management, including the capacity to isolate cases and to organise dignified burials;
  • Accelerated development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics for all Ebola strains;

Africa CDC is fully mobilised to support the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and all at-risk Member States. Africans must know that the agency stands with them – not only to respond to outbreaks and strengthen public health systems, but also to defend their dignity, sovereignty, and collective security under the framework of Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS). Africa CDC – Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS) (www.AfricaCDC.org)

This position is consistent with Africa CDC’s previous actions. During the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda in 2024, Africa CDC publicly opposed travel measures that penalised transparency and effective outbreak control and welcomed the lifting of the U.S. travel notice after Rwanda demonstrated strong containment. Africa CDC Statement on Rwanda Marburg Response (www.AfricaCDC.org)

Africa CDC, therefore, calls on all countries – both within Africa and globally – to refrain from imposing unnecessary travel or trade restrictions in response to this outbreak. The world must avoid repeating the mistakes of previous health emergencies, where fear-driven measures caused major economic damage without delivering proportionate public health benefits.

Africa needs solidarity, not stigma. Africa needs investment, not isolation. Africa needs partnerships that strengthen both economies and health systems.

No one is safe until Africa is safe. And Africa is safer when the world invests in African health security, trusts African institutions, and works with Africa as a full partner.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Media Contact:
Wilson Johwa
Senior Communications Officer
Directorate of Communication & Public Information
JohwaW@africacdc.org

Follow Africa CDC: 
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4uhyxvB
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About Africa CDC:
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: www.AfricaCDC.org.

Home Affairs unveils digital overhaul in 2026 Budget Vote

Source: Government of South Africa

Home Affairs unveils digital overhaul in 2026 Budget Vote

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is accelerating its digital transformation programme aimed at improving service delivery, strengthening national security and driving economic growth.

This is according to the Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, who tabled the department’s 2026 Budget Vote in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.

He said the Home Affairs ecosystem — including the Department of Home Affairs, the Border Management Authority (BMA) and Government Printing Works — had spent the past two years implementing reforms under a programme called “Home Affairs @ home”.

The reforms seek to move services away from a system dependent on physical offices and paper-based processes toward digital and biometric platforms.

The Minister said the department had already expanded Smart ID replacement services to 167 bank branches nationwide within eight weeks of launching a new digital partnership model with banks.

The previous manual system had expanded to only 30 branches over a decade.

More than 127 000 South Africans have already used the new digital Smart ID replacement service, with applications now taking as little as five minutes at participating branches.

The Minister said the department had increased its target to make Smart ID replacement services available at 750 bank branches by the end of 2026, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.

The upgraded system eliminates paperwork, prior bookings and long queues by relying on biometric verification technology.

The department also plans to expand the digital platform to include first-time ID applications, passport applications and doorstep delivery of documents.

An upgraded online booking system has also been introduced after the previous platform was allegedly exploited by individuals who blocked and sold appointment slots to citizens.

Schreiber said the new booking system had been secured against such abuses and was expected to stabilise fully within weeks.

Home Affairs is also developing a Digital Identity system, which the Minister described as “foundational national infrastructure” for the digital economy.

Draft regulations under the Identification Act have already been published for public comment, with submissions closing on 6 June.

The proposed Digital ID system will allow citizens to securely access Home Affairs services and documents on smartphones while enabling remote authentication.

The Minister also linked the department’s digital transformation drive to efforts to strengthen national security.

He said the expanded Smart ID rollout would help phase out the Green ID book, which he described as one of the most defrauded documents on the continent and a major source of identity theft and illegal immigration.

Last year, the department issued a record four million Smart IDs.

The department’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, launched in October last year for tourists from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico, was also highlighted as a major security initiative.

The ETA system records biometric data for foreigners entering South Africa and uses machine learning and facial recognition technology to verify travel documents and identities.

According to the Minister, the system has already denied visas to more than 4 500 applicants through document verification and facial recognition checks.

The ETA will be expanded to cover more countries and additional visa categories in the coming weeks.

The Minister said the BMA had announced selected bidders for a R12.5 billion public-private partnership project to rebuild South Africa’s six busiest land ports of entry, which account for 80% of border traffic.

READ | BMA announces successful bidders for major border overhaul

The new infrastructure will incorporate digital border systems and implement the One-Stop Border Post concept recently approved by Parliament.

The Minister’s speech also positioned Home Affairs as an economic enabler, particularly through tourism and international investment. The ETA system now allows qualifying tourists to obtain visas digitally within 24 hours and apply online for visa extensions.

The Minister said inefficient visa processes had previously cost the tourism sector billions of rand and that the new system would help unlock new tourism markets and create jobs. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Declares the Ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security

Source: APO


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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) (https://AfricaCDC.org/), acting on the recommendations of its Emergency Consultative Group (ECG), has officially declared the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).

This declaration, under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statute, empowers the organisation to lead and coordinate responses to significant public health emergencies across the continent. The statute mandates Africa CDC to “coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared a PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), as well as health promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening.”

The declaration follows extensive consultations at political, strategic and technical levels, including consultations with H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the African Union Commission chairperson; H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and the African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR); and consultations with Member States affected or at risk. This declaration was built on recommendations from the ECG, chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, which reviewed the evolving epidemiological situation, regional risks, response capacities, and the implications of the confirmed Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain.

As of May 18, 2026, about 395 suspected cases and 106 associated deaths have been reported in the DRC (mainly in the Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia Health Zones) and in Kampala, Uganda, where two cases and one death have been reported so far.

Africa CDC is deeply concerned about the high risk of regional spread due to intense cross-border population movement, mining-related mobility, insecurity in affected areas, weak infection prevention and control measures, community deaths occurring outside formal healthcare systems, and the proximity of affected areas to Rwanda and South Sudan.

H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasised the urgency of coordinated continental action: “Today, we declare this PHECS to mobilise our institutions, our collective will, and our resources to act swiftly and decisively. The confirmation of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus in interconnected countries reminds us once again that Africa’s health security is indivisible. We must act early, act together, and act based on science.”

Dr Kaseya highlighted that the declaration would strengthen regional coordination, facilitate rapid mobilisation of financial and technical resources, reinforce surveillance and laboratory systems, support the deployment of emergency responders, and accelerate preparedness activities in neighbouring countries considered at heightened risk of transmission.

He further stressed the importance of an Africa-led and partner-supported response: “This outbreak is occurring in one of the most complex operational environments on the continent, marked by insecurity, population mobility, fragile health systems, and limited medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease. We call upon our Member States and international partners to stand together with Africa CDC, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the affected countries to prevent further spread and protect our populations.”

Africa CDC and the WHO are working jointly to strengthen coordination by activating an Incident Management Support Team (IMST), building on the successful model used during the mpox and cholera responses under the “4 Ones” principle: one team, one plan, one budget, and one monitoring framework.  

Africa CDC has already deployed multidisciplinary experts, including specialists in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory systems, risk communication, logistics and emergency coordination, and has internally mobilised US$2 million to support the continental response.

The declaration also comes amid growing concerns about the limited availability of validated vaccines and therapeutics for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease. Africa CDC is therefore working closely with various partners to assess available medical countermeasures and accelerate operational research and evidence generation efforts to inform outbreak response strategies.

Professor Karim, chair of the ECG, noted: “The ECG carefully reviewed the epidemiological evidence, regional risk profile, and operational realities surrounding this outbreak. The interconnected nature of transmission between DRC and Uganda, combined with the challenges posed by insecurity and cross-border movement, requires urgent coordinated continental action.” 

Ebola is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, or deceased individuals infected with the virus. Early detection, rapid isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials remain essential to interrupt transmission. 

Africa CDC will continue to provide regular updates as additional epidemiological, laboratory, and sequencing information becomes available. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Media Contact:
Wilson Johwa
Senior Communications Officer, Directorate of Communication & Public Information
JohwaW@africacdc.org

Follow Africa CDC on:
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About Africa CDC: 
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: https://AfricaCDC.org/ 

Kaspersky maps Artificial intelligence (AI) and the evolving threat landscape at AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya

Source: APO

At AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, taking place from 19-21 May, global cybersecurity company, Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za), talks about the current threat landscape in Kenya and the wider East Africa region, warning that the rapid development and adoption of artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for innovation while simultaneously introducing cyberthreats for businesses and individual users. With risks varying from AI-powered social engineering campaigns and deepfake fraud to “Shadow AI” risks inside organisations, Kaspersky advises organisations to adopt clear policies, cybersecurity controls and employee education to ensure AI technologies are deployed safely and responsibly.

“As organisations in Kenya and the wider region accelerate digital transformation, cybersecurity is becoming a board-level priority. We are seeing growing awareness that innovation and security must develop hand in hand. Industry events such as GITEX play an important role in this process by helping businesses better understand both the impressive opportunities AI and digital technologies create, and the precautions needed to manage the evolving cyber risks that come with them,” says Chris Norton, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Kaspersky.

Cyberthreat landscape developments

AI risks come amid other cybersecurity challenges of the evolving threat landscape in the region. Kaspersky data demonstrates that in 2025, password stealer attacks increased by 83% year-over-year in Kenya and 56% across Sub-Saharan Africa. Spyware attacks grew by the same figure of 83% in Kenya and 53% regionally, while backdoor attacks rose by 25% in Kenya and 8% across Sub-Saharan Africa. Although exploit attacks showed a slight decline, they remain a major concern due to their mass spread and unauthorised access they open to a users’ systems. Meanwhile, ransomware continues to pose a serious risk to organisations, with 7.62% of organisations in Africa experiencing ransomware detections in 2025.

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) remain among the most serious risks for enterprises. According to the Kaspersky Security Services Global Report, APT groups were detected and blocked in 21% of customers in 2025 and accounted for 23% of all high-severity incidents. These highly organised groups increasingly combine AI-enhanced techniques with social engineering and targeted intrusion methods to maximise operational effectiveness.

Cybersecurity traps of AI

According to Kaspersky experts, cybercriminals can use AI across multiple stages of cyberattacks: from preparation and communication to assembling malicious components, probing for vulnerabilities and deploying tools, while simultaneously concealing evidence of AI involvement to complicate investigations and attribution. Malicious actors are also actively distributing malware disguised as AI tools to steal sensitive information from victims.

One of the growing cybersecurity issues is the spread of deepfakes and AI-generated fraudulent content. As AI tools become more and more sophisticated, distinguishing authentic material from manipulated ones is becoming more difficult. Kaspersky researchers warn that AI models can also be vulnerable to “unintended memorisation”, where models retain fragments of sensitive information that attackers may later extract. Additional risks include malicious tampering with training datasets, injection of harmful logic into AI software code and exploitation of vulnerabilities within AI-powered systems.

The emergence of AI agents, which are systems capable of autonomously taking actions on behalf of users, creates another significant attack surface. According to Kaspersky, these systems can be manipulated through adversarial content or misconfigured autonomy settings, potentially leading to harmful real-world actions.

Kaspersky also highlights the growing challenge of “Shadow AI”, where employees use public AI services without oversight from IT departments. This creates uncontrolled data flows and increases the risk of confidential information exposure. A recent Kaspersky study* titled “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behaviour” showed that 87.8% of professionals surveyed in Kenya use AI tools for work-related tasks, including text editing, e-mail writing, data analytics and content creation. However, only 35% reported receiving cybersecurity training related to AI use.

Essential Actions in the AI-driven IT world

Kaspersky recommends organisations to regularly assess AI-related risks and establish comprehensive AI governance policies defining which AI tools are approved and what types of data can be processed. Regular employee training on secure AI usage, recognition of fake AI services, malicious links and prompt injection risks is equally essential.

To effectively manage the growing range of cyber risks, organisations should adopt a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that combines advanced security technologies, reliable threat intelligence, strong internal processes and continuous employee education. Robust cybersecurity solutions, such as the AI-powered Kaspersky SIEM and Kaspersky Next product line, provide real-time protection, threat visibility, investigation and response capabilities.

For private users, Kaspersky recommends exercising caution when using AI-powered tools, carefully reviewing privacy settings, verifying the authenticity of AI applications and double-checking information generated by agentic AI systems before making decisions based on automated outputs. The company also advises families to maintain open discussions with children regarding their use of AI technologies and online safety practices.

Visit the Kaspersky stand at B10 in Hall 2 at GITEX Kenya to find out more.

*The survey was conducted by Toluna research agency at the request of Kaspersky in 2025. The study sample included 2800 online interviews with employees and business owners using computers for work in seven countries: Türkiye, South Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

For further information please contact:
Nicole Allman
nicole@inkandco.co.za

Follow us:
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About Kaspersky: 
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and nearly 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za

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President Ramaphosa to undertake State Visit to Republic of Botswana

Source: President of South Africa –

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, undertake a State Visit to the Republic of Botswana which will culminate in the Sixth Session of the Botswana and South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Gaborone.

On the two-day State Visit occasion from 20 to 21 May, President Ramaphosa and President Gideon Duma Boko will co-chair the Summit of the Sixth Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The Summit will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting on 20 May 2026, and the Senior Officials Meeting.

The primary objective of the State Visit and BNC is to deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral partnership between the two countries.  

The Sixth Session of the BNC represents a critical opportunity to reinforce the strategic partnership between South Africa and Botswana. 

While the relationship remains strong, it is evolving in response to new economic realities and shifting global dynamics.

A Business Forum that will be held on the margins of the BNC will strengthen private sector collaboration and facilitate business-to-business exchanges. 

South Africa and Botswana share a historically grounded and mutually reinforcing relationship, rooted in solidarity during the liberation struggle, when Botswana provided support to South African freedom fighters. 

This legacy, combined with geographic proximity and shared cultural and linguistic ties, has shaped a durable partnership that continues to expand across multiple sectors.

The BNC serves as a central institutional mechanism through which this relationship is structured and advanced, enabling coordinated cooperation and sustained dialogue at political, technical, and economic levels.

Bilateral trade and investment remain the cornerstone of the economic cooperation between the two countries. South Africa is Botswana’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 50% of Botswana’s imports.

In 2025, total bilateral trade amounted to approximately R 82 billion, with South Africa exporting goods to the tune of R73.5 billion to Botswana and with imports from the country amounting to R7.7 billion. 

South Africa is also Botswana’s largest supplier of agricultural products.

In 2025, of the country’s R15 billion agricultural imports, R14 billion were from South Africa. 

South Africa has a significant corporate presence in Botswana with more than 100 South African companies operating across key sectors, including in financial and banking services, retail and wholesale, mining and mineral beneficiation, infrastructure, construction and logistics, freight, manufacturing and automotive value chains as well as the hospitality and tourism industries. 

South Africa’s Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have also developed a pipeline of projects for financing in Botswana.

The DBSA’s aggregate portfolio of investments under consideration in Botswana represents a total project value of approximately R6.5 billion, demonstrating meaningful scale and impact.

The two countries will explore renewable energy opportunities in support of Botswana’s effort towards increasing renewable energy to 50 per cent by 2030, creating opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, grid integration, and capacity building. 

The State Visit takes place against the backdrop of a political transition in Botswana, following the transition to a new administration in October 2024.

The State Visit signals the new government’s intention to consolidate relations with South Africa while maintaining continuity in bilateral engagement. It also offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen its strategic relations with Botswana. 

It is envisaged that the two countries will, during the upcoming engagements focus on High Impact Priority Projects. A number of new agreements will also be signed during the visit. 

The State Visit and BNC schedule will take place as follows:

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 14h00
Venue: Royal Area Conference Centre, Tlokweng.
Media programme and social media streaming: (Subject to change)

Wednesday 20 May 2026 media programme: Day One

Airport arrival and State Visit ceremony: 15H00 (photo streaming)

Tour of the Botswana Vaccine Institute: 16h00 (photos/video streaming)

State Banquet: 19h00 

Thursday 21 May 2026 media programme: Day Two

Official Opening of the 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission: 10:00

(Media to be present for the opening session and thereafter exit)

Closing Ceremony of the Bi-National Commission: 13h00

Remarks by President Ramaphosa and by President Boko

Media engagement:
Photo opportunity for signing of Agreements
Media Q&A Session
Official photo opportunity
Departure (photos to be shared on social networks)

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya Spokesperson to the President, media@presideny.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meets State Minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 19, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met in in Doha on Tuesday with HE State Minister for Political and Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Hadera Abera Admassu.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to a number of issues of common interest. 

Qatar Affirms Continued Commitment to Being Reliable, Responsible Partner in Promoting Global Energy Security

Source: Government of Qatar

New York, May 19, 2026
The State of Qatar affirmed its continued commitment to its role as a reliable and responsible partner in promoting global energy security, as one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), noting that it has consistently provided stable and reliable supplies of LNG to many countries across Asia, Europe and around the globe, contributing to the stability of international markets.
This came in the State of Qatar’s statement delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, before the special meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation,” held at the UN headquarters in New York.
Her Excellency said that, since the outbreak of war in the region, the State of Qatar faced missile attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran on several areas, including Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), which resulted in serious damage to the world’s largest LNG facility, prompting a declaration of a “force majeure” status with regard to production.
HE Sheikha Alya Al-Thani pointed out that the State of Qatar warned from the beginning that closing the Strait of Hormuz would turn the crisis from a regional to a global one, due to sharp fluctuations in prices, the impact of shipping and international trade, and the rise in transportation and production costs, given that the strait represents a vital artery for oil, LNG, and international trade.
In this regard, the State of Qatar emphasizes the importance of ensuring that international maritime routes remain open and safe in accordance with international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 552 (1984) and Resolution 2817 (2026), including taking immediate steps to remove any naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz and cease their deployment, as well as halting the collection of fees from commercial vessels, as a collective responsibility to protect the global economy and global energy security.
HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN reaffirmed the State of Qatar’s commitment to working with the international community, the UN, and all partners to ensure the security and sustainability of energy flows and supplies, and to support global development efforts. 

La famille Bouka repart à la conquête de l’Everest

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French

Un an après avoir atteint un point situé à seulement 250 mètres du sommet de l’Everest mais avoir dû rebrousser chemin en raison de la congestion, du risque de gelures et du manque d’oxygène, la famille Bouka revient déterminée à hisser le drapeau malgache au sommet du monde. Dirigée par l’entrepreneur visionnaire Zouzar Bouka et ses fils Raïs et Raj-Alexandre, l’expédition incarne la résilience malgache et la conviction que chaque défi possède son propre « Everest ».

« Il s’agit de terminer ce que nous avons commencé », a déclaré Zouzar Bouka. « L’Everest exige humilité et persévérance. L’année dernière nous a enseigné des leçons difficiles. Cette année, nous revenons unis en famille, portant notre amour pour Madagascar à chaque pas. »

Pour la famille Bouka, l’Everest est bien plus qu’une expédition d’alpinisme : il s’agit de porter leur héritage et leur identité jusqu’au sommet. La valeur clé que Zouzar souhaite transmettre à ses fils et à la jeunesse est la méritocratie.

Dans des environnements où la réussite peut parfois être influencée par d’autres facteurs que le mérite, l’Everest représente l’exact l’opposé. Sur la montagne, il n’y a ni raccourcis ni tromperies. Le soutien et l’esprit d’équipe comptent, mais la montagne impose aussi l’honnêteté. En fin de compte, ce sont vos propres pas qui vous mènent vers le sommet.

Pour tous les trois, cette aventure est une histoire d’amour, de résilience, d’ambition et de possibilités. Leur parcours porte un message d’espoir : chacun possède son propre défi déterminant à surmonter, et la réussite réside autant dans le courage d’entreprendre le voyage que dans l’atteinte du sommet. La famille souhaite inspirer les jeunes de Madagascar et d’Afrique à poursuivre leurs objectifs avec courage.

« Cette seconde tentative dépasse largement l’idée d’atteindre un sommet », a déclaré Raïs Bouka.
« C’est une question de persévérance. De ne pas avoir peur de l’échec. On nous demande souvent : “Pourquoi parler avant même d’avoir réussi ?” Mais je pense que cela reflète un problème plus large aujourd’hui, surtout dans le monde des réseaux sociaux. Nous montrons uniquement les victoires, les moments parfaits, les histoires de succès. Nous montrons rarement l’effort, les revers ou ce qui se passe quand les choses ne se déroulent pas comme prévu.

« C’est aussi une histoire de temps partagé avec mon père et mon frère. En grandissant, la vie nous entraîne dans des directions différentes, et l’on réalise que ces moments précieux ensemble deviennent plus rares. »

Raj-Alexandre Bouka a ajouté : « L’alpinisme m’a appris l’importance de la confiance. Sur l’Everest, nous confions constamment nos vies à une seule corde, parfois fixée par des personnes que nous n’avons jamais rencontrées. Cette foi inconsciente que l’on place dans son guide, ses coéquipiers, et même des inconnus qui ont fixé les lignes avant nous, est profondément humaine. »

« L’Everest enseigne aussi une humilité radicale. Peu importe votre force, votre préparation ou votre expérience, c’est la montagne qui décide. Un système météo changeant, un instant de complaisance, et tout bascule. J’ai appris que la véritable force réside dans la capacité à savoir renoncer, même lorsque le sommet est à portée de vue. »

« Plus que tout, ces expéditions m’ont montré la valeur irremplaçable de la présence. Dans un monde qui nous disperse dans mille directions, mon père a sacrifié d’innombrables heures, une immense énergie et des ressources considérables pour que nous puissions nous tenir ensemble sur le toit du monde, respirant un air rare et poursuivant un rêve commun. Je me sens comme la personne la plus chanceuse au monde. »

La famille possède une solide expérience en alpinisme. Elle a gravi des sommets sur les sept continents, en commençant par le Pic Boby, le plus haut sommet accessible de Madagascar, en 2021. Depuis, chaque aventure a renforcé leur capacité à atteindre leur objectif ultime.

L’Everest demeure l’un des lieux les plus dangereux de la planète, avec plus de 340 décès depuis les années 1920. En 2014, l’effondrement d’un sérac dans la cascade de glace du Khumbu a tué 16 Sherpas, et en 2015, un séisme de magnitude 7,8 a déclenché une avalanche qui a tué 22 personnes au camp de base, l’événement le plus meurtrier de l’histoire de l’Everest.

Ces dernières saisons, les décès continuent : 18 en 2023, 9 en 2024, et 28 entre 2024 et 2025 dans l’Himalaya.

Les Bouka ont vu plusieurs corps l’an dernier, tous décédés 1 à 2 jours auparavant.

Cette année, alors que la saison de l’Everest n’en est qu’à ses débuts, la montagne a déjà causé 4 morts. Séracs instables, crevasses qui s’élargissent et parois de glace qui s’effondrent sans cesse ralentissent la progression et augmentent les dangers.

La famille Bouka revient avec humilité et détermination, consciente de ces risques.

Le public peut suivre l’expédition grâce aux mises à jour et aux images partagées sur les réseaux sociaux de la famille :

Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4nEtnYe

Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/4nAQlQ1

YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4eRNik5

Distribué par APO Group pour Vision Madagascar NGO.

À propos de l’Expédition Everest de la famille Bouka 2026 :
L’Expédition Everest 2026 de la famille Bouka réunit Zouzar Bouka et ses fils Raïs et Raj-Alexandre dans leur seconde tentative de gravir le mont Everest. Zouzar Bouka est le fondateur de Vision Madagascar (ViMa), un conglomérat diversifié avec des filiales dans l’immobilier, l’énergie, la distribution alimentaire, l’approvisionnement, l’hôtellerie et le bien-être. Il est également propriétaire licencié du WTC Antananarivo et du WTCRAK. Au-delà des affaires, il est un alpiniste expérimenté ayant gravi des sommets en Afrique, en Amérique, en Europe et dans l’Himalaya – du Kilimandjaro et du Chimborazo à l’Everest, où il a atteint 6 800 m en 2025.

Raïs Bouka est un jeune alpiniste accompli qui a conquis des sommets à Madagascar, en Afrique, en Amérique et dans l’Himalaya, dont le Kilimandjaro et le Lobuche. Il a atteint 8 600 m sur l’Everest. Diplômé de l’Université de Californie du Sud, il a étudié le commerce avec une mineure en arts cinématographiques et a obtenu son diplôme Magna Cum Laude.

Raj-Alexandre Bouka a gravi des sommets sur 6 continents, complétant 4 des Seven Summits. En 2025, il a atteint 8 600 m sur l’Everest et continue de renforcer son expérience sur les grands sommets du monde. Il est actuellement dans sa deuxième année sabbatique et a annulé son admission à NYU pour poursuivre ce projet, avant de reprendre ses études en août.

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