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Uganda: Museveni preaches benefits of East African Federation, criticises corrupt politicians


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President Yoweri Museveni has emphasised the benefits of the East African Federation, saying that it will lead to economic prosperity and heightened security in the region.

President Museveni, who was speaking after the budget presentation by the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, held in Kololo on Thursday, 12 June 2025, rallied lawmakers to appreciate the importance of the federation.

“Economic and political integration are the correct answer to the question of economic prosperity and security,” said Museveni.

Making reference to the history of the EAC started in 1967 and collapsed a decade later, Museveni said that the community was re-launched in 1999 in the spirit of patriotism and pan Africanism, following the realisation of the need for market for goods and services in the region.

“We are glad by 1980, African leaders had started seeing the importance of market integration as part of the Lagos plan of action,” he said.

Tracing back to the history of other African countries and Uganda’s experience after independence, Museveni said that it was discovered that the internal market for goods and services was not enough.

“As we speak today, Uganda has got surplus of milk, maize, bananas, cement, etc. Where do we sell all these,” he said, adding that East African and African countries are now buying some of the surpluses.

“Otherwise, these sectors of the economy would have collapsed by now. That is how the National Resistance Movement developed the second principle of Pan Africanism because we need it for our prosperity,” he said.

The ready market for goods and services, according to Museveni leads to prosperity of African countries, thereby reducing dependence on foreign aid.

“The East African Community has now expanded to incorporate Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC and Somalia. In addition, we have COMESA and the Continental Free Trade Area. We need to remove all the trade barriers and develop infrastructure to facilitate this trade,” Museveni added.

He also spoke against trade imbalances, stressing the need to assist countries that are joining the federation.

“We do not want a common market where some countries benefit and others lose, no, it is very dangerous,” Museveni said.

Museveni also spoke tough against politicians giving handouts to voters for political support, saying that such leaders are enabling corruption.

“Politics is about principles and policies. That is what you should be telling the public to choose from,” he said.

He advised voters against electing leaders based on handouts, saying that they need leaders who will instead help in the fight against corruption.

“Do not accept petty money from politicians and throw away your power to elect politicians who will help to fight corruption,” said Museveni.

Local Government District officers were not spared, and the President vowed to take action against those found culpable of mismanaging the Shs1.3 billion meant for road maintenance.

He said that he discovered that some districts were instead using the funds to construct new roads.

“In the case of Bunyangabo district, they were mixing up issues. The Shs1.3 billion is for maintenance, not for constructing new roads. I will check and if I find out, there will be casualties among local government officials,” he said.

Digital number plates targeting criminals

President Museveni also dismissed claims that the new digital vehicle number plates are meant for collecting fines, but rather aimed at enhancing security, saying that they are traceable through the central command centre.

“Every vehicle must have a digital number plate. It is about security. Criminals are acting with impunity,” he said.

Referring to the case in which a 45-year-old Godfrey Wanyengera, a resident of Mukono was killed in a road accident, Museveni said that such criminal activities can be countered with the digital number plates.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

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East African Community (EAC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in competition and consumer protection


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The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission (CCC) and the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in the enforcement of competition and consumer protection laws across their respective Member States

The MOU sets out modalities through which the two regional agencies will cooperate and coordinate their activities in regard to cross-border competition and consumer protection enforcement, among other matters. The MOU further facilitates information sharing particularly during joint investigations, which shall be prioritized so as to safeguard the competition process and protect consumers in the region.

The MOU also provides for cooperation and coordination in carrying out market inquiries and studies, technical assistance and capacity building as well as address the potential duplication in enforcement, thereby creating certainty and predictability in the market.

Under the MoU, the two agencies have set up focal points tasked with coordinating and monitoring implementation of the prioritized activities through annual work plans.  The two institutions have also committed to review various complementary regulations and guidelines to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Speaking during the ceremony, Ms. Stellah Onyancha Ag. Registrar of the EAC Competition Authority said the signing of the MoU marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and promoting fair competition within the regional landscape. 

She commended CCC for its commitment and consistent support to the EACCA since its establishment in 2016 in terms of providing technical expertise on prioritization during its commencement, induction/capacity building for EACCA Commissioners, and assistance in the review of the merger guidelines of the EACCA, among others.

“I am confident that the MOU will further solidify the strong ties that already subsist between the EACCA and CCC, foster closer and more productive collaboration and enable the two agencies to contribute to the effective enforcement of their respective regional competition laws”

On his part, Dr. Willard Mwemba, Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Competition Commission said the MOU is a milestone at the end of what has been a long journey involving several negotiation meetings between two competition authorities in an effort to marry concurrent laws and activities.“It is our hope as COMESA Competition Commission that the signing of this MOU will enhance certainty to business merging within the COMESA and EAC Region, increase detection of cross border anti-competitive practices and consumer violations, and lead to enhanced cross border enforcement”

CCC, a regional competition and consumer protection agency was established by the COMESA Competition Regulations of 2004 while EACCA, an institution of the EAC, was established by the EAC Competition Act, 2006.

The CCC regulates competition and consumer protection matters in twenty-one (21) COMESA Member States while EACCA exercises the same mandate in eight (8) Partner States. Six (6) of the Partner States of the EAC have membership in COMESA. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of East African Community (EAC).

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Stapleton road bridge temporarily closed for urgent repairs

Source: South Africa News Agency

Stapleton road bridge temporarily closed for urgent repairs

The eThekwini Municipality has announced temporary closure of Stapleton Road Bridge in Pinetown, west of Durban, to facilitate urgent and accelerated repair work.

The bridge serves as a key link between Sarnia Road and the King Cetshwayo Highway (M13), providing access to Pinetown and New Germany.

In a statement, the municipality said the decision to close the bridge was made in the interest of public safety, and to enable the repair operations to proceed efficiently and without obstruction.

“Following recent assessments, it was determined that a portion of the concrete structure has been compromised and requires immediate removal and reconstruction. The Municipality’s Structures Department has completed most of the repair design work and is fully mobilised on-site.

“In addition to structural concerns, investigations revealed that the northern road embankment is being undermined, resulting in a narrowed and unstable roadway. Vibrations from heavy vehicles have worsened the condition, especially near the recently reconstructed water main,” the municipality said in a statement.

The city warned that ongoing traffic presents a significant risk to both motorists and the construction workforce. It said full closure of the bridge will allow uninterrupted work to proceed without interruption, reducing the repair timeline, while ensuring maximum safety and quality standards.

The municipality acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the closure and apologised to all affected residents, businesses, and commuters.

“The municipality assures the public that teams are working round the clock to minimise the closure period, while upholding the highest standards of safety and engineering,” the municipality said.

The bridge is expected to reopen within 21 days, or sooner if weather and site conditions remain favourable.

Motorists have been advised to use the following alternative routes into Pinetown:
•    Via Main Road (Underwood Road), or
•    Via the M7 (Edwin Swales Drive) through Bellair.

Power restoration underway after storm damage 

Meanwhile, the municipality has reported significant progress in restoring power supply to areas affected by the recent strong winds, which caused widespread damage to infrastructure and interrupted power in several areas across the city.

The municipality said the Electricity Unit has been attending to a high volume of electricity faults, with many areas already reconnected.

“As teams work through these faults, common causes identified include fallen poles, trees falling on power lines, vegetation encroachments, blown roof sheets, and other foreign objects entangled in the power lines which have all contributed to the numerous outages. City teams are prioritising safety and efficiency as they work to restore power.

“Teams are working round the clock to repair faults and progressively restore power in affected areas. Many areas have already had power restored. Restoration is being done in a phased and safe manner,” the municipality said on Thursday.

Residents are encouraged to report outages via the city’s digital fault reporting platforms, including: 

For the latest developments on reported area outages, visit the Electricity Unit’s online area outage tracker page https://webfaults.durban.gov.za/WebsiteFaultsEllip…/Outage
This list is automatically updated as faults are logged and assigned to various fault teams until restoration. – SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Multi-pronged approach to combat gang violence

Source: South Africa News Agency

Multi-pronged approach to combat gang violence

Government is embarking on a multi-pronged approach to address gang-related crime and its underlying socio-economic causes, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said.

Speaking on the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cabinet Committee’s strategy, the Deputy President emphasised that combating crime requires more than traditional policing.

He further highlighted several key points of the strategy, which include the development of a national anti-gang initiative, the enhancement of anti-gang units within the South African Police Service (SAPS), the implementation of Operation Shanela to focus on strategic law enforcement efforts, and an emphasis on community engagement and collaboration with stakeholders.

The need for a multi-disciplinary approach involving various government departments to address crime effectively was also emphasised.

“This strategy, supported by the anti-gang action plan, focuses on gangsterism through intelligence gathering, proactive policing, community engagement and stakeholder collaboration in this regard,” he said during a question-and-answer session in Parliament on Thursday.

WATCH | Question and answer session in the National Assembly
 

 

READ | Deputy President to respond to oral questions

Additionally, the country’s second-in-command said the SAPS is working around the clock to investigate and finalise gang-related cases, including drug trafficking, shootings and murders.

“As a result, according to the latest statement released by SAPS, ongoing operations, which are focusing on combating and preventing crime, including gender-based violence and femicide [GBVF], have led to the arrest of more than 13 000 suspects.”

He believes that the latest statistics show a significant decrease in most crime categories compared to the previous financial year but added that more efforts are needed.

As the Chair of the JCPS, he stated that he will continue to engage with the Minister of Police, the National Police Commissioner, and the MECs of Safety in all provinces. 

Their goal is to enhance efforts in combating organised crime and gang-related killings, particularly in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, where these issues are prevalent.

“Our goal is to eliminate immediate threats posed by crime and gangs in identified high crime areas, while fostering a safe and secure environment for long-term stability.”

The Deputy President emphasised a multidisciplinary approach, engaging various government departments to tackle root causes such as poverty and unemployment.

He noted that economic growth and job creation are crucial in preventing youth from turning to criminal activities.

Water issues 

The Deputy President discussed the Water Task Team’s efforts to address water shortages, with a focus on 105 non-performing municipalities and enhancing municipal service management. 

The team was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa  last year under the leadership of the Deputy President to address water challenges in various areas in the country.

The Deputy President told the Members of Parliament that the Department of Water and Sanitation has established oversight structures and a specialised unit for priority projects and that a comprehensive water debt management plan is recommended. 

“We are going to carefully look at the resolutions of the Water Indaba because it does address, particularly these issues, because some of the municipalities can’t be water authorities,” he said. 

READ | Call for national turnaround plan on water security

In addition, he stated that consequence management for underperforming municipal managers is being considered. 
“So, we are going to look at how we can, where possible, assist them to be effective in generating revenue. We have realised that poor maintenance of facilities is one of the biggest problems. 

“If you visit many of our cities, you’ll find that there are problems with leakages and that non-revenue water is a significant issue. So, we’re going to work with them to try and deal with those challenges.” 

HIV and AIDS

Shifting focus to HIV and AIDS, he said the withdrawal of US$8 billion in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding for the HIV/AIDS programme will be offset by increased government spending and engagement with other markets. This as funding by the United States Government has been withdrawn. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile

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Major progress in Southern Aqueduct project

Source: South Africa News Agency

Major progress in Southern Aqueduct project

EThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cyril Xaba has welcomed significant progress on the Southern Aqueduct project, a vital initiative designed to meet the growing water demand in the southern and central parts of the city.

Xaba conducted an oversight visit on Wednesday, to assess construction progress on a section of the pipeline at Mosely Park.

Xaba said he was excited with the progress he has seen, highlighting the team’s commitment to work around the clock to ensure its completion.

“This is one of the major water infrastructure projects we embarked on in 2024. Once completed, the 24-kilometre pipeline will substantially improve water supply to communities, including Shallcross, Chatsworth, Umlazi, Folweni, and Queensburgh,” Xaba said.

The R1.2 billion Southern Aqueduct upgrade will serve approximately 1.2 million residents through 33 reservoirs.

The project replaces a pipeline that is more than 70 years old and had exceeded its 50-year lifespan, and was frequently leaking, necessitating partial decommissioning.

“We are now upgrading it to meet the growing population. This includes restoring it to be two pipelines which will allow us to continue to provide water, even if we conduct maintenance work on the other pipeline,” Xaba explained.

The project upgrade involves the replacement of 975mm (millimetre) diameter concrete pipes with new steel pipes ranging from 1000mm to 1600mm in diameter.

The project is split into eight work packages, with packages 1 and 2 already at 50% complete since they started in 2024.

Work package 1 involves the construction of a new 1200mm steel watermain from Shallcross Road to the Chatsworth Reservoir, while package 2 includes the construction of 8 kilometres pipeline, ranging from 1200mm to 1400mm in diameter from Shallcross to Northdene.

Work packages 3 to 6, which commenced in April this year, cover the construction of the pipeline running from Northdene through Paradise Valley Nature Reserve and Westville, ending at Durban Heights Water Treatment Works in Reservoir Hills.

Xaba reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to uninterrupted water provision and pledged regular site visits to assess progress.

“I want teams to meet their timelines so that my commitment to the community is honoured,” Xaba said- SAnews.gov.za
 

GabiK

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Government works to boost the agricultural sector

Source: South Africa News Agency

Government works to boost the agricultural sector

Government is implementing comprehensive measures to support small-scale farmers, especially in rural and underdeveloped provinces like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal. 

This is according to Deputy President Paul Mashatile who outlined key strategies during a parliamentary question-and-answer session. At Thursday’s session, the Deputy President emphasised the importance of enhancing agricultural productivity and improving access to funding.

Addressing the National Assembly, he stated that the government is improving agricultural productivity through the Agriculture Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAPP) and various support programmes, including the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and the Blended Finance Scheme.

WATCH | Deputy President addresses the National Assembly

He explained that the Master Plan aims to enhance agricultural products, promote agro-processing, and improve market access by building capacity, accelerating land reform, and providing financial assistance to farmers.

“We need to support it to promote economic growth, ensure food security and employment creation, particularly in rural areas. 
“Government is playing a crucial role in ensuring that small farmers become sustainable and thriving enterprises aligned to the country’s land reform and rural development objectives,” he said.

He announced that government is assisting farmers by offering grants and loans through partnerships with financial institutions like the Land Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). 

According to the Deputy President, the state is providing blended finance schemes targeting black-owned agricultural enterprises. 

“We are enhancing collaboration between government and private entities to boost productivity, service delivery and sustainability growth. Infrastructure and technology adoption depend on these collaborations,” he said.

He told Members of Parliament that efforts are being made to address the challenge of accessing funding from commercial banks by de-risking investments and mobilising Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Meanwhile, the Deputy President said government is also leveraging trade agreements, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to boost regional trade. 

“If we effectively utilise regional structures like the African Continental Free Trade Area, our smallholder farmers will have a platform to access larger regional markets and potentially benefit from increased demand for their products. 

“In this regard, continuous industry consultation and reporting are taking place through the agricultural trade forum.” 

Export opportunities

He announced that South Africa is exploring export opportunities in strategic markets like Japan and focusing on products such as citrus fruits and avocados. 

In the meantime, arrangements are currently in place with the European Union and the country’s BRICS partners to fast-track export protocols, enhance biosecurity to meet international standards and ensure international outreach is professional, responsive and strategic.

BRICS is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 10 countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Funding and market access 

The country’s second-in-command also took the time to acknowledge the challenges, including commercial banks’ reluctance to fund small farmers due to a lack of collateral. 

However, he stated that the government is intervening to reduce investment risks and encourage bank participation. 

According to Deputy President Mashatile, government aims to transform small-scale farming into sustainable enterprises, which will promote economic growth, food security, and job creation in rural areas.

“We are actively seeking to expand agricultural market access to countries like Japan, particularly for our citrus fruits and avocados.” 

The Deputy President also took the time to extend his condolences to the families of the people affected by the severe weather conditions in the Eastern Cape. 

“Our hearts are with you. Government will do everything in its power to assist you. The President will be visiting the Eastern Cape tomorrow,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile

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IEC to host the first Symposium on Political Funding in SA

Source: South Africa News Agency

IEC to host the first Symposium on Political Funding in SA

The Electoral Commission is preparing to host a symposium on Political Funding in South Africa. 

This follows four years of implementing the Political Funding Act of 2018. This law took effect on 1 April 2021. 

The symposium will be held in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 18 and 19 June 2025.

The symposium will be held under the theme: “Sustaining Multi-Party Democracy through Enhancing Political Funding Regulation in South Africa”.

The aim of the symposium is to foster informed dialogue on matters related to the use of money in politics, the required transparency and accountability models, as well as possible reforms to ensure an effective political finance regulatory regime in South Africa.

The key highlights of the programme of the symposium include opening remarks by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mosotho Moepya.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, and the political funding unit will outline the experience of implementing the law since its promulgation. This aspect will involve the points of success and areas of challenge. 

The Human Sciences Research Council will outline the preliminary outcomes of a research study which, amongst others, gathered the views and perspectives of stakeholders and the public on political financing in the country. Several scholars will also present their work in this area.

The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, is also scheduled to address the symposium. The Minister is expected to provide a perspective on the public funding of elected representatives to enhance multi-party democracy.

Highlights of the programme include the following:

• A global perspective on political funding and campaign finance.

• The role and mandate of the political funding framework in strengthening democratic governance.

• Assessing the capacity and commitment of key stakeholders in improving the regulation of political funding.

• Transparency in public and private political party funding.

The symposium will convene a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from political parties, Members of Parliament, academia, civil society, media, the business sector, as well as international and intergovernmental organisations.

Speaking ahead of the symposium, Mamabolo said a collective commitment to enhancing transparency in the political funding landscape is important to foster a vibrant system of multiparty democracy. 

“By convening diverse stakeholders, we aim to critically assess our progress and explore avenues for strengthening the current regulatory framework and thus ensure that our democracy remains robust and resilient,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Edwin

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Older South Africans need better support and basic services – and so do their caregivers

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Elena Moore, Professor of Sociology, University of Cape Town

In South Africa, most long-term care for older people happens at home through the efforts of family members, largely female kin, not through government services.

With South Africa’s population growing older, combined with reduced funding for community care, higher levels of disability in old age, and widespread poverty and unemployment, family care has become more important than ever and more challenging. But government and policy makers don’t know how it happens, and we can’t just assume it happens.

The Family Caregiving Programme is the first major programme dedicated to understanding family care of older persons in southern Africa. As part of the research team for this programme we are looking at how family care works and how it can be better supported. The five-year programme aims to improve our understanding of how family care is experienced in South Africa, Malawi, Namibia and Botswana.

For the latest research report, we worked with 103 caregivers and 96 older persons in 100 family units across seven locations in three South African provinces: the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. We worked in two rural areas, one peri-urban area and four urban areas including two townships.

Three quarters of the sample of older persons required constant care or supervision.

We found that all the care needs were being met – but at a significant cost for caregivers, older persons and society.

Care needs go beyond physiological and cognitive issues and are shaped by the physical and social environment. The environment can make care more challenging and create more dependency. Lack of access to water, sanitation and electricity adds to care work.

For care needs to be met, older persons need supported caregivers, access to care services and basic services.

The gaps

South Africa’s long term care policy encourages “ageing in place”, meaning older people should live in their homes, supported by community-based services. But the reality is that support is limited.

Of the 5.5 million older people in South Africa, around 4 million receive the Older Person’s Grant, and at least 1.5 million need help with daily activities. Very few receive home-based care or subsidised meals. Even fewer receive assistive devices and materials such as wheelchairs or incontinence products.

It’s a common assumption that if an older person lives with family, they’re being cared for. But this isn’t always true. Sometimes the available family member isn’t able – physically, emotionally, or financially – to provide proper care. Mental health support is also largely missing. Many older people experience loneliness and depression, but help is hard to find. In our study, one in five older persons experienced feelings of loneliness, anxiety and despair.

Many older people don’t have running water, proper toilets, wheelchairs, or incontinence products. If basic services are missing, the older person needs more help. Older black people in rural areas and in under-resourced townships are most affected.

Family Caregiving Programme

Older people also need help accessing healthcare. High levels of diabetes, hypertension and arthritis in many cases lead to disability in later life. But getting help to access care isn’t always available.

Mary Mwebu (we have used pseudonyms), who lives in the rural Eastern Cape and has TB of the spine and mobility challenges, has no running water in her home. She also has no accessible and affordable transport, so she hasn’t been to the clinic in 10 years and struggles to manage her pain.

Care needs of older persons include basic provision of food. Our findings show that older persons and their households spend way below what is needed for a healthy diet.

The older person’s grant, at R2,315 (US$130) a month in 2025 and similar to the cost of incontinence products for the month, is often the main income in the household and is used to cover the costs for everyone, especially in a context where 64% of people living with an older person are unemployed.

Food is the biggest cost, often up to two thirds of income. It is the first thing to cut when there’s not enough money.

Money is particularly tight in black low-income households. In many cases expenditure exceeds income, and older people are left vulnerable. If any unexpected costs like medical needs or hygiene products arise, the older person will often have to sacrifice food.

Others will obtain loans and so many fall into debt. Borrowing from loan sharks is a way to buy food but high interest rates put people in a worse position the following month.

Limiting spending, eating less, and limited help from family members are the only other ways to meet their needs.

Why care is depleting

The average older person household has five people in it. Large households have many care needs, not just elder care. We found that women – especially daughters and female relatives – are the main caregivers.

But the findings show that due to HIV/Aids and migration, older people can’t always rely on their children. In such instances care is also provided by nieces, neighbours, and adult granddaughters.

Looking after an older person often requires caregivers to relocate. Our findings showed that one in five caregivers had to move, often with young children or leaving spouses behind.

Sometimes older persons need to move to get care. This happened in one in 10 older persons in our sample. Many are reluctant to move from their homes and the process can take years.

The findings show that family caregiving is not an endless supply of “free” labour. It is physically, emotionally and financially costly, especially for black low-income women.

Some answers

The report proposes three key recommendations.

Firstly, family caregivers and careworkers should be adequately compensated for their work.

Secondly, we call for expanding home-based care services to ease the load and give caregivers breaks and mental health support.

And thirdly, care-related items, such as wheelchairs, incontinence products and healthy food, should be made more easily available.

Supporting family caregivers means supporting the wellbeing of millions of older South Africans. It’s time the country took elder and family care seriously and backed it with real investment and action.

– Older South Africans need better support and basic services – and so do their caregivers
– https://theconversation.com/older-south-africans-need-better-support-and-basic-services-and-so-do-their-caregivers-258409

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United Nation (UN) Relief Chief issues call to action for protection and accountability for the people of Sudan


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Again and again, the international community has said that we will protect the people of Sudan. The people of Sudan should ask us if, when and how we will start to deliver on that promise. For their country has become a grim example of twin themes of this moment: indifference and impunity.

We sound again the alarm. This is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. 30 million people need lifesaving aid – half the population. A war that should be ended rages without mercy. From Kordofan to Darfur, it has left civilians trapped, starving, without the basics they need for their survival. Indiscriminate shelling, drone attacks and other air strikes kill, injure and displace people in staggering numbers. The health system has been smashed to pieces, with cholera, measles and other diseases spreading. And now the lean season is arriving. Our appeals are pitifully supported.

Where is the funding?

Meanwhile, hospitals and displacement camps have been attacked, critical infrastructure destroyed, and aid trucks hit, preventing them from getting food and essential supplies to those in such desperate need. Last week’s deadly attack on a UN humanitarian convoy in North Darfur again demonstrated the vanishing protection for civilians – including aid workers. The human cost of this war – including horrific sexual violence – has been repeatedly reported and condemned, but talk has not translated into real protection for civilians or safe, unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarians.

Where is the accountability?

We call on all with influence to step up.

Protect civilians. Guarantee safe access for humanitarians. Fund their work. Insist on agreements to humanitarian pauses and other arrangements that can allow us to safely reach the areas and people worst hit. Work harder to secure a lasting, inclusive and just peace.

Despite cuts and danger, the humanitarian movement will not stop working to reach those in need. Let this time not be defined by indifference and impunity, but by a revival in human solidarity for those in greatest need, and determination to hold to account those responsible for it.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

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Mauritius tourism and hospitality industry to showcase growth and investment opportunities at the API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Investment Forum

As Mauritius prepares to host the 3rd Annual API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Investment Forum on 26 June, industry leaders highlight the island’s pioneering role in sustainable tourism and hospitality development across the Indian Ocean region.

The forum will serve as a key platform to discuss growth prospects, investment challenges, and innovative partnerships shaping the future of hospitality in Mauritius and beyond.

Mauritius is increasingly recognised as a leader in sustainable tourism, driven by government initiatives, industry commitment to eco-friendly practices, and real estate developments.

The government aims to make Mauritius a “Green Destination” by 2030, focusing on reducing the negative effects of tourism like pollution and resource overuse, while increasing positive benefits such as protecting nature, supporting local communities, and preserving culture.

At the same time, real estate developments also follow green building principles, using energy-efficient designs and renewable energy to reduce carbon footprints. This combined effort from government, industry, and real estate creates a tourism sector that attracts visitors, cares for the environment, and benefits local people.

Neil George, Partner and Executive Director of Aleph Hospitality, notes that the region faces a significant opportunity to expand eco-certified hotels and circular economic practices in tourism that target waste reduction and promote local sourcing. 

“Over the next five years, I believe that we will see substantial growth in eco-certified hotels as sustainability becomes a key differentiator. I expect that foreign investment in green hospitality projects will increase as Mauritius strengthens its sustainability credentials,” says George of Aleph Hospitality, which is the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa.

However, he acknowledges that overcoming the perception of “Africa risk” and the somewhat illiquid nature of markets across the African continent remains a barrier to attracting institutional funding.

In other words, Africa is still widely viewed as lacking transparency, and it can be difficult to quickly buy or sell assets without impacting their prices. As a result, large investors such as banks and financial institutions find it challenging to commit funding. They prefer markets where information is readily available and where they can quickly recover their investments if necessary.

Investment challenges and innovative solutions

Institutional funding — traditional debt and equity funding — for hospitality developments in the Indian Ocean is often hindered by perceived market risks and limited liquidity.

Both Neil George and Govind Mundra, the Head of Development for Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, emphasize these challenges remain perverse but also highlight innovative models to mitigate them.

Mundra points to branded residences and rental pool resorts as effective strategies that allow developers to pre-sell units and reduce upfront capital burdens while benefiting from global brand management and distribution networks. Wyndham assists developers and investors on this front.

“Branded residences and rental pools allow developers to pre-sell units—whether villas or condo-style apartments—while retaining them under a hotel management structure, easing both equity requirements and long-term debt burden.

“It also gives investors the chance to monetize their assets while benefiting from a global brand, unified reservation system, and professional management. For interested investors, we’re always happy to explore these models further after the session. They’ve proven to be a powerful tool, especially when paired with our operational scale and strong visibility in key source markets,” says Mundra.

Wyndham’s “Wyndham Green” programme also provides a practical roadmap for hotels to achieve sustainability goals, graded across five levels covering energy use, waste reduction, sourcing, and community engagement. This approach aligns with the growing traveller demand for eco-conscious stays, particularly among younger generations, and supports Mauritius’s ambition to become a global benchmark in sustainable hospitality.

Predictions and growth outlook for the next five years

Industry leaders foresee a transformative shift in Mauritius’s hospitality sector over the next five years. Sustainable practices will evolve from optional enhancements to mandatory standards for new developments. Eco-certification, digital enablement, and environmental resilience will become prerequisites for new resorts, with guests expecting authentic cultural connections alongside eco-efficiency.

Aleph Hospitality’s expertise in tailored management solutions offers local entrepreneurs and investors opportunities to optimize operations, improve service quality, and attract international brands and investors through strategic partnerships. This collaborative approach can enhance return on investment from project inception through to exit phases.

Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel companies, has also reaffirmed its commitment to Mauritius, highlighting the island’s rich natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and world-class hospitality.

Says Jugal Khushalani, the Senior Director of Development for Sub-Saharan Africa at Marriott International: “The destination offers a resilient, high-value tourism offering that has evolved in terms of experience, accessibility, and infrastructure.  It also caters to the rising demand for experiential travel with enhanced luxury offerings, wellness experiences and environmentally conscious initiatives.”

Marriott International sees strong potential to expand its hotel portfolio in support of Mauritius’s resilient, high-value tourism economy.

Equally bullish about Mauritius is Radisson Hotel Group, which has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding in the Indian Ocean, building on its strong presence in Mauritius.

“Mauritius is setting the tone for sustainable hospitality in the region,” says Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President of Development, Radisson Hotel Group, a major international hospitality company.

“There’s a clear opportunity to lead with eco-certified hotels, community-integrated experiences, and smart resort design – and we’re eager to be part but also to lead that journey. There’s growing demand from conscious travellers for resorts that integrate environmental stewardship with authentic local experiences which we have made our priority in all the hotels we operate on the island and globally,” says Rankoussi.

The Radisson Hotel Group is committed to net-zero operations by 2050. The group is also seeking to consolidate its existing presence across Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion and Maldives but also to eventually enter Seychelles – aiming to bring its diverse portfolio of lifestyle, upper upscale, and eco-conscious brands to more of the region.

Government and industry collaboration for sustainable tourism

Mauritius’s government programme for 2025-2029 places eco-tourism at its core, reinforcing the island’s strategic focus on sustainable development. The Tourism Authority’s ongoing initiatives include banning single-use plastics, promoting renewable energy, encouraging local sourcing, and supporting eco-label certifications for hotels, such as Green Globe, held by prominent resorts. These efforts not only reduce the environmental footprint but also enhance the island’s appeal as a responsible travel destination.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of API Events.

Distributed by API Events:
API Mauritius & Indian Ocean’s Forum enquires: 
Murray Anderson-Ogle
Murray@apievents.com
+27 71 890 77 39
Website: https://apo-opa.co/4e7j4qY

About the 3rd annual API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Investment Forum:
The API Mauritius & Indian Ocean Property Investment Forum is an annual event that brings together investors, developers, operators, and government representatives to explore property investment opportunities linked to the tourism and hospitality sectors.  The forum will take place on 26 June at the InterContinental Resort in Mauritius. The forum will highlight Mauritius’s position as a strategic gateway for sustainable tourism development and investment in the Indian Ocean region.

For more information and to register visit https://apo-opa.co/3SRrmtc

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