Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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Nigerian authorities should act urgently to secure the safe release of students and teachers recently kidnapped in the country’s northwest and take concrete steps to protect schools and communities from further attacks, Human Rights Watch said today. The groups responsible for the kidnappings should immediately release the students and teachers they are holding captive.

On November 18, 2025, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped by unidentified armed men from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state. Just three days later, on November 21, 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state.

“These mass school kidnappings once again lay bare the deliberate targeting of students, teachers, and schools in Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The deepening crisis underscores the government’s failure to protect vulnerable communities.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Nigeria has in recent years been plagued by violent attacks and kidnappings by criminal gangs colloquially called “bandits.” These groups have carried out kidnappings for ransom, including of schoolchildren in Nigeria’s northwestern and central states. On November 18, the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen, or JNIM), which is active throughout the Sahel, claimed responsibility for an attack on a military patrol in Kwara state on October 29, apparently its first incursion into Nigerian territory.

Human Rights Watch spoke with parents of two of the girls abducted in Kebbi state. Isa Nazifi, whose 13-year-old daughter Khadija Nazifi, a junior secondary school student, was among those abducted, said: “I immediately took a motorbike and rushed to the school, where I found my second daughter, also a student at the school. She told me Khadija had been taken. We are extremely worried. My wife is in tears. I will stay here at the school until my daughter returns. If I go home without her, what will I tell my family?”

Malam Sani Zimri, whose daughter, Salima Sani Zimri, is a senior secondary school student who was also abducted, said he had heard rumors from other parents of a possible attack by bandits the week before the incident: “We developed confidence after seeing military operatives surveilling the area, only to realize that there were no security operatives on the premises for the entire three hours that the incident occurred.”

The 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction in Borno state by the armed Islamist group Boko Haram provoked global outrage. Since then, a series of school kidnappings across northern Nigeria has left families traumatized and entire communities living in fear that if their children went to school, they might never return home. In 2016, Human Rights Watch reported that Boko Haram had similarly abducted over 300 children from the Zanna Mobarti Primary School in Damasak, Borno state, in 2015.

In December 2020, more than 300 boys were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kankara, Katsina state. In early 2021, students were again taken in major incidents in Kagara, Niger state, and Jangebe, Zamfara state, followed by the kidnapping of over 100 studentsfrom Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state. The spate of kidnappings continued in 2024 with students taken from schools in Kuriga, Kaduna state, and Gidan Bakuso, Sokoto state.

Nigerian authorities have failed to apply lessons from previous attacks to create early warning systems and other measures that could prevent these atrocities, Human Rights Watch said.

In response to the recent kidnappings, the government has promised to rescue the kidnapped students and hold those responsible accountable. President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to act swiftly to bring the girls back while also urging local communities to share intelligence.

The authorities have also shut down 47 federal secondary schools known as Federal Unity Colleges, and some states including Katsina, Taraba, and Niger have also closed schools or restricted school activities, particularly boarding institutions. While these measures are aimed at protecting students, they have disrupted learning for thousands of children, denying them access to education and the social and psychological support schools provide. Without concrete measures to provide alternative learning opportunities to ensure continuity in their education, the students are at risk of falling behind academically and facing long term setbacks in their development.

Nigeria is a signatory to the Safe Schools Declaration, committing the government to take concrete steps to protect education during conflict and insecurity. Yet kidnappings have continued at a relentless pace and scale. On November 19, the Nigerian Senate ordered a full-scale investigationinto the implementation of the government’s Safe School Fund, questioning why money earmarked for protecting schools has failed to prevent recurring attacks. The government should move with urgency to advance a proposal to introduce legislation to implement the Safe Schools Declaration, Human Rights Watch said.

“Children in Nigeria have the right to go to school without fearing for their lives,” Ewang said. “Nigerian authorities should prioritize the safe release of the kidnapped children and their teachers and bring those responsible for their abduction to justice.”

– on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Source: APO – Report:

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Egyptian authorities should amend the associations law to lift tight restrictions over independent civil society organizations, hindering the right to freedom of association and other rights and putting the future of the country’s civic space at risk, Amnesty International said in a new briefing published today.

The briefing, ‘Whatever security says must be done’: Independent NGOs’ freedom of association restricted in Egypt, details how the authorities are imposing undue restrictions and interfering in the work of independent NGOs through the repressive law No. 149 of 2019 (the associations law) and other tactics to bring them under near total state control.

Whilst the closure of Case 173 last year after 13 years of unfounded criminal investigations of the funding and activities of NGOs appeared to be a potential turning point, the associations law grants the authorities a stranglehold over independent NGOs undermining their right to freedom of association.

“Although the lifting of decade-long travel bans and asset freezes against NGO workers was a positive step, the authorities have not only ignored calls to amend the restrictive 2019 associations law but have used it to impose burdensome regulatory requirements on NGOs, while allowing security agencies to subject them to intrusive interference, and constant surveillance. These intimidation practices suffocate vital NGO work and contribute to a chilling climate of intimidation that erodes people’s capacity to organize and exercise their human rights,” said Sara Hashash, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

“Under international human rights law, any restrictions on NGOs must be narrowly defined, strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate aim, proportionate and never a tool to silence critics. The Egyptian authorities must amend the associations law to allow NGOs to register by notification instead of prior authorization, protect NGOs from NSA’s interference, intimidation and coercive practices against NGOs, and lift all undue restrictions on NGOs’ access to and use of funding.”

The Associations and Civil Work Unit (ACWU) of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, which is responsible for registering and overseeing NGOs imposes a prior authorization process for NGO registration in contravention of international standards and Egypt’s own constitution which stipulates that NGOs should acquire legal personality upon notification. Through the ACWU, the state can refuse or delay registration of NGOs, dictate limitations on their work, block their funding, interfere in the composition of their boards, and even order the dismissal of their members. This stranglehold is reinforced by unlawful interference from the National Security Agency (NSA), which harasses and intimidates members of NGOs through phone calls, unlawful summons and coercive questioning. 

The briefing draws on interviews with 19 individuals representing 12 independent Egyptian NGOs working in social development, media and human rights in Greater Cairo over the past five years. Amnesty International conducted the interviews between March and July 2025 and reviewed official documents issued by the administrative bodies overseeing NGOs.

Associations law muzzling civil society

Egypt’s 2019 associations law is incompatible with international human rights law and standards. It gives authorities sweeping powers to control and punish NGOs. It allows the government to reject registration within 60 days if any of the NGO’s purposes violates Egyptian laws, many of which are incompatible with international law, to dissolve NGOs and prosecute staff on vague charges, and to confine NGO work to “societal development,” effectively barring human rights and “political” activities under overly broad notions  including “national unity.” The law also lets officials interfere in NGOs’ board composition, enter premises without notice, and inspect documents, with penalties for staff who breach these overbroad rules. Many of these restrictions are enforced through ACWU giving the state a tightly centralized grip over who can operate and on what.

An amendment to the Penal Code introduced in 2014 allows authorities to prosecute individuals for receiving foreign funds on the basis of vaguely defined provisions such as “committing hostile acts against Egypt” with penalties that can reach life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

Compulsory registration or dissolution

Egypt’s 2019 associations law requires all NGOs to register under its terms, including those that were already registered, or risk dissolution. Some NGOs told Amnesty International they registered to gain some protection from security harassment or to stay eligible for funding, while others said they felt they had no choice because of the penalties for non-compliance. 

To date, the authorities have not dissolved any association due to lack of registration according to information available to Amnesty International.

A few NGOs registered as law firms or non-profit companies opted not to register, fearing the law’s restrictions would limit their work.

Under international human rights law, however, associations should never be forced to register under a specific legal framework or be criminalized for their lack of formal status. The states must guarantee the right to freedom of association to registered groups, regardless of the legal framework they choose, as well as to unregistered groups. 

Intimidations and interventions by the NSA

Registered NGOs are placed under the near-total control of the ACWU which in some cases facilitates unlawful interference by the NSA agents, who routinely harass and intimidate staff and board members of independent NGOs through threatening phone calls and unlawful summons and delaying registrations.

NSA agents have also intimidated NGO directors or staff members, ordering them to report on their groups’ activities and questioned them about foreign funding requests they submitted to the ACWU, creating a chilling effect given the NSA’s record of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture or other ill-treatment.

Several NGOs told Amnesty International that hotels routinely refuse to host their events without NSA clearance, and donors said even approved events are sometimes monitored by undercover agents or require them to submit audiovisual materials for prior security approval. Such practices violate international human rights standards, which require states to let NGOs operate freely, protect them from intimidation and reprisals, and enable, rather than obstruct, their legitimate activities.

Barriers around financial resources 

Independent NGOs in Egypt face severe, state-imposed barriers to their right to seek, receive and use resources, including financial resources, from domestic, foreign, or international sources. Even after registering, they cannot open or activate bank accounts without a letter from the ACWU, and in some cases, banks refuse or stall account openings until they receive separate “security” clearances, leading in several documented cases to delays of three to 15 months that paralyze organizations’ ability to pay staff, rent or implement activities.

Under the 2019 associations law, NGOs must also obtain prior approval before receiving any foreign funding, and the ACWU can object within 60 days without clear, lawful grounds, effectively giving the state a veto over external resources. NGOs that receive funds without approval risk suspension or dissolution, while their staff members or directors risk being financially penalized.

Background

Between 2011 and 2021, Egyptian authorities steadily escalated their crackdown on independent civil society, subjecting most independent NGOs to criminal investigations, asset freezes, retaliatory travel bans and prosecutions solely for their legitimate human rights work. Many staff members have faced arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and unfair trials, forcing a number of organizations and activists into exile and further hollowing out Egypt’s civic space.

Between 2021 and 2024, the authorities have eased aspects of the crackdown on NGOs. In March 2024, after 13 years of unfounded criminal investigations of the funding and activities of NGOs, the authorities announced that there were no grounds to initiate criminal proceedings in Case 173/2011, also known as foreign funding case, citing insufficient evidence. As a result, the authorities lifted decade-long asset freezes on at least seven Egyptian associations and 11 of their staff members, as well as travel bans on at least 31 human rights defenders. The announcement of this decision was particularly noteworthy since Egyptian judicial authorities hardly ever announce the closure of an investigation in political cases.

– on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO – Report:

Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) in collaboration with VDC Research announced that in the first three quarters of 2025 ransomware attacks on manufacturing organisations could have generated over $18 billion in losses. This figure reflects just the direct cost of an idle workforce during downtime, with overall operational and financial impacts far exceeding this amount. Estimations were made across APAC, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, CIS and LATAM based on the share of manufacturing organisations where ransomware attempts were detected and prevented, the total number of manufacturing organisations in each region, average downtime hours after real attacks, average number of employees per organisation and average hourly pay.

According to Kaspersky Security Network from January to September 2025, the Middle East (7%) and Latin America (6.5%) led the regional rankings in terms of ransomware detections in manufacturing organisations. APAC (6.3%), Africa (5.8%), CIS (5.2%) and Europe (3.8%) followed. All of these attacks were blocked by Kaspersky solutions. The estimation of potential losses (below) shows the financial impact if these attacks succeeded.

When ransomware hits, production lines halt, triggering immediate revenue losses from an idle workforce and longer-term shortfalls from reduced output. The average attack lasts 13 days (based on the Kaspersky Incident Response Report) (https://apo-opa.co/4pA9PUK). As a result, idle labour costs from ransomware in the first three quarters of 2025 could have reached:

• $11.5 billion in APAC
• $4.4 billion in Europe
• $711 million in LATAM
• $685 million in the Middle East
• $507 million in CIS
• $446 million in Africa

Actual business losses could have been significantly higher when factoring in supply-chain disruptions, reputational damage, and recovery expenses.

“Our research provides an estimation of the financial impact that ransomware may have had on manufacturing worldwide. The growing complexity of manufacturing environments, along with widening expertise gaps and ongoing labour challenges, makes it difficult for most organisations to manage cybersecurity effectively, but failure to do so may result in financial losses – followed by reputational blows as well. Partnering with proven cybersecurity vendors is paramount for effective IT, OT and IIoT protection,” comments Jared Weiner, Research Director, Industrial Automation & Sensors at VDC Research.

“No region is exempt from ransomware – whether it’s the Middle East, LATAM, APAC, CIS, Africa or Europe, every manufacturing hub is constantly being targeted. Mid-tier manufacturers that could have been overlooked by threat actors in the past are also among the targets because their security budgets are smaller and their supply chain disruption effects can be larger than most realise. The manufacturing sector and all other organisations need reliable, proven defence systems and continuous user education,” comments Dmitry Galov, Head of Research Center for Russia and CIS at Kaspersky’s GReAT.

More information about ransomware in different regions is available in Kaspersky’s 2025 State of Ransomware Report (https://apo-opa.co/43LYE2H).

Kaspersky encourages organisations to follow these best practices to safeguard from ransomware:

• Enable ransomware protection for all endpoints. There is a free Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business (https://apo-opa.co/48fN4xZ) that shields computers and servers from ransomware and other types of malware, prevents exploits and is compatible with already installed security solutions.
• For comprehensive protection of industrial and critical sectors, Kaspersky offers a distinctive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates dedicated OT-grade technologies, expert knowledge and invaluable expertise. At the core of this ecosystem is Kaspersky Industrial CyberSecurity (KICS) (https://apo-opa.co/3K8S27W), a native Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform designed for critical infrastructure protection. It provides robust network traffic analysis, along with endpoint protection, detection and response capabilities. This comprehensive solution integrates traditional IT security measures with purpose-built industrial security technologies, ensuring that your company is well-equipped to face any threat.
• Companies from non-industrial sectors can protect themselves by installing anti-APT and EDR solutions that enable capabilities for advanced threat discovery and detection, investigation and timely remediation of incidents. Organisations can also provide their SOC teams with access to the latest threat intelligence (https://apo-opa.co/4oZWhSr) and regularly upskill them with professional training. All of the above is available within Kaspersky Next Expert (https://apo-opa.co/4rpBklE).

– on behalf of Kaspersky.

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

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About VDC Research:
Founded in 1971, VDC Research provides in depth insights to technology vendors, end users, and investors across the globe. As a market research and consulting firm, VDC’s coverage of AutoID, enterprise mobility, industrial automation, and IoT and embedded technologies helps our clients make critical decisions with confidence. Offering syndicated reports and custom consultation, our methodologies consistently provide accurate forecasts and unmatched thought leadership for deeply technical markets. Located in Southborough, Massachusetts, VDC prides itself on its close personal relationships with clients, delivering an attention to detail and a unique perspective that is second to none.

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. 

Source: APO

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural phenomenon in which micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites develop the ability to survive exposure to antimicrobial agents, rendering medications less effective or ineffective for treating infections. As the world grapples with AMR, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Fleming fund grant, and in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe, has been implementing Broiler Farmer Field Schools (FFS), an approach aimed at equipping local poultry farmers with knowledge and skills on biosecurity and responsible use of antimicrobials to improve health, productivity and food security.

Last week, FAO in support to the Government of Zimbabwe, facilitated graduation ceremonies for 106 FFS farmers and facilitators in Matabeleland South province. This milestone marks the completion of a two-year programme designed to transform poultry farming practices at community level. The journey began in February 2024, when government and community facilitators underwent a three-week Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop. Following the training, implementation plans were set in motion, starting with farmer identification at ward level, development of locally adapted curricula, and finally, three full cycles of broiler production per FFS.  

“The graduation ceremonies are testimony of how broiler FFS specifically serve as participatory hubs of knowledge transfer, equipping farmers with the necessary skills to navigate production while promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials to combat AMR,” said Patrice Talla, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative to Zimbabwe.

The FFS approach emphasizes participatory learning, hands-on demonstrations, and behaviour change, making it a powerful tool for tackling AMR in the poultry value chain. Farmers learn to improve biosecurity, reduce disease risks, and minimize reliance on antibiotics; all aligned with the FAO’s Reduce the Need for Antimicrobials on Farms for Sustainable Agrifood Systems Transformation (RENOFARM) initiative, which promotes resilient, sustainable farming systems through innovation and responsible practices.

“For the past two years, this method has helped farmers boost productivity and food security while reducing antimicrobial misuse,” said Tinashe Hodobo, Animal health focal point in the One health secretariat of the government, highlighting the relevance of the FFS approach in curbing AMR.   

“For the most part, farmers have learnt how to improve productivity, reduce losses, and enhance food security,” added Hodobo.

Between 2020 and 2022, FAO piloted the FFS approach in broiler production across eight districts in Zimbabwe. In 2023, selected Veterinary Services officers from across Africa, including Zimbabwe, went through the standard FFS master training programme in Kenya, strengthening regional expertise in farmer-led learning.

Following the pilot, FAO established a network of Broiler FFS in four new districts, each serving as a hub for practical training. The rollout included provision of basic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for facilitators and farmers during practical sessions, provision of inputs such as feeders, waterers, chicks, feeds and disinfectants and implementation of a structured training programme. Notably, some initial FFS have led to the development of daughter FFS, expanding the reach and impact of the programme.

“When we heard about the Broiler Farmer Field School, we decided to leave our pride and gather wisdom. We’ve learned how to rear poultry responsibly without relying on antibiotics, and this knowledge is transforming the way we farm,” said Edward Muleya, Vice Chairperson, Fit-Broilers FFS Group in Luthumba Beitbridge.

To ensure sustainability and scalability of the programme, FAO is working with the Community Facilitators and government Veterinary Services and agricultural production specialists who work in the communities, enrolling more participants to the FFS.

“We waited for the practical sessions with hope, and it paid off. Now we have graduated! Today, we’re using biosecurity and good management instead of drugs, and the system is working in our villages,” said Nokukanya Jiyane, Government FFS Facilitator in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South Province.

Beyond farmer training, the programme adopts a multi-sectoral approach, strengthening AMR surveillance under the One Health framework. Laboratories across Zimbabwe have been upgraded to improve diagnostic capacity, ensuring early detection and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance.

“Beyond these certificates, what farmers have learned must become a way of life. Scaling up the FFS approach will be key to tackling AMR and building healthier, more productive livestock and agrifood systems,” said Kudzaishe Vhoko-Tapesana, National AMR Coordinator at FAO.

Going forward, FAO plans to build on the success of Broiler FFS by integrating lessons learned into broader agrifood systems initiatives. This will include scaling up FFS to more districts, strengthening linkages with RENOFARM for climate-resilient and sustainable agrifood practices, and deepening AMR surveillance through upgraded laboratories and data-sharing platforms. The aim is to ensure continuity and sustainability, embedding responsible antimicrobial use and biosecurity as pillars of Zimbabwe’s agrifood systems transformation.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.