Category: MIL-OSI

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The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrates its 50th anniversary at a high-level event at the United Nations headquarters in New York

Source: APO – Report:

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On the 25th of July 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 50th anniversary at a high-level event organised at the United Nations headquarters in New York, under the theme: “United for a better future: promoting regionalism and multilateralism for shared prosperity”.

Held in the ECOSOC chamber, the meeting brought together senior United Nations officials, ECOWAS leaders, diplomatic representatives and partners to commemorate five decades of regional integration, peace-building and development, while looking ahead to the future of West Africa in a changing global context.

The event was hosted by the ECOWAS Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors to the UN.

In her welcome address, Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai, ECOWAS Permanent Observer to the United Nations, underlined the organisation’s central role in promoting regional cohesion, sustainable development and peace. She stressed the symbolic significance of this celebration within the United Nations, reaffirming ECOWAS’s commitment to multilateralism and international partnerships.

H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, spoke of the Community’s evolution from an economic bloc to a multidimensional institution working for peace, democratic governance and human development. She recalled the relevance of the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening its cooperation with all its partners, for a peaceful, people-centred and prosperous West Africa.

The keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, who gave an in-depth analysis of regional challenges, while presenting the strategic responses being implemented to combat terrorism and deepen regional integration. He referred in particular to the operationalisation of the Regional Rapid Reaction Force against Terrorism, as well as the citizens’ introspection currently underway, which will culminate in a Pact for the Future of Regional Integration.

One of the highlights of the event was a message from H.E. General Dr Yakubu Gowon (retired), former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the last living founding father of ECOWAS. In a recorded video, General Gowon recalled the visionary spirit and historical context that led to the creation of the organisation in 1975. He emphasised the values of solidarity, cooperation and shared development: “The dream of ECOWAS was born of a deep conviction: only regional unity will enable our peoples to overcome the burden of colonial fragmentation and build a future of peace, prosperity and pride. I am proud that after five decades, ECOWAS remains a symbol of hope, despite the many trials it has endured”.

He called on current leaders and citizens to preserve and strengthen the foundations of integration, while encouraging the youth of West Africa and the Diaspora to carry on the torch.

High-level speeches were also given by:

  • Ms Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Under-Secretary-General for Africa, who reaffirmed the UN’s continued support for peace, security and democracy in West Africa;
  • E. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former President of the ECOWAS Commission and High Representative of the United Nations, who provided a historical perspective and visionary reflections on the path taken by regional integration;
  • E. Santos Leonardo Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS, who highlighted the importance of strategic regional partnerships;
  • Ms Aïssata De, Deputy Regional Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, who reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to supporting the development of human and institutional capital in ECOWAS;
  • E. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, who welcomed the strategic alignment between ECOWAS and the African Union on governance, peace and economic transformation.

The event was also well attended by civil society, academics and diplomatic representatives, with speeches by Dr Rita “Kiki” Edozie, Professor of African Affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and members of the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors.

This Golden Jubilee commemoration was much more than a celebration of past achievements: it marked a high point of collective renewal and strategic orientation. The reflections arising from the New York meeting will feed into the regional consultations underway across West Africa, leading up to an Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government later this year.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Liberia honors the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) at 178th independence celebrations

Source: APO – Report:

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Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration on the 26th of June 2025 served as a powerful tribute to regional unity and peacebuilding, with a spotlight on the enduring role of ECOWAS and ECOMOG in Liberia’s journey through civil conflict and reconciliation.

The ceremony welcomed high-level dignitaries from across West Africa, including the Presidents of Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, along with senior officials from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, symbolizing Liberia’s strong ties within the sub-region.

In recognition of ECOWAS at 50, Liberia honored contributing member states of ECOMOG – Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone with awards presented by H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia. Special honors were also given to past Executive Secretaries of ECOWAS who played pivotal roles during Liberia’s crisis, including H.E. Lansana Kouyate, H.E. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

President Maada Bio, serving as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, led the presentation of awards to H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY and H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, and other key figures recognized for their commitment to regional peace and stability. H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Liberia received the award on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Liberia’s Foreign Minister highlighted the vital impact of ECOMOG peacekeepers, whose sacrifices laid the foundation for lasting peace prior to the deployment of UNMIL. President Boakai also announced plans to commission a National Memorial dedicated to victims of Liberia’s civil wars and fallen ECOWAS peacekeepers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to remembrance, reconciliation, and regional solidarity.

– on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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Labour dept rallies support for multilateral institutions

Source: Government of South Africa

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has expressed concern over what she described as dwindling support for multilateral institutions dedicated to workers’ rights. 

Delivering the keynote address during the opening of the 4th G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting, Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the “retreat from collective responsibility strikes at the heart of global labour governance”.

“The International Labour Organisation, our indispensable beacon for decent work standards, has been forced to silence the voices of 225 dedicated guardians of social justice through job losses.

“This erosion of capacity within the ILO is not an isolated budgetary concern, but it is also a direct blow to the protective shield for workers everywhere, weakening our shared ability to navigate the complex future of work and undermining the very foundation of fair globalisation. This retreat from funding multilateral pillars signals a dangerous indifference to the architecture of social justice we have built together,” the Deputy Minister said. 

The two-day EWG meeting of technical experts ended on Tuesday, and will be followed by a two-day Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting from 30 – 31 July 2024. 

The double header meetings are being held at Fancourt Hotel in George, in the Western Cape. The theme of the G20 EWG stream is: “Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives”. It is aligned to South Africa’s G20 Presidency theme — “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the meeting starts amidst profound transitions, including geopolitical division and escalating trade tensions threatening to unravel decades of carefully woven economic interdependence.

“The harsh reality is that these tensions are not limited to diplomatic chambers or trading floors; they hit hardest on the shop floors, in the fields, and within workers’ homes all around the world. When the delicate threads of international cooperation break, it is the world of work that suffers the most. We see this in the breakdown of supply chains, the weaponisation of market access and the weakening of the very institutions meant to support social justice.

“Consider the tremors felt here in Southern Africa. A sudden, severe tariff imposition by a major trading partner has cast a long shadow over our economic landscape. Industries vital to our national livelihood, including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, steel and aluminium, now face an existential challenge,” Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said.

She said that this is not merely an economic statistic, but a “quiet panic in communities where entire towns, ecosystems built on decades of trade, now hang precariously in the balance”. 

The EWG meeting is expected to lay the foundation for the crafting of the Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting (LEMM) declaration.

Deputy Minister told EWG delegates that equality means ensuring that all nations, especially those in the developing world that bear disproportionate burdens from global disruptions, have a fair stake and a powerful voice in shaping the economic rules that govern their destinies. 

“Trade policies that devastate developing economies stand in direct contradiction to this principle,” she said. 

She further said true sustainability was impossible without stable and predictable international cooperation. 

According to the Deputy Minister, when geopolitical rivalry stifles dialogue, the space for vital social dialogue contracts. 

She called on the EWG to develop a bold declaration that confronts the full spectrum of the polycrisis – the environmental, technological and social challenges, alongside the insidious geopolitical and trade headwinds that actively undermine global economic stability and workers’ security. 

The Deputy Minister further said a concrete blueprint advances measurable, actionable commitments.

“Let the Fancourt Declaration be a beacon, demonstrating the G20’s unwavering resolve to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order, explicitly recognising the fundamental link between predictable, fair-trade rules, and stable and dignified employment for all. Trade policy is jobs policy, and its destabilisation is a direct threat to global peace and social cohesion,” she said.

Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director General, Jacky Molisane said the theme of the gathering calls on all to deliver targeted and inclusive implementation of policy responses. 

She said the journey travelled so far started with the first EWG meeting under South Africa’s G20 Presidency in Gqeberha, and by the time the third meeting was held in Geneva in May, the task had become more focused – initiating the document of the ministerial declaration, advancing negotiations on the gender targets and finalising deliverables for ministerial considerations.

“Our task is clear and urgent. We must conclude negotiations on ministerial declarations, finalise agreement on our deliverables, especially the new targets and the Brisbane-eThekwini gender commitment, and ensure the document is ready,” Molisane said.

The G20 EWG’s mandate is to address labour, employment and social issues for strong, sustainable, balanced and job-rich growth for all. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Speaker attends Parliamentary Summits

Source: Government of South Africa

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, is attending two high-level global parliamentary events in Geneva, the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament and the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

The parliamentary events are both convened under the auspices of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament brings together the highest parliamentary decision-making positions to shape the parliamentary agenda based on emerging political, economic, environmental, and social changes that require united and gender-responsive global governance solutions. 

The summit which began on Monday, is set to conclude Thursday, 30 July 2025.

It also offers a platform for women leaders to network and exchange views and experiences.

This year’s summit coincides with significant global milestones for women and girls, including the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 10-year milestone of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

“The women, peace and security agenda is marking 25 years of existence and is needed even more today than when it was established. The summit will focus on the role of women speakers in leading for inclusive and lasting peace,” the Speaker’s spokesperson, Reggie Ngcobo said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament 2025 kicked off at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office in Geneva on Tuesday.

Organised by the IPU in collaboration with the United Nations, the conference offers a unique global forum for parliamentary leaders to engage in high-level dialogue on strengthening the role of parliaments in global governance.

The 2025 edition of the conference that will conclude on Thursday, marks the culmination of two years of preparatory work by a committee of approximately 20 parliamentary speakers representing all regions of the world.

In keeping with the IPU’s inclusive approach, the conference will also feature contributions from prominent leaders from other international organisations, academia, and civil society. – SAnews.gov.za

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SA reaffirms commitment to US trade deal

Source: Government of South Africa

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a conclusion on the US trade deal.

“South Africa took the decision not to retaliate to the reciprocal tariffs announced by the United States. We also want to reiterate that we have no intention of decoupling from the United States either. Our view is that negotiations remain the best tool to deal with the issues that are on the table,” said the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

In a statement on Wednesday, the dtic said the intersection of geopolitical, domestic and trade issues best defines the current impasse between South Africa and the United States, and that a reset is “unavoidable”.

Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the correspondence from the United States (US) President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa.

READ | President notes US tariff announcement

In a letter addressed to President Ramaphosa, President Trump announced that he would subject imports from South Africa to new 30% tariffs, that would take effect from 1 August 2025.

At the time, the Presidency said the 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States, and that the contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States. 

On Wednesday, the dtic said South Africa is not in a unique position, as the United States attempts to finalise negotiations with some 185 countries around the world by 1 August 2025.

“We remain committed to the cause as we await substantive feedback from our US counterparts on the final status on our Framework deal,” said the department.

The deal featured a number of areas, including but not limited to:
•    Importing 75 -100 petajoules of Liquified Natural Gas for a 10-year period, unlocking $12 billion.
•    Agricultural Market Access by simplifying of US poultry exports under the 2016 tariff rate quota and unlock approximately $91m million in trade. In addition, readiness to open market access for blueberries, subject to necessary protocols. 
•    South African firms committed to invest $3.3 billion in US industries, such as mining and metals recycling, while both governments agreed to pursue joint investment in critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and agri-machinery.
•    Exemption of specific sectors from reciprocal tariffs to preserve supply chains e.g. ship building, counter-seasonal agriculture trade, exports from MSMEs of less than $1 million per annum.

“As the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, we have been in a period of intense negotiations with the United States. We have signed a condition precedent document and have readied our inputs for entry into the template, which is to follow from the US.

“Despite the challenges that have been presented by this period, we have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks, who have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios. We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idle,” the department said.

Support desk

In addition, the department is working with other government departments on a response plan, which includes a support desk within the dtic.

“Our response package also focuses on demand side interventions in the impacted industries. The way forward is clear. President Ramaphosa has expressed our willingness to reset the trade relationship with the US and develop a solution that is mutually beneficial.

“The dtic has made this issue an apex priority since well before 2 April 2025, and we have centred South Africa and her people as our non-negotiable,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Global Investment in African Gold Surges Ahead of African Mining Week (AMW) 2025

Source: APO – Report:

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Africa – the world’s second-largest gold-producing region after China – is seeing a marked increase in gold mining investment in 2025. Driven by strong global demand, favorable prices and vast untapped reserves, international financiers are stepping up support for gold projects across the continent. In June, Canadian firm Asante Gold secured a $470 million financing package from Appian Capital and South Africa’s FirstRand Bank to expand the Chirano Mine and advance the Bibiani Project in Ghana – Africa’s leading gold producer and the sixth largest globally.

Against this backdrop of rising investor appetite, African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, taking place in Cape Town from October 1–3, will feature a dedicated Gold Summit. The Summit will showcase priority gold projects, host high-level discussions and serve as a critical deal-making platform for financiers, mining companies and policymakers, aiming to bridge Africa’s gold opportunities with global capital.

Several major funding announcements in recent months highlight growing momentum: In June, the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa extended a $35 million loan to Theta Gold Mines for its $77 million Transvaal Gold Mining Estate in Mpumalanga, South Africa. In May, Africa Finance Corporation provided a €100 million loan to Portuguese firm Mota–Engil Africa to support gold mining infrastructure in Ivory Coast and Mali. Around the same time, China’s Zijin Mining launched a gold streaming initiative to raise $200–400 million in FDI for African gold assets – starting with a $125 million investment in Montage Gold’s Koné Project in Ivory Coast.

Perseus Mining of Australia also made strides in 2025, approving a $124.6 million FID for the Yaouré Underground Mine in Ivory COast and committing $523 million to the Nyanzaga Gold Project in Tanzania. Meanwhile, UAE-based Ambrosia Investment Holding invested $375 million in Allied Gold’s expansion in Ethiopia and Mali, acquiring a 50% stake in the process.

​​These funding rounds reflect rising confidence in the future of African gold and the sector’s role in the global supply chain. They also underscore the importance of expanding local refining, beneficiation and export capabilities. As investment flows increase, so too does the urgency to build resilient infrastructure, strengthen regulatory frameworks and ensure that host communities benefit from long-term economic gains.

At AMW 2025, discussions will address gold-sector financing, investment incentives and strategies for enhancing local value addition. Held under the theme, “From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth,” the event brings together African stakeholders and global partners to shape the next chapter in the continent’s gold mining journey.

– on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

About AMW:
AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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Tanzania set to implement World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Beat the Heat” Initiative to Safeguard Health from Extreme Heat and Environmental Hazards

Source: APO – Report:

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The United Republic of Tanzania, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), is set to launch the ‘Beat the Heat’ Initiative aimed at addressing extreme heat and environmental risks in workplaces and large-scale events.

Tanzania is among the first countries globally to roll out this initiative, implemented under a partnership between WHO and FIFA, supported by the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund. Running from January 2025 to June 2026, the programme will provide practical tools and technical guidance to help strengthen national and local preparedness and response to climate-related health threats—particularly in workplaces, outdoor environments, and mass public events.

Tanzania’s activation of “Beat the Heat” initiative comes at a critical moment, as the country prepares to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025, a major continental football tournament expected to draw large crowds in high-temperature outdoor settings.

“This initiative is a timely and strategic step forward in protecting the health of all those involved in outdoor work and events,” said Dr Galbert Fedjo, Offcier in Charge at WHO. “By integrating heat protection into CHAN 2025 and beyond, Tanzania is setting an example for how countries can respond to the realities of climate change and its impact on public health.”

Through this initiative, Tanzania will implement a series of targeted actions including; development of national heat-health action plans, deployment of early warning systems and emergency heat protocols; provision of shaded rest zones, hydration stations, and protective equipment for outdoor workers and event staff and training of health responders and event organizers in heat-related illness prevention and first aid.

The initiative is being rolled out under the leadership of the Ministries of Health in Mainland and Zanzibar in close collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, Tanzania Meteorological Services, Emergency Department from the Muhimbili National Hospital and Lumumba Regional Hospital and other key actors responsible for organizing mass gatherings and events. WHO will provide technical guidance, tools, and coordination support to ensure implementation reaches the most at-risk populations.

Rising global temperatures and more frequent heatwaves are driving an increase in heat-related illness and mortality, especially among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations. WHO estimates that by 2050, heatwaves could cause over 1.6 million deaths annually, while air pollution continues to claim more than 4 million lives each year.

“Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a daily reality,” said Dr. Honest Anicetus – Head of the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Unit in the Ministry of Health. “The Beat the Heat initiative will help countries like Tanzania turn preparedness into action, with the tools to protect lives in the face of rising environmental risks.”

As an early adopter of this initiative, Tanzania is demonstrating its commitment to building climate-resilient health systems, improving occupational safety, and ensuring that major events like CHAN 2025 are safe for all involved.

– on behalf of World Health Organization – United Republic of Tanzania.

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The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Secures N500 Billion in Renewable Energy Deals to Power Nigeria’s Rural Future

Source: APO – Report:

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The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading institutions and private sector partners to unlock over N500 billion in investments for renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s underserved rural communities. Announced during an event titled “Strengthening Partnership for Sustainable Energy Access and Socio-Economic Development,” these agreements aim to expand clean energy access and drive economic progress nationwide.

Key Highlights of the MOUs

REA Managing Director Abba Aliyu described the MOUs as actionable frameworks built on proven success. He cited past achievements such as:

  • Deployment of four smart police stations with the Police Trust Fund [1].
  • Creation of a renewable energy testing center with Huawei [2].
  • Securing N100 billion in private sector debt funding through First City Monument Bank (FCMB) for renewable energy companies [3].

Aliyu added that partnerships with 13 state governments have already delivered 200 mini-grids across Nigeria [4]. The newly signed MOUs aim to attract N500 billion in commercial funding over three phases to scale these efforts further.

Strategic Partnerships

  • Nigeria Correctional Service: This MOU will deploy mini-grids and clean energy systems in custodial centers, starting at the Abuja headquarters [5]. Controller-General Sylvester Nwakuche said, “This initiative goes beyond electricity, it’s about rehabilitation and empowerment.”
  • Galaxy Backbone: This collaboration will align internet and electricity infrastructure rollouts in educational institutions for greater efficiency [6].
  • NIRSAL Plc: Focused on agriculture, this partnership will power agribusiness clusters with clean energy and provide credit risk guarantees for rural vendors [8]. NIRSAL Plc Managing Director Sa’ad Hamidu noted, “With over 60 percent of Nigerians in agriculture, this is a game-changer for growth.”

Impact and Vision

Executive Director of Technical Services Umar Umar highlighted REA’s achievements: over 160 megawatts of solar capacity deployed, electrifying 1,650 communities, powering 1,000 healthcare centers, and benefiting six million Nigerians [7]. “Rural electrification is a catalyst for education, health, security, and economic productivity,” Umar stated.

REA aims to leverage these partnerships to transform energy access and socio-economic outcomes in Nigeria’s rural regions.

[1] – https://apo-opa.co/451T6kc

[2] – https://apo-opa.co/45cXLAc

[3] – https://apo-opa.co/3UDqitA

[4] – https://apo-opa.co/3J8lZUA

[5] – https://apo-opa.co/46t2rEe

[6] – https://apo-opa.co/3UGzP2Y

[7] – https://apo-opa.co/3H9rl1e

[8]

[9] – https://apo-opa.co/3HazqCT

– on behalf of Kowatek Solar LTD.

Media Contact:
nep@rea.gov.ng
+23480020202020

About the Rural Electrification Agency (REA):
The REA is a Nigerian government agency dedicated to providing reliable, affordable electricity to rural and underserved areas through renewable energy solutions like solar mini-grids and standalone systems [9].

Disclaimer:
This news release is issued by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and is intended for informational purposes only.

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Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations delivers statement at the conference on Palestine

Source: APO – Report:

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The Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the United Nations, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, delivered a statement at the high-level conference being chaired by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing the practical questions of Palestinian statehood as part of a wider Two-State Solution.

Ambassador Madeleine stressed the urgency of the moment in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of lasting peace in the region. He deplored the suffering being witnessed in Gaza and called on the United Nations to ensure that international laws and obligations are met and upheld. He further reiterated Seychelles firm position supporting the Two-State Solution.

“At a time when countless lives have been lost, and an entire population continues to live under the weight of conflict, the urgency of global action cannot be overstated. The Two-State Solution—with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security—remains the internationally recognised framework for resolution. It is rooted in key United Nations resolutions, including 242, 338, 1397, and 2334, and supported by decades of international consensus. Yet, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. The violence against civilians, the devastation in Gaza, and the absence of any viable political horizon have made the path to peace appear increasingly elusive,” stated Ambassador Madeleine.

The Republic of Seychelles officially recognised the State of Palestine in 1988 and established diplomatic relations with the State of Israel in 1992. Since the attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023, Seychelles has repeatedly deplored the indiscriminate killings of civilians as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, called for a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and renewed efforts towards a lasting resolution to the conflict.

The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution is meeting from 28-30 July 2025, in New York.

– on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.

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Health Minister welcomes PSA oxygen plant tender report

Source: Government of South Africa

The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has welcomed the release of a forensic report on the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant tender, which among others, has made recommendations for disciplinary action to be taken against all individuals implicated in wrongdoing in the awarding of the tender.

The findings and recommendations of the investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) were released on Tuesday by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson.

The tender in question, worth R836 million, was intended to deliver life-saving PSA oxygen plants to 60 hospitals across the country, which were meant to ensure a reliable and sustainable supply of oxygen, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. R528 million of this project had been allocated directly to the Independent Development Trust (IDT) — a public entity that operates under the supervision of the DPWI — for implementation.

After the release of the forensic report, the Department of Health said Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has expressed satisfaction that “the cloud hanging above the tender” would finally be removed.

The investigation revealed systemic procurement irregularities, fraud and governance failures within the IDT. The inquiry was prompted by the IDT’s admission last year that three companies were awarded the tender, even though two of them did not have the necessary registration with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).

In addition, there are allegations that one of the companies may have submitted fraudulent documentation.

In one example, the investigation found that the original Department of Health budget for the project was R216 million. Still, when the IDT issued the request for quotation (RFQ), prices ballooned to over R590 million without documented approval or value-for-money assessment.

READ | Macpherson outlines report recommendations on R800m oxygen plant tender

The report recommends disciplinary action against IDT CEO Tebogo Malaka, General Manager for Supply Chain Management Dr Molebedi Sisi, and other officials.

Macpherson has since written to the Hawks, briefed the Minister of Health, and met with the newly appointed IDT board to initiate consequence management.

The Department of Health said Motsoaledi also appreciates that those who broke the law will be held accountable.

“They did not just commit financial corruption but deprived South Africans of urgent life support in the form of oxygen. As such, the Department of Health would like to see people being held to account and the law taking its course.

“It must be noted that when this story of the possibility of corruption broke out in the public media, the Minister of Health, in consultation with the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, immediately took a decision to remove the tender from the IDT and took it to the DBSA [Development Bank of Southern Africa] so that the project can continue and deliver the much-needed oxygen,” the Health Department said.

Motsoaledi expressed satisfaction that the Department of Health “lost nothing” and confirmed that all funds donated by the Global Fund are secure.

“It would have been a sad day if donor funds were to disappear under our watch.”

The Minister said he was pleased to note a credible forensic investigation had resolved this matter and brought it to a close.

“I am also satisfied that the report has not pointed any fingers at the Department of Health for any financial misdemeanour that may cast aspersions on the integrity of the department, because it would have soured our relationship with the Global Fund,” the Minister said.  

With the publishing of the report, the department said the remaining work of the DBSA will be expedited to conclude the project as quickly as possible to the benefit of the people of South Africa. – SAnews.gov.za