Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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On the occasion of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) held in Lusaka, on October 19, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard Bizimana, reaffirmed Burundi’s attachment to the ideals of peace, security, stability, and sustainable development in the Region.

In his address, the Head of Burundian diplomacy extended his gratitude to the Government and people of Zambia for the warm welcome accorded to the Burundian delegation. He also commended the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the current Chair of the ICGLR, as well as the work accomplished by the National Coordinators and the Executive Secretariat of the organization.

The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, which he described as an essential framework for the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, the building of trust among States, and the promotion of sustainable development for the benefit of the region’s populations.

 Referring to the regional security situation, he acknowledged the persistence of some tension hotspots while welcoming the progress recorded in the search for peace, notably the Doha and Washington Agreements for the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the initiatives for the settlement of the conflict in Sudan, as well as the democratic progress observed in several countries across the region.

The Minister recalled that Burundi remains engaged in efforts aimed at durably restoring peace in eastern DRC and fully supports regional and international mediation initiatives conducted under the auspices of the African Union.

Addressing the humanitarian dimension, he highlighted the assistance provided by Burundi to Congolese refugees, emphasizing that this solidarity reflects the values of fraternity, humanism, and dignity which form the basis of regional cooperation within the ICGLR.

Regarding the participation of women and youth in peace processes, the Minister recalled that Burundi hosted, from August 10 to 12, 2026, the fifth edition of the Continental Dialogue on the “Youth, Peace and Security” and “Women, Peace and Security” agendas. This meeting, initiated under the leadership of His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye, current Chairperson of the African Union, helped strengthen continental reflection on inclusive participation in peacebuilding.

In conclusion, His Excellency Ambassador Édouard Bizimana called on Member States to expedite the implementation of recommendations arising from statutory meetings and to regularly honor their contributions to the functioning of the organization. He reiterated Burundi’s steadfast commitment to the objectives of the ICGLR and offered his best wishes for the full success of the deliberations of the 20th Ordinary Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministère des Affaires Etrangères du Burundi.

Source: APO

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The Select Committee on Appropriations says a municipality’s performance should be measured not only by the proportion of grant funding spent, but also by timely project completion, functioning infrastructure and measurable improvements in basic services for communities.

The Select Committee on Appropriations received a briefing today from the Phokwane Local Municipality on its municipal conditional grant performance for the first and fourth quarters. Phokwane is a category B local municipality within the ZF Mgcawu/Frances Baard region of the Northern Cape.

As part of its in-year monitoring of municipal conditional grants, the committee is assessing not only expenditure performance but also whether appropriated resources translate into completed infrastructure, improved service delivery and sustainable municipal capacity.

The committee Chairperson, Ms Tidimalo Legwase, said reviewing provincial and municipal conditional grant spending does not supersede their executive functions, nor does it replace oversight by provincial legislatures and municipal councils. She explained that the committee tracks funds allocated through the national budget to assess whether these funds are used as intended and deliver services to communities.

Phokwane received a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocation of R23.427 million in 2025/26 but spent only R16.782 million, or approximately 72 per cent. The municipality attributed the underspending to delays in site occupation while the municipality and the contractor discussed the terms and conditions of appointment. The committee acknowledged that Phokwane is experiencing problems with ageing infrastructure, significant backlogs, low revenue collection, substantial debt to Eskom and low revenue collection abilities.

However, the committee noted that 72% expenditure on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant is not performance. Furthermore, Parliament will no longer accept reports that claim 100% per project while communities still live with raw sewage, gravel roads and no water.

“Section 195 of the Constitution says public resources must be used efficiently, economically and effectively. Spending 72% is not efficient. Building a pump station at 95% for two years is not effective. Claiming 100% progress while Sakhile, a residential area, floods is not accountable. This committee is not here to sympathise with ageing infrastructure – we are here to ensure that every rand appropriated by Parliament delivers a tap that runs, a toilet that flushes and a street that is passable. If Phokwane cannot spend, we will recommend that Treasury gives the money to a municipality that can,” said Ms Legwase.

Ms Legwase also noted that section 4(4) of the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act requires committees to consider and report on spending matters and actual expenditure. She explained that the committee’s in-year monitoring therefore drew on several sources, including reports under section 32 of the Public Finance Management Act and section 71 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which include information on conditional grant performance.

Ms Legwase concluded that the committee is concerned, not just with whether public funds have been spent, but whether that spending has achieved its intended outcomes. She emphasised that public resources must deliver functioning infrastructure, sustainable institutions and tangible improvements in service delivery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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On 19 October 2026, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Arab Republic of Egypt and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria concurrently, Evgueni Sobolevski, met the Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion of Algeria, Kamel Rezig.  Source: https://mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/f5caf182a3994900.html © When using the site materials reference to the source is required.

The parties discussed current issues related to Belarusian–Algerian trade and economic cooperation, as well as progress in implementing the agreements reached at high and the highest levels.

Particular attention was paid to prospects for joint projects to establish manufacturing facilities in Algeria for Belarusian tractors, buses and grain-drying complexes.

The interlocutors also considered the possibility of arranging initial deliveries of trial batches of Belarusian machinery to the Algerian market, with a view to expand the presence of Belarusian manufacturers and further developing industrial cooperation.

The parties reaffirmed their interest in increasing bilateral trade and ensuring its balanced structure. In this context, they discussed prospects for expanding supplies of Algerian agricultural products, including fruit, olive oil and dates, to the Belarusian market.

In the context of further consideration of the issues raised and implementation of the planned steps, the parties discussed the possibility of a visit to Belarus by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion of Algeria.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to intensify Belarusian–Algerian cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

Source: APO

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The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training notes with appreciation the recent appointment of Professor Wezile Chitha as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare from 1 January 2027.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Tebogo Letsie, said: “We welcome the appointment and hope it will strengthen stability and good governance at the institution. We call on the university’s senior management, students and other stakeholders to work together to improve students’ lives and their academic journeys.”

Prof Chitha previously worked at the Walter Sisulu University as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and will assume his duties on 1 January 2027. Prof Chitha holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), a Master’s degree in Public Health, specialising in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health from Walter Sisulu University.

He replaces Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, who resigned recently.

The committee wishes Prof Chitha success in his new role and hopes all university stakeholders will give him the cooperation he needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.