Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Executive Committee of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (https://AFRIMA.org) have officially announced the 9th edition of Africa’s global music awards will now take place between Wednesday, January 7 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Previously scheduled for November 25–30, 2025, the awards’ date adjustment followed extensive consultations with partners, artistes, and stakeholders across Africa and the diaspora. 

“The African Union Commission is proud to continue its partnership with AFRIMA in celebrating Africa’s creative excellence and global influence,” said Ms. Angela Martins, Acting Director of Social Development, Culture and Sports and Head of the Culture and Sport Division, AUC. “This relationship aligns perfectly with the AU’s Cultural Policy for Africa and the AU Agenda 2063, which prioritise the creative economy as a driver of sustainable development, youth empowerment, and continental integration. The new dates for the 9th AFRIMA in January 2026 provide an exciting opportunity to further showcase the rich diversity, innovation, and unity of Africa’s music and culture to the world.” 

Explaining the decision, Nde Ndifonka, AFRIMA’s Regional Director for Central Africa and Cameroonian music star popularly known as Wax Dey, said the new dates in January will allow for broader participation and ensure a top-quality experience for everyone involved. 

“AFRIMA is not just an award show; it is Africa’s global music stage,” said Ndifonka, who is also a lawyer. “Rescheduling the 9th edition to January allows us to deliver the kind of world-class celebration that truly reflects Africa’s creative power. It also ensures that more of our stakeholders, artistes, fans, media, and partners can participate fully. This is about giving African music the grand platform it deserves.” 

The 9th AFRIMA, held in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Federal Government of Nigeria as the Official Host Country and Lagos State as the Official Host City, will feature a week-long lineup of music, culture, and entertainment. 

The continent’s biggest music festival will commence officially on Wednesday, January 7 with the exclusive Welcome Soirée for nominees, delegates, guests and international media offering a premium networking space for artistes, industry leaders, sponsors, and media professionals. On the same day, the 9th AFRIMA Diamond Showcase, a special performance platform for undiscovered African music acts, will host 15 budding talents creating an opportunity for them to connect their sounds to a larger audience and break into mainstream music success.  

On Thursday, January 8, the spotlight will shift to the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) —AFRIMA’s signature conference for thought leadership and collaboration within the African music ecosystem. Later that evening, guests will be treated to the Music Icons’ Night, a celebration of legendary figures who have shaped Africa’s music heritage. 

The excitement continues on Friday, January 9 with a vibrant lineup that includes community outreach visits to schools, a host city cultural tour, and a courtesy reception with the Lagos State Government. The day will close on a high note with the AFRIMA Music Village, an open air live performances, star studded concert & festival arena  

Saturday, January 10, will bring the energy up further at the 9th AFRIMA Nominees & Industry Party, a glamorous night dedicated to past winners, current nominees, and AFRIMA’s valued sponsors and partners. 

The week-long celebration will culminate on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with the live broadcast  9th AFRIMA Awards Ceremony at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos. The grand event will include a live Red Carpet broadcast and feature electrifying performances from some of Africa’s biggest music stars. The ceremony will be aired to over 84 countries around the world. 

– on behalf of All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

CONTACT: 
Badé Olusesan 
Communications Manager, AFRIMA
ajibade.olusesan@afrima.org   

Source: APO – Report:

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Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs Stephanie Koury met yesterday with Libyan organizations of persons with disabilities to discuss the challenges they face and their priorities and views on their participation in the political process, including the Structured Dialogue facilitated by UNSMIL. Participants raised concerns about the effective implementation of their rights in accordance with international treaties, in their public and private life in Libya.

They also called for meaningful representation in all national processes and government and elected bodies, including parliament and municipal councils, with attention to women and young persons with disabilities. The SRSG noted the importance of including persons with disabilities in all aspects of National life including the structured dialogue process.

– on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation had a successful oversight session with the first group of 10 South African Heads of Mission in Europe.

The committee is currently on an eight-day oversight visit in Europe. The committee’s first meeting in the South African Embassy in Brussels in Belgium was with Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo, Ambassador Rapulane Molekane, Ambassador Tokozile Xasa, Ambassador Lindiwe Ndlela, Ambassador Sello Moloto, and Ambassador Nicolette Schreiber.

The ambassadors expressed their appreciation for the committee’s oversight objectives, as presented by the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo. They welcomed the committee’s oversight programme as a strategic opportunity to showcase and add value to their work

The committee reiterated that it also seeks answers through this oversight programme on how the provinces of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation implement South Africa’s foreign policy. Furthermore, the committee wants the Missions to demonstrate their meaningful contribution in promoting trade relations that are fruitful and productive, among other things.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO

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The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, officially opened the Inaugural Africa Biodiversity Summit at the Royal Aria Convention Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. The opening of the technical session, held 2-3 November 2025, brought together delegates from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), United Nations agencies, research institutions, development partners, civil society, and youth organizations.

Held under the theme “Leveraging Biodiversity for Africa’s Prosperity” the summit’s significance lies in elevating biodiversity from a conservation issue to a strategic development priority, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of a prosperous, climate-resilient Africa. The summit puts into perspective the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, and emphasizes Africa’s rich natural heritage as a driver of socio-economic transformation.

 The meeting marks a defining moment in Africa’s collective commitment to safeguard its biodiversity as the foundation of its development, sovereignty, and climate resilience. Delivering the opening statement, Mr. Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, underscored the urgency of united action to preserve Africa’s natural wealth.

 “Africa’s ecosystems; from the rainforests of the Congo Basin to the deserts of the Sahara are not merely landscapes; they are lifelines,” Mr. Nyambe said. “They sustain livelihoods, regulate our climate, and hold deep cultural and spiritual value. Protecting them is not an option; it is our obligation to future generations.”

He emphasized that the technical session represents the convergence of science, policy, and innovation, calling on experts to craft actionable solutions grounded in African science, indigenous knowledge, and continental cooperation. “This is where data must inform decisions and innovation must drive solutions. We must harness the power of African science and regional cooperation to shape strategies that influence not only our continent, but the global biodiversity agenda,” he added.

Mr. Nyambe reaffirmed the AUC’s commitment to the African Union Biodiversity Strategy, the African Green Stimulus Programme, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, stressing that biodiversity must be mainstreamed across all sectors, from agriculture and infrastructure to finance and education.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), H.E. Ambassador Miguel César Domingos Bembe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Angola to the African Union and UNECA, and Chairperson of the PRC, echoed the call for unity in protecting Africa’s ecological heritage.

“Defending biodiversity is also defending the sovereignty of our peoples, the food security of our communities, and the prosperity of future generations,” Ambassador Bembe stated. “It is both a political and moral act of affirming our right to sustainable development achieved with our own resources, our own capacities, and in harmony with nature.”

Ambassador Bembe extended appreciation to the Government and People of Botswana for hosting the Summit, commending Botswana as a land of vast savannas and abundant wildlife, where harmony between humanity and nature serves as an inspiration to the entire continent.He further noted that the discussions held in Gaborone would lay the groundwork for Africa’s shared vision on biodiversity governance.“This is not merely a technical meeting; it is a space of shared vision and responsibility. The ideas and recommendations developed here will define the direction of Africa’s commitment to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the decades ahead,” he said.

Officially opening the technical segment of the summit, Mr. Boatametse Modukanele, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Botswana, expressed Botswana’s pride in hosting the historic gathering.

“This technical session is where science meets policy, where we turn evidence into action,” he said. “We must be bold enough to translate technical knowledge into policies that work, budgets that prioritize nature, and partnerships that deliver results.”

He highlighted Africa’s leadership through initiatives such as the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan, the Pan-African Great Green Wall Initiative, and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, stressing that the real test lies in implementation. “Our frameworks must translate into tangible impacts in our communities, restored ecosystems, protected species, and sustainable livelihoods,” he concluded.

The opening of the Technical Segment of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit sets the stage for the development of an African Leaders Gaborone Declaration on Biodiversity, a continental roadmap that will guide Africa’s collective engagement in global biodiversity dialogues.

As Africa moves from policy to implementation, the Summit reaffirms a shared vision: to protect the continent’s biodiversity not only as a natural treasure, but as a cornerstone of Africa’s identity, resilience, and sustainable future.

Building a Stronger Maputo Convention: A Living Instrument for Africa’s Environmental Future

During the technical segment of the biodiversity summit, delegates also reflected on the First Conference of Parties to Maputo Convention on Nature and Natural Resources (Maputo COP1), where they emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the Maputo Convention as a dynamic, adaptable legal framework for Africa’s environmental governance and sustainable development. The segment further stressed the crucial need of strengthening the Convention for aligning with Agenda 2063, national priorities, and global climate and biodiversity targets.

The ministerial and the heads of state sessions of the First Africa Biodiversity Summit are set to be held from 4-5 November 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Source: APO

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The government is putting the well-being and in many cases the lives of the more than five million people living in South Africa’s informal settlements at risk by failing to provide them with access to quality housing and essential services, Amnesty International South Africa said in a new report. 

These people, many of them living on flood-prone land, are routinely left to cope on their own especially during severe weather conditions, despite the fact that the main responsibility for preparing for and responding to these disasters lies with the government.

“Informal settlements in South Africa along with other underserved areas like temporary relocation areas, are a sore reminder of the racial injustice and disenfranchisement that were hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes preceding 1994. However, this does not mean that we must ignore the fact that the ongoing housing crisis and the failure of successive governments to guarantee the right to access to adequate housing among other human rights” Amnesty International South Africa, Executive Director, Shenilla Mohamed

Amnesty International South Africa’s report Flooded and Forgotten: Informal Settlements and the Right to Housing in South Africa examines the incidence and impact of floods, both large scale and seasonal caused by heavy rain, on residents of informal settlements and underserved areas in South Africa, particularly in Johannesburg, eThekwini, and Cape Town.

“Informal settlements in South Africa along with other underserved areas like temporary relocation areas, are a sore reminder of the racial injustice and disenfranchisement that were hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes preceding 1994. However, this does not mean that we must ignore the fact that the ongoing housing crisis and the failure of successive governments to guarantee the right to access to adequate housing among other human rights,” Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said. 

“The government is failing the millions of people trapped in these underserved areas, especially in a time when economic hardships and poverty are rife. People live in informal settlements because there is a lack of affordable and accessible formal housing and sometimes because they are the only affordable means of living close to work or work opportunities. Article 10 of South Africa’s Constitution, which is part of the Bill of Rights is clear that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected, no matter who they are.”

More government action urgently needed to deal with increased risk of flooding

The recent floods in June 2025 in the Eastern Cape province, which caused the death of over 100 people and washed away the homes of thousands of people, was a stark reminder that urgent and long-term action by the government is needed. While South Africa’s Disaster Management Act and National Disaster Management Framework aim to reduce the risk of disaster, there is ample evidence that not enough is being done towards this end. 

Based on the experiences of people living in informal settlements documented in Amnesty International’s report, interviews with experts and practitioners in the field and a review of reports, laws and policies, evidence shows that South Africa’s response to flooding disasters – whether major or seasonal– is patchy and piecemeal, with not enough done to prepare for such events. 

For example, people displaced by KwaZulu-Natal floods in 2022 are still in temporary emergency accommodation in poor conditions nearly three years later, indicating a lack of preparedness for recovery efforts. Some of those displaced died after they were relocated to an area that was severely flooded in 2025, highlighting a serious failure to ensure that flood victims are relocated to safety. In the case of seasonal flooding, the support and assistance that many residents of informal settlements experience is alarmingly poor or absent. 

Although the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements, in their response to Amnesty International, dated 30 October 2025, asserted that “informal settlements are not planned settlements and inherently their establishment would not be preceded by the availability of basic services”, South Africa remains bound by constitutional and international obligations to provide essential services to all residents, including those living in informal settlements. 

“The reality, as documented in Amnesty International’s report, is that millions of South Africans living in informal settlements are deprived of these rights due to central government neglect, under-resourced municipalities, and poor urban governance, not simply because their settlements are unplanned,” Shenilla Mohamed said.

“The lack of access to adequate, well-located affordable housing in South Africa has also led to the growth of informal settlements in floodplains and low-lying areas which means that people living there are increasingly impacted by flooding.”

The climate crisis is making the situation far worse

Human-induced climate change has also exacerbated the risks of flooding, already a seasonal problem in South Africa’s informal settlements and underserved areas. As elsewhere in the world, this means that people who have contributed the least to climate change due to their low consumption patterns and are least able to cope with flooding are the worst affected by the impacts of climate change. 

“We have no help from anyone, we have to stay and fix it, we can’t run away… where will we go?” Victim from Freedom Park

One of the main concerns expressed to Amnesty International in all three metropolitan areas was that the regular seasonal flooding of informal settlements and underserved areas was rarely seen as warranting a disaster response by the municipalities. The residents were simply left to fend for themselves and rely on charitable organisations. 

A woman from Freedom Park in Johannesburg said: “We have no help from anyone, we have to stay and fix it, we can’t run away… where will we go?”

South Africa must meet its human rights obligations

South Africa has a plethora of laws and policies on issues around access to housing, provision of essential services such as  water and sanitation, upgrading of informal settlements, a healthy environment, and preparing for and responding to disasters. It is also a state party to all the major international and regional human rights instruments including the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which guarantees the rights to access adequate housing, water and sanitation. 

“Despite South Africa having strong legislation and policy and clear international commitments as with so many other things in this country, implementation remains the issue. The reality points to obvious failures of the government to adequately and thoroughly realise these obligations and this comes at a huge cost to the human rights, lives and livelihoods of millions of people,” Shenilla Mohamed said. 

The South African government must provide access to adequate housing for people living in the country and commit to upgrading informal settlements with access to essential services in a manner that complies with human rights law and standards, including through budgetary and policy commitments.

It must also mobilise all the necessary human, financial and technical resources to ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into urban planning processes and these are implemented with a view to protecting residents of informal settlements from disasters, climate change related or otherwise, and protecting their human rights.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.