Category: MIL-OSI

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Macpherson to pay courtesy visit to King Misuzulu kaZwelithini

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson will on Monday pay a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini at the KwaKhangela Royal Palace in Nongoma.

“During the meeting, the Minister will present the department and its entities’ plans for infrastructure delivery in KwaZulu-Natal to His Majesty, including ongoing construction and maintenance projects, job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the implementation of infrastructure reforms like the upcoming Social Facilitation Framework (SFF) to improve delivery performance in the province,” the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure said in a statement.

The Minister will be joined by KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure Member of the Executive Council, Martin Meyer; Chairperson of the Independent Development Trust, Zimbini Hill; Chairperson of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Khulile Nzo, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Built Environment Dr Msizi Myeza. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet approves SA’s assumption of interim leadership of SADC

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Cabinet has at its meeting this week approved a request from the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, Elias Mpedi, for South Africa to assume interim leadership of SADC – due to the recent political developments in Madagascar. 

This includes hosting all SADC meetings scheduled from November 2025 and South Africa is expected to assume interim responsibilities until the Summit makes a formal determination.

“This request is in line with Articles 9A(2)(b) and 10(4) of the SADC Treaty which states that when a sitting Chair is unable to fulfil its duties, the incoming Chairperson should resume interim responsibilities until the Summit decides,” Cabinet said in a statement.   

An Inter-Ministerial Committee will be established to guide, coordinate and monitor preparations and execution of South Africa’s interim SADC Chairship responsibilities. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet welcomes smooth start of 2025 matric exams

Source: Government of South Africa

Friday, October 31, 2025

Cabinet has welcomed the smooth start of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with more than 900 000 candidates sitting for the final exams across the country. 

Cabinet commended the Department of Basic Education for the effective systems put in place to ensure the credible and secure administration of the exams.

“Cabinet urges parents and guardians to continue supporting learners during this period by creating a calm, quiet environment for them to study and monitor their anxiety levels until the release of the final results in January 2026. 

“These young people represent the future of our nation, and they must know that we remain proud of them,” Cabinet said in a statement.

Concerns over bullying in schools

Meanwhile, Cabinet also expressed concern over recent reports on incidents of bullying that occurred at various schools across the country.

“Bullying in schools is an extremely serious matter and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that our schools are safe and welcoming places of learning. Cabinet calls on all schools to take allegations of bullying, violence and harassment seriously and to investigate them. 

“Learners are encouraged to report incidents of bullying and harassment to principals, educators, parents and guardians,” Cabinet said.

Cabinet reaffirms that schools must adhere to the National School Safety Framework, which provides guidance on addressing violence, including bullying. 

“There is also a need for schools to stringently enforce Learner Codes of Conduct that include clear expectations for behaviour and consequences for bullying,” Cabinet said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Cabinet welcomes South Africa’s removal from FATF greylist

Source: Government of South Africa

Cabinet, at its meeting held in Cape Town this week, welcomed the official removal of South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylist. 

The decision follows the successful completion of all 22 action items by June 2025 and a positive outcome from the FATF’s on-site assessment in July, which confirmed that South Africa’s reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems are both effective and sustainable.

“Cabinet commended the sterling and coordinated work of the inter-departmental team of National Treasury, State Security Agency, National Prosecuting Authority and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, for the measures put in place to counter and prosecute terrorism and terror-financing,” Cabinet said in a statement.

Cabinet said the greylisting milestone ends a two-year period of heightened monitoring since the country’s greylisting in 2023. 

“This demonstrates South Africa’s commitment to the rule of law, strengthening key institutions, and improving enforcement and governance processes.

“The de-listing is expected to improve business confidence, strengthen financial systems, reduce the cost of borrowing, contribute to the integrity of our economy,  and increase appetite for more investments and creation of jobs. 

“Furthermore, the de-listing will ease illicit cross-border financial transactions and reinforce South Africa’s reputation as a reliable and compliant player in the international financial system,” Cabinet said. 

The FATF is an intergovernmental organisation and finance watchdog that was established to combat money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, as well as other threats to the integrity of the international financial system. 

It sets global standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, promotes the effective implementation of these standards, and conducts mutual evaluations of member countries to assess their compliance with the FATF Recommendations. 

The FATF requires countries that have exited the greylist to demonstrate continued commitment through measurable outcomes, including successful investigations, prosecutions, and sanctions as they relate to Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism – AML/CFT.

These actions will form the basis of the next FATF Mutual Evaluation for South Africa, which is expected to commence in the first half of 2026 and conclude in October 2027. – SAnews.gov.za

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José Luís Livramento assume Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros e Vanuza Barbosa é a nova Secretária de Estado das Comunidades

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Sob proposta do Primeiro Ministro, José Ulisses Correia e Silva, o novo Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Cooperação e Integração Regional e das Comunidades, José Luís Livramento, foi empossado hoje, 30 de outubro, pelo Drecreto Presidencial n.º 13/2025, de 28 de Outubro, como novo Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Cooperação e Integração Regional e das Comunidades. Vanuza Francisca Correia Teixeira Barbosa assume, a partir de hoje, as funções de Secretária de Estado das Comunidades, na sequência das recentes nomeações efetuadas sob proposta do Primeiro-Ministro, Ulisses Correia e Silva.

Doutorado em Economia (2013), com MBA em Gestão (2003) e Licenciatura em Engenharia de Telecomunicações e Eletrónica (1979), todos pela Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, José Luís Livramento vinha exercendo as funções de Embaixador de Cabo Verde nos Estados Unidos da América desde outubro de 2020. Entre 2016 e 2020, foi Presidente do Conselho de Administração, CEO e CTO da Cabo Verde Telecom, tendo anteriormente desempenhado cargos de liderança nos antigos Correios e Telecomunicações de Cabo Verde e sido consultor da empresa entre 2000 e 2016.

José Luis Livramento integrou vários governos. Entre 1995 e 1999, foi Ministro da Educação, Ciência e Cultura, Ministro da Educação, Juventude e Desportos e Secretário de Estado da Economia, além de ter exercido o mandato de Deputado Nacional. É também autor de diversas publicações sobre economia, educação e regulação em Cabo Verde.

Vanuza Barbosa, é natural da ilha do Fogo.  Foi empossada a 30 de novembro como a nova Secretária de Estado das Comunidades, pelo Decreto Presidencial n.º 14/2025. Deputada Nacional eleita pelo Movimento para a Democracia (MpD), integrava a Comissão Especializada de Educação, Cultura, Saúde, Juventude, Desporto e Questões Sociais, e é Membro da União Interparlamentar desde 2021.

Pós-graduada em Ciências da Linguagem, com especialização em Psicolinguística, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, e licenciada em Linguística pela Universidade de Lisboa, Vanuza Barbosa tem ainda formação avançada em Marketing pelo Instituto Superior de Ciências Jurídicas e Sociais (ISCJS). Com experiência nas áreas de comunicação e ensino superior, foi Professora Assistente e Diretora do Gabinete de Comunicação e Imagem do ISCJS (2010-2021), além de ter lecionado na Universidade de Santiago e no Instituto Pedagógico do Fogo.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Cabo Verde socializa Estratégia Nacional para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional – Horizonte 2035

Source: Africa Press Organisation – Portuguese –

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Realizou-se hoje, 30 de outubro, na cidade da Praia, a XIIª Reunião Ordinária do Conselho Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (CNSAN). O encontro teve como objetivo socializar a Estratégia Nacional para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional – Horizonte 2035 (ENSAN 2035) e apresentar as principais linhas orientadoras do Plano de Ação para a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (SAN).

Ao presidir a cerimónia de abertura do evento, o Ministro da Agricultura e Ambiente, Gilberto Silva, frisou que Cabo Verde enfrenta desafios estruturais significativos – forte dependência das importações alimentares, recursos naturais limitados e grande vulnerabilidade climática.

Apesar desses desafios, a ENSAN 2035 surge como um instrumento estratégico e transformador, assente em três pilares fundamentais: sistemas alimentares sustentáveis, resilientes e inclusivos; proteção social promotora do desenvolvimento económico, bem como a saúde e nutrição baseadas numa alimentação adequada.

A Estratégia está alinhada com o PEDS II e com os principais planos e políticas setoriais do país, reforçando o compromisso nacional com o Direito Humano à alimentação adequada, o desenvolvimento sustentável e a resiliência alimentar de Cabo Verde.

Para Gilberto Silva, apesar das crises vividas, secas cíclicas, pandemia e choques externos, Cabo Verde tem demonstrado resiliência e capacidade de adaptação, através de políticas públicas inovadoras e estruturantes, que reforçam a sustentabilidade e a eficiência do setor alimentar.

Entre as medidas implementadas, foram destacadas a dessalinização da água do mar para fins agrícolas; a criação da Empresa Logística Agroalimentar de Cabo Verde; a reutilização de águas residuais tratadas; o fortalecimento das cadeias de valor agroalimentares; o reforço da alimentação escolar, entre outras iniciativas.

“Com visão estratégica, cooperação e vontade política, construiremos juntos sistemas alimentares mais justos, mais resilientes e mais sustentáveis, colocando a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional no centro das políticas públicas e do futuro que queremos para Cabo Verde”, sublinhou o Ministro.

A ENSAN 2035, é acima de tudo, salientou, uma estratégia de esperança e transformação e traduz o compromisso do país em fazer da alimentação um instrumento de dignidade, saúde e prosperidade para cada cabo-verdiano e cabo-verdiana.

Distribuído pelo Grupo APO para Governo de Cabo Verde.

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Sudan: Carnage in Al Fasher must end

Source: APO


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“The horror unfolding in Al Fasher is beyond words. The Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) assault on civilians and the terror inflicted on families trying to flee are indefensible. Civilians are being shelled, hospitals have been hit, and aid workers and local volunteers are being targeted. Families fleeing the city describe running through gunfire and armed checkpoints, facing extortion, harassment and fear at every turn. No one is spared. Many of our Sudanese colleagues are grieving the loss of loved ones. This carnage has to stop.

“Tens of thousands of civilians are believed to have fled Al Fasher, but only just over 5,000 people have reportedly reached Tawila. We fear that many civilians have been detained, disappeared, or killed as they fled to safety. Those who make it arrive exhausted, starved, injured and traumatised. People report facing armed checkpoints, extortion, arbitrary arrests, detention, looting, sexual violence and harassment along the way.

“Our NRC teams are working day and night with local responders to deliver lifesaving aid, but this is far from enough. World leaders must urgently act to demand the release and safe passage of those detained and to protect civilians still trapped or missing.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing assault on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure. There must be an immediate cessation of hostilities in and around Al Fasher, and all parties must guarantee safe movement for civilians as well as access for humanitarian aid.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

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Japan: State Minister for Foreign Affairs KUNIMITSU’s Visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister

Source: APO


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From October 31 to November 4, Ms. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minster for Foreign Affairs of Japan, will visit the Arab Republic of Egypt as a Special Envoy of Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan.

During her visit, State Minster KUNIMITSU will attend the ceremony to commemorate the opening of The Grand Egyptian Museum. She will also have discussions with high-level officials of Egypt on the peace in the Middle East and how to strengthen the bilateral relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

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African Union Innovation Festival 2025 Celebrated Youth Innovation as the Driving Force for Africa’s Digital Transformation

Source: APO


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Youth-led innovation lies at the heart of Africa’s transformation. With more than 70% of the continent’s population under the age of 35, Africa’s young innovators are shaping solutions to address the continent’s most pressing challenges  from climate change and health to digital inclusion and industrialization. Recognizing this, the AU Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), hosted the African Union Innovation Festival 2025 (InnoFest’25) from 22–24 October 2025 at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Convened under the theme “Repositioning the African Union for Youth-Centered Innovation Leadership,”InnoFest’25 served as a premier continental platform to celebrate African creativity, connect innovators with policymakers and partners, and strengthen collaboration across the continent’s innovation ecosystem. The Festival showcased flagship AU initiatives such as the AU Start-up Act Model Law, the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030), and the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, all designed to foster a digitally empowered and innovative Africa.

The Festival was officially opened by H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who highlighted the pivotal role of Africa’s youth in building a prosperous and self-reliant continent. She noted that Africa’s young people represent the continent’s greatest innovators and problem-solvers, adding that by equipping them with the necessary tools, resources, and networks, the African Union is not only empowering individuals but also shaping the continent’s collective future.

Ambassador Haddadi further emphasized that innovation must be rooted in inclusivity and sustainability, reaffirming the African Union’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment that nurtures creativity and transforms bold ideas into concrete, transformative action.

Speaking on behalf of German Cooperation, Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Addis Ababa, commended the AU for its leadership in strengthening the continental innovation ecosystem, noting that InnoFest’25 symbolizes Africa’s creativity, resilience, and potential, and reaffirmed Germany’s pride in supporting the AU’s mission to empower youth and promote innovation as a foundation for sustainable development.

The three-day Festival brought together young innovators, AU officials, development partners, start-up founders, and policy leaders from across Africa and the diaspora to showcase solutions, share experiences, and build partnerships that drive impact.

Key highlights included:

Graduation of the AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship (Cohort II): Eighteen fellows from ten African countries concluded their one-year placements across eleven AU departments and organs, co-developing digital tools and systems to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Launch of AU Go Gal Spark Tank: Twenty young women innovators aged 15–25 presented their projects under the AU’s Go Gal initiative, with top finalists receiving mentorship, technical support, and seed funding to scale their innovations.

Recognition of Civic Tech Innovators: The AU Civic Tech Fund 2.0 innovators were celebrated for their digital solutions that enhance citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in governance.

EcosystemStrengthening: The Festival served as a flagship initiative of the AU Innovation Lab, developed in collaboration with German Cooperation, to foster open innovation, collaboration, and institutional co-creation across the AU system.

“InnoFest’25 was not just a celebration it was a commitment to turn ideas into impact. Innovation must move from pilot projects to scalable solutions that change lives, especially for Africa’s women and youth,” said Prudence Ngwenya, Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate.

The success of InnoFest’25 was made possible through collaboration with German Cooperation, Afrilabs, UN Women, UNICEF, UNITAR, World Bank, Ushahidi, and the Data Innovation Lab. These partnerships highlight the AU’s dedication to fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and building a vibrant, inclusive innovation ecosystem.

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

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Bénin – Cité ministérielle de Cotonou : Le nouveau symbole d’une administration moderne et intégrée

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


La Cité ministérielle de Cotonou est implantée à Cadjèhoun, dans le 12ᵉ arrondissement de la ville, en face du Palais des Congrès et à proximité immédiate de la Présidence de la République, de l’Esplanade de l’Amazone et de l’Ambassade des États-Unis d’Amérique. 

Mise en service le 1er octobre 2025, la Cité ministérielle s’impose déjà comme un symbole fort de la modernisation de l’administration publique sous le leadership du Président Patrice TALON. Érigé au cœur de la capitale économique du Bénin, ce complexe ultramoderne marque une étape majeure dans la transformation de la gouvernance et l’organisation des services de l’État. 

Conçue sur une superficie de cinq hectares, la Cité offre un environnement de travail fonctionnel, intégré et propice à la performance. Elle abrite actuellement, seize (16) cabinets ministériels et plusieurs services centraux. Dotée d’un parking de plus de 500 places pour les véhicules, de plus de 200 emplacements pour les motos, d’un restaurant moderne, et d’un dispositif de sécurité de plus de 900 caméras, elle se distingue également par son approche éco-responsable. Ce cadre unique en Afrique de l’Ouest illustre la volonté du gouvernement d’assurer efficacité, coordination et proximité décisionnelle au sein de l’administration. 

Au-delà de sa fonctionnalité, la Cité ministérielle incarne la vision d’une administration connectée, performante et durable. Ses bâtiments, à l’architecture contemporaine et respectueuse de l’environnement, répondent aux normes internationales en matière de sécurité, d’accessibilité et de durabilité. En regroupant les principaux départements ministériels, le gouvernement entend renforcer la synergie interinstitutionnelle et faciliter la prise de décision concertée. 

L’immersion organisée le lundi 20 octobre 2025 a permis aux participants, sous la conduite de Monsieur Ninon AHOUDJINOU, Directeur de la Gestion Immobilière par Intérim à la SImAU en présence du Directeur Général de la SImAU, Monsieur Achille Moïse HOUSSOU, et du Directeur Général de la Construction et de l’Habitat, Monsieur Victor Kouassi ANANOUH de découvrir les atouts de ce complexe. Plus qu’un simple changement de décor, la Cité ministérielle de Cotonou représente un tournant historique dans la gouvernance publique, plaçant la modernité et l’efficacité au cœur de l’action administrative du Bénin.

Distribué par APO Group pour Gouvernement de la République du Bénin.