Category: MIL-OSI

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Global media networks simplify Ethiopia’s conflicts: insights from 5 years of data

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Marew Abebe Salemot, Researcher in Political Sciences and International Studies, Debark University

When conflicts break out, most people around the world rely on international media to understand what is happening. These reports do more than inform. They shape how crises are interpreted, which actors are seen as responsible and where global attention is directed.

In complex situations, what is left out can matter as much as what is included.

Ethiopia is a clear example of this problem. Since 2020, the country has experienced multiple, overlapping conflicts.

The war in Tigray (2020-2022) has been one of the most widely reported, drawing sustained global attention because of its scale and humanitarian impact. But at the same time, violence has broken out and continues in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia regions, causing severe consequences for civilians and deepening regional instability.

Our research set out to understand how these conflicts, which targeted ethnic groups, have been reported by the international media, and how the media understand the country’s current complex crises. As a team of media scholars, we analysed news coverage from four major global outlets – BBC from Britain, CNN from the US, Al-Jazeera from Qatar, and CGTN from China – over a five-year period from January 2020 to March 2025. We collected 1,412 stories from the four outlets on Ethiopia’s complex conflict.

To further assess how they frame the conflict and the nature of their reporting, 60 stories were systematically selected from each media outlet, yielding a total sample of 240 conflict-related articles. This allowed us to track patterns in attention, framing and sourcing.

We found that the coverage tended to present Ethiopia’s crisis through a narrow lens, centred largely on one conflict: the Tigray war.

More than three-quarters (77.2%) of all the stories we analysed focused on the conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Conflicts in Amhara (at 2.7%) and Oromia (at 0.4%) appeared only marginally in coverage.

This risks producing a partial understanding of a much more complex reality.

Ethiopia’s conflicts are not easily reduced to a single narrative. They involve multiple actors, regions and historical trajectories. Capturing this complexity is challenging, but it is essential. When global media coverage is too narrow, it risks shaping responses that address only part of the problem.

Based on our findings, we recommend that there needs to be a more balanced approach to reporting. Secondly, a greater emphasis must be placed on context, which would include explanations of the historical and political background of conflicts.

A more comprehensive approach would not only improve understanding. It would also contribute to more informed and balanced international engagement with one of the most important and complex regions in Africa today. This matters because Ethiopia is a key player in the Horn of Africa. Instability here has implications for regional security and international diplomacy.

Our findings

Our analysis revealed three major trends in the media coverage of conflict in Ethiopia.

The first was that the Tigray conflict received significantly more media attention than other conflicts in the country. The war, which began in November 2020 between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, drew widespread international attention because of its scale. The conflict was marked by mass atrocities, civilian displacement and famine conditions. An estimated 800,000 civilians were killed.

Although violence persists across several regions – particularly Amhara and Oromia – the war in Tigray dominated reporting, accounting for 77.2% of total news coverage. This means conflicts were not subjected to the same level of scrutiny or narrative. Humanitarian suffering in Amhara and Oromia was far less visible in our dataset. This does not mean it was absent on the ground. Rather, it suggests that some forms of suffering were more likely to be reported than others.

Second was a lack of context. We identified what we term “episodic reporting”. Around two-thirds of the stories we analysed focused on immediate events – including military clashes, political statements or humanitarian emergencies – without providing much background or context. This meant that complex political dynamics were often reduced to simplified narratives. Long-standing tensions related to governance, federalism, identity and power were rarely explored in detail. Instead, the focus remained on visible crises and urgent developments.

Read more: Ethiopia’s national dialogue was meant to heal the nation, but divisions are deepening

Third, that coverage was predominantly negative towards the Ethiopian government. Sources critical of the government were used far more frequently than those offering alternative perspectives. While critical reporting is an essential part of journalism, the imbalance in sourcing suggests that some voices were amplified more than others.

The implications

This imbalance in the reporting has broader implications. Media coverage plays a significant role in shaping international agendas.

Media reports could assist policymakers, humanitarian organisations and international institutions to assess crises and determine priorities. In this regard, the Tigray war alone was discussed over 10 times at the UN Security Council.

In this sense, visibility can translate into political and humanitarian action. Conversely, conflicts that receive limited coverage may not attract the same level of concern.

What needs to be done

Improving this situation requires a number of steps.

Firstly, a more balanced approach to reporting is needed. International media need to widen their scope and pay closer attention to underreported conflicts. This does not mean reducing coverage of major crises, but rather ensuring that other significant developments are not overlooked.

Secondly, context needs to be given. Explaining the historical and political background of conflicts can help audiences understand not just what is happening, but why. Without this context, reporting risks reinforcing simplified narratives that do not capture the full picture.

Thirdly, audiences themselves play a role. Recognising that media coverage is selective can encourage more critical engagement with news. Seeking out multiple sources and perspectives can help build a more nuanced understanding of complex situations.

– Global media networks simplify Ethiopia’s conflicts: insights from 5 years of data
– https://theconversation.com/global-media-networks-simplify-ethiopias-conflicts-insights-from-5-years-of-data-282776

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Mali’s security crisis holds warnings for Nigeria: here’s why

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Saheed Babajide Owonikoko, Researcher, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Modibbo Adama University of Technology

Mali and Nigeria, two of the countries in the Sahel region of west Africa, are separated by approximately 1,000 kilometres, with the Niger Republic between them. They differ in population size and government, but they face some of the same threats.

Mali has a population of about 22.4 million, while Nigeria has about 223.8 million. While Nigeria has been a democracy since 1999, Mali has had a military government since 2020.

The two are similar in that they are threatened by multiple armed groups operating in their territories.

Three armed groups – Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP/ISGS), Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) – are shaping the conflict in Mali.

This reached a new high in April 2026 when Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin and the Azawad Liberation Front carried out coordinated attacks across Mali.

The northern cities of Kidal and Mopti, as well as military bases in Sevare and Gao, were captured. The heart of Bamako, the capital city of Mali, was also struck, leading to the death of the defence minister, Sadio Camara.

Nigeria too has been threatened by jihadist insurgence and banditry in the north as well as secessionists and militancy in the south. Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are active in the north.

Nigeria lost two brigadier generals fighting the insurgents in the north-east between November 2025 and April 2026.

The weakness of the state plays a significant role in the vulnerability of both countries to attacks. As a scholar who has followed the unfolding events in the Sahel, I draw lessons for Nigeria from the April attacks in Mali.

Those lessons include the possibility of alignment among armed groups, the danger of the jihadists advancing to other Sahelian countries, the audacity of the groups, and the possibility that gains of JNIM in Mali could incite rival groups in Nigeria.

Key lessons for Nigeria

The first lesson concerns armed groups teaming up to fight the state. The April attackers were a combined force of FLA and JNIM. These groups share a common aim: securing enclaves within Mali. They joined efforts to carry out the attacks, each focusing on the areas they wished to control.

In the same vein, Nigeria has battled many armed groups. Competition, rather than cooperation, has defined the relationship between these groups, especially in northern Nigeria. This has always been to the advantage of the Nigerian state. The erstwhile charismatic leader of terror group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, survived for more than a decade but died during clashes between his group, JAS and ISWAP members.

This led to a decline in Boko Haram’s activities, although they are now gradually resurging.

However, there is evidence of an unfolding alliance between terrorists in the north-east and bandits in the north-central and north-west areas of Nigeria. Such alliance have often been in terms of tactical cooperation as well as exchange of members and arms.

There is also a possibility of closing ranks and joining forces between Boko Haram and ISWAP, especially if leaders who favour working together with ISWAP take over Boko Haram from Bakura Doro, the current leader of JAS, after the death of Abukakar Shekau. If this happens, it may escalate terrorist activities that may be difficult for Nigeria to manage.

The second lesson is that the audacity of the JNIM/FLA coalition and the results achieved can motivate related groups to act in other parts of the Sahel. The al-Qaeda-linked and ISIS-linked terrorist groups have been involved in a competition for control of the Sahel for a long period.

This comes in the form of direct armed attacks against each other, competition over territory and recruiting, and attempting to demonstrate the ability to cause more violence than the other. This has led to an increase in jihadist attacks.

JNIM’s takeover of some cities in Mali may encourage its ISIS-affiliated rivals in the Greater Sahara and Lake Chad to also increase their violence.

In the Lake Chad Region, ISWAP has intensified attacks against military formations while also building parallel states in many areas of the Lake Chad basin, with Nigeria being the most affected.

Lastly, with the capture of Kidal and attacks near Bamako, JNIM may be close to capturing Mali. If Mali falls, it could be a training ground for terrorists in the Sahel. This fear was the reason Nigeria mobilised its forces for a peacekeeping mission in Mali in 2012. And if Mali falls, Burkina Faso and Niger will be threatened.

The threat to Niger is a significant problem because it is a buffer zone for Nigeria. Meanwhile Nigeria is a major target of the jihadist insurgents in their move to extend towards coastal west Africa.

What should Nigeria do?

Mali’s experience could turn the lens on Nigeria. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have opted out of the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas. But Nigeria and other countries in the region should not abandon the breakaway states at this stage. Necessary regional support should be galvanised and Nigeria can still play a leading role in this.

In my view, Nigeria also needs to rejig its counter-terrorism to be more responsive. Rather than its current defensive posture, which gives jihadists the opportunity to plan, Nigeria ought to adopt sophisticated and strategic offensive counter-terrorism that takes the war to the jihadists.

– Mali’s security crisis holds warnings for Nigeria: here’s why
– https://theconversation.com/malis-security-crisis-holds-warnings-for-nigeria-heres-why-282180

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Call with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 23, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone conversation with HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

During the call, they discussed cooperative relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed Pakistani mediation efforts between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The call also covered the coordination of efforts to support mediation aimed at de-escalation, contributing to the enhancement of security and stability in the region.

During the conversation, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the need for all parties to respond to ongoing mediation efforts, in order to open the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, and to reach a sustainable agreement that would prevent a renewed escalation. 

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Telephone Call with Saudi Foreign Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 23, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a telephone call with HH Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them, and discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

They also touched on coordinating efforts to support the mediation aimed at de-escalation, which contributes to enhancing security and stability in the region.

During the call, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed the need for all parties to engage with the ongoing mediation efforts, which would pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation. 

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Call with UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 23, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a phone call with HE Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom (UK), Yvette Cooper.

The call discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to further strengthen and enhance them, in addition to the Pakistan-led mediation efforts between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The phone call also addressed coordination on efforts aimed at supporting the mediation to de-escalate tensions in a manner that reinforces regional security and stability.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for all parties to engage in the ongoing mediation efforts in order to address the root causes of the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means, ultimately paving the way toward a sustainable agreement that prevents renewed escalation.

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Countries in the Horn of Africa and Yemen recommit to ending variant poliovirus

Source: APO – Report:

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During the Interministerial Meeting on Polio in the Horn of Africa and Yemen, held on the sidelines of the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) on 20 May 2026, countries reaffirmed their commitment to ending variant poliovirus transmission through stronger cross-border coordination, strengthened surveillance and synchronized action. The meeting was jointly convened by the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), and chaired by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Professor Mohamed Janabi.

Bringing together Ministers of Health and senior government representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, alongside Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners and representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the meeting focused on accelerating regional collaboration to stop transmission in one of the world’s most interconnected and complex polio epidemiological settings.

The Horn of Africa and Yemen jointly remain one of the world’s most challenging polio epidemiological subregions, shaped by population movement across porous borders, humanitarian crises, insecurity and persistent immunity gaps. Countries in the bloc continue to face outbreaks of variant poliovirus, including Somalia’s prolonged variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak, first detected in 2017 and Yemen’s ongoing cVDPV2 outbreak, which has paralysed 452 children – most of whom are in the northern governorates – since 2021.

Despite these challenges, recent progress demonstrates that coordinated action is yielding results. Kenya has reported no poliovirus cases since July 2024, Ethiopia has achieved a 98% reduction in detections of circulating variant poliovirus types 1 and 2 in 2025, and Djibouti has recorded no detections of variant poliovirus types 1 and 2 since May 2025 following intensified response measures. Earlier this year, Ethiopia and South Sudan also launched synchronized vaccination campaigns after variant poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) was detected near their shared border, highlighting the continued risk of cross-border transmission.

“Polio eradication remains our highest priority. Despite the challenges we face, Somalia is fully committed to interrupting transmission, including by reducing zero-dose children, strengthening accountability and ownership, improving access to hard-to-reach communities and reinforcing regional collaboration to address cross-border population movement,” said H.E. Ali Haji Adam, Minister of Health of Somalia, at the meeting. He also emphasized continued efforts to close operational gaps and thanked multilateral and Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners for their sustained support.

Ethiopia highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum through high-quality vaccination campaigns, stronger routine immunization, surveillance and cross-border coordination to address outbreaks of both poliovirus types 1 and 2, particularly in border areas. “This meeting provides an important opportunity to further strengthen coordination with neighbouring countries and regional mechanisms, as we work together to stop transmission,” said H.E. Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health of Ethiopia, while also acknowledging the support of partners, including Rotary, through Rotarians working on the ground.

Participants emphasized that sustained political commitment and collaboration remain critical to stopping transmission in a region where mobility, insecurity and humanitarian emergencies continue to increase the risk of spread.

“At a time of competing health emergencies and financial pressures, we cannot lose sight of what is at stake: protecting every child. As we work together to stop poliovirus transmission in the region by the end of 2027, stronger cross-border coordination and robust surveillance will be critical to sustaining progress and protecting communities,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

The meeting took place amid a difficult global health financing environment and declining external funding for polio eradication. Ministers underscored the importance of increased domestic resource mobilization, prioritization and efficient implementation of activities to sustain progress despite operational pressures such as fuel shortages, rising costs and competing public health priorities.

Government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to improving the quality of vaccination campaigns, strengthening routine immunization and closing immunity gaps, particularly among underserved populations in border communities, remote rural areas, insecure settings and mobile groups. They also committed to enhancing poliovirus surveillance, including expanding community-based surveillance in hard-to-reach areas, and integrating vaccination with broader health services to ensure timely outbreak detection and rapid response to outbreaks.

Mr Michael McGovern, Polio Oversight Board (POB) Chair, commended countries for their efforts to conduct high-quality polio activities despite funding constraints, while emphasizing the need to maintain momentum through strong surveillance, sustained commitment, and close coordination to stop poliovirus transmission.

Speaking on behalf of GPEI partners, Dr Chris Elias, a member of the POB and President of the Global Development Program at the Gates Foundation, emphasized the importance of reaching children who have never received vaccines and leveraging initiatives such as Gavi’s rollout of hexavalent vaccines to expand protection against preventable diseases.

As the meeting concluded, ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustained collaboration, coordinated action, stronger oversight and accountability to protect children from polio, ensuring no country in the region is left behind in the effort to eradicate the disease.

– on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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Mashatile honours Bushy Maape as servant of the people and liberation stalwart

Source: Government of South Africa

Mashatile honours Bushy Maape as servant of the people and liberation stalwart

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has described former North West Premier Kaobitsa Abel “Bushy” Maape as a disciplined freedom fighter and servant of the people who dedicated his life to the liberation and upliftment of South Africans.

Delivering a eulogy at Maape’s funeral service held at Huhudi Stadium in Vryburg on Saturday, Mashatile said the former Premier’s life was defined by sacrifice, courage and unwavering commitment to the people.

“We gather at Huhudi Stadium to honour a revolutionary, a freedom fighter, a servant of the people, and a loyal son of the African soil. History will remember him as a freedom fighter, a disciplined member of the ANC, and Premier of the North West Province.

“Above all, he will be remembered as a man faithful to the cause of the people until his final days,” Mashatile said.

He described Maape as a loyal African National Congress (ANC) cadre, Robben Island prisoner and community leader who endured the brutality of apartheid in pursuit of freedom.

“His life was marked by endurance and sacrifice in the struggle for liberation. He bore the scars of apartheid’s cruelty, scars that told the story of pain and injustice. He gave his youth to the struggle so that future generations might walk in freedom,” the Deputy President said.

Mashatile highlighted Maape’s role in underground activism during apartheid, saying the former Premier worked as a teacher and principal by day while operating as an activist by night.

“He was part of the leaders responsible for recruiting others under perilous conditions and contributed to the formation of the notable Kgalagadi Politico-Military Machinery,” he said.

He also credited Maape for helping establish the General and Allied Workers’ Union (GAWU) and contributing to the work of the United Democratic Front (UDF) during the banning of the ANC.

Mashatile said Maape’s imprisonment on Robben Island strengthened rather than weakened his resolve.

“Robben Island did not destroy revolutionaries; it became a school of political consciousness, discipline, courage, and leadership,” he said. 

The Deputy President said even during his tenure as North West Premier between 2021 and 2024, Maape remained committed to serving communities and advancing ethical leadership.

“He embraced leadership as service, not self-enrichment, carrying the hopes and frustrations of ordinary people on his shoulders,” the Deputy President said. 

Mashatile said Maape consistently advocated for rural development, youth empowerment, improved service delivery and economic justice.

“He longed to see rural communities rise from the grip of poverty, to see dignity restored where despair had taken root.” He said. 

According to Mashatile, Maape believed that freedom should translate into jobs for the unemployed, education for the youth, healthcare for the vulnerable and housing for the homeless.

He said the former Premier also understood the importance of strengthening local government and ensuring development reached rural villages and townships.

“Government exists to serve the people, not for self-enrichment,” Mashatile said.

The Deputy President used the occasion to condemn violence and criminality, particularly the killing of community activist Thato Molosankwe from Lomanyaneng Village in Mahikeng.

“This senseless act of violence is an attack not only on one individual but also on the values of humanity, justice, democracy, and community activism for which many freedom fighters, including Comrade Bushy Maape, dedicated their lives,” he said. 

Mashatile reaffirmed government’s commitment to fighting crime and rebuilding public trust through ethical leadership and accountability.

He called on communities, traditional leaders, civil society and faith-based organisations to work together to defeat crime and strengthen social cohesion.

“There can be no greater tribute to leaders such as Comrade Bushy Maape than building communities founded on unity, safety, compassion, and justice for all,” he said.

Conveying condolences on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa and government, Mashatile said Maape’s legacy would live on through the country’s democratic freedoms and continued struggle for a better future.

“His legacy is written not in ink, but in sacrifice, discipline, and service,” Mashatile said.

He concluded by bidding farewell to the former Premier, saying: “Hamba Kahle, Mkhonto. Tsela Tshweu, Comrade Bushy Maape.” – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM

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Seychelles: President Visits Police and Fire Services in Final Stop on La Digue Tour

Source: APO


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President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, concluded his series of visits on La Digue with a stop at the La Passe main Police and Fire Station, where concerns over staff accommodation and working conditions were raised by officers and firefighters serving on the island.

Present to welcome the President were Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, Mr James Camille, Commissioner of Police, Mr Godfra Hermitte, and Principal Secretary for Homeland Security, Ms Sheryl Vengadasamy.

At the police station, the commander in charge appealed to President Herminie to maintain a firm stance on the issue of illicit drugs on the island, particularly among the youth, noting the social impact and concerns faced by the community.

During the visit to the fire station, President Herminie witnessed firsthand the conditions under which firefighters operate and commended the team for their continued dedication and professionalism despite the challenges they face daily.

“The country is proud of the work that you are doing,” President Herminie told the officers and firefighters.

Staff members also raised concerns regarding accommodation facilities and the overall working environment at the station.

In response, the President acknowledged the difficulties observed during the visit and assured personnel that improvements would be pursued.

“We have seen the working environment that you are working in and I give my commitment to improve that,” President Herminie stated.

The President thanked the officers and firefighters for their service and wished them well in the execution of their duties as they continue to safeguard lives and property on La Digue.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Eulogy by Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile at the funeral of former North West Premier, Mr Kaobitsa Abel “Bushy” Maape at the Huhudi Stadium, Vryburg, North West Province

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director, Mr Darky Africa;
The Maape Family and the Children;
Premier of the North West Province, Mr Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi;
Former President Kgalema Montlanthe;
Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers here present;
Members of the North West Provincial Executive Council;
District and Local Mayors;
Leadership of the African National Congress and the entire Alliance;
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle;
Religious Leaders and Traditional Leadership;
The People of the North West Province;

Comrades and friends, today, beneath the skies of Vryburg and in the presence of a grieving nation, we gather at Huhudi Stadium to honour a revolutionary, a freedom fighter, a servant of the people, and a loyal son of the African soil.

We unite in sorrow to bid farewell to Comrade Kaobitsa Abel “Bushy” Maape, a leader, Robben Island prisoner, loyal ANC cadre, and son of the soil.

His life was marked by endurance and sacrifice in the struggle for liberation. He bore the scars of apartheid’s cruelty, scars that told the story of pain and injustice. He gave his youth to the struggle so that future generations might walk in freedom.

During the oppressive apartheid era, he played multiple roles. During the day, he was a dedicated teacher and humble principal in a rural community, shaping young minds. As night fell, he transformed into an underground activist, a “guerrilla of consciousness” who operated stealthily. He was part of leaders responsible for recruiting others under perilous conditions and contributed to the formation of the notable Kgalagadi Politico-Military Machinery.

He played a crucial role in establishing the General and Allied Workers’ Union (GAWU), organising exploited farm and general workers. He contributed to the United Democratic Front (UDF), mobilising and agitating during the ANC’s ban. 

For this activism, the apartheid regime imprisoned him on Robben Island, believing isolation could extinguish the spirit of liberation. Yet history teaches us that Robben Island did not destroy revolutionaries, it became a school of political consciousness, discipline, courage, and leadership.

It was at Robben Island that some of the greatest sons of our nation emerged even stronger. I speak of leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Raymond Mhlaba, and many others, who sacrificed their freedom so that future generations could live in a democratic, just, united, and free South Africa.

Among those courageous revolutionaries stood Comrade Bushy Maape. His voice, once silenced by prison walls, became a beacon of hope. His courage, tested in the darkest hours, became a shield for the weak.
When giving his life for the people, the only reward Comrade Bushy Maape sought was not wealth nor recognition, but the upliftment of the poor and the marginalised. 

He longed to see rural communities rise from the grip of poverty, to see dignity restored where despair had taken root. 

His vision was of a South Africa where talent, not race, determined destiny and where opportunity was the right of all. His struggle was to break chains of exclusion and open doors apartheid had slammed shut.

The essence of his struggle lay in breaking the chains of exclusion, opening doors that apartheid had closed, and ensuring that the children of the soil could walk proudly into spaces once deemed forbidden.

Even as Premier of the North West Province (2021–2024), he held firm to his values. Misunderstood at times, he remained focused on building communities and serving those in need. He embraced leadership as service, not self-enrichment, carrying the hopes and frustrations of ordinary people on his shoulders.

Bushy’s commitment exemplifies that a true revolutionary does not choose battles for convenience but stands steadfast in principles, even when the cost is high. His life was a living lesson that integrity is the cornerstone of leadership and that service to the people is the highest calling.

Today, as we bid him farewell, let us remember that his story is not only about the past but also about the future we must build. His example calls us to recommit ourselves to the values of honesty, humility, and service. His memory urges us to defend our democracy, to nurture unity, and to ensure that the sacrifices of his generation are not betrayed.

As we raise our revolutionary banners in tribute to his significant contributions and struggle, we are reminded of his keen insight that political freedom is incomplete without economic justice.

It is for this reason that the gallant fight and struggle he had weighed had to translate into dignity for the poor. Liberation should mean jobs for the unemployed. It should mean land for the dispossessed. It should mean education for the youth, healthcare for the vulnerable, housing for the homeless, and opportunity for the masses of our people.

Fellow Compatriots, what we should also learn from his life is that Comrade Bushy never forgot where he came from. He remained grounded among the people, listening to communities. 

Furthermore, he valued the culture and traditions of the ANC and upheld principles of unity, collective leadership, and discipline. Comrade Bushy understood that the movement of Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ruth First, Chris Hani, and countless others can only remain strong when it is close to the people and responsive to their daily struggles.

As we lower his mortal remains, we must ask: how do we honour his legacy? We honour him through action—by defending unity, fighting corruption, restoring ethical leadership, and serving our people with humility and integrity.

We must ensure that freedom reaches every village, township, informal settlement, farm worker, unemployed graduate, and young person searching for hope.

Bushy taught us that revolutionaries do not run from difficulty; they confront it with courage, discipline, and clarity of purpose. Today, our country faces profound socio-economic and political challenges.

Millions of our people continue to struggle against poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime, corruption, underdevelopment, and the rising cost of living.

Comrade Bushy understood the urgent service delivery challenges faced by communities in the North West Province, including issues like lack of water, youth unemployment, infrastructure deterioration, and the community’s desire for an efficient government that meets their needs. He believed that government must be visible, responsive, and accountable to the people at all times.

Comrade Bushy acknowledged the vital role of traditional leadership in fostering community development and stability. He viewed it as essential for social cohesion, cultural identity, community mobilisation, and rural development. He advocated for collaborative efforts between government, traditional leaders, civil society, business, and the broader community to achieve sustainable development in provinces like North West.

Compatriots,

This province has significant economic potential, including mineral wealth, agricultural capacity, tourism, and skilled labor. Comrade Bushy stressed that these benefits should not only enrich a select few but must also uplift communities in poverty, ensuring that the wealth of the North West serves its people.

Comrade Bushy aimed to inspire rural communities to engage in agriculture, create jobs, and enhance food security. He encouraged youth participation in the economy and emphasised infrastructure investment to boost economic growth in rural and township areas, seeking to translate this growth into dignity and improved living conditions for citizens.

Comrade Bushy believed that government exists to serve the people, not for self-enrichment. At a time when some seek to sow cynicism, hopelessness, and divisions, he would have urged us to rebuild public trust through ethical leadership, hard work, accountability, and humility.

If he were here today, he would call on us to strive towards strengthening local government, so that communities receive services with dignity, efficiency, and accountability. He would remind us, that development must reach rural villages, townships, and forgotten communities, not only centres of wealth and privilege.

He would also have called for unity across political, racial, tribal, and social lines. As a veteran of the liberation struggle, he understood that South Africa cannot advance if its people are permanently divided and pitted against one another.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we gather here today to bid farewell to Comrade Bushy Maape, we do so at a time when our province and country are once again confronted by the painful reality of violence and criminality that continue to rob families and communities of peace and security.

Government remains deeply dismayed and outraged by the barbaric killing of community activist Thato Molosankwe from Lomanyaneng Village in Mahikeng.

This senseless act of violence is an attack not only on one individual but also on the values of humanity, justice, democracy, and community activism for which many freedom fighters, including Comrade Bushy Maape, dedicated their lives.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Molosankwe family, the community of Lomanyaneng, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss.

No society can prosper when violence, intimidation, criminality, and lawlessness are allowed to undermine social stability and public confidence. Communities must never live in fear because of criminal elements who disregard the sanctity of human life.

As Government, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that law enforcement agencies leave no stone unturned in pursuing justice and holding perpetrators accountable. 

We also call on communities, traditional leaders, civil society, faith-based organisations, and all sectors of society to work together to defeat crime, strengthen moral regeneration, and rebuild a culture of respect for life and human dignity.

There can be no greater tribute to leaders such as Comrade Bushy Maape than building communities founded on unity, safety, compassion, and justice for all.

History will remember him as a freedom fighter, a disciplined member of the ANC, and Premier of the North West Province.

Above all, he will be remembered as a man faithful to the cause of the people until his final days.

To the Maape family and children, we convey our deepest condolences on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, the government, and the people of South Africa.

Your pain is our pain. Your loss is the nation’s loss. Thank you for sharing this son of the soil with us. His legacy is written not in ink, but in sacrifice, discipline, and service.

As revolutionary poet Keorapetse Kgositsile reminded us: “Freedom fighters never truly die, because they live on in the struggles and dreams of the people.”

Comrade Bushy Maape lives on in our democratic freedoms, in the hopes of young and old South Africans who still believe in a better future.

My brother Bushy, you have done your duty. Your spirit will blow through the ranks of the young men and women whom history now calls to serve.

Hamba Kahle, Mkhonto. 
Tsela Tshweu, Comrade Bushy Maape. 

May your soul rest and rest in peace. 

I thank you, Kealeboga,Inkomu!

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Call with Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Adviser

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, May 23, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani held a phone call withآ HH Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the call, they discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them. They also discussed Pakistani mediation efforts between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The call also addressed the coordination of efforts to support mediation aimed at de-escalation, contributing to the enhancement of security and stability in the region.

During the call, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of supporting ongoing mediation efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement.