Category: MIL-OSI

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Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Phone Call with Egyptian 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 phone call with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

During the call, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to further strengthen and enhance them, in addition to Pakistan-led mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
The 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 constructively 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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SADC must move to practical regional solutions amid global shocks – Minister Butale

Source: Government of South Africa

SADC must move to practical regional solutions amid global shocks – Minister Butale

Botswana Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Phenyo Butale says the Southern African Development Community (SADC) must urgently translate discussions into practical cooperation as the region faces rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

Dr Butale was speaking to members of the media on the sidelines of the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat taking place at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, where ministers are gathered to reflect on regional responses to global disruptions affecting trade, energy and development.

He said the retreat comes at a critical moment marked by global instability, shifting trade routes and increasing pressure on supply chains, including disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions such as those around the Strait of Hormuz.

“The retreat happens at a time that there has been geopolitical tension, which has now led to a lot of uncertainties and a lot of realignments,” Butale said.

He warned that Southern Africa remains heavily dependent on imports in key sectors, including food and industrial inputs, which exposes the region to external shocks.

“You have about 2.4 billion of importation of cereals, which is about 80% of cereals in the SADC region. You have 58 billion US dollars in terms of inputs of mineral equipment that we’re importing from outside,” he said. 

Butale said these structural challenges require SADC to accelerate efforts towards self-sufficiency and regional value chains.

The Minister said member states must move beyond policy discussions and focus on implementation and co-investment in areas where countries have a comparative advantage.

“It is enough. It is time for us now to go to the practical levels. What is it that Botswana excels in that South Africa can join in to improve the capabilities and capacities of Botswana?” he said. 

Butale said the region should prioritise cooperation in areas such as industrial development, agriculture, and manufacturing to reduce dependence on external suppliers.

“We should coalesce around that. We shouldn’t be in competition; we should work together to ensure that we support each other in areas where we are excelling,” he said.

On migration, Butale said the issue must be addressed directly by SADC member states, but in a way that promotes economic inclusion and stability across the region.

“The issue of migration is one of those issues that we must face and confront head-on,” he said.

He added that improved economic conditions in member states would help reduce irregular migration pressures.

“When you have prosperity in our different countries, then migration becomes an option, not an escape,” he said.

The SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat continues at Skukuza, with discussions expected to focus on industrialisation, trade, energy cooperation, food security and the free movement of goods and people across the region. – SAnews.gov.za

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United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) scales up emergency Ebola response in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to contain risk of regional crisis

Source: APO


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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently scaling up its emergency response in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), working with the Government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners to help contain the Ebola outbreak before a health emergency transforms into a broader humanitarian catastrophe.

The risk of the disease spreading further is exacerbated by persistent insecurity, displacement, and cross-border movement. This Ebola outbreak is hitting communities already under extreme strain: 26.5 million people across DRC face acute food insecurity, including nearly 10 million in crisis or emergency levels in the east.

“This outbreak is a race against time,” said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director in the DRC. “Without rapid, coordinated action at scale, a health crisis could quickly turn the existing food insecurity and health crisis into an uncontrollable humanitarian emergency in eastern DRC and beyond.”

As a critical enabler, the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service ensures that life‑saving assistance reaches communities affected by Ebola, even in the most remote areas. WFP has already helped transport hundreds of first responders and humanitarians and dozens of metric tons of critical medical cargo into frontline areas. Bunia remains the central logistics hub, with more than 46 metric tons of cargo received to date and essential supplies dispatched to at least 14 locations to support Ebola response efforts.

Additional operations and vital assistance to the most vulnerable in the outbreak zone are also ramping up quickly, including:

  • More aircraft to reach remote and restricted areas.
  • New flights between Kinshasa and Bunia – now three times per week.
  • Extra trucks and storage, such as Mobile Storage Units (MSUs) to handle rising volumes of critical equipment and aid.
  • Restoration of access to priority areas such as Mongbwalu, where helipad repairs will enable vital air operations soon.
  • Surge aviation staff to manage and coordinate air activities and transport across response teams.
  • Expanded medical surveillance for aid workers at WFP’s Bunia health clinic to support early detection and prevention of Ebola cases, in close coordination with national health authorities.

WFP is also scaling up emergency food and nutrition assistance for over 146,000 people in Ituri Province and communities affected by the Ebola outbreak. This includes patients, people who experienced isolated contact, affected households and other vulnerable groups, so families can comply with health measures without losing access to food. When families do not have enough food, they are more likely to delay treatment, move in search of income, or break isolation measures to survive.

“Containing Ebola requires more than treatment alone,” Stevenson added. “It requires food, access, transport and logistics so frontline teams can move fast and affected families can safely follow public health measures.”

WFP is already delivering life-saving assistance at scale across Ituri through its wider operations, reaching more than 241,000 people in the first quarter of 2026, including more than 44,000 children under two and pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls with nutrition support.

“The window to contain this outbreak is narrow,” Stevenson said. “The response must move now and at scale – across health, logistics and food assistance – to prevent far wider consequences for DRC and the region.”

WFP urgently requires nearly USD 175 million for the next six months to continue its life-saving operations in eastern DRC, and USD 23 million to scale up logistics and emergency food assistance for over 146,000 people in Ituri Province and communities affected by the Ebola outbreak over the next three months.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Inspection Team Visits ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea Bissau

Source: APO


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The acting Head of the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations Division, Dr Sani Adamu led an Operational Readiness Inspection Team to the Ghana Company 4 (GHANCOY 4) at the Presidency in Guinea-Bissau on the 20th of May, 2026

The visit was part of a broader inspection of the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB), aimed at assessing the operational readiness, effectiveness and sustainability of the Mission. The inspection team also visited the Nigerian and Senegalese contingents.

The Combat Team Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Keelson Ekow Amoah briefed the team on the unit’s area of responsibility and ongoing operations. The brief covered operations, logistics and administration.

In line with the mission’s evidence-based assessment approach, the delegation interacted with the Combat Team Commander to verify on-the-ground realities, including the state of major equipment holdings, self-sustainment capacity and welfare of troops.

The brief was followed by a tour of the Camp and an all-ranks durbar. At the durbar, the team leader commended personnel of the Company for their discipline and professionalism.  He emphasized ECOWAS’s appreciation for the steadfast commitment of GHANCOY personnel and all contingents to the efficient functioning of the missions.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

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SADC expects clear direction on regional response to global shocks

Source: Government of South Africa

SADC expects clear direction on regional response to global shocks

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) says the ongoing Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat in Skukuza is expected to provide clear direction on how the region should respond collectively to rising global geopolitical pressures affecting citizens.

Speaking to SAnews on the sidelines of the retreat at the Kruger National Park, SADC Secretariat Head of Communications and Public Relations Barbara Lopi said the gathering comes at a critical time as member states grapple with rising food prices, fuel increases and energy-related challenges. 

“This retreat is very important for the Southern region, because as we heard from the two speeches yesterday, the global geopolitical situation is having an effect on the member states, on the citizens, in the sense that we are experiencing increased food prices, fuel prices, and also energy,” Lopi said.

She said the primary objective of the discussions is to ensure that ministers provide strategic guidance on how SADC should collectively respond to these challenges.

“So, the discussion here ultimately should help us to resolve the situation, the impact of the challenges on the citizens, and we expect to get direction from the ministers on how the region should move in responding to the geopolitical situations,” she said.

Lopi said while global instability presents significant challenges for the region, it also creates opportunities for SADC to strengthen cooperation and better utilise its natural resources.

“We should also acknowledge that, much as it brings challenges, it also provides an opportunity for the region to see what it is that we can do together with the resources that we have,” she said.

She highlighted the region’s resource endowment, including critical minerals and other strategic commodities, as a foundation for deeper regional collaboration and industrial development.

“The region is endowed with a lot of the critical minerals, 30% of those are from the region and also the other natural resources that we have,” Lopi said.

Lopi said the retreat is expected to produce practical commitments from member states on strengthening cooperation in response to global shocks.

“We expect to get some guidance on how we move forward, but also some kind of commitments on how, as a region, we are going to work together to improve the situation,” she said.

Migration also featured prominently in the discussions, with Lopi noting that the issue remains central to regional integration efforts.

She said member states welcomed South Africa’s position on the matter, saying it aligns with existing regional frameworks.

“The issue of migration, which the minister [Ronald Lamola] talked about, and the member states applauded South Africa for the statement that the minister made, which actually is in line with the SADC protocol on the free movement of people within the region,” she said.

The retreat continues in Skukuza, with ministers expected to refine coordinated responses to geopolitical challenges affecting food security, energy systems, trade and regional mobility. – SAnews.gov.za 

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Budget Speech by Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (MP), Minister in The Presidency, for 2026-2027 Budget Vote 8: National Treasury (State Security Agency)

Source: President of South Africa –

Honourable House Chairperson 
Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, the Honourable Sylvia Izaks
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
The Acting Director General of the SSA, Ambassador Tony (Gab) Msimanga.
The Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) Dr Ntandazo Sifolo.
Top Management Committee of the SSA

Honourable Members,

The rapidly changing global landscape is not only reshaping the international order but fundamentally challenging longstanding arrangements on security, economic stability, and the role of the state itself. We are living in an era where threats evolve faster, risks spread wider, and certainty grows thinner. Heightened geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions, cyber threats and transnational nature of organised crime continue to define the security environment confronting nations.

Under these conditions, the responsibility placed on the intelligence community has never been greater. The intelligence community is called upon not to merely gather information but to convert information into strategic insight, not to merely anticipate events but to interrupt them, For intelligence without foresight is like a radar without range, that remains operational in form, but unable to detect the dangers approaching the nation. These demands institutions that are agile in thought, focused in conduct, and decisive in action. Institutions that can protect the Republic while remaining firmly grounded in the Constitution and democratic accountability.

Honourable Members,

For State Security Agency to fulfill this responsibility of securing the Republic, we must: Modernise our systems
Strengthen the capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.
Build the skills and capabilities required for a changing security environment.
And above all, we must decisively act to secure the Republic.

ORGANISED CRIME

Our most immediate frontier to secure the Republic is through a focused, non-negotiable and decisive fight against organised crime. Organised crime in South Africa has escalated into a multi-dimensional and deeply entrenched threat that undermines the country’s national security, economic stability, democratic governance, and social cohesion. We are witnessing structured and highly coordinated criminal networks that operate systematically for profit through illegal activities. These networks range from local gangs to transnational syndicates and often exploit weaknesses in border management, socio-economic conditions, corruption and state capture risks, international criminal connections, technological systems, and limited law-enforcement & coordination capacity in some areas.

During the 2025/26 financial year, the State Security Agency (SSA) completed a comprehensive intelligence-led Anti-Organised Crime Strategy to focus its operational plans. This strategy prioritises critical pillars such as as criminal networks, cartels and syndicate profiling, mapping & monitoring, enhanced disruption and enforcement capabilities including through multi-agency collaboration & cooperation, increased partnerships with critical role players, building our technological capabilities, as well as improving the technical ability of our members to stay ahead of evolving criminal tactics.

In the 2026/27 financial year, the SSA will spare no effort in translating the goals of our Anti-Organised Crime strategy into tangible results. Accordingly, we commit to a strengthened, intelligence-led approach that prioritises the identification of priority syndicates, and the coordinated deployment of multidisciplinary capabilities to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks.

DECONTAMINATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DEALING WITH CORRUPTION AND MALFEASANCE IN GOVERNMENT

The fight against organised crime in South Africa and across the globe is always undermined by the contamination of the criminal justice system. Since 2021, the National Intelligence Estimates raised the need to decontaminate the criminal justice, however compromised elements within the system have always made it impossible to implement this National Intelligence Priority. I must take this moment to appreciate the decision by HE President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint the Madlanga Commission that is bring to the public the extent of the contamination of the criminal justice system and thus making it slightly difficult for compromised elements to continue to operate. 

On our part, the SSA has commenced to implement the State of the Nation Address directive to re-vet members of senior management service of the SAPS and vet members of the Metro Police departments and metro municipalities. This work coincided with our own project of implementing the e-Vetting system and reviewing the Vetting Regulations. The e-vetting system will make it possible for the SSA to undertake large scale vetting projects. Currently, the User acceptance testing (UAT) on phase 1 of the eVetting system has commenced and will be deployed for SAPS and EMPD vetting in 1st Quarter of 2026/2027 financial year. A total of 39 000 files out of 56 000 dating back from 2018 have been digitized to date. The reviewed Vetting Regulations are undergoing consultations with a plan to have them finalised by end of September 2026. Two of the critical new provisions of this Regulations are worth mentioning, (a) the provision to refer criminal suspicions to law enforcement for investigations as part of the outcomes of the vetting process, (b) the provision for continuous lifestyle audit for public sector personnel in strategic positions.

VIOLENT SOCIETAL CONFLICTS AND INTELLIGENCE MEASURE TO PREVENT THE SCOURGE OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION

Honourable members, 

A stable and cohesive society is the bedrock of national security. Violent societal conflicts, pose a direct threat to social cohesion, economic stability, and South Africa’s international standing. These tensions, when left unchecked, manifest in sporadic outbreaks of violence, community clashes, and heightened polarisation that undermine the very foundations of our constitutional democracy. Such conflicts not only endanger lives and destroy livelihoods but also damage investor confidence and disrupt local economies. We are starting to observe the intersection of violent societal conflicts with organised crime and influence of foreign actors.

Of recent, South Africa is experiencing a rise in anti-illegal immigration linked protests that are exploitating the genuine concerns of South Africans about the spiralling illegal immigration programme and these genuine concerns are opportunistically being used by criminal elements, populist agitators, and external actors seeking to destabilise our nation.

In the 2025/26 financial year, the State Security Agency strengthened its focus on early detection and mitigation of these threats. The SSA will continue to monitor underlying drivers of violent societal conflict, including economic inequality, service delivery failures, unemployment, and inflammatory rhetoric and provides timely strategic and operational intelligence to relevant government departments and law enforcement agencies to address the challenges.

As the lead agency for national security, the SSA remains committed to safeguarding social cohesion without compromising the rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Our assessment is that  South Africans are not xenophobic, hence we uphold the constitutional principles that “National Security must reflect the resolve of South African, as individuals and as a nation, to live as equals, to live in peace and harmony, to be free from fear and want and to seek a better life”.

Honourable members, 

The intelligence services recognise that illegal migration, when exploited by organised criminal syndicates, constitutes not merely a domestic border-management challenge, but a broader transnational security concern requiring coordinated regional and international intelligence cooperation.  In this regard, the Republic remains guided by the provisions of the United Nations Convention and Protocols, within which South African intelligence services are increasingly engaging foreign intelligence and security counterparts on the need for a coordinated continental and regional security response directed not against lawful migration itself, but against organised criminal facilitation networks that exploit vulnerable populations, porous borders, corruption vulnerabilities and weak governance environments for financial and operational gain.

South Africa continues to advocate for enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms among regional and continental partners regarding organised migrant smuggling syndicates, trafficking networks, fraudulent documentation systems, illicit financial flows and transnational criminal facilitators operating across multiple jurisdictions. The Republic further supports the strengthening of cooperative early-warning systems capable of identifying emerging migration-security risks, criminal transit corridors and evolving patterns of cross-border organised criminal activity.

South Africa also continues to encourage greater cooperation within the African Union and the Southern African Development Community frameworks regarding harmonised border-security standards, intelligence fusion mechanisms and coordinated counter-organised crime strategies aligned with the obligations contemplated under the Palermo Convention.

In fulfilment of South Africa’s international obligations and national security responsibilities, intelligence cooperation with foreign counterparts will therefore remain focused on strengthening regional stability, protecting territorial integrity, combating organised criminal exploitation and promoting coordinated African solutions to transnational organised crime and irregular migration challenges

COUNTER TERRORISM (CT)  

Modern terrorism increasingly operates through decentralised networks, digital platforms, illicit financial flows and transnational facilitation systems. This means that counterterrorism today is not only about preventing attacks, but also about protecting the integrity of financial systems, strengthening institutional coordination, and disrupting the financial infrastructure that enables extremist activity

In the last year, South Africa has shown great progress in strengthening its resilience and response to countering of violent extremism and terrorism. The State Security Agency (SSA) and other Law Enforcement Agencies have placed specific focus on disrupting and countering Terrorist Financing (TF) and improving institutional coordination. This included better inter-agency and inter-department collaboration, an increased use of financial intelligence in investigations and an increase in the detection of terrorism and terrorist financing related activities in line with the countries Risk profile.

Noteworthy advancements have been made in this regard, such as  finalising the comprehensive Terrorism Financing National Risk Assessment (NRA); compiling a National Countering the Financing of Terrorism Strategy (NCFTS); developing and implementing a Targeted Financial Sanctions Operational Framework (TFSOF) regime; improving access to Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI); and strengthening the capability and capacity of law enforcement and other role-players in order to effectively detect, investigate and prosecute TF offences. 

NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY

Today, every aspect of our lives relies on digital systems, which are increasingly vulnerable to malicious actors. Consequently, nations globally have made cybersecurity as a top priority, and South Africa is no different. As South Africa’s digital economy rapidly transforms and expands, it increases vulnerabilities and provides more entry points for increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals, hackers, and state-sponsored actors. 

During our budget vote debate last year, we communicated that we are finalising consultations on the draft National Cybersecurity Strategy. Considering the feedback from the consultative sessions and the growing number of cyberattacks affecting multiple sectors and causing significant disruptions, it is imperative to develop a comprehensive strategy that transcends traditional defensive measures and focuses on resilience. 

To achieve digital resilience, we are prioritising cyber resilience, the ability to anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents. A significant amount of work has already been completed, and the revised National Cybersecurity Strategy should be adopted in the next quarter.

THE NCIC AS THE STRATEGIC NERVE CENTRE

Intelligence coordination is central pillar to intelligence success. In the 2024/ 25 financial year, we finalised and brought into implementation, the Regulations for Intelligence Coordination and that effort strengthened the effectiveness of nation intelligence structures. This term, we finalised the establishment of the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination, (NCIC). Since the dawn of democracy there has been just the Office of the National Coordinator for Intelligence and the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC) without the structure to support the work. In this regard, we have sought to implement the recommendations of the 2006 Task Team on the Review of Intelligence-Related Legislation, Regulation and Policies. The Task Team had recommended that there be a distinction between the Office of the Coordinator, the NICOC principals and the staff supporting the work of intelligence coordination. As such we established and launched the National Centre for Intelligence Coordination.  

This body represents the final piece of the puzzle in our quest for a unified national security picture and strategic reforms. The NCIC serves as the daily integration hub where NICOC (the Committee ie. Heads of SAPS-CI, DI, SAI and SAIS) regularly meets to synthesize raw data into actionable wisdom for the Executive and execution. It is through the full functioning of the NCIC that we are finally breaking down the silos that once allowed organized crime and sabotage to flourish in the gaps between departments. This centre ensures that our response to national threats is no longer reactive but is instead guided by a single, coherent narrative of the risks facing our nation.

As we meet today, we are delighted to indicate that the 2026 National Intelligence Estimates are awaiting the National Security Council (NSC) approval. This work of the NCIC and NICOC is pivotal in focusing the attention of our national intelligence structures to key intelligence priorities that ought to be addressed in a financial year. 

TECHNOLOGICAL ENABLEMENT 

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, communications have fundamentally transformed. Criminal networks, organised-crime syndicates, and national security threats actors increasingly operate across encrypted platforms, data-driven applications, and borderless digital environments. These actors continue to exploit advanced technologies to operate with greater sophistication and anonymity.

Traditional methods of investigation, lawful interception and surveillance are therefore no longer sufficient on their own. As a country, we must ensure that our capabilities evolve at the same pace as the threats confronting us.

The operations of the OIC and the NCC are currently constrained by aging infrastructure, challenges relating to reliability, maintenance, scalability, and increasing technological obsolescence amid rapid advancements in telecommunications.

It is therefore imperative that the OIC and NC prioritise the modernisation and strengthening of its interception and surveillance capabilities to ensure that law enforcement agencies are equipped with lawful, reliable, and effective tools to fulfil their constitutional mandates. This modernisation will enhance system stability, minimise downtime, and establish a sustainable technical environment capable of meeting future operational demands. Furthermore, investment in sovereign interception technologies is critical to ensure that sensitive data remains protected, managed within national jurisdiction and aligned with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks. Financial resources have been appropriately ring-fenced to enable the OIC to respond rapidly to technological changes introduced by Electronic Communications Service Providers (ECSPs). Given the dynamic nature of the telecommunications environment, OIC systems must remain agile, adaptive, and continuously modernised.

Cloud computing is no longer optional, it is essential. The volume, velocity, and variety of data associated with modern communications require scalable, flexible, and resilient infrastructure. Investment must therefore prioritise robust cybersecurity and data protection measures to ensure that sensitive information remains secure. Priority will therefore be given to investment in state-of-the-art technologies capable of supporting operations complemented by advanced data analytics capabilities to proactively identify and respond to emerging threats. 

MODERNISING FOR RESILIENT INTELLIGENCE SERVICE

During the previous Budget Vote, we reflected extensively on the transformation currently underway within the State Security Agency and reaffirmed the commitment of the Agency’s leadership to implement the recommendations of the High-Level Review Panel as part of a broader programme of renewal and repositioning. That commitment remains and progress firmly underway.

A key priority over the medium term is the implementation of human resource strategies and policies that improve the organisational framework and strengthen alignment between skills and functional requirements across the organisation. This will ensure that skills are aligned to roles in a manner that supports effective delivery of the Agency’s mandate. 

The process is guided by the developed business model, capability models, operational models, and capacity requirements which provide clarity on what the organisation must deliver, the capabilities required, and how these should be structured and deployed. These models also inform how technology must be leveraged to enhance specific components of the operational model, enabling improved efficiency, integration, and responsiveness. 

In the 2026/27 financial year we will prioritise the disestablishment of the State Security Agency and the establishment of the South African Intelligence Agency (domestic) and the South African Intelligence Service (foreign). Work is already underway to prepare for the proclamation of the GILAA (General Intelligence Laws Amendment Act, No. 37 of 2024) including the articulation of functions and structures for the reconfigured intelligence services, as well as the finalisation of the Regulations, which are a key requirement for the implementation of the GILAA.

To support the effective functioning of the civilian intelligence services within the allocated resource framework, I have approved the Shared Services structure, which will provide integrated corporate support services across the intelligence environment. This model will support key legislated entities, including the Office for Interception Centres, the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence, and the newly established National Centre for Intelligence Coordination.

These institutional reforms are not taking place in isolation. They are being driven by the nature of the threats confronting the Republic today.

AFRICA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD

Honourable House Chairperson, 

The global security environment is undergoing a period of intense geopolitical tensions and conflicts, which threaten and disrupt supply chains and the overall business environment. 

South Africa remains a key financier and strategic country within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to advance regional integration and cohesion.
However, SADC faces a myriad of threats which impede the advancement of the priorities of the Medium-Term Development Plan 2024-2029. Inclusive economic growth and job creation cannot materialise, if political instability and conflict in the region continues to exert pressure on South Africa’s bilateral relationships. As the Chair of the SADC, South Africa will not only seek to strengthen existing partnerships toward diversifying its trade and commercial relations but will also champion regional integration and rapid industrialization to advance regional security.

The State Security Agency (SSA) continues to closely monitor developments in the North and Horn of Africa, regions whose instability carries implications for South Africa’s national security. In Sudan, the ongoing civil war and escalating drone attacks have worsened the humanitarian crisis, with ongoing mass displacements and arms proliferation. Moreover, terror activity such as espoused by Al-Shabaab in Somalia, coupled with transnational organised crime, further threaten the Horn’s stability. In North Africa, the ongoing Western Sahara dispute delays the final chapter of decolonisation in Africa. The SSA will intensify its focus on providing timely threat, risk, and opportunity assessments to support South Africa’s work in the African Union Peace and Security Council and bilateral diplomacy, enabling Government to safeguard our national interests and advance African-led solutions.

The situation in the Middle East remains tense due to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict as violence continues, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis and mass displacements in Gaza. A fragile ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran continues to threaten global energy security and food security in the African continent, with severe implications on livelihoods and economic stability.

INTELLIGENCE ACADEMY

The evolution of the intelligence environment demands for continuous alignment of skills, knowledge and tools, matching them with the ever-changing cutting-edge technologies used by potential adversaries. It is upon this premise that the South African National Intelligence Academy (SANAI) is utilising its convenience to foster business optimisation through the alluded technically inclined intelligence production.

As the Minister in The Presidency, I have directed that the Agency must optimise its business by leveraging the power of data by establishing a Data Institute. The Data Institute would then serve as a dedicated hub for research and development, and would foster data-driven innovation, develop data capabilities through training and continuous professional development in support of data-related technologies for the intelligence community and other interested parties to advance South Africa’s national security and national interests.

The Data Institute will attract and house experts in the fields of data science, cybersecurity, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (IA), geospatial technologies, amongst others. These experts will then collaborate on complex data challenges, ensuring governance, security and integrity of data, and in creating advanced solutions that can transform SSA’s operations across all business functions.

The Geospatial Information Dashboard is another innovation intended to help reorient functions of the SSA towards geospatial technology inclined intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination. Through the Academy, the SSA entered into an MOU with the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in 2024, the scope of which makes provision for collaboration in various areas encompassing training and provision of access to data platforms. 

The Academy has embarked on a Project to register as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which will also include accreditation with the Council for Higher Education (CHE). A HEI Project Task Team was established, consisting of various expertise within the Academy and across other structures of the Agency. An application has already been submitted to the Department of Higher Education and Training.

In support of this strategic repositioning, the Agency is also strengthening the Academy’s role as a centre for research, innovation and future-oriented capability development. As part of this process, the Research and Development function currently residing within National Communications will be transitioned to the Academy in order to consolidate institutional research capability, enhance collaboration, and create an integrated environment for advanced intelligence learning, innovation and technology development. This repositioning will further support the Academy’s evolution into a strategic intelligence and knowledge hub aligned to emerging national security demands. These initiatives are designed to accelerate the Agencies advancement in AI and Data Science. 

CONCLUSION

The State Security Agency is at the moment, an organisation in transition and every effort is being made to ensure that we are building for resilience and positioned to confront multiple futures in the horizon. We are not just observers of the change happening around us, but we are active shapers of our nation’s destiny. 

I table Vote 8: National Treasury (State Security Agency) for your support to enable us to deliver on our mandate. 

I thank you.

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South Africa explains abstention on UN climate change resolution

Source: Government of South Africa

South Africa explains abstention on UN climate change resolution

South Africa says its decision to abstain from voting on the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change was aimed at defending the integrity of the global climate framework.

In an explanatory note issued on Friday, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said the abstention should not be interpreted as a withdrawal from the country’s climate commitments.

“South Africa’s decision to abstain from the vote on United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/80/L.65 is a reflection of our principled defence of the established global climate framework, rather than a departure from our climate commitments,” the department said.

DIRCO said South Africa had actively participated in the ICJ proceedings and welcomed the historic July 2025 Advisory Opinion on climate change obligations.

“Having actively participated in the proceedings and submitted comprehensive written and oral statements to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa fully welcomes and supports the historic July 2025 Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change,” the statement said.

According to DIRCO, South Africa consistently argued that climate change must be understood as a cross-cutting challenge closely linked to sustainable development and historical emissions.

“Our submissions consistently underscored that climate change is a cross-cutting challenge intrinsically linked to sustainable development, wherein developed nations bear the primary historical responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions,” the department said.

South Africa said it had engaged constructively during negotiations on Resolution A/80/L.65 and proposed amendments aimed at achieving a more balanced outcome.

However, government expressed concern that the final text selectively interpreted the ICJ advisory opinion and failed to properly reflect core principles underpinning international climate agreements.

“Crucially, the text interprets the Court’s opinion in a manner inconsistent with the bedrock principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement,” DIRCO said.

The department further argued that the resolution weakened the principle of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), which recognises that developed countries carry greater historical responsibility for climate change.

“By failing to properly reflect historical responsibility, the guiding principle of Equity, and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), the resolution dilutes the obligations of developed economies,” the statement said.

DIRCO also criticised the resolution for failing to adequately acknowledge the disproportionate impact of climate change on African countries.

“Furthermore, it fails to explicitly recognise the unique vulnerability of African countries to the impacts of climate change, a position clearly established under the UNFCCC,” the department said.

While Africa contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent continues to face severe climate-related challenges, including droughts, floods and food insecurity.

“While Africa contributes only a fraction of global emissions, it suffers disproportionately from its consequences,” DIRCO said.

The department maintained that South Africa’s abstention was intended to ensure that future multilateral processes flowing from the ICJ advisory opinion remain aligned with principles negotiated under the UN climate framework.

“South Africa’s abstention is therefore an assertion that any multilateral resolution flowing from the ICJ’s opinion must faithfully uphold, rather than compromise, the delicate balance of equity and differentiated responsibility negotiated under the UNFCCC,” the statement said. – SAnews.gov.za

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Member States advance regional coordination on Bundibugyo Ebola response

Source: APO


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As countries across the African region intensify preparedness and response measures against the ongoing outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organization convened a high-level briefing for Member States and partners following the declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO Director-General. 

The 90-minute virtual session brought together more than 1,500 participants from all 47 Member States of the African Region, including representatives from Ministries of Health, National IHR Focal Points, National Public Health Institutes, WHO country offices, technical partners, emergency preparedness and response leads, and civil society organizations. 

The briefing focused on the evolving situation, ongoing response operations in affected areas, readiness in neighboring countries, and the implications of the PHEIC declaration for countries across the Region. Opening the meeting, Dr Otim Patrick Ramadan, speaking on behalf of the WHO AFRO Regional Emergency Director, emphasized the importance of solidarity, early preparedness and coordinated action to prevent further spread of the disease within and beyond affected areas. 

“Preparedness and response efforts must move faster than the outbreak,” he said. “Countries should continue enhancing surveillance, reinforcing infection prevention and control measures, improving readiness at points of entry, and ensuring systems are in place for rapid detection and response.” 

Technical teams from WHO’s regional emergency programme presented the latest epidemiological updates, highlighting ongoing transmission in affected provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the risks associated with cross-border population movement, and the urgent need for heightened vigilance in neighbouring countries. 

Participants also received updates on surveillance, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, logistics and community engagement, as well as the deployment of emergency response teams supporting operations on the ground. 

WHO further briefed participants on the implications of the PHEIC declaration, including the need for intensified international collaboration, resource mobilization, accelerated operational readiness and stronger cross-border coordination to support affected and high-risk countries. The webinar generated more than 100 written questions and interventions in English, French and Portuguese, reflecting the high level of engagement and concern among Member States and partners. Countries shared experiences, readiness measures and operational challenges, particularly around surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, workforce readiness and information sharing across borders. 

The session also provided a platform for dialogue and exchange, enabling countries and partners to identify priority actions and share lessons learned from ongoing preparedness and response efforts. 

During the briefing, WHO outlined key strategic priorities for Member States, including sustained leadership and predictable financing for the regional Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, scaling diagnostic capacity, strengthening cross-border information sharing, accelerating community engagement and trust-building, protecting continuity of essential health services, pre-positioning supplies and trained personnel along high-risk corridors. 

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting affected and high-risk countries to contain the outbreak and protect public health across the African region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

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Magosi urges SADC to move from reflection to action amid global system shift

Source: Government of South Africa

Magosi urges SADC to move from reflection to action amid global system shift

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary Elias Magosi has urged that member states must urgently translate discussions into concrete action to shield the region from escalating global shocks. 

Speaking at the SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs Retreat at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, Magosi said the international system was undergoing one of the most profound transformations in modern history, driven by geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation and weakening multilateral cooperation.

Addressing ministers and delegates gathered in the wildlife-rich surroundings of the Kruger National Park, Magosi said the retreat comes at a critical moment when global instability is directly affecting Southern Africa’s development trajectory.

“It is both an honour and a profound responsibility for me to address this august Retreat of SADC Ministers of Foreign Affairs at a time when the international landscape is undergoing one of the most profound and consequential transformations in modern history,” he said.

Magosi said the global order was shifting in ways that could no longer be viewed as temporary disruptions, but rather a structural change in how power, trade and cooperation are organised internationally.  

“The global order is experiencing a deep structural transformation characterised by intensifying geopolitical competition, economic fragmentation, technological rivalry, and growing uncertainty in international cooperation and multilateralism,” he said.

He warned that successive global shocks since 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, had exposed the region’s vulnerabilities and disrupted critical global systems.

“These events…have disrupted global systems in unprecedented ways, altering trade flows, investment patterns, energy markets, financial conditions, and geopolitical alignments, with far-reaching implications for the development of the region,” Magosi said.

The SADC Executive Secretary said the region must respond by strengthening economic resilience and accelerating industrialisation, food and energy security, and coordinated regional cooperation.

He said the retreat was designed to help member states reflect collectively on how to safeguard strategic interests and advance deeper regional integration in an increasingly uncertain world.

“This Retreat, therefore, provides a timely opportunity for Member States as a collective, to reflect deeply on how best to safeguard the Region’s strategic interests… and how to enhance our collective capacity to respond effectively and decisively to the increasingly uncertain global environment,” he said. 

Magosi warned that the global system itself was being fundamentally reshaped, with trade, finance and strategic resources increasingly used as instruments of geopolitical competition.

“What we are witnessing today is not merely a temporary cycle of instability, but a fundamental reconfiguration of the global system itself,” he said.

He added that developing regions such as SADC remain highly exposed due to structural weaknesses, including dependence on imported energy, fertilizers, machinery and industrial inputs. 

“Many of our Member States remain dependent on imported energy, fertilizers, machinery, and industrial inputs,” he said. 

Magosi further highlighted rising debt burdens, limited economic diversification and constrained fiscal space as factors that amplify global shocks across the region.

He said recent disruptions to global supply chains and maritime logistics had demonstrated how vulnerable developing economies are to external shocks far removed from their own borders.

“These disruptions affect not only imports and exports, but also the affordability and availability of food, fuel, fertilizers, medicines, and industrial inputs essential for our economic activity,” he said.

Turning to agriculture, Magosi warned that rising input costs, climate variability and animal disease outbreaks were placing additional pressure on food systems and rural livelihoods.

“In the agricultural sector, the implications are especially serious,” he said, citing Foot and Mouth Disease among the challenges affecting productivity and food security.

Despite these challenges, Magosi said Southern Africa remains one of the most resource-rich regions globally, with vast reserves of oil and gas, critical minerals, renewable energy potential and strategic trade corridors.  

“Few regions possess the combination of resources, geographic positioning, and market potential that SADC commands,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the region continues to export raw materials while importing higher-value goods, a pattern he said limits job creation and long-term economic transformation.

“In other words, we continue to export jobs and import inflation,” Magosi said. 

He called for a stronger push toward industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation, as well as deeper investment in energy security and regional infrastructure.

Magosi also stressed the importance of strengthening the Southern African Power Pool, expanding cross-border energy trade, and investing in pipelines, refining capacity and renewable energy systems.

On infrastructure, he said efficient transport and logistics networks remain critical for regional competitiveness and integration.

At the same time, he called for improved domestic resource mobilisation and coordinated approaches to external financing and debt management, warning that financing arrangements are increasingly tied to access to strategic resources.

He said the proposed Regional Development Fund (RDF) could play a key role in reducing reliance on external funding and financing strategic regional priorities. 

“The RDF offers an opportunity for SADC to mobilise resources for regional priorities, support strategic infrastructure and industrialisation programmes,” he said.

Magosi urged foreign ministers to expand the scope of diplomacy beyond politics to include economic transformation and strategic positioning in global affairs.

“Ministers of Foreign Affairs are therefore not only astute custodians of political relations, but also architects of the region’s collective engagement with the global economy and international system,” he said.

He called for greater policy coordination among SADC member states across trade, finance, climate, energy and global governance reform.

The Secretariat, he added, expects the retreat to produce practical outcomes that strengthen resilience, policy coherence and implementation of the regional integration agenda.

Magosi concluded with a strong call for confidence in the region’s own capacity to solve its challenges.

“We are adequate, we are capable, we are experienced, and we are talented enough to create a renewed, progressive, and truly integrated and resilient region,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

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World Health Organization (WHO) Supports Zambia to Strengthen Access to Mental Health Medicines and Services

Source: APO – Report:

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The World Health Organization (WHO) in Zambia with assistance from WHO headquarters, and the Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) is supporting preparations for a national survey that will assess health system performance, with a particular focus on the availability and affordability of essential medicines for neurological and mental health conditions.

This survey marks an important step toward generating the evidence needed to strengthen mental health and neurological care services across the country.

To support preparations for the survey, Dr Fahmy Hanna from WHO Headquarters, Mental Health Department was in the country from 11 to 15 May 2026.

Building the foundation for a national survey

Despite the inclusion of essential neurological and mental health medicines on Zambia’s National Essential Medicines List, access to these medicines remains suboptimal. Treatment gaps for chronic neurological and mental health conditions remain unacceptably high, particularly in rural and underserved settings. This survey responds directly to the evidence gap in access and affordability of neurological medicines in the country. It will provide nationally relevant, internationally comparable data to guide policy reforms, improve equity, and strengthen pharmaceutical and service delivery systems.

The planned survey aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of how well the health system is delivering services for people living with mental health and neurological conditions. It will examine critical areas such as access to medicines, service delivery capacity, and financial barriers affecting patients.

The findings are expected to inform national policies, guide resource allocation, and support Zambia’s broader efforts to improve service delivery and ensure equitable access to care. It aims to

1. assess the availability of selected essential medicines for neurological and mental health conditions across public, private, and other health service providers in urban, peri-urban, and rural settings. 

2. examine health system, regulatory, financing, workforce, and supply chain factors influencing access to neurological and mental health medicines in Zambia through strong engagement with service user associations and representatives among care givers and people with lived mental health and neurological conditions experiences.

The survey will be conducted in urban areas (Lusaka and Copperbelt), peri-urban areas (Eastern and Southern) as well as in rural Zambia (Western and Muchinga). 

At National level, the activity will see engagement of institutions responsible for policy formulation, regulation, procurement, financing, and oversight of medicines and develop a set of priority actions through a nationwide roadmap for scaling access at Facility level: Selected public, private, and other (faith-based and non-governmental) health facilities across six purposively selected provinces:

Field visits highlight realities on the ground

As part of the mission by Dr Hanna, the team conducted visits to key health facilities in Lusaka, including the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, and Chainama Hills College Hospital as well to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency and the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority. A stakeholder engagement workshop brought together more than 25 actors and service user representatives /PWLE organization to gather their feedback and sensitize them for the upcoming survey. 

During these visits, discussions were held with frontline health workers, pharmacists, and facility managers to better understand the availability of essential medicines for mental health and neurological conditions, as well as the operational realities faced in service delivery.

The engagements provided valuable insights into:

  • Availability and stock levels of critical medicines
  • Challenges in procurement and supply chains
  • Human resource and service delivery gaps
  • Opportunities to strengthen integrated care

These interactions are helping to ensure that the upcoming survey reflects real system-level challenges and opportunities.

Advancing mental health within Universal Health Coverage

Mental health and neurological conditions are increasingly recognized as a critical component of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). However, access to essential services and medicines remains a challenge in many settings.

The planned survey will generate vital evidence to support Zambia in addressing these gaps by:

  • Informing policies to improve availability and affordability of medicines
  • Strengthening health system performance
  • Enhancing service delivery for mental health and neurological care
  • Supporting equitable access to quality care for all

Strengthening partnership for impact

The joint efforts by WHO headquarters, AFRO and WHO Zambia, and the Ministry of Health highlight the importance of collaboration in tackling complex health system challenges.

By aligning global expertise with national priorities and local realities, this initiative is expected to contribute to more responsive, evidence-driven interventions that improve outcomes for people living with mental health and neurological conditions in Zambia.

The activity underscores WHO’s continued commitment to supporting Zambia in advancing Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing essential health services.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Zambia.