Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO

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The conviction and sentencing of Mali’s former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison, one of which is mandatory, and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (762 euro), including 1 symbolic franc to the Malian state on charges of discrediting the state among others is a travesty of justice, Amnesty International said, as it called for authorities to immediately release him and other prisoners held solely for their political beliefs.

“Moussa Mara’s conviction and sentencing illustrate the authorities’ persistent disregard for Mali’s human rights obligations under the country’s constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civic and Political Rights to which Mali is a state party,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

“Instead of muzzling critics, the authorities must stop their escalating repression of peaceful dissent and authoritarian practices, and immediately release those currently being detained solely for voicing their opinion. Authorities must uphold and ensure the human rights of everyone in the country including to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.”

Moussa Mara, who was Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and president of the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on 1 August and accused of ‘discrediting the state’, ‘inciting a breach of public order’ and ‘opposition to legitimate authority’.

His arrest came after he posted a tweet on 4 July, expressing his solidarity with several imprisoned activists and politicians. In his tweet, referring to the “night”, he vowed to fight “by all means to make [the sun appear]”.

Recent cases of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances

Numerous journalists and activists have been targeted in the crackdown on perceived critical voices in Mali.

On 8 May 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and member of Mara’s Yéléma party, was abducted by hooded men claiming to be intelligence agents. This happened a day after he publicly criticized the transitional parliament’s decision to give the military government, another five-year term in power. Thiam’s fates and whereabouts were unknown at that point, as the authorities failed to acknowledge or disclose any information about his detention. On 17 July, his wife filed a formal complaint for abduction. On 26 September, he was released and allowed to return home.

Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 as he and his organization, the Platform against corruption and unemployment, were about to hold a press conference to denounce recurring power outages. Dembélé was accused of making death threats against Assimi Goïta, the head of state, and his family. In April 2025, an investigative judge dismissed the charges against Dembélé and called for his release. Despite this ruling, he remains in arbitrary detention.

In August and September 2025, the UN Independent expert on Mali denounced El Béchir Thiam’s enforced disappearance and Clément Dembélé’s arbitrary arrest, and called for their release.

“The authorities’ use of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and abuse of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful dissent in Mali must stop. Authorities must ensure respect for the right to a fair trial and uphold the rule of law,” said Marceau Sivieude.

Other critical voices silenced since 2023

Rokiatou Doumbia, also known as “Rose Vie Chère” or “Tantie Rose”, was arrested in March 2023 for denouncing the worsening insecurity and cost of living crisis since the military takeover. She was charged with ‘inciting revolt’, ‘discrediting the state’ and ‘criminal conspiracy’, and sentenced to one year in prison in August 2023. Although she has served her initial sentence, she is still being arbitrarily detained.

In March 2023, radio broadcaster and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as “Ras Bath”, was arrested after he had described the death in detention of former Prime Minister, Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga, as an ‘assassination’. He was convicted on appeal in August 2023 and sentenced to 18 months in prison for ‘simulating an offence’, or accusing the state of committing an offence. Although he served his sentence, Ras Bath was again charged with ‘criminal conspiracy’, ‘discrediting the state’, and ‘regionalist, racial and religious offences’, for the same events and remains in pre-trial detention.

In September 2023, activist and member of the National Transitional Council Adama Diarra, known as “Ben le Cerveau” was arrested after he called for the return to civilian constitutional rule. He was charged with ‘discrediting the state’ and sentenced to two years in prison. In February 2025, a request filed by his lawyers for provisional release was dismissed, and Diarra remains in arbitrary detention.

Issa Kaou N’Djim, another former member of the National Transitional Council, was convicted and sentenced to a two-year prison term after he dismissed in November 2024 the veracity of a declaration by the Burkinabè authorities of a coup plot. N’Djim was arrested after a complaint by the Burkinabè authorities and charged with ‘public offense to a foreign head of state’.

Background

Mali has been governed by military-led authorities since the coup against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020. The transition, which was supposed to last 18 months, has been extended thrice beyond its term. In April 2025, the government announced the dissolution of all political parties and the extension of the transition to another five-year period.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO – Report:

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The sound of drums echoed throughout Yambio as communities gathered to celebrate, their songs, dances, and laughter weaving together a powerful message of unity.

This spirit-filled Yambio witnessed the official handover of the Traditional Hub—a new center for dialogue, cultural exchange, and reconciliation, established with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The facility, overseen by the Azande Kingdom, is a meeting place for elders, women, and youth to plan for a better future.

“Not long ago, we were divided by hatred, but now we are united in love, promising real transformation,” said Hellen Madiga, a resident of Yambio.

Hellen’s words capture a broader truth in Western Equatoria: reconciliation starts when people come together to speak and listen.

The hub offers a safe space for mediation and dialogue, fostering understanding and cultural activities to strengthen community ties.

“We hope to address cultural issues and resolve tribal conflicts by empowering community leaders, women, and youth to rise above political differences for the benefit of their communities,” said Odeta James from a local civil society organization.

Around the center, freshly planted trees stretch toward the sky, each carrying a story of hope and renewal.

“The trees symbolize unity and stability, reflecting our shared roots and our commitment to stand together,” explains Tadio Mario, the Prime Minister of the Azande Kingdom.

Rudolf Esombi Effange, a Civil Affairs Officer for UNMISS, described the initiative as a vital step toward peace and development in Western Equatoria State.

“This effort aims to help communities live in peace and collaborate on shared challenges,” he stated.

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Central Region branch of the National Teachers Association has provided capacity-upgrading training to teachers focusing on addressing student challenges. The training was offered to 289 teachers ranging from kindergarten to high school level.

Mr. Daniel Mengisteab, Head of the Association’s regional branch, said that the training, which involved teachers from seven sub-zones, aimed to strengthen their teaching methodologies, particularly in identifying and responding to students’ needs and expectations.

In related news, a four-month training on artifact production has been provided to 93 women in the Anseba sub-zone. The training, organized by the National Union of Eritrean Women branch in the region, included 50 women from Hamelmalo and 43 women from Habero sub-zones.

Ms. Tirhas Nerayo, Head of Social Services and Projects at the Union branch, said that providing vocational training to women plays a significant role in improving the livelihoods of women and their families. She called on the trainees to apply the knowledge they gained to enhance their economic conditions and commended their dedication during the program.

The administrators of the sub-zones emphasized the importance of the training in improving the livelihoods of women and called for its sustainability.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association has announced that it will conduct promotional activities from 27 October to 2 November under the theme “When You Ponder About Health, Remember the Pharmaceutical Experts.”

According to Mr. Amanuel Arron, Vice President of the Association, the promotional activities, aimed at ensuring the safe use of medicines, will be conducted through national media outlets, social media platforms, and seminars.

Mr. Amanuel further noted that the activities, organized in connection with the National Medicines Safety Week, will address topics such as the safe use of medicines during pregnancy and childbirth, the effects of medicines on workers with chronic diseases, the role of youth in the safe use of medicines, and the control of side effects of HIV/AIDS medicines.

He added that the objective of the National Medicines Safety Week is to provide professional guidance, enhance public understanding of proper medicine use, discourage the use of unprescribed medicines and self-medication, promote correct storage and disposal of expired medicines, and discourage the use of medicines for cosmetic purposes. He also called on the public to actively participate in the effort.

The Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association, established in 1992, currently has about 400 members. Its objectives include developing guidelines related to the pharmaceutical profession, improving healthcare services at the national level, enhancing public awareness on the safe use of medicines, and building professional relationships with national and international associations to exchange experiences.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO – Report:

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At a ceremony organized on 25 October, nineteen administrative areas in the Molqui sub-zone declared themselves free from female genital mutilation (FGM). The ceremony was attended by Ms. Leul Gebreab, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare; Ambassador Mahmud Ali Hirui, Governor of the Gash Barka Region; and Ambassador Mahmud Ali Jabra, Secretary of the PFDJ in the region.

Indicating that a task force has been established with a view to enhancing public understanding of female genital mutilation and its consequences, Mr. Zeray Berhe, Administrator of the sub-zone, said that as a result of the ongoing efforts, 61 villages in the sub-zone have declared themselves free from the harmful practice.

Mr. Tesfagebriel Gebreselasie, Acting Head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare branch in the sub-zone, stated that efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation and other harmful practices have been ongoing since 2007. He further noted that the initiative has been carried out in collaboration with the Ministries of Labor and Social Welfare and Health, as well as the National Union of Eritrean Women and the areas administrations in the sub-zone.

Participants of the ceremony expressed their readiness to remain vigilant to ensure that the harmful practice does not resurface.

– on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Source: APO

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Unveiled today at its General Assembly, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (https://FSC.org/) reports a sharp slide in public concern for climate change, even after the hottest year on record. The 2025 Global Consumer Awareness Survey—conducted with IPSOS across 50 countries and 40,000+ respondents—find war and conflict (52%) now dominate public worries while climate change trails at 31%. That is a 21-point gap in the 2025 snapshot. Looking only at the 32 countries surveyed in both 2022 and 2025, the concern gap has widened from 12 points in 2022 – where economic hardship was on top position – to 16 points in 2025. 

Global highlights (beyond Europe) 

Forests as the “felt” climate impact: Issues such as loss of species, deforestation, wildfires, droughts and floods remain among the most pressing forestry concerns worldwide, underscoring that people experience climate risk very directly through forests. 

While concern about climate change ranks lower than other global crises, Canadians express strong concern about forest-related issues like wildfires — likely because they are a threat felt more locally. 

Rising concern in key markets: Japan registers a notable increase in climate concern since 2022, while Brazil also moves sharply upward — bucking the global decline. 

Attitudes at the checkout: Despite the attention shift, consumers still reward credible sustainability; demand for products that “do no harm” to plants and animals remains strong and continues to influence brand trust and loyalty. 

Europe: Declining Climate Concern in Key Economies 

The European results are particularly striking. Across France, Denmark, Spain, the UK and Germany, public concern over climate change has dropped by 6–10 percentage points since 2022. 

• France: 52% → 45% (–8) 
• Denmark: 51% → 41% (–10) 
• Spain: 44% → 37% (–6) 
• UK: 45% → 35% (–10) 
• Germany: 42% → 34% (–8) 

These countries are among Europe’s largest economies and climate leaders, but public attention is clearly shifting. At the same time, the EU is pushing ahead with ambitious climate legislation — creating a disconnect between policy momentum and public concern. 

“This concern gap shows why we must work with the concrete realities of people’s lives if we are to address climate change effectively. The survey shows a clear contradiction: people report lower worry about climate change, and yet they reward brands that can prove sustainability. This disconnect between abstract concepts and practical choices points to a clear need: make climate action tangible in daily life,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, FSC Director General. 

Forests Remain Where People Feel Climate Change Most Directly 

While “climate change” may rank lower as an abstract global issue in the 50-country snapshot, across the forestry module markets the impacts felt through forests—wildfires, droughts, floods, and biodiversity loss—rank among the top concerns within the forestry sector. “Loss of plant and animal species” and “deforestation” consistently appear among the most pressing forestry issues in those markets. 

Together, these results reinforce forests’ dual role as frontline climate arenas: they are highly vulnerable to climate change and essential to tackling it. 

Consumers Still Act on Climate at the Checkout 

Despite slipping concern levels, consumer behavior reveals strong climate values, with 72% of global consumers across 29 markets saying they prefer products that do not harm plants or animals. 

“Even if climate change isn’t always top of mind, people are increasingly voting with their wallets. They want sustainable choices—and they reward brands that can prove their impact,” said Helen Chepkemoi Too, Senior Director of Markets at FSC. 

Importantly, recognition of the FSC label correlates with higher levels of trust in brands, showing that climate-conscious choices are a powerful driver of loyalty and reputation. 

Africa Climate Change Highlights 

In 2025, the study included Egypt for the first time on Kenya and South Africa that was included in 2023. The results show that public concern about climate change declined most sharply in Kenya, down by 12 percentage points since 2023, followed by a 7-point drop in South Africa. 

“Africa has faced a year marked by conflict, economic strain, and social unrest. These realities inevitably influence people’s priorities,” said Annah Agasha, Deputy Director, FSC Africa. “Yet even amid uncertainty, sustainability remains a strong value across the continent. In Kenya and South Africa, FSC recognition rose to an average of 62%, up from 58% in 2023, showing that while people’s concerns shift, their commitment to responsible choices endures.”  

Why This Matters 

As wars, pandemics and inflation dominate public debate, climate change risks sliding out of political and consumer consciousness. Yet at the same time, people clearly want sustainable products and see the loss of plant and animal species as the greatest forestry related concern, with a majority expecting companies to ensure that their products do not contribute to deforestation.  

FSC calls for integrated strategies that address environmental action alongside social and economic security — ensuring climate solutions are not deprioritized in the face of crises. 

These findings are being debated this week at the FSC General Assembly, where global stakeholders are gathered to shape the future of responsible forest management and its role in tackling climate emergencies. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council.

Survey details: The FSC x IPSOS Global Consumer Awareness Survey 2025 interviewed more than 40,000 people in 50 markets. Historical comparisons are based on the 32 markets that were surveyed in both 2022 and 2025. 

For interviews, please contact:
Faya Davranbekova 
f.davranbekova@fsc.org

About the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC®):
FSC is a non-profit organization that provides a proven responsible forest management solution. Currently, over 150 million hectares of forest worldwide are certified according to FSC standards. It is widely regarded as the most rigorous forest certification system among NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike to tackle today’s deforestation, climate, and biodiversity challenges. The FSC forest management standard is based on ten core principles designed to address a broad range of environmental, social, and economic factors. FSC’s “check tree” label is found on millions of forest-based products and verifies that they are sustainably sourced, from forest to consumer. www.FSC.org. 

Source: APO

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On 27th October 2025, Hon. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, received H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, who is in Kigali for a two-day official visit. 

Both Ministers reaffirmed that relations between the Republic of Rwanda and the Federal Republic of Somalia are founded on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a strong spirit of Pan-African solidarity. They noted that this official visit marks a new chapter in the strengthening of bilateral ties and the deepening of cooperation across all sectors of mutual interest. 

The Ministers acknowledged the positive impact of the existing cooperation across various sectors, including political consultations, investment promotion, police, and defence. 

The Ministers signed the General Cooperation Agreement and agreed to fast-track its operationalization by establishing a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) to oversee the effective implementation of existing frameworks, and to identify new areas of collaboration, including justice, education, agriculture, ICT, and mutual legal assistance, among others. 

The Ministers exchanged views on the ongoing peace processes in Doha and Washington concerning the conflict in Eastern DRC. Rwanda also commends the work of Somalia at the United Nations Security Council in representing the interest of the Continent, through its continued engagement within the A3+ Group.

Finally, both Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation and coordination within international and multilateral fora to advance shared interests and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda.