Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Tshwane Metro Police warn of road closures ahead on 30 June

Source: Government of South Africa

Tshwane Metro Police warn of road closures ahead on 30 June

The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) has issued a traffic advisory ahead of a planned march on 30 June 2026, warning motorists of road closures and traffic disruptions in Pretoria’s city centre.

According to the media alert, the march is being held to protest against undocumented foreign nationals.

Participants are expected to gather at Church Square in Pretoria Central at 10:00 before marching to the Sunnyside Police Station. Authorities said no private vehicles will be permitted at the gathering point.

Buses transporting participants will drop commuters off at the corner of WF Nkomo and Bosman streets at the Church Square entrance before proceeding to the Old Putco Depot in Marabastad for parking. Private vehicles will be directed to an open parking area at the corner of Kgosi Mampuru and Madiba streets.

The procession will follow a route from Church Square along Paul Kruger Street before turning onto Francis Baard Street. 

Marchers will then continue via Lillian Ngoyi Street, Madiba Street, Nelson Mandela Drive, Kotze Street, Van Boeschoten Avenue, Robert Sobukwe Street and Leyds Street before arriving at Sunnyside Police Station.

Motorists have been advised to expect delays and make use of alternative routes, including Nana Sita Street, Visagie Street, Justice Mahomed Street, Jeff Masemola Street, Bosman Street, Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Struben Street, Bloed Street, Kgosi Mampuru Street and Eskia Mphahlele Drive.

The march is expected to conclude at approximately 3pm, when participants will disperse from Sunnyside Police Station.

The TMPD said officers, together with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), will be deployed throughout the day to monitor the march and ensure public safety along the affected routes.

Authorities have urged motorists and commuters to plan their journeys in advance and exercise patience while travelling through the Pretoria CBD during the demonstration. – SAnews.gov.za

Janine

0

Posted on

State Minister at MOFA Says Maritime Security Requires Global Cooperation

Source: Government of Qatar

Dubrovnik, Croatia, June 26, 2026

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi has said maritime security can no longer be the responsibility of any single country, warning that growing geopolitical rivalry, cyberattacks and threats to critical infrastructure require greater international cooperation.

Speaking at the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia on Friday, HE Dr Al Khulaifi said recent developments in the Middle East had demonstrated how disruption to a narrow maritime passage could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy, energy markets and international supply chains.

He said freedom of navigation was not only a commercial interest but a cornerstone of international law, adding that open sea lanes were a strategic necessity for Qatar and the Gulf states, whose economies depend on a rules-based international trading system.

It is not believed the world is moving towards a system based on exclusive or politically controlled corridors, he said, warning that such an approach would lead to greater fragmentation and instability.

HE Dr Al Khulaifi said sustainable maritime security rests on three pillars: adherence to international law, freedom of navigation without discrimination, and diplomacy and the peaceful settlement of disputes. While military capabilities could deter threats, he said, they could not replace trust between states.

Drawing on Qatar’s mediation experience, he argued that deterrence alone rarely delivers lasting security, and that durable stability requires dialogue, political solutions and diplomacy.

On the role of the United States, HE Dr Al Khulaifi said Washington remained an indispensable player in maritime security because of its naval capabilities and strategic presence. However, he added that recent regional events had shown military superiority does not necessarily translate into political stability.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass each day, stressing that it must remain open, secure and governed by international law.

Dr Al Khulaifi concluded by renewing Qatar’s call for respect for international law, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, freedom of navigation and the peaceful resolution of disputes, saying diplomacy and dialogue remain the best guarantee of lasting maritime security. 

Posted on

State Minister at MOFA Holds Series of Bilateral Talks on Sidelines of Dubrovnik Forum

Source: Government of Qatar

Dubrovnik, Croatia, June 26, 2026

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi has held a series of bilateral meetings with senior foreign officials on the sidelines of the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia.

HE Dr Al Khulaifi met separately with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali; HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon; HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov; HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for European Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, Mehmet Kemal Bozay; and HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Anis Matta.

According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation. The meetings also covered the latest regional developments, as well as several issues of mutual interest.

The Dubrovnik Forum is an annual international conference that brings together political leaders, diplomats and policymakers to discuss global and regional challenges. 

Posted on

Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Meets Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Dubrovnik, June 26, 2026

HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met Friday with HE Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman, on the sidelines of the Dubrovnik Forum.

The meeting addressed bilateral relations and ways to enhance them, as well as regional developments, particularly diplomatic efforts following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

HE the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs praised the State of Qatar’s constructive role in mediation and peaceful dispute resolution, and its efforts in supporting ongoing US–Iran negotiations to strengthen dialogue and regional stability. 

Posted on

Remarks by Deputy President Paul Mashatile during a visit to the South Africa Commodity China Exhibition and Trade Centre (SACC), Dongguan, Shenzhen District, China

Source: President of South Africa –

Chairperson,
Distinguished Executives of the South Africa Commodity Centre,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for meeting with us today and for the important work you continue to undertake in strengthening commercial and economic relations between South Africa and China.

South Africa values institutions that create practical mechanisms for expanding trade, attracting investment, and facilitating business partnerships. The South Africa Commodity Centre represents exactly this type of strategic platform.

We are encouraged by the vision of SACC as a comprehensive China–South Africa economic cooperation hub that promotes two-way trade, industrial collaboration, and market integration. 

Your investment in a permanent South Africa National Pavilion demonstrates confidence in South Africa’s products, industries, and long-term economic potential. 

We note the significant opportunities being developed through your four core business areas:

– Two-way commodity exhibition and trade
– Cross-border e-commerce
– Industrial incubation
– Skills and talent development.

South Africa possesses a rich portfolio of products and industries that align strongly with growing demand in China, including:

– Critical minerals and mineral beneficiation
– Agricultural products and agro-processing 
– Premium wines and beverages
– Citrus, avocados, and fresh produce 
– Seafood and aquaculture products
– Jewellery and precious metals
– Advanced manufacturing and industrial products.

We are particularly interested in expanding market access opportunities for South African exporters and strengthening participation by South African companies in digital commerce platforms and integrated supply chains.

The Centre’s focus on cross-border e-commerce and digital trade presents exciting opportunities for South African SMEs and exporters seeking direct access to Chinese consumers and business partners. 

We would welcome further collaboration in developing e-commerce channels, digital trade platforms and market-entry programmes that support South African businesses. 

We are equally encouraged by your industrial incubation and talent development initiatives, which support enterprise growth, knowledge sharing and skills transfer between our two countries.

South Africa views SACC as a strategic platform capable of supporting broader cooperation in investment promotion, manufacturing partnerships, industrial development, and value-added trade.

I therefore invite the South Africa Commodity Centre and its partner enterprises to participate in the next South Africa Investment Conference and engage directly with investment opportunities across priority sectors of our economy.

I also encourage your investors and business partners to explore opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which provides access to one of the world’s largest emerging markets and positions South Africa as a gateway to the African continent.

Finally, I encourage your organisation and affiliated companies to work closely with InvestSA and our One Stop Shop mechanisms, which are specifically designed to facilitate investment establishment, resolve bottlenecks and accelerate project implementation.

We look forward to strengthening this partnership and creating new opportunities for trade, investment and shared prosperity between South Africa and China.

Thank you, Xie Xie.

Posted on

Liberia: President Boakai Issues Executive Order Banning Export of Unprocessed Natural Rubber to Boost Local Manufacturing

Source: APO


.

The Executive Order forms part of the Boakai Administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and is intended to stimulate domestic industrialization, create jobs, increase government revenue, and strengthen Liberia’s value-added manufacturing sector.

The Order notes that the continued export of raw natural rubber has deprived Liberia of significant downstream manufacturing opportunities, industrial employment, expanded tax revenues, and improved foreign exchange earnings. It further acknowledges that previous efforts to regulate the export of unprocessed rubber were undermined by widespread abuse, necessitating stronger executive action.

Under the Executive Order, the export of unprocessed natural rubber, including natural latex, coagulum, cup lump, tree lace, bark scrap, ground scrap, and other forms of raw rubber, is prohibited for an indefinite period. 

However, processed rubber products such as latex concentrate, Technically Specified Rubber (TSR), ribbed smoked sheets, crepe rubber, and other internationally recognized processed rubber products remain eligible for export.

The Order provides for strict enforcement measures against violators, including the immediate seizure and forfeiture of illegally exported goods, administrative fines of up to US$100,000 for corporations and US$50,000 for smallholder farmers for first offenses, permanent revocation of export privileges for repeat offenders, and criminal prosecution under Liberian law. Shipping companies and agents found complicit in the illegal export of unprocessed rubber will also face sanctions.

To ensure effective implementation, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Rubber Development Fund have been directed to jointly enforce the ban. Customs authorities, port officials, and law enforcement agencies have also been instructed to inspect, detain, and confiscate any shipment of unprocessed rubber intended for export.

Within thirty days, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant stakeholders, is required to establish regulations that improve domestic market access for rubber farmers, particularly those in remote communities who have traditionally depended on cross-border trade in raw rubber.

As part of broader industrial support measures, the Government will prioritize incentives for domestic rubber processing industries through tax relief, concessional financing, infrastructure support, and policies aimed at expanding manufacturing into finished rubber products such as tires, gloves, footwear, adhesives, and other value-added products.

The Executive Order takes effect on July 1, 2026, and shall remain in force until repealed or amended by an Act of the Legislature. It will be reviewed annually to assess its impact on Liberia’s industrial development and the rubber sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Liberia: Executive Mansion.

Posted on

Eritrea: Ministry of Education conducts activity assessment meeting

Source: APO


.

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Adi-Halo Human Resources Office, conducted an activity assessment meeting on the progress of pre-education services for 2025/2026 from 23 to 25 June at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers Hall.

The meeting was attended by the Governors of the six regions of the country, heads and representatives of ministries, partners, as well as invited guests.

Indicating the substantial investment made by the EPLF during the armed struggle for independence and by the Government of Eritrea after independence in the education sector, Ambassador Abdella Musa, Minister of Local Government, commended the initiative to establish pre-schools in all villages across the country. He also reminded administrations at all levels of their responsibility in the effort.

Dr. Halima Mohammed, Minister of Education, on her part, noted that the policy of the Ministry of Education to provide equal access to education is a central pillar in the journey to ensure social justice. She also said that, in Eritrea, basic education is a free and obligatory citizenship right.

Noting that, as part of the program initiated at the national level to expand pre-education opportunities, pre-schools have been established in all villages and training programs have been organized for about six thousand female pre-school teachers, Dr. Halima said that the successful program has been implemented through the coordination of Adi-Halo Human Resources Office and the involvement of other partner institutions.

Heads of education branches in the regions also provided reports regarding the progress of pre-education in general, and the construction of new pre-schools and renovation of existing ones in particular, in terms of the success registered and the experience gained.

The participants conducted extensive discussions on the reports presented, as well as on the activity programs for 2026/2027.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Posted on

Closing remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa at 9th Summit of the Southern African Customs Union, Cape Town

Source: President of South Africa –

Your Majesty, Your Excellencies,
Honourable Ministers
Members of the SACU Council,
Executive Secretary of SACU, Mr Dumisani Masilela,
Officials,

This has been a productive Summit. We conducted our discussions in a frank and open manner, which enabled us to reach consensus on the key strategic issues on our Agenda.

I wish to express my appreciation to Your Majesty and Your Excellencies for your contributions and guidance. 

The 9th Summit reflected on the regional and global developments that have an impact on the SACU economic agenda. These developments include the changing trade climate and the rise in protectionist measures.
 
We considered a Report from the SACU Council of Ministers and endorsed the recommendations from the SACU Ministerial Retreat held on the 24th of June 2026 here in Cape Town. 

We also noted progress on the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan for the period 2022-2027. 

The Summit noted that work in areas such as industrialisation, investment promotion and export promotion has greatly advanced.
There has also been progress in trade facilitation, logistics and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. 
On the industrialisation pillar, work has commenced on fertilizers, agro-chemicals and seed production. 

Work is also advanced on the auto and battery value chains. A regional investment roundtable is planned later this year to mobilise investment.

The regional joint enforcement operations targeting illicit tobacco and tobacco products have yielded significant results. This includes the seizure of illicit goods, arrests, penalties and the recovery of excise duties and Value Added Tax. 

We have also noted that work is being initiated on the critical sectors of automotives and minerals beneficiation, as well as development of a long-term strategy on industrialisation.

All SACU Member States are implementing the tariff concessions under the African Continental Free Trade Area. We agreed on the need for an export strategy to enhance intra-Africa trade and ensure better use of all trade agreements.

We also emphasised the need to fast-track trade negotiations to diversify markets and build resilience in the context of geopolitical tensions and shifts in global trade.

We noted the progress made in the development of a financing mechanism for cross-border industrialisation and infrastructure projects.
The Summit further noted and commended our efforts to diversify trade as a resilience-building strategy. 

The Summit emphasised the need for a unified approach to preserve our Union.
 
The Summit commends the Council of Ministers on the progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan. 

We must now redouble our efforts and avail the requisite human and financial resources to the Secretariat to achieve the objectives and milestones we have set for ourselves. 

We have guided the Council of Ministers to finalise the SACU re-imagination process. 

This is critical if we are to have a SACU that can respond to the current challenges facing the global economy and leverage the opportunities that arise. 

South Africa’s term as the Chair of SACU ends on the 14th of July 2026. 

I am honoured to have served as the Chairperson of the Summit. It is my hope that the progress registered during South Africa’s tenure will provide a solid foundation to move us forward. 

Allow me to congratulate His Excellency President Boko as the incoming Chairperson of the SACU Summit. 

We pledge our continued support, Your Excellency, as you take over and steer us in this important role. 

We trust in your stewardship as SACU navigates the challenging times.

We thank you all for honouring our invitation to this Summit and wish you safe journeys as you return home. 

I thank you.

Posted on

As Ebola spreads in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns food assistance is vital to containing the outbreak

Source: APO


.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up food assistance, logistics and telecommunications support in eastern DRC, where Ebola is spreading through communities already hit by conflict, displacement and severe hunger.

The outbreak is unfolding in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Without urgent support, rising hunger, insecurity and population movement could make it harder for families to comply with recommended health measures, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Here are the latest updates on food security and WFP operations in eastern DRC and the region:

Health and Food Security Situation in eastern DRC:

  • Ebola cases continue to be reported in Ituri and northern North Kivu, requiring sustained containment measures to prevent further spread within and beyond the affected provinces.
  • The virus now affects 34 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
  • Thirty of those zones are already facing crisis levels of hunger or worse (IPC Phase 3+), including seven facing emergency levels of hunger (IPC Phase 4).
  • More than 10 million people across eastern DRC are food insecure, leaving many families with limited ability to absorb another shock.

WFP Operational Food Response:

  • WFP is supporting more than 1.2 million people with food assistance, nutrition support, logistics, telecommunications and air services that help keep the health response moving.
  • More than 36,000 hot meals have reached over 1,600 patients, caregivers and contacts across 14 treatment and isolation centres since 28 May.
  • Take-home rations have supported more than 2,600 people in North Kivu and Ituri.
  • Monthly food assistance is reaching 14,000 people in ten quarantined villages in South Kivu.
  • WFP is currently supporting nutrition activities in seven affected health zones. However, gaps in nutrition screening, and weak triage systems, are limiting targeted interventions.

WFP Logistics and Supply Chain Operations:

  • WFP is providing the logistics backbone of the Ebola response, helping health and humanitarian partners reach affected communities quickly and safely.
  • The WFP-managed United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has conducted 268 flights, transported more than 1,750 humanitarian responders and delivered 36 metric tons of critical cargo to frontline areas.
  • UNHAS operates daily flights linking Kinshasa, Bunia, Beni and other priority outbreak locations.
  • WFP-chartered aircraft have moved nearly 154 metric tons of medical supplies, PPE, laboratory equipment and other life-saving cargo to Ebola-affected areas.
  • A dedicated helicopter facilitates access to Ebola hotspots such as Mongbwalu and Nyakunde.
  • A Hercules C-130 aircraft has transported vital cargo from Uganda to Bunia, with more than 150 mt of essential supplies moved to date.
  • Three Epishuttle isolation units have been prepositioned in Bunia, to evacuate confirmed cases safely, with MEDEVAC training coordinated alongside partners.
  • WFP and partners are expanding access to newly affected areas, including Butembo, Bambu, Kilo, Nizi, Tchomia and Kasenyi, where severe hunger and displacement are already widespread.

Challenges and Funding Requirements

  • Insecurity and access constraints remain major obstacles, with affected health zones close to conflict frontlines and communities forced to move in search of food and safety.
  • WFP urgently requires USD 72 million over the next six months to sustain food assistance, UNHAS and logistics operations for the Ebola response.
  • Across DRC, WFP needs USD 286 million over the next six months to keep vital food assistance moving.

  • WFP is deeply concerned for vulnerable people trapped in inaccessible areas, where hunger and malnutrition are likely to worsen as the lean season approaches.

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

Posted on

South Africa: President Ramaphosa to undertake Working Visit to France

Source: APO


.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake a Working Visit to France from 10-12 July 2026. 

The visit comes at the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr Khaled El-Enany, to co-chair the UNESCO High-Level Steering Committee on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4) on education, which will be held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10 July 2026.

This will be followed by the Transforming Education Summit (TES) Stocktake.

On 12 July, President Ramaphosa is expected to attend the 110th Commemoration of the Battle of Delville Wood which will be held at the South African Memorial in Longueval, approximately two hours from Paris.

The historic commemoration will honour South African soldiers who lost their lives during World War I.

The commemoration will include a wreath-laying ceremony and the unveiling of the UNESCO plaque. 

President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by various Ministers and senior government officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.