Category: MIL-OSI

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Seychelles: Financial Stability Report Presented to the President

Source: APO – Report:

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The annual Financial Stability Report (FSR) serves as a platform to highlight and discuss key systemic risks to the financial system, while enhancing accountability and transparency on financial stability matters. Following the presentation of the report to the President, the Chairperson of the Financial Stability Committee noted that the report is a collective effort led by the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS), with contributions from members of the CBS, the Ministry responsible for Finance, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The Chairperson provided a brief overview of the report, highlighting key risks and the ongoing work undertaken in collaboration with other financial institutions.

She noted that for the year 2025, the banking sector remained stable, particularly in light of the newly introduced financial policies. She also highlighted a growing concern regarding individuals taking out loans and subsequently facing difficulties in repayment. She explained that there is a general lack of understanding of the risks associated with borrowing, and emphasised that the Central Bank will strengthen public education efforts on responsible borrowing and loan repayment.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to update the President on current financial developments.

The delegates discussed the challenges facing the sector, particularly the rapid advancement of technology, including artificial intelligence. Concerns were raised regarding increased risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing, cybersecurity threats, and attempts by malicious actors to compromise financial systems. The Chairperson reiterated the need to continuously strengthen systems and enhance training to ensure resilience against these evolving threats.

Sanctions were also discussed at length, particularly those imposed by other countries, including the European Union. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf region was highlighted as a factor placing additional pressure on the financial services sector and increasing risks within the banking system, notably given that cyber threats tend to intensify during periods of conflict.

Those attending the meeting included Secretary of State Mr Patrick Payet, Director of the FSA Mr Pascal Morin, Director of the FIU Mr Philippe Moustache, and other members of the committee, namely Mr Mike Tirant, Ms Sharon Uranie, Ms Samata Esparon, and Mr Brian Commetant.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.

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Security Sector Reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Women Move “From Participation to Influence”

Source: APO

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the future of peace is now being shaped with a distinctly feminine sensitivity and strength. This was the powerful message that opened, on June 17, the strategic retreat of the Women’s Advisory Group on Security Sector Reform (SSR). Gathered under the evocative theme “From participation to influence,” and with the support of MONUSCO through the Security Sector Reform (SSR) Section, the participants reaffirmed a fundamental principle: women are not merely beneficiaries of security policies, but a key driver in building sustainable and inclusive peace.

For Ely Dieng, Coordinator of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Division and Acting Deputy Special Representative at MONUSCO, this approach is, above all, a matter of institutional effectiveness: “Integrating women into security sector reform is not only about promoting equality, but also about building more legitimate, accountable institutions that are closer to the citizens.”

Sharpening skills to impact decisions
Far from being a simple series of speeches, this retreat was designed to be highly practical. The second day, June 18, was entirely dedicated to strengthening the technical capacities of the participants. The agenda included advanced mediation techniques, multi-stakeholder dialogue, and strategic analysis.

The objective of this immersion is clear: to equip the women of the Advisory Group with the necessary tools to translate harsh field realities and early warnings into concrete, sharp, and actionable policy recommendations for high-level decision-makers.

Déborah Nyamugabo, a member of the Synergie pour la Paix, perfectly summarized this ambition: “Wherever women are present, humanism takes root. The advisory group aims to look ahead at what works, what does not work, or what needs improvement. That is why it is crucial to speak about strengthening existing reforms and institutional mechanisms, but also about empowering the women who are themselves active within this security sector.“

A Roadmap for the country’s future
Security a domain long perceived as the exclusive preserve of men in uniform? This stereotype was swiftly dismissed by Colonel Nénette Mukembe, former battalion commander within the FARDC Land Forces: “Security is not just a matter for soldiers or police officers; it is an issue that concerns everyone.“

In the face of the humanitarian and security challenges shaking the country, the urgency to act is pressing. Ms. Faida Mwangilwa, Coordinator of the Women’s Advisory Group on SSR, sounded the call to action: “We know that women have faced many problems in recent years. But now is the time to resolve them and see how we can find appropriate solutions for our own security, the security of our children, and the future of our country.“

On June 19, at the conclusion of the third and final day of reflection, a decisive step toward real impact was taken. The participants formally defined their engagement priorities and adopted a strategic roadmap. This framework document will now serve as a compass to guide their future actions and ensure that the voice of Congolese women permanently carries weight in the major security orientations of the DRC.

Thanks to this Kinshasa retreat, the Women’s Advisory Group on SSR is no longer just participating; it has firmly established itself as an essential influential actor for the stability of the DRC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

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Rainbow World Group annonce que sa filiale Rainbow Images s’apprête à engager une procédure judiciaire afin de faire respecter des accords relatifs aux droits d’image et à la propriété intellectuelle concernant le footballeur Yan Diomande

Source: Africa Press Organisation – French


Rainbow World Group (« Rainbow ») (https://RainbowWorldGroup.com/) a annoncé aujourd’hui que Rainbow Images, filiale de Rainbow World Group, s’apprête à engager une procédure judiciaire afin de faire respecter ses droits d’image ainsi que les accords de propriété intellectuelle liés au footballeur Yan Diomande, à la suite de ce que la société décrit comme un non-respect des conditions commerciales convenues durant son développement.

Rainbow précise que le différend porte spécifiquement sur les droits d’image et la propriété intellectuelle, et non sur une question de représentation ou d’agence, ni sur la carrière sportive de Diomande, que la société continue de soutenir.

Rainbow indique avoir été un partenaire commercial du joueur et avoir joué un rôle central dans son identification, son éducation et son exposition.

Des années d’investissement derrière une ascension rapide

L’émergence de Diomande comme l’un des jeunes joueurs les plus suivis du football européen a été largement relayée ces derniers mois. Ce qui a été beaucoup moins rapporté, selon Rainbow, c’est le travail réalisé en amont : la société a identifié Diomande plusieurs années avant son ascension et a engagé des ressources financières, opérationnelles et personnelles substantielles dans son développement.

Selon Rainbow, ce soutien a notamment inclus le financement d’étapes clés de sa progression, la gestion de ses déplacements internationaux et de ses démarches de visa, l’accompagnement de son parcours éducatif et footballistique depuis la Côte d’Ivoire, ainsi que l’obtention d’essais auprès de clubs tels que Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC, Newcastle United FC, Olympiacos FC et CD Leganés à différentes étapes de sa carrière.

« Rien de tout cela n’est arrivé par hasard », a déclaré la société. « C’est le résultat de plusieurs années de planification, d’investissement et de risque commercial — le type de travail nécessaire pour construire un athlète professionnel bien avant que le marché ne reconnaisse sa valeur. »

Un différend centré sur les droits d’image et la propriété intellectuelle

Rainbow indique qu’au moment de son investissement, elle a conclu des accords commerciaux portant spécifiquement sur les droits d’image et la propriété intellectuelle associée, distincts de tout accord d’agence ou de représentation. Ces accords avaient pour objectif de garantir que la société puisse participer à la valeur commerciale qu’elle avait contribué à créer dans l’hypothèse où Diomande connaîtrait une réussite professionnelle.

La société estime que ces accords relatifs aux droits d’image et à la propriété intellectuelle demeurent valides et exécutoires, et qu’elle demandera leur reconnaissance et leur application devant les tribunaux.

« Ces procédures n’ont pas pour objectif d’empêcher Yan Diomande de poursuivre sa carrière de footballeur, ni d’interférer avec ses opportunités professionnelles », a déclaré la société. « Nous restons fiers du rôle que nous avons joué dans son développement et lui souhaitons de continuer à réussir sur le terrain. Il s’agit uniquement de faire respecter des accords relatifs aux droits d’image et à la propriété intellectuelle que nous estimons toujours valables et exécutoires. Rien de plus. »

Un test plus large pour le football africain

Rainbow considère que ce différend dépasse le seul cadre du contrat d’un joueur. Selon la société, cette affaire soulève des questions de sécurité contractuelle, de protection des droits d’image et de gouvernance d’entreprise dans le football, et plus particulièrement la question de savoir si l’Afrique peut continuer à attirer des investissements de long terme dans le développement des joueurs.

« Pour que le football africain puisse attirer des investissements sérieux et durables, il doit exister une confiance dans le respect des accords relatifs aux droits d’image et à la propriété intellectuelle », a déclaré la société. « Le développement durable des joueurs ne dépend pas seulement de la capacité à identifier les talents, mais aussi d’une culture qui respecte les engagements commerciaux et l’État de droit. »

Une procédure menée devant les tribunaux

Rainbow déclare que l’affaire sera portée devant la High Court de Londres ainsi que devant les juridictions des Îles Vierges britanniques.

Rainbow indique avoir réuni de nombreux éléments documentaires constitués tout au long de son accompagnement de Diomande, démontrant son investissement et son soutien dans la carrière du joueur, y compris les accords relatifs aux droits d’image et à la propriété intellectuelle en cause. Ces éléments seront présentés dans le cadre de la procédure judiciaire, conformément aux règles de preuve applicables.

Yan Diomande et ses représentants légaux ont été officiellement informés de la procédure que Rainbow s’apprête à engager.

« L’objectif de Rainbow est la reconnaissance et l’exécution des accords que la société estime toujours valables et exécutoires, et elle poursuivra cet objectif par les voies juridiques appropriées », a déclaré la société.

Distribué par APO Group pour Rainbow World Group.

Contact presse :
Rainbow World Group
info@rainbow-sports.com

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Substance abuse a daily challenge confronting communities

Source: Government of South Africa

Substance abuse a daily challenge confronting communities

The Deputy Minister of Social Development Mogamad Ganief Ebrahim Hendricks has called for a more compassionate and innovative response to substance abuse, saying government must take services directly to vulnerable communities rather than expecting people to seek help on their own.

Addressing the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Tladi, Gauteng, on Thursday, the Deputy Minister said substance abuse remains a systemic crisis affecting families, communities and the country’s social fabric.

The event formed part of South Africa’s observance of the United Nations-designated day, held this year under the theme, “Innovative Responses: Confronting Substance Abuse and its Related Challenges”.

Hendricks said substance abuse was a daily challenge confronting communities across the country.

He highlighted the plight of homeless people and those living on the streets, saying they often bear the greatest burden of addiction while facing multiple barriers to accessing treatment and support.

According to the Deputy Minister, many homeless people struggling with substance use disorders also contend with untreated physical and mental health conditions, unemployment, limited skills development opportunities, social isolation and stigma.

“Innovation means breaking down silos. It means taking services out of government buildings and bringing them directly to the pavements, shelters, informal settlements, and wherever they are needed most,” the Deputy Minister said.

He stressed that every person, regardless of their housing status, deserves access to a comprehensive continuum of care, including prevention programmes, treatment, rehabilitation, social reintegration and long-term aftercare.

The Department of Social Development, the Hendricks said, remains committed to providing screening and assessment services, holistic medical and psychosocial treatment, as well as reintegration programmes aimed at reuniting people recovering from substance use disorders with their families and communities.

He urged communities to support people in recovery and reject discrimination based on race, gender or social status.

The commemoration concluded with a renewed call for stronger partnerships to combat substance abuse and related social challenges, including homelessness, crime, violence and victimisation. – SAnews.gov.za

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Government continues repatriation and deportation operations, successes recorded

Source: Government of South Africa

Government continues repatriation and deportation operations, successes recorded

Government is making “substantial progress” in the deportation and repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa, reflecting the five-point comprehensive approach for managing migration through lawful, coordinated, and constitutionally sound mechanisms.

Government has ramped up its work to clamp down on illegal immigration through the Comprehensive Approach for Migration Management announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this month.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and chair of the Inter-ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration, Mmamoloko Kubayi, noted that countries including Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, along with Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have come forward to repatriate their citizens.

“We are making substantial progress with the deportation and repatriation of foreign nationals across the affected provinces.

“Over and above the work that we have been undertaking in enforcing our immigration laws, mostly through deportations from our Lindela Repatriation Centre, several countries have come forward to offer the voluntary repatriation of their respective nationals. 

“The repatriation process is voluntary and requesting countries bear the primary responsibility for transportation cost and management of logistics in this regard. Under normal circumstances, the responsibility of the host country only involves verification and issuance of orders to leave,” Kubayi said in a media briefing on Friday.

“As you might have observed from the scenes in Sherwood and Che Guevara, Durban Drive-in, eMsunduzi areas in KwaZulu-Natal, the Malawian nationals’ situation had become untenable in terms of numbers and the humanitarian emergency that has arisen henceforth. To date (close of business – 25/06/20206), a total of 15 162 Malawian nationals have been processed for deportation and repatriation, and more are still undergoing the verification process for repatriation from various temporary repatriation centres in the country. 

“Given the gravity of this situation and the need to expedite the deportation and repatriation of these foreign nationals, we have taken a decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Musina Refugee Reception Office in Limpopo province to also conduct verifications. 

“We have as a result activated all logistics relating to the repatriation of foreign nationals in Musina. We will work with various stakeholders such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Red Cross, Feature Family, Musina Legal Advice Office (MLAO), Outreach Foundation and Save the Children foundation to facilitate this process, including the Consul General of Malawi,” Kubayi said.

This strategic work is bolstered by a new Temporary Repatriation Processing Centre (TRPC) outside Musina in Limpopo, which is aimed at:

  • Enabling faster processing and verification of undocumented foreign nationals.
  • Facilitating more efficient clearance through the Beitbridge port of entry, and
  • Serving as a decentralised processing point, reducing reliance on Lindela and improving overall system throughput.

“This intervention is intended to support timely deportation, improved compliance with legal timeframes, and enhanced operational resilience under current surge conditions.

“The repatriation centre currently utilised in eThekwini will be closed and all Malawian nationals will be transferred once all logistics are finalised,” Kubayi said.

Other key achievements as a result of government work include:

  • The arrest of 5 056 suspects for contravention of immigration laws in the week of 15 June 2026 alone.
  • Processing of 8 230 persons processed to date through the Beitbridge port of entry.
  • Multidisciplinary enforcement operations resulting in 35 arrests, including two employers charged with employing undocumented foreign nationals.

“The Border Management Authority (BMA), working with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and other law enforcement agencies, has maintained heightened vigilance across all ports of entry in the three modalities of land, air and sea.

“Static checkpoints and roadblocks remain in place at key corridors leading to critical ports, including Beitbridge,” Kubayi said.

Working together

The Minister acknowledged that the challenges of migration are “complex” and added that government’s approach to the issues will be “anchored in the Constitution, the rule of law and our shared commitment as Africans”.

“Government will not tolerate the circumvention of our immigration systems, nor will it permit acts of vigilantism, violence or intimidation directed at any community. We call on all undocumented persons within our borders to comply with our laws, and we call on employers to refrain from transgressing immigration and labour legislation.

“We thank our partner countries for their cooperation in the safe, orderly and voluntary repatriation of their citizens. We further thank the people of South Africa for their continued patience and trust as we restore stability to affected communities,” Kubayi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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Rainbow World Group announces that its subsidiary Rainbow Images is about to commence legal proceedings to enforce image-rights and intellectual-property agreements related to footballer Yan Diomande

Source: APO


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Rainbow World Group (“Rainbow”) (https://RainbowWorldGroup.com/) today announced that Rainbow Images, a subsidiary of Rainbow World Group, is about to commence legal proceedings to enforce its image rights and related intellectual-property agreements concerning footballer Yan Diomande, following what the company describes as a failure to honour the commercial terms agreed during his development.

Rainbow makes clear that the dispute concerns image rights and intellectual property specifically — not any question of representation or agency, nor Diomande’s playing career, which the company continues to support.

Rainbow says it was a commercial partner of the player and played a central role in his identification, education and exposure.

Years of Investment Behind a Rapid Rise

Diomande’s emergence as one of European football’s most closely watched young players has been widely covered in recent months. What has been far less reported, Rainbow says, is the work that came before it: the company identified Diomande several years before his rise and committed substantial financial, operational and personal resources to his development.

According to Rainbow, that support included funding key stages of his progression, managing his international travel and visa processes, supporting his educational and footballing pathway from Côte d’Ivoire onward, and arranging training with clubs including Chelsea FC, Crystal Palace FC, Newcastle United FC, Olympiacos FC and CD Leganés at various stages of his career.

“None of this happened by chance,” the company said. “It is the result of several years of planning, investment and commercial risk — the kind of work required to build a professional athlete long before the market recognises his value.”

A Dispute Centred on Image Rights and Intellectual Property

Rainbow states that, at the time of its investment, it entered into commercial agreements governing image rights and associated intellectual property specifically, distinct from any agency or representation arrangement. Those agreements were designed to ensure that the company could share in the commercial value it had helped create should Diomande achieve professional success.

The company considers that these image-rights and intellectual-property agreements remain valid and enforceable, and that it will seek their recognition and enforcement before the courts.

“These proceedings are not intended to prevent Yan Diomande from pursuing his football career, nor to interfere with his professional opportunities,” the company said. “We remain proud of the role we played in his development and wish him continued success on the field. This is solely about enforcing image-rights and intellectual-property agreements we believe remain valid and enforceable. Nothing more.”

A Broader Test for African Football

Rainbow regards this dispute as going beyond the contract of a single player. In the company’s view, the matter raises questions of contractual certainty, image-rights protection and corporate governance in football and, more specifically, whether Africa can continue to attract long-term investment in player development.

“For African football to attract serious, long-term investment, there must be confidence that image-rights and intellectual-property agreements will be honoured,” the company said. “Sustainable player development depends not only on the ability to identify talent, but on a culture that respects commercial commitments and the rule of law.”

Proceeding Through the Courts

Rainbow says the case will be filed before the High Court in London and in the British Virgin Islands.

Rainbow states it has assembled extensive contemporaneous records, compiled throughout its support of Diomande, documenting its investment in and support of the player’s career, including the image-rights and intellectual-property agreements at issue. That evidence will be presented through the judicial process, in accordance with the applicable rules of evidence.

Yan Diomande and his legal representatives have been formally notified of the proceedings Rainbow is about to commence.

“Rainbow’s objective is the recognition and enforcement of the agreements it believes remain valid and enforceable, and it will pursue that through the appropriate legal channels,” the company said.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rainbow World Group.

Media Contact
Rainbow World Group
info@rainbow-sports.com

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President urges faster SACU reforms

Source: Government of South Africa

President urges faster SACU reforms

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on member states of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) to accelerate reforms and strengthen regional cooperation to help the bloc respond to a changing global trade environment.

Delivering closing remarks at the 9th SACU Summit in Cape Town on Friday, President Ramaphosa said leaders had reached consensus on key strategic issues after what he described as frank and productive discussions.

SACU comprises Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.

The summit considered regional and global developments affecting the customs union, including growing protectionist measures and shifts in international trade. Leaders endorsed recommendations from the SACU Ministerial Retreat held on 24 June and noted progress in implementing the SACU Strategic Plan for 2022–2027.

Member states had made significant advances in industrialisation, investment promotion, export promotion, trade facilitation, logistics and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The President said work had begun on regional value chains in fertilisers, agrochemicals and seed production, while initiatives in the automotive and battery manufacturing sectors were also progressing.

A regional investment roundtable is expected later this year to mobilise funding for these industries.

The summit also welcomed the results of joint regional enforcement operations targeting illicit tobacco and tobacco products. According to President Ramaphosa, the operations had led to the seizure of illicit goods, arrests, financial penalties and the recovery of excise duties and value-added tax.

He said work was also under way to develop strategies for the automotive and minerals beneficiation sectors, alongside a long-term industrialisation strategy for the customs union.

All SACU member states are now implementing tariff concessions under the AfCFTA, the President said, adding that leaders agreed on the need for an export strategy to boost intra-African trade and maximise the benefits of existing trade agreements.

He said the summit had also emphasised the importance of concluding trade negotiations more quickly to diversify export markets and improve the region’s resilience amid geopolitical tensions and changes in global trade patterns.

Leaders noted progress in developing a financing mechanism for cross-border industrialisation and infrastructure projects and reaffirmed the importance of diversifying trade as a strategy to strengthen economic resilience.

President Ramaphosa’s term as chair of the SACU Summit ends on 14 July. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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

Source: President of South Africa –

Programme Director,
Your Majesty,
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government,
Honourable Ministers and Members of the SACU Council,
Executive Secretary of SACU, Mr Dumisani Masilela,
Members of Parliament and members of the diplomatic corps,
Officials,
Distinguished guests, 
Ladies and gentlemen, 
Good morning.
 
Allow me to begin by thanking you, Your Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, for your stewardship during your term as SACU Chair. Due to your leadership, we assume the chairship of a stronger, more resilient SACU. 

We warmly welcome His Excellency Duma Gideon Boko of the Republic of Botswana who is participating in our Summit for the first time.

I would ask that we observe a moment of silence in memory of our departed leaders: Dr Hage Geingob, who passed away in 2024, and Dr Festus Mogae, who passed away in May this year. 

They were both steadfast champions of pan-African solidarity and advocates for regional economic integration. We are comforted by the knowledge that their legacies live on.

Your Majesty, Your Excellencies,

At our last Summit in June 2023 in the Kingdom of Eswatini, we reflected on the global economic challenges that had emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We agreed on the need for a coordinated response to tackle supply chain disruptions as well as food and energy market volatility. The Re-imagined SACU Agenda emanated from that Summit. 

We gather today at a moment when the global economy is being reshaped before our eyes. Trade patterns are changing. New technologies are redrawing industrial competitiveness. Supply chains are being reconfigured. Around the world nations are reorganising themselves for a far more uncertain future. 

In such a world, no African country, regardless of its size, can prosper alone. Our strength will increasingly depend on the strength of our region. 

It is at this moment when a Re-imagined SACU Agenda matters. SACU has lived through empire, two world wars, the Great Depression, the struggle against colonialism and apartheid, the birth of independent African states and the transformation of our own region. Few institutions anywhere in the world have demonstrated such endurance. 

Three years on, the global economic environment remains precarious and uncertain. It is marked by trade tensions, tariff disputes, supply chain disruptions and growing economic fragmentation. 

In this increasingly contested global trading system, the need for Africa to strengthen its economic resilience has become all the greater. A Re-imagined SACU therefore becomes the vehicle which would enable our region to navigate the turbulent economic environment but the current moment continues to present us with. 

Through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and mechanisms like SACU we want to enhance intra-African commerce and trade. 

We need to build resilience and reduce the economic dependencies that render African economies vulnerable to the whims of international trade. The certainties upon which the international trading system rested for decades are steadily giving way to uncertainty. The decline in official development assistance has affected members of our Union. 

The World Bank estimates that global growth will slow to 2.5 percent this year because of the conflict in the Middle East. 

The SACU economies have, however, proven to be resilient against external shocks, supported by stronger regional integration, the diversification of export destinations and effective risk-mitigation measures. It is through regional integration that our region will continue to strengthen economic sovereignty. 

The overall GDP growth in SACU is expected to grow to 2.64 percent in 2026 and 2.1 percent in 2027. 
Ours is the world’s oldest customs union, established in 1910. It has evolved from being an instrument serving colonial interests to one that advances regional economic integration, development and shared prosperity among member states. 

Since the SACU Agreement of 2002, this Union has served as a crucial building block for broader regional integration efforts. At the same time, the revenue transfers support the delivery of public services and infrastructure development. 

Yet, we have not fully unleashed SACU’s potential. 

Our Union has the potential to be more than a fiscal instrument. It must be a catalyst for development. 

We therefore welcome the progress towards establishing a Regional Development Fund in partnership with the African Development Bank.

SACU must be able to adapt its frameworks and instruments to advance industrialisation, strengthen regional value chains, promote economic diversification, attract investment and improve the economic competitiveness of member states. 

It is time to move away from the traditional role of SACU as a customs arrangement and towards being the premier platform for regional economic resilience and self-reliance. This is essential because institutions that fail to adapt to changing realities ultimately become custodians of the past rather than architects of the future. 

Commendable progress has been made in a number of areas. Our ambition must be nothing less than building Southern Africa into one of the world’s most competitive regional production hubs. 

In agriculture, for example, there has been valuable cooperation by farmers across member states on citrus and sugar cane production. There has been important cooperation between South Africa and Botswana on Foot and Mouth vaccines. 

We acknowledge the work of the SACU Task Team on Automotive and Mineral Beneficiation that convened in April in Maseru. Its focus is on the development of the battery value chain and cross-border component manufacturing in the auto and mining sectors.
 
Eswatini’s manufacturing base, Lesotho’s textile sector, Namibia’s green hydrogen and uranium processing potential, Botswana’s diamond beneficiation experience and South Africa’s automotive and steel capacity should be harnessed towards a regional industrial ecosystem that can compete in the global economy. 

Industrialisation is the only durable path from commodity dependence to an economy capable of sustaining our growing populations. The next chapter in SACU’s history must be written not in customs schedules alone, but in factories that produce, laboratories that innovate, railways that connect our economies and young people whose talents are fully realised. 

With Africa holding approximately 30 percent of the world’s mineral reserves, SACU needs to leverage the growing global demand for critical minerals to support our own regional value chains and to fast-track the beneficiation of our raw materials. 

To make use of these opportunities, we must continue to invest in shared infrastructure. We need roads, railways, ports, energy grids, digital networks and water systems that don’t just serve individual national economies, but that serve an integrated regional economy. 

The Trans-Kalahari Railway, which Botswana and Namibia have been advancing, is precisely the kind of transformative infrastructure that the region needs. 

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a model of shared infrastructure that has served both Lesotho and South Africa for decades. Eswatini’s energy interconnections with South Africa and Mozambique demonstrate the same value. 

We are also launching cross-border special economic zones that will serve as nodal points for regional industrialisation. 

Shared infrastructure requires shared investment. We must attract private investment by creating conditions in our region that are conducive to both international and domestic investment. 

On this great continent lies everything the world needs for the next century of human development. The question is whether we will be the architects of that development or merely suppliers of raw materials. 

This is the challenge we must address at this Summit. 

Our meeting would not be possible without the efforts of our Ministers, officials and the Executive Secretary and his team at the Secretariat. We thank you for your hard work and support to all the institutions of the Union.

South Africa affirms its commitment to the objectives of this Summit and to the advancement of SACU’s strategic objectives. We are grateful for the collegiality and shared resolve that have always characterised the work of the Customs Union. 

One hundred and sixteen years ago, the nations of this region were bound together not by choice, but by the instruments of colonial power.

Today, we choose this Customs Union. We renew it freely. We deepen it deliberately.

Because we understand that economic sovereignty and regional solidarity are not mutually exclusive. They complement each other. 

One hundred and sixteen years ago this Union was created to serve an empire.Today it must serve the aspirations of free African nations. 

Its original purpose was to move goods. Its future purpose must be to create opportunity. Its past was shaped by history. Its future must be shaped by our choices. 

We should therefore choose a re-imagined SACU and stronger SACU over fragmentation.

We choose industrialisation over dependence.

We must together work for a shared prosperity over narrow national interest. 

In the end let history record that this generation of African leaders transformed the world’s oldest customs union into one of its most dynamic engines of regional development. 

It is now my great honour to declare the 9th Summit of the SACU Heads of State and Government officially open. 

I thank you.

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30 June will be a normal day, not a national shutdown

Source: Government of South Africa

30 June will be a normal day, not a national shutdown

Government says 30 June 2026 will be a normal working day, warning that any acts of intimidation, violence or disruption will be met with the full force of the law.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Migration said this at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, following its weekly meeting to assess progress on government’s response to irregular migration.

“Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of the State. Thus, we are ready as a State to protect every person, citizens and foreign nationals, against any form of abuse and intimidation. We therefore declare that the 30th of June 2026 as a normal day for the country,” Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamaloko Kubayi said.

The IMC said no unauthorised individuals were permitted to demand documentation or proof of nationality from members of the public, while blocking access to schools, hospitals, clinics or other public services is unlawful.

The Minister also warned that violence, intimidation, vigilantism, xenophobia, hate speech and the spread of misinformation, including fake news on social media, would be prosecuted.

She said law enforcement agencies had intensified intelligence-led operations across the country in response to growing public tensions. A total of 89 public order and incitement-related incidents had been registered as criminal cases by 21 June, up from 53 the previous week.

A total of 164 people had been arrested for offences including incitement to violence and contraventions of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, while 36 cases were already before the courts.

The South African Police Service also arrested more than 5 000 people for immigration-related offences during Operation Shanela in the week ending 15 June.

The Minister condemned recent anti-immigration protests that were accompanied by looting in parts of the Free State, saying vigilantism and attacks targeting people based on nationality are criminal acts.

Government has engaged social media platforms over content linked to the 30 June date, following some users circulating manipulated videos and images allegedly intended to incite violence and undermine the country’s international reputation.

Kubayi stressed that while freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are protected by the Constitution, those rights do not extend to incitement of violence or the advocacy of hatred.

The IMC called on South Africans not to allow legitimate concerns about illegal migration to be exploited by individuals seeking to incite violence or destabilise the country.

“We repeat that the 30th of June 2026 will be a normal day for the country, economic and social activities will not be disrupted,” said Kubayi. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Waste economy enterprises urged to register businesses

Source: Government of South Africa

Waste economy enterprises urged to register businesses

Waste economy enterprises have been urged to register on a new national digital repository aimed at improving support, coordination and access to information in the sector.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has called on eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs/SMMEs) operating in the waste economy to join the Waste Economy Enterprises Repository of South Africa (WEERSA).

WEERSA is a smart web- and mobile-based national directory designed to map, connect and empower waste sector enterprises across the country.

“The absence of a centralised, up-to-date, and user-friendly repository has significantly limited policymakers’ and stakeholders’ ability to access critical sector information, develop evidence-based interventions, allocate resources efficiently, and provide targeted support to MSMEs/SMMEs in the waste economy,” the department said on Friday.

According to the department, the repository will serve as a credible and accessible database of waste economy enterprises, helping to address longstanding gaps in reliable sector data.

Businesses with a valid Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) number are eligible to register on the platform.

The department said the platform is expected to support both formal and informal businesses, while strengthening coordination, evidence-based decision-making and inclusive economic growth. The main objectives of WEERSA are to:

  • Accurately register and maintain a repository of MSMEs in the waste sector.
  • Act as a source of accurate information for the waste sector.
  • Provide MSMEs with information about funding and empowerment opportunities.
  • Act as a link between key role players in the waste sector.

–SAnews.gov.za

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