Category: MIL-OSI

Source: APO – Report:

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A new study by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is exploring how mobile phone messaging can improve tuberculosis (TB) treatment adherence in Ethiopia and Liberia, two of the continent’s most affected countries.

The research is supported by a US$100,000 grant from the World Bank and is running from 17 November to 12 December 2025. It is being carried out in partnership with the Ministries of Health in Ethiopia and Liberia, the University of Liberia College of Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, and the Dire Dawa Health Bureau, with technical coordination provided by Africa CDC’s Science and Innovation Directorate.

Tuberculosis remains a major global health challenge. In 2023, an estimated 10.8 million people worldwide were infected, resulting in over 1.25 million deaths. Ethiopia and Liberia are among the highest TB-burden countries, with estimated incidence rates of 119 and 308 cases per 100,000 population, respectively. Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, adherence to TB medication continues to be one of the weakest links in TB control – leading to treatment failure, relapse and drug-resistant TB.

To address this persistent challenge, the Africa CDC study is leveraging mobile technology as a practical solution. It aims to improve TB treatment adherence by testing SMS reminders, identifying barriers to digital technology adoption, and evaluating their impact on patient outcomes. It is titled ‘Improving TB Treatment Adherence through Mobile-Phone Messaging: Identifying Barriers, Facilitators, and Adoption Pathways in Ethiopia and Liberia’.

“This research is significant because it provides an opportunity to integrate digital innovation into TB care in Africa, advancing patient-centred solutions that address real-world barriers to treatment adherence,” said Dr Mosoka Fallah, Acting Director of Science and Innovation at Africa CDC. “By leveraging the widespread use of mobile phones, we can make TB treatment support more accessible, responsive and effective – particularly for vulnerable communities.”

The research will be conducted in two phases across Ethiopia and Liberia: a quantitative baseline assessment to measure current adherence levels among TB patients, followed by a pilot intervention using SMS-based reminders for patients identified with low adherence. A total of 844 TB patients (422 in each country) will be enrolled, with about 200 participants receiving SMS reminders. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be used to generate insights that inform national TB strategies and continental policy recommendations for digital health integration.

“Africa CDC continues to prioritise implementation science that directly strengthens public health interventions in Member States,” Dr Fallah added. “This initiative will not only generate actionable evidence for TB programmes but also contribute to the broader digital health agenda in Africa.”

The study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of SMS-based TB adherence support in Africa, identify barriers and enablers to the use of digital adherence tools, and guide TB control policies and programmes in Ethiopia, Liberia and other Member States.

Dr Fallah explained that the research reflects Africa CDC’s commitment to driving evidence-based innovations that accelerate progress toward ending TB by 2035, in alignment with the WHO End-TB Strategy and the African Union’s health priorities.

– on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Source: APO – Report:

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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) deliberately killed civilians, took hostages, pillaged and destroyed mosques, schools, and health clinics during a large-scale attack in April on Zamzam, the largest camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Darfur State, Amnesty International said in a new report published today. These violations must be investigated as war crimes under international law.

The report, “A refuge destroyed: RSF violations in Darfur’s Zamzam camp for internally displaced persons”, documents how, between 11 and 13 April 2025, the RSF attacked the camp, deploying explosive weapons and randomly shooting their firearms in populated residential areas. The relentless assault caused around 400,000 people to flee the camp between 13 and 14 April alone and was part of the RSF’s military campaign that began in May 2024 to capture El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. The RSF claimed control of El Fasher on 26 October, executing scores of unarmed men and raping dozens of women and girls as they captured the city.

“The RSF’s horrific and deliberate assault on desperate, hungry civilians in Zamzam camp laid bare once again its alarming disregard for human life. Civilians were ruthlessly attacked, killed, robbed of items critical to their survival and livelihood, and left without recourse to justice, while grieving the loss of their loved ones. This was not an isolated attack, but part of a sustained campaign against villages and camps for internally displaced persons,” said Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. “Some international partners, such as the UAE, actively fueled the armed conflict by supporting the RSF with weapons.”

“The RSF’s horrific and deliberate assault on desperate, hungry civilians in Zamzam camp laid bare once again its alarming disregard for human life.” Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General

“The only way to end these violations is to stem the flow of arms to parties to the conflict by expanding the arms embargo that currently applies to Darfur to the rest of the country. The member states of the African Union, the European Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Kingdom, United States, Russia, and China must call for all countries, in the first place the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to refrain from transferring weapons and ammunition to the RSF, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and other actors. In addition, given the very high risk of diversion to the RSF, states must immediately cease all arms transfers to the UAE.”

For this report, Amnesty International conducted research between June and August 2025 and interviewed 29 people, mostly eyewitnesses, survivors, relatives of victims, journalists, conflict analysts, and medical personnel who responded to those injured during the attack. The organization also verified and analysed dozens of videos, photos and satellite imagery.

The RSF did not respond to Amnesty International’s request for comment.

‘The shelling was everywhere’

Survivors of the assault told Amnesty International that, on Friday 11 April and Saturday 12 April, shells landed in homes, on streets and, in one case, near a mosque during a wedding ceremony – all densely populated areas – killing and injuring civilians and setting homes on fire.

Satellite imagery captured on 16 April and analyzed by Amnesty International showed new craters, providing further evidence of the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

“The only way to end these violations is to stem the flow of arms to parties to the conflict by expanding the arms embargo that currently applies to Darfur to the rest of the country.” Agnès Callamard

Survivors gave harrowing accounts of fleeing burning neighbourhoods and hiding from heavy fighting. Younis*, an emergency room volunteer, said: “It was really bad. You could not identify where the shelling is coming from. It was everywhere, in every place.”

Mamoun*, a man in his mid-twenties who volunteered to distribute humanitarian aid, recalled: “[RSF] fighters were just shouting and shooting anywhere, so that is how many people were killed.”

“[RSF] fighters were just shouting and shooting anywhere, so that is how many people were killed.” Mamoun*, Eyewitness

Sadya*, a volunteer for non-governmental organizations, described RSF fighters driving through her neighbourhood, not far from the main market in Zamzam, on 12 April: “One [RSF fighter] will stand up through a small roof and just shoot around and shoot anyone in the street.”

Shooting in such a manner without a specific military target may constitute an indiscriminate attack, a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

Amnesty International also documented RSF fighters deliberately shooting and killing civilians. Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that they saw RSF fighters shoot and kill 47 civilians who were hiding in homes, fleeing the violence, at a clinic and seeking refuge in a mosque. The deliberate killing of individuals who do not participate or are no longer directly participating in hostilities is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and constitutes the war crime of murder.

Eyewitness accounts and video evidence demonstrate that the RSF targeted civilians due to their perceived affiliation to the Joint Forces – an alliance of former Darfur rebel groups, fighting alongside the SAF – and the SAF. RSF fighters also pillaged and set fire to homes, businesses, the market and structures in the compound of the Sheikh Farah school and mosque, destroying or badly damaging critical civilian infrastructure. Religious, medical, and educational infrastructure are ? is protected under international law.

The displaced persons interviewed by Amnesty described making arduous journeys in search of safety without food, water and medical services. Some experienced acts that may amount to the war crimes of rape, murder and pillage.

Without food, water, healthcare services or legal redress, the survivors of the attacks have felt abandoned by international actors. They told Amnesty International that their priorities are humanitarian aid, safety and the protection of civilians. They also called for criminal accountability and compensation for the crimes committed during and in the aftermath of the attack.

Elnor*, who witnessed around 15 armed men, likely RSF fighters, storm his compound and shoot and kill his 80-year-old brother and 30-year-old nephew, said: “No-one is concerned with our situation.”

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– on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO – Report:

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The National Assembly yesterday moved to strengthen executive oversight by adopting several amendments to the Rules of the National Assembly, including the establishment of a Committee on the Presidency.

By giving the green light to this committee, the NA will, for the first time, have a dedicated, rule-based structure for scrutinising the Presidency’s operations and budget.

The decision to establish the committee follows extensive research and several calls for such a committee, given the Presidency’s overarching role in government. The issue got traction in the Sixth Parliament, when the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) was tasked with conducting preliminary research on oversight mechanisms for the office of the Head of State and Government. The PBO’s findings confirmed that Vote 1 (The Presidency) is subject to the same oversight obligations and prescripts as any other budget vote. In April 2023, the Rules Committee undertook an international study tour to engage other parliamentary systems on how they oversee the operations of the executive centre.

Drawing from this groundwork, the matter resurfaced in the Seventh Parliament. On 31 October 2024, the Rules Committee endorsed the principle that the Assembly should establish a Committee on the Presidency and mandated its Subcommittee on the Review of Assembly Rules to draft the technical amendments needed to give effect to this decision. After considering the Subcommittee’s report of 13 November this year, the Rules Committee agreed that the Assembly should adopt these rule amendments.

Yesterday, the NA adopted the report proposing rules for the establishment of a Committee on the Presidency and to note the proposed composition of this committee. The committee on the Presidency would comprise eleven members, with four members from the ANC, two from the DA, one from the MKP, one from the EFF, and three members from the smaller parties.

Other proposed amendments in the report that were agreed to include amendments to the NA’s questions procedure, which may promote greater responsiveness and executive accountability during question sessions. Oral question time will now include features of interpellations, which provide Members an opportunity to delve deeper with follow-up questions. The time for questions will be increased by 30 minutes.

In adopting the report, the NA has also agreed to the proposed composition of the Committee on Government Undertakings and Petitions. Parliament previously recognised that its existing mechanisms did not sufficiently track undertakings made by Ministers during debates and question sessions, nor did they always ensure timely and effective processing of public petitions. To address these shortcomings, the NA previously established a dedicated committee in terms of Rule 252B. The Rules Committee has now agreed that this committee, like the committee on the Presidency, will consist of eleven members, with the same proportional breakdown: four from the ANC, two from the DA, one from the MKP, one from the EFF and three representing the smaller parties.

Following the NA’s adoption of the report, these rules can now be implemented.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has welcomed the Central Energy Fund’s (CEF) marked improvement in financial performance for the 2024/25 financial year, following the entity’s briefing to the committee on Tuesday on its annual report.

The CEF Group reported a net profit of R553 million for the year under review, representing a 194% turnaround from the previous financial year’s R552 million loss. The improvement is attributed to stronger cash generation across the Group as well as the accounting profit realised from the acquisition of the SAPREF Refinery, which has significantly strengthened the Group’s position.

Committee Chairperson Mr Mikateko Mahlaule said that the committee is encouraged by the progress made. “The profitability recorded this year demonstrates that strategic interventions, including the acquisition of SAPREF Refinery, are beginning to yield tangible benefits for the Group,” he said.

Despite the improvement in profitability, the CEF Group reported a decline in overall revenue compared to the 2023/24 financial year. This reduction is due mainly to PetroSA securing lower volumes and the African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) facing Eskom’s intermittent suspensions of its coal supply contract during the reporting period.

Mr Mahlaule appealed to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to intervene in the ongoing matter between PetroSA and the South African Revenue Services to create an enabling environment for the company to focus on its mandate.

The Group’s assets increased by 6% (R2.2 billion) while liabilities rose by 7% (R1.8 billion). The committee also noted the 16% growth in net asset value since 2020/21, as well as improvements in cash balances, which increased from R13 billion in 2023/24 to R16 billion in 2024/25, a 21% rise.

Mr Mahlaule said the financial indicators presented show encouraging upward trends, saying that the committee acknowledge the reported gains of 2.4% in profit margins and 8.5% in cash balance improvements across the past five years.

On audit outcomes, the CEF Group reported that two of its 10 entities have maintained clean audits since 2020/21, while iGas regressed from a clean audit in the previous financial year to an unqualified audit with one material finding.

Eight entities recorded material misstatements in their annual financial statements, though four of these had only a single finding. The Group has successfully closed 10 material findings since 2020/21, with only one outstanding finding in the year under review.

Although welcoming measures outlined to strengthen internal controls, including capacitating the financial accounting unit, the committee emphasised its expectation for continued governance. It was firm on its long-held view that all entities within the Group must achieve clean audits.

The committee commended the CEF Group for its continued efforts and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the entity fulfils its mandate of securing South Africa’s energy supply through sound governance, accountability and prudent financial management.

– on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Source: APO – Report:

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President Dr. Patrick Herminie’s high-level working visit to Assomption Island on Monday 1st December, 2025, culminated in significant commitments to advancing sustainable development, strengthening environmental protections, and enhancing security measures on the island. The visit highlighted the government’s strategic approach to balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation.

During the visit, the President announced the formation of a dedicated Commission of Inquiry, established on 28th November, 2025, to investigate potential breaches of biodiversity agreements and to reinforce asset tracking protocols. This initiative underscores the government’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding Assomption Island’s unique ecological heritage while pursuing responsible development.

A key outcome of the visit was the reaffirmation of plans to re-establish a military presence on Assomption early next year. Led by Major General Mr. Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Force, this move aims to enhance security and oversight, ensuring that development activities adhere to legal and environmental standards.

The visit included a comprehensive review of infrastructural upgrades, such as the ongoing hotel development project, jetty reconstruction, airstrip improvements, and the development of front- and back-of-house facilities. These initiatives aim to boost tourism and economic activity on the island while respecting environmental constraints.

Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged in substantive discussions with stakeholders, including representatives from Friends of Aldabra, who expressed support for development efforts but advocated for a cautious and environmentally sensitive scale of construction. The group toured key sites, including a nearly completed villa, major infrastructure facilities, the jetty, and planned development zones at the southern tip of the island.

The delegation was composed of several high-ranking officials, including Vice-President Mr. Sebastien Pillay, key government ministers, leaders from the Island Development Company (IDC), environmental representatives, security officials, and media personnel. Their collective presence underscores the government’s coordinated approach to managing Assomption’s development and environmental stewardship, ensuring that future growth benefits both the nation and its natural heritage.

– on behalf of State House Seychelles.