SANDF deploys helicopters for flood rescue in Limpopo
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed two helicopters to evacuate people stranded in Limpopo, due to the severe flooding and rising water levels in the province.
This as President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the province where heavy rainfall and flooding has left at least 19 people dead and caused destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
The search and rescue teams from the South African Air Force’s 17th and 19th Squadrons responded to an emergency rescue activation issued by the Air Force Command Post.
The crew’s mission was to rescue a family from Mbaula village, located outside Giyani, in the Mopani District.
“The community informed the crew that they had rescued several people from the rooftops of their homes and from high-lying areas. One family member was rescued from a tree along the flooded Olifants River, which poses a threat to nearby residents,” the Department of Defence said in a statement.
Members of the SANDF involved in the operation reported that a local Chief had been rescued from the roof of his house.
Limpopo and Mpumalanga have experienced heavy rainfall, causing localised flooding, road disruptions, and damage to homes and critical infrastructure in various areas.
“To this end, three helicopters from bases in Pretoria and Hoedspruit in Limpopo got airborne to conduct rescue operations in flood-affected regions of the Limpopo province.”
The operation began on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at 11pm and continued until yesterday at 2am, during which members braved severe weather to rescue people whose lives were at risk of drowning.
Aircrews continue to assist others who are trapped in trees, and those in need of medical attention are being taken to Maphutha Hospital near Phalaborwa.
The ORYX helicopter was also assigned to rescue members of the Border Management Authority (BMA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) who were surrounded by water at the Pafuri Port of Entry.
The AGUSTA (A109) helicopter was tasked with hoisting 18 people who needed to be evacuated from the flooded Kambaku River Lodge outside Phalaborwa to safety.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has urged communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to exercise increased caution and implement all necessary safety measures as persistent heavy rainfall continues to affect various areas.
This is after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Red Level 10 weather alert, due to disruptive rainfall in parts of the two provinces – meaning further rainfall is expected, which will heighten the risk of flooding.
The President said the damage he had witnessed during his visit was catastrophic.
“We have just seen the catastrophic damage that has been caused here. We started off in the Vheme District where we saw how a number of houses were flooded and how people have lost their possessions with the huge, huge rains … in this part of our country.
“In the Mopani District, it’s even worse … because there are 36 houses that have just been wiped away from the face of the earth. One five-year-old child has also passed away,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
Damage caused by Limpopo floods “catastrophic” – says President
President Cyril Ramaphosa has visited the Limpopo province where heavy rainfall and flooding has left at least 19 people dead and caused destruction to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
The President, together with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, visited the Vhembe and Mopani Districts to assess the damage caused by the more than 400mm of rain that fell in the area.
“We have just seen the catastrophic damage that has been caused here. We started off in the Vheme District where we saw how a number of houses were flooded and how people have lost their possessions with the huge, huge rains … in this part of our country.
“In the Mopani District, it’s even worse … because there are 36 houses that have just been wiped away from the face of the earth. One five-year-old child has also passed away,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa noted that government officials have been on the ground “doing everything they can to assist the people who have been affected by the floods”.
“Provincial government…has come out in a very strong way. So much as disaster befalls us with climate change, with rains that are now devastating, we’ve been able to find a response. Of course, we need to do a little bit more.
“And of course, our South African Airforce…came out with their helicopters and rescued a number of people from rooftops and from trees. That shows that our response to disaster is getting better both at the institutional level like the Airforce, the South African Defence Force and also at local government level,” he added.
The President noted that community members have been standing by each other during this time.
“The solidarity and the cooperation that we have seen amongst our people here is quite amazing. We heard how one person was thoughtful enough and threw a rope to people who were stranded. They tied the rope around each other and pulled each other out of what would have been certain death.
“A number of lives that could have been lost here have been saved and we are grateful to our people,” he said.
The President warned that the effects of climate change are now truly beginning to show.
“We are told that we can expect more rain in the coming days and this is the effects of climate change. Climate change is truly with us and those who don’t believe that it is with us, better believe it now, because wiping out of 36 houses when there’s rain has never really been something that we’ve experienced.
“All those households and families are now stranded [and] now have to pick up the pieces of their lives,” he said.
The Limpopo provincial government is expected to brief the media on the heavy rainfall, on Friday. – SAnews.gov.za
Kruger National Park rainfall highlights climate change challenges
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, says the persistent heavy rain that has affected the Kruger National Park underscores the growing challenges posed by climate variability and climate change.
“Extreme rainfall and flooding events are becoming more frequent and severe, placing pressure on infrastructure and visitor safety. These events highlight the importance of resilience and adaptive management in conservation areas,” the Minister said on Thursday.
Persistent heavy rainfall across Limpopo and Mpumalanga has caused river levels to rise significantly, with overflows reported in the Crocodile, Sabie, Letaba, Sand, Luvuvhu, and Limpopo rivers.
Northern areas such as Pafuri have been particularly impacted, leading to road closures, bridge overflows, and restrictions at several gates, including Crocodile Bridge and Pafuri.
Access between key regions such as Skukuza, Lower Sabie, and Crocodile Bridge has also been limited.
The Minister expressed deep concern over the severe weather conditions and flooding currently affecting sections of the Kruger National Park.
“The South African Weather Service has indicated that rainfall is expected to continue intermittently over the coming days, with further localised flooding possible in low-lying areas. While conditions may ease in some southern regions, northern sections of the park remain vulnerable, and visitors are urged to exercise caution and follow official advisories,” Aucamp said.
In response to severe weather warnings, the South African National Parks (SANParks) has activated its crisis management protocols.
These include precautionary evacuations at vulnerable northern camps such as Shingwedzi, Sirheni, and Bateleur, the deployment of emergency response teams to monitor river levels and infrastructure, and close coordination with local authorities, disaster management centres, and emergency services.
Continuous assessments of roads, bridges, and camp facilities are being undertaken to safeguard visitors and staff.
The safety of visitors, staff, surrounding communities, and wildlife remains the highest priority, said the Minister, adding that no fatalities have been reported.
He commended SANParks staff for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts in managing this crisis under difficult conditions.
“Their swift action has ensured the safety of thousands of visitors and protected critical infrastructure,” he said.
Affected visitors are advised to contact SANParks central reservations at 012 428 9111 for cancellations, rescheduling, or refunds, to monitor official SANParks updates regularly, to heed road closure signs and avoid crossing flooded areas, and to plan conservatively amid changing conditions. –SAnews.gov.za
Minister urges communities to remain vigilant amid further weather warnings
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, has urged communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to exercise increased caution and implement all necessary safety measures as persistent heavy rainfall continues to affect various areas.
Communities in the Vhembe, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Waterberg, and Capricorn Districts of Limpopo, as well as parts of the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga – including Nkomazi, the City of Mbombela, and Bushbuckridge – are facing localised flooding, road disruptions and damage to homes and critical infrastructure.
Schools and clinics in several areas remain closed.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Red Level 10 weather alert due to disruptive rainfall in parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
According to Hlabisa, this means further rainfall is expected, which will heighten the risk of flooding and related incidents.
“These conditions require vigilance and responsible action from everyone. Communities are urged to follow official guidance and take precautionary steps to protect lives and property,” said Hlabisa.
Yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited areas in Limpopo that were affected by the floods to assess the extent of the damage and government’s response. He was accompanied by Limpopo Premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, and the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
They inspected Mbaula village in the Mopani District, where more than 38 houses were swept away by the floods, leaving many residents homeless.
The President began his visit in Tshakhuma, where several houses remain waterlogged.
He assured the residents that the government has allocated resources to assist and rescue those in distress.
Due to ongoing heavy rainfall in Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the Kruger National Park has prohibited day visitors until conditions improve.
The department has called on traditional leaders, ward councillors, and community organisations to support information sharing and promote adherence to safety guidance within their communities.
The department, through the National and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, remains on high alert and continues to coordinate with all relevant stakeholders to monitor the situation and provide support as needed.
Due to the current weather conditions, CoGTA urges residents in high-risk areas to adhere to the following safety measures:
Avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and rivers, whether on foot or by vehicle. Move to higher ground when water levels rise or when evacuation instructions are issued by authorities.
Stay clear of damaged or unstable infrastructure, including weakened bridges, flooded buildings and fallen power lines.
Keep children and livestock away from flooded areas, streams and drainage channels.
Monitor weather updates and alerts issued by SAWS, municipalities and disaster management authorities.
Report flooding, damage or emergencies promptly to local disaster management centres or municipal structures.
Assist vulnerable community members, including the elderly, persons with disabilities and children, where it is safe to do so.
Rely on official communication channels and avoid spreading unverified information. – SAnews.gov.za
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held a telephone call today with HH Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud. Discussion during the call, dealt with bilateral relations and ways to support and strengthen them, and addressed efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region.
The State of Qatar has expressed hope that the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza will help stabilize the situation and address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the territory.
In comments to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Wednesday, Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, adviser to the Prime Minister and official spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed an announcement by HE US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff on the launch of the next phase of the agreement.
Dr Al Ansari said the State of Qatar, acting in its role as a mediator and in coordination with its partners, would continue its diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and protecting civilians from the consequences of conflict.
He reaffirmed Qatar’s long-standing support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, stressing the need for all parties to fully implement the ceasefire agreement.
This includes ensuring the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the immediate start of reconstruction efforts to ease civilian suffering and provide dignified living conditions, he said.
Dr Al Ansari also underlined the importance of the international community fulfilling its responsibilities to support efforts to sustain the ceasefire and enhance prospects for lasting peace and stability in the region.
Pan African Visions (PAV) (www.PanAfricanVisions.com) has launched its maiden magazine edition for 2026 with an exclusive, in-depth interview with Malawi’s President, Professor Peter Mutharika, as his administration marks its first 100 days in office.
Backed by a historic electoral mandate, the return of Professor Mutharika to State House stands among the most consequential political developments in Africa in 2025. In this landmark interview, President Mutharika speaks with Pan African Visions Managing Editor, Ajong Mbapndah L, offering rare insight into the early steps his administration has taken to stabilize the economy, restore confidence in public institutions, and put Malawi back on a sustainable development trajectory.
The President further outlines his long-term vision for Malawi, addressing governance reforms, economic recovery, food security, regional cooperation, and Malawi’s strategic role within Africa and the global economy.
The January 2026 edition of Pan African Visions Magazine also delivers a wide-ranging outlook on Africa in 2026, featuring:
Key end-of-year and New Year policy declarations from African leaders across the continent
An in-depth review of the TotalEnergies–CAF partnership, credited with elevating the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) into a tournament rivaling the best in global football
A critical analysis of CAF President Patrice Motsepe’s controversial decision to shift AFCON from a two-year cycle to a four-year schedule, examining its implications for African football development, commercial growth, player welfare, and continental competitiveness
Political and policy insights from Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries shaping Africa’s evolving political and economic landscape
With this edition, Pan African Visions reinforces its role as a platform for serious African policy debate, balanced critique, and authoritative storytelling rooted in African perspectives.
Alongside maiden magazine for 2026, Pan African Visions has unveiled a newly redesigned, more user-friendly digital news platform, significantly improving mobile accessibility, reader experience, and content discoverability. The refreshed platform strengthens PAV’s digital reach while expanding opportunities for advertisers, sponsors, and strategic partners.
As a trusted media partner, Pan African Visions provides on-the-ground and in-depth coverage of major political, economic, development, sports, and diplomatic events across Africa, working closely with governments, institutions, corporations, and organizations to amplify impact and reach continental and global audiences.
Through its multimedia offerings—daily digital publishing, a monthly magazine, exclusive interviews, special reports, and event coverage—Pan African Visions offers attractive marketing, advertising, and partnership opportunities for corporates, development institutions, brands, and organizations seeking credible engagement with Africa’s policymakers, investors, and influencers.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Pan African Visions.
For press inquiries, media partnerships, or interview requests:
Email: pav@panafricanvisions.com
WhatsApp: +1 240 429 2177
About Pan African Visions:
Pan African Visions (PAV) is a leading pan-African news, media, and strategic communications platform covering Africa’s politics, business, investment, development, energy, health, culture, sports, innovation, and diplomacy. The platform delivers daily digital news, exclusive interviews, in-depth analysis, and a monthly pan-African magazine with a growing readership across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and the global diaspora.
Pan African Visions serves as a trusted bridge between African leaders, policymakers, investors, corporations, development institutions, and international partners, and regularly acts as a media partner covering key events across the African continent. In 2026, the platform launched a new, more user-friendly website, enhancing engagement, reach, and digital visibility while offering expanded opportunities for branded content, sponsored features, executive profiling, thought leadership, and event partnerships.
La première édition du World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco) se tiendra à Casablanca du 20 au 22 janvier. Ce rendez-vous inédit s’impose comme la première plateforme régionale intégralement dédiée à l’industrie 4.0, à la fabrication avancée, à la mobilité du futur, à l’innovation industrielle et à la transformation des chaînes d’approvisionnement. Imaginé comme un point de rencontre stratégique entre l’écosystème industriel marocain et les grands noms de la technologie et de la production à l’échelle internationale, l’événement a pour vocation d’accélérer les investissements, d’encourager l’adoption des technologies émergentes et de renforcer les synergies transfrontalières à travers l’Afrique et au-delà.
Porté par KAOUN International, filiale du Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), WAM Morocco bénéficie du soutien actif d’un solide réseau de partenaires régionaux et internationaux. Parmi eux figurent MSC Pro, le Centre de Développement de la Démocratie (CDD), l’Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P), Advantage Austria, ainsi que l’organisation allemande Der Mittelstand. BVMW. Ensemble, ces acteurs publics et privés œuvrent à une transformation industrielle concrète fondée sur la coopération internationale et l’intelligence collective.
Trixie LohMirmand, directrice générale de KAOUN International, déclare : « WAM Morocco constitue un levier stratégique pour affirmer la place du Maroc et du continent africain dans la nouvelle ère de l’industrie intelligente et de la mobilité d’avenir. En articulant l’expertise mondiale autour des ambitions régionales, cet événement ouvre de nouvelles voies pour l’investissement, la collaboration et la construction d’un tissu industriel résolument tourné vers l’avenir. »
Cette édition inaugurale traduit la confiance croissante que portent les industriels internationaux à l’égard du Maroc en tant que terre d’avenir pour les industries de nouvelle génération. Plus de 100 entreprises issues de plus de 18 pays, dont le Maroc, le Nigeria, la Suisse, l’Autriche, l’Espagne, l’Allemagne, Hong Kong, le Vietnam ou encore l’Arabie Saoudite, participeront à l’événement. WAM Morocco réunira notamment des acteurs de premier plan tels que Schneider Electric, SAP, Engie, Sumitomo Corporation, Zoho, Rockwell Automation, Hitachi, Vigel ou encore Vivo Energy, avec l’objectif de favoriser des coopérations d’envergure et une mise en œuvre concrète des technologies 4.0 à l’échelle du continent.
Un porte-parole de Schneider Electric témoigne : « La fabrication intelligente est en train de redessiner les contours des industries mondiales, et le Maroc émerge comme un territoire stratégique où cette transformation peut se déployer à grande échelle. En tant que partenaire technologique des industries, des entreprises et des foyers, notre présence à WAM Morocco reflète notre volonté d’accompagner les acteurs industriels avec les outils, les compétences et les alliances nécessaires pour bâtir les usines de demain. »
Au cœur de cette première édition, la conférence proposera un programme ambitieux et structurant pour l’avenir industriel de la région. Pendant trois jours, les participants auront accès à une programmation dense articulée autour de quatre thématiques centrales, couvrant huit secteurs stratégiques. Le contenu cumule plus de 60 heures d’interventions, animées par plus de 60 experts internationaux, répartis sur deux scènes spécialisées. Les grands sujets à l’agenda porteront sur les centres de données pour les industries du futur, les flux de capitaux internationaux vers la fabrication intelligente, la production industrielle verte ou encore les nouvelles formes de mobilité du fret. Des discussions stratégiques seront également consacrées à la souveraineté des infrastructures industrielles, aux usines dopées à l’intelligence artificielle, à la décarbonation à grande échelle et à la transition énergétique.
WAM Morocco accueillera un public de décideurs de haut niveau issus des sphères gouvernementales, industrielles et financières. Parmi les intervenants déjà confirmés figurent le Dr Mehdi Snène, Chief AI Officer auprès des Nations Unies (Suisse), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, directeur général du NITDA (Nigeria), Dr Ghita Mezzour, ancienne ministre de la Transition numérique et de la Réforme administrative (Maroc), Khalid Safir, directeur général du groupe CDG (Maroc), ainsi que Yasmina Lahlou, directrice exécutive du Groupe Bank of Africa. Plusieurs figures internationales prendront également la parole pour la première fois au Maroc, notamment Fatou Haidara (ONUDI, Autriche), Alain Sanchez (Fortinet, France), Maxime de Bonrepos (ENGIE, France) et Isaac Chetrit (Blazie Holdings, États-Unis), ce qui témoigne de l’envergure mondiale de l’événement.
WAM Morocco fera également la part belle à une sélection de startups internationales prometteuses telles que Xane. ai (https://Xane.ai) (Inde) et Dinabi (Espagne). Ces jeunes pousses seront mises en lumière au sein d’un pavillon national Invest India, pensé comme un tremplin vers une innovation industrielle transfrontalière. Cette dynamique sera renforcée par le Supernova Challenge, un concours de pitch emblématique doté d’un prix de 10 000 dollars, qui offrira une scène en direct aux startups manufacturières les plus innovantes du continent. L’occasion pour elles de présenter leurs solutions à des investisseurs, à des partenaires de croissance et à des acteurs industriels d’envergure.
L’événement réunira plus de 100 investisseurs internationaux, représentant collectivement plus de 50 milliards de dollars d’actifs sous gestion, et provenant de plus de 20 pays. Parmi eux, des réseaux dynamiques tels qu’Alex Angels (Égypte) croiseront des institutions reconnues comme AMIC (MENA), Harvard Consulting (États-Unis) ou encore Bpifrance. Ce maillage unique favorisera l’accélération des investissements dans la fabrication avancée et les nouvelles mobilités.
En partenariat avec GITEX Africa, WAM Morocco s’inscrit dans le sillage de l’un des écosystèmes technologiques les plus influents au monde. L’événement capitalise sur cette ADN partagée pour affirmer la place du Maroc comme pôle continental d’excellence en matière d’industrie 4.0 et de transformation industrielle avancée.
WAM Morocco se tiendra à Casablanca du 20 au 22 janvier. Les leaders industriels, les innovateurs et les investisseurs sont invités à prendre part à cette plateforme de référence, qui marque un tournant dans la construction d’un avenir industriel plus connecté, plus durable et plus compétitif pour le continent.
Pour vous inscrire, rendez-vous sur le site officiel (www.WAMMorocco.com) de WAM Morocco.
Distribué par APO Group pour KAOUN International.
À propos de KAOUN International et de WAM Morocco:
KAOUN International est une filiale à 100 % du Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) et figure parmi les principaux organisateurs d’événements mondiaux à fort impact, qui stimulent l’innovation, favorisent les collaborations et accélèrent la croissance sectorielle. Forte d’une expertise reconnue, la société est à l’origine d’événements emblématiques tels que GITEX GLOBAL, aujourd’hui considéré comme le plus grand salon mondial dédié à la technologie et à l’intelligence artificielle. Elle pilote également les manifestations les plus importantes du secteur agroalimentaire en Arabie Saoudite, notamment le Saudi Food Show et le Saudi Food Manufacturing.
Dans le prolongement de sa mission visant à renforcer les écosystèmes industriels et logistiques à l’échelle mondiale, KAOUN International lance le World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco). Devenu en quelques mois la principale exposition industrielle et logistique du continent africain, cet événement est organisé par l’équipe à l’origine de GITEX et GITEX AFRICA. Il s’inscrit pleinement dans la vision du Royaume du Maroc en faveur d’un développement industriel inclusif, durable et souverain. À travers ce nouveau rendez-vous, l’ambition est de donner aux pays africains les moyens d’asseoir leur compétitivité mondiale, de renforcer leurs capacités de production, et de faire émerger une économie industrielle plus forte, plus intégrée et plus innovante sur l’ensemble du continent.
The World Advanced Manufacturing & Future Mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco) makes its debut in Casablanca from 20 to 22 January, positioning itself as the region’s first Industry 4.0–focused platform dedicated to advanced and intelligent manufacturing, future mobility, industrial innovation and supply-chain transformation. Designed to connect Morocco’s industrial ecosystem with the world’s leading technology and manufacturing players, the event accelerates investment, technology adoption and cross-border collaboration across Africa and global markets.
Organised by KAOUN International (DWTC), WAM Morocco is delivered in close partnership with a powerful network of regional and international stakeholders, including MSC Pro, CDD, UM6P, Advantage Austria and Der Mittelstand. BVMW (Germany), uniting public and private sector leaders to drive tangible Industry 4.0 transformation across borders.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, said: “WAM Morocco is a strategic accelerator for Morocco and Africa’s rise in intelligent manufacturing and future mobility. By connecting global expertise with regional ambition, the event creates new pathways for investment, collaboration and next-generation industrial growth.”
This first edition highlights the growing confidence of international manufacturers in Morocco’s industrial future. With 100+ participating companies from 18+ countries, spanning Morocco, Nigeria, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia, WAM Morocco unites global leaders including Schneider Electric, SAP, Engie, Sumitomo Corporation, Zoho, Rockwell Automation, Hitachi, Vigel and Vivo Energy, driving large-scale collaboration and real-world Industry 4.0 adoption across Africa. A spokesperson from Schneider Electric shared: “Intelligent manufacturing is reshaping global industries, and Morocco is emerging as a place where this transformation can accelerate at scale. As the energy technology partner of every industry, business and home, our participation at WAM Morocco reinforces our commitment to supporting the industrial ecosystem with the technologies, expertise and collaboration needed to build the factories of the future.”
At the heart of the event, the conference delivers the most ambitious debut agenda for industrial transformation in the region, with three days of programming, four core themes, eight key sectors, 60+ hours of content and 60+ global expert speakers across two dedicated stages. The programme tackles high-impact priorities including data centres for future-ready industries, global capital flows into smart manufacturing, green manufacturing, and future freight mobility and transport, alongside strategic discussions on industrial infrastructure sovereignty, AI factories, large-scale decarbonisation and energy transition.
WAM Morocco convenes world-class decision-makers from government, industry and finance. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Mehdi Snène, Chief AI Officer, United Nations (Switzerland); Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General, NITDA (Nigeria); Dr. Ghita Mezzour, Former Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform (Morocco); Khalid Safir, Director General, Groupe CDG (Morocco); and Yasmina Lahlou, Executive Director, Bank of Africa Group (Morocco). The event also marks the first speaking appearance in Morocco of several global leaders, including Fatou Haidara (UNIDO, Austria), Alain Sanchez (Fortinet, France), Maxime de Bonrepos (ENGIE, France) and Isaac Chetrit (Blazie Holdings, USA), underscoring its international calibre.
WAM Morocco will present a line-up of promising international startups, including Xane. ai (https://Xane.ai)(India) and Dinabi (Spain), supported by an Invest India country pavilion that fast-tracks cross-border industrial innovation. This is reinforced by the Supernova Challenge, a flagship industrial pitch competition featuring a USD 10,000 cash prize and a live stage where Africa’s most disruptive manufacturing startups connect directly with investors, scale partners and industry leaders.
The programme brings together 100+ global investors managing over USD 50 billion in AUM across 20+ countries, connecting leading networks such as Alex Angels (Egypt) with institutional players including AMIC (MENA), Harvard Consulting (USA) and Bpifrance, accelerating capital deployment into advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility.
In association with GITEX Africa, WAM Morocco is powered by one of the world’s most influential technology ecosystems, leveraging shared DNA to position Morocco as a continental epicentre for Industry 4.0 and advanced industrial transformation.
WAM Morocco takes place in Casablanca from 20 to 22 January. Industry leaders, innovators and investors are invited to be part of the region’s defining platform for advanced manufacturing.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KAOUN International.
About KAOUN International and WAM Morocco:
KAOUN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), is at the forefront of organizing transformative global events that foster collaboration, innovation, and industry growth. Building on a rich legacy of landmark exhibitions such as GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and AI event, KAOUN International is also responsible for the Kingdom’s most significant food industry events, including the Saudi Food Show and the thriving Saudi Food Manufacturing show.
In line with its mission to advance global industry and logistics, KAOUN International presents World Advanced Manufacturing & Future mobility Exhibition (WAM Morocco), Africa’s leading industrial and logistics expo. Organized by the team behind the renowned GITEX and GITEX AFRICA events, WAM Morocco reflects Morocco’s steadfast commitment to sustainable and inclusive industrial development. This landmark event aims to empower African nations, driving partnerships, investment, and technological advancement that will elevate the continent’s global competitiveness and realize the vision for a stronger, interconnected, and innovative industrial economy across Africa.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alemayehu Weldemariam, Ph.D. Fellow, Center for Constitutional Democracy, Indiana University
Israel’s decision to recognise Somaliland as an independent nation has been described as historic by Somaliland’s president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi. He framed the December 2025 declaration as the first decisive breach in the wall of diplomatic isolation that has surrounded Somaliland for more than three decades.
Somaliland has operated as a fully functional de facto state with defined territory, population and government since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. But it lacks international recognition. This would allow it full participation in the global community, such as membership in the United Nations, as well as boosting its economic opportunities.
I am a scholar of peace and conflict resolution, constitutional design and constitutional law, with a regional focus on the Horn of Africa. My work includes examining regional peace and security.
Based on this deep knowledge of the region, I would argue that Tel Aviv’s decision is indeed consequential. But not because it resolves anything.
Its significance lies in the fact that it has elevated a question of legal status into a strategic contest unfolding within the world’s most volatile geopolitical corridor.
Over the last decade the Red Sea – which links the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean – has become the frontline of a new multipolar order. The region has been transformed into a dense arena of overlapping crises. These include state collapses in Sudan, Yemen and Somalia, and Ethiopia’s destabilising quest for maritime access. There is also the intensification of Gulf rivalry and great power competition, which includes China’s consolidation of a coastal arc of influence.
Against this backdrop, Israel’s recognition unsettles an already fragile equilibrium. While the decision alters the board, it doesn’t end the game. It increases Somaliland’s strategic value while increasing its geopolitical toxicity in a region already under strain.
The African Union and the fear of precedent
The African Union viewed the Somaliland question as a dangerous exception that must not be entertained. Its position rests on a single overriding fear: that recognition would weaken the postcolonial settlement built on inherited borders.
Somaliland’s claim is that it merely reasserts the boundaries of the former British protectorate. But the AU’s doctrine is rigid by design. It does not distinguish between border revisionism and constitutional secession within colonial lines. For the AU, the precedent is intolerable.
If African politics were governed by doctrine alone, the matter would end there. But it doesn’t.
For Ethiopia, the Somaliland question is inseparable from the Red Sea itself. Landlocked, populous and strategically exposed, Ethiopia treats maritime access as a condition of state survival. Recognising Somaliland would not automatically grant Ethiopia access to the sea. But it would fundamentally change the bargaining structure through which such access could be secured. Recognition would convert what is currently an informal, reversible commercial arrangement into a sovereignty-linked exchange.
With nearly all its trade flowing through Djibouti at enormous cost, Addis Ababa’s anxiety is real – and destabilising.
Here the wider Red Sea crisis intrudes directly. Ethiopia’s quest for access unfolds amid collapsing neighbours, proliferating militias, drone warfare supplied by Gulf states and external powers, and an increasingly militarised coastline.
It is not yet clear which direction Ethiopia has decided to take in its relations with Somaliland. Last year, prime minister Abiy Ahmed quietly retreated from the memorandum of understanding signed in 2024 with Somaliland. This was after it became clear that the move would provoke severe African Union repercussions.
For the present, therefore, any meaningful external support for Somaliland recognition comes only from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
What is emerging in the region is an increasingly polarised alignment. On one side are Egypt, the Sudanese Armed Forces, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia. On the other are the UAE, the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, Libya, Somaliland, Israel – and Ethiopia, despite its efforts to conceal the extent of its involvement.
Some states continue to hedge. South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya have sought to avoid choosing sides.
Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia
In Israel’s recognition announcement, the country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, explicitly situated Somaliland within the logic of the Abraham Accords. Signed in 2020, the accords are a set of US-brokered agreements that normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states. They link diplomatic recognition to security cooperation, economic integration and regional realignment.
By invoking the accords, Netanyahu is seeking to pull Somaliland into the gravitational field of the Gulf. And, above all, to signal the influence of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE’s imprint in the Horn of Africa in recent years is evident in ports, bases, logistics corridors, and paramilitary finance across the region.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, therefore, is a strategic move that aligns it with the UAE’s economic and security architecture in the Red Sea. It is not that Israel has suddenly developed an interest in Somaliland’s legal merits, nor that it is simply acting at the UAE’s behest. Rather, recognition makes sense because Israel is choosing to embed itself within an Emirati-centred political economy of the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, condemned Israel’s decision on the grounds that it entrenched unilateral secession and violates international law. In doing so, it aligned itself with the African Union’s position while asserting independent leadership in the Red Sea arena.
China
Beijing’s resistance to Somaliland’s recognition is not about Africa alone. It is about precedent in a maritime corridor central to China’s global strategy to develop an unbroken arc of influence from the Horn to the Suez. It already has a military base in Djibouti and is expanding naval diplomacy along the African coast.
Recognition of Somaliland by major powers would validate a dangerous idea from Beijing’s perspective: that durable quasi-states can eventually overcome diplomatic isolation through persistence.
The outcome is ambiguity, but not necessarily failure
Seen whole, the Somaliland question is not a recognition cascade but a coordination failure unfolding in the world’s most dangerous maritime corridor. Multiple enforcers – the African Union, China, Saudi Arabia and others in the Middle East – raise the cost of recognition. Multiple bargainers – Ethiopia above all – demand compensation commensurate with those costs.
As a consequence, recognition has developed into a scarce and risky currency, spent only when the return justifies the danger.
History suggests that unresolved questions of sovereignty rarely disappear. They linger, reshaped by power and circumstance, until either violence settles them or institutions adapt. In the Red Sea today, institutions lag behind reality. What emerges is not resolution, but managed contradiction.
This may disappoint advocates of clarity. It should not surprise students of history. International order has never been sustained by justice alone. It endures through arrangements that most actors find tolerable and none find ideal. In the Red Sea – now the frontline of a new global order – ambiguity is not failure. It is the price paid for avoiding something worse.
In the absence of a power willing to bear the full costs of finality, ambiguity will persist – not as a failure of will, but as the international system’s preferred substitute for resolution.
– Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is about political alliances, not legal principles – https://theconversation.com/israels-recognition-of-somaliland-is-about-political-alliances-not-legal-principles-273488
