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Young voices make their mark at Africa Children’s Summit 2025

Location: News

Young voices make their mark at Africa Children’s Summit 2025

Children have taken centre stage to address critical issues affecting their lives, from education access to violence prevention, proving that they are not just future leaders but active changemakers.

This is according to the Department of Social Development, which has hosted the Africa Children’s Summit 2025.

Since its opening last week Friday, the summit has brought together some of the brightest and courageous young leaders in person from across Africa, with hundreds joining virtually. 

The children who attended in person are from South Africa, South Sudan, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Ghana, Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the department said the summit was child-led and child-centred, with its chairperson and programme facilitators all drawn from children invited to the summit. 

“Under the theme 'Seen, Heard, and Engaged in Education,' the children have boldly taken centre stage to address critical issues affecting their lives, from education access to violence prevention, proving that they are not just future leaders but active changemakers today,” the department said. 

One of the child leaders, 17-year-old Ison Cumbane from Mozambique, captured the spirit of the summit when he said: “Many children don’t have the opportunity to speak about their rights. We are here to give a voice to them and show that we can participate and influence decisions.”

The summit wraps up in Johannesburg today.

The child-led initiative is hosted by the South African Government through the Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

An Outcome Statement will be crafted by the children themselves, which will be handed over to the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and other key policymakers.

“The Outcome Statement outlines actionable recommendations for governments and civil society to implement policies that prioritise children’s voices and rights across Africa,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Mon, 04/07/2025 - 11:12
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CLG Granted CEMAC Tax Accreditation, Reinforcing Position as Regional Legal Partner

Location: Business
CLG

Legal, tax and business advisory conglomerate CLG (www.CLGGlobal.com) - formerly Centurion Law Group – has officially been approved as a Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) tax advisor by the CEMAC Standing Committee on Fiscal and Accounting Harmonization. CLG Tax and Legal will provide its full suite of tax services across all CEMAC member countries, supporting business and transactions across various strategic fields, including oil, gas and mining.

The tax certification not only comes as part of a broader restructuring of CLG's tax and legal services offerings, aimed at positioning the firm to better serve clients throughout the region with integrated solutions, but as the CEMAC region pursues accelerated growth across its strategic economic sectors. Specifically, the region's oil and gas sector is on track for rapid growth, as nations implement ambitious production targets. The Republic of Congo aims to produce 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2027; Gabon targets 220,000 bpd in the short-term; while Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon are scaling-up gas monetization. These targets require significant levels of investment and CLG stands ready to support transactions and broader economic growth.

Given the potential of the CEMAC region's natural and mineral resources, project developers and investors have already begun to expand their presence across the region. In the Republic of Congo, TotalEnergies is investing $600 million in the Moho Nord project; Trident Energy recently acquired stakes in the Nkossa, Nsoko II, Lianzi and Moho-Bilondo fields; while Perenco increased production at the Tchibouela II and Tchendo II fields following a $30 million investment. In Gabon, wildcat drilling is underway on Blocks BC-9 and BCD-10 while Perenco advances the $1 billion Cap Lopez LNG terminal toward a 2026 start. In Equatorial Guinea, the country is preparing to launch an oil and gas licensing round while Cameroon drives a gas-to-industry agenda. Further developments in Chad are underway, highlighting the region's potential as a major producing hub.

Stepping into this picture, CLG's accreditation will serve to further support current and future transactions. Over the past decade, CLG has significantly grown its tax practice, providing comprehensive tax advisory and compliance services to numerous multinational companies operating across Africa. This sustained growth reflects CLG's commitment to meeting the complex tax needs of investors and businesses on the continent, from corporate tax planning and regulatory compliance to cross-border taxation strategies.

“By bolstering our tax practice in the CEMAC region, CLG continues to establish itself as a one-stop-shop for investors in the region and across the continent. The CEMAC accreditation aligns with our strategy to support impactful transactions in Africa and we look forward to strengthening our presence across the continent,” stated Zion Adeoye, CEO and Managing Partner of CLG.

CLG already has a strong presence in Africa, with offices in South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and South Sudan. The company caters to a diverse portfolio of multinational companies operating globally, delivering bespoke solutions tailored to address the unique challenges and complexities faced by clients in different industries. CLG's expertise covers energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and ESG, to name a few. For the CEMAC region, CLG's extensive network and growing expertise positions the firm as strategic partner for regional and global firms. As companies expand their presence across the region, CLG's agile, integrated approach - underpinned by its local roots and depth of experience - demonstrates the rising prominence of African advisory firms on the global stage. The CEMAC tax certification not only expands CLG's regional service coverage but also solidifies its reputation as a trusted partner for businesses navigating Central Africa's evolving tax landscape.

“CLG's deep understanding of its clients' businesses, collaborative approach with local authorities, multinational orientation and highly experienced local teams are some of the factors that set our tax practice apart in the region,” stated Daoudou Mohammed, CLG Tax and Legal Director.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

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SA expresses concern over rising tensions in South Sudan

Location: News

SA expresses concern over rising tensions in South Sudan

The South African Government has expressed deep concern over rising tensions in South Sudan, especially following the arrest of First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, last Wednesday.

“We call upon all stakeholders in South Sudan to prioritise a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

“We further urge all parties to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to create the necessary conditions for the effective implementation of the agreement,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. 

According to the BBC news outlet last week, an armed convoy led by senior security officials, entered the residence of Machar in the capital city of Juba and disarmed his bodyguards. 

The report stated that Machar was detained along with his wife, Angelina Teny, who serves as the country’s Interior Minister.

“In solidarity with the people of South Sudan, the department said the South African Government emphasises the necessity of collective efforts aimed at concluding the transitional period and ensuring the holding of inclusive elections by 2026, as mutually agreed upon by all stakeholders to have a democratic and peaceful end to the transitional period,” the department added. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Gabisile
Mon, 03/31/2025 - 09:02
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SADC’s withdrawal from DRC not a sign of abandonment of peace efforts

Location: News

SADC’s withdrawal from DRC not a sign of abandonment of peace efforts

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reiterated that the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) decision to withdraw the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) should not be interpreted as a sign of defeat or abandonment of peace efforts.

“However, it should be seen as a confidence-building measure to ensure peace and stability in the eastern DRC,” the Deputy President told the Members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, Cape Town on Thursday. 

Two weeks ago, SADC announced its decision to withdraw the SAMIDRC force from eastern DRC, opting for a phased withdrawal.

Reports indicate that leaders from the 16-nation SADC have lost at least a dozen soldiers in the eastern DRC since January of this year. 

Locally, 14 members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries as fighting in the Goma region intensified between 23 and 27 January. 

These soldiers were part of the SAMIDRC, which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile told Members of the NCOP that South Africa remains committed and supportive to ongoing peacekeeping efforts on the continent in line with the country’s foreign policy vision of a “prosperous and peaceful continent”. 

“South Africa’s contribution to peace and support operations should not be measured in isolation. As the country participates through missions, mandated and authorised by multilateral institutions such as United Nations and SADC,” he explained. 

However, he acknowledged that the recent death of 14 “brave” SANDF soldiers in the DRC is a clear indication of these challenges. 

Deputy President Mashatile sent his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased SANDF soldiers and wished the injured a speedy recovery. 

The second commander-in-chief stated that South Africa welcomes the appointment of former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who will join a panel of former presidents tasked with mediating peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

This decision to include Motlanthe was made during a virtual joint summit of the SADC and the EAC on Monday. 

“We welcome the recent progress and commitments made by EAC-SADC, and we also welcome the government of DRC and Rwanda’s commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. 

“The President and I will also continue interventions in South Sudan, to try and avert the return to full-scale war and holding of peaceful elections.”

The questions presented before him covered issues related to government’s plans to deliver quality water services to communities across all provinces and the progress achieved in facilitating the settlement of outstanding land claims. 

Water

On ensuring quality and reliable water delivery to communities, he stated that water is a fundamental human right as specified in Chapter 2 of the country’s Constitution.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a Water Task Team, which I am chairing, working with Ministers and Water Authorities to provide clean water and sanitation services to all communities.

“In executing its task, the Water Task Team has been conducting outreach programmes, inspections, and oversight visits to assess challenges in communities affected by water supply challenges.” 

Land claims

He also addressed the issue of land claims, stating that the government’s commitment to finalising outstanding land claims remains a key priority.

“Over successive years, we have made good progress regarding the settlement of land claims and returning the land to those who were previously dispossessed. However, much more still needs to be done.”

To expedite land access and reform, he announced that the government is focused on concluding restitution cases. 

This includes prioritising old-order claims, which will lead to the transfer of secure and legally registered tenure to claimants along with settlement packages.

Meanwhile, he said R11.6 billion will be allocated over the medium term to settle about 844 land restitution claims, with R3 billion earmarked to allocate 138 000 hectares of land. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

Gabisile
Fri, 03/28/2025 - 10:40
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CEIF: CLG Workshop Offers Insight into Congo’s Legal Framework

Location: Business
Energy Capital & Power

Pan-African legal firm CLG – formerly Centurion Law Group – led a workshop during the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) on the country's legal and fiscal frameworks. The workshop – Mastering Business in Congo: Challenges and Strategic Solutions for Success –  delved into strategies investors can deploy to navigate the Republic of Congo's business environment as the country prepares to launch an international licensing round.

As a leading provider of specialized legal and tax advisory services, CLG – a Legal Partner of CEIF 2025 - caters to a diverse portfolio of multinational energy companies. With offices in the Republic of Congo, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and South Sudan, the firm delivers bespoke solutions for a variety of challenges faced by oil and gas companies. The CLG workshop underscored how the firm's expertise can support oil and gas projects in the Republic of Congo as the country targets 500,000 barrels per day of oil.  

“Our goal is to provide solutions by interpreting regulations, ensuring companies can operate freely. We have advisors across several African countries,” stated Zion Adeoye, CEO and Group Managing Partner, CLG.

The country's strong Central African presence and deep knowledge of the associated legal frameworks gives it an edge in the region's energy landscape. According to Yves Ollivier, Managing Director, CLG Congo, the firm's services in the region include M&A transactions, due diligence, legal secretariat services for oil and gas companies and expertise in intellectual property and immigration laws.

“We provide legal opinions in various fields, including employment law, corporate structuring and contract negotiations,” he explained.

In addition to these services, CLG has strong expertise in taxation. Daoudou Mohammad, Director: Tax and Legal, CLG Congo, explained that the firm assists companies with tax compliance, fiscal advisory services and global tax audits. “We conduct comprehensive tax reviews and offer targeted training upon request,” he said.

For the Republic of Congo, these services will play a key role in facilitating investment, advancing projects and realizing the country's energy production goals. Given the complexity of the oil and gas sector, understanding the potential challenges associated with the industry is vital.  

Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, Deputy Managing Director & Partner, CLG, explained that, “Understanding all contractual details is crucial, especially in the gas sector. We have encountered cases where disputes arose due to poorly negotiated agreements. Anticipating potential legal issues is key to mitigating risks.”

Additional challenges include misunderstanding of the requisite taxation laws. Mohammad pointed out that many companies fail to consider available tax exemptions, leading to missed opportunities for fiscal optimization. “A thorough assessment of tax incentives can significantly reduce financial burdens. Companies should proactively evaluate their eligibility for exemptions,” he advised.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities.

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UNIDO and Japan Highlight Longstanding Partnership for and With Africa at Special Event

Location: News

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
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The Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) jointly hosted the “UNIDO-Japan partnership for Africa” event at the Vienna International Centre this week. Held in the framework of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), it showcased achievements through a week-long panel exhibition and a series of thematic discussions. 

An opening ceremony on 17 March 2025 in the Rotunda featured remarks by UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller (via video message) and the co-host, Ambassador Atsushi Kaifu of Japan. Ambassador Maimounata Ouattara of Burkina Faso, Chairperson of the African Group in Vienna and UNIDO Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director Yuko Yasunaga also provided opening remarks. A musical performance by the My Heart String Quartet Hiroshima accompanied the ceremony. 

In his video statement, Director General Müller underscored the strength of the partnership between UNIDO and Japan, noting, “UNIDO and Japan together address poverty and hunger, advance climate action and foster a circular economy. We create jobs and livelihoods around the world, offering perspectives for the future”. Ambassador Kaifu of Japan underscored the significance of the year 2025, as the TICAD 9 Summit will be held this August in Yokohama, Japan. He expressed the hope that “this week's event provides an opportunity to explore innovative solutions for Africa and serves as a significant milestone in advancing the TICAD process”.

Ambassador Kaifu of Japan underscored the significance of the year 2025, as the TICAD 9 Summit will be held this August in Yokohama, Japan. He expressed the hope that “this week's event provides an opportunity to explore innovative solutions for Africa and serves as a significant milestone in advancing the TICAD process”.

Ambassador Ouattara reaffirmed the importance of the UNIDO-Japan partnership with Africa stating that it “played a transformative role in promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization across our continent”. She further highlighted that “this partnership has contributed to economic growth, job creation and the adoption of sustainable practices that empower Africa industries and communities”. Deputy to the Director General Yuko Yasunaga highlighted UNIDO's ongoing commitment to supporting Africa's industrial development and acknowledged Japan's significant financial contributions. 

The opening ceremony included the presentation of newly funded projects in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and a regional project (Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia). Following the opening ceremony, a reception provided attendees with networking opportunities, while discussions continued in informative sessions.  

The first session was a presentation on the activities of the UNIDO Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Tokyo in Africa, by Fumio Adachi, Head of ITPO Tokyo. The session informed about seminars and events, the delegate programme and African business advisors programme of the ITPO in Tokyo, as well as its Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP) and Global South programme. 

Another session focused on plastic circular economy initiatives and challenges in Japan and Africa. Government representatives from seven African countries —Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania— discussed efforts to address plastic pollution through circular economy approaches. The discussion underscored how Africa's increasing plastic consumption, driven by population growth and urbanization, can benefit from sustainable waste management solutions. 

A seminar on UNIDO's data-based lean manufacturing showcased the success story of the digital tool “U-SPARK” (UNIDO smart performance analytics for real-time Kaizen) which helps enhance enterprise performance management in Ghana's food processing sector. UNIDO is now working with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to expand the initiative across the continent. 

Throughout the week, the results of the UNIDO-Japan cooperation in Africa were on display in a panel exhibition, showcasing our work in Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as the activities of ITPO Tokyo. 

Through the week-long event, UNIDO and Japan reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing industrial development in Africa. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

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Five Years of Advancing Investment, Collaboration in Africa’s Energy Sector

Location: Business
African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies, the premier platform for Africa's energy sector, marks its fifth anniversary in 2025, celebrating a legacy of driving investment, fostering partnerships and advancing the continent's energy future. Since its inception, AEW has established itself as the continent's leading energy event, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, investors and global stakeholders to catalyze development across Africa's oil, gas and renewable sectors.

Over the past five years, AEW has facilitated multi-billion-dollar deals, shaped policy discussions and strengthened regional cooperation. Its inaugural edition in 2021 set a strong foundation, attracting 1,700 delegates, including ministers, global energy executives and financial institutions. The event reinforced Africa's appeal to investors while establishing AEW's strategic goal of eradicating energy poverty by 2030. The event introduced key features such as the African Energy Awards, panel discussions and forums covering the entire energy sector across four venues. Country spotlight sessions provided market insights, while the African Energy Chamber, alongside African energy ministers and a representative from the German government, launched the African Green Energy Dialogue Initiative to accelerate investment in Africa's green energy space.

The 2022 edition of AEW kicked off with opening remarks from esteemed African leaders including the presidents of Uganda and Mozambique, Minister of Hydrocarbons from the Republic of Congo, as well as prominent industry figures from APPO, the European Commission, the International Energy Forum and the private sector. AEW 2022 provided a platform for high-level discussions on investment opportunities, energy policy and strategies for driving Africa's energy transition. In addition to insightful discussions and networking opportunities, AEW 2022 introduced the Just Energy Transition Concert, blending music and culture with energy dialogue to promote investment, development and wider participation across the energy industry.

AEW 2023 saw an unprecedented level of participation, with opening remarks from the presidents of Namibia, Senegal and Uganda, alongside energy ministers from South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Ghana and Mozambique. Representatives from OPEC, APPO, GECF, and key global partners from Russia, the U.S., Europe, and Saudi Arabia further reinforced the event's strategic importance. Afreximbank played a central role, hosting a dedicated deal room and supporting Africa's growing M&A activity. Key agreements signed included Afreximbank's $75 million financing deal with Torxen Energy Resources for Nigeria's PPL 241, a hydrogen exploration agreement between The Gambia and H2 Gambia Limited, and a $60 million term loan for Alphaden Energy & Oilfield Limited to develop a gas facility in Nigeria. Additionally, the African Energy Chamber partnered with the Black Impact Foundation to promote global opportunities for the Black community. The African Farmout Forum connected investors with available blocks, accelerating exploration and partnerships across Africa's oil and gas sector.

In 2024, AEW underscored its role as a catalyst for deal-making and sectoral development. Afreximbank committed over $120 million in financial facilities to support Africa's oil and gas sector, while the Republic of Congo's Société nationale des pétroles du Congo partnered with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan to modernize the CORAF refinery and the African Farmout Forum returned to highlight available block opportunities for partnership and investment. The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and delegations, including energy ministers from South Africa, Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Angola; OPEC and APPO secretary generals; and top executives from Eni, bp, Chevron, TotalEnergies and other leading energy companies.

The fifth edition of AEW promises an even greater focus on investment opportunities and project developments, including 2025/2026 licensing rounds, multi-phase LNG facilities, new refining capacity, drilling and appraisal programs and cross-border pipeline infrastructure. All flagship features will return, including the Big Five Stages of Premium Industry Content, the African Farmout Forum, the Deal Room, the OPEC-Africa Roundtable and more. With capital-intensive projects requiring global financing, AEW 2025 will serve as the premier platform to connect investors with Africa's most promising energy opportunities.

By bringing together key stakeholders, AEW has enhanced Africa's global competitiveness, enabled cross-border partnerships and fostered policy dialogue that advances sustainable energy development. As the conference celebrates five years of impact, its role in shaping the future of Africa's energy sector remains stronger than ever, ensuring that the continent's vast energy resources continue to drive sustainable development and economic transformation.

“The five-year milestone is a testament to AEW's commitment to shaping the future of Africa's energy sector. As the continent continues to navigate the complexities of energy development, AEW remains a vital platform for stakeholders to engage and drive progress across the continent,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, adding “As AEW celebrates five years of impact, its influence on the continent's energy landscape remains unparalleled. The conference has consistently demonstrated its ability to drive sustainable energy development, ensuring that Africa's vast energy resources are harnessed to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.”

AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECweek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Human Rights Council to Hold Its Fifty-Eighth Regular Session

Location: News

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
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The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its fifty-eighth regular session from 24 February to 4 April 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, starting with its high-level segment from 24 to 26 February, when dignitaries representing more than 100 Member States will address the Council.

The session will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, 24 February under the Presidency of Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switzerland. Delivering statements at the opening will be the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres; thePresident of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang; the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk; as well as the Chief of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis. The Council will be meeting in room XX of the Palais des Nations.

On Monday, 3 March, the Council is scheduled to hear a global update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights around the world. The general debate on his global update will start following his presentation of a number of country-specific reports and updates.

During the session, the Council will hold 30 interactive dialogues with the High Commissioner, his Office and designated experts, with Special Procedure mandate holders and investigative mechanisms, and with Special Representatives of the Secretary-General. The Council will also hold five enhanced interactive dialogues and one high-level dialogue, as well as nine general debates.

The Council will also hold theannual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming with a focus on the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action;the biennial high-level panel on the death penalty; panel discussions on early warning and genocide, HIV response and leaving no one behind, and onrights to work and to social security; the annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities; the annual discussion on the rights of the child; and a commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Council will examine the situation of human rights in a number of countries under its various agenda items, including the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and Myanmar under agenda item two; in Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Myanmar under agenda item four; and in Mali, Haiti, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Central African Republic under agenda item 10.

The final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of14 States will also be considered, namely those of Norway, Albania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal, Bhutan, Dominica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Qatar and Nicaragua.

Towards the end of the session, the Council will appoint three new members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A detailed agenda and further information on the fifty-eighth session can be found on the session'swebpage. Reports to be presented are available here.

First Week of the Session

The fifty-eighth regular session will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, 24 February with a short opening meeting, followed by the start of the high-level segment, which will continue until 26 February, and during which the Council will hear addresses by more than 100 dignitaries. Intervening during the high-level segment will be the annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming in the afternoon of 24 February and the biennial high-level panel on the death penalty in the morning of Tuesday, 25 February. The general segment will follow the conclusion of the high-level segment in the afternoon of Wednesday, 26 February.

On Thursday, 27 February, the Council will hold an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, followed byenhanced interactive dialogues on the situation of human rights in Eritrea and on the High Commissioner's report on Sudan, with the assistance of the designated Expert. Friday, 28 February, will see the conclusion of the discussion on Sudan, followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. This will be followed by three interactive dialogues, the first on the report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, the second with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and the third on the High Commissioner's oral update on Myanmar.

Second Week of the Session

At the beginning of the second week, on the morning of Monday, 3 March, the Council will hear the High Commissioner's global update, then conclude the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's oral update on Myanmar. This will be followed by the presentation of reports on the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner in Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras, and of another report on Cyprus, and oral updates on Sri Lanka and Nicaragua. The Council will then begin the general debate under agenda item two, namely the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General, which will conclude on Tuesday, 4 March. The Council will subsequently begin its considerations under agenda item three on the promotion and protection of all human rights, holding interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

On the morning of Wednesday, 5 March, the Council will hold a panel on early warning and genocide prevention, then conclude its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. This will be followed by an enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner on transitional justice. Another panel will be held on Thursday, 6 March on HIV response and leaving no one behind, in addition to two interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. A third panel will be held in the morning of Friday, 7 March on rights to work and to social security, followed by two interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and the Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism.

Third Week of the Session

The Council will start its third week on Monday, 10 March with a focus on disability, beginning with an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, to be followed by the annual debate on the rights of persons with disabilities. The day will conclude with aninteractive dialogue with the Independent Expert on foreign debt, which will continue in the morning of Tuesday, 11 March. Two moreinteractive dialogues will also be held on Tuesday with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Wednesday, 12 March will see a further three interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, and the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on violence against children and on children and armed conflict, the latter of which will conclude on Thursday, 13 March. The focus on children will continue on Thursday, with the Council also holding its annual discussion on the rights of the child, the theme of which will be early childhood development, and starting an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, which will conclude on Friday, 14 March.

On Friday, an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment will precede the presentation of reports by the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights, the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner and his Office, followed by the start of the general debate on agenda item three.

Fourth Week of the Session

The first day of the Council's fourth week, Monday 17 March, will be devoted to concluding the general debate on agenda item three. From Tuesday, 18 March, consideration of agenda item four, human rights situations that require the Council's attention, will begin. First on the schedule is a joint interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and the independent international fact-finding mission on the situation of human rights in Iran, followed by interactive dialogues with the independent international commission of inquiry on Syria, the fact-finding mission on Venezuela and the independent internationalcommission of inquiry on Ukraine.

On Wednesday, 19 March, after the conclusion of the dialogue with the commission of inquiry on Ukraine, three more separate interactive dialogues will be held with the group of independent experts on the situation of human rights inBelarus and with the Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and in Myanmar.

Thursday, 20 March, will see the Council hear the presentation of the High Commissioner's report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and his oral update of the situation of human rights in Venezuela. This will be followed by the general debate on agenda item four, which will conclude on the morning of Friday, 21 March. On Friday, the Council will also hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, before beginning considerations under agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms. After hearing the presentation of reports by the Forum on Minority Issues, the Social Forum, and the Special Procedures of the Council, it will commence the general debate on agenda item five.

Fifth Week of the Session

The Council will start its fifth week on Monday, 24 March with its consideration under agenda item six of the final outcomes of theUniversal Periodic Reviews of 14 States: Norway, Albania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal, Bhutan, Dominica, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Brunei Darussalam, Costa Rica, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Qatar and Nicaragua. This consideration will continue through to the morning of Wednesday, 26 March, after which the Council will hold a general debate on agenda item six. This will be followed by the presentation of the reports of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General under agenda item seven, namely the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, and the general debate on this agenda item. The general debate under agenda item eight - follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action – is also scheduled to commence on Wednesday afternoon.

Ending racism will be the Council's theme for Thursday, 27 March. After concluding the debate under agenda item eight, it will hear the presentation of the report of the intergovernmental working group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, then hold its general debate on agenda item nine, namely racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Council will also hold a meeting in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Friday, 28 March will begin with the conclusion of the debate under agenda item nine, followed by three interactive dialogues conducted under agenda item 10 on technical assistance and capacity-building. The first dialogue will be with the Independent Expert onthe situation of human rights in Mali; the second on the High Commissioner's report on the situation of human rights in Haiti, with the participation of the Independent Expert on the subject; and the third on the High Commissioner's oral update on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

Sixth Week of the Session

Monday, 31 March is a United Nations holiday. On Tuesday, 1 April, the Council will hold an enhanced interactive dialogue on oral updates by the High Commissioner and by the team of international experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, followed by an interactive dialogue on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner on technical assistance and capacity building for South Sudan and a high-level dialogue on the Central African Republic. At the end of the day, the Council will hear the annual presentation of the High Commissioner on technical cooperation and his oral update on Georgia, and the presentation of the report of the Board of Trustees of the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation, followed by the general debate on agenda item 10.

The general debate will conclude on Wednesday, 2 April, and the Council will then start to act on draft decisions and resolutions, appoint three new members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and adopt the report of the fifty-eighth regular session, before closing the session on Friday, 4 April.

The Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, made up of 47 States, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them.

The composition of the Human Rights Council at its fifty-eighth session is as follows: Albania (2026); Algeria (2025); Bangladesh (2025); Belgium (2025); Benin (2027); Bolivia (2027); Brazil (2026); Bulgaria (2026); Burundi (2026); Chile (2025); China (2026); Colombia (2027); Costa Rica (2025); Côte d'Ivoire (2026); Cuba (2026); Cyprus (2027); Czechia (2027); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2027); Dominican Republic (2026); Ethiopia (2027); France (2026); Gambia (2027); Georgia (2025); Germany (2025); Ghana (2026); Iceland (2027); Indonesia (2026); Japan (2026); Kenya (2027); Kuwait (2026); Kyrgyzstan (2025); Malawi (2026); Maldives (2025); Marshall Islands (2027); Mexico (2027); Morocco (2025); Netherlands (2026); North Macedonia (2027); Qatar (2027); Republic of Korea (2027); Romania (2025); South Africa (2025); Spain (2027); Sudan (2025); Switzerland (2027); Thailand (2027); and Viet Nam (2025).

The term of membership of each State expires in the year indicated in parentheses.

The President of the Human Rights Council in 2025 is Jürg Lauber (Switzerland). The four Vice-Presidents are Tareq Md Ariful Islam (Bangladesh), Razvan Rusu (Romania), Paul Empole Losoko Efambe (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and a fourth Vice-President to be elected later from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States. Mr. Efambe will also serve as Rapporteur of the Geneva-based body.

The dates and venue of the fifty-eighth session are subject to change.

Information on the fifty-eighth session can be foundhere, including the annotated agenda and the reports to be presented.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Read moreHuman Rights Council to Hold Its Fifty-Eighth Regular Session

Lamola speaks on deployment of SA troops to the DRC 

Location: News

Lamola speaks on deployment of SA troops to the DRC 

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has dismissed the proposal to withdraw South African soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stating that this action would be worse than surrender.

Lamola addressed Parliament during an urgent debate regarding the deployment of South African troops to the DRC. 

This special session was called following the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in the eastern part of the DRC, as families await the repatriation of their loved ones.

“Abrupt withdrawal as called upon by some in the House is not even a tactical retreat, it is even worse than a surrender as with the number [of] armed groups in the area, there lies ambush,” he said. 

Lamola stated that the South African government welcomes comments of the leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the East Africa Community (EAC), who called for a ceasefire and dialogue in the DRC over the weekend.

This follows a SADC – EAC Heads of State and Government Summit on the security situation in the eastern DRC, in which President Cyril Ramaphosa also took part. 

READ | SADC-EAC leaders call for dialogue in DRC conflict

The Minister believes that the recent summit of SADC and the EAC has clarified the way forward regarding the conflict in the eastern DRC.

“Recognising that a peaceful Africa is crucial for the economic and social development of the continent, we participated in a lot of peace missions in the continent, in Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, and so on to silence the guns in line with vision 2063. 

“Our 2001 peace efforts with the Sun City talks led to a new constitutional order and almost two decades of peace in the DRC. We have been involved in State-building and peace-building efforts,” he told Members of Parliament (MPs). 

The SANDF soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.

According to Lamola, the DRC is more peaceful now than before, and the conflict is in an isolated region. 

“To suggest that we should not resolve conflicts in Africa, regardless of their origin, is simplistic and profoundly naïve. Such a stance reflects a disturbing ignorance of the complexities and implications of neglecting these critical situations.
 
“A failure to act is not merely a passive choice; it actively undermines our peace and security and economic prosperity as no country is an island. Our nation will not be at peace if our regional community suffers in turmoil. We are also one of the leading countries in the continent in receiving refugees fleeing conflict zones.” 

He emphasised the importance of South Africa’s role in maintaining peace and economic stability, not only for its benefit but also for the prosperity of neighbouring countries on the continent. 

The Minister also took time to honour the country’s fallen heroes, as well as members of the Malawian, Tanzanian, and the Uruguayan defence forces.

“It is not a tragedy that has only befallen our defence force, it has befallen both the United Nations mission and the SADC mission,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
 

 

Gabisile
Tue, 02/11/2025 - 11:05

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President Ramaphosa to participate in joint SADC – EAC summit on the DRC

Location: News

President Ramaphosa to participate in joint SADC – EAC summit on the DRC

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to embark on a working visit to Dar Es Salaam in the United Republic of Tanzania on Saturday, to participate in the joint Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) – East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State and Government Summit on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

This was announced on Wednesday by Presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, during a media briefing at the Imbizo Media Centre in Cape Town to update on the President’s programme and address recent developments of interest.

“The Heads of State and Government of SADC and the EAC agreed to meet urgently following their respective extraordinary summits held last month to deliberate on the way forward regarding the security situation in the DRC,” Magwenya said. 

The joint SADC – EAC Summit will be preceded by Senior Officials and Foreign Ministers Meetings taking place on 6 and 7 February 2025. 

The Extraordinary SADC Summit held last month mandated the SADC Organ Troika on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to engage all State and non-State parties to the conflict on a ceasefire process to protect lives and facilitate a smooth flow of humanitarian support to people and communities affected by the armed conflict.

It also urged Political and Diplomatic leaders who are parties to the conflict to engage in a coordinated effort of dialogue, including supporting the Luanda Process, United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and others, to restore peace and security in Eastern DRC.

READ | SADC Extraordinary Summit condemns escalating violence in DRC, calls for urgent action

SONA Debate Reply

President Ramaphosa will deliver his reply to the State of the Nation debate on 13 February 2025. 

Magwenya said the President looks forward to a constructive and substantively enriching debate that will follow his SONA address. 

38th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government

President Ramaphosa is also expected to lead the South African delegation to the 38th African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“President Ramaphosa will lead the South African Delegation to the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU, which is taking place on 15 and 16 February 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He will be accompanied by several Ministers and senior officials,” Magwenya said. 

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU will be held under the theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations”. 

It will review and assess what has been achieved in Africa’s efforts towards the attainment of long overdue justice and reparations after decades of colonialism and apartheid. 

“The assembly is taking place two months after South Africa assumed its Presidency of the G20 in 2025. The Summit will be a unique opportunity for President Ramaphosa to brief his counterparts on the key priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and their alignment to Agenda 2063. The high-level meeting on the G20 will take place on 15 February 2025, on the margins of the summit,” he said. 

One of the main objectives of the forthcoming assembly is to elect the new senior leadership of the AU Commission, Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson of the Commission. There are three candidates vying for the Chairperson position, while four candidates are contesting the Deputy Chairperson position. It will also appoint the six Commissioners following the endorsement by the Executive Council. 

“The summit is expected to discuss the status of Peace and Security on the continent. The discussion on peace and security on the continent will take place against the backdrop of great concerns regarding the state of peace and security on the continent, including the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The discussions on the peace and security situation in Sudan and South Sudan will also feature prominently during the summit,” Magwenya said. 

The President, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, also known as the C-5, will convene an extended meeting on South Sudan to include key countries in the Eastern Region such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. The current President of South Sudan, President Silva Kiir will also be in attendance. 

South Africa will participate in the exchange of views on issues such as AUDA-NEPAD, APRM and Climate Change on the margins of the AU Summit. There will also be a review and assessment of the implementation of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical flagship project of Agenda 2063.

G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting

President Ramaphosa will, on 20 February 2025, host the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting at the NASREC EXPO Centre, in Gauteng. 

Issues for discussion include the current geopolitical dynamics, as well as the President's reflection on South Africa’s G20 Presidency High–Level Deliverables and the Review of the G20 @20. 

South Africa’s G20 Presidency commenced on 1 December 2024 under the theme, “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.

Basic Education Sector Lekgotla

President Ramaphosa will deliver a keynote address on 27 February 2025 at the Basic Education Lekgotla.

The Department of Basic Education will host the Basic Education Sector Lekgotla at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Johannesburg. 

The theme of the 2025 Lekgotla is “Strengthening foundations for Learning for a resilient future-fit education system”. – SAnews.gov.za

DikelediM
Wed, 02/05/2025 - 14:07

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Fallen SANDF soldiers are South African and African heroes: President Ramaphosa

Location: News

Fallen SANDF soldiers are South African and African heroes: President Ramaphosa

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers, who were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), are African heroes who laid their lives in defence of those who are not able to defend themselves.

This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter on Monday.

The SANDF lost 14 members in the DRC after coming under deadly attack allegedly from M23 fighters.

South African soldiers are in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).

“They were killed in violation of a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by President João Lourenço of Angola. As a nation, we pay tribute to our fallen soldiers. They are South African and African heroes.

“They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless: the men, women and children who are the victims of one of the world’s most protracted conflicts,” President Ramaphosa said.

The names of the soldiers – as released by the SANDF – are:

  • Staff Sergeant William Eddie Cola.
  • Staff Sergeant Molahlehi Ishmael Molahlehi.
  • Staff Sergeant Shwahlane Theophilus Seepe.
  • Corporal Matome Justice Malesa. 
  • Corporal Rinae Nemavhulani. 
  • Lance Bombardier Itumeleng Macdonald Moreo. 
  • Lance Corporal Tseke Moffat Molapo. 
  • Lance Corporal Metse Stansly Raswiswi. 
  • Rifleman Sebatane Richard Chokoe. 
  • Rifleman Derrick Maluleke. 
  • Rifleman Tshidiso Andries Mabele.
  • Rifleman Calvin Louis Moagi. 
  • Rifleman Mokete Joseph Mobe 
  • Private Peter Jacobus Strydom.

President Ramaphosa has assured that SANDF participation in the DRC is “subject to the SAMIDRC mission” and will wind down “in accordance with the implementation of various confidence-building measures and when the ceasefire we have called for takes root”.

“As this happens, securing the safety of our troops remains paramount. The situation in the areas where our troops are stationed remains highly volatile. We are making every effort to ensure that our soldiers are well-equipped and sufficiently supported during the mission,” he said.

SAnews on Friday, 31 January 2025, reported on the Extraordinary SADC Summit, which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on the situation in the DRC. President Ramaphosa and other leaders at the summit, strongly condemned the ongoing violence in the DRC, where clashes have displaced thousands of civilians.  

READ | SADC Extraordinary Summit condemns escalating violence in DRC, calls for urgent action

Silencing the guns

President Ramaphosa explained that South Africa has been a “troop contributing country to MONUSCO since 1999 and we have lent our support to the SADC mission deployed to the region in 2023” – anchored in the commitment to “silencing the guns” on African soil.

“Supporting peacebuilding and the resolution of conflict in Africa has been a cornerstone of our country’s foreign policy since the advent of democracy, as we have sought to draw on our experience of political dialogue and national reconciliation.

“Since 1994, our country has contributed to UN peace operations in Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Liberia, Nepal and to the UN-AU Mission in Darfur. South Africa has been part of fostering peace in Lesotho, Burundi and South Sudan. In 2022, we hosted negotiations that brokered a ceasefire between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

“Last year marked the end of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), which SANDF troops formed part of. The mission was deployed for three years to combat extremist groups in the Cabo Delgado province. The government of Mozambique has praised SAMIM for its efforts to restore stability to the region and for contributing to a vastly improved security situation,” he said.

In our best interests

According to the President, since the attack on the SANDF soldiers, questions were raised on South Africa’s DRC presence, with some saying “we have no business being there.”.

“Violence and conflict in Africa is the business of all Africans. The humanitarian, economic and social effects of these conflicts are felt across borders and regions. Instability in any part of the continent affects the prospects for growth and development across the continent,” President Ramaphosa insisted.

He said for peace to be secured in the eastern DRC, “there must be an immediate end to hostilities and a ceasefire that must be respected by all”.

“A ceasefire is a necessary precondition for peace talks that must include all parties to the conflict, whether they are State or non-state actors, Congolese or non-Congolese.

"Diplomacy is the most sustainable pathway to achieving a lasting peace for the DRC and its people. We call on all parties to fully embrace the current diplomatic efforts that are aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, including honouring the Luanda Process.

“Strong political will and leadership will be required from all parties to the conflict, as well as respect for the territorial integrity of the DRC,” the President said.

Furthermore, for lasting peace and security to be achieved in the DRC, “the collective will of the community of nations” will be needed.

“As a country, we have a duty of support towards the nations of Africa, whose solidarity and material support helped secure our liberation. 

“South Africa will not let up in its support to the people of the DRC, so that they may have the peace and security they rightfully deserve,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Mon, 02/03/2025 - 14:25

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Lamola to hear challenges facing South Sudan’s transitional government

Location: News

Lamola to hear challenges facing South Sudan's transitional government

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has arrived in Juba, South Sudan, to lead a South African government delegation to address the challenges facing the East African country’s transitional government in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

According to the department, the visit is important, following the decision by the parties involved in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), to extend the mandate of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), until February 2027. 

The Ministers and the African Union Commission (AUC) will also gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges in implementing the R-ARCSS and assess the support required to ensure that it is implemented.

The African Union High-Level Ad hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5) comprises South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda. 

The C5 has been following developments related to the implementation of the R-ARCSS since its signing in 2018, to end the 2013-2018 South Sudanese civil war. 

“During the visit, the Ministers will meet leaders of the government of South Sudan, as well as representatives of regional and international organisations,” the department said. 

The meeting will include several key figures, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President Dr Riek Machar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramadan Mohammad Abdallah, and Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), General Charles Tai Gituai. 

Other leaders expected to be present, include Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, and representatives from the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Monitoring and Verification Mechanism for South Sudan.

During the talks, Rwanda will be represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier JP Nduhungirehe, and Algeria’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Selma Mansouri. 

“Chad and Nigeria will be represented by their Permanent Representatives in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, will represent the AU.” – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:10

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Pan-African Legal Group CLG Announces Appointment of Leon Van der Merwe as Partner

Location: Business
CLG

A distinguished Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with over 12 years of legal expertise, specializing in Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Litigation and Regulatory Compliance Leon Van der Merwe has joined pan-African legal and advisory group CLG (www.CLGGlobal.com) as a Partner.

A distinguished Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Van der Merwe brings over 12 years of experience in Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Litigation and Regulatory Compliance. His areas of specialization include Contract Law, General and Commercial Litigation, Insolvency, Compliance, Property Law, Regulatory Law, Competition Law, Company Law and Risk Management.

Throughout his career, Van der Merwe has provided strategic counsel to national and international corporations, as well as African Governments, across various industries such as forestry, mining, construction, engineering, and retail. He holds an LLB Degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Pretoria.

“Leon's promotion to Partner is a reflection not only of his exceptional professional skill but also of the trust he has earned from our clients, colleagues, and partners. His dedication and hard work are unmatched, and he exemplifies the core values that define CLG,” said Zion Adeoye, CEO and Managing Partner of CLG. “I am thrilled to welcome him as Partner and look forward to seeing his leadership continue to shape our journey. His elevation is more than deserved, and I know he will bring even greater value to our firm and our clients in this role.”

Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, CLG Deputy Managing Partner, added, "It gives me great joy to welcome my friend and colleague into the partnership at CLG. His dedication to the firm and unwavering commitment to our clients have been the bedrock of his practice, and I couldn't be more excited to see him take on this well-deserved role. His leadership and passion will be invaluable as we continue to grow together and build Africa's largest professional service firm."

Mr. Van der Merwe's appointment reinforces CLG's commitment to providing impactful and innovative legal solutions across Africa. His expertise will enhance the firm's service offerings, further solidifying its position as a leading pan-African legal and advisory group.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

About CLG:
CLG, a leading pan-African legal, tax and business advisory firm, has established offices in Germany, Nigeria, South Africa, Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Mauritius, Ghana, Cameroon, Namibia and Equatorial Guinea, amongst others, and is the first Africa focused professional service firm listed on the German stock exchange.

This expanded footprint enables CLG to deliver seamless professional services, facilitate cross-border transactions and provide expertise in diverse jurisdictions and sectors, while fostering strong in-country relationships.

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Africa’s Mineral Wealth and Path to Economic Transformation Showcased at CMA 2024

Location: News
Energy Capital & Power

Africa's holds significant reserves of minerals critical for the global energy transition. The continent boasts roughly 30% of the world's mineral reserves, including immense deposits of cobalt, manganese, natural graphite, copper, nickel, lithium and iron ore.  

As such, this year's Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2024 Summit – held from November 6-7 in Cape Town – convened industry leaders, policymakers, service providers and investors to address the urgent demands of Africa's critical mineral value chain. The Summit featured a robust agenda that sought to shine a spotlight on opportunities for Africa to accelerate its mining sector while utilizing its natural resources to promote value addition and drive socioeconomic development. 

CMA 2024 featured a Ministerial Forum that included the participation of mining ministries from Eswatini, Malawi and Argentina, as well as representatives from Tanzania. High-level speakers during the forum showcased a number of projects aimed at maximizing mineral production while discussing how to leverage mineral resources to promote economic growth and sustainability. 

The Republic of Malawi's Minister of Mining Monica Chang'anamuno highlighted several ongoing projects in the country, such as the Kasongo Initiative, which aims to increase the production of rare earth metals, graphite and lithium resources. 

Meanwhile, Eswatini's Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela announced ambitious targets to raise to the contribution of the country's mining sector to its GDP. With aims to increase the share from 1% to 50% in the short- to medium-term, the strategy is supported by new surveys revealing commercial deposits of lithium, copper, cobalt and other base metals.  

To bolster investment in mid- and downstream infrastructure, the Summit also featured the participation the President of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Thomas Gono, who stated, “Historically, we exported raw materials, missing out on the potential benefits. With Africa's young workforce, we now have an opportunity to drive revenue and create jobs through skills development and local beneficiation.” 

With the participation of Tanzania's Chamber of Mines, it was announced that the country aims to expand exploration in critical mineral-rich basins from 16% to 50% as part of a strategic push into rare earths, lithium and tanzanite production. Meanwhile, Zambia's Chamber of Mines discussed ongoing strategies aimed at helping the country address logistics and energy deficit challenges in the mining sector. 

The Summit featured a panel discussion with high-level representatives from mining companies and development institutions including Pensana, the Africa Policy Research Institute and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation. The panel also featured the participation of Clifford Chance, Frost & Sullivan and Chatham House and explored how regional initiatives – such as the Lobito Corridor – have the potential to fast-track Africa's critical minerals market expansion.  

An Investment Forum held during the Summit showcased innovative financing measures to advance the flow of capital across the African market. The session featured representatives from finance institutions the World Bank, ABSA, Moshe Capital, the African Finance Corporation and ASAFO & Co. 

Additionally, midstream and downstream opportunities were showcased during a panel session that featured the participation of organizations such as Orion Minerals, AZ Arnaturen, Women in Green Hydrogen, Isondo Previous Metals and the Southern African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The panel also featured representatives from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the SA-DRC Chamber of Commerce, the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya and the Congolese Battery Council. 

At CMA 2024, research firms including Rystad Energy, Moore Global and Project Blue presented insights on market trends in the global mining industry, while Tronic Metals, Tanzania's State Mining Corporation and South Sudan's state-owned Nilepet provided updates on their activities across the mining value chain. 

A Leaders Forum during the Summit featured the participation of international mining companies Glencore DRC and KoBold Metals as well as representatives from the University of Cape Town and the Minerals Council of South Africa. The forum showcased how governments across Africa can promote innovation in the continent's mining space to attract new investment and increase critical minerals production to drive socioeconomic and GDP growth.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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One Week to Go Until Investors Unite at AEW

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

The largest gathering of energy stakeholders on the African continent is gearing up to welcome global and African energy stakeholders for five days of dialogue and deals. African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 – dubbed the premier event for the African energy sector – will take place from November 4-8 in Cape Town, South Africa. The foremost platform to sign deals and further the agenda towards making energy poverty history by 2030, the conference will feature seven stages, including five content stages, two technical hubs and a full day of pre-event workshops.

With over 125 million barrels of proven oil reserves, 620 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and abundant opportunities in solar, wind and green hydrogen, Africa has the potential to become a global hub for energy. African energy demand is projected to more than double by 2050, with fossil fuels anticipated to account for up to 60% of the continent's energy mix by 2040. As such, this year's conference promises to drive a new wave of investment across the African energy sector, with industry experts and thought-leaders, African governments and national oil companies (NOCs), and energy investors leading discussions on the challenges and opportunities found on the continent.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Africa's energy industry is both the backbone of the continent's economy and a catalyst for sustainable growth worldwide. As such, the AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference will feature a series of pre-event interactive workshops, providing an opportunity for companies to share in-depth knowledge and exchange ideas with a targeted group of delegates. The workshops, hosted by companies such as Rystad Energy, NCDMB, CLG, Energeo Alliance and S&P Global Commodity Insights, will cover various topics including energizing Africa amid the global energy transition; legislative and regulatory context for promoting investment in exploration; and facilitating investments and mergers and acquisitions across the continent.

A high-level opening ceremony will kick off at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) on the first day of the event. The opening ceremony will feature addresses from Angola's Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum Diamantino Azevedo and South Africa's Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and discussions with the likes of Dr. Omar Farouk, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization and Chairman and CEO of upstream oil company Kosmos Energy Andy Inglis. The AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 opening will kick off a week of intense dialogue on the future of the African energy industry. The opening will also feature a number of panel discussions focusing on the vital role Africa plays in addressing global energy security, as well as keynote addresses from the heads of some of the largest energy companies in the world.

Representing the entire energy value chain from oil and gas to renewable energy to power and infrastructure, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 will feature a massive slate of regional ministers with the aim of unpacking the continent's strategies to make energy poverty history by 2030. Ministers from Libya and Algeria are poised to showcase North Africa's ambitious production targets while aiming to plug Europe's energy gap and enhance domestic energy access. Southern Africa's ripe opportunities in energy and mining will be put on display by ministers from Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia while West African ministers from the MSGBC region, Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso will provide updates on ongoing projects. With major producers such as Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of the Congo (ROC) inviting investors to support diversification efforts in production and refining, regional ministers from Central Africa will share insight into available opportunities in oil and gas, mining and infrastructure. Meanwhile, as a frontier market, East Africa is incentivizing exploration in both on- and offshore basins while driving infrastructure and field development projects forward and will be represented by energy and mining ministers from Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan.

Africa is accelerating the pace of upstream projects with the aim of boosting production and intra-African petroleum distribution. Across both mature and emerging hydrocarbon markets, investment opportunities continue to emerge, and as such, AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 will feature a strong lineup of VIP speakers from energy supermajors Eni, bp, Chevron and TotalEnergies. The event will also feature representatives from some of the continent's most important energy players including Azule Energy, ReconAfrica, Etu Energias, Africa Oil Corp., Wood Mackenzie and Adarco Energy, among many more. The oil industries of African countries will be represented by NOCs from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, among others.

With two technical hubs on the exhibition floor of the CTICC, the conference serves as a prime platform for companies to provide presentations on various industry-leading technical themes. The AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 technical track features a dedicated stage for asset owners, engineers and technology innovators to present projects, provide deep insights into cutting-edge solutions, and share best practices to foster knowledge. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the future of energy and learn about ground-breaking projects while discovering new opportunities for collaboration and investment. An exclusive exhibition-only pass grants delegates access to both the innovative exhibition floor and the technical track.

Rounding off AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024's strong program, a series of technical excursions and site visits across Cape Town offer participants the unique opportunity to gain insight into ongoing projects and developments in South Africa. A guided tour of the Hydrogen Project at the University of the Western Cape will focus on industry technology and development. The tour will also take delegates to the South African Renewable Energy Technology Center at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, which stands as the country's inaugural sustainable energy development technology facility. The excursion will feature a tour of the Atlantis Special Economic Zone, which stands as a promising landmark in Africa's energy landscape while showcasing advancements in sustainable energy solutions, economic development and innovation. Rounding off the site visits, the tour will also take participants to the Eskom Palmiet Power Station, a hydroelectric pumped storage facility that plays a key role in stabilizing the national power grid.

“AEW 2024 stands at the center of African energy and provides an unparalleled platform to forge partnerships, share knowledge and drive progress in the continent's energy sector. It is our collective responsibility to prioritize energy poverty alleviation and sustainable development, ensuring a brighter future for all Africans. We look very much forward to kicking off this exciting event and welcoming hundreds of delegates from all over the world to drive Africa's energy needs,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

During the AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference, delegates will be exposed to project updates, industry highlights, investment opportunities and strategies that address the continent's goals for eradicating energy poverty and promoting environmental sustainability. With one week to go, the conference is already stacking up to become the foremost energy event of its kind once again on the African continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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AEW 2024 Ministerial Lineup to Foster Strategies to Alleviate Energy Poverty in Africa

Location: News
African Energy Chamber

Energy and hydrocarbon ministers from across Africa have joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference to discuss investment opportunities while engaging with financiers and project developers. Representing the entire energy value chain from oil and gas to renewable energy to power and infrastructure, regional ministers will unpack the continent's strategies to make energy poverty history by 2030.  

North African countries such as Libya and Algeria have set ambitious production targets for the coming years, aiming to plug Europe's energy gap while enhancing domestic energy access. Libya aims to boost output to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in the next two to three years while Algeria aims to produce over 1.5 million bpd in 2025. Meeting production goals requires accelerated exploration, with both countries promoting investments in upstream drilling. At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, North African energy and hydrocarbon ministers will provide insight into these opportunities. They are joined by ministers representing global and African oil and gas organizations, including:  

  • Khalifa Abdulsadek, Minister of Oil & Gas, Libya 
  • Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Energy and Mines, Algeria 
  • Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General, OPEC 
  • Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of APPO 

In Southern Africa, the region is ripe with opportunity. An estimated 11 billion barrels has been found off Namibia's coast since 2022; over 100 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas found offshore Mozambique; and an estimated 200 tcf likely held onshore South Africa. While Angola - the second largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa – still offers significant potential in both on- and offshore basins, Southern African countries such as Zambia are largely underexplored, presenting strategic opportunities for exploration companies. At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, Southern African energy and hydrocarbon ministers will outline strategic basins and upcoming projects. Speakers include:  

  • Carlos Zacarias, Minister, Ministry of Natural Resources & Energy, Mozambique 
  • Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Angola 
  • Gwede Mantashe, Minister, Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, South Africa 
  • Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity, South Africa 
  • Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zambia 
  • Tom Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, Namibia 

Recent offshore projects have positioned West Africa as a global hydrocarbon hotspot. Mauritania and Senegal's Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project will start production this year, following the start of operations at Senegal's Sangomar Oil Project in mid-2024. Nigeria's Dangote Refinery – the largest in Africa at 650,000 bpd – recently secured a 400,000-bpd feedstock supply from the government a year after its start while Ivory Coast's Belaine project – the first net-zero upstream development in Africa – plans to commence phase two operations this December. Regional ministers will provide an update on ongoing projects, future investments and efforts to unlock additional reserves at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024. Ministers include:  

  • Aboubacar Camara, Minister of Energy, Hydropower and Hydrocarbons, Guinea Conakry 
  • Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of Energy, Oil and Mines Republic of Senegal 
  • Chief. Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Federal Republic of Nigeria 
  • Collins Adomako-Mensah, Deputy Minister of Energy in Charge of Power, Ghana 
  • Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Nigeria 
  • Foday Mansaray, Director General, PDSL 
  • Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Nigeria 
  • Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minister of Energy, Ghana 
  • Mohamed Ould Khaled, Minister of Petroleum & Energy, Ministry of Petroleum, Mines & Energy, Mauritania 
  • Nani Juwara, Minister of Energy and Petroleum, The Gambia 
  • Viriato Luis Soares Cassama, Minister of Environment & Biodiversity, Guinea-Bissau 
  • Yacouba Zabré Gouba, Minister of Energy and Mines, Burkina Faso 

Central Africa – with major producers such as Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo – are inviting investors to support diversification efforts in production and refining. Leveraging natural gas, these markets aim to unlock reserves in both domestic and regional basins while boosting export capacity and intra-African trade. The Republic of Congo exported its first LNG cargo in 2024 from the Tango FLNG facility, targeting 3 million tons per year by 2025, while Equatorial Guinea forged an agreement with Nigeria to import and process gas at its Punta Europa facility. At AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024, regional ministers will outline these initiatives, while sharing insight into available opportunities in natural gas. Ministers include:  

  • Antonio Uburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea 
  • Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons, the Republic of Congo 
  • Marcel Abeke, Minister of Petroleum, Republic of Gabon 

As a frontier market, East Africa is incentivizing exploration in both on- and offshore basins while driving infrastructure and field development projects forward. Uganda inked a deal with Ethiopia in 2024 to export crude via pipeline while South Sudan is seeking diversified export routes and promoting exploration onshore. Regional ministers will share more insights at AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024. Speakers include:   

  • Ing Habtamu Itefa Geleta, Minister of Water and Energy, Ethiopia 
  • Okasaai Sidronious Opolot, Minister of state for Energy, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda 
  • Puot Kang Chol, Minister Petroleum, South Sudan 

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

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Bafana Bafana to face Congo Brazzaville 

Location: News

Bafana Bafana to face Congo Brazzaville 

Bafana Bafana are all set to face Congo Brazzaville in tonight’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Ggeberha.

The South African senior men’s national team will host the Congolese at 7pm.

“The boyz [sic]  are ready,” Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, said in a social media post on X on Friday. 

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said his team has prepared well in the last few days.

“I’m more comfortable now than I was in the beginning of our camp.

“Again, I saw a very hungry team this week. We trained very well this week; we prepared ourselves very well and this is something I like about this group. I think everybody was aware of the fact that our games against Uganda and South Sudan were not our best games, and that we were lucky to achieve those 4-on-6.

“And then you see the immediate reaction of the group, and it means we did a lot of progress also on that level, the mental level. After the performances of September, we will again motivate each other and be ready to have good results, two good results against Congo tomorrow and next week on Tuesday,” the coach said ahead of Friday’s game.

Captain Ronwen Williams said the spirit in the camp has been exceptional.

“There’s been a change in mentality, and you could see it this week in training. Once the team was together, the team spirit was there again,” said Williams.

In its statement, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said the visitors arrived in the Eastern Cape on Thursday afternoon and had their first training session at the match venue in the evening.

Following tonight’s match, Bafana Bafana will travel to Congo to play the return match on Tuesday, 15 October. -SAnews.gov.za

Neo
Fri, 10/11/2024 - 13:02

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Seventh administration to promote peace, security in Africa

Location: News

Seventh administration to promote peace, security in Africa

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has assured South Africans that the current administration will not stray from the African Agenda and will continue to push for peace and security on the continent.

Delivering his remarks at the Africa Peace and Security Dialogue hosted by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation on Saturday in Magaliesburg, the Minister said: “I am here to say that the seventh administration remains committed to the African Agenda. We are not deviating from it, we pursue our agenda in the spirit of genuine partnership, not hegemony as some would claim.”  

The annual dialogue is dedicated to finding practical solutions to the peace and security challenges facing the continent.

“Evidence suggests that when all variations are put, it is said that more than 120 conflicts are playing themselves out on the world, while 60% of the United Nations Security Council peacekeeping budget focuses on African conflicts and peacekeeping.”

According to the Minister, the two most worrying conflicts which have led to devastating humanitarian crises are in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.

Lamola stressed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) was working around the clock to end these wars with the Deputy President Paul Mashatile being the envoy for South Sudan and President Cyril Ramaphosa focusing on Sudan.

“Unfortunately, both have not received adequate attention from the international community compared to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the devastating war in Gaza and recent tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbours.”

He raised his concern that Africa has experienced a resurgence of coups in the past few years, while six member states remain suspended from the African Union (AU) because of unconstitutional government changes.

“I hope this conference will help us find a solution to legitimate concerns of West Africa about colonial vintage still haunting most parts of the continent.”

However, he said the Global South would continue to work in harmony and revive the AU and regional economic communities, the building blocks of African integration.

He said the resurgence of violence in the Sahel region “should concern us all” and the terrorism and violent extremist acts in Cabo Delgado were a security threat for Mozambique and the wider Southern African region.

“The threat of terrorism and violent extremism is one of the most pressing peace and security challenges that the continent is dealing with as it has spread to more regions of the continent, including Southern Africa.”

In addition, he stressed that South Africa would continue to support the leaders and people of South Sudan in their transition process towards a stable democracy.

South Africa has placed the issue of financing peace operations on the continent through the UN’s assessed contributions on the Security Council agenda.

He told the guests that South Africa will use its Chairpersonship of the G20 to action the pact of the future as adopted by the UN General Assembly, reform the global financial architecture, inclusive governance and refocus on the implementation of the sustainable goals to put forward Agenda 2063 on the global pedestal. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Gabisile
Sun, 10/06/2024 - 10:29

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CLG Appoints Daoudou Mohammad as Director of Tax & Legal at Pointe-Noire Office

Location: Business
CLG

Supporting clients operating in the CEMAC region, trusted legal adviser Daoudou Mohammad has been appointed as Director of Tax & Legal at CLG's Pointe-Noire office (www.CLGGlobal.com). Mohammad brings a wealth of demonstrated expertise that will be instrumental to the law firm's Africa-wide practices, as the Republic of Congo and wider Central African region sees rapid growth in the energy sector.  

Mohammad holds over 15 years of experience in business and tax law, developing a solid competence in handling complex legal issues and providing effective client support. Prior to joining CLG, Mohammad served as Senior Manager at PwC's Tax & Legal Department in Pointe-Noire, managing the tax and legal coordination center for Francophone African countries, supervising quality and risk management operations, ensuring legal due diligence and supervising restructuring operations for groups of companies – including mergers and acquisitions and company transfers – among other key responsibilities.

Having also held a managerial role at PwC's South Africa office, Mohammad maintains an in-depth knowledge of different international systems and compliance with the highest standards of practice and service delivery, adapting to varied legal and cultural environments. Specializing in business, tax and labor law, as well as foreign exchange regulations and intellectual property, his multidisciplinary background represents a major asset to CLG and will enable the provision of integrated solutions to client needs and up-to-date advice on the latest legislative and regulatory developments. Mohammad holds a dual Master's Degree in Intellectual Property Law and Business Law from Cameroon's University of Yaoundé II.

The Republic of Congo is in the midst of a major investment drive, as it aims to accelerate oil and gas exploration and transform into a major LNG hub on the back of multiple large-scale LNG export projects and new exploration and appraisal drilling activities. To attract further investment and streamline regulatory processes, the country is launching a comprehensive gas code, recently approved a new Gas Master Plan led by national oil company Société nationale des pétroles du Congo, and plans to establish a dedicated national gas company. As a result, specialized tax, legal and regulatory advisory expertise is needed by companies operating in the Congo to navigate evolving energy sector legislation. 

CLG represents an experienced team of legal professionals, offering an in-depth understanding of African markets and a flexible and innovative approach to meeting the diverse needs of its clients. Serving as the preferred professional services partner in Africa, CLG is equipped to offer on-the-ground support across multiple sectors and has a rich history of spearheading transformative oil and gas transactions across the continent, providing top-tier legal services and strategic advice to clients across the energy spectrum, and guiding clients through complex regulatory landscapes and contractual negotiations. In addition to the Republic of Congo, CLG operates in South Africa, Nigeria, South Sudan, Mauritius, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique and Germany.     

“Navigating local laws, including taxation on oil and gas revenues, production-sharing agreements, and environmental regulations, demands thorough understanding to ensure compliance and optimize returns. We are excited to have Daoudou Mohammad head up CLG's tax and legal services in Pointe-Noire, who offers expert guidance on mitigating risks, avoiding costly legal disputes, and ensuring that investments are structured to meet both local obligations and international standards,” states Zion Adeoye, CEO of CLG.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.

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South Africa commits support for South Sudan

Location: News

South Africa commits support for South Sudan

South Africa will continue to support the Republic of South Sudan in its efforts for peace, democracy and development.

This according to a statement by the Presidency on Wednesday.

The statement follows an announcement by the government of South Sudan regarding the extension of its transitional period for a further two years.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the statement by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan extending the country's transitional period by another two years. This effectively postpones the national elections initially due to take place on 22 December 2024.

“According to the announcement, the postponement is intended to provide time and space for the implementation of the remaining provisions of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement to the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan [R-ARCSS],” the Presidency said.

The statement said President Ramaphosa “commends the Parties to the R-ARCSS for arriving at the decision by consensus, which bodes well for the implementation of the remainder of the provisions of the R-ARCSS”.

“To this end, President Ramaphosa calls on South Sudanese Parties and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity [RTGoNU] to spare no effort in implementing the outstanding provisions of the R-ARCSS and to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that has existed since September 2018,” the Presidency said.

“President Ramaphosa further calls on the RTGoNU to allocate the necessary resources for the effective functioning of statutory institutions mandated to deliver free and fair elections,” the statement read.

The President also called on the East African bloc, the East African Community (EAC) and the international community to “continue to support the Government and people of South Sudan in their search for lasting peace and democracy”.

“For its part, South Africa will continue to support South Sudan to realise the ideals for peace, democracy and development,” the Presidency concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

NeoB
Wed, 09/18/2024 - 09:37

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Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

Location: News

U.S. Embassy in Namibia
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The Mandela Washington Fellowship, begun in 2014, is the flagship program of President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking. In 2016, the Fellowship provided nearly 1,000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.

Ideal candidates are self-identified leaders, aged 25 to 35, with proven accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their organizations, institutions, communities, and countries.

U.S.-based Activities

Academic and Leadership Institutes: Each Mandela Washington Fellow takes part in a six- week academic and leadership institute at a U.S. university or college in one of three tracks: business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, or public management.

Summit: Following the academic component of the Fellowship, the Fellows visit Washington, D.C. for a summit. During the three-day event, Fellows take part in networking and panel discussions with U.S. leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Professional Development Experience: Selected Fellows remain in the U.S. to participate in a six-week professional development experience with U.S. non-governmental organizations, private companies, and governmental agencies related to their professional interests and goals.

Africa-based Activities

Upon returning to their home countries, Fellows continue to build the skills they have developed during their time in the United States through support from U.S. embassies, Regional Leadership Centers, the YALI Network, and customized programming from affiliated partners. Mandela Washington Fellows have access to ongoing professional development opportunities, mentoring, networking and training, and seed funding to support their ideas, businesses, and organizations.

Application Information

The application includes basic information and questions about the applicant's professional and academic experience, including educational background; honors and awards received; extracurricular and volunteer activities; and English language proficiency.  A résumé is also requested (with dated educational and professional background), and personal information (name, address, phone, email, country of citizenship). Additional elements, such as letters of recommendation or university transcripts, are OPTIONAL and may supplement your application.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

  • Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;
  • Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;
  • Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;
  • Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities);
  • Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (applicants who are deaf should refer to the English Language instructions on the Resources page);
  • Are citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;
  • Are residents of one of the above countries; and
  • Are not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

Please note that Fellows are not allowed to have dependents, including spouses and children, accompany them during the Fellowship. The U.S. Department of State and IREX reserve the right to verify all information included in the application.  In the event of a discrepancy, or if information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.

Selection Process

The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition.  After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by independent readers.  Following this review, chosen semi-finalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries.  Selected semi-finalists will be required to participate in these in-person interviews in their home country within Africa.  If advanced to the semi-finalist round, applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview.  Selected Finalists are required to attend the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in their home country within Africa. The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

  • A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business or entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and/or public/government service;
  • ​A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
  • ​The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
  • ​Strong social and communication skills;
  • ​An energetic, positive, and flexible attitude;
  • ​A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/Fellowship track and concrete goals for applying lessons knowledge and skills gained from the Fellowship to current and/or future work; and
  • ​A commitment to return to Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute skills and talents to build and serve their communities.

Learn More

Application Resources

Got questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions about the Fellowship application to learn answers to common queries.

Check out our Resources page to download and learn more about:

  • Instructions for the Fellowship Application
  • Information for Prospective Fellows with Disabilities
  • Information for Prospective Fellows Who Are or May Become Pregnant

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Namibia.

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Lamola welcomes Norway’s support to help resolve SA’s triple challenges

Location: News

Lamola welcomes Norway’s support to help resolve SA’s triple challenges

South Africa’s triple challenges of unemployment, inequality, and poverty persist, and Norway’s ongoing support and cooperation to enable the country to resolve these pressing development issues is greatly appreciated. 

This is according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister, Ronald Lamola who spoke during the opening remarks on the Working Visit of Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.  

Norway is one of the biggest investors in renewable energy in South Africa and is working towards delivering President Cyril Ramaphosa’s request for private-public partnerships to ensure economic growth and job creation through renewable energy.

“Our struggle for a better South Africa is intertwined with our pursuit of a better Africa in a better world. We welcome Norway’s commitment to collaborate with us as we forge ahead with efforts to promote peace and security on the continent and advance regional and continental integration,” the Minister said on Friday. 

According to Lamola, South Africa also seeks partners to promote peace and reconstruction on the continent through various cooperation mechanisms, not in the form of aid but in a way that substantively enables Africa to leverage its rich endowment. 

“In a manner which helps Africa live up to the aspiration, we sing about the African Union anthem, the clarion call to make Africa the tree of life.”

This morning’s discussions focused on bilateral trade including Norwegian investments in South Africa’s renewable energy sector, multilateral affairs, South Africa’s upcoming Presidency of the G20, and geopolitical developments, including peace and reconciliation efforts in South Sudan, Palestine and Ukraine.

“Our engagement today allows us to review the current state of our bilateral political and economic relations and unlock challenges and opportunities where they may exist.”

He said their talks also afford them valuable opportunities for reflection and an honest exchange of views to deepen common understanding of regional, multilateral, and global issues of mutual concern and interest. 

“I do not doubt that today’s meeting’s outcome will revitalise bilateral relations between our two countries and build on the foundation laid in previous engagements.”

The Minister is of the view that Norway stands as a “beacon of unwavering friendship” to South Africans. 

“It is among one of the few nations that extended a hand to host missions from the African National Congress during our most trying times under apartheid rule.”

He expressed his appreciation to the Scandinavian country for supporting South Africa’s liberation struggle from apartheid and said both countries were united by shared values of democracy, respect for human rights, and social justice.

“South Africa continues to make significant strides in reversing the historic injustices of apartheid. 

“However, this remains a work in progress, as it has only been 30 years since we attained our democracy. We deeply value Norway’s contribution in this regard.”

He labelled multilateralism as being at the heart of the biggest issues facing the world currently.  

These include promoting peace and security, trade, and human rights, ending hunger, preventing health epidemics, tackling climate change, and protecting the environment. 

“We value our cooperation with Norway in multilateral fora and look forward to continued engagement between our countries. 

“Strengthening our engagement on these issues goes beyond individual countries and cultures.”

He told Norway’s Foreign Minister that he hoped their continued collaboration through discussions would enhance and foster the constructive and fruitful relationship that both countries derive from our bilateral relationship. – SAnews.gov.za

Gabisile
Fri, 08/30/2024 - 12:15

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Season Two of NBA Africa’s “Born & Bred” Original Content Series Featuring Raptors’ Ulrich Chomche and Jazz’s Babacar Sané Premieres on the NBA App

Location: Sport

Second Season Tells the Stories of Five Current and Former NBA Academy Africa (www.NBA.com) Prospects from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt and Senegal; All Five Episodes Will Be Available on the NBA App with One Episode Releasing Weekly Throughout September. 

NBA Africa announced the return of its first original documentary series “Born & Bred” which will premiere its second season on the NBA App today.  The docuseries returns with five episodes telling the stories of current and former NBA Academy Africa student athletes from Cameroon, Central African Republic, Egypt and Senegal as they pursue their basketball dreams at the academy and beyond. 

Season two of “Born & Bred” features the first NBA Academy Africa prospect drafted to the NBA Ulrich Chomche (Toronto Raptors; Cameroon), former NBA G League Ignite players Babacar Sané (Utah Jazz; Senegal) and Thierry Darlan (Central African Republic), and current NBA Academy Africa prospects Ali Assran (Egypt) and Modou Fall Thiam (Senegal). 

Chomche became the first prospect from one of the three NBA Academies around the world to be drafted directly to the NBA when he was selected 57th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and traded to the Toronto Raptors in the 2024 NBA Draft.  During his time at NBA Academy Africa, he was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2022 Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camp and participated in the Basketball Africa League's (BAL) Elevate program, representing Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club (REG BBC) in 2023 and Cameroon's Forces Armées et Police in 2022. 

The first episode, “Small Village. Big Dreams”, features Chomche and is available to watch today on the NBA App.  All five episodes will be available to stream on the NBA App, with one episode releasing each week throughout September.

Descriptions of each season two “Born & Bred” episode are included below:

  • Episode 1 (Aug. 29): “Small Village. Big Dreams” features Ulrich Chomche, an 18-year-old forward from Bafang, Cameroon, who is set to make his NBA debut later this year during the 2024-25 NBA season.  Chomche joined NBA Academy Africa in 2019.  He represented Team World at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon in April, before declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft.  He became the seventh Cameroonian to be drafted, joining Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (NBA Draft 2001), Luc Mbah a Moute (NBA Draft 2008), seven-time NBA All-Star and 2022-23 Kia NBA MVP Joel Embiid (NBA Draft 2014), two-time NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam (NBA Draft 2016), Christian Koloko (NBA Draft 2022) and Yves Missi (NBA Draft 2024).

  • Episode 2 (Sept. 5): “Birth of Young Ossoko” features Babacar Sané, a 20-year-old forward from Ziguinchor, Senegal.  Following his breakthrough performances during the BAL's second season, he spent two years with NBA G League Ignite, before going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft and signing with the Jazz earlier this month.  

  • Episode 3 (Sept. 12): “Breaking Ground” features Ali Assran, a 17-year-old forward from Cairo, Egypt.  Assran represented the U17 Egyptian national team at the 2024 FIBA Basketball World Cup and joined the NBA Academy Africa in 2023.  The episode follows him as he continues to discover his passion for basketball while channeling his struggles into determination and finding solace on the court.

  • Episode 4 (Sept. 19): “The Quiet Leader” features Modou Fall Thiam, a 19-year-old from Senegal who joined NBA Academy Africa in 2023.  Hailing from Yeumbeul, the athletic dunker faced an early injury which saw the young point guard sidelined in his second year at the academy.  Thiam details his journey of playing in several international tournaments, participating in the BAL's third season as a BAL Elevate member of Nigeria's Kwara Falcons, and the adversity of dealing with an injury as a young athlete.

  • Episode 5 (Sept. 26): “Against All Odds” features Thierry Darlan, who as a 20-year-old guard from Bangui, Central African Republic became the sixth NBA Academy graduate and third from the NBA Academy Africa to sign with NBA G League Ignite.  Named the MVP of the 2022 BWB Africa camp in Egypt, Darlan also led the academy team to a championship at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, Georgia the same year.  Following his BAL debut with Angola's Petro de Luanda in 2022 as part of the BAL Elevate program, Darlan returned to the BAL in 2024, making his professional debut during the Nile Conference for Central African Republic's Bangui Sporting Club.  

“Born & Bred” season one (https://apo-opa.co/4e2kQbl) premiered on the NBA App last November, featuring current and former NBA Academy Africa prospects Nigeria's Rueben Chinyelu, Egypt's Seifeldin Hendawy, South Sudan's Khaman Maluach, Senegal's Khadim Rassoul Mboup, and Angola's Aginaldo Neto, spotlighting each prospect's basketball journey, including the communities where they were raised and the moments that have shaped them as players and young men. 

NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal for the top high-school-age prospects from across Africa and the first of its kind on the continent.  Since its launch in 2017, more than 40 male and female participants have committed to NCAA Division I schools in the U.S. or signed professional contracts.

The NBA App is free to download here (https://apo-opa.co/3T9WrZA).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA).

Contact:
Chumani Bambani
NBA Africa Communications
cbambani@nba.com
+27 65 548 1031

About NBA Africa:
NBA Africa is an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  NBA Africa conducts the league's business in Africa, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and has opened subsidiary offices in Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya. The league's efforts on the continent have focused on increasing access to basketball and the NBA through youth and elite development, social responsibility, media distribution, corporate partnerships, NBA Africa Games, NBA Stores, the BAL, and more. 

NBA games and programming are available in all 54 African countries, and the NBA has hosted three sold-out exhibition games on the continent since 2015.  The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa that concluded its fourth season in June 2024.  Fans can follow @ NBA_Africa and @ theBAL on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

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