APO International

 The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans has raised serious concerns over the Department of Military Veterans’ (DMV) continued reliance on a paper-based database, which has significantly hindered the efficient disbursement of benefits to military veterans. The DMV appeared before the committee to present its 2024/25 Quarter 3 expenditure performance report and provide an update on the status of the DMV Verification Panel. The DMV told the committee that […]

 Members have passed a tough proposal to ensure that they attend committee meetings or get punished for dodging. According to the new rule, a committee member must attend meetings unless granted leave of absence and failure if which, can result in the member being removed from the committee and banned from re-designation for three months. In parliamentary practice, committees play a crucial role in the legislative process by conducting in-depth […]

 Global energy major, ExxonMobil has invested over $20 million in Mozambique as part of its local content development strategy since 2017 and plans to direct more investments in the local economy through upcoming projects, according to Armando Afonso, Public&Government Affairs Manager, ExxonMobil Mozambique.  Speaking at the Invest in African Energies: Mozambique Roundtable, organized by the African Energy Chamber and the Mozambique Energy Chamber, Afonso said expanding opportunities within Mozambique’s oil […]

 President John Dramani Mahama is in Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference. Mahama, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Tana Forum, will lead a Tana/MSC side event on “Deepening Global Fragmentation: Implications for Africa’s Peace and Security.” He will later serve as a panellist during the Leaders Segment, following the opening of the Conference by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, focused on “Towards a Stronger United Nations in […]

 Following the request for a Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) by the authorities in 2023, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Mr. Wojciech Maliszewski conducted a mission to Harare from January 30 to February 13, 2025, to advance discussions on the SMP. At the conclusion of the IMF mission, Mr. Maliszewski issued the following statement: “Zimbabwe’s economic activity has started recovering after the El Niño-induced drought. Growth slowed from […]

 The European Union Delegation and the diplomatic missions of EU Member States to Libya strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mr. Adel Jumaa, on 12 February in Tripoli. We express our deep concern over this violent act and extend our best wishes for his swift and full recovery. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a prompt, transparent, and thorough investigation into this […]

 President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the Plant Health Bill which sets out measures to combat plant pests that are of concern to domestic agriculture and may have an impact on South Africa’s ability to export agricultural products. Among its various impacts, the Bill signed by the President repeals the Agricultural Pests Act of 1983 which up to now regulated the national plant health  (phytosanitary) system. The new law responds […]

 As African heads of state and government prepare to elect and appoint the new leadership team of the African Union (AU), including a new chairperson, during the 38th African Union Summit on 15 and 16 February, Amnesty International is calling on the incoming chairperson and the AU to prioritize human rights. The summit comes amid the escalating conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Sudan where fighting between […]

 Responding to news that Ugandan opposition politician and former presidential candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party, Kizza Besigye, has gone on hunger strike and his health is deteriorating, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “Ugandan authorities must immediately respect the Supreme Court order, uphold the rule of law and stop trying civilians in military courts. The continued arbitrary detention of […]