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3 February 2022

The Military Attaché and Advisory Corps (MAAC) held their Annual BALL after a two year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The event saw MAAC officers, accompanied by their elegant spouses celebrating THE cooperation among members and SANDF thereby enhancing the UNDERSTANDING among the different cultures.

Brigadier General Mohamed Harb, Egyptian defence attaché and Dean of the Military Attaché and Advisory Corps, said he was honoured to have SANDF leaders, including the Chief of the SANDF, present at the Ball. This is the first to have taken place since the coronavirus pandemic began, and it attracted record attendance.

“We as the MAAC board promised the MAAC community to open doors and build bridges of cooperation among our members and the South African National Defence Force and here we are, fulfilling our promise and building a good, strong and awesome relationship with the key personnel

of the SANDF.”

General Harb said that having the Chief of the SANDF in attendance meant a lot to the Military Attaché community as it symbolised the full and high-level support from the SANDF. “This means that a full, concrete, cooperation is now on the ground between our community and the SANDF through “Defence Foreign Relations” he added

The Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, was the guest of honour at the Military Attaché and Advisory Corps (MAAC) Ball.  In his remarks he encouraged cooperation in the interests of peace and stability.

“We are not islands, we all depend on each other,” Maphwanya said.

“Through Military Attaché and Advisory Corps engagements, we have been able to address security challenges facing us as sovereign nations and over the years it has been crystal clear that our governments will be better served if we have better cooperation in research and development, combating of terrorism and other threats that continue to threaten the peaceful coexistence of nations” he maintained.

Maphwanya told the audience that, “The security threats on the African continent and everywhere else in the world affects all of us. We always subscribe to the notion that security is relative. You are as safe as your neighbour is. We therefore live in this world where one security challenge affects everyone else.”

Addressing the coronavirus pandemic that has disrupted the world for the last two years, the most senior ranking member in the SANDF said it has resulted in the securitisation of purely health issues. He urged militaries not to get involved in politics, “for politics is not our domain.” He added that “Covid-19 has now redefined the battlefield and our related issues of national security and stability, so we need to talk more about them and how to best resolve some of these issues” he concluded.

3 February 2022

A seminar on “Human Rights Dimension of Jammu Kashmir Dispute” was held at the Pakistan High Commission in Pretoria on 3 February 2022, in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day, which is observed on 5th February annually.

Kashmir Solidarity Day or Kashmir Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan and also observed by Kashmiri nationalists on 5th February.

Solidarity Day is observed every year to show solidarity with the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IIOJK) who are

struggling for their right to self determination enshrined in several UN Security Council Resolutions.

The programme held at the Pakistan High Commission in Pretoria was attended by a large number of participants from all walks

of life, politicians, professors, senior journalists, diplomats, civil society activists and representatives of Kashmiri diaspora.

Messages of solidarity by many dignitaries, who could not join the event in person,

were screened on the occasion. Participants expressed their unwavering support for the oppressed Kashmiri people in their just struggle for freedom from Indian occupation.

They highlighted the challenge that this

long outstanding dispute posed to peace in South Asia, and beyond.

During the seminar, the High Commission of Pakistan released a special documentary highlighting human rights violations being faced by the Kashmiri people in IIOJK.

The video highlighted the Jammu Massacre, discovery of several thousand unmarked graves and use of pellet guns by the Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris.

The Pakistan High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Dr  Mazhar Javed urged the international community to play its role in fulfilling its commitment to the Kashmiri people, made

through UN resolutions assuring them of their right to self-determination.

3 February 2022

Mozambique Celebrated Heroes Day, marking an important day in the history of the liberation struggle in Mozambique as it is also the 53rd Anniversary of the assassination of founder and 1st President of FRELIMO, cde Eduardo

This week HE President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Mozambique and participated in Mozambique’s Heroes Day and the 53rd Commemoration of the assassination of Dr Eduardo Mondlane, the founder and first President of the Mozambique Liberation Front.

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa alongside His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi laid wreaths at the Mueda Heroes Acre to commemorate the assassination of Dr Eduardo Mondlane.

President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the military troops that are part of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) at the Mueda Military Base

In his addresse during the occasion of the 53rd commemoration of the Assassination of the founding President of Frelimo, Dr Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Nyusi on behalf of the people and government of South Africa for inviting him and his delegation to be part of the commemoration.

Such occasions help us to preserve the collective memory of our shared past and reaffirm our commitment to a common future.

Dr Eduardo Mondlane was a giant of the Mozambican liberation struggle, a revolutionary Pan-Africanist and an unquestionable internationalist who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of his people.

Dr Mondlane stood for human dignity, equality, freedom and social justice. He fiercely fought against the racial inequality and oppression upon which colonialism was founded.

We therefore have a revolutionary duty, in his honour, to continue the fight against racial discrimination, oppression and inequality wherever they occur and whatever form they take.

A revered scholar and academic, Dr Mondlane chose the difficult path of a revolutionary, to fight for national liberation, justice, equality and the restoration of the dignity of the oppressed.

Dr Mondlane deeply loved humanity and perhaps understood better than most what Che Guevara meant when he said that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love.

As a leader, he was able to unite the broadest sections of the oppressed masses behind a common vision.

It was the vision of a Mozambique that would be free from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism and in which all would be equal regardless of race and ethnic identity.

Because of who he was and what he represented, his tragic death sharpened the resolve of all those who were in the liberation struggle to free the Continent from colonialism and all its unjust laws.

The unity of the people of Mozambique against colonialism was best expressed in the unity of FRELIMO and became the basis for the defeat of the colonisers.

President Mondlane believed in the importance of a conscious and empowered citizenry.

He understood that the education of young people is one of the most important instruments that any nation has to liberate itself from suffering and want.

We must continue to educate our youth and provide them with opportunities not only to fight poverty and unemployment, but also to become conscious, active and responsible citizens.

South Africa and Mozambique share a special relationship, which was forged over decades of our protracted struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Our relationship is a reflection of the personal sacrifices made by the people of Mozambique in their support for South African freedom fighters.

The people of Mozambique understood that without the liberation of South Africa there could never be freedom in Southern Africa said President Ramaphosa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s working visit to Mozambique afforded the leaders an opportunity to discuss bilateral, continental & global issues, and reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperate closely on multilateral issues.

 #FRELIMO

 #SAinMozambique

 #SAinMozambique

26 January 2022

On Wednesday 26 January 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa received His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia for a courtesy visit at the Mahlamba Ndlopfu official residence in Tshwane.

President Hichilema visited South Africa as an invited guest speaker at a private function.

President Hichilema’s courtesy call on President Ramaphosa provided an opportunity for bilateral discussions between South Africa and Zambia ahead of an Inaugural Bi- National Commission scheduled for later this year.

During the meeting the two leaders discussed regional issues and the use of multilateral bodies to advance the African Agenda and that of the global South, and the collective solidarity of the SADC community in the fight against terrorism and insurgencies.

President Ramaphosa commended Zambia’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, reasserting that developing countries must have equity in developing and distributing vaccines.

The two leaders also noted progress in the establishment of facilities in Africa for the production of vaccines and other therapeutics that will reach populations around the continent.

The leaders identified the need for South Africa and Zambia to keep one another abreast of investment opportunities in each country and to actively encourage business to invest in areas of mutual benefit for regional development, such as in mineral beneficiation, local manufacturing and agriculture.

President Ramaphosa and President Hichilema cemented bilateral relations between the two countries.

South Africa and Zambia enjoy cordial bilateral relations, underpinned by strong historical and political bonds that date back to the era of the liberation struggle and apartheid colonialism

27 January 2022

At a special sitting of the of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL) convened in terms of section 33(3) of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No 3 of 2019) read with rule 17 of the Rules and Orders of the NHTKL, unanimously elected Nkosikazi Nomandla Dorothy Mhlauli as its Chairperson. Her election, makes her the 6th elected chairperson since the NHTKL establishment and the first woman elected to lead this important house. The election of Nkosikazi Mhlauli has great significance for the institution of traditional leadership and the broader national goal to ensure the recognition of woman rights in our democratic country.

The position of the Chairperson became vacant following the untimely passing of Ikosi SE Mahlangu on 16 July 2021 and Nkosikazi Mhlauli who was the Deputy Chairperson at the time has since been acting as the Chairperson. The NHTKL members appreciated the leadership of the late chairperson, Ikosi Mahlangu.

Following the election process of Nkosikazi Mhlauli, as the New Chairperson of the NHTKL, her previous position of the Deputy Chairperson became vacant. The members of the NHTKL nominated and voted for Kgosi Thabo Milton Seatlholo as the new Deputy Chairperson.

The election of the Chairperson was presided over by Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Obed Bapela as designated by the Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, as per section 34(9) of the Act, which states that – “the Minister or a person designated by the Minister must preside over the election of a member of the House to fill the vacancy”. The election of the Deputy Chairperson was presided over by the newly elected chairperson in terms of as per section 34(10) of the Act.

The Acting Judge President AP Ledwaba conducted the swearing in of both the newly elected Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the NHTKL.

Deputy Minister Bapela congratulated both the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the NHTKL and wished them well as they continue to move the institution of traditional leadership to even greater heights.

The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance NHTKL and the key role it plays as one of the key traditional leadership institutions in South Africa’s constitutional democracy.

Bapela committed that government will continue to engage and work with traditional leader and all stakeholders, to better the lives of communities.

Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

25 January 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 January 2022, received Letters of Credence from Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate at credentials ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

The Heads of Mission-Designate were from the following countries:

 Republic of Malawi

High Commissioner of the Republic of Malawi, Her Excellency Mrs Stella Hauya Ndau

  Argentine Republic

Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, His Excellency Mr Claudio Perez Paladino

Romania

Ambassador of Romania, Her Excellency Mrs Monica-Cecilia Sitaru

State of Israel

Ambassador of the State of Israel, His Excellency Mr Eliav Belotsercovsky

 Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Ambassador of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Her Excellency Mrs Librada Ela Asumu

 Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, His Excellency Dr Lovell Francis

Republic of Ecuador

Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador, His Excellency Mr Juan Francisco Larrea Miño

Republic of Congo

Ambassador of the Republic of Congo, Her Excellency Mrs Chantal Maryse Itoua-Apoyolo

Mexico

Ambassador of Mexico, Her Excellency Ms Sara Valdes Bolaño

 Hellenic Republic

Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic, His Excellency Mr Georgios Aravositas

People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Mr Mohammed Hacene Echarif

 New Zealand

High Commissioner of New Zealand, Her Excellency Dr Emma Rebecca Dunlop-Bennet

 Republic of Cuba

Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Mr Enrique Orta González

The Heads of Mission-Designate will serve at missions in South Africa with the aim of advancing diplomatic relations. The credential ceremony fully confirms the authority of the new Head of Mission & also affirms recognition of the nation & government that they represents.

The presentation of credentials by Head of Mission is equivalent to the establishment, continuation, & strengthening of Diplomatic Relations between two countries.

The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA wishes to Congratulate their Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners on the presentation of their letters of credence and wish them well during their tenure in the Republic of South Africa as they assume their duties.

24 January 2022

Zanzibar’s President Hussein Ali Mwinyi looks on during the signing of the MoU with the Oman Investment Authority at State House Zanzibar on Thursday, January 20, 2022.

In the MoU the authority and its subsidiaries will study the feasibility of a project to rehabilitate, develop and operate the Malindi Tourist Port and develop the waterfront, as well as transfer commercial activities from the current port to the new Manga Pwani port

The government of Zanzibar and the Oman Investment Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding to study the feasibility of a project to rehabilitate, develop and operate the Malindi Tourist Port, the authority has announced.

The MoU was signed by the minister of Transport and communication Amour Hamil Bakar and Sheikh Nasser Al Harthy from Oman’s Investment Authority in the presence of President Hussein Mwinyi at State House Zanzibar.

Speaking immediately after the signing, President Mwinyi said his government will continue wooing investors to the isles to make sure the five year development programme is achieved.

“There are certain areas where the private sector cannot come in such as construction of roads, these we shall do ourselves, but other sectors which are business oriented shall be handled by the private sector,” said President Mwinyi.

The new reverberated far and beyond with Oman news agency announcing the deal with Zanzibar.

“The Oman Investment Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zanzibar government, according to which the authority and its subsidiaries will study the feasibility of a project to rehabilitate, develop and operate the Malindi Tourist Port and develop the waterfront, as well as transfer commercial activities from the current port to the new Mangga Pwani port,” Oman News Agency, said.

He added that the memorandum holds investment opportunities that will contribute to the transfer of expertise available to the Agency and its subsidiaries in order to expand the management of international projects, and to enter into partnerships with investors and international companies that have expertise that can be benefited from by transferring expertise to the projects of the affiliated companies locally.

23 January 2022

Dubai named most popular travel destination of 2022 by Trip advisor.The emirate topped both the Most Popular list and Best Destination for City Lovers in this year’s travel awards

Dubai has been named the Most Popular Destination of 2022 in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The emirate topped the list thanks to its blend of “modern culture with history, adventure with world-class shopping and entertainment”.

“Catch a show at the Dubai Opera, see down town from a top the Burj Khalifa and spend an afternoon along Dubai Creek exploring the gold, textile and spice souqs,” Tripadvisor says. “If you’re looking for thrills, you can float above the desert dunes in a hot-air balloon, climb aboard a high-speed ride at IMG Worlds of Adventure or skydive over the Palm Jumeirah.”

In second place is London, followed by Cancun, Bali and Crete in the top five.

From the region, Istanbul comes in eighth, Hurghada in Egypt is number 10, Marrakesh was named 12th most popular and ahead of the Fifa World Cup later this year, Doha was named 22nd. From India, both New Delhi and Jaipur made the list.

1. Dubai, UAE.

2. London, UK.

3. Cancun, Mexico.

4. Bali, Indonesia.

5. Crete, Greece.

6. Rome, Italy.

7. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

8. Istanbul, Turkey.

9. Paris, France.

10, Hurghada, Egypt.

11. Barcelona, Spain.

12. Marrakesh, Morocco.

13. Tenerife, Canary Islands.

14. Corsica, France.

15. New Delhi, India.

16. Singapore.

17. Edinburgh, Scotland.

18. Florence, Italy.

19. Jaipur, India.

20. Cusco, Peru.

21. Bangkok, Thailand.

22. Doha, Qatar.

23. Phuket, Thailand.

24. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

25. Las Vegas, Nevada, US

20 January 2022

On the night of January 19 to 20, 1990, by order of the USSR leadership, 26,000 Soviet troops invaded Baku, Sumgait, as well as other cities of Azerbaijan. As a result of this military intervention, 147 civilians were killed and 744 were seriously injured. This event went down in the history of modern Azerbaijan as “Black January”.

Before these tragic events, the groundless territorial claims of Armenia against Azerbaijan in late 1980s, the aggressive separatist activities of Armenian radicals in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region of the former Azerbaijan SSR and the Soviet leadership’s support to this illegal activity, as well as the violent and brutal deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from Armenia spurred the expansion of the movement against the Soviet Government in Azerbaijan. The Soviet Army deployed to the country in order to prevent the national movement and break the will of the Azerbaijani people for independence, committed massacre against the peaceful population, violating the norms of international law, the Constitutions of the former USSR and the Azerbaijani SSR.

At a press conference at the Permanent Representation of Azerbaijan in Moscow immediately after the tragic events, National leader Heydar Aliyev strongly condemned this atrocity and demanded political assessment of the massacre against our people and punishment for the perpetrators. At a special session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) in February 1994, the brutal murder of innocent people on January 20, 1990 was regarded as military aggression and crime, and as a result of the deliberations in March 1994, decision “On the tragic events committed in Baku on January 20, 1990” was adopted. Since then, 20 January has been commemorated as National Mourning Day.

32 years passed since January 20, 1990 tragedy, but this gross violation of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and other international legal documents, and which was one of the serious crimes of the 20th century by its essence and scope, had not received an international political and legal assessment. The former Soviet leadership is directly responsible for this crime. According to international law, the events of January 20 must be described as a crime against humanity, and its initiators and perpetrators must be brought to justice.

Under the leadership of Victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the brave Azerbaijani Army ensured the territorial integrity of our country as a result of the 44-day war and the Republic of Azerbaijan, in its 31st year of restoration of independence, is currently a reliable and responsible member of the world community.

Strengthening the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is the foundation of our statehood, and our struggle for the constant uphold of these basic principles is persistent. Any possible threats to the independence and integrity of our state will continue to be resolutely answered, and all necessary steps will be taken to bring to justice those responsible for various crimes against the people and state of Azerbaijan.

We commemorate with deep respect and gratitude the memory of all our heroes who gave their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan, as well as for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

 

19 January 2022

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Office of the Special Envoy forClimate Change aim to supply clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) announced the launch of Etihad 7 at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week2022. Etihad 7, a UAE-led innovation program, is dedicated to securing funding for renewable energy projects in Africa.

The program aims to supply clean electricity to 100 million people by 2035. The program will raise funds from the public and private sectors for clean energy investment with guidance and coordination from the UAE’s MoFAIC and Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change.

The ambitious initiative builds on the UAE’s longstanding and deep ties with Africa and will be a focal point of the country’s efforts to contribute towards the global sustainability agenda over the next decade.

Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: “United by economic, cultural, political, and people-to-people ties, our two regions are inextricably linked, with enormous potential for further cooperation in the years to come. One of the keys to unlocking that potential, supercharging Africa’s economies, and allowing millions of people to contribute to building aprosperous continent is electricity–specifically, renewable energy.

As the proud host of COP 28 next year, the UAE is committed to partnering with Sub-Saharan African nations to achieve sustainable development and promote the welfare of the larger region by advancing together in the field of renewable energy.”

Crucially, the Etihad 7 initiative will help African nations meet fast-growing energy needs without the corresponding surge in greenhouse gas emissions.

“With Etihad 7, the UAE consolidates its UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 efforts for Africa under a single initiative. In line with the UAE’s foreign policy and development goals, the program facilitates sustainable development by solving key challenges that hinder clean and affordable energy in emerging markets,” His Excellency added.

His Excellency Sheikh Shakhboot continued: “The robust relationship between the UAE and Sub-Saharan Africa is reflected in our partnerships and development projects.

Today, the UAE is deeply invested in the prosperity and wellbeing of the entire African continent.

We will leverage our existing relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa, including diplomatic, humanitarian, and development cooperation, to share the UAE’s renewable energy expertise to advance economic and human development.”

Furthermore, His Excellency noted that the UAE already has a number of agreements in place with Sub-Saharan African partners under Etihad 7 to join them in pursuing their clean energy and economic aims.

“Etihad 7 is a truly collaborative program, one that acknowledges and adapts to the needs and requirements of our partner nations…The UAE deeply appreciates the contributions of all African nations in this shared journey of development, and we in the UAE look forward with enthusiasm and optimism to a future in which our countries channel our cooperation into creating new avenues for our peoples to thrive,” His Excellency concluded.

-Ends-