On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the United Nations reaffirms their support to Somalia in protecting the lives of civilians from the explosive hazards and building peace through the development of national explosive threat mitigation capacity.

“Mine action efforts are an essential component of Somalia’s journey to peace and stability coupled with efforts in the security sector to develop explosive threat-mitigation capacities,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Catriona Laing. “The threat posed to the people of Somalia undermines stability and the right to a life without fear,” she added.

“On this special day, the United Nations commemorates those who have lost their lives due to explosive ordnance in Somalia in 2023 and honour the courage and determination of mine action personnel.” Last year alone, 135 explosive ordnance related accidents, including Improvised Explosive Device incidents, resulted in 676 civilian casualties. 

The United Nations in Somalia works closely with national and international mine action specialists, at both Federal and federal member state levels, in responding to explosive threats faced by communities. We also continue to work on enhancing the capacity of Somalis to lead and coordinate the mine action response.

The theme of this year’s International Day is ‘Protecting lives. Building peace.’ It reminds us that mine action intervention is the first step to creating safe access, enabling reconstruction, and ensuring normalization of day-to-day life.

The United Nations in Somalia remains committed to working with the Somali authorities and partners on mine action, which provides critical life-saving and life-sustaining support for communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

A two-day discussion hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, saw robust, constructive conversations on the National Action Plan for 2022-2024 to facilitate voluntary and dignified returns.

The aim of the workshop: Charting the way forward to enable people displaced by conflict to finally return to their original settlements and begin the painstaking process of rebuilding their lives.

According to Khalif Farah, a Civil Affairs Officer with the UN Peacekeeping mission, such debates are essential, especially as this young nation approaches its first post-independence elections.

“What we’re talking about is ensuring that all necessary factors to protect displaced civilians, including fostering a safe atmosphere for relocation, resettlement and reintegration, are in place. This is a vital dialogue,” he explains.

The planning process aims to accommodate both internally displaced persons and refugees in South Sudan and includes a comprehensive approach involving both communities and the government to implement essential strategies, such as restoring stability; strengthening governance at national and local levels, and promoting peacebuilding, social cohesion, reconciliation, and healing.

Upon completion of the Action Plan’s review, a state-level task force will provide returning populations with pertinent information regarding security conditions, available services, and the assistance they will receive both during their homeward journeys and upon arrival.

However, this process requires collaboration amongst government agencies, the UN family, civil society, displaced persons, as well as women and youth representatives to succeed.

“Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of our collective response is crucial in meeting the needs of displaced populations who are returning to their homes. This is an essential step towards achieving the provisions outlined in the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” said Elijah Mocnhom Wuor, Deputy Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.

After two days of deliberations, stakeholders have created a new implementation matrix spanning the next four years till 2028, which contains precise and actionable methodologies and tools for conducting surveys, performing security and context analysis, and responding to humanitarian needs.

Ensuring returnees can successfully reintegrate into society with the support they need remains a priority for the UN Peacekeeping mission and humanitarian partners.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Network International (Network) (www.Network.global/), the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has entered into a strategic partnership with leading fintech solutions provider, Souhoola, to enable merchants with the capability to offer ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ (BNPL) payments at its networkpay point of sale terminals in Egypt. This collaboration marks a significant leap forward in enhancing access to finance for both banked and unbanked consumers in Egypt.

Network International launched networkpay, it’s direct-to-merchant service in Egypt last year to offer various channels of acceptance including face to face payments, digital payments and online payments, serving 2,500 merchants in the region so far, while Souhoola has over 130,000 users and a network of more than 1,600 merchant partners. Using Souhoola’s BNPL option on networkpay POS devices, customers can conveniently split their payments into highly flexible instalments of up to 60 months to purchase electronics, furniture, automobiles, and even pay school fees.

Ahmed Samir, Regional Managing Director for Merchant Services – Egypt, Network International said, “By partnering with Souhoola, we’re not just facilitating seamless digital payments, we are also accelerating financial inclusion. This partnership aims to empower merchants and consumers alike and stimulate a more accessible and convenient payment ecosystem in Egypt.”

Ahmed El- Shanawany, Managing Director, Souhoola, said, “Together, we are committed to driving innovation in payment solutions and enhancing financial accessibility for consumers.”

Incentivized by increased consumption, the BNPL payment industry has recorded noteworthy progress over the last 12 months in Egypt. BNPL payment adoption is expected to grow steadily, recording a CAGR of 29 percent during 2023-2028, according to a report by Research and Markets, and BNPL Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) expected to reach USD from USD 1.1 billion in 2022 to 6.1 billion by 2028. This partnership between Network International and Souhoola aims to spearhead this growth, advance financial inclusion and transform the digital payments landscape in Egypt.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have over 2,000 digital payments experts based in our markets serving over 200 financial institutions and over 120,000+ merchants. Read more at: www.Network.ae

About Souhoola:
Souhoola is a leading company dedicated to providing seamless, technology-driven financial solutions to the Egyptian community. Our mission revolves around achieving greater financial inclusion and enhancing the lives of countless Egyptians. With an extensive merchant network comprising over 1600 partners, we offer our customers a wide range of choices and options. Whether you’re looking to purchase electronics, furniture, appliances, or even pay you school fees, our network has you covered. We strive to ensure that our customers can make their desired purchases with ease and convenience. Visit Souhoola (https://Souhoola.net/en/home) to learn more.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assented to the National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill, the Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill, 2023 and the Correctional Services Amendment Act.

National Veldfire Act

The amended National Veld and Forest Fire Act, 1998, will amongst other key provisions;  

Provide for the facilitation of the formation of fire protection associations by a municipality and a traditional council; 
Compel a municipality, state-owned enterprise, public entity or other organ of state which owns land to join the fire protection associations; 
Extend the powers of entry, search, seizure and arrest to peace officers and traditional leaders; 
Amend the title of the Act to the National Veldfire Act.

The Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Act, 2023

The amended Act, will amongst other provisions, empower the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to designate a person, an entity, undertaking, body, institution, association or board, who or which, as the case may be, has particular knowledge of the product concerned, or particular knowledge of the relevant management control systems, with no direct or indirect personal or financial interest, as an assignee to inspect the commodity for quality control and audit management control system. 

The Correctional Services Amendment Act

The amended Act complies with the 2020 Sonke judgement of the Constitutional Court, in providing for an adequate level of independence of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS).

The amendments include changes to section 30(7) to provide for an inmate that is subjected to solitary confinement, to be informed of their right to appeal. 

The amended section further provides that the Head of the Correctional or Remand Detention Facility must, upon request provide all relevant information relating to an appeal to the Inspecting Judge within 24 hours of receiving such information. 

The amended act further provides for;

The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the JICS by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services instead of the National Commissioner of Correctional Services. 
The expenses incurred by the Judicial Inspectorate will be covered from budgets appropriated by Parliament. These costs were previously covered from the Department of Justice and Correctional Services budget. 
Mandatory reporting obligations by the Department to the Inspecting Judge.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.