UNICEF notes with deep regret the execution of four young people in the Somali state of Puntland this past weekend for offences committed as children when they were under the age of 18, while they were associated with Al Shabaab. The convictions and sentences were issued by military courts, which lack specialized child justice procedures, and are no place for children. 

UNICEF recalls that the Puntland Age Verification Committee including representatives from Puntland authorities met with the young people and concluded that they were minors at the time of arrest and that they should not face the death penalty.

UNICEF requests the Puntland authorities  to prevent the imposition of death sentences and calls for the due process to be ensured for all young adults arrested for their association with armed groups when they were below the age of 18 years, in line with the Juvenile Law, endorsed by the Puntland authorities and the government’s obligation to international human rights obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF urges the Puntland authorities to treat children associated with armed groups as victims and calls for a review of current judicial procedures to ensure that children are not tried by military courts, have access to appropriate judicial procedures, and are in line with definitions of a child contained in the Puntland Juvenile Justice Act and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Somalia has ratified. The authorities are urged to take advantage of pathways for reintegrating children associated with armed groups, which already exist and have proven to be effective in upholding the rights of the child. As UN partners, we stand ready to work with the government to further implement these processes, including through the implementation of relevant government action plans to strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa.

Communities across Western Equatoria have been caught in the crossfire of conflict for far too long. Outbreaks of violence around Tambura in 2021 and, again in April 2024, caused significant loss of life, destruction of properties, and massive displacement of civilians.

While residents of this troubled area grapple with local challenges, the country is preparing for its first democratic elections, making it more important than ever that the civic and political space is open and inclusive.

To support this process, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, in partnership with the African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development, facilitated a political parties forum in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria. It is the latest in a series of State-based forums being held across the country.

The event provided an opportunity for free and frank debate among communities recently torn apart by conflict.

“As partners in the peace process in South Sudan, it is vital that we collaborate to create an environment that unequivocally supports free, fair, and credible elections. This is essential for fostering lasting and inclusive stability,” stated Jane Kony, Head of the UNMISS Yambio Field Office.

The Prime Minister of the Azande Kingdom, Tadio Mario Sasa, who represents traditional leaders, strongly advocated for full participation in decision-making and political processes.

“The constitution-making process must equally prioritize the input of citizens and politicians in South Sudan. Our country’s future should be shaped by the people, not just political figures,” he said.

Women’s representatives called for their rights to engage in, and lead, these processes to be protected and respected.

“Inclusivity at all decision-making stages is a must, and it is the responsibility of relevant authorities to safeguard everyone involved in these activities. This is especially critical for women who often face unjust criticism for wanting their voices to be heard,” emphasized Victoria Yatoma, a member of the Civil Society Network in Western Equatoria State.

Participants also discussed outstanding elements of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, such as security arrangements, which are necessary for holding free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

“Let all soldiers unite and adjust the chain of command. Peace will be established, and elections will be held, allowing us to purify our hearts and start fresh,” said Alfred Futuyo, the Governor of Western Equatoria State.

UNMISS’ Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General-Political, Guang Cong, stressed the importance of dialogue and trust-building.

“Creating an open and inclusive civic landscape is vital for any country, and this holds true for South Sudan. The productive conversations we’ve had have been truly inspiring. I am confident that these discussions will pave the way for all communities in Western Equatoria to actively participate in nation-building,” he asserted.

After two days of intense debate, the participants agreed on a series of resolutions and signed a Joint Communique which has been endorsed by the State Council of Ministers.

They also emerged with a fresh sense of optimism, unity of purpose, and determination to remember and embrace the long history of peaceful co-existence they enjoyed prior to the recent violence.

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

Oando PLC (“Oando” or the “Company”) (www.OandoPLC.com), Nigeria’s leading energy solutions provider listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited and Johannesburg Stock Exchange is pleased to announce the successful completion of the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding interest in the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from the Italian energy company, Eni, for a total  consideration of US$783 million comprised of consideration for the asset and reimbursement (the “Transaction”).

Download document: https://apo-opa.co/4cD97ik

This acquisition is a significant milestone in Oando’s long-term strategy to expand its upstream operations and strengthen its position in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Transaction Highlights

The Transaction increases Oando’s current participating interests in OMLs 60, 61, 62, and 63 from 20% to 40%.
It increases Oando’s ownership stake in all NEPL/NAOC/OOL Joint Venture assets and infrastructure which include forty discovered oil and gas fields, of which twenty-four are currently producing, approximately forty identified prospects and leads, twelve production stations, approximately 1,490 km of pipelines, three gas processing plants, the Brass River Oil Terminal, the Kwale-Okpai phases 1&2 power plants (with a total nameplate capacity of 960MW), and associated infrastructure.
Based on 2022 reserves estimates, Oando’s total reserves stand at 505.6MMboe and the transaction will deliver a 98% increase of 493.6MMboe, bringing the total reserves to 1.0Bnboe.
The Transaction is immediately cash generative and will contribute significantly to the cashflows of the Company.

Commenting, Wale Tinubu CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, said:

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of ten years of toil, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the realisation of our ambition since the 2014 entry into the Joint Venture via the acquisition of Conoco-Philips Nigerian Portfolio. It is a win for Oando, and every indigenous energy player, as we take our destiny in our hands, and play a pivotal role in this next phase of the nation’s upstream evolution. With our assumption of the role of operator, our immediate focus is on optimizing the assets’ immense potential, advancing production and contributing to our strategic objectives. This we will do while prioritizing responsible practices and sustainable development in ensuring a balanced approach to our host communities, and environmental stewardship as we complement the nation’s plan to boost production output.

Looking to the future, we will continue to pursue strategic diversification opportunities within the broader energy sector that provide enhanced growth and value creation for our stakeholders, particularly in clean energy, agri-feedstock sector, as well as energy infrastructure and mining.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oando Energy Resources.

Forward Looking Statements:
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words “expect”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “objective”, “ongoing”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “plans”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements relating to intended acquisitions.

Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that such statements and information will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.

Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include but are not limited to: risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration and drilling activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined and the future price of crude oil. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Cautionary Statements

Production information is commonly reported in units of barrel of oil equivalent (“boe” or “BOE”) or in units of natural gas equivalent (“Mcfe”). However, BOEs or Mcfes may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 barrel, or an Mcfe conversion ratio of 1 barrel:6 Mcf, is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

There is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the contingent resources.

There is no certainty that any portion of the prospective resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources.

Defined Terms

“Reserves” are those quantities of petroleum anticipated to be commercially recoverable by application of development projects to known accumulations from a given date forward under defined conditions. Reserves must further satisfy four criteria: they must be discovered, recoverable, commercial, and remaining (as of the evaluation date) based on the development project(s) applied. Reserves are further categorized in accordance with the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be subclassified based on project maturity and/or characterized by development and production status.

Two human rights defenders who held a news conference to criticize the Democratic Republic of Congo’s “state of siege” in eastern provinces have been held without charge since August 1, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today.

Jack Sinzahera, 35, one of those held, a member of the citizens’ movement Amka Congo (Wake up Congo), is a longtime activist and campaigner who advocates lifting the “state of siege” imposed in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Gloire Saasita, 27, also held, is a member of the Génération Positive citizens’ movement, which fights for the defense of human rights in Congo. Neither has been taken before a judge, which Congolese law requires within 48 hours of an arrest. The government should immediately release them.

“Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned for the safety of activists Jack Sinzahera and Gloire Saasita,” said Carine Kaneza Nantulya, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Congolese authorities should release them and stop using the ‘state of siege’ to crack down on the rights to free expression and association.”

These arrests occurred at a time when armed conflict in eastern Congo has intensified as Rwandan-backed M23 continue to seize territory around the eastern city of Goma. In May 2021, President Félix Tshisekedi, who was re-elected in December 2023, declared martial law – a “state of siege” – in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The military has taken over civilian authority in both provinces since then, and martial law has remained in effect. Armed groups continue to attack civilians with little protection from the Congolese army despite the “state of siege.”

Activists who were at the August 1 news conference told Human Rights Watch that at about 10:45 a.m., Sinzahera and Saasita were in the basketball stadium of Goma’s Institut Supérieur de Commerce (Higher Institute of Commerce) giving interviews to journalists when men in civilian clothes approached them. The activists interviewed said they recognized the men as being from the Goma intelligence police, known as P2.

They said one of the men told Sinzahera that they had come to arrest him and another told Saasita: “As you’re covering yourself with the country’s flag and you’re a patriot, you too can come and explain yourself afterwards.” The men put the two activists into a private car and drove away.

A family member and a human rights defender based in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, told Human Rights Watch that on August 10, the two activists were transferred to the General Directorate of Intelligence (Direction Générale des Renseignements) in Kinshasa. The families said the authorities have not told them the reason for the arrests.

An activist from Goma said he was able to visit once the two activists in custody after paying a bribe. He said that Sinzahera and Saasita told friends when they visited them that they were arrested for criticizing the “state of siege.”

Human Rights Watch previously reported that the military and police have used martial law to curtail freedom of expression, put down peaceful demonstrations with lethal force, and arbitrarily detain and prosecute activists, journalists, and political opposition members.

On April 2, 2022, Mwamisiyo Ndungo, an activist with Lucha, an organization which fights for the protection of rights and freedoms in Congo, was arrested and later convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for criticizing the “state of siege” on his X, formerly Twitter, account. These latest arrests further highlight the government’s growing intolerance toward voices critical of the “state of siege” in North Kivu, Human Rights Watch said.

Under martial law orders, military authorities are able to ban meetings deemed against public order and arrest anyone for disrupting public order. Civilians are prosecuted before military courts, which violates Congo’s obligations under international human rights law to ensure due process and fair trial rights.

Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Congo is a party, certain rights may be suspended under a state of emergency but must be tailored to the “exigencies of the situation” and be lawful, necessary, and proportionate, including when martial law is in effect. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Congo has ratified, does not allow for suspending any of its provisions under any circumstances.

“The arrests of Jack Sinzahera and Gloire Saasita appear to be aimed at their criticism of the ‘state of siege,’” Kaneza Nantulya said. “The Congolese government should ensure that martial rule is not used as a pretext to curtail people’s fundamental rights and find effective measures to address security issues in North Kivu.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).