Responding to reports that Lesotho Defence Forces (LDF) soldiers tortured at least four people and killed at least two others during the ongoing Operation Hard Fist to confiscate illegal firearms from gang members, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Khanyo Farise, said: 

“These incidents are the latest in a series of grave allegations about the conduct of LDF soldiers. Torturing and unlawfully killing people can never be justified, even in the context of a crackdown on gangs. 

“Lesotho’s authorities must urgently investigate all incidents of torture and unlawful killings by the army, bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible in fair trials and adequately compensate the victims and their families.

“Lesotho’s Prime Minister must publicly condemn cases of torture, arbitrary detention and unlawful killings by the army and affirm his commitment to ending alleged army abuses.” 

Background

Lesotho’s military launched Operation Hard Fist earlier this year. During an address to soldiers in early August, LDF Major General Matela Matobakele threatened lawyers and judges handling cases involving individuals arrested by the army. 

Between 13 and 16 August, soldiers arbitrarily detained and allegedly tortured four men from the town of Leribe at the Mokotakoti army base and Ratjomose barracks. On 5 September, the victims wrote a letter to the Attorney General, Defence Minister and LDF commander demanding 10 million MaLoti (USD 565,800) in compensation for the abuse. On 12 September, video emerged online appearing to show soldiers whipping the men. 

The same day, soldiers allegedly killed in custody two herdsmen, ’Nete Makhabane and Lejone Mopoko, and assaulted local leader Chief Lesaoana Masupha of Khokhoba, who remains in critical condition. 

These incidents follow multiple previous allegations of LDF soldiers torturing at least eleven people in April and July 2024. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

As mothers in Malawi are forced to move because of extreme flooding, in Zambia a family of five packs their belongings and leaves their village because of drought. All through the East and Southern Africa Region, the effects of climate change are making themselves known, and while they force migration, displacement, and scarcity an insidious ripple effect that impacts women and girls most is showing its face. 

The link between climate change and increased intimate partner violence is undeniable. Extreme heat and environmental stress can trigger aggressive behaviors and conflicts, leaving women particularly vulnerable to physical and emotional abuse.

As we analyze the intricate ways in which climate change threatens the safety of all and work towards mitigating it, how can we also address the intimate partner violence that is exacerbated by these conditions?

Speak out and educate. Education strengthens a woman´s position in society and her inclusion in decision-making processes. Information campaigns and awareness-raising programmes about healthy relationships, consent and rights can also help women and girls recognize the signs of IPV and develop skills and knowledge to protect themselves.
Financial and Economic Empowerment. Ensuring financial independence and an enhanced sense of security for women and girls makes it easier for them to end the cycle of violence. 
Include sexual and reproductive health and rights. Access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is vital for young women and girls experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). We must integrate SRHR into climate-resilient health, protection, and education systems while strengthening risk reduction, emergency response, and data collection. Providing medical, psychological, legal, and informational support is essential. 
Involve men and boys. Men must become advocates and allies against gender-based violence, enabling them to challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes that increase the risk of IPV. Men can also work to promote healthy relationships based on respect, trust, and open communication, as well as being positive role models for other men and boys, who encourage their peers to reject violent and abusive behaviors.
Strengthen social and legal protection. Victims of IPV need access to supportive networks, including family, friends, and community organizations. In the face of migration and displacement due to climate change disasters, these networks must be able to provide safe spaces, emotional support, and practical assistance. 
Access data, data, and more data. By investing in research and evidence generation to support a better understanding of the drivers of IPV in different contexts we can help policy makers to plan and implement more informed and targeted policies to reduce IPV.
Have climate action that leaves no one behind.  When addressing climate change we must promote new and existing policies that support both socio-economic development and climate change mitigation/adaptation efforts. Adaptation measures should anticipate and meet the needs of those impacted, displaced and at risk, including through humanitarian response and the strengthening of assistance and social protection programmes. 
Prioritize the most vulnerable. The impacts of climate change are experienced differently by all, this is the same for intimate partner violence. It’s important to prioritize the groups most at risk, including younger women aged 15 to 24 with low levels of education. Targeted interventions tailored to their specific needs are more efficient, and can help address the root causes of IPV.
Include IPV + climate change in national policies. Ensuring that international and national climate policies incorporate adaptation measures that address the impact of climate change on women and girls is key. This is not only during emergency responses where there is heightened risk of IPV, but also in the overall adaptation and socio-economic development planning. 
Women must lead the way.  Women and women-led organizations can discern the needs and support responses in their communities. Guaranteeing a seat at the table for them to have their voices heard and providing robust support for these organizations is critical for policymaking and building adequate responses to climate emergencies and IPV. 

There is no size fits all solution to address the crisis of intimate partner violence that is being fueled by the climate emergency. Reducing emissions, investing in health and protection systems for the most vulnerable, and empowering women and girls through economic and educational opportunities are crucial steps toward creating safe spaces for them, regardless of their circumstances.

Read more on the link between IPV and climate change in the report Climate Change Impacts and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa. A research document done by UNFPA, International Institute of Applied System Analysis (IIASA), and the University of Vienna on sub-Saharan Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, together with Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, concluded the Egyptian-Hungarian Joint Business Forum at the General Authority for Investment (GAFI). Together, they co-chair the Egyptian-Hungarian Joint Committee. This event saw the participation of 126 companies from both Egypt and Hungary across a diverse range of sectors, including printing, IT, agriculture, automotive, pharmaceuticals, construction, food, oil and gas, wood, food and beverages, and water treatment.

In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat stressed the marked progress in economic relations between Egypt and Hungary, with key areas of cooperation such as construction, IT, food, water, healthcare, finance, and banking. She highlighted that Egypt was the first Arab nation to establish diplomatic relations with Hungary in 1928, underlining the long-standing ties between the two countries. “This historical relationship has been strengthened through aligned leadership visions and reciprocal visits, the latest being H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s meeting with Hungary’s president during her visit to Egypt in November 2023,” she said.

Al-Mashat pointed out that the merger of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation will further expand the scope of collaboration under the joint committee, especially given the ministry’s current efforts to promote economic development policies and manage investment spending to open up opportunities for private sector growth and attract both local and foreign investments.

The Minister added that the government is committed to improving the investment climate and attracting private investments, particularly from European companies. This is in light of the strategic partnership with the European Union, including the joint declaration signed in March 2024, which secured €1.8 billion in investment guarantees for private sector businesses expanding in Egypt. This includes major European institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional grants from the EU to reduce credit costs for the private sector.

Al-Mashat also discussed key investment opportunities available to Hungarian companies, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and industrial localization. H.E. referred to the government’s efforts in the comprehensive economic and structural reform program to enhance macroeconomic stability and support macro-fiscal policies that can unlock more opportunities for private sector growth.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the successful fourth session of the Egyptian-Hungarian Joint Economic Committee, held in Budapest in early 2023. The session covered numerous areas of mutual interest, including renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Preparations are already underway for the fifth session in 2025, which will mark a significant step forward in strengthening economic cooperation and tackling common development challenges.

H.E. also emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of the Egyptian-Hungarian Business Forum, with active participation from the private sectors in both countries. This is in line with Egypt’s commitment to enhance bilateral ties and increase investments, thus increasing private sector engagement and fostering a competitive, investment-friendly economy.

Moreover, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat referred to the previously launched “Hub for Advisory, Finance&Investment for Enterprises”, which provides financial and technical support to the private sector, aimed at connecting companies with a wide array of services from development partners, both financial and non-financial.

The Egyptian-Hungarian Joint Committee holds special significance, reflecting the deep and historical ties between the two nations. One of the key achievements of this partnership is the agreement to supply Egypt with 1,350 Hungarian-manufactured railway cars, a testament to the enduring cooperation between both countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning and Economic Development – Egypt.

UNOPS and the Ministry of Health have formalized a $13.5 million partnership financed by the World Bank for the procurement and installation of oxygen plants in hospitals throughout Ethiopia. This project will enhance healthcare delivery, improve emergency preparedness, and provide economic benefits, ensuring that medical facilities can offer consistent and high-quality care to patients.

The establishment of an Oxygen Plant in Ethiopian hospitals is beyond meeting the critical health care needs, but it also decreases the dependency on imports which is cost-effective. The establishment and maintenance of these plants will also lead to job creation, skills transfer, and other economic benefits at a local level.

Under this agreement, UNOPS will oversee the procurement of state-of-the-art oxygen generation and supply equipment, ensuring that the system meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.UNOPS will also manage the installation and integration of the system into health facilities, ensuring seamless and timely execution of the project.

Ms. Worknesh Mekonnen, Director of the Multi-Country Office of UNOPS and Representative to the AU, said ”We are excited to partner with the Ministry of Health on this critical project. The demand for oxygen supply systems has grown, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership ensures that we are not only meeting current needs but are also preparing for future demands in healthcare and industrial sectors”.

The installation will begin effective immediately and will be completed by December 2025 aims to have fully operational oxygen systems across all targeted facilities, improving the capacity and reliability of oxygen delivery.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).