Speech to the Nation on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the King of Morocco’s accession to the Throne: A message of solidarity and hope for Morocco and its economy at this difficult time of the pandemic. Berlin Germany, August 4, 2020 -- During the annual speech to the Nation on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the King of Morocco’s accession to the Throne, the monarch said that he cares as much about Moroccan citizens' health and the safety of their family members as much as he cares about his own Children and Family – even more so in the difficult times as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The King also told the Moroccan people that «It is quite natural in such circumstances to experience fear and anxiety", adding that what has sustained the hope and confidence of Moroccans are the important decisions and the crucial measures taken immediately after the first Covid-19 infections appeared in Morocco". Decisions, the King added, were for “the sake of the safety of our citizens and in the interest of our nation,". “The sense of discipline, the level of awareness and the responsiveness shown by the citizens and by all the nation's forces during this past period are, indeed, a source of pride. Everyone has fulfilled their obligations diligently and responsibly” the King said. The Monarch expressed his thanks and appreciation to the various government authorities who carried out their duties to curb the spread of the epidemic, calling the people of Morocco patriotic. The sovereign reiterated that he is “aware of the magnitude of the adverse effects this crisis has had, not just on public health, but also at social and economic levels. This crisis has affected all productive sectors, family incomes and the state budget". The King also said that he called for the creation of a special fund to address the health situation as well as the economic and social repercussions of the epidemic, announcing that he is “heartened to see that this initiative has …
African Utility Week & POWERGEN Africa: The (digital) show will go on!
The 20th edition of African Utility Week and POWERGEN Africa may now be postponed in person, but is still scheduled to take place from 24-26 November this year as the organisers have promised attendees and partners an inspired and inspiring online platform with world-class speakers, live discussions and virtual networking and product showcases. The postponed live, in person edition of this leading conference and exhibition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre will take place from 11-13 May 2021. In announcing the postponement to industry, “the global pandemic has impacted live events from across the globe, and our local market is no exception,” says David Ashdown, MD of Clarion Events Africa, which has been organising this multi-award-winning power, energy and water utility event for the last two decades. “The live events industry is a core economic revenue generator for suppliers and buyers alike, and our commitment to the energy industry, despite being unable to meet in person, is to provide a market leading digital platform for buyers and sellers to connect and conduct business. Our project teams will be introducing this exciting pivot opportunity as they talk to customers individually.” Remaining engaged with the industry He adds: “Since the start of the pandemic we have made a very successful and innovative transition from live events to digital and virtual conferencing and networking. Throughout these challenging times we have made sure to remain engaged with the industry and stay focused on meeting our clients’ and partners’ needs as there is a demand from the industry to engage, ask questions, find solutions and close deals.” “Whilst looking ahead at the post-pandemic energy landscape we are aware that technology has been, and will remain, an important part of this journey. The innovation shown by the project teams and their commitment to customer outcomes has been wonderful to watch and support. These are tough but exciting times …
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Morocco’s Foreign Minister to the Swiss Newspaper Tribune de Geneve: “Amnesty International Failed Its Duty of Neutrality and Objectivity”
Amnesty International latest report, published on June 22, 2020, provoked an extended exchange between Moroccan officials and the organisation's representatives. Berlin, Germany., July 21, 2020 -- Following Amnesty International’s allegations against the Kingdom of Morocco, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs calls the allegations unfounded and criticized the organization for “having failed in its duty of neutrality and objectivity.”Interviewed by the Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve, Bourita said that AI’s report is “far from being in a dynamic dialogue.” In a war against an Israeli software company, Amnesty International accuses Moroccan security services of spying on journalist Omar Radi for over a year by infecting his phone with the Israeli spyware. On Monday, July 13, an Israeli court decided to dismiss Amnesty International’s complaint against NSO. It justified the decision by AI’s failure to prove that its Pegasus spying software “was used to spy on Amnesty activists.” “This is another case in which AI speaks without evidence,” the Moroccan Minister said, adding that similar cases “raise serious doubts about their methodology” and that “Morocco will not give in to this blackmail.” Commenting on the allegations contained in the report, the foreign minister pointed out that AI’s chooses to deny ‘more than two decades of achievements in human rights in Morocco, recognized by the international community.” The report places Morocco “in the same category as countries that have committed atrocities against their own people,” he deplored. Minister Bourita criticized the report’s claims that only countries can hack into phones through mobile operators. According to him, there are “devices that mimic network signals and hack into mobile phones and are sold online.” Bourita also condemned “the tone used in [AI’s] publications and tweets,” adding that “we do not think that ‘name and shame’ is the best way to get things done.” “What we were looking for was …
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Governance ensures operational resilience during lockdown
Information technology governance builds resilient businesses. It puts in place the protocols and mechanisms that are necessary to ensure business continuity during times of upheaval and sustainability over the long term. At the same time, optimising IT resources and operational efficiencies can reduce costs while enabling better risk management. Proof of this is an organisation in the rubber industry that could mobilise its remote workforce within 24-hours and keep people, processes and technology in sync for unhindered continuity throughout the unprecedented national COVID-19 lockdown. The company, a leader in the supply and manufacturing of precure tread and consumables in South Africa, started implementing IT governance in their organisation in 2019. This move placed the organisation – considered a ‘worst-case scenario type of company’ during the lockdown because its core business operations were heavily restricted – in good stead to navigate and survive the shutdown. “Despite shutting down the company’s core operations for the lockdown, administrative and sales functions were able to continue without any disruption during the nationwide lockdown. And with IT and operational technologies (OT) more aligned, the organisation was also able to step up from operating at 10% capacity in April 2020 to 100% in May. This is in part due to the groundwork laid during the governance project we started last year,” says Leader Rubber’s Financial Director, Andrew Summers, who spearheaded the project with AVeS Cyber Security. Overhauling the organisation’s information systems and assessing the value of the various technology solutions at play helped the organisation to persevere during this uncertain time. Bolstering the environment with more effective processes and ensuring that IT tools are linked to the needs and goals of the organisation also provided resilience. “This shows that good governance is not only a good tool to help services-based businesses …
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European Parliament Reacts to the Tindouf Camps Humanitarian Aid Scandal
Finally, the Budgetary Control and Development Committees of the European Parliament are both actively involved in investigating the case of the Embezzlement of Humanitarian Aid destined to the refugees in the Tindouf camps in Southern Algeria. Berlin, Germany., July 18, 2020 -- Finally, the Budgetary Control and Development Committees of the European Parliament are both actively involved in investigating the case of the Embezzlement of Humanitarian Aid destined to the refugees in the Tindouf camps in Southern Algeria. A source within the European Parliament, speaking on strict condition of anonymity, confirmed that last week "the Budgetary Control Committee is aware of the article published by EUtoday of June 30th". French MEP Nicolas Bay, Vice-President of the Parliament’s Identity and Democracy group issued a damning statement in which he referred to the 2003-07 investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud office -OLAF-. In January 2015, a report was finally published revealing a system of massive embezzlement of humanitarian aid by the Polisario Front with the complicity of Algeria. This damning report indicated that the actual number of refugees in the Tindouf camps was completely unknown. The Algerian authorities prohibit the EU from sending a mission to assess the situation. The OLAF report mentioned even names of all the people involved in the embezzlement of humanitarian aid from both polisario and Algerian side. This report clearly shows that the amount of humanitarian aid is given to the inflated number of refugees and therefore needs reconsideration. The Director of the Brussels office of the Taxpayer's Association of Europe, a federation of 29 national taxpayers’ associations throughout Europe, said that his association has been aware of the issue of the embezzlement for some time. M. Walter Grupp, said that he "and the taxpayers association agree with number 235 of the report [OLAF] because nothing has been concretized since 2015. He added that they “ …
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European Parliament Resolution Denouncing Diversion of Humanitarian Aid by Algeria and Polisario
The European Parliament resolution is a major step in shedding light on the suffering of the refugees stranded in one of the harshest deserts in Algeria for almost 50 years. Berlin, Germany., July 14, 2020 -- The diversion of humanitarian aid destined for the refugees in Tindouf camps on the Algerian territory has come back to the forefront in recent days after the revelation by several media and European members of parliament that humanitarian aid has been diverted for decades by the polisario and Algerian authorities. This fraud is continuing despite Covid-19 pandemic. For this reason, on Thursday, a resolution was proposed in the European parliament denouncing the continuation of this fraud and calling for an audit of European aid destined for the Tindouf refugees. This resolution recalls a report published in 2015 by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). This investigative report "noted the diversion of humanitarian aid granted by the European Union to the polisario, in particular was used for the purchase of arms." . Between 1994 and 2004, the plisario/Algeria received 105 million euros in humanitarian aid. The OLAF “ report clearly states that the Polisario leaders systematically and methodically adopt misappropriation of humanitarian aid and accumulate colossal fortunes, and they all have luxury real estate in Spain. The European Parliament resolution noted that " Algiers would charge a 5% tax on the humanitarian aid adding that the population held against its will in the Tindouf camps “are suffering the worst abuses” and that their situation is getting worse in view of the coronavirus crisis. What is more, Algeria still refuses to conduct a census as requested by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees since 1977”. Therefore, the resolution calls on the European Union "to work jointly with the United Nations to supervise a census of the refugees in the Tindouf camps in collaboration with the competent authorities in Algeria". The …
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Data Collection App Transforming Business Efficiency & Readiness
With predications of singular screenings having to remain in place for at least the next 12 to 18 months, businesses are needing to adopt and implement efficient, fast and accurate record-keeping systems that are complaint to legislation while being sustainable for long-term use. Manual data-recording is labour-intensive, time consuming and administratively burdensome while also increasing the risk of close contact through shared handling of paper and writing tools. SafeCol Light is an IoT solution that aims to service these needs, and afford businesses the upper hand in attending to their daily screenings processes efficiently and effectively. The app aims to transfigure the way businesses are able to capture, store and analyse important data during the screening process on every individual, employee and visitor to a business on a daily basis. A total of seven regulations drive Employers to take specific precautionary measures to monitor and mitigate any and all risk. It was built to reform the health and safety industry, transferring all paper-heavy checks into a safe and secure cloud-hosted system that is easily accessible and fast to use. In previous months, the developers of SafeCol were able to accurately predict the sudden need for tools that enable data capturing in the face of a looming uncertain future. Altalien Greyling, Managing Director of SafeCol explained, “The app was mechanically developed as a subsidiary offering to our initial app-based solution to aid risk mitigation strategies around daily screening of employees and all visitors to their premises in the midst of resuming the economy. It is able to offer a user friendly dashboard for management and administration, which also offers per site, per department and per staff category reporting that highlights hotspots and risk areas. The easy-navigational panel allows for quick and accurate data-capturing which can be downloaded directly off the app or sent to an appointed Risk Manager via …
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Rwazi Launches App For Live Data & Employment For Youths In Africa Curbing Unemployment Effects Due To Covid-19.
PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, July 13 — Rwazi, a startup based in Mauritius has announced today that it has launched the Rwazi mobile app. The app will enable the company to provide live data on the availability, visibility, and pricing of companies’ products vs their competitors, from traditional retail outlets, to optimize distribution and drive sales. “Companies in developing markets lack updated data which makes it difficult for them to make effective decisions when it comes to pricing and restocking of their products, hence failure to make strategic decisions leading to loss on sales”, said Joseph Rutakangwa, Founder & CEO of Rwazi. “Live data enables companies to save a lot of money which would have been used in intensive market research since our company already has the data companies are looking for to provide best services and products to consumers”. The company uses mappers who are qualified youths who use Rwazi mobile applications to collect data on consumer products at retail outlets in their neighbourhoods, and they receive instant payments. Companies subscribe to a monthly plan, and Rwazi mappers then collect data on the pricing of their products, availability and how much shelves they occupy as compared to their competitors. “We are delighted to be providing a solution to companies while employing the youths in Africa given the unemployment effects of the COVID-19 pandemic”, said Eric Sewankambo, Founder & CFO of Rwazi Ltd. “Africa has above 100 million youths who are actively searching for jobs, and of that number, above 200 million have smartphones, as such, being the ideal talent for Rwazi.” As businesses begin supplying their products to more than one outlet, it becomes difficult to keep track of up to date quantities at each outlet. If you are having problems in restocking your products, losing out customers because of unavailability of your products in shops or losing out on sales due to the high pricing of your products compared to …
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Amnesty International’s War against the Israeli Software Company NSO
The Moroccan journalist Omar Radi used by Amnesty International in its war against the Israeli software company NSO. Berlin, Germany., July 11, 2020 -- Since 2019, Amnesty International is championing an action to force the Israeli Ministry of Defense to limit the activities of an Israeli technology company because of its software developed to help government agencies detect and prevent terrorism and crime. Amnesty International accuses governments using this software to target journalists around the world. These allegations are unfounded and lack proof and therefore not credible. In a detailed article about this issue published on atlasinfo.fr, Amnesty International's war against NSO Group dates back to August 24, 2016 through Citizen Lab, which revealed in a 13-page report, the Israeli Software bought by many governments would have been used to “spy” on their dissidents. Morocco was never on the list of these countries. Amnesty International has been tracking down NSO Group for five years. Why is Amnesty International “using” the Moroccan journalist Omar Radi to feed the list of accusations brought by the organization against the Israeli company? According to AtlasInfo.fr, their team tried to get a response from Amnesty International but without success. The Moroccan journalist Omar Radi was allegedly subject to surveillance, using software developed by the Israeli company NSO Group. This Moroccan journalist intern who is not, by any measures, a human rights’ activist enjoys the status of "victim of the system" which he seems to cultivate. In short, Amnesty International and Omar Radi serve each other’s purposes. The irony is that according to Amnesty International, the Moroccan security services had been in possession of the Pegasus software since 2018 which is not true for many reasons. First, Amnesty International published two reports in 9 months on the same subject. In October 2019, the report said that the telephone of Maati Mounjib was the subject …
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UN Body Holds Algeria Accountable for Violations of Human Rights of refugees in the Camps Tindouf
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) made public its decision on the complaint El Fadel Breica against the Algerian government and the polisario militia. Berlin, Germany., July 9, 2020 -- The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) made public its decision on the complaint El Fadel Breica against the Algerian state and the polisario militia. The Charges against the polisario and the Algerian security services are kidnapping, torture, captivity and illegal detention for more than four months. His crime is the defense of human rights of the populations in the Tindouf camps, more particularly his participation in a sit-in in front of the Algerian embassy in Madrid to demand the whereabout of his cousin El Khalil Ahmed Braih, missing since his abduction in January 2009, in Algiers by the Algerian intelligence services. The UN experts, affirmed at the end of their deliberations at the 87th session of the WGAD/UN that "Algeria is to be held responsible as long as El Fadel Breica was in Tindouf camps on the Algerian territory and therefore under the territorial jurisdiction of Algeria". Also, the UN experts expressed that "the detention of El Fadel Breica results from the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association. They added that the victim was kidnapped without any arrest warrant, was not informed of the reasons for his arrest, was not brought before a judge during the four months of his detention and that his right to an effective appeal has also been violated". The UN experts concluded that the arrest and detention of Breica has no legal basis and is arbitrary. Concerned about arbitrary detention practices carried out by the Algerian security forces and polisario militia in the camps of Tindouf, the WGAD/UN experts asked the Algerian authorities to facilitate their visit to this country "in order to initiate a dialogue with its government on this subject". The United Nation WGAD …