Angola and Botswana Unite To Buy Diamond Mining Company De Beers

Angola’s state-owned diamond company, Endiama, has announced plans to increase production to 17 million carats by 2027, following a record output in 2024.

This achievement has cemented Angola’s position as the world’s third-largest producer of rough diamonds by volume, behind only Russia and Botswana. 

In addition to boosting production, the Angolan government is reportedly considering acquiring a 20% to 30% strategic share in De Beers, one of the world’s leading diamond companies. 

Botswana is also positioning itself around De Beers. The government of Botswana is buying out 15% of De Beers. 

De Beers was founded by a British man named Cecil Rhodes over 135 years ago, and started its diamond mining operations in South Africa. 

They have mined hundreds of millions of carats of diamonds across Africa, primarily in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, generating tens of billions in revenue.

With Botswana and Angola both coming together to buy over 30% stake of De Beers, the days of imperial exploitation are numbered.

#TheAfricanDream

Wale raises serious concerns over mounting crisis at Solomon Airlines

LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale is deeply concerned about the growing financial and operational challenges facing our national carrier, Solomon Airlines. 

The airlines interim CEO made a public statement that Solomon Airlines is facing a serious sustainability crisis.

Reports of unsustainable route losses, a weakening revenue base, and declining competitiveness raise fundamental questions about the Government’s national aviation policy and its long-term strategy for the airline.

The Opposition Leader said as a state-owned enterprise, Solomon Airlines is not merely a commercial entity; it is a strategic national asset providing essential services. 

“It connects our provinces, supports tourism, facilitates trade, and links Solomon Islands to the global economy. Any instability within the airline has direct economic consequences for businesses, families, and provincial communities,” Hon Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said the continuation of commercially unviable routes without transparent subsidy frameworks suggests poor strategic planning, and possibly government indifference. 

“If certain routes are deemed socially necessary, Government must clearly state the cost of these obligations and how they are to be funded,” he said.

Hon Wale adds with limited market size and fluctuating passenger demand, the airline must operate with discipline and innovation. 

“What revenue diversification strategy is in place? What reforms are being pursued to improve load factors and operational efficiency?” he questioned.

The Opposition Leader said regional competition is intensifying and without fleet modernization, better route optimization, and strategic partnerships, Solomon Airlines risks further erosion of market share. 

“What is Government doing to strengthen competitiveness?” he questioned.

He said there is clear absence of any aviation policy direction. 

He adds the government’s role must go beyond just providing bailout funds to the Airline from one existential crisis to another.

Hon Wale said the public deserves clarity. 

“Does Government have a coherent national aviation policy? Is there a long-term sustainability plan? What is Solomon Airlines part in such a plan? Or are we witnessing reactive, short-term bailouts without structural reform?” the Opposition Leader questioned.

The Opposition Leader also questioned whether measurable performance targets have been set for management calling for an independent review on the matter.

“Are reforms being considered, including public-private partnerships, route rationalisation, or management restructuring? What safeguards exist to prevent further financial deterioration?” he asked.

Hon Wale has further called on the government to table a comprehensive financial and operational report on Solomon Airlines in Parliament.

He also stressed the urgency to commission an independent audit of the airline’s performance and governance framework.

“Present a clear, transparent National Aviation Strategy outlining sustainability measures. Ensure that any public financial support is tied to enforceable reform conditions,” he said.

Hon Wale said Solomon Airlines must not be allowed to drift into crisis through policy neglect or government indifference. 

He said the people of Solomon Islands deserve transparency, accountability, and decisive leadership to resolve the long standing challenges facing Solomon Islands.

“The Opposition stands ready to support responsible reforms that safeguard this vital national institution but we will not remain silent while public resources are placed at risk without clear direction,” Hon Wale said.

Ends

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG

by TODAGIA KELOLA

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG 

============================

“Parliament must make good laws for the good and benefit of all, not just a few. Laws passed should not be for personal interests of a few.

Laws passed must and should be for collective safety of people, easy to understand and enforce and be

applicable to everyone. Some of our laws, dare I say, are not good laws for the country.

“Laws like the District Development Authority Act, there is already the three tiers of government like the National Government, Provincial Government and Local Level Government.

Now we have the District Development Authority, who are the members, the chairman. For whose benefit was

that law enacted?

“Then the Kumuls Holding Act, all SOEs have their Boards but this law creates another Board, for whose benefit was that law enacted?

“The PNG Sustainable Law or Contract, that has now locked up landowners monies in Singapore – whose benefit was that law and contract for?”

As for due processes Sir Gibbs gave an example of a Police complaint that he personally made.

“Start with my own experience. I filed a complaint against a then government minister to the Commissioner

of Police to have the minister charged for certain alleged offences.

My letter was confidential to a head of State agency. That letter got intercepted and posted on social media platforms and ultimately this complaint of mine never got attended to. Some four years later, it remains

unattended. I have since given up in our systems,” he said.

Police Commissioner David Manning was also at the forum and delivered a presentation before the Chief Justice. Sir Gibbs said: “The courts recognise that the weak implementation and reform of laws impacts on the effectiveness of due process, the effective administration of justice and the rule of law in the country.

All of which pose negatively on PNG’s

total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today including West Papuans

A total of 22 people were officially granted citizenship today by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (ICSA).These people were part of the 59 successful applicants applied for naturalization as PNG citizens.

According to the PNGICSA, 5 people were seeking dual citizenship with Papua New Guinea, 26 had applied to be naturalized citizens of PNG, and 28 were PNG citizens seeking dual citizenship approval.

Of the 22 recipients today, 8 were West Papuans. In fact, from the overall 26 naturalised citizens, 25 people were from West Papua origin.

PNG currently has dual citizenship arrangements with the following countries:

▪︎Australia

▪︎Fiji

▪︎Germany

▪︎New Zealand

▪︎Samoa

▪︎United Kingdom

▪︎United States of America, and

▪︎Vanuatu.

PNGICSA stated that Authority is working on amendments to the Citizenship Act, to include more countries to its prescribed list of countries for dual citizenship.

US pressures Vanuatu at UN over ICJ’s landmark climate change ruling

Cable seen by Al Jazeera says the US ‘strongly objects’ to the island nation seeking support for ICJ’s landmark climate ruling.

The United States is urging governments to pressure Vanuatu to withdraw a United Nations draft resolution supporting a landmark International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that countries have a legal obligation to act on climate change.

A US State Department cable seen by Al Jazeera on Saturday says that the Trump administration “strongly objects” to the proposed resolution being circulated by the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu in support of last year’s ruling by the ICJ – the UN’s top court.

nounced it was putting forward the draft UN resolution for consideration.

“We are strongly urging Vanuatu to immediately withdraw its draft resolution and cease attempting to wield the Court’s Advisory Opinion as a basis for creating an avenue to pursue any misguided claims of international legal obligations,” a copy of the cable seen by Al Jazeera states.

The ICJ’s 15 judges considered tens of thousands of pages of written submissions and two weeks of oral arguments during the court’s biggest-ever case, before delivering their verdict last year that states have a legal obligation to act on the “existential threat” of climate change.

The ICJ case took place after Vanuatu won the support of 132 countries in the UN General Assembly, which can request opinions from The Hague-based court.

It also came as the Trump administration has sought to undo US action on climate change, both at home and at the UN.

The US cable claims that Vanuatu’s proposed UN resolution in support of the ICJ opinion was based on “speculative climate models to fabricate purported legal obligations that seek to assign blame and encourage baseless claims”.

Louis Charbonneau, Human Rights Watch’s director at the UN, urged support for Vanuatu’s draft resolution on Friday, saying “governments should live up to their obligation” to protect human rights around the world by protecting the environment.

“Responsible governments shouldn’t allow themselves to be bullied by those that reject the global scientific consensus and continue to support reliance on harmful fossil fuels,” he said.

ing “strengthens global climate action and multilateral cooperation”.

An article in Vanuatu’s Daily Post newspaper said that the draft resolution has been endorsed by countries including Barbados, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Netherlands, Palau, the Philippines, Singapore and Sierra Leone.

Many of these countries are already experiencing the worsening effects of climate change, including increasingly severe storms.

Trump, who has promised to “drill, baby drill” for oil in his second term, has withdrawn the US from UN climate bodies, including the UN’s top climate change treaty body, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Trump has also threatened to impose sanctions on diplomats who voted for a levy on polluting shipping fuels at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Foreign landowners have no ownership over adjacent marine areas

The newly enacted Oceans Act confirms that Vanuatu’s seas and oceans cannot be privately owned by foreigners or expatriates. While land may be legally purchased, ownership does not extend to surrounding marine areas.

The law, passed by Parliament in November last year and now in force, aims to reinforce customary authority over sea access and marine resources. Authorities have launched nationwide awareness campaigns to educate communities, with the first consultations held with chiefs last month to support customary decision-making.

Acting Director of Oceans Tony Tevi said foreign landowners do not automatically have rights over adjacent sea areas. Any individual seeking to restrict or manage access to the sea must first consult traditional leaders, as decisions regarding marine spaces remain under customary authority.

Mr. Tevi noted that chiefs play a central role in determining whether certain sea areas should remain open, be restricted, or be managed under specific customary rules. Custom institutions recognised under the Oceans Act hold the power to make these decisions.

The law also includes strict penalties for non-compliance. Offences carry fines starting from VT500,000 for initial violations, rising to VT5 million for more serious breaches, and up to VT10 million for major offences.

Consultations with the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs are ongoing to ensure communities are widely informed. Mr. Tevi explained that development of the legislation began nearly a decade ago, prompted by concerns over sea boundaries and the need to strengthen legal protection for Vanuatu’s marine resources.

While the ocean is collectively owned by the people of Vanuatu, chiefs remain central to governance by regulating access and encouraging responsible use. The ongoing awareness campaign aims to ensure communities understand their rights and obligations under the new law as it is implemented nationwide.

ezra@dailypost.vu

LET ME BE CLEAR FELLOW AFRICANS, RUSSIA 🇷🇺 NEVER HAD BLACK SLAVES

UNLIKE EUROPEANS AND ARABS, NOR DID RUSSIA CREATE A MARKET TO TRADE BLACK PEOPLE (1600-1800)

RUSSIA NEVER participated in the BERLIN conference to divide AFRICA like a piece of goat meat (1884). RUSSIA NEVER colonized, underdeveloped and plundered AFRICA'S resources (1914-1960).

RUSSIA has NEVER set up a safety net for AFRICAN leaders to conceal stolen funds, use the stolen funds for development, then return the same funds to AFRICA in the form of loans.

RUSSIA has never invaded and destabilized any AFRICAN country (LIBYA, SOMALIA, CONGO, BURKINA FASO, EGYPT, SOUTH AFRICA, etc).

RUSSIA has NEVER k!lled any AFRICAN freedom fighters but the UK & USA, France & BELGIUM have k!lled hundreds of our rescuers and thousands of our AFRICAN freedom fighters are still languishing in various prisons and dungeons across AMERICA.

Who k!lled MARCUS GARVEY?

Who k!lled THOMAS SANKARA of BURKINA FASO?

Who k!lled PATRICE LUMUMBA of D.R CONGO?

Who k!lled MALCOLM X?

Who k!lled MUAMMAR GADDAFI of LIBYA?

Who k!lled REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.?

Who k!lled TUPAC SHARKUR?

Who k!lled FELA KUTI?

Who k!lled STEVE BIKO of BANTU in SOUTH AFRICA?

Who k!lled SOLOMON MAHLANGU?

Who k!lled over 10millions CONGOLESE?

Who k!lled 5 million BIAFRANS? ... etc. 

Those who have done the above are those pushing the narrative that “RUSSIA” has become the Boogeyman...

Those who colonized and for about 100 years refused to share their technology with AFRICA want AFRICA to love those they love and hate those they hate. Nope! Never again!