Latest news with #OIF
AllAfrica
16-06-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Francophone summit turns blind eye to Cambodia's cybercrime
The French-speaking world, as represented by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), will be holding its summit in Cambodia in 2026. So what could possibly go wrong? Plenty, actually. The OIF, which has 93 members, held its last summit in France in 2024. It has not held the event in the Asia-Pacific region since 1997, when Vietnam played host. So the idea of holding the summit in a poor country that usually struggles for attention, such as Cambodia, is logical and laudable. But everything is in the timing. The decision to hold the summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia, was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron in October 2024. It comes alongside an increasing body of evidence that organized cyber-criminals are operating inside Cambodia with Cambodian government protection. The country is the 'absolute global epicenter' of transnational fraud in 2025 and is primed for further growth in cyber-criminality, according to research authored by Jacob Sims and published in May 2025 by the Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC), a UK-based group that campaigns to end modern slavery. The Cambodian government had denied the claims made in the HRC report. The research finds that the cyber-scam industry, which relies on the forced labor of the victims of human trafficking, generates US$12.5 billion to $19 billion per year, or as much as 60% of Cambodia's GDP. An estimated 150,000 people are involved in cyber scams in Cambodia, according to the report. The HRC confirms a wealth of other research that cybercrime on an industrial scale is taking place in Cambodia, as well as elsewhere in Southeast Asia. The HRC finds that 'endemic corruption, reliable protection by the government, and co-perpetration by party elites are the primary enablers of Cambodia's trafficking-cybercrime nexus.' 'Cambodian state institutions systematically and insidiously support and protect the criminal networks involved in transnational fraud and related human trafficking,' the report says. Many of those accused of playing leading parts or obscured but purposeful roles in organized cybercrime are either connected with the ruling regime or are its core members. Hun To, a cousin of Prime Minister Hun Manet, is a director of Huione Pay, a financial conglomerate which has been cut off from the US financial system due to its alleged role in cybercrime. Ly Yong Phat, a permanent member of the central committee of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, was sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury in 2024 for human rights abuses of trafficked workers subjected to forced labor in online scam centers. Cambodia's legal system, universally acknowledged as being completely under government control, is powerless to tackle the situation. It ranked 141 out of 142 countries globally in the 2024 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Among lower-middle-income countries, Cambodia ranks 38th out of 38. The idea of a global French-speaking community is in itself a dubious colonial relic. During the colonial period, France concentrated the Southeast Asian version of its mission civilisatrice on Vietnam and paid relatively little attention to Cambodia and Laos, which together made up French Indochina. French missionaries in the 19th century devised a system for transcribing the Vietnamese language into Roman letters, known as quoc-ngo, which became the national standard. The use of Chinese characters to write Vietnamese was stamped out at French insistence. This was a compromise solution in face of the extreme view of some French colonialists that Vietnam should simply abandon its language with everyone being made to speak French. There was no such romanization of the Khmer language, and the idea that Cambodia is a meaningful part of a 'French-speaking world' is a tenuous fiction. Today, the OIF estimates that only about 3% of Cambodians speak French. The historical Western focus on Vietnam as the region's main player continued into the post-Khmer Rouge period. During the 1990s, senior diplomats such as the US Ambassador to Cambodia Kenneth Quinn were specialists on Vietnam, not Cambodia. Quinn believed that the Hun Sen regime, a result of the Vietnamese invasion of 1979, was the best way to bring lasting peace and stability to Cambodia. With the country now recognized as a hub for state-protected organized cybercrime, the project has clearly not gone to plan. The best possible outcome from the summit, which the organizers may hope for, would be for Cambodia to make a sustained effort to combat organized cybercrime. We can expect some high-profile raids on cyber-slavery compounds as part of the summit preparations. However, previous Cambodian compound raids have left the organizers untouched, and the compounds have simply reappeared elsewhere in the country. Victims of human trafficking who thought they had been rescued by the Cambodian police were sold back into slavery. The evidence that the compounds are operating under government protection indicates that the pattern is likely to be repeated. If the idea is to try to hold the summit in Cambodia to make amends for the disastrous French colonial record in Southeast Asia, this is hardly the way to do it. David Whitehouse is a freelance journalist who has lived in Paris for 30 years. He has both French and British nationality.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
OIF Q2 2025 Technical and MA&E Committees Meeting Advances Critical Projects and Technical Collaboration, Highlights FlexE 3.0 and Coherent CMIS 1.4 Progress
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OIF, where the optical networking industry's interoperability work gets done, held its Q2 2025 Technical and Market Awareness & Education Committees Member Meeting May 5-8, 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia. 'As network requirements evolve and grow more complex, OIF's collaborative environment is where real, measurable progress happens,' said OIF Officer and Technical Committee Vice Chair Sam Kocsis (Amphenol). The meeting advanced technical specifications and key projects essential to scaling next-generation networks, highlighted progress on related implementation agreements and featured guest speaker Tarko Tikan of Telia Estonia. It also featured a recap of OIF's interoperability demo at OFC 2025, highlights from the 448Gbps Signaling for AI Workshop, and discussion around the upcoming ECOC interoperability demo, building on the success and momentum from OFC. Key project updates include: : The latest update to the C-CMIS IA introduces expanded support for coherent interfaces, including enhanced maintenance/replacement signal control, enhanced consequent action control, payload type support, additional alarming, CD target set and a new CDB command to display Coherent Application Attributes. These updates strengthen interoperability for ZR and ZR+ modules at 400G, 800G and beyond, laying the groundwork for managing a broader class of coherent pluggable modules. FlexE 3.0 Implementation Agreement (IA): Building on previous IAs, FlexE 3.0 supports Flex Ethernet Groups composed of 800G Ethernet PHYs and introduces 100G calendar slots and payload type overhead. These features address growing demands in high-capacity transport and hyperscale environments, increasing flexibility and enabling scalable Ethernet service delivery. In addition, OIF announced that presentations from its recent 448Gbps Signaling for AI Workshop —featuring perspectives from hyperscalers, analysts and member companies driving next-gen electrical signaling—are now publicly available on its website. The workshop, held April 15–16 in Santa Clara, provided a comprehensive look at the ecosystem readiness and future direction of 448G, with robust participation and insight from across the industry, and is directly driving work within OIF moving forward. 'As network requirements evolve and grow more complex, OIF's collaborative environment is where real, measurable progress happens,' said OIF Officer and Technical Committee Vice Chair Sam Kocsis (Amphenol). 'Our member meetings are designed to accelerate technical consensus and ensure alignment across the ecosystem.' In Technical Committee updates, Jia He (Huawei) was re-elected as Chair of the Networking & Operations Working Group. The meeting also featured guest speaker Tarko Tikan of Telia Estonia, who shared insights into Telia's approach to building a resilient, autonomous and secure national network. Tikan outlined the company's transition to a fully converged IP/MPLS infrastructure, highlighted Telia's strong cybersecurity posture—including fully isolated management systems—and emphasized Estonia's ability to implement agile, standards-based network strategies tailored for national resilience. 'It was an honor to join OIF as a guest speaker and share Telia Estonia's perspective on building secure and resilient networks,' Tikan said. 'Normally, I just work with what OIF has specified—but this time, I had the chance to sit in on a Working Group meeting and see that process in action. It gave me a new level of respect for the expertise and collaboration that drive OIF's work.' About OIF OIF is where the optical networking industry's interoperability work gets done. With more than 25 years of effecting forward change in the industry, OIF represents the dynamic ecosystem of 160+ industry leading network operators, system vendors, component vendors and test equipment vendors collaborating to develop interoperable electrical, optical and control solutions that directly impact the industry's ecosystem and facilitate global connectivity in the open network world. Connect with OIF on LinkedIn, on X, on Bluesky and at
See - Sada Elbalad
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Cairo Gears Up for 5th Edition of Cairo Francophone Film Festival This May
Ali abo dashish- Ahmed Emam The Egyptian capital is preparing to host the 5th edition of the Cairo Francophone Film Festival (CFFF), scheduled to take place from May 26 to 30, 2025. Under the leadership of renowned film critic Dr. Yasser Mohab, the festival is expected to welcome a diverse array of filmmakers, critics, and cinema enthusiasts from Egypt and across the Francophone world. This year's edition will feature a vibrant lineup of films representing the artistic voices and cultural diversity of French-speaking countries from all five continents. The festival promises to be a hub of cinematic excellence, showcasing both established and emerging talents from the international Francophone community. Marking a strategic shift, the 2025 edition introduces a new festival date, moving from its traditional November or December slot to May. The decision, according to Dr. Mohab, follows a thorough review of the global festival calendar and is aimed at enhancing the festival's reach and artistic impact. > 'The change wasn't made on a whim,' said Dr. Mohab. 'It came after a detailed study of the international and Francophone festival seasons. May offers better opportunities to premiere a wider range of films and to attract a broader selection of talent, including stars and members of Francophone communities residing in Egypt. This enriches the festival's competitive spirit and delivers a more diverse and engaging experience for our audience.' Dr. Mohab emphasized that the new date is part of a broader vision to position the festival as a leading platform for serious Francophone cinematic and cultural dialogue. 'We aim to support both creators and audiences of Francophone cinema, and we believe this change will open new horizons for collaboration with film institutions and festivals around the world,' he added. The fifth edition will also witness expanded programming, including a wider variety of screenings, workshops, critical discussions, and public events targeting both general audiences and young creatives with an interest in Francophone culture and film. Launched in 2021, the Cairo Francophone Film Festival was established as a platform to celebrate cinematic creativity from the 88 member countries and governments of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Since its inception, it has successfully hosted the regional and international premieres of hundreds of acclaimed films, earning praise for its rich programming and its role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue between Egypt and the Francophone world. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Russia Today
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Niger drops French as official language
Niger's transitional government has declared Hausa the national language, demoting French to a 'working language'. The move is set out in a new charter recently adopted by the West African nation. Although Hausa is the most widely spoken language in Niger, French had been the official language since the country's independence from France in 1960. The new leadership in Niamey – which took power following a coup that deposed civilian President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023 – has sought to cut ties with Paris. Late last month, the Sahel state adopted the Charter of Refoundation, which the government says will be executed as state law. The country's November 2010 Constitution was suspended after the July 26 coup. 'The national language is Hausa… and the working languages are English and French,' Article 12 of the charter reads, published in Niger's official journal, AFP reported on Tuesday. READ MORE: African state quits French union According to the document, nine other languages, including Zarma-Songhay, Fulfulde (Peul), Kanuri, Gourmantche, and Arabic, have been designated 'spoken languages' of Niger. The transition charter, which first emerged from a national conference held in February, also extended the term of Niger's interim president, Abdourahamane Tchiani, for five years. READ MORE: Adieu: Africa's military breakup with France is official Niger and its allies Burkina Faso and Mali withdrew from the global French-speaking group, the International Organization of Francophone Nations (OIF), in March. The three countries – founders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – accused the OIF of deviating from its mission of promoting cultural and technical cooperation and becoming a biased tool for political manipulation. The AES also criticized the Paris-based organization for disregarding the sovereignty of its countries through the selective application of sanctions. The group suspended Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups in the three former French colonies, which were among the first members of the OIF when it was founded in Niamey on March 20, 1970. Relations between Bamako, Niamey, and Ouagadougou and Paris have deteriorated in the aftermath of the military takeovers. The three military governments have all terminated defense cooperation with Paris over allegations of meddling and the failure by French forces to put down a deadly jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.
Morocco World
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Mali Follows Niger, Burkina Faso in Leaving Francophonie Organization
Doha – Mali announced its withdrawal from the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) on Tuesday, following similar decisions by Niger and Burkina Faso the day before. The move marks another break with France by the military-led Sahelian countries. 'Mali cannot remain a member of an organization whose actions are incompatible with constitutional principles founded on state sovereignty,' the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in an official letter announcing the withdrawal. The three countries, founding members of the OIF since its creation in Niamey in 1970, had previously been suspended from the organization following military coups. Mali's suspension came in August 2020 after the overthrow of elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who had led the country since 2013. The OIF had demanded Keita's release and 'the establishment of a transitional government led by civilian authority as soon as possible.' In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso – accused the Paris-based organization of becoming 'a politically manipulated instrument.' They argued that the OIF 'instead of supporting these countries in achieving their peoples' legitimate objectives, has distinguished itself by selectively applying sanctions based on geopolitical considerations and disregard for their sovereignty.' The exit from the OIF follows profound shifts in Mali's relationship with the French language. In July 2023, French was downgraded from the country's official language to a 'working language' under a new constitution. Meanwhile, multiple traditional languages spoken in Mali were elevated to official status. Of Mali's population of over 23 million, approximately 3.7 million are French speakers. The three Sahelian countries have been systematically distancing themselves from French influence. In December 2024, Mali renamed several streets in Bamako that had previously honored French colonial figures. Similar symbolic changes occurred in Niger, where the 'Place de la Francophonie' was renamed 'Place de l'Alliance des Etats du Sahel.' This latest decision succeeds the three countries' January 2024 withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which they accused of being subservient to France – a decision that became effective last January. Having severed ties with France and European partners, these military-led nations have grown increasingly closer to Moscow. The OIF, which now counts 90 member states, upholds its mission to promote 'French language and cultural and linguistic diversity,' as well as 'peace, democracy and human rights,' and 'support for education' Despite mediation attempts by West African leaders, including recent visits by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to the three states, the Sahelian alliance has maintained its stance of sovereignty and continued its political realignment away from traditional French influence. Tags: Burkina FasomaliNiger
