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Blast at Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

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As the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues, 2.3 million Palestinians remain trapped as Israel announced a total blockade of the enclave – no water, no fuel and no electricity – in the wake of Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7.

Efforts to open the Rafah crossing have so far not yielded any results, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry saying Israel has yet to allow the opening of the crossing, which connects Gaza to Egypt. He added that Cairo aimed to keep the crossing operational.

Egypt is expected to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to beleaguered Palestinians in the enclave but has rejected proposals to accept Gaza Palestinians into its borders.

So, what is the crossing that Egypt controls, how is Egypt tied to Gaza amid the continuing conflict and what happens next?

What is the Rafah crossing?

About a million Palestinians have already been displaced as a result of intense Israeli bombing, and an Israeli order to evacuate northern Gaza in preparation for an apparent ground offensive.

Tens of thousands of people have been sheltering in UN schools while the medical situation is at breaking point.

The Rafah crossing, located in the southern part of Gaza bordering Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, is the only way to cross into Egypt and serves as a vital link between Gaza and the rest of the world.

Both Israel and Egypt enforce strict control over the passage of people and goods as part of an earlier blockade imposed in 2007 after Hamas came to power.

The crossing is increasingly coming up in negotiations between different parties as they try to navigate the war that erupted on October 7 when Hamas fighters entered Israel and began launching rockets, killing at least 1,400 people so far. Israel has since killed at least 2,700 Palestinians in a relentless bombing campaign in the past eight days.

Rafah was closed after the start of the conflict, as Israel repeatedly bombed it. Egypt claims its own side of the crossing remains operational, but the Israeli air strikes have significantly damaged infrastructure on the Palestinian side.

Hundreds of tonnes of aid from NGOs and several countries were waiting on trucks in the nearby Egyptian town of El Arish on Monday for permission to enter Gaza, two sources there and a witness told Reuters.

Egypt’s Sinai peninsula and Gaza

The Sinai peninsula, which also borders Israel, is located between the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the south. As the only part of Egypt to be located in Asia, it acts as a land bridge between Asia and Africa.

The Sinai was controlled by the Ottoman Empire for centuries until the 19th century, subsequently falling into the hands of the British colonial power, which maintained control till the mid-20th century.

Sinai was captured by Israel in the wake of the Six-Day War with Arab states in 1967. Israel returned Sinai to Egypt after the Camp David Accords brokered by the United States. Egypt became the first Arab nation to officially recognise Israel as part of the peace deals. Israel fully withdrew from the Sinai peninsula by 1982.

The Gaza Strip, which was under Egyptian control from 1948 to 1967, came under Israeli occupation. Israel would maintain its hold over Gaza for about 40 years before withdrawing under international pressure in 2005.

What about aid and refugees?

Hundreds of tonnes of aid on more than 100 trucks has arrived in Sinai from countries including Jordan and Turkey, with Egypt opening up its airport in El Arish to accommodate them.

The trucks are lined up in the northern parts of the peninsula close to Gaza and are ready to enter through the Rafah crossing once an agreement is reached to open it.

But despite visits by top United States and European officials to Egypt, Israel  has rejected safe passage for the aid trucks, so the crossing remains closed.

That has meant that foreigners and dual-national Palestinians trapped in the blockaded enclave have also been unable to cross into Egypt, pending an agreement.

The situation is different for Palestinians without any other nationalities, as it appears Egypt does not plan to allow them entry based on national security considerations.

Egypt, which hosts about nine million migrants already from Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Libya and elsewhere, and on top of that is facing an economic crisis, is reluctant to simply open the Rafah crossing to hundreds of thousands of more refugees.

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AWARDING CEREMONY OF THE HUAWEI ICT INNOVATION CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 2024

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The Huawei ICT Innovations Cup Football
Tournament 2024 concluded in spectacular fashion as MTN Uganda emerged
victorious over Huawei Technologies Uganda Company Limited in a thrilling final
held at Kampala International School Uganda football grounds on Saturday 20 th
July, 2024. The dramatic match ended with a score of two goals to one,
highlighting the skill and determination of both teams.

The awarding ceremony that followed was a grand celebration of talent and
sportsmanship. The Chief guest, Dr Aminah Zawedde, The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and other distinguished guests including
The Undersecretary Ministry of ICT and National Guidance Ms. Sophia
Nantongo, Chief Marketing Officer MTN Uganda, Mr. Sen Somdev, Huawei
Technologies Uganda Managing Director, Mr. Sunrise Xie, were present to honor
the achievements of the teams and players. The coveted Huawei ICT Innovations
Cup trophy was presented to MTN Uganda by the chief guest amid a shower of
confetti and cheers from the crowd.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT and
National Guidance graced the cheerful event. She congratulated MTN Uganda
for the well-deserved win and extended her heartfelt gratitude to all the teams,
players, coaches, and supporters who came together to make the tournament
possible. She appreciated Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Limited for
organizing the football tournament which is in alignment with the efforts of the
Government of Uganda to address the growing burden of lifestyle diseases. Dr
Aminah also appreciated the opportunities presented for the technical officers
in the ICT sector to meet in a different environment to network, exchange ideas

and grow their connections. She closed by urging all members present to stay
innovative. “Innovation knows no boundaries, so let’s innovate in the field
sports just as Huawei has done by organizing this tournament and I hope it
becomes an annual event” said Dr. Aminah

Mr. Sunrise Xie, Managing Director of Huawei Uganda office in his remarks at
the awarding ceremony emphasized the importance of cocurricular activities for
the stakeholders in the ICT industry. The tournament transcended the
boundaries of a mere sports match; it was a vibrant platform for the ICT sector
to forge connections, exchange insights, and foster collective growth. “Your
passion and commitment have brought excitement and joy to all of us. Each
match was a testament to your hard work, and each goal a highlight of your
talent.” said Mr. Sunrise Xie. He thanked each team for being part of this
extraordinary journey and appreciated them all for the exceptional performance
and sportsmanship exhibited.

The players representative, Mr. Luyonde Henry from Airtel Uganda thanked
Huawei Technologies Uganda for a well-organized tournament and the
opportunity for Airtel Uganda to participate in such an activity. He congratulated
his team for making it to the semifinals of the tournament and the spirited
display of teamwork that brought Airtel Uganda thus far in the competitions. He
went to add “We have seen fierce competition, but we have also seen players
helping each other up, teams congratulating their opponents, and fans coming
together in their love for the game.”

The tournament awarding ceremony kicked off with a thrilling game between
Ministry of Health and Airtel Uganda to determine the 2nd runners up which set
the spirit of competition. The game was marked by intense action and strategic
play from both sides but in the end, victory belonged to Ministry of health after
scoring three goals to one. MTN Uganda later took on Huawei Technologies
Uganda Company Limited in an ambitious and action-packed game which ended
MTN 2 – Huawei 1. Overall, it was a gripping match showcasing the skill and

determination of both teams. The tournament was launched of 8th June, 2024
by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and run
over a couple of weekends till the final and awarding ceremony.

Huawei Technologies Uganda Co. Limited organized the first ever Huawei ICT
Innovation Cup Football Tournament as a means of encouraging physical activity
to combat desk-bound lifestyles by bringing together different enterprises from
both the public and private sectors for a spirited display of team work and
friendly competition on the football field. The tournament also aimed at
fostering social networks and sportsmanship by bringing together Ministry of ICT
and National Guidance, Uganda Communications Commission, National
Information Technology Authority-Uganda, MTN Uganda and Huawei
Technologies Uganda Co. Ltd in group A. While group B consisted of Uganda
Police Force, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Uganda
Revenue Authority, Ministry of Health and Airtel Uganda.

Some of the other awards won included, Fighting Spirit Award-Ministry of
Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Best Organizer Award-Uganda
Revenue Authority, Fan's Favorite Team-Ministry of ICT and National Guidance,
Most Entertaining Team-MTN Uganda, Future Star Award-Airtel Uganda,
Corporate Pioneer Award-National Information Technology Authority – Uganda,
Team Spirit Award-Uganda Communications Commission and the Community
Involvement Award-Uganda Police Force. Most Valuable Player-Bruce Mushabe
of MTN, Golden Boot Award-Jose of MTN, Golden Glove Award-Isaac Opiini of
Huawei and the Best Coach Award-MTN Coach.

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Ntoroko Edges Kyaka in Thrilling Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup

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Agripping showdown at the Humura playground in Kyegegwa district, Ntoroko County FC
secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyaka County FC, knocking them out of the Tooro Kingdom
MTN Masaza Cup. Kaswara Ason's decisive 34th-minute goal, the only score in an entertaining
game filled with missed opportunities, sealed Kyaka’s fate in the tournament.
Kyaka FC started the match on a strong note, with Frank Asiimwe showcasing his skills early
on. His solo run in the opening moments set the stage for multiple chances, though none found
the back of the net. Despite their spirited performance, Kyaka couldn't convert their dominance
into goals.
The game, played under challenging weather conditions due to a heavy downpour, saw
moments of high drama. Thomas Mugisa, making his tournament debut, posed a constant
threat. His appeals for a penalty in the 81st minute after a challenge from Ntoroko defender
Michael Bwamble were, however, waved away by the referee, adding to Kyaka’s frustrations as
they hunted for an equalizer.
Ntoroko's victory ensured their spot in the semifinals, joining Burahya, who also advanced as
the best losers of the group stage. Ntoroko County Member of Parliament, Gerald Rwemulikya,
praised his team for their resilience and performance. "Kyaka was at home and they created
many chances. This was our first time playing at Humura playground, but we managed to get a
well-deserved win. I want to congratulate my players and wish them luck in the next stage,"
Rwemulikya said.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Kyaka County became the fourth team to be eliminated, following
Kitagwenda, Kibaale, and Mwenge North. Their exit left the Kyaka county supporters in silence,
contemplating what might have been.
Tooro Kingdom's sports minister, Wandera Michael Enganjani, highlighted the broader
significance of the annual sports tournaments. "These tournaments are meant to promote
talents and fight against HIV/AIDS, which is very high in Fort Portal according to a Uganda AIDS
Commission survey," he said. Enganjani commended MTN Uganda for their continuous support
and promised unwavering cooperation in future events.
Aggrey Byaruhanga, MTN's regional marketing officer, reiterated the importance of health and
safety among the participants and supporters. "I appeal to Tooro Kingdom subjects to continue
testing for HIV and using condoms if they cannot abstain," Byaruhanga stated.
Looking ahead, the Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup will feature a clash between Fort Portal
City and Bunyangabu County next Sunday at the King Oyo Sports Complex in Bukwali at 3 PM.
The Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup continues to deliver thrilling football action, with
community engagement and health awareness being vital components of the event's mission.

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Huawei provides a preferred hybrid cloud to accelerate industry intelligence for Africa

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[Johannesburg, South Africa] Huawei recently announced the launch of its Huawei Cloud Stack 8.3
offering at the Huawei Africa Connect 2024 conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The launch of the offering was announced in a keynote speech delivered by Hu Yuhai, Vice President
of Huawei Hybrid Cloud. Titled, "Leap to Cloud to Accelerate Industrial Intelligence", the speech also
saw Hu provide details on how Huawei Cloud Stack provides trusted cloud infrastructure, innovative
cloud service abilities and extensive industry know-how to help government and enterprise
customers in Africa accelerate cloud adoption.

In line with this, Huawei Cloud has ramped up investments in Africa to support the continent's
development into an intelligent digital hub. The journey began in 2018, with the launch of Africa's
first public cloud region of Huawei Cloud in Johannesburg, South Africa. This was followed by a
significant expansion in June, 2024, with the launch of Northern Africa's first public cloud region of
Huawei Cloud in Cairo, Egypt. Huawei Cloud has been recognised as one of the fastest-growing cloud
providers in the world.

"Huawei Cloud strives to be the preferred cloud for intelligent transformation,” said Hu. As per our
mission statement of being, ‘In Africa, For Africa’, we are ready to work alongside our customers and
partners with better technologies, industry solutions, and ecosystem resources."

Press Release

Hu Yuhai, Vice President of Huawei Hybrid Cloud

Huawei’s expanded cloud activity reflects the fact that government and enterprise customers in
Africa are keen to embrace intelligent and digital transformation. Huawei Cloud is dedicated to
offering an industry-leading hybrid cloud solution, empowering customers to spark cloud innovation.
Huawei Cloud Stack 8.3 boasts a wide array of enhanced cloud services and features to provide a
trusted, more resilient cloud native foundation. It boosts innovation in the following key areas and
making new technologies locally available as fast as possible:
 Trusted cloud infrastructure: Huawei has continuously invested in foundational software and
hardware technologies alike, has established secure, reliable, and open cloud native infrastructure,
and provides green, low-carbon IT hardware and data center infrastructure. Huawei aims to lay a
robust foundation for digital transformation in Africa.
 Innovative cloud service abilities: Huawei leverages data and AI technologies to provide
numerous cloud services, aiming to help customers unleash the value of data and enhance data
sovereignty.
 Extensive industry know-how: Huawei provides a series of professional services, covering
high-level design, service planning, implementation, and deliveries, based on robust experience from
numerous global projects. Huawei looks to work with more industry partners to help customers
accelerate intelligent and digital transformation.

In Africa, For Africa: Huawei Cloud Stack accelerates industry intelligence for Africa with three
strengths

During the conference, Huawei also held its "Leap2Cloud"event, which attracted more than 300
enterprise executives and IDC experts customers from diverse sectors like government, finance,
transportation, and energy in Sub-Saharan Africa. They came together to share their insights and
collaboratively explore pathways for a leap to the cloud.

During the event, Bai Yan, Vice President of Huawei Cloud for the Southern Africa Region, delivered a
keynote speech titled, "Huawei Cloud Stack, the Preferred Cloud for Africa Industry Digitalisation."

"As industry customers drive forward with cloud adoption and intelligent transformation, they
encountered certain challenges, such as unforeseen issues with submarine optical cables, inefficient
methods of acquiring cloud resources, and concerns over data sovereignty,” he said. “Huawei Cloud
Stack helps them address these challenges with three strengths. It provides on-premised, reliable

Press Release

and secure cloud infrastructure, as well as offers an extensive suite of over 110 cloud
services—unmatched in the industry—alongside a diversified partner ecosystem. All these are
designed to help government and enterprise customers in Africa accelerate industry intelligence."

Bai Yan, Vice President of Huawei Cloud for the Sub-Saharan Africa Region

Huawei Cloud is eager to enhance cooperation with industry customers and partners to develop
scenario-specific solutions tailored to industry needs in Africa and create a thriving local digital
ecosystem together.

"Digital transformation is currently experiencing an exponential growth,” said Xiao Yi, President of
Huawei Cloud’s Global Ecosystem Solution Department. “We are stepping into the era of intelligence.
Huawei Cloud looks forward to joining hands with African partners to build a new foundation for an
intelligent world, develop digital solutions, and reshape industries with intelligence."

Press Release

Xiao Yi, President of Huawei Cloud Global Ecosystem Solution Dept

With innovative technologies and a vast array of industry-specific solutions, Huawei Cloud Stack
currently serves more than 5,500 government and enterprise customers around the world, leading
multiple markets, such as the hybrid cloud markets in China and the emerging Asia-Pacific region.

Moving forward, Huawei Cloud will continue to spur innovation, expand industry know-how, and
develop more customer-centric services to help more African customers move to, use, and manage
the cloud better. Huawei Cloud looks forward to joining hands with more African customers to
unlock new opportunities in industry intelligence and create an intelligent future.

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