Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 118

118th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 118th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Aug 27, 2025 and Sep 27, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

David Van Weel Named New Foreign Minister as VVD Fills Cabinet Vacancies After NSC Resignations

One noteworthy event has occurred in Netherlands, David van Weel will become the new foreign minister, replacing NSC’s Caspar Veldkamp, who resigned from his position. Van Weel’s former post at Justice and Security will be taken over by former MP Foort van Oosten, while Senate president Jan Anthonie Bruijn will become the new health minister. In addition, Mariëlle Paul, currently state secretary for Education, will become minister of Social Affairs. This has been confirmed by insiders following reports from De Telegraaf.

This is the new division of ministerial posts within the Cabinet on behalf of the VVD. They are replacing the former NSC ministers who left the Cabinet a week and a half ago. They followed their party colleague Veldkamp, who resigned as minister because he felt there was no support in the Cabinet for stronger action against Israel.

Ahmed Al Sayegh Appointed UAE Minister of Health, Succeeding AbdulRahman Al Owais

Shifting our focus to the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Al Sayegh has been appointed Minister of Health and Prevention.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated that, under the guidance of the President, Ahmed Al Sayegh has been appointed as the new Minister of Health. He expressed deep appreciation to AbdulRahman Al Owais for his years of dedicated service, during which the healthcare sector witnessed significant advancement. Sheikh Mohammed noted that Al Owais will continue serving in the government as Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs. He wished both ministers success in their national duties and extended best wishes to all teams serving the nation.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Appoints Baroness Minouche Shafik as Chief Economic Advisor

In United Kingdom, the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, has appointed former LSE President and Vice Chancellor Baroness Minouche Shafik as his Chief Economic Advisor to support on economic affairs.

Officially announced on Monday 1 September, Minouche’s role is intended to support the Government as it seeks to drive economic growth and raise living standards.

A leading economist whose career has straddled public policy and academia, Minouche has served as the Permanent Secretary of the UK’s Department for International Development, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England and President of Columbia University.

Alipay Fined €214,000 by Luxembourg Regulator for Major AML Breaches

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Chinese payment platform Alipay has been fined €214,000 by Luxembourg’s financial regulator for ‘important’ breaches of AML (anti-money laundering) rules.
It follows an on-site inspection by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) from June 2023 to January 2024.
The regulator said Alipay “committed important breaches to [Luxembourg’s] AML professional obligations” The CSSF found issues with: Transaction monitoring, Slow alert processing times, Missing customer identification documents, and insufficient oversight of outsourced compliance functions.

Alipay failed to file suspicious transaction reports in six cases related to counterfeit goods. Three of these cases were closed without notification to the Financial Intelligence Unit. The CSSF stated this violated the requirement to report promptly when suspicion exists.

Former Zambian Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji Sentenced to 4 Years for Corruption

Shifting our attention to Zambia, former Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji has been sentenced to four years in prison with hard labour after being convicted of corruption.

Malanji was found guilty on seven counts of acquiring properties and helicopters suspected to be the proceeds of crime, the state broadcaster reports.

Malanji was close to Lungu, and served as his foreign minister from 2018 to 2021.

He earned the nickname “Bonanza” because he was known for his generosity, and for mingling with the public.

Handing down the sentence, Magistrate Ireen Wishimanga said she had shown “leniency” towards Malanji and Yamba because they were first-time offenders, and she had heard “spirited mitigation” arguments by their legal team.

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