NEW YORK, February 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General condemns the attack on a convoy of UN vehicles that occurred today near the international airport in Mogadishu. The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the families of the Somali citizens that have been killed as a result of this attack and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. The Secretary-General remains determined to support the Somali Government in preventing such attacks and holding the perpetrators accountable. He expresses his appreciation to United Nations staff in Somalia for their continued dedication under difficult circumstances. The Secretary-General reaffirms the undeterred…
Author: apofeed
DAKAR, Senegal, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) officially launched the Database on “Gender, Women, Peace and Security in West Africa” on Thursday 13 February, in Abidjan. The ceremony which was sponsored by His Excellency Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara,! President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), was attended by the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for West Africa, Mr. Said…
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will visit the African state of mali on 14-16 February. This will be the first-ever visit by a Swedish foreign minister to the country.The visit aims to emphasise Sweden’s continued and enhanced support to Mali’s development and its long-term peace efforts, and to efforts by the EU, the UN, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to support Mali’s path towards long-term peace. Mr Bildt also wants to increase knowledge about mali in Sweden and communicate Swedish messages to Malian…
DUBAI, UAE, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The growing confidence in Somalia’s economic recovery process has seen institutions like the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, commonly known as the PTA Bank, lift sanctions against the country.Event Banner: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/somalia-investment-summit-2014.jpgLogo Somali Economic Forum: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/somalia.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/hassan-mark-simmonds.jpg (Hassan Dudde MD of the Somali Economic Forum with British Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds)PTA Bank is the key Sponsor for the Somalia Investment Summit (http://bit.ly/NEQVuU) joining other regional authorities like the Commonwealth Business Council and the Eastern Africa Economic Chambers of Commerce in supporting this high profile business forum‘’This year’s summit…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] protests the arrest of two radio directors in the overnight of 11th February 2014 by the National Security Agency NSA, the latest in a string of attacks against the media in Somalia.Members from the National Security Agency NSA detained Mohamed Barre Haji, the owner and the director of Danan Radio and Ibrahim Mohamed (Ibrahim Yare), the director of Haatuf Radio in Mogadishu on Tuesday night. Both radios are independent and privately owned based in Mogadishu.It is not yet clear the reason behind their arrest.…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Strong concerns were expressed by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Executive Committee over the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the on-going conflict in South sudan in statements adopted by the committee on 12 February, during its meeting in Bossey, Switzerland.A statement by the WCC Executive Committee notes an alarming trend of an increase in the number of IDPs, especially as a result of the escalation of violence last year in Syria, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.The executive committee affirms that “all persons, including those internally…
OSLO, Norway, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “The situation in the Central African Republic is critical. More than half of the population is in urgent need of protection and humanitarian assistance. The Government has therefore decided to provide a further NOK 60 million in humanitarian assistance to the country,” said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. The security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is precarious following a marked escalation of the crisis towards the end of 2013. Of a population of 4.6 million, as many as 2.5 million are in need of humanitarian…
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The inaugural BUILD Africa Forum (http://www.buildafricaforum.com) was a remarkable success, gathering over two days:- 849 participants representing 49 countries- 85 speakers from five continents including 10 ministers from across the continent- 107 members of the pressLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/build.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=867 (Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=863 (Vicente Fox, Former President of Mexico)Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=866 (Jean-Jacques Bouya, Minister to the President of the Republic of Congo, in charge of Spatial Planning and Delegate General for Major Public Works)Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=865 (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor of…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma, is deeply concerned by the violence perpetrated these days in Bangui and other places in the Central African Republic (CAR). She notes, in particular, criminal attacks committed in recent days by armed groups against innocent civilians belonging to the Central African muslim community members, as well as against Chadian nationals. She stresses that such acts will only contribute to the worsening of community and religious divisions in the country, thereby undermining stabilization efforts undertaken by the…
KIGALI, Rwanda, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mary BAINE, together with the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Rwanda, Mr. Peter Fahrenholtz and the Head of the African Union Border Programme, Ambassador Aguibou Diarrah, today launched Rwanda’s participation in the African Union Border Programme AUBP through an official handing over of equipment for border delimitation and demarcation.Germany, through its assistance to the AUBP, supports both Rwanda and Uganda in jointly delimitating and demarcating their common border. The AUBP has the motto “From Barriers to Bridges”,…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission’ s Deputy Chairperson, Mr Erastus Mwencha, in the opening of the second round of peace talks, session of the peace talks, held in Addis Ababa on the 11th February 2014 expressed the readiness of African Union (AU) to provide the necessary assistance in the commencement of the broad and inclusive dialogue appealing all South Sudanese parties to provide the necessary leadership in placing the interest of their young country above narrow political considerations. Speaking on behalf of the AUC Chairperson, Mwencha welcomed the resumption of the…
NEW YORK, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:The Secretary-General welcomes the start yesterday of the South sudan political talks in Addis Ababa between the Government of the Republic of South sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in opposition, under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of national political dialogue, with the participation of all South Sudanese political and civil society representatives, including all senior SPLM detainees. The Secretary-General notes with deep concern the reports of…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for Africa urges rapid progress on political talks in South Sudan, investigation into human rights abuses and outlines UK support.Mark Simmonds, FCO Minister for Africa, today hosted a meeting with South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin during his visit to the United Kingdom.Speaking after the meeting, Mark Simmonds said:“I have today assured Foreign Minister Benjamin of the full backing that the UK is giving to regional efforts to restore peace to South sudan. We discussed the urgency of making real progress in the political talks, which restarted in Ethiopia…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Needs remain acute in South Sudan, where recent fighting has exacerbated a situation that was already very precarious for thousands of people. The ICRC and the South sudan Red Cross continue to expand their humanitarian activities in order to bring help to those who need it most. “The situation remains tense and unpredictable. As a result, humanitarian needs keep multiplying,” said Melker Mabeck, head of the ICRC delegation in South sudan. “Many people urgently need food, water and shelter. Many families have been dispersed. Our priority is to bring aid quickly…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has learnt with great shock and sorrow, of the crash of an Algerian military plane near the village of Ouled Gacem, in the eastern part of the country, killing 77 people. On behalf of the African Union and the rest of the continent, the Chairperson conveys her sincere condolences to the families of the victims, President Abddelaziz Bouteflika and the people of Algeria. Jacob Enoh EbenAg. Spokesperson of the Chairperson
ROME, Italy, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Farmers in the Central African Republic are in urgent need of seeds and essential tools for the March planting season if they are to help avert a full-scale food and nutrition crisis in the country, FAO said today. Some 1.6 million people, or over a third of the population, already require life-saving food assistance in the conflict-stricken nation, where one in five people have fled their homes in fear of continuing violence. “The civil conflict is putting millions at risk of a full-scale food and nutrition security crisis,” said Alexis Bonte,…
DUBLIN, Ireland, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of South AfricaH.E. Mr. Ahlangene Cyprian Sigcau, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Vuyokazi Sigcau, and their children – son, Maqhawe Luhle, and daughter, Ezamatshawe Sihle and by Mrs. Thobeka Dlamini, Counsellor Political and Deputy Head of Mission.The following were also present: Mr. Adrian O’Neill, Secretary-General to the President; Ms. Anne Barrington, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Ms. Orla O’Hanrahan, Chief of Protocol; Mr. Joe Brennan and Ms. Marion O’Donnell, Protocol, Department of Foreign…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, will announce €347 million of new EU support to Senegal for the period 2014-2020 during a visit to the country on 12-13 of February. In partnership with the government of Senegal the EU will work to strengthen democratic governance, foster sustainable agricultural development and food security and invest in improved water and sanitation.Ahead of his arrival Commissioner Piebalgs said: “Senegal is an important partner for the EU in West Africa. Our financial support for the coming seven years will be aligned to the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Flavia Pansieri will visit Togo from 17 to 20 February 2014. This is the first visit by a high-level official from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) since the OHCHR established an office in the country in 2006. The visit is in response to an invitation by the Government of Togo sent in June 2012. Pansieri’s visit aims to strengthen the partnership between OHCHR and the Government, civil society, human rights defenders, and the UN Country Team, and to…
BERLIN, Germany, February 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In response to today’s accident involving an Algerian military aircraft, Federal Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier sent a letter of condolence to his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra.Part of the message read as follows:I was very shocked to hear the news of the military plane crash in north eastern Algeria. I would like to convey to you, the victims’ families and the Algerian people my heartfelt sympathy following this terrible tragedy.