ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — MEDIA ADVISORYSpecial meeting of the Agriculture Development Working Group Leaders and Managers of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) National Agriculture Investment Plans ( NAIPs), on Country Post-Compact and Investment Plans ImplementationINVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIAWhen: Tuesday, 11 February 2014 at 8:30 a.m.Where: African Union Commission Conference Centre- Medium Conference HallWho: African Union Commission and NEPAD AgencyObjectives: Share NAIP implementation progress and challenges and identify lessons learned;• Discuss and identify lessons from efforts to coordinate and align donor assistance to specific components of NAIPs;• Review and discuss the…
Author: apofeed
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — AfrAsia Bank (http://www.afrasiabank.com) introduces Africa’s first rewards program offering real time booking on over 450 airlines and at 200,000 hotels to its World and Titanium MasterCard cardholders. In collaboration with Infinia Services & Solutions and MasterCard, this rewards program enables cardholders to earn XtraMiles whenever they swipe their World or Titanium MasterCard credit cards. This innovative product underpins further the bank’s unremitting commitment to creating value for its niche market and differentiating itself through unique products with priceless privileges.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/afrasia.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0159.jpg (Prashant Khattar, Founder and Managing Director of Infinia Services…
GABORONE, Botswana, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC), through the Information Society Division of the Infrastructure and Energy Department, in partnership with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) concluded an interactive Regional Internet Exchange Point (RIXP) and Regional Internet Carrier (RIC) Workshop with concrete recommendations and conclusions on the support and guidance needed for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) to transform into regional players.The workshop outlined the benefits of establishing RIC and RIXP by engaging participants and key regional stakeholders into discussions on operational and technical best practices, applicable policy…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, will announce €195 million for Mauritania in the areas of food security, rule of law and healthcare for the years 2014-2020, during a visit to the country (10-11 February). Discussions are expected to focus in particular on ongoing cooperation between the EU and Mauritania in the areas of security, development and fishing. The Commissioner is also expected to underline the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting the country on its path to growth and in the key role it has to play in security in…
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The world’s first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7, according to a statement released today by the U.S.-based, nonprofit organization Clitoraid (http://www.clitoraid.org). Chantal Compaore, First Lady of Burkina Faso, will preside at the ceremony. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/clitoraid.png Download the flyer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/flyer.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/kamkaso.jpg (The world’s first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/nadine-gary.jpg (Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary)Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/marci-bowers-md.jpg (Dr. Marci Bowers,…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) held, from 4 to 6 February 2014, at its Headquarters in Algiers, a workshop on the implementation of the Algiers Memorandum on Good Practices on Preventing and denying the Benefits of Kidnapping for Ransom by terrorists.The workshop was organized for the benefit of 11 Sahelo-Saharan AU Member States more directly exposed to the threat of Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) by terrorists.It was a platform for open discussion, awareness raising and exchange of experience between member states and other relevant…
WASHINGTON, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCFebruary 8, 2014We are deeply concerned by reports of violations by both the Government of South sudan and anti-government forces of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement that was signed in Addis Ababa on January 23. We urge the redeployment or phased withdrawal of foreign forces invited by either side, and warn of the serious consequences which could result from any regionalization of this conflict.We welcome the arrival in Juba of the first component of the team that will eventually monitor and verify the implementation of the Cessation of…
OTTAWA, Canada, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:“Canada strongly condemns the upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic that reportedly claimed the lives of 75 people in the town of Boda during sectarian clashes that took place in the week of January 27. Canada also condemns the brutal February 5 lynching of an onlooker at the end of the official ceremony marking the reinstatement of the country’s armed forces.“Canada condemns these reprehensible acts and calls for the perpetrators to be…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Russell D. Feingold, US Ambassador to the DRC James Swan, and senior officials from the US Mission in Kinshasa have visited an IOM maritime training programme for the National Congolese Police (PNC) in the east of the country.The US diplomats observed a speedboat training of ten PNC trainers organized by IOM and the Uruguayan Riverine Patrol Company (URPAC) in Bukavu-South Kivu province, supported by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Director General William Lacy Swing is in the Central African Republic (CAR) to review IOM operations in the country and highlight spiraling humanitarian needs. Widespread violence continues and over 800,000 people in the Car have been displaced.Ambassador Swing met with newly appointed interim President Catherine Samba-Panza and the Foreign Affairs Minister Kongo Doudou. “The Car government recognizes that the greatest needs are security and humanitarian assistance. They aim to initiate a process leading to national reconciliation and co-existence – key requirements for national unity,” said Ambassador Swing.“The humanitarian community needs…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin, will visit the sudan from 11 to 20 February 2014 to follow-up on his previous recommendations*, and identify areas of technical assistance and capacity building which will help the country fulfil its human rights obligations. “The Government of the sudan has made some progress in developing policies as well as legislative and institutional mechanisms necessary for improving the human rights situation in the country,” Mr. Baderin said, announcing his fourth mission to the Country. “Sudan now…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The humanitarian medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Saturday launched a vaccination campaign against measles in an attempt to control the epidemic that was declared by the government of that country on January 14. 1105 suspected cases, with 68 confirmed, have already been recorded, causing the fear of a rapid explosion in the number of infections. “Measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases and it can spread like wildfire. It affects primarily children, and can involve severe medical complications so it is critical that action be taken in order…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yesterday (6/2/14), as part of its migration health programme to improve the health conditions of migrants and mobile populations in Somalia, IOM and the Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC) marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Mogadishu, Somalia.Aiming to raise awareness on FGM on this day, IOM and SWDC reached approximately 400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Al-cadaala and Walalo Biyole settlements in Mogadishu through community-based social mobilization.Anecdotal evidence indicates that FGM is widely practiced in Somalia and there is an urgent need to increase…
WASHINGTON, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCFebruary 6, 2014Secretary Kerry called Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe today to commend his government on the major strides being made to combat international wildlife trafficking, including the recent arrest of three major illegal wildlife traffickers in Togo.Togo has sent a strong message to the world about its commitment to protecting Africa’s elephant populations. In the last month, Togolese authorities have made multiple seizures of illegal ivory, totaling more than four tons. Individually and collectively, these are the largest seizures of illegal ivory in West Africa’s history. In a…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — William Hague concerned by press restrictions in Egypt, and urges interim government to demonstrate commitment to free expression.Speaking today about increasing restrictions placed upon journalists and the media in Egypt, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:“I am very concerned by restrictions on freedom of the press in Egypt, including reports of the recent charging of Al Jazeera journalists, two of whom are British, Sue Turton and Dominic Kane.“We have raised our concerns about these cases and freedom of expression at a senior level with the Egyptian government in recent days. I will…
STASBOURG, France, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — MEPs urged all the political actors and security forces in Egypt to show the utmost restraint and avoid provocation and further violence, in a vote on Thursday. The interim authorities and security forces must ensure the security of all citizens and commit to dialogue and non-violence, and to respecting their obligations, they said.They called for an immediate end to all act of violence, harassment or intimidation against political opponents, journalists, trade unions and civil society representatives. The interim government must guarantee that these actors, both domestic and international, can operate freely…
PARIS, France, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Over the past weeks the extreme violence in the Central African Republic has reached intolerable and unprecedented levels, said the international medical-humanitarian organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). The whole civilian population is trapped within extreme polarised violence, and each day, civilians are paying the price of abuses committed by the two main armed groups – the ex-Seleka and the opposing anti-Balaka. Although the conflict is complex and all communities are affected by the violence, one of the latest developments is taking place in the form of collective reprisals against the minority…
GABORONE, Botswana, February 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Internet Society (http://www.internetsociety.org) today announced that it has been selected by the African Union Commission (AUC) for the Regional Internet Exchange Points and Regional Internet Carrier Workshops of the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) project (http://pages.au.int/axis). The AXIS project is focused on keeping Africa’s Internet traffic local to the continent by providing capacity building and technical assistance to facilitate the establishment of National Internet Exchange Points and Regional Internet Exchange Points in Africa. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/internetsociety.png Under the new AXIS contract, the Internet Society will conduct Capacity Building workshops focused on…
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Events in Ukraine will again be in focus when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels on 10 February. They will also discuss the situation in Egypt. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will take part in the meeting.The EU’s continued efforts in the Eastern Partnership will also be discussed, in the light of the Vilnius Summit in November and the EU-Russia meeting in January. The main focus of the meeting will be on Ukraine, in view of the latest developments there.The Swedish Government considers that the EU should continue to stand…
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On February 6th 2014, BUILD Africa (http://www.buildafricaforum.com), Africa’s premier international business and investment infrastructure forum opened in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Held over two days, the first edition of the forum will seek to provide a comprehensive response to the continent’s infrastructure deficit. BUILD Africa was inaugurated by HE Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/build.png Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402064.png (BUILD Africa was inaugurated by HE Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402063.pngPhoto 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402062.pngPhoto 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140206.pngThe first edition of the…