GENEVA, Switzerland, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is meeting in Geneva from 10 to 28 February to review women’s rights in the following countries: Bahrain (11 Feb); Cameroon (12 Feb); Qatar (13 Feb); Kazakhstan (14 Feb); Iraq (18 Feb); Sierra Leone (19 Feb); Finland (20 Feb) The above are among the 187 States parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and are required to submit regular reports to the Committee of 23 international independent experts that monitors…
Author: apofeed
NAIROBI, Kenya, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Royal Philips (http://www.philips.com) (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) (http://www.amref.org) announced that they will work closely together in an innovative shared-value partnership model designed to bring about a structural improvement in the healthcare infrastructure and healthcare provision on the African continent. This long-term strategic partnership aims to support AMREF in achieving its social goals and will help Philips in its ambition to improve the lives of people in Africa, while at the same time realizing growth across the fast-evolving African healthcare market. Logo Philips: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/philips-1.jpgLogo…
OTTAWA, Canada, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — International Development Minister Christian Paradis meets with the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, to discuss continued collaboration in advancing joint objectives such as improving the health of mothers and young children.The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie, today concluded a successful visit to Tanzania. During this last part of his African trip, Minister Paradis announced a number of new projects that will help Tanzania better manage their natural resources and create prosperity for Tanzanians.”I conclude this trip with great hope for a bright and…
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Martin Petri visited Port Louis during January 22–February 5, 2014 to conduct the discussions for the 2014 Article IV consultation with Mauritius. The mission met with The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Navin Ramgoolam, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Xavier-Luc Duval, Governor of the Bank of Mauritius Rundheersing Bheenick, other senior government officials, as well as representatives of the National Assembly, the private sector, and civil society.At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Petri issued the following statement today…
WASHINGTON, February 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCFebruary 5, 2014The United States is deeply concerned by recent sectarian attacks against both Muslims and Christians in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.). Clashes during the past few days in the town of Boda reportedly left over 75 dead, most of whom were Muslims. In late January, a convoy carrying mostly Muslims, including ex-Seleka militias, fired on the largely Christian residents of the town of Bocaranga, forcing many to flee. Many Muslim families have fled from their homes and some 50,000 third-country nationals have…
TOKYO, Japan, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. The Government of Japan welcomes the adoption of a new constitution in the Republic of Tunisia’s National Constituent Assembly on January 26 (same day local time) as steady progress in the democratic transition process in Tunisia.2. The Government of Japan expects that the new Jomaa Cabinet will exercise leadership toward the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held under the new constitution. The Government of Japan will continue to support the reform efforts of the people of Tunisia.
NAIROBI, Kenya, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed two grant agreements, with a combined value of $3.9 million, with the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture to expand index-based insurance to small-scale farmers in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Index-based weather insurance can protect against the adverse effects of climate change and help to strengthen food security in rural communities.The grants were issued by the Global Index Insurance Facility, a multi-donor trust fund financed by the European Union, Japan and the Netherlands and implemented by IFC and the World Bank. It is…
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yesterday ended the International Symposium for Economic diversification in Equatorial Guinea (http://www.emergingeg.com), putting the country back on the agenda of international investment opportunities. For two days, the 800 delegates, among which over 200 international investors, shared their expertise and experience to shape policy and determine key factors for an attractive business climate together with the launch of significant and concrete, namely a US$ 1 Billion (eq. of 500 Billion FCFA) Co-Investment Fund (CIF) and the signature of investments for over 500 Million Euros. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/eeg.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140205.pngPhoto 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1402051.pngThe “Emerging…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — South Sudan, the World’s youngest nation is facing some challenging times. The most immediate question is whether the agreement on a cessation of hostilities (http://bit.ly/1bqiwFn), signed on January 23 between the Government of the Republic of South sudan (GoRSS) (http://www.goss.org) and the sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM/A) in Opposition, will bring an end to the fighting that has killed tens of thousands and has displaced hundreds of thousands of people since mid-December. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/southsudan.png But at least as important as the developments on the ground is the way that the conflict…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has revised its emergency funding appeal for the South sudan crisis, reflecting expanded needs as the number of displaced civilians in the country continues to grow.It is now seeking USD 63 million from the international community to provide urgent, lifesaving assistance in South sudan through June 2014.Since the outbreak of the crisis in December, an estimated 740,000 people have been displaced within South Sudan and over 123,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. Some 80,000 civilians, including a significant number of foreign nationals, are seeking protection in UN bases across…
WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has agreed to provide VAALCO Gabon with a $65 million reserve based loan facility to support the company’s oil exploration and development program in Gabon. The Gabon oil and gas sector, which has seen decreasing output levels, is a critical component of the country’s economy.IFC’s financing, a $50 million senior loan and $15 million subordinate tranche, will help fund the construction of two new platforms and associated facilities to increase production from the Etame Marin offshore block. The program aims to increase the block’s…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On Saturday IOM organized its 19th evacuation flight for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) exiting the Central African Republic (CAR). The flight transported 314 Chadians from the Car to Chad.“People are desperate to leave Car. IOM is assisting third country nationals to return home safely, and will continue to do so if funds become available,” said Jan de Wilde, IOM Officer-in-Charge in CAR.IOM has appealed for USD 17.5 million for CAR, but has only received USD 2.8 million. The Organization still urgently needs contributions to be able to evacuate TCNs in dire…
WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — RemarksGeeta PasiU.S. Ambassador to DjiboutiDjibouti, DjiboutiFebruary 3, 2014Good morning. I’d like to thank the Government of Djibouti for hosting this conference in Djibouti and the U.S. State Department’s Counterterrorism Bureau for funding and organizing the conference. I would also like to thank Ms. Mako Hassan and everyone at ATTA for doing such an outstanding job of getting all the participants here and for helping to facilitate this forum. This forum – and forums like it – are increasingly important as they enable the building of relationships and enhance a shared understanding of…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the convening of the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, the inaugural promoters’ meeting of the newly established “African Union Foundation” was held. The meeting was led by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, who is also the founder as legal representative of the African Union.Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission presented, the objectives of the Foundation for voluntary contributions towards financing African priorities at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa,…
LUSAKA, Zambia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Grindrod Limited (http://www.grindrod.co.za), the JSE listed freight and logistics service provider, through its wholly owned subsidiary Grindrod Mauritius, today announced the opportunity to work with Northwest Rail Company Limited (“NWR”), to build, operate and maintain a new 590km cape gauge railway from Chingola in the heart of the old Zambian Copperbelt to the Angolan border. These exclusive rights were granted to NWR, a Zambian company, by the Government of Zambia in July 2006. The agreement signed today will enable the parties to conclude the bankable feasibility study which is currently underway.…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has appointed Ms. Bineta Diop as Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security. Dr. Dlamini Zuma announced the appointment on 30th January during her opening address to the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30-31 January 2014.Ms. Diop has over 35 years of experience working in human rights, peace building and development issues in Africa and internationally. She founded the Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), a leading…
WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — President Obama called Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa of Tunisia today to congratulate him and the Tunisian people on the ratification of their new constitution and on the inauguration of PM Jomaa’s independent government to lead the country to elections. The President commended the efforts of all of Tunisia’s parties to work together to secure the gains made since the start of Tunisia’s revolution, which inspired people around the world. The President invited the Prime Minister to visit Washington later this year to continue to build the U.S.-Tunisian relationship. The United States will…
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Africell Holding (http://www.africell.com) announces that Africell Sierra Leone crossed the two million mark with over 2,250,000 active subscribers. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/africell.pngThe Group is expecting to end 2014 with over 11 million in total active subscriber base. Africell Sierra Leone is positioned as an uncontestable market leader with 65% market share and is forecasted to cross the 3 million active subscribers by the end of 2014.Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Africell Holding.Media contact:Hala Haddad hhaddad@africell.comAbout Africell Holding:Africell Holding (http://www.africell.com) fully owns and operates three mobile subsidiaries in Africa;…
DAKAR, Sénégal, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — At the time of establishment, Sénégal Airlines considered its choice of service provider for information system management, including the financial management of its business. The airline opted for Sage FRP 1000 (http://www.sage.com) due to its flexibility, and its open and interfacing capabilities with other business management solutions which are essential for airlines.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/sage.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140128.jpg (Abdoul Aziz NDAO, manager of the Sénégal Airlines information system)As accounting and turnover calculation for airlines are quite specific tasks, Sénégal Airlines chose to outsource management of its turnover to a specialist service provider.”Our accounting processes are…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists [NUSOJ] condemns today’s decision by the Somaliland Information Minister in which he reportedly suspended the operations of Universal TV on 03 February, 2014, the latest in a string of violence against the journalist and the media in Somaliland.In an press conference summoned by the Somaliland Information Minister Abdullahi Dahir Ukuse said the ministry has revoked the license from the Universal TV’s Bureau. The minister accused the Television for insulting their leader.Universal TV, a privately owned Somali language satellite Television, based in London, has been airing…