NEW YORK, January 29, 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 announcement of the new Government in the Central African Republic. He congratulates the Head of State of the Transition, Catherine Samba-Panza and the Prime Minister, André Nzapayeké, for their efforts to put the transition back on track. The establishment of a new Government offers a fresh opportunity to move the political process forward. The Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to support the transitional authorities in their efforts to ensure the security…
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OTTAWA, Canada, January 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:“Canada condemns the terrible attacks by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria that have killed nearly 100 people and wounded many others.“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my prayers and deepest sympathies to those injured in the attacks and to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.“Canada stands with the Government of Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and hopes it will bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.“Such violence, including that perpetrated against any faith…
WASHINGTON, January 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 28, 2014The United States condemns Boko Haram’s vicious attacks on Sunday in Borno and Adamawa, Nigeria, that took the lives of dozens of innocent civilians. We support Nigerian authorities as they begin to investigate these attacks, and urge citizens to support their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.The United States remains committed to supporting the people of northern Nigeria in their struggle against violent extremism and to helping the Government of Nigeria as it works to counter the threat posed by Boko…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — At the margins of the 22nd AU Summit, President Pierre Buyoya, African Union High Representative for mali and the Sahel, will on Wednesday 29 January 2014 at 17h00, hold a press briefing in Conference Hall 4 of the new AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During his briefing President Buyoya will address the following issues:- The establishment of the African Union Mission for mali and the Sahel (MISAHEL)- Achievements of MISAHEL- Overview of security challenges in the Sahel region- Priorities in 2014Journalists are invited to take part in the…
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 27 January 2014, the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the North Darfur Prisons Administration, launched a three-week training programme for more than 60 newly recruited prison staff. The training focuses on a human rights approach to prison management and basic prison duties. The programme is designed to furnish participants with practical knowledge so that they can contribute to the rehabilitation and reformation of offenders to better prepare them for community reintegration. During the sessions, participants will…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Libyan Red Crescent are concerned about continued fighting in the south-western city of Sabha and in areas such as Kufra and the outskirts of Tripoli, and are calling for the wounded and civilians to be spared. Scores of people have died or been injured since fighting broke out two weeks ago. “We urge those involved in the fighting to give the wounded on all sides immediate and safe access to the medical treatment they need,” said Ramy Saliba, the ICRC’s head…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The EU’s Political and Security Committee confirmed today the selection of Major General Philippe Pontiès as Operation Commander for the EU military operation in the Central African Republic (EUFOR RCA). Major General Pontiès, from France, will now start the operational planning of EUFOR RCA, together with the Operational Headquarters in Larissa, Greece. When the legal basis for the mission will be established, he will be formally appointed to the post. Today’s decision comes in the wake of the Council’s approval of a crisis management concept for a military operation…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the number of Ethiopian returnees from Saudi Arabia passes 156,000, Ethiopia has been hit with another influx of migrants – this time from the neighbouring South Sudan.Following the fighting which broke out in the Southern sudan capital of Juba on 15th December 2013, thousands have started to migrate to neighbouring Ethiopia. To date over 25,000 asylum seekers have come to Ethiopia through various entry points in the Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. IOM Ethiopia started providing aid to them on 22nd January.According to UNOCHA South Sudan, an estimated 413,000 people may…
BERLIN, Germany, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “The new Tunisian constitution that enters into force on Monday is an important step on the long road to democracy following the dramatic events of the Arab Spring” Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said.What came to be known as the Arab Spring began in Tunisia three years ago with the revolt of the population against an authoritarian regime. The Tunisian National Assembly has now completed its work on a new constitution for the country and will put the entire basic law to vote. The constitution has crowned the joint efforts of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Monday said she was gravely concerned about the escalating violence in Egypt in recent days that has led to scores of people being killed and injured. She called for a prompt investigation into the incidents that led to the regrettable loss of lives, and appealed on all sides to exercise restraint. “After the recent reprehensible terrorist attacks led to the loss of life and injuries, at least 62 people were killed in Cairo on Saturday,” the High Commissioner said. “I call on…
BERLIN, Germany, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement today (27 January) on the formal adoption of a new Tunisian constitution by the constituent assembly:I congratulate the Tunisian people on their new constitution. This was a hard-won political success.Tunisia is the country where the Arab spring began more than three years ago. While some hopes have not materialised, Tunisia has shown the world today that genuine progress towards democracy and the rule of law, tolerance and civil rights is possible. The inclusive, democratic procedure culminating in the new constitution was exemplary. Even…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO Minister welcomes the adoption of the new Constitution and signals UK support for Tunisia. Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Hugh Robertson said: “I warmly welcome the adoption of the new Constitution in Tunisia today. The people of Tunisia can be proud of this historic achievement.“We stand ready to support the new government as it prepares to hold elections and address economic and security challenges, both bilaterally and as part of the international community.”
TOKYO, Japan, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Japan deeply deplores the bombings that occurred outside the Police Headquarters in central Cairo, capital of Egypt and near the metro station in Dokki district, Giza prefecture, west of Cairo on the early morning of January 24th (the afternoon of January 24th Japan time) and caused casualty. Japan prays for the deceased people and expresses its condolences to their families. And Japan extends its heartfelt sympathy to those injured.2. Acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan firmly condemns terrorism in all its forms.3. Japan hopes that…
TOKYO, Japan, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Japan welcomes that the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities in South Sudan was signed under the mediation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on January 23 (local time). Japan also highly appreciates the efforts made by the neighboring countries in order to reach this agreement.2. Japan calls for all of the parties to this agreement to steadily implement its stipulations, and expects all of the parties of South Sudan to work toward improving the humanitarian situation in that country, consolidating peace, and engaging in national…
OSLO, Norway, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “Over 4.4 million people in South sudan are in need of emergency assistance. The conflict that broke out in December has made a difficult situation even worse. We are therefore doubling Norway’s funding for humanitarian assistance, from NOK 50 million to NOK 100 million,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende, who is in the South Sudanese capital Juba today.After armed conflict broke out between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar in mid-December, over 575 000 people have been forced to leave their homes and…
OTTAWA, Canada, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights, today issued the following statement:“Canada acknowledges the inauguration of President Hery Rajaonarimampianina following the announcement of the final result of the Malagasy presidential election by the Special Electoral Court.“The people of Madagascar are to be congratulated for peacefully exercising their democratic right to vote in the presidential and legislative elections on December 20, 2013. These elections and the inauguration of a new president are important steps in the re-establishment of constitutional order in Madagascar since the coup…
WASHINGTON, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media NoteBureau of Public Affairs, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 27, 2014U.S. Delegation to African Union SummitDeputy Secretary of State William Burns will lead the U.S. delegation to the African Union (AU) Summit. The delegation will include high-level officials from across the U.S. government, including:- Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield,- Deputy to the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Rexon Ryu,- U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth,- U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the DRC Russell D. Feingold,- USAID Associate Administrator Mark Feierstein,-…
MAPUTO, Mozambique, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Government of Mozambique will co-host a conference on May 29-30, 2014, in Maputo to take stock of Sub-Saharan Africa’s strong economic performance and the ongoing challenges in the region. The Africa Rising conferencewill also explore how to strengthen the partnership between the IMF and its African member countries.The conference will bring together policymakers from Africa and beyond, and leaders from the private sector, civil society, and academia with the goal of exploring avenues to sustain the region’s current growth performance and sharing the benefits…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) has launched a podcast service on its website, with a view to providing easy to digest news and updates on the summit proceedings. Lasting an average 5 minutes, the podcast gives listeners a summary of the key points delivered in opening sessions of the summit, thereby allowing audiences to have an idea of the critical issues being discussed. In this regard, the DIC invites all AUC staff members, member states, development partners, African and international citizens to tune in to the AUC podcasts…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Within the frame work of the 22nd AU Summit, H.E. Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, at the AU Commission will on Tuesday 28thJanuary 2014 at 16:00 hold a briefing on the following issues: – Building self-reliance towards the realization of the 2063 Agenda on food and nutrition:- Theme of the summit: Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods, through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development. The briefing will be held in Briefing Room 1, at the new AU Conference Center, in…