GENEVA, Switzerland, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, has completed a three-day visit to South Sudan. In addition to holding official meetings, he met with internally displaced people, volunteers from the South Sudan Red Cross, and ICRC staff working in many parts of the country. “South Sudan is facing a serious crisis that comes on top of a situation that was already difficult,” said the ICRC president. “It is unquestionable that the needs are dire, but their full scope is unknown.” Mr Maurer reaffirmed the ICRC’s…
Author: apofeed
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, January 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “With such a focused group of industry shapers participating at the Powering Africa: Tanzania meeting from the 29-31 January (http://www.poweringafrica-tanzania.com), we can’t help but be buoyed by the possible outcomes of the debate.” Simon Gosling, EnergyNetLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/140109.pngAs the World Bank agrees to support Tanzania to strengthen the country’s business environment, international investors flock to the country in search of credible partners, a deeper understanding of the requirement of entering the market and an eagerness to do business.According to the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa will require more than $300…
BEIJING, China, January 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announces at the regular press conference:At the invitation of the government of Tanzania, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Jiang Weixin will attend the celebration of the 50th Zanzibar Revolution Day on January 12 in Tanzania as the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping.
PARIS, France, January 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 752 deaths in Bangui and more than one thousand across the country have been identified in the last month in the Central African Republic (CAR). FIDH is gravely concerned by the chaos that prevails despite the reinforcement of troops from the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) and from the intervention of the French armed forces mandated by the UN Security Council Resolution of 5 December 2013.Since the attack led by the Anti-Balaka against elements of the Seleka on 5 December 2013 in Bangui, intercommunal violence in…
NEW YORK, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Members Also Hear from Country’s Permanent Representative, Delegations of Chad, African UnionThe situation in the Central African Republic had “greatly deteriorated” following a spate of attacks on 5 December that had triggered further unrest in the strife-torn country, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, urging those in positions of influence — including the 15-member organ — to do more towards ending the violence. “There is a very real risk that the crisis could spread beyond the country’s borders and further destabilize the region,” warned Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General…
BAMAKO, Mali, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), arrived in Bamako today for a three-day visit to Mali. She will meet with President Keita, Prime Minister Ly and his cabinet, senior government officials as well as women leaders, representatives of the private sector, civil society and donors.“I’m very pleased to be here in Bamako for my first visit as Managing Director of the IMF. This visit is a testimony to our strong relationship with Mali. I look forward to strengthening our partnership for the benefit of the people…
ISHERI NORTH, Nigeria, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Channels TV (http://www.channelstv.com), the award-winning independent Nigerian broadcaster, is delighted to announce that The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Media Merit Award Trust has recently awarded it the prestigious “Best Station of The Year Award” for 2013. The award, which was announced on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at a gala event night held at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in the Ekiti State of Nigeria, is the eighth time that Channels TV has been recognised by the Nigeria Media Merit Award Trust as the country’s best television station. The Nigeria Media…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The international community should urgently provide adequate resources to cope with the protection and assistance needs of a large and growing number of persons displaced by violence in the Central African Republic, a United Nations human rights expert has warned today. “The number of displaced persons has increased dramatically over the past few weeks, and immediate access by humanitarian agencies, including to those sheltering in the airport in Bangui, must be granted without delay,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani. Close to…
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement by the President on the Celebration of Coptic ChristmasMichelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a joyous Christmas. On this special day, we celebrate the messages of peace and hope that continue to inspire congregations more than 2,000 years after Jesus’ birth. During this season, we reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christians and other people of faith in Egypt and around the world. The freedom to practice our faiths is critical to stable, pluralistic, and…
JUBA, South Sudan, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As announced by the Department of State, due to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, (3 January), the United States has further reduced staffing at the Embassy in Juba.The Department of Defense, at the request of the Department of State, assisted in the transportation of U.S. Embassy personnel, as well as several personnel from other nations, from Juba, South Sudan to Entebbe, Uganda.Two KC-130 aircraft assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response (SPMAGTF-CR) element pre-positioned at Entebbe, Uganda were used to move the…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has congratulated Puntland’s President-elect Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, appointed today by members of the Puntland Parliament. “I applaud the Speaker and Members of Parliament for their efforts leading to the smooth process of today’s vote. I also appreciate the important role of the traditional leaders. I congratulate all the people of Puntland,” Mr. Kay said. SRSG Kay saluted the smooth and peaceful transfer of power and the constructive role of outgoing President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole. He noted that despite numerous…
NAIROBI, Kenya, January 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today in Nairobi at the conclusion of her visit to Kenya:“I wish to thank President Kenyatta, Treasury Secretary Rotich, Central Bank Governor Ndung’u, and other senior government officials for their warm hospitality and our fruitful discussions. I also had valuable exchanges with parliamentarians, civil society organizations, women leaders, and the private sector. The depth of our discussions and the passion of the participants were very impressive.“I congratulated President Kenyatta and his colleagues for the remarkable progress made…
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media NoteOffice of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 7, 2014U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Rashad Hussain, hosted an interreligious dialogue today on the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), connecting religious leaders in the United States and CAR to highlight their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in CAR.His Grace Dieudonne Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui; Imam Omar Cabinelayama, President of the CAR National Islamic Association; Reverend Nicolas Geurekoyame, President of the CAR Evangelical Association; and Catherine Samapanza, Mayor of Bangui, participated in the online video conference from Bangui, CAR.The…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is meeting in Geneva from 13-31 January to review children’s rights in the following countries: Republic of the Congo (13-14 Jan), Yemen (14-15 Jan); Holy See (16 Jan), Portugal (22-23 Jan); Russian Federation (23-24 Jan); Germany (27-28 Jan)The above are among the 193 States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and are required to undergo regular examinations of their record before the Committee of 18 independent experts. The Committee will also review the Holy See, Portugal and Russia…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM is expanding its assistance to people displaced by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and has issued an appeal to the international community for further support.IOM Director General William Lacy Swing arrived in Juba on Sunday to show his concern and support for the crisis-affected population, and to meet with IOM staff and humanitarian partners.Conflict broke out in South Sudan on 15 December, and the crisis has since forced nearly 200,000 people to flee their homes. An estimated 62,000 people have sought shelter and protection on UN peacekeeping bases, and…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Three weeks of fighting raging throughout much of South Sudan are having increasingly serious consequences for the country’s population, says the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). With the increase in people’s needs, with resources made more scarce following the departure of many international organisations, and with instability hindering the aid response, what was already a difficult situation has become even worse, says MSF. “Highly vulnerable people have just become even more vulnerable, “said Raphael Gorgeu, MSF’s head of mission in South Sudan. “We don’t know what will…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Global Alliance for the Rights of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia has donated USD 30,000 to support IOM’s ongoing post-arrival assistance to Ethiopian migrants returning from Saudi Arabia.The new funding will allow IOM in Ethiopia to continue to provide vital medical assistance, meals, transportation, and provide a cash allowance to destitute migrants returning home empty-handed.Washington DC-based members of Alliance, which is made up of the Ethiopian diaspora in the United States, Canada, and Europe, gave the funds to IOM’s US-based partner, the US Association for International Migration (USAIM).The Alliance hopes to…
BERLIN, Germany, January 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Federal Foreign Office has provided Welthungerhilfe with an initial 495,000 euros to supply humanitarian aid to people in South Sudan driven from their homes by the current fighting in the country.In this connection Foreign Minister Steinmeier commented today (6 January) as follows:Given the delaying tactics right now in Addis Ababa, it looks as if neither side is really interested in a quick political solution to the conflict. This means both Africa and the international community will have to increase the pressure. At the very least, both sides must guarantee unhindered…
OSLO, Norway, January 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I am pleased to see that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has succeeded in bringing the parties to the conflict in South Sudan to the negotiating table. The world’s youngest nation is threatened by civil war, and the parties must take responsibility for preventing further bloodshed,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. IGAD announced at a press conference on Saturday evening that the parties to the conflict in South Sudan had agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire. “It is vital to establish a ceasefire immediately and ensure…
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, has begun a visit to South Sudan to assess the humanitarian situation and to study the ICRC’s response. Mr Maurer, who arrived in Juba today, will conclude his visit on 9 January. The president will visit people forced by the violence to flee their homes and will meet with government officials and representatives of humanitarian organizations, including the South Sudan Red Cross. He will focus on the suffering and distress caused by the conflict in South Sudan and…