BEIJING, China, January 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang announces at the regular press conference:At the invitation of Foreign Minister Tewodros Adhanom of Ethiopia, Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hannah Tetteh of Ghana and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad Mankeur Ndiaye of Senegal, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit the above four countries from January 6 to 11.
Author: apofeed
WASHINGTON, January 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media NoteOffice of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 5, 2014Coordinator Macon Phillips of the Bureau of International Information Programs will travel to Benin, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from January 7 to 17.In Cotonou, Benin, Coordinator Phillips will meet with representatives from the telecom, internet, and civil society sectors, as well as traditional and new media outlets. He will then travel to Porto Novo for a discussion with youth on the Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (WFYAL).In Windhoek, Namibia, Coordinator Phillips will meet with WFYAL applicants and United States Government exchange program alumni.…
VICTORIA, Mahe, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On December 19, 2013, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the eighth and final review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF)1 for Seychelles. The Executive Board’s decision was taken on a lapse-of-time basis.2 The completion of the review enables a disbursement of SDR 3.3 million (about US$5.1 million), which will bring total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 26.4 million (about US$ 40.7 million).The EFF was approved in December 2009 for an amount of SDR 19.8 million (see Press Release No. 09/472) and was extended by one…
LUSAKA, Zambia, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On December 11, 2013, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Zambia. 1Zambia has achieved strong and sustained economic growth over the past decade due to improved macroeconomic management and increased copper production; however, risks have over the past year increased with rising fiscal imbalances and lower reserve coverage. Robust output growth continued in 2012 at slightly above 7 percent, driven by agriculture and services, but is slowing in 2013 due to a weaker harvest. Expansionary fiscal policies, mainly from spending on subsidies…
TUNIS, Tunisia, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Board of the African Development Bank (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) approved on Friday, December 20 the Emergency Power Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project Phase II (EPIRP II) in Zimbabwe. The financing comes in the form of a US $17.52-million grant from the Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund (ZimFund) housed in the AfDB. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank-2.pngThe objective of EPIRP is to improve the availability and reliability of electricity supply through the rehabilitation of generation, transmission and distribution facilities. This involves specifically the electricity supply to critical social infrastructure facilities and to the inhabitants of the seven targeted…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As many as 140,357 migrants from Saudi Arabia have returned home to Ethiopia, 36 days after the expulsion operation started.“As we speak, Ethiopia is welcoming thousands of Ethiopian migrants returning home following the Saudi government crackdown on irregular migrants residing in the kingdom. IOM is collaborating with the Ethiopian government in the repatriation efforts with the returnees’ figure now exceeding 140,000,” said IOM OIC Chief of Mission, Gabriel Okutoi.Many returnees said they “kissed the dirt” when they got home and were overwhelmed when they heard their “welcome home” briefing at arrival,…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 19, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif has condemned the ambush attack in the outskirts of Mogadishu which killed six people and injured two.The attack happened when unidentified gunmen ambushed a vehicle transporting four Syrian and two Somali doctors to a nearby hospital. Three Syrian doctors, two Somali doctors and their bodyguards were killed while two other doctors from Syria and Somalia suffered injuries. They are now being treated at Mogadishu’s Medina Hospital.Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif referred to the incident…
ROME, Italy, December 19, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Control operations are continuing in Madagascar against an invasion of the Malagasy Migratory Locust, a voracious insect threatening rice and maize crops and therefore the food security and livelihoods of millions of people. Jointly prepared by FAO and the Government of Madagascar, the three-year Programme in response to the locust plague is implemented and coordinated by FAO in close collaboration with the Government. The programme is composed of three successive locust control campaigns with the last one ending in 2016. “We are using helicopters and vehicles to carry out survey and…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 19, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative for the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has strongly condemned the killing of six people outside Mogadishu earlier today. Reports indicate that a convoy carrying medical personnel to a health facility west of the capital came under attack by unknown gunmen who killed four doctors – one Somali and three Syrians – and a Somali driver and guard. At least two other passengers were seriously wounded. “Somalia, still struggling to build up its health services, relies on the goodwill of NGOs and medical personnel who work…
KAMPALA, Uganda, December 19, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the first review of Uganda’s economic performance under the program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). The Board’s decision was taken on a lapse of time basis.1The PSI was approved by the Executive Board on June 28, 2013 (see Press Release No. 13/78). The IMF’s framework for PSIs is designed for low-income countries that may not need, or want, IMF financial assistance, but still seek IMF advice, monitoring and endorsement of their policies. PSIs are voluntary and demand driven…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia Nicholas Kay today expressed concern about recent local conflicts in the country.Violent clashes in several parts of Somalia could threaten the country’s progress towards peace and stability as well as the rights of thousands of affected citizens, according to the Special Representative. Clashes have been reported near Jowhar in Middle Shabelle, some areas around Beledweyne in Hiraan and around K50 in Lower Shabelle. Reports indicate that clan-based militia are evicting farmers and villagers from productive farm land. The clashes continue to cause death,…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 17, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Brigadier General Massimo Mingiardi was today appointed new Mission Commander for the EU training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia). General Mingiardi, from Italy, will take up his duties on 15 February 2014. He will succeed Brigadier General Gerald Aherne, who had been in the position since February 2013. EUTM Somalia, launched in spring 2010, has contributed to training about 3,600 Somali troops so far, with a special focus on officers, specialists and trainers. It is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach for a stable, democratic and prosperous Somalia and…
TOKYO, Japan, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On December 19, commencing at 5:10 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida held a meeting with His Excellency Mr. Nabil Fahmi, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview of the meeting is as follows.1. The situation in Egypt(1) Minister Kishida said the steady progress with the roadmap is encouraging. The finalization of the amended draft constitution is an important milestone in particular, and he will be watching closely the course of the national referendum on January 14 and 15 next year. He…
OSLO, Norway, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “The political leaders in South Sudan must take responsibility for stopping the violence and resolving the conflict through political talks. Unless the violence is brought under control soon, I am afraid the situation could develop into a new civil war,” said Foreign Minister Børge Brende. The civil war that raged in Sudan for more than 20 years, and finally ended in 2005 when a peace agreement was signed between the north and south, caused terrible suffering for the population.“The current violent conflict in South Sudan and the constant reports of attacks…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “South Sudan will face a large displacement and protection crisis, if the situation is not managed with restraint or if political dialogue does not take place,” the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani, warned today. “I am deeply concerned about this violent upsurge, and the targeting of civilians, and call on all those involved to cease hostilities immediately,” Mr. Beyani said, adding his voice to those of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.…
TOKYO, Japan, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Japan expresses strong concern over a large number of casualties and refugees resulting from the situation happened since the evening of December 15 in Juba, the Republic of South Sudan.2. Japan strongly calls on all relevant parties to avoid violence and to exercise self-restraint. At the same time, Japan expects all relevant parties including the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to work toward stabilization of the situation.3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also takes necessary measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in the country.
BERLIN, Germany, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement at the Federal Foreign Office this morning (20 December):Conditions in South Sudan are such that we had to take emergency measures to evacuate and fly out German nationals living there.A Bundeswehr plane landed in the capital Juba this morning. The operation is currently underway. The first 55 German nationals are being flown out and will arrive in Uganda shortly. A second flight may follow.I think this is good news for those waiting for help in South Sudan.A total of 55 people have…
BERN, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), Switzerland has allocated CHF 800,000 for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect internally displaced persons. This commitment is in addition to the support totalling CHF 2.7 million that Switzerland has already earmarked for 2013 for the emergency operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UNHCR and Médecins sans frontières (MSF).Violent acts multiplied in December 2013, causing the massive displacement of civilians. At present 639,000 people…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday warned that the situation in the Central African Republic remains highly volatile, with ongoing violence, intimidation and a governance vacuum. The reported involvement of armed elements from neighbouring countries heightens the risk of a crisis that, if left unchecked, may become dangerously difficult to control, she warned. A UN human rights monitoring team in the Central African Republic has been documenting human rights violations committed in recent months, including killings, sexual violence, arbitrary detention, attacks on hospitals, destruction of property…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Several tens of thousands of displaced people continue to take refuge at sites set up for them in Bangui, where sanitary conditions are poor. The ICRC and the Central African Red Cross Society are maintaining their aid effort in the capital and throughout the country. “Displaced people fear having armed men around them,” said Georgios Georgantas, head of the ICRC delegation in the Central African Republic. “We are extremely worried about the recent increase in inter-community tensions, which have been exacerbated by people carrying weapons, who contribute to the climate of…