NEW YORK, April 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric killing of a number of Ethiopian nationals by individuals affiliated with Daesh in Libya. He utterly deplores the targeting of people on the basis of their religious affiliation. The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of this act and to the Government of Ethiopia.The Secretary-General reaffirms that the ongoing United Nations-facilitated dialogue is the best chance for Libyans to…
Author: apofeed
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In a solidarity letter to Abune Mathias, patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, a member church of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, the WCC general secretary expressed deep shock over the recent killing of more than 20 Ethiopian Christians in Libya by the Islamic State (IS).“I speak on behalf of the ecumenical family when I say that we are shocked and appalled by the heinous and inhuman violence inflicted on these innocent faithful Ethiopians and that we strongly denounce and condemn any ideology that…
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to commend him for his leadership in ensuring Nigeria’s recent elections were peaceful and orderly. The Vice President noted that President Jonathan’s actions to accept the results and congratulate President-elect Buhari, as well as his steps to date to ensure a successful transition, have strengthened Nigeria’s democracy and set a strong example for Africa and the world. The Vice President encouraged President Jonathan to remain engaged and play a leadership role in global issues after his presidency ends.
NEW YORK, April 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the heinous and cowardly apparent murder in Libya of over 30 Ethiopian Christians by an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh). This crime once again demonstrates the brutality of ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities, and without regard to any basic value of humanity.The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, to the Government of Ethiopia,…
NEW YORK, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the barbaric killing of a number of Ethiopian nationals by individuals affiliated with Daesh in Libya. He utterly deplores the targeting of people on the basis of their religious affiliation. The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives as a result of this act and to the Government of Ethiopia. The Secretary-General reaffirms that the ongoing UN-facilitated dialogue is the best chance for Libyans to overcome the crisis in their country. He encourages the parties to make the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media accreditation is open for ITU’s annual Global Symposium for Regulators, the world’s pre-eminent gathering of the global ICT regulatory community.Taking place from 9-11 June in Libreville at the invitation of the Government of Gabon, the symposium welcomes world-class speakers with a dynamic programme focused around the hot topics challenging today’s ICT regulators. It will be chaired by Mr Lin Mombo, President of the Autorité de Régulation des communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), and hosted under the Patronage of H.E. Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic of Gabon.
NEW YORK, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General expresses his outrage at the attack this morning on a UN vehicle in Garowe, Somalia’s Puntland region. The attack resulted in the death of seven people, including four UN staff, and injury to several others. The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery. He condemns in the strongest terms this attack against UN staff who are working to provide humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Somalia, including the country’s children, many of whom are…
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On Thursday, May 21, President Obama will host Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi at the White House. The visit will underscore the United States’ longstanding friendship with Tunisia, our commitment to strengthening and expanding our strategic partnership with Tunisia’s new government, and our support for the Tunisian people following their historic 2014 democratic elections. President Obama looks forward to discussing with President Caid Essebsi a range of issues pertaining to the continued consolidation of Tunisia’s democracy, U.S.-Tunisian security cooperation, and Tunisia’s efforts to advance important economic reforms. They will also discuss regional…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemns in the strongest terms the attack on a UN vehicle in Garowe that resulted in the death and injury of several people. “I am shocked and horrified by what took place today in Garowe. The complete disregard for the lives of people working on the humanitarian and development needs of the people of Somalia is despicable,” said SRSG Kay. At about 8:00 this morning, a suspected IED targeted a UN vehicle in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia. There are an…
JUBA, South Sudan, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa of the African Union, and the Department of Political Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs Division is undertaking a five-day humanitarian assessment mission in South Sudan. The mission runs from 19h to 25th April 2015 and will assess the situation of Internally Displaced Persons living in different camps in Juba, as well as, in other parts of the country including in refugee camps in northern South Sudan. The humanitarian assessment mission to the Republic of South Sudan is…
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfActing Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCApril 17, 2015The United States is deeply concerned by the rising tensions in Burundi in advance of general elections beginning in May that, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, have led over 8,000 Burundians to flee to neighboring countries to escape intimidation and violence, including by the youth militias of the ruling party.The United States calls on all parties in Burundi to play a constructive and peaceful role in this electoral process and to refrain from any acts,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 17, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — It is time to break socio-cultural barriers that prevent Senegalese women to fully realise their rights, said the Chairperson of the UN Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice, Emna Aouij, at the end of a ten-day visit to the country. The UN expert stressed that significant progress has been achieved in Senegal, whether in terms of the legal and institutional framework or the many policies and activities aiming to promote and protect women’s rights. However, strong socio-cultural and legal constraints continue to stand…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, April 17, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Brand South Africa (http://www.southafrica.info) joins the rest of the country in condemning the acts of violence that have been levelled against some foreign national residing in some of the nine provinces of South Africa. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/bsa.jpgWe assure all our partners in the continent that South Africa stands firmly against all intolerances such as racism, xenophobia, homophobia and sexism. As such security forces are hard at work around the clock to protect vulnerable communities in the country. The country remains true to its founding ethos that any problems or issues of concern…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 17, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The European Union (EU) has announced a 20 per cent increase in the budget of the IOM-implemented “Community Stabilization and Early Recovery for At-Risk Communities in Bangui” project, raising the total budget to EUR 4.8 million.The 18-month project, which started in March 2014, has already helped 11,512 beneficiaries in the war torn city through cash for work initiatives, rehabilitated over 30 infrastructure projects and allowed over 111,000 people to participate in community-based recreational activities supporting social cohesion.The project’s main objective is to encourage peaceful co-habitation and dialogue in mixed communities in…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 17, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has expressed deep concern over the resurgence of attacks against migrants that are ongoing and continue to spread throughout Durban and other parts of South Africa over the past two weeks.Strongly condemning the violence which has already seen more than 2,000 migrants flee their homes, IOM called for urgent collective interventions by the government, media and civil society to prevent violence against migrants in the country, and asked civil society organizations to work closely with the law enforcement authorities and report cases of violence and planned attacks.Although IOM has welcomed…
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Calls by Kenyan officials to close Dadaab refugee camp, in northeastern Kenya, within three months and forcibly return its residents to Somalia would have dramatic and life-threatening consequences for hundreds of thousands of people, warns the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) today. Current conditions do not allow for a safe and dignified return of the refugees to Somalia, says MSF, while urging the Kenyan government and the international community to increase aid and security for Somali refugees living within Kenya’s borders. “Such a drastic measure in an…
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Organized crime and the illegal trade in natural resources continues to increasingly fuel the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) , according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners. The Government of DRC, supported by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) – the largest UN peacekeeping mission with 20,000 uniformed personnel — is confronting not only a political insurgency but an increasing number of illegal operations conducted by militarized criminal groups with transnational links…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, April 16, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The U.S. Embassy joins the South African government and other civil society leaders in condemning the violence against foreigners taking place in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa. We remain concerned at the loss of innocent lives, destruction of property, and impact on families and communities, and we urge individuals involved to refrain from all forms of violence, exercise restraint, and rely on peaceful dialog to resolve any differences.“The U.S. government has long recognized the challenges posed by an influx of migrants and refugees throughout southern Africa and provides various…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 16, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Committee against Torture is due to review the Republic of the Congo on 22 and 23 April in sessions that will be webcast live. The Republic of the Congo is one of the 157 States parties to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and is required to undergo regular examinations of its record before the Committee of 10 independent experts. The Committee will engage in a dialogue with the government delegation and also hear from NGOs. Public sessions: 10:00-12:00 (09:00-11:00 in Brazzaville)…
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Vice President Biden spoke with Nigerian President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him on his victory in the recent Nigerian elections and affirm that the United States stands ready to expand collaboration with Nigeria on issues of common concern, including economic and security matters. The Vice President commended President-elect Buhari for his leadership in helping to ensure the elections were conducted peacefully and urged him to continue to foster a smooth, inclusive, and peaceful transition with President Jonathan. The Vice President expressed the United States’ support for Nigeria’s efforts to counter Boko Haram,…