GENEVA, Switzerland, December 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The fighting that has rocked the capital city Bangui since 5 December has forced thousands of people to flee their homes and seek refuge in places of worship and hospitals, where conditions are worsening by the hour. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has today begun to distribute food (beans, maize, oil and salt) to some 20,000 people (over 12,000 taking refuge at the Don Bosco child-schooling centre, 5,000 at Saint-Pierre, 2,000 at the Boy-Rabe monastery and a further 80 people in the mosque in PK5 neighbourhood). Latrines are…
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ABUJA, Nigeria, December 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The ECOWAS Commission has learnt with a deep sense of loss and devastation, the passing on of former South African President Dr. Nelson Mandela.The Commission notes that Dr. Mandela as a charismatic World leader and international icon of peace and reconciliation guided South Africa from the shackles of apartheid to multi-racial democracy.In spite of his imprisonment for 27 years for fighting against white minority rule, Dr. Mandela has bequeathed to his country and the world a legacy of forgiveness and an unmatched example in leadership by winning the Nobel Peace Prize…
DUBLIN, Ireland, December 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., is visiting Kenya this week to examine the increasing opportunities for Irish companies in the East African market. During the visit, the Minister will host a business breakfast in Nairobi for Kenyan and Irish business contacts where he will announce plans to develop the existing Nairobi based business network to strengthen trade links. Speaking from Nairobi, Minister Costello said: “This visit will help us to identify which sectors have the greatest potential for Irish companies in Kenya and the wider East…
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, December 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fourth review of Côte d’Ivoire’s economic program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 48.78 million (US$75 million) to Côte d’Ivoire, bringing total disbursements under the ECF arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 308.94 million (US$475.2 million). The Executive Board also concluded the Article IV consultation for Côte d’Ivoire. A press release on the Executive Board’s assessment of the consultation will…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will undertake its first official visit to Morocco* to assess the situation of deprivation of liberty in the country. During the ten-day visit from 9 to 18 December 2013, the group of independent experts will visit various detention facilities, including prisons, police stations and detention centres for migrants in irregular situations, in order to gather first-hand information from detainees, their families or representatives on their cases of deprivation of liberty. The Working Group will also engage with relevant authorities as well as civil…
WASHINGTON, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Nelson Mandela once said, “A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” Mandela’s wisdom and compassion were formidable enough to change the world. First his courage and then his forgiveness inspired us all, and challenged us to do better. In the words of the South African poet Peter Horn, he “dreamed the world another way.” I saw his world the way it used to be when I visited South Africa as a 34 year old Senator. When I exited the plane I was directed to one side of…
OSLO, Norway, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I am very concerned about the security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic. Norway welcomes the decision by the UN Security Council to authorize an expanded peacekeeping force, in order to contribute to the protection of civilians and the restoration of security and public order,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.The security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is steadily deteriorating. Attacks on civilians and violations of human rights are widespread, and law and order is virtually absent. The local population and displaced persons are…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has strongly condemned the killing of Mohamed Warsame Feisal, a Member of the country’s Federal Parliament. Mr. Warsame was killed this afternoon in Mogadishu when an improvised explosive device planted in his vehicle detonated. At least three others are reported to have been injured in the attack. “I condemn this killing in the strongest terms,” SRSG Kay said. “Somalis yearn for a better future. Their Members of Parliament play a vital role in building that future.” SRSG Kay offers…
PARIS, France, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Elysée Palace – Friday 6 December 2013Dear friends,Before our Summit had even begun, some very sad news broke: that Nelson Mandela had died. That is why, at this very moment, as we meet, I wanted to say the words that you could say in my place, at this very moment.The world is in mourning.Nelson Mandela left us yesterday. He had already made History in his lifetime. In death, he takes his place in the world’s conscience.Nelson Mandela changed much more than South Africa. He sped up the course of the world,…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, continues to closely monitor, with utmost concern, the evolution of the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). She reiterates the strong condemnation by the AU of the abuses and other massive violations of human rights that continue to be committed against the civilian populations. She stresses the urgent need to do everything necessary to bring this unacceptable situation to an end. The Chairperson of the Commission encourages the Peace Consolidation Mission of the Economic Community…
VATICAN, Holy See, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Holy Father sent a telegram of condolence to Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, on the death of Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela yesterday.In the text, the Pope extended his condolences to the Mandela family, members of government, and all South Africans. Pope Francis recalled “the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation’s citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation, and truth.”“I pray,” the message continues, “that the late president’s example…
PARIS, France, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FIDH and its 178 member organisations throughout the world, including Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) in South Africa, pay tribute to Nelson Mandela and express their sincere condolences to his wife and children and to the entire nation of South Africa.Mandela was a man who tirelessly dedicated his life to fighting arbitrariness and injustice. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his resolute fight against racism and segregation and was a symbol of courage and self-sacrifice in the face of oppressive regimes. His isolation allowed those upholding apartheid to preserve a…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary announces UK air transport assistance to France for Central African Republic. On 5th December, with strong UK support, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2127 authorising the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA), and the deployment of French forces to give assistance. The Mission will contribute to the protection of civilians, the restoration of public order, and the stabilisation of CAR at a critical moment. Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “The UN Security Council made an important decision yesterday to authorise African Union and…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A UN report has called for investigations into serious human rights abuses committed by traditional hunters called Dozos between March 2009 and May 2013 in Côte d’Ivoire. The report, released today by the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) in cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for human rights (OHCHR), documents serious human rights abuses committed by Dozos while undertaking security activities, These include violations of the right to life, including extrajudicial killings and summary executions, illegal arrest and detentions, looting and extortions. The investigations carried out…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expects to resettle an estimated 1,500 Congolese refugees to the United States from Rwanda in 2014.Nyiramahoro Tuyisenge is one of the approximately 600 Congolese refugees who have finished undergoing IOM’s pre-departure health assessment in preparation for their resettlement to the United States.It has been 17 years since threats from the militia in her village in the Democratic Republic of Congo sent her running into neighbouring Rwanda. The situation in her rural village has never stabilized and life at the camp has been tough, especially for…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM is appealing for USD 13.1 million to address the needs of a projected 120,000 returning Ethiopian migrants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.The numbers of the returning migrants is increasing rapidly and there is an urgent need to provide round the clock assistance. As of Thursday 5 December, over 100,000 migrants had been received by the Government of Ethiopia. Out of these, IOM provided direct assistance to over 90,000 individuals. The arrivals continue at over 7,000 migrants per day.The funds will help to maintain and increase the assistance that IOM…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO Minister Robertson met travel industry representatives to emphasise the continuing threat of terrorist kidnap in Sahel and North Africa.Mr Hugh Robertson said: “Despite the success of military intervention in Mali, there remains a very real threat of kidnap to westerners in areas of the Sahel and North Africa.“Our travel advice provides a detailed assessment of the threat in individual countries. This allows individuals to make informed decisions about where they travel. “The British Government takes the threat to British nationals overseas extremely seriously. The Prime Minister has made the security…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the political and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) has progressively deteriorated for more than a year now, the European Commission has continued to mobilise its development aid to help people and improve their security. On 5 December 2013 the Poliitical and Security Committee of the EU endorsed a request from the African Union (dated 21 November 2013) addressed to the European Union for funding of €50 million for the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR (AFISM-CAR). “The AFISM-CAR will contribute to the stabilization of…
VIENNA, Austria, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger expressed his deep grief about Nelson Mandela’s death. “The world has lost a statesman of epochal dimensions and one of its most charismatic personalities”. As a political prisoner of the Apartheid regime, Mandela was the face of the fight against suppression for decades. When he was released after 26 years of imprisonment, he became the face of the peaceful turnaround of South Africa from the Apartheid state to the free, democratic Rainbow Nation.” “The miracle of South Africa illustrated that a peaceful solution of…
NEW YORK, December 6, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — It is with very great sadness that I have heard the news of the death of Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa.His extraordinary wisdom, selflessness and compassion not only held South Africa together following the collapse of apartheid, preventing potentially immense displacement, but made him a true global symbol for the oppressed and persecuted, and an example to all of us.For a world in which conflicts force millions from their homes every year, the death of such an outstanding champion of peace should give us all pause for thought.…