BANJUL, Gambia, April 3, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved emergency financial assistance under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) 1 in the amount equivalent to SDR7.775 million (about US$10.8 million) for The Gambia to enable the authorities to meet their urgent balance of payment and fiscal needs.The Executive Board noted the authorities’ cancellation of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement for The Gambia that was approved on May 25, 2012 to support the government’s economic program (see Press Release No. 12/191). In addition, the Board was informed about the IMF…
Author: apofeed
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — President Obama today spoke with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and separately with President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari to commend them for their leadership during Nigeria’s recent election. The President applauded President Jonathan for putting Nigeria and its people before politics by conceding the election and calling on his supporters to accept the outcome peacefully. President Obama congratulated President-Elect Buhari on his victory and thanked him for repeatedly urging his supporters to help ensure the election process remained calm and peaceful. President Obama encouraged both leaders to work together to unify the country and sustain…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, April 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for Africa James Duddridge condemns terrorist attack in Kenya and pledges continued UK support in the fight against Al Shabaab.Mr Duddridge said:“I strongly condemn the attack that took place this morning in Garissa, Kenya. I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died.“There can be no place for such senseless acts of violence in our societies. The UK will continue to stand by and support the Kenyan government in its fight against terrorism, and in its efforts to bring to justice those responsible for this…
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, April 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy of Equatorial Guinea (http://www.equatorialoil.com) is pleased to announce the Ratification of Production Sharing Contract for Block EG-06 by the government of Equatorial Guinea. The contract was signed on January 16, 2015 between ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Equatorial Guinea (Offshore) Limited, GEPetrol and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, represented by the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/equatoil.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/150401e.jpg Block EG-06 is located offshore Bioko Island, immediately north of Block R (operated by Ophir Energy) and adjacent to the international…
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCApril 1, 2015The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the weekend of March 28. We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.The United States commends Nigeria’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the generally orderly vote, on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the…
KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Katanga Business Meeting (KBM) (http://www.katanga-bm.com), the region’s largest business meeting, is held in the DRC, a dynamic country where GDP grew by 8.3% in 2013. This event aims to offer a meeting space for small and medium-sized businesses as well as large enterprises in order to generate concrete business opportunities and promote the emergence of a versatile and complementary professional network. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/kbm.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/150331kbm.jpgThe KBM, organised by Musal Sarl with the support of the Government of the Province of Katanga, offers a 7000-square-metre exhibit space, made…
BERLIN, Germany, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement today (1 April) on the elections in Nigeria:Since last night, it has been clear that General Muhammadu Buhari is the winner of the presidential election in Nigeria. In this poll, Nigerians have sent a signal that could have an impact on the region and on Africa as a whole. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, the electorate has voted against the incumbent president and brought about a change of government democratically.I congratulate Muhammadu Buhari on his election. The Nigerian electorate has given him…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The increasingly influential role of the financial sector, its impact on communities and their struggles toward a just financial system remained the focus of discussions in the workshops organized by the churches at the World Social Forum (WSF) in Tunis, Tunisia. The workshops were organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) together with Secours Catholique, Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens (ATTAC), Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) and CIDSE – an international alliance of Catholic development agencies, among other civil society groups.The…
LILONGWE, Malawi, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Ertharin Cousin is making a two-day trip to Malawi from today. The visit comes as Malawi recovers from the devastating floods which have affected more than a million people and left some 600,000 in need of food assistance. While in Malawi, Cousin will travel to Mangochi district to see school feeding, meet smallholder farmers supplying schools with produce and visit a flood-affected community that is receiving WFP food assistance and participating in early recovery activities.During the visit, the WFP Executive…
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The last few days have shown the world the strength of Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. By turning out in large numbers and sometimes waiting all day to cast their votes, Nigerians came together to decide the future of their country peacefully.I commend President Goodluck Jonathan and President-Elect Muhammadu Buhari for their public commitments to non-violence throughout the campaign. President Jonathan has placed his country’s interests first by conceding the election and congratulating President-Elect Buhari on his victory. I look forward to working with President Jonathan throughout the remainder of his term,…
TUNIS, Tunisia, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The fifth edition of “Tunisia Investment Forum (TIF 2015)”: “Invest in TUNISIA, Join the Growing Success” (http://www.tunisiainvestmentforum.tn), will be held on 11th -12th June 2015 in Tunis – El Mouradi Hotel – Gammarth.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/tif.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/tif1.pngWatch the video Best of TIF 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faDpuW8Ib9oTIF 2015 will highlight the new characteristics of the Tunisian business environment, measures implemented to sustain inward investment and bring together industry leaders, key decision makers, senior Government officials and foreign companies from both emerging and developed countries. This will provide a platform for a positive interactive discussion which is…
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Tanzania should take steps to revise or repeal laws, customs and practices that discriminate against women, a UN Committee has said after considering the case of two widows who were prevented from inheriting their late husbands’ property and were left homeless. The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) issued its call after considering a complaint by the women, who under local customary laws could not inherit upon their respective husband’s death and were subsequently evicted from their homes by their in-laws. In 2005, the women, referred to…
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — President Obama spoke today with President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The President emphasized the importance of timely, credible, and peaceful elections that respect the DRC’s constitution and protect the rights of all DRC citizens. The President noted that President Kabila’s legacy as a leader who brought the DRC out of war and set it on a path of continued democratic progress would be consolidated by free and fair elections in 2016. President Obama assured President Kabila that the United States would remain engaged in the DRC…
OTTAWA, Canada, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The attack perpetrated yesterday on an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) truck in Northern Mali, killing its driver, needs to be strongly condemned in unequivocal terms as a violation of the universal rules of international humanitarian law. This is a coward and disgraceful act.The Government of Canada joins the ICRC in strongly condemning the attack and in calling on all parties to the conflict in Mali to respect and protect humanitarian workers. The Red Cross emblem must be respected.Acts like the one perpetrated today only remind us of the…
MARRAKESH, Morocco, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The OCP Group (http://www.ocpgroup.ma) is planning its third “International Symposium on Innovation and Technology in the Phosphate Industry” (Symphos) (http://www.symphos.com) from the 18th to 20th of May 2015 in Marrakesh. This technological and scientific event focuses on innovation, technology and current trends in processes to upgrade phosphates and derivatives, as well as research and development prospects in the phosphate sector.Logo OCP: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ocp.pngLogo Symphos 2015: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/symphos.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/symphos.jpgFollowing the success of the two previous events held in 2011 and 2013, Symphos 2015 will be the place to be for major international players in…
LUSAKA, Zambia, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tsidi Tsikata visited Zambia during March 19-31 to complete discussions for the 2015 Article IV consultation. This followed initial discussions in December 2014, prior to Zambia’s recent Presidential by-election.At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsikata issued the following statement:“The Zambian economy is experiencing strong headwinds. Policy uncertainties at home and external shocks are dampening economic activity. In particular, the mining sector, which accounts for three quarters of the country’s export earnings, has been burdened by ongoing tax issues and by copper prices…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has thanked the government of Japan for its financial contribution of USD 4,725,000 (equivalent to CFA 2,9 billion) for the reintegration of returnees from the Central African Republic (CAR) and for border management in the Republic of Chad.This is the second such contribution to IOM in Chad from the Japanese people within the last year. In 2014 the Government of Japan awarded IOM Chad USD 1 million for the reintegration of 1,000 female returnees from Sudan and CAR with a focus on empowering female returnees and promoting social cohesion in…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM, with funding from the Italian Development Cooperation has launched the “MIDA Women Somalia II” project. The launch kicked off with a seven-day Pre-Implementation Training on social business start-up and management of small socio-economic businesses with Amoud University in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The project will impact on the ongoing reconstruction and stabilization process of Somalia through supporting the active role of qualified Somali diaspora normally residing in Italy, especially women.More specifically, MIDA Women Somalia II supports, through combined IOM and Italian Cooperation funds, viable economic and social development projects focusing on agriculture,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 31, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is profoundly dismayed by the death of one of its staff in Mali. An ICRC aid truck was attacked this morning near Gao, leaving one ICRC staff member dead and a member of the Mali Red Cross injured. The ICRC strongly condemns the attack and calls on all parties to the conflict to respect and protect humanitarian workers. “It is with great shock that we learnt of the death of our colleague and friend Hamadoun,” said Yasmine Praz Dessimoz, head of operations for…
JUBA, South Sudan, March 30, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is pleased to announce the arrival of Moustapha Soumaré of Mali as the new Deputy Special Representative (Political) of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) in South Sudan. Mr. Soumaré brings to his new position a wealth of experience in UN peacekeeping operations, humanitarian affairs and development work. Prior to joining UNMISS, he served as the Deputy SRSG for the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) starting in October 2012, where he also held the posts of UN…