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…
Author: apofeed
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…