MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia Nicholas Kay paid tribute today to Somalia’s outgoing Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid, and noted the responsible role played by the Federal Parliament and the Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari in handling the “no confidence” motion. “It was important this unprecedented piece of parliamentary business was managed in accordance with the provisional constitution and the rules of procedure of the Parliament,” he said. “Somalia’s institutions are coming of age. The UN is here to support their development, and looks forward to working constructively…
Author: apofeed
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Court today formally handed over the Court’s landmark courthouse and the surrounding court complex to the Government of Sierra Leone, as it takes the final steps towards closure of the institution.In a colourful ceremony in front of the courthouse, Registrar Binta Mansaray handed an over-sized ceremonial key to Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Franklyn Bai Kargbo.The courthouse saw the trials of leaders of the Civil Defence Forces, the Revolutionary United Front, and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, as well as the initial appearance of former Liberian…
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Sixteen distinguished jurists today were sworn-in as Judges of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, the institution which will succeed the Special Court which closes this month.Each Judge in turn subscribed to the solemn declaration to “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, serve as a Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone honestly, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously.” Their declarations were witnessed by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Franklyn Bai Kargbo on behalf of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and by UN Under-Secretary-General for…
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With the end of fighting between the armed forces and M23 in Rutshuru, displaced people are returning home. The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are carrying on with their humanitarian work in the east of the country. “Recent events in Rutshuru should not cause us to overlook the fact that the humanitarian and security situation remains difficult in other territories in the east of the country,” said Alessandra Ménegon, head of the ICRC delegation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “The people…
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African Ministers and Experts Spotlight Efforts to Incorporate Natural Wealth Accounting in Development PlanningWhat: Press conference on “Valuation and Accounting of Natural Capital for Green Economy (VANTAGE)” in Africa meeting When: Wednesday, 4 December 10:30 a.m. Where:Press Room, UN Compound, GigiriWho: Anne Waiguru, Cabinet Secretary at the Presidency, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Kenya Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Partha Dasgupta, Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Cambridge Natural capital is a critical asset, especially for low-income countries where it makes up around 36 per cent of total…
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, December 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The BUILD Africa forum (http://www.buildafricaforum.com) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the African Development Bank Group’s Africa50 infrastructure fund.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/build.pngHeld under the High Patronage of Denis Sassou N’Guesso, President of the Republic of the Congo, the BUILD Africa Forum will address Africa’s infrastructure challenges by bringing leading public and private sector stakeholders to the table. The forum will take place on February 5-7, 2014, in Brazzaville, Congo.Working together, the BUILD Africa forum and Africa50, the AfDB’s single-A infrastructure delivery vehicle, will showcase innovative projects in Africa…
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 1, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Somalia and with the support of the United Nations Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) hosted the first Somalia specific United Nations Humanitarian Civil-Military Coordination (UN-CMCoord) Course from 24 to 29 November 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya. The course aiming to improve the effectiveness of international relief operations in Somalia and promote effective humanitarian-military relationships, brought 23 participants from AMISOM (civilian, military and police components) and humanitarian organizations working in the operation…
WASHINGTON, December 1, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — RemarksJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCNovember 30, 2013On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I extend my deepest hope to the people of the Central African Republic that you may celebrate your independence on December 1 in peace and security.The United States stands with the courageous people of the Central African Republic as we work together and with regional and international partners to restore stability, protect human rights, promote national reconciliation, and re-establish constitutional governance in your country.We share a vision for your country’s future that includes security…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 1, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has expressed his deep concern at the recent outbreak of violence in the northern region of Sool. “Violence cannot and will not resolve political issues. All those with a stake in the area must show calm and pursue reconciliation,” said SRSG Kay.SRSG Kay deplored the loss of life and offered his condolences to the families of those killed in recent clashes.”Political differences and competing claims should be solved by dialogue. Peace and stability are also critical to the Puntland election process”,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, November 29, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Working Group* of Experts on People of African Descent will undertake its first visit Brazil from 3 to 13 December 2013 to examine a wide range of issues concerning the human rights of people of African descent in the country. “In recent years, Brazil has attained many achievements in promoting equality. However, like many Latin American countries, it still faces challenges connected with the consequences of slavery, slave trade, and colonialism,” noted human rights expert Mireille Fanon-Mendes-France, a member of the Group’s visiting delegation. “This mission will provide…