TOKYO, Japan, March 25, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On March 15, commencing at 10:40 a.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Ambassador Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary (CS) of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Kenya, during her stay in Sendai to attend the UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The overview of the meeting is as follows.1. Minister Kishida welcomed CS Amina to Japan, and stated that Japan and Kenya enjoy an amicable relationship including in the field of economy, and expressed his will to build…
Author: apofeed
MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 25, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, the Head of German Development Cooperation for Somalia, Ms Julia Kronberg, met with the Somali Minister of Interior, Abdirahman Mahamad Xusein, in order to discuss a project aiming at facilitating the voluntary return of refugees to Somalia.Germany provides 5 million Euros to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to implement the project which will help to improve the livelihoods of returning refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the local population in selected host communities. On this occasion Ms Kronberg said: “The project underlines Germany’s renewed commitment to strengthen development…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 25, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A UN human rights report released on Wednesday reveals a catalogue of violent attacks and threats against Libyan rights defenders, across Libya – and in some cases even after they are forced to leave the country. Attacks, including killings, abductions, torture and other ill-treatment, unlawful deprivation of liberty and death threats by phone and on social media since the escalation of fighting in May 2014 have been documented in the joint report by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Human Rights Office. Armed groups across the country…
OTTAWA, Canada, March 24, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:“As Nigeria prepares to hold presidential, legislative and state elections in the coming weeks, Canada urges Nigeria to take all necessary steps to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free, fair and credible.“Upholding democratic values is the collective responsibility of all political parties and state institutions, and includes promoting peaceful dialogue and rejecting violence in the event of a loss or disputed result. The professionalism and impartiality of security agencies during and after…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, March 24, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council has repealed the measures limiting the European Union’s cooperation with Guinea-Bissau. This comes in the wake of credible elections in 2014, the restoration of constitutional order and the country’s progress in putting into practice reform commitments made to the EU. As a consequence, the EU fully resumes cooperation with Guinea-Bissau.The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini said: “Guinea-Bissau has embarked on a new path of peace, reconciliation and development after the holding of elections and the restoration of the constitutional order in…
ROME, Italy, March 23, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Farmers in the Central African Republic are in urgent need of seeds and tools for the upcoming planting season in April to prevent further deterioration of the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in the conflict-stricken country, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.Some 1.5 million people are currently food insecure in the country and this figure is likely to rise should immediate support not be provided. In addition, the significant food shortages across the country could worsen, population movements could result in increased tension, the return of displaced persons and…
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCMarch 20, 2015On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Namibia as they celebrate 25 years of independence on March 21.Namibia’s pursuit of democratic principles and economic prosperity stands as an example to the region. As a friend and partner, the United States is proud of the work our two countries are doing to fight HIV/AIDS, promote education, and ensure environmental conservation. We will continue to seek new ways of partnering with Namibia to create peace and prosperity.As you celebrate the…
TOKYO, Japan, March 23, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. The Government of Japan is greatly shocked and outraged by the terrorist attack which caused the deaths and injuries including Japanese nationals on March 18th at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, the capital of the Republic of Tunisia. The Government of Japan firmly condemns these despicable acts of terrorism. Japan is rendered speechless to think of how the families of the victims must be feeling.2. Japan stands with Tunisia at this difficult time. Japan prays for the victims and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims.3.…
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, March 24, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the sixth review of Burundi’s economic performance under the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.1 The Board’s decision enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 5 million (about US$6.9 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 30 million (about US$41.6 million).In completing the sixth review, the Board also approved the authorities’ request for an extension of the current ECF arrangement to end March 2016 and an augmentation of access by SDR 10 million (about US$13.9 million…
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ministers and senior representatives from four East African countries have recently pledged their support in solving East Africa’s crippling power deficit.Hon. Joseph Njoroge, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Kenya, H.E. Hon Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Energy and Minerals, Zambia, H.E. Hon Minister James Musoni, Minister of Infrastructure, Rwanda and Maria Kiwanuka, Senior Advisor to H.E. The President and The President’s Office in Charge of Finance, Uganda will be joined by private power sector decision makers at the Powering East Africa meeting from 25-27th March in Nairobi (http://www.powering-eastafrica.com) to highlight the urgency…