GENEVA, Switzerland, September 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Angola will next week organize a three-day workshop on labour migration and development in Luanda for Angolan government officials, private sector representatives and civil society organizations.The training is the first of a series of six organized by IOM in partnership with the Angolan Ministry of Interior to build the capacity of key government branches.It will familiarize participants with various aspects of labour migration, including migration and development, international cooperation, regulation and administration of labour migration programmes, protection and integration of migrant workers, recruitment and diaspora engagement.Since the signing of a…
Author: apofeed
WASHINGTON, September 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCSeptember 5, 2014The United States congratulates the people of Mozambique for the agreement reached to bring an end to hostilities between the government of Mozambique and Renamo forces.President Armando Guebuza and Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama demonstrated statesmanship by publicly endorsing the agreement and signing a Memorandum of Understanding today. This agreement underscores the power of negotiation and the possibilities for peace when a political leadership is committed to dialogue. The people of Mozambique demand and deserve a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure future. This agreement is a…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, September 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission of Inquiry on South sudan (AUCISS) (http://www.au.int) met with President Thabo Mbeki, in his capacity as Chairperson of the High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, today 4 September 2014. In attendance were President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Mahmood Mamdani and Lady Justice Sophia Akuffo.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african_union.jpgPhoto Presidents Obasanjo and Mbeki: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1343 The meeting follows nation wide consultations earlier undertaken by the AUCISS with key stakeholders across the spectrum of the South Sudanese society. This meeting constitutes another level of consultation which President Obasanjo observed as ‘providing us an…
GENEVA, Switzerland, September 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — While South sudan continues to grapple with widespread insecurity and mass displacement, IOM is continuing to build the new country’s limited administrative capacity.IOM Juba this week hosted a five-day training on document examination, imposter recognition, and risk profiling for 22 officers from South Sudan’s Directorate of Nationalities, Passports and Immigration (DNPI).The goal of the training was to improve the skills and capacity of immigration officers from Juba International Airport and the two most frequented border crossings into Uganda – Nimule and Kaya.IOM is currently working closely with DNPI and international experts…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, September 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With the rainy season, Lietchuor refugee camp, which shelters some 40,000 people from South Sudan, has become a lake dotted with islands. As a result, Ethiopia’s Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) and the UNHCR have taken the decision to close the camp and they must find an appropriate site to relocate the refugees. Heavy rains and flooding have also caused serious damage in Pagak and Pamdong transit camps, also in Ethiopia’s Gambella region, but Lietchuor camp is the worst affected. The camp is located on flat, bare ground, with…
NAIROBI, Kenya, September 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Somali journalist Hassan Gessey, a radio director at the independent Dalsan Radio, is being held without charge by the National Intelligence and Security Agency after criticizing a directive to restrict reporting on military operations, according to news reports and local journalists.Armed members of the security services arrested Hassan and Abubakar Moyhedin, a presenter and staff manager, at the Mogadishu station at about 9 a.m. today according to news reports. Abubakar was released after a few hours but Hassan remains in custody and has not been charged, local journalists told CPJ.The arrest…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — • Ongoing collaboration between Philips and UJ provides medical students direct access to real life situations and technical know-how behind medical equipment in a contained setting• Philips continues to combine the introduction of new innovations with dedicated focus on clinical education and training as part of its fifth consecutive Cairo to Cape Town roadshowRoyal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (“UJ”) (http://www.uj.ac.za) inaugurated a state-of-the-art medical training simulation lab on the University premises during the Johannesburg stopover of Philips’ fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to…
GENEVA, Switzerland, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the threat of food shortages and hunger loom over families in many areas in Kenya, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appealing for 8.5 million Swiss francs (9.25 million US dollars) to support Kenya Red Cross Society in providing immediate assistance to meet the critical needs of affected communities, and to take the necessary actions to mitigate the situation before it becomes catastrophic. The poor rainfall between March and May – supposed to be the wettest months of the year – has affected the…
ACCRA, Ghana, September 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leadingglobal communications provider, today announced the recent donation of its satellite connectivity solutions to further support students at Ghana’s Crossover International Academy. SkyVision’s donation included upgrading the academy’s communications equipment with the support of VT iDirect, and providing Internet connectivity for an additional year, enabling students to access online educational programs and related e-learning tools. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/skyvision.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140903-1.jpgIn 2013, the first phase of this charitable project was initiated jointly by SkyVision and iDirect, a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. SkyVision’sSkyDirect VSAT service based…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, September 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and European Union (EU) welcomed the agreement by Col Barre Adan Shire (Barre Hiiraale) to participate in a reconciliation process and for his irregular military forces to present themselves for screening and potential integration into the Somali National Army (SNA) with the support of the Federal Government of Somalia. “We welcome this agreement between Col Barre Hiiraale and the Interim Jubba Administration brokered by the Federal Government of Somalia. It is an important step forward in the path towards peace- and state-building for…
MAPUTO, Mozambique, September 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Antonio Edmundo, 23 years old, is currently the director of the Movitel’s district center island Ilha de Mozambique, Nampula province. Just two years ago, he was only a house helper in the office this business center of Movitel, SA – a joint venture between Vietnamese company Viettel and Mozambique’s SPI Company. Antonio’s journey from a house helper to a master might surprise many people; it’s just like a dream coming true!Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/tuo.jpg Starting to work for Movitel from January 2012 as a house helper since the company opened stores in the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, September 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Situation assessment – 2 September 2014Results from virus sequencing of samples from the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were received last night. The virus is the Zaire strain, in a lineage most closely related to a virus from the 1995 Ebola outbreak in Kikwit, DRC.The Zaire strain of the virus is indigenous in the country. Ebola first emerged in 1976 in almost simultaneous outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) and South sudan (then Sudan). Confirmatory testing was done at Gabon’s Centre International de Recherches…
TUNIS, Tunisia, September 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fourth review of Tunisia’s economic performance under a 24-month program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The completion of the review enables an immediate disbursement of SDR 143.25 million (about US$217.5 million), bringing total disbursements to SDR 716.25 million (about US$1.1 billion).The two-year SBA in the amount of SDR 1.146 billion (about US$1.74 billion, or 400 percent of Tunisia’s quota at the IMF) was approved by the Executive Board on June 7, 2013 (See Press Release No. 13/202).In completing…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, August 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United States Representative for Somalia James P. McAnulty, UN Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay and European Union Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso express profound concern about the deployment of armed forces and the resultant conflict within Saaxdheer, Sool Region. We call for the immediate withdrawal of forces from Saaxdheer, and the immediate release of all prisoners. We urge all parties to refrain from violence and make concerted efforts to de-escalate and resolve differences through peaceful means and dialogue. All parties should make immediate efforts to demonstrate genuine willingness to create the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, August 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In Bangui’s Third District a community association “Tournons la Page” (“Turn the Page”) is helping people displaced by the Central African Republic (CAR) crisis to return to their homes, supported by a pilot initiative of IOM’s EU-funded Community Stabilization Unit.“Turn the Page” is working with IOM to provide cleaning and tool kits to displaced people who want to return to their homes in the Third District. The kits include shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes, cleaning and disinfectant products, carpentry equipment, and tools to trim overgrowth.By receiving the kits, displaced people commit to returning…
GENEVA, Switzerland, August 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM is concerned that the number of migrants trying to reach Italy from Libya by sea could increase in the coming weeks, as more people decide to opt for the dangerous Mediterranean crossing to escape ongoing fighting in the Libyan capital.For the last six weeks, Tripoli has seen fighting between rival militias, including indiscriminate shelling of the main airport and surrounding areas. The increasing use of heavy artillery and missiles have caused an unknown number of casualties, many of them civilians.The Libyan capital lacks petrol, diesel, electricity and gas, and the…
Dubai, UAE, August 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dubai-based flydubai (http://www.flydubai.com) today announced the addition of three new East African routes, bringing the total number of destinations in the carrier’s network to 80. With the launch of flights in September 2014 to Bujumbura in Burundi, Entebbe in Uganda and Kigali in Rwanda, flydubai will fly to nine destinations in Africa. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/flydubai.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1294 (Burj Khalifa Exterior Downtown)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1295 (flydubai Business Class Lounge)Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1296 (flydubai Business Class seats)Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1300 (flydubai cabin crew during onboard service)Photo 5: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1297 (flydubai fleet)Photo 6: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1298 (flydubai Business Class)Download flydubai Business…
LUSAKA, Zambia, August 28, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — World Panel Zambia Ltd. (www.world-panel.com) launched the durable World Panel solar panels that charge mobile phones as fast as a wall plug. Held at Lusaka’s Taj Pamodzi Hotel, the launch was attended by senior Zambian government officials, COMESA free-trade group leaders, US embassy officers, African Development Bank officials and the CEOs of major Zambian mobile operators. The launch celebrated the first container of World Panels that arrived in World Panel Zambia’s Lusaka warehouse. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/worldpanel.jpegPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1317 (World Panel Zambia CEO Jacob Sikazwe speaking about empowerment)Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1318 (Only smiles when a World…
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, August 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On August 25, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the fifth review of Burundi’s economic performance under a three-year program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement, and also concluded the 2014 Article IV Consultation1 with Burundi. The completion of the fifth review enables the immediate release of an amount equivalent to SDR 5 million (about US$7.6 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 25 million (about US$38.1 million).In completing the fifth review, the Executive Board also approved…
PARIS, France, August 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A vaccine against cholera is being used on a large scale for the first time in Ethiopia by teams from the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The mass immunisation campaign will protect South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia’s Gambella region, as well as the host community, against the risk of cholera spreading across the border from neighbouring South Sudan, where an epidemic had been declared in June. Cholera is endemic in the Gambella region, while overcrowding and poor sanitation in the area’s refugee camps could provide a perfect…