KIGALI, Rwanda, June 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Freedom of expression is one of the essential foundations of the European Union, and it goes together with a free and independent media environment. A free, diverse and independent media constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. It facilitates the free exchange of information and ideas, enables human rights, and exposes injustice, abuse and corruption in our societies. The EU Heads of Mission encourage Rwanda to guarantee an open and independent media environment. We recall the need to maintain efforts to implement the principles of the media reform started…
Author: apofeed
VATICAN, Holy See, June 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of the Holy Father to Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu of Konongo-Mampong, president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, for the many victims of the explosion and subsequent fire in a petrol station in Accra.“Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident at a petrol station in Accra in which so many people died or were seriously injured, the Holy Father sends heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured, to the authorities and to the…
KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) June 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — RemarksTom MalinowskiAssistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and LaborKinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoJune 4, 2015Thank you to ABA ROLI and the ACJ for allowing me to join you here today. Many dignitaries and senior officials have traveled from their respective countries to participate in this event. With us today, are U.S. Ambassadors to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, and Rwanda, as well as, Ambassadors from France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.Also, joining us is the Head of the EU Mission to…
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, June 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ms. Mercedes Vera Martin visited Nouakchott from May 27 to June 4, 2015. The mission reviewed recent macroeconomic developments and the outlook of the Mauritanian economy, following the Article IV Consultation that concluded in January 2015.At the end of the visit, Ms. Vera Martin issued the following statement:“Following several years of growing export demand and high commodity prices, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is now facing a more difficult external environment, in line with the risks highlighted in the most recent Article IV…
PARIS, France, June 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — We were deeply saddened to learn of today’s tragic accident at a service station in Accra, which left several dozen people dead. France offers its condolences to the families of the victims. It assures the Ghanaian people and authorities of its solidarity at this difficult time.
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Mauro Mecagni, visited Kenya from May 20−June 2, 2015 to conduct discussions on the first review under the precautionary Stand-By Arrangement and an arrangement under the Stand-By Credit Facility (SBA/SCF). The 24-month precautionary SBA/SCF with a total access of SDR 488.52 million (about US$688.3 million) was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on February 2, 2015 (see Press Release No. 15/29). At the end of the mission Mr. Mecagni released the following statement: “Kenya’s economy remains resilient in the face…
WINDHOEK, Namibia, June 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — It’s a fashion announcement that all stylish Namibians in the know have been waiting for – Namibia will become the first African country outside of South Africa to experience Great British Fashion, when River Island’s new flagship opens at The Grove Shopping Centre on the 12th June 2015. Photos: http://www.apo.af/YMkkCqLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/riverisland.pngAlready buzzing in South Africa with four fashionable stores, including store-in-stores at the fashion retailer, Edgars (http://www.edgars.co.za), The Grove will be the fifth stand-alone store on the continent.Namibians can enjoy shopping the hottest trends direct from the high street in London,…
PARIS, France, June 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — France condemns the attacks perpetrated on May 30 and June 2 in Maiduguri, a city in northeastern Nigeria which is now home to a large number of displaced persons fleeing Boko Haram. These attacks against a mosque and a market in the city have killed more than 40 people. We extend our condolences to their families. At the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on May 29, Laurent Fabius expressed his solidarity with the Nigerian authorities and reaffirmed that France stands alongside its African partners in the fight against terrorism.
NEW YORK, June 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In light of the recent serious allegations of sexual abuse against children in the Central African Republic by foreign troops not under the authority of the United Nations, the Secretary-General has decided to set up an External Independent Review to examine the UN system’s handling of these allegations. The review will examine the treatment of the specific report of abuse in the Central African Republic as well as a broad range of systemic issues related to how the UN responds to serious information of this kind. As has been stated over…
BERLIN, Germany, June 3, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement on recent attacks in Nigeria, which have claimed many lives:Brutal attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria have once again claimed many lives. I share the pain of the relatives of the victims and wish to offer them my heartfelt condolences. The new Nigerian President Buhari has announced that the fight against the terror of Boko Haram is a matter of the highest priority for him and his government. Nigeria has made some progress in this area in recent weeks. I strongly encourage President Bahari…
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — STATEMENT BY JOHN KIRBY, SPOKESPERSONThe United States condemns the Government of South Sudan’s decision to expel the United Nations Deputy Special Representative in South Sudan and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Toby Lanzer. The expulsion of Mr. Lanzer is an affront to the international community working to bring peace and stability to South Sudan, and demonstrates a callous disregard for the suffering of the South Sudanese people. The government’s priority should be bringing an end to the violence that has already displaced more than 2 million of…
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KirbyDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 2, 2015The U.S. Government reiterates its position that the Government of Burundi should adhere to the tenets of the Arusha Agreement, to include the provisions on term limits. The Arusha Agreement, which was carefully negotiated and accepted by most parties and sectors of Burundian society, brought an end to years of tragic civil war and established the foundation for Burundi’s post-conflict recovery.President Nkurunziza’s decision to disregard the term limit provision of the Arusha Agreement has destabilized Burundi and the sub-region, triggered violence, and endangered Burundi’s economic well-being.…
LAGOS, Nigeria, June 3, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With Africa experiencing an e-Commerce revolution, more and more African consumers are looking for ways to protect themselves against scammers. According to Cristobal Alonso, CEO of MOBOfree.com (http://www.mobofree.com) “African consumers need to adopt some key habits in order to avoid fraudsters.” Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1896 (Cristobal Alonso, CEO and co-founder of MOBOfree)Screenshot: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1309Flyer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/150603mo.jpgLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/mobofree-1.pngTips on how to shop safely on an online social marketplace:1. Keep things local. Meet the seller in person, check the item and make sure you are satisfied with it before you make a payment.2. Do not pay in…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, June 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Top global and African Chief Executive Officers today launched a Continental Business Network (CBN) to fast-track high-level private sector investment into Africa’s regional infrastructure. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/nepad-1.pngThe launch of the CBN on the side-lines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, is the mandated follow-up and implementation of recommendations emanating from the Dakar Financing Summit (DFS), hosted by Senegal’s President Macky Sall. CEO of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency (http://www.nepad.org), Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, said that the CBN was endorsed by the NEPAD Heads of…
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) together with Kenyan health authorities and other partners have been battling the cholera epidemic in Kenya since January. In the past five months, the outbreak has spread to 10 of the country´s 47 counties and has claimed 72 lives, according to official figures.Although cholera is a treatable disease, MSF is concerned that the outbreak could worsen and last much longer due to the high population mobility and the congested living situation in most affected parts in the capital, Nairobi.Because cholera is such a highly contagious disease, as…
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, June 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ECAir, Equatorial Congo Airlines (http://www.flyecair.com), the airline of the Republic of the Congo, headed by Fatima Beyina‐Moussa, who is also President of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), launches its third intercontinental route, Brazzaville–Beirut, on Tuesday 2 June. This route will be operated in collaboration with Trans Air Congo (TAC).Photo 1 : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2087Photo 2 : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2085Photo 3 : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2083Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ecair.pngTo mark the opening of this destination, Ahmad Elhage, General Manager of TAC, has organised a cocktail party in Pointe-Noire, a city located on the Atlantic coast and the second-largest…
NEW YORK, June 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: The Secretary-General condemns the Government of South Sudan’s decision to expel the United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Toby Lanzer. Mr. Lanzer has been instrumental in addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities in the country and ensuring that life-saving humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable. This has been necessary because of continuing violence by both parties in the absence of a comprehensive…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 2, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, urged the Federal Government of Somalia to continue putting in place measures aimed at improving the human rights situation, while commending them for the gradual improvement in the political and security situation in the country. Mr. Bahame Nyanduga urged the Somali federal and regional authorities to ensure civil society and the media can enjoy freedom of expression. “Somali journalists are often harassed, arrested, censored, even imprisoned, and media organisations are closed down,” he said…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 1, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Intense fighting between warring parties in South Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands civilians to flee, creating a new wave of displacement in a conflict that has already displaced more than two million people. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) and other international aid organisations has been forced to suspend relief operations in some war-affected areas of South Sudan, leaving civilians without lifesaving aid.Seeking refuge and assistance, more than 6,000 people have arrived in the Gambella region in western Ethiopia, adding to the growing the number of South Sudanese refugees who…
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, May 29, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement by Cristina Duarte, Minister of Finance and Planning, Republic of Cabo Verde (http://www.minfin.gov.cv): Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, was elected on the 28th of May 2015 as the next President of the African Development Bank. I would like to congratulate him and Nigeria. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/cape-verde.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2022 (Cristina Duarte, Minister of Finances and Planning, Republic of Cabo Verde)I would like to thank all the governments and people that supported my candidacy throughout this journey. I am indeed humbled for your support and to have competed in the election.…