WASHINGTON, January 28, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 27, 2015The United States welcomes reports of six journalists released on bail in Eritrea. We note with deep concern that the government continues to detain other journalists, reportedly as many as 17. We encourage the government to take immediate steps to release these additional detainees, all persons detained on the basis of their religious beliefs, members of the G-15, and all other political prisoners. The United States continues to urge that the Government of the State of Eritrea take comprehensive steps to respect human rights and avail…
Author: apofeed
GENEVA, Switzerland, January 26, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and non-discrimination Leilani Farha on Monday called on the Government of Cabo Verde to prioritise measures to ensure the poorest members of society can have affordable, adequate housing. Ms. Farha, speaking at the end of an official visit to Cabo Verde, noted the positive steps taken by the Government to address the inadequate supply and inadequate conditions of housing in Cabo Verde. These include the adoption of several national level housing laws, policies and programmes, among them the national system for…
KAMPALA, Uganda, January 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Almost 150,000 refugees living in Uganda are receiving from today reduced rations from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a result of insufficient funding. The ration cut of 50 percent, which began today, came as WFP struggles to raise an additional US$30 million for its operations in Uganda for the next six months. Those affected are people who arrived in Uganda before July 2013 – nearly half of all refugees receiving WFP food assistance in Uganda. It does not include 138,000 refugees who fled South sudan since fighting broke…
NAIROBI, Kenya, January 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The first UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Defence & Security Trade Mission to Kenya takes place in Nairobi 28 – 29 January 2015. The Mission, the first of its kind to Kenya, brings a trade delegation of 17 leading UK companies from across the Defence & Security Sector, all seeking to do new business in Kenya.The British High Commissioner, Dr. Christian Turner, will be hosting a briefing for media at the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel Nairobi on Wednesday 28th January from 1715 – 1745. Dr. Turner will discuss UK/Kenya security co-operation across…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, January 27, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the 24th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly (AU Summit) scheduled for 30-31 January 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The 2015 AU Summit will be held under the theme “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”.In conjunction with exploring concrete ways to achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality in all spheres of life, the Summit will consider the adoption of Agenda 2063, a fifty-year continental trajectory. Furthermore, the Summit will also endeavour to address health related…
TOKYO, Japan, January 26, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. On, January 23rd, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods worth 15 million yen (Tents, Plastic sheets, etc.) to the Republic of Mozambique, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in response to the request from the Government of the Republic of Mozambique following serious damage from flooding.2. In Mozambique, flooding has been triggered by torrential rain which started on January 8th this year. The disaster spread over several parts in the north central region of the country. UN reported, as of January 21st, 86 people lost…
LILONGWE, Malawi, January 26, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With more rain expected in flood-stricken Malawi and camps for displaced people overwhelmed, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 2.6 million Swiss francs to help 42,000 desperate people.Heavy rains have ceased for now but are forecast to return and could continue for weeks. “The chance of more flooding remains high,” said Michael Charles, IFRC’s acting regional representative in southern Africa. “A dire situation could be exacerbated. Things could go from bad to worse.” Figures of how many people have been…
WASHINGTON, January 26, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCJanuary 25, 2015The Government of the United States congratulates the people of the Republic of Zambia for conducting another democratic election. Facing significant logistical challenges, Zambians went to the polls to uphold their democratic traditions. We acknowledge the important work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia and its chair, as well as the domestic, regional, and international monitoring groups. We hope that any issues will be resolved in the same spirit and democratic tradition. We encourage the people of Zambia to move forward, as their national motto states,…
NEW YORK, January 26, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General has been closely following the recent presidential election in Zambia. He congratulates the people, Government and political parties of Zambia, as well as the electoral authorities, for the peaceful manner in which the country organized its presidential election, despite difficult weather conditions. Zambia’s long record of peaceful transitions through proper democratic processes is an example in the region. The Secretary-General reaffirms the readiness of the United Nations to continue to work with the Government of Zambia to press ahead with its national priorities and to support the Government and…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, January 23, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UNHCR is concerned over the recent spate of violence and looting in Soweto that mainly affected foreigners, including refugees and asylum seekers.According to information provided by the South African Police Services, two people have lost their lives in the violence including a 14 year old South African boy who was allegedly shot by a shop owner and a 19 year old youth who was allegedly shot by police. Over 120 people have been arrested on various charges and over 80 shops have been looted. UNHCR commends the response made by the…