GENEVA, Switzerland, December 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations human rights expert Pablo de Greiff will visit Burundi from 8 to 16 December to assess the transitional justice efforts undertaken by the authorities thus far. Since gaining independence in 1962, Burundi has experienced several periods and incidents of grave violence and massive abuses, often ethnically motivated. “This first visit comes at a particularly crucial moment,” the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence said, pointing to the ongoing process of the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The creation of the…
Author: apofeed
GENEVA, Switzerland, December 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Migrants are the focus of the first East Africa International Authority on Development (IGAD) Scientific Conference on Health taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 3-6 December.IOM is presenting five abstracts related to migration health concerns at the conference, the theme of which is: “Innovative Approaches to Equitable Access to HIV, Reproductive Health and Related Services among Pastoralists and Mobile Populations”. Many migrants and host communities, particularly at border crossing points, are affected by health issues such as HIV/AIDS, which is still a major challenge to most governments in the region.Born…
VATICAN, Holy See, December 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza, who subsequently met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under secretary for Relations with States.During the cordial discussions the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Mozambique were highlighted. In this context, reference was made to the fundamental contribution of the Catholic Church to the development of the country through her educational and healthcare institutions, and her important…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders, like the High Representative Federica Mogherini, is concerned about the judgment of the court of Gizeh, Egypt, condemning to death 188 defendants for a violent attack on a police station.The judicial process and the mass sentence do not seem to meet international standards on the right to a fair trial enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Egypt isa party.Didier Reynders recalls that Belgium, with the European Union, opposes death penalty. The abolition…
NEW YORK, December 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The members of the Security Council are outraged by today’s terrorist attack in Mogadishu which has caused numerous deaths and injuries and damaged a UN convoy, for which Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility. The members of the Security Council condemned the attack in the strongest terms. They expressed their condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and government of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The members of the Security Council also wished a speedy recovery to those injured. The members of the Security Council reaffirmed…
NEW YORK, December 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-GeneralThe Secretary-General is outraged by the terrorist attack in Mogadishu this morning which damaged a convoy of UN vehicles and killed and injured several Somali bystanders and security personnel. He conveys his deep condolences to the families of those killed and wishes the injured a swift recovery. There were no UN staff amongst the casualties. The Secretary-General emphasises that there can be no justification for terrorism or such attacks. He reaffirms the UN’s strong commitment to working with the people and Government of Somalia…
LIMA, Peru, December 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The report, called ‘biennial update report’ (BUR) provides a summary of Namibia’s actions to implement the Convention, including actions taken to mitigate climate change, as well as their effects. It also includes information on greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the report spells out financial, technological and capacity-building needs and support received.Biennial update reports are an integral step towards the implementation of the framework for developing countries’ measurement, reporting and verification to enhance the transparency of mitigation actions, their effects and the support received.Namibia is the first developing country to submit a BUR.…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, welcomed the inauguration of Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan as the head of the newly formed Interim South West Administration (ISWA). Speaking at a ceremony held in Baidoa SRSG Kay said, “I congratulate Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan on his inauguration. Today is a significant step forward in building a strong, united and federal Somalia as envisaged in Vision 2016. I welcome the importance placed on the need for inclusivity and reconciliation with all local constituents of the ISWA, and I…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) can confirm that a car bomb detonated at approximately 09.40 am in the vicinity of a UN convoy travelling near Mogadishu International Airport. Thankfully no injuries to UN staff have been reported and all UN personnel have now been accounted for. Sadly, we have had reports of casualties amongst bystanders and security personnel. We are co-operating with the authorities as they investigate this morning’s attack.
KAMPALA, Uganda, December 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On Monday, December 8, 2014, Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi will host a trade delegation from the U. S. at his residence from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Representatives from more than ten American companies are participating in a ten-day tour of East Africa. The delegation is sponsored by the Corporate Council on Africa and will also visit Kenya and Rwanda as part of a regional tour to explore economic opportunities for American companies. In addition to the trade delegation, representatives from the Ugandan business community and Ugandan government officials will attend the…