MOGADISHU, Somalia, July 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, condemned the attack on the Somali Parliament and the many killings claimed by Al-Shabaab’s since the start of the holy month of Ramadan. “I condemn this morning’s attempted attack on Somalia’s Federal Parliament. I commend the bravery of the security forces who lost their lives ensuring the terrorists were thwarted. Al-Shabaab have bombed, assassinated and terrorised Somalis in Mogadishu since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, a month dedicated to prayers and peace. I call on all…
Author: apofeed
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Fifth meeting of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic (ICG-CAR) was opened this morning by key speakers from the African Union, United Nations, the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The Contact Group has been meeting since May last year to discuss coordinated regional, continental and international action to enable Car to find a lasting solution to the political, security and humanitarian situation of the country. In his opening remarks the African Union Commissioner for Peace…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As Kenya is becoming prone to emergency crisis – drought, malnutrition, food insecurity, disease outbreaks and inter-communal conflicts – there is no clear communication mechanism concerning health risk management, especially for displaced people.“Evidence from past disasters, both man-made and natural, in Kenya has revealed various effects on the health system, such as breakdown in the continuum of care,” said Ashraf El Nour, IOM Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa to participants at a two-day workshop (3-4 July) by the Ministry of Health on communication during a health crisis emergency.…
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In its verdict, which was made public on 30 June 2014, the Ouagadougou Regional Court found Professor Charlemagne Marie Ouédraogo guilty of defamation against the Raëlian Church of Burkina Faso.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/clitoraid-1.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1217Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=901As a punishment, the court sentenced him to pay a fixed fine of 100,000 CFA francs in addition to legal costs and the sum of 1,000,000 CFA francs in damages to the Raëlian Church.To summarise events, just as the festivities were fervently being prepared in celebration of the official scheduled opening on 7 March 2014 of Kamkaso…
JUBA, South Sudan, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Mission in South sudan cordially invites members of the media in South sudan to a farewell media address by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Hilde F. Johnson and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Date: Tuesday 8, July 2014 Time: 2:00pm Venue: VIP Lounge, Juba International Airport PLEASE NOTE: Plan to arrive at UNMISS Tongping compound by 1:15pm for security procedures and transport to Juba International Airport VIP Lounge. Members of the media are invited to confirm their interest by…
ABUJA, Nigeria, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee to Protect Journalists holds Nigerian authorities responsible for the safety of an editor who was seized by armed men on Tuesday and has not been seen since.Thomas Thomas, editor of the thrice-weekly Global Concord newspaper, was seized by three men in plainclothes in Uyo, the capital of the oil-rich state of Akwa Ibom, according to news reports. The journalist was handcuffed and forced into a waiting car, the report said. Unyime Ekwere, chairman of the Global Concord’s editorial board, told CPJ that Thomas was being detained by the State…
DAKAR, Sénégal, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As part of her Sahel tour, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Sahel, Mrs. Hiroute Guebre Sellassie, visited today Niger, and met with President Mahamadou Issoufou and the national authorities. The Special Envoy briefed President Mahamadou Issoufou on the latest developments regarding the implementation of the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel, and stressed the importance to coordinate all initiatives and strategies for the Sahel region. For her first official visit to Niger, the Special Envoy commended the President of Niger for his government’s efforts to…
NEW YORK, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The members of the Security Council strongly condemn today’s assassination of Ahmed Mohamud Hayd, a member of Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia, for which Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility. The attack also claimed the life of the MP’s bodyguard and caused further injuries. The members of the Security Council extend their condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia. They also wished a swift recovery to those injured. The members of the Security Council are appalled that Al Shabaab…
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On July 3, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund completed the first review of Burkina Faso’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 Burkina Faso. The completion of the first review enables the immediate release of an amount equivalent to SDR 2.55 million (about US$3.9 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 5.1 million (about US$7.9 million).In completing the first review, the Executive Board also…
MONROVIA, Liberia, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the third review of Liberia’s economic performance under the three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Liberia. The completion of the review enables the disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 7.382 million (about US$11.4 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 29.528 million (about US$45.7 million). In completing the review, the Board also granted a waiver for the nonobservance of the floor on government revenue, and modified the targets for end-June net foreign reserves and…
BERN, Switzerland, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Switzerland and the European Union (EU) have today signed an agreement on Switzerland’s participation in the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya). This agreement provides the basis for deploying a Swiss civilian border control specialist to Libya on a one-year mission.With this deployment, Switzerland will round up its peace promotion activities in Libya and lend its support to European efforts to help stabilise the Maghreb and the Sahel.EUBAM Libya aims to strengthen border control in the country and support the Libyan government in developing an integrated border management…
BEIJING, China, July 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In the afternoon of July 1, 2014, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Premier Li Keqiang met with Vice President and Deputy Chairman of the sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) James Wani Igga of South sudan at Ziguangge of Zhongnanhai.Li Keqiang expressed that South Sudan is China’s good friend and good partner in Africa. The Chinese government supports the South Sudanese people to choose the development path according to their own national conditions, and stands ready to provide help…
ROME, Italy, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I found Meriam in good physical and mental condition, although she’s naturally been tested by this experience. I assured her that the Italian government is making the utmost effort to see her case brought to a positive conclusion, which I believe will be very soon now”.This was Deputy Minister Pistelli’s statement in Khartoum, at the end of his long meeting with Meriam Ibrahim, the young Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy and then acquitted by the Sudanese Court of Appeal. “We chose the road of discretion and dialogue, with due…
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJuly 3, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Comoros as you mark the 39th anniversary of your independence on July 6.As you continue down the path toward democratic rule, the governments of our two nations have deepened their mutual respect and friendship. We look forward to working in partnership with Comoros to promote education, economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional security.The United States shares your hopes for a safe and prosperous future, where all Comorans have…
WASHINGTON, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJuly 3, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Malawi as they celebrate a half century of independence on July 6.This year also marks 20 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi. The recent elections served as an example of a peaceful change of government for the entire region. Malawians spoke from the ballot box and stood for the rule of law.On this day of celebration, all Malawians should be proud of their work to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS. While…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Political and Security Committee today appointed a new Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia – EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA , which aims to prevent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. Major General Martin Smith MBE, Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, will take up the post of Operation Commander of Operation ATALANTA on 28 August. He will replace Rear Admiral Robert Tarrant, who has commanded the EU’s counter piracy mission since 16 January 2013. Operation…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by states, is meeting in Geneva from 7 to 25 July. The Committee will review these countries on the following dates: Chile (7-8 July); Georgia (10-11 July); Ireland (14-15 July); Japan (15-16 July); Malawi (9-10 July); Sudan (8-9 July) The above are among the 168 States Parties to the ICCPR, which is one of the main international human rights treaties. They are required to submit regular reports to the Committee of 18 international…
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Remarks As Prepared for Delivery by Dr. Jill Biden at Shalom Community School in ZambiaLusaka, ZambiaWednesday, July 2, 2014Hi, everyone! Thank you, Martha, for that great introduction! Dr. Scott, thank you for joining me today. I can see very quickly that we share many of the same passions.Provincial Education Officer Ngosa Korati and District Education Board Secretary Ruth Phiri – thank you for honoring us with your presence today. Head Teacher George Kaamba and students – thank you for such a warm welcome!It’s a pleasure to be here at Shalom Community School…
HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Representatives of tobacco growers from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa together with representatives of the International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) (http://www.tobaccoleaf.org) have called on all governments, particularly those from the tobacco-growing regions, to include them in discussions of policies that will have a direct impact on their lives.Download the ITGA Deforestation Commitment: http://www.apo-mail.org/140702c.pdfDownload the Final ITGA Declaration: http://www.apo-mail.org/140702d.pdfPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1207 (Francois van der Merwe – ITGA President)Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/itga.pngITGA President Francois van der Merwe said that tobacco growers are alarmed that recommendations on tobacco proposed for the next Conference of the…
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The first Steering Committee meeting of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Africa Training Institute (ATI), which took place last week in Mauritius, welcomed the roll-out of more courses on macro-economic and financial management. The Committee called for more funding to meet the strong demand for this training in sub-Saharan Africa. In response, the Mauritian authorities confirmed that they would release the contribution that they had previously pledged, and Seychelles committed US$50,000 per year from next year.Representatives of four Africa Regional Technical Assistance Centers (AFRITACs), three ATI donor countries (Australia, China, and…