WASHINGTON, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dr. Jill Biden has arrived in Lusaka, Zambia, her first stop on a three-country visit to Africa. Dr. Biden is joined by Rajiv Shah, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Catherine Russell, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Dr. Biden’s trip to Africa will highlight the importance of girls’ education and women’s participation in government, the economy, and civil society in accelerating economic development, improving health and educational outcomes, strengthening democratic governance, and fostering peace and security.While in Zambia, Dr. Biden will underscore the U.S. government’s commitment…
Author: apofeed
PARIS, France, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — More than two months after the abduction on April 14, 2014, of 223 schoolgirls at Chibok, the fundamentalist jihadist sect Boko Haram is pursuing its attacks – the last one took place in Maïduguri on the 1st of July and killed more than 15 people – and is continuing to target women. FIDH calls on the Government of Nigeria and the international community to place respect for women’s and human rights at the heart of their strategy against Boko Haram and against terrorism in the Sahel.During the week of June 16,…
ACCRA, Ghana, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With fear, stigma and denial about the Ebola virus disease running rampant throughout communities in West Africa, education is a critical component to stopping the further spread of the highly deadly disease, says the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).This is the first time Ebola has surfaced in West Africa and citizens are showing their fear by going into hiding, discharging themselves early from health facilities, and preventing some aid organizations from entering their communities. “We had an incident in Guéckédou, the epicenter of the outbreak in…
NEW YORK, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Eugène-Richard Gasana (Rwanda):The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the improvised explosive device explosion, 30 kilometres west of Timbuktu, Mali, on 30 June 2014, in which one Burkinabe peacekeeper of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in mali (MINUSMA) was killed and six other peacekeepers were injured.The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed, as well as to the Government and people of Burkina Faso, and…
JUBA, South Sudan, July 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Invitation: Protection of Civilians Media Briefing – July 3 @ 2:00pm UNMISS CompoundThe United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will hold a press briefing tomorrow Thursday 3rd July 2014 to update on Protection of Civilians sites and relocation taking place inMalakal, Juba and other locations in South Sudan. The briefing will be given by: Derk Segaar, UNMISS Head of the Peacebuilding Team of Resident Coordinator’s Office and Recovery, Reintegration & Peacebuilding (RRP) Jeffrey Buenger, UNMISS Senior Protection of Civilians Adviser and Chief/Protection of Civilians Unit Joseph Contreras, UNMISS…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), is holding a five-day seminar on diaspora mapping in Addis Ababa.For this first-of-its-kind seminar, IOM has invited specialists on labour migration and development to deepen the knowledge and sharpen the skills of officials from MOFA in Ethiopia and Ethiopian missions abroad.The seminar aims to equip the trainees with skills on how to design, conduct and report on diaspora mapping exercises as well as related topics associated with diaspora engagement.As part of consecutive discussions on areas of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Kenya police have been urged to enforce the anti-trafficking law to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenders in Mombasa County following high cases of gender based violence, trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. These were some of key recommendations that emerged at the end of a two day training workshop organized by UNFPA, UNICEF and CRADLE to create awareness among various stakeholders in Mombasa on the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act and the Sexual Offences Act that came into force in 2010.The stakeholders drawn from the police, NGOs, Ministry of Health,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Zambia, in close cooperation with the UN country team, and with the support of the European Union and the IOM Development Fund, last week hosted the 4th National Symposium on Human Trafficking in Lusaka.The two-day meeting, which had the theme “Zambia@50: Protecting Migrants from Trafficking and Exploitation”, brought together over 100 government and NGO participants from across the country to reflect on what has been achieved in the fight against human trafficking and how to improve protection for vulnerable migrants in the future. At the opening of the event, Zambian Vice…
VATICAN, Holy See, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father Francis received in audience the president of the Republic of Madagascar, Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina, 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, after expressing satisfaction with the good relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Madagascar, the Parties focused on the current phase of recovery within the country, underlining the positive contribution of the Catholic Church on the path to national reconciliation and…
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 30, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send best wishes to the people of Burundi on the 52nd anniversary of your independence on July 1.The United States and Burundi share a long history of friendship and cooperation based on a mutual commitment to peace and regional security. We continue to support the efforts of the government and people of Burundi to promote economic growth and development. We are deeply committed to Burundi’s continued progress as a peaceful and democratic…
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfDeputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 30, 2014The United States congratulates the people of Mauritania on the successful completion of peaceful and orderly presidential elections on June 21. We greatly value our long-standing friendship and partnership with Mauritania and the Mauritanian people. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with President-elect Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the Government of Mauritania to promote prosperity and regional security.We also note Mauritania’s Chairmanship of the African Union and look forward to continuing to work with Mauritania to support an…
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 30, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people and government of Somalia on your 54th Independence Day on July 1.The United States is proud to support Somalia as it continues on the path to becoming a stable, federal democracy and a strong international partner. We remain determined to help rebuild the political, economic, and security institutions that will provide lasting stability and meet the aspirations of the Somali people.Today, Somalia’s outlook is improving because Somalis themselves have…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As armed conflict and violence intensify in some parts of Nigeria, the ICRC and the Nigerian Red Cross Society are responding to emergencies, managing and evacuating the wounded and dead, and helping people driven from their homes. Together they have brought aid to almost 50,000 displaced and vulnerable people in the first five months of the year. “The conflict in north-east Nigeria has flared up in recent months, while other areas have seen growing tensions and armed violence. The number of people killed, wounded or displaced is on the rise, with…
JUBA, South Sudan, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Violence in hospitals and the destruction of medical facilities are denying medical services to many of South Sudan’s most vulnerable people, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said today in a report, South sudan Conflict: Violence Against Healthcare. Read the full report: South sudan Conflict: Violence Against Healthcare. Since armed conflict erupted in South Sudan in December, at least 58 people have been killed on hospital grounds, and hospitals were ransacked or burnt on at least six occasions, MSF said. These figures are not comprehensive, only representing the best of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A group of UN human rights experts* expressed outrage after a Criminal Court in Minya, Egypt, confirmed death sentences against 183 people, in what constitutes the largest mass death sentence to be confirmed in Egypt in recent history. The experts urged the Government to quash the sentences and offer new and fair trials to all defendants. On 21 June 2014, the Court upheld 183 of the 683 provisional death sentences imposed on 28 April 2014 in connection with events in Minya last August. The provisional sentences were pronounced following trials laden…
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 30, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo as they celebrate their Independence Day.I was inspired during my visit to Congo this spring. In Kinshasa, I met Patricia Nzolantima, who led me on a tour of a medical supply company helping people access lifesaving pharmaceuticals. She also publishes a magazine so thousands of Congolese could access a free press. In addition, I met young people, teeming with energy and ability, ready to make their…
ABU DHABI, UAE, June 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Sierra Leone Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (http://mofed.gov.sl) is pleased to announce that Sierra Leone has won the first call for proposals for the prestigious International Renewable Energy Agency / Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (IRENA / ADFD) financing facility; and have today signed the 6MW Freetown Solar Park project which will target urban and western rural districts around the capital, Freetown. This is a landmark Renewable Energy Project in West Africa, adding valuable and needed clean electricity to the grid. Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1203 (Minister and Chairman of ADFD…
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea, June 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (http://equatorialguineainfo.blogspot.com), asked African countries to invest heavily in their agricultural sector to decrease their dependence on the developed world, ensure food security, and significantly reduce hunger in their countries. He made his remarks at the closing session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union (AU).Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/eg.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1199 (Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the AU Summit)President Obiang said that Africa should reorient itself to ensure its independence and security of African states through the…
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On behalf of the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Government and people of Sudan, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of worship, reflection and reconciliation; where the basic tenets of tolerance and forgiveness are integral to our fasting. I therefore hope that the observance of Ramadan this year shall bring to us the strength and the earnest will to work together to…
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor should accept a request from the Central African Republic government to open a new investigation into serious crimes committed in the country, Human Rights Watch said today.On May 30, 2014, the interim president, Catherine Samba-Panza, formally asked the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation, acknowledging that Central African courts are not in a position to carry out the necessary investigations.“Everyone involved in the horrific crimes in the Central African Republic should know there is a price to pay for committing atrocities,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa…