ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by S. Kal Wajid visited Addis Ababa June 11-25 to conduct discussions for the 2014 Article IV Consultation with Ethiopia.1At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Wajid issued the following statement:“The Ethiopian economy continues to experience robust growth and single-digit inflation. The mission projects real GDP growth in the 8-8.5 percent range for 2013/14 and 2014/15. The expansion in economic activity has contributed to poverty reduction and progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Deterioration in the trade balance this year was partly…
Author: apofeed
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today opened the Africa Training Institute (ATI) in Ebene, Mauritius, adding an important regional center to a global network of centers helping to develop countries’ policymaking capacity by transferring economic skills and best practices.The institute’s key objective is to contribute to improved macroeconomic and financial policies through high-quality training, which will ultimately support sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa.“This is a new type of institution and it embodies the IMF’s new integrated approach to capacity development,” IMF Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu told…
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — High-level government representatives from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania today, at the first United Nations Environment Assemble (UNEA), announced their intention to work together, along with INTERPOL and UN agencies, to curb the illegal timber trade that is stripping East Africa of one of its most valuable natural resources. The East Africa Initiative on Illegal Timber Trade and REDD+ represents an innovative cross-border, multi-sectoral effort that will create a powerful deterrent to Africa’s illegal timber trade. Illegal logging degrades forests, causes economic loss, destroys biodiversity and livelihoods, promotes corruption, and funds armed…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch called on all 47 member states of the Human Rights Council to vote in favor of creating a landmark commission of inquiry into human rights abuses in Eritrea, as proposed in a draft resolution, sponsored by Somalia, that is slated for a vote today.(See resolution A/HRC/26/L.6, “Situation of human rights in Eritrea,” listed on today’s Order of the Day.) If adopted, the resolution would “strongly condemn” the Eritrean authorities for perpetrating “widespread and systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The text cites arbitrary…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Africa team for Garmin Sub-Saharan Africa (http://www.garmin.co.za) will be hosting meetings in Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania from the 8th to the 15th July to meet with buyers, potential resellers and business partners. The purpose of our trade delegation is to engage and meet with prospective businesses partners who are involved in the fishing, farming, agribusiness, oil and gas, land development, surveying, navigation, and health and wellness industries. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/garmin-logo.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1406254.jpgThe CEO of Sub-Saharan Africa Walter Mech invites you to meet the Garmin trade delegation:• Kampala, Uganda on the…
OTTAWA, Canada, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement after an explosion in a shopping centre in Abuja reportedly killed at least 21 people and wounded another 17:“Canada strongly condemns the cowardly terrorist attack in Abuja, Nigeria, and offers its condolences to the families and friends of the victims. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured.“These indiscriminate attacks only strengthen our resolve in the fight against terrorism. We call for the perpetrators and supporters of this heinous violence to be held accountable for their actions.”
LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UK welcomes Parliamentary elections in Libya and supports inclusive national dialogue to achieve stable prosperous future.Foreign Office Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Hugh Robertson, said: “Yesterday, the Libyan people exercised their democratic right to elect a new parliament. These elections are a welcome result of the 2011 revolution and I congratulate those who took part. I look forward to seeing the new parliament support the work of the Constitutional Drafting Assembly to complete the next stage of Libya’s political transition to a more stable, secure and…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, June 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, wrapped up the three-day South African leg of his trade mission to Africa together with his 19-member delegation, by celebrating 20 years of the Trade Commissioner Service’s presence on the ground. During this first visit to Johannesburg and Cape Town, Minister Fast highlighted Canada’s commitment to deepening commercial ties with the announcement of a new EDC office and the relaunch of the Canada-South Africa Chamber of Business.During a meeting with Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister Fast discussed Canada’s…
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Sudanese government should immediately charge or release recently detained political activists, and investigate all allegations that they have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, the African Center for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, FIDH, and REDRESS said today.Against a general background of restrictions on free speech and political organizing, the Sudanese authorities have clamped down in recent months on political opposition figures for criticizing Sudan’s abuses in conflict zones. President Omar al-Bashir promised in April 2014 to release all “political detainees.” But Sudan’s National Intelligence…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible to the harsh sentence handed down to two journalists and newspaper license revoking in the Hargeysa regional Court on Wednesday morning, 25 June, 2014, around 7:00am local time, the latest in a string of violence against the journalists and media institutions in Somalia.The regional court of Hargeysa sentenced Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, chairman of the Haatuf Media Network was is in custody and Ahmed Ali Igeh, chief editor of the network 3 years each and 50 Million Somaliland Shilings…
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 25, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am delighted to congratulate the people of Mozambique as you celebrate your national day on June 25.My family has a special bond with the people of Mozambique. My wife, Teresa, was born and raised in Maputo. Her parents fell in love with your country and decided to raise their children there. Teresa’s father was a doctor who would make her rise at dawn to help treat sick children from poor families. To this day, she…
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 25, 2014On behalf of President Obama and the American people I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of Madagascar as you celebrate your independence on June 26.This year’s anniversary carries special significance as the first since Madagascar’s return to democratic rule.We encourage the newly elected government to show its commitment to the Malagasy people by governing with transparency and respect for human rights and the rule of law. In times of crisis, we worked with you to advance the health and well-being of…
DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The University of Djibouti has implemented a sophisticated software system to help it achieve its ambition to deliver tertiary education to students in countries on the horn of Africa. Sponsored by the Ministry of Higher Education, the University of Djibouti e-campus was unveiled at a ceremony attended by the Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and students from the university.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/oracle-1.png Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1195 (Dr Nabil, Djibouti Education Minister)Dr Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education and Research, said that the Peoplesoft system will entrench global best practices in delivering and managing higher…
DAKAR, Sénégal, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Peace and conflict resolution experts from West Africa and beyond are gathering in Saly, Senegal, for a one-week training from 23 to 29 June 2014 on Conflict Analysis for Mediation Strategy Design. The training is organised as part of a partnership between the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI) and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA). The programme includes a special emphasis on gender and inclusion matters, and focus on the case study of Guinea Bissau, which is undergoing an important democratic transition this year. In the 2012 UN Guidance for…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has strongly condemned the guilty verdict and the jail sentence by Somaliland court against journalists of Haatuf Media Network. Hargeisa Regional Court announced this morning that it found Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, chairman of Haatuf Media Network and Ahmed Ali Igeh, Editor-in-chiefof Haatuf newspaper, guilty of all charges. The two journalists were charged of “spreading false information” and “defamation” against Somaliland Ministers and son-in-law of Somaliland president. Yusuf Abdi Gabobe was sentenced to three years in jail while Ahmed Ali Igeh was condemned to four…
OTTAWA, Canada, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:“Canada is deeply concerned by reports that as many as 91 women and children have been abducted by Islamic extremists in Nigeria.“We strongly condemn these despicable acts of violence and call for the immediate and safe release of these people back to their families.“At the conclusion of the London Ministerial on Security in Nigeria earlier this month, Canada and its allies and partners reaffirmed our strong and united commitment to fighting terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria and the region.“Canada continues to stand…
DAKAR, Sénégal, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the seventh review of Senegal’s economic performance under the program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). The Board’s decision was taken on a lapse of time basis.1 The PSI was approved by the Executive Board on December 3, 2010 (see Press Release No. 10/469). The IMF’s framework for PSIs is designed for low-income countries that may not need, or want, IMF financial assistance, but still seek IMF advice, monitoring and endorsement of their policies. PSIs are voluntary and demand…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin, at the end of his 5th mission to the Sudan, urged the Government to enable a conducive environment for national dialogue by releasing political detainees and respecting the freedom of the press. “During my visit in February, I had expressed optimism in the Government’s proposition of a national dialogue as a promising peaceful means of addressing the political and human rights problems faced by the country,” Baderin said. “Regretfully, Sadiq Al-Mahdi, leader of the Umma…
JUBA, South Sudan, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In a ceremony at the headquarters of the sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in Juba this morning, the Government of South sudan formally renewed its commitment to the Action Plan signed in 2012 with the United Nations to end the recruitment and use of children in Government armed forces and other grave violations against children. “Children do not belong in our army and I personally commit, on behalf of my Government, to fully implement all provisions of the Action Plan,” declared Kuol Manyang Juuk, South Sudan’s Minister of Defence and…
BERLIN, Germany, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today (23 June) Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement on the fringes of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxemburg today (23 June) with regard to the release of the young Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy in Sudan:It was with great relief that I heard of the release of Miriam Yahia Ibrahim. Freedom of religion is a precious asset.I welcome the decision by the Sudanese judiciary and I am glad that Miriam Yahia Ibrahim is finally able to live in freedom with her family and children…