OTTAWA, Canada, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today welcomed the announcement by SkyPower Global that the company is donating 5,000 solar-powered lights to South African villages without electricity so children can have light for reading and writing.The announcement was made during Minister Fast’s trade mission to South Africa. In its 2010 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa identified the need for more power generation from renewable sources to meet its growing energy needs and also to reduce greenhouse gases. Canadian renewable energy companies, including SkyPower, are accompanying Minister Fast on the…
Author: apofeed
CONAKRY, Guinea, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WHO Disease Outbreak News24 June 2014GuineaBetween 18 and 20 June 2014, there were no new cases of Ebola virus disease, but 3 deaths were reported from Gueckedou (0 cases and 2 deaths) and Telimele (0 case and 1 death). This brings the cumulative number of cases and deaths reported from Guinea to 390 (260 confirmed, 87 probable, and 43 suspected) and 270 deaths. The geographical distribution of these cases and deaths is as follows: Conakry, 65 cases and 33 deaths; Gueckedou, 226 cases and 177 deaths; Macenta, 41 cases and 28…
DUBLIN, Ireland, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — His Excellency the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria presented its Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today. H.E. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was accompanied by her three daughters, Ibiso Dokuboba, Daba Alaiyiba and Botoba Tamunolobobikiya Graham-Douglas, and her two sons Ibaniasemabo Tamunoinemi and Owanari Bekinbo Graham-Douglas. The Ambassador was also accompanied at the ceremony by Mr. Abubakar Jidda, Senior Counsellor and Head of Chancery at the Embassy. Mr. Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development at…
OSLO, Norway, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ‘I am deeply concerned about the trials that are taking place in Egypt and the sentences that are being imposed. Today’s judgment against three journalists is shocking and unacceptable. In addition, 183 death sentences that were pronounced earlier have been upheld,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. ‘These legal processes raise serious doubts about the country’s willingness to comply with its international obligations. A free press is essential for democratic development. Summary mass trials and multiple death sentences are serious violations of human rights and international principles of the rule…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The session aims to identify migration priorities to guide the development of future policies and programmes related to migration, and will reflect Libyan national interests, applicable human rights guarantees, and support for the socio-economic development of the country.Eight Libyan ministries with migration functions are set to attend. They include the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Labour and Capacity Building, Health, Finance, Justice, Defence and Social Affairs. Participants will agree on a draft outline strategic action plan.The session is one of four events running through November and is part of larger EU-funded…
NEW YORK, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly I. Churkin ( Russian Federation):The members of the Security Council welcomed the holding of parliamentary elections in Libya on 25 June. They emphasized that these elections are an important step in Libya’s transition towards stable democratic governance and an opportunity for the Libyan people to select a transitional Government that meets their legitimate aspirations.They called on all parties in Libya to ensure that elections take place peacefully across the whole country and that all Libyans are able to…
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 23, 2014We obviously welcome the decision by the Sudanese Appeals Court to order the release of Ms. Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag. Her case has rightly drawn the attention of the world and has been of deep concern to the United States Government and many of our citizens and their representatives in Congress.Nothing can bring the lost moments back to a mother and her children, but today we celebrate the reunification of this family. From this step, we would hope that the Government of sudan could take…
OTTAWA, Canada, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:“Canada welcomes the release of Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag from a Sudanese prison. Ms. Meriam is a Christian mother who gave birth to her second child in prison after being sentenced to death for apostasy and to 100 lashes for adultery.“Canada is pleased the Sudanese legal authorities served justice and demonstrated compassion in this case and that they have adhered to their international human rights obligations.“Ms. Meriam’s release comes after Canada and the international community expressed their deep concern directly…
NEW YORK, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by recent court decisions in Egypt, particularly the confirmation of death sentences for 183 people and the sentencing of journalists, including from Al Jazeera today, to lengthy jail terms. Proceedings that clearly appear not to meet basic fair trial standards, particularly those resulting in the imposition of the death penalty, are likely to undermine prospects for long-term stability. Separately, the Secretary-General notes that the constitutionality of the law regulating protest will be reviewed by the Supreme Constitutional Court. He recalls that both he and the High…
PARIS, France, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — War crimes and crimes against humanity have been perpetrated in the Central African Republic (CAR) and continue to be, state our organisations in a report published today. This report follows several fact-finding missions conducted in the Car and establishes the responsibilities of the various parties to the conflict, the anti-Balaka and the Seleka. The Central African President has just seized the International Criminal Court (ICC) (+link) and has recently established a special investigation unit, the CSEI. Our organisations welcome this progress in favour of the fight against impunity for which they…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Five young visionaries from Africa, India, Europe and the Middle East were announced today at London’s leading scientific institution, the Royal Society, as winners of the 2014 Rolex Awards for Enterprise (http://www.rolexawards.com).Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/rae.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1190 (Arthur Zang, Rolex Young Laureate 2014)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1189 (Olivier Nsengimana looks for Grey Crowned Cranes in the Rugezi marshlands with a class of students)Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1188 (Olivier Nsengimana and colleagues put an identification bands on the leg of a Grey Crowned Crane in a hotel in Kigali)Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1187 (Dr Ndjomo Mba and Young Laureate Arthur…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — For the second time in a row, Informa Telecoms & Media has named APO (African Press Organization) (http://www.apo-opa.com) the official wire service of AfricaCom 2014, Africa’s leading telecoms event (http://www.comworldseries.com/africa), held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 11–13 November 2014.Logo : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/apo-african-press-organization-small.png Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=782 (Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO (African Press Organization)As the official newswire, APO is offering exhibitors of AfricaCom 2014 a 20 percent discount off pan-African news release distribution.AfricaCom’s press releases will be distributed via Africa Wire®, the service for press release wire distribution and monitoring in…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Federation of Journalists has joined its affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), to call on Somali authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the killing of the radio journalist, Yusuf Ahmed Abukar Keynan, who was murdered in Mogadishu on Saturday morning, 21 June. According to the NUSOJ, an explosive device ripped through Keynan’s car at the Eel Gaab junction in the Hamarweyne District of Mogadishu. Police reached the incident immediately but were unable to put out a fire that had engulfed the car and could not…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A workshop on the treatment of patients injured by firearms or explosive devices, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is opening today in Bamako. “War injuries have to be treated in a special way that is not usually taught in medical schools,” said ICRC surgeon Günter Wimhöfer, in charge of training at the workshop. “The participants will have the opportunity to learn simple methods that can be used even in situations where the resources available for treating this kind of injury are very limited.” Over three days,…
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfDeputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 23, 2014The United States commends the people of Ekiti State, Nigeria, who turned out to vote in the June 21 gubernatorial election. U.S. Embassy and international observers assessed that the process was credible and efficient, and that security forces collaborated effectively in providing a safe environment free of major incidents. We congratulate Mr. Ayo Fayose on his election, and commend Governor Fayemi on graciously accepting the results. We urge all parties to accept the outcome as representing the will of Ekiti’s voting…
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfDeputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 23, 2014Today the United States announced nearly $51 million in additional humanitarian aid to support those affected by the ongoing conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR). This new assistance brings the total U.S. humanitarian funding for the crisis to nearly $118 million in Fiscal Year 2014, helping people suffering inside Car as well as refugees in the neighboring countries.More than half of CAR’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance. This new funding will provide clean water, food, emergency health services…
WASHINGTON, June 23, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCJune 23, 2014Today’s conviction and chilling, draconian sentences by the Cairo Criminal Court of three Al Jazeera journalists and fifteen others in a trial that lacked many fundamental norms of due process, is a deeply disturbing set-back to Egypt’s transition. Injustices like these simply cannot stand if Egypt is to move forward in the way that President al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Shoukry told me just yesterday that they aspire to see their country advance.As I shared with President al-Sisi during my visit to Cairo, the long term…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 23, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she was “shocked and alarmed” by the verdicts and heavy jail sentences of between 7 and 10 years handed down to three Al Jazeera journalists on Monday, as well as 11 other defendants who were tried in absentia. While noting that they are subject to appeal, Pillay said the Al Jazeera verdicts, along with Saturday’s confirmation by an Egyptian court of the death penalty for 183 Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters convicted in an earlier mass trial, are the latest in a…
OTTAWA, Canada, June 23, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular), today released the following statement:“Canada is very disappointed with the verdict in the case of Mohamed Fahmy and is concerned that the judicial process that led to his verdict is inconsistent with Egypt’s democratic aspirations. A fair and transparent legal system is a critical pillar of a future stable and democratic Egypt.“Canada calls on the Egyptian government to protect the rights of all individuals, including journalists, in keeping with the spirit of Egypt’s new constitution and the desire of all…
BERLIN, Germany, June 23, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Translation of advance text –Prime Minister Jomaa,Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,Ms Mohn,First of all I would like to express my sincere thanks to you and the Bertelsmann Foundation for receiving us at these magnificent premises on Unter den Linden.And not only because we are neighbours. Not only, because we didn’t have to travel far to get here. But because today, in the midst of all the crises and conflicts – in particular the heavy and concerning fighting in Iraq – we have come here in order to talk about a country which,…