NEW YORK, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — John Ging, Operations Director for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told media after a three-day visit to mali that life-saving assistance is still urgently needed across the country and more must be done to build a lasting peace. “Humanitarian needs will continue to grow in mali if there isn’t a full commitment by all to peace and stability,” warned Mr. Ging, “In different parts of the country hundreds of thousands of people desperately need water, food, and to feel safe and secure. The recent violence in Kidal underscores…
Author: apofeed
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union (AU) Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, concluded a working visit to the Republic of Burundi on 16 June 2014, during which he discussed the political and security situation in the country with President Pierre Nkurunziza. The Commissioner underlined the need for greater political inclusivity ahead of next year’s elections, and welcomed the responsible manner in which the Burundian authorities continue to address the issues recently raised by the international community. President Nkurunziza assured the Commissioner that Burundi is peaceful and his Government will do…
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved emergency financial assistance under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) in the equivalent of SDR 30.55 million (about US$47.1 million) for Madagascar to enable the authorities meet their urgent balance of payment needs.The IMF financial assistance is in support of a set of economic and structural policies and measures the authorities plan to implement in order to restore macroeconomic stability, provide a favorable environment in support of inclusive growth and poverty reduction, and to strengthen the capacity of the Malagasy government.…
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SanDisk (http://www.sandisk.com), the global leaders in flash memory, will showcase some of its latest products at Africa’s first ever DISTREE in Kenya, which kicks off today. Africa represents one of the biggest opportunities for the flash giant to broaden its market presence and expand its product and distributor footprint.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/sandisk-1.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1177 (Sreedhar Sreekumar, SanDisk Regional Sales Manager – Mediterranean, Middle East & Africa)“DISTREE Africa will create a platform in the African IT channel for unrivalled opportunity and we are excited to be part of it,” said Sreedhar Sreekumar, regional sales manager,…
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, visits the premises of Koyenga and GSC International, two companies financed through Développement international Desjardins [Desjardins international development] (DID) as part of its development work in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. DID employs approximately 200 people on projects in 20 countries.Koyenga specializes in the packaging of drinkable water and employs some 150 people. GSC International focuses on the manufacturing of aluminum products and employs approximately 50 people. Women account for almost 50 percent of staff at the two businesses.After 10 years and a first loan…
JUBA, South Sudan, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Preventable diseases and severe acute malnutrition are causing an alarming number of deaths among the estimated 45,000 people taking refuge at a UN base in Bentiu, South Sudan, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned today, calling for a rapid increase in water supplies, hygiene promotion and latrine construction. The number of people seeking protection at the base increased nearly tenfold in the last two months due to relentless violence in Unity State, while recent flooding has left the area without enough clean water or sanitation facilities. Medical reports from…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 442nd meeting, held on 17 June 2014, received a briefing on the situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the implementation status of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the Region. Council also received the statements made by the representatives of the DRC, Angola, in its capacity as the country chairing currently the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and Rwanda.Council, referring to the Conclusions…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Op-ed by Amanda Jane Wilde*, Managing Director & Company Guardian of Umsinsi Health Care (http://www.umsinsihealth.com):With President Zuma’s State of the Nation address declaring strongly that the time has come to tackle poverty, inequality and unemployment, and the recent downgrade of our outlook to “negative” by international rating agencies Standard & Poor and Fitch, it’s clear that South Africa’s economy is in need of some serious attention. At the same time, angry workers and politicians are making themselves heard as they decry gross economic inequality in a nation where big business appears…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Despite South Africa’s economy facing headwinds, the hospitality sector is poised for further growth in the next five years in the wake of a number of inbound travellers into the African continent, according to a report issued by PwC today (http://www.pwc.com).For more information on the PwC Hospitality Outlook, visit http://www.pwc.co.za/hospitality-and-leisureLogo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/pwc.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1181 (Nikki Forster, PwC Leader of Hospitality and Gaming)Photo ‘cover of the report’: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1406196.png Nikki Forster, PwC Leader of Hospitality and Gaming, says: “Although South Africa’s economy has weakened, growth in international travel and tourism and rising room rates have…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 442nd meeting, held on 17 June 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in Guinea-BissauCouncil,1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Guinea-Bissau [PSC/PR/2. (CDXLII)] and the statements made by the representative of the Republic of Ghana, the current Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS);2. Recalls its previous communiqués and press statements on the situation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCXVIII) adopted at its 318th meeting,…
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Madame Bouaré Fily Sissoko, the Economy and Finance Minister of the Republic of Mali, headed a mission of the Malian authorities to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington D.C., from June 16 to 18, 2014. At the end of the mission, Madame Bouaré Fily Sissoko and Mr. Christian Josz IMF Mission Chief for mali issued the following statement:“Over recent weeks, staff of the IMF and of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of mali have held discussions on the recent purchase of an aircraft, a contract for the…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 442nd meeting held on 17 June 2014, adopted the following decision on the situation in the Arab Republic of Egypt:Council,1. Takes note of the final report of the AU High-Level Panel for Egypt [PSC/PR/3.(CDXLII)], established by the Chairperson of the Commission on 8 July 2013, on the implementation of its mandate, as well as of the presentation made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security;2. Recalls communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CCCLXXXIV), adopted at its 384th meeting held on 5 July 2013,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A car bomb exploded in Mogadishu at around 7.30 this morning inside the compound of Keysaney Hospital, a facility run by the Somali Red Crescent Society with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). One person was killed and seven others were injured in the blast. The victim, a medical student, was not a Somali Red Crescent staff member. Of the seven people injured, two are Red Crescent nurses, the five others – including one woman who sustained severe injuries – patients’ relatives. All are currently receiving treatment…
PARIS, France, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ingenico Group (Euronext: FR0000125346 – ING) (http://www.ingenico.com), global leader in seamless payment, and the GIM-UEMOA celebrate ten years of partnership. This historic collaboration sparked the development of electronic payment systems across the West African region. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ingenico.jpgWith the support of the GIM-UEMOA, Ingenico Group has played an active role in the rise of electronic payment systems and the development of banking services in West Africa, thanks to a strong network of partners in the countries of the UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union), and a number of projects aimed at…
ABUJA, Nigeria, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — GeoPoll (http://research.geopoll.com), the world’s largest real-time mobile survey platform, today released initial findings on TV ratings, audience size and demographics following the first games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The data, gathered via mobile surveys in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda, provides a first-ever glimpse of the fans who are tuning into the World Cup in these countries, and represents ratings from more than 300 million African citizens. A full breakdown of GeoPoll’s findings is below. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/GeoPoll-1.jpgPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1150 (James Eberhard GeoPoll Founder)Nigeria v. Iran game watched by millions…
NEW YORK, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message, delivered by Chef de Cabinet Susanna Malcorra, for the panel discussion marking the Day of the African Child, in New York today:I am pleased to join you in marking the Day of the African Child, an initiative of our good partner the African Union. This week more than 100 events are taking place in 45 countries to focus world attention on the demand of young people in Africa for education for all. Today we should also pause to remember the kidnapped girls of Nigeria,…
JUBA, South Sudan, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will hold a press briefing tomorrow Thursday 19 June at Noon, Juba Conference Room, UNMISS Tomping compound. The briefing which will focus on the Protection of Civilians as per resolution 2155 adopted on May 27 by the UN Security Council (http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2014/sc11414.doc.htm), Protection of Civilians sites and relocation in South Sudan. The briefing will be attended by: – Derk Segaar, UNMISS Head of the Peacebuilding Team ofResident Coordinator’s Office and Recovery, Reintegration & Peacebuilding (RRP) – Jeffrey Buenger, UNMISS Senior Protection of Civilians…
KHARTOUM, Sudan, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in sudan a.i., Mr. Geert Cappelaere, is deeply concerned by reports that a civilian hospital run by the international relief agency Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Farrandalla, South Kordofan, was recently bombed by military aircraft. “I am very concerned that international obligations to ensure that medical units are protected during times of conflict are not being upheld,” said Mr. Cappelaere. “Inside, are ordinary people who are seeking medical attention in a civilian hospital and humanitarian relief workers. They should not have to pay for…
NEW YORK, June 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam of Ethiopia as the Force Commander for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).Lieutenant-General Tesfamariam succeeds Major-General Delali Johnson Sakyi of Ghana, who completed his assignment on 9 June 2014. The Secretary-General is grateful for Major-General Sakyi’s dedication and leadership in UNMISS. Lieutenant-General Tesfamariam brings to the position 35 years of experience with the Ethiopian National Defence Forces and the United Nations in conflict-affected areas, including as the Head of the Peacekeeping Department and Head of…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the release of former Prime Minister of sudan and President of the National UMMA Party, Imam Sadiq Al-Mahdi, on 15 June 2014. Mr. Al Mahdi was arrested on 17 May 2014, following public statements he made regarding the role of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Darfur region.The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that this decision is a step in the right direction that will contribute to the creation of conditions conducive to the successful…