GENEVA, Switzerland, June 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With 1.4 million people displaced by the ongoing conflict in South sudan since December (one million inside the country and almost 400,000 refugees in the region), IOM has warned that the humanitarian situation will worsen in the coming months and will affect one in two South Sudanese before the end of the year.“With four million people in need of humanitarian assistance, the situation reminds me of Haïti with a cholera outbreak, the rainy season and a famine looming,” said IOM Director General Wlliam Lacy Swing, speaking in Geneva. “The question now…
Author: apofeed
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Chad has launched a major qualitative study on human trafficking in Chad, as part of a two-year US State Department-funded project: “Strengthening Chad’s Capacity to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons”.The report concludes that trafficking in persons in Chad takes many forms, mostly affecting women and children. The trafficking problem is primarily internal but also international. Internal trafficking frequently involves parents entrusting children to relatives or intermediaries in return for promises of education, apprenticeship, goods, or money.Selling or bartering children into involuntary domestic servitude or herding is used as a…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM’s fifth IDP Return Intention Survey carried out in Bangui, Central African Republic and released yesterday quantifies the increasing hardship experienced by the displaced population. Interviews were carried out from 19-23 May at 34 displacement sites in Bangui with 575 displaced persons.In comparison to the April survey, the percentage of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who report that they do not have the financial means to return home has jumped from 68 per cent to 79 per cent. The percentage of IDPs who report that they do not feel safe in their…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, June 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The 21st Africa Oil Week (http://www.glopac-partners.com) starting on November 3rd leading up to November 7th , in Cape Town, will focus on Leading Corporate Players in Africa, Africa’s Giant Plays & Opportunities, New Frontier Openings, Foreign State Oil Companies, Africa’s Exploration Potential containing Government Presentations and Road shows.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/aow.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1406062.pngPhoto 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140606.pngPhoto 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1406063.pngPhoto 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1406064.pngBusiness leaders The 21st Africa Oil Week expects 1,600 senior-level delegates, with 100 senior high-level presentations. Government delegations will be present with over 140 corporate/state speakers on the program and over 160 exhibition booths displaying…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission has approved the deployment of an African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s Presidential election scheduled for 21 June 2014.The AUEOM will be led by the former Prime Minister of the Tunisian Republic, H.E. Beji Caïd Essebsi. The mission comprises forty (40) trained African Union observers drawn from various African institutions including members of Pan-African Parliament, human right organizations and civil society organizations in Africa. This Mission will be deployed from 13 to 28 June 2014. The mandate…
JUBA, South Sudan, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson, today inaugurated a new protection-of-civilians (PoC) site under UNMISS’ protection and adjacent to the Mission’s Base in the state capital Malakal. Intended to relieve congestion in the existing site inside the UNMISS compound, the new facility has an area of 100,000 square metres and can accommodate between 8,000 and 9,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Of the estimated 19,000 civilians currently living inside the Mission’s Malakal facilities, slightly over 3,100 had already moved to the new site…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following their 2-1 victory on Saturday over fellow 2014 FIFA World Cup participants Nigeria, the USA national team arrived in Brazil this Monday morning.From Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo, the team transferred to their hotel on Paulista Avenue. The USA team will be training at their designated site at Barra Funda CT.”It’s great to be here. There are a lot of leaders on our team. There are some good kids coming up and we are feeling good following our three recent wins. The World Cup is different, so we have to…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has expressed her condolence to the Mbeki family following the death of Ma Epainette Mbeki,a South African liberation icon and mother of former President Thabo Mbeki. Ma Epainette Mbeki died on Saturday, 7 June 2014 in East London, Eastern Cape in South Africa. She was 98.MaMbeki, as she was fondly called, was married to staunch ANC fighter Govan Mbeki, who spent 24 years on Robben Island with President Nelson Mandela. Former President Thabo Mbeki was one of four…
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 10 June 2014, the Government will arrange the ‘Conference on Somali Business Opportunities’ in Stockholm.Increasing investment, in which the Somali diaspora plays an important part, has strengthened interest and confidence in the region among foreign investors. The Swedish Government, together with Business Sweden, is therefore organising a trade and investment conference on 10 June for 150 representatives, primarily from Somali and Swedish businesses.The Horn of Africa is one of the regions in Africa at an economic turning point. In Somalia – a country marked by long periods of conflict and…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, expressed his deep concern as clan-based militias clashed in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia resulting in a number of casualties. “I call for an immediate end to hostilities. All parties must refrain from violent actions, make immediate efforts to de-escalate the situation and resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue and compromise.” “I welcome the efforts of the Prime Minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed to diffuse tensions and restore stability. I call on the parties to respect the Prime Minister’s…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 9, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay welcomed the release today of 11 crew members of the ship MV Albedo, held hostage since November 2010, and called for all remaining captives still being held by Somali pirates to be released. The 11 survivors of the MV Albedo crew were released to officials from the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) inside Somalia and are now safely back in Kenya. The crew members from India, Iran, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will be repatriated to their…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the cholera outbreak enters its fourth week in Juba, the South Sudanese capital, 29 people have lost their lives and 1,306 people have been treated for the disease.The medical humanitarian aid agency Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is running three cholera treatment centres (CTCs) and three oral rehydration points (ORPs) in key areas of the city. Its medical teams have already provided cholera treatment to 282 people and are in the midst of building two additional CTCs and further ORPs. MSF is also continuing to provide technical assistance to the Ministry…
WASHINGTON, June 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfDeputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 6, 2014The United States is deeply concerned by the continued detention of human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko and journalist Bheki Makhubu in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Maseko and Makhubu were first arrested in March and are being held on charges of contempt of court for publishing an article critical of the High Court of Swaziland.The United States urges the judiciary of the Kingdom of Swaziland to recognize its obligation to uphold the rule of law and provisions regarding the protection and promotion…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WHO Disease Outbreak News on Ebola virus disease, West Africa – updateGuinea Between 2 and 3 June 2014, 11 new cases (8 confirmed, 1 probable and 2 suspected) and 3 new deaths were reported from Conakry (7 new cases and 1 death), Gueckedou (2 new cases and 1 death), Telimele (1 new case and 0 deaths), and Boffa (1 new case and 1 death). This brings the cumulative total number of cases and deaths attributable to Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea to 344 (207 confirmed, 81 probable, and 56 suspected…
BERLIN, Germany, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A Federal Foreign Office spokesman issued the following statement on the results of the Egyptian presidential election:We have taken note of the results of the presidential election in Egypt, which was won by Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.Germany and Egypt have traditionally enjoyed good relations and have a long-standing partnership; close ties of friendship exist between our peoples.Egypt is a key actor in the Arab world, North Africa and the Near and Middle East. We hope that Egypt will continue to play an important and constructive role in the region.Egypt faces enormous challenges.…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), through its Humanitarian Liaison Unit, today handed over four water wells to the Banadir Administration in Mogadishu. The four wells located in Hamarweyne, Dharkenly, Wadajir and Hamaarjajab, will benefit over 260,000 households.The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), through its Humanitarian Liaison Unit, today handed over four water wells to the Banadir Administration in Mogadishu. The four wells located in Hamarweyne, Dharkenly, Wadajir and Hamaarjajab, will benefit over 260,000 households.The construction and rehabilitation of the wells was funded by the Swedish Government and supported…
LUSAKA, Zambia, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Byung Jang visited Lusaka during May 27–June 6 to review economic developments and discuss the macroeconomic framework with the Zambian authorities. The mission met with Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Bank of Zambia Governor Michael Gondwe, and other senior government officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society.At the end of the mission, Mr. Jang issued the following statement:“The economy continues to grow at a rapid pace but fiscal and exchange rate developments point to significant vulnerabilities. Rebasing of the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Addis Ababa, in partnership with the Ethiopian government, is expanding its community dialogue facilitators’ training programme on irregular migration from Amhara Regional State to neighbouring Tigray.The training, targeting 140 participants, will cover five of the seven zonal administrations in the southern, eastern, central, north western and western zones, 14 districts and 70 kebeles (districts).The programme aims to raise trainee awareness of the ongoing efforts of the government to mitigate the problems of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and people smuggling.It builds trainees’ capacity to facilitate community conversations using a set…
PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Breaking news in the Mauritian legal profession and the domestic business community is the strategic decision of a number of high profile and leading litigators and employment law practitioners to join ENSafrica (http://www.ensafrica.com), Africa’s largest law firm. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ensafrica.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1154 (New team to join ENSafrica (Mauritius) – from left to right :Carolyn Desvaux de Marigny; Maxime Sauzier SC; Varuna Bunwaree Goburdhun and Jaykar Gujadhur)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1155 (Piet Faber)Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1156 (Thierry Koenig)In December last year, when De Comarmond & Koenig (the oldest and largest firm of attorneys in Mauritius) entered…
MAHE, Victoria, June 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday approved a three year SDR 11.445 million (about US$ 17.6 million, or 105 percent of Seychelles’ quota) arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for the Republic of Seychelles to support the authorities’ economic program. The approval enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 1.635 million (about US$ 2.5 million), while the remaining amount will be phased over the duration of the program, subject to semi-annual program reviews. The authorities’ EFF-supported program aims to reduce the high debt levels, improve external buffers…