NEW YORK, May 22, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General is encouraged by the ongoing political dialogue in Bujumbura. This involves representatives of civil society, political parties, religious organizations and the Government with the facilitation of Special Envoy Said Djinnit and representatives of the African Union, the East African Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The Secretary-General applauds the participants for the progress achieved so far in the discussions, especially on measures to reduce tensions and create propitious conditions for free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections. He…
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GENEVA, Switzerland, May 22, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Government of Nigeria has formally adopted a National Policy on Migration and its Implementation Plan, with support from IOM and the European Union (EU). Within the framework of the National 10th European Development Fund project: “Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria,” IOM has supported Nigeria’s Technical Working Group (TWG) on Migration and Development throughout the development of the policy and been a strong advocate for its adoption.The TWG is made up of ministries, departments and agencies, non-state actors, social partners, academia and development partners working on issues related to…
WASHINGTON, May 22, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Oval Office11:40 A.M. EDTPRESIDENT OBAMA: It is a great pleasure to welcome back President Caid Essebsi to the Oval Office. We had the opportunity to meet early in the aftermath of the political transition that had begun in Tunisia. And it was very gratifying to hear about the excellent progress that’s been made in Tunisia’s transformation into an inclusive and functioning democracy.It is important to recognize that the place where the Arab Spring began is a place where we have seen the most extraordinary progress in allowing all parties and all parts…
KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) May 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — From May 16-17, members of the World Bank, United Nations Development Program, the U.S Embassy and other foreign diplomats toured facilities and assessed the progress of the new Sicomines joint venture, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) first “infrastructure for minerals” partnership. Sicomines Sarl, a joint venture between Congolese mining company Gecamines SA, China‘s Sinohydro and the China Railway Group Limited, oversees the project, which includes the construction and operation of two copper plants in Katanga province.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/drccoo.pngLed by Mr. Moïse Ekanga Lushyma , executive secretary of…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On the occasion of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, the EU Delegation to Somalia wants to reiterate its commitment to strengthen Somali efforts to rebuild cultural heritage. Indeed, moving out of conflict is not just about rebuilding infrastructure & security which is important. It’s a broader process whereby communities reflect on how their identity and heritage brings them together and how it can help them to thrive as a society. It enables communities to heal the scars of war and to create spaces for…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, May 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Businesses across major African economies such as Kenya and Nigeria are coming under increasing pressure to align their strategies for retaining talent, compensating employees and engaging with their workforces with good international practices. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/sagehr.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2015 (Gerhard Hartman – Head of Department for Sage Payroll & HR’s Int)Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2014 (Gerhard Hartman – Head of Department for Sage Payroll & HR’s Int)Download biography of Gerhard Hartman: http://www.apo-mail.org/150521.docThat’s according to Gerhard Hartman, Head of Department for Sage Payroll & HR’s International Division (http://www.sage.com), who says that African companies are facing stiffer…
NEW YORK, May 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the May 20 mortar attacks on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in Melut, South Sudan, that resulted in the death of four people, including one child, and severely injured eight others. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims and reiterate our call for those responsible for attacks on civilians and UN facilities to be held accountable.Today’s attacks are only the latest in a series of brutally violent acts against civilians, including the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 21, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, this week conducted its first evacuation of Somali nationals stranded in Yemen back to Mogadishu. The flight left Sana’a on 17 May via Djibouti where IOM Djibouti team in collaborations with the authorities provided food and overnight accommodation at the airport lounge.The flight then departed to Somalia the next day where theyarrived at the Aden Abdulle International Airport, Mogadishu at 15:45 pm local time on 18 May. The returnees were received by IOM Chief of Mission…
PARIS, France, May 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A 5 mois du premier tour de l’élection présidentielle et après l’annonce de la candidature de Moussa Dadis Camara, 29 organisations de la société civile guinéenne et internationale rappellent que l’ancien chef de la junte militaire doit rendre des comptes devant la justice guinéenne sur son implication présumée dans le massacre du 28 septembre 2009. Les graves crimes perpétrés le 28 septembre 2009 et les jours qui ont suivi font toujours l’objet d’une procédure judiciaire, comme le rappelle un rapport intitulé « Guinée : le temps de la justice ? »…
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, May 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ECAir, Equatorial Congo Airlines, (www.flyecair.com), the national airline of the Republic of the Congo, headed by Fatima Beyina‐Moussa, who is also President of the AFRAA (African Airlines Association), is adding a new destination to its network.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ecair.pngPhoto Fatima Beynia-Moussa : http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/ecair—fatima-beyina-moussa.jpgPhoto Boeing: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=2008Visuel ECAir : http://www.apo-mail.org/ECAir.pdfAs part of its expansion, ECAir is launching its Brazzaville-Beirut service on Tuesday, 2 June. Beirut (Lebanese Republic) is a historic Middle Eastern capital, with numerous cultural, commercial and banking centres, as well as tourist sites. This service, which will initially run bi-weekly…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, May 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Launch of report on energy and climate change by Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress PanelWhat: Launch of report on energy and climate change by Kofi Annan’s Africa Progress Panel (http://www.africaprogresspanel.org) When: 5 June 2015 Where: World Economic Forum, Press Conference Room, Convention Center, Cape Town, South Africa.Who: The Africa Progress Panel is chaired by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. The other panel members are Michel Camdessus, former Managing Director of the IMF; Peter Eigen, founder of Transparency International; Bob Geldof, musician, businessman and campaigner; Graça Machel, social and political activist; Strive…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, May 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Overcrowding, lack of clean water and sanitation facilities among Burundian refugees in Tanzania means risk of disease outbreak is alarmingly high, particularly among the estimated 40,000 refugees at the border town Kagunga. Already 20 cases of cholera have been confirmed in Kagunga and Nyarugusu refugee camp, where new arrivals are being transported. The UN reports that 1057 cases of acute watery diarrhoea have been recorded at Kagunga, where refugees wait for boat transportation to the camp, Lake Tanganyika Stadium and Nyarugusu camp. Clean water, medical care and proper sanitation…
TUNIS, Tunisia, May 20, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on May 11, 2015—the decision was taken without an Executive Board meeting1—a 7 month-extension of Tunisia’s Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) to December 31, 2015. The extension will provide time for the Tunisian authorities to implement the policy measures needed to deliver on forward-looking commitments—notably on the banking and fiscal reforms—which will help reduce vulnerabilities and spur higher and more inclusive growth. A mission will visit Tunis in late May 2015 to conduct the Article IV discussions and the 6th Review under the…
PARIS, France, May 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — France condemns the attack perpetrated on May 18 in the region of Timbuktu, which claimed the lives of three Malian soldiers. We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and the Malian authorities. Upholding the ceasefire is key to ensuring that the peace process will put a lasting end to the crisis in Mali. France reaffirms that the UN Security Council is prepared to adopt individual sanctions against those who stand in the way of the peace process. We urge the representatives of the Coordination of Azawad Movements to remain committed…
JUBA, South Sudan, May 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator for Crisis Response, Izumi Nakamitsu, inaugurated today a forty-eight stall community market in Mingkaman, Lakes state. The market project followed a UNDP joint assessment and consultation with the internally displaced persons (IDPs), host community and county leadership in Mingkaman, in order to support early economic recovery. The project is also aimed at community-based approaches that mitigate conflict between IDPs and the host communities. Constructed by the community with support from UNDP in partnership with Nile Hope, the market provides space for 192 trader stalls…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Since the beginning of January 2015, an estimated 32,000 Chadians and other internally displaced persons (IDPs) have fled Boko Haram attacks and crossed the border from Nigeria into Chad’s Lac Chad region.They are currently living in precarious conditions and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs in terms of food, water, sanitation, shelter and health services. Many also need psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification and onward transportation to their places of origin.Local host communities, already experiencing spiralling living costs and loss of their cattle export…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In late April 2015, the number of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and suspected cholera cases in the Kenyan-Somali border town of Dhobley in the Lower Juba region of Somalia started to increase rapidly.In response, IOM, which has a strong presence in the border areas, started mass health and hygiene promotion, as well as oral rehydration salts (ORS) treatment in the most affected areas through a mobile outreach team and community hygiene promoters.At the same time, IOM collected four samples from the suspected cholera cases and shipped them to its partner agency,…
KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) May 19, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In anticipation of local, provincial, parliamentary and presidential elections that will take place through the end of 2016, President Joseph Kabila last week called on all political parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to join him in a forthcoming national dialogue focused on creating an environment for a peaceful electoral process. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/rdccomen.png In February, the DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) published an official electoral calendar (http://www.ceni.gouv.cd/lois/decision_calendrier_contraintes_2015_2016.pdf ) that reaffirmed the government’s commitment to free and fair elections pursuant to terms established by the…
TOKYO, Japan, May 18, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Japan welcomes the agreement on peace and reconciliation concerning the Inclusive Peace Talks in Alger, signed on May 15 in Bamako, between the government of Mali and the northern Mali’s armed groups.2. It is crucial that the signed agreement be faithfully implemented by all the parties concerned and, peace and security in Mali be swiftly established through the progress of national reconciliation. Japan, therefore, expects remaining armed groups which have not yet signed the Agreement to do so at the earliest opportunity.3. Japan highly appreciates all the efforts made by…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, May 18, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “I Meditate Africa” (http://www.imeditateafrica.org) is a campaign promoting peace across Africa, encouraging the use of meditation as part of mainstream peace building. Over 500 studies from more than 200 International Universities, including Princeton and Harvard, have scientifically proven that meditations can improve the quality of life for everyone. At a time where violence, misunderstanding, & lack of human values dominate our countries head lines. Citizens of South Africa & Africa are getting together to do something positive, uniting people on a deeper level through the power of collective consciousness.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/imeditateafrica.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1505182.jpgDownload…