WASHINGTON, June 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United States looks forward to working with Abdelfattah al-Sisi, the winner of Egypt’s presidential election, to advance our strategic partnership and the many interests shared by the United States and Egypt. President Obama, who is currently traveling in Europe, plans to speak with President-elect al-Sisi in the coming days. We note that domestic and international observers concluded in their preliminary statements that Egypt’s Presidential Electoral Commission (PEC) administered the election professionally and in line with Egyptian laws. We are pleased that international organizations were allowed to participate as observers, and note…
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NEW YORK, June 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:The Secretary-General takes note of the official release of the results by the Presidential Elections Commission of the 26 to 28 May election. He trusts that the President-elect will do everything possible to support the Egyptian people’s aspirations for a stable, democratic, and prosperous Egypt.The Secretary-General notes that democracy is inextricably linked with the three pillars of the United Nations — peace and security, development and human rights — and urges Egyptian authorities to strengthen democratic institutions and…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary congratulates President-elect Sisi and highlights need to implement the rights contained in the constitution. The Foreign Secretary William Hague said:“The UK congratulates President-elect Sisi on his victory and looks forward to working with his government to strengthen the broad and productive relationship between both our peoples. “We look to President-elect Sisi to take steps to implement the rights contained in Egypt’s constitution by opening up political space, especially with regard to freedom of expression and association. We believe the best way for Egyptians to achieve the goals of the…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Statement by the Commissioner of Peace and Security at the 9th African Peace Facility (APF) Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting: Addis Ababa, 3 June 2014 Mr. Nick Westcott, Managing Director of European Eternal Action Service,Amb. Gary Quince, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union,Representatives of the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms,Representatives from the various EU Delegations in Africa,Partners from the European Union and its Member States,Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the African Union Commission for the 9th meeting of the…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Speaking at an event to mark the first anniversary since the launch of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), Nicholas Kay, pledged the UN’s continued support for Somalia and called on Somalis to step up progress on peace and state building. Commenting on the occasion, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said: “In the year since the Federal Government of Somalia asked the United Nations to help coordinate international assistance as the country emerged from decades of conflict, UNSOM…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Libyan Red Crescent are concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the armed violence in Benghazi. “Dozens of people have died or been injured since the violence broke out,” said Dr Osama Azzam, the head of the health and first-aid department of the Libyan Red Crescent. “An ambulance was destroyed and its driver killed in a targeted attack. One of our hospitals came under attack and was badly damaged, which resulted in its closure. It is increasingly dangerous to take wounded or…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Tripartite Committee (TC) for the Joint Approach to the International Community concluded a meeting in Addis Ababa on 03 June 2014. The Tripartite Committee was established within the framework of the Agreement on Certain Economic Matters [ACEM] under the September 2012 Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of the sudan and the Government of the Republic of South sudan. It is composed of high-level representatives from the two countries and a representative of the African Union High Level Panel on Sudan and South Sudan. The mandate…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As part of the ongoing IGAD-led Mediation Process for South Sudan, a multi-stakeholder symposium will be held at the African Union Commission premises in Addis Ababa from 5-7June 2014.The symposium is expected to bring together up to 150 representatives of South Sudanese society, including delegates from the government, opposition, political parties, faith based groups, civil society and traditional leaders, and will initiate the inclusive phase of the mediation process based on a consensual, round table, multi-party dialogue.The symposium follows the signing of Agreement on Resolving the Crisis by H.E Salva…
BANGUI, Central African Republic, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has just evacuated a number of staff members from the city of Ndélé in the North of Central African Republic (CAR) following fresh attacks on its staff and facilities. Around 1:30 in the morning yesterday (2 June), four armed men entered the MSF house in Ndélé as part of a violent armed robbery. “We’re appalled by the aggression that our teams are being subjected to. We remain determined to bring medical aid to the people of CAR, but under…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Hundreds of logisticians will take part in the East African Breakbulk Workshop Series (http://www.breakbulk.com) which will deliver invaluable opportunities for professional formation via the Certificate of Achievement in Project Cargo Management. The Certificate of Achievement in Project Cargo Management is globally renowned and ISO-accredited.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/breakbulk-1.jpgThe series of 2-day workshops will be held 11-12 September 2014 from 9:00am-5:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam/ Kilimanjaro, Tanzania as well as held 15-16 September 2014 from 9:00am-5:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi, Kenya.Professional Formation ActivitiesThe Certificate of Achievement in Project Cargo…
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media NoteOffice of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJune 2, 2014Under Secretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman will deliver remarks on the U.S. strategy in Somalia on Tuesday, June 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). Her remarks will address the full range of the United States’ interests and efforts in Somalia, within the context of the administration’s partnership with Africa and U.S. leadership more generally. After her speech, Under Secretary Sherman will answer questions from the audience.To RSVP or watch a live stream of the event, please visit USIP’s website:…
VATICAN, Holy See, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “The Church in your country has stood fast with her people both before and after independence, now also in the years of overwhelming suffering as millions have left the country in frustration and desperation, as many lives have been lost, so many tears shed”, writes Pope Francis in the address he handed to the prelates of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference this morning, at the end of their “ad limina” visit.The Holy Father writes about the growth of the Church in the country, comparing it to a young, strong tree,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Special Rapporteur Juan E. Méndez will undertake a visit to Tunisia, from 4 to 6 June 2014, to follow up on his recommendations to fight torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment issued after his first visit to the country in 2011. “I will discuss and assess the implementation of my recommendations in general and the three main challenges for the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment in Tunisia in particular: the access to justice, rehabilitation and reparations, and the conditions of detention in Tunisian prisons and…
KHARTOUM, Sudan, June 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations welcomes the reaffirmation made by the Government of sudan at the Oslo Humanitarian Pledging Conference for South sudan on 20 May to maintain its borders open to South Sudanese fleeing violence and insecurity in their country. We commend and appreciate that Sudan has granted unrestricted access to its territory to more than 85,000 South Sudanese since the outbreak of violence in South Sudan on 15 December 2013. The United Nations also welcomes the Sudanese authorities’ decision to take the necessary actions to ensure the relocation of over 30,000…
STUTTGART, Germany, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With support from regionally aligned forces from 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley, Kan., U.S. Army Africa trained more than 4,000 troops in Chad, Guinea, and Malawi in March.This USARAF training continues to provide different African nations with help in securing their own borders, thereby helping them secure the region, and protecting U.S. interests.“Second Bde., 1st Inf. Div. did an incredible amount of work in their preparation and training,” said Maj. Lee Torres from USARAF SCD. “They lived in austere environments and worked with our African Partners to…
SINGAPORE, Singapore, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli will visit the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania from 3 to 9 June 2014. SMS Masagos will meet several political leaders and senior government officials from the aviation, port and energy sectors in both countries to discuss ways to expand Singapore’s cooperation as well as on developments in Sub-Saharan Africa. SMS Masagos will be accompanied by a business delegation which is exploring trade and investment opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania, the two largest economies…
ROME, Italy, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Late rains and erratic weather patterns in Somalia have raised concerns over a worsening of the food security situation, as food stocks from the last, poor harvest become depleted and prices continue to rise sharply, a new FAO report says. The situation is being exacerbated by conflict and inadequate funding for priority actions designed to address the needs of hard-hit communities, according to FAO’s Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) report. This is in line with an earlier report from FAO Somalia’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU).GIEWS presents…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma congratulates the people of Malawi for hosting peaceful and successful elections and reinforcing the country’s democratic maturity. The Chairperson praises Malawians’high sense of civic responsibility and demonstrated patience given the anxiety around the vote-tallying process and the final announcement of results of the 20 May 2014 tripartite elections.Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma congratulates the President-elect, Peter Mutharika for his victory, and calls on him to work toward reconciling Malawians, bringing together those voted for him, or not, for the…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mr Simmonds congratulates President Mutharika for his victory in Malawi’s presidential election.Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:“I offer my congratulations to President Mutharika for his victory in Malawi’s presidential election. The elections faced many challenges. I commend the Malawian people for their resilience and patience during this period and I congratulate Malawi’s politicians for allowing a peaceful transition of power. I call on all Malawians to unite to take Malawi forward in this the 50th year of Malawi’s independence. The UK and Malawi have a warm and close friendship.…
WASHINGTON, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJen PsakiDepartment SpokespersonWashington, DCMay 31, 2014The United States congratulates Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Mr. Saulos Chilima on being elected the new President and Vice President, respectively, of the Republic of Malawi. We further congratulate the people of Malawi for actively and peacefully exercising their democratic rights in selecting their new leader. The United States looks forward to continuing our close partnership with the Government of Malawi in the advance of our mutual interests of supporting Malawi’s development.