ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — La Présidente de la Commission de l’Union africaine (UA), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, condamne fermement les incidents violents intervenus à Kidal, les 16 et 17 mai 2014, lors de la visite que le Premier ministre de la République du Mali, M. Moussa Mara, a effectuée dans cette partie du territoire malien. Elle déplore les pertes en vies humaines découlant de ces incidents. La Présidente de la Commission condamne également l’occupation actuelle du Gouvernorat de la ville par des éléments armés, qui y détiennent des fonctionnaires en otage.La Présidente de la…
Author: apofeed
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regrets that it has not been allowed to resume its work in sudan. The suspension of its activities for more than three months is having severe consequences for the Sudanese population in areas affected by the armed conflict, which has intensified over the past months and caused massive displacement in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. Last year, some 1.5 million people in the country received ICRC aid. “We are increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in some parts of the country and…
OSLO, Norway, May 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Five million people in South sudan are in acute need of humanitarian assistance. ‘The crisis is expected to escalate significantly in the months ahead. The Norwegian Government is therefore allocating a further USD 63 million to humanitarian efforts in South sudan. By making this substantial contribution, Norway is sending a clear signal about the gravity of the situation,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. This allocation comes in addition to the USD 17 million Norway has already provided for humanitarian efforts in South Sudan this year. Since last December, when…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN humanitarian CHIEF VALERIE AMOS TO CO-CHAIR SOUTH SUDAN humanitarian CONFERENCE IN OSLO WHO: Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator WHAT: High-level humanitarian pledging conference for South sudan WHEN: 20 May 2014 WHERE: Oslo, Norway UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos is scheduled to co-chair a high-level humanitarian pledging conference for South Sudan, taking place in Oslo, Norway, on 20 May . Norway is hosting the conference in cooperation with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The other co-chair is the Norwegian Foreign…
DUBLIN, Ireland, May 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello, TD, has called for the European Union to make progress on implementing a comprehensive approach to dealing with the ongoing political, security, and development crises in South sudan and the Central African Republic.Speaking ahead of today’s EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of Development Ministers in Brussels, Minister Costello said:“ireland is gravely concerned about the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situations in South sudan and the Central African Republic. The impact of violence on civilian populations in both countries is unacceptable.“Crises such as those in…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 18, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary welcomes concrete agreements at Paris Summit on tackling Boko Haram and offers UK follow-up meeting.The Foreign Secretary William Hague attended today the Paris Summit for Security in Nigeria. The summit, convened by President Hollande in response to the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls and the deteriorating security situation in northern Nigeria, agreed a number of concrete measures strengthening regional counter terrorism coordination, reinforcing efforts at international level to implement sanctions against Boko Haram and mobilising support for women exposed to sexual violence in conflict.Attending the summit with Nigeria, Chad,…
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United States condemns today’s despicable terrorist attacks in the Gikoma market area of Nairobi, Kenya, that took the lives of many and injured dozens more. This is the latest in a series of cowardly attacks on innocent civilians in Kenya, from the capital to the coast. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who were killed and injured. As we have for half a century, the United States stands with our Kenyan friends and partners who continue to face adversity with courage and resolve. We…
PARIS, France, May 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Paris Summit for Security in Nigeria (17 May 2014)CONCLUSIONSThe Heads of State of Benin, Cameroon, Chad, France, Niger and Nigeria, as well as representatives of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, participated on 17 May 2014 in a Summit in Paris dedicated to security in Nigeria. This Summit has helped intensify regional and international mobilization to combat the terrorism of the Boko Haram group.The Summit concluded with several decisions that will strengthen cooperation between regional States, both to enable the liberation of the abducted school girls and…
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Fact SheetOffice of the SpokespersonWashington, DCMay 14, 2014“The kidnapping of hundreds of children by Boko Haram is an unconscionable crime, and we will do everything possible to support the Nigerian Government to return these young women to their homes and to hold the perpetrators to justice. I will tell you, my friends, I have seen this scourge of terror across the planet, and so have you. They don’t offer anything except violence. They don’t offer a health care plan, they don’t offer schools. They don’t tell you how to build a nation;…
WASHINGTON, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today in Sudan, Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag was sentenced to be flogged for adultery and to be hanged to death for apostasy because she married a Christian man. We strongly condemn this sentence and urge the Government of sudan to meet its obligations under international human rights law. We call on the Government of sudan to respect Ms. Ishag’s right to freedom of religion, a universal human right enshrined in Sudan’s own 2005 Constitution as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.…
STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 14-16 May, Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water João Baptista Borges is visiting Sweden with a delegation. The main focus of the visit is to promote a business exchange between Sweden and Angola. The visit is also a follow-up of of the visits to Angola by Minister for Trade Ewa Björling in May 2013 and Minister for Enterprise Annie Lööf in November 2013.The programme for the visit includes meetings with the Swedish business community and Swedish agencies and institutes operating in the energy and water sector. Dr Björling will host…
ROME, Italy, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A major operation to distribute seeds and tools has been launched in the Central African Republic to support crisis-hit farming families. This is the largest ever intervention in the country led by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its humanitarian partners. Some 16 international and national non-governmental organizations are working with FAO to overcome the challenges of inaccessible roads and a deteriorating security situation to ensure that farmers receive agricultural kits in time for the next planting season. A total of 1 800 tonnes of staple crop seeds, as…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ITU presented the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to three eminent personalities: Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Ms Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea; and Mr Carlos Slim, Chairman, Grupo Carso and President of the Carlos Slim Foundation. The three laureates were honoured in recognition of their leadership and dedication towards promoting ICTs and broadband connectivity as a means of achieving sustainable development.Welcoming the laureates to the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony, ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said, “Our distinguished laureates this…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary condemns attacks in Nairobi and offers his condolences to those affected.The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:“I condemn in the strongest terms the attacks that took place earlier today in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. I offer my deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and to those injured in the attacks. “There can be no place for appalling acts of violence such as this in any society. The Kenyan authorities have our full support as they investigate this incident and seek to prevent further attacks.”
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ending a nine-day official visit to Comoros today, the Working Group on the use of mercenaries called upon the Government to prioritize effective governance and respect for human rights in order to move forward from a past tainted by mercenarism. “Over the past three decades, Comoros’ painful and complex history has been marked by more than 20 coups or attempted coups d’etat involving mercenaries,” said the Chairperson of the Working Group, Patricia Arias, at the end of the visit which took place from 8 to 16 May at the invitation of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Ethiopian community in Finland has donated over EUR 7,700 towards IOM’s relief efforts to help destitute Ethiopians expelled from Saudi Arabia.The donation from the Finnish Ethiopian community follows similar initiatives by US-based Ethiopian associations and individuals who have also offered support for IOM’s humanitarian aid to returnees.“This new contribution is a good example of solidarity among Ethiopians across the world and an indication of how the diaspora can spread the word across networks to help their nationals back home,” says IOM Chief of Mission in Addis Ababa Josiah Ogina.By donating…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The situation in north-eastern Nigeria is having a severe impact on neighbouring south-eastern Niger. Armed clashes are occurring in villages situated within hundreds of metres of the border. For the first time, clashes have pitted the Niger armed forces against armed men active in this part of the country. “Recent attacks near the border have once again driven hundreds of families seeking safety to take refuge in the Diffa area,” said Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of the ICRC delegation in Niger. “We are worried about the humanitarian effects this situation will have…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Representatives of the Togolese Government have completed a three-day study visit to mali to share information on good practices related to the management of diasporas.The visit, organized by IOM, was designed to share Mali’s experience in the management of its diaspora and to support Togolese government efforts to develop its migration policy and manage the Togolese Diaspora.The Togolese delegation met with representatives of the General Delegation of Malians Abroad (DGME), the Information Center for the Management of Migration (CIGEM), the Co- Development programme (CODev) and the Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has welcomed the launch of a newly created Diaspora Affairs Bureau within Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.This is a landmark achievement on the part of the Government of Ghana, which has formalized the engagement of the Ghanaian diaspora for effective migration management and national development planning.There are an estimated three million Ghanaians living in the diaspora. The majority live in neighbouring African countries and the largest concentration of Ghanaian migrants outside the region are found in Germany, Italy, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.The Bureau…
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Recently, U.S. Army Africa coordinated instruction for Burkina Faso Armed Forces personnel with the third phase of unit movement training.Keeping in stride with USARAF’s guiding principle of helping African’s solve African problems, a two-man Africa Deployment Assistance Partnership Team – Ground or ADAPT-G as it is known, worked with 23 Burkinabe Armed Forces students as well as five student trainers chosen from a previous phase. A total of 56 Burkinabe students have participated in the ADAPT-G training.ADAPT-G is a theater logistics engagement activity that helps build deployment capacity for African partner…