OTTAWA, Canada, May 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, will hold a media teleconference from Abuja on Thursday, May 8, 2014. The Minister will speak to Canada’s appointment as Chair of the Re-Designing Development Finance Steering Committee for the Post-2015 Millennium Development Goals as well as the results of a successful mission to Nigeria.Event: Media teleconferenceDate: Thursday, May 8, 2014Time: 14 p.m.Media representatives wishing to participate in this teleconference should dial 1-877-413-4814 (Canada and the United States toll-free) or 613-960-7526. The access code is 3774439.
Author: apofeed
DUBLIN, Ireland, May 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., has expressed serious concern about the abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria. The Tánaiste reiterated his strong support for Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary General, and Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union, in their demands that those responsible be brought to justice. ireland supports the EU in its work to assist the Nigerian authorities to maintain law and order and to strengthen their capacity to ensure security and combat terrorism. The Irish Embassy in Abuja, in…
TRIPOLI, Libya, May 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Commission of the African Union (AU) and its partners, notably the United Nations and the World Bank, yesterday, 6 May 2014 conducted a one-day briefing for the Libyan Government on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR). The briefing, carried out within the framework of the AU DDR Capacity Programme, was requested by the Libyan authorities to assist them in addressing the challenges of the DDR process in Libya and also to discuss possible assistance by international partners. Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli, the briefing was officially opened…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations humanitarian chief Valerie Amos completed her two-day mission to Chad late Tuesday, calling for urgent donor support to meet the humanitarian needs of 97,000 people who have fled the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and for the two million Chadians suffering from persistent food insecurity and malnutrition. The humanitarian response plan managed by the UN in Chad asking for US$527 million is currently only 5 per cent funded. “I hope that my visit will be an opportunity to raise the profile of the impact of the Car…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mark Simmonds promotes the UK’s partnership with Cameroon, trade and investment.Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, today spoke to over 500 delegates at the UK/Cameroon Investment Forum, organised by Developing Markets Associates held at Church House.Mr Simmonds welcomed the role that British companies were currently playing in Cameroon’s financial sector. The forum aims to increase British investment in Cameroon further given the significant opportunities in many sectors from oil and gas to mining and agriculture. During his speech the Minister for Africa spoke of the strong commercial relationship:“Our bilateral trade…
BANGUI, Central African Republic, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, Mr. Babacar Gaye, congratulates the Head of State and the Transitional Government, on the occasion of one hundred day anniversary of the inauguration of Catherine Samba-Panza as President of the Central African Republic and the appointment of the Transitional Government led by Prime Minister André Nzapayéké. “We commend the efforts of the Government to implement the Constitutional Charter of the Transition under very difficult circumstances, and we urge the transitional authorities to engage in the building of…
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani, today called for concerted development and peacebuilding action to achieve durable solutions for internal displacement in Kenya. “The end of displacement cannot be determined by a political decision, but by reality,” Mr. Beyani stressed at the end of his official visit to Kenya from 29 April to 7 May, “and durable solutions are only achieved once IDPs can enjoy their human rights without discrimination.” “Causes of internal displacement are many and recurrent, and solutions must…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — (FORMER CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF JUSTICE/ATTORNEYS FROM MEMBER STATES BUT NOW INCLUDING MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUES SUCH AS HUMAN RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONALISM AND RULE OF LAW)INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIAWhen: 6 – 16 May 2014The meetings will hold as follow:6 – 14 May 2014: Meeting of Government Legal Experts of the STC on Justice and Legal Affairs15 – 16 May 2014: Meeting of STC on Justice and Legal Affairs (Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General, Ministers responsible for Issues such as Human Rights, Constitutionalism and Rule of Law)Where: New African…
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, headed by Mr. George Tsibouris, visited Antananarivo, Madagascar, from April 23 to May 6, 2014 and reached agreement with the Malagasy authorities on a program that could be supported by the IMF’s Rapid Credit Facility (RCF). Subject to IMF management approval, the staff-level agreement is expected to be submitted to the IMF Executive Board for its consideration in June 2014. Under the arrangement, Madagascar would be able to access up to SDR 30.55 million (about US$47.4 million).The mission met with His Excellency President Hery Rajaonarimampianina,…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has totally condemned the abduction of schools in Nigeria by suspected militants of the extremist group Boko Haram, as part of their strategy to terrorise and scare into submission the Nigerian public and the world at large.After over 200 girls were taken away from their school in Chibok, in Borno State in mid April 2014, more girls are reported to have been abducted in Warabe village, in the same Nigerian Borno State.Speaking during the visit of the Chinese…
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Special BriefingSenior Administration OfficialsVia TeleconferenceMay 6, 2014MODERATOR: Hi everyone, this is [Moderator]. This is a background call. We’ll have a couple of speakers, both of whom should be referred to in reporting as Senior Administration Officials, please. That’s how we’re going to do this call. Just so you know who’ll be speaking, first we’ll hear from [Senior Administration Official One] at the Treasury Department, who I know you are all very familiar with, and then we’ll hear from [Senior Administration Official Two] here at the State Department, who will talk a little…
OSLO, Norway, May 7, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ‘The death sentences in Egypt in recent months are a clear breach of human rights and of Egypt’s international obligations. Norway condemns these sentences, and we have raised the matter directly with the Egyptian authorities,’ said Foreign Minister Børge Brende. The Egyptian Ambassador was called in to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, 5 May so that Norway’s protest against the most recent trials in Egypt could be presented to him. ‘Egypt is a party to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The trials in Minya represent…
Plano, TX, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WorldVentures Foundation™ (http://www.worldventuresfoundation.org), the philanthropic arm of WorldVentures™ (http://www.worldventures.com), collaborated with multiple South African organizations to help educate and nourish children in South Africa by renovating two buildings and devloping a school’s permaculture food garden. Logo WorldVentures Foundation: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/wvfoundation.jpgPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/sizanani—media_.jpgPhoto 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/cosmo-city—media.jpg “WorldVentures Foundation is honored to support the extraordinary passion of South African WorldVentures Independent Representatives, led by Steven & Tessa Kahn and Devraj & Cassendra Soojay, in assisting local children and communities,” Gwyneth Lloyd, Executive Director, WorldVentures Foundation said. “The excitement and energy of launching the Foundation’s first…
GABORONE, Botswana, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. Lamin Leigh visited Gaborone during April 22-May 2 to conduct the 2014 Article IV Consultation discussions with Botswana. The mission’s work focused on reviewing recent economic developments and prospects and policies to ensure continued macroeconomic stability and growth. The mission met with Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Honorable O. Kenneth Matambo; Bank of Botswana Governor, Linah K. Mohohlo; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Solomon Sekwakwa; senior government officials; development partners; and representatives from the private sector and civil…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM’s 4th return intention survey of camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bangui in the Central African Republic shows that the number of people considering return to their places of origin over the next month has dropped from 74 per cent in January to 57 per cent in April.Of the 160,000 IDPs who currently occupy 43 sites in the capital Bangui, approximately 84 per cent left their homes when armed groups clashed in Bangui in December 2013.According to the IDPs, factors preventing their return include: belongings being stolen (80 per…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth, today called on to the Government of Eritrea to put an immediate end to the widespread practices of arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment and persecution. “I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately release, or charge and bring before a court of law, all detainees, including the members of the ‘G-15′, the journalists arrested in 2001, as well as those arrested for their opinions or religious beliefs,” Ms. Keetharuth said. The Special Rapporteur welcomed the reported release of…
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On Monday 5th May, 2014 at 1pm, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of The Republic of Sierra Leone (http://foreignaffairs.gov.sl) paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in UAE H.E. Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash to discuss bilateral issues relating to the excellent relations existing between the UAE and Sierra Leone in the presence of Mr. Abdulah Bin Abood Alnaqbi, Deputy of the Department of Africa Affairs. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/sl.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1405061.jpegThe high level delegation from Sierra Leone comprised: Hon. Dr. Samura MW Kamara…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mr Filip de Ceuninck was today appointed new Head of Mission for the EU CSDP mission in Niger, EUCAP SAHEL Niger. Mr de Ceuninck (Belgium) has been interim Head of Mission since November 2013, succeeding General Francisco Espinosa Navas, who had been in the position since the mission was established in July 2012. EUCAP SAHEL Niger, embedded in the EU strategy for the Sahel, provides advice and training to support the Nigerien authorities in strengthening their capacities for combating terrorism and organised crime. Around 50 international experts from 10…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary condemns kidnap as “disgusting and immoral” and repeats UK offer of helpSpeaking at a Council of Europe meeting in Vienna this morning, the Foreign Secretary said:“Using girls as the spoils of war and the spoils of terrorism is disgusting and immoral. It should show everybody across the world that they should not give any support for such a vile organization.“It is another example of why we have set up the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. As you know, I will be hosting a global summit in London next month to…
ABUJA, Nigeria, May 6, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa (NOFSA), osteoporosis is on the rise in Africa, especially among African women, due to urbanization and a general lack of awareness, among other factors; figure-conscious females keep an increasingly watchful eye on their weight, impacting negatively on the density of their bones and increasing their risk of contracting bone diseases. The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) (http://www.africaninnovation.org) has named Dr Nicolaas Duneas and Nuno Peres, from South Africa, as the winners of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014 (http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org). The announcement was…