ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 13, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will attend the Summit of the East African Community (EAC) being convened in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, today, to discuss the situation in Burundi. Yesterday, 12 May 2015, the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Sma?l Chergui, participated in the preparatory ministerial meeting. The AU’s participation in the EAC meetings is a further illustration of its continued support to the regional efforts to address the crisis in Burundi. In the meantime, the AU High-Level delegation, comprising former Togolese Prime Minister…
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MONROVIA, Liberia, May 13, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Corinne Deléchat, visited Monrovia from April 25 to May 8, 2015 to conduct the fourth review of the government’s economic program supported by the IMF under an Extended Credit Facility (ECF)1 arrangement, which was approved by the IMF Executive Board in November 2012. At the end of the visit, Ms. Deléchat issued the following statement:“Liberia’s economy in 2014 was greatly affected by the Ebola crisis. Real GDP growth for 2014 is estimated at about 0.7 percent, compared to 8.9 percent in…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The newly appointed Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, will conduct his first mission to the Sudan from 13 to 23 May 2015, to assess and verify the situation of human rights with the view to making recommendations on technical assistance and capacity-building for addressing human rights in the country*. During his ten-day mission, Mr. Nononsi will visit Khartoum and Darfur. He will meet with Government officials, civil society representatives, members of the diplomatic corps and UN agencies. At the end of his visit,…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has agreed with the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and humanitarian partners to assist in the voluntary return and reinsertion of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Mpoko IDP camp located next to the runway of Bangui International Airport.In early April, CAR’s transitional government announced plans to close Mpoko camp by the end of June 2015. There are an estimated 18,000 IDPs currently living in the camp, according to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Based on a return intentions study facilitated by DRC in the camp, an estimated…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) on Somalia, consisting of EU member states, the EU, Norway, Switzerland and the United States has been following closely the developments surrounding the publication of the Human Rights Watch report on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by African Union Forces in Somalia and is encouraged by the recently published African Union’s response on this issue. The Group considers the response to reflect a positive attempt by the AU to investigate the allegations of sexual violence made in the HRW report. The Group is encouraged…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A rising number of shipwrecks is happening near the Libyan coast as migrants continue to embark towards Italy aboard unseaworthy vessels. Many of the boats are intercepted by the Libyan Naval Coast Guard before they even can reach the high seas. This has increased the number of migrants in need of urgent assistance in various Libyan ports.“The number of migrants departing who have up to now been trapped in Libya is soaring,” says IOM Libya Chief of Mission Othman Belbeisi. “This is partly due to calmer seas that are encouraging people…
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media NoteOffice of the SpokespersonWashington, DCMay 11, 2015Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield is traveling to Tanzania, May 11–14, for the East African Community (EAC) emergency ministerial on the situation in Burundi. The United States commends the EAC for its leadership and engagement on Burundi.In Dar-es-Salaam, Assistant Secretary Thomas-Greenfield will participate in meetings on the sidelines of the EAC ministerial in order to express U.S. concern about the situation in Burundi as well as U.S. support for the Arusha Agreement and political dialogue among all parties to ensure peaceful, credible and…
WASHINGTON, May 12, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJeff RathkeActing Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCMay 11, 2015The United States warmly congratulates the people of the Central African Republic on the successful conclusion of the Bangui Forum. Hundreds of Central Africans from across the country and from all walks of life participated in this historic event, and many more, including diaspora and refugee populations, stayed engaged through live media coverage and conversations in their homes and communities.The United States welcomes the signature by armed groups and the transitional government of an accord on disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and…
KAMPALA, Uganda, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — • Merck kicks off their first combined diabetes and cancer awareness campaign as part of Merck Cancer Control Program (MCCP) in Africa• Merck provides more than 2.000 Ugandans with free cancer education and diabetes screening. Kampala, Uganda, April 23, 2015 – Merck (http://www.merckgroup.com), a leading company for innovative and top-quality high-tech products in healthcare, life science and performance materials, in partnership with Uganda Ministry of Health, Makerere University and Uganda Cancer Institute kicked off today their first combined diabetes and cancer campaign in Tororo , Uganda as part of Merck Cancer…
NEW YORK, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Mamadou Diallo (Guinea) as the Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), where he will also serve as United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Mr. Diallo succeeds Moustapha Soumaré of Mali, who completed his assignment in March. The Secretary-General is grateful for Mr. Soumaré’s outstanding contribution and dedicated service for the past three…
NIAMEY, Niger, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A meningitis epidemic which has stretched across several regions of Niger has killed 352 people so far, with a total of 5,273 cases recorded by the health authorities since January [1]. The capital of Niamey has been particularly badly hit by the epidemic, with close to 1,200 admissions in the last week alone. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is stepping up its efforts with almost 430 beds to provide free medical care for patients. Hundreds of emergency admissions each day in Niamey “The…
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) expresses serious concern over the recent escalation of tensions between the Rezeigat and the Ma’alia tribes in East Darfur. UNAMID encourages the leaders and members of both tribes to exercise maximum restraint, engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve their dispute and refrain from all acts that would lead to violence and displacement. The Mission welcomes the deployment of additional troops by the Government of Sudan to create a buffer zone between the two tribes, as well as its ongoing…
VATICAN, Holy See, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Defence of the particular nature of the Christian family, and care in the formation of priests and consecrated persons in a country where religious communities and co-existence with other religions present no problems, were the key themes of the discourse Pope Francis handed to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Togo, whom he received in audience this morning at the end of their “ad Limina” visit.In the text, and in view of the upcoming Synod of Bishops, the Pope underlines the need for the positive aspects of African families…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, today announced the cancelation of her planned official visit to South Africa for lack of confirmation of dates by the Government for the information-gathering mission. “It is unfortunate that I will miss the opportunity to engage with all stakeholders dealing with violence against women in the country,” the human rights expert said. Ms. Manjoo has been trying to secure a visit to South Africa since 2012. The Special Rapporteur was originally scheduled to visit the country…
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, the Republic of Liberia reached the important milestone of 42 days without reporting a new Ebola case, and we are pleased the World Health Organization was able to declare the end of the country’s current outbreak. We congratulate the people of Liberia on reaching this important marker, and once again pledge our commitment to ending the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and helping to rebuild Liberia and other affected nations. As President Obama said when Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited the White House last month, “We’re proud to partner with…
MONROVIA, Liberia, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A week-long campaign to vaccinate more than 600,000 children against polio and measles kicks off today in Liberia, led by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO).The massive campaign had been scheduled for last year, but was suspended due to the Ebola outbreak.“The interruption of Liberia’s vaccination program has created an alarming immunity gap and a larger pool of susceptible children,” said Dr, Walter T. Gwenigale, Minister of Health, republic…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has begun providing assistance to over 800 vulnerable Yemeni nationals stranded in Egypt as a result of the protracted conflict in Yemen.IOM caseworkers distributed financial assistance for food and housing to vulnerable families and individuals, and referred those in need of medical assistance to IOM’s Medical Health Unit.The Embassy of Yemen in Egypt approached IOM after receiving calls for help from several thousand Yemeni nationals. IOM Egypt Country Programme Coordinator Amr Taha and UN Resident Coordinator Anita Nirody subsequently met with Yemeni Ambassador to Egypt Mohammed Alhaisami to discuss their…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has concluded a ten-month life skills training for 206 displaced young people in Baidoa, South Central Somalia. The project, which was implemented in collaboration with the Rural Education and Agriculture Development Organization (READO), started on 1 July 2014 and was funded by the Common Humanitarian Fund.Participants, who included young women and men, were selected from internally displaced families and the host community, and were trained in carpentry, masonry, business entrepreneurship, tie-and-dye, tailoring and traditional weaving skills.A graduation ceremony which marked the end of the training was attended by Ministers from…
DAKAR, Sénégal, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Ali Mansoor visited Senegal from April 24 to May 7, 2015 to conduct discussions with the Senegalese authorities on their economic program, which may be supported by a new three-year IMF arrangement under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI)1. Subject to IMF management approval, the staff-level agreement is expected to be submitted to the IMF Executive Board for its consideration in June 2015. Members of the mission met with H.E. President Macky Sall, Prime Minister Mohammed Dionne and senior government officials, including those in…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, May 8, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Power Africa at the African Utility WeekWhen: May 12 – 14, 2015Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South AfricaBackground: The United States Government is serving as the Country Partner for the 2015 African Utility Week from May 12-14, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. U.S. Government officials will engage in meetings and presentations with representatives from African governments, the public sector and private sector companies. These officials will highlight the work of Power Africa, a U.S. Government initiative designed to add 30,000 Megawatts of new and cleaner power generation…