BERLIN, Germany, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Addis Ababa today (25 March) on the death sentences handed down to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt:“It is with the greatest concern that we are following the news of hundreds of death sentences being handed down to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.Neither the verdicts nor the trials are in conformity with rule of law standards nor do they uphold the principles of human rights to which Egypt has committed itself.Germany is opposed to the death penalty as an inhumane…
Author: apofeed
OSLO, Norway, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “It is completely unacceptable that more than 500 people have been condemned to death in a summary trial. The court’s judgment is shocking, and the conduct of the trial gives cause for concern about the fundamental standards of the Egyptian legal system,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. On Monday 24 March, 529 people were condemned to death by a court in Minya in Egypt. Several hundred of them were not present in court, and were convicted in absentia. The charges included the murder of a police officer and the…
YAOUNDE, Cameroon, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Orange Cameroon is launching a preventive medical service in collaboration with the country’s Ministry for Health, allowing remote medical advice in real time The solution, developed by Orange Healthcare will be released in April 2014Orange (http://www.orange.com) aims to expand My Healthline to other sub-Saharan African countries and extend the scope beyond sexual health, all built on a common Orange Healthcare platform.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/orange-logo.jpgMy Healthline, a simple and reliable service from a professional medical team Orange Cameroon customers will be able to access personalised advice on contraception, HIV / AIDS, sexuality and…
WINDHOEK, Namibia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With a 35+ year track record in and on Africa, Global Pacific & Partners (http://www.glopac-partners.com) hosts it’s 20th Western Africa Oil, Gas/LNG & Energy 2014 Conference, at the Country Club, Windhoek, Namibia, over 15-16 April 2014, with the 10th Western Africa: Strategy Briefing taking place on the 14th April at same venue.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/140324.pngDownload the brochure: http://www.apo-mail.org/1403241.pdfDownload the Registration Form: http://www.apo-mail.org/140324r.pdfAbout “Global Pacific & Partners: Clubs and Networks”: http://www.apo-mail.org/140324net.pdfEmphasis on the Western Africa Oil/Gas LandscapesThe “Western Africa” arena covers a vast oil and gas exploration zone, one of the world’s richest and…
CONAKRY, Guinea, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With a confirmed outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus in Guinea, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has today deployed a Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) to the west African country to assist in the response.“This team includes an infectious disease specialist from the French Red Cross Society, as well as a psychosocial support delegate. Together they will assess the situation on the ground and help inform a comprehensive response plan,” said Dr Adinoyi Ben Adeiza, IFRC health coordinator in Africa. “It is imperative that…
LAGOS, Nigeria, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — – Jim O’Neill, economist who coined the ‘BRIC’ and ‘MINT’ acronyms, declares the African infrastructure divide, ‘both a defining challenge and a standout Investment opportunity of our generation’ –- Cape Verde sign instrument of accession for membership of the Africa Finance Corporation – At the Africa Finance Corporation’s inaugural Summit (http://www.africafc.org) held today in Lagos, Jim O’Neill, creator of the BRICs and MINT acronyms, economist and former Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said:“Africa’s future depends on the continent’s policy makers doing the right thing. That is working to create better…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Malian regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal are now hosting nearly 196,000 returnees and 107,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and are in need of urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to IOM displacement tracking data.IOM’s displacement tracking matrix shows that access to basic services such as water and primary healthcare, as well as shelter and income generation, are now major concerns.Demand for already scarce resources has been exacerbated by the return of people displaced by conflict in 2012 and 2013. “People are continuing to return and communities in the north…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 425th meeting, held on 24 March 2014, was briefed on the situation in Somalia by the Commissioner for Peace and Security and the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Council was also briefed by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, as well as by the Representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Ethiopia, in its capacity as the Chair…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) congratulates the Federal Government of Somalia on joining the countries that ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and union rights. The ratification follows a successful campaign by the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) and its affiliated unions including NUSOJ that have pressed for a speedy ratification of ILO core conventions if Somalia is to demonstrate its commitment to protect fundamental union rights and freedom of association. NUSOJ applauds the progressive leadership provided by the Prime Minister…
VIENNA, Austria, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “We condemn the death sentences in Egypt that became known today in the strongest terms. Together with our partners in the EU we are advocating the abolition of the death penalty worldwide and object to collective punishment. It goes without saying that terrorism and violence must not go unpunished, but prosecution must be politically neutral and comply with guaranteed human rights. Imposing the death sentence as an excessive collective punishment can by no means be accepted. We therefore call upon Egypt to do everything in its power to guarantee the right…
TUNIS, Tunisia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — At the request of the Tunisian authorities, a mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Mr. Amine Mati visited Tunis from March 6–24, 2014 to conduct the third review of Tunisia’s economic and reform program supported by a 24-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) approved by the IMF Executive Board on June 7, 2013 (See Press Release No. 13/202). The mission held productive discussions with senior government and central bank officials. It also met with representatives of the banking and private sectors, trade unions, political parties, the donor community, and civil…
LONDON, United-Kingdom, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — William Hague concerned at 528 death sentences passed in Egypt & worried by reports of shortcomings in judicial process Speaking today about an Egyptian court sentencing more than five hundred people to death, Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “I am deeply concerned by the reports that 528 individuals were today sentenced to death by a court in Al Minya in Egypt. “Reports that many of the accused were tried in their absence and that defendants may not have been adequately represented are also deeply worrying. We urge the Egyptian authorities to…
BANGUI, Central African Republic, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) and Head of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), Gen. Jean Marie Michel Mokoko has expressed outrage and indignation at the unprovoked attack on one of its clearly marked vehicles transporting three MISCA Members of Staff. The attack by yet unidentified armed assailants occurred last night at around 7:30 p.m. near the Reconciliation Roundabout (Ali Bongo Monument) in Bangui, seriously injuring a MISCA Finance Officer and a Nurse. The third…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, condemned the brutal killing of eight traditional elders yesterday in the Bay region of Somalia as well as the violence that erupted in Baidoa between supporters of different state formation initiatives. The community elders were participating in a state formation conference in Baidoa after which they were according to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) ambushed and killed by Al Shabaab. “I condemn these cruel murders and express my heartfelt condolences to the families and communities of the elders” said…
NEW YORK, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — [AS DELIVERED] Your Excellency, Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council, Your Excellencies, members of the Council, Ambassadors, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to address the Council today and thank you for the African Union’s continued support to peace and stability in Somalia. It is a moment, I would say full of promise and progress but not without challenges. It is a time today, in which we are all turning plans into actions. I would certainly like to pay sincere tribute to the…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project (http://ltwp.co.ke) meant to add an existing 300MW of reliable, low cost wind energy to the national grid of Kenya reached a critical milestone following the signing of the financial agreements in Nairobi, Kenya. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/harith-1.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=735 (Tshepo Mahloele, CEO of Harith General Partners)The signing of the over US $870m financing agreements represents a major breakthrough to actualizing the biggest clean power energy project in Africa, spanning years of negotiations and fundraising, says Tshepo Mahloele, CEO of Harith General Partners (http://www.harith.co.za). The project will be financed…
MAPUTO, Mozambique, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mozambique’s discovery of the 4th largest gas reserves in the world, coupled with an estimated US$12 billion worth of power projects in the pipeline and steady economic growth of 8% a year, makes the country one of the most exciting and lucrative power investment destinations in the world. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/140323.pngMost recently, ACWA Power Moatize Termoeléctrica announced the development of a thermo-electric power station in Mozambique’s Tete province with an estimated cost of US$1 billion, and the Japanese government announced it is to grant Mozambique a loan of 17.27 billion yen (167…
TUNIS, Tunisia, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Despite important economic progress and agricultural successes, Africa remains the world’s most food insecure continent, with relatively low levels of agricultural productivity, low rural incomes, and high rates of malnutrition, FAO said today. As the Organization’s 28th Regional Conference for Africa gathers in Tunis, FAO is calling on African ministers of agriculture for action in priority areas to accelerate increased investment and broad-based transformation in support of smallholder farmers, including rural youth and women. Africa has recorded continuous economic growth since 1999, accompanied by improved governance and human development indicators. Currently,…
EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is providing protection to thousands of people who recently sought refuge at the Mission’s bases in Korma (North Darfur) and Khor Abeche (South Darfur), as a result of violent attacks by armed assailants on villages and on an IDP camp, respectively. In Khor Abeche, on 22 March, about 300 heavily armed men attacked a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs), setting fire to dozens of shelters and stealing livestock belonging to the residents. As a result of the incident, at least…
KHARTOUM, Sudan, March 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Mr. Ali Al-Za’tari, has expressed his deep concern at increasing violence in Darfur, as tens of thousands of people continue to be displaced from their homes. Since the beginning of 2014, over 200,000 people in Darfur have been displaced. Mr. Al-Za’tari feels extremely saddened by the continuous loss of human life, mostly civilians not associated with the conflict.“Civilians are those most deeply affected by renewed hostilities in Darfur”, said Mr. Al-Za’tari. “Insecurity and other impediments have prevented aid agencies from reaching many…