SAO TOME, Sao Tomé, May 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Maxwell Opoku-Afari, visited São Tomé and Príncipe from April 24 to May 7, 2015 to discuss the authorities’ economic and financial program and possible financial support by the IMF. Mr. Opoku-Afari issued the following statement at the end of the mission: “The mission has reached a staff-level agreement with the São Toméan authorities, subject to approval by IMF Management and the Executive Board, on an economic program that could be supported by a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.…
Author: apofeed
ACCRA, Ghana, May 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The U.S. Embassy in Ghana reports with deepest sympathy that two U.S. citizens have been killed in the Eastern Region of Ghana. We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims. The U.S. Embassy in Ghana is in contact with family members and is providing appropriate consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time.We have confidence in the rule of law in Ghana, and urge any residents with information regarding this incident to report it to the Ghana Police Service. We…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Claver Gatete and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda Ambassador Michael Ryan today signed an agreement for €4 million (approx. RWF 3.1 billion) as a facility to fund technical assistance, training needs and support to three focal areas where EU assistance to Rwanda will be focused in the coming period: sustainable energy, agriculture and food security, and accountable governance.”As we are now ready to start implementing the new €460 million aid programme for Rwanda, funded from contributions by…
VATICAN, Holy See, May 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The peaceful coexistence among believers of different religions, the safeguarding of interreligious dialogue, the common commitment of Christians and Muslims in defense of cultural heritage, promotion of women, and the consolidation of the family were some of the topics that Pope Francis addressed in the speech he delivered this morning to the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Mali, at the end of their ad Limina visit. Following are extensive excerpts from the address.I would like to direct your attention toward the person of Christ in the delicate situation that…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 7, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Board of Directors Office of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (http://www.ecx.com.et) today announced the appointment of Ato Ermias Eshetu as Chief Executive Officer of the ECX.Photo Ato Ermias Eshetu: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1944Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/ece.pngAto Ermias has held a range of leadership positions locally and abroad. Since 2007, he has served as an Executive Management Member at Zemen Bank, most recently as Vice President for Marketing & Corporate Services. He received his Masters in International Business from Manchester School of Management and a Bachelor degree in Computation at UMIST, in the United Kingdom. Over…
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni met today in New York City to exchange views on regional developments. They discussed the devastating humanitarian as well as regional economic costs of continued conflict in South Sudan. They agreed on the need for the international community and South Sudan’s regional partners to work quickly to achieve peace in the face of the intransigence of the country’s leaders. Ambassador Rice reiterated the United States’ deep concern over the increasing level of conflict in Sudan, specifically the continued conflict in Darfur…
NEW YORK, May 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of two United Nations peacekeepers from the United Republic of Tanzania and the wounding of 13 others in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) earlier today, when a UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) convoy was ambushed and came under fire from suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements in Beni territory, North Kivu. Four other peacekeepers are reported missing.The attack occurred as MONUSCO was carrying out its protection of civilians mandate. This attack followed an incident on…
BERN, Switzerland, May 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received Ms Hanna Serwaa Tetteh for an official working visit at the Maison de Watteville in Bern. The talks focused on relations between Switzerland and Ghana and economic cooperation. Security in this region of Africa and various current international issues were also on the agenda for discussion.Ms Tetteh’s official visit is the first by a Ghanaian foreign minister to Switzerland. In 2010, the President of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills, was received in Switzerland for an official visit.…
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementMarie HarfActing Department Spokesperson, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCMay 5, 2015Secretary Kerry announced yesterday that the United States plans to provide $5 million to promote justice and accountability in South Sudan, pending Congressional approval. Many South Sudanese have long urged that those responsible for the crimes that have been committed in South Sudan during the current, tragic conflict must be held accountable in order to break the cycle of violence and revenge and build a stable, lasting peace. These funds will support a credible, impartial, and effective justice mechanism, such as…
DAKAR, Senegal, May 6, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Six African journalists have been selected as finalists in the 2015 APO Energy Media Award.The first-place winner will travel to Dubai to attend the Africa Energy Forum (http://www.africa-energy-forum.com) held in Dubai from 8-11 June 2015 and gets one year of access to over 600 airport VIP lounges worldwide.Logo APO: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/apo-african-press-organization-small.pngLogo AEF: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/aefdubai.png APO Energy Media Awards celebrates brilliant and inspiring stories about Energy in Africa. The subject matter may comprise a single topic or a variety of subjects, including – but not limited to – oil, gas, electricity, geothermal energy, hydropower,…
LUANDA, Angola, May 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The winners of the inaugural 2015 “José Eduardo dos Santos African Mayor Awards” (http://africanmayorawards.com) were announced last week during a gala dinner in Luanda, Angola. These awards acknowledge the leadership and contribution made by Mayors of large, medium and small cities and celebrate achievements and excellence in urban development in Africa. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/icp-1.pngPhoto 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1940Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1936Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1937Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1938Photo 5: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1939The winning cities received prize money totalling $350,000 will be disbursed for specific initiatives. US$50,000 went to the city of Praia in Cape Verde (winner in the small city…
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On May 5, Secretary Kerry landed in Mogadishu, Somalia to reinforce the United States commitment to supporting Somalia’s ongoing transition to a peaceful democracy. In his meetings with federal and regional government officials, he will discuss security cooperation and Somalia’s progress towards meeting its reform and development benchmarks in view of its 2016 elections. He will also meet with civil society leaders to discuss the importance of a vibrant NGO sector and thank African Union troops for their role in stabilizing Somalia. This is the first ever Secretary of State visit to…
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The European Commission is releasing EUR 1.5 million to meet the immediate needs for assistance and protection of Burundi refugees in neighbouring countries. The funding is part of the EUR 47 million of total humanitarian aid foreseen for the Great Lakes region for 2015, and follows the increase in number of refugees from the country in the last weeks.”Such sudden and massive displacement is a humanitarian tragedy and a serious challenge to neighbouring countries’ capacities to accommodate refugees. It is a serious concern in an already fragile region” said…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM has initiated the biometric verification of internally displaced people (IDPs) during food assistance in displacement sites in North Kivu province in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC.)The verification exercise, designed to increase accountability and combat fraud, started in February 2015 and will cover displacement sites in Nzulo, Buhimba and Shasha.The lack of identity documents for IDPs in the Eastern DRC poses a challenge in targeting humanitarian assistance. Almost 80 per cent of adults living in sites having no form of identity documents. In response, IOM launched a biometric…
CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, May 5, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — • Philips’ Cape Town to Cairo roadshow retains a strong focus on advancing healthcare, and energy efficient lighting solutions; • Roadshow demonstrates Philips commitment to Africa, and its ambitions to further progress its business footprint across the continent;• Over the past five years the roadshow has championed the UN Millennium Development Goals (4 and 5) with many successes along the way – in 2015, maternal and child health and non-communicable diseases will continue to remain a focus, aligned to the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); • Since 2010 the roadshow has…
GENEVA, Switzerland, May 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has welcomed South Sudan’s ratification* of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and repeated its call for universal ratification of the Convention. “We applaud South Sudan for ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, thus becoming the 195th State to do so. The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, was adopted more than 25 years ago and the rights it sets out are as important today as in 1989. These include children’s right…
ABUJA, Nigeria, May 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — By Chinedu MoghaluThe Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group, last month, approved a $500 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for Nigeria. The IDA is the window of the World Bank which offers grants and low- to zero-interest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve standard of living. The facility granted Nigeria was designed to bring about significant improvements in maternal, child, and nutrition health services for women and children in the country.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ndff-1.pngPhoto: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1918 (Dr. Mohammad Ali Pate)Domestic reforms aimed at…
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, May 4, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Board of Trustees of the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) (http://www.esrftz.org) announces the appointment of Dr. Tausi Mbaga Kida as the new Executive Director of the Foundation with effect from 1st May 2015. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/esrf.jpgPhoto Dr. Tausi Mbaga Kida: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1924She will be the fourth Executive Director since ESRF was established in 1994 under the leadership of Prof. Samuel Wangwe. She takes over from Dr. Hoseana Bohela Lunogelo, whose tenure of office ended on the 30th April 2015. Dr. Hoseana Bohela Lunogelo will continue to be a Senior…
NEW YORK, April 30, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary-General calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in northern Mali. The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the serious ceasefire violations that have occurred in Mali in recent days, at a critical moment in the peace process and as efforts are underway to bring all Malian parties to sign the draft peace agreement.On 27 April, Groupe Auto-défense Touareg Imghad et Alliés (GATIA) and Mouvement Arabe de l’Azawad – Plateforme (MAA-Platform) elements entered the town of Ménaka (Gao region) which, under ceasefire arrangements, is under the control of the Mouvement National…
DUBLIN, Ireland, April 30, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Chile and St. Vincent and the Grenadines presented their Letters of Credence to the President at Áras an Uachtaráin today. H.E. Ms. Soha Gendi, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, was accompanied by Mr. Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Head of Mission. H.E. Mr. Manuel Hinojosa Muñoz, Ambassador of Chile, was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Monserrat Perez, and by Mr. Renato Gomez, Deputy Head of Mission. H.E. Mr. Cenio Elwin Lewis, Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the…