BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, March 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council adopted the following conclusions: “1. The security and humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains a matter of deep concern, despite the relative stabilisation of the situation in Bangui and in the areas in which the international forces are deployed. The European Union (EU) reaffirms the concerns it expressed in previous Council conclusions on 20 January and 10 February 2014. It remains concerned about the risk of the Central African conflict having an effect on the neighbouring countries and calls for the integrity of the…
Author: apofeed
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, March 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council adopted the following conclusions: “1. The European Union (EU) expresses its deep concern about the ongoing crisis in South Sudan, the grave human suffering it causes and its regional implications. It is seriously concerned about the violations of the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) agreement signed on 23 January 2014 in Addis Ababa and calls on all parties to immediately stop the violence and honour the CoH. It urges all political and military leaders to protect the people of South sudan and to act in the interest of…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A.T. Kearney Study provides global retailers with direction on entering specific African countriesA new study designed to help large, organized retailers determine where and how to best enter Sub-Saharan Africa’s rapidly growing retail sector is published by A.T. Kearney (http://www.atkearney.com), a leading global strategy consultancy firm, today.Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/atkearney.pngDownload the report – PDF (2Mo): http://bit.ly/1e94g8i Download the ranking table: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/table.png Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140317.png Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Tanzania and Gabon occupy the top five places of the inaugural A.T. Kearney African Retail Development Index (ARDI). South Africa ranks seventh due to the developed nature…
BEIJING, China, March 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei announces at the regular press conference:At the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa of the Republic of Uganda will visit China from March 17 to 23.
PARIS, France, March 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — After six weeks of hearings, the Criminal Court in Paris handed down an historic verdict today, convicting Pascal Simbikangwa of genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity for his actions in Rwanda between April and July 1994, the period of the genocide. Simbikangwa was sentenced to 25 years in prison. “ Today’s historic verdict is a landmark moment for the victims of the Rwandan genocide, who have fought tirelessly for this trial to be held. They have waited so many years to see France uphold its obligation to bring persons suspected…
NEW YORK, March 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The new Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, Sabri Boukadoum, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.Until his appointment in December 2013, Mr. Boukadoum held the position of Director General for the Americas in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since November 2009. He was Algeria’s Ambassador to Portugal from October 2005 to August 2009, prior to which he served as Chief of Protocol in the Foreign Ministry since November 2001. Between November 1996 and September 2001, he was Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire.Mr. Boukadoum was the Director of…
MAPUTO, Mozambique, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A staff team from the International Monetary Fund, led by Doris Ross, visited Mozambique during February 26- March 13, 2014 to hold discussions towards the completion of the second review under the three-year Policy Support Instrument (PSI) approved in June 2013 (see Public Information Notice (PIN) 13/75). The team met with Prime Minister Vaquina, Finance Minister Chang, Planning and Development Minister Cuereneia, Bank of Mozambique Governor Gove, other line ministers, senior government officials, parliamentarians, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.At the conclusion of the visit, Ms. Ross issued the…
NEW YORK, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about recent developments in Burundi, in particular the violent confrontations between the police and members of opposition parties last week. Both the Government and political parties must exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that could exacerbate tensions.The Secretary-General deplores the growing restrictions on the freedom of expression, association and assembly, especially the prohibition and disruption of opposition meetings by the police and the youth wing of the ruling party. Respecting these freedoms…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — H.E. Mr. Kazuhiro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Japan to the African Union (AU), today handed over $ 5 million to the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Amb. Smal Chergui, to support various African peace and stability initiatives on the continent. The contribution will go towards aiding the police and civilian components of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), as well as efforts to bring peace and stability to South sudan and sudan. Speaking during the handover of the…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM Cameroon, in partnership with the INTERPOL Regional Office for Central Africa, is organizing a training on human trafficking for police officers on March 18th and 19th in Yaoundé.Participants will include 16 policemen and women from Congo, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad and Cameroon.“Human trafficking is a disturbing phenomenon that is increasingly present in Cameroon. Raising awareness of civil servants on this issue has become crucial,” says IOM Cameroon Head of Office Roger-Charles Evina.This initiative, organized with the support of the IOM Regional office…
JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Howard G. Buffett Foundation (HGBF) (http://www.thehowardgbuffettfoundation.org), a private foundation in the United States; the Nature Conservation Trust (NCT), a South African public benefit organization (PBO); and South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced an historic RAND 255 million (USD $23.7 million), three-year initiative to combat rhino poaching in Kruger National Park and test anti-poaching tactics that can be applied in other regions of Africa, where poaching can be a source of funding for armed groups. The announcement was made at the Rosebank office of Standard Bank, which also announced its…
PRETORIA, South-Africa, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The SEED Initiative cordially invites you to the forthcoming 2014 SEED South Africa Symposium. Date & Time: March 19, from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm and March 20, from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria (Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria) Focus topic: Advancing the Green Economy in South Africa: creating jobs and opportunities for innovative green enterprises SEED focuses on supporting small-scale social and environmental entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs offer innovative business solutions at a local level that are key in leading towards a Green Economy transition. They…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Opening remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at a press conference during her mission to Nigeria Abuja, 14 March 2014 Good morning, and thank you for coming. In the twenty years since the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was created, this is the first time any High Commissioner has visited Nigeria. I am grateful to the Government for inviting me. This is a very important country, with easily the largest population in Africa, big ambitions and huge potential. On the international level, Nigeria…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM organized an evacuation flight on Wednesday morning for 106 Mauritanians fleeing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR). Over half of the evacuees were children. A second flight for another 101 Mauritanians is scheduled for this morning (14/3).The flights, which are sponsored by the Government of Mauritania, rely on IOM to provide registration, fit for travel health screening, ground transportation, boarding assistance, coordination with airport authorities and civil-military coordination.When the first flight arrived in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Wednesday, the returnees were received by IOM Mauritania staff, government representatives and family…
MOGADISHU, Somalia, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Somali National Army (SNA) backed by African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops this evening captured an Al-Shabaab stronghold, Buula Burde town in Hiraan region, bringing to six the number of towns liberated from Al- Qaeda –linked terrorists in the past two weeks, a top African Union official has said.The African Union Special Representative for Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, said the capture of Buula Burde town was a major victory for the SNA and AMISOM forces and a boost for the peace restoration process in…
GENEVA, Switzerland, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Continuing violence in South sudan has left thousands wounded. Many of them risk death, as the unstable situation stops them getting medical treatment. Since the beginning of the crisis, the ICRC has performed nearly 1,200 operations. “The situation is tense and unpredictable, and humanitarian needs in South sudan remain immense,” said Melker Mabeck, ICRC head of delegation in South Sudan. “Some people are unable to obtain medical care quickly enough because they are afraid of being attacked and killed. And we continue to be worried about reports of attacks on patients…
NEW YORK, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks before meeting with religious leaders from the Central African Republic, in New York today:Mbi bala ala Kwe.I am honoured to be joined by Monsignor Dieudonne Nzapalainga, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bangui; Imam Oumar Kobine Layama, President of the Islamic Council in the Central African Republic; and Reverend Nicolas Guérékoyame-Gbangou, President of the Central African Republic’s Evangelical Alliance.I thank you for your leadership. These leaders are a powerful symbol of their country’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence. Today, that legacy is under threat.Let me be…
BANGUI, Central African Republic, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic – Car (MISCA) welcomes continuing progress in rebuilding the Armed Forces of the country. The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission in Car and Head of MISCA, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko welcomes the efforts of the CAR Transition Authorities to reconstitute the country’s security forces and pledges the AU’s support in that regard.“When MISCA officially took over on 19 December 2013, the security situation in the country was dire. MISCA, with the support of…
YAOUNDE, Cameroon, March 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Government of Cameroon and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) jointly organized a high-level conference entitled “Financing the Future: Infrastructure Development in Central Africa” in Yaoundé, Cameroon on March 10, 2014The conference brought together ministers, governors and more than 250 senior officials, academics, and representatives of financial institutions and civil society from across countries of the Economic Community of Central African States and beyond to discuss international experience and best practices to finance infrastructure development. The outcome of this conference will be presented at the high level Africa Rising conference organized…
NEW YORK, March 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 11 March 2014, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 751 (1992) and 1907 (2009) concerning Somalia and Eritrea approved the removal of the individual specified below from the List of individuals and entities subject to the travel ban, assets freeze and targeted arms embargo imposed by paragraphs 1, 3 and 7 of resolution 1844 (2008):(12) Ali Ahmed Nur Jim’aleAKA: Ahmed Ali Jim’aleAKA: Ahmad Nur Ali Jim’aleAKA: Sheikh Ahmed Jim’aleAKA: Ahmad Ali Jim’aleAKA: Shaykh Ahmed Nur Jim’aleDOB: 1954POB: Eilbur, SomaliaNationality: SomaliaAlt. nationality: DjiboutiPassport: A0181988 (Somalia), exp. 23 January 2011Location: Djibouti,…