MOGADISHU, Somalia, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, today condemned an attack on the headquarters of the Somali government in Mogadishu. “This is another desperate and criminal act which does nothing but harm to the people of Somalia”said Kay, after speaking to the Somali president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. “The Somali people are tired of shootings, bombings and killings. It’s time for a new chapter in Somalia’s history and…
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GENEVA, Switzerland, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Special Rapporteur Magdalena Sepúlveda will undertake an official visit to Guinea-Bissau from 24 February to 1 March 2014 to collect first-hand information on the situation of people living in extreme poverty and to assess the initiatives taken by the authorities to improve their situation. “At a time when fresh elections have the potential to reinvigorate the social structures of Guinea-Bissau, it is crucial to turn the Government and the international community’s attention to the needs of those living in extreme poverty,” said the independent expert charged by the UN…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) deplores the manner in which the security situation in the city of Bossangoua has been depicted in the media. In an article dated 21 February 2014, AFP claimed that the Muslim community living in Bossangoua was abandoned without any protection.In response to the media reports, MISCA wishes to provide the following clarifications:i) the city of Bossangoua was divided into two sectors, one under the control of MISCA and the other under the control of the Sangaris operation, respectively, in…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) today foiled an attempt by inmates to escape from the Bangui prison. With the help of the head of the prison, leaders of the anti-Balaka group, who were arrested by MISCA during an operation conducted on 15 February 2014 in the Bangui district of Boye Rabe, tried to escape. Their attempt was foiled thanks to the vigilance of the Rwandan contingent of MISCA.MISCA Force Commander, Brigadier General Martin Tumenta Chomu, and Police Commissioner, Colonel Patrice Otsaga Bengone, have been…
NEW YORK, February 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following is UN Secretary-General’s video/radio message to the people of the Central African Republic, in New York, 21 February:Mbi bala ala kwe. So mbi Ban Ki-Moon, kota wa kwasu, ti kota bumbi ti béndo ti gigi. [This is Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.]I am here to express my solidarity and support for the people of the Central African Republic. You are not alone. Many are working for peace in your country. I have appealed to the international community to do much more — more troops and police to protect…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 24, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) condemns the cold blood killing of three innocent civilians yesterday in the 4th district of Bangui, in an area called ‘Combatant’.According to witness accounts, six individuals took a taxi from the city center of Bangui to run their errands. On the way to their initial destination, the taxi driver, who seemed to be an accomplice to this murder, went in a different direction and called other individuals who came to attack the passengers aboard the taxi. The attack resulted…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — WHO is working with the South sudan Government and partners to provide vaccines to protect nearly 140 000 people living in temporary camps in South sudan against cholera.The vaccines come from an emergency stockpile managed by WHO, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF. It is the first time the stockpile, created in 2013 by WHO, is being activated.Although currently there is not a cholera outbreak, people displaced by the recent conflict and living in the camps are at risk…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVESWHEN: 24-27 February 2014WHERE: Ndjamena, Republic of ChadWHO: Organised by the African Union Department of Economic Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Chad and the office of the Chair of the High Level Committee on the Post 2015 Development Agenda.WHY: The 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30-31 January 2014 adopted the Common African Position (CAP) on the post 2015 development agenda to serve as an African input to the Global post 2015 development Agenda.OBJECTIVE: The objective of…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Michel Sidibe, and Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Safety and Security, Ms. Mbaranga Gasarabwe completed their three-day mission in the Central African Republic today with a call for an end of hostilities and horrendous acts of violence against innocent and defenseless civilians of all communities. The delegation travelled today to Bossangoa (Ouham district) in the north-western part of the country, accompanied by the African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aicha L.…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in South sudan say “we are tired of war”, stressing the urgency to “work for peace and rebuild what has been destroyed”. The South Sudanese churches conveyed this stance in a statement they issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 10 February, where negotiations between the South Sudanese government and sudan People’s Liberation Movement opposition rebels are currently underway following a ceasefire deal signed on 23 January.The conflict which broke out in December last year has cost thousands of lives in the world’s…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Since the outbreak of violence in South sudan in mid-December 2013, IOM has been providing life-saving transport from the borders for thousands of South Sudanese refugees fleeing into neighbouring Ethiopia and Kenya.At least 716,100 people are now internally displaced in South Sudan, with 75,300 seeking physical protection in UN peacekeeping mission bases. A further 156,800 South Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries and the exodus is continuing.On 17th February fighting between government and opposition forces broke out in Malakal, Upper Nile State, breaking the ceasefire agreement signed in January. Numerous casualties…
WASHINGTON, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — NOTICECONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO LIBYAOn February 25, 2011, by Executive Order 13566, I declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706) to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. I found that Colonel Muammar Qadhafi, his government, and close associates had taken extreme measures against the people of Libya, including by using weapons of war, mercenaries, and wanton violence against unarmed civilians. In addition, there was a serious risk that…
WASHINGTON, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Letter –Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Libya IDLs and NoticeDear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice…
NEW YORK, February 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in the Central African Republic, in New York today:I thank His Excellency Mr. Smail Chergui for his presence here today. I attach the highest importance to close ties with the African Union. We at the United Nations will continue to work hand-in-hand with you to promote development and lasting peace across the continent.The crisis that continues to unfold in the Central African Republic poses a test for the entire international community. The situation in the country has…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Special Rapporteur on slavery, Gulnara Shahinian, will undertake a follow-up visit to Mauritania from 24 to 27 February 2014, to assess new developments since her first country visit in 2009 and the initiatives taken by the Government in response to her recommendations*. “This visit will allow me to discuss the adoption of the road map to end slavery in Mauritania, which was prepared in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,” Ms. Shahinian said. “Its adoption and implementation would be a milestone towards the…
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — I. INTRODUCTION1. The first ministerial meeting on the Enhancement of Security Cooperation and the Operationalisation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in the Sahelo-Saharan region, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on 17 March 2013, agreed on a series of measures to address the security challenges faced by the region. It was particularly agreed that the appropriate Ministers would meet at least once every six months, while the Heads of Intelligence and Security Services would meet once every two months. The Conclusions of the Ministerial meeting of Nouakchott are attached…
WASHINGTON, February 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press StatementJohn KerrySecretary of StateWashington, DCFebruary 19, 2014The United States is deeply troubled by the hateful rhetoric used by President Jammeh in his National Day speech on February 18. All people are created equal and should be able to live free from discrimination, and that includes discrimination based on sexual identity and sexual orientation. We call on the Government of The Gambia to protect the human rights of all Gambians, and we encourage the international community to send a clear signal that statements of this nature have no place in the public…
DAKAR, Senegal, February 19, 2014 — Mr. Said Djinnit, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa, was received in audience in Koulouba – Bamako today by the President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of mali with whom he exchanged views on the situation in the Sahel and West Africa. The meeting was held in the presence of Mr. Albert Koenders, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in mali. Mr. Said Djinnit briefed the President on the outcome of the hand-over meeting on Sahel that took place in Dakar on 17 February 2014 and which was attended by Cheick…
NEW YORK, February 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN OCHA Operations Director John Ging said today that immense challenges remain for millions of Somalis, particularly those who are displaced and refugees who want to return home. Speaking after a recent three-day visit to Somalia, Mr. Ging called for immediate action to focus on building resilience and finding long-term solutions to consolidate progress. “Somalia’s humanitarian situation has incrementally improved, but conditions for the people who are displaced in their own country are deplorable,” said Mr. Ging. “Two million people are considered to be food insecure. People are extremely vulnerable and…
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, Mashood Adebayo Baderin, expressed deep concern that the Sudanese authorities have not issued yet their reports on last year’s oil subsidy demonstrations, which resulted in killings, injuries, arrests and detentions, and destruction of property. “I regret to note that five months after these incidents, the committees set up by the Government have not yet issued their reports or findings on the incidents,” Mr. Baderin said* at the end of an official mission to the sudan to follow-up…