Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Climate change adaptation is the focus of high-level regional training and knowledge exchange in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this month. African government ministerial representatives from more than 30 least developed African countries are meeting to consider National Adaptation Plan (NAP) requirements, which aim to address the long–term climate change challenges for Africa.

“Climate change is likely to increase development challenges among least developed countries (LDCs) particularly in Africa and undercut the gains already made in these countries. The economic and social costs are likely to be substantial in many critical areas – such as food security, livelihoods, health, access to safe water and infrastructure,” said H.E. Ato Kare Chawicha, State Minister of Environment Sector, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Ethiopia.

“With this in mind, country-specific National Adaptation Plans are extremely important to support ongoing development processes in least developed African countries.”

A meeting of 15 English-speaking African LDCs will be held from 14-17 April 2014, followed closely by a meeting of 19 French-speaking African LDCs from 21-24 April 2014, at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“To support countries to address these long-term development challenges, we are bringing together delegates from ministries of environment, planning and finance from more than 30 LDCs from Africa to help to advance their NAP processes,” said Ermira Fida, Head, GEF Climate Change Adaptation Unit, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

“The NAP process is viewed by African LDCs as a vehicle for moving their adaptation agenda forward and coping with the challenges that Africa is facing today. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report and UNEP Africa Adaptation Gap Technical Report both state, climate changeis already affecting food production and is likely to increase the number of people at risk of hunger in Africa.”

The NAP process aims to identify medium- and long-term climate adaptation needs and to mainstream these needs into national development planning processes and strategies. These meetings are convened by the National Adaptation Plan Global Support Programme (NAP-GSP) – which is coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNEP– together with other UN partners and collaborating organisations, with support from the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) of the Global Environment Facility (The GEF). The Global Water Partnership (GWP) – a NAP-GSP partner – is collaborating closely to support these meetings.

The NAP-GSP is assisting LDCs to identify technical, institutional and financial needs to integrate climate change adaptation into ongoing medium and long-term national planning and budgeting. Currently, 26 LDCs from Africa, Asia and the Pacific have requested support for their NAP process.

“These meetings will support countries to gain a better understanding of the technical issues, strategies, steps, tools and options presented in the National Adaptation Plan process,” said Pradeep Kurukulasuriya, Head, Climate Change Adaptation and Senior Technical Advisor – Adaptation (Global), UNDP-GEF.

“We are also providing specific country-level support, building on ongoing and complementary adaptation initiatives, through our partner agencies and in association with national governments.”

Keynote speakers in the opening session at the UNCC on 14 April 2014 are H.E. Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union, and H.E. Ato Kare Chawicha, State Minister of Environment Sector, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Ethiopia.

ROME, Italy, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is warning countries to step up monitoring, reporting and prevention of one of the world’s most destructive banana diseases, Fusarium wilt, which recently spread from Asia to Africa and the Middle East, and which has the potential to affect countries in Latin America.

The TR4 race of the disease, which is also known as Panama disease, is posing a serious threat to production and export of the popular fruit, with serious repercussions for the banana value chain and livelihoods, FAO said in an information brief.

Banana is the eighth most important food crop in the world and the fourth most important food crop among the world’s least-developed countries, according to FAOSTAT, the UN agency’s data-gathering and analysis service.

“Any disease or constraint that affects bananas is striking at an important source of food, livelihoods, employment and government revenues in many tropical countries,” said Gianluca Gondolini, Secretary of the World Banana Forum. The Forum, whose Secretariat is based at FAO headquarters, promotes sustainable banana production and trade.

“The spread of Fusarium wilt banana disease could have a significant impact on growers, traders and families who depend on the banana industry,” Fazil Dusunceli, a plant pathologist at FAO, said. “Countries need to act now if we are to avoid the worst-case scenario, which is massive destruction of much of the world’s banana crop,” said Dusunceli.

Recommended action

At the country level, FAO specifically advises:

• Awareness raising at all levels and adoption of appropriate risk assessment, surveillance and early warning systems;

• Implementation of phytosanitary measures to prevent the spread of the disease through agricultural practices, irrigation and drainage systems, transportation, vehicles, containers, tools or visitors;

• Preventive measures, including quarantines, the use of disease-free planting materials, prevention of movement of infected soil and planting materials into and out of farms, and disinfection of vehicles;

• Capacity building in National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPO) in planning, extension and research, including the use of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools;

• Training of technical officers, producers and farm workers in disease identification, prevention and management under field conditions, and appropriate instructions to visitors.

While other races of the disease have existed for many years, TR4 has caused significant losses in banana plantations in Southeast Asia over the last two decades, and has recently been reported in Mozambique and Jordan.

TR4 infects the Cavendish banana varieties, which dominate global trade, as well as other susceptible varieties used for local consumption and markets. Despite damage to the banana plant and to production, the fruit itself remains edible.

Soil-borne disease

Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc). The disease is soil-borne and the fungus can remain viable for decades. Once the disease is present in a field, it cannot be fully controlled by currently available practices and fungicides. The best way to fight the disease is to prevent its spread, which includes avoiding movement of diseased plant materials and infected soil particles.

“We need to raise awareness of this threat, coordinate efforts among countries and institutions for effective implementation of appropriate quarantine measures, and also work with banana producers, traders, plantation employees and smallholder farmers to help to minimize the spread of the disease,” Dusunceli said. He also highlighted the importance of research in better understanding the disease and developing alternative varieties that are disease resistant.

FAO’s information note stresses the importance of using disease-free seedlings and avoiding movement of infected soil and planting materials into, and out of, farms, through transportation, visitors or other means.

“A concerted effort is required from stakeholders including the industry, research institutions, governments and international organizations to prevent spread of the disease,” the note reads.

Raising awareness

FAO and its partners, including the World Banana Forum (WBF), the scientific community and the banana industry are among those making efforts to increase awareness of the inherent threat of TR4.

The issue will be on the agenda of a series of upcoming meetings in Kenya, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago, with the aim of addressing a range of issues related to TR4, including developing action plans for its prevention, monitoring and containment.

The banana crop is vulnerable to a number of diseases in various parts of the world, including the Black Sigatoka disease, Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW), Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) and Fusarium Wilt, but Fusarium’s soil-borne nature makes it especially challenging.

OTTAWA, Canada, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that he will travel to Egypt and Oman from April 17 to 20, 2014. During his trip, he will discuss economic and security issues as well as important regional issues, including the situation in Iran and Syria and the Middle East peace process.

This will be Baird’s first bilateral visit to Cairo, where he will meet with members of Egypt’s interim government, leaders of the Arab League and religious groups. Discussions will focus on how Canada can most effectively stand with and support Egyptians through this critical time.

“We stand with the Egyptian people in their efforts to build a stable, inclusive, prosperous and democratic Egypt based on respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,” said Baird. “While we recognize the difficult political and security challenges facing Egypt, this visit will signal Canada’s willingness to support Egypt during this important transition.”

Baird will also pay his first bilateral visit to Oman, to meet with key government officials and business leaders and to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and increase trade ties.

Canada places great importance on its relationship with Oman and with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This visit will provide an opportune time to discuss Canada-GCC partnerships, prosperity and economic development, as well as matters of regional security.

After his visit to Oman, Baird will have paid bilateral visits to all six GCC countries.

A Canada-GCC strategic dialogue was proposed in 2013 in New York City to discuss economic prosperity and regional security issues.

Minister Baird’s schedule:

• Cairo, Egypt: Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18

• Muscat, Oman: Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the adoption, by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on 10 April 2014, of resolution 2149 (2014) authorizing the establishment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic – CAR (MINUSCA). The transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR (MISCA) to MINUSCA will take place on 15 September 2014.

Recalling the relevant provisions of the communiqué adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on 7 March 2014, the Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the establishment of MINUSCA will mark a new step in the international community’s efforts to assist the CAR overcome the many challenges confronting it. She expresses the AU’s commitment to work jointly with the UN to ensure a seamless transition from MISCA to MINUSCA.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends the African members of the UN Security Council – A3 (Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda) for their active involvement in the elaboration of the resolution on the basis of the guidelines provided by the PSC in its communiqué of 7 March 2014 and in pursuance of the Conclusions of the Algiers Workshop of December 2013, which aim to strengthen the effectiveness of the African presence in the Security Council. The Chairperson of the Commission also notes with satisfaction the close consultations between the penholder (France) and the African side throughout the drafting of the resolution. Such consultations are in line with the relevant provisions of the communiqué on the partnership between the AU and the UN in the area of peace and security adopted by the PSC at its meeting held in New York on 23 September 2013, calling for the effective involvement of the African members of the Security Council in the drafting of the Council’s documents concerning Africa and for adequate, timeous, informal and formal consultations with the AU and its Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. She expresses the hope that this practice will be sustained and systematized with regard to African issues on the agenda of the Security Council.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that, pending the transfer of authority, MISCA will continue fully to implement its mandate as determined by the PSC in its communiqué of 19 July 2013 and the UN Security Council in resolution 2127 (2013) of 5 December 2013. In particular, MISCA, with the support of the French Operation Sangaris and the planned EUFOR-RCA, will continue to lead the ongoing efforts to complete the initial stabilization phase, building on the significant progress made on the ground, so as to create conditions conducive to the success of MINUSCA. In this respect, she reiterates the AU’s call on Member States and partners to extend the necessary support to MISCA.

At the same time, the AU, working closely with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), will intensify its efforts to strengthen and coordinate international support to the CAR Transition, through the International Contact Group on the CAR (ICG-CAR), whose role is acknowledged in resolution 2149 (2014). In coordination with the Republic of Congo, as co-Chair of the ICG-CAR, the Commission is taking the follow-up steps agreed to during the fourth meeting of the Group held in Brazzaville, on 21 March 2014, to enhance its effectiveness and support to the Transition in the CAR. The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all AU partners, including the UN, to lend the necessary support to those efforts and avoid any duplication with the creation of another international mechanism.

The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity, once again, to pay tribute to the MISCA leadership and troop and police contributing countries for their commitment and the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in the CAR. She reiterates the AU’s appreciation to the ECCAS leaders, notably Presidents Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, Chair of ECCAS, and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, ECCAS Mediator, for their relentless efforts and pro-activeness in the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in the CAR. She stresses that the continued role of the AU and the region, through ECCAS, will be crucial for the success of the ongoing process in the CAR.

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The heads of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the European Union (EU) Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response today called for more support for the people of South Sudan, who have been severely affected by conflict, displacement and food insecurity.

“We are here today to sound the alarm for South Sudan,” said UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos who co-chaired the Humanitarian Ministerial Meeting with USAID’s Administrator, Rajiv Shah and EU Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva.

“The effects of the conflict are significant– millions of people have been affected, cities have been destroyed, the economy has collapsed and food production has been devastated,” said Amos. “We fear a serious food and nutrition crisis in the next few months if the situation doesn’t improve soon.”

The leaders issued a Call for Action on South Sudan urging immediate action on three critical fronts. They called for an end to the fighting, underscored the need for humanitarian funding over the next three months to help people cope with the crisis, and demanded that all parties to the conflict respect the people of South Sudan and abide by International Humanitarian Law.

“This declaration is a wake-up call to prevent a deeper catastrophe from unfolding in South Sudan,” said Dr. Shah. “Today, indicators tell us that South Sudan is on the brink of famine, and it’s clear that the world must now do more to address this crisis.”

“We all celebrated with the world’s newest nation when South Sudan became independent,” said Ms. Georgieva. “Less than three years later, we are witnessing a humanitarian disaster of appalling proportions. It is innocent civilians who are paying the highest price for what has happened. We need to stand by them, while doing everything we can to get their leaders to put an end to a conflict that is wrecking lives and livelihoods across South Sudan.”

Since the start of the conflict in late2013, more than a million people have been forced from their homes, including 800,000 people who are internally displaced and some 280,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan and Kenya.

Millions more are already at risk of severe food insecurity. Conflict and a funding gap of nearly US$800 million continue to affect emergency aid efforts. As the rainy season looms, UN agencies and humanitarian partners warn that heavy rains and flooding could put a serious strain on their operations and further limit their access to people in need.

The United States is the leading donor of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan and on 25 March announced an additional $83 million in assistance. With this new funding, the U.S. Government is providing more than $411 million in 2013 and 2014 to date to help those affected by the crisis. The European Commission today announced that it will be boosting its life-saving assistance by $62 million (■45 million), making its total contribution for this year $131 million (■95 million).

Other high-level participants at the meeting included African Union Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Zuma, and ministers from Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Kenya, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Also present were representatives from regional organizations, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Islamic Development Bank, as well as heads of UN agencies and international humanitarian partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Oxfam, InterAction and Médecins Sans Frontières.

MBABANE, Swaziland, April 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 10th April 2014, the African Union Commission (AUC), through the Infrastructure and Energy Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology of the Kingdom of Swaziland and Internet Society (ISOC) launched the Internet Exchange Point in Swaziland.

The Internet Exchange Point in Swaziland will contribute to bringing efficiency in the routing of intra-country internet traffic and hence faster and more secure exchange of intra-country internet traffic.

Through the African Internet Exchange System (AXIS) project, the African Union Commission has so far extended capacity building support to facilitate the establishment of internet exchange points in 24 Member States including Swaziland. The capacity building support facilitated the setting up of the necessary structures and prepared network engineers with the technical skills to interconnect their networks to the internet exchange point.

In addition to the capacity building support, the AU has so far donated equipment and services to set up and launch the Internet Exchange Points in Namibia, Burundi and Swaziland. The total cost of the support extended to realize each internet exchange point is USD 63,000. The Kingdom of Swaziland is the third Member State to launch the Internet Exchange Point with the support of the African Internet Exchange System Project of the AU.

“It has been a long road travelled together with the African Union Commission towards what we are here about today – our national internet exchange point (IXP). The African Union Commission has indeed proved to be a real mother to the nations on the African Continent by pioneering the African Internet Exchange System Project which has helped countries to establish their own internet exchange points” said Hon. Dumisani C. Ndlangamandla, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology.

“I find it proper to implore the committee and all the stakeholders to treat this gift from the African Union Commission with utmost attention and care. This is a gift to Government, to you stakeholders who are the primary users and to the whole Swazi Nation, added the Hon. Minister.”

“While the launch of the internet exchange point is a welcome and laudable development towards our efforts to reduce cost and inefficiency associated with routing of the continent’s internet traffic through overseas carriers, we are still at the very early stage of harnessing the potential of Internet Exchange Points in Africa. It is in this regard that the African Union Commission plans issue a request for proposals to select internet exchange points to be supported to grow into regional internet exchange points” said Mr. Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society Division, African Union Commission.

The launch was also attended by Mr. Michuki Mwangi from the Internet Society and attended by Senior Government Officials and Leaders of the Industry.

For more information on the African Internet Exchange System Project of the African Union, visit www.au.int/axis

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Musical theatre and choir, stories, video documentaries, religious services and prayers from different religious denominations based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were some of the activities that took place during the 20th anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide commemorated today, 11 April 2014 at the headquarters of the African Union.

The ceremony also included statements from Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Tewodros Adhano, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs of the AU, Mr. Hamadi Meimou, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), Mr. Bulus Paul Lolo, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chair of the Peace and Security Council of the AU, and Mr Joseph Nsengimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda.

It was recalled that around 1,000,000 people lost their lives during the 100 day period of the genocide. The 20th anniversary was observed under the theme: KWIBUKA20 “Remember, Unite, and Renew”.

“We must renew our determination, and make the choice: that Africa shall be peaceful; that we will integrate; that we shall be prosperous and that we will never again tolerate genocide on African soil”, underscored Chairperson Dlamini Zuma, while emphasizing on the need for Africa to silence the guns by 2020. (See complete speech of the AUC Chairperson on the AU website: www.au.int ).

Minister Tewodros referred to the genocide as an unprecedented tragedy on the continent “never to repeat itself again”.

Ambassador Lolo on his part said Africa has pledged never again to stand and witness the tragedy that took place some 20 years ago”.

Ambassador Nsengimana expressed appreciation for the contribution of the African and international community in the reconstruction journey of his country. He shared his wish for an Africa free of conflict and genocide, “respectful of the fundamental human rights”.

The AU Staff Association president Mr. Salah Siddig Hammad recalled the horrific acts that took place during the genocide and urged everyone to take action to prevent such atrocities from happening in the future.

Also featuring in the celebrations was the lighting of the commemorative torch in remembrance of the victims of the genocide in the presence of the international community, AU Commissioners and AU staff, representatives of the civil society organizations, diplomatic corps and the Rwandan community in Addis Ababa among other invited guests.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, April 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Commission of the African Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UNESCO International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA) on Wednesday 9 Ap…

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — MSF confirms that Daniel Njuguna was not an MSF member of staff. At the time he was taken captive, he was working as a driver’s helper for the transport company Shibli Enterprise…

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 11, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Four months after the beginning of the conflict, humanitarian needs continue to increase in South Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced. Tens of thousands need medical care. With fighting continuing in several areas and the rainy season approaching, the ICRC is concerned.

“We are concerned about the worsening of the humanitarian situation. There is growing food insecurity since the production and marketing of food have been disrupted in many places by violence or displacement,” said Melker Mabeck, head of the ICRC delegation in South Sudan. “This, combined with disruptions to water and health services where they exist, means that needs will only become more critical.”

“The longer the conflict persists and security is lacking, the more difficult it will be for people to obtain food and meet their other basic needs,” he added. In addition to responding to the emergency by providing food, water and medical assistance, the ICRC is helping farmers and livestock herders in violence-affected communities to maintain their livelihoods wherever possible.

Fighting continues in some parts of South Sudan. “We remind the parties of their obligation to abide by the rules of international humanitarian law,” said Mr Mabeck. “They must respect civilians and their property. Civilians and people no longer taking part in hostilities must be spared. Commanders must enforce discipline, issue clear orders and punish those who break the rules.”

The ICRC is also reminding all parties to respect medical personnel and facilities. “Anyone who is wounded or sick, whether civilian or combatant, must be allowed access to health care, regardless of which side or ethnic group the person is associated with,” said Mr Mabeck.

“We know from long experience in southern Sudan that the approaching rainy season will have a direct impact on the population. It will also have an effect on the ICRC’s work, and that too may be felt by the population,” he said. Roads will become impassable and aircraft will not be able to use landing strips that have turned to mud. “We have boosted our logistical capacity and will continue to adapt our response, but it will still be a challenge to accomplish what we set out to do,” he added.

South Sudan is the site of one of the ICRC’s largest operations in the world in terms of resources committed. The organization currently has 600 staff in the country working in close cooperation with the South Sudan Red Cross. Its annual budget for the country comes to 64 million Swiss francs (around 72 million US dollars). Four ICRC mobile surgical teams – more than in any other country – are currently working in various parts of South Sudan.

“We will soon need more resources to respond to the ever-growing needs,” said Mr Mabeck.

Since the beginning of the latest emergency, in mid-December, in close cooperation with the South Sudanese Red Cross the ICRC has:

• provided food for around 160,000 people in the states of Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Jonglei, Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal and Western Equatoria, and in Juba;

• supplied an additional 770 tonnes of essential food for patients and detainees;

• provided household essentials for over 220,000 people throughout the country;

• vaccinated nearly 44,000 head of livestock, benefitting an estimated 22,000 people in Northern Bahr el Ghazal who depend on the animals for their living;

• provided over 24,000 people with seed and tools for their own farming and over 27,000 with fishing equipment in certain areas;

• provided clean water for nearly 96,000 people in displaced and other conflict-affected communities as well as in health and detention facilities in various parts of the country;

• performed over 1,200 operations and provided post-operative care in eight different health-care facilities around the country;

• provided 24 first-aid and other health-care facilities with wound-dressing materials and other medical supplies;

• visited over 1,800 people held in various places of detention;

• arranged for nearly 5,000 phone calls to be made between family members.