Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Despite being the third largest oil producing country in sub-Saharan Africa, Equatorial Guinea reels from a poor economy, a lack of good governance and of independent and functioning state institutions. These issues were the focus of presentations made by human rights defenders from Equatorial Guinea in a World Council of Churches (WCC) sponsored side-event at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The event was organized by the WCC’s Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, in collaboration with EG Justice and the International Network of Human Rights (INHR) on 27 March. It featured panellists from Equatorial Guinea, who spoke about human right violations in the country and urged attention from the UN and the international community to help resolve the situation.

INHR’s director Ramon Munoz Castro, reading a statement on behalf of Gustavo Gallon, former Special Rapporteur on Equatorial Guinea, stated that “violation of human rights is systematic” in Equatorial Guinea.

He emphasized that human rights violations highlighted at the previous Universal Periodic Review (UPRs) must be transformed into necessary reforms in the country. Thus he stressed the importance of re-establishing the post of UN Special Rapporteur on Equatorial Guinea, which can significantly contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

Tutu Alicante, lawyer and executive director of EG Justice, underlined the issue of

corruption in Equatorial Guinea. Speaking about the weakness of state institutions in the country, he said that “corruption is the only thing which seems to be working”.

Alicante said that since previous UPRs on Equatorial Guinea, the situation hasn’t changed much. It is, therefore, a “moral obligation” for the UN and international community to promote protection of human rights in the country, Alicante said.

Alfredo Okeneve Ndoho, secretary general of the CEID Equatorial Guinea, called the autocratic regime responsible for human rights violations. He said that despite an abundance of resources, regressive socio-economic situations and poor welfare systems persist.

Protection of human rights and dialogue

Wenceslao Mansogo, another human rights defender from Equatorial Guinea, expressed his hopes for the UN to help protect civil and political rights of people in the country.

Mansogo went on to say that human rights defenders are persecuted, and dissent is often suppressed violently, and “fair judicial trials have become a utopia in Equatorial Guinea”.

It is therefore important to promote a strong civil society and national dialogue, aiming to cease human rights violations, unfair trials, arbitrary detentions and impunity, Mansogo added.

Christina Papazoglou, WCC programme executive for human rights, stated there is a need to support and enhance the capacity of human rights activists in the country, churches included, and build up strong international networks and partnerships to support their work on the ground.

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Equatorial Guinea, a WCC member church, has a “strong interest in being more actively engaged in the protection and promotion of human rights in the country,” said Papazoglou.

“We believe that churches and faith-based organizations, not only in Equatorial Guinea but worldwide, have played on many occasions and can continue to play an important role in the promotion and protection of human rights. Churches are deeply rooted in the communities and they can support positive changes at the grassroots level,” she said.

Equatorial Guinea will be reviewed under the UPR mechanism on 5 May.

LONDON, United-Kingdom, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UK/Tanzania High Level Prosperity Partnership yields results as British businesses help develop Tanzania’s energy sector

The Foreign Secretary yesterday met President Kikwete of Tanzania and commended the growing partnership between the UK and Tanzania on trade and investment, defence and security and governance and human rights.

The Foreign Secretary noted the significant opportunities for British businesses in developing Tanzania’s energy sector, amongst others. He welcomed progress made on two major projects:

• the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BG Group, Ophir Energy, their joint venture partners and the Tanzanian Petroleum Development Corporation, on the potential development of a multi-billion pound onshore liquefied natural gas plant; and

• an agreement between UK company Aldwych International and the Tanzanian authorities on development of a £175 million wind farm, which the government has now identified as a priority under the Big Results Now initiative, and which would make a significant contribution to Tanzania’s renewable energy goals

The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of good governance in the development of Tanzania’s extractives sector. As part of this he encouraged Tanzania to sign up to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. The Foreign Secretary also thanked President Kikwete for his role as a global champion of the UK initiative on Preventing Sexual Violence, and urged a continued commitment to tackling illegal trade in wildlife.

Other agreements reached during the visit include:

• Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Tanzania to strengthen cooperation between the British armed forces and the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force, which will enable training of Tanzanian troops for peace support operations as well as creating opportunities for UK troops to train in Tanzania.

• a major new £18.25 million Tax Modernisation Programme funded by DFID, to enable Tanzania to increase tax revenue and progressively reduce aid dependence.

Speaking after the meeting, the Foreign Secretary said:

“I am delighted at the growing partnership between the UK and Tanzania on a number of fronts. Tanzania offers significant opportunities for British businesses in the energy and other sectors and is set to become a major new global gas supplier. I am pleased President Kikwete had the opportunity to witness UK expertise in oil and gas by visiting Aberdeen. I hope that Tanzania will apply to join the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, an important tool for ensuring good governance in the extractives sector, during the UK’s chairmanship.”

OTTAWA, Canada, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today, Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, announced additional support to the people of South Sudan in response to the escalation of violence in several regions of the country since December 2013.

The security situation in South Sudan remains deeply concerning, with reports of continued fighting, attacks on civilians and ethnic violence. Those affected by the crisis are in dire need of protection, food, health care, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services.

“Canada continues to respond to the increasing needs in South Sudan,” said Minister Paradis. “People who have been forced to flee their homes urgently need support. Canada’s assistance will enable experienced humanitarian partners to deliver essential, lifesaving services on the ground, including increasing food production to stave off famine. Canada is particularly troubled by the impact of this crisis on women and children, and we are responding with specific protection measures for displaced people who have suffered from sexual and gender-based violence.”

To address the needs of the displaced and in response to appeals from the United Nations, the International Red Cross Movement and Canadian non-governmental organizations, Canada is providing $24.85 million to experienced humanitarian partners already operating on the ground. In addition to emergency assistance, Canada is providing $51.5 million to help the people of South Sudan address longer-term food security and livelihoods needs, which will help to avert potential famine this year and reduce pressure on emergency food assistance requirements.

Canada calls on all parties to the conflict to provide immediate unhindered humanitarian access and allow for the safe delivery of emergency relief to those in need. We will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation.

Quick Facts

• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that since December 2013, the conflict has forced more than 925,000 people from their homes, including more than 700,000 within South Sudan.

• More than 250,000 South Sudanese have sought protection in neighbouring countries: Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and Ethiopia.

• To date in 2014, Canada has committed more than $24.8 million in humanitarian assistance to South Sudan through United Nations humanitarian partners, the International Red Cross Movement, and Canadian non-governmental organizations.

JUBA, South Sudan, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Aid agencies in South Sudan warn of even more dire humanitarian consequences if urgently needed funds are not raised in the coming weeks.

The South Sudan Crisis Response Plan, which covers January to June 2014, is only 30 per cent funded. Of the US$887 million shortfall in funding, $232 million is the bare minimum required for the next three months to avoid the humanitarian situation deteriorating sharply.

The funding needed will enable rapid response teams to provide lifesaving aid including food, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, to communities in hard-to-reach areas affected by the conflict. It will also enable agencies to preposition relief in these areas ahead of the imminent rainy season so that life-saving aid continues to be available to people during the second half of this year, when two thirds of the country becomes inaccessible by road.

One million people have been displaced by conflict in just 100 days – over 803,000 people are displaced within South Sudan and another quarter of a million people have fled to neighbouring countries. More than 90 per cent of those displaced in the country are in open or rural settings, often seeking refuge in hard-to-access locations without food, clean water or shelter. Without enough food to eat, malnutrition is on the rise. Resources raised now will focus on these extremely vulnerable communities.

“If donor funding is not made available now, we will be unable to meet the most basic needs to keep people alive or prevent a catastrophic decline in food security for millions of people at risk later in the year,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan, Toby Lanzer.

“The situation is tough, but aid agencies are doing everything they can to reach people in need, not only with relief that will keep them alive today but also with vital inputs for the planting season which is upon us,” said aid chief Lanzer.

“I call on the negotiators in Addis to ensure that a cessation of hostilities is in place and respected by all parties to the conflict. At the same time, I invite donors to come forward with the money needed now so that aid agencies have the means to help prevent an even greater tragedy from unfolding in early 2015.”

BERN, Switzerland, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Over three years after Switzerland and Nigeria signed their migration partnership agreement, the delegations of these two countries met today in Abuja for the 5th technical committe…

STASBOURG, France, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — There is “not a verdict” yet, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi told Foreign Affairs MEPs on Tuesday in response to their concerns over the recent sentencing to death of 529 members of the Muslim Brotherhood. While acknowledging the difficulties of the Egyptian government in the current transition and the strategic importance of Egypt for the region and Europe, MEPs also raised concerns over the role of the military, the separation of powers and inclusiveness of the Egyptian democratic transition.

Mr Fahmi indicated that the Egyptian court has only submitted the case against the Muslim Brothers to the mufti (interpreter of the Muslim law) “to see if the death sentence should be applied” and ensured that “three levels of appeal” would apply to those sentenced “through the legal system”.

“You imagine how deceived, worried, shocked we are by the news” about the trials, said Mário David (EPP, PT), joined by other members concerns. The minister admitted that the case against the members of the Brotherhood was a “serious one”.

The current Egyptian government is working on “defining our political identity in the 21st century”, which “includes everyone who wants to be Egyptian and wants to take part in building this new country in a peaceful fashion,” Mr Fahmi said. Egypt “started incorrectly in 2011. Rather than developing the constitution first and defining our identity and then going into elections, we jumped into the election process” instead, he added.

Building a tolerant society

Reflecting on the minister’s pledge to build a “new” and “tolerant” Egypt, Ana Gomes (S&D, PT) said: “I don’t understand how you can move towards democracy if you put into the ghetto of clandestinely the Muslim Brotherhood.”

The minister defended banning the Muslim Brotherhood by arguing: “Their ideology is exclusive because it does not include those who are not members of the brotherhood” and pledged his government wanted to build an inclusive society instead.

Media freedom

Charles Tannock (ECR, UK) called on the minister to “lobby the authorities to drop the charges” against Al-Jazeera English staff and other journalists, arguing that they were not involved in propaganda.

“We are in a process of evolution. We need to determine what is allowed and what is not,” the minister replied, arguing that the press was “opening up” and asking for “more time.”

No moratorium on death penalty before legislative elections

“Mass death penalty does not work (…) Could a moratorium on the death penalty not help the Egyptians to get more together?” Johannes Cornelis Van Baalen (ALDE, NL) asked.

“We need to go through election process and see if the parliament wants to do that. Presently the death penalty is part of the law although I understand your concerns over the numbers”, the minister replied.

He also indicated that the date of the legislative elections must be announced by 16 July and the elections could be held at the end of the summer, between the end of August and beginning of October.

Role of military and separation of powers

On MEPs’ concerns over the role of the military, which has to approve the nominee for the post of the minister of defence and whose budget was qualified by MEPs as “opaque”, the minister replied that the constitutional provisions on the military were for “two election cycles”. “We do not want to politicise the military,” he stated.

As to criticism of appointments of up to one fifth of members of the parliament by the President, which according to MEPs does not respect the separation of powers, Mr Fahmi said that this constitutional provision was meant to ensure “better representation” of women and minorities in the parliament.

Egypt’s relations with Ethiopia and Sudan, namely over the use of water from Nile, were among the other subjects discussed during the debate.

NIAMEY, Niger, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the second and third reviews of Niger’s economic performance under the program supported by a three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The completion of these reviews enables an immediate disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 22.56 million (about US$34.9 million), bringing total disbursements under the ECF arrangement to an amount equivalent to SDR 45.12 million (US$69.9 million).

In completing the review, the Executive Board granted the authorities’ request for waivers for the nonobservance of the performance criteria on net domestic financing of the government at end-December 2012 and at end-June 2013 and on domestic arrears at end-December 2012. The Board also approved a request to extend the program until December 31, 2015 and the rephasing of the remaining disbursements under the current ECF arrangement. The ECF arrangement for Niger was approved on March 16, 2012 (see Press Release No. 12/90).

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair issued the following statement:

“Niger’s recent economic performance has been adversely impacted by below average rainfall in the second half of 2013 and the deterioration in the security situation in the region. Looking forward, macroeconomic prospects appear broadly favorable, with oil and mining projects coming into the production phase after 2015.

“The authorities have shown strong commitment to their program supported under the Extended Credit Facility. Key corrective measures, including strengthened revenue collection, closer spending controls, and improvements to the debt management framework, have brought the program back on track after slippages at end-2012.

“Progress in the implementation of the structural reform agenda has been broadly satisfactory. The production of a comprehensive quarterly budget report and the limitation of exceptional expenditure are welcome. Efforts to move toward establishing a Treasury Single Account and prepare quarterly cash management will significantly improve budget execution. Further enhancing the debt management framework will be important to help ensure debt sustainability while investing in high-return infrastructure and social projects.

“Sound management of natural resources will be critical to ensure higher overall growth and faster poverty reduction. The authorities are encouraged to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the macroeconomic management of these resources. Stepping up efforts to complete the restructuring of the financial sector is also key to ensure that the financial system can support growth.

“Inaccurate data on public sector nonconcessional external debt had resulted in a noncomplying disbursement. In view of the corrective actions taken and planned to strengthen debt management and monitoring, the Executive Board decided to waive the nonobservance of the performance criterion that gave rise to the noncomplying disbursement.”

BISSAU, Guinea Bissau, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Sob o lema “Os Media e as Eleições: Independência-Rigor- Ética”, decorrerá nos dias 2 e 3 de Abril de

2014, a partir das 09:00H, no Centro Cultural Brasil Guiné-Bissau, a 1ª Conferência Nacional sobre os Media e as Eleições.

A conferência, articulada em grupos de trabalho e sessões plenárias, irá investigar e debater os

principais aspectos do trabalho jornalístico na época eleitoral, incluindo, entre outras temáticas, a deontologia profissional, a influência dos factores políticos e a recente promulgação do novo pacote legislativo sobre os órgãos da comunicação social.

O evento é promovido e financiado pela União Europeia através do seu Programa de Apoio aos Actores Não Estatais (UE-PAANE) e foi organizado com base em propostas de duas organizações profissionais de jornalistas guineenses (o SINJOTECS e a Casa de Imprensa), na sequência do Curso de formação sobre o Processo Eleitoral realizado pelo UE-PAANE no mês de Dezembro de 2013, com a participação de 60 jornalistas.

NICOSIA, Cyprus, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Global Pacific & Partners (http://www.glopac-partners.com) announce the 11th Maghreb, Mediterranean, MidEast Upstream Conference 2014 from 20th to 21st May, at the Hilton Hotel in Nicosia, Cyprus, with the support of the European Rim Policy and Investment Council.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/140401.jpg

Logo PetroAfricanus Club: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/petroafricanus_club.jpg

Logo PetroArabian Club: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/petroarabian_club.jpg

This meeting brings together key Governments, National Oil Companies and leading corporate players, and is the longest and most established upstream meeting on this region of its kind.

Key Focus:

● Building Portfolio: Corporate Players & Strategies

● Regional Government Oil & Gas

● Commercialization & Investment in Emerging Markets

● Frontier Opportunities

● Gas-LNG Outlook & Unconventionals

● Regional Landscapes & Energy Future

Highlights:

● Widely acclaimed 11th Maghreb-MidEast Strategy Briefing 2014 held on the 19th May

● 150+ Senior Executives

● 32+ Presentations

● Cocktail Reception & PetroAfricanus-PetroArabian Dinner held on the 20th May

32+ Confirmed Speakers, including:

ADX Energy Ltd

Barcelona Centre for International Affairs – CIDOB

Botas Petroleum Pipeline Corp

Cygam Energy Inc.

Dana Gas Egypt

Delek Belron International

European Rim Policy and Investment Council (ERPIC)

Global Pacific & Partners International

Hellenic Petroleum S.A.

Habboush Group

International E&P BV

Levant Law Practice

Natural Resources Authority, Jordan

Noble Energy Inc

Northern Petroleum Plc

Petroceltic International

Petroleb

RWE Dea AG

Onhym

Polish Oil & Gas Company

Petra Petroleum

PGS

San Leon Energy plc

Sea Dragon Energy Inc

SPTEC Advisory

The Ministry of Oil, Iraq

White Stream Pipeline Company Ltd

The Global Pacific & Partners’ Clubs connect the corporate and state players, facilitate industry interests and deal flow in Africa’s Upstream, through networking with senior executives from around the world.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Global Pacific & Partners.

Note for the press:

For further information, please contact Global Pacific & Partners:

Babette van Gessel

Tel: +31-70.324.6154

@: babette@glopac.com

Sonika Greyvenstein

Tel: +27-11.880.7052

@: sonika@glopac.com

Please follow our LinkedIn company profile for daily updates on the Upstream Industry: http://tinyurl.com/mq6nekh

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, April 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The European Commission has today announced the results of the first call for proposals of an innovative programme for providing finance to bring electricity to the world’s poorest citizens. This initiative also shows that the EU has been a leader in the campaign to provide Sustainable Energy for All.

Grants of €95 million have been awarded for16 projects across nine African countries to provide access to energy in rural areas, an amount which will be translated into projects costing more than €155 million (through co-financing support by applicants) and bring electricity to more than 2 million people.

Commissioner Piebalgs said: “This shows that real results are being delivered and that the EU is scaling up proven successful projects which have a high impact on poverty reduction through sustainable rural electrification. Energy is fundamental for every area of development; from creating jobs and boosting growth to improving healthcare and enabling people to cook safely. Yet too often, people in rural areas have been left behind – a shocking 84% of those without access to energy now live in the countryside. We need to make sure that our work supports everyone, no matter where they live.”

This is a first step in a new innovative programme to bring electricity to many millions. Over the next 7 years the Commission aims to spend more than €2 billion in supporting energy in Africa. This will, in turn, leverage investments exceeding €10 billion, filling in the gaps for energy infrastructure and therefore allowing businesses, schools, homes and hospitals to get the electricity they require.

In addition, another Call for Proposals targeting rural electrification in fragile states (such as Burundi, Liberia, Somalia and Mali) is currently under evaluation and will deliver more benefits in these countries, where the energy needs are greatest. This will be the next step to ensure that EU’s efforts to provide sustainable energy where it’s most needed bear fruit.

Background

The funding announced today is the result of a ‘Call for Proposals’, which is an EU funding system which enables NGOs, government and private sector organisations to receive a grant for EU Funding based on their proposal for an innovative project.

The countries which will benefit from this initiative are: Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Liberia, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Rwanda. The European Commission will promote another 40 proposals received –but not selected – to private and public donors and development agencies. Therefore, the list of countries and the number of rural population benefiting from the Call results could further increase.

In addition, infrastructure projects financed through our innovative blending instruments and the Technical Assistance Facility available for all Sub-Saharan African countries are already delivering results and contribute to the EU support for Sustainable Energy for All objectives.

Worldwide, about 1.3 billion people have no access to electricity. Up to a billion more have access only to unreliable electricity networks. More than 2.6 billion people rely on solid fuels (i.e. traditional biomass and coal) for cooking and heating.

A well-performing energy system that improves efficient access to modern forms of energy would strengthen the opportunities for the poorest people on the planet to escape the worst impacts of poverty. Access to energy provides people with the means to generate income – and that in turn creates wealth and new markets.