Author: Database of Press Releases related to Africa

INVITATION TO MEDIA: 50th anniversary of the Reunification of the Republic of Cameroon

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — This is to kindly inform you that following the celebration of 50th anniversary of the Reunification by the Republic of Cameroon, the Cameroon Embassy in Addis Ababa has organise the following activities to commemorate the day. A conference to be addressed by Prof. Jean-Emmanuel PONDI on the theme: “From reunification to integration: fifty years of national construction”. The conference is scheduled to take place at the Medium Conference Hall of the New African Union Conference Center on Thursday 20 February from 5 – 6 pm. This will be followed by a cultural evening at the residence of the Cameroon Ambassador, H.E Jacques Alfred Ndoube Eboule to be animated by famous makossa musician, Henri Dikongue, among others.

Journalists are invited to take part in the conference at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa as well attend the reception organised at the residence of the Cameroon Ambassador immediately after from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

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SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON TERRORIST ATTACK IN SINAI PENINSULA, EGYPT

NEW YORK, February 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Raimonda Murmokaitė ( Lithuania):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack targeting a bus with tourists from the Republic of Korea on board on 16 February in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, killing at least four people and injuring dozens.

The members of the Security Council extended their condolences to the families of the victims and expressed their sympathy to all those injured in this heinous act, and to the people and Governments of Egypt and the Republic of Korea.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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DRC journalist dies from wounds suffered in rebel attack

NEW YORK, February 19, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A journalist in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo died on Sunday from gunshot wounds he sustained in a shootout between Congolese troops and Ugandan rebels, according to news reports.

Germain Kennedy Mumbere Muliwavyo, 28, reporter for the private broadcaster Radio Télévision Muungano in the town of Oïcha, was shot in the stomach and head on Saturday by fighters of a Ugandan rebel group called the Allied Democratic Forces, according to news reports. He was riding in a vehicle of the Congolese national armed forces when the fighters ambushed the car.

Two other journalists were also injured in the attack. Mitterand Hangi, reporter for Radio Télévision Muungano, and Patient Subiri, reporter for Radio Télévision Rwanzururu, a community radio station based in the city of Beni, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, The Associated Press reported.

The journalists were in North Kivu and were on their way to report on the village of Kamango, which the Congolese national armed forces had retaken from Ugandan rebels the day before, according to Congolese press freedom group Journaliste En Danger (JED). Periodic fighting between the Congolese armed forces and rebel groups has made North Kivu the most dangerous region for journalists, according to CPJ research. CPJ documented at least 15 anti-press violations in 2013.

Since mid-January, Congolese troops have launched military operations to drive out Ugandan rebels from their hideouts in the eastern part of the country, according to news reports. Nearly 3 million people have been displaced in the violence in recent weeks, according to news reports.

“The death of Kennedy Mumbere Muliwavyo underscores the danger for journalists in North Kivu province,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call on all sides fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo to respect journalists’ civilian status and allow them to report safely.”

Muliwavyo is the first journalist in more than six years that CPJ research has determined was killed in relation to his work. In 2007, CPJ documented the death of Serge Maheshe, an editor and reporter for U.N.-sponsored Radio Okapi, who was gunned down in the eastern border town of Bukavu.

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IMMENSE HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES PERSIST IN SOMALIA

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 one shock could send families back into a dire situation.”

In 2011, the combination of failed rains and lack of access for humanitarian agencies contributed to a famine in which nearly 260,000 people died. “While the acute phase of Somalia’s crisis may be over, it is not time to let down our guard,” Mr. Ging said. “Even in the context of so many global crises, sustained donor support is especially important when there is a genuine willingness and opportunity to break the cycle of crisis in Somalia and ensure that gains made since the famine are not tragically reversed.”

Mr. Ging visited Somalia’s capital Mogadishu and the town of Baidoa in Bay region, meeting people in settlements for the displaced. More than one million people who fled their homes because of conflict and climate-related crises in Somalia are still displaced and are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and to violations of human rights.

Mr. Ging met local authorities and organizations assisting people in Mogadishu and Baidoa. “I was impressed by the commitment of both the local and national authorities I met in Somalia,” said John Ging. “The remarkable progress made and the strength of partnerships with the international humanitarian organizations gives me confidence that the challenges ahead will be overcome. But unless funding for these vast humanitarian needs is sustained, response will be limited to short-term ‘Band-aid’ fixes. We need to have our eye not just on immediate lifesaving needs, but on the long-term, building the resilience of communities and supporting returns,” he added.

Insecurity continues to hamper the aid operation. “When I was in Mogadishu we had a grim reminder of how difficult and dangerous it is for everybody when a car-bomb attacked an UNHCR convoy. I applaud the courage of our colleagues at UNHCR and of other humanitarian partners.”

The 2013-2015 Consolidated Appeal for Somalia only received 50 per cent of the US$1.15 billion it sought for 2013, and almost no funds to promote durable solutions. So far, the appeal for 2014 has received just 4 per cent of the $933 million requested.

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RPF wins parliamentary elections in Rwanda amidst absence of opposition and democratic space.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, October 8, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Rwandan National Electoral Commission (NEC) announced the final results of the Chamber of Deputies elections that were held on 16-18th of September. The NEC announced that 98.8% of the voting population casted their vote in these legislative elections, which were almost entirely financed by the Rwandese government itself and had the lowest cost per voter on the whole continent.

As expected, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) of President Paul Kagame gained a landslide victory. The RPF obtained 76,22% of the votes casted for the 53 seats available. Similar to the 2008 elections, the Social-Democratic Party (PSD) and the Liberal Party (PL) occupied the second and the third spots, obtaining respectively 13.03% and 9.29% of the votes. Other participating political parties and the four independent candidates did not reach the 5% threshold required for representation in this legislature of the Rwandese lower house.

In line with the Constitution, 24 female members, two representatives from the National Youth Council and one representative from the Federation of the Associations of the Disabled were also elected for the Chamber of Deputies. Because of the 24 seats reserved for women who are to be elected by their peers and because the high number of seats won by female candidates, Rwanda continues to have the world’s highest rate of female members of parliament.

The very high turnout is somewhat in contrast with the seemingly low level of interest in these legislative elections, by the population and in the Rwandan media. This is not entirely surprising. The voter’s choice was limited to the RPF or parties that do not significantly differ from the RPF, and most major opposition leaders remain in exile or have been jailed. Also, several parties questioned the opportunity of participation, while others faced a difficult registration process.

The League for Human Rights in the Great Lakes region (LDGL) organized a nation-wide civil society observation mission of the elections. In their preliminary statement on the elections, LDGL report: “the voting process was generally orderly, notwithstanding a few isolated incidents”, which include some irregularities during the counting procedures. More generally, they raise concerns about the lack of political space, government influence over the NEC, the cumbersome registration process for independent candidates and the allegiance of partiality of participants in the electoral college of the 24 reserved seats for women. The preliminary statement from the LDGL election observation mission did not contain any commentary yet on the results announced by the NEC.

Rwanda has made remarkable progress towards reconstruction and consolidating internal security after the devastation of the civil war and 1994 genocide, especially with regard to economic growth and the path towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). While being an African model on technocratic governance and economic development, political governance is flawed and dissident voices have largely disappeared from the Central-African country. Currently, Rwanda is characterized by a low level of democratic space, with limited freedom of speech and breathing space for the (a) critical civil society. The latter has continuously been thwarted in executing their mission and have often been confronted with interference on behalf of government authorities. Political opposition has been severely weakened by continuous arrests and high administrative barriers to its participation in the public debate. Critical media are almost non-existing in the country.

EurAc therefore urges the European Union and its Member States to:

• Recognize the indicators of fragility of development in Rwanda, by addressing democratic space, human rights and strengthening civil society in Rwanda, which is key to long term stability, development and accountable governance in the country and the wider region

• Continue to put the topic of the narrowness of democratic space on the agenda in its political dialogue with the Rwandan authorities, including the hindering of civil society by government authorities, the difficult environment for political opposition and the shortage of freedom of expression.

• Support independent civil society and media actors, in terms of financial and capacity-building support and political backing

• Develop a clear stance on the question of a constitutional revision running counter to the possibility of political alternation.

• Support the capitalization to document the positive organizational experience of the election for future reference.

• Provide all necessary measures to assist and protect human rights defenders and their organisations when necessary, applying the UN declaration on human rights defenders of 1998.

By APO-OPA

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF PEACEKEEPER FOLLOWING 13 JULY ATTACK ON AFRICAN UNION-UNITED NATIONS HYBRID OPERATION IN DARFUR

NEW YORK, October 2, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General was saddened to hear that a police adviser from Sierra Leone, inju…

By APO-OPA

Public-private partnerships promise a bright future for the African pharmaceutical industry

HAMMAMET, Tunisia, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African pharmaceutical sector is expected to grow tremendously in the coming years. The opportunity is such that public-private synergies are key to the development of the industry. These were the conclusions that emerged from the first African Pharmaceutical Summit, held on September 23 and 24 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

Logo AfDB: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank-2.png

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/dsc_8000_01.jpg

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With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10 per cent, Africa is the second most dynamic pharmaceutical market after Asia Pacific, with a pharmaceutical spending expected to reach $30 billion by 2016. Co-organized by the African Development Bank (http://www.afdb.org) and the Africa Health journal, the African Pharmaceutical Summit drew over 130 participants from around the world. The summit is the first platform to bring together high-level policy-makers, Ministers of Health, Industry, Trade, and Finance, CEOs, experts from pharmaceutical manufacturers, universities, institutions and organizations to debate the future strategies of Africa’s pharmaceutical industry. The important meeting was an opportunity to highlight the need of public-private partnerships which are more than ever necessary to seize opportunities in this sector and improve the health of Africans.

Abdellatif Mekki, Tunisian Minister of Health, expressed his support for the development of African partnerships in this emerging economic area. He said that such partnerships would significantly improve the access to medicine and harmonization of laws in Africa.

As the premier financing and development institution for Africa, the AfDB has a unique role to play in the public-private dialogue in the pharmaceutical sector. With this first edition of the African Pharmaceutical Summit, the Bank provides an opportunity to create a business-to-business platform aimed at building partnerships, strengthening collaboration and engaging key stakeholders in meaningful discussion around Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.

Mthuli Ncube, Chief Economist and Vice-President at the African Development Bank, pointed out “the current political momentum in the pharmaceutical sector development in Africa. Although the African pharmaceutical market represents only two per cent in global terms, it is the fastest-growing in the world,” he said. “There is a window of opportunity considering the strong demographic dynamics, the growth of the consumer spending power in Africa, although the continent accounts for the bulk of the global infectious disease burden.”

Feng Zhao, Manager of the Health Division of the AfDB’s Human Capital Development Department, acknowledged that there were a number of challenges to overcome in Africa. In the context of the current financial crisis, huge up-front investments are needed to boost the industry, he said. “New business models and partnerships applicable to Africa should be designed to better meet the specificity of the continent,” he added. “We have already launched several initiatives and we continue to offer our support to develop the potential of this sector.”

The AfDB has embarked on an ambitious program to support its Ten-Year Strategy for 2013- 2022. Through the Human Capital Development Department, the Bank has defined its priorities for the pharmaceutical industry supporting private-sector development and regional economic integration. These two pillars are pushing Africa to be a key player in the global pharmaceutical market.

Investments in skills and technology are also at the centre of the Bank’s development agenda. Given the specific nature of the African pharmaceutical industry, technology and innovation can be harnessed to accelerate inclusive growth and job creation in the sector.

The AfDB has undertaken several initiatives to assist the public and private sector, NGOs and institutes in Africa in the development of innovative solution in the health sector. In this context, the first edition of the African Pharmaceutical Summit celebrated 10 recipients of AfDB e-health award. During the summit, the winners received a certificate recognizing their innovative contributions and solutions in the emerging areas of e-health and m-health in Africa.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Media Contact: Nawsheen Elaheebocus, Tel: +216 7110 1224

Programme Coordinator de programmes : Feng Zhao, Tel : +216 7110 2117

About the African Development Bank Group

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 33 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 53 regional member states.

For more information: http://www.afdb.org

By APO-OPA

Canada Condemns Terrorist Attack in Nigeria

OTTAWA, Canada, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack on a college in northeastern Nigeria. The perpetrators of this abhorrent act targeted innocent students while they were sleeping.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I extend my deepest sympathies to those injured in the attack and to the families and friends of those who lost their lives. We sincerely hope that the perpetrators of this despicable act will be brought to justice.

“Canadians stand united with the Nigerian people in deploring terrorism. We will continue to assist the people and Government of Nigeria as they strive to improve security and uphold the rule of law.”

By APO-OPA

AfricaBusiness.com: Actuated towards Africa’s advancement in promoting local business and Bringing international business to the shores of Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — AfricaBusiness.com (http://www.africabusiness.com) disseminates global information, business news and enhances the trade of business and products to the global market internationally. As one of the leading Business News Websites, it receives articles from local journalists and researchers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Malawi, Togo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana and press-releases from PR agencies.

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Although there are many online news websites, AfricaBusiness.com intends to offer more, having developed a cutting edge means to strengthen cooperation between Africa and foreign business, marketing, advertising and attract investments to African countries. In just a few hours, AfricanBusiness.com is able to connect you to the business world with satisfaction.

Serving in Business, Trading, Events, Renewable Energy, Travel, Science, Currency and Exchange amongst others, AfricaBusiness.com provides useful information for those looking to promote their products and services in the emerging markets of Africa. Through dissemination of daily news, AfricaBusiness.com helps entrepreneurs, business people, to communicate with experts and professionals about the economies of Africa and business opportunities.

Africa is open to all businesses. The continent’s rich mineral resources have created business boom for many local and foreign companies, contributing to sustainable growth and development in the continent. “Africa, I think, is going to be a hugely important continent in the future,” says Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of De Beers. The business opportunity in Africa has been embraced by many top business tycoons, including Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group. Entrepreneurship South Africa is an entrepreneurial development organization funded by Richard Branson.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of AfricaBusiness.com.

For all your business, marketing and advertising enquiries, contact AfricaBusiness.com (http://www.africabusiness.com)

Media Contact

Person Name: Mr. Thandisizwe Mgudlwa

Phone Number: +2773 074 6276

E-mail: thandisizwe@africabusiness.com; info@africabusiness.com

Website: http://www.AfricaBusiness.com

By APO-OPA

Africa grain experts to explore the continent’s potential as the next frontier in global grain supply at 5th African Grain Summit

MOMBASA, Kenya September 30, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Over 250 top leaders from Africa including business executives from the private sector, including farmers, traders and millers, non-governmental organizations, development partners, financial institutions, researcher government representatives, regional bilateral institutions, and policymakers will convene from the 1st – 3rd October 2013 to discuss key issues affecting the African grain sector. This will be at the 5th Africa Grain Trade Summit, hosted by the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) (http://www.eagc.org) at the Sarova-Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya. The Summit’s theme is “Africa: The Emerging Frontier for Global Investments in Grain Trade.”

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The summit is timely as global focus shifts to Africa’s potential to feed itself and feed the world. Africa with an estimated population of 1 billion people and an area of 30.2 million km² is home to seven of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies with a projected economic growth rate of 6%. Additionally, the continent has a youthful population, a rich resource base, rising incomes and a steadily growing private sector: all these factors make for a healthy and attractive investment environment.

At this year’s summit, delegates will focus on advocating for a predictable agricultural trade policy and price environment which facilitates public private partnerships and stimulate increased investments along the grain value chain. Additionally, opportunities for innovation and technology adoption to address constraints and increase agricultural investments in Africa will be explored as will means of optimizing intra-Africa market access by dismantling barriers to trade. Delegates will also discuss how to scale up agribusiness financing for Africa’s grain trade through Structured Trading Systems.

“The summit will be setting the stage and opening doors through establishing essential linkages and new and increased investments in grain trade in Africa,” says the EAGC Executive Director, Mr. Gerald Masila.

“AGRA is happy to be associated with the Africa Grain Summit as it will help in charting the way forward on resolving the issue on postharvest grain losses which are currently at 40% in sub-Saharan Africa. By stemming these losses we can help to increase farmers’ incomes,” says Mrs Anne Mbaabu, Director of AGRA’s Market Access Program.

During the summit, the first ever Structured Trading Systems Handbook will be launched and is envisioned as being a game-changing tool in grain trade in Africa and beyond.

This year’s Summit has received support from the Alliance for Green Revolution in Agriculture (AGRA), the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA), the Agribusiness Initiative Trust (ABI), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), The East Africa Trade Hub (formerly known as USAID COMPETE), CARANA Corporation, Seaboard Overseas and Trading Group, Tradiverse Kenya Limited, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Bunge East Africa Limited, Capital Reef Kenya Limited, the East Africa Breweries Limited, Cimbria East Africa, Intertek Commodities Ltd, Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited, Cereal Growers Association, Mama Millers Ltd, Post-Harvest Services Limited, Farm Concern International, Uplands Rice Millers and the recently established East Africa Exchange (EAX) based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Alliance for the Eastern Africa Grain Council – EAGC.

For more information on the summit please contact;

Janet Ngombalu

Regional Manager, Marketing Information Systems and Communications

Eastern Africa Grain Council – EAGC

Tel: +254 712 733418 or +254 737 804104

Email: jngombalu@eagc.org, africagraintradesummit2013@eagc.org

About Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC)

The Eastern Africa Grain Council (http://www.eagc.org) is a regional organization with membership drawn from across the Eastern and Southern Africa. Members of the Council cut across the Grain value chain and include all the key players in production, trade and processing in nine (9) countries across Africa including Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Some of our key services include warehouse receipting systems, market intelligence systems and evidence-based policy advocacy for an enabling policy environment. The Council works very closely with governments in the region, regional economic blocs like the EAC, COMESA and SADC and also development partners to address the various challenges in food security.

http://www.eagc.org – http://www.ratin.net – http://www.graintradesummit.com

About the 5th Africa Grain Trade Summit

The Africa Grain Trade Summit is a premier biennial premier international event organized by the East Africa Grain Council and brings together key grain industry stakeholders over 25 African countries, and both regional and global organizations.

By APO-OPA