Category: APO-OPA

BERN, Switzerland, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FDFA State Secretary Yves Rossier is currently on a working visit to the Horn of Africa. After an initial stop in Somalia he arrived today in Kenya, where a visit to a refugee cam…

JUBA, South Sudan, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan cordially invites members of the media in South Sudan to a press briefing by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRS…

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On September, 22, 2014, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the 2014 Article IV consultation1 with Kenya.

Kenya’s economy has continued to expand in a stable economic environment. Credit to the manufacturing sector has picked up and foreign investor interest is growing, notably in the extractive industries. The economy’s growth rate rose to 5 percent in 2013/14 and is expected to gain further momentum in 2014/15, driven by higher domestic and external investment. Inflation remains moderate, but rising food prices and rapid credit growth may fuel inflation expectations. The relatively high external current account deficit (around 8 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013/14) reflects strong capital imports and a decline in agricultural exports. Following a successful first-time Eurobond issue (US$2 billion) in June 2014, international reserves reached some four and a half months of prospective import coverage. Kenya’s financial sector remains robust, the process of financial inclusion is ongoing, and efforts to develop Nairobi into a regional hub have advanced with Kenya’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s watch list.

The 2013/14 central government deficit remained broadly unchanged compared to the previous year at about 5¾ percent of GDP. A stronger revenue performance was accompanied by a higher wage bill, rising security spending and the implementation of devolution, which was rolled out at a fast pace. A new quarterly reporting framework for budget execution by counties will help to address transitional challenges for public financial management posed by devolution. Kenya’s debt remains broadly stable and sustainable. The authorities plan a gradual fiscal consolidation with a view to meeting the medium-term convergence criteria specified in the East African Community Monetary Union Protocol.

Kenya’s medium-term growth prospects are favorable, supported by rising infrastructure investment in energy and transportation; the expansion of the East African Community market; deepening financial inclusion, which fosters a more dynamic small and medium-sized enterprise sector; and the positive impact of large-size irrigation projects on agricultural productivity. Nonetheless, Kenya remains vulnerable to weather-related shocks, a further deterioration of security conditions, protracted slow growth in advanced and emerging economies, and difficulties in implementing devolution that could complicate public financial management.

Executive Board Assessment2

Directors commended the authorities for maintaining macroeconomic stability, introducing important market-friendly reforms, and for Kenya’s successful debut Eurobond issuance. Kenya’s economic outlook is favorable, although the country remains vulnerable to exogenous shocks. To mitigate downside risks, Directors encouraged stronger policy buffers and further structural reforms, including to strengthen the business climate and improve security conditions. They noted that this would help to consolidate the gains to date, contribute to poverty reduction, and promote more inclusive growth.

Directors called for continued commitment to fiscal discipline in the wake of challenges emerging from the ongoing process of devolution of government responsibilities. This process should lead to better delivery of services to help alleviate poverty and inequality across counties. Directors agreed that a prudent fiscal stance, consistent with Kenya’s medium-term debt target, will create space for much needed infrastructure investment and priority social spending. Accordingly, Directors supported further revenue mobilization, enhancement of the quality and efficiency of public spending, and better control over the public wage. They also recommended full implementation of public financial management reforms, especially with regard to fiscal devolution and the recent introduction of the Treasury Single Account aimed at strengthening cash management. They supported the authorities’ efforts to reduce fiscal risks by reforming government-owned agencies, and closely monitoring contingent liabilities from state-owned enterprises.

In view of the rise in headline inflation in recent months, Directors encouraged the authorities to monitor the accelerated pace of credit growth, and to stand ready to tighten monetary conditions to anchor inflationary expectations. They also recommended strengthening prudential oversight to prevent a deterioration in the quality of banks’ loan portfolios. Continued efforts to modernize the monetary framework should also help lay the foundation for inflation targeting.

Directors welcomed the rapid increase in financial inclusion, and the authorities’ strong commitment to strengthening prudential and regulatory oversight. In light of the rapid expansion of Kenyan banks in East Africa and other SSA countries, they underscored the need for enhanced consolidated supervision of transnational banks and other systemic groups. Cross-border cooperation with regional supervisors in joint prudential oversight would also be important. Directors commended Kenya’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s monitoring process and encouraged sustained improvements in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

Directors encouraged the authorities to maintain the momentum of structural reforms and to continue their efforts to remove remaining infrastructure bottlenecks, in order to mitigate vulnerabilities to weather-related shocks and improve competitiveness. Looking ahead, they also underscored the need to put in place an effective framework for natural resource management, in light of recent oil and gas discoveries. While welcoming the ongoing revision of the national accounts statistics, Directors encouraged the authorities to further improve the quality and the scope of information on the balance of payments, social conditions, and the labor market.

PARIS, France, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On August 13, 2014, Mr. Edwin Samotse, a Botswana national, was unlawfully deported from South Africa to Botswana, where he runs the risk of being sentenced to death and executed. While South Africa’s conduct has been declared unlawful, FIDH – a member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty – LHR and DITSHWANELO call upon the authorities of Botswana to guarantee his right to a fair trial and to refrain from imposing the death penalty against him.

“Despite our enquiry to the authorities of Botswana, about whether or not they gave an assurance to the South African Government that Samotse will not face the death penalty, we still have not received a response. In a context where secrecy has surrounded the way the death penalty is carried out in Botswana, we are concerned for the safety and well-being of Mr. Samotse” declared Alice Mogwe, DITSHWANELO Director and FIDH Deputy Secretary General.

On August 13, 2014, South African Immigration officials deported Mr. Edwin Samotse to Botswana, where he is charged with murder. If convicted by the Botswana High Court, Mr. Samotse could be sentenced to death and executed. His deportation was carried out while, on two occasions (Mohammed, 2001 and Tsebe, 2012), South Africa’s Constitutional Court has confirmed the right of a person charged with capital offences not to be extradited to a country where he/she could face the death penalty and subsequent execution, without an assurance against such being imposed or executed. On September 23, 2014, the High Court sitting at Pretoria confirmed those decisions by declaring Samotse’s deportation unlawful and unconstitutional.

For Jacob Van Garderen, National Director of LHR, which joined the Samotse case before the High Court, “the decision of the High Court is consistent with the internationally recognised practice not to extradite someone to a country where he or she could face the death penalty and be executed. Our courts have already set similar precedents and we expect this decision will constitute the basis for a well defined procedure of non-removal that would be strictly observed by the relevant South African authorities”.

In its decision, the High Court noted the undertaking given by the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation to continue seeking written assurances from the authorities of Botswana that the death penalty will not be imposed against Edwin Samotse and, if imposed, that it will not be executed. The Court further called upon South African Minister of Home Affairs to enact “Standing Operation Procedures” stating that it is unlawful to deport or surrender a foreign national facing the risk of being subjected to the death penalty if deported or surrendered without the requisite assurance being obtained. The Court has required the Minister to report back on progress made in this regard as well as the outcome of the Department’s investigation into the unlawful deportation. Our organisations welcome this decision and call upon South African authorities to ensure that a comprehensive “Standing Operation Procedure” is put in place without further delay, that it is widely disseminated to all the relevant services and properly implemented.

As the World Day Against Death Penalty approaches (October 10, 2014), our organisations, which oppose the death penalty for all crimes and under all circumstances, reiterate their call upon the authorities of Botswana to envisage the adoption of a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards abolition.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The conflict in north-eastern Nigeria continues to afflict the Diffa area, in easternmost Niger. Over the past few weeks, thousands of people fleeing fighting between the Nigerian army and armed groups have arrived in Diffa, seeking security.

“This is the biggest population movement we’ve seen in many months,” said Loukas Petridis, head of the ICRC delegation in Niger. The displaced, mostly women and children, arrived from Bama, Baga, Doron Baga and Kaya Koura, where recent fighting pitted Nigeria’s army against armed groups. “They have lost everything and are entirely dependent on the willingness of the communities hosting them to help them out, and on aid provided by humanitarian organizations,” explained Mr Petridis.

Emergency relief for displaced people and residents

Many of the displaced are living in Diffa in serious distress. “All their belongings were looted or went up in flames along with their houses during the fighting,” said Marc Fumeaux, an ICRC expert on economic security.

In Diffa, some people had to settle at the edge of the city in makeshift shelters made of canvas or straw. The lucky ones were taken in by host families that were already struggling to fend for themselves. “They urgently need food and essential supplies,” said Mr Fumeaux, who is also concerned about the situation of residents playing host to the displaced.

To respond to the urgent needs of displaced people and relieve needy resident families, the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Niger have just delivered food to more than 2,000 people (274 households of displaced people and 65 of residents) in Diffa. In addition, 203 households were given blankets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, clothing and kitchen utensils.

Aid for displaced people on Lake Chad islands

Many displaced people have also taken refuge on islands in Lake Chad. The islands, which in normal times play host to seasonal fishermen and merchants, have seen their population increase tenfold with the massive influx of people uprooted by fighting. “There is very little drinking water or health care, and few sanitary facilities, available to the people displaced there and the residents. With rising water levels, reaching these remote islands is a real logistical challenge, and the lack of security is preventing many humanitarian organizations from going there,” said Yssouf Koné, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Diffa.

Since May, the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Niger have provided food aid for over 3,500 people on the islands of Koita Mota, Gadira, Karamga and Toumboun Boka. “Our staff are there right now, making new assessments,” said Mr Koné.

Access to water and health care

In the town of N’gouba, 80 kilometres from Diffa, the ICRC has just upgraded a high-capacity borehole that will provide water for some 12,000 people in Bosso and Toumour as well as N’gouba. “In this area, access to water is a vitally important issue,” said Tiémoko Ouattara, an ICRC water specialist. “Unless clean drinking water is available, people have no other choice but to drink pond water despite the serious risks to health.” Since the onset of the crisis in May 2013, the ICRC has sunk 13 new handpump-equipped boreholes, built one new concrete well and upgraded nine other concrete wells with the aim of improving access to water for displaced people and residents in the Diffa, Bosso and Mainé Soroa departments. In addition, in Boulangou Yakou, about 12 kilometres from Diffa, it overhauled a small drinking water supply line equipped with two tap stands and a watering trough for animals.

For the fourth time, the ICRC donated medicines and medical supplies to the regional hospital in Diffa. In Bosso, where many displaced people have gathered, a partnership was set up between the ICRC and the town’s general health-care centre. The ICRC recently delivered medicines and medical supplies to the centre for the first time. The aim is to give the health-care facility the means to better care for sick or injured displaced people or residents.

The ICRC is very concerned about the influx of displaced people into the Diffa area. “The possible deterioration of the security situation in the north-east of Nigeria is a concern, because the result could be that even more people will be driven to flee, towards Niger in particular,” said Mr Petridis. “Together with other components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, we are preparing to cope with an even more difficult humanitarian situation in the Diffa area.”

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries will carry out an official visit to Côte d’Ivoire from 7 to 10 October 2014 to examine and assess the impacts of mercenarism on human rights in the country.

“Cote d’Ivoire has faced tremendous challenges at the turn of the century, experiencing civil conflicts which were reported to involve mercenary activities,” said human rights expert Patricia Arias who currently heads the expert group. Ms. Arias will be accompanied by Anton Katz, fellow member of the Working Group.

The Working Group, as part of its mandate given by the Human Rights Council, will also examine the situation of private military and security companies (PMSCs) and how they operate in the country.

Côte d’Ivoire was one of the countries covered in the Working Group’s report* to the Human Rights Council this year which focused on the national legislation concerning PMSCs in several countries in Asia and Francophone Africa.

During the visit, which is being conducted at the invitation of the Ivorian authorities, the experts will hold meetings in Abidjan with members of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of the State, the army, representatives of the diplomatic community and civil society organizations.

A press conference on the preliminary observations of the Working Group will be held at 2:45 p.m. in the Press Room of the UNOCI office, Ancien Hôtel Sebroko, Attécoubé, Abidjan.

The final report on the visit will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2015.

(*) Check the Working Group’s report (A/HRC/27/50): http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Mercenaries/WGMercenaries/Pages/AnnualReports.aspx

ROME, Italy, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A locust plague that spread across Madagascar threatening the main staple food crops and pasture in the country has been successfully contained, however, progress is under threat due to a gap in funding, FAO said today.

At the beginning of the plague in April 2012 the highly destructive Malagasy Migratory Locust ravaged crops and pastures on its way from the southwest of the country toward the North. By April 2014, it had spread towards the country’s largest rice crop areas in the northwest and threatened the livelihoods of 13 million people.

Potential for further damage was contained by the first locust control campaign, which is part of a three-year programme jointly executed by FAO and the Government of Madagascar, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The effects of this plague could have been devastating, but thanks to strong efforts by the Government of Madagascar, supported by FAO, we have succeeded in preventing these locusts from migrating even further,” said David Phiri, FAO’s Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa.

Protected crops

Since locust control actions began in September 2013, large-scale areal operations allowed to survey over 30 million hectares of land and control locust populations on over 1.2 million hectares.

A total of $28 million has been donated so far by the Governments of Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Madagascar through a World Bank loan, Norway and the United States of America as well the European Union and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund. Donors also include Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco, which donated pesticides.

Preliminary results of an FAO/WFP assessment mission, conducted between mid-June and mid-July 2014 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, indicate that the first anti-locust campaign prevented larger damage to crops and pastures and protected the large rice producing regions of the country located in the centre and north.

This first campaign also provided the opportunity to further strengthen national capacities in locust management.

“Despite great support and achievements, however, we now face a new challenge due to a gap in funding,” says Phiri.

More funds needed

Funds available so far are only sufficient to implement the first part of the second locust control campaign, which started in September 2014. With the onset of the rainy season, from October 2014 onwards, the locust situation will deteriorate as seasonal temperatures and humidity at this time are ideal breeding conditions for the locust. The second and third campaigns are imperative to respectively support the decline of the plague and the return to a situation of recession.

Additional support of $14.7 million is urgently needed for aerial surveys, control operations, equipment, pesticides, as well as the recruitment of key staff to carry out the second and third campaigns.

“Each day is a fight to feed our children and send them to school,” says Hantanirina Florentine, who lives in a village near Sakaraha in central Madagascar. “Our main source of income is our 100 square metre plot of land and my husband’s odd jobs. The locust plague affected our livelihood and made our daily life even harder. The locust plague needs to be put to an end, so we can have crops and protect our livelihoods.”

Without added funding, efforts made during the first campaign will be largely lost and the locust plague will expand again. The context was similar in 2010/11 and 2011/12 when the funding for two anti-locust campaigns was not made available and as a result, the current plague developed.

“An immediate food crisis has been avoided,” says Phiri, “but an economical and humanitarian crisis could still threaten Madagascar if the two next campaigns are not implemented in time.”

“We are in a position to help – we just need one last push to stop this disaster and prevent future plagues.”

According to, Roland Ravatomanga, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Madagascar, “The first locust phase was successful thanks to the support of technical and financial partners, but much remains to be done for the second phase in 2014 and 2015. I solemnly appeal to the International Community on behalf of the Government and the Malagasy people for financial and material support to Madagascar. The food and nutrition security of Madagascar depends on it.”

NEW YORK, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson’s remarks at the high-level briefing by the African Regional Economic Communities to Member States of the United Nations, in New York today:

First of all, I want to welcome all the high-level representatives of the African Regional Economic Communities present here today. I am honoured to speak to you.

We meet at a turbulent and, at the same time, [a] dynamic time at the United Nations.

This past week has been full of activity — with a strong focus on Africa, ranging from peacekeeping and humanitarian crisis to the serious Ebola epidemic.

I am pleased that today’s gathering will discuss development and the long-term future of the continent in the light of the African Union’s visionary “Agenda 2063”.

Africa has for long and consistently been a top priority for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the entire United Nations System.

We applaud Africa’s remarkable progress. Economic growth is impressive. More African children go to school than ever before. There are great advances on women’s empowerment and gender equality. Participatory governance and institutions are on the rise.

All this has been possible thanks to the leadership and commitment of African Governments, the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and many other partners. The United Nations is one such partner, not least through the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). We always stand with Africa.

Regional Economic Communities have shown their unwavering resolve to promote interregional trade, as well as social and economic cooperation. You have also demonstrated an increasing capacity to deal with the root causes of conflict in your respective regions.

There are many examples of progress.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) helped to consolidate peace in Mali and the Sahel region. The Economic Community of Central African States is playing a mediating role in the ongoing crisis in Central African Republic.

I also welcome efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to resolve the situation in South Sudan. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is working with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to implement the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region.

The Secretary-General has convened a number of high-level meetings over the past week relating to Africa. We have seen progress towards some of our common goals. But crises on the continent still threaten lives and undermine development.

The Ebola virus disease presents new and very serious challenges in West Africa.

I commend the efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union in quickly mobilizing resources and awareness to reduce the impact of Ebola. The United Nations has mobilized to a degree rarely seen.

Our Special Envoy and the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) are working hard to stop the outbreak, treat the infected, provide essential services, preserve stability and prevent the spread of the disease.

The affected nations and the international community have a joint responsibility to contain and stop the epidemic urgently. The affected countries have a right to expect concrete and immediate acts of solidarity.

The humanitarian and security situations in the Central African Republic and South Sudan remain dire. Northern Nigeria and Somalia continue to face rising terrorist threats from Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab. The political situation in Libya is growing more complex and dangerous. Lesotho is facing a risky political stalemate. All these situations have potential spillover effects on subregions and the continent.

Let us remember that development is both a cause and consequence of peace.

There has been great social and economic progress across Africa. But, as in the rest of the world, its economies have not kept pace with legitimate demands. Above all, we need more jobs, especially for Africa’s young people. Unemployment is not only an economic challenge. It is also a social, psychological and political problem.

Trade among African countries remains limited, mainly because they do not have adequate railways, roads and other infrastructure. Many African economies also lack sufficient economic diversification, productivity and well-functioning institutions. As a result, even though African countries have impressive growth, Africa is still off track to meeting many of the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals).

We are here today to consider how we can do more to reduce poverty and inequalities, improve food and water security, and enable more African mothers and children to live healthy lives. Women’s empowerment is especially important to advancing progress for all. We can unleash enormous energy and gains across Africa if we end discrimination and violence against women and girls — and invest in their future as leaders in all areas of society.

Agenda 2063 offers a way forward for Africa with key regional objectives. The Regional Economic Communities can make the difference between failure and success. Agenda 2063 has a global dimension that must be harmonized with international development trends, particularly the post-2015 agenda.

I congratulate Africa on the Common African Position on the post-2015 development agenda. As the negotiations continue, we will work to ensure that the continent’s concerns are appropriately reflected in the next global development agenda.

The transformative changes envisaged in Agenda 2063 will need to be forged around stronger regional integration. There is tremendous power and potential in intensified regional and interregional cooperation, not least for landlocked countries.

Stronger integration will require increased competitiveness in African economies. The process should also be underpinned by major investments in human development, science, technology and infrastructure.

All this will to a great deal depend on effective governance, and durable peace and security in all parts of the continent.

This meeting provides an opportunity for you as Regional Economic Communities to tell us how you are contributing to Agenda 2063 and how the United Nations can better support your efforts. I also look forward to hearing from our Special Envoys and Special Representatives on how the United Nations System can enhance its cooperation with the Regional Economic Communities and the Member States.

Working together, we can demonstrate that the international community accepts its shared responsibility for Africa. Working hand in hand with Africa will also benefit the world at large, advancing common global goals for peace, development, human rights and human dignity.

Thank you.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Disease Outbreak News

1 October 2014

On 30 September 2014, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) was informed of the first confirmed imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the United States.

The case is an adult with recent travel history to West Africa who developed symptoms compatible with Ebola on 24 September 2014, approximately four days after arriving in the United States on 20 September 2014. The patient did not have symptoms when leaving West Africa. The case sought medical care on 26 September 2014 and was admitted into isolation on 28 September 2014 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.

Samples were sent for testing to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia and at the Texas state laboratory. Results were positive for Ebola virus.

Identification of close contacts for further daily monitoring for 21 days after exposure is under way. Given that the case did not exhibit symptoms of Ebola during the flights from West Africa, contact tracing of people on the same commercial airline flights is not indicated.

Future WHO updates on EVD in the United States will not be posted on the Disease Outbreak News. Further information will be available in WHO’s Ebola Situation Reports which provide regular updates on the WHO response: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/situation-reports/en/

More information on this case is available at:

• Texas Department of State Health Services news release: https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/news/releases/20140930.aspx

• CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/s930-ebola-confirmed-case.html

WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions be applied by countries except in cases where individuals have been confirmed or are suspected of being infected with EVD or where individuals have had contact with cases of EVD. Contacts do not include properly-protected health-care workers and laboratory staff.

Temporary recommendations from the Emergency Committee with regard to actions to be taken by countries can be found at IHR Emergency Committee on Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

WASHINGTON, October 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 1, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Guinea as yo…