Category: APO-OPA

JUBA, South Sudan, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Abu Dhabi based satellite operator, has announced its YahClick satellite broadband internet promotional offer in South Sudan for a period of two months. Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in South Sudan. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Scoop and RCS.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/141001.png

Running only until stocks last, this promotion offers subscribers significant savings on equipment costs when signing up to selected YahClick Business or Home service plans in South Sudan via YahClick Service Partners. As part of the promotion, new YahClick subscribers can get a free satellite modem and dish for Business subscription plans for speeds ranging from 3Mbps or higher or they can enjoy a US $250 discount on equipment for 2Mbps or lower plans. Subscribers to Home 3 Mbps plans or higher will only pay the discounted equipment charge of US $250 when they subscribe for three months upfront.

David Murphy, Chief Commercial Officer of Yahsat, stated, “YahClick is a game changing technology currently bringing high speed connectivity for businesses and individuals across YahClick’s area of operation, whether they are in the middle of the city, or in the remotest of locations. The YahClick promotion presents significant savings so an even greater number of subscribers can benefit from instant connectivity through reliable satellite broadband internet. Smart businesses are always watching their bottom line, so cost savings are always a welcome message.

“Today, internet connectivity is a must for businesses and households alike. YahClick is a powerful broadband solution that is making state of the art technology available to the average household, not just high end businesses. This promotion is a further demonstration of YahClick’s commitment to making internet connectivity even more affordable to unserved and underserved communities who need it the most,” said Murphy.

YahClick is designed to provide satellite broadband internet to all and is set to open new business opportunities and connectivity to a wide range of industries, NGOs, government, educational organisations, and home users throughout its coverage area by providing reliable, high-bandwidth Internet connectivity to urban, rural and even remote communities.

Scoop and RCS offer a selection of YahClick service plans that bundle hardware, software and local support services to meet the speed and data needs of businesses, government organisations, NGOs, and households.

Launched in late 2012, and now operational across 12 markets, YahClick provides satellite broadband internet connectivity to businesses, home users, government entities, and non-governmental organisations, helping bridge the technological gap for unserved and underserved communities.

For more information on the promotions and offers please contact the local service providers or visit: http://www.yahsat.com/yahclick/offers/

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”.

For more information visit www.Yahsat.ae or www.mubadala.ae

Media contacts

• Masa Milhem – masa.milhem@hkstrategies.com

• Tel: +971 (0)4 33 44 930

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat

Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae) provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services including:

• YahClick – offers home solutions, business solutions and transportable solutions

• YahService – offers managed solutions and government capacity

• YahLink – offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking capacity and backhauling capacity

• Yahlive – a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, a leading global satellite operator, offers a selective choice of premium TV channels.

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat has announced plans to launch its third satellite, Al Yah 3, in 2016, extending its commercial Ka-band coverage across Africa and, for the first time, to Brazil.

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Al Yah Satellite Communications Company, Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Abu Dhabi based satellite operator, has announced its YahClick satellite broadband internet promotional offer in Kenya for period of two months. Yahsat is offering a free satellite modem and dish for new YahClick subscribers to selected service plans as part of its commitment to deliver affordable, reliable and high speed internet connectivity in Kenya. The offer is available via the local YahClick service providers Skynet and SimbaNET.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/yahsat-1.jpg

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/141001.png

Running only until stocks last, this promotion offers subscribers significant savings on equipment costs when signing up to selected YahClick Business or Home service plans in Kenya via YahClick Service Partners. As part of the promotion, new YahClick subscribers can get a free satellite modem and dish for Business subscription plans for speeds ranging from 3Mbps or higher or they can enjoy a KSh 21,750 discount on equipment for 2Mbps or lower plans. Subscribers to Home 3 Mbps plans or higher will only pay the discounted equipment charge of KSh 19,575 when they subscribe for three months upfront.

David Murphy, Chief Commercial Officer of Yahsat, stated, “YahClick is a game changing technology currently bringing high speed connectivity for businesses and individuals across YahClick’s area of operation, whether they are in the middle of the city, or in the remotest of locations. The YahClick promotion presents significant savings so an even greater number of subscribers can benefit from instant connectivity through reliable satellite broadband internet. Smart businesses are always watching their bottom line, so cost savings are always a welcome message.

“Today, internet connectivity is a must for businesses and households alike. YahClick is a powerful broadband solution that is making state of the art technology available to the average household, not just high end businesses. This promotion is a further demonstration of YahClick’s commitment to making internet connectivity even more affordable to unserved and underserved communities who need it the most,” said Murphy.

YahClick is designed to provide satellite broadband internet to all and is set to open new business opportunities and connectivity to a wide range of industries, NGOs, government, educational organisations, and home users throughout its coverage area by providing reliable, high-bandwidth Internet connectivity to urban, rural and even remote communities.

Skynet and SimbaNET offer a selection of YahClick service plans that bundle hardware, software and local support services to meet the speed and data needs of businesses, government organisations, NGOs, and households.

Launched in late 2012, and now operational across 12 markets, YahClick provides satellite broadband internet connectivity to businesses, home users, government entities, and non-governmental organisations, helping bridge the technological gap for unserved and underserved communities.

For more information on the promotions and offers please contact the local service providers or visit: http://www.yahsat.com/yahclick/offers/

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”.

For more information visit www.Yahsat.ae or www.mubadala.ae

Media contacts

• Masa Milhem – masa.milhem@hkstrategies.com

• Tel: +971 (0)4 33 44 930

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat

Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae) provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, government, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe in addition to Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and wholly owned by Mubadala Development Company, the investment vehicle of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Yahsat is the first company in the Middle East and Africa to offer multi-purpose satellite services including:

• YahClick – offers home solutions, business solutions and transportable solutions

• YahService – offers managed solutions and government capacity

• YahLink – offers IP trunking solutions, corporate networking capacity and backhauling capacity

• Yahlive – a joint venture between Yahsat and SES, a leading global satellite operator, offers a selective choice of premium TV channels

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011, and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012. Yahsat has announced plans to launch its third satellite, Al Yah 3, in 2016, extending its commercial Ka-band coverage across Africa and, for the first time, to Brazil.

LAGOS, Nigeria, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — SkyVision Global Networks Ltd. (http://www.skyvision.net), a leading global communications provider, today announced its recent partnership with Unity Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading retail financial institutions. SkyVision provided its satellite-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) services via its local Nigerian hub to support Unity Bank’s LAN network, connecting the bank’s headquarters in Lagos to its numerous branch offices nationwide.

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

With 236 branch offices throughout Nigeria and additional branches planned for the future, Unity Bank required a robust, reliable and highly secure communications solution. Recognized as a leading connectivity provider in the region, Unity Bank chose SkyVision to install and deploy an optimal solution to meet their needs.

The SkyVision VPN solution connects Unity Bank’s core applications – including peripheral applications – to its headquarters, enabling continuous, seamless business operations in its rural area branches. Fully deployed and managed by SkyVision, SkyVision VPN enabled Unity Bank to connect their LAN sites with no investment in additional infrastructure. The superior technology behind SkyVision VPN offers increased flexibility and enables complete management control.

“As one of the nation’s leading banks and a contributor to Nigeria’s GDP, we needed a viable communications solution we could depend on,” said Zubairu Atiku, Head IT of Unity Bank. “After careful consideration, we chose SkyVision due to their outstanding market reputation, specifically in the finance industry and their ability to deliver exactly what we needed. This included installing and managing a highly-reliable system, coupled with dedicated customer service and technical support, which can’t be compared to previous service providers,” he added.

SkyVision is highly experienced in providing the African banking industry with reliable network solutions suited to their unique requirements across geographic boundaries, particularly in rural areas. SkyVision is proud to have furthered its reach into this market through recent partnerships with prominent financial institutes across Africa – including UnaCoopec, Bank of Africa and others.

“Partnering with Unity Bank is part of our continued commitment to the African financial market and to Nigeria in particular, where we have a strong and active local presence,” comments Dror Limor, SkyVision VP Sales & Marketing. “We are proud to serve Unity Bank as our valued customer and to have provided them with the reliable solution and full support they required and deserve. SkyVision plans to further expand its finance and micro-finance penetration within Nigeria and across Africa.”

For over a decade, SkyVision has focused efforts to becoming the corporate communications ‘solution of choice’ in Nigeria, through its establishment of local hubs, PoPs and local presence to deliver quality communications and a high level of service to customers nationwide.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of SkyVision Global Networks Ltd

For more information, contact:

Iris Tovim

Marketing Communications Director

SkyVision Global Networks

+44 20 8387 1750

irist@skyvision.net

About Unity Bank

One of Nigeria’s leading retail banks, Unity Bank emerged from the largest merger and consolidation in Nigeria’s banking industry, with 236 business offices spread across the country and continuously increasing in number. Unity Bank is Nigeria’s 7th largest bank by business locations. Headquartered in Abuja, Unity Bank is one of the largest employers of labor in Nigeria and a major contributor to its GDP. The Bank and its associate companies employ a staff of over 5,000 nationwide, and of at December 2012, its Shareholders Funds stand at N51.46 billion. For more information, visit the website at: www.unitybankng.com.

About SkyVision

SkyVision is (http://www.skyvision.net) a global communications service provider, offering comprehensive, integrated solutions to meet all corporate, government and telco market requirements. With an emphasis on its customers’ local or regional requirements, SkyVision offers superior network connectivity solutions. Known for its innovative approach, the company offers an extensive suite of both customized solutions and industry-standard services for end-to-end IP connectivity (http://www.skyvision.net/enterprise-solutions), managed from its international gateways and selected local hubs. SkyVision’s global-reaching network connects its customers to the Internet backbone with more than ten satellite platforms and a network of high-capacity fiber optic cables, via its gateways in Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East as well as multiple points of presence (POPs) in Africa. SkyVision currently commands a satellite and fiber network IP connectivity (http://www.skyvision.net/service/fiber-solutions) spanning 100 countries. The company’s C-Band and Ku-Band VSAT network solutions (http://www.skyvision.net/services/lobby2/Internet%20Connectivity) draw on SkyVision’s extensive space segment inventory from leading satellite providers and its capacity is carefully tailored to customers’ individual needs for optimal cost-effectiveness. Visit http://www.skyvision.net.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Members of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and of the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA) are attending a course on international humanitarian law which is being given by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kidal today.

“This is one session in a series that began a few weeks ago. So far, we’ve raised awareness of international humanitarian law among more than 200 fighters of the MNLA, the HCUA and the Arab Movement of Azawad in Ménaka, Ber and Kidal,” said Christoph Luedi, head of the ICRC delegation in Mali. “The long-term goal is to make these armed groups aware of their responsibilities in terms of respect for international humanitarian law, and to help them to better understand the rules of behaviour applicable in conflict situations.”

The participants are made aware in particular of issues relating to the protection of civilians and people no longer taking part in hostilities, the treatment of people who have been captured, and respect for humanitarian principles. International humanitarian law is a set of rules designed to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

“It’s because of the good relations we have had for many years with the leadership of these various armed groups that we are able to give this course,” said Mr Luedi. “In accordance with its mandate, the ICRC has dialogue with all parties to the conflict and provides them with the support they need in the area of international humanitarian law.”

The ICRC, in its capacity as a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization, has contacts with everyone involved in the conflict in Mali. For several years it has helped all armed forces achieve a better understanding of and show greater respect for international humanitarian law.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Burundi’s human rights record will be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee for the second time on Wednesday 8 October and Thursday 9 October in meetings in Geneva that will be webcast live.

As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Burundi is required to undergo regular review by the Committee of 18 international independent experts on how it is implementing the ICCPR.

Burundi, which is one of the 168 states parties to the ICCPR, has submitted a report on implementation of its human rights obligations to the Committee and a number of non-governmental organisations have also sent reports for the Committee’s consideration. The Committee will engage in a dialogue with the delegation from Burundi on questions relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

Time and date: 15:00-18:00 on 8 October; 10:00-13:00 on 9 October.

Venue: Palais Wilson, Geneva. Live webcasts of the public sessions can be viewed at http://www.treatybodywebcast.org/.

A news conference is scheduled for Thursday 30 October at 13.30 at Palais des Nations in Geneva to discuss the Committee’s concluding observations on Burundi and the other countries being reviewed – Sri Lanka, Haiti, Malta, Montenegro, and Israel.

The country reports and full list of issues can be found here:

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=811&Lang=en

The concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee will be made available on Thursday 30 October at:

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=811&Lang=en

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On behalf of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur, I wish the people and the Government of Sudan a peaceful and joyous Eid Al-Adha and Haj Mabroor to the luc…

ABUJA, Nigeria, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns Congolese authorities’ decision to expel a Cameroonian journalist from the country. Elie Smith, who was attacked in his home in Septembe…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. The Consultative Meeting of the international partners (ECOWAS/AU/UN/CPLP/EU/OIF) was held in the margins of the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on 26 Septembe…

VICTORIA, Mahé, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff mission led by Mr. Marshall Mills visited Victoria from September 17–30, 2014 to assess performance under the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement with Seychelles.1

At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Mills issued the following statement:

“The Seychellois authorities continue to strengthen the fundamentals of the economy, as well as the conditions for its sustained growth. The authorities successfully met all their quantitative program targets for end-June. The sizeable fiscal primary surplus and increase in international reserves this year bolster the resilience of the economy, in line with the objectives of the IMF-supported program. The authorities remain on track to meet their key objective of reducing public debt below 50 percent of GDP by 2018. In addition, monetary policy has made significant strides, eliminating the structural excess liquidity in the economy and steering average inflation to a projected 2.3 percent this year.

“However, balance of payments developments have been less favorable than expected. Tourism revenues and tuna exports are weak, after exceptionally good results last year. Growth will also slow this year to a projected 2.8 percent, compared to 5.3 percent in 2013. At the same time, domestic demand and imports have grown strongly, following a 13-percent boost in earnings and 16-percent growth in credit to the private sector. The combination of weak export earnings and rising imports has led to pressure on the balance of payments.

“The authorities have the tools and determination to manage these short-term pressures. Monetary and fiscal policies are being tightened, with lower reserve money targets and higher primary surplus targets than envisaged in the program. Exchange rate flexibility is also a vital adjustment mechanism. Staff are confident that the authorities’ policy plans, including continuing exchange rate flexibility, are appropriate to address the current pressures and that the authorities stand ready to strengthen measures if necessary to maintain stability.

“With these policy adjustments and a gradual recovery in tourism and tuna exports, growth is expected to recover slightly in 2015 to 3.0 percent. Fiscal policy will remain on track to meet the debt reduction target, while monetary policy is expected to steer inflation back to low single digits by the end of 2015, despite pressures from depreciation. International reserves are expected to remain stable in 2015, with adequate import coverage, according to staff assessments. In addition, it is important that wage levels stay compatible with preserving the gains in macroeconomic stability and ensuring international competitiveness.

“The authorities’ structural reform agenda continues to advance. The authorities are on track to implement all structural measures planned for the first review in a timely manner. Staff highlighted the risks that public enterprises can pose to the public finances and development of the private sector and stressed the importance of pursuing plans to strengthen their oversight and governance, while enlarging the private sector’s role in the economy. The on-going review of the procurement policies of large state-owned enterprises could contribute importantly to enhancing their governance. The adoption of medium-term strategies for national development, financial sector development and the fiscal framework will also help lay the foundations for inclusive growth in the future. The on-going review of the air transport policy is particularly important given the sluggish performance of the tourism industry and the importance of flight connections.

“Subject to management’s approval, the IMF Executive Board is expected to discuss the completion of the review in December.

“The mission met with His Excellency President James Michel, Vice President Danny Faure, Minister of Finance, Trade, and Investment Pierre Laporte, and Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles Caroline Abel, as well other members of government, members of the National Assembly, and representatives of the private sector and civil society.

“The mission appreciates the high quality of the discussions and thanks the authorities for their warm hospitality, as well as the open and constructive dialogue.”

1 The Extended Fund Facility under the Extended Arrangement is an instrument of the IMF designed for countries facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems because of structural weaknesses that require time to address. Assistance under the extended facility features longer program engagement—to help countries implement medium-term structural reforms—and a longer repayment period. (See http://www.imf.org/external/np/exr/facts/eff.htm). Details on Seychelles’ current arrangement are available at www.imf.org/seychelles.

WASHINGTON, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

September 30, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Nigeria as you celebrate your Independence Day on October 1.

Our peoples enjoy an enduring partnership founded on shared values of democracy, security, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. The United States and Nigeria must continue working together to thwart destabilizing forces that would use violence to undo gains achieved to date through so much effort.

I was honored to speak with President Goodluck Jonathan at the United Nations General Assembly last week, and to welcome him to Washington, DC, this summer for the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. We discussed how our two countries can deepen our partnership through trade and collaboration.

And weeks before, I shook hands with Beatrice Jedy-Agba—a courageous Nigerian woman who has devoted her life’s work to combatting human trafficking and bringing a peaceful, secure future to all Nigerians.

I wish all Nigerians a prosperous future on the 54th anniversary of your independence.