Category: APO-OPA

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif has called on partners and the donor community to support the Puntland State in its priorities and development goals.

Speaking during the Puntland Donor Roundtable Meeting, Ambassador Annadif noted that donor support is pivotal to the realization of Puntland’s immediate and long-term development needs, and creates an environment for sustainable peace and development in Somalia.

The AU Special Representative, the first AMISOM leader to travel to Garowe to engage on Puntland development issues, reiterated the importance of Puntland’s stability and its role in setting an example for the rest of Somalia. “I’m encouraged by the developments in Puntland. The last elections are significant proof of positive developments and I call on all Somalis to follow the example of Puntland.” he said.

On behalf of the Chairperson of AU Commission, Ambassador Annadif pledged the AU’s commitment to supporting the Puntland State in capacity building of its security forces especially training of the Police and the Army to tackle terrorism, piracy and human trafficking.

The Donor Roundtable Meeting which was officially opened by the President of the Puntland State of Somalia, H.E. Abdweli Mohammed Ali Gaas was attended by representatives from the donor community, the World Bank and the United Nations.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Africa Re-imagination Creative Hub (ARCH):

Developing the Identity, Heritage, Arts and Culture Chapter for Agenda 2063

INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

When: …

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — INVITATION TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

When: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May 2014

The format of the football match tournament is as follows:

 For the qualifying stage-with 8 teams in total i.e 4 games on Saturday .

 For the quarter finals-with 4 teams in total i.e 2 games on Saturday and Sunday.

For 3rd place and the final -with 2 teams in total i.e 1 game on Sunday

Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (on the basketball court)

Who: Organized by the Department of Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST) of the African Union Commission (AUC).

How: Teams composition: 5 vs 5 including goal keepers + 4 substitutes per team

Game rules and timing: Football matches will take place in the mornings. All football matches will last for a full-time period of 30 minutes each. In case of draws, an option of full extra-time period will be added for a period 10 minutes. Extra-time periods will include the golden goal option which is a gain in time. Penalty shoot-out will be the last resort to separate the sides

Why: The tournament as much as the Agenda 2063 aim to be fully participatory and be owned by all the continents stakeholders, with the full engagement of women and youth in particular, to rekindle the spirit of working together toward collective prosperity, common destiny under united and strong Africa.

Objectives: The tournament shares a small-scale scheme of the stages of Agenda 2063 including the participation and inclusion of all stakeholders in the conception, design, and implementation among others. Keeping the vision of the Agenda 2063 in-mind, the tournament shall heighten the core principles and values dedicated to performance with sound leadership and targets, for the prosperity of the continent in peace and solidarity.

Context: The sports tournament is part of the year long closing events of the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU).

Participants A total of 8 teams are expected to participate in the tournament from the following international organizations and diplomatic missions based in Addis-Ababa:

• The AUC Member States teams,

• The African Union Commission teams and,

• The United Nations-related organizations teams

Information & Registrations:

For further information and to register your team, please contact the focal persons:

 Herve Kpotsra, at KpotsraH@africa-union.org ; +251924956169

 Theresa Watwii Ndavi, at NdaviT@africa-union.org ; +251 933616556

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPORTS EVENTS ON 24 -25 MAY 2014

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrives in Kigali, Rwanda on Wednesday 21 May 2014, to participate in the 49th annual meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB) holding in Kigali, Rwanda, from 19-23 May 2014.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma will be participating in some panel discussions. One of the panel discussions takes place Wednesday 21 May 2014, focusing on the theme, “Leadership for the Africa we Want”. It will address two issues for discussion: 1) How can we nurture visionary African leadership to address any leadership deficit and engender trust in policies; 2) Does Africa need effective institutions more than it needs strong leaders?

Co-panelists will include: H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda; H.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon; H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya; H. E. Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki, former President, Republic of South Africa; Hon. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Dr. Mo Ibrahim, Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

The AUC Chairperson will also attend the official opening of the meeting taking place on Thursday, 22 May 2014. The annual meeting will be attended by Heads of States, finance ministers and the governors of the central banks from the53 regional member countries (RMC) of the AfDB

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Africa Re-imagined / Developing the Identity, Heritage, Arts and Culture Agenda

Venue: African Union Conference Centre, Old Plenary Hall

09H00 – 17H00 daily

From May 20th to the 25th the AU is bringing together Africa’s top creative minds in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over 100 writers, poets, musicians, painters, sculptors, architects, film makers and intellectuals from the all over the continent as well as the diaspora will be in discussion to lay the foundations for a chapter on ‘’Arts, Culture and Heritage” for the African Union’s 2063 Agenda. Luminaries who will guide and facilitate the debates include Ben Okri, Pitika Ntuli and Wanguiwa Goro. Some of the prominent artists include Yasiin Bey (the US born artist formerly known as MosDef), Juwon Ogungbe, Mamadou Diabaté, Sizzla Kalonji, and Ray Phiri. Refreshingly, participants include both young and old artists creating a discernible sense of continuity across time, space, gender and disciplines.

The African Union Agenda 2063 sets out a vision and a fifty-year plan for the continent. AUC Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma says; “Arts and culture are the soul and the spirit of Africa and her people. Without the voices of our creative minds, the 2063 Agenda would be sadly diminished.”The conference thus aims to find a bridge between artistic and intellectual minds and political office holders.

Ambassador for the event, Simphiwe Dana says “The conference seeks to define and plan for the Africa we see in our imagination. We will identify our challenges and plan for how best to respond to them. Poetic, visual and musical performances will be incorporated into the presentations and discussions – reflecting an African holistic philosophy that should inform the development of arts and culture on the continent.”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, strongly condemns the abhorrent terrorist twin bombings which took place yesterday, 20 May…

BERLIN, Germany, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Commenting on the donor conference for South Sudan in Oslo, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement today (20 May):
The donor conference for South Sudan…

GARMISCH, Germany, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — More than 60 journalists and military public affairs from Africa officers gathered during a week-long Public Affairs and Media Symposium hosted by the U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs Office in Garmisch, Germany, May 12-16, 2014.

The symposium gave participants the chance to connect and learn about each other’s roles and responsibilities. Topics included humanitarian aid, covering conflicts, social media and mobile technologies and how to communicate with military PAOs. This was the second such symposium organized by U.S. AFRICOM for military PAOs and civilian journalists from various countries across Africa.

“The partnership between African nations and the United States is important,” said U.S. Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of AFRICOM. “The African continent presents significant opportunities and challenges to African and U.S. interests, including matters of security and stability.

“In the long term, Africa Command will support U.S. Government efforts to deepen relationships with countries that have the greatest potential to bring positive influence to regional security and stability,” he said. “In the near term, we are working with multinational partners and interagency to address immediate challenges of violent extremism and regional instability including threats to both U.S. personnel and facilities.”

“This meeting is very good because it is between soldiers and civilian journalists,” said Col. Arouna Abdoulaye, director of information, public relations and sports for the Nigerien Armed Forces. “In my country, there are so many prejudices about the two institutions, and this kind of non-attribution forum is very good because it helps bring the two together.”

An entrepreneur and social media expert, Teddy Ruge from Uganda, engaged the participants in a lively interactive session about the influence of social media and how to leverage it as part of a strategy to reach intended audiences.

Other presenters included U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Firman from the office of the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and Eduardo Cue, an experienced journalist with France 24, led discussions about reporting during crisis events, ethics in journalism and covering military operations.

Guest speakers included Brent Colburn, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Amb. Phillip Carter, AFRICOM Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagement (DCME), and Camille Dawson, Director of U.S. State Department’s Africa Media Hub, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Journalists and military public affairs officers represented several African countries and organizations to include Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d‘Ivoire, Gabon, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS).

“It is important to synergize various security agencies and the media for our countries and international communities to know, understand and appreciate what we do,” said Nigerian Navy Commodore Kabir Aliyu, Director of Nigerian Navy Office of Public Affairs.

A journalist from Togo, Anoumou Kate-Aziaglo, said he learned more about how the military operates and will be able to work closer with the military. “This is an opportunity for me as a director of the editorial staff of my journal to get closer with the Army (military) to know their problems and understand their issues before I form my public opinion.” Kate-Aziaglo said.

“In today’s hyper-connected world, it is usually very important that we take time to meet each person,” said Colburn, who a top spokesperson at the Pentagon. “The good thing is that some of you are already working together on some of the world’s most difficult problems, and the problems facing your nations. Exchanging contact information, sharing best practices and making use of this forum will really add value to the work that you are already doing and the partnership you’ve already started to build,” he said.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae), the Middle East’s leading satellite service provider, took home the highly coveted SatCom Star Award for “Satellite Operator of the Year” on their first submission for the award. Yahsat had won the “Most Innovative Product/Service for Africa” for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013. Since 2012, Yahsat has provided connectivity to residents in unserved and underserviced areas across 28 countries using the company’s flagship product, YahClick.

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

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1105

Commenting on the award, Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat, said: “Yahsat has seen impressive growth since launching just two years ago, winning back-to-back SatCom awards for most innovative product, and rounding this up with this year’s satellite operator of the year award.

“Our role at Yahsat is to be a responsible company that drives social and economic growth by providing users with access to services that they can genuinely benefit from. The ability to connect to the unconnected parts of the world is the real benefit of our services.”

To date, the YahClick service has been rolled out in 12 countries, namely Angola, South Africa, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, Iraq, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Turkey and UAE with over 30,000 terminals shipped in its first year of operation. YahClick is set to be fully operational in its coverage area throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia by 2014.

“Just this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted a 5.5 percent economic growth for Africa in 2014. This growth, however, can only be achieved if the continent improves infrastructure, create jobs, and funds the agri-business revolution. With YahClick, we are providing unrivalled connectivity in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Angola and Tanzania in their efforts to join the 21st century global economy,” added Mahmood.

The SatCom Star Awards were launched in 2007 to identify and recognise outstanding new contributions to the field of satellite communications in Africa. The awards are designed to celebrate the continued growth and success of the satellite marketplace and focus on the exceptional and innovative performers within the industry.

The awards are judged by an independent board of advisers comprising of industry professionals. Winners are selected according to strict criteria, with award recipients reflecting the strong foundation and potential for the satellite industry in serving and developing the African continent.

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

Media contact

• Masa Milhem – masa.milhem@hkstrategies.com

• Tel: +971 (50) 4536710

• Noura Charaf – Ncharaf@Yahsat.ae

• Tel: +971 (0)2 507 6138

About Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC “Yahsat”

Yahsat (http://www.yahsat.ae) provides multipurpose satellite solutions (government and commercial) for broadband, broadcast, military, and communications use across the Middle East, Africa, Central and South West Asia. Based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company (http://www.mubadala.ae), 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:

• 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

Yahsat’s first satellite Y1A was successfully launched in April 2011 and the company’s second satellite Y1B was successfully launched in April 2012.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 21, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has said that Africa is prioritizing infrastructural development to speed up the modernization of the continent. She was speaking in an audience with the visiting Governor-General of New Zealand, Honorable Sir Jeremiah Mateperae on Tuesday, 20 May 2014 at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AU Commission Chairperson and the Governor-General held conversations discussing possible areas of cooperation between the African Union Commission and New Zealand. Areas of mutual interest identified among others included: agriculture and agro-processing, geothermal energy, and human capacity development.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed keen interest in the continent having institutions both physical and e-space, to massively train its young people, noting that training is a key driver to speed up the continent’s skills revolution.

Sir Jeremiah Mateperae noted that his government encourages women to be innovative and to train in science and technology, adding that “engaging women has the greatest multiplier effect.”

New Zealand expressed interest to produce the second edition of the AU Handbook in English and French. The first edition of the handbook, modeled after the United Nations handbook, was produced and launched in 2013.

The AUC Chairperson and the New Zealand Governor-General also agreed on the importance of promoting people-people opportunities in the areas of sports and culture.

New Zealand is opening its new embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia thereby strengthening its relationship with Africa.