Category: APO-OPA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Hundreds trained in cost-saving sustainable land management, rainwater harvesting and dryland agriculture in major China-Africa initiative

Who: Chen Linhao, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology

Mounkaila Goumandakoye, Director, Regional Office for Africa, UNEP

Philip Gichuki, Managing Director, Nairobi Water and Sewage Company

Simon N. Nguluu, Deputy Director, KARI Katumani Research Centre

When: Tuesday, 22 July, 11:00 – 13:00 EAT

Where: Conference Room 6, UN Compound, Nairobi

By 2030 it is estimated that between 75 and 250 million Africans will be living in areas of high water stress, resulting in a crop yield decrease of 23%. Enhancing African capacities to address serious environmental challenges is critical to ensuring that Africa’s natural resource base can meet the needs of the continent’s growing population.

The UNEP-China-Africa Cooperation Programme on Environment is a multi-million dollar south-south cooperation partnership that has successfully implemented six ground-breaking projects. The diverse range of projects show-cases scalable innovations in water resource planning, water-saving techniques, early-warning drought alerts, and technologies for combating desertification.

The programme enlisted the expertise of 20 Chinese academic institutions, and dozens of African universities and research institutions across 16 African countries, to demonstrate the positive impacts of new low-cost technologies, training, and experimentation, on sustainable ecosystem management and climate change adaptation.

During the media briefing, experts from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, UNEP, and Kenya’s top research institutions and government agencies, will share key findings from the pan-regional programme.

Among the many findings and insights that will be shared will be a national master plan for rainwater harvesting in Kenya, and new low-cost technologies which can reduce the cost of providing safe drinking water to rural areas by 50%.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African ministers in charge of integration are meeting in Ezulwini, Swaziland from 17 to 18th July under the theme, infrastructure and integration in Africa. They were joined at their opening session today by the Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland; African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini, the Swazi Minister of Economic Planning; and AU Commissioners Drs Elham Ibrahim and Anthony Maruping.

The ministers are discussing the theme of infrastructure and integration in Africa. At the end of their meeting tomorrow, they will adopt a ministerial declaration, highlighting among others, strategies and actions to speed up infrastructure development to support regional integration.

Integration is one of the key goals under the vision of the African Union and remains at the core of the pan African vision. It forms one of the key pillars of the African Union Commission (AUC)’s strategic plan 2014-2017. It is also one of the key enablers of Agenda 2063[i], which seeks to bring together into one framework, Africa’s continental, regional and national plans.

Infrastructure on the other hand is seen as a facilitator of integration; as the hardware without which economic and social development on the continent will remain low. Compared to other continents in terms of measures of infrastructure coverage, Africa is lagging behind and this affects the integration efforts. To ameliorate the situation, the African Union has adopted, among others, the programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

“At regional and continental levels, through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the infrastructure master-plans of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), we seek to connect African capitals and commercial centres through road, rail and ICT, to power our economies and communities through energy projects, including renewable and fossil fuel energy, and to increase agricultural production through irrigation projects, building storage facilities, distribution infrastructure and markets”, said African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the start of the ministerial meeting in Ezulwini today.

The AU Commission is also in negotiations with interested parties, to construct a high speed railway, which will be the flagship of Agenda 2063. Dr Dlamini Zuma announced that concrete agreements have been reached with the Chinese government to set up a research and development center as well as a training center to ensure successful set up of the high speed railway system. Other partners are welcome to contribute to the project, she added.

The AUC Chairperson called on Africa to finance its own development projects and programmes, saying “One of the bitter lessons from the last fifty years is that we cannot continue to develop visions and frameworks, and then expect others to take responsibility for financing our development and institutions”.

The Chairperson called on Africa to be inclusive in its development policies. “Our development will continue to be at half pace if we do not empower women to play an important part in the socio, political and economic affairs of our societies”. She also called for a skills revolution to ensure African people, especially the youth, are capacitated to undertake the different jobs that will drive the continent forward.

Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland praised Agenda 2063 as representing a collective effort and an opportunity for Africa to regain the power to determine its own destiny. “The voice of Africa is therefore certain as we drive to the Africa we want”, he said. He highlighted the need to invest in trade related infrastructure such as transport, communication and energy sectors. To further aid integration efforts, a continental free trade area (CFTA) is expected to be launched in 2017.

Delegates to the meeting were reminded to continue making written inputs into Agenda 2063 through the websitehttp://agenda2063.au.int before 31 October 2014. In January next year, the framework and its first ten year plan will be adopted.

The declaration to be adopted by the ministers at the end of their meeting will therefore underscore their determination to speed up the integration agenda in conformity with the pertinent decisions of African Heads of State and Government and the aspirations of African people. This includes support for PIDA to build the infrastructure necessary to support integration.

The ministers will make recommendations on the way forward on each of the following topics that are key to infrastructure and integration in Africa: status of integration in Africa and follow up of recommendations from the Sixth Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAIV1); study on the African integration fund; African regional integration index; and on intra African trade and the establishment of the continental free trade area (CFTA). They are also expected to pronounce themselves on the way forward with popularizing and implementing the common African position (CAP) on post 2015 development agenda and on Agenda 2063. (The full declaration will be available soon on the AU website, www.au.int)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African ministers in charge of integration are meeting in Ezulwini, Swaziland from 17 to 18th July under the theme, infrastructure and integration in Africa. They were joined at their opening session today by the Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland; African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini, the Swazi Minister of Economic Planning; and AU Commissioners Drs Elham Ibrahim and Anthony Maruping.

The ministers are discussing the theme of infrastructure and integration in Africa. At the end of their meeting tomorrow, they will adopt a ministerial declaration, highlighting among others, strategies and actions to speed up infrastructure development to support regional integration.

Integration is one of the key goals under the vision of the African Union and remains at the core of the pan African vision. It forms one of the key pillars of the African Union Commission (AUC)’s strategic plan 2014-2017. It is also one of the key enablers of Agenda 2063[i], which seeks to bring together into one framework, Africa’s continental, regional and national plans.

Infrastructure on the other hand is seen as a facilitator of integration; as the hardware without which economic and social development on the continent will remain low. Compared to other continents in terms of measures of infrastructure coverage, Africa is lagging behind and this affects the integration efforts. To ameliorate the situation, the African Union has adopted, among others, the programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

“At regional and continental levels, through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the infrastructure master-plans of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), we seek to connect African capitals and commercial centres through road, rail and ICT, to power our economies and communities through energy projects, including renewable and fossil fuel energy, and to increase agricultural production through irrigation projects, building storage facilities, distribution infrastructure and markets”, said African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the start of the ministerial meeting in Ezulwini today.

The AU Commission is also in negotiations with interested parties, to construct a high speed railway, which will be the flagship of Agenda 2063. Dr Dlamini Zuma announced that concrete agreements have been reached with the Chinese government to set up a research and development center as well as a training center to ensure successful set up of the high speed railway system. Other partners are welcome to contribute to the project, she added.

The AUC Chairperson called on Africa to finance its own development projects and programmes, saying “One of the bitter lessons from the last fifty years is that we cannot continue to develop visions and frameworks, and then expect others to take responsibility for financing our development and institutions”.

The Chairperson called on Africa to be inclusive in its development policies. “Our development will continue to be at half pace if we do not empower women to play an important part in the socio, political and economic affairs of our societies”. She also called for a skills revolution to ensure African people, especially the youth, are capacitated to undertake the different jobs that will drive the continent forward.

Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland praised Agenda 2063 as representing a collective effort and an opportunity for Africa to regain the power to determine its own destiny. “The voice of Africa is therefore certain as we drive to the Africa we want”, he said. He highlighted the need to invest in trade related infrastructure such as transport, communication and energy sectors. To further aid integration efforts, a continental free trade area (CFTA) is expected to be launched in 2017.

Delegates to the meeting were reminded to continue making written inputs into Agenda 2063 through the websitehttp://agenda2063.au.int before 31 October 2014. In January next year, the framework and its first ten year plan will be adopted.

The declaration to be adopted by the ministers at the end of their meeting will therefore underscore their determination to speed up the integration agenda in conformity with the pertinent decisions of African Heads of State and Government and the aspirations of African people. This includes support for PIDA to build the infrastructure necessary to support integration.

The ministers will make recommendations on the way forward on each of the following topics that are key to infrastructure and integration in Africa: status of integration in Africa and follow up of recommendations from the Sixth Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAIV1); study on the African integration fund; African regional integration index; and on intra African trade and the establishment of the continental free trade area (CFTA). They are also expected to pronounce themselves on the way forward with popularizing and implementing the common African position (CAP) on post 2015 development agenda and on Agenda 2063. (The full declaration will be available soon on the AU website, www.au.int)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African ministers in charge of integration are meeting in Ezulwini, Swaziland from 17 to 18th July under the theme, infrastructure and integration in Africa. They were joined at their opening session today by the Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland; African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini, the Swazi Minister of Economic Planning; and AU Commissioners Drs Elham Ibrahim and Anthony Maruping.

The ministers are discussing the theme of infrastructure and integration in Africa. At the end of their meeting tomorrow, they will adopt a ministerial declaration, highlighting among others, strategies and actions to speed up infrastructure development to support regional integration.

Integration is one of the key goals under the vision of the African Union and remains at the core of the pan African vision. It forms one of the key pillars of the African Union Commission (AUC)’s strategic plan 2014-2017. It is also one of the key enablers of Agenda 2063[i], which seeks to bring together into one framework, Africa’s continental, regional and national plans.

Infrastructure on the other hand is seen as a facilitator of integration; as the hardware without which economic and social development on the continent will remain low. Compared to other continents in terms of measures of infrastructure coverage, Africa is lagging behind and this affects the integration efforts. To ameliorate the situation, the African Union has adopted, among others, the programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

“At regional and continental levels, through the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the infrastructure master-plans of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), we seek to connect African capitals and commercial centres through road, rail and ICT, to power our economies and communities through energy projects, including renewable and fossil fuel energy, and to increase agricultural production through irrigation projects, building storage facilities, distribution infrastructure and markets”, said African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the start of the ministerial meeting in Ezulwini today.

The AU Commission is also in negotiations with interested parties, to construct a high speed railway, which will be the flagship of Agenda 2063. Dr Dlamini Zuma announced that concrete agreements have been reached with the Chinese government to set up a research and development center as well as a training center to ensure successful set up of the high speed railway system. Other partners are welcome to contribute to the project, she added.

The AUC Chairperson called on Africa to finance its own development projects and programmes, saying “One of the bitter lessons from the last fifty years is that we cannot continue to develop visions and frameworks, and then expect others to take responsibility for financing our development and institutions”.

The Chairperson called on Africa to be inclusive in its development policies. “Our development will continue to be at half pace if we do not empower women to play an important part in the socio, political and economic affairs of our societies”. She also called for a skills revolution to ensure African people, especially the youth, are capacitated to undertake the different jobs that will drive the continent forward.

Right Honourable Dr Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland praised Agenda 2063 as representing a collective effort and an opportunity for Africa to regain the power to determine its own destiny. “The voice of Africa is therefore certain as we drive to the Africa we want”, he said. He highlighted the need to invest in trade related infrastructure such as transport, communication and energy sectors. To further aid integration efforts, a continental free trade area (CFTA) is expected to be launched in 2017.

Delegates to the meeting were reminded to continue making written inputs into Agenda 2063 through the websitehttp://agenda2063.au.int before 31 October 2014. In January next year, the framework and its first ten year plan will be adopted.

The declaration to be adopted by the ministers at the end of their meeting will therefore underscore their determination to speed up the integration agenda in conformity with the pertinent decisions of African Heads of State and Government and the aspirations of African people. This includes support for PIDA to build the infrastructure necessary to support integration.

The ministers will make recommendations on the way forward on each of the following topics that are key to infrastructure and integration in Africa: status of integration in Africa and follow up of recommendations from the Sixth Conference of African Ministers in Charge of Integration (COMAIV1); study on the African integration fund; African regional integration index; and on intra African trade and the establishment of the continental free trade area (CFTA). They are also expected to pronounce themselves on the way forward with popularizing and implementing the common African position (CAP) on post 2015 development agenda and on Agenda 2063. (The full declaration will be available soon on the AU website, www.au.int)

NEW YORK, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ArKay Beverages Inc. (http://shop.arkaybeverages.com), the world’s first maker of alcohol free liquors, is inviting African wealthy individuals to invest in the USA in a new concept of ArKay Non Alcoholic Bar & Lounge that will serve food and non-alcoholic cocktails during the day and transform itself in a fun place at night.

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

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1185 (Sylvie Grattagliano, President of ArKay Beverages)

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140622-1.jpg

“The reason behind ArKay expansion into “the non-alcoholic bar and lounge market” is obvious, peoples want to have fun without having to drink liquor, with ArKay the party never stops!”, said Sylvie Grattagliano, President of ArKay Beverages.

According to the company, ArKay non-alcoholic bar & lounge will be serving up an assortment of high end coffee, sandwiches, salads, and even, croissant burgers. Not to mention, over 100 non-alcoholic cocktails .

ArKay non-alcohol bar and club will be very successful because ArKay is unique concept in its kind, ArKay anticipate opening hundreds of locations in the USA and overseas where consumers are trying to get away from liquors and still want to have fun.

The typical size of an ArKay N/A Bar and Club will be 250 square meters or 2,800 square feet, the cost to build and equip the unit is approximately one million dollars and the projected ROI should be 8 % yearly.

Investing in ArKay Beverages is an excellent opportunity for foreign investors for the following reasons:

– ArKay will take care of all permits.

– ArKay will take care of finding the best location.

– ArKay will train you and your team.

– ArKay is not a franchise, there is no fee or key money required to open ArKay N/A bar.

– ArKay is the world first alcohol free liquor company.

– ArKay has no competition.

– ArKay is inviting African investors to be part of this project.

If you are a foreigner investor and eligible, ArKay will help to get your US residence for you and your family. A minimum investment of USD 1 million is required. If you are interested in opening your own ArKay N/A bar and club.

This is not an offer to buy company stock or a franchise. All ArKay Non-alcoholic bars and boutique will be independently owned.

Terms and Condition may apply and change at any time.

For more information click on this link: http://shop.arkaybeverages.com/content/40-invest , and/or please contact us: https://shop.arkaybeverages.com/contact-us

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of ArKay Beverages Inc.

Contact:

Sylvie Grattagliano

President

ArKay Beverages Inc.

401 East Las Olas Blvd.

Suite #1400.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 – USA

Tel + 1 954 536 8413

E-mail: Management@arkaybeverages.com

ACCRA, Ghana, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

• 21st century LED Technology beautifies city icon as part of the Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow

• The Ghanaian “Black Star Monument” is latest in line-up of historic city monuments lit by Philips in Africa

Royal Philips (AEX: PHIA, NYSE: PHG) (http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow), the global leader in lighting, has unveiled the spectacular illumination of Ghana’s iconic Black Star Monument with its latest LED lighting technology, boosting the beautification of the city of Accra and cutting energy consumption by 80% as compared to the existing conventional lighting. Philips is showcasing its LED lighting solutions in Ghana as part of its fifth consecutive pan-African Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow (http://www.philipsafricaroadshow.com). The new lighting solutions from Philips will highlight and enhance the architectural quality and aesthetic beauty of one of the most iconic structures in the city.

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1242 (Philips revitalizes historic Black Star Monument in Accra with spectacular digital LED illumination)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1223 (Abdallah Hussein, CEO, Philips West Africa)

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

Shedding new light on Ghana’s independence monument

Philips is placing its LED technology at the service of one of the most important landmarks in Ghana – the Black Star Monument. Located in Accra in the historic Independence Square, the Black Star Monument commemorates the independence of Ghana and is considered an architectural masterpiece and iconic symbol of the city.

The entire Independence Square area is by far one of the most visited landmarks in the city; all major national public gatherings and national festivals are hosted in the square. The spectacular Philips LED lighting of the famous Black Star Monument is likely to further improve the historical significance and tourism value of the area.

The digital LED lighting technology used by Philips, creates more light, while making it more focused and controlled. This state-of-the-art lighting system will allow the Black Star Monument to minimize light spill by directing the light exactly to where it is needed; emphasizing the vertical elements of the structure. The system will also simplify the maintenance schedule as the innovative LED lights have an extended lifetime of up to 80,000 hours compared to only 10,000 hours with the current conventional lighting solutions. Philips has provided all aspects of the LED lighting at the monument, including design consultation, management of the installation with local contractors, programming, commissioning and overall project management.

LED lighting solutions improve energy performance in public spaces

“The spectacular lighting of the Black Star Monument in Accra demonstrates the incredible advances that are being made in the efficiency and beauty in lighting”, says Abdallah Hussein, CEO, Philips West Africa. “Philips is very proud to have placed its know-how and technology at the service of this iconic monument and contributing towards the preservation of Ghanaian heritage. For us the challenge was to devise effective lighting while respecting the authenticity of this monument. The lighting really had to enhance the beauty of the site without at any time overwhelming it. We are very proud of the final result; this reflects how Philips’ lighting innovations provide completely new opportunities to policy makers and governments to enhance city beautification and at the same time contribute to energy saving”.

The advantages of the LED lighting installed at Black Star Monument include:

⁻ The installed capacity of the lighting system is just 3.00 kW, compared to approximately 11.00 kW of the older installation; this is a huge reduction in energy consumption – by up to 80% while providing brighter illumination.

– A longer lifespan of the installation: around 80,000 hours compared to 10,000 hours with the current conventional lighting(1).

– A reduction in maintenance costs: LED luminaires require less maintenance (there is no need for lamp replacement)

Philips contributes to Ghana’s ambition to improve energy efficiency

According to the United Nations (http://www.unep.org/sbci/pdfs/PromotingEEBEastAfrica.pdf), energy used in buildings in Africa is estimated at 56% of the total national electricity consumption. A major policy objective of the Ghanaian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (http://www.energymin.gov.gh/?page_id=56) is to minimize the environmental impact of energy supply and consumption through increased production and use of renewable energy; and at the same time making energy delivery efficient(2). By giving the Black Star Monument a light makeover, Philips demonstrates that LED lighting technology can save energy while enhancing the beauty of a city. It reconfirms Philips’ commitment to contribute to energy efficiency in Ghana.

The fifth pan-African Cairo to Cape Town roadshow

Accra is the seventh stop on Philips’ annual flagship Cairo to Cape Town roadshow (from 14 April to 3 September 2014) which focuses on key challenges facing Africa today – the need for energy-efficient lighting and the revitalization of African healthcare infrastructure. Philips has committed to lighting up and illuminating iconic monuments in every city visited during the roadshow with the latest LED technology. As the number one LED lighting company in the world, Philips will now provide a stunning lighting makeover of historic, well-recognized monuments in African cities.

The Roadshow will make its way across seven countries and ten cities in Africa. The next stop will be Johannesburg, South Africa on 27th August 2014.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Royal Philips.

For more information please follow the Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow on: http://www.philips.com/africaroadshow

Infographic

http://www.philipsafricaroadshow.com/2014-roadshow/infographic/

For further information, please contact:

Radhika Choksey

Philips Group Communications – Africa

Tel: +31 62525 9000

E-mail: radhika.choksey@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) (http://www.philips.com) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 112,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

MAPUTO, Mozambique, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Movitel, SA (http://movitel.co.mz/en) – a joint venture between Vietnamese telecommunications group Viettel (http://www.vietteltelecom.vn) and Mozambique’s SPI company – has just dramatically won the “Best Mobile Innovation Award” in the Mobile Innovations Awards 2014, becoming the first and the only operator in Africa to win 3 prestigious international awards in 3 consecutive years.

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

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

Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140717-1.jpg

Movitel, SA – a joint venture between Vietnamese telecommunications group Viettel and Mozambique’s SPI company – has just dramatically won the Judges’Award: “Best Mobile Innovation Award”. This is the most notable prize among the 18 others of the Mobile Innovations Awards 2014. The Mobile Innovations Awards rewards the companies bringing mobile technology innovation into a business context across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Especially, the Judges’ Awards are not open for individual entries but considered by the Judges based on all the shortlisted entries in the awards to look for the most outstanding entry for the “Best Mobile Innovation Award”.

Movitel has outpaced many other strong telecom and electronic commerce companies such as PayPal, IMImobile, Vodafone, TSYS, Ericsson to convince the Judges thanks to the unique mobile operating solution of popularizing telecom services in Mozambique. The solution initiates from the concept that telecommunications is a commodity that everyone, regardless of their locations and income conditions, needs. The company has built a great network infrastructure of 2,800 towers – accounting for 50% nationwide, 25,000km fiber optical cable – accounting for 70% nationwide and a widespread supplying chain to every village with 153 shops, 12,600 agents and points of sales and nearly 4,000 direct sales staff to cover services to 85% of rural population and more than 70% of all population. Besides, the low and flexibly tailored tariff plans for different customers also makes it is easier for the people to access telecom services. Movitel has brought services to rural and remote areas; provided free internet to 2,500 schools; and created nearly 20,000 jobs in rural areas; considerably contributing to uplifting the telecommunication status of the country and creating the field for e-commerce in Mozambique.

This is the third consecutive year in a row that Movitel has been selected for the coveted award for its achievements and innovation in mobile technology. Formerly, Movitel won the Rural Telecom Award of the AfricaCom Awards in 2012 and the Competitive Strategy Leadership award by The American Research and Consulting firm Frost and Sullivan in 2013.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Viettel.

Media contact:

Bui Thi Phuong Thao (Ms)

Communications Executive

Email: thaobtp@viettel.com.vn/ buithaoiir@gmail.com

Tel: +84 979438100

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human right to water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, will visit Kenya from 22 to 29 July 2014 to assess the country’s achievements and challenges in realizing the human rights to water and sanitation.

“I will look at disparities in access to sanitation and water between urban and rural areas, with a particular focus on sanitation,” said the independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor, report and advise on the realization of the human rights to water and sanitation worldwide.

“During my visit, I will pay special attention to potentially marginalized groups of people in terms of access to water and sanitation, including ethnic minorities and those living in informal urban settlements,” Ms. de Albuquerque noted.

The human rights expert, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Kenyan authorities, will meet with representatives from the Government, as well as from international organizations, donors, civil society and communities in Nairobi, Kibera, Kisumu and Lodwar.

At the end of her nine-day visit, Ms. de Albuquerque will share with the media the preliminary findings of her mission at a press conference on 29 July at 11:00 at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.

The Special Rapporteur will submit a comprehensive report to a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will include her findings and recommendations to the Government of Kenya.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has been following with concern developments in the Palestine and Israel, in the context of Africa’s ong…

BANGUI, Central African Republic, July 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Crisis in Central African Republic Is Far from Over – Thousands Still trapped in Enclaves, Chad Border Closed, and Massive Gaps in Aid for Central African Refugees

A retrospective mortality study conducted by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) among Central African refugees in Sido, Chad, reveals extreme levels of death during a violent crackdown against the Central African Republic’s (CAR) Muslim minority. The study found that one in three families surveyed had lost at least one family member between November 2013 and April 2014. The survey documented that 2,208 people died while still in CAR, of which 95% died from gunshot, machete, grenade, or other blast wounds.

Between December 2013 and January 2014, several hundred thousand people fled abuse and violence in CAR, seeking refuge in Chad and Cameroon, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Epicentre, MSF’s epidemiological research center, conducted interviews with 3,449 refugee families in Sido to understand the levels of violence during the period of November 2013 to April 2014. Nearly 8% (2,599 people) of the 32,768 people who initially composed the 3,449 families questioned died. Thirty-three percent of the families surveyed had lost at least one member. Twenty-eight percent had lost at least two. More than half (57%) of the families interviewed in Sido were originally from Bangui, the place of departure of most of the refugee convoys.

“The shocking levels of violence documented in our study should not leave the impression that the worst is over,” said Dr. Mego Terzian, president of MSF. “MSF teams continue to work inside enclaves in the Central African Republic where thousands of people remain trapped, protected by international forces, but with no chance to escape.”

Nearly 85% of those who died in CAR before any attempt to flee were men (1,863). However, the violence did not spare women, children or the elderly. Two hundred and nine children under 15 and 227 people over the age of 60 died because of violence.

The survey data and the statements gathered by MSF teams in CAR, Chad, and Cameroon highlight the breadth of the violence that the populations experienced both in the CAR and as they fled the country. Three hundred twenty-two people died during the transfer to Chad. Seventy-eight percent of these deaths are attributable to violence.

Today, nearly the entire Muslim population in the western half of the CAR has left in just a few months. Several enclaves under the protection of armed international forces in Bangui, Carnot, Boda, and Berberati still shelter a few thousand Muslims, although their living conditions are very precarious and they have few prospects. Now confined in ghettos, this portion of the Central African population still faces daily threats.

On July 7, an attack and fighting around a Bambari church housing displaced people resulted in five deaths and many wounded. Most people believe it is too dangerous to go to the hospital or move around town. While the hospital remains functional, there is little access to it, and MSF has referred 14 emergency cases by aircraft and ambulances to hospitals in Bangui and Bria. The situation around Boguila, in the northwest, remains volatile and lawless. In the past few weeks, local communities have been violently targeted by groups of armed bandits entering the area, with more than 10,000 people now displaced.

The Chadian government’s decision, in May, to close its border and the inadequate humanitarian aid deployed in Cameroon impede Central Africans from seeking refuge in neighboring countries. In June, MSF teams recorded more than 1,700 new arrivals in Sido. They included people arriving from CAR or from other transit camps in Chad, who had come to join the family members from whom they had been separated. Some had to pay to cross or walk for hours to find more “permeable” crossing points. Others came under fire.

On June 13, four people were killed as they tried to cross the river, heading for Sido. On July 3, 100 people, victims of an attack on their village in the CAR, were not allowed to cross into Sido. At least five of them were wounded by gunfire during the attack, including a woman and three children. They had to walk for 24 hours before reaching Bethel, a Chadian border town, where MSF treated them and transported them to the Goré hospital, after negotiating with the authorities, who finally approved the transfer.

After several months of displacement, the Central Africans who reach Cameroon arrive exhausted and traumatized. Their health status is alarming, particularly in terms of nutrition, with nearly half of the children suffering from malnutrition.

“There are still massive deficits in the distribution of aid to the hundreds of thousands who managed to escape the violence and reach Chad or Cameroon,” said Dr. Terzian. “The bare minimum that can be done for this population that has suffered incredible violence, lost family members, and been uprooted from their homes, is to provide them with humanitarian assistance.”