Category: APO-OPA

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Nicholas Kay, has condemned the killing of radio journalist Yusuf Keynan in the capital, Mogadishu, this morning.

Mr. Keynan, who was working for Radio Mustaqbal and Radio Ergo at the time of his death, was killed when an explosive device attached to his vehicle detonated in the city’s Hamarweyne District.

“I condemn the killing of another young, talented Somali journalist, and call on the Federal Government of Somalia to act swiftly to investigate this murder and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said SRSG Kay.

“Media workers must be able to conduct their important work in a safe and secure environment,” he added.

Mr. Kay extended his sincere condolences to Mr. Keynan’s friends and family, as well as to Somalia’s media fraternity.

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 21, 2014

U.S. Special Representative for the Central African Republic W. Stuart Symington travelled to Bangui, Central African R…

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement

Jen Psaki

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

June 20, 2014

The United States strongly condemns the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) aerial bombardment in Southern Kordofan and reiterates its call upon the Government of Sudan to halt this three-year campaign of armed violence against its own citizens.

Increased military activity in Southern Korodfan since May has killed, wounded, and displaced civilians and damaged public and humanitarian infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities. Of specific concern is the June 16 bombing of the Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Farandalla, Southern Kordofan, which damaged the facility and wounded several civilians including hospital staff.

The location of the hospital—a clearly marked humanitarian facility—was widely known. Sudan appears to have deliberately targeted the hospital, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation in the area. Targeting of humanitarian facilities represents a willful effort to harm civilians by removing their access to basic, life-saving services. Such attacks call into question the Government of Sudan’s sincerity in calling for a National Dialogue to address issues of peace and political and economic reform.

OTTAWA, Canada, June 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada condemns in the strongest terms the extensive bombing of civilian areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile by the Sudanese armed forces and the government’s use of the Rapid Support Forces militia to target civilians throughout the country.

“We are also alarmed by recent reports of aerial bombings against humanitarian actors providing much-needed assistance, including the June 16 aerial attack on a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). Such activities amount to serious violations of international law and may constitute war crimes.

“Canada welcomes the recent release of Sadig al-Mahdi, the Sudanese opposition leader, but continues to be concerned about the arrest of members of the political opposition and human rights activists, despite the Government of Sudan’s professed commitment to a national dialogue process.

“Canada calls on the Government of Sudan to uphold its responsibilities to protect its citizens in all corners of Sudan, regardless of tribe, ethnicity or political affiliation, including through the provision of access to urgently needed humanitarian aid.”

NEW YORK, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Raising support for peacebuilding in South Sudan – through education, cultural pluralism and freedom of expression, as well as strengthening the protection of children affected by the armed conflict, will be the focus of a joint visit by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the United Nations’ Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and UNESCO Special Envoy Forest Whitaker, from 22 to 24 June.

In line with her mandate to advocate for the protection of children, Special Representative Leila Zerrougui will stay in South Sudan until 27 June to assess the impact of the conflict on children, follow up on the implementation of the action plan signed by the Government to end the recruitment and use of children in South Sudan’s armed forces, and support the work of the United Nations.

Together with Ms Bokova, Ms Zerrougui will advocate for the prevention of attacks against education and the military use of schools.

The Director-General, Special Representative, and Special Envoy expect to meet President Salva Kiir to discuss the protection of children and how the fundamental rights of the South Sudanese people can be best promoted, especially the rights of children and youth to education and dignity, which are critically important for peace building in South Sudan.

The visit will also include meetings with government ministers. Emphasis will be given to mobilizing national and international resources for a wide range of education programmes, including peace education. Protecting children, education and vocational training are crucial in a country where high youth unemployment and low literacy – one of the lowest anywhere at 25 per cent – are contributing to enduring tensions and preventing people from living in dignity. Just 47 per cent of the country’s children are enrolled in school. The rate of girls’ enrolment is especially low, with just one girl in ten finishing primary education.

The importance of freedom of expression will be another focus of Ms. Bokova’s visit, through implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. This work is led by UNESCO and supports the regulatory framework for media freedom.

Media will be invited to join a visit to one of the Protection of Civilians (POC) camps at the UN compound in Juba, where tents serve as makeshift homes to a population of more than 30,000 people displaced by conflict and ethnic strife in the capital Juba. The visit to the site will highlight the effects of displacement on children and youth, and the need to ensure that all South Sudanese benefit from the internationally-recognized right to education. Much remains to be done; schools in some areas of South Sudan are perceived as unsafe places where warring factions recruit child soldiers.

The visit to the camp will also showcase a range of UN and NGO activities in support of internally displaced people, including Skills for Life teaching materials developed by UNESCO and used by NGOs working in South Sudan. Mr Whitaker’s Foundation, the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, will launch a ground-breaking “Cinema for Peace” programme, building on UNESCO’s well-received community screenings. This contribution to peace-building will consist of film screenings on peace, prevention of conflict and reconciliation, followed by debates featuring interactive exchanges and role-playing to sensitize audiences to the values and principles underlying a culture of peace and non-violence.

The Youth Peacemaker Network, created by Forest Whitaker in partnership with UNESCO, Ericsson and Zain, will be showcased to government officials, the international community and the media at a reception, with the participation of Mr Whitaker, Ms Bokova and Ms Zerrougui. The goal of this innovative programme, which will be launched officially on 26 June in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, is to train young people to become leaders of community projects that foster sustainable development, education, cultural heritage and intercultural dialogue as well as improved access to information and communication. One of the main components of the programme will be the establishment of computer centres in the counties of Eastern Equatoria.

Participants will also be able to visit the UNESCO Travelling Exhibition Project. This mobile exhibition showcases cultural expression through videos, audio recordings, life stories, photographs, and artefacts from the diverse cultural groups that make up South Sudan. The exhibition has already toured two states and six counties of the young country and will be used to help create a national museum.

On the last morning of the visit, Ms Bokova and Mr Whitaker will attend the graduation ceremony of 200 adult literacy trainers in the city of Yei. The graduates were trained in new Learning Centres funded by the United States.

Finally, the mission will mark the beginning of the partnership between Mr Whitaker and Ms Zerrougui for the campaign Children, not Soldiers. This campaign, launched in March 2014 by the Special Representative and UNICEF, aims to end the recruitment and use of children by Government forces in conflict by 2016. South Sudan is one of the countries concerned by the campaign.

Mr Whitaker joined forces with Ms Zerrougui following years of commitment to the rehabilitation of child soldiers. He discovered their plight while filming The Last King of Scotland in Uganda.

A press conference will be held on 24 June at 12.30 at the Mahad CFS School, near Konyo Konyo market in Juba, with Ms Bokova, Ms Zerrougui and Mr Whitaker attending, as well as two ministers from South Sudan: John Gai (Education) and Nadia Arop Dudi, (Culture Youth and Sports).

BANGUI, Central African Republic, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — One family torn apart by war in Central Africa is too many

Message of the Special Representatives of the UN Secretary-General in Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and for Central Africa, on World Refugee Day.

World Refugee Day 2014, we, the five Special Representatives of the Secretary-General in Central Africa, appeal to end violence in the region and encourage the Governments to tackle the root causes of conflict and displacement.

The global refugee population is at its highest level since World War II. The UN High Commissioner for Refugee’s annual Global Trends report shows 51.2 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of 2013. Major new displacement was seen in Africa, especially in the Central African Republic and in South Sudan.

The outbreak of violence in the Central African Republic led to the new internal displacement of more than 800,000 persons, as well as outflows of more than 88,000 into surrounding countries. In South Sudan the situation is also of grave concern, with more than 300,000 people having fled to neighbouring countries, and more than 1,3 million internally displaced, including close to 100,000 civilians within the bases of UNMISS. Around half a million DRC refugees are living in neighbouring countries and some three million persons are internally displaced. Burundi has successfully integrated more than 500,000 former refugees since 2002, while hosting more than 50,000 DRC refugees, and having some 80,000 Burundians living in displacement within their own country.

Today also marks the 40th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity’s Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa which has allowed millions of people who fled violence and conflict to find safety in neighbouring countries in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa hosts one-quarter of all refugees in the world.

United as One UN, we act for every refugee in Central Africa. In order to allow displaced people to return home, we need to join forces today, across the region. Together with the UNHCR and the whole UN family, our partners in Government and civil society can create durable peace and stability, with a safe home for everyone, for “One family torn apart by war is too many”. We call on all governments and parties in conflict in the region to cease all fighting and enable all refugees and displaced to return to their homes in safety and dignity.

Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA)

Babacar Gaye, Special Representative and Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated

Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)

Martin Kobler, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

Hilde Johnson, Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS)

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative and Head of the UN Office in Burundi (BNUB)

BERN, Switzerland, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — During its meeting today, the Federal Council removed the restriction on access to files associated with capital and other export transactions with South Africa during the apartheid…

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, today wrapped up his first visit to Burkina Faso, where he set a new course for increased engagement between Canada and the sub-Saharan African nation by deepening commercial ties.

During his two-day visit, Minister Fast launched an office of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and announced the launch of negotiations toward a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with Burkina Faso. He also held productive discussions with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Luc Adolphe Tiao and Salif Kaboré, Minister of Mines and Energy.

The visit follows closely last week’s announcement that the two countries have concluded negotiations on a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA). Prime Minister Tiao, Minister Kaboré and Patiendé Arthur Kafando, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts, were in Canada last week to attend the Conference of Montreal.

During his visit, Minister Fast also announced the Support to Women Rice Parboilers Project, a $6.04-million initiative to promote the integration of Burkinan women entrepreneurs into the local market by improving rice quality and professionalizing women’s rice parboiler associations.

Minister Fast also congratulated Windiga Energy, a Canadian independent power producer, on a $50-million contract win to build a solar power plant in Zina, Burkina Faso. This project will also include a community development segment for rural electrification of a number of villages in the area.

Quick Facts

• In its 2013 Global Markets Action Plan, Canada designated Burkina Faso as an emerging market offering specific opportunities for Canadian companies. Canada is the largest investor in Burkina Faso.

• Two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Burkina Faso stood at $51.1 million in 2013. Canada’s key merchandise exports were machinery, iron and steel products, electrical machinery and equipment, and motor vehicles and parts. Canadian merchandise imports from Burkina Faso consisted mainly of fruit, precious metals (gold) and stones, fats and oils, and oil seeds.

• In March 2013, Canada concluded an air transport agreement with Burkina Faso to allow for code-shared services.

• Since 2012, Canada has supported a new Government of Burkina Faso initiative called the Ten-Year Primary Education Development Plan 2011-2020. This plan aims to improve and make educational services more accessible and to develop a youth employment-training program.

• Minister Fast is on a 10-day, four-country trade mission to boost Canada’s trade and investment ties with Burkina Faso, Madagascar, South Africa and Tanzania.

Quotes

“I’m pleased to see the rate at which our relationship with Burkina Faso is deepening. Canada welcomes the opportunity to strengthen its commercial relationships via tools such as FIPAs, TIEAs and air transport agreements to create jobs, opportunities and prosperity.”

– Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced new funding to promote the integration of Burkinabè women into the local rice market by professionalizing women’s rice parboilers’ organizations.

Rice parboiling refers to a processing technique that increases the value of rice in the local market. By supporting women rice parboilers’ organizations in five regions of Burkina Faso, Canada is contributing to create thousands of jobs for vulnerable women, and increase the income of thousands of families.

“It is essential to help women better prepare to participate in the economy as workers, entrepreneurs, and leaders so that they can take charge of their own economic futures”, said Minister Fast. “Not only does it help women improve their own living conditions, but it also can help whole communities rise out of poverty.”

Today’s announcement further demonstrates Canada’s continued support for women entrepreneurs. It is part of Canada’s international development priority to stimulate sustainable economic growth and advance gender equality. It is also helping to achieve some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) such as MDG1 to reduce poverty and MDG3 to empower women.

Quick Facts

• Women’s economic empowerment is fundamental to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and the achievement of gender equality.

• Canada recognizes that women play a central role as income earners in lifting themselves, their families and their communities out of poverty.

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, June 20, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the first review of Sierra Leone’s economic program under a three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) for Sierra Leone.1 The completion of the review enables the disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 8.89 million (about US$13.69 million), bringing the total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 17.78 million (about US$27.39 million). The decision was taken without a formal Board meeting.2

The Executive Board approved the ECF arrangement for Sierra Leone on October 21, 2013 for the equivalent of SDR 62.22 million (about US$ 95.84 million) (see Press Release No. 13/410).

Sierra Leone’s economic growth momentum continued in 2013, with output expanding by 20 percent on account of new iron ore production coming on stream, as well as strong growth in agriculture and the services sector. Inflation declined to single digits, mainly reflecting increased food supply. The surge in iron ore exports contributed to the improvement in the external and fiscal positions.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to remain in double-digits at 11.3 percent in 2014, in line with the expected higher iron ore and other mining production, continued strong output expansion in agriculture, services, and construction, and a recovery in manufacturing as energy supply improves in 2014. The scaling up of public investment, as envisaged in the implementation of the country’s poverty reduction strategy, the Agenda for Prosperity (AfP), should also help to catalyze private sector activity and contribute to higher, sustainable growth in the non-resources sector. Consumer price inflation is expected to continue trending downward as food supply benefits from government-sponsored programs in agriculture, and non-food inflation would remain moderate thanks to continued prudent monetary policy. An improving trade balance coupled with expected capital inflows will help strengthen the external position and gross international reserves buildup.

Fiscal policy for 2014 will continue to focus on reducing duty waivers and increasing audit capacity in tax administration to support revenue mobilization, containing non-priority spending to create space for public investment, and strengthening budget execution and controls through public financial management reforms. Continued prudent borrowing policies will be important to support growth-enhancing investment while maintaining debt sustainability.

Reform measures and policies put in place in recent years have helped improve macroeconomic stability, advance social policies, and enhance prospects for broad and inclusive growth. Nonetheless, the country faces important challenges. Poverty and unemployment remain high, and access to important public and social services is limited. In addition, growth prospects are hindered by numerous obstacles, including insufficient power supply and road networks, and limited access to financial services, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises. The fiscal position remains fragile, despite improvement in 2013, due to the relatively low and volatile revenue base and pressure for higher spending in wages and infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the authorities need to sustain the implementation of structural reform measures aimed at strengthening the fiscal position further, developing financial intermediation, advancing civil service reforms and creating an environment conducive to private sector development.

Program performance has been strong. The authorities met all six quantitative performance criteria for the first program review, and two out of three indicative targets. All structural benchmarks programmed for end-December 2013 were also met.

1 The ECF is a facility under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. Financing under the ECF currently carries a zero interest rate, with a grace period of 5½ years, and a final maturity of 10 years. The IMF reviews the level of interest rates for all concessional facilities every two years.

2 The Executive Board takes decisions without a meeting (based on lapse of time procedures) when it is agreed by the Board that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.