Category: APO-OPA

LONDON, United-Kingdom, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mr Simmonds congratulates President Mutharika for his victory in Malawi’s presidential election.

Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:

“I offer my congratulations to President Mutharika for his victory in Malawi’s presidential election. The elections faced many challenges. I commend the Malawian people for their resilience and patience during this period and I congratulate Malawi’s politicians for allowing a peaceful transition of power. I call on all Malawians to unite to take Malawi forward in this the 50th year of Malawi’s independence. The UK and Malawi have a warm and close friendship. The UK Government looks forward to working with President Mutharika and his Government on our shared goals of strengthening Malawi’s democracy, food security, prosperity and its positive role within the region.”

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
May 31, 2014

The United States congratulates Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Mr. Saulos Chilima on being elected the …

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ebola virus disease, West Africa – update

Guinea

Cases and deaths attributable to Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak continue to be reported from new (Telimele and Boffa) and some affected districts (Conakry and Macenta) that did not report cases for more than 42 days. Since the last update of Disease Outbreak News of 28 May 2014, 10 new cases and 7 new deaths have been reported. The current evolving epidemiological situation could be partly explained by persistent community resistance in some communities in Gueckedou, Macenta, and Conakry.

As of 18:00 on 28 May 2014, a cumulative total of 291 clinical cases of EVD, including 193 deaths have been reported. The classification of these cases and deaths are as follows: confirmed, 172 cases and 108 deaths; probable, 71 cases and 62 deaths; and suspected, 48 cases and 23 deaths. The breakdown of cases and deaths by affected areas is as follows: Conakry, 53 cases and 27 deaths; Gueckedou, 179 cases and 133 deaths; Macenta, 40 cases and 23 deaths; Kissidougou, 7 cases and 5 deaths; Dabola, 4 cases and 4 deaths, Djinguiraye, 1 case and 1 death; and Boffa, 4 cases and 0 deaths.

The total number of cases in isolation is 13 (9 in Gueckedou, 3 in Telimele, and 1 in Conakry). The number of contacts under follow-up is 493 (275 in Gueckedou, 125 in Macenta, and 93 in Telimele).

Sierra Leone

As of 18:00 on 29 May 2014, 34 new cases (7 confirmed, 3 probable, and 24 suspected) and one suspected death were reported from five districts. This brings the cumulative total number of clinical cases of EVD to 50 (14 confirmed, 3 probable, and 36 suspected) including 6 deaths (2 confirmed, 3 probable and 1 suspected). The geographical distribution of these cases and deaths are as follows: Kailahun (37 cases and 6 deaths), Kenema (1 case and 0 death), Koinadugu (1 case and 0 death), Bo (1 case and 0 death), Moyamba and (1 case and 0 death).

Liberia

As of 29 May 2014, one new suspected case who died in Foya district was reported. The body was transported to and buried in Sierra Leone. The case is being investigated by both Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The number of cases remains subject to change due to reclassification, retrospective investigation, consolidation of cases and laboratory data, and enhanced surveillance.

Community resistance, inadequate treatment facilities and insufficient human resources in certain affected areas are among challenges currently faced by the three countries in responding to the EVD outbreak.

WHO response

WHO and its partners have deployed experts to both Sierra Leone and Guinea to support and build capacity of national personnel to mount an effective EVD outbreak response including coordination, disease outbreak investigation, risk assessment, establishment of treatment facilities, case management, infection prevention and control in the newly affected districts, and social mobilization targeting the resistant communities.

In Sierra Leone, WHO and its partners have established a treatment centre in Koindu and are also coordinating the laboratory testing of samples from Kailahun district, Sierra Leone to be tested in Gueckedou, Guinea.

WHO does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone based on the current information available for this event.

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday completed the first review under the policy support instrument (PSI) for Rwanda.1 In completing the review, the Bo…

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 15 May 2014, the Ministry of Health of South Sudan declared a cholera outbreak in Juba. The index case was retrospectively identified with onset of illness on 23 April 2014. Fou…

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — TMB (http://www.trustmerchantbank.com) has been announced as the Best Bank in Central Africa at the prestigious African Banker Awards. The awards ceremony was held in Kigali, Rwanda, du…

WASHINGTON, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Bureau of African Affairs
Fact Sheet
May 30, 2014

More information about Sudan is available on the Sudan Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at t…

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the recent upsurge in violence in Bangui over the past few days, the International Committee of the Red Cross calls on all sides to respect the right to life of all civilians, including the sick and wounded.

“We are very worried about the current situation in Bangui,” explained Jürg Eglin, head of the ICRC delegation in the Central African Republic. “The life and dignity of civilians must be respected and protected at all times.”

The ICRC has medical teams in Bangui Community Hospital to care for the wounded.

“We must be allowed to evacuate sick and wounded people, and collect the bodies of the dead, in complete safety and without hindrance,” said Jürg Eglin. “We call on all weapon bearers to allow the ICRC access to carry on our neutral and impartial work.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Journalists are invited to take part in a press conference following the official launch of the Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development scheduled to take place on 3rd June 2014 at the Conference Center of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The press conference will take place on 3rd June 2014 in Briefing Room 1 from 17h30 – 18h00 PM .

The following personalities are expected to address the journalists during the Press conference:

– The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, or

– The Commissioner for Economic Affairs of the AUC;

– The Sherpa of the President of High Level Committee (HLC) on the Post 2015 Development Agenda; and

– The Collaborating Partners.

Worth recalling that the objective of official launch the Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development is to amongst other things, engage African stakeholders to deepen their understanding and the evolution of the negotiation and advocacy efforts building on the CAP to enhance their ownership; Strengthen and leverage partnerships with Non-African Stakeholders on the CAP as well as underline Africa’s contribution to the formulation of the successor of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

OTTAWA, Canada, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement regarding the presidential election in Egypt:

“The conclusion of voting in Egypt’s presidential election is a key step along Egypt’s path to democracy.

“We are encouraged by early reports that the overall security situation was peaceful throughout the country during the election. Preliminary results indicate the likely winner will be presidential candidate Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. We look forward to the confirmed results of the election.

“Canada is committed to supporting Egypt in making a peaceful and meaningful transition to democracy, based on respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law. This transition is an important opportunity to give the Egyptian people the stability and prosperity they desire.”

Canada deployed four election observers to monitor the presidential election through the EU Election Observation Mission. These observers were in addition to a team deployed by the Canadian embassy in Cairo.