Category: APO-OPA

JUBA, South Sudan, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for South Sudan, Hilde F. Johnson, met with the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, earlier this morning and delivered the following statement to members of the news media at the conclusion of that meeting:

I’ve had a very constructive and good meeting with the President, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan. We have today discussed the new mandate for UNMISS passed by the Security Council early this week on Tuesday and I wanted also to inform the President that Security Council members have told me – they are responsible of course for the resolution – that they have consulted and informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on several occasions prior to the Security Council’s decision.

I also used the opportunity to reflect with the President that this is a new mandate, it is different from the one that was decided when I came in as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), which was in 2011. It is different and will imply changes also for the Mission. I informed the President that by Independence Day in July, I will have completed my three years as Special Representative, which is much more than usual for an SRSG in a peacekeeping mission of this nature, and in particular also with the crisis that we’ve gone through. I informed the President that I have come to the end of my term and I will be departing South Sudan.

It’s been a real honor to serve, and I will still be here for a few we eks. South Sudan really has a strong place in my heart and will contin! ue to have that. Thank you very much.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A landmark health screening project will close today (30/5) in Western Ghana. IOM’s TB REACH project, implemented by the Ghana Health Service and the IOM Migration Health Unit, was launched a year ago to intensify tuberculosis (TB) detection among refugees and host communities, miners and mining communities, border communities and urban vulnerable communities.

The project had four main activities: enhanced coordination and monitoring among stakeholders; community mobilization and cough screening; mobile TB screening utilizing a GeneXpert machine; and capacity building of a selected TB diagnostic and/or treatment centre.

Over the past year, the project reached 347,263 individuals in five locations in Western Region. They included Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan (172,443), Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal (68,429), Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal (55,537), Ellembelle District (38,004) and Jomoro District (12,850).

A custom-made mobile diagnostic van carrying two four-module GeneXpert MTB/RIF machines was used during outreach efforts and provided same day screening/results for tested individuals.

Every day 174 trained community health volunteers worked in pairs, talking to people about their health, TB, how it is spread, the new screening process and the availability of free treatment.

As of 16 May 2014, the mobile medical team had registered 4,327 people and tested 3,888 for TB. Of the total tested, 230 (5.9 per cent) were diagnosed with TB and referred to the nearest national TB treatment centre.

The project team has so far received feedback from the TB treatment centres confirming that 168 (73 per cent) individuals have enrolled in a treatment programme and more information is expected. Once treated, individuals can make a full recovery and enjoy a better quality of life.

To ensure continuity following the close of the project, five laboratory technicians (one in each target location) were trained on GeneXpert One TB diagnostic, and one treatment centre will be provided with a centrifuge, a water distiller plant, a refrigerator and fridge thermometers.

Commenting on the outcome of the project, Dr. Aden Guliye, Head, IOM Ghana Migration Health Unit, explained: “The success of this project will provide evidence-based programming for TB control in Ghana. In view of the progress made so far, there is potential for such a programme to be replicated in other regions of Ghana and other countries in West Africa.”

TB REACH is a global programme spearheaded by the Stop TB Partnership and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

As of 2011, WHO data shows that Ghana has TB incidence and prevalence rates of 79 and 92 per 100,000 population respectively, with a 78 per cent national detection rate for all forms of TB.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The situation in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) took a turn for the worse on Wednesday: unconfirmed reports put at 15 the number of people killed and dozens wounded in an attack on displaced persons taking shelter at Notre Dame de Fatima Church.

Director General of IOM, Ambassador William Lacy Swing said, “I was shocked to learn of the senseless attack on civilians at Notre Dame de Fatima Church; these people were already displaced and have suffered so much. I condemn the attack in the strongest terms and the continued violence that has ensued. I extend heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who were killed.

“These incidents prolong the cycle of violence and displacement, which needs to stop so people can finally return to their homes. IOM will continue to support the Government of the Central African Republic in its efforts to put the country on a path toward peace and development. I call on all parties to conflict to put down their arms and focus on rebuilding CAR.”

The violence in CAR spread on Thursday: numerous roadblocks and incidents around Bangui interrupted commerce and prevented the provision of humanitarian services. Streets were deserted except for groups of youths manning roadblocks. Shooting and explosions were frequently heard around the city.

“This is the worst attack in Bangui since the wide-scale outbreak of violence in December 2013. We are very concerned for the population of Bangui and for our colleagues who live in the affected neighbourhoods,” said International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Giuseppe Loprete.

IOM provides displacement tracking, distribution of non-food relief items, community stabilization activities, and camp management in the cities of Bangui, Boda, Kabo, and Moyen-Sido. IOM health clinics provide more than 300 consultancies per week to displaced persons in both Bangui and Boda.

Displacement figures in Bangui have decreased from almost 500,000 in December to approximately 132,000 in late May. This latest figure is expected to increase in response to recent violence.

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Orca Exploration Group Inc. (“Orca” or “the Company”) (http://www.orcaexploration.com) announces its results for the quarter ended 31 March 2014.

Logo: http://www.phot…

BANGUI, Central African Republic, May 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) and Head of the African-led International Mission of Support in the Central A…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Third Conference of States Parties to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, will conclude tomorrow, 30 May 2014.

Journalists a…

TUNIS, Tunisia, May 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In line with the Agenda 2063 and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, The African Union Commission (AUC) took active part in the Model African Union Simulation, held in Tunis, Tunisia from 23 to 25 May 2014 through a delegation of six youth from the AUC Youth Division/Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST), led by Mrs. Habiba El Mejri Scheikh, Director of Information and Communication.

The first Pan African Simulation of the African Union organised in the North of Africa, is an initiative that has emerged from spontaneous African Youth Movement that has reflected a concrete image of the integration, harmony and unity between all the regions of the African continent. It has brought together a total of 211 young people from 23 different African nationalities from the 5 regions of the continent gathered during three days to share their knowledge and skills and promote the culture of peace, dialoged and mutual respect and learning.

AUC has been involved from the start of the preparations by providing guidance to the process and supporting the preparatory organisation of the Model African Union Simulation.

The main objectives of the model of the AU are to: i) involve the African Youth and engage them in their duty to maintain the unity, peace and development in the continent; ii) establish a culture of initiative and leadership; iii) create awareness of the role, the organisation and importance of the AU at continental and international level and iv) highlight the issue of economic, social and security policies facing the African Continent.

The debate dealt with 6 important thematic:

1. Agenda 2063

2. Inter cultural, Inter generation dialogue

3. Free economic movement in Africa

4. External trade and international relations

5. African Court of Justice

6. Terrorist movements and armed groups

In this context, Mrs. Habiba El Mejri Scheikh, AUC Director of Information and Communication highlighted on her speeches of the opening and closing ceremonies the big interest and the support from the AUC leadership to Youth and Women. She underscored that the Model African Union Simulation is an excellent opportunity for the next leaders of the institution to experience the processes involved in understanding and analyzing problems and challenges affecting the continent and creates an avenue for dialogue and solutions to these problems. The dates chosen for this highly praised event to coincide with the 25th of May – a special day to all Africans marked globally as “Africa Day” further reinforced the historic nature of this event, she added.

Presenting the Agenda in 2063, Mrs. El Mejri Scheikh explained that it’s both a Vision and an Action Plan and a call for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny. Agenda 2063 strives to enable Africa remain focused and committed to the ideals envisaged in the context of a rapidly changing world, said the DIC Director. She added that it’s therefore a joint strategic framework for 50 years to build inclusive growth and sustainable development of Africa, a framework that follows an approach based on results with concrete and measurable goals.

The agenda 2063 is intended to be fully participative and completely owned by all Africans, with an absolute commitment of the women and the young people in particularly, on the basis of the mindset of collective work for the prosperity of all and common destiny in united and strong Africa, said the DIC Director calling the African Youth to bring your specific contribution.

On its side the African Union will make every effort to institutionalize this event to take place every year under the initiative and responsibility of the youth and for it to be organized in all regions of the continent, promised Mrs. El Mejri Scheikh. (See the full speech on AU Web Site: www.au.int .)

During the three-day simulation the AUC delegation played an important role as members of the jury, chaired by AUC/DIC Director in order to choose the best delegate and the best chairperson of the whole simulation exercise.

The co-directors of the initiative Hamza Gadamsi (Tunisia) and Blamassi Touré (Cote d’Ivoire) expressed their gratitude for the AUC, the Partners and the Tunisian authorities that supported this young initiative and expressed their willingness to institutionalize the Model of the African Union Through the coordination with the Youth Division of the African union

The Tunisian minister of High Education and Scientific Research; the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Tunis; the Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation as well as other partners attended the opening ceremony while the Tunisian Secretary of state for Foreign Affairs chaired the closing ceremony.

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The President of the Republic of Mozambique, H.E. Mr Armando Emílio Guebuza, has accepted an invitation from President Higgins to visit Ireland from the third to the sixth of June 2014.

The State Visit will commence with a formal welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin when President Guebuza will be greeted by President and Sabina Higgins. Following the formal welcome ceremony, a meeting between the Heads of State will take place.

On Wednesday 4 June, President Guebuza will meet the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, at Government Buildings and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, at Iveagh House. He will also lay a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance and visit the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks and St James’s Hospital before attending a State Dinner in his honour at Áras an Uachtaráin.

On Thursday 5 June the President will have a programme of business and education meetings, including the Mozambique-Ireland Business Forum, and on Friday 6 June he will visit Newgrange before departing Dublin.

The visit will include the signing of agreements between Ireland and Mozambique across a range of areas including agriculture, health, education, development and trade.

Below is the programme for the visit. Please see additional note on media opportunities below. Please note that pooling arrangements apply at all venues.

Irish media wishing to attend any of the events must contact the Press Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at least 24 hours in advance by email at press.office@dfa.ie or on the numbers below:

DFAT Press Office: 01 408 2276, Bobby Smyth: 087 980 2050, Karl Boyle: 087 639 6333

For contact at Áras an Úachtaráin – Deirdre Nally: 01 6171000, Wally Young: 087 9064331

Official photographs for each event will be made available free of charge, through Fennells’ Photography.

Programme

(Timings indicative and not for publication)

Tuesday, 3 June

16.30

Ceremonial arrival at Áras an Úachtaráin and meeting with President Higgins

Wednesday, 4 June

09.00

Meeting with Taoiseach

09.40

Wreath-laying at Garden of Remembrance

10.10

Visit to the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks

11.30

Meeting with Tánaiste at Iveagh House

13.35

Visit to Leinster House

15.00 Visit to St. James’s Hospital

19.30

State Dinner at Áras an Uachtaráin

Thursday, 5 June

08.55

Visit to Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin St.

10.00

Civic Reception at Mansion House

11.15

Mozambique-Ireland Business Forum at Royal Hospital Kilmainham

12.30

Working lunch with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney T.D.

14.35

Visit to Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology

16.00

Visit to Fyffes, Swords Business Park

Friday, 6 June

09.35

Visit to Newgrange Heritage Site

11.10

Visit to Teagasc Research Centre, Grange, Dunsany, County Meath

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — To supplement the “Grand” closing ceremony of the year long activities of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU (25 May 2013 – 25 May 2014), the African Union Commission conducted series of sports activities that took place from May 22nd 2014 till the final closing ceremony May 25th 2014.

In line with its vision 2063, and with an objective to bring together members of the African Union Commission, diplomatic missions and other international organizations under the values conveyed by sport, the tournament shares a small-scale scheme of the stages of the agenda 2063 until full operationalization. Important notions included participation and inclusion of all stakeholders; putting in place a results-based approach; taking in account Africa’s diversity and calling for changes in attitudes, mindsets to inculcate the right set of African values.

The sport activities included Soccer, Volleyball and the Marathon (The Great Run) which was characterized by strong a commitment of the Organisation, tactical skills and discipline. The Nigerian team won the soccer tournament while team dubbed (A2H3) took the Volleyball winning title. Awards ceremony, chaired by Dr. Abdul-Hakim Rajab Elwaer (Director – Human Resources, Science and Technology Department), took place in the presence of Mr. Erastus Mwencha, AUC Deputy Chairperson and Mr. Salah Siddig Hammad, president of the AU Staff Association. Trophies and medals were awarded to the winning teams.

Worth recalling that, the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU was launched to pay special tribute to the generation of Pan-Africans and the founding fathers of the OAU, who in their wisdom and foresight, laid a solid foundation for the unity and solidarity of Africa. While reflecting on Africa’s journey over the last five decades and celebrate the unique role played by the OAU in the liberation of Africa, as well as its invaluable contribution towards the objective of achieving unity in the continent.

TOKYO, Japan, May 29, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. The Government of Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on May 24th at the restaurant in the capital city Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti. Japan expresses its deep condolences to…