Category: APO-OPA

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

May 14, 2014

“The kidnapping of hundreds of children by Boko Haram is an unconscionable crime, and we will do everything possible to support the Nigerian Government to return these young women to their homes and to hold the perpetrators to justice. I will tell you, my friends, I have seen this scourge of terror across the planet, and so have you. They don’t offer anything except violence. They don’t offer a health care plan, they don’t offer schools. They don’t tell you how to build a nation; they don’t talk about how they will provide jobs. They just tell people, “You have to behave the way we tell you to,” and they will punish you if you don’t.” — Secretary of State John F. Kerry

Nigeria is a key strategic partner in Africa. Nigeria has the continent’s largest population and largest economy, and it plays a vital role in efforts to resolve crises and promote stability and prosperity in West Africa and beyond. In the midst of rapid economic growth, however, Nigeria faces security challenges, notably Boko Haram (BH), a violent Islamist movement that has staged regular attacks in northern Nigeria since 2010. Given Nigeria’s importance as a regional political and economic leader, the U.S. has a vital interest in helping to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions, boost Nigeria’s prosperity and security, and ensure opportunity for all of its citizens. The U.S. and Nigeria also work closely together in multilateral fora, including the UN Security Council, where Nigeria is serving a term as a non-permanent member for 2014-2015.

As the President noted in his National Defense University speech in May 2013, countering terrorism requires a holistic approach. We continue to work with Nigeria and other international partners to help promote and support such an approach to Boko Haram. The United States has been working to counter BH for many years, and we will continue to do so. The first part of this fact sheet provides information about BH and the many atrocities it committed in Nigeria prior to its attack on a girls’ secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, where it kidnapped approximately 300 girls. The latter part provides information about various U.S. Department of State initiatives and programs to assist Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, such as the Antiterrorism Assistance Program and the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership.

The U.S. Government designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 on November 14, 2013. (A transcript of an interview with senior officials about this designation can be found here: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/11/217532.htm.) BH commander Abubakar Shekau, Khalid al-Barnawi, and Abubakar Adam Kambar were designated on June 21, 2012, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of E.O. 13224. (A fact sheet about FTO and E.O. designations can be found here: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/01/219520.htm.) Since June 2013, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program has advertised a reward offer of up to U.S. $7 million for information leading to the location of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.

BH is a Nigeria-based group responsible for numerous attacks in northern and northeastern Nigeria that have killed thousands of people since its emergence in 2009, and conducted high-profile kidnappings of Westerners in the Far North Region of Cameroon. In 2013 alone, BH has carried out kidnappings, killings, bombings, and attacks on civilian and military targets in northern Nigeria, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and injuries. BH primarily operates in northeastern Nigeria, Cameroon’s Far North Region, and the Lake Chad Basin, and receives the bulk of its funding from bank robberies and related criminal activities, including extortion and kidnapping for ransom. The group espouses a violent extremist ideology and at times has received some limited assistance, including funds and training, from al Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Among its most lethal attacks, BH was responsible for indiscriminate attacks in Benisheikh, Nigeria in September 2013 that killed more than 160 civilians, many of them women and children. Other major attacks that have been claimed by or attributed to BH since 2011 have included:

• An August 26, 2011, a bomb attack on the UN building in Abuja killed at least 21 people and injured over 120.

• On November 4, 2011, multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Yobe and Borno States targeted security force offices and the Military’s Joint Task Force (JTF) offices, as well as several markets and 11 churches. More than 100 people were killed, including nearly 70 bystanders at a major traffic circle in the center of Damaturu, Yobe State.

• On January 20, 2012, multiple near-simultaneous attacks in Kano State were carried out on at least 12 targets including police stations, an immigration office, and the residence of an Assistant Inspector General of Police. Over 150 persons were killed and hundreds were wounded.

• In April 2012, assailants attacked the Theatre Hall at Bayero University, Kano, with IEDs and gunshots, killing nearly 20 persons.

• On April 26, 2012, VBIEDs simultaneously exploded at the offices of This Day newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna, killing five persons and wounding many others.

• On June 17, 2012, attacks on three churches in Kaduna State killed worshippers and instigated violence throughout the State. At least 10 people were killed and an additional 78 were injured in the riots that ensued.

• On February 8, 2013 nine Nigerian women working in a polio vaccination campaign in Kano were killed by gunmen riding in three-wheeled motorcycles; several other polio workers were injured.

• On March 18, 2013, a VBIED attack on two luxury buses at a motor park in the Sabon Gari neighborhood of Kano killed more than 20 persons and wounded scores.

• On July 6, 2013, over 50 students were killed in their dormitories at Mamudo Government Secondary School in Yobe State.

• On August 11, 2013, gunmen killed approximately 44 persons praying at a mosque outside Maiduguri and another 12 civilians in a near-simultaneous attack at a nearby location in Borno State.

• On September 29, 2013, gunmen killed more than 40 students in the dormitory of an agricultural technical school in Yobe State.

• In November 2013, BH members kidnapped a French priest in Cameroon.

• On December 2, 2013, a coordinated and complex attack by violent extremists on the Maiduguri airport and air force base killed over 24 persons, wounded dozens, and destroyed a large amount of military equipment, including several military helicopters.

• On December 20, 2013, violent extremists assaulted the Nigerian army barracks in Bama, southern Borno State, in a well-coordinated attack that killed approximately 20 military personnel and numerous civilians.

• On January 14, 2014, at least at least 31 were killed and 50 injured by suicide bomber in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

• On February 16, 2014, BH raided Izghe village, Borno State, killing an estimated 115 people.

• On February 25, 2014, over 59 teenage boys were killed in an attack on Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, Nigeria.

• On April 14, 2014, BH attacked a girls’ secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria, with 16 killed and approximately 300 girls kidnapped.

• Also on April 14, 2014, a morning rush hour bomb killed at least 71 on at a bus depot on the outskirts of Abuja.

• On May 5, 2014, an attack lasting 12 hours on towns of Gamboru and Ngala in Borno State, Nigeria, killed an estimated 300 people.

Counterterrorism Assistance to Nigeria

• Counterterrorism support to Nigeria focuses on building critical counterterrorism capabilities among Nigeria’s civilian and law enforcement agencies. This supports the larger U.S. objective of encouraging Nigeria to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to counter BH that upholds and enforces the rule of law, provides civilian protection, respects human rights and international norms, and addresses the underlying grievances that BH exploits (including through development gains and through responsive governance).

• Based on our longstanding concerns about Boko Haram, we have a robust security dialogue and assistance relationship with Nigeria. As part of the Bi-National Commission Framework, we hold regular Regional Security working group meetings focused on the Boko Haram threat and ways our two governments can collaborate on a holistic approach to countering the group.

• Our security assistance is in line with our efforts to ensure Nigeria takes a comprehensive approach to countering Boko Haram. We are working to build Nigerian law enforcement capacities to investigate terrorism cases, effectively deal with explosive devices, and secure Nigeria’s borders, while underscoring that the most effective counterterrorism policies and practices are those that respect human rights and are underpinned by the rule of law. We are also focused on enabling various Nigerian security services with fusing multiple information streams to develop a better understanding of Boko Haram. Our military assistance supports the professionalization of key military units and improves their ability to plan and implement appropriate steps to counter Boko Haram and ensure civilian security.

• The State Department’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program enhances Nigerian law enforcement’s capability to prevent, detect, and investigate terrorism threats; secure Nigeria’s borders; and manage responses to terrorist incidents. ATA’s primary partners are the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Customs Service, Immigration Service, and National Emergency Management Agency. ATA represents the only donor assistance to Nigerian law enforcement on identifying, diffusing, and the safe disposal of improvised explosives devices (IEDs). ATA curriculum has been integrated into NPF training curriculum, supporting its ability to respond to IED attacks in Abuja and to deploy to the northeast part of the country where Boko Haram attacks are the most frequent.

• Countering violent extremism (CVE) programs aim to limit recruits to BH by reducing sympathy and support for its operations, through three primary objectives: (1) building resilience among communities most at risk of recruitment and radicalization to violence; (2) countering BH narratives and messaging; and (3) building the CVE capacity of government and civil society. Such efforts include promoting engagement between law enforcement and citizens, and elevating the role of women civil society leaders in CVE.

• The Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications has developed a strong partnership with the Government of Nigeria, and in conjunction with other international partners, provided assistance on developing a comprehensive communications strategy.

• Nigeria is an active member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), and the United States has used the multilateral platform the Forum offers to introduce justice sector officials from Nigeria and neighboring countries to a series of judicial tools to investigate and prosecute terrorism cases in conformity with their domestic and international human rights obligations. As part of this effort, the United States and Nigeria have co-hosted a series of experts’ workshops in Abuja on these issues. In addition, Nigeria will join the United States as one of the founding members of the International Institute on Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), which will open its doors in June 2014 in Malta, and provide rule of law based training on how to counter terrorism and other transnational criminal activity within a rule of law framework. As a founding member, Nigeria will be expected to ensure its police, prosecutors, and prison officials are regular participants in IIJ trainings.

• Nigeria is a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP), a U.S. Government-funded and implemented effort designed to enhance regional security sector capacity to counter violent extremism, improve country and regional border and customs systems, strengthen financial controls, and build law enforcement and security sector capacity. TSCTP provides counter-IED and civil-military operations training to the Nigerian military, and crisis management and border security training to Nigerian law enforcement agencies. Nigeria also participates in larger regional training opportunities such as combat medical, military intelligence, communications and logistics training with other TSCTP partner nations (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, and Tunisia).

• Nigeria has also agreed to become a pilot country to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), a GCTF-inspired initiative announced by Secretary Kerry at the September 2013 GCTF ministerial. This will enable community-based organizations in Nigeria to receive grants from the GCERF to carry out grassroots CVE projects.

• The State Department’s Counterterrorism Finance (CTF) program provides training that aims to restrict Boko Haram’s ability to raise, move, and store money. CTF’s current focus provides Nigeria with cross border financial investigations training to work effectively with counterparts in neighboring countries on critical CTF cases.

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United States condemns today’s despicable terrorist attacks in the Gikoma market area of Nairobi, Kenya, that took the lives of many and injured dozens more. This is the latest in a se…

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ITU presented the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award to three eminent personalities: Mr Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; Ms Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea; and Mr Carlos Slim, Chairman, Grupo Carso and President of the Carlos Slim Foundation. The three laureates were honoured in recognition of their leadership and dedication towards promoting ICTs and broadband connectivity as a means of achieving sustainable development.

Welcoming the laureates to the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony, ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said, “Our distinguished laureates this year are among the greatest champions of ICT in the world. They have supported our work with tremendous zeal, and together we have accomplished a lot – particularly in highlighting the key role ICTs play in the global economy as well as in leveraging sustainable development.”

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2014 marks the 149th anniversary of the establishment of ITU, which was founded in Paris on 17 May 1865. The theme for this year, ‘Broadband for Sustainable Development’ brings attention to the catalytic role of ICTs in securing smart solutions to achieve economic growth, social inclusion and environmental balance – the three pillars of sustainable development in the post-2015 era.

“ICTs are powerhouses of the global economy, offering solutions for sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. “Broadband networks provide smart eco-friendly solutions to manage booming cities and transport systems; enhance efficiency for manufacturing industries and power generation; conduct long-distance diagnosis and treatment for patients in remote locations; and promote innovative educational applications for students around the world.”

“Broadband connectivity is a critical element today in ensuring that ICTs are used as effective delivery vehicles for health, education, governance, trade and commerce in order to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth,” said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré. “We must commit ourselves in the service of humanity to make broadband the central element of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.”

Dr Touré added: “The right to communication is central to the information society; it is a key principle for equitable, affordable and universal access to information and knowledge that in turn empowers people to meet their aspirations and achieve their development goals.”

The Award ceremony was followed by a high-level round-table discussion on how broadband connectivity and ICTs can be harnessed to meet the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

ITU celebrates 150 years in 2015

The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day ceremony ended with a call to celebrate ITU’s 150th anniversary in 2015.

“As ITU approaches its 150th anniversary next year, let us work together to bridge the digital divide and harness the power of technology to create a better and more sustainable future for all,” United Nation Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon said.

LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Secretary condemns attacks in Nairobi and offers his condolences to those affected.

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said:

“I condemn in the strongest terms the attacks that took place earlier today in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. I offer my deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and to those injured in the attacks.

“There can be no place for appalling acts of violence such as this in any society. The Kenyan authorities have our full support as they investigate this incident and seek to prevent further attacks.”

TOKYO, Japan, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — 1. Overview

(1) A total of approximately 800 participants, with representatives from 52 African countries including 20 foreign ministers, donor countries and Asian countries, international organizations and regional organizations, as well as representatives from civil society such as private sectors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), attended the meeting.

(2) This was the first ministerial meeting since the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) held in Yokohama last June and the first-ever TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Central Africa since TICAD IV.

(3) Minister Kishida’s attendance to this meeting was the third attendance to the TICAD-related meetings, following the TICAD V Ministerial Preparatory Meeting in Ethiopia in March 2013, and TICAD V last June. Minister Kishida co-chaired the meeting with H.E. Mr. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon as the host country. Minister Kishida gave an address at the opening ceremony（PDF）PDF and delivered keynote speeches at Plenary 1 (“Status of Implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017”)（PDF）PDF and at the special session (“Empowering Women and Youth”)（PDF）PDF. Moreover, Minister Kishida also delivered a speech at Plenary 3 (“Post-2015 Development Agenda”)（PDF）PDF as a panelist.

2. Results of the meeting

The overview and major results of each session are as follows:

(1) Plenary 1 (“Status of Implementation of the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017”)

In his keynote speech, Minister Kishida stated that the Government of Japan had implemented its assistance in 2013 faster than expected (USD 3.51 billion of official development assistance [ODA], which accounts for approximately 25% of Japan’s commitment at TICAD V, and USD 2.08 billion in other assistance) (Please refer to “TICAD V 2013: Progress with Japan’s Assistance Package” Fact Sheet), and stressed that Japan would implement the assistance it had committed. Countries appreciated his statement and many countries expressed their gratitude for Japan’s assistance. At the same time, Minister Kishida stated that improvement of a freer and safer investment environment would be necessary for private-led African development. In this context, he requested more efforts by the African side, while announcing that the Government of Japan will extend USD 300 million of yen loan to the African Development Bank to foster private sectors in Africa. At the meeting, active discussions were made over measures and the progress for implementing the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017, and African countries expressed their expectation and requests to the Government of Japan. In the end, the plenary endorsed the following documents:

(A) The Implementation Matrix of the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017 (including cover and summary)

(B) The Guideline for the Annual Progress Report of TICAD V

In the Implementation Matrix, more than 600 activities and initiatives in total were submitted from 57 countries and organizations including Africa and Japan.

(2) Plenary 2 (“Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security”)

Mr. Taku Eto, Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, attended the session as a panelist and delivered a speech on the enhancement of cooperation for development of a value chain of African agricultural products. At this session, discussions were held regarding the methods to attract investment to agricultural sectors and empower potential bearers of agriculture, such as women and youth on the basis of a common recognition that agriculture, the largest economic sector in Africa, plays important roles for economic growth and reduction of poverty. In the same vein, participants also discussed the methods to protect vulnerable people who engage in agriculture..

(3) Plenary 3 (“Post-2015 Development Agenda”)

Minister Kishida attended the session as a panelist and emphasized the importance of economic growth for development, while proposing three “vitamins,” crucial elements for development that promote human security (comprehensiveness, sustainability and toughness). At the session, participants shared views on the necessity to further accelerate the progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) before 2015, the target year of the MDGs. Moreover, the participants welcomed the Common African Position (CAP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda adopted by the African Union (AU), and shared their views that Africa and Japan would take initiatives toward development of the post-2015 development agenda.

(4) Special session (“Empowering Women and Youth”)

In his keynote speech, Minister Kishida stated that the Government of Japan would provide the assistance necessary for the empowering of women and youth to realize a “society in which African women shine” and a “bright future for African youth.” Ms. Rumiko Seya, President of the Japan Center for Conflict Prevention, delivered a speech as a panelist. In this session, necessary measures and callenges for empowerment of women and youth in development, business, and peacebuilding were actively discussed by African countries based on a common recognition that capacity development of women and youth directly leads to stability of African society as well as development and further industrialization in Africa.

Overviews of discussions in each session were released as Chair’s Summaries. The participants shared their views that they would work together in the future in the United Nations, G20 and other avenues in the international arena on the basis of the discussions at this Ministerial Meeting.

3. Other results

(1) Meeting of Concerned Countries on the Situation in South Sudan

In response to the deteriorating situation in South Sudan since last December, Minister Kishida hosted a meeting and discussed the situation in South Sudan with Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan and representatives from neighbouring countries (Mr. Asuman Kiyingi, Minister of State for Regional Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Mr. Ahmed Shide, Finance and Economic Development State Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Magdi Hassan Yassin, the State Minister for Finance and National Economy of the Republic of the Sudan, and Ms. Sabina Wakio Maghanga, Director, Macro Planning and International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Devolution and Planning of the Republic of Kenya). In the meeting, Minister Kishida expressed his concerns over the situation where violations of the agreement to cease hostile activities occur, and also expressed his expectation toward the efforts by South Sudan and neighboring countries for the stability of the situation in South Sudan. Minister Kishida further briefed the contribution by the Government of Japan, including dispatching the Self-Defense Forces to UNMISS. Dr. Benjamin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of South Sudan, stated the determination and policies of the Government of South Sudan for stabilization of the situation in the country, while participants from neighboring countries expressed their consensus view that solutions through dialogue are important and that they would support the efforts by the concerned parties of South Sudan. The meeting thus confirmed that concerned parties would coordinate for the solution of the situation.

(2) Bilateral Meetings

On the occasion of his participation in the meeting, Minister Kishida paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, and also held bilateral talks with H.E. Mr. Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo, Minister of External Relations of Cameroon, H.E. Mr. Diop, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Mr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Minister of International Cooperation and Development of Guinea, and H.E. Mr. Harry Kalaba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zambia and discussed enhancement of bilateral relations and cooperation in an international arena. Moreover, Minister Kishida implemented a signing ceremony with H.E. Mr. Nganou Djoumessi Emmanuel, Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development of Cameroon, to sign an Exchange of Notes concerning the non-project aids of 600 million yen. Furthermore, Minister Kishida had talks and exchanged greetings with many other participants.

4. Evaluation

(1) In his second Africa visit, Minister Kishida showed that the Government of Japan has been steadily implementing assistance of Africa that the Government of Japan had committed at the TICAD V through both public and private means, amounting to 3.2 trillion yen at maximum, including 1.4 trillion yen of ODA. Such engagement greatly contributed to increase the credibility of Japan’s diplomacy towards Africa and the TICAD process.

(2) The unanimous endorsement of the “The Implementation Matrix of the Yokohama Action Plan 2013-2017,” which compiled specific measures by both the African side and development partners including Japan, enabled the participants to share with the international community the outcome targets that the participants unanimously agreed at the TICAD V, and to deepen cooperation toward the realization of such targets.

(3) The three agenda discussed at the meeting (agriculture, post-2015 development agenda, and women and youth) are global issues that Africa prioritizes and that the entire international community should address. The cooperation on these fronts by the Government of Japan through the TICAD process is the implementation of its “proactive contribution to peace” policy based on the principle of international cooperation, which forms the basic principle of Japan’s diplomacy. Through this meeting, Japan was able to appeal its continuous contribution to the development and peace in Africa through its “proactive contribution to peace” policy.

(4) Through the Meeting of Concerned Countries on the Situation of South Sudan and bilateral talks held on the occasion of the meeting, the Government of Japan was able to convey its concerns over the situation in South Sudan, confirm coordination with major countries in response to the situation in South Sudan, and enhance relations with respective countries. Moreover, concerning the situation in the Central African Republic and in the Sahel region, the Government of Japan could convey its contribution in each bilateral talk and garnered their understanding towards Japan’s proactive contribution to the peace and stability of Africa.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On 14-16 May, Angola’s Minister of Energy and Water João Baptista Borges is visiting Sweden with a delegation.

The main focus of the visit is to promote a business exchange between Sweden and Angola. The visit is also a follow-up of of the visits to Angola by Minister for Trade Ewa Björling in May 2013 and Minister for Enterprise Annie Lööf in November 2013.

The programme for the visit includes meetings with the Swedish business community and Swedish agencies and institutes operating in the energy and water sector. Dr Björling will host a lunch in connection with the visit on 16 May.

“I see Angola as a very important trading partner for Sweden, not least in the future. This is also why the Government has named Angola as one of our top-20 prioritised countries for exports and trade-promoting activities,” says Dr Björling.

Sweden’s relations with Angola can be traced back to the time before the liberation struggle. Over the years, our relations have shifted focus from development assistance to trade and investment. Many of the areas in which Sweden has a great deal of expertise are areas in which we previously provided bilateral development assistance. Angola is a good example of how bilateral cooperation can be broadened and further developed through existing relations that have been cultivated over many years.

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Today in Sudan, Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag was sentenced to be flogged for adultery and to be hanged to death for apostasy because she married a Christian man. We strongly condemn this sen…

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The situation in north-eastern Nigeria is having a severe impact on neighbouring south-eastern Niger. Armed clashes are occurring in villages situated within hundreds of metres of …

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ending a nine-day official visit to Comoros today, the Working Group on the use of mercenaries called upon the Government to prioritize effective governance and respect for human rights in order to move forward from a past tainted by mercenarism.

“Over the past three decades, Comoros’ painful and complex history has been marked by more than 20 coups or attempted coups d’etat involving mercenaries,” said the Chairperson of the Working Group, Patricia Arias, at the end of the visit which took place from 8 to 16 May at the invitation of the Government.

“Although many Comorians seem to view mercenarism as a phenomenon of the past, during our visit, we noted that today’s social, political and economic struggles are intrinsically linked to the upheavals caused by this past instability,” she added.

Multiple coups were instigated when Comoros became independent from France in 1975. A long period of instability ensued, worsened by separatist divisions. Many of those who met the delegation of the Working Group expressed the view that mercenarism and separatism were used to destabilize the country, particularly in the early days of independence. The contentious issue of Mayotte was also repeatedly raised as an important factor in the country’s difficult past.

The UN experts noted that a number of issues, including weak state institutions and a severe lack of resources, result – directly or indirectly – from this past mercenarism and have a clear impact on the enjoyment of economic, social, civil and political rights by Comorian people.

The issue of impunity is also of concern, noted the experts. “Despite the heavy involvement of mercenaries in Comoros’ turbulent history, we were informed that not a single one has been convicted to date,” stated the experts. The Working Group also noted that difficulties in obtaining information from the countries of origin of mercenaries contributed to the lack of accountability.

Many Comorians met by the Working Group stated that the relative stability experienced by the country since 2001, and particularly since 2009, is due to the Government’s decision to amend the Constitution and allow for the rotation of the presidency among Comoros’ different islands. The rotation rule has been seen to counter the problem of separatism and threats of attempted coup d’états.

Despite these positives developments, the Working Group stressed the need to strengthen State institutions, including the judicial system.

“Comoros should adopt preventive strategies against mercenarism by strengthening the country’s legal framework, and by developing institutional capacity. Government officials need to be trained and evaluated,” said Gabor Rona, a member of the Working Group.

“What the country needs now is to adopt a strong legislative framework, improve the functioning of governmental entities and enhance respect for human rights. This combined strategy will help prevent mercenarism and other grave offences that may threaten the stability of the state,” he said.

In line with its mandate, the Working Group also looked into the issue of private security companies in the country. Noting that there is no legislation to regulate the establishment and operation of such companies, the UN experts urged the Government to take prompt action to fill in this legislative gap.

They also urged the Government to ratify the UN Convention on mercenaries as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

A complete report on the Working Group’s visit to Comoros including specific recommendations to the Government will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2014. The recommendations will be aimed at assisting the Government to better protect human rights, particularly the right of its people to self-determination.

ROME, Italy, May 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A major operation to distribute seeds and tools has been launched in the Central African Republic to support crisis-hit farming families.

This is the largest ever intervention in the country led by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its humanitarian partners.

Some 16 international and national non-governmental organizations are working with FAO to overcome the challenges of inaccessible roads and a deteriorating security situation to ensure that farmers receive agricultural kits in time for the next planting season.

A total of 1 800 tonnes of staple crop seeds, as well as hand tools, will be distributed by the end of May to 75 700 vulnerable families – or 378 500 people – in 15 prefectures across the conflict-stricken nation.

Distribution started at the end of April, and within a few days 11 660 farming families had already received kits.

Each family is receiving 25 kg of seeds and two hoes so that they can produce at least 500 kg of groundnuts, maize and rice to contribute to feeding them for around four months.

The country’s agricultural sector has been severely disrupted by ongoing fighting since December 2012, which has led to chronic countrywide malnutrition, extreme poverty and inappropriate sanitation. Some 1.6 million people are in urgent need of food, while one in five has fled their homes in fear of violence.

“The delivery of these agricultural kits is of critical importance since they will help avert a full-scale food and nutrition crisis in the country,” said acting FAO Representative Alexis Bonte.

“The volatile security situation is making the operation challenging, and there have been attacks on aid convoys in recent weeks. However, FAO is working with the Logistics Cluster and partners on the ground to overcome these challenges and reach out to vulnerable farming families, and we are hopeful that all seeds will be distributed by the end of May.”

As of 15 May, FAO had already positioned nearly 90 percent of the seeds and tools required for the operation at local hubs from where partner NGOs collect the kits and transport them to distribution sites in rural areas. The remaining 10 percent of seeds are due to arrive at the hubs by next week.

The Organization is coordinating delivery with the World Food Programme to ensure that kits are provided together with emergency food rations to reduce the risk that desperate families will eat the seeds instead of planting them.

“This partnership is particularly important since the hunger season – when food from the last harvest runs out – came early this year, starting in February instead of July,” Bonte said.

Rebuilding livelihoods

In addition to the distribution of agricultural kits, FAO is working to revitalize the agricultural sector and increase farmers’ ability to cope with crisis as part of longer-term support to the country.

Following a joint mission in April, FAO and WFP warned that the Central African Republic needed an extensive humanitarian operation over at least the next 18 months to help rebuild livelihoods and increase resilience.

“The remaining needs are in fact enormous,” Bonte stressed. “Crisis-hit communities need to receive technical, social and financial support to develop local economic opportunities for building resilience and then better absorb shocks.”

Crucial activities FAO plans to carry out by the end of the year include supporting affected populations and women’s groups to generate income and restore food security through cash-for-work activities and small livestock and short‐cycle vegetable production. To revitalize local markets, FAO will also promote the production of seed, some of which it will then buy and sell on local markets through seed fairs organized by NGOs.

In addition, the Organization will help integrate savings and loans schemes for women’s associations and improve management for small-scale agro-processing, food production and post-harvest handling.

To date, FAO has received more than $30 million for its operations in the Central African Republic, of which $14 million are allocated to providing agricultural kits to vulnerable households.

However, an additional $17.5 million are still required to provide livelihood support to the population this year that will allow them to generate income before the harvest, purchase food from the market, and diversify their activities for year-round earnings.