Category: APO-OPA

LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO advises against all but essential travel to Mombasa Island and the surrounding area.

The FCO has changed its travel advice to Kenya to advise against all but essential travel to Mombasa Island and the surrounding area following recent terrorist attacks and the continuing terrorist threat in the area.

The Travel Advice now reads:

“The FCO advise against all but essential travel to Mombasa island and within 5km of the coast from Mtwapa creek in the north to Tiwi in the south. This area does not include Diani or Moi international airport.”

If you are currently in an area to which we now advise against all but essential travel you should consider whether you have an essential reason to remain. If not, you should leave the area. You can still access the Moi International Airport but we advise against travelling through Mombasa Island.

Full travel advice to Kenya can be found on the FCO website.

FCO travel advice is kept under constant review, and is based on objective assessments of the risk to British nationals. We advise all travellers and British nationals resident in Kenya to monitor our travel advice regularly.

To counter the shared threat of terrorism, the UK is committed to working with the Kenyan authorities to strengthen their capacity to investigate, prosecute and detain terrorists; in line with international human rights standards.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — One year after the Donors’ Conference for Mali that was held in Brussels on 15 May 2013 and raised 3.3 billion euro to support the reconstruction of the country, EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, hosts an event in Bamako to follow-up on the commitments. During his visit, the Commissioner will inaugurate the resumption of works on the road between Niono and Timbuktu, in the north of the country, which had been interrupted during occupation of the area by rebels and terrorist groups. The road will be the first and only paved link between the capital Bamako and Timbuktu.

Ahead of his arrival in Mali, Commissioner Piebalgs said: “This event shows that the international community continues to stand side by side with the Malian people one year after. A lot of progress has already been made in recent months in the areas of development and governance. But much remains to be done to ensure that Malians can prosper in a safe and democratic society. The EU was one of the first to mobilise support in the recent crisis and the government can count on us to continue to provide help with rapid and concrete reforms.”

OSLO, Norway, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ‘Boko Haram’s kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls is an unacceptable attack on girls’ right to education. The Government has therefore decided to allocate NOK 10 million to efforts to promote safe schooling for girls in northern Nigeria and help to the communities affected by the abductions. Norway will also consider providing humanitarian assistance for refugees and internally displaced people in the area,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Boko Haram’s brutal attack on the school in Chibok in Borno state in northern Nigeria on 14 April and the group’s kidnapping of over 200 girls from the school has attracted a great deal of attention both in Nigeria and in the rest of the world. The girls have still not been found, and a further 11 girls were kidnapped in the same state on 6 May. Of the 60 million children worldwide who do not currently attend school, over 10 million are in Nigeria, and more than half of this number are girls.

‘I am deeply concerned about the situation of the abducted girls in Nigeria. The Government condemns Boko Haram’s brutal abduction of the schoolgirls in the strongest possible terms. My thoughts are with the girls and their families,’ said Mr Brende.

Norway is playing a leading role in the field of education at the global level, and girls’ education is one of the Government’s development policy priorities.

GENEVA, Switzerland, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Wednesday firmly condemned the acts of violence against more than 200 girls who were abducted from their seconda…

NEW YORK, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Oh Joon (Republic of Korea):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the killing of a Fren…

NEW YORK, May 14, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for an immediate investigation into the death of French freelance photojournalist Camille Lepage, 26, in the Central African Republic. In a statemen…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, May 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — FCO Minister Mark Simmonds to travel to Nigeria for high-level meetings to discuss further UK assistance.

Following the abduction of over 200 school girls in northern Nigeria on 14 April, Foreign Office Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds will visit Abuja on 14 May for high-level meetings with Nigerian authorities to explore what further assistance and advice the UK can provide in support of Nigeria’s efforts to secure the girls’ release and to deal with the threat posed by the extremist group Boko Haram.

The UK team of experts, in Abuja since 9 May, is co-operating closely with the Government of Nigeria and other international partners to provide assistance to Nigeria in dealing with this abduction and addressing longer term challenges.

Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:

“This is an horrific and heartbreaking situation and the UK wants to do all it can to offer support to the Nigerian efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped girls. We condemn the actions of Boko Haram and all that they stand for. Yesterday’s callous and shocking video of some of the missing school girls will only make it harder for their families to deal with this agonising ordeal. This shows exactly why the UK and others have sent teams to help the Nigerians in their efforts to find them and bring them home.

“Continuing murders and abductions of school children, particularly girls in Nigeria by Boko Haram are a stark reminder of the threat faced by women and girls in conflict prone areas. Young children are being denied universal freedoms such as an education. They are being denied opportunity and the ability to live their lives as they choose. Girls are being threatened with sexual violence in forced marriages. This underlines the importance of the FCO’s Summit in London next month on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

“I look forward to discussing further ways that the UK and international partners can work with Nigeria in helping them secure the girls’ release, as well as how we can assist with economic and developmental solutions to address Boko Haram in the longer term.”

Andrew Pocock, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said:

“The abductions have been traumatic for the Nigerian people. Britain, as a friend of Nigeria, is working urgently to help the Nigerian authorities in their efforts to find the girls and tackle longer term challenges in the north, such as education and stability.”

Brigadier Ivan Jones said:

“The Nigerian military have welcomed our arrival and we are working together closely to build the information picture and establish where else we can co-operate.

“No one should underestimate the scale and complexity of this incident and environment. But it is clear that there are areas where we can have a real impact on their capability, building on the close co-operation and training that already exists.”

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is shocked and deeply saddened with the detention of journalists for allegedly “defaming” Somaliland officials and “publishing false Information”.

Two journalists, Yusuf Abdi Gabobe, owner and chairman of Haatuf Media Network, and Ahmed Ali Igeh, Editor-in-chief of Haatuf newspaper were arrested by Somaliland police on 10 May 2014 inside Hargeisa Regional Court after the court ordered their imprisonment.

The Hargeisa court heard complaints by Somaliland’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Hussein Abdi Duale and Somaliland’s Minister of Interior, Ali Mohamed Waran Ade who both came to the court and personally spoke to make their case of how Haatuf newspaper wronged them. The two ministers accused Haatuf of spreading false information and making defamation to kill their reputation and the one of Somaliland presidency. The hearing continued for five hours. At the end of the hearing, the two journalists were chained and taken to detention centre.

Two lawyers defending the two journalists complained in the court about bias from the presiding judge whom they accused of siding with the prosecutor and Somaliland officials.

NUSOJ considers the arrest and treatment of Yusuf Abdi Gabobe and Ahmed Ali Igeh as unconstitutional and retrogressive for Somaliland’s just rule of law and affront to freedom of expression.

“We find it uncalled for that journalists will be criminalised by writing about Somaliland officials. It is pure and simple harassment,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

The arrest of Gabobe and Igeh is based on outmoded pieces of Somali Penal Code enacted during the military government to suppress dissent and promote authoritarian rule. The prosecutor reportedly refused to base his charges against journalists on Somaliland’s press law.

NUSOJ deplores the use of criminal defamation law through Somali Penal Code, as it is a major obstacle to freedom of expression. This is in light of the fact that there is the option of civil defamation remedies.

The use of criminal defamation provision in penal code unnecessarily censures journalists in their work and induces self-censorship, thereby restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of expression.

“Our position is that the pursuit of criminal defamation is tantamount to criminalizing freedom of expression as guaranteed in the constitution of Somaliland and article 19 of universal declaration of human rights,” added Osman.

Archaic laws have no role to play in a democracy and we call upon Somali authorities to desist from implementing them and dragging the country to the military era, declared Osman.

NUSOJ is particularly concerned about the threats to freedom of expression in cyberspace and strongly urges the local authorities and telecommunication companies not to set a very bad precedent in light of these developments. Somaliland ordered three telecommunication companies to block access to news sites of Haatuf newspaper and its sister newspaper Somaliland Times, which are currently inaccessible in Somaliland.

On 7 April 2014, a shutdown order against the independent daily newspaper Haatuf was implemented by Somaliland police after being issued by Marodi Jeeh Regional Court in Hargeisa. Some hundred police forces came to the headquarters of the newspaper and ordered journalists and media workers to vacate. Police still occupy the premises of the newspaper.

Arresting journalists, shutting down independent media houses and blocking access to news sites will only tarnish the image of Somaliland authorities and ruin the benefits of dialogue. Only dialogue between authorities and the media would provide a more enabling environment for media freedom, freedom of expression and ultimately citizen empowerment.

KAMPALA, Uganda, May 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Kampala during the past two weeks to conduct the second review of Uganda’s economic program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). The mission met with Ms. Maria Kiwanuka, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, Permanent Secretary/Secretary of Treasury, Mr. Louis Kasekende, Acting Governor of the Bank of Uganda (BoU); as well as with other senior government officials and representatives from Parliament, and the international, business, and financial communities.

At the end of the mission, Ms. Ana Lucía Coronel, IMF mission chief and senior resident representative for Uganda issued the following statement:

“Performance under the authorities’ program supported by the PSI was mixed. End-December targets for inflation and for monetary and external sector indicators were met, but the indicative target on tax revenues was not observed, and the ceiling on government’s net domestic financing was missed by a small margin. Some important progress on structural reforms was achieved. In particular, the mission welcomes the public financial management reforms to improve governance and budget transparency and credibility, including upgrades to the information systems, and completion of the initial arrangements toward the introduction of the Treasury Single Account.

“Despite a slowdown in agriculture and unrest in South Sudan, growth continues to be robust, and is now projected to reach 5.7 percent in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013/14 and 6.1 percent in FY 2014/15, mainly supported by public investment. However, private sector growth is lagging behind. At 5.4 percent this year and 5.7 percent next year, inflation is projected to remain low and in line with the medium-term target of 5 percent. International reserves are expected to remain ample at a level equivalent to 4.0–4.2 months of imports, providing a strong buffer against shocks to the Ugandan economy. The external current account deficit is anticipated to widen next year, but would be fully financed by foreign loans, foreign direct investments, and some use of international reserves. Medium-term growth prospects are strong, helped by integration of the East African Community, infrastructure development, and oil production.

“This favorable economic outlook will require strong supportive policies. Restrained public consumption in the upcoming year, in particular, would create room for improved credit conditions, laying the ground for a rebound in private sector activity. In addition, the government’s plans to embark on the large Karuma and Isimba hydropower projects to address the large infrastructure gap should start without further delay.

“There is also a need to pay increased attention to revenue mobilization. Following the recent large shortfall in tax revenue and the risk of reductions in foreign aid, broadening the tax base and improving efficiency in tax administration are more critical than ever. The mission strongly encourages the government to take decisive action to increase tax revenue collections. This would involve reviewing existing tax laws and eliminating tax exemptions that have little benefit for production but undermine growth-enhancing spending and constrain vibrant private sector growth. Efforts should also center on strongly enforcing compliance by all taxpayers. The ongoing issuance of national identity cards should support the government’s efforts to achieve the long-awaited plan to raise Ugandan tax revenue and bring it closer to regional standards.

“On the expenditure side, it will be essential to focus on areas that support growth and job creation. In particular, the mission urges the authorities to take steps to avoid incurring domestic arrears that weaken economic management by impairing budget planning, increasing costs for the government, and negatively affecting those who conduct business with the government. The mission encourages the economic authorities to resist all spending pressures that are not compatible with Uganda’s economic priorities.

“Sound fiscal policies supported by robust revenues and predictable spending would help reduce the need for large borrowing in the domestic market to finance government operations, and effectively contain interest rate increases on government securities. These policies would also facilitate reductions in the BoU’s policy rate, ultimately improving credit conditions in the economy. The mission encourages the BoU to keep up its good track record of preserving low and stable inflation, and to stand ready to adjust policies in reaction to domestic or external shocks.

“The mission looks forward to further strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for economic policies. Notably, parliamentary approval of the Public Financial Management Bill is a critical step in maintaining the reform momentum and further increasing gains in budget credibility and execution. Similarly, amendments to the BoU Act are important to strengthen the central bank independence granted in the constitution, and improve coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, a key requirement for modern central banks operating under inflation targeting.

“The IMF Executive Board is tentatively scheduled to consider the second review of the PSI-supported program by end-June 2014.”

KAMPALA, Uganda, May 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Kampala during the past two weeks to conduct the second review of Uganda’s economic program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI). The mission met with Ms. Maria Kiwanuka, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Mr. Keith Muhakanizi, Permanent Secretary/Secretary of Treasury, Mr. Louis Kasekende, Acting Governor of the Bank of Uganda (BoU); as well as with other senior government officials and representatives from Parliament, and the international, business, and financial communities.

At the end of the mission, Ms. Ana Lucía Coronel, IMF mission chief and senior resident representative for Uganda issued the following statement:

“Performance under the authorities’ program supported by the PSI was mixed. End-December targets for inflation and for monetary and external sector indicators were met, but the indicative target on tax revenues was not observed, and the ceiling on government’s net domestic financing was missed by a small margin. Some important progress on structural reforms was achieved. In particular, the mission welcomes the public financial management reforms to improve governance and budget transparency and credibility, including upgrades to the information systems, and completion of the initial arrangements toward the introduction of the Treasury Single Account.

“Despite a slowdown in agriculture and unrest in South Sudan, growth continues to be robust, and is now projected to reach 5.7 percent in Fiscal Year (FY) 2013/14 and 6.1 percent in FY 2014/15, mainly supported by public investment. However, private sector growth is lagging behind. At 5.4 percent this year and 5.7 percent next year, inflation is projected to remain low and in line with the medium-term target of 5 percent. International reserves are expected to remain ample at a level equivalent to 4.0–4.2 months of imports, providing a strong buffer against shocks to the Ugandan economy. The external current account deficit is anticipated to widen next year, but would be fully financed by foreign loans, foreign direct investments, and some use of international reserves. Medium-term growth prospects are strong, helped by integration of the East African Community, infrastructure development, and oil production.

“This favorable economic outlook will require strong supportive policies. Restrained public consumption in the upcoming year, in particular, would create room for improved credit conditions, laying the ground for a rebound in private sector activity. In addition, the government’s plans to embark on the large Karuma and Isimba hydropower projects to address the large infrastructure gap should start without further delay.

“There is also a need to pay increased attention to revenue mobilization. Following the recent large shortfall in tax revenue and the risk of reductions in foreign aid, broadening the tax base and improving efficiency in tax administration are more critical than ever. The mission strongly encourages the government to take decisive action to increase tax revenue collections. This would involve reviewing existing tax laws and eliminating tax exemptions that have little benefit for production but undermine growth-enhancing spending and constrain vibrant private sector growth. Efforts should also center on strongly enforcing compliance by all taxpayers. The ongoing issuance of national identity cards should support the government’s efforts to achieve the long-awaited plan to raise Ugandan tax revenue and bring it closer to regional standards.

“On the expenditure side, it will be essential to focus on areas that support growth and job creation. In particular, the mission urges the authorities to take steps to avoid incurring domestic arrears that weaken economic management by impairing budget planning, increasing costs for the government, and negatively affecting those who conduct business with the government. The mission encourages the economic authorities to resist all spending pressures that are not compatible with Uganda’s economic priorities.

“Sound fiscal policies supported by robust revenues and predictable spending would help reduce the need for large borrowing in the domestic market to finance government operations, and effectively contain interest rate increases on government securities. These policies would also facilitate reductions in the BoU’s policy rate, ultimately improving credit conditions in the economy. The mission encourages the BoU to keep up its good track record of preserving low and stable inflation, and to stand ready to adjust policies in reaction to domestic or external shocks.

“The mission looks forward to further strengthening of the legal and institutional framework for economic policies. Notably, parliamentary approval of the Public Financial Management Bill is a critical step in maintaining the reform momentum and further increasing gains in budget credibility and execution. Similarly, amendments to the BoU Act are important to strengthen the central bank independence granted in the constitution, and improve coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, a key requirement for modern central banks operating under inflation targeting.

“The IMF Executive Board is tentatively scheduled to consider the second review of the PSI-supported program by end-June 2014.”