Category: APO-OPA

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — We strongly condemn the horrific abduction of young girls from the Chibok Government Girls Secondary School in Borno State in Nigeria.

We are extremely concerned that about 230 young girls aged between 16- 18 were taken from their school on the night of 14th April, 2014, and horrified that Eight more girls were abducted on Monday, May 5, 2014 in the same province of Borno,

We send our sympathy to the families of the children, and urge those who are responsible for their abduction to release them unharmed, and return them to their families, where they rightfully belong.

Attacks against the liberty of children and targeting schools are prohibited under international law and cannot be justified under any circumstance. Not on our watch.

Schools are and must remain places of safety and security, where children can learn and grow in peace. Girls and young women must be allowed to go to school without fear of violence and unjust treatment and exercise their rightful role as equal citizens of the world.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and on the Rights of Women in Africa, states, “Every woman shall have the right to respect as a person and to the free development of her personality”. Women and girls have the right to live free from intimidation, persecution and all other forms of discrimination.

The Charter further stipulates that “States Parties shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure the protection of every woman’s right to respect for her dignity and protection of women from all forms of violence, particularly sexual and verbal violence”.

We call on the Nigerian Government, regional organizations, the AU and the international community to join forces to urgently and decisively act to bring the children home to their families and protect them from further danger.

We stand with the Nigerian people, especially the parents and families of the abducted girls.

OSLO, Norway, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — ‘The agreement signed yesterday by President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar could mark a turning point in the serious conflict in South Sudan. It is now essential that the parties to the conflict comply with the agreement,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Under the agreement, the parties are to cease hostilities and lay down their weapons within 24 hours of the signing, and to keep their forces in their current positions, to enable humanitarian organisations to reach those in need of assistance. Since the start of the conflict, over 960 000 people have been internally displaced in South Sudan, and almost 300 000 people have fled the country. Tens of thousands of people are thought to have been killed in the five-month long conflict. The agreement was reached in Addis Ababa yesterday, at a meeting led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. Under the agreement, a national transitional government is to be formed, which will be responsible for drawing up a new constitution, promoting national reconciliation and running the country until elections are held. The parties to the conflict, previously imprisoned members of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), representatives of other political parties and civil society organisations, and religious leaders will all be involved.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende was in South Sudan and Ethiopia this week. He called on the warring parties to lay down their weapons, and discussed the way ahead for South Sudan with actors involved in the peace process.

‘When I visited South Sudan this week, I saw with my own eyes the enormous suffering of the people. The agreement gives hope of bringing an end to the hostilities in the country. However, in order for this is to happen, the parties must fully comply with the agreement, so that the five million people in acute need of humanitarian assistance can be given the help they need, all those who have been forced to flee can return to their homes, and a process of reconciliation can begin. It is essential that a national transitional government is now formed to lift the country out of the civil war-like conditions we have witnessed since the start of the conflict in December,’ said Mr Brende.

Norway has provided funding for the peace process, and is cooperating closely with the US and the UK in the South Sudan Troika, which has supported the negotiations led by the regional organisation the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Mr Brende visited the region this week to show his support for the peace process and prepare for the humanitarian pledging conference for South Sudan, which is to be held in Oslo on 20 May.

‘Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn deserves credit for having helped to achieve this agreement, which gives hope that there will be genuine negotiations that can once again bring peace to South Sudan. This agreement is just a first step towards finding a peaceful solution. The humanitarian needs in the country are massive. Having a ceasefire in place will make humanitarian access easier. I look forward to co-hosting the important humanitarian pledging conference that is being held in Oslo on 20 May, together with the UN,’ said Mr Brende.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council adopted the following conclusions:

“The European Union is deeply concerned about the recent terrorist attacks in northern Nigeria and appalled by the sufferi…

DAKAR, Senegal, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — At the invitation of Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), the Heads of the United Nations Peace Missions in West Africa held their Twenty-sixth high-level consultation meeting on 9 May 2014 in Dakar.

The objective of this regular meeting is to review progress in the implementation of the respective UN mandates in the region, to strengthen coordination in order to address common challenges in the areas of governance, decentralization, organized crime, and to examine the prospects of democratic transitions in the West Africa region.

The Heads of peace missions noted the paramount importance of investing in youth, respect for human rights, and fostering a culture of tolerance, inclusion and confidence-building mechanisms for political reconciliation and dialogue, and reiterated the need for respect of constitutional arrangements and the conduct of free and fair elections.

The meeting also emphasized the necessary role of the UN in support of peacebuilding, including through effective security sector reforms. On reforms in Guinea-Bissau, as an example, partners support should focus on integrating aspects that would ensure national stakeholders buy-in, including through incentive packages for reformed military and a transversal reform aimed at state-building. With regard to Cote d’Ivoire, the participants appealed to the international community for financial support to the existing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration plan.

The participants highlighted the continuous resource challenges faced in the region, exacerbated by the lack of fiscal policies, and the over-reliance on external support to maintain functioning administrations. The involvement of the international community, through donors, solidarity conferences or contact groups, remains critical in order to guarantee appropriate support and resources to fragile transitions such as in Guinea-Bissau. All speakers noted the threats posed by organized crime and corruption to State institutions in their respective areas of responsibility. How to mobilize international assistance in order to strengthen State institutions in the region has emerged as a central question.

The meeting assessed the situation in the three zones of instability identified in the region – the Sahel, the Mano River Union and the Gulf of Guinea. The difficulties to control borders and curb terrorist threats and the links between extremist groups operating in West Africa were evoked. The interregional dynamics underlying political and security challenges in West Africa were emphasized. The electoral cycle starting in 2014 presents various risks. The evolving situations in Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, Burkina Faso and Nigeria were brought to focus at the meeting, which also welcomed the commitment of the international community to help address the security threats in Nigeria. In this regard, the meeting noted the recent decision made by the Secretary General to designate an Envoy. The meeting observed that the complexity of the political situation in the pre-electoral cycle, with the multiplication of tensions within political parties, in the current context of security and terrorism, poses challenges to regional organizations and the United Nations alike.

The need to support peaceful transitions, paramount to the consolidation of democracy, and the effective role that can be played in this regard by regional organizations especially ECOWAS, was highlighted by the leadership of the UN missions in the region. In this connection, the participants insisted on the need for the international community to accompany the electoral processes scheduled for 2015, to ensure a peaceful environment, an inclusive participation, political dialogue, transparency, and timely completion of the technical aspects of the respective electoral calendars.

The meeting agreed that this period of democratic transitions also conditions the draw-down and exit strategies of UN peace missions in the region. In order to achieve sustainable success, the participants agreed on the need to ensure effective national ownership, and reinforce the national capacities to build resilient foundations for economic prosperity and political stability.

The Heads of UN Missions thanked SRSG Ramos-Horta, who will end his assignment in June 2014, for the work he has accomplished during his tenure and his deep commitment to the peaceful transition in Guinea-Bissau.

BERLIN, Germany, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (10 May):

“The news that a ceasefire has been agreed between the conflicting parties in South Sudan is an important first sign of hope for people in the conflict region.

The ceasefire, which was achieved thanks to the intelligent and persistent mediation efforts by Ethiopia and the African regional organisation IGAD, is a significant step towards finding a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan. However, the ceasefire is fragile. What is important now is that the weapons really do fall silent, the parties agree on a long-term and stable ceasefire and people in need in the conflict regions of South Sudan can be provided with humanitarian assistance again without restrictions.

The political leaders of the two conflicting parties in South Sudan are responsible for ensuring that this can be achieved and that further talks take place to develop a viable strategy for a peaceful future for their country. Germany, together with its partners in the EU, will continue to support the African mediation efforts in every way it can.”

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A proposal to give immunity to sitting government leaders before Africa’s regional court would be a major setback for justice for grave crimes, African organizations from 19 countries and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter to African governments released today.

Justice ministers and attorney generals of African Union (AU) member countries are scheduled to meet in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on May 15 and16, 2014, to consider a draft protocol to expand the authority of the African Court on Justice and Human Rights to include criminal jurisdiction over genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. A proposal providing immunity for heads of state and senior government officials from prosecution for such crimes is being considered as part of the amended protocol.

“Exempting sitting heads of state and senior government officials from African Court jurisdiction on grave crimes would shield the powerful from the reach of the law,” said Sulemana Braimah, executive director of the Media Foundation for West Africa. “This is fundamentally at odds with the AU Constitutive Act, which rejects impunity.”

The consideration of the draft protocol comes at a time of intense opposition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by some African leaders, particularly in the face of the ICC’s proceedings against Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, who were later elected as Kenya’s president and vice president.

“Impunity remains one of the biggest threats to human rights protection in Africa,” said Thuso Ramabolu, human rights officer at Lesotho’s Transformation Resource Centre. “It’s crucial for people responsible for mass atrocities to face justice, irrespective of their official positions. Immunity poses grave alarm and would create an incentive to hold on to power indefinitely.”

International conventions, including the Convention against Torture, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and the Geneva Conventions of 1949 recognize the imperative of accountability for grave crimes irrespective of the title or position of those responsible. The irrelevance of official capacity before international criminal courts has become entrenched in international law since the post-World War II trials before the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg.

Immunity with respect to serious crimes is also barred before some domestic courts in Africa.

“Even domestic law in Kenya and South Africa bars immunity for sitting officials before domestic courts on grave crimes,” said Stella Ndirangu, program manager at the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists. “African governments should not roll back important progress in ensuring perpetrators can be held to account.”

The following groups endorsed the letter and are among the most active members of an informal network of African nongovernmental organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa that have been working on Africa and the International Criminal Court:

Amnesty International, Benin

Burundi Coalition on the International Criminal Court, Burundi

Action des Chrétiens Activistes des Droits de l’Homme à Shabunda, Democratic Republic of Congo

Ligue pour la Paix, les Droits de l’Homme et la Justice, Democratic Republic of Congo

Parliamentarians for Global Action, Democratic Republic of Congo

Synergie des ONGs Congolaise pour le Lutte contre les Violences Sexuelles, Democratic Republic of Congo

Synergie des ONGs Congolaises pour les Victimes, Democratic Republic of Congo

Voix des Sans Voix pour les Droits de l’Homme, Democratic Republic of Congo

Women’s Initiative for Gender Justice, Egypt and Uganda

Amnesty International, Ghana

Media Foundation for West Africa, Ghana

La Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l’Homme, Guinea and Senegal

Amnesty International, Kenya

International Commission of Jurists, Kenya

Kenya Human Rights Commission, Kenya

Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice, Kenya

Transformation Resource Centre, Lesotho

Rights and Rice Foundation, Liberia

Civil Liberties Committee, Malawi

Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, Malawi

NamRights, Namibia

Civil Resource and Development Documentation Center, Nigeria

Coalition of Eastern NGOs, Nigeria

Gender and Constitution Reform Network, Nigeria

National Coalition on Affirmative Action, Nigeria

Nigerian Coalition on the International Criminal Court, Nigeria

Women Advocates’ Research and Documentation Center, Nigeria

West African Bar Association, Nigeria

Amnesty International, Senegal

TrustAfrica, Senegal

Amnesty International, Sierra Leone

Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Sierra Leone

Coalition for Justice and Accountability, Sierra Leone

International Crime in Africa Programme, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa

Children’s Education Society, Tanzania

Amnesty International, Togo

Human Rights Network, Uganda

Uganda Coalition on the International Criminal Court, Uganda

Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes, Zambia

Coalition for the International Criminal Court, with offices in Benin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

International Federation for Human Rights, with offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and Mali

Human Rights Watch, with offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa

To read the letter, please visit:

www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/05/joint-civil-society-letter-draft-protocol-amendments-protocol-statute-african-court-

To see other initiatives by these organizations, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/12/call-african-icc-states-parties-affirm-support-icc-assembly-states-parties-session

and:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/04/letter-foreign-ministers-support-icc-advance-extraordinary-au-summit

KIGALI, Rwanda, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — APO (African Press Organization) today announced that Sudan Tribune Associate Editor Julius N. Uma won the APO invitation to participate in the Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, on 19-23 May 2014.

“Transportation, accommodation and daily allowances for Julius N. Uma shall be paid in full by APO”, confirmed Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO of APO (African Press Organization).

Photo Julius N. Uma: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=1062 (Sudan Tribune Associate Editor Julius N. Uma won APO invitation to participate in the 2014 AfDB Annual Meetings)

Logo APO: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/apo-african-press-organization-small.png

Uma will travel to Kigali to cover the entire event and will have the opportunity to interview experts and senior officers from the AfDB.

“We believe the media has an essential role to play in the development of the African continent. This falls coincidentally following the first face-to-face meeting between President Kiir and rebel leader Machar since the eruption in December 2013 of South Sudan’s civil war that claimed the lives of thousands of South Sudanese. APO works towards offering journalists the tools they need to do their job properly: more transparency, access to information in real-time and capacity building”, said Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, founder and CEO of APO (African Press Organization)

“We are delighted for Julius and hope that this experience at the 2014 AfDB Annual Meetings, will help him strengthen his already strong journalistic skills. Just like the BBC, APO aims to increase the capacity of the Sudanese media to play a role on the continent by increasing opportunities for development at a Pan African level”, added Pompigne-Mognard.

A graduate of Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, Julius N. Uma spent two years of his student life working as political editor for Masscom online, which was managed by the Mass

Communication department, before joining the Sudan Tribune as Associate Editor.

Julius N. Uma has also contributed articles and written features to a number of international publications, including Inter-Press Service (IPS) and Christianity Today, and Uganda’s leading publications such as Daily Monitor, The Observer and The New Vision newspapers.

Uma has received awards from organizations and institutions, including World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and South Sudan government’s recognition of Sudan Tribune’s exceptional coverage of the 2011 referendum vote.

Sudan Tribune (http://www.sudantribune.com) is an independent news portal, which was established in 2003, to disseminate accurate and up to date information and promote democratic and free debate on Sudan and South Sudan.

Sudan Tribune is now one of the most popular English-language news publication in the two countries.

The website is run by a team of independent local and international journalists and editors.

Contact:

Aïssatou Diallo

bdm@apo-opa.org

+41 22 534 96 97

About APO

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 435th meeting held on 9 May 2014, was briefed on the evolution of the situation in Darfur by the Commissioner for Peace and Security and the Joint Special Representative for the AU-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and Joint Chief Mediator (JCM). Council also listened to statements made by the representative of the Government of Sudan, as well as by those of the European Union (EU) and the following members of the UN Security Council: Nigeria, Rwanda, France, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Council recalled its earlier press statements and communiqués on the situation in Darfur.

Council noted with concern the upsurge of violence in Darfur over the last three months, including clashes between Government troops and armed movements and intra-tribal fighting, as well as at the serious humanitarian consequences resulting therefrom, notably significant displacement of civilian population. Council reiterated the imperative of bringing the fighting in Darfur to an end, and the need for the armed belligerents to take the required actions to this end and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law. Council reiterated its call for the non-signatory armed movements to engage in direct negotiations with the Government of Sudan for the cessation of hostilities.

Council reiterated its support for the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), and called for renewed efforts towards its implementation. Council urged the holdout groups to join the DDPD, and expressed full support for the continued efforts of the JCM. Council appealed to member states and international partners to provide the much-needed resources to this end. In this respect, Council commended Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, for his contribution to the peace efforts, in particular the initiative he took to convene a forum for reconciliation in Darfur in Amdjaras, Chad, from 26 to 30 March 2014, to encourage the holdout groups to join the peace process.

Council recalled its earlier pronouncements on the need for a holistic approach to the challenges facing Sudan. In this respect, Council reiterated AU’s support to the national dialogue initiative launched by President Omar Hassan Al Bashir.

Council urged the Darfuri armed movements to participate in the national dialogue and urged the Government to spare no efforts in facilitating such participation. Council welcomed the joint efforts of the JCM and the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), to facilitate such an inclusive process, and encouraged them, within their respective mandates, to continue coordinating their efforts, to ensure effective synergy.

Council agreed to continue regularly reviewing the situation in Darfur.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the signing of the “Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan” by President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition, in Addis Ababa on 9 May 2014, under the auspices of Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, Chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Chairperson of the Commission was represented at the signing ceremony by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambasador Smail Chergui. In the statement he made on this occasion, the Commissioner expressed AU’s firm belief that the full implementation of the Agreement would significantly contribute to the restoration of peace, security and stability in the country.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses the importance of the commitments made by the two leaders, notably ending the fighting immediately and facilitating the full deployment of the IGAD-led Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), ensuring humanitarian access, commencing substantive discussions on the agenda of the negotiations as proposed by the IGAD, promoting an inclusive process and full cooperation with the AU Commission of Inquiry. She also welcomes the recognition by the Parties that a transitional Government of National Unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to move the country forward.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar for having agreed on these critical steps. She calls on them to demonstrate the same commitment and leadership in the implementation phase, in order to end the untold suffering being visited upon their people and put their country on the path to durable peace, reconciliation and recovery.

The Chairperson of the Commission pays tribute to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and the IGAD Special Envoys for having facilitated the signing of the Agreement and for their tireless efforts and dedication. She is also grateful to the international partners involved in the process for their contribution. She calls on the United Nations to extend all the necessary support for the deployment of the planned IGAD Task Force and to expedite the efforts being made to this end.

OTTAWA, Canada, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Following the Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan, reached by President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“Canada welcomes this agreement and calls on military commanders in the field to immediately refrain from any and all armed action. We are concerned, however, that early reports indicate the ceasefire may already have been broken in Bentiu.

“We urge the leadership of both sides to make every effort to facilitate the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance. The people of South Sudan fundamentally want to be able to live in peace and safety—conditions that are especially important during the planting season.

“Canada also fully endorses last week’s report on recent human rights violations, produced by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. We call on the government and the rebel leadership to ensure there is full accountability for the atrocities that have occurred since December 2013. There can be no lasting peace settlement or reconciliation in South Sudan without accountability.”