Category: APO-OPA

NEW YORK, March 26, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UN OCHA Operations Director John Ging today expressed deep concern about the massive and growing humanitarian needs in Sudan and the conflict devastating South Sudan and its people.

Briefing the press with Yasmine Haque of UNICEF after their week-long visit to Sudan and South Sudan, with fellow Emergency Directors from the Danish Refugee Council, FAO, IOM, UNHCR, WFP and WHO, Mr. Ging appealed for renewed attention and commitment to the plight of people in both countries.

“The people of Sudan are facing an overwhelming humanitarian crisis that has almost entirely slipped off the international community’s radar,” said Mr. Ging. “More people were displaced in Darfur in 2013 than in any single year since 2004, and almost 200,000 people have already been displaced this year. Yet, while people’s needs are increasing, international attention and commitment are at an all-time low.”

Over two million people are displaced in Darfur and more than 6.1 million people need humanitarian assistance across Sudan. The latter represents a 40% increase since January 2013. Many people do not have access to the most basic healthcare, education, water and sanitation, yet, just three per cent of the funding required for humanitarian action in Sudan in 2014 has been received – US$34 million out of $995 million.

Mr. Ging said that the Emergency Directors engaged in a constructive dialogue with Sudanese authorities and emphasised the need for greater access for humanitarian organisations particularly in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.

“Nearly two years since the adoption of Security Council resolution 2046, aid has still not been delivered to rebel-held areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States, where it is estimated 800,000 people are in need of assistance,” said Mr. Ging. “We hope the positive discussions will be swiftly converted into aid on the ground. With the lean season rapidly approaching, we cannot overstate the urgency of the humanitarian needs.”

Since the start of the brutal crisis in South Sudan, thousands of people have been killed, more than 700,000 people have been displaced within South Sudan, and nearly a quarter of a million have fled to Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. Nearly five million people now urgently need basic humanitarian aid in South Sudan.

“The scale of death and destruction in the world’s newest nation since last December is appalling,” said Mr. Ging. “Six months ago, the country was on the right path to development. Today, the parties to the conflict are wantonly destroying the very infrastructure which was laying the foundation for the country’s future. I appeal to all those with influence to urgently end the violence.”

Around 925,000 people – including people internally displaced, refugees from other countries sheltering in South Sudan and other vulnerable communities – have had some humanitarian relief since January 2014. But much more remains to be done. Mr. Ging appealed to the international community to rapidly provide funding for the response. With the rainy season due to begin in earnest in June, the clock is racing against the humanitarian response.

“The people of Sudan and South Sudan are facing huge challenges and they deserve the support and attention of the international community,” stressed Mr. Ging. “We urge the parties to the conflicts, and all who have influence on them, to end the violence and to make it possible for aid to be delivered on the massive and swift scale that is needed.”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 425th meeting held on 24 March 2014, adopted the following decision on the Strategic Review of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) operations:

Council,

1. Takes note of the update provided by the Joint Special Representative of the AU and the United Nations for Darfur and Head of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) on the situation in Darfur and the Review of UNAMID undertaken in pursuance of UN Security Council resolution 2113 (2013), adopted on 30 July 2013, and the remarks made by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as of the statement by the representative of the Republic of Sudan;

2. Recalls communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CD) adopted at its 400th meeting, held on 17 October 2013, on the situation in Darfur, by which Council requested the AU Commission and the UN Secretariat to take advantage of the upcoming UNAMID review, as mandated by UN Security Council resolution 2113 (2013), to consider in-depth the challenges facing the Mission and the ways in which these could be overcome, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of UNAMID, including the steps to be taken by all stakeholders to ensure the safety of its personnel and support to early recovery and development;

3. Welcomes the Review, and takes note of its outcome, including the major challenges impeding the effectiveness of UNAMID in implementing its core mandate. Council calls upon the Government of Sudan to enhance dialogue and cooperation with UNAMID, in line with the provisions of the Agreement that it signed with the UN and the AU concerning the Status of UNAMID (the ‘Status of Forces Agreement’);

4. Further calls for renewed efforts in the three strategic priorities as identified by the Review Team, namely the mediation between the Government and non-signatory armed movements on the basis of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), while taking into account ongoing transformation at the national level; the protection of civilians, the facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the safety and security of humanitarian personnel; and support to the mediation relating to community conflict;

5. Commends the troop and police contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs) for the positive role they continue to play and urges them to improve the capabilities of their contingents, including meeting the contingent-owned equipment requirements, in order to enhance the effectiveness of their role within UNAMID;

6. Agrees to regularly review the situation and receive from the Commission and UNAMID an update on the implementation and steps taken in light of the recommendations of the Review report and subsequent developments. In this regard, Council expresses its readiness to take part in the assessment of UNAMID’s implementation of the review outcome after 12 months, bearing in mind the need for continued involvement of, and consultation with the AU throughout the process, in line with the hybrid nature of the operation;

7. Reiterates its strong support to UNAMID, bearing in mind the critical importance of the efforts of the Mission in support of the search for a lasting solution to the situation in Darfur and the protection of the civilian population and, in this respect, calls on the Government of Sudan (GoS) to continue to extend maximum cooperation to the Mission;

8. Commends the continuous efforts by the Joint Special Representative for UNAMID and Joint Chief Mediator (JCM), Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, to find a political settlement between the Government and non-signatory movements;

9. Recalls its communiqué PSC/PR/COMM.(CDXXIII), adopted at its 423rd meeting, held on 10 March 2014, welcoming the initiative by the GoS to open a process of holistic national dialogue and constitutional review and encouraging the political parties, civil society and armed opposition to engage in dialogue to address the challenges of peace, security and democratization, the elaboration of a new constitution, economic reform and the management of identity and diversity. Council commends the efforts of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and those of the JSR/JCM, in accordance with their respective mandates, to facilitate the success of this initiative by the GoS, and encourages them to continue to work closely together, in support of the promotion of lasting peace, security, stability and reconciliation in Sudan;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Fact Sheet

Washington, DC

March 24, 2014

In May 2010, President Obama signed into law the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, which reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to support regional partners’ efforts to end the atrocities of the LRA in central Africa. For nearly three decades, the LRA has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. As of December 2013, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) estimated that approximately 326,000 people were displaced or living as refugees across the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.), and South Sudan as a result of the LRA threat.

The United States’ comprehensive, multi-year strategy seeks to help the Governments of Uganda, the C.A.R., the D.R.C., and South Sudan as well as the African Union and United Nations to mitigate and end the threat posed to civilians and regional stability by the LRA. The strategy outlines four key objectives for U.S. support: (1) the increased protection of civilians; (2) the apprehension or removal of Joseph Kony and senior LRA commanders from the battlefield; (3) the promotion of defections and support of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of remaining LRA fighters; and (4) the provision of continued humanitarian relief to affected communities.

There are significant challenges in pursuing small groups of LRA and protecting local populations across this vast, densely forested area that lacks basic road and telecommunications infrastructure. The United States – through the Department of Defense, Department of State, and U.S. Agency for International Development – has pursued innovative, multi-faceted efforts to help regional partners overcome those challenges.

Over recent years, the national military forces working as part of the African Union Regional Task Force (AU-RTF) and affected communities have significantly reduced the LRA’s capacity to attack civilians and wreak havoc. Between 2010 and 2013, based on reporting from UN OCHA, there was a 50 percent decrease in the number of people abducted by the LRA and a 75 percent decrease in the number of people killed by the LRA. Since 2012, the African Union-led forces have removed two of the LRA’s top five commanders from the battlefield, and we have credible reporting that a third, Okot Odhiambo – who was the LRA’s second-in-command and an International Criminal Court indictee – was killed late last year. During that time, the number of defections and releases from the LRA has also dramatically increased, further reducing the LRA’s capacity. According to UN reporting, as of December 2013, the number of people displaced by the LRA threat had decreased by over 25 percent from a year ago.

The lines of effort in which the United States is engaged include:

Increasing Civilian Protection: The protection of civilians is a priority for the U.S. strategy. National governments bear responsibility for civilian protection, and the United States is working to enhance their capacity to fulfill this responsibility. The United States also strongly supports the United Nations peacekeeping missions in the D.R.C. and South Sudan. We continue to work with the United Nations to help augment its efforts in the LRA-affected region. At the same time, we are working with other partners on projects to help reduce the vulnerability of LRA-affected communities and increase their capacity to make decisions related to their own safety. To promote the protection of civilians, the Department of State and USAID are funding communication networks, including high-frequency radios and cell phone towers, to enhance community-based protection in the C.A.R. and the D.R.C. Under a USAID-funded public private partnership with Vodacom Congo, cell phone towers are now operational in LRA-affected areas northeastern D.R.C. The USAID-funded Secure, Empowered, Connected Communities Program in LRA-affected areas of the C.A.R. is getting underway with community mapping, media training and community radio activities.

Enhancing Regional Efforts to Apprehend LRA Top Commanders: On November 14, 2011, the United Nations Security Council commended ongoing efforts by national militaries in the region to address the threat posed by the LRA, and welcomed international efforts to enhance their capacity in this respect. The Council noted the efforts of the United States, which, since 2008, has provided critical logistical support, equipment and training to enhance counter-LRA operations by regional militaries. In October 2011, the United States also deployed a small number of U.S. military forces to serve as advisors to the national military forces working as part of the AU-RTF to pursue senior LRA commanders and to protect civilians. The U.S. military advisors are working to facilitate coordination, information sharing, and tactical coordination amongst regional forces; enhance the capacity of the regional militaries to fuse intelligence with effective operational planning; promote defections from LRA ranks, and support efforts to improve civil-military relations through increased coordination and communication with local populations and NGOs. The State Department has deployed a field officer to work alongside U.S. military advisors. In addition, to augment ongoing efforts to bring the LRA’s top leaders to justice, the Secretary of State authorized rewards for up to $5 million for information leading to the arrests and/or conviction of top LRA leaders Joseph Kony, Okot Odhiambo, and Dominic Ongwen.

Encouraging and Facilitating LRA Defections: Working with regional forces, local partners and nongovernmental organizations, U.S. military advisors and diplomats have significantly expanded efforts to promote defections from the LRA’s ranks – using leaflet drops, radio broadcasts, aerial loudspeakers, and the establishment of reporting sites where LRA fighters can safely surrender. For example, U.S. military advisors have helped to airdrop more than one million leaflets encouraging defections at seventeen locations across LRA-affected areas of the C.A.R., the D.R.C., and South Sudan. In early December 2013, 19 individuals, including nine Ugandan males, defected from the LRA in the C.A.R. This was the largest LRA defection since 2008 and signals that ongoing efforts to promote defections are working. The United States also continues to support efforts across the affected countries to demobilize and reintegrate former LRA fighters and all those victimized by this conflict back into normal life. In Fiscal Year 2010 through 2013, USAID provided approximately $8.5 million in assistance to UNICEF to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of former abducted youth in C.A.R. and the D.R.C. and other youth affected by LRA atrocities.

Providing Humanitarian Assistance: The United States is the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian assistance to LRA-affected populations in the C.A.R., the D.R.C., and South Sudan. Since 2010, the United States has provided more than $87.2 million to support the food assistance and food security, humanitarian protection, health and livelihoods initiatives, and other relief activities for internally displaced persons, refugees, host community members, and other populations affected by the LRA. The United States also continues to provide development assistance to support the return of displaced people, reconstruction, and recovery in northern Uganda, where the LRA carried out its brutal campaign for nearly two decades until it fled Uganda in 2006. With the LRA’s departure and Ugandan and international recovery and development efforts, northern Uganda has undergone a significant post-conflict reconstruction and recovery in just a few years.

BERLIN, Germany, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Addis Ababa today (25 March) on the death sentences handed down to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt:

“It is with the greatest concern that we are following the news of hundreds of death sentences being handed down to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.

Neither the verdicts nor the trials are in conformity with rule of law standards nor do they uphold the principles of human rights to which Egypt has committed itself.

Germany is opposed to the death penalty as an inhumane form of punishment.

I call upon the Egyptian judicial authorities concerned to revoke these sentences and let the accused have a fair trial. Further mass sentencing must be stopped.

These verdicts are deepening the political divide in Egypt. In order to prevent the country from destabilising, an inclusive political process and a policy of national understanding and reconciliation are of the essence.”

ACCRA, Ghana, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today officially opened its fifth Africa regional technical assistance center (AFRITAC) in Ghana, offering capacity building services to six countries across Western Africa.

This fulfils the IMF’s commitment to extend the AFRITAC network to serve all sub-Saharan African countries—a commitment made in 2002 with the IMF Capacity Building Initiative for Africa. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of African governments and institutions to design and implement sound macroeconomic policies consistent with their poverty-reducing strategies.

“This is an important day for capacity building in Africa,” the IMF’s Africa Department Director Antoinette Sayeh told donors, delegates, and staff at the opening ceremony in Accra. “The IMF launched this initiative with a vision: give access to all countries in sub-Saharan Africa to an IMF regional technical assistance center”, she added, noting that this vision was a response to African heads of state, who realized the continent needed centers of capacity-building excellence on the ground in the face of mounting challenges. “Today, this vision is implemented,” she said.

The new center, located in Accra, became operational on January 13, 2014. It serves Ghana, Cabo Verde, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. It complements four existing AFRITACs: AFRITAC East opened in 2002 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; AFRITAC West 1 opened in 2003 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; AFRITAC Central, opened in 2007 in Libreville, Gabon; and AFRITAC South opened in 2011 in Port-Louis, Mauritius. The five centers cover all sub-Saharan African countries.

Like its sister offices, AFRITAC West 2 will provide capacity-building assistance through a team of international resident experts, supplemented by short-term specialists, who will deliver assistance in the IMF’s core areas of expertise. Those areas include financial sector supervision, monetary operations and payment systems oversight, tax and customs administration, public financial management, and macroeconomic statistics. The center is led by a coordinator and is guided by a steering committee whose members represent the beneficiary countries, donors and the IMF.

Ms. Sayeh recognized the contributions to AFRITAC West 2 from Ghana, the host country; the donors, including Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Switzerland, the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank; and the IMF. She noted, however, that member countries other than Ghana were also expected to financially contribute to the center and was hopeful that their contributions would be forthcoming as they learn more about the benefits of the center. “Indeed,” Ms. Sayeh emphasized, “capacity-building assistance was critical for African countries to develop the strong institutions needed for implementing the macroeconomic policies conducive to sustained development.”

OSLO, Norway, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — “It is completely unacceptable that more than 500 people have been condemned to death in a summary trial. The court’s judgment is shocking, and the conduct of the trial gives cause for concern about the fundamental standards of the Egyptian legal system,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

On Monday 24 March, 529 people were condemned to death by a court in Minya in Egypt. Several hundred of them were not present in court, and were convicted in absentia. The charges included the murder of a police officer and the storming of a police station. According to the defendants’ lawyers, they were not given the time or the opportunity to defend their clients properly, and only two court sessions were held before the verdict was handed down. The defendants now have an opportunity to appeal, and the verdict must have the approval of the Grand Mufti and the President before any executions can be carried out.

“I expect all the defendants to be given a fair opportunity to appeal the sentence, and that the question of guilt will be assessed individually for each defendant. Several other recent judgments in Egyptian courts have also made us question whether the right to due process is being upheld,” said the Foreign Minister.

Thousands of people have been held in prison after the military takeover in Egypt in July 2013. Democracy and human rights activists as well as Muslim Brotherhood supporters have been given long prison sentences. Journalists have also been arrested and imprisoned.

“Equality before the law and the rule of law are of fundamental importance for any society. I urge the Egyptian authorities to do their utmost to ensure respect for these values. Norway opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, and I ask the Egyptian authorities to refrain from making any use of it,” said Mr Brende.

“The period up to the presidential and parliamentary elections is a decisive one for Egypt. The country must demonstrate that it respects international principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law. Legal processes must contribute to national reconciliation, not widen the divides,” said the Foreign Minister.

CONAKRY, Guinea, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — With a confirmed outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola virus in Guinea, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has today deployed a Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) to the west African country to assist in the response.

“This team includes an infectious disease specialist from the French Red Cross Society, as well as a psychosocial support delegate. Together they will assess the situation on the ground and help inform a comprehensive response plan,” said Dr Adinoyi Ben Adeiza, IFRC health coordinator in Africa. “It is imperative that we work quickly with our partners to ensure this virus does not spread any further.”

Volunteers with the Red Cross Society of Guinea are already involved in the collection and removal of dead bodies. A further 100 volunteers are being mobilized to work in the affected regions to step up emergency communication, contain rumours and raise awareness among communities on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We are dealing with a particularly virulent strain of the Ebola virus, where the fatality rate is upwards of 80 per cent,” said Dr Facely Diawara, who oversees health operations at the Red Cross Society of Guinea. “We are training additional staff and volunteers and will deploy them once they are fully aware of how to protect themselves from contracting the disease. We will also ensure they have access to adequate protective equipment, such as gloves, masks and goggles.”

On 21 March, the Government of Guinea declared an outbreak of Ebola in the areas of Guéckédou, Kissidougou and Macenta – the first documented outbreak in the country. To date there are six lab confirmed cases, 86 suspected cases and 60 fatalities, for a 69 per cent fatality rate. There are potential cases in neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia. Symptoms are very similar to measles and cholera, which are both currently problematic in Guinea, making it challenging to identify and confirm Ebola cases.

“With our team of volunteers across the country, the Red Cross can play a pivotal role in trying to stem the fear and stigma which can rise very quickly during such an outbreak,” says Dr Facely. “Panic is our worst enemy. Communities need to be informed, and we can talk to them and alleviate fears of not containing the outbreak.”

Ebola is highly infectious and can spread quickly through contact with infected persons or animals. There is no cure or vaccine, however, the virus can be prevented from spreading by ensuring those caring for infected persons are properly protected with gloves, masks and goggles. Symptoms include severe fever, extreme weakness, headaches, diarrhoea and vomiting. Internal and external bleeding can also occur.

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

– Jim O’Neill, economist who coined the ‘BRIC’ and ‘MINT’ acronyms, declares the African infrastructure divide, ‘both a defining challenge and a standout Investment opportunity of our generation’ –

– Cape Verde sign instrument of accession for membership of the Africa Finance Corporation –

At the Africa Finance Corporation’s inaugural Summit (http://www.africafc.org) held today in Lagos, Jim O’Neill, creator of the BRICs and MINT acronyms, economist and former Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said:“Africa’s future depends on the continent’s policy makers doing the right thing. That is working to create better governance, reducing crime, fighting corruption and delivering improved infrastructure. Infrastructure development is both a defining challenge and a standout investment opportunity for Africa and investors around the world. For example, Nigeria is growing at 7% despite poor access to power; decent power could boost economic growth to 10%-12%. There is no reason why Nigeria should not become one of the G20.”

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/afc.jpg

The Summit, which attracted more than 500 leading thinkers from government, academia, business and finance, fuelled energetic debate on both the opportunities and the challenges of the African infrastructure landscape.

Infrastructure in general has been estimated to have the potential to add an average of 2% to Africa’s economic growth rate over the next decade as investment is brought to bear to bridge the current circa US$40 billion per annum investment deficit.

Andrew Alli, President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation, told the Summit: “The sheer number of people here today, passionately engaged in the debate on infrastructure and what it means for the future of this great continent, is inspiring. Our vision at the AFC is to bridge the infrastructure divide and seek a strong return for our shareholders at the same time. We believe our core role comes at the earliest stage of project conception and development. While international capital will be fundamental in bridging the investment divide, that capital will have nowhere to go if Africa does not focus on the development of bankable, sustainable projects. By focusing on supporting project development and using our local knowledge and sector expertise to identify and mitigate risk we come in to transactions at an earlier stage than many investors. Our role is to accelerate the number of viable, bankable projects across the continent, creating the market for other forms of capital that will follow, and ultimately bridging the investment divide that exists. We believe landmark transformational projects can yield financial dividends every bit as powerful as their social ones and our success to date demonstrates this.”

At a ceremony on stage, Cape Verde Minister of Finance Cristiana Duarte signed the instrument of accession for membership of the AFC. Cape Verde becomes the 9th country to join other member nations, including: Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. AFC is a pan-African investor and its investments are not limited to member states.

Her Excellency Cristiana Duarte, Minister of Finance of Cape Verde said; “I am very pleased today to be able to formalise Cape Verde’s membership of the Africa Finance Corporation. Cape Verde and the AFC have enjoyed a very productive and collaborative relationship over the last few years. As the lead investor in Cabeolica, our award winning US$90 million 26MW commercial wind farm we have firsthand experience of the expertise the corporation can bring to innovative projects and we look forward to working to deliver more projects over the coming years.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

For further information visit: http://www.africafc.org

Contact:

Africa Finance Corporation

Lucy Savage

+234 703 403 3645

lucy.savage@africafc.org

Bell Pottinger

Victoria Geoghegan / Nick Lambert / David Bass / Philip Peck

+44 20 7861 3271

+44 20 7861 3271

Africa Practice

Tim Newbold

+234 805 494 9866

About the AFC (http://www.africafc.org):

• AFC is an African-led multilateral development financial institution, established in 2007, with amission to improve African economies by proactively developing and financing infrastructure, industrial and financial assets.

• AFC is involved as an investor, developer and financier of various infrastructure projects, and is gaining recognition as the benchmark institution for financing the development of infrastructure projects in Africa.

• AFC’s current authorized share capital is USD2.0 billion with shareholders’ funds of USD1.24 billion and a 2013 funding programme of USD700 million.

• AFC is the second highest investment grade-rated multilateral financial institution on the African continent, with an A3 (long term) /P2 (short term) foreign currency debt rating by Moody’s Investors Service.

AFC’s projects:

• AFC is the lead investor in the award winning Cabeolica project, a USD90 million, 26MW landmark renewable energy wind power project in Cape Verde.

• AFC is the Technical Adviser to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the CBN’s USD2.0 billion Power and Aviation Intervention Fund (PAIF).

• AFC is a partner with Vigeo Holdings Limited and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited for the acquisition of power distribution assets, and a lead financier in the acquisitions of the Kainji and Ughelli power generation plants in the current Nigerian Government power sector privatisation round.

• AFC is also the lead investor in Cenpower Generation Company Limited (Cenpower), which is implementing the Kpone IPP project – a 340 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Tema, Ghana.

• AFC is the lead investor in the Main One fibre optic cable project, enhancing West Africa’s connection to Europe and the rest of the world through faster and more technologically advanced broadband capacity.

• AFC provided a USD50 million convertible debt investment in ARM Cement Limited (ARM), the second largest cement operator in Kenya to support expansion initiatives across Eastern and Southern Africa including; development and construction of a lime plant in Tanzania and expansion of ARM’s cement capacity in Kenya. The transaction marked AFC’s first bilateral investment in Kenya.

• AFC provided financing for Ethiopian airlines fleet expansion in the acquisition of Africa’s first Boeing 777 airline.

• AFC also invested in the Bakwena toll road project in South Africa, and in the EURO 270 million Konan Bedie Toll Bridge in Côte d’Ivoire; the signature Transport PPP project in Francophone Africa, underscoring its interest in investing in PPPs/PFIs in its focal sectors across the African continent.

• AFC launched a landmark USD15 million project development facility with the Dutch Development Bank FMO in January 2013, to fund early-stage equity investments in projects under development pre-financial close, in the infrastructure sector across sub-Saharan Africa.

• The AFC has established partnerships with national, regional and international organizations and with sponsors that are active in the infrastructure space in Africa.

YAOUNDE, Cameroon, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

 Orange Cameroon is launching a preventive medical service in collaboration with the country’s Ministry for Health, allowing remote medical advice in real time

 The solution, developed by Orange Healthcare will be released in April 2014

Orange (http://www.orange.com) aims to expand My Healthline to other sub-Saharan African countries and extend the scope beyond sexual health, all built on a common Orange Healthcare platform.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/orange-logo.jpg

My Healthline, a simple and reliable service from a professional medical team

Orange Cameroon customers will be able to access personalised advice on contraception, HIV / AIDS, sexuality and STDs from specialists by texting 929 between 8.00 am and 10.00 pm on any day of the week.

In less than one hour, the service will provide them with reliable medical information at minimal cost (XOF 200 per text message, i.e. EUR 0.25).

Orange will anonymise all questions, then transmit them to a medical service consisting of Cameroonian nurses and doctors. After analysis, the answer produced by the healthcare professionals will be sent back to the customer by Orange.

My Healthline provides quick, easy access by text, which allows anonymity and confidentiality. The service is to be provided in French, English and Pidgin (the main local dialect in Cameroon).

A service meeting Cameroonians’ requirements

With two doctors per 10,000 inhabitants (against 33 in France (1)) and half the population living in rural areas (2), access to medical facilities is currently very difficult in Cameroon.

As Orange Cameroon has 6,500,000 customers, My Healthline will be able to reach a large proportion of the population.

Orange Healthcare has collaborated closely with the Corporate Social Responsibility Department of Orange Cameroon and the Cameroonian Ministry for Health to achieve the best possible fit between the service and local needs. The subjects covered are themes often considered sensitive, or even taboo, on which people need reliable, non-judgmental information.

In this way, My Healthline will help to improve preventive medicine throughout the country in partnership with medical professionals.

(1) Source: http://www.statistiques-mondiales.com

(2) Source: WHO

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Orange.

Press contacts:

Khadija Komara: +33 (0)1 44 44 93 93 – khadija.komara@orange.com

Jeff Sharpe: +44 (0)7887 620 901 – jeff.sharpe@orange.com

About Orange Healthcare, new Orange technology for healthcare services

For more than a decade, Orange (http://www.orange.com) has gained substantial experience in providing integrated and customercentered technology solutions for health professionals, health providers and patients. This has been done through close collaboration with health professionals and providers – ensuring that the technology brings improved quality and efficiency for all. In 2007 Orange signaled its commitment to the health sector with the creation of Orange Healthcare, its new Health Division.

On the strength of its position as an integrated services operator, Orange has technological know-how to be able to develop solutions which are not only simple, reliable and effective for medical and personal care services, but which also contribute to bringing innovation to patients and an enhanced experience in managing their health and illnesses.

New technologies will play an essential role in the modernization and improvement of health care, in the hospital, local clinics and surgeries and in the home. Orange can provide the technology to meet the needs of all stakeholders in the health sector – professionals, managers and IT administrators, patients and public and private health providers. Orange has unrivalled access to the resources of the France Telecom group with leading edge R&D as well as unparalleled commitment to wellness, e-health and improving efficiency and return on e-health technology investment.

For more information, visit: http://www.orange.com/healthcare

About Orange

Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 41 billion euros in 2013 and has 165,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2013, including 102,000 employees in France. Present in 30 countries, the Group has a total customer base of more than 236 million customers at 31 December 2013, including 178 million mobile customers and 15 million fixed broadband customers worldwide. Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services.

Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com, www.orange-innovation.tv or to follow us on Twitter: @orangegrouppr.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Malian regions of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal are now hosting nearly 196,000 returnees and 107,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and are in need of urgent need of humanitar…