Category: APO-OPA

BANGUI, Central African Republic, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The violence that has engulfed the city of Bangui for several weeks was this weekend punctuated by the killing of Jean-Emmanuel Ndjaroua, a member of the National…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — MEDIA ADVISORY

Special meeting of the Agriculture Development Working Group Leaders and Managers of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) National Agriculture Investment Plans ( NAIPs), on Country Post-Compact and Investment Plans Implementation

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

When: Tuesday, 11 February 2014 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: African Union Commission Conference Centre- Medium Conference Hall

Who: African Union Commission and NEPAD Agency

Objectives: Share NAIP implementation progress and challenges and identify lessons learned;

• Discuss and identify lessons from efforts to coordinate and align donor assistance to specific components of NAIPs;

• Review and discuss the 2014 areas of focus and work streams/thematic areas being proposed to sustain momentum and sharpen focus on implementation efforts;

• Review and discuss areas of focus to accelerate the impact of NAIPs and investments on poverty and hunger reduction.

Participants: Senior government representatives, representatives from the RECs, and country and headquarter donor representatives.

The Ethiopian Minister of Agriculture, H.E Ato Tefera Deribew, will make the official opening remarks for the meeting.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening ceremony on Tuesday February 11, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. The working agenda is attached.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Energy poverty is one of the biggest challenges for sustainable development in Africa. While the continent’s energy needs are growing substantially, the available resources are more than sufficient to meet the continent’s demand. Moreover, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to climate change. With its vast and untapped natural resources, Africa is an ideal place to develop innovative technologies and renewable energy solutions. The European Union on the other hand is well-equipped to support capacity development, provide renewable and energy-efficient technologies, and help in enhancing regulatory and investment frameworks.

At the Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership, taking place on 12-13 February in Addis Ababa, African and European political and business leaders meet to review successes in the African energy sector and further deepen energy collaboration of the two continents. The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) is an established framework for energy cooperation between the two continents, offering a platform for dialogue and coordination of joint activities.

In 2010, at the First High Level Meeting of the Energy Partnership, African and EU ministers set ambitious targets in the areas of energy access, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency to be reached by the year 2020. Ever since, progress on achieving these targets has been tracked and collected in the First Status Report of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership: for instance the capacity of solar energy has seen rapid growth since 2010, and is projected to exceed original target – additional 500 MW by the year 2020 –by far.

At the current electrification rate, the target set by African and EU Energy ministers back in 2010 to provide 100 million Africans with access to modern and sustainable energy services may be met in 2020. However, with the African population rapidly growing, the share of the population without access to electricity in 2020 is expected to grow substantially. Strong political commitment and deliberate engagement of stakeholders is key to encourage investment and action towards bridging the gap of energy poverty in Africa. The Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership will thus be directed towards shaping a forward-looking vision for energy cooperation between Africa and Europe and to delivering concrete results – political commitment to realise sustainable energy solutions for our future generations.

“The African Union is committed to further strengthen energy cooperation with Europe. Technology transfer and investment are key for sustainable energy development in Africa.”

Aboubakari Baba Moussa,

Director, Infrastructure and Energy Department, African Union

“The Africa-EU Energy Partnership is a bold initiative founded on a simple fact: namely that energy is fundamental to development. No energy means no sustained or sustainable economic growth, no sustainable agriculture, no quality healthcare; no decent education. In short, no energy means no development.“

H.E. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development Cooperation, European Commission

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Council today established an EU military operation to contribute to a secure

environment in the Central African Republic, as authorised by the UN Security Council in

resolution 2134 (2014). Today’s decision creates the legal basis for the operation entitled

EUFOR RCA and is another step towards its rapid deployment.

EUFOR RCA is to provide temporary support in achieving a safe and secure environment

in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to African partners. The force will thereby

contribute to international efforts to protect the populations most at risk, creating the

conditions for providing humanitarian aid.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of

the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, said: “We have reacted swiftly to the serious

crisis in the Central African Republic. We are using all the tools at our disposal, from

humanitarian assistance to political support for the transition, to our long-term

development cooperation. But the absolute priority is to protect the civilian population

from any further violence, to ensure that the people of the Central African Republic can

live without fear and start rebuilding their country, and to make sure that humanitarian

aid can be provided. EUFOR RCA will deploy as soon as possible to back the remarkable

efforts of France and our African partners.”

The Council also appointed Major-General Philippe Pontiès from France as EU Operation

Commander. Besides, it estimated the common costs of the operation at € 25.9 million for

a period of up to nine months comprising a three months preparatory phase and a mandate

of up to six months starting from the point of reaching full operational capability.

The operation headquarters will be in Larissa, Greece, while the force headquarters and the

troops will be located in Bangui, Central African Republic.

Preparations for the deployment are currently under way, following accelerated

procedures. The launch of operations will require a separate legal act.

PORT-LOUIS, Mauritius, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — AfrAsia Bank (http://www.afrasiabank.com) introduces Africa’s first rewards program offering real time booking on over 450 airlines and at 200,000 hotels to its World and Titanium MasterCard cardholders. In collaboration with Infinia Services & Solutions and MasterCard, this rewards program enables cardholders to earn XtraMiles whenever they swipe their World or Titanium MasterCard credit cards. This innovative product underpins further the bank’s unremitting commitment to creating value for its niche market and differentiating itself through unique products with priceless privileges.

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

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0159.jpg (Prashant Khattar, Founder and Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions with James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of AfrAsia Bank)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/afrasia_12.12.13_0087.jpg (From left to right)- Didier Perrier – Manager at Scomat, Marie Agnes Legoff – Procurement Manager at MSM, Christophe Quevauvilliers – Finance Manager at UBP and Suneeta Motala, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at AfrAsia Bank)

XtraMiles is a new currency that clients can collect not only on everyday spending, but also on bank deposits and investments held with the Bank. With a secure, convenient and reliable live platform, customers can complete an entire transaction with just a few clicks of the mouse, searching for fares, choosing a trip itinerary, booking a flight or hotel, and pay using their XtraMiles. Besides a complete accrual engine attached with Customer Relationship Management and communication capabilities, there is no manual processing of rewards as the platform will be accessed by clients for automatic redemption.

Cardholders have access to an extensive range of benefits including exclusive lifestyle experiences, local rewards and online merchandise among others.

“At AfrAsia Bank, we believe that it is important to anticipate our customers’ needs and wants, and tailor the most rewarding experiences for them. We are thrilled to be the first bank not only in Mauritius but in the African territory to introduce this revolutionary rewards program and living up to the strides we have taken to become our clients’ financial partner of choice. The collaboration with MasterCard and Infinia to introduce the XtraMiles rewards program cements our position as the best private bank in Mauritius, which is also in line with our strategy to serve our valued clients locally and globally,” says James Benoit, CEO of AfrAsia Bank.

“MasterCard and AfrAsia Bank have collaborated for more than six years to bring customers innovative products that complement their local and international lifestyles,” commented Daniel Monehin, Division President, sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard. “We are thrilled that the bank has selected two premium MasterCard payment cards to introduce the first air miles rewards program in Mauritius.”

Prashant Khattar, Managing Director of Infinia Services and Solutions said, “At Infinia we put our customer’s customer at the forefront of our platform, offering them not only a wide range of products and services to choose from, but also a knowledge base to document behavioural spending.”

On a concluding note, General Manager and Executive Director AfrAsia Private Banking Thierry Vallet pointed out that as a financial service’s market leader in Mauritius, AfrAsia Bank tailors innovative banking solutions for customers, and partners with like-minded organizations. He pointed out that partnerships with MasterCard and Infinia, two organizations able to share global insight and experience, allows the bank to meet the demands of its affluent customers.

To learn more about XtraMiles, please log on: http://xtramiles.afrasiabank.com

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of AfrAsia Bank Limited.

For media contact:

Nthabiseng Magengenene

Marketing Manager, Africa

Tel: +2711 268 5780

Nthabiseng.Magengenene@afrasiabank.com

About AfrAsia Bank Limited

Headquartered in the Mauritius International Financial Centre, AfrAsia Bank Limited (http://www.afrasiabank.com) is a boutique private and corporate bank, with the ability to tailor innovative banking solutions for both the local and international markets focusing on:

– Corporate and Investment Banking

– Private Banking and Wealth Management

– International Banking Solutions

In addition to Mauritian shareholder, GML, other strong strategic partners include PROPARCO (subsidiary of the AgenceFrançaise de Développement), Intrasia Capital and Asiabridge. The Bank’s core banking and transactional capabilities are bank representative offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg, its asset management arm, AfrAsia Capital Management and its investment banking arm, AfrAsia Corporate Finance as well as its banking holding company, AfrAsia Bank (Zimbabwe) Limited.

PARIS, France, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Schneider Electric (http://www.schneider-electric.com), the global specialist in energy management, is inviting African students to take part in the Go Green in the City global busi…

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, will announce €195 million for Mauritania in the areas of food security, rule of law and healthcare for the years 2014-2020, during a visit to the country (10-11 February). Discussions are expected to focus in particular on ongoing cooperation between the EU and Mauritania in the areas of security, development and fishing. The Commissioner is also expected to underline the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting the country on its path to growth and in the key role it has to play in security in the Sahel. Commissioner Piebalgs said: “Mauritania also has a vital role in helping to keep the Sahel region stable due to its location. There can be no development without security, and I would like to congratulate the country on all the work it is doing to make the country, and the wider region, more stable”.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The world’s first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7, according to a statement released today by the U.S.-based, nonprofit organization Clitoraid (http://www.clitoraid.org). Chantal Compaore, First Lady of Burkina Faso, will preside at the ceremony.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/clitoraid.png

Download the flyer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/flyer.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/kamkaso.jpg (The world’s first clitoral repair hospital for victims of female genital mutilation (FGM), located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, will open on March 7)

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/nadine-gary.jpg (Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary)

Photo 3: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/marci-bowers-md.jpg (Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

Photo 4: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/harold-henning-md.jpg (Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., and Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it)

The hospital was built with donated funds and through the efforts of worldwide volunteers.

“Having Chantal Compaore’s support and presence on March 7 is such a wonderful way to celebrate this opening!” said Clitoraid Communications Director Nadine Gary. “She has been a steadfast voice against the horrors of FGM, and we’re honored that she will be there.”

Gary said hundreds of women are already on Clitoraid’s waiting list to have the surgery, which will be free for any woman who wants it.

“Their wait is almost over,” Gary said. She said the new facility, called “the Kamkaso,” which means “the house for women,” has been nicknamed “the Pleasure Hospital,” since the surgery “will restore their dignity as women as well as their ability to experience physical pleasure, which was taken from them against their will.”

Gary went on to explain how the idea of the hospital came about.

“After spiritual leader Maitreya Rael heard about a clitoral repair procedure developed by Dr. Pierre Foldes in France, he launched Clitoraid and the idea of building clinics that offer free surgery for FGM victims. After the United Nations adopted a resolution banning FGM, there’s been universal agreement that it’s a violation of human rights and the integrity of individuals. And eliminating FGM is essential for women’s health, so governments must keep passing laws against it. But Rael realized that it’s also important to repair the damage already caused to living victims. This hospital is the result of his vision.”

Gary said Clitoraid volunteer surgeons from the United States, Dr. Marci Bowers, M.D., and Dr. Harold Henning Jr., M.D., will perform surgeries at the new hospital and also train other surgeons to do it.

“The goal is to help as many victims as possible have this surgery, which will also help discourage the barbaric practice of FGM,” Gary said. “When its effects can be surgically reversed for free, what would be the point?”

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

Media contact:

Abibata Sanon

avfe@clitoraid.org

+226-78886092

About Clitoraid:

Clitoraid (http://www.clitoraid.org) is an international non-profit organization offering clitoral repair surgery to FGM victims.

Follow us at facebook.com/clitoraid and twitter.com/clitoraid

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) held, from 4 to 6 February 2014, at its Headquarters in Algiers, a workshop on the implementation of the A…

WASHINGTON, February 10, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
February 8, 2014

We are deeply concerned by reports of violations by both the Government of South Sudan and anti-gove…