Category: APO-OPA

NEW YORK, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — At least four journalists were reported injured by police while covering an anti-government protest in Togo’s capital, Lomé, on Thursday, according to news reports. Several of the journalists, along with local press freedom group SOS Journalistes en Danger, said police had targeted a group of reporters with tear gas and rubber bullets in an effort to prevent them from covering the demonstrations, the reports said.

Several opposition and civil society organizations have staged protests over recent months, demanding government reforms before parliamentary elections scheduled for March, according to news reports. The organizations are also seeking the departure of the ruling party, which has led the country for more than four decades, news reports said.

“We are troubled by reports that Togolese police officers may have deliberately targeted journalists reporting on a public protest,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney from New York. “We call on Togolese authorities to investigate the accusations and bring any offending officers to account. It is important that the press be allowed to report freely in the run-up to the elections to ensure that voters are fully informed.”

Noel Kokou Tadegnon, a freelance journalist for Reuters TV, the London-based pan-African satellite broadcaster Vox Africa, and the German government-funded broadcaster Deutsche Welle, said police directly targeted him in a group of about 15 other journalists who were covering the protests. “We had our ‘Press’ vests on. I was targeted by the police, who fired on me twice” with tear gas, Tadegnon said. He said he sustained injuries to his right arm and wrist.

Marcelin Adangnonsi, a reporter with local radio station Légende FM, told CPJ his left arm was struck by a rubber bullet when police targeted the group. Jean-Claude Abalo, a correspondent for the Paris-based newsmagazine Jeune Afrique, fell and dislocated his hand as he and the other journalists fled from the attack, Tadegnon told CPJ.

Police also beat Pedro Amouzou, editor of local weekly Crocodile News and JED adviser, at the demonstration and briefly took him in to custody, news reports said.

Col. Yark Damehane, Togo’s minister of security and civil protection, denied the deliberate targeting of journalists. He said he was aware that Tadegnon had been hit by a tear gas canister, because the journalist had called him, but denied the journalist’s accusation that he had been shot by police.

Tadegnon has been targeted before. In April, police attacked Tadegnon and confiscated his camera while the journalist was covering protests on Togo’s 52nd Independence Day, but later returned his equipment. The journalist also told CPJ that Tony Sodji, a reporter for local station TV7, was hit in the face with a stone by protesters at the demonstration.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 350th meeting held on 14 January 2013, considered the situation in Somalia and adopted the following decision…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 350th meeting held on 14 January 2013, was briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the evolution of the situation in Mali.

Council strongly condemned the attacks carried out by armed terrorist and criminal groups against the town of Konna, in the Mopti area, on 10 January 2013. Council expressed AU’s full solidarity with Mali, and endorsed the statement issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on 11 January 2013.

Council called on all AU Member States, in line with its relevant decisions and United Nations Security Council resolutions, to extend the necessary logistical, financial, capacity building and intelligence support to the Malian Defense and Security Forces, to enable them to speedily and fully restore State authority over the northern part of the country. In this respect, Council commended the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its dynamism in dealing with the situation in Mali, as well as the current Chairman of ECOWAS and the President of the ECOWAS Commission for their sustained efforts and commitment. Council further commended the ECOWAS Member States that have swiftly deployed troops in Mali as part of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA), and urged all those that have committed to contribute troops to the Mission to do so timeously.

Council also welcomed the steps taken by Mali’s neighbors to strengthen, to the extent possible, the monitoring of their borders to prevent any possible support to the armed terrorist and criminal groups, in line with its relevant communiqués. Council underlined the importance of close coordination with the core countries to facilitate the ongoing efforts.

Council recalled that it had repeatedly drawn attention to the seriousness of the situation in northern Mali and the need for sustained international support to the African-led efforts. In this respect, Council acknowledged the assistance provided by France, at the request of the Malian authorities and within the framework of UN Security Council resolution 2085 (2012). Council also expressed appreciation to all other AU partners extending support to Mali, in these difficult circumstances. Council encouraged them to pursue their efforts and support.

Council welcomed the steps taken by ECOWAS and the AU Commissions to expedite the implementation of the relevant provisions of resolution 2085 (2012), in particular the deployment of AFISMA and the convening of the envisaged donors’ conference. Council took note of the consultative meeting that the two organizations intend to convene in Addis Ababa, on 16 January 2013. In this regard, Council looks forward to the outcome of the consultative meeting.

Council called on all AU Member States and international partners to provide the support required for the effective deployment of AFISMA and the running of its operations. Council reiterated the call by both the AU and ECOWAS to the UN Security Council, for the establishment of a support package for AFISMA funded through UN assessed contributions.

Council reiterated AU’s support to the Malian transitional authorities, particularly President Dioncounda Traoré and Prime Minister Diango Cissoko, and called on all Malian stakeholders to rally behind them at this very difficult juncture and to place the fundamental interests of Mali above narrow political considerations.

Council noted with appreciation the steps taken by the Commission in close coordination with ECOWAS and the UN, and looks forward to the early convening of the next meeting of the Support and Follow-up Group on the Situation in Mali to further mobilize the international community in support of Mali and the African-led efforts. Council encouraged the Commission to finalize the preparations for the holding, on the margins of the forthcoming AU Summit, of the donors’ conference, as requested by Council in the communiqué adopted at its 341st meeting held on 13 November 2012, and subsequently supported by the UN Security Council in resolution 2085(2012).

Council welcomed the visits that the AU High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, former President Pierre Buyoya, has recently undertaken to Mali and Niger, for consultations with the authorities of these countries, and requested the Commission to continue to monitor the situation closely and to report to it regularly.

Council encouraged the Commission to pursue the implementation of the Strategic Concept for the Resolution of the Crises in Mali, adopted by Council on 24 October 2012.

Council agreed to review the situation in Mali on the occasion of its meeting at the level of the Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place on the margins of the forthcoming AU Summit, at the end of January 2013.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 350th meeting held on 14 January 2013, was briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the situatio…

CANBERRA, Australia, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles will today begin a visit to United Arab Emirates, Seychelles and Africa.

In the Seychelles, Mr Marles will attend the 28th Session of the Council of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), representing Australia as the Vice-Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).

‘Australia supports the IOC’s role in enhancing sustainable development and security among the western Indian Ocean island states. My attendance at the meeting will also allow us to explore the possibility of stronger links between the IOC and IOR-ARC,’ said Mr Marles.

In Africa, Mr Marles will meet African ministers and leaders at the African Union Summit in Ethiopia and engage with senior Government members on bilateral visits to South Africa and Kenya.

Mr Marles’ visit will be the first to Africa since Australia’s election to the United Nations Security Council in October.

African peace and security issues account for around two thirds of the Council’s agenda.

‘I look forward to seeking African views and perspectives on major peace and security challenges currently before the Council, including the situation in Mali, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.’

Mr Marles will also reinforce Australia’s long-term commitment to Africa.

‘Australia recognises Africa’s considerable economic potential and growing strategic importance and wants to be a part of Africa’s future.

‘I will underline Australia’s increasing political, diplomatic and commercial engagement in Africa, as well as our expanded development and humanitarian assistance partnership to support Africa’s development.’

Mr Marles will visit humanitarian assistance programs supported by Australia in refugee camps.

‘This visit is an opportunity to see first-hand the way Australia’s humanitarian assistance is making a real difference to people’s lives in Africa,’ Mr Marles said.

KAMPALA, Uganda, January 15, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the fifth review under the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) for Uganda.

The PSI for Uganda was approved on May 12, 2010 (see Press Release No. 10/195) and aims at maintaining macroeconomic stability and alleviating constraints to growth. The IMF’s framework for PSIs is designed for low-income countries that may not need, or want, IMF financial assistance, but still seek IMF advice, monitoring and endorsement of their policies. PSIs are voluntary and demand driven (see Public Information Notice No. 05/145).

Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Uganda, Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, stated:

“Uganda’s macroeconomic performance under their Policy Support Instrument has been satisfactory. The anti-inflationary strategy underpinned by tight monetary policy and under-execution of budget spending brought inflation under control—an important policy achievement. The tightened stance, however, sharply slowed economic growth.

“Reviving economic activity is therefore an urgent priority for Uganda’s low-income economy. To this end, the authorities’ short-term policies are appropriately geared at maintaining essential public investment and encouraging a gradual resumption of bank lending, while continuing to allow the shilling to reflect market conditions.

“The recent theft of donor funds, resulting in a suspension of aid, signals governance problems and the need for a more radical fight against corruption. The government’s action plan to strengthen public financial management in order to reinforce controls and increase transparency of public sector operations is key to rebuilding confidence of the population and development partners. Forceful implementation of this plan is essential to prevent reoccurrence of misappropriation of public funds, restore budget financing and facilitate growth enhancing development spending.

“While medium-term growth is set to converge to its potential level of 6-7 percent, this objective needs to be underpinned by a higher contribution of private investment, which in turn requires improvements in the business environment. In parallel, institutional reforms to refine the inflation targeting framework and efficient management of revenues, including the prospective oil proceeds, will be essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.”

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, January 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:
“Toda…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — All parties to the armed conflict in Mali must ensure civilians are protected, Amnesty International urged today as military attacks by French forces continued.

With French support, the Malian army launched a counter-offensive against armed Islamist groups on 11 January to prevent the capture of cities in the south of the country.

“There are real concerns that the fighting might lead to indiscriminate or other unlawful attacks in areas where members of armed Islamist groups and civilians are inter-mingled,” said Paule Rigaud, Amnesty International’s Africa deputy director.

“Forces involved in armed attacks should avoid indiscriminate shelling at all costs, and do their utmost to prevent civilian casualties.”

Today the town of Diabaly, 400km north of the capital Bamako, was captured from the Malian army by Islamist armed groups.

In a marked intensification of the intervention, the French army bombed positions in the north, in Gao and Kidal, on 13 January. At least six civilians were reportedly killed during the fighting for control of the town of Konna on 11 and 12 January.

“The international community has a responsibility to prevent a fresh surge in abuses during this new phase of the conflict,” said Rigaud.

Amnesty International is calling for the international community to support the immediate deployment of human rights monitors, with particular attention given to the use of child soldiers, children’s rights, gender, and protection of civilians.

Reports have indicated that the Islamist groups have been using child soldiers, and that some of them have been wounded and possibly killed in the conflict.

Amnesty International is urging French forces in Mali to give as much advance warning as possible to civilians, and calls on the armed groups to not put military targets near civilian objects. Armed forces are bound by international humanitarian law to take all necessary precautions to minimise harm to civilians.

The organisation is also calling on the Islamist armed groups not to harm any of the 13 hostages they are holding, among whom are six French and four Algerian nationals.

Since Islamist groups gained control of Mali’s north in April 2012, they have committed widespread and grave human rights abuses, introducing amputations, flogging, and stoning to death for those who oppose their interpretation of Islam.

At the request of Mali’s government, France has deployed since 11 January some 550 soldiers to Mali under “Operation Serval”.

On 20 December 2012, The UN Security Council authorized an African-led force to “use all necessary measures” to take back northern Mali from “terrorist, extremist and armed groups.” Troops from several West African countries including Nigeria and Niger are about to be sent in.

LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, sets out in Parliament the UK’s approach to Mali:

“With permission Mr Speaker I would like to make a statement on Mali and on the United Kingdom limited support to the French military deployment to assist the Government of Mali. On 10 January, Mali’s Islamist rebel groups, including significant terrorist elements, moved south from their northern strongholds and captured the town of Konna. From there, they posed a danger to Mali’s second and strategically important garrison of Mopti and potentially to its capital, Bamako. The situation in Mali is a serious concern for the UK. It would not be in our interests to allow a terrorist haven to develop in Northern Mali. As a responsible member of the Security Council, we must support the region in limiting the danger of instability in that part of Africa, threatening UK interests.

“Mr Speaker, this latest violence follows a year of instability in Mali. In January 2012 Tuareg nationalist rebels under the banner of the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) reignited a long standing armed rebellion against the Malian state. Fighting opportunistically alongside the MNLA, but with a very different agenda, were two terrorist groups, Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQM) and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA). Another mainly Tuareg group with an Islamist agenda and strong ties to the terrorist groups, Ansar Dine, also fought against Malian troops. In March 2012, Mali experienced a coup d’etat from army officers concerned that the Malian government was not responding effectively to the threat from these northern groups. Shortly afterwards, Islamist rebels took advantage of the instability caused by the coup to establish control of the north of the country. Following strong pressure from the Economic Community of West Africa States, the military junta then passed control to an interim civilian led government.

“With the international community, the UK has been concerned by the potential for terrorist groups to establish a safe haven in northern Mali which, if left unchecked, could pose a threat to Europe and the UK, as well as our interests in the region. Together with the international community, the UK has been promoting an effective political process in Mali, which includes a road map to democratic elections and a mediation process between the Malian Government and the northern political groups. Both the political and the military tracks – and, in the longer term, economic development – must contribute to a strategy to strengthen the whole region and make it less vulnerable to humanitarian and political shocks.

“The United Nations Security Council met for an emergency session on 10 January to discuss the movement of extremist forces south. The Council concluded that recent events posed a direct threat to international stability and security. Furthermore they emphasised the urgent need to counter the increasing terrorist threat and reiterated their call to Member States to assist the settlement of the crisis in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2085, issued on 20 December 2012.

“In response to the statement by the United Nations Security Council, and in the light of fast-emerging threat to the city of Mopti, the Government of Mali made a direct request to the Government of France for assistance. France commenced the deployment of a military contingent on 11 January. The Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff discussed the situation with their French counterparts on 11 January. On the afternoon of 12 January the United Kingdom received a French request for a limited military logistic support to their deployment to Mali. The Prime Minister spoke to President Hollande later that evening. They discussed the deteriorating situation in Mali and the importance of i) limiting civilian casualties; ii) expediting the deployment of regional forces; and iii) the importance of co-ordinating international efforts effectively. During that phone call, and on the basis of advice provided by the Ministry of Defence, the Prime Minister agreed to the French request for limited logistic support and directed the Chief of the Defence Staff to make aircraft available.

“I wish to inform the House that 2 x C17 transport aircraft have been assigned to assist in the deployment. Additionally, a small detachment of technical personnel has deployed to Bamako airport to assist with the reception of UK aircraft. I am informed by my MOD colleagues that on arrival in Paris one of the aircraft has faced technical problems, which engineers are currently working on. My MOD colleagues will provide additional information on this in due course. In the coming days, the African-led force – AFISMA – will begin deploying to Mali to bolster the Malian forces towards the aim of restoring Mali’s territorial integrity.

“Separately, the EU is considering a military training mission to help build the capacity of the Malian forces. As the December European Council made clear the Mission has a clear training-only mandate, and no combat role. UK support for the Mission and for the Council decision is currently under parliamentary scrutiny. My Rt Hon Friend the Minister for Europe will discuss this with the European Scrutiny Committee on 16 January. The EU training mission will support and is in line with UNSCRs on Mali.

“I would like to reassure the House that British forces will not undertake a combat role in Mali. The Prime Minister has authorised a limited logistical deployment following a direct request from one of our closest allies. The National Security Council will meet tomorrow and will be briefed on the latest developments in Mali. Government Ministers, alongside the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Sahel, the Honourable Member for Eddisbury, will work with the French Government, the region and international actors like the UN to put in place both the short term resolution to the crisis, as well as the longer term conditions for security and economic development. The UN Security Council will meet again this afternoon to discuss the crisis.

“Mr Speaker, the House will no doubt be concerned about the humanitarian situation in the region, and what the UK is doing to alleviate that situation. The UN reports more than 200,000 people have been displaced inside Mali and another 210,000 have fled as refugees to the region. In addition to the immediate support to France, the UK has contributed £59 million in humanitarian aid to the Sahel region through multilateral organisations. In December 2012 DFID agreed a further £15 million in humanitarian aid to the region. Funds from the UK have been put to work to help the immediate needs of the Malian people.

“Finally, I would like to reassure the House that the safety of British Nationals and personnel remains of paramount concern. Our Travel Advice has advised against all travel to Mali since the coup in March 2012. This was updated on 11 January to advise British citizens remaining in Mali to leave by commercial means if possible. Our Embassy in Bamako is in regular constant touch with the British community there, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London is of course working to ensure that contingency measures are in place.

“Mr Speaker, the threat posed by the instability in Mali is of grave concern to the UK. We must not allow northern Mali to become a springboard for extremism, and create instability in the wider West African region. The ferocity and fanaticism of the extremists in northern Mali must be not be allowed to sweep unchecked into the country’s capital. France, which has an historic relationship with Mali is quite rightly in the lead. In the coming days we will be focussed on the regional and international diplomacy we must achieve to check this emerging threat.”

PARIS, France, January 14, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ —

– Baidu signs its first global operator agreement with Orange, on an exclusive basis, to co-develop an enhanced mobile browser designed for emerging markets

– The new browser, available in Arabic, English, and a French version in development, will be pre-installed and available via download on Android devices across Orange’s African footprint in 2013

– Demand for smartphones and the mobile web is on the rise across Africa & the Middle East – in Egypt, Orange has seen demand for Android devices double in the second half of 2012

– The Orange-Baidu browser will provide a more affordable and richer browsing experience for customers across AMEA due to its enhanced data compression capabilities (up to 90% of compression), and one-click access to web-based apps and internet services

Orange (http://www.orange.com) has signed a strategic partnership – on an exclusive basis – with Baidu, the Chinese internet company, to develop a co-branded internet browser for smartphone customers in Africa, the Middle East and Asia (AMEA). The partnership marks the first time Baidu has signed such an agreement with a global operator, and supports Orange and Baidu’s aim to make the mobile web available for all in emerging markets.

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

Mobile internet usage in Africa is increasing rapidly as Orange continues to deploy 3G networks and make more low-cost smartphones available, customers have been steadily moving from basic feature phones towards more low-cost Android smartphones. Orange, which has a mobile customer base in AMEA of nearly 80 million customers, has continued to see its smartphone user base in AMEA increasing, for example the demand for Android devices in Egypt has doubled in H2 2012.

The new Orange and Baidu browser offers a highly customisable but simple interface for customers in AMEA, enabling them to access web-based apps and internet services unique to Baidu and Orange, as well as services like Wikipedia, Facebook or Twitter, amongst others. Customers benefit from a new, feature rich user interface that provides one-click access to all of their preferred local and global services but also benefit from a browser that is much faster and more data efficient compared to other browsers, reducing the amount of data consumed by 30-90% depending on the types of services and files accessed.

Orange and Baidu have already developed an Arabic and English browser is launching for Mobinil customers today, and both companies are now working to launch French versions of the browser for countries across Orange’s African & Middle East footprint.

Marc Rennard, senior executive vice president for Orange activities across Africa and the Middle East, commented: “The appetite for mobile internet services is very strong in Africa, for example demand for Android devices in Egypt has doubled in the second half of this year. Price and access have been a barrier to entry, but partnering with innovative companies like Baidu provide unique solutions that give our customers affordable access to all the services they desire without compromising on features or ease-of-use. Building on the partnerships we’ve signed with major brands such as Wikipedia and Facebook in AMEA, we continue to innovate in Africa and honour our commitment to make the internet accessible to all customers across our footprint.”

Hu Yong, general manager of Baidu’s International Business Unit, said: “Baidu’s success has been built on developing technologies, products and services appropriate for China, the world’s largest emerging market. We’re now bringing that experience to bear in other markets now enjoying rapid growth. Working with Orange in the Middle East and Africa, Baidu hopes to contribute meaningfully to the region’s growth by making the mobile internet easier than ever to use.”

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of France Télécom-Orange.

About Orange

France Telecom-Orange (http://www.orange.com) is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 45.3 billion euros for 2011 and has 170,000 employees worldwide at 30 September 2012, including 105,000 employees in France. Present in 33 countries, the Group has a total customer base of 227 million customers at 30 September 2012, including 169 million mobile customers and 15 million broadband internet (ADSL, fibre) customers worldwide. Orange is one of the main European operators for mobile and broadband internet services and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

With its industrial project, “conquests 2015”, Orange is simultaneously addressing its employees, customers and shareholders, as well as the society in which the company operates, through a concrete set of action plans. These commitments are expressed through a new vision of human resources for employees; through the deployment of a network infrastructure upon which the Group will build its future growth; through the Group’s ambition to offer a superior customer experience thanks in particular to improved quality of service; and through the acceleration of international development.

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.

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: @presseorange & @orangegrouppr

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

About Baidu

Baidu, Inc. is the leading Chinese language Internet search provider. As a technology-based media company, Baidu aims to provide the best and most equitable way for people to find what they’re looking for online. In addition to serving individual Internet search users, Baidu provides an effective platform for businesses to reach potential customers. Baidu’s ADSs trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BIDU”. Currently, ten ADSs represent one Class A ordinary share.

Press contacts:

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

Mylene Blin, mylene.blin@orange.com + 33 1 44 44 80 71