Category: APO-OPA

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Although the situation in the Kivus has been relatively stable for the past few days, crime, mob justice and inter-community tension in certain areas are creating a climate of worry and fear. Thousands of residents and displaced people everywhere are living in dire conditions.

“The situation in which civilians in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo find themselves, which includes in particular their immediate need for security, must not be forgotten during the current talks,” said Franz Rauchenstein, who heads the ICRC’s delegation in the country. “These people, already hard hit by years of conflict and other violence, now face mounting uncertainty. They are entitled to respect and protection.”

“We consider it urgent that we continue to visit people detained in connection with the conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, that people injured in the fighting be withdrawn to safety and receive care, that displaced people and others in great need receive help, and that family members of unaccompanied children be found,” said Mr Rauchenstein.

Staff from the ICRC and volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are currently in Sake, a town west of Goma, and also in Masisi-centre (North Kivu province) and in Minova (South Kivu). They are stepping up efforts to provide emergency food aid for nearly 90,000 people in all, and such essential items as kitchen utensils, clothing, blankets and tarpaulins for some of them. With the rainy season in full swing, it will not be easy to distribute large quantities of goods.

“This is the second time we have been displaced,” said Kahindo, a 16-year-old girl at a distribution of aid to more than 45,000 people organized on a school football pitch in Kimoka, a part of Sake. “The first time, we fled with our parents, but this time we were surprised by the fighting. Our parents had gone to the fields, where they were killed, and I ran away with my little brothers.”

ICRC delegates are on the ground talking to people who suffered violence over the past few weeks in order to be able to bring them aid. The delegates’ work also consists in collecting information on cases where people have been victims of violations of international humanitarian law. The ICRC shares its findings, here as elsewhere, exclusively and confidentially with the armed forces or groups concerned. Its ultimate aim is to persuade weapon bearers to change their behaviour towards civilians and others not taking part in hostilities.

Since 19 November, the ICRC has also:

● pressed ahead with efforts aimed at visiting persons arrested during the capture of Goma and still being held;

● performed operations at N’Dosho and Katindo hospitals in Goma on more than 130 people injured in the fighting;

● continued to provide supplies and financial support for hospital facilities in Bukavu to make it easier to provide care in South Kivu for casualties of the fighting;

● built latrines and showers, and restored to working order a water tank and water pipes in the Minova, Saïo and Nyamunyunyi camps housing displaced people in Bukavu;

● provided support for the activities of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly for administering first aid to casualties and taking them to hospital;

● registered more than 350 children in Goma and Bukavu, and, working together with the Congolese Red Cross, reunited over 100 of them with their families.

DAKAR, Senegal, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The 2nd High Level Media Workshop on the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) started today in Dakar, Senegal, on the theme “Promoting the culture of Peace through Media”.

Representing the African Union (AU), Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, AU Special Envoy on the Mbororo issue, deplored the little resources African nations invest in peace and security efforts, and urged the media to act as spokespersons for the continent especially for peace and human security.

Highlighting the theme of the Workshop “Promoting the culture of peace through the media”, Prof. Bathily emphasized that the culture of peace should be imbibed sustainably “into societies, our spirit and our daily routine”. “This should be transmitted to the future generations in order to prevent conflicts” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Defence of Senegal, Col. Abdurahim Kebe encouraged the collaborative work between the AU and the media to actively promote a culture of peace in all African communities, as it will be sure to trickle down to mental practices.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, Chair of newly launched Panafrican Institute of Strategies (IPS). Speaking about the crisis in Mali and the African response to it, Mr Gadio stressed the need for a more unified political approach to conflicts on the continent. He pointed out the shortcomings of the initial tackle of the Mali crisis as a regional issue, rather than as a continental one.

Over the next three days, participants in the workshop, more than 60 media practitioners, will discuss the functioning of the AU in terms of peace and security, its peace and security architecture, and its different components in terms of crises prevention and resolution, notably the African Standby Force (ASF).

The workshop will also aim at providing participating journalists who specialize on issues of peace and security on the continent, with reliable information on the matter, thus increasing their understanding of the complexity of peace and security issues, as well as ameliorating the factual media coverage of the AU efforts in the area of peace and security.

Launched in November 2011, the APSA media workshop aims to reinforce dialogue between the AU and the Media by popularizing the many mechanisms of the APSA, Conflict Prevention and Early Warning practice. This second encounter will further give a platform for fruitful interaction between information and communication experts and practitioners of matters of peace and security.

This collaborative initiative between the Directorate of Information and Communication (DIC) and the AU Peace and Security Department (PSD) of the African Union (UA) brings together the leadership of various international Media and key AU officials and their partners in the field of Peace and Security.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the Somali Police Force marks the 69th anniversary of its formation the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mohamat Annadif, has reaffirmed AMISOM’s commitment to continuing to enhance the capacity of SPF to serve and protect the people of Somalia.

The SPF was founded in 1943 and the Force is now recovering and rebuilding having been held back by decades of armed conflict and civil war. AMISOM’s police component has been helping to reconstitute the force and to train and mentor its personnel. The component is also helping to equip the SPF through providing basic supplies to the police stations. It recently deployed 2 Formed Police Units. The FPUs continue to play a crucial role of ensuring improved security in the liberated areas through Public Order Management including joint patrols together with the Somali Police Force, provision of security to VIPs, individuals and properties.

Paying tribute to the men and women of the Force, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Mahamat Annadif, reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to enhance the capacity of SPF by training, mentoring, advising the SPF and ensuring the security of individuals and properties.

Amb Annadif said: “Without strong and enduring rule of law and public order there is no lasting peace. The Somali Police Force is playing and will continue to play an integral part in Somalia’s recovery. On this anniversary, I pay tribute to the efforts of the SPF in working to serve and protect every citizen and reaffirm AMISOM’s commitment to helping the SPF in the future”.

He reaffirmed AMISOM’s commitment to supporting with the Somali Police Force. AMISOM Police from across the African Union have focussed on enhancing the capacity of the SPF in its efforts to restore the rule of law and public order in Somalia.

He said: “AMISOM has a strong and productive partnership with the Somali Police Force and we are committed to building on this good work. We shall continue to encourage Somali Police to serve and protect every citizen in a manner that will build public confidence. Our training and mentoring partnerships with the SPF are crucial to helping Somalia develop the security framework in which long lasting peace and stability can grow.”

The AMISOM police component currently has 363 police officers drawn from different African countries. AMISOM Police are also involved in mentoring and advisory support to the SPF on basic police duties, such as human rights observation, crime prevention strategies, community policing and search procedures. It has conducted training for nearly a third of the SPF’s 5000 officers including running a refresher course for middle level officers, training new recruits as well as running courses in traffic management and criminal investigation techniques.

WASHINGTON, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Press Statement
Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 20, 2012

Today, the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal fo…

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In its ongoing efforts to strengthening rule of law institutions in the region, the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) sponsored on 20 December the launching of the Sudanese Police Women Network in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The establishment of the network will help addressing issues related to women and children and creating the basis of a unified force, which will be able to support and reinforce the actions of its members. Also, it will provide a platform for internal interaction and exchanging of ideas and strategies.

UNAMID through its female police network provided a number of skills-building activities, in areas of gender-based violence, human rights, rule of law and management, to enhance the local women police capacity and create enabling environment for women police to take a leading responsibility in providing support to local communities.

In a ceremony held at Al-Zubai Stadium, UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative Mohamed Yonis praised the initiative. “This Women Police Network is one of our greatest achievements and I call on all in Darfur to support its members. As in all countries of the world, the women are the backbone of society,” he said.

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with UN agencies in the region, organized on 19 December a community dialogue on physical…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Kenya’s decision to place refugees and asylum seekers in camps away from urban centres is a discriminatory and unlawful restriction on freedom of movement, Amnesty International said.

“This restriction on freedom of movement is likely to lead to other serious human rights abuses in already overcrowded, insecure refugee camps,” said Kathryn Achilles, Amnesty International’s East Africa expert

Thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers from Somalia living in urban centres including the capital, Nairobi, will be required to move to the Dadaab refugee camp complex in north-eastern Kenya, while those from other countries will be required to move to the Kakuma camp.

The Dadaab complex in particular is already extremely overcrowded, even without the additional influx of refugees required to move from urban areas.

Overcrowding has placed a strain on the provision of essential services to asylum-seekers and refugees, including access to shelter, water and sanitation.

“The government cannot simply scapegoat refugees and asylum-seekers en masse for security incidents.

North eastern Kenya has suffered from recent insecurity, including attacks against people living in the Dadaab camps, and others living and working in the area.

“Targeting entire groups of people and blaming them in this way is unacceptable. It is not, and never can be, an appropriate response to security concerns.”

Amnesty International is calling on the Kenyan government to rescind the directive and it urged the authorities to resume registration and service provision in urban areas, as well as to those living in camps.

The move comes after weeks of discriminatory or arbitrary arrests of ethnic Somalis, particularly in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi, in the wake of grenade and other bomb attacks.

Hundreds of people have been arrested, with most subsequently released without charge. There were also numerous reports of harassment, ill-treatment and extortion by security forces, which Amnesty International called upon the government to investigate.

More than 500,000 Somali nationals are registered in Kenya as refugees, and they make up the vast majority of refugees and asylum-seekers there.

As a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, Kenya is under an obligation to protect those seeking asylum on their territory .

Amnesty International acknowledges the responsibility Kenya has shouldered in hosting refugees, particularly those from Somalia, but the answer is not simply to force people to move to camps, or to restrict their freedom of movement.

Kenya must live up to its obligations under international law, and must have the support of the international community to do so, including through increased funding and resettlement programmes.

NEW YORK, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announced today the appointment of Mr.Mohamed Ibn Chambas of Ghana as their J…

WASHINGTON, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA*) have decided to support US$176 million in debt relief for the Comoros, representing a 59 percent reduction of its future external debt service over a period of 40 years.[1]

The Boards of Directors of both institutions [2] determined that the Union of the Comoros has fulfilled the requirements to reach the completion point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, the stage at which the HIPC debt relief becomes irrevocable and the country will benefit from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI).

The requirements met by Comoros included, among others, the satisfactory implementation of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, progress in public financial management and governance, reforms on telecommunications and energy, a national measles vaccination campaign for children to achieve 90 percent coverage nation-wide, and improvements in debt management. Comoros was granted a waiver on the requirement related to the provision of textbooks and school kits for vulnerable children, as the government has adopted a new policy focusing on improving learning quality.

Mbuyamu Matungulu, IMF mission chief for Comoros, said: “Comoros has made substantial gains in macroeconomic stability in the last years; economic activity is trending up, and the fiscal position has considerably strengthened. Debt reduction under the HIPC and Multilateral Debt Relief Initiatives reinforces these achievements and uplifts the country’s growth and poverty reduction prospects. With continued close adherence to reforms and steady donor support, the improved outlook can translate into tangible gains in living standards for the poor.”

“Debt relief is a development opportunity for the Comoros,” saidHaleh Bridi, World Bank Country Director for Comoros. “Debt relief will free up resources in the country to fight poverty and improve the health and education of the population,”

Of the resulting reduction of about US$176 million, about 86 percent will come from multilateral creditors, and the remaining from bilateral and commercial creditors. MDRI relief provided by the World Bank’s IDA and the African Development Bank Group would save Comoros US$83 million in debt service over 29 years. There remain no loans eligible for MDRI relief from the IMF.

Full delivery of debt relief (HIPC Initiative, MDRI, and additional bilateral assistance at the completion point) will considerably reduce the debt burden of the Comoros. The annual external debt service will fall by 69 percent, from an average of 14 million for the period 2013-2021 to 4 million. Nevertheless, both the IMF and the World Bank consider that despite the improvement in the Comoros’s debt indicators the country remains vulnerable to shocks to exports and GDP.

Comoros becomes the 35th country to reach the completion point under the HIPC Initiative. The completion point marks the end of the HIPC process, which started in 2010 when the Executive Boards of the IMF and the World Bank’s IDA agreed that the Comoros had met the requirements for reaching the decision point, the stage at which countries start receiving debt relief on an interim basis.

ANNEX (Note to Editors)

The HIPC Initiative. In 1996, the World Bank and IMF launched the HIPC Initiative to create a framework in which all creditors, including multilateral creditors, can provide debt relief to the world’s poorest and most heavily indebted countries to ensure debt sustainability, and thereby reduce the constraints on economic growth and poverty reduction imposed by the unsustainable debt-service burdens in these countries.

To date, 36 HIPC countries have reached their decision points, of which 35 (including Comoros) have reached the completion point.

The MDRI. Created in 2005, the aim of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative is to reduce further the debt of eligible low-income countries and provide additional resources to help them reach the Millennium Development Goals. Under the MDRI, three multilateral institutions – the World Bank’s International Development Association, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Fund– provide 100 percent debt relief on eligible debts to qualifying countries normally at the time they reach the HIPC Initiative completion point.

* The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 81 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.5 billion people living on less than US$2 a day. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 108 countries. Annual commitments have increased steadily and averaged about US$15 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent of commitments going to Africa.

[1] The figures represent staff estimates of effective debt relief. The nominal value of debt is the amount that the debtor owes to creditors at a moment in time; the present value is the discounted sum of all future debt service (principal and interest) at a specific market rate of interest (called the discount rate). In debt-reorganization discussions, the present value concept is used to measure, in a consistent manner, the burden sharing of debt reduction among creditors. For further explanation click here to see entries for Nominal Value and Present Value in Appendix III–Glossary of External Debt Terms IMF, External Debt Statistics: Guide for Compilers and Users, (2003) IMF, Washington DC. The amount of debt relief committed to Comoros at the decision point was US$145 million in end-2009 PV terms. This committed amount along with MDRI and beyond HIPC assistance from the Paris Club implies an estimated savings in debt service of US$176 million over 40 years beginning 2013.

[2] The IMF Executive Board met on December 17, 2012, and the IDA Executive Board met on December 20, 2012.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced today the appointment ofMr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas of Gha…