Category: APO-OPA

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, December 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is undertaking a series of inter-community dialogues aimed at mitigating tensions and deadly clashes between farmers and herders as well as preventing future conflicts between these two groups in several localities in North Darfur, including Kabkabiya, Shangil Tobaya, Saraf Umra, Al Serief, Mellit and Kutum.

The sessions, which began on 5 December and are scheduled to conclude on 27 December, are designed to provide a platform for open communication and constructive dialogue between farmers and herders, mostly nomadic communities, and to allow neutral third-party mediation between community leaders. In addition, the forums promote understanding and tolerance in conflict situations and enhance local ownership and advocacy on conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms.

On 13 December, a workshop was held in Kutum locality, North Darfur, with the participation of representatives from civil society, native administrative, national nongovernmental organizations, internally displaced persons, youth associations and the women’s union.

During the session, the groups, which consist of representatives from Alwaha and Kutum localities, were able to exchange views on some of the root-causes of the conflict between the two groups, as well as on ways to engender peaceful coexistence and to promote culture of peace at community level.

Addressing the participants, the executive director of Alwaha and Kutum, Shaibon Kaounda, thanked UNAMID for its efforts in supporting peaceful coexistence and said that this process “requires participation of all community members in decision-making process and development strategies.”

Among the recommendations, the participants stressed on the importance of disarmament of civilians, and empowerment of civil administration and local mechanisms to enable them to continue to perform their traditional role in conflict resolution.

UNAMID is supporting the development and implementation of local mediation plan in the five Darfur states, as part of its mandate to support local conflict resolution and the conduct of local mediation and reconciliation between communities at grass root level.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Commission of the African Union (AU) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed, today, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), at the African Union Headq…

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Political and Security Committee today announced the appointment of the new
Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, which aims
…

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Political and Security Committee today announced the appointment of the new
Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, which aims
…

LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague today acquitted Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, who had been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The National Integration Front (FNI) armed group under Ngudjolo Chui’s command has been accused of rape, sexual slavery and other serious crimes under international law during a February 2003 attack against the village of Bogoro in the eastern DRC’s Ituri region.

“This ruling undoubtedly will disappoint many victims, but it should only strengthen demands for justice in the DRC where impunity is pervasive and thousands of suspects have never been investigated or prosecuted by the ICC or national courts,” said Tawanda Hondora, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Law and Policy Programme.

“With the completion of Ngudjolo Chui’s trial, attention should turn to the horrific abuses that are still being committed with almost complete impunity in eastern DRC today, including killings, rape and sexual violence in North Kivu province.

“Since the ICC Prosecutor failed to meet the burden of proof, Ngudjolo continues to be presumed innocent of the charges in this case – having been acquitted of the charges against him, we believe he should be released immediately.”

The prosecution has indicated it will appeal today’s ruling.

Amnesty International will analyze the full ICC decision in detail. An initial review of the summary indicates that the ICC Trial Chamber followed due process in determining that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Ngudjolo Chui was responsible as a co-perpetrator for the Bogoro attacks.

ROME, Italy, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Lands declared “free of mines” in the Senegalese region of Casamance were restored to the local communities thanks to a project coordinated by UNDP to which Italy made a contribution of €300,000. Funds were used for expert surveys and demining training.

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — An agreement signed today (18/12) between the Vice-President of Libya’s General National Council (GNC) Ghiuma Ataigha and IPU Secretary-General Anders B. Johnsson in Tripoli marks a significant step in Libya’s efforts to establish a parliamentary democracy.

The GNC, which was elected this summer and has appointed an interim government, has a year to organize elections based on a new constitution yet to be drafted. These elections will lead to the formation of a new parliament in a post-revolution Libya.

The agreement between the GNC and IPU follows a request from Libya to help ensure a smooth transition to democracy. IPU will initially focus on a priority programme of support that includes reviewing the rules and procedures in the way the 200-member GNC works and sharing worldwide parliamentary experiences by providing advice on the process of drafting a new constitution. It will also provide training and other support to the GNC secretariat in effectively carrying out its function, and to women members of the GNC in a bid to empower women’s political participation and help lay the foundations for a parliamentary institute that is gender attuned.

The Arab region currently has the lowest regional average of women in parliament in the world at 13.2 per cent. In Libya, 16.5 per cent of women were elected to the GNC. IPU research has shown that democratic transition provides a unique opportunity to address inequalities from the past.

“Libya has set out a clear path to putting in place a fully democratic system in the country in the next year. IPU is committed to providing whatever support is required of us to helping Libya achieve its democratic goals as smoothly and as quickly as possible,” says Anders B. Johnsson.

The agreement revitalizes IPU’s links with Libya, which first joined the organization in 1958.

A three member team of IPU experts will begin work at the beginning of January 2013. In addition, it will also carry out a comprehensive assessment on what is needed to rebuild an effective legislative body in the North African country that also fulfils its role of overseeing executive government and holding it to account. The assessment will lead to a strategic plan of action on achieving this.

IPU’s support to Libya follows similar efforts begun this year to support the establishment of parliamentary democracy and help in democratic transform in Myanmar and Tunisia and Egypt.

NEW DEHLI and PLANO, TX December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Rovia (http://rovia.com) is proud to announce it was awarded World’s Leading Travel Booking Website at the 2012 World Travel Awards held in Gurgaon, New Delhi, on December 12, and was selected over other leading booking engines such as Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. World Travel Awards is one of the most prestigious awards programs in the global travel and tourism industry, hailed by The Wall Street Journal as “the Oscar’s of the travel industry”.

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

Rovia is the largest provider of curated group travel experiences in the world, annually producing and managing hundreds of unique pre-packaged experiences for groups numbering from a few dozen to a few thousand. Rovia’s advanced travel technology offers unmatched features and benefits. The company’s booking engine delivers unparalleled convenience and cost reliability, including an assurance of best prices.

The annual World Travel Awards program is highly comprehensive, honoring several industry segments, such as Airlines and Airports, Hotels and Resorts, Honeymoon Destinations, and Car Hire. In 2011, 791,358 individual votes were cast by travel professionals and consumers in 171 countries.

“Winning World’s Leading Travel Booking Website in the 2012 World Travel Awards reaffirms Rovia’s position as a prominent online travel company,” Rovia President Mike Putman said. “Rovia is a travel industry innovator and this award is testament to the fact that our customers can book their travel with security and confidence as we continue to set the ultimate standard for their online travel experience. We are honored by the mutual public and worldwide travel community’s expression of confidence as an industry leader.”

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Rovia.

About Rovia:

Rovia is a leading online travel company with offices in South Carolina and Texas. Established by the convergence of two well-respected travel companies with more than 50 years of experience in the travel industry, Rovia is the largest provider of curated group travel experiences in the world. The company annually produces and manages hundreds of unique pre-packaged experiences for groups numbering from a few dozen to a few thousand.

For inquiries, contact:

Hadas Sasson-Zitomer

Email: press@rovia.com

MORONI, Comoros, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed its fourth review of the Union of the Comoros’ economic performance under the program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). Completion of the fourth review allows the disbursement of an amount equivalent to SDR 1.5575 million (about US$2.30 million), bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 10.46 million (about US$15.44 million).

The Executive Board also agreed that the Union of the Comoros has taken the steps necessary to reach its completion point under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.

This decision on the HIPC completion point is contingent upon the Executive Board of the World Bank concluding that the Union of the Comoros has reached the completion point under the enhanced HIPC Initiative, after which a joint press release will be issued.

The three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement was approved in September 2009, for the equivalent of SDR 13.57 million (152.5 percent of quota).

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Naoyuki Shinohara, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

“Performance under the ECF-supported program has improved commendably. Economic activity and the fiscal position are strengthening, and the Union of the Comoros has met the conditions for reaching the HIPC Initiative completion point.

“The recent gains in macroeconomic sustainability will have to be consolidated. This requires further strengthening revenue collection and keeping spending compatible with fiscal sustainability. Critical to that end will be the establishment of the new General Administration of Taxes and implementation of new ministry personnel frameworks, as well as close adherence to the automated wages management system. The efforts to promote good governance will also have to be stepped-up, including rigorous implementation of the new COMESA-based public procurement code.

“Prudent borrowing policies remain indispensable. While debt sustainability will improve following the HIPC Initiative completion point, the Union of the Comoros remains at high risk of debt distress owing notably to a narrow export base. This underscores the need for fiscal discipline and reliance on grants and highly concessional loans in meeting the country’s financing needs.

“The authorities are to be commended for rekindling the structural reform agenda to invigorate growth and accelerate poverty reduction. The focus will be on enlisting reputable strategic partners in the management of the state-owned telecommunication (Comores Telecom) and electricity (MA-MWE) companies; and on ensuring a more efficient operation of the oil-importing parastatal (SCH). The authorities will also step up removal of excessive administrative requirements to starting a company and of unreliable contract-enforcement mechanisms for the private sector. In the financial sector, the banking supervision agenda and recommendations from the 2010 safeguards assessment will continue to be rigorously implemented, and the establishment of a new credit bureau expedited.

“The Union of the Comoros’ growth and poverty reduction prospects are broadly favorable in the post-HIPC/MDRI era. Rigorous policy implementation and steady donor support will be key to securing tangible gains in living standards for the population.”

VICTORIA, Mahé, December 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed today the sixth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for the Seychelles. The completion of the review enables a disbursement of SDR 1.32 million (about US$ 2.0 million), which will bring total disbursements under the arrangement to SDR 19.8 million (about US$ 30.5 million). The Executive Board also approved an extension of the arrangement by one year to support the country’s economic reform program and an augmentation of access by 60.6 percent of quota.

The Extended Fund Facility became effective on December 23, 2009, in the amount of SDR 19.8 million (see Press Release No. 09/472).

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, made the following statement:

“Economic growth in 2012 has held up, with tourism from new markets offsetting weakness in traditional European arrivals. An uptick in inflation in the first half of the year emanating from higher energy prices and exchange rate depreciation has been successfully curbed by tight monetary policy. The outlook is benign, but remains vulnerable to the uncertain global environment.

“The outlook is supported by sustained strong policy performance. Introduction of the value added tax, now planned for January 1, 2013, marks an important milestone in the ongoing modernization of Seychelles’ tax system, while the move to automatic price adjustment mechanisms for fuel and utilities will help strengthen the financial position of parastatals.

“Current economic policies are appropriate and consistent with falling public debt over the medium term. Tighter fiscal policy should also preempt potential balance of payments pressures and provide scope to loosen monetary policy as inflation declines. Given the difficult global environment and rising debt service, the authorities should aim to build buffers by increasing international reserve holdings, and they should take a cautious approach to contracting new loans.

“The structural reform program aptly aims to improve financial discipline in public enterprises through better oversight. Moreover, recent ad hoc price adjustments and the introduction of an automatic price adjustment mechanism for fuel are welcome first steps toward cost recovery pricing, which will be further strengthened by the planned utility tariff reform.”