Category: APO-OPA

BUJUMBURA, Burundi, December 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Oral Williams, visited Bujumbura from December 3–14, 2012 to conduct the second review of the government’s economic and financial program supported by the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The mission met with the President of the Senate, Gabriel Ntsizerana, the Minister of Finance, Tabu Manirakiza; the Governor of the Central Bank, Jean Ciza, and other high level government officials. The mission had constructive discussions with members of the donor community, the private sector, and civil society.

At the end of the mission, Mr. Williams, IMF Mission Chief for Burundi issued the following statement:

“Performance under the ECF-supported program has been broadly satisfactory, despite very difficult circumstances. All quantitative performance criteria for September 2012 were observed, and structural reforms are on track. Notably, some progress has been made toward controlling discretionary exemptions, the reorganization of the Ministry of Finance, and the adoption of a decree on budget governance.

“The economy was negatively affected by the food and fuel shocks and lower-than-expected aid inflows, resulting in a downward revision in economic growth to about 4 percent in 2012. Tighter liquidity conditions and the temporary removal of taxes on food products contributed to a sharp deceleration in headline inflation (year-on-year), which declined from a peak of about 25 percent in March to 11.7 percent at end-November. Looking ahead to 2013, the economy will be subject to continued risks associated with an uncertain external environment and the unpredictability of donor inflows. Economic growth is expected to rise to 4.5 percent and inflation to decline further to about 9 percent owing to lower international food and fuel prices.

“The mission reached understandings ad referendum with the authorities on key policy issues. Discussions focused mainly on the 2013 budget and the policy mix required to bring inflation down to single digits. The mission emphasized the need to exercise greater control over spending commitments in line with available financing to avoid the accumulation of arrears. The mission also encouraged ongoing efforts in revenue mobilization to cover a greater share of current spending in the face of uncertainty in aid inflows and to reduce financing pressures on the domestic market. The implementation of the public financial management strategy is key to consolidating reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability. Acknowledging the need for more spending in the priority sectors, the program incorporates a contingency plan to increase spending if additional concessional financing becomes available in the wake of the recent donors conference.

“The mission confirmed that the IMF will continue to work with Burundi to address these challenges with the aim of allowing the IMF’s Executive Board to consider the second review of the ECF in February 2012. The IMF team wishes to thank the authorities for their warm hospitality and for the constructive and open dialogue on policy issues.”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, African Union Commission’s Chairperson, received on the 9th December, 2012, the international Renaissance woman of the Year Award 2012, during the annual celebratory event organized in Florence, Italy, by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation.

The Renaissance Awards, established in 2011 by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, aimed at highlighting the ideals of openness, mutual understanding, philanthropy and progress and call upon all people to rediscover the humanistic values of today’s societies.

The choice of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma by the member of the committee formed by prominent University professors constitutes a particular recognition of the impact she made in social and human causes and global understanding as a civil servant over the course of her life.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma, the first woman elected to chair the African Union Commission, was a politician serving as a Foreign Minister, Interior Minister and Health Minister among others. She was, for decades, an activist in the Nelson Mandel’s underground movement, in her hometown South Africa.

“Dr Dlamini Zuma’s action in fighting poverty and diseases; promoting human rights and gender equality deserves this particular honor”, said the AUC Deputy Chairperson, Erastus Mwencha. Furthermore, he added: This international award recognises and honors an exceptional African woman and the role she continues to play for the benefit of all African citizens as Chairperson of the African Union Commission.”

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Communities in northern Mali have been struggling since the majority of farming and stockbreeding services have withdrawn from the area. The Mali Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have responded by distributing food to over 400,000 people and supporting a large-scale livestock vaccination campaign.

Poor security conditions in the north have driven many herders south or to neighbouring countries. Some have lost animals on the way, through disease and difficulties in reaching water and grazing land. Arable and livestock farming, the lifeblood of the household economy, are suffering the combined impact of conflict and repeated food crises.

“Armed conflict, unpredictable weather conditions and economic instability have exacerbated an already difficult situation,” said Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of the ICRC regional delegation for Mali and Niger. “So we must keep supporting communities to help them cope with the crisis and sustain their livelihoods.”

Vaccinating livestock

Keeping livestock healthy is extremely important for people living in northern Mali, who rely heavily on their herds for income and food. ICRC veterinary programmes are helping to meet the essential needs of these communities.

The Mali Red Cross and the ICRC are continuing to support a large-scale campaign, launched by the Malian Ministry of Stockbreeding, to vaccinate and treat livestock for free. The ICRC hopes that 1,500,000 heads of livestock will benefit from the programme – including cows, sheep, goats and camels – in the regions of Timbuktu, Kidal, Gao and Mopti. The animals are treated for parasites and vaccinated against diseases such as sheep and goat plague, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, camel pasteurellosis and sheep pox.

By the end of November, the ICRC had purchased 15,000 cows, sheep and goats from herders across the Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu regions, even in the remotest rural areas. Through this destocking initiative, herders sold off their weakest animals, which were slaughtered and the meat given to the poorest families.

Continuing large-scale food distributions

With the departure of most civil servants and people involved in the informal sector, economic activity is sluggish in towns and cities in the north. Much of the population is reliant on humanitarian aid.

“Essential goods are expensive, considering people’s purchasing power,” explained Jean-Nicolas Marti. “They simply can’t afford to meet their basic needs without outside help.”

The Mali Red Cross and the ICRC are therefore continuing to distribute food, an operation that began in July, to 420,000 displaced people and residents in need.

Supporting farming activities

The conflict has prevented most families in the region from farming their land. The Mali Red Cross and the ICRC are helping farmers to diversify their food crops and develop other sources of income. A farming-support programme has therefore been rolled out in urban and especially rural areas of Mopti, Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. More than 1,000 families are benefiting from the programme, which focuses on repairing irrigation systems, providing technical support and distributing seed and tools.

Helping people on their return home

When the conflict intensified in March 2012, many families fled to neighbouring countries. After spending five months in the Djibo and Deou refugee camps in Burkina Faso, and the M’berra refugee camp in Mauritania, some chose to return to their villages.

The Mali Red Cross and the ICRC provide these people with assistance. Upon their arrival, more than 12,000 returnees have received tarpaulins, insecticide-treated mosquito nets, sleeping mats, blankets, cooking utensils, hygiene kits, buckets and clothing.

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 17, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the follow…

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire via African Press Organization (APO)/ — Sigue Corporation (“Sigue”) announced today a new logo “Sigue Money Transfer,” which will replace Coinstar Money Transfer, operating as Sigue’s international brand focused on non-Latin American transactions.

“We are excited and enthusiastic to announce Sigue Money Transfer as our new global brand servicing our non-Latin American customers. This marks a new chapter in our evolution as a global company. We are focused and determined in strengthening Sigue into a worldwide name,” said Guillermo de la Viña, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sigue Corporation. The new logo is stronger and cleaner symbolizing longevity and trust to our current and new customers.

“With this newly released logo, agents and customers will continue to enjoy excellent service with the added benefit of an expanded and established global network in 145 countries, on 6 continents, and thousands of locations worldwide,” continued Mr. de la Vina. “Our promise is, to continue to work with banking and strategic partners all over the world, so that together, we will continue to provide excellent customer service with care and respect.”

In the coming weeks the company is launching an exciting campaign to transition to our new logo and bringing awareness to our customers and partners across the globe, added the CEO.

About Sigue Corporation

Headquartered in Sylmar, California, Sigue is a leading global money transfer company with highly recognized and trusted brands and a reputation for providing excellent and personalized services in approximately 145 countries, on 6 continents, through an extensive and established global network. For additional information about Sigue, visit www.sigue.com.

Contact: Carmen Estrada

+1-818-493-4531

TOKYO, Japan, December 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Government of Japan recently decided to dispatch one member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (Lieutenant Colonel Takeshi Nakano, senior research officer of the Japan Peacekeeping…

VIENNA, Austria, December 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Governing Board of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) (http://www.ofid.org), meeting in its 141st Session, has approved seven loans and three grants totaling over US$100 million to boost socio-economic development in 13 African countries. The loans are as follows:

Country Project US$m

DR Congo Kinshasa Roads Network Rehabilitation. To pave around 13 km of roads in Kinshasa city and install drainage works, thus affording the population with a safer, less expensive and more efficient means of travel.

8.0

Djibouti Support to the Economic Development Fund of Djibouti. To help entrepreneurs start and/or expand their own businesses through the issuance and management of around 500 loans to SMEs and young graduates. Also planned is the provision of institutional support to the Development Fund.

3.0

Egypt On-Farm Irrigation Development. To modernize irrigation infrastructure in four governorates to improve water efficiency, increase yields and boost incomes of smallholder farmers. This will, in turn, help reduce poverty levels and increase food security for about 70,000 people.

35.0

Kenya Kenya Electricity Expansion. To provide the population with access to modern, clean and affordable energy services through the expansion and upgrading of energy-related infrastructure. This will result in around 300,000 new connections for households, small businesses and public institutions.

15.0

Madagascar Road Infrastructure Rehabilitation. To improve 105 km of roads in the Atsimo-Andrefana region, an area with high poverty levels. The rehabilitated roads will facilitate access to social services and marketplaces, thereby contributing to rural poverty reduction by improving the agricultural potential of the region, as well as helping boost the tourism sector.

18.0

Madagascar National Institute for Accounting and Management Construction. To build a seven-story facility that will expand the capacity of the current institute by 400 enrolments. This will help strengthen the country’s higher education sector, and in turn contribute to the overall economic development of the country.

3.5

Sierra Leone Fourah Bay College Development. To enhance the quality of higher education by expanding and rehabilitating existing facilities, thus increasing admission levels and providing more opportunities for students to secure good jobs.

13.0

Tanzania Orkesumet Water Supply. To provide potable water supplies to around 43,000 people living in Orkesumet City and neighboring villages through the construction of water-related infrastructure.

8.0

Total 103.5

Logo: http://www.apo-mail.org/ofid.jpg

Three grants totaling over US$1.4 million were also approved at the meeting in support of the following project/programs:

• African Rescue Committee. US$300,000. Integrated Livelihood and WASH Support for Drought Affected Communities in Somalia. To improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and improve productive infrastructure for drought affected households, representing around 35,000 individuals.

• Austrian Development Agency. US$506,000. Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative – Phase II. To promote the application of solar technologies in Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe through the provision of training and capacity building; awareness campaigns; and, installation of solar demonstration systems in targeted areas.

• World Health Organization. US$600,000. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Interventions for Cholera

Prevention and Control in Chad and Cameroon. To support a project that aims at preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases for around 140,000 people.

Since its inception, OFID has committed over US$14.5 billion in much-needed concessional development financing to 132 developing countries around the world, with priority given to the poorest amongst them. Of these, 53 are in Africa.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

TOKYO, Japan, December 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Japan condemns the arrest of interim Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra by the military in Mali on December 11th (December 10th local time).
Japan calls on all the parties concerne…

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — INVITATION TO THE MEDIA

When: 17th December 2012 Time: 8:30 -11:00 am

Where: African Union Headquarter, New Conference Complex: Small

Conference Room 1, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Why: 1. Grant contract signing for African Union 2012 Open Call for

Research Proposals and,

2. African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards: Regional Awards for Women Scientists

Who: Organized by the Department of Human Resources, Science

&Technology of African Union Commission (AUC)

Background:

1. African Union Research Grant: 2012 Open Call for Research Proposals

The bid to support Research Initiatives in Africa got a historical boost through the Partnership 8 on Science, Information Society and Space of the EU-Africa Joint Strategy that identified the African Union Research Grants Programme as an early deliverable in the 2008 negotiations. This flagship programme is designed to mobilize African scientific excellence and to promote both intra-Africa and international collaboration in scientific research in priority areas articulated in the Africa’s Consolidated Plan of Action for Science and Technology.

The programme innovatively brings together African researchers to form supranational networks and scientific research consortia. The programme has a total budget of 14.7 million Euro, through the Financing Agreement of the 10th EDF Intra-ACP Envelop. The African Union Commission through its Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology is the Delegated Regional Contracting Authority for the African Component of the Programme.

The first and second Calls were launched on the 16th December 2010 and 18th January 2012 respectively to support research in Post-harvest & Agriculture; Renewable & Sustainable Energy and Water & Sanitation, with the inclusion of climate change and fisheries in the second call.

2. AU Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards: Regional Awards for Women

In January 2007, the African Union Heads of State and Government declared 2007 as the launching year for building constituencies and champions for science, technology and innovation in Africa”. In response to this political momentum and commitment, the African Union Commission launched the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards Programme that runs with a core budget of USD1.1 million with main goal to popularize science and technology among African citizens.

The Awards Programme consists of awarding scientific prizes to outstanding African scientists in Earth and life Sciences and Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, and in the process acknowledging the success and scientific research leadership of our scientists. The programme is implemented through a tripartite partnership with a view to coordinate and to boost science and technology at national, regional and continental levels.

Journalists are invited to cover the ceremony on the 17th of December from 8:30 -11:00 am at the AU Commission.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, December 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has today condemned the arrest of an editor of privately-owned newspaper in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Mohamud Abdi Jama, aka Huuto, who is the editor-in-chief of Waaheen newspaper, was arrested on Thursday afternoon, 13 December, at the Central Investigations Department (CID) after he was summoned.

The editor was arrested after officials of Somaliland presidency reportedly brought an arrest warrant from Hargeisa Regional Court to CID headquarters. Jama was arrested after CID commander Mohamed Muse Abraar told him that he is under arrest.

CID said Jama was accused of reporting unsubstantiated allegation made at a press conference held by human rights defenders on human rights violations in Somaliland. The CID further stated that Waaheen newspaper particularly cited in its human rights report that son in-law of Somaliland president is collecting hundreds of thousands of US dollars from Somaliland Television, a TV network controlled and managed by Somaliland government.

Officers at the CID informed Jama that he has to provide evidence of allegations against the son in-law of Somaliland president. NUSOJ was however informed that theses allegations were made by chair of Somaliland Human Rights Network Suleyman Huquq.

Mohamud Abdi Jama is expected to appear tomorrow, Saturday, at Hargeisa regional Court to face charges of publishing unsubstantiated allegations.

NUSOJ fears that the problems to publishing and distributing newspapers, arrests of journalists and defamatory legal actions against editors are just calculated campaign to silence the print media in Somaliland.

“We are concerned about arrest of Mohamud Abdi Jama and call on the authorities to release him immediately and put an end to the harassment of journalists” said Abdirisak Omar Ismail, NUSOJ Supreme Council President who is currently visiting Hargeisa.