FCO Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds said:

“I have been concerned by the growing political divisions in South Sudan over the past months, culminating in the decision of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to dismiss his Vice President and all Ministers from the Government of South Sudan on 23 July.

“At a time when South Sudan faces many challenges internally and in its relations with Sudan, it needs strong united leadership, committed to responding to the needs of its people, and resolving its internal conflicts and disputes with Sudan.

“I therefore encourage President Kiir to act quickly to appoint a new government, in accordance with the Interim Constitution, that reflects the diverse groups in South Sudanese society.

“I strongly urge all groups and individuals to respond in a measured and peaceful manner, and to work together to maintain security and the rule of law. We will look to them to engage constructively in the democratic process, for the benefit of South Sudan's peaceful development.”

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The summit, which focused on infrastructure and the emergence of an African middle class, was attended by global leaders from the private, public and philanthropic sectors including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former prime minister of Belgium Guy Verhofstadt, former US Ambassador and Atlanta mayor Andrew Young, President of the leading opposition party in France, the UMP's Jean-Francois Copé, as well as African business leaders Tony Elumelu, Patrice Motsepe and Louis Ebata.

The tone was set by President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, who highlighted the need for African countries to create more policies to support what he called 'a powerful emergence of Africa's middle class' who would create a better future for Africa. Macky Sall, President of Senegal, expanded on the four critical pillars that would drive this 'better future', citing education and training of human capital, modernised and mechanized agriculture, affordable energy and an adequate network of infrastructure as key drivers.

Advocating for increased private-sector participation in driving the development agenda, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana warned against an overreliance on government when he said, "Government cannot leverage the sort of finance that is needed to create enough power in Africa."

In his speech, President Campaoré of Burkina Faso acknowledged business leader and philanthropist Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of pan-African proprietary investment company Heirs Holdings (http://www.heirsholdings.com), for his efforts to drive Africa's development by investing across the continent.

During the panel session on “Supporting growth through investment”, which featured the two most high-profile private-sector leaders in attendance, Elumelu and South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, Chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, Elumelu commended the five African leaders for their strong belief in the power of the private sector as a catalyst and driver of development - the essence of his Africapitalist philosophy which other leaders, including President Obama, appear to have embraced.

Elumelu outlined the terms under which the private sector's involvement would yield the greatest impact, highlighting long-term investments and infrastructure development as key focus areas."Short-term investments in Africa simply don't make an impact. It took close to two decades to get United Bank for Africa to where it is today - employing 25,000 people in 19 African countries. African leaders need to ensure the right physical and policy infrastructure is in place to support the growth of more successful pan-African businesses." said Elumelu.

Capital such as the USD40 trillion dollars ex-US Ambassador Andrew Young called 'scared money', currently sitting in tax havens around the world and which could be put to better use in developing Africa.

Kofi Annan described Africa as a continent going through “momentous times", highlighting ‘energy' and ‘infrastructure' as the two biggest impediments to development. He listed the three pillars of peace and security, economic development, and the rule of law and respect for human rights, as the solution for Africa's economic success.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of Heirs Holdings.

For more information:

Moky Makura

Heirs Holdings

Email: moky.makura@heirsholdings.com

Telephone: +234-1-277-4641

About Heirs Holdings

Heirs Holdings is a pan-African proprietary investment company driving Africa's development. We are active long-term investors who specialise in building businesses and corporate turnaround. We aim to transform the companies in which we invest and grow them into businesses that last. We invest in Africa to create value for our shareholders and partners, and to create economic prosperity and social wealth for the continent. Our investments in power, financial services, oil and gas, real estate and hospitality, agri-business and healthcare are helping to build economies, create jobs, drive prosperity and ultimately transform the lives of ordinary Africans in Africa.

www.heirsholdings.com

The Integrated Mother and Child Health Programme (Programme Intégré de santé Maternelle et Infantile - PIMI), to which the EU is contributing EUR 5.5 million, will make medicines available at rural health centres during a first, 36-month phase. It will also facilitate the daily work of healthcare staff by improving their training and supplying equipment. Since 52% of the population live more than 5 km from a healthcare centre, the programme includes basic healthcare training for members of the most remote village communities so that they can respond to immediate needs, particularly in the case of women and children. Consultation with health professionals and essential medical supplies will also be provided free of charge.

The programme will receive a supplement of a further EUR 2.5 million, provided under a second phase, by the end of the year. The objective of the programme is to enable 80% of the population of these regions, including a large majority of women and children, to see a health officer at least three times a year.

M. Andris Piebalgs, Development Commissioner, said: "Too often, pregnancy and childbirth put the women of Guinea-Bissau at risk, and too many of the country's children suffer the effects of malnutrition and inadequate healthcare. We are committed to achieving the Millennium Development Objectives (MDO), and this new programme is a material manifestation of our commitment to these objectives in Guinea-Bissau. Through better protection for women and children, and better access to health care, the European Union aims to promote real change for current and future generations."

In the regional hospitals of Canchungo and Mansoa, and in some health centres, the delivery rooms and operating theatres where Caesareans are performed will be upgraded and equipped. It is also planned to introduce a payment exemption scheme for certain medical interventions and to set up an ambulance service to supply healthcare to those living more than five kilometres (one hour's walk) from a health centre.

Blood transfusion services will be stepped up and regular blood donations encouraged. Autopsies will be performed in cases of maternal or neonatal deaths to improve risk prevention.

Background

Guinea-Bissau is a vulnerable country. After the armed conflict of 1998/1999, it went through a difficult period, regularly interrupted by coups d'état, which hampered attempted reforms and development. On 12 April 2012 there was another military coup which prevented the second round of the presidential elections being held and plunged the country into instability. The new European support has been designed to take account of the country's fragile state and the need to adapt to the humanitarian emergencies which may occur.

In the context of the ongoing procedure under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement (which lays down the consultation procedure and the appropriate measures for issues concerning human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law), institutional cooperation with the Government of Guinea-Bissau has currently been suspended, but direct support to the population and civil society continues. This new programme for improving access to health care will therefore be implemented by UNICEF and non-governmental organisations.

The country's health situation is characterised by persistently high mortality rates, particularly amongst mothers and children. Only 44% of deliveries are performed on appropriate premises and only 31% of children aged under five and living in rural areas receive antibiotics in cases of suspected pneumonia. 20% of rural households are affected by food insecurity. The prices of consultations, medicine and transport are discouragingly high and are often an insurmountable economic barrier to access to basic health care.

For more information:

Website of EuropeAid Development and Cooperation Directorate-General:

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm

Website of the European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm

"Clashes have occasionally been flaring up in tense parts of the country, sometimes resulting in the displacement of thousands of people who seek safety in neighbouring areas," said Katharina Ritz, head of the ICRC delegation in Libya. Whenever this happens, the ICRC and the Libyan Red Crescent provide urgent relief.

In May, clashes in Tiji and Al-Hawamid, in the west of the country, resulted in the displacement of at least 1,800 people. The ICRC and the Libyan Red Crescent provided hygiene items, mattresses, diapers, kitchen sets, buckets and blankets for 900 people taken in by host families. Together with LibAid, a national aid organization, they also provided food for displaced people in both towns.

Sporadic clashes in the Nafusa mountains, in the western part of the country, resulted in the displacement of thousands of people in April. In Mizda, 160 kilometres south of Tripoli, several thousand people fled to nearby towns. In coordination with the Libyan Red Crescent, the ICRC provided food and other essential items for 9,000 people in Shuqayqah, Nismah and Qaryat, three towns where people took refuge.

More than 10,000 detainees visited

"We stand ready to work together with the new authorities to improve detainee welfare, water management and the training of army and police personnel," said Ms Ritz.

Over the past six months, more than 10,000 detainees in 33 places of detention have been visited by ICRC delegates. "The aim is to ensure that detainees, whatever the reason for which they are being held, are treated with dignity and humanity, in accordance with international standards," said Maria Elena Ciccolini, an ICRC delegate working in Libya. "Some of the detainees were given clothing and hygiene items, and in one place the sewage system was upgraded."

At Al-Mahdiyyah Retention Centre for Migrants, in the south of the country, the ICRC and the Libyan Red Crescent jointly helped improve hygiene conditions at a time of year when heat can have adverse effects on public health. Between 16 and 18 May, bottled water, hygiene items, mattresses, tarpaulins and sleeping mats were distributed to nearly 850 people in the centre. Similar visits were made to eight other centres accommodating approximately 3,000 migrants.

Helping families of Guantanamo detainees

Since April, the ICRC has organized teleconference calls on four different occasions for three detainees, from Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata, held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Their families were able to see and talk to them face to face. "My 17-year-old daughter had never seen her uncle before," said Abd-al-Salam, who drove with his family from Al-Bayda, around 200 kilometres east of Benghazi, to speak to his detained brother. "She was born after he had left Al-Bayda. This is the first time she was actually able to speak to him."

Identifying bodies

In May, the ICRC was asked by families in Beni Walid and by the Ministry of Justice to serve as an observer as the unidentified remains of 22 people thought to be from the city were re-examined. The ICRC's role was to witness the fact that the autopsies, by a five-member committee appointed by the justice minister, were performed in accordance with national and international standards. The ICRC submitted a report to the authorities and kept the families informed about procedures and results.

Providing food during Ramadan

The ICRC is cooperating with the Libyan Red Crescent and the Ministry of Religious Affairs to make sure that the basic food needs of at least 36,000 people in four major cities are met during the fasting month of Ramadan. Various food items have been distributed in Sabha and Misrata since 13 July, in Tripoli since 14 July, and in Benghazi since 18 July.

"The idea is to give poor people the opportunity to eat something after their 16-hour-long daily fast," explained Asma Khaliq Awan, the ICRC delegate managing the distribution. "This Ramadan, the aim is to provide food for more people through reinforced cooperation between the Libyan Red Crescent and the ICRC."

Clean drinking water is restored for people in Tamina

The ICRC has made safe water more readily available for over 21,000 people by providing support for local water boards in the west, east and south of the country. In Tamina, near Misrata, it has upgraded the water supply system. "It's important for people to have access to basic necessities such as clean water," said Yannis Khemiri, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Misrata. Tamina's water supply was destroyed during the conflict in 2011. The ICRC has also supplied water in Al-Kufra, Al-Hamiyah and Al-Abyar, Benghazi, and treated sewage and wastewater in a plant in Al-Suwaydiyah serving 3,000 people.

The African Union Commission, Canada, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States has followed with apprehension the situation in South Sudan. Yesterday, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit issued decrees to relieve his Government, including Vice President Riek Machar, members of cabinet, and deputy ministers. President Kiir has also suspended Pa'gan Amum, the Secretary General of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

The joint parties in this Statement call on all parties to take all measures necessary to maintain calm and prevent violence. They also call on the leaders of South Sudan to expedite the formation of a new cabinet. We encourage South Sudan to do so in a manner that reflects the diversity of the South Sudanese people, and in conformity with its Transitional Constitution and the democratic ideals the new country has espoused.

During this time of grave challenges it is critical that South Sudan stay true to the vision it laid out for itself two years ago at its independence. That vision can only be realized through sustained commitment to democracy and good governance, justice and accountability, and respect for rule of law and the human rights of all of South Sudan's people.

Photo Côte d'Ivoire: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=595 (The African Development Bank Group's Emerging From Conflict/Multisector Support Project in Côte d'Ivoire. Winner of the US Treasury Development Impact Honors 2013)

Photo Uganda: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/index.php?level=picture&id=596 (The African Development Bank Group's Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Programme in Uganda. Winner of the US Treasury Development Impact Honors 2013)

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Photo Donald Kaberuka: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/donald-kaberuka-afdb-president.jpg

This year's selected projects included the AfDB's Emerging from Conflict/Multisector Support Project in Côte d'Ivoire, which focuses on restoring social services and reducing gender-based violence in post-conflict Côte d'Ivoire, and the Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Programme in rural Uganda.

The US Treasury Department's Development Impact Honors awards promote the highest standards in development by recognizing outstanding projects undertaken by multilateral development banks. The program seeks to reward excellence in project design and implementation and to showcase the vital work MDBs carry out in communities, countries and regions to support the world's poorest people. The two AfDB projects were selected from dozens of MDB projects nominated for the award.

African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka was on hand to accept the awards personally from Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew.

In 2012, the AfDB's Mali-Senegal Road Project received Development Impact Honors, alongside initiatives financed by the Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank Group-Global Environment Facility.

About the projects:

Emerging from Conflict/Multisector Support Project, Côte d'Ivoire

Following the political crisis and civil unrest in the early 2000s in Côte d'Ivoire, this project was designed to promote economic recovery, help restore public social services and, in particular, address the problem of gender-based violence (GBV). An integrated system offered survivors health and psychological treatment and judicial assistance, assisted their social and economic reintegration into the community, and ran an awareness-raising campaign on GBV. As a result of the project, hospitals and health centres were equipped, health workers and other community leaders were trained, awareness of GBV was raised for over 1.5 million people, and GBV survivors and other women were trained in a range of job skills and access to microfinance was provided to them.

Community Agricultural Infrastructure Improvement Programme, Uganda

This project took a community-based approach to providing agricultural infrastructure and raising the incomes of farmers. Residents of local communities participated in taking inventory, setting priorities, and selecting labour-intensive projects to build or improve agricultural infrastructure and maintain it after completion. The project rehabilitated rural roads, constructed markets, and installed agro-processing equipment. As a result, farmgate prices of staples have increased, the costs and time involved in transportation to major towns have decreased, school enrollment has risen, and, as people have gained better access to health centres, health has improved.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

For media inquiries, please contact:

John Phillips, Lead Strategic Communication Adviser, African Development Bank Group

j.phillips@afdb.org, mobile: +216 98 313 695

For more information: http://bit.ly/1648asf

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 25, 2013

On behalf of President Obama and all Americans, I congratulate the people of Liberia as they celebrate 166 years of independence on July 26.

As Liberia also celebrates 10 historic years of peace, we look forward to continuing to help the Liberian people make greater strides in promoting economic development, addressing corruption, encouraging reconciliation, and improving the investment climate.

I commend the Government of Liberia for contributing to a secure and prosperous future through its participation in emerging peacekeeping activities in the region. The United States remains a steadfast partner of the people and Government of Liberia, and we look forward to advancing our common agenda for democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity.

I extend warm wishes to the people of Liberia as you gather with family and friends on your national day.

On 24 and 25 July, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt visited Cairo. Mr Burt had meetings with a range of ministers from the interim government, including Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy. Mr Burt also spoke to Nabil Elaraby, the Secretary General of the Arab League, and to a range of opposition figures, including representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood. Speaking at the end of his visit, Alistair Burt said:

“My visit to Egypt comes at a critical juncture in the country's political transition. I am very concerned at calls for further mass protests on 26 July. In my meetings with the interim government and the Muslim Brotherhood I have stressed the need for calm and restraint, and urged action by all sides to prevent violent demonstrations in the coming days. I remain concerned by the number of protestors that have died so far. Now is the time for dialogue and compromise, not confrontation. I stressed the State's responsibility to uphold the Egyptian people's right to peaceful protest and the people's responsibility not to resort to violence.

“The UK government will continue to support the Egyptian people's aspiration for a full and functioning democracy. I believe there is an urgent need for actions and gestures from both sides that will assist in taking the political process forward in a truly inclusive manner. All political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, must be involved in a dialogue about Egypt's future. I have called for the Egyptian authorities to either release the political leaders and others that have been arrested following the events on 3 July, or to charge them in accordance with Egyptian law. Any charges should be free of any suspicion that they are politically motivated. The political process must involve all political parties, on the basis of equality; ensure that human rights are respected; and ensure that civil society and a free media are allowed to flourish.”

Mohamed Brahmi, a member of the National Constituent Assembly, was shot dead in front of his house in a Tunis suburb on Thursday morning, in the presence of his daughter.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Mr. Brahmi's assassination. I call upon the authorities to immediately launch a prompt and transparent investigation to ensure that the people who carried out this crime are held accountable,” Pillay said. “This is the third killing of this nature in the past ten months. Mr. Lotfi Naghdh was killed in October 2012, and just six months ago, another prominent political figure, Chokri Belaid, was assassinated in similar circumstances to Mr Brahmi. The investigation into Mr. Belaid's assassination is still not concluded, and the circumstances surrounding it have not been clearly established.”

“The Tunisian authorities must take very serious measures to investigate these assassinations, identify the culprits and bring them to justice,” she said. “It is also crucial that they offer better protection to people who, like Mr. Brahmi, are clearly at risk. The Government must take strong measures to show it will enforce the rule of law, and do its utmost to deter these terrible acts which appear to be designed to inflame the situation and undermine the democratic transition in Tunisia.”

“The assassination of Mr. Brahmi, which coincides with the 56th anniversary of the Declaration of the Tunisian Republic, risks upsetting the vital constitution-making process that is in its final stages. I urge all actors in Tunisia -- government, opposition, the general public and civil society -- to stand firm and united in the face of political violence, and defend everyone's freedom to hold and express diverse political views.”

John Kerry

Secretary of State

United Nations

New York City

July 25, 2013

SECRETARY GENERAL BAN: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Secretary Kerry, welcome to the United Nations. I'd like to highly commend and appreciate the strong leadership of Secretary Kerry for global peace and security and development and human rights.

Today, we have a lot to cover, therefore I'll be very brief what we are going to discuss. First of all, of course, we will be discussing this appalling situation in Syria. The conflict is now continuing almost two and a half full years. More than 100,000 people have been killed. Millions of people have either been displaced or become refugees in neighboring countries. We have to bring this to an end. The military and the violent actions must be stopped by both the parties.

And it is thus imperative to have a peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible, as was initiated by Secretary Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. Our Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi and I will spare no efforts to convene this meeting as soon as possible.

At the same time, as you may know, the head of chemical weapons investigation team, Dr. Sellstrom, and my High Representative for Disarmament Angela Kane have just visited Syria, are meeting senior officials of the Syrian Government to discuss about the modalities of investigation. We will get a report since they are coming out of Syria now. We'll get the report soon.

On Middle East, I'd like to highly commend and appreciate Secretary Kerry's leadership and consistent and principled engagement to revive this peace process for a two-state solution. Hard negotiations still lie ahead, but only the parties can make a decision, hard decisions. I strongly urge the leaders of Palestine and Israel to seize this opportunity and respond positively and courageously so that the two-state solution can be realized as soon as possible.

With Secretary Kerry and members of the Security Council, today we will discuss about this horrendous suffering now in the east of Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region. It is imperative that we support the Framework Agreement for Peace, Security, and Cooperation in the D.R.C. and in the Great Lake region.

In that regard, I welcome the convening of this Security Council meeting on the situation in D.R.C., chaired by Secretary Kerry. And I also welcome the appointment of U.S. Government Special Envoy Senator Russ Feingold. I hope that you will very closely coordinate with my Special Envoy Mary Robinson, and my Special Representative Martin Kobler, who will work very closely with you and other parties.

Beyond this all regional conflicts, Secretary Kerry and U.S. Government, President Obama, have been helping the United Nations, the international community, to combat climate change and to define and establish sustainable development goals and a sustainable development agenda. These are keys to long-term prosperity of this world, and I count on continuing leadership and engagement and support of Secretary Kerry and President Obama and U.S. Government.

U.S. Government strong leadership is crucial in addressing all regional and global issues for humanity. Again, Mr. Secretary, welcome to the United Nations, and I look forward to have continuing partnership and strong supporting engagement of U.S. Government. Thank you very much. Welcome.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Secretary.

SECRETARY GENERAL BAN: Do you want to say --

SECRETARY KERRY: Sure. Do I need to – there we go. Well, Mr. Secretary General, thank you for a very generous, warm welcome here to the United Nations. It's a privilege for me to be here with you. I'm honored to have the privilege of chairing the Security Council debate today on the subject of the Great Lakes region. We are very grateful for your leadership, grateful for the United Nations.

I was just, a few days ago, in the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, where I saw firsthand the extraordinary work of the United Nations, the experience they have brought to the table in an effort to relieve enormous levels of suffering, suffering that is growing by the day, which requires all of us to work even harder to try to bring about peace negotiations.

There is no military solution to Syria. There is only a political solution, and that will require leadership in order to bring people to the table. Yesterday I had a conversation with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia. We remain committed to the effort to bring the parties to a Geneva 2 to implement Geneva 1, and we will try our hardest to make that happen as soon as is possible.

In the Great Lakes region, there is an opportunity for peace. This is an area that has been beleaguered by targeted, egregious violence, and the framework that has been put in place is an opportunity to be able to make a difference. Special Envoy, former Senator Russ Feingold will indeed cooperate extremely closely with Special Representative Mary Robinson and looks forward to going to work in order to implement the framework and bring about a sustainable solution to the absence of governance and to the problems of violence in that part of the world.

With respect to other areas, there are huge challenges, and we know. In South Sudan in Jonglei state, we need access, humanitarian access, and we will continue to press President Kiir and others in order to make that available.

And finally, the granddaddy of them all, I guess, the question of the possibility of peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Both leaders in the region, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas, have made a courageous decision to try to return to final status talks. And it's my hope that that will be able to happen as procedures are put in place by both countries in order to empower that.

So, Mr. Secretary General, it's a privilege to be here in this institution which dedicates itself day-to-day to ending violence, to enforcing people's prospects for peace, and to trying to live by a code of universal values that I think all of us are proud to be affiliated with. So thank you for your leadership, and thank you for welcoming me here today. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank-2.png

The new university would be a groundbreaking step in strengthening higher education and building human capital in Africa. Africa has been slow to develop its science and technology sectors and commercialize its innovations. Currently the best African university ranks just 113th globally. Of the 400 top universities worldwide, only four are in Africa, all of which are in the Republic of South Africa. Also, while Africa accounts for 13.4 per cent of the world's people, it produces only 1.1 per cent of world scientific knowledge

The PAU will establish an academic network of already existing post-graduate and research institutions intended to serve all African countries. Consisting of five thematic institutes based in East, West, Central, North and Southern Africa the PAU will deliver programs in:

1. Basic sciences, technology and innovation (East Africa)

2. Earth and life sciences including health and agriculture (West Africa)

3. Governance, humanities and social sciences (Central Africa)

4. Water and energy sciences including climate change (North Africa)

5. Space sciences (Southern Africa)

“Thousands of students all over Africa will benefit from this project. This is truly an amazing regional effort to help African universities achieve world-class status. It will increase the pool of African scientists and researchers not only to serve the needs of the continent but to help youth become competitive in international labour markets,” said Agnes Soucat, Director of the Human Development Department, AfDB.

The project will contribute to the skills needed by African countries to add value to their natural resources and enhance competitiveness and youth employment contributing to the AfDB's overall objectives of inclusive and green growth. The PAU is also major step towards establishing the African Higher Education and Research Space by contributing to: (i) Efficient regional higher education governance system; (ii) Improved quality of higher education at the regional level creating strong links with the labour market; (iii) equitable access to quality higher education in science, technology and engineering fields; and (iv) increased number of institutions achieving world-class status.

This project will also help set up the governance structure of the PAU at central and country levels as well as academic and research capacity. The first three three PAU thematic institutes will be based in Kenya, Nigeria and Cameroon:

1. PAU Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (Kenya)

2. PAU Institute for Life and Earth Sciences (Nigeria)

3. PAU Institute for Governance, Humanities and Social Sciences (Cameroon).

This important operation is a response to a request from the African Union for technical assistance and financial resources for the design and operation of a network of hubs of excellence in higher education to help meet the need for education, training and research in five key areas of African development.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

For more information:

Michel Guedegbe, Task Manager: c.guedegbe@afdb.org

Background

Africa has only 35 scientists and engineers per million inhabitants, compared with 168 for Brazil, 2,457 for Europe and 4,103 for the United States. Shortage of skills has been a major constraint to Africa's progress in science, technology and innovation. Due to low investment in research and development, Africa ranks low in global competitiveness and productivity. African students tend to opt for economics, business, law and social sciences rather than science, engineering and technology, hampering the continent's competitiveness and growth. The result is a mismatch between skills produced and private sector jobs.

This project is in line with the Bank's newly approved Ten Year Strategy for 2013-2022 and responds to the Regional Integration and Skills and Technology Core Operational Priorities of the Bank's 2013-2022 Strategy. It also addresses the strategy's areas of special emphasis such as Gender and Food Security. It is also fully in line with the Bank's draft Human Capital Strategy and New Education Model in Africa (NEMA).

About the ADF:

Established in 1972, the African Development Fund (ADF) is the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group. ADF contributes to economic and social development in 40 low-income African countries by providing concessional loans and grants for projects and programs, as well as technical assistance for analytical work and capacity-building activities. ADF loans are interest-free; however, the loans carry a service charge of 0.75 per cent per annum on outstanding balances, and a commitment fee of 0.50 per cent per annum on undisbursed commitments. Project loans have a 50-year repayment period, including a 10-year grace period.

John Kerry

Secretary of State

United Nations

New York City

July 25, 2013

SECRETARY KERRY: The 7,011th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is: “The Situation in the Great Lakes Region: Supporting the Great Lakes Framework.” Without objection, the agenda is adopted and it's my pleasure to warmly welcome the distinguished Secretary General, the ministers, and the other distinguished representatives in the Security Council chamber. I think everybody's participation here is an affirmation of the importance of the subject matter that is under discussion.

Under Rule 37 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite the representatives of Belgium, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda to participate in this meeting. It is so decided.

Under Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the President of the World Bank, to participate in the meeting. It is so decided.

On behalf of the Council, I welcome Dr. Kim, who is joining today's meeting via teleconference from Washington. And under Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite Mrs. Mary Robinson, Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Great Lakes region. It is so decided.

Under Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, all of these rules which I'm obviously enormously familiar with – (laughter) – I invite His Excellency Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided.

And under Rule 39 of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure, I invite Mr. Pierre Vimont, Executive Secretary General of the European External Actions Service, to participate in this meeting. It is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. I want to draw the attention of the Council members to document S/2013/387, the report of the Secretary General on the implementation of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. I also wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2013/394, a letter dated 3 July 2013 from the chargé d'affaires at the interim of the United States Mission to the United Nations, addressed to the Secretary General. And before you is a statement by the President on behalf of the Council, and the subject of today's meeting.

I want to thank all the Council members for their very valuable contributions to this statement. And in accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2013/11. It is so decided.

Now it is my privilege – and I mean that, an enormous privilege – to make a statement in my capacity as the Secretary of State of the United States of America. I begin by saying how genuinely honored I am to be able to join you at the United Nations, presiding over the Security Council in our role for this period as the Secretary of State. And it's also a privilege to chair the Security Council on a subject, a challenge that is central to the mission of this vital organization – that is, realizing the promise of peace.

For far, far too long, far too many lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the broader Great Lakes region have been ravaged by targeted, grotesque violence. They have been subjected to human rights abuses and the region has been disrupted by dangerous instability. The crisis that we witness today underscores what we already know. It is a stark reminder of what fills the vacuum in the absence of good governance, basic dignity, and in the absence of firm leadership that holds accountable those who violate basic standards of decency. It reminds – or it ought to remind – all of us of an obligation that we all share – not only to end the killing, the raping, the forcing of children into combat, the devastation and the fear, but the obligation to establish a lasting peace and the climate of development, and in doing so, we can create the space for productivity and partnerships, for greater opportunity for the citizens of the D.R.C., and for the birth of a new generation of stability and of hope.

We can actually prove to the world that all of us working together, and I might add, prove it at a time where many people are doubting the capacity of institutions to function and where they doubt the capacity of political leadership to solve problems. Well, we have the ability to prove to the world that together, we actually can make a difference. The seeds of this promise have already been planted, but our job doesn't end with the creation of the framework. It continues in the cultivation of the seeds in making sure that we implement the framework, that we create a vigilant, accountable, and cooperative effort in order to see those seeds grow into a full-blown peace that is sustainable.

I want to recognize our partners in that effort. First, I thank the Secretary General for his personal engagement. I thank World Bank President Kim for the same kind of engagement and for their partnership. President Obama and I are very grateful to both leaders and the institutions that they lead for the very novel UN-World Bank partnership that has been created, which provides incentives for political progress through projects that create stability and improve infrastructure. Clearly, boosting regional commerce in the short term is one path to realizing stability and security in the long term. And I think that we're all very hopeful that this approach can succeed in the Great Lakes region, and perhaps even serve as a model for other areas like Mali and through the Maghreb and beyond.

Regrettably, we have no dearth of locations where we are challenged and could use this kind of model today. I'd just say parenthetically that in the Middle East, in the West Bank and Palestine, we are beginning to look at a similar kind of model in hope that we can combine our efforts over the long term to find new ways to build sustainable peace.

I want to particularly also thank UN Special Envoy Mary Robinson, a longtime friend, somebody I have admired for a long time. And I reiterate the United States support for her work with regional leaders in the implementation of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework. We particularly welcome the priority that she places on including regional women's groups, local communities and civil society in the framework peace process as we seek to break the cycle of violence and break down the barriers between humanitarian aid and the people who are desperate for it.

The day before President Obama nominated me to be Secretary of State, I met with Denis Mukwege, who just a few weeks earlier had fled the D.R.C. after an attempt on his life. Denis has demonstrated the courage to stand up and protect women and children from the weapons of war, which too often people only talk about in a whisper. The victims of these horrific crimes and humanitarians like Dr. Mukwege who protect and treat those people and all of the people in that region desperately need a voice.

And I know, and I obviously, because he chose her, the Secretary General knows that Mary Robinson is committed to being that voice as the region and the international community address the full range of issues involved in translating the broad principles of the framework into concrete benchmarks for implementation. So thank you, Mary Robinson, for what you're doing. We're grateful for your continued public service.

It's also a great pleasure for me today to introduce all of you and to introduce U.S. Special Envoy Russ Feingold, former Senator Russ Feingold. The suffering in the Great Lakes which we are going to debate and talk about here today is a high-level priority for President Obama and for me, and it is one that we believe must be met by high-level leadership. I had the pleasure of working in the United States Senate for 18 years with Senator Feingold. And there is no one, in my judgment, in the Senate who was more trusted for his expertise in African issues. He brings enormous intellect, passion, and courage to this challenge. And I am very pleased that he has consented to take this on.

I also bring you the greetings of former Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, who asked me to give you a warm good morning and hello. And we chatted briefly before coming here, so I could get the latest tips on exactly what to do and what not to do today.

The United States joins every single one of you in welcoming the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework. It is a very important first step, but we also recognize that the progress the region has made since February is extremely fragile, and the key question before all of us today is whether the commitments prescribed in the framework can be kept, will be kept. Will they come to life, or are they only going to be destined to live on paper?

Let me underscore, the United States stands ready to support the signatories and we will work with you with focus and energy and persistence in order to implement the framework. But as President Obama said, there has to be follow-through. I want to make it clear, in that context, the United States is deeply concerned about recent reports of external – resumed external support to M23 as well as of collaboration with the FDLR.

So I want to be emphatic here today. All parties must immediately end their support for armed rebel groups. All governments must hold human rights violators and abusers accountable. We must end the era of impunity and that, unfortunately, has been rampant.

To this end, the United States welcomes the deployment of the intervention brigade and we support its mandate to neutralize all armed groups and protect civilians so that peace can take hold. We believe that it is now time for everyone in the region to exercise restraint and to return to the constructive path that you have set out for yourselves to move forward together so that we can address the root causes of this conflict and end it once and for all.

I believe this is doable. I believe it is the absence of governance and the absence of an international presence that has created the vacuum that has permitted people to act with the impunity they have acted. I know that moving ahead isn't easy. I know it takes courage. But we have to all accept that this is our responsibility.

So as the chair of this debate and as a representative of a nation that, like all of yours, has a stake in the stability of the Great Lakes, I want to urge all of us around this table to take advantage of the unique opportunity that the framework provides.

The United States challenges, respectfully, all of those who have committed themselves to the framework to respect, in turn, the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the D.R.C. We can't emphasize enough how critical it is that everyone fosters cooperation across borders.

We challenge everyone to finalize the benchmarks that are outlined in the framework and to adopt them during the UN General Assembly in September. We strongly urge everyone to formally include the voices that Special Envoy Robinson has engaged, voices that have too often been excluded, particularly those of women. And we challenge the D.R.C. to continue implementing reforms to its security sector and to reestablish state authority, particularly in the east.

And finally, we pledge to join the Security Council, the D.R.C., regional governments, and the international community to do everything in our power to achieve a comprehensive peace accord.

Every one of us here understands the complex history of suffering in the Great Lakes region. But we all have a responsibility, a universally endowed responsibility, to ensure that a history of violence is not going to be followed by a future of vengeance. The only way to properly honor the millions of lives that have been lost is through peace, and the only way to achieve that piece is for the United Nations and all of the countries in the region and all of the countries with the capacity to step up and help to show the way forward.

So thank you for the privilege of sharing a few thoughts with you. I will now resume my function as president of the Council, and I give the floor to Secretary General, his Excellency, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.

“I was shocked to learn of the assassination today of Mohamed Brahmi, a leading figure in Tunisia's national opposition and an outspoken critic of extremist violence.

“Canada condemns violent extremism in the strongest possible terms.

“Opposition voices and a plurality of opinions are the bedrock of any democracy. Tragically, this is the second killing of an opposition politician this year, following the assassination of Chokri Belaid in February.

“We remain committed to supporting Tunisia in its democratic transition and appeal to all parties in Tunisia to refrain from violence and engage in constructive political dialogue.

“On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Brahmi.

“We urge the Government of Tunisia to take swift action to bring the perpetrators of this unforgivable, murderous act to justice.”

"I condemn in the strongest terms today's assassination of the opposition MP Mohamed Brahmi which happened on the day of the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic.

I extend my condolences to the family and friends of the victim as well as activists and members of his party. The EU calls on Tunisian authorities to investigate the murder without delay and bring to justice those responsible. I also stress that murderers of Choukri Belaid killed on February 6 have still not been arrested and brought to justice.

These political assassinations represent attacks by enemies of democracy against the Republic, the Tunisian people and the values of the revolution of January 14, 2011.

The EU believes that the rapid completion of the drafting of the constitution and organization of the next general elections are the best answer to these cowardly attacks. It is now for the political parties of the government and the opposition as well as for the civil society of Tunisia committed to democratic values to find the necessary compromises in a spirit of consensus, tolerance and mutual respect.

The EU calls on all political, economic and social as well as civil society activists to lend their support to a peaceful and democratic response to today's killing."

We are very concerned about the tense situation in Egypt.

With regard to the demonstrations planned for tomorrow I strongly urge de-escalation, restraint and prudence on all parties. All leaders must commit themselves to refraining from violence.

Egypt's future must not be decided by people clashing in the streets. Only a quick return to the democratic transformation process and to a process under civilian leadership that is inclusive of all Egyptians can pave the way to a bright future.

There must be a political solution to the conflict in Egypt. Exclusion and political persecution must not be allowed.

All sides must credibly seek dialogue and a new start so that Egypt has a chance for stable, peaceful and democratic development finally giving the people genuine prospects for their lives.

The Secretary-General condemns the assassination today of Mohamed Brahmi, an opposition politician and member of Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly. The Secretary-General notes that this is the second assassination of a prominent political figure in Tunisia this year. He calls for calm and stresses that acts of political violence weaken legitimate State institutions, which underpin the democratic process.

This heinous act must not be allowed to derail the progress that Tunisia continues to make in its democratic transition, including on the Constitution, and in meeting the social and economic aspirations of the Tunisian people.

I thank the United States for convening this debate, and Secretary of State John Kerry for presiding. His presence is testament to the importance the United States places on this important issue.

Allow me also to welcome the appointment of Senator Russ Feingold as the new United States Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I wish him success in the critical months ahead, and hope that he will continue to very closely coordinate with my Special Envoy, Mary Robinson.

It is now five months since the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region was signed, and four months since this Council adopted resolution 2098 (2013).

Hopes were high that we could see an end to the large-scale cyclical violence that has ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past two decades and derailed previous peace initiatives. Peace would mean a new chance for development and lasting security for some of the world's most sorely tested people.

I am therefore deeply concerned about the current hostilities between the M23 (23 March Movement) movement and the Congolese armed forces. All parties need to return as soon as possible to the Kampala talks.

I have called for maximum restraint and urge all Framework signatories to jointly and individually respect their commitments. The lack of mutual trust in the region has thwarted past attempts to find political solutions to the entrenched problems that continue to drive the conflict. It is vital that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its eastern neighbours pursue constructive dialogue.

At the national level, structural reforms within the Democratic Republic of the Congo will help address the root causes of the violence. The Government has taken initial steps towards army reform, decentralization and national dialogue. It is essential to translate these commitments into tangible results.

At the regional level, leaders must look beyond the issues that divide them and work together to define a common agenda for lasting peace and prosperity based on trade, economic cooperation and mutual respect for each others' sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework provides a clear road map. My Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Mrs. Mary Robinson, will continue to support the parties to uphold the commitments that they have adhered to under the Framework. My Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO [United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo], Mr. Martin Kobler, will support the political process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and support it in implementing its national commitments.

The prospects for durable peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remain better than they have for many years. But spoilers are active, including armed groups and militias that have shown little inclination to engage in a genuine peace process.

To address this threat, we are reinforcing MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). The Force Intervention Brigade is an important tool but is only one part of a comprehensive approach that embraces security and development.

However, while the United Nations and the international community can do much, we depend on the Framework signatories to provide the essential foundation. All parties must avoid renewed hostilities and achieve progress on the political track.

Conflict and lawlessness in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have crippled development and entrenched extreme poverty and suffering. There are appalling levels of brutal sexual violence.

The region needs security. But for lasting peace we must also provide opportunity. The United Nations system is committed to promoting economic development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region.

Last May, during our joint visit of myself and the World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank committed an additional $1 billion for better health and education services, cross-border trade and hydroelectricity projects, giving new impetus to regional economic integration. I thank the leadership and continuing engagement and commitment of World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and I am going to work very closely with him in other areas to set the model of partnership between the United Nations and the World Bank. This is central to building the trust and interdependence that are critical to the success of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework.

The current fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo casts a grave shadow. But we should not allow it to deter us from our objective. It should make us even more determined to lift people from the oppression of insecurity, human rights abuses and poverty.

I count on the Framework signatories to work constructively with each other and with my Special Envoy to develop benchmarks for their commitments. These will inform the strategic road map for implementation to be presented for endorsement in the margins of the General Assembly General Debate in September. And I call on the international community to use all the tools at its disposal ‑ from international criminal prosecution and sanctions regimes to development assistance.

My Special Envoy, Mary Robinson, has described the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework as a “Framework of Hope”. I urge all signatories and the international community to keep the hope alive. Thank you.

Brahmi, who was the leader of the opposition Movement of the People Party and a member of Tunisia's Constituent Assembly, is the second politician to have been killed in six months.

The killing of secular politician Chokri Belaid who was shot by assailants in Tunis, led to a political crisis in the country where street protests ignited the start of the Arab Spring. To date, his killers have not been named.

“A strong, vocal political opposition able to speak openly and without fear of reprisal is key to a healthy, vibrant democracy,” says IPU Secretary General Anders B. Johnsson.

“An elected MP, Mohammed Brahmi represented his constituents, their views and their aspirations for a new Tunisia. IPU urges the Tunisian authorities to better protect the political opposition and ensure Tunisia remains committed to establishing a fully representative, democratic and peaceful society.”

During his four-day mission, Šimonović will meet the Transitional Authorities, including the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government, the Head of State of the Transition, key Ministers as well as religious leaders and members of civil society organizations and of the international community.

The Assistant Secretary-General will undertake a number of field visits in Bangui and is also planning to go to Bambari in the North Eastern prefecture of Ouaka, some 385 km from Bangui.

On Thursday 1 August, the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights will hold a press conference at the BINUCA premises in Bangui from 15:30 to 16:30.

The Government of Japan has provided financial resources that will further facilitate the establishment of this centre. The centre is expected to benefit sub-regional peace and security institutions, but also many others at the continental level in Africa.

The centre will serve as a training facility for peace-keeping organizations within and around the East Africa, in a bid to assist the African Union Commission to respond to a wider international consensus that the Union should be the first to deploy peace-keeping missions wherever conflict situations deem necessary. Moreover, this centre will equip peace-keepers and institutions with advanced skills in conflict analysis (applied research), training design, and even peace-building interventions.

UNDP'S support to the establishment of this centre is in line with the organization's commitment towards helping countries in Africa achieve peace and security. Therefore, this centre complements other UNDP support efforts such as the African Centre for Peace and Security Training (ACPST), which since 2011, has been equipping practitioners with hands-on skills that enhance action to address underlying human security issues in respective countries. UNDP is also supporting the African Union Commission in the ‘Implementation of the Peace and Security Agenda of the AU Commission', which will focus on capacitating institutions to employ preventive measures to curtail or limit opportunities for conflict outbreaks.

What: High Level Signing Ceremony to facilitate on-going measures to achieve peace and security across the region and wider continent of Africa.

Who: HE Ato Ahmed Shide, State Minister, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development; HE Major General Hassan Ibrahim, Head, Ethiopian International Peace Keeping Training Centre;

HE Ambassador Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia; and Mr. Samuel M. Bwalya, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme.

When: Monday, June 29, 2013, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Where: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development