Mandela was a man who tirelessly dedicated his life to fighting arbitrariness and injustice. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his resolute fight against racism and segregation and was a symbol of courage and self-sacrifice in the face of oppressive regimes. His isolation allowed those upholding apartheid to preserve a political system entirely built upon violence, racial discrimination and inequalities; his liberation marked the inevitable dismantling of this system.

Today, in a South Africa that is still characterised by challenges of equality, social justice and security, and in a world where resistance to authoritarianism, discrimination, and the temptation of isolationism still holds its place, it is essential to draw inspiration from the immeasurable political, intellectual and ideological legacy of this pioneer of modern revolutions. His outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights and democratic principles throughout the world will remain in everyone's memories.

The Embodiment of Universal Struggles

“Nelson Mandela was the true embodiment of the legitimate and universal fight against oppression, discrimination, racism, colonialism, poverty, conflicts. He will forever remain an extraordinary inspiration for all those who defend democratic principles and universality of human rights,” declared Karim Lahidji, FIDH President.

The Symbol of Transformation

“Mandela symbolised ubuntu and the strength of principles, in the face of oppression. His courage and determination showed us how, in the face of injustice, we should never give up the struggle for truth, fairness and justice. He transformed his society and indeed the world, by living his values” said Alice Mogwe, FIDH Deputy Secretary General (Botswana).

Laying the Foundations of a Democratic Society

“The South Africa under apartheid wanted to establish differences in law, the South Africa under Mandela has tirelessly tried to draw its strength from differences. This man of peace, who dedicated his restored freedom to found a democratic and multi-racial South African society, never showed hatred or resentment,” declared Sheila Muwanga Nabachwa, FIDH Vice-President (Uganda).

“Nelson Mandela succeeded in giving a humanistic vision to his political action to reconcile a population that had been divided by decades of arbitrariness and discrimination. He is a true model from who our present rulers should draw inspiration,” declared Dismas Kitenge, FIDH Vice President (DRC).

Promoting Peace and Democracy Beyond Borders

"The fight of Nelson Mandela for human rights continued to illuminate the twilight of his life, beyond the borders of his country. While many conflicts in Africa continue to claim thousands of victims, it is time for our continent to build the foundations of the peace advocated by Mandela,” declared Drissa Traoré, FIDH Vice President (Côte d'Ivoire)

Standing by the Most Vulnerable

“Nelson Mandela's struggle against social and economic inequalities, for women's rights, children's rights, and against the stigmatisation of people living with HIV-AIDS, has made of him one of the best ambassadors of the voiceless,” declared Paul Nsapu, FIDH Secretary General (DRC).

In the text, the Pope extended his condolences to the Mandela family, members of government, and all South Africans. Pope Francis recalled “the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation's citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation, and truth.”

“I pray,” the message continues, “that the late president's example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations. With these sentiments,” the telegram concludes, “I invoke upon all the people of South Africa the divine gifts of peace and prosperity.”

The Chairperson of the Commission encourages the Peace Consolidation Mission of the Economic Community of Central African States in the CAR (MICOPAX), which will transition into the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR (MISCA), on 19 December 2013, to intensify its efforts, in order to contribute to the speedy restoration of public order and the effective protection of the civilian populations, and to take all necessary steps to this end. She welcomes the initiatives taken by her Special Representative in the CAR, Hawa Ahmed Youssouf, including the sustained and continued consultations with the transitional authorities, the military command of MICOPAX, the religious leaders and key representatives of the international community in Bangui, in order to address the prevailing situation on the ground. She appeals to the French forces deployed in the CAR to extend all the necessary support to MICOPAX.

Dear friends,

Before our Summit had even begun, some very sad news broke: that Nelson Mandela had died. That is why, at this very moment, as we meet, I wanted to say the words that you could say in my place, at this very moment.

The world is in mourning.

Nelson Mandela left us yesterday. He had already made History in his lifetime. In death, he takes his place in the world's conscience.

Nelson Mandela changed much more than South Africa. He sped up the course of the world, armed only with his principles and a steadfast will. He managed to win every battle he led and joined.

Nelson Mandela withstood 27 years of prison. He won over the odious apartheid system. He reached out to his oppressors. He established democracy in a country that had never known it.

He made South Africa a power, yes, but a power in the service of peace.

Nelson Mandela is an example. An example of resistance in the face of oppression. An example of freedom in the face of injustice. An example of dignity in the face of humiliation. An example of clear-sightedness in the face of intolerance. An example of forgiveness in the face of hatred. An example of lucidity in the face of the excesses of power. An example of intelligence in the face of tests. That is what Nelson Mandela stood for, and still stands for today.

And if he became a hero, a global hero, it is because he was deeply human and deeply good.

In his Robben Island prison, and as the leader of South Africa, he remained the same man,

with the same simplicity, the same modesty and the same smile. His humanity was summed

up in a beautiful sentence: “as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others

permission to do the same”.

Nelson Mandela is no longer with us, but his message remains and continues to inspire new

generations. Nelson Mandela will always be the model for men and women who are fighting

for their rights. He will always be the reference point for those who continue their unending

fight against racism, discrimination and all forms of intolerance and injustice. Nelson

Mandela will always be the model for those fighting for freedom and empowerment.

My dear friends,

Destiny decreed that all of Africa should be gathered here in Paris, for a Summit on Peace and

Security, the day after the passing of Nelson Mandela. This is both a symbol and a demand for

responsibility.

France, the country of human rights, pays tribute to Nelson Mandela. France shares the

sorrow of the people of South Africa who have just lost their founding father. France

expresses its solidarity with all Africans, represented here by Heads of State, Heads of

Government and Ministers. Now more than ever, France remembers Mandela's message of

hope for people the world over.

France is fully committed to this message and on behalf of Mandela, will do its utmost to live

up to it.

Today, it is Nelson Mandela who is presiding over our work at this Summit.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Warsame was killed this afternoon in Mogadishu when an improvised explosive device planted in his vehicle detonated. At least three others are reported to have been injured in the attack.

“I condemn this killing in the strongest terms,” SRSG Kay said. “Somalis yearn for a better future. Their Members of Parliament play a vital role in building that future.”

SRSG Kay offers his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Warsame, as well as to the Federal Parliament of Somalia, and wishes those injured a quick recovery.

The security and humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is steadily deteriorating. Attacks on civilians and violations of human rights are widespread, and law and order is virtually absent. The local population and displaced persons are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection.

The Norwegian Government is therefore increasing its humanitarian support by NOK 20 million, to the International Committee of the Red Cross (NOK 15 million) and Médecins Sans Frontières (NOK 5 million). Norway also contributes to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in CAR. The total humanitarian support to CAR now stands at NOK 32 million. In addition, Norway contributes to other UN funds and programmes in the country.

“I am concerned about the impact of the crisis on the region. There is a risk that the lawlessness we are seeing in the Central African Republic will turn the country into a haven for extremists, armed groups and international organised criminals, thus increasing instability in the region,” Mr Brende said.

The Foreign Minister considers the decision by the UN Security Council to authorise the deployment of an African-led stabilisation force (MISCA), which will be assisted by an expanded French force, to be crucial for the country.

“We are following the situation closely and we will consider further contributions to the humanitarian response early next year,” Mr Brende said, underlining that all parties to the conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure that people in need have access to humanitarian assistance.

During the ten-day visit from 9 to 18 December 2013, the group of independent experts will visit various detention facilities, including prisons, police stations and detention centres for migrants in irregular situations, in order to gather first-hand information from detainees, their families or representatives on their cases of deprivation of liberty.

The Working Group will also engage with relevant authorities as well as civil society organizations, in the cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Salé, Tanger and Laâyoune.

The delegation will consist of the Chair-Rapporteur Mr. Mads Andenas (Norway), Mr. El Hadji Malick Sow (Senegal) and Mr. Roberto Garretón (Chile). They will be accompanied by staff from the Working Group's Secretariat at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

A press conference on the preliminary observations of the Working Group will be held at La Tour Hassan Hotel, Rabat, on 18 December 2013 at 15:00.

The final report of the visit will be presented to the Human Rights Council in 2014.

(*) The Working Group will also visit Laâyoune, Western Sahara, on 15 and 16 December 2013.

Statement by the President on the Death of Nelson Mandela

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

THE PRESIDENT:  At his trial in 1964, Nelson Mandela closed his statement from the dock saying, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination.  I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.  It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve.  But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

And Nelson Mandela lived for that ideal, and he made it real.  He achieved more than could be expected of any man.  Today, he has gone home.  And we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth.  He no longer belongs to us — he belongs to the ages.

Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, Madiba transformed South Africa — and moved all of us.  His journey from a prisoner to a President embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better.  His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the lives of nations or our own personal lives.  And the fact that he did it all with grace and good humor, and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections, only makes the man that much more remarkable.  As he once said, “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

I am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela’s life.  My very first political action, the first thing I ever did that involved an issue or a policy or politics, was a protest against apartheid.  I studied his words and his writings.  The day that he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes and not by their fears.  And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long as I live I will do what I can to learn from him.

To Graça Machel and his family, Michelle and I extend our deepest sympathy and gratitude for sharing this extraordinary man with us.  His life’s work meant long days away from those who loved him the most.  And I only hope that the time spent with him these last few weeks brought peace and comfort to his family.

To the people of South Africa, we draw strength from the example of renewal, and reconciliation, and resilience that you made real.  A free South Africa at peace with itself — that’s an example to the world, and that’s Madiba’s legacy to the nation he loved.

We will not likely see the likes of Nelson Mandela again.  So it falls to us as best we can to forward the example that he set:  to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love; to never discount the difference that one person can make; to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice.

For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived — a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice.  May God Bless his memory and keep him in peace.

5:25 P.M. EST

Source: whitehouse.gov/the-press-office; whitehouse.gov/blog

2. Former President Mandela was a fighter and promoter of anti-apartheid movement who spent 27 years in prison. His name is engraved in the world's history for abolishing apartheid and promoting reconciliation between different races. In 1994, he became the first president of the Republic of South Africa after the abolishment of apartheid.

3. Former President Mandela visited Japan three times, including the official state visit in 1995. Mr. Mandela met with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and deepened friendship with leaders of various fields and civil society activists who were engaged in the anti-apartheid movement.

4. In respect for Mr. Mandela's great achievements, the Government of Japan offers its heartfelt prayer that his soul rest in peace. The Government of Japan hopes that the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa will overcome this great sadness and continue to work towards further prosperity of the country.

Addressing delegations of the Sudan Liberation Army / Mini Minawi (SLA/MM) and the Justice and Equality Movement / Gibril Ibrahim (JEM/Gibril) during the opening session of the All Inclusive Peace and Security in Darfur Technical Workshop, which commenced on 9 December in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Chambas said: “This workshop is an opportunity to come up with a clear roadmap for engagement.”

The workshop, co-organized by the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is designed to discuss issues related to international humanitarian law and human rights. It is scheduled to conclude on 11 December.

The Chair of SLA/MM, Mr. Mini Arko Minawi, explained that his group already signed the Abuja Agreement in 2006 and assured those present of his movement's peaceful intentions. “We came here consciously to sit together and offer our ideas for peace,” Mr. Minawi added.

Speaking on behalf of JEM/ Gibril group, the Chairman of the legislative assembly Dr. Tahir El-Faki, said he regrets that the conflict in Darfur has lasted 10 years. “We want a peaceful and negotiated settlement,” he noted. “We are committed to listening and engaging positively, but not at all costs.” Mr. Gibril Ibrahim arrived in Addis Ababa after the opening ceremony and joined the workshop later in the day.

The opening session of the technical workshop, which started with a minute of silence in respect of the death of former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was attended by Ambassador Sajo Jalow, Current Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Salomon Abebe, Director of the African Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Twolde G. Redda, Director of Peace and Security in IGAD and Ambassador Mahmood Khan from the African Union Commission.

Ambassador Swing, who worked closely with Mandela when he was US ambassador to South Africa from 1989 to 1992, will attend today the official memorial service to be held at the FNB Stadium near Soweto in Gauteng, the site of Nelson Mandela's first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison. Bidding farewell to a man dubbed as the most extraordinary liberation leader of Africa, Swing will also attend the public viewing ceremony on the 11th at the Union Buildings, the South Africa government house in Pretoria.

“We have lost a true leader; a beacon of true transformation, hope and humanity. I have had the privilege to meet Mandela during my term as the United States Ambassador to South Africa. I remember his warmth, modesty and friendliness, qualities that were infectious and continue to inspire our work in achieving a free, peaceful, and united global community,” says Swing.

“We are exceptionally privileged to have had such an inspirational and courageous leader – may his strong legacy of courage, integrity and generosity continue to live eternally and transform all four corners of the world,” adds Swing.

Ambassador Swing extends his condolences to Mandela's family. “Just as the world has undeniably benefited from his remarkable work, the world now stands by his family. Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to his dear spouse Grace Machel, his family and South Africans at large.”

Ambassador Swing extends his condolences to Mandela's family “Just as the world has undeniably benefited from his remarkable work, the world now stands by his family. Our prayers and deepest sympathies go out to his dear spouse Grace Machel, his family and South Africans at large.”

“Nelson Mandela's ultimate vision to bring justice, liberty and equality not only in South Africa but worldwide has been an inspiration for all international organizations, including IOM. The standards he set for himself were no doubt very high – he placed a huge burden on his shoulders; he built a progressive nation out of racial and social discrimination through peaceful and constructive reconciliation. IOM, through Mandela's legacy vows to continue to strive for equality, freedom, human right, and peace for all humankind,” he concluded.

Mandela's body will finally be laid to rest on Sunday 15 December in his home village of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape Province.

Families are sleeping out in the open scattered around places of precarious refuge in the capital Bangui. The estimated 60,000 displaced are crammed into spontaneous settlements in churches, mosques and at the international airport. The settlements grow much bigger at night, according to first hand reports from IOM staff who have been able to provide very limited assistance due to insecurity and lack of resources.

The makeshift camps host wounded people in need of medical assistance, as well as unaccompanied children, in some cases orphaned by the fighting, according to IOM reports.

“In some places the situation of those fleeing is especially bad,” said François Goemans who is currently heading IOM's team in the landlocked country. “Scant assistance has been provided so far and the needs are huge. Protection of the vulnerable is the priority and they need immediate access to shelter, sanitation, health and food.”

Armed factions have carried out human rights violations with impunity for days. Former rebels took control of the country in March and the security situation has been spiraling out of control in recent days. The deployment of 1,600 French troops this week, under a UN Security Council backed operation, brought a degree of calm as soon as they started patrolling the streets of Bangui and disarming fighters.

“Our team deployed on the ground is doing all it can to evaluate the situation and provide assistance. We cannot stand by while civilians are so desperately in need of assistance,” said Carmela Godeau, Director of IOM's Regional Office for West and Central Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

“But we urgently need additional resources in order to provide for their basic needs in the evacuation sites and have appealed for funds to ensure that we can respond quickly.”

The security situation has started to stabilize, at least during daylight hours, with the deployment of French forces in the North West region and Bangui. This should provide a window of opportunity to get aid to the affected population.

The recent surge in violence involving self-defense militias and fighters from the disbanded rebel forces in the country has led to an estimated 10 per cent of CAR's 4.6 million people fleeing their homes.

IOM's Director General has allocated some emergency funding to react quickly and has appealed to several donors for urgent additional resources to provide life-saving support to the displaced population through direct aid and for the resources to track and monitor those fleeing so that the most vulnerable are identified and assisted.

HBM addresses border management operations before, during and after humanitarian crises which trigger cross-border migration of affected populations. Therefore, the HBM concept encompasses both preparedness, as well as response of border agencies, such as immigration and border police, to mass influx of persons fleeing natural or man-made disasters.

In September 2013, the ACBC and IOM in DRC carried out a joint HBM assessment exercise at the border regions between DRC, South Sudan and Uganda. One of the recommendations arising out of this assessment, and discussed during a workshop that introduced the HBM concept to the provincial authorities, was to elaborate and pilot a specialized HBM training curriculum that would prepare DRC border agencies for potential migration crises.

Inspired by a similar training already developed by IOM's Regional Office in Vienna and piloted in October 2013 in Tajikistan, the ACBC designed a seven-day Training-of-Trainers package which encompasses an introduction to relevant international migration legal frameworks, techniques for interviewing vulnerable migrants, biometric registration of displaced populations, search and rescue, camp security, migration health, as well as elaboration of humanitarian response plans.

“The HBM course teaches how to protect borders while at the same time protecting human rights of migrants fleeing a natural or man-made disaster. It is increasingly becoming recognized as a concept that can importantly assist States to prepare for potential migration crises,” says Laurent de Boeck, Chief of Mission of IOM DRC.

Participants in the pilot Training-of-Trainers included representatives of DRC immigration, border police, border health and quarantine service, customs, as well as representatives of the provincial government. Through presentations, group work, case studies and roles plays, border officials had the opportunity to learn not only theory but also practice their new skills on specific scenarios, themselves based on concrete migration crises that took place in Province Orientale in the past and which were researched during the HBM assessment.

“This training comes at a point when humanitarian border management is a matter of great importance to the Government of DRC. Province Orientale itself has repeatedly appealed to development partners to assist the border management sector in the Province. I hope that the participants will put in practice their new skills to serve populations in the border areas who, more than ever, are in need of humanitarian assistance, security and peace,”said H.E.Mr. Pascal Mombi Opana, Vice-governor of Province Orientale, in his closing speech.

HBM initiatives in Province Orientale are one of the components of a comprehensive border police capacity building programme funded by the Government of Japan.

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

Over a period of five years, AGRA aims to motivate at least 25 significant policy or regulatory reforms in selected countries, leading to measurable increases in private sector investment in local agribusinesses. The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, is expected to increase the number of smallholder farmers accessing improved technologies supplied by agribusinesses operating in local staple food value chains. It will also help them access stable, predictable income-generating market opportunities. This enhanced access to input and output markets is in turn expected to lead to increased smallholder productivity and incomes, and reduced poverty for smallholder farm-dependent families.

“We are very excited about this new initiative,” says AGRA President Ms. Jane Karuku. “It will help African Governments unlock agricultural potential in their countries by supporting their efforts to develop progressive agricultural policies that will attract increased private investment in smallholder agricultural value chains. The initiative aims reform retrogressive agricultural regulations that deter rather than encourage such investment”.

“The MIRA project will provide African Governments with access to high quality local and international technical assistance for identifying, prioritizing and reforming specific agricultural regulations,” says Dr. Steven Were Omamo, AGRA's Director of Policy and Advocacy. “Current regulations often discourage private investment in small- and medium-sized agribusinesses that serve the needs of smallholder farmers. The project will help build the capacity of African Government leaders and analysts to make better-informed, economically-robust assessments and decisions about which regulations need to be reformed in order to facilitate increased private investment in smallholder value chains.

The MIRA project has four key objectives:

• To strengthen African Governments' demand for regulatory reforms, by supporting efforts to identify and assess regulations that unintentionally limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains;

• To support African Governments' efforts to reform regulations that limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains;

• To promote reformed regulations to local and international private sector investors, in order to raise awareness about improved agribusiness-enabling environments in Africa; and

• To enhance the capacity and commitment of African Governments to continuously review, assess and reform regulations that limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains.

By the end of the project, three major outcomes are expected:

• Reformed agricultural policies and regulations creating more conducive environments for private sector investment in local agribusinesses operating smallholder value chains in five countries;

• Increased private sector investment in the “throughput capacity” of existing and new local agribusinesses – those supplying inputs to smallholders and/or purchasing farm outputs from them; and

• At least 25 significant policy or regulatory reforms that induce measurable increases in private sector investment in local agribusinesses operating in smallholder agrifood value chains.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

For more information, please contact:

Sylvia Mwichuli

Director, Communications and Public Affairs

Tel: +254203675000

Mobile: +254736880620

smwichuli@agra.org

http://www.agra.org

Logo Tigo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/tigo-1.jpg

Tigo was short listed under the Best Network Improvement Category as the sole mobile operator in Africa in the category.

Commenting on the award, Tigo Tanzania's Head of Operations, Mr. Deon Geyser, said that having won in this category is not only an honor for Tigo Tanzania but also a demonstration of its continuous commitment towards quality improvement in mobile services and solutions in the country.

“We have invested heavily in the past year in network quality so that we make our services more accessible and reliable to our valuable customers. Tigo is now available everywhere in the country and at a better quality, therefore this award is a great celebration towards this achievement.” he said.

According to Mr. Geyser, Tigo's improvement on network quality is a result of the management teams' turnaround strategy which started implementation in December 2012 across all Tigo operations. "This strategy has led to incredible results such as a 70% reduction in network outage time, 63% reduction in call drops and 300% increase in data throughput."

“Tigo has equally invested in coverage by reaching out to more rural areas and customers across all 30 regions in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. This nationwide presence allows our customers to enjoy calls with better voice enhancement, use data with better 3G internet connectivity and have more reliable Tigo Pesa services where now they can send and receive money with less inconveniences, thus giving them another big reason to smile," further stated Mr. Geysor.

Tigo Tanzania's Head of Planning and Optimization, Mrs. Halima Idd, further explained that the company successfully managed an extremely focused Quality Transformation Program and invested money and other resources into the right areas.

“During our surveys we got a lot of feedback from our customers that our network quality needed improvement, this for us meant urgent measures must be taken. We are a customer centric company and that is in the core of our operations where we develop products and services around key findings from consumer understanding and feedback,” Mrs. Idd explained.

She continued, “The Quality Transformation Program that we started implementing in 2012 included; right investments into network resilience, coverage and capacity; controlled changes and project execution; as well as improved operational management. However, all this was complimented by a great team effort internally, a robust organizational structure and key strategic partnerships to achieve the results that were required.”

In September, Tigo kicked off an activation caravan dubbed ‘Tigo Smile tour' to celebrate the widespread network coverage and reach in rural Tanzania due to launch of more than 280 quality towers in all 30 regions this year.

This massive network investment by Tigo has also given rise to employment growth as a result of the introduction of new customer care centres and Tigo shops across the country; an increase of Tigo Pesa agents, a critical factor to implement the nation's efforts towards financial inclusion; and accessibility of Tigo products and services everywhere in the country due to widening of distribution channels thus cementing Tigo's nationwide presence.

AfricaCom is Africa's largest annual communications Congress and Exhibition which this year took place in Cape Town, South Africa on 12-14 of November.

This year's awards included 14 categories covering the whole telecom business from networks to services and marketing, including 4 new awards: Connectivity Solution, Mobile Marketing, Digital Music and Mobile Money.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Tigo Tanzania.

About Tigo:

Tigo (http://www.tigo.co.tz) started operations in 1994 as the first cellular network in Tanzania. It now covers 30 regions in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Tigo strives to be Tanzania's most innovative mobile phone operator, offering services ranging from affordable mobile voice communications to high speed Internet access and mobile financial services through Tigo Pesa.

Tigo is part of Millicom International Cellular S.A (MIC) which provides affordable, widely accessible and readily available cellular telephone services to more than 43 million customers in 13 emerging markets in Africa and Latin America.

The success of Tigo is based on the "Triple A" strategy, which stands for Affordability, Accessibility and Availability. We create a world where mobile services are affordable, accessible and available everywhere and to all. This guarantees that our subscribers experience the best services at the most affordable rates throughout all 30 regions in both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

“SMILE, YOU'RE WITH TIGO”

For further information visit: www.tigo.co.tz

Or contact:

John Wanyancha – Corporate Communications Manager

Mobile: 0658 123 089

john.wanyancha@tigo.co.tz

"The EU is a vital partner for South Sudan's economic development and for the capacity-building of state institutions, as the country lacks in almost every basic social service such as health and education," said the rapporteur, Véronique De Keyser (S&D, BE). "The EU should also encourage South Sudan to ratify the Cotonou Agreement and to replace the Transitional Constitution with a permanent constitution based on popular consultation," she added, stressing that "human rights must be respected now more than ever, upholding the rights of children is of the utmost importance."

Sudan and South Sudan should "make best use of the wealth and potential" of the oil resources in the region, MEPs call, adding that support mechanisms are necessary for "a proper and transparent distribution and management of oil revenues". MEPs ask the EU to renew the mandate of the Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan, which would increase the leverage of the EU and the Member States.

MEPs welcome the EU's development aid of EUR 285 million committed to South Sudan since its independence two years ago and support the focus of this aid on agriculture, democratic governance and the rule of law, education and health. They further add that the implementation of laws and regulations already in place is lagging behind, welcoming the EU's efforts to support the capacity-building of the legal system.

"The harassment of human rights activists and journalists and the unlawful detention and censorship of journalists" should end, say MEPs, urging the South Sudanese authorities "to carry out prompt, effective and impartial investigations into all allegations" of such acts and "to hold those responsible to account".

Download the full publication at: http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/Financial%20Inclusion%20in%20Africa.pdf

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

The publication is edited by Thouraya Triki and Issa Faye from the African Development Bank's Research Department. It brings together a wealth of knowledge on financial inclusion from experts and practitioners from the broader development community, including the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Alliance for Financial Inclusion, Overseas Development Institute, Inter-American Development Bank Group, Dalberg and AfDB.

The publication describes the multi-faceted nature of financial inclusion through a compilation of chapters that approach the topic from different perspectives. “We sought to cover different groups that have been historically underserved or unserved by formal financial institutions including small and medium enterprises, women, rural areas and agriculture, and fragile states,” explained Issa Faye, Division Manager at the Research Department of the AfDB.

The book is structured around three main parts. The first part lays the theoretical foundation for the subsequent analyses by explaining the multifaceted aspect of financial inclusion and how to measure it. The second part looks at some transformational mechanisms and approaches designed to serve the underserved while the third part discusses strategic issues such as the relationship between financial stability and inclusion, the potential transformative role of technology and the role of Development Finance Institutions.

The publication draws on recent data collection efforts made by the development community to document the state of financial inclusion in Africa. “Thanks to these new datasets, we were able to rigorously analyse financial inclusion for different segments of the population, users groups, and sub-regions. Such exercise was not possible until recently,” said Thouraya Triki, Chief Country Economist at the AfDB.

The findings and policy recommendations provided by this publication are aimed to inform the current discussions on the state, the opportunities and challenges for accelerating financial inclusion on the continent.

Further information on this publication is available at http://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/article/financial-inclusion-for-a-sustainable-and-inclusive-growth-in-africa-12664/

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

For more information, please contact:

Thouraya Triki (t.triki@afdb.org) or Issa Faye (i.faye@afdb.org)

About the African Development Bank Group

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 34 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 53 regional member states.

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Summary executions were carried out by armed men inside Bangui's Amitié Hospital on December 5, according to medical staff and patients who said they witnessed the attacks. MSF personnel observed at least 10 corpses lying in front of the hospital. The facility is no longer operating because of the violence, but several patients remain there. Meanwhile, tensions are high at Hospital Communitaire, where patients, MSF staff, and Ministry of Health employees have been threatened and pressured. MSF team members have had to step between armed men and patients on several occasions.

"We are continuing our work, but the violence inside Hospital Communautaire is unacceptable and constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law," said Thomas Curbillon, MSF head of mission in Central African Republic. "It has an obvious impact on medical treatment, slowing the delivery of care and leading hospital staff to temporarily leave their posts. In addition, the violence means that many wounded patients will probably not try to access medical facilities.”

MSF emphasizes that all parties to the conflict in the CAR—in Bangui and throughout the country—must respect the civilian population, and medical facilities must be allowed to treat the wounded and ill without discrimination. MSF calls for a ban on any armed presence in health care facilities and a halt to attacks and threats on patients and medical workers, including Central African and expatriate personnel.

“Aid deployment as we define it—neutral, impartial and independent—cannot be provided in the face of threats and violence," said Curbillon.

The workshop, co-organized by the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has been attended by two Darfur non-signatory movements, the Sudan Liberation Army / Mini Minawi (SLA/MM) and the Justice and Equality Movement / Gibril Ibrahim (JEM/Gibril). It started on 9 December and it is designed to discuss issues related to international humanitarian law and human rights.