Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

January 7, 2014

U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Rashad Hussain, hosted an interreligious dialogue today on the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR), connecting religious leaders in the United States and CAR to highlight their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in CAR.

His Grace Dieudonne Nzapalainga, Archbishop of Bangui; Imam Omar Cabinelayama, President of the CAR National Islamic Association; Reverend Nicolas Geurekoyame, President of the CAR Evangelical Association; and Catherine Samapanza, Mayor of Bangui, participated in the online video conference from Bangui, CAR.

The religious leaders from CAR described their efforts to end the ongoing violence and promote peace, thanked the United States for its assistance and efforts, and called for further international humanitarian and security assistance in CAR. The panelists from the United States praised the religious leaders in CAR for their efforts to promote religious tolerance and reconciliation, noted examples of successful interfaith cooperation in the United States, and proposed further collaboration with their counterparts. Both sides agreed to continue the discussion further, to work together to increase education and training on reconciliation and peacebuilding and to seek opportunities to support the travel of religious leaders to CAR to support peace and interreligious cooperation.

The Department of Defense, at the request of the Department of State, assisted in the transportation of U.S. Embassy personnel, as well as several personnel from other nations, from Juba, South Sudan to Entebbe, Uganda.

Two KC-130 aircraft assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Crisis Response (SPMAGTF-CR) element pre-positioned at Entebbe, Uganda were used to move the personnel.

Soldiers from the East Africa Response Force (EARF), assigned to USAFRCIOM, and under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, will continue to provide security reinforcement to the U.S. Embassy in Juba.

The Department of Defense, supporting the Department of State, continues to work to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in South Sudan. We will continue to monitor the security situation in South Sudan in order to be postured to respond to the any additional requests from the Department of State.

Michelle and I wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a joyous Christmas. On this special day, we celebrate the messages of peace and hope that continue to inspire congregations more than 2,000 years after Jesus' birth. During this season, we reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christians and other people of faith in Egypt and around the world. The freedom to practice our faiths is critical to stable, pluralistic, and thriving societies, and the United States will continue to be vigilant in its work to protect that freedom. We wish Coptic Christians the blessings of this season and join them in offering prayers for peace in the year ahead.

“The number of displaced persons has increased dramatically over the past few weeks, and immediate access by humanitarian agencies, including to those sheltering in the airport in Bangui, must be granted without delay,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani.

Close to a million people have been internally displaced in the country, according to the latest figures from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which include over half a million in the capital, representing two thirds of Bangui's population.

“I welcome the efforts made by the humanitarian agencies to address the dire conditions of internally displaced persons in the Central African Republic, but the international community's response to protect and assist those fleeing the violence, especially women, children, and those with disabilities needs to be strengthened,” Mr. Beyani noted.

“The flare-up of crises elsewhere should not affect the scale of the response which is urgently needed in the Central African Republic,” the independent expert stressed. “Humanitarian agencies urgently need extra resources to provide for the basic needs of those displaced from their homes.”

"I applaud the Speaker and Members of Parliament for their efforts leading to the smooth process of today's vote. I also appreciate the important role of the traditional leaders. I congratulate all the people of Puntland," Mr. Kay said.

SRSG Kay saluted the smooth and peaceful transfer of power and the constructive role of outgoing President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole.

He noted that despite numerous challenges along the way, through compromise and perseverance, the Puntland-led process had achieved its goal of selecting the region's new leadership. He called for calm and unity in the region following the process.

Mr. Kay said he was re-assured by the commitment of many stakeholders to resume the democratization process that was suspended in July 2013, and urged greater participation of women in the political process.

"Puntland is leading the way on the development of a federal Somalia. The United Nations support the people of Puntland and all of Somalia as they move together towards peace, reconciliation, democracy and prosperity," he said.

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

The award, which was announced on Saturday, December 7, 2013, at a gala event night held at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort in the Ekiti State of Nigeria, is the eighth time that Channels TV has been recognised by the Nigeria Media Merit Award Trust as the country's best television station. The Nigeria Media Merit Award Trust is a national platform that aims to build a progressive Nigerian society and serves as the foremost media excellence scheme within the county's media industry.

Channels TV is one of Nigeria's 13 independent, free-to-air broadcasters and it previously won the award in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 as well as 2008, 2010, 2012 & 2013. The Executive Chairman of Channels TV, Mr John Momoh, said, “We are absolutely delighted that we have won this award again. Despite having won it many times, the excitement never diminishes. We strive to provide a true, news-led independent voice in Nigeria and we are very happy that this has been recognised again. We are committed to continuing to serve Nigeria and its people with balanced news and entertainment.”

With a growing population of over 160 million people, the Nigerian television media market, including the Nigerian Diaspora, has the potential to lead the transformation of sub-Sahran Africa's current analogue television industry into a digital content publishing economy worth tens of billions of dollars.

As such, in addition to investing in the right technology, the Nigerian media industry is effectively positioned to foster the television industry's growth across sub-Saharan Africa as the premium market leader in factual and lifestyle television, which enlightens through entertainment.

Channels TV, in cooperation with its peers in the Nigerian media industry, will continue to support the long-term growth of a strong and dynamic, commercially lucrative, digital content publishing industry spanning all genres of television including quality news and current affairs programming.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Channels TV.

Media contact:

Joss Armitage

Jump PR

joss@jumppr.tv

+44 (0)7979 908 547

About Channels TV:

Channels Television (http://www.channelstv.com) is one of the 13 independent television stations currently broadcasting in Nigeria, since the Federal Government deregulated the broadcast media in 1992. The company was licensed in June 1993 and allocated a frequency on UHF (channel 39). It began transmission two years later under the name Channels Television and now broadcasts to a well discerning audience of over 20 million people. The establishment of Channels Television as a news station was in response to Nigerian desire for a TV station that provides:

• An alternative medium of communication to the government and its policies, and hold public officers accountable to the people;

• Accommodate opposing views;

• Inform and educate the general public on how they are governed as well as, what their civic responsibilities are;

• Uphold the ideals of balanced reporting, objectivity, fairness and the right of the individual to communicate.

"South Sudan is facing a serious crisis that comes on top of a situation that was already difficult," said the ICRC president. "It is unquestionable that the needs are dire, but their full scope is unknown."

Mr Maurer reaffirmed the ICRC's commitment to addressing humanitarian needs in South Sudan. "Despite the challenging environment, we are exploring every possible option to bring aid to the people who need it," he said. "The ICRC will press ahead with its work in South Sudan and step up its activities as necessary." After meeting with internally displaced people in Awerial, Mr Maurer said that he was "particularly struck by one woman who had to flee her home with no belongings, and now her family needs substantial support across the spectrum, including food, water, shelter and medical care."

While in Juba, Mr Maurer met with Lt Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk, the minister of defence, Awut Deng Achuil, the minister of gender, child, social welfare, humanitarian and disaster management, and senior officials of the South Sudan Red Cross. Mr Maurer also visited the town of Bentiu and met with the director and staff of the hospital, and the ICRC surgical team that has been providing emergency care. The ICRC president discussed the many challenges facing humanitarian organizations in their efforts to reach people who urgently need help. He also emphasized the obligation of all parties to the conflict to protect civilians. "I am reiterating my urgent call for all parties to the conflict to cease their attacks on civilians, and to facilitate safe access for humanitarian agencies," he said.

Mr Maurer commended the South Sudan Red Cross and its cooperation with the ICRC. "I have been deeply impressed by the dedication and hard work of South Sudan Red Cross volunteers," he said. "In a difficult context, and in such a sensitive environment, the support and the cooperation of the South Sudan Red Cross has been fundamental to all that the ICRC has been able to accomplish." The ICRC has been providing urgently needed supplies for medical facilities, treating wounded people, and distributing food and other essential items.

Mr Maurer also announced that the ICRC will appeal for more funding for its work in South Sudan. "The ICRC has already had to use a significant portion of the resources allocated for all of 2014. To continue to meet people's needs, we are calling on the international community to boost its financial support for humanitarian activities."

“I'm very pleased to be here in Bamako for my first visit as Managing Director of the IMF. This visit is a testimony to our strong relationship with Mali. I look forward to strengthening our partnership for the benefit of the people of Mali," Ms. Lagarde said after she arrived in Bamako.

Ms. Lagarde visited Kenya from January 4-7. As Managing Director, she has previously visited Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, and Mauritius in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to her meetings with officials, private sector and civil society, Ms. Lagarde will address the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Mali.

Permanent Representative, Delegations of Chad, African Union

The situation in the Central African Republic had “greatly deteriorated” following a spate of attacks on 5 December that had triggered further unrest in the strife-torn country, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, urging those in positions of influence — including the 15-member organ — to do more towards ending the violence.

“There is a very real risk that the crisis could spread beyond the country's borders and further destabilize the region,” warned Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, as he briefed the Council on recent developments. Urging members to remind all parties to the conflict of their responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law, he emphasized: “The violence and atrocities in the Central African Republic must stop.”

According to the latest information, he said, some 2.2 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance, close to half the country's population. One in every two inhabitants of the capital Bangui — an estimated 513,000 people — had sought refuge outside their homes, and 100,000 of them were in a makeshift camp at the airport. Killings continued daily and people remained divided along religious lines, with access to Bangui neighbourhoods controlled either by “anti-Christian” or “anti-Muslim” checkpoints manned by armed civilians. Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal had repatriated tens of thousands of their citizens, the vast majority of whom were Muslim.

“This is the first time in the history of the [ Central African Republic] that people, on account of their religion, have felt obliged to leave the country for fear of their lives,” Mr. Feltman said. The rapid deployment, by the African Union and France respectively, of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) and the Sangaris operation had changed the security dynamics in Bangui. As MISCA continued to build up to its authorized strength of 6,000 personnel, its presence would be increased outside the capital, he said, adding that his Office was working with the African Union to organize a donors' conference on 1 February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He said the events of 5 December had dealt a “serious” blow to the Transitional Authorities, whose inability to curb widespread human rights abuses perpetrated against Christians by former Séléka rebels had contributed to the transformation of local “anti-Balaka” self-defence groups into a full-blown rebellion. Due to its predominantly Muslim composition, Séléka's abuses against Christians had been quickly interpreted as a religious conflict pitting Muslims against Christians. On the other hand, the frustration of Muslim communities stemmed from years of marginalization by successive Governments since independence more than 50 years ago.

Pointing to a way forward, he said Heads of State of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) had proposed an inclusive conference where national actors would be able to share their frustrations, identify challenges and agree on a way forward, especially on the conduct of elections and determining priorities for the post-transition period. While welcoming the adoption of a new electoral code and the swearing in of the seven-member National Electoral Authority, he cautioned nevertheless that conditions for holding elections remained elusive amid the systematic looting of local administrations and the destruction of civil national registries by ex-Séléka fighters.

Among the top priorities should be the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of all armed groups, he stressed, calling for the funding and allocation of such an effort to be carried out in line with internationally accepted standards. The humanitarian situation had deteriorated at an alarming rate, with nearly half the population in need of assistance. Violence had forced one fifth of the population to flee their homes, a figure that had more than doubled since 5 December. More than 935,000 people were sleeping outside or in temporary spaces, and half the population in Bangui had sought refuge at one of the 55 sites for internally displaced persons.

Mr. Feltman recalled that the United Nations had activated a system-wide Level 3 Emergency Response on 11 December, allowing it to send its most experienced staff, release emergency funds and mobilize relief supplies. A senior humanitarian coordinator had been deployed, while the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator had allocated $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Yet, “needs continue to outpace the response”, he noted, underlining that without additional contributions, the World Food Programme (WFP) pipeline would be 90 per cent depleted in February.

He said the United Nations would do its best to prevent human rights abuses from reaching “unthinkable” levels, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid and the country's return to constitutional order. At Headquarters, the Deputy Secretary-General regularly chaired a Senior Action Group to consider how best to respond to the multifaceted crisis, marking the first case for the Secretary-General's new “Rights Upfront” agenda, he noted. “It is our collective responsibility to act now, before it's too late.”

Following that briefing, Tété Antonio, Permanent Observer of the African Union, recalled that MISCA, under the African peace and security architecture, had taken over responsibility from the ECCAS-led peace operation MICOPAX (Mission for the Consolidation of Peace in the Central African Republic) on 19 December. Its initial plans had been stymied by the 5 December attacks of the anti-Balaka movement. On 13 December, the African Union Peace and Security Council had decided to increase the number of MISCA troops to 6,000 uniformed personnel.

For its part, the Mission had taken measures to address the rise in lynchings, summary executions and pillaging, he continued. Since the attacks, it had adopted new plans to divide duties between MISCA and the Sangaris operation in order to better cover the national territory. The imminent deployment of a Rwandan contingent and the provision of communications equipment should allow MISCA to speed the stabilization of Bangui and launch the second phase of its deployment, in line with the concept of operations.

On the political level, he said, the Transitional Authorities must be encouraged to work together, move up the transition schedule and, especially, take steps to resume State services, including the transparent management of public finances. On 4 January, the head of MISCA had met with the Mayor of Bangui, humanitarian agencies and others to agree on measures for meeting security needs. There were many challenges ahead, including a lack of infrastructure, aerial and ground transport, as well as communications resources. Financial and logistical support were also needed

Leonie Banga-Bothy, the Central African Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie and Central Africans Abroad, officially apologized to States whose nationals had been attacked and killed, deploring the loss of French, Congolese and Chadian peacekeepers. She recalled that the transitional Prime Minister had “sounded the warning bell” during his 22 September speech to the General Assembly over the possibility of great chaos in the country. Just as the Council had been preparing to adopt resolution 2127 (2013), which had given the nation new hope, enemies of the Central African Republic had chosen to attack Bangui, causing several deaths. The ensuing resumption of violence by armed groups, and the worsening humanitarian situation in the capital, had forced 300,000 people to seek refuge in camps. Women and children had been exposed to all forms of violence, disease and famine, while the risk of cholera and other infectious diseases was spreading.

She went on to say that the Head of State had “extended a hand” to anti-Balaka groups, but rather than accept that offer of dialogue, they had continued their savage attacks against ex-Séléka and MISCA forces, sowing terror and preventing refugees from returning home. She praised the reconciliation efforts of Christians and Muslims, pointing out, however, that they would require time, patience and determination. The forthcoming elections must be fair, transparent and not hastily organized. Moreover, the focus of international aid efforts must be expanded to reach people in the hinterlands, she said. Calling for increased financial and logistic resources on the ground, she commended the African Union for reinforcing MISCA, expressing hope that they would be able to cover the entire country.

Cherif Mahamat Zene (Chad) said he was extremely worried about the continuing violence against civilians, particularly foreigners, adding that his country's Government was working to repatriate its citizens by land and sea. Hatred of foreigners due to their religion was not justified and must be condemned. Chad would not be deterred by the media campaigns of small, power-seeking groups. Adequate security and stability were vital for Central African economic integration. During the power struggle in which religion was exploited for political gain, Central African leaders must work to end the violence and advance the political process, he emphasized. MISCA must continue to disarm ex-Séléka and anti-Balaka militias and to stabilize the country so that free, transparent elections could be held, in line with the N'Djamena road map. He called upon the United Nations, the European Union and the Central African Republic's bilateral partners to support the efforts by the African Union, ECCAS and France to ensure that civilians were protected, and that justice and national reconciliation prevailed.

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The visit would be the first of such courtesy calls by Mr. Awolowo since he was appointed to the position by Mr. President last December.

Welcoming his counterpart to the Government Trace Policy Bank, Mr. Orya thanked Mr. Awolowo and his team for taking the initial collaborative step, noting that NEPC and NEXIM Bank were the principal agencies of government responsible for the promotion of non-oil exports

The NEXIM MD provided the NEPC team with a snapshot of NEXIM Bank's mandate, mission and vision stating that the institution was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency with the broad mandate to promoting the diversification of the Nigerian economy away from oil and deepening the external sector.

Mr. Orya stated that upon his resumption in August 2009 as the MD/CEO of the Bank, he discovered that the Bank has completely moved away from its core mandate and veered into lending to both oil and gas resulting in a dismal credit performance and loss of both its Shareholders' and investors' confidence. This warranted him to seek the approval of the Bank's Shareholders to initiate a Corporate Transformation Project (Project Spring) that led to the re-definition of the Bank's Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives, with the intention of channelling its resources into the development of four sectors [Manufacturing, Agro - Processing, Solid Minerals & Services]. The MASS sectors were deemed to have high amount of employment and foreign exchange earnings.

An outcome of the Corporate Transformation was crafting of new Strategic Objectives to enable the Bank have a clear market focus and become a major contributor to non-oil exports. This is in addition to turning it into a world class institution which imbibes best-in-class corporate governance and risk management practices towards becoming a relevant player in the export market with the capacity to significantly influence government trade policies.

Mr. Orya further informed Mr. Awolowo that the Bank is developing the ECOWAS and other Africa regional markets as the traditional market for Nigerian exporters. The idea is provide a strong platform for our exporters to venture into the more complex markets of Asia and other developed economies in line with the strategy in other jurisdictions where the EXIM Banks first developed their regional market.

Towards developing the ECOWAS market, NEXIM had earlier launched the ECOWAS Trade Support Facility (ETSF) to reduce the level of informal trade and encourage the small scale exporters to use the banking system to leverage their operations.

Mr. Orya informed his counterpart that NEXIM is facilitating the Sealink Project, which will culminate in the establishment of a shipping company to own and operate ocean-going vessels to boost trade within the West and Central Africa. Accordingly, he invited the NEPC to cooperate with NEXIM in making this project a success hinting that an Investment Memorandum to raise the take-off grant of $60million has been prepared in English and French and the private placement is expected to open before the end of January.

On the outcome of the NEXIM Bank's transformation initiative, Mr. Orya proudly informed his counterpart, “…we may not have achieved every item of the targets we set in our 5-year strategy plan, but we have completely strengthened our operational processes, instituted the strong pillars of corporate governance, risk management…, turned NEXIM Bank from an obscure, loss-making institution to a highly visible and profit-making institution with a robust balance sheet size….We have consistently made and declared profits for three years in a row now, paying dividends to our Shareholders….That has never happened since the Bank was set up in 1991”

In closing, the MD advised NEPC to review the current provisions regarding the Export Expansion Grant to make it more effective, adding that both NEXIM and NEPC needed to work in close collaboration to boost the current level of non-oil exports which had remained below 4% over the past 5 years.

Thanking Mr. Orya for welcoming his team, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo stated that his choice of making NEXIM Bank his first ‘port of call' upon resumption was based on what he had keenly observed as NEXIM Bank's innovative disposition to deepening the non-oil sector and committedly contributing to Mr. President's Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020.

The NEPC ED stated that he has great confidence in the country's ability to meet her development goals and commended the initiatives of NEXIM in enhancing the level of formal trade, noting that the study conducted by NEPC revealed that informal trade annually was about $12bn, far more than the formal trade valued at $3billion. He promised that NEPC would work closely with NEXIM to improve the level of trade flows and also improve the trade statistics.

Mr. Awolowo assured NEXIM Bank that the NEPC was already working towards reviewing the Export Expansion Grant and that the review will cover the qualification criteria and other aspects. According to him, “… the new strategic focus will place greater emphasis on market development, with Nigerians in diaspora as major targets….” He noted that that Trade Commissioners have been appointed in major countries including China, Brazil and London to help in developing markets for Nigerian products, especially for the benefit of millions of our Diaspora citizens.

Lauding the phenomenal successes of the NEXIM Bank Corporate Transformation initiative, Mr. Awolowo informed the NEXIM boss that NEPC is also working on human resource realignment to drive export growth, adding that the objective of the new management was to increase the level of non-oil exports by at least 30% in the next 4 years.

In closing, the CEO invited NEXIM Bank to collaborate with NEPC for higher synergies and stressed that both organizations have significant roles to play in developing the Nigerian non-oil exports and that his leadership would encourage and foster even closer collaboration between the two institutions towards supporting Mr. President's Transformation Agenda and achieving Vision 20:2020 .

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).

Media Contact: Chinedu Moghalu (234-8088-353-804, moghaluc@neximbank.com.ng)

About NEXIM Bank - The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (http://neximbank.com.ng) was established by Act 38 of 1991 as an Export Credit Agency with the broad mandate to promoting the diversification of the Nigerian economy and deepening the external sector, particularly the non-oil through the provision of credit facilities in both local and foreign currencies; risk-bearing facilities through export credit guarantee & export credit insurance; business development and financial advisory services etc.

In pursuit of its mandate of promoting export diversification and deepening the non-oil sector, the Bank's current strategic initiatives are targeted towards boosting employment creation and foreign exchange earnings in the Manufacturing, Agro-processing, Solid Minerals and Services (Tourism, Transportation and Entertainment) industries.

Since the attack led by the Anti-Balaka against elements of the Seleka on 5 December 2013 in Bangui, intercommunal violence in the capital has resulted in 752 deaths and more than 300 injured. Throughout the country there have been more than a thousand deaths and hundreds injured, raped, and their houses set on fire, resulting in one million displaced persons in the CAR to date.

“The result of these recent attacks is especially horrendous since it comes on the heels of the many crimes - murders, kidnappings, rape, looting - committed by elements of the Seleka since the coup of 24 March 2013. The civilian population is totally unsafe. The worst is feared if the international community doesn't react accordingly,” declared Karim Lahidji, FIDH President.

This situation requires the urgent deployment of additional international troops into the CAR, and FIDH is thus calling on the African Union to reinforce the MISCA. Moreover, since its investigation into the situation in the CAR, FIDH insists on the importance of the rapid establishment of a UN peacekeeping operation in the CAR. Only such a mission can deploy the human, logistical and budgetary resources required to guarantee the safety of the civilian population in Bangui as well as throughout the CAR.

“The establishment of a UN peacekeeping mission would, in addition to providing security for the population, respond to the crisis through a holistic approach including necessary support to the transitional institutions and the protection of human rights, particularly the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes,” declared Paul Nsapu, FIDH Secretary General.

FIDH urges the Economic Community of the Central African States, who will be holding an extraordinary summit on 9 January 2014 in N'Djamena, and on the African Union, which will be hosting its Summit from 21 to 31 January 2014, to call for MISCA to transform into a UN peacekeeping mission as soon as possible. FIDH calls on the members of the Security Council to review as quickly as possible the Secretary General's report with recommendations for this possible UN mission in order to ensure its deployment as soon as possible. FIDH is also calling on the international community to come to the aid of the CAR and to mobilise massively during the meeting of donors scheduled to take place on 1 February 2014 in Addis Ababa, particularly since the call for contributions made by the UN to fund humanitarian needs in the CAR has not received sufficient response in order to deal with the current and growing crisis.

At the invitation of the government of Tanzania, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Jiang Weixin will attend the celebration of the 50th Zanzibar Revolution Day on January 12 in Tanzania as the Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping.

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As the World Bank agrees to support Tanzania to strengthen the country's business environment, international investors flock to the country in search of credible partners, a deeper understanding of the requirement of entering the market and an eagerness to do business.

According to the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa will require more than $300 billion in investment to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. The US government's “Power Africa” initiative, which includes Tanzania as one of six priority countries for investment, will commit more than $7 billion over the next five years in financial support to African countries in their goals to increase power generation.

The opportunities are therefore massive for Tanzania to transform its economy, create thousands of jobs and empower the youth of the nation to take the East African region profitably forward through to 2030.

Whilst both Kenya and Mozambique have witnessed increased investment of late, it is in Tanzania that the volume of investment is changing more rapidly compared with previous years. Managing this transformation appropriately will be the lasting legacy of the government.

Investment from banks and investors such as the World Bank, AfDB, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, OPIC, CADFund, CDB and USAID will provide the backbone of investment in Tanzania whilst the industrial sector finds its feet. Most recently the World Bank invested a further US$60mln to boost Private Sector Competitiveness and to fuel sustainable growth and support job creation; a key off-shoot of increased access to energy and power sector development, for which the Bank is also playing a central role.

EnergyNet's Powering Africa: Tanzania executive meeting, to be held from 29th-31st January in Dar Es Salaam, will explore the importance of international partnerships in more detail, bringing together leading international players such as Symbion Power, Schneider Electric, Aldwych International as well as local stakeholders including the Ministry for Mines and Energy, TANESCO and EWURA, to create a credible platform to discuss the opportunities for investors in the country's power sector. EnergyNet is delighted to have these hugely important organisations represented, further highlighting their commitment to Tanzania.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Clarion Events.

For more information about Powering Africa: Tanzania:

Meeting name: Powering Africa: Tanzania

Meeting dates: 29-31st January 2014

Venue: Doubletree Hilton, Dar Es Salaam

Contact: Amy Offord – Senior Marketing Executive

Tel: +44 (0)20 7384 8068

Email: amy.offord@energynet.co.uk

Visit: http://www.poweringafrica-tanzania.com

The town, usually home up to 10,000 people, is teeming with displaced families. While some have been taken in by relatives, most are living in the open. Many families have set up camp under trees, which provide them with some sort of shade during the day. Their living conditions are desperate, but with fighting continuing in Bor, Awerial still represents the safest option.

Mary Aluer, 19, was studying in Kenya, but had returned to Bor to spend Christmas with her family when they became caught up in the fighting. “It happened around midnight,” says Mary. “Everyone scattered in every direction. We took the children, carried what we could and ran away. When we arrived in Awerial, the place was already packed. You put your belongings where there is shade and you stay there. During the day it is fine, but it gets very cold at night. Many children are sick, mostly suffering from diarrhoea.”

In the local market, supplies are running low and prices of basic commodities have shot up. There is a serious shortage of clean drinking water, and no latrines, putting people in Awerial at risk of disease outbreaks.

“Clean water is a particular problem, as the town's five boreholes run dry by 10 am,” says David Nash, MSF's head of mission in South Sudan. “The only real source of water is the Nile, and the quality of the water is not good. The same water used for drinking is what people are using to wash their clothes and bathe as well. There are no latrines either.” An MSF team is pumping water from the Nile and treating it to provide people with safe water for drinking.

MSF medical staff are providing the displaced people with basic healthcare in two clinics in Awerial town, one set up in a primary school, the other in the Ministry of Health hospital.

“We are seeing about 150 patients every day, most of them suffering from acute watery diarrhoea, chest infections and malaria,” says Dr Mussa Ousman, MSF's medical referent. “Today we have also set up an inpatient department to deal with severely ill patients, and we have secured space for pregnant women to deliver safely.”

The displaced people living in the open in Awerial, without adequate food or drinking water, are desperately in need of help, and MSF has called on other organisations to step up their assistance as a matter of urgency.

- Severin Mathias Akeo, the new ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire to the Holy See, presenting his credential letters.

- Archbishop Carlos Jose Nanez of Cordoba, Argentina, accompanied by Bishop Pedro Torres, auxiliary of Cordoba.

- Nicola Zingaretti, president of the Lazio region, Italy.

- Ignazio Marino, mayor of Rome, Italy.

- Prefect Riccardo Carpino, extraordinary commissioner for the province of Rome.

Humanitarian partners in South Sudan estimate that more than 231,000 people have been displaced since hostilities erupted on 15 December, including almost 60,000 people who have sought shelter in UN bases. A further 42,800 South Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

“Conditions for the South Sudanese fleeing hostilities in their country are getting worse by the day. With this CERF funding, UN humanitarian agencies will be better able to meet the needs of people desperately seeking shelter and safety,” said USG Amos.

The humanitarian country team in South Sudan will ensure that the CERF funds go to the most critical humanitarian needs in the country. UN agencies will use the funds to improve the living conditions of tens of thousands of people in overcrowded camps. The allocation will also go to air support for medical evacuations and to enable relief workers to reach people in need in places that are inaccessible or too insecure to get to by road.

Globally CERF allocated almost US$482 million in 2013, of which $11.6 million went towards relief efforts in South Sudan. Since the country gained independence in July 2011, aid agencies in South Sudan have received almost $74.4 million from CERF for critical assistance, including food, clean water, shelter and health services.

CERF was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 to make funding for humanitarian emergencies faster and more equitable. Since then, 124 Member States and dozens of private sector donors and regional governments have pledged more than $3.3 billion to the Fund. Since its inception, CERF has allocated more than $3.2 billion for humanitarian agencies operating in 88 countries and territories.

Almost 7,000 people who have taken refuge near the Padre Pio religious community and the St Marc major seminary, south of the capital, have been given maize, beans, salt and cooking oil. "These people recently fled the violence, leaving almost everything they had behind," said Georgios Georgantas, head of the ICRC delegation in the Central African Republic. "They are having a very hard time meeting even their most basic needs."

More than 100,000 people at an airport site and 30,000 near the Boy-Rabe monastery are receiving water from the ICRC every day. "The water improves their daily life, but hygiene conditions remain very poor overall," said Mr Georgantas.

"On the outskirts of the airport, where the greatest concentration of displaced people is to be found, we've been working since the crisis erupted on 5 December, despite the unsettled security conditions, to cope with the steady flow of displaced people who continue to arrive each and every day," he said. "The priority is to find quick and efficient ways of providing them with greater quantities of safe drinking water and better sanitation."

A surgical team has been sent to the community hospital, where large numbers of casualties are being admitted every day. "The aim is to treat patients with violence-related injuries and perform emergency operations," said surgeon Essam El Sayed, whose team has operated on some 30 patients since 4 January. "We are admitting everyone who requires medical attention and providing them with care. Treatment is prioritized on the sole basis of the severity of the injuries."

The ICRC has re-opened the hospital's trauma ward, which had been inactive, to expand capacity. "The needs are enormous," said Dr El Sayed. "All of the ward's 26 beds are already occupied, and we are planning to add even more, for the intensive care unit in particular."

In parallel with these efforts, the ICRC and the Central African Red Cross continue to administer first aid. In addition, over the past few days they took 18 sick people, including six expectant mothers and nine children, and some 20 casualties to the community hospital or Castor maternity hospital, the only two health-care facilities still functioning in Bangui.

This week, ICRC staff are providing support for the national vaccination campaign against measles and polio at two sites in Bangui where a total of more than 23,000 displaced people have gathered. Over a three-day period, 8,500 young people will be immunized against the diseases.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs

U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Washington, DC

January 9, 2014

Introduction

Chairman Menendez, Ranking Member Corker, Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. I know that the subject before us is one about which you and other members of Congress care deeply. I regret to inform you that Special Envoy Booth is unavailable to testify today as he is in Addis Ababa working to get the peace process underway.

Situation in South Sudan

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Corker, three years ago today, on January 9, 2011, the people of South Sudan voted in overwhelming numbers for independence from the Republic of Sudan. After decades of war, they were peacefully and joyfully voting for separation and for a new future. Then-Senator Kerry was there to witness that historic moment. The United States played a critical role in getting the world's youngest country on the map.

Today, tragically, the world's youngest country and undoubtedly one of its most fragile democracies is in danger of shattering. The United Nations has reported more than a thousand people have died and over 240,000 have fled their homes including a number of refugees in neighboring countries. Political rivalries have taken on ethnic dimensions, atrocities are being committed, and men, women, and children are caught in the crossfire. This is not the future for which the people of South Sudan voted.

South Sudan's crisis began less than a month ago, on December 15th, with a political struggle that escalated into broader violence. However the fighting began, a few things are crystal clear. First, neither the United States nor the international community will countenance the armed overthrow of the democratically elected government. Second, hostilities must stop, any and all violence directed at civilian populations must end, and those responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses must be held accountable. Third, this crisis will not be solved on the battlefield. Although fighting started less than one month ago, the roots of this conflict are much deeper, and resolution can only come through immediate dialogue between the two sides and an inclusive reconciliation. Finally, all parties must permit immediate and unconditional humanitarian access to all in need, to tens of thousands of South Sudanese men, women, and children who are the real victims of this violence.

The United States has engaged in an all-out diplomatic effort to help bring an end to the fighting, with engagement by Secretary Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and other high-ranking officials with President Kiir and former Vice President Machar as well as with the heads of state and foreign ministers in neighboring countries and around the world. We have galvanized support to end hostilities and open a broader dialogue between the two sides; called for accountability for atrocities; sought to secure the release of political detainees now being held in Juba.

But while we need a political settlement among the fighting parties, the immediate security situation remains critical – particularly for the thousands of internally displaced civilians who have sought the UN's protection – and must be addressed as well. As the crisis began to unfold, we proposed and the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution nearly doubling the authorized troop ceiling for UNMISS. In turn, we are now actively encouraging member states to provide additional troops and police units to the UN mission, including through the transfer of contingents from other missions in the region. As my colleague, Assistant Administrator Lindborg will discuss, we have just committed an additional $50 million in emergency humanitarian assistance in response to pressing new needs arising from the crisis.

The President's Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth – who, as I noted, could not be here to testify today because he is in Ethiopia – is actively trying to help resolve this crisis. Ambassador Booth has been in the region since December 22nd, working around the clock, as we all have in supporting his efforts. He has met repeatedly with President Kiir and other officials, had lengthy discussions with former Vice President Machar, secured the first official visit with the group of political detainees, and sat down with local religious leaders and civil society members to help find a way out of this crisis.

This is an all-out effort on our part, and given our special history in South Sudan, we are working closely with South Sudan's neighbors, through East Africa's Intergovernmental Authority on Development or IGAD, who are spearheading mediation efforts. A special summit on South Sudan was held at the head of state level just 12 days after the conflict began, and thanks to robust engagement, representatives of both parties arrived in Addis for negotiations just a few days later. We are encouraged by IGAD's leadership in convening the parties and strongly support the efforts of former Ethiopian Minister Seyoum Mesfin and Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiywo to find a peaceful solution through political dialogue. South Sudan's neighbors are also providing asylum for new South Sudanese refugees who may number in the hundreds of thousands if the fighting does not end soon.

These negotiations offer the best hope for South Sudan and the region. An agreement to end hostilities will provide much needed time and space for dialogue to begin on the core political and governance issues that are at the root of this crisis. Both sides must recognize that there can be no military solution. We have made clear to the rebels that we will not recognize a violent overthrow of a democratically elected government. At the same time, we are encouraging the government to open political space to allow for greater inclusion. The United States also strongly believes that the political prisoners currently being held in Juba must be released. These individuals should join discussions in Addis to enlarge the chorus of those seeking constructive solutions to resolve this growing catastrophe. Each day that the conflict continues, the risk of all-out civil war grows as ethnic tensions rise, more civilians are killed, injured, or forced to flee, the humanitarian situation grows more dire, and those who have remained on the sidelines are pulled into the conflict.

Let me conclude by saying that I am gravely concerned that the crisis in South Sudan has the potential to escalate even further. While we do not know the scale of atrocities that have been committed thus far, there is clear evidence that targeted killings have taken place, with Dinka killing Nuer, and Nuer killing Dinka. Countless civilians, particularly women and children, have become victims of violence perpetrated by both government and rebel forces alike. Each violent act threatens to return South Sudan to the cycle of violence and destruction that South Sudanese of all ethnicities and backgrounds voted to end when they voted for independence in 2011. Stopping the violence, and ensuring that Africa's newest nation continues to move forward rather than backwards, is of highest priority to the United States and the international community.

In addition to calling for an end to the violence, humanitarian access, dialogue, and the release of political prisoners in Juba, the United States is exploring the possibility of appropriate pressures against individuals on both sides who interfere with the peace and reconciliation process in South Sudan or are responsible for serious human rights abuses.

I want to thank you for your continued commitment to the people of South Sudan, and I look forward to your questions.

"Regional Maritime Security is a key concern of the region. With the Programme to

Promote Regional Maritime Security, the EU reconfirms its strong commitment to assist the countries of the whole Eastern and Southern Africa –Indian Ocean region in implementing their regional strategy and action plan to fight against piracy and promote maritime security. I commend the efforts already undertaken by the region to address piracy and to enhance maritime security" said the Chargé d'affaires of the EU Delegation, Guy Samzun.

The EU support to maritime security in the Eastern and Southern Africa region is implemented under the Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa (2011), which aims at addressing the root causes and the current symptoms of threats to maritime security in the region. The EU support is built on different strategies and instruments namely:

- political dialogue: the EU participates actively in the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia,

- military and non military operations: the EU NAVFOR Atalanta operation off the coast of Somalia, and the EUCAP Nestor operation for building regional maritime capabilities,

- development cooperation in Somalia: under the 10th European Development Fund, the EU has allocated EUR 500 million for governance, education, heath, food security and sanitation projects in Somalia.

The EU actions are in support of the United Nations resolutions, and of regional strategies including the Djibouti Code of Conduct and the ESA-IO Regional Strategy and Action Plan against Piracy and for Promoting Maritime Security adopted during the 2nd High Level Regional Ministerial Conference on Maritime Piracy, Meeting held on 7th October 2010 in Mauritius co-chaired by Catherine Ashton the EU High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission.

The Programme to Promote Regional Maritime Security, also known as the MASE

programme, is a EUR 37.5 million worth programme which will be implemented over

5 years by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), and three other Regional

Organisations, namely the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) in partnership with United Nations agencies.

The programme will follow up the implementation of the Start up Project to Promote

Regional Maritime Security, a project of EUR 2 million entirely funded by the EU which was implemented by the Indian Ocean Commission Anti Piracy Unit from January 2012 up to June 2013 to support immediate actions to implement the Regional Strategy against Piracy and for Promoting Maritime Security.

Activities of the MASE programme will focus on inland Somalia, building capacities of the region for arrest, transfer, detention and prosecution of suspected pirates, disrupting illicit financial networks, and maritime security and on strengthening the exchange of information at regional level for maritime security.

The implementation of the MASE programme requires regional ownership and responsibility, solidarity and intra-regional burden-sharing, effective communication and information-sharing mechanisms. Given that a number of other initiatives and actions are ongoing and are being developed to address the issue of piracy, the MASE programme will build on existing frameworks such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and will be implemented in close coordination with the International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations International Contact Group on Piracy, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), EU Member States and other international partners.

The IOC Anti Piracy Unit which is based in Seychelles is responsible for implementing activities under two key components of the MASE i) maritime security and ii) exchange of information for all the countries of the Eastern and Southern Africa- Indian Ocean region.

The United States calls upon rebel-leader Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir to sign immediately the cessation of hostilities agreement tabled by IGAD. Mr. Machar, in particular, must commit to a cessation of hostilities without precondition. His continued insistence on the release of detainees as a pre-condition for a cessation of hostilities is unacceptable and runs counter to the express will of the detainees who informed the IGAD mediators yesterday that they support talks on an unconditional cessation of hostilities and stated clearly that their status as detainees should not be an impediment to reaching an agreement on a cessation of hostilities.

At the same time, the United States is disappointed that the detainees being held by the Government of South Sudan have not yet been released. The United States reiterates its call upon President Salva Kiir to release the detainees immediately to the custody of IGAD so that they can participate in the political negotiations.

It is the obligation of both President Kiir and Mr. Machar to ensure that the lives of their people and future of their young country are not further marred by continued violence and atrocities.