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Sénégal Airlines opts for Sage FRP 1000 as its financial management solution

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DAKAR, Sénégal, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- At the time of establishment, Sénégal Airlines considered its choice of service provider for information system management, including the financial management of its business. The airline opted for Sage FRP 1000 (http://www.sage.com) due to its flexibility, and its open and interfacing capabilities with other business management solutions which are essential for airlines.


Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/sage.png


Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140128.jpg (Abdoul Aziz NDAO, manager of the Sénégal Airlines information system)


As accounting and turnover calculation for airlines are quite specific tasks, Sénégal Airlines chose to outsource management of its turnover to a specialist service provider.

"Our accounting processes are automatically transferred in a fully secure manner to Sage FRP 1000 general accounting. Only an open information system such as Sage FRP 1000 allowed us to build interfaces between applications", stated Abdoul Aziz NDAO, manager of the Sénégal Airlines information system.


For this project, Sénégal Airlines was looking for a Sage-approved information system partner, able to commit over the long term. "We chose Itech Solutions due to the fact that their working methods are best suited to our project vision as well as for their technical expertise regarding Sage solutions", continued Abdoul Aziz NDAO.


Itech Solutions produced a model of the information system and its roll-out, user training and change management training. Today, it is responsible for managing maintenance contracts and software updates.


With Sage FRP 1000, Sénégal Airlines is achieving productivity gains and optimising management of its business processes.


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



Sage Press Contact

Carole Basson

Tel: +33 556 181 744

Carole.BASSON@sage.com


Sénégal Airlines Press Contact

Abdoul Aziz NDAO

Tél. : +221 338 658 903

abdoul-aziz.ndao@senegalairlines.aero


About Sage

We offer companies a range of intuitive, reliable and effective software solutions and management services, whether for accounting and payroll, ERP or customer relations management. Our customers receive continuous advice and support through our global network of local experts to help them solve their business problems, giving them the confidence to achieve their business ambitions. With over 6 million customers across the world, Sage (http://www.sage.com) achieves a turnover of 1,500 billion Euros. http://www.sage.fr/fr/mediatheque/accueil-temoignages-clients/senegal-airlines-optimise-sa-gestion-financiere-avec-sage-frp-1000


About Sénégal Airlines

Established in 2011, Sénégal Airlines is a young airline born out of a partnership between the Senegalese State and the private sector. It has 250 employees and achieves a turnover of 30 billion CFA Francs.






FCO Press Release: Minister for Africa visits Democratic Republic of Congo

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LONDON, United-Kingdom, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, visits the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting unique opportunity for peace in 2014.


During the visit, Mark Simmonds will meet with His Excellency President Joseph Kabila and Foreign Minister Raymond Tshibanda, setting out the UK's strong support for measures to forge continued economic growth and opportunities for the region.


Years of fighting have devastated eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but following the successful conclusion in December 2013 of the Kampala Peace Talks, optimism is building for sustainable peace and prosperity for the future. The Minister will reiterate the UK's ongoing support to ending the cycle of conflict. He will travel outside of the capital to see first-hand the impact of conflict on the people of the DRC.


The Minister will visit Heal Africa in Goma to learn more about the devastating impact of sexual violence in conflict in the DRC, and to see how a UK-funded project will support local communities to end it.


He will also attend events focused on improving transparency in government and meet a group of British businesses in Kinshasa to discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in the DRC.


On his arrival, Mr Simmonds said:


“2014 provides a unique opportunity for greater stability in the DRC and the Great Lakes. The UK is committed to supporting the DRC in achieving an end to the cycle of conflict from which its people have suffered for so long.


“I look forward to my discussions with President Kabila and I will reiterate the UK's support in working towards a peaceful and prosperous DRC.”


Notes for Editors:


The visit will take place from 3-7 February.

South Sudan: $1.27 billion appeal to save lives, alleviate suffering and preposition aid before the rains

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GENEVA, Switzerland, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Aid agencies in South Sudan urgently require $1.27 billion to assist 3.2 million people suffering the humanitarian consequences of the crisis.


The conflict, which started on 15 December 2013, has led to devastating humanitarian consequences: the lives of millions of citizens have been shattered; almost 900,000 have left their homes; and thousands more have been hurt or wounded as a direct result of hostilities. Livelihoods have been lost, and people's ability to move livestock to pasture, to fish or to hunt, has been severely compromised.


Key aid agencies have stayed in South Sudan to protect civilians and deliver aid. Humanitarians are scaling up the response to assist 3.2 million people up to June, based on rigorous prioritization. This includes relief for displaced people and host communities, refugees, and other communities whose lives and livelihoods are at immediate risk. Aid organizations plan to provide emergency relief, uphold people's rights and strengthen livelihoods.


To do this, NGOs and UN agencies now require $1.27 billion to meet the most urgent needs until June, including vital pre-positioning of aid supplies for the whole year before the rainy season arrives.


“The priority is to save lives now, and ensure that we have food, medicine and other lifesaving supplies prepositioned in the field, in easy reach of aid agencies before the rains hit and the roads become impassable,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Toby Lanzer.


“We have revised the South Sudan Crisis Response Plan to reflect the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, to prioritize frontline relief and pre-positioning, and to take necessary actions now to prevent food security deteriorating later in the year,” continued Mr. Lanzer. “To achieve this, I ask the international donor community to stand with the people of South Sudan and the aid agencies working here to help them before the situation gets even worse.”


Grindrod and Northwest Rail Company partner to develop the Copper Railway in Zambia

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LUSAKA, Zambia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Grindrod Limited (http://www.grindrod.co.za), the JSE listed freight and logistics service provider, through its wholly owned subsidiary Grindrod Mauritius, today announced the opportunity to work with Northwest Rail Company Limited (“NWR”), to build, operate and maintain a new 590km cape gauge railway from Chingola in the heart of the old Zambian Copperbelt to the Angolan border. These exclusive rights were granted to NWR, a Zambian company, by the Government of Zambia in July 2006. The agreement signed today will enable the parties to conclude the bankable feasibility study which is currently underway.


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


Photo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140204.jpg (Northwest Rail route 50kms Lumwana to Kalumbila)


The railway is to be built in two phases – Phase I extending from Chingola to the Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila mines (290 km of track), and Phase II to connect with the Benguela line on the Zambian-Angola border near Jimbe. Phase I is intended to service existing ore and finished copper traffic, and Phase II is intended to open up a direct corridor to Lobito which would allow landlocked Zambia to import oil directly from Angola, and to stimulate further mining activity in the Western Copperbelt region.


The estimated capital cost of Phase 1 is US$ 489 million while Phase 2 of the NWR project is estimated to cost US$500 million.


KPMG's Infrastructure and Major Projects team have successfully developed the project with NWR over the last twelve months and have facilitated the closure of the deal.


Subject to the conclusion of the Phase 1 bankability feasibility study, construction is expected to commence during 2014. “I have been developing this project for a number of years and the synergies with Grindrod's Rail businesses, makes Grindrod an ideal partner in the joint venture and means we will be able to bring this project to being in the shortest possible time”, said Honourable Enoch Kavindele, a former Vice-President of Zambia and founder/owner of NWR.


Grindrod's Rail division operates railways and builds, refurbishes and maintains locomotives and wagons provides rail signaling systems and constructs and maintains track infrastructure. Said James Holley, Grindrod Rail, Divisional Chief Executive, “We have spent the last few years developing our rail capabilities and growing our capacity to participate in the growth in the Africa rail sector. It has meant we are perfectly placed to take up opportunities like this on the African continent”.


Said Dave Rennie, CEO Grindrod Freight Services –Ports & Rail, “This investment will enable Grindrod to extract synergies from our existing investments in the North South rail corridor and our port operations in Maputo, Richards Bay and Durban. We also see great potential in creating an Atlantic gateway to Central Africa through Lobito and look forward to playing our part in making this a reality with the development of Phase II”.


The Copperbelt straddles the border of Northern Zambia and the Southern DRC and is amongst the richest under developed geological regions in Africa. Current production of copper in this area accounts for around 8% of the world's production, and BMI International forecasts sustained growth in the Zambian copper industry at 5% per annum over the next decade.


Said Dave Rennie, “We like the economic fundamentals of the copper market. We have previously been highly focused on the coal and iron ore markets so this gives us a good opportunity to diversify our bulk commodity mix”.


Existing copper mines are located in the Eastern Copperbelt and are serviced by smelters located near to Chingola (Zambia) and Lubumbashi (DRC). New mine developments have started, and more are planned, in the Central and Western Copperbelt area of Zambia which need to transport ore up to 300kms for processing. Road infrastructure is poor, and the cost of road transport is becoming prohibitive. An alternative rail transport solution will be both more economic for the North Western province of Zambia and much less damaging to the local environmental.


Said Enoch Kavindele, “Grindrod has proven itself to be a good custodian of state assets elsewhere in Africa and I believe that as Zambians, we can be pleased to have them as our partners in this important project which will create thousands of jobs in the country in accordance with government policy.


Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Grindrod Limited.



For further comment:

James Holley

Grindrod Rail

Divisional Chief Executive

Phone: +27 11 262 7302

Mobile: +27 (0)84 503 1252

E-mail: Jamesh@grindrod.co.za



Africell Sierra Leone Crosses The 2 Million Active Subscribers

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FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Africell Holding (http://www.africell.com) announces that Africell Sierra Leone crossed the two million mark with over 2,250,000 active subscribers.


Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/africell.png


The Group is expecting to end 2014 with over 11 million in total active subscriber base.


Africell Sierra Leone is positioned as an uncontestable market leader with 65% market share and is forecasted to cross the 3 million active subscribers by the end of 2014.


Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Africell Holding.



Media contact:

Hala Haddad

hhaddad@africell.com


About Africell Holding:

Africell Holding (http://www.africell.com) fully owns and operates three mobile subsidiaries in Africa; Africell Gambia, Africell Sierra Leone, and Africell RDC. The group ended 2013 with over 7 million active subscribers and is projected to cross the 11 million active subscribers mark before end 2014. Following the launch of Africell RDC in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012, Africell Holding is actively looking for expansion opportunities in the African continent.






IOM Operation in CAR Threatened by Lack of Money

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GENEVA, Switzerland, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On Saturday IOM organized its 19th evacuation flight for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) exiting the Central African Republic (CAR). The flight transported 314 Chadians from the CAR to Chad.

“People are desperate to leave CAR. IOM is assisting third country nationals to return home safely, and will continue to do so if funds become available,” said Jan de Wilde, IOM Officer-in-Charge in CAR.

IOM has appealed for USD 17.5 million for CAR, but has only received USD 2.8 million. The Organization still urgently needs contributions to be able to evacuate TCNs in dire need of protection.

IOM Director General William Lacy Swing will visit CAR from February 5-8 to assess needs for further IOM interventions. He will meet with the President, government ministers and UN officials, visit IOM programme sites, and undertake a field trip to the prefectures.

IOM is also assisting displaced people at over 70 sites in Bangui, including the Central Mosque, with a mobile medical clinic.

A Chadian Muslim man who wished to remain anonymous was evacuated on Saturday's flight with his brother to escape violence in CAR. Their wives and children were previously evacuated to Chad by road. The brothers had remained behind in Bangui to take care of their food distribution business.

“We don't want to go, but we are in danger here. The violence is widespread. Muslims are being attacked and killed. The homes of Muslims have been ruined. The situation is deteriorating. We lived here for a long time but it is not possible anymore. We will return to Chad,” he said.

Another Chadian man who worked as a clothing merchant in Bangui for 25 years was also evacuated.

“Friends told us that this organization [IOM] takes good care of people with full security. They took good care of us, registered us. We are very happy, we're ready to board, we are ready to return to our home country,” he said.

Since January 11, 2014 a total of 4,792 TCNs have received assistance from IOM to return to their home countries. These include nationals from Chad, Cameroon, Mali, Sudan, Niger and Senegal.

Evacuation flights will be continued as needs develop. IOM currently has funds for two to three additional flights. Unless funding improves, the flights will be discontinued.

This week IOM will continue detailed registration of TCNs who wish to leave CAR. IOM is working with consular staff from each country, who are responsible for confirming the nationalities of individuals who lack proper identification.

There are more than 400,000 displaced people in CAR's capital city Bangui, and approximately 825,000 in the entire country. This figure was determined by the Commission on Population Movement, a sub-cluster of the UN Protection Cluster, of which IOM is a member.


Africa: Statement Following a Meeting With The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and International Partners on South Sudan

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WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Remarks

William J. Burns

Deputy Secretary of State

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

January 30, 2014


Good afternoon. My colleagues from China, the United Kingdom, Norway, the European Union and I just had a very productive discussion with our partners from the IGAD mediation team, Ambassador Seyoum and General El Dabi.

It was a very good opportunity for all of us to stress our firm support for the important mediation effort of IGAD, and to stress our firm commitment to the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, which was recently concluded.

It was also an opportunity to express our firm support for the work of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), especially in the face of recent threats and challenges. It was an opportunity to stress our firm support for unfettered access for humanitarian agencies to vulnerable populations across South Sudan, and to stress our deep concern about continuing human rights abuses in South Sudan. We also focused on the political process to try to build on the cessation of hostilities agreement; to look at ways in which the recent step to release 7 of the 11 persons detained by the government of South Sudan can be used to create momentum in a political process. At the same time, we continue to urge the release of the remaining 4 detainees.

The truth is that South Sudan, both its people and its leaders, have an important moment of choice before them: whether to choose to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the cessation of hostilities agreement, and to build on it an enduring end to violence, progress toward a sustainable political solution, and to ease the humanitarian suffering which all of us see across South Sudan today, or, to miss that opportunity and to allow mistrust and violence to overcome the chance that the people and leaders of South Sudan have before them today. The people of South Sudan can't afford to miss this opportunity and none of us in the region or in the international community can afford that either.

There's still time. There's still time to realize the hope and the promise of independence in South Sudan, which began just a few short years ago. That's going to require political vision, will, and courage on the part of leaders in South Sudan and it's going to require the continued support of the region and the international community for the IGAD mediation effort. And that's what all of us were proud to reaffirm today.

So, once again, I want to thank my colleagues who were able to meet today and thank our partners in the IGAD mediation effort for a very positive discussion. Thank you all very much.

Newly Established “African Union Foundation” Holds Inaugural Promoters’ Meeting in Addis Ababa

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Following the convening of the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, the inaugural promoters' meeting of the newly established “African Union Foundation” was held. The meeting was led by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, who is also the founder as legal representative of the African Union.


Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission presented, the objectives of the Foundation for voluntary contributions towards financing African priorities at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In attendance were the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the AU Commissioners, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. P.J. Patterson,and first members of the inaugural council and guests.


Established by the AU Assembly in May 2013, the African Union Foundation aims to finance African priorities through voluntary contributions. The mission of the Foundation is to “mobilize resources in support of the African Union's vision of an integrated, people-centered and prosperous Africa, at peace with itself and taking its rightful place in the world”. To accomplish this mission, the Foundation will focus on five key programme areas in its first five years: 1) skills and human resource development, 2) women's empowerment and gender equality, 3) regional integration, 4) youth development and entrepreneurship, and 5) advocacy and support for the African Union.

“It is time for Africa to mobilize our own resources in support of our development and take charge of our own destiny,” said Chairperson Zuma. The Foundation will strive to more deeply engage Africa's private sector, African individuals and communities, and leading African philanthropists to generate resources and provide valuable insight on ways in which their success can accelerate Africa's development. The issue of domestic and alternative sources of funding has been an intrinsic element of the continent's commitments of the Pan African values of self-determination, solidarity and self-reliance. The AUC Chairperson called on the participants to act as good will ambassadors to the foundation.


IFC Finances VAALCO to Boost Gabon’s Oil and Gas Production

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WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has agreed to provide VAALCO Gabon with a $65 million reserve based loan facility to support the company's oil exploration and development program in Gabon. The Gabon oil and gas sector, which has seen decreasing output levels, is a critical component of the country's economy.


IFC's financing, a $50 million senior loan and $15 million subordinate tranche, will help fund the construction of two new platforms and associated facilities to increase production from the Etame Marin offshore block. The program aims to increase the block's current gross production to a level close to capacity of the project's floating production storage and offloading vessel.


Smaller oil fields, such as those being developed by VAALCO, have become an increasingly important component of national production in Gabon as some of the country's larger fields mature and face declines in production.


"IFC's continued support to VAALCO Gabon, a valued IFC client since the beginning of its operations in the Etame field, follows our strategy to help Gabon continue to unlock the economic potential of its hydrocarbon resources for long term economic growth and diversification", said Lance Crist, Global Head, IFC Oil and Gas.


IFC will work with the company to ensure that the ongoing field development continues to be carried out in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.


Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida and His Excellency Mr. Nabil Fahmi, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt

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TOKYO, Japan, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On December 19, commencing at 5:10 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida held a meeting with His Excellency Mr. Nabil Fahmi, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview of the meeting is as follows.


1. The situation in Egypt


(1) Minister Kishida said the steady progress with the roadmap is encouraging. The finalization of the amended draft constitution is an important milestone in particular, and he will be watching closely the course of the national referendum on January 14 and 15 next year. He also said regulations such as the protest law and the detention of anti-government activists are a concern as they are issues that also involve human rights and social stability. On the other hand, he is well aware of the struggles the interim government faces in maintaining security and public order. He condemns the terrorist activities in the Sinai Peninsula, and extends his condolences to the victims and their families.


(2) In response, Minister Fahmi said democratization process such as drafting the amended constitution has been progressing, it proceeds based on guarantee of the basic human rights and the principle of the rule of law and he hope the interim-period will be terminated peacefully by next summer.


2. Japan-Egypt relations


(1) Minister Kishida said Japan will continue to extend support toward economic development and socio-economic stability that benefits Egyptian citizens overall, while focusing on Egypt's progress with the democratization process and the promotion of youth employment, and he announced the provision of the grant aid will commence for the construction of a ward for the Cairo University Pediatric Hospital, and with the cooperation of the UNDP and other organizations a total of approximately 16 million USD in support is being newly prepared. With the Construction of New Dirout Group of Regulators (DGR) and Improvement of Water Management Project as a starting point, the Japan wants to implement new yen loans also. However, in going forward Japan wants to consider such loans based on explanations of Egypt's specific efforts toward economic stabilization. He noted that the travel warnings in some tourist locations were lowered further last week, and said he hopes that this, coupled with stability in Egypt's social situation, helps to encourage tourism and other people-to-people exchanges.


(2) In response, Minister Fahmi said expansionary policies are being implemented for improving the economic situation and he expressed gratitude for the new economic assistances and the longstanding assistances from Japan such as Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST).

Keynote Address: 2014 Gulf of Aden Regional Counterterrorism Forum

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WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Remarks

Geeta Pasi

U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti

Djibouti, Djibouti

February 3, 2014



Good morning. I'd like to thank the Government of Djibouti for hosting this conference in Djibouti and the U.S. State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau for funding and organizing the conference. I would also like to thank Ms. Mako Hassan and everyone at ATTA for doing such an outstanding job of getting all the participants here and for helping to facilitate this forum. This forum – and forums like it – are increasingly important as they enable the building of relationships and enhance a shared understanding of best practices as we all work together to achieve our collective goals – a transnational response to a transnational threat.

The Gulf of Aden Regional Counterterrorism Forum, which first convened in Sana'a, Yemen last April, was created out of an understanding of the common threat across the borders of those represented here today. This week's forum comes at a pivotal time. We've made progress with our collective strategic counterterrorism efforts, but a great deal of work remains to be done.

The preeminent security threat to the United States continues to be from al-Qa'ida and its affiliates and adherents around the world. As we work to counter this threat over the long term, the United States is committed to helping build partner nation capabilities and to working with our partners to counter the murderous ideology that continues to incite indiscriminate violence around the world. Defeating a terrorist network requires us to work together to disrupt criminal and terrorist financial networks, strengthen rule of law institutions while respecting human rights, address recruitment, and eliminate the safe havens that protect and facilitate this activity. We need to take on violent extremist ideology and diminish its appeal.

Today, I'd like to describe briefly the global threat environment, honing in on the threats specific to the countries represented here today, and then outline some of the bilateral and regional approaches we are using to meet long-term challenges.

The Global Threat Environment

Through the actions of the United States and others, many senior al-Qai'da leaders have been removed from the battlefield or are facing trial. The ability of AQ's senior leadership to direct the activities and attacks of its affiliates has diminished, as its leaders focus their energies on evading capture. At the same time, AQ affiliates in this region and elsewhere have grown more independent, have become increasingly active, and are increasingly setting their own goals and specifying their own targets.

As avenues previously open to these and other violent extremist organizations for receiving and sending funds have become more difficult to access, several groups have engaged in kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities, and thus have also increased their financial independence. Though AQ affiliates still seek to attack targets abroad, they seem more inclined to focus on smaller scale attacks closer to their home base.

Before discussing the Gulf of Aden region, I'd like to mention briefly the tumultuous events of the past three-plus years in the Middle East and North Africa, which have complicated the counterterrorism picture. Arms proliferation in the wake of the revolution in Libya and civil and political strife in Mali presented terrorists with new opportunities to take advantage of regional instability. Foreign fighters from Europe, North Africa, and South Asia have traveled to Syria to join the fight with the Nusrah Front and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Meanwhile, in West Africa, we are seeing a loosely organized collection of factions known as Boko Haram – some of them with ties to al-Qa'ida in the Maghreb – exploiting the grievances of northern Nigerians to gain recruits and public sympathy. The number and sophistication of Boko Haram's attacks are increasing, and while the group focuses principally on local Nigerian issues and actors, there is evidence that it is developing financial and training links with other violent extremists in West Africa.

In the Gulf of Aden region, two al-Qa'ida affiliates foster regional instability through their brutal terrorist tactics. These are al-Qa'ida in the Arabian

Peninsula - AQAP – based in Yemen and al-Shabaab based in Somalia.

In Yemen, the fight against AQAP is a work in progress. We commend the Yemeni people on the January 25 conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference and support efforts toward full implementation of the political transition initiative. Yemen illustrates the value of a comprehensive approach to countering terrorism. While Yemeni security forces are increasing their capacity to combat terror and taking actions to mitigate threats, the international community is assisting the Yemeni government's efforts to address the needs of the Yemeni people by supporting the political transition and delivering humanitarian and economic aid. In this endeavor, the United States is working closely with the Friends of Yemen group, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the international community.

Since this forum last met in Sana'a, Somalia has marked more than one year since the end of its own political transition. The recent formation of a new cabinet in Mogadishu, the peaceful elections and transition of power in Puntland in January, the agreement between the central government and the Interim Jubaland Administration last August, and the ongoing dialogue between Somaliland and Federal Government of Somalia are hopeful signs of a new era in this conflict-stricken country. We remain committed to assisting Somalia in the difficult work to establish good governance and to provide opportunity and security for all Somali people.

The combined efforts of the Somali National Security Forces and AMISOM against al-Shabaab – with strong financial support and training from Western partners –are establishing the security conditions necessary for Somalia's government to operate. During the past year, al-Shabaab proved time and time again through its suicide attacks and frequent bombings that it does not stand with the Somali people. Its September 2013 siege on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi that targeted civilians – including women and children -- demonstrated again that it remains a threat to the entire region. But we know that al-Shabaab is a fractured organization fighting for relevance in a country that is showing signs of new life. We are confident that the recently authorized AMISOM troop increase will increase the pressure on al-Shabaab and are hopeful that progress by the central government, including increased collaboration with the regions of Somalia and an extension of public services will show all Somalis that a new day has dawned.

I would be remiss not to mention Djibouti, the country in which I have the pleasure of serving as U.S. ambassador. Even though it does not face the same direct threat as Somalia or Yemen, it is in a tough neighborhood and faces many challenges. Djibouti has demonstrated itself as a force for peace and stability in the region and a staunch ally in the fight against terrorism. I want to thank Djibouti for its troop deployment to Somalia as part of AMISOM. Djiboutian troops have played a crucial role in stabilizing areas of Somalia where they are deployed. Given its location along the border with Somalia and just across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen, Djibouti has undertaken efforts to increase training its police and military forces and has increased its emphasis at border control points to screen for potential security threats. In addition, as most of you already know, Djibouti is the host of Camp Lemonnier, which serves as headquarters to approximately 4,000 U.S. troops, including the Combined Joint Task Force for the Horn of Africa. I want to publicly extend thanks to the Government of Djibouti for their strong partnership and leadership. I should also note that we will have the privilege of hearing from the commander of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force for the Horn of Africa, General Wayne Grigsby, tomorrow during our session on the role of the military in counterterrorism.

What we're doing

Now that we have examined the changing landscape of terrorism in the world, we have to ask ourselves the question – how do we deal with this changing security environment?

First, we need to keep doing what we know works: continue to use our military, intelligence, and law enforcement assets to go after terrorist groups that threaten our collective security.

At the same time, we need to identify the factors that, despite our successes, are supporting the continued vitality of terrorist organizations and develop the innovative and cross-cutting, rule of law-based strategies that will help cut off that support. Violent extremism is a dynamic, adaptable phenomenon that is highly dependent on local political, social, and economic circumstances. We know that terrorist movements thrive on state failure, political upheaval and poor governance, among other factors. They are opportunistic – adapting quickly to exploit openings presented by political transitions and upheavals.

The United States is focused on two key strategic areas: 1) capacity building, so that countries can do a better job themselves of dealing with the threats within their own borders and regions; and 2) strengthening our work in countering violent extremism – or CVE. The goal of CVE is to deny terrorist groups new recruits, by: providing positive alternatives to communities most at risk of recruitment and radicalization to violence; countering terrorist narratives and the violent extremist worldview; and building the capacity of governments and civil society to counter violent extremism.

Working with our partners, both bilaterally and multilateral is crucial. We cannot do this alone. So, with the goal of building an international counterterrorism architecture for 21st century threats, the United States, together with 28 partner countries and the European Union, launched the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) in 2011. The Forum seeks to counter violent extremism and strengthen civilian institutions that are essential for addressing not only terrorism, but related transnational security threats. It provides a valuable framework for practitioners and policymakers to share expertise, challenges, and good practices on dealing with this shared threat and deliver rule of law-based assistance so partners—particularly in countries in transition to democracy—can simultaneously deal with the threats as they evolve and protect the human rights of their citizens.

In a relatively short time, the GCTF has made its mark, having already mobilized more than $230 million in member funds and set in motion two international training centers to provide platforms for sustainable training on countering violent extremism and strengthening rule-of-law institutions. It has developed practical guidance for all countries to follow in the areas of rule of law, kidnapping for ransom, and prison de-radicalization and disengagement.

I know that representatives from each of your countries, perhaps even some of you, have participated in activities organized by the Forum's Horn of Africa Region Working Group, and I expect that you have been able to benefit from the expertise that is shared within and good practices developed through the GCTF. We will discuss some of those best practices during the rest of this week's meetings. We also hope that your governments will participate in next meeting of the GCTF's Horn of Africa Working Group in Nairobi on 12-13 March, where the focus will be on strengthening cooperation and capacities in the region on law enforcement and CVE.

On the bilateral front, the U.S. Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program continues to engage with each of your countries to build capacity in a wide spectrum of counterterrorism skills, from bomb detection, to crime scene investigation, to border, aviation, and cyber security. ATA, offered courses, seminars, and consultations to roughly 11,000 participants from over 50 countries in 2013, including hundreds of security and law enforcement officials in Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen.

We have also worked closely with our partners across the globe, including representatives from Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen, to make important progress in safeguarding our shared financial system against those who wish to exploit it. Since 2010, our Counterterrorism Finance Program has trained more than 5,400 key specialists in governments and financial institutions throughout the world. We are proud to be able to partner with you in the struggle to combat terrorist financing.

Through the Terrorist Interdiction Program (TIP), the Department enhances border security capabilities for partner nations at risk of terrorist activity – by providing a computerized screening-list system, the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES). As of February 2014, government authorities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda manage and operate a total of 38 PISCES installations at airports, seaports, and land borders to screen, identify, and deter terrorist travelers. Of these 38 PISCES installations, 35 operate biometric screening, with fingerprints, as part of primary processing. And across the Gulf of Aden, Yemen operates 19 PISCES installations.

To contest the terrorist narrative, President Obama established the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications (CSCC) in 2010. CSCC's Digital Outreach Team counters violent extremist propaganda online every day in Arabic, Punjabi, Somali, and Urdu. CSCC's activities have elicited vigorous responses from violent extremist ideologues, indicating that they view CSCC's work as a threat to their own messaging efforts.

The shifting terrorism landscape makes local CVE efforts all the more important. In 2013, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced the Global Fund for Community Engagement and Resilience – the first-ever public-private global fund to support local, grassroots efforts to counter violent extremism in all of its forms and manifestations. It is anticipated that the Fund will raise more than $200 million over the next 10 years to support local CVE causes.

Looking Forward

Building new partnerships, strengthening existing partnerships, and helping other countries foster collaborative relationships with partner nations are all vital to our counterterrorism efforts. This is one of the reasons we organized this conference. We have seen in many places how regional coalitions and organizations can play a critical role in addressing security challenges and threats. Examples of these partnerships include the international response in northern Mali, the response of AMISOM in Somalia, and regional assistance from the Gulf Cooperation Council states in Yemen.

While the people of the Gulf of Aden region will determine their own course, the United States can provide a wide variety of advice and assistance to civilian institutions, with a particular focus on countries transitioning from emergency counterterrorism laws to a rule-of-law framework. Ultimately, counterterrorism and rule of law goals are closely aligned and reinforce one another. It is important that, in our zeal to protect our citizens, we not weaken their legal rights and protections.

This is one of the reasons we have shaped the agenda for this week's Forum as we have. We want to focus this week on the rule of law in counterterrorism efforts, including the role of legal frameworks, law enforcement and the military among other issues. We have designed the sessions so that you can hear from experts on each of the topics but also have plenty of time to engage in lively discussion amongst yourselves about how these roles realistically play out in each of your countries. Our goal is for you to build deeper relationships with your colleagues so you can rely on each other in the future, to share experiences and develop new ideas that help us all counter the constantly evolving threats that face us each day.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I hope the rest of the Forum is productive.

AUC Chairperson appoints Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has appointed Ms. Bineta Diop as Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security. Dr. Dlamini Zuma announced the appointment on 30th January during her opening address to the 22nd Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 30-31 January 2014.


Ms. Diop has over 35 years of experience working in human rights, peace building and development issues in Africa and internationally. She founded the Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), a leading global organization with an objective to strengthen women's leadership and engender peace processes in Africa.


She has also served in numerous other positions amongst which are: Secretary-General of the African Women's Committee on Peace and Development (AWCPD), President of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) Gender Cluster (2009-2011); member of the Global Agenda Council on Conflict Prevention of the World Economic Forum (2010-2011), an advisor in the 6thAdvisory Group of the International Committee of the Red Cross (2004-2007), and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2008-2011).


Her work contributed to increased and more effective participation of women in peace and development processes on the continent, notably mainstreaming a gender perspective in the transformation process of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). She championed the achievement of gender parity within the African Union Commission in 2003, with the election of five women out of the 10 AU Commissioners. Her work also contributed to the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol, 2003) and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (2004).


Ms Diop's commitment and dedication to the cause of women have earned her continental and global recognition as a champion of women's rights and gender issues, with numerous honors and awards. TIME Magazine 2011, listed her amongst the 100 Most Influential People in the World; the University for Peace, in 2012, awarded her a “Doctor Honoris Causa in International Peace Studies” and she was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French government in recognition of her work on women, peace and security.


Ms. Diop is from Senegal, has a Ph.D. Session Certificate, and is completing another in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies.


Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Jomaa of Tunisia

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WASHINGTON, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- President Obama called Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa of Tunisia today to congratulate him and the Tunisian people on the ratification of their new constitution and on the inauguration of PM Jomaa's independent government to lead the country to elections. The President commended the efforts of all of Tunisia's parties to work together to secure the gains made since the start of Tunisia's revolution, which inspired people around the world. The President invited the Prime Minister to visit Washington later this year to continue to build the U.S.-Tunisian relationship. The United States will continue to be a friend and partner to Tunisia to support its democratic transition, to bolster security, and to promote a more peaceful and prosperous future.

USARAF Training Helps African Nations Secure Borders

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CAPE-TOWN, South-Africa, February 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- In support of its mission to enable full spectrum operations while conducting sustained security engagements with African land forces, the training U.S. Army Africa is providing to different African nations is helping them secure their own borders as well as their own regions.


Maj. Albert Conley III, U.S. Army Africa, or USARAF's Counter Terrorism Desk Officer for International Military Engagements explains that by USARAF helping Africans solve African problems the U.S. doesn't need to get involved and whatever American interests are in that region or country will, as a secondary effect, be secure because USARAF is helping them with internal and external security.


"If Africans are solving African problems, that means the U.S. government won't need to use the United States Army to solve African problems," Conley said. "For example, by having a conglomerate of nations in the African Union going into Somalia to help fix that nation's problems means that American servicemen don't have to go into Somalia to help fix that problem," he said.


USARAF is currently partnering with the French government to train and equip in Guinea, and will be in Chad and Malawi in February to train more than 4,000 African troops for peace enforcement missions in Mali and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


"We are ready to begin training in Chad for about 1,300 soldiers -- an 850 man battalion plus another 450 man battalion," said Col. John Ruffing, USARAF Security Cooperation Director. "While we are not partnering with the government of France, we are partnering with a private French security firm that the government of Chad contracted. They are providing some of the training and we are providing some of the training."


USARAF is planning more training and equipping iterations -- probably a total of about 15 between now and the end of the fiscal year, with various countries on the African continent.


"We are looking at partnering with some of our non-traditional partners as well and would like to partner with an African nation to train other countries," Ruffing said. "We'd also like to work with an international, non-traditional partner to train a third-party African nation in a particular skill set, as well as provide us with training because we don't know how to operate in that environment very well, and are learning each and every time we put people on the continent," he said.


USARAF hasn't been training and equipping a lot of African nations until about a year-and-a-half ago.


"A lot of this is coming on-line now with the Regionally Aligned Forces," Ruffing said. "An example would be how the RAF worked during Shared Accord 13. It was a very sophisticated exercise where we did air field seizure, forcible entry operations, an amphibious assault and the environment was very difficult with high sea states, low visibility, high winds and we were able to conduct this operation through mission command in a C-130 where you had a South African general officer and a U.S. colonel sitting side-by-side with the South African general making decisions to conduct this operation. There were two forces --the U.S. and South Africa, conducting this event. Not only conventional forces were involved, but there were Special Forces from the U.S. and South Africa involved in this exercise," he said.


Because of lessons learned from that Shared Accord 13, or SA 13, the impact was seen almost immediately.


"I believe the training received during SA 13 helped 1/18th Infantry when they were sent to South Sudan to reinforce the U.S. Embassy there as part of the East Africa Response Force operations," Ruffing said. "Had that force just been sitting at a location just doing training and not understanding the environment or working with a foreign military, it might have been a little more difficult. But because they were able to work in the environment with South Africa during Shared Accord, I think that helped them and prepared them for that operation in South Sudan."


Conley offered additional examples.


"We trained in Niger and then Niger went into Mali," Conley said. "We are now working with the French to actually get the assessment of that since we're not working with them in Mali. So, now the French get to see this unit we trained and equipped to go in and fight in Mali and secure the area. The French are actually giving us the assessment and evaluation of that unit, and then whatever lessons learned, we will implement that in the next training mission."


Another example and perhaps a better example, Conley said, is from training in east Africa.

"The U.S. government has been training in Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti and Burundi to go in to conduct peace keeping missions in Somalia. For the longest time they were restricted to the city of Mogadishu," Conley said. "Because of all the training we've been doing with them, building up the different units with reconnaissance capabilities so they can push out of Mogadishu and push out into the countryside while pushing the terrorist group El Shabaab out speaks to great success. So I don't need to be on the ground to see the success of that -- it's quite evident."

Notice — Continuation of the National Emergency with respect to Côte d’Ivoire

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WASHINGTON, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- NOTICE



CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE SITUATION IN OR IN RELATION TO CÔTE D'IVOIRE


On February 7, 2006, by Executive Order 13396, the President declared a national emergency, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire and ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire. The situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire, which has been addressed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1572 of November 15, 2004, and subsequent resolutions, has resulted in the massacre of large numbers of civilians, widespread human rights abuses, significant political violence and unrest, and fatal attacks against international peacekeeping forces.


Since the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara in May 2011, the Government of Côte d'Ivoire has made progress in advancing democratic freedoms and economic development. While the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and its people continue to make progress towards peace and prosperity, the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, the national emergency declared on February 7, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond February 7, 2014. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396.


This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.


BARACK OBAMA



Message — Continuation of the National Emergency with respect to Côte d’Ivoire

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WASHINGTON, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:


Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency, unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396 of February 7, 2006, with respect to the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire is to continue in effect beyond February 7, 2014.


The situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire, which has been addressed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1572 of November 15, 2004, and subsequent resolutions, has resulted in the massacre of large numbers of civilians, widespread human rights abuses, significant political violence and unrest, and fatal attacks against international peacekeeping forces.


Since the inauguration of President Alassane Ouattara in May 2011, the Government of Côte d'Ivoire has made progress in advancing democratic freedoms and economic development. While the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and its people continue to make progress towards peace and prosperity, the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency and related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire.


BARACK OBAMA

IFC, EU and Syngenta Foundation to Expand Weather Insurance to One Million East African Farmers

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NAIROBI, Kenya, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed two grant agreements, with a combined value of $3.9 million, with the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture to expand index-based insurance to small-scale farmers in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Index-based weather insurance can protect against the adverse effects of climate change and help to strengthen food security in rural communities.


The grants were issued by the Global Index Insurance Facility, a multi-donor trust fund financed by the European Union, Japan and the Netherlands and implemented by IFC and the World Bank. It is estimated that the project will bring index insurance to approximately one million small-scale farmers within two years.


At a signing ceremony in Nairobi, smallholder farmer Reuben Biwot from Kitale, Kenya, said, “The insurance has given me confidence. It has transformed my attitude from subsistence farming to farming as a business.

I am free from the fear of failure.”


Reuben Biwot is one of 187,000 small-scale farmers in East Africa already benefiting from index insurance provided by the Syngenta Foundation's agricultural index insurance initiative, Kilimo Salama.


Marco Ferroni, Executive Director of the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, said "The support from IFC and the EU has been instrumental in the expansion of our index insurance program. This year, our team aims to reach over 600,000 farmers, expanding the program to cover Tanzania as well."


Much of the agricultural land in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania is rain fed and certain regions are vulnerable to drought and erratic rain. Many smallholder farmers limit their losses to extreme weather by making minimal investments into their land, leading to reduced yields and continued food insecurity.


Traditional indemnity-based agricultural insurance has seen little success due to high transaction costs and premiums. Index-based insurance, which pays out benefits on the basis of weather data without costly field verification of losses, is a more efficient risk management tool.


David Crush, IFC Manager for Access to Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “Index insurance helps to strengthen the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, which is one of the most important tasks in the quest to fight poverty and foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Africa and elsewhere.


A non-profit organization based in Switzerland, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture's mission is to create value for resource-poor small farmers in developing countries through innovation in sustainable agriculture and the activation of value chains. The SFSA's two-pronged approach to improve livelihoods is raising agricultural productivity and linking farmers to markets.


About GIIF

Launched in Africa in 2009, the Global Index Insurance Facility is a multi-donor trust fund financed by the European Union, Japan and the Netherlands and implemented by IFC and the World Bank. GIIF supports the development and growth of local markets for indexed and catastrophic insurance in developing countries, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia and Southeast Asia. GIIF's objective is to expand the use of index insurance as a risk management tool in agriculture, food security and disaster risk reduction.


Newly Established “African Union Foundation” Holds Inaugural Promoters’ Meeting in Addis Ababa

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Following the convening of the African Union Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, the inaugural promoters' meeting of the newly established “African Union Foundation” was held. The meeting was led by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, who is also the founder as legal representative of the African Union.


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Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission presented, the objectives of the Foundation for voluntary contributions towards financing African priorities at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In attendance were the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the AU Commissioners, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. P.J. Patterson, and first members of the inaugural council and guests.


Established by the AU Assembly in May 2013, the African Union Foundation aims to finance African priorities through voluntary contributions. The mission of the Foundation is to “mobilize resources in support of the African Union's vision of an integrated, people-centred and prosperous Africa, at peace with itself and taking its rightful place in the world.” To accomplish this mission, the Foundation will focus on five key programme areas in its first five years: 1) skills and human resource development, 2) women's empowerment and gender equality, 3) regional integration, 4) youth development and entrepreneurship, and 5) advocacy and support for the African Union.


“It is time for Africa to mobilize our own resources in support of our development and take charge of our own destiny,” said Chairperson Zuma. The Foundation will strive to more deeply engage Africa's private sector, African individuals and communities, and leading African philanthropists to generate resources and provide valuable insight on ways in which their success can accelerate Africa's development. The issue of domestic and alternative sources of funding has been an intrinsic element of the continent's commitments of the Pan African values of self-determination, solidarity and self-reliance. The AUC Chairperson called on the participants to act as good will ambassadors to the foundation.


Selection for membership of the Foundation's Governing Council was based on clear commitment to African development and philanthropy, the highest caliber of integrity, and prominence in the sectors and geographies they represent. The Foundation's governing Council is still formalizing its membership, but those selected who have been confirmed include Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Founder on behalf of the AU Commission; Ms. Luisa Diogo, former Prime Minister of Mozambique; President Alpha Konare, former President of Mali and former African Union Commission Chairperson; Ms. Zeinab Badawi, Journalist, BBC; Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, former CEO of the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange; Ms. Cheryl Carolus, CEO of Peotonia Holdings; Dr. AsmanyAsfour, President of Egypt Business Women's Association; Mr. James Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Ms. Ntombifuthi Mtoba, Chairperson of Deloitte Southern Africa; Dr. Charles Okeahalam, CEO of AGH Capital Group; and Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings (http://www.heirsholdings.com).


Others who attended the inaugural meeting included Mrs. Wendy Ackerman from Pick and Pay Holdings; Dr. BhekiMoyo from the Southern African Trust and Mr. Enoch Iluenzy, representative of Mr. James Gatera, MD of the Bank of Kigali.


In response to his invitation to the Council, Mr. Elumelu said, “I am honoured to be a part of the Chairperson's vision for an emergent Africa developed by Africans, and look forward to participating in this effort to change the paradigm of African development.” As a clear indication of that support, the Tony Elumelu Foundation made a $150,000 donation to the start up costs of the African Union Foundation, the first contribution made to the ambitious initiative.


At the same meeting, a pledge of $100,000 was made by the Government of Jamaica, represented by Ambassador Carlton Masters, who indicated, “This underscores the commitment of the Diaspora towards African development.”


A formal launch of the African Union Foundation and comprehensive awareness and fundraising campaign is planned for later this year.


Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Heirs Holdings.




APO content is now available on the Africa N°1 website

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DAKAR, Sénégal, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- APO (African Press Organization) (http://www.apo-opa.com) has today announced its partnership with Africa N°1, one of the largest African francophone radio stations, which will provide APO clients with greater global visibility through the publication of press releases about Africa on the Africa N°1 website (http://www.africa1.com).


Africa N°1 Paris Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african1.jpg


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APO Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-press-organization.jpg


The Africa N°1 Paris radio station broadcasts to an area of some 11 million people around the Paris area and has listeners across the globe thanks to its website, www.africa1.com, one of the most visited independent French radio station websites.


The APO stream, which comprises press releases about events in Africa and published by companies, international institutions, international organisations, governments, and United Nations entities across Africa is now accessible from the home page of the Africa N°1 website, thereby providing visitors to the site with an unrivalled feed of press releases from the continent which boasts the fastest growth rate in the world.


Present on Facebook (60,000 fans) (http://www.facebook.com/radioafrica1) and Twitter (17,000 followers) (http://twitter.com/Radio_Africa1), Africa N°1 Paris has also developed an iPhone App (60,000 downloads) (https://itunes.apple.com/app/id433117988).


APO manages Africa Wire®, the service for press release distribution and monitoring in Africa, reaching over 25,000 media contacts, bloggers and social networks, and redistributing content to over 50 African websites, Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters, Lexis Nexis, Dow Jones Factiva, and more.


Used by some of the world's largest companies, communications agencies, institutions and organizations, Africa Wire® guarantees the most extensive reach to Africa, helping APO's clients engage with their audience in all parts of the continent.


Further information about Africa Wire®, the leading press release wire in Africa: http://www.apo-opa.com/our-services/press-release-distribution-monitoring


Contact:

Aïssatou Diallo

sec.sg@apo-opa.org

+41 22 534 96 97



IOM appeals for new funding as South Sudan displacement crisis grows

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GENEVA, Switzerland, February 5, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IOM has revised its emergency funding appeal for the South Sudan crisis, reflecting expanded needs as the number of displaced civilians in the country continues to grow.

It is now seeking USD 63 million from the international community to provide urgent, lifesaving assistance in South Sudan through June 2014.

Since the outbreak of the crisis in December, an estimated 740,000 people have been displaced within South Sudan and over 123,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. Some 80,000 civilians, including a significant number of foreign nationals, are seeking protection in UN bases across the country.

The current crisis has occurred within a context of chronic poverty, characterized by inadequate basic services including water, sanitation and hygiene, health care, food insecurity and lack of livelihood opportunities.

South Sudan also continues to host over 230,000 Sudanese refugees, with the majority living in camps in Unity and Upper Nile states – two areas that have experienced significant violence and displacement over the past month.

“The scale of this crisis cannot be understated. It has put massive strain on a country already struggling to overcome some of the world's worst human development indicators,” said IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission David Derthick.

“IOM is rapidly expanding its operations to meet the needs of the growing numbers of displaced and vulnerable people throughout the country. This is why the continued support of the international community is vital,” he noted.

IOM has been a leading actor in the humanitarian response to the crisis in South Sudan. Since December, it has registered over 110,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs); distributed essential relief supplies including shelter materials, blankets and cooking kits to over 210,000 people; and conducted nearly 8,000 health consultations at medical clinics across the country.

In addition, it has provided safe water, constructed latrines and promoted good hygiene practices at IDP sites, and moved thousands of tons of humanitarian cargo by road and air.

The revised IOM appeal was developed in line with the South Sudan Humanitarian Country Team's Crisis Response Plan (CRP), and within the framework of the Cluster System. IOM is lead of the Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items (ES/NFI), Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Multi-Sector Clusters, as well as a major actor in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Health clusters.


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