IFJ deplores upsurge of attacks against journalists and media houses in Somalia

 

 

MOGADISHU, Somalia, November 16, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the upsurge of attacks against journalists and news media organisations in Somalia.
 
The IFJ condemns the grave press freedom violations that have been committed by Al-Shabaab extremist group in Kismayo, Baidoa, Bardhere and Mogadishu.
 
According to the IFJ’s Somalia affiliate, the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Al-Shabaab says there have been a number of oppressive edicts that the extremist group wants the media to implement. Radio Warsan and Jubba Radio in Baidoa are closed since 21 October 2009. Currently the compound of Radio Warsan is being occupied by the Al-Shabaab armed men.
 
The IFJ says these edicts are unacceptable and restrict the work of the media in Somalia. “We fully back the position of NUSOJ. These interventions are intolerable and have the effect of intimidating independent journalism,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.
 
Six journalists in Kismayo were forced to flee their town after they received from Shabaab threats ranging from arrest to expulsion working independently and reporting what is going in Kismayu.
 
A number of media houses in Mogadishu and Bardhere have been intimidated by Shabaab. There have been statements from politicians and diplomats saying the media in Somalia was “influenced” and is thus “compromised” by Shabaab.  
 
“Our Somali colleagues and their media houses are doing everything they can to operate in line with their profession in the face of deadly violence,” said White. “We will give them full support against this deplorable intimidation.”

For more information contact the IFJ at +221 33 867 95 87
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide

http://africa.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-deplores-upsurge-of-attacks-against-journalists-and-media-houses-in-somalia   

 

SOURCE 

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

 

 

 

Belgique / Guinée

 

BRUXELLES, Royaume de Belgique, 16 novembre 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A l’occasion d’informations parues dans certains médias au sujet de projets supposés du Prince Laurent en Guinée, le Ministre des Affaires Etrangères Yves Leterme fait part de l’information suivante :

Contrairement à ce que certains médias ont laissé entendre, outre une conversation fortuite du Prince Laurent avec des diplomates Guinéens aucune initiative n’est prise par le Prince en Guinée et par ailleurs aucune initiative n’y est planifiée.

 

SOURCE 

Belgium – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

 

 

Prosecutors of International Criminal Tribunals Call for Full Cooperation

 

 

KIGALI, Rwanda, November 16, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Fifth Colloquium of Prosecutors of ICTR, ICTY, SCSL, ECCC, ICC, STL issued today a final declaration after the three day colloquium entitled “International Criminal Justice: Lessons from the Past, Reflections on the Future”, organized by ICTR Prosecutor in Kigali. The final declaration was unanimously adopted by the participants in presence of Judge Dennis Byron President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

 

Speaking at the plenary closing session, President Byron expressed the need for the ad hoc tribunals to share experiences and capacity building knowledge. “The Ad hoc Tribunals have contributed to the building of ICC”

said President Byron. He congratulated Prosecutor Jallow and the

participants, and also paid tribute to the Rwandan Government for hosting the colloquium.

 

 

During the three-day Colloquium, the participants held discussions on matters related to the future of the International Criminal Justice, international cooperation, exercise of Universal Jurisdiction and options and implications for post-Tribunal Residual Mechanisms. They also reflected on the future of International Criminal Justice. The participants also visited the Gisozi and Murambi Genocide Memorial sites.

 

 

After reiterating their common concern on the fight against impunity in respect of law, respect of human rights and evaluation of the necessary environment for the maintenance of peace and stability, the Prosecutors call upon the states:

 

 

To ensure that their Legal systems and other regional Legal

arrangements to which they are party have the jurisdiction and the

capacity to effectively prosecute international crimes or to

extradite suspects of such crimes;

 

 

To provide full cooperation to all the International Criminal

Tribunal and to execute all requests and orders for assistance from

the Tribunals including the arrest of all fugitives indicted by them;

 

 

To seriously consider the adoption of a convention on the Suppression

and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity;

 

 

That have not yet done so, to become party to the Rome Statute of the

International Criminal Court (ICC) and cooperate fully with the court

in the execution of its mandate.

 

SOURCE 

International Criminal Court (ICC)

 

 

 

 

Darfur / UNAMID Daily Media Brief

 

 

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, November 16, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — UNAMID Daily Media Brief / 2009-11-15

 

Filipino civilian police receive peacekeeping medals

 

On Saturday 14 October, 91 Filipino civilian police officers received peacekeeping medals as a tribute for their activities in the African Union -United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

In his message to the policemen and women, Joint Special Representative ad interim (JSR a.i.), Mr. Henry K. Anyidoho, commended them for their disciplined approach to their duties, selflessness and substantial contribution to the peace process in Darfur. 

 

Police Chief Superintendents of the Philippines, Mr. Vitorio Caragan and Mr. Reynaldo Rafal, were also special guests at the ceremony.

In brief remarks, Mr. Rafal stated that his country was proud to be part of this “worthy endeavour” of peacekeeping to bring peace and development to Darfur.

“As we all know, peacekeeping is a unique and dynamic instrument to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace. This continuous effort of sending our police force only demonstrates the Philippines’ strong commitment to helping the people of Darfur,” he said.

One hundred and sixty-three police advisors, including 9 women, from the Philippines are currently deployed in UNAMID.

Meanwhile, 99 new police officers from Bangladesh and 1 from Togo arrived in the Mission on Saturday. This pushes the total number of police advisors in UNAMID to 2,844 representing over 75 per cent of the authorized deployment of civilian police. Some 1,816 policemen and women are based in 12 formed police units (FPUs). These represent more than 68 per cent of the authorized number to be deployed in a total of 19 FPUs.

 

SOURCE 

United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)

 

 

 

 

 

Second Africa-Korea Forum / Toward a Strong Korea-Africa Partnership

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 16, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Second Africa-Korea Forum will be held in Seoul, South Korea, from 23 to 25 November 2009. The Forum will be held at Ministerial level.

 

The Senior Officials Meeting will precede the Ministerial meeting and will take place on 23 November 2009.

 

It is to be recalled that the First Africa-Korea Forum took place in Seoul on 7-9 November 2006. The Forum provided a unique opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and explore further ways of strengthening economic cooperation and experience sharing in many areas of mutual interest. It is therefore hoped that the Second Forum would consolidate the achievements so far recorded by the partnership.

 

The Programme of the Forum is attached herewith. Further information on AU Web Site: www.africa-union.org 

 

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

 

 

 

Meeting of the Committee of Ten African Heads of States and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC)

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 16, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Invitation to representatives of the media

 

 

WHEN                                    17 November 2009

The meeting is scheduled to take place from 10:00am to 13:30pm

 

                                               
 

WHERE                                 Head Quarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 

 

WHO:             The meeting of the Committee of Ten African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) has been convened, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, by the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Meles Zenawi, in his capacity as the Coordinator of CAHOSCC.

 

Objective:     The Committee of Ten will consult on strategies and institutional mechanisms to promote the African Common Position on Climate Change in the run up to the Copenhagen Summit in December 2009.

 

 

 

For more information contact:

 

Division of Communication and Information (DCI)

African Union Commission

Tel. Off. (+251) 11 551 7700 Ext. 236

Mobile: +251 911 3611 85

Email: yamboue@africa-union.org

 

 

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

 

 

 

 

Bulletin du Bureau de Liaison du CTA à Bruxelles

 

BRUXELLES, Royaume de Belgique, 13 novembre 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Principaux évènements de la semaine.

 

1. Principaux évènements ACP-UE de la semaine prochaine (16-22 novembre)

2. Le Bulletin du CTA Bruxelles fête son 200ème numéro

3. Notre invité vidéo: M. Jean-Philippe Rapp, Forum International Médias Nord Sud

4. Le CTA recrute un(e) stagiaire

5. Pro€Invest: nouveau site Web

6. CDE: nouveau numéro de Partenariat

7. L’élection au Mozambique lavée de tout soupçon par les eurodéputés

8. Climat: Les 27 échouent à se mettre d’accord sur la répartition du fardeau

9. Harmoniser l’aide de l’UE: implications pour l’égalité entre les genres

10. Vers un financement européen des vols pour expulser les immigrés illégaux

11. Conférence de Copenhague: Dimas interrogé sur la stratégie UE

12. Concord: Les politiques UE appauvrissent les pays en développement

13. Soutien de l’UE en faveur des biocarburants

14. La place de l’Europe dans le monde

15. Améliorer l’accès à l’énergie dans les pays ACP

16. L’engagement 2009 envers l’indice de développement

17. Un nouveau rapport CE révèle le coût de l’inefficacité de l’aide

18. L’Union européenne dévoile la stratégie d’innovation d’internet

19. FACT soutient l’industrie du cacao dans le Pacifique

20. Un accord sur la banane se profile à l’horizon

21. Grandes lignes du service diplomatique approuvées par les leaders de l’UE

22. APE: mesures de sauvegarde et recours commerciaux

 

SOURCE 

Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA)

 

 

 

AU, IGAD, KAIPTC, ECOWAS, UNECA and government of Denmark sign agreement on Africa Programme for Peace

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have signed an agreement with the Government of Denmark on the Africa Programme for Peace (APP). The signing ceremony, which took place under the framework of strengthening the African Peace and Security agenda, was held yesterday, Thursday 12 November 2009, at the AU Headquarters, in Addis Ababa.

 

On the occasion of the signing ceremony, H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, acknowledged the support of the Danish government and the importance of this agreement towards the implementation of peace and security in Africa as well as for institutional capacity building.

 

Mr. Mwencha also mentioned the upcoming First AUC/ECA Strategic Partnership Forum, which is scheduled from 1-3 December 2009, at the AUC. “This forum will be used to evaluate Africa’s changing role in the light of emerging global trends and help redefine the quality of partnership between the AUC and its strategic and development partners” he added.

 

On her part H.E Ulla Tornaes, Minister for Development Cooperation of the Government of Denmark, noted the encouraging reduction of armed conflicts in Africa over the past 10 years, She said that the basic institutions of the African Peace and Security Architecture are playing their role, adding however that they still need to be strengthened.    

 

“The new phase of Danish support in the field of Peace and Security in Africa is broader in scope as it also recognises the importance of strengthening of the democratic development and fighting corruption as conflict preventive measures” she underscored. 

 

Addressing the participants Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of UNECA, appreciated the ongoing support of the Danish Government and pledged to put more effort towards the implementation of the AU PSC agenda.  

 

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

 

 

 

AUC, RECS and civil society agree with development partners to boost African agriculture through CAADP programme / Closing of the fifth CAADP PP meeting

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The two day meeting of the 5th Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme Partnership Platform (CAADP-PP), which was organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Economic Commission for West African States (ECOWAS) ended on Tuesday, 10 November 2009, in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

Organised by the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission, the closing session of the 5th CAADP PP meeting took place under the chairmanship of Professor Richard Mkandawire, Agriculture Advisor of the NEPAD Secretariat, in the presence of H.E Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, AUC Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture; and H.E Mr. Salifou Ousseini, Commissioner in charge of Environment Agriculture and Water Resources at ECOWAS.

 

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Commissioner Tumusiime said that “the Abuja 5th Partnership platform meeting has taken place at the time when there is growing global and continental interest around agriculture and food security, to the extent that this time round we are putting in place mechanisms, actions, principles and targets for results”

 

Meanwhile the meeting discussed and reached consensus on the following, amongst others:

 

Development partners to intensify their support for countries that have signed the compact and for those who are lined up

To finalise the work on the CAADP Mutual Accountability Framework to be endorsed at the next Partnership platform

AUC and NEPAD to devise and/or strengthen mechanisms to support the engagement of NGOs and Civil Society Organizations within the CAADP agenda 

AU-NEPAD to prepare a statement on CAADP and African Agriculture for the World Food Summit

 

Participants at the 5th CAADP PP meeting were drawn from AUC, NEPAD, RECs, development partners, private sector organisations, farmers’ organisations, and Civil Society Organisations.

 

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

 

 

 

African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Ping Receives High Level Delegation of Chinese Officials

 

 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Jean Ping,  this morning, Friday 13 November 2009, received in audience a high level delegation of Chinese officials,  in his office at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr.  Shao Zhanwei, Special Adviser of the Governor of the Wenzhou Province.

 

The officials held a working session with the AUC Chairperson in the presence, notably, of the Commissioner for Trade and Industry of the AU, Mrs. Elizabeth Tankeu.

 

Une séance de travail conjointe a été organisée à cette occasion, en présence notamment de Mme Elizabeth Tankeu, Commissaire en charge du Commerce et de l’industrie.

 

Discussions at the meeting centered on the need to reinforce cooperation ties between China and the African Union Commission, and how to improve the scope for partnership in the different areas of cooperation. The participation of the African Union Commission to the 2010 Shanghai exhibition was also discussed during the meeting.

 

 

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)