Ambassador Jean Mfasoni, Speaks on Organisation of the Summit
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Secretary to the African Union Commission, Ambassador Jean Mfasoni, addressed journalists today, Monday 25 January 2010, at a press conference that took place in the AU Media Center, within the framework of the 14th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit that officially opened this day at the level of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC).
Mr. Mfasoni presented an overview of the program of activities of the summit and reiterated the readiness of the African Union Commission (AUC) to work with all its partners and particularly the representatives of the medias whom, he said, are the main sources of information and have the responsibility of disseminating the correct and accurate information as well as promote the major activities and programs of the African Union.
He announced to the press that some very important activities such as the launching of the new African Union Flag and the prize-award to two distinguished African Scientific Researchers are featuring on the agenda 14th AU Summit.
Replying to the request of the journalists to have access to information through interviews with the resource persons and leadership of the African Union during the Summit, Mr. Mfasoni said, facilities have been put in place to ensure information flow to all the journalists and also to facilitate good working conditions for the journalists.
On the other hand, the Head of Communication and Information Division, Mrs. Habiba Mejri-cheikh informed the journalists on the security measures put in place to ensure a smooth and successful Summit. She called on the media representatives to comply with the security measures as well as cooperate with the security and communication officers who will be servicing the Summit.
(Attached is a note for journalists and security measures to be respected by journalists during the coverage of the 14th AU Summit.)
INFORMATION NOTE AND GENERAL SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE JOURNALISTS / MEDIA
The Summit this year will take place at two venues as follows:
25- 26 January PRC meeting at the AU Commission
27- 28 January Executive Council meeting at the AUC
31Jan- 2 Feb Assembly meeting at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Media centers are available at both the ECA and AU Commission
Media briefings are scheduled on everyday of the Summit. A schedule is available on the AU website, in the AU and ECA media centers
FTP facility is available both at AU and ECA
Journalists willing to cover the 14th Summit of the African Union (AU) should note that, all participants, including the journalists, will be subject to searches at the ECA gates and doors by the security authorities. To that effect, you are advised not to carry bottles with liquid, oil or perfumes in your purse; as such items will be confiscated during the security checks at the gates.
Journalist will access the premises of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) through Gate N0. 3 where they will be screened along with their equipments.
Journalists are requested to arrive early i.e. 7 am on the date of the Heads of States meeting at the ECA, that is, on 31st January and 2nd February 2010, in order to clear the security checks on time before the Summit starts. Worth noting that journalists who will come late, may not be able to access the conference halls.
As indicated in the AU Media Advisory Note on the 14th AU Summit posted on the AU website, Reporters will occupy the gallery of the UN Conference Center (UNCC) while Camera persons and photographers will be allowed into the plenary hall during the official opening session of the Assembly. Reporters who cannot be accommodated in the gallery will go to the spill-over in CR2. (allocation of seats on the gallery will be done on a first come, first served basis)
Given the large turnout of the camera persons, the procession to the plenary will be done in small groups. Each group will get in for 3-5 minutes after which they will come out to give way to the next group. AU/ECA security authorities and DCI officials will lead the camera persons in and out of the meeting hall to give the opportunity to everybody to get photos and video of the opening session of the Assembly.
At the ECA, some camera persons will be allowed to position their cameras in the boots on the gallery. Only those who arrive early will be able to position themselves in the booths. (Again, this will be done on a first come, first serve basis).
Please note that all the audio output points on the gallery have been pre booked by national broadcasters who are doing live transmission of the proceedings and will not be accessible to other broadcasters unless they have means to share the output.
Journalists are advised to queue in front of the meeting plenary hall on arrival to the ECA premises to facilitate entry into the hall.
Journalists will be updated on the schedules of Press Conferences and Press Briefings through written announcements posted on a number of Notice Boards positioned in the Media Center and around the coffee break areas.
Notices of media briefings will be posted within the conference buildings
Media personnel are advised to complete registration forms in the DCI office so that they may receive sms notices of briefings
While the AU will endeavour to ensure smooth entry and exit into conference rooms for journalists, the safety and protection of media personnel and their equipment, is the sole responsibility of the individual media personnel.
Maximum cooperation is therefore required from all journalists to ensure a smooth coverage of the Summit.
Contact details within the Division of Communication and Information
Mrs Habiba Mejri Cheikh- Head of Division and Spokesperson 0911 201652
Mrs Wynne Musabayana- Deputy Head of Division 0911 101466
Mrs Ester Azaa Yambou- Senior Editorial Officer 0911 361185
Ms Yaye Nabo Sene Journalist 0913 453113
Mrs Christiane Yanrou Kabran Senior webmaster French 0911201634
Mr Asmerom Girma- Webmaster English 0911 0911385555
Mr Gamal Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar Webmaster Arabic 0912 745320
Ms Rahel Akalewold- Acreditations 0911683737
Mr Molalet Tsedeke- Media center coordinator 0911 630631
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
