Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on reports of the ill-treatment of detainees in Libya

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

“The EU is deeply concerned at the reports of torture and ill treatment of detainees in Misurata. It is essential that the rights of all detainees throughout Libya are fully respected in accordance with international standards, that the authorities accelerate the process of bringing all places of detention under their control and that there is a thorough, impartial and effective investigation of allegations of violations of detainees’ rights. Where abuses have occurred, those responsible for them should be brought to justice.

I therefore welcome the announcement made today by the Libyan authorities of steps to address many of these issues. I trust that the government will promptly implement the measures so as to guarantee the protection of these most vulnerable groups. The EU is ready to provide every assistance to the authorities in their efforts to ensure respect for human rights, democratic values and the rule of law.”

SOURCE 

European Union

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2011 Article IV Consultation with Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

SAO TOME, Sao Tomé, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On January 23, 2012, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with São Tomé and Príncipe.1

Background

São Tomé & Príncipe’s economy is gradually recovering after a marked slowdown in 2009.The slowdown reflected a decline in foreign direct investment as a result of the global financial crisis. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is estimated to have rebounded to nearly 5 percent in 2011 as externally financed projects helped drive activities in construction, trade, tourism, and agriculture. Growth momentum is expected to increase as exploratory drilling for oil continues. The authorities expect oil production to start in 2015. The recovery is subject to downside risks stemming from the financial and economic difficulties in Europe, which could dampen the prospects for aid, foreign direct investment, and remittances.

Inflation has declined substantially since 2008 but remains at double-digit levels. A tightening of fiscal and monetary policies in 2008 and falling world food prices helped lower year-on-year inflation from a peak of 37 percent in July 2008 to 11½ percent in June 2010. Since then, a reversal in international food prices, increases in the administered retail prices of petroleum products, and other domestic factors have kept inflation in the teens. Inflation is projected to decline in line with expected falls in non-fuel commodity prices over the medium term, supported by the peg to the euro and fiscal consolidation.

The central bank has made good progress in strengthening the regulation and supervision of banks. It has initiated a program of on-site inspections and expects to complete the inspection of all banks by end-2012. All banks have complied with a recent increase in minimum capital requirements. Rapid credit growth and the economy’s vulnerability to economic and financial stress in Europe pose risks to financial stability.

São Tomé & Príncipe remains at a high risk of debt distress, although it has received substantial debt relief. The debt burden remains heavy, especially in relation to export revenues. Improvement in the outlook hinges on the commercial viability of the oil discoveries.

Oil signature bonuses, investment inflows, and concessional loans have financed a large increase in the current account deficit in recent years. Without oil, the deficit is not sustainable. Quantitative assessments of the real exchange rate are inconclusive. However, continuing high domestic inflation will lead to over-valuation of the real exchange rate and loss of international competitiveness.

The authorities have improved the investment climate. The World Bank’s 2012 Doing Business Survey ranked São Tomé & Príncipe among the top reformers in the past year. Major reforms included the elimination of a raft of licensing and minimum capital requirements for starting a wide range of businesses. The authorities are now turning their attention to upgrading the country’s physical infrastructure and reforms in the energy sector to assure more reliable power supply.

Executive Board Assessment

Executive Directors welcomed São Tomé and Príncipe’s gradual recovery from the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis. However, the economy is vulnerable to external shocks and downside risks stemming from the ongoing financial and economic difficulties in Europe.

Directors commended the progress made in fiscal consolidation and saw a need for continued efforts to dampen domestic demand pressures, safeguard international reserves, and protect the exchange rate peg. They welcomed the authorities’ medium-term fiscal objective of stabilizing the domestic primary deficit at a level that can be financed by available non-debt-creating resources. In this regard, Directors encouraged the authorities to further enhance domestic revenues, reduce exemptions from customs duties, and adopt an automatic price adjustment mechanism to pass through changes in world fuel prices to retail prices. Directors also stressed the need to break the cycle of domestic cross arrears by ensuring realistic budgeting for the government’s utility bills, imposing a hard budget constraint on regional and local governments, and making the state-owned water and electricity corporation commercially viable. They supported the steps being taken to ensure that future oil revenues are managed carefully.

Directors noted that despite substantial debt relief, São Tomé and Príncipe remains at high risk of debt distress and urged the authorities to maintain a prudent external borrowing policy, relying mainly on grants to finance the public investment program. Directors stressed that, if new borrowing is needed, it should be on highly concessional terms. They looked forward to the participation in the multilateral debt relief initiatives by remaining creditors.

Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to strengthen monetary management and banking supervision. They urged continued vigilance toward risks stemming from rapid credit growth, high dollarization, and economic and financial developments in Europe. They supported ongoing efforts to strengthen the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

Directors commended the progress in improving the business and investment climate. They encouraged the authorities to continue their efforts by upgrading infrastructure and assuring a reliable energy supply, in order to boost output and export growth. Directors also urged the authorities to complete the new National Poverty Reduction Strategy as soon as possible.

São Tomé and Príncipe: Selected Economic Indicators, 2007–16

    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    2015    2016

    Actual    Est.    Projections

    (Annual change in percent, unless indicated)

National income and prices

GDP at constant prices

6.0    9.1    4.0    4.5    4.9    5.5    6.0    6.0    24.4    4.6

Consumer prices

End of period

27.6    24.8    16.1    12.9    12.0    6.0    4.0    3.0    3.0    3.0

Period average

18.6    32.0    17.0    13.3    12.4    8.8    5.0    3.5    3.0    3.0

External trade

Exports of goods and nonfactor services

-22.0    49.6    3.1    9.5    10.2    12.3    12.1    12.9    497.8    0.5

Imports of goods and nonfactor services

3.5    25.4    -5.7    22.4    4.4    7.4    10.5    7.9    39.9    8.5

Exchange rate (dobras per US$; end of period) 1

14,362    15,228    16,814    18,336    …    …    …    …    …    …

Real effective exchange rate (depreciation = -)

1.3    20.0    -6.3    1.9    …    …    …    …    …    …

Money and credit

Base money

50.0    18.9    22.3    -7.9    -3.5    18.6    15.4    12.2    14.9    10.0

Broad money (M3)

38.1    36.8    8.2    25.1    15.8    14.7    13.5    11.9    15.1    10.0

Credit to the economy

33.9    22.8    39.1    40.0    12.2    9.2    7.6    7.6    11.8    8.2

Velocity (GDP to average broad money)

2.6    2.6    2.8    2.6    2.7    2.8    2.7    2.7    3.0    2.9

Central bank reference interest rate (percent)

28.0    28.0    16.0    15.0    …    …    …    …    …    …

Bank lending rate (percent)

32.4    32.4    29.3    26.8    …    …    …    …    …    …

Bank deposit rate (percent)

12.8    12.8    10.8    12.4    …    …    …    …    …    …

Government finance

(Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

Total revenue, grants, and oil signature bonuses 2

165.5    45.4    31.2    38.1    30.0    37.1    26.8    26.1    34.9    32.8

Of which: tax revenue

16.4    15.2    14.5    16.6    15.9    16.0    16.0    16.0    14.2    14.3

Nontax revenue

2.8    1.5    2.1    2.2    1.7    1.4    1.4    1.4    1.4    1.5

grants

126.6    28.7    14.6    19.3    12.4    10.9    9.4    8.7    4.9    3.7

oil signature bonuses

19.8    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0    8.8    0.0    0.0    0.0    0.0

oil revenues

…    …    …    …    …    …    …    …    14.3    13.2

Total expenditure and net lending

40.1    31.2    49.8    49.1    47.4    37.3    32.8    31.6    26.5    25.5

Of which: personnel costs

8.9    8.1    7.9    8.3    8.3    8.1    8.0    8.1    7.1    7.2

nonwage noninterest current expenditure

15.7    12.1    11.7    11.1    9.9    9.5    9.6    9.5    8.2    8.0

treasury funded capital expenditures

1.1    1.3    4.0    2.3    1.8    1.9    2.0    2.0    5.6    5.9

donor funded capital expenditures

10.4    6.9    24.5    26.3    25.9    16.5    11.9    10.9    4.8    3.6

Domestic primary balance 3

-8.5    -7.0    -8.0    -4.1    -3.5    -3.3    -3.2    -3.1    -5.9    -5.9

Overall balance (commitment basis)

125.4    14.2    -18.6    -11.0    -17.4    -0.3    -5.9    -5.5    8.4    7.3

External sector

Current account balance

Including official transfers

-38.4    -36.8    -26.9    -30.6    -30.0    -27.8    -28.0    -27.5    -24.6    -28.6

Excluding official transfers

-49.4    -49.4    -42.5    -52.1    -42.8    -39.0    -38.3    -37.0    -28.8    -30.8

PV of external debt

11.8    10.5    18.4    33.7    31.8    31.3    29.8    29.5    23.9    23.1

External debt service (percent of exports) 4

4.6    3.0    8.0    1.5    13.4    14.3    14.0    12.5    2.4    2.0

Export of goods and nonfactor services (US$ millions)

13.4    20.0    20.6    22.6    24.9    27.9    31.3    35.4    211.4    212.5

Gross foreign reserves 5, 6, 7

Months of imports of goods and nonfactor services

3.5    6.6    5.9    4.5    4.4    4.2    4.5    4.9    5.5    5.5

Millions of U.S. dollar

22.5    40.9    43.7    37.9    34.6    34.8    43.7    49.9    69.8    92.6

As proportion of M2 (percent)

97    114    130    120    98    84    83    82    76    73

National Oil Account (US$ millions) 9

14.9    12.1    9.8    7.9    6.3    31.1    25.1    20.2    68.6    115.8

Memorandum Item

GDP

Billions of dobras

1,953    2,696    3,185    3,719    4,376    5,165    5,839    6,508    8,315    8,886

Millions of U.S. dollars

144    183    196    201    254    297    334    369    468    496

Privatization account (million U.S. dollars)

0    21    6    0.7    0    0    0    0    0    0

Sources: São Tomé and Príncipe authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

1. Central bank (BCSTP) mid-point rate.

2. Includes HIPC and MDRI debt relief.

3. Excludes oil related revenues, grants, interest earned, scheduled interest payments, and foreign-financed capital outlay.

4. In percent of exports of goods and nonfactor services. Includes HIPC and MDRI debt relief.

5. Gross reserves exclude the National Oil Account and commercial banks’ foreign currency deposits at the BCSTP in order to meet the reserve requirement for their foreign currency deposits or as application deposits for new licensing.

6. For 2008, includes the proceeds from the privatization of the government’s share in the fuel distribution company (ENCO) of $32 million. Of this, $10 million were used to pay back some of ENCO’s debt to Sonangol, $0.96 million were used to audit the transaction and $21.4 million were put in the central bank to boost reserves.

7. For 2009, includes new allocation of 6.5 million SDR.

8. Imports of goods and nonfactor services excluding imports of investment goods and technical assistance.

9. For 2012, based on the assumption that dispute will be settled to allow disbursement of bonuses for Block 6.

1 Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm

SOURCE 

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

EALA passes bill on transboundary ecosystems / Law shall ensure sustainable utilisation of shared resources

KAMPALA, Uganda, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Assembly has today debated and passed the East African Community Transboundary Ecosystems Bill 2010. The Bill which sailed through the 3rd Reading late this afternoon, now moves an inch closer to becoming a law of the Community.

The Bill whose debate was suspended last year received overwhelming support when it came up for debate on the floor of the House. The Council of Ministers had in September 2011 during the 1st Meeting of the 5th Session held in Kigali, Rwanda, requested more time to consult. The adjournment was further stayed in November 2011 during the subsequent 2nd Meeting of the 5th Session held in Bujumbura, Burundi.

Key among the concerns of the Council of Ministers was the need to clarify the mandate of the envisaged Commission for the management of transboundary ecosystems vis-a-vis existing institutions. At the same time, Council felt there was an imminent conflict on matters of land given the fact that such matters remain a preserve of the Partner States as stated in the Common Market Protocol.

The object of the Bill originally moved by Hon. Dr. George Francis Nangale is to provide for a legal framework to effectively streamline the management of trans-boundary eco-systems with a view to enhancing the quality of the environment and also ensure sustainable utilization of shared natural resources in the EAC. It seeks to provide for the management and regulation of transboundary ecosystems to establish a Commission managing ecosystems in the region and other related matters.

In his contribution today, Hon Gervase Akhaabi noted that the passage of the Bill would protect the livelihoods and manage the resources while Hon Christopher Nakuleu termed the Bill timely for the region if the EAC was to protect its natural resources.

Hon Dr. Aman Kabourou however stated the law would contradict national policies. ” While I am not against protecting our shared eco-systems including Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa basin, we have to be careful so as not to contradict existing policies and laws in the respective Partner States,” Hon Kabourou remarked.

On his part, Hon Augustine C.L Lotodo noted that the EAC Transboundary Ecosystems Bill clearly addressed matters of common interest in natural resources which EALA was duty bound to support. .

Hon Lydia Wanyoto stated the law would help the EAC harness its natural resources for posterity since it among other areas sought to manage future conflicts on the shared regional resources.

According to Hon Sebalu the Bill is a well thought-out law that manages the transboundary ecosystem s for mutual benefit of the region. The law takes care of any existing or future bilaterals between the Partner States as well. The legislator noted that climate change was adversely affecting the region and the sooner the issues were addressed, the better. “It is important for Partner States to cede sovereignty so that expectations of the East African people are met”, Hon Sebalu remarked stating the law fully acknowledged and complemented the national laws and institutions on issues of transboundary nature.

Other Members who rose in support of the Bill were Hon Catherine Kimura, Hon Dr. Said Bilal, Hon Dora Byamukama and Hon Leonce Ndarubagiye. Hon Dr. F.L Masha and Hon Dr Kabourou recorded reservations in the interesting debate that lasted close to six hours.

The Bill shall now go through the succeeding stages of assent with the Speaker of the Assembly expected to submit the amended /Assent copies to the Heads of State for assent. Should it be assented (signed) to by the five Heads of State, then it shall become law.

The House resumes business on Thursday, February 2, 2012. Tomorrow, the Assembly shall have a meeting with GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation).

SOURCE 

East African Community (EAC)

Legal Action Against Minister and Ministry of Information, Posts, Telecommunication of Transitional Federal Government of Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Committee (EC) of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is dismayed and perturbed by the statements made by the Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications of Transitional Federal Government Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed through a press Release Referenced: 14/PR/CO/12 with respect to NUSOJ’s annual report on the state of press freedom in Somalia.

The said Press Release by the Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications of Transitional Federal Government is unfounded, baseless marred with malice, lacks an iota of truth and amounts to defamation.

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) is an independent body of professionals comprising of principled Journalists who are committed to the universal ideals and virtues of Journalism. The Union and its members have not instigated any claim against its current legitimate officials and in furtherance to the latter, there is no pending case filed by the union against any official of the union for misappropriation of funds or for any allegations whatsoever.

NUSOJ is a reputable and respected journalist movement that fights for the rights of journalists, press freedom, freedom of expression and labour rights of media workers. The union and its legitimate leadership is a recognized and respected entity, which is collaborated and cooperated by the international journalists’ community, regional journalists’ community, freedom of expression society and trade union movements.

The Executive Committee (EC) categorically states that the top officials of the union are an integral, respectable, honourable officials and members of the Union. No official has been involved in any wrong nor has he been indicted for any offence in a court of law of competent jurisdiction. Moreover there are no Orders originating from Somalia or any part of the globe barring their movements. The Legitimate leaders of the union are law-abiding citizens, patriotic and loyal to their country, the Rule of Law and to fundamental human rights and liberties. Furthermore the entire leadership of the union is committed to see justice administered to all and to unearth all forms of human right violations by any State and non-State actor.

Even after being beseeched, the Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications of Transitional Federal Government Abdulkadir Hussein Mohamed and the relevant Ministry have failed to apologize, retract their defamatory statements and remarks or by owning up the commission of the tort; NUSOJ is therefore filing a legal action for defamation against the Minister and the Ministry holding them responsible jointly and severally for any resultant accrued expenses.

The Minister and the Ministry are the first official and institution within the Transitional federal Government (TFG) ever taken to court of law. Subsequently there to, NUSOJ as a union is solemnly grateful for its partners in helping wage this legal battle against the Minister and the Ministry who have been waging relentless war against the union and its officials so that they destroy and dismantle the union.

SOURCE 

National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)

Deutsche Staatsministerin Pieper besorgt über Ausschreitungen im Senegal

BERLIN, Germany, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Der senegalesische Verfassungsrat hat in der Nacht vom 29.01.auf den 30.01. seine Entscheidung bestätigt, dass Präsident Wade am 26.02.2012 bei den Präsidenschaftswahlen erneut kandidieren kann.

Gleichzeitig dürfen Youssou Ndour und andere Kandidaten nicht antreten. Die Opposition hat zu Widerstand und zu erneuten landesweiten Demonstrationen aufgerufen.

In Berlin sagte Staatsministerin Pieper heute (31.01.):

“Mit Besorgnis habe ich Kenntnis genommen von schweren

Ausschreitungen und von der Tötung eines Polizisten in Senegal,

nachdem der Verfassungsrat die Kandidatenliste für die

Präsidentschaftswahl bekannt gegeben hat. Wir verurteilen die

Gewalt, unsere Anteilnahme gilt den Angehörigen des Opfers.

Die Entscheidung des Verfassungsrates, die Liste der Kandidaten

auf 14 zu kürzen, hat bei vielen Senegalesen Empörung

ausgelöst, die sich zu Recht demokratische Wahlmöglichkeiten

aus dem gesamten politischen Spektrum erhofft hatten. Die EU

beobachtet den gesamten Wahlvorgang; wir messen dem Urteil der

Wahlbeobachter auch zu den Vorbereitungen der Wahl große

Bedeutung bei.

Ich appelliere an die senegalesische Regierung, dafür Sorge

zu tragen, dass die kommenden Wahlen frei, fair und friedlich

ablaufen. Unabdingbar hierfür sind die Meinungsfreiheit,

Respekt vor den Rechten der Opposition und der

Zivilgesellschaft sowie das Recht, sich friedlich zu

versammeln.”

Hintergrund:

Der oberste senegalesische Gerichtshof, der Verfassungsrat,

hatte am 27.01. die Kandidatenliste für die

Präsidentschaftswahlen am 26.02. veröffentlicht. Er hat dabei

die umstrittene dritte Kandidatur des Präsidenten Abdoulaye

Wade gebilligt und gleichzeitig eine Kandidatur von Youssou

Ndour abgelehnt, weil er wie zwei andere unabhängige Kandidaten

nicht die erforderliche Anzahl von 10.000 verifizierbaren

Unterschriften vorgelegt habe.

SOURCE 

Germany – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

EAC Summit Chair discusses boosting intra-African trade at AU Summit

ARUSHA, Tanzania, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Kenyan President and current Chair of the EAC Heads of State Summit H.E. Mwai Kibaki has said the EAC is fully committed to the establishment of the Grand Continental Free Trade Area having experienced the benefits of regional integration.

The President, who was contributing during discussions on the theme of the 18th African Union Summit, Boosting Intra-African Trade at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, noted that the current level of trade within Africa remains too low compared to other regions and therefore it was imperative to review the achievements so far made and chart the way forward for increased trade.

The President asserted that increasing intra-regional trade requires bolstering cooperation between governments and opening up borders to let the people move and trade freely.

“We must also invest in infrastructure, the development of human capital, embark on rapid industrialization and create enabling domestic economic policies” noted the President. He said these efforts will create employment, increase trade and multiply Africa’s wealth and prosperity.

The Chairperson of the Summit disclosed that negotiations towards a COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite agreement had commenced and were scheduled to be completed within two years and that the three RECs involved were committed to meet the deadline.

He said that the experience within the EAC and COMESA shows that opening up countries to intra-regional trade does not translate into loss of revenue.

“Indeed, studies show that a good number of countries accrue increased government revenue as a result of regional trade”.

The Kenyan President affirmed that Africa and her people stand to benefit greatly from intra-African trade and that in view of the demands for growth in all African countries, efforts to increase intra-regional trade should be guided by political commitment accompanied by measurable, time-bound targets.

“We have paved the way for free trade in East Africa and our people have started to enjoy the benefits of integration. It is my hope that the EAC experience can be replicated in other regions of the continent,” President Kibaki reiterated.

The Summit, which opened with the selection of Benin’s President Thomas Boni Yayi as AU chairman, was attended by over 40 Heads of State and Government. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera, and Chinese government representatives attended the Summit.

China was the honored guest at the Summit, and the opening session was filled with expressions of gratitude for Beijing’s gift of a new $200-million AU headquarters that was officially launched on Sunday 29 January 2012.

SOURCE 

East African Community (EAC)

Déplacement d’Edouard Courtial en Afrique (1 – 6 fevrier 2012)

PARIS, France, 31 janvier 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Edouard Courtial, Secrétaire d’Etat chargé des Français de l’étranger, effectuera un déplacement en Afrique du 1er au 6 février 2012 qui le conduira au Cameroun, au Gabon et au Congo. Dans ces pays, il rencontrera les autorités locales ainsi que nos compatriotes et visitera des établissements et entreprises emblématiques de notre action en faveur de la paix, de la sécurité et du développement humain.

SOURCE 

France – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

WFP responds to growing needs among tens of thousands affected by conflict in S. Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has scaled up food assistance to reach 80,000 people affected by the recent escalation of inter-communal violence in Jonglei State, in the eastern part of South Sudan.

“The violence in Jonglei is only one of the many challenges that South Sudan is currently facing, and the world must respond to ensure that the people of this new nation have the support they need to build a peaceful and prosperous country,” said WFP Deputy Executive Director, Ramiro Lopes da Silva, on a visit to the region. “Many of the women I met in Pibor and Akobo had lost their children and had no one to depend on but the humanitarian agencies on the ground.”

WFP’s response includes:

•    WFP has rapidly scaled up its food assistance to more than 80,000 people in ten locations affected by the inter-communal violence since it peaked in Jonglei earlier this month.

•    WFP is providing a 15-day emergency food ration to all people verified as displaced and affected by the attacks. WFP is conducting a thorough assessment to determine the food security situation.

•    WFP is using its logistics expertise to help other humanitarian agencies overcome the intense logistical challenges in establishing a critical humanitarian lifeline for the affected population. As the lead agency of the logistics effort, WFP has deployed three helicopters, an aeroplane and 28 trucks to deliver not just food but shelter items, medical supplies and other assistance on behalf of the entire humanitarian community, to the remotest, most inaccessible corners of Jonglei.

•    WFP is aiming to bring in large quantities of food by truck before the rain starts in March, when 90 percent of the locations targeted for food assistance will become inaccessible by road.

•    While many of those who had been displaced are now returning home, they will continue to require support as they confront immense challenges, including destroyed homes and an absence of basic social services.

•    With four months to the next food production season, WFP is working with partners on activities that will help affected households cultivate their own crops in time for the next harvest in August.

•    WFP has reached 10 locations in Jonglei: five locations in Pibor county, including Pibor town and surrounding villages, Lekuangole, Gumruk, Labrab and Boma; and to five of the more recently affected locations in the northern parts of the state. Initial emergency food assistance has been provided in Duk Padiet, while distributions are ongoing in Akobo and Walgak, Yuai in Urur county and Waat in Nyirol county.

SOURCE 

World Food Program (WFP)

Sénégal: l’UE condamne les violences et appelle au dialogue

BRUXELLES, Royaume de Belgique, 31 janvier 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — L’Union européenne a condamné mardi les violences au Sénégal et appelé opposition et gouvernement au dialogue, tout en refusant de se prononcer sur la troisième candidature du chef de l’Etat Abdoulaye Wade à la présidentielle de février.

L’Union européenne appelle “toutes les parties à faire preuve de retenue et

à opter pour le dialogue, dans l’intérêt de la tenue d’élections pacifiques,

libres et équitables, qui doivent refléter la volonté du peuple sénégalais”, a

indiqué le porte-parole de la chef de la diplomatie européenne Catherine

Ashton.

L’UE “condamne dans les termes les plus forts tous les actes de violence”,

a-t-il ajouté, après celles qui se sont produites depuis le 27 janvier, date

de la première validation de la candidature Wade, à Dakar et à Podor (nord),

qui ont fait trois morts, dont un policier, plusieurs blessés et d’importants

dégâts.

Michael Mann s’est également félicité du fait que la police ait relâché

lundi soir Alioune Tine, un des animateurs de la lutte contre un nouveau

mandat du président Abdoulaye Wade.

En revanche il s’est refusé à se prononcer sur la décision de M. Wade de se

représenter, et le rejet de la candidature du chanteur Youssou Ndour et celle

de deux autres candidats indépendants ne disposant pas de suffisamment de

signatures de soutien.

“Ce n’est pas à l’UE d’entrer à ce stade dans un débat constitutionnel au

Sénégal. L’UE respecte les institutions sénégalaises et est intéressée à

faciliter un processus électoral pacifique, libre et équitable”, a-t-il

déclaré.

La position de l’UE est nettement en retrait de celle des Etats-Unis, qui

ont invité lundi le président Abdoulaye Wade, 85 ans, à “laisser la place à la

prochaine génération” et à ne pas briguer un troisième mandat à la tête du

Sénégal.

“L’attitude digne d’un chef d’Etat serait de céder la place à la prochaine

génération”, avait déclaré à la presse la porte-parole du département d’Etat

américain, Victoria Nuland, tout en disant respecter la décision.

SOURCE 

European Union

EAC police delegation in London for benchmarking visit

ARUSHA, Tanzania, January 31, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A ten-man delegation of Senior Police Officers and Experts from the EAC Partner States is in London for a week-long study visit.

The 30 January-5 February visit to the UK International Academy Bramshill (IAB), which is the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) is co-ordinated by the EAC Secretariat in collaboration with the British High Commission in Tanzania.

The purpose of the visit is to study the United Kindom’s experience in harmonising policing standards and polish the draft EAC Common Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) with a view to strengthening the regional law enforcement agencies.

The Regional Peace and Security Strategy stresses enhancement of the EAC spirit of co-operation by promoting collective responsibility in the provision of regional security by the Partner States. It broadly covers collaboration on cross border and trans-national organised crimes, among others.

“The visit will certainly help to broaden and improve the draft EAC Police SOPs for mutual regional peace and security, which are vital to the achievement of the EAC objectives,” said the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Hon. Beatrice Kiraso.

She encouraged such visits, adding that the region needs security for the success of the economic and political integration of the Partner States.

The British High Commissioner to Tanzania H.E. Diane Corner, who is also the British representative to the EAC, said: “I am delighted to announce that the British Government will support this important work to standardise police procedures within the EAC. Improved and standardised police procedures will not only help to strengthen public confidence in EAC police forces, but will also facilitate closer cooperation between the forces, enabling them to work closely together to fight crime and threats to security throughout the EAC”..

The NPIA leads on national policing issues such as Leadership, Protective Services, Civil Contingencies, Command Doctrine and Counter Terrorism.

The International Academy at Bramshill also provides a professional overseas policing advisory service in support of regional security and justice sector training and development projects.

SOURCE 

East African Community (EAC)