Category: Reportage

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Seychelles: President Faure receives Irish Ambassador

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Seychelles: President Faure receives Irish Ambassador

The President of the Republic, Mr. Danny Faure, received the Ambassador of Ireland to Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Paul Sherlock, for a courtesy call at State House this afternoon.

The President welcomed Ambassador Sherlock back to Seychelles and expressed the hope that his visit serves as another stepping stone to further enhance the strong bilateral relations that currently exist between Seychelles and Ireland.

“There are many opportunities for Seychelles and Ireland to benefit from in the bilateral sphere, and we look forward to continue collaborating with you for the betterment of our two nations,” said President Faure

Areas of discussion included existing partnership and the possibility of enhancing cooperation in areas of common interest such as tourism, fisheries, education, trade, and investment.

Ambassador Sherlock was accredited in November 2017 and is back in Seychelles for his second working visit. Speaking to the press after the meeting, he expressed Ireland’s commitment to ensure implementation of cooperation areas discussed, and the willingness to further explore opportunities for partnership to the benefit of both Seychelles and Ireland.

Also present for the meeting at State House was Ambassador Selby Pillay from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles.

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IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Kenya

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Kenya

  • The authorities requested a six-month extension of the SBA that expires on March 13, 2018 to allow more time to complete the outstanding reviews of the IMF-supported program.
  • In support of this request, the authorities have committed to policies to achieve the program objectives, including reducing the fiscal deficit and substantially modifying interest controls.
  • Annual growth could rise further to 6½ percent within a couple of years, provided that the authorities continue economic reforms, including reducing the fiscal deficit and amending interest rate controls.

A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Benedict Clements, visited Kenya from February 19 to March 2, 2018, to conduct the 2018 Article IV consultation and hold discussions on continued IMF support to Kenya, including the authorities’ request for an extension of the current SBA.

At the end of the visit, Mr. Clements released the following statement:

“Kenya’s economy continued to perform well in 2017 despite a severe drought and a prolonged election period; however, real GDP growth is estimated to have slowed to 4.8 percent for the year as a whole. Growth was mainly supported by public investment spending and solid non-agriculture sector performance. Inflation has declined to below the mid-point of the authorities’ target range, reflecting a substantial decline in food inflation and appropriate monetary policies. Annual headline inflation declined to 4.5 percent in February from 6.3 percent in 2016. The banking system has remained stable, and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has continued to strengthen the financial system through its reform program. 

“The external current account deficit rose to an estimated 6.4 percent of GDP in 2017 from 5.2 percent in 2016, reflecting higher imports, including fuel. The exchange rate has remained stable and foreign exchange reserves have risen to US$7.1 billion as of end-January 2018 and are sufficient to withstand any potential near-term external shocks.

 “Discussions focused on macroeconomic policies and reforms aiming at ensuring the sustainability of investment-driven, inclusive growth. Kenya’s medium-term outlook remains favorable, but headwinds from weak credit growth will weigh on economic activity in the near term. With elections over and weather conditions returning towards normal, growth is expected to increase to 5½ percent in 2018. Annual growth could rise further to 6½ percent within a couple of years, provided that the authorities continue economic reforms, including reducing the fiscal deficit and amending interest rate controls.

“Elevated fiscal deficits in recent years have raised public debt vulnerabilities. The authorities expressed their commitment to significant fiscal adjustments in the coming years that would help address these vulnerabilities and maintain public debt on a sustainable path. To that end, the IMF team and the authorities agreed that a reduction in the fiscal deficit to 7.2 percent of GDP in 2017/18 and further to 5.7 percent of GDP in 2018/19, from 8.8 percent in 2016/17 would be appropriate. This will be achieved by a combination of revenue measures and contained spending.

“The mission welcomed the authorities’ plans to accelerate reforms aimed at (i) increasing the efficiency and transparency of public spending, particularly on development spending; and (ii) safeguarding financial stability by strengthening capital and liquidity positions of banks and microfinance institutions, promptly addressing the capital and liquidity deficiencies in individual banks, and implementing new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

“The IMF team urged the authorities to review the interest rate controls introduced in September 2016 with a view to abolishing them or substantially modifying them. The controls have contributed to slow overall credit growth to the private sector, and lower access to credit by SMEs and individuals. In addition, interest rate controls are undermining the effectiveness of monetary policy aimed at ensuring price stability and supporting sustainable economic growth.

“The authorities requested a six-month extension of the SBA that expires on March 13, 2018 to allow more time to complete the outstanding reviews of the IMF-supported program. In support of this request, the authorities have committed to policies to achieve the program objectives, including reducing the fiscal deficit and substantially modifying interest controls. Discussions on the details of these policies will continue in the coming weeks. The SBA extension will be presented to the Executive Board before its expiration on March 13, and outstanding program reviews could be completed by September 2018. The team thanks the authorities for their hospitality and constructive discussions.

“The team met with the President, Uhuru Kenyatta; Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Henry Rotich; the Governor of the CBK, Patrick Njoroge; the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, Kamau Thugge; the Deputy Governor of the CBK, Sheila M’Mbijjewe, and other senior government and CBK officials. Staff also had productive discussions with parliamentarians, civil society organizations, representatives of the private sector, and development partners.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

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Mahama, Amina Mohammed, Spanish Former Deputy PM, Saraki, converge in London for Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Mahama, Amina Mohammed, Spanish Former Deputy PM, Saraki, converge in London for Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018

Immediate past President of Ghana, John D Mahama and Spanish Former Deputy Prime Minister María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, are among dignitaries confirmed to discuss the Africa’s economic growth and Shared Prosperity of Commonwealth Member States from Africa at the Commonwealth Africa Summit 2018 (http://CommonwealthAfrica.com) holding in London from the 12th – 15th March 2018.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit is a high level, multi-stakeholder event that annually brings together government and business leaders from the Commonwealth and allies to facilitate dialogue and action on key and relevant issues ranging from trade and investment, entrepreneurship and job creation, economic development, Security and counterterrorism, Energy and Power amongst other relevant issues in Africa. The event, annually hosted as part of activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week in London, is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative, to provide a veritable platform for the generation of new ideas, trade agreements, business relationships and investments.

In addition to Mahama, other lead speakers and panellists include Amina J Mohammed (UN Deputy Secretary General), H.E Mrs Toyin Saraki (CEO Wellbeing Foundation and Wife of the Senate President of Nigeria), Dr. Hassan Ahmed Hilal (Minister of Environment Sudan), Chief Mrs Folorunso Alakija (Vice Chair – Famfa Oil), Rt. Hon Mia Amor Mottley MP (Leader of  Opposition and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados), Dr. Babatope Agbeyo (Chairman Cornfield Group), Ashish Thakkar (CEO Mara Group), and others.

As listed on its website – www.CASevents.org/cas2018, the 2018 summit will also feature as panellist a wide array of senior Cabinet Ministers and Chief Executives of corporations from Africa and across the Commonwealth including Dr. Hassan Ahmed Hilal (Minister of Environment Sudan), Kate Osamor (UK Shadow Secretary for International Development), Ms. Vivienne Yeda (Director General – East African Development Bank), Mark Pursey (CEO BTP Advisers), Henry Sands (SABI Strategy Group), Isha Johansen (President of Sierra Leone Football Association), Muriel Maupoint (CEO Hope for Children), Sally Anne Wilson (CEO Public Media Alliance), Dr. Justina Mutale (Advisory Board Member – World Leaders Forum), Tim Loughton MP, John Penrose MP (UK Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion), Mark Stoleson (Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Legatum), Martin Realey (CEO Build Africa), Debbie Ariyo (CEO AFRUCA), Tim Wainwright (CEO Water Aid), Paul Smith Lomas MBE (CEO of Practical Action), Dr. Babatope Agbeyo (CEO Cornfield Group and Botosoft Inc), Parminder Vir OBE (CEO Tony Elumelu Foundation), Lord Alan Watson of Richmond (Former Chair of Coca Cola Europe Advisory Board), Dayo Israel (Africa Regional Director, Commonwealth Africa Initiative), Odein Ajumogobia (Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Nigeria), Lord Hughes of Woodside (Chair of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM)), Paul Kunert (CEO Joule Africa), Dr. V B Narayanamurthy (Professor, India), Sidney Yankson (CEO Ghana Capital Partners Ltd), Dr. Amy Jadesinmi (CEO LADOL Energy), Paul Kunert, DJ Cuppy Otedola, Dr. Ken Ikpe, Mark Tierney, Helen Tarnoy (Founder, Managing Director Aldwych International Ltd), Mr. Omar Selim (CEO Arabeque), Edward George (Country Head, UK Representative Office – ECOBANK Group), Chad Blackman (Caribbean Engagement Head, Commonwealth Africa Initiative) and many others.

Panel moderators at the event include Sarah Sand (BBC), Joseph Hammond, Christine Holzbaeur (IC Publications), Toun Okewale Sonaiya (WFM), Gillian Joseph (Sky), Eryca Freemantle and others.

The event, opened to Africans, friends of Africa and young African leaders will also feature a Youth Forum to discuss Africa’s political future, and invites participants from across the Commonwealth.

The event is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAFI) in association with BOTOSOFT Limited, Oxford Business Group, GLEEHD Foundation, APO Group, IC Publications (African Review), BEN TV, Phoenix Media Group, Ghana Society, Amayew Debrah, Africa.com, GhanaNewsOne, GEMAFRICA TV and other partners. CAFI promotes the socio-economic interests of Africa in the Commonwealth. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Commonwealth Africa Initiative.

Media Contact:
Ms. T. Iduh
Media and External Relations Division
Commonwealth Africa Initiative 
Media@CommonwealthAfrica.com

To register for the event, visit www.CASevents.org/cas2018 or for more information about CAFI’s global chain of events, visit www.CASevents.org.

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Students begin studies in Africa’s first-ever junior management agribusiness training program

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Students begin studies in Africa’s first-ever junior management agribusiness training program

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO) (www.AGCOcorp.com), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, and its partners celebrated the launch of the new AGCO Agribusiness Qualification (AAQ) at Strathmore University in Kenya on 6 March 2018.

Twenty students have been enrolled on this brand-new program which is focused on developing the skills, leadership and strategic expertise to drive African agricultural prosperity.

The AAQ is a joint effort between AGCO, Strathmore Business School (SBS) in Nairobi, Harper Adams University in the UK and Kenya-based The Bridge Africa which runs programs to prepare graduates for employment. The qualification delivers an accredited two-year agribusiness program for students aged 20-30 who already hold a degree. On completion of the course, successful candidates may have the opportunity to join AGCO and its partners.

Welcoming guests to the launch event, Gary Collar, AGCO Senior Vice President and General Manager Asia-Pacific and Africa said: “This is an important day for agribusiness education in Africa and I warmly congratulate our new students on gaining their places on the program. The AAQ was initiated by AGCO as a direct response to attract and develop young talent in the crucial agribusiness sector. Together with our partners, we are making a long-term commitment to address the management skills’ shortage. We are determined to foster the expertise required to work successfully in the agricultural supply chain and tackle the current recruitment challenges our industry faces here.”

Chief Guest at the breakfast launch event at SBS was the Hon. Zeinab Hussein, Permanent Secretary for Post Training & Skills Development, Republic of Kenya, who spoke with students enrolled on the course.  

AAQ participant Ernest Muchai remarked: “This program is unique as it has a wealth of experience behind it. I’m interested in enhancing productivity and using technology in agriculture so the AAQ is ideal. The opportunities available in agriculture are massive – not just for people interested in farming but for people who can offer services that farmers can benefit from.”

Fellow student Sharon Waswa adds: “Agricultural mechanization is the missing link between small-scale agriculture and commercial agriculture. By taking part in the AAQ, I hope to be able to help to bridge that gap. The only way that Africa can be transformed is through agricultural sector and this is where the opportunities are.”

The AAQ course syllabus has wide scope covering areas such as agricultural mechanization, leadership skills, business management, agricultural science, marketing and farm management. To provide essential on-the-ground, practical experience for students, the program includes workplace modules with AGCO and its business partners.

Commenting, Nuradin Osman, AGCO Vice President and General Manager Africa, said:

“The AAQ program is a catalyst for change in the agribusiness sector across Africa. We are all very proud and excited to see our vision for a new qualification become reality and wish our new students every success in their endeavours.”

For more information on the AAQ, visit https://goo.gl/uW9if6

To view a video of the students talking about the course and their aspirations for African agriculture, go to https://goo.gl/s9fMQr.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AGCO Corporation.

Contacts:
Shlobi Maluleke
Manager, Marketing and Communications Africa
Tel: +27 11 230 8606    
Cell: +27 82 040 7543
Email: Shlobi.Maluleke@AGCOcorp.com              

About AGCO
AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) (www.AGCOcorp.com) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agriculture equipment and solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2017, AGCO had net sales of $8.3 billion. For more information, visit www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR.

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The United Nations in Egypt Commends the National Efforts for the Advancement of Egyptian Women

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: The United Nations in Egypt Commends the National Efforts for the Advancement of Egyptian Women

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD), the United Nations (UN) in Egypt commends the national efforts and the strong political will to advance the status of Egyptian women.

Reiterating the UN Secretary-General’s message for IWD, the UN will continue to support women around the world in addressing the various forms of discrimination and injustices that they face, stressing that women’s empowerment is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As rural women constitute over a quarter of the world’s population, the theme for IWD this year is “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives,” complementing this focus of the upcoming 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which will also prioritize its work around the subject of the development of women living in rural areas.

In this respect, the UN in Egypt applauds the decisions taken by the Government of Egypt, starting with the inauguration of the “Year of Egyptian Women” in early 2017, and followed by the presidential directions to regard the Egyptian Women’s Strategy 2030 as the reference document that guides the upcoming work on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that the National Women’s Strategy 2030 is the first strategic document on the global level that is designed to achieve the SDGs for women.

The UN in Egypt further recognizes the recent efforts to reach out to rural women in all Egyptian governorates, highlighting the importance of increasing women’s awareness about their citizenship rights and enhancing their financial literacy to ensure their inclusion, following the principle of “leaving no one behind.” Achievements for Egyptian women include the amendment to the Inheritance Law by adding a new article (Article 49) to the former law, imposing stricter sanctions on those who withhold the inheritance from whoever has the right to such inheritance, which is considered a great achievement for women specifically given the challenges that women face in Egypt to claim their inheritance.

Additionally, the UN in Egypt appreciates the decisions made to break the glass ceiling for women to ensure their representation at all levels of decision-making, including appointing the first ever female Governor in Egypt’s history, appointing a rural woman to the membership of the Board of the National Council for Women (NCW), and adding a special Technical Committee for Rural Women within its structure.

In line with these positive developments, the UN in Egypt stresses its commitment to supporting the Government of Egypt and civil society towards achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and looks forward to providing effective support to complement these efforts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Information Centre in Cairo.

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United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for African Countries Facing Severe Food Insecurity

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for African Countries Facing Severe Food Insecurity

Today (March 6, 2018), U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced nearly $533 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Nigeria, as well as countries in the Lake Chad region, where millions are facing life-threatening food insecurity and malnutrition as a result of ongoing conflict or prolonged drought.  While humanitarian aid is truly life-saving, this assistance will not solve these crises, most of which are largely manmade.

With this new funding from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States is providing emergency food and nutrition assistance to help vulnerable populations, including tens of thousands of tons of in-kind food aid.  Additionally, the funding supports safe drinking water programs, emergency health care and hygiene programs to treat and prevent the spread of disease, and reunification of families separated by conflict.  This assistance also includes life-saving medical supplies, improved sanitation, and emergency shelter, and prioritizes programs that protect vulnerable groups.

Of the newly announced funds, nearly $184 million is for affected populations from South Sudan, more than $110 million for affected populations from Ethiopia, more than $110 million for affected populations from Somalia, and more than $128 million for affected populations from Nigeria and countries in the Lake Chad region. 

In the Lake Chad region and South Sudan, years of conflict have led to acute food insecurity.  In Somalia, ongoing violence has exacerbated the humanitarian impacts of severe and protracted drought.  In Ethiopia, continued drought has worsened an already dire food security situation.  A swift influx of U.S. assistance, along with that of other donors, is helping improve humanitarian conditions in all of these countries.  But ultimately it is up to the leaders in these countries, particularly in South Sudan, to stop the violence and put the welfare of their citizens at the forefront of their actions.  Millions will continue to be at risk as long as parties to these conflicts continue to engage in violence.  The United States calls on all parties to allow aid workers safe and unhindered access to help communities in need.

The United States is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance for these crises in Africa, providing nearly $3 billion since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017.  We commend the humanitarian contributions made by all donors, and encourage additional contributions to meet growing needs.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Department of State.

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World Health Organization Libya delivers neonatal ventilators to Alaafia hospital in Houn city

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: World Health Organization Libya delivers neonatal ventilators to Alaafia hospital in Houn city

The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Libya delivered two Mechanical ventilators with all their accessories to the Alaafia Hospital in Houn city, one was delivered in December 2017 and the other one last week.  

These neonatal ventilators will support the Gynaecology and Obstetrics medical services at Alaafia Hospital, which covers underserved areas in the south and central Libya. 

WHO expresses its gratitude to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for funding this initiative, and renewes its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the health sector across Libya. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

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Government of Germany contributes €50 million towards strengthening resilience in southern Somalia

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Government of Germany contributes €50 million towards strengthening resilience in southern Somalia

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has committed €50 million for a joint United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF programme to tackle women and children’s nutrition in nine districts in Banadir and six districts in Gedo region in the south of Somalia.

Over a million children in Somalia are expected to be acutely malnourished in the next 12 months, including 232,000 who will be severely malnourished and in need of life-saving assistance.  The ongoing drought and other shocks have left communities with little to no resources to fall back on- hence the importance of investing in resilience. 

The three-year grant (€24.5 million for UNICEF and €25.5 million for WFP) will be managed by the German Development Bank (KfW).  This will help put families and communities in a better position to cope with shocks and crises that often hit Somalia. 

UNICEF and WFP will work closely with the Government at Local, State and Federal levels. Key Ministries include the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. Coordination and oversight of this programme will be conducted by the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MOPIED).

“The Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development recognizes the importance of this initiative by WFP and UNICEF which contributes to the overall resilience agenda of the National Development Plan by putting an urgent focus on improving the resilience of women, children and their communities to recurrent shocks, and we look forward working and engaging with you all,” said Abdalla Hajji Ali, Minister of State for Planning, Investment and Economic Development.

The programme will take a multi-sectorial approach to addressing malnutrition and building resilience through health, nutrition water and sanitation as well as hygiene interventions.  This year, it targets nearly 206,000 children under the age of five, along with over 109,000 pregnant and nursing mothers who will receive health and nutrition support for the treatment and prevention of various forms of malnutrition at the facility and community levels.  In addition, over 8,000 children in Gedo will benefit from water and sanitation facilities in their schools. There will be similar numbers of people benefitting from the programme in the following two years. 

“We must look to long-term community solutions to break the cycle of persistent droughts and humanitarian crisis in Somalia,” said Jutta Frasch the German Ambassador to Somalia. “We are confident that, through the collaboration between the German Government, UNICEF, WFP, the Federal Government, the Government of Jubaland, the Banadir Regional Administration and other key authorities, we can make this happen.” 

To ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of the programme, WFP and UNICEF are placing a significant focus on strengthening the capabilities of government, communities and families to withstand shocks and crises and to recover from them quickly. 

The services are being delivered through health centers run by partners together with the Federal Ministry of Health and Jubaland authorities. There is also a package of community level interventions delivered through community workers.

“Germany has provided important support not only to Somalia’s humanitarian efforts but also to work towards rebuilding its government and institutions and strengthening its systems,” said UNICEF Somalia Representative Steven Lauwerier. “While we continue our scaled up operations to combat the drought, we need to plan ahead and ensure that communities are resilient and able to withstand future droughts, floods and other extreme events.”

“WFP is proud to be part of this programme with UNICEF and the Government of Germany that allows us to bring our expertise together and work closely with the Government of Somalia and the people of Banadir and Gedo regions,” said WFP Deputy Country Director Edith Heines. 

The programme is being launched today by the German Ambassador, UNICEF and WFP representatives and senior representatives of the Federal Government of Somalia at a ceremony in Mogadishu.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

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Uganda: Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi Attends 8th World Islamic Forum (Youth and Women Summit) 2018

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Uganda: Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi Attends 8th World Islamic Forum (Youth and Women Summit) 2018

Minister of State for youth and Children affairs Hon Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi has said that education and spiritual morals contribute to the development of our youth shaping them into useful members in our communities and ultimately responsible citizens.

Hon Kiyingi made these remarks during the 8th World Islamic Forum which was held from 1st -3rd March in Istanbul, Turkey.

The World Islamic Forum (WIF) is a global organization that strategically contributes to the deepening of the common agenda and soci-economic integration by bringing together representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States and thinkers in the World of Islam, who live all over the world, in the framework of multi-dimensional themes.

With the cooperation of OIC, these summits are organized each year under different themes in different cities. The first one was in 2010 held in Istanbul with successive summits held in Islamabad, Khartoum, Malaysia, Cairo, Baghdad. The next youth summit will be held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan on 17-19 April 2018.

Hon Nakiwala who was the guest of honor at the summit officiated at its opening which was symbolized by the cutting of a ribbon.

On the sidelines of the summit Hon Nakiwala also paid a courtesy call on the Minister for the Youth and Sports of Turkey Hon. Osman Askin Bak. The two discussed various issues including Labour export from Uganda and youth Exchange programmes between Uganda and the Republic of Turkey.

Accompanying the Minister was Amb. Stephen Mubiru, Head of Mission, Uganda Embassy Ankara and Ms. Nasikye Tolofaina Second Secretary at the Embassy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Local Africa – Transforming Women’s Lives

Source: Africa Press Organisation – English – Report:

Headline: Local Africa – Transforming Women’s Lives

There are issues we should all be ashamed of. Think of your mother, sister, daughter being harassed by someone in the workplace, school, public space, public transport, or simply in the street. Unfortunately, this happens time and again on our continent, and the horrific statistics of women that lose their lives after being beaten by their husbands; women who are badly wounded following a dispute with parents or relatives; not to mention the many migrant women that suffer all kinds of humiliations including rape, human trafficking, and other undignified treatment.

The theme chosen by the United Nations for the 2018 international woman day is: “Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives”. This theme compels all of us not to turn a blind eye on, and be deaf to such unacceptable situations of violence against women.

There is a wave of anger mounting from all layers of society demanding more justice for women. Shame on all of us, if we cannot relay this huge voice coming from the women and asking to stop this nonsense right away. Stop the violence, rape, harassment, undignified behavior against women. Each time any man is tempted to brutalize a woman, he should always remember that the person in front of him could be his mother, his sister, or his daughter. And if despite this he still wants to proceed, then he should be met by a system that provides a supportive service that encourages women and victims to report, provides adequate punishment for such crimes, and provides the appropriate support for any psychological health problem this perpetrator may have.

At UCLG Africa (http://AfriqueLocale.org) we consider gender equality and respect for women as a cardinal exigency. We solemnly condemn all forms of violence against women. And we recommend to our members to champion an education system where boys and girls are brought up as equals.

Our network of female local elected officials of Africa (REFELA), who represent both rural and urban communities across the continent, are making strides through their contributions to the fight for gender equality, and are working tirelessly in order that a gender sensitive dimension becomes one of the top priorities in the definition of African regional and local governments policies.

In a few weeks, REFELA will be launching a campaign on “African cities and territories zero tolerant to violence against women”. UCLG Africa encourages its members to subscribe to this campaign, and by so doing, show the resolve of African regional and local government leaders to shy away from these practices that do not honor our societies and communities.

Rabat 8 March 2018
Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi
Secretary General, UCLG Africa

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).

For more information, please contact
Gaelle Yomi 
+212 610 56 71 45
Email: GYomi@UCLGA.org