APO News from Africa:
After taking advice from The Foreign Policy Committee, the Government today decided to deploy a detachment consisting of a Challenger airplane to support the monitoring of shipping traffic in the Indian Ocean. Additionally, the Government decided that Denmark will again make a Challenger airplane available for the Mediterranean efforts to monitor EU’s outer borders under Frontex.
“With the deployment of our Challenger airplane to Frontex and Combined Maritime Forces, Denmark again contributes vital surveillance capabilities. It is a priority for the Government to counteract the giant challenges caused, now and in future, by illegal immigration, and I am convinced that our contribution will be greatly appreciated by our international partners. I also look forward to Denmark contributing – in close cooperation with France – to the Combined Maritime Forces around the Horn of Africa and thereby improving maritime security, such as limiting funding of terrorism and organised crime”, says Minister for Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen.
“I am pleased that once again, Denmark can play a part in maritime security in the Horn of Africa region. The waters of the region play a vital role in international commercial shipping, and Denmark has previously won great international recognition for our role here.
At the same time, today’s decision to again deploy a Challenger jet to support Frontex’ effort in the Mediterranean Sea is testament to the relevant capacities of the Royal Danish Armed Forces, which can make a positive difference as part of the broader security policy considerations”, states Minister of Defence Claus Hjort Frederiksen.
“Recently, I had to chance to see for myself how the migrant pressure on the Central Mediterranean route remains high. Denmark must help to check this. Therefore, I am happy that the Royal Danish Air Force and its Challenger detachment can once again support the momentous task faced every day by Frontex in the Mediterranean Sea”, says Minister of Immigration and Integration Inger Støjberg.
Background
Combined Maritime Forces – Task Force 150
The Danish air detachment to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) will be deployed for approx. 30 days from the middle of May 2017 to the middle of June 2017. During its deployment, the detachment will be tasked to support Task Force 150 by gathering intelligence, which can contribute to on-going surveillance and building situational awareness in the Indian Ocean. At the time of deployment, Task Force 150 will be under French leadership.
Denmark has previously contributed naval vessels to Combined Maritime Forces, as well as supplying the Force Commander of Task Force 151. In addition to this, Danish military personnel have since 2007 been deployed to the CMF headquarters, located in Bahrain.
Frontex’ Operation Triton
Denmark has on several previous occasions contributed to Frontex’ effort to monitor the EU’s outer borders. In the beginning of 2017, the Royal Danish Air Force had deployed a Challenger airplane in support of Operation Triton, the main task of which is to monitor the outer border of the EU in the Mediterranean Sea. In terms of the future deployment, the Danish Challenger airplane is expected to deploy for approx. 30 days in August 2017. Once again, the detachment will be tasked to monitor shipping traffic in the Mediterranean Sea and, as a part of this task, be expected to assist in case of any maritime Search and Rescue operations.
Distributed by APO on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Foreign Secretary visits Tobruk, Libya:
The Foreign Secretary met Agila Saleh and Ahmied Homa, the President & second vice-President of Libya’s Parliament – the House of Representatives. In this meeting, Mr Johnson emphasised the importance of Libya’s legitimate political institutions working together to break the impasse and restore security, stability, and prosperity in Libya.
After this meeting, the Foreign Secretary visited Tobruk Commonwealth War Cemetery, which is the final resting place of over 2,000 Commonwealth soldiers. Mr Johnson also laid a wreath at the Cemetery’s memorial and visited the Cemetery’s Guest room, which contains artefacts commemorating Britain’s role in Libya during the Second World War.
Today’s visit followed the Foreign Secretary’s meetings in Tripoli yesterday with the Libyan Prime Minister Fayyez Al-Serraj and Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala. He also met with Abdurrahman Swehli the President of Libya’s High State Council.
Speaking after the visit to Tobruk, the Foreign Secretary said:
In my meetings in Tobruk I have stressed to the Presidency of Libya’s House of Representatives the importance of working with Prime Minister Serraj and Libya’s High State Council to break the political deadlock and bring renewed hope for the people of Libya.
A more secure, stable and prosperous future for Libya can only be restored when their leaders choose to work together in the interests of the Libyan people.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
President Zuma lauds Team South Africa on positive WEF outcomes:
President Jacob Zuma has lauded Team South Africa on the success and positive outcomes achieved at the World Economic Forum on Africa held in Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on 03-05 May 2017.
The World Economic Forum on Africa meeting was attended by Heads of State and Government, global leaders from business, civil society as well as government to discuss important issues relating to education, skills and employment; entrepreneurship; energy; infrastructure and development finance; combating, adapting to and building resilience against climate change; and science, technology and innovation and with specific focus on Africa.
“This 27th session of the World Economic Forum on Africa was a tremendous and fruitful success for South Africa as we have collectively made a clear and coherent statement that South Africa and the African continent are ideal investment destinations and they are open for business. Government working together with business community in particular have worked hard and marketed the country very well. This is the spirit that should be retained beyond the WEF to ensure that we achieve the inclusive economic growth to create jobs and eradicate inequality and poverty. When South Africans work together, success is guaranteed,” President Zuma said.
National government, supported by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government and Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality, worked with the World Economic Forum to ensure success.
Both Business Unity South Africa and the Black Business Council participated in the WEFA meeting.
“Team South Africa came out tops once again”, said President Zuma.
Distributed by APO on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Presidency.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
