APO News from Africa:
Martin Kobler condemns violence and calls for the immediate restoration of calm in Tripoli:
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Libya and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Martin Kobler, is following reports of ongoing fighting in Tripoli with grave concern. The SRSG calls on rival groups to stop fighting immediately and put Libyan national interest first.
“Voices of reason should prevail for the benefit of the country,” said Martin Kobler. “Political aims must not be pursued through violence. Civilians must be protected. I remind all parties of their duty to respect the provisions of international humanitarian and international human rights law”, he stated.
The SRSG expresses his full support to the Presidency Council as the sole legitimate executive authority in Libya, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolutions 2259 and 2278. He urges all parties in Libya to engage seriously in the political process and towards national reconciliation.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 682nd meeting, held at ministerial level, on 25 April 2017, adopted the following decision on Maritime Security and Safety and Peace, Security and Development of the Blue Economy, “After Lomé”:
Council:
1. Takes note of the statements delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration of the Republic of Togo, H.E. Prof. Robert Dussey, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of April 2017, and the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Smail Chergui. Council also takes note of the presentation made by the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry, H.E. Ambassador Albert Muchanga, as well as by Ambassador Amoko Kouvahe and Justice Kokou Humado, both from Togo. Council further takes note of the statements made by representatives of Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), as well as by the representative of the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) ;
2. Recalls the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime (2050 AIM) Strategy and its Plan of Action adopted by the 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in January 2014. Council also recalls Assembly Decision Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.1 (VI) by the AU Extraordinary Summit, held on 15 October 2016, in Lomé, Togo, which adopted the Charter on Maritime Safety and Security and Development in Africa;
3. Expresses deep concern over the persistence of threats to safety and security in the maritime domain, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, illegal, unreported and unregulated/illegal fishing, dumping of toxic waste, illegal arms, drug and human trafficking, money laundering, smuggling of migrants and terrorism. In this regard, Council underscores the importance of the adoption of stringent measures to combat these threats;
4. Emphasizes the link between peace, security and development with regard to the maritime domain as integral elements for Africa’s overall economic growth and integration process. In this respect, Council underlines the importance of the Lomé Charter as an African instrument for promoting peace, security and safety in Africa’s maritime domain, which are the necessary conditions for the development and growth of the blue economy for the benefit of the continent and its people;
5. Welcomes the appointment of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe of the Republic of Togo as AU Champion for issues related to maritime security and safety and commends his tireless efforts towards the promotion of maritime security and safety in Africa, as a contribution to enhance peace and security in the continent;
6. Recalls the request made by the Extraordinary Summit to the Commission to take all necessary measures in order to convene extraordinary sessions of the relevant Specialized Technical Committees (STCs) which were not involved in the elaboration process of the Charter namely: the STC on Trade, Industry and Minerals, the STC on Transport, Infrastructure, Energy and Tourism, the STC on Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and any other relevant STCs to enable them to consider issues falling within their respective mandates and submit their contributions to the African Charter, in the form of annexes, to the Assembly for consideration in July 2017. In this regard, Council recognizes the progress made in the implementation of this decision and requests the Commission to expedite the finalization of the draft annexes to the Lomé Charter, with a view to enabling the earliest convening of the meeting of the relevant STCs for their elaboration;
7. Takes note with gratitude of the offer made by the Republic of Togo to host the meetings of relevant STCs;
8. Underscores the important role of RECs/RMs in the elaboration, implementation and harmonization of national and regional maritime instruments including regulatory frameworks;
9. Further underscores the need to put in place an appropriate follow up mechanism, in particular within the AU Commission, bearing in mind the cross-sectoral and multidimensional nature of issues relating to Maritime Security and Safety and Development as recognized in the 2050 AIM Strategy and the Lomé Charter ;
10. Further commends Togo for being the only AU Member State that has already signed and ratified the Lomé Charter, and urges all Member States to ratify the Charter, in accordance with their relevant national procedures;
11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Distributed by APO on behalf of African Union Peace and Security Department.
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Minya, Egypt:
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack that took place today, 26 May 2017, on a bus traveling to a monastery in Minya, Egypt, where at least 28 people were killed and dozens were injured, including children.
They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Egypt, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
Distributed by APO on behalf of United Nations – Security Council.
Download logo
Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
