APO News from Africa:
U.S. Statement on the Nomination of a New Prime Minister in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
The United States reiterates its disappointment that signatories to the December 31 agreement were unable to reach agreement on the selection of a new Prime Minister in accordance with the agreement. Full and swift implementation by the government of the DRC of the agreement in conformance with UN Security Council Resolution 2348 is essential to ensure the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is also essential to ensuring that the desire of the Congolese people to vote in free and fair elections is respected. Unfortunately, uncertainty about the government’s commitment to implement the agreement and hold elections by the end of 2017 is creating a worrisome uncertainty across the DRC.
The United States encourages leaders of the opposition Rassemblement coalition to work with the Council of Catholic Bishops and other signatories to the December 31 agreement towards the goal of elections and a peaceful, democratic transfer of power. The United States urges both the DRC government and leaders of the political opposition to refrain from any statements or actions that could incite violence. The United States remains prepared to impose restrictions on individuals – whether government or opposition – who undermine DRC’s democratic institutions.
Distributed by APO on behalf of U.S. Embassy Kinshasa.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
President Zuma to Visit the Westonaria Agri-Park:
President Jacob Zuma will today, 11 April 2017, conduct a site visit to the Westonaria Agri-Park as part of revitalizing and transforming the agriculture and rural economy.
The Agri-Parks Programme has become the cornerstone of the government’s priority to revitalise agriculture and agro-processing value chain, which is also one of the priorities of the Nine-Point Plan.
The establishment of Agri-Parks in all 44 district municipalities is set to transform the rural economy by amongst others, creating a market and support for small holder farmers, creating employment opportunities for rural communities, infrastructure development and revitalizing the agriculture and agro-processing value chain.
The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has over the last 18 months conducted an assessment of the economic potential of each of the 44 districts in the country. The purpose was to assist government to make informed decisions on which commodities to prioritise in each district.
To ensure their sustainability, government will provide financial and material support for Agri-Parks for a period of ten years, after which farmers in the various districts must assume complete control.
The Agri-Parks are an integral part, and driver, of the Rural Economic Transformation Model, which focuses on the generation and stimulation of both subsistence and commercial enterprises. 70% Equity in the Agri-Parks shall be owned by producers, with the state and other commercial interests anchoring the other 30%. The state’s strategic support will diminish over a period of 10 years with producers taking full control.
Due consideration was given to, amongst others, Government's Programme of Action, the Medium Term Strategic Framework (2014-2019) and the objectives and the 18 key targets of the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP’s approach of targeting high value commodities (most of which are labour intensive) to stimulate industrial growth will be accompanied by measures that ensure sustainable production on redistributed land and an improved institutional support system.
Members of the media are invited as follows:
Date: 11 April 2017
Time: 11h00
Venue: Westonaria Agri-Park, Bekkersdaal
Members of the media are requested to send their details for accreditation purpose to Tshepo Diale on 071 850 1751 or tshepo.diale@drdlr.gov.za or Mr Themba Hleko on 078 494 4978 or Themba.hleko@drdlr.gov.za.
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
HRH Princess Anne (The Princess Royal) visits Sierra Leone:
The Princess Royal, daughter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was warmly welcomed to Freetown last week for a three-day official visit on 5-7 April. Sierra Leone was the final stop in a weeklong visit that included Ghana.
Princess Anne’s visit offered a moment to celebrate the UK’s unique and historic relationship with Sierra Leone, and to recognise the lasting friendship between both countries. The Princess is no stranger to Sierra Leone; she last visited the country in 2011 to celebrate Sierra Leone’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, following in the footsteps of Her Majesty the Queen’s visit in 1961.
This time, she saw firsthand how Sierra Leone was recovering from Ebola and the vital contribution that the UK was making across the development spectrum. The Princess paid a courtesy call on President Ernest Bai Koroma to praise his personal leadership in leading the fight against Ebola and his commitment to transforming the lives of thousands of Sierra Leoneans through the President’s Recovery Programme. The Princess recognised the role of the UK Government and UK NGOs in key sectors, such as health, education, social protection and governance, to promote development and build security.
To mark the visit, President Koroma held a State Reception for the Princess, an honour that brought together members of the Cabinet, senior government officials, and dignitaries from the diplomatic community and civil society.
The Princess is closely associated with a number of UK NGOs that do important work in Sierra Leone, such as Save the Children; Voluntary Service Overseas; and the University of London and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, which both have strong partnerships within the country’s health sector. She was keen to use her visit to see the difference that they and the UK Government continue to make.
Princess Anne is well known for being one of the hardest working members of the Royal Family and this visit was no different. The Princess undertook a busy schedule across the city. She paid a visit to several hospitals, health centres and care homes where the UK and UK volunteers are helping to make a difference, including: the Ola During Hospital, the Aberdeen Women’s Centre, the Leonard Cheshire Home and Save the Children projects in Susan’s Bay and Wilberforce. At Connaught Hospital, she met the First Lady Sia Koroma, who explained how the hospital supports dialysis care, and saw the work that the Kings Sierra Leone Partnership is doing to build a more resilient health system.
Her Royal Highness experienced the full extent of the UK’s work in Sierra Leone with visits to the British Council, at heart of the Hull-Freetown 2017 cultural twinning programme, and the UK-supported International Security Advisory Team that continues to enhance and professionalise the security sector. The Princess called in at the Pay No Bribe call centre, supported by UK Aid, to understand how the citizens are fighting back against graft through this anonymous reporting portal that curbs bribery.
At a visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Port, the Princess Royal re-traced where the Royal Yacht Britannica sailed into Freetown harbour to a 21 gun-salute in Sierra Leone’s first year of independence. A visit to Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary provided the perfect backdrop to see how conservationists around the country are working with the government to protect what is left of the country’s precious tropical rainforests and its spectacular flora and fauna, including the iconic chimpanzee, which is threatened by illegal hunters and traders.
The incredible, heart-felt greeting that Sierra Leone gave the Princess Royal has given us all an opportunity to reflect on the strength of our historic ties, and it vividly demonstrates the UK’s commitment to this genuinely unique relationship.
Distributed by APO on behalf of British High Commission Freetown.
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Source: APO – Africa-Newsroom: latest news releases related to Africa
