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Tag: AU

  • Liberia’s NEC presents certificate of return to Weah

    Liberia’s NEC presents certificate of return to Weah

    Liberia ’s National Elections Commission ( NEC ) has presented certificate of return to the President-elect, George Weah; Vice President-elect, Jewel Howard-Taylor, and the newly elected members of the House of Representatives.

    Chairman of NEC, Mr Jerome Korkoya, performed the ceremony at the commission’s headquarters in Monrovia on Thursday evening.

    According to local media, 66 out of the 73 elected lawmakers were certificated, leaving out seven who are facing legal challenges over their election in the October 10 general polls.

    The new leaders will be sworn in on January 22, which is the third working Monday of January as stipulated in the Liberian Constitution.

    Speaking at the occasion, the NEC boss reminded the newly elected public officers of the huge responsibility that comes with the mantle of leadership entrusted to them.

    “The certificate we are presenting to you represents conferral of legitimacy to pronounce you to the world as the duly elected officials.

    “”It is also an embodiment of the power, trust and aspiration reposed in you by your various constituents and the people of Liberia as a whole.

    “Expectations are high to change the people’s living conditions through the laws, policies and programmes of the incoming government.

    He acknowledged the contributions of international partners including ECOWAS, AU, USAID, EU and UNDP, which led to the successful conduct of the elections.

    Korkoya expressed appreciation to all contestants in the elections for respecting the rule of law by exploring judicial means to seek redress after the elections.

    The president-elect, George Weah, described his election as a unifying factor in the country.

    Weah pledged to fulfil his campaign promised of improving the lives of Liberians, calling on members of the legislature to put aside politics and work in the interest of the country.

    “I went to Boakai (outgoing Vice President) not to make news but because campaign is over and it is time to do the Liberian people’s work.

    “Our quest is for all Liberians to work together to move our country forward; in the interest of the people let’s work,” he said.

    The president-elect reiterated his assurance of greater freedoms, saying he would not interfere with the tenants of democracy, especially political dissent.

    “I am your friend but my interest is the Liberian people.

    “Any attempt to promote clampdown on the political rights of fewer Liberians has the propensity of disuniting the country,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the elected lawmakers, the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hans Barchue, promised to work with the CDC-led government.

    Also Read: ‘Change is on,’ says George Weah

    In separate remarks, members of the international community present at the occasion restated their commitment to support the incoming administration.

    The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Farid Zarif, lauded Liberians for their peaceful participation in the electoral process.

    Zarif called on the new administration to build on the gains made under the leadership of outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

    He urged the new government to properly manage the country’s abundant natural resources to improve the lives of Liberians.

    “Let me quote you Mr. President-elect that it doesn’t make sense that Liberia is so rich, yet its people are so poor.

    “That is the beginning of another vision. Let’s bring the two things together,” he said.

    NAN

  • Buhari seeks accountability, good neighbourliness in ECOWAS, AU

    Buhari seeks accountability, good neighbourliness in ECOWAS, AU

    … To recall Nigerian troops from Guinea Bissau

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday emphasized the need for “accountability and good neighbourliness” in both the West Africa sub-region and the continent as a whole.

    The President made the remark when he met with the President of ECOWAS Commission and Chairperson of the African Union Commission at State House, Abuja.

    Receiving the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel A. de Souza, President Buhari said it was gladdening that the organization was demanding accountability from its headquarters staff, which made it to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into its books.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “Thanks for being firm, and for insisting on transparency and accountability at the ECOWAS headquarters.”

    He promised that Nigeria would continue to fulfill its obligations to the sub-regional body.

    Nigeria hosts the 52nd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Saturday in Abuja.

    President Buhari said he expected a formal report on the situation in Guinea Bissau at the meeting, noting: “We need our troops back home and I hope the President of that country will accept a constitutional way to resolve the situation there.”

    The ECOWAS Commission chief thanked Nigeria for agreeing to host the 52nd Ordinary Session at short notice, adding that the impact of Nigeria was quite strong in the organization.

    “We are under financial pressure due to terrorist attacks in the sub-region, but Nigeria being out of recession will have an impact on the entire region,” de Souza said.

    He noted that Nigeria was the highest contributor of troops to Guinea Bissau, but admitted that “the troops can’t be there endlessly.”

    At the meeting with the President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, President Buhari said good neighbourliness and relationship were important for security and economic development in the continent.

    “That was why I visited all our neighbours. Such relationship is crucial for security and economic development, so that our youths can get jobs,” the President noted.

    On the situation in Libya, President Buhari reiterated that not every black man was a Nigerian, and it was therefore important to authenticate the origin of the people in distress before they were evacuated.

    “We are trying to bring as many as possible from Libya. But not every black man is a Nigerian. Others claim to be Nigerian, when they are not, and because they have destroyed their travel papers, we can’t claim them, except there is proper documentation,” the President said.

     

     

  • Harnessing EU, AU Summit partnership potentials

    The 5th European Union and African Union Summit slated for November 29- 30, is underway in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. Africa’s and Europeans’ heads of states and governments are expected with leaders of the continents’ institutions and organizations.

    This year’s summit has a very interesting central theme – ‘Investing in the Youth for a Sustainable Future’. The triennial meeting which was last held in Brussels, Belgium in 2014 is expected to reach key decisions that would provide political guidance towards effective strategic and development partnership that is expected to address future socio-economic challenges.

    The focus on youth is both apt and pertinent, considering that more than 60 percent population of Africa is made up of youth.  Unfortunately, they lack guidance and lose faith in the leadership of their respective countries. The apparent despondency of the average African youth can be understood as their countries do not have any social security programme for them.

    Poor education policy and ineffective planning coupled with deficit funding over the years have become a bane in socio-economic advancement of the continent. World Bank in its 2015 report revealed that half of the youth in sub-Saharan Africa are out of schools. This number makes the region to have the highest rate of exclusion. According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the Global Education Monitoring (GEM), poverty and armed conflict contribute significantly to the low youth enrolment in schools.

    There is no doubt that Africa tends to have much younger population than her European counterpart. This should be seen as potential economic opportunity that if well harnessed can be mutually beneficial to both continents. Unfortunately, this youthful population accounts for the surge in illegal migration into Europe, a crisis situation that is not likely to cease soon. These youth are fleeing from a distressed economic situation and war; they are in search for greener pastures abroad. African leaders should be blamed for neglecting the critical mass of their youth.

    The proposed marshal plan for Africa by European leaders should be revisited in this summit. This development package was conceived to create jobs at home countries to dissuade those intending to flee their countries. But in rather resorting to engaging brutal forces to deal with these migrants, they have unwittingly supported human right abuse.

    French president, Emmanuel Macron’s plan to set up what he calls Hot Spots in Chad and Niger where refugees could apply for asylum instead of risking their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean, is seen as a welcome development. However, as brilliant as this may sound, the host countries believe it would create confusion that may not be easily controlled.

    In addressing this intractable migrant crisis, Judith Sunderland, associate director for Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch offers a solution that Europe should grant humanitarian visas to the refugees.

    Expectedly, developments on the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES) which was launched 10 years ago in Lisbon, Portugal would also feature prominently in the Summit. The purpose for this programme was to move the partnership between these continents beyond donor/recipient basis and to maintain a sustainable cooperation based on mutually complementary interest.

    So far, this partnership has delivered tangible results in key areas especially at both political and operational levels. Visible efforts have also been observed in management and resolution of conflicts through Africa-led International mission in Central African Republic in 2013. African Union Mission in Somalia and Africa-led International Support Mission to Mali. These and many other interventions received funding and support from EU.

    Also, the EU and AU cooperation on election monitoring has helped to consolidate democratic cultures and structures. African democracies, elections, rule of law and good governance have also been deepened. Trade, regional integration and investment have equally received a boost under this partnership.

    However, the recent revelation that most light weapons illegally flooding Nigeria come from Turkey, should be of concern to Nigerians participating in the summit. The disclosure by Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, a couple of months ago that France provided a base for financial transaction that funded the proscribed IPOB activities in Nigeria should equally be of concern.

    It is not in doubt that Africa has a longer political and economic relationship with Europe than other continents. Therefore, this partnership holds the much needed hope for the continent’s economic emancipation and technological advancement.

     

    • Itaobong Etim,

    Calabar.

  • AU welcomes Mugabe resignation

    AU welcomes Mugabe resignation

    The African Union (AU) on Wednesday welcomed the resignation of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

    Moussa Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission in a statement said Tuesday’s decision will go down in history as an act of statesmanship that can only bolster Mugabe’s political legacy.

    Mugabe resigned on Tuesday after pressure from the military and Zimbabweans, ending his 37-year grip on power.

    His resignation was greeted with wild scenes of celebration by Zimbabweans who now look forward to a new political dispensation in the country.

    President Mugabe will be remembered as a fearless pan-Africanist liberation fighter, and the father of the independent Zimbabwean nation, AU’s statement said.

    Mahamat noted that AU recognises that the Zimbabwean people have expressed their will that there should be a peaceful transfer of power in a manner that secures the democratic future of their country.

    He said he is confident that the people, together with all their leaders, will remain steadfast in their commitment to fulfill their legitimate aspirations.

    He added that the AU looks forward to Zimbabwe continuing to play a leading role in the affairs of the African continent, as a democratic and prosperous state meeting the aspirations of its people.

    He said the Southern African country has AU’s full support in the period ahead.

    UN called for calm and restraint in Zimbabwe following the resignation of Mugabe.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and General Assembly President Miroslav Lajcak called for calm and restraint in the southern African country after a week of political tumult.

    Zimbabwe’s Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda on Tuesday announced the resignation of Mugabe, one day after the 93-year-old ignored a deadline set by his own party to step down.

    “The (UN) secretary-general encourages all Zimbabweans to maintain calm and restraint,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York.

    Mugabe was taken into custody by the military on Nov. 15 after he fired Deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

    His own political party restored Mnangagwa and demanded Mugabe’s resignation.

    As Mugabe initially remained defiant, his party threatened to impeach him.

    NAN

  • Nigeria truly on path to free, fair elections in 2019, says Presidency

    Nigeria truly on path to free, fair elections in 2019, says Presidency

    *2019 elections will be free, fair, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday noted that the United Nation’s prediction that 2019 elections in Nigeria will be credible and violent free is another indication of the world’s confidence in Nigeria’s current administration.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, a day after a United Nations representative made the prediction in a Channels TV interview, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, expressed pleasure at the world body’s accurate observation of the trends in President Buhari’s government, which could only lead down the path of free and fair elections come 2019.

    He said “The Buhari government doesn’t believe in cheap propaganda. It’s not about responding to the attacks, false allegations and insinuations of the PDP or of the still very active media machinery of the previous government.

    “We believe in taking active steps to ensure that the future of Nigeria is better than it is today and we are glad to see that the United Nations has acknowledged this.” he added

    During the Channels TV interview, Head of UN Office for West Africa, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers, had pointed out the credible and peaceful local elections that have so far taken place in different states across Nigeria, and used this as one of the indices to judge what to expect for the presidential elections in 2019.

    “Under the government of President Buhari, a number of credible elections have been conducted in states and local governments across Nigeria and, so far, there has been no cause for fear or worry,” the SSA Media said.

    He added that the 2015 elections which saw the historic election of President Buhari – the first time in Nigeria and one of the rare occasions in Africa when an incumbent was soundly defeated in an election – were credible simply because of the presence and diligence of Professor Attahiru Jega.

    “At one of its meetings, the Council of States last year put on record the appreciation of the nation for the conduct of the 2015 elections and commended the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega as Chairman of the Commission for bringing that about.

    “In addition to the steadfastness of the INEC, the ECOWAS, AU, EU, UN and other international bodies also had to be on guard to ensure that there was no opportunity for the kind of foolishness we saw at the INEC collation center from people in the circle of power to flourish,” Malam Garba said.

    “But, in 2019, the international community will have nothing to fear, and I am happy that the UN can already sense that several months in advance.”  he said

  • AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    AU, AFRIMA unveil exciting events calendar

    With the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) scheduled for Friday, November 10 and Sunday, November 12 in Lagos, The African Union Commission, AUC, and AFRIMA’s international committee, have unveiled an array of activities and performers.

    Some of the events include the Africa Music Business Roundtable (AMBR) on November 10 which is a platform for African music executives, investors and artistes to chart a course for development towards the nurturing and packaging of music in a way that creates jobs and reflects positively on the GDP of the continent.

    International and African music brands and organisations will also showcase products and services at the 2017 AMBR exhibition. Some of the speakers billed for the Roundtable are General Manager, Sony Music, West Africa; Micheal Ugwu; Board Chairman of the Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition, South Africa; Dr Sipho Sithole, and Head of Public Relations and Special Projects, Universal Music; Ms Hadja Kobele.

    Also scheduled for Friday, November 10 is the Africa Music Village, an open music festival set to showcase live performances of over 40 African music superstars. The all-night event will feature performances from Nigerian pop-legend, 2Baba, Seyi Shay, Bongo-flava King, Diamond Platnumz, and a host of others.

    The main award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, November 12 and will feature live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.

    The annual AFRIMA is organised in partnership with the African Union to foster economic development and integration on the continent while showcasing the cultural heritage of Africa to the rest of the world. The awards platform achieves this by celebrating and rewarding the old and young music talents of African origin.

  • AU grants Nigeria AFRIMA hosting right

    The African Union (AU) has awarded the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), to Nigeria for another three years (2017-2019).

    A statement by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Adviser to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Lagos yesterday, said the hosting right was given to the country following its successful hosting of the 2014 2016 editions.

    He said the award of the hosting right was conveyed in a letter written the minister by the Commissioner of Social Affairs at the AU Commission, Mrs Amira Elfadil.

    Mohammed said the AU’s commissioner commended the growth and inclusiveness of AFRIMA by reaching out to ‘many musicians, music producers and creative arts practitioners in general’.

    He said Elfadi noted that between 2014 and 2016, during which Nigeria hosted three editions of AFRIMA, it “has become a very crucial event and movement of African musicians.’’

    The minister said the AU’s commissioner also noted that AFRIMA “allows them to establish synergies and work towards the development of Africa’s music and promotion of music in the continent and in the international arena.

    “Based on this and other factors such as the willingness to create value and deepen the brand equity not only for Nigerians but also for Africans, the AU returned the hosting right of AFRIMA to Nigeria’’.

    He said that government’s desire to retain the right was informed by the enthusiasm and sense of duty with which Nigerians embraced AFRIMA coupled with the prevailing international confidence in the present administration.

    He said: “The African Union’s gracious concession to our request is beneficial for the creative sector in Nigeria and across Africa.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on state governments and corporate Nigeria to partner with it and the African Union in ensuring a successful hosting of AFRIMA 2017 which will bring immense socio-economic benefits to the selected host city,’’ he said.

    Mohammed disclosed that the 2017 edition of AFRIMA is scheduled to hold from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12.

    Quoting the organiser of the event, the minister said that it would present to the continent a world-class programme that included activities such as the Africa Music Business Round Table on Nov. 10.

    The round table would bring together big music brands, music producers and intellectual property experts to discuss the needed networks and infrastructure for an expanding economically-vibrant music industry in Africa.

    “Other events are the AFRIMA Music Village: an evening of a non-stop open music festival of live performances from the African stars and nominees, with an expected audience of 40,000 people.

    “The main Awards ceremony on November 12 will present a star-studded and world-class event with live performances and television broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations around the world.’’

  • AU, UN, ECOWAS back govt

    The the United Nations (UN),  the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the weekend “unequivocally condemned and deplored” the Boko Haram terrorists ambush in Maiduguri on July 25 against a convoy of Personnel of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) accompanied by geologists, under military escort. Different sources revealed that around 50 persons were killed during the attack.

    In a joint statement, the international agencies reaffirmed “their support to the people and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in their implacable struggle against terrorism.

    “The AU, UN, and ECOWAS reiterate their support to all ECOWAS states to fight against terrorism, by encouraging them to implement the ECOWAS counter-terrorism strategy aimed at eradicating this menace in the region.

    “The AU, UN, and ECOWAS sincerely wish the injured a swift recovery and express their deepest condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria optimistic for seat at UN Human Rights Commission

    Nigeria says it is optimistic of clinching a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights.

    Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, who disclosed this to newsmen on the sidelines of the 31st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the 29th AU Summit in Addis Asaba, said the country also had the backing of the AU.

    Speaking on the highlights of the Executive council meeting, he said; “we hope to get a seat in the UN High Commission for Human Rights; we do have the AU’s support.’’

    The Minister, who also spoke of the country’s chances of occupying positions in other global institutions, said that Nigeria’s chance was very bright.

    “For ECOWAS, we are hopeful of getting the positions that we want and for the United Nations (UN), we are pushing for a candidate in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

    “Though, there is a Zimbabwean candidate who is also going for the same position, we are trying to find a workable way forward on that because we want AU to support a candidate.

    “It can sometimes be tricky, but the process is ongoing.”

    Onyeama, who spoke further on the highlights of the meeting, said that the AU Committee on ECOWAS on Statutory Positions will on Sunday take decisions on allocations to member states.

    “We took part in the meeting and indicated interests in some of the positions that we feel would be of best interest to Nigeria.

    He said that the meeting also discussed the reforms of ECOWAS and various options regarding going forward on the reforms.

    “These past two years, a team was put in place and that team it was understood, will come in for two years and completely reform the organisation and then leave.

    “So, we have to implement that reform and then allocate positions for the new ECOWAS that would emerge after these two years transition period dedicated to reforming the organisation,’’ the minister said.

    On Nigeria’s assumption of the post of Chairman of AU Peace and Security Council, Onyeama said the country would push for peace in all the conflict areas in Africa.

    He said Nigeria would also be looking at the issue of rapid deployment of Africa Standby Force (ASF) to conflict areas and robust engagement in the conflict zones.

    ASF is an international, continental African, and multidisciplinary peacekeeping force with military, police and civilian contingents that acts under the direction of the African Union (AU).

    The ASF is to be deployed in times of crisis in Africa.

  • AU deploys election observers to Lesotho

    The African Union (AU) has deployed its observation mission for Saturday’s National Assembly elections in Lesotho.

    According to a statement issued by the continental body, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Mahamat, deployed the AU election observation mission (AUEOM) to observe the elections.

    Led by former President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, the AUEOM comprises 26 observers from members of the Permanent Representatives Committee of AU, Pan African Parliament (PAP), Election Management Bodies and civil society organisations.

    The AUEOM, which is deployed in Lesotho from May 28 to June 8, has joined the AU election expert mission which has been in the country since May 13.

    The AUEOM makes an independent, objective and impartial assessment of the elections, and offers recommendations for improvement of future elections that will contribute to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability in the country.

    The AUEOM will release its preliminary findings on the election at a press conference in Maseru, Lesotho capital, on June 5.

    NAN