The 2017 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in partnership with the African Union will be formally opened on Tuesday, May 2 at a joint AUC-AFRIMA cultural conference to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 2017 entry submission timeline for the prestigious continental awards will also be revealed at the joint conference expected to have in attendance AU officials, members of the International Committee of AFRIMA, past AFRIMA winners and nominees from Southern African, South Africa government officials, media executives in Southern Africa and other stakeholders in the creative/entertainment industry in Africa.
Speaking about the calendar unveiling and cultural conference themed ‘Enhancing the Creative Power of the African Youth,’ Director of Brand Communication, AFRIMA, Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi, explained that ‘’the impact of AFRIMA as an awards which places premium value on the talents and their creative works keep reverberating across the continent.
“2016 was a phenomenal year for AFRIMA. The awards ceremony hosted by Lagos State of Nigeria between November 4 to 6 was a cultural fiesta with nominees and invited guests turning up in thousands for the three-day of events in Lagos. About 40 well-known Africa artistes performed at the AFRIMA Music Village to a live audience of over 25,000 and thousands more watching live from different locations in Africa”.
Ms. Tsotetsi stated further that the event slated for South Africa was timely to utilise and explore the interest shown by government and other entertainment stakeholders in South Africa in hosting 2017 AFRIMA events.
“The annual AFRIMA experience is one-of-its-kind and we are strongly driven to see this replicated over and over again in other countries,” said Tsotetsi.
“I’m very excited to say my home country is reaching out to AFRIMA purely on the merit of AFRIMA’S values and to be part of this unique awards platform that unites Africans through the joyous celebration of excellence in music”.
Tag: AU
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AU declares 2017 AFRIMA open on May 2
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AU, Lake Chad basin countries sign pacts on Boko Haram
The African Union and member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Friday in Abuja, to boost the fight against the Boko Haram.
The agreements were signed at a meeting of Ministers of Defence of LCBC member countries, comprising Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, rounding off a four-day conference of the commission in Abuja.
The two agreements are on Mobilisation of Additional Support to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), fighting the terrorists in the basin and Support Implementation Agreement (SIA).
AU’s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Amb. Smail Chergui, signed on behalf of the union, while the Executive Secretary and Head of Mission of the MNJTF, Mr. Sanusi Abdullahi, signed for the LCBC.
The agreements will enable the AU commission to receive funds from international partners on behalf of member countries of the LCBC and administer same in support of the MNJTF.
Chergui commended member countries of the LCBC for their determination in combating the Boko Haram terrorists in the region.
He said, “This regional initiative is a true reflection of our collective effort for attaining sustainable peace and stability on the continent, using African resources as the primary means for intervention.
“This collective effort by the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic, the African Union and the international community was instrumental to the operationalisation of the MNJTF.
“As a result, significant progress has been made toward enabling it (MNJTF) to effectively carry out offensive operations against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“Further to this success, the group has been disorganised and has lost the ability to hold territory.”
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Chadian minister secures AU top post
African Union leaders chose Chad’s candidate to head the 54-nation body on Monday at a summit where the divisive issues of Africa’s relationship to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Morocco’s readmission to the AU were on the agenda.
In the last round of voting, Chadian Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki Mahamat, beat Kenya’s top diplomat Amina Mohamed to secure the post as head of the AU commission, which is headquartered in the Ethiopian capital, Reuters reported.
A Chadian official told a group of journalists that his nation’s candidate had secured 39 votes in the final round.
Mahamat, born in 1960, has served as foreign minister since 2008. His previous posts also included a stint as prime minister
In a race usually resolved in behind-the-scenes talks before a summit vote, three of the AU’s four major regions vied for the post – the south, the east and the largely Francophone west – with some regions pushing more than one candidate.
Outgoing commissioner, South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, stayed in post an extra six months after leaders failed to agree a candidate in July. She is now tipped as a contender to succeed her ex-husband, Jacob Zuma, as South Africa’s president.
The question of Morocco’s re-admission was also divisive, although by Monday evening, two delegates leaving the talks said it had the support of 39 nations, enough to provide a guarantee.
However, reservations held by 10 AU members meant the confirmation of its new status would have to wait until Tuesday.
The North African kingdom quit the AU’s predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, three decades ago amid a dispute over the body’s recognition of Western Sahara, most of which has been controlled by Morocco since 1976.
Western Sahara’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, called progress on Morocco’s readmission a “positive step” since it would put it on equal footing with a region it has until now refused to acknowledge as anything other than its own territory.
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AU to readmit Morocco
African heads of state on Monday gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a two-day summit where they are expected to readmit Morocco into the African Union (AU) after a 33-year absence.
Morocco submitted its bid to rejoin the AU last year.
Members are also expected to elect a new chairperson to succeed South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Dlamini-Zuma is the first woman to serve as the continent’s top diplomat.
Report said Morocco is the only country that does not to belong to the 54-member body.
Morocco left the former Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1984 after the body recognised the independence of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.
The AU chairperson Dlamini-Zuma has been tipped as one of the possible successors to her former husband, South African President, Jacob Zuma.
Candidates listed to succeed her are – Kenyan Foreign Minister, Amina Mohamed, her Chadian counterpart, Moussa Faki Mahamat and Senegalese diplomat, Abdoulaye Bathily.
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Nigeria for stronger, robust AU – Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said Nigeria will continue to work together with other African countries to ensure that the African Union (AU) becomes a stronger and more robust organization for the benefit of the continent and its people.
Osinbajo, who is acting President, spoke while receiving a Special Envoy from President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Ali Farah Assoweh, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “It is important for Africa to always put the best foot forward and we will continue to work together with the President of Djibouti to make AU stronger and more robust.”
Osinbajo maintained that Nigeria and Djibouti enjoy very good diplomatic relationship over the years.
He also expressed appreciation to the President of Djibouti for the country’s support to Nigeria in various international platforms.
He said the Federal Government would consider Djibouti’s candidate for AU seat, observing that the position is one that has to be occupied by the right person.
The statement revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo spoke on phone on Sunday night, reviewing local and other developments including the situation in Gambia, where Nigerian troops are playing a leading role in resolving the crisis that followed that country’s presidential election.
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Gambia: AU ‘to stop’ recognising Jammeh from January 19
The African Union will cease to recognise Yahya Jammeh as president of The Gambia should he refuse to stand down by January 19, the date he is due to hand over power to the winner of that country presidential election.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council in a statement on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, also warned of “serious consequences in the event that his action causes any crisis that could lead to political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disaster, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties.”
The warning came on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was due in Banjul at the head of an ECOWAS delegation to persuade Jammeh to step down.
Yahya’s political party, in the latest gambit, has gone to court to halt the inauguration of Adama Barrow, on the basis that Jammeh’s challenge of the electoral result, has not been decided by the country’s Supreme Court.
The case was adjourned for months, because the court could not form a quorum.
Barrow’s party pledged on Friday that Jammeh would be honoured as a former head of state if he steps down and suggested he might not face trial for alleged crimes during his 22 years in power.
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AU committee chair: Buhari raises five lobbying committees for Nigerian candidate
•Gambari, Kingibe, Amina, Onyeama, Fayemi head teams
President Muhammadu Buhari has raised five lobbying committees for a Nigerian contesting for the post of Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union (AU) Commission, Fatima Kyari Mohammed.
Mrs. Mohammed is the official candidate of ECOWAS for the coveted post, which will be contested for by other blocs in Africa during the Heads of State Summit on January 30 and 31.
According to investigation by The Nation, Nigeria is interested in the slot in view of the strategic role it has been playing in conflict resolution in Africa.
A top source, who spoke in confidence, said ECOWAS Heads of State have unanimously endorsed Mrs. Mohammed.
The source said: “The President has decided to reach out to all African Heads of State and Government to support the candidature of Fatima, who has done a lot to promote peace and development in West Africa.
“Five campaign teams led by three ministers have been set up by the President. The ministers leading the teams are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“Others involved in the lobbying are two special envoys, who are former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Baba Kingibe, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Ambassador Ayo Oke, Enuma Okoro, Ambassador Jacden and others. All of them will embark on trips to different parts of the continent in January.
“Two events have already been held in Addis Ababa to introduce the Nigeria’s candidate to the diplomatic community. Election holds at Heads of State Summit holding between January 30th and 31st.”
When The Nation visited fatimakyarimohammed.org yesterday, she said her vision is to ensure “a prosperous Africa, where its citizens can live in security and dignity in an inclusive environment where collective responsibility and accountable institutions foster peace and stability”.
One of the qualities, which endeared her to ECOWAS leaders, was her passion for the care of the vulnerable.
She runs the Like-Minds Project, which has executed several projects for those displaced by Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.
Her pet project has assisted more than 50,000 families in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
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AU backs ECOWAS’ decision on Gambia
The Chairman of the African Union (AU), Mr. Idriss Deby, on Monday expressed full support for the decisions adopted by the ECOWAS Heads of State on the political situation in The Gambia.
In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Deby commended the ECOWAS Heads of State for their “principled stand with regards to the situation in The Gambia.
He said the AU was in full support of the decisions reached at the meeting held in Abuja on December 16, including “the consideration to use all necessary means to ensure the respect of the will of the people of The Gambia.’’
“The Chairman of AU reaffirms its readiness to pursue and intensify coordination efforts with ECOWAS and the United Nations,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the statement as saying on Monday.
“This is in order to facilitate the speedy and orderly transfer of power to the President-elect, including its full support to President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as ECOWAS Mediator in The Gambia.’’
Deby, who is the President of Chad, repeated his call on The Gambia’s outgoing President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate the smooth transfer of power to the newly elected president, Adama Barrow, as decided by The Gambians.
He also called on members of the security forces in The Gambia to strictly abide by the country’s Constitution and the rule of law.
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AU pushes up intra-African trade
THE African Union (AU) is intent on advancing intra-continental trade. This became clear during the Eighth meeting of the African Union Sub-Committee of Directors General (AUSCDG) of Customs held in Harare last Monday.
The theme of the gathering was: ‘’From Barriers to Bridges-Implementing One-Stop Border Posts for Improved Trade Facilitation.’’
Heads of customs agencies in Africa, representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs), World Customs Organisation (WCO), African Development Bank (AfDB), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), among others, attended the meeting.
AUSCDG noted in a statement that the meeting discussed the African Union’s important agenda of creating a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) within the framework of Boosting Intra African Trade (BIAT) for economic growth and development on the African Continent.
“The significance of OSBP (one stop border post), as a concept for removing barriers to trade at border posts was therefore highlighted as a trade facilitation measure that would speed up the establishment of the CFTA,” it said.
“The objectives of the meeting were to take stock of the work that has been carried out so far by technical working groups and to endorse the recommendations of the experts and to reflect further on the issue of Implementing one-stop border posts for improved trade facilitation in order to boost Intra-African trade.”
Happias Kuzvinzwa, the Acting Commissioner General of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), in his opening address, recalled the theme of the meeting and admitted that it is in line with the current economic trends in Africa.
He pointed out that borders by nature, divide countries and act as frontiers between countries. Kuzvinzwa also mentioned that the theme places emphasis on the removal of barriers, borders and boundaries to form bridges that connect countries.
He emphasised that building bridges allows connectivity, which he said links people-to-people, eases border congestion, ensures smooth movement of both human and vehicle traffic across borders and in turn increases trade relations between nations.
Kuzvinzwa also raised some of the challenges faced by customs administrations. He suggested that the establishment of Single Window Systems, coupled with one-stop border posts, would go a long way in promoting efficiency and reducing time and cost for traders.
“Cross-Border Cooperation is one of the solutions to some of the challenges that customs administrations face in the discharge of their mandates,” Kuzvinzwa underscored.
Kumio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of WCO, thanked Zimbabwe for the warm welcome and expressed the readiness of his organisation to assist and support the country’s initiatives launched in the framework of reform and modernisation through human resources capacity building.
Mikuriya stressed that the theme of the meeting fits with the WCO’s vision. He announced that the WCO will next year organise a Global Conference on Transit in order to support regional integration in Africa.
He highlighted the importance of data collection, data exchange and data analysis and urged the meeting to share best practices and promised that the meeting’s outcomes will be incorporated into the WCO’s capacity building programmes.