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Tag: EU

  • 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

  • Brexit talks move to next stage – EU

    Brexit talks move to next stage – EU

    European Union (EU) leaders have agreed to move Brexit talks on to the second phase but called for “further clarity” from the United Kingdom about the future relationship it wants.

    The first issue to be discussed, early next year, will be the details of an expected two-year transition period after the UK’s exit in March 2019.

    Talks on trade and security co-operation are set to follow in March.

    British Prime Minister,Theresa May, hailed an “important step” on the road but Germany’s Angela Merkel said it would get “even tougher.”

    The president of the European Council, Donald Tusk, broke the news that the 27 EU leaders were happy to move on to phase two after they met in Brussels.

    He congratulated Mrs. May on reaching this stage and said the EU would begin internal preparations for the next phase right now as well as “exploratory contacts with the UK to get more clarity on their vision.”

    While securing a deal in time for the UK’s exit in March 2019 was realistic, he suggested that the next phase would be “more challenging and more demanding.”

     

  • Three docked for killing journalist in Malta

    Three docked for killing journalist in Malta

    A Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged three men with murder over a car-bomb blast that killed anti-corruption journalist, Daphne Galizia, court officials said.

    Galizia died instantly when her car was blown up as she drove out of her home on October 16, a killing that shocked Malta and raised concern within the EU about the rule of law on the tiny Mediterranean island.

    All three pleaded not guilty at the arraignment, which was attended by her husband, Peter Galizia.

    The men were named as Vince Muscat and brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio.

    It was not immediately clear whether police thought they had acted on their own or were hit men working for others.

    Galizia wrote a popular blog in which she relentlessly highlighted cases of alleged graft targeting politicians of all colours, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Vince Muscat was not a relative.

    Police arrested 10 men on Monday in connection with their investigation into the killing. The other seven were released on bail.

    A close friend of Galizia said that she did not think the journalist had ever investigated the three men charged on Tuesday.

    “She wrote about government officials, politicians and wealthy business types,” the friend said, declining to be named because of the sensitivity of the case.

    The Malta government had offered a one million euro reward leading to information on the murder.

    It also called in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Europol to assist in investigations.

    Maltese media said investigators had homed in on the suspects following telephone intercepts , known as triangulation data – that included the call from a mobile phone which triggered the car bomb.

    Malta, the smallest nation in the EU, has been engulfed by a wave of graft scandals in recent months, including accusations of money laundering and influence peddling in government – all of which have been denied.

    Galizia exposed many of these cases and was loved by her readers as a fearless, anti-corruption crusader.

    Critics saw her as a muck-raking fantasist and she had been hit with 36 libel lawsuits in the nine months preceding her death.

    Much of her criticism was leveled against Prime Minister Muscat and his leftist Labour party, which won power in 2013 after a nearly quarter of a century of uninterrupted rule by the conservative Nationalist Party.

    In the months before her death, she had also regularly targeted senior Nationalist figures.

    Italian newspapers have speculated that she might have fallen foul of men, who were making a fortune by smuggling fuel out of lawless Libya.

    However, her friend said she had never looked into the illegal trade and any mention of it in her blog related to articles already published elsewhere.

    NAN

  • EU commission president believes ‘breakthrough’ achieved in Brexit talks

    EU commission president believes ‘breakthrough’ achieved in Brexit talks

    European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday that he believed that a breakthrough had been achieved in terms of the Brexit deal with the UK.

    “I believe we made the breakthrough we needed,” Juncker said after meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

    He added that May told him that the new text had the backing of the UK government.

    The European Commission president noted that progress was reached also in terms of the divorce bill and the EU institution was ready for the second phase of Brexit talks.

    May welcomed the prospect of moving to the next phase of Brexit talks with Brussels in order to discuss future London’s relations with the EU.
    ,
    “I very much welcome the prospect of moving ahead to the next phase to talk about trade and security and to discuss the positive and ambitious future relationship that is in all of our interests,” May said at a news conference in Brussels.

    May arrived in Brussels to meet with Juncker and Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier for a final round of negotiations within the first phase of Brexit talks. (Sputnik/NAN)

  • Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope, UN, EU, others chide US President

    Pope Francis, the United Nations, the European Union and others criticized President Trump’s decision.

    Pope Francis said, “I cannot remain silent.” The United Nations secretary general spoke of his “great anxiety.” The European Union expressed “serious concern.” American allies like Britain, France, Germany and Italy all declared it a mistake.

    A chorus of international leaders criticized the Trump administration’s decision on Wednesday to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as a dangerous disruption that contravenes several United Nations resolutions and could inflame one of the world’s thorniest conflicts.

    Secretary General António Guterres and Pope Francis both expressed alarm that the announcement would provoke new tensions in the Holy City, which is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    Within minutes of Mr. Trump’s speech, in which he said the American Embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Mr. Guterres delivered what amounted to a diplomatic rebuke.

    Reading a statement outside the Security Council chambers at United Nations headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres criticized “any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians,” underscoring the administration’s departure from decades of American policy.

    “Jerusalem is a final-status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides,” Mr. Guterres said.

    “In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution,” he said. “There is no Plan B.”

    In Rome, Pope Francis prayed that Jerusalem’s status be preserved and needless conflict avoided.

    “I cannot remain silent about my deep concern for the situation that has developed in recent days,” Francis said at his weekly general audience at the Vatican. “And at the same time, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.”

    “Jerusalem is a unique city,” he said, “sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where the Holy Places for the respective religions are venerated, and it has a special vocation to peace.”

    In especially strong language, the pope added, “I pray to the Lord that such identity be preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the entire world, and that wisdom and prudence prevail, to avoid adding new elements of tension in a world already shaken and scarred by many cruel conflicts.”

    The European Union’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, expressed concern about “the repercussions this may have on the prospect of peace.”

  • Another 257 Nigerians arrive from Libya

    Another 257 Nigerians arrive from Libya

    A few hours after 144 Nigerians voluntarily returned from Libya, another aircraft carrying 257 of their compatriots on Wednesday landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The spokesperson for the Lagos Airport Police Command, Mr Joseph Alabi, confirmed this in an interview in Lagos.

    Alabi said the returnees arrived aboard a Libyan Airlines aircraft at the Cargo Wing of the airport at about 1.30 a.m.

    He said they were assisted back to Nigeria by the International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ) and the European Union ( EU ) after being stranded in the volatile North African country enroute Europe.

    Alabi said “We received another batch of Nigerians early this morning from Libya.

    “They comprised of 65 adult females, 179 adult males, seven children and six infants.”

    He also confirmed that four of the returnees had medical cases and were promptly taken away on an ambulance for treatment.

    According to him, the returnees were received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

    Report says another set of 144 Nigerians had arrived on Tuesday at about 6.45 p.m. aboard a chartered Buraq Airlines aircraft with registration number 5A-DMG.

    They were received at the Hajj Camp area of the airport by the Wife of the President, Haija Aisha Buhari, represented by the Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

    Also on ground to receive them was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and officials of other government agencies.

    Report also says the Federal Government said it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.

    The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by the Spokesperson, Mr. Tiwatope Elias-Fatile on Tuesday, said the country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

    The ministry stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.

    Read also: More Nigerians return from Libya

    The ministry also explained that the embassy, in collaboration with the IOM, repatriates 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.

    “From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving on Tuesday December 5 via the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, at 7.00pm, to be received by NEMA officials.

    “The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM, repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers.

    “The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

    “The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.”

    The ministry further said the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr. Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

    “He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.

    NAN

  • 127 Ghanaian illegal migrants evacuated from Libya – UN agency

    127 Ghanaian illegal migrants evacuated from Libya – UN agency

    The International Organisation for Migration ( IOM ), a related organization of the United Nations ( UN ) on Thursday said it evacuated 127 Ghanaian illegal migrants from the volatile situation in Libya.

    Kojo Wilmot, a national officer of IOM said the aircraft carrying these migrants arrived Ghana around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday local time.

    Wilmot said that there was one female and two minors among the rescued migrants.

    “We promote orderly migration, but these people were caught up in a volatile situation and were being held under various forms of inhumane treatment.

    “We, therefore, intervened to protect their human rights and return them home in a dignified and safe manner,” Wilmot explained.

    Majority of the returnees, the official said, were not from Accra, Ghana’s capital, but from Takoradi, 218 km west of the capital and Kumasi, 280 km north of the capital.

    Others are from Sunyani, 400 km north of the capital and other areas across the country.

    The IOM, therefore, provided them with a means of transportation back to their final destinations and would be supporting their re-integration into their communities.

    “Due to the inhumane conditions they were being kept, most of them would need psychosocial counselling.

    “We would also work together with government of Ghana and the EU mission in Ghana to support them with basic livelihood to help enhance their integration process,” he added.

    Wilmot explained that since these immigrants were mostly undocumented, who used illegal means to enter Libya and they were forced to do menial jobs, mostly “Malaga” (plastering buildings) but were usually handed over to the police when they pursue those, who hired them for payment.

    “One Ghanaian, who had painted a complete house went to the owner to receive payment, but instead the owner called the police, who came to arrest him.

    “While trying to escape from the police, the Ghanaian was knocked down by a vehicle,” the official said.

    He added that there was also sexual violence against the female migrants being held in Libyan detention camps, where they were captured and being kept.

    IOM has identified three more detention camps across Libya with at least 266 Ghanaians among the detainees.

    “We will work with all stakeholders to ensure safe and humane return of these Ghanaians and other sub-Saharan African migrants in these conditions.

    “Considering the conditions in Libya, most of them come to us voluntarily seeking help to return home.

    “The situation is dire and we invite all stakeholders to get their hands on deck to help in bringing back these migrants to their final destinations,” he indicated.

    Xinhua/NAN

  • EU calls for ‘equal rights’ for all in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine

    EU calls for ‘equal rights’ for all in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine

    Myanmar must guarantee “equal rights” for everyone in troubled Rakhine state as talks on repatriation of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled to Bangladesh gather steam, new EU ambassador to the country said on Thursday.

    Kristian Schmidt, who took over the European Union mission in Yangon some two months ago, also called on the administration of Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to “break down barriers” between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Rakhine.

    He said the return of refugees should be voluntary and the involvement of the UN agencies in the repatriation process would be “extremely useful”.

    The initial deal struck by Bangladesh and Myanmar mentions the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, but does not specify its role.

    Schmidt said Myanmar must address the “root causes” of the Rakhine crisis, such as decades-long discrimination against the Rohingya population that included restrictions on movement and lack of access to proper education.

    “The primary priority, which is for the local authorities and the union government to establish rule of law, non-discriminatory civilian administration … and equal rights for everyone,” Schmidt told Reuters in an interview in Yangon.

    “There are root causes that must be addressed in Rakhine state so when the refugees return they do not return to the situation ex ante – this is not sustainable,” he said.

    The exodus of Rohingya was triggered by an army crackdown in response to Rohingya militant attacks on security forces on Aug. 25, attacks Schmidt referred to as “terrorism” and the EU has condemned.

    Schmidt said confining the Rohingya to villages reduced education opportunities and could have radicalized some.

    “You should not be surprised later that some of the elements of that population radicalises. Becomes increasingly desperate,” he said.

    Amid the army crackdown, scores of Rohingya villages were burnt and refugees have told reporters o f killings and rapes.

    The UN and the U.S. have both accused Myanmar of “ethnic cleansing”, a charge the country denies.

    In response to the army operation, Brussels suspended invitations to Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing and senior army officers.

    “We are ready to review that decision at any time in light of positive or not-so-positive news.

    “We still of course understand the importance the military of Myanmar plays in Myanmar’s economic and democratic transition so dialogue is open,” said Schmidt.

    He added, however, that there was the need for accountability and reiterated the EU’s support for a UN- mandated fact-finding mission that Suu Kyi’s administration has opposed and blocked from operating in the country.

    He said:“there has to be a credible, independent investigation of the events that led 620,000 people to flee to quite horrible conditions on the other side of the border.

    “We need to know.”

    The Danish diplomat spoke on the sidelines of a conference promoting the EU’s “Erasmus+” programme of exchanges between university students.

    He wants Myanmar students to take part in it to help overhaul institutions as the country emerges from decades of isolation under military dictatorship.

    NAN

  • 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.

  • 3,480 Nigerians deported from Libya in 10 months – commission

    3,480 Nigerians deported from Libya in 10 months – commission

    A total of 3,480 young Nigerians, mostly girls, was deported from Libya in the last 10 months, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) has said.

    The NCRMI South-West Zonal Director, Mrs Magret Ukegbu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday that the deportees were received from Feb. 1 to Nov. 6.

    Ukegbu said that the commission had been working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant organisations in receiving the deportees.

    “From February to the first week of this month of November, we have received about 3,480 young Nigerian deportees from Libya.

    “These young Nigerians, mostly girls from age 14, were received in different weeks during the period.

    “We have found out that the IOM, European Union (EU), Dutch and Swiss governments are involved in the deportation of these Nigerians from Libya,’’ she said.

    She said that some of the young people returned with pregnancy.

    According to her, there are more than 12,000 young Nigerians in prisons or stranded in different parts of Libya.

    Ukegbu expressed worry at the situation.

    She said that the commission was working to ensure durable integration of the deportees into the Nigerian society.

    “The commission believes that it is not enough to receive these young Nigerians; it is important that they are urgently given the needed mentoring, training and rehabilitation.

    “My federal commissioner is really working at ensuring that durable solutions are sustained,’’ she said.