BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In 2003, the UN imposed sanctions on Ivory Coast, forbidding the country to trade diamonds. Now that political calm has returned, Belgium’s FPS Foreign Affairs and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre are helping the Ivorian government set up... Read more

COTONOU, Benin, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Board of Directors of the West African Development Bank (BOAD) (http://www.boad.org/) held its 95th ordinary meeting on 15 December 2014 in Cotonou, under the chairmanship of Mr. Christian Adovelande, President, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/boad-1.jpg Following... Read more

KHARTOUM, Sudan, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — To help address growing humanitarian needs in Sudan, the Government of Ireland has contributed an additional US $ 1,891,551 to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF), following its contribution earlier this year of US $1,362,200. “The funding which Ireland is... Read more

LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The British Embassy in Cairo resumed public services today, after the embassy and the Egyptian government agreed on a number of measures to improve the physical security of the embassy building. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: “I am pleased that... Read more

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Op-Ed John Kerry Secretary of State Susan E. Rice, National Security Adviser The Washington Post December 15, 2014 In 2011, the world’s newest nation was born amid joyous celebrations. The international community welcomed South Sudan not just with cheers but also... Read more

DAKAR, Sénégal, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the eighth review of Senegal’s economic performance under the program supported by the Policy Support Instrument (PSI) and also concluded the 2014 Article IV consultation1. The PSI was approved... Read more

DUBAI, UAE, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries are placing more attention on new markets in east, west and southern Africa as their trade flows with the continent expand, according to a report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in conjunction with... Read more

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The new United Nations Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia, Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, urged the Somali authorities and the international community to reinforce the country’s governance and safeguard its full transition to peace, stability and... Read more

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Thousands of smallholder farmers in Liberia are set to benefit from an innovative seed distribution initiative that seeks to combine food security and Ebola containment strategies in Liberia. Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/agra.jpg The initiative, led by the Alliance for a Green Revolution... Read more

LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 15, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Anniversary of crisis in South Sudan. We should reflect on human cost. Country’s leaders must end the conflict now. On the anniversary of the conflict in South Sudan, Minister for Africa James Duddridge said: “One year on from the start... Read more