diplomacy&development

James Duddridge,  British Minister for Africa British Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, has been visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo since Monday 23 November. He said he came to strengthen Britain's commitment to peace, stability and democracy in the DRC.  Accompanied by Ambassador of Great Britain Emily Matman, Minister James Duddridge met Tuesday, November 24, the Prime Minister in his cabinet. Emily Matman,  Ambassador of Great Britain to DRC The two personalities exchanged views on political and humanitarian issues and those related to bilateral cooperation.  Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the DRC President in discussion with the British Diolomats Minister Duddridge says he was keen to come to the DRC to testify to the strength of the long-term partnership between the two countries and to show British solidarity with the Congolese people in these difficult times. With Prime Minister Ilunga Ilunkamba, the British Minister returned to the humanit...

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday 24 November 2020 urged the parties to the conflict in Tigray to give clear and unambiguous orders to their forces to take constant care to spare – and protect – the civilian population from the effect of the hostilities. "The highly aggressive rhetoric on both sides regarding the fight for Mekelle is dangerously provocative and risks placing already vulnerable and frightened civilians in grave danger," the High Commissioner said. "I fear such rhetoric will lead to further violations of international humanitarian law," she added, expressing alarm at reports of a heavy build-up of tanks and artillery around Mekelle, the capital city of Tigray province following the Government's issuance of a 72-hour ultimatum. "Such rhetoric suggests possible breaches of the cardinal principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities that are designed to ensure the civilian...

The COVID-19 pandemic is overshadowing the pandemic of femicides and gender-based violence against women and girls, Dubravka Šimonovic, special rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, said today, calling for the establishment of national femicide watches or observatories around the world to prevent such killings.  Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, she issues the following statement. “As the world grapples with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on women, a pandemic of femicide and gender-based violence against women is taking the lives of women and girls everywhere. I call on all States and relevant stakeholders worldwide to take urgent steps to prevent the pandemic of femicide or gender related killings of women, and gender-based violence against women, through the establishment of national multidisciplinary prevention bodies or Femicide watches/observatories on violence aga...

  https://t.co/TnIRBbkmCa (Article to be updated soon) “I’d like to share photos on the day I joined virtually H.E Mrs. Neo Masisi, First Lady of Botswana on her cycling tour in collaboration with Mayor of Lobatse as part of “STOP GBV” in Botswana.” Dr. Rasha Kelej CEO Merck Foundation Most Influential African in 2019& 2020

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, Charles Michel, represented the EU at the 15th G20 Leaders' summit hosted by Saudi Arabia on 21-22 November 2020. G20 leaders met in virtual format to address the way forward how to tackle together the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, finance the development and deployment of a vaccine as well as continue the support to citizens and businesses struggling to cope with the aftermath of the pandemic. President von der Leyen said: “I am glad that G20 leaders agreed to make Covid-19 vaccines available and affordable for all. But more funding is needed. This is why I called G20 Leaders to commit to fund 4.5 billion US dollars for the ACT-Accelerator by the end of the year. G20 leaders also agreed to maintain economic measures until the recovery is firmly on the way. As a lesson from the crisis we need to step up global preparedness. We will discuss this again in May 2021 at the joint G20 Global H...

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor of Diplomacy & Development Each week, frayintermedia highlights a journalist doing good work on the continent and honours them as the "#FaveOfTheWeek". Meet Cassien Tribunal Aungane, a journalist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was first at the 2020 “Stay at Home” Media Recognition Awards for the DR Congo in the online category.  Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor of Diplomacy & Development The awards recognise reporting that separates fact from myth.  Cassien Tribunal Aungane runs a blog focused on diplomacy and development. Lets take a look at the background of Cassien. Cassien Tribunal has over 12 years of experience working as Journalist and  Reporter, and working directly with communities focusing on humanitarian’s  affairs, diplomacy, socials conditions, gender and gender based violence,  empowerment and employment for young girls and men in the Democratic  Republic of Congo.   Cassien Tribunal...

The winner will be bestowed with a USD2,500 cash prize, and online courses from one of the most respected international universities. APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading pan-African communications and business consultancy, have shortlisted five journalists to win the APO Group African Women in Media Award 2020. The award recognizes, celebrates, and empowers African women in the media who support female entrepreneurship throughout the continent.    The judging panel for the APO Group African Women in Media Award 2020 consists of 100 luminaries, with global icons such as Naomi Campbell joined by senior executives from every major industry on the continent, from Visa to Hilton; Facebook to FIFA; and Uber to LEGO! This is the largest and most influential panel of judges ever assembled for an African media award, and it reflects the importance of recognizing gender equality in business and the media. For more information about the jury panel go to: www.bit.ly/MeetTheAPOJury The 202...