diplomacy&development

DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi with at the Cité the Congo-Brazzaville Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Congolese Abroad, Jean-Claude Gakosso DRC President Félix Tshisekedi met on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at the Cité de l ' African Union, The Congo-Brazzaville Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Congolese Abroad, Jean-Claude Gakosso, who was carrying a message from President Sassou Nguesso to his counterpart Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, according the DRC's Presidency of the Republic. Subjets related to the border dispute between the DRC and Zambia and that relating to the COVID-19 pandemic were at the center of the discussion. Gakoso told reporters after leaving the meeting that he discussed with the Head of State what he said "might look" like a dispute between the DRC and Zambia. “Our leaders have much more important things to do in the sub-region, particularly those related to economic development for the benefit of our populations.

Judge Piotr Hofmański, Presiding judge on this appeal, in the Courtroom on 8 October 2020 The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC), confirmed this 8 October 2020, the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber II to reject the interim release of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd–Al-Rahman. Judge Piotr Hofmański, Presiding judge on this appeal, read a summary of the judgment in open Court. On 14 August 2020, Pre-Trial Chamber II had rejected Mr Abd-Al Rahman’s request for interim release to the territory of the Court’s host State, The Netherlands, pending trial, pursuant to article 60(2) of the Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty. The decision was based on the Pre-Trial Chamber’s conclusion that the continued detention of Mr Abd-Al-Rahman detention appeared necessary to ensure that the investigation or court proceedings are not obstructed or endangered. Today, the Appeals Chamber rejected all five grounds of appeal raised by the Defence and confirmed the Pre-Trial Chamber’s Decision. T

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday expressed her alarm at the suffering of civilians as hostilities continue to widen along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone – also impacting other populated areas outside the immediate area of fighting – and called for an urgent ceasefire due to the impact on civilians. Since the latest violence erupted on 27 September, artillery strikes have reportedly hit a number of cities, towns and villages. Information from different sources, which the UN Human Rights Office has not been able to independently verify, suggests that as of 8 October some 53 civilians had been killed, including children, as a result of the hostilities. A large number of buildings, including houses, schools, and other civilian facilities are reported to have been destroyed – the vast majority were located in Nagorno-Karabakh.  “It is deeply worrying that in recent days we have seen populated areas reportedly targeted and shelled w

A UN human rights expert condemned today the criminalization of 11 human rights defenders in Italy, saying their efforts to search for and save  lives of migrants and asylum seekers in distress in the Mediterranean should instead be applauded. “Carola Rackete, the former captain of the rescue vessel Sea-Watch 3, and the ‘Iuventa 10’ crew members are human rights defenders and not criminals,” said Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. “I regret that the criminal proceedings against them are still open and they continue to face stigmatization in connection with their human rights work protecting the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers at risk in the Mediterranean Sea.” In September 2016, a criminal investigation was opened against some crew members of the Iuventa rescue ship.Charges against them included aiding and abetting in the commission of a crime of illegal immigration, an offence that carries a jail term of between five and 20 y

UN human rights experts today praised Canada for bringing a five-year-old orphan girl home from a squalid Syrian detention camp,  and encouraged other countries to follow Canada’s example. “We are pleased that this little girl has been returned from Al Hol Camp to her loving and anxious family in Canada,” said the experts.  “Family members have made exceptional efforts to ensure this child’s safe return, which was an absolute humanitarian necessity given the extreme living conditions for children in that camp.” “There is not enough food and no clean water, adequate medical care or proper education,” they said. “There is no proper shelter from the elements, and children are exposed to harassment, violence and exploitation. Their most fundamental human rights are routinely being violated.”  Al Hol, home to about 70,000 people, is a camp in northern Syria run by the Syrian Democratic Forces. “We have found the conditions for women and children in these Syrian detention camps reaches the t

German Chancellor Angela Merckel and President of Mozambique  Filipe Nyusi The investor mission provides German investors an opportunity to engage with key Mozambican businesses and political stakeholders. Germany Africa Business Forum leads delegation to explore investment opportunities in Mozambique in March 2021; GABF congratulates H.E. Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique for his selection as Africa Oil & Power’s (AfricaOilandPower.com) “Person of the Year” for 2020; German businesses and investors should contact GermanyAfrica.com. Germany’s economic commitment to Mozambique will further be strengthened as the Germany Africa Business Forum (“GABF”) embarks on a three-day trade mission to encourage, promote, and facilitate trade and investment between German businesses and a growing Mozambican economy. German investors will visit Mozambique during the Mozambique Gas & Power (MGP) 2021 Conference & Exhibition taking place on March 8-9, 2021, an incredible opportunity org

Good day, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your presence at this media briefing as I conclude my two-day visit to the country. Before turning to your questions, allow me to say a few words. At the outset, I want to remind the people of Central African Republic (“CAR”) that my Office’s independent and objective investigations continue into all sides of the conflict – meaning, in particular into the alleged conduct of anti-Balaka as well as Séléka groups. This is the third time I have had the honour of officially visiting the Central African Republic in my role as ICC Prosecutor, and I am pleased to be back in the capital. Since my last visit to CAR in March 2018, much progress has been made in our investigations, with many important developments. I seize this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to the people and the Government of CAR for the warm reception and welcome extended to me and my delegation during this visit. I am also grateful for the logistical support and the s