diplomacy&development

  "An organization useful for regional cooperation, around a major subject for the future development of the DRC, and for a sustainable management of water resources", such are the words of the French ambassador François Pujolas, for describe CICOS and justify the involvement of AFD (Agence Française de Développement).  Covering more than 10 countries, the Congo River basin is the first in Africa and the second in the world, in terms of both surface area and volume. It is also the second largest tropical forest in the world, a vast carbon sink with unique ecosystems that are home to 60% of African biodiversity. 80 million inhabitants depend on these resources, which are also a potential source of sustainable economic development (hydroelectricity, irrigation, fishing, river navigation) for the basin States.  But multiple pressures threaten this exceptional environmental capital, in particular climate change, but also deforestation, urbanization and strong demographic growth.

This 1st February 2021, 4 in 10 of the world’s deaths are unregistered and in the African region, only 1 in 10 deaths is currently recorded, according to the first ever global assessment of country health information systems released today by the World Health Organization in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies. Two-thirds of low-income countries have established a standardized system to report causes of deaths. However, the SCORE Report highlights the urgent need to strengthen these systems to help the world respond to health emergencies and track progress towards global health goals.   The pandemic has highlighted that even the most advanced health and data systems still struggle to provide data in near real-time in order to act swiftly.   The lack of data worldwide limits the understanding of the true mortality impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, undermining response planning. “The pandemic has stretched the capacity of country health information systems around the world, as they

Paul Gicheru was released this 1 February 2021 to Kenya with specific conditions restricting liberty, during the confirmation of charges proceedings against him at the International Criminal Court (ICC). This follows Pre-Trial Chamber A’s decision on 29 January 2021, granting Mr Gicheru interim release with conditions. Mr Gicheru is suspected of offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.  The confirmation of charges procedure in this case will, in principle, be conducted in writing to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial. Background:  Pre-Trial Chamber A imposed the following conditions restricting Mr Gicheru's liberty. Mr Gicheru: •         shall provide financial security to the ICC Registrar in the form of cash or bank order to the value of KSH 1,000,000 (one million Kenyan shillings); •         shall comply fully with all orders issued i

Today, 29 January 2021, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Pre-Trial Chamber A (article 70) of the International Criminal Court (ICC), granted Paul Gicheru’s request for interim release with specific conditions restricting liberty. Pre-Trial Chamber A’s decision will be implemented as soon as the ICC Registry finalises all the necessary arrangements.  In the view of the Chamber, Mr Gicheru’s voluntary surrender demonstrates his concrete willingness to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Court in relation to the allegations against him. The Chamber additionally noted that the Prosecutor did not oppose Mr Gicheru’s request for interim release together with conditions restricting liberty and that he is suspected of offences under article 70(1)(c) of the Rome Statute, consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses regarding cases from the situation in Kenya, which attract lower sanctions, if established. Moreover, the Chamber is of the view that the risks mentioned under a

DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo received in audience with the delegation from the United States Command for Africa (AFRICOM), led by Ambassador Andrew Young, Deputy Commander for the American Civil-Military Engagement for the 'Africa DRC President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo received in audience this Thursday, January 28 a strong delegation from the United States Command for Africa (AFRICOM), led by Ambassador Andrew Young, Deputy Commander for the American Civil-Military Engagement for the 'Africa. In his suite, Ambassador Young was accompanied by Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, the Director of Intelligence and Mike Hammer, United States Ambassador to the DRC.  Their discussions revolved around the resumption of military cooperation between the DRC and the USA, in particular focused initially on "the professionalization of the FARDC and the anti-corruption program." According to the US ambassador in Kinshasa, the 2020 memorandum of understanding esta

A revised version of the Code of Judicial Ethics of the International Criminal Court (ICC) enters into force this 27 January 2021. Following their discussions at the Judges’ retreat in 2020, which focussed on judicial ethics and which itself continued work on this topic commenced in 2018, the judges of the Court adopted amendments to the Code of Judicial Ethics on 19 January 2021, in accordance with regulation 126 of the Regulations of the Court. These amendments enter into force today, upon their publication on the ICC website. In revising the ICC Code of Judicial Ethics to reflect best practices, the judges of the Court reaffirm their strong commitment to the highest ethical standards. Key amendments have been made to article 5 of the ICC Code of Judicial Ethics concerning integrity, such as an express reference to judicial collegiality, an explicit prohibition of any form of discrimination, harassment and abuse of authority, and a new paragraph elaborating on ethical obligations in

Under the contract, GE will supply two 9E.03 gas turbines, one STF-A200 steam turbine, three A39 generators, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) and additional balance of plant equipment Project supports the Senegalese government’s target to enhance universal access to electricity by increasing its generation capacity. The Cap des Biches combined cycle gas turbine power plant is expected to generate 300 megawatts (MW), nearly 25% of the power consumed in Senegal and the equivalent electricity needed to power approximately 500,000 Senegalese homes; under the contract, GE (GE.com) will supply two 9E.03 gas turbines, one STF-A200 steam turbine, three A39 generators, two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) and additional balance of plant equipment; upon completion, the project will be the biggest power plant in Senegal; project supports the Senegalese government’s target to enhance universal access to electricity by increasing its generation capacity. GE (NYSE: GE) announced today