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Photo Charles Brewer: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/charles-brewer.jpg (Charles Brewer, Managing Director for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa)

Charles Brewer, Managing Director of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa (http://www.dhl.com), says that one particular sector which has seen significant growth in Africa is agribusiness, which entails the full value chain from agricultural production/farming through secondary processing, distribution and retailing to the end user/consumer (farm-to-fork concept). “The retail sector is booming in Africa, as is the rapid growth of populations and the African middle class. As a result of this expansion, there is a greater availability of and demand for good quality agricultural produce and processed food products than ever before.”

He points to the recent report by World Bank - Growing Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Agribusiness – which revealed that Africa's farmers and agribusinesses could create a trillion-dollar food market by 2030 – a three-fold increase from the current size of the market which is estimated to be worth $313 billion.

“This expected growth highlights the growing market and many opportunities for South African agribusiness and related value chain role players to expand into Africa,” says Brewer.

According to Hennie van der Merwe, CEO of the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), based in South Africa, Africa provides a new market for agribusiness firms.

“Given its increased spending power, demand for goods and untapped land resources, Africa is currently experiencing a revival in terms of its focus on agribusiness, not only to increase food self-sufficiency, but also to create jobs and economic activity, specifically in rural areas,” says van der Merwe.

“In the current climate, Africa is increasingly offering greater growth forecasts,” he notes. However, he explains that while Africa is well-endowed with resources, it often lacks much of the necessary expertise to unlock the commercial potential of its agriculture resources, whereas South Africa is well regarded for its expertise in commercial farming and agribusiness.

“One of the major limitations on agribusiness development in Africa is a human capacity and human skills constraint. The ability and experience to develop and manage commercial farming and agribusiness ventures are largely lacking in the African environment and that major technology transfer and capacity building would be necessary in this regard.”

Van der Merwe says this is where the opportunity lies for local businesses and farmers to expand beyond their borders and offer expertise in neighbouring countries.

Van der Merwe adds that it is vital to have partnerships in place before venturing into projects in Africa. “Partnerships with a local business or association in the specific country are necessary as business owners need to be provided with assistance, guidance and sometimes protection when in the area. It is also essential/indispensable to ensure that all the building blocks for working value chains are in place to ensure and support successful operation. A local partnership will also assist with analysing the market carefully to evaluate what the real market needs, requirements and opportunities are.”

“The market in Africa is there and ready, but the question is how local businesses create a direct link to service the market needs,” concludes Brewer.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Deutsche Post DHL.

Media Contact:

Lee Nelson. Senior Manager – Marketing & Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa

DHL Express

Tel +27 21 409 3613 Mobile +27 72 361 0178

lee.nelson@dhl.com

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL (http://www.dhl.com) is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2012.

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The workshop was attended by the SE4All Africa Hub partners: the African Union Commission (AUC), the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as by representatives of the European Commission, World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UN Foundation, Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW), the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), Eskom, the ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Ghana Energy Commission, amongst others. The workshop was successful in agreeing on a common framework and methodology to move SE4ALL forward at country-level, notably the development of SE4ALL Action Agendas and Investment Prospectuses that will provide a tool for mobilizing public and, in particular, private sector investments in the energy sector. The workshop participants also agreed on a tentative list of around 10 African countries on which efforts will focus in 2014.

During the workshop, Kandeh Yumkella met with AfDB President Donald Kaberuka, who is also an SE4ALL Advisory Board Member, and praised the work of the Bank as host of the SE4All Africa Hub. Donald Kaberuka said that the Bank considers it critical for the success of SE4ALL to be able to relatively quickly demonstrate concrete progress at the country level. The Bank will support a number of African countries with developing SE4ALL Action Agendas. In addition, the Bank stands ready to mobilize its full range of financing instruments to advance the SE4ALL agenda and to leverage additional investments notably from the private sector.

This workshop followed the 2nd Advisory Board meeting of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative held in New York on November 26-27, 2013. It demonstrated both the momentum of the initiative and the opportunities that the initiative presents for Africa.

About SE4All Africa Hub: The UN Secretary General's Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative was launched in September 2011 with the aim of achieving three main goals by 2030: (i) ensuring universal access to modern energy services; (ii) doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and (iii) doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The African Development Bank is at the forefront of the implementation of the SE4ALL Initiative and hosts the SE4ALL Africa Hub since May 2013 in partnership with the African Union Commission and the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency and with the support of UNDP. The mission of the SE4ALL Africa Hub is to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the SE4ALL initiative on the African continent. The Hub will promote African ownership, inclusiveness and a comprehensive approach to the initiative's implementation.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Contacts:

Media: Penelope Pontet de Fouquieres, Knowledge Management and Communications, T. +216 71 10 19 96 / C. +216 24 66 36 96 / p.pontetdefouquieres@afdb.org

Technical contact: Daniel-Alexander Schroth, SE4All Africa Hub coordinator, d.schroth@afdb.org

The mission will conduct field visits and hold consultations with the Transitional Authorities of CAR, representatives of regional organizations in Bangui, the diplomatic community, faith-based organizations, civil society, the humanitarian community and United Nations officials working in the country.

The security, human rights and humanitarian situation in CAR continues to deteriorate. The United Nations has received reports of widespread violations of human rights, including summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence and looting of property, including hospitals, schools and churches. Women and children are particularly affected by the conflict. It is estimated that 2.3 million children are affected by the crisis and at least 3,500 children have been recruited by armed groups.

During a visit to CAR by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict in December 2012, the Government signed two Joint Communiqués with the United Nations which included commitments to fight impunity for crimes of sexual violence, ensuring the protection of women, boys and girls from sexual violence in the context of an effective monitoring of the peace agreement, and greater support for services to survivors. The implementation of these commitments remains integral to combating conflict-related sexual violence in CAR.

The sectarian attacks and tensions between communities has destabilized and complicated the situation further. Urgent action is necessary to protect the civilian population, particularly women and children.

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The Power Distribution System Rehabilitation and Expansion Project aims at providing reliable electricity supply from existing and future generation facilities and thus satisfying the suppressed load and demand growth in Juba. The upgraded and reinforced electricity supply will contribute to improve the quality of service provided by the national utility; the quality of life of residents; and promote businesses, hence contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction in South Sudan.

The Project consists of the construction of (i) 145 kilometres of low-voltage 33 kV lines; (ii) 370 km of medium-voltage lines; (iii) the purchase and installation of 195 transformer stations; and (iv) 20,000 prepaid meters for connecting 20,000 new customers.

Following the Board's approval, the Director of the AfDB's Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, Alex Rugamba, explained that “the current situation of low level of power generation, coupled with inefficient distribution networks, has adversely affected living standards of the population and restrained business development.” He insisted on the potential impact of the project: “The project will contribute to reduce the inefficiencies of the network and increase electricity access in Juba.”

Given that this intervention is the first donor-funded project undertaken by the power utility, South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC), the project includes a capacity-building component to ensure knowledge transfer in the areas of procurement as well as financial and project management. With the deployment of the upgraded distribution network, the project will also be the opportunity for technical staff of the utility to get trained in the use of similar technologies, which are likely to be used for other projects in the near future.

This project in Juba is in line with the South Sudan Development Plan and South Sudan Infrastructure Action Plan, both identifying infrastructure as a core priority for South Sudan. The AfDB Interim Country Strategy Paper has also considered infrastructure as one of the pillars for the Bank's intervention. Through the proposed investment, the Bank facilitates future investments in the electricity generation in South Sudan as the evacuation of energy output will be guaranteed.

(1) 1 Unit of Account (UA) = US $1.53 as of December 2013.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Contacts:

Media: Penelope Pontet de Fouquieres, Knowledge Management and Communications, T. +216 71 10 19 96 / C. +216 24 66 36 96 / p.pontetdefouquieres@afdb.org

Technical contact : Solomon Asfaw, Principal Power Engineer, s.asfaw@afdb.org

The publication, Rebuilding West Africa's Food Potential, presents a range of successful case studies since the region stepped up investments in agricultural development in the wake of the world food crisis in 2007-2008.

But the book argues that countries could benefit significantly from policy support that targets broader agricultural development and greater coordination among producers, private industry and the public and financial sectors.

“Although some West African countries in the region are doing better than others, the region has lagged behind other parts of Africa in terms of basic infrastructure, investments, research and development and agricultural processing,” said FAO Senior Economist Aziz Elbehri, who edited the publication.

Staple food crops

The book reasons that the region should direct greater efforts to develop its staple food crops, which in the past have been sidelined in favour of a few export commodities.

Maize and cassava, two of the main pillars of West Africa's food security, could form the backbone for a thriving agro-industry given their multiple market applications, the publication suggests.

There is a huge production deficit in rice in the region, which currently imports an unsustainable 70 percent of what it consumes.

And yields of sorghum and millet – critically important for the food security of 100 million people in the Sahel – could double or triple with the help of improved seed varieties and fertilizer.

But providing farmers with the means to boost the yields of staple food crops is not enough, the book stresses.

“Farmers have little incentive to increase production if they can't sell their crops because of cheaper and easily accessible imports,” said Elbehri. “Policy and market incentives are needed to improve the competitiveness of locally grown crops and increase their share in the consumer market.”

The book also underscores the importance of continued investment in export crops such as cotton, coffee and cocoa, which play a significant role in generating income and employment, and flags tropical fruit and vegetables and other emerging niche products like sesame and cashew nuts as another viable area for export growth.

Intraregional trade

Tapping unexploited trade potential, particularly within the region, is critical for agricultural development, the publication says.

For example, countries could be trading significantly more locally grown maize than is currently the case. Just three percent of the maize grown in West Africa was traded within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region between 2005 and 2009, according to FAO figures.

“The real challenge for West Africa is learning how to unlock the intraregional trade potential but this is a tall order as it requires overcoming a number of constraints,” Elbehri said.

Among the hurdles that governments need to address are poor transport networks, excessive regulation and conflicting trade policies among different countries, all of which result in costly delays on West African trade routes.

Inclusive systems

Innovative solutions involving both the public and private sectors are required to improve access to credit and markets for small-scale farmers, according to the publication.

It underlines that countries need to prioritize credit and resources for women, who have a central role in the staple food value chains of the region.

“Whether rice parboiling in Burkina Faso, cassava production in Cameroon or small-scale oil palm processing in Ghana, much of the staple food production and processing in West Africa is carried out by women,” said Elbehri.

“They need specific support to improve access to labour-reducing equipment and credit for post-harvest processing and marketing, and to strengthen their technical and organizational capacity.”

The publication also highlights the importance of strengthening farmers' organizations, which put farmers in a stronger position to negotiate arrangements with suppliers and buyers and play a critical role in advocacy and policy dialogue.

The publication's key recommendations are aimed at helping to accelerate implementation of the region's national agricultural investment programs under the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).

“UNAMID appreciates the commitment of SLA/MM to adhere to the international laws and principles on the protection of children against violence,” the JSR said. “Involving children in armed conflict is a serious crime that not only endangers their own lives but will also affect negatively their future and that of their societies.”

The command order, issued by SLA/MM leader Minni Minawi, comes following his participation in a workshop on peace and security in Darfur held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 9-11 December and co-organized by the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The event discussed issues related to international humanitarian law and human rights.

At the beginning of 2011, the Federal Council ordered the preventive freezing of all assets held in Switzerland by deposed presidents Ben Ali (Tunisia) and Mubarak (Egypt) and by politically exposed persons in their entourage. The assets are frozen for a period of three years. The aim of the asset freeze is to facilitate mutual legal assistance on criminal matters with the affected states and thus to create the preconditions for judicial scrutiny into the origin of suspicious assets. The asset freezes ensure that potentially illicitly acquired assets are not hidden in other financial centres and thus evade judicial clarification. In the case of Tunisia, approximately CHF 60 million has been frozen and in that of Egypt approximately CHF 700 million. These amounts have been frozen pursuant to the Federal Council's ordinances on the freezing of assets, mutual legal assistance and criminal proceedings.

Over the past three years, the competent authorities in Switzerland have established close cooperation with the authorities in Tunisia and Egypt. Thanks to this cooperation, significant progress has been made in determining the origin of assets frozen in Switzerland. Nevertheless, neither in the case of Tunisia nor in that of Egypt have investigations made sufficient progress for the preventive freezing of assets to have achieved its purpose. The Federal Council has therefore decided to extend the asset freezes by another three years. The aim is to give investigations in Tunisia and Egypt more time and to take account of the political transition in the two countries.

UNAMID implemented this project with UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Government of Sudan support to empower prisoners at risk of recidivism. Staff members from UNAMID's Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) section guided the programme, while Sudanese Police conducted the training.

The Chief of UNAMID's DDR section, Mr. Aderemi Adekoya, spoke during the graduation ceremony, noting that the course's completion marks the end of one of the largest vocational skills workshops ever implemented in a Darfur prison. “We believe in the reintegration of inmates," he said, explaining that Darfur's conflict has increased delinquency rates. "It is a priority to change the lives of these prisoners when they are released on completion of their sentences,” he added.

UNDP's representative, Mr. Christopher Laker, also spoke during the ceremony. “This project is an opportunity for the inmates to start a new life with their families," he said, noting that the impact of this project extends not merely to the inmates themselves, but also to the communities to which the prisoners will return once they have completed their sentences.

As part of the Mission's approach to support peace at the community level, UNAMID's DDR section has been implementing similar workshops across Darfur. In addition, DDR has been working on a violence-reduction strategy that has taken several forms in practice, most notably in community-based, labour-intensive projects.

These community projects are designed to support the efforts of the Government of Sudan in addressing the needs of at-risk young people and other vulnerable groups in communities and in camps for displaced people. The projects focus not only on building vocational skills, and in many cases facilitating infrastructure development, but also on fostering reconciliation across Darfur.

The situation in South Sudan is very tense and it is difficult to get a clear picture of what is happening. The UN reports that 10 000 people have sought shelter at the two UN mission facilities in Juba.

“President Salva Kiir, as commander-in-chief of the army, must order all troops to stop fighting at once, and put the safety of the people first,” Foreign Minister Brende said.

Norway has been a key supporter of South Sudan since the peace agreement in 2005 and South Sudan's subsequent independence in 2011. The fighting that erupted in Juba on the evening of 16 December comes on the heels a period of increasing political tension.

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With the PASS initiative, Western Union and the Western Union Foundation (http://foundation.westernunion.com/) in collaboration with UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org/), are turning every successful pass in the UEFA Europa League into funding for better education, harnessing the power of football to support vulnerable children around the world.

At the end of last season, the PASS fund totaled 178,231 passes, a figure which has now reached 282,568 since the 2013/14 season started on September 19, 2013.

The top 5 clubs/players for passing in the UEFA Europa League 2013/14 season to date are as follows :

Leading Passing Teams Leading Passing Players

1. Tottenham Hotspur FC (3,673) 1. Mousa Dembélé, Tottenham Hotspur FC (451)

2. Swansea City AFC (3,269) 2. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, AZ Alkmaar (352)

3. AZ Alkmaar (2,663) 3. Thanos Petsos, SK Rapid Wien (346)

4. Valencia CF (2,651) 4. Alexandros Tziolis, PAOK FC (340)

5. PSV Eindhoven (2,532) 5. Jan Wuytens, AZ Alkmaar (337)

In September, Western Union announced that Jamaica, Nigeria and Turkey were the first countries to receive funding raised by the PASS initiative. In Jamaica, PASS is supporting UNICEF programs aiming to achieve high levels of attendance, retention, numeracy and literacy among secondary school children with a focus on adolescent boys. In Nigeria, Western Union is helping increase the number of qualified female teachers and, in turn, the enrollment of female students, contributing to UNICEF's efforts to meet the country's need for 1.3 million more qualified teachers in the country. In Turkey, funding raised by the PASS initiative is being used to ensure disadvantaged children and ethnic minorities have access to a quality secondary education, with a focus on rural and low income areas where only 30 percent of children attend secondary school.

As part of Western Union's three-year partnership with UNICEF, Brazil will be a future recipient of funding from the PASS initiative.

Brazilian International and Tottenham Hotspur FC midfielder, Sandro Raniere said: “The Western Union PASS scheme means a lot to me because we can help children go to school, and children in Brazil need this help as some children are very poor”.

“It means a lot to me also because I am from Brazil so I can help children from my home country and around the world. I'm so happy on the pitch doing my job and helping people around the world. Tottenham are the highest passing team this season and that is amazing – I feel great, helping people, it's amazing”.

Patrick Gaston, president of The Western Union Foundation, commented: “Since the PASS initiative commenced in September 2012, we have experienced an outstanding level of support from players, fans and customers, which has been instrumental in allowing us to not only use the power and reach of football to build awareness of the global education challenge, but to also start to make a real difference to young people and their communities. PASS is a key part of Western Union's Education for Better campaign for secondary and vocational education, and it is fantastic to see the positive impact funding from this initiative is making in the countries that need it most.”

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Western Union.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of September 30, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 515,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and approximately 115,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union Company completed 231 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal between consumers, and 432 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About the Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with the support of The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has committed more than $91.2 million in grants and other giving to more than 2,682 nongovernmental organizations in more than 133 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org.

About Western Union's UEFA Europa League Sponsorship

In July 2012, Western Union announced a three year deal as the new Global Partner and the Presenting Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League. This sponsorship of the world's largest club competition, comprising 193 professional football teams from 53 countries, provides Western Union with a unique opportunity for worldwide brand visibility, with the competition broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories, and enjoying a global live match unique reach of 634 million per season. This will allow Western Union, with its extensive network of approximately 515,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories, to engage its customers and Agents in the excitement of the UEFA Europa League. The agreement also provides video, digital and social media content opportunities, and use of the UEFA Europa League brand assets. This partnership will run to the UEFA Europa League Final in 2015.

Western Union Media Contact:

Simon Kleine T: +44 (0)7725 206 640

Vice President, Corporate Communications E: Simon.Kleine@westernunion.com

Claire Treacy T: +44 (0)7808 243 380

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications E: Claire.Treacy@westernunion.com

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The PRG program in Nigeria aims to increase the country's electricity generation by catalyzing private sector investment and commercial financing in the power sector through the provision of PRGs. The PRGs will mitigate the risk of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), a Federal Government of Nigeria entity established to purchase electricity from independent power producers (IPPs), not fulfilling its contractual obligations under its power purchase agreements with eligible IPPs. This in turn will increase the comfort level of private sector financiers and commercial lenders investing in the Nigerian power sector privatization program.

Following the Board's decision, the Director of the AfDB's Energy, Environment and Climate Change Department, Alex Rugamba, explained the potential impact of the program: “An effective and steady power supply is critical to the sustainability of Nigeria's development path. The Board's decision today will allow the AfDB to support the Nigerian Government's efforts to reform the power sector and position the country for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Over the long term, the Nigerian PRG program is expected to lead to increased productivity, economic activity and growth, and reduced poverty. In the short to medium term, the project will yield an increase in the maximum electricity supply and consumption per capita.

According to government statistics, power outages cost Nigeria about three per cent of its GDP annually. It is anticipated that the IPPs eligible for coverage under the program could generate an additional 1,380 MW of power by 2016, thereby contributing to increasing the population's access to more reliable and affordable electricity (from 41 per cent currently to 50 per cent by 2016).

Nigeria, in its development objective to rank amongst the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020, targets an ambitious 40,000 MW of electricity generation, which represents more than half of the current installed capacity on the African continent. With a population surpassing 160 million, its current maximum electricity generation capacity – approximately 5,500 MW – is inadequate to meet demand estimated at 10,000 MW. To meet the generation targets set for 2020, significant private sector investment is required in the supply chain, including generation, gas to power infrastructure and distribution networks.

This is the second ADF PRG issued by the Bank in less than two months after the one in support of the Lake Turkana Wind Project in Kenya. The AfDB's innovative approach for crowding-in private financing for infrastructure investments with the guarantees will have a catalytic and replication effect in Nigeria and more broadly in Africa.

The ADF PRG is a political risk mitigation instrument that covers private lenders and investors against the risk of the government or government-owned entity failing to meet its contractual obligations to a project. Since 2004, the AfDB has made African Development Fund PRGs available to catalyze private investment in middle-income countries. With the introduction of the ADF PRG in 2011, it has offered the financial instrument to low-income countries as well.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Contacts:

Media: Penelope Pontet de Fouquieres, Knowledge Management and Communications, T. +216 71 10 19 96 / C. +216 24 66 36 96 / p.pontetdefouquieres@afdb.org

Technical contacts: Bokar Toure, Senior Energy Economist, b.o.toure@afdb.org / Thierno Bah, Principal Energy Specialist, t.bah@afdb.org

1. As of December 2013, 1 Unit of Account (UA) = US $1.53

Due to current instability, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some Embassy staff and their dependants from Juba.

We continue to advise against all travel to Juba and ask that British Nationals who wish to leave Juba contact the FCO.

If you decide to remain you should stay at home and avoid travel unless necessary.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson said:

“Due to the current instability in Juba the FCO has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some staff and dependants. The Embassy remains open, however should British Nationals in Juba require consular assistance we ask that you contact the FCO in London via text, online or by phone.”

The Travel advice for South Sudan reads:

The FCO now advise against all travel to Jonglei state and Juba. The FCO has taken the decision to temporarily withdraw some Embassy staff and their dependants.

Due to reports of fighting in Juba you should stay at home and avoid movement unless necessary. President Kiir has declared a curfew from 6pm to 6am. Reports indicate that flights to and from Juba airport are currently suspended. Further updates will be posted in this travel advice, and on the UK in South Sudan facebook page and twitter channel.

If you're a British national and you wish to leave Juba, you should contact the FCO by:

• texting JUBA to +447860010026. You will be sent instructions on how to send the information to the FCO. Messages should be restricted to 160 characters. The reliability and cost of sending a text message varies from country to country and is dependent on the networks within those countries.

• completing a form online

• or calling us on 020 7008 1500.

Members of the media are advised to arrive an hour before the stated time of the beginning of the ceremony in order to make smooth and necessary arrangements at the venue. Please, have your media/organizational ID.

Background: Over two decades, the Central African Republic (CAR) has experienced a cycle of instability marked by armed conflicts, negotiations, peace agreements between diverse factions and the deployment of several missions without achieving a sustainable peace process. It is in this context that during its meeting of 19 July 2013, the AU Peace and Security Council authorized the deployment of MISCA. This decision was endorsed by the UN Security Council through its Resolution 2127 of 5 December 2013, authorizing the new AU mission to deploy in the Central African Republic for an initial period of 12 months.

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The BUILD Africa Forum, together with the I.I.S. and the African Development Bank's Africa50 Fund, have joined forces and committed their combined expertise in infrastructure investment and finance to develop solutions to Africa's infrastructure funding gap.

The strategic relationship aims to answer the following key questions:

• How will infrastructure investment risk profiles develop over the next 20 years and what mitigations can governments implement to incentivize investment?

• How can infrastructure financing and delivery models be developed to attract private finance into the region?

• How can Africa improve infrastructure delivery and avoid the costly overspends that have afflicted other regions?

Through these strategic partnerships, BUILD Africa aims to develop an understanding of the various ways in which projects can be accelerated and increase the number of infrastructure projects that reach bankability. Using its ability to bring together the private sector, governments, multi-lateral organizations and global investors, the BUILD Africa Forum will ensure that the results and ideas developed in Brazzaville are successfully executed in future African infrastructure projects.

Invitations to BUILD Africa can be requested online: http://registration.buildafricaforum.com/

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of BUILD Africa Forum.

Notes for editors:

Quotes on the Institute for Infrastructure Studies & BUILD Africa forum partnership

Ian Kennedy, co-founder of the I.I.S.: “As a whole, Africa requires over 90 billion USD of investment per year over the next 20 years if its member states are to adequately develop core infrastructure and fulfill their potential as an emerging economies. With global infrastructure investment forecast at USD 60 trillion to 2030, and a growing reliance on private finance, Africa needs to ensure it can secure its share of financial investment. We are therefore delighted to be working in this alliance with the aim of developing investment models that can bridge the gap between government finance and private capital whilst ensuring that projects are managed effectively and delivered on time.”

Jean-Jacques Bouya, Minister to the President of the Republic for Spatial Planning and Delegate General for Major Public Works, Republic of the Congo: “We are delighted to formalise our relationship with the I.I.S and to be working with them and the African Development Bank to create new and innovative methods for infrastructure funding and delivery in Africa”.

The BUILD Africa Forum (Brazzaville Unites Infrastructure Leaders for Development) (http://www.buildafricaforum.com) will be held in Brazzaville, the Republic of the Congo from the 5th to the 7th of February 2014. Held under the high patronage of His Excellency President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, the BUILD Africa Forum will gather more than 500 business and political leaders, who will endeavor to find innovative solutions to Africa's numerous infrastructure challenges and ambitions.

Please click here (http://bit.ly/19SULo7) for more information about BUILD Africa or visit online at http://www.buildafricaforum.com.

The Institute for Infrastructure Studies is a non-profit foundation based in London and Doha that works to help financial institutions, governments and sponsors of large, complex infrastructure programmes to appraise and manage the inherent risks associated with these assets at the development stage. The Institute aims to become the global centre of excellence in understanding the financing, risk appraisal and management of large complex infrastructure projects such as public and freight transportation systems, ports, social infrastructure and stadia.

Africa50 (AfDB Group) is a new and innovative vehicle which is re-imagining infrastructure financing and aims to unlock global private capital to close the Africa infrastructure gap. Africa50 will bring to the market much needed financing tools and services, mainly offered through its two sub-vehicles: Project Finance and Project Development. It will be groundbreaking in its design and structure, leveraging infrastructure-financing resources from a diverse set of sources. Africa50 is in the process of raising $10 billion USD to finance infrastructure projects across the continent.

For more information & press material, on the BUILD Africa forum please contact:

Julie Voiriot Tel: +33 6 61 87 29 76 Ι Email: julie.voiriot@theexperiencecorp.com

Parfait Iloki: Tel: + 242 066888930 Ι Email: Ilokiparfait@yahoo.fr

The PSI was approved by the Executive Board on June 28, 2013 (see Press Release No. 13/78). The IMF's framework for PSIs is designed for low-income countries that may not need, or want, IMF financial assistance, but still seek IMF advice, monitoring and endorsement of their policies. PSIs are voluntary and demand driven (see Public Information Notice No. 02/145).

Uganda's economic recovery continues to gain momentum. Mainly driven by public investment, and supported by appropriate policies, GDP growth reached 5¾ percent in 2012/13. Supported by the recovery of private sector activity and significant public investment in the construction of two large hydropower plants and road projects, growth is expected to rise to 6¼ percent in 2013/14. Monetary policy responded to a recent drought-related food price shock in a timely manner, keeping inflation within the expected path toward the 5 percent medium-term target. Aided by an improvement in the current account deficit, international reserves remained at a level equivalent to 3.9 months of imports, maintaining a welcome buffer against the uncertain global environment.

Program performance was broadly satisfactory. All the end-June 2013 quantitative assessment criteria were met, and reforms on the structural front advanced. In particular, the first stage of the Bank of Uganda (BoU) recapitalization was completed, strengthening its balance sheet and reinforcing its independence. Actions were taken to improve public financial management practices, including the first phase of implementation of a treasury single account and the upgrading of key accounting systems. The Parliament is currently examining the Public Finance Management Bill, aimed at improving budget execution and credibility, and enhancing the reporting and accountability of public finances. However, progress on strengthening tax revenue collection has been slow. Further improvements are also required to avoid the accumulation of payment arrears and reduce the frequency of supplementary budgets.

Monetary policy, in the context of the BoU's inflation targeting framework, struck the right balance between signaling its commitment to low inflation, avoiding excessive exchange rate volatility, and ensuring consistency with the fiscal policy stance. Ongoing institutional reforms to strengthen central bank operations and consolidate its credibility will be critical.

Fiscal policy is expected to accommodate the envisaged scaling up of public investment in infrastructure, while supporting low inflation and avoiding crowding out of private sector activity. In this context, it will be important to resist pressures for additional current spending through a strict adherence to the approved budget and financing.

The construction of two hydropower plants, Karuma and Isimba, will more than double current electricity production and address a critical structural bottleneck to growth. The increase in the non-concessional borrowing ceiling under the PSI to finance these projects is consistent with debt sustainability, and the risk of external debt distress is expected to remain low. Going forward, to minimize risks it will be important to ensure timely implementation of the projects, transparent and efficient management and an adequate cost recovery strategy.

1 The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse of time procedure when it is agreed by the Board that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

Reports indicate that a convoy carrying medical personnel to a health facility west of the capital came under attack by unknown gunmen who killed four doctors - one Somali and three Syrians – and a Somali driver and guard. At least two other passengers were seriously wounded.

"Somalia, still struggling to build up its health services, relies on the goodwill of NGOs and medical personnel who work in incredibly difficult conditions to save Somali lives," SRSG Kay said. "I condemn this attack and those who continue to seek to halt the country's progress; I urge the Federal Government of Somalia to thoroughly investigate this heinous crime and bring those responsible to justice."

SRSG Kay sends his sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.

The authorities' program is designed to reduce balance-of-payments vulnerabilities and lay foundations for stronger, more inclusive growth. Reform efforts are focused on tax policy and revenue administration, public financial management and improving the business environment.

The new Fund-supported program builds on the success of the authorities' policies supported by disbursements under the Rapid Credit Facility in 2013

Following the Executive Board's discussion, Mr. Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair issued the following statement:

“Mali's authorities have succeeded in maintaining macroeconomic stability in very difficult circumstances. The economy is recovering and the outlook is improving with the resumption of donor support and a gradual return of investor confidence. However, significant challenges remain. Against this background, a new Fund-supported arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility will help support the authorities' economic program to sustain growth, maintain fiscal sustainability, and reduce poverty.

“Higher domestic revenue mobilization and increased efficiency of public spending will create fiscal space for needed development spending. Limited government recourse to domestic bank borrowing will safeguard credit to the private sector. Improved public financial management will ensure that donor funding is put to effective use, and improved internal expenditure controls will help prevent the accumulation of domestic arrears. More broadly, a prudent debt management centered on concessional borrowing will be needed in the period ahead.

“Far-reaching reforms will help improve the business environment, promote economic diversification, and boost Mali's growth prospects. Priority areas include increasing financial development, combating corruption, streamlining tax procedures, improving infrastructure, and increasing labor productivity through improved education and health spending. Well communicated reforms in the production and pricing of energy are also important for fostering durable growth and reducing poverty.”

Annex

Recent economic developments

Mali is emerging from the most serious security and political crisis in its recent history.

The recent arrival of a UN security force (MINUSMA) is helping the government restore law and order in the north. Political normalization is well under way with the successful presidential and parliamentary elections. International financial support has been successfully mobilized: in May 2013, at the international donor conference in Brussels, donors pledged €3.25 billion ($4.4 billion) in financial assistance.

In the meantime, the economy is recovering and inflationary pressures have abated. After a 0.4 percent GDP decline in 2012, the improvement in the security situation and the resumption of donor assistance has helped revive business confidence. Activity is picking up in the service sectors hardest hit by the crisis (commerce, hotels, and restaurants). Favorable rainfall has boosted agricultural production. Average inflation declined from 5.3 percent in 2012 to negative 0.1 percent by October 2013 as food prices declined following the good harvest.

Prospects for the remainder of 2013 and for 2014 are generally favorable. The nascent recovery should gather strength as donor support builds up and credit to economy picks up. Real GDP is projected to increase by 5.1 percent in 2013 and 6.6 percent in 2014 supported by the rebound in agricultural output, the establishment of a third mobile phone operator, recovery in the service sector, and restart of construction projects. After 2014, growth is projected to settle in the 5–6 percent range. Average inflation is projected to remain close to zero in 2013 and reach 2 percent in 2014, below the 3 percent West African Economic and Monetary Union's (WAEMU) ceiling.

The positive outlook is subject to several risks. Agricultural output is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. Because of strong export concentration on gold (70 percent of the total) and cotton (15 percent of the total), export revenues depend to a large extent on volatile international gold and cotton prices. The security situation remains fragile despite recent improvements. Any setbacks in peace consolidation could weaken consumer, investor, and donor confidence and derail the incipient recovery. On the other hand, Mali is not significantly exposed to negative risks in the euro area because its exports are inelastic toward traditional trade partners' growth. The banking sector is mostly financed by local deposits and is not directly exposed to the ongoing deleveraging of European banks.

Program Summary

The authorities' programs aims at promoting policies that: (i) maintain macroeconomic stability, while allocating sufficient resources to poverty-reducing and other priority spending, including in the North; (ii) mobilize more government revenue;

(iii) strengthen public financial management; and (iv) improve the business environment, including by implementing anti-corruption measures.

Public spending will support national reconciliation, growth and poverty reduction. Budgetary allocations will be in line with the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (G-PRSP) and the Plan for Sustainable Recovery (PRED). To that end, the authorities are committed to giving priority social spending—health, education and social development.

To increase tax revenue and lighten the administrative burden on the taxpayer, the Government will implement ambitious tax policy and administration reforms. Transparency will be used to build political support for a reduction of tax exemptions. In that context, the authorities intend to reform fuel pricing. Starting in 2013, the budget law has begun presenting estimates of the cost to the budget of the failure to adjust fuel prices to international oil price movements. To stem, and ultimately reverse, the erosion of tax revenue from petroleum products, the authorities will abandon the practice of setting the administrative value (used for tax calculation) below the market value. In order to improve the business climate, the government will take steps to address the most problematic factors for doing business. Investors consider access to financing, corruption, poor infrastructure (including electricity), tax regulation are key ingredients. The state electricity company will be reformed with the view of putting it on a sound financial footing.

The authorities have also stated their deep commitment to combating corruption. They will put in place concrete actions, one of which is a systematic follow up of all recommendations of varying control agencies, with regular reports on judicial or administrative actions taken. Another is the publication of judicial decisions.

Given the early stage of Mali's recovery from the recent political and security crisis, reforms will be implemented progressively. The initial phase—through mid–2014—focuses on strengthening institutional capacity and developing strategies to address the most pressing issues. The following phases of the program will involve rolling out policy actions in these areas. These actions will be specified at the time of the first and subsequent reviews of the arrangement.

The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern over the fighting that began on 15 December and is ongoing in the capital city of Juba and other areas in South Sudan that has reportedly resulted in large numbers of casualties, as well as over the risk of targeted violence against certain communities.

The members of the Security Council urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and refrain from violence and other actions that could exacerbate tensions. They also underscored the vital importance of protection of all civilians, regardless of their communities of origin, and called for all authorities to respect the rule of law and human rights.

The members of the Security Council called for the Government of South Sudan to engage in dialogue with its opponents and to resolve differences peacefully in order to prevent any spread of the current violence.

The members of the Security Council commended the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as the Mission seeks to provide shelter, protection and humanitarian assistance to the affected people of South Sudan and to open the dialogue between key leaders to bring a resolution to this crisis.

The members of the Security Council will monitor the situation closely and consider further action as appropriate.

Council noted with deep concern the fighting that broke out in Juba and other locations in South Sudan, arising from disagreements within the leadership of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). Council also expressed deep concern at the serious humanitarian consequences of this unfortunate development on the civilian population, as the fighting has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands others.

Council stressed the need to rapidly and effectively address the current situation, with a view to avoiding serious implications for the long-term security and stability of South Sudan, as well as for the neighboring countries, bearing in mind the prevailing situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and other peace and security challenges in the region.

Accordingly, Council stressed the need for all concerned South Sudanese stakeholders to place the interest of the people of South Sudan above any other consideration. Council urgently appealed to the leadership of South Sudan and all other stakeholders to exercise utmost restraint, refrain from any action and statement likely to further exacerbate the situation and seek solutions to the current problems through dialogue and reconciliation.

Council, recalling the relevant AU's instruments, emphasized the rejection by the AU of the use of force to settle political differences, as well as the critical importance of respect for human rights, the rule of law and constitutional legality.

Council commended the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and other humanitarian agencies that have given refuge in their premises and other forms of assistance to the civilians caught in the fighting, both in Juba and in other locations in the country. Council welcomed the commitment of UNMISS to continue its efforts to mitigate the situation, in particular with regard to the protection of civilian populations and the staff of international organizations and members of the diplomatic community affected by the fighting.

Council endorsed the statement issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on 17 December 2013 regarding the situation in South Sudan and AU's readiness to assist in finding a peaceful solution to the challenges at hand. Council also noted with appreciation the steps taken by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to assist South Sudan in addressing its governance and democratization challenges, as part of its mandate and the overall efforts to help build a viable state at peace with itself and its neighbors. Council encouraged the AUHIP to pursue and intensify these efforts.

Council further acknowledged the efforts by a number of regional and international stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the AU, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia, the UN Secretary-General and bilateral partners, aimed at containing the situation and assisting in finding a solution. Council called for continued, sustained and coordinated international engagement with all concerned South Sudanese actors, particularly in view of the gravity of the situation and its far-reaching consequences.

Council welcomed the initiative taken by IGAD to urgently dispatch a ministerial delegation to Juba, with a view to help diffuse the current tension and to support the South Sudanese Parties to find a peaceful political settlement to the crisis. Council encouraged the AUHIP, in consultation with the Chairperson of IGAD, to take all appropriate initiatives to help defuse the current tension and address the underlying problems.

Council requested the Chairperson of the Commission to keep it regularly informed of the evolution of the situation and related efforts by the AUHIP and the Chair of IGAD.

Council remained seized of the matter and would review the situation in due course.

Jointly prepared by FAO and the Government of Madagascar, the three-year Programme in response to the locust plague is implemented and coordinated by FAO in close collaboration with the Government. The programme is composed of three successive locust control campaigns with the last one ending in 2016.

"We are using helicopters and vehicles to carry out survey and control operations," explained Said Lagnaoui, FAO's locust campaign coordinator. "We are using different pesticides chosen to have as little negative impact on the environment as possible."

The pesticides are registered in Madagascar for locust control and listed in the FAO Pesticide Referee Group report. The use of biopesticide formulated with an entomopathogenic fungus - which essentially acts as a parasite specific to locusts - is also planned in sensitive areas.

On 30 November, after less than one month of control operations, hopper bands and groups of locust adults have been killed on almost 50 000 hectares.

"The maize and rice crops have just started and there are threatened. We are trying hard to avoid or at least reduce the damage," Lagnaoui said.

"The objective of this programme is to protect the food security of this rural world, of these farmers who only have what they can grow for survival," he said.

Four million people food insecure

The locust invasion, which started in April 2012, has damaged crops and discouraged farmers in affected areas from planting. The poor south of the Indian Ocean island nation has been particularly hard hit.

An FAO-World Food Programme mission conducted in June/July 2013 found that as many as 4 million people in rural areas of Madagascar were food insecure following the 2012/2013 reduced harvest and another 9.6 million people were at risk of food insecurity.

The mission report blamed the poor agricultural season - a national rice deficit of 240 000 tonnes was expected for the 2013/14 marketing year - on a combination of factors: erratic weather conditions last year, cyclones early this year followed by a period of poor rains, and the locust invasion.

A total of US$ 26.3 million in support of the locust programme have been provided so far by the Government of Madagascar through a World Bank loan, Austria, Belgium, the United States, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, France, Italy, Norway and the European Union.

Lagnaoui said the first year of the locust campaign was fully funded, but that there was a funding gap of about US $17.7 million to cover the second and third years.

Funds pay for:

• aerial survey and control operations;

• improving the monitoring and analysis of the locust situations;

• strengthening national locust control capacity;

• monitoring and mitigating the impact of control operations on human health and the environment;

• assessing the effectiveness of each locust campaign and the impact of locusts on crops and pasture.