Tribute: In Memory of DR. FRANCIS KEVIN NGWANG GUMNE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF SCAPO

BY THE DEPUTY NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF SCAPO MR AUGUSTINE F. NDANGAM

ON THE OCCASION OF LAYING DR. GUMNE TO REST

Tabeken, Donga Mantung Division, November 21^st, 2015.

Rev. Fathers,

Family members,

Political and Opinion Leaders,

Sympathizers,

Fellow mourners,

The Southern Cameroons People’s Organization (SCAPO) wishes first of all, to convey their condolences to the family of Dr. Francis Kevin Ngwang Gumne on this sad and unexpected event of their National Chairman’s departure home. Dr. Gumne was the National Chairman of The Southern Cameroons People’s Organization (SCAPO) and those who knew him well know that when by the Grace of God he drew his last breath on Saturday 3^rd November 2015, Dr. Gumne did so right in the trenches as a national leader and as a general commanding at the war-front. SCAPO believes that when both the battle and war which Dr. Gumne died fighting in are over, his name will have a well-deserved place on the annals of his country whose freedom and right of self-determination he worked with every ounce of his energy to bring about and did so to the last seconds of this transient life here on earth.

When we describe Dr Gumne as a “General” commanding at the war front and dying in the trenches let no cynic try to misrepresent either Dr. Gumne or SCAPO; and let us be clear: In the war we have been engaged in, we have fired not from the barrel, but from the lips and SCAPO’s battle-field has been the Law courts, both domestic and international. Apart from cynics, there are those who either do not know (or understand) what the Southern Cameroon struggle is all about. There are those who fear because they have been told that it is secession and no one has helped them to know that it is not   secession. Some, even among Southern Cameroonians themselves have characterized it as marginalization and discrimination, watering down a problem of mountain proportion to mole-hills. Dr Gumne has left us but the struggle continues and it will do so along the peaceful and along the lawful approaches which he charted. His death in the trenches with sweat and dust on his face is indeed a source of inspiration and encouragement for us to continue the struggle until the Statehood of Southern Cameroons is restored and freedom for our country is achieved.

On this somber occasion of laying Dr Gumne to rest our reflections turn naturally, not only on Dr. Gumne and his untimely departure from this world, but also on life itself:

-        What is life all about?

     -     Why is it so short?

     -      Is there another life beyond the grave?

The reason we ask these and a similar question is because the one thing which all of us are absolutely certain about life here on earth, is that we must leave it one day. Death is inevitable. A striking tomb stone in a cemetery in Indiana carries this Epitaph: 

“Pause Stranger, when you pass me by,

 As you are now, so once was I.

  As I am now, so you will be,

 So prepare for death and follow me,”

An unknown passer-by read those words and underneath scratched the following two lines:                

    “To follow you I’m not content

    Until I know which way you went.”

The words of this passer-by remind us Christians of the words of Thomas to our Lord Jesus Christ in John 14: 5: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  and the reply of Jesus to Thomas was, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”  Dr. Gumne was a committed Christian and Christian faith is anchored on these words by Jesus and though Dr. Gumne has left us we know that he is right now somewhere where Jesus is.

From his deep faith and commitment to God we also know that Dr Gumne would say the same words of faith as those attributed to an ancient and aged astronomer:

         “Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;

           I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.”

I worked closely with Dr. Gumne here at home both in the Social Democratic Front (SDF) Party and in the de-annexation struggle of our country the Southern Cameroons. He and I worked closely in the group led by Dr Foncha that founded the Bamenda University of Science and Technology (BUST). He and I travelled together in foreign lands: in Nigeria in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America. The second thing I can say about Dr. Gumne from my closeness to him is that he was a courageous leader and a peaceful man. The peaceful approach which SCAPO has taken in the Southern Cameroons struggle draws from this natural disposition of Dr. Gumne which underscored his good leadership.

On this sad occasion, members of the Southern Cameroons People’s Organization (SCAPO) have asked that I convey to you: Mrs. Roswita Gumne, and the entire Gumne family the fact that they share in your grief and they mourn with you. Henry Longfellow says in one of his memorable poems:

“There is no flock, however watched and tended,

But one dead lamb is there!

There is no fireside, howso’er defended,

But has one vacant chair! …

We see but dimly through the mists and vapours;

Amid these earthly damps,

What seems to us but sad, funeral tappers

May be heaven’s distant lamps.”

While we separate physically with Dr. Gumne, we also recall the words of Rabindranath Tagore: “Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” May God send out a band of angels to welcome home Dr. Francis Kevin Ngwang Gumne.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Drama as Catholic Priest Slumps and Dies During Church Service

Many people were shocked beyond belief when a catholic priest slumped and died on the altar while celebrating mass.

Many were thrown into mourning and confusion in Umuchu town in Aguata local government of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria after their priest slumped on the church altar and died while celebrating mass, PMnews reports.

The priest, Rev Father Emmanuel Idika, slumped at Our Lady of Fatima parish in Umuchu while he was conducting mass. After he slumped, church workers rushed to the altar and took him to a hospital but before doctors could attend to him, he was dead. 

The 82-year-old Idika who hailed from Umunze in Orumba South in Anambra, was posted to the parish after he retired from active priesthood. He volunteered to assist other priests to celebrate mass.

On the day the incident happened, Idika went to the church to conduct mass before he slumped right in front of the congregation.

According to eye witnesses, half way into the service Idika fell down on the altar and became unconscious. The incident threw the congregation into confusion and the mass ended abruptly.

His corpse was later deposited at the Visitation Hospital mortuary in Umuchu. Some of the parishioners who spoke to our correspondent said the late Idika lived a good life throughout the period he was active as a priest. They prayed that God should accept his soul.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

CPDM Reorganization in Balikumbat: Fuh Calistus Introduces Single Ballot

Balikumbat yesterday November 22, 2015 confirmed its leading position as bastion of the CPDM in the North West Region. This has been proven by the introduction of the single ballot paper at Balikumbat CPDM elections was indicative of the level of maturity of Balikumbat politics. Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, Divisional Coordinator of the reorganization process in Ngoketunjia has been applauded for that particular act by militants of the CPDM.

Though allegations were rife at that elections were rigged, classified sources say the single ballot paper prevented voters from taking back waste ballot to exchange for cash. Senator Dingha Ignatius crushed Wasum Augustine to retain the position of Section President for Ngoketunjia III. Madame Cecile, outgoing Section President decried that elections were defranchised to enable Dingha emerged. “Can you imagine my name did not feature on the electoral register”? She wondered aloud. Wasum Augustine’s supporters also decried that the level of intimidation was too high. “They affixed fake names to our names and this is how they succeeded in rigging the votes”, another loyalist to Wasum complained bitterly.

Though Dingha Ignatius got 2228 votes as against 1338 votes for the mayor Wasum, representing 62.5% against 37.5% the battle for the post of Section President was not that easy.

Dingha in one of his joking statements said he is Section President for life and that in the next elections; Wasum could only face one of his sons given that he (Dingha) has proven to be very tough for the later.

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How Councilor Musa Shey Nfor is Impacting Lives with Small Money, Big Change

The Small Money, Big Change initiated by Nkambe council is impacting lives in some constituencies. One of such communities where the project has impacted lives is Nwangri. Thanks to the Small Money, Big Change, Councilor Musa Shey Nfor has been able to construct two bridges and a (road) footpath to ensclave the village. Nchanji Evaristus, said that their councilor has revamped the old days community development spirit which was very instrumental in rural development. “We have two bridges and a road and I think this is laudable”, he said. Popular opinion in Nwangri village holds that the road linking Nchah and Bongenge quarter in Lower Nwangri is a great achievement. Besides, the bridge linking Upper Nwangri to Mbot has been giant step towards the emergence of Nwangri.

However, Musa Shey Nfor, the initiator of the projects says participatory development is what he intends to instill in the community through such projects. To Musa Shey Nfor, participatory development can extensively enhance the efficiency to reduce poverty.  He continued that when citizens develop a sense of ownership of development efforts as a consequence of their engagement in decision making about selecting and executing project activities, results are naturally enhanced and impact more sustainable. “Similarly, when relevant beneficiaries get involved in implementation, the outcomes are usually improved”. Worthy to note through this concept, capacities are built, social capital enhanced, and partnerships between council and villages is improved as people learn by working together in a supportive milieu.

Musa Shey Nfor described Small Money, Big Change as the additional effort geared towards addressing local economic, social, and governance problems that are very significant for each community.

 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

MAHSRA Engages Traditional Rulers in Fight Against Sexual Violence

Some traditional rulers from the west region of Cameroon began acquainting themselves with some national and international legal instruments that protect the rights of women and girls in Cameroon at a two day capacity building workshop that opened at the Hilton hotel in Yaounde on Friday.

It is estimated that over 130 million women and girls worldwide have been subjected to female genital mutilation. Cameroon is not left out of these alarming statistics and one of the regions where violence against women is rampant is the West.

It is against this backdrop the Bamenda based nongovernmental organization, Modern Advocacy Humanitarian Social and Rehabilitation Association (MAHSRA) brought up the project; “Western Chiefs Sexual Violence Initiative.”

Through the initiative that began in January 2015 in some divisions of the West region, some traditional rulers of the region took a commitment to amongst other ensure that customs and traditional dispositions that violate rights of girls and women, affect their health and wellbeing will be reviewed and also to ensure that perpetrators of sexual violence are pursued according to the law.

The Yaounde workshop that focused on the socio-anthropological causes and consequences of sexual violence against women in traditional societies was thus in continuation of the advocacy.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MAHSRA, Dr. Kelly F. Ngyah said the project targets traditional rulers because of the influence they wield over their subjects; some of whom still believe in old-age customs that women are supposed to be subjected to certain customs.

“We are training leaders so that they can go back and train their subjects to change. We are not actually going against any customs or tradition, but we know that we have the priority of the wellbeing of the woman and human rights,” Dr. Kelly said.

The MAHSRA chief executive explained that the teachings to the traditional rulers are to empower them to ameliorate on the customs and traditions that violate the rights of women.

The project is being sponsored by the British High Commission in Cameroon and according to the High Commissioner, Brian Oulley, the fight against violence for women is vital for the future of all countries around the world.

“This is a very important subject for the United Kingdom both within the boundaries of our nation and around the world. So we want to help countries around the world to a better future; one that encourages prosperity and respect for human rights,” Brian Oulley said.

Speaking through a representative, the chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms admitted that it is very challenging for traditional authorities to easily do away with age old practices.

“But we cannot continue to tolerate sexual violence at this age where human rights are across cutting in every aspect of our lives. I believe our Fons who are well respected have the authority to put and end to such practices,” Dr. Chemuta Divine Banda said.

On behalf of the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF), the Director of Women Social Promotion in the Ministry, Abessolo Esseko Calice who chaired the opening ceremony of the two days workshop lauded the initiative by MAHSRA and the British High Commission.

During the training, the traditional rulers were to be schooled on national and international legal instruments relating to violence against women like the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) amongst others.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Another Pro-Biafra Group Emerges in Nigeria

 Amidst the agitation for an independent state of Biafra championed by some Igbo people in the eastern part of the country, another pro-Biafran group, has emerged.

 

Another pro-Biafra group has reportedly emerged in South East Nigeria.
Today reports that the group, which goes by the name, Bilie Human Rights Initiative, has been holding closed door executive meetings prior to its first public outing.
The emergence of Bilie brings to four, the number of such groups promoting the cause for the revival of the moribund Biafra. Ralph Uwazuruike-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) is the first of such, from which a break-away faction, which has been trying to unseat Uwazuruike emerged.
The Legal Officer of Bilie, Barr. Pedro Azuogu, who spoke in an interview in Umuahia, Abia state, said Bilie was the only legal entity in the country registered with the United Nations (UN) as an Indigenous People Organisation (IPO).
Azuogu explained that “it is also an incorporated Trustee by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Abuja, for the purpose of protecting, defending and advocating for the rights of Indigenous People of Biafra and all other Indigenous Peoples and Nationalities within Nigeria whose rights and freedom are violated by the Nigerian Government, contrary to the UN Charter on human rights and the African Charter on Human Peoples Rights.”

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Aliko Dangote Debunk Allegations of Being Held Hostage in Mali Hotel Attack(Statement)

In new statements, billionaire business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has debunked the viral reports making rounds online that he was among the people held hostage in the hotel siege by gunmen in Mali.

Unknown gunmen attacked a five-star hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako and are held 170 people hostage.

 A business owner identified as Garba Konate is quoted to have told Al Jazeera by phone from Bamako, that, "About 10 gunmen arrived early in the morning and shot all the guards in front of the Radisson. One of the guests reportedly staying at the hotel is Nigerian Aliko Dangote - the richest person in Africa."

 

The news which was published in Al Jazeera website went viral and Nigerians took to Twitter to air their concern for Nigeria's most powerful entreprenuer.

The billionaire business mogul on hearing the news, took to his Twitter to debunk the viral reports, he tweeted; "Rumour about me being held hostage is false. I was in Mali yesterday.Thank you for your concern. My prayers with those involved."

 

 

The official Twitter page of Dangote Group also Tweeted; "Thank you all for your concern. @AlikoDangote is safe and fine in Nigeria. Our prayers are with Mali and families of those involved."

Media mogul, Dele Moomodu had earlier Tweeted; "The Boss Breaking News: Alhaji Aliko Dangote has spoken to us from Lagos "I've not been held hostage in Mali... I left yesterday afternoon!"

 

 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

30 Nigerian Arms Dealers on Scan as Manhunt for Dasuki's Accomplices Intensifies

Indications have emerged that retired military and security chiefs may be roped into the probe of former NSA Sambo Dasuki as security agents have kicked off manhunt of possible accomplices.

 

The nation's Security agents have launched a manhunt for former military and security chiefs suspected to have duped the country of billions in phoney arms deals.

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki has been named in the deals and he stated on Wednesday, November 18, that he yesterday that he was ready to defend his action in court after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered his arrest.

Also to be arrested are former Chiefs of Defence Staff and five service chiefs indicted by a panel which examined arms purchases from 2007 to 2015.

The panel has summoned 30 arms contractors, The Nation gathered yesterday night. All the suspects may have their movement restricted to the country, pending  further interrogation and arraignment in court.

According to a source, the  former NSA is a “security risk” and the nation cannot afford  to let him “slip away”. All the suspects implicated in the arms deals have been  placed under surveillance.

But none was yet to be arrested as at the time of filing this report.

A top source said: “Those accused of mismanaging N644billion include some former Chiefs of Defence Staff, about five service chiefs and some security chiefs.

“They have all been placed under surveillance and some of them may be arrested any moment from now pending their arraignment in court.

“Their names have not been released to avoid any acts that may jeopardise attempts to bring them to justice.

 

“Immediately they are arrested, we will release their list to the public.”

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Nigerian Governors Say MTN Must Pay N1.4 Trillion Fine

Nigerian governors have expressed support for the N1.4trillion fine slammed on MTN by the Nigerian Communications Commissions.

Abdulazeez Yari, Chairman of the NGF

 

Nigerian governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have declared that the MTN must pay the $5.2 billion (N1.4 trillion) fine slammed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for failing to disconnect subscribers with unregistered SIM cards bought before January 2012.

ThisDay reports that the governors who met at the Old Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja late Wednesday night threw their weight behind the NCC. They also lauded the NCC for its strict compliance and enforcement of the law regulating the telecommunication sector.

NGF Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdul'aziz Yari told journalists after the meeting that the forum received a comprehensive brief on the development from the NCC Acting Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta.

Yari said the governors' forum assured Danbatta of collaboration with a view to strengthening the nation's telecommunication industry.

"The forum also commended the NCC for its strict compliance and enforcement of the law with regards to the fine issued to MTN and advised the Federal Government to ensure prompt and full payment", Yari stated.

The 36 states governors commended the NCC for its strict enforcement of the law in its regulation of the telecom sector, and encouraged the commission to go ahead with its strict regulatory duties without any fear or favour. They also insisted that that MTN must pay up in full.

He said the NGF also resolved to meet with stakeholders to articulate a robust strategy aimed at addressing issues affecting the economy of the country.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Breaking: Suspected Paris Attacks mastermind is killed

 Source: Washington Examiner

Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected architect of Friday's Paris terrorist attacks, has been killed, according to multiple reports.

Abaaoud's death comes after a raid that started just before dawn in Paris Wednesday.

His death was confirmed by two senior European intelligence officials.

 Previously Wednesday, officials announced that the raid had killed at least two people, including a woman who detonated a suicide bomber's vest.

The raid occurred in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis, a diverse area north of the city.

Abaaoud was believed to be close to the Islamic State's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It currently hypothesized by investigators the Abaaoud was the link between the European-based terrorist who carried out Friday's attacks and the senior Islamic State leadership in Raqqa, Syria, the terror group's de facto capital.

Abaaoud was living in the Molenbeek district of Brussels, Belgium, an area of Europe's captial city that has can come under increased focused and scrutiny in recent days as a known hotbed of jihadi activity.

As of Wednesday, 129 people have died as a result of the Friday Paris attacks. An additional 430 people were injured in the attacks.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

FIFA Rejects Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini's Appeals Against Bans

Embattled FIFA president, Sepp Blatter and UEFA President, Michel Platini may be in for a tougher time than envisaged as FIFA rejected their appeals against their bans

Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have lost appeals against their provisional FIFA suspensions.

It will be recalled that they were suspended in October while FIFA's ethics committee investigates corruption claims against them. Blatter, 79, is accused of signing a contract "unfavourable" to FIFA and making a "disloyal payment" to Platini.

The governing body's Appeal Committee upheld last month's decisions to ban president Blatter and potential successor Platini for 90 days over a 2011 payment received by the latter.
The two will now face a full hearing with FIFA's Ethics Committee, where guilty verdicts could result in much longer suspensions.
Blatter still has the option of going to the Ethics Committee's adjudicatory chamber in a bid to overturn his provisional ban, something Platini has already tried and failed to achieve.
Both can continue fighting their bans at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Platini's lawyers have indicated he will do so, but in the meantime the UEFA boss Platini is still currently barred from competing in February's FIFA presidential election.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Breaking! President Buhari Orders Arrest of Dasuki, Others Over Shady Arms Procurement Deal

Despite a court ruling that the embattled former National Security Adviser, Dasuki Sambo be allowed to travel overseas for medical attention, the Federal Government has ordered his arrest.

 

 President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, November 17, ordered the arrest of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who has been under house arrest for almost two weeks after the DSS laid seige on his house despite cpurt orders.

The President ordered the arrest of the former NSA over the misappropriation of billions of dollars meant for the procurement of arms to prosecute the war against terrorism. The order for the arrest was also extended to other persons found culpable in the fraudulent deal.

The directive followed the release of an interim report by the 13-man presidential committee set up by Buhari to investigate the procurement of equipment for the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date.

A statement issued by the president’s media aide Femi Adesina yesterday said though the committee was yet to complete its work, its interim report unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.

"On the authority of Mr President, a 13 man committee was set up by the Office of the National Security Adviser to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to date. While the committee which was inaugurated on 31 August 2015 is yet to complete its work, its interim report has unearthed several illicit and fraudulent financial transactions.

As part of the findings, the committee has analyzed interventions from some organizations that provided funds to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Army Headquarters Naval Headquarters and Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, both in local and foreign currencies.

So far the total extra budgetary interventions articulated by the committee is Six Hundred and Forty Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Five Hundred Naira and Eighteen Kobo (N643,817,955,885.18).

The foreign currency component is to the tune of Two Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifteen Thousand US Dollars and Eighty Three Cents ($2,193,815,000.83).

These amounts exclude grants from the State Governments and funds collected by the DSS and Police. It was observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defense procurement.

The committee also observed that of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32; N2,189,265,724,404.55 and €54,000.00; Fifty Three (53) were failed contracts amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively.

Interestingly, it was noted that the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the $1bn loan that the National Assembly approved for borrowing to fight the insurgency in the North East.

The committee also discovered that payments to the tune of Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N3,850,000,000.00) were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfillment of tax obligations to the FGN.

Further findings revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Lt Col MS Dasuki (rtd) awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2,219,188,609.50, $1,671,742,613.58 and €9,905,477.00. The contracts which were said to be for the purchase of 4 Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory.

Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, 2 companies, were awarded contracts to the tune of N350,000,000.00, $1,661,670,469.71 and €9,905,477.00 alone. This was without prejudice to the consistent non-performance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded.

Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer the sum of $132,050,486.97 and €9,905,473.55 to the accounts of Societe D’equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.

The findings made so far are extremely worrying considering that the interventions were granted within the same period that our troops fighting the insurgency in the North East were in desperate need of platforms, military equipment and ammunition. Had the funds siphoned to these non performing companies been properly used for the purpose they were meant for, thousands of needless Nigerian deaths would have been avoided.

Furthermore, the ridicule Nigeria has faced in the international community would have been avoided. It is worrisome and disappointing that those entrusted with the security of this great nation were busy using proxies to siphon the national treasury, while innocent lives were wasted daily.

In light of these findings, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the relevant organizations arrest and bring to book, all individuals who have been found complicit in these illegal and fraudulent acts."

 Source: tori.ng

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

COMMEMORATION OF THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD

 
 

WHAT:     Conference on the Commemoration of the 25^th Anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

When:      20 -21 November, 2015 starting at 09:00

Where:     New Conference Centre,  African Union Commission

WHO:       The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child organizes a high level conference to assess the situation of children in Africa 25 years after the adoption of the African Children's Charter.

Why:        The Conference will bring together Experts on children Rights, the Chairperson of the PRC, higher officials from the African Union Commission, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence Against Children, members of AU Human Rights Organs, UN Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations,  Civil Society Organizations and academic institutions to reflect on the impact of the Charter over the last 25 years, with a view of  guiding the future efforts to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Africa and the development of a long term (for the coming 25 years) Agenda for Children’s Rights in Africa.

Background: The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) was adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in July 1990, and entered into force in November, 1999. After 25 years of its adoption, 47 countries have ratified the Charter. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is the only regional instrument on the protection of the rights of children.

Since its enforcement the Charter has improved the lives of children, to one degree or another, in all States Parties. However, there are still gaps that need to be filled to ensure the wellbeing of children in Africa. Therefore, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) plans to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Charter with the view of reinforcing State Parties commitment to children’s rights, examining the main achievements and challenges in the implementation of the charter, and identifying the way forward. The celebration also aims at highlighting the role of UN agencies, CSOs and stakeholders and the collaboration between the Committee and other organs of the African Union.

An exhibition of 25 Key Advocacy Messages to African Union Member States and State Parties to the Charter will be held during the Conference.

Media are invited to cover the Opening Ceremony of the Conference, on 20 November, at 09:00 AM, Panel discussions and all the parallel sessions. The Concept Note and the Programme of the Conference are attached.

Further media inquiries should be directed to:

Mr. Kameni N. Yannick

Communication Officer, ACERWC Secretariat

Email: KameniY@africa-union.org

Tel: 00251 940 296 325

You can follow the Conference on ACERWC Social Media platforms:

Facebook: African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
Twitter: ACERWC (@acerwc)
#acrwc25   #RatifyReport  #MyCharterMyRights
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)