Hon. Membe roots for closer trade ties with Mexico

The government has expressed its commitment to strengthen cooperation and partnership with Mexico and explore potential areas of investment in the country, particularly in mining and energy.

This was said on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam by Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Bernard K. Membe at the inauguration of a Mexican consulate in Tanzania.  Already the Mexican government has appointed Mohammad Reza Saboor to be its first honorary consul.

Hon. Membe said the government would enhance its relations with Mexico and look into the possibility of developing untapped resources.

"Trade and investment between the two countries is minimal and there is a need for both countries to encourage and promote growth in these important sectors in our relations," he said.

He commended the opening of consular office in Tanzania as an important step in strengthening further the existing relations between the two contries.

He revealed that the government is planning to open the honorary consul in Mexico to reciprocate the decision of Mexican government.

For his part, the Ambassador of Mexico to East Africa, Luis Campuzano, said there are several areas of common interest to develop as well as opportunities to explore to strengthen presence of Mexico in Tanzania and vice versa.

He mentioned areas of health, security, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure as some of the promising ones.

He said they can offer to the Tanzanians their friendship and cooperation and experience in key areas as housing development, maize processing and conservation, human capital and promotion of scholarships

Speaking earlier Reza promised to cement existing ties between two countries which was initiated with introduction of sisal plant in 1893.

He said the history of sisal industry in Tanganyika has an air of romance it made Tanga region a major exporter of the crop in the world.

Source:  The Guardian

Hon. Membe advocates cross-cultural dialogue

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hon. Bernard K. Membe has called on Tanzanians to shun ethnocentrism wherever a 'mightier' culture is imposed to be the common culture, saying the process of connecting cultures will only be meaningful if it will embrace cross-cultural dialogue, mutual understanding and respect.

“By connecting cultures, we definitely ought to benefit from our unity in diversity; equally true is the fact that connecting cultures comes with threats to those societies with embedded vulnerabilities,” said Hon. Membe.

The minister made the remarks in Dar es Salaam in an address to representatives from Commonwealth countries when commemorating this year’s Commonwealth Day under the theme, 'Connecting cultures'.

Hon. Membe said it was imperative for the process of connecting cultures to be inclusive, democratic and sensitive to the needs of other societies, particularly underdeveloped and small states and islands.

He stressed that connecting cultures was at the core of Tanzania's social policy as well as its foreign policy. In elucidating his point he quoted Mwalimu Nyerere who said, “A nation which refuses to learn from foreign cultures is nothing but a nation of idiots and lunatics. But to learn from other cultures does not mean we should abandon our own."

He said ever since Tanzania had always remained open to learn from best practices from other cultures because was to be stressed was that connecting cultures should go beyond democratic values and human rights.

"To be meaningful, the process of connecting culture should also be about connecting knowledge, technology and wealth. As we share the global threats we ought to also share the prosperity," he said.

Hon. Membe said that was the secret behind the peace and stability that this country enjoyed, noting that "we therefore welcome the theme of this year's Commonwealth celebrations and continue to commit ourselves to contribute to this noble course."

Hon. Membe urged other Commonwealth countries to respect each others' culture so as to make the world a better place to live in and on promoting the principles and values of the organisation, the Commonwealth which unites all our cultures and makes us one.

For her part, British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ms. Diane Corner, who read a message from the Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, noted that connecting culture encouraged countries to consider the special opportunity which each had by treasuring and respecting the wealth of diversity.

Source:  The Guardian

Waziri Mkuu Pinda akagua ujenzi wa Kituo cha Mikutano cha Julius Kambarage Nyerere

Waziri Mkuu, Mizengo Pinda akikagua ujenzi wa Kituo cha Mikutano cha Kimataifa cha Julius Kambarage Nyerere kinachojengwa katika Mtaa wa Shaaban Robert Dar es Salaam jana. Kushoto kwake ni Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Bernard Membe na kulia kwake ni Balozi wa China nchini, Lv Youqing. (Picha na Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu).

WAZIRI Mkuu Mizengo Pinda amesifu utaalamu na teknolojia iliyotumika katika ujenzi wa Ukumbi wa Mikutano wa Kimataifa wa Mwalimu Nyerere uliopo katika makutano ya mitaa ya Shaaban Robert na Garden, jijini Dar es Salaam ambao ujenzi wake unakaribia kumalizika.

Akizungumza na wataalamu wa Kampuni ya China inayojenga ukumbi huo kabla ya kukagua maendeleo yake, Pinda pamoja na kueleza kuridhishwa na kiwango cha ubora wa ujenzi pia alisema ukumbi huo utaongeza hadhi ya Jiji la Dar es Salaam.

Alisema Serikali itafanya kila liwezekanalo kutoa ushirikiano kwa Wizara ya Ushirikiano wa
Kimataifa na kwa kampuni inayojenga ukumbi huo ili kuhakikisha kuwa unakamilika mapema na kuanza kutumika.

Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje na Ushirikiano wa Kimataifa, Bernard K. Membe (MB), alisema ukumbi huo ulio chini ya Wizara hiyo utakuwa na uongozi unaojitegemea kama ilivyo kwa Kituo cha Mikutano cha Kimataifa cha Arusha (AICC).

Alisema awali ujenzi ulioanza mwaka 2010 ulitarajiwa kukamilika Aprili mwaka huu lakini
umekwama kutokana na vikwazo kadhaa vikiwemo wizi wa vifaa unaofanywa mara kwa mara, uchelewaji wa ufungaji wa mkongo wa mawasiliano na kuchelewa kuagizwa kwa kifaa maalumu cha kudhibiti umeme.

Alisema hata hivyo kwa mujibu wa wataalamu, ukumbi huo sasa unatarajia kukamilika Agosti mwaka huu, hatua itakayowezesha Jiji la Dar es Salaam kupata ukumbi mkubwa na wa kisasa na kuongeza hadhi ya Jiji hilo.
Meneja Mradi, Huan Meiluan alisema ukumbi huo ambao sasa umeanza kuwekewa mapambo mbalimbali ukiwa katika hatua za mwisho, una thamani ya dola za Marekani milioni 30.

Jengo hilo lina kumbi nne, wa kwanza ukiwa na viti 1,002, wa pili mahususi kwa ajili ya mikutano na waandishi wa habari ukiwa na viti 200, wa tatu ukiwa na uwezo wa kuchukua watu 100 na wa nne ukichukua watu 56.
Source: Habari Leo

H.E. President Kikwete launches APRM's Country Review Mission

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania presenting a Country Review Self Assessment Report to H.E. Barrister Akere Muna, the Lead Panelist for the Tanzania Review Mission of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).  The ceremony was witnessed by distinguished members of diplomatic corps, today at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete discussing something with Hon. Bernard K. Membe, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation during the Launching Ceremony of the Tanzania Review Mission of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Tanzania, today at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

  

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, sharing few words about African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) with H.E. Barrister Akere Muna, the Lead Panelist for the Country Review Mission, today at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania wishing well H.E. Barrister Akere Muna for his upcoming country tour review mission.  H.E. Muna is the Lead Panelist for the Tanzania Review Mission of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), and is in the country with various members of APRM Country Review Mission (CRM) scheduled to tour the country until end of this month.

Among the attendees is Hon. Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, the Chief Justice, listening on to H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete's official launching speech during the ceremony.  

Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (MP), the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is also among the attendees at the APRM's Country Review Mission Launching Ceremony.  Also in attendees is Hon. William Ngeleja (MP), Minister for Energy and Minerals.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete gives his launching speech during the ceremony.

A group photo of the President Kikwete (center) with members of APRM's Country Review Mission.  On the photo are H.E. Dr. Gharib Bilal (4th-left), the Vice President, Hon. Mizengo Pinda (3rd-right), the Prime Minister, H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (4th-right), the Lead Panelist for the CRM and Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  

A group photo of H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (center) in a group photo with member of National Governing Council (NGC), H.E. Dr. Gharib Bilal, the Vice President, Hon. Mizengo Pinda (2nd-right), the Prime Minister, Hon. Bernard K. Membe (right), Hon. John Shibuda (3rd left) and Mr. Hasa Mlawa (3rd-right), the Chairman for APRM.

H.E. President Kikwete in a conversation with H.E. Juma Alfan Mpango, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chief Justice Mohamed Othman Chande discussing something with Mr. Hasa Mlawa, Chairman of the APRM Tanzania.  Listening on is Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim, the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

  

Hon. Mizengo Pinda, the Prime Minister, discussing something with Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP), the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a conversation with H.E. Barrister Akere Muna, the Lead Panelist for the APRM's Country Review Mission in Tanzania.

Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a conversation with Mr. John M. Haule, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) in an interview with reporters from various media companies.

Mr. John M. Haule (2nd-left), the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a conversation with Mr. Togolani Mavura (left), Private Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  Others on the phot are Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim, the Deputy Minister and H.E. Ambassador Gamaha, the Deputy Permanent Secretary.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, listening on to one of the experts from APRM's Country Review Mission in Tanzania.

H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete explaining something to H.E. Barrister Akere Muna, the Lead Panelist for APRM's Country Review Mission.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (left) listening on as the President (not on photo) is talking about APRM process.  Others are Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (2nd-left), the Deputy Minister, Hon. John Shibuda (2nd-right), and Mr. Hasa Mlawa, the Chairman for APRM Tanzania. 

Ms. Zuhura Bundala (right), Acting Director for the Department of Africa at the Ministry, and few members of the National Governing Council (NGC), in waiting for H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. 

UNSG appoints new Deputy Secretary-General

REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AT THE NOON PRESS BRIEFING, UNHQ, 2 MARCH 2012

SG:  Thank you very much.  Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.  You may be wondering why I am here suddenly.  I am not here to replace him [Spokesperson] - his job - but I am here to share with you beforehand how I am doing with creating my new team.

You have been briefed by my Chef de Cabinet [Vijay Nambiar] in between – twice. This is my third announcement, but with some concrete names.

Today, I would like to announce my choices for the positions of Deputy Secretary-General and Chef de Cabinet.

 

For Deputy Secretary-General, I am going to appoint Mr. Jan Eliasson, a national of Sweden, who is a veteran in the field of diplomacy and international relations and a strong supporter of the United Nations. Mr. Eliasson has held many important roles directly related to the United Nations, such asPresident of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, my Special Envoy for Darfur, and currently a member of the MDG [Millennium Development Goals] Advocate Group.  He also served as the first Under-Secretary-General and head of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs in 1992.  During his tenure as President of the General Assembly, he led important reform initiatives which resulted in the creation of the Human Rights Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. 

During his tenure as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Envoy for Darfur, he was involved in emergency humanitarian operations and conflict prevention in a number of hot spots like Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique and the Balkans. 

On the national stage, he has served in key ambassadorial positions representing his country in New York and Washington, as well as State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and finally as Foreign Minister of Sweden.

As I mentioned earlier, Deputy Secretary-General Dr. [Asha-Rose] Migiro, will stay through the conclusion of Rio+20 Conference until June, and Mr. Eliasson will start as of July 1st.

For the position of the Chef de Cabinet, I selected Ms. Susana Malcorra, a national of Argentina, who is currently serving as the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support.  During her tenure as the first head of the Department of Field Support, she has directed logistical and administrative support for UN peace missions worldwide in support of about 30 field operations comprising 120,000 military, police and civilian personnel. 

Prior to joining the Secretariat, she has also served as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) overseeing daily emergency and humanitarian operations. 

Before joining the WFP in 2004, she accrued 25 years of experience in the private sector, including leadership roles at IBM and Telecom Argentina.  My current Chef de Cabinet, Mr. Vijay Nambiar, will concentrate on his role as Special Adviser on Myanmar.  I have asked him to ensure an orderly transition with the incoming Chef de Cabinet who will take over from April 1st, next month.

As for the post of Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, the selection process will be initiated immediately. 

Now, let me turn to other senior Under-Secretaries-General positions for which I have asked for open and public nominations.  Transparent and competitive selection processes for ten Under-Secretaries-General have started. Some of them reached a final stage.  It is my intention to finalize them as promptly as the selection process is completed.  I will be able to make additional announcements some time next week.

Last, but not least, I would like to emphasize once again my strong commitment to promoting mobility of UN staff. We have to make our staff mobile and multifunctional to meet the requirements of global service delivery.  The success of the Organization will be determined by our ability to deliver globally. This year, we will submit to the Member States a comprehensive proposal for mobility.  To lead by example, I have applied a five-year rule to senior advisers above the rank of Assistant Secretary-General and will apply it this time again.  This is the case with the other senior advisers in my immediate office - Mr. Robert Orr, and Mr. Kim Won-Soo.  I will also continue to apply the same rule to other staff at the Professional level and above in my office, to set the example. 

Last month, I announced two enablers – partnership and reform - as part of my five-year action agenda.  Mr. Robert Orr will lead the effort to create a new partnership facility as a way to harness public and private partnership to meet global challenges.  This facility will build on existing recently launched initiatives such as the Global Compact, UN Partnership Office and Every Woman Every Child initiatives.  After the departure of Mr. Atul Khare, I already tasked Mr. Kim Wonsoo to lead a change implementation team.  It is now focussed on creating a network for reform, which will enable the Organization to have a modern Secretariat, supported by a mobile and multi-skilled work force.  Both Mr. Orr and Mr. Kim will move to these new functions starting from April 1st.

Thank you. 

APRM Country Review Mission hold a press conference

Ms. Rehema Twalib (center), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania speaking at the press conference for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania.  Listening on are Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (2d-left), the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (3rd-left), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania.  Others on the photo are Prof. Hassa Mlawa (2d-right), the Chairman of APRM Tanzania and Mr. Assefa Shifa (right), CEO of APRM Continental Secretariat based in Midrand, South Africa.  The CRM delegation is in Tanzania for a country review mission through APRM which aims at promoting good governance within the African Continent.  

 Prof. Hassa Mlawa (2d-right), the Chairman of APRM Tanzania giving few remarks before inviting H.E. Barrister Akere Muna to speak.  

Hon.  Mahadhi Juma Maalim (left), the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation giving his remarks during press conference.

H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (center), giving his few remarks during the press conference.  H.E. Muna is the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania.

Hon.  Mahadhi Juma Maalim, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, speaking to few reporters after the press conference.

Ms. Rehema Twalib (center), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania, explaining to few reporters how the APRM process work. 

The Lead Panelist for APRM Country Review Mission arrives in Dar

Hon.  Mahadhi Juma Maalim (left), the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, welcomes H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (right), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania, upon his arrival yesterday at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.  H.E. Muna is in Tanzania for a country review mission through APRM which aims at promoting good governance within the African Continent.  Looking on is Ms. Rehema Twalib (center), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania and Hon. John Shibuda (MP  Chadema-Maswa West), a member of the National Governing Council of APRM Tanzania.

H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (center), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania, in light conversation with upon his arrival with Ms. Rehema Twalib (right), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania and Dr. Salim Nasser, a member of National Governing Council in Tanzania.  The Country Review Mission (CRM) is expected to produce a country review report and the final national programme of action which will entail strategic actions aimed at addressing the governance challenges afflicting Tanzania.

Prof. Hassa Mlawa, the Chairman of APRM Tanzania, welcoming H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (right), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania, upon his arrival yesterday at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.  Looking on is Ms. Rehema Twalib (center), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania.

H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (center), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania, introduced to Ms. Zuhura Bundala, the Acting Director for Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  Making the introduction is Ms. Rehema Twalib (center), Executive Secretary for the APRM Tanzania.

Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim (right), the Deputy Minister for Ministry of International Affairs and International Cooperation, in conversation with H.E. Barrister Akere Muna (2d-right), the Lead Panelist for African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission for Tanzania, Prof. Hassa Mlawa, the Chairman of APRM Tanzania, and Mr. Assefa Shifa, CEO of APRM Continental Secretariat based in Midrand, South Africa.

Hon. Maalim chats with Mr. Haule

Hon. Mahadhi Juma Maalim, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation listening to Mr. John M. Haule, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.  Mr. Haule had just arrived from Angola after attending SADC Senior Officials Meeting (27-29 February), which followed by SADC Ministerial Council Meeting (1-2 March) which Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) attended.  Listening on is Ms. Zuhura Bundala, the Acting Director for Africa Department in the Ministry.

President Kikwete receives ICGLR Annual Report

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, in discussion with Ambassador Liberata Mulamula at the State House today in Dar es Salaam.  Ambassador Mulamula paid a courtesy call to the President and hand over the Annual Report for 2010/2011 of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), as well as the Legal Instruments, Dar Declaration and the Pact on Peace, Security and Development in the Great Lakes Region.  (Photo by Freddy Maro of the State House)

Ambassador Mulamula handing over to President Kikwete the Annual Report for 2010/2011 of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), as well as the Legal Instruments, Dar Declaration and the Pact on Peace, Security and Development in the Great Lakes Region.  Ambassador Mulamula has just finished her tenure as the first Executive Secretary of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), a position she has served successfully for the past five years.  Her Successor is Professor Ntumba Liaba, a former Human Rights Minister for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). (Photo by Freddy Maro of the State House)

H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete looking at the Annual Report for 2010/2011 of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), as well as the Legal Instruments, Dar Declaration and the Pact on Peace, Security and Development in the Great Lakes Region.  (Photo by Freddy Maro of the State House)

Britain's Foreign Secretary, Hon. William Hague (2nd L) and the Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hon. Bernard Membe exchanging a signed treaty on dealing with piracy off the coast of Somalia.  Witnessing the ceremony are H.E. Jakaya Kikwete (R), the President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Hon. Henry Bellingham (L), the Britain's Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, during the Somalia Conference at Lancaster House on February 23, 2012 in London, United Kingdom.  Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron had invited U.S. Secretary Of State Hilary Clinton, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and representatives from over 40 governments to participate in the London Conference on Somalia, to discuss the rebuilding of Somalia and the tackling of piracy, terrorism and famine.

Nations pledge help and demand progress in Somalia

LONDON (AP) — World leaders pledged new help to Somalia to tackle terrorism and piracy, but insisted Thursday that the troubled east African nation must quickly install a permanent government and threatened penalties against those who hamper political progress.

In a communique scheduled to be issued following the one-day summit, details of which have been supplied to The Associated Press, the group of 55 nations and international organizations said Somalia "remains precarious and in urgent need of support from the international community."

Delegates at the talks, hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron in London, included Somalia's United Nations-backed transitional government, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Somalia has had transitional administrations for the past seven years, but has not had a functioning central government since 1991, when warlords overthrew a longtime dictator and turned on each other, plunging the nation into chaos.

Clinton said the mandate of Somalia's transitional government must end as planned in August, and warned travel bans and asset freezes could be imposed against those who attempt to hamper progress.

"There must be no further extensions," the conclusions of the summit said, according to a person familiar with the issue who provided details on condition of anonymity because the communique had yet to be officially released. "We agreed to incentivize progress and act against spoilers to the peace process."

Leaders hailed tentative signs of progress in Somalia — with piracy attacks in decline and the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabab largely driven out of the capital Mogadishu.

Despite differences expressed over the role of al-Shabab in Somalia's future, the conclusions call for "all those willing to reject violence to join" the country's U.N.-led peace process.

Nations also agreed to "develop a defectors' program to support those who leave armed groups" and pledged to help improve efforts to tackle terrorism and to increase work to stop extremists traveling to and from Somalia.

Cameron said nations continue to be wary that al-Shabab could export terrorism to Europe and the United States, with dozens of British and American citizens traveling to Somalia to train and fight.

"If the rest of us just sit back and look on, we will pay a price for doing so," he told the conference.

In their communique, leaders said the use of private armed guards aboard ships off Somalia's coast had helped disrupt pirate attacks — which saw the shipping industry pay out $135 million in ransoms last year. Pirates currently hold seven vessels and 191 hostages, compared to 32 ships and 661 hostages in January 2011.

Leaders said there "will be no impunity for piracy," and demanded more effort to prosecute those responsible in both Somalia and neighboring countries.

Britain signed an agreement Thursday with Tanzania to handle suspected pirates captured by British vessels.

Research last year by the U.S. Congress found that about nine of 10 piracy suspects detained by international patrols are released without trial.

The communique pledged help from the international community "to prosecute the kingpins of piracy," and halt funding to both pirates and al-Shabab militants. Leaders also expressed concern "that hostages in Somalia are being held longer and with more use of violence," the document said.

In a statement, al-Shabab denounced the conference, claiming it was "aimed at carving up the Somali nation" and vowed to wage war against what it described as a crusade by Western powers.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Martin Benedyk in London, and Katherine Houreld in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Concluding Statement

From left to right: Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Tanzania; Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma; Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Concluding Statement 

Extraordinary meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to consider its response to the situation in Maldives

London, 22 February 2012

1.  The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in extraordinary session in London today to consider its response to the situation in Maldives.

2. The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications of Trinidad and Tobago. Other members of the Group who participated in the meeting were Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada; Senator Hon Arnold J Nicholson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jamaica (by teleconference); Hon Joseph B Dauda, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Sierra Leone; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Tanzania; Mr Dennis Richardson, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia; and H E Roy Mickey Joy, High Commissioner of Vanuatu to the UK.

3.  CMAG received a report from the three-member ministerial mission that visited Maldives from 17-19 February 2012, to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power and to promote adherence to Commonwealth values and principles. The mission was led by Foreign Minister Rambachan and also comprised Foreign Minister Moni and Mr Richardson. It met with a wide range of interlocutors during the visit.

4.  In keeping with the Commonwealth’s well-established principles of inclusiveness and equity, the Group heard a statement from Dr Hassan Saeed, Adviser to the new President of Maldives, as well as from Dr Farahanaz Faizal, who represented the former President.

5.  CMAG thanked the members of the ministerial mission for their valuable work, which had greatly enhanced the Group’s understanding of the circumstances surrounding the transfer of power.

6.  Having considered the report of the mission and reviewed all the information made available to it, CMAG agreed that it was not possible, in the allotted time, to determine conclusively the constitutionality of the resignation of President Nasheed on 7 February 2012. The Group therefore agreed that an independent and impartial investigation of the events of 6-7 February.

Seychelles, Comoros and Tanzania agreed on the Delimination of the Maritime Border

THE AFRICAN UNION WELCOMES THE SIGNING BY SEYCHELLES, THE
COMOROS AND TANZANIA OF AGREEMENTS ON THE DELIMITATION OF
THEIR MARITIME BORDERS

On 17 February 2012, in Victoria, Seychelles, and as part of the

implementation of the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), the

Governments of the Comoros, the Seychelles and Tanzania signed Agreements

on the delimitation of their maritime borders. These include:

‐ an Agreement on the delimitation of the maritime border between the Republic of
Seychelles and the Union of the Comoros; and

‐ an Agreement between the Republic of Seychelles, the Union of the Comoros and the
United Republic of Tanzania on the Indian Ocean triple point.

These delimitation Agreements were signed by Mr. Jean‐Paul Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Mohamed Bakri Ben Abdoulfatah Charif, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, in charge of the Diaspora, Francophonie and the Arab World, of the Union of The Comoros, and Honorable Bernard Kamillius Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, during a ceremony held at the Queau de Quinssy House, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Mourad Taiati, Head of the AU Liaison Office in the Comoros, represented the AU
Commission at the ceremony. Also in attendance was the Director of the GiZ‐AU Office in Addis Ababa, Mrs Ruenger Mechthild. It should be recalled that Germany, through GiZ, provides financial and technical support to the AUBP, including delimitation/demarcation, as well as cross‐border cooperation, in a number of AU Member States.

The signing of these Agreements comes two months after the one concluded in Maputo, Mozambique, on 5 December 2011, within the framework of the AUBP, regarding the delimitation of the maritime borders between the Comoros, Mozambique and Tanzania. The Agreements signed in Victoria constitute a new step in the implementation of the AUBP.

Launched in 2007, the Programme has three main components: delimitation and demarcation of African borders where such exercise has not yet taken place; cross‐border cooperation; and capacity building. The overall objective is to prevent conflict and deepen integration.

The signing of these Agreements is a further testimony to the commitment of the Governments of Comoros, Seychelles and Tanzania to promote peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to further cooperation towards the sustainable and concerted management of marine resources, in line with the AUBP.The Commission reiterates the determination of the AU to intensify its efforts to assist Member States in the processes of defining their international boundaries and promoting cross‐border cooperation.

For further information or interview requests, please contact the:
African Union Border Programme
Tel : +251 11 3 716 577, Fax : + 251 11 551 78 44
Email : SituationRoom@africa‐union.org