Tag Archives: kerry

Kerry Tells UN that Russia Must Ground Syrian Air Force

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US Secretary of State John Kerry demanded on Wednesday that Russia force Bashar al-Assad’s regime to ground its air force in order to revive hopes of a ceasefire in Syria’s civil war.

Addressing the UN Security Council, including his Russian opposite number Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Kerry said efforts to find peace could yet be salvaged but only if Moscow takes responsibility for recent air strikes.

Kerry said that only Russian and Syrian war planes had been active in areas of northern Syria where on Monday a United Nations aid convoy had been destroyed from the air and on Tuesday a field clinic was bombed.

“I believe that to restore credibility to the process we must move forward to try to immediately ground all air craft flying in those key areas in order to de-escalate the situation and to give a chance for humanitarian assistance to flow unimpeded,” he said.

“And if that happens there’s a chance of giving credibility back to this process,” he said, referring to an agreement he reached with Lavrov in Geneva earlier this month to broker a cessation of hostilities.

“In Geneva, Russia related that Assad was prepared to live by the cessation of hostilities and would accept the idea of not flying over agreed upon areas,” Kerry said.

“But because of what’s happened in the past few days my friends we have no choice but to do that sooner rather than later, move immediately to restore confidence and implement a genuine ceasefire now.”

Moscow has rejected the idea that Russian or Syrian planes carried out Monday’s strike on the UN aid convoy, and Lavrov told the council that there would be “no more unilateral pauses” by Assad’s government forces.

He said that previous breaks in bombing by the government side had only allowed the rebels to re-arm and strengthen their positions and urged UN members to revisit the list of banned terrorist groups excluded from the ceasefire.

“If we can agree on this kind of comprehensive approach, and integrated multi-faced approach, the chances of a cessation of hostilities surviving and being successful will be better,” he argued.

Kerry’s Visit To Nigeria Discriminatory- CAN

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The President of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, has faulted the recent visit to Nigeria by United States Secretary of State, John Kerry.

He described it as discriminatory and aimed at furthering agenda by the Federal Government to persecute the country’s Christians.

Kerry, during the two-day trip had, after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and also met with the 19 northern governors.In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, Ayokunle accused Kerry of not respecting the heterogeneous nature of the country, and favouring northern Nigeria and Muslims, to the detriment of the Christian community.

He said the Secretary of State’s attitude reinforced accusations that the President Obama administration and key US politicians openly supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2016 general elections.

Ayokunle said the visit sent a wrong message, alleging that Christians under the Buhari administration were under siege.

The CAN leader said: “Kerry’s actions speak volume. His actions and body language were very divisive. Why did he meet with 19 states governors, without southern governors? Is Nigeria north alone? Why did he go to the north alone? If the U.S. Secretary of States is coming for an official visit, it is understandable. But we demand an explanation on why he was selective. Has the Sultan’s palace become another State House? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan?

“We have 36 states in Nigeria. He only selected northern governors. It was a visit to the north, not to Nigeria. It was surely a very divisive visit. With it, Kerry has heightened fear and tension among Christians in the country. If they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs.”

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http://guardian.ng/news/kerrys-visit-to-nigeria-discriminatory-says-can/

US To Give $600m As Assistance To Nigeria This Year – John Kerry

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US Secretary of State, John Kerry, says the US government will be giving $600 million as assistance to Nigeria this year. He said this while speaking at the opening session of the U.S- Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting in Washington DC yesterday March 30th.

“Our development assistance this year will top $600 million, and we are working closely with your leaders – the leaders of your health ministry – to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/AIDS, by malaria, and by TB. Our Power Africa Initiative is aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity has frustrated the population and impeded growth” he said

U.S. To Invest $600m In Nigeria- Kerry

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The United States will invest more than $600 million in Nigeria this year, Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday in Washington.

He spoke during the opening session of the U.S.- Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting.

The Nigerian delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyema, supported by other officials including Nigerian Charge d’Affaires Hakeem Balogun.

Those with Kerry include leaders from the State Department, USAID, the Defence Department, Commerce Department, and other key agencies.  The U.S. Ambassador James Entwistle also attended.

Kerry, who hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s actions in office in the area of security and the attempt to diversify the economy, said: “Our development assistance this year will top $600 million, and we are working closely with your leaders – the leaders of your health ministry – to halt the misery that is spread by HIV/AIDS, by malaria, and by TB.

“Our Power Africa Initiative is aimed at strengthening the energy sector, where shortage in electricity has frustrated the population and impeded growth.

“And our long-term food security programme, Feed the Future, is helping to create more efficient agriculture and to raise rural incomes in doing that.

“Our Young African Leaders Programme, in which many Nigerians participate, is preparing the next generation to take the reins of responsibility….and in education, we are working together to try to fight illiteracy, especially in the country’s north, where the lack of opportunity has been holding people back, and where the terrorist organization, Boko Haram, has murdered thousands and disrupted the lives of millions.”

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Kerry: U.S. to invest $600m in Nigeria

John Kerry Lauds Buhari’s Anti-Corruption Drive

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The United State Secretary of State, John Kerry, has given President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign a pass mark in faraway Davos, Switzerland, at the ongoing World Economic Forum.

Mr Kerry in his speech at the forum, made reference to President Buhari’s fight against corruption in Nigeria and how individuals kept money meant for arms deal.

In his words: “It has been reported that over 50 people including government officials stole over $9 billion in Nigeria”.

He added that money that was meant for arms to fight the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, was kept by Generals in the most populous black nation in the world.

He emphasized that “today, corruption has grown at an alarming pace which threatens global growth, global stability and indeed the global future”.

“Obviously, corruption is not a new problem.

“Every nation has faced it in one time or another in its development.

“America’s own founding fathers knew the threat of corruption all too well, warning of the dangers that it posed to democratic governance.

“But today, corruption has grown at an alarming pace and threatens global growth, global stability and indeed global future.

“When Nigeria’s President, Buhari, took office last spring, he inherited a military that was under-paid, underfed and unable to protect the Nigerian people from Boko Haram.

“One reason is that military budget was finding its way into the pockets of the generals. And just this week, we saw reports that more than 50 people in Nigeria, including former government officials, stole nine billion dollars from the treasury,” he told the gathering.

Credit: ChannelTV

Buhari’s Inaugural Speech, Powerful Agenda For Nigeria – John Kerry

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The United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, on Friday, described President Muhammadu Buhari’s inaugural speech as laying out “a powerful agenda.”
Kerry, who gave assurance that the United States would support the new administration to tackle insurgency and the economic challenges bedevilling the country, was accosted by journalists within the venue of the inauguration immediately after the event.
He said, “The inauguration is historic and very promising. The President made a very important speech, laid out a very powerful agenda and the United States is prepared to work very closely to help to do and everything we can on the economy, Boko Haram and other issues. The President did a very great job today.”
Others who also spoke with our correspondent at the venue of the event on Friday were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Audu Ogbeh; former Anambra State governor,

Chimwoke Mbadunuju; and a member of the House of Representatives, Opeyemi Bamidele.

They hailed the agenda set out by Buhari in his inaugural speech.
Atiku, who described the inauguration as historic, said the President’s inaugural speech was a reflection of the APC manifesto.
He said, “It is a very historic day for our democratic process and for Africa. His promises are based on the party’s manifesto and I believe we will all work towards achieving the objectives.”
Bamidele said the speech reflected seriousness, focus and “demonstrated the resolve of a man who is determined to really make a difference.”
He added, “And going by the antecedent of the Vice-President, I have no doubt that the administration will hit the ground running. I also have no doubt that this should mark the true beginning in the kind of the transformation that we need in the area of building our economy, strengthening our democracy and ensuring good governance in this country.”
Mbadunuju also expressed confidence that Buhari would deliver on his promises.

Jonathan Acted In Best Interest Of Nigeria – Kerry

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The United States secretary of state John Kerry has sent a message of congratulation to the Federal Government and entire Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

In a statement, Kerry said; “The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the weekend of March 28.  We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.”

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the general orderly vote, adding “on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results.  While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.”

The statement added, “In January, I traveled personally to Nigeria and met with both President Jonathan and now President-Elect Buhari.  At that time, I emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond.

“I also said that it was imperative that these elections are an improvement over past elections and that they need to set a new standard for this democracy.  That means that Nigerians needed to not only reject violence but actually promote peace.

“We laud both President Jonathan and General Buhari for their public commitments to the Abuja Accord signed in January and reaffirmed March 26, respecting the official results, and encouraging their supporters to do the same.  We commend President Jonathan for his years of service and for having acted in the best interest of his country.  We welcome President Jonathan’s calls for unity and calm during this transition period.

“We extend our congratulations to President-elect Buhari.  The United States reiterates its commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.”