Peace Deal Officially Signed By CAR Government & Rebel Groups

https://abcnews.go.com/beta-story-container/International/wireStory/central-african-republic-rebel-groups-initial-peace-deal-60849833

Central African Republic, rebel groups initial a peace deal
Central African Republic, 14 rebel groups initial a peace deal after 5 years of fighting
By
The Associated Press
CAIRO — 2h ago
Central African Republic's government has initialed a peace deal with 14 armed groups following more than a week of talks in Sudan's capital.

President Faustin Archange Touadera is attending Tuesday's ceremony in Khartoum along with his Sudanese counterpart, Omar al-Bashir, and a representative of the African Union.

The agreement represents rare hope for the impoverished, landlocked nation where religious and communal fighting has continued since 2013. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Details of the peace deal have not been announced, but Sudan's state media have reported that it focuses on power-sharing and transitional justice.

The United Nations has warned that the fighting in Central African Republic has carried a high risk of genocide. Scores of mosques have been burned. Religious leaders have been killed.

Teranga Gold finally updated their website, along with some maps. This one shows all the AXM royalty claims and permits very well: https://www.terangagold.com/exploration/senegal/regional-land-package/default.aspx

Keep in mind that every area in Sounkounku and Bransan Lot-B has a 1.5% NSR for AXM. If you look at the 2017 43-101, there has been around 80,000m total of drilling, along with bulk sampling and work done on all the targets, more so on the stuff close to Gora.

Targets 7,11,13,19,52 are all within 5km of Gora and with the infrastructure already there, makes sense to put them into production.

Teranga Gold finally updated their website, along with some maps. This one shows all the AXM royalty claims and permits very well: https://www.terangagold.com/exploration/senegal/regional-land-package/default.aspx

Keep in mind that every area in Sounkounku and Bransan Lot-B has a 1.5% NSR for AXM. If you look at the 2017 43-101, there has been around 80,000m total of drilling, along with bulk sampling and work done on all the targets, more so on the stuff close to Gora.

Targets 7,11,13,19,52 are all within 5km of Gora and with the infrastructure already there, makes sense to put them into production.

Three Big Articles This Week: Peace Deal Signed, Embargo Update, Gold Demand Increasing Significantly

CAR Peace Deal: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-centralafrica-peace/central-african-republic-reaches-peace-deal-with-armed-groups-u-n-idUSKCN1PR0HI?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29&&rpc=401

Embargo Update: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/un-extends-central-african-republic-arms-embargo/2019/01/31/21dcf96e-25b1-11e9-b5b4-1d18dfb7b084_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.375eb04ec803

Gold Demand For 2018: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-31/gold-demand-up-amid-biggest-central-bank-buying-spree-in-decades

Three Big Articles This Week: Peace Deal Signed, Embargo Update, Gold Demand Increasing Significantly

CAR Peace Deal: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-centralafrica-peace/central-african-republic-reaches-peace-deal-with-armed-groups-u-n-idUSKCN1PR0HI?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29&&rpc=401

Embargo Update: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/un-extends-central-african-republic-arms-embargo/2019/01/31/21dcf96e-25b1-11e9-b5b4-1d18dfb7b084_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.375eb04ec803

Gold Demand For 2018: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-31/gold-demand-up-amid-biggest-central-bank-buying-spree-in-decades

CENTRAL AFRICA: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RECEIVED HE MR CHEN DONG, AMBASSADOR OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

http://lepotentielcentrafricain.com/?p=5381&fbclid=IwAR1-aRbxv8wLUIat0SOL2n6bX_pSVWbdbxb1aAkbZ6Bgst0O7ZGFh7BbcGk

Bangui, Jan. 31, 19

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Faustin Archange Touadera received in audience early in the afternoon of January 29, 2019, His Excellency Chen Dong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Penitentiary of the People's Republic of China near the Central African Republic.

The strengthening of bilateral cooperation between China and the Central African Republic was at the center of this meeting.
Returning from China, His Excellency Chen Dong is carrying a message from the Chinese Government to His Excellency Faustin Archange Touadera.
For the Chinese diplomat, this meeting with President Touadera made it possible to take stock of the various activities carried out in the Central African Republic in the framework of bilateral cooperation for the year 2018 as well as the projects on the agenda of the year 2019.

The Chinese diplomat Chen Dong also said that during the China-Africa summit in Beijing, President Touadera has sought multiform support of China. These supports, he says, concern the education, agriculture and security sector. This meeting with President Touadera was an opportunity to plan the implementation of these various projects during this year.

CENTRAL AFRICA: THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC RECEIVED HE MR CHEN DONG, AMBASSADOR OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

http://lepotentielcentrafricain.com/?p=5381&fbclid=IwAR1-aRbxv8wLUIat0SOL2n6bX_pSVWbdbxb1aAkbZ6Bgst0O7ZGFh7BbcGk

Bangui, Jan. 31, 19

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Faustin Archange Touadera received in audience early in the afternoon of January 29, 2019, His Excellency Chen Dong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Penitentiary of the People's Republic of China near the Central African Republic.

The strengthening of bilateral cooperation between China and the Central African Republic was at the center of this meeting.
Returning from China, His Excellency Chen Dong is carrying a message from the Chinese Government to His Excellency Faustin Archange Touadera.
For the Chinese diplomat, this meeting with President Touadera made it possible to take stock of the various activities carried out in the Central African Republic in the framework of bilateral cooperation for the year 2018 as well as the projects on the agenda of the year 2019.

The Chinese diplomat Chen Dong also said that during the China-Africa summit in Beijing, President Touadera has sought multiform support of China. These supports, he says, concern the education, agriculture and security sector. This meeting with President Touadera was an opportunity to plan the implementation of these various projects during this year.

UN set to move toward easing Central African Republic arms embargo

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/01/30/un-ease-central-african-republic-arms-embargo/

JANUARY 30, 2019 3 MINUTES READ

The United Nations Security Council is set to open the door to an easing of the arms embargo on the Central African Republic, five years after the country stood on the verge of genocide.

The government has repeatedly called for the restrictions to be lifted to allow arms supplies to shore up its security forces fighting militias that control much of the country. Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for the arms embargo to be lifted.

The Security Council will vote on Thursday on a French-drafted resolution that calls for a review of the arms embargo by September if the Bangui government meets benchmarks in managing weapons, disarming militias and reforming its security sector, according to the text seen by AFP on Wednesday, January 30.

The draft resolution would renew the embargo until January 2020 but open the door to a partial lifting that would allow the government to purchase weapons without seeking approval from the U.N. sanctions committee.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will submit a report by the end of July on whether the government has met the benchmarks after CAR presents its own findings by June 30.

Diplomats said Wednesday they expect the measure to be adopted.

“We think it’s a good idea to have a review of the embargo,” Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told AFP.

Russia has stepped up its presence in the Central African Republic, training troops, brokering peace talks with militias, and providing security and advice to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, sparking tensions with France, the former colonial power.

In August, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with CAR offering the possibility for Central African officers and NCOs to be trained in Russian military schools.

The European Union also trains Central African military personnel. In July, the bloc extended EUTM-RCA until 2020, pledging €25 million ($29 million) to help reform the country’s defense sector. The scope of the mission was also modified to give strategic advice to the president’s cabinet, interior ministry and police, as well as the military.

The U.N. sanctions committee has previously approved shipments of weapons. In December, France handed over 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and three amphibious vehicles to the Central African Republic to shore up its beleaguered armed forces, and in 2017, the embargo was lifted to allow delivery of 1,700 Russian weapons for FACa.

France, Belgium, China and the U.S. have all recently supplied equipment for CAR’s military, but that equipment is understood not to include weaponry.

In June, France, the U.S. and the United Kingdom put a hold on a request from Central African Republic for U.N. Security Council approval of weapons shipments from China.

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the outgoing U.N. special envoy to the CAR, said in September that the need for weapons was “undeniable” as the Central African Republic government builds its armed forces, but urged transparency in the flow of arms.

“China, but also the United States, have proposed new quantities of weapons,” Onanga-Anyanga said. “It’s for a good reason.”

Russia’s Ambassador to CAR Sergey Lebanov said earlier in September that a second shipment of Russian arms and ammunition was “in preparation,” and would be delivered once approved by the Security Council.

Averting genocide
The U.N. arms embargo was imposed in 2013 when the country descended into violence after President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

At the height of the bloodshed in 2013, France warned that the country was on the verge of a genocide with reports of atrocities committed by roaming militias.

In 2017, a similar warning came from then-U.N. aid chief Stephen O’Brien.

The vote at the council comes as the latest round of peace talks between the government and armed militias stumbled in Khartoum over demands for an amnesty for rebels.

It is the the eighth bid in six years to agree a lasting peace. The last attempt, in 2017, was forged with the help of the Catholic Church, but fighting resumed within a day, leaving 100 dead.

The Sudan-hosted talks which opened last week are expected to continue for up to three weeks.

The draft resolution also renews the mandate of a panel of experts who reported to the council last month that fighters of the former Seleka alliance had received fresh weapons supplies from traffickers in Sudan.

The militia groups are re-arming to counter the deployment of the newly trained and equipped government troops to their areas of influence, the panel’s report said.

Despite reserves of diamonds, gold, uranium, copper and iron, Central African Republic remains one of the world’s poorest countries.

Fighting broke out between the Seleka, a coalition of mainly Muslim rebel groups, and the mainly Christian anti-balaka militia in 2012. A peace deal was singed in January 2013, but Seleka rebels captured the capital Bangui that March and ousted President Francois Bozize.

Seleka was officially disbanded within months, but many fighters refused to disarm, becoming known as ex-Seleka. Many others joined the anti-balaka militia to fight the Seleka, leading to a spiral of violence between groups along religious and ethnic lines.

By the end of 2014, CAR was de facto partitioned – anti-balaka in the southwest and ex-Seleka in the northeast.

Elected in 2016, Touadera’s weak government controls around a fifth of the country and relies heavily on the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Minusca, for support. The rest is controlled by at least 14 different militia groups who often fight each other for revenue from extortion, roadblocks or mineral resources.

Violence since 2012 led to thousands of deaths. Nearly 700,000 people are displaced, 570,000 have fled the country and 2.9 million – 63 percent of the population – are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N.

UN set to move toward easing Central African Republic arms embargo

https://thedefensepost.com/2019/01/30/un-ease-central-african-republic-arms-embargo/

JANUARY 30, 2019 3 MINUTES READ

The United Nations Security Council is set to open the door to an easing of the arms embargo on the Central African Republic, five years after the country stood on the verge of genocide.

The government has repeatedly called for the restrictions to be lifted to allow arms supplies to shore up its security forces fighting militias that control much of the country. Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for the arms embargo to be lifted.

The Security Council will vote on Thursday on a French-drafted resolution that calls for a review of the arms embargo by September if the Bangui government meets benchmarks in managing weapons, disarming militias and reforming its security sector, according to the text seen by AFP on Wednesday, January 30.

The draft resolution would renew the embargo until January 2020 but open the door to a partial lifting that would allow the government to purchase weapons without seeking approval from the U.N. sanctions committee.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will submit a report by the end of July on whether the government has met the benchmarks after CAR presents its own findings by June 30.

Diplomats said Wednesday they expect the measure to be adopted.

“We think it’s a good idea to have a review of the embargo,” Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told AFP.

Russia has stepped up its presence in the Central African Republic, training troops, brokering peace talks with militias, and providing security and advice to President Faustin-Archange Touadera, sparking tensions with France, the former colonial power.

In August, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with CAR offering the possibility for Central African officers and NCOs to be trained in Russian military schools.

The European Union also trains Central African military personnel. In July, the bloc extended EUTM-RCA until 2020, pledging €25 million ($29 million) to help reform the country’s defense sector. The scope of the mission was also modified to give strategic advice to the president’s cabinet, interior ministry and police, as well as the military.

The U.N. sanctions committee has previously approved shipments of weapons. In December, France handed over 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles and three amphibious vehicles to the Central African Republic to shore up its beleaguered armed forces, and in 2017, the embargo was lifted to allow delivery of 1,700 Russian weapons for FACa.

France, Belgium, China and the U.S. have all recently supplied equipment for CAR’s military, but that equipment is understood not to include weaponry.

In June, France, the U.S. and the United Kingdom put a hold on a request from Central African Republic for U.N. Security Council approval of weapons shipments from China.

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the outgoing U.N. special envoy to the CAR, said in September that the need for weapons was “undeniable” as the Central African Republic government builds its armed forces, but urged transparency in the flow of arms.

“China, but also the United States, have proposed new quantities of weapons,” Onanga-Anyanga said. “It’s for a good reason.”

Russia’s Ambassador to CAR Sergey Lebanov said earlier in September that a second shipment of Russian arms and ammunition was “in preparation,” and would be delivered once approved by the Security Council.

Averting genocide
The U.N. arms embargo was imposed in 2013 when the country descended into violence after President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

At the height of the bloodshed in 2013, France warned that the country was on the verge of a genocide with reports of atrocities committed by roaming militias.

In 2017, a similar warning came from then-U.N. aid chief Stephen O’Brien.

The vote at the council comes as the latest round of peace talks between the government and armed militias stumbled in Khartoum over demands for an amnesty for rebels.

It is the the eighth bid in six years to agree a lasting peace. The last attempt, in 2017, was forged with the help of the Catholic Church, but fighting resumed within a day, leaving 100 dead.

The Sudan-hosted talks which opened last week are expected to continue for up to three weeks.

The draft resolution also renews the mandate of a panel of experts who reported to the council last month that fighters of the former Seleka alliance had received fresh weapons supplies from traffickers in Sudan.

The militia groups are re-arming to counter the deployment of the newly trained and equipped government troops to their areas of influence, the panel’s report said.

Despite reserves of diamonds, gold, uranium, copper and iron, Central African Republic remains one of the world’s poorest countries.

Fighting broke out between the Seleka, a coalition of mainly Muslim rebel groups, and the mainly Christian anti-balaka militia in 2012. A peace deal was singed in January 2013, but Seleka rebels captured the capital Bangui that March and ousted President Francois Bozize.

Seleka was officially disbanded within months, but many fighters refused to disarm, becoming known as ex-Seleka. Many others joined the anti-balaka militia to fight the Seleka, leading to a spiral of violence between groups along religious and ethnic lines.

By the end of 2014, CAR was de facto partitioned – anti-balaka in the southwest and ex-Seleka in the northeast.

Elected in 2016, Touadera’s weak government controls around a fifth of the country and relies heavily on the U.N. peacekeeping mission, Minusca, for support. The rest is controlled by at least 14 different militia groups who often fight each other for revenue from extortion, roadblocks or mineral resources.

Violence since 2012 led to thousands of deaths. Nearly 700,000 people are displaced, 570,000 have fled the country and 2.9 million – 63 percent of the population – are in need of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N.

Central African Republic Peace Talks 'Going Well' - Sudan Observer

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/central-african-republic-peace-talks-going-w-542163.html

KHARTOUM (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th January, 2019) Talks in Khartoum to hammer out a peace deal between the government of Central African Republic and numerous armed groups are progressing, a Sudanese observer told Sputnik on Monday.

The African Union-brokered negotiations have been on since last Thursday. They are observed by the UN, Sudan, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo.

"The talks are going well ... The African Union has listened to them [sides] and put forth its first document with proposals for different parties," Ata Al-Mannan, a state minister with the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, said to Sputnik.

The minister said observers were sifting through the union's recommendations, which will lay the groundwork for the future arrangement between all stakeholders in Central African Republic.

The landlocked country has been suffering from a drawn-out conflict since a coup in 2013. Much of the fighting in recent years has been between Muslim-majority Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka militias.

The government has sent a delegation of senior ministers to Khartoum, led by the president's chief of staff, Firmin Ngrebada. Delegates from 14 armed militias are attending, as are religious leaders, human rights advocates and other civil society figures.

Central African Republic Peace Talks 'Going Well' - Sudan Observer

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/central-african-republic-peace-talks-going-w-542163.html

KHARTOUM (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th January, 2019) Talks in Khartoum to hammer out a peace deal between the government of Central African Republic and numerous armed groups are progressing, a Sudanese observer told Sputnik on Monday.

The African Union-brokered negotiations have been on since last Thursday. They are observed by the UN, Sudan, Gabon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo.

"The talks are going well ... The African Union has listened to them [sides] and put forth its first document with proposals for different parties," Ata Al-Mannan, a state minister with the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, said to Sputnik.

The minister said observers were sifting through the union's recommendations, which will lay the groundwork for the future arrangement between all stakeholders in Central African Republic.

The landlocked country has been suffering from a drawn-out conflict since a coup in 2013. Much of the fighting in recent years has been between Muslim-majority Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka militias.

The government has sent a delegation of senior ministers to Khartoum, led by the president's chief of staff, Firmin Ngrebada. Delegates from 14 armed militias are attending, as are religious leaders, human rights advocates and other civil society figures.

Bangui calls for UN arms embargo to be lifted

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6640235/Bangui-calls-UN-arms-embargo-lifted.html

By AFP PUBLISHED: 08:35 EST, 28 January 2019 | UPDATED: 10:00 EST, 28 January 2019

The prime minister of Central African Republic led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for a global arms embargo to be lifted ahead of a UN meeting later this week.

The mineral-rich country, wracked by ethnic and religious conflict since 2013, has been subject to a UN Security Council arms and ammunition embargo for the past five years.

Speaking on a podium in Bangui's central Place des Martyrs, Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji said: "This is a lock that deserves to be opened, this is an embargo which strikes our defence and security forces."

"The government respects the embargo while armed groups receive weapons! The people of Central African Republic can not understand this law of double standards," he said to cheers from the crowds in the capital.

The UN Security Council will on Thursday decide whether to renew the embargo, which bans weapon supplies to the country unless approved by a UN sanctions committee.

The authorities in Bangui have repeatedly called on the UN to lift the embargo.

The sanctions are aimed at ensuring imported weapons do not end up in the hands of militias in the corruption-prone country.

The committee has previously approved shipments of weapons from France and Russia but Chinese weapons deliveries have been blocked.

A UN report last year said "the recent acquisition of arms by the government has prompted factions" of militias to rearm.

Several protesters on Monday blamed UN Security Council member France for maintaining the embargo.

"We have soldiers who no longer work because of the embargo. It's because of France," said demonstrator Pierre.

"Only the army can ensure the security of CAR. We want Central African Republic to regain its sovereignty, we want the total lifting of the embargo," said another protester, Fiacre.

One of the world's poorest nations, Central African Republic has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war that erupted when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-Balaka" in reference to the balaka machetes used by Seleka rebels.

Thousands of people have died in the violence, 700,000 been internally displaced and another 570,000 have fled abroad.

Bangui calls for UN arms embargo to be lifted

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6640235/Bangui-calls-UN-arms-embargo-lifted.html

By AFP PUBLISHED: 08:35 EST, 28 January 2019 | UPDATED: 10:00 EST, 28 January 2019

The prime minister of Central African Republic led a rally of around 3,000 people on Monday calling for a global arms embargo to be lifted ahead of a UN meeting later this week.

The mineral-rich country, wracked by ethnic and religious conflict since 2013, has been subject to a UN Security Council arms and ammunition embargo for the past five years.

Speaking on a podium in Bangui's central Place des Martyrs, Prime Minister Mathieu Simplice Sarandji said: "This is a lock that deserves to be opened, this is an embargo which strikes our defence and security forces."

"The government respects the embargo while armed groups receive weapons! The people of Central African Republic can not understand this law of double standards," he said to cheers from the crowds in the capital.

The UN Security Council will on Thursday decide whether to renew the embargo, which bans weapon supplies to the country unless approved by a UN sanctions committee.

The authorities in Bangui have repeatedly called on the UN to lift the embargo.

The sanctions are aimed at ensuring imported weapons do not end up in the hands of militias in the corruption-prone country.

The committee has previously approved shipments of weapons from France and Russia but Chinese weapons deliveries have been blocked.

A UN report last year said "the recent acquisition of arms by the government has prompted factions" of militias to rearm.

Several protesters on Monday blamed UN Security Council member France for maintaining the embargo.

"We have soldiers who no longer work because of the embargo. It's because of France," said demonstrator Pierre.

"Only the army can ensure the security of CAR. We want Central African Republic to regain its sovereignty, we want the total lifting of the embargo," said another protester, Fiacre.

One of the world's poorest nations, Central African Republic has struggled to recover from a 2013 civil war that erupted when President Francois Bozize, a Christian, was overthrown by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels.

In response, Christians, who account for about 80 percent of the population, organised vigilante units dubbed "anti-Balaka" in reference to the balaka machetes used by Seleka rebels.

Thousands of people have died in the violence, 700,000 been internally displaced and another 570,000 have fled abroad.

CAR / Khartoum peace talks: Central African government and rebels actively seeking compromise to achieve lasting peace

https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/01/26/rca-pourparlers-de-paix-a-khartoum-le-gouvernement-et-rebelles-centrafricains-recherchent-activement-un-compromis-pour-parvenir-a-une-paix-durable/

2019-01-26 Central African Republic , POLITICS

Khartoum, Sudan (ADV) - At the end of a first day of exchange and contact between Central African rebels and the Bangui government, everything gives the impression that clashes and misfortunes will be the ills that will now befall any nobody lurking or not in the shadows who would try to destabilize the Central African Republic; the willingness of the various protagonists of the Khartoum dialogue has been shown and we can no longer manifest in the early hours of the talks prepared since 2017, under the auspices of the African Union and initiated at the end of August by the Russian Federation, always here at Khartoum.

In the sudden capital, on 25 January, the Central African armed groups said they were optimistic about the continuation of the dialogue that takes place in the presence of the organizers and all the delegations that came to support the Central African brothers in this important moment in their history, in the search for lasting peace and national reconciliation for all the children of the country ... In their words, we mean a will to make a clean sweep of the past and disputes that have lasted too long, as evidenced by these words of a political adviser of the FPRC, Abakar Salom.
Extract.



For its part, the Central African government, through its head of mission in Khartoum, Firmin Ngrebado, hailed the fact that the representatives of the armed groups are all in favor of a peace agreement to get the country out of the deadlock and security. to truly rebuild.

The government and rebel groups will therefore actively and responsibly seek this compromise, a prerequisite for the return of peace in the Central African Republic.

An episode that promises to be difficult, according to some observers, to the extent that, according to them, the main demand made by the armed groups revolves around the division of power and the request for a government of national unity.

However, it is important to note that at this stage of the exchanges, the demands of the rebel groups have already been heard by the Central African government. The government will certainly share its answers in the hours or days to come ...

Meanwhile, all the actors and organizers of these meetings welcomed the first moments of this dialogue and especially the day of 25 January 2019 behind closed doors, marked by a presentation on the origin of the conflict in Central Africa, the government statement of the Central African Mission in Khartoum and exchanges between the two sides in a question-and-answer format.



The rest of the process is certainly to come, but in Khartoum for the moment, on the future of the CAR, it is the tranquility that reigns.

CAR / Khartoum peace talks: Central African government and rebels actively seeking compromise to achieve lasting peace

https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/01/26/rca-pourparlers-de-paix-a-khartoum-le-gouvernement-et-rebelles-centrafricains-recherchent-activement-un-compromis-pour-parvenir-a-une-paix-durable/

2019-01-26 Central African Republic , POLITICS

Khartoum, Sudan (ADV) - At the end of a first day of exchange and contact between Central African rebels and the Bangui government, everything gives the impression that clashes and misfortunes will be the ills that will now befall any nobody lurking or not in the shadows who would try to destabilize the Central African Republic; the willingness of the various protagonists of the Khartoum dialogue has been shown and we can no longer manifest in the early hours of the talks prepared since 2017, under the auspices of the African Union and initiated at the end of August by the Russian Federation, always here at Khartoum.

In the sudden capital, on 25 January, the Central African armed groups said they were optimistic about the continuation of the dialogue that takes place in the presence of the organizers and all the delegations that came to support the Central African brothers in this important moment in their history, in the search for lasting peace and national reconciliation for all the children of the country ... In their words, we mean a will to make a clean sweep of the past and disputes that have lasted too long, as evidenced by these words of a political adviser of the FPRC, Abakar Salom.
Extract.



For its part, the Central African government, through its head of mission in Khartoum, Firmin Ngrebado, hailed the fact that the representatives of the armed groups are all in favor of a peace agreement to get the country out of the deadlock and security. to truly rebuild.

The government and rebel groups will therefore actively and responsibly seek this compromise, a prerequisite for the return of peace in the Central African Republic.

An episode that promises to be difficult, according to some observers, to the extent that, according to them, the main demand made by the armed groups revolves around the division of power and the request for a government of national unity.

However, it is important to note that at this stage of the exchanges, the demands of the rebel groups have already been heard by the Central African government. The government will certainly share its answers in the hours or days to come ...

Meanwhile, all the actors and organizers of these meetings welcomed the first moments of this dialogue and especially the day of 25 January 2019 behind closed doors, marked by a presentation on the origin of the conflict in Central Africa, the government statement of the Central African Mission in Khartoum and exchanges between the two sides in a question-and-answer format.



The rest of the process is certainly to come, but in Khartoum for the moment, on the future of the CAR, it is the tranquility that reigns.

Peace Talks Between Rebels & Central African Republic Have Begun

Before reading the article below, keep in mind that the CAR government has already taken back a significant amount of area through it's FACA forces, with the help of the UN and Russia. The peace talks and embargo only speed things up, but Axmin announced their update without any regards to the events taking place. The company will get back on the claim either way.

https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/01/24/central-african-republic-stakes-inter-central-african-talks-khartoum-sudan/

NEWSROOM (ADV) – Inter-Central African peace talks in Central Africa are opening on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

The armed groups and the government are scheduled to meet in the Sudanese capital from 24 to 30 January to discuss the issues of peace in order to truly initiate the disarmament of armed groups for an end of the crisis in the Central African Republic, which is sinking into violence for several decades.

Several personalities and representatives of armed groups are invited by the African Union. Almost all armed groups have agreed to take part in these exchanges, despite the context of tensions in some cities in the interior of the country.

These so-called “last chance” talks present several issues. They come a the government launched the process of justice, something that these groups do not admit and advocate amnesty yet denounced by all.

The division of power, especially the prime minister, is part of the demands of these armed groups, who then demand a government of national unity.

This dialogue will open in a context of Western interferences following the Russian presence which made a remarkable diplomatic breakthrough for two years, after having been authorized by the UN Security Council to deliver arms to the Central African Armed Forces and to train them in handling these weapons. Also without losing sight of geopolitical and geostrategic issues.

Already, in a statement, the government invites the peace-loving Central Africans to mobilize behind the negotiating team with the firm intention of reaching a compromise with the armed groups, in the strict respect of the Constitution, the National Unity, Territorial Integrity, Secular and Republican Form of the State and Conclusions of the Bangui National Forum.

This dialogue of Khartoum, which is the first step according to the AU calendar, comes five months after the Russian initiative that brought together the 5 most influential rebel leaders of the country, who signed an agreement to guarantee the success of the African Peace Initiative.

Peace Talks Between Rebels & Central African Republic Have Begun

Before reading the article below, keep in mind that the CAR government has already taken back a significant amount of area through it's FACA forces, with the help of the UN and Russia. The peace talks and embargo only speed things up, but Axmin announced their update without any regards to the events taking place. The company will get back on the claim either way.

https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/01/24/central-african-republic-stakes-inter-central-african-talks-khartoum-sudan/

NEWSROOM (ADV) – Inter-Central African peace talks in Central Africa are opening on Thursday, January 24, 2019 in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

The armed groups and the government are scheduled to meet in the Sudanese capital from 24 to 30 January to discuss the issues of peace in order to truly initiate the disarmament of armed groups for an end of the crisis in the Central African Republic, which is sinking into violence for several decades.

Several personalities and representatives of armed groups are invited by the African Union. Almost all armed groups have agreed to take part in these exchanges, despite the context of tensions in some cities in the interior of the country.

These so-called “last chance” talks present several issues. They come a the government launched the process of justice, something that these groups do not admit and advocate amnesty yet denounced by all.

The division of power, especially the prime minister, is part of the demands of these armed groups, who then demand a government of national unity.

This dialogue will open in a context of Western interferences following the Russian presence which made a remarkable diplomatic breakthrough for two years, after having been authorized by the UN Security Council to deliver arms to the Central African Armed Forces and to train them in handling these weapons. Also without losing sight of geopolitical and geostrategic issues.

Already, in a statement, the government invites the peace-loving Central Africans to mobilize behind the negotiating team with the firm intention of reaching a compromise with the armed groups, in the strict respect of the Constitution, the National Unity, Territorial Integrity, Secular and Republican Form of the State and Conclusions of the Bangui National Forum.

This dialogue of Khartoum, which is the first step according to the AU calendar, comes five months after the Russian initiative that brought together the 5 most influential rebel leaders of the country, who signed an agreement to guarantee the success of the African Peace Initiative.

Spectra Inc. (SSA.V) Nine Month Results. All Information Available On SEDAR

Ticker Symbol: SSA.V
Current Price: $0.03
Common Shares: 60,509,971
Insider Holdings: 8.61% - All held by CEO
Institutional Holdings: 30% (Dynamic Venture Opportunities Fund)

Spectra Inc. has recorded 16 straight quarters of profits, with revenue increasing year over year

Most Recent Financial Statements (September 2018)
*Note* - Year End Will be out in March 2019, followed by Q1 2019 results in April

ASSETS
Cash: $353,454
Accounts Receivable: $291,734
Inventories: $196,269
Prepaid Expenses: 4,737
Total Assets: $846,194

LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable : $214,884
Royalty Debenture: $639,940
Preferred Shares: $450,468
Total Liabilities: $1,305,292

9 Month Sales
Revenue: $1,601,377
Cost Of Sales: $672,497
Gross Profit: $928,880
Total G&A Expenses: $541,944
Net Income: $386,936 or $0.0064 cents per share. Fair value at 10 times earnings is 6 cents

Management Discussion Highlights

The Company continues to focus its efforts on expanding the present market for its products while
introducing those products into new markets as well as seeking out new products to complement our
current wheel end safety offerings.

The Company’s Signature Brake Safe® product is well established in the Canadian market and is gaining
sales momentum in the lucrative American market. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance [CVSA] is a
nonprofit association comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle
safety officials and industry representatives. The CVSA holds brake-focused enforcement events
throughout the year to identify and remove commercial vehicles with dangerous brake issues from the
roadways. Brakes out of adjustment continue to be the number ONE out service violation in North America
as evidenced this year during International Roadcheck and Operation Air Brake.

A program has been developed to educate companies of these enforcement changes and the resulting
increased intervention by regulatory agencies in order to capitalize on sales opportunities for Brake Safe.
The Company’s Termin-8R® product continues to receive strong industry acceptance with a corresponding
growth in sales to the transportation segment. The private label arrangement made for a leading supplier to
the commercial transport industry is proving to be an excellent performer.

The Company will continue to form strategic distribution alliances in the United Sates to accelerate its
wheel end safety product sales outside the Canadian marketplace.

The Company may seek sufficient additional funds to provide working capital, inventory and capital
equipment as needs arise, but at the moment, cash flow from operations is sufficient to support current
needs

The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares; an unlimited
amount of first, second, third and fourth preferred shares and 540,000 second preferred shares, Series 1.
As at September 30, 2018, there were 60,509,971 outstanding common shares. As at September 30, 2018,
the following is a description of the outstanding equity securities and convertible securities previously
issued by the Company

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company earned $423,643 in operating activities
compared to earning $215,721 from operations during the same period in 2017. In 2018 non-cash items
contributed $29,950 for the period compared to $15,035 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
The Company made preference share redemptions of $125,000 in the nine months ended September 30,
2018, compared to making loan repayments of $150,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
These resulted in a net increase in cash resources of $298,643 and a cash resources balance at the end of the
period of $353,454. During the equivalent period in 2017, the Company showed a net increase in cash
resources of $65,721 and a cash resources balance of $145,467 at the end of the period.

Revenue:
Three months ended September 30, 2018
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 increased by 29 percent to $559,181 compared to
revenue of $432,186 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017. The increase in revenue is
attributable to increases in sales of Termin-8r® from $138,882 to $163,013; Brake Safe® from $193,172 to
$264,152; Brake Inspector® from $2,244 to $6,899; Hub Alert® from $5,248 to $6,700 and sundry income
from $29,244 to $60,228 offset by decreases in sales of Zafety Lug Lock® from $63,035 to $57,920 and
Arrow Logger® from $361 to $269.
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased by 20 percent to $1,601,377 compared to
revenue of $1,332,592 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017. The increase in revenue is
attributable to increases in sales of Termin-8r® from $424,223 to $450,460; Brake Safe® from $583,496 to
$756,570; Brake Inspector® from $19,603 to $21,975; Zafety Lug Lock® from $158,983 to $171,274; Hub
Alert® from $23,253 to $35,725 and sundry income from $121,389 to $164,117 offset by decreases in sales
of Arrow Logger® from $1,645 to $1,256.
Gross Profit:
Three months ended September 30, 2018
Gross profit increased by $99,298 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $323,988 or 58
percent of revenue from a comparable $224,690 or 52 percent of revenue for the three months ended
September 30, 2017.
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
Gross profit increased by 24% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $928,880 or 58 percent of
revenue from a comparable $749,297 or 56 percent of revenue for the nine months ended September 30,
2017.
Gross profit margins will vary depending on the mix of product sales within the various product lines. In
addition, the mix of distribution channels may affect margins when sales are generated through distributors,
dealers and direct sales to OEM’s.

Spectra Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

For Immediate Release – October 29, 2018

Toronto, Ontario – Spectra Inc. (SSA: TSX VENTURE) reports the release of its financial results for the first nine months of 2018. Revenues for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2018 were $1,601,377 compared to $1,332,592 for the same period in 2017, an increase of 20.17 percent. Revenues for the third quarter ending September
30, 2018 were $559,181 compared to $432,186 in 2017, an increase of 29.38 percent.

The third quarter ending September 30, 2018 showed a net profit of $145,065 compared
to a net profit of $56,809 for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.
During the nine-month period ending September 30, 2018, a net profit of $386,936 was
generated compared to a net profit of $190,424 for the nine-month period in 2017.
Cash generated by operations in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2018 was
$423,643 compared to the comparable amount of $215,721 in the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2017; an increase of 96.38%.
Spectra Inc., through its subsidiary, Spectra Products Inc., is the Toronto-based North
American designer, manufacturer and distributor of Brake SafeÒ, the visual brake stroke
indicating system, Brake InspectorÒ, the company’s electronic in-cab air brake diagnostic
system and the Termin-8RÒ line of anti-corrosion and extreme pressure lubricants.
Spectra manufacturers and distributes the new Arrow Logger™ brake stroke data logger
that has been designed to enhance the performance of the Brake Safe® system. Spectra
distributes Zafety Lug LockÒ, a lug nut retainer that uses the resistance between wheel
nuts to minimize their ability to rotate and loosen, reducing the risk of wheel damage or
wheel loss and Hub Alert™, an innovative heat sensing label that provides an alert for
overheating wheel ends, reducing the risk of bearing failure and corresponding
maintenance and repair costs.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the impact of
competitive products and pricing and general economic conditions as they affect the
Corporation’s customers. Actual results and developments may therefore differ
materially from those described in this release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Andrew Malion, Chairman, Spectra Inc.
Investor Relations: 1-800-308-5255
E-Mail: info@spectrainc.ca
Website: www.spectrainc.ca

Canaf announces full repayment of term loan and award of B-BBEE rating

2019-01-21 10:03 MT - News Release

Mr. Christopher Way reports

CANAF ANNOUNCES FULL REPAYMENT OF TERM LOAN AND AWARD OF B-BBEE RATING

Canaf Investments Inc.'s majority-owned South African subsidiary, Southern Coal Pty Ltd., has fully repaid a term loan. Canaf has been awarded a level 4 broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) rating.

On 07 January 2019, Southern Coal (Pty) Ltd., ("Southern Coal") the Corporation's majority owned South African subsidiary, made its final payment for the 14 million Rand loan from ABSA bank, which was drawn down in February 2015. Repayment of this loan now releases Southern Coal from monthly instalments of approximately 392,000 Rand (approx. C$37,000 or US$28,000), which the Corporation plans to allocate to future diversification or expansion projects.

On 21 January 2019, and further to the Corporation's announcement on 15 August 2018, Southern Coal was awarded a Level 4, B-BBEE rating. Christopher Way, Chief Executive Office of Canaf, states, "Achieving a Level 4 rating is a proud achievement for Southern Coal, and now frees up the company's ability to engage in long-term agreements with existing and new potential customers."

The achievement of both the repayment of debt and the award of a Level 4 B-BBEE rating further strengthens the Corporation's financial and strategic position, as it looks at new investment and expansion opportunities.

About Canaf

Canaf is a public company listed on the TSX-V Exchange. Canaf's registered office is in Vancouver, Canada, with subsidiary offices in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Canaf owns 100% of Quantum Screening and Crushing (Pty) Ltd., ("Quantum"), a South African based company that owns 70% of Southern Coal (Pty) Ltd., ("Southern Coal"), a company that produces a high carbon, de-volatised (calcined) anthracite.

About Southern Coal

Southern Coal produces calcined anthracite, a product used primarily as a substitute to coke in sintering processes. Southern Coal produces calcined anthracite by feeding washed anthracite coal through rotary kilns, at temperatures between 900 and 1100 degrees centigrade; the volatiles are driven off and the effective carbon content increased.

Southern Coal's two largest clients are African leaders in steel and ferromanganese production. Southern Coal operates near Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, where Quantum's three kilns operate; the majority of Southern Coal's feedstock anthracite is supplied from local anthracite mines in KwaZulu-Natal.

We seek Safe Harbor.

© 2019 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Central African Republic gets set for free trade
https://www.uneca.org/stories/central-african-republic-gets-set-free-trade

Yaounde, 18 January 2019 (ECA) – A total of 83 leaders from the public and private sectors of the Central African Republic (CAR) have completed a three-day training to appropriate rules of origin procedures for accrediting national industrial products into the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime.



Facilitated by the Subregional Office for Central Africa of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the training took place in Bangui as part of a series that has already benefitted local investors and administrative officials in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



The series of training ultimately seeks to fully activate free trade within the ECCAS and help to operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose legal instruments were signed on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.



The trainees are expected to use the insights from the workshop to make better use of the current preferential tariff regime in place across ECCAS countries, given that current ECCAS arrangements have removed tariffs from the intraregional export-import of items that have been locally produced and transformed, yet were little known or applied on the field.



"In prelude to our exposure to the huge opportunities the continental marketplace (AfCFTA), the appropriation of the sub-regional market is a challenge that we must first tackle together as the public and private sector” said the CAR Minister of Trade and Industry – Mr. Come Hassan, who opened the training session.



“This training, which is an essential link in the chain leading us towards a free trade area, will therefore plug the knowledge gaps we face around the contours of intra-African trade,” he added.



He said it was high time the CAR worked to the extent that its “market becomes a supplier” of finished products to the Central African subregion and beyond.



For his part, Mr. Simon Fouda – Economic Affairs Officer and Representative of the Director of ECA's Subregional Office for Central Africa, called on the beneficiaries of the training to immerse themselves in the mastery procedures for benefitting from the CEEAC-CEMAC preferential tariff for local industrial products, as this will "concretely exude the benefits of the Central African Free Trade Area".



Tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as limited economic diversification and product complementarity among Central African states have contributed to the lower performance of the subregion in terms of intra-Africa trade, which stands at about 3% against the African average of 17%.



The Bangui training brings the number of persons trained to take advantage of the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime to boost intraregional trade in Central Africa to almost 400 across six countries of the subregion. Actors in the rest of the countries of the subregion will also be reached.



Funding for the activity was made possible thanks to a contribution agreement signed by the European Union (EU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) for the further harmonization of ECCAS and CEMAC trade policy instruments.

-ENDS-



Issued by:

The Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa

UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

P.O. Box 14935 Yaounde, Cameroon

Tel: (+237) 222504348 / 222504315 / 222504321

Email: sroca@uneca.org



Media Contacts

Abel Akara Ticha – Communication Officer

Tel: 237 222504348

The Central African Republic gets set for free trade
https://www.uneca.org/stories/central-african-republic-gets-set-free-trade

Yaounde, 18 January 2019 (ECA) – A total of 83 leaders from the public and private sectors of the Central African Republic (CAR) have completed a three-day training to appropriate rules of origin procedures for accrediting national industrial products into the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime.



Facilitated by the Subregional Office for Central Africa of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the training took place in Bangui as part of a series that has already benefitted local investors and administrative officials in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.



The series of training ultimately seeks to fully activate free trade within the ECCAS and help to operationalize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose legal instruments were signed on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.



The trainees are expected to use the insights from the workshop to make better use of the current preferential tariff regime in place across ECCAS countries, given that current ECCAS arrangements have removed tariffs from the intraregional export-import of items that have been locally produced and transformed, yet were little known or applied on the field.



"In prelude to our exposure to the huge opportunities the continental marketplace (AfCFTA), the appropriation of the sub-regional market is a challenge that we must first tackle together as the public and private sector” said the CAR Minister of Trade and Industry – Mr. Come Hassan, who opened the training session.



“This training, which is an essential link in the chain leading us towards a free trade area, will therefore plug the knowledge gaps we face around the contours of intra-African trade,” he added.



He said it was high time the CAR worked to the extent that its “market becomes a supplier” of finished products to the Central African subregion and beyond.



For his part, Mr. Simon Fouda – Economic Affairs Officer and Representative of the Director of ECA's Subregional Office for Central Africa, called on the beneficiaries of the training to immerse themselves in the mastery procedures for benefitting from the CEEAC-CEMAC preferential tariff for local industrial products, as this will "concretely exude the benefits of the Central African Free Trade Area".



Tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as limited economic diversification and product complementarity among Central African states have contributed to the lower performance of the subregion in terms of intra-Africa trade, which stands at about 3% against the African average of 17%.



The Bangui training brings the number of persons trained to take advantage of the ECCAS-CEMAC Harmonized Preferential Tariff regime to boost intraregional trade in Central Africa to almost 400 across six countries of the subregion. Actors in the rest of the countries of the subregion will also be reached.



Funding for the activity was made possible thanks to a contribution agreement signed by the European Union (EU) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) for the further harmonization of ECCAS and CEMAC trade policy instruments.

-ENDS-



Issued by:

The Sub-Regional Office for Central Africa

UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

P.O. Box 14935 Yaounde, Cameroon

Tel: (+237) 222504348 / 222504315 / 222504321

Email: sroca@uneca.org



Media Contacts

Abel Akara Ticha – Communication Officer

Tel: 237 222504348

ECCAS Ambassador Expects CAR Peace Agreement To Be Reached At Khartoum Meeting

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/eccas-ambassador-expects-car-peace-agreement-530913.html

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The Economic Community of Central African States' (ECCAS) ambassador to the Central African Republic (CAR) told Sputnik on Wednesday that he believed the CAR government and the representatives of the country's militia groups would be able to reach a peace deal during their upcoming meeting in the Sudanese capital.

A week ago, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced that the next round of peace talks would be held in Khartoum on January 24.

"I expect an agreement between the CAR government and the 14 armed groups invited for the dialogue ... ECCAS does support an inclusive agreement for peace in CAR," Adolphe Nahayo, who will be part of the ECCAS delegation to the meeting, said.

The Central African Republic has been marred by clashes between the predominantly Muslim armed group Seleka, the Christian Anti-balaka militia, and the government forces since 2012.

In August 2018, Seleka and the Anti-balaka militia agreed to establish a platform for consultations on sustainable peace in the African nation. The groups then also called on the government to seek help from Russia, the European Union, and other regional and international players in the reconciliation efforts.

ECCAS Ambassador Expects CAR Peace Agreement To Be Reached At Khartoum Meeting

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/eccas-ambassador-expects-car-peace-agreement-530913.html

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) The Economic Community of Central African States' (ECCAS) ambassador to the Central African Republic (CAR) told Sputnik on Wednesday that he believed the CAR government and the representatives of the country's militia groups would be able to reach a peace deal during their upcoming meeting in the Sudanese capital.

A week ago, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced that the next round of peace talks would be held in Khartoum on January 24.

"I expect an agreement between the CAR government and the 14 armed groups invited for the dialogue ... ECCAS does support an inclusive agreement for peace in CAR," Adolphe Nahayo, who will be part of the ECCAS delegation to the meeting, said.

The Central African Republic has been marred by clashes between the predominantly Muslim armed group Seleka, the Christian Anti-balaka militia, and the government forces since 2012.

In August 2018, Seleka and the Anti-balaka militia agreed to establish a platform for consultations on sustainable peace in the African nation. The groups then also called on the government to seek help from Russia, the European Union, and other regional and international players in the reconciliation efforts.

UPC Rebel Group Guarding Gold Mine Now Removed:

Note: The UPC was the main rebel group that controlled Bambari, Ndassima and the surrounding area. That group has now been removed, thus giving the government room to move in and secure everything. Axmin's gold deposit is in Ndassima. Despite Ali Darassa escaping, he has no force to command and his funding sources are now gone.

https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-combat-de-gbokologbo-comment-ali-darassa-a-pu-sechapper/?fbclid=IwAR0cn_nzEOe_FVVkOE263WDkHO3xklcxPWuqEoSgfCpagbzIycISpYWJAfQ

Sunday, January 13, 2019 around 6 am, after the complete destruction of the UPC military bases, the Portuguese forces left Bambari for the village Gbokologbo , second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka , 60 kilometers on the Alindao axis . The objective according to the Minusca , clear the rebels in all the sector close to Bambari .

Meanwhile, Rwandan soldiers from Minusca , based in the Alindao sub-prefecture , have been alerted of the next operation that will take place in the second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka . Immediately, they spent the night from Saturday to Sunday, January 13 25 kilometers from Gbokologbo , blocking the northern exit of the rebels to Alindao .

At the same time, the Portuguese forces , which are progressing from Bambari, begin to confront the rebels of the UPC 40 kilometers from Bambarito Digui village .

As the fight progressed , the Portuguese advanced dangerously from Gbokologbo . Only 5 kilometers away, rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassa BOUBA , former advisor to President Faustin Archange TOUADERA , called for a cease-fire to negotiate.

While the Minusca poses its conditions, including the dismantling of all the barriers, as well as

the non-circulation of rebels with guns in the corner , Ali Darassa accepts all these imposed conditions.

As a good rogue, rebel leader Ali Darassa and some of his men, including Hassan Bouba quietly left the village.

As if that were not enough, some rebels came out behind the Rwandan soldiers and opened fire.

Immediately, the Portuguese and Rwandan forces entered the Gbokologbo village to drive out the rebels.

Here too, all the UPC bases were destroyed by the Minusca forces .

While rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassan BOUBA fled to the town of Ngakobo , much to everyone's surprise, Hassan BOUBA was released on Tuesday (January 15th) in Ndélé , the provincial capital of Bamingui-Bangoran . Immediately, he is summoned by gde to leave the city. Since then, he is no longer visible.

For the time being, no rebel, at least in weapon or outfit , is no longer visible in Bambari and Gbokologbo .

UPC Rebel Group Guarding Gold Mine Now Removed:

Note: The UPC was the main rebel group that controlled Bambari, Ndassima and the surrounding area. That group has now been removed, thus giving the government room to move in and secure everything. Axmin's gold deposit is in Ndassima. Despite Ali Darassa escaping, he has no force to command and his funding sources are now gone.

https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-combat-de-gbokologbo-comment-ali-darassa-a-pu-sechapper/?fbclid=IwAR0cn_nzEOe_FVVkOE263WDkHO3xklcxPWuqEoSgfCpagbzIycISpYWJAfQ

Sunday, January 13, 2019 around 6 am, after the complete destruction of the UPC military bases, the Portuguese forces left Bambari for the village Gbokologbo , second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka , 60 kilometers on the Alindao axis . The objective according to the Minusca , clear the rebels in all the sector close to Bambari .

Meanwhile, Rwandan soldiers from Minusca , based in the Alindao sub-prefecture , have been alerted of the next operation that will take place in the second stronghold of the UPC in Ouaka . Immediately, they spent the night from Saturday to Sunday, January 13 25 kilometers from Gbokologbo , blocking the northern exit of the rebels to Alindao .

At the same time, the Portuguese forces , which are progressing from Bambari, begin to confront the rebels of the UPC 40 kilometers from Bambarito Digui village .

As the fight progressed , the Portuguese advanced dangerously from Gbokologbo . Only 5 kilometers away, rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassa BOUBA , former advisor to President Faustin Archange TOUADERA , called for a cease-fire to negotiate.

While the Minusca poses its conditions, including the dismantling of all the barriers, as well as

the non-circulation of rebels with guns in the corner , Ali Darassa accepts all these imposed conditions.

As a good rogue, rebel leader Ali Darassa and some of his men, including Hassan Bouba quietly left the village.

As if that were not enough, some rebels came out behind the Rwandan soldiers and opened fire.

Immediately, the Portuguese and Rwandan forces entered the Gbokologbo village to drive out the rebels.

Here too, all the UPC bases were destroyed by the Minusca forces .

While rebel leader Ali Darassa and his friend Hassan BOUBA fled to the town of Ngakobo , much to everyone's surprise, Hassan BOUBA was released on Tuesday (January 15th) in Ndélé , the provincial capital of Bamingui-Bangoran . Immediately, he is summoned by gde to leave the city. Since then, he is no longer visible.

For the time being, no rebel, at least in weapon or outfit , is no longer visible in Bambari and Gbokologbo .

AXMIN Chairman and CEO Provides Update for 2019

https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42166/AXMIN-Chairman-and-CEO-Provides-Update-for-2019

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - AXMIN Inc. (TSXV: AXM) ("AXMIN" or the "Company") Chairman and CEO Lucy Yan provides an update for 2019 commenting as follows:

2018 was a transformational year for our Company. Royalty payments together with the resolution of the long-standing accounts payable have placed AXMIN on a strong foundation and we intend to build on this foundation in 2019. Our main focus will be to become operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) to develop the Passendro asset.

AXMIN has maintained a constant presence in country during this difficult time and enjoys an excellent relationship with the authorities in Bangui and also in Bambari. We are monitoring the security situation carefully and when security returns, we have plans in place to renew our operation. We note that the CAR arm forces (FACA) have been deployed to Bambari and are now being deployed in surrounding areas. We are informed by the authorities in Bangui that we should anticipate being operational again in the near future.

To this end, we are expanding our presence in country and will add additional senior staff to assist this process. AXMIN has been approached by several potential strategic partners to assist with the development of the asset. The Company will commence a formal process to select the strategic partner once we have clarity on timing the return to Ndassima. We have completed an online data room for this purpose. The selection criteria will favor very large well capitalized companies with mining and infrastructure construction experience in Africa. The first objective will be to complete a site survey and then commence a phased development plan with rapid production being the priority.

Going forward, AXMIN will have two distinct parts to our operation in that we anticipate having royalty income from our assets and having operational income from the CAR asset. In order to better facilitate transparency and maximize shareholder value, the Company is investigating how best to structure these two separate activities. AXMIN is taking advice in this regard and may create a separate entity for the purpose of realizing royalty income from Senegal and other potential assets that may be added.

In 2019, the Company looks forward to being more communicative with our shareholders. We have commenced a presence on social media and will be providing an updated company presentation as well. Management is looking forward to another strong year for the Company in 2019 and will keep the market updated with further press releases on each of the matters above when appropriate.

About AXMIN

AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on the African continent. AXMIN continues to closely monitor the political situation at its Feasibility Stage Passendro Gold Project in the Central African Republic. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com. Please also visit us on Facebook.

For additional information, please contact AXMIN Inc.:

Lucy Yan
Chairman and CEO
ceo@axmininc.com
AXMIN Inc.

General Enquiries
David de Jongh Weill
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
david@axmininc.com

+65 9781 8281

Investor Relations
ir@axmininc.com
www.axmininc.com?

AXMIN Chairman and CEO Provides Update for 2019

https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42166/AXMIN-Chairman-and-CEO-Provides-Update-for-2019

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 14, 2019) - AXMIN Inc. (TSXV: AXM) ("AXMIN" or the "Company") Chairman and CEO Lucy Yan provides an update for 2019 commenting as follows:

2018 was a transformational year for our Company. Royalty payments together with the resolution of the long-standing accounts payable have placed AXMIN on a strong foundation and we intend to build on this foundation in 2019. Our main focus will be to become operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) to develop the Passendro asset.

AXMIN has maintained a constant presence in country during this difficult time and enjoys an excellent relationship with the authorities in Bangui and also in Bambari. We are monitoring the security situation carefully and when security returns, we have plans in place to renew our operation. We note that the CAR arm forces (FACA) have been deployed to Bambari and are now being deployed in surrounding areas. We are informed by the authorities in Bangui that we should anticipate being operational again in the near future.

To this end, we are expanding our presence in country and will add additional senior staff to assist this process. AXMIN has been approached by several potential strategic partners to assist with the development of the asset. The Company will commence a formal process to select the strategic partner once we have clarity on timing the return to Ndassima. We have completed an online data room for this purpose. The selection criteria will favor very large well capitalized companies with mining and infrastructure construction experience in Africa. The first objective will be to complete a site survey and then commence a phased development plan with rapid production being the priority.

Going forward, AXMIN will have two distinct parts to our operation in that we anticipate having royalty income from our assets and having operational income from the CAR asset. In order to better facilitate transparency and maximize shareholder value, the Company is investigating how best to structure these two separate activities. AXMIN is taking advice in this regard and may create a separate entity for the purpose of realizing royalty income from Senegal and other potential assets that may be added.

In 2019, the Company looks forward to being more communicative with our shareholders. We have commenced a presence on social media and will be providing an updated company presentation as well. Management is looking forward to another strong year for the Company in 2019 and will keep the market updated with further press releases on each of the matters above when appropriate.

About AXMIN

AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on the African continent. AXMIN continues to closely monitor the political situation at its Feasibility Stage Passendro Gold Project in the Central African Republic. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com. Please also visit us on Facebook.

For additional information, please contact AXMIN Inc.:

Lucy Yan
Chairman and CEO
ceo@axmininc.com
AXMIN Inc.

General Enquiries
David de Jongh Weill
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
david@axmininc.com

+65 9781 8281

Investor Relations
ir@axmininc.com
www.axmininc.com?

Central African Republic: the army gradually resumes its provisions before the crisis

https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/01/09/centrafrique-armee-reprend-peu-a-peu-dispositions-avant-crise/?fbclid=IwAR3l19xpxnyFE5NNEp_qa3Y6ZPI_KXkqipQJ5p3hXVJWgxbDgglSAHkC0bg

Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) - The Central African army is becoming more powerful and regaining control of several cities once occupied by rebels. The city of Bocaranga in the Northeast is taken over without a fight on January 7, 2019.

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA), dislocated since the seizure of power of the Seleka rebellion in 2013, began to restructure with the support of the European mission EUTM-RCA but especially the Russian instructors, who train them in handling weapons and fighting techniques.

Even though several cities still remain controlled by rebels, who continue despite the UN embargo on arms to rearm, the national army, which launched the reconquest of cities is moving forward in its project, a wish the most money of the population, already bruised by the crisis.

The city of Bocaranga, a sub-prefecture of Ouham Pendé in the north, formerly occupied by the rebels of 3R Sidiki Abbas, returns under the control of the army, after a first attempt last December. According to ADV information, the warlord Sidiki has entrenched himself 40 km from the city. Angry, his elements attacked, looted and robbed some residents near Bouar in the prefecture of Nana-Mambéré.

"The population is jubilant to welcome its army, after six years of absence in the city. But we do not want a joint operation with Minusca, "said a resident joined by ADV.

After Paoua, Bangassou, Sibut, Bambari, Bouar Amdafok, Obo, Mobaye, Alindao, Ippy ... there remain only three sensitive cities namely Bria, Kaga-Bandoro and Ndélé, controlled by the Séléka, so that the army restores its supremacy .

Security observers told ADV that the task is difficult but not impossible. "There are too many manipulations of rebel groups, who are fighting to control the natural resources for the benefit of some foreign powers, as denounced in his speech to the nation, the Central African President, on the occasion of the New Year . The CAR remains sovereign and will triumph, "said the observer.

The Central African Army, expects more than 4,000 weapons from Russia, several thousand others and equipment from China, Belgium but remains under the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council while rebels, continue to arm themselves under the helpless eye of the United Nations, which only denounces reports.

Central African Republic: the army gradually resumes its provisions before the crisis

https://africandailyvoice.com/2019/01/09/centrafrique-armee-reprend-peu-a-peu-dispositions-avant-crise/?fbclid=IwAR3l19xpxnyFE5NNEp_qa3Y6ZPI_KXkqipQJ5p3hXVJWgxbDgglSAHkC0bg

Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR) - The Central African army is becoming more powerful and regaining control of several cities once occupied by rebels. The city of Bocaranga in the Northeast is taken over without a fight on January 7, 2019.

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA), dislocated since the seizure of power of the Seleka rebellion in 2013, began to restructure with the support of the European mission EUTM-RCA but especially the Russian instructors, who train them in handling weapons and fighting techniques.

Even though several cities still remain controlled by rebels, who continue despite the UN embargo on arms to rearm, the national army, which launched the reconquest of cities is moving forward in its project, a wish the most money of the population, already bruised by the crisis.

The city of Bocaranga, a sub-prefecture of Ouham Pendé in the north, formerly occupied by the rebels of 3R Sidiki Abbas, returns under the control of the army, after a first attempt last December. According to ADV information, the warlord Sidiki has entrenched himself 40 km from the city. Angry, his elements attacked, looted and robbed some residents near Bouar in the prefecture of Nana-Mambéré.

"The population is jubilant to welcome its army, after six years of absence in the city. But we do not want a joint operation with Minusca, "said a resident joined by ADV.

After Paoua, Bangassou, Sibut, Bambari, Bouar Amdafok, Obo, Mobaye, Alindao, Ippy ... there remain only three sensitive cities namely Bria, Kaga-Bandoro and Ndélé, controlled by the Séléka, so that the army restores its supremacy .

Security observers told ADV that the task is difficult but not impossible. "There are too many manipulations of rebel groups, who are fighting to control the natural resources for the benefit of some foreign powers, as denounced in his speech to the nation, the Central African President, on the occasion of the New Year . The CAR remains sovereign and will triumph, "said the observer.

The Central African Army, expects more than 4,000 weapons from Russia, several thousand others and equipment from China, Belgium but remains under the embargo imposed by the UN Security Council while rebels, continue to arm themselves under the helpless eye of the United Nations, which only denounces reports.

KFG Resources to buy back up to 2.5 million shares

2019-01-10 15:52 MT - News Release


An anonymous director reports

KFG RESOURCES ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO COMMENCE NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID

The TSX Venture Exchange has accepted KFG Resources Ltd.'s notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid for common shares in the capital of the company through the facilities of the TSX-V. The Company intends to purchase, from time to time as it considers advisable over the 12-month period of the NCIB program, an aggregate of 2,500,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares and approximately 6.15% of the Company's "public float" (as such term is defined under the TSX-V Corporate Finance Manual).

The Company may commence the NCIB on January 15, 2019 and the NCIB will terminate on the earlier of the Company purchasing a total of 2,500,000 Common Shares, the Company providing a notice of termination, or the date that is 12 months following the commencement date. All purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX-V at market prices and otherwise in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX-V. All Common Shares acquired by the Company under the NCIB will be subsequently cancelled. The Company has appointed PI Financial Corp. to conduct the NCIB on its behalf.

The board of directors of the Company believes that, from time to time, the market price of the Common Shares may not adequately reflect the Company's underlying value and future prospects and that, at such times, the purchase of the Common Shares represents an appropriate use of the Company's financial resources and would be in the best interests of the Company's shareholders.

The Company's Common Shares are listed on the TSX-V, Vancouver, B.C., trading symbol "KFG".

We seek Safe Harbor.

© 2019 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Recent articles about the central african republic

C. Africa army head came to Russia for training: minister - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/c-africa-army-head-came-russia-training-minister-103935828.html

Central African Republic Open to Russian Military Base - https://themoscowtimes.com/news/central-african-republic-open-to-russian-military-base-64091

CAR sets peace talks for January 24: AU - https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/car-sets-peace-talks-for-january-24-au-20190110

Sudan in favor of a permanent return to peace in CAR -

Recent articles about the central african republic

C. Africa army head came to Russia for training: minister - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/c-africa-army-head-came-russia-training-minister-103935828.html

Central African Republic Open to Russian Military Base - https://themoscowtimes.com/news/central-african-republic-open-to-russian-military-base-64091

CAR sets peace talks for January 24: AU - https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/car-sets-peace-talks-for-january-24-au-20190110

Sudan in favor of a permanent return to peace in CAR -

Important Dates Regarding The Central African Republic Over The Next 3 Weeks

January 10th-11th - Bambari Food Festival. National Holiday and will promote the freedom of Bambari. This town is located just south of Axmin's gold deposit and has been under rebel control since 2013 until recently. Very important strategic location.

January 24th - African Union & United Nations will host a meeting in Khartoum(Sudan) between the CAR government and all rebel groups. This should be the final signing of peace. Even getting half of the groups to agree is a major boost to stabilization

January 30th-31st - United Nations will either renew or let expire the weapons embargo that has been in place since 2013. There is a strong consensus that the embargo will drop and FACA soldiers will get high end military equipment to help finish off any rebels left

All this information can be found on the Axmin facebook page. However some of it might need to be translated into english.

Important Dates Regarding The Central African Republic Over The Next 3 Weeks

January 10th-11th - Bambari Food Festival. National Holiday and will promote the freedom of Bambari. This town is located just south of Axmin's gold deposit and has been under rebel control since 2013 until recently. Very important strategic location.

January 24th - African Union & United Nations will host a meeting in Khartoum(Sudan) between the CAR government and all rebel groups. This should be the final signing of peace. Even getting half of the groups to agree is a major boost to stabilization

January 30th-31st - United Nations will either renew or let expire the weapons embargo that has been in place since 2013. There is a strong consensus that the embargo will drop and FACA soldiers will get high end military equipment to help finish off any rebels left

All this information can be found on the Axmin facebook page. However some of it might need to be translated into english.

TNA announcing today that it's going to sell itself. This was obvious given the growth of the company and lack of interest in promoting it. Purpose was to clean up the balance sheet since 2013 and then sell it off since insiders own around 75% of the stock. I started posting about this stock in 2017 and in less than two years, it's gone from $0.115 to $0.34 with a steady rise.

The next big stock I have been adding is AXM.V(Axmin Inc) or AXMIF on the US side. Axmin Inc has a proven resource and could do the same thing TNA did, go up 10 fold over the next couple years as the company is getting back a proven gold mine that is worth several times the current market cap. Not only that, it's cash flow postive like TNA from a royalty it owns in Senegal and heavy insider ownership.

News below:

Evergreen Gaming in talks to sell itself

2019-01-09 07:56 MT - News Release


Mr. Clive Forth reports

CORPORATE UPDATE

Evergreen Gaming Corp. has entered discussions with a third party that has expressed an interest in buying the company. No definitive terms have been agreed to, no formal agreements have been executed and there can be no assurance that the discussions will be concluded, any definitive agreement will be entered into or any transaction will be consummated. The company does not expect to provide further information or updates until a definitive agreement has been entered into or discussions between the parties have been terminated.


© 2019 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Central African Republic : the African Union on the footsteps of Russian-Sudanese efforts for peace

https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/01/07/central-african-republic-african-union-footsteps-russian-sudanese-efforts-peace/

2019-01-07 Central African Republic, POLITICS

NEWSROOM (ADV) – An international peace mission composed of UN officials, the African Union (AU), and diplomats from bordering countries of the Central African Republic (CAR) is expected next Tuesday in the Central African capital Bangui, said Sunday the press spokesman of the Central African Presidency.



The mission includes UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smaïl Chergui and Foreign Ministers from neighboring countries. According to the communication advisor and spokesperson of the Central African presidency, Albert Yaloké-Mokpème, the purpose of this mission is to agree with the Central African State of the places and dates of the various meetings between the Central African Government and the armed groups active across the country.



At the end of this meeting under the auspices of the AU, the parties concerned will have to proceed to the final signing of the documents, in Bangui.



The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into civilian life of armed groups will be on the agenda of the meeting, Yaloké-Mokpème said.



As a prelude to this meeting of national reconciliation, the Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra consulted with the political, religious and social entities of the country.



According to the exchanges, it emerged that the planned discussions must be held in strict compliance with the Constitution and that there should be no amnesty for perpetrators of crimes committed in the territory, with a view to ensure zero impunity.



d© Bur-csa – A.H / N.A – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_eng

Central African Republic : the African Union on the footsteps of Russian-Sudanese efforts for peace

https://africandailyvoice.com/en/2019/01/07/central-african-republic-african-union-footsteps-russian-sudanese-efforts-peace/

2019-01-07 Central African Republic, POLITICS

NEWSROOM (ADV) – An international peace mission composed of UN officials, the African Union (AU), and diplomats from bordering countries of the Central African Republic (CAR) is expected next Tuesday in the Central African capital Bangui, said Sunday the press spokesman of the Central African Presidency.



The mission includes UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Smaïl Chergui and Foreign Ministers from neighboring countries. According to the communication advisor and spokesperson of the Central African presidency, Albert Yaloké-Mokpème, the purpose of this mission is to agree with the Central African State of the places and dates of the various meetings between the Central African Government and the armed groups active across the country.



At the end of this meeting under the auspices of the AU, the parties concerned will have to proceed to the final signing of the documents, in Bangui.



The disarmament, demobilization and reintegration into civilian life of armed groups will be on the agenda of the meeting, Yaloké-Mokpème said.



As a prelude to this meeting of national reconciliation, the Central African President Faustin-Archange Touadéra consulted with the political, religious and social entities of the country.



According to the exchanges, it emerged that the planned discussions must be held in strict compliance with the Constitution and that there should be no amnesty for perpetrators of crimes committed in the territory, with a view to ensure zero impunity.



d© Bur-csa – A.H / N.A – African Daily Voice (ADV) – Follow us on Twitter : @ADVinfo_eng

United Nations Job Offer For Gold Mining Projects In Central African Republic

https://uncareer.net/vacancy/program-officer-gold-focus-m2m-206890
Added Date: Wednesday, 02 January 2019
Deadline Date: Thursday, 28 March 2019
Organization: Pact
Country: Central African Republic
At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Mines to Markets (M2M) - Pact’s Mines to Markets Signature Initiative assists mineral-dependent communities to gain lasting benefits from the more sustainable use of the natural resources around them. Pact takes an integrated approach to its work in the mining sector: we link mining to livelihoods, governance, health, environment, and the strengthening of local, regional and national institutions. The M2M program is currently active in eleven countries, working with all scales of mining from large scale industrial operations (LSMs) to individual Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) and their communities, in remote areas. For more information on current and some past projects at www.pactworld.org/mining.

Position Overview

Pact is seeking a Program Officer to support our expanding work gold mining communities, particularly in the African continent. While Pact has programs in several different mineral supply chains, this position will focus principally on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) projects.

The chosen candidate will support the design, development and delivery of Pact’s work with companies, communities and governments in the global mining sector to contribute to the achievement of Pact’s overall strategy. The candidate will provide technical support and mentorship to Pact staff around the world, and provide leadership and oversight to program design, including proposal writing, and program implementation.

The candidate will be required to keep abreast of opportunities, regulations, actors, and best practices in the mining sector and to contribute to positioning Pact as a thought and practice leader in the field of mining, ASM formalization, and development. The Program Officer will be responsible for contributing to the development, implementation, and monitoring of project work plans, and liaising with country-based project teams to ensure adherence to best practices and standards. The candidate will be required to represent Pact at technical meetings and forums with key donors. The position will report to Daniel Stapper, Senior Program Office.

Key Responsibilities

Designing and implementing, with support from the M2M team, development programs focusing on the diverse needs of the ASGM sector. Contribute to Pact’s technical excellence in relation to working on gold in all stages of the mineral supply chain, and with diverse stakeholder groups.
Represent Pact’s technical capabilities and promote Pact’s programming at donor meetings, internal events and national/international gold, mercury, and cyanide conferences.
Contribute to the development of popular and peer-reviewed publications as well as communications materials for delivery through multiple media channels.
Remain abreast of trends and research findings regarding mining sector issues, corporate responsibility, regulatory frameworks, industry standards and best practice in the mining sector and participate in disseminating them to country offices and relevant communities of practice.
Contribute to Pact’s due diligence programs - to ensure engagement with gold mining companies & organizations meets international standards, especially OECD guidance.
Support field offices in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks involved in working with the mining sector, including human security and health risks associated with gold mining.
Play a role in business development by providing technical and business expertise and guidance, networking with donors to gather intelligence on up-coming funding opportunities, ensuring proposals are technically sound, and capitalizing upon Pact’s worldwide knowledge base.
Ensuring quality programming

Provide technical support and ongoing oversight to projects in the mining sector.
Share best practices with project staff on regular basis using multiple communications channels and mechanisms, and support the integration of best practices into Pact’s programming.
Contribute to synergizing and mentoring Pact’s dispersed talent in country offices.
Provide technical assistance to field offices so that they better understand and are better able to meet industry standards and expectations of donors.
Support implementation of the M2M portfolio by sourcing consultants, interviewing program staff, developing or reviewing SOWs/TORs, and reviewing reports and project documentation.
Offer technical guidance to country offices to support effective and efficient spending of project funds on programming and integrated learning.
Provide technical oversight to, and management of gold related programs, as assigned.
Develop and monitor implementation of project work plans; support skills development and mentoring; and participate in self and peer performance assessments.
Innovative program design, monitoring and evaluation
Contribute to technical learning across Pact on gold mining issues by staying up-to-date on best practices and research, networking with global technical stakeholders, and sharing learning in relevant and actionable ways across the organization.
Contribute to ensuring the mining sector is part of our Integrated Approach to maximize quality programming and impact and on the sharing of learnings across the organization and externally.
Work closely with technical staff to ensure integration across sectors and core competencies.
Contribute to technical aspects of proposal development (e.g. design workshops, technical reviews, bid reviews, and donor strategies).
Participate in scoping trips, proposal design meetings, recruitment of partners, responses to donor questions, and presentations to donors, when appropriate.
Under the guidance of the Senior Program Officers and M2M leadership, forge partnerships during pre-positioning and proposal development, building on previous strategic and technical experience with partners.
Basic Requirements
Bachelor’s degree (at minimum) in Geosciences, Engineering, Mining, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates with technical skills in exploration, engineering, mine development or similar technical areas.
5 years’ experience working in international development and/or corporate responsibility (3-4 years of experience if candidate has a Master’s or higher degree).
Experience working within ASGM contexts or on ASGM projects. Please list or describe these projects in your CV or cover letter.
Strong planning and management skills, with evidence provided in cover letter.
Ability and willingness to multitask, balancing and adapting to frequently changing priorities.
Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with donors, local partners, host governments and other implementing organizations, as well as Pact staff.
Experience in fund raising (proposal writing) and project management (evidence to be provided in cover letter).
Experience with the mining sector, to be explained in cover letter: could include mineral extraction and processing; chemical-free gold processing; health and safety; environmental regulation; mining governance instruments and bodies; best practice and international standards (especially OECD); trade, supply chains and market access, etc.
Knowledge and experience in mercury reduction in ASGM contexts, is highly desired, and should be evidenced in cover letter.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially word, excel and PowerPoint (at minimum).
Excellent written and oral communications in English, and preferably (at least) 1 additional language.
Professional writing experience: experience in writing technical reports or similar.
Travel time required for this position is estimated to be 30%, but can be up to 50%. If this will be a challenge for applicant, relevant details should be indicated in cover letter.
Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please apply here at https://careers-pactworld.icims.com/jobs/1126/program-officer-%28gold-focus%29%2c-m2m/job

United Nations Job Offer For Gold Mining Projects In Central African Republic

https://uncareer.net/vacancy/program-officer-gold-focus-m2m-206890
Added Date: Wednesday, 02 January 2019
Deadline Date: Thursday, 28 March 2019
Organization: Pact
Country: Central African Republic
At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Mines to Markets (M2M) - Pact’s Mines to Markets Signature Initiative assists mineral-dependent communities to gain lasting benefits from the more sustainable use of the natural resources around them. Pact takes an integrated approach to its work in the mining sector: we link mining to livelihoods, governance, health, environment, and the strengthening of local, regional and national institutions. The M2M program is currently active in eleven countries, working with all scales of mining from large scale industrial operations (LSMs) to individual Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASMs) and their communities, in remote areas. For more information on current and some past projects at www.pactworld.org/mining.

Position Overview

Pact is seeking a Program Officer to support our expanding work gold mining communities, particularly in the African continent. While Pact has programs in several different mineral supply chains, this position will focus principally on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) projects.

The chosen candidate will support the design, development and delivery of Pact’s work with companies, communities and governments in the global mining sector to contribute to the achievement of Pact’s overall strategy. The candidate will provide technical support and mentorship to Pact staff around the world, and provide leadership and oversight to program design, including proposal writing, and program implementation.

The candidate will be required to keep abreast of opportunities, regulations, actors, and best practices in the mining sector and to contribute to positioning Pact as a thought and practice leader in the field of mining, ASM formalization, and development. The Program Officer will be responsible for contributing to the development, implementation, and monitoring of project work plans, and liaising with country-based project teams to ensure adherence to best practices and standards. The candidate will be required to represent Pact at technical meetings and forums with key donors. The position will report to Daniel Stapper, Senior Program Office.

Key Responsibilities

Designing and implementing, with support from the M2M team, development programs focusing on the diverse needs of the ASGM sector. Contribute to Pact’s technical excellence in relation to working on gold in all stages of the mineral supply chain, and with diverse stakeholder groups.
Represent Pact’s technical capabilities and promote Pact’s programming at donor meetings, internal events and national/international gold, mercury, and cyanide conferences.
Contribute to the development of popular and peer-reviewed publications as well as communications materials for delivery through multiple media channels.
Remain abreast of trends and research findings regarding mining sector issues, corporate responsibility, regulatory frameworks, industry standards and best practice in the mining sector and participate in disseminating them to country offices and relevant communities of practice.
Contribute to Pact’s due diligence programs - to ensure engagement with gold mining companies & organizations meets international standards, especially OECD guidance.
Support field offices in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks involved in working with the mining sector, including human security and health risks associated with gold mining.
Play a role in business development by providing technical and business expertise and guidance, networking with donors to gather intelligence on up-coming funding opportunities, ensuring proposals are technically sound, and capitalizing upon Pact’s worldwide knowledge base.
Ensuring quality programming

Provide technical support and ongoing oversight to projects in the mining sector.
Share best practices with project staff on regular basis using multiple communications channels and mechanisms, and support the integration of best practices into Pact’s programming.
Contribute to synergizing and mentoring Pact’s dispersed talent in country offices.
Provide technical assistance to field offices so that they better understand and are better able to meet industry standards and expectations of donors.
Support implementation of the M2M portfolio by sourcing consultants, interviewing program staff, developing or reviewing SOWs/TORs, and reviewing reports and project documentation.
Offer technical guidance to country offices to support effective and efficient spending of project funds on programming and integrated learning.
Provide technical oversight to, and management of gold related programs, as assigned.
Develop and monitor implementation of project work plans; support skills development and mentoring; and participate in self and peer performance assessments.
Innovative program design, monitoring and evaluation
Contribute to technical learning across Pact on gold mining issues by staying up-to-date on best practices and research, networking with global technical stakeholders, and sharing learning in relevant and actionable ways across the organization.
Contribute to ensuring the mining sector is part of our Integrated Approach to maximize quality programming and impact and on the sharing of learnings across the organization and externally.
Work closely with technical staff to ensure integration across sectors and core competencies.
Contribute to technical aspects of proposal development (e.g. design workshops, technical reviews, bid reviews, and donor strategies).
Participate in scoping trips, proposal design meetings, recruitment of partners, responses to donor questions, and presentations to donors, when appropriate.
Under the guidance of the Senior Program Officers and M2M leadership, forge partnerships during pre-positioning and proposal development, building on previous strategic and technical experience with partners.
Basic Requirements
Bachelor’s degree (at minimum) in Geosciences, Engineering, Mining, or related field. Preference will be given to candidates with technical skills in exploration, engineering, mine development or similar technical areas.
5 years’ experience working in international development and/or corporate responsibility (3-4 years of experience if candidate has a Master’s or higher degree).
Experience working within ASGM contexts or on ASGM projects. Please list or describe these projects in your CV or cover letter.
Strong planning and management skills, with evidence provided in cover letter.
Ability and willingness to multitask, balancing and adapting to frequently changing priorities.
Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with donors, local partners, host governments and other implementing organizations, as well as Pact staff.
Experience in fund raising (proposal writing) and project management (evidence to be provided in cover letter).
Experience with the mining sector, to be explained in cover letter: could include mineral extraction and processing; chemical-free gold processing; health and safety; environmental regulation; mining governance instruments and bodies; best practice and international standards (especially OECD); trade, supply chains and market access, etc.
Knowledge and experience in mercury reduction in ASGM contexts, is highly desired, and should be evidenced in cover letter.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially word, excel and PowerPoint (at minimum).
Excellent written and oral communications in English, and preferably (at least) 1 additional language.
Professional writing experience: experience in writing technical reports or similar.
Travel time required for this position is estimated to be 30%, but can be up to 50%. If this will be a challenge for applicant, relevant details should be indicated in cover letter.
Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please apply here at https://careers-pactworld.icims.com/jobs/1126/program-officer-%28gold-focus%29%2c-m2m/job