The  Olympic  opening  ceremony   london  22012

African Union Mission for Somalia
P.O. Box 20182- 00200; Tel: (+254-20) 271 3755/56/58; Fax: 271 3766, Nairobi, Kenya
PRESS RELEASE
(For immediate release)
African Union Wishes Somalia Ramadan Kareem
Mogadishu 20 July, 2012-The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission on Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, has today sent his best wishes to the people of
Somalia as they mark the start of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan.
“This year, Ramadan comes at a momentous period in Somalia’s history as the country debates a
provisional constitution that will end 12 years of transitional governments and inaugurate a new and
more representative political order,” he said.
“The African Union is proud of the role we have played in helping the people of Somalia achieve the best
chance for peace they have had in over two decades. It is our hope that the Holy month will see the
leadership of Somalia take another significant step in the process of restoring peace and stability to their
nation,” he added.
Amb. Diarra noted that Ramadan was a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate and
appealed to the international community to rally to the aid of the Somali people as they face yet
another severe food crisis. “AMISOM is doing all it can to ensure that aid can be safely delivered to the
people and we appeal to humanitarian agencies to take advantage of the gains we have made,” he said.
He said that AMISOM would continue to work together with Somali national forces to enhance security
during the holy month.
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For more information, please Contact;
Eloi Yao and Lt. Colonel Ali Eden Houmed, Spokespersons,
Cell  phone: (Nairobi) +254702155126 ;E‐mail: amisommediacentre@gmail.com
AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE
UNIÃO AFRICANA

• • 

    The Olympic Flame at the Globe Theatre

    The Olympic Flame visits Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on its penultimate day of the Olympic Torch Relay.
  • 

    Sir Clive Woodward holds the Flame

    Torchbearer Sir Clive Woodward holds the Olympic Flame at the Camden Roundhouse at the start of Day 69 of the Olympic Torch Relay.

  Team GB's deputy Chef de Mission Clive Woodward will kick off the day by carrying the Flame at The Roundhouse in Camden. Clive also managed the England rugby team to victory in the 2003 World Cup.
  
  Later the Flame will be carried down Regent’s Canal on a canal boat by 16-year-old Paris Walker from Bethnal Green, who will hand it over to Luke Corduner at St Pancras International station. Luke was selected for his work coaching sport to young people who have been expelled and young offenders.
  
  When the Torch Relay reaches Islignton Town Hall, comedian David Walliams will carry the Flame in recognition of the remarkable sporting challenges he has completed for charity, including swimming the Thames in 2011.
  
  The Flame will visit several famous London landmarks over the course of the day, including St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will watch the Torch handover at Buckingham Palace.
  
  The day will finish in Hyde Park, where classical soloist Tyler Rix will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the final evening celebration of the Olympic Torch Relay. The ticketed event will feature performances by Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, Mark Ronson, Katy B and more.

  On Friday 27 July the Flame will make its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
  
  
  • 

    Olympic Flame in front of St Paul's Cathedral

    Wheelchair Basketball player, Ade Adepitan, carries the Olympic Flame on Millennium Bridge during Day 69 of the Olympic Torch Relay.
  • 

    The Olympic Flame at the Globe Theatre

    The Olympic Flame visits Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on its penultimate day of the Olympic Torch Relay.
  • 

    Sir Clive Woodward holds the Flame

    Torchbearer Sir Clive Woodward holds the Olympic Flame at the Camden Roundhouse at the start of Day 69 of the Olympic Torch Relay.

  Team GB's deputy Chef de Mission Clive Woodward will kick off the day by carrying the Flame at The Roundhouse in Camden. Clive also managed the England rugby team to victory in the 2003 World Cup.
  
  Later the Flame will be carried down Regent’s Canal on a canal boat by 16-year-old Paris Walker from Bethnal Green, who will hand it over to Luke Corduner at St Pancras International station. Luke was selected for his work coaching sport to young people who have been expelled and young offenders.
  
  When the Torch Relay reaches Islignton Town Hall, comedian David Walliams will carry the Flame in recognition of the remarkable sporting challenges he has completed for charity, including swimming the Thames in 2011.
  
  The Flame will visit several famous London landmarks over the course of the day, including St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will watch the Torch handover at Buckingham Palace.
  
  The day will finish in Hyde Park, where classical soloist Tyler Rix will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the final evening celebration of the Olympic Torch Relay. The ticketed event will feature performances by Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, Mark Ronson, Katy B and more.

  On Friday 27 July the Flame will make its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

  Watch the Torch Relay live

  Watch video highlights of Day 68 of the Olympic Torch Relay
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  The Flame visits St Pancras

  On the penultimate day of the London 2012 Torch Relay,the Flame paid a visit to St Pancras International Railway Station where the first set of giant Olympic Rings were installed.
  
  
• 

  Olympic Flame in front of St Paul's Cathedral

  Wheelchair Basketball player, Ade Adepitan, carries the Olympic Flame on Millennium Bridge during Day 69 of the Olympic Torch Relay.
• 

  The Olympic Flame at the Globe Theatre

  The Olympic Flame visits Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on its penultimate day of the Olympic Torch Relay.
• 

  Sir Clive Woodward holds the Flame

  Torchbearer Sir Clive Woodward holds the Olympic Flame at the Camden Roundhouse at the start of Day 69 of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Team GB's deputy Chef de Mission Clive Woodward will kick off the day by carrying the Flame at The Roundhouse in Camden. Clive also managed the England rugby team to victory in the 2003 World Cup.

Later the Flame will be carried down Regent’s Canal on a canal boat by 16-year-old Paris Walker from Bethnal Green, who will hand it over to Luke Corduner at St Pancras International station. Luke was selected for his work coaching sport to young people who have been expelled and young offenders.

When the Torch Relay reaches Islignton Town Hall, comedian David Walliams will carry the Flame in recognition of the remarkable sporting challenges he has completed for charity, including swimming the Thames in 2011.

The Flame will visit several famous London landmarks over the course of the day, including St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will watch the Torch handover at Buckingham Palace.

The day will finish in Hyde Park, where classical soloist Tyler Rix will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the final evening celebration of the Olympic Torch Relay. The ticketed event will feature performances by Dizzee Rascal, The Wanted, Mark Ronson, Katy B and more.

On Friday 27 July the Flame will make its way to the Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Watch the Torch Relay live

Yuki Otsu's first-half goal was enough for the Japanese, but the margin of victory could have been much greater as 10-man Spain struggled with the pace and pressure applied by their opponents.

The 1992 Olympic champions were already 1-0 down when they had Inigo Martinezsent-off with five minutes remaining in the first half and they failed to recover from their numerical disadvantage.

Keigo Higashi, Kensuke Nagai and Hiroshi Kiyotake all went close for Japan after the break but a single goal was enough to send them to the top of Group D following Honduras and Morocco's 2-2 draw earlier in the day.

Spain started the game by trying to impose their usual possession-based style on the game, but they were hustled from the very first whistle by an energetic Japanese team.

Chelsea's Juan Mata forced Shuichi Gonda into a fine save with Spain's only serious effort of the first half but it was Japan who were threatening more regularly and they were rewarded after 33 minutes when Otsu outmuscled Martin Montoya to prod home Takahiro Ohgihara's corner.

Kiyotake should then have doubled the lead as he pounced on a wayward backpassfrom Alvaro Dominguez but, after rounding David De Gea, he could not turn his shot on target from a narrow angle.

Spain were in trouble a few moments later when Martinez was sent-off for bringing down Nagai just outside the area.

Japan wasted a host of opportunities to extend their lead early in the second half.

De Gea was called into action to make a fine save from Higashi in the 49th minute and the Manchester United goalkeeper should have been left helpless when Nagaibroke through on goal soon after, only for the striker to pull his shot just wide of the target.

Kiyotake had an almost identical opportunity two minutes later at the end of an amazing solo run, but again his shot flew just wide.

By contrast, Spain struggled to create their own clear-cut openings. Jordi Alba's effort was easily smothered by Gonda with 12 minutes remaining before Spain were again thankful to De Gea as he made a stunning stop to once again deny Nagai andHotaru Yamaguchi shot wide with the goal at his mercy in stoppage time.