IGIHE

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  • Panama Captures North Korean ship carrying Weapons

    {{Panama seized a North Korean cargo ship it suspects was hiding missile equipment in a shipment of brown sugar from Cuba, after a standoff in which the ship’s captain tried to slit his own throat.}}

    The ship was stopped last week as it headed into the Panama Canal and authorities arrested the crew on Monday after finding undeclared missile-shaped objects – a potential violation of U.N. sanctions linked to North Korea’s nuclear program.

    “We found containers which presumably contain sophisticated missile equipment. That is not allowed. The Panama canal is a canal of peace, not war,” Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli told local radio on Tuesday.

    A photo posted on Martinelli’s Twitter page showed a long, green missile-shaped object with a tapering, conical end inside the ship, which he said was bound for North Korea.

    A security expert said pictures showed radar systems for Vietnam-era, Soviet-made surface-to-air missiles.

    The U.S. State Department praised Panama’s decision to raid the ship, which it said had a history of involvement in drug smuggling, and warned the vessel would be violating United Nations Security Council resolutions by shipping arms.

    The United Nations has imposed a raft of sanctions on North Korea, including strict regulations on arms shipments, for flouting measures aimed at curbing its nuclear weapons program.

    Panama’s security minister, Jose Raul Mulino, said his government had stopped the ship last Wednesday and had so far found two containers of military equipment.

  • Global celebrations, to Mark Mandela’s 95th birthday

    {{Although critically ill and may still be confined to his Pretoria hospital bed on life-support, global celebrations and charity events will mark Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday, according to agency reports.}}

    As parts of the activities marking the landmark event, volunteers will spend 67 minutes on hundreds of community upliftment projects – a minute for every year of his activism.

    Born July 18 in 1918 and imprisoned 46 years later, Mandela went on to lead black South Africans’ struggle for equal rights with whites.

    He was convicted of treason in 1964 and spent the next 27 years in jail.

    After his release, Mandela skillfully negotiated with the apartheid minority government to end whites-only rule.

    He became South Africa’s first black president after all-race elections in 1994 and led reconciliation in the deeply divided country.

    But his hospitalisation for a recurring lung infection and bitter infighting among his relatives have tempered the festive spirit.

    The United Nations in 2010 declared the Nobel peace laureate’s birthday Mandela Day – to encourage people around the world to do just over an hour of good deeds.

    However, a report by Agence France Presse (AFP) yesterday indicated that global celebrities have supported the campaign in memory of Mandela’s 67 years of political activism.

    “I will also be giving my 67 minutes to make the world a better place, one small step at a time,” British business magnate, Richard Branson, pledged in a recorded message.

    Tomorrow, children in schools around South Africa will start their classes singing “Happy Birthday” to the former statesman. Celebrities have committed to painting schools, handing out clothes to impoverished kids and countless similar projects.

    The inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Legacy Bridge is scheduled at the icon’s birth village, Mvezo, in the rural Eastern Cape province.

    A science-specialisation high school bearing his name is also due to be opened.

    In the United States, meanwhile, 17 cities have planned various activities Thursday.

    On Saturday, Australian city, Melbourne, will hold a concert featuring local and African artists, while a music festival later this year in Norway will promote equality in schools.

    Mandela’s peace-making spirit has won him worldwide respect.

    “Never before in history was one human being so universally acknowledged in his lifetime as the embodiment of magnanimity and reconciliation as Nelson Mandela,” archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, himself a Nobel peace laureate, said.

  • Western oil exploration in Somalia may spark conflict – U.N. report

    {{Western commercial oil exploration in disputed areas of Somalia and discrepancies over which authorities can issue licenses to companies could spark further conflict in the African nation, U.N. monitors warned in a confidential report.}}

    In the U.N. Monitoring Group’s latest annual report to the Security Council’s sanctions committee on Somalia and Eritrea, the experts said the Somali constitution gives considerable autonomy to regional governments to enter commercial oil deals.

    But a petroleum law that has not yet been adopted by the country’s parliament but is being invoked by federal officials in the capital Mogadishu says that the central government can distribute natural resources.

    “These inconsistencies, unless resolved, may lead to increased political conflict between federal and regional governments that risk exacerbating clan divisions and therefore threaten peace and security,” the experts group said in an annex to its annual report, which was seen by media.

    The overthrow of a dictator in 1991 plunged Somalia into two decades of violent turmoil, first at the hands of clan warlords and then Islamist militants, while two semi-autonomous regions – Puntland and Somaliland – have cropped up in northern Somalia.

    Around a dozen companies, including many multinational oil and gas majors, had licenses to explore Somalia before 1991, but since then Somaliland and Puntland and other regional authorities have granted their own licenses for the same blocks.

    In some cases Somaliland and Puntland have awarded licenses for blocks that overlap. The experts said one such case involves Norwegian oil firm DNO and Canadian-listed Africa Oil Corp.

    “Potentially, it means that exploration operations in these blocks, conducted by both DNO and Africa Oil under the protection of regional security forces, its allied militia or private forces, could generate new conflict between Somaliland and Puntland,” the report said.

    “It is alarming that regional security forces and armed groups may clash to protect and further Western-based oil companies interests,” it said.

    “In this case, the involvement of a Norwegian company on one side and of a Swedish-owned/Canada-based company on the other, is even more disturbing, considering the long-standing implication of Norway and Sweden in promoting peace and dialogue in Somalia,” the experts said.

    Bjorn Dale, DNO’s acting president/managing director and general counsel, said he was not familiar with the U.N. experts’ recent report but said that the company would never engage in activities that threatened peace in Somaliland.

    Africa Oil was not immediately available for comment.

  • Rwanda Attains 2006 Abuja Declaration

    {{The special summit of African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria held in Abuja, Nigeria, from July 12th to 14th 2013 brought together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Health from African Union Members States. Rwanda is represented by a delegation led by Honorable Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affairs.}}

    The progress report 2010-2012 on the implementation of the “Abuja call for accelerated action towards universal access to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria services” presented by the African Union shows that Rwanda is among fewer countries that have achieved most of the targets.

    Rwanda is indeed among the six countries that achieved the recommendations of the 2006 Abuja declaration of Heads of States of African Union countries of setting a target of allocating to health at least 15% of their annual budget. Rwanda has met and exceeded this target.

    Also, 91% of Rwandans have access to HIV care and treatment. HIV related mortality rate has been decreased by 78%, the retention of HIV positive individuals on treatment is above 90% , the transmission of HIV from mother to child has declined from 10,8% in 2004 to 1,9% in 2012 and HIV new infections reduced by 50%.

    The TB mortality rate fell by 78% between 1997 and 2010, the prevalence and incidence by 71%. The treatment success rate swiftly increased between 2002 and 2005 and is more than 85% from 2006.

    For Malaria, since 2005, an integrated Government strategy of prevention using long lasting insecticide treated nets and artemisinin-combination therapies (ACTs) treatment combined with a strong healthcare system strengthening resulted in an 85% reduction in the number of malaria cases and deaths.

    In 2010, the rate of malaria cases treated after laboratory confirmation was 99% in 2012. Since then, Rwanda has continuously achieved over 90% laboratory confirmation of malaria cases before treatment compared to 40% in 2005.

    Rwanda’s achievements are attributed to good leadership, political commitment, and strong emphasis on the health system strengthening and inherent responsibility throughout the health system from the highest levels to the community.

    The summit whose theme is “Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future” discussed the draft of the Abuja Actions toward the implementation of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa by 2030.

    It will be closed by a Special Assembly of Heads of States and Heads of Governments of the African Union on July 15th to 16th 2013.

    Rwanda is determined to meet this important commitment of the African Union.

  • Ban Ki-moon Urges International Community To Support Burundi’s Development

    {{“Today, more than ever, Burundi needs support,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message to the first Sectoral Conference in the country, held in the capital, Bujumbura, delivered by his Special Representative for Burundi, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga,}}

    “The country has already progressed along the long and difficult path towards peace and sustainable development. Now all stakeholders must come together to implement the recommendations of the Geneva Conference.”

    In his remarks, Mr. Ban also called on inclusive participation from all sectors of society, stressing this is essential to fight poverty and promote growth.

    “The State holds primary responsibility for upholding its commitments but civil society, the private sector, religious and local communities and development partners must all play their part,” he said. “The engagement of women and youth is especially critical to success.”

    Mr. Ban added that the Conference represented an essential step in efforts to ensure that the commitments made at the Conference of Development Partners in Geneva in October.

    During the Conference, more representatives from a range of countries identified ways to support Burundi’s continued progress in reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

    The international community also committed $2 billion to accelerate the country’s development.

    “I am grateful to the Government for organizing this Conference, which is an essential step forward in our common efforts to ensure that the Geneva commitments are realized. I also thank Burundi’s partners for their engagement, which reflects an important degree of international solidarity,” Mr. Ban said.

    “Together, we can help Burundi to fight poverty, generate employment, promote fair economic growth, participate in regional integration, and reinforce the State while protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens.”

  • Four Men Arrested over Murder

    {{Police in Ruhango district are holding four suspects in connection with murder of Baganizi Hakizimana.}}

    Hakizimana a casual labourer was murdered on July 15 and his body dumped in a swamp at Gataka, Nyamagana in the same district. His body was discovered later at about 10AM..witnesses who saw the body said it had no injuries and his death could have been a result of strangling.

    Suspects include; Macumu Aloys,Uwimana Vedaste, Tuyishime Viane and Nzayisenga Manyarire.

    Ruhango district Mayor Mbabazi Francois Xavier confirmed to IGIHE that Hakizimana in his early 30s had been murdred and his body dumped at a nearby swamp.

    Other witnesses said Hakizimana had been seen on July 14 engaged in his usual daily chores and had also been seen hours before meeting with his death.

  • Rwanda Complains to U.N. about new Congo brigade

    {{Rwanda is accusing the United Nations‘ new intervention brigade in eastern Congo of discussing collaboration with Hutu rebels linked to the Rwandan genocide of 1994, thereby jeopardizing regional peace efforts.}}

    In a letter to U.S. Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo in her role as this month’s president of the U.N. Security Council that was released on Monday, Rwandan U.N. Ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana said MONUSCO intervention brigade commanders have met with FDLR rebels, the remnants of Hutu killers who carried out the 1994 genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda.

    U.N. peacekeeping troops have been in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for more than a decade. The world body’s MONUSCO force there is currently 17,000 strong, the largest force of U.N. peacekeeping troops in the world.

    The complex conflict has dragged on, killing millions of people through violence, famine and disease since the 1990s.

    That has led the United Nations to create a new “intervention brigade” – part of the MONUSCO force but assigned the task of not merely peacekeeping but taking active steps to neutralize rebel groups.

    The force, comprised of troops from South Africa and Tanzania as well as soldiers from Malawi due in Congo later this month or in August, has already begun patrolling and is approaching full strength.

    “Rwanda has credible, reliable and detailed information that various forms of tactical and strategic collaboration with the FDLR were discussed during those meetings,” Gasana said in the letter.

    “Their actions, implicating senior United Nations commanders picking sides among the very armed groups whose military activities they are meant to deter, are of serious concern,” he wrote.

    Gasana also supported an allegation contained in the latest report by the U.N. Group of Experts that units of the Congolese army (FARDC) have been cooperating with the FDLR.

    {{‘Gratuitous Accusations’}}

    The Congolese government disputed Gasana’s claims.

    “These are allegations which are not backed up by any proof,” Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende told a news conference in Kinshasa. “Rwanda is making gratuitous accusations to justify the attacks they are carrying out at the moment.”

    Mende said Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebels who clashed with the Congolese army at Mutaho on Sunday. Fighting continued on Monday.

    Gasana said FARDC-FDLR collaboration often occurs with the knowledge – or even support – of MONUSCO intervention brigade contingents.

    “We have reliable information that indicates several instances of FDLR units or commanders being integrated in FARDC commando units near the border with Rwanda,” the Rwandan envoy said. “In some instances, certain Force Intervention Brigade commanders are aware and supportive of such instances.”

    The Group of Experts, which monitors compliance with U.N. sanctions for Congo, also said in its interim report that M23 rebels in Congo continue to recruit fighters in neighboring Rwanda with the aid of sympathetic Rwandan military officers. Rwanda has denied the group’s allegations, accusing it of bias.

    Gasana said that “there are increased patterns of large quantities of weapons and ammunition being delivered to FDLR by FARDC officers, which have taken place with the knowledge and support of (MONUSCO) Force Intervention Brigade commanders.”

    “The above-mentioned activities and patterns are developments that my government takes seriously, as they constitute a serious threat to the security of my country but also put into question the credibility of MONUSCO and its peacekeeping operations,” he said.

    Gasana added that “any hidden agenda driven by political and/or economic interests” would undermine the push for peace in the region.

    The U.N. peacekeeping department declined to comment.

    Separately, the head of U.N. peacekeeping, Herve Ladsous, told Reuters on Sunday in an interview in Paris that MONUSCO will soon have unarmed surveillance drones to monitor developments on the ground in eastern Congo.

  • Police Displays Mali Mission Equipment

    {{Rwanda National Police yesterday invited the UN technical team to inspect its Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) ahead of the Mali deployment.}}

    The equipment, which include a fleet of 30 vehicles comprised of trucks, breakdown, ambulances, coaster buses, buffalo SUVs and a folk lifter, is part of the facilities needed for the troops’ mission in Mali.

    A water plant and electric generators were also inspected.

    The inspection team will later visit Gishari Polytechnique Police training school to witness drills offered to the 140 Rwandan Police officers expected to be deployed in war torn Mali.

    Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege said the equipment is needed because this is the first mission deployment of Rwandan troops in Mali.

    Meanwhile, a special team of officers have been sent to Mali to inspect the terrain before the troops are deployed.

    After, Haiti, Mali is the second country where Rwanda National Police will be deploying Formed Police Unit (FPU) Peacekeepers.

    Rwanda National Police has more than 450 peacekeepers in eight countries, including Haiti, Sudan, Liberia, among others.

    RNP

  • How Tanzanian Peackeepers Were Attacked in Darfur

    {{Fresh reports are emerging on the deadly attack on Saturday that claimed the lives of seven Tanzanian soldiers in Darfur, as Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) forms a team of experts to investigate the mystery surrounding the incident.}}

    The slain soldiers, who were part of the UN-Africa Mission in Darfur (Unamid) died on Saturday after gunmen ambushed a convoy comprising Tanzanian peacekeepers.

    Their 17 colleagues were seriously wounded in the incident described as the deadliest ever single attack on the international force in Sudan.

    The unidentified assailants ambushed the convoy of the African Union and the United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur at Khor Abeche in southern Darfur, killing the seven Tanzanian soldiers instantly.

    TPDF spokesman, Colonel Kapambala Mgawe, said on Sunday that a team of experts would travel to Khartoum and Darfur for talks with authorities over the attack.

    Speaking from Sudan, a police officer who working in Nyala town, Darfur the attack occurred when the soldiers were on a search for UN vehicles which are said to have been stolen by a rebel group.

    “The soldiers were in a normal patrol, but a week ago, unknown assailants attacked members of the army and disappeared with four vehicles without causing any injury,’’ he said, adding:

    “On Saturday our soldiers saw their vehicles parked somewhere, but when they moved to recover them, they were suddenly and viciously attacked.”

    He described the incident as the biggest and that the surviving soldiers are engulfed in fear. “It is really traumatising here; I can tell you the rebels are fully armed with sophisticated weapons’’, said the police.

    He added that of all the incidents he has witnessed while working as a security man, the one on Saturday was the most vicious.

    As of yesterday, the TPDF was yet to reveal the names the fallen Tanzanians. Colonel Mgawe said the army was communicating with the UN in part of the process to bring the soldiers’ remains home. He, however, declined to give names.

    “It is too early to divulge the names, but we are all set to receive their bodies which will be transported here by the UN,” he said.

    Yesterday, Unamid spokesperson Chris Cycmanick, told The Citizen that plans to bring the bodies to Tanzania were underway and that by the end of the week, they would be in Dar es Salaam.

    The Citizen

  • Akon Tells Blacks in US: Let’s move to Africa, we are not safe in America

    {Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman}

    {{African born international music star, Akon has called on African Americans to move to Africa as their safety can no longer be guaranteed following the acquittal of George Zimmerman who shot and killed a black boy.}}

    The Senegalese born musician made the remarks after George Zimmerman was found not guilty by a Florida jury on Saturday night.

    The jury found Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in a shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February last year.

    George Zimmerman alleged that he shot the Trayvon in self defence after a confrontation with the 17-year-old who was walking home from a store that night.

    The incident captured attention across the world with thousands of people protesting due to what many saw a racially motivated shooting.

    Shortly after the verdict was delivered, Akon, born Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam posted a photo of George Zimmerman in court on Instagram and stated that African Americans will be treated better in African than in the US.

    He said: “Every African American in the United States need to move their money, family, knowledge back to Africa were [where] u will be treated like the royalty you are. You don’t deserve this treatment. This is not your country!!”

    His remarks sparked several reactions from his followers. Myjoyonline.com’s checks on his status showed that while some fans liked the comments, others felt his reaction was in bad taste.

    A fan quizzed: “And what about when OJ was not charged for Nicole’s murder? Was that a “race” victory? No!! Don’t let race play into anything. Don’t look at race!!! It’s 2013, we all need to stop seeing color!”

    Another fan also commented: “That [is] just f******g stupid @Akon African Americans have lived in America for so many years n I highly doubt this trial had anything to do with race. You [are] just like every other African American bringing in the f******g race hate into it.

    “I don’t understand why African Americans are so mad about slavery the Jews had it worse in WWII and it was more recent than slavery n I never hear them saying “it’s because he’s Jewish” so stfu n stick to making music.”

    {myjoyonline}