Author: admin

Philanthropy’s strategic partnerships can end Africa aid dependence – First Lady

{ {{First Lady Jeannette Kagame has called for more strategic partnerships between governments, corporations, organisations, and individual philanthropists, to help break the never-ending cycle of dependency on the African continent.}} }

While speaking at the Africa Philanthropist Forum that ended in Kigali yesterday, Mrs Kagame urged that more conversations and networking have a tremendous potential, to create the bridges needed to impact more effectively the lives of the less privileged.

“It is also very important, that we continue to engage recipients, to ensure they have the ability to articulate their needs, as we have to be conscious of the ever-changing dynamics on ground, when adapting our philanthropic interventions.

“Thus, we must think creatively for ways to improve our approach to philanthropic work, while always acknowledging the wealth of our cultural wisdom, and its ability to deliver the right solutions, to the challenges our continent faces,” the First Lady said.

The two-day conference, dubbed the “Africa Philanthropy Forum” (APF) that opened in Kigali on Monday, was held under the theme, “The Promise to the Next Generation.”

It brought together over 50 high-ranking personalities representing global philanthropy organisations, governments, the business sector and public institutions.

Rwanda was chosen to host this year’s forum for her continued search for human development, according to the organisers.

Mrs Kagame noted that for Rwanda to host the high level forum affords the country and the continent an opportunity to reflect upon and address a topic that is personal and relevant in the present world.

The First Lady said after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed more than one million people, Rwanda rebuilt itself to the present status through the resilience of human nature and the philanthropic heart.

“The Rwanda you see today has its foundation in the philanthropic acts of countless sons and daughters of this land, and of so many others, who chose to become our friends. We have seen the great power of philanthropy,” Mrs Kagame said.

This system, which is built on our shared humanity, has managed to stitch our social fabric together, when other avenues supposed to bring relief, sometimes failed to deliver on their promises,” Mrs Kagame added.

Jane Wales, the chief executive of the Global Philanthropy Forum, speaking in a press briefing said that philanthropists, specifically those based in Africa, would go back home challenged to be part of the process to transform their continent.

“All of us, will go back to our respective countries with the hunger of giving. Especially to spur the next generation of Africa that is less dependent but rather full of hope,” Wales noted.

Among high profile participants at the conference, was the Queen of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, who supported the idea of partnerships between government and legitimate traditional institutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This is because traditional leaders have the ability to rally people and get commitment to causes both easily and cheaper,” said Nagginda, whose kingdom is Uganda’s biggest cultural institution.

The New Times

October 28, 2015
MONUSCO, FARDC attack Burundi Rebels

{{Burundi rebel bases seized in new offensive by UN and DRCongo
}}

UN and Democratic Republic of Congo forces seized several rebel bases in an offensive launched Monday against a Burundi rebel group, the National Liberation Forces (FNL), the UN said.

A spokesman for the UN’s MONUSCO force in DRCongo said troops taking part in joint operations against FNL fighters in the east of the country had taken several Hutu rebel strongholds.

Lieutenant Colonel Felix-Prosper Basse said the bases were located near the Burundi border in South Kivu.

Previous attacks in Burundi’s border region have been claimed by a splinter faction of the National Liberation Forces (FNL), whose full name is Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People.

The main body of FNL — a highly disciplined group notorious for singing hymns as they carried out attacks — signed a peace deal with the Burundian government in 2009 and have since become a political party.

The rebels who still fight on claimed responsibility for a string of attacks last year.

Global Post

January 5, 2015
480 million Africans Will Face Water Scarcity By 2025

{{Waste of water, throwing bad things into river, not taking rain water on the house, those are some of things that would cause climate change if there are no measures taken.}}

Waste of water cause damages of basic infrastructures (road destruction), landslides, loss of agricultural produces, soil erosion and environmental degradation, fatalities and injuries .

It also causes High consumption of ‘fossil fuels’ (such as coal, petrol, diesel) to drive development, Deforestation- trees act as carbon sinks and the Burning of energy sources releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

In workshop training of two days for journalists prepared by Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa), journalists are being trained on the theme titled

“Role of Communication in Promoting Water Security and Climate Resilience”

Through different presentation given by trainers, journalists were showed how in 2025, around 480 million of people in Africa will face either water scarcity or water stress one of the point highlighted by NAPA (National Adaptation Plan for Action 2006 ),the reason why journalists have to inform citizens more on water security and climate change.

Mr.Safari Patrick regional director of Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa, called on journalists to keep on reporting on climate impacts without waiting it to happen.

He said ”don’t wait flood to happen instead report how to prevent it early .You may show People in charge what is going to happen and they stand up to fight it before happening”.

On water security Jean Pierre Hakizimana, the Director Manager of Water Climate and Development Program in Rwanda told the trainees to know more on the sufficiency of water, in which way it can be protected and how water may be shared to others.

Talking on why Rwandan citizens are still wasting water, Dr. Omar Munyaneza the researcher and lecturer at University of Rwanda said that the rain of all period is the main cause of wasting water, they don’t care about the future.

Omar said” as journalists we need you to report more on water security and climate resilience in the language which is understandable to citizen as they believe in media.

In Rwanda ,Water Climate and Development Program have different projects in Eastern Pronvince , Bugesera District in Kamabuye sector, where they have projects started in 2013 includes water supply to 2000 people, giving biogas to 11 families and planting trees on border of Cyohoha lake south in protecting its erosion.

Climate change is caused by two major things, human activities and natural phenomenon like eruption, wind and other calamites that why journalists have to inform more on human activities as it is the first driver to climate change.

story by {{Tombola Felicie}}

September 2, 2014
Rwanda’s Consumer Price Index UP

{{Rwanda’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, has risen 2.72 percent year on year in April 2014, down from 3.43 percent in March 2014.

In April 2014, “food and non alcoholic beverages” rose 3.84 percent year on year, while prices of “Restaurants and hotels” moved up 10.42.

Food prices account for about one-third of the CPI weight.

The data also show the “local goods” increased by 3.09 percent on annual change with a monthly change of +0.76 percent, while prices of the “imported products” increased by 1.20 percent on annual change with a monthly change of +0.18 percent.

The prices of the “fresh products” had a positive annual change of 6.18 percent between April 2014 and April 2013.}}

{{Understanding what Consumer Price Index }}

A consumer price index (CPI) measures changes in the price level of a market basket of consumer goods and services purchased by households.

The CPI is a statistical estimate constructed using the prices of a sample of representative items whose prices are collected periodically.

Sub-indexes and sub-sub-indexes are computed for different categories and sub-categories of goods and services, being combined to produce the overall index with weights reflecting their shares in the total of the consumer expenditures covered by the index.

It is one of several price indicescalculated by most national statistical agencies. The annual percentage change in a CPI is used as a measure of inflation.

A CPI can be used to index (i.e., adjust for the effect of inflation) the real value of wages, salaries,pensions, for regulating prices and for deflating monetary magnitudes to show changes in real values.

{additional information from NISR}

May 13, 2014
Liverpool will never forgive themselves if they fail to win title

{{Liverpool stand three steps from Premier League heaven after all the qualities required to win titles were put to the test by Norwich City at Carrow Road.}}

Brendan Rodgers’s side – it is still just too early to call them champions-elect – showed their attacking brilliance, resilience and enjoyed a little good fortune to hold out for a win that at one stage looked a formality.

Early goals from Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez were examples of the fluidity and brilliance that have become Liverpool’s trademark this season, but those other factors were at work as they dug in to go five points clear at the top of the table with a 3-2 victory.

With all the other cards falling into place this week as Sunderland took four points off Manchester City and Chelsea, it was a result that completed another perfect weekend for Liverpool – and for supporters heady on the anticipation of their first title in 24 years.

Liverpool – who host Chelsea, visit Crystal Palace and return to Anfield to face Newcastle – may not even need their three games to complete the job.

If they do not win the title now, though, it will be regarded as one of the biggest missed opportunities in their history.

Once again, captain Steven Gerrard led by example at Carrow Road, especially late on when struggling Norwich got the scent of an unlikely point. And his message was the same as after the win against Manchester City a week ago – one more obstacle successfully cleared, on to the next.

The reaction of every member of Liverpool’s camp at the final whistle told the tale. After Chelsea’s shock defeat at home to Sunderland, this was an opportunity to be grabbed with both hands. How nervously they clung to it during those tense final moments in Norfolk.

Adding to a sense that this will be Liverpool’s title season at last, even those Rodgers has sent away from Anfield have been making crucial contributions.

wirestory

April 21, 2014
EAC Fisheries Officials Meet to Save Nile Perch

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania fisheries experts are meeting in Entebbe to discuss a revised draft for the Nile Perch Fisheries Management Plan (NPFMP) for Lake Victoria.

The plan seeks to reduce the fishing of Nile Perch in Lake Victoria to rebuild the stocks.

It also contains a number of management proposals for the three countries that share the lake.

The two-day meeting in Entebbe is attended by officials from Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), scientists, fisheries staff and operators, beach management unit officials, the civil society and fisheries NGOs in the region.

The outcome of the workshop will be critical to the long-term compliance with the provisions of the plan.

This comes after the ACP II fish project funded by the European Commission held a similar meeting with regional government officials in Kampala recently to devise ways of strengthening fisheries management.

{agencies}

October 22, 2013
U.N. Concerned by Military Buildup Around Goma

{{Talks to end a two-year insurgency in eastern Congo stalled on Monday after the government rejected a call for amnesty for M23 rebel leaders as the United Nations expressed concern at a military buildup by the group around the provincial capital Goma.}}

Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s government and the M23 rebels had agreed on two-thirds of a draft deal during recent talks in neighboring Uganda, U.N. special envoy to the Great Lakes region, Mary Robinson, told the U.N. Security Council.

“However, the parties found it difficult to agree on certain contentious and difficult issues that had remained problematic throughout the talks, namely the amnesty, disarmament and integration of M23,” Robinson told the 15-member council.

“They have agreed to reconvene soon in order to overcome their differences,” she said via video link from Addis Ababa.

During closed-door Security Council consultations after her public briefing, several diplomats said Robinson told them that Rwandan President Paul Kagame had conveyed a personal message to the M23 delegation to encourage them to reach a compromise.

U.N. experts have repeatedly accused Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s neighbour to the east, of supporting the M23 rebellion, a charge Kigali has robustly denied.

Robinson visited Kagame in Kigali on Friday with envoys from the United States, the European Union and the African Union.

“The president believed that while the M23 was not Rwanda’s issue, a peace agreement between the rebel group and the government of the DRC would benefit the entire region,” she told the Security Council during her public briefing.

The Congolese government said it strongly opposed a blanket pardon for the commanders of the Tutsi-led rebellion and against reintegrating their fighters into the national army.

M23 accused the government delegation of refusing to cooperate with its chief negotiator and of seeking a return to hostilities.

Martin Kobler, head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo known as MONUSCO, told the Security Council that in recent days “we have observed considerable military build-up on both sides of the front line.”

“At the same time M23 has fired twice at unarmed U.N. helicopters and has strengthened offensive positions threatening U.N. peacekeepers,” he said. “Information gathered indicates the M23 has also strengthened its frontline in the south near Goma.”

M23 briefly captured Goma in November, then withdrew to pave the way for peace talks in the Ugandan capital Kampala.

NV

October 22, 2013
Mali’s Keita Rejects Secession

{{Mali’s president asked a national congress on Monday to draw up plans for increased regional autonomy, a year after northern separatists and their Islamist allies seized two-thirds of the country, prompting France to send in troops.}}

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said northern Tuaregs had legitimate concerns that should be addressed but insisted that demands for independence were unacceptable.

“We must provide a definitive response to the frustrations that fuel the nationalist ambitions of our Tuareg brothers,” Keita said, inaugurating a three-day conference on decentralization. “But Mali is indivisible.”

The congress, a preliminary step before planned talks between the government and Tuareg separatist groups, will evaluate decentralization efforts undertaken since an earlier rebellion in 1990.

Under those reforms, Mali – which previously counted 19 administrative districts, known as communes – was divided into 703 communes. However, results were mixed.

Pro-government critics of the policy say decentralization further encouraged Tuareg ambitions of independence. Tuareg groups say the reforms did not go far enough.

“After diagnosing the difficulties encountered, it’s up to you to form pertinent and apt recommendations to correct this dysfunction,” Keita told the conference.

The French-led offensive launched in January succeeded in driving out al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups, but it did not target Tuareg MNLA rebels. Representatives from the MNLA were expected to attend the congress but were not present on the opening day.

Keita was elected in August after the MNLA allowed the elections to take place in its northern stronghold of Kidal in exchange for promises of talks to address its demands.

The MNLA has backed away from demands for an independent Tuareg homeland but maintains calls for increased autonomy.

Keita, who won office on promises to reunite the country, is under pressure to settle the Tuareg issue, but concessions to the rebels will be unpopular in the heavily populated south.

The fragile peace between the government and rebels has frayed since the elections. MNLA fighters clashed with government forces in Kidal late last month.

wirestory

October 22, 2013
Nigerians Outraged by Aviation Minister’s $1.4 million Cars

A government minister has angered Nigerians by buying two bullet-proof limousines for $1.4 million, in a country where 60 percent of people live on less than $1 a day.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it ordered the BMW 760 Li vehicles for 225 million Nigerian naira two months ago at the request of Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, saying they were necessary for security.

“It is internationally customary to convey our minister and … foreign dignitaries in a security vehicle whenever they are in Nigeria,” NCAA Director General Fola Akinkuotu told journalists over the weekend.

News of the car purchase was revealed in a document leaked by a whistle-blower to U.S.-based Nigerian diaspora website Sahara Reporters last week. Oduah’s supporters say the story is an attempt by her enemies to smear her reputation.

But Nigerians, fed up with what they see as politicians’ squandering of public money on flash cars and houses while education and health budgets are squeezed, expressed outrage.

“When poverty is eroding the lives of the citizenry, it is outrageous for such an amount of money to be used to purchase armed vehicles for the minister,” an activist group called the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice said, calling on called on Oduah to resign.

Oduah’s spokesman Joe Obi was not immediately available for comment, but he was quoted in The Punch newspaper on Monday as saying the vehicles were needed because of “clear and imminent threats to her personal security.”

Around 70 percent of the budget of Africa’s top oil producer is spent on running the government, leaving the remaining 30 percent for investment in badly needed infrastructure.

Almost 100 million Nigerians live on less than $1 a day.

“In another land, this act of recklessly spending public funds … would be a political suicide,” blogger Tolu Ogunlesi wrote in The Punch. “But this is Nigeria, where such irresponsible acts are welcome.”

Adding to the controversy is that fact that the cars retail in the West at a third of the price, around $250,000. Akinkuotu attributed the price difference to a monopoly position enjoyed by the importer.

Oduah, a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan, upset relatives of plane crash victims this month by calling such incidents inevitable acts of God. There have been two deadly plane crashes in the past 15 months, including one that killed 163 people last year.

{reuters}

October 22, 2013
French coach Metsu buried in Senegal

{{The burial of Bruno Metsu took place in Senegal on Monday, with President Macky Sall among a host of people who paid tribute to the Frenchman.}}

Former Senegal national team coach Metsu died from cancer aged just 59 and was laid to rest in Dakar.

Sall described the Frenchman Metsu, who led Senegal to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, as “an example of humanity and virtue”.

He also called him a “hero among Senegalese heroes”.

“In this time of grief and sorrow for our country, I would like to express the ineffable compassion of the Senegalese nation,” Sall said.

Leeds United forward El Hadji Diouf and former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Khalilou Fadiga were among a number of past and present footballers at the ceremony at a hospital in the capital.

Wellwishers waved posters of the coach and wore T-shirts bearing the message “Thank you Metsu” outside the funeral, attended by his widow Viviane Dieye Metsu (pictured )and his children, as well as leading Senegalese politicians.

“Today, a true Lion went to sleep,” the president said, in a reference to Senegal’s nickname, the Lions of Teranga.

Metsu’s coffin was draped in the Senegalese flag and the green flag of Islam, a religion to which the coach converted several years ago, taking the name Abdou Karim Metsu.

{agencies}

October 22, 2013