IGIHE

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  • UN Worried Over Slow Progress on Albino killing cases

    UN Worried Over Slow Progress on Albino killing cases

    {{The United Nations has expressed concern over the slow progress of albino murder cases in Tanzania, which shows high level of impunity and vulnerability of people with albinism in the country.}}

    The report — entitled ‘Persons With Albinism’, released last week by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — said that of the 72 murders of people with albinism documented since 2000, only five cases are known to have resulted in successful prosecutions.

    “While some investigations and prosecutions seem to be taking place, sentencing appears to be extremely rare. We are concerned about the high number of reported incidents in Tanzania and the limited number of court cases and slow proceedings in this regard,” reads in part the report.

    The report noted, however, that the Attorney General’s Chambers informed the OHCHR that a special task force was assisting law enforcing authorities in the investigation and prosecution of the cases, which could result in successful prosecutions.

    The report also unveiled a list of 15 African countries where the killing of people with albinism is still rampart. Top in the list is Tanzania where the latest death was the murder of a seven-year old boy on January 31, 2013.

    Burundi, Kenya, Swaziland and Guinea followed in the list. About 22 people have been killed in Burundi so far, while in Kenya 12 people with albinism were murdered.

    In total there were 124 reports of killings, assaults and robberies targeting people with albinism in Tanzania.

    About 72 of these led to killings, while 35 assaults left albinos severely mutilated.

    There were 15 robberies and two failed similar attempts. Other countries mentioned in the report where albino murders take place include Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Namibia.

    The other countries include Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Mozambique, Botswana and Cameroon.

    NMG

  • Tsvangirai now Wants Talks with Mugabe

    Tsvangirai now Wants Talks with Mugabe

    {{Former Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai Friday said he was ready to discuss his pension with President Robert Mugabe amid indications he has abandoned the challenge against the veteran ruler’s re-election.}}

    Mr Tsvangirai despite withdrawing a court case challenging the July 31 elections had vowed to push for fresh elections using diplomatic channels.

    He refused to concede defeat, accusing President Mugabe of massive vote rigging in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

    But in an interview with the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper, Mr Tsvangirai said he wanted to discuss with his pension with his rival and other issues that would move the country forward.

    He said he was not sure if he was entitled to a pension and a house that was built for him when he joined the inclusive government in 2009.

    “That subject (pension) has not been discussed,” Mr Tsvangirai said. “I will meet the president now that we have a cabinet and engage him on such issues and others, which may help move Zimbabwe forward.”

    On his multi-million dollar residence he said: “Well, as I have said, I will have to meet (President) Mugabe first and will see whether they will offer me the place (house) and if I can afford it then make arrangements to pay for it.”

    There were reports that some hardliners in President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party wanted the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader evicted from the house whose renovations cost over $3 million.

    Mr Tsvangirai said those who wanted him to be evicted were being vindictive.

    “It shows vindictiveness of some petty people who are not prepared to accept others with different ideas around them,” he said.

    “They hate me because I am a threat to their greed, corruption and ill-gotten wealth.”

    President Mugabe early this week said he left MDC members out of his new cabinet because the party refused to accept his re-election.

    {wirestory}

  • 3 Suspects Arrested for Exhuming body

    3 Suspects Arrested for Exhuming body

    {{Police at Mukamira in Nyabihu district has arrested three men suspected of exhuming a body burried about one year ago.}}

    The deceased has been identified as Sebutozi Silas. before his death, he had a broken bone that was held together by a metalic intramedullary rod after an accident in 1983.

    The three suspects who tampered with the grave on September 17, revealed that the metal rod has market value of Frw 6Million.

    Police has detained Munyakaragwe Theophile (the son of the deceased), Nsabimana Theogene (the deceased’s grandson) and Hatangishaka Jackson, a security officer in kibuye village all held in connection with exhuming the body.

    Munyakaragwe Theophile confessed committing the crime and asked for forgiveness, “When I got involved in the deal to get the rod, it would be an easy task because knew his tomb, he was my father…I ask the government and my family to forgive me.”

    The police spokesperson for Western Province, Supt. Amza Vita condemned the act saying, “this act meant to dehumanize the remains which were buried in dignity is not part of the Rwandan culture”.

    If found guilty, the suspects will be sentenced to prison for a period between 5 and 7 years for exhuming a human remains with an intent of stealing from it.

    source:RBA

  • U.S. & Allies Target Hezbollah Financing & ties in Africa

    U.S. & Allies Target Hezbollah Financing & ties in Africa

    {{The United States and its allies are clamping down on suspected Hezbollah activity in West Africa, which Washington says is a major source of cash for the Lebanese group as its patron Iran feels the pinch of sanctions.}}

    The push coincides with Hezbollah’s deepening role in Syria, where it has dispatched thousands of fighters to back President Bashar al-Assad. It also comes in the wake of attacks outside Lebanon linked to Hezbollah that Western experts say are part of global campaign that could soon include Africa.

    Critics, however, argue that Washington and its allies may be exaggerating the threat and failing to distinguish between different forms of support for various elements of the Shi’ite Islamist guerrilla and political movement, which was founded with Iran’s help after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

    U.S. officials say that while most Lebanese in West Africa have few links to the group, Washington’s financial sanctions have reduced an annual flow of millions of dollars which Hezbollah receives from people and businesses in the region.

    Iran remains the main sponsor and armourer of a group which fought Israel with missiles in a month-long war in 2006.

    But Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear plans add significance to Hezbollah’s other income, U.S. officials say.

    “(West Africa) is more important in the sense that what they’re getting from Iran is squeezed. Iran’s capacity to fund Hezbollah has been impaired,” said David Cohen, U.S. treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

    “There’s reason to think Hezbollah is not just collecting money but it is also using these outposts as places where they can plan and conduct activities,” he added.

    Nigeria, with support from Israel, says it has uncovered a Hezbollah cell and arms cache and arrested has locals it accuses of spying for Iran.

    A resource-rich but poorly policed part of the world, which already sees al Qaeda-linked activity, could see future Hezbollah attacks, some Western experts say.

    While there are disputes over the scale of the support Hezbollah receives from West Africa, there is little doubt over how important Lebanese businesses are to the region.

    With interests ranging from mobile phones, import-export and heavy industry to street stalls and fast-food joints, Lebanese-owned businesses are present at every level of the economy.

    But Western security officials and Lebanese businessmen say common use of cash and informal transfers by such enterprises makes it hard to detect whether any engage in money laundering. Businesses move money across borders through friends and family rather than banks. Some may even send cash by the suitcase load.

    Individuals targeted in the most recent wave of U.S. sanctions have denied the accusations and complain Washington is penalising charity and family ties with Shi’ite areas of Lebanon where Hezbollah plays a major social and political role.

    Rudy Atallah, a former Africa Counterterrorism Director in the U.S. Defense Department said the United States viewed Hezbollah as “the linchpin in all sort of activities – money laundering, drug trafficking and weapons”.

    “They feel if they can clamp down on them in West Africa it would have some sort of impact on them back home,” added Atallah, who now is now a private security consultant.

    Representatives of Hezbollah in Beirut did not respond to requests for comment. The group gives no detail on its financial arrangements.

    It has elected members in parliament but its leadership, facing a permanent threat of Israeli attack, generally stays undercover and limits public comment.

    reuters

  • $26 Million to Strengthen Democracy in Rwanda

    $26 Million to Strengthen Democracy in Rwanda

    {{One UN has extended over $26 million to help strengthen Democratic practices in Rwanda.}}

    The funds are expected to facilitate programs including; media development, access to justice, rule of law, human rights, among others in a period of five years.

    Prof Anastase Shyaka, the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board said, “The joint programme has four main components including; inclusive participation, institutional accountability, evidence based public governance and capacity building of national authorities in order to improve their service delivery.”

    The set of programs launched Wednesday will be aligned with the second phase of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS2) that will be implemented in the same time period.

    Prof. Shyaka said the first part of the programme,(access to justice, human rights and peace consolidation) will mainly be implemented by Ministry of Justice, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Rwanda National Police, and the National Commission for Human Rights.

    According to James Musoni the Minister for Local Government, “Deepening democracy and government accountability are within in the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy,” he said adding that with resources available from UN, these programmes will be implemented with a better sense of urgency.

  • QNET’s African footprint starts with Rwanda

    QNET’s African footprint starts with Rwanda

    {{Asian Direct Selling powerhouse QNET has established a local affiliate, QNET East Africa Ltd, and launched its e-commerce platform in Rwanda, as the company prepares for business expansion on the African continent.}}

    QNET East Africa plans to open its new office in downtown Kigali next month. The company recently opened its e-store to Rwandans at a soft opening ceremony on August 24.

    The event was attended by QNET Senior Legal Officer Timothy Harney and Operations Manager Lordever Digan.

    The pair was joined by 130 of QNET’s local Independent Representatives (IRs), or distributors, who directly market and promote the company’s life-enhancing products to customers.

    “We chose to establish our first African office in Rwanda because the country offers a business-friendly environment, sound infrastructure, and reliable IT platform,” Mr. Digan said.

    “I have been very impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the people here, and I can see a bright future for QNET in Rwanda and East Africa.”

    In addition to managing the company’s proprietary e-commerce platform, QNET East Africa will act as a customer service center, an import and distribution hub, and provide marketing support and professional training for IRs.

    QNET senior executives have been in close contact during the past year with Rwandan government officials, as the company prepared to establish an official corporate entity in East Africa.

    “On behalf of QNET, I want to thank the Rwanda Development Board, which was extremely helpful and informative during the incorporation process,” Mr. Harney said. “We’ve also consulted with officers from the Ministry of Health and Revenue authorities to assure that QNET East Africa’s operations comply with all Rwandan regulations.”

    QNET celebrates its 15th anniversary this year; it has been selling a wide range of products in the area of personal care, home care, watches, jewelry, vacations and many others in sub-Saharan Africa for four years already.

    QNET executives said that once the distribution network has been firmly established in Rwanda, the Kigali office will serve as a regional hub for East Africa Community, a market consisting of five member states and a population of more than 135 million.

  • RwandAir to Fly to Juba for the First time

    RwandAir to Fly to Juba for the First time

    {{Passengers from Kigali International Airport, will on Saturday board the first ever RwandAir, the national carrier flight to Juba in the Republic of South Sudan.}}

    The National carrier has launched the destination with attractive fares that will surely resonate in the region and beyond.

    The launch from Kigali to Juba, for example, is fixed at $ 199 all taxes inclusive. With three weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday onboard the brand new 75-seater Bombardier CRJ-900 NextGen, Juba becomes the 15th destination on the network.

    In his remarks, the CEO of RwandAir, John Mirenge, shared his enthusiasm as to what Juba represents for the network.

    “The Republic of South Sudan is a new born democratic state in Africa, a lot of development is buzzing there and business is attractive to investors or other well-wishers who want to join the booming atmosphere”.

    “In West Africa, southern Africa, or the East African Community, there is a lot of demand to provide access to Juba.
    RwandAir and our hub in Kigali offer the convenience in connectivity and affordability”, he added.

    “We are excited to work with travel agencies and other partners to satisfy this ever growing demand.
    Our network provides the necessary routes to reach out to a vast community and for Juba travelers to fulfill their travel needs within Africa and in Dubai”, reminded Mr. Mirenge.

    RwandAir has offered to boost the experience by offering a free night in beautiful Kigali for passengers traveling from Juba to West Africa or Tanzania. This offer is extended to other destinations as well like Lagos, Accra, Kamembe, Libreville, Brazzaville, and more.

  • Regional Course at the Rwanda Peace Academy ends Today

    Regional Course at the Rwanda Peace Academy ends Today

    {{A two-week “Peace Support Operations (PSO) Foundation Course” concludes Friday at the Rwanda Peace Academy Training facility in Musanze district. }}

    The course was attended by a total of 23 civilian personnel from 8 Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) member states.

    The aim of the course was to introduce civilian participants to the methods and concepts of contemporary Peace Support Operations, in preparation for peace support operations in the region and on the African continent.

    The training of civilian personnel is in line with the mission of the Rwanda Peace Academy which is to conduct research, develop and deliver internationally recognized professional training courses and educational programmes in order to equip the military, police and civilian personnel with the competences and knowledge required to meet Africa’s present and future complex peace and security challenges.

    The course is a result of collaborative efforts between the Rwanda Peace Academy, the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) and in particular its Civilian Component, and the German International Cooperation (GIZ). The Rwanda Peace Academy conducted a similar course in October 2012.

    Since November 2010, the RPA has conducted 24 courses. A total of 703 personnel (407 Military Officers, 144 Police Officers and 152 civilian officers) from 42 different countries in and outside Africa have been trained by the RPA.

  • Nigeria oil theft a global criminal enterprise: study

    Nigeria oil theft a global criminal enterprise: study

    {{Oil theft in Nigeria is a huge criminal operation affecting companies and states around the world, but interest in tackling the problem is low, Chatham House said in a report Thursday.}}

    The new study from the London-based think-tank, based on interviews with some 200 government, private sector and independent sources, said “Nigerian crude oil is being stolen on an industrial scale.”

    Estimates on the scale of the problem vary, with some Nigerian officials saying 150,000 barrels per day is stolen, costing some $6 billion a year in lost revenue.

    Chatham House, which also reviewed thousands of documents, said the figure was almost certainly more than 100,000 barrels per day.

    Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil producer, with output at around 2.0 million barrels per day.

    “Proceeds are laundered through world financial centres and used to buy assets in and outside Nigeria,” according to the think-tank.

    Few fully grasp the problem and those affected have shown little desire to act, it added.

    “In Nigeria, politicians, military officers, militants, oil industry personnel, oil traders and communities profit,” Chatham House said.

    For Nigeria, cracking down could inflame tensions among powerful figures, particularly in the southern oil-producing Niger Delta region, where unrest declined after a 2009 amnesty deal with rebels, but where stability remains elusive.

    Despite rhetoric about the scourge of oil theft from Western governments and foreign oil majors, neither camp has fully attacked the problem, the report said.

    There is “very little incentive for foreign partners to act, including risk of a diplomatic rift and almost no leverage,” in part because of Nigeria’s low aid dependence.

    Legitimate cargo

    Global oil giants like Shell, ExxonMobil, Total, Chevron and ENI all operate in the Niger Delta, but it is “unclear how much export oil” these companies lose, Chatham House said.

    “We have never reached the breaking point,” one oil executive was quoted as saying. “Something always happens that rights the ship.”
    Among the majors, Shell has been the most vocal and is likely the hardest hit given its larger presence onshore.

    But companies have in recent months sold onshore assets, seemingly to focus on deepwater projects, where the risks of theft and unrest are limited.

    The initial stages of Nigerian crude theft are largely known, with gangs tapping into pipelines, pumping crude to smaller vessels which take it to larger ships for international sale.
    A certain amount is refined and sold locally.

    Chatham House said it was less clear where the illicit crude is taken abroad and how it gets there.

    It partly reaches world markets through “co-loading”, where stolen oil is put on a ship carrying legal oil. Documents are forged and the vessel departs seemingly laden with legitimate cargo.

    The report suggests the United States, one of the largest markets for Nigerian oil, may not be a leading destination for illicit cargo, perhaps because US refineries more rigorously inspect incoming crude.

    Refineries in regional markets, including Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast, were listed as likely buyers.

    Various sources told Chatham House that refineries in China, India, Singapore and Eastern Europe all purchased stolen Nigerian oil, but the think-tank found little direct evidence to support any specific charge.

    The report offered various possible strategies to tackle the problem, but said the priority should be to learn more, including sweeping intelligence gathering involving all those affected.

    “Oil theft is a species of organised crime that is almost totally off the international community’s radar,” Chatham House said.

    “Without better knowledge of how the stolen oil trade works, not every government can ignore it with confidence.”

    -AFP-

  • AU leaders to discuss whether to pull continent out of the ICC

    AU leaders to discuss whether to pull continent out of the ICC

    {{African leaders will meet in the Ethiopian capital on October 13 to take a common stand on whether to join Kenya’s planned pull-out from the International Criminal Court ( ICC) over the prosecution of its leaders, officials said on Thursday.}}

    So far there does not seem to be much support for it, but heads of state from the 54-member African Union ( AU) may still discuss the possibility of a pull-out by the 34 African signatories to the Rome Statute that created the tribunal.

    Last week’s start of the trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto for crimes against humanity — with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s trial due in November — has fuelled a growing backlash against the Hague-based court from some African governments, which see it as a tool of Western powers.

    “The Kenyans have been criss-crossing Africa in search of support for their cause, even before their parliament voted to withdraw from the ICC,” an AU official told Reuters. “An extraordinary summit will now take place to discuss the issue.

    A complete walk-out of signatories (to the Rome Statute) is certainly a possibility, but other requests may be made.”

    The summit would be preceded by a meeting of African foreign ministers a day earlier, he said.

    Kenya’s spokesman for the presidency Manoah Esipisu said the country had not canvassed for the summit, but “welcomed the opportunity by African leaders to discuss what is obviously an important matter for the continent”.

    ICC prosecutors have accused Kenyatta and Ruto, alongside radio journalist Joshua arap Sang, of fomenting ethnic violence that killed about 1,300 people after a disputed election in December 2007.

    The three suspects deny the charges. Some neighbours of East Africa’s biggest economy have petitioned the ICC alongside Ruto’s lawyers for him to be excused from attending all ICC hearings.

    A diplomat at the African Union said Kenya may ask that Kenyatta and Ruto not to attend the entire trial. “There is a belief shared by the Kenyans and African states that the leaders appearing in the trials risks destabilising the country,” said the diplomat who declined to be named.

    {{grudge against the ICC}}

    In May, the AU backed a request by Kenya for the trials to be referred back to Kenya, on the ground that the ICC hearings risked raising ethnic tensions and destabilising its economy.

    {standard}