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  • African Mediators in Congo Conflict Call for Talks in 3 days

    African Mediators in Congo Conflict Call for Talks in 3 days

    {{African leaders trying to end an 18-month-old uprising in Congo called on Thursday for stalled talks between the government and eastern rebels to restart within three days.}}

    Democratic Republic of Congo’s government and M23 rebels began Ugandan-hosted talks after the rebels briefly seized the city of Goma late last year. However, negotiations have stalled and heavy fighting has resumed in recent weeks.

    Congo’s army, backed by a new U.N. intervention brigade, with a tough mandate to crush armed groups, has beaten back rebels from positions in the hills overlooking Goma but it has not extended gains deep into M23 territory.

    The next round of discussions should last for a maximum of 14 days “during which maximum restraint must be exercised on the ground to allow for talks to conclude,” mediating heads of state from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) said in a joint statement.

    The communiqué did not say what steps regional leaders would take if their appeal was not met.

    Congo’s government was not immediately available for comment but talks with the rebels are unpopular in Congo, where residents are tired of years of fighting. Kinshasa has in the past called for the rebels to disarm ahead of any talks.

    The rebels have said an interim deal signed in Ethiopia last year entitled them to retake positions they occupied before being driven back by U.N.-backed government troops last week.

    “If there is no solution from a dialogue then we have the right to take (Kibati) back,” rebel chief Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters, referring to a hilltop town overlooking Goma.

    M23 took up arms last year accusing Kinshasa of reneging on the terms of a 2009 deal to end a previous uprising.

    Tensions have been fuelled by accusations by U.N. experts that Rwanda is backing the rebels. Kigali denies supporting M23 but last week threatened to send its army into Congo after it accused its neighbor of shelling its territory.

    Millions of people have died from violence, disease and hunger since the 1990s as foreign-backed ethnic rebel groups have fought for control of eastern Congo’s rich deposits of gold, diamonds and tin, destabilizing the Great Lakes region.

    agencies

  • Emerging Market Pain Dominates G20 Economy Talks

    Emerging Market Pain Dominates G20 Economy Talks

    {{The Group of 20, which united in response to global crisis in 2009, now faces a U.S. economy picking up, Europe lagging and developing economies facing blowback from the looming ‘taper’ of the Federal Reserve’s monetary stimulus.}}

    “Our main task is returning the global economy towards steady and balanced growth. This task has unfortunately not been resolved,” Russian President Vladimir Putin told leaders as they met at an annual summit in St. Petersburg.

    Leaders signed off on a jobs and growth initiative, as well as steps to combat international tax evasion and tighten financial regulation. But concerns persisted that renewed market turbulence could hit developing economies hardest.

    “Systemic risks, the conditions for an acute crisis relapse, persist,” Putin said.

    The summit was overshadowed by great-power tensions over the Syria crisis, with leaders addressing security matters over dinner after their traditional debate on a world economy that is doing slightly better than a year ago.

    Departing from his prepared remarks, Putin avoided explicitly referring to risks arising from U.S. monetary policy. But the message from the BRICS caucus of emerging markets, which met earlier, was unmistakably aimed at Washington.

    The BRICS announced they would commit $100 billion to a currency reserve pool that could help defend against a balance of payments crisis, although the mechanism will take some time yet to set up.

    “The eventual normalization of monetary policies needs to be effectively and carefully calibrated and clearly communicated,” Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said in a joint statement.

    That language reflected the text agreed by G20 finance ministers in Moscow in July. Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said a passage on so-called “spillovers” would be unchanged in the closing summit communiqué.

    A Japanese government official said that at finance ministers’ talks over dinner, no countries were explicitly critical of the Fed although it was discussed at length.

    Even among emerging powers there were sharp messages.

    China and Russia said vulnerable countries, including G20 member India, will need to take steps to rebalance their economies, ruling out bailouts for countries that have hit trouble.

    Washington, while playing up its contribution to growth, said emerging economies would have to do their homework as it dials back its expansive policy settings.

    “Emerging economies, increasingly … will have to look within their own borders for demand,” Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said.

    {agencies}

  • Rwandan Peacekeepers in Haiti uphold Umuganda Legacy

    Rwandan Peacekeepers in Haiti uphold Umuganda Legacy

    {{Besides maintenance of law and order by providing security to Haitians, Rwanda National Police peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) have continued to involve in various activities in the reconstruction of the Caribbean nations.}}

    Last Saturday, the officers under the Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU) constructed and rehabilitated water channels in the town of Jeremie to prevent soil erosion and road degradation

    The deed falls under the framework of community policing, done every month by Police officers in mission, to help the communities.

    Mr. Ronald, a local official from Jeremie commended RWAFPU for going beyond its mandate to support Haitians and becoming a friendly force to the public.

    Chief Superintendent Peter Hodari, who observed that community work has impacted development in Rwanda, said there is also need to encourage people in Haiti to emulate it and to solve their problems jointly.

    “RWAFPU mission in Haiti is to stabilize this devastated country in terms of security and economic development, “Chief Superintendent Hodari explained.

    “Our mandate goes beyond Peace support operations. We also participate in developmental activities to ensure that the people of Haiti are stable,” he added.

    source: RNP

  • Promoting Healthy Ageing in the African Region

    Promoting Healthy Ageing in the African Region

    {{The number of older people in Africa is increasing. Are governments equipped to handle the situation? What are the challenges of ageing in Africa and what actions can countries take to promote healthy ageing?}}

    These and other questions are raised and addressed in a report presented today by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, to Health Ministers attending the 63rd Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa currently taking place in Brazzaville, Congo.

    Healthy ageing is the development and maintenance of optimal mental, social, and physical well-being and function in older adults, and elderly people are defined as those aged 60 years and above.

    Although life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa is still lower than in developed countries, the reality is that, today, many Africans are living longer. Indeed, according to WHO, the population of the elderly in sub-Saharan Africa which was 43 million in 2010, is projected to reach 67 million by 2025 and 163 million by 2050.

    Dr Sambo explains in the report: “Due to significant gain in life expectancy in the African Region, a growing number of people are now elderly and face increased risk of chronic diseases, disabilities and premature death.

    By 2020, noncommunicable diseases will be among the main causes of morbidity in the African Region, affecting mostly the elderly. This situation is putting an additional strain on the already overstretched health systems of countries.”

    Yet, countries have not made the issue of healthy ageing a priority in their national health and development agenda. The health systems in most countries do not make adequate provision for the elderly, and have still not been prepared to respond to the needs of the rapidly ageing population.

    Only 10 countries in the Region have adopted national policies on ageing, established specialized bodies or included ageing-related issues in government policies.

    As in other regions of the world, elderly people in the African Region encounter problems related to chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, HIV, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, visual and hearing impairment, decline of mental capacities. As a result, they require long-term health care services, which are often inadequate or inaccessible.

    Poverty and malnutrition contribute significantly to disease and disability in majority of the Region’s elderly people. This is due partly to the low priority given to the elderly in the nutritional policies of countries in sub-Saharan Africa

    The erosion of the extended family system coupled with rapid urbanization and international migration are disrupting the traditional patterns of family support for the elderly in Africa.

    Furthermore the lack of amenities enabling the elderly to meet and enjoy recreational activities leaves the majority of them to live sedentary lives.

    They are therefore deprived of the benefits of regular moderate physical activity which has benefits in delaying functional decline and reducing the onset of chronic diseases in both the healthy and the chronically ill.

    During epidemics or emergency situations such as natural disasters and armed conflicts, specific attention is not given to the special needs of elderly refugees or internally displaced persons who are particularly vulnerable.

    In Africa, women aged 60 years and above account for an estimated 54% of the elderly population. Many not only lack economic power but face age and gender discrimination which result in poor health and further disempowerment.

    Furthermore, most research activities on ageing and health are conducted outside the region. The result is that data, for example on the nutritional status of the elderly in Africa, is scarce; and other specific socio-economic and political issues including social protection and family relations and the effects of urbanization are not well documented.

    In proposing solutions to these challenges, Dr Sambo says: “Elderly people should not be seen as a burden on society. In most parts of the Region, they continue to play a pivotal role as a source of wisdom and custodians of traditional knowledge and identity, including family unity. Acknowledging this role of the elderly in society will increase their contribution to the development of countries.”

    Among the remedial actions proposed by the Regional Director are: implementing programmes that promote healthy ageing at every stage of a person’s life course; appropriate social, health and economic support and care for elderly; making laws that protect the elderly; implementation of strategies for age-friendly primary health care; provision of appropriate services and specialized care, including long-term care; ensuring that health services for the elderly are affordable, accessible, user-friendly; promotion of physical and recreational activities for the elderly.

    He called on countries to develop programmes that address the nutritional needs of the elderly; and protect and assist them in emergency situations such as natural disasters and armed conflicts.

    The importance of promoting research tailored to improve the welfare of the elderly, and the need to increase public awareness on family and community support for the elderly as well as promoting partnerships for a holistic and multi-sectoral approach was highlighted.

    Ageing is becoming a major challenge for countries in the 21st century as it increases the demand for a variety of health services for the elderly. The implementation of the actions proposed by Dr Sambo has the potential to make people in the African Region age gracefully.

  • NUR School of Public Health Launches PhD & Masters of Philosophy Lab

    NUR School of Public Health Launches PhD & Masters of Philosophy Lab

    {{The National University of Rwanda School of Public Health (NURSPH), in collaboration with Partners In Health (PIH), will September 6th inaugurate a PhD and Masters of Philosophy (MPHIL) Laboratory. }}

    The new facility is a result of the NURSPH’s steadfast commitment to building research capacity among health professionals, in order to grow the volume of Rwandan-driven health research.

    Through high-quality research, Rwanda’s healthcare leaders will better understand the issues affecting the nation’s population and use this knowledge base as a catalyst for population health improvements.

    The laboratory will serve as a designated space for PhD and MPHIL students to engage in peer-supported learning. Also, the laboratory will provide a productivity-driven and quiet environment in which students can focus on their research activities.

    The space is specifically reserved for students engaged in the PHD and MPHIL programs, the only research-based degrees offered at NURSPH. These programs were initiated in January 2011 and have grown steadily.

    The official opening of the laboratory, which is slated for this Friday, will be held at the NURSPH campus.

  • Kenyan Artists grab 8 Nominations at 2013 Channel O AMVA

    Kenyan Artists grab 8 Nominations at 2013 Channel O AMVA

    {{Nominations for the 10th annual Channel O Africa Music Awards (#CHOAMVA) were announced Tuesday, revealing 2013 was a year for Africa’s young rising stars.}}

    From all over the continent, some of the nominees of the 14 categories even received double nominations.

    Kenyan artists grabbed 8 nods, whilst music powerhouse Nigeria received a whopping 20 nominations.

    Set to take place in South Africa’s Kliptown Soweto on Saturday November 30th at Walter Sisulu Square, the 10th annual Channel O Africa Music Video Awards will be broadcasted live to millions of fans, across the globe.

    How you can vote for your favourite artist:Web and WAP: www.channelo.tv

    MOST GIFTED NEWCOMER VIDEO: VICTORIA KIMANI – Mtoto

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    SAUTI SOL – Money Lover

    MOST GIFTED DUO/GROUP FEATURING VIDEO: XTATIC/AKA & PRIDDY UGLY -Hit Em Up

    {capitalFM}

  • Rwanda Defends new toll on Tanzanian Cargo Trucks

    Rwanda Defends new toll on Tanzanian Cargo Trucks

    {{Rwanda said yesterday that there was no plan to scrap the new $500 toll levied on Tanzanian registered trucks.}}

    Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) said the new charge, which was introduced on September 1, would come into effect next week. The previous charge was $152.

    RRA Commissioner General Ben Kagarama was quoted by Tanzanian media, “We decided to charge what Tanzania charges Rwandan trucks…I’m not aware of any consultations.’’

    “We decided to delay the new charges for a week because we were yet to inform truck owners and the relevant authorities. We are now preparing official communication, after which we will start effecting the new rates without any further delay,’’ said the RRA Commissioner General.

  • Kampala: Regional Leaders meet over DRCongo

    Kampala: Regional Leaders meet over DRCongo

    {{Five regional Heads of State of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda are meeting in Kampala (Thursday) in an emergency meeting to find solutions to the fighting in eastern DR Congo.}}

    The emergency meeting comes a month after the Heads of State met in Nairobi to discuss the situation in eastern DRC following renewed fighting that has resulted in the death of UN soldiers serving under the intervention brigade.

    The meeting will consider the need for a cessation of hostilities to allow resumption and conclusion of peace negotiations between M23 and DRC Government, taking place in Kampala.

    The meeting for ministers called for the urgent implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for DR Congo and the region.

  • BBA winner Dillish Accepts Her Kenyan Heritage

    BBA winner Dillish Accepts Her Kenyan Heritage

    {{Newly crowned Big Brother Africa: The Chase winner Namibia’s Dillish recently learned of her retired Kenyan soldier father, Abdi Guyo, and that she hails from the Borana ethnic group in Northern Kenya.}}

    Creating a media frenzy, the topic of who and where Dillish’s biological father resided became scrutinized by the media in the past few days.

    A week after Dillish took home the grand prize of USD $300,000, the winner and her family revealed that the Namibian beauty was on a mission to find her real father.

    According to NewVision, in a Google hangout organized by the Kenyan Embassy in Namibia, Selma, Dillish’s mother and biological father Abdi, were able to talk to each other for the first time in close to 23 years.

    According to reports, Dillish has invited her newly reunited biological father to her 23rd birthday party in Namibia, to be held on the 16th of September.

    CapitalFM

  • Darfur Mediator Briefs Qatar on Arusha Consultations

    Darfur Mediator Briefs Qatar on Arusha Consultations

    {{Darfur joint peace mediator Mohamed Ibn Chambas briefed Qatari officials about the outcome of a consultations meeting held with the holdout rebel groups in western Sudan last August.}}

    Chambas met in Doha with deputy prime minister Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud on Tuesday to inform him about the conclusions of a meeting he organised in Arusha, northern Tanzania, from 22 to 27 August with the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM).

    Qatar, which sponsors the Doha process to end the 10-year conflict, host the talks since 2009 when the African Union and the Arab League agreed conjugate their efforts for peace in the Sudanese region and accepted the Qatari offer to facilitate the process.

    After two years of talks involving JEM and Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), the latter signed a peace agreement with Khartoum after adhering to the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), a framework text endorsed by Darfur stakeholders, LJM and Sudanese government.

    At the time, JEM refused the DDPD but proposed to consider it as basis for further talks.

    During Arusha meeting, the rebels said they want a comprehensive process including another rebel group, SPLM-N which fights in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, and opposition parties.

    They said negotiations should also focus on the reestablishment of a democratic regime after 24 years of rule by the president Omer Al-Bashir and his Islamist National Congress Party (NCP).

    The mediator and the two rebel groups agreed to meet with 60 days.

    It is not clear if the rebel SLM led by Abdel Wahid Nur would join them in this second encounter.

    The group refused to take part in the first meeting as it insisted that all members of the rebel coalition Sudanese Revolutionary Front should be invited.

    Khartoum refused the outcome of the consultations, adding it gave the new mediator an opportunity to understand the positions of non-signatory groups.

    The holistic process is supported by certain Western countries, however the African Union and the UN Security Council reiterated last month their support to the two separate processes for Darfur and the Two Areas.

    The while the rebels want that this holistic process includes a transitional period ending the NCP rule, the other approach propose to sign peace agreements first and to hold a constitutional conference after.

    (ST)