Author: IGIHE

DRC health minister says Ebola outbreak under control

Kinshasa – Democratic Republic of Congo’s health minister says there have been no new confirmed cases of Ebola and the outbreak has been controlled.

Health Minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga said on Friday no new cases of the deadly virus have been confirmed in the Likati zone for more than 21 days, the maximum incubation period.

However, he says experimental vaccines to fight the virus have not yet arrived. Likati is some 1 400km from DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.

The World Health Organisation says three deaths have been blamed on the virus since it emerged May 11 in DRC’s far north. Only two have been laboratory-confirmed as Ebola.

WHO says this was the eighth outbreak in DRC since 1976. DRC has a long track record with the hemorrhagic fever.

Source:News 24

June 3, 2017
Lesotho votes in third election in five years

{Voters in the small southern African kingdom of Lesotho cast ballots Saturday in an election widely expected to lead to another fractious coalition government and the risk of deepening instability.}

It is the third general election since 2012 in Lesotho, where years of political in-fighting have undermined attempts to tackle dire poverty and unemployment.

Long queues formed outside polling stations from early morning, with many voters wearing traditional Basotho blankets to ward off the winter chill.

The snap election was announced in March when Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili lost a no-confidence vote after his seven-party coalition government broke up less than two years after it was formed.

{{TWO-HORSE RACE}}

The vote is seen as a two-horse race between old rivals Mosisili and Thomas Thabane, who ruled from 2012 to 2015, with the victor set to emerge from post-vote negotiations with coalition partners.

Thabane has drawn large crowds to his rallies and is seen as the narrow favourite.

Protests could break out if Mosisili is defeated and he refuses to concede power, “as his attitude and actions suggest he might,” said Peter Fabricius of the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies.

In a research report, Fabricius said SADC, the southern African regional body, had made it clear to Mosisili that “it will not tolerate any theft of the election.”

In the capital Maseru, Thabane’s All Basotho Congress (ABC) and Mosisili’s Democratic Congress (DC) party have competed for votes via giant billboards and posters.

“It is not likely that a single party will garner a majority of votes,” political analyst Mafa Sejanamane, of the National University of Lesotho, told AFP.

“The urban vote is largely set to go to the ABC. The vote in rural areas is now likely to be shared between the DC and its splinter, the Alliance of Democrats.”

{{VOTER FRUSRATION}}

The mountainous country suffers high unemployment and a 22.7 per cent HIV-AIDS rate in adults, with an economy dependent on South Africa, which surrounds it completely.

“Our country is poor and a lot of money has been spent holding these elections. I’m here to vote for a party to put us first — not politics,” said Naledi Metsing, as she lined up to vote outside the capital.

“We just voted two years ago and that government did not do much for the people.”

According to the electoral commission, 1.2 million people have registered to vote.

Thabane was forced to flee to South Africa in 2014 after an attempted coup by the army.

“It was the most undignified thing that happened to me, to wear (just) my pants… and go through the fence with my wife, running away from the state house,” Thabane said on the campaign trail.

At his final rally, Mosisili accused Thabane of escaping to seek foreign protection after “chowing through the public’s money.”

{{ARMY INTERFERANCE}}

Critics accuse the Lesotho army of meddling in politics and of favouring Mosisili.

Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Letsie III, who has no formal power, and it has a mixed parliamentary system.

Eighty lawmakers are voted in by constituents, while another 40 seats are distributed proportionally.

Mosisili’s DC party is forecast to join forces with the Lesotho Congress of Democracy (LCD) and the Popular Front for Democracy (PFD).

Thabane’s ABC party and the Alliance Democrats (AD) of Monyane Moleleki, a former police minister, are also in talks to form a possible coalition government.

Reflecting frustration at the country’s politics, voter turnout declined to 46 percent in 2015 from 66 percent in 2002.

Voting closes at 5pm, with counting expected to take several days.

Source:AFP

June 3, 2017
Kenya:Nurses to strike if governors fail to honour salary agreement

{The Kenya National Union of Nurses has threatened to go on strike on Monday if the collective bargaining agreement agreed upon by the union and the Council of Governors is not signed and registered in court.}

This comes after nurses accused governors of failing to honour the 2013 CBA renegotiated in December last year bringing the countrywide strike to an end.

It was supposed to be signed by the two parties on June 2, 2017.

{{Salary increase }}

The agreement offered nurses in the G-L job groups an annual pay out of Sh20,000 and Sh15, 000 for those in group M and above.

Sixty per cent of the deal was to be honoured in January this year and the remainder in July 1.

The union’s acting secretary general Maurice Opetu said that the National Executive Council had resolved to call for a nationwide strike set to commence on June 5.

“It is very unfortunate, painful but as nurses and the union, we are left with no option but to take the position we have taken today.

“Between now and Monday, if the deal is not signed the nurses are not going to report on duty on June 5. We are going to down our tools at midnight on Sunday,” Mr Opetu said.

{{Sabotage }}

By failing to sign the agreement, Mr Opetu said the governors are sabotaging the resolution.

He added that the County Public Service Board and the union consented that all nurses be upgraded, and instructed the CoG to write to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission conveying no objection to the reform.

“We have been patient from December to date…the council of governors has chosen to remain silent except doing an irrelevant communication to SRC not mentioning the resolution of the meeting of May 26 and minutes signed therein,” he said.

He added that the union had postponed a strike on March 2 to give the two levels of government time to conclude the negotiation, hoping to sign an agreement they had reached on May 3.

But this never materialised.

{{Governors committed }}

Ms Jacqueline Mogeni, council’s chief executive, refuted the sabotage claim, saying that the Council of Governors is following due process to ensure that the CBA will not face any legal challenges and that it is registered as required by law.

“The Council reiterates that it is committed to the conclusion of this process in a manner that is legally acceptable and registrable.

“There is no point in any member of the negotiating teams to put pressure on each other. The negotiating team is awaiting for no objection and then the signing by each county will start,” Ms Mogeni told Sunday Nation.

She added that the negotiations have been ongoing since December and at the conclusion of the process the document was forwarded to SRC for guidance, and if in concurrence then the ‘no objection’ letter will be issue.

Source:Daily Nation

June 3, 2017
Charles Taylor: Liberia’s former leader’s ex-wife charged with torture

{The ex-wife of Liberia’s former president has been charged with torture, the Metropolitan Police said.}

Agnes Reeves Taylor, who was married to Charles Taylor, is to appear in court in London on Saturday.

Ms Reeves Taylor, 51, faces charges related to alleged crimes committed during the first Liberian civil war, between 1989 and 1991.

Some 250,000 people are believed to have been killed in the wars, which ended in 2003.

Ms Reeves Taylor, of east London, has not commented on the charges, three of which relate to alleged torture which is said to have taken place at Gbarnga, Liberia – the headquarters of Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front during the conflict.

Taylor became president of Liberia following a peace agreement in 1997.

A second civil war broke out in 1999 and Taylor was forced into exile in 2003.

Taylor is currently serving a 50-year sentence in a British prison for supporting rebels who committed atrocities in Sierra Leone.

An act of parliament was passed to allow for Taylor to serve his sentence in the UK, at the cost of the British government, following his conviction in a UN-backed court.

Source:BBC

June 3, 2017
South Africa’s ANC calls for Zuma GuptaLeaks investigation

{South Africa’s ruling party has called for an investigation into emails which appear to show allegedly corrupt links between President Jacob Zuma’s family and wealthy businessmen.}

The African National Congress (ANC) said the allegations questioned the credibility of the government and such matters could not be allowed to fester.

Mr Zuma recently survived calls for his resignation by some senior ANC members.

The allegations have been dismissed as a fabrication by Mr Zuma’s lawyers.

The Gupta family of businessmen has said the leaks were “politically inspired”.

Mr Zuma has become increasing unpopular in recent years amid accusations of corruption and not doing enough to tackle poverty.

There have been mass protests calling for him to step down.

One of the revelations in the emails, known as GuptaLeaks, is that President Zuma was hoping to take up residency in the United Arab Emirates. A claim that was denied.

Others appear to show that the Gupta family exerts undue influence over the government.

By calling for an investigation, the African National Congress is putting its own leader under pressure to come clean.

At the centre of the alleged scandal is President Zuma’s son Duduzane, a business partner with the controversial Gupta family.

Some of the emails released by local media allege that Duduzane has been playing the role of middleman between his father and private business interests.

This looks like the ANC is slowly washing its hands of its 74-year-old leader. They know he will not be at the helm in six months’ time and so the dominos are beginning to fall.

Mr Zuma’s obituary has been written many times before. But even so, it does feel like Mr Zuma’s nine lives are gradually coming to an end.

Mr Zuma is due to step down as ANC president in December and his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa are vying to replace him.

His term as national president expires in 2019.

Source:BBC

June 3, 2017
EALA okays EAC integration syllabus for all schools

{The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has unanimously passed a motion to pave the way for an introduction of a regional syllabus on EAC integration process to be used by schools at all levels.}

The EALA members passed the motion that was tabled by Ms Shy-Rose Bhanji (Tanzania) on Thursday evening, directing partner States’ ministers responsible for EAC affairs and education to write and widely distribute materials on the regional integration process in schools at all levels.

Led by House Speaker Dan Kidega, members voted unanimously to pass the motion to kick start its implementation by partner States. Mr Kidega said that each partner State should start implementing the motion.

Supporting the motion, Mr Martin Ngoga (Rwanda) said the regional integration was an important step as the treaty forming the EAC had it at heart, saying the (new) EAC should be people-centred, as it belonged to them and not political leaders, the bureaucrats or a few who were active in some formal activities and businesses.

Mr Ngoga said citizens needed to be thoroughly enlightened about the integration process and its benefits, insisting that the best way to achieve the goal was to come up with the EAC integration syllabus at all levels of education among member countries.

The Speaker said it was only through the regional syllabus that the integration process will be built on a strong, fruitful and sustainable foundation.

Earlier on, Ms Bhanji said that about 65 per cent of the block’s population consisted of young people who knew little about the benefits of unity and integration, hence calling for the need to come up with a comprehensive strategy and process of changing the mindsets of the emerging society, so that they were made aware of the opportunities and benefits to exploit.

“Regional integration will not only improve social-economic wellbeing of regional residents but also largely contribute to the much cherished unity in East Africa,” she said.

She added that the regional syllabus will enhance the EAC integration, given the fact that the process has not been handled comprehensively within partner States.

The outgoing EALA member from Tanzania told the august House that the principles of the Community include provision by partner States of an adequate and appropriate enabling environment, such as conducive policies and basic infrastructure.

She asked the partner States to come up with concerted effort to foster cooperation in education training within the Community. Ms Bhanji was of the view that the EAC integration was such a huge challenge and new to most regional residents, especially the young ones.

For practical reasons, she said 17 years since the re-establishment of the EAC only a small percentage of citizens were fully conversant with the integration agenda. She noted that the percentage related mostly to the business community, the academia and EALA members.

“I’m not saying nothing has been done so far, to educate the general public on the EAC integration process, but only that the impact is not widespread and this is because very little education has been disseminated among the majority of our people,” she explained.

“Given the fact that about 65 per cent of East African population is made up of the young generation, we have to engineer the change of their mindsets in a more systematic manner and that is through the introduction of integration process as a lesson in primary and secondary schools in the bloc,” she added.

She insisted, saying: “When this is done, we can be rest assured that the coming generation will have acquired more and better knowledge about the integration agenda.

Integration is core to the future of East Africans.” Sharpening her argument, she said the benefits of writing a common syllabus were many because the younger generation will be enlightened on the entire concept on EAC integration.

As they grow up, said the EALA member, they will appreciate and understand all the stages of integration, developments, benefits and opportunities. EAC education at lower levels will open the minds to those who will not be able to pursue higher education to opt for small-scale businesses across East Africa.

Source:Daily News

June 3, 2017
Rwandans in Belgium to hold a walk welcoming President Kagame

{Rwandans in Belgium are organizing a walk to welcome and show support for President Paul Kagame as he visits the country this month. Kagame is awaited in Belgium on 7th June to attend a meeting on European Union development.}

Rwanda’s ambassador to Belgium, Olivier Nduhungirehe has told IGIHE that Kagame will deliver a speech at the meeting on development known in French as ‘Journée Européenne du développement’( European Development Day).

“President Kagame will be here in Brussels on 7th to 8thJune. He will be attending ameeting Journée Européenne du Développement. He will deliver a speech at the inauguration of the meeting,” he said.

Ambassador Nduhungirehe said that Rwandans in Belgium will take time to show their support to president Kagame.

“The leadership of DRB-Rugali called on Rwandans to come and welcome Kagame near the place where the meeting will take place at ‘Tour et Taxis’ to demonstrate how they are pleased with his services to Rwanda. It is expected that Rwandans will enjoy a cocktail thereafter,” he said.

Belgium is among countries which received Rwandan refugees before and after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Rwandans in Belgium have formed an association Communauté Rwandaise de Belgique (CRB) helping them to maintain and advocate for Rwanda’s culture and development. The name of the association was later changed to Diaspora Rwandaise de Belgique-Rugali (DRB-Rugali).

The president of DRB-Rugali,Pulchérie Nyinawase who is among organizers of the walk to welcome president Kagame has said; “It has been long without having such an opportunity to show our president how we are glad and love him for championing our country’s progress. That is why we can’t forget to show our heartfelt appreciation.”

June 3, 2017
Former ADEPR leaders handover offices

{Former ADEPR leaders who were recently arrested over misallocation of over Rwf 2 billion were yesterday taken out of prison to handover office to their successors elected at the beginning of this week. }

The handover ceremony was held yesterday at ADEPR headquarters in Kimihurura sector of Gasabo district, Kigali city at 11:00 am.

The former ADEPR leaders’ case is before the courts of law where they are accused of misallocating Rwf 2.5 billion.

The accused include, the deputy ADEPR spokesperson, Bishop Tom Rwagasana, ADEPR general secretary Rev. Sebagabo Bernard, Eng. SindayigayaTheophile, head of finance department Gasana Valens and head of administration and finance, Mutuyemariya Christine who have been remanded for 30 days.

Save for Bishop Tom Rwagasana who was absent on account of sickness, others attended the ceremony clad in prisons uniform.

They were all accompanied by six prison warders.

The former ADEPR spokesperson Bishop Jean Sibomana who was arrested later was also taken to the headquarters for hand over. He is currently under police custody and has not yet been transferred for the prosecution.

The suspects were returned to cells at 15:30 pm.

Members of ADEPR general assembly convened an extra ordinary meeting on Tuesday where they elected Rev. Karuranga Ephraim as ADEPR spokesperson following the arrest of the former holder of the office Bishop Sibomana over misappropriation of the church’s resources.

Rev. Karangwa John was elected deputy spokesperson, while pastor Ruzibiza Viateur became the general secretary in charge of youth evangelization.

Christian Umuhoza Aulerie was elected finance and administration officer while pastor Nsengiyumva Patrick was elected advisor. The latter was leader of ADEPR youth at national level.

The new leaders will serve a six-month term.

Rev. Karuranga Ephraim said they are going to work closely with Christians to get the church back to its normal evangelization mission.

June 3, 2017
Bone loss is another hidden pathology caused by malaria infection

{Malaria caused by Plasmodium parasites is a life-threatening infectious disease that kills at least half a million people annually while causing over 200 million new infections. In some cases, complications can quickly develop such as cerebral malaria, respiratory distress and severe anemia, often leading to death. The majority of patients recover from disease, however, there is increasing evidence to suggest that survivors experience long-term ‘hidden’ pathologies due to infection that are as yet poorly defined.}

Now, the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology Team at the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, headed by Professor Cevayir COBAN, have used mouse malaria models to show that robust immune activation and invasion of parasite by-products into the bone marrow during and after malaria infection leads to an adverse balance in bone homeostasis -a process usually tightly controlled- by bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts.

“Even after a one time malaria infection (it does not matter if the disease is completely cured or chronic low level infection continues), substantial chronic bone loss occurs,” Dr. Coban, corresponding author of the study, says. Michelle Lee, a PhD candidate and the first author of the study explains, “We found that Plasmodium products continuously accumulate in the bone marrow niche which turns the bone noticeably black in color, and results in it being “eaten-up” by bone resorbing cells known as osteoclasts, eventually disrupting bone homeostasis.” These products, including the major malarial by-product hemozoin, malarial proteins and as yet undefined virulence factors, induce MyD88-dependent inflammatory responses in osteoclast and osteoblast precursors, leading to increased RANKL expression (a key molecule inducing osteoclast differentiation), and over-stimulation of osteoclastogenesis favoring bone resorption.” The Coban Team infected mice with a mutant Plasmodium parasite producing less by-products such as hemozoin, and discovered in this case bone loss did not occur, thereby confirming their findings.

Dr. Coban explains, “Although chronic inflammatory conditions are known to facilitate bone disorders, our study -for the first time- shows that malaria can do the same thing, with hallmark “signatures” left in the bone tissue, a very unique feature of malaria infection. One may think that the infection has been completely cured by anti-malarial treatment, and be feeling fully recovered, however, sustained long-term accumulation of parasite by-products leave the bone in a state of chronic inflammation, leading to long term bone loss. This is particularly worrisome in the young of age, where it may cause growth problems and osteoporotic, fragile bones.”

Importantly, the study shows that there is a simple way to reverse the side effects of malaria infection on bone. Oral supplementation with alfacalcidol, a vitamin D3 analog, could completely prevent bone loss. Therefore, anti-malarials coupled with bone therapy may be beneficial in improving bone health in malaria-infected individuals.

Source:Science Daily

June 3, 2017
RNP lights up two villages in Nyagatare and Nyamagabe with solar energy

{One of the very many community development activities that Rwanda National Police (RNP) is currently engaged in as part of the ‘Police Week 2017’, is to connect at least one Village with solar home systems, in each of the 30 districts across the country.}

On Friday, Kirebe Village in Rwimiyaga Sector, Nyagatare District, and Cyabuti Village of Suti Cell, Mugano Sector in Nyamagabe District were added to the growing number of households that have so far been connected since the RNP’s 17th anniversary activities were officially launched on May 16.

At least 103 homes in Kirebe and 93 others in Cyabuti were connected with solar energy.

One of the beneficiaries of Kirebe, Emmanuel Manirakiza, who owns a small shop in the area, couldn’t hide his joy saying that life and business have changed since the Village was connected with solar energy.

“I operate a boutique and I couldn’t exceed 7pm before closing; but ever since police officers came to our village and started connecting every house, a lot changed about my business and social lifestyle. Now I operate up to 11pm because clients are still coming,” said Manirakiza.

He emphasized that, not only his business has grown but also his personal life and that of the village has changed as well.

“I used to walk for two hours to get to where I can charge my cell phone. This is no longer the case. I have even bought a Smartphone since my house was connected because this time I don’t have to worry about the battery doing down in a few hours.”

“Our village is very thrilled by this social support; we now walk freely at night because there is a lit bulb at every home; crimes committed in the dark like theft or assault have also reduced tremendously,” he added.

amali Nyirahabimana, a 47-year old mother of seven from the same Village, also shared the same excitement.

She says that before getting a solar power system, her children, who are all in school struggled to revise at night.

“My children could do revision using candles; in most cases they could be disrupted because the same candle would also be used in the kitchen to prepare dinner for them. Today, they are revising and doing homework from the comfort of the living room freely without being disrupted,” Nyirahabimana said.

The benefits are also echoed by students like Jeanne Niyoniringiye, primary six at Gakagati Primary School and preparing for her final national exams.

“I thank the Head of State for this; I believe this could not have been achieved without his involvement. Solar energy system gives me confidence that I will perform well and make it to high school since I can revise well at any time of the night,” Niyoniringiye said.

The Minister of Infrastructure, James Musoni, who officiated at the official inauguration of the solar systems in Nyagatare, urged beneficiaries to ensure they make the solar energy systems beneficial to their welfare and pledged the country’s continued support to advance the social wellbeing of its citizens.

He attributed the achievements including the rollout of solar power systems to the good leadership under President Paul Kagame.

The event was also attended by the Governor of Eastern Province, Judith Kazayire and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, among others.

Governor Kazayire hailed activities of Police Week and pledge to ensure that residents handle the solar energy systems with caution.

On his part, IGP Gasana assured Kirebe residents of total security and urged them to feel safe and reassured while performing their daily activities.

“Through continued Police-Public partnership and collaboration, we can make Rwanda a crime free country,” said the Police Chief.

In Nyamagabe, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, who presided over the handover of solar energy, thanked the residents for their role in fighting and preventing crimes, and urged them to carry on with the spirit of ensuring that their villages are free from any crime.

Present was also the mayor of Nyamagabe, Philbert Mugisha.

Equally, residents of Nyamagabe also praised their country’s leadership for always thinking about them.

Innocent Mukeshimana, said: “In previous regimes, there was no link between the public and security organs and police in particular; but in the last 17 years, we have witnessed how police has come down to us, the people to involve and work with us to make our communities and the country safe and secure, but also supporting our development activities.”

In both sites, Police joined residents in Umuganda to rehabilitate roads, water channels and to renovate houses for the disadvantaged families.

Source:Police

June 3, 2017