Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

Norway: The world’s happiest country

{Scandinavian country surges from fourth place in last year’s UN assessment all the way to top spot.}

A chilly climate is not keeping Norway from basking in the glow of being named the world’s happiest country on Monday.

The Scandinavian country surged from fourth place in last year’s UN assessment all the way to the top spot, according to the World Happiness Report 2017.

Other top countries on the list included Nordic neighbours Denmark and Iceland, as well as Switzerland.

Among the 20 nations at the bottom of the rankings, five were in the Middle East and North Africa and five were in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Central African Republic, which returned to the surveyed group, came in dead last at 155, with Burundi and Tanzania doing only slightly better.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who is facing a tough re-election battle in September, welcomed the report as “a nice validation on a Monday morning”.

“For many years, Norway has been behind Denmark in this ranking. I’ve made a point of it in many dinner speeches in the Nordics. Now I must find something new!” she said in a message on Facebook in Norwegian.

“But even if we top this statistic now we [must] continue to prioritise mental healthcare, to improve follow-up of children and young people because many are still struggling.”

The report found that “all of the top four countries rank highly on all the main factors found to support happiness: caring, freedom, generosity, honesty, health, income and good governance”.

Rounding out the top 10 were Finland, in fifth place, the Netherlands (6), Canada (7), New Zealand (8) and Australia and Sweden tied for 9th.

All in the top 10 were affluent, developed nations, though the report said that money was not the only ingredient for happiness.

In fact, among the wealthier countries the differences in happiness levels had a lot to do with “differences in mental health, physical health and personal relationships: the biggest single source of misery is mental illness”, the report said.

“Income differences matter more in poorer countries, but even their mental illness is a major source of misery,” it added.

Another major country, China, has made major economic strides in recent years. But its people are not happier than 25 years ago, the report found. China ranked 79th in the study of 155 countries.

The United States slipped to number 14 because of less social support and greater corruption – the very factors explaining why Nordic countries fare better on the happiness scale.

The World Happiness Report was released by the United Nations on the International Day of Happiness. It is the fifth such report since the first was published in 2012.

“Since then we have come a long way. Happiness is increasingly considered the proper measure of social progress and the goal of public policy,” the report said.

Source:Al Jazeera

March 21, 2017
Syrian Kurds say Russia to build base in Afrin

{In agreement with Kurds, Russia to operate military base in Afrin and train YPG fighters in ‘anti-terror’ combat.}

Russia is setting up a military base in northwestern Syria in agreement with the Syrian-Kurdish YPG armed group that controls the area and will train fighters, a YPG spokesman said on Monday.

The agreement with Russia was concluded on Sunday and Russian troops have already arrived at the village of Kafr Jina, in the northwestern region of Afrin, with troop carriers and armoured vehicles, YPG spokesman Redur Xelil told Reuters news agency.

“The Russian presence … comes in agreement between [the YPG] and the Russian forces operating in Syria in the framework of cooperation against terrorism and to help train our forces on modern warfare and to build a direct point of contact with Russian forces,” Xelil said in a statement.

“It is the first [agreement] of its kind,” he added.

However, in a statement put out shortly after news broke of the alleged deal, the Russian Defence Ministry said there were “no plans” to create additional military bases in Syrian territory, but added that a section of its “reconciliation centre” was located in Aleppo province close to Afrin for the prevention of ceasefire violations.

The YPG announcement angered neighbouring Turkey. Ankara views YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is waging an insurgency inside Turkey aimed at gaining greater autonomy.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said it would not accept a “region of terror” in northern Syria, and the ethnic structure of the area should be kept intact.

Turkey has launched a cross-border offensive along a section of the Turkish-Syrian frontier to prevent further gains by YPG, which controls swaths of northeastern Syria and the Afrin pocket of northwestern Syria.

Turkey’s troops pushed into Syria in August of last year in an effort to push Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) away from its border and to prevent Kurdish efforts to connect its two pockets of control in Syria’s north.

The YPG – or the People’s Protection Units – is also allied to the United States in the fight against ISIL, and is playing a major part in the US-backed offensive against ISIL’s urban stronghold of Raqqa, further east.

“The agreement came into force today,” Xelil said, declining to say how many Russian troops had arrived in Kafr Jina, the place where the base is being established.

Kafr Jina has previously been shelled by Turkish forces from across the nearby frontier, Xelil added.

The spokesman said that the YPG aims to expand its fighting force by nearly two-thirds to more than 100,000 fighters.

The group had about 60,000 fighters at the end of 2016, he said, and has already formed 10 new battalions – each comprising 300 fighters – since the start of this year.

The 10 new units and other new battalions to be formed this year will be trained in all forms of combat, weaponry and tactics, with the aim of turning the YPG into a more organised force that resembles a traditional army, Xelil said.

“A disciplined, cohesive military force, well-trained in different tactics of war … is the true guarantee to defend us and to affirm our presence as a great nation that deserves dignity,” said a YPG leaflet seeking recruits for the new battalions that has been circulated in the predominantly Kurdish regions of Syria, which is home to roughly two million Kurds.

Each fighter will reportedly receive a monthly salary of $200, which is $20 above the maximum wage currently paid to YPG fighters.

Aaron Stein, a senior fellow at the US-based Atlantic Council, told AFP news agency that Russia was now partnering with the Kurds as they had become an important player in Syria.

“The Kurds are now the most consequential non-state actor in Syria, alongside al-Qaeda … They will have a huge say over the future of Syria,” Stein said.

{{‘No problem with the regime’}}

Syrian Kurdish groups established three autonomous administrations in Kurdish-dominated areas of northern Syria as Syrian state control collapsed in much of the country, setting up their own bureaucracies in addition to security forces.

Officials say their revenue streams include taxes on agricultural produce, and income raised by selling oil from fields in northeastern Syria, though they say only enough is sold to meet local needs.

The YPG commander Sipan Hemo told Reuters last week that the operation to storm Raqqa was due to start in early April, and the YPG would make up a quarter of the force that will take the city alongside allied Arab fighters. The Pentagon said no decision had been taken yet.

Xelil said the new battalions were not taking part in the operation to encircle Raqqa. He declined to say if the new training programme was supported by any foreign militaries.

The YPG and its political affiliate, the PYD, along with other Syrian Kurdish groups, aim to deepen their autonomy through the establishment of a new system of federal government in the north. The Kurds, systematically persecuted for years by the Syrian state, say their aim is not independence.

Hemo said the YPG aimed to “fight terrorism” everywhere in Syria, while its political priority was “guaranteeing the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria legally, constitutionally”.

He also signalled a readiness on the part of YPG to reach a long-term accommodation with the Syrian government, saying “there will be no problem with the regime” once Kurdish rights are secured.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stated his opposition to the regional federal model, which the dominant Syrian Kurdish groups say should be the solution to the Syrian war. Assad has vowed to take back all of Syria.

Source:Al Jazeera

March 21, 2017
Somalia: 26 ‘starve to death’ in drought

{At least 26 people have died of starvation in Somalia’s southern region of Jubaland, the government-owned Radio Mogadishu website has reported.}

It quoted regional interior minister and drought committee chairman Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein as saying the deaths were in the past 36 hours.

He appealed for emergency aid to curb hunger, Radio Mogadishu reported.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who was in Somalia this month, said nearly six million needed aid there.

The country has been gripped by a devastating drought that has killed livestock and caused rivers and wells to dry up and crops to fail.

Hundreds of families have now left Jubaland and sought refuge in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Ibrahim Abdow, 62, told Reuters news agency he had travelled by donkey and bus out of Jubaland.

“Our cows and farms have perished. The rivers have dried and there are no wells there,” he told the news agency, while camping in the outskirts of Mogadishu.

Some of the new arrivals have been given food by residents, who have said larger and more organised food supplies by aid agencies are needed.

In addition to the international humanitarian agencies, Hollywood actor Ben Stiller has been among those trying to raise funds to help those starving in Somalia.

He has teamed up with social media stars to raise almost $2m (£1.6m) in less than a week.

The Love Army for Somalia campaign, which initially asked for $1m to fly supplies to Somalia, includes prominent social media figures Jerome Jarre, Casey Neistat and Chakabars, as well as American football quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

After their first goal was reached within 24 hours, they decided to raise their target through an ice bucket challenge-style campaign.

Ben Stiller has nominated Cara Delevingne, Emma Watson, Lewis Hamilton and American actress Alyssa Milano to donate to the cause.

An initial flight is due to take off next Monday with 60 tonnes of food, which will be distributed by the American Refugee Committee. The donations will also fund water supplies to drought-hit areas.

The group, which is raising money online, said Turkish Airlines had agreed to offer a full cargo plane as well as further deliveries to Somalia.

“This is the story of what can happen when the power of social media is leveraged for something good,” Mr Neistat said in a YouTube video.

Source:BBC

March 21, 2017
France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen to visit Chad

{French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right Front National party, is to make a rare visit to Africa, a party official said.}

She is travelling to Chad to meet French soldiers based there as part of the Barkhane anti-terrorism force.

Chadian opposition parties say she should be banned from visiting describing her as a champion of “fascist” policies.

It is the first time Ms Le Pen is in Africa in an official capacity.

Source:BBC

March 21, 2017
Electronics banned on some US flights from Middle East

{The US has announced a ban on large electronic devices from cabin baggage on passenger flights from eight Muslim majority countries.}

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said extremists were seeking “innovative methods” to bring down jets.

Bombs could be hidden in laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games, it said.

The measure will affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports.

Large electronic devices will only be allowed on board in checked baggage. Phones are exempt from the new rules.

{{The nine airlines affected are:}}

Royal Jordanian

Egypt Air

Turkish Airlines

Saudi Arabian Airlines

Kuwait Airways

Royal Air Maroc

Qatar Airways

Emirates

Etihad Airways

US officials said the airlines had been given 96 hours, beginning at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, to ban devices bigger than a mobile phone or smartphone from cabins. They said the ban had no end date.

{{The airports affected are:}}

Queen Alia International, Amman, Jordan
Cairo International Airport, Egypt
Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
King Abdulaziz International, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Kuwait International Airport
Mohammed V International, Casablanca, Morocco
Hamad International, Doha, Qatar
Dubai International, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi International, United Arab Emirates

AFP news agency said passengers on some 50 flights a day from some of the busiest hubs in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa would be required to follow the new rules.

In a statement, the DHS said: “The US government is concerned about terrorists’ ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt; the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia; and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul.

“Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items.”

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called members of Congress over the weekend to explain the security issues behind the ban, congressional aides said.

The restrictions are said to have been under consideration for several weeks.

In February 2016 an aircraft operated by the Dubai-based carrier Daallo was damaged by an explosion shortly after take-off from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Investigators said a passenger who was sucked out of the plane had been carrying a laptop bomb. The pilot managed to land and the alleged bomber was the only fatality. Had the device gone off at cruising altitude, the plane would almost certainly have been destroyed.

The Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, claimed that it was behind the attack. The possibility of further such attacks is apparently what is now concerning American spies.

But, as ever with matters of intelligence, officials are reluctant to go into detail about exactly why the ban is being proposed.

That means travellers are being asked to trust the US government when it says that this inconvenience is vital for their own safety. At present, trust is a commodity which is in very short supply.

Source:BBC

March 21, 2017
Amisom programmes stall due to lack of funds

{Ten years after its creation, the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) is still grappling with low troop levels and inadequate funding and equipment.}

Amisom entered Mogadishu in March 2007, with an initial 6,000 Ugandan troops. Today, it needs an additional 28,000 troops.

At an extraordinary meeting in Nairobi last week to take stock of the peacekeepers’ achievements and challenges in the past decade, Amisom’s top leadership admitted that some of its programmes had stalled because of lack of funding.

Although the militia group Al Shabaab has been driven out of major towns, Amisom is still struggling to maintain the liberated areas and secure the main supply routes.

The peacekeepers have now devised a new approach termed “Doing Much With Less,” as donor fatigue becomes apparent.

Head of Amisom Francisco Madeira, who is also the African Union Special Representative to Somalia, said the mission is finding it increasingly difficult to fund its programmes.

“Not all project plans could be implemented, either because we dreamt too much and thought we could do everything, or we trusted our partners so much that we thought they would fund everything,” he said.
Mr Madeira did not name specific programmes but said that non-funding has forced Amisom to devise austerity measures in order to cope.

“One has to plan realistically, for the things that can be done, in terms of means and resources. We should consider planning only the things that can be implemented.

“Donors think stabilising Somalia is a task of the AU, so they get fatigued. Donor fatigue shouldn’t arise. It’s the duty of all of us to make Somalia a functional state. Let’s be partners,” he added.
The meeting discussed key areas that included support for political processes in Somalia, the security sector, stabilisation and recovery, and protection of human rights.

The report will be discussed by experts later this month, and recommendations submitted to the AU Commission Chair for consideration by the AU Peace and Security Council.

In January last year, the European Union reduced the $200 million annual stipend to Amisom troops, urging the continental body to find alternative sources of funds, but the AU is unable to fully fund the slightly over 21,000 troops from Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Albrecht Braun, a representative of the EU-ACP (European Union – Africa, Caribbean Pacific), said that the EU will remain engaged in Somalia to contribute to stabilisation and peace.
He said the EU provided $1.68 billion to Amisom between 2004 and 2017, with a further $189.5 million earmarked for April to December this year.

“That clearly demonstrates our continued commitment to Amisom. It is also important to mobilise additional financial support from other donors and specifically from African governments and other partners. Peace and stability is a collective effort,” said Mr Braun.

Hubert Price, the head of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), said Amisom should focus on critical areas of support and resource management. UNSOS provides support to military bases with logistics, travel, stipends and training for troops and police, rations and supplies.

Source:The East African

March 21, 2017
South Sudan, Equatorial Guinea seal oil, gas deal

{South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea have unveiled an oil and gas partnership.}

The deal was announced in Juba on March 20, following a visit by the Equatorial Guinea oil minister, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima.

South Sudan Oil minister Ezekiel Gatkuoth Lol said in a statement that the deal will pave the way for the two countries to share information.

“Partnerships are what fuels the oil industry. South Sudan is proud to share its experiences with Equatorial Guinea, and to learn from them,” said Mr Lol. “The petroleum industry is crucial to our nation’s development. This agreement signals our dedication to investing in the sector as a driver for South Sudan’s growth.”

Mr Lima praised South Sudan for the new deal, saying sharing of expertise between the two countries was vital.

“The sharing of resources and knowledge between African oil and gas countries is critical. Going forward, Equatorial Guinea will work closely with South Sudan for the benefit of our people and our national economies,” he said. “The lines of communication are open and we look forward to a deep and lasting collaboration.”

South Sudan hopes to more than double its oil output to 290,000 barrels per day in the fiscal 2017/2018.

The young nation has relied on oil revenue to fund its projects since its independence in 2011. But the economy has been hit hard since the outbreak of war in 2013.

Source:The East African

March 21, 2017
Uganda:Kasese attacks: Court releases 6 juveniles on mandatory bail

{Jinja Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday released on bail six juvenile suspects in connection with last year’s Kasese attacks, pending the hearing of the various offenses slapped against them.}

The accused were released on what is legally referred to as “mandatory bail” after spending three months on remand without investigations being concluded.

Their release followed a spirited submission by their defense team comprised led by Caleb Alaka that the accused be released on bail since they have stayed on remand for more than three months.

Mr Alaka went quoted Section 91 of the Children’s Act and Section 20 of the Children’s Amendment Act of 2016 which he said gives juveniles a right to be unconditionally released on bail in capital offenses unless there is a serious danger on a child in case they are released.

“According to the Children’s Act, juveniles on remand should not exceed three months and their continued detention in prison will be illegal and we request for their released on bail…” Mr Alaka submitted.

Those released include; Phasimwa Lyahinda, Crispo Muhindo,Vincent Masereka, Dan Bwambale, Mbusa Bughura and Hamada Masereka.

The six are juveniles aged between 15-17.

The court presided over by Chief Magistrate John Francis Kaggwa handed the released juveniles to the Rwenzururu Kingdom Attorney General Mr Alfred Makasi for purposes of ensuring their attendance of court at the subsequent appearances.

The six accused now join their King Charles Wesley Mumbere and the Rwenzururu premier Johnson Thembo Kitsumbire who were recently granted bail.

They return to court on April 10 for mention of their case with the prosecution expected to update the court on how far the investigations have gone.

They are part of the 169 accused persons who are facing treason, terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery to malicious damage to property charges.

Most of the offenses that they are facing arose mainly from the November 27, 2016, joint police and army assault on Mumbere’s palace in Kasese Town aimed at capturing what they called wrong elements who had taken refuge there.

Source:Daily Monitor

March 21, 2017
Kenya:Police arrest and hold 21 youths in Malindi for three days

{Police in Malindi are, for the third day, holding 21 youth they arrested at a Madrassa in Chumani without presenting them in court.}

The young men, aged between 15 and 20 years, were seized when officers from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit raided the Madrassa on Friday evening.

{{Terror }}

The officers suspected the group drawn from Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and Isiolo were engaging in activities that border on terrorism.

But on Tuesday, a Muslim agency and their families asked the officers to explain the whereabouts of the suspects.

“We want to be told where our children are because most of them are below 15 years and they have been held in different areas since their arrest on Friday,” Sharif Hussein, Supkem National Organising Secretary, said.

“Their families have been subjected to unnecessary suffering by the police.”

{{Quran}}

The youths, he said, had gathered to study Quran and were first accommodated at Chumani Quran Resource Centre but had to be moved to the madrassa to create room for orphaned girls.

“That forced the youths to move out of the centre on Monday last week and were accommodated by Mzee Sharrif Idarus, who runs a hotel and a cashew nut processing factory and a mosque on the opposite side,” he said.

But on Friday evening, anti-terror detectives went to Mzee Idarus madrassa and arrested him together with the youths and a Muslim teacher.

The suspects, he said, were taken for interrogation at the county Directorate of Criminal Investigation headquarters in Malindi.

{{Released }}

“Mr Idarus was released on Friday evening but was again arrested the same night and taken to Kijipwa Police Station,” said Mr Hussein.

“On Saturday, they were taken to Malindi for interrogation. They are still being held up to now and we don’t know what the police are up to.”

The organising-secretary said the youths had come to study Quran at the centre and wondered whether studying the holy book is a sin.

One of the parents, Osman Farah, from Masalani, Ijara, said his son had been coming to centre for the last two years to study the holy book.

“On Friday evening I received a phone call that my son was among those who had been arrested. I came and after meeting the detectives, we were assured that our children will be released but nothing is happening at the moment,” he said.

{{Detained }}

Kilifi Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer Christopher Chesoli confirmed that the youths were arrested following a tip-off.

He said that the youths were being detained in different centres after being profiled at the multi-agency command centre in Malindi.

“We are just waiting for the report so that we can release them… They are in good care and there is no cause for alarm,” he told the Nation.

“They will be released upon the end of our investigations.”

Police, he said, were concerned that most of the youths were above 18 years and they were coming from different parts of the country.

{{Precautions }}

“The county security committee had to sit and establish their stay in that centre. We wanted to know if their assembly was a general madrassa training or there was a hidden agenda.

Mr Chesoli said among those who were arrested was the owner of the centre and a Tanzanian man who was cooking for them.

“We are only taking precautions because of the increasing cases of radicalisation of the youths in this region,” he said.

“We are only waiting for the report from our command centre and then know the next cause of action.”

Source:Daily Nation

March 21, 2017
Airtel Rwanda,UNICEF partner to provide children and youth a platform to present innovative ideas

{Airtel Rwanda and UNICEF partner to provide children and youth a platform to present innovative ideas through ‘Pitch Night’}

Pitch Night is an innovative initiative developed by UNICEF to motivate children and youth below 25 to pitch their ideas for projects on environment, health and education.

The objectives of Pitch Night will be to provide a platform to introduce emerging entrepreneurs to investors, potential clients, media and fellow entrepreneurs. This will also be an opportunity for children and youth to find innovative solutions to problems, with a special focus on education, health and protection issues. In addition to opportunities, the project seeks to provide mentorship to youths dreaming to become ICT investors and innovators, and to give them an opportunity to express themselves.

The theme of Pitch Night is “improving the lives of adolescents and youth in health, education and environment.”

The partnership between UNICEF and Airtel comes to life as Airtel Rwanda has positioned itself as a key player in the ICT innovation arena, where it seeks to develop solutions for issues in health, education and environment, always striving towards the development of Rwanda.

Speaking at the launch of the partnership, Airtel Managing Director Michael Adjei said, “Airtel Rwanda is pleased to be partnering with UNICEF to launch what we call an innovative project, one which will continue to provide solutions for Rwandan adolescents and youths as we move towards achieving the Vision 2020 goals that Rwanda committed to.”

“We are positive that the project we launch today will assist youths to build ideas that will help society, as the country is moving towards using home-grown solutions to tackle the country’s problems,” added Mr. Adjei.

Ted Maly, UNICEF Representative, noted that “Participation is an important component of children’s rights. Our partnership with Airtel to launch Pitch Night brings the voices and ideas of Rwanda’s youth to the forefront of development discussions.”

To participate in Pitch Night, applications will be open from 15 March to 6 April 2017. Shortlisted applicants and their projects will be up on 6 April. The final Pitch Night even will be held in Kigali in early May 2017 in order to showcase the talented participants and their projects.

March 21, 2017