IGIHE

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  • Ambassador Power Statement at 20th Anniversary of Genocide

    Ambassador Power Statement at 20th Anniversary of Genocide

    {{On behalf of President Obama and all the people of the United States, I have come to Rwanda to join with Rwandans and people from all around the world to express our enduring grief and sadness at the momentous crime that transpired in this country two decades ago.}}

    The Rwandan genocide is a devastating reminder that nightmares seemingly beyond imagination can in fact take place.

    On this solemn day of sorrow and remembrance, we come together to honor those who survived, mourn those who perished, and move forward with the unfinished tasks of accountability, healing, and reconciliation.

    In so doing, we are encouraged by the remarkable progress Rwandans have made in rebuilding their society, particularly in the areas of education, agriculture, women’s empowerment, and health.

    Deeply conscious of the costs of human costs of mass violence, Rwanda has also been a prominent and effective contributor to international peacekeeping operations, including the African Union mission now underway in the Central African Republic.

    The United States affirms its commitment to support Rwanda and all the countries in the Great Lakes region as they endeavor, with UN assistance, to end the threat posed by irregular armed groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) which are led by those who perpetrated the genocide in 1994.

    As individuals and nations, we lack the power to rewind history; we cannot restore life to the hundreds of thousands of men, women and children who were so ruthlessly deprived of life twenty years ago.

    But we do have the power to honor the memory of those who were lost; to strive to prevent future genocides; and to join forces across every boundary of geography, culture, ethnicity, and creed to foster a climate of mutual understanding, shared respect, and lasting peace.

  • The World Would “Never Again” Let Genocide tear Rwanda Apart

    The World Would “Never Again” Let Genocide tear Rwanda Apart

    {{Ban Ki Moon, the United Nations chief told a packed stadium of sombre and weeping Rwandans on Monday the world would “never again” let genocide tear their nation apart, at a ceremony marking 20 years since a million people were butchered.}}

    A host of leaders and donors attended the commemoration, but France – an ally of the Rwandan government that ruled before the genocide – did not take part after president Paul Kagame, renewed charges of Paris’ “direct role” in the killings.

    France has acknowledged mistakes in its dealings with Rwanda. But it has repeatedly dismissed accusations it trained militias to take part in the massacres and Kagame’s comments triggered fresh outrage in Paris on Monday.

    Some in the crowd in Kigali were overcome with emotion on hearing a survivor’s account and stewards had to lead them out of the stadium. Many Rwandans lost entire families to killers armed with guns, grenades, machetes and cans of petrol.

    A minute’s silence was punctuated by screams of dozens of survivors.

    “We must not be left to utter the words ‘never again’, again and again,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the crowd.

    “Many United Nations personnel and others showed remarkable bravery. But we could have done much more. We should have done much more,” he added, while citing new challenges in the region.

    Conflicts rumble on in South Sudan and Central African Republic, while eastern Democratic Republic of Congo next door remains in turmoil.

    Rwanda long complained that Western and other nations – with a few exceptions praised at the memorial – stood idle when massacres that erupted in April 1994 killed the ethnic Tutsi minority.

    “Behind the words ‘never again’ there is a story whose truth must be told in full,” the president told attendees, who watched performers dressed in grey symbolically re-enacting some of the horrors.

    Rwandans carried out the genocide, “but the history and root causes go beyond this beautiful country,” he said.

    “No country is powerful enough, even when they think they are, to change the facts,” he said in an apparent swipe at France. In a speech in English and the Kinyarwanda language, he added in French: “Facts are stubborn,” drawing applause.

  • SA Economists Reject Nigeria’s Growth Jump

    SA Economists Reject Nigeria’s Growth Jump

    {{South Africa remains the most important economy in the continent despite being overtaken by Nigeria as Africa’s biggest, South African economists said.}}

    The result of a long awaited rebasing of Africa’s most populous nation showed that Nigeria’s GDP of $453bn in 2012 was higher than South Africa’s $384bn.

    “South Africa will remain one of the important economies of the continent, though this rebasing will be a significant step in establishing Nigeria as a true African powerhouse,” said Investec portfolio manager, Roelof Horne.

    Nigeria, with 170 million people, is about three times the size of South Africa by population, but it’s economy is still battling challenges such as poor infrastructure that hampers business activity.

    The new statistics included the contribution of the fast-developing sectors such as telecoms, music and film industry, known as Nollywood.

    Economist Dennis Dykes, at Nedbank, said Nigeria’s new position as Africa’s largest economy should be “viewed positively”.

    “It’s important that economies were measured accurately… it gives potential investors a good picture of activity,” he said.

    “The news figures should help South African investors identify new opportunities in Nigeria, especially in areas that were previously not factored in.”

    Dykes said South Africa’s $7 508 GDP per capita, higher than Nigeria’s $2 688, was still the most important measure of the economy.

    “Being Africa’s number one is definitely a great confidence booster for Nigeria, but it won’t change much,” he added.

    South Africa has been hit by slow economic growth since the 2008 global recession, its growth lagging behind many of the world’s developing economies.

    This year, the World Bank revised the country’s growth outlook to 2.7%, down from 3.2%, amid high unemployment.

    wirestory

  • Botswana President Khama Sacks Zim Magistrate

    Botswana President Khama Sacks Zim Magistrate

    {{Botswana President Ian Khama has reportedly sacked a Zimbabwean national who was a magistrate at one of the country’s courts after he refused to be transferred to another court.}}

    According to the Southern Eye, Austin Sibanda refused to be transferred from a Mahalapye court to Gaborone.

    Quoting a statement released by Botswana acting registrar and master of the High Court, the report said Sibanda “was dismissed on 26 March for gross misconduct constituted by his refusal to obey a lawful order from the chief justice”.

    Sibanda had served as magistrate in several courts across Botswana.

    The magistrate gained prominence in 2010 when a Hukuntsi farmer sued him for unlawful detention, said the report.

    – News24

  • Bashir Orders Release of Political Prisoners

    Bashir Orders Release of Political Prisoners

    {{Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir hs announced a series of resolutions at the onset of a political roundtable held on Sunday in Khartoum with the participation of 83 political parties.}}

    Bashir directed authorities in the states and localities across Sudan to enable political parties to carry out their activities inside and outside their headquarters without restrictions except those dictated by the law.

    He also pledged to enhance press freedom so that it can play its role in the success of the national dialogue unconditionally as long they abide by the norms of the profession.

    Political detainees who have not been found to be involved in criminal acts will be released, Bashir added.

    The Sudanese leader also stressed the government’s commitment and willingness to allow rebels to participate in the national dialogue and vowed to give them adequate and appropriate safeguards to attend and depart safely afterwards.

    Bashir said in his keynote address before the summit that the meeting is the first step in jumpstarting the comprehensive national dialogue process, as well as reahing agreement on the primary principles to guide the dialogue.

    Another goal of the process is to bring sustainable peace in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states and to ensure a bright future for their people, achieve national unity, strengthen Sudan’s regional and international relations especially with South Sudan, Bashir said.

    The leader of the National Umma Party (NUP), Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, urged the government to lift its ban on foreign aid organisations, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and enable them to provide support to those in conflict-affected zones.

    He also called for the revoking of suspension decisions imposed on cultural centres.

    Hassan Al-Turabi, head of the Popular Congress Party (PCP), demanded the declaration of an immediate ceasefire in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, after which humanitarian corridors should be opened to deliver aid to those affected by the conflict.

    He also underscored the need for the formation of a national transitional government tasked with addressing the thorny crises affecting the country.

    In his speech, the Islamist figure called for more freedoms, allowing private and public media houses to be open to all, inviting rebel groups to attend the dialogue by offering them guarantees that they will not be harmed.

    Turabi welcomed steps announced by Bashir in response to demands of opposition parties as prerequisite for dialogue.

    He also stressed the need for international monitoring of the national dialogue led by the United Nations.

    wirestory

  • Ethiopian Govt Slams Door on Islamic Bank

    Ethiopian Govt Slams Door on Islamic Bank

    {{The Ethiopian government has denied accreditation to what would have been the country’s first Islamic banking service, citing new banking and terrorism laws.}}

    According to a statement issued June 2 by its board of directors, Zam-Zam Bank applied for a zero-interest banking service compatible with Muslims.

    However, the National Bank of Ethiopia, which supervises all banks in the country and is directly under prime minister Meles Zenawi, declined to assent to the application.

    The Ethiopian government last year issued a new banking law which outlaws interest-free Islamic banking and authorises authorities to block money suspected to finance terrorism.

    The refusal to licence the service also douses the hopes of 6,800 shareholders of establishing a new Islamic bank after years of dispute with the National Bank.

    The “interest-free” banking project with an initial capitalisation of $57 million will now be forced to dissolve.

    “They told us it is impossible to establish a full ‘zero interest rate’ bank and rather advised us to create a sub-window to give the zero-interest rate service along with a regular banking operation,” a board member, who declined to be named due to his dealings with another private bank, told the Africa Review’s reporter.

    The potential liquidation of Zam-Zam coincides with growing rancour between the government and the country’s Muslims over the last four months.

    Since March, Muslims in the Horn of Africa country have been protesting government interference in affairs of their religion.

    The Ethiopian government has recently tightened security and accused some Muslim groups of favouring extremism and terrorism under the cover of religious freedoms.

    After Zam-Zam Bank two years ago applied for a licence, the government issued a revised Banking Bill which excludes the formation of a banking service affiliated to religion.

    The revised law on grounds of blocking the flow of “terror financing” authorises the government to access details of any suspected money transfer deposit or other transaction.

    Mr Ibrahim Miftah, a financial expert, said such kind of interest free banks are viable in Islamic economics and operate in accordance with Sharia.

    “The idea is developed by modern scholars of Islam and seeks not only to enforce Islamic regulations but also to implement broader economic goals and policies,” Mr Ibrahim said.

    Muslim banking revolves around the main tenets of Islam; charitable giving (zakat), borrowing and lending without payment of fixed interest (riba), insurance, inheritance, and socially responsible investing.

    Since most other religions also favour charitable giving and socially responsible investing, the key difference from other financial services is the non interest rule.

    At least 60 countries practice Islamic banking, mainly in the middle East countries.

    Ethiopia has so far licensed 15 private banks.

    NMG

  • JCB India to Export New Excavator Engine to Africa

    JCB India to Export New Excavator Engine to Africa

    {{Heavy equipment company JCB India Limited has introduced the JS360’s new Dieselmax 672 engine, which will be exported to Africa and Middle East}}

    The company stated that the new engine provides up to 25 per cent fuel savings over outgoing model, while a closed box-section revolving frame increases strength and reduces stress.

    JCB India Limited, a 100 per cent subsidiary of JCB UK, is looking to aggressively expand in Africa, said reports. The company’s equipments are used in construction and mining.

    The company has been manufacturing excavators ranging from 8T to 22T, which are currently operational in East, West and South Africa, according to company officials.

    Jaswinder S Vilkhu, AVP of export sales at JCB, said, “Our biggest market in Africa has been South Africa and Algeria but we have consolidated our position in East and West Africa as well, and the market is improving. We started exporting machines into Africa from Pune as well as the Ballabgarh plants three years ago.”

    JCB also recently launched the 2DX – a small loader-cum-excavator, which can be used in the agricultural sectors in India, Southeast Asia and South Africa. Designed to function like a Swiss army knife, the machine combines low centre of gravity with good ground clearance for versatile performance due to various attachments, which can be fitted on the machine, stated the company.

    Meanwhile, JCB India Limited has announced that it will also introduce a bigger Excavator JS360 soon, which will be useful for large-scale operations like mining and earth works in India.

    Vilkhu said that JCB put up a stall at the CII Africa India conclave in New Delhi in March 2014 for the first time and the response was “tremendous”.

  • GZ Industries to Construct US$100M Can Factory in Kenya

    GZ Industries to Construct US$100M Can Factory in Kenya

    {{Manufacturing firm GZ Industries has decided to invest US$100mn to construct an aluminium can manufacturing plant at Sultan Hamud Township in Kenya}}

    The company plans to begin operations in early 2015 and will produce 1.2bn cans annually, it stated.

    Motti Goldmintz, CEO of GZ Industries, said, “The decision to invest in an aluminium can line follows a significant upturn in the demand for canned beverages in Kenya. The total annual production of sodas in the market has reached a high of 371.4mn litres in 2011.”

    According to statistics, beer production in Kenya has also hit a high of 2.8mn hectolitres – the highest in the East African region.

    The company said that the manufacturing unit will be opened on the Mombasa Highway, 109km from Nairobi. The plant is expected to create over 20,000 jobs.

    GZ Industries is based Agbara, Ogun State, Nigeria and sells cans to Guinness Nigeria PLC, a unit of Diageo PLC and Nigeria Bottling Company.

    Over the years, Kenya has been importing cans for packaging beers and soft drinks.

    The new plant would help cut costs in Kenya and across the wider East African Community.

    The company has said that it plans to expand to regional markets targeting Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi.

    {africanreview}

  • Emotional Oscar Pistorius Apologises

    Emotional Oscar Pistorius Apologises

    {{Oscar Pistorius has started his testimony at his murder trial by apologising to the family of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.}}

    In a trembling voice, he said he was “trying to protect” her and said he could not imagine their pain.

    Mr Pistorius said he suffered “terrible nightmares” and often woke up smelling Ms Steenkamp’s blood.

    Prosecutors say he killed her in February 2013 after an argument. He says he mistook her for an intruder.

    The Paralympic athlete told Ms Steenkamp’s relatives that there “hasn’t been a moment since this tragedy happened that I haven’t thought about your family”.

    “I wake up every morning and you’re the first people I think of, the first people I pray for. I can’t imagine the pain and the sorrow and the emptiness that I’ve caused you and your family.

    “I was simply trying to protect Reeva. I can promise that when she went to bed that night she felt loved.

    “I’ve tried to put my words on paper many, many times to write to you. But no words will ever suffice.”

    In the packed Pretoria courtroom, Ms Steenkamp’s mother, June, sat stony-faced while he spoke.

    Mr Pistorius said he is taking anti-depressants and sleeping pills.

    “I’m scared to sleep, I have terrible nightmares, I can smell blood and wake up terrified,” he said.

    He added that he never wanted to handle a gun again.

    The trial in Pretoria was delayed for a week after one of the assessors assisting the judge fell ill.

    Under South African law, there is no jury system and two assessors, normally lawyers or retired magistrates, help the judge reach a decision in serious cases.

    Defence lawyer Barry Roux said he will call 14 to 17 witnesses in his case to testify on “ballistics, urine emptying, damage to the toilet door, sound, and disability and vulnerability.”

    {Reeva Steenkamp’s mother above, June, remained impassive during Mr Pistorius’ testimony}

    {wirestory}

  • Two UN Workers Shot Dead in Somalia

    Two UN Workers Shot Dead in Somalia

    {{A British man is one of two United Nations workers who have been shot dead in Somalia, the Foreign Office has said.}}

    They were shot inside Galkayo Airport after getting off a plane, a local security official Mohamed Mire said.

    The attacker was dressed in a police uniform, an airport official added.

    Witness Hassan Ahmed said: “One of them died inside the airport and the other one was rushed to hospital where he later died of the injuries.”

    The men were working for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN confirmed.

    {{‘No justification’}}

    Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, condemned the murders, saying: “Our UN colleagues were working in support of the Somali people’s aspiration for a peaceful and stable future.

    “There can be no justification for such a callous attack.

    “I call on the authorities to conduct a full investigation immediately and bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.”

    Galkayo lies 356 miles (574km) north of capital Mogadishu on the border with the semi-autonomous state of Puntland.

    The region has become synonymous with piracy in the seas around Somalia, particularly in the Gulf of Aden.

    It is home to many Somalis displaced by violence in the south where some attempt to make the sea crossing to Yemen.

    A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

    {wirestory}