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  • Rwandans in U.S. Launch Kwibuka20

    Rwandans in U.S. Launch Kwibuka20

    {{The Embassy of Rwanda in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the members of the Rwandan community on Monday officially launched Kwibuka20 in the United States. }}

    Kwibuka means to remember in Kinyarwanda, and Kwibuka20 describes commemoration taking place in Rwanda and abroad leading up to, and during, the mourning period between April 7th and July 4th.

    Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the U.S.C. Shoah Foundation and the Executive Producer of Kwibuka20, welcomed a distinguished panel of speakers that are at the forefront of international efforts on genocide prevention.

    The U.S. launch was attended by more than 250 people including members of the Rwandan community; members of the diplomatic corps, academics, foundations, and other representatives.

    The program embodied the Kwibuka20 maxim to “remember-unite-renew”. The harrowing testimony of Jason Nshimye, a Bisesero genocide survivor, and remarks by Dr. Gregory Stanton, President of Genocide Watch, were a sober reminder of the dark side of humanity and the evil blight of genocide in the twentieth century.

    The remarks by Clotilde Mbaranga Gasarabwe, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Safety & Security, and Amina S. Ali, Ambassador of the African Union Mission to the United States, called for universal learning from Rwanda’s experience that can help address raging mass astrocities in many parts of world including the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Mali.

    An uplifting gospel song and a poignant poem provided a renewed sense of Rwanda’s future. Lit by Rwandans, Urumuri Rutazima, a flame of hope, remembrance, courage and resilience called for the global community to unite in a fight against genocide.

    Senator Russ Feingold, U.S Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa and D.R.C., emboldened the audience by demanding that they not let genocide define Rwanda.

    He further related his own experience as a Jew and the traumatic history of Holocaust. Pointedly, he declared, “Rwanda will always be the country that experienced the 1994 genocide, but let that not be the first sentence, nor the last.

    The Rwandan people are survivors, but they are more so entrepreneurs, teachers, public servants, and farmers. They are Rwandans.”

    Dr. Adama Dieng, UN Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention, shed light on both institutional and personal responsibilities of genocide prevention.

    He provided a touching personal testimony of Captain Mbaye Diagne, a United Nations military observerwhose life was taken because he saved of Tutsis, an example of the deep commitment at the individual level.

    Rwandan Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana called for the need for a global community to discern lessons from Rwanda in order to prevent mass atrocities and genocide elsewhere.

    On a very somber note, she reminded the audience that the commemoration period “is a time for honest reflection, frank dialogue, and a commitment to shared humanity.”

  • President Mahama: Change is Itchy But We Have no Choice

    President Mahama: Change is Itchy But We Have no Choice

    {{President John Mahama({above}) says Ghanaians irritated by discomfort, have no option but to adjust to government’s determination to change how things are done presently.}}

    According to him, Ghana cannot grow without turning away “from the systems and practices with which we have become familiar, but are no longer serving our needs efficiently”.

    The Bank of Ghana recently issued stringent foerign excahnge measures aimed at arresting the cedi’s free fall against major trading currencies- US Dollar and British Pound.

    Many, particularly importers have described the directive as insensitive and unfriendly to local businesses because, it is not practicable.

    But in the opening remarks to his second State of the Nation Address to Parliament, Thursday, president Mahama said the nation had no choice but to do what was deemed right.

    “Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves at a unique place in history. Our beloved Ghana is a nation in transition. We are on the cusp of many exciting new opportunities. We are on the verge of fulfilling the promises our forefathers and foremothers made to us, and to the world, about the destiny of our country and the determination of our people.

    “We are in the midst of change. And change can often feel uncomfortable, especially as it pulls us away from the systems and practices with which we have become familiar, but are no longer serving our needs efficiently. Without change, Mr. Speaker, Ghana cannot grow. Change is what will propel us forward, as a nation, to all that lies ahead,” president Mahama stressed.

    He however encouraged people to rather see opportunities that the situation presents and strategise to make gains from it.

    “And these new opportunities will enable us to transform ourselves from a lower middle-income, import-dependent, developing country to a proud and robust, self-sufficient middle-income nation.

    “Mr. Speaker, we have been here before, as a nation. We have been in transition, pushing our way past doubt, and past darkness, to find the dawn of a new day. Ghana was created through change, a movement of the people in support of their collective vision.

    “And then Ghana went on to influence change on the African continent and in effect, the course of the world,”. he stated.

    {myjoyonline}

  • Sudan’s Bashir in DRC Amid Calls for His Arrest

    Sudan’s Bashir in DRC Amid Calls for His Arrest

    {{A group of activists have urged the Congolese authorities to ensure the arrest of the Sudanese President, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur.}}

    President Omer Al-Bashir is reportedly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to attend the 17th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) summit taking place in the capital, Kinshasa.

    “Congo as an ICC member has an obligation to arrest and transfer President Al-Bashir to The Hague, where he is wanted for crimes against humanity and war crimes,” said Georges Kapiamba, president of the Kinshasa-based Congolese Association for Access to Justice.

    Under the ICC’s Rome Statute, however, all member countries, including Congo, have an obligation to cooperate with Bashir’s arrest; yet similar calls for the apprehension of the Sudanese leader have in past years been unsuccessful.

    Although the African Union has called on its member not to cooperate with the ICC, countries like Malawi, South Africa, Kenya and Zambia have avoided hosting the Sudanese leader.

    Descartes Mpongo, the executive secretary of Christian Activists Actions for Human Rights in Shabunda of the DRC, said, “Having long worked closely with the ICC, Congo should demonstrate that it stands on the side of Darfuri victims, and arrest Al-Bashir.”

    Elise Keppler, an associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch described the Sudanese leader as “a fugitive from justice who belongs in one place only: The Hague.”

    “Since Congo didn’t prevent al-Bashir’s visit, they should take the next step and arrest him,” added Klepper.

    Sources say that European Union (EU) and US officials will boycott their attendance of the COMESA summit in protest.

    Currently chaired by Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, the COMESA meeting will reportedly deliberate the status of the implementation of the COMESA free trade area, progress on the Implementation of the COMESA Customs Union and COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Agenda.

    Also expected to dominate discussions at the two-day event are issues like peace and security, infrastructure programmes, agriculture and the environment.

    {sudantribune}

  • Khartoum accepts Mbeki’s Draft Framework Agreement for Sudan’s Two Areas

    Khartoum accepts Mbeki’s Draft Framework Agreement for Sudan’s Two Areas

    {{Sudanese government has agreed to accept a draft framework agreement put forward by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), announced Khartoum’s chief negotiator after a meeting between president Omer Al-Bashir and chief mediator Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday.}}

    On 18 February Mbeki announced a break in the stalled peace talks between the government and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement –North (SPLM-N) and proposed a draft framework agreement aiming to cease hostilities and deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in the rebel areas.

    The draft agreement further proposes to limit political talks to the conflict in Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

    Following the meeting in which he took part, the Sudanese presidential assistant and head of government negotiating delegation Ibrahim Ghandour told reporters that president Bashir accepted the proposed agreement “without reserve”.

    Al-Bashir further, according to Ghandour, reiterated the commitment of his government to deliver humanitarian aid to the affected populations in the Two Area, adding they do not want this issue be used as political tool to put pressure on Khartoum.

    The president urged the mediator to “speed up the dialogue and not to waste time in secondary issues,” Ghandour said. He stressed that a comprehensive peace should be achieved through a comprehensive agreement not bilateral deals.

    The two warring parties failed to achieve any progress in their recent round of direct talks from 13 to 18 February because the government says it can only negotiate an agreement over the two state, after what they can be part of a national process but the SPLM-N persists on its demand for a comprehensive process .

    Regarding the humanitarian assistance, the two parties diverge on who can supervise the distribution of food in the rebel areas, the SPLM-N refuses any role for the government aid agency. The rebel group also propose to extend the humanitarian deal to include rebel areas in Darfur region.

    Ghanour said the government negotiating delegation will hand over a formal letter to the mediation stating its unconditional acceptance of the draft framework agreement.

    He added that AUHIP chief discussed relations between Sudan and South Sudan, and the presidential initiative to achieve a holistic peace in the country including the opposition parties.

    Mbeki’s panel is tasked with a process to achieve democratic reforms in Sudan.

    The South African mediator on Wednesday met also with the leader of the opposition National Umma Party (NUP) Sadiq Al-Mahdi to discuss a proposal prepared by the latter suggesting to not include discussions on constitutional reforms in the bilateral talks between the government and SPLM-N.

    Al-Mandi proposes to limit talks between the warring parties to issues of security arrangements and humanitarian access .

    Speaking to the press following the meeting, the leader of Sudan’s largest opposition party called to discuss issues related to democratic transition in a national council for peace, adding he sent his proposal to Ghandour and SPLM-N top negotiator Yasir Arman alike.

    “If the proposal is accepted by the SPLM-N, the government should recognise it (as partner in the national dialogue process proposed by president Bashir) and expand dialogue to issue of peace and democratisation,” Mahdi further said, underlining it is a necessary step before to include any agreements reached via this national platform in the Constitution.

    Mbeki also met with the Islamist leader Ghazi Salah al-Deen al-Attabani who split last year from the ruling National Congress Party .

    Attabani said opposed to bilateral accords.

    “Efforts to achieve national reconciliation should be collective and avoid bilateral agreements. The optimal arrangement is to hold a roundtable dialogue and to observe specific deadlines, so as not to miss the issue of reform,” he said.

    He further demanded the government to take a number of measures in order to create conducive environment for the press and freedom of expression before next year general elections.

    Mbeki is scheduled to meet with the leader of the Popular Congress Party (PCP) Hassan Al-Turbai . He also will fly to Kampala to meet the rebel groups members of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front.

    {sudantribune}

  • Nigeria Seeks Foreign Military Help

    Nigeria Seeks Foreign Military Help

    {{Nigeria on Tuesday issued an appeal to France and Abuja’s Francophone neighbours, especially Cameroon, to help it in the battle against Islamists, two days before a planned visit from French President Francois Hollande.}}

    On the day suspected Boko Haram Islamists slaughtered 43 students as they slept, Nigeria’s information minister warned the attacks could harm French and other Western interests in West Africa if left unchecked.

    “I think what we need is international cooperation from the French, from the French-speaking west African countries to work together to deal with this problem before it becomes a major problem for France, for western interests operating in west Africa,” Labaran Maku said.

    “It will devastate French interests if we allow this terror to go on,” the minister told AIT television.

    The comments came ahead of a planned visit by Mr Hollande on Thursday and Friday to attend an international conference on security, peace and development in Africa and to celebrate the centenary of Nigerian unification.

    Mr Maku said much of the problem stemmed from its border with Cameroon and called for “increased partnership” with its northern neighbour.

    Cameroon’s participation in the international (military) joint task force policing the borders “has been a bit weak”, charged Maku.

    This has made the northern part of the border a safe haven for the insurgents.

    Weak link

    The force, comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon, was put in place to check criminals along the borders of the participating countries.

    The weak link in the chain is being exploited by Boko Haram to unleash their havoc in Nigeria, he said.

    “They strike. When we pursue them, they retreat into Cameroon,” complained the minister.

    Nigeria last week sealed a portion of its northeastern border with Cameroon to block the movement of insurgents and other criminal groups.

    The closure has been imposed in Adamawa state, one of three states in the northeast placed under emergency rule in May following waves of attacks by Boko Haram Islamists.

    The military has launched a major offensive in the area aimed at crushing the Islamist uprising, which has killed thousands since 2009.

    Nigeria has alleged that the Islamists have set up bases in sparsely populated areas of its northeastern neighbours, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger, and flee across the border after staging attacks to avoid military pursuit.

    NMG

  • EC to Aid Renewable Energy Development in Cape Verde

    EC to Aid Renewable Energy Development in Cape Verde

    {{Cape Verde has announced that it will receive US$75.5mn from the European Commission (EC) for the development of renewable energy sources in the island country}}

    Andreas Piebalgs, development commissioner of EU, had announced the funding when he visited Cape Verde recently.

    The European Commission is the executive body of the EU, which implements policies and represents the EU in the international arena.

    On its part, Cape Verde has reportedly set a target of meeting 50 per cent of its electricity needs through renewable energy sources by 2020.

    In addition to supporting Cape Verde’s energy needs, the EU will also open the Technical Assistance Facility for Sustainable Energy for All in the country.

    Piebalgs said, “Electricity prices in Cape Verde are sky-high and the country has no fossil fuel resources. The new technical facility will provide expertise and innovative solutions to utilise wind and solar energy in Cape Verde’s islands. This will ensure reliable and cost-effective access to electricity and modern energy services.”

    The executive added that EU will also assist the Cape Verde government in choosing appropriate energy project proposals.

  • Africa’s Cheapest Car Expected in June 2014

    Africa’s Cheapest Car Expected in June 2014

    {{Kenyan Vehicle Manufacturer (KVM) has announced that it will launch the continent’s cheapest car in June 2014}}

    Dubbed Mobius, the vehicle is currently being assembled in KVM’s Thika plant in Kiambu County.

    Mobius has been created by mostly using spare parts from Toyota, while 35 per cent of the vehicle parts have been locally sourced, KVM said.

    Joel Jackson, inventor and CEO of Mobius Motors, said, ‘‘We made a prototype last year and are launching the car for sale at KVM by Q2.”

    According to KVM, the car is primarily built to endure Africa’s rugged roads.
    Mobius can accommodate eight passengers and can store large goods but is without air-conditioning or power-steering, KVM said.

    The vehicle is designed for rural areas and small business owners who require cheap and affordable transportation, it added.

    Although initially priced at US$6,000, the cost has increased to US$11,000 as spare parts are expensive, the company said.

    Fifty units of the car will be manufactured initially, KVM said.

    {africanreview}

  • Rwanda Exports Minerals Worth US$196.3 million

    Rwanda Exports Minerals Worth US$196.3 million

    {Cassiterite is one of Rwanda’s untapped minerals and contributed US$50.5mn in 2013 through exports.}

    {{Rwanda’s mineral exports have increased by 72% from 2012, with coltan alone contributing to US$121.3mn worth of exports}}

    Latest figures provided by the government show that the country earned US$196.3mn in Q1 to Q3 of 2013, showing an increase of 72% from 2012.

    Singaporean research firm Global Reports also pointed to an increase in exports in 2013.

    “Coltan went up by 161%, wolfram by 7% and cassiterite rose by 13%,” the firm said.

    According to its report, Data Mining in Africa Country Investment Guide 2014, these minerals have also contributed to an increase in exports with wolfram bringing in US$24mn and cassiterite US$50.5mn.

    Coltan alone contributed US$121.3mn, reportedly benefitting from an increase in price per kilogram, the company said.

    Global Reports stated that there are plenty of untapped minerals in Rwanda.

    It is one of the top sub-Saharan nations with an abundant supply of minerals like cassiserite, columbite-tantalite (coltan) and wolfram, among others.

    If exported competently, these minerals can bring in more revenue, added the report.

    Rwanda’s main minerals are predominantly mined and traded within the country.

    {additional info. Africanreview}

  • ‘Hitler Moustache’ Casts Shadow Over Merkel-Netanyahu Meeting

    ‘Hitler Moustache’ Casts Shadow Over Merkel-Netanyahu Meeting

    {{An awkward image from a joint press conference by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commemorating 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries is making the rounds on the Internet.}}

    The picture shows a “Hitler moustache” inadvertently cast on the face of Merkel by the pointing finger of the Israeli Prime Minister.

    The image was captured by Marc Israel Sellem, a photographer for the Jerusalem Post, who immediately posted the picture on his Facebook page, leading to an avalanche of tweets, comments and Facebook likes and shares.

    The image was also posted on the Facebook page of The Post, the Hebrew site of the Jerusalem Post.

    The “Jerusalem Post” moved to distance itself from the image.

    “I just want to clarify that none of the higher-ups at JPost are pushing that picture. It’s not on our site and won’t be in the newspaper,” tweeted Lahav Harkov, a Jerusalem Post reporter.

    An official of the newspaper wondered if such a picture could really be worth a thousand tweets.

    It is not the first time that the visual imagery of Nazi Germany has cast a shadow over meetings between Merkel and Netanyahu.

    In 2012, a photograph from another joint press conference, this time taken as the German Chancellor pointed, seemed to show her making a “Sieg Heil” salute as Netanyahu looked on, smiling.

    {France24}

  • Pro-Russia Ukrainians Want Moscow to ‘Save Them’

    Pro-Russia Ukrainians Want Moscow to ‘Save Them’

    {{Scores of pro-Russian protesters rallied in Sevastopol in the Crimean Peninsula on Tuesday, bitterly denouncing politicians in Kiev who are trying to form a new pro-EU Ukraine government.}}

    “Russia, save us!” they chanted.

    The outburst of pro-Russian sentiment in the strategic peninsula on the Black Sea, home to a Russian naval base, came amid fears of economic collapse for Ukraine as the fractious foes of President Viktor Yanukovich failed to reach agreement on forming a new national government. The task of assigning new posts could not be completed before Thursday, they said.

    While Ukraine’s politicians struggled to reorganise themselves in Kiev, a Russian flag had replaced the Ukrainian flag in front of the city council building in Sevastopol, 500 miles (800 kilometers) to the south of the capital. An armored personnel carrier and two trucks full of Russian troops made a rare appearance on the streets, vividly demonstrating Russian power in this port city where the Kremlin’s Black Sea Fleet is based.

    Some called on Moscow to protect them from the movement that drove Yanukovich from the capital three days ago.

    FRANCE 24’s Douglas Herbert, reporting from regional capital Simferopol, said Crimean lawmakers were set Wednesday to begin a session in parliament “to try to overthrow the local government because these are people they feel are too close to the new government in Kiev”.

    “They don’t feel that they are protecting Russian interests here,” he said, adding that around 60 percent of the Crimean population is made up of ethnic Russians. “The Russians living here feel exposed and unprotected and want the Russians to come and help them.”

    Deposed Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovich’s whereabouts are unknown but he was reportedly last seen in the Crimea, a staunchly pro-Russian region the size of Massachusetts. Law enforcement agencies have issued an arrest warrant for him over the killing of 82 people, mainly protesters, last week in the bloodiest violence in Ukraine’s post-Soviet history.

    His former chief of staff, Andriy Klyuyev, was wounded by gunfire Monday and hospitalized, spokesman Artem Petrenko told The Associated Press. It wasn’t clear where in Ukraine the shooting took place or what were the circumstances of the shooting.

    Meanwhile, pro-Moscow protesters gathered for a third day in front of administrative buildings in Sevastopol and in other Crimean cities. Protests on Sunday numbered in the thousands.

    Russia’s Black Sea Fleet

    Russia, which has thousands of Black Sea Fleet seamen at its base, so far has refrained from any sharp moves in Ukraine’s political turmoil, but could be drawn into the fray if there are confrontations between the population in Crimea and the supporters of the new authorities.

    US Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in Washington that their countries oppose any attempt to partition or divide the former Soviet republic into pro-Western and pro-Russian territories.

    A senior Russian lawmaker promised protesters that his government will protect its Russian-speaking compatriots in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine. “If lives and health of our compatriots are in danger, we won’t stay aside,” Leonid Slutsky told activists in Simferopol.

    Crimea’s Russian heritage

    Many in Russia have been dreaming about regaining the lush Crimean peninsula, which was conquered by Russia in the 18th century under Catherine the Great.

    Crimea only became part of Ukraine in 1954 when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred jurisdiction from Russia. The move was a mere formality until the 1991 Soviet collapse meant Crimea landed in an independent Ukraine.

    Ethnic Russians make up the majority of Crimea’s population, and some, including retired navy officers and their families, have Russian citizenship. The peninsula’s nearly 2 million people includes 60 percent Russian speakers, as well as 12 percent who are Crimean Tatars, a minority group deported and persecuted in Soviet times, leaving them with little love for Russia.

    Refat Chubarov, the head of the Tatar community, says the Tatars want new elections to the regional parliament and to remove any monuments to Soviet founder, Vladimir Lenin.

    Kiev set to form new government

    At the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, lawmakers delayed the formation of a new government until Thursday, reflecting the political and economic challenges the country faces after Yanukovich went into hiding.

    Turchinov, the parliament speaker, is now nominally in charge of this strategic country of 46 million whose ailing economy faces a possible default and whose loyalties are sharply torn between Europe and longtime ruler Russia.

    The European Union’s top foreign policy official, Catherine Ashton, urged Ukraine’s new government to quickly work out an economic reform program so the West could consider financial aid to keep Ukraine from bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the Institute of International Finance, a Washington-based association of banks and financial companies, warned that Ukraine’s finances “are on the verge of collapse”.

    Ukraine is battling to keep its currency, the hryvnia, from collapsing. Its acting finance minister says the country needs 25.5 billion euros to finance government needs this year and next.

    Protests in Ukraine erupted after Yanukovich in November abruptly reject an agreement to strengthen ties with the European Union and instead sought a bailout loan from Moscow. They soon grew into a massive movement demanding an end to corruption and greater human rights.

    france24