IGIHE

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  • South Sudan’s Kiir Warns Against Revenge Killings

    South Sudan’s Kiir Warns Against Revenge Killings

    {{The South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Saturday reiterated calls for peace in his conflict-ridden country, but warned citizens against involvement in revenge killings.}}

    Speaking at a rally organised by the ruling party’s (SPLM) youth wing, Kiir said it was time for South Sudanese to forgive one another as leaders seek remedies to the current conflict.

    “This country needs peace. This country needs development. The country needs widows and orphans to recover from war trauma attitude. This country needs education,” said the president at his first public rally since the conflict broke out.

    “There will be reconciliation and forgiveness, the forgiveness will not be today, but it must happen for the sake of having a peaceful country, not warlord country,” he added.

    The event, attended by thousands of citizens, was organised by the SPLM youth wing as part of its mobilisation campaign under the theme, “one nation, one people”.

    The South Sudanese leader further stressed the importance of national reconciliation as the young nation grapples with a conflict that nearly caused civil war.

    Violence erupted in the South Sudan capital in mid-December last year, but later extended to its states of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity, leaving thousands dead and nearly a million homeless.

    ATTACKS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT

    Meanwhile, the South Sudanese leader described his former deputy Riek Machar as “an enemy of peace and progress in South Sudan,” directly referring to the latter’s alleged involvement in what he said was a coup attempt against his leadership.

    “My brother Riek Machar has hurt [the] people of South Sudanese after he made a mistake to become a rebel leader again in the nation. He assumes himself to be a democratic man, but his heart does not apply democracy,” a visibly angry Kiir said.

    “It is now a great shame worldwide that newest nation South Sudan has insurgency,” he added, while urging the country’s citizens to work for peace.

    Machar, despite the president’s claims, denies any involvement in any coup attempt and instead accuses the latter of falsely implicating him in a bid to silence opposition within the SPLM.

    {sudantribune}

  • Students Debate on Rwanda’s Education System

    Students Debate on Rwanda’s Education System

    {{This Saturday marked the beginning of the annual debate tournament organized by iDebate Rwanda–a youth NGO which organizes debates and training in public speaking aimed at encouraging youth’s to love debates and their interest in public issues and interests.}}

    The debate competition was attended by more than 15 schools and 200 students. The students debated on a motion–“Rwanda should reform the education system to tackle modern challenges.”

    Armed with their wit and incredible amount of research, they came prepared for a day of hard and fast thinking with the hope to go home with a trophy that would make them the best debaters.

    After a day of debating, the final two best teams were Lycee de Kigali and FAWE and after a last debate and a long deliberation from the judges, the debate was won by FAWE Girls School. Igihozo Sandrine from Martyrs Secondary School emerged the best debater.

    It was an extremely productive day for both the students and the team of iDebate which organized the debate tournament. “This was by far one of the best tournaments we have had since we started this organization.

    We received more students than ever who were more interested, more committed and more qualified.

    I would like to thank everyone who helped us, the schools which gave us their students, IFAK for providing the venue and encourage more schools to help us in this endeavor” said Teta Christine, the president of iDebate Rwanda.

    The students were also very happy with how the tournament was conducted. Mekha Rousseau Ndayisenga, as student from King David Academy also emphasized how grateful he was for iDebate Rwanda and the skills it has provided him.

    “I am so happy for how much I have grown as a person and a debater. What I hope for as many people as possible to get the opportunities that I got debating.”

    emma@igihe.rw

  • AIRTEL RWANDA LAUNCHES ATM CARDLESS WITHDRAWAL

    AIRTEL RWANDA LAUNCHES ATM CARDLESS WITHDRAWAL

    {{Airtel Rwanda and I&M bank in partnership with R-Switch have today launched the first ever ATM cardless withdrawal service in Rwanda.}}

    This innovation, a first in the Rwandan market enables Airtel money customers to withdraw money from their I&M bank accounts using their mobile phone.

    I&M customers will also be able to make withdraws using their Airtel money accounts. In addition, Airtel money customers will among other services be able to make money transfers, check balances and pay utility bills and taxes.

    Speaking at the event, the Airtel Rwanda Country Manager, Mr. Marcellin Paluku said, “We are pleased to formalize this agreement with I&M bank in partnership with R-Switch to further strengthen financial inclusion in Rwanda.”

    He added, “This partnership with I&M is yet another milestone to deepen the accessibility of Airtel money to our customers throughout Rwanda and reinforce Airtel’s mission of offering inclusive, customer-focused financial services.”

    “Today we are proud to be partners with Airtel Money and R-Switch as we launch ATM cardless withdrawal capability on our ATMs.

    This service will be instrumental in extending financial services to the under banked segments in Rwanda,” said I&M bank Managing Director, Mr. Sanjeev Anand.

    Commenting on the service, the R-switch Chief Executive Officer, Konde Bugingo said, “Today, we at R-Switch together with Airtel and I & M bank are proud to roll out these novel services to the Rwandan people as we strive to ensure Rwanda becomes a cash free country through innovation and creation of strong domestic and regional e-payment.”

    {{How the service works}}

    Airtel customers can select this service by going to their simcard application menu and select Airtel Money, select withdraw money from an ATM, Select amount, enter Pin then confirm.

    Upon completing the transaction customers will receive an SMS that contains a 6 digits code that will enable them to withdraw from the ATM.

    The commercial launch of ATM card less withdrawal service comes months after a soft launch that was done during Rwanda’s ICT innovation summit, Transform Africa 2013 co-hosted by President Paul Kagame and Dr. Hamadoun I. Toure, Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union in October last year.

    Present in 17 African countries, Airtel is the largest telecoms service provider across the continent in terms of geographical reach and had over 68.3 million customers at the end of the third quarter which ended December 31, 2013. Globally, Airtel is ranked as the 4th largest mobile services provider in terms of customer base.

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  • Quality Healthcare a Right not a Privilege – Kagame

    Quality Healthcare a Right not a Privilege – Kagame

    {{The Government of Rwanda is committed to ensuring that access to high quality healthcare remains a right and not a privilege for citizens, President Paul Kagame has said.}}

    Kagame, presently on a visit to the US, was on Thursday addressing leading researchers in the faculty of health at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

    “There is one resource you can only impoverish by choice and that is people. If we invest correctly in people, we are as well off as anyone else in the world. It all starts with commitment to avail services to our people,” a statement from the Office of the President quoted him as saying.

    Observing that 17 per cent of Rwanda’s national budget is dedicated to health, the President explained that providing quality health services remains a key priority for his government.

    During the discussion, Kagame shared Rwanda’s achievements in the health sector over the years, including the “child immunisation rate which is currently at 95 per cent, universal access to anti-retroviral drugs, the continuous decrease of maternal and child mortality and the universal health coverage for Rwandan citizens”.

    He emphasised the importance of involving citizens in the progress of the health sector, and singled out the contribution of the country’s community health workers who have played a key role in the sector’s recent achievements.

    These volunteers helped decrease malaria rate by 85 per cent between 2003 and 2013.

    Also, with more than 80 per cent coverage rate, a nationwide mutual public health scheme, known as Mutuelle de Sante has greatly eased access to health services.

    However, the President said the country continued to face the challenge of capacity in the sector, and invited the University of California San Francisco to partner with Rwanda in its bid to address the issue.

    Several American Universities and philanthropists are currently partnering with Rwanda in the field of health, including in efforts to build a strong local skills base in the sector over the next couple of years.

    The Executive Director of UCSF Global Health Sciences, Jaime Sepulveda, described as “unique” Rwanda’s progress in recent years. “Rwanda is one of the only countries on track to achieve MDG goals. There is no other country in the world that has achieved so much in such a short time.”

    Speaking on behalf of the faculty, Founding Executive Director of Global Health Sciences and renowned Eritrean doctor, Dr. Haile Debas, said Rwanda was a model in development. “You have shown the world how a developing African country can become an emerging economy. As an African, I am proud and inspired by your enlightened leadership which convinces me that Africa has a bright future.”

    UCSF Global Health Sciences says it is “dedicated to improving health and reducing the burden of disease in the world’s most vulnerable populations”. It works with partners around the world to achieve these objectives.

    The roundtable discussion also served as an opportunity for the faculty present to share recent discoveries in the field of prevention of maternal mortality and vaccine preservation.

    Dr. Shashi Dhar Buluswar, Executive Director of LBNL Institute of Globally Transformative Technologies, presented portable solar powered fridge aimed at ensuring vaccine preservation at the right temperature aimed at ensuring wider immunization, according to the statement.

    Prof. Suellen Miller presented a portable anti-shock garment for hemorrhage that has helped decrease maternal mortality by reducing hemorrhages following child birth.

    Later in the day, President Kagame met with leading investors in the field of information technology from Sillicon Valley.

    {Newtimes}

  • Ethnic Power-Sharing Under Threat in Burundi, Says Party

    Ethnic Power-Sharing Under Threat in Burundi, Says Party

    {{Burundi’s junior coalition party has accused the president of undermining a delicate power-sharing deal, a constitutional requirement that has kept ethnic tensions in check since a 12-year civil war in the east African nation ended in 2005.}}

    The Tutsi-led Uprona party’s three ministers quit the coalition administration last week after President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose CNDD-FDD led by ethnic Hutus is the majority party, sacked his Tutsi vice president, also from Uprona.

    The row has centered on constitutional amendments proposed by the president that could allow him a third term and change power-sharing arrangements. Opponents say the steps threaten to marginalize minorities, such as the Tutsis.

    The turmoil has triggered the worst political crisis since rebels laid down their arms in Burundi – a landlocked country neighboring Rwanda where Hutu extremists targeted ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus in the 1994 genocide.

    Burundi’s political standoff has also raised the specter of more unrest in a region already grappling with violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

    Adding to tensions, the U.N. Security Council will decide on Thursday whether to renew the mandate of a U.N. mission tasked with supporting political reforms. That vote may test relations between the government, which wants the mission out, and donors, like the United States, that want it to stay.

    The Uprona party said it was committed to staying in government, a step that could temper the crisis. But it says it will not be bullied before presidential and parliamentary elections in 2015.

    “It is clear the party in power continues with its project to create tension and disorder within our own party,” Evariste Ngayimpenda, a senior Uprona official, told Reuters this week.

    The presidency gave no comment despite several requests. But CNDD-FDD officials have said the existing constitution was for the transition and needs to be updated to reflect the changes.

    Despite relative calm in recent years, rights groups have reported scores of political killings, intimidation of the opposition and a crackdown on media freedoms since Nkurunziza’s re-election in 2010.

    “The ruling party underestimates the degree of frustration and anger over its authoritarian leadership within opposition parties and the population,” said Julien Nimubona, an Uprona government minister until 2013. “This situation risks plunging the country into fresh unrest or even the return to civil war.”

    The president, an evangelical Christian popular among rural voters, has not publicly said he will run next year, although senior CNDD-FDD officials argue that he can stand again as his election by lawmakers in 2005 does not count as his first term.

    {Standard}

  • Gen. Museveni to Sign Anti-Gay Bill into Law

    Gen. Museveni to Sign Anti-Gay Bill into Law

    {{Uganda President Gen. Yoweri Museveni reportedly told his NRM party MPs that he will append his signature to the controversial Anti-Homosexuality Bill, government spokesman Ofwono Opondo.}}

    Ofwono tweeted that Museveni would give the nod to the bill “after 14 medical experts presented a report that homosexuality is not genetic but a social behaviour.”

    A Ministerial Committee comprising of scientists from Ministry of Health and Makerere University was set up to study homosexuality and genetics in human beings and advise the President and the NRM Caucus on the subject of homosexuality.

    He added that “Ugandan traditionalists, religious leaders & politicians have been urging Museveni to sign the Bill. (Those) Supporting homosexuals take it easy Uganda is a sovereign country, you challange the law in the courts.”

    “The NRM caucus has welcomed the development as a measure to protect Ugandans from social deviants,” Opondo added on twitter.

    {newvision}

  • S. Sudan Rebels vow to Fight if Talks Fail

    S. Sudan Rebels vow to Fight if Talks Fail

    {{An official from South Sudan’s rebel group on Friday said that they were committed to the peace process, but warned of continued armed struggle against government should the Addis Ababa talks fail.}}

    The second round of talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional leaders began this week. The previous deal, signed on 23 January, failed to bring an end to the fighting, which began on December 15.

    The official from the SPLM/A-in-Opposition, which is led by South Sudan’s former vice-president Riek Machar said he is committed to bringing a peaceful political settlement to the crisis in South Sudan.

    “We will continue our commitment to bring democracy and good governance to the country either through political dialogue as set out by IGAD or armed struggle” Bor Gatwech, a lawmaker and humanitarian liaison officer for the SPLM/A-in-Opposition told Sudan Tribune in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

    The remarks by the rebel official comes a day after the seven SPLM leaders freed from jail in South Sudan on January 29 and who have now joined the Addis Ababa peace talks on Thursday announced they would not ally themselves with either side.

    The former detainees who called themselves ’SPLM leaders former detainees’ were expected to ally themselves with the rebels, but told press conference on Friday that they would instead participate at the peace talks as an independent third party.

    The spokesperson of the SPLM/A-in-Opposition, Yohanis Pouk, told Sudan Tribune in Addis Ababa on Thursday that Machar’s delegation respected their decision.

    However, some members of the rebel delegation appear to be unhappy with the decision of the former detainees whose release was secured after a peace pact signed last month.

    “They [former detainees] have clearly stated we have the same political position during their press conference” Gatwech said adding, “But we don’t know what will benefit them or the country under this dispensation”.

    He claimed pressure from the international community prompted them to form a separate bloc.

    The rebel delegation and the former detainees on Thursday both called for the release of the four remaining political detainees and the withdrawal of Ugandan forces who are battling forces who are fighting on the side of the South Sudanese army, warning that these issues would curtail efforts to bring durable political solution to the crises.

    Juba is under pressure for failing to expedite the release of the four remaining political detainees who have been charged with treason along with three other political figures, including rebel leader, Machar.

    SUCCESSFUL TALKS DEPEND ON RELEASE OF 4 DETAINEES

    South Sudan’s former cabinet minister Deng Alor Kuol said the success of the talks depends on how President Salva Kiir’s government responds to demands for release of the remaining political detainees to allow them take part in the talks.

    “Yes, we are in Addis [Ababa]. We came on Wednesday evening from Nairobi and we are now taking part in the talks as a group of our own,” Kuol exclusively told Sudan Tribune Friday.

    Blaming the two said for the armed conflict and the killing of thousands of civilians, Kuol further said they did not want to associate themselves with the warring parties.

    “On our side, we see that this conflict should have been avoided from the start if we had listened to ourselves as leaders,” he said stressing, “What is important now is the release of four detainees if you want successful and meaning peace talks”.

    The government in Juba has maintained that it would not release the remaining political detainees until all the investigations and other legal processes are completed and trial taken place.

    {sudantribune}

  • AU Commends Kenya for Promoting Peace

    AU Commends Kenya for Promoting Peace

    {{The African Union has commended Kenya’s role in promoting peace, security and stability in the continent.}}

    African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security,Smail Chergui, said Kenya’s commitment to peace, security and stability on the continent was exemplary.

    “It is glowingly actualized by its intervention in Somalia within the framework of the African Union Mission (AMISOM), its peacekeeping role within IGAD and most recently its accession to the Regional Oversight Mechanism on the implementation of Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the region,” Chergui said.

    He spoke at State House, Nairobi, today when he accompanied East African Ministers of Defence for a courtesy call on President Uhuru Kenyatta. The ministers are in the country to attend the 16th Ordinary Session of the Council of East African Ministers of Defence and Security.

    Chergui noted that during its tenure as member of the AU Peace and Security Council, from 2010 to April 2012, Kenya played a leading role in providing guidance to the council, enhancing its capacity to efficiently discharge its mandate of promoting peace, security and stability on the continent.

    He praised President Kenyatta’s contribution of $ 1 million (Sh86 million) towards the African Peace Fund at the end of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly late January.

    “This financial contribution by the Republic of Kenya is timely and should be emulated by other AU member states,” the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security said.

    He appealed to other AU member states to make additional financial contribution to the Peace Fund to reduce external donor dependency and boost AU’s capacity to promote African solutions to the continent’s problems.

    President Kenyatta pledged his support to the standby force, saying it was important for Africans to help solve their own problems.

    “As Africans, we must be able to come to the aid of fellow Africans whenever they face serious challenges, including violent conflicts,” the President said.

    He added: “we cannot always rely on the mercy and attention of the foreign powers. We must show that we have come of age and that Africa is rising.”

    The meeting was attended by ministers of defence Gaciyubwege Pontien of Burundi, Hamada Madi of Comoros, Siraj Fegessa of Ethiopia, James Kabarebe of Rwanda and Raychelle Omamo of Kenya. Djibouti was represented by Col.
    Youssouf Kayad Guelleh, Seychelles by Amb Barry Faure while Sudan’s Defence Minister was represented by Lt. Gen. Imad Adawi.

    {capitalfm}

  • Zuma told Many Lies in SONA: EFF

    Zuma told Many Lies in SONA: EFF

    {{President Jacob Zuma told “many lies” and claimed easy victories in his State of the Nation address, the EFF said on Friday.}}

    “Importantly, there was no clarity… of whether Zuma was giving [an] account of the successes from 1994 or from 2009 when he assumed office as president of the republic,” said Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi in a statement.

    “This is important to flag because there are so many contradictions and lies by omissions that were committed in the 2014 State of the Nation speech.”

    Ndlozi said the post-1994 government had failed dismally to bring unemployment below 20%.

    {{Corruption}}

    “There are no sustainable jobs that the ANC can claim to have created because the jobs that happened since 1994 happened both in the public and private sector because the population grew,” said Ndlozi.

    He said Zuma claimed the current government was fighting corruption, but failed to acknowledge corruption and incompetence that included the construction of Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.

    “Zuma is claiming to be condemning violence during protests when his own political party was throwing petrol bombs and bricks at Democratic Alliance protesters when they were fighting over who is the best neo-liberal and right-wing policy implementer,” he said.

    “Like all previous [opening speeches]… the 2014 one basically told many lies and claimed easy victories.”

    – SAPA

  • Ex-Zambia President’s Son Imprisoned for 2 Years

    Ex-Zambia President’s Son Imprisoned for 2 Years

    A Zambian court Friday handed a two-year jail sentence to former President Rupiah Banda’s son, Andrew, for corruption.

    Investigative wings in 2012 interrogated and arrested Andrew Banda, who was also deputy High Commissioner to India during his father’s three-year reign, for allegedly soliciting a cut from an Italian construction company, Fratelli Locci, and over money suspected to be proceeds of crime, allegations he denied.

    The solicitation is said to have been by way of an agreement dated June 22, 2011 signed by Andrew and Antonello Locci.

    Out of the two per cent, Andrew actually received a sum of $31,894 (K171,065,700) from Mr Locci, the managing director of Fratelli Locci SRI Limited, according to court papers.

    Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda said Andrew was a public officer and his involvement to demand payment was “equal to corruption”.

    Court papers said Andrew threatened Mr Locci, initially jointly charged but later turned state witness, that if he did not make the payment, his firm would face problems in Zambia.

    The Zambian Government is pursuing another of Mr Banda’s son, Henry, for unspecified corrupt allegations.

    Henry currently lives in South Africa and has vowed not to return to his home country in the absence of unspecified charges and for fear of “persecution”.

    {africareview}