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USAID’s LAND Project and Partners Gather to Determine 2014 Land Research Priorities

{{Kigali}} – {Beginning today, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) LAND Project, will host its second annual National Land Research Agenda Workshop. The workshopis co-hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, with the support of the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research and will run through Wednesday, February 12th. }

Each year the event brings together government ministries, research institutes and universities and civil society organizations to identify critical research priorities for informing the direction of land policy in Rwanda. The workshop will apply a participatory process to collect the most urgent and potentially impactful policy research, which in turn will be used to frame research topics that the LAND Project will support through competitive sub-awards.

Planned activities for the workshop include presentations of on-going research; recent policy-relevant empirical research on land; structured discussions in plenary and small group sessions, and gathering and debating of research priorities with the aim of selecting 3-4 priority areas to be supported by the Land Project this year.

“Land remains a critical development issue in Rwanda, and fully understanding and addressing land issues – whether land tenure, policy, or conflict – requires current and independent research,” said Peter Malnak, USAID/Rwanda Mission Director. “Supporting local organizations to do this important work is a main component of the LAND Project, and we are very proud to be partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, the Institute of Policy Analysis-Rwanda and other land sector stakeholders to accomplish it.”

Sub-grant recipients for last year’s research investigated topics such as Rwanda’s land consolidation policy, sustainable land use management, and land tenure. It is expected that this year’s research will build off of the findings of those studies as well as delve into new areas.

“With participants from government and civil society having submitted 44 proposed research themes on a diverse array of topics, it is clear that there is a strong demand for research on land that can inform future policy directions,” said Anna Knox, Chief of Party for the LAND Project. “The LAND Project is excited to support the research priorities that will be selected by this year’s workshop participants.”

The LAND Project is committed to strengthening the resilience of Rwandan communities, citizens and institutions through expanding the pool of high quality, evidence-based research on land issues which can inform land policy. To achieve this aim, the project seeks to build the capacity of local research entities and civil society organizations to generate policy research related to land and advocate effectively for continuous adaptation of policy in the interest of ordinary Rwandan citizens.

February 10, 2014
Kigali to float $18.3m Bond to Cut Back on Aid

{{Kigali plans to resume borrowing on the domestic market in the coming weeks, in its latest attempt to reduce dependency on donor aid to finance its development plans.}}

While exact details are yet to be released, this February the Treasury is expected to begin by issuing a bond worth Rwf12.5 billion ($18.3 million) with a maturity of three years.

With the government borrowing from the domestic market instead of turning to investors, a rise in interest rates is likely.

This is because investors know the government is in need of the cash and will demand a good return on their money.

“We are working with the central bank to see how we can have more appropriate government securities on the domestic market to boost capital. Going forward, we know that the government may have to rely more on domestic borrowing for funding its budget,” said Kampeta Sayinzoga, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

She was speaking at the recent official launch of Rwanda’s Economic Update by the World Bank.

Ms Sayinzoga said the government is considering using long term instruments not only to raise capital, but also to support the development of the local capital market.

The government has been using short term instruments such as Treasury-bills, that range from 91 to 182 days.

“In the past we have used government securities as cash flow instruments. Now government securities are going to be financing instruments. Because of that, you will see a reintroduction of government long term securities and bonds through the central bank,” Ms Sayinzoga said, without disclosing details.

The Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE) currently has three government bonds with the longest — a five-year bond — maturing in September 2016.

Celestin Rwabukumba, the chief executive officer of the RSE, confirmed that the government is in the advanced stages of issuing long term bonds in a bid to facilitate the growth of the capital markets.

“We are going to do book building to determine the yield curve. If the issuance is continuous it will give a benchmark for private issuances,” Mr Rwabukumba said.

He said frequent issuing of bonds by government could help to attract the private sector to borrow money through the RSE bond market.

Currently, RSE has only one eight-year corporate bond worth Rwf10 billion ($14.4 million) issued in 2010 by I&M Bank (previously Commercial Bank of Rwanda).

“When it started in 2008, they did three bonds then halted them. When there is no issuance, there is no benchmark for the private sector,” Mr Rwabukumba said, underscoring the need for government to list bonds frequently.

Following improved donor sentiment last year, the government had reduced borrowing from the domestic market as shown by interest rates on Treasury-bills, which fell to 5.1% for one-month instruments and 6.5% for maturities of one year, down from an average of 12% in April 2013.

The central bank also reduced the repo rate, its lending rate to commercial banks, to seven per cent from 7.5 per cent, to stimulate credit in the second half of 2013.

This has increased liquidity in the banking system and created room for banks to lend to the private sector in the fourth quarter.

However, fresh data released by the World Bank recently showed that government borrowing in the second quarter of 2012 on the domestic market squeezed the banking sector’s room for expanding credit to the private sector.

As a result, credit growth slowed down sharply in the first quarter of 2013, reducing domestic demand for goods and services.

Domestic demand declined by 1.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2013, (year on year) reducing GDP by 1.6 percentage points.

But John Rwangombwa, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda sought to allay fears about heavy government borrowing saying the current level of liquidity in the market is sufficient.

“We consider the level of liquidity in the market before issuing a bond; currently we have enough liquidity,” said Mr Rwangombwa. “We have a big stock of short instruments including Treasury-bills and repo that could cover any unforeseen surge in liquidity.”

World Bank figures show that Rwanda’s year-on-year GDP growth slowed to less than six per cent for the first time since 2010, on account of the aid shortfall.

Rwanda’s GDP slowed to 3.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2013 compared with 6.7 per cent in the same period in 2012, the lowest level of growth recorded in recent years, according to figures released by the National Institute of Statistics in early January.

{The East African}

February 10, 2014
Summit to Consider Import tax to Finance EAC Secretariat

{{The cost of goods imported from outside the East African Community could rise from June this year as the regional bloc plans to introduce a new import levy to finance the Secretariat’s growing budget.}}

The proposed one per cent levy will be an additional charge on the existing import taxes. This could raise the prices of goods shipped from outside the bloc’s five countries — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.

The prices of commodities such as fuel, food, cars, machinery and second-hand clothes — the most common goods sourced outside EAC — are likely to go up.

The total value of EAC member states’ imports from outside the region amounted to $34.29 billion in 2012, therefore the Secretariat could collect up to $342.9 million from the levy.

The proposal, which was approved by the EAC Council of Ministers and recommended to the Heads of State Summit in November last year, is expected to be considered during the Ordinary Summit scheduled in Nairobi this April.

The Council of Ministers is said to be working on rollout details, as the bloc seeks to wean the Secretariat of heavy reliance on contributions from member states, donations and donor funding.

Inconsistent and inadequate flow of contributions from member states has constrained many crucial activities of the EAC executive arm, including the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

The new funding mechanism is expected to enable the EAC to meet its budget, largely funded by donors. For example, of the $117.5 million 2013/2014 budget, partner states contributed $37.2 million while donors gave $79.8 million.

The proposed 2014/2015 budgets stands at $134 million — 2.4 per cent higher than the previous year’s. Each EAC partner state will be required to contribute $45 million, a 19.0 per cent increment from last year’s contribution.

However, the EAC development partners will in the 2014/2015 budget contribute a total of $83.8 million, a drop of 4.8 per cent.

The donors, who include Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, DfID-UK, the European Union, the World Bank and Norway, however, finance their programmes directly instead of giving the grants to the Community.

After it became apparent that fundraising remains the Community’s biggest challenge, early last year, a team of experts was appointed from all the partner states to explore sustainable funding mechanisms that would guarantee that the bloc is able to raise adequate resources, and ensure that equitable funding and remittances are made on time to the Secretariat.

Among the proposals was one that contributions be based on the member states’ gross domestic product and introduction of an airline tax.

{EastAfrican}

February 10, 2014
3,000 Buses with Internet for Dar es Salaam

{{Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, will have 3,000 modern buses that are furnished with an Internet café, wireless Internet and a mini-restaurant by the end of this year local media reports.}}

Public transport in Dar es Salaam—home to about 4.5 million people and which has been in a shambles for years, is awash with sub-standard buses owned by desparate transporters and operated by mainly irresponsible, reckless drivers and touts.

With demand exceeding supply, using public transport in the city especially during the peak hours, is normally chaotic and sometimes dangerous to commuters.

Currently, there are 9,541 mini-buses, famously known as daladala, licensed to provide public transport, but 20% of these are often grounded due to mechanical faults, according to data obtained by local media.

However, the Dar-es-Salaam Regional Transport Licensing Authority (DRTLA) says the number of privately owned buses is estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,500.

Bus service accounts for about 70% of public transport in Dar es Salaam, according to latest statistics.

At least 40% of these vehicles are substandard, meaning they aren’t fit to carry passengers.

February 10, 2014
Nappy Sensor Says Baby Needs Changing

{{A disposable organic sensor that can be embedded in a nappy and wirelessly let a carer know it needs changing was unveiled by Japanese researchers on Monday.}}

The flexible integrated circuit printed on a single plastic film transmits information and receives its power wirelessly, and could potentially be manufactured for a few yen, the developers said.

The system, which uses organic materials that can be printed with inkjet technology, was developed by a team led by professors Takayasu Sakurai and Takao Someya at the University of Tokyo.

In addition to use in infants’ nappy, the technology can be applied to adult nappies, which are a big-seller in rapidly-ageing Japan.

Regular diapers change colour to indicate they are wet, but a care-giver still needs to take off the wearer’s clothes to see.

“If sensing is done electronically, you can tell simply by coming close to the wearer – without unclothing him or her,” Someya said.

AFP

February 10, 2014
Rwanda Peacekeepers Rescue 600 Muslims in CAR

{{Rwanda peacekeepers in Central African Republic (CAR) escorted and delivered humanitarian and commercial goods to Bangui on 7 February 2014 from the Cameroon-CAR border.}}

The convoy of seventy vehicles was escorted by Rwanda Mechanised Infantry battalion (RwaMechBatt1) serving in the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) had started the journey from Bangui on 2 February 2014.

RwaMechBatt1 Forces were able to rescue 600 civilians (Muslims) along the way who were under attack from anti-balaka armed group.

The fleeing civilians were evacuated to a safe zone and proceeded to Cameroon.

RwaMechBatt1 peacekeepers first opened the 700 km humanitarian Corridor on 27 January2014.

Bangui and CAR had been cut off from supplies by armed groups controlling the Bangui-Cameroon main supply road that connects it to the sea port of Douala in Cameroon.

MOD

February 10, 2014
UAE to use Drones for Government Services

{{The United Arab Emirates says it plans to use unmanned aerial drones to deliver official documents and packages to its citizens as part of efforts to upgrade government services.}}

The wealthy Gulf state is known for its showmanship – it boasts the tallest skyscraper in the world – and its love of high-technology gadgets. The drone project appears to satisfy both interests.

“The UAE will try to deliver its government services through drones. This is the first project of its kind in the world,” Mohammed al-Gergawi, a minister of cabinet affairs, said on Monday as he displayed a prototype developed for the government.

The battery-operated vehicle, about 50cm across, resembles a butterfly with a top compartment that can carry small parcels. Coloured white and emblazoned with the UAE flag, it is propelled by four rotors.

Local engineer Abdulrahman Alserkal, who designed the project, said fingerprint and eye-recognition security systems would be used to protect the drones and their cargo.

Practical difficulties

Gergawi said the drones would be tested for durability and efficiency in Dubai for six months, before being introduced across the UAE within a year. Services would initially include delivery of identity cards, driving licences and other permits.

Proposals for the civilian use of drones have run into practical difficulties elsewhere in the world. In December Amazon.com chief executive Jeff Bezos said his company planned to deliver goods to millions of customers with a fleet of drones, but safety and technical issues mean the plan is unlikely to become a reality in the US this decade, engineers say.

The UAE drone programme faces similar obstacles, plus temperatures which often exceed 40°C in summer and heavy sandstorms which occasionally sweep across the desert country.

“Within a year from now we will understand the capabilities of the system and what sort of services, and how far we can deliver. Eventually a new product will be launched across all the country,” Gergawi said.

{- Reuters}

February 10, 2014
SABC Blames Apartheid for Shocking Audit Report

{{Zandile Tshabala, chairperson of the SABC board, has ripped into PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) over the independent auditor firm’s scathing skills audit report of the beleaguered South African public broadcaster, slamming the audit for allegedly using “outdated” tests on SABC staff she says were used under Apartheid.}}

The report from PwC from July 2013 about the SABC, was revealed in parliament this past Tuesday. Members of parliament’s portfolio committee on communications called the report and its findings “shocking”, “very worrying” and a “reality check” for the SABC.

ThePwC report – besides a wide-ranging skills audit of SABC personnel such as asking them to sit for a numeracy test and others – also did fact-based auditing of qualifications such as authenticating matric and tertiary certificates on file.

Besides finding that the SABC is lacking strategic thinkers in tests, PwC asked SABC staff what they think of the public broadcaster as part of the audit. That involved no tests.

– SABC personnel responded that they “do not trust the SABC’s management team, or the SABC board” and question “the ability of the above-mentioned”. SABC staff had “a negative attitude towards the organisation”.

– Not related to any tests and only document and file checking, the PwC report uncovered more than 2 200 SABC staff of which the SABC has no proof on file that they actually passed matric.

– Not related to any tests and only document and file checking, the PwC report uncovered 24 SABC personnel with fraudulent or “non-compliant” matric and Grade 10 certificates.

– The PwC report also found through file checking, more than 100 SABC staff at the SABC of which the broadcaster has no personnel file.

– Not related to any tests and only document and file checking, the PwC audit found SABC staff with “non-related qualifications on file” for example a finance administrator with a diploma in beauty and health.

{Zandile Tshabala}

February 10, 2014
Kenya Refuses 7 SPLM Leaders From Heading for Addis Ababa Talks

{{The government of Kenya refused to allow the seven freed Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-In-Opposition) leaders leave Kenya to Ethiopia to attend the second round peace talks with the South Sudanese government, a rebel official said on Sunday.}}

Nonetheless, rebel sources from Nairobi say the freed political leaders would eventually fly to Addis Ababa on Monday to join the talks after clearing a misunderstanding with Ugandan authorities.

A member of the rebel negotiating team in Addis Ababa, who preferred anonymity, late on Sunday told reporters that Kenya declined to allow them leave for Ethiopia claiming their bail terms demanded that they stay within Kenyan territory.

The official opening of the next round of talks is slated to resume on Monday, February 10, 2014 despite the decision taken by the Kenyan government.

The rebel official said his negotiating team is demanding that they come to Addis Ababa and attend the peace talks.

He further warned the SPLM-In-Opposition negotiating team would not engage in the talks opening Monday unless the seven political figures arrive in Addis Ababa at least Monday morning.

“This is because that they [the seven leaders] are the only delegation we have so far,” he added.

The seven political figures were freed on 29 January and arrived in the Kenyan capital the same day following a ceasefire agreement signed in Addis Ababa on January 23.

Following their release, South Sudan’s minister of Justice, Paulino Wanawilla Unago, told reporters that the seven leader were moved to Kenya for safety reasons.

He however added, “presidents from our neighbouring countries had promised (…)” to bring them back to Juba “when there is a need for further investigation, especially if they are found later to have participated in the failed coup attempt”, he said.

{Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, center, receives seven of the 11 leaders accused of plotting a failed military coup in South Sudan in December on 29 January 2014}

{sudantribune}

February 10, 2014
Mexico Arrests key Drug Lord

{{Police in Mexico say they have arrested a major drug lord in the central state of Guanajuato.}}

Tirso Martinez Sanchez specialised in importing, transporting and distributing drugs for several criminal gangs, authorities said.

The US State Department had offered a $5m (£3m) reward for his capture.

Mr Martinez Sanchez is accused of having smuggled 76 tonnes of cocaine from Colombia into the United States between 2000 and 2003.

Investigators say he had links to various international groups due to his close relationships with Mexican drug lords Amado Carrillo Fuentes, Arturo Beltran Leyva and the Colombian brothers Victor and Miguel Mejia Munera.

The man is reportedly also wanted by Colombian authorities for his alleged links to Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia and Diego Leon Montoya Sanchez, arrested in 2007 under the accusation of having laundered “more than $10m (£6m)”.

The US State Department says Mr Martinez Sanchez’s organisation used “a network of large warehouses to store and distribute cocaine in Mexico and the United States”.

It also says the group used cover companies to import legitimate goods with drugs hidden in them.

The US authorities say the cocaine was smuggled by “ocean vessels, tractor-trailers, and railroad tanker cars”.

{wirestory}

February 10, 2014