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  • IGAD Plans Summit on S.Sudan to End War

    IGAD Plans Summit on S.Sudan to End War

    {{Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohamed has revealed IGAD is going to hold a summit to seek a solution to the spiralling violence in South Sudan and the worsening humanitarian situation.}}

    She said, ” the summit will be held soon but we have not agreed on the dates yet. I don’t think we are ready to sit and watch this any longer.”

    She said it was time for the international community to cooperate and ensure that a solution is found as soon as possible to restore peace in South Sudan.

    “It’s so ironic that just a few days we were all in Kigali Rwanda commemorating the 1994 genocide then we come and watch these killings in South Sudan happening right in front of our eyes, in front of our living rooms every day,” she lamented.

    Mohamed however downplayed criticism that Kenya was reluctant on the matter adding that she and the rest of East African Community states were in the front line to see peace restored in the war-torn country.

    “Not a day passes without a discussion on South Sudan taking place somewhere in government; either is State House itself, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning in terms of assistance going to South Sudan. So I don’t know why one would say we are reluctant,” Mohamed defended.

    The CS was speaking on Sunday during the opening of the Kenya-Rwanda 8th Joint Commission for Co-operation (JCC) in Nairobi.

    Touching on the South Sudan issue, Rwandan Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said there was need to take a different approach by looking at how to reconcile fighting ethnic communities.

    “I speak this out of experience. There is no better help than self help,” Mushikiwabo challenged the South Sudanese leaders. “Let’s stop this idea that people have to die when we want power. Let’s distance citizens from power differences.”

    During the two day session in Nairobi, Kenya and Rwanda will be discussing achievements made following the mid-term review of the JCC in 2011.

    Key areas of focus will be security, immigration, infrastructure and trade.

  • South Sudan’s New Army Commander: Constitutional Defence Priority

    South Sudan’s New Army Commander: Constitutional Defence Priority

    {{South Sudan’s new army (SPLA) commander has said his priority will be to protect the constitution and the territorial integrity of the new nation, in an apparent back-track on previous statements in which he called for the withdrawal of soldiers from the Bahr el Ghazal region fighting rebel forces in different areas across the country.}}

    Speaking to government officials on Saturday who had paid him a visit to offer their congratulations on his appointment, General Paul Malong Awan said restoring law and order was at the top of his agenda.

    “The mission of an army is always to ensure defence of the nation, the lives of the people from any harmful threats and their properties. Another important mission of the army is to protect the constitution of the country and restore law and order. This is what we must do now as the top priority,” he said.

    While Awan acknowledged existing challenges facing the army, he said he was committed to working with the country’s leadership to ensure that the basic needs of military personnel are met.

    He also urged the army to remain prepared and on alert in the face of impending conflict with the rebel fighters in the country.

    “I have always said that a soldier should always give priority to combat preparations. The minds of the commanding officers and soldiers alike seem to be away from the battlefield. This current attitude and behaviours must change,” he said.

    However, critics have questioned the reasons behind Awan’s sudden change of heart, after previously advocating for the withdrawal of government troops from Aweil, the capital of his home state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBeG).

    Awan, a military veteran and the current governor of NBeG, was appointed after his predecessor General James Hoth Mai was sacked by president Salva Kiir.

    Observers say Awan and his supporters pressured the president to remove the SPLA’s former chief of general staff amid concerns Mai was working against the leadership and collaborating with government critics.

    Awan had also threatened to recall government troops from the Northern Bah el Ghaal region currently fighting rebels loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states.

    sudantribune

  • Rwanda Rated ‘Medium-High risk’ for Business

    Rwanda Rated ‘Medium-High risk’ for Business

    {{A new Global report has ranked Rwanda with Kenya and Tanzania as countries with ‘Medium-High risk’ for business.}}

    The global risk survey released recently by global risk management Firm, AON measures political risk in 163 countries to assess the risks associated with exchange transfer, sovereign non-payment, political interference, supply chain disruption, legal and regulatory regimes, political violence, ease of doing business, banking sector vulnerability and governments’ capability to provide fiscal stimulus.

    According to the report, Uganda has a lower risk rating of ‘Medium’, compared to neighbours Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda all rated at ‘Medium-High risk’ and South Sudan rated at ‘Very High risk’.

    However, Uganda continues to face high levels of political violence risk, which is exacerbated by instability in neighbouring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

    According to AON, in East Africa, terrorism stands out as the predominant peril particularly after internationally high profile attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi last year.

    This has seen the interest of players in political risk covers increase especially among operators in the manufacturing sector, retail sector, banking and hospitality industry.
    The report identifies massive investment opportunities in infrastructure, especially within the energy sphere.

    Another area with huge potential is agriculture, which can help reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions and food price

  • Nigeria: Judge Pays N700 Fine For Convict

    Nigeria: Judge Pays N700 Fine For Convict

    {{Reports from Nigeria show that Mr Albert Maga, Presiding Judge, Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, on Thursday paid N700 fine on behalf of a labourer, Victor Emmanuel, 18, sentenced for theft of cell phone.}}

    The judge had sentenced the convict to four years imprisonment for criminal trespass and theft of a Blackberry Curve 7 cell phone.

    The judge gave the judgment after the accused pleaded guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him.

    Maga, however, gave the convict an option of N700 fine.

    The judge, out of compassion, paid the N700 fine for the accused and urged him to repent and get close to God.

    Earlier, the nominal complainant, Jude Mba, 26, a hotelier, told the court that on April 13, he was charging his Blackberry cell phone in his hotel room and slept off.

    “I heard sound of noise and I opened my eyes.

    “I saw the accused making call and entering the room; I went back to sleep again.

    “When I woke up, I could not find my phone again and I reported the matter to the police,” he said.

    The convict, a resident of Aso, Mararaba, was arraigned on April 16 for criminal trespass and theft.

    On the same date, the prosecutor, PC Friday Adaji, told the court that on April 13, Mba of Morning Star Guest Inn, Aso Pada, lodged complaints against the accused at the Aso Pada Police Station.

    He said the convict was later arrested with the cell phone in Aso Pada by the police.

    The convict had pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.

    wirestory

  • South Africans Celebrate 20 Years of End of Apartheid

    South Africans Celebrate 20 Years of End of Apartheid

    South Africa on Sunday celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first ever all-race, democratic election that ended decades of sanctioned racial oppression under the apartheid system.

    The day was marked by street parades, speeches, prayers, music and military salutes and displays.

    President Jacob Zuma led the main festivities at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, where generations of apartheid leaders penned many of the racial laws that South Africa’s first black leader Nelson Mandela fought most of his life.

    After the historic April 27, 1994, the day has been retained as a holiday and named Freedom Day.

    For many South Africans it brings back sweet memories of the euphoria as black, Indian and mixed race voters stood in long meandering lines — alongside whites — to cast their first ballots.

    Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu said the day felt like “falling in love”.

    FW de Klerk, apartheid South Africa’s last president, described the day as “our proudest moment as South Africans”.

    But 20 years on, the euphoria has died down and the country is counting both the gains and failures of the democratic era.

    South Africa boasts among other things, one of the strongest constitutions in the world, an independent judiciary and is probably the most developed country on the continent.

    But the successes are tainted by mismanagement and high level corruption blamed largely on the ANC-led administration.

    wirestory

  • Morsi Supporters Sentenced to 88 Years For Rioting

    Morsi Supporters Sentenced to 88 Years For Rioting

    {{An Egyptian court sentenced 13 supporters of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi Saturday to prison terms ranging from five to 88 years for rioting, a judicial source said.}}

    They were accused of “rioting, sabotage and public order offences” in the southern towns of Samalut and Minya during protests against a bloody crackdown in Cairo on August 14 when hundreds of people were killed, the source said.

    They are able to appeal the verdicts.

    On March 24, 529 Morsi supporters were sentenced to death on the second day of their trial in Minya province in the largest mass death sentencing in Egypt’s modern history.

    The sentences caused an international outcry.

    On Monday, the same court is due to pass sentence on Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie and 700 other Morsi supporters.

    Rights group Amnesty International says more than 1,400 Morsi supporters have been killed since the army ousted him last July 3.

    Another 15,000 have been arrested as the military-installed interim authorities crack down on the Brotherhood after designating it a “terrorist” group and blaming it for the wave of violence sweeping the country.

    AFP

  • Bafana Draw Nigeria in AFCON

    Bafana Draw Nigeria in AFCON

    {{Bafana Bafana have been drawn against arch-rivals Nigeria in Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. }}

    Nigeria beat Bafana 3-1 in the last match between the two rivals.

    Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Nigeria were grouped with South Africa and Sudan when the 2015 qualifying draw was made in Cairo Sunday.

    The Group A line-up will be completed by the winners of a preliminary tie involving Namibia, Congo Brazzaville, Libya and Rwanda.

    Nigeria can be confident of making the 16-team finals between January 17 and February 8 in Moroccan cities Agadir, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier.

    They are a bogey side for South Africa — never losing a competitive match to Bafana Bafana (The Boys) — and Sudan have struggled lately.

    Every draw creates a ‘group of death’ and Group G fits the bill with Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal and one from Burundi, Botswana, Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau.

    Egypt have lifted the Cup of Nations a record seven times, hosts Tunisia triumphed in 2004 and Senegal were the strongest third seeds.

    Another mini-league set to generate fierce competition is Group D, which includes Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    The remaining place in that group will be filled by Swaziland, Sierra Leone, Gambia or the Seychelles.

    Didier Drogba-skippered Ivory Coast started the last five Cup of Nations tournaments as title favourites, but the closest they came to glory was finishing runners-up twice.

    Cameroon have shown signs of recovery under German coach Volker Finke after failing to make the last two African tournaments.

    DR Congo rank among the sleeping giants of African football and much could hinge on who succeeds veteran Frenchman Claude le Roy as coach.

    Qualifiers Draw:

    Group A : Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Namibia/Congo/Libya/Rwanda

    Group B : Mali, Algeria, Ethiopia, winner of SaoTome/Benin/Malawi/Chad.

    Group C : Burkina Faso, Angola, Gabon, winner of Liberia/Lesotho/Kenya/Comoros.

    Group D : Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo, winner of Swaziland/SierraLeone/Gambia/Seychelles.

    Group E : Ghana, Togo, Guinea, winner of Madagascar/Uganda/Mauritania/EqGuinea.

    Group F : Zambia, Cape Verde, Niger, winner of Tanzania/Zimbabwe/Mozambique/SouthSudan.

    Group G : Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, winner of Burundi/Botswana/CAR/GuineaBissau.

    news24

  • Slaviansk Rebels Declare OSCE Observers ‘Prisoners of War’

    Slaviansk Rebels Declare OSCE Observers ‘Prisoners of War’

    {{The self-declared mayor of Slaviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov (pictured), said on Sunday that members of an OSCE observer mission being held by separatist rebels in the town were being considered “prisoners of war”.}}

    “In our town, where a war situation is going on, any military personnel who don’t have our permission are considered prisoners of war,” he said, reiterating that they would only be freed in exchange for the release of pro-Moscow militants.

    Ponomaryov said he did not consider them to be part of the official OSCE mission to Ukraine and that he would be meeting Sunday with a delegation of mediators to negotiate their release.

    He said the group’s driver had been already been freed, bringing the number of detainees in the OSCE military verification mission to 12 – eight Europeans and four accompanying members of the Ukrainian army.

    The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) headquarters in Vienna has acknowledged that they the military verification mission is a separate unit headed by German command.

    Ponomaryov also said his men had captured three officers from Ukraine’s state security service overnight who had been mounting an operation in the nearby town of Horlivka.

  • Abbas Says Holocaust ‘Most Heinous Crime’ Against Humanity

    Abbas Says Holocaust ‘Most Heinous Crime’ Against Humanity

    {{Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the Nazi Holocaust “the most heinous crime” against humanity in modern times in a statement released on Sunday, an apparent bid to build bridges with Israel days after troubled peace talks collapsed.}}

    Abbas has condemned the mass killings of Jews in World War Two before and challenged allegations, stemming from a 1983 book he authored, that he is a Holocaust denier.

    But the timing of the publication of his latest comments gave them extra significance, a day after he signaled he remained committed to the peace talks and said a future Palestinian unity government would recognize Israel.

    The message, in Arabic and English, coincided with Israel’s annual remembrance day for the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust, and included an expression of sympathy for the families of the victims.

    Israel suspended U.S.-sponsored peace talks with the Palestinians on Thursday in response to Abbas’s unexpected unity pact with the rival Islamist group Hamas – a movement which has vowed to destroy Israel.

    On Sunday, Israeli leaders showed little interest in responding to Abbas’ apparent olive branch.

    Abbas, according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, made the comments at a meeting with an American rabbi last week.

    “What happened to the Jews in the Holocaust is the most heinous crime to have occurred against humanity in the modern era,” Abbas told Rabbi Marc Schneir, president of the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, which promotes relations between racial and ethnic communities.

    The Palestinian people, he added, “are the first to demand to lift the injustice and racism that befell other peoples subjected to such crimes”.

    {agencies}

  • Obama Says US & Europe Must Jointly Impose Sanctions on Russia

    Obama Says US & Europe Must Jointly Impose Sanctions on Russia

    U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday said the United States and Europe must join forces to impose sanctions on Russia to stop it destabilizing Ukraine, where armed pro-Russian separatists were for a third day holding eight international observers prisoner.

    Washington and Brussels are expected, possibly as early as Monday, to name new people and firms close to Russian President Vladimir Putin who will be hit by punitive measures, but there is no consensus yet on wider economic sanctions.

    Speaking during a visit to Malaysia, Obama said any decision on whether to slap sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy at a later time would depend on whether the United States and its allies could find a unified position on how to proceed.

    “We’re going to be in a stronger position to deter Mr. Putin when he sees that the world is unified and the United States and Europe is unified rather than this is just a U.S.-Russian conflict,” Obama told reporters.

    The stand-off over Ukraine, an ex-Soviet republic of about 45 million people, has dragged relations between Russia and the West to their lowest level since the end of the Cold War.

    Obama said Russia had not “lifted a finger” to get pro-Russian separatist rebels in Ukraine to comply with an international agreement to defuse the crisis.

    “In fact, there’s strong evidence that they’ve been encouraging the activities in eastern and southern Ukraine,” he said.

    Washington is more hawkish on further sanctions than Brussels, and this has caused a degree of impatience among some U.S. officials with the European response.

    Many European countries are worried about the risks of imposing tougher sanctions, not least because Europe has extensive business ties with Moscow and imports about a quarter of its natural gas from Russia.

    British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that in the coming days there would be “an expansion of existing sanctions, measures against individuals or entities in Russia”.

    reuters