Category: News

{{Ghana’s New President, John Dramani Mahama, Monday promised to strengthen the countrys Judicial system calling upon the Judiciary not to hesitate to outline challenges, impeding progress of its daily activities.}}

Dramani said that government would do everything possible to enhance the development and growth of the Judiciary, to enable that arm of government to execute its mandate.

Meanwhile Ghana’s Members of Parliament today suspended sitting to console the former First Lady, Ernestina Naadu Mills at her residence, as part of the one week celebration of the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills in Accra.

Cletus Apul Avoka, the Majority Leader, who announced the suspension on the floor of the House immediately sitting began, said some members had already left the House earlier to console the relatives of the late President Mills at Otuam, his hometown in the Central Region.

He said they were expected to return to the House to observe the minute’s silence at 14:15 hours, the exact time President Mills passed on at the 37th Military Hospital on July 24, 2012.

{{South Sudan is upbeat on receiving the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

She is on an 11-day Africa trip starting this week aimed at igniting economic growth, peace and security, according to a US official.}}

Clinton will Tuesday arrive in Senegal and later travel to South Sudan, the world’s newest nation. The trip will also cover Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Clinton noted earlier that South Sudan had made strides in nation-building and on building a legal framework. Yet “despite the progress, significant challenges remain that threaten stability and prosperity,” she warned.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s President Omer al-Bashir declined to meet his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir in a last chance summit to overcome divergences over outstanding issues before the 2 August deadline.

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, el-Obeid Morawah, released on Monday (30th July) evening a statement saying that Bashir turned down an invitation by the chief of the African Union mediation Thabo IMbeki to meet President Salva Kiir on Tuesday “due to previous engagements”.

Bashir is scheduled to travel to Doha Tuesday for a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani,.

“The government prefers to hold such a summit after good preparation and arrangements as it should not be intended to enter into details of the negotiations but to resolve certain issues so that (the summit) impacts positively the situation between the two countries,” Morawah further said.

It is believed that Bashir’s decision to not attend the presidential summit was triggered by Kiir’s statements on the martyr day on Monday where he accused Khartoum of seeking to collapse South Sudan and urged the Security Council to impose sanction on the “intransigent party”.

On oil transportation fees, Khartoum demands US$32 per barrel as Juba offers an average of US$8.18 per barrel, $9.16 and US$7.2. for each pipeline.

On the security arrangements Khartoum’s position is more against the mediation than Juba, because the former was not seen neutral after considering a “Sudanese” location as a disputed area.

The South Sudanese president said Juba delegation refused Khartoum’s demand accusing Sudan of intending to loot the oil of his country despite the financial package offered to cover the debit in Sudan’s budget.

{{Coup d’état in Juba}}

Several days ago, rumours of failed military coup attempt in Juba cause panic among the citizens of africa’s newest nation.

It is said that loyalists of late SPLM leader, Gen. John Garang, sometimes known as the ‘Garang’s Boys’ who are high-ranking officers in the army, were plotting to capture power from Kiir by military coup.

Specifically it was rumoured Sunday, that the deputy commander of the Military Intelligence (MI), Major General Mac Paul, from Bor community, was arrested with 15 other officers the following day and were taken to Yie military prison accused of actively participating in the plot.

Monday 30 July, a week later, for the first time President Salva Kiir came out publicly to denounce the rumour of the coup d’état, accusing Khartoum of being behind the instigation.

The rumour of a failed coup attempt against Kiir is the third of its kind and has always been linked to the same group of officers.

{{Local Government Minister James Musoni has urged government local leaders to reside in their areas of jurisdiction full time 24hours a day and 7days of the week unless on authorised ‘Work Leave’.}}

‘’The Government expects much from you. The population expects alot from you. You must reside in your areas of jurisdiction closer and responsive to the community needs”, Musoni stated.

Musoni made the remarks while presiding over the closlusion of the Mayors’ Retreat (28th July 2012) at Musanze.

The retreat was organized by Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities(RALGA) .

The leaders in question are governors, members of district executive committee, executive secretaries of Provinces and Kigali city, districts, sectors, and cells.

The Minister warned those who don’t follow such instructions, adding that measures will be taken against those who trespass them.

The chairperson of RALGA Justus Kangwagye said local leaders already reside in their areas of operations full time at 95%, and few leaders who do not follow the instructions will change their mind thanks to the reminder by the minister.

{{Police is holding two men suspected of beating to death a 51 year old man Erade Nkerabahiz while in a bar in Muhanga district.

Jean Baptist Mbonyumugenzi was beaten by a reveler at the bar and Azalias Mutsindashyaka, the bar owner.}}

The incident took place at Cyeza Sector, Kivumu Cell at about mid night.

Police investigation revealed that Nkerabahizi died on his way to Kivumu health center following a savage beating after misunderstandings over payment developed between him and Mbonyumugenzi.

The quarrel reached a climax when Nkerabahizi accidentally broke a bottle, then the bar owner who was in the next room quickly intervened forcing Nkerabahizi to pay.

Other clients in the bar tried to calm the two without success.

Eye witness accounts indicate that the victim was hit twice in the head before he was whisked to the health center.

Witnesses further said the three were under alcohol influence.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege regrets the incident saying that abuse of alcohol and drugs must be avoided because it affects people’s emotions, sensibility and thinking and makes them susceptible to violence.

{{Aimed at improving performance in their areas of jurisdiction, all District Mayors in the country met on 27th -28th July 2012 at La Palme Hotel, Musanze District.}}

The meeting was in the context of the regular fora organized by the Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) to allow its members to share experience and to devise ways to improve their performance.

During the meeting, for local leaders were able to interact with Central Government officials and exchanging on how to improve their collaboration.
Participants discussed the decentralization policy and agreed there exisits challenges affecting implementation process.

Key challenge identified was that some civil servants from Ministries and public institutions do not yet have enough understanding of decentralization principles sometimes working outside its framework.

District Mayors recommended there should be continuous sensitization initiatives for such people and institutions.

As one of the guest speakers during the meeting, the Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, commended Mayors for “dedication and impressive professionalism” in terms of planning, monitoring, performance indicators, and mass mobilization.

He encouraged them to build team work and abide by a set of values that upgrade the quality of a good Mayor in general.

He gave them hints for effective team work such as mentoring, information sharing, continuous coaching, and empowerment for collective delivery.

Joseph Bahenda also presented. He is the Director General of ASSETIP, an association bringing together various actors in the field of implementation of public infrastructure projects in Rwanda.

Considering the benefits some Districts got from their collaboration with this association under the completed PIGU Project, Mayors strongly recommended the government to adopt a framework that would allow all Districts to work with ASSETIP to speed up the implementation of infrastructure projects in Local Governments.

{{Ethiopian Satellite Radio and Television (ESAT) just reported in its tonight news that Ethiopian Prime Minsiter Meles Zenawi has died at 57.

The radio cited its sources from the International Crisis Group (ICG) and diplomatic community.}}

During Rwanda’s 15th Anniversary of Liberation Day – Kigali, 4 July 2009, President Meles Zenawi was decorated with some of Rwanda’s top Medals of honour Including; “Uruti” National Liberation Medal and “Umurinzi” Campaign Against Genocide Medal.

Minister Bereket Simon also head of Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO) said July 19th that Prime Minister Meles was “in very good health and he will be back in his office in a very short period of time.”

{{About Zenawi}}

Meles Zenawi Asres was born on 8 May 1955 in Adewa, Tigray and has been the Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 1995.

He was President of Ethiopia from 1991 to 1995. Since 1985, he has been chairman of the Tigrayan Peoples’ Liberation Front(TPLF), and he is head of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

He graduated from the General Wingate high school in Addis Ababa, then studied medicine at Addis Ababa University (at the time known as Haile Selassie University) for two years before interrupting his studies in 1975 to join the TPLF.

Meles Zenawi acquired an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the Open University of the United Kingdom in 1995 and an MSc. (Masters of Science) in Economics from the Erasmus University of the Netherlands in 2004.

In July 2002 Meles received an honorary doctoral degree in political science from the Hannam University in South Korea,

{{The Ministry of Foreign affairs and cooperation together with MINEDEC, MYICT, MINADEF, NURC and ITORERO have organized ITORERO for Rwandan Youth living abroad aged between 18-35 years.}}

More than 258 Rwanda Youth living abroad will participate in this Itorero witch will start on 30th July and end 11 August 2012 at Gako Military Academy themed-‘working towards a bright future’.

Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi officially opened ITORERO. High profile Government Officials had a free interaction with the youth, sharing the life story of the country, its achievements and all discussions will focus on sensitizing the youth to actively participate in the socio-economic development of their mother-land Rwanda.

The Director General of the Rwanda Community Abroad, a directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Parfait Gahanyi, said that young people are the most educated and enjoy the best levels of all social benefits in Rwanda.

“This is a good opportunity for the youth to meet, share the achievements of the county an learn how to contribute in building their country”, said Gahanyi.

{{Pro Khartoum Government media has reported that Indirect negotiations between Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement –North (SPLM-N) might collapse any time and return to war.}}

The two sides continue to trade accusations over their commitment to end the one-year political and humanitarian crisis.

In implementation of an African Union road map and a UN resolution 2046, the mediators convened delegations from the government and the SPLM-N rebels to engage indirect talks over humanitarian access and political talks in Addis Ababa.

The SPLM-N rebels who keep sending reassuring signs to their allies of Darfur rebel groups denied political negotiations with Khartoum saying they are in Addis Ababa for consultations with the mediators.

On the humanitarian track, the government delegation rejected SPLM-N’s demand to be involved in the humanitarian operation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile even, if it is conducted in the rebel held areas.

The government accuses the rebel group of being interested in the food to feed its fighters.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Addis Ababa, a Sudanese government official who declined to be identified said the indirect talks between the two delegation might collapse at any time due to the wide divergence in view and continued accusations between the two sides.

The head of Sudanese government delegation Kamal Obeid released Saturday a strong statement criticising press statements by the SPLM-N secretary general Yasir Arman who denied the existence of political talks.

Kamal also refuted a statement by Arman who said that the government is not serious to end the humanitarian crisis because it wants to links the two tracks.

The SPLM-N said Khartoum refuses the implementation of the tripartite operation because it wants a political agreement before.

The head of the Sudanese delegation in his long communiqué said Arman’s statements are “full of fallacies, contradictions and misrepresentation of information aiming only to mislead domestic and global public opinion.”

The Sudanese delegation told the rebels it refuses they participation in the humanitarian operation because they are in a state of war with the sovereign government.

Kamal said the rebel group want to get the humanitarian aid to feed its troops who are no longer receive any provisions and supplies. He added that it is the SPLM-N which is not serious about peace and safety of civilians.

UN Secretary General special envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Haile Menkerios, stated two day that the humanitarian talks are suspended by the mediators as there is strong difference between the two parties.

Menkerios added they prefer for the moment to focus of the political track and then resume the humanitarian talks when some progress are achieved.

The sources said the Sudanese negotiating team which submitted its proposals to the mediation on Saturday, refused any discussion over power sharing or wealth sharing.

Khartoum position paper also demanded the rebel group to disarm its fighters and to compete through an electoral process for any political participation.

Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir relieved Malik Agar, SPLM-N chairman, from his position as governor of Blue Nile state. He was the only governor, not affiliated to the ruling National Congress Party to be elected during April 2010 elections.

SPLM-N says he should be reinstated in his position.

Arab League representative in the humanitarian talks Sudan Salah Halimah underscored the need for a speedy agreement on the implementation of the tripartite initiative stressing that the situation on the ground does not permit further delay.

In Khartoum, a group of Sudanese clerics denounced, during the sermon of last Friday prayer the government for negotiating with the SPLM-N, terming the talks as “humiliation”. They also described the SPLM-N leader as “traitors and agents”.

The preachers pointed out that SPLM-N leaders are hostile to Islamic Sharia law, and want to spread the secularism in the country.

The Clerics further said the government has completely surrendered to the USA whenit accepted the resolution 2046 which “considers 11 Sudanese locations as deputed areas”.

They further said the government is negotiating with a foreign political party implementing South Sudan’s agenda and takes instructions from President Salva Kiir, US administration and Israel.

The radical Islamist groups who demand the government to adopt an Islamic constitution, consider any rapprochement with the SPLM-N as setback in their efforts for the Islamic state.

They supported the separation of South Sudan because it was seen as obstacle to their project.

{{Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has said that Rwanda is not supporting the M23 rebel movement in the democratic republic of Congo.}}

Dr. Habumuremyi said the accusations are false and have no basis.

This was during the just concluded monthly comunity worksn on Saturday where the premeir was in Burera district, Gahunga sector in the Northern Province .

Dr. Habumuremyi urged all Rwandans to engage in work to limit the damage from disasters.

He advised Rwandans not to be confused as those who are not happy with the considerable development of Rwanda.

During community work, Gahunga residents rebuilt a school that was partly destroyed by overflowing from the Volcanoes in April.

Large amounts of water flows down stream from muhabura volcano threatening lives and property of inhabitants in the area.

{{Millions of Africans live in slums, and the rapid growth of African cities is compounding the problem.}}

Africa faces the huge challenge of “improving the lives of slum dwellers, but also preventing the formation of new slums,” says Joan Clos, executive director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

Africa’s housing ministers, who last met in Rabat, Morocco, in September 2011, are well aware of this challenge.

Gathered under the auspices of the African Ministers Conference on Housing and Urban Development (AMCHUD), they outlined new policies for housing and urban development across the continent, in line with the “cities without slums” initiative they originally adopted in 2005.

Some slum dwellers fear this may be mostly talk. “I am only interested in being removed from here, to live in a more decent environment,” says Mr Rachid Lashab, who lives in the Essekouila slum in Casablanca.

“I am not interested in the many conferences that our leaders attend.”

But in Rabat, the ministers at least laid out broad goals.

These included improving urban planning, making service land (for public buildings) more available, developing industrial, agricultural and crafts towns, and slowing down rural-to-urban migration of people in search of job opportunities.