Category: News

{{On July 2, 2012, there will be official opening of the International Residual Mechanism of Criminal Tribunals, Arusha Branch in Tanzania.}}

This is a judicial body that is due to take over essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and that of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) after their closures.

On the same day, the trial of ex-Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware resumes with further cross-examination by the defence of the last prosecution’s additional witness.

Additional witnesses had been brought to counter the alibi evidence of the accused over his absence in Rwanda during genocide.

Meanwhile, cases involving ex-army officer, Lt. Col. Pheneas Munyarugarama and another ex-mayor Aloys Ndimbati were Thursday transferred to Rwanda for trial.

The duo are charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Presiden, judge Vagn Joensen said the tribunal was stepping up efforts to find host countries for acquitted persons.

In both decisions, ICTR judges expressed hope that Rwanda, in accepting referrals from this Tribunal, would actualize in practice the commitments it has made about its good faith, capacity, and willingness to enforce the highest standards of international justice.

{{Liberated provinces in Somalia have today taken to the streets to celebrate the country’s 52 Independence from Italian rule.

Abdi Jinow Alasso, the Governor for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in charge of Middle Shabelle region, joined residents of Balad town, 30 km north of Mogadishu, in unprecedented festivities.}}

Celebrations at Balad town was unimaginable only a week before as the place was a stronghold of Al-Shabaab, the radical Islamist group that oppose any commemorations of non-religious days.

“I congratulate all of you for being free to celebrate important national days,” Alasso told the residents of Balad district.

In 2010, the fanatical Islamists ordered the residents in areas under their control to refrain from celebrating non-religious landmarks.

The instructions abolished the marking of the Independence Day and other national days as the National Tree Day, the National Teachers Day and the World Food Day.

“Only Idd days (at the end of Ramadan and during Al-Hajj) are allowed,” instructed the Islamist leaders. The Islamists also ordered all broadcasters in areas under their control to stop playing music and other lyrics.

Other areas liberated from Al-Shabaab militants with the help of Ethiopian and Kenyan troops also marked the day.

Regional capitals such as Beledweyne and Baidoa, respectively 335 km and 240 north and southwest of Mogadishu, and Afmadow town in Jubaland joined the celebrations.

Meanwhile, in Afgoye, a town seized in May from Al-Shabaab by pro-government forces and the Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers marked the grand occasion.

“Celebration of the 52nd Anniversary in Afgoye district is a symbol of the stabilisation of security in Somalia,” announced Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Sidee, the TFG Governor in charge of Lower Juba region who spoke to a multitude before the national flag was raised to full mast at mid-night, welcoming 1st of July.

TFG President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other government officials graced the occasion at Villa Somalia, the state house in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

{{Fighting has resumed 20km from Rutshuru-center in Eastern DRCongo after more than a week of calm.

However, no precise assessment of the situation has been provided, but the Congolese Army and traditional leaders of the region have confirmed renewed fighting.}}

Fresh gunfire resumed June 30 on Saturday afternoon between Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and rebels of the Movement of March 23 (M23) in the group Bweza, Rutshuru territory in North Kivu.

Fire and heavy weapons detonations have created an atmosphere of panic among peoples living Ntamugenga, emphasized the same accountable.

He said the fighting took place near the hill of Mbuzi, on the edge of Virunga National Park, which is occupied by rebels.

FARDC said they used machine guns and tanks “responding to the assault by the rebels.” Local sources, however, stressed that each of these two parties still held its positions.

{{In the fiscal year that ended June 30, the World Bank Group(WB) reported that it had provided $52.6 billion in form of loans, grants, equity investments, and guarantees to help promote economic growth, overcome poverty, and promote economic enterprise in developing countries.}}

The bank noted that developing country budgets and central banks are not as well placed as they were in 2008/09 to address slowing economies.

Their ability to respond may be constrained if international finance dries up and global conditions deteriorate sharply.

WB recently lowered its growth forecast for 2012 to 5.3% for developing countries, down from its January estimate of 5.4%.

As developing countries face strong economic headwinds, the Bank Group supported an estimated 884 operations to promote opportunity and get needed services to the poor– for example, by improving education and health services, promoting the private sector, building infrastructure, and strengthening governance and institutions.

WB Group institutions contributing to this financial outcome are: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which provides financing, risk management products, and other financial services to members;

the International Development Association (IDA), which provides interest-free loans and grants to the poorest countries; the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which makes equity investments, and provides loans, guarantees and advisory services to private-sector business in developing countries; and the Bank Group’s political risk insurance agency, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

“The Bank is well positioned for future challenges,” said the 11th president of World Bank Group Robert Zoellick, whose term as President ends at the close of the FY12 fiscal year.

“Since I joined the institution, the Bank Group has committed over $300 billion – most of it to help countries overcome food and economic crises. But just as important as the finance is our ability to work with countries—both the public and private sectors—as clients and to customize our services to address their problems.

I would like to thank WB Group staff for their hard work in rising to the challenge during my term and express my gratitude for their ability to respond quickly and flexibly to the needs of our partner countries and companies.”

According to preliminary and unaudited numbers as of June 29, IDA commitments in FY12 were $14.7 billion, down from $16.3 billion in FY11.

The largest share of resources was committed to Africa, which received around 50% of total IDA lending in FY12, followed by South Asia at around 36% of total.

IBRD commitments totaled $20.6 billion—significantly higher than the historical average ($13.5 billion in fiscal 2005–08), but less than the record $44.2 billion in fiscal 2010, when the crisis peaked.

Europe and Central Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean received the largest shares of IBRD lending, each receiving $6.2 billion in new commitments.

New Bank Group commitments to agriculture and related sectors in FY12 are expected to reach $9.1 billion. This exceeds projected lending in the Bank’s Agriculture Action Plan, which foresaw an increase in assistance from an average of $4.1 billion annually in FY06-08 to $6.2-$8.3 billion annually in FY10-12.

Over the life of the Action Plan, assistance averaged $7 billion. IBRD/IDA assistance in FY12 is the highest in 20 years (in nominal terms).

IFC, the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector, again provided a record amount of financing to businesses in developing countries—leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs, spark innovation, and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges.

Preliminary and unaudited data as of June 28 indicate that IFC investments totaled more than $20 billion, including funds mobilized from other investors.

That marked an increase from $18.7 billion in FY11. It included an estimated record of more than $15 billion in commitments made on IFC’s own account—an increase of more than 25% over FY11.

It also included almost $5 billion mobilized from other investors. These investments supported approximately 580 projects, creating opportunity wherever it was needed most.

IFC maintained its strategic focus on the poorest countries and regions—especially sub-Saharan Africa, where estimated IFC investments climbed to a record of more than $4 billion as of June 28. Nearly half of all IFC investment projects were in the poorest countries eligible to borrow from IDA.

“In a time of rapid economic change, IFC established a significant record of growth, innovation, and development impact,” said IFC EVP and CEO Lars Thunell, who over the past six years presided over a doubling of IFC’s investments and a heightened focus on the world’s poorest countries and regions.

“We did so by leveraging all of our strengths as a leader in private sector development, and by focusing our efforts wherever they could achieve the greatest good.”

The Bank Group’s political risk insurance arm, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) issued $2.3 billion in guarantees—an increase from the previous year. The agency supported 51 projects across the globe and issued $637 million in guarantees for sub-Saharan Africa in particular.

Financial commitments provided by the World Bank Group to the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, a major priority for the institution, increased by $2.8 billion in FY12 to $12.2 billion and included $7.4 billion in IDA credits, grants, and guarantees to sub-Saharan Africa, (up from $7 billion from the previous year); $4 billion from IFC for private sector development projects; $147 million in IBRD lending; and $637 million in MIGA guarantees for projects in the region.

{{President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda’s determination to build an independent country should not be compromised saying, “We also recognize we can guarantee our independence better with cooperation based on mutual benefit”.}}

“For many years our people were taught and made to believe lies and myths manufactured from within and outside distorting what we were, who we should be and what we should do for the health development of Africa and Rwanda in particular.”

The Head of state was speaking to tens of thousands attending the 50th Independence anniversary and 18th Liberation celebrations at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.

The weather has been great, with clear skies and sun shine. The President’s speech was also brief.

Kagame said, “50 years is short in a life of a nation but very big in transforming the lives of citizens. Africa lost immense opportunity due to unbalanced relationships within the global community often predatory and even abusive in nature.”

“These relations built on injustice and prejudices were possible because some among our citizens and leaders accepted and accommodated such bad practices thus undermining what should have been our independence,” Kagame explained.

Kagame added that some of these weaknesses are within “our means to correct but shall succeed if we are brave enough to accept responsibility. Being brave and honest are qualities that seem to have lost value and meaning these days.”

“The victim attitude prevents us from seeking our own solutions to challenges we face…We must confront our problems directly, Kagame noted amidst applause.

“ ijya kurisha ihera kurugo. Akimuhana kaza imvra ihise” we are also conscious that along the way external factors have affected Africa’s progress.

“If we are to learn from experience of 50yrs. We for too long surrendered responsibility to transform our countries to non state actors that have no accountability. We should seize this moment as turning point,” Kagame emphasized.

He said that as Rwandans look to the future they must recognize that independence like liberation is a process and with it there are obligations and responsibilities across the board. “We must build on lessons of our forebears the value of sacrifice and courage during their quest for independence.”

Kagame reiterated that to ensure prosperity of Rwandan people there must be increased citizen participation, “Our countries liberties and prosperity are very closely linked and mutually reinforced. In Rwanda we begin the next stage of our journey. We shall entrench values that have brought us this far.”

As responsible citizens, Rwandans are committed to contributing to regional and global stability. We can travel safely faster and further in the company of others.

The President added that over the next 50 yrs, “We must acknowledge the role of young people as drivers of the nation. We must pass on a better Rwanda and Africa than we inherited.”

However, “the Young must also understand that they have a responsibility to take our country to the next level,” he cautioned adding that “Our independence will be guaranteed by our own efforts but will always cooperate with others..The primarily responsibility is in our hands.”

{{Rwanda today July 1 celebrated the 50th independence anniversary which has also been combined with the 18th liberation anniversary.

The celebrations are taking place and the highly packed Amahoro National stadium.}}

The celebrations are being attended by regional and international leaders and representatives of international organizations.

The President of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete and the first lady of Tanzania are attending the celebrations.

Also the Vice President of Uganda, Edward Ssekandi accompanied by a high-level delegation have also joined Rwandans to celebrate the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

The Vice President of Burundi Therence Sinunguruza of the Republic of Burund and Mrs. Sinunguruza and Burundi government delegation are in Rwanda attending the 50th Independence celebrations.

Also Minister of Justice of Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Foreign affairs minister Congo Brazaville, Trade Minister of Republic of Kenya, and The Sirilanka vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and the United States Ambassador to Rwanda.

Representatives of International and regional organizations attending the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations include; AU commission chairman Jean Ping.

Also present is the East African Legistilative Assembly Speaker Margaret Zziwa, Deputy secretary General CommonWealth Masire-Mwamba, Secretary general of East African Community Dr. Richard Sezibera, Director East Africa AfDB, Deputy Executive Secretary CPGL, Executive Secretary International conference on Great lakes Region and the European Union representative.

Also present at the celebrations include the Nobel Laureate and the man dubbed the conscience of Nigeria.

President Paul Kagame is about to give a historical speech to tens of thousands attending clebrations at the stadium and millions following the event Live on television and online.

{{Denmark has cleared extradition to Rwanda a 50-year-old Emmanuel Mbarushimana suspected of involvement in the 1994 Tutsi genocide.

Mbarushimana had been granted asylum in Denmark under the false name of Emmanuel Kunda.

They reported that he was suspected of being one of the ringleaders in the 1994 massacre, when over a million ethnic Tutsi’s were killed.}}

{{George walker Bush, Former US president is in Zambia to check on the Bush Institute projects of breast and cancer diseases launched in Lusaka last year.

Bush, his wife Laura and Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon executive director Doyin Oluwole arrived Saturday morning and was welcomed by that country’s Vice-President Guy Scott.}}

“It is important to recognise that this [visit] is part of the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon alliance which includes the United States government, the Bush Institute, Unaids as well as several different private organisations including different pharmaceuticals,” United States diplomat to Zambia Mark Storella told journalists at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

“The total money that is being put in is certainly in millions of dollars and on this particular visit president Bush and Bush are providing $50,000 themselves to upgrade a specific facility technologically at the University Teaching Hospital,” Ambassador Storella told journalists yesterday.

Ambassador Storella said Bush, who did not speak to reporters, was expected to do some voluntary work in the outskirts of the capital Lusaka. The voluntary work by the Americans is at a “very personal level”, he said.

Ambassador Storella said Bush was expected to be in Zambia “for just about less than a week”.

On his previous visit to Africa, Bush toured Tanzania, Ethiopia and Zambia.

{{In Kenya 17 people have been killed and at least 50 more injured in separate grenade attacks at Catholic’s Central Cathedral and AIC churches in Garissa.

The Kenyan police has confirmed the terror attack .

According to North Eastern Deputy PPO, Philip Ndulu, the nine people killed were from the AIC church while Central Cathedral accounts for the three injured.}}

An eye witness Felix Kimanzi said four masked gunmen wearing blue uniforms sprayed bullets at the congregation of the AIC church resulting in the deaths and the high number of casualties.

“I was 100 metres away from the church when I saw two gunmen at the entrance spray bullets at the congregation. I hid from their sight,” he said.

“They were joined by two more gunmen in blue uniforms who hurled grenades and they all fled on foot,” he added.

He also said two grenades were hurled but only one exploded.

The dead include two police officers, four men, nine women and two children.

Casualties have been admitted at Garissa Provincial General Hospital.

Paul Mwalali, 52, who was at the AIC church recounted similar event.

“I had a front row seat in the church. I heard something fall on the roof. Then there was a huge explosion. I dived on the ground and went under the seat. Then there was shooting and people were screaming all over. When the shooting stopped, I felt a sharp pain on my leg.”

Seven victims have been airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment. Three people were airlifted by Amref Flying Doctors, two by the Kenya Army and two more by the Intensive Care Air Ambulance. All patients were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

{{The United States has warned that three of Africa’s largest extremist groups are sharing funds and swapping explosives.

The U.S. is concerned that this could lead into a dangerous escalation of security threats on the continent, the commander of the U.S. military’s Africa Command said early this week.}}

General Carter Ham said there are indications that Boko Haram, al Shabaab and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb – groups that he labeled as the continent’s most violent – are sharing money and explosive materials while training fighters together.

“Each of those three organizations is by itself a dangerous and worrisome threat,” Ham said at an African Center for Strategic Studies seminar for senior military and civilian officials from Africa, the United States and Europe.

“What really concerns me is the indications that the three organizations are seeking to coordinate and synchronize their efforts,” Ham said. “That is a real problem for us and for African security in general.”

The United States classified three of the alleged leaders of the Islamist sect Boko Haram, based in remote northeast Nigeria, as “foreign terrorist,” on June 20.

However, it declined to blacklist the entire organization to avoid elevating the group’s profile internationally. Police in Nigeria said members of the group seized a prison there Sunday and freed 40 inmates.

Islamist militant group al Shabaab is active in war-ravaged Somalia and has been blamed for attacks in Kenya. Last year it claimed responsibility for the death of Somali Interior Minister Abdi Shakur Sheikh Hassan.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), an affiliate of al Qaeda based in North Africa, is mainly a criminal organization operating in the Sahel region. It kidnaps Westerners for ransom and aids Africa’s drug trade, according to intelligence officials.

{{Concerned about Crisis in Mali}}

U.S. and regional officials fear that a power vacuum in northern Mali following a military coup in March may open an expanded area of operations for Islamist militants. Some western diplomats talk of the country becoming a “West African Afghanistan.”

Ham said AQIM was now operating “essentially unconstrained” throughout a large portion of northern Mali, where Islamists have imposed a harsh version of Shariah law.

The group was a threat not only to the countries in the region, but also has “a desire and an intent to attack Americans as well. So that becomes a real problem,” Ham said.

Emphasizing that the U.S. military plays mainly a supporting role in Africa, Ham said the United States is providing intelligence and logistical help in the hunt for Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, whose Lord’s Resistance Army is accused of abducting children to use as fighters and hacking off limbs of civilians.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague indicted Kony for crimes against humanity in 2005, and his case hit the headlines in March when a video entitled “Kony 2012” put out by a U.S. activist group and calling for his arrest went viral across the Internet.

Ham said he was confident that Kony would ultimately be apprehended by African troops.

“This is an African-led effort,” Ham said. “It is the African Union increasingly taking a leadership role with a little bit of support from the United States military. We think that is the right approach.”