IGIHE

Category: Politics

  • Tanzania, Rwanda agree on boosting ties, Burundi peace

    Tanzania, Rwanda agree on boosting ties, Burundi peace

    {Tanzania and Rwanda have vowed to further cement the existing cordial ties between them and work closely with other East African Community (EAC) member countries to ensure that peace and stability are restored in Burundi.
    }
    This was said by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga, on arrival in Dar es Salaam from Rwanda. “It is our collective efforts as the Great Lakes Countries and the EAC to ensure that Burundi regains its peace and stability,” noted Ambassador Mahiga.

    He said that while in Kigali, he held talks with Rwandan President Paul Kagame as well as the business community who applauded efforts by President John Magufuli in strengthening ties between the two countries and ensuring efficiency at the Dar es Salaam Port.

    Mr Mahiga said that the Rwandan business community requested for a joint meeting with business people in the country to discuss other investment opportunities.

    He added that President Kagame had assured him that his country will not back down in ensuring that peace and stability return to Burundi.

    “The president is aware of the allegations levelled against his country regarding its involvement in training Burundi refugees bent to instigate chaos in the country.

    But he maintained his stance of working collectively to settle the dispute there,” said Ambassador Mahiga. He expressed his happiness that Uganda will soon conclude their elections, which will enable the country’s leader to resume dialogue with conflicting parties to solve the row in Burundi.

    The minister pointed out that judging from their talks with President Kagame and the business community, the trip was a good gesture to reinforce bilateral relations between the two countries that dates back to many years and deeply rooted historically and culturally.

    “President Kagame demonstrated this when he came to witness the swearing in of our president and when he sent his foreign minister soon afterwards to visit Tanzania,” noted the minister.

    There have been challenges occurring in the Great Lakes Regions from time to time. It is thus important to strengthen the existing relations between countries.

    The Ordinary East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit will soon take place and, therefore, the minister mission to Rwanda was to hold consultations on the agenda as it will be addressing areas of economic integration.

    “Since Tanzania will take over the EAC chairmanship, it is vital that we get assurance of participation of the other member states,” he said.

    Source:Daily News:[Tanzania, Rwanda agree on boosting ties, Burundi peace->Tanzania, Rwanda agree on boosting ties, Burundi peace]

  • DR Congo to probe C. Africa peacekeeper sex abuse claims

    DR Congo to probe C. Africa peacekeeper sex abuse claims

    {The UN mission in the Central African Republic, known as MINUSCA, has been hit by a wave of allegations of sex abuse by its peacekeepers, whose mandate is to protect civilians in the strife-torn country (AFP Photo/Marco Longari).}

    Kinshasa (AFP) – The government in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday announced a probe into fresh allegations of sexual abuse by Congolese soldiers serving in the UN mission in Central African Republic.

    “I have given instructions to the chief military prosecutor to send three military magistrates to investigate on the scene with a view to legal proceedings,” Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said.

    The UN mission in the Central African Republic, known as MINUSCA, has been hit by a wave of allegations of sex abuse by its peacekeepers, whose mandate is to protect civilians in the strife-torn country.

    On Tuesday, UN spokesman Farhan Haq revealed new abuse allegations against the DRC’s MINUSCA contingent, concerning four children living in a displaced people’s camp who were assaulted in 2014 and 2015.

    Notified the same day by the UN, Congolese authorities then had 10 days to decide whether to carry out an investigation or leave it up to the world body.

    Under UN procedures, if troops serving with UN missions are convicted, their country of origin should pass sentence.

    Five DRC soldiers in MINUSCA were accused of raping five women last November, while three soldiers from the smaller Republic of Congo were accused of raping three young women, one of whom was underage.

    Judicial authorities in DRC conducted an inquiry but it was inconclusive.
    UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon fired the head of the 10,000-strong MINUSCA force in August over the mounting number of sex abuse cases, but the allegations have continued to surface.

    An independent panel set up by Ban found there had been serious flaws in the UN’s handling of the cases, despite an official zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence.

    In January, MINUSCA decided to send home the whole contingent of 120 soldiers from the DRC on the grounds that the troops only partially met UN requirements on equipment, recruitment and the level of combat readiness.

    Most of the troops returned home in January and the remainder are due to be repatriated soon.

    Source:AFP:[DR Congo to probe C. Africa peacekeeper sex abuse claims->http://news.yahoo.com/dr-congo-probe-c-africa-peacekeeper-sex-abuse-141903147.html]

  • Museveni in early lead as EC releases provisional results

    Museveni in early lead as EC releases provisional results

    {Incumbent and ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has maintained the lead, according to the second round of provisional results released by Electoral Commission Chairman Eng Badru Kiggundu this morning. }

    With 2,323,927 votes cast from 6,448 polling stations, Mr Museveni garnered 1,362,961 votes, representing Shs61.75 per cent. This is however a drop from 63.7 per cent collected in the first round of provisional results released at mind-night.

    Dr Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party candidate however made slight gains in the Provisional Results No.2. Dr Besigye collected 738,628 votes, representing 33.47 per cent up from 32.4 percent.

    Independent candidate Amama Mbabazi, the third strongest candidate according to the recent opinion polls and the provisional results so far also made slight improvement in the second round of provisional results. Mr Mbabazi garnered 41,291 votes (1.87 per cent) compare to 2,246 (1.2 per cent) in the first provisional results.

    In the Provisional Results No.2, Dr Abed Bwanika, a veterinary doctor, politician and President People’s Development Party (PDP) got 22,180 votes (1.00 per cent), independent Presidential candidate, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba garnered 15,260 votes (0.69 per cent), Ms Maureen Walube Kyalya, the only female candidate in the race got 12,742 votes (058 per cent), Major General Benon Biraro, the Presidential candidate of the Farmer’s Party of Uganda harvested 7,228 (0.33 per cent) and Elton Joseph Mabirizi, an Independent presidential candidate and gospel evangelist managed 6833 (0.31 per cent).

    The results received from the 6,448 polling stations from across the country represent 15.2 per cent of the registered voters. There are 1,527,718 registered voters. The valid votes were 2,201, 712 and 118, 804 invalid votes. Spoilt votes were 6158 votes.

    The National Tally Canter at Mandera National Stadium, Namboole received the provisional results from the districts at 7am and the third round of the provisional results is expected in two hours. Eng. Kiggundu is expected to announce the winner on Saturday.

    The total number of invalid votes almost doubles the votes for Mr Mbabazi and Mr Bwanika combined. This has been blamed of lack of voter education on the part of Electoral Commission authorities. EC spokesperson, Mr Jotham Taremwa yesterday requested for time to analyse the results.

    The results are from districts such as Hoima, Kyankwanzi, Pader, Kanungu, Tororo, Soroti, Mukono, Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka, Luweero, Lira, Kisoro, Kampala, Kabarole, Apac and Mitooma. In Kanungu district, Preliminary results also indicate that in Mr Mbabazi’s home ground, Museveni won with 17,017 votes, Dr Besigye managed 9, 473 votes followed by Mr Mbabazi with 1, 075 votes. Mr Museveni also won in Mbarara and lost Mbale to Dr Besigye.

    Some of the districts have not transmitted any results. These include Kasese, Kabaale, Bushenyi, Arua, Rukungiri, Gulu and Wakiso among others.
    Asked to clarify on the criteria used to tabulate results amid misgivings among some of the candidates’ agents, Mr Kiggundu said: “We have no control over which district sends results first or last, if Kampala had sent first, we would have declared the results.”

    “Partial results are sent electronically to the National Tally Center and as soon as soon as they come they are processed and released and there is no politics,” he added.

    Source:Daily Monitor:[Museveni in early lead as EC releases provisional results->http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni-early-lead/-/688334/3083598/-/r8u3pt/-/index.html]

  • Barack Obama to make historic visit to Cuba

    Barack Obama to make historic visit to Cuba

    {Obama to become the first serving US president to step foot on the island in nearly nine decades, as ties normalise.}

    Barack Obama, the US president, is planning an historic visit to Cuba next month, which will make him the first serving US president to step foot on the island in nearly nine decades.

    Obama’s visit in mid-March will be part of a broader trip to Latin America that the White House will announce on Thursday, Obama administration officials told news agencies.

    Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced last year that they would begin normalising ties after a half-century of Cold War opposition.

    On Tuesday, the two nations signed a deal restoring commercial air traffic for the first time in five decades.

    Immediately after signing the commercial flights deal, the US Department of Transportation opened bidding by American carriers on as many as 110 US-Cuba flights a day — more than five times the current number. All flights currently operating between the two countries are charters.

    Obama’s government is eager to make progress on building trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba before he leaves office.

    A normalisation of US-Cuban relations had seemed unthinkable to both Cubans and Americans for generations.

    In August Havana and Washington formally renewed relations and upgraded their diplomatic missions to embassies. The presidents of the US and Cuba earlier last year met in Panama City, with Obama announcing a thaw in relations by saying “the Cold War is over”.President Calvin Coolidge went to Havana in January 1928 to give a speech to the 6th International Conference of American States, according to the State Department historian’s office, which records the foreign travel of presidents and secretaries of state.

    President Harry Truman visited Guantanamo Bay, which is controlled by the United States, so that was not considered a state visit; he didn’t meet with any Cuban government officials, according to his presidential library.

    Former President Jimmy Carter has paid multiple visits to the island since leaving office.

    Source: Al Jazeera:[Barack Obama to make historic visit to Cuba->http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/barack-obama-historic-visit-cuba-160218044108071.html]

  • Museveni eyes fifth term as Uganda votes for president

    Museveni eyes fifth term as Uganda votes for president

    {Ugandans vote Thursday in presidential and parliamentary polls with veteran leader Yoweri Museveni widely expected to extend his power into a fourth decade.}

    “We expect a peaceful exercise. Security is on the ground and we have put out messages calling on voters to come in big numbers on Thursday and cast their votes,” national electoral commission spokesman Jotham Taremwa told AFP.

    Polls open at 07:00 am (0400 GMT) and close at 04:00 pm (1300 GMT). Initial results are expected as early as Saturday afternoon with the leading candidate requiring more than 50 per cent of votes cast to avoid a second round run-off.

    Museveni and his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, facing a challenge from seven candidates, are predicted to win a fifth term, with the 71-year-old former rebel fighter who seized power in 1986 entering his fourth decade in power.

    Over 15 million Ugandans are registered to vote, casting ballots in over 28,000 polling stations for both a president and members of parliament, with 290 seats being contested by candidates from 29 political parties.

    Elections in 2006 and 2011 were marred by violent, and occasionally deadly, street protests and the liberal use of tear gas by heavy-handed police. However, apart from an outbreak of violent protests in which one person died on Monday, campaigning has been relatively peaceful.

    “Whoever will try to bring violence, you will see what we shall do to him. Those who want violence should play somewhere else, not Uganda,” Museveni told thousands of supporters in his final rally on Tuesday.

    RESULTS EXPECTED SATURDAY

    “There are people spreading fear, but let them know that nobody should intimidate Ugandans, and nobody is going to disrupt the peace in Uganda.”

    Key opposition candidate Kizza Besigye, a three-time loser whose brief detention by police triggered Monday’s protests, said he is confident of a first-round win.

    Voter turnout has followed a downward trajectory in recent elections with nearly three-quarters of eligible voters casting a ballot in 1996, during the country’s first-ever competitive election, but only three-fifths bothering to turn out in 2011.

    Museveni’s share of those votes has also declined but most 2016 polls give him more than the 50 percent needed to avoid a run-off. He won his last five-year term in 2011 with 68 per cent.

    The other main challenger, Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart, has already accused the NRM of planning to stuff ballot boxes, a claim government spokesman Ofwono Opondo dismissed as the “cry of a loser”, according to the Monitor.

    Vote counting will begin on Thursday evening.

    “The electoral commission will tally results from all the districts of Uganda and finally declare the elected candidate for president within 48 hours from closure of polls,” said election commission chairman Badru Kiggundu.

    African Union Commission chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday called for “peace and calm before, during and after” the polls.

    The US State Department has also stressed the need for a “peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process” and called on all sides to “refrain from provocative actions or rhetoric that raise tensions”.

    Source:Daily Nation:[Museveni eyes fifth term as Uganda votes for president->http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/Museveni-eyes-fifth-term-as-Uganda-votes-for-president/-/1066/3081918/-/m9qyliz/-/index.html]

  • Anger as UK moves to ban Israeli settlement boycott

    Anger as UK moves to ban Israeli settlement boycott

    {British government plans to ban publicly funded institutions from boycotting businesses over ethical concerns.}

    Activists have accused the United Kingdom of a crackdown on human rights campaigners over plans to ban city councils, public bodies and some student unions from boycotting “unethical” businesses, including those operating in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

    As part of the measure, all publicly-funded institutions will be barred from boycotting goods or services by companies complicit in weapons trade, tobacco products or Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to UK newspaper The Independent.

    Senior government officials told The Independent that the plan will be unveiled this week when Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock visits Israel.

    In a statement sent to Al Jazeera, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said that boycotts “undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate, weakening integration and fuelling anti-Semitism”.

    The statement added that locally imposed boycotts “can roll back integration as well as hinder Britain’s export trade and harm international relationship[s]”.

    Ben, a member of the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign who did not provide his full name, said the effect of the conservative government’s new regulations will be “very far-reaching”.

    “They will restrict the ability of local councils, for example, to make their own decisions about investments and procurement on ethical grounds,” Ben told Al Jazeera, calling the ban “an attack on local democracy”.

    “The boycott or refusal to buy goods from the settlements is pretty much non-controversial,” he added, alluding to the European Union’s recent introduction of labelling guidelines for goods made in Israeli settlements.

    “We see ourselves as human rights campaigners, and we are determined to continue on behalf of the Palestinian people,” Ben said.

    The UK chapter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement decried the coming ban, likening it to former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s “unwavering support of apartheid South Africa” in the 1980s.

    BDS is a campaign that demands Israel give equal rights to its Palestinian citizens, allows the return of Palestinian refugees to their homes and ends the occupation of Palestinian and other Arab territories, including the Syrian Golan Heights.

    “Rather than working to hold Israel to account for its ongoing human rights violations, UK ministers continue the arms trade with Israel and attack local democracy in order to shield it from any criticism,” Rafeef Ziadeh, a BDS spokeswoman, said in a statement.

    “The BDS movement in the UK has achieved wide support precisely because of the failure of successive UK governments to take action in response to Israel’s war crimes,” she added.

    Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sai Englert, a member of the National Union of Students’ executive council, said that the government’s move to ban boycotts “is a sign of the times … when Palestine activism is being targeted”.

    Palestine solidarity campaigners, including those involved in the BDS movement, have acheived a number of recent victories.

    The National Union of Students voted in favour of boycotting Israel back in June last year, following several similar moves by local student unions at universities across the country.

    In February 2015, London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) passed a resolution calling for an boycott of Israeli academic institutions and academics by a landslide 73 percent vote in a referendum.

    The following month, the University of Sussex voted to support their student union endorsing the BDS campaign.

    The national Trade Union Congress, as well as more than a dozen individual trade unions, are also among those who support a boycott of Israel.

    Citing Israel’s human rights record, Leicester City Council in late 2014 became one of the first elected bodies in the UK to pass a resolution implementing a full boycott of products made in Israeli settlements.

    Englert, who is a PhD student at SOAS, said the sweeping measure is part of a broader government campaign of “silencing people who stand for social justice issues and human rights” across the world.

    “I think it’s a very worrying sign for all Palestine solidarity activists,” he said. “And of course it’s not just limited to Palestine, either.”

    In recent years, the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority has employed a number of diplomatic and legal strategies aimed at attaining Palestinian statehood in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the besieged Gaza Strip.

    According to the Al-Shabaka Palestinian Policy Network, the boycott movement offers Palestinians a political programme that enjoys wide support because of the absence of diplomatic progress.

    “Due to the continuous failures of the Palestinian Authority’s leadership over the last few decades, Palestinian people are longing for tangible outcomes that impact their lives positively,” Alaa Tartir, Al-Shabaka’s programme director, told Al Jazeera.

    Source: Al Jazeera:[Anger as UK moves to ban Israeli settlement boycott->http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/anger-uk-moves-ban-israeli-settlement-boycott-160215164105804.html]

  • France probes Sarkozy over 2012 campaign funding

    France probes Sarkozy over 2012 campaign funding

    {The investigation is seen as a big blow to the politician’s hopes of running for the presidential office again in 2017.}

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been put under investigation over alleged irregularities in his 2012 re-election campaign finances, a statement by the Paris prosecutor’s office said.

    The decision, which was announced on Tuesday, is seen as a blow to the 61-year-old politician’s hopes of running for president again in 2017.

    He was questioned before being notified that he was under investigation for “suspected illegal financing of an election campaign for a candidate, who went beyond the legal limit for electoral spending.”

    He was also designated as an “assisted witness” in connection with “accusations of using false documents, fraud and breach of trust,” the statement by the prosecutor’s office said.

    The move is a prelude to a possible trial, but does not lead automatically to prosecution. However, it means Sarkozy will be tied up in legal proceedings for months to come, making it hard for him to contest a centre-right primary in November ahead of a 2017 election.

    The former president has repeatedly denied knowledge of dual accounting and some 18 million euros ($20.1m) in false invoices issued by the Bygmalion event organisation company that meant his campaign costs were more than double the legal limit.

    Four senior figures in the 2012 campaign are already being investigated for alleged political financing offences, including Sarkozy’s campaign manager and treasurer, as well as four former Bygmalion executives.

    Sarkozy’s ambitions to return to power have been hampered by a series of scandals. He was accused of using money from late Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi to fund a 2007 campaign, and of bribing a magistrate to get inside information on another corruption case in which he was implicated.

    Source: Al Jazeera:[France probes Sarkozy over 2012 campaign funding->http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/france-probes-sarkozy-2012-campaign-funding-160217044432877.html]

  • Observer missions urge calm in Uganda polls

    Observer missions urge calm in Uganda polls

    {The heads of international observer missions have appealed to all functionaries, Uganda Electoral Commission, political parties, candidates and personalities to refrain from any acts that are likely to cause violence as Ugandans go to the polls tomorrow.}

    A statement issued by the heads of missions after their meeting warned all parties involved in the election to avoid any statement or dissemination of information that may cause tension, ill-will, disturbance, intimidation and adversely affect the peaceful and orderly conduct of elections.

    Led by the Head of the EAC team and former Tanzania President, Mr Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the heads of mission urged voters to turn out to perform their civic responsibility peacefully, orderly and lawfully.

    Their call came on the last day of campaigns in Uganda ahead of the election. Others in panel of international observers are Lady Justice Sophia Akuffo, (AU), Mr Olusegun Obasanjo (Commonwealth), Mr Rupia Banda (EISA), Ambassador Ashraf Rashed Damal (COMESA) and Mr Yufnalis Okubo (IGAD).

    On Monday, clashes erupted after opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye was arrested by the police at a rally in Kampala. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds of opposition supporters who gathered to demand the release of Mr Besigye who was briefly detained.

    The three-time presidential candidate who heads the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has been repeatedly arrested in past campaigns, and has been described as current president Yoweri Museveni’s “perennial opponent”.

    In tomorrow’s election, seven opposition candidates are vying to contest Mr Museveni’s attempts to win a fifth term in office, but Besigye’s FDC party officials accused the government of blocking their efforts to address supporters in the city centre.

    There was heavy deployment of police officers yesterday to ensure that any acts of violence were quelled.

    In this year’s election, Mr Museveni faces his stiffest challenge yet from Mr Besigye, his former doctor, and Amama Mbabazi, a former prime minister and ruling party stalwart now running as an independent candidate.

    Source:Daily News:[Observer missions urge calm in Uganda polls->http://www.dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/47039-observer-missions-urge-calm-in-uganda-polls]

  • Uganda:Opposition are liars, says Museveni

    Uganda:Opposition are liars, says Museveni

    {Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has labelled Opposition leaders liars and warned Ugandans against voting them.}

    Addressing his supporters at the Cricket Ground in Mbale Municipality yesterday, Mr Museveni likened constituencies that vote the Opposition to people who commit suicide and expect to be mourned.

    The President, who is seeking a fifth elective term in office, said: “It would be a blunder to entrust liars with power. The Opposition leaders are liars. They just talk,” he told the voters.
    However, Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuga said the NRM presidential candidate is panicking because change is coming.
    This was the second time the President was campaigning in Bugisu, a sub-region considered one of the NRM blackspots yet it remains one of the Opposition strongholds.
    Mr Museveni said he exposed some of the lies traded by the Opposition when he attended the second presidential debate on Sunday.

    About debate
    “I debated and exposed some of their lies they are trading to get sympathy from you. But I did not get enough time to expose more,” he said.

    He also explained that the Opposition leaders have succeeded in blindfolding the voters in some areas because the NRM Secretariat under former prime minister Amama Mbabazi had failed to do its duties.

    “The secretariat that is supposed to educate you and help you make informed decision was killed by Mbabazi and he buried it,” Mr Museveni told the voters.

    The incumbent, who been at the helm for 30 years, said the government strategy to prioritise peace and stability in the country has brought in more visitors who have established factories and industries for both job creation and tax revenue.

    Riding on the prevailing stability in the country, increased revenue collections, a strong army and development in key sectors such as infrastructure, Mr Museveni considers himself the only capable leader who can maintain the peace and at the same time deal with the endemic unemployment challenges facing the country.

    The President also explained that his government collects more than Shs588 billion from MTN, Shs197 billion from Nile Breweries Ltd, Shs154 billion from Airtel and other companies, which he said is a sign that the country is on steady progress, the flagship of his re-election campaign.

    If re-elected on Thursday, Mr Museveni promised to introduce five Mwananchi funds- Naads, youth fund, women fund, innovation fund and microfinance fund to help the people get out of poverty through increased household incomes.

    He promised to fix roads and connect unserved areas to the national power grid in the next five years. In particular, Mr Museveni said in the next five years, his government will construct additional 2,025km of tarmac roads. Currently, the country has about 6,000km up from 1,000 in 1986.

    After touting himself as the only leader with a vision at the second presidential debate, President Museveni, however, said he is not the only person who can lead Uganda but said his rivals are too weak to be presidents.

    Source:Daily Monitor:[Opposition are liars, says Museveni->http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Opposition-are-liars-says-Museveni/-/688334/3078308/-/t7hdr0/-/index.html]

  • Counting under way in key CAR vote

    Counting under way in key CAR vote

    {Voting wrapped up in closely watched presidential runoff contested by two former prime ministers.}

    Voters in the Central African Republic (CAR) have cast their ballots in a closely watched presidential election that many hope will usher in stability after years of bloodshed.

    Two ex-prime ministers – Faustin-Archange Touadera and Anicet-Georges Dologuele – contested Sunday’s presidential run-off that will determine who will be charged with the challenge of restoring peace and reuniting the impoverished nation.

    CAR was pitched into crisis in 2013 when mainly Muslim Seleka fighters toppled President Francois Bozize.

    Christian militias responded to Seleka abuses by attacking the Muslim minority community. One in five Central Africans has fled, either internally or abroad, to escape the violence.

    Touadera portrayed himself as an anti-corruption stalwart, while Dologuele pledged to revive the economy and draw in investors hesitant until now to exploit significant gold, diamond and uranium deposits.

    Authorities were also trying to re-run a first round of legislative polls which were cancelled over irregularities.

    {{Voting for unity}}

    As voting stations closed around 4pm local time (15:00 GMT), poll workers at a school in central Bangui immediately emptied ballot boxes and began counting votes.

    Observers and elections officials praised the organisation of the vote, a marked improvement from a December 30 first round when ballot materials arrived late or not at all in many areas.

    In Bangui’s PK5 neighbourhood, the capital’s principal remaining Muslim enclave following ethnic cleansing, some voters arrived before dawn to queue at the main polling centre.

    Alima Zeinabou Shaibou, 32, who like most Muslims in the southwest has been forced to leave her home, crossed the road from the mosque where she now lives with her five children to be among the first voters.

    “I want there to be a change. I want Christians and Muslims to live together as before,” she said.

    The voting centre in PK5 witnessed violent attacks by local militia during a December constitutional referendum.

    Though the situation has remained largely calm during the election period, Sunday’s vote was held under heavy security.

    Armed soldiers from MINUSCA, the country’s 11,000-strong UN mission, guarded polling stations while attack helicopters circled in the skies over Bangui.

    Armoured vehicles from a 900-soldier French military contingent patrolled the streets.

    High turnout

    First round turnout of nearly 80 percent was largely viewed as a popular rejection of the violence, which has left the northeast under the control of Muslim rebels while Christian militias roam the southwest.

    “I wish a happy Valentine’s Day to everyone,” Dologuele said after casting his vote. “I would like Central Africans to consider (voting today) an act of love for their country.”

    Both Dologuele, a banker, and trained mathematics professor Touadera have made the restoration of peace and security the centrepiece of their campaigns.

    Both candidates are Christians.

    They also both have close ties with deposed leader Bozize, a fact that has raised concern among some diplomats and observers who worry that the election result risks changing little.

    While the polls should reinstate democracy after three years of unpopular interim administrations, analysts have warned the election is only the first step in the long process of stabilising CAR.

    “It’s cheaper to buy a grenade in Bangui than it is to buy a can of Coke. That’s how bad it is here,” said Lewis Mudge, Africa researcher for Human Rights Watch.

    Source:Reuters:[Counting under way in key CAR vote->http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/counting-underway-key-central-african-republic-vote-160214181728454.html]