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Category: Politics

  • US calls Assad ‘deluded’ to think he’ll win Syrian war

    US calls Assad ‘deluded’ to think he’ll win Syrian war

    With Russia changing the balance of power, Syrian president vows to retake the country, but a heavy price will be paid.

    Syria’s Bashar al-Assad is “deluded” if he thinks his forces will retake all of the country from rebel fighters, the US said, after the president claimed in an interview that victory was just a matter of time.

    While vowing to win the war, Assad said the involvement of regional players in the conflict would mean “the solution will take a long time and will incur a heavy price”.

    “We have fully believed in negotiations and in political action since the beginning of the crisis, however, if we negotiate, it does not mean that we stop fighting terrorism,” Assad told the AFP news agency in an interview published on Friday.

    “The two tracks are inevitable in Syria: first through negotiations and second through fighting terrorism.”

    Assad’s comments came after world powers agreed on a “cessation of hostilities” on Friday in an attempt to halt the nearly five-year Syrian war that his killed an estimated 250,000 people and driven millions from the country.

    The agreement falls short of a formal ceasefire, since it was not signed by the main warring parties – the opposition and government forces.

    The United States reacted to Assad’s interview with disdain on Friday.

    “He’s deluded if he thinks that there’s a military solution to the conflict in Syria,” deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

    “All we’re looking at – if the Syrian regime continues the fighting – is more bloodshed, more hardship and, frankly, a greater hardening of positions on either side.”

    Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Turkey’s Gaziantep on the Syrian border, said Assad’s comments were in stark contrast to ones he made months ago with his forces pinned down by rebels – until Russia came to his aid with air operations in late September.

    “Clearly the Syrian president is speaking from a position of strength,” said Khodr. “Ever since the Russians intervened militarily, the balance of power shifted in the favour of the government and they’re continuing those advances. The opposition is on the retreat.”

    Meanwhile, Russia continued its military campaign in support of Assad on Friday, just hours after the international call for a cessation of hostilities.

    Activists told Al Jazeera at least 18 people were killed in suspected Russian air strikes in the northern suburbs of Homs province.

    Another week of fighting would give Syria’s government and its Russian, Lebanese and Iranian allies time to press on with the encirclement of Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city before the war, which they are now on the verge of capturing.

    They are also close to sealing the Turkish border, a lifeline for rebel territory for years.

    Those two victories would reverse years of insurgent gains, effectively ending the rebels’ hopes of dislodging Assad through force, the cause they have fought for since 2011 with the encouragement of Arab states, Turkey and the West.

    Source:Al Jazeera:US calls Assad ‘deluded’ to think he’ll win Syrian war

  • Uganda:Museveni too old to fight, says Bantariza

    Uganda:Museveni too old to fight, says Bantariza

    The government deputy spokesperson, Col (Rtd) Shaban Bantariza, has said President Museveni is too old to wage a war if he loses the February 18 election.

    “How can people say Mr Museveni is ready to go and fight in case he loses out in the election yet he is now old? If he loses, Mzee will just go back to his home to look after his cattle,” Col Bantariza said.

    He said Mr Museveni now has little energy to engage in armed struggles. Col Bantariza was responding to questions from journalists in Gulu Town on Thursday at the speculation that Mr Museveni might refuse to hand over power if he is defeated.

    While addressing residents of Rukiga in Kabale District last year, the President said he could not hand over power to Opposition whom he described as wolves “lurking around to tear Uganda apart”.

    At some point during the 2016 election campaigns, Mr Museveni also said he would rather go back to the bush than hand over power to people whom he said have no vision for the country.

    While campaigning in Masaka District last week, FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye scoffed at the speculation that Mr Museveni can wage a war if he loses the election.

    Col Bantariza said if the President launches violent armed struggle after losing, he (Museveni) would be doing a disservice to the country he helped return to peace and stability for the last three decades.

    However, while he defended Mr Museveni against fighting if he loses election, Col Bantariza said it is rather the Opposition who are likely to cause chaos if they are elected.

    “Voting out Mr Museveni will be a wrong move by Ugandans looking at the various tangible developments his regime has brought,” he said.

    Mr Museveni’s National Resistance Army rebels took over power from Gen Tito Okello Lutwa in January 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war.

    Source:Daily Monitor:Museveni too old to fight, says Bantariza

  • EAC election observers leave for Uganda

    EAC election observers leave for Uganda

    RETIRED President Ally Hassan Mwinyi has deployed 17 teams of observers from the East African Community to various regions of Uganda, kicking off an electoral monitoring exercise in the country.

    Alhaj Mwinyi stated in his official release that; “On this day, we are deploying a total of 17 teams of EAC observers in the various regions of Uganda to assess the level of preparedness of the elections as well as the polling process,” he said.

    The statement, made available from the EAC secretariat in Arusha, revealed that the mission will issue a report of its preliminary findings of the elections on 20th of February 2016 through a press conference.

    “It is my honor and pleasure to announce to the people of the Republic of Uganda about the arrival of the East African Community (EAC) Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 18 February 2016 general elections in the Republic of Uganda.”

    The Mission is in the country following the invitation by the Government of the Republic of Uganda and in fulfillment of the relevant provisions of the East African Community Treaty.

    Led by Alhaj Mwinyi, the team comprises 50 short-term observers drawn from the East African Legislative Assembly, National Human Rights Commissions, Electoral Management Bodies, Civil Society, EAC Youth Ambassadors and Officers from EAC Secretariat.

    The EAC Election Observation Mission arrived in Kampala on February 7, this year, and will remain in the country until February 21. It was preceded by a team of election experts from the EAC Partner States who arrived on January 30.

    The Mission will observe the concluding stages of the campaign process and engage in various stakeholders as well as observe the voting and counting processes on February 18.

    “In its assessment of the electoral process, I would like to highlight that the EAC Election Observation Mission will be guided by the democratic principles and values outlined in the African Charter for Democracy, Elections and Governance and the EAC Principles for Election Observation and Evaluation,” said Mr Mwinyi.

    He added that the assessment of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda will be carried out in an impartial and objective manner, informed by the principles and guidelines stipulated in the aforementioned standards as well as the legal framework governing the conduct of elections in the country.

    Subsequently, the EAC will release a final and comprehensive report through its policy organs after the end of the electoral process in the Republic of Uganda. Dr Abdullah Makame who is the Personal Assistant to Mr Mwinyi will be responsible for all matters concerning the press.

    Source:Daily News:EAC election observers leave for Uganda

  • Syria crisis dominates Morocco, Saudi Foreign Ministers talks

    Syria crisis dominates Morocco, Saudi Foreign Ministers talks

    The fight against terrorism and the conflicts in Syria and Yemen dominated discussions in bilateral talks held by Saudi’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and his Moroccan counterpart, Salahdine Mezouar in Rabat on Wednesday.

    “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to help our brothers in Syria to face the tyrant in Damascus and to bring the country out of its current crisis, to create a new future for Syria without Bashar al-Assad, “ said Al-Jubeir.

    Recent reports said Saudi Arabia had announced its commitment to send forces to participate in a ground military intervention in Syria.

    The move had been welcomed by U.S. President Barack Obama during a press conference in Washington on Friday.

    However, Morocco’s Foreign Minister said his country’s participation in a possible military intervention in Syria was not on the agenda.

    The North African minister used the occasion to announced that the 13th session of the high Moroccan-Saudi joint commission for economic cooperation will be held next May in Rabat.

    Source:Africa News:Syria crisis dominates Morocco, Saudi Foreign Ministers talks

  • Syria war: Powers agree on ‘cessation of hostilities’

    Syria war: Powers agree on ‘cessation of hostilities’

    World leaders agree to set in place gradual truce but some say it is not a breakthrough.

    World powers have agreed on a “cessation of hostilities” in Syria that could serve as a bridge towards the resumption of genuine peace talks later this month.

    Emerging from a marathon meeting that stretched late into the night in Munich on Thursday, United States Secretary of State John Kerry said the powers had agreed on a plan that had the potential to “change the daily lives of the Syrian people”.

    “Today in Munich we believe we have made progress on both the humanitarian front and the cessation of hostilities front,” Kerry said.

    “We have agreed on a nationwide cessation of hostilities” starting one week from now, he said.

    “This will apply to any and all parties in Syria, except for Daesh (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL) and al-Nusra,” he added.

    Importantly, the term “ceasefire” was not included in the plan – despite earlier calls from all sides for a more definite agreement.

    Ministers at Thursday’s talks wrangled over three core issues: a gradual cessation of hostilities with a firm end date, humanitarian access to cities being besieged by both sides and a commitment that Syrian parties return to Geneva for political negotiations.

    British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said ending the fighting could only succeed if Russia stopped air strikes supporting Syrian government forces’ advance against the opposition.

    “If implemented fully and properly … this (deal) will be an important step towards relieving the killing and suffering in Syria,” Hammond said in a statement.

    “A Western diplomatic source said: “We did not get a deal on the immediate end of Russian bombings, but we have a commitment to a process that if it works would change the situation.”

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said now that an integrated approach had been decided, he hoped that “the opposition and those who control various groups of opposition will have no more reasons to somehow avoid meeting their obligations”.

    “As John [Kerry] said, we have agreed to set up a task force which will have a meeting in Geneva tomorrow and will be working on a regular basis, co-chaired by Russia and the United States, with the participation of experts, and the goal of this task force is to help the UN and other humanitarian agencies to carry out their obligations with regards to civilians,” Lavrov said.

    “It has also been underscored the task to resume the negotiation process that was suspended against the backdrop when a part of the opposition took an unconstructive stance and tried to put preconditions.

    “We have written down that talks should resume as soon as possible in strict compliance with resolution 2254, that is without any ultimatums, without any preconditions. And talks should include a wide range of opposition forces,” he said.

    Al Jazeera’s James Bays, reporting from Munich, said while what was achieved “reads well on paper, the big test now will be turning it into reality on the ground”.

    Nader Hashemi, an associate professor of the University of Denver, told Al Jazeera that he was also sceptical about the so-called pact.

    “It’s interesting to even note that they did not use the word ceasefire. It’s cessation of hostilities which is a much more ambiguous term, which basically means Russia and Assad can do whatever they want and the international community will have to simply live with it,” Hashemi said.

    “I think that we are headed toward a greater disaster beyond that which has characterised Syria for the last five years.”

    Russian-backed Aleppo offensive ‘kills hundreds’
    The negotiations, which included the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Iran, with an aim of restarting peace talks between the Syrian government and opposition, took place against the backdrop of a fierce fight for control of Syria’s Aleppo province, which continued unabated.

    The Syrian government, backed by Russian air strikes, launched a major offensive from the north of Aleppo and captured several strategically important towns earlier this month.

    The offensive has led to the displacement of more than 50,000 civilians from Aleppo, tens of thousands of whom have amassed in camps at the Turkish border.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Wednesday that at least 500 people, including 89 civilians, have been killed since the offensive on Aleppo began on February 1.

    Source:Al Jazeera:Syria war: Powers agree on ‘cessation of hostilities’

  • Kiir re-appoints Machar as S.Sudan vice president

    Kiir re-appoints Machar as S.Sudan vice president

    South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has re-appointed his rival Riek Machar as vice president, a decree said on Thursday, the culmination of a deal to try to end months of civil war in the world’s newest nation.

    The announcement returned the presidency to where it was soon before fighting erupted between supporters of the two men in December 2013 – a conflict that went on to kill thousands of people and force more than two million to flee.

    Both sides, under pressure from Washington, the United Nations and other powers, signed an initial pact in August, and agreed to share out ministerial positions in January.

    But that accord has repeatedly broken down and a U.N. report last month said both leaders qualified for sanctions over atrocities in the conflict.

    The decree read out on state TV said Machar would be first vice president, his position before he was sacked in 2013, the move that eventually triggered the violence. There was no immediate announcement from Machar.

    Oil-producing South Sudan split away from Sudan in 2011 amid mass celebrations and promises of aid and good will from most of the developed world.

    But its regional and Western backers were dismayed when fighting erupted, often along ethnic lines.

    Last month’s confidential report by a U.N. panel that monitors the conflict in South Sudan for the Security Council stated that Kiir and Machar were still completely in charge of their forces and were therefore directly to blame for killing civilians and other actions that warrant sanctions.

    According to the report, those violations include extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence, extrajudicial arrest and detention, abductions, forced displacement, the use and recruitment of children, beatings, looting and the destruction of livelihoods and homes.

    The report described how Kiir’s government bought at least four Mi-24 attack helicopters in 2014 from a private Ukrainian company at a cost of nearly $43 million.

    It added that Machar’s forces were trying to “acquire shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to counter the threat of attack helicopters, specifically citing the need to continue and indeed escalate the fighting.”

    Source:Daily Monitor:Kiir re-appoints Machar as S.Sudan vice president

  • U.N. mission sends Burundi officers home over unrest

    U.N. mission sends Burundi officers home over unrest

    The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Central African Republic is repatriating three military officers on suspicion they committed human rights violations during political unrest in their home country, Burundi, an internal document showed.

    Ten months of violence triggered by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term has left more than 400 people dead in Burundi, which emerged from an ethnically charged civil war in 2005. He won a disputed poll in July.

    A fax dated Feb. 5 sent by the U.N.’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York and seen by Reuters on Thursday notified the Central African mission, MINUSCA, of the decision to send the officers home.

    “(The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) has raised serious concerns about alleged human rights violations committed by the officers during the violent demonstrations in Burundi,” the document stated.

    Officials in Burundi, which contributes more than 1,200 soldiers and police to U.N. peacekeeping missions, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the repatriations.

    It is fairly common for troops to be sent home for alleged abuses committed while serving with a U.N. mission. MINUSCA has repatriated members of several contingents amid a wave of sexual abuse and rape accusations over the last year.

    However, the repatriation of troops over allegations of abuses committed in their home countries is extremely rare.

    A spokesman with MINUSCA confirmed the three men were being sent home but declined to give details of the allegations against them.

    “Assessments have been conducted. Following the assessments, this decision was taken,” Vladimir Monteiro said. “The mission is doing everything to ensure that they return to Burundi.”

    Source:Reuters:U.N. mission sends Burundi officers home over unrest

  • Kenyan lawmakers return to Uganda in campaign for Museveni

    Kenyan lawmakers return to Uganda in campaign for Museveni

    A team of politicians from Kenya will return to Uganda Friday barely a week after they attended a fundraiser in what has been viewed as a bid to drum up support for NRM presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni.

    Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Uasin-Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, Endebess MP Robert Pukose and Deputy President William Ruto’s personal assistant Farouk Kibet will be on the team making Friday’s trip.

    Trans-Nzoia Senator Henry Ole Ndiema, Narok Governor Samuel Tunai and Mr Ruto are the other politicians to have made their way to Sebei sub-region in less than three months.

    When the Daily Monitor contacted Mr Pukose who is heading the delegation to Uganda, he said he was tied up in a meeting and promised he would contact this reporter. He had not got back by the time the report was filed.

    Sources close to the Jubilee MPs said the group was here to drum up support for Mr Museveni, just a week to the general election on February 18.

    “Yes, they are coming back. We got reports that more than 3,000 residents in Tulel and Chesawer in Bukwo District raised dust over claims of being sidelined when the group visited the region last week,” one of the people organising for their return told the Daily Monitor on Thursday.

    MEDDLING IN UGANDAN AFFAIRS

    Prof Sheme Chemangey Masaba, the first minister for animal husbandry and fisheries in President Museveni’s government and also a 2006 FDC contender for Tingey County MP seat, however, said the politicians are meddling in Ugandan affairs.

    “That means the Uganda government has failed in its role. How much does it take to build a school? This is just a political move and has nothing to do with helping our people,” Prof Masaba said.

    There have been reports of a drift away from the NRM in Sebei sub-region to the Opposition and according to Ms Rose Nancy Chelangat, an NRM aide and mobiliser, the ruling party has responded by heavily deploying agents in the sub-region.

    “When Dr Kizza Besigye visited Sebei, we were shocked by the reception he received. In a bid to woo back our supporters, we have been involved in a lot of mobilisation and campaign work,” Ms Chelangat said.

    At a weekend fundraiser event in Sebei, the Kenyan politicians Mr Pukose and Mr Tunai handed over 100 bags of cement, 170 iron sheets and Shs48 million for the completion of schools in Tumbaboi (Kapchorwa), Ngenge (Kween) and Kapkoros (Bukwo).

    Reports also emerged that Kuka’s Inn in Kapchorwa was full of activity, as ruling party members remained expectant of the visitors.

    When the Kenyan politicians arrive, they are expected be hosted to a breakfast at State Lodge Kapchorwa and spend a night there after several rallies. On Saturday they will attend a get-together with the Sabiny community big shots.

    Source:Daily Nation:Kenyan lawmakers return to Uganda in campaign for Museveni

  • UAE names first minister of state for happiness

    UAE names first minister of state for happiness

    Ohood Al Roumi has remit to push national agenda to make the UAE the happiest of all nations, prime minister announces.

    A woman will lead the United Arab Emirates’ attempt to secure happiness for its citizens after being named the country’s first ever minister of state for happiness.

    Ohood Al Roumi’s appointment to the position was announced on Wednesday via Twitter by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister, ruler of Dubai and the vice president of the UAE.

    “National happiness isn’t a wish. Plans, projects, programmes, indices will inform the work of our ministries to achieve happiness,” he wrote on his official Twitter page.

    Al Roumi will also continue serving as the director-general of the prime minister’s office, a position she currently holds.

    Along with her roles in the UAE, the United Nations Foundation selected Al Roumi last year to be a member of its Global Entrepreneurship Council. She is the first Arab member of the body.

    The creation of the new ministerial post was also announced on Twitter on Monday by Sheikh Mohammed, 66, who said the minister would “align and drive government policy to create social good and satisfaction”.

    “It is a beginning of a new journey of achievement and giving to the people and we ask Allah to help us to serve and take care of them,” one of his messages read.

    UAE, the 44-year-old oil rich seven-state federation, was ranked No 20 on the World Happiness Report in 2015, above the United Kingdom and below Belgium.

    Switzerland was named the world’s happiest country in 2015, in front of Iceland, Denmark and Norway – with Canada rounding out the top five.

    The report’s creators singled the UAE out in 2015 for its stated commitment to happiness.

    “The National Agenda aims for the UAE to be among the best in the world in the Human Development Index and to be the happiest of all nations so that its citizens feel proud to belong to the UAE,” the UAE’s Vision 2021 plan says.

    Source: Al Jazeera:UAE names first minister of state for happiness

  • Uganda:No one should go into exile over polls – Mbabazi

    Uganda:No one should go into exile over polls – Mbabazi

    Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has said no Ugandan should go into exile or become a refugee because of election results or bad governance.

    “I don’t want a situation where some of our people feel they are not exactly Ugandans because other members of the community regard them differently. I was in Bunyoro and some Ugandans who live in a neighbouring refugee camp are being treated as refugees in their own country,” Mr Mbabazi told a rally in Koboko District on Tuesday evening.

    The former prime minister said the country needs political stability and an end to the anxiety that grips citizens each time there is an election.

    “I want to end the tension that builds up in the country each time we talk about the possibility of changing the presidency because change of a leader should be a matter of routine. And this time, people should feel comfortable,” he explained.

    Mr Mbabazi said in the last 53 years, the change of presidents has been by use of guns.

    There were elections in 1980 which were disputed and NRA/M led by President Museveni waged a guerilla war that ushered the incumbent into power in 1986.

    “We have widows scattered all over the country and the world because of this (post-election) violence and we must bring this down once and for all. And the way to end violence is to have peaceful change of leaders.”

    The Go Forward candidate said Ugandans, especially those living in exile, should not be haunted by crimes committed in the past, and promised to set up a government that will respect the law that will be applied without discrimination.

    The background

    After the downfall of President Idi Amin, many residents in West Nile sub-region went into exile as the soldiers loyal to the fallen president and his successors revenged on the people thought to have been loyal to either camp.

    This also followed the Ombaci massacre where several people were massacred at St Joseph’s College Ombaci, in June 1981, as they sought refuge from the Uganda National Liberation Army soldiers.

    In the past, President Museveni has always said he was proud to have made sure the people of West Nile returned to their homes in 1986.

    Source:Daily Monitor:No one should go into exile over polls – Mbabazi