Category: Rubrique

South Sudanese former vice-president, Riek Machar, who now leads an armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-In- Opposition) is expected to participate in the upcoming regional leaders’ summit of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Sources close to IGAD in the preparations for the extraordinary summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, said the regional bloc’s heads of state and government are expected to converge on Sunday to decide on measures to take in trying to resolve the eight-month old war in South Sudan.

The meeting comes in the wake of boycott of the fifth round of the peace talks by the delegation of South Sudan’s government under president Salva Kiir, stalling the talks with Machar’s opposition group amidst renewed fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states.

The regional heads of state, president Kiir included, are expected to deliberate and resolve on the situation in South Sudan, threatening to take measures against any party seen to be perpetuating the war.

Previously, the rebel group protested against what they said was IGAD’s “dogmatic” approach when it made decisions or passed resolutions on South Sudan in favour of one party, (government) with no presence of the other party to the conflict (SPLM-In-Opposition).

However, the rebel group told reporters on Friday that its leader would this time participate in the summit.

“We felt snubbed by IGAD’s previous approach which seemed dogmatic,” said James Gatdet Dak, spokesperson of the rebel leader.

“We are glad to learn that IGAD is now willing to have our party represented in the summit,” he said.

Dak said the chairman of the SPLM-IO, Machar, is expected to attend the summit and present his group’s side of the story, adding this was important for IGAD to make an informed decision.

South Sudan rebels have agreed to let Uganda maintain its forces on South Sudanese soil until a regional body deploys a peace keeping force, a spokesman for the Ugandan government told Reuters on Friday.

The new stance by the rebels, which is a 180-degree turn from their earlier position of demanding withdrawal of the troops from South Sudan, could open a way to mend ties between the insurgents and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

At least 10,000 people have been killed since fierce fighting erupted in December, pitting President Salva Kiir’s government forces against supporters of Riek Machar, his former deputy and longtime rival.

Since the conflict in Africa’s youngest nation erupted in mid December, the Ugandan leader has stood by the South Sudanese government, angering the rebels.

Peace initiatives by the regional group of nations, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), have so far failed to end the conflict, fought along ethnic lines between Kiir’s Dinka community and Machar’s Nuer people.

Ofwono Opondo, the Ugandan government spokesman, said a rebel delegation in Uganda met a government team led by Salim Saleh, brother of President Museveni, who acts as his senior advisor on defence and security.

“We explained to them why we deployed in their country and they agreed that we can stay there until IGAD deploys,” Opondo said. “They also agreed that a military option can not bring lasting peace in South Sudan.”

Opondo said Ugandan officials explained to the visiting rebels that Uganda had not deployed its troops to take sides in the conflict, but rather it went “in to stop a genocide”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated Major-General Philip Wachira Kameru to head the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi made the announcement during Thursday’s House sitting as he passed the message from the President.

Major-General Kameru will replace Major-General (Rtd) Michael Gichangi who resigned last week as the top spy chief on personal grounds.

President Kenyatta noted that Major-General Kameru has given distinguished service to the country over 36 years, during which he rose steadily through the ranks to Director of Military Intelligence of the Kenya Defence Forces in 2011.

His term of duty has been characterised by exemplary diligence, dedication, and leadership.

“Major-General Kameru is credited with the success of Kenya’s intelligence-gathering in Somalia, as part of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) – a deployment that seeks to restore peace and order to the country, as well as to secure our own borders and the region,” read a statement from State House.

A man known for his discipline and loyalty, Major-General Kameru is rated by the military as ‘an exemplary professional’.

“Our intelligence service must now meet both new and old challenges. Major-General Kameru has gathered extensive experience in operational and administrative matters. He has also undergone rigorous training both in Kenya and abroad,” President Kenyatta said of his nominee.

“His ability has been tested by long service, and his performance and conduct have been found excellent. His experience, learning and integrity show that he is fit to lead and strengthen Kenya’s intelligence-gathering effort.”

The NIS Director designate holds three Masters Degrees – MSc in Natural Resources Management; MA in International Studies; and MSc in Security Management.

The National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs will vet the nominee within 14 days after it first meets after receiving the names of the nominee and present the report to Parliament.

The committee led by Tetu MP Ndungu Gethenji will make history as it considers the suitability of Major-General Kameru, because until the passage of the 2010 Constitution, past spy chiefs were always appointed by the President without going through ‘public scrutiny’.

The Speaker shall notify the President of the decision of the National Assembly.

Section 7 (6) of the National Intelligence Service Act says Director-General shall be deemed to have been approved if the National Assembly has neither approved nor rejected the nomination of the person upon the expiry of a period of 60 days from the date of the nomination.

A person is qualified for appointment as the Director-General if the they are a citizen of Kenya, holds a degree from a university recognized in Kenya; have knowledge and at least 15 years experience in intelligence or national security;

The nominee must have served in a senior management position in the service or public service for at least 10 years, and meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity.

Capitalfm

At least 91 MPs had by yesterday evening signed a document in support of a drive to re-introduce the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2014, which was nullified by the Constitutional Court last Friday, on grounds that Parliament passed it without the required quorum.

The court’s action removed the law from the country’s statute books in spite of protests from the State that the petitioners did not tender actual evidence to support their claim that there was no quorum when it was enacted.

Kawempe North MP Latif Sebaggala kicked off the collection of signatures yesterday afternoon, saying colleagues want Parliament to put on hold the handling of the ongoing Budget process and first ensure the re-passage of the anti-gay activity law when it resumes from the mini recess later this month.

When the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled before Parliament in 2009, as a private member’s initiative by Ndorwa West MP David Bahati, it was condemned by the Western countries as an affront to human rights.