Tag: GreatLakesNews

{Tanzania has vowed to work closely with other African Union (AU) member states in discussing about security challenges facing the continent and engage in diplomatic talks in seeking solution as stipulated in the union’s Constitution. The Vice President Ms Samia Suluhu Hassan made the assurance here yesterday at the 27th AU Heads of State and Government summit.}

She gave the country’s stance when making a presentation on peace and security situation in the African continent. “We (Tanzania) are saddened and condemn any acts of peace violation that continue emerging in some African countries, something which threatens the security of citizens,” she said.

Ms Samia expressed her concerns regarding the ongoing violation of peace, citing examples of recent killing of former Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Ms Hafsa Mossi, as well as recent fights that erupted in South Sudan during which hundreds of civilians have died.

The VP called on conflicting parties in Burundi and South Sudan to effectively engage in the ongoing peace talks because that would be a right way to restore peace in the countries. Ms Samia, who is representing President John Magufuli, further appealed to the International Community to continue assisting South Sudan in finding permanent solution to the conflict pitting the country.

Speaking on the AU Security Council, she said Tanzania was supporting the idea of the AU which wants at least two African countries to have permanent slots in the Security Council.

During the opening of the meeting, the leaders emphasized on the issue of strengthening unity among the Member States, saying that was the right way of bolstering economic growth. The Member States also launched a common passport that will grant visa-free access to all 54 member states.

The electronic passports will be issued to heads of state and senior officials. The Union aims at distributing the passports to all African citizens by 2018.

{Dr Kituyi said the target is more than Sh1.4 trillion ($14 billion) by the end of the week.}

President Uhuru Kenyatta and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday led thousands of delegates in opening the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

Speaking at KICC shortly after arriving from Rwanda, where the 27th African Union Summit is taking place, President Kenyatta called for concerted efforts in addressing the various agreements reached in similar fora, particularly on goals to reduce poverty and spur development.

“The same challenges discussed in Nairobi at the 4th Unctad conference in 1976 are even more relevant today. It is my hope that this year’s conference’s focus on action will be a key game changer in driving some of the agreements we have reached previously in promoting trade and innovation, which are central to our development agendas,” said President Kenyatta.

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni was expected to join the leaders but made a last-minute change to stay in Kigali and support his country’s bid for the AU Commission chairmanship.

He was represented by his vice-president, Mr Edward Ssekandi.

Uganda is fronting its former vice-president, Ms Specioza Kazibwe, to chair the powerful organ of the AU and Mr Museveni’s absence, as well as his Namibian counterpart Hage Geingob, laid bare the extent to which the Kigali event had eaten into Nairobi’s guest list for heads of states from Africa.

There had been conflicting indications of the official guest list but eventually, no other head of state from the region showed up.

The event, however, kicked off colourfully at KICC, where it took place for the first time in Africa 40 years ago. Mr Ban expressed optimism that the focus on action as the key theme for the conference was a positive sign that participants had realised the need for implementation and progress.

“This is the second time Unctad is coming to Nairobi,” said Mr Ban. “We need to ask ourselves what has changed since 1976. The challenges remain the same, including the vulnerability of the developing countries to declines in commodity prices as well as worrying signs of unsatisfactory pace of economic growth, and it is time to translate the decisions to action.”

The UN chief added that the world “must unite in eliminating detractors like protectionism and xenophobia for all-inclusive and sustainable growth”.

Unctad Secretary-General and former Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi said the choice of Kenya as the host for the conference for the second time showed the country’s pivotal position in promoting trade without borders.

Unctad is held every four years, with the last two having been held in Ghana and Qatar in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

{{FINANCIAL OUTCOME}}

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed was elected president of the Nairobi conference and will take charge as the chair of the ministerial meetings throughout the week.

President Kenyatta, who invited the guests to sample the hospitality offers in the country, is expected to join them today for the high-level segment discussions.

Once the ceremony kicks off, members will crunch out the detailed outlines of the Unctad programme of work for the next four years.

The meeting in Nairobi is also expected to issue a political declaration at the end of the conference to guide the future work at Unctad.

“We are looking to give it a Kenyan name, we have not agreed on one although we have a number of options, and am hoping to convince them to go with mine,” said Ms Amina.

The conference will have 10 side conferences. The more than 10,000 delegates will be holding weeklong deliberations on key economic issues, including the fall in commodity prices, globalisation, economic partnerships and sustainable development.

Kenya is represented by 4,600 delegates and is among the developing countries hopeful that negotiations will protect their economies, increase investments and save them from debt distress.

The forum is also expected to come up with tangible measures aimed at reducing global economic inequality, among other pressing challenges.

UN officials, heads of governments, global private and public sector representatives, civil society and youth groups will be under pressure to ensure that the final text meets the expectations of the world.

The success of the UN arm for mobilising financing for development will be measured by the amount of investments that will be pledged and achieved during the conference.

Unctad has organised the World Investment Forum, which has brought together fund managers, investors, individuals looking for partnerships, mergers and acquisitions and to start new enterprises.

Dr Kituyi said the target is more than Sh1.4 trillion ($14 billion) by the end of the week.

“The last World Investment Forum which lasted three days, unlike this one which goes for four days, ended with transactions and deals worth $14 billion. There’s no reason we shouldn’t.

“I think there would substantially be larger number of governments and companies and interested investors participating in our match-making,” he said earlier.

The main conference has been structured to come out with a framework that will address challenges and opportunities in multilateralism for trade and development.

Terrorism, climate change and global economic volatility will form crucial deliberations with Kenya being a key driver of the decisions after the event having played host.

Outside the formal conference delegations will be shuttling between the various factions of the 194 member organisations to lobby for their interests.

{Lawyers have expressed different opinions on the High Court’s decision, nullifying some provisions under the Marriage Act, allowing a girl under the age of 18 years to get married.}

While some of the advocates support the judgment, saying it has come at the right time, others are on the contrary, claiming that many societies practising the custom would be highly affected, notably the Muslims.

The Attorney General (AG), Mr George Masaju, who is the government’s chief adviser on legal matters, could not be reached for comment on the court’s decision as his mobile phone kept on ringing without being answered when contacted on several occasions.

Advocate Hudson Ndusyepo is the first lawyer to open the debate on this matter. He told the ‘Daily News’ in an interview that he has been impressed by the decision which has come up with a clear position on the matter which has been under criticism for a long time.

He explained that when comparing rights for children in other laws, a child cannot enter into contract and he or she does so through a guardian and even the guardian would be involved in the transaction without seeking consent of the child.

“Under this decision, children rights will be protected. The Marriage Act was forcing the girl under 18 years to enter into a marriage contract, while such contract is entered upon consent of parents or guardian, while such guardian is not part to the terms and conditions of the contract,” the lawyer said.

Mr Ndusyepo, who was a trial attorney before jumping out of the prosecution’s wagon to the defence side pointed out further that the Marriage Act had given obligations to the child to perform the marriage contract, while such child was not recognized by the law.

Former President of the Tanganyika Law Society Mr Francis Stolla went extra miles, arguing that it is a cardinal principle of law that in every general rule, there must be exceptions. He is quick to point out, however, that the nullification of the provisions in question was not supposed to be absolute. According to him, the court was supposed to leave a certain room to accommodate some of circumstances that may arise in the society.

However, he said, he agreed with the findings of the court because under normal circumstances nobody was required to consent on someone else’s behalf. “The consent must come from a particular person, especially to children because they are presumed to lack that requisite capacity to consent.

Therefore, no person should consent on behalf of a person who has no ability and capacity to consent and for this matter, for marriage,” the seasoned lawyer said. Mr Stolla was, however, so critical on part of implementation of the court’s decision in particular when the girl under the age of 18 years get pregnant and the child who is expected to be born would be entitled to the parental care for both sides, that is, mother and father.

“If the general rule remains absolute, then the child born will be illegitimate for that matter, while if there were exceptions, that marriage would be allowed for the purpose of giving right to the newly born child,” he said.

He pointed out further that such kinds of practices have been there for a long time and he could not know whether the judges had taken into consideration the circumstances prevailing in the society. He was of opinion that the law should not seal the house without leaving a fire exit.

Advocate Yahaya Njama criticized the High Court decision, claiming that it has an adverse impact and would affect the majority in the society especially tribes and regions which are still practising such customary procedures, including Muslims and that the judges never considered what prevails in society.

He pointed out that the Islamic law allows girls under the age of 18 years to get married and the court decision was a result of an action by human right activists, who did not represent the whole society including those involved in the customs.

“Furthermore, these communities were not involved in the matter. There is no proof that efforts were made to make members of the community to be affected to be aware of the proceedings. As a result, they have been condemned unheard,” Mr Njama, also a seasoned lawyer, said.

Advocate Daim Khalfan also criticized the decision in question because the marriage under 18 years was not a mandatory requirement, as there were some conditions in place for one to contract such kind of marriage for the same to be valid.

He explained further that there was no proof showing that the reasons that had enabled the enactment of the provisions to allow marriage of girls under the majority age do not exist at the moment. According to him, it should be noted that the Marriage Act was a result of collection and alignment of several other laws relating to marriage or family law like customary law, religious laws and some society laws. “That is why 14 years of age for some societies is possible.

Therefore, there were no cogent and compelling reasons to strike the provisions. The Marriage Act was subjected to white paper and scientific research which led to its enactment.

If there was something wrong, it was imperative to conduct a similar research to involve all necessary communities, which are applying the laws allowing the marriage under the age of 18 years and not to rush to nullify the provisions concerned,” the advocate concluded.

Recently, a High Court panel comprising former Principal Judge Shaban Lila, Sekiet Kihiyo and Ama Munisi nullified sections 13 and 17 of the Tanzania Law of Marriage Act, which allow girls to marry at age 15 with parental permission and at age 14 with the permission of a court.

They ruled that the provisions were unconstitutional and, therefore, gave the Attorney General one year from the date of the decision within which to make arrangements for amendments of the law to put the age of 18 years as minimum for one to contract marriage.

Such decision was a result of a case which was filed earlier this year by Rebeca Gyumi, who is the director and founder of the Msichana Initiative. The organisation advocates for the rights of women and girls, claiming that the persistence of child marriage is a threat to an already vulnerable group in society.

The court ruling follows a series of new legal measures, adopted by the Tanzanian government, that make it a crime to attempt to marry school-going children under 18, as well as any “person who impregnates a primary school or a secondary school girl.”

The Court pointed out that while the Law of Marriages Act may have been enacted with good intentions in 1971, this intention is no longer relevant because the effect of the Act now is to discriminate against girls by depriving them of opportunities that are vital for all citizens.

{The United Nations Security Council is considering sending up to 228 U.N. police to Burundi to monitor the security and human rights situation in the country.}

France circulated a draft resolution to the 15-member council on Friday, that would deploy police for one year and ask U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report on grave security incidents or human rights abuses.

Burundi’s U.N. ambassador, Albert Shingiro, said on Friday his country would only accept up to 50 unarmed U.N. police, adding that “the sovereignty of Burundi must be fully respected.”

More than 450 people have been killed since President Pierre Nkurunziza pursued and won a third term last year, a move that his opponents say violated the constitution and a peace deal that ended a civil war in 2005.

Government officials and members of the opposition have been among those killed in tit-for-tat violence.

The violence in Burundi has caused alarm in a region where memories of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide remain raw.

So far the violence has largely followed political rather than ethnic lines. But the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said last month he feared increased violence and incitement could turn ethnic in nature.

The draft resolution “strongly urges the government of Burundi and all parties to cease and reject any kind of violence and condemn any public statement inciting violence or hatred.”

In response to a council request, Ban gave the council three options for a possible police deployment in a report in April: a light footprint of 20 to 50 police personnel to assess the Burundi police, a monitoring presence of 228 police, or a protection and monitoring deployment of some 3,000 police.

About a quarter of million people have fled the violence in Burundi.

{Ugandans who had been trapped in the troubled South Sudan sighed with relief and ululated after being evacuated by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on Friday}

Ugandans who had been trapped in the troubled South Sudan sighed with relief and ululated after being evacuated by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on Friday. About 1,000 people were evacuated on the first day of the rescue mission.

They crossed through Elegu border post in Atiak Sub-county Amuru District on Friday evening amid thunderous cheers from businessmen at Elegu Trading Centre and Ugandan security officials.

Majority of the Ugandans are business persons operating in Gumbo market in Juba Town, Nisitu Town and Juba, capital of South Sudan.

The UPDF rescue mission follows the fights that erupted between soldiers loyal to president Salva Kiir and his first vice president, Dr Riek Machar last week. The fighting left over 300 people dead and over 36,000 displaced into neighboring countries. President Museveni last week ordered for the evacuation of Ugandans trapped in the South Sudan.

{{The evacuation mission}}

On Thursday morning, two battalions of heavily armed UPDF soldiers commanded by the Gulu 4th Division infantry Commander, Brig Kayanja Muhanga, left Elegu border in Atiak Sub-county Amuru District into South Sudan in a convoy of about 40 army and police trucks.

The UPDF convoy, however, entered into an ambush later in the afternoon at Moli village in Magwi county, Eastern Equatorial state after unknown gunmen shot at one of the trucks injuring three soldiers. The journey was delayed for more than 40 minutes as a team of UPDF went on to assess the situation.

The convoy thus spent a night at Nisitu Barracks in Nisitu Town before proceeding to Gumbo Market on Friday where thousands of Ugandans from different parts of South Sudan had camped waiting for evacuation.

On sight of the UPDF convoy, businesses at the market came to a standstill as Ugandans ululated and cheered the government’s efforts to rescue them.
Brig Muhanga, who is heading the evacuation mission, told journalists at Gumo Market that the evacuation will be held in two batches because of the overwhelming numbers of those registered.

“The trucks we came with cannot accommodate all the people who have registered to come to Uganda. We have decided that the next batch will be evacuated on Saturday. UPDF will remain in Nisitu waiting for the last evacuation,” Brig Muhanga said.

Brig Muhanga, however, said no one has been forced to evacuate adding that it is a choice for one to leave South Sudan or stay although he warned that the security in the country is still fragile.

“Majority of those evacuated are women and children. We are estimating that more 3,000 people will be evacuated in the next batch on Saturday,” he said.

{{The life saving move}}

Brig Muhanga said some people who have vehicles and motorcycles were given the green light to join the army convoy as it headed to Uganda.
Mr Xavier Oloya, one of those evacuated who hails from Gulu District said he had been hiding in his house for the last four days in Juba city since the fights broke out last week.

“Since the fighting erupted, I could not get out of the house until I learnt about the evacuation mission and was able to come out of the house to Gumbo Market to get registered. I am happy today that I am going home safely courtesy of the UPDF,” Mr Oloya said.

Mr Elijah Nyaderi, a Kenyan national employed by Spedag Interfreight as a driver, lauded President Museveni for ordering the evacuation.

“Although some of us are not Ugandans, the evacuation mission did not leave us out. We are grateful to Uganda for the help they extended to us,” Mr Nyaderi said.

{The officer is said to have been on a mission to rescue his friend.}

Police in Kapenguria had been forewarned of an impending terrorist attack but failed to act on the intelligence, the Sunday Nation has learnt.

Highly-placed sources within the security apparatus said the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had warned that a terrorist cell in the region was planning to launch an attack, but a senior officer within the county police command did not take any action.

Local police had also been told to keep an eye on the rogue police officer who ran amok and shot dead seven of his colleagues in a gun battle at the Kapenguria police station on Thursday.

This is after the rogue officer, identified as Abdi Hakim Maslah, requested to quit the police force hardly a year after graduating from the Kiganjo Police Training College.

His request was turned down, apparently because of the fear that he would flee to join Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

These fears were confirmed after police recovered a phone from him containing a WhatsApp message declaring support for Al-Shabaab.

He also bragged that he had killed many officers and destroyed at least six vehicles during the attack. He also set free “a brother” detained at the police station on a terrorism related case.

“Now the Kaffir (non-believers) lost at least six vehicles and many of their soldiers. Also freed is a brother detained for suspected terrorism,” the message read.

West Pokot police county commander Mathew Kuto said the phone was recovered from the slain officer after he was felled by marksmen from the Ruiru-based Recce squad, who had been flown in to subdue him after an eight-hour standoff, during which he killed seven officers including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS).

(Read: Kapenguria OCS, six police officers dead in attack)

It would appear the rogue officer sent the message while holed up at the police station for hours battling the joint rescue deployment from the Quick Reaction Team and the Hostage Rescue Team.

“We are holding the phone to help us establish whether this officer was a terrorist. I cannot believe that a normal officer can shoot dead his colleagues,” Mr Kuto told the Sunday Nation.

The officer was one of five who were to be on duty on Wednesday night, but he left at 11pm without the permission of the station boss, raising questions as to why no disciplinary action was taken against him.

RESCUE MISSION
Questions are also being asked on why he was allowed to take an AK-47 rifle that had been assigned to him and which he used to kill his colleagues the next morning.

Normal procedure is that officers return their firearms to the armoury at the end of their shift.

The officer is said to have been on a mission to rescue his friend, identified as Omar Eumond, a teacher at Victoria Primary School in Kacheliba.

Before storming the police station, the rogue officer was spotted in the front yard removing fuel tank caps from cars parked there.

PHOTO GALLERY: Rogue officer kills seven in Kapenguria gun battle)

Sources within the county’s security team said the authorities at the station were aware of the close ties between the rogue cop and the suspected terrorist, raising questions as to why they went ahead to detain him at the very police station the rogue officer was based.

The Sunday Nation learnt that policeman Maslah enjoyed the protection of a senior officer within the county security command who always frustrated any effort to investigate his links with suspected terrorists.

(Read: GSU Recce officer who died in Kapenguria was newly wed)

A section of the county security team blamed the senior officer for failure to act on intelligence reports that an attack was about to be launched.

“The information was given early by the NIS but he did not take action,” noted the source.

Maslah, according to intelligence reports, was working with a cell operating from a learning institution and a security installation in the county.

When it became apparent that Maslah was overpowering duty officers at the station, an additional 50 officers were mobilised to subdue him.

A gun battle ensued and the suspected terrorist was moved from the police station and transferred to an unknown station in Nairobi.

But it took the Quick Reaction Team and the Hostage Rescue Team at Makutano Primary School until around 10am to eventually fell him from the area in the police station where he had taken cover.

{Presidnet John Magufuli yesterday appointed new leaders and executives of government institutions including the Chairman of Tanzania Labour Party (TLP), Mr Augustino Lyatonga Mrema, who has been appointed new Chairman of Tanzania National Parole Board.}

Mr Mrema, also former Vunjo Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) takes over from retired Judge Eusebia Nicholas Manuo, whose term has ended. Mr Mrema’s three-yearterm is effective from July 16. According to the statement issued by the Acting Director for Presidential Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, President Magufuli also promoted various officials with Tanzania Police Force.

Among those appointed new leaders and executives in government institutions include Prof William Mahalu and Prof Mohammed Janabi new chairman and Director of Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) respectively.

Their appointments which are three-term are effective from July 16, this year. Prof Angelo Mtitu Mapunda and Ms Sengiro Mulebya have been appointed new Commissioners of Judicial Service Commission of Tanzania. The appointments are three-year term effective July 15.

Olive Joseph Mhaiki and Winfrida Gasper Rutaindurwa have been appointed new Chairman and Secretary of Tanzania Teachers Service Commission (TSC) respectively, effective from July 15. They would serve for a three-year term.

Dr Charles Rukiko Majinge has been appointed new Chairman of Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Board of Trustees and Dr Julius David Mwaiselage has been appointed new Executive Director of Ocean Road Cancer Institute. Their three-year term is effective from July 16.

In another development, President Magufuli approved the promotion of 25 Senior Assistant Commissioners of Police (SACP) to the Deputy Commissioners of police (DCP) and 34 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) to Senior Assistant Commissioners (SACP).

Among the officers promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) are Essaka Ndege Mugasa, Adamson Afwilile Mponi, Charles Ndalahwa Julius Kenyela, Richard Malika Revocatus, Geofrey Yesaya Kamwela, Lucas John Mkondya, John Mondoka Gudaba, Matanga Renatus Mbushi, Frasser Rweyemamu Kashai, Ferdinand Elias Mtui, Germanus Yotham Muhum, Fulgence Clemence Ngonyani, Modestus Gasper Lyimo, Mboje John Shadrack Kanga and Gabriel G.A. Njau.

Others are, Ahmed Zahor Msangi, Anthony Jonas Rutashubulugukwa, Dhahir Athuman Kidavashari, Ndalo Nicholus Shihango, Shaaban Mrai Hiki, Simon Thomas Chillery, Leonard Lwabuzara Paul, Ahmada Abdalla Khamis, Aziz Juma Mohamed and Juma Yussuf Ally.

Those promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioners (SACP) are Fortunatus Media Musilimu, Goyayi Mabula Goyayi, Gabriel Joseph Mukungu, Ally Omary Ally, Edward Selestine Bukombe, Sifael Anase Mkonyi, Naftari J. Mantamba, Onesmo Manase Lyanga, Paul Tresphory Kasabago, Dadid Mshahara Hiza, Robert Mayala, Lazaro Benedict Mambosasa, Camilius M. Wambura, Mihayo Kagoro Msikhela, Ramadhani Athumani Mungi, Henry Mwaibambe Sikoki, Renata Michael Mzinga and Suzan Salome Kaganda.

The rest are Neema M. Mwanga, Mponjoli Lotson, Benedict Michael Wakulyamba, Wilbroad William Mtafungwa, Gemini Sebastian Mushi, Peter Charles Kakamba, Ramadhan Ng’anzi Hassan, Christopher Cyprian Fuime, Charles Philip Ulaya, Gilles Bilabaye Muroto, Mwamini Marco Lwantale, Allute Yusufu Makita, Kheriyangu Mgeni Khamis, Nassor Ali Mohammed, Salehe Mohamed Salehe and Mohamed Sheikhan Mohamed.

The statement said the promotion is effective from July 15, this year.

{Bujumbura has said it would not accept more than 50 UN police officers, but negotiations are ongoing on the proposed larger force.}

France presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on Friday that calls for deploying up to 228 UN police to Burundi to monitor human rights and help quell violence in the African country.

The draft measure, obtained by AFP, said the force would be deployed in Bujumbura and throughout Burundi for an initial period of one year, but that the size and mandate could change if violence worsens.

It remains unclear whether the government of Burundi would give its consent for the deployment, which would be required for the UN force to be dispatched.

Bujumbura has said it would not accept more than 50 UN police officers, but negotiations are ongoing on the proposed larger force.

Russia and Egypt have said they will support a UN police force only if the Bujumbura government agrees to its deployment.

The UN police force would be tasked with monitoring security and human rights in coordination with African Union rights observers and military experts.

Burundi has agreed to allow 100 AU rights observers and 100 AU military experts into the country to monitor the crisis, but fewer than 50 have in fact begun work on the ground.

The draft resolution urges the government to speed up the deployment of the AU monitors and to enter into dialogue with all opposition groups including “those outside the country” to end the crisis.

Political talks scheduled to open this week in Tanzania collapsed when the government refused to sit down with some opponents in exile.

The Security Council is under pressure to take action in Burundi, where the descent into violence has raised fears of mass atrocities, similar to those that convulsed neighboring Rwanda in 1994.

Burundi has been in turmoil since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced plans in April last year to run for a third term, which he went on to win.

More than 500 people have died, many of them in extrajudicial killings blamed on Burundian police, security forces and militias linked to the ruling party, according to the United Nations.

At least 270,000 people have fled the country.

The French text builds on a resolution adopted in April that asked UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to come up with options for the new police force.

Ban had proposed three options ranging from a full force of 3,000 officers to a light dispatch of 20 to 50, and warned that the situation in Burundi remained “alarmingly precarious.”

In a report, Ban had argued that a force of 228 police officers would be able to provide early warning to help avoid a major bloodletting, but that it was insufficient to ensure protection of civilians.