Tag: GreatLakesNews

{LUBUMBASHI (DR CONGO) – Several people were killed in clashes between the army and former rebels at a military base in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said.}

Tension had been mounting for days at the military base in Kamina, in the southeast, where more than 2,000 former rebels from various groups are stationed as part of a government disarmament programme.

It was unclear how many had died in the bloody clashes, with one rebel source putting the number of dead at around 10 while an army source said at least 20 people had been killed.

Regional governor Celestin Mbuyu said one lieutenant from the Congolese army was among the dead, “killed with a machete by rebels… who were headed to the city centre to loot it”.

More than 2,300 former rebels are stationed in the Kamina base, including members of the ethnic-based Mai-Mai militia and the M23 movement.

After the defeat of M23 in 2013, the government launched a programme to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate — known as DDR3 — more than 12,000 former rebels.

But the programme, the third of its kind since the end of the Second Congo War in 2003, has been hit by delays and funding problems.

Kamina has previously faced a mutiny from the disgruntled former rebels, who have complained about the living standards on the base.

A Western military source said the latest clashes exposes the limitations of the DDR3 programme and may deter other rebels from laying down arms and hamper the repatriation of former M23 refugees to Rwanda and Uganda.

{As the world marks International Day of the African Child today, international communities have been urged to consider providing more support and humanitarian assistance to the displaced Burundian refugees currently camping in Kigoma.}

Some of the camps have reached full capacity and cannot accommodate a significant influx of more refugees from Burundi in which 60 per cent of the refugees are under 18 years of age.

Acting Deputy Country Director, Programmes at Plan International Tanzania, Ms Gwynneth Wong, said this in Dar es Salaam during the screening of the film ‘My New Home’ that was filmed in Nyarugusu camp and photography exhibition to commemorate the day.

“We encourage the international humanitarian community to provide additional funds especially in education where currently 40 per cent of school aged children are not attending classes due to lack of classrooms,” she noted.

Ms Wong further said Plan International has enrolled over 4,700 children refugees in informal education, recreational activities and counselling offered in Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) in Nduta and Mtendeli camps.

Expounding further, she said they are heavily underfunded with resources overstretched, still more children require safe and friendly learning environment. All agencies are encouraged to involve children more in the design, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian assistance.

This year’s theme: “Conflicts and crises in Africa: Protecting the rights of all children” is particularly timely to show the impact of these different crises on children’s lives on the continent.

The day of the African Child is commemorated on June 16 in honour of uprisings in Soweto in 1976. A total of 135,454 Burundian refugees recorded in the country since April 2015, 132,729 are new arrivals and 2,725 births.

The total number of all Burundian refugees in North-West Tanzania is 138,429. UNHCR Representative in Tanzania, Ms Chansa Kapaya, said the conflicts in Burundi brought to a stark and grim reality of the impact of displacement on children and the need for the international community to mobilise resources to support the very urgent needs of refugee children.

{UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon pledges to help look for funds to ensure refugees are repatriated safely and with dignity.}

The United Nations (UN) has finally bowed to Kenya’s firm stand on the closure of Dadaab camp and pledged to seek funds to ensure the refugees are repatriated safely.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said President Uhuru Kenyatta and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held a meeting on the sidelines of the European Union Development Day summit in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday and agreed to ensure the refugees are treated with dignity.

Ms Mohamed said Mr Ban had said he understood Kenya’s decision and its determination to close the camp and that he had thanked Kenya for hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries for many years.

“The UN secretary-general said he understands Kenya’s decision to close the refugee camp,” she said at the Sheraton Brussels Hotel.

She stated: “It is now an internationally accepted fact that the closure of the Dadaab refugee camp is going to be done and the refugees have said they are not opposed to it”.

The development is likely to bring to an end international criticism against Kenya after it decided to close down the largest refugee camp in the world because of mounting insecurity and environmental degradation.

President Kenyatta has stuck to his government’s decision despite pleas from UN High Commissioner for Refugees Fillipo Randi and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Yesterday, Ms Mohamed said Mr Ban had indicated that the final details of the repatriation would be agreed on next month in Nairobi, when Kenya would host a meeting on the UN Conference on Trade and Development.

The meeting will also set the timelines.

Ms Mohammed said the repatriation would cost about Sh11 billion and that donors had so far only raised Sh720 million.

She said the repatriation had already started and that a total of 14,000 refugees had been flown back to Somalia.

During the meeting, President Kenyatta said the camps had been used as bases by al-Shabaab terrorists to plan and execute attacks on Kenya.

It was also agreed that the African Union Mission to Somalia troops would join the UN peacekeeping force, a decision that would be ratified by the five permanent members of the world body’s Security Council.

President Kenyatta delivered the African Union’s position that the UN should step in to support Amisom in Somalia with a view to converting it into a UN peacekeeping mission.

“The United Nations should consider fully supporting Amisom at all levels commensurate with similar UN peace enforcement missions as well as put in place timely modalities for the transition from Amisom to a UN mission,” he said.

Ms Mohamed said Mr Ban had also promised to take the AU’s proposal to the UN Security Council, which would make the final decision on the matter.

{President John Magufuli has asked all Tanzanians to join Muslims who are currently fasting in the holy month of Ramadhan, to pray for the nation so as peace, harmony and unity continue prevailing in order to attain the envisaged development.}

Dr Magufuli has also warned business people to refrain from hiking food prices so as Muslims can be able to purchase their preferred food at cheaper prices. The head of state gave the call at an Iftar event that he hosted for Sheiks and Imams at State House.

The event that aimed at unifying Tanzanians from across all social classes and achieve social development goals for the country, was also attended by Christian clerics.

“On behalf of the government and Tanzanians at large, I want to take this opportunity to wish all Muslims in the country a prosperous holy month of Ramadhan, I believe it will be full of blessings and God will surely respond to your prayers,’’ he said.

The president however, underscored the need to preach peace, insisting that there could be no development without peace. Dr Magufuli assured Tanzanians that his government would ensure peace prevails.

He was convinced by solidarity exhibited by all religious leaders regardless of their denominations in all regional committees.

The Iftar event was also attended by First Lady, Janeth Magufuli, Prime Minister’s spouse Mary Majaliwa, acting Mufti of the Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata), Alhaj Hamid Masoud Jongo and Dar es Salaam head of Anglican Church Bishop, Valentino Mokiwa among others.

{Security services in the Republic of Congo have detained opposition leader General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko on Tuesday night over accusations of planning a coup d’etat in a video filmed in 2007.}

“We have just been notified about his arrest at 18H 45 local time(17H 45 GMT). He is in custody at the DGST (security services),” Mokoko’s lawyer Eric Ibouanga told reporters.

Last week, Justice Minister Pierre Mabiala had requested a speed-up of judicial procedures in Mokoko’s case.

The General who came third during the March 20 presidential election with 14 percent has been detained for questioning at the country’s security services as investigations on allegations against him intensify.

According to witnesses, Mokoko was escorted to the security services by several police officers.

He had been grilled over the video before the presidential election and since then he has been under surveillance at his home in Brazzaville .

“For now the case is still at the preliminary investigation stage. We therefore reserve the right to retain some information,” Ibouanga added.

Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko was Congo’s military chief between 1987 and 1993.

He resigned from his position as special adviser to the president in February so as to challenge Denis Sassou Nguesso during the presidential election in March.

Denis Sassou Nguesso was reelected with over 60 percent of the vote.

The results were rejected by the opposition which accused the ruling party of “massive fraud.”

{Nairobi – Two civilians in Burundi died on Tuesday when a grenade exploded in the hands of asoldier apparently about to hurl it into a crowd, killing him too, a local government official said.}

Four other civilians were wounded in the blast in the northern town of Ngozi, a stronghold district of President Pierre Nkurunziza.

“He removed the pin from one of two grenades, but it exploded in his hands and killed him on the spot as well as the bicycle taxi driver transporting him,” said local government officer Radjabu Songambere.

Another man later died of his wounds in hospital.

“Everything indicates that the soldier wanted to carry out an attack,” Songambere said.

The Ngozi region, about 130km north of the capital Bujumbura, has largely escaped over a year of violence since April 2015, when Nkurunziza launched his controversial and succesful third term bid – sparking street protests, a failed coup and a nascent rebellion.

Violence has left more than 500 people dead and forced more than 270 000 to flee the small central African country, according to the United Nations.

{Jailed Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has re-appeared in Nakawa Magistrate’s Court for a preliminary ruling on whether his treason case should be heard from Luzira Prison where he’s held on remand or court.}

On June 1, the state failed to produce Besigye in court claiming that his appearance posed a security threat.

Besigye had been scheduled to re-appear in court for the second time after two weeks ever since he was charged afresh with treason offenses.

Prosecution then asked the presiding Chief Magistrate James Ereemye to have Besigye’s case heard from Luzira Prison on grounds that his appearance in court posed a security threat.

However, Chief Magistrate Ereemye adjourned the case to today (June 15) when he would pronounce himself on prosecution’s application.

Subsequently, Besigye was brought to Court at around 8:30am amid tight security. All roads leading to Nakawa Court were also sealed off ahead of the magistrate’s pronouncement.

There’s also heavy traffic jam along Old Port bell road.

In Court, Chief Magistrate Ereemye overruled state’s request to have Besigye’s case heard from Luzira prison over security fears.

Chief Magistrate Ereemye said Dr Besigye must always appear in the court where he was arraigned.

He also ordered police and the director of Public Prosecution to hasten with their investigations into the case before adjourning it to June 29.

At his maiden court appearance at Nakawa Court, the four-time presidential candidate was not allowed to plead to the charges on grounds that they are capital in nature only triable by the High Court. Dr Besigye could not also ask for bail since the same court does not have jurisdiction to entertain his bail application.

He was then returned to Luzira prison amid tight security.

Prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye and others at large between February 20 and May 11 in diverse places of Uganda formed an intention to compel by force or constrain the government of Uganda as by law established to change its measures or counsels as to the lawfully established methods of acceding to the office of president of the Republic of Uganda.

{The government admitted delays in adjusting salaries for promoted police officers, attributing the problem to some technicalities.
}
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries William Ole-Nasha told the National Assembly here that police officers, like other public servants, get salary increments as they get promotion.

He said in the 2014/15 fiscal year for instance, a total of 1,657 rank and file police officers were promoted although their salary increments were delayed due to reasons beyond the force’s control.

Mr Ole-Nasha was answering a question by Hamad Salim Maalim (Kojani—CUF) on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Mwigulu Nchemba. In his question, the legislator had sought to know the reasons behind the undue delays of salary increment to police officers.

The deputy minister however said that the welfare department at police headquarters receives complaints over unpaid dues, advising any police officer with concern over payments to contact his/her command leaders to resolve the issue.

{Junet Mohammed was seized dramatically soon after leaving the NTV studios where he had given an interview.}

Two Cord lawmakers were on Tuesday arrested in their Nairobi homes after a police stake-out that lasted several hours.

Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire were arrested in their homes in Runda and Karen respectively.

A third, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, was arrested outside the Nation Centre where he had gone for an interview on NTV in the morning.

As other guests left the Nation Centre, Mr Mohammed stayed on after he was alerted that the officers were waiting to arrest him. He remained at the NTV offices until Siaya Senator James Orengo arrived and asked the police not to use force in taking Mr Mohammed.

The officers, led by the head of the Flying Squad, Mr Said Kiprotich, later took the MP to the headquarters of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

All the three leaders were questioned at DCI headquarters where they were later joined by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and his Kabete counterpart, Mr Ferdinand Waititu.

The two Jubilee MPs had presented themselves to the police on Monday night when they recorded statements following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police earlier in the day.

Detectives from the Flying Squad and the Special Crime Prevention Unit first arrested Mr Bosire at his Karen residence. Another group of undercover officers had camped on Kimathi Street as early as 7.30am, waiting for Mr Mohammed to finish his interview.

They had on Monday night gone to his home on Denis Pritt Road, but did not find him.

{{CRIME PREVENTION UNIT}}

Yet another team led by the Special Crime Prevention Unit head Noah Katumo had camped at Mr Muthama’s Runda residence from 11pm.

After 11 hours, Mr Muthama finally left the house accompanied by Mr Orengo, Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, Nyando MP Fred Outa, ODM’s head of communications Philip Etale and other leaders allied to Cord.

While at the DCI headquarters, the politicians were joined by Cord leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka and MPs Oburu Oginga (nominated) and Simba Arati (Dagoretti North). Only Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka were allowed to drive into the compound. Their bodyguards were ordered to remain outside with the officers at the gate, with officers saying they were under instructions not to allow them in for safety reasons.

A lorry full of General Service Unit (GSU) officers had arrived at the DCI headquarters at around 8am to beef up security as the leaders recorded statements and their supporters waited outside.

At around 1.45pm, both Mr Kuria and Mr Waititu arrived and were immediately ushered into a car that sped off to the Milimani courts where they were charged.

Addressing the press, Mr Musyoka said the arrests of Cord legislators was a cover-up to water down Mr Kuria’s sentiments on Mr Raila Odinga over the weekend.

“By arresting innocent leaders, the police are trying to incite Kenyans,” said Mr Musyoka.

Mr Odinga declined to talk to the media.

{{DISREGARD SUMMONS}}

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Joseph Boinnet, had on Monday ordered six MPs to appear before the DCI for questioning. Among those ordered to record statements were Kilifi Woman Rep Aisha Jumwa and Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri.

On Tuesday, Mr Ngunjiri said he would disregard a summons to appear before the DCI on Thursday. Mr Ngunjiri had also been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission on claims of incitement and reckless utterances.

“I will not honour these summonses unless they are channelled through the Speaker of the National Assembly because I am not a village elder to be summoned by the likes of Mr Boinnet and Mr Kaparo,” said Mr Ngunjiri.

Addressing a press conference in Nakuru Town, the first time MP denied claims that he incited youths to storm a hotel where Mr Odinga was holding a meeting with his supporters at Kiamunyi area last Saturday.

“I went at the scene to stop some rival youths who were against the meeting and wanted to storm the hotel and this does not amount to inciting the youth against a certain community,” said Mr Ngunjiri.