Tag: GreatLakesNews

{Final poll results released results amid tight security and a communications blackout, extending leader’s 32-year rule.}

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso has extended his 32 years in power, winning presidential elections in the first round with 60 percent of the vote, the interior minister said.

Interior Minister Raymond Zephyrin Mboulou announced the results on national television at 3.30am local time (02:30 GMT) on Thursday morning following a tense weekend poll held under a communications blackout.

The official count gave Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas 15 percent of the vote and General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko came in third with a little less than 14 percent.

On Wednesday, the two opposition candidates rejected partial results released by the Republic of Congo’s electoral commission, which gave the country’s long-time ruler 67 percent of votes.

Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutasa, reporting from the capital Brazzaville, said the president’s supporters started celebrating the result on Wednesday after the initial results were announced.

“In areas where the government enjoys support the streets are busy and there is hardly any police or army present. They feel keeping Nguesso in office is good for Congo,” she said.

“Opposition leaders, however, say they will not accept another win for the incumbent. The government has extended an order to shut down mobile phones and the internet to prevent unrest.”

Oil and timber rich Congo has been on edge since an October constitutional referendum that ended a two-term limit on presidential mandates, allowing the 72-year-old former paratrooper colonel to run for office again.

The long-serving leader is accused by critics of rampant corruption and nepotism and of stifling democracy.

Authorities imposed a communications blackout during the vote to prevent opposition candidates from publishing their own results. A government source said they would remain suspended until after the official results were announced.

{The parliamentary committee that oversees the implementation of the Constitution has started the scrutiny of the parallel initiatives to amend the supreme law and combine them into one driven by Parliament. }

Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee chairman Njoroge Baiya said the panel would look at all the ongoing initiatives in deciding what would go into the initiative guided by the National Assembly.

“We want to hear all of them first before we consider whether to combine all these proposals into one Bill,” said Mr Baiya.

CIOC member Ababu Namwamba said they would want an orderly process where all the energies that have gone into the various initiatives are used to push one idea.

Its inquiries were sparked by a petition filed by Joel Kiprono, a retired Major from Bomet who has a set of radical ideas on how to make the Constitution better.

{{Military service }}

Among his proposals is that the government introduce mandatory national military service for all youth leaving school. This would be different from the National Youth Service.

In the past, it was mandatory for students headed for public universities to go through the NYS programme first.

“The young person in the NYS is neither voluntary nor an employee, neither civilian nor soldier but he is always in uniform. That person is likely to be used as a tool by mischievous Kenyans,” said Mr Kiprono.

He proposed that landowners with more than 100 acres give up the rest for leasehold, foreigners be barred from owning land in Kenya and that the current number of counties be reduced to just three large zones.

Mr Kiprono also proposed a rotating presidency that would give every one of the 42 tribes hold the position.

For the first phase, he said, Kikuyus and Kalenjins should be barred from the presidency for 52 years because Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta have held the position.

{{Punguza mzigo}}

Moses Kuria, who leads the Punguza Mzigo Initiative, said the main thrust of his idea is to reduce the cost of government brought about by the Constitution.

He wants the counties reduced to 16, the Senate scrapped, the position of Woman Representative done away with, the number of Members of County Assembles reduced and the number of MPs reduced by half.

Mr Kuria reckoned that if the Senate was scrapped and the National Assembly reduced by half, that would bring a saving of Sh14 billion with similar action on MCAs yielding Sh12 billion.

Mr Kuria said the implementation of the rule to ensure not more than two-thirds of MCAS per county are of the same gender had enabled the nomination of an overwhelming number of women.

He said this combined with the increase of MCAs’ salaries from what used to be earned by councillors had placed an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer. “For an MCA to take home half a million, where did Wanjiku strike the jackpot?” he asked.

Based on recent assertions that one-third of Kenya’s budget is lost to corruption, the Gatundu South MP said he is of the belief that every governor has stolen Sh1 billion. “If I see one governor who has done good, he will go to heaven,” said Mr Kuria.

{{Special interests }}

He also criticised the performance of his colleagues nominated to Parliament or elected to represent special interests such as the Woman Representatives.
“We should have seen a flurry of motions and Bills from the young MPs and the women. I think I represent women issues much more than the woman representatives,” he said.

{The magistrate reached such a decision at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, after the RC had lost confidence inher. Makonda had accused the magistrate of issuing some words showing that she would be biased and, hence incompetent to observe justice in the case.}

Following the disqualification of the magistrate, Principal Resident Magistrate Thomas Simba has been assigned to conduct the proceedings of the case.

The matter came for mention yesterday and the new magistrate set May 2, for continuation of the hearing of the case. At the time Magistrate Riwa decided to disqualify herself from the conduct of the case, Mr Msinda, former Singida Regional Chairman and Mr Guninita, ex-Dar es Salaam Regional Chairman and then UV CCM National Chairman, had already given their testimony to support their case.

That means that RC Makonda would be required to appear before the court on May 2, to give his defence testimony against the claims presented against him by the two former cadres of the ruling party.

In the case, the two plaintiffs are demanding, among others, payment of 200m/- damages for alleged defamation.

They are accusing the RC of describing them as puppets of retired Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, allegedly used to destroy the party.

Other prayers in the suit include permanent injunction to restrain the RC from further printing and publishing or causing to be published the same or similar publications defamatory to the two plaintiffs, interests on the decretal sum at court rate from the date of judgment to the date of full satisfaction.

It is alleged that at the time the alleged defamatory statements were issued, Mr Makonda was a National Young Pioneer’s promotions secretary of UV-CCM. He is claimed to have called a press conference and issued the highly complained statements.

“Being puppets and unclean members who want to destroy the party, the plaintiffs should immediately leave the party. Religious leaders, youth and anyone who look for quick money should go to Mr Lowassa through his puppets, the plaintiffs,” reads a section of the plaint of the suit.

The plaintiffs allege that such statements were widely published and broadcast through various televisions stations like ITV, Star Television and various social media.

They claim that the statements were defamatory and were understood that the plaintiffs were intending to destroy their own party through corruption and they hold various positions within the party through corrupt means and therefore are incompetent to be leaders of CCM.

“Contrary to what the defendant alleged in the statement issued, the plaintiffs are the obedient and faithful members of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), who invested a lot in building up the party and they have never been puppets of anybody as alleged or at all,” the plaintiffs state in the plaint of the suit.

The statements published by the defendant, according to the plaintiffs, were circulated to injure and damage their reputation by exposing them to hatred, contempt or ridicule among members of CCM and the entire community at large.

“In consequence thereof, the publication has lowered the reputation and esteem of plaintiffs in the estimation of the right thinking members of the public in their positions and capacity they hold and held,” states another part of the plaint.

In a bid to mitigate the damages allegedly suffered, the plaintiffs through their advocate, Mr Benjamin Mwakagamba from BM Attorneys, demanded apology and compensation in lieu of such consequences.

But the defendant in reply thereto alleged that he was acting in his official capacity under the auspices of CCM Youth Wing and pursuant to the constitution, rules and regulation of his party, CCM, thus he could not render the apology nor make any compensation.

The plaintiffs allege that there is no any provision in constitution, rules and regulation of CCM party which provides for anybody or members to publish the untrue and defamatory statement, any official statement of the party is issued by known and recognised party’s spokesperson.

As a result of the defamatory statements issued, the plaintiffs claim that their career, current and future, have been seriously injured such that unless redressed by the court they are likely to lose various posts within and outside their party as members and community have negative images.

{Nairobi: A senior Burundi army officer and ally of President Pierre Nkurunziza was shot dead in the capital on Tuesday, army sources said, the latest in a series of killings in an almost year-long crisis that risks plunging the African nation back into war.}

Lieutenant Colonel Darius Ikurakure was shot in the Defence Ministry by a man who then fled, one soldier told Reuters. Two other sources gave similar accounts.

There was no official statement. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the reported assassination. “Such acts of violence risk exacerbating the current crisis in Burundi,” Ban’s spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal for Burundians to resolve their differences peacefully and to engage immediately in an inclusive and transparent political dialogue.” Tit-for-tat killings of pro-government and opposition figures have sparked international concerns that Burundi, which emerged from an ethnically charged civil war a decade ago, could slide back into conflict.

The crisis has rattled a region with a history of ethnic fighting, including neighbouring Rwanda which suffered a genocide in 1994.

“Many were at home for their lunch …,” one of the army sources, who asked not be identified, said. “That is why he was probably not seen and arrested.”

Ikurakure was commander of a combat engineering battalion based in Muzinda, northeast of the capital, Bujumbura.

He was seen as close to Nkurunziza, with whom he fought as a rebel during the civil war that ended in 2005. Opponents accused him of being behind arbitrary arrests and killings in some areas of Bujumbura over the last year.

The government says it only arrests those behind violence, and dismisses accusations of extra-judicial killing. Burundi’s crisis erupted in April when Nkurunziza said he was bidding for a third presidential term. His opponents said the move was unconstitutional but he went on to win a disputed election three months later.

{When he turned to see who it was, the man immediately grabbed him by the neck and sunk his teeth into his nose, yanked off a chunk, swallowed it and fled to nearby bush.

The police in mpigi are holding a 28-year old man over cannibalism.}

Philip Mukasa, the police spokesperson for Katonga region, identified the suspect as Peter Ssebidde, a resident of Katwe Zone in Mpigi town council, who is currently under police custody for allegedly biting Simon Kasanya’s nose.

The incident happened on Monday night at a local bar located at Katwe zone.

According to Kasanya, who was found making a statement at Mpigi central police station, he was trying to park his motorcycle at the bar to join his colleagues when someone grabbed him from behind.

When he turned to see who it was, the man immediately grabbed him by the neck and sunk his teeth into his nose, yanked off a chunk, swallowed it and fled to nearby bush.

“I was parking my motorcycle at the bar to join my friend for a drink and someone grabbed my neck and when I turned round, he bit my nose and run off,” Kasanya said.

Ssebidde was arrested at police where he had gone to report the case of assault but found his victim recording a statement at the same police station.

Ssebidde is going to be subjected to a medical check up to establish his mental state or he if he was under influence of drugs.

Ssebidde has been charged with unlawful wounding of a person and awaits court action once investigations are complete.

{Deputy President William Ruto will know his fate in two weeks, when International Criminal Court judges rule on whether he and broadcaster Joshua arap Sang have a case to answer.}

If the judges rule that Mr Ruto and Mr Sang have a case to answer, the two will be put on their defence. They might then be required to call witnesses in their defence.

But if judges Chile Eboe-Osuji, Olga Herrera Carbuccia and Robert Fremr decide that the two do not have a case to answer, the crimes against humanity charges against Mr Ruto and Mr Sang will begin to collapse.

Tuesday, sources within Mr Ruto’s defence team revealed that the ICC Trial Chamber had set April 5 as the date when they will deliver their ruling over the DP’s application to have the case against him at The Hague court terminated.

Mr Ruto and Mr Sang will be required to travel to The Hague and be present as the judges deliver the ruling.

The decision will either free Mr Ruto and Mr Sang from the case arising from the 2007/2008 post-election violence or subject them to more court sessions at the ICC if their no-case-to-answer Motion is dismissed.

Lawyers for the two filed the Motion in September last year, saying Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had not built a case to have the two put on their defence.

It was heard in January but the judges blocked the defence teams from presenting witnesses to support their arguments.

However, lawyers Karim Khan and Katwa Kigen for Mr Ruto and Mr Sang respectively argued that the case had collapsed after the prosecution failed to present adequate evidence.

Some witnesses had recanted their statements.

A similar move in another case involving President Uhuru Kenyatta had led the prosecutor to withdraw the matter. She said she could not prove her case.

Early last month, Mr Ruto and Mr Sang edged closer to their acquittal after the Appeals Chamber reversed a decision of the Trial Chamber to use unsworn evidence, which the prosecution argued was at the core of the case.

Mr Khan maintained that the withdrawal of the witnesses placed Ms Bensouda’s team in a precarious position, where they could not support their claims.

“The prosecution never called 13 of the witnesses it had said it would, and those who appeared confessed to having lied. Three have recanted and denied their evidence under oath and one witness failed to come to court,” he said.

{President John Magufuli has sent a condolence message to Njombe Regional Commissioner, Dr Rehema Nchimbi, following the sudden death of Njombe District Commissioner, Sarah Dumba, which occurred on Monday evening.}

Ms Dumba suddenly fell ill on Monday afternoon and was later rushed to Njombe-Kibena Hospital where she died while receiving treatment at around 7:00 pm. In his condolence, President Magufuli said he was shocked by Ms Dumba’s sudden death who, he said, was known for her hard work, honesty and integrity in public service and leadership.

“I have been saddened by the death of Ms Dumba. We would love to see her alive but that’s how God wanted it to be; she was good leader in our country,” said the president, in a statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communication.

President Magufuli said he joined the family of the deceased, siblings, relatives, friends and all the people affected by her death, asking them to be calm and patient during this hard time.

He noted that the late Ms Dumba will be remembered for the great work in bringing development to the country, especially in agriculture and animal husbandry, and instituting discipline to the civil service.

According to Njombe Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Jackson Saikadau, the deceased will be buried on Thursday at Mbutu Mwembe Mdogo in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam.

The burial ceremony will be held at her father’s residence at Ferry Midizini area. Mr Saikadu said yesterday that Njombe district residents would pay their last respects and later the body will be transported to Dar es Salaam for burial.

“We expect to commence our journey around 4:00 pm from Njombe to Dar es Salaam and we expect to arrive on Thursday morning for the burial ceremony,” he said.

Makete District Commisioner, Mr Daudi Yassin, said Njombe residents were saddened by the death of Ms Dumba who during her lifetime was the chairperson of all district commissioners in the region.

“We are all in shock as last Saturday we were with her during the welcoming ceremony of our regional commissioner. We will always remember her,” he said. Professionally, Ms Dumba was a broadcaster with Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam, now TBC Radio.

She entered politics when she was appointed Kilindi District Commissioner during the Kikwete Administration. From Kilindi District in Tanga Region, she was transferred to Njombe District in Njombe Region.

{The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party officials who misappropriated campaign funds are in trouble.}

Sources told Daily Monitor that billions of shillings remain unaccounted for after unidentified NRM officials (from village to national level), pocketed the money for the party flag bearers and other party activities.

They also resolved to discipline errant party members especially MPs.

The just-concluded National Resistance Movement Caucus at the weekend passed the resolution to investigate and prosecute NRM officials who stole campaign funds. The funds were meant to facilitate village meetings, lower councils, flag bearers and other related activities in the just concluded elections. The party held a nine-day retreat in Kyankwanzi last week.

The Caucus spokesperson, Mr Denis Obua (Ajuri), yesterday confirmed the resolution, which he said came from the deliberations on improving the functionality of the party. The Caucus asked NRM secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba and the party’s Central Executive Committee to see how to implement the resolution.

“We are cracking the whip on our corrupt officials as well as those in government,” Ms Obua said. “Some will be disciplined and others will be handed to police for prosecution. “Our policy is zero tolerance to corruption and there is no way we can condone impunity.”

Though the extent of NRM expenditure during the campaigns is not known, a report by the Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), a loose coalition of CSO activists, indicated that the NRM presidential candidate, Museveni spent Shs27 billion on campaigns in the two months of November and December.

Separately, the party also spent at least Shs10.5b to facilitate its delegate’s conference in November last year.

Although the Caucus resolved to put a freeze on the pay raise for public servants, Mr Museveni agreed to increase salaries for teachers. He said his government had made a commitment to increases teachers’ salaries in a phased manner.

The President, according to sources, said he is comfortable with his salary and urged others to emulate him. A report by Africa Review last year put President Museveni’s monthly salary at about Shs4 million.

According to a 25-page document, the Caucus also resolved to reinstate compulsory military training, targeting the youth under the proposed National Youth Service Programme. The Caucus is implementing Article 17 (2) of the 1995 Constitution.

Under this Article one of the duties of a citizen is to defend Uganda and to render national service when necessary.

Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda was also tasked to implement and enforce performance contracts for accounting officers and ensure that the appropriate current laws are amended to have the clause that makes accounting officers “permanent and pensionable” removed.

The Caucus singled out four major problems confronting the country as poverty, employment, corruption and lack of drugs in public hospitals. They urged the NRM government to have these challenges addressed in the coming five years.

{Communications lines were cut in Congo for a second day Monday and business was slack amid fears of post-election trouble as the country waited for results on President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s bid to extend his 32-year rule.}

The streets of the capital Brazzaville were less crowded than usual and there was little traffic on major roads linking the city’s north-south quarters, an AFP reporter said.

The head of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) told the media that the vote counting had been completed and the results nationwide were in the process of being tabulated, without indicating when they might be announced.

A government spokesman Thierry Moungalla told AFP the results could be announced “in a few hours or a few days”.

Government offices remained open Monday but business slowed down at the city’s biggest market, which sells anything from computers to caterpillars and traditional charms.

“People are scared, scared of the result,” said a taxi driver.

And inside the market, a coconut seller said “there haven’t been too many people … people are scared the results will be released today and there could be tensions.”

‘ILLEGAL PUBLICATION’

Congolese authorities shut down telephone and Internet links during the Sunday vote and on Monday for “reasons of security and national safety” and to prevent the “illegal publication” of election results by the opposition.

But Charles Zacharie Bowao, coordinator of the CTE opposition alliance, said the coalition was compiling results itself based on reports from counting centres.

Tensions have been high since an October constitutional referendum that removed a two-term limit on presidential mandates, allowing 72-year-old former paratrooper colonel Sassou Nguesso to run for office again.

The vote also removed a 70-year age limit for the presidency that could have forced one of Africa’s five longest-serving leaders to step down.

POVERTY, SQUALOUR, UNEMPLOYMENT

But Sunday’s vote passed off largely peacefully aside from an incident when police tear-gassed 200 opposition supporters demanding to be let into a polling station to observe the counting.

Sassou Nguesso has said he has no doubt he will beat his eight rivals, describing election day as a “penalty kick and then victory”.

On Friday, five rival presidential contenders — including former military chief Jean-Marie Mokoko — signed an agreement to back the strongest candidate among them in the event of a second round vote.

Sassou Nguesso is accused by critics of rampant corruption and nepotism in the oil and timber-rich country which saw growth of five percent over the five years to 2014, but remains in dire straits.

Unemployment hit 34 per cent in 2013, the last data available, and stood at 60 per cent for 15 to 24-year-olds.

The IMF fears “domestic instability” without progress in the battle to eliminate poverty.

In the run-up to the vote, Sassou Nguesso acknowledged that youth unemployment was a problem, saying 60 per cent of graduates from the country’s sole university were jobless.

“Seven years were insufficient to fully make these solutions operational… which is why we need to continue the country’s modernisation and industrialisation,” his platform said.

But a large section of the population lives in grinding poverty, lacking basic amenities.

Sassou Nguesso served as president from 1979 to 1992 and returned to power in 1997 following a civil war. He won two successive mandates in 2002 and 2009, but both tallies were contested by opposition parties.