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Tag: GreatLakesNews

  • Burundi Opposition Chief Charged With Rebellion

    Burundi Opposition Chief Charged With Rebellion

    {{Burundi charged the leader of a key opposition party and 71 supporters with rebellion after violent clashes last week, a prosecutor said, amid worsening tensions in that country. }}

    Party leader Alexis Sinduhije, who is on the run from police, and the other activists face life in jail if found guilty.

    State prosecutor Arcade Nimubona told reporters the activists from the Movement for Solidarity and Development (MSD) party were arrested Saturday after large numbers took part in a “group jog” to the centre of the capital Bujumbura, where they were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas.

    A reporter said some 200 sought refuge at the party headquarters, taking two officers hostage, before police stormed the building.

    Clashes lasted for over an hour, with at least 20 activists and five policemen wounded.

    Nimubona said that 71 of those arrested after the clashes had been charged with “rebellion, insult and violence towards the custodians of public order, and the participation in an armed insurrection”.

    An arrest warrant has been issued for Sinduhije for his “participation in an armed insurrection as a leader of the movement,” said Nimubona, adding he hoped trials would begin as “quickly as possible”.

    Sinduhije, a former journalist and founder of one of the most listened to private radio stations RPA, only returned to Burundi last year after fleeing violence following elections in 2010.

    {{Decades of conflict }}

    His MSD party, founded in 2009, is supported largely by the youth, but like most of Burundi’s opposition parties, it boycotted the presidential and legislative elections of 2010.

    The United Nations in Burundi on Monday expressed concern about the “radicalisation” of both the opposition and government, calling for restraint and dialogue ahead of general elections scheduled for 2015, in which President Pierre Nkurunziza is expected to campaign for a third term in office.

    The US State Department has also condemned both the excessive use of force against the opposition and the taking of police officers as hostages by the activists.

    Tensions between the ruling party CNDD-FDD of President Pierre Nkurunziza and opposition parties have grown in recent weeks.

    Last month leaders of the opposition Uprona party were arrested, which threatened to upset a delicate power-sharing arrangement between Burundi’s majority Hutu and minority Tutsi communities, who are still struggling to reconcile after decades of conflict.

    Burundi’s history is marred by bitter ethnic killings and civil war.

    Tensions remain high, with rebel gunmen launching a series of attacks since the 2010 boycott of general elections.

    – AFP

  • Rebellion in Darfur Declining

    Rebellion in Darfur Declining

    {{The Sudanese defence minister, Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein, announced that rebellion in Darfur has receded, stressing the start of military operations in South Kordofan state.}}

    In a speech before the parliament on Monday, Hussein asserted that security situation in Darfur is stable, pointing that rebellion in the region is confined to two areas only in the far north of North Darfur state and Wadi Hawar.

    He emphasised that the rest of Darfur region is free of rebellion but acknowledged that tribal conflicts negatively affect stability of several states in the restive region.

    Last Week, the United Nations expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Darfur and its impact on civilians and relief efforts.

    The head of Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), Tijani El-Sissi warned against the rapidly deteriorating security situation in North and South Darfur states and said that insecurity in North and South Darfur hampers the implementation of peace and development projects.

    Following the closed-door session, several MPs said the defence minister told them that the Chadian government embarked on withdrawing its troops participating in the joint force from Darfur.

    Hussein defended the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia which is accused by international organisations and rights groups of committing crimes against civilians and burning villages in Darfur, saying the RSF is a highly disciplined and professional force.

    He denied that RSF attacked any village in Darfur, saying the ordinary citizens are satisfied with their activities because they often assist them and offer services.

    Last March, the head of Darfur’s joint peacekeeping mission (UNAMID), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, slammed in a speech he delivered at Um Jaras peace forum the attacks by SRF militia on camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur.

    The SRF militia, which is widely known as the Janjaweed militias, were originally mobilised by the Sudanese government to quell the insurgency that broke out in Sudan’s western region of Darfur in 2003.

    That counter-insurgency campaign, which mainly targeted ethnic groups on account of their affiliation to the insurgents, has led to the death of approximately 300,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.7 million, according to United Nation figures.

    {sudantribune}

  • Ugandan Woman Sentenced in Liberia Over Heroin

    Ugandan Woman Sentenced in Liberia Over Heroin

    {{A criminal court in the Liberian capital Monrovia on Monday sentenced a 24-year-old Ugandan national, Shirak Nalwadda to four years imprisonment for unlawful possession and distribution of narcotic drugs.}}

    Presiding Judge, Blamo Dixon imposed the sentence on Nalwadda after jurors reached a unanimous guilty verdict in less than an hour of deliberation.

    Meanwhile, the judge ordered defendant Nalwadda to be deported from Liberia through diplomatic channels with arrangements made for her to serve her sentence in Uganda.

    He also ordered that the convict be remanded in custody at the Monrovia Central Prisons pending her deportation to Uganda.

    Nalwadda was arrested at the Roberts International Airport on Saturday, November 30,2013 with a parcel containing 1.2 kilograms of heroin.

    Its street value was estimated at $30,000.

    2, 400,000 Liberian dollars was also found in her traveling bag.

    The judge said the substance was taken to the laboratory of the Drug Enforcement Agency and upon testing, it was established that the substance was heroin.

    She was investigated by officers of the National Security Agency and other state security officers of the airport and subsequently charged with the commission of the crime of unlawful possession, trafficking and distribution of narcotics.

    NV

  • Egypt-COMESA Forum to Enhance Trade & Investment

    Egypt-COMESA Forum to Enhance Trade & Investment

    {{More than 70 senior officials representing the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade bloc, the Egyptian export and business council private sector, leading banks and related ministries, attended the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) forum held at the Four Season’s Hotel on March 27 to boost regional integration between Egypt and COMESA.}}

    The forum tackled challenges and growth opportunities and highlighted AfDB’s efforts to facilitate trade through financial and non-financial measures. The discussion and potential solutions were recorded as part of a study commissioned by AfDB entitled “Egypt-COMESA Trade Enhancement.”

    Amongst the attendees were Ambassador Mohamed Al Hamzawy, Egypt’s Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Nile Basin countries; Alaa Al Bahie, Head of the Egyptian Export Council for Food Industries and Chairman of Mass Food Co; Walid Helal, Head of the Export Council for Chemical Industries and Chairman of El Helal Group of Companies; Ayman Eissa, Chairman of the Ethiopia-Egypt Business Council and Ethiopia’s Golden Capital; and Karim Sadek, the Managing Director of Citadel Capital and Head of its Africa Operations.

    In her opening remarks, Leila Mokadem, AfDB’s Resident Representative in Egypt, said that Egypt has been a major player in the trading bloc since January 1999, although it was not among the 16 founding member states that joined COMESA in December 1994 when it was established.

    Egypt “exports the largest number of goods in the bloc, accounting for 26.8% of exports from intra-COMESA trade. It ranks fourth regarding imports,” she explained, adding that there were still more opportunities for involvement.

    Mokadem explained that in order to meet its full trade potential, Egypt must focus on trade with neighbouring African countries which have been experiencing significant growth in recent years and could be a great source of income for Egyptian traders, particularly in terms of natural resources.

    “Egypt must continue leveraging its relationship with Africa and COMESA countries. The value of Egypt’s trade and export sectors has gone from $200 million to $2.4 billion between 2002 and 2012,” said Mokadem, although exports to COMESA member nations only account for 8% of trade volumes, leaving a lot of room for growth.

    COMESA’s goal to increase regional integration goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity and the African Development Bank’s vision in this regard.

    Today, this large marketplace comprises 19 member states, covers a surface of 12 million square metres and accounts for an annual import bill worth $32 billion and an export bill that has reached $82 billion annually.

    Transport and logistics, trade finance, business knowledge and trade promotion are the three major challenges that have been identified by the aforementioned study. Poor transport infrastructure and high fuel costs remain challenging for both Egyptian and African exporters.

    Although major investments have been channeled into improving roads like the Alexandria-Cape Town Highway, regional railways and river transport, these infrastructure projects take a great deal of time and money to complete.

    The study recommends focusing on sea transport and leveraging the Red Sea-Indian Ocean corridor and revamping ports along the trade route by establishing transit, logistics and packing facilities to maximize products’ added value.

    The study also recommends the creation of an African stand-alone shipping service that would transport Egyptian exports south as well as link African exports and the European Union through the Suez Canal.

    To tackle the second challenge related to trade finance, the study advocates the establishment of an African bank network to set up a revolving line-of-credit facility exclusively marketed by a network of national African banks.

    The third challenge concerns business knowledge and trade promotion, which are hindered by customs and administrative entry barriers at border crossings.

    African traders’ preference for stocked goods over letters of credit was identified as a serious issue in addition to lackluster e-commerce facilities, which create a perception that African trading partners are unreliable.

    To counter this, the study recommends the establishment of an African Traders Database, whereby banks involved in the African bank network could provide detailed profiles of credit-worthy clients.

    In conclusion, Mokadem showcased AfDB’s tailored programs and financing options to facilitate regional integration.

    Stressing the African Development Bank’s commitment to support Egypt’s transformation and provide development assistance to the Egyptian Government in the form of loans and grants, she added that a second workshop would be organized to wrap up the final conclusions and recommendations.

  • Kenyans Register for Digital IDs

    Kenyans Register for Digital IDs

    {{Kenyans are scheduled to register afresh in a new national digital database.All East African Member states are obliged to have digital IDs as part of the Integration process that would ease movement of people within the region.}}

    The country’s Deputy President William Ruto says the new measures are aimed at enhancing security and for purposes of planning.

    “In order to address the prevailing security challenges, we intend to consolidate all current registers of persons into a single national register with accurate and relevant information,” said Ruto.

    The database will contain biometric details of all persons, land, establishments and assets.

  • Zanzibar Hosts EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health

    Zanzibar Hosts EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health

    {{The 9th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health is scheduled to take place 14 to 17 April 2014 at the Zanzibar Beach Resort Hotel in Zanzibar, Tanzania.}}

    The meeting will be held through the Session of Senior Officials from Monday 14 to Tuesday 15 April, Session of Principal Secretary/ Permanent Secretaries on Wednesday 16 April; and the Ministerial Session on Thursday 17 April 2014.

    The Honourable Minister of Health of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania is expected to officiate at the official opening of the Ministerial session.

    The meeting will be attended by delegates from the EAC Partner States’ National Ministries responsible for Health, Science and Technology and EAC Affairs as well as various National Statutory Regulatory and Services Authorities, Agencies, Boards and Councils and also National Health Research and Academic Institutions, among others.

    The meeting will consider, among others, matters under EAC regional cooperation on health systems, research and policy among the EAC Partner States; the EAC regional cooperation and integration on the Prevention and Control of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases;

    the EAC regional cooperation and integration on Medicines and Food Safety; the EAC regional cooperation and integration on the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

    The meeting will also consider the EAC regional cooperation and integration on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH); and the convening of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Donor Roundtable Meeting in June 2014.

  • Sudan Rebels Reject Government Call For Dialogue

    Sudan Rebels Reject Government Call For Dialogue

    {{The rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) Sunday has reiterated its rejection to take part in the national dialogue, saying the government is escalating military operations instead of declaring cessation of hostilities and making confidence-building measures.}}

    The rebel SRF, which says that a constitutional conference must lead to restore a democratic regime in Sudan, demands that such national process intervene after holding direct talks with them to negotiate a cessation of hostilities and open humanitarian access to civilians in the rebel areas.

    The alliance pointed in a statement on Sunday that its leadership held continuous meetings throughout last week to assess the political situation and decide on participation in the national dialogue, saying it decided not to take part in it.

    The statement added this strategic decision was made following a deep evaluation, pointing out that the regime launched systemic military operations during the last couple of months including escalation of aerial bombardment and ground attacks carried out by government militias targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

    “The Revolutionary Front is not ready to participate in this farce par excellence. We represent the victims, their mothers, their parents, sisters and brothers , and we cannot provide a cover for the continuation of war crimes in the name of (dialogue).”, said the statement.

    The rebels said the government only seeks to buy time in order to produce another version of the same regime and draft a new constitution under the control of its security apparatus.

    The statement added that the SRF doesn’t reject the dialogue and the comprehensive peaceful solution , but they want a dialogue to be based on clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.

    sudantribune

  • Nairobi Mall Terrorists May Have Used Uganda

    Nairobi Mall Terrorists May Have Used Uganda

    {{The group of Islamist gunmen who stormed the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi last year, killing at least 67 people, may have entered Kenya from neighbouring Uganda, a senior police official was quoted as saying Saturday.}}

    Uganda’s police chief, General Kale Kayihura, cited intelligence reports indicating that Uganda had been used as a transit stage. He added that Uganda was also still at risk of attack.

    “Even intelligence shows Westgate attackers passed through Uganda,” Uganda’s government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, quoted the general as saying during a high-level meeting this week of security chiefs and senior government officials.

    “Uganda is being used as a transit route by the terrorists who bomb Kenya,” he added. “We must ensure there is no disturbance in Kampala.”

    Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab claimed responsibility for the Westgate attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia, where they are fighting the extremists as part of an African Union force.

    Ugandan troops are also fighting as part of the AU force, and in 2010 Shebab bombers killed at least 76 people in restaurants in the Ugandan capital.

    The Westgate gunmen, believed to have numbered just four, were all killed in the siege.

    Four men are currently on trial in Nairobi on charges of providing them with logistical support, although it has been unclear precisely what route they took to Nairobi.

    NV

  • Rising insecurity Threatens East Africa Economy

    Rising insecurity Threatens East Africa Economy

    Persistent terrorist attacks are expected to keep Kenya’s risk profile high in the next couple of years, dampening its attractiveness to investors despite the strong economic fundamentals.

    This is according to the latest country risk assessment by American consulting firm IHS International.

    The New York Stock Exchange-listed company warns in a research note that the attacks and rampant crime in Nairobi and Mombasa, if not checked, could erode the attractiveness of East Africa’s biggest economy as an investment destination despite its promising economic prospects.

    Gus Selassie, the deputy head of Africa Analysis at IHS, says Kenya should expect terrorist attacks to continue in Nairobi and Mombasa as well as along the border with Somalia in the medium term with serious ramifications on the economy.

    The assessment comes at a time when the government is preparing to sell a $2 billion Eurobond, whose pricing will be determined by Kenya’s creditworthiness, which is determined by country risk score.

    “The insistence by the government that it will not be pulling its forces out of Somalia means the country remains a target of Al-Shabaab attacks beyond the next 12 months unless the group is defeated or severely weakened,” Mr Selassie says, adding that measures President Kenyatta announced in the State of the Union address are unlikely to result in an immediate improvement of the security situation in the next 12 months.

    IHS conducts research for global clients in sectors like defence and security, energy and power as well as country and industry forecasting.

    Kenya has in recent months suffered a series of terrorist attacks including last September’s assault on the Westgate Shopping Mall where at least 67 people were killed.

    The government has more recently responded to deadly attacks in Mombasa’s Likoni and Nairobi’s Eastleigh districts with a controversial paramilitary operation, leading to the arrest of thousands of aliens and citizens it claims are responsible for the growing insecurity.

    More than 80 Somalis were deported to Mogadishu and more continue to be held in different police stations, including the Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani.

    Interior secretary Joseph ole Lenku, and Attorney- General, Githu Muigai have defended the operation, saying it would help restore sanity in the country.

    Mr Selassie however says the duo and their colleagues in government have their job cut out for them in next 12 months for Kenya to get some semblance of security.

    Besides highlighting the terror hot spots, IHS has identified upmarket neighbourhoods like Runda, Muthaiga, Parklands and Westlands as areas that will continue being the focus of crime such as carjackings and armed robberies.

    NMG

  • Ugandan Soldier Shoots 10 over Woman

    Ugandan Soldier Shoots 10 over Woman

    {{A Ugandan soldier shot 10 people dead, including five soldiers and left 25 others injured in a shooting spree following a bar brawl over a woman in Ntoroko District on Friday night.

    The killer soldier, Private Chris Amanyire, attached to Rhino Battalion at Kanyansi Barracks, also shot himself dead.}}

    The District Police Commander, Mr Bosco Bakashaba, said the soldier went on a shooting spree after fighting with boda-boda riders over a woman at a drinking joint in Karugutu Town Council in Ntoroko.

    Eyewitnesses said the tragedy began when Private Amanyire and boda-boda riders developed a quarrel over a woman in the bar.

    The boda-boda riders attacked Private Amanyire and grabbed his mobile phone and smashed it. A fight broke out between the soldier and the cyclists.

    The witnesses say the soldier, who sustained bruises in the fight, retreated to the barracks and returned with a gun and dressed in a pair of jeans and an army jacket.

    Upon reaching the pub, Amanyire started shooting randomly at the revellers who were drinking inside, killing eight on the spot.

    The UPDF 2nd Division spokesman, Major Ronald Kakurungu, said the army was investigating the matter to establish the main cause of the tragedy.

    – Sunday Monitor