IGIHE

Tag: GreatLakesNews

  • Rebels Claim Capture of North Darfur’s Mellit

    Rebels Claim Capture of North Darfur’s Mellit

    {{A Darfur rebel group claimed Thursday the capture of the strategic town of Mellit in North Darfur state, which is at 80km north to the state capital Al-Fasher.}}

    The military spokesperson of the Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) Adam Saleh Abakar, said the attack was carried out by a joint force composed of their fighters and those of a splinter faction of the Liberation and Justice Movement led by Ali Karbino. (LJM-Karbino)

    Abakar did not provide further details about the attack, as the Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable for comment.

    Eyewitnesses said three assailant vehicles were destroyed and heard the exchange of heavy gunfire in the vicinity of the town on the afternoon.

    A joint security committee in North Darfur state held a meeting on Thursday evening, but officials did not issue any statement.

    Also, it is not clear if the rebels control the town or already evacuated their forces.

    The SLM- Abdel Wahid attacked Mellit on 26 October 2013.

    The SLM-MM launched a series of attacks in South and North Darfur states since last February.

    The violence displaced some 40,000 civilians, according to UN agencies.

    (ST)

  • IGAD Leaders Authorise Deployment of Regional Forces in S. Sudan

    IGAD Leaders Authorise Deployment of Regional Forces in S. Sudan

    {{An East African regional heads of states and governments summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday authorised the prompt deployment of a Protection and Deterrent Force (PDF) from the region to help restore peace and stability in South Sudan.}}

    According to a a communiqué issued during the 25th extraordinary session of the regional bloc (IGAD), the PDF would operate with a clear mandate and operational guidelines as part of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM) in the country.

    Regional leaders, however, called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the African Union (AU) to provide the necessary support, calling on the parties to ensure the progressive withdrawal of all armed groups, including allied forces, as per the ceasefire agreement signed on 23 January.

    The communiqué, a copy of which was obtained by Sudan Tribune calls on IGAD partners “to redouble their efforts” to support the monitoring mechanism and the deployment of the protection force.

    The meeting was chaired Ethiopia’s prime minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn. Also in attendance was South Sudan’ president Salva Kiir and his counterparts from Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia, as well as the AU Commission chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

    The summit also lauded Uganda’s efforts in securing vital installations in South Sudan following the outbreak of violence in the country, while expressing appreciation for the wide-ranging support extended to the IGAD-led mediation process from member states, development partners and the wider international community.

    Uganda deployed a contingent of its army in South Sudan to provide military support to government troops, , but has since been under intense pressure from opposition forces to pull out of new nation.

    Both the United States and the UNSC have condemned the intervention of foreign forces in South Sudan, saying it contravenes the 23 January ceasefire deal.

    In his address to reporters following the return of Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir from the summit, presidential spokesperson Eimad Sid Ahmed said Bashir had “reiterated the need to withdraw these forces in order to achieve peace and facilitate the solution”.

    Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia had previously opposed the presence of Ugandan troops in the new natio, with the latter saying their presence threatens regional peace and stability.

    {sudantribune}

  • Kenya, Ethiopia Agree on Infrastructure Development

    Kenya, Ethiopia Agree on Infrastructure Development

    {{Kenya and Ethiopia will accelerate implementation of infrastructure projects to tap the economic potential of the two countries.}}

    President Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn noted that infrastructure projects linking Kenya and Ethiopia were key to the realisation of the ideals of shared prosperity of the countries, peoples and the sub-region.

    In a communiqué issued after bilateral talks in Addis Ababa, the two leaders noted that the rapport between Kenya and Ethiopia had contributed to the progress achieved in the execution of the region’s largest infrastructure project – the Lamu Port and Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor.

    President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn lauded the promotion of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMS) to a biennial High Level Commission.

    “This elevation will result in further enhancing cooperation to the ultimate benefit of the citizens of the two countries,” the communiqué said in part.

    The President and the Prime Minister welcomed the enactment of the Special Status Agreement (SSA) signed in 2012. They agreed that the agreement provided an effective framework for economic relations between Kenya and Ethiopia.

    Given the importance of the SSA in boosting economic ties between Kenya and Ethiopia, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn directed their relevant ministers to hasten its implementation.

    President Kenyatta congratulated Prime Minister Desalegn for his stewardship of the African Union during his tenure as Chair of the continental body.

    “It was during this period that the African Union reinforced its role as the voice of the continent in the multilateral arena,” President Kenyatta said.

    The two leaders considered the situation in South Sudan and expressed concern over deteriorating security in Africa’s youngest nation. They resolved to continue their engagement with all parties to the conflict through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

    Both leaders agreed that all parties in the South Sudan conflict should recommit themselves to dialogue and cessation of hostilities to give peace a chance.

    President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn also committed to work closely under IGAD’s framework, in support of the people of Somalia in their quest for lasting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

    Noting that stability in Somalia was vital for success in the fight against terrorism, the Kenyan leader and his Ethiopian counterpart urged the international community to support peace initiatives in the country.

    Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the security, common values and fundamental interests of the region.

    Together, they set themselves to combat the region’s difficulties, among them drought, climate change, terrorism, piracy, money laundering, human and drug trafficking.

    President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Desalegn also supported proposals to inaugurate a Cooperative Framework Agreement that would establish a Joint Lake Turkana, Omo and Daua Rivers Basins Commission to manage their resources to international standards.

    {capitalfm}

  • S. Sudan VP Attacks Western Nations Over Colonialism

    S. Sudan VP Attacks Western Nations Over Colonialism

    {{South Sudan’s vice-president James Wani Igga (above) has openly accused western governments of “attaching strings” to donations allegedly with a “hidden” agenda to undermine recipient countries.}}

    His remarks came as hundreds of youth allied to South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) protested over last week’s seizure of weapons in United Nations trucks en-route to Unity state.

    Igga accused the world body of practicing colonialism allegedly with the intention to run affairs of the new nation, vowing never to relent in the fight against colonialism.

    “If it is a colonial system we need to fight, then that is good because I am old. It makes young again and will go into the bush fight,” the vice-president said amidst applause.

    The protestors, holding placards while chanting anti-UN songs, repeatedly demanded the resignation of Hilde Johnson, the Special Representative of the Secretary General in the country. Others accused her of allegedly collaborating with the country’s rebels.

    {{Alleged Coup}}

    The vice-president, however, wondered why western countries have failed to accept what he claimed was an attempted coup seeking to overthrow the legitimately-elected government.

    “No one knows why they [western governments] failed to accept that the government foiled attempt to remove the democratically leadership,” stressed Igga, adding, “This is the question which our people have been asking and we are convinced that there hidden agenda.”

    Daniel Awet Akot, a former deputy speaker of Parliament, said it was unacceptable for some countries to undermine the legitimacy of the current government, which was elected in 2010.

    “Let us continue to exert our energy in fostering unity, peace, development and equality of opportunity for all our people. Rather than amplify our differences, lets us find strength in diversity, guided by firm conviction that we are the sole guardians of our sovereignty,” said Akot.

    The senior SPLM member also urged youth and the country’s leaders to preach the message of national healing and reconciliation amongst the population, not hate and violence.

    “Let us, therefore in unison say no to violence in all its manifestations,” he appealed.

    The deputy foreign affairs minister, Peter Bashir Gbandi said the country’s foreign policy mainly focuses on safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and natural resources.

    “Our foreign policy continues to be anchored on the need to safeguard our hard won independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said, commending the security and defence forces for continuously guaranteeing peace and tranquility in the country.

    {{No Interim Government}}

    Meanwhile, the vice president said his government would not heed to proposals by mediators for formation of interim government to end three months of conflict in the country.

    “They [mediators] want our government dissolved, a new neutral president installed or placing the country under trusteeship,” said Igga, in response to the proposal tabled by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) regional leaders.

    {sudantribune}

  • Ecobank Board Ousts CEO, Names Deputy as Head

    Ecobank Board Ousts CEO, Names Deputy as Head

    {Thierry Tanoh during a visit to Kenya on August 22, 2012. Ecobank board has removed him as the chief executive following months of turmoil over corporate governance and leadership.}

    {{The board of Ecobank removed its chief executive, Thierry Tanoh, on Tuesday following months of turmoil at one of the biggest financial institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.}}

    The crisis over corporate governance and leadership that led to Mr Tanoh’s departure is seen as a test case for regulators and has put a spotlight on the integrity of financial institutions on a continent where economies are expanding rapidly.

    Ecobank named deputy CEO Albert Essien as its new chief executive. It also announced the reinstatement of finance director Laurence do Rego, which was a demand by Nigeria’s securities regulator, which is investigating alleged breaches of corporate governance.

    “Ecobank Transnational Incorporated today (Tuesday) announces the departure of Group CEO Mr Thierry Tanoh with effect from 12 March 2014. Effective the same date he will no longer be a director of ETI,” the bank’s holding company said in a statement.

    Mr Tanoh could not immediately be reached for comment.

    Mr Tanoh’s supporters have said he was under pressure because of his drive to expose and correct abuses of corporate governance that pre-dated his tenure, which attracted powerful enemies nervous of what he might uncover.

    Mr Essien, who is from Ghana, has been at Ecobank for more than 20 years and rose to deputy group CEO two years ago.

    The 12-member board made its decision at a meeting in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, a senior bank official said. Mr Tanoh did not attend.

    The Ivorian took the reins as CEO in January 2013, having previously served as a vice president at the International Finance Corporation, the investment arm of the World Bank.

    Ecobank is based in Togo and has a presence in 35 African countries. There are few other pan-African banks, and the continent’s biggest financial institutions are based in South Africa.

    Under Mr Tanoh, profits grew 56 per cent in the first nine months of last year, and his defenders said those results reflected his leadership qualities.

    But his tenure was also marked by a row over his bonus and by an investigation launched last August by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after Ms do Rego told the regulator that Mr Tanoh had pressured her to misstate 2012 financial results.

    Ecobank denied that allegation and said Ms do Rego had previously been suspended in a dispute over her qualifications.

    The SEC in January criticised what it said was an absence of clear vision and strategy at the bank, inadequate transparency in recruiting and conflicts of interest.

    It also demanded that Ms do Rego be reinstated as a whistleblower, something the bank said would be against Togolese law.

    Last week, shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting voted to implement reforms designed in part to answer the regulator’s criticism. In an apparent snub to Mr Tanoh, they also told the board to reinstate Ms do Rego.

    A senior Ecobank official played down the impact of the crisis on the bank.

    “It’s obviously caused people to be a bit concerned, but if you look at the share price it is slightly down this year, but it is still much higher than at the end of 2012,” the official said.

    {{Boardroom battle}}

    Mr Tanoh’s position as CEO was undermined by a series of defections from the board at a bank that had attracted little adverse publicity under the long tenure of its previous CEO, Arnold Ekpe.

    “This (Mr Tanoh’s departure) was just a matter of time. I expect a positive response in terms of the market’s view of Ecobank’s corporate governance,” an institutional investor said, declining to be named.

    Four executives on Mr Tanoh’s top five-person committee wrote on February 13 to interim chairman Andre Siaka to say Mr Tanoh should resign to solve a crisis of leadership.

    That email was sent by Mr Essien, who was executive director of corporate and investment banking in addition to his duties as deputy CEO.

    On March 1, non-executive board member Daniel Matjila denounced Mr Tanoh in a letter to Mr Siaka and the board, calling for his contract to be terminated immediately. Mr Matjila represents South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder with 18.35 per cent.

    His letter had the support of two other board members, which had amounted to a total of seven who came out publicly to oppose Mr Tanoh before Tuesday’s meeting.

    {businessdaily}

  • Nairobi is Africa’s 6th Most Active City on Twitter-study

    Nairobi is Africa’s 6th Most Active City on Twitter-study

    {{Nairobi is the 6th most active city on Twitter in Africa and the most active in East Africa, a new study shows.}}

    The second How Africa Tweets study ranks Johannesburg as most active city in Africa, followed by Ekurhleni (South Africa) Cairo, Durban, and Alexandria.

    Johannesburg leads with 344,215 geo-located tweets, followed by Ekurhuleni (264,172) and Cairo (227,509), Durban (163,019) and Alexandria (159,534) make up the remainder of the top five most active cities while Nairobi comes 6th with 123,078 geo-located tweets.

    The study prepared by Portland Communications, a strategic communications firm in Nairobi, shows that 60 per cent of the audiences in Africa are in their twenties compared to developed countries where people in their thirties are more active.

    Rwanda’s President and Safaricom’s Bob Collymore are some of the few senior Africans with a significant following on Twitter.

    English, French and Arabic are the most common languages on Twitter in Africa, accounting for 75.5 per cent of the total tweets analysed. Zulu, Swahili, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Portuguese are the next most commonly tweeted languages in Africa.

    The day of Nelson Mandela’s death – 5 December – saw the highest volume of geo-located tweets in Africa.

    Football is the most-discussed topic on Twitter in Africa. Football was discussed more than any other topic, including the death of Nelson Mandela. The most mentioned football team was Johannesburg’s Orlando Pirates (#BlackisBack, #PrayForOrlandPirates, #OperationFillOrlandoStadium).

    Sophisticated landscape

    “Our latest research reveals a significantly more sophisticated landscape than we saw just two years ago. This is opening up new opportunities and challenges for companies, campaigning organisations and governments across Africa.” said Allan Kamau, Head of Portland Communications Nairobi.

    Tuesdays and Fridays are the most active tweeting days according to the study. Twitter activity rises steadily through the afternoon and evening, with peak volumes around 9pm.

  • Sudan Student Dies in Khartoum Protest

    Sudan Student Dies in Khartoum Protest

    {{A student has been killed in clashes between police and protesters at Khartoum University in Sudan.}}

    Police said the student was one of two taken to hospital, but gave no further details.

    Witnesses said police used tear gas and batons against around 200 students protesting against escalating violence in the Darfur region.

    There has been an upsurge in violence in the region where rebels are fighting forces of President Omar al-Bashir.

    Darfur has been wracked by conflict since 2003 when rebels took up arms.

    A statement posted on the interior ministry’s website on Tuesday did not say how the student had died.

    Police “got information that two students were injured and taken to hospital. One of them died,” the statement said.

    An Journalist at the scene said police fired tear gas and beat some of the protesters as they tried to take to the streets outside the university.

    Students retaliated by throwing stones. Some chanted: “Peace, peace for Darfur – we want to bring the criminals to the ICC (International Criminal Court).”

    Earlier on Tuesday, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said peacekeepers and aid agencies had been blocked from entering affected areas of Darfur.

    On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was deeply concerned about violence in Darfur and he urged all parties to stop hostilities.

    The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for President Bashir, accusing him of committing war crimes and genocide against black African communities in Darfur.

    He denies the charge.

    BBC

  • Former Uganda VP Slams Museveni over anti Gay Law

    Former Uganda VP Slams Museveni over anti Gay Law

    {{The former vice president of Uganda has launched a scathing attack on President Yoweri Museveni for signing the country’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law.}}

    Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe is the UN’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

    She issued on Monday a firm statement against the decision saying it will only fuel stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community and that the law also “undermines the significant progress of the national AIDS response”.

    Ms Wandira-Kazibwe said: “I am in full solidarity with the LGBT community and I will continue to defend their rights in Uganda and across Africa.

    “Rest assured of my unwavering support and action for the realisation of the rights for every human being, which has been my struggle since childhood. I will not reverse my path.”

    She added: “I will continue to engage with the Government of Uganda and civil society organisations on this important matter.”

    The former vice president says she is working with Uganda’s Ministry of Health to ensure that the law is subjected to a regulatory impact assessment.

    President Yoweri Museveni gave assent to the legislation last month.

    Charities warn it will have “disastrous” effects on the country’s response to HIV.
    The Act calls for repeat offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in prison and makes it a criminal offence not to report someone for being gay.

    The World Bank, along with Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, have all halted aid to the Ugandan Government as a result of the decision.

    Ms Wandira-Kazibwe served as Uganda’s vice president from 1994 to 2003.

    She was the first woman in Africa to hold the position of vice president of a sovereign nation.

  • Kenya:10 Killed in Nandi Hills Car Crash

    Kenya:10 Killed in Nandi Hills Car Crash

    {{At least 10 people were killed on Tuesday morning after a matatu plunged into a valley on the Nandi Hills-Chemelil road, police said, and warned motorists to exercise caution whenever driving on the route which is known to have numerous black spots.}}

    Four others, including two children whose ages could not be ascertained immediately sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Nandi Hills District Hospital for emergency treatment.

    Police said the 14-seater matatu was ferrying passengers from Eldoret through Kapsabet to Kisii when the accident occurred at Chepsangor shortly after 10am.

    “We have a very bad accident in Nandi Hills where 10 people have died,” national traffic police chief Samuel Kimaru said on telephone from Salgaa, on the outskirts of Nakuru town where he was attending a road safety campaign.

    Salgaa, located on the Nakuru-Eldoret road is one of the country’s black spots, with many road accidents occurring there.

    Several accidents have occurred at the spot, the latest being on Saturday night when 11 members of the same family perished on their way back from a dowry-paying event.

    “We are stressing the need to observe road safety regulations. That is what we are doing here at Salgaa,” Kimaru said. “Witnesses have told our officers that the (Kisii-bound) matatu was going down the hill at dangerously high speed.”

    While police said 10 people had been killed, Kenya Red Cross officials whose volunteers were reported to be at the scene coordinating rescue efforts, placed the death toll at 16.

    “16 feared dead and 3 casualties evacuated to Nandi Hills district hospital,” an update on the society’s Twitter handle stated.

    Police however, insisted that the matatu was carrying 14 people.

    It was not immediately clear if the dead included people outside of the matatu.

    Kenya’s road safety record is one of the worst with 3,200 people having been killed in road accidents in the country last year according to statistics from Traffic Police headquarters.

    Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau has assured Kenyans he is determined to minimise road accident fatalities after initiating various measures – including the use of alcoblow – which aid police to identify and prosecute drunk drivers, both during the day and at night.

    The government also imposed strict guidelines for night travel which many transport operators have failed to meet.

    In the meantime, two cases challenging the implementation of alcoblow will be heard on Monday next week.

  • Militias Allied to Janjaweed Preparing To Attack

    Militias Allied to Janjaweed Preparing To Attack

    {{The Sudanese government has rushed military reinforcements to the north Darfur state following reports that militias allied to the feared Janjaweed militia are preparing an attack.}}

    Last Saturday, the governor of North Darfur state, Mr Mohamed Yousif Kibir, called on the central government to urgently intervene following clashes in the area.

    Sudanese minister of Defence Abdul Rahim Mohamed Hussien arrived in Elfashir, the capital of the state, on Monday to chair urgent top level security meetings.

    The minister confirmed the government has sent heavy military reinforcements to support the local government in North Darfur, in addition to aid.

    Mr Hussien told reporters after the meeting that they had discussed how to prevent any extension of the current conflict.

    Suspected Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal has declared war on President Omar Al-Bashir’s government.

    Hilal is said by the US State Department to be the leader of the famous pro-government Janjaweed that fights in Darfur.

    Heavy fighting has been reported in Saraf Omra area in the state considered as a Hilal stronghold.

    Meanwhile the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has said that thousands of people fleeing the widespread fighting were seeking refuge at the UN compound in north Darfur.

    UNAMID said in a press release Monday that thousands of displaced from the town of Saraf Omra, are currently seeking refuge in the vicinity of UNAMID’s base.

    {{Looting}}

    “The Mission is providing protection and water to those affected, as well as medical treatment for more than 30 wounded people. It is working with the humanitarian community in taking the necessary steps to provide further much needed assistance,” the statement said.

    UNAMID “patrols have observed looting around the town and the destruction of the local market. Reconciliation efforts among the tribes are taking place, however the situation remains tense and those displaced are in need of critical of food and proper sanitary conditions.

    “The incident in Saraf Omra comes in the wake of other recent episodes of violence in Darfur, most notably in El Taweisha and Alliet areas in North Darfur, and in South Darfur, where thousands were displaced following the looting and destruction of villages in the areas of Um Gunja and Hijer.”

    “We continue to call upon the authorities to allow it unhindered and immediate access to these areas, so that it can carry out its core activity for the protection of civilians as mandated by the AU and the UN, and as consented to by the Sudanese government.”

    NMG