Tag: GreatLakesNews

{Kenya Airways Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Titus Naikuni is to leave after restoring sub-Saharan Africa’s No. 3 carrier to profit with cost cuts that outweighed the impact of the Westgate mall siege and a fire at its hub. }

The Nairobi-based airline posted net income of 384 million shillings ($4.5 million) in the six months to Sept. 30, versus a year-earlier loss of 4.79 billion shillings, it said today in a statement. Sales rose 9 percent to 54.3 billion shillings.

Gains stemmed from “stabilization of euro-zone economies, favorable prices for jet fuel, a robust business environment and management focus on pruning loss-making operations,” Kenya Airways said. The Aug. 7 Nairobi airport blaze hurt transit traffic and the Westgate attack 6 1/2 weeks later led to a further dip as governments advised against travel to Kenya.

Naikuni, who has led the carrier for more than a decade, had his contract extended by a year but will leave at the end of 2014, with the search underway for a successor, Chairman Evanson Mwaniki said today in Nairobi. The CEO added routes to Abu Dhabi, Malawi and Zambia in the first half while terminating services to Cairo, Burkina Faso, Gabon and the Central Africa Republic in response to weak demand or political unrest.

Kenya Airways closed 4.5 percent higher at 14.05 shillings as of 3 p.m. in Nairobi, the highest level in 15 months.

{{KLM Deal Expanded }}

The stock has gained 23 percent this year, valuing the company at 21 billion shillings, though the advance lags a 38 percent gain the FTSE-NSE 25 Share Index. Kenya Airways is worth 2 1/2 times what it was on the assumption of control by Naikuni — who turns 60 in 10 days — in 2003, when he expanded the company with the purchase of a 49 percent stake in Tanzania’s Precision Air.

A code-sharing pact with shareholder Air France-KLM Group (AF) is to be expanded, the CEO said today, with the European carrier’s KLM unit adding its code to Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to London, Entebbe in Uganda, Kigali in Rwanda and the Zambian and Zimbabwean capitals Lusaka and Harare from Jan. 1.

The African airline, which is 29.8 percent state-owned, will in turn add its code on the Dutch unit’s services between Amsterdam and Kilimanjaro and Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania. Air France-KLM owns 26.73 percent of Kenya Airways and has had a joint route agreement since 1997 that currently covers Nairobi-Amsterdam and Nairobi-Paris flights.

{{JamboJet Entry }}

Combined revenue on the two existing code-share routes is about $200 million per week, and this will exceed $500 million with the addition of around 44 weekly flights, Naikuni said.

Kenya Airways reduced its own European capacity by 5 percent in the first half after scrapping all daylight operations to London, while adding 7 percent more seats to the Middle East and East Asia, where it added daily flights to Guangzhou in southern China via Bangkok and upgraded its Mumbai route from Boeing Co. (BA) 767 jets to the larger 777.

The carrier will introduce new low-cost unit JamboJet in the first quarter of 2014, with initial flights limited to the Kenyan cities of Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret, Naikuni said.

“What we are eyeing are the people who are not flying now because they cannot afford it,” the CEO said. “We have to get into that market before someone else does.”

Revenue prospects will be enhanced by the contribution of JamboJet and code-share agreements with Asian airlines, Linet Muriungi, an analyst at Nairobi-based Kestrel Capital (East Africa) Ltd., said in a note to clients.

“The airline’s focus on profit-making operations and routes, as well as further cost-management ventures aimed at making the company’s human resource lean and efficient, will contribute to bottom-line protection,” Muriungi said.

Bloomberg

{The head of MONUSCO, Martin Kobler, has urged the Congolese government and the M23 to not exclude the political option despite the end of the war in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
}

Mr. Kobler made the call on Tuesday November 12 at Goma in North Kivu.

He stressed Kinshasa and rebels have not agreed on the form of the document to be signed. “How to call this paper on the table: a statement Conclusion or agreement? That was the difference, but not the substance, “said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, Martin Koble .

On Monday, November 11th in the evening, the Congolese government and representatives of M23 have not signed an agreement in Kampala as originally planned.

Kinshasa had raised the issue of the title of the document to be signed, refusing to sign “an agreement.”

The government delegation wishes to sign a “statement”.

For Martin Kobler, this text was designed before the end of the war.

“I believe that the agreement or the paper or document was designed to end a war. Now that the war has ended, must be a solution to reintegrate fighters of M23 , “said the head of MONUSCO.

He called on all the parties; the M23, the government and the facilitator “take [into account] the steps and fill what was in the paper.

In a statement released Monday evening from Entebbe, the envoys of the international community present in Kampala regretted that the two parties have not reached an agreement in Kampala.

They noted that Kinshasa and the M23 “expressed no differences on important issues of the draft document” initialed but did not reach an agreement on the format.

In an address on state television, the Congolese Head of State, Joseph Kabila, said Wednesday, Oct. 30 that the victories of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) against the rebels of the M23 had not “for effect of nullifying the political and diplomatic options to restore lasting peace.”The Congolese army has been subjected to a series of rebels’ setbacks. On 5 November, it regained control of all occupied areas that the rebels had occupied for more than a year.

Source: Radio Okapi

{Japan will provide Tanzania funds to improve water supply in the western Tabora region, the Citizen reported. }

The Japan International Cooperation Agency will supply 28.95 billion shillings ($18 million) for the water project, and a further 1.7 billion shillings for road upgrades in Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital, the newspaper reported, citing Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Servacus Likwelile.

{Vigilantes Monday attacked and killed two suspected kidnappers in Kirinyaga County. The suspects were cornered as they fled, stoned to death and set on fire at Kagumo town. }

The two men identified by police as Mr Peter Kinyua and Mr Harrison Warui approached two boda boda riders saying their vehicle had developed engine trouble and wanted to be taken to where they claimed their car was parked.

As they were talking, one of the suspects drew out a sword and the two attempted to kidnap the boda boda riders who were part of a vigilante. But other riders raised the alarm and their colleagues responded immediately forcing the two men to flee in different directions.

More than 300 vigilantes gave chase and caught up with the two, descending on them with stones, rungus and iron bars, killing them on the spot. There was tension in the area as the vigilantes hooted and shouted as they chased the suspects during the 2.30am incident.

Area AP commander Zakayo Mbugua said he and his officers received information that kidnappers were being pursued and rushed to the scene. “We responded swiftly but on arrival, we found the suspects had been killed,” he said.

{{HIDE-OUT ZONE}}

Mr Mbugua said one of the suspects hailed from Kagumo while the other in Kangai village in Mwea East division which is believed to be a hideout of the kidnappers.

Mr Kinyua was on a list of the most wanted criminals, he said, adding he was being sought in connection to a series of criminal activities.

{{NMG}}

{The Uganda government has cancelled a press briefing which was scheduled for Tuesday morning in Kampala to explain circumstances under which a peace deal that was set to be signed between the DRC government and the M23 rebel Movement flopped.}

The peace agreement was expected to see the DRC government commit itself to addressing the issues that sparked off the 2009 insurrection in the eastern part of war-torn country.

It would also determine the fate of M23 combatants who chose to renounce rebellion as demanded by the international community as one way of putting an end to the crisis in Kivu.

However, the DRC delegation led by Minister Raymond Tshibanda refused to sign the documents, calling for the removal of the word “agreement.” Tshibanda said DRC needed more time to consult on the issue and that “some difficulties should be removed before finalizing the process.”

Earlier, it was reported that Kinshasha officials had expressed determination not to “sign an agreement with a non-existent entity.” Government publicist, Ofwono Opondo on Monday night said the “DRC delegation has aborted the signing of agreement with M23.”

At the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday morning, government was expected to reveal when the two parties will meet again. DRC insists that M23 commanders including Brig Sultani Makenga should be handed over for prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The M23 has since called for amnesty for all its militants as a confidence building measure to spearhead a comprehensive reconciliation process. Sources said Defence Minister, Crispus Kiyonga, who has been the mediator of the talks that started last year, labored to convince the DRC officials to sign the agreement in vain.

“Kiyonga and President Museveni who spearheaded the talks are angry with DRC’s conduct. We do not know where this will take the relations between the two countries,” said a source at State House, Entebbe on Tuesday.

chimpreports.com

{The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) fraternity is mourning the death of Brigadier Gen Albert Kareeba }

Army publicist, Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said he was yet to receive details of the Brigadier’s death from the institution’s head of Medical Services.

However, relatives said Kareeba has been sick for the last two years and that efforts aimed at saving his life at top hospitals in Europe and South Africa did not bear fruit.

Uganda’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero, said Uganda has “lost a gallant soldier.” Kareeba was the Aide-de-camp to her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Summit in Uganda in 2007.

Source: Chimpreport

{{Dar es Salaam}}. {Nearly four days since President Kikwete issued the country’s stand on its future in the revived East African Community (EAC), Kenya yesterday said it would do everything possible to ensure Tanzania is not isolated.}

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Ms Amina Mohamed, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, said her country would in future ensure that Tanzania is not isolated in matters relating to political and economic integration within the Community.

Ms Mohammed, who flew to Dar es Salaam for a two-day official visit in what some analysts viewed as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to repair the strained relations with Dar es Salaam, said the Kenyan government received President Kikwete’s speech positively.

“Kenya commends the speech. We’re very happy for his deep insights over the East African Community,” the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary said adding that the two countries were among the true founders of EAC.

Ms Mohamed said if the two countries could join efforts, they stand a better chance to benefit greatly due to their historical economic and political ties.

Kenya is the second biggest investor in Tanzania, according to data from the Tanzania Investment Centre.

In his speech on Thursday in Parliament, President Kikwete said Tanzania will never quit the East African Community and will do everything in its power to ensure it survives and becomes prosperous despite efforts by Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to sideline it.

He told a full House: “We’re in the EAC to stay. We have come from so far. We have sacrificed too much to give up now. We will do everything in our power to make sure the EAC survives and achieves its ultimate goal of political federation.”

Tanzania has every reason to interrogate what happened between states that were dubbed as ‘the coalition of the willing’, Mr Kikwete said: “We met on April 28 this year at a summit in Arusha. Two months later, they met to discuss how to implement the same issues that we discussed in April without inviting me. This is a sign that they want to isolate Tanzania. How can we integrate through isolation?”

Mr Kikwete’s move came after presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Paul Kagame of Rwanda held three meetings this year, the latest on October 28 in Kigali, where they agreed to start implementing infrastructure projects, the political federation and the single customs territory – issues that fall within the mandates of the EAC.

“We’re glad that President Kikwete has affirmed that Tanzania will never quit the EAC, and the new Kenyan government has learnt a thing or two in the goings on in President Kikwete’s speech,” Ms Mohammed said.

{{The Citizen}}

{More than 60,000 Congolese nationals were on Wednesday “expelled” from the Ugandan refugee camps near the DRC border.
}

The refugees fled to Bundibugyo in Ruwenzori sub-region three months ago following the fighting that broke out between suspected Allied Democratic Force rebels and Congo government forces.

According to the local Civil Society sources in Beni District, North Kivu Province, the refugees were expelled for having refused to be relocated in Kyangwali, another camp far from the border.

These refugees have been living in Bundibugyo District, Western Uganda, since July 2013 after they fled their homes in Kamango, Watalinga county, located 80 km North East of Beni.

Chief of Watalinga County Saambili Bamkoka welcomed the returnees on their arrival.

“You will need a lot of courage as you rejoin the county which is to be reconstructed. What is important for me is to see you returning back in good health,” he said.

Many of the new comers will have to sleep in the cold since clashes between the Allied Democratic Force rebels and the DRC forces left 20 villages destroyed and several farms razed.

Around 800 people including local chiefs and teachers were also kidnapped and are still missing.

Lobbyists have urged the government to reinforce the local army and enable it to restore peace and order in the area.

Daily Nation

{Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo railways services resumed on Thursday after being interrupted 29 years ago due to the armed conflict, public media confirmed.}

The Benguela Railway Station (CFB) links DRC through Luau municipality in Moxico Province.

The Angola Government spent about $2 billion to repair the railway line.

“This rehabilitation is our highest achievement this year and it will better both countries” Jornal de Angola quoted Mr Juvenal Mutunda, a railway official as saying.

“From now on, Angola, DRC and Zambia trade will be improved.”

The railway connects to the DRC’s network, which in turn connects to the railway network in Zambia.

CFB will also link Angola to Namibia with construction work expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The 1,344km long Benguela Railway was completed in 1922.

Daily Nation

{A peace deal set to be signed on Monday between the Democratic Republic of Congo and defeated M23 rebels is “a very important step for peace”, the UN’s special envoy to the war-torn Great Lakes region told AFP Sunday.}

“Its a very important step for peace in the Great Lakes because it enables us now to move forward,” Mary Robinson said, vowing that the national army and a special UN intervention brigade would press on with efforts to defeat other rebel groups.