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Tag: GreatLakesNews

  • Zanzibar Airport Project in Error, Says Expert

    {{Additional funding is required to provide a safe landing of aircraft at the Zanzibar Terminal II (T2) operations, an expert has said. }}

    The expert — who requested not to be mentioned because he is not a spokesperson of the parties involved — told a local daily in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that the Airport’s T2 has been constructed at the wrong level and requires additional investment to rectify the error.

    “In short, the Terminal 2 structure has been constructed on an area that was meant to be an aircraft parking bay,” the source said.Its construction does not match well with the general alignment of the structures to allow for safe landing, he observed.

    The instrument landing system (ILS) — a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway — is not in the right alignment.

    In the same vein, the terminal’s apron design has not been coordinated to match with the World Bank’s financed apron project, leading to a level gap between the two projects.

    WB provided a loan of over $50 million for extension and improvement of the southern taxiway and extension of the existing aircraft parking area (apron) by 1,000 sq metres.

    There is lack of understanding of the work required by T2 contractor — Beijing Construction Engineering Group — to successfully make the facilities operational.

    The source stated that the terminal’s internal layout has not been agreed with airport stakeholders and service providers, and the turnkey contract scope of work was not clearly defined.

    Turnkey contract is a contract under which a firm agrees to fully design, construct and equip to manufacturing business/service facility and turn the project over to the purchaser when it is ready for operation for remuneration.

    The study, which highlighted the T2 problems was conducted in November last year, and established that the subcontractor did not have sufficient skills of designing and constructing Terminal II as agreed previously.

    The government of China through Exim Bank China disbursed $70.4 million to construct the T2 turnkey project, which was awarded to the BCEG Company.

    The whole project includes a 17,000-square-metre terminal building, a small power station, and a bigger apron.

    The construction of the new passenger terminal began in February 2011 and will be completed by January 31, 2014.

    Thecitizen

  • DRC Welcomes UN Approval of Peacekeepers

    {{The Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the UN decision to create the first-ever “offensive” peacekeeping brigade to fight rebel groups in the country’s east.}}

    “The DRC welcomes this vote, which marks a decisive turning point for re-establishing peace and security in the Kivu” regions, Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo said in a statement.

    He was referring to the North and South Kivu provinces in the resource-rich east of the country, which has been gripped by conflict for more than two decades.

    The launching of the brigade “is the beginning of the end of armed groups and sends a very clear signal to those supporting them”, Ponyo said.

    On Thursday, the UN Security Council unanimously approved the creation of a brigade of more than 2 500 troops with orders to “neutralise” and “disarm” armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

    The intervention brigade and surveillance drones to monitor the DR Congo’s borders with neighbours accused of backing the rebels will be operating by July, according to UN officials.

    The force will launch UN peacekeeping operations into a new era, said diplomats who negotiated its preparation.

    The resolution’s mandate to conduct “targeted offensive operations” has never been given to a peacekeeping mission before, diplomats said.

    The brigade and drones are part of a new UN campaign to end conflict in DR Congo.

  • 15 Killed as 16-storey building collapses in Dar es Salaam

    {{Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial city, is in a sombre mood this Good Friday after a 16-storey building collapsed in the city centre in the morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people}}.

    Scores of construction workers remain trapped in the rubble.

    Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Suleiman Kova told reporters on site that of the 17 individuals who were pulled out of the ruins, only two were alive.

    The latest reports from the scene at Indira Gandhi Street indicate that rescue workers were struggling to reach those still trapped in the collapsed building.

    City officials are working with the National Service arm of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force and Ultimate Security, a private company, to try and reach any survivors.

    Witnesses said there were no sufficient equipment, and that the rescuers only have one functioning crane.

    NMG

  • Kenyan Judges to Write Petition Ruling Saturday

    {{Kenya’s Chief Justice Willy Mutunga announced on Friday morning that lawyers for the petitioners and respondents and all other parties in the case will be summoned on short notice once the ruling is ready.}}

    “We now proceed to go and start writing our judgment and we meet here (Saturday),” he told the court.

    “Keep your cell phones open because we don’t know when we will summon you but we will give you sufficient notice. I am sure you will be in Nairobi,” the CJ said after hearing submissions of lawyers reviewing results of re-tallying of votes from 22 constituencies.

    Mutunga who appreciated the professionalism and quality of arguments demonstrated by the parties to the case said the Supreme Court was happy with the performance of the bench in its first election petition case.

    “You have done great work and we appreciate you. All of us were very happy with what came from the bar. It is a proud thing; if I was asked anywhere outside this country what our bar is like, it is one of the best. It is up there. We are very happy you have helped us,” he observed.

    Prime Minister Raila Odinga is represented by Senior Counsel George Oraro who was among the lawyers who represented former Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    Africa Centre for Open Governance (AFRICOG) was represented in the petition by Counsel Kethi Kilonzo, an upcoming lawyer.

    Njoroge Regero another articulate lawyer acted on behalf of three members of TNA party; Moses Kuria, Dennis Itumbi and Flowrence Sergon.

    There were four respondents in the case, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), its chairman Issack Hassan, President-elect Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

    Attorney General Githu Muigai was admitted to the bench as amicus curiae.

    Senior lawyer Fred Ngatia acted on behalf of Kenyatta while Katwa Kigen who is still representing Ruto at the ICC also represented him in the petition filed two weeks ago.

    IEBC has four lawyers; Nani Mungai, Paul Nyamodi, Mohammed Nyaoga, Lucy Kambuni and Aurelio Rabello.

    The respondents, the petitioners and the six judges of the Supreme Court started sittings on Monday at the start of the Pre-Trial hearings that went through to Tuesday.

    The hearings kicked off on Wednesday and ended on Friday morning with comments on the re-tally ordered by the court.

    In his petition, Odinga wants the judges to quash the declaration of Kenyatta as the president-elect and order a fresh presidential election.

    If the court rules in favour of Kenyatta, he will be sworn in as Kenya’s fourth president on April 9.

    In case a re-run is ordered, it will be done within 60 days after the ruling.

    CapitalFm

  • Rights Group Criticises Somalia over Rapes

    {{Somalia’s President has responded to a report that accuses security forces of abusing people in refugee camps, saying his government is working to improve its human rights record but that the list of problems his country is facing is “endless”.}}

    Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday that Somalia’s state security forces and armed groups have raped and beaten people who sought shelter and safety in emergency camps.

    The New York-based rights group said the victims were people arriving in the capital, Mogadishu, after fleeing famine and armed conflict since 2011.

    In an 80-page report, the HRW said the new Somali government had done little to change the situation.

    President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al Jazeera that the human rights abuses have been a longstanding problem in the East African country but that men in fake uniforms may have been responsible for some of the rapes.

    “Violations have happened in the past 20 years. We have been working to address the challenge of human rights without a government in place in Somalia. But now that we do have a government, we are committed to address this issue,” Sheikh Mohamud said.

    “A report has been prepared before I came to office in 2011 and 2012 and we do not deny that there are shortcomings. The list of problems in Somalia is endless. The human rights issue is part of that list,” the president added.

    HRW called on the Somali government to urgently improve the protection and security of Mogadishu’s internally displaced population.

    The report details serious violations, including physical attacks, restrictions on movement and access to food and shelter.

    It also highlights clan-based discrimination against the displaced in the capital from the height of the famine in mid-2011 through 2012.

    {Aljazeera}

  • I’m Sorry, Uhuru Tells Judges

    {{Kenya’s President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta has apologised for referring to Supreme Court judges hearing a petition filed against him by Prime Minister Raila Odinga as ‘some six people.’}}

    Kenyatta said he did not mean to disrespect the judges in the casual remarks which have gone viral on social media.

    In an apology posted on his Facebook page, Kenyatta admitted that his language may not have been 100 percent correct.

    “I met with elected MPs, Women Representatives and Senators from the Jubilee Coalition and made it clear that there are three Arms of Government: Deputy President-Elect, Hon. Ruto and I represent the Executive Arm.

    I told them that we are ready to get to work; however there is a petition in court over our election – yes, I said it is pending before six guys and we have to await their decision.

    However, the Legislative Arm of Government must go on and we challenged them together with my Deputy to begin the Jubilee agenda in the National Assembly and in Senate without delay,” Kenyatta said.

    He made the remarks while addressing elected Jubilee leaders during a retreat in Naivasha.

    In his apology, Kenyatta said he was used to being referred to as ‘kamwana’ (young man) and appreciated that people refer to him fondly that way despite having an official designation as president-elect.

    “I am used to being called kamwana (young man) and appreciate that people refer to me fondly as such despite my official designation.

    The spirit and context in which I made the comments is that we must await the decision of the Supreme Court on the way forward for the Executive arm of Government; but that the other arms especially the legislative (sic) must begin working with immediate effect,” he said.

    In the apology, Kenyatta said he made the unfortunate remark while emphasising the need for Parliament to move forward with its work as Kenyans await the outcome of the Supreme Court.

    The much awaited ruling is set to be issued by Saturday. A six-judge bench led by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga is hearing the petition.

    Kenyatta’s apology sparked a volley of reactions from followers on his Facebook page with majority expressing joy for his regret.

    “The president-elect has offered an apology and we need to respect that. I did not vote for Uhuru, but it will be unwise for me to start spewing insults on his wall.

    This man can become the president if the petition is thrown out and he will be the president of all Kenyans. Please some respect to all our leaders, apology accepted, we are all human beings, we wish you well and GOD bless you Mheshimiwa,” Bethuel Odour said in his post.

    Those who felt he had erred said his apology reflected a humble leader who is ready to accept mistakes.

    “There is power of wisdom and God’s blessings in a leader who acknowledges his mistakes and humbly apologises,” Ronald Yego posted on Kenyatta’s wall.

  • Uganda& Burundi, UNHCR Sign Agreement on Refugees

    {{The governments of Uganda and Burundi and the UNHCR have signed the tripartite agreement that will pave way for the voluntary repatriation of Burundi refugees in the country.}}

    The agreement was signed following a two-day meeting in Kampala, chaired Dr. Stephen Malinga, the Ugandan minister for relief and disaster preparedness.

    The agreement among others establishes a framework for the voluntary return of Burundian refugees in Uganda, now standing at about 13000; specifies a right of return of the refugees without any preconditions; defines the responsibilities of the parties and established a tripartite commission and a technical working group.

    The agreement will also set in motion a massive information campaign to promote voluntary repatriation, commence negations with a third country so as to agree on entry and exit formalities and a follow up meeting for the commission and technical working group in a two month-time in Bujumbura, Burundi.

    NV

  • Kenya -Tanzania ‘one stop border point’ to be operational in May

    {{The Kenya – Tanzania border post of Holili is to start implementing the East African Community’s idea of One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) in May this year.}}

    The project is financed by different donors who channel funds through the Trade Mark of East Africa (TMEA).

    Director of OSBP from TMEA Theo Lyimo said construction of the building at Holili on the Tanzanian side is almost complete.

    “We are almost in the final stages and we’re expecting to put in place wide-range of facilities geared to reduce transport costs incurred in cross-border movement,” the official said.

    “If all goes well, OSBP on the Tanzanian side is start full operation in May this year. On the Kenyan side, users will have to wait a bit as construction of the OSBP building has delayed.”

    Upon its completion, TMEA is expected to spend USD 4.5million on the Tanzanian side and USD5.5 million on the Kenyan side of Taveta.

    OSBP is meant to reduce transit costs incurred in cross-border movement by combining the activities of both country’s border organisations and agencies at either a single common location or at a single location in either direction without increasing risk to public safety or revenue collection.

    “Studies have proved that transportation costs in East Africa, are amongst the highest in the world. This has been damaging the region’s ability to trade competitively in the international market.

    In particular, the time taken to get to and from the ports to land locked countries is singled out as a major factor,” Lyimo stated.

  • 6 Killed in attack on Kenya Casino

    Kenya Police killed six people suspected to be members of the Mombasa Republican Council ( MRC) after the outlawed group killed one policeman and injured others in Malindi town.

    Suspected MRC members raided a Casino in the town and killed a police officer who was on duty and stole his gun.

    Witnesses say police were informed and on arrival, they were confronted by a group of people armed with crude weapons. The six were killed in the clash and several policemen were injured.

    Police say the Malindi Deputy OCPD is among the officers who sustained injuries in the attack that occurred at about midnight at the Malindi Casino.

    Coast Police boss Aggrey Adoli said they have managed to arrest four of the assailants who were armed with pangas and guns.

    Adoli said a major police operation is underway in Malindi to arrest the other assailants and recover the gun stolen.

    “We are in the forest now hunting down the attackers and hope to make more arrests. The injured officer is in stable condition,” said Adoli.

    Witnesses said the deceased officer was in the casino on duty when he was first hit by a stone before the attackers landed on him with machetes and later snatched his gun.

    The attack came weeks after another group that police branded MRC gang attacked and killed ten police officers in Mombasa and Kilifi on March 3.

    MRC is an outlawed group that is agitating for various changes in the Coast over what they term as historical injustices.

    standard

  • Gen. Ntaganda Faces ICC, Pleads not Guilty

    {{General Bosco Ntaganda has made his first appearance before the International Criminal Court on Tuesday, more than seven years after the court first issued a warrant for his arrest.}}

    Ntaganda, the first ever suspect to voluntarily surrender to the ICC is facing seven counts of war crimes and three counts of crimes against humanity.

    “My name is Bosco Ntaganda, I only have the two names, the names given to me by my parents,” he said when presiding judge Ekaterina Trendafilova asked him to identify himself.

    “As you know, I was a soldier in the Congo,” he said. I am Congolese.”

    “I was informed of these crimes but I plead not guilty,” Ntaganda said before Trendafilova cut him short.

    “I do not want to interrupt you. The purpose of the initial appearance is a very limited one,” the judge said. “You will have ample opportunities to make your point as thoroughly and necessary to the chamber.”

    The judge set September 23 as the date for a hearing to confirm the charges against Ntaganda, who was allegedly involved in the murder of at least 800 people in villages in the volatile DR Congo’s Ituri region.

    During that hearing, prosecutors must convince the court’s judges they have enough evidence to take him to trial.