Tag: GreatLakesNews

Former Tanzanian Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani is one of three retired top judges whose expertise has been sought to solve a crisis in Lesotho’s judiciary.

Mr Ramadhani joined former South African Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and their Botswana counterpart Julian Nganunu in a fact-finding mission in Lesotho last week as part of efforts to solve the crisis that pits the president of the Court of Appeal Justice Michael Ramodibedi and Chief Justice Mahapela Lehohla.

Mr Ramadhani told The Citizen that the team of three has been commissioned by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) who were alarmed by the failure of the Court of Appeal to hold a session in January because of the dispute.

After a weeklong mission in Lesotho where they met prime minister Thomas Thabane, the president of the Law Society, Mr Monaheng Rasekoai, and president of the Lawyers for Human Rights Zwelakhe Mda, they will compile a report that would be submitted to the government for action. They also met high court judges, MPs, civil society leaders and several newspaper editors.

The nature of the dispute, termed by the Law Society of Lesotho as a “constitutional crisis,” is not yet fully known but the two principals in the judiciary system in Lesotho are not on the best working terms.

The dispute has been raging for years and reached a boiling point in January when the Lesotho Appellate Court was forced to cancel a special session after Justice Lehohla refused to allow High Court judges to hear cases in the Court of Appeal.

Justice Ramodibedi had requested that some High Court judges be allowed to hear appeals because those working in the Court of Appeal, who are all South African, had said they were on holiday.

When Justice Lehohla refused to release the judges, Justice Ramodibedi turned to two acting judges.

However, the Chief Justice ordered the two judges no to hear the cases, forcing Justice Ramodibedi to cancel the session.

The action left litigants in the six cases that were set to be heard during the session stranded. The former Chief Justices team is headed by Justice Ngcobo.

The International Criminal Court on Monday dropped all charges against Kenyan civil servant Francis Muthaura, who was accused alongside president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta of crimes against humanity during 2007-2008 post-election violence.

“I have decided, as of the state of evidence available now, that we have no other choice but to withdraw the charges against Mr Muthaura,” ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the Hague-based court.

NMG

The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir flew to Saudi Arabia on Thursday in an unannounced trip for medical checkup, a presidential source said.

The source said Bashir will undergo normal checkup and will return home on Saturday.

The 68-years old president underwent surgery last August in Qatar performed on his throat that was only officially acknowledged weeks after.

He underwent a second operation in Saudi Arabia last November. Officials said he was advised to cut on his public appearances.

Though Bashir appeared to abide by doctor advises for several months, he resumed his public rallies and speeches including one last week in Port Sudan.

This week he postponed a trip to North Darfur state and no official explanation was given for the delay.

Bashir’s brother Abdullahi Al-Bashir, a physician, later admitted that his younger sibling was suffering from a tumor in his throat but insisted that medical tests proved that the swelling is benign.

Bashir has been ruling Sudan since taking power in an Islamist-backed military coup in 1989.

In 2009 he became the first sitting head of state to be served with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Darfur conflict, which according to the UN, led to the death of 300,000 people and displacement of 2.7 million in 2003-2004.

He had made public his intention to step down at the end of his term in 2015 but last month his 2nd VP Al-Haj Adam Youssef said that Bashir will be renominated for a new term.

(ST)

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon refrained on Saturday from extending congratulations to Uhuru Kenyatta on his declared election as president of Kenya.

A statement by Mr Ban’s spokesman said the UN chief “has noted the results” of Kenya’s election.

But the statement added that Mr Ban “congratulates the people of Kenya for their impressive determination to participate peacefully in the elections, and for the patience they have demonstrated while awaiting the results.”

The UN chief’s response was similar to that of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who also did not congratulate Mr Kenyatta in a statement on Saturday but did congratulate Kenyans on conducting a peaceful poll.

The United Nations thus joins powerful Western nations in declining to offer a figurative handshake to Mr Kenyatta.

The charges of crimes against humanity brought by the International Criminal Court against Mr Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, account for the cold-shoulder response to the Jubilee team’s victory.

The UN chief did speak with Mr Kenyatta and with Prime Minister Raila Odinga by telephone on Friday.

NMG

South Sudan has announced it will hold the first national elections since the country was founded in 2010.

The next elections, according to the schedule, shall be conducted in April 2015, as first general election since the semi-autonomous region declared independence from Sudan.

The Country’s cabinet on Friday approved a sum of over 30million South Sudanese pounds for the exercise and directed the national elections commission to immediately begin establishing its organizational structures at the national level and across the 10 states of the country.

The minister of information and official spokesperson of the government, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said, “The national elections commission is supposed to commence its work to become fully operational in order to organize itself… and to prepare for the elections of 2015…We need the elections for our democratic transformation and conducting ourselves in a democratic manner.”

The preceding 2010 general elections were however marred with subsequent violence and rebellion which originated from within the ruling party (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – SPLM) as members accused themselves of not following the right procedures for selection of candidates and later on rigging the elections as well.

Uganda’s Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Maria Mutagamba today invited the global community to East Africa declaring it “a secure and safe destination of wonders and opportunities”. She said this during the EAC Joint Event at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany.

As the East African region operationalizes the Common Market Protocol to better facilitate the free movement of people, skills, goods and services, Hon. Mutagamba noted the protocol marks a milestone that will enhance the hospitality and travel industry.

“One great milestone that will enhance trade and movement of goods and services especially favoured in the hospitality and travel industry is the removal of non-tariff barriers and enhancing a free trade area”, she said. “Furthermore, the East African region seeks to introduce a single tourist visa and a single currency under a monetary union,” she added.

Hon. Mutagamba affirmed that the region was working towards harmonizing hospitality services and policies, aimed at better cooperation and sustainable utilization of the region’s resources.

“Harmonization of hospitality services includes a focus on quality and not quantity, whereas, the harmonization of policies and laws will develop mechanisms on the movement of people and skills in the vibrant industry to ensure that the standards of quality in hospitality are met and the promotion of a Single Tourist Destination is achieved” she said.

With regard to safety and security in the region and taking note of the recent terrorist attacks in parts of the Community, Hon Mutagamba assured the world that Ministers responsible for tourism in East Africa have agreed that Partner States should fully address the negative image portrayed and subsequent negative travel advisories issued.

“We will employ a positive outlook on the regional approach taken to combat these challenges about the East African tourism destinations.

‘The Tourism Trade Associations are urged to ensure continuous dialogue with all Commonwealth member countires and to advice Commonwealth member countries to notify the EAC Secretariat before publishing any travel warnings,” she reiterated.

In her remarks, EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Jesca Eriyo highlighted some key milestones and developments in the Tourism and Wildlife sectors in the last few years.

“These achievements are for you to grasp the opportunities and tasks that lie ahead of us which are being explored and implemented in order to sustainably utilize our resources as a region,” she said.

Hon. Eriyo highlighted that the East African region is endowed with a lion’s share of the new 7 Wonders of Africa. Among the wonders; East Africa is home to: (i) Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa with 5895 metres above sea level and the largest free standing mountain in the world; (ii) the Serengeti Migration, the longest and largest overland migration in the world.

The Serengeti spans over 18,640 square miles; (iii) the Nile River is the longest river in the world stretching 4,132 miles (6,650 km) which traverses across a number of countries has its source in the Region; (iv) lastly, the region boasts the largest unbroken caldera in the world, the Ngorongoro Crater. Measuring 12 miles across, this “Garden of Eden” is home to over 30,000 animals including the rare black rhino.

“Furthermore, the EAC region is home to rare and endemic species of primates, climbing lions and more. In addition, Mt. Kenya, Mt Ruwenzori with snow on their peaks and beautiful ranges, crater lakes and natural hot springs. It is no wonder, that the people of the Community are vibrant, enthusiastic and happy when surrounded by all this beauty!” she concluded.

The EAC Joint Event, this year hosted by Uganda, aimed at bringing the EAC Partner States together to further spearhead the EAC regional agenda. The event was attended by Hon. Victoire Ndikumana, Minister, Ministry of Trade, Industry, Posts and Tourism, Republic of Burundi; Permanent Secretaries of Natural Resources, Tourism and Wildlife from the EAC Partner States, Ambassadors of East African Missions in Germany, Heads of Tourism Boards from the EAC Partner States among other invited guests.

The EAC Council of Ministers in 2006 directed the EAC Secretariat to promote the region as a single destination by participating in international tourisim trade fairs.

To the end the EAC Secretariat has been organising such joint events at World Travel Market (WTM) in London and Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB) in Berlin since 2007.

EAC

My fellow Kenyans, thank you.

Thank you for all your patience and your support along the way

Asanteni Sana.

I thank God for sustaining us and for bringing us this far.

I thank all those who have remained vigilant in prayer for our nation during this time.

I want to thank the people of the republic of Kenya who have shown patience over the last few days as we all awaited the outcome of this election.

I thank the thousands of officials who worked with the IEBC to make this, the most free and most fair general election in our nation’s history.

Despite the challenges that you faced, you managed to keep the trust of Kenyans and to do your job professionally.

While we look forward to a day when electoral results are relayed in real-time to curb anxiety, we acknowledge that every process can be refined and I pledge to give you my support as you seek more efficient ways to conduct future elections.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the police and all security agencies for their diligence and commitment to ensuring security.

I would especially like to acknowledge the police officers who lost their lives on the eve of the elections. They made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives,in the name of democracy.

To their families, I offer my sincere condolences for your loss and I assure you that I, and the people of Kenya are standing with you in prayer.

The incidents that took the lives of our officers are a reminder that security remains one of the biggest challenges in our nation. It is unacceptable to see such violent and unnecessary loss of life. As we move forward, I pledge to meet all threats to our national security with the full force of Kenya’s resources and with utmost urgency.

To the Kenyan media – you have shown remarkable responsibility as this country’s fourth estate. You have shown sensitivity in the dissemination of news and impartiality in your treatment of the results. You have no doubt helped to keep the country calm.

We are grateful for this, and we will continue to consider you our true partners as we embark on our journey.

To the presidential candidates – I salute you all.

You have contributed to ensuring a robust democratic process.

I in particular want to single out my brother, Raila Odinga, for his spirited campaign.

I know that all the candidates have made tremendous personal sacrifices for the progress of our country and today, I welcome them to join us in moving our nation forward.

My fellow Kenyans today, we celebrate the triumph of democracy; the triumph of peace; the triumph of nationhood.

Despite the misgivings of many in the world- we demonstrated a level of political maturity that surpassed expectations.

We dutifully turned out; we voted in peace; we upheld order and respect for the rule of law and we maintained the fabric of our society.

That is the real victory today. A victory for our nation. A victory that demonstrates to all that Kenya has finally come of age. That this, indeed, is Kenya’s moment.

I am honored and humbled that in a free and fair election- you, the people of Kenya, have placed your trust in me- to lead our nation as your next President.

I am here because of you.

I am here because of the unyielding support of millions of Kenyans, from all walks of life, from every corner of our nation, who sacrificed their time, energy and resources to make this campaign a success.

Thousands of you volunteered through Team Uhuru. Hundreds of you mobilized through grassroots organizations. Hundreds of you campaigned through your university associations and millions of Kenyans across the nation engaged us through our various online platforms.

Throughout this process you, the people, have remained unwavering in your belief not only in me – but in the possibility of a stronger, more prosperous Kenya.

A Kenya that has room for all our hopes and aspirations.

Last but not least, I am here because of my family:

My wife, Margaret; our children and all the members of my family.

However, this is has never been about me, this has been about you- about the people of Kenya. You have put your faith not in one man , but in a team.

In our Deputy President – Elect: Hon William Ruto. A man with a proven trackrecord, who has demonstrated to all of us, his ability to both speak and act with un-matched zeal and energy.

You put your trust in my sister, Charity Ngilu and my brother, Najib Balala both of whom have remained committed to serving the people and putting our nation first.

You put your trust inTNA, URP and the wider Jubilee family.

And because you gave us this trust, I am proud to say that the majority of women who were elected to parliament come from the Jubilee Coalition – a fact that demonstrates this teams commitment to supporting women and to supporting the full implementation of all the provisions within our constitution.

I want to say to all the Jubilee aspirants- those who won, and especially, those who did not – you have done your parties, and this coalition- proud.Your dedication, to the ideals that the Jubilee Coalition represents has been an inspiration to me. We came together as a team, and we will continue to work together as a team- for the good of all the people of Kenya.

However , today is about more than one Coalition or Party.

It is about all Kenyans: those of you who voted Jubilee and those who did not.

My fellow Kenyans, My pledge to you is that as your President, I will work on behalf of all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

I will honor the will of Kenyans and ensure that my Government protects their rights and acts without fear or favor; in the interests of our nation.

To all those who won various seats –regardless of what party or coalition you may belong to – let us remember that we are , first and foremost, Kenyans, and that the people have bestowed upon us the responsibility to work for them.

I extend a hand of friendship and cooperation to you so that together, we can truly serve the Kenyan people.

In the nearly 5 decades since independence, we have made great strides as a nation.

Kenya has experienced huge success but there have also been enduring problems.

In the last 10 years, under the Presidency of Mwai Kibaki we have begun to overcome many of our national challenges.

We are indebted to his leadership and grateful for the services he has rendered to our country.

As I assume office, my task, and the task before us all is to secure the gains we have made while focusing on solving the challenges that remain.

My fellow Kenyans, the elections are now over.

Today, in itself, is not an end ; it is a beginning and there is much work to be done.

That work begins with all of us taking personal responsibility for the future of our country- the inheritance of our children.

For those who are celebrating let us be modest in victory. To those who voted for any of my opponents – let us keep in mind the broader victory of Kenya, and continue to uphold peace. Let us remember that while, in a democracy, some contestants must, inevitably, lose – the citizens of a country never do. In this election, every vote mattered and from this moment, every voice that contributes to the national dialogue- will be heard.

Fellow Kenyans, our duty now is to return to our lives. To return to our jobs, our businesses; our farms – and continue making the daily decisions that will transform Kenya.

I promise to do my part, but I need every Kenyan to play their part as well.

To our brothers and sisters in the region and in Africa as a whole we appreciate your support and encouragement before, during and after the elections. This is the true spirit of Africa. We look forward to playing our rightful role in the region and in the continent. The African star is shining brightly and the destiny of Africa is in our hands.

To the nations of the world I give you my assurances that I and my team understand that Kenya is part of the community of nations and while as leaders we are, first and foremost, servants of the Kenyan people, we recognize and accept our international obligations and we will continue to co-operate with all nations and international institutions– in line with those obligations.

However we also expect that the international community will respect our sovereignty and the democratic will of the people of Kenya.

Indeed it is the desire of the people of Kenya to be a nation that is at peace with itself, at peace with her neighbors, at peace with our continent and at peace with the world at large.

We will pursue this ideal – upholding the values enshrined in our constitution and continuing in the spirit embodied in the words of our national anthem

Oh God of all creation

Bless this our land and nation

Justice be our shield and defender

May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty.

Plenty be found within our borders.

Thank you,

God bless you And God bless the Republic of Kenya.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has postponed trial case for William Ruto and Joshua Sang to May 28.

Ruto is Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential running mate in the Jubilee coalition and together with Mr. Kenyatta were expected to appear before the court next month to begin challenging cases related to violence which rocked the country five years ago.

More than 1,200 people died during the violence and over 600,000 people displaced.

The latest news from ICC is positive to Ruto and Kenyatta looking towards forming the next government should the hotly contested election whose results are expected anytime fail to come out with an outright winner in the first round.

As at 6.33 pm Kenyan time, Uhuru’s Jubilee Coalition had garnered 5,159,344 votes ahead of his closest rival Raila Odinga of CORD coalition whose vote count stood at 4,516,660 same time.

If the two fails to garner 50 per cent plus one of the votes cast, they would be headed for a run-off to determine winner on April 4.

ICC on Thursday also postponed Uhuru Kenyatta and Francis Muthaura –the former head of civil service permanent secretary’s-case to July 9, three months below the initial date.

Judges Kuniko Ozaki, Christine Van den Wyngaert and Chile Eboe-Osuju set the new provisional date for Kenyatta and Muthaura on grounds that issues raised by the defense teams in the application seeking to refer their matter back to the Pre-Trial Chamber, must be resolved before the trial proceeds.

The judges pointed out that these issues may not be resolved before April 11, the date that was initially set for the opening of the trial.

“Without prejudice to the Chamber’s determination of the issues raised by the defence applications and related fillings, and in order to ensure sufficient time for their resolution, the Chamber provisionally sets the new date for the commencement of trial as 9 July 2013,” Justice Ozaki stated.

The trial chamber also took into consideration Kenyatta and former Head of public service Francis Muthaura’s argument that they would not have adequate time to prepare for their defence if the hearing kicks off in April.

The defence teams had argued that this is because the prosecution disclosed its evidence to them late and they needed enough time to prepare.

Muthaura wants the issue on whether the case against him should proceed to trial when the only prosecution witness who alleged at the pre-trial stage that there was a core planning meeting, had been dropped, referred back to the court presided by Lady Justice Ekaterina Trendafilova.

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