Tag: GreatLakesNews

{{The Africa Union (AU) Commission will closely monitor the regions elections that are set to take place this year.}}

In her New Year message, Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that the continent needed to focus on conducting peaceful elections in order to foster growth and development.

She revealed that the commission will also send observers to cover Kenya’s first general election under the new constitution.

“For the first time, the Commission will be sending a Long Term Observer (LTO) Expert Mission to the scheduled March 4th 2013 General Elections in the Republic of Kenya,” the press statement read in part.

The country is considered an entry point into the East African region and a strong economy within the trading bloc.

Kenya’s general elections have attracted regional and global attention with a lot of focus being placed on whether the country will slip into a state of violence as was witnessed after the 2007 general elections.

Tunisia and Zimbabwe are also scheduled to hold their Presidential elections later in the year.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma expressed concern over the conflict situation currently being experienced in Mali, the Central African Republic and DR Congo, adding that they were derailing development efforts.

She called for a regional approach to bring speedy resolution.

NMG

{{Roger Lumbala, an opposition parliamentarian who was elected on the ticket of the Congolese Rally for National Democracy (DR Congo/National), has joined the March 23 (M23) movement, a rebel movement operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), M23 officials said on Wednesday.}}

“Comrade Lumbala is now a member of M23, he is here with us. Lumbala understands that the revolution being launched by M23 is identical to his revolution that he has been engaged in against the regime of President Joseph Kabila since the rigged elections of Nov. 28, 2011,” said Amani Kabasha, M23’s deputy communication officer.

He noted that Lumbala had not abandoned his parliamentary privileges to go to M23 for positions.

Kabasha announced that in the coming days, five other senior Congolese politicians living in Europe and the U. S. will be joining M23.

“If I am here, it’s first because I am persuaded and convinced that it’s my brothers who are fighting for among other things, the re-establishment of the truth from ballot box, something that Etienne Tshisekedi has been fighting for as the elected president of DR Congo,” Lumbala said.

Investigations by the Congolese interior ministry indicate that Lumbala, an opposition member of parliament who supports the opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, was involved in a plot to overthrow the government in Kinshasa.

Xinhua

{{Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir has agreed to attend a summit on Friday with his South Sudanese counterpart to push stalled economic and security deals, official media said.}}

The meeting, which the SUNA news agency said is slated for the Ethiopian capital, would be the first since Bashir and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir late September signed the deals which they hailed as ending the conflict but which have not been put into effect.

The two countries fought along their undemarcated border in March and April.

In a report late Tuesday, SUNA said Bashir “has accepted the invitation” by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to meet with Bashir in Addis Ababa.

Sudan’s presidential press secretary, Emad Sayed Ahmed, told SUNA that the meeting would “discuss means of speeding up the implementation of the issues agreed upon at the summit between the two presidents” three months ago.

Khartoum accuses South Sudan of supporting rebels inside its territory, which has been a major obstacle to implementing the agreements.

The South, in turn, says Sudan backs rebels on southern soil.

Tensions have persisted along the border, most recently last week when Sudan’s military said “armed groups” from South Sudan clashed with Arab tribesmen in Samaha, one of five areas disputed by Khartoum and the South’s government in Juba.

Sudan considers the area, around the Bahr al-Arab River, to be part of its East Darfur state.

The Samaha incident prompted France to call for an end to fighting along the Sudan-South Sudan border, saying it could threaten efforts to normalise relations between the two states.

In late November Sudan’s army said it attacked an area north of Samaha where rebels had had set up a compound, but South Sudan said bombs landed on its territory, killing several people.

The September deals called for a demilitarised border buffer zone and allowed for a resumption of South Sudanese oil exports through northern pipelines, a move vital for both economies.

They also said border points would be reopened for general trade.
South Sudan separated in July 2011 under a peace agreement that ended a 1983-2005 civil war.

{{Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has said mantained a stand against safe male circumcision in eliminating HIV, saying the campaigns in favour of the method are misleading Ugandans into unchecked sexual behaviour.}}

In his end of year message to the nation on Sunday, the President said there was need to revisit the earlier strategy of Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use (ABC) strategy if the current trend of HIV is to be reversed.

The 2011 Uganda Aids Indicator Survey figures show that the prevalence of HIV among adults has increased from 6.4 per cent in 2005 to 7.3 per cent in 2011.

Ministry of Health figures also indicate that new infections increased by 11.5 per cent between 2007/8 and 2010/11.

The President said Ugandans should return to morality and sexual discipline if HIV\Aids is to be fought effectively, adding that HIV/Aids is not a medical but a moral problem that should be treated as such.

Mr Museveni had made the same call in Rakai during the World Aids Day celebrations on December 1, 2012.

The President’s call is in disagreement with that of scientists who advocate for safe male circumcision as another preventive measure which offers up to 60 per cent protection from the HIV virus that is yet to have a cure.

Officials of the Aids Control Programme (ACP) at the Ministry of Health received the news with criticism, saying HIV is a big problem in Uganda that cannot be tackled with a single strategy but rather a combination of all scientifically-proven preventive measures, including circumcision.

{{As thousands of Ugandans made their resolutions for 2013, mainstream churches and evangelical preachers in Uganda have asked Parliament to urgently pass the Anti-Gay Bill, to avert the recruitment of youngsters into adopting same-sex behaviour.}}

At Namirembe Cathedral in Kampala, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali said the Church of Uganda would continue to protect the culture and the institution of marriage which advocates the union between man and woman.

The Anti-Gay Bill which has stalled for sometime proposes harsh penalties for convicted homosexuals. It is broadly popular among Ugandans and legislators, but has provoked the ire of human rights activists and western governments.

Addressing tens of thousands at the seventh annual National Prayer Day and Night at Nakivubo Stadium in the capital city, several pastors also warned legislators against siding with the Western world on the gay issue, saying they risked losing their seats.

“We ask Members of Parliament to stop wasting time debating the Bill but simply pass it to save school-going children, who are at risk of being recruited [into homosexuality].

Our leaders should desist from any act that would frustrate this proposed law because it has delayed,” said Bishop David Kiganda, the leader of Christianity Focus Ministries (CFM).

Bishop Kiganda, the overseer of “Born again” churches in the country, said the vice threatened the morality of the people.

{{Confronting ‘sin’}}

The remarks by pastors came amidst controversies and media reports of increasing cases of homosexuality in the country. Rev Paul Schinners from the United Kingdom commended Uganda for the Bill, saying it was a clear stand for God.

“There is no other nation the world over that has such a plan and through this, Uganda is going to be blessed,” Rev Schinners said.

“We understand that Uganda had many problems like tribalism, corruption, but many people are simply pointing fingers and judging each other yet all this cannot cause change but it is conviction that would bring change in society,” he added.

Another pastor, Rev. Alex Mitala asked Ugandans to make positive decisions for the New Year if the country is to develop further.

“You need to decide to add value on yourself, your attitudes, work and plans to show action where it is not and do something new,” he said.

At Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, the leader of Born Again Federation of Uganda, Dr Joseph Sserwadda, said there is an urgent need for the anti-gay law because the country needs to confront sin head on.

Dr Sserwadda suggested that as legislators resume business for 2013, the Bill should be top on their agenda.

“We have learnt with shock that the people who recently appeared in the papers over the same practice have escaped to the USA. We know the USA with their policy will not deport them back to Uganda. Uganda should declare that it does not need him anymore. Let America keep them,” he said.

At St Andrews’ Cathedral, the Bishop of Mbale, Rt Rev Patrick Gimadu, decried the high-level corruption, child sacrifice, murders, defilement and homosexuality.

“In the New Year, we must renew our faith and fellowship by repenting. This is the time to seek forgiveness and allow Christ to give this country a new direction,” Bishop Gidudu said.

{{If you’re thinking about using energy drinks to stay up into the wee hours to welcome in the New Year, take care.

The whopping caffeine dose and other additives in those drinks may be more harmful than you think.}}

“Unintentional caffeine overdoses have resulted in serious illness and rare deaths from caffeine poisoning,” says Dr. Kent A. Sepkowitz a physician at Weill-Cornell Medical College in New York, in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Caffeine poisoning has only recently been characterized.”

Considered “dietary supplements” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, energy drinks do not have to conform to the same regulations as traditional caffeinated sodas or over-the-counter caffeine pills.

The same additives that give energy drinks their special status may also interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize caffeine. This could lead to increased or prolonged levels of caffeine in the blood.

Alcohol can also be very dangerous when added to the equation, experts say. Very little is known about the combined effect of alcohol mixed with energy drinks — or AMED, for short.

These include cocktails mixed at bars — like the popular RBV, or Red Bull and vodka — and alcohol and energy drinks consumed separately but within the same night.

Premixed caffeinated alcoholic drinks (like the original Four Loko and Sparks) were essentially banned by the FDA in 2010.

The current theory is that the high dose of caffeine in energy drinks offsets the sedating effect of alcohol, making your brain think you’re less drunk than your body feels.

This disconnected and inebriated version of you might be more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drunken driving or sexual assault. The masked intoxication may also lead people to drink more than they would normally.

However, there is very little evidence to support these theories. Studies show that compared to the usual alcohol drinker, people who drink AMED are more likely to leave the bar drunk, try to drive drunk or engage in other risky behavior.

In another JAMA editorial, lead author Jonathan Howland at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Boston University said that AMED consumers may be “inherently more prone to risk-taking behaviors.

It is possible that personality traits such as impulsivity and sensation seeking cause AMED consumption, rather than AMED causing risky behavior.”

Although the studies on these products are inconclusive, 2012 has not been a good year for energy drinks.

“The swift change in public perception of energy drinks from harmless mild stimulant to lethal, unregulated drug is unprecedented,” said Sepkowitz in his editorial.

After reports of illness, injury and death after consuming energy drinks, the FDA reinvigorated its investigation of these products. Even the Air Force is concerned, launching a survey of 12 bases to better understand energy drink use.

Recently, the FDA reported that Monster energy drink may have been involved in five deaths. Additionally, the five-hour energy drink, a popular energy shot loaded with caffeine, may have played a part in 13 deaths and 33 hospitalizations over the past four years.

According to Sepkowitz, “To reach the possibly lethal dose of 3 grams of caffeine, a person would need to ingest at least 12 of the highly caffeinated energy drinks within a few hours.”

Despite the bad publicity, energy drink makers will not likely lose their buzz – sales of energy drinks in the U.S. were $9 billion in 2011. Six percent of young American men and 45 percent of US overseas troops consume energy drinks daily.

The best advice? Experts advise welcoming the New Year with moderation and safety. In general, less than 500 mg of caffeine per day is considered a safe daily dose for an adult, 100 mg for an adolescent and none for young children.

While the interaction of energy drinks and alcohol is unclear, one thing is for sure: excess caffeine will dehydrate you and slow your New Year’s Day hangover recovery.

{{Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki has called on the various political aspirants and citizens to hold peaceful and issue based campaigns.}}

The President observed that the government is putting in place mechanisms to ensure that the country has a good election but the responsibility must also be share by the political aspirants and the other Kenyans.

“We must all make a deliberate decision to conduct ourselves peacefully,”the Head of State said.

Conveying his best wishes for the New Year to Kenyans in a radio and television address from State House Nairobi today, the President noted that after 50 years of independence, democracy in the country has come of age and maintained that the best way to prove this is to hold peaceful elections next year.

President Kibaki said, “The best gift that we can bestow upon our motherland, on her diamond jubilee year is a peaceful election.

Let us all play our part and send a clear message to the world that we are a beacon of democracy, freedom and liberty.”

The President further added that Kenyans must respect the rights of others to hold differing views and their support for different candidates.

He expressed his confidence that the future of Kenya is bright and will be solidified when the country embark on a peaceful, fair and just election.

The Head of State also pledged to ensure a smooth transition to the leadership that the Kenyan people will elect into office in the forthcoming general elections, adding that the smooth transition must be felt at both the national and county levels.

“This is the reason we are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the county governments,” the President stated.

President Kibaki also urged Kenyans not to relent in the coming year to work closely with the security forces, so as to get rid of the agents of terror in the country adding that the ongoing reforms in the security sector will be fast-tracked in the coming weeks.

The Head of State further noted that Kenya has moved forward and created a solid foundation for increased prosperity for the citizens.
“The strides we have made are visible.

Our children are enjoying access to education and getting a fair chance at succeeding in life. Kenyans expect to live longer due to increased life expectancy.

Millions more Kenyans now have access to clean water and electricity while our health services have vastly improved.

We have a new constitution that is guiding the management of our nation,” President Kibaki stated.

He said that the achievements realized during his tenure are attributable to the dedication from the leaders and the hard work of the people of Kenya.

Adding that it will be his joy to see these achievements move to a higher level so that Kenyans enjoy a higher quality of life.

President Kibaki also thanked Kenyans and all the other external friends for the support they have extended to him and the government during the last ten years since he took office and manage the affairs of the nation.

In regard to the ongoing rains in the country the President noted that the government is putting in place measures to help those adversely affected by the rains around the country.

He further urged Kenyans to also take individual precautions to guard against the effects of the heavy rains.

The President wished all Kenyan’s a happy, prosperous and secure 2013 and also extended his best wishes to those who will be vying for various positions in the forthcoming elections, adding that above all, Kenyans to place faith in God to guide them in the days ahead.

{{The UN has begun reviewing the mix of troops under its heavily-criticised peace-keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a senior official has said.}}

Mr Ban Ki-moon’s deputy spokesperson, Mr Eduardo del Buey, told this newspaper by email that the Security Council has formally asked the Secretary-General to provide alternatives on troop composition, and possible redeployments, to strengthen MONUSCO’s performance.

“The United Nations Security Council has requested the Secretary-General to report on options and their implications for the possible redeployments, in consultation with troop and police-contributing countries of Monusco contingents,” he wrote.

{{Most expensive}}

The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DRC, better known by the acronym Monusco, is a 19,154-strong force deployed primarily to protect civilians in eastern DR Congo that is threatened by a plethora of hazardous rebel outfits and other armed gangs.

It’s the world’s largest, and with a $1.4 billion annual budget, the most expensive peace operation running.

Following the flare up in violence from April, resulting in M23 rebels’ brief capture of Goma City in November, regional leaders – particularly Presidents Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete – questioned the competence and usefulness of the peace-keepers.

As the DRC situation deteriorated, the heads of state and government under the 11-member International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) regional bloc, held back-to-back summits in Kampala, where they unanimously voiced concern about Monusco’s inability to pacify the restive region.

There were initial reports that Uganda offered to provide the required troops to calm eastern DRC, and run the military show at half the current Monusco budget, if the mission’s mandate changed from peace-keeping to peace-enforcement.

This would allow ground troops to launch proactive offensives.

In his December 14 email, Mr Buey noted that Uganda had not formally requested to provide all troops for Monusco’s operations – in the event present troop-contributing countries pulled out of the mission when the mandate shifts to enforcement.

He wrote: “No such offer has been made by the government of Uganda to the United Nations [and] only the Security Council can decide to change, or not, Monusco’s mandate.”

{{Uganda’s experience}}

The Ugandan military scaled the heights in peace enforcement when it airlifted troops, as the largest contributor to Amisom, to chase al-Shabaab fighters and restore sanity in Mogadishu capital, before choosing to attack the militants in Somalia’s countryside.

Initial reports suggested that President Museveni, buoyed by the military victories in the Horn of Africa nation, sought UPDF’s involvement in pacifying DRC during a meeting with Ms Susana Malcorra, the UN secretary-general’s Chef de Cabinet, who visited Kampala to the November 24 at the 5th extra-ordinary ICGLR Heads of State and Government summit.

NMG