Tag: GreatLakesNews

{{South Sudan police detained three journalists from the Gurtong website on Friday in the capital Juba, two days after a leading political commentator, Isaiah Ding Abraham Chan Awuol, was shot dead by unknown gunmen.}}

At around 10am the journalists’ driver was arrested and taken to a police station after he failed to show his driving licence.

The incident occured on the road to Hai Referendum in Gudelle , the western suburb of the capital where Awuol was killed early on Wednesday morning.

The three reporters say they followed the police car which had taken their colleague to Bukul police station but when they entered a scuffle broke out and they were all beaten and detained.

The police had wanted to delete photos taken by the journalists, one of the reporters said.

However, the pressmen added, a more senior police officer intervened and released the reporters, recommending that they open a case against the police for mistreating them.

The spokesman of the South Sudan Police Services, Col. James Monday, told UN Radio Miraya FM’s ’Inside South Sudan Program’ at 5 pm on Friday that the three policemen who were involved had been placed in detention for further questioning.

One of the journalist told Sudan Tribune that the police “did not know that we journalists” until they started taking photographs at the police station.

Although they had press cards, the journalists said that they did not have time to show them to the police before they were beaten and detained.

He said that their cameras and recorders were taken from them as the policemen wanted to delete any information or photos taken but the equipment was returned upon their release.

All the three journalists work for the Gurtong website, one of the online publications that the late Isaiah Ding Abraham Chan Awuol used to write for before his death.

UN concerned over death of columnist

On Friday the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) expressed “deep concern” over the death of the independent columnist who was also known as Diing Chan Awuol and wrote under the pen name, Isaiah Ding Abraham.

Awuol had worked for the United Nations during the war as well as, at other times, fighting with the southern rebels which now govern independent South Sudan.

In a statement, UNMISS said that the full and thorough investigation promised by South Sudan President Salva Kiir was of “utmost importance”.

Awuol was shot outside his home in Gudelle between midnight and 4am on 5 December.

Family members and friends have spoken anonymously about the threats he received before his death due to articles, which were often critical of government.

As well as Gurtong, Awuol also wrote frequent columns for Sudan Tribune and also wrote for the Destiny newspaper, while it was publishing.

Reporters Without Borders said on Thursday that Awuol’s “death is a tragic setback to the hopes cherished by South Sudan’s defenders of freedom of opinion since independence” in July 2011 as part of a landmark 2005 peace deal with Khartoum.

The press freedom group added: “The way this case is handled will be test for freedom of information and free speech in this young nation.

Only a tireless fight against impunity for crimes of violence against journalists and other news providers will preserve these freedoms, which are the basis of democracy.”

If it is established that Awuol’s death was motivated by his writing, he will be the first South Sudanese journalist to be killed in connectrion with his work.

South Sudan’s ruling party – the SPLM – and the young nation’s army – the SPLA – have proven sensitive to criticism since the came to power in 2005, struugling to adjust to the move from guerilla movement to responsible governance.

One of Awuol’s relatives told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday: “I knew he would one day be assassinated for his writings and I told him to stop but he said he would prefer to die than to stop writing.”

(ST)

{{Bank of Uganda has recalled all the 1987 series sh1,000, sh5,000, sh10,000, sh20,000 and sh50,000 bank notes printed before the year 2010.}}

The bank notes will, however, still be considered for transactions until March 30 next year.

Also being phased out is the sh10,000 bank note unveiled in 2007 to commemorate the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting held in Uganda’s Capital Kampala.

The Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor, Dr. Louis Kasekende was quoted by local press saying, “We had discussions with all commercial banks and sent out a circular, asking them to stop issuing the bank notes with immediate effect.”

Of the estimated 2.4 trillion bank notes in circulation, the old notes constitute 4% (about sh93b), showing a significant reduction in their supply, Kasekende explained.

He maintained that the seven-month period given for the recall of the old notes was adequate to wipe them out of circulation and appealed to the public not to panic.

{{Expatriates working in Kenya have won a key protection after the High Court removed the powers of the Immigration minister to arbitrarily cancel work permits.}}

Justice Weldon Korir has in two rulings said that the Department of Immigration cannot revoke work permits and residency without informing the holders why.

“One of the principles of good governance demands that reasons must accompany decisions,” said Mr Justice Korir.

“In a case where a right that was already being enjoyed was being withdrawn, it was imperative that reasons for the action ought to have been given.”

{{Kenya’s Presidents office State House on Friday denied media reports alleging interference in the formation of political coalitions by President Mwai Kibaki and his confidants.}}

A statement released by the Presidential Press Service said President Kibaki has vowed to respect the choice of Kenyans at the ballot.

“We wish to state that President Kibaki remains focused on his service to the nation and peaceful elections and transition and should not be dragged in ongoing political activities,” the statement read.

The statement says that the president is a democrat and will respect the wishes of the Kenyan people now and after the March 2013 General Election.

“The president reiterates to Kenyans that elections come and go. What’s indeed fundamental is that Kenyans continue to enjoy better and greater development, peace and security now and after 04/03/2012,” the statement indicated.

There was wide speculation initially that Musalia Mudavadi who is the United Democratic Forum (UDF) party leader is “a State House Project.”

Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Mudavadi agreed on Tuesday evening that Ruto would remain the coalition’s running mate but that Kenyatta and Mudavadi would within 14 days face off in nominations for the Jubilee Coalition’s presidential ticket.

They agreed the person who loses out in the nominations will be the House Majority Leader in Parliament.

There was palpable tension on Thursday within the TNA-URP-UDF alliance after a group of 40 MPs allied to Kenyatta threatened a mass walk-out if the Gatundu South MP is not the presidential candidate.

The Kenyatta-allied MPs read mischief at what they said was a scheme by powerful individuals to have the DPM step down in favour of his fellow Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, in the March 4 elections.

The MPs accused a group of powerful individuals of working behind the scenes to have Mudavadi as the alliance presidential candidate and warned that they would not succumb to the pressure.

Riots have engulfed Juba city of South Sudan following the cruel murder of a Ugandan motor taxi operator who was shot dead by a Policeman.

It has been reported that Traders operating from Jebere Market have been engaged in running battles with Police protesting the murder of Moses Baguma.

Salif Yiga, a colleague, said Baguma was riding a motorcycle today (Thursday) morning when he bypassed a policeman.

Because it was still dusk Baguma had on lights and as he passed by the policeman they flashed in his face.

Salif says when Baguma passed; the policeman turned and shot him in the back in an unprovoked senseless attack.

“Once Baguma’s lights shone in the policeman’s face he turned and shot him in the back killing him on spot,” Yiga said.

NV

{{Islamist extremists attacked an army post in northeastern Somalia, killing 12 soldiers in one of the deadliest attacks in recent months by the al-Qaida-linked group, al-Shabab, an official said Wednesday.}}

The attack occurred in Galgala Mountains, in the semiautonomous Puntland region, where the al-Shabab rebels are trying to expand their influence.

The militants attacked the post and blew up a roadside bomb on Tuesday night, killing the soldiers, said a Puntland official, who insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press.

Al-Shabab rebels have been pushed out of the cities of southern and central Somalia by African Union forces. The Somali government says the militants are consolidating in Galgala.

The rebels’ northern flight to the Galgala Mountain comes after months of increasing pressure from the African Union force, made up of troops from Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Al-Shabab this year merged with a Puntland warlord — Mohamed Said Atom — and clashed with government forces in Puntland several times. Al-Qaida and al-Shabab — the most powerful Islamist militant group in Somalia — merged earlier this year.

Galgala is an ancient mountain town in Puntland has been a key rebel stronghold for years. Fighters led by former arms trader Atom have been fighting the Puntland government from bases in the mountains for years.

A 2010 report by the U.N. accused Atom of importing arms from Yemen and receiving consignments from Eritrea, including mortars, for delivery to al-Shabab forces in southern Somalia. Atom’s supporters say he is fighting for more equitable distribution of revenues from oil exploration deals with foreign companies.

Puntland authorities have long blamed Atom’s group and al-Shabab for carrying out bombings and assassinations in their region, but outright assaults on government positions have been rare.

Al-Shabab relies on several hundred foreign fighters — some with experience in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Al-Shabab formally joined al-Qaida earlier this year, and seeks to recruit new soldiers from Somali communities overseas.

U.S. and British officials in particular fear that young recruits from Somali communities in Minneapolis, Minnesota or London could train in Somalia, and return to their home countries to carry out attacks.

Somalia is trying to establish its first functional government after two decades of chaos since 1991, when warlords overthrew Said Barre— a longtime dictator— and then turned on one another.

{{Congo’s M23 rebels are sending a delegation to Kampala, Uganda, to negotiate with the Congolese government on Thursday, the rebels’ president said.}}

“Our delegation will drive to Kampala for talks,” M23 president Jean-Marie Runiga said thursday.

Runiga said the talks with representatives of President Joseph Kabila’s Kinshasa government must be wide-ranging negotiations to cover constitutional and governance issues and should include the Congolese opposition and civic organizations.

“Kinshasa cannot impose its agenda,” said Runiga. “We must discuss the agenda with the opposition, civil society and Congolese outside the country.”

Runiga spoke in Bunagana town, on the border with Uganda. He sat in a field outside the town, flanked by three armed guards.

When asked why the M23 have only withdrawn to positions 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Goma, instead of the 20 kilometers (12 miles) agreed upon, Runiga insisted that the rebels had retreated 60 kilometers from Masisi, which more than fulfills the 20-kilometer retreat required by the Kinshasa government.

Runiga denied that the government said the rebels must move 20 kilometers away from Goma.

The prospect of negotiations in neighboring Uganda comes as the strategic eastern Congo city of Goma, with 1 million people, struggles returns to normal life.

Goma was held for two weeks by the M23 rebels, who now remain just 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away in the hills above the city.

Although many shops in Goma have reopened, most banks have remained closed, paralyzing the city’s business.

The M23 rebels have threatened to retake Goma unless Kabila’s government starts negotiations.

Despite the rebels’ retreat from Goma, which was a prerequisite set by the DRC government for negotiations, the government has not yet confirmed if it will talk with the rebels.

On Sunday, government spokesman Lambert Mende said Kabila would listen to M23’s grievances and then respond.

“I hope for Kabila’s sake that the negotiations happen, because we have nothing to lose,” said M23 political officer Stanislas Baleke. “Next time we won’t stop at Goma, we’ll go all the way to Uvira (350 kilometers or 218 miles to the south).”

The rebels say they are fighting for better governance and democracy in Congo.

Despite the uncertainty, the U.N. peacekeeping force is working with the Congolese government to get Goma back to normal life.

“We are projecting to reopen the airport tomorrow (Thursday), but we cannot guarantee 100% at this stage,” said Madnodje Mounoubai, spokesman of the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO.

Mounoubai said he did not think the presence of M23 rebels just 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away poses a threat to getting the airport to operate again.

{Wirestory}

One person admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital following Wednesday night’s explosion in Eastleigh has died.

According to the hospital’s communications manager Simon Ithai, six others out of the eight who were admitted to the hospital were treated and discharged.

Nairobi police chief Moses Nyakwama confirmed that the blast was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device although no suspect has been arrested.

“The explosion was caused by a roadside bomb which had been placed in a hole in the ground by the roadside. No arrest has been made so far but we have confirmed it was an improvised bomb,” he added.

The blast, which occurred on Wednesday at around 7:30pm while the streets crowded as people returned home from work, happened in Joska area near a supermarket.

The latest incident comes less than a month after 10 people were killed and more than 30 others wounded when an explosive went off aboard a minibus in the same estate.

At the time, police said that it was likely that the improvised explosive device was planted in the vehicle and was detonated from a safe distance.

Police have so far charged 15 suspects over the bus explosion in November, while the hunt for the prime suspect is still on, according to Nyakwama.

The Nairobi police chief says they are working hard to determine the reasons behind three successive attacks in the area.

Kenya has suffered a string of attacks often blamed on Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab militants since it sent its troops, now integrated into an African Union force, into Somalia.

In a separate incident, police shot dead three suspected gangsters in Nairobi’s Githurai area on Thursday.

Nyakwama said that they had recovered two pistols with several rounds of ammunition.

He said that three were cornered after they defied orders to stop and instead opened fire at police who were trailing them.

{{There has been an explosion in a mainly Somali neighbourhood in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, police say.}}

Up to nine people were injured in the blast in the Eastleigh neighbourhood, reported to have been caused by a roadside bomb.

Last month, a grenade blast in Eastleigh left seven people dead.

Kenya accuses neighbouring Somalia’s al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group of trying to destabilise the country.

Reuters reports that its correspondent at the explosion site saw pools of blood on the ground, as the wounded were swiftly moved away.

“The explosion was caused by a roadside bomb which had been placed in a hole in the ground,” Nairobi police chief Moses Nyakwama told the AFP news agency.

“No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are already under way,” he added.

Al-Shabab has not yet commented on the blast.

Last month, Kenya accused the group of launching a grenade attack on a bus in Eastleigh, killing seven people.

The attack triggered riots in the area, as angry youths burnt and looted Somali-owned shops.

Kenya’s government has blamed al-Shabab for a spate of explosions and kidnappings on its territory.

Kenyan troops are part of an 18,000-strong African Union (AU) force fighting al-Shabab in Somalia.