Tag: GreatLakesNews

{Police has blocked former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye from leaving his Kasangati home in Wakiso District to Makerere University where he was expected to lead a fundraising ceremony for lecturers’ unpaid Shs28billion incentive arrears.}

Besigye said after consulting different stake holders like former students, lecturers, students and parents, they agreed to solicit funds from the public so as to raise the Shs28billion to pay lecturers.

Dr Besigye had given the government a 10-day ultimatum to re-open the university or he mobilises the public to storm the university.

Besigye, however, noted that they dropped the violent means as they had planned earlier because they do not want more bloodshed and opted to solicit for money from the public.

While addressing journalists this morning, Besigye said he has Shs3 million and a cow which he intends make as a personal contribution towards payment of the lecturers whose strike was part of the reason president Museveni closed the university on November 1.

Meanwhile, security at the university has been tightened ahead of Besigye’s fundraising ceremony to take place at Freedom square.

The O/C Makerere, Mr Denis Kasibante said only people working in the university banks, construction sites, church and Infectious Diseases Institute were allowed in the premises after presenting work IDs.

“National IDs are not allowed. Only work IDs are allowed,” said Mr Kasibante amid tight security at the university main gate.

{The United States government has given six new helicopters to be used by Kenya Defence Forces to fight Al-shabaab in Somalia.}

Two other choppers are expected to be delivered in May 2017.

Kenya’s Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo received the Huey II helicopters at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki today morning.

“They will play a significant role in complex operations by our forces especially in the Somalia theatre. It is an exceptional force multiplier for KDF,” she said.

The grant valued at US dollars 106 million (Ksh 11 billion) is part of help pledged by President Obama in boosting security in the region.

The US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said it’s the single largest donation to a foreign country in sub Saharan Africa.

“This is will help in our joint efforts to fight Al-shabaab. US will remain steadfast partner in fighting terrorism and radicalisation,” he said.

Beside combat operations the helicopters will also be used for search and rescue missions.

{Following recent directive by President John Magufuli and his Kenyan counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta, the Tanzania and Kenya Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) met yesterday after failing to meet for four years due to various reasons.}

The two countries had agreed to hold strategic important bilateral meetings every two years.

But for the last four years, the two East Africa’s countries failed two meet on what was described as a series of national issues that took a big part of the government’s plan.

Opening the JCC meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Aziz Mlima, said Tanzania was looking forward to boosting cooperation initiatives with Kenya.

“For the last four years, we couldn’t meet following some serious national events, including the constitution writing process and the general elections,’’ Dr Mlima noted.

He said that the government “is ready so to speak and our president met his counterpart in Nairobi and agreed to revive and boost such cooperation,” he said during the third JCC between Kenya and Tanzania.

According to Dr Mlima, the meeting, involving representatives from the ministries of Transport; Home Affairs; Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; Water and Irrigation; Energy; and Communication will meet and discuss an action plan and propose a new modality to further the existing relations.

He said Tanzania has already held similar sessions with Zambia and Rwanda. Leading the Kenyan delegation, Ambassador Ben Ogutu said Kenya and Tanzania shared warm relations diplomatically, geographically and economically.

“Therefore, there is greater potential for economic and investment cooperation,” he noted. Ambassador Ogutu noted that the two East African Community (EAC) member states boasted of strong cooperation in the area of trade, health, security and agriculture, among other areas. “We have common aspiration and challenges. This calls for review of our bilateral cooperation to boost our relations,” he noted at the fullypacked meeting.

The Director of Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Samwel Shelukindo, said the Third JCC will ultimately strengthen mutual cooperation between Tanzania and Kenya.

“I am confident that we will reach a point where our cooperation will be ben eficial to our people.” President John Magufuli met President Kenyatta in Nairobi recently, where, among other things, they directed their foreign affairs ministers to ensure they meet before the end of this year. Official statistics show there were 529 Kenyan companies with a base in Tanzania where more than 3.6 trillion/- have been invested, creating more than 56,260 jobs. Trade volume between Tanzania-Kenya stands at an average of 1.7 billion US dollars annually.

Meanwhile, Tanzania said yesterday it was well prepared to further its ties with Republic of Korea. Tanzania is Africa’s largest beneficiary of Koreansupported development projects.

Korea has approved 17.1 per cent about 300 million US dollars of its total funding to Africa to support Tanzania in a span of five years from 2016. Briefing reporters in the city, Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ministry’s Spokesperson Ms Mindi Kasiga said Tanzania was selected among four other African countries to receive Korean concessional financial support.

Other countries are Ethiopia, Angola and Mozambique. “Tanzania will participate in this year’s Korea-Africa forum of ministers to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on December 6 and 7.

Korea is expected to support Tanzania in ICT, industries and energy,” she told reporters. Already, Korea is supporting the construction of Salender Bridge, antenatal services in Dar es Salaam, Kikwete Bridge in Kigoma, Maternal Hospital in Chanika and Mloganzila International hospital in the city.

{Burundi government has been urged to open its borders for United Nations police contingent to monitor the security and human rights situation in the country as armed militia are openly intimidating people.}

A UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) decision issued on Monday under its early warning and urgent action procedure said Burundi is demonstrating “unwillingness or inability to protect civilians”.

It expressed concern over a November 8 Civil Service questionnaire that asks public servants to state their ethnicity. Also, concern at “reports of killings, summary executions, disappearances and torture; the frequent use of hate speech by Government officials; and the growing number of Burundians fleeing the country”.

“Burundi is at a dangerous junction. We therefore call on the Government to step back from any actions that risk stoking ethnic conflict and that could even be a precursor to mass atrocities,”Chairperson of the 18-member CERD, Anastasia Crickley said.

The CERD called on the Burundi government to co-operate with the international community and re-engage with the UN Human Rights Office after suspending its cooperation.

It also urged the authorities to abide by Burundi’s human rights obligations, including those arising from the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Burundi earlier rejected the UN Independent Investigation on Burundi and the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council after announcing its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

{GENEVA (1 December 2016) – The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is silencing critics in clear violation of international human rights law, a United Nations expert has warned.}

The action, which includes jamming radio broadcasts and arresting journalists, is targeting the independent media at a time of high political tension, says the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye.

“These actions are not only in clear violation of the DRC’s obligations under international human rights law, but the silencing of critical voices through arrests, censorship and other forms of government control poses risks for the stability of the country which is already in a seriously fragile state,” the expert said.

“Freedom of expression in the DRC has increasingly been threatened by the criminalization of critics and the opposition, including the use of harsh punishments. The government has a responsibility to uphold people’s rights to freedom of expression and a free media, as guaranteed in the 2005 constitution,” Mr. Kaye added. “It should also take the opportunity to promote and protect these rights to establish a foundation for growth and stability.”

The independent expert highlighted examples including a decree issued by the Minister of Information and Media, Lambert Mende, on 12 November, prohibiting the international media from operating in the DRC unless they sign an agreement with a local media outlet or create one subject to Congolese regulations.

Such a rule threatened independent radio stations, such as Okapi or RFI, which broadcast in the country without local partnership, the UN Special Rapporteur noted.

Mr. Kaye also noted that since the beginning of November, five journalists had been arrested and the government had jammed the signals of three media outlets – RTBF, RFI Brazza and a local radio station in Katanga – accusing them of interference in the country’s internal affairs. The government had also asked Okapi to stop broadcasting two programmes, alleging they provided a platform for anti-government opinions.

“With the government proposing changes to the Constitution that would extend the presidency’s terms of office, it is especially important to foster open public debate,” said the Special Rapporteur.

“Instead, I am concerned that the Government is attempting to reduce that space and limit the participation of critics.”

Mr. Kaye’s call has been endorsed by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Maina Kiai; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst.

Mr. David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression in August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

{Joseph Kabila’s second and last term as president of Democratic Republic of Congo comes to an end December 19. However, a court ruling states he could remain in power since elections were not held in November to determine his successor.}

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour said during his visit last week to DRC that there is widespread concern of mass demonstrations rivaling September’s deadly riots if Kabila does not relinquish power.

“These may be met in a similar fashion to those of September,” Gilmour said. “In which case, we could see a truly terrible escalation. So, this is why confidence-building measures need to be implemented now, to head off that scenario.”

Gilmour says he is deeply worried about the clampdown on fundamental freedoms by the authorities.

“A ban on all public demonstrations by opposition parties or civil society is now in effect throughout most of the country,” he said, “but this does not seem to apply to the ruling majority, whose gatherings continue to take place. … During my visit to the country, I underlined to the Congolese authorities that there can be no credible and peaceful electoral process without respect for fundamental freedoms.”

Gilmour says restrictions on the media have increased. Reportedly, at least seven journalists have been arrested, two newspapers closed, and one radio station discontinued since September.

DRC authorities also denigrate civil society organizations, Gilmour says, and dismiss anti-government demonstrators as thugs, rapists and drug addicts.

{Cord leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday urged both Cord and Jubilee MPs to stand against the President’s views on the sharing of billions of shillings from oil revenue between the national government and the regions where the oil is.}

He accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of “illegal law making antics”.

The Cord leader and four governors including Turkana’s Josephat Nanok, said the President had rejected a Bill proposing a formula for revenue sharing. Mr Odinga said the president’s proposal would be a “rip-off by the government against the locals”.

Mr Odinga and Mr Nanok told a press conference at Capitol Hill that it was wrong for the President to scale down the sharing formula from 10 to five per cent for the people where the oil is.

“The President also wants to reduce the share of county government from 20 per cent to an ambiguous figure to be determined by the national government purportedly to cater for what he calls ‘equitable share of taxes’ whatever that means,” said Mr Odinga.

Mr Odinga said that careless handling of the sharing of oil and other mineral resources could spell doom for the country and urged the President to learn from Nigeria.

“The Bill was meant to provide a framework for contracting, exploration, development and production of petroleum in Kenya. It is a critical Bill in light of the discoveries Kenya is making in oil,” Mr Odinga said.

The Cord leader said the President was attempting to place the entitlements of the people where oil will be found and the county governments at the mercy of the Executive. “This is a clear violation of the Constitution and an attempt to reintroduce marginalisation of communities in regard to their resources through the back door,” he said.

Mr Nanok condemned the President’s position that marginalised peoples should not be paid more than twice what they receive as the annual allocation in the Division of Revenue Bill was ill advised and unacceptable.

REJECTED BILL

“Over 850 million barrels have already been discovered from various wells around Turkana area. Article 59 of the Constitution is clear on how mineral resources should be shared. What Uhuru Kenyatta is telling us is unconstitutional to say the least,” Mr Nanok said.

Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) and Evans Kidero (Nairobi) and ODM chairman John Mbadi were also present.

He urged the President to reconsider his memorandum rejecting the Bill. He denied claims that the county’s absorption capacity was low and that with the oil billions added to the revenue allocated through devolution the county could be having more than it requires.

The President sent his memorandum to the National Assembly saying why rejected the Bill on September 23, 2016.

The Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Bill 2016 had been passed in both houses following consultations with members of the two Houses.

Mr Odinga said: “The rejection of the Bill by the President is a slap on the face of communities that had finally seen a realistic chance to pull themselves from the dehumanization of years of State-sanctioned marginalization and poverty to which the past constitutional order had condemned them.”

{A senior Administration Police officer has been shot dead in Nairobi.}

The Superintendent of police was shot dead on Wednesday morning near his residence in Mihango, Kayole.

The officer was a doctor attached to the Administration Police headquarters.

Nairobi County Police Commander Japheth Koome said the officer, who cannot be named because his family had not been informed, was heading home from work.

“He was accosted by an unknown number of gunmen who shot him in the left side of his chest, killing him on the spot,” Mr Koome said.

He said the gunmen were using a hired vehicle, which they left at the scene after the shooting at 3.40am.

“We got the information from residents who heard gunshots from a location they could not immediately point out.

“When officers went to the scene, they found the two cars, with the officer’s body inside his car,” Mr Koome said and added that the suspects may have escaped by foot.

It is not yet clear whether the officer was armed. Mr Koome said no firearm was found on his body or inside the car.

Crime scene investigation officers visited the site and dusted the two vehicles for finger prints.

They also collected three spent cartridges, which will be subjected to ballistic examinations.

The windscreen of the slain officer’s vehicle was smashed.

The hired car, a white saloon registration number KBA 309 E, was abandoned in front of the officer’s vehicle.