CAPE TOWN, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Late former South African president Nelson Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela has denied media reports that Mandela's family was at war after the death of the anti-apartheid icon.
In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua on Thursday, Winnie expressed disappointment at the media's interference in closed matters of the Mandela family.
Madagascar: Candidates of Madagascar presidential runoff
ANTANANARIVO, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 7.9 million voters in Madagascar went to the polls on Friday to elect their future president. The following is the background information of the two candidates Jean Louis Robinson and Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
S. Africa dismisses report Mandela trained by Israeli agents
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The South African Nelson Mandela foundation on Saturday denied the report that Mandela received the training from Israeli agents in 1962.
"We can confirm that we have not located any evidence in Nelson Mandela's private archive that he interacted with an Israeli operative," the foundation said in a statement.
U.S., Burundian militaries choose to go far together
Maj. Richard J. Sonnenfeld, Chief of Security Cooperation, U.S. Embassy Burundi salutes Burundian Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Hakizimana. (Background) Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 13.3 trained one of the deploying Burundian Companies in Logistics and Urban Engineering from July 2013-December 2013. On Dec. 9, the U.S. government authorized U.S. aircraft to assist the Burundian National Defense Forces with their deployment to Bangui, Central African Republic. (U.S. Army Africa photo)
Russia: Kalashnikov assault rifle designer dead at 94 Years Old.
Zambia: Chipolopolo beats Tanzania to take 3rd place | CECAFA 2013
Kawowo.com, December 13, 2013.
Third Place Play-off:
Zambia 1 (6) - 1 (5) Tanzania
Zambian Chipolopolo goalie, Joshua Titima proved to the match winner for the 2013 CECAFA guest nation, Zambia with that penalty save off Kilimanjaro Star's skipper, Kelvin Yondani to help his team finish third in the 2013 edition of the tourney and also claim the Us dollars 10,000 prize at stake.
Prior the tense but exciting penalty shoot out, the two teams had played to a one all draw in regular time. Zambia took the lead 7 minutes after the half-time recess through Ronald Kampamba who netted his second goal of the campaign in as many games.
Live wire striker, Mbwana Samata justified his inclusion on the list of Africa's based players on the continent for the year 2013 with a beautifully executed strike off the tip of his left boot after a twist and turn around the goal area.
In the kick-off, Chananogo, Mwirisho Ngassa and Kelvin Yondani missed for Tanzania while Mtonga Kondwani and Justin Zulu had missed for the 2010 African champions.
Wheras Tanzania at most time had a goal advantage with great shots from Mbwana Samata, Erasto Nyoni, Mao, Kiemba and Yahaya Singano, Zambia successfully scored through Felix Katongo, Ronald Kampamba, Captain Bronson Chama, Julius Situmbeko, Rodrick Kabwe and Kabaso Chongo to have a goal advantage and take the 10,000 dollars at stake as top prize money.
Tanzania XI :
Ivo Phillip Mapunda (GK), Kelvin Yondani (capt), Erasto Edward Nyoni, Pius Michael Aidan, Said Hussein Moradi, Idd Athuman, Abubaker Salum, Saleh Dilunga, Alfan Ngasa Mwrisho, Ally Mbwana Samata and Kiemba Ramadhan.
Zambia XI:
Joshua Titima, Bronson Chama (capt), Jimmy Chisenga, Rodrick Kabwe, Kondwani Mtonga, Sydney Kalume, Alex N'gonga, Jistin Zulu, Festus Ndewe, Ronald Kampamba and Felix Katongo
Coach: Patrice Beaumelle
Match Officials: Mutaz Khairala (Sudan)-center referee, Gilbert Cheruiyot (Kenya)-1st assistant, Simba Honore (Rwanda)-2nd assistant, Richard Gahunzire (Rwanda)-Match Commissioner, Ali Ahmed (Somalia) - Referees' Inspector
#Zambia: #Chipolopolo beats #Tanzania to take 3rd place | #CECAFA 2013
Third Place Play-off:
Zambia 1 (6) - 1 (5) Tanzania
Zambian Chipolopolo goalie, Joshua Titima proved to the match winner for the 2013 CECAFA guest nation, Zambia with that penalty save off Kilimanjaro Star's skipper, Kelvin Yondani to help his team finish third in the 2013 edition of the tourney and also claim the Us dollars 10,000 prize at stake.
Prior the tense but exciting penalty shoot out, the two teams had played to a one all draw in regular time. Zambia took the lead 7 minutes after the half-time recess through Ronald Kampamba who netted his second goal of the campaign in as many games.
Live wire striker, Mbwana Samata justified his inclusion on the list of Africa's based players on the continent for the year 2013 with a beautifully executed strike off the tip of his left boot after a twist and turn around the goal area.
In the kick-off, Chananogo, Mwirisho Ngassa and Kelvin Yondani missed for Tanzania while Mtonga Kondwani and Justin Zulu had missed for the 2010 African champions.
Wheras Tanzania at most time had a goal advantage with great shots from Mbwana Samata, Erasto Nyoni, Mao, Kiemba and Yahaya Singano, Zambia successfully scored through Felix Katongo, Ronald Kampamba, Captain Bronson Chama, Julius Situmbeko, Rodrick Kabwe and Kabaso Chongo to have a goal advantage and take the 10,000 dollars at stake as top prize money.
Tanzania XI :
Ivo Phillip Mapunda (GK), Kelvin Yondani (capt), Erasto Edward Nyoni, Pius Michael Aidan, Said Hussein Moradi, Idd Athuman, Abubaker Salum, Saleh Dilunga, Alfan Ngasa Mwrisho, Ally Mbwana Samata and Kiemba Ramadhan.
Zambia XI:
Joshua Titima, Bronson Chama (capt), Jimmy Chisenga, Rodrick Kabwe, Kondwani Mtonga, Sydney Kalume, Alex N'gonga, Jistin Zulu, Festus Ndewe, Ronald Kampamba and Felix Katongo
Coach: Patrice Beaumelle
Match Officials: Mutaz Khairala (Sudan)-center referee, Gilbert Cheruiyot (Kenya)-1st assistant, Simba Honore (Rwanda)-2nd assistant, Richard Gahunzire (Rwanda)-Match Commissioner, Ali Ahmed (Somalia) - Referees' Inspector
#Zambia: #Chipolopolo beats #Tanzania to take 3rd place | #CECAFA 2013
Uganda: LRA rebels surrender in CAR
Bbc.co.uk, December 13, 2013.
Nineteen fighters from Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have surrendered following an offensive against the rebel group in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Ugandan army says.
Six children were among those who gave themselves up, the army said.
The LRA was forced out of Uganda in 2005 and since then has wreaked havoc in CAR and other neighbouring states.
The group says its mission is to install a government in Uganda based on the Biblical Ten Commandments.
It is notorious for abducting children to serve as sex slaves and child soldiers.
The US has listed it as a terrorist group and has offered up to $5m (£3.3m) for leads resulting in the arrest of its leader, Joseph Kony.
It has about 100 special forces working alongside some 3,000 regional troops trying to hunt down Mr Kony and his fighters in CAR, the Democratic Republic of Congo. and South Sudan.
The troops are operating under an African Union (AU) mandate.
In a statement, the AU said "Operation Monsoon" was launched in August, resulting in the destruction of several LRA camps in CAR and DR Congo.
Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said the LRA had been "greatly degraded" in CAR.
The latest group to surrender would be repatriated to Uganda, he said, in a statement published in the state-owned New Vision newspaper.
The children had had "initial psycho-social rehabilitation", Lt Col Ankunda added.
The army remained "open-handed to receive LRA defectors who abandon violence", he said.
Ugandan troops were forced to temporarily suspend operations against the LRA in CAR in April.
This followed the overthrow of CAR President Francois Bozize in a rebellion led by Michel Djotodia.
Last month, Mr Djotodia said Mr Kony was negotiating his transfer.
However, AU and US officials cast doubts on his claim.
Nineteen fighters from Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have surrendered following an offensive against the rebel group in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Ugandan army says.
Six children were among those who gave themselves up, the army said.
The LRA was forced out of Uganda in 2005 and since then has wreaked havoc in CAR and other neighbouring states.
The group says its mission is to install a government in Uganda based on the Biblical Ten Commandments.
It is notorious for abducting children to serve as sex slaves and child soldiers.
The US has listed it as a terrorist group and has offered up to $5m (£3.3m) for leads resulting in the arrest of its leader, Joseph Kony.
It has about 100 special forces working alongside some 3,000 regional troops trying to hunt down Mr Kony and his fighters in CAR, the Democratic Republic of Congo. and South Sudan.
The troops are operating under an African Union (AU) mandate.
In a statement, the AU said "Operation Monsoon" was launched in August, resulting in the destruction of several LRA camps in CAR and DR Congo.
Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said the LRA had been "greatly degraded" in CAR.
The latest group to surrender would be repatriated to Uganda, he said, in a statement published in the state-owned New Vision newspaper.
The children had had "initial psycho-social rehabilitation", Lt Col Ankunda added.
The army remained "open-handed to receive LRA defectors who abandon violence", he said.
Ugandan troops were forced to temporarily suspend operations against the LRA in CAR in April.
This followed the overthrow of CAR President Francois Bozize in a rebellion led by Michel Djotodia.
Last month, Mr Djotodia said Mr Kony was negotiating his transfer.
However, AU and US officials cast doubts on his claim.
Kenya: NYPD Report on Kenya Attack Isn't US Government View
Abcnews.go.com, December 13, 2013.
A New York Police Department report on September's Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi that suggests the terrorist gunmen may have escaped does not reflect the United States government position, the top U.S. State Department official for Africa said Friday.
The NYPD report, released earlier this week, angered the Kenyan government for suggesting the four gunmen from the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab may have escaped. Kenyan and Western officials have said the evidence suggests the four gunmen died inside the mall and that their remains have been recovered. The FBI worked closely with Kenyan officials during the investigation.
At least 67 people were killed in the four-day siege on the mall. The NYPD report says that "it is unknown if the terrorists were killed or escaped the mall." Other parts of the report suggests they were seeking an escape route.
"That report has no connection with any official U.S. government reporting. It was not shared with us and we don't share the conclusions that were in the report," Assistant Secretary of State Linda Greenfield-Thomas said. Greenfield-Thomas, who represented the U.S. at Kenya's celebration of its 50th anniversary of independence from Britain on Thursday, met with top Kenyan officials on her trip. She said the NYPD report was brought up in one meeting and that she told the Kenyan delegation that the report was not sanctioned by the U.S. government and does not reflect the U.S. position.
Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir, a Kenyan military spokesman, on Thursday said the bodies of the four attackers were discovered and dismissed the NYPD report, saying it used secondary information and that NYPD did not have representatives among the group of western investigators assisting Kenya with the probe.
At an NYPD briefing on Tuesday for corporate security officials, Lt. Kevin Yorke of the Intelligence Division presented an analysis of the Kenyan attack and the response by authorities there that he said was "based solely on open-source information we gathered and is unclassified."
Much of the presentation focused on closed-circuit footage of the four shooters during the first 12 hours of the siege. One segment showed the men hiding out in a storage area until one disabled a camera. Yorke said it was the last known images of the terrorists, and questioned why they weren't seen again even though other closed-circuit cameras around the mall were running for another 34 hours. Power to the mall and the CCTV camera feeds were cut on Monday at 11 a.m., the NYPD report says.
The NYPD report may only add to the cloudy information surrounding the mall attack, which has been troubled by inaccuracy from the start of the attack, when the first reports from the mall suggested a bank robbery was under way. Other statements and reports that turned out to false include:
— Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said that 10 to 15 terrorists carried out the attack. In truth there were only four attackers, officials now say.
— Lenku said an unknown number of hostages were being held. Officials now say no hostages were ever held.
— News reports attributed to unidentified officials said the attackers had rented a shop at the mall and installed weaponry including belt-fed machine guns. Officials say there is no evidence that is true.
— Kenya's president and foreign minister issued statements that some of the attackers came from the U.S. and Britain. There is no evidence that is true, though one attacker did spend time in Norway.
— News reports that some of the attackers may have escaped from the mall after changing clothes. There is no evidence that is true, officials now say.
A New York Police Department report on September's Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi that suggests the terrorist gunmen may have escaped does not reflect the United States government position, the top U.S. State Department official for Africa said Friday.
The NYPD report, released earlier this week, angered the Kenyan government for suggesting the four gunmen from the al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab may have escaped. Kenyan and Western officials have said the evidence suggests the four gunmen died inside the mall and that their remains have been recovered. The FBI worked closely with Kenyan officials during the investigation.
At least 67 people were killed in the four-day siege on the mall. The NYPD report says that "it is unknown if the terrorists were killed or escaped the mall." Other parts of the report suggests they were seeking an escape route.
"That report has no connection with any official U.S. government reporting. It was not shared with us and we don't share the conclusions that were in the report," Assistant Secretary of State Linda Greenfield-Thomas said. Greenfield-Thomas, who represented the U.S. at Kenya's celebration of its 50th anniversary of independence from Britain on Thursday, met with top Kenyan officials on her trip. She said the NYPD report was brought up in one meeting and that she told the Kenyan delegation that the report was not sanctioned by the U.S. government and does not reflect the U.S. position.
Maj. Emmanuel Chirchir, a Kenyan military spokesman, on Thursday said the bodies of the four attackers were discovered and dismissed the NYPD report, saying it used secondary information and that NYPD did not have representatives among the group of western investigators assisting Kenya with the probe.
At an NYPD briefing on Tuesday for corporate security officials, Lt. Kevin Yorke of the Intelligence Division presented an analysis of the Kenyan attack and the response by authorities there that he said was "based solely on open-source information we gathered and is unclassified."
Much of the presentation focused on closed-circuit footage of the four shooters during the first 12 hours of the siege. One segment showed the men hiding out in a storage area until one disabled a camera. Yorke said it was the last known images of the terrorists, and questioned why they weren't seen again even though other closed-circuit cameras around the mall were running for another 34 hours. Power to the mall and the CCTV camera feeds were cut on Monday at 11 a.m., the NYPD report says.
The NYPD report may only add to the cloudy information surrounding the mall attack, which has been troubled by inaccuracy from the start of the attack, when the first reports from the mall suggested a bank robbery was under way. Other statements and reports that turned out to false include:
— Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said that 10 to 15 terrorists carried out the attack. In truth there were only four attackers, officials now say.
— Lenku said an unknown number of hostages were being held. Officials now say no hostages were ever held.
— News reports attributed to unidentified officials said the attackers had rented a shop at the mall and installed weaponry including belt-fed machine guns. Officials say there is no evidence that is true.
— Kenya's president and foreign minister issued statements that some of the attackers came from the U.S. and Britain. There is no evidence that is true, though one attacker did spend time in Norway.
— News reports that some of the attackers may have escaped from the mall after changing clothes. There is no evidence that is true, officials now say.
Burundi: U.S. assists Burundi with deployment to Central African Republic
Marforeur.marines.mil, December 13, 2013.
BUJUMBURA, Burundi - Burundian National Defense Forces and the U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 worked together Dec. 10 as the African partners prepared to embark to the Central Africa Republic as part of the African Union mission.
On Dec. 9, the U.S. government authorized U.S. aircraft to assist the Burundian National Defense Forces with their deployment to Bangui, Central Africa Republic (CAR), according to a Department of State press release. The Marines have been in Burundi since October, taking part in military-to-military engagements focused on varied skills and knowledge including combat marksmanship, first-aid, basic infantry skills and engineering skills.
“Security Cooperation Team 2 moved to assist their partnered Burundian Forces hours after learning about [the operation],” said Lt. Col. Thomas Marble, Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa 13 commanding officer from Stafford, Va.
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi Dawn Liberi met with 1st VP Bernard Busokoza and Chief of Defense and War Veterans MG Prime Niyongabo on Dec. 8 to facilitate close collaboration between U.S. and Burundian militaries to respond immediately to the crises in CAR. Ambassador Liberi emphasized the need for immediate deployment to help end the widespread violence and chaos that has caused such great human suffering to the people of the Central African Republic.
This event highlights Burundi’s contribution to regional peacekeeping as Burundi has now deployed in an expeditionary role to two of Africa’s most urgent humanitarian crises (Somalia and CAR).
Burundi’s ability to deploy highly trained soldiers is the result of the 7-year military-to-military partnership between the U.S. and Burundi and reflects the long term training assistance provided by the Africa Contingency Operations Training & Assistance program. ACOTA is a State Department program that enhances the capacities and capabilities of its African Partner Countries, regional institutions, and the continent’s peacekeeping resources as a whole so that they can plan for, train, deploy, and sustain sufficient quantities of professionally competent peacekeepers to meet conflict transformation requirements with minimal non-African assistance. Marines and Burundian soldiers have been partnered since 2012, working together through theater security cooperation engagements that bolster partnerships and military capacity for both forces.
“The flexibility of the Special-Purpose MAGTF and the engagement our team provided have prepared [the BNDF soldiers] well for their mission in the Central African Republic,” said Marble.
The BNDF and Marines worked together to palletize equipment, stage supplies and assist in the final preparations as the soldiers embarked for their Central African Republic mission as part of the African Union force in Bujumbura, Burundi, Dec. 10-11.
“The team spent about five hours out there helping to build pallets of beans, rice, and other sustainment items as well as staging vehicles,” said Maj. Matthew Berthinet, Security Cooperation Team 2 officer-in-charge. “Regular training is suspended for tomorrow so we can return to the airport and finalize some of the pallets as well as issue new [personal protective equipment] to the soldiers as they walk on the [aircraft].”
Liberi also conveyed her personal congratulations to Brig. Gen. Athanase Kararuza who will deploy to CAR as the deputy force commander of the African Union Mission to Central Africa Republic (MISCA). “His selection reflects the great confidence that the AU has in Burundi’s generals, and in particular General Kararuza. The United States Government wishes him the best of luck and safety during his mission.”
The Marines will continue to logistically assist the 850-man Burundian force as part of the U.S. Africa Command directed support to the French and AU mission that is providing humanitarian assistance and establishing an environment that supports a political transition to a democratically elected government.
“[Their] deployment will take several days” said Lt. Col. Dan Ebert, U.S. Defense Attaché to Burundi. “The preparation and logistical planning by the Burundians has accelerated the pace with which we can conduct this deployment. I am extremely impressed with the integration of ADAPT-A training by the Burundian military” referring to the three iterations of training provided by U.S. Army Africa under the AFRICOM sponsored Africa Deployment Assistance Partnership Training-Aircraft.
BUJUMBURA, Burundi - Burundian National Defense Forces and the U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 13 worked together Dec. 10 as the African partners prepared to embark to the Central Africa Republic as part of the African Union mission.
On Dec. 9, the U.S. government authorized U.S. aircraft to assist the Burundian National Defense Forces with their deployment to Bangui, Central Africa Republic (CAR), according to a Department of State press release. The Marines have been in Burundi since October, taking part in military-to-military engagements focused on varied skills and knowledge including combat marksmanship, first-aid, basic infantry skills and engineering skills.
“Security Cooperation Team 2 moved to assist their partnered Burundian Forces hours after learning about [the operation],” said Lt. Col. Thomas Marble, Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa 13 commanding officer from Stafford, Va.
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Burundi Dawn Liberi met with 1st VP Bernard Busokoza and Chief of Defense and War Veterans MG Prime Niyongabo on Dec. 8 to facilitate close collaboration between U.S. and Burundian militaries to respond immediately to the crises in CAR. Ambassador Liberi emphasized the need for immediate deployment to help end the widespread violence and chaos that has caused such great human suffering to the people of the Central African Republic.
This event highlights Burundi’s contribution to regional peacekeeping as Burundi has now deployed in an expeditionary role to two of Africa’s most urgent humanitarian crises (Somalia and CAR).
Burundi’s ability to deploy highly trained soldiers is the result of the 7-year military-to-military partnership between the U.S. and Burundi and reflects the long term training assistance provided by the Africa Contingency Operations Training & Assistance program. ACOTA is a State Department program that enhances the capacities and capabilities of its African Partner Countries, regional institutions, and the continent’s peacekeeping resources as a whole so that they can plan for, train, deploy, and sustain sufficient quantities of professionally competent peacekeepers to meet conflict transformation requirements with minimal non-African assistance. Marines and Burundian soldiers have been partnered since 2012, working together through theater security cooperation engagements that bolster partnerships and military capacity for both forces.
“The flexibility of the Special-Purpose MAGTF and the engagement our team provided have prepared [the BNDF soldiers] well for their mission in the Central African Republic,” said Marble.
The BNDF and Marines worked together to palletize equipment, stage supplies and assist in the final preparations as the soldiers embarked for their Central African Republic mission as part of the African Union force in Bujumbura, Burundi, Dec. 10-11.
“The team spent about five hours out there helping to build pallets of beans, rice, and other sustainment items as well as staging vehicles,” said Maj. Matthew Berthinet, Security Cooperation Team 2 officer-in-charge. “Regular training is suspended for tomorrow so we can return to the airport and finalize some of the pallets as well as issue new [personal protective equipment] to the soldiers as they walk on the [aircraft].”
Liberi also conveyed her personal congratulations to Brig. Gen. Athanase Kararuza who will deploy to CAR as the deputy force commander of the African Union Mission to Central Africa Republic (MISCA). “His selection reflects the great confidence that the AU has in Burundi’s generals, and in particular General Kararuza. The United States Government wishes him the best of luck and safety during his mission.”
The Marines will continue to logistically assist the 850-man Burundian force as part of the U.S. Africa Command directed support to the French and AU mission that is providing humanitarian assistance and establishing an environment that supports a political transition to a democratically elected government.
“[Their] deployment will take several days” said Lt. Col. Dan Ebert, U.S. Defense Attaché to Burundi. “The preparation and logistical planning by the Burundians has accelerated the pace with which we can conduct this deployment. I am extremely impressed with the integration of ADAPT-A training by the Burundian military” referring to the three iterations of training provided by U.S. Army Africa under the AFRICOM sponsored Africa Deployment Assistance Partnership Training-Aircraft.
Rwanda: Opposition figure Ingabire sentenced to 15 years in jail
(AFP), Dec 13, 2013:
Kigali
— Rwanda's Supreme Court on Friday sentenced opposition figure Victoire
Ingabire to 15 years in jail on appeal, increasing her prison term from
eight years for conspiring against the authorities.
Ingabire, a Hutu and a leading critic of President Paul Kagame, who took power after a Tutsi rebellion ended the genocide, was also found guilty of spreading rumours to incite violence.
First arrested in October 2010, months after returning from 16 years in exile in the Netherlands, Ingabire, 45, has been a rare voice speaking out and challenging Kagame's iron-fisted rule.
Ingabire, who heads the unrecognised opposition United Democratic Forces (UDF) party, was convicted in October last year of terrorism and denying genocide, but charges of spreading genocide ideology and of "setting up an armed group" were dropped.
Appealing to the Supreme Court in March, prosecutors asked for Ingabire's punishment to be increased to the maximum of 25 years and called for judges to reconsider the dropped charges.
The prosecution also accused her of collaborating with armed Hutus in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who fled across the border to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after mainly Tutsi rebels led by Kagame ended the genocide.
Ingabire had pleaded with the court to drop all charges.
"We are disappointed, of course, but... we are going to wait for the written verdict which will be available as of next week," her British lawer Iain Edwards said after the hearing. "We will read it at length and reflect on what is to come."
The verdict is not a surprise... we expected it," said UDF vice-president Boniface Twagirimana. "Most of our members are in jail. We won't give up the fight."
The Supreme Court also rejected an appeal by a fellow defendant, Vital Uwumurenyi, and upheld his initial sentences of four and six years in jail, with one year suspended, for "the crime of conspiracy in harming authorities through terrorism and war" and for being an accomplice to terrorism.
The judges also rejected appeals by the prosecution for an extension of the light sentences given to three other accused, who have already served their terms and been freed.
Ingabire's four co-defendants had confessed to being former members of the FDLR and they stated that she had given them money to set up an armed group to attack Rwanda.
Her husband, Lin Muyizere, has declared that if Ingabire had any discussions with the FDLR rebels, it was to make clear how she opposed integration with them.
"The armed struggle was not her field," he has said.
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Umugenzi also makes Blogging Sharing and Social Networking incredibly easy. Gone are the days when we only have a few different things to chat with online. Now we have many of them, but this particular one is definitely one of the best. You will find that it is very easy to use, and that it allows you to connect with people you normally would not be able to. This assists people who may not be too computer savvy to still enjoy technology.
One thing that sets this program above all others is the ability for people to talk with family members via blogging sharing and social networking. A person, who has not been able to talk to a family member who is overseas, and has been for such time, can utilize this to make that happen. Although the connection might be a bit choppy if the internet connection on either side is bad, you will still be able to have face time with the loved one. It is a great way to make those long business trips or hospital visits overseas much easier, and a very cheap and effective way to stay in contact with the world.
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Under 40 Years Old: East African MP of the Week.
(born 1 January 1993) is a Ugandan university student and politician.
She was born in Katakwi District on 1 January 1993. Her father, Michael Oromait, served as the MP for the same parliamentary seat before his death on 21 July 2012.
She completed her high school (S6) at St. Kalemba Senior Secondary School in Kayunga District in December 2011. She was admitted toUganda Christian University in Mukono, beginning August 2012, where she currently studies for the degree of Bachelor of Mass Communications.
After her father's death, Alengot Oromait decided to contest the National Resistance Movement primary elections to replace her father, who had served as an Independent. She won the primary and in the general elections in September 2012, she won with 54.2% of the vote. She is expected to juggle her undergraduate studies with her parliamentary duties for the next three years at the minimum.
For More info, follow the link: http://youngestmp.blogspot.ca/2013/06/alengot-oromait.html
Under 40 Years Old: East African MP of the Week.
Honorable January Y. Makamba.
Born on 28th of January in 1974, Mr. January Makamba is a Tanzanian politician, Member of Parliament elected in the Constituency of Bumbuli in the Lushoto district of Tanga.
He is currently serving as the Deputy Minister of Communication, Science and Technology in the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
For more information about his prominent under 40 years old politician, please visit his web site at http://www.januarymakamba.com/mystory.html, and there you will get to know why the residents of Bumbuli chose him to be their representative in the Tanzanian Parliament.
Every week, we will be providing a profile of an East African Politician who is a Member of Parliament and whose age is Under 40.
Tanzania: Nacogdoches eye doctor traveling to Tanzania to help Albino children
Tanzania:
Nacogdoches eye doctor traveling to Tanzania to help Albino children
NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) -
A Nacogdoches eye doctor will be traveling to Tanzania, Africa next week with Step by Step Missions to give low vision devices to nearly 200 Albino kids.
It's a little known fact that people with albinism have low vision.
"If you're born with albinism, you are visually impaired. Every one of them are. Usually their vision ranges from 2100 to 2400," said Dr. Ashley Risner, an optometrist with the Nacogdoches Eye Associates.
This is one of the reason's why Risner, who specializes in low vision rehabilitation, will be traveling to Tanzania on May 3.
"It's fairly rare in the United States, it's only about 1 in 20,000 people with albinism versus in Tanzania it's 1 in 2,000 people," said Risner.
In Tanzania, people with albinism are considered magical and are hunted by witch doctors and sometimes killed.
"The government has set up these safe houses and homes for the children to go to and a lot of parents give them up because they think that there is something wrong with them," said Risner.
Risner is one of twelve optometrists in the state who works with low vision patients. She will be donating nearly 200 low vision eye kits to kids from age zero to twenty.
"The reason why there is a visual impairment is because the photo receptors, the cells inside the eye into the retina and into the optic nerve and brain, are actually made up of pigment cells. Of course, albinism people have less pigmentation so they have less pigmentation in the eyes so the signal doesn't get through as easily," said Risner.
She will be using her skills and low vision devices, like the dome magnifier, to help albino kids read and write.
"I just saw how it could change someone's life and it does. I see that all the time," said Risner.
This will be Risner's first trip to Africa and she is excited to see the look on the kid's faces when they realize they can finally see.
"I work with that type of patient here in the United States so I wanted to do what I could," said Risner.
She will also be traveling with e3 Partners to Tanzania and says she has received funds for all of the eye kits from donations.
Copyright 2013 KTRE. All rights reserved.
Nacogdoches eye doctor traveling to Tanzania to help Albino children
NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) -
A Nacogdoches eye doctor will be traveling to Tanzania, Africa next week with Step by Step Missions to give low vision devices to nearly 200 Albino kids.
It's a little known fact that people with albinism have low vision.
"If you're born with albinism, you are visually impaired. Every one of them are. Usually their vision ranges from 2100 to 2400," said Dr. Ashley Risner, an optometrist with the Nacogdoches Eye Associates.
This is one of the reason's why Risner, who specializes in low vision rehabilitation, will be traveling to Tanzania on May 3.
"It's fairly rare in the United States, it's only about 1 in 20,000 people with albinism versus in Tanzania it's 1 in 2,000 people," said Risner.
In Tanzania, people with albinism are considered magical and are hunted by witch doctors and sometimes killed.
"The government has set up these safe houses and homes for the children to go to and a lot of parents give them up because they think that there is something wrong with them," said Risner.
Risner is one of twelve optometrists in the state who works with low vision patients. She will be donating nearly 200 low vision eye kits to kids from age zero to twenty.
"The reason why there is a visual impairment is because the photo receptors, the cells inside the eye into the retina and into the optic nerve and brain, are actually made up of pigment cells. Of course, albinism people have less pigmentation so they have less pigmentation in the eyes so the signal doesn't get through as easily," said Risner.
She will be using her skills and low vision devices, like the dome magnifier, to help albino kids read and write.
"I just saw how it could change someone's life and it does. I see that all the time," said Risner.
This will be Risner's first trip to Africa and she is excited to see the look on the kid's faces when they realize they can finally see.
"I work with that type of patient here in the United States so I wanted to do what I could," said Risner.
She will also be traveling with e3 Partners to Tanzania and says she has received funds for all of the eye kits from donations.
Copyright 2013 KTRE. All rights reserved.
Tanzania: Indian Medicines Impress African Buyers
Tanzania:
Indian Medicines Impress African Buyers
Mumbai, India — THE African drugs buyers are the darling of the sellers at the ongoing Mumbai's pharmaceutical show, as the continent poises to be the leading corridor for the India's medicine export market.
This has been experienced at the ongoing International Exhibition for Pharma and Healthcare (iPHEX) 2013 co-located with Pharma Pro&Pack Expo 2013.The Africans are not only leading the buyers' pact but also have sent a large number of regulators and ministry of health officials to attend the iPHEX 2013 in Mumbai, India.
The 'Daily News' witnessed sellers calling and trying to woo African buyers whether in medicine, healthcare solutions or pharma-manufacturing equipment and technology, more than any other visitors.The sellers, after succeeding to woo an African, the first question is:- Are you from Nigeria... "
According to some participants here, Nigeria is the biggest market as it has lesser stringent regulations and laws on drug registration and good manufacturing practice (GMP) and also huge population.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, said India is building a huge warehouse in Nigeria to ease businesses and facilitate exports procedures in a bid to boost Delhi's global market share.
"This sector has a huge potential with its export rate currently at 13 US billion dollars... it's expected to double in the next two years," Mr Chavan said during the opening ceremony.
"To further the growth story (Indian) companies should also focus on innovation along with expansion through exports of the generics to make us all-rounder," the Chief Minister said.
To show their seriousness, India pharma-industry will hold an exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria this October that is complete for medicine, manufacturer equipment and related business. Kenya is slated for next year.
"Are you from Nigeria! We have good (pharma) machines ranging from processing plants to solution," a Fabtec International sale Nareej Shukri told this reporter."'Naturally, almost equipment buyers from Africa hail from Nigeria," the salesman said.
Indian Medicines Impress African Buyers
Mumbai, India — THE African drugs buyers are the darling of the sellers at the ongoing Mumbai's pharmaceutical show, as the continent poises to be the leading corridor for the India's medicine export market.
This has been experienced at the ongoing International Exhibition for Pharma and Healthcare (iPHEX) 2013 co-located with Pharma Pro&Pack Expo 2013.The Africans are not only leading the buyers' pact but also have sent a large number of regulators and ministry of health officials to attend the iPHEX 2013 in Mumbai, India.
The 'Daily News' witnessed sellers calling and trying to woo African buyers whether in medicine, healthcare solutions or pharma-manufacturing equipment and technology, more than any other visitors.The sellers, after succeeding to woo an African, the first question is:- Are you from Nigeria... "
According to some participants here, Nigeria is the biggest market as it has lesser stringent regulations and laws on drug registration and good manufacturing practice (GMP) and also huge population.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, said India is building a huge warehouse in Nigeria to ease businesses and facilitate exports procedures in a bid to boost Delhi's global market share.
"This sector has a huge potential with its export rate currently at 13 US billion dollars... it's expected to double in the next two years," Mr Chavan said during the opening ceremony.
"To further the growth story (Indian) companies should also focus on innovation along with expansion through exports of the generics to make us all-rounder," the Chief Minister said.
To show their seriousness, India pharma-industry will hold an exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria this October that is complete for medicine, manufacturer equipment and related business. Kenya is slated for next year.
"Are you from Nigeria! We have good (pharma) machines ranging from processing plants to solution," a Fabtec International sale Nareej Shukri told this reporter."'Naturally, almost equipment buyers from Africa hail from Nigeria," the salesman said.
Uganda: Group: Sudan army supporting fugitive warlord Kony
Uganda:
Group: Sudan army supporting fugitive warlord Kony
FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2006, file photo, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army Joseph Kony answers journalists' questions following a meeting with UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland at Ri-Kwangba in southern Sudan. A report by the watchdog group Resolve on Friday, April 26, 2013, says the fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony recently found safe haven in territory along the Sudan-South Sudan border, controlled by Sudan and that Kony benefits from Sudanese military support.
STUART PRICE, FILE, POOL / AP PHOTO
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/26/3366000/group-sudan-army-supporting-fugitive.html#storylink=cpy
BY RODNEY MUHUMUZA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KAMPALA, Uganda -- The fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony recently found safe haven in territory controlled by Sudan, a watchdog group said Friday, accusing the Sudanese military of offering aid to commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army.
The U.S.-based group Resolve said in a new report that Kony recently directed killings from an enclave protected by the Sudanese military. Until early this year, according to the report, Kony and some of his commanders were operating in Kafia Kingi, a disputed area along the Sudan-South Sudan border where African Union troops tasked with catching Kony don't have access.
"The enclave is currently controlled by Sudan, and numerous eyewitness reports indicate that elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Kafia Kingi have actively sheltered senior LRA commanders there and provided them with limited material support," the report said. "According to LRA defectors and other sources, LRA leader Joseph Kony himself first traveled to the Kafia Kingi enclave in 2010. He returned to Kafia Kingi in 2011 and was present there throughout parts of 2012."
In a series of makeshift camps near a Sudanese army barracks, Kony "continued to direct LRA attacks against civilians in neighboring countries and issue new orders for LRA fighters."
The Ugandan military - with support from U.S. military advisers - is the driving force behind the hunt for Kony. Ugandan army spokesman Col. Felix Kulayigye said the report vindicates Uganda's contention that the LRA is a beneficiary of Sudanese support. Ugandan army officials said late last year they believed Kony was hiding in Sudan-controlled territory, although now they believe he has moved elsewhere.
"We always knew Kony was hiding in Kafia Kingi," he said. "The way forward is that no country should be hiding a wanted criminal."
Kony watchdog groups are concerned that Kony can retreat to Kafia Kingi whenever his pursuers get close. Resolve said it has satellite imagery of the now-abandoned camp where Kony was reportedly seen in late 2012. The warlord is no longer believed to be hiding there, the report noted, saying he may have crossed to Central African Republic.
Sudan has consistently denied charges it supports Kony, a warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Kony's LRA, which originated in Uganda in the 1980s as a popular tribal uprising against the government, has become notorious for recruiting children as fighters and forcing girls to be sex slaves. Military pressure forced the LRA out of Uganda in 2005, and the rebels scattered across parts of central Africa. LRA fighters are now believed to be operating mainly in the jungles of Congo and Central African Republic.
Ugandan Brig. Dick Olum, the top commander of African forces hunting for Kony, recently said he believed Kony had crossed to Central African Republic, where last month rebels deposed a president and expressed hostility toward foreign troops operating in the country. The lack of cooperation from the new government there forced the African Union to suspend military operations against Kony, who over the years has taken advantage of porous borders and weak governments to regroup.
The LRA is vastly diminished from previous years, and its forces now don't exceed 500, according Brig. Olum. Many of Kony's fighters have defected in the past year, and some of his top lieutenants have been captured or killed in combat. Last year an LRA commander believed to be Kony's military strategist was seized by Ugandan troops.
Sudan's support for Kony threatens progress made against the LRA, said the new report by Resolve.
"Unless addressed, it will also enable LRA leaders to outlast current counter-LRA operations," the report said. "Though international diplomats and military officials working to stop LRA attacks privately acknowledge recent LRA movement in Kafia Kingi, they have not adopted realistic strategies to prevent further support from Sudan to Kony's forces."
Group: Sudan army supporting fugitive warlord Kony
FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2006, file photo, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army Joseph Kony answers journalists' questions following a meeting with UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland at Ri-Kwangba in southern Sudan. A report by the watchdog group Resolve on Friday, April 26, 2013, says the fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony recently found safe haven in territory along the Sudan-South Sudan border, controlled by Sudan and that Kony benefits from Sudanese military support.
STUART PRICE, FILE, POOL / AP PHOTO
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/26/3366000/group-sudan-army-supporting-fugitive.html#storylink=cpy
BY RODNEY MUHUMUZA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KAMPALA, Uganda -- The fugitive African warlord Joseph Kony recently found safe haven in territory controlled by Sudan, a watchdog group said Friday, accusing the Sudanese military of offering aid to commanders of the Lord's Resistance Army.
The U.S.-based group Resolve said in a new report that Kony recently directed killings from an enclave protected by the Sudanese military. Until early this year, according to the report, Kony and some of his commanders were operating in Kafia Kingi, a disputed area along the Sudan-South Sudan border where African Union troops tasked with catching Kony don't have access.
"The enclave is currently controlled by Sudan, and numerous eyewitness reports indicate that elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Kafia Kingi have actively sheltered senior LRA commanders there and provided them with limited material support," the report said. "According to LRA defectors and other sources, LRA leader Joseph Kony himself first traveled to the Kafia Kingi enclave in 2010. He returned to Kafia Kingi in 2011 and was present there throughout parts of 2012."
In a series of makeshift camps near a Sudanese army barracks, Kony "continued to direct LRA attacks against civilians in neighboring countries and issue new orders for LRA fighters."
The Ugandan military - with support from U.S. military advisers - is the driving force behind the hunt for Kony. Ugandan army spokesman Col. Felix Kulayigye said the report vindicates Uganda's contention that the LRA is a beneficiary of Sudanese support. Ugandan army officials said late last year they believed Kony was hiding in Sudan-controlled territory, although now they believe he has moved elsewhere.
"We always knew Kony was hiding in Kafia Kingi," he said. "The way forward is that no country should be hiding a wanted criminal."
Kony watchdog groups are concerned that Kony can retreat to Kafia Kingi whenever his pursuers get close. Resolve said it has satellite imagery of the now-abandoned camp where Kony was reportedly seen in late 2012. The warlord is no longer believed to be hiding there, the report noted, saying he may have crossed to Central African Republic.
Sudan has consistently denied charges it supports Kony, a warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Kony's LRA, which originated in Uganda in the 1980s as a popular tribal uprising against the government, has become notorious for recruiting children as fighters and forcing girls to be sex slaves. Military pressure forced the LRA out of Uganda in 2005, and the rebels scattered across parts of central Africa. LRA fighters are now believed to be operating mainly in the jungles of Congo and Central African Republic.
Ugandan Brig. Dick Olum, the top commander of African forces hunting for Kony, recently said he believed Kony had crossed to Central African Republic, where last month rebels deposed a president and expressed hostility toward foreign troops operating in the country. The lack of cooperation from the new government there forced the African Union to suspend military operations against Kony, who over the years has taken advantage of porous borders and weak governments to regroup.
The LRA is vastly diminished from previous years, and its forces now don't exceed 500, according Brig. Olum. Many of Kony's fighters have defected in the past year, and some of his top lieutenants have been captured or killed in combat. Last year an LRA commander believed to be Kony's military strategist was seized by Ugandan troops.
Sudan's support for Kony threatens progress made against the LRA, said the new report by Resolve.
"Unless addressed, it will also enable LRA leaders to outlast current counter-LRA operations," the report said. "Though international diplomats and military officials working to stop LRA attacks privately acknowledge recent LRA movement in Kafia Kingi, they have not adopted realistic strategies to prevent further support from Sudan to Kony's forces."
Uganda: MTN Uganda successfully launches LTE network in Uganda, making it one of the first in the region
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Kenya: You have disgraced Kenya, Muigai tells ICC prosecutor
Kenya:
You have disgraced Kenya, Muigai tells ICC prosecutor
You have disgraced Kenya, Muigai tells ICC prosecutor
BY OLIVER MATHENGE
THE government has been allowed to make a comprehensive response to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's claims. Bensouda claimed that Kenya has not been co-operating with her office.
On Wednesday, the Trial Chamber V asked the government to make its application and gave the parties to the two Kenyan cases 14 days to respond to the submissions once the filing is done.
"Given the desirability of fully understanding the status of cooperation between organs of the court and the Government of Kenya, the chamber considers it appropriate to grant leave to the Government of Kenya to file observations on this issue and, further, to accept the submissions in the application," the judges said in their decision.
The judges also shortened the time the prosecution, victims and the accused can respond to the Kenya government application to 14 days and vice-versa.
"Due to the need to ensure any outstanding cooperation concerns are addressed in an expeditious manner, the chamber considers it appropriate to set a shortened time frame of 14 days for submission of any such responses," the judges said.
Attorney General Githu Muigai wrote to the court complaining that Bensouda has disgraced the Kenyan government by repeatedly claiming it is not cooperating fully with her office.
Githu cited recent comments by Bensouda that part of the reason she dropped the case against former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura was lack of cooperation from the Kenyan government.
He wants all parties in the two Kenyan cases ordered to file on record their complaints against the Kenyan state so that it can respond and put matters straight.
“The Government of Kenya disapproves of any attempt by the Prosecutor of the ICC to excuse evidential gaps or difficulties in her case as being attributable to action or inaction by the Government of Kenya,” he said.
Githu said the government has complied with all 37 requests by the prosecutor apart from two—those that relate to the request that the government furnish the court with financial information on the three suspects and statements of the interviews of ten police bosses.
On the financial information, Githu said “Kenya contends that there has to be a court order in place to fulfill this request.” In any case, he added, the pre-trial chamber found out that such a request lacked justification.
On the police interviews, Githu said there was a court order issued on February 1, 2011 prohibiting judge Kalpana Rawal from "taking or recording any evidence from any Kenyan” pursuant to any international criminal court process.
“It cannot be right that a State's internal security is suborned by an outside agency's ill supported allegations of non-cooperation which has the potential to erode national regard for the institutions of government and their compliance with the rule of law,” Githu said.
In her latest filing, Bensouda said the Government of Kenya supported the court order and that the order has remained “despite the repeated requests to the GoK to ask the court to designate judges to hear the case on the merits.”
Muigai said instead of always complaining, Bensouda will do better to report Kenya to the Assembly of State Parties in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statutes.
He nevertheless said Kenya has fully complied with its obligation and handed over state documents and materials. “The provision of such sensitive national security materials to a third- party for use in criminal proceedings is, in the respectful submission of the Kenyan government, an unprecedented act of cooperation with the court and demonstrative of the Republic of Kenya's commitment to and respect for the ICC,” he said.
THE government has been allowed to make a comprehensive response to ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's claims. Bensouda claimed that Kenya has not been co-operating with her office.
On Wednesday, the Trial Chamber V asked the government to make its application and gave the parties to the two Kenyan cases 14 days to respond to the submissions once the filing is done.
"Given the desirability of fully understanding the status of cooperation between organs of the court and the Government of Kenya, the chamber considers it appropriate to grant leave to the Government of Kenya to file observations on this issue and, further, to accept the submissions in the application," the judges said in their decision.
The judges also shortened the time the prosecution, victims and the accused can respond to the Kenya government application to 14 days and vice-versa.
"Due to the need to ensure any outstanding cooperation concerns are addressed in an expeditious manner, the chamber considers it appropriate to set a shortened time frame of 14 days for submission of any such responses," the judges said.
Attorney General Githu Muigai wrote to the court complaining that Bensouda has disgraced the Kenyan government by repeatedly claiming it is not cooperating fully with her office.
Githu cited recent comments by Bensouda that part of the reason she dropped the case against former Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura was lack of cooperation from the Kenyan government.
He wants all parties in the two Kenyan cases ordered to file on record their complaints against the Kenyan state so that it can respond and put matters straight.
“The Government of Kenya disapproves of any attempt by the Prosecutor of the ICC to excuse evidential gaps or difficulties in her case as being attributable to action or inaction by the Government of Kenya,” he said.
Githu said the government has complied with all 37 requests by the prosecutor apart from two—those that relate to the request that the government furnish the court with financial information on the three suspects and statements of the interviews of ten police bosses.
On the financial information, Githu said “Kenya contends that there has to be a court order in place to fulfill this request.” In any case, he added, the pre-trial chamber found out that such a request lacked justification.
On the police interviews, Githu said there was a court order issued on February 1, 2011 prohibiting judge Kalpana Rawal from "taking or recording any evidence from any Kenyan” pursuant to any international criminal court process.
“It cannot be right that a State's internal security is suborned by an outside agency's ill supported allegations of non-cooperation which has the potential to erode national regard for the institutions of government and their compliance with the rule of law,” Githu said.
In her latest filing, Bensouda said the Government of Kenya supported the court order and that the order has remained “despite the repeated requests to the GoK to ask the court to designate judges to hear the case on the merits.”
Muigai said instead of always complaining, Bensouda will do better to report Kenya to the Assembly of State Parties in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statutes.
He nevertheless said Kenya has fully complied with its obligation and handed over state documents and materials. “The provision of such sensitive national security materials to a third- party for use in criminal proceedings is, in the respectful submission of the Kenyan government, an unprecedented act of cooperation with the court and demonstrative of the Republic of Kenya's commitment to and respect for the ICC,” he said.
Rwanda: Rwanda sees heavy demand for debut $400 million Eurobond
Rwanda:
Rwanda sees heavy demand for debut $400 million Eurobond
* Source says order book 7.5 times issue size
* Underlines investor appetite for sub-Saharan African paper
By Tosin Sulaiman;
JOHANNESBURG, April 25 (Reuters) - Rwanda issued a debut $400 million Eurobond in a sale that was heavily oversubscribed, with investor enthusiasm for the fast growing economy trumping misgivings about the modest size of the offering.
The 10-year dollar bond was issued on Thursday with a 6.875 percent yield, a lead banker told Reuters.
That was at the tighter end of Rwanda's final guidance of 6.875-7 percent. One investor source told IFR, a Thomson Reuters news and analysis service, that the order book was $3 billion, or 7.5 times the issue size.
The lead banker, who did not have the precise order book size, said: "It's well oversubscribed as you can imagine."
The issue underlined investor demand for high-yielding but rare sub-Saharan African assets and suggests Eurobonds from other sovereigns planning to come to the market this year, including Kenya and Angola, may be well received.
Investors were also attracted by Rwanda's strongly growing economy, low debt and recent political stability. President Paul Kagame has been praised for leading Rwanda's recovery after the 1994 genocide, although critics say he has an autocratic style.
Economic growth averaged 8.2 percent from 2006 to 2012 and the International Monetary Fund projects growth of 7.6 percent this year. Debt levels are equivalent to 23.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2012. Inflation is in single digits.
But the yield means investors demanded a premium to past African Eurobonds, including Zambia's 2022 bond that is yielding 5.6 percent, and Senegal, whose 2021 bond is currently trading at 5.5 percent.
At less than $500 million, Rwanda's bond was ineligible for JP Morgan's emerging market bond indices that would have automatically triggered demand from index trackers and ensured higher secondary market liquidity.
Some investors were expecting more generous compensation and decided not to participate at the lower yields.
"We just think it's priced to perfection at that level so there's not much room for upside," said Daniel Broby, chief investment officer at Silk Invest.
"Clearly the order book had to be large for them to come in tight on the pricing from their initial indications," he said.
Another investor, who had expected a yield of about 7 percent, said Rwanda had benefited from renewed demand globally for risk this week and a well-run roadshow, in which officials addressed aid cuts.
Donors froze some aid over Rwanda's alleged support for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Kigali strongly denies.
"They appear to have done a good job on the roadshow ... explaining the dip in aid flows last year and the steps they have taken to address that," said the investor, who declined to be named.
Foreign aid accounts for about 38 percent of the budget and aid suspensions have widened the current account deficit. (Editing by Edmund Blair, Ron Askew)
Rwanda sees heavy demand for debut $400 million Eurobond
* Source says order book 7.5 times issue size
* Underlines investor appetite for sub-Saharan African paper
By Tosin Sulaiman;
JOHANNESBURG, April 25 (Reuters) - Rwanda issued a debut $400 million Eurobond in a sale that was heavily oversubscribed, with investor enthusiasm for the fast growing economy trumping misgivings about the modest size of the offering.
The 10-year dollar bond was issued on Thursday with a 6.875 percent yield, a lead banker told Reuters.
That was at the tighter end of Rwanda's final guidance of 6.875-7 percent. One investor source told IFR, a Thomson Reuters news and analysis service, that the order book was $3 billion, or 7.5 times the issue size.
The lead banker, who did not have the precise order book size, said: "It's well oversubscribed as you can imagine."
The issue underlined investor demand for high-yielding but rare sub-Saharan African assets and suggests Eurobonds from other sovereigns planning to come to the market this year, including Kenya and Angola, may be well received.
Investors were also attracted by Rwanda's strongly growing economy, low debt and recent political stability. President Paul Kagame has been praised for leading Rwanda's recovery after the 1994 genocide, although critics say he has an autocratic style.
Economic growth averaged 8.2 percent from 2006 to 2012 and the International Monetary Fund projects growth of 7.6 percent this year. Debt levels are equivalent to 23.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2012. Inflation is in single digits.
But the yield means investors demanded a premium to past African Eurobonds, including Zambia's 2022 bond that is yielding 5.6 percent, and Senegal, whose 2021 bond is currently trading at 5.5 percent.
At less than $500 million, Rwanda's bond was ineligible for JP Morgan's emerging market bond indices that would have automatically triggered demand from index trackers and ensured higher secondary market liquidity.
Some investors were expecting more generous compensation and decided not to participate at the lower yields.
"We just think it's priced to perfection at that level so there's not much room for upside," said Daniel Broby, chief investment officer at Silk Invest.
"Clearly the order book had to be large for them to come in tight on the pricing from their initial indications," he said.
Another investor, who had expected a yield of about 7 percent, said Rwanda had benefited from renewed demand globally for risk this week and a well-run roadshow, in which officials addressed aid cuts.
Donors froze some aid over Rwanda's alleged support for rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Kigali strongly denies.
"They appear to have done a good job on the roadshow ... explaining the dip in aid flows last year and the steps they have taken to address that," said the investor, who declined to be named.
Foreign aid accounts for about 38 percent of the budget and aid suspensions have widened the current account deficit. (Editing by Edmund Blair, Ron Askew)
Burundi: Telling the truth yields relief and vital documents in Burundi
Burundi:
Telling the truth yields relief and vital documents in Burundi
Telling the truth yields relief and vital documents in Burundi
News Stories, 24 April 2013
© UNHCR/H.Simon
A large Congolese family meets UNHCR and Burundian government officials to present their documents at a verification exercise that will give them new identity documents that better protect them.
BWAGIRIZA REFUGEE CAMP, Burundi, April 24 (UNHCR) – At first, Congolese refugee Wivine Bahati Mulemaz was apprehensive about the extensive document-checking exercise being carried out by the UN refugee agency and the Burundian government at this camp in eastern Burundi.
"I did not understand because there were refugees who were saying that you [UNHCR] wanted to destroy everything," the petite woman says, smiling broadly. "People were talking about the makanaki – people added to ration cards to increase the family size. They were saying the point of the verification was only to reduce the family size."
In a refugee camp where ration cards are literally a meal ticket, Wivine confesses, "I thought that there would be a mess with the ration cards. I thought that they would cut our ration cards."
Flashing another smile, she says that finally, "I understood that the aim of the verification is to correct the mistakes and the lies. I was happy about that. One feels relieved when one can tell the truth. The truth gives us a better life."
A better life and some prized documentation. During the verification campaign, all 43,189 refugees in Burundi are being called to show up with their documents and explain who they are and their relationship to everyone in their family. At the end they come away with valuable government ID cards (complete with hard-to-forge holograms), updated ration cards that will entitle them to food in the camps, and a new family document with photos of all family members.
All these add up to better protection. Refugees can not only prove who they are and safeguard against being deported if they are outside the camps, the exercise also ensures that refugees with special needs – children on their own or people with disabilities – get the services they should have.
The campaign kicked off in Bwagiriza in March and will wrap up in the capital, Bujumbura, in September.
Wivine was especially grateful for a UNHCR-run information campaign that preceded the document-checking. She admits she was so confused she attended three information sessions in different "villages" in the camp just to figure out what to expect and what to do.
Part of the campaign was a skit composed and acted by Congolese refugees in which a young man confessed to having illegally registered a Burundian child on his ration card. He fell to his knees, saying God had told him to come clean because he recognized that receiving extra food amounted to theft. A second actor, playing a pastor, offered absolution – as long as he told the truth during the verification exercise.
It seemed to have had an effect on Isaac Semuhanuka, a 49-year-old Congolese refugee teacher. He came forward to remove his sister's child from his ration card because she does not live in the camp. "I was the one who wanted to say that the child is not here and that it had to be deactivated," he says, adding he no longer wanted to accept food for someone who was no longer in the camp.
The verification campaign, he adds, "allows us to tell the truth and to be open." Recalling that during the information campaign UNHCR officers stressed the importance of telling the truth, Isaac says: "The fact that we can tell the truth also relieves us."
After queuing and returning several times, Wivine had a tangible pay-off for her time and her honesty. She came away with a refugee card, ration card and a proof of registration – the last was a new document for her.
A married woman, Wivine has four children and also takes care of three of her relatives' children. The new documents, she feels, bring them all an added sense of security. "If someone bothers me, I can show him this," she says, waving her refugee card.
It's just as well, because after the trauma she suffered when she left the violence of South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996, she feels "I have no home there. I think I will be a refugee until I die."
By Hannah Simon and Tony Tumagu in Bwagiriza Refugee Camp, Burundi
© UNHCR/H.Simon
A large Congolese family meets UNHCR and Burundian government officials to present their documents at a verification exercise that will give them new identity documents that better protect them.
BWAGIRIZA REFUGEE CAMP, Burundi, April 24 (UNHCR) – At first, Congolese refugee Wivine Bahati Mulemaz was apprehensive about the extensive document-checking exercise being carried out by the UN refugee agency and the Burundian government at this camp in eastern Burundi.
"I did not understand because there were refugees who were saying that you [UNHCR] wanted to destroy everything," the petite woman says, smiling broadly. "People were talking about the makanaki – people added to ration cards to increase the family size. They were saying the point of the verification was only to reduce the family size."
In a refugee camp where ration cards are literally a meal ticket, Wivine confesses, "I thought that there would be a mess with the ration cards. I thought that they would cut our ration cards."
Flashing another smile, she says that finally, "I understood that the aim of the verification is to correct the mistakes and the lies. I was happy about that. One feels relieved when one can tell the truth. The truth gives us a better life."
A better life and some prized documentation. During the verification campaign, all 43,189 refugees in Burundi are being called to show up with their documents and explain who they are and their relationship to everyone in their family. At the end they come away with valuable government ID cards (complete with hard-to-forge holograms), updated ration cards that will entitle them to food in the camps, and a new family document with photos of all family members.
All these add up to better protection. Refugees can not only prove who they are and safeguard against being deported if they are outside the camps, the exercise also ensures that refugees with special needs – children on their own or people with disabilities – get the services they should have.
The campaign kicked off in Bwagiriza in March and will wrap up in the capital, Bujumbura, in September.
Wivine was especially grateful for a UNHCR-run information campaign that preceded the document-checking. She admits she was so confused she attended three information sessions in different "villages" in the camp just to figure out what to expect and what to do.
Part of the campaign was a skit composed and acted by Congolese refugees in which a young man confessed to having illegally registered a Burundian child on his ration card. He fell to his knees, saying God had told him to come clean because he recognized that receiving extra food amounted to theft. A second actor, playing a pastor, offered absolution – as long as he told the truth during the verification exercise.
It seemed to have had an effect on Isaac Semuhanuka, a 49-year-old Congolese refugee teacher. He came forward to remove his sister's child from his ration card because she does not live in the camp. "I was the one who wanted to say that the child is not here and that it had to be deactivated," he says, adding he no longer wanted to accept food for someone who was no longer in the camp.
The verification campaign, he adds, "allows us to tell the truth and to be open." Recalling that during the information campaign UNHCR officers stressed the importance of telling the truth, Isaac says: "The fact that we can tell the truth also relieves us."
After queuing and returning several times, Wivine had a tangible pay-off for her time and her honesty. She came away with a refugee card, ration card and a proof of registration – the last was a new document for her.
A married woman, Wivine has four children and also takes care of three of her relatives' children. The new documents, she feels, bring them all an added sense of security. "If someone bothers me, I can show him this," she says, waving her refugee card.
It's just as well, because after the trauma she suffered when she left the violence of South Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1996, she feels "I have no home there. I think I will be a refugee until I die."
By Hannah Simon and Tony Tumagu in Bwagiriza Refugee Camp, Burundi
Tanzania: Education: Primary schools get Sh61 billion capitation grant
Tanzania:
Education: Primary schools get Sh61 billion capitation grant
Education - The government has so far provided a total of 61bn/- as capitation grant for pupils as of March, this year, to all primary schools in the country, the National Assembly was told on Tuesday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Local Government and Regional Administration (Education), Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, said such amount was equivalent to 7,909/- per pupil, which is equal to 77 per cent.
The deputy minister was answering a question by Deogratius Aloys Ntukamazina (Ngara - CCM), who sought to know, among other things, when the government would bring back the citation grant of 10,000/- for each pupil instead of 200/-, which was not enough to buy books and other items. He had earlier explained that during the Primary School Development Plan I, the government was issuing 10,000/- as citation grant to each pupil for buying books, chock and other school items.
The legislator said Primary Schools in Ngara Constituency were facing critical shortage of books because only 200/- was being provided instead of the required 10,000/- for each pupil. He, therefore, sought for at least a word of the government to the people of Ngara on the problem.
In his response, the deputy minister said a total of 473m/- has already been sent to Ngara District Municipal, which is equivalent to 6,932/- for a pupil, that is equal to 69 per cent. He assured the legislator that the government would continue providing the remaining amount of 3,000/- average for a student, depending on availability of revenue at the end of 2012/2013 financial year.
Tanzania Daily News/25/04/2013
Education - The government has so far provided a total of 61bn/- as capitation grant for pupils as of March, this year, to all primary schools in the country, the National Assembly was told on Tuesday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Local Government and Regional Administration (Education), Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa, said such amount was equivalent to 7,909/- per pupil, which is equal to 77 per cent.
The deputy minister was answering a question by Deogratius Aloys Ntukamazina (Ngara - CCM), who sought to know, among other things, when the government would bring back the citation grant of 10,000/- for each pupil instead of 200/-, which was not enough to buy books and other items. He had earlier explained that during the Primary School Development Plan I, the government was issuing 10,000/- as citation grant to each pupil for buying books, chock and other school items.
The legislator said Primary Schools in Ngara Constituency were facing critical shortage of books because only 200/- was being provided instead of the required 10,000/- for each pupil. He, therefore, sought for at least a word of the government to the people of Ngara on the problem.
In his response, the deputy minister said a total of 473m/- has already been sent to Ngara District Municipal, which is equivalent to 6,932/- for a pupil, that is equal to 69 per cent. He assured the legislator that the government would continue providing the remaining amount of 3,000/- average for a student, depending on availability of revenue at the end of 2012/2013 financial year.
Tanzania Daily News/25/04/2013
Kenya: State sends 11 to Korea for training on Nuclear power
Kenya:
State sends 11 to Korea for training on Nuclear power
By Standard Digital Reporter;
NAIROBI, KENYA: A team of nuclear scientists have been dispatched to Korea for capacity building in an attempt to increase power generation from alternative sources.
Kenya is looking into Nuclear Energy sources to boost its electricity generation capacity to over 19,000 MW by the year 2030.
”As part of the master plan to increase Kenya’s installed electricity capacity over the next two decades, we have dispatched eleven scientists to undertake postgraduate studies in Nuclear Science at the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) training school,” said Mugo Kibati Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, Director General.
The students will undertake studies in various Nuclear Power Production (NPP) disciplines as part of a bilateral co-operation agreement between Kenya and Korea.
Kibati says that in tandem with the training programs, Kenya’s plan to engage in nuclear electricity Production is well on course under the direction of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.
The eleven postgraduate students enrolled this year, Kibati disclosed, will pursue a comprehensive two-year Masters Degree programme in Nuclear Engineering. Upon graduation, the Nuclear Scientists will play a key role in laying the groundwork for Kenya’s nuclear electricity generation plans over the next two decades as envisaged in the Vision 2030 National Development policy.
Besides the 2013 class comprising of eleven students, a further six students drawn from the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, Kenya Power and Lighting Company and Kenya’s Radiation Protection Board admitted last year are now concluding their two year Masters Studies in power generation, power transmission, and radiation safety.
The integration of a nuclear electricity generation plant in Kenya is part of continental effort by more than 12 African governments to facilitate the diversification of power generation.
KNEB Executive Chairman Hon. Ochilo Ayacko says that it is within the mandate of the organisation to build the capacity and human resource skills of Kenyans in this specialized field.
“We are using local and international resources to enable Kenyans to be trained to an adequate level of competency to run all aspects of the Nuclear Power Programme.”
Ayacko says that a nuclear power programme has three key facets: a Nuclear Electricity Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO) - which is the role KNEB is performing, a regulator who will ensure application of nuclear technology is done safely with safeguards for human life and property. The third arm is the operator, which is the body that will run the nuclear power plant.
State sends 11 to Korea for training on Nuclear power
By Standard Digital Reporter;
NAIROBI, KENYA: A team of nuclear scientists have been dispatched to Korea for capacity building in an attempt to increase power generation from alternative sources.
Kenya is looking into Nuclear Energy sources to boost its electricity generation capacity to over 19,000 MW by the year 2030.
”As part of the master plan to increase Kenya’s installed electricity capacity over the next two decades, we have dispatched eleven scientists to undertake postgraduate studies in Nuclear Science at the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) training school,” said Mugo Kibati Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, Director General.
The students will undertake studies in various Nuclear Power Production (NPP) disciplines as part of a bilateral co-operation agreement between Kenya and Korea.
Kibati says that in tandem with the training programs, Kenya’s plan to engage in nuclear electricity Production is well on course under the direction of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.
The eleven postgraduate students enrolled this year, Kibati disclosed, will pursue a comprehensive two-year Masters Degree programme in Nuclear Engineering. Upon graduation, the Nuclear Scientists will play a key role in laying the groundwork for Kenya’s nuclear electricity generation plans over the next two decades as envisaged in the Vision 2030 National Development policy.
Besides the 2013 class comprising of eleven students, a further six students drawn from the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, Kenya Power and Lighting Company and Kenya’s Radiation Protection Board admitted last year are now concluding their two year Masters Studies in power generation, power transmission, and radiation safety.
The integration of a nuclear electricity generation plant in Kenya is part of continental effort by more than 12 African governments to facilitate the diversification of power generation.
KNEB Executive Chairman Hon. Ochilo Ayacko says that it is within the mandate of the organisation to build the capacity and human resource skills of Kenyans in this specialized field.
“We are using local and international resources to enable Kenyans to be trained to an adequate level of competency to run all aspects of the Nuclear Power Programme.”
Ayacko says that a nuclear power programme has three key facets: a Nuclear Electricity Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO) - which is the role KNEB is performing, a regulator who will ensure application of nuclear technology is done safely with safeguards for human life and property. The third arm is the operator, which is the body that will run the nuclear power plant.
Uganda: Road laws outdated
Uganda:
Road laws outdated
By Taddeo Bwambale;
Laws governing roads in Uganda are weak and obsolete, making it difficult to prevent encroachment on gazetted road reserves, a new study has revealed.
The study shows that most Ugandans consider the fines stipulated in the existing road laws to be too weak to ensure compliance.
Uganda has two laws governing roads, namely: the Roads Act, 1949 which provides for the creation of road reserves and their maintenance, and the Access to Roads Act, 1969 which provides for access to a public highway.
A report released by the Uganda Road Sector Support Initiative (URSSI), a transport advocacy organization, shows that both laws cannot enforce proper road usage.
For instance, under the Roads Act, a person who interferes with a road reserve is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding sh1,000.
Presenting the findings at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday, the URSSI executive director, Stewart Mutabazi said most Ugandans considered the penalties too weak to enforce compliance.
"The laws are obsolete and the fines provided for are meaningless. The fine of sh1,000 needs to be reviewed," Mutabazi said.
The Government is in the process of amending both laws to address the rampant encroachment and abuse of road facilities.
The study was carried out in the five regions of Uganda, seeking views of Ugandans on possible areas for amendment to the two laws.
According to the study, most districts lack surveyors, planners and valuers to guide the creation of roads and compensation of effected communities.
Districts also want contractors to guarantee the life span of the roads they build, and Government to standardize the rates for road construction.
The report recommends the extension of the road width from the recommended 15 metres to at least 40 metres, to allow for easy maneuver in case of accidents.
The design of most roads in Uganda is also blamed for high rate of road accidents. Uganda has the second highest rate of road accidents in Africa and the world after Ethiopia.
Laws governing roads in Uganda are weak and obsolete, making it difficult to prevent encroachment on gazetted road reserves, a new study has revealed.
The study shows that most Ugandans consider the fines stipulated in the existing road laws to be too weak to ensure compliance.
Uganda has two laws governing roads, namely: the Roads Act, 1949 which provides for the creation of road reserves and their maintenance, and the Access to Roads Act, 1969 which provides for access to a public highway.
A report released by the Uganda Road Sector Support Initiative (URSSI), a transport advocacy organization, shows that both laws cannot enforce proper road usage.
For instance, under the Roads Act, a person who interferes with a road reserve is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding sh1,000.
Presenting the findings at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday, the URSSI executive director, Stewart Mutabazi said most Ugandans considered the penalties too weak to enforce compliance.
"The laws are obsolete and the fines provided for are meaningless. The fine of sh1,000 needs to be reviewed," Mutabazi said.
The Government is in the process of amending both laws to address the rampant encroachment and abuse of road facilities.
The study was carried out in the five regions of Uganda, seeking views of Ugandans on possible areas for amendment to the two laws.
According to the study, most districts lack surveyors, planners and valuers to guide the creation of roads and compensation of effected communities.
Districts also want contractors to guarantee the life span of the roads they build, and Government to standardize the rates for road construction.
The report recommends the extension of the road width from the recommended 15 metres to at least 40 metres, to allow for easy maneuver in case of accidents.
The design of most roads in Uganda is also blamed for high rate of road accidents. Uganda has the second highest rate of road accidents in Africa and the world after Ethiopia.
Rwanda: Agriculture: USAID to support smallholder dairy farmers
Rwanda:
Agriculture: USAID to support smallholder dairy farmers
Smallholder dairy farmers - The United States cooperation agency Usaid and the Eastern Region Genetic Improvement Cooperative (Eragic) have announced a public-private partnership to increase the productivity of dairy herds and increase incomes for 2,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Province.
Usaid awards Eragic Frw 44 million (US$ 69,000) to train dairy farmers in agricultural best practices and artificially inseminate 1,200 dairy cows.
Speaking at the initiative's launch in Nyagatare, the chief of party of the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program, Frank O'Brien, highlighted the benefits of the alliance for smallholder farmers in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Rwamagana. 'This partnership will expand and strengthen Eragic's business services, and create an ideal opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of milk coming from these four districts,' O'Brien said.
The donation enables the cooperative to train farmers, about half of whom will be women, in techniques that will maintain optimal health and nutrition of their herds. Eragic will also demonstrate best handling and hygiene skills to enhance the quality of milk, while educating farmers on how to improve their business and cooperative management skills.
The public-private partnership falls under RDCP's Competitive Service Sub-Grant mechanism that is managed by the organization Land O'Lakes for Usaid. 'The award will enable Rwanda's dairy products to become even more competitive in regional markets, as they will meet quality standards set by Comesa,' O'Brien pointed out.
By 2017, RDCP aims to increase the value of local dairy products exported to neighboring countries by 60%.
'This initiative will empower farmers to improve the quality of their yields sustainably and increase their incomes for more financial security,' said Mr. O'Brien.
RDCP II, which is also implemented in partnership with African Breeders Services Total Cattle Management Limited (ABS), aims to reduce poverty in 35,000 rural households through the sale of quality milk and by creating 7,500jobs in the dairy industry. The US$15 million program, which began in 2012, also intends to improve food security and nutritional status of rural households. In the coming months, it will launch a consumer awareness campaign to increase domestic demand of Rwandan dairy products.
Rwanda Focus/25/04/2013
Smallholder dairy farmers - The United States cooperation agency Usaid and the Eastern Region Genetic Improvement Cooperative (Eragic) have announced a public-private partnership to increase the productivity of dairy herds and increase incomes for 2,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Province.
Usaid awards Eragic Frw 44 million (US$ 69,000) to train dairy farmers in agricultural best practices and artificially inseminate 1,200 dairy cows.
Speaking at the initiative's launch in Nyagatare, the chief of party of the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program, Frank O'Brien, highlighted the benefits of the alliance for smallholder farmers in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza and Rwamagana. 'This partnership will expand and strengthen Eragic's business services, and create an ideal opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of milk coming from these four districts,' O'Brien said.
The donation enables the cooperative to train farmers, about half of whom will be women, in techniques that will maintain optimal health and nutrition of their herds. Eragic will also demonstrate best handling and hygiene skills to enhance the quality of milk, while educating farmers on how to improve their business and cooperative management skills.
The public-private partnership falls under RDCP's Competitive Service Sub-Grant mechanism that is managed by the organization Land O'Lakes for Usaid. 'The award will enable Rwanda's dairy products to become even more competitive in regional markets, as they will meet quality standards set by Comesa,' O'Brien pointed out.
By 2017, RDCP aims to increase the value of local dairy products exported to neighboring countries by 60%.
'This initiative will empower farmers to improve the quality of their yields sustainably and increase their incomes for more financial security,' said Mr. O'Brien.
RDCP II, which is also implemented in partnership with African Breeders Services Total Cattle Management Limited (ABS), aims to reduce poverty in 35,000 rural households through the sale of quality milk and by creating 7,500jobs in the dairy industry. The US$15 million program, which began in 2012, also intends to improve food security and nutritional status of rural households. In the coming months, it will launch a consumer awareness campaign to increase domestic demand of Rwandan dairy products.
Rwanda Focus/25/04/2013
Burundi National Defense Force Officers Complete Second Phase of African Deployment Training
CJTF-HOA Press Release
Burundi National Defense Force Officers Complete Second Phase of African Deployment Training
By Senior Airman Rachel Waller
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
GAKUMBU CAMP, Burundi,
Apr 25, 2013 — More than 20 prospective logistics officers in the Burundi National Defense Force completed a two-week deployment skills course with U.S. Soldiers at Gakumbu Camp, Burundi, March 18-29, 2013 - marking the second phase of deployment training.
Covering convoy operations, hazardous material transportation and proper center and balancing of cargo for transportation, the second phase of African Deployment Partnership Training is designed to help BNDF troops better prepare for real-world deployment of personnel and equipment. This is especially critical since Burundi is a troop-contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia and deploys forces there.
"They taught us how to prepare for pre-deployment before going to the mission area or when you reach there," said a BNDF captain taking the ADAPT course. "Also, (they) taught how we can transport dangerous goods, ammunitions or other hazardous materials. This course will help us to know how we can cart our cargo and personnel safely and ensure any transport of any essential items."
Consisting of three separate courses, this second phase of ADAPT focuses on a train-the-trainer concept where BNDF soldiers learn how to instruct other soldiers in their home units. In Phase III, the top graduates here will return, teach the class and share lessons learned with U.S. Soldiers.
"There is a big benefit for (us) because if you did not train well, then you cannot do your job," said the captain. "Now we can do our job to the required standard."
Overall, the goal of ADAPT is to allow the BNDF to train and stand up their deployments independently, said U.S. Army Master Sergeant Derek Gill, 110th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, an ADAPT instructor.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the Burundian soldiers who picked up on some of the more technical aspects immediately," Gill added.
By and large, the motivation and dedication of the BNDF unit movement control officers were evident to the instructors.
"The stuff you would think most would need to practice a little, they picked it up immediately, which is very impressive," noted Gill.
The ongoing military-to-military engagement with Burundi, a troop-contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia, is in support of Combined Joint Task Force Force-Horn of Africa's mission to strengthen the operational capabilities of East African partner-nation militaries to promote security throughout the region.
Burundi National Defense Force Officers Complete Second Phase of African Deployment Training
By Senior Airman Rachel Waller
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs
GAKUMBU CAMP, Burundi,
Apr 25, 2013 — More than 20 prospective logistics officers in the Burundi National Defense Force completed a two-week deployment skills course with U.S. Soldiers at Gakumbu Camp, Burundi, March 18-29, 2013 - marking the second phase of deployment training.
Covering convoy operations, hazardous material transportation and proper center and balancing of cargo for transportation, the second phase of African Deployment Partnership Training is designed to help BNDF troops better prepare for real-world deployment of personnel and equipment. This is especially critical since Burundi is a troop-contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia and deploys forces there.
"They taught us how to prepare for pre-deployment before going to the mission area or when you reach there," said a BNDF captain taking the ADAPT course. "Also, (they) taught how we can transport dangerous goods, ammunitions or other hazardous materials. This course will help us to know how we can cart our cargo and personnel safely and ensure any transport of any essential items."
Consisting of three separate courses, this second phase of ADAPT focuses on a train-the-trainer concept where BNDF soldiers learn how to instruct other soldiers in their home units. In Phase III, the top graduates here will return, teach the class and share lessons learned with U.S. Soldiers.
"There is a big benefit for (us) because if you did not train well, then you cannot do your job," said the captain. "Now we can do our job to the required standard."
Overall, the goal of ADAPT is to allow the BNDF to train and stand up their deployments independently, said U.S. Army Master Sergeant Derek Gill, 110th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, an ADAPT instructor.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the Burundian soldiers who picked up on some of the more technical aspects immediately," Gill added.
By and large, the motivation and dedication of the BNDF unit movement control officers were evident to the instructors.
"The stuff you would think most would need to practice a little, they picked it up immediately, which is very impressive," noted Gill.
The ongoing military-to-military engagement with Burundi, a troop-contributing country to the African Union Mission in Somalia, is in support of Combined Joint Task Force Force-Horn of Africa's mission to strengthen the operational capabilities of East African partner-nation militaries to promote security throughout the region.
KENYA: Kenya gets first Somali woman as foreign minister
KENYA:
Kenya gets first Somali woman as foreign minister
Amina Mohamed appointed as the new fireign minister of Kenya
Nairobi (RBC) Kenya’s newly elected President Uhuru Kenyatta has unveiled the first four ministers out of the 18 members of his Cabinet late on Tuesday getting the first Somali ethnic woman as foreign minister, RBC Radio reports.
Amina Jibril Mohamed, from the northeastern region is appointed as the next Kenyan foreign minister during a ceremony at the state house in Nairobi on Tuesday. She is also the first woman to lead Kenya’s foreign mission.
Ms Mohamed was the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Director General for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She has also served as the Kenyan ambassador to the UN’s headquarter in Geneva.
According to local media, Amina has been one of the front-runners for the top World Trade Organization.
The other three ministers are Fred Matiang’i as the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, James Wainaina Macharia as the Health Minister and Henry K. Rotich as the National Treasury.
The appointment of Amina Mohamed followed the recent presidential election in Kenya which Mr Kenyatta has won. Somalis in Kenya were the most who voted in favor for Uhuru and analysts were expecting such top position for Somali ethnics on Kenya.
Meanwhile Kenya has sent its troops into Somalia to pursue Al Shabab group as the country hosts more than 60,000 refugees from Somalia since 1991 after the collapse of firmer Somalia central government.
The new government of Somalia which lauded the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta now expects new ties with the its neighbor.
RBC Radio
Amina Mohamed appointed as the new fireign minister of Kenya
Nairobi (RBC) Kenya’s newly elected President Uhuru Kenyatta has unveiled the first four ministers out of the 18 members of his Cabinet late on Tuesday getting the first Somali ethnic woman as foreign minister, RBC Radio reports.
Amina Jibril Mohamed, from the northeastern region is appointed as the next Kenyan foreign minister during a ceremony at the state house in Nairobi on Tuesday. She is also the first woman to lead Kenya’s foreign mission.
Ms Mohamed was the Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Director General for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). She has also served as the Kenyan ambassador to the UN’s headquarter in Geneva.
According to local media, Amina has been one of the front-runners for the top World Trade Organization.
The other three ministers are Fred Matiang’i as the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, James Wainaina Macharia as the Health Minister and Henry K. Rotich as the National Treasury.
The appointment of Amina Mohamed followed the recent presidential election in Kenya which Mr Kenyatta has won. Somalis in Kenya were the most who voted in favor for Uhuru and analysts were expecting such top position for Somali ethnics on Kenya.
Meanwhile Kenya has sent its troops into Somalia to pursue Al Shabab group as the country hosts more than 60,000 refugees from Somalia since 1991 after the collapse of firmer Somalia central government.
The new government of Somalia which lauded the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta now expects new ties with the its neighbor.
RBC Radio
Tanzania: UK commits US$13.4 million for agric devt in Tanzania
Tanzania:
UK commits US$13.4 million for agric devt in Tanzania
Copyright : APA
Tanzania has received a grant of US$13.4 million from the British government for the implementation of a four-year agriculture development projects in 18 of the 30 regions in the country.Speaking at the launch of the project in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the Tanzanian Livestock and Fisheries Development minister, Dr David Mathayo, said the project was vital for the national socio-economic development and would employ millions of Tanzanian youths.
“We are going to create millions of jobs for Tanzanian youths, and these jobs will benefit farmers, livestock keepers, traders and others,” Mathayo said.
The project labelled “Livelihood Enhancement through Agriculture Development (LEAD)” will be implemented by BRAC, an international non-government microfinance organization based in Bangladesh.
According to Mathayo, the implementation of the project is a notable development as the government struggles to solicit funding for the agriculture sector which is the backbone of the country’s economy.
The project aspires to boost agricultural yields and productivity, increase rural income, build capacity for small scale farmers and food security.
Dr Mathayo said LEAD will include agriculture and livestock (poultry) and directly engage 48000 poultry farmers in the country.
The project also will address the constraints facing farmers, build their capacities, assist them to access high quality farming inputs and create marketing facilities for their produce, he added.
“In the course of implementation, a total of 105,000 people will benefit directly from the project,” the minister noted.
Furthermore, the British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Diana Melrose, said BRAC has successfully implemented projects in different countries, which contributed impressively in transforming the lives of the poor.
The diplomat express optimism that the same results would be seen in the current BRAC-managed agricultural project in the country.
“UK government hopes the organization will do the same and even better in this project aimed to change economic and social life of many Tanzania, especially those living in rural areas,” Melrose revealed.
Copyright : APA
Tanzania has received a grant of US$13.4 million from the British government for the implementation of a four-year agriculture development projects in 18 of the 30 regions in the country.Speaking at the launch of the project in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, the Tanzanian Livestock and Fisheries Development minister, Dr David Mathayo, said the project was vital for the national socio-economic development and would employ millions of Tanzanian youths.
“We are going to create millions of jobs for Tanzanian youths, and these jobs will benefit farmers, livestock keepers, traders and others,” Mathayo said.
The project labelled “Livelihood Enhancement through Agriculture Development (LEAD)” will be implemented by BRAC, an international non-government microfinance organization based in Bangladesh.
According to Mathayo, the implementation of the project is a notable development as the government struggles to solicit funding for the agriculture sector which is the backbone of the country’s economy.
The project aspires to boost agricultural yields and productivity, increase rural income, build capacity for small scale farmers and food security.
Dr Mathayo said LEAD will include agriculture and livestock (poultry) and directly engage 48000 poultry farmers in the country.
The project also will address the constraints facing farmers, build their capacities, assist them to access high quality farming inputs and create marketing facilities for their produce, he added.
“In the course of implementation, a total of 105,000 people will benefit directly from the project,” the minister noted.
Furthermore, the British High Commissioner to Tanzania, Diana Melrose, said BRAC has successfully implemented projects in different countries, which contributed impressively in transforming the lives of the poor.
The diplomat express optimism that the same results would be seen in the current BRAC-managed agricultural project in the country.
“UK government hopes the organization will do the same and even better in this project aimed to change economic and social life of many Tanzania, especially those living in rural areas,” Melrose revealed.
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