ODM and PNU reaches a deal - confirms to API that James Orengo will be Kenya’s New Minister of Justice

James Orengo’s (right photo) star is shining. From non-parliamentarian for years, after being ousted by his relative Archbishop Stephen Ondiek, getting elected back to parliament in December, being part of the mediation and healing team and now this! Amazing times for some people.

This is going to be interesting. Orengo taking over from Martha Karua. President Kibaki has a job to do. Cooling Karua down. To cool her and at the same time reward her, she has to be given something important. She has been part of mediation team.

Martha Karua, (photo left side) the tough nut in Kibaki’s PNU not easy to crack but times are changing. Is she Kenya’s iron lady?

It is known fact that since President Kibaki is the head of the Armed forces, he retains Ministry of defence and foreign affairs, so Kibaki’s PNU is willing to part with the Justice ministry even though it is sensitive job in the land.

ODM will be able to use the Justice ministry to bring to book all those who have been corrupt in the past regimes. The question, however, is whether ODM does not have some corrupt men and women within their own circles. One other fact is that the Justice minister must not be seen to be on a witch-hunting spree.

To make Karua satisfied she is to be elevated to the post of Deputy Prime Minister. PNU  indicate that she is the right person for Kibaki to watch over Raila Odinga when he gets the Premiership. An excuse to get her the position is the gender thing. She is a woman and should represent the women.

May be one can get two women as deputy Prime Ministers. Why demand of PNU of Kibaki that they should get a woman as deputy prime minister and not demand the same from ODM? It is a question of total equal partnership.

Here Sally Kosgei will cover the Kalenjin needs, the former Kenya’s High Commissioner in the UK can be picked by ODM to take over the other Deputy Prime Minister position.

The parties will have covered the need for women in giving them equal opportunities.

Justice to all means equality. The President is a man and this is a powerful position in PNU hands. The vice President is a man and he deputises for the president in the powerful seat. He comes from ODM-Kenya. The Prime Minister will be a man from ODM and the position has power. Then the two deputy Prime ministerial positions with lesser powers should go to the two women.

The Prime minister will be in the hands of ODM and it is a fact that whoever is to take charge of the prime minister’s office if the prime minister falls sick or is unavailable for duty for a long period of time, will be one of the deputy prime ministers and in definite terms, will be one from the ODM and not PNU.

 There is however one big challenge that Sally Kosgei will face. Raila Odinga, ODM’s flag bearer, now prime minister designate is said to prefer Esther Passaris (photo on the left), the woman on the photo walking one step behind ODM boss in the silent corridors of power. This is the woman ODM wanted to give the seat of Mayor in Nairobi.

The only thing that can stop Passaris from getting the deputy premiership, if it does not go to Sally Kosgei, is if Raila’s wife gets suspiscious of her closeness to Raila. It is a known fact that a prime minister has to work closely with the deputy prime minister and even travel alone for meetings internationally and that may ring bells that can be misunderstood by many.

Kenya is facing interesting time and change.

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no

The Chinese happy with progress in Darfur

Beijing (China) Progress has been made in the peacekeeping mission by the hybrid United Nations and African Union (UNAMID) force in Darfur, and most obstacles to the deployment of the peacekeepers had been cleared, said the Chinese government’s special representative on Darfur, Liu Guijin.

Liu, who has just concluded a trip to Britain, Sudan, Chad and France between late February and early March added in a declaration published by the local press here on Saturday, “the advance troops of a 315-strong engineering unit from China and a police unit from Bangladesh have been deployed in Darfur, and African nations such as Egypt and Ethiopia are preparing to send forces as well”.

One current problem was that the Sudanese government had reservations about whether to accept peacekeepers from Nepal and Thailand. Another problem was that the hybrid force still lacked 24 helicopters, which was the chief problem for the peacekeeping mission, Liu noted.

The United Nations and the Sudanese government had over the past month signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The United Nations, the African Union and the Sudanese government had reached general agreements on issues concerning night navigation and location for the hybrid forces.

Concerning the accusation from some western media and governments that China was backing the government of Sudan over the Darfur issue, Liu said that China played some special roles in the Darfur issue, but its influence should not be overestimated.

“The accusation by some countries about China’s arms sales to Sudan fuelling the conflict is groundless” said Liu, adding that among a total of seven countries exporting arms to Sudan, China only accounted for 8 percent of the country’s arms imports in 2006. The US, Russia and UK were the biggest arms exporters to the developing nations, including Sudan.

In addition, he said the United Nations and the international community had not yet imposed arms embargo or regulations on Sudan.

As the third largest African producer of conventional weapons and ammunition, Sudan was capable of making a large part of the weapons and ammunition it needs, he noted.

“China has done a great deal in order to solve the Darfur issue,” Liu said, noting that the Chinese government actively made mediating work and maintained that the issue should be solved through dialogue and negotiation.

China has pledged to send a 315-member multi-functional engineering unit to the region, and 140 members have arrived, said Liu, adding that the remaining 175 were preparing to go there soon.

China provided Sudan with humanitarian assistance of about US$11 million last year, and will provide another US$90 million in soft loans, Liu noted. .

He urged that the United Nations and the African Union — the other two important players of a tripartite mechanism that also includes Sudan — should increase consultations with the Sudanese government in some related issues.

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Human rights body wants the release of a prisoner in the hands of the US

<Guantanamo Bay.

Nouakchott (Mauritania) The group defending the young Mauritanian Mohamedou Ould Sellahi, held for six years in the American prison of Guantanamo Bay, has again called for his release at a press briefing in Nouakchott.

Visiting Mauritania within the framework of the campaign to release Sellahi, his lawyer from Washington, Sylvia Royce averred that Ould Sellahi had undergone “all kinds of torture and maltreatment” in the hands of his jailers.

According to Lawyer Royce, who has visited the Mauritanian prisoner, her client «suffered several times physical and psychological health problems in prison”.

Mohamedou Ould Sellahi and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz are still held in Guantanamo, while their third compatriot, Sydamine, had been extradited to his country a few months ago.

Ould Sellahi was arrested in Mauritania and was handed over to the United States in 2001, which accuses him of having links with Al Qaeda.

According to the same source, Ould Sellahi is held prisoner in a place where there is no law as it is governed neither by the American laws nor by the International Geneva Conventions on prisoners of war.

The group defending Ould Sellahi denounces also the fact that he is yet to be indicted after this long jail term.

On several occasions, human rights defense organisations and the parents of the prisoners have asked the Mauritanian government to work for the recovery of its “wrongfully” imprisoned citizens.

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The fight for positions in government hots up in Nyanza

<From Jeff Otieno, Kisumu-Kenya

Angling and canvassing for lucrative Government and parastatal positions in the newly formed grand coalition political arrangement has began in Luo Nyanza.

With Orange Democratic leader Raila Odinga destined to clinch the premiership slot to shepherd his 50 shares in the set up same to president Mwai Kibaki ‘s PNU, the silent side shows and under dealings appears to be the hall mark of the entire scenario.

Leading Luo Professionals, influential Business personalities, and politically correct politicians are said to having sleepless nights in abid to land plum positions in the Government.

Names of illustrious sons from the region have strongly emmerged and the pedestrian wave of talks opines that for Raila Odinga   to keep himself politically a float, he needs to have his foot soldiers to full fill his long awaited dreams.

Based on his sterling development track record in the region and at National level’industrious Marie Stoppes regional Boss cyprian Otieno Awiti is whispered by many to be destined for bigger things particularly as the head of civil service and secretary to the cabinet.

Pragmatic and soft spoken Mumias Sugar chief executive Evans Odhiambo Kidero according to the observers should be considered for a permanent secretary position in the Agriculture Ministry based on his unrivalled performance which stretches back from Nation Media group and now Sugar outfit giant Mumias.

Casualties in the new set up according to inside sources within Raila Odinga’s circles are the under performing Chemelil Sugar MD Prof Nyabundi whose management at the institution has not been received well by workers and farmers. He is said to be keen in one of the key positions but its doubted how he will manage because his former ally cabinet Minister Kipruto Kirwa is in the sidelines.

The current serving PS of trade Mr. David Nalo is also said to be a casualty. Nalo according to the source is being targeted because of his Ivory tower mode of operations which Raila team abhors.

At the Nation security intelligence,shrewd  accountant Sam Wakiaga should climb bit of ladders owing to his stringent managerial capabilities.

Kenya Pipe Line CEO Gerry Okungu is to exit his position, he will either be transferred to another lesser place or be sent packing all together because he is completely inaccessible and only owes his allegiance to a clique at the top.

Former National Bank of Kenya Manager Jashon Oluga’s name has also hit the terrain and the under performing Sony Sugar Company is said to be his destination.

Other notable names featuring prominently and worth considering are those of  former Town clerk Aduma Owuor, NGO Guru Monica Amollo,Mombasa based Business magnet Polycap Ocholla, Edwin Nyaseda, Kisumu Medic Dr.Otieno Abondi and Kenya Ports Authority Eng.Moses Atonga to Name but a few.

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Tanzania: Vodacom, Nokia in rural areas deal

Rural Tanzania will soon be connected to the outside world through the Nokia Siemens Networks Village Connection.

Vodacom Tanzania has already entered into a trial agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks to provide consultant for the services. The Village Connection was selected as the preferred service to connect remote areas due to its ability to deliver cost effective network capacity at a low operating cost. Dietlof Mare, managing director of Vodacom Tanzania, told The EastAfrican that Nokia Siemens has been selected for its understanding of emerging markets.

Mr Mare said that the Village Connection trial is the first of its kind in Africa and will test voice and SMS services on live networks and in some cases will use satellite connectivity to act as backhaul. The Vodacom initiative aims at connecting remote sites via satellite. The trial will also prepare Vodacom Tanzania to introduce new business models that allow it to reach remote and rural customers who are currently not connected to a mobile phone network.

Vodacom Tanzania, the third entrant into the lucrative mobile phone sector, has the largest customer base of four million subscribers and the only operator in the country with a commercial 3G network. The Nokia Siemens Network has been a key supplier in core 3G radio and the deployment of the African continent’s second 3G network. In Tanzania, the mobile telecommunication industry’s overall market penetration stands at 17 per cent, igniting competition among the industry players to capture the remaining share of the market

The village connection solution has already been tried and tested in India and recorded an impressive success considering the wider demographic and technological scope among the villagers. Millions of villagers in the country will benefit from an agreement that was signed by the two mobile phone firms in November 2007 who only have up to five euros to spend on telecommunication services per household per month.

 

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Sudan: North-south peace threatened

Deadly clashes in disputed Abyei region provoke fears of renewed conflict in south.

Recent fighting in the contested oil-rich Abyei region that has left dozens dead and many more wounded is threatening to reopen a second front in Sudan. The resumption of fighting between north and south - after three years of uneasy calm - would further disrupt efforts by United Nations peacekeepers to end violence in the Darfur region and could postpone next year’s national elections which are already in doubt because of the continued bloodshed in western Sudan.

Sudan already faces strong international criticism for renewed violence in Darfur and continued delays in the deployment of the full joint UN and African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur. Likewise, Sudan has refused to cooperate with prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, ICC, which last year indicted two Sudanese in connection with the war in Darfur. Neither has been arrested because Sudan said it is not a party to the Rome Statute which created the court.

Fighting in the north-south border region of Abyei stopped following the signing of the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended 21 years of war that claimed the lives of an estimated two million people and displaced some four million. The relative quiet has facilitated the exploitation of oil reserves in the region, but drilling activity has come under attack by Darfur rebels who say the Sudan government uses petroleum revenues to fund its war in Darfur.

The fresh fighting in the Abyei region in the south central part of the country, however, was the result of clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, SPLA, and nomadic Misseriya tribesmen.
Both sides have accused the other of provoking the attacks, with the SPLA claiming that the Sudan government has armed the Misseriya tribesmen who traditionally graze their cattle in the region for several months each year.

The Abyei region has been occupied for more than a century by the southern Ngok Dinka tribes, and in recent years has been under the control of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement, SPLM, headed by President Salva Kiir, which governs the semi-autonomous South Sudan. But tension between the north and south renewed months ago as each side continued a vicious tug-of-war over rights to the Abyei region.
As part of the 2005 CPA, the issue was to be resolved by the independent Abyei Border Commission.

But Sudan president Omar al-Bashir last year rejected the panel’s decision that Abyei belonged to the South, and instead claimed it was part of the north based on documents from 1905. Hereeka Izz El-Deen Hareeka, the leader of the Misseriya, blamed the the escalation on the SPLA which has intervened on behalf of the Dinka Ngok tribe. Recently, the Misseriya leaders named Mohamed Omar al-Ansari as their appointed governor for Abyei. Al-Ansari immediately ordered South Sudanese to vacate offices to make room for the Abyei Liberation Front, which he says has five battalions of up to 3,000 armed fighters each.

He also urged women and children to be evacuated from Abyei. Meanwhile, Luka Biong Deng, the South Sudan minister of presidential affairs, said that the SPLA has no intention of leaving Abyei. President Kiir has said this recent round of fighting was an attempt by the al-Bahsir government to negate the CPA. He said Misseriya fighters have been armed by the Sudan government with heavy weapons and artillery and similar attacks in December and January included soldiers with Sudanese army IDs. Some speculate that the upsurge in fighting may be a ploy by the Sudan government to call off next month’s national census, a necessary step leading to the national elections set for 2009.

If national elections are put back, people in South Sudan fear this will affect the timing of the 2011 referendum in which the South Sudanese will decide whether to remain part of Sudan or seek independence. South Sudan is already semi-autonomous. With the status of Abyei unresolved, the validity of the referendum vote, which could include Abyei, might be challenged. These fears appear to be well founded.
This past weekend, officials with Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party said next month’s census could not take place in Darfur because of the continued fighting there.

Former Darfur rebel leader Minni Minawi, who is now with the government, said that a national census or an election would be incomplete without Darfur. But with so many Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad, neither a census nor an election would be appropriate. Officials in South Sudan, however, argue that fighting in Darfur should not prevent the rest of the country from being counted or from voting.

*Hamid Taban is an IWPR contributor and Peter Eichstaedt is IWPR’s Africa Editor.

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Liberia: Sierra Leone court chases Taylor’s millions

The Special Court for Sierra Leone has asked the UK government to help track down money believed to have been stolen by Liberia’s ex-leader Charles Taylor. He is on trial accused of funding rebels in Sierra Leone while in office.

Mr. Taylor denies the charges, but the chief prosecutor says if he is convicted for pillage, he wants his alleged stolen millions to be returned. “If we can get the money back to the victims, then that’s a critical part of justice,” Stephen Rapp told the BBC. During Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, which officially ended in 2002, tens of thousands of people died and thousands more were mutilated, raped and had their limbs amputated.

Mr. Taylor’s war crimes case has been transferred from Sierra Leone to The Hague for security reasons, although it is still being conducted by the UN-backed court. The former Liberian president is charged with 11 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Mr. Rapp has been in London to meet with the UK government to discuss the alleged looted money which is believed to be in the region of several hundred million dollars.”It may be even close to a billion dollars when you add together all the resources and the money that went through the Government of Liberia (GOL) when he was president,” Mr. Rapp told the BBC’s World Today programme.

“Indications are that some $650m was due to the people, due to the treasury - that money all flowed through his personal bank accounts,” Mr. Rapp said. Tracking down the funds was an “ongoing forensic effort”, but governments around the world have been co-operative when asked for help, he said.
 
“If we obtain a conviction for him on pillage we’re going to go forward and try to obtain the restitution orders,” the chief prosecutor said. He said the real tragedy of the war in Sierra Leone is that not enough was being done to help the victims of the war. He expressed the hope that any recovered money would go to the victim reparation programme. He said this would go to the thousands of people who had arms and legs and sometimes ears and other body parts chopped off cruelly during the course of the conflict - and victims of sexual violence.

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Burkina Faso: Rights abuses perhaps the cost of rising prices

Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) - Fears have been expressed this week that rights abuses are being committed against people detained in connection with protests against the rising cost of living in Burkina Faso.

In all, 184 persons were arrested concerning the protests, which became violent. Demonstrations took place in the capital, Ouagadougou, last Thursday — and in south-western Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city, a week earlier. Less violent marches occurred in the towns of Ouahigouya, in the north, and Banfora, in the west of the country. “We were told a while ago that there would have been cases of torture amongst the persons detained after the damages of the 28th of February,” said Chrizogome Zougmonré, president of the Burkinabé Movement for Human and People’s Rights, a non-governmental organisation based in Ouagadougou.

“We have checked and it seems there were relatively serious abuses of certain detainees,” he added. Zougmonré also said that he had started proceedings for paying a visit to the detainees. The fears come despite Transport Minister and government spokesman Philippe Sawadogo’s assurances that those detained would be treated fairly. “We will respect the rules of justice, which will follow its normal course,” he said Monday, during a press briefing in Ouagadougou. For their part, opposition groups are angered that certain detainees were imprisoned before being heard by a judge.

“The constitution gives rights to people; these must be respected under all circumstances, especially on the part of the state,” said Philippe Ouédraogo, leader of the African Independence Party and head of the G14, which includes other opposition parties. “What we must fear, today, is that because there were damages, the government is furious — that the government no longer respects people’s rights,” he added.
The detainees include Thibault Nana, leader of the opposition Democratic and Popular Rally, which called a one-day general strike in the capital for last Thursday to protest against high prices. Nana said he had withdrawn earlier support for a march in Ouagadougou, to prevent a repeat of the violence that occurred during other demonstrations. “It was to avoid this that I called for a one-day general strike in Ouagadougou; I was persuaded that if people took to the streets, they would be difficult to manage,” he told IPS.

Still, last Thursday’s mass action saw youths destroy traffic lights, vehicles and public buildings. Ouédraogo has noted that the opposition does not condone vandalism. Nonetheless, Sawadogo says Nana stands accused of calling for the destruction of public and private property. According to the government-controlled daily, ‘Sidwaya’, 29 people have already been tried and issued sentences of up to 36 months in connection with the demonstrations in Bobo-Dioulasso. Over recent weeks, prices of goods have risen between 10 and 65 percent in Burkina Faso, something traders blame on the introduction of new taxes.

Government rejects this argument, saying it is simply enforcing the payment of existing customs duties. “Before, this (money) went into the pockets of individuals…It is thus time that the state recovers what it is owed,” said Finance Minister Jean Baptiste Compaoré earlier this week. Government has announced measures to stem the dizzying increase in prices. Last Wednesday, it decided to suspend customs duties for three months on a number of imports, including rice, milk and salt. Officials also plan to negotiate with local industries that produce sugar and oil with a view to lowering prices.

But opposition parties say authorities should have taken action sooner. “There is a suspicious simultaneity between these damages (those incurred during marches) and the measures, and you ask yourself whether it’s not a type of panic that explains these measures, which could have been taken more quickly,” Ouédraogo told journalists. Mathias Somé, secretary general of the Burkina Consumers League, says the rise of prices is “abnormal and unjustified”. Zougmonré further notes that some citizens have resorted to desperate measures to survive, being “obliged to rummage in dustbins for food, to chase pigs (and) dogs around dustbins…”

 

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