Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.sayanythingblog.com”

 Discussion:

Tuesday, April 01, 2008 James Meeks:

Obama’s Other Bigoted Spiritual Leader (With A Special Appearance By Tony Rezko) By Rob on April 1, 2008 at 07:28 am 5

Comments

Just when the Obama apologists thought the Jeremiah “God Damn America” Wright controversy was winding down, along comes Reverend James Meeks: Described in a 2004 Chicago Sun Times article as someone Barack Obama regularly seeks out for “spiritual counsel”, James Meeks, who will serve as an Obama delegate at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, is a long-time political ally to the democratic frontrunner. When Obama ran for the U.S. Senate in 2003, he frequently campaigned at Salem Baptist Church while Rev. Meeks appeared in television ads supporting the Illinois senator’s campaign… Since that time, not only has Meeks himself served on Obama’s exploratory committee for the presidency and been listed on the Obama’s campaign website as one of the senator’s ‘influential black supporters’, but his church choir was called on to raise their voices in praise at a rally the night Obama announced his run for the White House back in 2007. Interestingly, the Chicago Sun Times has also reported that both Meeks and Obama share a history of substantial campaign contributions from indicted real estate magnate Tony Rezko. A taste of Rev. Meeks’ style of spiritual leadership. The kind Obama sought out. “We don’t have slave masters. We got mayors. But they still the same white people who are presiding over systems where black people are not able, or to be educated.” “You got some preachers that are house ni…rs You got some elected officials that are house n…..rs. And rather than them trying to break this up, they gonna fight you to protect this white man.” This man appeared in Obama campaign commercials. He served on Obama campaign committees. Obama campaigned at his church. Obama sought him out for “spiritual counsel” and political support. Is Obama going to tell us, again, that he had all this interaction with Meeks but didn’t know the man was a bigoted, race-baiting homophobe? Is the media going to give Obama another pass for associating, closely and repeatedly, with a cretin like this? How many hateful “crazy uncles” have to come out of Obama’s closet before we can say that there’s a reason why Obama sought these people out? And that reason is he agrees with them? Comments Just remember. A vote for Hillary Clinton means never having to say you’re sorry.

P Graber on April 1, 2008 at 09:02 am

Someone needs to purchase all the videos from these two racist churches and watch them frame by frame to see if BHO is sitting in the pews. Then they will evidence that he was there listening and praising hallelujah everytime a racist comment was made by these so-called upstanding reverend’s. Then they can finally nail him on this big lie he try to cover up. He wasn’t present when these words were spoken, hard to believe.

A. Smith on April 1, 2008 at 10:07 am

Could someone verify with the good Rev Meeks that if I drive through the low income, predominanetly African American community shouting “house ni**er” if those who regard this as a “term of endearment” will come to my assistance when those who understand it instead as a racial insult proceed to beat the s**t out of me? <>_<>

renaldo on April 1, 2008 at 10:46 am

The kids he is talking about aren’t made to go to school anyway, so no matter how great and/or race free they make it, they wouldn’t benefit. Too bad he doesn’t use all of that “energy” to promote stable two parent households that put a value on education. When I was a kid, in public schools I might add, I went daily and got decent grades or my parents would kick my a**…THAT is where the real responsibility lies.

JPGR on April 1, 2008 at 01:25 pm

I would like to know when the msm is going to address of OBAMA’s involvement and support of RAILA ODINGA -the co-President of Kenya? ODINGA was set up in the oil business by Muammar Quaddafi (no, I’m not kidding), was educated in Communist East Germany, named his first child “Fidel” (yeah, really) and when he and his followers disputed the election they torched a church with 100 christian woman & children inside–burning them alive. Odinga’s followers continued to engage in “clear ethnic cleansing” according to US Envoy Jendayi Frazer. Perhaps most troubling is Odinga’s links to Islamic extremists. On 8/29/07 Odinga signed a secret agreement (exposed 11/27) with Sheikh Abdullah Abdi in which he agreed to institute Islamic law in exchange for Abdi’s support–thereby potentially enslaving millions of Kenyan women. OBAMA campaigned for ODINGA (“your agent for change”-sound familiar) in August 2006–to such a degree that the Opposition called him Odinga’s “stooge”

Read for yourself: http://eakenya.org/newsevents/article.htm?id=8 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7176683.stm http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/290390 http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=57363 https://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/how-rich-is-raila-the-odm-kenya-presidential-aspirant/ WONDER WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE OUT OF THAT? SURELY THAT”s BETTER THAN NOT WEARING A LAPEL PIN? YA THINK? Phllip Spellman on April 2, 2008 at 12:39 am Page 1 of 1 .

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African Press International – api

President Mugabe tells API, “I will not surrender power before death do part us.”

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no

President Robert Mugabe seen here yesterdays for the first time after the elections took place last Saturday. It is said he was busy in consultation with the country’s security forces and his ZANU PF politburo.

Mugabe (middle) on the photo above is here together with the head of election observers (AU), Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (left). He is the former president of Sierra Leone. The man to the right has not been identified.

 Yes, now we get it from the man himself. From Harare presidential palace, Mugabe has spoken. He has confirmed to API that he will not surrender power to anyone.

Making it clear that the power in Zimbabwe is not his but the Veteran’s, he says he must keep his promise to the veterans who brought freedom to the Zimbabwean people.

When asked why he does not want to share power with MDC leader, he quips and angrily accuses MDC leader of being a stooch of the west and especially the UK and the US.

He believes the re-run will make retain power but adds, that the re-run is a west of time because he is not going to hand over power anyway even if re-run results were to go against him.

Saying that he is an old man who must be respected for bringing independence to the country, he demonises the MDC leader calling him a man of no vision.

This now indicates that Zimbabwe will be led by Mugabe for a number of years to come.

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African Press International – API

Imported used cars are bad for the environment, and responsible for high accident rate in the country, Uganda declares

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

Ugandan legislators on Friday urged the government to consider putting restrictions on the importation of used cars which are not only environmentally harmful but are also responsible for many accidents on Ugandan roads.

The legislators made the call while they were on Friday debating a statement by the Prime Minister Professor Apollo Nsibambi concerning increasing tragic accidents on the country’s highways.

Many parliamentarians expressed concern that the used cars that are imported into the country do not have speed-governors which is a requirement to set speed limit for vehicles. According to the report presented to parliament, accidents are caused by over speeding among others.

The Prime Minister revealed that government investigations had shown that the accidents are mainly attributed to reckless driving and over speeding, poor mechanical conditions of vehicles, overloading of passengers and goods, absence of speed governors, violation of traffic rules especially by taxi/mini bus drivers and motor cycle operators driving while they are drunk and failure to use seat belts by passengers.

He said that the government was undertaking systematic steps to curb the increasing tragic accidents on the roads and loss of life.

The PM informed the House that the Inspector General of Police has deployed more traffic police officers on the roads in the city and on the highways and that they are enforcing the traffic laws and regulations and also helping to reduce traffic jams.

The police in Kampala have this week been carrying operations that netted many vehicles without seatbelts, speed governors, as well as those in questionable mechanical conditions.

The Prime Minister appealed to the drivers to respect the traffic rules and regulations. He also called upon those traveling by public transport, such as buses and taxis to report to the police violators of traffic laws if the rate of accidents is to be reduced drastically.

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African Press International – api

Impatient ODM releases ministerial structure ahead of the governmentx

Published by Korir, api, africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

ODM was not able to wait until Sunday, no they are very impatient! They waited until today Friday evening and could not manage any longer, so they came out with the list. It now seems clear what ministries will go to who in the struggle for power in Kenya. There is hope that Kenya will enjoy stability after all things are brought to order and both parties satisfied.

The leaders seem to have put the interest of the Kenyan people at heart, a deflection from the personal pride we have been witnessing to date.

The interesting thing that remains now is who of the party supporters will be rewarded with ministerial positions and who will be left out in the cold.

Now that assistant ministers will total 50 plus the 40 ministers the number is 90. There is the president, vice president, Prime minister, and two deputies as well. The number is reallly large enough to accommodate all the comrades. In parliament, everybody will be on the government seats ……….. and few sitting on the opposition benches. Impressive….? API

Story by ANTHONY KARIUKI
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has released its own version of shared ministries.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga shake hands after agreeing on Cabinet size. ODM released a list of shared ministries on Friday evening. Photo/PPS

With the Cabinet set to be named on Sunday by President Kibaki, the party has made available to the media a breakdown of the 40 ministries to be shared with the Government coalition.

In a statement the party’s Director of Communications Salim Lone says this is necessary especially in light of differing lists carried by the media.

“Media…..carried differing lists of these ministries and their allocation to the parties, obtained informally from unofficial sources, but none of the lists was in fact accurate. I am therefore attaching the list of ministries and the party to which each was assigned.”

The ministries are lumped in three categories: Coordination, Infrastructure and Services and reflect portfolio balance, according to ODM.

With each side set to get 20 ministries, Mr Lone says that ODM has suggested four new ministries.

“In view of the fact that four new ministries needed to be created above the 36 that had been agreed upon by PNU and ODM earlier, ODM suggested that these be the ministries of Provincial Administration, Cabinet Affairs, Housing and Fisheries.”

New ministries have also been carved out of existing ones: Trade and Industry has been split into two, so has Livestock Development and Fisheries.

According to the ODM list, Roads and Public Works will be two distinct ministries

Under coordination, ODM takes Local Government, Planning and National Development, Public Service, Foreign Affairs. The Party of National Unity (PNU) gets East African cooperation, Finance, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Nairobi Metropolitan Development.

ODM will get Transport, Energy, Roads, Water and Irrigation, Tourism and Wildlife, Agriculture, Development of Northern Kenya and Semi Arid lands, Fisheries and Immigration and Registration of Persons under infrastructure while PNU takes Public Works, Information and Communications, Lands and Settlement, Trade, Livestock Development, Defence, Home Affairs, Internal Security and Provincial Administration.

In the Services category, ODM gets Health, Housing, Youth and Sports, Special Programmes and Labour and Human Resource Development. PNU’s share includes: Regional Development Authorities, Gender and Social Services, Basic Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Cooperative Development and Marketing and National Heritage and Culture.

Mr Lone also revealed that the two principals- President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga agreed that “assistant ministers be limited to 50 with the assistant minister in each ministry coming from a party other than the minister’s.”

He said that the location and organisational strict of the office of prime minister  and other formalities were yet to be concluded.

“A number of additional steps still needed to be taken to complete all the formalities for Sunday’s planned announcement of the cabinet. 

“These formalities, as agreed, include the organisational structure and physical location of the Office of the Prime Minister, the finalisation of the functions and responsibilities of each ministry, the appointment of Permanent Secretaries and redefining the role of the Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.”

To this end a planned meeting between the Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura and ODM’s representative Mohammed Isahakia to iron out these issues had not taken off at the time of going to press.

The meeting was also expected to put in place arrangements for Sunday’s  announcement of the cabinet.

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African Press International – api

Martin Luther King jr., “I have a dream” – In memory of Dr King.

Chasing the Dream

Forty years ago, on the evening of April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of his Memphis hotel room. He was 39.

Since his death, we’ve struggled as a nation to reconcile race-based inequities that King spoke so forcefully about in his most famous speech  “I Have a Dream.”

A View of Recent History Through King’s Words

King delivered “I Have a Dream” to more than 250,000 people gathered for the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.

And as King told the crowd on that spring day: “Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning.”

In the upcoming slide show, images from recent history are combined with quotes from “I Have a Dream” to demonstrate how, as a nation, we’ve made gains in the fight for racial equality and justice and where we have fallen short.

Exiled From New Orleans: Hurricane Katrina

“One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.”  Martin Luther King Jr., from “I Have a Dream”

Stranded New Orleans residents evacuate the hurricane-ravaged city on Aug. 31, 2005. Scenes of death, damage, and chaos wracked the U.S. Gulf Coast even as some authorities tried to rescue the living and count the dead amid the destruction.

The Tuskegee Experiment : An Apology at Last

“But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.”  MLK

A Tuskegee Syphilis Study victim, Herman Shaw, 94, receives an official apology from President Clinton in 1997. From 1932 to 1972, about 400 African-American men with syphilis living in rural Alabama were part of a study conducted by U.S. Public Health Service. The syphilis was intentionally left untreated and the men were never told what disease they were suffering from. The goal of the study was to examine the effects of syphilis on the human body through autopsies of the victims essentially using the men as human guinea pigs.

The Birmingham Church Bombing: Justice Secured

“And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”  MLK

Birmingham officials jailed two longtime church bombing suspects, former Ku Klux Klansmen Thomas E. Blanton Jr. (left) and Bobby Frank Cherry. Both were later convicted, in 2001 and 2002, respectively, of the 1963 church bombing that killed four young girls.

The Little Rock Nine: Pioneers of Desegregation

“Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”  MLK

These statues, located on the grounds of the Arkansas state capitol, depict the Little Rock Nine. The nine students desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. With President Eisenhower’s National Guard soldiers standing between them and angry segregationists as they entered the school building, the nine students aged 15 to 17 showed enormous courage and changed history.

Emmett Till: A Child Honored

“And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.”  MLK

Students at Chicago’s former James McCosh Elementary School walk past a bulletin board honoring Emmet Till a boy who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered in 1955 while visiting relatives in Money, Miss. In 2006, the school was renamed the Emmet Louis Till Math & Science Academy in honor of the 14-year-old former McCosh student, whose death helped galvanize the civil rights movement.

The Los Angeles Riots: Revolt Inflamed

“The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.”  MLK

Riots begin in Los Angeles on April 30, 1992, the first day of burning and looting that would later engulf the city. The riots began when four LAPD officers who had been charged with beating Rodney King were acquitted. By the time the riots subsided, up to 55 people had lost their lives and the property damage totaled $1 billion.

Jackson Greets the Klan: Dignity in a Gesture

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.”  MLK

The Rev. Jesse Jackson offers to shake the hand of a Klan member in Wallingford, Conn., in 2000. After Jackson’s visit, the mayor of Wallingford signed a bill to officially recognize Martin Luther King Day. Wallingford was the last town in Connecticut to do so.

“Jena Six”: A United Call for Justice

“Many of our white brothers  have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.”  MLK

Protesters in Washington, D.C., call for charges to be dropped against the “Jena Six.” This protest was part of a bigger movement that started in the central Louisiana town of Jena where six African-American teenagers, the so-called “Jena Six,” were accused of assault of a white classmate. Protesters argued the charges  including the plan to try the teens as adults  were excessive for the crime and indicative of racial bias in the justice system.

The Murder of James Byrd: A Grotesque Suffering

“You have been the veterans of creative suffering.”  MLK

A Texas district attorney shows the chains used in the dragging death of James Byrd Jr. In 1998, the 49-year-old African-American man was beaten with a bat then chained and dragged behind a truck. Three white men were convicted for his murder.

The Confederate Flag: Change Comes to South Carolina

“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.”  MLK

A Confederate flag flies on the grounds of the South Carolina state capitol in Columbia Jan. 9, 2008. The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina capitol building on July 1, 2000. However, a smaller version (pictured above) still flies on the grounds. For many African-Americans the flag symbolizes racism, oppression and slavery.

Two David Wilsons: Descendents of Former Slave Owners and Former Slaves Meet

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”  MLK

Two David Wilsons, one the descendant of slaves, the other a descendant of their owner, walk through tobacco fields in North Carolina in the film “Meeting David Wilson,” a documentary made by the younger David Wilson about his family heritage.

The Future of Politics: Judging by Character

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”  MLK

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: From Despair to Hope

“We will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.”  MLK

Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King Jr., shown here at a news conference in Atlanta to launch a celebration for the first national Martin Luther King holiday on Jan. 11, 1986. Coretta Scott King died on Jan. 30, 2006. She was 78 years old.

Million Man March: Brotherhood Affirmed

“With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”  MLK

A view of the crowd gathered for the Million Man March on Oct. 16, 1995, with the Washington Monument in the background. The idea for the march came from controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The goal was to increase community participation by African-American men who participated in the march.

The Civil Rights Memorial: In Memory of a Mighty Force

” And this will be the day  this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning”  MLK

This young visitor is one of approximately 35,000 people who visit the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Ala., each year to pay tribute to the civil rights movement and 40 people who lost their lives in the struggle for racial equality. The victims whose names are inscribed on the obelisk died between 1954 and 1968, the latter being the year of King’s death. The memorial was designed by renowned architect Maya Lin, who said she was inspired by a quote from the “I Have a Dream” speech: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Lin also designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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In memory of Dr King’s 40 years day since his murder while fighting for a free world where all persons should be treated equal.

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Compiled by Chief editor Korir /African Press International – API

Norwegian men fattest in Europe

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.aftenposteneng

Norway has the highest percentage of overweight men in Europe, according to a new report by the World Health Organizaiton (WHO). The report indicates that more than half of all Norwegian men are too fat.

Fast-food, like fries from McDonalds, should cost even more than they do now, argues an Oslo nutritionist. PHOTO: R. KARECKAS/AP

The study, reported Friday in newspaper Dagsavisen, examined results from measures taken of body mass in 30 countries. If the so-called “body mass index” is between 25 and 30, the person being measured is regarded as overweight.

If it’s over 30, the person is considered fat.

Less than 30 percent of men measured in Kazakhstan were deemed overweight, while in Norway, more than 50 percent were.

Norwegian women scored better, with around 30 percent falling into the “overweight” category. That compares to a low of 20 percent in Uzbekistan to more than 40 percent in Great Britain.

Experts blame the increasingly widespread consumption of so-called “junk food,” from hamburgers and french fries to potato chips and sweets, especially in Norway.

“It’s well known that there’s been an increase in weight among both Norwegian men and women in recent years,” nutritionist Mette Helvik Morken told Dagsavisen. She worries that this will lead to a jump in health-related problems.

Helvik Morken advocates a typically Norwegian approach to the problem: Impose heavy taxes on food with high fat content.

“People aren’t able to fend off the temptation, and we have too much food available in portions that are too large,” Helvik Morken claimed.

She thinks Norwegian politicians should impose taxes that would at least double the price of potato chips, chocolate, cakes and fast-food.

“Snacks and fast-food should be so much more expensive that people will think twice before buying it,” she argues.

Chocolate and fast food already is much more expensive in Norway than other countries, however, because of special sugar taxes that already exist and allegedly high costs. A standard menu for a cheeseburger, fries and soft drink at Burger King in Oslo, for example, currently costs NOK 79, or about USD 11.

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African Press International – api

Norwegians are rude and aggressive drivers with bad manners, a survey concludes

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.aftenposteneng

Norwegians have bad “traffic manners”, concludes a new survey.

Norwegian drivers are not very polite behind the wheel, reveals a recent poll. PHOTO: Magnus Knutsen Bjørke

When Norwegians get behind the wheel, they seem to go through a personality change, flouting the law and snubbing common courtesy in favour of an aggressive driving manner, according to insurance company TrygVesta’s research.

The survey concludes that Norwegians take on a “nearly latin traffic temperament” when driving, which can make them think irrationally.

Six percent of drivers said they don’t stop at crosswalks for pedestrians preparing to cross the road, while 39 percent disclosed that they won’t let cars into line in front of them. Almost 60 percent of drivers in the western part of the country don’t allow other vehicles into line.

Around one-fifth of the drivers admitted to parking illegally in handicapped spaces and almost as many said they don’t always wait for busses pulling out into traffic.

The insurance company warns that this aggressive attitude could lead to more accidents, injuries and fatalities.

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African Press International – api

Wangari Maathai is not satisfied with Kibaki and Raila agreeing on a total 40!

Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no source.standard.ke

By Standard Team

Cabinet of 40: What ODM, PNU will get

President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga finally agreed on the size of the Cabinet — a bloated 40 — with PNU running away with key ministries.

It would seem the party may have finally won the weeks of brinkmanship and mind games between it and rivals ODM. The standoff, which threatened to push the country to the brink again, was over a desire by the rivals to equally share lucrative and high profile ministries.

Even though the issue of portfolio balance remained a guarded secret between the two principals, The Standard reliably learnt last night that PNU will retain Finance, Internal Security, Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Information and Communications.

On its part, ODM will take Local Government, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Energy and Roads. Also understood to be in its bag is Agriculture and Immigration and Registration of Persons.

However, there are immediate political implications for PNU in this arrangement: Five of its top politicians could be jobless. The party will, therefore, have to find a way of accommodating Mr Uhuru Kenyatta (Local Government), Mr Moses Wetangula (Foreign Affairs), Mr John Michuki (Roads), Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Transport) and Mr Kiraitu Murungi (Energy) in a reshuffle to be announced when the coalition Cabinet is named.

PNU now has the option of relegating them to low-profile ministries or risk a political fallout they were to be jobless.

Details of how other key ministries will be shared out remained scanty. However, new ministries will be carved out of existing ones to create room for the 40 ministers.

Already, PNU was being linked to Public Works to be hived off Roads. It will also take charge of Water and Irrigation.

Act of political expediency

Even though the announcement on Thursday ended weeks of national anxiety, it was greeted with outrage from church leaders, civil society and trade unions, which have been pushing for a Cabinet of 24 members.

Their argument was that by settling on a Cabinet of 40 ministers, the two leaders were driven by political expediency at the expense of Kenyans.

Special Programmes Minister, Dr Naomi Shaban, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Moses Wetangula and a senior Government official leave Harambee House after meeting President Kibaki on Thursday. Picture by Govedi Asutsa Foreign minister looks worried? Is he loosing the job now? deals can reaaly destroy people’s happiness in politics.

They charged that President Kibaki and Raila had become hostage to ethnic and regional interests that had propelled them to power.For the Cabinet to be named on Sunday and sworn-in a week later, critics say it is bloated because Kibaki and Raila had to “reward loyalists and foot-soldiers”.

Over time, the Cabinet has been growing. In 1974, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father, had a 20-member Cabinet. In 1988, his successor, former President Moi, had a 23-member Cabinet and 24 in 2001 as he served his last term.

In 2003, President Kibaki had a 25-member Cabinet that rose to 35 in 2004. In 2006, as he headed into an election year he had 32. Forty is the highest the country has ever had.

Owing to its sheer size, it means that about 50 per cent of MPs would be on the front benches, because each ministry will have an assistant minister if not two.

The bloated Cabinet was also condemned by analysts who warned that it could lead to more taxation of an already over-burdened citizenry, trigger huge price increases, over-reliance on donors and jeopardise the reconstruction agenda.

PNU was initially haggling for a Cabinet of between 38 and 44 members, while ODM insisted on 34. They both settled for 40.

The compromise Cabinet was announced after a two-hour meeting between Kibaki and Raila, and followed several engagements between the two leaders that failed to bear fruit.

On Wednesday, President Kibaki worked at Harambee House late into the night apparently after efforts to use Prof George Saitoti, the Internal Security minister, as an emissary to Raila on Tuesday failed to produce the expected outcome.

Although Raila was the first to break the news of the compromise Cabinet, a statement from the Presidential Press Service confirmed that the 40-ministry Cabinet was reached in a spirit of give and take.

Information from the meeting was, however, scanty on portfolio balance, but a call from Finance minister, Mr Amos Kimunya, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he is attending an official function, suggested that ODM may have “given up” its demands on his docket.

Said he: ” I am out of the country, working as usual. I will be back tomorrow (today) and I am not in a state of panic at all.”

It was not immediately clear what compromises ODM had made to surrender the lucrative docket or the other portfolio it had traded the Finance ministry with.

But sources in the Kibaki-Raila meeting said the leaders were keeping the ministerial lists close to their chests to tame undue lobbying.

Earlier in the day, Wetangula had told a Press conference that none of the 17-member (half) Cabinet already in place would lose their jobs.

Kibaki named the “half” Cabinet immediately he was controversially sworn in for a second term following the disputed December 27 presidential election that touched off unprecedented bloodletting and destruction of property.

Civil society groups and church leaders said the cost of the bloated Cabinet was likely to hurt ordinary Kenyans who already moaning under an all time high 21 per cent inflation and recovering from the effects of post-election violence.

Besides, it was likely to make nonsense of donor confidence in the Government’s reconstruction agenda, they added.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) described the Cabinet as “terribly ridiculous”, adding that the political class could not be expected to revive the economy because the cost of running the many ministerial dockets would take the largest chunk of resources.

“How could they collude to hurt the already ruined economy by agreeing to create a bloated Cabinet?” Mr George Kegoro, the ICJ-Kenya executive director, asked.

The National Convention Executive Council said the Cabinet was not only “politically scandalous”, but against the will of the people.

Mr Cyprian Nyamwamu of the NCEC, said: “It’s unbelievable, it is totally scandalous. The politicians are acting against the will of the people and serving their own interests. We will re-evaluate our support for the coalition.”

Africog Director, Ms Gladwell Otieno, and Mars Group Director, Mr Mwalimu Mati, termed the bloated Cabinet as “wasteful” and threatened to mobilise Kenyans to protest against the appointments.

The Institute of Policy Analysis and Research expressed fear that the 40 ministers would put the country in an odd position with donors who are likely to view Kenya as a country spending money on salaries rather than development.

“Donors support Kenyans and they listen to their cries. Kenyans wanted a lean Cabinet and donors will listen to their plight,” said Mr Tiberius Barasa, a research fellow in governance and development Programme at Ipar.

“This Cabinet is a disadvantage to donors and some will not give aid to Kenya to pay people salaries at the expense of development programmes,” he said.

The Federation of Kenya Employers’ (FKE) opposed the large Cabinet, saying 40 ministers were too many and would undermine economic growth.

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Prof Wangari Maathai, said she was surprised, disappointed and amazed that Kibaki and Raila could agree on such huge Cabinet.

Reports by Abiya Ocholla, Ayub Savula, Beuttah Omanga, Edith Fortunate, Alex Ndegwa, Susan Anyangu, Caroline Mango and Evelyne Ogutu

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African Press International – api

AFRICAN INSIGHT – Hungry and angry, West Africans say No to continuously rising food prices

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

Story by HAMADOU TIDIANE SY

While the wounds caused by the  ethnic and civil wars of the 90s are yet to heal completely in many countries in the region, new social problems threaten West Africa’s stability in the form of food and fuel riots which have rocked several capitals, writes HAMADOU TIDIANE SY, NATION Correspondent, DAKAR, Wednesday

The protests against high fuel and food prices have forced governments in West Africa to use repressive methods of yesteryears, hence reversing the gains made in the democratic arena over the past two decades, evoking memories of Gnassingbe Eyadema’s strong-arm methods in Togo.

Demonstrators carry a sign protesting high prices in Cameroon’s port city of Douala in February. Photo/REUTERS

However and despite the threat of repression, in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, angry citizens have taken to the streets to express their despair.

In a matter of a few months, the prices of many basic commodities have suddenly gone up between 20 and 30 per cent, at times much more.

For instance in Dakar, where the first attempt to demonstrate was violently dispersed by police last November, the price of rice has increased by 30 per cent between 2007 and 2008. At the same time, the price of powdered milk has gone 50 per cent up in a country where a large part of the population remains unemployed. Fuel is peaking at unprecedented highs and it goes with shortages. The same situation obtains  in all the countries in the region.

Bobo-Dioulasso, the second largest city of Burkina Faso and Ouagadougou the country’s capital; Dakar in Senegal and Abidjan, the economic capital city of Ivory Coast were all severely hit, and the only response from governments was to send troops to disperse the protesters.

In Cameroon, the two major urban centres Yaoundé and Douala and other smaller cities also experienced the same scenes of violence for the same reasons. There as well, the government blindly repressed the protesters and arrested many people. At least 40 casualties were officially reported.

These protests “are a strong signal directed to our governments to be careful and to manage the national resources well” Brahima Koné,  says a Malian lawyer in Bamako.

Mr Koné, the chairman of the Inter-African Union for the Defence of Human Rights (UIDH, an umbrella organisation based in Burkina Faso), believes the wave of repression noted recently is a sign of democracies “going backwards”.

“There’s a regression in the field of democracy in West Africa,” he says of the arrests and violence used by security forces against protesters.

The same criticism was made in a joint statement issued in Abidjan by three Ivorian associations against their own government.

In Burkina Faso, at least 180 people were arrested following violent protests at the end of February.

UIDH also believes the demonstrations and subsequent repression are as a result of the misuse of the national resources at the expense of citizens.

Meanwhile, the governments  maintain that the main causes of the high cost of living are external, namely the rise of prices worldwide, with the crude oil now peaking at more than $100 (Sh6,200) a barrel.

The high oil prices have been coupled with steep cereal prices all over the world, which has seriously affected countries like Senegal where even the staple food (rice) is imported, mostly from Asia.

The West African countries, which use the CFA Franc, a currency tied to the Euro are,  also suffering from the sharp fall of the dollar against the European currency.

“We have done a lot since 2000, but the situation of the world markets is a disservice to us,” the Senegalese Prime Minister Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré said after a violently dispersed demonstration on March 30, during which 24 people were arrested in Dakar, including two leaders of the consumer associations.

“The populations are suffering from it and we are as well,” the Senegalese PM said. However, he was criticised by the media for not containing the soaring prices of all basic commodities.

The Ivorian government, whose repression of a protest march in Abidjan caused the death of a 25- year-old,  announced a few “emergency measures”, including a reduction of taxes and custom duties, but was equally criticised for acting “too late” and not addressing the issue seriously and properly for the long term.

The list of “corrective actions” proposed were announced on national TV by Tyéoulou Dyela Felix, the Secretary General of the government on April 1, shortly after the media reported the death of one of the protesters, on the second day of street violence which once again disrupted the former West Africa “miracle” country – as Ivory Coast was known in its stable and prosperous days.

The announcement of these measures was meant to stop  criticism of the Ivorian government, particularly after the Ivorian press revealed that President Laurent Gbagbo was busy nightclubbing over the week-end with some French guests.

Ironically  criticism of the same “irresponsible” attitude was made of President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal  for presiding over a lavish fashion show by the beach in Dakar, as the country starved.

Under such circumstances, it is no surprise that some people are now targeting the officialdom’s life styles and forcing them to look for other scapegoats instead of the opposition.

In Cameroon for instance, President Paul Biya ordered the arrest of two of his former ministers on March 31, signalling his intention to fight the mismanagement of public funds and ease the country’s suffering.

Polycarpe Abah Abah, the former Minister of the Economy and Finance, and Urbain Olanguena Awono, a former Minister of Public Health were arrested along with some of their collaborators for allegedly mismanaging public funds.

It was officially said that this was part of the operation “sparrow-hawk” – an anti-corruption campaign launched two years ago in Cameroon and which seems to have peaked again.

In Senegal the decisions at government level were milder, with a little cabinet reshuffle, announced on March 31, during which the ministries of commerce and internal affairs changed hands. (Respectively Abdourahim Agne replaced by Mamadou Diop Decroix and Ousmane Ngom by Cheikh Tidiane Sy).

The move in both countries were interpreted as too little and coming too late.

The Malian newspaper Les Echos warned the government that it risked social strife and called for preventive measures before things went out of hand.

Some people here believe it is the arrogance of the governments and their inability to listen, when first and soft signals are sent, which has caused what now seems to lead the region to general chaos.

One of those calls being often made is to reduce expenses incurred by cabinet members and heads of states.

The governments “should cut the size of their cabinets”, says Demba Moussa Dembélé, a Senegalese economist who argues that in the short term this could cut fuel expenses by reducing the fleet of flashy cars owned by ministers.

Mr Dembélé, who is also an anti-globalisation activist, foresees more difficulties looming and more unrest in more countries, if  drastic measures are not taken both immediately and in the long term.

For him, if African governments can’t say “No” to the policies imposed by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, there’s no doubt the current crisis will worsen and spill over to other countries. A year ago, similar protests by weary consumers in Conakry (Republic of Guinea) were quickly turned into a political confrontation.

What then started as food protests finally led to weeks of street violence which ended with more than 100 people dead. International mediators had to be called in  and they asked President Lansana Conté to loosen his grip on the country and appoint a new prime minister to reduce the tensions.

This fear of things getting out of control is particularly understandable in the case of nations such as Côte d’Ivoire where the fragile peace after five years of civil war needs to be consolidated.

In Burkina Faso people feel also weary and cannot easily accept all their suffering  to be blamed on “external factors” while the same people are clinging to power, claiming to have solutions to the country’s problems and always asking to be voted back.

“We are only a few days from a general strike to take place on April 8 and 9 if the government does not satisfy our demands,” says Tole Sagnon a trade-unionist from Burkina Faso.

Mr Sagnon, who is also the General Secretary of the Confederation of Burkina Faso Labour Unions, told the Nation that the measures announced by the government in Ouagadougou after the violent February protests were insignificant and did not change anything.

The measures included selecting “reference shops” where goods would be sold at fixed prices or a pledge to fight against speculators who artificially inflate the prices of goods.

Now both the government and the Trade Unions in Ouagadougou are anxiously waiting for crucial talks which may determine the country’s destiny.

No doubt any decision taken there will reverberate to as far as Abidjan, Yaoundé and Dakar.

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Africa Insight is an initiative of the Nation Media Group’s Africa Media Network Project.

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African Press International – api

Ole Kaparo teaches new MPs parliamentary behaviour – Kenya

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.nation.ke

 Story by ODHIAMBO ORLALE
 Kaparo’s last order to MPs: help build a united Kenya

For 15 years, Mr Francis ole Kaparo, wore the ceremonial robe and wig of the Speaker of the National Assembly with great pride. (He occasionally wore  cowboy boots.)

A section of MPs during an induction seminar recently. They were addressed by among others, former National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo. Photo/ZACHARIA CHILISWA

During his tenure, Mr Kaparo put unruly members to order by uttering his trade mark words: “Order! Order! Order!” during debate in the august House.

Indeed, all the 222 MPs knew better than to cross his path, unless they had a good case to put across, otherwise he would wield his immense powers under the parliamentary rules as enshrined in the Constitution and the House Standing Orders, to interrupt their contributions and even tell them to leave the chamber and the precincts of Parliament for misconduct.

As Speaker, Mr Kaparo, who is an advocate of the High Court and former Cabinet minister, probably made more rulings than he could ever remember.

The former Laikipia East MP briefly served as assistant minister for National Guidance and Political Affairs and later as minister for Industry under President Daniel arap Moi. He was elected Speaker in 1992.

But there was one ruling that he never made and it will go down in history because many people had waited for it with bated breadth.

It was during the Ninth Parliament. Kanu national chairman Uhuru Kenyatta had asked the Speaker to make a ruling on whether President Kibaki had breached the Constitution by “poaching” Kanu MPs without his (Kenyatta) consent. However, it was a ruling that the Speaker never made.

The matter is pending in the High Court.

But the matter has not been laid to rest. Last week, Rarieda MP Nicholas Ogumbo raised the same question with Mr Kaparo during an induction course for the new MPs.

Mr Kaparo was one of the key speakers who included his successor, Mr Kenneth Marende, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga.

During the meeting, Mr Ogumbo asked: “Some MPs feel you made some rulings that were partisan, or that you were intimidated and/or compromised. Can you tell us what you did to entrench parliamentary democracy with the case of Kanu and GNU in mind?”

Intrigues and challenges

In one of the most candid statements, the former Speaker, who has now retired to his ranch in Laikipia, shared the intrigues and challenges that his position entailed. He said he always put the interest of the country in the forefront before making any ruling.

“A Speaker will always be a human being. I don’t believe in having a robot Speaker. It is not true that I was unable or unwilling to make the ruling on the Kanu-GNU controversy as stated.

“I didn’t make a ruling because I believe that it would not have any force of law because Mr Kenyatta had already filed a similar case in the High Court,” Mr Kaparo said.

Furthermore, the former Speaker revealed, even if he had decided to breach the sub-judice rule which bars anyone or arm of Government from commenting on a pending case in court, his decision no matter how popular, would not be enforceable by law.

The complaint by Mr Kenyatta, who was the leader of the Official Opposition in the Ninth Parliament, was that President Kibaki had breached an agreement, to wit, the Inter-Political Parties Group pact, which stated in part that the Head of State would be free to pick MPs from the opposition but with the consent of their party leaders. It would appear that when the President appointed Kanu MPs, including Mr Njenga Karume and Mr John Koech, he did not consult the party chairman.

The other parties whose MPs had been co-opted had no problem with joining the Government of National Unity. These included Ford People, whose party leader Simeon Nyachae was appointed Roads minister, and Safina, whose leader was Mr Paul Muite, the former Kabete MP.

Said Mr Kaparo: “If I had made the ruling either way that the poaching of Kanu MPs was illegal and therefore they should not have been part of the GNU, or  not, it would not have had any force of law. I did my best without being influenced by internal or any external forces. I did what was best for my country.”

Asked by Mr Ogumbo whether he had something that he did during his tenure as Speaker and which he would not do differently even if he was given another chance, Mr Kaparo cited the vetting and authorising of MPs to go on numerous overseas trips at taxpayer’s expense under the umbrella of the 16 parliamentary committees.

The former Speaker regretted that the Ninth Parliament spent between Sh200 million and Sh300 million for such foreign trips, most of which he described as unnecessary.

Narok South MP Nkoidila ole Lankas, revisited the controversy over the so-called satanic symbols used to decorate parts of the Parliament Buildings. He said MPs were embarrassed during the State opening of Parliament by President Kibaki when Presbyterian Church of East Africa moderator  David Githii raised the matter during the prayer session.

Mysterious objects

Mr Lankas, who is among the 130 new MPs, asked whether the sculptures of snakes, frogs and other “mysterious objects” were protected by the Standing Orders or other parliamentary rules.

In his response, Mr Kaparo informed the members that he had been unable to do anything about the Rev Githii’s concerns because the building was protected under the National Monuments Act.

Said the former Speaker: “We must all also accept that Parliament Buildings were not built for any one religion, it is not a church!

“Kenyans have many religions and it is not our business to impose ours on them. Some people believe in a snake while others don’t. The Rev Githii must live in reality.”  In his parting shot, Mr Kaparo asked the new MPs to be tolerant of each others’ views.

He blamed the Sh10 billion Constituency Development Fund for the unprecedented defeat of 70 per cent of MPs in the Ninth Parliament during the last General Election.

“In the interest of your political health, stay detached from the day-to-day running of the CDF. I will also make a special plea to you as leaders that we are on the brink of disintegration as a nation after the polls.

“Please rise and say never again shall we expose our country to disintegration,” the former Speaker said.

Turning to the legislative roles of MPs, Mr Kaparo challenged the new MPs to be on the forefront of passing legislation to promote national unity, cohesion and healing.

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African Press International – api

Mr. Burgees: I am fed up of intimidation and extortion by Nyanza politicians and residents! I have reported them to Raila

Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no

<From Leo Odera Omolo

Nyanza Province is once again facing a dilemma of loosing yet another close to USD 3 billion massive investment due to what an American investor allegedly termed as a “massive corruption and extortion by politicians.

The controversy between politicians and the international company based in Oklahoma city in US is now threatening to derail a multibillion shillings rice scheme project launched a couple of years ago at the Yala Swamp on both sides of Yala River in Siaya and Bondo disricts

But civic leaders from the Bondo County Council footnotely came to the defence of the US investor Mr.Calvin Burgees and blamed their Siaya counterparts.

The Bondo county chairman Coun Naftali Akello ogwella said that political leadership in Bond from the local MP to the civic leaders have no quarrels with the dominion farms limited

The Dominion Group of Companies which had launched a multipurpose mixed farming project on the piece of 17,600 hectares of land reclamation project on the swampy area of Yala River has made it clear that his company will pull out of the multimillion shillings project unless it is accorded justice.

Seemingly enraged at the various financial demands by Siaya County Council civic leaders Mr Calvin. Burgees the president of the Dominion Farms Limited, this week displayed on the KTN television footage of several letters containing extortion demands, which his company had received from politicians. One such letters demands Kshs 600,000 while he second one demanded for Kshs 450,000.All were received from local politicians

Mr.Burgees is the President of the US based company which is involved in the multibillion shillings rice scheme.. The project has envisaged a plan to produce 90 million kg of rice annually when fully operative.this would supplement rice deficiency in the country.

The projectt is a multipurpose in that it involves the establishment of a fish processing factory which is due to produce 20 million kg of fish expected to be exported to the European Union countries..The Kshs 1.5 billion fish factory which is expected to employ 100 more extra workers has also been halted.

The company has also envisaged a plan to built an international youth vocational training centre. .The Kshs 1.5 billion centre would offer vocational training to more than 20,000 young people annually when completed.

In a terse statement Mr. Burgees said he was fed up by intimidation and extortion by politicians and residents. He said he would move his investment to another neighbouring country if the situation does not improve. he had clearly stopped further development of the Yala swamp.

He said the company will lay off close to 200 workers at the Yala farm with effect from tomorrow (Friday 4^th April 2008) and thereafter would go slow on other earmarked development activities due to gross state sponsored extortion and interferences.

“I have informed the US embassy in Nairobi, the Prime Minister designate Hon Raila Amolo Odinga and several government officials of the decision  to pull out unless I am accorded justice he said.

On Monday this week hundreds of Siaya and Bondo residents stormed the company premises located at Obambo  on the edge of Yala River and Lake Kanyaboli and demanded for a fresh agreement.

They accused the company of ignoring an agreement with the communities when the company was established for close to six years ago.

But Mr. Burgees promptly responded by accusing local leaders of colluding to intimidate the company ,adding ,I will never be intimidated through corruption and blackmail. They are serious offences and at this juncture the entrepreneur displayed two letter allegedly written by politicians demanding for money.

Economists andc experts. however says, the Dominion Farms Limited located at River Yala was doing a wonderful job in promoting massive economic activities and development of the area and should be preserved at all costs.

Bondo MP |Dr. Oburu Oginga immediately registered his support saying his constituents were happy with the projects and would support it to then hilt. The MP appealed to his counterpart in Alego-Usonga constituency, Hon Edwin Ochieng; Yinda to do likewise.

DFL project has the blessings of the Bondo MP Dr.Oburu Oginga the ODM leaders Raila Amolo Odinga Odinga and the Alego Usonga MP Edwin Ochieng Yinda and the MPs from Luo Nyanza.

The project has created employment for  close to 1200 people both directly and indirectly and its closure would hurt the locals economically..The MP requested the police in both Bondo and siaya districts to investigate the sources of the alleged extortion letters

It has established bee keeping farms for both the Company and local outgrowers farmers on both side of River Yala.The. outgrower bees keeper sells their honey to DFL which in turn market it..DFL has established a small honey processing plant in the farm.

DFL is also  involved in the massive revival of the cotton production in the area. It has  revived the hitherto dormant orf run  down Ndere Ginnery. It is now  encouraging cotton farmers by using its own resources preparing cotton lint seedlings, which are being distributed to the farmers at an affordable prices in the neighboiuring districts.. of Rarieda,Bondo,Siaya,Busia and even as far field as in  in Kisumu to grow cotton .It gave cash to the farmers. Its team of buyers are traveling all over the region paying spot cash of 20/ per kg.

DFL has also established its own power generating plantt and has built several structures  around the farming  region which is expected to be a bastion of food production in the near future..

Apart from rice it grows cotton ,maize sunflower, soyabeans and is currently involved in community project to uplift the standard  of  using the locals.

DFL however, has weathered may storms, intimidation  by NGO which had been questioning its enveronmental friendliness to the local populations at time inciting the locals to near violence confrontation with the management .But the company has also many obstacles and onslaught  which have reached a boiling point,and now so difficult to handle. They include frequent demands for handouts by local politivians administrators etc

Alego –Usinga MP Edwin Ochieng Yinda  in whose constituency the DFL has established its headquarters at Obambo market former the make unfortunate at pleaded with the DFL to give the government fund to investigate the alleged  extortion and intimidation.

It is understood that civic leaders had extorted Kshs 450,000 while threatening to mobilize the residents against the company and paralyse its daily activities.

Also involved in the alleged extortion spree are some unpeatric religion leaders who have been frequently the company property in search of financial favours and handouts .

Mr.Burgees was accompanied by the DFL country Director Mr.Steve cowed said  his company has stopped further development of Yala swamp unless the issue is adequately addressed by the government

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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African Press International – api

Post election i Kenya may result in tax waiver resolution

Published by Korir, api, africanpress@getmail.no 

<From Leo Odera Omolo

 

The East African Business Council {EABC} has urged member countries of the East African Community {EAC to waive taxes on goods lost while on transist during the post-election violence that rocked Kenya in January this year.

 

The EABC executive director Mr Charles Mbogori said in a statement issue in \a\rushasn this week that the \k\enyan crisis had affected businesses not only in Kenya alone, but also in Tanzania, ugfanda, Rwanda and Burundi  and beyond.

 

These countries relies heavily on the Kenyan Indian Ocean port of Mombasa and the Northern corridor road network traversing the region for exports and imports.And so other landlocked nations of the Great Lakes like the DRC and  the south sudan.

 

This is why we are urging the Kenya ports Authority {KPA} and the shipping lines to waive customs, rent, demurrage charges besides unclogging outgoing and incoming cargo of affected companies.

 

Mr. mbogori whose organization is serving as an umbrellah of business people in the east and central African countries, especially within the EAC  member states said ,”There was a large loss of revenue for the government and private sectors, manufacturers ,imports, exports and tourism among other sectors which were hit the hardest.”

 

He went on saying that the outgoing plans to beef up security in Lake Victoria, would restore confidence in the business fraternity. The private sectors in the region, he added, requires peace and stability to formulate policies and strategies which will deverlop a vibrant and r5egional market and infrastructure to attract international investors to the region.”

 

 

The initiative to have the east African community partner states set up a joint regional security committee to improve and surveillance on water transportation was recently raised following cases of insecurity on the lake Victoria and in lake Tanganyika.”

 

Meanwhile reports filtering in from the EAC secretariat in Arusha says cases of insecurity have of late become so rampant and there was urgent need for joint security force to fight and stamp out crimes and piracy..

 

It says, however, that Kenya should in the meantime facilitate the management and operationbs of the Kisumu port by the Kenya ports authority and Uganda.

 

This would pave the way for the creation of an East African authority that will handle regi90onal maritime operations.

 

By the year 2011, the EAC secretariat should have harmonized regional standards, specifications and policies in areas of design, maintenance, road safety, axile loads and procurement,”the report adds.

 

Other notable issues in the reports include a joint call for the revival of the cargo and passenger ferry services on the two lakes in a bid to boost goods transportation.

 

On the railways sub-sector, the EAC secretariat has urged the partner states to complete the east African railways master Plan.

 

On road rehabilitation, the EAC secretariat was asked to facilitate the formation of an EAC infrastructure fund and explore markets options of tapping capital markets within the region and strengthen the capacity of East African development bank to handle large scale and long term portfolio lending infrastructure..

 

The EABC in conjunction with the EAC and Media Houses in the region are hosting the second Media Summit in Dar Es Salaam next week. The two days workshop is expected to attract editors, media executives, correspondents from all over the region and beyond. It will be one of the bext public relations exercise for the business people in the region

 

Cabinet ministers, experts, economists, government officials and entrepreneurs from the member states of the EAC. Expected to take part in the two days conference to deliberate on wide issues affecting business asnd trade in the region and hjow publicity could be achieved.

 

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com

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African Press International – api

Deaths in Somalia due to power struggle

Published by Korir, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

 At least 17 people were killed and 20 wounded on Thursday, in two separate clashes in south and central Somalia between government forces and Islamist militants, eyewitnesses said.

Suspected Islamist fighters had launched a surprise attack on government troops based near Adado, a town in the central Somali region of Galgudud, sparking heavy fighting, in which 15 people were killed and 16 wounded.

“The fighting started at 6am local time near check-points outside the town and then it spread into the town, killing at least 15 people,” said a local resident Aden Haji Gedi.

Telecommunication of the town with the outside world remained cut since earlier Thursday morning but reports from residents said the Islamists have taken the control of the town, pushing the government troops to the north.

Meanwhile, in a separate clash, scores of heavily armed gunmen attacked a hotel in the southern Somali town of Khansah-dher, killing two government soldiers guarding the regional governor, who was in the hotel at the time.

“We heard gunfire outside the hotel and then rocket propelled grenades were fired at my bodyguards and the hotel building. Two of my guards and a woman were killed and eight others were wounded,” the regional governor Abdi-fitah Gesey told APA.

These attacks are the latest in a strings of bold moves by the Islamist militia in which they had taken over towns and villages outside the capital, although they briefly held on to them, released prisoners and voluntarily withdrew.

Late on Wednesday, the militia briefly took control of Jalalaqsi, a town in the central Somali region of Hiran, and they also reappeared in Bulburde in the same region, a day after they briefly took it and withdrew.

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African Press International – api

Feeding the displaced in Kenya

Published by Korir, api, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

 The Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Josette Sheeran on Thursday promised to step up food supplies to Kenya’s conflic victims that are displaced in many parts of the country.

Speaking at a meeting with President Mwai Kibaki at his offices in Nairobi, Sheeran said new procurement procedure have been put in place that calls for buying planting materials directly from farmeres in developing countries, a Presidential statement issued in Nairobi said.

Sheeran, who is on a visit of the East African region, called on displaced people in the vast rift valley province on Wednesday.

Kibaki for his part, called upon development partners to donate fertilizers, seeds and other items to the displaced victims, noting that many of them are farmers who need to be prepared ahead of the planting season.

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African Press International – api

Senegalese Navy to benefit from the Americans

Published by Korir, api, africanpress@getmail.no source.apa

 The United States Navy’s Africa Partnership Station (APS) ship arrived in Dakar, Senegal on Wednesday to provide a variety of training courses for more than 100 members of the Senegalese navy, US sources have said

This marks the 15th port stop of the APS, which aims to enhance regional and maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa, the sources say.

The APS consists of African, American, and European staff members who respond to requests by partner countries for specific areas of training.

Although the US Navy has conducted training during routine deployments in West Africa for years, the size and focus of the APS mission has changed.

The Senegalese navy has requested a lot of courses from APS and there will be more than 100 students on board this time, the sources indicate.

In addition to training, APS is scheduled to perform community relations projects to improve and build upon partnerships with the local community.

APS seeks to take partnerships into action in a concerted interagency and multinational effort to promote maritime governance around Africa. It is inspired by the belief that effective maritime safety and security will contribute to development, economic prosperity, and security ashore.

Part of the US Navy’s Global Fleet Station, APS provides a platform with the capacity and persistent presence to support sustained, focused training and collaboration on a regional scale to maritime partners in West and Central Africa.

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African Press International – api