During his introductory trip to the Upper River Region – the farthest east of the Gambian regions – Ambassador Carl Paschall addressed communities via the most popular local media: radio. The Ambassador appeared on the radio talk show “Development Forum” and discussed U.S. Support for The Gambia, detailing the many ways that The U.S. Embassy is engaged to s […]
Download logoThe Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has over the past few weeks followed the positive evolution of the new democratic atmosphere in The Gambia. The Special Representative congratulates the Government of The Gambia, especially the security forces for ensurin […]
Download logo“Children in Libya, including refugee and migrant children, continue to suffer grievously amidst the violence and chaos unleashed by the country’s longstanding civil war. “Since April last year when hostilities broke out in Tripoli and western Libya, conditions for thousands of children and the civilians have deteriorated further. Indiscriminate […]
Download logoSix months ago, Siham Sergewa, an elected member of the House of Representatives, was seized at night from her home in the heavily fortified Buhedima District of Benghazi. Since her violent abduction, Ms. Sergewa’s fate remains unknown. UNSMIL continues to follow up on the enforced disappearance of Ms. Sergewa and reiterates that the authorities […]
On 14th of January 2020, the launching ceremony of Training Course on Pottery Production Techniques was held at Goderich Campus of Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) in Freetown. The 42 days training course is sponsored by the Chinese government and supported by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education of the Sierra Leonean gover […]
Download logoCanada values its long-standing partnerships in Africa and remains committed to working with African partners to build a more prosperous, sustainable and peaceful world. The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today concluded a four-day visit to the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo during which s […]
Ambassador Carl Paschall and Public Affairs Officer Kathryn Edwards visited Anna, a Peace Corps Volunteer in a village in the Lower River region. Anna is a health volunteer who works closely with multiple village leaders to champion health and opportunities for development in her community. Members of the community warmly greeted the Ambassador, proudly sho […]
Download logoThe UN Child Rights Committee will meet in Geneva from 20 January to 7 February to review Austria, Belarus, Costa Rica, Hungary, Rwanda, and State of Palestine. The above are among the 196 States parties to the Child Rights Convention and its Optional Protocols. They required to undergo regular reviews by the Committee of 18 independent internat […]
Download logo"Tanzania will continue to uphold one-China policy, recognize Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and respect China's principle of 'one country, two systems'", Director of Tanzania Information Services Department (Maelezo) and Chief Government Spokesperson Dr Hassan Abbasi spoke to Xinhua News Agency on Thursday. […]
Download logoWinning an award was never part of Sylvie Ogoudedji’s expectations when she joined the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) as a fellow in 2019. It was during her induction that she learned of ECA’s Innovation Challenge for the first time. What got her “really excited” was a new understanding - after a Google search - that “innovation does not n […]
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The cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Ruto and Journalist Joshua Sang has reached a stage where it should be discontinued.
The cases against 6 Kenyan suspects and withered to 3 accused should not continue owing to reasons well-known to the prosecution. Those in the know have already alerted the prosecution on the reasons that should cause the prosecution to discontinue the cases instead of merely allowing it to continue for the sake of face-saving.
The evidence as known to the prosecution was cooked and witnesses couched on what to say. Some witnesses were offered money and houses of the highest standard before they accepted to testify against the accused persons.
In all these, there is only one person to blame: Mr Ocampo, the man who when he discovered there was no genuine witnesses forthcoming initiated a campaign in his own office, as has been revealed by one of his own prosecutors, to go ahead to prosecute for the sake of saving the court’s name.
Money changed hands and promises of promotions were set in motion. Some were threatened that should they not cooperate, they will be left out of participation to prosecute high level cases in the future. There was also the issue of supporting or not supporting who was to take over as the next Chief Prosecutor after him – Mr Ocampo.
Deputy President Ruto of Kenya joined Kenyans in the diaspora in marking Mashujaa Day last Saturday 19th October. The event took place in Brussels.
In his address Ruto dismissed the ICC cases, saying it is fabrications engineered by local and international players for political reasons in furtherance of their ulterior – hidden motives.
The DP is quoted saying“Although it is my pleasure to be with you my fellow citizens, our President, my friend Joshua Sang and I are facing charges based on the most incredible fabrications in living history,” He continued to say, “It has become increasingly evident that these cases were not preferred on their forensic merit, but in pursuit of ulterior political motives by local and international forces,”.
The Appeal Court will on Friday October 25th, rule on whether the DP will be exempted from being in court all the time as he has done so far since the trial against him started on the 10th of September.
The trial in the case The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang continued on Thursday, 17 October 2013, with the continuation of the testimony of the 4th Prosecution witness, with the pseudonym ‘P-0376’. The witness testified under the protective measures of facial pixilation and voice distortion; parts of the testimony was given in private session, in order to preserve the confidentiality of the identity of the witness.
The trial of William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang opened on 10 September 2013, in the presence of the accused. Mr Ruto and Mr Sang are accused of crimes against humanity (murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution) allegedly committed in Kenya in the context of the 2007-2008 post-election violence in Kenya. The trial is being heard by Trial Chamber V(a), which is composed of Judges Chile Eboe-Osuji (presiding), Olga Herrera Carbuccia and Robert Fremr.
The Deputy President William Ruto and Journalist Arap Sang together with other Kenyans and Members of Parliament pray at the ICC after the day’s trial proceedings were adjourned to the next day.
Some of the members of parliament:
http://www.africanpress.me/ Kenya Members of Parliament From Left to Right: Hon. Benjamin Washiali, Hon. Mary Emaase Otucho, Hon. Eng. Vincent Musyoka Musau and Hon. Hassan Abdi Dukicha all at the ICC to give moral support to Deputy President Ruto and Journalist Sang during their ongoing trial. 17th, October 2013
Case: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang
The adjournment of the trial is extended up to Tuesday, 1 October 2013, and the hearings in this case will resume on Wednesday, 2 October, with the continuation of the witness’s testimony, in the presence of the accused. This is to permit Mr Ruto to attend the inter-denominational service scheduled for Tuesday, 1 October.
Hearings will then continue on the week of 7-11 October 2013, contrary to what was initially scheduled (except for 9 October due to other hearings to take place in other ICC cases at the ICC’s premises).
The adjournment was due to the request by the defence in order to allow the accused Deputy President to travel back to Kenya and assist President Uhuru Kenyatta in dealing with the crisis brought about by Al Shabaab terrorists now holding hostages inside Westgate Mall in Nairobi for the third day.
Reports coming out frm the government confirm 62 deaths and 175 injured.
Today, 23 September 2013, Trial Chamber V (a) of the International Criminal Court consisting of judge Chile Eboe – Osuji (presiding judge), Judge Olga Herrera Carbuccia and Judge Robert Fremr held a hearing on the request made by the Defence of Mr Ruto to adjourn the trial and excuse the accused from his presence at trial for a limited period of time.
In light of the circumstances in Kenya and the views heard during the hearing, the Chamber excused Mr Ruto from the proceedings. For the moment the excusal is permitted for one week only, subject to any further requests that Defence counsel may make if need be to extend it.
Trial Chamber V (a) has also decided to temporarily adjourn hearings in the Ruto and Sang trial, not continuing to hear the testimony of 536 in the absence of Mr Ruto.
The Defence for Mr Ruto filed a request to the Appeals Chamber for reconsideration of its decision on suspensive effect regarding the Prosecutor’s appeal of the decision excusing Mr Ruto from continuous presence at trial.
The trial is adjourned pending either the Appeals Chamber’s decision on the Defence’s urgent request or the expiration of the one-week excusal period, whichever comes earlier.
On 18 June 2013, Trial Chamber V(a) had issued a decision excusing Mr Ruto from being continuously physically present at trial, except for specified hearings. However the Prosecutor appealed this decision and the Appeals Chamber gave the Prosecutor’s request suspensive effect until a final decision on this appeal is made. Mr Ruto was requested to be present during all trial hearings pending the final determination on the Prosecutor’s appeal.
The Kenya case by ICCprosecutor against Mr Ruto and Mr sang will soon collapse if the prosecution does not change tact and be serious with whatever evidence they have.
Kenyan leaders were present in the Hague when the ICC case commenced against the Deputy President William Ruto and Mr Joshua Arap Sang on the 10th of September. The case has however been adjourned to the 17th of september because the prosecution failed to have their first witnesses ready for the court.
Kenya Case at the ICC – Honourable MP Aden Duale Speaks
Kenyan leaders at the ICC to give moral support to the accused persons
Kenyan leaders at the ICC to give moral support to the accused persons
Lawyer for Mr William Ruto, Mr Karim Khan addressing the Press
Deputy President William Ruto‘s and Joshua Sang‘s case adjourned today due to lack of witnesses. The court was not happy but took the decision because there was no other way.
This sends a message that the prosecution has witnesses that they do not rely on. This may soon give the defence ammunition to puncture the prosecution’s case. Hon Ruto was expected to travel back to Kenya and will avail himself next Tuesday the 17 September to the court.
DRAMA AT THE ICC, as the case against Deputy President of Kenya William Ruto and Joshua Sang: Fatou Bensouda seeks adjournment for a week due to lack of witnesses:
Today the 10th of September, the case against Deputy President William Ruto opened in the Hague.
Failure by prosecution witnesses lined up for this week to turn up forces the chest-thumbing prosecutor to request the court for one week adjournment.
After opening statements by the prosecution, the Victim’s lawyer and the Defence, the prosecutor asked the court for adjournment until next Tuesday the 17th September because she lacks witnesses. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the court that she was not able to proceed due to lack of witnesses for now. She told the court that she hopes by next Tuesday she will be able to get some witnesses.
This is very surprising and a shock to many observers who say the prosecution is playing a loosing game. How can they not have even one witness to start with and they have known all along that the case was to start today?.
The Defence lawyer for Ruto, Mr Karim Khan hammered the prosecution accusing the office of laxity during the investigation, saying they only relied on NGOs and their manufactured reports instead of doing their own investigation..
Kenyans who gave a warm sent off to Ruto yesterday Monday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi when he flew to the Hague where he was expected to stay for 3 weeks will be shocked to see him back home after only two nights in the Hague.
The prosecution had better accept that the case is very weak, collapsing and do the honourable thing – to withdraw the charges against the Kenyans.
Tomorrow Wednesday, the case will resume at 09.30 am European Time and will adjourn at 14.00, until Tuesday next week, to give time to the prosecutor to look for witnesses.
In this edition of “Ask the Court”: Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson of the International Criminal Court (ICC), answers questions concerning the situation in Kenya, cooperation, proceedings and witnesses in the Kenya cases.
