The London Evening Post AF

Insecurity in Congo copper province a “serious concern”: U.N

ingrimu — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:21:53 +0000

the outgoing head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission

Security in Congo’s copper-mining heartland of Katanga is a “very serious concern” that must be tackled politically and militarily, the outgoing head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission said on Monday. The province, which sits on some of the world’s largest copper reserves, last year exported 600,000 tonnes. Miners including Freeport McMoRan and Glencore already operate there.

In March, hundreds of rebel fighters attacked the Katangan capital of Lubumbashi and then surrendered following bloody clashes with security forces. On Sunday, a soldier was killed during fighting between the army and insurgents 20 km (12 miles) from the city. “It’s a quite significant problem, and I think it has all the prospects of becoming worse,” Roger Meece, the head of the U.N.’s peacekeeping mission in Congo, known as MONUSCO, said. “One can do what is possible militarily and or with a police force but … the real solutions have to be found in these political factors,” Meece, who is leaving his post later this month, said in an interview.

Meece said fears that the province would be broken up were feeding the tension. “Probably it’s related at least in part to people looking towards future election cycles, both provincial and national,” he added. Katanga has long had a fractious relationship with the central government in Kinshasa and attempted to secede directly after independence in 1960. More recently, provincial and national leaders have clashed over management of the mining industry and its revenues. Katanga’s governor earlier this year refused to implement a decision by Kinshasa to ban the export of copper concentrate.

Lockerbie compensation: Libyan officials acquitted

ingrimu — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:21:40 +0000

Former Libyan Foreign Minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi set free

Two senior Libyan officials have been acquitted of “squandering public funds” by agreeing to pay $2.7bn (£1.7bn) in compensation to victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. Former Foreign Minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi and former General people’s Congress head Mohamed al-Zway have been on trial since September 2012.

Col Muammar Gaddafi agreed to pay the compensation in 2003. These are the first verdicts against his officials since he was ousted. The judge did not explain the reasons for the acquittal, says the BBC’s Rana Jawad in Tripoli. One of Mr al-Zway’s relatives told the BBC the verdict showed that Libya had a fair judiciary. “I’m happier with the judiciary than I am at the verdict,” he said.

State prosecutor Sidiq al-Sour later told journalists that the pair would face separate charges over the “systematic repressive policies practised” by Col Gaddafi’s government during the 2011 uprising which toppled him. He said they would face charges such as forming armed criminal groups, inciting rape and illegally detaining individuals. Col Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam and spy chief Abdullah al-Sanussi would also face such charges in a trial due to start in August, he said. Two hundred and seventy people were killed when a bomb exploded on Pan AM flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was jailed in 2001 for the attack – he has always denied any responsibility. Col Gaddafi accepted that Libya carried out the bombing but denied giving the orders himself. He agreed to pay the compensation in order to get international sanctions on Libya lifted. Megrahi was freed from a Scottish jail in 2009 on compassionate grounds after medical evidence showed he was dying of cancer. He returned to Libya, where he was given a hero’s welcome, and died in May 2012.

BBC

Opposition delaying Zimbabwe elections for “fear of defeat”

Editorial Team — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:26:17 +0000

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe who wants elections held next month.

President Robert Mugabe accused political rivals of seeking to delay elections in Zimbabwe because they fear defeat, after regional leaders urged his ruling coalition to ask the courts to extend a July 31 deadline for holding the vote. His rivals said reforms to restrictive media and security laws were essential for any fair election to be held and that it was Mugabe’s party that was not ready to go the polls.

Mugabe, Africa’s oldest leader at 89, last week used a presidential decree to bypass parliament and fast-track changes to election laws and declare the voting date, drawing a sharp rebuke from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. In a clear sign that Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party would not give ground on reforms, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa denied any need for either media or security reforms demanded by the MDC party of Tsvangirai, the president’s arch-rival.

Tsvangirai has previously said Mugabe should approach the courts to extend the election deadline. Mugabe told the Sunday Mail the government would do so through the justice minister but accused his opponents of running scared of elections. “The other parties do not want elections, they are afraid of elections. They know they are going to lose and it’s a sure case that they are going to lose,” Mugabe told the state-owned Sunday Mail newspaper. His spokesman was not available for comment.

Increased AMISOM operates net several Al-Shabaan militants

Editorial Team — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:07:57 +0000

By Steven Ariong

Senior AMISOM officers share a light moment in Somalia

In a bid to consolidate the peace in the areas under the Federal Government of Somalia and specifically in Mogadishu city, the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) forces supporting Somali security forces in Sector One have over the past three weeks intensified their operations which has resulted into the arrest of several terrorists, the capture of numerous weapons and improved security situation especially in Mogadishu.

In a message to The London Evening Post, Major Henry Obbo, the communication officer for the Uganda contingent in AMISOM, said the special operations come at a time when Al Shabaab was carrying out several fatal attacks on the civilians in order to intimidate the local people, push their terrorists agenda and to undermine the positive works of the Somalia Federal government. “The joint operation on specific targets all over Sector One has resulted into the capture of over 31 weapons from the Al-Shabaab in Banadir, lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle and Southern Bay regions of Somalia,” he said.

Maj Obbo said since the operation started in the past one week, over 100 insurgents have been arrested in sweep operations and 1821 live ammunitions and explosives of different calibres and makes were also captured. He said additional three Improvised Explosive Device (IED) were detected and removed from civilian population areas where an Al Shabaab commander died as he tried to plant an IED in a market area.

The Sector One commander, Brig Micheal Ondoga said: “In support of the Somalia institutions and people, AMISOM will continue to defeat violent extremism which undermines the peaceful, prosperous and democratic character of the Somali Federal state as well as challenging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia.”

Egypt’s opposition rejects unity talks with President Morsi

ingrimu — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:36:15 +0000

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi urged Egyptians to unite in a common stand, and is “ready to meet anyone to serve the nation’s interest”.

Egypt’s largest opposition grouping said Tuesday that calls by the president for national reconciliation talks come “too late,” as activists geared up for a street protest campaign at the end of the month to demand his ouster. President Mohammed Morsi made the call during a fiery speech Monday over Ethiopia’s plans to build a dam on the Blue Nile, a project Cairo claims would jeopardize the flow of the Nile River through Egypt and cause a critical water shortage.

In the speech, Morsi urged Egyptians to unite in a common stand, saying he was “ready to meet anyone to serve the nation’s interest” to consolidate the country’s internal front in the face of external dangers. Critics accuse Morsi of using the Nile dam issue to whip up nationalist fervor and undercut the opposition’s push for his ouster. “Such a call is simply lip service on Morsi’s part and tasteless public relations,” said Khaled Dawoud, spokesman of the National Salvation Front, the main opposition coalition. “It is rather too late after Morsi failed to hold a single serious dialogue in his year in office,” Dawoud said. Several opposition parties have boycotted Morsi’s earlier efforts at talks, accusing the president of making unilateral decisions that have further polarized society.

Tensions are rising ahead of June 30, when Morsi marks one year as Egypt’s first freely elected president. He came to power in the aftermath of the 2011 uprising that toppled his autocratic predecessor, Hosni Mubarak. The opposition has called for mass demonstrations to mark the anniversary. The spokesman of Egypt’s presidency, Omar Amer, said that the presidency respects freedom of speech and that it is its duty to protect protesters if they are peaceful. He said no special measures will be taken June 30.Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim told police officers on Tuesday that security forces will not enter into confrontations with protesters. He said that the presidential palace, the planned focal point of protests, will be protected by the Republican Guard forces whose mission is to protect the president. Police will not be deployed there, unlike previous protests at the palace.Clashes between security forces and protesters over the last two years have left scores dead. Morsi has substantial opposition from within the police force.

Earlier this year, police officers held a nationwide strike demanding that Morsi not use them against the opposition. They denounced what they call the “Brotherhoodization” of the police, by appointing Muslim Brotherhood backers to key posts. The Brotherhood, Egypt’s most powerful political group, is Morsi’s movement.Some police also charge he has failed to crack down hard enough on militant groups in the Sinai Peninsula. The Monday funeral of a counterterrorism officer killed by militants there turned into a protest, with policemen chanting for Morsi’s downfall. Liberal and secular-minded groups accuse Morsi of not fulfilling his promises to foster an inclusive political process, instead allowing Islamists and his Brotherhood party to monopolize power.

Kenyan protesters spill cow blood as ‘MPigs’ push for more pay

ingrimu — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 02:35:59 +0000

A Kenyan demonstrator is covered with animal blood outside parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, June 11, 2013, as they protest against what they see as the greed of their legislative leaders. About 500 protesters carrying placards and banners marched through the Nairobi’s city center and staged a sit in at the legislator’s entrance into parliament and splashed animal blood to symbolize Kenya’s suffering. (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)

Kenyan activists on Tuesday spilled cow blood outside parliament to protest political leaders’ attempts to raise their salaries in a country where most earn only $1,800 a year. Civil society activist John Abuka said the spilled blood symbolizes Kenyans’ suffering at the cost of maintaining their leaders’ salary.

About 200 activists marched to parliament while castigating the members, locally known as MPs, for their “greed.” Some protesters now call their political leaders MPigs and on Tuesday branded parliament “a piggy bank.” “We don’t know what work they do to demand such high salaries from poor Kenyans’ taxes,” said Fredrick Odhiambo who attended the protest.MPs last month voted to overturn a directive that reduced their pay, hoping it would force the government to pay the higher salaries earned by the previous parliament.

Parliament’s annual pay was cut from $126,000 to $78,000 by a government commission. The average income in Kenya is about $1,800 a year, a fact fueling the pay debate rage. In parliament on Tuesday, minority legislators debated budget cuts recommended by the Budget and Appropriations Committee ahead of Thursday’s budget reading. The sparsely attended session was a stark contrast to the nearly full attendance seen whenever legislators discuss their salaries.

Hundreds flee Kismayo as fighting between rival groups flares

Editorial Team — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:43:24 +0000

Disagreements between Ahmed Madobe (centre) and his rival Istin Hassan started the fight

Hundreds of people are fleeing the southern Somali port city of Kismayo after fighting broke out between two self-declared leaders of the region. At least 10 people were killed on Saturday as clashes between the rival militias flared for a second day. Seven were killed on Friday, residents said.

Fighting began when one of the leaders tried to meet the defence minister, who is seeking to resolve the situation. African Union (AU) troops, the majority of whom come from Uganda, are in charge of security in Kismayo. The city was captured from Islamist militants last October.

A new UN-backed government in Mogadishu is trying to regain control of the country after more than 20 years of conflict with the help of the AU force. Kismayo residents say the fighting is intense, with militiamen firing continuously from pick-up trucks mounted with heavy weaponry. There are many different clans in the region – known as Jubaland – who compete for lucrative port revenues in Kismayo and access to the most fertile land in Somalia.

Currently there are several self-declared presidents of Jubaland and the government has said it recognises none of them. It wants the groups to attend a meeting in Mogadishu to resolve the issue – this is why Defence Minister Abdihakim Mahmoudis Haji went to Kismayo. Friday’s fighting started when fighters loyal to Ahmed Madobe stopped his rival Istin Hassan from meeting Mr Haji, who was staying at a hotel in central Kismayo.

Mr Haji told the BBC Somali Service that the fighting “would not be tolerated and should stop forthwith”. He denied allegations that members of the Somali army had joined the rival militias.Losing Kismayo in October was a blow for al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group which controlled larges swathes of country in recent years.

Although the AU and Somali government have driven al-Shabaab from most major cities, its fighters still control smaller towns and rural areas in central and southern Somalia and they sometimes launch attacks in government-controlled territory.

BBC

Islamist rebels taking advantage of French troops departure

Editorial Team — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:31:19 +0000

Islamist rebels fire back at Malian forces as they take advantage of the vacuum caused by departure of French troops

Mali’s Foreign Minister said Tuesday that nations in the Sahara were not doing enough to stop an Islamist threat spreading across the region and urged more intelligence-sharing and joint military operations.

In an interview with Reuters, Tieman Coulibaly accused Mali’s Tuareg separatist rebels of “Ku Klux Klan” abuses by persecuting non-Tuaregs in Kidal and said this did not bode well for talks aimed at including the north-eastern town in next month’s election of a new president to complete a post-coup transition to democracy. A string of attacks in Niger including on a French-run uranium mine have shown how Islamist rebels have taken advantage of a security vacuum since French-led forces drove al-Qaeda-linked fighters from strongholds in northern Mali this year.

Regional rivalries are aggravating the problem for Paris and its Western allies, with a lack of cooperation between Saharan countries helping militants to melt away when they come under pressure and regroup in quieter parts of the vast desert. “We must coordinate better,” Coulibaly said in the interview in Paris. “We need a constant effort to share information and be able to act together against this threat.” Security officials say lawless southern Libya has become the latest haven for Islamist groups.

Paris has put the blame firmly on these groups for attacking its embassy in Tripoli in April. “This is a threat to everybody – Niger, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria and beyond,” Coulibaly said. “We must do more.” Regional nations met in March in Mauritania to discuss how to put better mechanisms in place to share information and to assess ultimately how to launch joint security operations. The same countries are due to meet again in Algeria in the coming days for further consultations, Coulibaly said.

France, which is keen to cut its troop numbers in the region, has said it would support all regional efforts. But, amid persistent bickering and mistrust among regional powers, President Francois Hollande admitted in May that French forces may have to be used elsewhere in the Sahel. France’s immediate priority now is to ensure the situation in its former West Africa colony remains stable and that presidential elections proposed for July take place as planned all across the vast impoverished country.

Pistorius lawyer demands answers over bloody leaked pictures

Editorial Team — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:39:24 +0000

South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp, his former girlfriend whom he shot dead at his home.

Lawyers for “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius demanded answers from South African police and prosecutors on Friday after pictures of the bathroom and toilet where he shot dead his girlfriend were leaked to a British television station. Sky News obtained a series of images of the crime scene in Pistorius’ luxury Pretoria home where the double amputee track star shot his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day on February 14.

Pistorius was one of the stars of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London and the case shocked millions across the world as he was seen as a symbol of triumph over adversity. In South Africa, he was a hero for both blacks and whites, transcending the racial divides that still persist 19 years after the end of apartheid.

Pistorius has admitted to shooting four times through the locked door but says he was acting in self-defence at what he thought was an intruder. Prosecutors accuse him of premeditated murder for firing into the door hitting Steenkamp, 29, in the head, hip and arm. The pictures showed a pool of blood in the bathroom, spattered walls, and a trail from dragging the body.

Lawyer Brian Webber said he had sent a letter to the prosecution team demanding answers for the appearance of the pictures the week before Pistorius is due back in court. “I have requested an explanation and I am confident I will get one,” he told Reuters. A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said it was unclear how Sky had obtained the pictures. Police declined to say whether they were part of the formal investigation but said they would make no difference to the trial. South Africa does not have trial by jury so pre-trial media coverage is seldom deemed to be prejudicial. Tuesday’s court appearance by Pistorius is expected to be a 10-minute formality.

REUTERS

Malawi protests over Tanzanian plans for Lake Malawi

Editorial Team — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 23:24:23 +0000

Malawi Foreign Minister Ephraim Chiume: ” “The Malawi government found these developments unfortunate…”

Malawi has protested against plans by its neighbour Tanzania to deploy two ships on Lake Malawi, which it says threaten mediation efforts to resolve a long-standing border dispute. Malawi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ephraim Chiume said on Saturday that Tanzanian government officials had stated publicly that the East African nation was buying six new passenger ships, two of which were destined for Lake Malawi.

”The Malawi government found these developments unfortunate, especially coming at a time when the mediation process over the boundary dispute is going smoothly,” Chiume said. Tanzanian officials were not immediately available to comment.

Malawi, which sits to the west of Africa’s third-largest lake, claims the entire northern half of the lake, while Tanzania, to the east, says it owns half of the northern area. The southern half is shared between Malawi and Mozambique. Last month Malawi returned to talks aimed at resolving a dispute over Lake Malawi that has soured relations between the two countries and delayed exploration for oil and gas.

It had pulled out of the dialogue in October, accusing its neighbour of intimidating Malawi fishermen, a charge Tanzania denied. A year ago, impoverished Malawi awarded oil exploration licenses to British-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil in Lake Malawi, which is known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania.