The United States expects Uganda to keep its

[The United States expects Uganda to keep its peacekeeping forces in Somalia, despite a threat to
withdraw in protest at a U.N. report accusing Kampala of aiding rebels in eastern Congo, a senior
State Department official said on Monday.The government in Kampala said on Friday it would pull
out of peacekeeping missions in Africa unless the United Nations amends a report accusing it of
supporting rebels in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.]
BURUNDI :
Les médias burundais face à des défis pour passer au numérique
Lundi 5 novembre 2012 /Xinhua
BUJUMBURA (Xinhua) - Le basculement de la radio télédiffusion analogique au numérique, prévu
en juin 2015, est un gros défi pour les médias audiovisuels du Burundi qui on accusé du retard au
niveau de l'appropriation de ce processus par les pouvoirs publics, a déclaré lundi à Xinhua
l'assistant de la ministre burundaise des Télécommunications, de l'Information, de la
Communication et des Relations avec le Parlement, Evode Ndayizigiye.
Ndayizigiye a fait cette remarque à la veille de l'ouverture à Bujumbura des assises de la semaine
de formation SEFOR, organisées à l'intention de l'audiovisuel public francophone par la Radio
Télévision Nationale du Burundi (RTNB), en partenariat avec le Conseil International des Radios
Télévisions publiques d' Expression Française (CIRTEF) et l'Organisation Internationale de la
Francophonie (OIF).
Il a souligné que les besoins financiers constituent un 2ème défi pour le Burundi en tant que pays
post-conflit. Le 3ème défi pour le Burundi, a dit M. Ndayizigiye, est la formation des gens qualifiés
pour appréhender de façon précise cette problématique. Le directeur général de la RTNB, Chanel
Nsabimana, estime pour sa part que le gros défi pour les télévisions publiques des "pays du Sud",
dont la grosse majorité ne dispose qu'une seule chaîne aujourd'hui, est de pouvoir se doter, d'ici le
deadline du 15 juin 2015, une capacité d'alimenter au minimum 15 chaînes. L'autre défi, non moins
important, a indiqué le directeur général Nsabimana, est la capacité des techniciens formés à l'
ancienne école de l'analogie, à pouvoir opérer une mutation pour gérer le nouveau système du
numérique.
En 2006, l'Union Internationale des Télécommunications (UIT) a décidé que les Etats membres
devaient "basculer de l'analogique au numérique à l'horizon de mi-juin 2015".
RWANDA :
Rwanda Tips On Sustainable Development
5 November 2012/East African Business Week (Kampala)
Kigali, Rwanda — The seventh African Economic conference closed in Kigali with President Paul
Kagame telling experts that Rwanda needs the backing of good politics to achieve sustainable
growth and development.
"In Rwanda, we understand that politics and economics go hand in hand and we have made a
conscious and deliberate choices of inclusive development based on our political reality. This has
produced positive results.
Growth has been consistent and poverty levels reduced by 12%from 56.9% to 44%in five years,"
said Kagame as he opened the conference which attracted economic experts and leaders from all
over Africa including Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Kagame stressed that efforts of both leaders and technocrats should not only result into economic
growth as presented in figures but should see the creation of jobs, reduction of poverty and an
improment in the welfare of citizens.
"And that is what inclusive development should be about," noted Kagame.
"And for us who are present at this conference, we have an opportunity to learn from Rwanda and
adopt best practices in our own economies," noted Donald Kaberuka, the president of the African
development Bank, (AfDB).
Experts running African economies are keen on finding a way to buffer their current growth to
achieve inclusive and sustainable development in an age of economic uncertainty.
RDC CONGO :
Les USA demandent à la RDC d'enquêter sur l'agression du Dr Mukwege
le mardi 6 novembre 2012/Belga
La diplomatie américaine a demandé lundi à la République démocratique du Congo (RDC)
d'enquêter sur la tentative d'assassinat fin octobre d'un gynécologue congolais réputé pour son aide
aux femmes violées et qui a dû s'exiler après cette agression.
Le docteur Denis Mukwege et ses deux filles avaient vu s'introduire le 25 octobre à leur domicile de
Bukavu, capitale de la province du Sud-Kivu, plusieurs assaillants armés qui ont tué un employé
s'étant interposé, laissant du temps au médecin et à ses filles pour se cacher et s'enfuir.
"Les Etats-Unis appellent le gouvernement de la RDC à mener une enquête minutieuse sur l'attaque
du 25 octobre contre le Dr. Denis Mukwege", a indiqué dans un communiqué le département d'Etat,
exprimant sa "profonde inquiétude" face à cette "violence insensée".
Le médecin avait affirmé la semaine dernière depuis Stockholm qu'il comptait retourner au Congo.
Il s'était alors montré très critique vis-à-vis du gouvernement de Kinshasa et de la communauté
internationale, dont il a dénoncé "l'indifférence à la souffrance de l'autre" et le manque de "volonté
politique".
Le Dr Mukwege a créé l'hôpital et la fondation Panzi pour venir en aide aux milliers de femmes
violées dans l'est de la RDC par des groupes armés locaux et étrangers, ainsi que par certains
soldats de l'armée. Il voyage régulièrement pour expliquer le calvaire de ces victimes.
Chaque année, le programme de lutte contre les violences sexuelles, le plus important de l'hôpital,
reçoit 3.000 femmes.
Belga
RDC/Rwanda: les soldats impliqués dans l'accrochage étaient "en divagation"
( Xinhua )/06.11.2012
Le porte-parole de l'armée congolaise au Nord-Kivu, le colonel Olivier Hamuli, a déclaré lundi que
les militaires rwandais et congolais, impliqués dans l'échange de tirs du 3 novembre étaient "en
divagation".
L'incident qui a coûté la vie à un soldat congolais a eu lieu le 3 novembre à Kanyanja, le long de la
frontière entre la RDC et le Rwanda.
Le soldat en question était allé chercher la nourriture en traversant la frontière rwandaise, a déclaré
le colonel Hamuli, tout en excluant toute volonté de provocation des Forces armées de la RDC
(FARDC).
"L'échange des tirs entre militaires congolais et ceux rwandais (...) n'impliquait pas les
commandements des deux armées", a poursuivi le colonel Hamuli.
Selon un officier des FARDC, les officiers militaires congolais basés dans cette partie de la RDC
ont conduit lundi les journalistes congolais et étrangers à la frontière avec le Rwanda. Sur place, les
officiers n'ont fourni aucune explication sur les raisons de la dispute qui a conduit à l'échange des
tirs.
Dimanche, les autorités militaires rwandaises ont amené à cet endroit des journalistes et des
diplomates, accusant les militaires congolais de provocation.
Le porte-parole de l'armée rwandaise, le général Joseph Nzabamwita, a affirmé que les soldats
congolais avaient pénétré en territoire rwandais "en mission de reconnaissance.
Il a accusé les soldats congolais d'être les premiers à tirer.
RDC : Matata PONYO a échappé de justesse à la sanction de l’Assemblée nationale
05/11/2012 /KongoTimes!
Le Premier ministre, Matata Ponyo Mapon, a échappé de justesse à la sanction de l’Assemblée
nationale qui était prête hier lundi à renvoyer à une date ultérieure l’examen du projet de loi des
finances pour l’exercice 2013. Tout est parti de la motion incidentielle présentée par l’honorable
Unc, Bamporiki, au moment où on s’y attendait le moins. Par expérience de son statut d’inspecteur
des finances, l’honorable Bamporiki a appuyé sa motion sur l’article 87 de la loi n°11/011 du 13
juillet 2011 relative aux finances publiques qui oblige le Parlement à conditionner l’examen du vote
du projet de loi des finances de l’encours à venir sur la présentation par le gouvernement du projet
de reddition des comptes du dernier exercice clos. Pour le cas d’espèce, il s’agit de l’exercice 2011.
Jamais, une motion n’a fait unanimité à l’Assemblée nationale comme celle proposée par
l’honorable Bamporiki. Député de la Majorité, Henry-Thomas Lokondo n’a trouvé mieux que de se
plier à la force de la loi, conseillant au président de l’Assemblée nationale, Aubin Minaku, de faire
de même.
Il ne manquait que de peu pour voir le Premier ministre et son aréopage éconduits par les députés
nationaux lors de la plénière d’hier lundi 5 novembre consacrée à l’examen du projet de loi des
finances 2013. L’os, c’est le préalable contenu dans l’article 87 de la loi n°11/011 du 13 juillet 2011
relative aux finances publiques. Perspicace, le speaker de l’Assemblée nationale a réussi à
découvrir la brèche, à savoir la reddition des comptes de l’exercice précédent se fait au moment du
vote et non pendant l’examen. Aubin Minaku a tiré Matata Ponyo du pétrin.
Le Premier ministre, Matata Ponyo Mapon, a échappé de justesse à la sanction de l’Assemblée
nationale qui était prête hier lundi à renvoyer à une date ultérieure l’examen du projet de loi des
finances pour l’exercice 2013.
Tout est parti de la motion incidentielle présentée par l’honorable Unc, Bamporiki, au moment où
on s’y attendait le moins. Par expérience de son statut d’inspecteur des finances, l’honorable
Bamporiki a appuyé sa motion sur l’article 87 de la loi n°11/011 du 13 juillet 2011 relative aux
finances publiques qui oblige le Parlement à conditionner l’examen du vote du projet de loi des
finances de l’encours à venir sur la présentation par le gouvernement du projet de reddition des
comptes du dernier exercice clos. Pour le cas d’espèce, il s’agit de l’exercice 2011.
Le verrou
L’article 87 de la loi relative aux finances publiques stipule en son alinéa 1 que : « Le projet de loi
portant reddition des comptes du dernier exercice clos doit être examiné par le Parlement
préalablement au vote du projet de la loi des finances de l’année ». Pour l’auteur de la motion, il
était difficile dans les conditions fixées par la loi d’entamer un quelconque examen sans que le
gouvernement ait préalablement présenté en annexe à son projet de loi des finances 2013 un autre
portant sur la reddition des comptes de l’exercice 2011.
Jamais, une motion n’a fait unanimité à l’Assemblée nationale comme celle proposée par
l’honorable Bamporiki. Député de la Majorité, Henry-Thomas Lokondo n’a trouvé mieux que de se
plier à la force de la loi, conseillant au président de l’Assemblée nationale, Aubin Minaku, de faire
de même. D’autres députés nationaux – de la Majorité tout comme de l’Opposition – tenteront, tout
en reconnaissant la pertinence de la question, d’appeler la plénière à faire référence à la
jurisprudence en vigueur dans l’Hémicycle qui n’a jamais posé l’examen du projet de reddition des
comptes comme préalable à l’examen du projet de loi des finances présenté par le gouvernement.
Acculé et interpellé en sa qualité de juriste, le président de l’Assemblée nationale a eu du mal à
s’en sortir. La question étant, le reconnaîtra-t-il plus tard, éminemment technique. Que faire donc
entre le droit et la politique ? Même les interventions de deux anciens membres de la Commission
économique et financière de la législature 2006-2011, ci-devant les honorables Kutekala et Lucien
Bussa, n’ont pas réussi à faire fléchir les tenants de la motion.
Le dilemme était bien là : renvoyer à plus tard l’examen du projet de loi des finances 2013 ou faire
un forcing en contraignant l’Assemblée nationale à renier les dispositions les plus pertinentes de sa
propre loi, notamment celle relative aux finances. Aubin Minaku s’est retrouvé avec une arête sur
la gorge.
Pour contourner l’impasse, le speaker de la Chambre basse du Parlement a décrété une pause de 15
minutes. Temps pendant lequel, il a puisé dans sa longue pratique du droit et, de concert, avec ses
collaborateurs, il a réussi à découvrir la brèche encastrée dans la disposition de loi querellée.
A la reprise de la séance, il a présenté à la plénière sa trouvaille. Celle-ci a consisté à considérer que
l’examen du projet (débats) et son vote sont des moments ou des séquences non concomitantes.
Selon sa lecture, aux termes de l’article 87 de la nouvelle loi des finances, le préalable relatif à la
reddition des comptes précède le vote et non l’examen du projet. La faille a été découverte, le
goulot d’étranglement a volé en éclats.
La prestation d’Aubin Minaku a permis de déjouer le piège et au final la voie de sortie a été trouvée.
C’est dans le même article, à l’occurrence celui évoqué par l’auteur de la motion, c’est-à-dire
l’article 87 de la nouvelle loi des finances que le président de l’Assemblée nationale a trouvé. Le
sauvetage était sans pareil. Et, la tactique pour y arriver était tout aussi géniale.
Engagement pour le respect de la loi
Si l’aliéna 1 de l’article 230 de cette loi, qui dispose que « les dispositions de la présente loi sont
applicables de façon progressive » endéans sept années à dater de sa promulgation, pouvait tout
régler en sollicitant, notamment l’indulgence de la plénière, l’article 87 tel qu’interprété par le
président de l’Assemblée nationale levait d’ores et déjà toute équivoque sur la poursuite du débat.
En effet, l’alinéa 1 de l’article 87 de la loi relative aux finances publiques pose certes le problème
du dépôt du projet loi portant reddition des comptes du dernier exercice clos. Mais, il n’en fait un
préalable, a indiqué Aubin Minaku, qu’au vote du projet de loi des finances présenté par le
gouvernement. La conditionnalité n’a, de ce point de vue, aucun effet sur l’examen du projet de loi
des finances présenté par le gouvernement. Seul le vote du projet de loi des finances, a précisé le
président de l’Assemblée nationale, reste soumis à ce préalable. Ce qui, de manière implicite, a
poursuivi, vide de sa substance la motion soulevée par l’honorable Bamporiki.
Voilà ce qui a été bien dit. Matata Ponyo est venu de loin, très loin. Mais, par sa dextérité et son
expertise, Aubin Minaku l’a tiré du gouffre. Il s’en souviendra toujours. Car, l’exercice d’hier lundi
n’a pas été facile pour le chef du gouvernement qui ne s’attendait pas à cette surprise désagréable. Il
doit se féliciter d’avoir trouvé Mikanu sur son chemin pour le détourner du piège lui tendu par
l’honorable Bamporiki.
Toutefois, compte tenu de la pertinence de la question soulevée par la motion, le président de
l’Assemblée nationale a invité le gouvernement à faire diligence pour transmettre le plus
rapidement au bureau de l’Assemblée nationale le projet de reddition des comptes de l’exercice sans
que la plénière soit dans l’incapacité de voter le projet de loi des finances sous examen.
« Avant le vote, il faut qu’il y ait soit le projet de loi de reddition des comptes de l’exercice 2011,
soit le rapport de la Cour des comptes », a indiqué Aubin Minaku, sans soute pour permettre à la
plénière d’agir selon les dispositions de l’article 87 de la loi relative aux finances publiques. Il a
promis en même temps de prendre « un acte » obligeant désormais le gouvernement à se plier aux
exigences de cet article 87. « Il n’en sera plus ainsi au cours de cette législature », a-t-il rappelé,
soulignant que l’Assemblée nationale se réserve le droit de n’engager aucun débat sur le projet de
loi des finances lui soumis par le gouvernement si tous les préalables tels que prévus par la loi
relative aux finances publiques sont réunies.
Qui commence bien finit bien, dit un adage populaire. Matata a eu chaud. Mais, il a eu la chance de
se trouver sur le chemin de Minaku qui a déployé superbement son parapluie juridique pour l’aider
à contourner l’obstacle.
Le piège déjoué, le chef du gouvernement a présenté finalement l’économie générale du projet de
loi des finances pour l’exercice 2013. Il revient aujourd’hui mardi à l’Assemblée nationale pour
recevoir les critiques de la plénière.
[Le Potentiel]
Published By www.KongoTimes.info - © KongoTimes!
UGANDA :
U.S. expects Uganda to stay in Somalia
Publish Date: Nov 06, 2012/newvision.co.ug
NAIROBI - The United States expects Uganda to keep its peacekeeping forces in Somalia, despite a
threat to withdraw in protest at a U.N. report accusing Kampala of aiding rebels in eastern Congo, a
senior State Department official said on Monday.
The government in Kampala said on Friday it would pull out of peacekeeping missions in Africa
unless the United Nations amends a report accusing it of supporting rebels in the neighbouring
Democratic Republic of Congo.
Wendy Sherman, U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs, who met Ugandan President
Yoweri Museveni last week, said Museveni had raised concerns about the U.N. report. However,
she said she still expected him to keep peacekeeping troops on the ground.
"I fully expect because of (Museveni's) commitment to peace and security in the region that Uganda
will continue to play the leadership role it has, both diplomatically and in terms of military
security," Sherman told reporters in Nairobi.
Diplomats on the 15-nation U.N. Security Council said they had reached similar conclusions after
meetings with a Ugandan delegation to discuss the issue. All said that the Ugandans made clear they
were unhappy with the report but did not bring mention their threats to withdraw troops from any
missions.
"They complained about the report but didn't say anything about ending participation in Somalia or
elsewhere," one diplomat in New York said on condition of anonymity.0
Ugandan troops account for more than a third of the 17,600 U.N.-mandated African peacekeepers
battling al Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels in Somalia, and their withdrawal could hand an advantage
to the weakened al Shabaab rebels.
Backed by U.S. special forces, the soldiers are also leading the hunt for fugitive Ugandan warlord
Joseph Kony in Central African Republic, with some stationed in South Sudan.
Uganda and Rwanda have denied accusations in a leaked U.N. Group of Experts report which said
the two neighbours were arming Congo's M23 rebels, whose warlord leader has been indicted by
the International Criminal Court.
In the confidential report, which was seen in full by Reuters, the experts called for sanctions on
those who violated an arms embargo.
U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky was asked if Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had been informed
of Ugandan plans to pull out of peacekeeping missions. He told reporters that the world body was
aware of "various and varying" media reports on the issue.
"The United Nations has had no official communication from the government of Uganda in relation
to this matter," he said.
Uganda's foreign ministry said over the weekend it was "inevitable" Ugandan forces would leave
Somalia unless the U.N. corrected "false accusations" against the country.
Somalia's Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid told Reuters on Saturday he hoped Uganda
would not pull out its troops at what he said was a critical moment in the fight against al Shabaab.
Sherman said the east and central Africa region needed Uganda's diplomatic and military
leadership, which includes Museveni's chairmanship of peace talks between Congo, M23 rebels and
Rwanda.
"President Museveni and Uganda have played critical roles, not only in terms of their military
capabilities but their diplomatic capabilities to try to navigate, negotiate and mediate concerns in the
region," she said.
Gilmore keeps aid to Uganda on hold until €4m is repaid
By Michael Brennan Deputy Political Editor/Irish Independent/Tuesday November 06 2012
TANAISTE Eamon Gilmore is keeping a freeze on aid payments to Uganda in place -- despite
getting assurances that €4m in missing money will be fully repaid.
He is due to receive an audit report into how €4m of Irish Aid for the poorest region in the country
ended up in a bank account operated by officials from the office of the Ugandan prime minister.
Mr Gilmore said he had got assurances from the highest level of the Ugandan government that they
would repay the €4m misappropriated by "corrupt officials".
"I welcome this swift response to the very grave concerns which I conveyed to the Ugandan
government and the speed with which the government has moved against officials who were
implicated in this fraud," he said.
Suspended
Two senior Ugandan government officials are on remand facing prosecution, while 17 have been
suspended without pay while investigations continue.
Uganda's Prime Minister Patrick Amama Mbabazi has denied having any personal involvement in
the funds going missing. The fraud was exposed by a report by Uganda's auditor general -- who has
received funding from Irish Aid.
But the €16m in Irish Aid funding which was due to go to Uganda this year remains on hold until
Mr Gilmore gets the full audit report into the matter.
It is expected to be given to the Department of Foreign Affairs secretary general David Cooney this
week and shortly afterwards to Mr Gilmore. An Irish Aid spokeswoman said the audit report would
be published.
Mr Gilmore said he hoped the arrests in Uganda in connection with the missing money indicated a
renewed determination by the Ugandan authorities to tackle corruption.
"It is critical that the full force of the law be applied to those who engage in fraudulent activities and
that systems are strengthened to fight corruption," he said.
Terrorised
The money was intended to fund infrastructure and services in rural northern Uganda, which was
terrorised by Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army.
He is now believed to be on the run in the Central African Republic and is wanted by the
International Criminal Court for war crimes. Around 80pc of people in that area live below the
poverty line, compared to 30pc in Uganda generally.
The disappearance of the money is the most embarrassing episode of its kind in Irish Aid's history.
The organisation, which is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs, has an annual budget of
€639m for helping the poorest countries in the world.
Junior Minister for Overseas Aid Joe Costello has invited members of the Dail's Public Accounts
committee to inspect the spending of Irish Aid in Mozambique, after members expressed concern
over the Uganda scandal.
– Michael Brennan Deputy Political Editor
Uganda to exhibit fresh tourism products at London WTM
Publish Date: Nov 06, 2012/By Priscilla Butera and Thomas Pere/newvision.co.ug
Uganda will exhibit fresh tourism products at the world travel market (WTM) expo taking place in
London, UK.
This was revealed at a press conference where private and public sector representatives including
Uganda tourism board, the Ministry of wildlife and antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority, the
Chimpanzee Sanctuary and wildlife Trust , civil aviation authority, Sheraton Hotel and twenty tour
operators met on Monday to discuss how best to represent the country at the leading global event
for the travel industry.
Wildlife and antiquities minister Maria Mutagamba, speaking at the conference at Sheraton Hotel’s
lake room about the presentation of Uganda at the WTM that is taking place in Excel Docklands in
London, reminded the different exhibitors that they were going as marketers not tourists, and they
should be keen to find out what their potential clients’ interests are regarding Uganda. She urged
them to uphold good discipline as well as understand and embrace on the element of cooperation
and competition.
Though a lot is known about Uganda’s tourism, this is only the tip of the iceberg. “The
opportunities to innovate, create, package and present fresh and new tourism opportunities and
destinations for Uganda are enormous,” Chris Pollard, the General Manager Sheraton Kampala,
said.
Pollard said: “As we transition into another generation of 50 years after independence, the challenge
is for Uganda to look beyond the obvious opportunities if we are to build tourism in the country
beyond what it is today.”
“Since its initiation over 30 years ago, Uganda has participated in the WTM for over 16 years, but
we must agree that this is not an ordinary year. It is our jubilee year and we must present fresh
perspectives and projections for Uganda’s tourism to the rest of the world,” Pollard added.
He said there is still untapped business in weekend tourism. “Therefore I see the WTM as an
opportunity for us to not only boast for what we are known for but most importantly to give the
world fresh and new reasons to rate Uganda as a major destination. The opportunities are enormous,
I have no doubt that the resources are available to further expand and exploit out tourism potential
for the next generation.”
He said the Government needs to set the agenda to change mindsets towards what we have and the
importance of preserving it. “Uganda, we are gifted, lets embrace this gift, and not under price it,”
he said.
Bugama Cuthbert Balinda, the Executive Director of Uganda Tourism Board, said at the three-day
event, Uganda will showcase The Pearl of Africa with her numerous attractions and also celebrate
the 50 years Golden Jubilee and the numerous accolades received in 2012.
Uganda will showcase the gorilla as the major draw card, over 1040 bird species, hiking the diverse
mountains-the snow capped Mount Rwenzonri, Alpine Afromontane zones to the Albertine Rift
Valley- and White water rafting among others.
SOUTH AFRICA :
South Africa: Deciphering One Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma
By Ranjeni Munusamy/Daily Maverick/6 November 2012
analysis
Does the president truly believe in the precepts of the Constitution? When you cut through the
speeches and spin doctoring, Zuma’s beliefs are in direct contrast with aspects of the Constitution as
well as ANC policy. Does it matter that the head of state prefers a return to patriarchal
chieftainship?
Very few politicians are truly honest about what they themselves believe. Their viewpoints and
policy positions are tightly bound by their political party’s ideological standpoints and there is little
room to manoeuvre outside them. When they have to play to the gallery, there is always the
temptation to push the envelope and say what you audience wants to hear. It’s even worse when
they think they are among their own and can relax the stomach muscles a bit.
US satirists have had a field day during the presidential campaign pointing out the serial flipflopping of Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who is either blissfully unaware of (or could care
less about) the habit in his race for the White House. Romney has swayed from outright
condemnation of President Barack Obama’s policies on some occasions to tacit approval and
recanting of his previous statements to suit current conditions. In the next 24 hours it will be evident
how forgiving the US electorate is of these shifts.
In South Africa, Tony Leon, previous leader of the Democratic Alliance, found himself in a bout of
trouble in 2004 when he said on the campaign trail that he and many other MPs favoured the return
of the death penalty. Leon was obviously caught up in campaign fever and trying to appeal to crime-
weary voters when he decided to disregard the fact that his party was opposed to the death penalty.
Leon was at the time also the deputy chairman of Liberal International, which passed a resolution in
2000 stating that the federation should “work for the total abolishment for the use of the death
penalty in the world”.
The statement will forever haunt his legacy.
President Jacob Zuma, however, is in a league of his own when it comes to uttering statements
completely contrary to his party positions and the Constitution. His comments particularly on
gender issues and sexual orientation betray his real views, deeply underlined by Zulu traditionalism.
During a recorded interview recently with Dali Tambo on his show People of the South, Zuma’s
comments about single women were not accidental. He is renowned for making such remarks and in
the relaxed, homely atmosphere Tambo conjures in his interviews, Zuma let his guard down.
Speaking about his daughter Duduzile’s marriage, Zuma said: “I was also happy because I wouldn’t
want to stay with daughters who are not getting married, because that in itself is a problem in
society. I know that people today think being single is nice. It’s actually not right. That’s a
distortion.
“You’ve got to have kids. Kids are important to a woman because they actually give an extra
training to a woman, to be a mother.”
Despite efforts by the presidency to explain away the statements as part of government’s efforts to
strengthen family units, there is no getting away from the fact that these comments undermine the
ANC agenda to empower women to make their own life choices. The Constitution upholds
women’s rights not primarily as mothers, but full citizens entitled to educational and economic
advancement.
Fortunately for Zuma, the public outrage passed quickly without him being interrogated further on
the matter.
There was a similar backlash in 2006 when Zuma let slip his views on homosexuality and had to
apologise for them. Zuma said at the time: “When I was growing up an ungqingili (a gay) would not
have stood in front of me. I would knock him out.” The Sowetan quoted Zuma as saying that same
sex marriages were “a disgrace to the nation and to God”.
Although Zuma had to recant, he did not do so because he developed respect for gays. He was
forced to do so because his views were contrary to the Constitution and his party position on the
issue. It is doubtful that he would have had a change of heart on the issue.
But it is his comment last week that tacitly undermines the rule of law and the Constitution and
argues in favour of a return to a system of patriarchal chieftainship that is most concerning. During
an address to the National House of Traditional Leaders last week, Zuma strayed off the prepared
text of his speech, and in effect contradicted it.
Speaking on the controversial Traditional Courts Bill, Zuma argued for a return to an African way
of resolving disputes and a rejection of “the white man’s way”. City Press reported that Zuma also
slammed black people “who become too clever”, saying “they become the most eloquent in
criticising themselves about their own traditions and everything”.
Zuma asked traditional leaders to help people understand who they are.
“Because if you are not an African, you cannot be a white, then what are you? You don’t know. You
can’t explain yourself. How then can you grow children?” Zuma asked in isiZulu: “Whose
traditions will they (the children) practise? The Zuma traditions or the Smith traditions? We have
lost direction. Even if I live in the highest building, I am an African.”
He said he felt “very passionately” about resolving disputes in a traditional way. “During our time
we did not have prisons because never did we say it was a problem we could not resolve.… Prisons
are done by people who cannot resolve problems,” he said, asking traditional leaders not to be
“influenced by other cultures”.
Apartheid took away “our dignity… because our traditional system and leadership was undermined.
But once you get freedom, you must bring it back”, City Press quoted the president as saying.
The ANC would obviously be extremely embarrassed by Zuma’s utterances, which effectively
undercut the constitutional system the party has worked so hard to build. These, together with his
previous statements, help to sketch Zuma’s perspective of the world and why he so often hides
behind the ANC to camouflage his own views.
If Zuma were an ordinary member of the ANC whose views were superseded by those of the
majority, his traditional beliefs would be immaterial.
But as leader of the ruling party and head of state, it is a great risk for the country that Zuma
believes in an alternate system rather than the one he is sworn to uphold.
Of course it is absurd – and unlikely – that the ANC could be swayed by anyone to change the
Constitution and revoke the rights of women and gays. But the judicial system is a highly contested
terrain in the country. In the next few years, the judiciary and the constitutional system could come
under further pressure if religious conservatism, African traditionalism and leftist militancy in the
passages of power continue to rise.
It would be a real problem then if the chief custodian of the Constitution does not believe in its
primacy.
As with most other issues relating to the question of leadership, the fault-line lies with the ANC and
its system for choosing leaders. If the ANC had a chance to conduct a basic assessment of its
leaders, including their beliefs in the party’s own policies, the Mangaung battle would have a
completely different dimension.
South Africa has already paid the price of one president whose eccentric views on HIV and Aids
had a devastating effect on the health and mortality rate of the nation. With the ANC not willing or
able to screen its leaders, it will be up to South Africa’s electorate at the next national election to
decide whether it is prepared to be led by someone whose belief system is divergent to that
envisaged by the Constitution.
What might appear to be quirky, offbeat views now, can one day soon become ominous.
The Daily Maverick is a unique blend of news, information, analysis and opinion delivered from
our newsroom in Johannesburg, South Africa.
South Africa: Eskom Welcomes Introduction to IPPS
5 November 2012/SAnews.gov.za (Tshwane)
Pretoria — With the introduction of renewable energy into the country's energy mix, Eskom has
welcomed the signing of agreements between government and independent power producers, saying
it will change the landscape of electricity generation.
Managing Director of the System Operations and Planning Division at the power parastatal, Kannan
Lakmeeharan, described the signing ceremony of the Department of Energy's Renewable Energy
Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) for the Window 1 preferred bidders as being a
historic milestone.
"Today is a historic day as it represents a significant milestone in the electricity supply industry on
two fronts - in the first it's the first long term power purchase agreement with independent power
producers since the days of Cahora Bassa and the first to be done in our democratic dispensation.
"It also sees the introduction of renewable energy power production into the grid for the first time
on a significant scale," he said, on Monday ahead of the ceremony.
The department earlier on Monday signed implementation agreements and direct agreements with
each of the 28 preferred bidders - in wind and solar projects - of Window 1 of the REIPPP. Eskom
will sign power purchase agreements with the bidders.
The power parastatal has expressed its commitment to moving to a low emitting and low water use
energy mix, adding that it would not be able to meet the country's energy requirements on its own.
"Eskom is also clear that it cannot meet the future electricity needs of the country alone and it
welcomes the involvement of the private sector to support it in meeting the future needs of our
country," said Lakmeeharan.
Those needs included distributor generation capacity to the customer as well as government's efforts
to create jobs.
The promulgation of the IRP2010 by government marked a huge step forward for the electricity
supply industry. The plan provides a roadmap to ensure that South Africa has the infrastructure it
needs to power growth and employment in the long term and in a way that is cleaner and more
sustainable.
IPPS' are expected to build at least 30% of the new capacity.
Of the future for electricity generation, Lakmeeharan said: "The electricity industry, as we
increasingly see, will be one of a hybrid nature with Eskom still retaining a significant position but
a vibrant private sector developing too. The industry will be driven by the need for security of
supply and climate change concerns, energy efficiency and technological advancements. It will look
very different in 2030 to the way it looks now."
Eskom, he said, looked forward to connecting the new power producers to the grid and buying
power from them.
"We [further] look forward to guidance from government on the implementation of the IRP2010 as
a whole, including the role that Eskom will play. We are keen as Eskom to play a significant role in
the new build beyond 2013 after we complete Kusile."
President Jacob Zuma announced in his State of the Nation Address a massive infrastructure plan
comprising various development projects. One of the Strategic Integrated Projects includes green
energy in support of the South African economy.
The power parastatal was keen to see the new build programme momentum continue.
"We are keen to see the new build momentum continue so that South Africa does not leave it again
too late to start building new capacity. It needs to support growth and jobs in the 2020s and
beyond," he said.
He added that continuing the momentum will ensure that the industry does not again lose the skills
and expertise needed to keep it going.
Commenting on the downgrade of Eskom by one notch by a credit rating agency in October,
Lakmeeharan said: "Reflecting on that, it is important to continue on a path to cost -reflective tariffs
to ensure long term viability and that of the industry and to ensure access to debt at reasonable
cost."
Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said at the signing ceremony that although the country endured
criticism, South Africa was committed to cleaner forms of energy.
"This is an auspicious day for the government of South Africa, the African continent and the energy
sector as a whole," said Peters.
Thai man pleads guilty to South African rhino smuggling
Tue Nov 6, 2012 /Reuters/By Jon Herskovitz
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A Thai man pleaded guilty on Monday to smuggling rhino horn
from South Africa, in a case in which prostitutes posing as big game hunters were used to conceal
an international trafficking ring.
Chumlong Lemtongthai is likely to be jailed for more than 10 years under a plea deal that
investigators said sealed one of the most important prosecutions in their fight to protect rhinos,
whose horns are worth more than gold in parts of Southeast Asia.
Taking advantage of the fact that it is legal for foreigners to hunt rhinos in South Africa and ship
horns overseas as trophies, Chumlong hired Thai prostitutes to stage fake hunts.
The women were given about $800 dollars each to go to game farms, take a few shots with small
calibre rifles and then pose next to rhinos killed by someone else, according to affidavits presented
to the court and seen by Reuters.
"The hunters were a front for our decision to export rhino horn for trade and not for trophies,"
Chumlong said in a statement to a Johannesburg court.
"I humbly apologise to the court and to the people of South Africa for my role in this matter," he
said.
Prosecutors said Chumlong was a major player in a network that included private game reserve
owners and a suspected animal parts kingpin in Laos who has built a booming business in rhino
horn which sells for $65,000 a kilogramme in Asia as medicine.
"The real significance of the guilty plea entered into is that this is the first time the state was able to
arrest and prosecute one of the most senior people in an international smuggling syndicate of rhino
horn," said Adrian Lackay, spokesman for the South African Revenue Service which investigated
the case.
Between October 2010 and May 2011, Chumlong arranged licensed hunts where about two dozen
rhinos were killed on the private game reserve of South African Marnus Steyl, according to court
documents obtained by Reuters.
In 2011, Chumlong signed an deal with Steyl requesting horns from an additional 50 rhinos, with a
street value of about $20 million.
Prosecutors dropped charges against Steyl and other co-accused with the entry of Chumlong's guilty
plea.
In the past few years a belief has grown in Southeast Asia - unfounded in science - that rhino horn
can be used to prevent and cure cancer.
Increased demand meant poaching has hit record levels in South Africa where, by mid-October, 455
rhinos had been killed illegally - more than 448 during the whole of 2011.
Poaching increased dramatically from about 2007 as a growing affluent class in China, Vietnam and
Thailand began spending more on rhino horn.
Gold Fields declares end to South Africa strikes
Reuters/November 6, 2012
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Gold Fields, the fourth largest bullion producer, said on Tuesday all
three of its South African operations were back at work but a smaller operator said it had been hit
by a strike, suggesting labor unrest in the gold mines is far from over.
Gold Fields said the reinstatement of 8,500 dismissed workers at its KDC East operations near
Johannesburg had ended a 23-day strike and heralded a return to production.
All of South Africa's major gold producers have been hit by often violent illegal strikes at some or
all of their operations in the last three months as labor discontent in the platinum mines spilled over
into other sectors.
The major companies are now back at work, but junior miner Village Main Reef said employees at
its Buffelsfontein Gold Mine had embarked on a wildcat strike as of the night shift on Monday.
In the platinum sector, Anglo American Platinum, the world's largest producer, is the only major
company still struggling to bring an end to weeks of wildcat strikes by 12,000 workers at its
Rustenburg mines and 20,500 at its Amandelbult and Union operations.
The company is losing an average of 3,694 ounces of platinum per day.
(Reporting by Sherilee Lakmidas; Editing by Ed Cropley)
TANZANIA :
Tanzania: Mass Ignorance Hampers Insurance Industry Growth
By Abduel Elinaza/Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)/5 November 2012
TANZANIA'S insurance penetration is the lowest among the big three East African Community
(EAC) member states at less than 1.0 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
The low penetration is not a curse but the idle potential by investors in the insurance industry -both general and life covers. Tanzania's penetration is merely 0.86 per cent of GDP, which is the
lowest in the region against 1.0 per cent and 3.0 per cent in Uganda and Kenya, respectively.
The low penetration, according to market players, is simply insurance lack of awareness or
ignorance. The lack of adequate knowledge and awareness drives people to covers for their
properties -- general insurance -- than life. The Resolution Insurance's Chief Executive Officer, Mr
Peter Nduati, told the 'Daily News' that there was all possibility for the level of penetration to be
amplified provided proper education and awareness tools were applied.
"There is a big opportunity in health covers for the middle class, the area is not fully tapped," Mr
Nduati said. "We are targeting to have 12,000 family clients by 2013 from current 1,700." The
insurance market grew by 24.1 per cent to 287bn/- in 2010 from 231.2bn/- in 2009.
The Resolution CEO said insurance ignorance led low penetration in the market. Giving an
example, he said, many motorists tend to give first priority in insuring their cars than their life.
"And this is only because motor insurance is mandatory ... people need to realise the importance of
covering life and not vehicles only," the CEO, who once worked as a country head of AAR Health
Services, said.
Secondly, according to him, is failure by insurers to honour their obligation in settlement of claims
in time, as agreed terms and conditions of the insurance contract. "This has discoloured the
importance of insurance, especially on health covers," Mr Nduati said. Resolution has set aside
about 300,000 US dollars (about 480m/-) to cater for a campaign through various media -- above
and below the line -- as well social networks to bring in clients.
Between now and December, the firm has set aside 25,000 US dollars (40m/-): "The idea is to raise
our client base by 30 per cent," in the next three years, Mr Nduati said. Alliance Life Assurance
General Manager Aakash Mishra wrote on the firm's website that one of the main reasons so many
people lack sufficient life insurance is mainly due to ignorance.
"However, the cost -- financial, emotional and psychological -- of not having adequate life
insurance certainly outweighs the expense of carrying proper life insurance coverage," Mr Mishra
said. The GM said the demand for life insurance will grow as the economy grows.
In the developed world, life insurance commands a higher share of the insurance business. The
growth of insurance share will be aided by the growth in information technology and
communication (ICT) and infrastructure so that a wider span of the population could be reached.
"We are also likely to see wider distribution of life insurance products through new channels like
banks," Mr Mishra said. Nevertheless, there are various challenges to push for further penetration,
which include lack of incentives from the government for life insurance products and lack of
adequate skilled human resources.
Another snag is lack of national identification (ID) system. "But more importantly, we think the
development of capital markets will enable us to provide investment linked products which are
more popular," Mr Mishra said.
According to Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) report of 2010, other hurdles include
delay in adopting new distribution methods such as bank assurance due to challenges yet to be
addressed by cross sectoral financial institutions regulators. All in all, insurance premium per capita,
insurance density, grew by 19.5 per cent to 6,652/- in 2010 from 5,519/- in 2009.
Tanzania: Mining Firm in Tanzania Disburses U.S. $514 Million in Taxes
By Leonard Magomba/East African Business Week (Kampala)/5 November 2012
Dar es Salaam — Geita Gold Mine owned by AngloGold Ashanti, a South Africa based mining firm
has paid $514m to Tanzania.
"We have extended the monetary benefits to the Tanzanian economy from operations through
corporate taxes, royalties, duties, fees and payroll taxes," the Geita Gold Mine's Managing Director,
Mr. Gary Davies told East African Business Week in Dar es Salaam.
Davies outlined recent successes with regard to safety, job creation, monetary flows to the
Government of Tanzania, sustainability and the considerable social investments made.
He said the Geita Gold mine has turned from being an underperforming and loss-making mine, to
Tanzania's most productive in three years. "We are very pleased at the considerable benefits this has
bought to both the local community and the national economy."
Davies described how, in the late 2000s, Geita Gold Mine has had an uncertain future. High costs of
production and low productivity had left the mine unprofitable.
In mid-2009 Geita commenced 'Project ONE', an AngloGold Ashanti international business
turnaround initiative aimed at enhancing performance and protecting and enhancing Mines'
futures.At Geita he said, Project ONE success has been robust, adding in the sphere of safety, Geita
Gold Mine's and AngloGold Ashanti's number one value, has been drastically improved, with
incident rates falling 75% since 2009.
The Gold production has risen from a 2008 low of 264,000 oz, to 494,000 oz in 2011 while cash
costs have fallen from 2008 high of $728 per oz to $536 per oz in 2011. He added the facts had
secured the future life of Geita Gold Mine until at least 2018, protecting the over 3,500 jobs that the
mine site provides, 95% of which are filled by Tanzanian nationals. Commenting about the
company's new strategies, Davies said they will align their work with the United Nation's
Millennium Development Goals and the utilization of broad partnerships with government and civil
society to protect and enhance local and national livelihoods.
Social investments by Geita Gold Mine include the areas of education, health and economic
development.
In 2011, the company invested over $4m in local communities, with flagship projects including
Nyankumbu Girls Secondary School; the Integrated Mining Technical Training course at Veta
Moshi; Geita District Hospital; Geita malaria control program; Rafiki cleft palate surgery; Moyo wa
Huruma Orphanage and the charity fundraising annual Kilimanjaro Climb for HIV/AIDS.
He said AngloGold Ashanti are investing opportunities that may lead to an extension of the mine
through underground operations, or the opening of new operations at sites that are currently being
explored in Tanzania. "If either of these are successful, the continuation of the positive partnership
with Tanzania will continue, along with the tax revenue, job creation and social investments," he
added.
Tanzania: State Insists TPI Made Counterfeit HIV/Aids Drugs
By CHRISTOPER MAJALIWA/Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)/6 November 2012
THE government insisted that the Arusha-based Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI)
manufactured the fake anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs that were discovered in August, this year.
The Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Rashid, told the National Assembly
here that the TPI, which had its production activities suspended by the Tanzania Food and Drugs
Authority (TFDA) following the allegations, sold fake ARVs branded TT-VIR 30 to the Medical
Stores Department (MSD).
"The documents that have been found at the MSD show that the TPI sold fake TT-VIR 30 drugs that
were manufactured in batch number 0C.01.85," he said. He said that the fake life saving drugs batch
was made of tablets with three different colours, yellow, white and belayed tablets (white and pink).
"Tablets with yellow colour were made up of Efaverenz instead of Nevirapine, Lamivudine and
Stavudine which were supposed to be the genuine contents of the drug. The white and the
combination of pink and white (belayed tablets) drugs had genuine contents (Nevirapine,
Lamivudine and Stavudine) as shown in the label," he said.
The government's statement in the House comes days after the TFDA Director General, Mr Hiiti
Sillo, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that contrary to TPI's denials, his authority has documents
and exhibits that prove that the company was behind the production of the ARVs.
"The documents and exhibits have been submitted to security organs for further action," he stated.
He reassured the public that the company has been suspended from manufacturing ARVs through a
letter with reference number CA/C.80/222/01A/47 of October 4 this year.
He also said that the authority has suspended the supply of the drugs through a letter with reference
number CA/C.80/222/01A/55 of October 10, this year. Mr Sillo also denied reports that TPI is
continuing with production of the drugs, noting that inspection conducted by TFDA on October 23,
this year, confirmed that there was no production of the drugs. For all this time, the TPI has been
insisting that it did neither manufacture nor selling of the said fake drugs.
"We would like to categorically distance ourselves from the allegations. The said drugs did not
emanate from TPI and are made using technology which we do not have in our factory," said TPI
Executive Director, Mrs Zarina Madabida. She said that TPI produces TT-VIR 30 in the form of
oval shaped tablets whereas the fake drugs are round TT-VR 30.
"We do not have the technology that can produce tablets in a round shape and in two colours. The
product is simply not ours," she said. The government has also suspended three officers pending
investigations at the MSD who include the Director General, Mr Joseph Mgaya, the Quality
Assurance Manager, Mr Sadick Materu and the Quality Assurance Officer, Mr David Masero.
Tanzania: Insurance Meet Focuses On Low-Income
By JOHN KULEKANA/Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)/6 November 2012
A RECENTLY published study on African microinsurance markets, shows that the number of lowincome households benefiting from insurance services, has grown significantly in the last three
years.
In the study, Making Finance Work For Africa (MFW4A) and Munich Re Foundation, have
established that during the last three years over 44 million people have benefited from insurance
services, which reflects a growth rate in excess of 200 per cent. "This is a tremendous achievement.
The expansion of quality insurance services to large numbers of low-income households can have a
significant role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," says an expert with
ILO, Mr Craig Churchill, who is also the Chairperson of the Microinsurance Network. MFW4A
Partnership is an initiative to support the development of African Financial Sectors.
It is a unique platform for African governments, the private sector, and development partners to
coordinate financial sector development interventions across the continent, avoiding duplication and
maximizing developmental impact. The MFW4A has its secretariat at the African Development
Bank (AfDB) headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia.
The Microinsurance Network promotes development and delivery of effective insurance services
for low-income people by encouraging shared learning, facilitating knowledge generation and
dissemination, as well as providing multistakeholder platform. The network, in collaboration with
Munich Re Foundation and the Tanzanian Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA), is cohosting the
the three-day, 8th International Microinsurance Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which starts
on Tuesday.
During the three-day conference, the study will be officially launched. The conference is expected
to bring together over 500 experts from 62 countries to discuss the challenges and opportunities in
microinsurance, while also focusing on how to build upon the current achievements. "One striking
issue highlighted in the study is that the vast majority of Africans with insurance coverage, that is to
say, close to 40 million people, are covered by life insurance.
"Other insurance products, related to health, agriculture, accident and property, are not as developed
on the continent, which is inconsistent with the demand, especially for health insurance," says
Stefan Nalletamby, Partnership Co-ordinator of MFW4A. In geographical terms, the study noted
that over 38 million of the insured people are concentrated in Southern and Eastern Africa, with
South Africa alone covering 27 million.
In Tanzania, the microinsurance sector is developing at a steady pace. "With 3.3 million people
covered by microinsurance, which represents a growth of around seven per cent in three years,
TIRA has been focusing its efforts on raising the awareness and benefits of insurance amongst the
poor, as well as working together with Access to Insurance Initiative (A2II) to stimulate the market
through new regulations," says Mr Israel Kamuzora, TIRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mr Kamuzora told the 'Daily News' over the weekend that it is for this reason that Munich Re
Foundation and MFW4A decided to convene the 8th International Microfinance Conference in
Tanzania. The TIRA chief said that microinsurance has bright prospects in Tanzania, where the
insurance market is growing at around 20 per cent annually, a rate which is three times the country's
gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
Mr Kamuzora noted that the key players in driving microinsurance include microfinance institutions
such as Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs), Vikoba, Pride and mobile phone
service providers including TIGO, Vodacom and Zantel. He said the telecom firms have agreements
for various insurance packages payable through airtime and other means. "This is working very
well," Mr Kamuzora explained.
He further said that TIRA's focus on microinsurance was in line with National Development Vision
2025 and National Strategy for Growth and Poverty Alleviation (MKUKUTA). Conference
organisers say, in Latin America and the Caribbean, another recent study identified over 40 million
low-income people covered by microinsurance, and the publication of the second edition of the
Microinsurance Compendium should continue to fuel additional interest in the sector.
"With nearly 220 organisations providing microinsurance in Africa, the study clearly shows the
rising interest in insuring the low-income market. "This is underlined by the fact that the conference
will welcome insurance regulatory and supervisory authorities from over 20 countries who will
pave the way for increasing outreach and improving client value," says Dirk Reinhard, ViceChairman of Munich Re Foundation and Board member of the Microinsurance Network.
According to ILO, lowincome households are vulnerable to risks and economic shocks and one way
for the poor to protect themselves is through insurance. "By helping low-income households
manage risk, microinsurance can assist them to maintain a sense of financial confidence even in the
face significant vulnerability.
"If governments, donors, development agencies and others are serious about combating poverty,
insurance has to be one of the weapons in their arsenal," says ILO in a recently published book
entitled: 'Protecting the poor : A microfinance compendium,' edited by Mr Churchill. Low-income
persons live in risky environments, vulnerable to numerous perils, including illness, accidental
deaths and disability, loss of property due to theft or fire, agricultural losses and disasters of both
natural and man-made varieties.
The poor are more vulnerable to many of these risks than the rest of the population, and they are the
least able to cope when the crisis does occur. ILO argues that on its own, cannot eliminate poverty.
Yet if it is available to poor women and men along with other risk-management tools, health and
life insurance for the poor can make valuable contribution to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs, established by the UN in early 2000s, provides more than 40 quantifiable indicators to
assess the progress made toward global economic and social development by 2015. The MDGs
serve as a development framework, helping to focus the attention of policy-makers, donors and
development practitioners on the most critical objectives. Microinsurance is now branching into
areas such as offering farmers policies against extreme weather.
Over 140 million people, mostly in Africa and Asia, are now covered by affordable insurance
premiums, and studies showed the potential market is up to three billion, according to the Munich
Re Foundation. Churchill was recently quoted as saying that more than half of microinsurance
products were focused on life and health while less than 10 per cent cover farms.
"We're still at the experimental stage in offering products that could cover agriculture," he said,
adding there was huge potential growth for such products, citing impacts of typhoons Ketsana and
Parma in the northern Philippines in late 2009. Those typhoons, and Typhoon Megi in October,
caused deaths, flooding, landslides, and damage to crops and infrastructure.
KENYA :
ANGOLA :
Angola: Sweden Ambassador Defends Greater Co-Operation With MPLA Woman Wing
5 November 2012/AngolaPress
Luanda — The Swedish Ambassador to Angola, Lena Sundh, on Monday defended a greater cooperation between Angola and her country, regarding matters related to women, Angop has learnt.
The diplomat presented her point of view during a meeting she had with members of the national
committee of the MPLA woman wing (OMA).
Lena Sundh also praised the work developed by OMA and deemed as important the collaboration
between the two countries, as Angolan women work hard for the growth of the country.
"Angola is a country that has been reconstructing itself with the support of women, as they always
showed that are capable, taking into account their active participation in the struggle for the
independence and currently the country's economic growth", she said.
AU/AFRICA :
Mali Islamists to meet crisis mediator
2012-11-06 /AFP
Ouagadougou - Representatives of Ansar Dine, one of the armed Islamist groups in northern Mali,
are to meet lead mediator Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore on Tuesday, as plans for military
action take shape.
Mediators are trying to get Ansar Dine to break ties with its jihadist allies - al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb (Aqim) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), long seen as an
Aqim splinter group.
The groups took over a large swathe of northern Mali in the wake of a March coup attempt in the
country's capital Bamako.
The 16-nation Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has demanded that Ansar
Dine end "terror and organised crime" in the region, abandon its allies and engage in a dialogue to
re-establish a unified Mali.
Burkinabe mediators on Monday pursued their talks with Ansar Dine for two hours, ahead of the
meeting between the group's delegates and Compaore, the lead mediator in Mali's ongoing crisis, at
16:00 pm (16:00 GMT).
'Good progress'
"We made good progress," Burkinabe Foreign Minister Djibrill Bassole said after the latest round of
talks in Burkina Faso's capital.
The Islamists will now have to open a dialogue with the Malian government and continue
consultations with the secular Tuareg group called the National Movement for the Liberation of
Azawad (MNLA) and communities in northern Mali to create an "inclusive process", Bassole
added.
So far the Ansar Dine delegates insist their group - made up mainly of Malian Tuareg like its chief,
Iyad Ag Ghaly - is independent from the two other groups, has not committed "any act of terrorism"
and favours a negotiated settlement to the crisis.
Experts finalising details for a military intervention said on Monday that non-African troops could
play a role in ousting the Islamic radicals from northern Mali, if African leaders agree to such a
plan.
"If African heads of state agree, there will be non-African troops on the ground to help Mali win
back its territory," an African official taking part in a meeting of international experts in Bamako
told AFP on the last day of the conference.
The official who spoke on condition of anonymity did not elaborate on where the troops would
come from.
Algeria hesitant to get involved
He said that the number of troops sent into Mali by Ecowas "could reach 4 000 instead of the
planned 3 000" and would be spread throughout the country.
He said delegates from Algeria had agreed not to give up the struggle against the armed Islamists,
who are backed by Aqim.
Algeria, with its superior military, counter-terrorism and intelligence capabilities, is seen as key to
any military operation but has been hesitant to get involved.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the north African heavyweight last week to lobby for
support in ousting the extremists, who Western powers fear may turn the vast desert zone into a
haven for terrorists.
They have already implemented a strict version of Islamic law, stoning and whipping transgressors,
and have destroyed "idolatrous" ancient cultural treasures.
The Bamako conference was attended by experts from Ecowas, the European Union, the African
Union, the United Nations and Algeria, who are helping Mali draw up a plan to be presented to the
UN on November 26.
Another delegate told AFP that the UN was expected to finance the bulk of the military operation.
West African leaders will meet in Abuja, Nigeria, on an as yet undecided date to approve the plan.
– AFP
UN/AFRICA :
UN Envoy visits Africa, seeking progress
Updated: 2012-11-06 /( Xinhua)
UNITED NATIONS - The UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher
Ross, is in Nouakchott, Mauritania, on Monday as part of his visit of Northern Africa and Europe, a
UN spokesman told reporters.
The UN envoy is visiting the region, hoping to facilitate progress in resolving the final status of the
long-disputed, Western Sahara territory, said Martin Nesirky, spokesperson for UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon, at a daily briefing.
According to Nesirky, the purpose of Ross' visit is to join in assessing the past five years of direct
negotiations, to solicit ideas on the best way to make real progress in the negotiating process, and
finally to review the impact of recent developments in the region on the Western Sahara dossier.
Western Sahara is bordered by Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco, whose people have yet to decide
between independence from Morocco or assimilation with the country.
The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) monitors a 1991
ceasefire between Morocco and the Saharawi liberation movement, the Polisario Front.
Though the ceasefire has generally held, a transitional period has not yet taken hold to implement
the settlement plan approved by the UN, which would ultimately allow its people to choose between
independence and integration.
Ross was also quoted as saying that the dispute over the final status of Western Sahara had gone on
long enough, and people of good will, wherever they may be, must rally urgently around a solution
that is honorable for all.
The UN Envoy, who began his visit to North Africa and Europe from Rabat, Morocco, on Oct 27,
also inspected refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, and visited Laayoune in Western Sahara,
according to Nesirky.
South Sudan Expels a U.N. Rights Officer
By JOSH KRON/nytimes.com/Published: November 5, 2012
KAMPALA, Uganda — South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan last year after
decades of civil war, has expelled a United Nations human rights officer after the government
objected to a report raising allegations of atrocities by South Sudan’s army.
Hilde F. Johnson, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, described the expulsion
as a “breach of the legal obligations” of South Sudan’s government “under the charter of the United
Nations.”
Human rights monitoring “must be protected,” Ms. Johnson said in a statement on Sunday. “Human
rights violations and discrimination were at the core of the South Sudanese struggle during decades
of civil war.”
The report, published by the United Nations in June, said South Sudan’s military had committed
widespread abuses while trying to disarm civilians in Jonglei State after a surge of ethnic violence.
South Sudan condemned the report as one-sided.
According to the United Nations statement, one of its human rights officers was recently given 48
hours to leave the country.
The officer — who was identified by a colleague outside the United Nations as Sandra Beidas — is
now in Entebbe, Uganda, according to the statement, “pending a decision on her future status.”
“This expulsion raises serious concerns,” said Jehanne Henry, a senior researcher for Human Rights
Watch in the region, “and we hope it does not represent a step backward for human rights in South
Sudan.”
“With so many challenges ahead, South Sudan needs to make sure it upholds and protects civil and
political rights,” Ms. Henry said.
Officials from South Sudan’s Information Ministry and the president’s office could not be reached
for comment.
Talks over Ms. Beidas had gone all the way to South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, the statement
said, but “the order has not been rescinded.”
For decades, South Sudan was the scene of a brutal civil war and ethnic fighting. The United States
helped broker a peace deal that led to independence. Since then, the United States has invested
hundreds of millions of dollars in the country and has even considered sending Peace Corps
volunteers.
But the generations of civil war have left a legacy of abuse.
Diplomats, researchers and police recruits have recounted cases of sexual assaults, torture and other
harsh treatment of police trainees, leading to numerous deaths. Last year, the South Sudanese police
beat up a United Nations human rights official, and last week they opened fire on secondary school
students, according to Reuters.
South Sudan’s security forces — a patchwork of national soldiers, local militiamen, intelligence
officers and police troops — have also been accused of abuses as the government tries to
consolidate control over South Sudan’s vast expanse of territory.
US/AFRICA :
CANADA/AFRICA :
AUSTRALIA/AFRICA :
EU/AFRICA :
CHINA/AFRICA :
INDIA/AFRICA :
South African man moves HC for daughter’s custody
TNN /timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ Nov 6, 2012
NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Monday issued notice to the city government and a US
national of Indian origin on her estranged South African husband's plea for the custody of their sixyear-old daughter. The husband claims she brought the child illegally to India.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S P Garg asked the Delhi government and the woman to
respond to the husband's petition and fixed it for hearing on December 13.
The court allowed the husband, who has come all the way from South Africa, to meet his daughter
at the US embassy. It said from November 6 to 10, the father would be allowed to meet his child
from 2.30pm to 4.30pm every day at the Delhi high court mediation centre and later, he can remain
in touch with her through "phone, email and skype."
In his plea the father argued their daughter was holding a South African Passport and she has been
brought "illegally" by his estranged wife to India. The couple got married in 2004 at a church in
South Africa where she was conducting research, the petition said.
The girl, born in 2006 at Goa also had an Indian Passport, which was valid till September last year
and has since not been renewed, the petition informed, adding that it was agreed by the spouses that
they would abide by the decisions by the African courts and authorities.
BRAZIL/AFRICA :
EN BREF , CE 06 Novembre 2012 ... AGNEWS/DAM,NY, 06/11/2012