AGENCIES

Zanzibar to compete for first time as EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kicks-off

Tuesday December 07 2021

Members of Parliament from East African Community member states celebrate as the 11th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kick off in Arusha, Tanzania, on December 6, 2021. PHOTO | MOSES HAVYARIMANA | NMG

Summary

The tournament plays a fundamental role in enabling EALA's interaction with members of the national parliaments, staff and citizens of East Africa.
The IPG is expected to last 14 days with competitions lined up for football, netball, athletics, tug-of-war, volleyball, walking race, golf, basketball and darts.

By MOSES HAVYARIMANA

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The East African Inter-Parliamentary Games kicked off on Monday with Zanzibar for the first time represented.

The 11^th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games are taking place in Arusha, Tanzania.

11th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games in Arusha, Tanzania.

Members of Parliament from East African Community member states celebrate as the 11th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kick off in Arusha, Tanzania, on December 6, 2021. PHOTO | MOSES HAVYARIMANA | NMG

While addressing the participants of the Inter-Parliamentary games, East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Martin Ngoga said the decision to allow Zanzibar to participate followed consultations with EAC member states.

“We first consulted with member states and they all agreed that Zanzibar should also participate and remember even in CECAFA Zanzibar participates as well,” he said.

Zanzibar hailed the EAC member states’ decision.

“We would like to thanks EAC member states for allowing us to participate in these games and we call on the EALA speaker to always invite us whenever possible,” said Hamza Hassan Juma, the chairperson of sports for Zanzibar House of Representatives.

The Games was officially opened by Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa under the theme “Strengthening Integration through Inter- Parliamentary Games in the Covid-19 era".

Members of Parliament from East African Community member states celebrate as the 11th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kick off in Arusha, Tanzania, on December 6, 2021. PHOTO | MOSES HAVYARIMANA | NMG

He said the government will have a vaccination booth near the playground for anyone wishing to get vaccinated.

“The government will provide vaccination of any type for those who wish to and a centre will be available near the playgrounds.

“We have seen now the Covid-19 variant so we are going to make sure whoever feels like he needs to be vaccinated can do it because Tanzania’s target is to get 90 percent of our people vaccinated,” Mr Majaliwa added.

According to EALA, almost 1,500 participants from Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar arrived in Arusha for the Inter-Parliamentary Games. Participants from South Sudan were expected to arrive on Tuesday.

The Inter-Parliamentary Games (IPG) are coordinated by the EALA on an annual basis. The IPG plays a fundamental role in enabling EALA's interaction with members of the national parliaments, staff and citizens of East Africa.

Members of Parliament from East African Community member states celebrate as the 11th EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games kick off in Arusha, Tanzania, on December 6, 2021. PHOTO | MOSES HAVYARIMANA | NMG

The IPG is expected to last 14 days with competitions lined up for football, netball, athletics, tug-of-war, volleyball, walking race, golf, basketball and darts.

“We have come here to claim our position in East Africa and we are going to win all the games as we did in 2019,” said Kenyan lawmaker Dan Wanyama.

Three MPs and three staff members from each Parliament participated in the curtain raiser game.

The curtain raiser games saw a football match between the EAC select team staff thrashing EAC select members 4-0, while in netball the EAC select staff defeated EAC select members 24-7.

The objectives of the Inter-Parliamentary Games include sensitising members, staff and citizens from all partner states on the EAC integration process and progress.

In the headlines

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Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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More than 600 women, girls abducted in Mozambique: HRW

Tuesday December 07 2021

A general view of a main street in Palma District, in Cabo Delgado, Northern Mozambique. According to Human Rights Watch, Mozambican and regional forces have rescued some abductees, but the whereabouts of many others remain unknown. FILE PHOTO | AFP

Summary

Since October 2017, Al-Shabab rebels have attacked numerous villages, killed more than 2,500 people, and destroyed extensive civilian property and infrastructure, including schools and health centers in Cabo Delgado.
The statement comes after HRW interviewed 37 people, including former abductees, their relatives, security sources, and government officials, and monitored media reports about, between August 2019 and October 2021.
Others have been sold to foreign fighters for between $600 to $1,800, abducted foreign women and girls, in particular, have been released after their families paid ransom.

By ARNALDO VIEIRA

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More than 600 women and girls have been kidnapped and enslaved in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province by an armed group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) since 2018, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Tuesday in a statement.

Since October 2017, Al-Shabab rebels have attacked numerous villages, killed more than 2,500 people, and destroyed extensive civilian property and infrastructure, including schools and health centers in Cabo Delgado.

More than 800,000 people have been displaced since April 2020, following an escalation in the violence.

According to HRW, Mozambican and regional forces have rescued some of them, but the whereabouts of many others remain unknown.

The statement comes after HRW interviewed 37 people, including former abductees, their relatives, security sources, and government officials, and monitored media reports about, between August 2019 and October 2021.

They told HRW that Al-Shabab abducted women and girls during attacks in various Cabo Delgado districts, including Mocímboa da Praia in March, June, and August 2020, and Palma in March 2021.

The group, known locally as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah (ASWJ) and Al-Shabab (or mashababos) forced younger, healthy-looking, and lighter-skinned women and girls in their custody to “marry” their fighters, who enslave and sexually abuse them, the lobby group said in a statement.

Others have been sold to foreign fighters for between $600 to $1,800, abducted foreign women and girls, in particular, have been released after their families paid ransom.

“Al Shabab’s leaders should immediately release every woman and girl in their captivity,” HRW quoted its Africa director Mausi Segun as saying.

“They should take all necessary steps to prevent rape and sexual abuse by their fighters, end child marriage, forced marriage, and the sale and enslavement of women and girls at their bases and areas of operation,” the statement further said.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

S. Africa to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Tuesday December 07 2021

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. PHOTO | PSCU

Summary

Under the new deal, brokered by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa following a state visit to the country by the President last month, it will now be the responsibility of Kenya to block all illegal migrants from entering South Africa from Kenya.
Kenya will also be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya, shifting the burden of curbing the flow of illegal migrants to Nairobi.
Tough South African visa restrictions for Kenyan travellers and traders have prevented free entry into South Africa and made it difficult to do business in South Africa for Kenyans.

By BRIAN NGUGI

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South Africa will deport all illegal migrants including from other nationals to Kenya as part of a new deal that will relax the current strict Visa restrictions for Kenyans.

Under the new deal, brokered by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa following a state visit to the country by the President last month, it will now be the responsibility of Kenya to block all illegal migrants from entering South Africa from Kenya.

Kenya will also be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya, shifting the burden of curbing the flow of illegal migrants to Nairobi.

South African Foreign minister Naledi Pandor said on Sunday Kenya and South Africa reached the deal about the deportation amid an increase of people from abroad to Kenya then driving to South Africa.

“We have now signed agreements on returning illegal entrants, so now we are moving towards granting an e-visa, which we have piloted in India and which is working quite well,” she was quoted saying by South Africa news outlet Daily Maverick.

“We have been saying to Kenya, ‘you have a responsibility to stop people’ because if you’re an asylum seeker, the first country they come to should be the one they remain in. They shouldn’t be crossing borders. We have agreed now that we can send [people] back if there is clear proof that they have been through Kenya.”

Tough South African visa restrictions for Kenyan travellers and traders have prevented free entry into South Africa and made it difficult to do business in South Africa for Kenyans.

The restrictions, which have remained a thorny issue for the two countries, include a Sh5,350 processing fee that takes at least five working days to process.

Kenyan Visa applicants must also provide sufficient proof of funds, return flight air tickets among others.

South African nationals on the other hand have it easier as they can get a Kenyan visa for free on arrival to the country.

South Africa exported Sh45.7 billion worth of goods to Kenya in 2020, against imports from Kenya of Sh3.48 billion signaling trade is heavily skewed in favour of South Africa amid the restrictions.

Kenya and South Africa set up a committee to deal with difficulties related to visas following a state visit by President Kenyatta.

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In the headlines

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

South Sudan: Jonglei conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 injured

Tuesday December 07 2021

South Sudan National Police Service officers sit on the back of a pickup truck while they patrol the streets of Juba on April 9, 2020. PHOTO | AFP

Summary

Most parts of the Greater Jonglei State have experienced communal and tribal violence, mainly caused by cattle raiding, child abduction, and grazing land.
Greater Jonglei authorities have in the past convened peace and reconciliation conferences to discuss how to curb attacks.

By DAVID MAYEN

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Juba,

At least 32 people have been killed and nine injured as a result of conflict in South Sudan’s Jonglei State in November alone, governor says.

In the report that featured six counties, Governor Denay Chagor said the incidents that left nine people injured were mainly linked to cattle raids and road ambushes.

“Several incidents in recent months have soared to an extent of an unimaginable rate. To mention a few, eight people were killed in Twic East County in November, with 44 head of cattle raided in Duk County, five people killed in Uror County, including a payam administrator.

“Five people were killed in Bor County, including two intellectuals who were travelling on a bike to Anyidi County. And at least 10 people were killed in Akobo County,” Mr Chagor said.

He said the state government condemns such attacks.

“I pay my sincere condolences to the affected families members who lost their loved ones. The government of Jonglei State remain committed to Peiri Peace Agreement and recent signed peace in Bor,” he added.

Most parts of the Greater Jonglei State have experienced communal and tribal violence, mainly caused by cattle raiding, child abduction, and grazing land.

Greater Jonglei authorities have in the past convened peace and reconciliation conferences to discuss how to curb attacks.

Continuous revenge attacks, cattle raiding, and child abduction in some areas persist, even after hundreds of dollars spent by donors on peace projects.

Livestock herding is the main source of income in many parts of Jonglei State.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down rebels blamed for Kampala attacks

Tuesday December 07 2021

The aftermath of a terror attack in Kampala, Uganda. Islamic State-linked militia, ADF, is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Summary

Early on the morning of November 30, Ugandan aircraft and artillery pounded areas where bases of the Allied Democratic Forces had been spotted.
While the Ugandan military is viewed with suspicion by some locals -- having been accused, along with Rwandan forces, of being a major destabilising factor in eastern DRC for decades, the failure of DRC forces to contain the armed groups has left little hope for a domestic-only solution.

By AFP

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Ugandan forces were on Monday shoring up supply routes into neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo where its army has set up an advance base to track down ADF rebels blamed for deadly attacks in Kampala.

Just before the entrance to Virunga Park in the east of the DRC, rows of army tents sprang up in the village of Mukakati.

About 13 kilometres (eight miles) from the base is the Nobili border crossing, through which columns of Ugandan soldiers, 4x4s, tarpaulin-covered trucks, tankers, armoured vehicles and heavy machine guns have been passing every day for almost a week, tearing up the dirt road.

On Monday morning, an AFP correspondent saw two earthmoving machines arrive in Nobili.

The road is "really not good", Major Peter Mugisa, an information officer, told Ugandan TV. "We need to halt a bit for a week... (and) try to open up the road so that our heavy vehicles can move forward."

There were also problems securing supplies of drinking water, he said.

Early on the morning of November 30, Ugandan aircraft and artillery pounded areas where bases of the Allied Democratic Forces had been spotted.

The ADF, which traces its origins back to Uganda and has been active since 1995 in the eastern DRC, where it is considered the most deadly of the armed groups operating in the region, is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

After the Ugandan jet strikes, both countries' armies said they were following up ground searches.

The Ugandan defence ministry said the joint operation was codenamed "Shujja" -- the strong one, in Swahili.

Even a 'devil'

While the Ugandan military is viewed with suspicion by some locals -- having been accused, along with Rwandan forces, of being a major destabilising factor in eastern DRC for decades, the failure of DRC forces to contain the armed groups has left little hope for a domestic-only solution.

Even "a devil" would be welcome if he brought peace and security, said Samy Kabonabe, the president of a local youth group.

"On the other hand, it is a failure of our Congolese military."

The North Kivu and Ituri regions have been under a state of siege for the past seven months, an exceptional measure that gives full power to the military but which has failed to curb the violence.

"We have suffered for a long time, we don't go to work our fields anymore" because of the insecurity, said Zawadi Pendeza, 34, adding that she is also happy to see the arrival of an army that seems experienced and well-equipped.

On the track linking Nobili to Mukakati, roadblocks were manned by soldiers from both armies, who checked travellers' papers and luggage.

On Monday afternoon, two officers, one Congolese and the other Ugandan, explained the operation and took questions from people in the centre of the village of Kamango, about eight km from Nobili.

"The message was that they had come to find the enemy," one resident said.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

Zimbabwe court clears journalist Hopewell Chin’ono of incitement charges

Tuesday December 07 2021

Journalist Hopewell Chin'ono is embraced by a supporter in Zimbabwe's capital Harare, on September 2, 2020. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP

Summary

Justice Musithu said the police were “on a fishing expedition” when they arrested Chin’ono and that the charges against him were unclear.
“It means my arrest and my case were trumped up as I have always argued,” Mr Chin’ono tweeted after his acquittal.
Mr Chin’ono, a fierce government critic, has been arrested at least three times in the last three years for sharing information that is deemed critical of the government.

By KITSEPILE NYATHI

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Zimbabwe's High Court has cleared prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who was facing charges of incitement over tweets deemed critical of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

High Court Judge Siyabona Musithu on Monday quashed the incitement charges against Mr Chin’ono, who was arrested in July last year ahead of street protests against government corruption that were brutally crushed by the military.

Justice Musithu said the police were “on a fishing expedition” when they arrested Chin’ono and that the charges against him were unclear.

“It means my arrest and my case were trumped up as I have always argued,” Mr Chin’ono tweeted after his acquittal.

“I spent the past 15 months in jails and courts for something that I didn’t do. It was cruel and tragic. This is the second case thrown out by the High Court from my three arrests.”

Mr Chin’ono, a fierce government critic, has been arrested at least three times in the last three years for sharing information that is deemed critical of the government.

He spent at least 40 days in prison for the incitement charges before he was released on bail.

The journalist has also been acquitted on two separate charges of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.

He is yet to be charged on a case where he is accused of obstructing justice after he exposed an alleged plot to set free a nephew of President Mnangagwa, who was arrested at the country’s main international airport for trying to smuggle gold to Dubai.

The President is accused of clamping down on critics using draconian laws that were enacted during the Robert Mugabe era.

He is also accused of going back on his promises to return Zimbabwe to democracy after years of authoritarianism under the late Mugabe.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

Four killed, 17 injured after building collapses in Tanzania

Tuesday December 07 2021

People search for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PHOTO | THE CITIZEN

By THE CITIZEN

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At least four people have died and 17 others injured after a building under construction collapsed in Goba in the outskirts Dar es Salaam on Monday.

The injured have been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Ubungo District Commissioner Kheri James said the building caused damage to houses that were close to it.

He said the search and rescue teams are going through the rubble looking for survivors.

“The Fire and Rescue force and other security organs are at the scene continuing to search for more survivors,” he said.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

Angolan doctors strike over working conditions, allowances

Tuesday December 07 2021

Angola has had an extremely poor public healthcare system attributed to the 27-year war which ended in 2002. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Summary

According to the National Union of Angolan Doctors (Sinmea), only "minimal services will be provided in the emergency and intensive care units, but infirmary activities and external consultations will be suspended countrywide" during the strike period.
Sinmea is also demanding the removal of the ban imposed on its head, Mr Adriano Manuel, who has been suspended from his job for a year and six months after he denounced the death of around 20 children in two days at the Pediatric Hospital of Luanda.
The government is yet to issue an official communication regarding the strike.

By ARNALDO VIEIRA

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Doctors in Angola went on a five-day strike beginning Monday to demand better working conditions, and allowances among other demands from the government.

According to the National Union of Angolan Doctors (Sinmea), only "minimal services will be provided in the emergency and intensive care units, but infirmary activities and external consultations will be suspended countrywide" during the strike period.

Last week, Sinmea held a meeting with authorities drawn from the Ministry of Health, but no positive resolution was reached.

Sinmea is also demanding the removal of the ban imposed on its head, Mr Adriano Manuel, who has been suspended from his job for a year and six months after he denounced the death of around 20 children in two days at the Pediatric Hospital of Luanda.

Last week, forty Russian doctors went on strike in Benguela province over 25-month salary payment arrears totalling to about $20 million.

Russian doctors are paid by the Zdravexport Group Company, a Russian company that operates in the country under a contract with the Ministry of Health.

The government is yet to issue an official communication regarding the strike.

Angola has had an extremely poor public healthcare system attributed to the 27-year war which ended in 2002.

The majority of the country’s population of 32 million people have limited access to medical care while the middle and higher class get their healthcare services from private healthcare providers.

According to the Usaid, Angola continues to struggle to improve child and maternal mortality rates, which are among the highest in the world: almost 1 in 5 children dies before the fifth birthday, and the maternal mortality rate is 610 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Malaria is widespread and the number one killer in the southern African country.

In the headlines

SA to deport illegal migrants to Kenya in deal with Uhuru

Nairobi will be required to take back the deported illegal migrants from South Africa who entered the country from Kenya.

Uganda shores up DRC base to hunt down ADF rebels

The ADF is responsible for the massacre of thousands of civilians, kidnappings and looting.

Four killed, 17 injured in Tanzania building collapse

Conflict leaves 32 dead, 9 hurt in South Sudan

Covid travel bans unfair for Africa: association

DRC court releases Tshisekedi's former aide

Uganda launches disarmament project

EU Covid travel bans against Africa are unfair: airline association

Tuesday December 07 2021

Travel bans on African countries over the Omicron variant is discriminatory and will negatively affect the aviation sector, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) says. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Summary

Official urges countries that have issued unilateral travel restrictions to revoke them and instead seek collaborative measures that will address the Covid challenge holistically.

By ANTHONY KITIMO

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European Union countries’ travel bans on African countries over the Omicron variant is discriminatory and will negatively affect the African aviation sector, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has said.

AFRAA Secretary General Abdérahmane Berthé said the move by some Western countries amount to stigmatisation of Africa, especially South Africa which is among countries to detect the virus in its land.

“Why target Africa when the virus is reported in other regions as well? Any attempts to stigmatise Africa through travel bans will not work. We should not confuse politics with science,” said Mr Berthé.

The secretary general urges all countries that have issued unilateral travel restrictions to revoke them and instead seek collaborative measures that will address the Covid challenge holistically.

“The Omicron variant is now detected in several regions of the world, yet the travel bans seem to be targeted at Africa. This is an affront to the global efforts to find an enduring solution. We will be better off confronting the virus if we work together for solutions and avoid discrimination,” said Mr Berthé.

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