LEON LIDIGU

Commonwealth boss Scotland praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Friday August 19 2022

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. PHOTO | COURTESY | COMMONWEALTH

Summary

Ms Scotland also praised the transparency of the electoral process, while acknowledging the concerns that have been raised by some IEBC commissioners, and the impending court case challenging the results declared by Mr Chebukati.

By VINCENT OWINO

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Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has lauded Kenya’s top presidential candidates for their commitment to uphold peace despite a dispute over the electoral results.

On Thursday, a delegation of US legislators led by Senator Chris Coons held talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, President-elect William Ruto and presidential contender Raila Odinga in separate meetings, where all three leaders affirmed their commitment to peace.

Ms Scotland said in a statement Thursday that she has personally spoken to Wafula Chebukati, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga.

“I am reassured that the rule of law will be respected and pleased to hear that all sides are committed to ensuring peace and letting the process play out in the court of law,” she said.

Read: Kenya election: Officials assure country of security

Ms Scotland also praised the transparency of the electoral process, while acknowledging the concerns that have been raised by some IEBC commissioners, and the impending court case challenging the results declared by Mr Chebukati.

Following the declaration of Dr Ruto as President-elect having won the election with 50.49 percent of the valid votes cast, four IEBC commissioners disputed the results, claiming that the chairperson conducted the last phase of the tallying process without transparency.

Mr Odinga, who came second with 40.85 percent, has also disputed the results, and has vowed to challenge them in the Supreme Court.

“Whatever the outcomes of that process, I trust and know that democracy will win the day and this is something all Kenyans should indeed be proud of,” Ms Scotland said.

Read: Explainer: What next after William Ruto-Raila Odinga Kenya election results stalemate

Also read: Observer group's parallel tally almost similar to IEBC results

“I look forward to supporting the people of Kenya as we follow up on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Observer Group in the coming months, and seek ways for the Commonwealth to enhance its engagement with Kenya.”

The Commonwealth of Nations, which is an association of 56 countries majority of which are the United Kingdom’s current and former territories, had sent an observer mission to Kenya’s August 9 polls, headed by former president of Botswana, Festus Mogae.

Read: African leaders congratulate William Ruto for winning Kenyan election

Also read: Truckers resume regional operations after Kenya elections hitch

Ms Scotland, a British national, has been serving as the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth since 2018, and won a second 4-year term during the election held at the Heads of State and Government meeting in Rwanda’s capital Kigali in June.

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Kenyatta, Ruto and Odinga commit to peace after talks with US delegation

Thursday August 18 2022

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Delaware Senator Chris Coons on August 18, 2022. PHOTO | PSCU

By VINCENT OWINO

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President Uhuru Kenyatta has committed to fostering peace in the transition period following his meeting with a delegation of US legislators led by Senator Chris Coons on Thursday.

The delegation also met with President-elect William Ruto and his rival Raila Odinga at separate meetings in Nairobi.

The US delegation led by Senator Chris Coons when they met President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on August 18, 2022. PHOTO | US EMBASSY IN NAIROBI

President Kenyatta said the country would “remain steadfast in entrenching the principles of good governance to ensure the country upholds its position of a shining example of democracy in the continent by maintaining peace during this transition period.”

The US lawmakers applauded Mr Kenyatta’s leadership for ensuring peace and stability during the election period.

Read: Truckers resume operations after Kenya polls hitch

“My greatest desire is that peace will prevail and we may set an example in the continent and the world,” President Kenyatta said in a statement after the meeting.

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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday met and held discussions with visiting US Senator Chris Coons who paid him a courtesy call at State House Nairobi.

Read more: https://t.co/u9wPcVkVlF pic.twitter.com/dGHZY8H44o
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) August 18, 2022

Ruto meeting

The US delegation led by Senator Chris Coons when they met President-elect William Ruto and his team at Karen, Nairobi, on August 18, 2022. PHOTO | US EMBASSY IN NAIROBI

The delegation earlier met with Dr Ruto alongside core principles in his Kenya Kwanza Alliance and discussed “US-Kenya strategic partnership, promotion of peace and ways to strengthen both economies.”

“We commit to deepen relations and further partnerships for the mutual benefit of the citizens of our two countries,” Dr Ruto tweeted after the meeting.

Held talks with Congressional Delegation from the United States led by Delaware Senator Chris Andrew Coons in the company of @USAmbKenya at the Karen Office, Nairobi County. pic.twitter.com/r0ZYEB4HOx
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 18, 2022

The delegation, which landed in the country on Wednesday night, also met Raila Odinga, who came second in the recently concluded general election, whose results he has rejected. They discussed developments on the polls and “shared democratic values.”

The US delegation led by Senator Chris Coons when they met Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga and his team in Nairobi, on August 18, 2022. PHOTO | US EMBASSY NAIROBI

Mr Odinga, accompanied by his running mate Martha Karua and Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyongo, said they reiterated their “commitment to pursuing legal means to resolve issues around the election results.”

Mr Odinga has disputed the results of the elections in which he garnered 48.85 percent of the valid votes against DP Ruto’s 50.49 percent. They had earlier said they would challenge the outcome through constitutional means.

Also read: Kenya election: Officials assure country of security

Handshake

Mr Coons was instrumental in the famous 2018’ handshake’ between President Kenyatta and his then political foe, Mr Odinga, which brought a ‘ceasefire’ during Kenyatta’s last term. President Kenyatta subsequently endorsed Mr Odinga to succeed him.

Mr Coons is a member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and is currently leading a congressional trip to Africa that constitutes two other senators and three US House of Representatives members.

The delegation has already visited Cape Verde and Mozambique. After Kenya, the team heads to Rwanda a week following US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s visit for talks on the tensions with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Read: Blinken attaches security, rights to conditions for trade with Africa

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Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

South Africa's Julius Malema urges Raila to accept election outcome

Thursday August 18 2022

South Africa's Julius Malema, a leader of opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), at parliament in Cape Town on February 13, 2020. He has urged Kenya's Raila Odinga to accept the poll results. PHOTO | AFP

By HILARY KIMUYU

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Julius Malema, the feisty leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, has urged Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga to accept the poll results.

The outspoken politician implored Mr Odinga, who finished second in last week’s election, to concede defeat and contain his supporters.

Read: African leaders congratulate William Ruto for winning Kenyan election

Speaking at a joint press briefing of South Africa's opposition parties on Wednesday, Mr Malema said it was a “shame” that Mr Odinga had lost presidential elections five times.

“I think it is time for him to throw in the towel and try a different candidate. Perhaps there could be a different outcome. This is the fifth time, it can’t be done beyond this, he needs to accept and move on,” he said.

He said that Kenyans must accept the results, because “it is what it is”.

“With highly contested elections, and with such a very close outcome, you are likely to have people who are not satisfied. It comes with the nature of the game,” Mr Malema said.

“Kenyans must prioritise and protect Kenya and must protect democracy. They must love their country more than loving individuals.”

Also read: Explainer: What next after William Ruto-Raila Odinga Kenya election results stalemate

Mr Malema’s call comes as nine ambassadors and high commissioners from European countries and Canada Wednesday jointly lauded the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on how it conducted the elections.

In a statement, the ambassadors said Kenya’s electoral process had set a standard for the African continent.

“Kenya has set an example to the region and continent as a whole. We call upon all actors to uphold the spirit of peace in the coming weeks,” the statement read.

The nine represent Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

They encouraged political parties and leaders to follow the existing mechanisms for resolving disputes as guided by the Constitution.

On Monday, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced William Ruto as the President-elect after he garnered 7.1 million votes, about 50.5 per cent of the total votes cast.

Mr Odinga came in second with 6.9 million votes, about 48.85 per cent.

But Mr Odinga has rejected the results and said he would explore legal and constitutional avenues to challenge the outcome.

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Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

US delegation to meet Raila, Ruto amid elections result dispute

Thursday August 18 2022

US Senator Chris Coons with US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman in Nairobi on August 17, 2022. PHOTO | COURTESY

By VINCENT OWINO

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An American delegation of legislators has arrived in Nairobi and is expected to meet President-elect William Ruto, his main rival Raila Odinga, and President Uhuru Kenyatta amid the disputed presidential election results.

The delegation, led by US senator from Delaware, Chris Coons, landed in the country Wednesday night and was received by Meg Whitman, the US Ambassador to Kenya.

Read: Officials assure Kenya of security as Raila rejects election results

Mr Coons has toured Nairobi twice in the last five years and was instrumental in 2017 in pushing for a rapprochement between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his then political enemy Odinga, which led to their famous handshake in 2018.

He would return again in 2020 at a famous prayer breakfast in Nairobi that Odinga, Kenyatta and Ruto attended, and which signalled the end of ethnic divisions in what they called Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

According to Ms Whitman, the US delegation will meet the Kenyan leaders “to discuss shared goals – health, security, and economic prosperity.”

Also read: Observer group's parallel tally almost similar to IEBC results

The meetings come at a time when Odinga, a frontrunner in the concluded presidential election, has disputed the declaration of his main rival, Ruto, as the President-elect, saying the electoral commission unlawfully announced the results.

Dr Ruto was declared President-elect by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati, having garnered 50.49 percent of the valid votes cast against Odinga’s 48.85 percent.

Four commissioners of the electoral body, including the Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, have also disputed the results, saying the last phase of the tallying process was done without transparency, causing a split in the commission.

Odinga’s coalition says it will challenge Ruto’s victory in court and are already collecting evidence of election malpractice to back their case.

The US embassy in Kenya on Monday congratulated Kenyans on the peaceful completion of the electoral process and commended the IEBC for organising a “peaceful and orderly voting and counting process”.

Also read: African leaders congratulate William Ruto for winning Kenyan election

“Going forward, we urge all parties to work together to peacefully resolve any remaining concerns about this election through existing dispute resolution mechanisms,” the embassy said in a statement.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who had just returned from a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, commended the electoral process in Kenya, terming it “a model for the continent.”

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Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

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Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Kenyan schools reopen amid disruption of calendar due to elections

Thursday August 18 2022

Students on August 17, 2022 board a bus in Mombasa headed to Kendu Bay, western Kenya, in readiness for the August 18 reopening of schools. PHOTO | KEVN ODIT | NMG

By VALERIE KOGA

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Schools in Kenya re-opened on Thursday following a nationwide two-week break to allow for the country's general elections.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha had ordered schools closed on August 2, 2022 as the country prepared for the August 9 General Election. Many schools were used as polling stations.

Students on August 17, 2022 wait to board a bus in Mombasa headed to Kendu Bay, western Kenya, in readiness for the August 18 reopening of schools. PHOTO | KEVN ODIT | NMG

The learning institutions were to reopen on August 11, but the resumption date was postponed twice--first to August 15 then again to August 18--as the the country awaited the announcement of the presidential results.

On Monday, August 15, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced William Ruto as the winner of the presidential election.

In Nairobi, students and parents were seen at various bus stations as the students returned to school.

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Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Friday August 19 2022

An Ethiopian Airlines plane. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By AMINA WAKO

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By Nyaboga Kiage

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An Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane missed its landing and overflew the runway at the Bole International Airport after its two pilots fell asleep.

On Monday, Flight 343, a Boeing 737-800, was flying from Khartoum, Sudan, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, The Aviation Herald reported.

According to the aviation publication, the pilots woke up after the autopilot system disconnected, setting off an alarm. They made another approach and landed the plane safely.

Data from flight radar shows that the plane failed to start its descent as it approached the airport. The autopilot system kept the aircraft cruising at 37,000 feet (11,200m).

“[Air traffic control] tried to contact the crew numerous times without success,” The Aviation Herald reported.

Commenting on the incident on Friday, Ethiopian Airlines said the plane “temporarily lost communication with Addis Ababa Air Traffic Control” but landed safely after contact was restored.

“The concerned crew have been removed from operation pending further investigation. Appropriate corrective action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation. Safety has always been and will continue to be our first priority,” the airline said.

The aviation surveillance system ADS-B data confirmed the incident, showing that the aircraft had overflown the runway.

Air traffic control directs the aircraft for landing by issuing instructions to change the direction of flight, height and speed until the plane can begin its approach to the runway.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras termed the incident “deeply concerning” and blamed pilot fatigue for the incident.

“Pilot fatigue is nothing new and continues to pose one of the most significant threats to air safety - internationally,” he added.

In April, Italian carrier ITA Airways pilots were reported to have fallen asleep on a flight from New York to Rome. Investigators discovered that one of the pilots was sleeping during his break, but the captain also fell asleep.

Air traffic controllers told investigators they lost contact with the Airbus 330 plane as it flew 38,000 feet over France for about 10 minutes. Amid fears of a terror incident, they prepared fighter jets to intercept the aircraft, but the pilots eventually responded.

In the headlines

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

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UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Ethiopia, South Sudan sign security cooperation agreements

Friday August 19 2022

Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau of South Sudan Akor Kor Cook and National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia Temesgen Tiruneh sign security cooperation agreements in the presence of other officials. PHOTO | COURTESY | FANA BROADCASTING

By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE

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Ethiopia and South Sudan on Wednesday signed security cooperation agreement to jointly fight terrorism, armed groups and organised crime in the region.

The agreement was signed by the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, and the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau of South Sudan, Akor Kor Cook.

The agreement states that “the countries will work together to control and take action against terrorist groups, rebel forces, armed groups and organised criminals who have taken the mission to disrupt peace and security in the border areas and destabilise the East African region.”

In addition, the two countries will work together to prevent illegal arms trafficking, organised crime in the border area, drug trafficking, economic fraud and information technology related crimes.

South Sudan’s Security Affairs Adviser Tut Gatluak Manime said the agreement commits the two countries to exchange information; conduct exchange visits; and enhance training, capacity building and information on immigration, counter-terrorism and border crossing crimes.

“We conveyed the message of assurance of unflinching cooperation and coordination of issues of mutual concern and benefit to the citizens of the two countries,” he said.

According to Ethiopia’s spy agency, the agreement will further strengthen the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The two countries also signed a deal to cooperate with the Civil, Citizenship, Passport and Immigration Registration Directorate of South Sudan Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This will enable the two countries to work together to ensure the activities of their citizens are peaceful and their freedom is guaranteed.

The agreement will also play a significant role in ensuring that the activities carried out, especially at the border, protect the social and economic benefits of the citizens of the two countries.

On Monday, the South Sudanese high-level delegation led by Presidential Advisor General Kong Titipip Gatluak, along with senior security and civil officials, visited the construction site of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

After visiting the site, the South Sudanese delegation said the Nile dam project will play an instrumental role for regional integration through the supply of electricity.

“After witnessing the GERD’s construction site, we found that the dam is a large project and can provide all neighbouring countries with electricity...We have really seen a very big job,” Manime told state media.

The South Sudanese official urged Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt to resume stalled talks over the Nile dam filling.

Ethiopia’s Defense Minister Abraham Belay said, “The dam we are building is not only for Ethiopia but also for Africa. The rumours about the dam and the reality on the ground are totally different. The countries of the river basin should also understand that this dam ensures mutual benefit. For instance, our Grand Renaissance Dam has two bottom outlets for the purpose of downstream countries so that they can get water throughout the year.”

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Sierra Leone violence signals divided nation

Friday August 19 2022

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio. PHOTO | POOL

By KEMO CHAM

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In a commercial taxi, a WhatsApp voice note played by a passenger suddenly became the subject of discussion. The voice note was that of a man known as Adebayo, a Europe-based Sierra Leonean who has become the defacto mouthpiece for Sierra Leoneans who are unhappy with the administration of President Julius Maada Bio.

Besides the economy, one thing Bio has not been able to address since assuming power in April 2018 has been unifying the country. And Adebayo, whose real name has been the subject of speculation, has exploited this to his advantage, further dividing the country along ethnic and geopolitical lines.

Those who listen to him, and they do so religiously, say Adebayo is endearing to them because only he appears to understand their concerns, like the hardship in the country and the alleged human rights violations opposition supporters face in the hands of the police.

While all this makes sense, Adebayo also employs a strategy that has let many other Sierra Leoneans distance themselves from him, at least in public - his use of unprintable languages on his targets who are mostly government officials and their supporters. His audios have the ultimate effect of setting a wedge between the country’s two largest ethnic groups: Temnes and Mendes.

President Bio’s failure to unify Sierra Leone is as much his own fault as it is his political opponents, especially the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), which Adebayo identifies with.

While the APC has given him no chance to reach out to them, the president too has hardly shown any convincing sign of wanting to do so.

The 2018 election was one of the hotly contested presidential polls in Sierra Leone’s history. And it was characterised by ethnic tensions. Bio’s Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)-led administration has done little, if anything, to win over the other side who, from the onset, felt sidelined.

The two parties have dominated politics in the country since 1961 when it attained self-rule from Britain. In keeping with the political trend of winner-takes-all, many APC supporters lost their jobs, as their SLPP counterparts took over.

The experiences of these people are what Adebayo has exploited.

Although the APC has in the past distanced itself from his comments, all his audience are APC supporters. And the government and its supporters say the opposition party has not done enough to stop its supporters from taking Adebayo seriously. Some ruling party supporters believe the APC uses Adebayo as a proxy, to say things they can't say in public.

In the APC’s northern stronghold city of Makeni, it is common to see people gather at one location listening to Adebayo’s weekly voice notes. “You journalists, including SLBC (state broadcaster), have failed us. You don’t tell us the truth. That is why we rely on Adebayo. Anything he says happens,” a Makeni resident and fervent listener of Adebayo recently told me.

Three deadly riots that have happened in the last four years have all been linked to Adebayo. He either predicted them or he spoke about issues that led to them in ways that the authorities considered incitement.

First, on April 30th, 2020 one person died after Police clashed with youths who went on the rampage in the northern Lunsar Town over the cancellation of the license of a major miner, leading to job losses.

The following month, May, a riot broke out in the fishing town of Tombo, in the Western Area, when youths protested strict Covid-19 restrictions. Two people were killed in that incident which also saw the only hospital in the community and a nearby police station burnt down.

Then, in Makeni, the defacto base of the APC, five people died when youths attempted to prevent officials of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority from transferring a generator to the nearby airport town of Lungi in Port Loko District in July that same year. Two months after that, in October, in the same Makeni, angry youths created a scene when they blocked major highways in an effort to prevent officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission from accessing the home of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was under investigation for alleged corruption.

With the continued economic hardships and the administration’s failure to address them, Adebayo’s popularity only grew. When rumors of a planned protest circulated on social media, everyone knew that it was just a matter of time before the next disaster occurred, except, of course, the authorities.

As usual, the police only issued a statement warning against any attempt to stage an unauthorized protest. The organizers, who never identified themselves, called for a three-day protest.

The first day was Monday, August 8. The police deployed heavily across major towns in the country. While there was no protest, the city was abandoned, with most businesses shut down for fear of an outbreak of violence. For supporters of the protest, that was a victory.

On Wednesday, no one expected things to get any worse until pictures of clashes between police and youths began appearing on social media platforms. As of Thursday evening, a preliminary report released by the Sierra Leone Police indicated that four police officers had died. It didn’t mention anything about civilian deaths.

Media reports, however, indicated that at least 10 civilians may have died.

New images of events are still popping up on social media, revealing horrible details of human rights violations by the security forces. In one such video, two armed security men are seen holding an armless civilian and a third one kicking him and later hitting him with his gun.

The protesters too were visibly excessive. A video of youths beating a police officer to death and abandoning his half-naked body in a pile of debris is a sad reminder to much older Sierra Leoneans of the dark days of the 1991-2002 civil war.

The authorities have issued a statement, as though seeking to prevent furthering release of revealing images. The statement from the National Cyber Security Coordination Center warned against sharing “incendiary” information with possible charges of cyber terrorism for anyone found doing it.

According to the police report, a total of 10 police stations were either vandalized or burnt down. Some private properties of police officers were also destroyed. Two govt buses, three government buildings, plus a warehouse, were also burnt down, it further notes. And 113 demonstrators were arrested.

Wednesday’s incident was a test for the new Sierra Leone Police chief, William Fayia Sellu. He was appointed just about 10 days earlier. IGP Sellu’s predecessor, Ambrose Sovula, was accused of heavy-handedness in policing, just like all his predecessors.

The government is treating the incident as an attempt to remove it from power. Top government officials, including Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and Foreign Minister David Francis, have both been quoted saying so.

President Bio himself, in a BBC interview on Thursday, said the incident was “terrorism at the highest” level.

The next few days will be interesting to watch and see what happens.

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Friday August 19 2022

Migrants at at the border Zimbabwe-South Africa border in a past photo. Zimbabwean police have detained 86 Malawians suspected trying to cross into South Africa illegally. PHOTO | FILE

By KITSEPILE NYATHI

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Zimbabwean police have detained 86 Malawians suspected trying to cross into South Africa illegally as cases of human trafficking continue to rise.

Zimbabwe is a major transit corridor for African immigrants trying to reach South Africa, the continent’s major economy, to seek refuge.

Police on Friday said the 86 Malawians were found in a house in a town near Zimbabwe’s border with Mozambique.

Another three Malawians were arrested while trying to leave Zimbabwe after entering the country from South Africa.

“On August 15, police in Murewa arrested 86 foreign nationals comprising 76 males and 10 females for entering the country without travel documents,” the Zimbabwe Republic Police said in a statement.

“The suspects were intercepted at a house in a medium density suburb in Murewa after being assisted by a local transporter.

“On August 16, detectives in Murewa arrested three foreign nationals in Murewa who were hitch-hiking from South Africa en-route to (the) Nyamapanda (border post) without following laid down custom and exercise procedures.”

Police said another group of 82 illegal immigrants were arrested near the city of Gweru in central Zimbabwe on August 17, but he did not state their nationalities.

In its monitoring report for July, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Zimbabwe said it had observed that most of the people who left the country that month used illegal entry points.

“The majority of outflows were through irregular crossing points whilst inflows were mostly through formal crossing points,” IOM said in the report released on Friday.

“Out of the total immigrants observed, 58 percent were males whilst 46 percent were females.

“Seventy percent of these migrants were between the ages of 20 and 49 with the majority travelling to conduct short-term local economic activities.”

At the height of national lockdowns to control the spread of Covid-19, IOM said it had identified at least 21 illegal crossing points along the porous border between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In June, Zimbabwean police and their South African counterparts destroyed a makeshift bridge that was constructed over the Limpopo River, which was used by smugglers and illegal immigrants.

It was the second makeshift bridge to be destroyed along the same river this year.

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Weakening shilling pushes up Kenya’s debt by $4.1b

Friday August 19 2022

A trader at Muthurwa market in Kenya's capital Nairobi counting money after the day’s sales. The shilling has continued weakening against other major currencies and this has led to higher prices of commodities and increased overall cost of living in the country. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

By PETER MBURU

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Kenya’s depreciating currency cost the country nearly half a trillion shillings on the external public debt burden alone, eroding the government’s efforts to pay external lenders.

The shilling, which continues to present a challenge to the economy mainly in servicing of external debts and importation of goods by businesses, devalued by 9.3 per cent from 107.85 units by end of June 2021 to 117.83 by June 30 this year.

A new report by the National Treasury shows that while Kenya’s external debt stock – in dollar terms – reduced by five per cent from $37.1 billion to $35.3 billion in the year to June 2022, in Kenyan shilling terms it increased by Ksh156 billion ($1.3 billion), to Ksh4.16 trillion ($34.7 billion).

“The increase in the public debt is attributed to external loan disbursements, exchange rate fluctuation and the uptake of domestic debt during the period,” Treasury stated in the 2021/22 last quarterly budget and economic review report. The increase in the external debt burden was despite the government’s spending to service loans from other countries, multilateral lenders and foreign commercial banks.

External lenders

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, Treasury reported that taxpayers paid a total of Ksh305.3 billion ($25.5 billion) to external lenders. This shows the full impact of the depreciated currency on the external debt burden in the last financial year alone totalled Ksh461 billion ($38.5 billion), or at least 12 per cent of the country’s 2021/22 budget.

“By the end of June 2022, the total cumulative debt service payments to external creditors amounted to Ksh305.3 billion ($25.5 billion). This comprised Ksh184.5 billion ($15.4 billion) (60.4 per cent) principal and Ksh120.8 billion ($10.1 billion) (39.6 per cent) interest,” Treasury stated.

The government spent the highest amount Ksh152 billion ($12.7 billion) on repayments to commercial lenders, bilateral lenders Ksh102 billion ($8.5 billion) and multilateral lenders Ksh51 billion ($ 4.3 billion). Yet the multilateral lenders’ debt stock still rose by Ksh265 billion ($22.1 billion), commercial lender’s debt stock was only reduced by Ksh74 billion ($6.2 billion) and bilateral lenders’ by Ksh30 billion ($2.5 billion).

Had the shilling remained at 107.85 units in the mean exchange rate as was the case by end of June 2021, the external debt stock by end of June 2022 would have been Ksh3.8 trillion ($ 2.5 trillion).

External public debt

“In dollar terms, external public debt stock declined by US$1.8 billion from US$37.08 billion by end of June 2021 to US$35.26 billion by the end of June 2022. This comprised debt owed to multilateral (46.3 per cent), bilateral (26.6 per cent), commercial banks (26.8 per cent), and Suppliers Credit (0.3 per cent),” Treasury stated.

The amount by which the debt reduced is equivalent to Ksh214.6 billion ($17.9 billion), by June 30, 2022 exchange rate terms.

The punishing cost of the depreciating currency, which has remained on an accelerated devaluation trend for months now, is not only being felt by taxpayers while servicing the external debts but also by businesses while importing goods since they have to purchase dollars first.

In recent months, companies have complained of an acute shortage and high cost of dollars in the market, with some being forced to scale down operations.

The ultimate victim is the final consumer, as businesses pass on the cost when setting prices. This has led to higher prices of commodities and increased overall cost of living in the country.

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Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Commonwealth boss Scotland praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Friday August 19 2022

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland. PHOTO | COURTESY | COMMONWEALTH

Summary

Ms Scotland also praised the transparency of the electoral process, while acknowledging the concerns that have been raised by some IEBC commissioners, and the impending court case challenging the results declared by Mr Chebukati.

By VINCENT OWINO

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Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has lauded Kenya’s top presidential candidates for their commitment to uphold peace despite a dispute over the electoral results.

Ms Scotland said in a statement Thursday that she has personally spoken to Wafula Chebukati, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Ruto and Mr Odinga.

“I am reassured that the rule of law will be respected and pleased to hear that all sides are committed to ensuring peace and letting the process play out in the court of law,” she said.

Read: Kenya election: Officials assure country of security

Mr Odinga, who came second with 40.85 percent, has also disputed the results, and has vowed to challenge them in the Supreme Court.

“Whatever the outcomes of that process, I trust and know that democracy will win the day and this is something all Kenyans should indeed be proud of,” Ms Scotland said.

Read: Explainer: What next after William Ruto-Raila Odinga Kenya election results stalemate

Also read: Observer group's parallel tally almost similar to IEBC results

Read: African leaders congratulate William Ruto for winning Kenyan election

Also read: Truckers resume regional operations after Kenya elections hitch

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

SHORT STORY: Ambushed during dinner

Friday August 19 2022

Tamera suddenly pulled up her already short dress to reveal a thigh holster from where she pulled and levelled a pistol at Ronald. ILLUSTRATION | JOHN NYAGA | NMG

By NADYA SOMOE

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Tamera was in a hurry, but she was going to take her time. She said this sentence to herself in her mind and smiled, she liked contradictory things. Humming a repetitive tune, she proceeded to pick items carefully off shelves and add them to her full basket.

The supermarket was busy with late evening shoppers, tired-looking women and a few disgruntled men, seemingly under duress, lethargically but determinedly walking the aisles. Tamera’s perky mood stood out sorely, as she lined up with the other shoppers, humming her song under her breath, tapping her foot in tandem with the beat.

“Having a party?” the lady at the checkout counter asked as she packed Tamera’s groceries into a bag.

“No…Yes,” Tamera smiled, a smile that stretched her brightly painted red lips wide across her pretty face, “I’m cooking Ronald, my husband, a nice dinner,” she blushed as she handed the lady her credit card, oblivious to the strange look she received as the lady glanced down at her left hand, which was devoid of any jewellery.

The house was dark as Tamera parked her car across the street from it under a low-hanging blooming purple bougainvillea tree. Humming still, her arms full of groceries, she walked quickly to the house and retrieved a key from a potted plant hung from the veranda roof; that was swinging softly in a gentle night breeze.

The house was silent as she went in quietly, making her way carefully in the darkness to the kitchen at the back of the house, where she turned on a single light after gingerly closing the kitchen door. Then with a sigh, she smoothed her thick hair back, tucking a few stray tendrils into her bun, and began to cook.

Tamera was an excellent cook. She could’ve been a chef if she’d wanted to. She had a knack for imagining flavours and knowing exactly how to create them, mixing herbs and spices with a disregard for measurements and recipes, managing to create one-of-a-kind dishes that melted on the palate and left you wanting more.

She hummed as she stirred, chopped, fried, boiled and roasted; mountains of crispy potatoes with soft steaming centres, thick juicy cuts of meat dripping in fragrant gravy and surrounded by a colourful mess of perfectly cooked vegetables, incredibly fluffy rice flavoured with coconut milk, its white colour in stark contrast to the deep brown of sticky barbequed chicken garnished with deep fried onion rings and shavings of garlic in the dish next to it.

Tamera stood back and admired her work for a moment, a hazy look glazing over her eyes as she thought how happy Ronald would be. Almost as if her thoughts had summoned him, she heard a car in the driveway.

Ronald had a long day at work, and a tough one at that. He felt brain dead as he dragged himself out of the plush interior of his car, shivering as the chill outside hit him, bowing his head against its icy kiss as he hurried to the front door of his home and fumbled with his key. But the door was already open.

Strange, he was sure he’d locked it…but ah yes! His housekeeper must’ve left it open, she was usually very careful about things like that, but as he stepped into the warmth of his home and smelt the delicious wafting aromas, his worries dispelled immediately. His housekeeper rarely cooked, he had a chef for that, but she’d once surprised him with her famous barbequed chicken, and right now, its garlicky goodness was thick in the air.

Ronald pushed open the kitchen door, an expectant wide smile on his face as he prepared his compliments and thanks, then stared in shock as he was met with a counter lined end to end with food, and a brown haired siren with red lips and slanted eyes.

“Happy anniversary hun!” Tamera run round the counter and threw herself into the arms of a stunned Ronald, kissing him lightly on the cheek, leaving a stamp like smear of her lipstick on him, “I hope you’re hungry,” she winked as she hurried back around the counter to pull off her apron and hung it up.

“What?” Ronald was drooling, not from the scents of the mounds of delicacies surrounding him, but from a shock that had his jaw on the floor.

“Darling, I said I hope you’re hungry,” Tamera whipped around to face him, her smile fixed squarely on as if it were painted, “Sit down and eat, I’ve been cooking for hours,” her eyes were daggers pinning him in place.

“Who…” Ronald stuttered as he stared into Tamera’s wild eyes.

“Ronald,” Tamera moved forward and he flinched, “I cooked it, I just said so,” she poked her lower lip out, pouting at him, “Now, sit down and try it.”

“Forget the food!” Ronald screamed at the bizarre nature of the situation he found himself in, “I meant who are you!? What are you doing in my house and…”?

His shouts tapered off as Tamera suddenly pulled up her already short dress to reveal a thigh holster from where she pulled and levelled a pistol at him.

“Ronald darling,” her smile hadn’t faltered, “I said sit down and eat.”

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

Deadly wildfires contained in Algeria

Friday August 19 2022

A burnt forest in Algeria's city of el-Kala on August 17, 2022. Since the beginning of August, almost 150 blazes have destroyed hundreds of hectares (acres) of forest in Algeria. PHOTO | AFP

By AFP

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Wildfires that killed at least 38 people and left a trail of destruction in northeastern Algeria this week have now been contained, a civil defence official told AFP on Friday. "All of the fires have been completely brought under control," said fire brigade Colonel Farouk Achour, of the civil defence department.

Since the beginning of August, almost 150 blazes have destroyed hundreds of hectares (acres) of forest in Africa's largest country. Algeria's forests have become the scene of hard-to-control annual summer fires as climate change exacerbates a long-running drought.

The justice ministry launched an inquiry after Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud suggested some of this year's blazes were started deliberately, and authorities on Thursday announced four arrests of suspected arsonists.

Officials have been accused of being ill-prepared, with few firefighters' aircraft available despite record casualties in last year's blazes and a cash windfall from gas exports with global energy prices soaring.

Authorities said they deployed more than 1,700 firefighters over Wednesday and Thursday to tackle the widespread blazes.

The dead included more than 10 children and a similar number of firefighters, according to multiple sources including local journalists and the fire service. Most were in the El Tarf region near Algeria's eastern border with Tunisia, an area that was sweltering earlier this week in 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) heat.

Among the victims were five members of the same family who perished in flames around the mountainous area of Souk Ahras.

Strong winds

A witness, who asked not to be named, said 12 people had burned to death in their bus as they tried to escape when fire ripped through an animal park. Takeddine, a worker at the park who declined to give his full name, said staff had helped families with young children to escape as flames surrounded the park.

"Nobody came to help us, neither the fire service nor anyone else," he told AFP.

Fires last year killed at least 90 people and seared 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of forest and farmland in the country's north. Experts have called for a major effort to bolster the firefighting capacity of Algeria, which has more than four million hectares of forest.

Algeria had agreed to buy seven firefighting aircraft from Spanish firm Plysa, but cancelled the contract following a diplomatic row over Western Sahara in late June, according to specialist website Mena Defense.

Spain, too, has this year battled hundreds of wildfires following punishing heatwaves and long dry spells.

On Thursday, Algeria's Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane defended the government's response, saying his country had ordered four new firefighting aircraft but they would not be available until December. He added that strong winds had exacerbated the blazes and said authorities were "deploying all their means" to extinguish them.

In the headlines

Ethiopian Airlines plane missed landing after pilots fell asleep

Ethiopian Airlines says the pilots have been removed from operation pending further investigation.

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

More than 17,500 people have also been displaced.

Genocide survivors welcome Kabuga’s trial

UN's Congo peacekeeping mission pulls out of major eastern city

Zimbabwe detains 89 illegal immigrants from Malawi

Rwandan woman in court over 'indecent' dressing

Commonwealth boss praises Kenya’s commitment to peace

95 killed in South Sudan communal conflicts

Friday August 19 2022

Displaced people in a camp in South Sudan on April 22, 2014. At least 95 people have been killed in communal conflict in July. AFP PHOTO

By DAVID MAYEN

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Juba,

At least 95 people have been killed in communal conflicts in South Sudan in July alone, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has reported.

A humanitarian snapshot released by UNOCHA on Thursday and seen by The EastAfrican adds that more than 17,500 people were also displaced.

“At least 80 people were killed during intercommunal violence in Kapoeta North County, Eastern Equatoria. Fighting between armed factions in Mayom County, Unity State resulted in dozens of people being killed or injured.

“Cattle raids in Gumuruk County, Pibor Administrative Area, displaced some 1,700 people and left 15 dead. Torrential rain and floods affected nearly 2,400 people in the IDP site, Twic County in Warrap,” OCHA stated.

The agency added that some 7.7 million people are estimated to face crisis or higher levels of food insecurity across the country.

“People’s situation in Longochuk County, Upper Nile State, related to food security was reported as worrying; as a result, some 5,000 people moved to Maiwut and Pagak in Maiwut County. Residents fled to the bush or to nearby villages seeking safety.

“In July, armed cattle keepers attacked villages in Yei County, Central Equatoria and looted properties including livestock. Renewed fighting between armed factions in Kundru Boma, Yei County, displaced hundreds of people to neighbouring villages, and others crossed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said OCHA.

The agency went added that in Ikotos County of Eastern Equatoria State, clashes between an armed youth group and government soldiers led to the death and injury of an unconfirmed number of people, including an NGO worker, adding that an unknown number of civilians were reported displaced within Ikotos town.

Last year, the UN Security Council approved a resolution extending an arms embargo and sanctions against South Sudan for one year. South Sudan’s unity government opposed the decision, arguing it would jeopardise the progress of the 2018 revitalised peace agreement [ARCSS] which helped form the unity government last year.

South Sudan has many guns in circulation, most held by civilians.

According to a Gun Policy report, the estimated total number of guns (both legal and illicit) held by civilians in South Sudan was 1.2 million in 2017 and 3 million in 2013. The Defence Forces of South Sudan is reported to have 351,500 firearms.

Juba, which is barred from purchasing weapons from the international market unless with express permission from the UN Security Council, argues that the arms embargo makes it difficult to equip its forces.

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Strong winds