Kurdish Media
2 December 2005
Masud Barzani, the president of Kurdistan announced in a speech yesterday that the rich Kurdish city of Kirkuk will be fully under the control of the Kurds and the city will join the Kurdish federal region of Iraq in 2007.
Barzani also noted that December 15 elections were vital for stability in Iraq. And he encouraged Kurds to participate fully in the upcoming election.
Currently, the Kurdish regional government controls three governments in Iraqi Kurdistan with hawler as it is capital.
Barzani's speech regarding Kirkuk caused a storm in Turkey. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has voiced reactions to Barzani's statements, saying that "Barzani was not entitled to make decisions about Kirkuk". Turkish daily Hurriet reported.
03 November, 2007
Germany to invest in Mozambique.
SAPA
2 November 2007
German President Horst Koehler pledged continuing support to Mozambique on welcoming President Armando Guebuza to Berlin with full military honours on Thursday.
Mozambique was one of four countries that Germany was focusing on in economic co-operation and providing aid, Koehler said.
He noted that Mozambique faced a serious poverty problem, despite high rates of economic growth in recent years.
"In particular small and medium businesses need more support," he said.
According to the pre-released text of a speech the president was to give at a state banquet later on Thursday, Koehler expressed encouragement to German business to invest in Mozambique.
On his first visit to Germany, Guebuza expressed thanks for Germany's support.
"Mozambique will continue to fight poverty and is gaining from German assistance," he said.
Guebuza is to join the presidents of Benin, Botswana and Nigeria at a three-day African conference convened by Koehler in the western German town of Eltville from Friday.
Koehler firs visit to Mozambique was in early 2006.
2 November 2007
German President Horst Koehler pledged continuing support to Mozambique on welcoming President Armando Guebuza to Berlin with full military honours on Thursday.
Mozambique was one of four countries that Germany was focusing on in economic co-operation and providing aid, Koehler said.
He noted that Mozambique faced a serious poverty problem, despite high rates of economic growth in recent years.
"In particular small and medium businesses need more support," he said.
According to the pre-released text of a speech the president was to give at a state banquet later on Thursday, Koehler expressed encouragement to German business to invest in Mozambique.
On his first visit to Germany, Guebuza expressed thanks for Germany's support.
"Mozambique will continue to fight poverty and is gaining from German assistance," he said.
Guebuza is to join the presidents of Benin, Botswana and Nigeria at a three-day African conference convened by Koehler in the western German town of Eltville from Friday.
Koehler firs visit to Mozambique was in early 2006.
Human Rights Council Calls for Release of Detainees.
The Reporter (Addis Ababa)
3 November 2007
Bruck Shewareged
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCo) appealed to the government of Ethiopia to release prisoners who have been detained without due process of law.
In its 103th special report issued on Wednesday, the council said that there were several people in detention accused of having connection with the Oromo Liberation Front which wages armed resistance at times.
The council, in its statement listed the people detained by police by name. According to the statement, these persons were still in detention even though courts had ordered their release or granted them bail rights.
Among the detainees mentioned in the report is Bilisuma Shugi, an 18-year-old boy and an athlete, who was arrested by the Federal Police while on training in early August. Even though the court dismissed the case, the boy is still in detention.
The Council also listed 17 civilians who are members and supporters of the Oromo Federalist Democratic movement (OFDM) accused of having connection with the OLF. The court dismissed their case on the ground that there was lack of sufficient evidence. The people, however, are yet to be released.
EHRCo also cited OFDM's statement that there were eight other detainees whose bail rights have not been respected.
The council said that although the Ethiopian constitution and international conventions to which the country is a signatory stipulate that no person shall be put under detention without due process of law, there are people who have been detained contrary to what is provided for by the law.
Last week, OFDM chairman Bulcha Demeksa complained in parliament that a lot of Oromos are being arrested by police although at that parliamentary session Prime Minister Meles Zenawi denied this and said that only OLF people have been detained.
Ato Bulcha told The Reporter that this is not true, and said that there are OFDM members who were also arrested.
The Council finally made an appeal for a speedy release of the detainees and called on everyone to pressure the government to secure their release.
3 November 2007
Bruck Shewareged
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCo) appealed to the government of Ethiopia to release prisoners who have been detained without due process of law.
In its 103th special report issued on Wednesday, the council said that there were several people in detention accused of having connection with the Oromo Liberation Front which wages armed resistance at times.
The council, in its statement listed the people detained by police by name. According to the statement, these persons were still in detention even though courts had ordered their release or granted them bail rights.
Among the detainees mentioned in the report is Bilisuma Shugi, an 18-year-old boy and an athlete, who was arrested by the Federal Police while on training in early August. Even though the court dismissed the case, the boy is still in detention.
The Council also listed 17 civilians who are members and supporters of the Oromo Federalist Democratic movement (OFDM) accused of having connection with the OLF. The court dismissed their case on the ground that there was lack of sufficient evidence. The people, however, are yet to be released.
EHRCo also cited OFDM's statement that there were eight other detainees whose bail rights have not been respected.
The council said that although the Ethiopian constitution and international conventions to which the country is a signatory stipulate that no person shall be put under detention without due process of law, there are people who have been detained contrary to what is provided for by the law.
Last week, OFDM chairman Bulcha Demeksa complained in parliament that a lot of Oromos are being arrested by police although at that parliamentary session Prime Minister Meles Zenawi denied this and said that only OLF people have been detained.
Ato Bulcha told The Reporter that this is not true, and said that there are OFDM members who were also arrested.
The Council finally made an appeal for a speedy release of the detainees and called on everyone to pressure the government to secure their release.
UPDF Acquires Mobile Hospital.
New Vision
2 November 2007
George Bita and Donald Kiirya
The German government has donated a field hospital with a wide assortment of modern medical equipment to the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF).
The 31-tonnes consignment channelled through German armed forces was on Thursday handed over by the German Ambassador in Uganda, Reinhard Buchholz, to the UPDF's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima at the Junior Staff College in Gadaffi barracks, Jinja.
"Germany and Uganda have a long standing history of relationship and the bond has kept on progressing over the last 25 years," said Buchholz while handing over the items.
"I am happy that Germany and Uganda are contributing to the international peace keeping missions and I commend Uganda for sending troops to Somalia for peace keeping," Buchholz said, adding that Germany has over 9,000 men in different parts of the world on peace keeping missions.
Buchholz, accompanied by the defence attaché from the Germany embassy in Nairobi, Lt. Col Helmut Opitz, said that five German aircrafts were used to bring the donation to Entebbe airport and added that more aid to UPDF would be brought in next month.
Gen. Aronda said the donation was timely and it would be used to save lives of UPDF soldiers and civilians caught in crossfire.
"The UPDF has been using improvised facilities for a long time in helping its combatants at front lines. However, since we started registering progress in transforming the army, Uganda has been able to reduce the number of conflicts in the North," Aronda said.
He said Ugandan troops would not have been deployed in Somalia if there were still problems in the country, adding that districts from as far as Kisoro, Kotido and Busia are now peaceful.
Aronda argued that the donation of the field hospital had significantly boosted Uganda's preparedness for CHOGM, saying that they can now carry the hospital and place it anywhere it is required for national duties related to CHOGM.
"People in the north have been displaced by relentless floods but since we now have a huge boost via support from Germany we shall go anywhere, especially in the areas affected by floods."
He said since arrangements were underway to set up a medical school at the Junior Staff College, the same equipment would be used to train UPDF doctors.
Among the equipment handed over was an operating theatre, laundry gadgets, a steriliser, portable wards, laboratory machines, an X-ray, a screening machine and six generators.
2 November 2007
George Bita and Donald Kiirya
The German government has donated a field hospital with a wide assortment of modern medical equipment to the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF).
The 31-tonnes consignment channelled through German armed forces was on Thursday handed over by the German Ambassador in Uganda, Reinhard Buchholz, to the UPDF's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima at the Junior Staff College in Gadaffi barracks, Jinja.
"Germany and Uganda have a long standing history of relationship and the bond has kept on progressing over the last 25 years," said Buchholz while handing over the items.
"I am happy that Germany and Uganda are contributing to the international peace keeping missions and I commend Uganda for sending troops to Somalia for peace keeping," Buchholz said, adding that Germany has over 9,000 men in different parts of the world on peace keeping missions.
Buchholz, accompanied by the defence attaché from the Germany embassy in Nairobi, Lt. Col Helmut Opitz, said that five German aircrafts were used to bring the donation to Entebbe airport and added that more aid to UPDF would be brought in next month.
Gen. Aronda said the donation was timely and it would be used to save lives of UPDF soldiers and civilians caught in crossfire.
"The UPDF has been using improvised facilities for a long time in helping its combatants at front lines. However, since we started registering progress in transforming the army, Uganda has been able to reduce the number of conflicts in the North," Aronda said.
He said Ugandan troops would not have been deployed in Somalia if there were still problems in the country, adding that districts from as far as Kisoro, Kotido and Busia are now peaceful.
Aronda argued that the donation of the field hospital had significantly boosted Uganda's preparedness for CHOGM, saying that they can now carry the hospital and place it anywhere it is required for national duties related to CHOGM.
"People in the north have been displaced by relentless floods but since we now have a huge boost via support from Germany we shall go anywhere, especially in the areas affected by floods."
He said since arrangements were underway to set up a medical school at the Junior Staff College, the same equipment would be used to train UPDF doctors.
Among the equipment handed over was an operating theatre, laundry gadgets, a steriliser, portable wards, laboratory machines, an X-ray, a screening machine and six generators.
HRW Invites the United Kingdom to Try Itself Suspects That It Detains.
Hirondelle News Agency
2 November 2007
The international organization for the defence of human rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW), invited the United Kingdom to try itself the four Rwandan prisoners on British territory for their alleged participation in the 1994 genocide.
A session devoted to the extradition procedure of the four men, who are wanted by their country, began on 24 September in London; it must continue next Monday.
"The United Kingdom should try four Rwandans accused of participation in the genocide instead of transferring them to Rwanda for judgment", indicates a text published Thursday in London and received Friday by the Hirondelle agency.
"The Rwandan legal system has undergone important reforms, such as the abolition of the death penalty last July. But there are not yet sufficient insurances that the courts are independent", HRW estimates.
"In several significant trials, we noticed political interference leading to verdicts not based on evidence", continues the official statement.
The organization affirms that there are "documented cases where the authorities intimidated and even held witnesses to influence their testimonies".
HRW, finally, invites the United Kingdom to amend its laws in order to make it possible for its courts to try the four Rwandans.
Arrested on 28 December 2006 in the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Nteziryayo, former mayor of Mudasomwa (southern Rwanda), Vincent Bajinya, former alleged militia leader, Célestin Ugirashebuja, former mayor of Kigoma (southern Rwanda), and Charles Munyaneza, former mayor of Kinyamakara (southern Rwanda), deny any responsibility.
Bajinya, a doctor by training, had succeeded in obtaining British citizenship, under the name of Vincent Brown.
2 November 2007
The international organization for the defence of human rights, Human Rights Watch (HRW), invited the United Kingdom to try itself the four Rwandan prisoners on British territory for their alleged participation in the 1994 genocide.
A session devoted to the extradition procedure of the four men, who are wanted by their country, began on 24 September in London; it must continue next Monday.
"The United Kingdom should try four Rwandans accused of participation in the genocide instead of transferring them to Rwanda for judgment", indicates a text published Thursday in London and received Friday by the Hirondelle agency.
"The Rwandan legal system has undergone important reforms, such as the abolition of the death penalty last July. But there are not yet sufficient insurances that the courts are independent", HRW estimates.
"In several significant trials, we noticed political interference leading to verdicts not based on evidence", continues the official statement.
The organization affirms that there are "documented cases where the authorities intimidated and even held witnesses to influence their testimonies".
HRW, finally, invites the United Kingdom to amend its laws in order to make it possible for its courts to try the four Rwandans.
Arrested on 28 December 2006 in the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Nteziryayo, former mayor of Mudasomwa (southern Rwanda), Vincent Bajinya, former alleged militia leader, Célestin Ugirashebuja, former mayor of Kigoma (southern Rwanda), and Charles Munyaneza, former mayor of Kinyamakara (southern Rwanda), deny any responsibility.
Bajinya, a doctor by training, had succeeded in obtaining British citizenship, under the name of Vincent Brown.
U.S. Navy starts exercises in Gulf waters.
Iran Focus News
2 November 2007
The U.S. Navy began a series of exercises in the Gulf and wider Gulf waters on Friday involving a U.S aircraft carrier and two expeditionary assault ships.
The five-day crisis response exercise involved amphibious, air and medical forces, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, said in a statement.
"The scenario is challenging but prepares us for a real-world event," Commander Jay Chambers, of Combined Task Force 59, said.
The start of the exercises coincided with world powers agreeing at talks in London to push ahead with a third round of sanctions against Iran, unless reports indicate Tehran has tried to address their concerns about its nuclear programme.
Washington has not ruled out military action against Iran, which lies on the Gulf. Tehran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Fifth Fleet spokesman Lieutenant John Gay said the exercises had been planned for months and were not related to specific events, instead outlining only humanitarian assistance and natural disaster scenarios for the manoeuvres.
"Our primary goal is to enforce maritime security including the free flow of commerce through the Gulf for all regional partners ... We are committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to ensure that there is a free flow of commerce throughout the region," Gay said.
The United States has launched several war games at Iran's doorstep in recent years. In June, the largest U.S. military flotilla to enter the Gulf since the 2003 Iraq war wound up two weeks of war drills off Iran's coast and near the Strait of Hormuz, a major channel for oil shipments from the Gulf.
Iran has dismissed the U.S. naval war games near its waters as a morale boosting exercise for American forces.
An Iranian Revolutionary Guards naval commander suggested on Monday that Iran's Islamic militia forces would be capable of disrupting strategic Gulf oil shipping routes with a small operation if ever the need arose.
Chambers said the manoeuvres were designed to practise a coordinated response to a natural disaster or crisis in the region.
The navy said the exercise inside the Gulf was led by a task force that includes the Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The vessel, which looks like a small aircraft carrier, carries Marine corps helicopters and landing craft.
The navy also said the aircraft carrier Enterprise and its strike group and the Kearsarge expeditionary strike group had begun training in wider Gulf waters.
The Kearsarge is another amphibious assault ship equipped with helicopters and landing craft. The U.S. Marine Corps operates from the ship, which is designed for rapid deployment.
"Multiple strike groups are capable of executing a broad range of operations," the U.S. Navy said.
2 November 2007
The U.S. Navy began a series of exercises in the Gulf and wider Gulf waters on Friday involving a U.S aircraft carrier and two expeditionary assault ships.
The five-day crisis response exercise involved amphibious, air and medical forces, the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Bahrain, said in a statement.
"The scenario is challenging but prepares us for a real-world event," Commander Jay Chambers, of Combined Task Force 59, said.
The start of the exercises coincided with world powers agreeing at talks in London to push ahead with a third round of sanctions against Iran, unless reports indicate Tehran has tried to address their concerns about its nuclear programme.
Washington has not ruled out military action against Iran, which lies on the Gulf. Tehran denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Fifth Fleet spokesman Lieutenant John Gay said the exercises had been planned for months and were not related to specific events, instead outlining only humanitarian assistance and natural disaster scenarios for the manoeuvres.
"Our primary goal is to enforce maritime security including the free flow of commerce through the Gulf for all regional partners ... We are committed to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to ensure that there is a free flow of commerce throughout the region," Gay said.
The United States has launched several war games at Iran's doorstep in recent years. In June, the largest U.S. military flotilla to enter the Gulf since the 2003 Iraq war wound up two weeks of war drills off Iran's coast and near the Strait of Hormuz, a major channel for oil shipments from the Gulf.
Iran has dismissed the U.S. naval war games near its waters as a morale boosting exercise for American forces.
An Iranian Revolutionary Guards naval commander suggested on Monday that Iran's Islamic militia forces would be capable of disrupting strategic Gulf oil shipping routes with a small operation if ever the need arose.
Chambers said the manoeuvres were designed to practise a coordinated response to a natural disaster or crisis in the region.
The navy said the exercise inside the Gulf was led by a task force that includes the Wasp, an amphibious assault ship. The vessel, which looks like a small aircraft carrier, carries Marine corps helicopters and landing craft.
The navy also said the aircraft carrier Enterprise and its strike group and the Kearsarge expeditionary strike group had begun training in wider Gulf waters.
The Kearsarge is another amphibious assault ship equipped with helicopters and landing craft. The U.S. Marine Corps operates from the ship, which is designed for rapid deployment.
"Multiple strike groups are capable of executing a broad range of operations," the U.S. Navy said.
Sudan troops get Dec. 15 deadline to quit south.
Reuters
Skye Wheeler
2 November 2007
Sudan's northern army now has until Dec. 15 to leave the country's semi-autonomous and oil-rich south after missing an earlier redeployment deadline in July, a southern military official said on Friday.
The announcement that a new deadline had been agreed by a joint north-south military committee came during the worst crisis since a 2005 peace agreement ended Africa's longest civil war.
"The Sudan Armed Forces have to be out of the oil fields. ... December 15 is the last day for either one to be on the wrong side," Elias Waya, who chairs the committee dealing with the issue, told Reuters.
A Sudanese army spokesman said he had no knowledge of a new deadline, and was checking the report. Officials from the former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement were not immediately available for comment.
The presence of northern troops in the south's oil areas after the earlier July 9 deadline was one reason given by former rebels for walking out of the national government last month.
Under the terms of the peace deal, only special joint units of both northern and southern forces are permitted in the oil fields. Waya said that was still meant to happen, but analysts have said the units were still not fully integrated.
Waya said heavy rainfall and flooding across the centre of Sudan meant it was difficult for remaining soldiers from either side to move, including from areas producing some of Sudan's roughly 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil.
He said some 5,000 militia members, formerly loyal to the northern government, had decided to join the south's army. He said they must also cross the north-south boundary by Dec. 15.
The Sudanese army says only 3,600 northern soldiers are still in southern areas. South Sudan President Salva Kiir put the number at 17,000 last month.
In July, a U.N. statement, agreed by both sides, said more than 15,000 northern soldiers remained in the south.
As well as the redeployment of northern troops, southern officials have demanded that Khartoum resolve the status of the oil-rich Abyei region and fully fund a much-delayed national census before they rejoin government.
Oil, ethnicity, religion and ideology fuelled over two decades of north-south civil war in Sudan, which is separate from the current conflict in Darfur.
Sudan's two largest oil fields are in the land-locked south while refineries and pipelines are in the north.
Skye Wheeler
2 November 2007
Sudan's northern army now has until Dec. 15 to leave the country's semi-autonomous and oil-rich south after missing an earlier redeployment deadline in July, a southern military official said on Friday.
The announcement that a new deadline had been agreed by a joint north-south military committee came during the worst crisis since a 2005 peace agreement ended Africa's longest civil war.
"The Sudan Armed Forces have to be out of the oil fields. ... December 15 is the last day for either one to be on the wrong side," Elias Waya, who chairs the committee dealing with the issue, told Reuters.
A Sudanese army spokesman said he had no knowledge of a new deadline, and was checking the report. Officials from the former southern rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement were not immediately available for comment.
The presence of northern troops in the south's oil areas after the earlier July 9 deadline was one reason given by former rebels for walking out of the national government last month.
Under the terms of the peace deal, only special joint units of both northern and southern forces are permitted in the oil fields. Waya said that was still meant to happen, but analysts have said the units were still not fully integrated.
Waya said heavy rainfall and flooding across the centre of Sudan meant it was difficult for remaining soldiers from either side to move, including from areas producing some of Sudan's roughly 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil.
He said some 5,000 militia members, formerly loyal to the northern government, had decided to join the south's army. He said they must also cross the north-south boundary by Dec. 15.
The Sudanese army says only 3,600 northern soldiers are still in southern areas. South Sudan President Salva Kiir put the number at 17,000 last month.
In July, a U.N. statement, agreed by both sides, said more than 15,000 northern soldiers remained in the south.
As well as the redeployment of northern troops, southern officials have demanded that Khartoum resolve the status of the oil-rich Abyei region and fully fund a much-delayed national census before they rejoin government.
Oil, ethnicity, religion and ideology fuelled over two decades of north-south civil war in Sudan, which is separate from the current conflict in Darfur.
Sudan's two largest oil fields are in the land-locked south while refineries and pipelines are in the north.
Ethiopia reaffirms backing for war-torn Somalia.
Associated Press
1 November 2007
Ethiopia on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the weak Somali government facing political upheavals and an insurgency in the capital Mogadishu, partly because Ethiopian troops are deployed there.
Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said Addis Ababa, which has thousands of troops backing Somalia's government, will help restore stability in its neighbour, days after Ali Mohamed Gedi resigned as Somali premier amidst a political crisis.
"Ethiopia will continue to support Somalia in achieving lasting peace and stability and also provide everything necessary for it to find a successor to Gedi in a constitutional and legal manner," state TV quoted Seyoum as saying.
The foreign minister had talks with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on Wednesday, two days after Gedi stepped down.
Ethiopian troops came to the rescue of Somalia's embattled transitional government last year and ousted an Islamist movement that briefly controlled large parts of the country.
But Islamist fighters -- accused by Washington of links to Al-Qaeda -- and tribal allies have since waged a guerrilla-style war in Mogadishu, targeting Somali and Ethiopian troops.
The violence has crippled Somalia's ailing economy, left hundreds of civilians dead and forced tens of thousands to flee Mogadishu, prompting growing calls for Ethiopia to leave the country.
The nation of 10 million has lacked an effective government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre touched off a conflict that has defied at least a dozen peace initiatives.
1 November 2007
Ethiopia on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the weak Somali government facing political upheavals and an insurgency in the capital Mogadishu, partly because Ethiopian troops are deployed there.
Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said Addis Ababa, which has thousands of troops backing Somalia's government, will help restore stability in its neighbour, days after Ali Mohamed Gedi resigned as Somali premier amidst a political crisis.
"Ethiopia will continue to support Somalia in achieving lasting peace and stability and also provide everything necessary for it to find a successor to Gedi in a constitutional and legal manner," state TV quoted Seyoum as saying.
The foreign minister had talks with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed on Wednesday, two days after Gedi stepped down.
Ethiopian troops came to the rescue of Somalia's embattled transitional government last year and ousted an Islamist movement that briefly controlled large parts of the country.
But Islamist fighters -- accused by Washington of links to Al-Qaeda -- and tribal allies have since waged a guerrilla-style war in Mogadishu, targeting Somali and Ethiopian troops.
The violence has crippled Somalia's ailing economy, left hundreds of civilians dead and forced tens of thousands to flee Mogadishu, prompting growing calls for Ethiopia to leave the country.
The nation of 10 million has lacked an effective government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre touched off a conflict that has defied at least a dozen peace initiatives.
02 November, 2007
Congo panel to recommend 61 mine contracts be changed.
Bloomberg
2 November 2007
A government panel in the Democratic Republic of Congo will recommend 61 of the nation`s agreements with mining companies, including Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc, be renegotiated or cancelled, the group`s chairman said.
The commission will recommend that 38 contracts be changed, including those of Freeport and Nikanor plc, Alexis Mikandji, chairman of the commission for the review of mining contracts, said on November 2 in a telephone interview from Kinshasa. The panel will say 23 contracts should be cancelled, he said.
The DRC, which has about 10% of the world`s copper reserves and a third of its cobalt, established the panel in April to review all mining deals, with the aim of amending those deemed unfair to the state.
President Joseph Kabila is trying to attract investors to dig new mines and restart others abandoned during a civil war that ended in 2003, leaving 4 million dead and the country`s infrastructure destroyed.
"The review takes a hard line on the mining contracts, including those signed with major firms," Philippe de Pontet, African analyst at the Eurasia Group in Washington, said in an e-mail. "We expect that the Kabila administration will reject some, but not all, of the recommendations."
The commission divided the contracts into three categories: those that should be changed, those that should be canceled and those that should remain untouched, Mikandji said. None of the contracts reviewed are in the last category, he said.
The recommendations "will be discussed by the government before the state enterprises are given instructions what to do," Mikandji said. Martin Kabwelulu, DRC mines minister, said in March that no contracts would be cancelled.
The report will be reviewed by the Cabinet before state companies begin renegotiating elements of the deals with their private counterparts, Mikandji said October 22.
Other companies operating in the DRC, a country the size of western Europe, include Moto Goldmines Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, BHP Billiton Ltd, Katanga Mining Ltd, First Quantum Minerals Ltd and Central African Mining & Exploration Co.
China said in September it would loan the DRC government US$5 billion, some of which will be used to fund a new joint venture mining company between the countries. Gecamines, the DRC`s state-owned copper producer, already owns stakes in each of the country`s copper and cobalt-producing operations concentrated in the southern Katanga province. "It will be interesting to see whether some of the canceled concessions are awarded to Chinese firms, in the wake of Beijing`s multi-billion dollar deal with the government," de Pontet said.
Bill Collier, a spokesman for Phoenix-based Freeport, declined to comment immediately when contacted by Bloomberg. Simon Tuma-Waku, DRC`s former mines minister and Nikanor`s chief strategy officer, couldn`t be reached for comment when called on his mobile phone in the DRC.
Editor's Note: Freeport had President Kabila tour their facilities in Arizona during his recent trip to the United States.
2 November 2007
A government panel in the Democratic Republic of Congo will recommend 61 of the nation`s agreements with mining companies, including Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc, be renegotiated or cancelled, the group`s chairman said.
The commission will recommend that 38 contracts be changed, including those of Freeport and Nikanor plc, Alexis Mikandji, chairman of the commission for the review of mining contracts, said on November 2 in a telephone interview from Kinshasa. The panel will say 23 contracts should be cancelled, he said.
The DRC, which has about 10% of the world`s copper reserves and a third of its cobalt, established the panel in April to review all mining deals, with the aim of amending those deemed unfair to the state.
President Joseph Kabila is trying to attract investors to dig new mines and restart others abandoned during a civil war that ended in 2003, leaving 4 million dead and the country`s infrastructure destroyed.
"The review takes a hard line on the mining contracts, including those signed with major firms," Philippe de Pontet, African analyst at the Eurasia Group in Washington, said in an e-mail. "We expect that the Kabila administration will reject some, but not all, of the recommendations."
The commission divided the contracts into three categories: those that should be changed, those that should be canceled and those that should remain untouched, Mikandji said. None of the contracts reviewed are in the last category, he said.
The recommendations "will be discussed by the government before the state enterprises are given instructions what to do," Mikandji said. Martin Kabwelulu, DRC mines minister, said in March that no contracts would be cancelled.
The report will be reviewed by the Cabinet before state companies begin renegotiating elements of the deals with their private counterparts, Mikandji said October 22.
Other companies operating in the DRC, a country the size of western Europe, include Moto Goldmines Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, BHP Billiton Ltd, Katanga Mining Ltd, First Quantum Minerals Ltd and Central African Mining & Exploration Co.
China said in September it would loan the DRC government US$5 billion, some of which will be used to fund a new joint venture mining company between the countries. Gecamines, the DRC`s state-owned copper producer, already owns stakes in each of the country`s copper and cobalt-producing operations concentrated in the southern Katanga province. "It will be interesting to see whether some of the canceled concessions are awarded to Chinese firms, in the wake of Beijing`s multi-billion dollar deal with the government," de Pontet said.
Bill Collier, a spokesman for Phoenix-based Freeport, declined to comment immediately when contacted by Bloomberg. Simon Tuma-Waku, DRC`s former mines minister and Nikanor`s chief strategy officer, couldn`t be reached for comment when called on his mobile phone in the DRC.
Editor's Note: Freeport had President Kabila tour their facilities in Arizona during his recent trip to the United States.
Rwanda: Genocide suspects must not be transferred until fair trial conditions met.
Amnesty International
2 November 2007
Amnesty International today urged governments worldwide not to transfer people suspected of crimes during the 1994 genocide to Rwanda for trial.
The organization released a memorandum outlining the criteria national governments and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) should apply when considering transferring people to Rwanda for trial.
Despite improvements in the Rwandan justice system in recent years, serious concerns remain about its ability to investigate and prosecute crimes related to the 1994 genocide fairly and impartially, in accordance with international standards of justice.
"The various national governments where suspects reside should immediately start proceedings in their own courts applying universal jurisdiction laws to investigate and, where there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute the horrific crimes committed during the genocide -- on behalf of both the Rwandan people and the international community," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International's Africa Programme. "Where universal jurisdiction laws allowing for prosecutions do not exist, they should be enacted immediately."
Amnesty International also urged the ICTR not to transfer any of its cases to Rwanda until the Rwandan government can demonstrate that it can and will conduct trials fairly and impartially -- and that all victims and witnesses will be protected.
In recent months, the Rwandan government has issued formal and informal requests to several governments -- including the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Finland -- for the extradition of several individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. In June 2007, the Prosecutor of the ICTR filed a request to transfer its first case to the Rwandan courts.
"We recognize the importance of Rwandan national courts taking responsibility for investigating and prosecuting persons accused of the heinous crimes that were committed in Rwanda during the genocide," said Erwin van der Borght. "However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the rights of both the accused and the victims will be fully respected and protected by these courts."
In its memorandum, Amnesty International urged the ICTR and government not to transfer cases to Rwanda until it has been demonstrated that:
- the national justice system operates impartiality by investigating and prosecuting crimes by persons from all sides;
- all national trials are conducted in accordance with international fair trial standards;
- all trials of those transferred to Rwanda will be observed by independent experts with complete access to all parties and files;
- persons transferred for trial to Rwanda will not be at risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
- all victims and witnesses will receive effective support and protection from threats, intimidation and attack.
"We fully support the development of the national justice system in Rwanda -- but until we are satisfied that all the criteria necessary for fair and impartial trials are met, we urge the ICTR and national governments to refuse to transfer any cases to Rwanda," said van der Borght.
"The ICTR should inform the UN Security Council that they need more time and resources to complete their caseload, instead of seeking to transfer cases to a system where there is a risk of torture and unfair trial."
Consistent reports that fair trials guarantees are not being applied in the gacaca process, a community-based system of tribunals established in Rwanda to try people suspected of crimes during the 1994 genocide, undermines the whole legal system and raises concerns about the importance that will be attached to these rights by other sectors of the justice system.
To see a copy of the memorandum Rwanda: Courts must comply with international standards for justice with detailed recommendations, please go to: http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr470132007
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org
2 November 2007
Amnesty International today urged governments worldwide not to transfer people suspected of crimes during the 1994 genocide to Rwanda for trial.
The organization released a memorandum outlining the criteria national governments and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) should apply when considering transferring people to Rwanda for trial.
Despite improvements in the Rwandan justice system in recent years, serious concerns remain about its ability to investigate and prosecute crimes related to the 1994 genocide fairly and impartially, in accordance with international standards of justice.
"The various national governments where suspects reside should immediately start proceedings in their own courts applying universal jurisdiction laws to investigate and, where there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecute the horrific crimes committed during the genocide -- on behalf of both the Rwandan people and the international community," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International's Africa Programme. "Where universal jurisdiction laws allowing for prosecutions do not exist, they should be enacted immediately."
Amnesty International also urged the ICTR not to transfer any of its cases to Rwanda until the Rwandan government can demonstrate that it can and will conduct trials fairly and impartially -- and that all victims and witnesses will be protected.
In recent months, the Rwandan government has issued formal and informal requests to several governments -- including the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Finland -- for the extradition of several individuals accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. In June 2007, the Prosecutor of the ICTR filed a request to transfer its first case to the Rwandan courts.
"We recognize the importance of Rwandan national courts taking responsibility for investigating and prosecuting persons accused of the heinous crimes that were committed in Rwanda during the genocide," said Erwin van der Borght. "However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the rights of both the accused and the victims will be fully respected and protected by these courts."
In its memorandum, Amnesty International urged the ICTR and government not to transfer cases to Rwanda until it has been demonstrated that:
- the national justice system operates impartiality by investigating and prosecuting crimes by persons from all sides;
- all national trials are conducted in accordance with international fair trial standards;
- all trials of those transferred to Rwanda will be observed by independent experts with complete access to all parties and files;
- persons transferred for trial to Rwanda will not be at risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;
- all victims and witnesses will receive effective support and protection from threats, intimidation and attack.
"We fully support the development of the national justice system in Rwanda -- but until we are satisfied that all the criteria necessary for fair and impartial trials are met, we urge the ICTR and national governments to refuse to transfer any cases to Rwanda," said van der Borght.
"The ICTR should inform the UN Security Council that they need more time and resources to complete their caseload, instead of seeking to transfer cases to a system where there is a risk of torture and unfair trial."
Consistent reports that fair trials guarantees are not being applied in the gacaca process, a community-based system of tribunals established in Rwanda to try people suspected of crimes during the 1994 genocide, undermines the whole legal system and raises concerns about the importance that will be attached to these rights by other sectors of the justice system.
To see a copy of the memorandum Rwanda: Courts must comply with international standards for justice with detailed recommendations, please go to: http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr470132007
For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org
Secretary Rice to face subpoena in Israeli espionage case.
By Matt Apuzzo
Associated Press
2 November 2007
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and more than a dozen other current and former intelligence officials must testify about their conversations with pro-Israel lobbyists, a federal judge ruled Friday in an espionage case.
Lawyers for two former American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbyists facing charges have subpoenaed Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams and several others to testify at their trial next year. Prosecutors had challenged the subpoenas in federal court.
Lobbyists Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman maintain the Israeli interest group played an unofficial but sanctioned role in crafting foreign policy and that Rice and others can confirm it.
If they ultimately testify in court, the trial in federal court in suburban Alexandria, Va. could offer a behind-the-scenes look at the way U.S. foreign policy is crafted.
The lobbyists are accused of receiving classified information from a now-convicted Pentagon official and relaying it to an Israeli official and the press. The information included details about the al-Qaida terror network, U.S. policy in Iran and the bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia, federal prosecutors said.
But defense attorneys argued that top U.S. officials regularly used the lobbyists as a go-between as they crafted Middle East policy. If so, attorneys say, how are Rosen and Weissman supposed to know the same behavior that's expected of them on one day is criminal the next?
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said the lobbyists have a right to argue that "they believed the meetings charged in the indictment were simply further examples of the government's use of AIPAC as a diplomatic back channel."
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell cheered the ruling.
"For over two years, we have been explaining that our clients' conduct was lawful and completely consistent with how the U.S. government dealt with AIPAC and other foreign policy groups," Lowell said on behalf of both defendants. "We look forward to the trial."
Ellis left open the possibility that the Bush administration may challenge the subpoenas on the grounds they would reveal privileged information. But the judge said his ruling Friday "may trump a valid governmental privilege."
If so, that could force the government to decide whether to allow the testimony or drop the case.
Neither the State Department nor the Justice Department had an immediate comment.
Among those subpoenaed in the case were: former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz; former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage; and Marc Grossman, former undersecretary of state for political affairs.
Associated Press
2 November 2007
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and more than a dozen other current and former intelligence officials must testify about their conversations with pro-Israel lobbyists, a federal judge ruled Friday in an espionage case.
Lawyers for two former American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbyists facing charges have subpoenaed Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Deputy National Security Adviser Elliott Abrams and several others to testify at their trial next year. Prosecutors had challenged the subpoenas in federal court.
Lobbyists Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman maintain the Israeli interest group played an unofficial but sanctioned role in crafting foreign policy and that Rice and others can confirm it.
If they ultimately testify in court, the trial in federal court in suburban Alexandria, Va. could offer a behind-the-scenes look at the way U.S. foreign policy is crafted.
The lobbyists are accused of receiving classified information from a now-convicted Pentagon official and relaying it to an Israeli official and the press. The information included details about the al-Qaida terror network, U.S. policy in Iran and the bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia, federal prosecutors said.
But defense attorneys argued that top U.S. officials regularly used the lobbyists as a go-between as they crafted Middle East policy. If so, attorneys say, how are Rosen and Weissman supposed to know the same behavior that's expected of them on one day is criminal the next?
U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III said the lobbyists have a right to argue that "they believed the meetings charged in the indictment were simply further examples of the government's use of AIPAC as a diplomatic back channel."
Defense attorney Abbe Lowell cheered the ruling.
"For over two years, we have been explaining that our clients' conduct was lawful and completely consistent with how the U.S. government dealt with AIPAC and other foreign policy groups," Lowell said on behalf of both defendants. "We look forward to the trial."
Ellis left open the possibility that the Bush administration may challenge the subpoenas on the grounds they would reveal privileged information. But the judge said his ruling Friday "may trump a valid governmental privilege."
If so, that could force the government to decide whether to allow the testimony or drop the case.
Neither the State Department nor the Justice Department had an immediate comment.
Among those subpoenaed in the case were: former Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz; former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage; and Marc Grossman, former undersecretary of state for political affairs.
Attack kills Tamil Tiger leader and peace negotiator.
CNN
2 November 2007
Editor's Note: As the article cynically notes, he was the Tamil's top peace negotiator.
A key political leader of the Sri Lankan rebel group, the Tamil Tigers, was killed Friday along with five other rebel officers during an air strike in the country's embattled north, the guerrillas said in a statement on a Tamil-affiliated Web site.
S. P. Thamilselvam was killed by the Sri Lankan air force during an "aerial bombardment" Friday at 6:00 a.m. local time in Kilinochchi -- a rebel held part in the country's north.
According to CNN contributor, journalist Iqbal Athas, Thamilselvam acted as the group's "peace negotiator" during talks with the Sri Lankan government.
"The Sri Lanka Air Force attack has targeted the residence of the members of the Political Division," the rebel statement said, also naming the five others killed as Lt. Col. Anpumani, Maj. Mikuthan, Capt. Neathaji, Lt. Aadchiveal and Lt. Vaakaikkumaran.
The Associated Press reported comments on the attack by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. "This is a message that we know their leaders' location," he said. "This confirms that our information is very accurate."
The strike came nearly two weeks after rebels launched a pre-dawn land and air attack on a Sri Lankan air force base that killed 10 Sri Lankan forces and wiped out military hardware worth millions of dollars, according to military sources.
There was no immediate response from the military about Friday's attack that killed Thamilselvam.
2 November 2007
Editor's Note: As the article cynically notes, he was the Tamil's top peace negotiator.
A key political leader of the Sri Lankan rebel group, the Tamil Tigers, was killed Friday along with five other rebel officers during an air strike in the country's embattled north, the guerrillas said in a statement on a Tamil-affiliated Web site.
S. P. Thamilselvam was killed by the Sri Lankan air force during an "aerial bombardment" Friday at 6:00 a.m. local time in Kilinochchi -- a rebel held part in the country's north.
According to CNN contributor, journalist Iqbal Athas, Thamilselvam acted as the group's "peace negotiator" during talks with the Sri Lankan government.
"The Sri Lanka Air Force attack has targeted the residence of the members of the Political Division," the rebel statement said, also naming the five others killed as Lt. Col. Anpumani, Maj. Mikuthan, Capt. Neathaji, Lt. Aadchiveal and Lt. Vaakaikkumaran.
The Associated Press reported comments on the attack by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. "This is a message that we know their leaders' location," he said. "This confirms that our information is very accurate."
The strike came nearly two weeks after rebels launched a pre-dawn land and air attack on a Sri Lankan air force base that killed 10 Sri Lankan forces and wiped out military hardware worth millions of dollars, according to military sources.
There was no immediate response from the military about Friday's attack that killed Thamilselvam.
Africa: U.S. Treasury Secretary to Visit Continent.
BuaNews (Tshwane)
2 November 2007
Lavinia Mahlangu
United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will travel to Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana in November.
Mr Paulson is to attend the meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and discuss the positive economic changes taking place on the continent with government and business leaders.
"Africa is experiencing its highest rates of growth and lowest levels of inflation in 30 years, prompting increasing investor interest in the continent," the US embassy in Pretoria said Friday.
Mr Paulson will be in Cape Town on 16 November, to deliver remarks at the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. (emphasis mine-Editor)
The Corporate Council on Africa's sixth US-Africa Business Summit, will see some of the world's top business leaders discussing trade and investment opportunities in Africa.
The summit will also include talks on best practices, and how best to grow business in ways that will promote sustainable growth on the continent.
South African President Thabo Mbeki will deliver the keynote address at the summit's opening gala dinner on 14 November.
On the following day, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, along with two other African heads of state and three Chief Executive Officer from top US companies, will form the panel at an opening plenary session entitled "What does it really take for US businesses to invest in Africa?"
More than 1 500 participants are expected to attend the summit - entitled "Africa: entering the door to opportunities." It will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Hosted every two years, this is the Corporate Council on Africa's sixth summit, but the first ever to be held in Africa.
During his time in South Africa, Mr Paulson will also attend the meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Kleinmond, on 17 and 18 November.
"Secretary Paulson will use his trip to discuss the underpinnings of Africa's recent growth and explore ways in which the international financial community can further support Africa's development," the embassy said.
Additionally, Secretary Paulson will be highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in Africa and the complementary role they play with economic growth.
The Secretary will be in Arusha, Tanzania (emphasis mine-Editor) on 15 November to co-host with Tanzanian Finance Minister Zakia Meghji a discussion on regional financial integration with the other finance ministers of the East African Community.
On November 19, Secretary Paulson will be in Ghana to meet with President John Kufuor and co-host with Ghanaian Finance Minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu a meeting with private-sector financial leaders on financial sector development in West Africa.
2 November 2007
Lavinia Mahlangu
United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will travel to Tanzania, South Africa, and Ghana in November.
Mr Paulson is to attend the meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and discuss the positive economic changes taking place on the continent with government and business leaders.
"Africa is experiencing its highest rates of growth and lowest levels of inflation in 30 years, prompting increasing investor interest in the continent," the US embassy in Pretoria said Friday.
Mr Paulson will be in Cape Town on 16 November, to deliver remarks at the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. (emphasis mine-Editor)
The Corporate Council on Africa's sixth US-Africa Business Summit, will see some of the world's top business leaders discussing trade and investment opportunities in Africa.
The summit will also include talks on best practices, and how best to grow business in ways that will promote sustainable growth on the continent.
South African President Thabo Mbeki will deliver the keynote address at the summit's opening gala dinner on 14 November.
On the following day, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, along with two other African heads of state and three Chief Executive Officer from top US companies, will form the panel at an opening plenary session entitled "What does it really take for US businesses to invest in Africa?"
More than 1 500 participants are expected to attend the summit - entitled "Africa: entering the door to opportunities." It will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Hosted every two years, this is the Corporate Council on Africa's sixth summit, but the first ever to be held in Africa.
During his time in South Africa, Mr Paulson will also attend the meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Kleinmond, on 17 and 18 November.
"Secretary Paulson will use his trip to discuss the underpinnings of Africa's recent growth and explore ways in which the international financial community can further support Africa's development," the embassy said.
Additionally, Secretary Paulson will be highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in Africa and the complementary role they play with economic growth.
The Secretary will be in Arusha, Tanzania (emphasis mine-Editor) on 15 November to co-host with Tanzanian Finance Minister Zakia Meghji a discussion on regional financial integration with the other finance ministers of the East African Community.
On November 19, Secretary Paulson will be in Ghana to meet with President John Kufuor and co-host with Ghanaian Finance Minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu a meeting with private-sector financial leaders on financial sector development in West Africa.
North-Kivu: Mayi-Mayi Militia Surrender.
MISNA
2 November 2007
Around a hundred Mayi-Mayi militia, fighters who during the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo backed Kinshasa and in the past weeks returned on the scene in fighting against the militants of the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Kabila, surrendered to the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in North Kivu (north-east DR-Congo). The news was referred to MISNA by the military spokesman of the United Nations Mission in DR-Congo (MONUC), Pierre Chareyron. According to Radio Okapi sources, 243 Mayi-Mayi fighters and dissident soldiers loyal to Nkunda that decided to surrender and join the FARDC are now at the Kituku camp in Goma (capital of North Kivu). Another 25 of Nkunda’s men that deserted the rebellion are also grouped around 100km west of Goma. Chareyron added that there has been sporadic fighting over the past 48 hours, but no large-scale offensive has been conducted despite the expiration of the deadline given to Nkunda’s forces by President Joseph Kabila to disarm and integrate into the army.
Local sources also referred to MISNA that a US government envoy on a visit in North Kivu met with the leaders of the ‘political’ wing of Nkunda’s rebellion, the National Congress for the defence of the People (CNDP). No details have been dislosed on the meeting, which follows a visit last week of President Kabila to Washington, where he asked his counterpart for help in ending the crisis in north-east DR-Congo. Kinshasa’s ‘Le Potentiel’ newspaper today reports that the composition of the US delegation that arrived yesterday in Goma “was not disclosed” and that “a Republican discreetly went to Kivu to meet Nkunda” to “seek a political compromise”; the paper suggests a negotiation for Nkunda’s possible exile in South Africa.
2 November 2007
Around a hundred Mayi-Mayi militia, fighters who during the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo backed Kinshasa and in the past weeks returned on the scene in fighting against the militants of the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Kabila, surrendered to the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in North Kivu (north-east DR-Congo). The news was referred to MISNA by the military spokesman of the United Nations Mission in DR-Congo (MONUC), Pierre Chareyron. According to Radio Okapi sources, 243 Mayi-Mayi fighters and dissident soldiers loyal to Nkunda that decided to surrender and join the FARDC are now at the Kituku camp in Goma (capital of North Kivu). Another 25 of Nkunda’s men that deserted the rebellion are also grouped around 100km west of Goma. Chareyron added that there has been sporadic fighting over the past 48 hours, but no large-scale offensive has been conducted despite the expiration of the deadline given to Nkunda’s forces by President Joseph Kabila to disarm and integrate into the army.
Local sources also referred to MISNA that a US government envoy on a visit in North Kivu met with the leaders of the ‘political’ wing of Nkunda’s rebellion, the National Congress for the defence of the People (CNDP). No details have been dislosed on the meeting, which follows a visit last week of President Kabila to Washington, where he asked his counterpart for help in ending the crisis in north-east DR-Congo. Kinshasa’s ‘Le Potentiel’ newspaper today reports that the composition of the US delegation that arrived yesterday in Goma “was not disclosed” and that “a Republican discreetly went to Kivu to meet Nkunda” to “seek a political compromise”; the paper suggests a negotiation for Nkunda’s possible exile in South Africa.
PROVISIONNAL FREEDOM REQUEST BY NTAWUKURIRYAYO DENIED.
Hirondelle News Agency
1 November 2007
The appellate court of Paris kept in custody Wednesday former Rwandan sub-prefect Dominique Ntawukuriryayo, who is waiting for a decision on his eventual transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), accused of having participated in the 1994 genocide.
He was arrested on 16 October under an ICTR arrest order dating from September 2006. The investigative chamber of the appellate court of Paris considered Mr. Ntawukuriryayo an international flight risk, as he does not benefit from any guarantee of sufficient representation in France, according to the representative of the public prosecutor. The argument was refuted in advance by one of Mr. Ntawukuriryayo’s lawyers, Mr. François Roux, stating that the question of “flight risk (was) totally ruled out,” France being his “asylum.”
At the time of the audience, defence put in doubt the desire of the ICTR to expediently judge Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, its mandate finishing in 2008, and brought to mind the eventuality that he would be transferred to Rwanda. The ICTR “demands arrests of certain people but doesn’t want to judge them,” explained Mr. Roux.
The former sub-prefect, who arrived in France in 1999 on a residence permit, has resided in Carcassonne since 2000, from where he has “never moved, until his arrest,” he said.
Next Wednesday, the investigative chamber will examine the ICTR’s request for transfer of Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, born in 1942. According to the international indictment, he is alleged to have participated, directly and indirectly, in the deaths of 25,000 people between 21 and 25 April 1994.
Tuesday, 27 Rwandan citizens and the Civil Suit Collective for Rwanda (CSCR) lodged a complaint in Paris against Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, declared Mr. Alain Gauthier, the group’s president. In April 2006, 32 plaintiffs lodged a complaint against him in Carcassonne. Then nothing came of it, as police could not find him.
1 November 2007
The appellate court of Paris kept in custody Wednesday former Rwandan sub-prefect Dominique Ntawukuriryayo, who is waiting for a decision on his eventual transfer to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), accused of having participated in the 1994 genocide.
He was arrested on 16 October under an ICTR arrest order dating from September 2006. The investigative chamber of the appellate court of Paris considered Mr. Ntawukuriryayo an international flight risk, as he does not benefit from any guarantee of sufficient representation in France, according to the representative of the public prosecutor. The argument was refuted in advance by one of Mr. Ntawukuriryayo’s lawyers, Mr. François Roux, stating that the question of “flight risk (was) totally ruled out,” France being his “asylum.”
At the time of the audience, defence put in doubt the desire of the ICTR to expediently judge Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, its mandate finishing in 2008, and brought to mind the eventuality that he would be transferred to Rwanda. The ICTR “demands arrests of certain people but doesn’t want to judge them,” explained Mr. Roux.
The former sub-prefect, who arrived in France in 1999 on a residence permit, has resided in Carcassonne since 2000, from where he has “never moved, until his arrest,” he said.
Next Wednesday, the investigative chamber will examine the ICTR’s request for transfer of Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, born in 1942. According to the international indictment, he is alleged to have participated, directly and indirectly, in the deaths of 25,000 people between 21 and 25 April 1994.
Tuesday, 27 Rwandan citizens and the Civil Suit Collective for Rwanda (CSCR) lodged a complaint in Paris against Mr. Ntawukuriryayo, declared Mr. Alain Gauthier, the group’s president. In April 2006, 32 plaintiffs lodged a complaint against him in Carcassonne. Then nothing came of it, as police could not find him.
Two Aid Workers Killed in Ambush in North-east.
MISNA
2 November 2007
Two Ugandan aid workers of the Paris-based Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) were killed in an ambush against their vehicle in north-east Uganda, as referred over the phone to MISNA by Marie-Pierre Caley, general delegate of the international solidarity organisation.
“Four of our workers, including a driver, were travelling yesterday onboard a vehicle of our agency, easily identifiable, in the Anaka area of the Amuru district. They were attacked by at least three gunmen who opened fire. Two workers were killed and the other two managed to escape”, referred Caley. “We are doing everything possible to find those responsible. This episode will not remain unpunished, the culprits will be caught and brought to court”, added the ACTED representative, specifying that an investigation is already underway.
The most probable hypothesis is that the aid workers were targeted by thieves. ACTED is an apolitical and non-confessional international relief agency that after its creation in Afghanistan in 1993 expanded operations to some twenty countries of the World’s South. In the Ugandan Amuru district the agency works in the rehabilitation of the countless displaced from their villages during the twenty-year rebellion of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), now engaged in a delicate peace process with the government of Kampala.
2 November 2007
Two Ugandan aid workers of the Paris-based Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) were killed in an ambush against their vehicle in north-east Uganda, as referred over the phone to MISNA by Marie-Pierre Caley, general delegate of the international solidarity organisation.
“Four of our workers, including a driver, were travelling yesterday onboard a vehicle of our agency, easily identifiable, in the Anaka area of the Amuru district. They were attacked by at least three gunmen who opened fire. Two workers were killed and the other two managed to escape”, referred Caley. “We are doing everything possible to find those responsible. This episode will not remain unpunished, the culprits will be caught and brought to court”, added the ACTED representative, specifying that an investigation is already underway.
The most probable hypothesis is that the aid workers were targeted by thieves. ACTED is an apolitical and non-confessional international relief agency that after its creation in Afghanistan in 1993 expanded operations to some twenty countries of the World’s South. In the Ugandan Amuru district the agency works in the rehabilitation of the countless displaced from their villages during the twenty-year rebellion of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army), now engaged in a delicate peace process with the government of Kampala.
Amnesty: Don't send genocide suspects to Rwanda.
Reuters
Nov 2 2007
By Daniel Wallis
Amnesty International urged governments on Friday not to send anyone suspected of crimes during Rwanda's 1994 genocide to be tried in the country, saying it had serious concerns over the justice system.
The central African country wants suspects in to be transferred to its custody, but Amnesty said that despite improvements in the Rwandan justice system, it had serious concerns about Kigali's ability to investigate and prosecute genocide-related crimes fairly, impartially, and in line with international standards.
"We recognise the importance of Rwandan national courts taking responsibility for investigating and prosecuting persons accused of the heinous crimes," Erwin van der Borght, of Amnesty's Africa Programme, said in a statement.
"However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the rights of both the accused and the victims will be fully respected and protected by these courts."
Van der Borght said countries where suspects were currently living should prosecute them themselves.
He urged the Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which has been trying the main architects of the genocide, not to transfer any cases to Rwanda until authorities there had shown they would conduct trials fairly, and would protect all victims and witnesses.
Rwanda rejected Amnesty's objections.
"We have been handling many of these cases, more than the ICTR and any other foreign country," Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga told Reuters.
"If it's about protecting victims and witnesses, that is a test we have already passed and need no more lessons."
Amnesty said the tribunal should ask the U.N. Security Council for more time and funds to complete trials itself, rather than transferring a number of outstanding cases to Kigali when it winds up its work next year.
But Ngoga said the tribunal had already satisfied itself about Kigali's judicial competence. "The ICTR has done its homework and proved that the Rwandan jurisdiction is competent and ready to handle those cases," he said.
Ngoga said it was unfortunate for Amnesty's accusations to surface just when the ICTR's time to complete its trials was about to end.
Since being set up in 1994 and holding its first trial in 1997, ICTR has completed 34 trials, convicted 28 people and acquitted five. The court has 29 trials under way with six pending and it has transferred one case to the Hague, Netherlands.
In June, the court said it wanted to send 17 of its cases to Rwanda.
Amnesty said this year that Rwanda had formally and informally asked Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Finland for the extradition of several people accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in 1994, which the Rwandan prosecutor said they would continue to do.
"We will continue to mobilise different nations to apprehend and transfer fugitives still at large and request them not to pay attention to such misleading allegations," Ngoga said.
(Additional reporting by Arthur Asiimwe in Kigali)
Nov 2 2007
By Daniel Wallis
Amnesty International urged governments on Friday not to send anyone suspected of crimes during Rwanda's 1994 genocide to be tried in the country, saying it had serious concerns over the justice system.
The central African country wants suspects in to be transferred to its custody, but Amnesty said that despite improvements in the Rwandan justice system, it had serious concerns about Kigali's ability to investigate and prosecute genocide-related crimes fairly, impartially, and in line with international standards.
"We recognise the importance of Rwandan national courts taking responsibility for investigating and prosecuting persons accused of the heinous crimes," Erwin van der Borght, of Amnesty's Africa Programme, said in a statement.
"However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the rights of both the accused and the victims will be fully respected and protected by these courts."
Van der Borght said countries where suspects were currently living should prosecute them themselves.
He urged the Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which has been trying the main architects of the genocide, not to transfer any cases to Rwanda until authorities there had shown they would conduct trials fairly, and would protect all victims and witnesses.
Rwanda rejected Amnesty's objections.
"We have been handling many of these cases, more than the ICTR and any other foreign country," Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga told Reuters.
"If it's about protecting victims and witnesses, that is a test we have already passed and need no more lessons."
Amnesty said the tribunal should ask the U.N. Security Council for more time and funds to complete trials itself, rather than transferring a number of outstanding cases to Kigali when it winds up its work next year.
But Ngoga said the tribunal had already satisfied itself about Kigali's judicial competence. "The ICTR has done its homework and proved that the Rwandan jurisdiction is competent and ready to handle those cases," he said.
Ngoga said it was unfortunate for Amnesty's accusations to surface just when the ICTR's time to complete its trials was about to end.
Since being set up in 1994 and holding its first trial in 1997, ICTR has completed 34 trials, convicted 28 people and acquitted five. The court has 29 trials under way with six pending and it has transferred one case to the Hague, Netherlands.
In June, the court said it wanted to send 17 of its cases to Rwanda.
Amnesty said this year that Rwanda had formally and informally asked Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Finland for the extradition of several people accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in 1994, which the Rwandan prosecutor said they would continue to do.
"We will continue to mobilise different nations to apprehend and transfer fugitives still at large and request them not to pay attention to such misleading allegations," Ngoga said.
(Additional reporting by Arthur Asiimwe in Kigali)
01 November, 2007
Ituri: Rebel Leader Killed, New Disarmament Operation.
MISNA
1 November 2007
The Congolese regular army (FARDC) fought against some dissidents of the FNI, which is reluctant to join the disarmament process leading to the death of the dissident leader, Haritie Ngadjole, as well as other militiamen. MONUC said that the FARDC operation was conducted between last October 17 and 21 in the area of Lalo as a “response to recent attacks launched by dissidents”. A joint operation – ‘Ituri Ironstone’ – of MONUC and FARDC was launched yesterday to put pressure on rebels of the FRPI to force them to put down their weapons. Last week, Germain Katanga, allehed FRPI leader, appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Other armed groups in Ituri, including the main wing of the FNI, are gradually adhering to the disarmament process and the reintegration of the army in civilian life. Some 60,000 people in the region were killed during and after the formal end of the Congolese conflict (1998-2003), especially because of a struggle to control mining resources.
1 November 2007
The Congolese regular army (FARDC) fought against some dissidents of the FNI, which is reluctant to join the disarmament process leading to the death of the dissident leader, Haritie Ngadjole, as well as other militiamen. MONUC said that the FARDC operation was conducted between last October 17 and 21 in the area of Lalo as a “response to recent attacks launched by dissidents”. A joint operation – ‘Ituri Ironstone’ – of MONUC and FARDC was launched yesterday to put pressure on rebels of the FRPI to force them to put down their weapons. Last week, Germain Katanga, allehed FRPI leader, appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Other armed groups in Ituri, including the main wing of the FNI, are gradually adhering to the disarmament process and the reintegration of the army in civilian life. Some 60,000 people in the region were killed during and after the formal end of the Congolese conflict (1998-2003), especially because of a struggle to control mining resources.
US excludes Southern Sudan from sanctions.
Sudan Tribune
Nov 1 2007
Editor's Note: Earlier this week, South Sudan applied to join the EAC. Their succession vote is already a foregone conclusion. Under the current political strife, the SPLM may even decide to push for early succession as a stipulation for a new peace agreement with US backing.
The US department of Treasury issued a new rule revising the areas of Sudan covered by sanctions and recognizing the government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) as an entity separate from the Government of Sudan.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury which issued the rule late Wednesday justified its decision by saying that presidential executive order imposing sanctions had to be reconciled with the Darfur Peace and Accountability of 2006 that called for “support of the regional government of Southern Sudan”.
However the new rule upheld sanctions imposed on all transactions relating to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries even in Southern Sudan.
The rule exempts “all trade and related transactions and humanitarian assistance in specified areas of Sudan, including Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and four official camps for internally displaced persons (Mayo, El Salaam, Wad El Bashir, and Soba) from the sanctions imposed on Sudan by Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997”.
The amendment exempts financial transactions and all shipments of goods, services, and technology as long as they do not transit non-exempt areas of Sudan or involve institutions owned by the government of Sudan.
However the rule provided for exceptions if imports or exports from South Sudan may transit non-exempt areas if the US Treasury grants prior approval.
The surprise announcement by the US comes amidst power crisis between the Southern ex-rebel group, Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the ruling National Congress party (NCP).
The SPLM decided to suspend their participation in the national unity government because of what they describe as the NCP’s failure to fully implement crucial elements of the peace agreement.
The latest move by the SPLM raised concern that the CPA that ended two decades of civil war between the Arab and Muslim-dominated north and the mainly Christian and animist black southerners may unravel.
Late September the Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Pagan Amum said that Washington decided to exclude southern Sudan from sanctions imposed on Sudan since 1997.
Amum said that this decision was made following talks held by a southern delegation with US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
Last May the US president George Bush ordered stiffened sanctions on Sudan that will bar 31 companies controlled by the government from doing business in the U.S. financial system as well as sanctions on four Sudanese individuals, including two senior Sudanese officials and a rebel leader suspected of involvement in the Darfur violence.
The 2005 peace agreement brokered by the US and other western countries ended two decades of civil war between the Arab and Muslim-dominated north and the mainly Christian and animist black southerners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is the text of the Final rule on Sudan sanctions
Sudanese Sanctions Regulations - Federal Register Extracts 1,789 words 31 October 2007 Department of the Treasury Documents English Copyright (c) 2007 FIND, Inc.
Foreign Assets Control Office
SUMMARY: The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is amending the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 538, to include several new provisions implementing Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective Date: October 31, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assistant Director for Compliance Outreach & Implementation, tel.: 202/622-2490, Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202/622-2480, Assistant Director for Policy, tel.: 202/622-4855, Office of Foreign Assets Control, or Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), tel.: 202/622-2410, Office of the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220 (not toll free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document and additional information concerning the Office of Foreign Assets Control are available from OFAC’s Web site (http: // www.treas.gov/ofac ) or via facsimile through a 24-hour fax-on demand service, tel.: (202) 622-0077.
Background
The Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 538 (the "SSR"), were promulgated to implement Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997 ("E.O. 13067"), in which the President declared a national emergency with respect to the policies and actions of the Government of Sudan. To deal with that emergency, E.O. 13067 imposed comprehensive trade sanctions with respect to Sudan and blocked all property and interests in property of the Government of Sudan in the United States or within the possession or control of United States persons.
On October 13, 2006, the President signed into law the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006 (the "DPAA"), which, among other things, calls for support of the regional government of Southern Sudan, assistance with the peace efforts in Darfur, and provision of economic assistance in specified areas of Sudan. In particular, section 7 of the DPAA requires the continuation of the sanctions currently imposed on the Government of Sudan pursuant to E.O. 13067. However, section 8(e) of the DPAA exempts from the prohibitions of E.O. 13067 activities or related transactions with respect to certain areas in Sudan, including Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum.
To reconcile sections 7 and 8(e) of the DPAA and to maintain in place sanctions on the Government of Sudan, the President issued Executive Order 13412 on October 13, 2006 ("E.O. 13412"). In E.O. 13412, the President determined that the Government of Sudan continues to implement policies and actions that violate human rights, in particular with respect to the conflict in Darfur, and that the Government of Sudan plays a pervasive role in Sudan’s petroleum and petrochemical industries, thus constituting a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
In light of these determinations, and in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13067, section 1 of E.O. 13412 continues the blocking of the Government of Sudan’s property and interests in property that are in or come within the United States, or that are in or come within the possession or control of United States persons. Section 2 of E.O. 13412 prohibits transactions by United States persons relating to the petroleum or petrochemical industries in Sudan, including, but not limited to, oilfield services and oil or gas pipelines. Both sections 1 and 2 of E.O. 13412 apply to the entire territory of Sudan.
Section 4 of E.O. 13412, consistent with section 8(e) of the DPAA, provides that the prohibitions contained in section 2 of E.O. 13067 no longer apply to activities or related transactions with respect to Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, or marginalized areas in and around Khartoum, provided that the transactions do not involve any property or interests in property of the Government of Sudan. Section 4(b)(ii) of E.O. 13412 authorizes the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to define the geographic areas of Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum for purposes of the order. In addition, section 6(d) of E.O. 13412 defines the term "Government of Sudan" to include its agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities, and the Central Bank of Sudan, but to exclude the regional government of Southern Sudan.
In accordance with E.O. 13412, the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") today is amending the SSR to add several new provisions implementing the provisions of E.O. 13412 discussed above. First, OFAC is renumbering SUBSEC 538.210 and 538.211 as SUBSEC 538.211 and 538.212, respectively, in order to add a new SEC 538.210. Paragraph (a) of new SEC 538.210 prohibits all transactions by United States persons relating to the petroleum or petrochemical industries in Sudan, including, but not limited to, oilfield services and oil or gas pipelines. Paragraph (b) of SEC 538.210 prohibits the facilitation by a United States person of any transaction relating to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries.
Second, OFAC is adding an exemption to newly renumbered SEC 538.212. Paragraph (g)(1) of SEC 538.212 provides that, except for the provisions of SUBSEC 538.201-203, 538.210, and 538.211, and except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of SEC 538.212, the prohibitions contained in the SSR do not apply to activities or related transactions with respect to the Specified Areas of Sudan. This provision means that, subject to the new interpretive sections set forth below, activities and related transactions with respect to the Specified Areas of Sudan are no longer prohibited, unless they involve any property or interests in property of the Government of Sudan or relate to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries. In addition, paragraph (g)(2) of SEC 538.212 states that the exemption does not apply to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices. Section 906 of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-387) continues to impose licensing requirements on these transactions, regardless of the intended destination in Sudan. These licensing requirements are implemented in SUBSEC 538.523, 538.525, and 538.526.
Third, OFAC is revising the definition of the term Government of Sudan contained in SEC 538.305 to exclude the regional government of Southern Sudan, as set forth in section 6(d) of E.O. 13412.
Fourth, OFAC is adding a new definitional section to identify the areas of Sudan that were exempted in section 4(b) of E.O. 13412 from the prohibitions contained in section 2 of E.O. 13067. New SEC 538.320 defines the term Specified Areas of Sudan to mean Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum. This section also defines the term "marginalized areas in and around Khartoum" to refer to four official camps for internally displaced persons.
Fifth, OFAC is adding interpretive SEC 538.417 to clarify that all of the prohibitions in the SSR apply to shipments of goods, services, and technology that transit areas of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Section 538.417(a) provides that an exportation or reexportation of goods, technology, or services to the Specified Areas of Sudan is exempt under SEC 538.212(g) only if it does not transit or transship through any area of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Section 538.417(b) provides that an importation into the United States of goods or services from, or originating in, the Specified Areas of Sudan is exempt under SEC 538.212(g) only if it does not transit or transship through any area of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Thus, imports and exports to or from the Specified Areas of Sudan that do not transit or transship non-exempt areas of Sudan are not prohibited, provided that the Government of Sudan does not have an interest in the transaction and the transaction does not relate to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries. However, imports and exports to or from the Specified Areas of Sudan that involve the transiting of, or transshipment through, non-exempt areas of Sudan, e.g., Khartoum and Port Sudan, require authorization from OFAC.
OFAC is also adding interpretive SEC 538.418 to explain the prohibitions on financial transactions in Sudan. Financial transactions are no longer prohibited by the SSR if: (1) The underlying activity is not prohibited by the SSR; (2) the financial transaction involves a third-country depository institution, or a Sudanese depository institution not owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan, that is located in the Specified Areas of Sudan; and (3) the financial transaction is not routed through a depository institution that is located in the non-exempt areas or that is owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan, wherever located. However, any financial transactions that involve, in any manner, depository institutions that are located in the non-exempt areas of Sudan, e.g., Khartoum, remain prohibited and require authorization from OFAC.
For example, if a financial transaction involves a branch of a depository institution in the Specified Areas of Sudan, but that depository institution is headquartered in Khartoum and requires all financial transactions to be routed through the headquarters or another branch located in the non-exempt areas of Sudan, that transaction is prohibited and requires authorization from OFAC.
Finally, OFAC is amending the SSR to add three new general licenses, which are set forth in SUBSEC 538.530, 538.531, and 538.532. Paragraph (a) of SEC 538.530 provides that all general licenses issued pursuant to E.O. 13067 are authorized and remain in effect pursuant to E.O. 13412. Paragraph (b) of SEC 538.530 provides that all specific licenses and all nongovernmental organization registrations issued pursuant to E.O. 13067 or the SSR prior to October 13, 2006, are authorized pursuant to E.O. 13412 and remain in effect until the expiration date specified in the license or registration, or if no expiration date is specified, June 30, 2008. OFAC urges all license and nongovernmental organization registration holders to take note of this potentially new expiration date, which applies to all licenses and registrations that do not otherwise contain an expiration date, regardless of when they were originally issued.
Nov 1 2007
Editor's Note: Earlier this week, South Sudan applied to join the EAC. Their succession vote is already a foregone conclusion. Under the current political strife, the SPLM may even decide to push for early succession as a stipulation for a new peace agreement with US backing.
The US department of Treasury issued a new rule revising the areas of Sudan covered by sanctions and recognizing the government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) as an entity separate from the Government of Sudan.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury which issued the rule late Wednesday justified its decision by saying that presidential executive order imposing sanctions had to be reconciled with the Darfur Peace and Accountability of 2006 that called for “support of the regional government of Southern Sudan”.
However the new rule upheld sanctions imposed on all transactions relating to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries even in Southern Sudan.
The rule exempts “all trade and related transactions and humanitarian assistance in specified areas of Sudan, including Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and four official camps for internally displaced persons (Mayo, El Salaam, Wad El Bashir, and Soba) from the sanctions imposed on Sudan by Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997”.
The amendment exempts financial transactions and all shipments of goods, services, and technology as long as they do not transit non-exempt areas of Sudan or involve institutions owned by the government of Sudan.
However the rule provided for exceptions if imports or exports from South Sudan may transit non-exempt areas if the US Treasury grants prior approval.
The surprise announcement by the US comes amidst power crisis between the Southern ex-rebel group, Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the ruling National Congress party (NCP).
The SPLM decided to suspend their participation in the national unity government because of what they describe as the NCP’s failure to fully implement crucial elements of the peace agreement.
The latest move by the SPLM raised concern that the CPA that ended two decades of civil war between the Arab and Muslim-dominated north and the mainly Christian and animist black southerners may unravel.
Late September the Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Pagan Amum said that Washington decided to exclude southern Sudan from sanctions imposed on Sudan since 1997.
Amum said that this decision was made following talks held by a southern delegation with US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.
Last May the US president George Bush ordered stiffened sanctions on Sudan that will bar 31 companies controlled by the government from doing business in the U.S. financial system as well as sanctions on four Sudanese individuals, including two senior Sudanese officials and a rebel leader suspected of involvement in the Darfur violence.
The 2005 peace agreement brokered by the US and other western countries ended two decades of civil war between the Arab and Muslim-dominated north and the mainly Christian and animist black southerners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below is the text of the Final rule on Sudan sanctions
Sudanese Sanctions Regulations - Federal Register Extracts 1,789 words 31 October 2007 Department of the Treasury Documents English Copyright (c) 2007 FIND, Inc.
Foreign Assets Control Office
SUMMARY: The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury is amending the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 538, to include several new provisions implementing Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective Date: October 31, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Assistant Director for Compliance Outreach & Implementation, tel.: 202/622-2490, Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202/622-2480, Assistant Director for Policy, tel.: 202/622-4855, Office of Foreign Assets Control, or Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), tel.: 202/622-2410, Office of the General Counsel, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC 20220 (not toll free numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document and additional information concerning the Office of Foreign Assets Control are available from OFAC’s Web site (http: // www.treas.gov/ofac ) or via facsimile through a 24-hour fax-on demand service, tel.: (202) 622-0077.
Background
The Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 538 (the "SSR"), were promulgated to implement Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997 ("E.O. 13067"), in which the President declared a national emergency with respect to the policies and actions of the Government of Sudan. To deal with that emergency, E.O. 13067 imposed comprehensive trade sanctions with respect to Sudan and blocked all property and interests in property of the Government of Sudan in the United States or within the possession or control of United States persons.
On October 13, 2006, the President signed into law the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006 (the "DPAA"), which, among other things, calls for support of the regional government of Southern Sudan, assistance with the peace efforts in Darfur, and provision of economic assistance in specified areas of Sudan. In particular, section 7 of the DPAA requires the continuation of the sanctions currently imposed on the Government of Sudan pursuant to E.O. 13067. However, section 8(e) of the DPAA exempts from the prohibitions of E.O. 13067 activities or related transactions with respect to certain areas in Sudan, including Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum.
To reconcile sections 7 and 8(e) of the DPAA and to maintain in place sanctions on the Government of Sudan, the President issued Executive Order 13412 on October 13, 2006 ("E.O. 13412"). In E.O. 13412, the President determined that the Government of Sudan continues to implement policies and actions that violate human rights, in particular with respect to the conflict in Darfur, and that the Government of Sudan plays a pervasive role in Sudan’s petroleum and petrochemical industries, thus constituting a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
In light of these determinations, and in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13067, section 1 of E.O. 13412 continues the blocking of the Government of Sudan’s property and interests in property that are in or come within the United States, or that are in or come within the possession or control of United States persons. Section 2 of E.O. 13412 prohibits transactions by United States persons relating to the petroleum or petrochemical industries in Sudan, including, but not limited to, oilfield services and oil or gas pipelines. Both sections 1 and 2 of E.O. 13412 apply to the entire territory of Sudan.
Section 4 of E.O. 13412, consistent with section 8(e) of the DPAA, provides that the prohibitions contained in section 2 of E.O. 13067 no longer apply to activities or related transactions with respect to Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, or marginalized areas in and around Khartoum, provided that the transactions do not involve any property or interests in property of the Government of Sudan. Section 4(b)(ii) of E.O. 13412 authorizes the Secretary of State, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to define the geographic areas of Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum for purposes of the order. In addition, section 6(d) of E.O. 13412 defines the term "Government of Sudan" to include its agencies, instrumentalities, and controlled entities, and the Central Bank of Sudan, but to exclude the regional government of Southern Sudan.
In accordance with E.O. 13412, the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") today is amending the SSR to add several new provisions implementing the provisions of E.O. 13412 discussed above. First, OFAC is renumbering SUBSEC 538.210 and 538.211 as SUBSEC 538.211 and 538.212, respectively, in order to add a new SEC 538.210. Paragraph (a) of new SEC 538.210 prohibits all transactions by United States persons relating to the petroleum or petrochemical industries in Sudan, including, but not limited to, oilfield services and oil or gas pipelines. Paragraph (b) of SEC 538.210 prohibits the facilitation by a United States person of any transaction relating to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries.
Second, OFAC is adding an exemption to newly renumbered SEC 538.212. Paragraph (g)(1) of SEC 538.212 provides that, except for the provisions of SUBSEC 538.201-203, 538.210, and 538.211, and except as provided in paragraph (g)(2) of SEC 538.212, the prohibitions contained in the SSR do not apply to activities or related transactions with respect to the Specified Areas of Sudan. This provision means that, subject to the new interpretive sections set forth below, activities and related transactions with respect to the Specified Areas of Sudan are no longer prohibited, unless they involve any property or interests in property of the Government of Sudan or relate to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries. In addition, paragraph (g)(2) of SEC 538.212 states that the exemption does not apply to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices. Section 906 of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-387) continues to impose licensing requirements on these transactions, regardless of the intended destination in Sudan. These licensing requirements are implemented in SUBSEC 538.523, 538.525, and 538.526.
Third, OFAC is revising the definition of the term Government of Sudan contained in SEC 538.305 to exclude the regional government of Southern Sudan, as set forth in section 6(d) of E.O. 13412.
Fourth, OFAC is adding a new definitional section to identify the areas of Sudan that were exempted in section 4(b) of E.O. 13412 from the prohibitions contained in section 2 of E.O. 13067. New SEC 538.320 defines the term Specified Areas of Sudan to mean Southern Sudan, Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains State, Blue Nile State, Abyei, Darfur, and marginalized areas in and around Khartoum. This section also defines the term "marginalized areas in and around Khartoum" to refer to four official camps for internally displaced persons.
Fifth, OFAC is adding interpretive SEC 538.417 to clarify that all of the prohibitions in the SSR apply to shipments of goods, services, and technology that transit areas of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Section 538.417(a) provides that an exportation or reexportation of goods, technology, or services to the Specified Areas of Sudan is exempt under SEC 538.212(g) only if it does not transit or transship through any area of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Section 538.417(b) provides that an importation into the United States of goods or services from, or originating in, the Specified Areas of Sudan is exempt under SEC 538.212(g) only if it does not transit or transship through any area of Sudan other than the Specified Areas of Sudan. Thus, imports and exports to or from the Specified Areas of Sudan that do not transit or transship non-exempt areas of Sudan are not prohibited, provided that the Government of Sudan does not have an interest in the transaction and the transaction does not relate to Sudan’s petroleum or petrochemical industries. However, imports and exports to or from the Specified Areas of Sudan that involve the transiting of, or transshipment through, non-exempt areas of Sudan, e.g., Khartoum and Port Sudan, require authorization from OFAC.
OFAC is also adding interpretive SEC 538.418 to explain the prohibitions on financial transactions in Sudan. Financial transactions are no longer prohibited by the SSR if: (1) The underlying activity is not prohibited by the SSR; (2) the financial transaction involves a third-country depository institution, or a Sudanese depository institution not owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan, that is located in the Specified Areas of Sudan; and (3) the financial transaction is not routed through a depository institution that is located in the non-exempt areas or that is owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan, wherever located. However, any financial transactions that involve, in any manner, depository institutions that are located in the non-exempt areas of Sudan, e.g., Khartoum, remain prohibited and require authorization from OFAC.
For example, if a financial transaction involves a branch of a depository institution in the Specified Areas of Sudan, but that depository institution is headquartered in Khartoum and requires all financial transactions to be routed through the headquarters or another branch located in the non-exempt areas of Sudan, that transaction is prohibited and requires authorization from OFAC.
Finally, OFAC is amending the SSR to add three new general licenses, which are set forth in SUBSEC 538.530, 538.531, and 538.532. Paragraph (a) of SEC 538.530 provides that all general licenses issued pursuant to E.O. 13067 are authorized and remain in effect pursuant to E.O. 13412. Paragraph (b) of SEC 538.530 provides that all specific licenses and all nongovernmental organization registrations issued pursuant to E.O. 13067 or the SSR prior to October 13, 2006, are authorized pursuant to E.O. 13412 and remain in effect until the expiration date specified in the license or registration, or if no expiration date is specified, June 30, 2008. OFAC urges all license and nongovernmental organization registration holders to take note of this potentially new expiration date, which applies to all licenses and registrations that do not otherwise contain an expiration date, regardless of when they were originally issued.
Angola: Country Promises to Assist Mozambique in Oil Industry.
Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
31 October 2007
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos on Wednesday promised that Angolan expertise in the oil industry will be put at the disposal of Mozambique.
Speaking to reporters, alongside his Mozambique counterpart Armando Guebuza, at the end of a 24 hour state visit to Mozambique, dos Santos said "All Angola's experience in the petroleum sector is at the disposal of the Mozambicans".
The Mozambican authorities are optimistic that oil will be found in the Rovuma Basin in the north of the country. Currently four oil companies - Anadarko of the USA, Artumas of Canada, Norsk- Hydro of Norway, and ENI of Italy - are exploring in onshore and offshore blocks. There are also possibilities that oil could be found in central Mozambique, near the Zambezi delta.
Asked to comment on the forthcoming Europe-Africa summit, scheduled for early December in Lisbon, both dos Santos and Guebuza made it clear that they wish to attend. "We shall be there as long as the conference is held within parameters in which the rights of the countries on both sides are not alienated", said dos Santos.
Guebuza said "if the rights and interests of Africa are safeguarded, it will be worthwhile to be there".
Such careful words neither affirm nor deny the possibility of staying away if Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is not invited. Mugabe is the only African head of state who is banned from travelling to the European Union.
Portugal, which regards the summit as a prestigious event, and a crowning moment in its chairmanship of the EU, seemed prepared to override the ban and invite Mugabe, but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that if Mugabe went to Lisbon than he would not attend. The matter is still not resolved, and the Portuguese government has yet to issue the formal invitations.
Dos Santos thought that the Zimbabwean issue should not be allowed to dominate the summit. There was more than the dispute between Britain and Mugabe to discuss. "It's the life of the continent that will be under debate in Lisbon", he said.
Asked about regional integration, the two presidents stressed that this was a gradual process, permanently improving the structures of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), heading towards complete integration of its members.
However Angola, like the Democratic Republic of Congo, has announced that it will not be joining the SADC free trade area in 2008 at the same time as the other member states. Also problematic is the question of "dual affiliation".
Mozambique is the only southern African country that has shown full commitment to SADC by not joining any other regional community. Angola, however, is a member of SADC, of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), and of CEEAC (Economic Community of Central African States).
Dos Santos saw no problem, and claimed the day would come when SADC and CEEAC "will be interlinked. Sooner or later they will be one body".
But the Executive Secretary of SADC, Tomaz Salomao, speaking in Maputo on 12 October took a very different position, insisting that countries would have to make up their minds, particularly between SADC and COMESA.
The key problem is that, under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, no country can belong to more than one customs union - and both SADC and COMESA intend to create customs union. The SADC customs union is scheduled for 2010, but the COMESA customs union is to take effect in 2008. In principle, any country that opts to join the COMESA customs union, cannot also join the SADC one.
31 October 2007
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos on Wednesday promised that Angolan expertise in the oil industry will be put at the disposal of Mozambique.
Speaking to reporters, alongside his Mozambique counterpart Armando Guebuza, at the end of a 24 hour state visit to Mozambique, dos Santos said "All Angola's experience in the petroleum sector is at the disposal of the Mozambicans".
The Mozambican authorities are optimistic that oil will be found in the Rovuma Basin in the north of the country. Currently four oil companies - Anadarko of the USA, Artumas of Canada, Norsk- Hydro of Norway, and ENI of Italy - are exploring in onshore and offshore blocks. There are also possibilities that oil could be found in central Mozambique, near the Zambezi delta.
Asked to comment on the forthcoming Europe-Africa summit, scheduled for early December in Lisbon, both dos Santos and Guebuza made it clear that they wish to attend. "We shall be there as long as the conference is held within parameters in which the rights of the countries on both sides are not alienated", said dos Santos.
Guebuza said "if the rights and interests of Africa are safeguarded, it will be worthwhile to be there".
Such careful words neither affirm nor deny the possibility of staying away if Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is not invited. Mugabe is the only African head of state who is banned from travelling to the European Union.
Portugal, which regards the summit as a prestigious event, and a crowning moment in its chairmanship of the EU, seemed prepared to override the ban and invite Mugabe, but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that if Mugabe went to Lisbon than he would not attend. The matter is still not resolved, and the Portuguese government has yet to issue the formal invitations.
Dos Santos thought that the Zimbabwean issue should not be allowed to dominate the summit. There was more than the dispute between Britain and Mugabe to discuss. "It's the life of the continent that will be under debate in Lisbon", he said.
Asked about regional integration, the two presidents stressed that this was a gradual process, permanently improving the structures of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), heading towards complete integration of its members.
However Angola, like the Democratic Republic of Congo, has announced that it will not be joining the SADC free trade area in 2008 at the same time as the other member states. Also problematic is the question of "dual affiliation".
Mozambique is the only southern African country that has shown full commitment to SADC by not joining any other regional community. Angola, however, is a member of SADC, of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), and of CEEAC (Economic Community of Central African States).
Dos Santos saw no problem, and claimed the day would come when SADC and CEEAC "will be interlinked. Sooner or later they will be one body".
But the Executive Secretary of SADC, Tomaz Salomao, speaking in Maputo on 12 October took a very different position, insisting that countries would have to make up their minds, particularly between SADC and COMESA.
The key problem is that, under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, no country can belong to more than one customs union - and both SADC and COMESA intend to create customs union. The SADC customs union is scheduled for 2010, but the COMESA customs union is to take effect in 2008. In principle, any country that opts to join the COMESA customs union, cannot also join the SADC one.
31 October, 2007
Ethiopia-Iran trade ties increasing at higher rate - envoy.
Sudan Tribune
30 October 2007
The out going Iranian Ambassador to Ethiopia, kimors Fitwigamn, today said the Ethio-Iranian trade ties has boosted to a higher level in record, over the past 3 years.
In a goodbye ceremony held at the presidential place in Addis Ababa, ambassador kimors said “the 19 million dollar trade ties of the two nations 3 years ago has shoot up to 35 million dollars now.”
The trade ties of the two nation’s dates back, decades of years soon after both opened a diplomatic mission in each others soil.
According to the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs higher official, who attended the talks, a number of Iranian investors by now have engaged them selves in different investment sectors in the horn nation.
The Iranian envoy has pledged that his country will further provide aid to Ethiopia to enhance Ethiopia’s promising developmental activities at hand.
“Iran is ready to help Ethiopia in sectors of agriculture, education and technology” kimors said.
The recently re-elected Ethiopian president, Girma Woldegiorgis, in his side said “the diplomatic and economic ties of the two nations will be kept continually strengthened.” adding “Ethiopian government will create a hand some ground for Iranian investors willing to invest in Ethiopia and for Ethiopian products to be exported to Iran as well”
The ambassador further said “Iran will further boost the existing diplomatic relation of the two countries, now at its best”
Recently foreign ministries of both countries have paid a visit to each other’s country for an experience sharing.
The two nations are said to have something to share in common, kept their land form foreign invasion and having their own language and alphabet.
30 October 2007
The out going Iranian Ambassador to Ethiopia, kimors Fitwigamn, today said the Ethio-Iranian trade ties has boosted to a higher level in record, over the past 3 years.
In a goodbye ceremony held at the presidential place in Addis Ababa, ambassador kimors said “the 19 million dollar trade ties of the two nations 3 years ago has shoot up to 35 million dollars now.”
The trade ties of the two nation’s dates back, decades of years soon after both opened a diplomatic mission in each others soil.
According to the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs higher official, who attended the talks, a number of Iranian investors by now have engaged them selves in different investment sectors in the horn nation.
The Iranian envoy has pledged that his country will further provide aid to Ethiopia to enhance Ethiopia’s promising developmental activities at hand.
“Iran is ready to help Ethiopia in sectors of agriculture, education and technology” kimors said.
The recently re-elected Ethiopian president, Girma Woldegiorgis, in his side said “the diplomatic and economic ties of the two nations will be kept continually strengthened.” adding “Ethiopian government will create a hand some ground for Iranian investors willing to invest in Ethiopia and for Ethiopian products to be exported to Iran as well”
The ambassador further said “Iran will further boost the existing diplomatic relation of the two countries, now at its best”
Recently foreign ministries of both countries have paid a visit to each other’s country for an experience sharing.
The two nations are said to have something to share in common, kept their land form foreign invasion and having their own language and alphabet.
Sudan says cooperation with CIA prevented US ‘destructive’ backlash.
Sudan Tribune
31 October 2007
Sudan’s spy chief revealed that his government has maintained strong relationships with US law enforcement agencies including CIA and FBI as well as the US Department of Defense.
Salah Gosh (centre ) during the Darfur peace talks in Sirte Libya October 27, 2007.Salah Gosh, the head of Sudan’s National Security and Intelligence Service, told the Al-Ahdath daily from Libya that the cooperation with the US “helped avert devastating measures [by US administration] against Sudan”.
The intelligence cooperation between the US and Sudan was publicly exposed in 2005 when the Los Angeles Times disclosed that the CIA sent a jet in April 2005 to Khartoum to ferry Gosh into Washington for meetings on nabbing terror suspects in East Africa.
The report caused outcry among human rights groups in the US who allege that Gosh has orchestrated human right abuses in the war ravaged region of Darfur. The widespread criticism forced the US administration to subsequently deny Gosh entry to seek medical treatment for heart condition.
The same newspaper revealed in June that Sudan has secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the insurgency in Iraq despite the strained relations with Washington over the Darfur crisis.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict, which Washington calls genocide a term European governments are reluctant to use.
Darfur activists accused the Bush administration of refusing to take more forceful steps against Khartoum to avoid jeopardizing the intelligence cooperation. US officials denied the allegations saying that the counterterrorism cooperation has not prevented Washington from taking the lead on the Darfur crisis.
Gosh said that Sudan’s intelligence services has ‘excellent’ relations with its counterparts in US, UK, France, China, India, Iran and Spain. He added that Sudanese Intel officers have been receiving training in these countries without elaborating.
However the spy chief said that the cooperation with CIA “is not at the expense of Islamic public opinion in Sudan” and spoke of differences with US spy agency over combating terrorism.
Gosh’s statements brings back into spotlight the nature of the intelligence relationship between the US and Sudan. Sudanese officials have been making contradictory statements on the extent of their cooperation.
Last July the Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir told reporters that cooperation with CIA was on a limited basis only suggesting that news reports have inflated the magnitude of the relationship.
A spokesman for Sudan’s National Security and Intelligence Service told the government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) that cooperation with CIA is taking place within the Sudan’s boundaries only.
But Sudan’s former foreign minister Mustafa Ismail speaking to Los Angeles Times in 2005, said that his government “already has served as the eyes and ears of the CIA in Somalia”.
Analysts speaking to Sudan Tribune said that the conflicting statements show that Khartoum is concerned that it is increasingly appearing to be acting as a proxy for the CIA which may put it at odds with its Islamic popular base.
Sudan’s president has routinely criticized the US for putting pressure on his government over the Darfur crisis and accused Washington of trying to control its resources.
Last May the US president George Bush ordered stiffened sanctions on Sudan that will bar 31 companies controlled by the government from doing business in the U.S. financial system as well as sanctions on four Sudanese individuals, including two senior Sudanese officials and a rebel leader suspected of involvement in the Darfur violence.
31 October 2007
Sudan’s spy chief revealed that his government has maintained strong relationships with US law enforcement agencies including CIA and FBI as well as the US Department of Defense.
Salah Gosh (centre ) during the Darfur peace talks in Sirte Libya October 27, 2007.Salah Gosh, the head of Sudan’s National Security and Intelligence Service, told the Al-Ahdath daily from Libya that the cooperation with the US “helped avert devastating measures [by US administration] against Sudan”.
The intelligence cooperation between the US and Sudan was publicly exposed in 2005 when the Los Angeles Times disclosed that the CIA sent a jet in April 2005 to Khartoum to ferry Gosh into Washington for meetings on nabbing terror suspects in East Africa.
The report caused outcry among human rights groups in the US who allege that Gosh has orchestrated human right abuses in the war ravaged region of Darfur. The widespread criticism forced the US administration to subsequently deny Gosh entry to seek medical treatment for heart condition.
The same newspaper revealed in June that Sudan has secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the insurgency in Iraq despite the strained relations with Washington over the Darfur crisis.
International experts estimate 200,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict, which Washington calls genocide a term European governments are reluctant to use.
Darfur activists accused the Bush administration of refusing to take more forceful steps against Khartoum to avoid jeopardizing the intelligence cooperation. US officials denied the allegations saying that the counterterrorism cooperation has not prevented Washington from taking the lead on the Darfur crisis.
Gosh said that Sudan’s intelligence services has ‘excellent’ relations with its counterparts in US, UK, France, China, India, Iran and Spain. He added that Sudanese Intel officers have been receiving training in these countries without elaborating.
However the spy chief said that the cooperation with CIA “is not at the expense of Islamic public opinion in Sudan” and spoke of differences with US spy agency over combating terrorism.
Gosh’s statements brings back into spotlight the nature of the intelligence relationship between the US and Sudan. Sudanese officials have been making contradictory statements on the extent of their cooperation.
Last July the Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir told reporters that cooperation with CIA was on a limited basis only suggesting that news reports have inflated the magnitude of the relationship.
A spokesman for Sudan’s National Security and Intelligence Service told the government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) that cooperation with CIA is taking place within the Sudan’s boundaries only.
But Sudan’s former foreign minister Mustafa Ismail speaking to Los Angeles Times in 2005, said that his government “already has served as the eyes and ears of the CIA in Somalia”.
Analysts speaking to Sudan Tribune said that the conflicting statements show that Khartoum is concerned that it is increasingly appearing to be acting as a proxy for the CIA which may put it at odds with its Islamic popular base.
Sudan’s president has routinely criticized the US for putting pressure on his government over the Darfur crisis and accused Washington of trying to control its resources.
Last May the US president George Bush ordered stiffened sanctions on Sudan that will bar 31 companies controlled by the government from doing business in the U.S. financial system as well as sanctions on four Sudanese individuals, including two senior Sudanese officials and a rebel leader suspected of involvement in the Darfur violence.
US Navy saves North Korean hijacked vessel off Somali coast.
Shabelle News Agency
30 October 2007
The hijacked North Korean vessel from Somali coast has been saved by US navy on Tuesday afternoon after it had been hijacked by Somali pirates in Somali waters off the coast of Somalia. According to Ali Madobe, a top officer from Somali government.
Ali Madobe told Shabelle Radio on the phone that the Korean vessel has been seized by US military navy.
The vessel was South Korean cargo ship with 22 crew members on board.
It was hijacked by Somali security men overnight who were protecting the vessel.
The security officials at seaport identified as the vessel as MV DI Honga Dan, it was hijacked after it had been offloaded.
The reason of he hijacking is not yet clear.
This incident was the second piracy attack of the lawless Somali coast in the course of two consecutive days.
On Sunday, Japanese chemical tanker with 23 crew on board was also hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of northern Somalia, the fate of the ship and its crew remains unknown.
30 October 2007
The hijacked North Korean vessel from Somali coast has been saved by US navy on Tuesday afternoon after it had been hijacked by Somali pirates in Somali waters off the coast of Somalia. According to Ali Madobe, a top officer from Somali government.
Ali Madobe told Shabelle Radio on the phone that the Korean vessel has been seized by US military navy.
The vessel was South Korean cargo ship with 22 crew members on board.
It was hijacked by Somali security men overnight who were protecting the vessel.
The security officials at seaport identified as the vessel as MV DI Honga Dan, it was hijacked after it had been offloaded.
The reason of he hijacking is not yet clear.
This incident was the second piracy attack of the lawless Somali coast in the course of two consecutive days.
On Sunday, Japanese chemical tanker with 23 crew on board was also hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of northern Somalia, the fate of the ship and its crew remains unknown.
LRA Rebels in Kampala to Discuss Peace
MISNA
30 October 2007
Two rebels of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) arrived yesterday afternoon in the Ugandan capital Kampala ahead of consultations on the progress of peace talks underway for over a year with Uganda’s government. Mike Anywar and Ray Achama represent the LRA in the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team, overseeing the truce signed between the government and rebels in August 2006. “They are here to discuss the security arrangements that we shall put in place for the LRA delegation that will be coming for consultations”, Dr. Steven Kagoda, the permanent secretary of the Internal affairs ministry, said to the independent Daily Monitor newspaper, confirming that an LRA delegation, led by chairman Martin Ojul, will fly into Uganda on Thursday and arrive in Gulu on Friday to commence consultations. The local press gave wide coverage to the news, emphasising that it is the first visit to Kampala of two LRA members in over 20 years. The Ugandan government and rebels have been engaged since July in a difficult peace negotiation that in the past months led to the approval of three of four points on the agenda for a comprehensive peace accord. The talks are currently focused on the legal and criminal accountability for what occurred during two-decades of conflict and modalities of reconciliation, defined by many observers as “the heart of the peace talks”. According to MISNA sources, a growing number of LRA members are autonomously attempting to desert the LRA in the past weeks, fearing to be excluded from the benefits and resource sharing that LRA leaders and the government are negotiating in peace talks underway in Juba.
30 October 2007
Two rebels of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) arrived yesterday afternoon in the Ugandan capital Kampala ahead of consultations on the progress of peace talks underway for over a year with Uganda’s government. Mike Anywar and Ray Achama represent the LRA in the Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team, overseeing the truce signed between the government and rebels in August 2006. “They are here to discuss the security arrangements that we shall put in place for the LRA delegation that will be coming for consultations”, Dr. Steven Kagoda, the permanent secretary of the Internal affairs ministry, said to the independent Daily Monitor newspaper, confirming that an LRA delegation, led by chairman Martin Ojul, will fly into Uganda on Thursday and arrive in Gulu on Friday to commence consultations. The local press gave wide coverage to the news, emphasising that it is the first visit to Kampala of two LRA members in over 20 years. The Ugandan government and rebels have been engaged since July in a difficult peace negotiation that in the past months led to the approval of three of four points on the agenda for a comprehensive peace accord. The talks are currently focused on the legal and criminal accountability for what occurred during two-decades of conflict and modalities of reconciliation, defined by many observers as “the heart of the peace talks”. According to MISNA sources, a growing number of LRA members are autonomously attempting to desert the LRA in the past weeks, fearing to be excluded from the benefits and resource sharing that LRA leaders and the government are negotiating in peace talks underway in Juba.
Niger Delta: Attack on ENI Facility, Kidnapped Workers Released.
MISNA
30 October 2007
The six oil workers kidnapped on October 26 in an attack on an offshore production facility operated by the Italian ENI oil group off the coasts of southern Nigeria’s Niger Delta region were freed. The militant group MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) had claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack. The news of the release of the workers was confirmed in a statement on the site of the Italian oil company, specifying that the 6 Polish and Indian workers “are in good health conditions”. The group was abducted from the Mystras offshore oil production facility. 85km off the Nigerian coast, in an attack in which another Nigerian worker was “slightly injured” to one leg. The Mystras was already attacked on May 2 and November 2006, in both cases the assailants took hostages. The May attack was claimed by militants of the MEND that released the workers after a few hours.
30 October 2007
The six oil workers kidnapped on October 26 in an attack on an offshore production facility operated by the Italian ENI oil group off the coasts of southern Nigeria’s Niger Delta region were freed. The militant group MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) had claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack. The news of the release of the workers was confirmed in a statement on the site of the Italian oil company, specifying that the 6 Polish and Indian workers “are in good health conditions”. The group was abducted from the Mystras offshore oil production facility. 85km off the Nigerian coast, in an attack in which another Nigerian worker was “slightly injured” to one leg. The Mystras was already attacked on May 2 and November 2006, in both cases the assailants took hostages. The May attack was claimed by militants of the MEND that released the workers after a few hours.
Rebels Threaten French Energy Giant.
MISNA
30 October 2007
New threats were made by the rebels of the MNJ (Niger Movement for Justice), active in northern Niger, against the French Areva energy company. “Despite warnings from our movement, such as the attack on the Imoraren site, Areva continues, with approval from Paris, to promote a policy of marginalisation of the autochthonous populations without regard for international law”, reads a statement of the MNJ, a movement that last year rose against the government of Niamey and the exploitation of uranium mines in detriment of the Tuareg majority population of the north. The MNJ statement cites two articles of the Convention on the rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, in particular to the exploitation of natural resources, they deem violated by the company backed by the Niger government. “We inform Areva that from now on all its operations are regarded as illegal”, the group said, adding that Areva “is exposing its staff as well as its installations to grave consequences”. “Whether it be the gold of Tillabery, oil of Djado or uranium of Arlit, the exploitation must contribute to the development of the region before filling the pockets of executives”, concluded the MNJ. Meanwhile, the correspondent for Radio France International (RFI) in nIger, Moussa Kaka, has now been detained for 40 days after his arrest last month for contacts with the rebellion.
30 October 2007
New threats were made by the rebels of the MNJ (Niger Movement for Justice), active in northern Niger, against the French Areva energy company. “Despite warnings from our movement, such as the attack on the Imoraren site, Areva continues, with approval from Paris, to promote a policy of marginalisation of the autochthonous populations without regard for international law”, reads a statement of the MNJ, a movement that last year rose against the government of Niamey and the exploitation of uranium mines in detriment of the Tuareg majority population of the north. The MNJ statement cites two articles of the Convention on the rights of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, in particular to the exploitation of natural resources, they deem violated by the company backed by the Niger government. “We inform Areva that from now on all its operations are regarded as illegal”, the group said, adding that Areva “is exposing its staff as well as its installations to grave consequences”. “Whether it be the gold of Tillabery, oil of Djado or uranium of Arlit, the exploitation must contribute to the development of the region before filling the pockets of executives”, concluded the MNJ. Meanwhile, the correspondent for Radio France International (RFI) in nIger, Moussa Kaka, has now been detained for 40 days after his arrest last month for contacts with the rebellion.
Ivorian cocoa still smuggled despite peace deal.
Reuters
30 October 2007
By Ange Aboa
Cocoa smuggling from the rebel-held north of world top cocoa grower Ivory Coast continues despite a peace deal intended to reunite the West African country, merchants say.
The rebel New Forces who seized the northern half of the country in a 2002-2003 civil war have long acknowledged using revenue from cocoa smuggled through their zone to neighbouring countries to fund their movement.
But in spite of a March peace deal that led President Laurent Gbagbo to make New Forces chief Guillaume Soro prime minister, truckloads of beans still roll over the northern border.
"No one told us to stop sending cocoa through Burkina Faso, Guinea or elsewhere and it's not because of peace that it's going to stop. We'll send our cocoa wherever the price is good," cocoa merchant Falikou Cisse said.
He is one of many buyers working in Fengolo, a village just north of Duekoue in Ivory Coast's main western cocoa belt.
Merchants send cocoa grown around Fengolo, including some grown in the government south as well as in the rebel zone, to neighbouring states as New Forces taxes are much lower than those payable to the state at the country's two sea ports.
These lower taxes enable smugglers to outbid other merchants working in this area and that has forced some cooperatives and independent buyers out of business.
"We buy cocoa here at 450-465 CFA ($0.99-$1.02) per kg and sell it in Man or Vavoua (rebel zone) at 515-520 CFA," Cisse said. He said other merchants could only offer around 380 CFA because they would get only 450-470 CFA at the ports.
TAX INCENTIVE
Fengolo lies in what was until recently a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone which rebel and government combatants were forbidden from entering, but U.N. checkpoints have since been dismantled to make way for joint government-rebel brigades.
The town is far enough north to avoid roadblocks manned by government troops who extort money to allow trucks through.
A report this year by anti-graft campaign group Global Witness, which examined how cocoa revenues had been used to finance conflict in the country, estimated at least 77,500 tonnes of cocoa were exported through the rebel-held north.
Merchants sending cocoa this way said their main cost was a 150 CFA franc per kg tax payable to the New Forces for which they receive a waiver document to show at roadblocks. They said extortion was less costly than in the southern half.
State taxes and industry levies on cocoa exported through the ports total 269 CFA francs ($0.59) per kg and one Fengolo merchant, Hamed Yeo, said large trucks had to pay bribes of 300,000-400,000 CFA to government soldiers on their way there.
Merchant Seydou Konate used to work in Duekoue but has been sending his cocoa north from Fengolo for the last two seasons, saying it is the only way he can make a living as a cocoa buyer.
"I was making losses every day, that's why I left and came here," he said, adding he was able to buy his own pick-up truck with the profits he made last season.
"If you don't offer good prices you don't can't get cocoa. It's like that. That's the rule and because of that many merchants and cooperatives have closed because of their losses."
30 October 2007
By Ange Aboa
Cocoa smuggling from the rebel-held north of world top cocoa grower Ivory Coast continues despite a peace deal intended to reunite the West African country, merchants say.
The rebel New Forces who seized the northern half of the country in a 2002-2003 civil war have long acknowledged using revenue from cocoa smuggled through their zone to neighbouring countries to fund their movement.
But in spite of a March peace deal that led President Laurent Gbagbo to make New Forces chief Guillaume Soro prime minister, truckloads of beans still roll over the northern border.
"No one told us to stop sending cocoa through Burkina Faso, Guinea or elsewhere and it's not because of peace that it's going to stop. We'll send our cocoa wherever the price is good," cocoa merchant Falikou Cisse said.
He is one of many buyers working in Fengolo, a village just north of Duekoue in Ivory Coast's main western cocoa belt.
Merchants send cocoa grown around Fengolo, including some grown in the government south as well as in the rebel zone, to neighbouring states as New Forces taxes are much lower than those payable to the state at the country's two sea ports.
These lower taxes enable smugglers to outbid other merchants working in this area and that has forced some cooperatives and independent buyers out of business.
"We buy cocoa here at 450-465 CFA ($0.99-$1.02) per kg and sell it in Man or Vavoua (rebel zone) at 515-520 CFA," Cisse said. He said other merchants could only offer around 380 CFA because they would get only 450-470 CFA at the ports.
TAX INCENTIVE
Fengolo lies in what was until recently a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone which rebel and government combatants were forbidden from entering, but U.N. checkpoints have since been dismantled to make way for joint government-rebel brigades.
The town is far enough north to avoid roadblocks manned by government troops who extort money to allow trucks through.
A report this year by anti-graft campaign group Global Witness, which examined how cocoa revenues had been used to finance conflict in the country, estimated at least 77,500 tonnes of cocoa were exported through the rebel-held north.
Merchants sending cocoa this way said their main cost was a 150 CFA franc per kg tax payable to the New Forces for which they receive a waiver document to show at roadblocks. They said extortion was less costly than in the southern half.
State taxes and industry levies on cocoa exported through the ports total 269 CFA francs ($0.59) per kg and one Fengolo merchant, Hamed Yeo, said large trucks had to pay bribes of 300,000-400,000 CFA to government soldiers on their way there.
Merchant Seydou Konate used to work in Duekoue but has been sending his cocoa north from Fengolo for the last two seasons, saying it is the only way he can make a living as a cocoa buyer.
"I was making losses every day, that's why I left and came here," he said, adding he was able to buy his own pick-up truck with the profits he made last season.
"If you don't offer good prices you don't can't get cocoa. It's like that. That's the rule and because of that many merchants and cooperatives have closed because of their losses."
Carlyle in talks to sell %9.9 management stake to Chinese.
UK Times Online
30 October 2007
Tom Bawden in New York
Carlyle Group is in talks to sell up to 9.9 per cent of itself to China’s Social Security Fund in a move that would make it the latest American buyout firm to sell a stake in its management company to the Chinese.
The talks, which began over the summer, emerged five months after Blackstone Group, a key rival, sold a 10 per cent stake in itself to the Chinese Government and floated on the New York Stock Exchange.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), the private equity firm, and Och Ziff, the hedge fund, have also announced intentions to float. The hedge fund also announced plans yesterday to sell a 9.9 per cent stake to Dubai International, the investment firm controlled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, for $1.26 billion (£611 million).
The Social Security Fund, which has about $62 billion of assets, is thought to be keen to tap the vast profits that private equity firms have made in recent years and is said to have also spoken to other suitors.
A deal with the Chinese fund would mark the third sale of a management stake by Carlyle. Previously it has sold small stakes to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (Calpers) and the Mubadala arm of the Abu Dhabi Government.
30 October 2007
Tom Bawden in New York
Carlyle Group is in talks to sell up to 9.9 per cent of itself to China’s Social Security Fund in a move that would make it the latest American buyout firm to sell a stake in its management company to the Chinese.
The talks, which began over the summer, emerged five months after Blackstone Group, a key rival, sold a 10 per cent stake in itself to the Chinese Government and floated on the New York Stock Exchange.
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR), the private equity firm, and Och Ziff, the hedge fund, have also announced intentions to float. The hedge fund also announced plans yesterday to sell a 9.9 per cent stake to Dubai International, the investment firm controlled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, for $1.26 billion (£611 million).
The Social Security Fund, which has about $62 billion of assets, is thought to be keen to tap the vast profits that private equity firms have made in recent years and is said to have also spoken to other suitors.
A deal with the Chinese fund would mark the third sale of a management stake by Carlyle. Previously it has sold small stakes to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (Calpers) and the Mubadala arm of the Abu Dhabi Government.
South African tycoon cited for ANC presidency.
African Press Agency
30 October 2007
With just 48 days to go before South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party elects its new president, tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa has for the first time failed to deny his interest in the much coveted top post following his nomination by the ANC’s local Rondebosch branch in Cape Town.
Speaking to journalists on his farm late Monday, Ramaphosa was sanguine about the news that he was being considered for the presidency by the local branch.
“I haven’t seen the report. I’m on the farm planting maize. You need patience. It’s lovely and peaceful here,” he said when asked whether he would accept the nomination.
Ramaphosa’s comments on Monday were in contrast to earlier statements on his availability or non-availability to the post, now being held by President Thabo Mbeki, ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma anxiously waiting in the wings to succeed Mbeki at the party indaba (conference).
On last month Ramaphosa’s office dismissed reports that the Eastern Cape’s ANC branch would nominate him to the top ANC job.
“As he has said in the past, he has no interest in standing for this position,” the office had said.
Ramaphosa, a member of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC), was nominated by veteran ANC member and former education minister Kader Asmal as a possible candidate for ANC president to succeed Mbeki.
Asmal, who is also on the NEC, said Ramaphosa was decided on after the branch discussed the leadership qualities the future ANC president should have.
He, however, said he would not “lobby” other ANC structures to support his branch’s view.
“No, I have not spoken to him (Ramaphosa). I am not an election official,” said Asmal.
The branch in Rondebosch includes several cabinet ministers who have thrown their weight behind the businessman.
This move suggests the Rondebosch branch does not back Mbeki’s bid for a third term as ANC leader or support ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma’s efforts to gain the party’s control.
Asmal said Ramaphosa embodied many of the leadership qualities of past ANC leaders, including the late OR Tambo, who led the ANC in exile.
Asmal said Tambo’s qualities included trust in those who worked with him, which in turn evoked a deep respect and sometimes even love for this “principled” leader.
Tambo’s distinguishing quality was that he was accessible. While Ramaphosa has until now denied political ambitions, he has always stressed that he will abide by “ANC procedure” on the leadership question.
Unlike business counterpart Tokyo Sexwale, scolded by party leaders for going public on his presidential aims, Ramaphosa has been careful not to break with ANC “tradition”, thereby maintaining the respect of ANC power brokers.
30 October 2007
With just 48 days to go before South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) party elects its new president, tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa has for the first time failed to deny his interest in the much coveted top post following his nomination by the ANC’s local Rondebosch branch in Cape Town.
Speaking to journalists on his farm late Monday, Ramaphosa was sanguine about the news that he was being considered for the presidency by the local branch.
“I haven’t seen the report. I’m on the farm planting maize. You need patience. It’s lovely and peaceful here,” he said when asked whether he would accept the nomination.
Ramaphosa’s comments on Monday were in contrast to earlier statements on his availability or non-availability to the post, now being held by President Thabo Mbeki, ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma anxiously waiting in the wings to succeed Mbeki at the party indaba (conference).
On last month Ramaphosa’s office dismissed reports that the Eastern Cape’s ANC branch would nominate him to the top ANC job.
“As he has said in the past, he has no interest in standing for this position,” the office had said.
Ramaphosa, a member of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC), was nominated by veteran ANC member and former education minister Kader Asmal as a possible candidate for ANC president to succeed Mbeki.
Asmal, who is also on the NEC, said Ramaphosa was decided on after the branch discussed the leadership qualities the future ANC president should have.
He, however, said he would not “lobby” other ANC structures to support his branch’s view.
“No, I have not spoken to him (Ramaphosa). I am not an election official,” said Asmal.
The branch in Rondebosch includes several cabinet ministers who have thrown their weight behind the businessman.
This move suggests the Rondebosch branch does not back Mbeki’s bid for a third term as ANC leader or support ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma’s efforts to gain the party’s control.
Asmal said Ramaphosa embodied many of the leadership qualities of past ANC leaders, including the late OR Tambo, who led the ANC in exile.
Asmal said Tambo’s qualities included trust in those who worked with him, which in turn evoked a deep respect and sometimes even love for this “principled” leader.
Tambo’s distinguishing quality was that he was accessible. While Ramaphosa has until now denied political ambitions, he has always stressed that he will abide by “ANC procedure” on the leadership question.
Unlike business counterpart Tokyo Sexwale, scolded by party leaders for going public on his presidential aims, Ramaphosa has been careful not to break with ANC “tradition”, thereby maintaining the respect of ANC power brokers.
30 October, 2007
Prime Minister Resigns (2)...Comment of a Diplomat.
MISNA
29 October 2007
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has begun consultations with the various components of the Parliament to choose a replacement at the head of the government for Ali Mohamed Gedi, the former premier who resigned today in a ceremony opened amid high tension, but closed with singing and dancing in the Assembly building in Baidoa, 250km from Mogadishu. After naming the deputy-premier Salim Aliyow Ibrow interim Prime Minister, Yusuf began consultations with the sides, first calling on the parliament to prioritise the approval of a series of amendments to the Constitution necessary for the relaunching of the government. A well informed western diplomat on Somali internal affairs told MISNA that the Parliament was urged to approve recommendations contained in the final statement of the Somali Reconciliation Conference held this summer in Mogadishu, mainly foreseeing the freedom of nomination of government members.
Under the Somali Constitution, government posts, from that of premier to minister, can only be assigned to Parliament members. The ‘liberalisation’ of nominations, not particularly supported by the legislators, would instead consent the inclusion in government of some forces so far excluded from the transitional institutions formed three years ago. “In this context, Gedi’s resignation becomes a necessary political change for an improvement of the situation”, explained the MISNA source. Despite the tension of the past weeks, international pressures (mainly the United States and Ethiopia) convinced Gedi to step aside. “I will sacrifice myself. We have done much in these years, but I will step aside for the good of the nation”, Gedi told the parliament this morning, easing tensions of the past days. The delicate period of political negotiations begins now for the nomination of a new premier, who based on a previous accord will however have to be a member of the powerful Hawiye clan. According to indiscretions referred to MISNA, if parliament should approve the liberalisation of nominations, the post of prime minister may be offered to former president Ali Mahdi.
29 October 2007
Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf has begun consultations with the various components of the Parliament to choose a replacement at the head of the government for Ali Mohamed Gedi, the former premier who resigned today in a ceremony opened amid high tension, but closed with singing and dancing in the Assembly building in Baidoa, 250km from Mogadishu. After naming the deputy-premier Salim Aliyow Ibrow interim Prime Minister, Yusuf began consultations with the sides, first calling on the parliament to prioritise the approval of a series of amendments to the Constitution necessary for the relaunching of the government. A well informed western diplomat on Somali internal affairs told MISNA that the Parliament was urged to approve recommendations contained in the final statement of the Somali Reconciliation Conference held this summer in Mogadishu, mainly foreseeing the freedom of nomination of government members.
Under the Somali Constitution, government posts, from that of premier to minister, can only be assigned to Parliament members. The ‘liberalisation’ of nominations, not particularly supported by the legislators, would instead consent the inclusion in government of some forces so far excluded from the transitional institutions formed three years ago. “In this context, Gedi’s resignation becomes a necessary political change for an improvement of the situation”, explained the MISNA source. Despite the tension of the past weeks, international pressures (mainly the United States and Ethiopia) convinced Gedi to step aside. “I will sacrifice myself. We have done much in these years, but I will step aside for the good of the nation”, Gedi told the parliament this morning, easing tensions of the past days. The delicate period of political negotiations begins now for the nomination of a new premier, who based on a previous accord will however have to be a member of the powerful Hawiye clan. According to indiscretions referred to MISNA, if parliament should approve the liberalisation of nominations, the post of prime minister may be offered to former president Ali Mahdi.
A Former Gacaca Judge on Trial for Participation in the Genocide.
Hirondelle News Agency
30 October 2007
The former president of the gacaca court of the Nyarutarama suburb of Kigali, Théoneste Mulihano, has just appeared twice before a gacaca court for his alleged role in the 1994 genocide, it was learned Monday from local associative source.
The former judge, relieved of his duties after 4 months of service, appeared on 17 and 24 October, according to the League for Human Rights in the Great Lakes Region (LDGL), a collective based in Kigali.
Mulihano, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of having buried alive Innocent Nkubana, who had been seriously wounded by Interahamwe militiamen, writes the LDGL on its Internet site.
The defendant affirms not to have taken part in the burial of Nkubana, but confirms that the victim was indeed buried alive.
Among the witnesses for the prosecution is François Nkurunziza, sentenced to 30 years in prison, while Marciana Nyirambeba, the mother of the victim, is testifying for the defence, specifies the LGDL.
The trial will restart Wednesday, adds the organization.
Inspired by ancestral village assemblies where wisemen would settle disagreements while sitting on the grass (gacaca, in Rwandan language), the semi-traditional gacaca courts are charged with trying the majority of the people accused of having played a part in the 1994 genocide.
They are presided not by professional magistrates but by "people with integrity" elected amongst the community.
They can sentence defendants up to life in prison.
The executive secretary of the national service of the gacaca courts (SNJG), Domitille Mukantaganzwa, hopes that these courts will have completed their work by the end of the year.
30 October 2007
The former president of the gacaca court of the Nyarutarama suburb of Kigali, Théoneste Mulihano, has just appeared twice before a gacaca court for his alleged role in the 1994 genocide, it was learned Monday from local associative source.
The former judge, relieved of his duties after 4 months of service, appeared on 17 and 24 October, according to the League for Human Rights in the Great Lakes Region (LDGL), a collective based in Kigali.
Mulihano, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of having buried alive Innocent Nkubana, who had been seriously wounded by Interahamwe militiamen, writes the LDGL on its Internet site.
The defendant affirms not to have taken part in the burial of Nkubana, but confirms that the victim was indeed buried alive.
Among the witnesses for the prosecution is François Nkurunziza, sentenced to 30 years in prison, while Marciana Nyirambeba, the mother of the victim, is testifying for the defence, specifies the LGDL.
The trial will restart Wednesday, adds the organization.
Inspired by ancestral village assemblies where wisemen would settle disagreements while sitting on the grass (gacaca, in Rwandan language), the semi-traditional gacaca courts are charged with trying the majority of the people accused of having played a part in the 1994 genocide.
They are presided not by professional magistrates but by "people with integrity" elected amongst the community.
They can sentence defendants up to life in prison.
The executive secretary of the national service of the gacaca courts (SNJG), Domitille Mukantaganzwa, hopes that these courts will have completed their work by the end of the year.
A Former Prefect Defends General Bizimungu.
Hirondelle News Agency
30 October 2007
A former Rwandan prefect, in custody in his country, testified Monday for the defence of the former chief of staff of the army, General Augustin Bizimungu, on trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
Imprisoned for his alleged role in the 1994 genocide, Basile Nsabumugisha was prefect of Ruhengeri (northern Rwanda) during the massacres.
He refuted the allegations according to which General Bizimungu would have, at a public meeting, in May 1994, at the communal office of Mukingo, thanked the Interahamwe militiamen for the massacres that they had just committed. Mukingo is one of the 16 communes which composed, at the time, the prefecture of Ruhengeri.
"This meeting did not take place. It is the first time that I intend to speak about this meeting ", affirmed the former prefect.
Nsabumugisha also denied that General Bizimungu took part, in the headquarters of the prefecture, at a meeting which would have decided to commit an attack against Tutsis who had sought refuge in the buildings of the Court of Appeal, less than 100 meters from the prefectoral office. "This meeting never took place", formally stated the former prefect.
Before coming to the rescue of the officer, he had testified last week for the defence of the former minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim government in place during the genocide, Jérôme Bicamumpaka, prosecuted in another trial.
Prosecuted for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, General Bizimungu has pleaded not guilty.
He is on trial alongside three other defendants including the former chief of staff of the national gendarmerie, General Augustin Ndindiliyimana.
30 October 2007
A former Rwandan prefect, in custody in his country, testified Monday for the defence of the former chief of staff of the army, General Augustin Bizimungu, on trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
Imprisoned for his alleged role in the 1994 genocide, Basile Nsabumugisha was prefect of Ruhengeri (northern Rwanda) during the massacres.
He refuted the allegations according to which General Bizimungu would have, at a public meeting, in May 1994, at the communal office of Mukingo, thanked the Interahamwe militiamen for the massacres that they had just committed. Mukingo is one of the 16 communes which composed, at the time, the prefecture of Ruhengeri.
"This meeting did not take place. It is the first time that I intend to speak about this meeting ", affirmed the former prefect.
Nsabumugisha also denied that General Bizimungu took part, in the headquarters of the prefecture, at a meeting which would have decided to commit an attack against Tutsis who had sought refuge in the buildings of the Court of Appeal, less than 100 meters from the prefectoral office. "This meeting never took place", formally stated the former prefect.
Before coming to the rescue of the officer, he had testified last week for the defence of the former minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim government in place during the genocide, Jérôme Bicamumpaka, prosecuted in another trial.
Prosecuted for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, General Bizimungu has pleaded not guilty.
He is on trial alongside three other defendants including the former chief of staff of the national gendarmerie, General Augustin Ndindiliyimana.
The Munyaneza Trial Will Go to Europe and Rwanda.
Hirondelle News Agency
29 October 2007
The Canadian court charged with trying Désiré Munyaneza, 41, a Rwandan accused of genocide, should go to Rwanda and Austria at the beginning of 2008 to hear defence witnesses, reported this week the Canadian media.
In a provisional list giving recently to the judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, the lawyers of Désiré Munyaneza explain that they want to call 23 witnesses in order to clear their client, prosecuted for seven counts (war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity). Members of the defendant’s family, citizens or refugees in Butare (south-eastern Rwanda) at the time of the genocide or former Rwandan civil servants are on this list.
Dispersed throughout France, Belgium, Austria, Rwanda, the United States and Kenya, all the witnesses will not, however, all be able to go Montreal, due to legal or health reasons.
Two letters of request should thus take place: one in Rwanda, to hear two persons that can not leave their country, and another in Austria. If only one witness resides in Austria whereas six others are in Belgium and France, the choice of this European country is explained not only by the will to minimize the financial costs but especially by the most similarity to Canadian law, compared to Belgian and French procedures.
However, certain problems must still be solved: "Often, lawyers do not even have the right question directly the witnesses", explained Perras. Indeed, lawyers must address the examining magistrate, the only one able to do so, and to suggest questions to him. "Such a modus operandi is not suitable", commented André Denis, the presiding judge of the Munyaneza trial.
Negotiations are, thus, currently underway between Canadian and Austrian prosecutors in order to harmonize the various rules of procedure. To add to these two letters of request, videoconferencing would be also under consideration. After the macabre accounts of the 28 witnesses called by the prosecution since the beginning of the trial, last March, the defence, hence, intends to resort to great means to clear Mr. Munyaneza, who face life in prison (25 years in Canada).
"It is him who is risking his life. It is not an ideal situation, but he prefers a full defence to a quick defence ", explained Perras, commenting on the timeframe of the trial, which should only be completed by mid-2008 after it began in March 2007.
After arriving in Canada in 1997, with a fake Cameroonian passport, Désiré Munyaneza had then asked for refugee status, fearing persecution because of his Hutu ethnicity. His request was refused in 2000 by the Canadian immigration services, suspecting Mr. Munyaneza of having taken part in persecutions; which resulted, according to the UN, in 800 000 victims between April and July 1994. After five years of investigations carried out by the RCMP (federal police), Mr. Munyaneza, who had been joined by his family, was arrested in October 2005 in Toronto (Ontario).
29 October 2007
The Canadian court charged with trying Désiré Munyaneza, 41, a Rwandan accused of genocide, should go to Rwanda and Austria at the beginning of 2008 to hear defence witnesses, reported this week the Canadian media.
In a provisional list giving recently to the judge of the Superior Court of Quebec, the lawyers of Désiré Munyaneza explain that they want to call 23 witnesses in order to clear their client, prosecuted for seven counts (war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity). Members of the defendant’s family, citizens or refugees in Butare (south-eastern Rwanda) at the time of the genocide or former Rwandan civil servants are on this list.
Dispersed throughout France, Belgium, Austria, Rwanda, the United States and Kenya, all the witnesses will not, however, all be able to go Montreal, due to legal or health reasons.
Two letters of request should thus take place: one in Rwanda, to hear two persons that can not leave their country, and another in Austria. If only one witness resides in Austria whereas six others are in Belgium and France, the choice of this European country is explained not only by the will to minimize the financial costs but especially by the most similarity to Canadian law, compared to Belgian and French procedures.
However, certain problems must still be solved: "Often, lawyers do not even have the right question directly the witnesses", explained Perras. Indeed, lawyers must address the examining magistrate, the only one able to do so, and to suggest questions to him. "Such a modus operandi is not suitable", commented André Denis, the presiding judge of the Munyaneza trial.
Negotiations are, thus, currently underway between Canadian and Austrian prosecutors in order to harmonize the various rules of procedure. To add to these two letters of request, videoconferencing would be also under consideration. After the macabre accounts of the 28 witnesses called by the prosecution since the beginning of the trial, last March, the defence, hence, intends to resort to great means to clear Mr. Munyaneza, who face life in prison (25 years in Canada).
"It is him who is risking his life. It is not an ideal situation, but he prefers a full defence to a quick defence ", explained Perras, commenting on the timeframe of the trial, which should only be completed by mid-2008 after it began in March 2007.
After arriving in Canada in 1997, with a fake Cameroonian passport, Désiré Munyaneza had then asked for refugee status, fearing persecution because of his Hutu ethnicity. His request was refused in 2000 by the Canadian immigration services, suspecting Mr. Munyaneza of having taken part in persecutions; which resulted, according to the UN, in 800 000 victims between April and July 1994. After five years of investigations carried out by the RCMP (federal police), Mr. Munyaneza, who had been joined by his family, was arrested in October 2005 in Toronto (Ontario).
US Navy Ship Heads to Africa.
News 24
30 October 2007
A United States Navy ship will depart Spain for a seven-month deployment to central and west Africa - designed to help nations around the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea beef up maritime security, say officials.
The amphibious ship USS Fort McHenry would provide training to officials on how to fight crime ranging from unlawful fishing to human and drug trafficking.
It would be joined later by another US Navy vessel as part of the Africa Partnership Station Initiative, which also involved officials from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain as well as non-governmental organisations.
"We all realised that a stable and prosperous Africa is not just good for Africans, it is good for the rest of the world," said US 6th Fleet Vice Admiral James A Winnefeld.
'We expect 150 students a day'
Plans included visits to Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and the tiny archipelago of Sao Tome and Principe while possible stops in several other African nations were also being explored.
British Royal Navy Commander Nigel May said: "In some of these countries we expect to have up to 150 students a day."
Training will be provided in a broad range of areas, including logistics, search and rescue, maritime domain awareness and navigation.
The plan was to involve more nations in the training in future deployments, which might be carried out on a civilian ship or a vessel belonging to the navy of another country.
Vice Admiral Winnefeld said: "The Africa Partnership Station Initiative is designed to begin an enduring international effort to help our African partner nations become self-sufficient in maritime safety and security.
"We don?t have any illusions that we are going to solve this problem overnight."
The USS Fort McHenry would also distribute 75 tons of humanitarian assistance worth $350 000 during its current mission.
30 October 2007
A United States Navy ship will depart Spain for a seven-month deployment to central and west Africa - designed to help nations around the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea beef up maritime security, say officials.
The amphibious ship USS Fort McHenry would provide training to officials on how to fight crime ranging from unlawful fishing to human and drug trafficking.
It would be joined later by another US Navy vessel as part of the Africa Partnership Station Initiative, which also involved officials from Britain, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain as well as non-governmental organisations.
"We all realised that a stable and prosperous Africa is not just good for Africans, it is good for the rest of the world," said US 6th Fleet Vice Admiral James A Winnefeld.
'We expect 150 students a day'
Plans included visits to Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal and the tiny archipelago of Sao Tome and Principe while possible stops in several other African nations were also being explored.
British Royal Navy Commander Nigel May said: "In some of these countries we expect to have up to 150 students a day."
Training will be provided in a broad range of areas, including logistics, search and rescue, maritime domain awareness and navigation.
The plan was to involve more nations in the training in future deployments, which might be carried out on a civilian ship or a vessel belonging to the navy of another country.
Vice Admiral Winnefeld said: "The Africa Partnership Station Initiative is designed to begin an enduring international effort to help our African partner nations become self-sufficient in maritime safety and security.
"We don?t have any illusions that we are going to solve this problem overnight."
The USS Fort McHenry would also distribute 75 tons of humanitarian assistance worth $350 000 during its current mission.
29 October, 2007
Vangold to explore for oil in Rwanda’s Kivu Graben.
The East African
29 October 2007
Canada-based Vangold Resources Ltd has been assigned a second block in Rwanda to explore for oil.
Rwanda has never been explored for hydrocarbons and this will be the first time an international oil exploration company is being assigned to explore for oil in the country.
In an interview with The EastAfrican, a geophysicist with the company, Danson Mburu, said studies had revealed signs of hydrocarbons in some areas around Lake Kivu, especially in Bisesero, Kibuye, Kayove and Namyumba.
Dubbed the “White Elephant,” Vangold’s concession in Rwanda covers the entire area of possible petroleum potential basins in the country.
Known as the Kivu Graben, the area is part of the great western East African Rift System. It is approximately 90 km wide and 200 km long, straddling both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Structurally, Kivu Graben is the southern extension of the Albertine Graben in Uganda, where there has been a major oil discovery.
Geologists believe that favourable petroleum systems exist in the area that supports the generation, migration, accumulation and entrapment of hydrocarbons in the Kivu Graben.
Based also on structural similarity, it follows that the paleo-tectonic setting and graben-fill environment established in the Albertine Graben may have extended to Kivu Graben.
“It is reasonable to conclude that the favourable petroleum systems resulting in the generation and entrapment of the hydrocarbons in Albertine Graben may have also existed in the Kivu Graben,” says Francis Karanja, a Vangold’s geologist.
Vangold conducted a one-year study whose preliminary results revealed positive indicators of hydrocarbons generation in the Kivu Graben, including signs of the existence of methane and other hydrocarbons in the deep waters of Lake Kivu.
The area has also shown signs of higher molecular gases such as ethane, propane, Iso-butane and traces of n-butane.
Dal Brynelsen, president of Vangold, told The EastAfrican that even with the strong indications of hydrocarbons in the Kive Garben, details on petroleum potential are unknown. Vangold will underwrite this risk for the next 18 months, he added.
Vangold has been busy in the East African region, having signed a Production Sharing Agreement with Kenya’s Ministry of Energy to explore oil in Block 3A in the North-Eastern Province.
The agreement is the third the Kenya government has signed with an international oil company in the past three weeks, indicating a renewed determination by Nairobi to find the commodity.
29 October 2007
Canada-based Vangold Resources Ltd has been assigned a second block in Rwanda to explore for oil.
Rwanda has never been explored for hydrocarbons and this will be the first time an international oil exploration company is being assigned to explore for oil in the country.
In an interview with The EastAfrican, a geophysicist with the company, Danson Mburu, said studies had revealed signs of hydrocarbons in some areas around Lake Kivu, especially in Bisesero, Kibuye, Kayove and Namyumba.
Dubbed the “White Elephant,” Vangold’s concession in Rwanda covers the entire area of possible petroleum potential basins in the country.
Known as the Kivu Graben, the area is part of the great western East African Rift System. It is approximately 90 km wide and 200 km long, straddling both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Structurally, Kivu Graben is the southern extension of the Albertine Graben in Uganda, where there has been a major oil discovery.
Geologists believe that favourable petroleum systems exist in the area that supports the generation, migration, accumulation and entrapment of hydrocarbons in the Kivu Graben.
Based also on structural similarity, it follows that the paleo-tectonic setting and graben-fill environment established in the Albertine Graben may have extended to Kivu Graben.
“It is reasonable to conclude that the favourable petroleum systems resulting in the generation and entrapment of the hydrocarbons in Albertine Graben may have also existed in the Kivu Graben,” says Francis Karanja, a Vangold’s geologist.
Vangold conducted a one-year study whose preliminary results revealed positive indicators of hydrocarbons generation in the Kivu Graben, including signs of the existence of methane and other hydrocarbons in the deep waters of Lake Kivu.
The area has also shown signs of higher molecular gases such as ethane, propane, Iso-butane and traces of n-butane.
Dal Brynelsen, president of Vangold, told The EastAfrican that even with the strong indications of hydrocarbons in the Kive Garben, details on petroleum potential are unknown. Vangold will underwrite this risk for the next 18 months, he added.
Vangold has been busy in the East African region, having signed a Production Sharing Agreement with Kenya’s Ministry of Energy to explore oil in Block 3A in the North-Eastern Province.
The agreement is the third the Kenya government has signed with an international oil company in the past three weeks, indicating a renewed determination by Nairobi to find the commodity.
De Beers to spend $57 mln in DRC, Angola in 2007.
Reuters
29 October 2007
By James Macharia
Editor's Note: Keep in mind Anglo's concession in Ituri is being reviewed by the Congolese Government.
De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer, said it plans to spend a total of $56 million this year in exploration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola in an attempt to open new mines.
De Beers will spend $31.4 million in the DRC where it has so far invested over $57 million since 2004 and has projects in Kasai, a south western region, one of the richest diamond producing area in the world, Marie-Chantal Kaninda, De Beers spokesperson said in a statement seen by Reuters on Monday.
De Beers, 45 percent owned by mining group Anglo American Plc (AAL.L: Quote, Profile, Research), said it intended to open a number of mines in the DRC and in Angola if economically and socially viable.
"De Beers would not be exploring if it did not have the determination to have a fair return on investment," Kaninda said. "De Beers is focusing on delivery of an economic deposit as soon as possible."
De Beers had not yet assessed the economic potential of any of the kimberlites -- a type of rock best known for sometimes containing diamonds -- discovered to date, she said.
In Congo, De Beers said it has some small projects in the northern regions. Most of De Beers' projects involve option agreements with other Congolese exploration companies, including a joint venture with Congo's state diamond mining company, Miba.
The projects are covered by option agreements in the early stage, with the possibility of entering into full joint ventures should the interest be there from both parties, Kaninda said.
REVIEW
De Beers was trying to overcome huge technical challenges to reach the mining phase, and was confident its activities and contracts had been agreed in compliance with Congolese law, and the firm would comply with a government review of the contracts.
Congo is evaluating 65 mining concessions for all materials mostly granted during a six-year war and the three-year transition period that followed. They involve major players such as Anglo and BHP Billiton (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research).
The review began in June and was due to last three months, but is now expected to be completed by the end of the year, when companies will be informed if their concessions will stand.
The DRC has said it could triple the value of its diamond production, which the government puts at $600 million, as more efficient industrial groups take over from local players.
Congo is still emerging from a civil war that killed almost 4 million people and has seen renewed fighting in the east in recent months, but has set itself the goal of increasing efficiency of production and boosting the transparency of distribution by 2010.
In Angola, where De Beers has spent over $58 million since 2005, discovering and evaluating kimberlites is in the Lunda and Bié provinces in partnership and joint management with Endiama, the state-owned diamond firm, Kaninda said.
Angola, Africa's third largest diamond producer, has said it is looking for companies to invest and help discover what it believes are vast diamond pockets. So far it has been exploring only about 40 percent of the territory it believes has potential for diamond mining.
29 October 2007
By James Macharia
Editor's Note: Keep in mind Anglo's concession in Ituri is being reviewed by the Congolese Government.
De Beers, the world's largest diamond producer, said it plans to spend a total of $56 million this year in exploration in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola in an attempt to open new mines.
De Beers will spend $31.4 million in the DRC where it has so far invested over $57 million since 2004 and has projects in Kasai, a south western region, one of the richest diamond producing area in the world, Marie-Chantal Kaninda, De Beers spokesperson said in a statement seen by Reuters on Monday.
De Beers, 45 percent owned by mining group Anglo American Plc (AAL.L: Quote, Profile, Research), said it intended to open a number of mines in the DRC and in Angola if economically and socially viable.
"De Beers would not be exploring if it did not have the determination to have a fair return on investment," Kaninda said. "De Beers is focusing on delivery of an economic deposit as soon as possible."
De Beers had not yet assessed the economic potential of any of the kimberlites -- a type of rock best known for sometimes containing diamonds -- discovered to date, she said.
In Congo, De Beers said it has some small projects in the northern regions. Most of De Beers' projects involve option agreements with other Congolese exploration companies, including a joint venture with Congo's state diamond mining company, Miba.
The projects are covered by option agreements in the early stage, with the possibility of entering into full joint ventures should the interest be there from both parties, Kaninda said.
REVIEW
De Beers was trying to overcome huge technical challenges to reach the mining phase, and was confident its activities and contracts had been agreed in compliance with Congolese law, and the firm would comply with a government review of the contracts.
Congo is evaluating 65 mining concessions for all materials mostly granted during a six-year war and the three-year transition period that followed. They involve major players such as Anglo and BHP Billiton (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research).
The review began in June and was due to last three months, but is now expected to be completed by the end of the year, when companies will be informed if their concessions will stand.
The DRC has said it could triple the value of its diamond production, which the government puts at $600 million, as more efficient industrial groups take over from local players.
Congo is still emerging from a civil war that killed almost 4 million people and has seen renewed fighting in the east in recent months, but has set itself the goal of increasing efficiency of production and boosting the transparency of distribution by 2010.
In Angola, where De Beers has spent over $58 million since 2005, discovering and evaluating kimberlites is in the Lunda and Bié provinces in partnership and joint management with Endiama, the state-owned diamond firm, Kaninda said.
Angola, Africa's third largest diamond producer, has said it is looking for companies to invest and help discover what it believes are vast diamond pockets. So far it has been exploring only about 40 percent of the territory it believes has potential for diamond mining.
Prime Minister Resigns
MISNA
29 October 2007
The Prime Minister of the Somali transitional government, Ali Mohamed Gedi, resigned. Local sources referred that President Abdullahi Yusuf accepted the premier’s resignation handed to him this morning after a brief meeting in Baidoa, seat of the transitional Parliament. The resignation will become official later today before parliament. Gedi, in government for three years, was openly protested over the past weeks by the President and a growing number of members of his government. In the past weeks 22 ministers of the transitional government, on 31, signed a letter threatening to resign if Gedi did not appear in Parliament for a confidence vote. The Premier is accused of failing to accomplish goals on the agenda, among these drawing up a constitution, carrying out a census and setting up functional regional administrations. Despite Gedi and Yusuf reaching an accord under Ethiopian mediation, the polemic exit of the Premier, a member of the powerful Hawiye clan, raises serious concerns on possible security consequences.
29 October 2007
The Prime Minister of the Somali transitional government, Ali Mohamed Gedi, resigned. Local sources referred that President Abdullahi Yusuf accepted the premier’s resignation handed to him this morning after a brief meeting in Baidoa, seat of the transitional Parliament. The resignation will become official later today before parliament. Gedi, in government for three years, was openly protested over the past weeks by the President and a growing number of members of his government. In the past weeks 22 ministers of the transitional government, on 31, signed a letter threatening to resign if Gedi did not appear in Parliament for a confidence vote. The Premier is accused of failing to accomplish goals on the agenda, among these drawing up a constitution, carrying out a census and setting up functional regional administrations. Despite Gedi and Yusuf reaching an accord under Ethiopian mediation, the polemic exit of the Premier, a member of the powerful Hawiye clan, raises serious concerns on possible security consequences.
Goma: Bishop Escapes Shooting, One Critically Wounded.
MISNA
29 October 2007
The motive remains unknown of a shooting yesterday, which Monsignor Faustin Ngabu, Bishop of Goma, capital of North Kivu, escaped unharmed. According to MISNA sources, the attack took place last night while Bishop Ngabu was accompanying home his brother-in-law Claude Dheju. On arrival at the house, gunmen opened fire against them critically wounding Dheju, who is in hospital. The Bishop managed to hide until the gunmen fled the scene. It is unclear if the attack was an act of banditry or if the Bishop was the target of the gunmen. North Kivu has for two months been scene to fighting between the regular Congolese forces and militants loyal to the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Nkunda.
29 October 2007
The motive remains unknown of a shooting yesterday, which Monsignor Faustin Ngabu, Bishop of Goma, capital of North Kivu, escaped unharmed. According to MISNA sources, the attack took place last night while Bishop Ngabu was accompanying home his brother-in-law Claude Dheju. On arrival at the house, gunmen opened fire against them critically wounding Dheju, who is in hospital. The Bishop managed to hide until the gunmen fled the scene. It is unclear if the attack was an act of banditry or if the Bishop was the target of the gunmen. North Kivu has for two months been scene to fighting between the regular Congolese forces and militants loyal to the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Nkunda.
North Kivu: Mayi-Mayi Leader Surrenders to UN Forces
MISNA
29 October 2007
Kibamba Kasereka, head of the Mayi Mayi Patriotic Forces, the pro-Kinshasa Congolese partisans active at the time of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the past weeks back on the scene in fighting against militants loyal to the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Nkunda, handed himself over to United Nations forces along with 29 of his men. A statement issued yesterday by the UN Mission in DR-Congo (MONUC) indicated that Kasereka “surrendered” after a joint operation conducted with the Congolese army. Last week Congo’s armed forces chief gave a 48 hour ultimatum to the Mayi Mayi, to cease their activities against Nkunda, calling on the militia group to disarm or be forcibly disarmed. Congolese President Joseph Kabila had later ordered Kasereka’s arrest. The MONUC defined the surrender of the Mayi Mayi leader a “positive development” and urged all armed elements still active in east DR-Congo to disarm and join the integration process.
29 October 2007
Kibamba Kasereka, head of the Mayi Mayi Patriotic Forces, the pro-Kinshasa Congolese partisans active at the time of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the past weeks back on the scene in fighting against militants loyal to the pro-Rwandan dissident general Laurent Nkunda, handed himself over to United Nations forces along with 29 of his men. A statement issued yesterday by the UN Mission in DR-Congo (MONUC) indicated that Kasereka “surrendered” after a joint operation conducted with the Congolese army. Last week Congo’s armed forces chief gave a 48 hour ultimatum to the Mayi Mayi, to cease their activities against Nkunda, calling on the militia group to disarm or be forcibly disarmed. Congolese President Joseph Kabila had later ordered Kasereka’s arrest. The MONUC defined the surrender of the Mayi Mayi leader a “positive development” and urged all armed elements still active in east DR-Congo to disarm and join the integration process.
Darfur rebel faction calls for self-determination for Darfur.
African Press Agency
28 October 2007
The Darfur rebel faction of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM – United) in the ongoing peace talks in Sirte on Sunday called for self-determination for the people of Darfur.
A delegate from JEM-United, Ibrahim Yusif told the gathering during the plenary session of the talks on Sunday evening that: “We commit ourselves to the cease-fire but as a movement, we have a position. Our position is that self-determination is the only solution to the problem in Darfur.” He said Darfur needs to be re-unified and be given self-determination.
He defended his call for self-determination in Darfur by referring to the conflict and civil wars between northern and southern Sudan that started in 1955 before Sudan got its independence from the British in 1956, and that there has been no solution to the north-south problems accept in 2005 when the southern Sudanese were granted self-determination.
“We need the same thing that has been granted the south also to be granted to Sudan’s western region of Darfur. It is impossible to remain in that country (united Sudan),” he said.
“Self-determination is the final solution and it is time that Darfur became independent,” he insisted.
He said that politically and ideologically, Darfur is totally isolated, therefore, Darfur has to be given a chance to decide its own political and ideological position.
According to him, the Darfur rebel movements integrating into the Sudanese army will not solve the problem.
However, a Sudanese delegate to the talks, Ambassador Abu Zeit Abu Hussein dismissed the call of the JEM-United for Darfur self-determination.
Ambassador Abu Hussein said that no one from the rebel factions will talk or even accept the call for self-determination in Darfur, and that even if its population should be asked; they will not accept such a call.
He urged the JEM-United delegate to refrain from such suggestions in the future if his rebel group really wants peace to prevail in Darfur. He added that such calls would make things difficult for the way forward to attain peace in Darfur.
“We need to talk of how peace should prevail and developments are carried out in the whole country within a united Sudan,” Ambassador Hussein told the gathering.
Speaking of marginalization of Darfur as one of the complaints of the rebel groups, he said that it is not really facing only Darfur but that most parts of Sudan were not developed as developments were only concentrated in central Sudan, which he blamed on the colonial masters before they granted Sudan independence in 1956.
28 October 2007
The Darfur rebel faction of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM – United) in the ongoing peace talks in Sirte on Sunday called for self-determination for the people of Darfur.
A delegate from JEM-United, Ibrahim Yusif told the gathering during the plenary session of the talks on Sunday evening that: “We commit ourselves to the cease-fire but as a movement, we have a position. Our position is that self-determination is the only solution to the problem in Darfur.” He said Darfur needs to be re-unified and be given self-determination.
He defended his call for self-determination in Darfur by referring to the conflict and civil wars between northern and southern Sudan that started in 1955 before Sudan got its independence from the British in 1956, and that there has been no solution to the north-south problems accept in 2005 when the southern Sudanese were granted self-determination.
“We need the same thing that has been granted the south also to be granted to Sudan’s western region of Darfur. It is impossible to remain in that country (united Sudan),” he said.
“Self-determination is the final solution and it is time that Darfur became independent,” he insisted.
He said that politically and ideologically, Darfur is totally isolated, therefore, Darfur has to be given a chance to decide its own political and ideological position.
According to him, the Darfur rebel movements integrating into the Sudanese army will not solve the problem.
However, a Sudanese delegate to the talks, Ambassador Abu Zeit Abu Hussein dismissed the call of the JEM-United for Darfur self-determination.
Ambassador Abu Hussein said that no one from the rebel factions will talk or even accept the call for self-determination in Darfur, and that even if its population should be asked; they will not accept such a call.
He urged the JEM-United delegate to refrain from such suggestions in the future if his rebel group really wants peace to prevail in Darfur. He added that such calls would make things difficult for the way forward to attain peace in Darfur.
“We need to talk of how peace should prevail and developments are carried out in the whole country within a united Sudan,” Ambassador Hussein told the gathering.
Speaking of marginalization of Darfur as one of the complaints of the rebel groups, he said that it is not really facing only Darfur but that most parts of Sudan were not developed as developments were only concentrated in central Sudan, which he blamed on the colonial masters before they granted Sudan independence in 1956.
28 October, 2007
Media Group Halts Publishing in Protest Over Government Harassment.
International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)
PRESS RELEASE
26 October 2007
Rwanda's biggest independent private media group has suspended publication of its titles citing continued state blackmail and intimidation.
The Rwanda Independent Media Group (RIMEG), publishers of "Newsline" (Wednesday), "Umuseso" (Monday vernacular) and "Rwanda Championi" (Friday), announced it would not be publishing for at least two weeks starting October 23.
"With deep regret, Rwanda Independent Media Group, RIMEG, announces a decision to suspend all of its publications for an unspecified time effective October 23," declared Charles Kabonero, the managing director in an email seen by The Media Institute.
Kabonero said two ministers, James Musoni (Finance) and Musa Fazil Harelimana (Internal Security), had during a talk show aired on state TV and radio on 9 September 2007, accused the group of working with negative forces.
"More important to note is that President Paul Kagame re-solidified the accusations in a meeting with journalists on October 15, 2007, marking his 50th birthday, saying RIMEG and another newspaper called the 'Weekly Post' that was banned in June were funded, controlled and working with external negative forces," says Kabonero.
Neither the President nor his ministers would substantiate their claims, according to Kabonero.
"We, at RIMEG, believe that such are serious allegations, interpreted as treason in the country's penal law that should not go unchallenged. We have thus decided to suspend our publications, as a way of protesting such high-level intimidation and terrorism, requesting that if they have any evidence to that effect, they put it forward for the public to know and we be judged by both a competent court and the court of public opinion," Kabonero, 26, said in the email explaining his action.
He added: "We will, however, resume our publications as usual should they fail to substantiate the allegations, hopeful that the public will be able to assess by themselves that such high-level accusations are one of the government's 101 straits of intimidating, harassing, alienating and infringing on press freedom and [that of] RIMEG in particular."
Kabonero said that when the allegations were levelled against RIMEG, they wrote to the High Council of the Press but received no tangible results apart from condemnation.
Asked whether suspending operations was not cowardly and counterproductive, Kabonero argued that it will give the readers an opportunity to discover the lies the government has been peddling.
"Worth noting is the fact that we had earlier unearthed a covert plot by senior government officials to have at least five senior company staff arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges. Besides reporting the plot in our publications, we even informed the HCP (High Council of the Press) and the Ministry of information about these saddening developments," says Kabonero.
Interestingly, RIMEG, started in 1999, is often viewed in some quarters as a government ally and Kabonero has been accused of using his journalistic position to gather information for the state.
Beside the current threat, the company's deputy director, Furaha Mugisha, is due to appear in court on November 7, 2007, to answer trumped up charges of not being a Rwandan national and issuing a bounced cheque.
Kabonero and "Newsline" editor Didas Gasana are also to attend court on November 13, 2007, on charges of libel. "Umuseso" editor, Gerald Manzi, still reports to the prosecution every Friday as probation over concocted charges of rape (see IFEX alerts of 30 and 28 August 2007). It is claimed the above four together with the company productions manager, Kadafi Rwango, are on the government's list of targets.
Meanwhile, in the meeting with the media on October 15, President Kagame pledged to fund all newspapers that will "qualify" (based on their editorial line) and requested the Minister of Information to shortlist the media outlets, including the private ones, to receive funding and soft loans from the government.
The President also authorised advertising to be given only to papers that write favourable stories about the government.
The suspension of publication by the group comes soon after the "Weekly Post"'s deregistration in July by the government on accusations of being funded by Rwanda's enemies (see alerts of 15 June 2007).
PRESS RELEASE
26 October 2007
Rwanda's biggest independent private media group has suspended publication of its titles citing continued state blackmail and intimidation.
The Rwanda Independent Media Group (RIMEG), publishers of "Newsline" (Wednesday), "Umuseso" (Monday vernacular) and "Rwanda Championi" (Friday), announced it would not be publishing for at least two weeks starting October 23.
"With deep regret, Rwanda Independent Media Group, RIMEG, announces a decision to suspend all of its publications for an unspecified time effective October 23," declared Charles Kabonero, the managing director in an email seen by The Media Institute.
Kabonero said two ministers, James Musoni (Finance) and Musa Fazil Harelimana (Internal Security), had during a talk show aired on state TV and radio on 9 September 2007, accused the group of working with negative forces.
"More important to note is that President Paul Kagame re-solidified the accusations in a meeting with journalists on October 15, 2007, marking his 50th birthday, saying RIMEG and another newspaper called the 'Weekly Post' that was banned in June were funded, controlled and working with external negative forces," says Kabonero.
Neither the President nor his ministers would substantiate their claims, according to Kabonero.
"We, at RIMEG, believe that such are serious allegations, interpreted as treason in the country's penal law that should not go unchallenged. We have thus decided to suspend our publications, as a way of protesting such high-level intimidation and terrorism, requesting that if they have any evidence to that effect, they put it forward for the public to know and we be judged by both a competent court and the court of public opinion," Kabonero, 26, said in the email explaining his action.
He added: "We will, however, resume our publications as usual should they fail to substantiate the allegations, hopeful that the public will be able to assess by themselves that such high-level accusations are one of the government's 101 straits of intimidating, harassing, alienating and infringing on press freedom and [that of] RIMEG in particular."
Kabonero said that when the allegations were levelled against RIMEG, they wrote to the High Council of the Press but received no tangible results apart from condemnation.
Asked whether suspending operations was not cowardly and counterproductive, Kabonero argued that it will give the readers an opportunity to discover the lies the government has been peddling.
"Worth noting is the fact that we had earlier unearthed a covert plot by senior government officials to have at least five senior company staff arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges. Besides reporting the plot in our publications, we even informed the HCP (High Council of the Press) and the Ministry of information about these saddening developments," says Kabonero.
Interestingly, RIMEG, started in 1999, is often viewed in some quarters as a government ally and Kabonero has been accused of using his journalistic position to gather information for the state.
Beside the current threat, the company's deputy director, Furaha Mugisha, is due to appear in court on November 7, 2007, to answer trumped up charges of not being a Rwandan national and issuing a bounced cheque.
Kabonero and "Newsline" editor Didas Gasana are also to attend court on November 13, 2007, on charges of libel. "Umuseso" editor, Gerald Manzi, still reports to the prosecution every Friday as probation over concocted charges of rape (see IFEX alerts of 30 and 28 August 2007). It is claimed the above four together with the company productions manager, Kadafi Rwango, are on the government's list of targets.
Meanwhile, in the meeting with the media on October 15, President Kagame pledged to fund all newspapers that will "qualify" (based on their editorial line) and requested the Minister of Information to shortlist the media outlets, including the private ones, to receive funding and soft loans from the government.
The President also authorised advertising to be given only to papers that write favourable stories about the government.
The suspension of publication by the group comes soon after the "Weekly Post"'s deregistration in July by the government on accusations of being funded by Rwanda's enemies (see alerts of 15 June 2007).
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