ABC News
By BRIAN ROSS and LUIS MARTINEZ
January 16, 2009
The U.S. military has prepared a list of U.S. military bases that could be used to house as many as 250 detainees currently being held at the U.S. Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, military officials tell ABCNews.com.
The list -- which includes Camp Pendleton in California, Fort Leavenworth in Kansas; the Marine Air Station in Miramar, California; and the U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig in South Carolina -- has been circulated in a classified brief to members of Congress and was prepared by the Pentagon's Joint Staff.
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to order that the Guantanamo Bay detainee facility be closed on his first day in office, officials say. Officials say it would take at least a year to prepare a new prison and transfer the detainees.
The preliminary list was based on cost, logistic, and security concerns, but the Department of Defense is expected to present a more comprehensive recommendation based on a variety of factors, according a military official.
Camp Pendleton was determined to be the least expensive option and officials say its vast 125,000 acre size would allow for a new prison to be built in an isolated and secure area.
Camp Pendleton has a daytime population of 60,000, according to its website, including military personnel, their families and civilian employees.
Three San Diego County Congressmen have already voiced opposition to sending the terror detainees to Camp Pendleton.
Congressmen Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and Darrell Issa (R-CA) sent a letter Tuesday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates saying Camp Pendleton was too busy preparing Marines for combat.
"We feel that introducing Guantanamo Bay terrorist suspects would certainly negatively impact Camp Pendleton's training and wartime missions," the letter stated. "For those Marines serving in harm's way they should now not have to worry about the safety of their families."
A spokesperson for Hunter, a retired Marine combat veteran, said he had not been informed of the recommendation.
A spokesman for Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) said that the Senator called Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen earlier this week to convey his concerns about using Fort Leavenworth to house detainees..
Sen. Brownback, who was not briefed on this list, spoke out against the possible use of Leavenworth at Thursday's confirmation hearings for Attorney General nominee Eric Holder.
"Fort Leavenworth does not want these detainees," Brownback flatly told Holder. "If I could put it any clearer to you, I would. But they don't want these detainees."
Sen. Brownback said the use of Leavenworth to house prisoners would interfere with the primary mission of the base which is education.
"And if you hurt that by moving detainees to a place at Leavenworth that's not fit anyway to move this, this is a big hit," said Sen. Brownback. "And I would just plead you really to look at the specifics."
17 January, 2009
Bush: South African Bloc Could Get US Military Aid.
AFP
16 January 2009
President George W. Bush said Friday that the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc could receive U.S. military aid for peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
Bush's decision came in a memorandum for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, released by the White House just four days before Barack Obama takes office as president.
The move makes it possible for the bloc "to receive defense articles and defense services from the United States," a Bush administration official said on condition of anonymity.
"Our provision of defense equipment and services to the SADC will allow the SADC to engage more comprehensively in African peacekeeping efforts," the official said.
The SADC includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
It aims to safeguard peace and security and promote economic development while battling poverty and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and while forging common regional approaches to global issues.
16 January 2009
President George W. Bush said Friday that the 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc could receive U.S. military aid for peacekeeping efforts in Africa.
Bush's decision came in a memorandum for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, released by the White House just four days before Barack Obama takes office as president.
The move makes it possible for the bloc "to receive defense articles and defense services from the United States," a Bush administration official said on condition of anonymity.
"Our provision of defense equipment and services to the SADC will allow the SADC to engage more comprehensively in African peacekeeping efforts," the official said.
The SADC includes Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
It aims to safeguard peace and security and promote economic development while battling poverty and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and while forging common regional approaches to global issues.
15 January, 2009
Africa Oil Encouraged by Seismic, Drilling to Commence in Somalia.
Rigzone
15 January 2009
Africa Oil has provided the following update on the Company's 2008 operations and anticipated 2009 operations.
In 2008, Africa Oil became the first operator to record seismic data in Somalia for 20 years. The data is now in the final stages of processing and it is anticipated that interpretation will begin within the next two weeks. The Company's technical staff are extremely encouraged by the data so far. As previously announced, the survey was completed on December 3, 2008 and the seismic contractor, IMC/TESLA of the UK and Canada, demobilized their equipment from the field to a holding area in the port city of Boosaasso. A vessel was subsequently chartered by IMC/TESLA to transport the equipment to their next area of operations. The vessel arrived in Boosaasso on January 9th and loading was completed on January 13th. The vessel departed port this morning, January 14th.
The Company's focus will now switch to implementation of an exploration drilling program. It is anticipated that a drilling rig will be mobilized to the Dharoor Valley to begin drilling during 2009. These operations will establish yet another milestone, no drilling having taken place in Somalia since 1992. The Company is proud of its achievements to date in Puntland and is eager to embark on the next stage of its ambitious program.
15 January 2009
Africa Oil has provided the following update on the Company's 2008 operations and anticipated 2009 operations.
In 2008, Africa Oil became the first operator to record seismic data in Somalia for 20 years. The data is now in the final stages of processing and it is anticipated that interpretation will begin within the next two weeks. The Company's technical staff are extremely encouraged by the data so far. As previously announced, the survey was completed on December 3, 2008 and the seismic contractor, IMC/TESLA of the UK and Canada, demobilized their equipment from the field to a holding area in the port city of Boosaasso. A vessel was subsequently chartered by IMC/TESLA to transport the equipment to their next area of operations. The vessel arrived in Boosaasso on January 9th and loading was completed on January 13th. The vessel departed port this morning, January 14th.
The Company's focus will now switch to implementation of an exploration drilling program. It is anticipated that a drilling rig will be mobilized to the Dharoor Valley to begin drilling during 2009. These operations will establish yet another milestone, no drilling having taken place in Somalia since 1992. The Company is proud of its achievements to date in Puntland and is eager to embark on the next stage of its ambitious program.
Gerhard Schroeder to join TNK-BP board - BP.
RIA Novosti
15 January 2009
Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will be co-opted into the TNK-BP board as an independent director, BP said on Thursday.
"The shareholders in TNK-BP have agreed to appoint three independent directors, including former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder, to the restructured main board of TNK-BP. His fellow independents will be James Leng, the chairman designate of Rio Tinto, and Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs," the company said in a statement.
The statement said BP and Alfa-Access Renova (AAR) had agreed to appoint the three directors to "avoid the risk of deadlock between the 50:50 owners of the joint venture," which are represented on the 11-strong board by four directors from each side.
BP's four nominated directors on the main board of TNK-BP are: Andy Inglis, chief executive of BP's upstream business, David Peattie, BP's head of Russian business, Iain Macdonald, BP's deputy chief financial officer and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen.
The AAR-nominated directors are Alfa Group chairman, Mikhail M Fridman, Renova Group chairman, Viktor F Vekselberg, Access Industries chairman, Len Blavatnik and Chairman of Pamplona Capital Management, Alex Knaster.
Until a new CEO of TNK-BP is announced, Tim Summers will continue in the role.
Welcoming the new structure, BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said: "I am especially pleased that Gerhard Schroeder has agreed to join the restructured board. The counsel of such a distinguished statesman, who brings both enormous geo-political experience and a history of strong relationships with Russia, gives me particular confidence that the next chapter in the progress of TNK-BP will be good for all shareholders and for Russia."
Schroeder said: "I am looking forward to working together with the other members of the main board of TNK-BP. I feel certain that, with the support and trust of both shareholder groups, I will be able to make a contribution to the company's success that will serve as an important example of Russia's cooperation with international investors, thereby providing a significant contribution to Russia's integration in the global economy."
TNK-BP's former CEO, Robert Dudley, who left Russia in July over what BP alleged, was a campaign of harassment by Russian shareholders, stepped down on December 1, 2008.
TNK-BP is split 50-50 between BP and the AAR consortium of Russian billionaire shareholders, who clashed in 2008 over strategy, management and control of the third-largest oil producer in Russia.
Under a deal agreed by the parties on January 9, Dudley was to be replaced by an executive from outside BP with extensive Russian experience.
15 January 2009
Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will be co-opted into the TNK-BP board as an independent director, BP said on Thursday.
"The shareholders in TNK-BP have agreed to appoint three independent directors, including former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder, to the restructured main board of TNK-BP. His fellow independents will be James Leng, the chairman designate of Rio Tinto, and Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs," the company said in a statement.
The statement said BP and Alfa-Access Renova (AAR) had agreed to appoint the three directors to "avoid the risk of deadlock between the 50:50 owners of the joint venture," which are represented on the 11-strong board by four directors from each side.
BP's four nominated directors on the main board of TNK-BP are: Andy Inglis, chief executive of BP's upstream business, David Peattie, BP's head of Russian business, Iain Macdonald, BP's deputy chief financial officer and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen.
The AAR-nominated directors are Alfa Group chairman, Mikhail M Fridman, Renova Group chairman, Viktor F Vekselberg, Access Industries chairman, Len Blavatnik and Chairman of Pamplona Capital Management, Alex Knaster.
Until a new CEO of TNK-BP is announced, Tim Summers will continue in the role.
Welcoming the new structure, BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said: "I am especially pleased that Gerhard Schroeder has agreed to join the restructured board. The counsel of such a distinguished statesman, who brings both enormous geo-political experience and a history of strong relationships with Russia, gives me particular confidence that the next chapter in the progress of TNK-BP will be good for all shareholders and for Russia."
Schroeder said: "I am looking forward to working together with the other members of the main board of TNK-BP. I feel certain that, with the support and trust of both shareholder groups, I will be able to make a contribution to the company's success that will serve as an important example of Russia's cooperation with international investors, thereby providing a significant contribution to Russia's integration in the global economy."
TNK-BP's former CEO, Robert Dudley, who left Russia in July over what BP alleged, was a campaign of harassment by Russian shareholders, stepped down on December 1, 2008.
TNK-BP is split 50-50 between BP and the AAR consortium of Russian billionaire shareholders, who clashed in 2008 over strategy, management and control of the third-largest oil producer in Russia.
Under a deal agreed by the parties on January 9, Dudley was to be replaced by an executive from outside BP with extensive Russian experience.
Naftogaz again refuses to transit Russian gas to EU- Gazprom.
RIA Novosti
15 January 2009
Ukraine's national energy company Naftogaz has for a third time refused to transit Russian gas to European consumers, Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said on Thursday.
Last night Gazprom sent Naftogaz another application for the transit of 99.2 million cubic meters of gas through the Sudzha entry point on Thursday. The volume included 13.9 million cu m of gas for Moldova, 63.1 million cu m for the Balkans and 22.2 million cu m for Slovakia.
"The response contained a refusal to transit gas over the absence of a technical gas transfer agreement for 2009," Gazprom said, urging Naftogaz to honor its gas transit commitments.
Some 18 EU countries have been affected by the stoppage of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine, which transits some 80% of Russia's exports to Europe. An EU-brokered deal to resume supplies on Tuesday also resulted in failure after Russia's attempts to pump gas through the Ukrainian network were unsuccessful.
The prime ministers of Russia, Moldova, Slovakia and Bulgaria held talks in Moscow to try and find a resolution to the gas dispute and Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas to Europe, which Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said had cost Gazprom $1.2 billion in lost revenue.
Robert Fico, the Slovakian premier, whose country has been severely affected by the gas dispute, told a press conference that he saw no quick end to the crisis which he described as a "deep political row."
The Russian and Ukrainian premiers will meet in Moscow on Saturday to discuss gas transit to Europe, the Russian premier's spokesman said on Thursday.
"A phone conversation between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, took place today on Ukraine's initiative," Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said. "The prime ministers agreed to hold a working meeting in Moscow on January 17 to discuss steps to take."
Russia insists its gas exit points have been opened for three days now with gas pressure along the export pipeline sufficient to allow for the immediate resumption of gas transits to Europe.
15 January 2009
Ukraine's national energy company Naftogaz has for a third time refused to transit Russian gas to European consumers, Russian gas monopoly Gazprom said on Thursday.
Last night Gazprom sent Naftogaz another application for the transit of 99.2 million cubic meters of gas through the Sudzha entry point on Thursday. The volume included 13.9 million cu m of gas for Moldova, 63.1 million cu m for the Balkans and 22.2 million cu m for Slovakia.
"The response contained a refusal to transit gas over the absence of a technical gas transfer agreement for 2009," Gazprom said, urging Naftogaz to honor its gas transit commitments.
Some 18 EU countries have been affected by the stoppage of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine, which transits some 80% of Russia's exports to Europe. An EU-brokered deal to resume supplies on Tuesday also resulted in failure after Russia's attempts to pump gas through the Ukrainian network were unsuccessful.
The prime ministers of Russia, Moldova, Slovakia and Bulgaria held talks in Moscow to try and find a resolution to the gas dispute and Ukraine's refusal to transit Russian gas to Europe, which Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said had cost Gazprom $1.2 billion in lost revenue.
Robert Fico, the Slovakian premier, whose country has been severely affected by the gas dispute, told a press conference that he saw no quick end to the crisis which he described as a "deep political row."
The Russian and Ukrainian premiers will meet in Moscow on Saturday to discuss gas transit to Europe, the Russian premier's spokesman said on Thursday.
"A phone conversation between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Tymoshenko, took place today on Ukraine's initiative," Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said. "The prime ministers agreed to hold a working meeting in Moscow on January 17 to discuss steps to take."
Russia insists its gas exit points have been opened for three days now with gas pressure along the export pipeline sufficient to allow for the immediate resumption of gas transits to Europe.
Kiev confirms plans to involve U.S. in modernizing gas pipelines.
RIA Novosti
15 January 2009
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday Russian media reports that Kiev was planning to involve the United States in modernizing its Soviet-era gas pipeline network.
The Russian daily Izvestia reported Wednesday that under a strategic partnership charter signed between Ukraine and the United States, Washington would help the ex-Soviet republic modernize its worn-out gas pipelines.
The paper added that both Russia, which transits about 80% of its gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, and the European Union had long been concerned over the poor state of the Ukrainian gas pipes and were prepared to invest in their repair, but Kiev had resisted outside involvement in its gas network.
"The charter indeed has provisions on the involvement of the U.S. in modernizing the Ukrainian gas transportation system. The charter stipulates specific mechanisms of energy cooperation, primarily, the start of work of a bilateral working group on energy security and a closer dialog between Ukraine, the U.S. and the EU over enhanced energy security," the ministry said.
The Foreign Ministry also said Ukraine was interested in finding investors for the modernization of its gas transportation system that would not advance any political demands and would not attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.
Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantyn Yeliseyev said on Wednesday Ukraine needed 2.5 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to modernize and expand its gas transportation network.
Ukraine and Russia have been embroiled in a bitter gas dispute over gas prices and a new contract on natural gas supplies, which resulted in the suspension of gas supplies to Ukraine on January 1. Russian energy giant Gazprom cut off supplies to Europe a week later saying Ukraine was stealing gas intended for EU consumers.
Following mediation by the EU, the two sides agreed to resume supplies, but deliveries have not restarted, with each side blaming the other over the impasse.
15 January 2009
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday Russian media reports that Kiev was planning to involve the United States in modernizing its Soviet-era gas pipeline network.
The Russian daily Izvestia reported Wednesday that under a strategic partnership charter signed between Ukraine and the United States, Washington would help the ex-Soviet republic modernize its worn-out gas pipelines.
The paper added that both Russia, which transits about 80% of its gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine, and the European Union had long been concerned over the poor state of the Ukrainian gas pipes and were prepared to invest in their repair, but Kiev had resisted outside involvement in its gas network.
"The charter indeed has provisions on the involvement of the U.S. in modernizing the Ukrainian gas transportation system. The charter stipulates specific mechanisms of energy cooperation, primarily, the start of work of a bilateral working group on energy security and a closer dialog between Ukraine, the U.S. and the EU over enhanced energy security," the ministry said.
The Foreign Ministry also said Ukraine was interested in finding investors for the modernization of its gas transportation system that would not advance any political demands and would not attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.
Deputy Foreign Minister Konstantyn Yeliseyev said on Wednesday Ukraine needed 2.5 billion euros ($3.3 billion) to modernize and expand its gas transportation network.
Ukraine and Russia have been embroiled in a bitter gas dispute over gas prices and a new contract on natural gas supplies, which resulted in the suspension of gas supplies to Ukraine on January 1. Russian energy giant Gazprom cut off supplies to Europe a week later saying Ukraine was stealing gas intended for EU consumers.
Following mediation by the EU, the two sides agreed to resume supplies, but deliveries have not restarted, with each side blaming the other over the impasse.
Iran, China sign $1.76 bln contract to develop Iranian oil field.
RIA Novosti
15 January 2009
The National Iranian Oil Company and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed on Wednesday a $1.76 billion contract on developing Iran's North Azadegan oil field, local media reported.
The North Azadegan oil field is located in the Iranian southwestern province of Khuzestan on the border with Iraq. The oil field has estimated oil reserves of 6 billion barrels, making it possible to produce an average of 75,000 barrels a day over the next 25 years, Iranian media said.
The contract signed in Tehran covers the first stage of the oil field development. The contract's overall price for the first and second stages expected to be implemented over a period of 12 to 17 years is likely to reach about $4 billion, the Iranian media said.
This is the second large deal Iran has signed with China in the oil sector in recent years. In December 2007, Iran's Petroleum Ministry and Chinese oil company Sinopec signed a $2 billion contract to develop the Yadavaran oil deposit, which holds 18.3 billion barrels in proven reserves.
15 January 2009
The National Iranian Oil Company and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) signed on Wednesday a $1.76 billion contract on developing Iran's North Azadegan oil field, local media reported.
The North Azadegan oil field is located in the Iranian southwestern province of Khuzestan on the border with Iraq. The oil field has estimated oil reserves of 6 billion barrels, making it possible to produce an average of 75,000 barrels a day over the next 25 years, Iranian media said.
The contract signed in Tehran covers the first stage of the oil field development. The contract's overall price for the first and second stages expected to be implemented over a period of 12 to 17 years is likely to reach about $4 billion, the Iranian media said.
This is the second large deal Iran has signed with China in the oil sector in recent years. In December 2007, Iran's Petroleum Ministry and Chinese oil company Sinopec signed a $2 billion contract to develop the Yadavaran oil deposit, which holds 18.3 billion barrels in proven reserves.
14 January, 2009
MOGADISHU: TESTIMONIES, “ETHIOPIAN SOLDIERS LEAVING THEIR BASES."
MISNA
13 January 2009
“The Ethiopian soldiers are really leaving. This morning they left some of their main bases in Mogadishu, including the one in the old pasta factory, the Hayle Barise complex and the two camps in the Carafat and Towfiq neighbourhoods, in the north of the city. The people came out on the streets to manifest their joy”, said to MISNA a source contacted in the north of the city, confirming reports in circulation since this morning in the local and international press regarding the withdrawal of the Ethiopian soldiers. The majority of the population has always perceived the Ethiopian troops, in Somalia since December 2006 in support of the transitional government, as a foreign occupation force and as such has been targeted by a daily insurgency that has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Mogadishu, theatre to daily violence that in the past years forced over half of its residents to flee.
According to the Somali press, the Ethiopian forces withdrawal, announced for the end of 2008, is now entering a central phase. Suleyman Olad Roble, the information secretary of the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), told the main local media that the Ethiopian troops will complete their withdrawal from Mogadishu today and will be replaced by joint forces from the transitional government and ARS, the signatories of the Djibouti accords that in the next days are due to form a national unity government. “A farewell ceremony was held for Ethiopian troops this morning at Villa Somalia (presidential building)”, said the MISNA source from Mogadishu, however stressing the general skepticism of residents. “The Ethiopians are leaving, but the people are convinced that the Somalis will resume fighting among each other and therefore they will return”, added the source. Meanwhile, reports are circulating on a draft resolution presented to the United Nations by the United States (main ally of Ethiopia in the military intervention in Somalia) that calls, according to the American media, for a six-months renewal of the mandate of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and its replacement by June 1 with a UN peacekeeping force.
13 January 2009
“The Ethiopian soldiers are really leaving. This morning they left some of their main bases in Mogadishu, including the one in the old pasta factory, the Hayle Barise complex and the two camps in the Carafat and Towfiq neighbourhoods, in the north of the city. The people came out on the streets to manifest their joy”, said to MISNA a source contacted in the north of the city, confirming reports in circulation since this morning in the local and international press regarding the withdrawal of the Ethiopian soldiers. The majority of the population has always perceived the Ethiopian troops, in Somalia since December 2006 in support of the transitional government, as a foreign occupation force and as such has been targeted by a daily insurgency that has caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Mogadishu, theatre to daily violence that in the past years forced over half of its residents to flee.
According to the Somali press, the Ethiopian forces withdrawal, announced for the end of 2008, is now entering a central phase. Suleyman Olad Roble, the information secretary of the opposition Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), told the main local media that the Ethiopian troops will complete their withdrawal from Mogadishu today and will be replaced by joint forces from the transitional government and ARS, the signatories of the Djibouti accords that in the next days are due to form a national unity government. “A farewell ceremony was held for Ethiopian troops this morning at Villa Somalia (presidential building)”, said the MISNA source from Mogadishu, however stressing the general skepticism of residents. “The Ethiopians are leaving, but the people are convinced that the Somalis will resume fighting among each other and therefore they will return”, added the source. Meanwhile, reports are circulating on a draft resolution presented to the United Nations by the United States (main ally of Ethiopia in the military intervention in Somalia) that calls, according to the American media, for a six-months renewal of the mandate of the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and its replacement by June 1 with a UN peacekeeping force.
AFRICOM Attempts to Woo AU and its Member States.
Reuters
13 January 2009
By Alistair Thomson
Communications specialists from Africa's armies and the United States are working out how units from different countries can talk to each other as part of a future continental peacekeeping standby force.
African armies use a patchwork of official languages, military conventions and communications methods left behind by European colonial rule and decades of Cold War conflicts.
But the 53-nation African Union hopes to forge a unified force from their ranks so as to be able to nip conflicts in the bud and take a greater role in peacekeeping on the continent.
Communications experts from around 25 African armies and the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) are meeting in Senegal this week to plan a continental exercise in Gabon in July, the third of its kind and intended to pave the way for a common communications platform.
"The aim is to devise a transmission architecture for control, command and coordination, as well as an information system, for an eventual African Union peacekeeping force," Captain Mouhamadou Sylla, of the Senegalese army, told Reuters.
"Everybody needs to speak the same language," he said.
However, U.S. Air Force Major Eric Hilliard, of the Africa Command (Africom) in Stuttgart, said it was unlikely the program would simply recommend the adoption of English -- as, for example, is done in international air traffic control.
While English is widely spoken in southern and East Africa, many West and Central African countries speak French and others Portuguese, while Arabic is spoken across much of North Africa.
But regardless of the language being spoken, the exercise known as "Africa Endeavor" will ensure military units can exchange information and orders with units from other countries by ensuring equipment and communications methods are compatible.
"We're looking not just at communications within countries, but also between countries, military to military as well as military to civilian agencies," Hilliard said.
"Could it be used for sharing information on counter-terrorism? Natural disasters? ... outbreaks of viruses and disease? That's where it really comes into play," he said.
"This exercise supports a lot of U.S. goals ... helping the African countries work together to help each other," he said.
13 January 2009
By Alistair Thomson
Communications specialists from Africa's armies and the United States are working out how units from different countries can talk to each other as part of a future continental peacekeeping standby force.
African armies use a patchwork of official languages, military conventions and communications methods left behind by European colonial rule and decades of Cold War conflicts.
But the 53-nation African Union hopes to forge a unified force from their ranks so as to be able to nip conflicts in the bud and take a greater role in peacekeeping on the continent.
Communications experts from around 25 African armies and the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) are meeting in Senegal this week to plan a continental exercise in Gabon in July, the third of its kind and intended to pave the way for a common communications platform.
"The aim is to devise a transmission architecture for control, command and coordination, as well as an information system, for an eventual African Union peacekeeping force," Captain Mouhamadou Sylla, of the Senegalese army, told Reuters.
"Everybody needs to speak the same language," he said.
However, U.S. Air Force Major Eric Hilliard, of the Africa Command (Africom) in Stuttgart, said it was unlikely the program would simply recommend the adoption of English -- as, for example, is done in international air traffic control.
While English is widely spoken in southern and East Africa, many West and Central African countries speak French and others Portuguese, while Arabic is spoken across much of North Africa.
But regardless of the language being spoken, the exercise known as "Africa Endeavor" will ensure military units can exchange information and orders with units from other countries by ensuring equipment and communications methods are compatible.
"We're looking not just at communications within countries, but also between countries, military to military as well as military to civilian agencies," Hilliard said.
"Could it be used for sharing information on counter-terrorism? Natural disasters? ... outbreaks of viruses and disease? That's where it really comes into play," he said.
"This exercise supports a lot of U.S. goals ... helping the African countries work together to help each other," he said.
13 January, 2009
Ethiopia pulls out of main posts in Somalia.
Afrol News
13 January 2009
Ethiopian troops have pulled out from the two main bases in Northern Mogadishu today, leaving Somali's in fear as the radical Islamic group continue to wage attacks on Somali Transitional government forces in the country.
Ethiopia announced its withdrawal in November, sparking concerns of a security vacuum in war torn Somalia where an African Union force has been unable to halt the violence perpetrated by insurgents.
Ethiopian Colonel Gabre Yohannes Abate relinquished control of the security at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Ethiopia, which has been supporting its neighbouring Somalia's weak government for two years, recently said it would end its unpopular presence, without giving an exact date because of fears of a power vacuum.
Last week, Ethiopian government said failure of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government to lead its well organised forces has left the country's stubborn rebel group, Al Shabaab to regroup and wage attacks on government.
According to local reports, ill equipped and under-funded AU forces comprise of 3,400troops from Uganda and Burundi to fill the vacuum left by the Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
13 January 2009
Ethiopian troops have pulled out from the two main bases in Northern Mogadishu today, leaving Somali's in fear as the radical Islamic group continue to wage attacks on Somali Transitional government forces in the country.
Ethiopia announced its withdrawal in November, sparking concerns of a security vacuum in war torn Somalia where an African Union force has been unable to halt the violence perpetrated by insurgents.
Ethiopian Colonel Gabre Yohannes Abate relinquished control of the security at a ceremony on Tuesday.
Ethiopia, which has been supporting its neighbouring Somalia's weak government for two years, recently said it would end its unpopular presence, without giving an exact date because of fears of a power vacuum.
Last week, Ethiopian government said failure of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government to lead its well organised forces has left the country's stubborn rebel group, Al Shabaab to regroup and wage attacks on government.
According to local reports, ill equipped and under-funded AU forces comprise of 3,400troops from Uganda and Burundi to fill the vacuum left by the Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
12 January, 2009
Katanga Mining and Glencore Announce Completion of US$265.3 Million Loan.
Katanga Mining Limited (TSX:KAT - News; 'Katanga' or the 'Company') and Glencore Finance (Bermuda) Limited ('Glencore') today announced completion of the previously announced mandatorily convertible loan facility of approximately US$265.3 million ('the Facility') underwritten by Glencore (see Katanga press release December 24, 2008 for more detail). This follows the approval by Katanga's shareholders, as announced earlier today, of the increase in the authorized share capital of the Company.
Funding from the Facility is available immediately and is made available to the Company's joint-venture subsidiaries - Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and DRC Copper and Cobalt Project (DCP) - to meet the immediate financing requirements of Katanga and its subsidiaries. As at today's date, Glencore has advanced the entire US$100 million principal amount under the Facility.
The Company, in consultation with Glencore, is seeking participations in the Facility from existing eligible shareholders and new investors, up to an aggregate amount not exceeding 75% of the Facility as of today's date i.e. US$198.975m (the 'Available Facility Amount'). To the extent that the Company receives commitments from eligible shareholders and new investors to participate in the Available Facility Amount, such shareholders and new investors will, on the Second Closing Date receive a transfer of its proportional interest in the Facility from Glencore. The Second Closing Date is expected to occur on February 9, 2009, but may occur on an earlier date if valid commitments have been received from investors in respect of the entire Available Facility Amount or if otherwise agreed between the Company and Glencore.
As announced on December 24, 2008, in addition to the Facility, the Company will require additional equity and/or debt finance in the amount of approximately US$250 million during the first six months of 2009.
Commenting on the completion of the Facility, Hugh Stoyell, Non-Executive Chairman, Katanga Mining said: "Given such difficult and unprecedented conditions in the capital and commodities markets, we appreciate that Glencore has stepped in to provide a lifeline of financial support enabling Katanga to continue in the near-term. The Management Team and Board will continue to actively seek the participation of eligible investors by the second closing on 9th February. These are challenging times for the Company but we remain confident that existing shareholders and new investors will recognize the long-term value and prospects of our core asset base."
About Katanga Mining Limited
Katanga Mining Limited operates a major mine complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo producing refined copper and cobalt. The company has the potential to become Africa's largest copper producer and the world's largest cobalt producer. Katanga is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol KAT.
About Glencore
Glencore International AG, based in Baar, Switzerland, is the parent company of Glencore Finance (Bermuda) Limited and is a leading privately held, diversified natural resources company with worldwide activities in the smelting, refining, mining, processing, purchasing, selling and marketing of metals and minerals, energy products and agricultural products.
Persons who wish to obtain a copy of the Early Warning Report filed by Glencore in connection with this transaction may obtain a copy of such report from www.sedar.com or by contacting the persons listed above.
This press release shall not constitute an offer.
Forward-looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Katanga. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated developments in Katanga's operations in future periods; planned exploration activities; the adequacy of Katanga's financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future; estimated production; the ability of Katanga to continue to create value for its shareholders; the ability of Katanga to meet expected financing requirements and to continue as a going concern; the future price of copper and cobalt; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; capital expenditures; permitting time lines and permitting, mining or processing issues; currency exchange rate fluctuations; government regulation of mining operations; information concerning the interpretation of drill results; success of exploration activities; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; and limitations on insurance coverage.
Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may, "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Katanga to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to failure to obtain new investor commitments for all or a portions of the Available Facility Amount;: unexpected events during construction, expansion and start-up; variations in ore grade, tonnes mined; delay or failure to receive board or government approvals; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; risks related to international operations; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of copper and cobalt; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; political unrest and insurrection; acts of terrorism; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed herein or referred to in the current annual Management's Discussion and Analysis of Katanga filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com.
Although management of Katanga has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Katanga does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Contact:
Steven Isaacs
Katanga Mining Limited
Interim CEO
+44(0) 207 440 5824
Nick Brodie
Katanga Mining Limited
CFO
+44 (0) 7983 447 775
Anu Dhir
Katanga Mining Limited
VP, Corporate Development
+44 (0) 207 440 5822
Nigel O'Connor
Katanga Mining Limited
Manager Communications
+44 (0)7508 058 828
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Katanga Mining Limited
Funding from the Facility is available immediately and is made available to the Company's joint-venture subsidiaries - Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and DRC Copper and Cobalt Project (DCP) - to meet the immediate financing requirements of Katanga and its subsidiaries. As at today's date, Glencore has advanced the entire US$100 million principal amount under the Facility.
The Company, in consultation with Glencore, is seeking participations in the Facility from existing eligible shareholders and new investors, up to an aggregate amount not exceeding 75% of the Facility as of today's date i.e. US$198.975m (the 'Available Facility Amount'). To the extent that the Company receives commitments from eligible shareholders and new investors to participate in the Available Facility Amount, such shareholders and new investors will, on the Second Closing Date receive a transfer of its proportional interest in the Facility from Glencore. The Second Closing Date is expected to occur on February 9, 2009, but may occur on an earlier date if valid commitments have been received from investors in respect of the entire Available Facility Amount or if otherwise agreed between the Company and Glencore.
As announced on December 24, 2008, in addition to the Facility, the Company will require additional equity and/or debt finance in the amount of approximately US$250 million during the first six months of 2009.
Commenting on the completion of the Facility, Hugh Stoyell, Non-Executive Chairman, Katanga Mining said: "Given such difficult and unprecedented conditions in the capital and commodities markets, we appreciate that Glencore has stepped in to provide a lifeline of financial support enabling Katanga to continue in the near-term. The Management Team and Board will continue to actively seek the participation of eligible investors by the second closing on 9th February. These are challenging times for the Company but we remain confident that existing shareholders and new investors will recognize the long-term value and prospects of our core asset base."
About Katanga Mining Limited
Katanga Mining Limited operates a major mine complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo producing refined copper and cobalt. The company has the potential to become Africa's largest copper producer and the world's largest cobalt producer. Katanga is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol KAT.
About Glencore
Glencore International AG, based in Baar, Switzerland, is the parent company of Glencore Finance (Bermuda) Limited and is a leading privately held, diversified natural resources company with worldwide activities in the smelting, refining, mining, processing, purchasing, selling and marketing of metals and minerals, energy products and agricultural products.
Persons who wish to obtain a copy of the Early Warning Report filed by Glencore in connection with this transaction may obtain a copy of such report from www.sedar.com or by contacting the persons listed above.
This press release shall not constitute an offer.
Forward-looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Katanga. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated developments in Katanga's operations in future periods; planned exploration activities; the adequacy of Katanga's financial resources and other events or conditions that may occur in the future; estimated production; the ability of Katanga to continue to create value for its shareholders; the ability of Katanga to meet expected financing requirements and to continue as a going concern; the future price of copper and cobalt; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; capital expenditures; permitting time lines and permitting, mining or processing issues; currency exchange rate fluctuations; government regulation of mining operations; information concerning the interpretation of drill results; success of exploration activities; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; and limitations on insurance coverage.
Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may, "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Katanga to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to risks related to failure to obtain new investor commitments for all or a portions of the Available Facility Amount;: unexpected events during construction, expansion and start-up; variations in ore grade, tonnes mined; delay or failure to receive board or government approvals; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; risks related to international operations; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of copper and cobalt; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; political unrest and insurrection; acts of terrorism; accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed herein or referred to in the current annual Management's Discussion and Analysis of Katanga filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and available at www.sedar.com.
Although management of Katanga has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Katanga does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Contact:
Steven Isaacs
Katanga Mining Limited
Interim CEO
+44(0) 207 440 5824
Nick Brodie
Katanga Mining Limited
CFO
+44 (0) 7983 447 775
Anu Dhir
Katanga Mining Limited
VP, Corporate Development
+44 (0) 207 440 5822
Nigel O'Connor
Katanga Mining Limited
Manager Communications
+44 (0)7508 058 828
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Katanga Mining Limited
Uganda’s mineral potential high - Report.
The New Vision
11 January 2009
By Raymond Baguma
and Ibrahim Kasita
Editor's Note: Keep in mind the Kasese-Bunagana axis is used as a transit rout by the CNDP and the Rwandan Army.
A new report on Uganda’s mineral resources indicates that the south- western region has the highest potential in the country. Southwestern Uganda, under what is zoned as Block 7, is endowed with gold and diamond in Kigezi and in the Buhweju hills in Bushenyi district.
There is tin, wolfram and nickel in Kikagati. Other areas under Block 7 include Kasese with copper and cobalt, according to the report compiled following an airborne survey carried out since December 2006.
The data was released on Thursday to stakeholders in the mining industry at the energy ministry’s boardroom in Kampala.
The data will be used to identify prospective mining areas to attract investors, according to Joshua Tuhumwire, the commissioner for geological survey and mines.
Tuhumwire said during the survey undertaken by Fugro Airborne Surveys, a South African company, the country was demarcated into seven blocks.
He said the results also indicate that the southeast region under Block 1, covering the districts of Jinja, Busia, Iganga, Kamuli, Tororo and Bugiri has gold, lead, zinc and copper. Under Block 5, which covers the West Nile region, the survey also discovered potentials of gold.
Block 4 in Acholi region also possesses gold. Block 6 covers central Uganda and areas of Lake Kyoga, Soroti and Masindi.
He said data could be accessed by prospective investors. He said the remaining preliminary data for blocks 2, 3 and 4, was awaiting final interpretation and would be released in two months.
Tuhumwire said 80 percent of the country had been surveyed except the areas covered by national parks, water bodies, densely populated areas of Kampala and Jinja as well as Karamoja region.
He said the Karamoja region had not been covered under the mapping exercise for security reasons; but the region has potential for gold as well as platinum. He said the region would be covered after it is pacified.
Energy minister Daudi Migereko said: “This is a major development in the country’s mining sector. With the release of the results, we welcome investors to tap these minerals by way of mining, processing and value-addition in order to create jobs and transform our economy.”
He said the Government had formulated laws to regulate and stimulate development in the mining sector.
11 January 2009
By Raymond Baguma
and Ibrahim Kasita
Editor's Note: Keep in mind the Kasese-Bunagana axis is used as a transit rout by the CNDP and the Rwandan Army.
A new report on Uganda’s mineral resources indicates that the south- western region has the highest potential in the country. Southwestern Uganda, under what is zoned as Block 7, is endowed with gold and diamond in Kigezi and in the Buhweju hills in Bushenyi district.
There is tin, wolfram and nickel in Kikagati. Other areas under Block 7 include Kasese with copper and cobalt, according to the report compiled following an airborne survey carried out since December 2006.
The data was released on Thursday to stakeholders in the mining industry at the energy ministry’s boardroom in Kampala.
The data will be used to identify prospective mining areas to attract investors, according to Joshua Tuhumwire, the commissioner for geological survey and mines.
Tuhumwire said during the survey undertaken by Fugro Airborne Surveys, a South African company, the country was demarcated into seven blocks.
He said the results also indicate that the southeast region under Block 1, covering the districts of Jinja, Busia, Iganga, Kamuli, Tororo and Bugiri has gold, lead, zinc and copper. Under Block 5, which covers the West Nile region, the survey also discovered potentials of gold.
Block 4 in Acholi region also possesses gold. Block 6 covers central Uganda and areas of Lake Kyoga, Soroti and Masindi.
He said data could be accessed by prospective investors. He said the remaining preliminary data for blocks 2, 3 and 4, was awaiting final interpretation and would be released in two months.
Tuhumwire said 80 percent of the country had been surveyed except the areas covered by national parks, water bodies, densely populated areas of Kampala and Jinja as well as Karamoja region.
He said the Karamoja region had not been covered under the mapping exercise for security reasons; but the region has potential for gold as well as platinum. He said the region would be covered after it is pacified.
Energy minister Daudi Migereko said: “This is a major development in the country’s mining sector. With the release of the results, we welcome investors to tap these minerals by way of mining, processing and value-addition in order to create jobs and transform our economy.”
He said the Government had formulated laws to regulate and stimulate development in the mining sector.
European US Naval Command (NAVEUR) to Expand AFRICOM Cooperation.
Stars and Stripes
By Lisa Novak
11 January 2009
The commander for Naval Forces Europe laid out his priorities for the coming year last week in an all-hands message to Navy commands in Europe.
Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander U.S. Naval Forces Africa, said he is focused on several key goals for 2009, centered around security in Europe and Africa, quality of life for the work force and families, and "capacity building" with partners in eastern Europe and Africa.
"Last year, we achieved what we set out to do in building maritime partnerships," Fitzgerald said in an e-mail sent to European-based naval forces. "Africa Partnership Station was proof of our commitment to improve maritime safety and security."
APS is a Navy initiative designed to provide security training to African navies to help them combat regional problems such as drug smuggling, piracy, over-fishing, illegal immigration and human trafficking.
This year, the focus continues on building partnerships with African nations, with added support for the newly created U.S. Africa Command.
"We are working to make sure that our efforts are aligned with the European and Africa commands," said Capt. Ike Skelton, spokesman for NAVEUR-NAVAF. "A good part of that mission of alignment is getting out and assuring our allies that we are there, we deem them important, and we deem them relevant.
To that end, the first APS mission for 2009 begins at the end of the month, and U.S. 6th Fleet will recertify as a Joint Forces Maritime Component Command in late April aboard USS Mount Whitney.
The importance of housing and health concerns, specifically with regard to the military community in Naples, also remains a priority, according to Skelton.
The Navy is conducting a health assessment to determine the effects of the decades-long problems with trash accumulation, trash burning and illegal dumping of toxic waste.
"We’ll … partner with [Navy Region Europe] to address the housing, health and other concerns facing our Italy-based families," Skelton said.
Fitzgerald’s priorities haven’t changed much from last year. His plan is to build on some of the 2008 successes, such as the first port visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to South Africa, the various APS training missions and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the nation of Georgia following airstrikes by Russia.
"It is paramount that we continue building partnerships and advancing partner nations’ self-sufficiency, communicating effectively, and managing operational risk while maintaining the highest of standards," Fitzgerald told Navy personnel.
By Lisa Novak
11 January 2009
The commander for Naval Forces Europe laid out his priorities for the coming year last week in an all-hands message to Navy commands in Europe.
Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander U.S. Naval Forces Africa, said he is focused on several key goals for 2009, centered around security in Europe and Africa, quality of life for the work force and families, and "capacity building" with partners in eastern Europe and Africa.
"Last year, we achieved what we set out to do in building maritime partnerships," Fitzgerald said in an e-mail sent to European-based naval forces. "Africa Partnership Station was proof of our commitment to improve maritime safety and security."
APS is a Navy initiative designed to provide security training to African navies to help them combat regional problems such as drug smuggling, piracy, over-fishing, illegal immigration and human trafficking.
This year, the focus continues on building partnerships with African nations, with added support for the newly created U.S. Africa Command.
"We are working to make sure that our efforts are aligned with the European and Africa commands," said Capt. Ike Skelton, spokesman for NAVEUR-NAVAF. "A good part of that mission of alignment is getting out and assuring our allies that we are there, we deem them important, and we deem them relevant.
To that end, the first APS mission for 2009 begins at the end of the month, and U.S. 6th Fleet will recertify as a Joint Forces Maritime Component Command in late April aboard USS Mount Whitney.
The importance of housing and health concerns, specifically with regard to the military community in Naples, also remains a priority, according to Skelton.
The Navy is conducting a health assessment to determine the effects of the decades-long problems with trash accumulation, trash burning and illegal dumping of toxic waste.
"We’ll … partner with [Navy Region Europe] to address the housing, health and other concerns facing our Italy-based families," Skelton said.
Fitzgerald’s priorities haven’t changed much from last year. His plan is to build on some of the 2008 successes, such as the first port visit by a U.S. aircraft carrier to South Africa, the various APS training missions and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the nation of Georgia following airstrikes by Russia.
"It is paramount that we continue building partnerships and advancing partner nations’ self-sufficiency, communicating effectively, and managing operational risk while maintaining the highest of standards," Fitzgerald told Navy personnel.
United States launches American chamber of commerce in Ethiopia.
African News Agency
12 January 2009
The United States government has launched on Monday an American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ethiopia aimed at enhancing trade relations.
The Chamber’s aim is to promote economic development by strengthening Ethiopian-American business partnerships and trade and investment between the two countries.
“AmCham Ethiopia is committed to supporting Ethiopia’s development ambitions by promoting two-way trade and investment relations between Ethiopia and the United States,” said AmCham President, Getachew Ayele.
He pledged that AmCham would foster a positive environment for the business communities in both countries, and work to bring commercial relations to their full potential.
The US ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Donald Yamamoto praised the newly formed organization, saying, “The establishment of an American Chamber will create a new paradigm for how we do business in Ethiopia. This is a milestone in our two countries’ partnership, and it shows our commitment to a more prosperous tomorrow for all Ethiopian citizens.”
American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AmChams) are voluntary associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country who operate in the United States.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia is the fourth AmCham in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AmCham Ethiopia claims to be a not-for-profit, non-political, independent and voluntary business membership organization registered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice and affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce.
12 January 2009
The United States government has launched on Monday an American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ethiopia aimed at enhancing trade relations.
The Chamber’s aim is to promote economic development by strengthening Ethiopian-American business partnerships and trade and investment between the two countries.
“AmCham Ethiopia is committed to supporting Ethiopia’s development ambitions by promoting two-way trade and investment relations between Ethiopia and the United States,” said AmCham President, Getachew Ayele.
He pledged that AmCham would foster a positive environment for the business communities in both countries, and work to bring commercial relations to their full potential.
The US ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Donald Yamamoto praised the newly formed organization, saying, “The establishment of an American Chamber will create a new paradigm for how we do business in Ethiopia. This is a milestone in our two countries’ partnership, and it shows our commitment to a more prosperous tomorrow for all Ethiopian citizens.”
American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AmChams) are voluntary associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country who operate in the United States.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia is the fourth AmCham in Sub-Saharan Africa.
AmCham Ethiopia claims to be a not-for-profit, non-political, independent and voluntary business membership organization registered with the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice and affiliated with the US Chamber of Commerce.
Jos 'Mercenaries' Kogi Police Support Okene LG Chairman.
By Sam Egwu
Daily Trust
12 January 2009
The Kogi State police command has written a letter to its Plateau State counterpart informing it that the 26 men it arrested in Jos and accused them of being suspected mercenaries were actually vigilantes in the service of Okene Local Government, Daily Trust learnt in Lokoja at the weekend.
The police command's position appeared to support the statements made last week by the Chairman of Okene Local Government, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, who said the men were vigilantes brought in from Bauchi to assist Okene local government council to curb highway robberies in the area.
Incidentally, the Kogi State government, which hotly repudiated the Okene LG chairman's position last week, back-pedaled at the weekend, saying it was only unhappy because he did not consult it before going public with his statement.
Speaking to reporters in his office at the weekend, the Kogi State police command's public relations officer [PRO] Mr. Innocent Inalegwu said the accused persons were members of the Miyetti Allah Vigilante Group based in Bauchi, who were brought into the state to assist in tackling armed robbery on the Lokoja-Okene-Okpella road, as well as to curb the activities of cattle rustlers in the area.
According to the Force PRO, the state police command utilized part of the security funds made available to it by the state government and gave N100,000 to members of the vigilante group for their welfare and logistics.
He said the vigilante men formed a team together with officers of the Police Mobile Force and they succeeded in greatly reducing robbery on the highway.
He also said the police command was so happy with the team's work that it requested the chairman of Okene local government to provide a bus to assist their activities, which he did. Inalegwu further said the team's leader traveled home to Bauchi several times before the Jos crisis.
While he sometimes informed the police command, he sometimes went without its knowledge, the PRO said. On the weapons allegedly found with the men when they were arrested in Jos, Inalegwu said the police are aware that they use 5 single-barrel shotguns while the Mopol men attached to them use AK-47 rifles. He said if they had any other weapons at the time of their arrest, the command did not supply it to them.
When Daily Trust contacted the chairman of Okene Local Government Alhaji Yahaya Karaku on telephone last night, he refused to comment, saying, "Let us forget about that issue. Since the state government has spoken, I have nothing more to say." He sighed and added, "I must leave everything to God."
However, the Kogi State government itself backtracked from its earlier position, in which it denied that the arrested men were in the service of Okene local government and queried the chairman for saying so. Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone last night, Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Idris on Media and Strategy Mr. Phrank Shaibu said, "The Local Government chairman is the Chief Security Officer of the local government, and he has all the powers to provide minimum security for his people.
The state government would only intervene if there is breakdown of law and order. The state government reacted to the issue because the newspapers quoted the chairman as saying that the state government was aware of the presence of the vigilante group, when in essence the police authorities have said that the employment of the vigilante group portrays the government...Most importantly, the local government did not consult the state government before it hired persons that will join the regular security forces to help maintain order in its domain."
In a reversal of the state government's harsh tone of last week, Shaibu said, "We even salute the courage of the chairman for his boldness in coming out to clarify his position as it relates to men of the vigilante group that were arrested, except that he did not consult the state government before going to the media."
When Plateau State police spokesman Abubakar Umar was asked last night whether his command received the letter sent by its Kogi State counterpart, he said he could not comment because he was attending a course outside the state.
The chairman's position also found support from an elderly Okene resident, retired Major Alih Abdulahi. Speaking to Daily Trust in Okene yesterday, Abdulahi said, "Does the government want these people killed? Those who helped the state in curbing rampant armed robbery cases in the state?" He said when the vigilante men first came to Okene on June 7, 2006, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku was not the chairman of Okene LG, and that neither the current SSG nor Mr. Frank Shaibu were in government. Major Abdulahi said the team was duly recognised by the then Kogi State Commissioner of Police CP, Mr. Samuel Adekunle.
Major Abdulahi said when the vigilante men first came to Okene, he provided accommodation for the leader of the team, Alhaji Yusuf Has-san, while the other members stayed at a hotel at Nagazi. He said a bus, "Confluence One" out of the state government's transport buses was given to the team to enhance mobility.
He also said the Ohinoyi of Ebira, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim gave them N50,000, while many mosques, churches and market women contributed to their welfare, because of their effectiveness in curbing the menace of armed robbery on Okene's highways.
The retired Major said, "Who is not aware of when police helicopter was coming to Lokoja from Abuja because of the menace of the robbers in the state?" He appealed to the federal authorities to as a matter of mercy release the 26 vigilante men accused of being mercenaries for them to go home, "after risking their lives for two and half years chasing robbers." He said the men have served the country by helping to curb robbery on the highways used by all Nigerians.
Last week, the chairman of Okene LG Alhaji Yahaya Karaku said the men arrested in Jos were actually vigilante from Bauchi in the service of his council, but the next day, the state government denied this, saying there was no such vigilante group operating in Kogi State.
Daily Trust
12 January 2009
The Kogi State police command has written a letter to its Plateau State counterpart informing it that the 26 men it arrested in Jos and accused them of being suspected mercenaries were actually vigilantes in the service of Okene Local Government, Daily Trust learnt in Lokoja at the weekend.
The police command's position appeared to support the statements made last week by the Chairman of Okene Local Government, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, who said the men were vigilantes brought in from Bauchi to assist Okene local government council to curb highway robberies in the area.
Incidentally, the Kogi State government, which hotly repudiated the Okene LG chairman's position last week, back-pedaled at the weekend, saying it was only unhappy because he did not consult it before going public with his statement.
Speaking to reporters in his office at the weekend, the Kogi State police command's public relations officer [PRO] Mr. Innocent Inalegwu said the accused persons were members of the Miyetti Allah Vigilante Group based in Bauchi, who were brought into the state to assist in tackling armed robbery on the Lokoja-Okene-Okpella road, as well as to curb the activities of cattle rustlers in the area.
According to the Force PRO, the state police command utilized part of the security funds made available to it by the state government and gave N100,000 to members of the vigilante group for their welfare and logistics.
He said the vigilante men formed a team together with officers of the Police Mobile Force and they succeeded in greatly reducing robbery on the highway.
He also said the police command was so happy with the team's work that it requested the chairman of Okene local government to provide a bus to assist their activities, which he did. Inalegwu further said the team's leader traveled home to Bauchi several times before the Jos crisis.
While he sometimes informed the police command, he sometimes went without its knowledge, the PRO said. On the weapons allegedly found with the men when they were arrested in Jos, Inalegwu said the police are aware that they use 5 single-barrel shotguns while the Mopol men attached to them use AK-47 rifles. He said if they had any other weapons at the time of their arrest, the command did not supply it to them.
When Daily Trust contacted the chairman of Okene Local Government Alhaji Yahaya Karaku on telephone last night, he refused to comment, saying, "Let us forget about that issue. Since the state government has spoken, I have nothing more to say." He sighed and added, "I must leave everything to God."
However, the Kogi State government itself backtracked from its earlier position, in which it denied that the arrested men were in the service of Okene local government and queried the chairman for saying so. Speaking to Daily Trust on telephone last night, Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Idris on Media and Strategy Mr. Phrank Shaibu said, "The Local Government chairman is the Chief Security Officer of the local government, and he has all the powers to provide minimum security for his people.
The state government would only intervene if there is breakdown of law and order. The state government reacted to the issue because the newspapers quoted the chairman as saying that the state government was aware of the presence of the vigilante group, when in essence the police authorities have said that the employment of the vigilante group portrays the government...Most importantly, the local government did not consult the state government before it hired persons that will join the regular security forces to help maintain order in its domain."
In a reversal of the state government's harsh tone of last week, Shaibu said, "We even salute the courage of the chairman for his boldness in coming out to clarify his position as it relates to men of the vigilante group that were arrested, except that he did not consult the state government before going to the media."
When Plateau State police spokesman Abubakar Umar was asked last night whether his command received the letter sent by its Kogi State counterpart, he said he could not comment because he was attending a course outside the state.
The chairman's position also found support from an elderly Okene resident, retired Major Alih Abdulahi. Speaking to Daily Trust in Okene yesterday, Abdulahi said, "Does the government want these people killed? Those who helped the state in curbing rampant armed robbery cases in the state?" He said when the vigilante men first came to Okene on June 7, 2006, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku was not the chairman of Okene LG, and that neither the current SSG nor Mr. Frank Shaibu were in government. Major Abdulahi said the team was duly recognised by the then Kogi State Commissioner of Police CP, Mr. Samuel Adekunle.
Major Abdulahi said when the vigilante men first came to Okene, he provided accommodation for the leader of the team, Alhaji Yusuf Has-san, while the other members stayed at a hotel at Nagazi. He said a bus, "Confluence One" out of the state government's transport buses was given to the team to enhance mobility.
He also said the Ohinoyi of Ebira, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim gave them N50,000, while many mosques, churches and market women contributed to their welfare, because of their effectiveness in curbing the menace of armed robbery on Okene's highways.
The retired Major said, "Who is not aware of when police helicopter was coming to Lokoja from Abuja because of the menace of the robbers in the state?" He appealed to the federal authorities to as a matter of mercy release the 26 vigilante men accused of being mercenaries for them to go home, "after risking their lives for two and half years chasing robbers." He said the men have served the country by helping to curb robbery on the highways used by all Nigerians.
Last week, the chairman of Okene LG Alhaji Yahaya Karaku said the men arrested in Jos were actually vigilante from Bauchi in the service of his council, but the next day, the state government denied this, saying there was no such vigilante group operating in Kogi State.
11 January, 2009
Guinea junta admits army split.
SAPA
11 January 2009
The head of the military junta that seized power in Guinea last month admitted on Friday that the army was split over its action and warned dissident generals to stay calm.
"I call on the children of the generals, on their families to advise them so they stay quietly at home because they have had their time and cannot have other people's time," coup leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara told thousands of troops at a military camp in the capital Conakry.
He warned "the old generation of soldiers of the Guinean army" to stay calm and said that anyone caught scheming would be punished".
"Generals who took me to school are against me because I have supreme power, they are against me, but it is God who will punish them," Moussa, whose junta seized power on December 23, said, acknowledging splits in the senior ranks of the armed forces.
"I ask our elders to stay quiet, not to try anything against us, because if they stay quiet they will receive all honours," he said, but anyone "caught plotting against the state will be punished."
In recent days the junta has arrested 16 senior officers, among them several close to the late president Lansana Conte, who ruled from 1984 until he died last year, and three civilians.
Those arrested include three generals retired by the junta: former army chief of staff Diarra Camara, former navy chief Ali Daffe and his deputy Admiral Fassiriman Traore.
11 January 2009
The head of the military junta that seized power in Guinea last month admitted on Friday that the army was split over its action and warned dissident generals to stay calm.
"I call on the children of the generals, on their families to advise them so they stay quietly at home because they have had their time and cannot have other people's time," coup leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara told thousands of troops at a military camp in the capital Conakry.
He warned "the old generation of soldiers of the Guinean army" to stay calm and said that anyone caught scheming would be punished".
"Generals who took me to school are against me because I have supreme power, they are against me, but it is God who will punish them," Moussa, whose junta seized power on December 23, said, acknowledging splits in the senior ranks of the armed forces.
"I ask our elders to stay quiet, not to try anything against us, because if they stay quiet they will receive all honours," he said, but anyone "caught plotting against the state will be punished."
In recent days the junta has arrested 16 senior officers, among them several close to the late president Lansana Conte, who ruled from 1984 until he died last year, and three civilians.
Those arrested include three generals retired by the junta: former army chief of staff Diarra Camara, former navy chief Ali Daffe and his deputy Admiral Fassiriman Traore.
US senator slams UPDF on Kony war.
Sunday Monitor
By Angelo Izama
11 January 2009
The chairman of the US Senate’s Subcommittee on Africa has criticised the ongoing three-nation military campaign against rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army saying it had failed to minimise civilian deaths.
A statement released by Senator Russ Feingold asked the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to ensure that future efforts to neutralise the LRA “have the highest possible chance of success”.
Since the December 14, 2008 operation begun, LRA a reported civilian death toll attributed to alleged LRA massacres is approaching half a million people according to various aid agencies and the Ugandan military that is pursuing the rebels with cooperation from forces of the DR Congo and Sudanese People’s Liberation Army.
“Regional militaries have an important role to play in addressing the LRA threat, but I have long warned of the risks of rash and poorly planned military action and I am concerned the current offensive has been just that,” Senator Feingold said, the first high profile critic of the campaign so far.
According to the senator, the prosecutors of Operation Lightning Thunder have not done enough to save rebel abductees, have left civilians vulnerable to reprisal attacks by the rebels and as a consequence have fuelled regional instability. Although the Ugandan army is currently in pursuit of the rebels, the news has been dominated by the increasing death toll of civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
“I am horrified by the reported massacres that rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army have carried out over recent weeks in Congo and Sudan, leaving hundreds of people dead, scores of women raped, children abducted and villages ransacked. I condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms” Senator Feingold said.
The senator said: “Regional militaries must make civilian protection a priority”.
The UPDF have already indicated that its strategy which was initially to pursue and eliminate the LRA had now incorporated civilian protection as well because of the activities of the rebel group including the above atrocities.
Senator Feingold now joins some politicians from northern Uganda who have expressed concern at the consequences of Operation Lightning Thunder, noting that LRA reprisal attacks could result and that abducted women and children in their ranks could inadvertently fall victim in attacks on the rebels.
By Angelo Izama
11 January 2009
The chairman of the US Senate’s Subcommittee on Africa has criticised the ongoing three-nation military campaign against rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army saying it had failed to minimise civilian deaths.
A statement released by Senator Russ Feingold asked the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama to ensure that future efforts to neutralise the LRA “have the highest possible chance of success”.
Since the December 14, 2008 operation begun, LRA a reported civilian death toll attributed to alleged LRA massacres is approaching half a million people according to various aid agencies and the Ugandan military that is pursuing the rebels with cooperation from forces of the DR Congo and Sudanese People’s Liberation Army.
“Regional militaries have an important role to play in addressing the LRA threat, but I have long warned of the risks of rash and poorly planned military action and I am concerned the current offensive has been just that,” Senator Feingold said, the first high profile critic of the campaign so far.
According to the senator, the prosecutors of Operation Lightning Thunder have not done enough to save rebel abductees, have left civilians vulnerable to reprisal attacks by the rebels and as a consequence have fuelled regional instability. Although the Ugandan army is currently in pursuit of the rebels, the news has been dominated by the increasing death toll of civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
“I am horrified by the reported massacres that rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army have carried out over recent weeks in Congo and Sudan, leaving hundreds of people dead, scores of women raped, children abducted and villages ransacked. I condemn these atrocities in the strongest terms” Senator Feingold said.
The senator said: “Regional militaries must make civilian protection a priority”.
The UPDF have already indicated that its strategy which was initially to pursue and eliminate the LRA had now incorporated civilian protection as well because of the activities of the rebel group including the above atrocities.
Senator Feingold now joins some politicians from northern Uganda who have expressed concern at the consequences of Operation Lightning Thunder, noting that LRA reprisal attacks could result and that abducted women and children in their ranks could inadvertently fall victim in attacks on the rebels.
REVEALED: Saleh’s bush war stand on corruption, rape...
Sunday Monitor
11 January 2009
Richard Wanambwa
A letter written by then Mobile Brigade Commander of the National Resistance Army/ Movement (NRA/M), Salim Saleh Rufu, and present minister of state for microfinance, reveals that the rampant corruption facing Uganda today dates back to the 1981 – ‘86 bush war period.
The letter was addressed to “Commanders and Fighters” of the rebel army’s mobile brigade calling on them to fight this vice because it was likely to turn the population against them (NRA/M) if they did not stop this mischievous conduct. The then Lt. Saleh, who is a younger brother of President Museveni, noted in his letter that indulging in corruption and related vices would make them no different from their enemy, Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) which was the government army then.
“There are continuous reports of corruption, especially by commanders, even senior commanders. Such items as motor vehicles, tyres, fuel, coffee, machines, engines, refrigerators, office equipment, bales of cloth, barbed wire, wheat flour, etc, have been looted and sold by officers of the NRA,” Saleh wrote in late September 1985.
“There are cases of commanders and fighters raping and indecently assaulting women with a view to having sex and defiling small children. Drunkenness has reached dangerous levels. There are cases of drunken commanders and fighters causing panic in public places through random shooting, causing death or grievous bodily harm due to reckless driving under the influence of alcohol; threatening or assaulting wananchi after losing control …,” he observed.
Gen. Saleh continued: “[I] am forced to communicate to you on this matter because of the disastrous consequences that these recent developments in your conduct can have on the quality of our army and the direction of our struggle in general.
The point is what is the struggle all about? We should all address ourselves to that question. Is it so that we replace a bunch of thieves, rapists and murders –the UNLA- with a similar bunch? … If you can do all this, do you have any justification to point an accusing finger, let alone, fight the UNLA?”
On Friday, January 9, now Gen. Saleh acknowledged writing the document during a quick interview he gave Sunday Monitor in his office at the Ministry of Finance, but said the purpose was to restore discipline in the struggle while in the bush and later on in government.
“The army has maintained the stand on discipline partly because of that document. I gave it to the whole army leadership and you can see that there is a difference between the previous army and UPDF,” Gen Saleh, who also leads the army’s reserve force, said.
He, however, said that because of the rampant corruption reported in government, “the best thing is for the IGG to publish what we in positions of responsibility own. Those talking are targeting wrong people; they will find out, [for instance], that I don’t even own a house in Kampala”.
Gen. Saleh has at various times been accused by civil society organisations, Opposition politicians, and even some members of the ruling National Resistance Movement, of being one of the most corrupt individuals in government. He strongly denies this allegation. He has never appeared in court on any charges of corruption.
But the same officer who condemned corruption during the NRA’s bush war was 13 years later implicated in many corruption scandals including the collapse of Greenland Ban k where he was a shareholder; he was also reported to have been complicit in the bungled sale of Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) to dubious Malaysians posing as investors.
Before that, Gen. Saleh’s involvement in the purchase of second hand MI 24 combat helicopters from the ex-Soviet republic of Belarus for the military that were later found not to be airworthy and at inflated prices, in connivance with businessman Emmanuel Katto, in April 1997 exposed him to much public ridicule.
In 2001, a panel of experts appointed by the United Nations to investigate the illegal exploitation of the DR Congo’s natural resources by the militaries of occupying countries fingered Gen. Saleh among other senior Uganda officers for aiding the looting there through proxies.
Uganda was later to be sued in International Court of Justice by Congo and now faces the daunting prospect of paying $10 billion in reparations to that country.
Asked whether he still has the credibility to comment on corruption today in light of these and other allegations, Gen. Saleh said, “That has been idle talk, because I was targeted by some people.
As I said, let the IGG publish a list of property, they will be shocked I don’t own a house in this town”
Whereas Gen. Saleh’s letter was directed to the NRA’s Mobile Brigade, it could have had implications for other leaders of the guerrilla effort.
Some of the people who were in senior leadership positions during that war are the very same persons in charge of different departments in government today – many of whom are suspected of abetting the widespread and institutionalised graft.
According to World Bank records, Uganda loses in excess of Shs500 billion to corruption every year.
President Museveni has put on a brave public face to this, warning at his swearing-in ceremony in 2006 that he will no longer tolerate corruption.
But the vice has instead gained ground despite repeated presidential warnings of dire consequences for the perpetrators, one delivered as recently as in his New Year address to nation.
11 January 2009
Richard Wanambwa
A letter written by then Mobile Brigade Commander of the National Resistance Army/ Movement (NRA/M), Salim Saleh Rufu, and present minister of state for microfinance, reveals that the rampant corruption facing Uganda today dates back to the 1981 – ‘86 bush war period.
The letter was addressed to “Commanders and Fighters” of the rebel army’s mobile brigade calling on them to fight this vice because it was likely to turn the population against them (NRA/M) if they did not stop this mischievous conduct. The then Lt. Saleh, who is a younger brother of President Museveni, noted in his letter that indulging in corruption and related vices would make them no different from their enemy, Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) which was the government army then.
“There are continuous reports of corruption, especially by commanders, even senior commanders. Such items as motor vehicles, tyres, fuel, coffee, machines, engines, refrigerators, office equipment, bales of cloth, barbed wire, wheat flour, etc, have been looted and sold by officers of the NRA,” Saleh wrote in late September 1985.
“There are cases of commanders and fighters raping and indecently assaulting women with a view to having sex and defiling small children. Drunkenness has reached dangerous levels. There are cases of drunken commanders and fighters causing panic in public places through random shooting, causing death or grievous bodily harm due to reckless driving under the influence of alcohol; threatening or assaulting wananchi after losing control …,” he observed.
Gen. Saleh continued: “[I] am forced to communicate to you on this matter because of the disastrous consequences that these recent developments in your conduct can have on the quality of our army and the direction of our struggle in general.
The point is what is the struggle all about? We should all address ourselves to that question. Is it so that we replace a bunch of thieves, rapists and murders –the UNLA- with a similar bunch? … If you can do all this, do you have any justification to point an accusing finger, let alone, fight the UNLA?”
On Friday, January 9, now Gen. Saleh acknowledged writing the document during a quick interview he gave Sunday Monitor in his office at the Ministry of Finance, but said the purpose was to restore discipline in the struggle while in the bush and later on in government.
“The army has maintained the stand on discipline partly because of that document. I gave it to the whole army leadership and you can see that there is a difference between the previous army and UPDF,” Gen Saleh, who also leads the army’s reserve force, said.
He, however, said that because of the rampant corruption reported in government, “the best thing is for the IGG to publish what we in positions of responsibility own. Those talking are targeting wrong people; they will find out, [for instance], that I don’t even own a house in Kampala”.
Gen. Saleh has at various times been accused by civil society organisations, Opposition politicians, and even some members of the ruling National Resistance Movement, of being one of the most corrupt individuals in government. He strongly denies this allegation. He has never appeared in court on any charges of corruption.
But the same officer who condemned corruption during the NRA’s bush war was 13 years later implicated in many corruption scandals including the collapse of Greenland Ban k where he was a shareholder; he was also reported to have been complicit in the bungled sale of Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) to dubious Malaysians posing as investors.
Before that, Gen. Saleh’s involvement in the purchase of second hand MI 24 combat helicopters from the ex-Soviet republic of Belarus for the military that were later found not to be airworthy and at inflated prices, in connivance with businessman Emmanuel Katto, in April 1997 exposed him to much public ridicule.
In 2001, a panel of experts appointed by the United Nations to investigate the illegal exploitation of the DR Congo’s natural resources by the militaries of occupying countries fingered Gen. Saleh among other senior Uganda officers for aiding the looting there through proxies.
Uganda was later to be sued in International Court of Justice by Congo and now faces the daunting prospect of paying $10 billion in reparations to that country.
Asked whether he still has the credibility to comment on corruption today in light of these and other allegations, Gen. Saleh said, “That has been idle talk, because I was targeted by some people.
As I said, let the IGG publish a list of property, they will be shocked I don’t own a house in this town”
Whereas Gen. Saleh’s letter was directed to the NRA’s Mobile Brigade, it could have had implications for other leaders of the guerrilla effort.
Some of the people who were in senior leadership positions during that war are the very same persons in charge of different departments in government today – many of whom are suspected of abetting the widespread and institutionalised graft.
According to World Bank records, Uganda loses in excess of Shs500 billion to corruption every year.
President Museveni has put on a brave public face to this, warning at his swearing-in ceremony in 2006 that he will no longer tolerate corruption.
But the vice has instead gained ground despite repeated presidential warnings of dire consequences for the perpetrators, one delivered as recently as in his New Year address to nation.
French court rejects Rwandan extradition request for genocide ringleader.
African Press Agency
11 January 2009
A French court Friday has turned down a request by the Rwandan government to extradite a 1994 genocide suspect, Mr. Clavere Kamana, who they accused of instigating the 1994 genocide.
Kamana, born in 1940 and a legal resident of France since 1999, was arrested in February last year in France by police acting on an international arrest warrant issued by Rwanda.
A former businessman in Kigali, Kamana is accused of ordering, organizing and supervising massacres through his public speeches.
According to an e-mail sent to APA, by a reliable source in Paris, the appeal court gave an "unfavorable" verdict on the extradition of the businessman, who had been sentenced to death by a Rwandan court - a sentence later commuted to life imprisonment.
The court ruled that Kamana, if extradited to Rwanda, would be exposed to "inhumane and degrading" treatment, upholding that the Rwandan extradition case did not meet international standards.
The French court ruling in favor of Kamana ends a year-long legal saga over the businessman’s extradition, which was approved last April, but struck down last July by France’s high court of appeal, which sent the case back for re-trial.
11 January 2009
A French court Friday has turned down a request by the Rwandan government to extradite a 1994 genocide suspect, Mr. Clavere Kamana, who they accused of instigating the 1994 genocide.
Kamana, born in 1940 and a legal resident of France since 1999, was arrested in February last year in France by police acting on an international arrest warrant issued by Rwanda.
A former businessman in Kigali, Kamana is accused of ordering, organizing and supervising massacres through his public speeches.
According to an e-mail sent to APA, by a reliable source in Paris, the appeal court gave an "unfavorable" verdict on the extradition of the businessman, who had been sentenced to death by a Rwandan court - a sentence later commuted to life imprisonment.
The court ruled that Kamana, if extradited to Rwanda, would be exposed to "inhumane and degrading" treatment, upholding that the Rwandan extradition case did not meet international standards.
The French court ruling in favor of Kamana ends a year-long legal saga over the businessman’s extradition, which was approved last April, but struck down last July by France’s high court of appeal, which sent the case back for re-trial.
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