The New Vision
Wednesday, 4th March, 2009
By Milton Olupot
Yoweri Museveni believes Uganda is too small to be divided into federal states, adding that federalism would create more problems.
Speaking at the closing of a workshop for secondary school teachers from Mukono and Kayunga districts on patriotism, Museveni ruled out federalism, saying Uganda had introduced decentralisation as a way of sharing power between the central and the local governments.
“Uganda has already decentralised power, the leaders are elected and sectors such as education, water and roads are run by the local government while the central government deals with foreign affairs, security and the economy among others,” he said.
The President was responding to a question from a teacher, Frank Sempebwa of Naggalama Secondary School, on whether the idea of the East African federation, that he passionately advocates for, could not be started in Uganda.
“Uganda is only 98,000 square miles, Uganda is a small country, but East Africa is a big unit and we shall use a different formula,” Museveni said.
“But there are certain things that we rejected firmly and we are not going to change our position. For example, Mukono cannot levy taxes that are not approved by the central government because by them doing so, it would take us to the past centuries.”
“For the sake of Buganda, the Kabaka wanted to appoint the Katikkiro (premier), we rejected that.
“How can we have elected officials from the LC1 level up to the President and at the provincial level, we have an appointed prime minister?” he asked in reference to the proposed regional tier system.
In the tier system, the Government wants the provincial prime minister to be an elective position but the Mengo government insists that the prime minister be appointed by the Kabaka.
The President is on a country-wide tour sensitising teachers on the importance of patriotism.
Museveni was accompained by education minister Namirembe Bitamazire and Dorothy Hyuha, the minister without portfolio.
06 March, 2009
France to open new military base in U.A.E in May.
RIA Novosti
5 March 2009
France plans to open a military base in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on May 27, a leading French newspaper reported on Thursday.
According to Le Monde, the United Arab Emirates has long been in favor of a French base on its territory. However, former President Jacques Chirac's presidential administration was pushing for bases in French-speaking African countries.
The military base will be created under a 1995 agreement between France and the U.A.E. on defense and strategic cooperation. It is expected that some 450 French military personnel will be based at the military installation.
Citing an unnamed diplomat, Le Monde said that the United Arab Emirates "has for a long time needed to stand out from its neighbors and not depend only on the United States."
The newspaper said the Emirates is France's largest buyer of weapons.
France already has two bases in the Indian Ocean, on the island of Reunion and in Djibouti, and the opening of a third base is in line with France's changes in its strategic priorities, outlined in a new doctrine of national security, called the White Book, that President Nicolas Sarkozy introduced last summer.
5 March 2009
France plans to open a military base in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on May 27, a leading French newspaper reported on Thursday.
According to Le Monde, the United Arab Emirates has long been in favor of a French base on its territory. However, former President Jacques Chirac's presidential administration was pushing for bases in French-speaking African countries.
The military base will be created under a 1995 agreement between France and the U.A.E. on defense and strategic cooperation. It is expected that some 450 French military personnel will be based at the military installation.
Citing an unnamed diplomat, Le Monde said that the United Arab Emirates "has for a long time needed to stand out from its neighbors and not depend only on the United States."
The newspaper said the Emirates is France's largest buyer of weapons.
France already has two bases in the Indian Ocean, on the island of Reunion and in Djibouti, and the opening of a third base is in line with France's changes in its strategic priorities, outlined in a new doctrine of national security, called the White Book, that President Nicolas Sarkozy introduced last summer.
04 March, 2009
Israeli's Extradition Hearing in Namibia Postponed.
Associated Press
4 MArch 2009
An Israeli businessman accused of fraud in the United States proclaimed his innocence on Wednesday as a Namibian court again postponed his extradition hearing.
The magistrate's court set a new date of June 19 to allow prosecutors more time to prepare their case.
The businessman, Kobi Alexander, was arrested in the southern African nation on a US warrant in 2007.
"If I am to return to the United States, I will plead not guilty and will vigorously contest the charges," Alexander told The Associated Press.
US authorities accuse Alexander, former chief executive of voicemail-software maker Comverse Technology Inc, of scheming to pocket millions of dollars by secretly manipulating stock options.
Comverse's former general counsel and former head of finance have pleaded guilty in the case.
Both have said in US federal court that they conspired with Alexander to backdate options to low points in the stock price and falsify financial statements to conceal the fraud from shareholders.
"Backdating of options is not illegal," Alexander told the Associated Press.
4 MArch 2009
An Israeli businessman accused of fraud in the United States proclaimed his innocence on Wednesday as a Namibian court again postponed his extradition hearing.
The magistrate's court set a new date of June 19 to allow prosecutors more time to prepare their case.
The businessman, Kobi Alexander, was arrested in the southern African nation on a US warrant in 2007.
"If I am to return to the United States, I will plead not guilty and will vigorously contest the charges," Alexander told The Associated Press.
US authorities accuse Alexander, former chief executive of voicemail-software maker Comverse Technology Inc, of scheming to pocket millions of dollars by secretly manipulating stock options.
Comverse's former general counsel and former head of finance have pleaded guilty in the case.
Both have said in US federal court that they conspired with Alexander to backdate options to low points in the stock price and falsify financial statements to conceal the fraud from shareholders.
"Backdating of options is not illegal," Alexander told the Associated Press.
Kyrgyz U-turn on US base mooted.
BBC News
4 March 2009
Kyrgyzstan's president has raised the possibility of letting US forces remain at an airbase, which supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev said negotiations would have to take a different format, and cover new conditions of use.
His remarks, made in a BBC interview, are his first since announcing the closure of the Manas base last month.
Kyrgyz MPs have already passed a bill on the closure, and the US is actively exploring alternative supply routes.
Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of closing the strategic US air base.
See map of existing and possible supply routes in the region
The US said that it would look at what it could offer to keep the base open - but was not prepared to pay any price.
Mr Bakiyev said at the time he had decided to close the base because Washington had refused to pay more rent for it.
Militant threat
Thousands of US soldiers pass through the Manas base every month on their way in and out of Afghanistan.
It is also home to the large tanker aircraft that are used for airborne refuelling of fighter planes on combat missions, and it serves as a key supply hub.
MANAS AIRBASE IN FIGURES
Two hours' flight time from Kabul
15,000 US soldiers pass through every month on their way in and out of Afghanistan
Houses 1,000 US soldiers alongside 100 Spanish and French troops
Home of large tanker aircraft used for in-air refuelling of fighter planes
3,294 refuelling missions flown in 2008 providing 11,419 aircraft with fuel over the skies of Afghanistan
For the US, the decision comes at a critical moment, as the new administration of President Barack Obama plans a sharp rise in the number of its troops in Afghanistan.
With supply lines to Afghanistan via Pakistan increasingly threatened by militant attacks, Washington has intensified talks with other countries in the region.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said the US will be allowed to transport non-military supplies through his country, which has rail links with Afghanistan.
The US has also reached similar deals with Russia and Kazakhstan.
Washington used to have an air base in Uzbekistan that served troops operating in Afghanistan.
But Uzbek authorities closed it in 2005 after criticism from the US and EU over a crackdown on a mass protest in the town of Andijan.
4 March 2009
Kyrgyzstan's president has raised the possibility of letting US forces remain at an airbase, which supports US and Nato operations in Afghanistan.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev said negotiations would have to take a different format, and cover new conditions of use.
His remarks, made in a BBC interview, are his first since announcing the closure of the Manas base last month.
Kyrgyz MPs have already passed a bill on the closure, and the US is actively exploring alternative supply routes.
Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of closing the strategic US air base.
See map of existing and possible supply routes in the region
The US said that it would look at what it could offer to keep the base open - but was not prepared to pay any price.
Mr Bakiyev said at the time he had decided to close the base because Washington had refused to pay more rent for it.
Militant threat
Thousands of US soldiers pass through the Manas base every month on their way in and out of Afghanistan.
It is also home to the large tanker aircraft that are used for airborne refuelling of fighter planes on combat missions, and it serves as a key supply hub.
MANAS AIRBASE IN FIGURES
Two hours' flight time from Kabul
15,000 US soldiers pass through every month on their way in and out of Afghanistan
Houses 1,000 US soldiers alongside 100 Spanish and French troops
Home of large tanker aircraft used for in-air refuelling of fighter planes
3,294 refuelling missions flown in 2008 providing 11,419 aircraft with fuel over the skies of Afghanistan
For the US, the decision comes at a critical moment, as the new administration of President Barack Obama plans a sharp rise in the number of its troops in Afghanistan.
With supply lines to Afghanistan via Pakistan increasingly threatened by militant attacks, Washington has intensified talks with other countries in the region.
Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said the US will be allowed to transport non-military supplies through his country, which has rail links with Afghanistan.
The US has also reached similar deals with Russia and Kazakhstan.
Washington used to have an air base in Uzbekistan that served troops operating in Afghanistan.
But Uzbek authorities closed it in 2005 after criticism from the US and EU over a crackdown on a mass protest in the town of Andijan.
South Korea Will Join $750 Million Congolese Deal.
Bloomberg News
4 March 2009
By Sungwoo Park
State-owned Korea Water Resources Corp. will take part in a $750 million project to develop water and mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Korea Water and other Korean companies will build dams and other infrastructure, partner Alfonso Rowemberg Korea said in an e-mailed statement today. The Central African nation will in turn provide resources including 430,000 metric tons of copper, 21,500 tons of cobalt and 2,000 tons of uranium a year.
Paris-based Alfonso Rowemberg and Congolese mining company George Forrest International Africa will form two ventures for the project, the statement said.
Korea Water has a preliminary agreement for investments worth about $700 million in Congo, though details haven’t been decided yet, Kim Song-il, the Daejoen-based company’s African investment project manager, said in an interview.
“My company is very well experienced in the water sector,” Kim said by phone from Seoul. “We are looking for opportunities in any country in Africa.”
Korea Resources Corp., the state-run minerals explorer, will also join the deal by providing resources developing technology, according to the Alfonso Rowemberg statement.
MoneyToday reported the agreement earlier today.
Forrest spokesman Henry de Harenne confirmed there was an agreement, though he couldn’t provide more details. The company will issue a statement later this week, he said by phone from Brussels.
4 March 2009
By Sungwoo Park
State-owned Korea Water Resources Corp. will take part in a $750 million project to develop water and mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Korea Water and other Korean companies will build dams and other infrastructure, partner Alfonso Rowemberg Korea said in an e-mailed statement today. The Central African nation will in turn provide resources including 430,000 metric tons of copper, 21,500 tons of cobalt and 2,000 tons of uranium a year.
Paris-based Alfonso Rowemberg and Congolese mining company George Forrest International Africa will form two ventures for the project, the statement said.
Korea Water has a preliminary agreement for investments worth about $700 million in Congo, though details haven’t been decided yet, Kim Song-il, the Daejoen-based company’s African investment project manager, said in an interview.
“My company is very well experienced in the water sector,” Kim said by phone from Seoul. “We are looking for opportunities in any country in Africa.”
Korea Resources Corp., the state-run minerals explorer, will also join the deal by providing resources developing technology, according to the Alfonso Rowemberg statement.
MoneyToday reported the agreement earlier today.
Forrest spokesman Henry de Harenne confirmed there was an agreement, though he couldn’t provide more details. The company will issue a statement later this week, he said by phone from Brussels.
Ethiopia and Russia agree to boost economic, investment ties.
African Press Agency
3 March 2009
Ethiopia and Russia have on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the two countries’ economic and investment ties.
The agreement was signed during the 4th Ethio-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Trade and Technical Cooperation (IGC) implementation review meeting held on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decision passed during the 3rd Inter-Governmental Commission meeting held last year in Moscow.
The Ethiopian Minister of Trade and Industry, Girma Birru and the head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Ledovskikh signed the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement is aimed at enhancing the current poor economic and investment ties between the two countries.
Though the two countries have a decade ago diplomatic relations, their trade and investment ties are reported to be quite poor.
As part of this initiative to enhance the two countries ties on economic and development, a Russian business delegation is in Ethiopia assessing investment opportunities in the country.
The business delegation is also attending for the first time the on-going international trade fair taking place in Addis Ababa.
Minister Birru expressed gratitude for Generalized Tariff Preference (GSP) scheme being implemented by the Russian government for developing countries.
Accordingly, he said that about 75 percent of Ethiopia’s export interest has been included in the GSP list.
3 March 2009
Ethiopia and Russia have on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to boost the two countries’ economic and investment ties.
The agreement was signed during the 4th Ethio-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Trade and Technical Cooperation (IGC) implementation review meeting held on Tuesday in Addis Ababa.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the decision passed during the 3rd Inter-Governmental Commission meeting held last year in Moscow.
The Ethiopian Minister of Trade and Industry, Girma Birru and the head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Ledovskikh signed the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement is aimed at enhancing the current poor economic and investment ties between the two countries.
Though the two countries have a decade ago diplomatic relations, their trade and investment ties are reported to be quite poor.
As part of this initiative to enhance the two countries ties on economic and development, a Russian business delegation is in Ethiopia assessing investment opportunities in the country.
The business delegation is also attending for the first time the on-going international trade fair taking place in Addis Ababa.
Minister Birru expressed gratitude for Generalized Tariff Preference (GSP) scheme being implemented by the Russian government for developing countries.
Accordingly, he said that about 75 percent of Ethiopia’s export interest has been included in the GSP list.
03 March, 2009
Iraqi Kurds court British business.
UPI
2 March 2009
The United Kingdom could establish stronger ties with Iraqi Kurdistan and greater Iraq through greater economic interest in the Kurdish region, officials said.
Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the high representative to the United Kingdom for the Kurdistan Regional Government, told a group of officials and business leaders in London the Kurdish region of Iraq provided a lucrative economic opportunity.
"We would like to see more British companies making the most of the opportunities in Kurdistan and the whole of Iraq," she said. "Stronger trade and investment ties can only add to the richness of relations between our two countries."
Officials in attendance said Iraq's Kurdish region was not only a viable economic partner but also a way for companies to establish themselves in the country for later business opportunities, the KRG reports in a news release.
The KRG said its northern regions of Iraq are in the midst of an economic boom in several sectors as the area has been relatively peaceful since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
2 March 2009
The United Kingdom could establish stronger ties with Iraqi Kurdistan and greater Iraq through greater economic interest in the Kurdish region, officials said.
Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the high representative to the United Kingdom for the Kurdistan Regional Government, told a group of officials and business leaders in London the Kurdish region of Iraq provided a lucrative economic opportunity.
"We would like to see more British companies making the most of the opportunities in Kurdistan and the whole of Iraq," she said. "Stronger trade and investment ties can only add to the richness of relations between our two countries."
Officials in attendance said Iraq's Kurdish region was not only a viable economic partner but also a way for companies to establish themselves in the country for later business opportunities, the KRG reports in a news release.
The KRG said its northern regions of Iraq are in the midst of an economic boom in several sectors as the area has been relatively peaceful since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Eldoret-Kampala Pipeline Compensation for March.
East African Business Week
28 February 2009
By Paul Mwijagye
The construction of the much awaited Eldoret-Kampala oil pipeline is hoped to begin in April.
Preparations are underway to compensate the people that will be affected by the project.
In an interview with EABW, the energy ministry's commissioner for petroleum, Ben Twodo said the survey had been completed and submitted to the chief government valuer. He, however, noted that since the handing over of the survey not much progress has been realized.
"The chief government valuer has done some work though not all and so far there is nothing that we can say will stop the commencement of the project," Twodo said.
On July 18, 2006 Tamoil East Africa won a 20-year concession to finance and extend the 320km oil pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala at a cost of $72 million.
The work has been postponed several times, hampering stable fuel supply to Uganda, a situation that has led to escalating prices.
A recent analysis of the economic indicators for the second half of 2008 reveals that in spite of the fall in international crude oil prices by over 70%, between early July 2008 and early August 2008, there has been no significant reduction in fuel prices in Uganda.
Average pump prices in Kampala for petrol and diesel remained as high as Shs2,650 and Shs2, 200 respectively in February, 2009.
In upcountry areas, the price is higher by about 15%-20%.
This has resulted in increased food prices, high commodity prices and transport costs which in turn contributed to high inflation rates. Food crops inflation rose to 33.7% in August from 20.5% in July 2008 on account of high transport costs.
The cost of transporting oil varies between $38 and $42 per cubic metre, an expense that is expected to decline significantly with completion of the project.
Tamoil has a 51% stake in the project, while Uganda and Kenya governments are holding an equal share of the remaining 49%.
28 February 2009
By Paul Mwijagye
The construction of the much awaited Eldoret-Kampala oil pipeline is hoped to begin in April.
Preparations are underway to compensate the people that will be affected by the project.
In an interview with EABW, the energy ministry's commissioner for petroleum, Ben Twodo said the survey had been completed and submitted to the chief government valuer. He, however, noted that since the handing over of the survey not much progress has been realized.
"The chief government valuer has done some work though not all and so far there is nothing that we can say will stop the commencement of the project," Twodo said.
On July 18, 2006 Tamoil East Africa won a 20-year concession to finance and extend the 320km oil pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala at a cost of $72 million.
The work has been postponed several times, hampering stable fuel supply to Uganda, a situation that has led to escalating prices.
A recent analysis of the economic indicators for the second half of 2008 reveals that in spite of the fall in international crude oil prices by over 70%, between early July 2008 and early August 2008, there has been no significant reduction in fuel prices in Uganda.
Average pump prices in Kampala for petrol and diesel remained as high as Shs2,650 and Shs2, 200 respectively in February, 2009.
In upcountry areas, the price is higher by about 15%-20%.
This has resulted in increased food prices, high commodity prices and transport costs which in turn contributed to high inflation rates. Food crops inflation rose to 33.7% in August from 20.5% in July 2008 on account of high transport costs.
The cost of transporting oil varies between $38 and $42 per cubic metre, an expense that is expected to decline significantly with completion of the project.
Tamoil has a 51% stake in the project, while Uganda and Kenya governments are holding an equal share of the remaining 49%.
Ethiopian press ordered to re-register.
Afrol News
2 MArch 2009
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency (EBA) has ordered the existing newspapers and magazines to re-register within three months time and further barred property owners of such media from holding positions of editor or deputy editor in their media houses.
The EBA deputy director Desta Tesfaw said the aim of the new set of regulations was to guard against media monopoly and ensure diverse opinions in the industry which the official said plays a critical role in democratic dispensation.
Mr Tesfaw, said individuals registered as having more than two per cent stake in a media house, cannot be an editor-in-chief or deputy editor of publication, saying professionalism has to be brought into the local media.
According to EBA the mandate of the editor-in-chief designated by the publisher encompasses the power to supervise the publication and to determine the content so that nothing may be printed therein against his/her will.
Government critics and analysts said the new regulations are only aimed at trampling on the freedom of the press and media. "Such positions are held by proprietors who could be answerable to all the content in the paper," one analyst said.
Local media reported Dr Haile Ayale, a specialist on Ethiopian media ethics at Vienna University, Austria saying the theoretical aspect of the law may be valid, but said it was yet another blow for Ethiopia's media.
The EBA became the regulatory authority over print media when the Council of Ministers by regulation established the government Communications Affairs Office and thereby implicitly abolishing the Ministry of Information.
2 MArch 2009
The Ethiopian Broadcasting Agency (EBA) has ordered the existing newspapers and magazines to re-register within three months time and further barred property owners of such media from holding positions of editor or deputy editor in their media houses.
The EBA deputy director Desta Tesfaw said the aim of the new set of regulations was to guard against media monopoly and ensure diverse opinions in the industry which the official said plays a critical role in democratic dispensation.
Mr Tesfaw, said individuals registered as having more than two per cent stake in a media house, cannot be an editor-in-chief or deputy editor of publication, saying professionalism has to be brought into the local media.
According to EBA the mandate of the editor-in-chief designated by the publisher encompasses the power to supervise the publication and to determine the content so that nothing may be printed therein against his/her will.
Government critics and analysts said the new regulations are only aimed at trampling on the freedom of the press and media. "Such positions are held by proprietors who could be answerable to all the content in the paper," one analyst said.
Local media reported Dr Haile Ayale, a specialist on Ethiopian media ethics at Vienna University, Austria saying the theoretical aspect of the law may be valid, but said it was yet another blow for Ethiopia's media.
The EBA became the regulatory authority over print media when the Council of Ministers by regulation established the government Communications Affairs Office and thereby implicitly abolishing the Ministry of Information.
BISSAU: ARMY REITERATES OBEDIENCE TO INSTITUTIONS.
MISNA
2 March 2009
The head of the armed forces has asked the population to remain calm and to maintain “its obedience to political power and the institutions of the republic”. The note informs that a commission of military leaders has been formed with the task of managing the crisis following the death of two of the highest ranking state figures and to maintain solid control over all military cadres. “Now – says the document – the situation is under control, but the military command asks the people to remain calm and in their homes”. The note does not give further details over what has taken place, not yet attributing blame for the attack against general Baptista Tagme Na Waie and the murder of president Vieira. Sources from the local Radio Sol Mansi told MISNA that the gun battle around the presidential residence lasted until 5.30 am and that bazookas were used; as of this morning the streets in the capital have been closed to traffic. Meanwhile, a cabinet meeting was called for an emergency meeting. The African Union, (AU) has expressed concern over the latest events; in a note the president of the AU commission Jean Ping has condemned the attacks that “arrive at a moment of renewed commitment from the international community to support the national reconciliation process and the consolidation of political institutions in light of last November’s elections”. Javier Solana, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, has asked the government to abide by the constitutional order.
2 March 2009
The head of the armed forces has asked the population to remain calm and to maintain “its obedience to political power and the institutions of the republic”. The note informs that a commission of military leaders has been formed with the task of managing the crisis following the death of two of the highest ranking state figures and to maintain solid control over all military cadres. “Now – says the document – the situation is under control, but the military command asks the people to remain calm and in their homes”. The note does not give further details over what has taken place, not yet attributing blame for the attack against general Baptista Tagme Na Waie and the murder of president Vieira. Sources from the local Radio Sol Mansi told MISNA that the gun battle around the presidential residence lasted until 5.30 am and that bazookas were used; as of this morning the streets in the capital have been closed to traffic. Meanwhile, a cabinet meeting was called for an emergency meeting. The African Union, (AU) has expressed concern over the latest events; in a note the president of the AU commission Jean Ping has condemned the attacks that “arrive at a moment of renewed commitment from the international community to support the national reconciliation process and the consolidation of political institutions in light of last November’s elections”. Javier Solana, the EU high representative for foreign affairs, has asked the government to abide by the constitutional order.
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