DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Friday commended the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI) for controlling elephants that raid farm crops and residential areas in the southern part of the east African nation.
A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said Majaliwa made the commendation after he was briefed by TAWIRI that it has managed to control four herds of elephants with a total of 82 of the animals.
Eblate Mjingo, TAWIRI director general, told the Prime Minister in Lindi region that the wildlife research institution has managed to collar elephants belonging to one of the four herds to enable game rangers to track stray elephants that raid farm crops and residential areas.
"Elephants in the remaining three groups of herds will be collared by Saturday," said Mjingo, adding that one of the groups has a herd of 50 elephants.
He said some elephants were wreaking havoc in Nachingwea district and one herd was in Liwale district in Lindi region.
Plans to collar the elephants were announced in July by the Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Mary Masanja, after she visited some villages that had fallen victim to elephant attacks.
The collars include Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) tracking devices that are placed around an elephant's neck to monitor their movements and behavior as well as to assist with conservation actions. - Xinhua
TEHRAN, Dec. 02 (MNA) – At least 40 al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and several others wounded in a fresh operation in Somalia's Middle Shabelle region on Thursday, authorities said.
The operation in the rural area of Mahaday town was conducted by the Somali army, and intelligence and security agency, and supported by international partners, according to the Information Ministry.
The fresh operation came days after al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group, attacked the Villa Rays hotel near the presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu that killed at least eight civilians.
On Wednesday, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said the government has waged a multipronged assault on al-Shabaab militants militarily, financially, and ideologically.
“The security operation has thus far neutralized thousands of Kharijite combatants – 600 killed and 1,200 wounded within three months,” he said, Anadolu agency reported.
Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with al-Shabaab being one of the main threats.
Since at least 2007, al-Shabaab has waged a deadly campaign against the Somali government and international forces, claiming thousands of lives.
The UN has also warned of growing instability in the country, with its periodic reports on Somalia this year detailing attacks by al-Shabaab and pro-ISIL groups.
There were at least 1,518 civilian casualties – 651 killed and 867 injured – in terrorist attacks in Somalia in 2018, followed by 1,459 – 591 killed and 868 injured – in 2019, according to UN estimates.
A collage image of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the media on August 15, 2022 (left).BBC/ FREDRICK OMONDI
Orange Democratic Movement, party leader, Raila Odinga, has responded to President William Ruto's move to suspend IEBC vice chairperson, Juliana Cherera, and three other commissioners.
Speaking during a meeting with Nairobi grassroots leaders in Nairobi on Friday, December 2, Raila described the suspension as dictatorial and a conspiracy to rig the 2027 General Election.
He reiterated that Azimio Coalition would not sit back and allow the government to remove the four commissioners from office.
Azimio party leader addressing supporters in Homa Bay County on Friday, November 4, 2022. RAILA ODINGA
In addition, the former Prime Minister maintained that he would lead his supporters in public consultations forum beginning December 7 at the historical Kamukunji grounds.
The ODM Leader further contested the proposed bill in Parliament seeking to amend the procedure of recruiting IEBC commissioners.
“The events in Parliament yesterday on the formula of appointing IEBC commissioners and the hounding of the four commissioners have got nothing to do with integrity, but about 2027. Ruto wants to rig the 2027 election. We should not allow this to happen."
Azimio also revealed plans to hold a rally at the above-mentioned venue parallel to the national Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12.
"On December 7, we will launch the public consultations forum at the historical Kamkunji grounds. And we will return to the same grounds on December 12 to continue with the consultations," Raila stated.
Raila's statement came shortly after President William Ruto announced the suspension of Cherera and commissioners Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyang'aya following a recommendation from the National Assembly.
On Tuesday, November 30, Azimio la Umoja leaders resolved to postpone public consultations regarding the impeachment of the four dissenting commissioners citing the ongoing national examinations.
However, it emerged that former President and Azimio Patron Uhuru Kenyatta had a hand in the decision to postpone the demonstrations.
Wiper Party Chairman Chirau Ali Mwakwere also denounced plans to hold a parallel rally on Jamhuri Day in what he termed as a selfish move and threat to national peace.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga arrives at the Kisumu International Airport on Sunday, November 27, 2022. By DENNIS NYAMBANE, Kenyans.co.ke
Justice Aggrey Muchelule (pictured) will chair the tribunal that will investigate the four suspended IEBC commissioners. [File, Standard]
Justice Aggrey Muchelule will chair a nine-member team that will investigate suspended IEBC commissioners Juliana Cherera, Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya.
Members of the tribunal are Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena and Col. (Retired) Saeed Khamis.
The joint secretaries are Kibet Kirui Emmanuel and Irene Tunta Nchoe.
Peter Munge Murage will be the lead counsel, assited by Zamzam Abdi Abib.
“The mandate of the tribunal shall be to consider the petition for the removal of (1) Juliana Whonge Cherera, (2) Francis Mathenge Wanderi, (3) Irene Cherop Masit and (4) Justus Abonyo Nyang’aya from office as members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and to inquire into the allegations therein,” said President Ruto in the Special Gazette Notice Number 258.
“In the discharge of its functions, the tribunal shall — (a) Prepare and submit a report and its recommendations thereon expeditiously; and (b) exercise all the powers conferred upon it by law for the proper execution of its mandate,” said the Head of State.
The list of tribunal members was revealed in a Special Gazette Notice by President William Ruto on Friday, December 2 after he announced the suspension of the four IEBC commissioners over alleged gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution.
The commissioners’ suspension paves way for investigations into their conduct by a nine-member tribunal after disputing the August 9, 2022 presidential election results announced by IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
The accused group had alleged that Chebukati altered the results in favour of President William Ruto, and as a result, disenfranchised Ruto’s main competitor Raila Odinga.
The National Assembly on Thursday, December 1, adopted JLAC’s report.
On Friday, December 2, via a Special Gazette Notice, President Ruto suspended the four commissioners, and formed a nine-member tribunal.
The Head of State directed the tribunal to expedite the probe and submit its report to him.
During their suspension, the four commissioners won’t be allowed to dispense their duties, but will be paid half of their monthly salaries.
The tribunal can recommend the commissioners’ sacking or full reinstatement.
During JLAC hearings, none of the accused commissioners honoured the summonses in person.
Four petitioners, including Reverend David Nthumbi, filed their complaints with the National Assembly, accusing the breakaway commissioners of attempting to change the will of Kenyans.
Article 251 of the Constitution stipulates the process of removing the commissioner of an independent body from office.
“A person desiring the removal of a member of a commission or of a holder of an independent office may present a petition to the National Assembly setting out the alleged facts constituting that ground,” says the Constitution.
“The National Assembly shall consider the petition and, if it is satisfied that it discloses a ground for removal from office, shall send the petition to the president; on receiving a petition, the president — may suspend the member or office holder pending the outcome of the complaint; and shall appoint a tribunal,” says the Constitution.
The tribunal consists of a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a superior court (the chairperson); at least two persons who are qualified to be appointed as High Court judges; and one other member who is qualified to assess the facts in respect of the particular ground for removal.
“The tribunal shall investigate the matter expeditiously, report on the facts and make a binding recommendation to the president, who shall act in accordance with the recommendation within 30 days,” says the law.
“A person suspended under this Article is entitled to continue to receive one-half of the remuneration and benefits of the office while suspended.” By Brian Okoth, The Standard
Rwanda President Paul Kagame at the 77th UN General Assembly.[File, Standard]
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is now accusing his Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) counterpart Felix Tshisekedi of taking advantage of the current security situation to delay the 2023 polls.
Kagame, in an address to Parliament on Wednesday, November 30 in Kigali, said the leadership of the DRC is using delay tactics to postpone the presidential elections slated for December 2023.
“This problem can be resolved if one country headed for elections next year is not trying to create an emergency so that the elections don’t take place, not that he won the first elections as we know. If he is trying to find another way of having the next elections postponed, then I would rather he uses other excuses, not us,” Kagame said in the hour-long speech.
Tshisekedi assumed the top office in January 2019. Kagame on Wednesday also called out the double standards by countries and parties dealing with the DRC crisis, adding that Rwanda has been made the scapegoat.
He posed: “How can all these powerful countries that speak so much of humanitarian crisis and human rights and speak up for wanting to resolve all this, sit with this kind of situation…keep massaging it and blame everybody else except them?”
“It has become so convenient for long that all problems are heavily put on the shoulders of Rwanda. Rwanda is always the culprit.”
DRC and Rwanda have accused each other of backing rebel groups.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa earlier in the week called for an end to the conflict and for warring parties to cease hostilities.
“Peace cannot be brought to DRC by foreigners but from the people of DRC. The wealth of Congo is meant to help you and not to make the country and its people bleed,” he said.
Kenya and Burundi have already deployed troops to DRC to quell tensions in the region. By Betty Njeru, The Standard
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