East Africa

Details: East Africa; 03 January 2022; 722

Legendary paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey remained energetic into his 70s despite health problems Photo: AFP / Yasuyoshi CHIBA

World-renowned Kenyan conservationist and fossil hunter Richard Leakey, whose groundbreaking discoveries helped prove that humankind evolved in Africa, died on Sunday at the age of 77, the country's President said.

The legendary paleoanthropologist remained energetic into his 70s despite bouts of skin cancer, kidney and liver disease.

"I have this afternoon... received with deep sorrow the sad news of the passing away of Dr Richard Erskine Frere Leakey," President Uhuru Kenyatta said in a statement late Sunday.

Born on 19 December, 1944, Leakey was destined for palaeoanthropology -- the study of the human fossil record -- as the middle son of Louis and Mary Leakey, perhaps the world's most famous discoverers of ancestral hominids.

Initially, Leakey tried his hand at safari guiding, but things changed when at 23 he won a research grant from the National Geographic Society to dig on the shores of northern Kenya's Lake Turkana, despite having no formal archaeological training.

In the 1970s he led expeditions that recalibrated scientific understanding of human evolution with the discovery of the skulls of Homo habilis (1.9 million years old) in 1972 and Homo erectus (1.6 million years old) in 1975.

A TIME magazine cover followed of Leakey posing with a Homo habilis mock-up under the headline "How Man Became Man". Then in 1981, his fame grew further when he fronted "The Making of Mankind", a seven-part BBC television series.

Tonnes of ivory and rhino horn burn on a bonfire in Nairobi in 2016 in an anti-poaching stunt first made popular by Leakey

Tonnes of ivory and rhino horn burn on a bonfire in Nairobi in 2016 in an anti-poaching stunt first made popular by Leakey Photo: AFP / Tony KARUMBA

Yet the most famous fossil find was yet to come: the uncovering of an extraordinary, near-complete Homo erectus skeleton during one of his digs in 1984, which was nicknamed Turkana Boy.

As the slaughter of African elephants reached a crescendo in the late 1980s, driven by insatiable demand for ivory, Leakey emerged as one of the world's leading voices against the then legal global ivory trade.

At Kenya's national museum in Nairobi, school children look at the nearly complete skeleton of "Turkana boy", today 1.6 million years old but aged about eight when he died.

At Kenya's national museum in Nairobi, school children look at the nearly complete skeleton of "Turkana boy", today 1.6 million years old but aged about eight when he died. Photo: AFP / TONY KARUMBA

President Daniel Arap Moi in 1989 appointed Leakey to lead the national wildlife agency -- soon to be named the Kenya Wildlife Service, or KWS.

That year he pioneered a spectacular publicity stunt by burning a pyre of ivory, setting fire to 12 tonnes of tusks to make the point that they have no value once removed from elephants.

He also held his nerve, without apology, when implementing a shoot-to-kill order against armed poachers.

In 1993, his small Cessna plane crashed in the Rift Valley where he had made his name. He survived but lost both legs.

"There were regular threats to me at the time and I lived with armed guards. But I made the decision not to be a dramatist and say: 'They tried to kill me.' I chose to get on with life," he told the Financial Times.

Leakey was forced out of KWS a year later and began a third career as a prominent opposition politician, joining the chorus of voices against Moi's corrupt regime.

His political career met with less success, however, and in 1998 he was back in the fold, appointed by Moi to head Kenya's civil service, putting him in charge of fighting official corruption.

The task proved impossible, however, and he resigned after just two years.

In 2015, as another elephant poaching crisis gripped Africa, President Kenyatta asked Leakey to again take the helm at KWS, this time as Chairman of the board, a position he would hold for three years.

Deputy President William Ruto said Leakey "fought bravely for a better country" and inspired Kenyans with his zeal for public service.

Softly-spoken and seemingly devoid of personal vanity, Leakey stubbornly refused to give in to health woes.

"Richard was a very good friend and a true loyal Kenyan. May he Rest In Peace," Paula Kahumbu, the head of Wildlife Direct, a conservation group founded by Leakey, posted on Twitter. IB Times

Details: East Africa; 03 January 2022; 714

Abdalla Hamdok, a former UN official seen as the civilian face of Sudan's transitional government, had been reinstated as prime minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the October coup.

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok announced his resignation Sunday amid a political deadlock and widespread pro-democracy protests following a military coup that derailed the country's fragile transition to democratic rule.

Hamdok, a former UN official seen as the civilian face of Sudan's transitional government, had been reinstated as prime minister in November as part of an agreement with the military following the October coup. In that time he had failed to name a Cabinet and his resignation throws Sudan into political uncertainty amid uphill security and economic challenges.

In a televised national address Sunday, Hamdok called for a dialogue to agree on a “national charter” and to “draw a roadmap” to complete the transition to democracy in accordance with the 2019 constitutional document governing the transitional period.

“I decided to return the responsibility and declare my resignation as prime minister," he said, adding that his stepping down would allow a chance for another person to lead the nation and complete its transition to a “civilian, democratic country.” He did not name a successor.

The prime minister said his efforts to bridge the widening gap and settle disputes among the political forces have failed.

He warned that the ongoing political stalemate since the military takeover could become a full-blown crisis and damage the country's already battered economy.

“I tried as much as I possibly could to prevent our country from sliding into a disaster. Now, our nation is going through a dangerous turning point that could threaten its survival unless it is urgently rectified,” he said.

The October coup had upended Sudan's plans to move to democracy after a popular uprising forced the military's overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir and his Islamist government in April 2019.

Four months after al-Bashir's ouster, the generals and the protesters reached a power-sharing deal to rule the country through elections in 2023. However, military-civilian ties have been frayed by the military takeover that has threatened to return Sudan to international isolation.

Hamdok's resignation comes amid a heavy security crackdown on protesters denouncing not only the takeover but the subsequent deal that reinstated him and sidelined the pro-democracy movement. He was returned to office in November amid international pressure in a deal that calls for an independent technocratic Cabinet under military oversight led by him.

“I have had the honour of serving my country people for more than two years. And during his period I have sometimes done well, and I have sometimes failed,” Hamdok said.

The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change, an umbrella group of Sudanese political parties and pro-democracy organizations, has rejected the November deal and remains committed to ending military rule. The alliance accused Hamdok of allowing the military to dominate the government, and continued to organize anti-coup street protests which were met with heavy crackdown.

Over the past two weeks, there was increasing speculation that he would step down. National and international efforts have failed to convince him to stay in office.

The US State Department urged on Twitter Sudan's leaders to “set aside differences, find consensus, and ensure continued civilian rule” following Hamdok's resignation.

It also called for the appointment of the next premier and Cabinet to “in line with the (2019) constitutional declaration to meet the people's goals of freedom, peace, and justice.”

Hours before Hamdok's resignation speech, Sudanese security forces violently dispersed pro-democracy protesters, killing at least three people, according to the Sudan Doctors Committee, which is part of the pro-democracy movement. The group said dozens of protesters were injured.

The protests came despite tightened security and blocked bridges and roads in Khartoum and Omdurman. Internet connections were also disrupted ahead of the protests, according to advocacy group NetBlocs. Authorities have used such tactics repeatedly since the October 25 coup.

Sunday's fatalities have brought the death toll among protesters since the coup to at least 57, according to the medical group. Hundreds have also been wounded.

Allegations surfaced last month of sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by security forces against female protesters, according to the United Nations.

The ruling sovereign council has vowed to investigate violence against the protesters.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged security forces to “immediately cease the use of deadly force against protesters" and to hold those responsible for violence accountable.

“We do not want to return to the past, and are prepared to respond to those who seek to block the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a civilian-led, democratic government,” he added. Outlook/AP

Details: East Africa; 03 January 2022; 807

KAMPALA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Three family members were killed and six others injured in a New Year road accident in the central Uganda district of Buikwe, police said.

Uganda Traffic Police spokesperson Faridah Nampiima said in a statement issued here on Sunday that the Saturday accident happened after the car the family was travelling in crashed into a truck.

"Our police registered a fatal accident that claimed lives of three people including a juvenile, and injured other six seriously," Nampiima said, noting that the injured were rushed to a nearby health facility.

She said the cause of the accident had not been established but warned against speeding.

According to police data, some 20,000 road accidents occur nationwide annually, causing more than 2,000 deaths. - Xinhua

Details: East Africa; 03 January 2022; 777

By FREDDY MACHA

Covid 19 has made travelling harder. So, when the red banner to travel to Tanzania was lifted in October it was like a massive gush of Oxygen. Living too long in the Western world is like donning multiple masks. For the mouth, nose, your eyes, ears, fingers and toes. We came here to work, study and see other cultures but it is stifling.

First time you came to the developed world you wondered why cigarette smoking is so chic. Every smoker tells you it helps cope with stress. Instead of Oxygen you puff in black, smelly, disgusting soot.

A life of permanent speed and rushing as in Bob Marley's 1976 song Rat Race. As soon as your plane touches down in East Africa you feel two big things. The heat and smell of earth. A freshness anciently forgotten in London streets. Windows, doors, houses forever closed and replaced by phones, TV and the clock.

Ticking Time is the Enemy. What is the second thing you notice? Everyone so laid back. Eyes and ears of airport officials are vigilant, yet mannerisms and general demeanour is relaxed. People seem easy.

You will soon notice many problems, though. Speeding cars that do not stop to let folks pass through Zebra crossings. Food filled with too much salt, sugar and ketch up. Yet the intricacies of meals are different. The food is richer and healthier. Meat tastes better. Fruits and veggies are in large succulent portions.

Fruits of life. Sweet Mangoes and Bananas, welcomes you home - Avocados seller in Upanga, Dar es Salaam

Many problems.

Dalas Dalas minibuses are packed and women and children get thrust inside like sardines, yet people do not complain of headaches. They plod on and listen to the loud blaring music. In Zanzibar bus radios also blasts melodic Taarab and Islamic sermons about being a good person.

“You get punished for sin and bad behaviour when you are ill. The solution is simple. Pray to your God. Repent and promise to be a better person.” So preaches the Imam.

In Mainland Tanzania some of the best Zouk rhythm music is from Christian bands. Makomando wa Yesu (Jesus' Commandos) for example:

“Pale akili yenu ilipoishia

Baba yangu ndipo anapoanzia...”

(Where your mind ceases operating; that’s where God starts working)

If you do not get the Kiswahili words you would think it was a South African -Zouk outfit from the 1990s. Imagine Brenda Fassie and Kassav. reincarnated.

Instead of Uber (in developed nations), Bajajis and Boda Boda motorbikes across main Tanzanian towns , help with quick travelling, alongside Dala Dala mini buses.

These are superficial impressions.

Digging deeper, you find prices are high. The Dollar instead of Shilingi measures everything. Having changed your European money, to Shillings you realise prices are not far from Europe and USA. You ask.

How can Wananchi budget salaries of around 20 to 100 Dollars a month?

“Life is expensive.” says a mother of two. “ We live in God's grace.”

God mentioned 24/7. Gratitude is massive. And therein lies the secret. The code missing in the developed world. Here folks earn five, six times more than back home. Oh yeah. Yet we chase ghosts all the time. Counting bills; dancing and belching bills.

In debt and forever counting. No wonder mental health is such a big issue. Youngsters gape at pornography and sexual relationships are the lowest they have ever been. Back home, getting Pesa is on everyone's lips. Not Covid 19.

Pesa and Malaria.

Inspite all that respite, there is inner joy. The guys opening gates of the building you are staying at Mikocheni in Dar es Salaam or a Zanzibar hotel, always smiling. The joy of the couple you visited in Kibaha, is not shown through beautiful teeth. It is sincere.

“Karibu tuuu...Karibu jamani tuleee...”

So many vowels in words that are said in harmonic, short sentences. People on our continent do not know how expensive Joy is. Joy is abundant in Africa. Still some analysts and thinkers are critical.

“Africa is endless suffering.” Says an MA student planning to move to Canada. “Living in Africa is a death sentence...”

Repeating in a tone of abject horror. Does he know where he is heading to? To the developed world where Google stats says life expectancy was 40 years in 1800 and above 82 in 2020. As you look at 2021, WHO suicide rates across the planet Lesotho leads by 72.4, followed by Guyana 40.3 , South Korea and Lithuania, Russia and South Africa.

What does this tell us?

A good, perfect life; a better society does not exist. Every place has layers of good and bad; tough and easy, hard, and soft. For example, you find most Tanzanians complaining about the intense 35 Centigrade plus degree heat while London mourns a cold below 10 degrees in December.

Everyone, everywhere, has something they do not like. While we pay large sums of money to test Covid … Africans are wary of Malaria and dream of a day when the Malaria Vaccine will be available as much as Covid 19. Malaria Nuisance. Everything is so relative. Just like the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 17 : 22

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crashed spirit dries up the bones.”

Freddy Macha is a London based Tanzanian writer and musician.

-Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

-Web: www.makalazangu.blogspot.com

Details: East Africa; 02 January 2022; 812

Charles Njonjo died aged 101 on Sunday, January 2, 2022. [File, Standard]

Kenya’s first native Attorney-General Charles Njonjo died of pneumonia on Sunday morning, his family has confirmed.

The ex-AG’s son-in-law, Carey Ngini, who is the husband of Njonjo’s second born daughter Mary Wambui Njonjo, in an exclusive interview with KTN News reporter Emmanuel Too, said the disease made Njonjo’s lungs to collapse.

According to Ngini, the 101-year-old had been ailing for almost a year, starting 2020.

“Over the course of last year (2020) and this year (2021), he’d been battling one ailment or another, very well despite his age,” said Ngini, who gave KTN News an interview at the Kariokor Hindu Crematorium, where Njonjo was cremated at 10:30am on Sunday.

“As of this morning (Sunday, January 2), at around 5:15am, he breathed his last. It was actually as a result of a little bout of pneumonia, which he suffered. The pneumonia had compromised his lungs. His passing was peaceful. He was surrounded by his family members,” added the son-in-law.

Njonjo died at his Muthaiga home in Nairobi County.