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East Africa

Photo via The New Times

 

Burundi and Rwanda have in the recent past made “very good progress” in improving their relations, Burundi's Minister for East African Community Affairs, Amb Nibigira Ezechiel, told members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Tuesday, November 23.

The Minister was responding to lawmakers questions regarding the six-member bloc’s peace and security strategy, among others, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of EAC and Regional Development, Adan Mohamed.

Nibigira's remarks were particularly in response to a report on the implementation of the bloc’s peace and security strategy, a report that pointed to various challenges including inadequate funding.

He stressed that countries in the region very well know that peace and security are the foundations of development of each country and are, therefore, working towards resolving pertinent issues.

Nibigira then told the Assembly that there were positive steps he did not see mentioned in the committee's report.

He said: “In our East African region, we are making good steps towards improving peace and security. I want to recall the steps that have been made. And these steps were not mentioned in in the report but some of our members of Parliament have mentioned them.

“I want to recall that Burundi made effort to help Rwanda when the terrorists who were preparing to attack Rwanda were arrested and they were handed over to Rwanda,  two times. This is a very good progress we are making. And Rwanda, they handed over terrorists who attacked Burundi. This is a very good gesture that they (Rwanda) made.”

The minister also noted that leaders in the EAC are working to help his country get out of “sanctions illegally imposed” on it by the EU.

“This shows that as a community we are moving together. I want to encourage each and everybody so that this spirit may last for long. This is the spirit that will help our community to move forward and to become very strong.”

Burundi on October 19 handed over to Rwanda 11 anti-Rwanda fighters of the Force Nationale de Libération (FLN) terror outfit.

In July 2021, Rwanda had also extradited 19 combatants of Red Tabara, an armed group that started a rebellion against the Burundian government in 2015. Rwanda, through the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), repatriated 19 Burundian combatants.

Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Burundi deteriorated in 2015. In October that year, Burundi expelled Rwanda’s top diplomat, Desire Nyaruhirira, over allegations of plans to destabilise the country, allegations that Rwanda denied.

The two countries traded accusations and counter accusations of harbouring militia forces intent on destabilizing each other. 

 More recently, however, officials from both sides have described their bilateral relations as 'progressive', especially after Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, on July 1, travelled to Bujumbura, Burundi, for the country’s 59th Independence Day celebrations.

In September, Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta, met with his Burundian counterpart Amb Albert Shingiro on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. 

The two exchanged on matters of bilateral relations between the two countries, and the road to normalisation. - James Karuhanga, The New Times

Less than one in ten people are fully vaccinated against coronavirus in Kenya. A Kenyan government directive that residents must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination by 21 December to access services was welcomed by some businesses on Monday but criticized by others, who said low vaccination rates made it unrealistic.

Only 8.8% of people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kenya so far. Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe made the announcement on Sunday. Public services affected include schools, transport services, immigration and other state offices, and hotels, bars, restaurants, national parks and wildlife reserves. 

The government will start a 10-day mass vaccination campaign on Friday, Kagwe said. Directives about vaccines have split public opinion globally. Some politicians and citizens say measures infringe on personal choice and others say they protect the public.

Carol Kariuki, chief executive of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), which claims more than half a million members, told Reuters the group encouraged all Kenyans to get inoculated.

“This is not only good for business continuity and the economy but also to protect others,” she said.

But some local business owners said the directive were not practical.

“Who is going to implement it?” said Franklin Odhiambo, a restaurant owner in Nairobi. “Some of us may want to be compliant, others may not. So, it will create some unfair competition.”

The edict comes just a month after the government lifted a curfew in place since March 2020.

Rights group Amnesty International said Kenya would not be able to vaccinate the majority of its population by the deadline, so many people might be unable to earn a living, access transport or go to school. 

Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International’s Kenya office, said the government directive was unrealistic and flawed.

“These regulations will deprive millions of people of their ability to earn a livelihood, to have access to security, health and transportation services back and forth from home to work or school,” he told Reuters. 

“That’s not how we will win the war against COVID-19,” he said, calling on the government to work harder to address vaccine hesitancy. 

“It turns what the WHO (World Health Organization) would argue is an important voluntary exercise into a coercive exercise.” 

Shoe-shiner Winnie Buong agreed.

“They ought to have done a more aggressive vaccination campaign before lifting the lockdown,” Buong said. “I don’t understand why they want to make our lives more difficult.”

Though low compared to Western nations, Kenya’s rate of fully vaccinated citizens is higher than the African average of under 5%. The WHO says Africa lags in COVID-19 vaccination rates due to global inequities in vaccine supplies, not because Africans do not want to be vaccinated.

Kenya has reported about 255,000 coronavirus infections and 5,300 coronavirus-related deaths, according to a Reuters tracker. By Maggie Fick, Reuters

 

The company, linked to US President Joe Biden's son Hunter, helped a Chinese company buy a cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2016, The New York Times reported.

According to the newspaper, in 2013, Hunter Biden with two other Americans participated in the creation of the investment firm BHR, which is registered in Shanghai. They got 30% of the shares in the company, and 70% went to Chinese investors, including Bank of China. 

In 2016, Biden's company was involved in the acquisition of the Tenke-Fungurume mine in the DRC by the Chinese firm China Molybdenum. BHR was involved in raising funds to buy back securities. Biden's company managed to raise more than $ 1 billion, and the Chinese firm received 80% of the shares of the world's largest cobalt mine. News am

Jacob Kiplimo shaves one second off world half-marathon record with time of 57 minutes and 31 seconds 

KAMPALA, Uganda

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo set a new world half-marathon record Sunday at the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon, triggering celebrations in the capital Kampala.

“Kiplimo has won the Lisbon Half Marathon that took place today in Portugal. We are proud of our golden boy,” said Uganda’s sports officer in Kampala, Gerald Kafuluma.

Kafuluma said Kiplimo also shaved one second off the world half-marathon record with a time of 57 minutes and 31 seconds. The previous world record was set in 2020 by Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie in Valencia, Spain.

Ugandans in Kampala who were watching the marathon on television went wild when he won and celebrated his victory with shouting and dancing, including at restaurants and clubs.

“At least Kiplimo’s win makes us forget about the poverty which is biting us due to the effects of COVID-19,” said one of his fans, Ken Kyambadde, a shopkeeper in Kampala.

Kiplimo recently clinched a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the men’s 10,000 meters race. Among his other achievements are a silver medal in the World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark in 2019 and a silver medal in men’s cross country world title in 2017. By Godfrey Olukya, Anadolu Agency

ANC's Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka, KANU's Gideon Moi and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula. Image: ONE ALLIANCE KENYA

One Kenya Alliance (OKA) testerday denied allegations that it was being ‘hunted’ by other political alliances ahead of next year’s General Election. The Alliance term ed as far-fetched media reports that it was keen to work with either ODM leader Raila Odinga or Deputy President William Ruto.


There have been reports that Raila and Ruto were keen to woo the four principals of OKA to form a formidable team for the elections. 

But speaking at St Mark's AIPCA during a church service in Kinamba Naivasha, Nakuru county yesterday, OKA principals: Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress), Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula (Ford Kenya) and Gideon Moi (Kanu) maintained that they were united and ready to support one of their own in the elections.


Kalonzo said that they had not been approached by any leaders as alleged. He accused some media houses of being used by politicians to peddle lies and weaken the alliance, which is yet to name its presidential flag bearer

“No one is hunting us so that we can join them, but the truth is that we are the ones who want them to join us,” he said.


Kalonzo at the same time questioned a recent opinion poll results that placed Ruto and Raila as the leading contenders, terming them as questionable.


“These polls are sponsored by the same politicians who want to lie to the country that they are leading,” he said.


The former vice president observed that if elected to power, OKA would ensure education is free from nursery to university.  

“The ongoing politicking is worrying and is causing panic, am on
investors,” he said.


In a veiled attack targeted at ODM Raila Odinga chief and Deputy President William Ruto, Mudavadi urged Kenyans not to allow ills that were perpetuated by white colonialists to creep back through the black colonialists, presenting themselves as saviours.


“Our freedom fighters fought hard to free us from the colonialists’chains of slavery, poverty, lies, corruption, intimidation and many more ills. We should not accept to be taken back to the same chains by black colonialists, presenting themselves as saints, promising to revive an economy they have looted to the core,” he said.


Mudavadi called on Kenyans not to be hoodwinked by politics of lies and intimidation and instead be steadfast in calling leaders to account and elect men and women of integrity.


“I urge Kenyans of goodwill not to accept politics of lies and intimidation. I seek your support and together, we shall end corruption, build a vibrant economy, create jobs and put a smile on every Kenyan face,” the former Deputy Prime Minister said.


Mudavadi noted that reviving the economy will be achieved through creation of job opportunities and lowering the high taxes. On his part, Kalonzo urged the church to be open to politics and work together for a prosperous and peaceful country.


He argued that politicians should not be frowned at in church platforms for they have a shared mission as long as both play their part respectfully meant to instil ideals of a great country. “OKA leaders are an open page.

We come to church to worship and interact with fellow. Kenyans, talk matters of building our country positively and not spew hate. That is our civic duty and together with the church, we should be a one thing,” he said.


Kanu chairman Gideon Moi called on Kenyan s to be wary of leaders who are not genuine. Without naming names, he termed as questionable the behaviour and conduct of some of those seeking the top seat.


“You should ask yourself if the person seeking the presidency is trustworthy or if he can be trusted with your future,” he said.


Gideon called on the church to continue prayin g for the nation, adding that as OKA, they were united and ready to support one of their own. His sentiments were echoed by Ford- Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, who said that they would backbone of the principals for the top seat.


“As One Kenya Alliance, we are united and shall walk as one team to the Gen- eral Election as we believe that we are the solution to the challenges facing Kenyans,” he said.

Mudavadi told the worshippers to ignore leaders who peddle hate speech and incitement in their campaigns.


“Next year is critical for the country. Every electorate should vote to fight graft, ethnicity, poverty and terrorism ,” he said. People Daily

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