East Africa

Details: East Africa; 08 March 2024; 271

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for a one-month halt to fighting in Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan. This coincides with the Security Council’s expected vote on Friday on a British-drafted resolution demanding a truce.

In a meeting focused on Sudan, Guterres urged warring parties to lay down arms. He warned that the nearly year-long conflict risks escalating regional instability and further fracturing the country.

“It’s time to silence the guns and amplify the call for peace,” Guterres said, advocating for a cessation of hostilities during Ramadan. “This ceasefire must lead to a permanent end to fighting nationwide and establish a clear path towards lasting peace.”

The 15-member council is expected to approve the resolution on Friday. It urges “an immediate cessation of hostilities leading into Ramadan.”

According to the Associated Press, the draft expresses “deep concern about the spreading violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis, including severe food insecurity, particularly in Darfur.”

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused a dire humanitarian situation, with 25 million people in need of urgent aid.

Sudan now faces the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with 6.3 million people seeking refuge within the country since the conflict began. An additional 1.7 million have fled to neighbouring countries.

Russian response

While the United States backs the resolution, Russia appears to side with the Sudanese government. Russia’s Deputy Representative, Anna Evstigneeva, welcomed recent government efforts to improve humanitarian access.

Evstigneeva emphasized the limitations of relying solely on aid deliveries from Chad. She called for increased deliveries through various government-controlled entry points.

“The Sudanese authorities have demonstrated a willingness to work towards a positive resolution,” she said. “We believe this can be the foundation for a comprehensive settlement.”

She urged the “other party involved” to compromise and prioritize Sudan’s national interests. This aligns with the Sudanese government’s position, which seeks to distance itself from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) labelled as “rebels”.

“It is no less important that the other party involved also embark on a path of compromise and be guided not by personal aspirations but by Sudan’s national interests,” Evstigneeva sid.

Algeria calls for coordinated peace efforts

Algeria, representing Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and itself, highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation and urged all Sudanese actors to declare an immediate ceasefire. They see the opportunity of Ramadan as a chance for appeasement and restraint, paving the way for lasting peace.

The representative also welcomed the facilitation of humanitarian access through border crossings and the announcement of new peace talks. However, they highlighted a lack of coordination between diplomatic efforts and stressed the importance of a unified approach, emphasizing the African Union’s role in resolving the crisis.

Additionally, they expressed concern about external actors potentially fuelling the conflict and called for a firm condemnation of such interference. (ST)

Details: East Africa; 08 March 2024; 262

The IEBC Amendment Bill is co-sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.[Samson Wire. Standard]

Parliament has proposed a raft of radical changes with far-reaching consequences to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The proposals have been introduced through the IEBC (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which is one of nine Bills being considered by the August House that seek to give life to the recommendations of the National Dialogue Committee (Nadco) report.

The Standard has since established that the Bill moves to cure the ills of the hotly contested August 9, 2022 General Election, ring-fence the powers of the IEBC chair and further extend the number of the IEBC selection panel from the current seven to nine.

It also seeks to give effect to some of the recommendations and views of the public that were submitted during the national dialogue discourse on the issues of electoral Justice and related matters; outstanding constitutional matter, fidelity to political parties /coalitions and the law on multiparty democracy; entrenchment of the National Government Constituency Development Fund, the Senate Oversight Fund and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and establishment and entrenchment of state officers.

Key among the recommendations of the Bill is the amendment of section 7A of the Principal Act by deleting sub-section (4) and (5)

Sub-section (4) of the Act states that whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall act as the chairperson and exercise the powers and responsibilities of the chairperson until such a time as the chairperson is appointed.

Sub-section (5) dictates that where the positions of the chairperson and vice chairperson are vacant, a member selected by members of the commission shall act as the chairperson and exercise the powers and responsibilities of the chairperson until his or her replacement is appointed.

Deleting of the two sub-sections would consequently mean that only the chairperson can carry out his/her responsibilities- including announcing of the presidential results- and that his vice chair and other members cannot take up his functions in his absence.

The import of this is that a vacancy in the office of the chairperson would stall operations of the commission given he is the electoral agency’s spokesperson.

The Bill co-sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa and Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi also proposes amendments to ensure that the decision of the commission be either by unanimous vote or by majority vote.

“Unless a unanimous decision is reached, a decision on any matter before the commission shall be by the concurrence of a majority of all the members of the commission,” reads the Bill in part.

**IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera accused former Chair Wafula Chebukati of 'cooking' presidential results in the 2022 General Election.**[File, Standard]

And on the position of the Secretary to the IEBC, the Bill has proposed a reduction in tenure from the current five to three years.

“The secretary shall hold office for a term of three years and may be eligible for re-appointment for one further term of three years,” reads the Bill.

To seemingly cure the mishaps experienced during the last General Election, the Bill has proposed a review of the operations of IEBC within one year after the polls and later make the required changes.

“The review shall be completed within one year after every General Election and the commission shall publish the report in the gazette and submit the report to parliament,” reads the Bill.

On the IEBC selection panel, the Bill has called for expansion of members from the seven to nine.

The nine-member selection panel shall consist of two persons nominated by the Parliamentary Service Commission and representing the majority and minority parties, three persons nominated by the Political Parties Liaison Committee, one person nominated by the Law Society of Kenya, one person nominated by the institute of certified Public Accountants of Kenya and two persons nominated by the Inter- religious Council of Kenya.

On the dissolution of the selection panel, the Bill provides that the nine-member panel shall finalize the recruitment within 90 days of its appointment and forward the names of nominees to the President and shall thereafter stand dissolved.

“The selection panel existing immediately at the commencement date of this Act ceases to exist but a person who served as a member of that selection panel may be nominated to serve as a member of a selection panel appointed under this Act,” it reads.

The Bill is currently in its first reading stage. By Josphat Thiongó , The Standard

Related Topics

Details: East Africa; 07 March 2024; 312

March 6, 2024 (NAIROBI) – South Sudan’s Transitional Government has deliberately kept its institutions weak in order to promote dictatorship and corruption, the National Consensus Forum (NCF) said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement comes after the economic cluster unveiled plans to control hiking consumer prices, allaying fears inaction of popular uprising in a country grappling with the rising cost of living caused by a host of economic, security and political issues.

This was at a meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir and attended by the governor of the central bank, James Alic Garang, presidential adviser on security affairs Tut Gatluak, and the senior presidential envoy on special program Benjamin Bol Mel and the minister of Presidential Affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro.

NCF is an umbrella organization comprising 21 South Sudanese political, civil society, women, youth and faith-based organizations and the academic and professional association and represents a major segment of the South Sudanese society.

The forum, however, called on South Sudanese citizens to disregard entirely, the empty “Statement of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity on the Current Political, Security, and Economic Situation in the Country”.

“The statement has nothing to do with the suffering of the ordinary citizens. It was merely a loud cry of the Juba-based political elites when it suddenly dawned on them that the enormous oil proceeds, they have been mismanaging with complete disregard for the welfare of the citizens, are rapidly drying up,” it said.

It accused the parties and their unity government for failing to communicate a coherent and unified message to the South Sudanese public, stressing that it demonstrates how they are running a Transitional Government of National “Disunity” characterized largely by disagreements and lack of progress.

Since independence, NCF said, there has been unlimited goodwill and support from different countries and international partners to support South Sudan’s government leaders in building the security sector, financial management institutions, and the whole bureaucratic infrastructure of the country.

However, the country’s leaders frustrated all those efforts and went on to weaken those institutions. For example, it said, the security sector was largely privatized, filled with tribal militias, and repurposed to pursue narrow individual political interests. The rest of the institutions are denied political and financial support.

According to the forum, public officials who demonstrated honesty in their attempts to strengthen and transform the institutions are dismissed and punished.

“Many qualified South Sudanese who left their comforts in the diaspora to return home after independence and contribute to the reconstruction of the country were frustrated, arrested, detained, tortured and others killed,” it stressed.

Meanwhile, the coalition forum said the Juba government erred when it said it made enormous progress on human rights issues in which it went ahead to criticize and accuse the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan of intrusion and expansion of its mandate in monitoring the implementation of the peace deal.

NCF said it believes these accusations and conditions are merely expressions of guilt and the government is fighting the UN body because of its detailed reports on human rights abuses in South Sudan that implicate government agencies.

“Instead of cooperating with the Commission and implementing its recommendations to improve the human rights situation in the country, the government wants to remove the radar and continue to abuse human rights with impunity,” it stressed.

Meanwhile the NCF called on the parties in the peace agreement to abandon their unrealistic pursuit of elections or extensions of themselves in power and instead engage the country in an all-inclusive national political dialogue. - Sudan Tribune

(ST)

Details: East Africa; 07 March 2024; 307

A giraffe strolling at the Nairobi National Park overlooking skyscrapers in the city. /KWS.

NAIROBI, Kenya, mar 7 – The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has embarked on a strategic partnerships engagement with county governments to unlock tourism potential in the different tourism circuits in the country.

The engagement which involves a comprehensive mapping framework is aimed at cataloguing all tourist attractions nationwide, seeks to revitalize the tourism sector and enhance visitor experience.

Through the partnerships, destination marketing agency will work closely with all 47 counties to identify unique selling propositions that will elevate tourist experiences and stimulate domestic tourism.

With 15 counties already profiled, complete with tailored itineraries, KTB anticipates a surge in local travel. KTB Acting CEO John Chirchir emphasized the timeliness of the program, envisioning a vibrant local tourism landscape.

“We encourage Kenyans to explore the diverse tourism offerings within our borders. Through effective marketing, local tourism can become a robust economic driver,” Chirchir affirmed.

Chirchir also called upon investors to capitalize on the myriad opportunities present in each county, highlighting the pivotal role of private sector engagement in enhancing tourism infrastructure and experiences.

“Collaboration with the private sector is essential for the evolution of tourism circuits across Kenya,” he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang called for strategic marketing of regional tourism blocs, noting it will be a key driver in unlocking tourism potential across counties in Kenya.

He emphasized the significance of collaboration and partnerships among counties, emphasizing the pivotal role of unified efforts in fully realizing Kenya’s tourism prospects.

“The country’s tourism potential is yet to be fully exploited. There is a need for the national government to work with the regional economic blocs and individual county governments to showcase what this country offers to the world,” stated Gov. Sang.

Governor Sang, who is also currently the Chair of the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), underscored the untapped opportunities awaiting exploration, urging the government to extend promotional efforts beyond the traditional safari and beach narratives.

“The breadth of tourism offerings within the Rift Valley region alone is staggering, from the wildlife sanctuaries of Samburu to the historic landmarks in Turkana,” Governor Sang remarked.

“Additionally, our region boasts exceptional agri-tourism potential, spanning from the picturesque tea estates of Nandi to the flourishing fruit orchards of Elgeyo Marakwet and the transformative Turkwel Hydro programs. These are the experiences that captivate visitors,” he added.

His Makueni counterpart Mutula Kilonzo Jr emphasized the diversity in tourism offerings as a key component in Makueni’s tourism marketing.

“Makueni is renowned for various tourism offerings, ranging from hospitality and nature-based products. On top of the incredible hospitality facilities available in the different towns in Makueni County, visitors will also find a community that is very peace-loving and welcoming. So apart from the peaceful nature of our environment, you will also get to enjoy being among the people and get to feel at home,” he said. Capital News

Details: East Africa; 06 March 2024; 302

A Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) inquiry has uncovered human rights abuses by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), exposing deficiencies in victims’ access to justice.

The inquiry, initiated by the National Assembly Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, challenges lawmakers to strengthen regulations to ensure justice for victims.

KNHRC Commissioner Marion Mutugi informed MPs that the longstanding agreement between Kenya and BATUK has been marred by numerous accusations, currently under investigation, resulting in violations of fundamental human rights.

“There’s a general lack of accountability and access to justice, with victims being denied redress and adequate repatriation,” stated Mutugi.

Emphasizing inadequate local regulations and enforcement mechanisms, KNHRC highlighted the misuse of diplomatic immunity by BATUK offenders, stifling community efforts to seek justice.

Committee chair and Belgut MP Nelson Koech expressed regret over the arduous process victims endure to obtain justice.

“We will thoroughly investigate the violations listed here and ensure justice is achieved for Kenyans,” Koech affirmed.

Reports of sexual violation and exploitation documented by human rights organizations remain uninvestigated, leaving many victims without access to justice.

The commission referenced concerns raised by the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Committee (TJRC) regarding the government’s minimal efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.

“Despite acknowledging complaints, the British government neither conducted DNA tests nor committed to holding perpetrators accountable,” Mutugi added.

The inquiry report highlighted a fire training exercise that inadvertently ignited Lolldaiga Conservancy. Despite the jurisdiction of local courts, BATUK claimed state immunity.

Efforts by the Intergovernmental Liaison Committee to address the matter have been thwarted by the British Army, frustrating locals in their pursuit of justice.

“Community members have expressed distrust and frustration with BATUK Liaison officers, further straining relations,” stated the KNHRC Commissioner.

Local communities surrounding the British Army have lost confidence in the justice system, with human rights defenders accusing BATUK of colluding with security agencies to obstruct justice and harass victims.

“Despite pursuing cases with relevant authorities, the prosecution rate of UK soldiers in Kenya remains low due to witnesses’ fear of state retaliation,” noted Mutugi.

For decades, Britain has sent forces to train in Laikipia, amid controversies including accusations of rape and murder, and civilian injuries from munitions.

BATUK’s presence in Kenya has also contributed to economic growth, as visiting soldiers support local businesses and engage in infrastructure projects subcontracted to local firms. By Irene Mwangi, Capital News

Page 144 of 761

East Africa

U.N. chief urges ceasefire in Sudan as Security Council prepares to vote

Parliament proposes radical changes to IEBC

Related Topics

Weak institution promoting corruption in S. Sudan: group

KTB Partners With Counties To Catalogue Tourism Attractions

Inquiry Reveals Shocking Rights Abuses By British Army In Kenya

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