Kenya is still facing environmental governance and conservation challenges that the late Prof Wangari Maathai battled throughout her professional life, including illegal logging of public forests.

"The obstacles of governance in the environment sector are still rife, as it was during her time. We have seen illegal logging spiral in the forestry sector, forest fires, pollution, and failure in the waste management sector amongst others," Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya outlined.

She said her Ministry was taking proactive measures to overcome the challenges including the recent recruitment of 2,700 rangers to help deal with the problem of illegal forest activities and deployment of ultra-modern forest fire management technologies.

She spoke during the official opening of the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi's Upper Kabete Campus. The Institute, whose construction commenced in 2016, was established by the Government to advance the legacy of the 2004 Kenyan Nobel Laureate Prof Wangari Maathai. The institute was handed over to the University of Nairobi in May 2019. 

Tuya emphasized the ongoing challenges in environmental governance, echoing the issues that Prof. Maathai tirelessly addressed during her lifetime.

"The obstacles of governance in the environment sector are still rife, as it was during her time. We have seen illegal logging spiral in the forestry sector, forest fires, pollution, and failure in the waste management sector amongst others," CS Tuya outlined.

To combat these issues, she announced that her Ministry had taken proactive measures, including the recruitment of 2,700 rangers and the deployment of modern forest fire management technologies. 

During her address, CS Tuya expressed gratitude to the various partners who supported the construction of the institute, including the African Union, the African Development Bank, the Clinton Global Initiative and Danida.

"I am informed that the institute aims to carry forward Prof Maathai’s legacy by promoting research, education, and community engagement in the field of environmental governance, cultures of peace, climate adaptation, sustainable development, and conservation," she added. 

CS Tuya also highlighted the need for research into the nexus of environment, conflict, and peace, citing the increasing evidence that environmental and climate factors are becoming critical drivers of insecurity, particularly in Africa.

She provided insights into ongoing climate action programs in her Ministry, including a 15 billion national tree planting and ecosystem restoration initiative, sustainable waste management efforts, and the forthcoming inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.

"The late Professor Wangari Maathai led Kenyans and the world to plant trees and to build strong nature-based livelihoods, especially for women and youth at the community and grassroots level," CS Tuya said. "In this coming short rain period between September and December 2023, we are planning to lead the country in planting and growing 500 million seedlings, and we would like to welcome each and every Kenyan to join us in this program."

The Africa Climate Summit, scheduled for next week, was also a point of discussion. CS Tuya emphasized that this event would provide a platform for Africa to showcase its climate change adaptation, resilience, and mitigation potential.

Other speakers at the launch included Dr. Vijoo Rattansi, acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Julius Ogengo, and Chair of Council Prof. Amukowa Anangwe. Dr. Rattansi acknowledged Prof. Maathai's pioneering efforts in climate action long before it became a global priority.

"The late Prof Wangari Maathai holds a special place in our hearts; first and foremost, as our member and secondly, and perhaps more importantly, for the obstacles that she overcame, whether personally or politically, to secure her place in our nation's history as an agent of change," Dr. Rattansi said.

Prof Ogengo expressed gratitude to the government and partners for their support in establishing the institute. He noted that the Wangari Maathai Institute would not only institutionalize the legacy of the departed Nobel Laureate but also serve as a center of excellence in advanced environmental education.

"The University of Nairobi is grateful for the Government’s commitment to institutionalize the legacy of Prof Wangari Mathaai and foster the positive ethics, values, and practices that defined her life," Prof Ogengo said.

The opening of the Wangari Maathai Institute signifies a significant step towards addressing Kenya's environmental challenges and honouring the enduring legacy of a remarkable environmentalist and Nobel laureate. By Mactilda Mbenywe, The Standard

Burundian authorities should immediately and unconditionally release and quash the conviction of journalist Floriane Irangabiye who was arbitrarily arrested on 30 August 2022 and is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for criticizing the government, Amnesty International, the Burundi Human Rights Initiative, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Human Rights Watch said.

“Floriane Irangabiye was convicted simply for doing her job as a radio journalist,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa.

“Her conviction and imprisonment are a travesty and flagrant violation of her rights to freedom of expression and to a fair trial”.

On 2 January 2023, the Mukaza High Court in Bujumbura convicted Irangabiye of endangering the integrity of the national territory, sentenced her to 10 years in prison and imposed a fine of one million Burundian francs (approximately US$482), following a deeply flawed trial during which the prosecutor failed to provide credible evidence. Bujumbura convicted Irangabiye of endangering the integrity of the national territory, sentenced her to 10 years in prison and imposed a fine of one million Burundian francs (approximately US$482), following a deeply flawed trial during which the prosecutor failed to provide credible evidence. Irangabiye’s prosecution violated her right to freedom of expression, as it was based on comments made during a radio show for Radio Igicaniro, an online platform in exile, in which she and other guests were critical of the Burundian government.

On 2 May, the Court of Appeal of Mukaza upheld the conviction. Although the court found that Irangabiye’s initial interrogation by the National Intelligence Service violated the Criminal Procedure Code because it was conducted without a lawyer present and without informing her of her right to remain silent, it held that this did not nullify the procedure. Her lawyers have filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Irangabiye has a long-standing medical condition, and her health has deteriorated while in detention in Muyinga Prison. In May 2023, her lawyers submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Justice for her to be transferred back to Bujumbura, where she was initially detained and where she would be able to receive the necessary medical care and be closer to her family. At time of writing, no response had been given to the request.

“The failure to provide Irangabiye with adequate medical care is not only cruel, but a sign of the state’s ruthlessness in silencing critics,” said the sub-Saharan Africa representative of the Committee to Protect Journalists, Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities should immediately provide her access to the necessary medical care and release her unconditionally.”

The court’s conviction and sentencing of Irangabiye are based on a vaguely defined crime that is open to misuse to persecute people for criticism and commentary. Amnesty International, the Burundi Human Rights Initiative, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch believe her conviction and imprisonment are punishment for her peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression, in violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Burundi is a state party.

Irangabiye was initially held without charge for several months, in violation of the Burundian Criminal Procedure Code as well as international human rights standards.

“Floriane Irangabiye’s imprisonment shows that the crackdown against those who criticize the government is far from over,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Burundian authorities should carry out substantive reforms to restore the independence of the justice system and repeal laws which criminalize freedom of expression.”

Irangabiye’s arrest follows a well-established pattern of arbitrary detention and prosecution of government critics and opponents on trumped-up charges.

“President Évariste Ndayishimiye must know about the imprisonment of Floriane Irangabiye, but he refuses to speak out against it,” said Carina Tertsakian from the Burundi Human Rights Initiative. “If he wants the world to believe in his promises of reform, he should call for her immediate release and ensure that his government does not use the justice system as a tool to target and persecute opponents and critics.” - Amnesty International

Tunisia, Aug. 29 (BNA): Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, received the credentials of Ibrahim Mahmoud Ahmed Abdullah, the Ambassador of Bahrain to Rwanda, residing in Tunis. 

The ambassador conveyed greetings and good wishes from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to President Kagame, as well as their wishes for continued progress and prosperity to the people of Rwanda.  

President Kagame requested the ambassador to convey his greetings and good wishes to HM the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, wishing the envoy every success in carrying out his diplomatic duties

He affirmed the keenness to further develop the ties between the two countries. 

The Tunisian-Resident Bahraini Ambassador to Rwanda praised the Bahraini-Rwanda ties which are based on cooperation and mutual appreciation. 

The ambassador stressed the keenness of Bahrain to further develop its ties with all countries. - Bahrain News Agency

Y.R