Socio Economic Network

Socio-Economics is the study of relationship between economic activities and social life. It is a multidisciplinary components involving theories and modules from sociology and economics for human dignity among others. However, socioeconomists focuses on social impacts and political activities that affects economic changes, or causes that impact a society. The Goal to Socio/economic study is to bring about improvement on socioeconomic development environment…Give Opinion or Discuss

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Congo's army occupies rebel positions in breakthrough-20130831

Phew ! A refreshing breather..........

Congratulation Congo Army jointly with UN team.......I am proud of you all

Cheers !!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

Congo's army occupies rebel positions in breakthrough-20130831

Pete Jones 5 hours ago

Congolese government soldiers take a break after patrolling in Kanyarucinya village in the outskirts

By Pete Jones
KIBATI, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - In their biggest success in a year, government troops in Congo occupied strategic hills overlooking the eastern town of Goma on Friday after rebel fighters withdrew.
The M23 rebels, who have fought an 18-month uprising in the eastern borderlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo, said they quit the Kibati hills to allow an independent investigation into shelling that has killed civilians in Goma and the lakeside town of Gisenyi in neighbouring Rwanda.
Rwanda has blamed Congo for the shelling and said it would not tolerate such "provocation", raising the risk that Congo's small but militarily powerful neighbour might openly intervene in a country where it has fought two wars in the last 20 years.
Regional diplomats said Rwandan forces were seen moving north from the capital. Local media published photos of troops in armoured personnel carriers and trucks headed for the border.
Millions of people have died from violence, disease and hunger since the 1990s as foreign-backed rebel groups have fought for control of eastern Congo's rich deposits of gold, diamonds and tin, destabilising Africa's Great Lakes region.
Congolese troops have been buoyed by the intervention of a new U.N. brigade fighting alongside them to drive back the M23 rebels. "We won!" they chanted in Kibati, until Thursday a rebel outpost on the frontline overlooking Goma. Two burned-out trucks were abandoned near the hilltop position.
"They did not leave by choice, they were confronted with the power of the army," Lieutenant Colonel Olivier Hamuli, a spokesman for Congo's armed forces, told reporters.
Rwanda has in the past justified intervening in Congo by saying it must hunt down Hutu extremists who took part in its 1994 genocide. But a complex web of local politics and regional conflicts over ethnicity, land and minerals are also at play.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo told Reuters: "If a diplomatic resolution means Rwanda standing by, arms crossed, waiting for its territory to be bombed and its people killed, then diplomacy is definitely off the table."
Although heavy fighting inside Congo has eased, there was sporadic firing on Friday. Congolese tanks fired on what they said were rebel positions in the bush. A Reuters journalist heard firing to the east, which Hamuli blamed on Rwanda's army.
CRITICAL POINT
Rwanda has been accused by U.N. experts of backing the rebels. Kigali denies the charge but world powers have stepped up pressure on Rwanda to stay out of Congo's conflict.
Hamuli said the rebels had retreated towards Kibumba, some 10 km (6 miles) north of Kibati. "We will go to Kibumba ... we are obliged to protect the population there," he said.
A regional diplomat, who is following the situation but asked not to be named, said the rebel force appeared to have remained largely intact despite the withdrawal.
"What happens next all depends on if the Congolese are prepared to go to the negotiating table and how hard Rwanda pushes at that point," the diplomat said.
"Anything could happen at this point, we are not relaxing yet. The next 24-48 hours will be critical."
The United Nations has thrown its weight behind Congo's government, saying its peacekeepers witnessed the M23 rebels firing shells into Rwanda.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who spoke to Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Thursday, condemned what his spokesman called indiscriminate shelling by the M23 that caused deaths among the civilian population, and urged parties to pursue a political process.
The M23 rebels, named after a March 23, 2009, peace deal that ended four years of rebellion in eastern Congo, took up arms last year saying the government had failed to honour the agreement, which included integrating them into the army.
After seizing Goma in November, the rebels further demanded Congo's President Joseph Kabila hold national talks, release political prisoners and disband the electoral commission.
Speaking on French radio RFI, M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa called on Congo to resume stalled, Ugandan-hosted negotiations to end the conflict.
Congo's government spokesman, Lambert Mende, rejected any resumption of peace talks, saying the M23 must first disarm, demobilise and become a political party.
A Tanzanian peacekeeper was killed on Wednesday, the first death since the new U.N. brigade engaged rebels last week.
South Africa's military said on Friday it had received a request from the United Nations for three of its Rooivalk (Red Kestrel) attack helicopters to be sent to Congo.

WHY WILLIAM ODUOL WILL BE SIAYA COUNTY’S NEXT GOVENOR.

Good People,

In a rejoinder, I would say, that the likes of Ongwen are those whose ideas belong to the Globalization basket of thieving, Land Grabbing, corruption, graft and impunity.........which is a crime against humanity ……. This mentality of business have no space in the present Global Business MarketPlace where in reality, Functioning Democracy, demands that the Government belongs to the people, so any good business should bring happiness with economic success story.

That, if the people are the Government, then service to the people are therefore fundamentally important and is a priority above all else.It then gives Responsibility to leaders to go market for opportunities, how the people wish to be governed mutually sharing in the business of give and take and where all end up benefiting from the business undertaken.This means, that the LAND that belong to the people are taken to the bargaining table to solicit for a resourceful business venture from competing INVESTORS who appreciate fair deal that involves public interest of improving local community welfare and NOT FREE LOADERS……The Truth is, Public Wealth, Gold and Silver, will not bring happiness if it is not planned well and the business fail to be executed the right way with respect and dignity.

At this point, it becomes a "Give and Take" Mutual sharing in the business where, everybody gets from the reward of their hard work in earnings from the fair game of business exchange of goods sold Vs. the good bought.This brings opportunity for activities to bloom.

In reality, the basic theories for a successful business undertaking was smoked out by the failed theories of the likes of Ongwen who are the brain behind Raila, Anyang Nyongo and Jakoyo Midiwo, and the results are in the open just like Otieno Sungu explained.Sungu can be believed because they are the people who were on the ground and they saw it all..........Yeah, a good leader can be successful if he or she is surrounded by great thinkers with formidable wisdom, whose advice cannot be doubted but are consistent and produces good results, not negative.

Consequently, business of thieving, corruption, graft, impunity and Land Grabbing for FREE LOADERSBUSINESS COMMUNITY, are unacceptable and they must begin to start counting their loses..........and people like Ongwen can easily tell you that God does not exist………and therefore they live in wishful thinking………

Good people, stealing from peoples sweat is a curse…….live it alone…….People must sweat for good life…….

People, the reason why I support Oduol even before I have met him, are records of his good works that speaketh for itself........one that he has close relationship with the people on the ground in that, both there is good understanding between him and the grassroots with what is at stake there…….That, he understands the people have the land but are not profiting from it, he understands the pain of the people from not getting support from the Government service delivery adequately and that, public mandate does not accommodate FREE LOADING........that, in the "give and take"voters expect good return for their votes in order to get opportunity to be heard how they wish to be governed and what values they care for.Oduol knows that, investors must be brought to the people to share in the business fairly under Public-Partnership Cooperative undertaking and both must contribute to the welfare development of the community in ways and means.

I salute you people for standing tall for Democracy to work.Poverty, Pain and sufferings are nowhere close to happiness.A leader who enjoys happiness alone with his cronies are leaders of doom.A leader who surround himself with losers end up losing, but a leader who surrounds himself with Thinkers of Great Minds who are guided by the principles of WISDOM, end up making history for Justified Sustainable Development; where Peace and Unity abounds and the wheels of success brings forth Liberty of good tiding in pursuit for happiness......and this is the purpose of God’s Creation.......

I surely sincerely love you all and I will always do, when you keep standing for Good Governance and justice for all irrespective of who is who........The Truth will set us all free, and telling it like it is, is the way people will know where they go wrong and if they care, they will correct their mistakes………

The world is changing pretty fast before my eyes.........We must work very hard in a short-space-of-time to bring back Law and Order and do away with theories that do not bring moral uprightness, respect, dignity with virtue. We dont bring forth children to the world to be a disgrace or turned to be messengers of doom but in Faith and Hope, strive for the best to bring dignity, Glory and Happiness to the world.

Lets keep the good work by supporting Real Democracy to work at its best and fair justice for all.........and this shall be our land mark in pursuit for happiness.........

Cheers everybody......!!!

Judy Miriga

Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

From: otieno sungu < sunoti@yahoo.com>
To: "kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com" < kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "vuguvumashinani@yahoogroups.com" < vuguvumashinani@yahoogroups.com>; young proffessionals < youngprofessionals_ke@googlegroups.com>; ramogi luo < ramogi@yahoogroups.com>; Kiswahili <Kiswahili@yahoogroups.com>; uchunguzi online <uchunguzionline@yahoogroups.com>; progressive < kenyans@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 6:02 AM
Subject: [uchunguzionline] WHY WILLIAM ODUOL WILL BE SIAYA COUNTY’S NEXT GOVENOR.

Odour,Ong'wen and the like are the ones who have always been fronted as Raila's think tank. If you ever heard Ong'wen attempt anything near a debate, you would run away in shame.The man is wanting in verbal skills of engagements and can be very boring to listen to when delivering a speech/talk. I have had the misfortune of listening to one of his speeches, spruced up with pacing around the stage, it is a nightmare.No wonder Raila losses elections every so often.I hope he does not devolve this kind of losing streak to Siaya County, Siaya kababa.Sungu.

-------------------------------------------------

Maurice Oduor <mauricejoduor@gmail.com>
To: KOL <kenyaonline@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "vuguvumashinani@yahoogroups.com" <vuguvumashinani@yahoogroups.com>; young proffessionals <youngprofessionals_ke@googlegroups.com>; ramogi luo < ramogi@yahoogroups.com>; Kiswahili <Kiswahili@yahoogroups.com>; uchunguzi online <uchunguzionline@yahoogroups.com>; progressive < kenyans@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [KOL] WHY WILLIAM ODUOL WILL BE SIAYA COUNTY’S NEXT GOVENOR.

Sungu wodma,

In a contest between Oduor Ong'wen and William Oduol, I will grudgingly go for, God forgive me, Oduol wod Alego. I apologize to all my ideological friends out there.

Courage

------------------------------------

SUBJECT: WHY WILLIAM ODUOL WILL BE SIAYA COUNTY’S NEXT GOVENOR.

On Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 5:20 AM, otieno sungu <sunoti@yahoo.com> wrote:

Now that the truth has finally come out and the election of Cornel Rasanga declared a mockery of democracy, the ground is pregnant for the election of a new Governor for Siaya County devoid of dirty politics, hoodwinking and political machinations.

The ground is fertile for issue based campaign and all candidates must stand on their own feet and not only have an agenda but propagate the same. This is why, like many commentators, I predict a landslide William Oduol win.

The fact that the Raila Odinga factor will not matter in this election with accompanied pleas such as “ give me this candidate for these are the people I will need to govern Kenya” while raising to the air hands of his cronies to be elected can only be doom for such a candidate whom he chooses to back against the people’s wishes.These kind of pleas have already been overtaken by events of March 4th so they have no room on the coming by election.

There were loud cries when William Oduol beat Dr. Oburu Odinga hands down in the ODM nominations prior to the March 4^th elections. Instead of allowing the will of the people to prevail, it was felt prudent within the ODM circles to save Dr. Oburu further humiliation after being run out of the Senator race by James Orengo, by “nullifying” his candidacy and that of William Oduol.

The people of Siaya have never forgiven ODM for such blatant rape on democracy. In fact, it is only the nature of our tribal politics that ensured Raila Odinga got votes in Siaya for even he was on the verge of losing Siaya County to Uhuru Kenyatta as a protest vote against ODMs perennial meddling in nominations. Truth be told, ODM had the worst nominations marred with arrogant party officials and unapologetic attitude.While it cannot be said that TNA did any better, the manner and language with which it handled the aftermath and backlash was well above the chest thumping of ODM party leaders who believed they own the party and must be given nominations; thus losers like Jakoyo and Prof Nyongo also found themselves holding nominations among a raft of others.

But back to why William Oduol, my former schoolmate will cause an avalanche if ODM tries to run another smear campaign against him. This time round, there are no high stakes of party politics, there is no presidential vote being concurrently fought for and above all, the people still have a date with ODM to be taught a few lessons on democracy and respecting the will of the people. There cannot be such a sweat time for revenge devoid of tribal card, tribal sentiments, party loyalty or guilt and appeals.

In fact, this is a test of leadership, only those who exhibit true character and leadership traits should attempt this race, anyone hoping to hang onto ODM or any coat tails will find themselves buried in the protest vote.

William Oduol has not only consolidated the youth vote in Siaya County, he appeals to the elderly in equal measure. He is definitely a welcome candidate across all the constituencies of Siaya County.

With ODM beginning to develop cold feet over Cornel Rasanga’s candidacy, it can only be anyone’s guess the fear behind this. Truth is, ODM can only allow William Oduol to be or scout very hard for a formidable candidate with equal appeal to run against Oduol and work the William Oduol magic in the few months to the by election.

My Christal ball cannot be very clear from the cloudless environs where I have taken professional refuge.

Otieno Sungu.

Friday, August 30, 2013

46 gangs cited as most notorious

A Kenyan riot police dog baits a suspected Mungiki gang member at Nairobi's Mathare slums, in this file photo. PHOTO/ REUTERS

In Summary

Director Oriri Onyango (below) said the country was witnessing the emergence of complex crimes such as terrorism, piracy, cyber-crime, corruption , drug trafficking, money laundering, sexual and gender based violence.

46 organised criminal gangs

A new report has revealed the existence of 46 organised criminal gangs involved in murder, extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking and violent robberies.

Well-known groups such as Mungiki, Al-shabaab and Taliban, continue to exist despite frequent police crackdowns against their members while new ones such as The 42 Brothers, J-10 and Yes We can have recently emerged.

The revelations are contained in a report dubbed Summary Of A Study On Organised Criminal Gangs In Kenya, which was launched by Attorney General Prof Githu Muigai in Nairobi Friday.

“We have to embrace scientific methods in dealing with this problem rather than the conventional way,” he said.

While noting the trend is worrying, Prof Muigai added that the introduction of Prevention of organised crime Act 2010, had boosted the war on crime although gangs had become more sophisticated.

The report specifically blames politicians for slowing down the war on crime saying, they relied on twelve groups, including Jeshi la Mzee in Kangemi, Baghdad Boys in Kisumu and Angola Msumbiji in Butere, to act as their body guards, intimidate opponents and mobilize political support. The research was carried out by the National Crime Research Centre.

Director Oriri Onyango (below) said the country was witnessing the emergence of complex crimes such as terrorism, piracy, cyber-crime, corruption , drug trafficking, money laundering, sexual and gender based violence.

“These crimes have become a common concern both for government and citizens not only in Kenya but across the globe and have impacted negatively on personal safety and security,” said Mr Onyango at the launch of the report Friday.

Inspector-General of police David Kimaiyo said the war on crime would be won through co-operation between members of public and law enforcers.

“Crime is a common concern in the country and should not left to law enforcement officers only but the public should support the initiative by providing information,” said Mr Kimaiyo, in a statement read by Deputy Director of Criminal investigations Gideon Kimilu.

The report says the Taliban, which operates in Kayole and Dandora, is known for levying levy illegal feeson businesses and committing murders.

By Nation Reporters

Friday, August 30, 2013

How criminal gangs use women and children in killings and extortions

In Summary

While the male gang members are hardened criminals, women and children are usually used to distract attention because they are normally not the “usual suspects,” on the police watch, says the report released Friday in Nairobi by Attorney General Githu Muigai.

Women and children in crimeBy FRED MUKINDAMore by this Author

The underworld of organised criminal gangs has been laid bare in a Government report that details their intricate dealings, how they use women and children, invest their stolen loot and receive backing from politicians.

The report identifies 46 notorious groups, which it says are spread across the country carrying out murders, extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking, robberies, and evictions.

It spells out the specific tasks given to women, children and the elderly in criminal activities and how the gangs leave the police dazed and frustrated.

While the male gang members are hardened criminals, women and children are usually used to distract attention because they are normally not the “usual suspects,” on the police watch, says the report released Friday in Nairobi by Attorney General Githu Muigai.

The women are relied on for spying and the safe-keeping of stolen loot, while the children come in handy, carrying guns and illegal drugs for the gangs.

The elderly administer oaths to fresh recruits and are also key in resolving disputes that frequently arise among gang members, to ensure the illegal outfits remain intact.

“The gangs are evolving in an unprecedented way, giving enormous challenge to law enforcers. We are surprised by the number and colourful descriptions of themselves. This is a catalyst for disaster,” said Prof Muigai.

Women in criminal gangs usually masquerade as prostitutes, with the aim of getting closer to targets they have been ordered to spy on.

If a male member is caught in public while committing a crime, it falls on the women in the gang to raise a false alarm, create confusion and help him escape, says the report in a finding that evokes memories of slain Mungiki spokesman Njuguna Gitau, who was always accompanied by a woman whose duty was to scream whenever police approached, causing a commotion to help him escape through crowds.

Gangs that specialise in burglary often use children by pushing them through small openings where an adult cannot fit so as to enter a house.

Once inside the building, the children then open doors and windows to allow the adults to enter. Police have in the past exposed incidents where children in school uniform carry drugs and guns concealed as text books in their bags.

“Children convey arms and drugs from one point to another for adult criminals especially in points where law enforcers are likely to detect the adults. Children are also used to prompt potential victims to react negatively so that the adult criminals can intervene,” says the research that is only the second Government report on crime trends in the country. The first, which identified Nairobi’s most dangerous neighbourhoods, was released in April this year.

“There is that old perception that women and children do not take part in crime. That’s is far from the truth. It’s only that female criminals are more into soft crimes when compared to the men,” says the deputy head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Gideon Kimilu. In Kenya, he added, most drug peddlers masquerade as street children and are also used as spies.

Within illegal groups, the elderly spearhead negotiations with rival gangs to maintain cohesion besides administering oaths to fresh recruits.

In areas such as Mathare slums where the Mungiki and Taliban reign, confrontations are common as rival gangs fight for supremacy, creating opportunities for older members to resolve the turf wars by convening negotiations in which contested areas are mapped out and gang members ordered to restrict their activities to areas within their jurisdictions. Violators of such pacts are usually heavily punished by the elders in their own gangs, usually in form of fines.

“Intergroup disagreements, power struggles and conflicts were frequently reported between criminal gangs. It was reported in Nairobi between Mungiki, Kamjesh and Taliban over the control of matatu routes in Eastlands,” says the report, which goes further to show that criminal gangs use the ill-gotten wealth to invest in businesses that look legitimate.

The report says: “Organised gangs are involved in formal and informal businesses including ownership of public service vehicles and motorcycles, car wash premises, rental houses, retail exhibition shops, kiosks, scrap metal dealing and gambling.”

For instance, the expansive farms in Nakuru have for a long time been associated with Mungiki, whose officials also own palatial houses in Kitengela and Ngong.
The report says the gangs rely on established business magnates to access legal aid and bail out those arrested.

Prof Muigai called on all security agencies in the country to team up to fight the gangs. “We need an urgent collective response including police, National Intelligence Service, academics, and the judiciary instead of each of these entities working on their own.”

Kenyans who spoke to researchers who compiled the report blamed the government for failing to eradicate the gangs.

“According to most of the respondents, there had been no arrests of gang members in their areas in the last three years when serious crimes had been committed and offenders were known. Majority were not aware of convictions of gang members,” the report named Summary Of A Study On Organised Criminal Gangs In Kenya, said.
It was prepared by the National Crime Research Centre.

Politicians also provide money to gangs in exchange for mass support in their areas of jurisdiction while corruption in the police and Judiciary, as well as political influence, was blamed for the emergence of gangs.

National Crime Research Centre director Oriri Onyango said the country was witnessing the emergence of more organised criminal groups in even more complex crimes such as terrorism, piracy, cyber-crime, corruption , drug trafficking, money laundering, sexual abuse and gender-based violence.

“These crimes have become a common concern both for the government and citizens not only in Kenya but across the globe and have impacted negatively on personal safety and security,” said Mr Onyango.

Mr Paul Suter, a lecturer of Sociology and Psychology at Moi University, said in a telephone interview yesterday that most young people were joining the groups due to unemployment and frustrations.

“We have delegated the primary social role of the family to the secondary role which is peer pressure and mass media, leading many young people to such organised criminal gangs,’’ he said, adding that many parents were focusing on developing their careers and occupation at the expense of their children.

Additional reporting by OUMA WANZALA

owanzala@ke.nationmedia.com

Friday, August 30, 2013

Egypt, Ethiopia Square Off Over New Nile River Dam

Voice of America (Washington, DC)

Egypt, Ethiopia Square Off Over New Nile River Dam

By David Arnold, 20 June 2013

Photo: Giustino

Blue Nile Falls (file photo).

Egypt and Ethiopia are doing their best to lower tensions after weeks of increasingly heated rhetoric over a giant Ethiopian dam project that Cairo believes will reduce the flow of water in the Nile River.
The foreign ministers of the two countries met at the beginning of the week in Addis Ababa and agreed to hold further talks and review the recommendations from a panel of experts on what's being called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, or GERD.
Construction on the dam started two years ago on Ethiopia's Abbai, or Blue Nile, river, whose basin accounts for about 75 percent of the water flowing into the lower Nile River. The project is about 20 percent complete and Egyptian officials worry that when it's finished in 2017, it will severely reduce the flow of water through the lower Nile channel and turn the arable parts of their country back into a desert.
A day after Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi visited Addis Ababa earlier this month, Ethiopia diverted the Abbai River's flow temporarily to carry out the next stage of dam construction. Even though the water diversion was a brief, news of the interruption touched off a furor in Cairo.
Morsi said Egypt would not tolerate losing "one drop" of Nile water and made thinly veiled threats of military action by saying "all options are open."
The Ethiopians, apparently, were not intimidated.
"I don't think they will take that option unless they go mad," said Ethiopia's president, Haile Mariam Desalegn. The foreign ministry in Addis Ababa said construction on the dam would not stop "for a second."
An expensive project
The GERD project includes a 170-meter high concrete dam and a 6,000-megawatt hydroelectric power plant and will make Ethiopia one of Africa's top electrical energy producing nations when it is completed. Its total cost is estimated at between $4.2 billion and $5 billion.
Ethiopia has said all along that once completed, the dam would not reduce Egypt's water resources, but Egypt wants proof. It also wants assurances that Ethiopia will not use the Abbai waters to irrigate Ethiopian farmlands.
Egypt is also concerned about additional problems as Ethiopia begins filling a massive water reservoir twice the size of the country's largest lake.
"Ethiopia is always saying 'no impact'," said Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, who was Egypt's minister of water and irrigation for 12 years and is now president of the Arab Water Council.
But Abu-Zeid cited studies predicting that during the three to five years it will take to fill the reservoir behind the dam, "there would be a reduction of 14 billion instead of the regular 55.5 billion cubic meters.
"It's time to go back to the negotiating table," Abu-Zeid concluded.
Other experts doubt the reduction would be that much. One of them is Paul Block, a civil engineer who has been consulting on Ethiopian water projects for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the World Bank.
During the years it takes to fill the reservoir behind the GERD, Block says the loss of water flow into the Nile could be minimal. It all depends, he explains, on the amount of rainfall in the region.

Voice of America (Washington, DC)

Egypt: Ethiopia, Egypt Meet to Ease Nile Dam Tensions

By Marthe van der Wolf, 18 June 2013

ADDIS ABABA — Egypt and Ethiopia are taking steps to defuse tension over Ethiopia's diversion of the Nile River to construct a massive hydroelectric dam.
The ministers of foreign affairs from both countries held talks in Addis Ababa on Monday and Tuesday. At issue: the tensions that rose after Ethiopia began diverting part of the Blue Nile to advance construction the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom told reporters in Addis Ababa Tuesday that both nations have agreed to implement recommendations made by an international panel of experts and to hold further talks.
"Both ministers, in a spirit of brotherly relations and mutual understanding, agreed to embark on consultations at the technical and political levels," Adhanom said, "with the participation of the Republic of Sudan, to implement in a speedy manner the International Panel of Experts' recommendations."
The diplomatic language is a far cry from the heated exchanges over the $5 billion dam, which Egypt fears will threaten its vital water supply.
Most Nile river water originates in Ethiopia. However, colonial-era treaties written by Britain gave Egypt as much 87 percent of the Nile's flow.
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has gone so far as to warn this month that "all options" were open in terms of his country's response to the dam project.
The high-level talks come after Ethiopia last week became the sixth country to back replacing colonial-era treaties with a new commission to oversee Nile projects. Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have already signed the agreement. Egypt is among several nations that have yet to do so.
Despite the calmer language, Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr says his country need not apologize for some of its politicians who suggested the right course of action may be to sabotage the construction of the dam.
"It's not a matter of regrets or apologies," he said. "Some pronouncements were made in the heat of the moment, or because of their emotions. No regrets were required."
Minister Tedros is expected to travel to Cairo soon to continue talks over the dam's possible impact.
Ethiopian officials argue Egypt can make up any reduction with better water management.
The construction of the dam started two years ago and is about 20 percent done. When completed in 2017, it will transform Ethiopia into Africa's biggest producer of electricity.

Ethiopia: Corruption Watchdog Presses Charges Against Officials, Businessmen

Addis Fortune (Addis Ababa)

Ethiopia: Corruption Watchdog Presses Charges Against Officials, Businessmen

1 September 2013

Prosecutors at the Federal Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) announced in court on Thursday, August 29, that they have filed charges against 44 people in the high profile corruption case. Melaku Fenta, former director general of the Ethiopian Revenues & Customs Authority (ERCA), and his then deputy, Gebrewahed W. Giorgis, are among those indicted. Charges are spread across eight different files.
Although the charges were expected to be read in the afternoon, this was rescheduled to Friday morning, August 30, 2013. This is because there was a question as to which bench is supposed to hear the case, according to sources at the Federal High Court. It was the remand bench that was informed that charges were filed this morning.
Fourteen days additional investigation time was requested, in order to process audit reports for four people. These were - Mehereteab Abraha, the businessman brother of TPLF veteran Seye Abraha; Fitsum Gebremedhin, a businessman; Tekleab Zerabruk, the ERCA's Mille Branch manager, and Begziabhere Alebel, a major shareholder of Ultimate Plan Plc, a construction consulting company. Hence, no charges were brought. The remand bench granted the Commission seven days and adjourned the hearing for the four suspects until August 6, 2013.
The prosecutors have decided not to file charges against three people and the court ordered they be set free. Those to be released are - Mesale Woldeselassie and Negussie Kebret, from Tigabu Gidey et al file, and Getachew Assefa, from Temesgen Seyoum et al file. Moreover, prosecutors asked that Mule Gashaw, from Gebrewahed et al file, be transferred to the Oromia Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (OEACC) due to jurisdictional issues. Judges granted the prosecutors demand and ordered the transfer of Mulu within the next five days.
The arrest of some of the top taxmen in the country and their family members, along with close to 60 prominent and mid-level businessmen, customs officials and freight forwarders, which began in early May 2013, was the start of a long drawn-out investigation into corruption allegations.
The Commission has been investigating a mile-long list of alleged suspicions, including -the halting of investigations, goods passing through customs uninspected and having the books of the companies under investigation audited twice for undue benefits on the part of officials. Businessmen, on the other hand, are accused of alleged tax evasion through graft, the import of cement using the prohibited Franco Valuta method and selling duty-free imports meant for investment.
Except for the four suspects whose hearing has been adjourned until August 6, the seven investigation appointment files that the second criminal bench has been hearing for the past three months, have been closed. Those facing charges are now included in the eight new files, with some of the suspects appearing in more than one file. Gebrewahed W. Giorgis's name appears in three of the charge files. The remand bench that closed the investigation files was preparing to hear the charges in the afternoon, before a change of plan. Those higher up in the court have decided that charges should be treated by a regular bench and not by the bench that heard the investigation files, sources at the court informed Fortune. However, since the regular session is closed, the court administration is expected to assign three judges for the charges tomorrow, Fortune also learnt.

Ethiopia

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Jakaya Kikwete joins team to discuss globalization

Good People,

Yes, I am impressed and truely proud of President Kikwete of Tanzanias advancing New Roles........Congratulation and cheers !!! This is the way forward to achieve a happier Globalization progressively in a balance, and where at the end, a conducive environment is created where people end up satisfied and happier; mutually sharing benefits of business in co-partnership having fun and enjoying their engagements and achievements with all that there is in store for them.

Yes, New Ideas for a Fair Globalization and the Role of Politics is refreshing. The question now is homework to all. There is urgent need to re-define, what will be the role of the international community in re-defining development goals after 2015 in areas such as climate change, food sufficiency with balanced nutritional security, education and youth engagements? How will they initiate concrete action? Which new ways are there for closer collaboration between the United Nations and the European Union?

There you go, food for thought..........

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

JK joins team to discuss globalization

President Jakaya Kikwete

By The Citizen Reporter (email the author)

Posted Thursday, August 29 2013 at 22:30

In Summary

Apart from participating in the discussion over various agenda, President Kikwete was scheduled to speak in the opening session alongside Ban Ki-Moon and Mr Barosso.

Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete has been appointed among a few prominent people to brainstorm over ‘New Ideas for a Fair Globalisation’.

According to a statement released by the State House Directorate of Communication yesterday, the United Nations’ Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the president of European Commission, Mr Jose Borosso, President Kikwete has been asked to join other renowned individuals to debate on how globalisation could be achieved in a more equitable manner to benefit all countries in the world.

The team would discuss new ways of ensuring fair globalisation and equality in a retreat meeting to be held in Alpbach Village in Austria, starting today.

The two-day meeting, which would be led by Mr Ban and Barosso as chairmen, would be held under the European Forum Alpbach. Mr Kikwete would be the only African leader participating in the event.

Apart from participating in the discussion over various agenda, President Kikwete was scheduled to speak in the opening session alongside Ban Ki-Moon and Mr Barosso.

Mr Kikwete will also give a speech during the closing session together with the president of Austria, Dr Heinz Fischer.

Mr Kikwete already left the country on Wednesday evening to Alpbach for the meeting whose main agenda would focus on sustainable energy and climate change, food security and nutrition as well as education for the youth.

Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)

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Tanzania: Kikwete for Prominent Global Leaders' Meet

30 August 2013

PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete is among the few prominent global leaders who have been invited to attend an international forum to discuss new ideas for a fair globalisation.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Directorate of Presidential Communications in Dar es Salaam on Thursday said President Kikwete has been invited by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-Moon and the President of the European Commission, Jose Barosso at a retreat to be held in Alpbach village in Austria.
The two-day retreat will be co-chaired by Ban Ki-Moon and Barosso and it will be held under the European Forum Institute. Mr Kikwete is the only African leader who has been invited. Apart from the various discussions that will take place at the meeting, Mr Kikwete is also scheduled to make a speech during the opening of the forum.
During the closing ceremony, the Tanzanian president, the two co-chairs as well as the President of Austria, Dr Heinz Fischer, will also make statements. President Kikwete left the country for Austria on Wednesday night for the meeting where he will present a paper on sustainable energy, climate change in addition to food security, nutrition and education.
Meanwhile, the government of Zanzibar takes seriously the security and safety of tourists in the Islands and special steps are being taken to ensure that tourism spots are protected because the sector is the country's main economic venture.
Zanzibar President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein said this on Thursday in his discussions with the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of The Netherlands, Ms Lilianne Ploumen.
The two leaders also discussed other bilateral issues. "We take seriously the issue of security in our country and we have prepared a special plan of beefing up security in tourist areas," Dr Shein said in a statement issued by the office of the Press Secretary in the Zanzibar State House yesterday.
He said that the tourism sector is the backbone of the Zanzibar economy, contributing 80 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. He assured The Netherlands minister that his government ensures the safety of all tourists and other visitors in Zanzibar.
Dr Shein said that reports of a fire that gutted Paradise Hotel at Marumbi, in South Unguja Region have saddened him. He stressed that state organs are looking into the incident.
"Preliminary reports that we have so far, show that it was a normal accident. I am happy that here were no casualties among tourists and hotel personnel, except for the minor injuries that two people suffered," he explained.
Dr Shein's visit to The Netherlands is aimed at looking at new areas of cooperation and strengthening the relationship of the two countries.
"We have had a good relationship for many years and we have cooperated in a number of areas including education, health and infrastructure and now we feel it is the right time to look at new areas of cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries," he explained.
He named the new areas of cooperation as including energy, sea fishing, infrastructure and increased investment in the tourism sector."We would like to see increased investment in tourism. We wish to host tourists in Zanzibar and other national parks," he noted.
Dr Shein expressed appreciation for the support that has been extended to Zanzibar and Tanzania in general by the The Netherlands government.Dr Shein was accompanied by the Minister for Land, Settlement, Water and Energy, Mr Ramadhani Shaaba and the Minister for Infrastructure and Communication, Mr Rashid Suleiman.
The delegation also included the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Mahadhi Juma Maalim, Tanzania's Ambassador in Belgium, Mr Diodorus Kamala and the presidents advisor on International Relations, Investment and Economy, Ambassador Mohamed Ramia.
In another development, the government of The Netherlands is ready to cooperate with the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government in developing the energy sector by availing expertise in managing the initiative.
The Netherlands' Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms Lilianne Ploumen, told her visitor, Dr Shein. "We have extensive expertise in innovation and in managing the energy sector. We are ready to cooperate in this area," she said.

Pres. Kikwete attends UN-European Commission High Level Retreat in Austria

30/08/2013

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President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete attends the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013. Left are members of his delegation, Professor Rwekaza Mukandala, Vice Chancellor of the University of Dar es salaam and Profesor Joseph Semboja, Principal Uongozi Institute.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon appointed President Jakaya Kikwete to participate in the retreat as part of the European Forum Alpbach 2013. He is the only African leader who was appointed to attend a three-day retreat this year.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has informed the Forum that the current situation in Syria will force his early return to New York, hindering him from participation in the final event on Saturday, August 31, 2013. Instead UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos will speak on Ban Ki-moon’s behalf.

Together with Austria’s President Heinz Fischer, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete attends the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013. Right is the host and Co-Chairman of the Retreat, Mr Manuel Jose Barroso, President of the European Commission, followed by Ms Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General of for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, she will discuss the topic “New Ideas for a Fair Globalization: The Role of Politics.

Franz Fischler, President of the European Forum Alpbach, said: “We regret that the Secretary General will be unable to join us in Alpbach but I naturally understand that the current issues being addressed by the UN demand his presence in New York.“

The three-day event commenced on Thursday, with an evening session headed by Valerie Amos and the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva.

The final day of the European Forum Alpbach 2013 will begin on Saturday with a panel discussion on “New Ideas for a Fair Globalization: What Should Entrepreneurs Do?”.

Prominent panelists will be the respected US American economist Jeffrey Sachs, the Chairman of UN Energy, Kandeh K. Yumkella,

the Chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the entrepreneur and founder of the Internet platform WAMDA, Habib Haddad, as well as the Chairman

of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis - IIASA, Pavel Kabat.

Following a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic, the Forum will climax with a discussion between José Manuel Barroso, Valerie Amos, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and Heinz Fischer about the role of the

International community in the revision of post-2015 development goals and new paths to cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete walks with Ms Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, shortly before the start of the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete walks with Dr Jeffrey Sachs, Director of Earth Institute at the Columbia University, as they head to the meeting hall to attend the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete with Mr Manuel Jose Barroso, President of the European Commission, at the start of the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete in a group photo with hosts and participants in the High-level Retreat on "New Ideas for a Fair Globalization in Alpabch, Austria August 30, 2013. To his left is the host and Co-Chairman of the Retreat, Mr Manuel Jose Barroso, President of the European Commission, followed by co-Host Ms Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General of for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Third right is the Minister for Energy and Mineral Professor Sospeter Muhongo.

PRESIDENT KIKWETE ATTENDS UN-EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH LEVER RETREAT IN ALPBACH, AUSTRIA

Friday, August 30, 2013 Maoni: 0

Wholesale dismissal of NGO reports ill-advised

In Summary

Since tobacco farming is labour intensive, in some cases parents mobilise their own children to work in plantations as a means of boosting family income.

A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday indicates that thousands of children are being used in gold mines where conditions are deadly.

According to the report, our young ones work in small-scale gold mines located in at least Tanzania’s 11 sites that the watchdog visited. That youth who should be going to school are employed anywhere is bad enough; that they are working in conditions that endanger their health is criminal outrage!

However, the minister for Energy and Minerals, Prof Sospeter Muhongo, is said to be casting doubt on the report, suspecting that it might have been tailored merely to facilitate donor funding for some NGOs. It is not the first time we are getting reports of child labour in Tanzania. That is why we think instead of a wholesale dismissal of the HRW report, the government should instead take time to study it and unearth the actual truth and then, if need be, shame the authors of the report.

It should, however, be noted that in November 2011, the ministry of Labour and Employment launched a four-year programme (Prosper), that aims to end child labour in tobacco growing areas and protect the young from exploitation in Urambo and Sikonge districts in Tabora Region.

Since tobacco farming is labour intensive, in some cases parents mobilise their own children to work in plantations as a means of boosting family income. Parent’s poverty and badly run schools that put off children are often given as factors that drive children to commercial farms and dangerous mining pits.

The plight of school-going youth who are not in school is visible for everyone to see in our towns, where armies of street children are growing alarmingly. No NGO reports are needed to appreciate this worrisome scenario. That is why we think the HRW report should be given a thought, for it gives an insight into what we all need to address.

Walkout by Rwandans halts Eala proceedings

Eala Speaker Margaret Zziwa

By Zephania Ubwani (email the author)

In Summary

They were protesting the decision by Speaker not to allow discussion on a motion on the rotation of sittings among partner states

Arusha. Business at the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) came to a halt yesterday afternoon after MPs from Rwanda led others in walking out of the august House.

The legislators were protesting the decision by the Speaker to bar them from discussing a motion on the rotation of sittings among partner states.

Outspoken Rwandan legislator Abdulkarim Harelimana led the walkout shortly before 3.30pm after Speaker Margaret Nnatongo Zziwa stopped Mr Peter Mathuki (Kenya) from tabling the motion which sources said has divided the EAC law makers as well as the partner states for sometime.

The debate on whether Eala sessions should continue to rotate among the five capitals of the partner states has been under scrutiny for sometime with the East African Community (EAC) preferring Arusha as the permanent venue now that it has its new headquarters with the purposely-built chambers for the regional Parliament.

When Mr Mathuki rose to table the motion after the House reconvened at 3pm, the Speaker turned him down, saying it was not an appropriate time to debate the issue.

Even after being pressed further that it was a point of procedure that the matter be debated in the House, Ms Zziwa refused to allow the motion to be tabled.

The pleas by Ugandan legislator Dan Kadega and others could not convince her to give a chance to the Order Paper to be discussed in the august House.

This eventually led to the walk-out of the MPs who were apparently dismayed by the way she was handling the matter. The walk-out was led by Rwanda MPs with Mr Harelimana being the first to march.

MPs from other countries followed shortly afterwards, forcing the House to be adjourned briefly in order to give a chance for the MPs and ex-officio members, including Eala administrators and ministers from the partner states, to consult on the matter.

When business resumed after 15 minutes, there were only 15 MPs among the assembly’s 45 . An official of the EAC secretariat said most of those who remained were MPs from Tanzania and Burundi plus one or two from Kenya.

The Eala Commission, until recently known as the Eala House Business Committee, has been meeting at the venue until the press time to discuss the development.

The House will resume at 2:20pm today and it is not known if the motion will be tabled. An Eala official added that there was a likelihood the issue could generate more debate as some partners are opposed to all its sessions in Arusha all the time.