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  • ICC Prosecutor Meets Kenya Violence Victims

    The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has visited victims of the violence that followed Kenya’s 2007 election.

    Fatou Bensouda says she was concerned about ICC witnesses being intimidated ahead of a criminal trial at The Hague in the Netherlands.

    In her first official visit to Kenya, Bensouda sat surrounded by some of the 350,000 people displaced by the deadly violence in 2007-2008, still living in a camp of tightly packed tents known as “Pipeline Camp” in the Rift Valley, one of the hardest-hit areas.

    The next general election is expected within the next six months, but Bensouda sought to distance herself from Kenya’s restive domestic political scene.

    “Ours is a judicial process and what we want to do is to bring justice,” she said. “Justice for those who suffered the post-election violence. It is a separate process. It is not part of the elections. It is not part of the politics.”

  • Embassy Life Like ‘a Space Station,’ Assange Says

    Four months holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London has been “a little like living in a space station” but beats prison, fugitive WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Thursday.

    Assange sought refuge in the embassy in June, after losing a court battle against extradition to Sweden. Since then, he has been living in a single room with a frosted-glass window while the business of the diplomatic mission goes on around him.

    “It’s a little like living in a space station, because there’s no natural light and you’ve got to make all your own stuff. You can’t go out to shops and so on,” Assange told CNN in an interview Thursday.

    “But I have been in solitary confinement. I know what life is like for prisoners. It’s a lot better than it is for prisoners.”

    Embassy staffers would not allow CNN to view his living quarters, but Assange appeared relaxed and healthy despite his restricted circumstances.

    His comments came the same day WikiLeaks began disclosing a new round of U.S. military documents dealing with handling prisoners in American military custody.

    Ecuador granted Assange asylum in August, amid a diplomatic row between the United Kingdom and his South American hosts.

    British courts have approved his extradition to Sweden, and Assange faces arrest if he sets foot outside the embassy.

    Assange has not been charged with a crime, but Sweden has said it wants to question him about allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman there.

    Assange has denied the allegations and says they’re a ruse to get him to Sweden, which would then extradite him to the United States.

    Though the first of the newly published documents include no bombshells, Assange said the records his group will put out are “documents of incredible historical importance” and demonstrate a “climate of unaccountability” within the U.S. government.

  • Current Policy Governing Mining License Challenged

    Rutongo Casiterites miners have challenged the current policy governing Mining License noting that the given period on license is too short; hence there is a need to comply it with deposit capacity.

    While commenting on the License of Rutongo Mines, Kevin Buyskes, General Manager – Rutongo Mines pointed out that current 4 years License which nearing the end must be extended to about or even 30 years.

    He noted that the policy behind mining license should be revised to avoid losses which can be caused by the license limit.

    “It is only through license that you can only invest” Said Buyskes while addressing East African Legislative Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural resources.

    The EALA committee was touring at Rutongo Mining concession to eyewitness and critically assesses the level of Mining sector in Rwanda.
    Caroline Kayonga, The PS at the Ministry of Natural resources said the Rwanda Mining Law is clear.

    She noted that the only problem is that investors have not yet shown the available quantity of Minerals at the site.

    “….,they have to come up with correct data which show the capacity of the deposit and ask a License depending on it;…if it is clear that exploitation take more than 4 years, why can’t we provide a license of more than 4 years?” Caroline said.

    “Our duty is to make sure that these resources are well managed and contributing to Rwanda’s economic growth and benefiting both Rwandans and investors on their side”

    However, during the field work, Bazivamo Christophe of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) appreciated activities of the Mining Company which include the construction of new tunnel situating at Nyamyumba Mining site of Rutongo Mining concession.

    Leonidas Simpenzwe, the Senior Group Geologist revealed that around 1930s, a yearly production of casiterites was about 2000 tones.

    With significant progress in Mining, only Nyamyumba site produce 50,000 tones yearly-Said Simpenzwe during an Interview and one tone cost around 20 000$.

    Currently, Rutongo Mining concession employs more than 35 000 people.

    Newly developed underneath tunnel is being constructed at the site.

  • WorldBank: Africa Could Feed Itself

    Africa could feed itself if trade restrictions were reduced and fertile land was put to good use, and according to the World Bank almost 20 million people are affected by hunger in the Sahel region of West Africa, the bank says.

    WB says removing cross-border barriers would free up trade, reduce prices and generate billions of dollars for African governments.

    Trade restrictions also raise the price of food to consumers and reduce the incentive for farmers to produce, as they receive only a small proportion of the end price.

    High transport costs, including roadblocks and bribes at border posts, as well as strict rules restricting the use of high yielding seeds and more effective fertilisers, exacerbated the problem, the bank said.

  • Letter to Igihe.com Readers

    Dear readers of igihe.com,

    I am happy to share with you some ideas about execution of foreign judgments in the Republic of Rwanda.

    Due to Rwanda’s open policy and commitments to contribute positively to international justice, peace and security, Rwanda has made major political and policy decisions, which we wish all Rwandans to understand.

    In terms of international peace keeping missions, Rwanda contributes troops in international trouble spots, where Rwandans, sons and daughters, risk their lives in the quest of international stability, peace, law and order.

    Rwanda does this consciously and has accepted to pay the cost that it entails.

    Similarly, in terms of justice, Rwanda has signed treaties and memorandum of understanding with different international actors, including the ICTR, the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone, bilateral engagements, etc., to have foreigners serve their sentences in Rwanda, as part of executing foreign courts judgments on the Rwandan national territory.

    It follows therefore that if MrRajat Gupta is sentenced and ordered by the Court to serve his sentence in Rwanda, Rwanda would have no objection to such order by the Court.

    It is in the same spirit that there are Sierra Leoneans serving their sentences in Rwanda.

    It is equally in the same way that some Rwandans sentenced by the ICTR in Arusha are serving their sentences in countries like Mali and other countries. There is nothing new or strange in this.

    Rwanda will remain open to facilitate the cause of International Justice in accordance with the laws of this country, for as long as Rwanda sees value in its international obligation and national policy frameworks.

    If the United States of America court decides that Mr Gupta or any other American should serve their sentence in Rwanda, Rwanda would have no objection to executing that Court Order for as long as there is clear understanding between Rwanda and parties concerned on the modalities for executing such sentences in Rwanda.

    Thank you all for your understanding.

    Tharcisse KARUGARAMA

    Minister of Justice&Attorney General

    Republic of Rwanda

  • Sudan Abyei Dispute: AU Endorses Mediation Proposal

    The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on Wednesday unanimously endorsed an initial proposal prepared by the mediation seeking to settle a conflict over the ownership of Abyei, between South Sudan and Sudan.

    The AUHIP proposal calls to hold Abyei’s referendum in October 2013 and only the Misseriya residing Abyei can participate in this vote. The text comes in accord with the South Sudanese position but not with the Sudanese one. Khartoum supported the partition of the disputed area.

    The Council’s approval of the proposal comes a day after the African mediation circulated a new proposal seeking to extend negotiations for a further six weeks, according a South Sudanese official in Addis Ababa.

    The purpose of the extension, which was criticised by Juba, was to allow the two parties to “voluntarily” reach a consensus on the remaining outstanding issues including the final status of Abyei.

    Luka Biong Deng, a Co-Chair of Abyei Joint Oversight Committee on Wednesday said the Council had endorsed the initial proposal without changes. He commended the Mbeki’s team for demonstrating exemplary leadership with courage and commitment to bring peace and stability to the region.

    “I am delighted to inform you that the AUPSC has unanimously endorsed the African Union High Level Implementation Panel Proposal on the final status of Abyei area that was presented to our President Salva Kiir and President Bashir on 21st September as final and binding solution,” Biong told Sudan Tribune from Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

    The official further said he attended the opening session of the meeting of African Union Peace and Security Council in which South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nhial Deng Nhial gave a presentation on the disputed issues, and the humanitarian in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that has affected over 900,000 people.

    Luka further added that the representatives of the permanent members of the UN Security Council particularly US, France, UK and EU Special Envoy have made strong statements in support of the 21 September Proposal on the final status of Abyei.

    They also asked the Council to endorse the Proposal and reassured the meeting that the UN Security Council will equally endorse it.

    “China was keen to support any African solution and Russia was not available. Uganda was in support of the 21st Sept proposal on the final status of Abyei,” Biong said.

    Moscow which seeks to enhance its economic relations with Khartoum, said supporting Abyei’s partition.

    South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nhial Deng Nhial, in a speech before the Council said that for the sake of peace and regional stability, his government compromised and accepted the decisions of the international community and implemented it, citing the acceptance of the arbitration rule, which reduced the size of Abyei .

    Nhial also refuted Sudan’s demand to divide the area saying “Sudan’s novel contention that Abyei should be partitioned between the two states, would not only amount to a travesty of justice for the Ngok Dinka whose Abyei Homeland is being progressively chipped away by Khartoum,

    ..but would also re-open the debate over Abyei, with potentially fatal political consequences for the two states,” he stressed, before the closed door meeting which resolved to endorse the AUHIP proposal in its totality.

    The new Chairperson of the African Union commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told the 339th ministerial level meeting of the AU’s Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) that the “AU will stand by” Sudan and South Sudan while they address their remaining issues.

    “The establishment of sustainable and cooperative relations between Sudan and South Sudan requires the final delineation of their common border, a decision on the future status of Abyei Area, as well as the peaceful resolution of internal conflicts within each state,” she added.

    Khartoum does not yet announce or react to the decision.

    UN Security Council is expected to discuss the issue soon.

  • Israel Accused of Bombing Sudan Arms Factory

    Sudan said on Wednesday that an Israeli air strike had caused the huge explosion and fire at an arms factory in Khartoum that killed two people, while Israel’s defence minister declined to comment.

    Sudan, which analysts say is used as an arms-smuggling route to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip via neighbouring Egypt, has blamed Israel for such strikes in the past but Israel either has refused to comment or said it neither admitted nor denied involvement.

    Asked by Israel’s Channel Two News about Sudan’s accusations, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said: “There is nothing I can say about this subject.”

    A huge fire broke out late on Tuesday at the Yarmouk arms factory in the south of the capital which was rocked by several explosions, witnesses said. Firefighters took more than two hours to extinguish the fire at Sudan’s main factory for ammunition and small arms.

    “Four military planes attacked the Yarmouk plant … We believe that Israel is behind it,” Information Minister Ahmed Belal Osman told reporters, adding that the planes had appeared to approach the site from the east.

    “Sudan reserves the right to strike back at Israel,” he said, saying two citizens had been killed and that the plant had been partially destroyed. Another person was seriously injured, he added.

    Around 300 people gathered in the evening at the courtyard of a government building where the Sudanese cabinet was meeting at an emergency session, shouting “Death to Israel” and “Remove Israel from the map.”

    “Israel is a country of injustice that needs to be deterred,” Vice President Ali Osman Taha, standing next to President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, told the crowd. “This attack only strengthens our firmness.”

    The governor of Khartoum state initially had ruled out any “external” cause for the blast but officials later showed journalists a video from the vast site. A huge crater could be seen next to two destroyed buildings and what appeared to be a rocket lying on the ground.

    Osman said an analysis of rocket debris and other material had shown that the attack had been engineered by Israel, which Sudan views as an enemy.

  • Prime Minister Sets Deadline for Mukungwa 2 Power Plant

    The Prime Minister Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has asked the contracted Chinese company to hasten activities of constructing Mukungwa 2 Hydropower plant after activities were said to have slowed down.

    The Premier gave December 15th deadline of completion while calling upon contractors to increase manpower and machinery so that the deadline is met.

    Habumuremyi noted that energy is one of the country’s major concerns underscoring that the country generates only 115 megawatts of electricity while the intended target is 1000 megawatts by 2017.

    The Chinese company is working alongside a Canadian one known as AECOM for construction activities.

    The plant is located in Musanze district of Northern Province and it will generate 2.5 megawatts of power once completed.

  • Tanzanian Soldier Dies on Training in Rwanda

    Private Kaila Ally Shabani from Tanzanian Army died in the East African Military Field Training under “Ushirikiano Imara, 2012”.

    The training is being conducted in Gako Camp Bugesera District in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.

    The in charge of Medical Treatment in“Ushirikiano Imara 2012”, Dr. Lt Col. Muvunyi Zuberi revealed that death was caused by a heart attack during exercise.

    “We didn’t expect such death to happen. Even those who came with him didn’t know he has heart problems” Commented Dr. Muvunyi.

    Brig. Gen. Mathew Sukambi of Tanzanian delegation lamented the death noting that it’s a big loss to Tanzanian forces.

    He said they have already sent condolence message to the family of the deceased soldier.

    Together with Tanzanian Embassy in Rwanda, the body was sent to Tanzania for funeral.

  • Rwandan Named Young Business Leader of The Year

    CNBC Africa named Jack Kayonga, MD, Rwanda Development Bank a Young Business Leader of The year.

    CNBC Africa is an African television network for Sub-Saharan Africa. It was launched by CNBC and Africa Business News (Pty) LTD on June 1, 2007.

    CNBC Africa is headquartered in Sandton, Johannesburg.

    The award Ceremony is taking place at the Vodadome in Midrand, South Africa on Thursday, October 25, 2012, and will honour winners from West, East and Southern Africa.

    Rakesh Wahi, the founder of the ABN Group, said: ’All Africa Business Leader Awards is a recognition and tribute to African Business Leaders who have made a qualitative and quantitative difference to the companies, industries and communities that they serve.

    Supported by the CNBC brand and through an exhaustive process of diligence by KPMG, these awards will be the most coveted in the African Continent.’

    Others nominated in various categories include:Business Leader of The Year sponsored by Telkom: Phakamani Hadebe, CEO, Landbank, James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Bank and Mitchelle Elegbe, CEO/ MD,Interswitch.

    Entrepreneur of The Year sponsored by the IDC: Jannie Mouton, CEO, PSG Group, Vimal Shah, CEO, Bidco Group and Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, CEO & President, Nestoil.

    Business Woman of the Year category: Jennifer Barassa, CEO, Top Image Ltd and Funke Opeke among others