UNESCO sets key criteria for media councils network

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

African media practitioners have a vital role to play in shaping public opinion, fostering democratic dialogue and advancing human rights for the region to achieve rapid development, a global civil servant has stated.

 Michel Toto, the local representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) made this assertion at a strategic meeting of the Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

The gathering brought on board a technical team and board members to establish an operational framework for the network, to draw up basic terms of association, and set the ground for the highly anticipated 2025 NIMCA conference in the city.

Affirming the strategic significance of the gathering, he said that the media plays an essential role in reflecting the diversity of the societies it serves, urging the technical team to prioritize gender and disability inclusion within media institutions across Africa.

As a catalyst for social transformation, the media must ensure that women, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups are not only represented but actively involved in shaping ‘narratives’ that uphold equality, dignity, and respect.

The UNESCO official pointed at the practical manual and master class video series on disability equality in the media as valuable resources for the NIMCA network, noting that UNESCO is committed to transforming media institutions to embrace inclusivity and representation.

“By embedding gender and disability inclusion, we can foster a more equitable society where all voices are heard and all stories are told,” he stated.

NIMCA announced plans for virtual and in-person meetings, where the technical team will review and improve documents to be presented to board members.

Ernest Sungura, the NIMCA chairperson, said that the December meeting, taking place in South Africa, will finalize operational frameworks and strategically position NIMCA for the kick-off

NIMCA’s inaugural meeting of media councils from across Africa in June 2025 will be a significant milestone bringing together media councils to find ways of strengthening media freedom, ethics and public accountability, he explained.

 “NIMCA invites independent media regulators from other African countries to join the organization,” he said, hinting that the December meeting will focus on the importance of independent media councils as a core criterion for membership in NIMCA.

Its ethos and operations will be guided by the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, issued by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights back in 2019, he added.

At least 12 soldiers killed in recent Niger attacks, army says

 NIAMEY, Niger

A series of ambushes and explosions across military-run Niger killed at least 12 soldiers and wounded 30 others recently, the army announced on state-run television Wednesday.

In the first attack, in western Tillaberi region on Sunday, "a horde of criminals who arrived in their hundreds" killed five soldiers and wounded 25 more, according to the army.

The ground and air response killed "more than 100” attackers, the army said, without giving further details about them.

On Monday, in the restive southwest Diffa region where there are frequent attacks by Boko Haram and the West African branch of the Islamic State group, five patrolling soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device.

A "surgical strike" in retaliation "killed several terrorists" responsible, the army said.

In the latest attack, militants from a new resistance group called the Patriotic Movement for Freedom and Justice (MPLJ) claimed an operation against a military outpost in the Agadez region in the north.

The army said two soldiers were killed and six wounded in Tuesday's attack.

"A pursuit operation was immediately launched to track down the fleeing assailants, who were heading for the Libyan border," the army added.

The MPLJ claimed to have killed 14 soldiers and two gendarmes in the attack, and to have lost two of its own fighters.

Created in August, the MPLJ is an offshoot of the Patriotic Liberation Front (FPL) armed group, which is fighting the junta for the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Democratically elected Bazoum was overthrown in a coup in July 2023 and has since then been held at the presidential palace.

While the military justified its power grab by citing the deteriorating security situation, violence persists.

According to the independent Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, about 1,500 civilians and soldiers in Niger have been killed in militant attacks over the past year, compared with 650 between July 2022 and 2023 when Bazoum was in charge.

Ghana's opposition stages protests over alleged voter roll irregularities

ACCRA, Ghana

Ghana’s biggest opposition party held nationwide protests in regional capitals across the country Tuesday demanding an audit of the voter roll for the general election set for December.

Millions of supporters of the National Democratic Congress party, the country’s main opposition party, participated in the protests, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, an NDC member of parliament, said in a live broadcast on TV3. Those numbers could not be independently verified but protests were held in all 16 regional capitals of Ghana, including the capital Accra.

“We are not asking for a big favor from the electoral commission, we are demanding our right to free and fair elections," Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, the chairman of the NDC told party members before the protest march in Accra.

The NDC claims that nearly 300,000 anomalies have been discovered, including illegal transfers of voters’ names and the removal of names from the register without their knowledge.

"This independent audit, we say that let the UNDP facilitate it. Is it too difficult? It is difficult because the EC has something to hide," said Omane Boamah, the NDC director of elections.

Ghana has held peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections for nearly two decades. The general election on Dec. 7 will be the ninth consecutive election since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992.

But allegations of voter roll irregularities this year have created concerns about a possible democratic backslide.

The NDC alleges it detected thousands of unauthorized transfers and erasures of voter names on the voter roll for upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.

The electoral commission said the opposition party's call for a forensic audit was “misguided” during a press conference last week.

The NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, rallied the crowd, stressing the need for urgent action and a thorough audit of the electoral process to prevent a democratic backslide.

"If you tend to be peace-loving and you are condoning wrongdoing, you are the one who is brooding conflict in this country. That is why we are ready to fight against the element that will disturb our democracy," said Nketia.

Presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana are held concurrently every four years. Current President Akufo-Addo is stepping down this year after his second and final four-year term.

Former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC, who lost in the 2016 and 2020 elections will face off with Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party in this year’s election

The protest march in Accra ended with the presentation of a petition to the parliament and the electoral commission. The petition calls for a bipartisan probe into the conduct of the Electoral Commission, an independent forensic audit of the voters register, and the immediate publication of the audit's findings once conducted.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 19/09/2024

 

Kenya Parliament approves appointment of Kanja as new IGP

NAIROBI,  Kenya 

The Kenya National Assembly has approved the appointment of Douglas Kanja as the new Inspector General of Police.

This approvement came after Kanja appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Committee on vetting comprising of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, as well as the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations.

The Members of Parliament resolved to uphold his nomination for the position, setting the stage for Kanja to be sworn into office by President William Ruto.

The approval comes barely a month after the Senate - by resolution on August 20, 2024 - approved the appointment of Kanja as the new National Police Service (NPS) boss.

Kanja, who previously served as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), will now step into the shoes left by his former boss 

Japhet Koome who resigned from office in July this year.

President Ruto later nominated Kanja as the next police IG.

The 60-year-old boasts of a four-decade career in law enforcement which started in 1985, after which he rose through the ranks to the top command of the police service. 

While serving as the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Kanja was also the General Service Unit (GSU) Commandant for five years.

He previously served as the GSU Deputy Commandant for three years, Kilifi County Police Commander, Kenya Airports Police Unit Deputy Commandant, Chief Armourer at the Police Headquarters, and Deputy Chief Armourer, among other high-level positions within the ranks of the National Police Service.

The UN will vote on a Palestinian resolution demanding Israel end its occupation

UNITED NATIONS, New York United States

The UN General Assembly will vote Wednesday on a Palestinian resolution demanding that Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the occupied West Bank within a year, withdraw its military forces and evacuate all settlers.

The resolution is being put to a vote in the 193-member assembly as Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza approaches its first anniversary and as violence in the West Bank reaches new highs. The war was triggered by Hamas attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, opened the assembly meeting Tuesday by saying Palestinians face an “existential threat” and claiming Israel has held them “in shackles.” He demanded an end to Israel’s decades-long occupation and for Palestinians to be able to return home to live in peace and freedom.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, urged member nations to reject the resolution, describing it as “an attempt to destroy Israel through diplomatic terrorism” that never mentions Hamas’ atrocities and “ignores the truth, twists the facts and replaces reality with fiction.”

“Instead of a resolution condemning the rape and massacre committed by Hamas on Oct. 7, we gather here to watch the Palestinians’ UN circus — a circus where evil is righteous, war is peace, murder is justified and terror is applauded,” he said.

If adopted, the resolution would not be legally binding, but the extent of its support would reflect world opinion. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly, unlike in the 15-member Security Council.

The resolution is a response to a ruling by the top United Nations court in July that said Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end.

In the sweeping condemnation of Israel’s rule over the lands it captured during the 1967 war, the International Court of Justice said Israel had no right to sovereignty over the Palestinian territories and was violating international laws against acquiring the lands by force.

The court’s opinion also is not legally binding. Nonetheless, the Palestinians drafted the resolution to try to implement the ruling, saying Israel’s “abuse of its status as the occupying power” renders its “presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful.”

Mansour stressed that any country that thinks the Palestinian people “will accept a life of servitude” or that claims peace is possible without a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “not being realistic.”

The solution remains an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, he said.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield told reporters that the resolution has “a significant number of flaws,” saying it goes beyond the ICJ ruling. It also doesn’t recognize that “Hamas is a terrorist organization” in control of Gaza and that Israel has a right to defend itself, she said.

“In our view, the resolution does not bring about tangible benefits across the board for the Palestinian people,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “I think it could complicate the situation on the ground, complicate what we’re trying to do to end the conflict, and I think it impedes reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution.”

The resolution calls for Israel to pay reparations to Palestinians for the damage caused by its occupation and urges countries to take steps to prevent trade or investments that maintain Israel’s presence in the territories.

It also demands that Israel be held accountable for any violations of international law, that sanctions be imposed on those responsible for maintaining Israel’s presence in the territories, and for countries to halt arms exports to Israel if they’re suspected of being used there.

Mansour said an initial Palestinian draft demanded Israel end its occupation within six months but that it was revised in response to concerns of some countries to increase the time frame to within a year.

Most likely, he said, Israel won’t pay attention to the resolution.

20 people die in a militia attack in restive northeastern Congo

By Jean-Yves Kamale, KINSHASA DR Congo

A militia attack killed over a dozen villagers in northeastern Congo, local authorities said on Tuesday, the latest in a series of violent assaults targeting civilians.

Eastern Congo has been torn by decadelong fighting between government forces and more than 120 armed groups, often involving bombs targeting civilians as the militias seek a share of the region’s gold and other resources. Violence in the region has worsened in recent months as security forces battle the militias.

Rebels from the Cooperative for the Diversion of Congo, or CODECO, killed at least 20 people with firearms and machetes in Fataki, a village in the territory of Djugu, the head of local administration Jean-Marie Makpela said. During Tuesday’s attack, houses were set on fire and material goods stolen, as rebels looted mattresses from a local medical facility, he added.

“We call on the authorities of the province of Ituri to help put an end to this repeated tragedy because it is not normal that people die, without anything being done,” said Dieudonné Lossa, coordinator of civil society in the region.

CODECO is a loose association of militia groups mainly from the ethnic Lendu farming community. The group’s attacks killed nearly 1,800 people and wounded more than 500 in the four years through 2022, according to the African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism.

The United Nations has said some of the attacks could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Last May, a convoy of humanitarians was ambushed by CODECO rebels while returning from localities in Djugu where they identified displaced people as part of an assistance project. They were later released but all the supplies they had with them were stolen.

'You can't dictate us,' Tanzania President warns foreign envoys

MOSHI, Tanzania

Tanzania President, Samia Hassan, has on Tuesday August 17, warned foreign diplomats in Tanzania to respect the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, not to interfere with the country’s governance by dictating how Tanzania should be governed as the country has its Constitution.

Her bold comments, made during a function marking the 60th anniversary of the Tanzania Police Force, were evidently in response to recent statements issued by diplomats representing the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

The envoys spoke out last week following the abduction and assassination a high-ranking opposition leader, Ali Mohamed Kibao, who is said to have been abducted by unknown armed people last Friday and his dead body found in Ununio waterfront district of Dar es Salaam and other serial killings incidents taking place in the country.

“We are not here to receive directives on what to do in our own country. We have a constitution, laws, customs and traditions that guide us.” She said, adding that her country has never instructed its ambassadors to issue public statements on what is happening in other countries.

President Samia said that when these events happen in other countries, "we have never told the countries through our ambassador, 'let's tell them.' Now others should not be the technicians to tell us what to do."

Samia who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Tanzania defense and security forces, expressed her surprise at the international attention accorded to Kibao’s death, while other tragic deaths in Tanzania, such as those involving children and people with albinism, often pass unnoticed.

“It’s surprising that this death has drawn condemnation all round, with some even labelling our government killers. This is not right…we must condemn all such incidents without exception.” She said.

President Hassan suggested that the diplomats may have acted in their personal capacities and not on behalf of their governments and that if necessary, she would address the issue directly with the heads of state of the countries in question.

The EU in Tanzania posted joint statement published on X.com expressing their dismay at the incidents of violence, the loss of people and the deaths of political and human rights activists in Tanzania.

“Today, September 10, 2024, the ambassadors of the European Union countries, together with the ambassadors of Canada, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, have issued a statement expressing their dismay at the incidents of violence, the loss of people and the deaths of political and human rights activists in Tanzania.”

"We are calling for a thorough investigation into these incidents. We sympathize with all affected families." The statement said.

A day before, the US Embassy in Tanzania issued a statement joining those who call for an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation into ongoing abductions and the murder of Ali Mohamed Kibao.

“The United States joins those who call for an independent, transparent, and prompt investigation into ongoing abductions and the murder of Ali Mohamed Kibao. Murder and disappearances, as well as last month’s detentions, beatings, and other efforts to disenfranchise citizens ahead of elections, should have no place in a democracy.” The statement said.

Adding, “These brutal acts undermine rights guaranteed by the Tanzanian Constitution. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Kibao and the country for the loss of his life and civic leadership.”

President Hassan reiterated that she had sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania and protect the lives of the people and their property at any cost.

“In this responsibility we don’t need to be directed by anyone as to what we should do because the Constitution has all the instructions on how to run our government,” she added.

President Hassan reminded politicians that it was due to the implementation of her 4R’s (reconciliation, resilience, reforms and rebuilding) philosophy that some of them have been allowed to return home after spending months in exile, while others have been freed from incarceration.

“The 4R’s should not be viewed with contempt because it is the same philosophy that helped to bring some people back into the country and release others from jail. The philosophy should not be misused to undermine peace in the country,” President Hassan said, adding that Tanzania’s intelligence system is strong and any attempt to make the country ungovernable will be dealt with firmly and decisively.

She directed the Police Force to be vigilant and take immediate action against anyone who attempts to endanger peace in the run-up to, during and after the forthcoming elections.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 18/09/2024

South Sudan's vital oil exports cleared to resume

JUBA, South Sudan 

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has agreed with the de facto leader of Sudan, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, that vital oil exports from the landlocked country could resume through its northern neighbour.

Sudan's Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan (L) and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (R) met in Juba on Monday

Sudan’s 17-month civil war has disrupted South Sudan’s oil industry, which the country’s economy relies on.

Four months of work repairing the damaged infrastructure would allow the oil to flow once again.

But there remains a question whether the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which is fighting the army in Sudan, would allow the exports to go ahead as it controls most of the areas the oil would pass through.

President Kiir and Gen Burhan discussed the resumption of exports at talks on Monday in South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart, South Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ramadan Abdalla Goc said the two leaders discussed “pressing issues impacting both countries” as they focused on enhancing regional peace and stability through “constructive dialogue and co-operation”.

Mr Goc said Gen Burhan confirmed to President Kiir that Sudanese engineers have “accomplished the necessary technical preparations” for the resumption of South Sudan’s oil production.

He said engineers from South Sudan were expected to visit Sudan in the coming weeks to familiarise themselves with the readiness of the facilities, after that the two countries will announce the official resumption of oil flow.

The civil war in neighbouring Sudan has deprived South Sudanese coffers of petrodollars, the government’s main source of revenue, according to think-tank the International Crisis Group.

Mr Goc also said that during the talks, President Kiir reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring peace and stability in Sudan.

Sudan’s acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad said President Kiir and Gen Burhan also agreed to re-open humanitarian corridors between their two countries to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudan.

Judge’s security withdrawn after jailing Kenya's Police Boss

NAIROBI, Kenya

The security of Kenya’s High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi (pictured above) has been withdrawn. 

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday report that the security detail were withdrawn over the weekend after they were disarmed. 

“A disturbing action was taken by the national police in the wake of sentencing of the acting IG. Police belonging to Mugambi were disarmed and subsequently withdrawn over the weekend,” Koome stated as she condemned the action. 

The Chief Justice noted that the actions are against Article 160 of the constitution, which emphasises the independence of the judiciary. 

“Retaliatory measures against a judicial officers are uncalled for. JSC calls for the national police to restore the security of Hon. Justice Mugambi,” she stated. 

Koome further assured Kenyans that the Judiciary is committed to standing firm in protecting the rule of law, while condemning the “act of intimidation by the national police.”

"The act of withdrawing the security of a sitting Judge, following a judicial decision that displeased certain authorities, is deeply concerning. It sends a chilling message to the Judiciary and the public at large: that those entrusted with upholding justice and safeguarding our rights can be intimidated, bullied, or retaliated against for their rulings."

Justice Mugambi on Friday sentenced Acting Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli to six months in prison after being found guilty of contempt of court.

The High Court judge ordered Masengeli to present himself to commissioner general of prisons.

"In event he doesn't submit himself CS Interior must take all steps to ensure he is committed to prison to serve sentence," said Justice Mugambi. 

However, the judge noted that Masengeli may avoid serving the sentence if he appears in court within seven days, failure to do so, the sentence will be effective. 

Masengeli was found guilty of contempt after skipping 7 court summons to give a report on the whereabouts of Bob Njagi, Jamil Longton and his brother Aslam Longton, who went missing on August 19, 2024. 

The three are reported to have been abducted by police amid the Gen Z led anti-government protests. 

African Nations Championship 2025 dates announced

NAIROBI, Kenya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally announced the dates for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 to take place in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

CAF 4th Vice President Seidou Mbombo Njoya, who also serves as the Chairperson of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) organizing committee made the announcement on Monday afternoon during the press conference after the CAF Executive Committee meeting at Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi.

Njoya confirmed that the CHAN 2025 will take place February 1-28^th in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It was also confirmed that the qualifiers for CHAN will kick start between October 25-27^th and end in December 2024.

The participating nations in CHAN must consist of players playing in their national Leagues competitions.

Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the CAF President said the CHAN in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be the most successful. “CHAN for us is an incredible foundation for the Africa Cup of Nations,” added the President.

Dr. Motsepe on behalf of CAF also said he was impressed by the progress and commitment of President Ruto to Kenyan football in terms of resource allocation towards infrastructure readiness for CHAN and AFCON.

He highlighted the positivisim by most African Presidents to improve infrastructure that will help develop Football. “There is nothing that frustrates me more than a country’s national team going to play outside their country. You cannot build Football when the national teams cannot play in-front of their fans,” reasoned the CAF President.

The Press conference was also attended by Augustin Senghor (CAF 1^st Vice President), Souleiman Hassan Waberi (CAF 3rd Vice President), Seidou Mbombo Njoya (CAF 4^th Vice President), Kanizat Ibrahim (CAF 5^th Vice President), and the CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba.