"Stop jeopardizing the sanctity of religious spaces" - Tanzania President told

TARIME, Tanzania

The Vice Chairperson of the main opposition party in Tanzania (CHADEMA), Tundu Lissu, has accused the president of Tanzania, Samia Hassan, of 'bribing' the bishops of various churches in the country with millions of shillings jeopardizing the sanctity of religious spaces.

Speaking at the launch of the local government elections campaign on Thursday November 21 in the town of Tarime, Mara region, Lissu claimed that the President is bribing churches with stolen money.

"She is bribing everyone including churches! She bribes people with stolen money; the money of our sold ports, the money of our sold forests, she sold 9,900,000 hectares of the forests of this country to the Arabs... she sold all the ports of this country to the Arabs." Lissu, adding that the president has expelled people from their native lands.

He urged the Churches to play their role as a neutral institutions free of external influence, as well as their obligation to reject any contributions that jeopardize their integrity or perpetuate unethical behavior.

Recently, the President was reported to have given 'offerings' of millions of shillings to various churches, a move that caused heated debates among the community.

According to the reports circulating on social media, beneficiaries of the offerings include Bishop Solomon Massangwa, the Catholic Church in Musoma, Mufindi, Dodoma, Arusha, Zanzibar and Babati.

Other churches are Arise and Shine, Africa Inland Church Dar es Salaam, Seventh Day Adventist Singida, Pentecost Church East Province, Anglican Church Kagera and Mennonite Church Dar es Salaam.

The Lutheran Churches of Hai, Mafinga, Tanganyika, and Dodoma also benefited from the donations.

In his speech, Lissu who ran for the presidency in the 2020 election and lost to John Magufuli questioned the legitimacy of President Hassan to give the money during the election period and where she got the money from.

"She bribes bishops, she bribes churches! Where did she get that money from? her salary?" Questioned Lissu adding that the bishops who received the money are like the Judas Iscariot (of the Bible) who was bribed and received ‘blood money’ to betray Jesus.

In the neighboring Kenya, the Catholic Bishops returned a donation of $21.6 thousand by President William Ruto to the church emphasizing the importance of preserving the Church's independence and sanctity, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding political contributions.

In their statement, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops emphasized the Church's strong opposition to using its platforms for political gain, urging politicians not to use the pulpit for rhetoric, claiming that such actions jeopardize the sanctity of religious spaces.

Israeli Prime Minister condemned ICC Arrest Warrant against him and his former defense minister

TEL AVIV, Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (Nov. 21) condemned the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against him and his former defense minister.

They way both men have allegedly conducted the war is at the center of the prosecution's accusations.

“This is a black day in the history of nations. The International Court of Justice in The Hague, [Editor's Note: It is the International Criminal Court which issued the warrants] , which was established to protect humanity, has today become the enemy of humanity," the Israeli politican said vehemently.

"This biased court has decided to issue arrest warrants against me and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on the fundamentally unfounded accusation that we have allegedly committed "crimes against humanity," while the truth is completely the opposite. This is moral bankruptcy. It violates the natural right of democracies to defend themselves against murderous terrorism.”

The ICC panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and his ex-defense minister bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.

Netanyahu denied the accusations claiming that Israel has provided "hundreds of thousands of tons of food to feed the population" and blamed Hamas for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

However, Gaza remains at risk of famine according to the UN and other NGOs despite biding orders issued by the International Court of Justice earlier this year.

The Chamber of the International Crimnal Court noted that "decisions allowing or increasing humanitarian assistance into Gaza were often conditional. They were not made to fulfil Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law or to ensure that the civilian population in Gaza would be adequately supplied with goods in need. In fact, they were a response to the pressure of the international community or requests by the United States of America. In any event, the increases in humanitarian assistance were not sufficient to improve the population’s access to essential goods."

Netanuahy said the arrest warrants will not "deter" him from continuing Israel's military campaign.

Rights groups and UN agencies have repeatedly said some of Israel's military moves violated war rules in Gaza.

Israel, like the US or Russia is not a state party to the ICC.

It questioned the jurisdiction of the ICC on the matter but its challenge was rejected.

The decision turns Netanyahu and his former minister into internationally wanted suspects and could further isolate them, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad.

Its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States have slammed the warrants.

Still, they marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice.

It put Israel's allies, including some of its closest European friends, in an awkward position.

The Times of Israel reported that Netanyahu thanked friends of Israel "led by our friends in the United States" which have "made clear that this decision will have serious consequences for the court and those who will cooperate with it in this matter."

Several leaders, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited.

The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants.

"Unsafe buildings to be demolished" - Tanzania's President

By Osoro Nyawangah, DAR ES SALAAM Tanzania

Tanzania’s President, Samia Hassan has ordered all unsafe buildings in the economic hub of Dar es Salaam to be demolished if investigations reveal structural flaws or negligence in observing construction regulations.

Inspecting the site of the collapsed building in Kariakoo area in the city yesterday, the president reiterated that the government will not hesitate to take decisive action if gross negligence or non-compliance with safety standards is confirmed.

 “As of 9 a.m. today, we have lost 20 of our people. The government, in collaboration with the affected families, is ensuring that the victims are laid to rest with dignity.” She said.

Paying gratitude to the spirit of solidarity displayed by wide sections of the public in the wake of the tragedy, she said that the incident has touched all Tanzanians and is a blow to the entire nation.

The president, who was attending the G20 summit in the Brazilian citadel of Rio de Janeiro, returned to Dar es Salaam and went directly to the scene of the disaster.

 “I was following the developments closely while abroad, and I appreciate the unity and support Tanzanians have shown throughout this incident. We have come together as one nation in this moment of sorrow,” she stated.

Acknowledging the tireless efforts of the government and rescue teams, she regretted that even with the vast efforts of rescuers a number of people lost their lives.

The president reassured the public of the government’s commitment to uncovering the facts behind the incident, pledging that a comprehensive report would be released, with clear intentions to take strong follow up action after that.

Highlighting shortcomings in regulatory oversight, she said that the building had not undergone a full inspection during its construction—a critical lapse that may have contributed to the tragedy.

“This incident has exposed gaps in our regulatory system. I urge our institutions to strengthen construction and safety regulations to prevent future disasters,” she said.

While still in Brazil, President Samia had already issued several directives related to the collapse and following the site visit, she proceeded to the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) to meet with survivors, offer support and assess their recovery progress.

The four-storey building, within the bustling Kariakoo commercial district, collapsed early Saturday, claiming 20 lives as of Wednesday afternoon.

The area was soon cordoned off to facilitate rescue operations and allow experts to investigate the site.

Mali’s junta appoints military general as new prime minister

BAMAKO, Mali

Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed a new prime minister from within its military ranks, a day after dismissing the civilian prime minister who had openly criticized the regime.

General Abdoulaye Maïga

The appointment further consolidates power in the hands of the military, which has governed Mali since seizing power in a 2020 coup, followed by a second coup in 2021.

On Wednesday, civilian prime minister Choguel Maïga was removed from office after criticizing the junta for delaying the presidential election originally scheduled for 2024. His dismissal was announced in a presidential decree issued by Gen. Assimi Goïta, Mali’s military leader, and read on the state broadcaster, ORTM.

On Thursday, Gen. Abdoulaye Maïga was named as his replacement, according to Alfouseyni Diawara, secretary general of the Malian presidency. The two Maïgas are not related.

The appointment places all three branches of Mali’s transitional government — the presidency, the National Transitional Council (acting as the legislative body), and the prime minister’s office — firmly under military control.

Gen. Abdoulaye Maïga, 43, has held several key roles under the junta, including minister of territorial administration, government spokesman, and deputy prime minister. Analysts believe his close ties to Goïta played a decisive role in his selection.

“The choice of the new prime minister shows that the military is tightening its grip on power. General Maïga is seen as especially close to President Goïta, who wanted someone loyal as the country prepares for possible elections next year,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali.

Laessing added, “Choguel provoked his dismissal by positioning himself as a potential candidate in the elections.”

Although Gen. Abdoulaye Maïga was not one of the five officers directly involved in the 2020 coup, he quickly rose to prominence within the junta and became a key figure in the transitional government.

He is known for his fiery rhetoric, particularly against France and MINUSMA, the now-departed U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali. During the U.N. General Assembly in September, he sharply criticized Algerian diplomats who accused the Malian army of killing civilians near the border with Algeria.

Since taking power, Mali’s military rulers have tightened their control over the country, cracking down on dissent by severely restricting freedom of expression. More than a dozen politicians and activists have been arrested for speaking out against the junta.

Kenya's President forced to cancel Adani's over $2.5bn deal

By Our Correspondent, NAIROBI Kenya

Kenya’s president, William Ruto said Thursday he has cancelled multimillion-dollar airport expansion and energy deals with Indian tycoon Gautam Adani after U.S. bribery and fraud indictments against one of Asia's richest men.

During his State of the Nation Address, the president said the decision was attributed to credible evidence from the relevant agencies. 

"Based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations - that the procuring agencies within the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA Expansion Public Private Partnership transaction, as well as the recently concluded KETRACO transmission line Public Private Partnership contract, and immediately commence the process of onboarding alternative partners," said Ruto. 

Adani had proposed a Ksh.260 billion deal to renovate the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a 30-year period and provide Ksh.95 billion to develop the country's transmission lines, all under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.  

The widely criticized deal had sparked anti-Adani protests in Kenya and a strike by airport workers, who said it would lead to degraded working conditions and job losses in some cases.

Kenya’s president, William Ruto

The Adani group had also been awarded a deal to construct power transmission lines in Kenya, East Africa's business hub.

Also Thursday, Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi told a parliamentary committee there had been no bribery or corruption involved on Kenya's part in signing that deal.

U.S. prosecutors indicted Adani this week on charges he duped investors in a massive solar energy project in India by concealing that it was facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. He was charged with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud.

Senegal ruling party wins parliamentary majority

DAKAR, Senegal

Senegal's ruling party won over three-quarters of parliamentary seats in weekend elections, according to national provisional results announced Thursday, potentially handing them the means to deliver their ambitious reform agenda.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's Pastef party secured 130 seats in the west African country's 165-seat national assembly, according to tally of figures given by the national vote-counting commission, confirmed by a Pastef official.

The results from Sunday's vote remain provisional, pending confirmation by the Constitutional Council within a five-day period.

Highly influential and charismatic Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who was the lead candidate for Pastef, is considered the mastermind behind the legislative landslide.

The new government must address the expectations of the hard-up Senegalese population, after promising profound change in the form of leftist Pan-Africanism.

Faye and Sonko swept to victory in March pledging economic transformation, social justice and a fight against corruption –- raising hopes among a largely youthful population facing high inflation and widespread unemployment.

But an opposition-led parliament hampered the government's first months in power, leading Faye to dissolve the chamber in September and call snap elections as soon as the constitution allowed him to do so.

The pair have vowed to diversify political and economic partnerships, review hydrocarbon and fishing contracts and re-establish Senegal's sovereignty, which they claimed had been sold abroad.

Heavy gunfire erupts in South Sudan's capital

JUBA, South Sudan

Heavy gunfire erupted in South Sudan's capital Juba on Thursday evening after security forces moved to arrest the former head of the intelligence service, according to Reuters reporters and an alert sent to United Nations staff.

General Akol Koor

The gunfire began around 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) and continued sporadically for more than an hour before dying down, Reuters reporters said.

A U.N. safety alert to staff members in Juba, seen by Reuters, said the shooting was related to the arrest of the former head of the National Security Service (NSS). It urged U.N. staff to shelter in place.

In early October, President Salva Kiir dismissed Akol Koor Kuc, who had led the NSS since the country's independence from Sudan in 2011, and appointed a close ally to replace him.

Reached by telephone, a military spokesperson said he was trying to establish what was going on.

Analysts said the sacking of Akol Koor reflected a power struggle at the highest levels of government. 

It came weeks after the transitional government that Kiir leads announced that elections expected in December would be postponed for a second time.

Rival factions loyal to Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018 that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.

The two have governed together since then as part of a transitional government.

There has been relative peace, but the opposing forces clash periodically in addition to frequent fighting among a patchwork of armed groups in rural areas.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 22/11/2024

 

Kenya has spent $16.2 Million on Haiti mission, Treasury records reveal

By Edwin Obuya, NAIROBI Kenya

The Kenyan government has so far spent Ksh.2.1 billion ($16.2 Million) on the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti.

President William Ruto sharing a light moment with KDF soldiers in Haiti on September 21, 2024

This is despite an earlier commitment that no taxpayer money would be used to fund the peace mission.

A letter from the Treasury to the National Assembly, seen by Citizen Digital, reveals that the National Treasury spent a total of Ksh.17.6 billion under Article 223, which allows the government to spend funds without parliamentary approval. Of this amount, Ksh.2 billion was directed to support Kenya’s peacekeeping mission in Haiti.

The disbursement, made on September 18th this year, raises concerns about the adequacy of funding for the mission, with reports suggesting that Kenyan troops are facing difficult conditions in Haiti. Critics have pointed out the discrepancy between the earlier assurance that taxpayer funds would not be used and the actual expenditure.

When contacted for clarification, Treasury CS John Mbadi explained that the funds spent by Kenya would be reimbursed by the United Nations.

“This money we are spending on behalf of the UN, we are the ones making the payment so the money comes from our exchequer because these are our officers,” he said.

“So we pay and they refund, but now we have to recognize the expenditure because it was not in the budget. The law says two months should not elapse, and when we do supplementary budgeting, we will reflect it as both income and expenditure,” Mbadi added.

President William Ruto, during a meeting with former Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille in Nairobi, urged the international community to urgently support the mission to sustain the deployment of police forces.

“We are asking the international community to match their commitment and their pledges with the necessary action for us to be able to complete the task ahead of us,” the President said.

Kenya has been leading the peacekeeping mission in Haiti since June, focusing on tackling gang violence in the country.

Intrigues behind abduction, arrest of Uganda's opposition leader in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya is on the spot yet again for violating international rules by allowing the abduction of a foreign national, Uganda's opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye, who was later traced to a military jail in Uganda.

Besigye, a prominent opposition politician in Uganda, is reported to have been kidnapped in an apartment along Riverside Drive in Nairobi before being taken to a Ugandan military jail where he was detained until Wednesday, when he faced charges relating to security and possession of firearms illegally.

The abduction of Besigye has elicited sharp reactions from human rights organizations and the Law Society of Kenya.

Besigye and Haji Lutale were ushered into the General Court Martial Holden at Makindye in Kampala to face the panel of military judges on Wednesday afternoon.

The duo were accused of intent to prejudice the security of the defence forces and possession of firearms and ammunition only licensed for use by the military in Uganda.

His arrival in court brought a sigh of relief to his family as Besigye was reported missing on Saturday while on a trip to Nairobi.

It all started with a tweet from his wife, Winnie Byanyima, on Tuesday morning demanding the release of her husband, who she said was held at a military jail in Uganda after abduction in Nairobi.

Besigye was in the country to attend Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua's book launch last Sunday.

Karua, in response, asked Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and President William Ruto to come clean on the safety and whereabouts of the Ugandan opposition politician.

In a statement to newsrooms, Karua said Besigye arrived in the country on Saturday and checked in at a hotel in Kilimani.

He left the hotel later at around 4 p.m. in the company of Haji Lutale and went for a meeting at 108 Riverside Apartments using a taxi. The two arrived at the apartments between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. and proceeded to an apartment that had been booked an hour earlier for their meeting. The taxi driver was told to wait for them, but the two never returned.

Sources told our reporters that an hour before Besigye and Lutale arrived, an unknown number of men driving a Toyota Prado checked into the apartment.

They left some minutes past 7 p.m. after an altercation with the security guards at the premises. It is believed that the men, who according to our source were foreigners, abducted the two and drove all the way to Kampala, Uganda.

"This is a dangerous precedent that we are picking up as a nation and as a country, we should not be seen as the haven to break laws, that anyone who may be within our jurisdiction, we have opened a wide berth for them to be picked up and subjected to inhuman treatment or torture in any way,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo.

Besigye, who was to be among the speakers at Karua's book launch titled Against the Tide, was a no-show.

Karua, raised concerns over increased cases of abductions, with some of the cases being blamed on foreign mercenaries.

“People are being abducted by ununiformed officers and foreign mercenaries from the East African Community,” Karua said on Sunday.

The incident comes barely four months after 36 Ugandan citizens affiliated with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) were abducted in Kisumu and taken to Uganda, where they were allegedly tortured and detained.

The group had travelled to Kenya to attend a leadership workshop and were cleared by immigration officials in both Kenya and Uganda.