Freed ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero Paul Rusesabagina arrives in US

HOUSTON, US

The man who inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda” and was freed by Rwanda last week from a terrorism sentence returned Wednesday to the United States and joined his family after being held for more than two years.

Paul Rusesabagina’s arrival in San Antonio was announced by his daughter Carine Kanimba, who tweeted that “our family is finally reunited today.”

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted that “we’re glad to have him back on U.S. soil.”

Rusesabagina’s plane first touched down in Houston and the 68-year-old would visit a military hospital in San Antonio, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning.

Rusesabagina, a U.S. legal resident and Belgian citizen, was credited with sheltering more than 1,000 ethnic Tutsis at the hotel he managed during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide in which over 800,000 Tutsis and Hutus who tried to protect them were killed. He received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts.

Rusesabagina disappeared in 2020 during a visit to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs. His family alleged he was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda against his will to stand trial.

In 2021, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted in Rwanda on eight charges including membership in a terrorist group, murder and abduction following the widely criticized trial.

Last week, Rwanda’s government commuted his sentence after diplomatic intervention on his behalf by the United States. On Monday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists that Rusesabagina was in Doha, Qatar, and would make his way back to the U.S.

Rusesabagina had been accused of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change. The armed group claimed some responsibility for attacks in 2018 and 2019 in southern Rwanda in which nine Rwandans died.

Rusesabagina testified at trial that he helped to form the armed group to assist refugees but said he never supported violence — and sought to distance himself from its deadly attacks.

Rusesabagina has asserted that his arrest was in response to his criticism of longtime President Paul Kagame over alleged human rights abuses. Kagame’s government has repeatedly denied targeting dissenting voices with arrests and extrajudicial killings.

Rusesabagina became a public critic of Kagame and left Rwanda in 1996, first living in Belgium and then the U.S.

His arrest was a source of friction with the U.S. and others at a time when Rwanda’s government has also been under pressure over tensions with neighboring Congo and Britain’s plan to deport asylum-seekers to the small east African nation.

Rights activists and others had been urging Rwandan authorities to free him, saying his health was failing.

In October, the ailing Rusesabagina signed a letter to Kagame that was posted on the justice ministry’s website, saying that if he was granted pardon and released to live in the U.S., he would hold no personal or political ambitions and “I will leave questions regarding Rwandan politics behind me.”

Last year, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Kagame in Rwanda and discussed the case.

Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesman, had said Sullivan personally engaged in the case, “really doing the final heavy lifting to get Paul released and to get him on his way home.”

Kamala Harris enters the fray over democracy with visit to Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will step onto the front lines of the battle for democracy in Africa on Thursday, spending time in Tanzania as it makes fragile progress toward restoring its reputation as a more inclusive government.

US Vice-President, Kamala Harris talks with Tanzania's Vice-President, Philip Mpango as she arrives at the Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, the second stop of a three-nation tour of Africa. 

Samia Hassan, Tanzania’s first female president, has undone some of the country’s more oppressive policies, such as a ban on opposition rallies, even though she came to power as a member of the ruling party.

She’s finishing out the term of President John Magufuli, who died in office and earned a reputation for stamping out dissent, arresting critics and forcing them into exile. Hard-liners have been uncomfortable with some of Hassan’s changes, however, which could cost her in the next election two years from now.

Harris, the first woman to serve as U.S. vice president, will meet with Hassan on Thursday, a noteworthy show of support from Washington as the United States deepens its outreach to Africa.

“There’s so much excitement here and people are saying it’s like Madam President’s efforts in changing the country are being rewarded with recognition from an economic and political superpower that is the U.S.,” said Tanzania-based analyst Mohamed Issa Hemed.

During a previous meeting in Washington, Harris told Hassan that “we welcome the progress that you have made during the course of your leadership and, in particular, the work you have done to empower women leaders in Tanzania and the work you have done to support human rights.”

Harris arrived in Tanzania late Wednesday after spending three nights in Ghana. Much like at her first stop, she was greeted with music and dancing as she walked down a red carpet that was rolled out to Air Force 2. Some of the welcoming party wore shirts with Harris’ face.

Harris is scheduled to spend two nights in Tanzania, then conclude her weeklong trip with a stop in Zambia, another country that is striving to strengthen its democracy. She plans to return to Washington on Sunday.

Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, said Harris’ visit can help galvanize enthusiasm at a time when there are concerns over backsliding into authoritarianism in Africa and around the world.

“Many people will want the U.S. to speak to the issue of democracy, which they feel is beginning to decline and is not what it used to be,” she said. “There are more that need to be assured that democracy is here to stay.”

Like Tanzania, Zambia has made uneven steps toward democracy since its independence. However, there’s been a burst of hope after the country elected Hakainde Hichilema, a former opposition leader who once faced charges of treason.

Zambia has since decriminalized defamation of the president, a law that was used to stifle opposition. It’s also serving as a co-host of President Joe Biden’s second Summit for Democracy this week.

However, Hichilema warned this week that economic progress is necessary to sustain open societies.

“You can’t eat democracy,” he wrote in The Washington Post. “Human rights may sustain the spirit, but not the body.”

Western embassies call on Kenya president and opposition chief to resolve differences

NAIROBI, Kenya

At least eight western countries have called on President William Ruto, Azimio leader Raila Odinga, political leaders and Kenyans to peacefully resolve disagreements that have resulted in street protests over the past two weeks, even as they agreed with the African Union (AU) that 2022 elections were conducted successfully.

Embassies and High Commissions from the eight countries expressed “deep concerns” over unrest witnessed during two days when the opposition and other groups participated in demonstrations in several parts of the country, where destruction of places of worship and private property was witnessed.

In a joint statement, Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Australia, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden the UK and the US asked both leaders and citizens to “show restraint and work towards a swift resolution for the common good of Kenya.”

"Friends and partners to Kenya, we are deeply concerned by the recent unrest and violence as well as the destruction of places of worship and private property. It is also damaging economic activity at a time of significant financial challenges,” they said.

The diplomats also asked all actors to take responsibility to ensure adherence to principles of democracy and the rule of law, while exercising the constitutional right to peaceful protest.

"All actors also have a responsibility to adhere to the principles of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. We welcome the commitment by the Inspector General of Police to launch an investigation into recent events, including the destruction of private property,” the Ambassadors and High Commissioners said.

While recognising that Kenya has “rightfully earned a reputation as an anchor of stability, security and democracy in Africa and beyond”, the diplomats also united with the AU in commending the conduct of last year’s elections, which form part of Mr Odinga’s reasons for holding demonstrations.

Mr Odinga lists three key issues behind the protests: lowering the cost of living, opening of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers for accountability on August 2022 election results and a halt to the process of appointment of IEBC commissioners.hile the protests started as a Monday-only event on March 20, he has since scaled them up to a Mondays and Thursdays affair beginning this week.

“We agree with the Africa Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson in recalling the successful conduct of the general elections in 2022, and the unanimous confirmation of their results by the Supreme Court,” the Ambassadors and High Commissioners stated.

Tanzania's mega projects plethoric with fraud

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Tanzanian President Samia Hassan has ordered investigations after it emerged some Tsh414 billion (US$ 176.4) million had been irregularly paid to contractors for the standard gauge railway (SGR) mega project.

The president reacted after receiving a report of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year 2021/22 presented to her Wednesday at State House in Dar es Salaam.

In his report, the CAG Charles Kichere said that the government has been incurring losses due to unnecessary delays and failure to pay various contractors in the country on time, something he said was a violation of conditions signed in the project’s contract.

The CAG said the SGR, “the first lot of which was scheduled to be completed in November 2021 as per the contract signed, has been postponed now seven times due to such delays”.

President Hassan castigated unfaithful employees in the Ministry of Finance and their heads of division for being responsible for the delays.

However, she also ordered prompt settlement of payments to contractors for pending projects completed within the agreed timeframe.

As per the contracts, contractors are often paid within 90 days of completion.  Officers were found to have delayed the payments, which automatically attracts penalties for the government. Samia said government officials found culpable will be punished.

Turkish contractor Yapi Merkezi was in April 2017 contracted to build the first and second phases of the SGR line from Dar es Salaam to Makutupora, covering 722 kilometres.

In the previous report of June 2020, the CAG found similar fraudulent malpractices in the Ministry of Finance, with the delays on the project forcing the government to pay extra fees amounting to Tsh26 billion (US$ 11.3 million) for failure to remit the funds to the contractor on time.

The CAG further revealed that in the national development projects for the period under review, “the government paid more than Tsh2.9 billion (US$ 1.2 million) as interest after having delayed to remit money due to the contractor within the set timeframe”.

Last week, Tanzania’s Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure urged the government not to grant any more time extension to the contractor executing phase one and two of the country’s SGR project.

Ramaphosa urged to arrest President Putin

By Peter Dube, JOHANNESBURG South Africa

The leader of South Africa’s main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) John Steenhuisen has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to arrest Russian leader Vladimir Putin should he set foot in the country.

On March 18, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against Putin for alleged war crimes in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

And with South Africa being a signatory to the Rome Statute, Mr Steenhuisen says the country has a legal obligation to cooperate with the ICC and help put President Putin behind bars when he lands in South Africa.

“I think that any responsible president would advise Putin, given the ICC arrest warrant, that he should perhaps not come,” said Mr Steenhuisen.

“But if he does come, I think South Africa is obliged — if it’s for the rule of law and (if you) govern according to the constitutional principles — you would be obliged to execute that arrest warrant.

“If he is here, we have a legal obligation. The principle of the rule of law means equality before the law, and South Africa is obliged to execute that. We have not left the ICC. We’ve remained signatories. Putin must be arrested,” he added.

The Russian leader is scheduled to attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit in South Africa in August, as confirmed by the International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor.

However, the South African International Relations Department and President Ramaphosa await legal advice on handling Putin’s trip to South Africa.

Country’s reputation

In addition, the DA urged the South African leader to prioritise the country’s reputation by arresting Putin or ensuring he is not among the leaders attending the BRICS summit.

“The country simply cannot afford another hit to our reputation. The Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey listing due to the failure to effectively combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism has already caused the rest of the world to view South Africa’s global transactions as high-risk,” said the DA in a statement.

“And the failure to arrest former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2015 certainly indicates that despite its many utterances to the contrary, the ANC government does not prioritise human rights.

“The ICC’s issuing of a warrant for Putin’s arrest for alleged war crimes should serve as a final warning to the ANC that while the governing party might make light of the invasion of a neighbouring country, the international community does not.

“If President Ramaphosa insists on placing his friendship with a wanted war criminal over the well-being of his people, we call on him to ensure the meeting takes place on neutral ground and that peace and Russia’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine be prioritised.

“South Africa is already seen as weak, inactive and rudderless – we do not need to add sympathiser of war criminals to the list.”

Expectations high as Tanzanians welcome US Vice-President

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

Tanzania citizens await the arrival of United States Vice President, Kamala Harris, with high expectations in the economy, security, trade, other development areas, promotion of democracy and good governance areas as she jets in today for three days’ official visit.

According to the Tanzania government, the visit is of significant importance to East African country as it will strengthen relations that have existed between the two countries for many years.

Harris visited the Ghanaian capital last Sunday, the first leg in her weeklong trip to the continent as her administration sought to regain trust among African leaders against grip from China, will be in Tanzania and conclude by visiting Zambia.

President Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump made significantly less effort to engage with African countries on the economic front. That gap has strengthened China's influence and financial investments on the continent in recent years.

Tanzania’s minister for Foreign and East African Cooperation, Stergomena Tax, told a news conference in Dar es Salaam that cooperation between the two countries was mainly in the areas of investment, tourism and trade.

At least 266 American investment projects worth $4.778 billion (Sh11.178 trillion) had been registered with the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) according to the minister.

“Through the visit, the two countries are expected to maintain bilateral ties in trade, tourism, education, health, agriculture, environment, information and communication technology (ICT), as well as security and defence.” Tax said adding that Tanzania was also benefiting from the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, the US President’s Malaria Initiative and Feed the Future programme.

Tanzania is among eight countries that cooperate with the US in agriculture through Feed the Future programme, seeking to ensure food security and nutrition availability.The US has allocated Sh1.9 billion for the initiative.

“This is the outcome of efforts made by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to improve relations with other countries. This particular programme was announced during the US-Africa Summit last December.” Said the minister.

Gangs storm Kenyatta farm, Raila’s company as Kenya enters into 'uncertainty'

NAIROBI, Kenya

Dozens of goons on Monday March 27 invaded an expansive land owned by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family at Kamakis on the Eastern Bypass in Nairobi and looted property of unknown value.

Men carry off sheep stolen from a farm belonging to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family at Kamakis on the Eastern Bypass in Kiambu on March 27, 2023. 

A similar attack was reported at gas cylinder-maker Specter East Africa, a company that is linked to the family of opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is leading anti-government protests.

The Kenyatta land was invaded by a gang wielding machetes and clubs around 9am yesterday. They stole sheep, cut down trees and burnt bushes as others did mock sub-division seemingly with intent to grab the property.

The motive of the invasion is yet unclear. There were no police officers to eject the gang from the property located 20 kilometres from the city centre and on which the Kenyattas plan to build the multibillion-shilling Northlands City. When the Nation team arrived at the scene, guards watched helplessly as the mob cut down trees and lit bonfires.

“We are sons and daughters of Mau Mau and we are here to claim what we believe is ours. This land is too big and we shall divide it into several pieces because we also want a share,” said a member of the gang, alluding to the group that fought for Kenya’s independence from British rule.

The gang went on a looting spree, stealing and butchering sheep and goats at the farm. Some sold the slaughtered animals to motorists along the highway for as little as Sh2,000.

Scenes yesterday were a far cry from past experience, where the land was heavily protected by armed police officers on horseback. The mob attacked journalists to block them from filming the anarchy. Nation crime reporter Steve Otieno was roughed up, his clothes torn and mobile phone stolen.

The gang members had spotted one of the Nation journalists taking photos and demanded that he delete the pictures. Other journalists from NTV were also chased away from the property by the goons who stoned a Nation Media Group vehicle.

Windows shattered at East Africa Spectre Limited in Industrial Area, Nairobi. 27/3/23

Witnesses said some of the gang members were ferried in buses.

 “Hawa walikuja hapa na haya magari wengine walitokea pande za Ruiru na wengine pande za Mwihoko (The gang was ferried here by PSVs, some came from Ruiru and others from Mwihoko),” said a boda boda operator who said he witnessed the buses arrive. As the mayhem unfolded, two armed uniformed police officers kept watch near the buses.

Brookside Dairy and Peponi School are situated inside the vast property. Gicheha Farm, which is the family’s livestock rearing business, is also located there. The family of the former Head of State wants to put up a mega city on the property.

The Northlands City master plan will be executed in four phases over a span of 50 years.

Interestingly, on March 18 this year, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah had alluded to the invasion of the Kenyatta property.

“Even those big lands, we will invade and those without land will be settled. Don’t think only the ordinary Kenyans will lose their property. Even you will pay a price if you continue to instigate violence and bloodshed in this country.”

“That is my message to Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, the sponsor of Azimio [la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party] and the mercenary that is Raila Odinga,” Mr Ichungwa said at Kianyaga High School where he had accompanied Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on a visit to his (the DP’s) former school.

However, it was no clear whether these threats had anything to do with the invasion of the land yesterday or they were just made in jest. And at Mr Odinga’s Spectre East Africa on Mombasa Road, thugs riding on about 20 motorcycles each carrying three people and a private vehicle stoned the premises.

The gang broke the window panes at the sentry box as well as one of the windows to the office of Mrs Idah Odinga.

Guards said the attackers did not enter the compound that is reinforced by a perimeter wall, electricity fence and manned by CCTV cameras on a 24-hour basis.

Uganda police perform drills as protests loom

KAMPALA, Uganda

Officers of the Uganda Police Force have performed anti-riot drills in anticipation of Kenya-like protests in urban areas due to the rising cost of living.

Vehicles recently acquired by the Uganda Police Force to be used in dealing with civil disobedience in the country and also help in their missions in Somalia. 

Police’s directorates held joint drills at a training facility in Kigo, Wakiso District on Monday where they displayed their capabilities to deal with terror attacks and protests at the same time.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police Maj Gen Geoffrey Katsigazi personally witnessed the drills.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga told Daily Monitor on Monday that several groups, including those from the opposition, are holding secret meetings with the intention of rallying their members to carry out street protests.

“Our joint security teams have got intelligence that groups are holding meetings to protest against the rising prices of commodities like it is the case in Kenya,” Mr Enanga said.

In several African countries, including Kenya, people are rising up to protest the high cost of living and democracy.

Similar uprisings due to food prices in 2011 led to the toppling of African leaders in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. In Uganda, the protests — code-named Walk-to-Work — led by Mr Mathias Mpuuga, now the leader of the opposition in Parliament, and Dr Kizza Besigye, lasted for five years and left more than a dozen people killed and hundreds injured.

Mr Enanga said they will deal firmly with any uprising.

“There are many sections of the Public Order Management Act that are still in place, including notifying the inspector-general of police about the planned demonstrations. Organisers of demonstrations should follow the law,” he said.

At the Kigo drill, the joint police team re-enacted an incident that happened during the recent general elections where police arrested National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine in Luuka District leading to protests in which security personnel killed 54 people and arrested hundreds of others.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango said the drill was intended to show how to handle incidents that evolve fast from the use of teargas to live bullets.

Since the November 2020 protests, the Ugandan government has invested billions of shillings in the procurement of equipment to deal with civil disobedience.

Police bought 65 trucks, including 15 riot control vehicles this month. Some of the trucks use laser beams to target protestors. The laser causes serious headaches. - Monitor

US Vice President visits Ghana with $139 million package for security

ACCRA, Ghana

US Vice President, Kamala Harris, met with Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday, arriving with a $139 million package of bilateral security, economic and development assistance as part of a three-nation African tour.

President Akufo-Addo greeted VP Harris outside the Jubilee House presidential palace in the capital Accra before their bilateral meeting.

"We're looking forward to using this visit of yours as a springboard to renew these relationships and expand them," the Ghanaian leader said.

Harris' office said the US would provide Ghana with $139 million in bilateral assistance next year, including for economic, business and culture initiatives, and for the health sector such as an anti-malaria program.

Washington will send a special advisor to Ghana to help Akufo-Addo's government with its debt profile this year.

"The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance will deploy a full-time resident advisor in 2023, to Accra to assist the Ministry of Finance in developing and executing medium- to long term reforms," it said.

Harris will meet entrepreneurs, students, women and farmers while in Ghana and will also visit the historic Cape Coast Castle where slaves were kept 400 years ago.

The vice president also brought news of a new initiative against insurgents.

"To help address the threats of violent extremism and instability, today I am pleased to announce $100 million in support of Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo," she said.

At their joint news conference, President Akufo-Addo reiterated that he was concerned about Russian-back mercenary Wagner Group's presence in West Africa.

"It raises the very real possibility ... that once again our continent is going to become the playground for great power conflict," he said, standing alongside Harris.

"The plan is intended to address regional threats of violent extremism and instability in Coastal West Africa," the vice president's office said in a statement.

Harris was asked during the news conference whether she would be promoting LGBT rights during her tour, including in Ghana where a bill that would severely restrict those rights is going through parliament.

"I have raised this issue," Harris said, adding that she felt very strongly about supporting freedom and equality for all people, and that LGBT rights were a human rights issue.

Ghana's draft bill would make it a crime to be gay, bisexual or transgender. Gay sex is already punishable by up to three years in prison under Ghanaian law, though no one has been prosecuted in years.

Akufo-Addo responded to a question about the bill from a U.S. reporter by saying that it was not official government policy but rather had been put forward by legislators acting in a private capacity.

"I have no doubt that the parliament of Ghana will show as it has done in the past ... its sensitivity to human rights issues as well as to the feelings of our population, and will come out with a responsible response to the proposed legislation."

After Ghana, she will travel on Wednesday to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Harris's trip also includes visits to Tanzania and Zambia

The vice president's travel is the latest move in deepening US engagement with a continent largely ignored under Republican Donald Trump - and long viewed in Washington as more of a problem area than an opportunity.

"President Biden and I have made clear the United States is strengthening our partnerships across the continent of Africa," she said during a joint news conference with Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The tour is also part of Washington's pushback against growing Chinese and Russian involvement in Africa, with US officials promoting what they say is the more positive US message.

China is Ghana's biggest bilateral creditor with about $1.9 billion of debt. Ghana's finance ministry said last week it expected to secure financing assurances "very soon", following meetings in China.

Hotel Rwanda hero Rusesabagina freed from prison

KIGALI, Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda and was serving a 25-year sentence in the country on “terrorism” charges, has been freed from prison after having his sentence commuted by presidential order.

Rusesabagina, 68, was accompanied by a United States embassy official as he was moved from prison to the residence of Qatar’s ambassador in the Rwandan capital Kigali late on Friday, according to two senior officials of US President Joe Biden’s administration who briefed reporters in Washington, DC.

The decision to commute Rusesabagina’s sentence followed his request for clemency, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Al Jazeera on Friday.

But “no one should be under any illusion about what this means as there is consensus that serious crimes were committed, for which they were convicted,” Makolo said. Under Rwandan law, commutation “does not extinguish the underlying conviction”, she said.

Rusesabagina, an outspoken critic of President Paul Kagame, is expected to be transferred to Qatar’s capital Doha and then to the US, Majid Al-Ansari, spokesperson of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Al Jazeera on Friday. Rusesabagina has permanent residency rights in the US.

“The procedure for his transfer … is under way,” Al-Ansari said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement welcoming the release, although US officials said there were no promises made to Kigali beyond public recognition of their move.

“It is a relief to know that Paul is rejoining his family, and the US government is grateful to the Rwandan government for making this reunion possible,” Blinken said.

“We also thank the government of Qatar for their valuable assistance that will enable Paul’s return to the United States.”

Rusesabagina was sentenced in 2021 to a 25-year prison term for being part of a group responsible for “terrorist” attacks – charges he denied. He refused to participate in his trial, which he and his supporters called a “sham”.

He had suddenly reappeared in Rwanda in August 2020 after years of living in exile. Rusesabagina had boarded a plane in Dubai, believing it was taking him to Burundi but the flight brought him to Kigali instead.

Human rights organisations as well as members of the US Congress and the European Parliament have described Rusesabagina’s rendition to Rwanda as illegal under international law. The US designated him as “wrongly detained”, partly because of what it called the lack of fair trial guarantees in Rwanda.

Then-Rwandan Justice Minister Johnston Busingye later admitted in an interview with Al Jazeera that Rwanda did pay for the plane that transported Rusesabagina.

“Rusesabagina’s release would conclude a case that has highlighted Rwanda’s blatant disregard for international norms when it seeks to target people deemed an enemy of the state – even those far beyond their border,” Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera.

Kagame had signalled a possible softening in Rwanda’s approach to Rusesabagina’s case on March 13 when speaking by videolink at the Global Security Forum in Doha.

“There is discussion, there is looking at all possible ways of resolving the issue without compromising the fundamental aspects of that case,” Kagame said at the time. “I think there is going to be a way forward.”

Makolo, the Rwandan government spokesperson, mentioned on Friday the “constructive” role of the US government and Qatar in resolving the case.

Al-Ansari, the Qatari official, said the issue of Rusesabagina’s release “was discussed during meetings that brought together Qatari and Rwandan officials at the highest levels in the context of bridging views”.

Kagame’s press secretary Stephanie Nyombayire said in a statement that Rwanda’s decision resulted from a wish to “reset” ties with the US.

Burkina Faso suspends France 24 for interview with jihadi

By Sam Mednick, DAKAR Senegal 

Burkina Faso’s military junta has suspended French broadcaster, France 24, for interviewing a top jihadi rebel, a government spokesman announced Monday.

The broadcasting of France 24′s programs will be blocked throughout Burkina Faso because of an interview the outlet did with the leader of an al-Qaida aligned group, Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said in a statement.

“It is with regret that the government discovered two weeks ago an interview with the ‘chief of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb’ on France 24, part of the France Medias Monde group. Without contesting the freedom of the channel’s editorial choices, the government nevertheless questions the ethics that govern the professional practice of journalism on France 24,” he said.

By describing the views of the head of the rebel group, France 24 had acted as a communication agency for the jihadis and gave them space to legitimize their actions, he said.

On March 6, France 24 discussed on air, the exclusive interview it had conducted with Algerian Abu Obeida Youssef al-Aanabi, the leader of AQIM, an umbrella group of Islamic extremist groups operating in the Sahel region, the vast, semi-arid expanse below the Sahara Desert.

However, France 24 decided not to broadcast it, Wassim Nasr, the journalist who did the interview told The Associated Press.

In the interview, which took one year to arrange, the only mention of Burkina Faso was to challenge the al-Qaida chief about taking responsibility for an attack in the town of Solhan in the Sahel region that killed at least 160 people in June 2021, said Nasr.

"We try to talk to all parties. This is what journalism is about,” he said.

Jihadi fighters linked al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have been waging a violent insurgency in Burkina Faso for seven years, that’s killed thousands and displaced nearly 2 million people. The violence has destabilized and divided the once peaceful West African country leading to two coups last year. Since the second coup when Capt. Ibrahim Traore seized power in September, civic freedoms have shrunk, say rights groups and residents.

The decision by Burkina Faso’s junta not to allow the broadcasts of France 24 comes less than four months after the government suspended French broadcaster Radio France Internationale for having relayed an “intimidation message” attributed to a “terrorist,” according to a statement from the junta.

Earlier this month, Mathieu Pellerin, the Sahel consultant for the International Crisis Group, was arrested and detained for two days by authorities and questioned about his work, said Murithi Mutiga, the group’s Africa program director. 

It was the first time one of the group’s specialists had been detained in Burkina Faso in a decade of working there, he said.

In December the government expelled the top U.N. official in the country and weeks later ordered France to recall its ambassador.

"The suspension of France 24 shows how far authorities in Burkina Faso can go in clearly violating freedom of information and the right of the country’s people to access news freely,” said Sadibou Marong, head of the sub-Saharan Africa office for Reporters Without Borders.

"The security crisis in Burkina Faso should not be used as an excuse to prevent journalists from covering the crisis in a responsible and independent manner,” he said. “We call on the authorities to reconsider their decision in the name of the public’s right to pluralistic reporting.”

Kenya anti-government protests enter second week

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya Police fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protests on Monday over the high cost of living, after the opposition vowed demonstrations would go ahead despite a police ban.

Security was tight, with riot police stationed at strategic points in Nairobi and patrolling the streets, while many shops were shut and train services from the capital's outskirts into the central business district were suspended.

Veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has urged people to take to the streets every Monday and Thursday, even after protests a week ago turned violent and paralysed parts of Nairobi.

Raila and his supporters once again succeeded in paralyzing business in the East Africa's largest economy city of Nairobi. Last week economists projected the business loss in the tune of Two Billion shillings.  

Police clashed with stone-throwing demonstrators in Nairobi's largest slum Kibera, where protesters set tyres on fire, defying a warning by the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, who said Sunday that the rallies were "illegal" and would be banned.

Protesters walk on a street in Kibera. Odinga has urged his followers to take to the streets twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.

During last Monday's clashes in Nairobi and opposition strongholds in western Kenya, a university student was killed by police fire while 31 officers were injured as running battles erupted between riot police and demonstrators.

More than 200 people were arrested, including several senior opposition politicians, while protesters -- as well as Odinga's own motorcade -- were hit with tear gas and water cannon.

It was the first major outbreak of political unrest since President William Ruto took office more than six months ago after defeating Odinga in an election his rival claims was "stolen".

Despite the police ban, Odinga called Sunday on Kenyans to join what he has described as "the mother of all demonstrations".

"I want to tell Mr Ruto and the IG Koome that we are not going to be intimidated," he said. "We are not going to fear tear gas and police."

Odinga also accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating an operation to cause "mayhem" at Monday's rallies.

A police officer takes position and aims his weapon towards protesters during a rally in Kawangware, Nairobi.

Nairobi residents were wary after the previous violence.

"I may have to close too because I have seen most of my neighbours are closed," said Mercy Wangare, an Mpesa (mobile money) kiosk attendant at an electronics shop.

"I am just weighing the situation before I decide because the sight of these policemen patrolling around is a sign that it may not end up well."

The Communications Authority of Kenya has sought to prevent television stations from broadcasting the demonstrations live, but the move was blocked by the High Court.

Southern Africa counts toll of Cyclone Freddy

HARARE, Zimbabwe

The death toll from Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which ravaged Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique over the past two months, now stands at more than 600 people, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

Clothes are hung out to dry on called electrical power lines caused by last week's heavy rains caused by Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Phalombe, southern Malawi Saturday, March 18, 2023

Aid agencies are scrambling to meet the soaring humanitarian needs amid fears of rising cholera cases, malnutrition and large numbers of displaced families.

“The cyclone has left an appalling humanitarian situation in its wake … increased and concerted humanitarian assistance is needed” to support affected people recover and cope with the disaster, WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti said in an online briefing.

The long-lasting, brutal cyclone destroyed houses, roads, farmland and hospitals and has “stretched the capacity of health facilities,” claiming 605 lives among the more than 1.4 million affected people as of Mar. 20 in the three countries, she said.

Cyclone Freddy first hit Madagascar and Mozambique in February. The storm went back out to the Indian Ocean and then made a second landfall in March that was far more devastating in Malawi where it has killed about 500 people, and also in Mozambique, where about 900,000 people have been affected. Many risk a resurgent cholera outbreak, aid agencies say.

Malawi and Mozambique were already among the countries most affected by a cholera outbreak that has resulted in more than 68,000 cases across 12 countries in southern and eastern Africa this year alone, according to humanitarian agencies.

In Malawi, cholera had already killed more than 1,600 people and together with Mozambique “millions” of children and their families are now vulnerable to a “potential increase” in cases, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF said this week.

“Devastation and flooding caused by the cyclone have added to the serious vulnerabilities of children and families in the countries, further weakened by inadequate water, hygiene, health and sanitation systems,” said UNICEF in a statement.

In Mozambique, cholera cases have risen almost four-fold to about 11, 000 since February, UNICEF said.

Other humanitarian needs are mounting in the region and aid agencies are scrambling to pool resources to alleviate the unfolding disaster.

About 4 million people — a fifth of Malawi’s population — were already facing food insecurity and “more people will now need assistance” after floods destroyed close to 120,000 hectares (297,000 acres) of farmland, said the World Food Program. The price of the staple maize has skyrocketed to between 300% and 400% compared to the same time last year in affected areas, said WFP.

People wade through floodwaters in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Phalombe, southern Malawi 

Among those in dire need of assistance in Malawi are more than 500,000 people displaced by the floods, according to the International Organization for Migration.

In Mozambique, where the cyclone destroyed extensive infrastructure and damaged about 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres) of farmland, aid agencies are struggling to reach desperate communities where roads have been damaged, said the WFP. More than 160,000 people have been displaced and living in temporary shelters in the country, according to the U.N humanitarian agency.

Cyclone Freddy is expected to be declared the longest-ever cyclone in recorded history. It is the latest of weather-related disasters such as floods, storms and debilitating droughts that have devastated sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade — a sign of the deadly impact of climate change in a region with weak economies and infrastructure ill-equipped to cope with such ravages.

Cyclones have been worsened by human-caused climate change, with warming temperatures making cyclones wetter, more intense and more frequent, according to experts. Richer, more industrialized nations have caused much of the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change but the less developed countries often bear the brunt of the weather changes, a reality which led to a “loss and damage” fund for climate disasters being agreed last year.

“Human error caused aircraft accident in Tanzania” - Report

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania

Failure for flight crew to follow and correct the plane Enhanced Ground Proximity warnings and the decision to land amid poor weather conditions at Bukoba airport are said to be the major cause of Tanzania’s Precision Air plane accident in Lake Victoria last November.

On 6 November 2022 at 0310 hours (0610 hours Local Time) an ATR 42-500 aircraft with registration 5H-PWF and flight number PW 494 took-off from Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam for a scheduled commercial passenger flight to Bukoba.

According to The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report posted on the Ministry of Works and Transport website, the Pilot in Command (PIC) who was flying the plane pushed the control column into a nose down position at a rate of 1,500 feet per minute plunging the plane into the lake.

The aircraft broke up on impact with the water but there was no fire.

Of the 43 persons on board, 24 survived without serious injuries but 19 lost their lives including the two pilots and the aircraft was destroyed beyond repair by the impact with water.

“The ATR 42 - 500 aircraft with registration 5H-PWF was on the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) final approach to runway 31 of Bukoba airport in marginal weather conditions when the Enhanced Ground Proximity warning SINK RATE, about the excessively high descent rate came on three times.” The report reads, adding that the warning was not followed by corrective action of the flight crew.

It further states: “Instead, the flight crew pushed the control column into a nose down position. The aircraft continued to descend fast until the ground proximity SINK RATE PULL- UP warning sounded and this time the aircraft was descending at a rate of 1,500 feet per minute. The aircraft crashed in water and THE PULL-UP action coincided with the noise of the aircraft striking the lake surface.”

Much of the flight to Bukoba was uneventful, cruising at Flight Level (FL) 200. The flight reached top of descent at 0458 hours (0758 hours Local Time) when the crew initiated descent to FL 160. 

At 0504 hours (0804 hours Local Time) there was a public address announcement of expected landing at Bukoba at 0526 hours (0826 hours Local Time). Nine minutes later Mwanza Approach advised the flight crew that the weather at Bukoba was fairly good with “wind calm”, “visibility better than 10 km” “partly cloudy” SCT 011, FEW013 CB, BROKEN 080, T21/17 and QNH 1018. 

However, as the flight progressed the crew started to experience signs of poor weather conditions. In their discussion they pointed out that they may have to approach the airport from the mountains (i.e. runway 13) if Bukoba remained below the clouds.

Before landing checklist was performed at 0526:59 hours. Subsequent to this, the auto pilot was disengaged, the flaps were retracted to zero degrees and the landing gear was retracted. Evidently, the crew decided not to land and instead climbed to 5500 ft.

At 0534:43 hours there was an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) warning “TERRAIN, TERRAIN PULLUP”, however the warning was not followed by corrective action of the crew. The crew continued to discuss about the weather and were informed by Bukoba load “control2” (Precision Air handling agent) that weather information had been transmitted to Mwanza Approach.

The advice from Mwanza approach was to wait for 20 minutes before landing as visibility was not good.

The report went on to reveal that at 0543:28 hours there was an EGPWS warning SINK RATE and one second later, there was a pilot control column effort above 10 daN in nose down direction (four points recorded).

“Five seconds later there was another SINK RATE warning and the rate of descent increased to 1,700 ft/min. At 0543:35 hours the F/O called: ’’Lift up Captain’’. One second later, there was a SINK RATE PULL UP warning from the EGPWS.” The report says adding that the rate of descent decreased to 1,500 ft/min. There was no response from the PIC. At 0543:38 the F/O shouted: “Pull up captain” and the aircraft impacted the water.

The report whose purpose is to provide details of initial facts, discussions and findings surrounding the occurrence says that the Pilot In Command was aged 64, held an Airline Transport Pilot’s (ATP) license with type rating for ATR 42/72 airplanes issued on 04th August 2010.

“He had a valid medical certificate class I until 04th January 2023. At the time of the accident, the captain had accumulated about 23,515 hours of total flying time, of which 11,919 hours were as pilot-in-command (PIC) on the type.”

It also revealed that the F/O was 46 years old, held Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with type rating for ATR 42/72 airplanes issued on 01st November 2018 with a valid medical certificate class I until 23rd April 2023.

At the time of the accident, the co-pilot had accumulated 2,109 hours of total flying time, of which 1,700 hours were on the type. - Africa