[South Sudan’s declaration of independence on Saturday, marking the end of a half century of struggle for self-determination, has been followed by formal recognition by governments around the world.]
BURUNDI :
Plus de vingt personnes séropositives sont mortes après la fin du projet APRODIS à Mwaro
Xinhua/www.afriquinfos.com/Dimanche 10 juillet 2011
BUJUMBURA (Xinhua) – Plus de vingt personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA sont mortes dans la province de Mwaro au centre-ouest du Burundi ces six derniers mois.
Plus de vingt personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA sont mortes dans la province de Mwaro au centre-ouest du Burundi ces six derniers mois après la fin du projet APRODIS (Appui au Programme de décentralisation et d’ intensification de lutte contre le sida) au Burundi, un chiffre énorme par rapport à la situation qui prévalait sous ce projet, à en croire le représentant du Réseau burundais des personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA (RBP+) dans cette province de Mwaro.
« Avec le départ de l’APRODIS il y a six mois, nous avons déjà enregistré plus de 20 décès de personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA dans la province, un chiffre élevé par rapport à la moyenne de cinq qu’on enregistrait tous les six mois avant le départ de ce projet », a confié dimanche Gérard Ntezahorirwa à Xinhua par téléphone.
Selon lui, APRODIS assistait les malades en nourriture, en ARV et assurait le déplacement des malades. «Aujourd’hui pour avoir accès à tout cela, ceux qui le peuvent (et ils sont moins nombreux) vendent leurs portions de terre, raison pour laquelle nous demandons au gouvernement et aux autres potentiels bailleurs de venir en aide aux 600 personnes membres du RBP+, antenne Mwaro », a ajouté Gérard Ntezahorirwa.
Le projet APRODIS était financé par le Fonds mondial de lutte contre le Sida et a été remplacé en 2007 par un autre projet PRIDE (Programme d’Intensification et de Décentralisation de lutte contre le Sida) financé par le même bailleur.
Les personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA de Mwaro demandent à être assistées par ce nouveau projet avant que la situation ne s’empire. Déjà au mois de mars de cette année, plusieurs associations de personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA avaient organisé à Bujumbura devant le cabinet du ministère ayant en charge la lutte contre le sida une manifestation qu’elles avaient baptisée « Dying » pour sonner l’alerte d’alarme craignant pour leur vie. « Dying veut dire que si rien n’est fait, tout le monde va mourir. Et c’est exactement ce qui va se passer », ainsi s’est exprimée ce jour-là Mme Gapiya de la plateforme REMUA qui rassemble la plupart des Associations de lutte contre le sida au Burundi. Cette plateforme dénonçait à cette époque le chambardement qui s’observait dans la chaîne de distribution des ARV.
RWANDA :
Rwanda eyes DRC produce market
Sunday, 10 July 2011 /www.busiweek.com/ Alec Muhoho .
KIGALI,RWANDA – Rwanda has completed comprehensive market studies on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) agriculture sector in a bid to export more of its fruits, vegetables, cereals and roots in major cities of Kinshasa, Goma and Bukavu.
The study conducted by Land Husbandry Water Project(LWF) under Rwanda’s Agriculture Ministry highlighted the vegetables demand in Kinshasa with a population of 10 million people standing at between 350,000 to 400,000 tons annually yet a company from Belgium and another from South Africa supply about 200,000 tons.
According to LWF Consultant,Noelle Terpend, this signifies an opportunity for Rwanda to supply more fresh vegetables to Congolese than the ones from Belgium and South Africa, something that is sure to boost the country’s foreign exchange.
Terpend added that despite that DRC is ranked last by the World Bank’s doing business report 2010,it cannot be ignored because of it’s huge opportunities in all fields including agriculture.
She was presenting LWF findings to Rwanda agriculture experts and exporters in Kigali last week.
She said Rwanda gets about 20 million dollars annually from DRC by supplying food stuffs.
Rwandan agriculture officials say the country’s export strategy is to first concentrate on identifying markets, then produce for the markets.
Despite the fact that DRC has 80 million hectares of rich arable soil with water resources and 1000 mm of annual rainfall, the country imports almost everything including onions, tomatoes, egg plants among other vegetables.
Noel Ujeneza, a regional advisor said due to very bad roads in DRC and high air transport costs to Kinshasa, it would be better if Rwanda focuses on the Goma and Bukavu markets rather than stretch to Kinshasa.
RDC CONGO:
Crash d’avion-RD Congo: suspension du championnat de football
Pana /11/07/2011
Afrique centrale – RD Congo .Kinshasa, RD Congo – La Ligue nationale de football (LINAFOOT) de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) a suspendu ses activités sur toute l’étendue du territoire national ‘jusqu’à nouvel ordre’, à la suite du décès de 5 officiels de la ligue dans le crash du Boeing 727 d’Hewa Bora survenu vendredi dernier à l’aéroport de Bangboka, à Kisangani, dans le Nord-est du pays, a déclaré dimanche le secrétaire exécutif adjoint de la LINAFOOT, José Umbe. Ces officiels, qui se trouvaient à bord de cet avion, devaient superviser le match entre le club basé à Kisangani, le TS Malekesa et celui basé à Lubumbashi (sud-est de la RDC), le TP Mazembe, pour le compte de la 9ème journée du championnat national de football prévue ce week-end.
La délégation comprenait deux arbitres de Kinshasa, Malunga Mboti et Benjamin Bambe, un autre du Bas-Congo (sud-ouest de la RDC), Justin Mayabuana, un commissaire au match, Norbert Mafuta, ainsi qu’un délégué de la LINAFOOT, Pascal Tshimanga.
Le crash du Boeing 727 d’Hewa Bora à l’aéroport de Kisangani a fait, rappelle-t-on, 127 morts et une quarantaine de rescapés.
CONGO: Crash aérien au moins 74 morts
11 juillet 2011 / www.sxminfo.com
Deuil national en RDC après l’accident d’avion de Kisangani
Un Boeing 727 de la compagnie privée de République démocratique du Congo Hewa Bora Airways s’est écrasé vendredi 8 juillet près de l’aéroport de Kisangani faisant au moins 74 morts.
Alors que les recherches se poursuivent, le bilan des morts dans le crash du vendredi 8 juillet est à prendre avec des pincettes : au moins 74 morts selon les uns, 127 morts selon le ministère des Transports de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) vendredi soir, qui indiquait aussi que 51 passagers avaient été retrouvés vivants.
Le Boeing 727, transportant de 117 à 127 passagers selon les sources, a tout simplement raté son atterrissage. Les conditions climatiques étaient difficiles avec des orages dans cette zone et une forte pluie limitant la visibilité des pilotes. L’avion provenant de Kinshasa, a cru atterrir sur la piste. Mais il a accroché des arbres à 250 mètres de la piste et s’est écrasé en pleine forêt équatoriale, rendant plus difficile encore l’arrivée des secours.
Connue auparavant sous les noms de Congo Airlines, Zaïre Airlines et Zaïre Express, Hewa Bora Airways est la plus grande compagnie aérienne de RDC. En 2003, elle avait acheté des Boeing 727 à Delta Air Lines afin de remplacer les autres en fin de vie.
Après l’accident du Boeing de la compagnie Hewa Bora, les secouristes à la recherche des corps des victimes.
Trois jours de deuil national ont été décidés en République démocratique du Congo pour rendre hommage aux 74 victimes de l’avion de la compagnie Hewa Bora qui s’est ecrasé le 8 juillet 2011. Le président Joseph Kabila s’est rendu avec quatre ministres au chevet des blessés hospitalisés à Kisangani. Certains ont été rapatriés sur Kinshasa.
Les autorités locales, la Monusco (Mission des nations unies en République démocratique du Congo), Médecins sans frontières et la Croix-Rouge congolaise se sont mobilisés pour venir en aide aux rescapés de la catastrophe aérienne. Trente survivants ont été admis au centre médical du contingent bangladeshi de la Monusco pour les premiers soins. Les autres blessés ont été transportés dans les cliniques de la ville.
RDC : Muamba crée son propre parti
lundi, 11 juillet 2011 / afrikarabia2.blogs.courrierinternational.com
Il faudra désormais compter avec un parti politique de plus en République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Après son exclusion du MLC, l’ancien secrétaire général du parti de Jean-Pierre Bemba décide de voler de ses propres ailes et lance l’ADR, l’Alliance pour le développement et la République. A six mois des élections présidentielles en RDC, François Muamba pourrait également se décider à présenter sa candidature à la magistrature suprême.
A 60 ans, François Muamba entame une nouvelle bataille : sa survie politique. En avril dernier, le secrétaire général du MLC était déchu de ses fonctions. On reprochait à François Muamba de vouloir être le candidat du parti à la présidentielle de novembre 2011. Le leader du MLC, Jean-Pierre Bemba est en effet actuellement en prison à La Haye, accusé par la CPI de crimes de guerre et crime contre l’humanité. Mumaba avait déclaré “l’empêchement” de Bemba et souhaitait se présenter au nom du MLC. Une décision qui a visiblement déplu au “chairman”.
François Muamba tente donc de sauver son avenir politique en lançant ce nouveau parti. Une bonne manière de rester dans le jeu, notamment pour les élections législatives, où le député Muamba entend bien garder sa place.
A noter qu’avant de rejoindre le MLC de Jean-Pierre Bemba, François Muamba a été représentant de l’UDPS en France jusqu’en 1988 avant d’être nommé ministre de l’économie en 1991 par Mobutu.
Christophe Rigaud
Election 2011 en RDC : Ngoy MULUNDA, le pianiste, est coincé par les délais
10/07/2011/ KongoTimes!
La CENI dispose-t-elle d’une réelle marge des manœuvres face au calendrier élaboré par elle-même ? Le délai butoir du 28 novembre 2011 s’approche à pas de géant. Les contraintes matérielles se font de plus en plus sentir. Pris entre deux feux, d’une part les exigences constitutionnelles et de l’autre les délais incompressibles, le pasteur Daniel Ngoy Mulunda et la CENI pourraient être coincés. Le respect des délais est une donne à gérer avec doigté.
International Crisis Group (ICG) était le premier à s’inquiéter de l’organisation dans le délai des élections prochaines, autrement dit suivant le calendrier rendu public par la Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI). «Le calendrier électoral congolais est trop serré, la RDC ne sera pas prête à temps pour des élections apaisées», estimait cette ONG internationale ayant pour mission de prévenir les conflits.
Dans son rapport, elle évoque des concertations entre acteurs politiques pour des élections apaisées en RDC. L’ICG craint d’éventuels glissements dans «le calendrier serré» publié par la CENI. Ses inquiétudes sont basées sur les contraintes techniques liées à l’organisation matérielle desdites élections. Par ailleurs, la CENI n’arrive pas à boucler définitivement son budget.
Les opérations de révision du fichier électoral ont touché déjà à leur fin sur toute l’étendue du territoire national. La publication de la liste des électeurs, un préalable incontournable de ce processus, tarde encore pour les provinces où la révision du fichier électoral a été bouclée. Il s’agit notamment de la province du Bas-Congo. Entre-temps, des délais supplémentaires sont accordés à quelques-unes afin d’éviter d’éventuelles contestations. Même la ville de Kinshasa s’est vu accorder un délai supplémentaire de dix jours.
Contraintes matérielles
Des observateurs insistent sur les contraintes matérielles. Il s’agit, entre autres, des délais incompressibles liés à l’exécution des commandes passées par la CENI. Aussi, la reproduction des bulletins de vote et la liste des candidats avec leurs photographies pourraient-elles connaître des glissements. Cette inquiétude serait justifiée par le fait que les commandes sont passées en Europe en cette période des vacances.
Si elles doivent être exécutées à la reprise, c’est-à-dire vers le mois de septembre, comme le laisse entendre un acteur de la Société civile, la CENI serait bousculée sans faute dans son planning. A moins d’avoir négocié et obtenu un traitement de faveur en urgence auprès de certains fournisseurs européens.
Par ailleurs, le fait que le budget électoral ne soit pas toujours entièrement bouclé, les partenaires extérieurs se demandent si le gap de la CENI (apparemment très important) ne serait jamais comblé. Il en est de même de leur quote-part de 40 % qui risque d’être continuellement actualisée.
Rien que des spéculations, selon Ngoy Mulunda
Toutes ces récriminations et inquiétudes ne seraient que des spéculations, estime le président de la CENI. Joint au téléphone par la rédaction du Potentiel, Daniel Ngoy Mulunda est catégorique : « Il a existé plusieurs scénarii ; après concertations avec l’ensemble des acteurs impliqués, nous avions décidé d’organiser les élections le 28 novembre».
Daniel Ngoy Mulunda se veut même convaincant : «la maquette est déjà prête pour la reproduction. Les urnes et les isoloirs sont déjà commandés en Allemagne. Jusque là, je vous confirme que je suis dans le bon».
Son optimisme est tel qu’il persiste et signe: «Je suis à la cuisine, je ne me plains pas encore. S’il se pose un problème, je rassemblerai tout le monde et je nommerai clairement la difficulté et la solution proposée. On n’est pas encore là».
Dans la foulée, le président de la CENI accorde un satisfecit au gouvernement : «Je viens de boucler le budget de la révision du fichier électoral. Le gouvernement a un solde zéro. Ii a payé tout ce qu’il avait promis pour la révision du fichier électoral». Ces affirmations sont d’ailleurs corroborées par le rapport d’ICG qui a écrit : «Le seul budget des élections présidentielle et législatives est évalué à 221 millions USD, dont 84 millions de la part des donateurs internationaux et 137 millions du gouvernement. Au 31 janvier 2011, les donateurs avaient contribué à hauteur de 77 millions USD et la contribution de l’Etat congolais s’élevait à 113 millions USD. Bien qu’une contribution additionnelle de 5 millions ait été annoncée par le gouvernement, 423 millions manquent pour mener à terme l’ensemble du cycle électoral 2011-2013».
Ainsi, à en croire le président de la CENI et le gouvernement, les moyens seraient mobilisés et disponibles pour la présidentielle et les législatives couplées du 28 novembre 2011.
Gouverner c’est prévoir
Malgré ces assurances, d’aucuns trouvent à redire. Selon ces derniers, il ne suffit pas pour la CENI de s’en tenir à son calendrier. Celle-ci devrait prendre également la mesure de l’étendue des défis à relever pour des élections crédibles, transparentes, démocratiques et apaisées.
Apparemment, le pouvoir organisateur des élections en RDC est conscient des enjeux et ne minimise pas la prise en compte des contraintes de calendrier et des délais incompressibles auprès des fournisseurs. Sans mentionner expressément d’une modification éventuelle du calendrier, la CENI parle de la possibilité, le cas échéant «de rassembler tout le monde, en cas de problème».
Dans ce cas deux configurations sont possibles. La première. Tous les partenaires internes au processus électoral -Majorité et Opposition- acceptent le fait accompli, c’est-à-dire le dépassement des délais constitutionnels et négocient la mise en place d’une période transitoire de courte durée au cours de laquelle la CENI récupérerait son retard sur les plans matériel, technique et financier. Il en sortira un calendrier plus réaliste.
La deuxième. L’Opposition renie à la Majorité d’aller au-delà de son mandat et appelle à la désobéissance civile. Les conséquences sont connues : soit un vide juridique devant conduire à un gouvernement d’union nationale, soit un chaos.
Dès lors, la classe politique est appelée à un sens aigu de responsabilité afin de ne point mettre le feu à la poudrière et renvoyer aux calendes grecques l’organisation des scrutins visa nt le renouvellement du cycle électoral. La RDC est un pays post-conflit, classé «fragile». Il ressort que la concertation demeure une donne importante pour toutes les parties. L’inconnu que constitue un éventuel glissement sur le calendrier électoral doit être pris en charge en amont plutôt que d’être subi. Au risque de devenir un couperet sur le processus déjà tendu.
Dans toutes les éventualités, le pasteur Ngoy Mulunda, le pianiste, est coincé par les délais. Tout ne dépend plus de la seule bonne volonté de la CENI. D’autres acteurs, extérieurs à la CENI voire au processus en cours en RDC, notamment les fournisseurs, ne sont pas à négliger. Toutes les pressions ressenties à l’interne ne sont pas prises en compte avec la même intensité que les acteurs nationaux. L’optimisme de la CENI, à travers son président suffit-il à lui seul pour rassurer le processus ? L’avenir le confirmera.
[Le Potentiel]
UGANDA :
Uganda’s Taxi Operators Begin a Two-Day Strike, Minister Okurut Says
QBy Fred Ojambo/ www.bloomberg.com/- Jul 11, 2011
…Ugandan taxi operators have started a two-day strike in the capital, Kampala, over high duties, bringing transportation to a standstill, said Information Minister Mary Karooro Okurut.
Leaders representing drivers and conductors backtracked on an agreement last night to call off the strike ahead of talks with Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi and a separate meeting with President Yoweri Museveni tomorrow, Okurut said in a telephone interview from Kampala today.
The taxi operators are protesting high duties levied by the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association, a private entity contracted to manage commuter taxi operations in Kampala, Okurut said. The Ugandan government is taking the strike seriously and is seeking to restore transportation because the taxis are widely used for travel in the capital, said Okurut.
Retail traders went on strike last week in Kampala over the impact that accelerating inflation and a weakening currency are having on their businesses.
Uganda President Calls For More Support To Tackle Somali Terrorism
www.nasdaq.com/ 20110711
KAMPALA -(Dow Jones)- Uganda’s president said Monday he wants the international community to give African Union peacekeeping troops in war-torn Somalia more support in air and maritime operations capabilities to help tackle terrorism.
President Yoweri Museveni said on the first anniversary of the July 11, 2010, terror attacks in Kampala that Somalia has become a threat to East African and world the economies due to infiltration by pirates and foreign extremists.
“This Somali problem appears to be a conservation project because of the one dimensional involvement,” Museveni said, referring to the use only of land forces. “Why can we not increase the dimension? Why don’t we use the air?”
Uganda has around 5,000 troops in Somalia battling al-Qaeda-inspired al-Shabab militants. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the 2010 terror attack, which killed 79 people, including one American. Ugandan police warned last week that militants may strike again as the country marks the first anniversary of the attack. Security has therefore been heightened across the country.
Following the attack, the Ugandan leader persuaded the U.N. to permit African Union troops in Somalia to conduct preemptive strikes against militants, rather than allowing them to act only in self-defense.
President Museveni wants Somalia declared a no-fly zone to prevent militants accessing supplies.
“Somalia is the exporter of terrorism in the whole area. The pirates have made shipping to this region very expensive since ships must make huge diversions in vain attempts to avoid the pirates,” he said.
The U.S., which is the main sponsor of the anti-terror campaign in Somalia, has been reluctant to endorse some of Museveni’s proposals, such as declaring a no-fly zone. However, Washington seems to have softened its attitude recently.
Last month, the U.S. provided at least $47 million worth of military aid to Uganda and Burundi to facilitate the anti-terror campaign.
Uganda: Kwoyelo for Trial
11 July 2011/The Monitor
Kampala/Gulu — Thomas Kwoyelo, one of the Lord’s Resistance Army top commanders yesterday arrived in Gulu for the start of his trial for war crimes. His arrival caused tension and anxiety in Gulu town owing to the tight escort of combined team of Military Police, Uganda prisons and the regular Uganda police forces.
The Gulu Regional police spokesperson, Mr Johnson Kilama, yesterday said the heavy military convoy arrived amidst alleged fear of LRA infiltration ahead of the high profiled court session.
Meanwhile, the Acholi community is sending conflicting signals over the trial with a section claiming the government is using the trial to gain political mileage while others say Kwoyelo deserves to be prosecuted. Kwoyelo’s trial starts today at the maiden sitting of the International War Crimes Division in Gulu.
The former rebel commander faces four charges of willful killing, taking of hostages, extensive destruction of property and causing injury to people. He is set to appear before a panel of three judges comprising justices Alfred Owiny Dolo, Elizabeth Nahamya and Dan Akiiki Kiiza.
Kwoyelo represented by two advocates; John Francis Onyango and Caleb Alaka, was feared in the LRA ranks and was the last rebel commander to move from northern Uganda to Southern Sudan when the UPDF declared a ceasefire in June 2006 to pave way for peace talks.
In 2007, Kwoyelo was on the list of the 35 most wanted people in Uganda, presented to the Great Lakes Tripartite Plus Joint Commission. Others on the list were rebel leaders Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti, Dominic Ongwen and Odhiambo Okot. After his capture in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwoyelo was charged with kidnap and intent to murder and was remanded to Luzira Prison.
However, Mr Onyango yesterday said he was disappointed with the state over its failure to honour their duty to provide witnesses and evidence they intend to rely on during the trial. “We requested for these documents sometime back but they have not been availed to us despite a Constitutional Court order. I am not sure of what will happen,” he said during a telephone interview with Daily Monitor.
Making history
Former LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo will become the first suspect to face the International Crimes Division created in 2003 to try war crime suspects. The court is expected to be chaired by Justice Akiiki Kiiza, a former court administrator, and will be expected to go through the formal process of inspection of the guard of honour, and meeting with justice institutions and district leaders before the court session.
Reported by: Okumu Langol Livingstone, Ephraim Kasozi & Juliet Kigongo
Sudanese in Uganda celebrate independence
Sunday, 10th July, 2011 /By Francis Emorut / www.newvision.co.ug
SOUTH Sudanese living in Uganda on Saturday celebrated their first Independence Day in Kampala with a call for refugees to return home.
“Those who have been refugees here (Uganda) should now leave for home and develop the country,” the acting head of mission of the Government of South Sudan, William Ador, told thousands of Sudanese in Kampala.
The celebrations at the mission in Kampala were punctuated with traditional dances and speeches of unity to develop the country.
The peak of the celebrations was marked by the lowering of Khartoum national flag and the raising of the new flag for South Sudan.
In attendance was the SPLM member of National Liberation Council for Africa, David Amuor.
In Bushenyi, students from South Sudan studying in Uganda have hailed Uganda, Kenya and other African countries for helping South Sudan attain independence.
The students under their Kampala International University South Sudanese Students’ Association (western campus) called on leaders to encourage intermarriages.
The association’s president, Duol Tut Gor, thanked Kenya and Uganda for providing shelter for the displaced Sudanese throughout the whole crisis.
The students also petitioned African leaders to promote the image, culture and dignity of Africans by addressing issues which have led conflicts on the continent to be persistent.
Tut noted that all Africans should celebrate the independence of South Sudanese, saying it is a step forward in restoring African dignity.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Bushenyi deputy Resident District Commissioner, Medius Rubanda, urged the students to learn from the Uganda system of governance and propagate it in their country.
Why the Uganda shilling is struggling
Sunday, 10th July, 2011 /pbusharizi@newvision.co.ug /By Paul Busharizi
THE shilling fell to historic lows last week on a rumour that Central Bank boss Tumusiime Mutebile had handed in his resignation. This came hot on the heels of Mutebile’s published reservations on the management of the economy.
Since then importers; Kampala City Traders Association, have been up in arms, promising more strike action if the Government does not do something about the shilling. It was even suggested that the Government should hold the shilling at a certain price.
The President has since penned his opinion on this current “crisis.” Given his first-hand experience with the economy over the last 25 years, he is understandably dismissive of suggestions that this is a crisis and has counselled that we need to stay the course, make the long-term beneficial decisions and steer clear of short-term populist measures whose repercussions could unwind years of economic gain.
Whether we keep a long-term view or succumb to pressures for short-term remedies will be determined by our politics. Let us wait and see.
There are several reasons the shilling-dollar relationship has not been in our favour in recent months. A slowdown in inflows — investment and tourists, ahead of the February polls, lower export earnings from traditional sources – the main coffee season is over, and election-related overspending. Internationally, the dollar has been strengthening on growing uncertainty about the viability of the Eurozone, a hint of recovery in the US economy and rising oil prices.
As a country, we can influence our level of fiscal discipline or lack of thereof and to some extent, the rate of inflows into the country. We have little if no say about what happens on the international currency markets.
The shilling’s decline is a symptom of structural deficiencies in our economy. At a fundamental level, our currency will appreciate or depreciate depending on external demand for it. Are we producing; can we produce stuff that will be in demand externally and therefore increase demand for our shilling, therefore causing appreciation?
As it is, we are still exporting raw coffee, tea, fish and labour. We are a commodity exporting country. The problem with commodities is that it does not take much science to replicate them and therefore they are not very expensive.
For instance, 15 years ago, Vietnam was not a coffee exporter of any reckoning, but have since boosted production to come second only to Brazil in Robusta coffee exports, affecting Uganda’s major forex earner.As I see it, we have two options. Either we grow more coffee so we can export more raw beans at lower and lower prices per kg or we start processing our own coffee and export it as a higher value product.
The more sustainable solution is the latter, but this will take a lot of government support in low cost financing, funding of research and development and marketing abroad; a solution we should have started on yesterday and will take another generation before sustainable results are realised.
Uganda is also vulnerable to currency movements because many of our manufacturing inputs are imported.
In fact, only a few days ago, Ugandan manufacturers got another extension for some semi processed imports to continue being classified as raw material imports into the EAC so they suffer less tax.
In the long-term, we have to re-examine the structure of our manufacturing sector before the unforgiving hand of the market lays down the law.
Many of our manufacturers are assemblers and packagers of finished goods. They continue to “manufacture” goods they have no competitive advantage being involved in.
This is critical because as it is now, China is fast becoming the factory of the world – there are very few things that can be manufactured cheaper than in China because of their economies of scale and cheap labour.
Our manufacturing needs should be angled more towards agriculture where we have a competitive advantage. To reengineer our manufacturing sector in that direction cannot be done overnight. In short, there is no real short-term relief to our currency woes. Politics can dictate that we put a plaster on a broken economy, but it will be a short-term solution that will give the false impression of relief, but in the long-term come back to haunt us.
As for those suggesting the Government should hold the shilling exchange, they need to think again. Trader-turned philanthropist George Soros cemented his reputation in the 1990s when he bet against the pound, judging rightly that UK’s economic fundamentals could not hold the pound to a certain level.
The Bank of England pumped in billions to support the pound, but eventually had to give up and allow the pound to find its market determined level.
It is said Soros made at least a billion dollars on that trade. He did it again during the Asian crisis in 1997.
Rest assured the moment the Bank of Uganda attempts to defend the shilling, speculators – not Soros, Uganda is too small for him, will beat a path to our shores.
And when we invariably fail to defend our shilling, 4,000 to the dollar will not be a far off fantasy.
KENYA:
.Horn of Africa drought: Kenya pressed over Ifo II camp
11 July 2011 /www.bbc.co.uk
The head of the United Nations refugee agency is to meet Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki to urge him to open a new camp for people fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia.
The Kenyan government has so far refused to authorise the completion of the Ifo II camp, which has room for up to 40,000 people.
It fears it would encourage refugees to stay in the country permanently.
The new facility is close to the Dadaab camp, which is now hugely overcrowded.
Some 10 million people are said to be affected by the Horn of Africa’s worst drought in 60 years.
Somalia, wracked by 20 years of conflict, is worst affected and some 3,000 people flee each day for neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya which are struggling to cope.
Dadaab is reportedly the world’s biggest refugee camp – it was built to house 90,000 people but could soon be holding 500,000, aid workers say.
The BBC’s Daud Aweis in Kenya says that the UNHCR has been trying to persuade the Kenyan government to open the Ifo II camp for two years but it might succeed this time, as the crisis is so severe.
Our reporter says that local people, who are also badly affected by the drought, fear that a new influx of refugees may also spell environmental disaster for the arid region.
Visiting Dadaab over the weekend, UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres said that Somalia was the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.
“Here in the outskirts of the Somali refugee camp of Dadaab, we have the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable of the vulnerable in the world,” he said.
He also urged aid agencies to start working in Somalia, as many people are to weak to walk for weeks to seek help – some malnourished infants are already dying.
Last week, the militant group al-Shabab, which controls many southern and central areas of Somalia, said it was lifting its ban on aid agencies
Horn of Africa drought: ‘A humanitarian disaster’
Kenya: No Coins Please, My Pockets Are More Precious
Kamau Mutunga/Daily Nation On The Web/10 July 2011
Nairobi — Kenyans are such coin collectors they keep a total of Sh2.5 billion shillings in coppers and silvers in their office drawers, car glove compartments, piggy banks, purses, old shoes and cracked metal cups.
Although this means that Kenyans take care of the coins so that pounds can take care of themselves, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is not amused. According to CBK, this scenario has led to a shortage of coins forcing the cashier at a supermarket near you to issue sweets, ball gum, and matchboxes instead of coins as change.
The Central Bank of Kenya had, as of April this year, distributed 1.2 billion coins worth Sh4.8 billion. That is pretty penny.
“Of these coins” said James Teko Lokoyetum, the bank’s Director of Currency Operations, “more than half the pieces are being withheld or hoarded by the public while others are carried away by tourists as souvenirs.” He lamented that “the CBK releases the coins but these never flow back to it.”
Money, some wiseacre said, is like manure: It is not worth anything unless you spread it. The Central Bank knows that Sh2.5 billion irritating circular pieces of metal make a difference when injected back into the economy. It is the kind of money that can build a fully-fledged hospital for, instance, just why the bank wants you to change the coins into paper money.
But have you ever wondered where local currency got its name?
Ours is called pesa, from Peso the Spanish currency. Our lowest denomination is five cents, also called Ndururu. Or Oruro in street slang. Ndururu is Swahili for “light, small, thin, undersize or weak.” The 10-cent coin, or peni, had a Sheng name, Ng’och, which gradually diminished in use as the value of the shilling nosed south over the years.
The earliest currency in Kenya, according to the CBK was the Maria Theresa Thalers which were silver coins used in world trade since they were first minted in 1751. They were named after Empress Maria Theresa of the Austro-Hungarian Empire between 1740 and 1780.
The Maria Theresa Thalers found their way to shores of eastern Africa in the 1800s and were similar to the Spanish Peso hence the word pesa.
The coins hardly reached the interior despite their popularity at the coast. The Indian Rupees, however, managed to do so since it was used to pay the Asian labourers during the construction of the Uganda Railway.
The labourers spent their wages buying ghee and produce from communities along the railroad effectively introducing a cash economy in the interior which would later be boosted by forced taxation that forced adults to seek employment with the colonial government and settler farms. This way, the Rupee became the acceptable legal tender besides earning different names in mother tongue.
The Kikuyus called it rubia pronounced Ro-ofia while the Maasai called it rupiani and Kambas kilovia or kilovoo.
The coins had a hole at the centre so they could be threaded onto a cord that tied was round the neck because “natives” were then mostly dressed in “shukas.” No pockets, please.
Harry Jackson, leader of the British East African Protectorate had also introduced the “specie” and “Pice” in 1897, but the new currency did not gain currency.
In 1905 the Rupee was hence made official currency of Kenya and Uganda until 1920 when we became a crown colony. Fifteen years later the Indian Rupee was terminated in favour of the East African Protectorate Rupees which were denominated into one hundred cents equaling to one Rupee.
In 1922 the Rupee was replaced during World War 1. One Florin was worth two shillings.
Come independence in 1963 Kenya needed “independent” currency.
In 1964 the East African Central Bank released interim notes called “Lake Victoria Money” in five, 10, 20 and 100 shillings. The notes were so called because they featured Lake Victoria in the background.
Coins were minted too. They were called “Uhuru” coins as they did not bear images of the President or Queen.
The East African Currency Board replaced the East African coin with the Kenyan shilling in 1966 when it issued the five,10 and 50 cent coins. Twenty-five cents coins were introduced in 1969 and two shillings coins three years later.
The cornered, five shilling coin was introduced in 1985. In 1994 the 10 shilling coin chinked followed by the Sh20 coin four years later. The Sh10 has nicknames such as “Ashara” and “kinde” while Sh20 is called “Blue” from the blue Sh20 notes now out of circulation. The Sh200 note was introduced in 1986 followed by the Sh500 one in 1988 and Sh1000 note in 1994.
By the way, until 1999, the Budget was presented in the Kenyan Pound-which didn’t exist at the time. People had to multiply the figures by 20 to get their equivalent in shillings.
Back to coins.
The Kenyan shilling has lost value so much so that even street beggars frown at being handed copper coins.
But there is a lot that can be accomplished with loose change besides disposing of it in church on Sundays.
Consider the case of Harrison Wairobi who begged so consistently that he bought a house and a truck. He was charged with cultivating bhang in his farm at Huhi-ini village in 2009.
He was released on a Sh200,000 bond which he didn’t pay in coins. Wairobi was 45 and could have been 10 years to retirement had he been formally employed.
And there is a new coin-based retirement scheme. The Mbau Pension Scheme by Retirement Benefits Authority is targeting fishermen, market women, groundnut hawkers, touts and other low earners.
Members contribute Sh20 from Monday to Friday, translating to Sh100 a week.
If a 30 year-old construction worker earning Sh300 a day joins the scheme and contributes continuously for 40 years, he will have saved Sh208,000 for his retirement.
The power of the coin is such that it has been the driving force of Kenya’s “kadogo” (small) economy in which goods and services are charged in low denominations affordable by the poor.
Multinational corporations have realised the power of the ‘kadogo’ economy which is why mobile telephony companies have Sh20 scratch cards while Unilever has Blue Band Kadogo.Don’t you ruin my pocketsEven as the Central Bank pleads with you to change your coins into paper money, retailers don’t consider the shilling, ten cents and 50 cents coins as worth anything. Buyers also wax furious when the denominations are given as change.
Their grouse? The cost of repairing torn pockets is higher than the value of the coins. Matters are further compounded by commercial banks that charge clients for depositing coins.
For these reasons the CBK is planning to demonetize (stop the use of) the five, 10, 25 cents and the five shilling coin.
Coins have other purposes though.
They remind the user who is calling the shots. Between 1967 and 1978, the goateed portrait of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s first President graced our currency until 1980, two years after he died, when they were replaced by that of Daniel Arap Moi who assumed the highest office in the land.
Moi enjoyed seeing his portrait until 1985 when the CBK introduced a new coin series that restored the portrait of Kenyatta, a fete repeated 20 years later.
President Moi served his last term in 2002. The following year, a bi-metallic Sh40 coin with the portrait of President Kibaki was issued despite the President promising no currency would bear his image.
It was explained that the coin, nicknamed “Mama Lucy” after the First Lady was to commemorate Kenya’s 40th anniversary of independence.
Presidents Kenyatta, Moi and Kibaki were treading a well minted path began by Julius Caesar who wanted citizens of the vast Roman Empire to know who was calling the shots and had his image on them.
Greek coins too had portraits of gods and goddesses. But Arabic coins didn’t have graven images as Islam prohibits that.But the history of coins is older than that, considering the first coins were invented slightly before or after 700 B.C. in the Greek Island of Aegina, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Despite their chequered history, coins have more than their face value. Five shillings was what Anthony Kegode was paid after a protracted court battle by his partner, Adam Ogden, for East African Safari Air, Kenya’s first private international airline, in 2004 it was determined who owed whom what.
During the Great Depression in 1933 American President Franklin Roosevelt ordered all gold coins be melted.
No more gold coins were to be issued for circulation. But a few coins bearing the double eagle were issued.
Somehow, an insatiable collector King Farouk of Egypt was sold one of them to join his collection that featured anything from Aspirin bottles to used razor blades. Forty years later, the Farouk coin reared its head in New York whereupon it was seized by the American secret service.
A legal battle ensued over it. The case was settled in 2001 when it was auctioned for $7.5 million (Sh667 million.)
VP on Kenya’s crucial role in Sudan peace process
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com/ Sunday, July 10 2011
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday reflected on Kenya’s role in the peace process in Sudan that has led to the birth of Africa’s newest states.
The VP said that Kenya keenly followed the peace process in Sudan when he was Foreign minister.
He noted that the first step was to put together the issues that needed to be solved and they identified three key issues.
“The issue of self determination as a basic human right. And secondly there was the issue of marginalisation of the people of South Sudan and then the relationship between the state and religion,” said Mr Musyoka.
He added that they briefed the Inter-Government Authority on Development (Igad) heads of state but he was to later be replaced by former President Moi.
This followed a talk that he gave in Khartoum on the isolation of Sudan by the region and international community if the issues were not resolved.
Mr Musyoka said that the Sudan conflict was very complex and took 10 years for any headway to be made.
He noted the first breakthrough was the Machakos protocol where parties to the conflict agreed that there was need to hold a referendum on the issue.
He added that after the protocol was signed there was further stalemate and President Kibaki led a deliberate effort to break the stalemate when Narc took over power in the country in 2002.
“I felt that there is need to move the level of conversation from the technical team to the level of the vice-presidency of the two warring parties. But I found resistance in Khartoum. The president (Omar Al Bashir) was not keen,” Mr Musyoka said.
The VP explained that he managed to bring together Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) leader John Garang and the Sudan vice-president Ali Osman Taha.
He however added that there was a high level of suspicion between the two parties though the two leaders eventually met at the Great Rift Valley lodge for the negotiations.
“We did the best we could to settle the tension. Then came the toughest bit. For 10 months the two lived together in Naivasha,” said Mr Musyoka.
Kenya: Gesami Fearing for His Life..
James Kinyua/ Nairobi Star (Nairobi)/11 July 2011
Public Health Assistant Minister James Gesami claims that his life is in danger. Gesami says 12-armed police and some officials from the Anti corruption commission raided his rural home without a warrant of arrest. He has denied claims that he has been hiding from KACC officials who are allegedly trailing him. However, reports indicate that the detectives who ransacked his house were reportedly looking for vital documents that would help KACC launch prosecutions against alleged theft of millions from West Mugirango CDF kitty after warrant of arrest was released last week.
EN BREF, CE 11 Juillet 2011 … AGNEWS/DAM,NY, 11/07/2011
