Author: staff reporter

Greater investment in State institutions is critical to counter peace and security challenges in Africa, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Monday. 

Cristina Duarte, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa, briefed ambassadors during a debate to examine capacity building for sustaining peace on the continent, and to explore the way forward. 

She highlighted how African countries’ efforts to both prevent and address violence are being undermined by external factors such as competition over natural resources, which fuels conflict, to the increasing presence of global terrorist networks that are gaining footholds in some regions. 

These efforts are also being thwarted by internal factors, including discrimination in the delivery of public services, corruption, and non-inclusive planning and budgeting processes. Furthermore, in areas where the State is absent, service delivery is being provided by non-State actors such as criminal and terrorist groups. 

 United States Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield visited Ghana August 5-7, 2022 to discuss food security Africa and meet with civil society and government leaders.

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Honorable Shirley Botchwey on August 5. She thanked Minister Botchwey for Ghana’s leadership in the region and as a member of the UN Security Council. More here.

At a lunch with human rights defenders, including member of the LGBTQI+ community, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield congratulated them on their stand for human rights of all Ghanaians.

Later, at the University of Ghana, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield delivered a keynote speech “A Vision Peace and Progress on Food Security in Africa” where she highlighted U.S. support for the African continent, including more than $127 million in additional humanitarian assistance for Africa to provide for lifesaving support to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and persecuted people across Africa. With this funding, the United States has committed $6.6 billion of humanitarian assistance to Africa since October 2021. Watch the full speech here.

Visiting the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield met with Commandant Major General Francis Ofori to discuss Ghana’s strong and continuing support for peacekeeping missions worldwide. She also planted a peace tree during her tour of KAIPTC. 

The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has called on youths not to sit back, but take interest in the existing opportunities.

Among said that there are so many opportunities in the country, like the Parish Development Model and asked them to work hard if they are to benefit.

Among said this at that the opening of the Fifth National Youth Parliament held in the Parliament of Uganda Chambers on Friday, 05 August 2022.

The youth Parliament provides young people with a platform to express their legislative ideas, concerns and expectations. The resolutions of the debates then become part of key policy-making processes in the country.

The youth  elected their speaker, Speria Nakigudde and Deputy Speaker Francis Shaa Rubangakene who presided over the sitting.

Anita Among said that as a country with over 75 per cent of the population that is below the age of 30, it is critical that different approaches are used to address challenges faced by the youth.

She also cites the high population growth rate which greatly affects living standards and creates urban slums, land ownership issues, accessibility to loans for development, lack of access to social services and  skills among others.

AUDIO Speaker Among

She however, said that youths should not simply sit and wait, but need to be active in search of opportunities.

She said that foras like the Youth Parliament are supported to foster involvement of young people in key civic decision-making spaces, influence the policy and legislative agenda and nurture positive leadership development opportunities.

Among pledged parliament’s full support to the resolutions from the Youth Parliament and said that they will also ensure that the issues raised are shared with the relevant ministries for action.

Hon. Boniface Okot, the Youth MP for Northern Uganda who represented the Minister of State for Youth Affairs said that the mock parliament helps in building youths whose participation is entrenched in the constitution.

He encouraged the young people to seek ICT skills, and innovations to build an intergenerational solidarity.

“Take advantage of your numerical strength, your vibrancy and innovation to progress our continent,” Okot said.

Gonze Nicolas, the European Union Delegation representative said that the EU and Germany Government are committed to support the youths and that is seen from their support to the youth Parliament.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia announces that some online and print media are misinterpreting the content of the recent statement issued by the conference in July.

The statement never states about the fleeing of Priests and Nuns or closing of Churches in Tigray. The intention of the statement is reflecting the major challenges in Ethiopia in different conflict affected areas. It deals not with any specific condition in Tigray.

The conference didn’t receive any official report from Adigrat Dioceses, which is in Tigray, about the fleeing of Priests and Nuns or closing of Churches so far.

Therefore, we request all media to revert any publication related to the aforementioned information and take a quick corrective measure.

Kura Yangu! Maisha Yangu! Initiative on Monday urged the IEBC to conduct credible general elections.

Fredrick Ogweno exective director of Interregional Peace Network told journalists in Nairobi that whatever voting method is used, the system must be simple, accurate, verifiable, secure and transparent.

Ogweno noted that the IEBC should ensure that votes cast are counted, tabulated and the results announced promptly by the Presiding Officer at each polling station.

“The election results from polling stations should be openly and accurately collated and promptly announced by the Returning Officer,” Ogweno noted.

The IEBC has registered over 22,120,458 registered voters  for the general elections scheduled for August 9, 2022  voters are expected to cast their ballots for the six elective positions – 1450 Members of County Assemblies; 290 Members of the National Assembly, 47 Senators, 47 Women Representatives, 47 Governors and their deputies; and the President and Deputy President.

Churchill Suba, convenor of Kura Yangu! Maisha Yangu! Initiative said that

The management of Kenya’s public affairs for the next 5 years will be in the hands of those  individuals in whose hands, Kenyans are set to delegate their sovereign authority through the electoral process.

Suba observed that the Supreme Court heavily censured the IEBC on the elections processes and the hope is that the Chebukati-led commission got its learning from its previous mistakes, and will do a better job this time around so that the election process can be concluded in the first round to release Kenyans to more gainful social and economic pursuits.

Kura Yangu Maisha Yangu submits that there is no better time than now that our beloved motherland, Kenya has bestowed on the IEBC the solemn duty to ensure the realization of these constitutional ethos and aspirations for the people of the Republic of Kenya.

Boost for Raila as clergy support his presidential bid

The churches from different religions have come out to support his presidency.

Bishop Mr.Sam Odek ‘Director of clergy operations under Azimio la umoja have urge Kenyans to keep peace as we nesrs elections next week.

“Raila the leader has qualities and honesty for this nation and that’s what our county id needed “, he added that Kenya is an advanced economic system that needs a mature leader.”,

“We urge the IEBC to be transparent and fair for the peace to prevail after the election”, he added.

Child rights organizations on Sunday called for kids safety ahead of Kenya’s general elections slated for August 9 th 2022.

Jennifer Kaberi of Mtoto News told journalists in Nairobi that there have been cases where children are being exposed to child protection risks due to political affiliations, child labour associated with campaign events; selling campaign merchandize, injuries during campaign-related skirmishes, staying a whole day without food and other forms of abuse.

“In situations where there have been negative parental conversations in households and communities on political affairs, children have found themselves in between opposing political interests thereby affecting them psychologically and emotionally,” Kaberi said.

She called on parents and caregivers to prioritize safety, security and protection of all children at all times.

“Parents and Caregivers should have specific focus and attention to all children with various forms of disability and ensure that their safety, security and protection is enhanced within the households and communities,” she added.

As we approach the elections day, the child rights campaigners appealled to all parents and caregivers to ensure that no child attends political events either in private or public.

They also urged all parents and caregivers not to take along their children with them to the polling stations, but if they must do, then safety, security and protection of all the children should be guaranteed.

Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of the Ombudsman) shall observe the Aug. 9 General Election to oversee the public electoral management processes to mitigate against unfair official conduct.

Florence Kajuju, chairperson of the commission told journalists on Sunday that  the election observation exercise is informed by the centrality of elections in the advancement of good governance which forms the basis for the existence of the Commission.

“Monitoring and observation of elections are essential pillars of electoral governance and play a critical role in building public confidence while providing valuable feedback for electoral system reforms,” Kajuju said.

Kajuju, who is also the secretary general of the African ombudsman and mediators’ association said that the Commission has deployed its Commissioners and staff as Long term and short-term election observers in about 690 polling stations in 33 countiesspread across the country.

She noted that the   Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has accredited the Commission’s staff to serve as observers on  Aug. 9.

The Commission has also developed a tool for election observation to capture requisite details focusing on administrative justice, and access to information on different aspects; general layout of the polling centers and stations, procedural adherence during the voting process, counting, tallying, and transmission. The Commission will thereafter provide an informed, comprehensive, and impartial analysis of the entire electoral process, in line with the established methodology for observing elections as an aspect of administrative justice.

The Commission is also hosting a delegation from the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) who have been accredited by the IEBC to observe Kenya’s 2022 general elections.

The African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) is a continental body with 44-member countries with its secretariat in Durban, South Africa with a  mission  to advance the development of the Ombudsman institution in furtherance of good governance, the rule of law, and human rights in Africa.

The AOMA Observation Mission delegation to Kenya is composed of four regional Ombudspersons, notably:  Hon. Mathew P. Mwaimu – Tanzania, Hon. Grace Malera -Malawi, Hon. Pascal Essou- Benin, and Hon. Dr. Antonia Florbela Rocha Araujo- Angola. The Head of the mission; Hon. Grace Malera, the Ombudsman of Malawi shall deploy the AOMA election observers to 11 counties, namely; Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kisumu, and Homabay on 9^th August 2022.

Following a long period of unrest and violence between cattle keepers and farmers in and around Nimule in Magwi County, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently paid another visit to the area.

Internally displaced persons took the opportunity to request the world body’s assistance in bringing reconciliation so that conflict-affected communities can start living together in peace.

“We are open to and would welcome a peace conference. What has happened has happened, now is the time to forge a sustainable way forward. We need to find common ground to coexist in harmony again,” said John Bol, Chief of the Dinka community in Nimule, with reference to the Madi community, the traditional residents of the area.

Over the last few months, bouts of violence between cattle keepers and farmers, disgruntled because of their crops being ruined by the beasts, have claimed many lives, cattle raids and revenge attacks, forcing lots of people to leave their homes. As tends to be the case when there is conflict, vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly and the disabled have suffered the most.

“We disabled people are useful to the nation. If there is conflict, we cannot run, so violence affects disabled people, who have made history in this country, more than others,” said Isaac Chol, one of the many people who were badly injured during South Sudan’s war of independence.

The latest major incidents to befall Magwi County took place on 9 July, when a theft of 150 goats also left two young men dead, and on 11 July, when the Anzara village chief was killed in Nimule town.

“Seeing all this violence is painful for us women. Let there be no more revenge attacks,” pleaded Mary Yarr, a Dinka church leader who has lived in Nimule for more than 30 years. “I don’t want to see anybody killed, neither Madi, nor Dinka,” she added.

The UNMISS team undertook the patrol to Nimule and surroundings to assess the security situation and to seek the opinions of affected communities as to how the peacekeeping mission can best protect civilians and contribute to restoring peace.

“We are here to discuss how we can contribute to reconciliation and to ensure that civilians, vulnerable people in particular, are safe. But, if peace is to prevail, you must remain calm and put an end to the vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of revenge attacks,” said Civil Affairs Officer Hercules Balu Henry.

In a meeting between the peacekeepers and representatives of the Madi community, the latter shared the desire for peace previously expressed by their Dinka counterparts.

 “We have no time for conflict, we need peace. But before we can sit down for a dialogue to resolve our issues, all cattle must leave Magwi County,” said Koma James Adriko, a representative of Madi chiefs.

President Adama Barrow has called on Gambians and residents to come out in numbers and register for the newly introduced biometric birth certificate and Health Insurance Scheme after successfully registering into the new electronic Civil Registry and Vital Statistics and National Health Insurance Scheme at the State House in Banjul Wednesday, 3rd August 2022.

The President congratulated the entire government, particularly the Health Ministry, for introducing the Health Insurance Scheme, which he described as a ‘significant initiative’. He said the scheme would ease the challenges people face when they are sick and will provide necessary solutions.

Stressing the importance of the scheme, the President urged Gambians to register for the electronic birth certificate, which comes with the Insurance Card, saying it is long overdue for Gambians to have safe data record keeping. 

‘’As Head of State, I think it is important for me to do the same process so that I have Health Insurance and a biometric birth certificate. This is a big achievement for our country.’’ President Barrow noted.

Providing appropriate healthcare services to the people living in The Gambia is a campaign promise the President made.

The Gambia government, through the Ministry of Health, introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all Gambians. According to the Health Ministry, the registration process will last three months throughout the country at no cost to citizens.