African governments urged to involve more women in environmental conservation
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Johannesburg
Participants in the ongoing international women's conference taking place in Johannesburg have called upon African government to involve more women in crafting legislation for water an environmental management because they are the major stakeholders of environmental matters on the continent.
In a communique following their discussion on the situation of Food Security and the environment, women activists stated that women are direct users', providers and managers of water in households therefore they should be more involved in public decision making with regard to water resources.
They added that if the women were allowed to participate policy formulation for the improvement of the quality, quantity and access to clean water many young girls and women would be liberated, freeing them to engage in income generating activities, education and public life.
The activists further said that governments across the continent have a duty to promote rights of women in land and property ownership, they stated: "women usually have no rights and/or access to land for varying legal and cultural reasons yet they are the majority of the world's agricultural producers, playing important roles in farming, fisheries and forestry."
pARTICIPANTS further stated that there are significant differences between women and men's opportunities in resource use and management, yet when environmental resources are over-exploited the women are affected disproportionately as they the providers of food, fuel-wood and water for domestic use. They also lamented the legal and social structures in many African countries saying that governance trends in many countries mimic traditional norms whereby property and land rights are biased in favour of men.
Commenting on food security at the opening of the conference Professor Yassine Fall a senior UN economist said: "the high cost of water, fuel and food is ensuring that parents are failing to take their children to school.
She added that the food crisis on the continent which threatening famine in 21 African countries has been a problem for very a long time but the problem was getting acute now because some governments were concentrating their efforts in growing plants that help in the manufacture of bio-fuels. Without mentioning any examples, Yassine said "Now there's competition between government in Africa reserving land for bio fuels and farmers looking for land to grow food crops."
Closing the conference today, Dr. Gertrude Mongella the President of the Pan African Parliament said that women spend alot of time fetching water to ensure the safety of their families and livestock, yet they are also expected to be mothers.
The Women's Platform for Action in Africa was initiated by the South African Parliament in 2006, the theme of this year's conference: "Women and the quest for Human Security" was designed to emphasize the current food shortage crisis that is threatening 21 countries in Africa with famine, it is sponsored by German Technical Cooperation-GTZ.
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Africa's intellectual vacuum a major development problem: expert
Africa's intellectual vacuum a major development problem: expert
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Johannesburg
Professor Yassine Fall a UNIFEM senior economic advisor on the UN Millennium project has expressed frustration at the shortage of intellectuals in Africa saying that the intellectuals"-if they don't defect"-play a leading role in developing ideology, policies and theory to get Africa out of poverty.
Yassine was speaking during the The Women's Platform for Action in Africa taking place this week in Johannesburg South Africa. Referring to the continually increasing cost of food affecting 21 countries in Africa including the South Africa an Egypt Yassine said: "the high cost of water, fuel and food is ensuring that parents are failing to take their children to school."
She said the limited influence of intellectuals in policy decisions on the continent had ensured that even foreseeable problems y research-like food shortage-had cause Africa to suffer for long.
She said that the food crisis on the continent has been a threat for very long time but the problem was getting acute now because some governments were concentrating their efforts in growing plants that help in the manufacture of bio-fuels.
Without mentioning any examples, Yassine said "Now there's competition between government in Africa reserving land for bio fuels and farmers looking for land to grow food crops." Speaking at the same conference, Ms. P.m. Hollander a South African member of parliament said that the current financial crisis in western capitals had got the attention of policy makers in those capitals away from the high costs of food and ensured that issues of developing countries are now largely out of international affairs.
The Women's Platform for Action in Africa is part of the ceremonies preceding the Pan African Parliamentary session beginning on 27 October in its chambers located in Johannesburg. The PAP is the legislative organ of the African Union.
The conference was initiated by the South African Parliament in 2006, this year's theme is: "Women and the quest for Human Security" was designed to emphasize the current food shortage crisis that is threatening 21 countries in Africa with famine. It is sponsored by German Technical Cooperation-GTZ.
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Johannesburg
Professor Yassine Fall a UNIFEM senior economic advisor on the UN Millennium project has expressed frustration at the shortage of intellectuals in Africa saying that the intellectuals"-if they don't defect"-play a leading role in developing ideology, policies and theory to get Africa out of poverty.
Yassine was speaking during the The Women's Platform for Action in Africa taking place this week in Johannesburg South Africa. Referring to the continually increasing cost of food affecting 21 countries in Africa including the South Africa an Egypt Yassine said: "the high cost of water, fuel and food is ensuring that parents are failing to take their children to school."
She said the limited influence of intellectuals in policy decisions on the continent had ensured that even foreseeable problems y research-like food shortage-had cause Africa to suffer for long.
She said that the food crisis on the continent has been a threat for very long time but the problem was getting acute now because some governments were concentrating their efforts in growing plants that help in the manufacture of bio-fuels.
Without mentioning any examples, Yassine said "Now there's competition between government in Africa reserving land for bio fuels and farmers looking for land to grow food crops." Speaking at the same conference, Ms. P.m. Hollander a South African member of parliament said that the current financial crisis in western capitals had got the attention of policy makers in those capitals away from the high costs of food and ensured that issues of developing countries are now largely out of international affairs.
The Women's Platform for Action in Africa is part of the ceremonies preceding the Pan African Parliamentary session beginning on 27 October in its chambers located in Johannesburg. The PAP is the legislative organ of the African Union.
The conference was initiated by the South African Parliament in 2006, this year's theme is: "Women and the quest for Human Security" was designed to emphasize the current food shortage crisis that is threatening 21 countries in Africa with famine. It is sponsored by German Technical Cooperation-GTZ.
Kimironko's 'Carriers' in nation building
BY GEORGE KAGAME
According to most official documents in Kigali Notes, Rwanda's economy currently stands on the pillars of the service sector, most authorities in development economics have stated that this is due to the emphasis of the government on work ethics. The ethics are enshrined in wordings such as Vision 2020, performance contracts-Imihigo, to name but a few.
The improvement of the service sector, is important to you that by buying this copy of the newspaper you are reading, you have contributed your share in nation building. And it is because of such a simple transaction that simple people like added up to Frw 173 billion to last year's GDP figures from the service sector.
But you did more than buying pierces of paper, it is likely that yesterday, you were in a restaurant, internet cafe, church fellowship, in a Twegerane, or your favourite market. It is the market place that in more ways than one brings in a big share of the Frw 173 billion last year. It is your duty to spend more this year such that together, Kigali's blessed people can beat that figure by the end of this year.
And where else to indulge ourselves to be other than Kimironko market. The market is not built to good quality standards, it also doubles as a food and other accessories products. The accessories range from hardware materials to fashion and design. This also where-for the most part-all the Kigali people-big and small-accross all sectors of EDPRS and Vision 2020 come for their shopping.
Here you can find drivers, their bosses, taxi hires, salon operators, gate-men, each contributing their accorded share in nation building. On the sidelines of the market are several young-men dressed in green and or blue aprons with black numbers written on their backs.
The young men are normally involved in outrageous arguments, the topics can be as colourful as the clothes the arguers wear. This is before a vehicles comes into sight. Any vehicle that is. They will run towards this blessing hoping whoever is inside is moving along with some sort of luggage for them to carry-towards anywhere. The absence of vehicles, on certain days for hours explains the outrageous arguments and sometimes, even passersby can be drawn into the rage.
RUNNING after a mini bus just arriving at the market Tomas Uwambere, a luggage carriers gets entangled with three other carriers in a fight that would ultimately prove who among them saw the luggage first-and therefore deserves the right to carry it for the owner-whom non of the three carriers has identified so far!
Manfred Mondo, another passenger in the same bus observes the ensuing debate among the luggage carriers at the market and tells it as it was:
Carrier one: i saw this van first, am the one carrying the luggage at the back.
Carrier two: No, you are lying, i saw it first,besides, you took the previous van, logically this one is my turn.
Carrier three: You all weak, can you not see that this too large for any of you to carry?
Robel Mupenzi: (the owner of the luggage clears his voice and says) don't worry all of you, i can carry my luggage.
Mondo: (upon emerging from the bus), the service sector is indeed very important to our economy.
BY GEORGE KAGAME
According to most official documents in Kigali Notes, Rwanda's economy currently stands on the pillars of the service sector, most authorities in development economics have stated that this is due to the emphasis of the government on work ethics. The ethics are enshrined in wordings such as Vision 2020, performance contracts-Imihigo, to name but a few.
The improvement of the service sector, is important to you that by buying this copy of the newspaper you are reading, you have contributed your share in nation building. And it is because of such a simple transaction that simple people like added up to Frw 173 billion to last year's GDP figures from the service sector.
But you did more than buying pierces of paper, it is likely that yesterday, you were in a restaurant, internet cafe, church fellowship, in a Twegerane, or your favourite market. It is the market place that in more ways than one brings in a big share of the Frw 173 billion last year. It is your duty to spend more this year such that together, Kigali's blessed people can beat that figure by the end of this year.
And where else to indulge ourselves to be other than Kimironko market. The market is not built to good quality standards, it also doubles as a food and other accessories products. The accessories range from hardware materials to fashion and design. This also where-for the most part-all the Kigali people-big and small-accross all sectors of EDPRS and Vision 2020 come for their shopping.
Here you can find drivers, their bosses, taxi hires, salon operators, gate-men, each contributing their accorded share in nation building. On the sidelines of the market are several young-men dressed in green and or blue aprons with black numbers written on their backs.
The young men are normally involved in outrageous arguments, the topics can be as colourful as the clothes the arguers wear. This is before a vehicles comes into sight. Any vehicle that is. They will run towards this blessing hoping whoever is inside is moving along with some sort of luggage for them to carry-towards anywhere. The absence of vehicles, on certain days for hours explains the outrageous arguments and sometimes, even passersby can be drawn into the rage.
RUNNING after a mini bus just arriving at the market Tomas Uwambere, a luggage carriers gets entangled with three other carriers in a fight that would ultimately prove who among them saw the luggage first-and therefore deserves the right to carry it for the owner-whom non of the three carriers has identified so far!
Manfred Mondo, another passenger in the same bus observes the ensuing debate among the luggage carriers at the market and tells it as it was:
Carrier one: i saw this van first, am the one carrying the luggage at the back.
Carrier two: No, you are lying, i saw it first,besides, you took the previous van, logically this one is my turn.
Carrier three: You all weak, can you not see that this too large for any of you to carry?
Robel Mupenzi: (the owner of the luggage clears his voice and says) don't worry all of you, i can carry my luggage.
Mondo: (upon emerging from the bus), the service sector is indeed very important to our economy.
Pan African parliamentarians call for more effective conflict mechanisms
BY GEORGE KAGAME
African national legislators attending the 10th session of the Pan African Parliament have called upon the African Union Commission to increase the capacity of the AU Peace Keeping force so as to be able to deal more efficiently with conflicts on the continent.
The legislators noted that various conflicts both military and civil on the continent like in Mauritania, Somalia, DR Congo, Darfur, Chad, and Zimbabwe would be avoidable if the AU peace keeping force was active and efficient.
They were reacting to the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus J. O. Mwencha, who in his speech earlier in the day had stated that the AU was determined to strengthening the peace and security initiatives in the continent as a pre condition for the development of Africa.
Mwencha said that the AU had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) defining the relationship between them early this year.
Chuzao Gullelab from Namibia said talk of peace and security by the AU was useless as long as conflicts persisted on daily basis on the continent: "the crisis in Eastern DR Congo, Somalia and Darfur are frustrating and AU organs appear incompetent to handle them.
Mohammed Laga said that because of the limited integration processes on the continent, conflicts in many regions in Africa are sometimes fermented by outside forces while Africans were sometimes not directly responsible. He called for a more effective Pan African Parliament to move faster from being an advisory body with no powers to an active one that can demand action from government such that these conflicts can be avoided.
Commenting on the issue of stability Sunnir Door from Mauritius said while quoting a Ghanaian writer that beginning with the independence era in Africa, there had been 206 heads of state on the continent but only 20 good leaders, he added the AU needed "to budget more and more for development and less and less for peace keeping" as is the case now. Shadrac Niyonkuru from Burundi called upon the AU to devise concrete measures to demand the reinstatement of the constitutional government and penalize all African governments that come to power through coup de tats.
Responding to Mwencha's call for the development and harmonization of Africa’s customs administration and laws and negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, PAP members were critical of the process saying that the negotiations were not handled properly by African negotiators.
Batille Tosiki from @@@@ said the people that handled the negotiations on behalf of African states were not competent enough to deal with European sophistication.
Dr Georgette Kalimi from Egypt said the noble causes that African leaders want to achieve will not be achieved if the mentality of poverty still exists in the mindset of the same leaders; the mentalities she added are manifested throughout rampant corruption on the continent.
Azadine Abdelmajid said that countries in Africa that had started to transform food crops in the production of energy were criminals in the range of drug dealers: "they should be pursued by international law because this is a bad crime considering that many Africans are threatened by starvation while other countries are turning food crops into energy," said Abdelmajid.
BY GEORGE KAGAME
African national legislators attending the 10th session of the Pan African Parliament have called upon the African Union Commission to increase the capacity of the AU Peace Keeping force so as to be able to deal more efficiently with conflicts on the continent.
The legislators noted that various conflicts both military and civil on the continent like in Mauritania, Somalia, DR Congo, Darfur, Chad, and Zimbabwe would be avoidable if the AU peace keeping force was active and efficient.
They were reacting to the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission Erastus J. O. Mwencha, who in his speech earlier in the day had stated that the AU was determined to strengthening the peace and security initiatives in the continent as a pre condition for the development of Africa.
Mwencha said that the AU had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the AU and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) defining the relationship between them early this year.
Chuzao Gullelab from Namibia said talk of peace and security by the AU was useless as long as conflicts persisted on daily basis on the continent: "the crisis in Eastern DR Congo, Somalia and Darfur are frustrating and AU organs appear incompetent to handle them.
Mohammed Laga said that because of the limited integration processes on the continent, conflicts in many regions in Africa are sometimes fermented by outside forces while Africans were sometimes not directly responsible. He called for a more effective Pan African Parliament to move faster from being an advisory body with no powers to an active one that can demand action from government such that these conflicts can be avoided.
Commenting on the issue of stability Sunnir Door from Mauritius said while quoting a Ghanaian writer that beginning with the independence era in Africa, there had been 206 heads of state on the continent but only 20 good leaders, he added the AU needed "to budget more and more for development and less and less for peace keeping" as is the case now. Shadrac Niyonkuru from Burundi called upon the AU to devise concrete measures to demand the reinstatement of the constitutional government and penalize all African governments that come to power through coup de tats.
Responding to Mwencha's call for the development and harmonization of Africa’s customs administration and laws and negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, PAP members were critical of the process saying that the negotiations were not handled properly by African negotiators.
Batille Tosiki from @@@@ said the people that handled the negotiations on behalf of African states were not competent enough to deal with European sophistication.
Dr Georgette Kalimi from Egypt said the noble causes that African leaders want to achieve will not be achieved if the mentality of poverty still exists in the mindset of the same leaders; the mentalities she added are manifested throughout rampant corruption on the continent.
Azadine Abdelmajid said that countries in Africa that had started to transform food crops in the production of energy were criminals in the range of drug dealers: "they should be pursued by international law because this is a bad crime considering that many Africans are threatened by starvation while other countries are turning food crops into energy," said Abdelmajid.
Amy's fast food, filling up your entire energy requirement
Amy's fast food, filling up your entire energy requirement
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Amy's Fast-food is one of the trendy catering places on the outskirts of the city; it is not so much the well prepared meals on service here or the friendly service style of the staff that conquers your feasting fiesta.
But of wonder is how the designers of the place managed to make such a little place accommodate so much stuff without overcrowding it and yet preserving the beautiful scenery in the background. Situated at the turn of the last sharp corner as you head to the busier suburbs of Kimironko, Remera, Gikondo and Kacyiru, Amy's is one Kigali's mushrooming fast food joint and it offers more than food.
It offers in-house ice cream, milk shakes and waffles, soft drinks including real fresh juice on top of a full menu break fast service-one of just a handful of places yo can find in Kigali. The location of Amy's is ideal for that badly needed breakfast because it is the only way the business can target many of Kigali's residents that live in the afore mentioned suburbs but work their livings in the city centre.
Also of advantage is its location on the premises of one city's busiest petrol stations, the manager knows which side of bread is good. So at Frw 2500, you can treat your appetite early in the morning before starting the working day. But there's also a traditional menu for lunch that goes between Frw 2500 to Frw 4000. The restaurant menu has a wide selection range from assorted rice, beef stew, fish and an assortment of other local dishes on top of snacks and the usual junk varieties like burgers and rolls.
However since the eatery is located on the wrong side of the road, it will benefit much if the road rules in the country change so that traffic heading out of the city centre comes to the left side of the road, the cafe will be well placed to get more clients.
Well as the place is used mostly by trekkers who just want a quick bite to carry away, for those that choose to sit in, the view this little place offers is amazing, this is because the sitting area is positioned a several inches high above the ground, so while you idly sip your juice or eat ice cream you are welcome to view the leafy residential houses and commercial blocks covering the entire Kacyiru and Kimiruhura neighbourhoods and its accompanying few dots of slums.
As is expected Amy's is perfectly situated to attract many clients but its location ensures that most of the clientele is the driving kind, since the entire stretch of the road from the petrol station to the main round about is taken by Vision 2020 blocks, the fast food joint will soon be smiling as most of the people that will occupy the Vision 2020 blocks will only have Amy's within walking distance for food.
Of note also among the target group are the toiletries and hardware shops on the building next to the petrol station.
Amy's takeaway and restaurant located at the Total Petrol station, before 'Peaje' it is open daily but on some occasions the managers close the premises and do not inform clients of their decisions.
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Amy's Fast-food is one of the trendy catering places on the outskirts of the city; it is not so much the well prepared meals on service here or the friendly service style of the staff that conquers your feasting fiesta.
But of wonder is how the designers of the place managed to make such a little place accommodate so much stuff without overcrowding it and yet preserving the beautiful scenery in the background. Situated at the turn of the last sharp corner as you head to the busier suburbs of Kimironko, Remera, Gikondo and Kacyiru, Amy's is one Kigali's mushrooming fast food joint and it offers more than food.
It offers in-house ice cream, milk shakes and waffles, soft drinks including real fresh juice on top of a full menu break fast service-one of just a handful of places yo can find in Kigali. The location of Amy's is ideal for that badly needed breakfast because it is the only way the business can target many of Kigali's residents that live in the afore mentioned suburbs but work their livings in the city centre.
Also of advantage is its location on the premises of one city's busiest petrol stations, the manager knows which side of bread is good. So at Frw 2500, you can treat your appetite early in the morning before starting the working day. But there's also a traditional menu for lunch that goes between Frw 2500 to Frw 4000. The restaurant menu has a wide selection range from assorted rice, beef stew, fish and an assortment of other local dishes on top of snacks and the usual junk varieties like burgers and rolls.
However since the eatery is located on the wrong side of the road, it will benefit much if the road rules in the country change so that traffic heading out of the city centre comes to the left side of the road, the cafe will be well placed to get more clients.
Well as the place is used mostly by trekkers who just want a quick bite to carry away, for those that choose to sit in, the view this little place offers is amazing, this is because the sitting area is positioned a several inches high above the ground, so while you idly sip your juice or eat ice cream you are welcome to view the leafy residential houses and commercial blocks covering the entire Kacyiru and Kimiruhura neighbourhoods and its accompanying few dots of slums.
As is expected Amy's is perfectly situated to attract many clients but its location ensures that most of the clientele is the driving kind, since the entire stretch of the road from the petrol station to the main round about is taken by Vision 2020 blocks, the fast food joint will soon be smiling as most of the people that will occupy the Vision 2020 blocks will only have Amy's within walking distance for food.
Of note also among the target group are the toiletries and hardware shops on the building next to the petrol station.
Amy's takeaway and restaurant located at the Total Petrol station, before 'Peaje' it is open daily but on some occasions the managers close the premises and do not inform clients of their decisions.
PAP calls for restoration of elected government in Mauritania
PAP calls for restoration of elected government in Mauritania
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Johannesburg
The Pan African Parliament has added voice to the African Union’s call for the restoration of Mauritanian President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi to power after his overthrow in a bloodless coup two months ago.
Presenting their report that was read by Lassane Savadogo from Burkina Faso to the house, the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution called for the reinstatement of the former president as a prerequisite for solving the crisis in the far western African country. They also proposed instituting constitutional reform and called for the release of Sidi Mohamed.
Sidi Mohamed was ousted from power by a group of high ranking generals he had dismissed from office on 6th August led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz who has been a central figure in the politics of Mauritania in recent years.
Only last week, the military coup leader rejected an AU ultimatum to reinstate Sidi Mohamed, saying it was not in the country's best interests.
Reacting to the report PAP representatives called for the AU to set a committee for good governance and corruption control. Dr. Georgette Kalimi from Egypt suggested this committee as an effective measure in fighting rampant corruption on the continent. “We should also set an a Pan African Criminal Court such that we avoid a situation as we are facing in Sudan where a sitting president is being threatened by the International Criminal Court.”
Kalimi added that peace and security in Africa cannot be guaranteed by texts as the AU is currently doing: “the commission is writing documents which are kept in files while conflicts persist.”
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Johannesburg
The Pan African Parliament has added voice to the African Union’s call for the restoration of Mauritanian President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi to power after his overthrow in a bloodless coup two months ago.
Presenting their report that was read by Lassane Savadogo from Burkina Faso to the house, the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution called for the reinstatement of the former president as a prerequisite for solving the crisis in the far western African country. They also proposed instituting constitutional reform and called for the release of Sidi Mohamed.
Sidi Mohamed was ousted from power by a group of high ranking generals he had dismissed from office on 6th August led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz who has been a central figure in the politics of Mauritania in recent years.
Only last week, the military coup leader rejected an AU ultimatum to reinstate Sidi Mohamed, saying it was not in the country's best interests.
Reacting to the report PAP representatives called for the AU to set a committee for good governance and corruption control. Dr. Georgette Kalimi from Egypt suggested this committee as an effective measure in fighting rampant corruption on the continent. “We should also set an a Pan African Criminal Court such that we avoid a situation as we are facing in Sudan where a sitting president is being threatened by the International Criminal Court.”
Kalimi added that peace and security in Africa cannot be guaranteed by texts as the AU is currently doing: “the commission is writing documents which are kept in files while conflicts persist.”
DR Congo urged to solve crisis instead of accusing constantly Rwanda
DR Congo urged to solve crisis instead of accusing constantly Rwanda
BY GEORGE KAGAME&
ARTHUR MORDAUNT
Johannesburg
The Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Liberata Mulamula has called upon the DR Congo government to find a solution to the strife in the Eastern part of the country instead of its continued accusations against Rwanda
Mulamula who was addressing journalists at the sidelines of the 10th session of the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg South Africa said the Great Lakes Region was facing conflicts because countries in this area were emerging from longstanding conflicts and therefore do not have mechanisms to control internal problems. She added that DR Congo was at the epicenter of all conflicts in the region.
Talking about the recent outbreaks of war in the Eastern part of DR Congo, Mulamula said the country had failed to deal with the issues that led to the raise of dissident General Laurent Nkunda: “the Nkunda factor is an internal problem for DR Congo but it has heightened relations between the country and Rwanda. They constantly allege that Rwanda supports Nkunda but nobody even the UN force in the region –MONUC has comer up with evidence to suggest this is true.”
She continued that accusations of Rwanda’s support to Nkunda do not help anybody in bringing peace to Eastern Congo. Mulamula advised the Congolese government to deal with the negative forces of Interahamwe which cause legitimate security concerns for Rwanda: “there was no Nkunda factor before the Interahamwe issues; it is only when these negative forces are repatriated that peace will prevail in the region,” Mulamula said.
Mulamula further congratulated Angola and Rwanda for creating stable economies with even peaceful and successful elections while some of its neighbours were fighting.
She however lamented the various initiatives that have been undertaken to bring about peace IN THE Great Lakes Region saying they were documents which are not implemented because of limited political will from some stakeholders.
Eastern Congo is currently in crisis after heavy fighting between the government forces against those of the troops under the command of dissident General Laurent Nkunda, the fighting between the two warring sides has displaced over 150,000 people in the region.
BY GEORGE KAGAME&
ARTHUR MORDAUNT
Johannesburg
The Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region Liberata Mulamula has called upon the DR Congo government to find a solution to the strife in the Eastern part of the country instead of its continued accusations against Rwanda
Mulamula who was addressing journalists at the sidelines of the 10th session of the Pan African Parliament in Johannesburg South Africa said the Great Lakes Region was facing conflicts because countries in this area were emerging from longstanding conflicts and therefore do not have mechanisms to control internal problems. She added that DR Congo was at the epicenter of all conflicts in the region.
Talking about the recent outbreaks of war in the Eastern part of DR Congo, Mulamula said the country had failed to deal with the issues that led to the raise of dissident General Laurent Nkunda: “the Nkunda factor is an internal problem for DR Congo but it has heightened relations between the country and Rwanda. They constantly allege that Rwanda supports Nkunda but nobody even the UN force in the region –MONUC has comer up with evidence to suggest this is true.”
She continued that accusations of Rwanda’s support to Nkunda do not help anybody in bringing peace to Eastern Congo. Mulamula advised the Congolese government to deal with the negative forces of Interahamwe which cause legitimate security concerns for Rwanda: “there was no Nkunda factor before the Interahamwe issues; it is only when these negative forces are repatriated that peace will prevail in the region,” Mulamula said.
Mulamula further congratulated Angola and Rwanda for creating stable economies with even peaceful and successful elections while some of its neighbours were fighting.
She however lamented the various initiatives that have been undertaken to bring about peace IN THE Great Lakes Region saying they were documents which are not implemented because of limited political will from some stakeholders.
Eastern Congo is currently in crisis after heavy fighting between the government forces against those of the troops under the command of dissident General Laurent Nkunda, the fighting between the two warring sides has displaced over 150,000 people in the region.
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