7/12/08

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Somalia, Burundi referees sent home
Finny Muyeshi
Daily News; Sunday,July 13, 2008 @00:05
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  • Three referees, two from Somalia and one from Burundi have been sent home from the East and Central Africa Club Championships after failing their physical tests. Confirming this in Dar es Salaam yesterday,

    Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) secretary general Nicholas Musonye of Kenya said while the three successfully underwent their medical tests, they failed the physical fitness test, thus are unfit to officiate at the two-week tournament being held in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro.

    They are centre referee Abdi Abdile and assistant referee Ali Ahmed from Somalia and Burundi referee Habomana Bernard. Cecafa has moved fast to replace them with referee Waziri Sheha from Zanzibar, Caleb Amwayi from Kenya and assistant referee Khamis Changwalu from Tanzania Mainland.

    The rest of the referees for the tournament are Thomas Onyango from Kenya, Charles Mbaga from Tanzania, Dennis Batte from Uganda and Munyemana Hudu from Rwanda. The assistants are Samwel Mbezu, Juma Ali Kombo, Tesfagiorgis Berhe from Eritrea, Mussie Kinde from Ethiopia and Hesborn Mbogo from Kenya.

    Musonye said it was unfortunate that some referees failed to keep themselves fit ahead of the tournament, declaring that such whistlers will never be entertained. The tests were held at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Friday by Kenya's Robert Anangwe and Ally Hafidh from Zanzibar.

    Speaking to the tournament's referees ahead of the Saturday start, Musonye urged them to work hard with a view to earning places in prestigious tournaments, such as the African Cup of Nations and World Cup. He said regional referees were lucky that Cecafa was giving them opportunities to shine through their many annual tournaments. He said assignments to Cecafa tournaments will continue to be spread out, but cautioned that only those who impress would be entertained.







    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
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    What did Danish envoy Barlyng achieve in Uganda?

    Give credit where it is due. Unlike many diplomats who have ended their tour of duty in Uganda by dumping their long-suffering wives, marrying local women and settling here to carry out 'consultancy work'; the outgoing Danish Ambassador, Stig Barlyng is leaving with his attractive wife, Jette, to take up a new post in Ghana.

    Fortunately for Jette, it must be said, if her husband can resist the stunningly pretty Ugandan women then she can breathe a sigh of relief and begin looking forward to happy retirement with Stig.

    Unfortunately for Stig, in the modern world, a diplomat's success is not about keeping your partner. Rather, it is based on a do-or-die management paradigm where outcomes are measured against inputs.

    According to Foreign Office documents in Copenhagen, the Royal Danish government is pouring money into Uganda to pursue five "strategic priorities" aimed at tackling poverty and preventing war:

    Supporting the democratisation process to prevent armed conflicts as a means of solving political disputes, and ensuring that marginalised people are able to access the justice system.

    Supporting good governance to ensure that public service including health, education and clean water is delivered to the poor in a more efficient, effective, transparent and accountable manner. Promoting agriculture and improving road transportation to increase household incomes. And fighting corruption, which "is rampant in Uganda and is widely regarded as the major constraint for poverty reduction".

    Ugandans are entitled not only to ask the Royal Danish government, but also to expect answers to questions about their Ambassador's achievements with regard to their five strategic priorities.

    Is Uganda more democratic today compared to 2003 when he took up his post in Kampala? If so, why did the 2006 report of European Union Election Observers Mission make these damning declarations?

    "The pre-election and campaign periods were dominated by controversial court cases brought by the state against the leading Opposition candidate, Dr Besigye, which significantly limited the time he had to campaign and the extent to which he could travel around the country."

    "Tension built up during the last two weeks before election day after acts of violence during rallies left many Opposition supporters dead or injured."
    "The President and his party utilised state resources in support of their campaign, including use of government cars and personnel."

    "Overall, the elections fell short of full compliance with international principles for genuine democratic elections, in particular because, despite the adoption of a Multi-party system, the structures of the Movement system and its officially sanctioned organs remained intact, active and funded by the state throughout the election period."

    What has Mr Barlyng done to implement the 43 recommendations of the EU Election Observer Mission, aimed at ensuring free and fair elections in 2011, especially the following?

    "Amending the law to introduce an open, transparent and publicly accountable system for the nomination, selection and appointment of the Election Commissioners, free from any political interference."

    "Removing guaranteed seats for the army; reinstating the two-term limit; improving the voter registration process; and developing an adequate system of access to the state media."

    "Ensuring the independence of the Judiciary" because "interference with the judiciary independence has a negative impact on public confidence during an election process."

    Has Mr Barlyng "persuaded" Uganda government to prosecute officials who diverted the Global Fund money?
    As for human rights, where is Mr Ronald Kasekende, the former Makerere University student and a torture victim who sought sanctuary in his official residence from where he was recaptured by soldiers?

    If Mr Barlyng could be sprayed with tear gas in the High Court on November 16, 2005, what level of abuse are ordinary Ugandans enduring?
    What democracy is in Uganda where Opposition MPs have to walk out of Parliament and sit at the veranda to make their point; and female MPs are beaten and almost stripped naked?

    With Joesph Kifefe, David Oboma, Moses Damani and Denis Nabireba having died in detention; Dr Besigye still facing treason, punishable by death; Lt. Ramathan Magara walking free having murdered Vincent Kavuma, Gideon Makabayi, Joseph Wegulo and Haruna Byamukama; corruption becoming institutional while abject poverty spreads; hasn't Ambassador Barlyng been an utter failure?

    But is the Danish Royal government aware that their ambassador once acted as a Movement cadre when during the October 28, 2005 meeting with EU diplomats and the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change, he asked Dr Besigye to account for reports that he was leading the mythical People's Redemption Army as reported by the Red Pepper which is as reputable as a pornography publication?






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66
    What did Danish envoy Barlyng achieve in Uganda?

    Give credit where it is due. Unlike many diplomats who have ended their tour of duty in Uganda by dumping their long-suffering wives, marrying local women and settling here to carry out 'consultancy work'; the outgoing Danish Ambassador, Stig Barlyng is leaving with his attractive wife, Jette, to take up a new post in Ghana.

    Fortunately for Jette, it must be said, if her husband can resist the stunningly pretty Ugandan women then she can breathe a sigh of relief and begin looking forward to happy retirement with Stig.

    Unfortunately for Stig, in the modern world, a diplomat's success is not about keeping your partner. Rather, it is based on a do-or-die management paradigm where outcomes are measured against inputs.

    According to Foreign Office documents in Copenhagen, the Royal Danish government is pouring money into Uganda to pursue five "strategic priorities" aimed at tackling poverty and preventing war:

    Supporting the democratisation process to prevent armed conflicts as a means of solving political disputes, and ensuring that marginalised people are able to access the justice system.

    Supporting good governance to ensure that public service including health, education and clean water is delivered to the poor in a more efficient, effective, transparent and accountable manner. Promoting agriculture and improving road transportation to increase household incomes. And fighting corruption, which "is rampant in Uganda and is widely regarded as the major constraint for poverty reduction".

    Ugandans are entitled not only to ask the Royal Danish government, but also to expect answers to questions about their Ambassador's achievements with regard to their five strategic priorities.

    Is Uganda more democratic today compared to 2003 when he took up his post in Kampala? If so, why did the 2006 report of European Union Election Observers Mission make these damning declarations?

    "The pre-election and campaign periods were dominated by controversial court cases brought by the state against the leading Opposition candidate, Dr Besigye, which significantly limited the time he had to campaign and the extent to which he could travel around the country."

    "Tension built up during the last two weeks before election day after acts of violence during rallies left many Opposition supporters dead or injured."
    "The President and his party utilised state resources in support of their campaign, including use of government cars and personnel."

    "Overall, the elections fell short of full compliance with international principles for genuine democratic elections, in particular because, despite the adoption of a Multi-party system, the structures of the Movement system and its officially sanctioned organs remained intact, active and funded by the state throughout the election period."

    What has Mr Barlyng done to implement the 43 recommendations of the EU Election Observer Mission, aimed at ensuring free and fair elections in 2011, especially the following?

    "Amending the law to introduce an open, transparent and publicly accountable system for the nomination, selection and appointment of the Election Commissioners, free from any political interference."

    "Removing guaranteed seats for the army; reinstating the two-term limit; improving the voter registration process; and developing an adequate system of access to the state media."

    "Ensuring the independence of the Judiciary" because "interference with the judiciary independence has a negative impact on public confidence during an election process."

    Has Mr Barlyng "persuaded" Uganda government to prosecute officials who diverted the Global Fund money?
    As for human rights, where is Mr Ronald Kasekende, the former Makerere University student and a torture victim who sought sanctuary in his official residence from where he was recaptured by soldiers?

    If Mr Barlyng could be sprayed with tear gas in the High Court on November 16, 2005, what level of abuse are ordinary Ugandans enduring?
    What democracy is in Uganda where Opposition MPs have to walk out of Parliament and sit at the veranda to make their point; and female MPs are beaten and almost stripped naked?

    With Joesph Kifefe, David Oboma, Moses Damani and Denis Nabireba having died in detention; Dr Besigye still facing treason, punishable by death; Lt. Ramathan Magara walking free having murdered Vincent Kavuma, Gideon Makabayi, Joseph Wegulo and Haruna Byamukama; corruption becoming institutional while abject poverty spreads; hasn't Ambassador Barlyng been an utter failure?

    But is the Danish Royal government aware that their ambassador once acted as a Movement cadre when during the October 28, 2005 meeting with EU diplomats and the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change, he asked Dr Besigye to account for reports that he was leading the mythical People's Redemption Army as reported by the Red Pepper which is as reputable as a pornography publication?






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66
    Miss Uganda: The other side of the story

    By Caroline Mbabazi

    They have mastered the trick of acting intelligent (they were told face value is
    not enough). Not bothering to be different, they all mention Obama and Hillary Clinton as their role models, having figured Maggie Kigozi might not sound that sophisticated.

    On Saturday last week I watched as the final contestants of this year's Miss Uganda were unveiled; 19 girls, (less by two) to make the usually expected 21 contestants. All kinds of girls: the villager they just picked out of her S.6 class room (she has mock exams on Monday, like its their problem) the little confused girl who has been told by her friends that she looks every bit of "it" (what?), the tall little bodied cute face we all expect of a beauty queen, the other one that just had nothing to do after high school in this long vacation and decided to take chances (you just never know), then my glamour girl who wants to be famous and dreams of red carpet receptions, V.I.P treatment, a tiara on her head, and yes, this is the only reason she is up for this contest. Most of the other kinds are the ones who have watched too many movies and just want to catch that part in Uganda's history as Miss Uganda 2008/09.

    life4b_1.gif
    Dr Ida Nakuya, 2002/3

    They have mastered the trick of acting intelligent (they were told face value is not enough). Not bothering to be different, they all mention Obama and Hillary Clinton as their role models, having figured Maggie Kigozi might not sound that sophisticated. When you read their profiles you do not need to be told that they are young and probably lack the insight to analyse what awaits them in case they win. Thanks to each one of them, yet again we are about to have this year's beauty pageant. Of course at the end of the day, we expect to have another Ugandan crowned Miss Uganda even when she turns out to be far away from the quality we all expect.

    Miss UG down memory lane
    Jessica Kyeyune, Miss Uganda 1990/1991, Olga Nampima Miss Uganda 1992/1993, Linda Bazalaki 1993/1994, Sheba Kerere Miss Uganda 1995/ 1996, Lillian Acom 1997; and we all thought that was the end of it. Lillian Achom remained with the crown for three years. When we had all almost un-concernedly ignored it and come to terms with the fact that Uganda was not going to have another beauty queen, we were rescued by Sylvia Owori, who bought the franchise and took over the organisation of the event in 2001. With her came Victoria Nabunya, Miss Uganda 2001/02; Rehma Nakuya, Miss Uganda 2002/03; Aisha Salma Nassanga, Miss Uganda 2003/04; Barbara Kimbugwe, Miss Uganda 2004, and all of a sudden we all thought being Miss Uganda was hot, and wished we could reach her, greet her, or get her autograph. We associated her with the sophistication and glamour the crown came with. We got involved with the individual, her looks became implanted in our heads, and just one look and one could be able to tell that Miss Uganda had just passed by. Before we knew it Sylvia was down and out of it (she refused to comment when I called her).

    life4d.gif
    Monica Kansiime Kasyate, Miss Uganda 2007/8

    We hate to admit it, but this was a huge setback in as far as this event is concerned. I hate to shatter a young girl's dream but things are just not the same. I know this because I met that girl (what's her name again?), the one who was crowned Miss Uganda the other day, in a taxi. She looks miserable, she walks on the streets and not a single person notices she just walked by. Her brother has fought endless battles with the organisers on her behalf. I know it because I have heard their stories, they are not good tales. We all believed in the event, we associated with it because it was sophisticated; we wanted to be a part of it because it was what was cool. Now, all of a sudden it's who cares who Miss Uganda is?

    It is still the Miss Uganda event. There're still committed sponsors on board, there're beautiful girls, so what exactly went wrong?

    Praise Akankwatsa's story
    They "crowned" her Miss Uganda without a crown that they promised to deliver and never did up to the end of her reign. She emerged from the back of the crowd (she wasn't offered a seat at the function where she was meant to hand over her "crown" or rather grief, disappointment and frustration, to another young Ugandan girl.

    life4c_1.gif
    Praise Asiimwe, Miss Uganda 2006/7

    Off a table, she picked and held in her hands the crown that was supposed to have been her own and put it on Monica Kansiime Kasyate's head. That's how Praise's story ended though it all started as unbelievably as a fairy tale. "I couldn't believe I had won, at that point I remember thinking my dreams had come true, I planned to do a lot of work in form of charity, as had always been my dream", she said. Then reality started to set in. "I wrote proposal after proposal, 'they' sat on all of them. I didn't receive a single coin in form of allowances from 'them'."

    Solaya Zalwango, the new director of the pageant, who could not be reached for comment, had promised her $3000, and a scholarship for a diploma in Public Relations in the UK in exchange for a car. After introducing her to a new, more expensive lifestyle than what she could afford, they were not willing to sustain it. They exposed her to the world, a pressure she admits she later failed to handle.

    "My life became hell; I cried so many times, I became frustrated and almost disillusioned by all the negative media and attention." Finally, she made a decision to go back to school, start over again and lay off the whole idea, which was not easy since the media fought her. "Each time I go onto a boda-boda, it was an issue; I couldn't move freely any more and I was scared."
    She hardened, wisened up and buried this whole promised-but-never-delivered-dream.

    Before she knew it, they were back, begging her to appear as the model for the posters advertising the next pageant. Solaya pleaded and promised that since Uganda Telecom was now on board, they would have some money to pay her for the photo shoot and cover for the allowances they had promised to give her. She agreed and after the shooting, that's the last she heard from them; she never got paid and none of the promised prizes were ever delivered. "They exploited, exposed, frustrated and spoilt my life," she said.
    "They promise you the world and they don't deliver even a pinch of it," she concluded.

    life4a.gif
    Victoria Nnabunya, Miss Uganda 2001/2

    Monica Kansiime Kasyate's story
    Ever since Monica Kansiime Kasyate was crowned Miss Uganda, her family, especially her brother - journalist Simon Kasyate, has been in endless fights with the Miss Uganda organisers. It all started with the car, which the organisers promised that the winner would walk away with. It was a month, two, and then three, and the car was nowhere to be seen. After a few fights here and there, they were finally pressurised to deliver the car - an old little pimped Rav 4 suspected to be one of those the organisers drove around to organise the pageant.

    "Since that car was delivered, I have serviced it, fuelled it and repaired every damage; even on the first day they delivered it empty of fuel," an emotional Monica said. "Each time I went to them, Solaya told me there was no money," she continued.

    She says that the Miss World experience was her worst. They just called and told her to pack clothes and prepare to leave for China in a few days. They did not give her clothes to wear at the pageant. Stella Atal and Catherine Woodin donated a few clothes to her, Abantu did her hair and Brenda Nanyonjo lent her some jewellery.All this she went around soliciting for. When the day came, they called her and told her to pick her ticket and go to the airport. "I was shocked when they said bye to me without giving me a single dollar; how did they expect me to survive?"

    Her brother gave her some money and she left after they promised that they would wire her some money, which they never did. "I had to beg around for some money from the friends I had made there," she said. She returned frustrated and this is when she started to realise that this dream was full of empty promises.
    Not one proposal she wrote ever made it for the proposed projects.

    Up to today she has not been given a single coin for allowances, and she has not received the $3,000 dollars they promised. "Each time I ask them about the money they tell me that they have to sit down as a committee and decide whether I deserve the money," she said. Her tales are endless. "I only pity the next person; I really hope she is strong enough to endure all that I have been put through," she concluded.

    She had heard Praise's story but admits that it's hard to believe a story unless you have experienced it, especially when there is a "golden" opportunity right in front of you.

    We all know how this story ends…
    A few years ago, when a former minister referred to the pageant as an exploitation of the girl child, she was making a point. Now I see her opinion in a new light. What is Miss Uganda about? Is it about one group of people using young innocent girls for their own financial benefit? Is it a well shaped hollow dream? Or is it the girls that are just not working hard enough? Do the rules, ideas and the hype change depending on who the steward is?

    Former Miss Uganda Aisha Salma Nasanga's story is different. Everything she was promised was delivered, she got a car, a comfortable trip to Miss World, where dressing and most of the other things were catered for. She received a monthly allowance as Miss Uganda.

    "That is how a beauty queen is supposed to be treated, so that other people can have reason to respect you," she said. She condemned the idea of a courtesy car, saying that it is a rip off. It's introducing someone into a life style that you later take away and force her to sustain, which could be terrible for her life.

    Jessica Kyeyune, Miss Uganda 1990, who was part of the organising committee for last year's Miss Uganda, stepped down this year and refuses to comment about this, saying it was for completely personal reasons. However, she says that human beings are extremely hard to work with and to her, the concept of Miss Uganda should lead individuals to work for what they want, not sit back and expect things to be done for them. The tales are endless, the journey long. In a few weeks, we shall be receiving another national beauty, another of our own. I wonder, will the story be any different?

    Getting Solaya Zalwango was hard. When I finally got her, she said she was busy and asked me to talk to Joy Masaba, the person in charge of production and communication. I asked Masaba what Miss Uganda was all about because I honestly did not understand the way things were being done.

    From her point of view, the pageant is about getting a beauty queen from our land to go and compete with the rest of the world. It's an obligation for the organisers much as it is an opportunity for the winner. They must send someone to the Miss World competition. That is what it is about. That's why they have the franchise. That is their business. However, saying that sending the winner to Miss World is one of the big rewards is almost ridiculous. They do not have a choice anyway.

    When I mentioned the car, she suddenly got defensive. She tried to explain to me the concept of a courtesy car. "It is supposed to facilitate her duties as Miss Uganda, and it does not have to be one car, they can be different cars as long as she moves." Strange.

    "We try to teach our girls to be responsible. That's why we didn't service the car through and through. We also noticed that Monica was misusing the car later on," she added.

    When I asked why their company went with the idea of a courtesy car instead of giving the winner a prize in form of a car, she answered, "In the past years they gave the girls small cars, we gave Monica a Shs125m car."

    "We also found out that the girls sold off their cars in the past so we decided to reward them with money," she said. But a prize is a prize. Isn't one allowed to do whatever they want with what they have been given?

    Masaba then said that the $3,000 can only be given to the winner after their committee agrees that she has carried out her contractual duties at the end of her reign. She denies that they ever promised Akankwatsa such money.
    "We introduced the idea this year so there is no way we could have promised her," she said.

    Masaba sounded unsure, and denied that they promised Akankwatsa a scholarship. So what did they promise her? She promised to send me a copy of the contract that was given to Kasyate so that we could clearly see what they promised these girls.

    The contract had not been sent in by press time though. I still wonder if it will be able to explain their failure to deliver as expected.

     






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66

    AHHHH Les mères !!!!

     

    David a invité sa mère à dîner.
    Pendant le repas, celle-ci ne peut s'empêcher de remarquer que Julie,
    la colocataire de son fils, est sacrément mignonne.
    Pendant la soirée, alors qu'elle observe la façon dont David et Julie
    se comportent l'un envers l'autre, elle se demande s'il n'y a pas entre eux un peu plus que le simple partage d'un loyer.
    David, devinant les pensées de sa mère, lui dit :
    « Maman, je sais ce que tu es en train de penser mais je t'assure que Julie et moi ne faisons que partager un appartement, c'est tout. »
    Environ une semaine plus tard, Julie dit à David :
    « Dis-donc, depuis que ta mère est venue dîner, je ne trouve plus la louche en argent. Crois-tu possible qu'elle l'ai prise ? « Quand même, ça m'étonnerait que Maman soit devenue pickpocket !Mais bon, je vais lui écrire un mail pour en avoir le coeur net.
    Il s'assied devant son ordi et écrit :
    « Ma chère Maman, je ne dis pas que tu as embarqué notre louche en argent, et je ne dis pas non plus que tu n'as pas pris la louche,mais il n'en reste pas moins vrai que cette louche a disparu depuis que tu es venue dîner. Bisous, David. »
    Et le lendemain, David reçoit la réponse de sa mère :
    « Mon cher David, je ne dis pas que tu couches avec Julie, et je ne dis pas non plus que tu ne couches pas avec Julie. Mais il n'en reste pas moins vrai que si Julie dormait dans son lit, elle aurait trouvé la louche depuis longtemps. Bisous, Maman


     



    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66

    Pas de chien au menu des restaurants de Pékin pendant les JO

    le 11/7/2008 à 16h37  par AFP

     

    La viande de chien, servie d'habitude dans certains restaurants de Pékin, sera interdite pendant les jeux Olympiques, pour éviter de heurter les sensibilités des visiteurs étrangers...

    L'interdiction, décidée par l'Association des restaurateurs de Pékin, s'applique aux 112 établissements "olympiques" recommandés aux visiteurs mais les autres restaurants de la ville sont aussi appelés à la respecter.

    "Si un client commande de la viande de chien, le personnel doit patiemment lui suggérer de commander autre chose", explique la directrice adjointe de l'Office de tourisme de Pékin, Xiong Yumei, citée par Chine Nouvelle.

    L'Association des restaurateurs a indiqué qu'elle exclurait tout établissement ne respectant pas l'interdiction.

    La mesure a été décidée pour "respecter les habitudes de nombreux pays", souligne les Nouvelles de Pékin, citant un responsable des services alimentaires de la ville.

    La Corée du Sud avait déjà interdit les plats à base de viande de chien en 1988, pour éviter toute publicité négative pouvant ternir ses jeux Olympiques.

    La viande de chien, surtout prisée dans la gastronomie coréenne, est recherchée pour ses qualités nutritionnelles et ses vertus médicinales présumées en Chine, où il est avancé qu'elle aide à combattre l'hypertension.

    Mais elle n'est pas consommée très souvent à Pékin.






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66

    Starbucks reaches out to coffee farmers with Rwanda Blue Bourbon® Coffee

    Posted on
    Saturday, 12 July 2008

      
      

    Starbucks today launched its latest Black Apron Exclusive (BAE), Rwanda Blue Bourbon® Coffee across most of its stores in the Middle East, the 18th in the line of exceptional gourmet coffees sourced from the best coffee growing regions of the world. The unique Black Apron Exclusives will help sustain coffee communities around the world through Starbucks awards to farmers for each BAE coffee produced.


    The production and sale of this high-quality unique specialty coffee will significantly help Rwanda's economy, and enable Rwandan farmers to improve their homes, afford medical care and provide educational opportunities for their children, through these Starbucks awards.

    With its high elevation, traditional Arabica Bourbon trees, rich soil and good rainfall, Rwanda is ideal for growing high-quality coffee. Rwanda is a land where 90 percent of the people work one-acre plots for subsistence; its coffee is grown by smallholders - farmers with about 175 trees per farm. This rare coffee is grown between Lake Kivu and the Nyungwe Forest in the south west of the country, in central Africa.

    "Starbucks first visited Rwanda in 2004 to sample coffees and assess Rwanda's potential as a coffee supplier to its growing global network of stores. Within two years we were able to sell our first coffee grown in the country, and here we are with this special coffee offered to our customers in the Middle East," said Antoun Abou Jaoude, Marketing Manager of Starbucks Middle East & Egypt. "Rwanda's future grows brighter with each harvest of specialty coffee, which accounts for seven per cent of the country's total coffee exports. Therefore this new rare and exotic coffee is not only a great cup - it is the source of hope for a brighter future for Rwanda."

    Rwanda Blue Bourbon® has a subtle acidity and an herbal, spicy complexity not typically found in the coffees of East Africa. "Blue" refers to the blue-green colour of the unroasted coffee cherries produced at the washing stations while "Bourbon" refers to the Bourbon variety of the Arabica species.

    An additional Rwandan coffee will also be introduced across Starbucks stores in the region; Starbucks Rwanda® Blend, a high-quality, medium-bodied blend originating from Kayco Mountain. Harvested by farmers working toward economic stability, these premium beans feature subtle wisps of acidity balancing distinct floral and herbal notes in this single origin blend.

    As well as experiencing the best coffees Rwanda could offer, Starbucks customers will also have the opportunity of exploring the region that represents the prehistoric origins of coffee with two additional selected Starbucks blends from Africa. One is the Starbucks Africa Kitamu®. In Swahili, "Kitamu" means "delicious beyond description". The flavours of this alluring blend exude the exotic citrus essences and floral notes intrinsic to the very best African coffees.

    The second is the Starbucks Ethiopia Sidamo® coffee. Highly prized by coffee buyers from around the globe, Ethiopia Sidamo offers a bold, bright start to your morning, with a soft finish that will carry you calmly into the day. Like the best of Sidamo coffees, it features a hint of crisp lemon with a pleasant, yet fleeting, floral aroma. It pairs well with lemon-flavoured foods such as lemon cake.

    "As we launch our first BAE coffee from Rwanda in the Middle East and our new coffee blends from East Africa, we should be celebrating not only their flavours, but also the promising future they help bring its people," added Abou Jaoude.

    These remarkable African coffees exemplify the beauty of the continent with unique floral aromas and distinct citrus notes. From the mountainous Eastern regions, theses tastes of Africa offer a temporary escape to the exotic splendour of the African continent in the comfort of Starbucks customers' homes this summer.



    Notes and contacts

    About Starbucks Coffee Company

    Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with over 16,000 stores in 44 countries, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
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    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66

    Rwanda emerges from dark misery

    Excitement, hope reign in land once gripped by genocide

    Sarah Petrescu, CanWest News Service

    Published: Saturday, July 12, 2008

    KIGALI, Rwanda - After a sleepless night of earthquake tremors and goat calls in the muggy heat at a hostel in Kigali, Rwanda, I hustled to the nearest hotel with a poolside lounge, comfy beds and hot showers.

    At the cabana bar, a Phil Collins cover band crooned One More Night, while a German diplomat got into a heated debate with a South African miner and several U.S. intelligence agents talked loudly on their BlackBerries in preparation for President George W. Bush's arrival in town in the next few days.

    It was hard to imagine that the Hotel des Mille Collines -- a lively social hub -- was the same desperate place where Rwandans sought refuge as thousands were killed outside its walls in the genocide 14 years earlier.

    Before Rwanda's 1994 genocide, most people in the Western world had never heard of the tiny East African country. The world took notice when President Juvenal Habyarimana's plane was shot down and political upheaval and violence ensued.

    But only when former UN commander Romeo Dallaire wrote about his personal failure in the disaster and the Hollywood film, Hotel Rwanda -- based on the Mille Collines -- followed, did the country become an international focus for fascination and aid.

    Now Rwanda is trying to capitalize on its newfound stability and influx of wealth through tourism and business.

    I travelled throughout the country for one week, seeing its bustling capital city and backcountry. The city's newly built mansions contrast with the rural hills where people live as they have for hundreds of years -- many starving, poor and in ill health.

    But each place has a feel of excitement and hope. The land is lush, scenic and beautiful. Veils of mist hang amid cascading green mountains. This is why they call Rwanda "land of a thousand hills."

    Compared to other African countries, Rwanda is easy to get around, very safe and relatively inexpensive. There is a range of experiences, from the touristy starred hotel and gorilla-watching route to the humanitarian tours and several genocide memorials.

    RANGE OF HOTELS

    Combining the two elements makes for the best experience.

    - Where to Stay: I splurged on a night at Mille Collines (US$172) after staying at the One Love Club Hostel ($15) -- run by a local Rastafarian and Japanese businesswoman as a non-profit employment program for people with disabilities.

    While the wild gardens and retro Bob Marley videos playing in the outdoor restaurant were charming, the shared rooms were rough. The bathrooms -- like many in Africa -- do not have running water or flushing toilets, just a large bucket of water and bar of soap to work with.

    Luckily, there are many reasonably priced hotels in Rwanda. In downtown Kigali, I spent a few nights at Hotel Okapi (US$40 cash). The rooms are simple -- single beds with mosquito nets and a private bath. The perk to this place is the Internet access (not wireless) and a fun patio restaurant where lots of locals come for meetings and to hang out.

    Other travellers I met recommended Gorillas Hotel and Chez Lando for value, safety and ambience.

    I had a similar experience at the Hotel IBIS in Butare/Huye ($37). The bungalow rooms are spacious and clean. University students hang out on the outdoor patio restaurant. The killers used the hotel as a headquarters, just a kilometre or so away from the university stadium where thousands were held and slain.

    - Getting Around: Getting around Rwanda is the most fun. The country is tiny -- you can drive from one end to the other and back in a day -- and the roads are mostly smooth and paved.

    In Kigali, taxi cabs are expensive. Most people get around on motos. These motorcycle taxis are plentiful, easy to flag down and cheap. I never paid more than $5 for a ride -- up to 20 kilometres long. But they are not for the weary. The drivers go fast and whip in and out of busy traffic.


    Buses are inexpensive and run on time throughout and between cities -- a luxury in Sub-Saharan Africa, where many are rundown and leave only when they are full.

    - What to see: Those in the Rwanda tourism industry say the country is known for the Three G's: gorillas, genocide and government.

    The same families of mountain gorillas Dian Fossey brought to the world's attention are the country's biggest tourist draw.

    Visitors to Rwanda can track the gorillas in small groups with a guide, getting close enough to be touched and take photos with the animals.

    The fee is about US$500, which must be wired to the tourism bureau bank account months in advance to ensure a spot.

    If you go to Rwanda, do not miss visiting a genocide memorial.

    Several of the memorials are massacre sites where the wreckage has been preserved. Like the Nyamata Ntarama church sites, where thousands were killed, which are now massive tombs filled with skulls and bones of those who died there. Many of the guides are survivors of the genocide and work by donation.

    The Kigali Memorial Centre is a permanent exhibition built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried.

    The exhibit is a moving and comprehensive look at genocide -- in Rwanda and around the world. It is also a place to grieve for Rwandans.

    On my visit there, several people in a group of genocide survivors (known by purple scarves they donned) broke down in tears throughout the exhibit.

    In one room, family photos of those who died hang on dozens of cords from floor to ceiling. In another, remnants of found (often bloodied) clothing is displayed. One is a tattered, dirty T-shirt that reads "I Love Ottawa."

    The most affecting part is the Children's Memorial: A room where large portraits of murdered children (some infants) hang with heart-breaking profiles. For example: "Mami Impinganziw, 12. Loved chips with mayo, traditional dance. Last words: Mom, where can I run to? Shot dead."

    COUNTRY OPENED UP

    In 2003, Paul Kagame (former ex-pat and leader of the guerrilla Rwandan Patriotic Front) became the first democratically elected president of Rwanda. Since then the country has opened up to aid organizations, tourism and business. It is highly policed and one of the safest African countries.

    Recently, Kagame named English as the Rwanda's language of business.

    Many Rwandans speak the colonial French but most speak Kinyarwanda. It is tough to learn fluently but worth learning a few phrases, namely "muraho" (hello), "murakoze" (thank you) and "murabeho" (goodbye).

    - What to eat: Rwanda is famous for its meat on a stick, also known as brochette. Most is goat meat, charred to an often tasty (and sanitary) crisp. But it gets boring quickly and is hard on the tummy. Hotel restaurants are great for their morning buffets of fresh fruit.

    Sarah Petrescu travelled to Rwanda as a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation's Seeing the World through New Eyes fellowship, a partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency.







    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
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    Sympa le gamin

     

    Sympa le gamin

    Un petit garçon de douze ans se promène sur le trottoir, en traînant derrière lui une grenouille aplatie au bout d'une ficelle. Il arrive devant un bordel et cogne à la porte. La tenancière répond et demande au petit garçon ce qu'il veut.

    - Je veux une relation sexuelle avec une des filles. J'ai de l'argent pour payer et je ne partirai pas sans l'avoir fait..

    La dame se dit pourquoi pas et le fait entrer.

    - Avez-vous des filles avec des maladies ?

    - Bien sûr que non, répondit la dame.

    - J'ai entendu les hommes dire qu'il fallait recevoir une injection après avoir couché avec Irma. C'est elle que je veux.

    Puisque le garçon y tenait tant et avait de l'argent, la dame lui dit d'aller dans la première chambre à droite.

    Le garçon se dirige vers la chambre en traînant derrière lui sa grenouille aplatie.

    Il ressort dix minutes plus tard en traînant derrière lui sa grenouille aplatie.

    Il paye la dame et s'en va en traînant toujours derrière lui sa grenouille aplatie.

    - Pourquoi as-tu choisi la seule fille avec une maladie ?

    - Ce soir, mes parents vont souper au restaurant et me laisseront à la maison avec la baby-sitter. Après qu'ils seront partis, la baby-sitter va me faire l'amour parce qu'elle aime les petits garçons mignons. Elle va attraper la maladie que je viens d'attraper. Quand mes parents reviendront, papa va aller reconduire la baby-sitter, il va la sauter dans l'auto et il va attraper la maladie à son tour. Quand papa va revenir, il va faire l'amour à maman et elle va l'attraper aussi ! Demain matin, quand tout le monde sera parti, le laitier va venir à la maison baiser ma mère, et il va attraper la maladie.

    - Et alors ?

    - C'est lui, l'enculé qui a écrasé ma grenouille ! ! !


     



    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
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    7/11/08

    Dutch tourist gets Marburg from Uganda
    Friday, 11th July, 2008
     

    GENEVA � A Dutch woman has died of Marburg fever in the Netherlands after returning from Uganda, health ministry officials confirmed yesterday.

    She is believed to have got the virus when a bat fell on her at the python cave in the Imaramagambo Forest, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, said. The cave is a popular tourist attraction adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

    �Three weeks after she returned to her country she developed the disease.�

    Zaramba said since the woman became ill after leaving Uganda, that does not constitute an outbreak of Marburg in Uganda. But warned Ugandans against coming in contact with wild bats and monkeys, saying they harbour the virus.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Ugandans and tourists to avoid entering caves with bats. �It is an isolated case of imported Marburg. People should not think about amending their travel plans to Uganda, but should not go into caves with bats,� WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said.

    The 40-year-old woman entered caves in western Uganda twice during a three-week trip in June, according to WHO.

    �Marburg virus infection has been demonstrated by laboratory tests...,� WHO said in a statement.

    Marburg haemorrhagic fever is a severe and highly fatal contagious disease caused by a virus related to the Ebola virus. Patients often bleed from multiple sites and there is no vaccine or specific treatment.

    The woman suffered fever and chills four days after her return home on June 28 and was admitted to Leiden hospital, where she had liver failure and severe bleeding, WHO said.

    People who were in close contact with her upon her return are being monitored daily, but none has shown any symptoms, according to Hartl.

    �No measures were taken with respect to the passengers on the flight from Uganda as the flight occurred four days before the onset of symptoms in the patient,� WHO said.

    �WHO has recommended that the ministry advises all residents and travellers to avoid entering caves with bat populations.�

    There was a Marburg outbreak among gold miners who work in caves in western Uganda in August 2007.






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
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    When progress has more to do with direction than speed Print E-mail
    Written by Richard Gitonga   
    Image
    Photo by: Liz Muthoni
    The Grand Regency Hotel. Looking at the controversy surrounding the sale of State assets, one wonders whether leaders involved are focused on the progress of this country.

    July 10, 2008:
    A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by a scientist called Dr Vint Serf on the evolution and future of the Internet.

    For those not familiar with the history and origins of the Internet, Dr Serf was actually one of the founders of the Internet. I was struck in awe at the futuristic thinking of this scientist on his vision of the application of the internet in the not too distant future.

    The theme of the presentation was on Inter galactic Connectivity where the concept of the internet would be leveraged to create a platform that would facilitate the connectivity of different planets and their orbiting satellites.

    This presentation was made at a time when the concept of broadband Internet connectivity in Kenya was just but a dream.

    The presentation had such a profound effect on the mostly Caucasian audience that Dr Serf received a standing ovation that lasted for about three minutes.

    As all this was going on we were still in the archaic age of trying our level best to regulate and restrict internet access for the sole purpose of keeping the Kenyan collective ignorance, uninformed and inward looking.

    It was not too long after the "inter galactic connectivity" experience that we were being exposed to NASA led planet Mars mapping missions where many spacecraft landings had been successfully accomplished.

    One of the key missions of these planet landings was the hunt for past or present water and volcanic activity on Mars. All this was happening when a significant percentage of Kenyans did not have access to clean drinking water. Circumstances have not changed much for majority of Kenyans.

    As we are busy polluting our meagre environmental resources, other human beings do not only have reserves of these precious commodities, but are also searching for future resources on other planets.

    Traditional benchmarks
    We continuously watch and hear our business and political leaders saying that we are making progress. This progress is characteristically measured in terms of traditional benchmarks such as growth in percentage gross domestic product, fiscal revenue collection, stable money supply, and favourable balance of payments.

    Question is, what do we need to do now in order to catch up with those nations that are busy preoccupied with scouting for resources on other planets and engrossed in the possibility of connecting these planets with inter galactic communication highways? The context of this question may seem somewhat far-fetched to most, but a plausible possibility to some.

    All forward motion is not necessarily progress. Did your brakes ever go out when you were driving down a hill? It is not enough to make progress; we must make it in the right direction. In other words, progress has little to do with speed, but much to do with direction.

    Unfortunate saga
    Looking at the recent goings on in regard to the controversy surrounding the sale of state assets, one wonders whether leaders involved in this unfortunate saga are focused on the progress of this country, or on some other discourse. It is said that bees cannot make honey and sting at the same time.

    This metaphor can be used to describe the hopelessness we are in when, rather than focusing our efforts on putting the first Kenyan on the moon (or the North Pole for that matter), we have the leadership of the country and the greater Kenya collective focus on the  unprecedented sale of a hotel.

    It is disheartening to think that sometime in the future, we may look back on these as the "good old days". Men are said to be like tacks; they can only go as far as their heads will let them. When we look at what our leaders are focused on today, it is difficult to accept that they are in a position to lead us to the light, or to Kenya's "enlightenment" for that matter, when they seem to be standing in the dark.

    The principle of good leadership is governed by the ability of leaders to take a little more of their fair share of the blame, and a little less than their fair share of the credit.

    As we continue our journey into the future as a nation, we have to reflect deeply on the fact that we get the leaders we deserve.
     




    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
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    Tobacco firm fights Kenya's new smoking ban

    Story by JILLO KADIDA
    Publication Date: 7/11/2008

    A Kenyan cigarette manufacturer has moved to court to challenge a new law that bans smoking in public places.

    The new law seeks to regulate the production, marketing and smoking of tobacco and took effect on Tuesday, July 8.

    It prohibits smoking in public places and selling of cigarettes to those under 18 years of age.

    The law also says smokers will only be allowed to buy a minimum of 10 cigarettes in a packet.

    According to Mastermind Tobacco, one of the main manufacturers of tobacco and its products, the new law is unconstitutional and irrational. The firm says the prohibition of promotion of tobacco or its products negates the freedom of commercial expression.

    The new law known as Tobacco Control Act 2007 outlaws the promotions through testimonials, advertisements and sponsoring of sporting programmes among others.

    It also prohibits the manufacture, distribution or sale of accessories such as lighters that display a tobacco product-related brand name or the name of the manufacturer as well as display of tobacco brand elements on umbrellas, bags and clothing, among others.

    Mastermind argues that some sections of the new law interferes with property rights and freedom to receive information.

    It also discriminates against persons engaged in the manufacture and use of tobacco products.

    The manufacturer contends that the manufacture of tobacco and its use does not per se pose danger to the public.

    Through its lawyer Fred Ngatia, the firm argues that the act imposes penal consequences despite the fact that the manufacture of tobacco is not a prohibited activity.

    To that extent, according to the firm, the new law criminalises an otherwise lawful activity and as a result violates the Constitution.

    And offenders flouting the sweeping ban will be liable to harsh penalties, including fines ranging from Sh50,000 to Sh3 million and/or imprisonment for a term ranging from six months to three years.

    Under the new law, smoking is prohibited in all public places such as offices and workplaces, court and public buildings, factories, cinema halls, theatres, video houses, disco halls, hospitals and other health institutions.

    Other restricted public places are restaurants, hotels, bars, markets, children's homes, residential houses, places of worship, police stations, public transport terminals, stadiums, airports, commuter boats, trains, ferries or any other public conveyance places.

    The Act also prohibits the manufacture, distribution or sale of accessories such as lighters that display a tobacco product-related brand name .

    Mastermind is asking the court to make declarations that the entire act is unconstitutional.

    Also sought is a declaration that the penal sections in the Act are not a legitimate exercise of the state police powers.

     





    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
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    Dark side of Africa

    'I was raped,' B.C. missionary in Kenya says

    Five men, two women arrested for brutal attack on Canadian couple

    Linda Nguyen, Canwest News Service

    Published: Friday, July 11, 2008

    A Canadian missionary working in Kenya said Friday she was raped by three men while her husband was attacked outside, according to media reports.

    "I've got a broken jaw. My husband has a broken jaw. I have 35 stitches on my face," Eloise Bergen, 66, told CTV News today. "I was raped. It was not nice."

    Seven people - five men and two women - have been arrested for the brutal attack Wednesday on the Vernon, B.C., couple. Two of the suspects were night security guards who were supposed to be protecting the pair.

    Eloise Bergen, 66, and her husband Canadian John Bergen, 70, both on missionary work in Kenya, are recovering in a hospital after a brutal home invasion on Tuesday.

    Eloise Bergen, 66, and her husband Canadian John Bergen, 70, both on missionary work in Kenya, are recovering in a hospital after a brutal home invasion on Tuesday.

     

    All stolen property has been recovered.

    Eloise and John Bergen were in Kenya working as missionaries for Hope for the Nations, a non-profit society based in Kelowna, B.C.

    They had recently moved from the organization's compound to their own house about 10 kilometres away because they had wanted to be nearer to the widows and orphans in the city of Kitale, helping people who have fled a political crisis.

    According to Ralph Bromley, head of the Hope for the Nations charity, the assailants struck John's skull, jaw, arm, knee and leg with their clubs. He was also severely cut with machetes. A broken knee and leg will require extensive surgery.

    Eloise was tied up, assaulted, and pinned under a pile of furniture.

    Eloise said it took her 45 minutes to cut herself free and save her husband, 70, after the thugs stormed their Kenyan home.

    The two are now recovering in a hospital in Nairobi.

    Eloise said that she remained calm during the ordeal because God was on her side.

    "I was conscious of an overwhelming fear," she told CTV. "But I knew I must do what they tell me to do. I have to remain calm."

    She said the culprits were very nervous during the whole ordeal.

    "They were very nervous and jumpy and afraid that somebody might find me during this. They had the machete at my throat almost all the time," Eloise said.

    When asked what the motive was behind this attack, she replied: "I don't know the reason. It was not reasonable."

    Bromley said Friday that he knows the couple wouldn't let an attack like this deter them from their volunteer work and would most likely stay in Kenya after their recovery.

    The couple have two sons and two daughters.

    Bromley said the Bergens' son, Josh, 20, and a nephew will arrive in Nairobi by Saturday.






    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
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    Kenya's Anglican bishops to boycott Lamberth conference

    Written By:Rosalia Opondo   , Posted: Fri, Jul 11, 2008

    Kenya's Anglican bishops have confirmed they will boycott the 15th Lamberth conference in Canterbury, England from July 16 to 3rd August 2008.

    The controversial issue of ordination of openly gay bishops and blessing partnerships of same-sex couples in the Episcopal Church in United States is a matter that has further caused tension and divides in the Anglican Church. 

    This is exactly the reason why Kenya's Anglican officials will not attend the conference.

    In a statement made to the press, Archbishop, Benjamin Nzimbi confirmed the church's decision to boycott the meeting, as they do not agree with the decisions to ordain gay bishops

    More than 650 Anglican bishops are expected to attend the conference.

    Despite stating that the church will not split, it is clear that the issue has caused a major rift within the church. Most bishops from Africa have also said they will not attend the conference. So the question still remains, Could this be the beginning of an eminent split in the church?

    The last Lamberth conference held in 1998 passed two resolutions saying they will not ordain gay men and lesbians and that homosexuality is incompatible with the scripture.

    Last month a rival meeting held in Jerusalem was attended by more than 250 conservative Anglican clergy issuing dramatic warnings about a looming parting of ways with liberal churches in a bid to seek a renewed Anglican communion.

    The move to boycott the conference is a blow to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams who wants to use the meeting to heal the rift over sexuality, which has driven the communion to the brink of a permanent split.






    --
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    Corruption : une ONG porte plainte contre cinq chefs d'Etat africains
    FRANCE - 10 juillet 2008 - AFP

    L'ONG Transparence International France (TI) a annoncé jeudi avoir déposé une plainte visant cinq chefs d'Etat africains, dont le Gabonais Omar Bongo, qu'elle accuse de posséder en France des biens immobiliers financés par de l'argent public détourné.

    Une première plainte à ce sujet avait déjà été déposée en mars 2007 par trois associations françaises, entraînant l'ouverture d'une enquête préliminaire sur le patrimoine de ces chefs d'Etat. Mais elle avait été classée sans suite en novembre par le parquet de Paris.

    La plainte de Transparence International, déposée mercredi, pour "recel de détournements d'argent public" vise "les conditions dans lesquelles un très important patrimoine immobilier et mobilier a été acquis en France par les chefs d'Etat Denis Sassou Guesso (Congo), Omar Bongo, Teodoro Obiang (Guinée Equatoriale), Blaise Compaoré (Burkina Faso), Eduardo Dos Santos (Angola), ainsi que les membres de leur entourage", selon un communiqué.

    L'ONG espère que son objet social, "la lutte contre la corruption", favorisera la recevabilité de cette plainte et permettra, cette fois, l'ouverture d'une instruction et non plus seulement d'une enquête de police.

    "En prenant le relais des trois premières associations au côté de contribuables gabonais et congolais, l'objectif de TI est de maintenir la pression et de refocaliser l'attention de l'opinion sur le patrimoine français des cinq chefs d'Etat", indique également le texte.

    L'enquête policière avait établi, selon le quotidien Le Monde en janvier, que Omar Bongo Ondimba et sa famille était propriétaires de 33 luxueux appartements ou maisons en France, et que Denis Sassou Nguesso disposait d'au moins trois immenses logements à Paris.

    En mars, les relations se sont tendues entre Paris et Libreville, le Gabon menaçant la France de "revoir" ses relations à la suite de la diffusion du reportage de la chaîne publique France 2 sur les biens de M. Bongo en France, mais aussi de la reconduite aux frontières de deux ressortissants.






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    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
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    7/10/08

    Rwanda: Callixte Mbarushimana - Just Who is the Fugitive Arrested in German

     
     

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    Kigali

    When Mr. Calixte Mbarushimana presented his passport at the Frankfurt airport in German on Monday afternoon on his way to Saint Petersburg, immigration officials told him he would not be allowed through. He was arrested on Genocide and war crimes charges, according to Mr. Peter Rueckert, a state prosecutor in charge of extradition cases at the Frankfurt court of appeal.

    Rwandan authorities were informed of the arrest immediately and have described it as "victory against impunity". The exiled Executive Secretary of the DR Congo based Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) has been under criminal investigation in France for atrocities committed during the 1994 Genocide.

    His boss Dr. Murwanashyaka Ignace has been living in Bonn for several years. President Paul Kagame was in German early this year just days after his German counterpart had visited Rwanda. Mr. Kagame raised the issue of Genocide fugitives in Europe with German Chancellor Angela Markel but clear on mind was the FDLR leader - who however, according to available information does not seem to have any Genocide case.

    Just who is this man who has also worked with the UN in several appointments? French authorities opened the investigation on him in February after a group of Genocide victims and French campaign groups lodged a complaint.

    As number 4 on the FDLR hierarchy, Mr. Mbarushimana is the one who often signs press statements and speaks for the group in the media, along with Dr. Murwanashyaka. The most recent press statement from him - to RNA as well - was as recent as last week.

    Mr. Mbarushimana was first arrested in Kosovo in April 2001 while he was working for the United Nations, handed over to the UN court in Tanzania. The charges against him were dropped in September 2002 due to lack of evidence. He was given refugee status in France in late 2003.

    The fluent French and English speaking Mr. Mbarushimana filed a complaint of unfair dismissal and a UN administrative panel in 2004 awarded him 12 months' back pay as the allegations against him had never been tested in court.

    The serious and consistent allegations against Callixte Mbarushimana have been a source of considerable embarrassment for the UN for many years, African Rights says in its recent report. The London-based campaign group has documented Genocide crimes for years - some of whose reports have been basis for numerous convictions.

    After the evacuation of foreign staff as the massacres had started, the then 44-year-old computer technician is said to have appointed himself as Officer- in-Charge of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda - from April 10 to 4 July 1994.

    He is accused by dozens of witnesses, including former colleagues, militiamen and local administrators, of using his position, and the resources, of the UN Development agency - UNDP - to advance the policy of massacres, including the murder of Tutsis who worked for the agency.

    Dressed in military fatigues, armed with a gun and carrying grenades in his belt, according to African Rights, witnesses say that Mr. Mbarushimana lent vehicles and satellite telephones of the UNDP to military officers, that he also used the UNDP vehicles to facilitate his own contribution to the killings.

    He did not hide his collaboration with officers who were fully engaged in the Genocide - they visited him at work, he took part in meetings at the army staff quarters and he traveled to Mont Kigali to hold discussions with Major Faustin Ntirikina. The Major is now a brigadier-general in FDLR.

    Since French President Nicholas Sarkozy swept to power, and later briefly met with President Paul Kagame, a court in Paris has been probing Mr. Mbarushimana as well as the widow of deceased former President Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana. In total, French prosecutors are investigating 9 fugitives that government in Kigali says have Tutsi blood on their hands.

    Strong militia ties

    Mr. Mbarushimana, who comes from Ndusu in Ruhengeri prefecture (now part of Northern Province), started working at the UNDP in 1992. The same year, he settled in Kigali, and formed close ties with a group of extremists, all of who would distinguish themselves in the Genocide in the capital, African Rights alleges.

    In the spotlight includes Stanislas Simbizi, the general secretary of the ultra extra extremist party - the Committee for the Defence of the Republic (CDR), Robert Kajuga - the president of the interahamwe militia, and Georges Rutaganda, Kajuga's second vice president.

    Others, as African Rights details them include Phéneas Ruhumuliza, the first vice president and other well-known interahamwe leaders like Jean Marie-Vianney Mudahinyuka, alias Zuzu and François Nambajimana, alias Mucacu and Mugimba, president of the CDR in Kigali.

    The fact that Zuzu, Mucacu and Mbarushimana all lived in a Kigali suburb called Nyakabanda reinforced their ties. Long before the Genocide, African Rights says Mr. Mbarushimana was already encouraging young Hutu men to join the interahamwe.

    "His important network of contacts, and the fact that he was working for the UNDP, gave him standing and influence among his neighbours, which in turn made it easier for him to enlist militiamen" the Campaign group claims.

    Augustin Habinshuti, the dedicated leader of the interahamwe in Nyakabanda, is said to have been brought there by Mr. Mbarushimana.

    Carnage in Kigali

    As early as April 8 1994, the FDLR counterpart Major Ntirikina is said to have brought a jeep full of guns and grenades to Mbarushimana's home.

    Witnesses that survived the attacked places allege that Mr. Mbarushimana lost no time in giving them out to the militia, for example those manning the checkpoint below the Hotel Baobab in Kigali.

    The guns were soon put to use, on 9 April, when more than 20 people were murdered at a roadblock near a medical clinic close to Zuzu's home - another FDLR comrade. They had been rounded up from their homes and assembled there.

    Zuzu, Mucacu and Mbarushimana arrived at about 10 a.m., all of them armed with guns and grenades, witnesses claim. The captives were ordered to lie on the ground, and Zuzu then opened fire as a signal for the carnage to begin.

    A number of the women were apparently taken away to be raped, and some were subsequently murdered. Many of the corpses are said to have been dumped in a mass grave below the stadium in Nyamirambo - Kigali, in a place referred to as the "tapis rouge" (the "red carpet").

    Witnesses claim that Mr. Mbarushimana was also physically present at the massacre, on 7 June, at the monastery of the Josephite Brothers in Nyamirambo.

    The operation is alleged to have been planned and supervised by fugitive Genocide militia officers Major Pierre-Claver Karangwa and Col. Edouard Hakizimana. Witnesses say these were working closely with one of the most notorious militiaman in Kigali - Habyarimana - better known as Kigingi.

    Along with other militia officers, Mr. Callixte Mbarushimana who was armed brought a group of gendarmes to back up the militia who numbered about 100 for a killing spree that began at around 5:00 p.m., leaving more than 80 victims, survivors from the carnage narrate.

    In the Biryogo suburb, Mr. Mbarushimana acted as the right-hand man of Stany Simbizi, one of the chief architects of the genocide in Biryogo.

    Col. Tharcisse Renzaho link

    The two men converted a house into a training ground for the pro-CDR militia known as 'impuzamugambi. Mr. Mbarushimana was a frequent visitor while soldiers taught them, from 8 April to May, the manipulation of guns and grenades.

    "They were plied with drink and then encouraged to form groups to kill Tutsis", narrates witness Karekezi.

    During the genocide, Mbarushimana also maintained good relations with the préfet of Kigali - ICTR detainee Col. Tharcisse Renzaho, and went regularly to the office of the préfecture to obtain petrol.

    Mr. Mbarushimana fled Rwanda and continued to work for the UN after the Genocide, in Angola and then in Kosovo.

    He was eventually forced to stand down, after widespread publicity about his bloody hands. The UN carried out an investigation in 2001 in a probe based on 24 witness statements.

    The UN probe concluded that he was suspected of directing and participating in the murder of 32 people, including Tutsis who had worked for the UNDP.

    Based on this investigation, Tribunal lawyers concluded that he had a case to answer on charges of genocide drew up the indictment, but the Prosecutor at the time decided not to proceed, arguing that he was not "a big fish." In 2005, the UNDP asked the French government to initiate proceedings.

    However, in November 2006, Rwanda severed all ties with France accusing the political elite there of hiding behind their rowdy role in the Genocide to torment some officials here. For the past few months however, relations are warming.

    No return

    Relevant Links

    The FDLR forces in the jungles of eastern DR Congo have regularly defected and surrendered to Kigali. High profile among them is its former commander Major General Paul Rwarakabije in 2003 - now member of the demobilization commission. Since then, some 20,000 combatants have abandoned the group that is subject to planned military campaigns by UN forces in DRC and the government there.

    The group stands accused of harbouring Genocide criminals, has been encouraged to return to Rwanda but they maintain that has to be part of wider reforms in the administration of Rwanda - essentially meaning power sharing. In an interview given to Australian television last year, Mr. Mbarushimana ruled out returning to Rwanda to face charges.

    "There is no justice in Rwanda. So to go to Rwanda to face justice is just like to hang (one)self, or to suicide (one)self. So that's not my case," he said.

    Kenya Commercial Bank gets go-ahead from Rwanda

    Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:32pm BST
     
     

    By Arthur Asiimwe

    KIGALI, July 10 (Reuters) - Rwandan authorities have approved an application by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) (KCBK.NR: Quote, Profile, Research) to begin operations, officials said on Thursday.

    KCB, Kenya's biggest retail bank, has been expanding its presence across the region in recent years, opening branches in Tanzania, Uganda and southern Sudan. It is also eyeing Burundi.

    "The coming of KCB is going to improve competition in the banking sector and introduce new products on the market," Rwanda's central bank governor, Francois Kanimba, told Reuters.

    He said KCB was expected to start its operations in Rwanda before the end of the year and would open five or six branches.

    KCB is one of Kenya's oldest banks with a 26.2 percent stake held by the government.

    Rwanda's banking sector was badly hit by the 1994 genocide, which killed some 800,000 people. Many bank debtors died in the slaughter, while others fled the country leaving loans unpaid.

    Rwanda currently has eight commercial banks. (Editing by Paul Bolding)






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    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66
    A 90 ans, Mandela exhorte l'Afrique du Sud à mieux traiter ses enfants
    AFRIQUE DU SUD - 10 juillet 2008 - AFP

    Le Prix Nobel de la Paix Nelson Mandela a estimé mercredi que la société sud-africaine serait plus paisible si elle traitait mieux ses enfants, à l'occasion d'une fête organisée pour son 90e anniversaire.

    Le héros de la lutte anti-aparheid et premier président noir de l'Afrique du Sud, qui aura 90 ans le 18 juillet, a partagé un gateau d'anniversaire avec des dizaines d'enfants réunis à Johannesburg par le Fonds Nelson Mandela pour l'enfance, qu'il a créé en 1995.

    "La force motrice du Fonds est de changer la manière dont la société traite ses enfants et ses jeunes", a déclaré Nelson Mandela, visiblement ravi d'être ainsi entouré.

    Si les mineurs étaient mieux traités, "les enfants seraient plus heureux, les familles plus fortes, les communautés plus sûres et le gouvernement serait en paix avec ses citoyens", a-t-il ajouté.

    Nelson Mandela, qui a passé 27 ans dans les prisons du régime d'apartheid, s'est retiré de la vie publique il y a cinq ans. Ses apparitions en public sont de plus en plus rares.

    S'il évite de se mêler directement de la politique sud-africaine, il se sert régulièrement de son image pour promouvoir la lutte contre le sida et l'aide à l'enfance.

    L'Afrique du Sud est la première puissance économique du continent, mais plus de 40% de sa population vit sous le seuil de pauvreté et les problèmes économiques et sociaux affectent largement les enfants.

    La criminalité, l'une des plus élevées au monde, les frappe de plein fouet. Près de 1.500 enfants ont été assassinés et plus de 16.000 cas d'abus sexuel sur mineur ont été rapportés sur un an, selon de récentes statistiques de la police.

    L'épidemie de sida -- plus de 5,5 des 48 millions d'habitants sont infectés par le virus -- a fait plus d'un million d'orphelins.






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    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66

    Rwanda: Building Journalists' Skills Welcome


    The New Times (Kigali)
     

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    Kigali

    Forty carefully-selected Rwandan journalists from both print and electronic media will have gone through quite helpful training sessions by tomorrow night.

    Rwanda Initiative, a non-governmental organisation which had a few shots in its own foot sometime last year, is responsible for the workshop taking place since Monday in the Southern Province town of Butare.

    The two and a half-year-old project's otherwise noble cause was almost fatally derailed when some of its Canadian visiting trainer-journalists published a series of unhelpful stories on their blogs as they returned home, some of which bordered on outrightly being harmful.

    The stories mainly focused on the freedom of expression, or the lack of it, in the country. Besides the wrong analyses made in the stories, the journalists' works were perceived in various circles here as widely off the media capacity-building mark, which was the Initiative's mandate.

    Now Rwanda Initiative is quickly shedding off that image of 'just another NGO' here present, without real impact on society and probably dangerous, by putting together a plan and resources that will make a difference.

    The shifting into another gear by the Initiative has been launched through the on-going five-day training workshop. But there is more to come.

    Relevant Links

    By year's end close to ten Rwandan journalists will have benefited from scholarship and internship offers from Carleton University and a number of other media institutions in Canada.

    It has been argued severally by analysts that Rwanda's development machine has been fuelled by the West's cooperation resulting from the guilt for having indifferently looked on as one million people were butchered in 1994. Who cares?

    Similarly, if Rwanda Initiative's planned actions aimed at bridging the glaring skills gap in the media industry are partly premised on the mistakes it made last year and key points to the cause it had so far missed, then its refocusing can only be a welcome development as we wait for the likely benefits to be registered in our trade.





    --
    Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
    Procurement Consultant
    Gsm: +250-08470205
    Home: +250-55104140
    P.O. Box 3867
    Kigali-Rwanda
    East Africa
    Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
    Skype ID : Kayisa66