Burundi: En bref ce 24 MAI 2006 ...

Burundi army kills 10 rebels in helicopter attack
Wed 24 May 2006
BUJUMBURA, May 24 (Reuters) - Burundi's army has killed 10 members of the country's sole remaining rebel group in an operation to flush the fighters from a remote hideout, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.

Maj. Adolphe Manirakiza said army helicopters on Tuesday bombarded the bases of the Hutu Forces for National Liberation (FNL) in Kibira Forest, in an inaccessible part of the northwestern province of Bubanza.

"That is why we used helicopters to destroy their bases, but also to chase them away, as they have intensified in the past few days their attacks in households around Kibira Forest," he said.

Manirakiza said two soldiers were injured by landmines while hunting the rebels in the forest.

The FNL could not be reached for comment.

Some estimates say the FNL has about 3,000 fighters, but the strength of the rebel group has waned in recent years and it is difficult to count its fighters.

South Africa, the mediator in Burundi's peace process, has agreed to try to broker talks with the FNL and Burundi's government. Earlier rounds have fallen apart over the past two years, and this latest one has been postponed several times.

Burundi officials have said the talks would focus on getting the rebels to join Burundi's new security forces, as other insurgent groups have done as part of the tiny central African country's peace plan to end a 12-year civil war.

FNL leader Agathon Rwasa in March declared his movement - a primarily Hutu militia akin to the one new President Pierre Nkurunziza had led in the war against the Tutsi elite that ruled the country - was ready for unconditional talks.

More than 300,000 people were killed in a series of ethnic reprisals that began in 1993, when the first democratically elected Hutu President was assassinated by Tutsi paratroopers.

Nkurunziza was elected in August as part of a U.N.-backed peace plan to end conflict in the coffee- and tea-growing country of 7 million.

Dix rebelles du FLN tués au Burundi

Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Au moins dix combattants du Front national de libération (FNL) ont été tués dans des bombardements aériens de l’aviation gouvernementale au cours de la journée de mardi sur la Kibira, une réserve naturelle du nord-ouest du Burundi servant de sanctuaire au dernier mouvement rebelle encore actif dans le pays, a-t-on appris de source militaire à Bujumbura.

LE PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE ANNONCE LE REDEPLOIEMENT DU PERSONNEL DE LA SANTE ET DE L'EDUCATION
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Le redéploiement du personnel de la santé et de l'éducation est envisageable pour résoudre le manque d'infirmiers et d'enseignants à l'intérieur du pays. L'annonce a été faite par le président de la République, monsieur Pierre Nkurunziza lors de la rencontre qu'il a fait avec les représentants des fonctionnaires de l'Etat à Kayanza ce lundi 22 mai 2006.

BURUNDI: Floods displace 5,000 in south
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
BUJUMBURA, 24 May 2006 (IRIN) - Rain-induced floods in Burundi's southern province of Bururi have rendered at least 5,000 people homeless, Governor Véronique Nizigama said on Monday.

She said heavy rains last week in the commune of Muheka had resulted in one death, swept away 206 homes, and destroyed crops in farms.

So far, she said, the displaced had not received any help and were staying with other families in areas that were not badly affected by the floods.

She said she had made requests for tents to the United Nations Children's Fund and was awaiting a response. She has also appealed to the Ministry of National Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender for help.

However, Stella Budiriganya, the officer in charge of communication in the ministry of national solidarity said on Wednesday the ministry could not assist those displaced at Muheka as the floods had affected many others nationwide.

"We have sent evaluation teams to the ground to assess the damages, we are waiting for their reports to know the number of people affected and what the immediate needs are," Budiriganya said.

The UN World Food Programme assistant information officer, Isidore Nteturuye, said on Wednesday the agency would assist the displaced at Muheka as it does other vulnerable people as long as the local administrators add their names to the list of other targeted beneficiaries.

However, so far, the rains seem to subsiding at Muheka. Returning residents would have to rebuild their homes. A local administration official said on a local radio on Tuesday that they were looking for a temporary site to host the displaced until they could rebuild their homes.

Growing crops in the wetlands, as the residents normally do as June approaches, would also be difficult as all the wetlands are still waterlogged. The Ministry of Agriculture has promised seeds to the flood victims.

The rains started causing damages mid-April, resulting in landslides in many provinces. In the central province of Muramvya, 11 people were reported killed in April, 1,800 hectares of crops damaged and at least 200 homes destroyed. Some 60 percent of vegetables from the wetlands in Muramvya were also destroyed.

At a meeting with President Pierre Nkurunziza in Karuzi Province on Saturday, provincial governors said the rains had killed 20 people throughout the country.

The rains had, however, raised hope of a good harvest after a drought-induced food crisis in many provinces. In late 2005, the government declared five provinces of the north, east and southeast hunger-stricken. Now the heavy rains risk compromising the chances of a good harvest as, in many provinces, crops like beans, which were only flowering, have been damaged.

Grève illimitée des professeurs de l'université du Burundi
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Les professeurs de l'unique université publique du Burundi, basée à Bujumbura, annoncent, dans un communiqué rendu public mercredi, le déclenchement d'une grève illimitée sur fond de revendications non satisfaites.

LA DEUXIEME VICE-PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE RECOIT EN AUDIENCE LA DELEGATION ONUSIENNE CONDUITE PAR GILBERT HOUGBO
Bujumbura, le 24 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-La deuxième vice-présidente de la république, madame Alice Nzomukunda a reçu en audience ce mardi 23 mai 2006 la délégation des Nations Unies conduite par le secrétaire général des Nations Unies chargé de l'Afrique, monsieur Gilbert Hougbo. Au cours de l'audience les discussions se sont focalisées sur le départ de l'Opération des Nations Unies au Burundi. Il faudrait ajouter que la même délégation des Nations Unies a été reçue également par la suite, par le premier vice-président de la République, le docteur Martin Nduwimana.

LA DELEGATION CONDUITE PAR GILGERT FASOUN HOUNGBO SE REUNIT AVEC LA DELEGATION BURUNDAISE POUR PARLER DU DESENGAGEMENT PROGRESSIF DE L'ONUB AU BURUNDI
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Ce lundi 22 mai 2006, dans la matinée, la délégation onusienne conduite par Gilbert Faoun Houngbo s'est entretenue avec la partie burundaise. Au centre des débats de la réunion ouverte par le premier vice-président de la République, le docteur Martin Nduwimana figurait la question relative au désengagement progressif de l'Opération des Nations Unies au Burundi, ONUB en sigle.

UN TRAVAILLEUR DU BISTROT DIT "URUNANI " EST TUE PAR SON COLLEGUE SUITE A UNE SIMPLE DISPUTE
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Un travailleur du bistrot dit "Urunani" de la quatrième avenue de Bwiza a été tué ce lundi 22 mai 2006 par son collègue suite à une simple dispute. L'assassin qui répond au prénom de Victor s'est rendu après le forfait à une position de police située non loin du lieu du crime.

LE PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE VISITE LA PROVINCE DE KAYANZA
Bujumbura, le 24 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Le président de la République, monsieur Pierre Nkurunziza vient de visiter la province de Kayanza durant deux jours. Le président de la République y a rencontré les responsables de la population. Il a suggéré à la population de faible revenus de s'associer pour créer des entreprises de développement. Le président de la République a également exposer à l'assistance les priorités du gouvernement dans la législature en cours.

LE PREMIER VICE-PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE S'ENTRETIENT AVEC LES REPRESENTANTS DES COMMUNES URBAINES DU NORD DE LA CAPITALE
Bujumbura, le 24 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Le premier vice-président de la République, le docteur Martin Nduwimana a visité ce mardi 23 mai 2006 les communes urbaines situées au nord de la capitale. Le premier vice-président de la République s'est entretenu avec les représentants de la population sur le programme de désarmement initié par le gouvernement depuis un mois, la question en rapport avec la mise en place de la commission vérité et réconciliation et du tribunal spécial pour le Burundi, la problématique de l'aide aux enfants indigents, l'octroi des maisons pré-fabriquées et la question de la terre pour les nouveaux rapatriés et à cet égard, un représentant de la commune urbaine de Kamenge a déploré que les rapatriés retrouvent leurs propriétés foncières déjà attribués à d'autres citoyens par les dirigeants des anciens régimes politiques et l'administrateur de la commune Buterere a renchéri en dénonçant les notables des anciens régimes qui se seraient appropriés plus de vingt hectares chacun au moment où les enseignants n'auraient pas de terrain à bâtir, bref une relance de la querelle foncière qui date de la nuit des temps au Burundi. A toutes les questions posées par les représentants des communes urbaines de Buterere, Cibitoke, Gihosha, Kamenge, Kinama et Ngagara, le premier vice-président de la République a répondu qu'il les soumettra au conseil des ministres prévu la semaine suivante afin que des solutions puissent être retrouvées.

DEUXIEME AUDIENCE PUBLIQUE DU PROCES QUI OPPOSE L'HONORABLE MATHIAS BASABOSE CONTRE LE PARTI CNDD-FDD
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Il y a eu audience publique à la chambre administrative de la cour suprême ce lundi 22 mai 2006 pour entendre l'honorable Mathias Basabose accuser les responsables du parti politique CNDD-FDD de l'avoir limogé illégalement. Le procès a été reporté à une séance ultérieure et cela après avoir eu versement des statuts du parti CNDD-FDD dans le dossier pendant à la haute cour. Au moment où l'honorable Mathias Basabose était au tribunal, une manifestation des partisans du CNDD-FDD se déroulait devant le palais de la justice, il va sans dire que la manifestation en question qui semblait être spontanée, s'inscrivait en faux contre les allégations de l'honorable Mathias Basabose comme pour dire qu'ils ne le connaissent plus comme étant des leurs.

LA DEUXIEME VICE-PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE ANNONCE LE PROGRAMME DU GOUVERNEMENT EN MATIERE DE LUTTE CONTRE LA CRIMINALITE
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-La deuxième vice-présidente de la République madame Alice Nzomukunda était dans la province de Ngozi ce lundi 22 mai 2006. Madame Nzomukunda a visité la commune Tangara de la province Ngozi où elle a annoncé le programme du gouvernement en matière de lutte contre la criminalité et d'autres infractions commises dans cette province et ailleurs dans le pays.

LE MINISTRE DE LA PLANIFICATION ET DE LA RECONSTRUCTION NATIONALE APPUYE PAR L'USAID ORGANISE UNE CONFERENCE DE TROIS JOURS EN VUE DE JETER LES BASES DE LA RENCONSTRUCTION
Bujumbura, le 23 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Le ministre de la planification du développement et de la reconstruction nationale, appuyé par l'Agence pour le Développement International des Etats Unis d'Amérique, USAID en sigle organise durant trois jours, une conférence de trois jours à l'hôtel Novotel de Bujumbura afin de rejeter les bases de la reconstruction nationale. La conclusion faite déjà à l'ouverture de la conférence ce lundi 22 mai 2006 est que le Burundi ne manque pas d'atouts pour se développer mais que pour y arriver, le Burundi doit relever les défis hérités de la longue guerre civile.

LE CHEF DE L'ETAT BURUNDAIS S'ENTRETIENT AVEC LES FONCTIONNAIRES DE KARUSI
Bujumbura, le 22 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Après les gouverneurs de province de tout le pays en commune de Nyabikere, le chef de l'Etat Pierre Nkurunziza s'est entretenu avec les fonctionnaires oeuvrant dans la province de Karusi. Au centre des entretiens figuraient la campagne pour le désarmement de la population, les programmes de reconstruction et de réconciliation nationale. Mais les fonctionnaires ont posé d'autres questions en rapport avec la vie de cette province notamment le projet de construction de la route Gitega-Karusi-Muyinga qui tarde à être exécuté. La question du FNL/Palipehutu a été également évoquée. Le chef de l'Etat a fait savoir que les négociations avec ce mouvement vont bientôt commencer. La délégation du gouvernement se rendra à Dar-es-salaam le 29 mai 2006 a-t-il révélé.

LES CHEQUES PROMIS PAR LE PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE AUX PLUS MERITANTS SONT DEJA PRETS
Bujumbura, le 22 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Les chèques promis par le président de la République monsieur Pierre Nkurunziza le 1er mai 2006 sont déjà disponibles à la présidence de la République selon une source digne de foi. Il faudrait rappeler que le président de la République avait honorer plusieurs personnalités issues des différentes couches socio-professionnelles qui avaient été choisies pour leurs mérites professionnelles et avaient reçu des mains du chef de l'Etat le 1er mai 2006, un certificat d'honneur avec un montant variant entre un et deux millions de francs burundais.

UN GROUPE DE MEMBRES DU PARTI UPRONA EXIGE LA TENUE D'UN CONGRES EXTRAORDINAIRE EN VUE DE REVOIR LA GESTION DE CETTE FORMATION POLITIQUE
Bujumbura, le 20 Mai 2006 (RTNB)-Des membres du parti Uprona ont adressé une correspondance au président du parti Uprona exigeant la tenue d'un congrès extraordinaire en vue de corriger ce qu'ils appellent les lacunes constatées dans la gestion de ce parti. Le président de cette formation politique Aloys Rubuka a tout de suite réagi. Selon lui il s'agit d'une correspondance dépassée car elle date du mois de mars 2006. Il s'agit d'après lui d'un groupe subversif dont il ne voit pas le bien fondé de ses revendications. Le président de l'Uprona a fait savoir que le parti compte organiser un congrès ordinaire au cours du mois de juin 2006 conformément aux statuts qui le régissent. C'est donc une occasion d'échanger et de trouver des solutions à certains malentendus a-t-il dit.

MEDIA - PROPAGANDE EXTREME DROITE : BURUNDI-REALITES A LA RESCOUSSE D'UNE ORGANISATION FASCISTE - AC-GENOCIDE - AU BURUNDI AU NOM DES DROITS DE L'HOMME :

AGNEWS DENONCE ... Attention pour les familles sensibles ayant vécu les tragédies qu'a pu connaître notre pays (*). Cette nouvelle peut heurter. Le CNDD NYANGOMA déçoit !

le président de la ligue Iteka, Jean Marie Vianey Kavumbagu, dénonce l’arrestation de trois tutsis, membres d’AC Génocide

Source:Reuters /Traduction:Burundi Réalités

Bujumbura , 23 mai 2006 (Burundi Réalités ) - un groupe burundais de droits de l'homme a dénoncé ce mardi ce qu'il a appelé « des violations continues de droits de l'homme » par le gouvernement après que trois activistes tutsis aient été arrêtés pour menace à la sécurité de l'état. Le trio, membres de l'association tutsie AC Génocide ont été détenus dimanche dans la province centrale de Gitega, où ils avaient voyagé pour assister à une cérémonie de commémoration pour des Tutsis tués en 1993 au début de la guerre civile du pays. Les médias locaux ont cité les fonctionnaires provinciaux comme disant qu’ils avaient tenu une réunion illégale, qui a menacé la sécurité publique.
« L'impression que nous avons est que le gouvernement veut museler, intimider ceux qui expriment librement des opinions qui déplaisent aux autorités » a indiqué , chef du plus grand groupe des droits de l'homme du Burundi, Iteka. « Nous sommes vraiment préoccupés par ceci, » a-t-il à Reuters, ajoutant que les mesures ont violé la constitution Burundaise et les lois internationales. Un porte-parole de gouvernement n’était pas disponible pour commentaire.

Les arrestations viennent après que le procureur de la république du Burundi ait ordonné la détention d’un activiste de paix lui reprochant d’avoir critiqué le gouvernement sur sa gestion des entretiens de paix avec le FNL, le seul groupe rebelle restant du pays.

L'ancien législateur Terence Nahimana a été arrêté ce mois par des agents de sécurité pour avoir des liens avec les forces pour la libération nationale (FNL) dont il avait quitté l'aile politique en 1990. Kavumbagu a également cité un incident quand environ 20 journalistes se sont plaints d'avoir été battu par la police quand ils étaient à une conférence de presse à la maison d'un législateur expulsé du parti au pouvoir. Le Burundi jouit finalement de la paix après 12 ans de guerre civile qui ont opposé des rebelles de la majorité hutu contre un gouvernement dirigé par la minorité tutsie. Plus de 300.000 personnes sont mortes dans cette nation de l’afrique centrale.

Rwanda : Kagame invited to meet Bush

May 24, 2006, By Andnetwork .com
Source : New Times

President George Bush has invited President Paul Kagame.

According to a Press Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kagame’s visit stretches from May 29 to 31.“

"The visit will be an opportunity for the two Heads of State to mutually brief each other on developments of their respective countries,” the release issued May 23, states in part.

According to the release, the two presidents will also discuss and exchange ideas on different challenges currently facing the world, with emphasis on partnership.

Kagame will also enlighten Bush on Rwanda’s success in reconciliation, good governance, economic reconstruction and, peace and security in the Great Lakes Region and Africa.

Rwanda: Investments Up By $260 Million in 2005

The New Times (Kigali) May 23, 2006
Mansur Kakimba & Gertrude Majyambere Kigali

President Paul Kagame has disclosed that the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA) rOur Reporteregistered new projects worth US$470m in 2005, up from US$210m in 2004. He said the developments represent a growth of 120% and added that attracting investments for private sector development are strategic imperatives.

The President, who made the disclosure at the opening of the Third Investment Conference yesterday, also pledged to support concerted efforts to ensure a more conducive investment environment in the country.

"I re-assure you of more government support once you choose Rwanda as your next investment destination," the President told delegates at the Hotel Intercontinental, May 22.

Held under the theme 'Discovering irresistible opportunities for investment and profitability in a virgin economy', the conference attracted over 260 regional and international delegates from over 32 countries.

Kagame underscored that peace and stability are important ingredients of the investors' confidence and added that strengthening of the law enforcement agencies in the country will pave the way for rule of law.

"We have established institutions for transparency and accountability including the new Constitution in which all Rwandans rightfully view themselves," he said.

The President also noted that his government has a private sector-led development strategy that incorporates both domestic and international investors to ensure wealth creation.

"As congruent of Vision 2020, our commitment to becoming a knowledge-based economy is catalysed by the sustainable investments in technologies," the President noted. He added that the progressive changes have led to socio-economic developments such as economic growth, averaging 7% between 1995 and 2005.

Giving an example of the education sector, Kagame noted that the varied economic achievements have enabled Rwanda to register crucial national objectives.

"In all combined higher institutions of education, 2,500 enrolments were registered in 1995 as opposed to 22,000 in 2005. Whereas, there was only one institute of higher learning in 1995, today they are 14 of which 8 are privately owned," he added.

He enumerated the economic achievements in the past few years, including the World Bank (WB) Doing Business Survey in 2005 Report that ranked Rwanda the best African country in enhancing economic reforms and 12th in the world. The report indicated then that it takes 21 days to open business in Rwanda.

"From then, time has been reduced to 14 days and I am happy to note that Rwanda is one of the best African performers in terms of good governance and least levels of corruption," the President said.

The President disclosed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) more than doubled between 1995 to 2005.

"However, these investments were not as substantive as we would have liked them to be because they were not broad-based. They were concentrated in the telecommunication sector," he said.

He noted that key constraints to both domestic and international investments include energy and costly fuel.

"Dependency on road transportation renders business in our landlocked country very costly; indeed this has to be reversed urgently through strategically investing in energy and fuel," he added.

The Minister of Commerce Protais Mitali said that Rwanda's phenomenal economic growth over the past five years was spurred by the President's vision and commitment to the private sector growth. Other areas of growth, he said, were micro and macro sector management and zero tolerance to corruption.

Ambassador Andrew Young, the Chairman of Goodworks International USA, urged Rwanda to market her investment potential and the prevailing conducive investment climate to change American perceptions about Rwanda.

"People in America have just watched 'Hotel Rwanda' and what is articulated in the film is what they feel about the country. But the situation on ground is different," he said.

Since 2003, RIEPA holds an international investment conference that acts as a platform for establishing and strengthening partnership opportunities. By press time, the panellists were set to make presentations on investment potentials in various economic sectors such as tourism, ICT, financial services and agro-processing. Other sectors include energy and mining, transport and infrastructure development.

Source: U.S. Department of State http://newsblaze.com

Vocational director Rudahunga describes program, two centers in operation

Once devastated by war and a genocide that 12 years ago claimed 800,000 of its citizens, Rwanda is making its way toward economic progress based on self-reliance and hard work, thanks in part to a vocational scheme that aims to train 500 skilled workers a year.

This may sound modest, but considering what Rwanda has endured, it is a leap forward, says Gedeon Rudahunga, a director of vocational training in Rwanda's ministry of public works and labor.

Rudahunga spoke to the Washington File on a flight from Brussels, Belgium, to Kigali May 23. He explained that two training centers are already in operation, with another three in the planning stage. The goal is to have one in each of the nation's four regions and Kigali producing 500 skilled carpenters, masons, electricians and mechanics each year.

So far, the two existing centers employ 15 teachers who impart their knowledge of the skilled trades to a cadre of students who range in age from 18 to 45. Twenty percent are women. Belgium and the Rwandan government are providing the bulk of the funding for the effort, Rudahunga added.

Despite such progress, however, Rwanda is still "desperately poor," warns the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has provided more than $30 million in development assistance to Rwanda in the past two years.

A major impediment to progress, according to USAID, is the backlog of legal cases resulting from the 1994 genocide that saw the Hutu-led regime turn on the nation's minority Tutsi population, slaughtering 800,000 in just three months.

USAID contributed close to $3 million in 2005 for democracy, reconciliation and good governance programs. As part of that emphasis, USAID will spend $378,000 this year on nongovernmental organizations working to document and research the reconciliation process.

An increasingly stable Rwanda also is making contributions to the stability of the Great Lakes region by participating in the Tripartite Peace Process and by providing troops for the African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan, says U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto.

The diplomat will attend the 14th meeting of the Tripartite Commission in Kigali May 26-27. The commission was established in 2004 and consists of Uganda, DRC, Rwanda and Burundi. (See related article.)

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer summed up current conditions during a visit to Rwanda in last April, telling local journalists, "I am very encouraged by what I have seen here in Rwanda, over the past at least three years since I was here."

"There seems to be a remarkable change and progress, especially on the economic side, but also in terms of stability within this region. The relationship with the Congo seems to be improving significantly," she added.

On the genocide, Frazer told the Rwandans that the United States would continue to fund health programs and programs aimed at women because these were existing challenges that are a "legacy" of the "great tragedy" that befell the nation in 1994.

But also, she added, "I think it is important that Rwanda stands as a symbol to the world of what we must not allow to occur again. And in this regard, I think Rwanda's participation in the efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur are extremely important." (See Darfur Humanitarian Emergency.)

UGANDA

"I want peace," says Uganda LRA rebel boss
By Patrick Muiruri Wed 24 May 2006

NAIROBI (Reuters) - One of the world's most wanted rebel chiefs, Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army, has called for an end to his 20-year war with the Ugandan government in the first images of him seen for years.

And in an act bound to spark controversy around Africa, the video obtained by Reuters on Wednesday also showed the elusive Kony taking $20,000 in cash from the No. 2 of the ex-rebel Southern People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A).

"Most people do not know me ... I am not a terrorist... I am a human being, I want peace also," the elusive Kony said in the lengthy clips of talks between the LRA leadership and the vice president of southern Sudan about three weeks ago.

Led by the former altar boy and self-proclaimed mystic who believes he is possessed by the Holy Spirit, the LRA has spread terror in north Uganda and southern Sudan, often targeting civilians and mutilating survivors by slicing off lips and ears.

The conflict, one of the world's worst yet most neglected, has killed tens of thousands, displaced two million, and led the International Criminal Court (ICC) to name Kony and his deputies in its first warrants last year.

Wednesday's footage, verified by sources in Uganda, showed about an hour of the meeting between the delegations of Kony and SPLM vice president Riek Machar in the bush of southern Sudan.

The pair pledged to end fighting. And Machar said he was ready to mediate between the LRA and President Yoweri Museveni.

"I want you to know that we, the LRA, want peace," Kony, replied, looking less relaxed than his deputy Vincent Otti. "That is why I was in the bush ... I am fighting for peace."

Dressed in green military fatigues, and speaking with passion though rambling at times, the rebel leader looked wiry and more hardened than in the few other images existing of him.

CASH FOR KONY

After the Kony-Machar meeting, news of which emerged about a week ago, Museveni issued a statement saying he would guarantee the safety of Kony if he ends war. He had previously written off any further negotiations with his long-time foe.

While Museveni's offer and the SPLM-Kony meeting have raised the prospects of new peace talks, they have also, however, greatly complicated efforts by the ICC to catch him.

The cooperation of the SPLM, a sworn enemy of Kony in the past, had been viewed as key to helping hunt him down.

Responding to the footage, a spokeswoman for ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo referred to a statement saying governments of the region were obliged to give effect to the arrest warrants. "And we are confident that they will honour their joint commitment to do so," the statement said.

Machar said the SPLM was not among those seeking to collaborate with the ICC warrant.

At the end of the meeting, he is seen handing Kony an envelope stuffed with cash. "Twenty thousand dollars, ok? Buy food with it, not ammunition," Machar told Kony.

Analysts said Kony's aim in attending the meeting and allowing himself to be filmed was impossible to tell, but that those interested in peace should try and seize the moment.

"Is he genuine? You can't trust Kony's intention," said Paul Omach, political scientist at Uganda's Makerere University.

"It could be because they are very desperate and under a lot of military pressure that they are buying time but you have to be careful. Every peace offer should be welcomed. You should take advantage of this instead of writing it off."

DISTRUST

In the only previous known footage of Kony, he was not heard speaking. But the images of his meeting with Machar showed his greetings and a lengthy address to the gathering, where both the LRA and SPLM delegations are flanked by soldiers.

"I am General Kony ... I thank Allah very much," Kony said at the start, surprising words for a man who has said he wants to rule Uganda by the Biblical Ten Commandments.

"There will be no exchange of fire between our people and your people," he added, saying LRA fighters were only defending themselves in past clashes with SPLA troops.

"We are all brothers, we are all Christians, we are all blacks, we are all Africans," he added.

Kony said he wanted to talk with the Museveni government, but was distrustful of his intentions.

"If we talk to Museveni, it will not take four, three days, he will come and attack us, in the middle like this.

"They say Kony is a terrorist...(But) I am fighting for the right cause."

Otti, who comes across as the LRA strategist in the meeting, warned the gathering that peace would be "very, very difficult." "Peace cannot come within a day or a year," added Otti, pictured with greying hair and wearing spectacles.

Machar said the SPLM was prepared to help mediate peace talks, but would not tolerate future fighting on southern Sudanese soil between the LRA and Ugandan troops.

(c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

This article: http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=771702006

Uganda: Kony Given $20,000 To Buy Food'
The Monitor (Kampala) / May 23, 2006 / Frank Nyakairu & Mike Odongkara / Kampala

THE southern Sudanese government has given rebel Lord's Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony at least 20,000 dollars (Shs36m).

The move has been variously interpreted among Ugandan security circles with some claiming it is a bail out for Kony.

In a video-taped meeting on May 2, South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar handed Kony the package that also included several tons of food rations which, according to highly placed security sources in Uganda, is understood to be facilitation towards "a new lease of life" for a much weakened rebel group.

Riek, who was dressed in a white Kaunda suit, reached for his bag and pulled out bundles of $100 bills, stuffed them in a brown envelope and handed them to Kony.

"Here is $20,000 to help you buy food not arms not ammunition," Reik said.

The money was received by Kony's number II Vincent Otti and handed over to another LRA rebel officer.

In the video, Kony, in a green military uniform with red pips, looked healthy and talked in a low tone. "I have no problem with Museveni if it is really possible we can end this war," Kony said.

Kony appears with over 20 heavily armed guards. Otti,appeared in similar green military uniform and wore old-fashioned spectacles.

"They gave the hefty sum of money to Kony in the pretext of buying food but are they sure what Kony is going to use that money for?" a Ugandan security source wondered yesterday.

Sudan's First Vice President and leader of southern Sudan Salva Kiir delivered the videotape of the Reik-Kony meeting to President Yoweri Museveni on May 12. Other sources that watched the DVD that features the meeting said Kony was excited when he received the money. "He got excited and quickly asked where he could change the currency," a source said.

The meetings were held in a bush near the Sudan- DR Congo border recently. Another source that saw the footage described Otti and Kony as two middle-aged men "dressed in military green fatigues with pips like those for Generals". Kony reportedly said he was willing to resume peace talks with President Museveni, the man he has fought for almost two decades.

The UPDF establishment, which had maintained thousands of troops in southern Sudan, said it had knowledge of the meeting but declined to comment on the alleged $20,000 cash donation.

"We were fully aware of the meeting between Riek Machar and Kony but we are not aware whether money changed hands," said UPDF spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye yesterday.

Following the delivery of the message, the President is expected to guarantee the safety of the internationally wanted rebel leader if he gives up his 20-year insurgency before the end of July. The International Criminal Court last November issued arrest warrants to Kony and four of his top lieutenants.

The ICC, in a swift rejoinder, reacted angrily saying the new peace offer was undermining the case against Kony, Otti and three other commanders.

The Court argued that President Museveni must remain committed to his November 2003 referral he made to the court.

ICC accuses Kony and the four commanders of murders, abductions, mass burning of houses, looting of entire villages, massive destruction, enslavement and inducement of rape. Past attempts to negotiate an end to the war have failed, with both the Ugandan government and the rebels being accused of lacking commitment to peace talks.

For years, the LRA have used bases in the lawless mountains of southern Sudan to raid northern Uganda, where the war has uprooted up to two million people and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters.

The LRA has no clear political aims beyond opposing Museveni. Last year, a fractious group of its fighters moved from Sudan into the jungles of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Reading culture is on the decline in Tanzania
2006-05-24 SOURCE: Guardian By Correspondent Ritah Wanza

When drugs addicts are going through a rehabilitation programme, they have what they call the 12 steps towards healing’.

The first step towards healing is accepting that one is a drug addict and that he or she needs help. Once an abuser accepts that he or she has a problem then she can move to the second step towards healing.

Today, Tanzanians need to accept that they have a problem so as to begin healing. We need to accept the fact that a ’reading culture’ does not exist among Tanzanians.

Lets accept it when was the last time you bought a book or a newspaper for your own reading? Am sure you cannot recall, but that’s no problem if you have accepted that a reading culture is slowly dying in Tanzania.

Have you ever wondered why every time there is a presidential election only about four candidates wish to be president and when there is a contest for miss Tanzania, miss tourism or miss whatever thousands of women in Tanzania show up to contest for the title of miss anything?

Do you know why? We have chosen to give beauty contests more priority than everything else. No wonder media houses record high sales during the Miss Tanzania season.

You want to know who won miss what, and that’s the only page you read, and if you go further it’s the classified ads pages where you scout for a cheap used car.

As Tanzanians when are we going to start reading? When are we going to realize that the more we read the more we strive to catch up with the rest of the world?

I watch plenty of Tanzanian talk shows and it scares the hell out of me everytime a Tanzanian is asked a simple question such as when Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was inaugurated as the fourth president of Tanzania and can’t answer.

Where exactly are we heading to and how bright do we see our future if we can’t remember such defining moments in the history of our country?

Tanzanians are amazing people, amazing in every sense. 70% can name all the Miss Tanzania’s since 1995 but they can’t tell who the minister for foreign affairs is. 70 per cent know which team Beckham plays for but they can’t name any team member in Yanga or Simba. Isn’t it amazing how the Tanzanian mind is alive and well?

A few months ago, a local newspaper reported that a school in chanzige, coast region was running out of classes to accommodate the rapid increasing number of students.

In the weeks that followed after this report I tried to find out if any organization had offered to donate anything for the building of the much needed classrooms. To my surprise none had, and none was willing to contribute to such a worthy cause.

I have since learnt from reliable sources that different people and organization have begun fighting for the sponsorships of the beauty contests that are springing up prior to the big day when one skinny beauty will walk away with the title of Miss Tanzania, a car, a house and of course a name!

What would happen if Tanzanians chose not to hold any beauty contests for a whole year and dedicate all the money to a worth cause, may be say a building, a library, or buying computers for schools?

Nothing would happen because nobody would choose to forego a beauty contest.

The contests have their own benefits, publicity, and money. Contributing towards building libraries doesn’t have fame or any benefit for the sponsors.

Well, there is nothing I can do about it and to my anger we will continue crowning beauties who don’t know who the speaker to the parliament is as miss anything.

That will go on until someone can put a stop to this madness and realize that beauty and brains should mix, and that ’Akili sio nywele’.

It is very unfortunate that we view gossip as news; anything apart from gossip is not worth reading. Who is to blame? The Tanzanian brain has been conditioned into reading tabloids such that anything else that is not gossip is not news to it.

We give gossip a lot of priority and when the mind is conditioned into reading and thinking gossip, it can’t think of anything else let alone read anything else.
The people to blame for a dying reading culture are our parents.

They didn’t cultivate a reading culture in us while growing up. If it was not instilled in you while young, you won’t read when you are 20 or 30 no matter how interesting the publication is.

Most children are not encouraged to read by their parents. Once the child reads in school, that’s enough.

The child is left to watch TV while at home instead of being encouraged to read. I know parents who shop for music videos for their children and yet they can’t buy the child a book that will enhance his ability to read.

Someone said charity begins at home and, if a child is not taught how to develop a reading culture straight from home he won’t develop it anywhere else.

As a child you learn how to smile, talk and walk from your family. If reading is not instilled in you while you are young then you will never discover the joys of reading.

As Tanzanians, the lack of a reading culture is costing us a lot of opportunities. Knowledge is power and we can’t achieve without reading. Mahatma Gandhi once said that a brain that does not read is dead’.

If we wish to be at par with the rest of the world then we ought to develop a hunger for knowledge, forget about Miss Tanzania or who has left which local band for which, strive to how your MP is using constituency funds.

What is going on in parliament or who is who in the fourth phase government. When you know what’s going on then you can influence decision making in this country and make it even better.

Arrestation à Kinshasa de 32 mercenaires commandités pour perturber les élections !

Kinshasa , 24.05.2006 | Politics | (Ern.) | Le Potentiel

Le Ministre de l’Intérieur, Théophile Mbemba a fait une déclaration à la presse, le mardi 23 mai soir, au sujet de l’arrestation à Kinshasa, de 32 mercenaires de diverses nationalités dont l’objectif visé était de renverser les institutions établies

Dans une déclaration à la presse nationale, Pr. Théophile Mbemba, ministre de l’Intérieur, et de l’Ordre public, a fait état de l’arrestation mardi de « 32 mercenaires étrangers dont l’objectif était de « renverser les institutions en place »
Ces hommes, toujours selon les déclarations du ministre de l’intérieur, étaient porteurs de trois passeports différents (américains, Sud-africains et nigérians). Il sont été repérés dans trois sites stratégiques de la capitale congolaises, selon toujours le Pr. Théophile Mbemba lors d’une cérémonie organisée à l’Inspection provinciale de la police, à laquelle la presse nationale était conviée.

« Des documents séditieux ont été retrouvés dans les appartements qu’ils changeaient à tout instant pour le besoin de la cause », a ajouté le ministre Mbemba, s’adressant toujours à la presse. « Apparemment, ce sont des militaires dont la plupart sont venus d’Irak », a affirmé le ministre de l’intérieur, et d’indiquer que « leur objectif était de renverser les institutions en place et de perturber le processus électoral en cours. Leur mission devrait s’arrêter le 30 juin, a encore assuré Théophile Mbemba qui a précisé en outre que c’est le 19 mai dernier que les services spéciaux ont procédés a leur arrestation. A en croire le ministre de l’ Intérieur, les « 32 hommes sont entrés en territoire congolais sous la couverture d’une société de gardiennage « Omega » établie à Kinshasa.

Des éclaircissements s’imposent

Cette grave déclaration est intervenue au moment où tout le monde l’attendait le moins. Certes, l’environnement politique est pollué.

Mais que des mercenaires aient réussi à s’infiltrer à Kinshasa à quelques jours des élections, voilà qui va susciter encore de la méfiance et polluer davantage le climat politique. Aussi, pour un climat politique apaisé souhaité par tous, des éclaircissements s’imposent pour que l’on remonte la filière et que soit établie la part de responsabilité sa fin de connaître les éventuels commanditaires de cet énième coup de force.

Dans ce processus de transition, l’on n’est pas à ce genre de premier coup, mais resté sans suite pour autant que les enquêtes n’ont jamais abouti. Dès lors que l’on progresse vers des élections avec ce genre d’infiltration, c’est tout le système de sécurité qui est remis en cause et cela ne rassure nullement les différents candidats, surtout ceux à l’élection présidentielle qui doivent sillonner tout le territoire national et se sentir protégés.

En portant à la connaissance du public cette information, le ministre de l’Intérieur doit s’assumer et fournir des explications. Qu’à cela ne tienne, le ministre de l’Intérieur est concerné dans une large mesure par l’organisation des élections. Autant, il devra expliquer l’infiltration de ces mercenaires et les conditions qui ont abouti à leur arrestation. Effectivement, la Commission d’enquête est à pied d’oeuvre pour élucider cette question. Autant prendre son mal en patience en attendant des éclaircissements du ministre de 1’lntérieur.

DRC: 32 "mercenaries" arrested in Kinshasa
24 May 2006 Source: IRIN
KISANGANI, 24 May (IRIN) - Security agents in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), arrested 32 foreigners on Tuesday for plotting a coup against the government of Joseph Kabila, Interior Minister Theophilus Mbemba said.

"They came from Iraq, where they had worked as soldiers," Mbemba said on Wednesday from Kinshasa. The 12 South Africans, 10 Nigerians and three Americans - all of whom the government described as mercenaries - were working in Kinshasa for a private security company called Omega. Mbemba said the men were caught with military equipment but would not specify the nature or number of the equipment that was seized because the case is still under investigation.

Some of those arrested were without passports. The South African ambassador to the DRC, Sisa Ngombane, said 19 of the men held South African passports, which needed checking. "We would rather send passport details to our security services for verification of the holders' South African nationality," he said.

South Africa has a law prohibiting its citizens from engaging in mercenary activity.

Mbemba said the United States and Nigerian embassies had not yet confirmed the nationalities of the detainees.

Some people in Kinshasa have expressed doubts about the veracity of the government's claim that the men are mercenaries. "It is a joke," said a Roman Catholic priest on condition of anonymity. "Which foreigner can try a coup in this country at a time when the international community is here with the 16,500 United Nations mission troops? This is, perhaps, a ruse to stop people exercising their vote on 30 July."

The mercenary charge coincides with another call by DRC's leading opposition party, the l'Union pour la Democratie et le progres social (the Union for the Democracy and the social progress - UDPS) of Etienne Tshisekedi, for a demonstration on Wednesday.

"We will be in the streets this Wednesday to tell the government that the [political] transition ends 30 June and that it cannot organise elections after this time without dialogue," Raul Nsolwa, the head of the UDPS Youth Wing, said.

DRC 'coup plot': 19 from SA arrested
Mail & Guardian Online reporter, Sapa and Sapa-dpa | Johannesburg, South Africa
24 May 2006
Nineteen South Africans have been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alongside three Americans and four Nigerians on allegations of "destabilisation of government institutions", the South African Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

The department said its diplomatic mission in the DRC has confirmed the arrest of the 19 South Africans by the country's law-enforcement agencies on Friday May 19.

Sixteen of these South African passport holders are members of the Omega Security Company, which has contracts with the DRC's National Transport Office for the training of security personnel in Matadi, Boma and Mouanda, the department said.

The other three South African passport holders work for a mining company, Mirabulis, as interpreters.

"According to information at the disposal of the South African diplomatic mission in the DRC, investigations are currently under way even though the authorities have indicated that the detainees are being on held on allegations of 'destabilisation of government institutions'," the department's Ronnie Mamoepa said in a statement.

The South African diplomatic mission was granted permission for a consular visit to the detainees and will continue with efforts to provide full consular assistance while monitoring investigations.

The DRC security ministry told The Associated Press (AP) on Wednesday about 30 American, South African, Nigerian and other security guards are accused of plotting a coup just ahead of elections.

But a United Nations official cast doubt on the claim and said the UN is confident security will be maintained for the DRC's long-delayed polls, now set for July 30.

The suspects are former soldiers who worked for a Congolese security agency, Interior Minister Theophile Mbemba told The AP. He said the men were arrested with military gear, but did not provide further details about the number or type of weapons.

They "were working in Kinshasa as security guards but it is clear that they were military personnel with political plans," Mbemba said. "They were part of a coup attempt, and they will face justice in Congo."

The UN said it could not confirm the claim. "We are not concerned about this; it appears to be a case of political manipulation by Congo's government," said Jean-Tobias Okala, UN spokesperson in Kinshasa.

"We have almost 18 000 troops here to achieve our goal of peaceful and transparent elections," he added.

The vast, mineral-rich Central African country the size of Western Europe is currently preparing for the first multiparty presidential elections in 40 years slated for July 30.

Thousands of UN peacekeepers -- conducting the UN's largest and most expensive mission in the world -- are fanned out to help provide security ahead of the crucial polls, particularly in the volatile north-eastern and central regions.

The UN troops are expected to be boosted by a 1 500-strong European Union force ahead of the polls.

Three Americans Arrested in Congo Coup Plot
26 Security Workers Suspected

By Craig Timberg - Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, May 24, 2006 JOHANNESBURG, May 24 -- Three Americans were among at least 26 security workers arrested and jailed last week in Congo on suspicion of plotting a coup in advance of national elections in July, officials and news services reported Wednesday.

Fifteen of the suspects are employed by a South African security company, Omega Risk Solutions, which has offices in Pretoria, the South African capital. A company official, Christo Roelefse, said the Americans who were arrested work for two U.S. companies that are arranging security and logistics for the campaign of a presidential candidate in Congo. The other suspects are Nigerians.

From Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, Interior Minister Theophile Mbemba told the Associated Press that 32 men were arrested Friday with military gear. "It is clear that they were military personnel with political plans. . . . They were part of a coup attempt, and they will face justice in Congo."

A spokesman for the South African Foreign Ministry, Ronnie Mamoepa, said the arrests were made on the grounds of "alleged destabilization of government institutions" but that no charges have been filed.

News of the arrests became public Wednesday in Congo, a troubled central African nation uneasily emerging from years of dictatorship and war. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for July 30.

Few details of the alleged plot have emerged.

Officials from the United Nations and the security company have reportedly questioned the allegations.

"We are not concerned about this, it appears to be a case of political manipulation by Congo's government," said Jean-Tobias Okala, a U.N. spokesman in Kinshasa, according to the Associated Press. "We have almost 18,000 troops here to achieve our goal of peaceful and transparent elections."

Omega Risk Solutions said in a statement issued from Pretoria that employees from its Congolese subsidiary had been contracted by the government to upgrade a port facility and by an American company to provide security for Oscar Kashala, a Congolese presidential candidate who holds U.S. and Congolese citizenship.

There was no immediate protest or other formal action by the South African government, and Mamoepa said it was not yet clear whether those holding South African passports were citizens of the country.

"We will have to await the outcome of these investigations," Mamoepa said

Security company denies employees' 'coup plans'
Louis Oelofse | Pretoria, South Africa
24 May 2006 - Sapa
Security company Omega International Associates has denied its employees arrested in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were involved in a coup plot.

Christo Roelofse, MD of Omega, said on Wednesday the company's subsidiary is a registered security company in the DRC.

"Omega's actions in the DRC were carried out with the firm belief that all the regulatory prescripts were being adhered to," he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that 26 people were arrested in the DRC on Friday on allegations of "destabilisation of government institutions".

Departmental spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said 19 were holders of South African passports, alongside three Americans and four Nigerians.

He said 16 of the South African passport holders were members of Omega, which has contracts with the DRC's National Transport Office for the training of security personnel in Matadi, Boma and Mouanda.

The other three South African passport holders worked for a mining company, Mirabulis, as interpreters.

"The South African mission in the DRC will continue with efforts to verify the nationalities of the detainees with a view to providing full consular assistance whilst monitoring investigations," Mamoepa said.

Roelofse said no charge has been laid and Omega is still unclear about the reason for the arrests.

He said the company provides integrated security solutions to the DRC National Transport Authority to upgrade its ports to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security code standards. It also provides security services to the Cilo cement factory.

The company is also assisting an American security company with "logistical and administrative support" for the VIP protection of Oscar Kashala, a presidential candidate in the DRC, during his election campaign in the country.

"For the last three months the client has been in the DRC scouting a safe environment for Dr Kashala to operate from. As part of these services Omega was approached to assist with security aspects due to their knowledge of the DRC and their record as a reputable security company in the DRC," Roelofse said.

It believed that all the necessary procedures were being followed. "Omega would under no circumstances jeopardise its position in the DRC as this would be committing business suicide."

The company is in discussions with the South African embassy to help its staff.

"Omega denies that the company or its employees have been involved in any wrong doing or illegal activities in the DRC," Roelofse said. -

DRC arrests linked to domestic political rivalries

Diplomats and security sources say the recent arrests may be linked to domestic political rivalries

May 24, 2006, http://www.sabcnews.com/

Diplomats and security sources say the arrests of 32 South Africans, Nigerians and Americans accused of involvement in a coup plot in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may be linked to domestic political rivalries.

Diplomats say the alleged "plot" poses no serious threat to July 30 polls in the DRC. Most of the 19 South Africans arrested are employees in Congo of a Pretoria-based security firm, Omega Risk Solutions. The Omega staff were providing security training for Congo's National Transport Authority. Henri Mova Sakanyi, the DRC government spokesperson, says the men will be put on trial.

The South African security company, Omega International Associates has denied that the company or its employees have been involved in any illegal activities in the DRC. The arrest of almost 32 employees of the Omega Security, 19 South Africans, three Americans and four Nigerians is alleged to be related to mercenary activities which posed a danger to the Congolese government. According to the interior ministry, the group was arrested at different strategic places.

State security
The statement issued by the minister of interior is that there were activities that could endanger state security, but Omega International denies that it's involved in mercenary activities. Having been approached by an American company to assist with VIP protection, Omega International says they were only offering protection services. One of the presidential candidates in the DRC is one of their clients.

Meanwhile, the South African government says it did not expect its name to be linked to any form of activities against the state of the DRC. But if proven true, it will want the law of the DRC to take its cause. The Omega Service Company is alleged to have close ties to Mark Thatcher, a British businessman.

Henry Boshoff, an analyst at the Institute of Security Studies, says he hopes the matter could be solved because he believes that this is not good for relations between the DRC, South Africa and America. - Additional reporting by Reuters

EU to send observers for general elections in DR Congo
www.chinaview.cn Editor: Lin Li

KINSHASA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 253 observers from the European Union (EU) would be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the presidential, legislative and provincial elections starting on July 30, EU official said here on Tuesday.

The Electoral Observation Mission of the EU, known by its French acronym MOE, has been designated to guarantee the credibility and transparency of the elections, said Bernard Piette,the interim EU director of MOE affairs, after signing an accord with DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramazani Baya.

Piette noted there could be no credible elections without stringent observation.

Under the accord, the MOE has the responsibility to be impartial, objective and independent during the mission in the DRC. The observers are expected to respect the conduct code of European observers and not intervene in the elections.

During their mission, the MOE members may tour the DRC without authorization or notification. They also have access to all political parties, candidates, electoral agents, and representatives of civil societies, as well as electorates.

The DRC government has promised to take the necessary measures to ensure the observers obtain visas in time and facilitate their legal entry and status during their mission.

The DRC is scheduled to hold its first democratic elections in 45 years on July 30. The international community hopes the elections will guide the shattered country out of its war-torn state.

Congo-Kinshasa: Gécamines: 300 milliards de dollars bradés

Le Phare (Kinshasa) OPINION 22 Mai 2006
Robert Crem / Kinshasa

J'avais été étonné et bouleversé en apprenant que l'Exécutif congolais avait, en contradiction avec toute logique de redresse-ment, procédé au démantèle-ment accéléré de la GECAMINES.

Il a octroyé des polygones miniers au mépris des critères de compétence technique, de surfaces finan-cières, et cela au profit d' opérateurs non qualifiés et à des aventuriers aux méthodes douteuses. Je ne pouvais pas rester indifférent. J' avais donc commencé par écrire au Chef de l' Etat, et je lui avais suggéré une procédure d'audit pour s' assurer du caractère complet et sincère des offres de partenariat, et éviter la faillite de l' exploitation minière katangaise avec ses conséquences sur le plan national. Cet exercice conditionnait également la crédibilité internationale de la RDC.

Comme le démantèlement n' est pas fait par de puissants groupes miniers, mais d' «aventuriers non-miniers», j' avais conseillé de suspendre tous les accords de privatisation et de les renégocier. Les gisements cédés devraient être placés sous une gestion contrôlée par L' ETAT, en attendant les résultats d'expertise des accords provisoirement suspendus. De même, il fallait prendre en compte le rapport de la Commission Lutundula.

Mais je n' avais pas reçu de réaction de la Présidence de la République. Idem, pour une seconde lettre. C' est pourquoi je me suis adressé aux intellectuels et à la presse de la RD Congo afin de susciter un débat public sur la question. J' ai ainsi formulé des propositions pour la République, n' en déplaise aux intérêts étrangers que cela dérange. J' assume mes propos. Et je continuerai à le faire. A ce stade, si mon message a été perçu par les médias congolais, il y a un manque flagrant d' intérêt de la classe politique qui assure la succession du système MOBUTU, mais en pis.

Une question me trotte: y a-t-il un politique candidat au Pouvoir, et déterminé à défendre le Pays ? En effet, la volonté décisionnelle ne m'appartient pas. Cette volonté est même difficile à identifier dans des décisions qui se prennent en dehors de toute transparence. Mais dans le Peuple, il y a sans doute beaucoup de personnalités et de propositions de valeur qui sont malheureusement sub-mergées par des actions hostiles qui les réduisent au silence, à l'inaction, au découragement et à l' auto-destruction. A ceux-là, je suis en mesure de léguer quelque savoir, quelque expérience. Ne serait-ce que la foi à recom-mencer et à persévérer. Les problèmes et les solutions miniers sont constants. Pour preuve, j'ai retrouvé des notes que j'avais écrites lors d'un voyage de 1995. Elles restent d'actualité.

«La Gécamines qui exploite ces réserves est dans une situation désastreuse à cause de nombreuses années de mauvaise gestion et de pillage. La production minière est presque tombée à zéro, et cette entreprise d'Etat survit encore grâce au traitement de remblais provenant d'extractions passées. Ceci est tout simplement ridicule, alors que les capacités minières existant à Kipushi, et dans les secteurs de Likasi et de Kolwezi permettraient un redresse-ment rapide de la société d' Etat. De même, la solution à ses problèmes se trouve dans un contrat d'exploitation et de gestion internationales.

De même, les réserves de Tenke-Fungurume pourraient permet-tre de lancer une nouvelle compagnie avec des investisseurs internationaux privés.» «Cette stratégie nécessite une décision gouvernementale de privatiser le secteur minier. En effet, la garantie de livraisons futures de produits miniers ne devrait pas être anéantie par l'instabilité politique temporaire que connaissent cer-tains Pays, et cela pour des raisons sociales et macro-économiques évidentes. L' autre condition est la nécessité de créer un « groupe de travail» de techniciens de haut niveau à la charge du partenaire privé.

«Il faut également tirer les leçons des évolutions extérieures au Congo. La démocratisation de l' Afrique du Sud pousse les financiers traditionnels de ce pays à tenter de s' approprier des compagnies minières d' Afrique centrale. ( La Chine et l' Inde sont également parties à la chasse des matières premières africai-nes). Ces offensives doivent préoccuper l' approvision-nement mondial en métaux. Bien entendu, il faut les déjouer. » «Il s' avère ainsi urgent et nécessaire de mettre en place un consortium international qui comprendrait des partenaires américains, des intérêts sud africains et des investisseurs asiatiques, avec quelques participations européennes nécessaires pour des actions particulières.

Mais comment réaliser un tel investissement privé? Cela nécessite la création dans cette région du Pays d'une zone de stabilité qui engloberait toutes les concessions minières ou certaines d' entre elles ( par exemple Tenke Fungurume) et de la sécuriser pour plusieurs décades, soit une période nécessaire pour générer un retour sur investissement raisonnable. Cette privatisation pourrait se faire en deux étapes: le lancement de Tenke Fungurume avec une nouvelle compagnie et ensuite la redynamisation des mines et installations de la Gécamines. Un tel investissement coûterait environ un milliard de dollars sur 5 années, avec un amortissement sur 7 à 8 années. Bref, la proposition nécessite des études techniques et juridiques, mais également des décisions politiques.

Ces réflexions datent du 12 octobre 1995. Elles dé-montraient que les réserves katangaise assuraientdes revenus miniers annuels de l'ordre de 5 milliards de dollars, pour une évaluation d' environ 50 milliards de dollars. Mais dix années plus tard, ces mêmes réserves sont passées à 100 milliards. Aujourd'hui et avec un cours du cuivre à 8300$/t, ces mêmes réserves se chiffreraient à 300 milliards de dollars. Comme on dit qu'il faudra 15 ans minimum pour restructurer l'économie congolaise, chaque année perdue au plan minier prive la République de cette ressource, et la population en «crèvera». Le Congo est-il conscient de son éventuelle complicité dans la plus grande escroquerie des temps modernes, engendrant un génocide permanent pour les prochaines décennies?

Tel est mon message.

La RDC est moribonde. La cause du mal est connue: c'est la corruption institutionnalisée; elle procède d'actions complémentaires des corrupteurs et des corrompus. Les corrupteurs historiques poursuivent le pillage initié voici plus d'un siècle. De 1906 à 1966, le pillage avait été cautionné par la puissance coloniale, quoique atténué dans les années 30 par des actions sociales destinées à répondre aux campagnes internationales à l' endroit de l' exploitant et qui sont relatées par Adam Hochschild et Jules Marchal. Sous le régime MOBUTU, la corruption est restée de mise avec les mêmes sponsors.

Mais Mobutu avait, par moments, soutenu la GECAMINES. Je me souviens qu'en plein conseil des ministres de 1980, la Gecamines avait été sollicitée pour avancer quelques millions de dollars. J'avais refusé. Mobutu avait alors levé la séance en disant: « je ne tue pas la poule aux oeufs d'or... », Alors que j' étais hué par les ministres.

Avec la fin de la guerre froide, MOBUTU a été déstabilisé à l'initiative des Américains, et on connaît la suite. Aujourd'hui les prédateurs historiques interviennent à nouveau, et ils sont rejoints par des dragons asiatiques et la pègre internationale. Conséquence, les réserves minérales katangaises sont anarchiquement démantelées, comme les autres ressources naturelles congolaises. Le Pays agonise et le génocide congolais laisse indifférent les Etatsamis», les bailleurs de fonds et la plupart des leaders africains. La presse occidentale, particulièrement francophone, est muette. Voilà qui exprime mon exaspération et justifie ma prise de position en faveur du peuple congolais.

Il est de mon devoir de dénoncer le scandale géno-cidaire perpétré par action ou par omission par certaines puissances «libérales». Je défends le droit d'une nation à disposer de son sous-sol, conformément aux «règle-ments internationaux». Je dénonce le pillage d'un trésor minéral d'un ETAT SOUVERAIN. Je dénonce le «crime contre l'humanité» avec ce pillage qui tue, opprime et déstabilise au profit d'un capitalisme néocolonialiste perfide. Les responsables historiques de ce génocide sont l'ancienne puissance coloniale au travers de son industrie des non-ferreux, le répondant en RDC qui commissionne et la Banque Mondiale qui cautionne. Il n'est pas trop tard, mais il est temps !

Kenya targets April 2007 for Telkom IPO
Wed May 24, 2006
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya said on Wednesday it hopes to sell part of its holding in state-owned Telkom Kenya through an initial public offering (IPO) on the Nairobi Stock Exchange by April next year.

"The government has approved the restructuring of Telkom Kenya," President Mwai Kibaki said. "Under this arrangement, 9 percent of Safaricom shareholding will be sold to finance the sale of Telkom Kenya through an initial public offering to be concluded by April 2007," he added.

Telkom hopes to use the money raised from selling its shares in Safaricom to finance plans to lay off about 12,000 out of its bloated workforce of 18,000 employees at a cost of 11 billion Kenya shillings.

Telkom Kenya owns 60 percent of Safaricom, Kenya's leading mobile phone company, and has offered the 9 percent stake to Britain's Vodafone which currently owns the rest of the 40 percent.

The government has said it plans to sell 34 percent of Telkom Kenya on the Nairobi Stock Exchange and a further 26 percent to strategic investors after reforming the loss-making company.

The government is hoping the Telkom IPO will be as successful as the recent sale of 30 percent of state-run Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) which was highly oversubscribed. Experts have urged the government to speed up Telkom's sale to ride on KenGen's good performance.

Kenyan businesses have long complained that poor telephone services due to largely Telkom's inefficiencies add a huge cost to doing business in the country, east Africa's biggest economy.

Cholera deaths increase in Angola
Created: Tuesday, May 23, 2006
(Edgar do Nascimento, Health24.com, May 2006)
The cholera death toll in Angola reached a new high last week, with 438 new infections being registered. This brings the number of cases in the country to 1427, 269 of them fatal.
Angolan health authorities registered a total 438 new infections in the last 24 hours. Ten of these cases have been fatal.
Luanda has been the epicentre of the outbreak, which started in mid February. A total of 989 cases were confirmed, of which 259 were fatal.
It is suspected that the outbreak has spread to Lunda Norte in the north of the country, which, if confirmed, would bring the number of affected provinces to 12 according to the World Health Organization.
The suspected case was in Kuango (Lunda Norte).
Since the outbreak of the epidemic in mid-February, the death toll has increased to 1 350, and torrential rains failing in the capital have made authorities fear that this number could increase.

AFRIQUE DU SUD :

South Africa tightens up corporate governance
Larry Schlesinger, Accountancy Age 24 May 2006

http://www.financialdirector.co.uk
In a move which follows international corporate governance trends, South Africa is tightening up its own rules by proposing that audit committees of listed companies should consist only of independent non-executive directors.

The Corporate Law Amendment Bill, if passed with mean that an audit committee must have at least two members and consist only of non-executive directors of the company who must act independently, Business Day reported.

Devon Duffield, KPMG South Africa’s managing director of professional practice development, said the experience and expertise that NEDs brought to boards was invaluable and vital to the success of the economy.

However, the new measures are likely to see smaller companies struggle to find suitably qualified and competent candidates to fill the positions.

With 685 listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, a minimum of 1,400 positions will need to be filled on audit committees.

Indonesian Trade Minister leads delegation to South Africa