IOM Partners with Burundi to Combat Human Trafficking (12.07.2019)

The project known as Burundi Counter-Trafficking 2019-2022 will reinforce the government’s efforts to combat human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.

BUJUMBURA, Burundi, July 12, 2019 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Government of Burundi, this week (10/07) launched a project to strengthen government capacity to combat trafficking in persons (TiP).

The precarious security situation in Burundi has created an opportunity for human traffickers who often target the most vulnerable. An estimated 346,000 Burundians remain in neighboring countries as refugees while 130,000 Burundians are internally displaced. though as refugees returned, these figures decreased. Refugees returning from neighboring countries and the internally displaced remain vulnerable and desperate.

The project, known as Burundi Counter-Trafficking 2019-2022, will reinforce the government’s efforts to combat human trafficking and other cross-border crimes. The USD 3 million project, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will run for three years.

Burundi is a source country for trafficked persons, according to the US Trafficking in Persons Report. Adults and children can be coerced into forced labour, domestic servitude, prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation throughout the region and elsewhere in the world.

This new partnership will serve as a coordination mechanism for government ministries and link them to the national police and civil society to implement anti-trafficking measures. Activities under the new project will include strengthening the national referral system for protection and providing reintegration assistance to trafficking victims.

While actively engaging border communities, the project will help build the capacity of security agencies to effectively reduce and prevent human trafficking and cross-border crime, raise awareness on the basic rights of populations and create standard operating procedures for law enforcement stakeholders on handling TiP cases.

The ad hoc committee appointed by the Office of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi presented the Integrated Work Plan Against Trafficking in Persons 2019-2020 during the launch of the project. The Work Plan follows the adoption of the 2014 law to prevent and combat human trafficking.

During the project launch ceremony, the First Vice-President of Burundi, Gaston Sindimwo said, “We are aware that human trafficking cannot be fought effectively without an integrated approach based on respect for human rights and taking into account the national, regional and global nature of the phenomenon.”

“A joint action by all stakeholders at the national level as outlined in the Plan, which is our focus today, is aimed at continually improving our collective perception of the issues related to trafficking in persons and combining our efforts to maximize our effectiveness,” he continued.

Caecilia Wijgers, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Burundi, said: “Trafficking in persons is a subject that requires all of us to find a solution for these tragic cases, where ordinary people find themselves one day in a nightmare when they believed they would start a promising phase of their lives. We appreciate that IOM’s programme has an integrated approach, as it is a problem for which we must work together across various disciplines.”

AJ Morgen, IOM Burundi Chief of Mission said: “This three-year project will not only help combat trafficking and other cross-border crimes, such as migrant smuggling, but also improve the human security of communities affected by human trafficking and provide appropriate support to victims of trafficking.”

“Today’s launch is a milestone event for all, as it represents the basis for cooperation between different actors that will continue to be strengthened during the implementation of this project,” Morgen added.

The launch ceremony in Bujumbura was also attended by the Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, Martin Nivyabandi; the UN Resident Coordinator in Burundi, Dr. Garry Conille, a representative of the Mayor of Bujumbura, Christophe Kinshasa, representatives of various Ministries, local authorities, governors, civil society and members of the ad hoc commission.

IOM strives to improve collaboration and co-ordination between all stakeholders while supporting safe, orderly and dignified migration in Burundi.

RDC: A.D.P.S – Declaration Politique du Parti Politique Alliance des Democrates pour le Progess Social “ADPS” – Parti Allie au Regroupement Politique AFDC-A (11.07.2019)

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo (12.07.2019)

After the first reported case in the Ariwara Health Zone on 30 June, no new cases have been observed in that health zone.

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 12, 2019 – The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo continues this past week with a similar transmission intensity to the previous week. While the number of new cases continues to ease in former hotspots, such as Butembo, Katwa and Mandima health zones, there has been an increase in cases in Beni, and a high incidence of cases continues in parts of Mabalako Health Zone. In addition to these re-emerging hotspots, there are a large number of people with confirmed and probable infections moving to other health zones, with the greatest number coming from Beni Health Zone. The movement of cases causes the outbreak to spread to new health zones and re-emerge in health zones with previously controlled infections. Overall, this underscores the importance of robust mechanisms for listing and following up contacts and understanding the motivations for peoples’ decisions to move.

After the first reported case in the Ariwara Health Zone on 30 June, no new cases have been observed in that health zone. A response team deployed to that zone continues to identify contacts, engage the community, and vaccinate individuals at risk. Response personnel from the bordering countries of Uganda and South Sudan continue to support operational readiness activities. Resources are being dedicated to monitoring the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border in that area.

In the 21 days from 19 June through 9 July 2019, 72 health areas within 22 health zones reported new cases, representing 11% of the 664 health areas within North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2). During this period, a total of 247 confirmed cases were reported, the majority of which were from the health zones of Beni (41%, n=101), Mabalako (19%, n=48), Lubero (6%, n=16), and Mandima (5%, n=13). As of 09 July 2019, a total of 2437 EVD cases, including 2343 confirmed and 94 probable cases, were reported (Table 1). A total of 1646 deaths were reported (overall case fatality ratio 68%), including 1552 deaths among confirmed cases. Of the 2437 confirmed and probable cases with known age and sex, 57% (1384) were female, and 29% (704) were children aged less than 18 years.

Cases continue to increase among health workers, with the cumulative number infected rising to 132 (5% of total cases). Of the 128 health workers with information available, the greatest proportion is among health workers at health posts [poste de santé] (20%, n = 26) and private health facilities (35%, n = 45). The majority (68%, n = 87) of health worker infections were among nurses.

No new EVD cases or deaths have been reported in the Republic of Uganda since the previous EVD Disease Outbreak News publication on 13 June 2019. As of 3 July, 108 contacts exposed to those cases were identified, and they all completed the 21-day follow-up period. All contacts were asymptomatic. Arua district, located in the north-western part of Uganda near the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border, is currently stepping up its response readiness to prevent imported cases of Ebola following the case that died on 30 June 2019 in Ariwara Health Zone in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, located 8 kilometres from the Uganda border. This case is known to have over 200 contacts, some of whom are in the communities bordering the Arua district. As of 9 July 2019, two suspected cases in the Arua district were reported and both tested negative. As of 9 July 2019, the cumulative number of individuals vaccinated in Arua district is 811 out of 1092 targeted front line and healthcare workers.

Vaccination to contain severe measles outbreak underway in the Democratic Republic of the Congo amidst Ebola and mass displacement (12.07.2019)

 

The first sites targeted for measles vaccinations are four displacement camps in Bunia, Ituri.

ITURI, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 12, 2019 –  Health workers are urgently rolling out a complex measles vaccination campaign targeting 67,000 children in Ituri, northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region ravaged by armed conflict that is now also the hub of the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

At least 1,981 deaths due to measles have been reported across the DRC this year, over two-thirds of them among children below 5 years old. As of 23 June, nearly 115,000 cases of suspected measles had been reported, far more than the 65,000 recorded in all of 2018.

Ituri, one of the two provinces (the other is North Kivu) struck by Ebola since the outbreak began nearly a year ago, has recorded over 5,400 cases and 50 deaths.

“The combined threat of Ebola and measles for the thousands of families living in overcrowded and unsanitary displacement camps is unprecedented,” said UNICEF DRC Representative Edouard Beigbeder. “We have a small window to prevent a potentially massive loss of life.”

The first sites targeted for measles vaccinations are four displacement camps in Bunia, Ituri, that have seen a huge influx of families forcibly uprooted by fighting in recent weeks. The boundary of one camp, located alongside Bunia’s General Hospital, is less than 100 metres away from an Ebola treatment center. It is also less than 3 kilometres away from parts of Bunia that have seen 5 Ebola cases since the start of the outbreak, 2 of them in the past three weeks.

The Ebola outbreak means the measles vaccination campaign must incorporate extra measures to protect against infection and meticulous triage. Health workers will need to wear gowns to prevent contact with blood or other body fluids. Teams will include an additional health worker who will evaluate and refer suspected Ebola cases, check temperatures and oversee handwashing and other safety measures.

An additional layer of complexity is that some of the early symptoms of Ebola – fever, redness around the eyes, diarrhoea – are virtually indistinguishable from those of measles, malaria or cholera – all of which are prevalent, especially in severely congested displacement sites.

Up to 400,000 people are thought to be internally displaced across Ituri, the vast majority of them women and children. Many live in about 35 camps scattered throughout the province, in territory that is virtually inaccessible due to insecurity. Fighting among various armed groups has damaged or destroyed up to half the health facilities and schools in the province.

“The northeastern part of DRC is home to one of the worst humanitarian crises today. Whether it is from measles, Ebola, or the reality of living in a displacement camp, children are at grave risk. We must do everything we can to protect them,” Beigbeder said.

Measles campaigns are also being planned for Tchomia and Nyankunde health zones.

As of 8 July, there were 2,428 cases of Ebola, with 1,641 deaths. Almost 30 per cent of cases are among children.

Nebbi By-Election: Return Form for Declaration of Results (12.07.2019)

Cameroon: MANIDEM – Communique – Soutien a l’Initiative de FORUM AFRICAIN sur le Cameroun (09.07.2019)

Opinion: The authorities will pin charges on Bobi Wine until he cannot manage to have a political career…

Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has been under fire ever since he started his political career and becoming an MP for Kyadondo East. This is not news, that his been arrested, house-arrested and awaiting trials. That is very common by this day and age. The Authorities and the Police Force is always on his trail.

Bobi Wine has been charged several of times; some has been dropped like having illegal ammunition. However, his still charged for participating in treasonous acts in Arua. However, he still has charged of annoying, disobedience and inciting violence. This being in the way on and sharing the road of the President on the 13th August 2018 in Arua, this holding an illegal demonstration against Mobile Money on the 29th April 2019. Therefore, he has several of cases going on.

As this is going on, this is all deliberately done to silence and stop his engagement with society in general. Because, all the trials, criminal summons and the charges put on him in Arua and elsewhere is all done to stop him from his political work. The authorities are piling up and finding new codes he could have broken. They will charge whatever they can, even if he just stops going to the bank around Constitutional Square in Kampala, they will charge him with wrongful parking. That is what they do.

The National Resistance Movement and the President needs to do this, because they cannot campaign on promises and pledges, they cannot address the needs nor the reality of the citizens. That is why the voices of concern, the voices of the people is silenced, because they undress the NRM and what they stood for. Bobi Wine is the prime example, the biggest political star since Besigye.

We all know this and the NRM knows this too, that is why the President is steadily campaigning and visiting every single district on tours, two years ahead of the General Election to try to win favours and look good ahead of the next election. Even if it only shows the double standard and the proof of the ill acts of the government. Who cannot even allow or clear concerts on the private ground and One Love Beach for Bobi Wine. While the NRM can campaign at every district of the nation.

That is why, the charges will pile up and he has to answer for these all over the republic. This is what the Republic does to its dissidents. They are all supposed to be loyal to Museveni and his party, not question his rule and forever reign. Bobi Wine crosses this narrative and therefore, he has to pay. Either by treason, annoying, disobedience or just breathing in the wrong parliamentary chamber.

They do whatever takes, but Bobi Wine has to go down, either by hook or by the crook. Just like they have done with others, his next in line to pay for his non-patriotic act of being a figure against the President. Because, you cannot love the Republic, without falling in love with Museveni. That is just the reality of Yoweri or Yosri at this point of time. In addition, Bobi Wine loves the Republic, but doesn’t believe in the leadership of Museveni. That is is crime and for doing so, he got to pay his time. Peace.

Zimbabwe: The New Dispensation are just new wine in old wineskins!

“We are a committed leadership that will give Zanu PF headaches and [Amos] Chibaya was not lying or joking about the war and fight we are going to take to the doorsteps of Emmerson Mnangagwa. We are going to overthrow him before 2023 that is not a joke”Job Sikhala

“If Mnangagwa walks in the same smelly shoes as Robert Mugabe, us as the young people are ready to surrender ourselves before we surrender the democratic agenda.”Gift Ostallos Siziba

There is no difference between the New Dispensation and the old in the Second Republic. The ZANU-PF and its authorities cracks down on dissidents the same old way. Today, there are two leaders of Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A) in the Courts, as they have answer for their speech during the last weekend.

Job Sikhala MP have to answer for his Treason Charge in Court in Bikita, Masvingo after being abducted yesterday, while his legal representation couldn’t find him or know his whereabouts yesterday. Certainly, a level of intimidation, the old guard of PF would be proud off.

Today, the MDC Youth leader Gift Ostallos Siziba have to answer for his speech at Mbare Magistrate Court. The current news of the verdict there is that he has to be moved to Rotten Row, because the Mbare cannot answer to the charges because of the codes the MDC leader has violated. Therefore, this case will be moved and will follow the man for while. His charges is incitement to commit public violence.

Both these cases shows what the PF is missing. An understanding of their role as government and as just society. They are clear to raise their opinion, to question the powers and wish for a change. This being by impeachments, by an election or even by an overthrow of government, ala the coup of November 2017, which the ZANU-PF had no trouble with ushering the violent military takeover of power post-Mugabe.

That is why the ZANU-PF should be a bit more careful about their methods and their charges of treason. Because, this gives even more reason to arrest, detain and charge the ones who are in power right now. The ones who used the ZDF and force to evict the G-40 part of ZANU-PF to install the Lacoste fraction of the party. They can laugh and giggle about it on their international travels, but the reality is there.

This is showing mediocre and weakness of the PF, instead of showing they are open for business. They are showing, they are open for police brutality and misuse power. Surely, that will only salvage donations and possible transaction with more despots. Because, who can trust a government, who detain their own over speeches and wishful thinking of a more fair governance, justice and rule of law. Which the PF is not serving the public.

The MDC-A is just supposed to exist and not be a viable alternative for the ZANU-PF. That is what the PF is acting like. Maybe, that is why they are arresting the MDC leaders. Peace.

In BBC interview, Tanzanian foreign minister says journalist Azory Gwanda is dead (11.07.2019)

Kabudi said that Gwanda had “disappeared and died” in the country’s eastern Rufiji region.

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 11, 2019 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on the Tanzanian government to provide a detailed public account of the fate of freelance journalist Azory Gwanda after the country’s foreign minister, Palamagamba Kabudi, said in an interview that the journalist is dead.

In an interview with the BBC’s “Focus on Africa” program today, Kabudi said that Gwanda had “disappeared and died” in the country’s eastern Rufiji region, and said that the government has since “been able to contain that kind of extremism” in the region. Gwanda went missing on November 21, 2017, after investigating mysterious killings and disappearances in his community, and the Tanzanian government has never delivered a promised investigation into his case, according to CPJ research.

“For a year and a half, Azory Gwanda’s family and the Tanzanian media have pleaded with the government to explain what happened to their loved one and colleague,” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney from New York. “Then suddenly the foreign minister mentions, almost in passing, that the journalist is apparently dead. This is wholly inadequate and distressing. The government must immediately share publicly all information it has about Gwanda’s fate.”

Kabudi told the BBC that the Tanzanian government is not “proud” of the disappearances and killings in Rufiji, which he said also took the lives of police officers and ruling party officials, and said that the government was taking measures to make sure that citizens and journalists are safe. However, CPJ research shows that impunity in journalists’ deaths or disappearances contributes to an environment that fosters violence against journalists.

CPJ’s phone calls today to Kabudi and Tanzanian government spokesperson Hassan Abbassi went unanswered.

Gabon: CRN – Declaration a Propos des Menaces du Pouvoir Putshiste Contre Jean Remy Yama (05.07.2019)