Kwibuka 21 – First day of 100-days of mourning the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, with statements from John V. Karuranga and Ban Ki-Moon.

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We gather here to mourn today for every drop of innocent blood that shed, every life that was lost and every family that wept. Today, I, and my party, the Rwanda People’s Party, join millions of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, to commemorate the 21st Anniversary of the 1994 Rwanda genocide perpetrated against the Tutsis.

My Beloved Rwandans, today, is a day to remember the 100 days of harrowing scenes and abominable, violence in which 1,000,050 Tutsis and moderate Hutus lost their lives. It is a day to share the sorrows, pains and experiences of 500,000 heroic women and girls that have lived a life with HIV-AIDS as result of brutal rapes committed during these shameful 100 days. These 45,000 females have courageously fought against the psychological pain, mental anguish, shame and prejudice that plague their lives, even today. The children they bore will grow up as orphans, not knowing their fathers; they too bear the scars of the indescribable rapes that ripped their mother’s lives apart on an industrial scale, during the infamous 100 days of genocide.

Such is the jolting truth! We grieve, today, at this horrendous calculated crime against humanity.

We remember the millions of Rwandans that survived the horrors, afflicted by permanent physical and mental disabilities. We offer our support to all those Rwandans who suffered trauma due to the tragedies of the 100 black days that destroyed our country. Today, we commemorate the 21st anniversary of the genocide of Tutsis. Today we renew our vow to all Rwandans that survived these tragedies.

We love you and that “Never, and never again” will the tragic events of the 100 days that scarred our country and left so many traumatized happen again in our beloved Rwanda. We will miss the victims of the genocide and never forget them, to this extent, our heart goes out to all our families, relatives, friends, neighbours and to Rwandans from every background that were devastated in the 100 days of grim darkness of genocide.

We are utterly at a loss to understand the genocide’s cause. Why would anyone wish to hurt the innocent, especially, pregnant women, toddlers, children, elderly, the sick and all the defenseless people that were not a part of the Rwandan civil war, in such a dreadful and barbarous way?

Fellow Rwandans, reflections on and the memories of the 2400 grim hours of the 1994 genocide of the innocent still haunt our mind. However, these dark thoughts and memories have not destroyed our moral values. Our humanity has not and never will darken our moral judgment and caused us to forget out social and political obligations. The 1994 genocide against Tutsi, it is something that we are compelled to live with on a daily basis and a burden that we must bear, during our working hours and leisure time. Our wounds are still healing but the 1994 tragedies have scared us forever.

My fellow citizens, the example of the Rwandan genocide against Tutsi, should have taught the world the dangers of lies, discrimination and hatred. Yet the world has not learned these lessons from our nation’s great tragedy. Intolerance and hate still goes on-and-about unpunished. You are all familiar with the recent incidence involving Racist soccer fans on the Paris METRO where an innocent person, who was returning home from an honest day’s work. They tormented, abused and physically prevented him from boarding a train. He did not abuse anyone, cause a disturbance or in any way provoke the attack. Fellow Rwandans, the perpetrators of that despicable crime, on the Paris METRO knew that no one would ever question their right to dispel the rights of others because they are of a different race to them. They singled out the victim, abused, tormented and endured mental rape because of the colour of his skin and this is an everyday occurrence in many so-called tolerant Western countries.

Another example of the intolerable attitude towards non-western cultures in Europe and the Western World has been the recent BBC libel on Rwanda and its deliberate distortion of our history and our sufferings. I believe, you also, were shocked at the appalling and indescribable “Rwanda Untold Story” This is a story planted and cultivated by the “A false Prophets” that has so recklessly re-opened so many old wounds. In this program, there was nothing but contempt for the Rwandan people and the BBC spat on the graves of our loved ones.

Like the Racist Train Thugs on the Paris METRO, the culprits believe that they will remain free from punishment for their hateful and deeply offensive words. Indeed, they will never face the rule of law.

However, because of their needless agitation and rewriting of Rwandan history, to suit their taste and those with a sinister agenda, the BBC will always stand accused of malpractice and dishonesty in the eyes of all true Rwandans. The incidents on the Paris METRO and the BBC are examples of the continuing western sense of superiority towards all those who are not from the west. A streak of intolerance runs deep in the Western societies. Some of the old colonial attitudes persist with regard to non-Western people.

The twenty-one years since the 1994 genocide, have been a living hell for many of us. Yet beyond Rwanda, there are men and women that have exploited our tears, our sorrow and the victims of the genocide for their own gain. The genocide deniers and revisionists have exploited our sufferings and have been spreading their lies throughout our region and in most of the European and American capitals for their own selfish reasons. They have attacked the victims and survivors of the Genocide and they are inciting a new genocide.

Fellow Rwandans, I do not need to remind you, of those grantee men and women that permanently, live with the horrors of the genocide after being maimed or disabled. As our moral duty, we remember those who suffered because of the Genocide. We cannot endure the unbearable consequences again. Do not ignore the millions of genocide survivors who lost their beloved ones, whose wounds are just starting to heal. Groups such as the BBC, reopen the harsh chapters of life callously and maliciously.

They believe that they are always above the rule of law and morality. As long as their criminality falls on people beyond the western world, this problem remains unsolved.

Fellow Rwandans, the past 21 years have been so difficult and painful for those of us who lost our siblings, mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends and neighbours.

The campaign, to turn the victims into aggressors and twisting our history is taking its toll upon the survivors. However, I would like to tell you that this is not new. It is has been the norm and a tradition for intolerant people to deny the reality of genocides, throughout history.

Even, today, many Europeans deny that there was genocide against the Jews, such as those who vandalized and desecrated the graves of Jews some 60 years after the Holocaust. Hatred of Jews and the denial of the Holocaust are still alive and strong. Therefore, there is sadly nothing new or unique when people deny that there was genocide in Rwanda. We know the truth – our dead loved ones and those who live with the scars of the 100 days are witnesses to the reality of the genocide.

Fellow Rwandans, we all know they killed, tortured and raped our people most cruelly. They suffered many indignities. Nevertheless, today, we remember the dead with great dignity and solemnity.

Fellow Rwandans, let us not make the mistake to believe that the 100 days of shame and brutality that turned Rwanda into a vast graveyard will happen again or not remembered. Let us make this clear, that the 100 days that saw 500,000 Rwandan women raped on an industrial scale, is firmly the past, forever. Let us emphasize that those grime 100 days in which 45,000 Rwandan children were born as result of rape will never return. We must all stay alert, strong and firm so that the tragic decades when people lived in fear and terror, and were ‘labeled’ and graded into “Category one and Category two” are long gone. This ‘’labeling’’ was a feature of the White South African apartheid regime or the era of slavery where Africans were traded as commodities. Let us be clear and definite, that those terrifying times of indignities, anguish, tears, sorrows, segregation and fears are now compounded, crippled and consigned to our history and they will never return to Rwanda. No matter, the dangers or threats, we will always have the strength to prevent a repeat of that Genocide in our homeland.

Fellow Rwanda, let us stand firm to say “Never, and never again” to the politics of hate, ethnicity, fear, terror and genocide ideology that continues to be woven into the fabric of our society.
I truly believe we are at a time that represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity and that once it is taken; we will never look at Rwandan society in the same way again, and will be very different from the society of twenty-one years ago.

Fellow Rwandans, we will not fail you!

We will never turn our back on you. We will always do whatever it takes. The memory of our dead and the terrible carnage inflicted on our country and people, will always give us strength and the courage to protect our country. Fellow Rwandans, let me make a promise to you.

If we fail to preserve the dignity of the Rwandan people and the memory of the victims, if we fail to give justice to the innocent dead, if we prove unable to protect all Rwandans from any threat posed to them, then there is no legitimate reason for our desired place in public life. We will exclude ourselves from participation in the Rwandan political system. The RPP is dedicated to the protection of the human rights and freedom of all Rwandans.

Fellow Rwandans, the RPP will bring to justice those responsible for piling shame on our country and drowning our nation in blood. There is no time limit in our quest for justice. Let no one have any illusions about this. We will not rest until we have brought every murderer, rapists and criminal, especially the ringleaders, involved in the orchestrating, execution and supervising of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi to justice.

My fellow citizens, my party and I, the Rwanda People’s Party, on the 21st Anniversary of the genocide join the citizens and friends of Rwanda to Commemorate the 21 years of the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis.

May God bless you.
Thank you.
John V Karuranga, President
Rwanda People’s Party
http://www.rwandapeopleparty.org

SG/SM/16646-OBV/1456:

Secretary-General, in Message for Rwanda Genocide Observance, Urges Prevention of ‘Cruelty Taking Place before Our Eyes’

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, observed on 7 April:

The International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda offers an opportunity to honour the memory of the more than 800,000 people — overwhelmingly Tutsi, and also moderate Hutu, Twa and others — who were systematically killed across Rwanda in less than three months just over two decades ago.  It is also an occasion to recognize the pain and the courage of those who survived.

Our annual sombre observance is all the more meaningful this year as we mark the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.  We must use this occasion to look back on the past — and to squarely confront the challenges of the present, renewing our collective resolve to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

Many countries now face grave security threats.  People are being subjected to the brutality of violent conflicts and the indignities of poverty.  Discrimination persists in societies torn apart by war, as well as in democracies that largely enjoy peace.  Hatred may manifest as institutionalized racism, ethnic strife, or episodes of intolerance or exclusion.  In other instances, discrimination reflects the official, national version of history that denies the identity of some segments of the population.

I deplore the conflicts and atrocity crimes in many parts of the world that continue to divide communities, killing and displacing people, undermining economies and destroying cultural heritage.

Our first duty is always to prevent these situations and to protect vulnerable human beings in distress.  My “Human Rights Up Front” initiative seeks to prevent serious human rights violations by acting on early warning signs before they become more serious.  My Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and on the Responsibility to Protect work to advance national and international efforts to protect populations from atrocity crimes.  We aim to ensure swift and decisive action to save lives and stop abuses.

On this Day, I appeal to the international community to do more than just speak about atrocity crimes and then fail to take timely action to prevent them.  I call on all to summon the courage to act before situations deteriorate based on our collective moral responsibility.  This is critical for the maintenance of international peace and security.

As I said at last year’s commemoration in Kigali, we must exercise “Umuganda” — coming together in common purpose — to avert what can be prevented and counter the cruelty taking place before our eyes.

FDC – Easter Message to the People of Uganda (03.04.2015)

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Statement by his Excellency Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta C.G.H. President and Commander in Cheif of the Defence Force of the Republic of Kenya on the Terrorist Attack at Garissa University College, Garissa County on 2nd April 2015

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Adm72/01 Press Statement: Release of the Revised Roadmap for 2015-2016 General Election (01.04. 2015. The Electioral Commission of Uganda)

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Official Statements from Ministery of Information and National Guidance & Uganda Police Force on the death of Principal State Attorney Joan Kagezi

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE ON THE DEATH OF PRINCIPAL STATE ATTORNEY, JOAN KAGEZI: 

It is with deep sadness that we confirm that Senior Principal State
Attorney Joan Kagezi has been killed this evening by assailants unknown and
at large.

The assailants trailed her car using a boda-boda, following her usual route
home, and when she stopped to do some shopping in Kiwatule, east of
Kampala, they opened fire on her.
Her children were with her in the vehicle but were not harmed in the
shooting. 

The police has taken up investigations into the case and are following all
leads available. This crime will not go unpunished.

On behalf of the Government of Uganda, I call upon members of the general
public to avoid sensationalising the criminal nature of this killing, and
to respect the honour and dignity of Joan Kagezi, who worked diligently for
law and order, and peace and security for all Ugandans.

May her soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

Jim K. Muhwezi, MP
Minister of Information and National Guidance

POLICE INVESTIGATES DEADLY SHOOTING
Yesterday evening, Monday 30th March 2015, Ms. Joan Kagezi, Ag. Assistant Director of Public Prosecution,         was shot dead at 7:15 pm,near her residence in Kiwatule a city suburb as she drove home with her children.

She had stopped at a fruit stall by the road side where she normally stopped to purchase fruits, when the criminals riding on a motorcycle of boxer type, red in color, stopped next to the parked vehicle and shot her twice in the neck and shoulder, through the widow on the driver’s side. She was driving the vehicle herself.

The Director of CIID, Assistant Inspector General of Police Grace Akullo who by coincidence was driving some distance behind her, was the first police officer on the scene. She coordinated the evacuation of the deceased to Mulago hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her three children who were with her escaped unhurt.

Ms. Joan Kagezi was in charge of the International Crime Division handling international crimes such as terrorism, war crimes, and trafficking in persons. At the time of her tragic death she was the lead prosecutor in the case of the 2010 terror suspects now before the High Court. She was, also working with the Police in the prosecution
of the suspects in the recent spate of murders, robberies and terrorism in Busoga region and Kampala. Her death is a big loss to the country.

Immediately after the shooting, the police secured the scene, and interviewed eye witnesses who have given very useful information that will assist in the hunt for the murderers. We call upon any member of the public who may have any information relating to the incident to give it to the police, any other security officer or LC official.

In spite of this tragic incident of criminality, we call upon the public to remain calm but vigilant.

The murder of Joan Kagezi should only serve to increase our resolve to hunt down and bring to justice all those elements bent on disturbing the security and development of our country.

GEN. KALE KAYIHURA
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
30TH MARCH 2015

Gen. Muhammade Buhari – First Speech after Military Coup, 31 December, 1983 and General Ibrahim Babangida – Speech on 27. August 1985 after overthrowing Gen. M. Buhari

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General Muhammadu Buhari’s first speech after the Coup d’etat 31. December 1983:

In pursuance of the primary objective of saving our great nation from total collapse, I, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari of the Nigerian army have, after due consultation amongst the services of the armed forces, been formally invested with the authority of the Head of the Federal Military Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is with humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I accept this challenge and call to national duty.

As you must have heard in the previous announcement, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1979) has been suspended, except those sections of it which are exempted in the constitution. The change became necessary in order to put an end to the serious economic predicament and the crisis of confidence now afflicting our nation. Consequently, the Nigerian armed forces have constituted themselves into a Federal Military Government comprising of a Supreme Military Council, a National Council of States, a Federal Executive Council at the centre and State Executive Councils to be presided over by military governors in each of the states of the federation. Members of these councils will be announced soon. The last Federal Military Government drew up a programme with the aim of handing over political power to the civilians in 1979. This programme as you all know, was implemented to the letter. The 1979 constitution was promulgated.

However, little did the military realise that the political leadership of the second republic will circumvent most of the checks and balances in the constitution and bring the present state of general insecurity. The premium on political power became so exceedingly high that political contestants regarded victory at elections as a matter of life and death struggle and were determined to capture or retain power by all means. It is true that there is a worldwide economic recession.

However, in the case of Nigeria, its impact was aggravated by mismanagement. We believe the appropriate government agencies have good advice but the leadership disregarded their advice. The situation could have been avoided if the legislators were alive to their constitutional responsibilities; Instead, the legislators were preoccupied with determining their salary scales, fringe benefit and unnecessary foreign travels, et al, which took no account of the state of the economy and the welfare of the people they represented.

As a result of our inability to cultivate financial discipline and prudent management of the economy, we have come to depend largely on internal and external borrowing to execute government projects with attendant domestic pressure and soaring external debts, thus aggravating the propensity of the outgoing civilian administration to mismanaged our financial resources. Nigeria was already condemned perpetually with the twin problem of heavy budget deficits and weak balance of payments position, with the prospect of building a virile and viable economy.
The last general election was anything but free and fair. The only political parties that could complain of election rigging are those parties that lacked the resources to rig. There is ample evidence that rigging and thuggery were relative to the resources available to the parties. This conclusively proved to us that the parties have not developed confidence in the presidential system of government on which the nation invested so much material and human resources. While corruption and indiscipline have been associated with our state of under-development, these two evils in our body politics have attained unprecedented height in the past few years. The corrupt, inept and insensitive leadership in the last four years has been the source of immorality and impropriety in our society.

Since what happens in any society is largely a reflection of the leadership of that society, we deplore corruption in all its facets. This government will not tolerate kick-backs, inflation of contracts and over-invoicing of imports etc. Nor will it condone forgery, fraud, embezzlement, misuse and abuse of office and illegal dealings in foreign exchange and smuggling. Arson has been used to cover up fraudulent acts in public institutions. I am referring to the fire incidents that gutted the P&T buildings in Lagos, the Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation, the Republic Building at Marina, the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Capital Development Authority Accounts at Abuja and the NET Building. Most of these fire incidents occurred at a time when Nigerians were being apprehensive of the frequency of fraud scandals and the government incapacity to deal with them. Corruption has become so pervasive and intractable that a whole ministry has been created to stem it.

Fellow Nigerians, this indeed is the moment of truth. My colleagues and I – the Supreme Military Council, must be frank enough to acknowledge the fact that at the moment, an accurate picture of the financial position is yet to be determined. We have no doubt that the situation is bad enough. In spite of all this, every effort will be made to ensure that the difficult and degrading conditions under which we are living are eliminated. Let no one however be deceived that workers who have not received their salaries in the past eight or so months will receive such salaries within today or tomorrow or that hospitals which have been without drugs for months will be provided with enough immediately. We are determined that with the help of God we shall do our best to settle genuine payments to which government is committed, including backlog of workers’ salaries after scrutiny.

We are confident and we assure you that even in the face of the global recession, and the seemingly gloomy financial future, given prudent management of Nigeria’s existing financial resources and our determination to substantially reduce and eventually nail down rises in budgetary deficits and weak balance of payments position. The Federal Military Government will reappraise policies with a view to paying greater attention to the following areas: The economy will be given a new impetus and better sense of direction. Corrupt officials and their agents will be brought to book.

In view of the drought that affected most parts of the country, the federal government will, with the available resources, import food stuffs to supplement the shortfalls suffered in the last harvest. Our foreign policy will both be dynamic and realistic. Africa will of course continue to be the centre piece of our foreign policy. The morale and combat readiness of the armed forces will be given high priority. Officers and men with high personal and professional integrity will have nothing to fear.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria and all other holders of judiciary appointments within the federation can continue in their appointments and the judiciary shall continue to function under existing laws subject to such exceptions as may be decreed from time to time by the Federal Military Government. All holders of appointments in the civil service, the police and the National Security Organisation shall continue to exercise their functions in the normal way subject to changes that may be introduced by the Federal Military Government.
All those chairmen and members of statutory corporations, parastatals and other executive departments are hereby relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.

The Federal Military Government will maintain and strengthen existing diplomatic relations with other states and with international organisations and institutions such as the Organisation of African Unity, the United Nations and its organs, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth etc. The Federal Military Government will honour and respect all treaties and obligations entered into by the previous government and we hope that such nations and bodies will reciprocate this gesture by respecting our country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Fellow Nigerians, finally, we have dutifully intervened to save this nation from imminent collapse. We therefore expect all Nigerians, including those who participated directly or indirectly in bringing the nation to this present predicament, to cooperate with us. This generation of Nigerians, and indeed future generations, have no country other than Nigeria. We shall remain here and salvage it together.May God bless us all. Good morning.

Babangida-MILLITARY-DICTATOR

The Coup d’etat speech from Ibrahim Babangida: 

This was in 27. August 1985:

Fellow Nigerians,
When in December 1983, the former military leadership, headed by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, assumed the reins of government, its accession was heralded in the history of this country. With the nation at the mercy of political misdirection and on the brink of economic collapse, a new sense of hope was created in the minds of every Nigerian.

Since January 1984, however, we have witnessed a systematic denigration of that hope. It was stated then that mismanagement of political leadership and a general deterioration in the standard of living, which had subjected the common man to intolerable suffering, were the reasons for the intervention.

Nigerians have since then been under a regime that continued with those trends. Events today indicate that most of the reasons which justified the military takeover of government from the civilians still persist.

The initial objectives were betrayed and fundamental changes do not appear on the horizon. Because the present state of uncertainty, suppression and stagnation resulted from the perpetration of a small group, the Nigerian Armed Forces could not as a part of that government be unfairly committed to take responsibility for failure. Our dedication to the cause of ensuring that our nation remains a united entity worthy of respect and capable of functioning as a viable and credible part of the international community dictated the need to arrest the situation.

Let me at this point attempt to make you understand the premise upon which it became necessary to change the leadership. The principles of discussions, consultation and co-operation which should have guided decision-making process of the Supreme Military Council and the Federal Executive Council were disregarded soon after the government settled down in 1984. Where some of us thought it appropriate to give a little more time, anticipating a conducive atmosphere that would develop, in which affairs of state could be attended to with greater sense of responsibility, it became increasingly clear that such expectations could not be fulfilled.

Regrettably, it turned out that Major-General Muhammadu Buhari was too rigid and uncompromising in his attitudes to issues of national significance. Efforts to make him understand that a diverse polity like Nigeria required recognition and appreciation of differences in both cultural and individual perceptions, only served to aggravate these attitudes.

Major-General Tunde Idiagbon was similarly inclined in that respect. As Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, he failed to exhibit the appropriate disposition demanded by his position. He arrogated to himself absolute knowledge of problems and solutions, and acted in accordance with what was convenient to him, using the machinery of government as his tool.

A combination of these characteristics in the two most important persons holding the nation’s vital offices became impossible to content with. The situation was made worse by a number of other government functionaries and organisations, chief among which is the Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO). In fact, this body will be overhauled and re-organized.

And so it came to be that the same government which received the tumultuous welcome now became alienated from the people. To prevent a complete erosion of our given mandate therefore, we had to act so that hope may be rebuilt.

Let me now address your attention to the major issues that confront us, so that we may, as one people, chart a future direction for our dear country. We do not pretend to have all the answers to the questions which our present problems have put before our nation. We have come with the strongest determination to create an atmosphere in which positive efforts shall be given the necessary support for lasting solutions.

For matters of the moment which require immediate resolutions, we intend to pursue a determined programme of action. Major issues falling into this category have been identified and decisions taken on what should be done.

Firstly, the issue of political detainees or convicts of special military tribunals. The history of our nation had never recorded the degree of indiscipline and corruption as in the period between October 1979 and December 1983.

While this government recognises the bitterness created by the irresponsible excesses of the politicians, we consider it unfortunate that methods of such nature as to cause more bitterness were applied to deal with past misdeeds. We must never allow ourselves to lose our sense of natural justice. The innocent cannot suffer the crimes of the guilty. The guilty should be punished only as a lesson for the future. In line with this government’s intention to uphold fundamental human rights, the issue of detainees will be looked into with despatch.

As we do not intend to lead a country where individuals are under the fear of expressing themselves, the Public Officers Protection Against False Accusation Decree 4 of 1984 is hereby repealed. And finally, those who have been in detention under this decree are hereby unconditionally released. The responsibility of the media to disseminate information shall be exercised without undue hindrance. In that process, those responsible are expected to be forthright and to have the nation’s interest as their primary consideration.

The issue of decrees has generated a lot of controversies. It is the intention of this government to review all other decrees.

The last twenty months have not witnessed any significant changes in the national economy. Contrary to expectations, we have so far been subjected to a steady deterioration in the general standard of living; and intolerable suffering by the ordinary Nigerians have risen higher, scarcity of commodities has increased, hospitals still remain mere consulting clinics, while educational institutions are on the brink of decay. Unemployment has stretched to critical dimensions.

Due to the stalemate, which arose in negotiation with the International Monetary Fund, the former government embarked on a series of counter-trade agreements. Under the counter-trade agreements, Nigerians were forced to buy goods and commodities at higher prices than obtained in the international market. The government intends to review the whole issue of counter-trade.

A lot has been said and heard about our position with the International Monetary Fund. Although we formally applied to the fund in April 1983, no progress has as yet been made in the negotiation and a stalemate has existed for the last two years.

We shall break the deadlock that frustrated the negotiations with a view to evaluating more objectively both the negative and positive implications of reaching a mutual agreement with the Fund. At all times in the course of discussions, our representatives will be guided by the feelings and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

It is the view of this government that austerity without structural adjustment is not the solution to our economic predicament. The present situation whereby 44 per cent of our revenue earning is utilised to service debts is not realistic. To protect the danger this poses to the poor and the needy in our society, steps will be taken to ensure comprehensive strategy of economic reforms.

The crux of our economic problems has been identified to centre around four fundamental issues:
1. A decrease of our domestic production, while our population continues to increase.
2. Dependence on import for both consumer goods and raw materials for our industries.
3. A grossly unequal gap between the rich and the poor.
4. The large role played by the public sector in economic activity with hardly any concrete results to justify such a role.

These are the problems we must confront.

ON FOREIGN POLICY:
Nigeria’s foreign policy in the last 20 months has been characterised by inconsistency and incoherence. It has lacked the clarity to make us know where we stood on matters of international concern to enable other countries relate to us with seriousness. Our role as Africa’s spokesman has diminished because we have been unable to maintain the respect of African countries.

The ousted military government conducted our external relations by a policy of retaliatory reactions. Nigeria became a country that has reacted to given situations, rather than taking the initiative as it should and always been done. More so, vengeful considerations must not be the basis of our diplomacy. African problems and their solutions should constitute the premise of our foreign policy.

The realisation of the Organisation of African Unity of the Lagos Plan of Action for self-sufficiency and constructive co-operation in Africa shall be our primary pursuit.

The Economic Community of West African States must be reborn with the view to achieving the objective of regional integration. The problems of drought-stricken areas of Africa will be given more attention and sympathy, and our best efforts will be made to assist in their rehabilitation within the limits of our resources. Our membership of the United Nations Organisation will be made more practical and meaningful. The call for a new International Economic Order which lost its momentum in the face of the debt crisis will be made once again.

Nigeria hereby makes a renewed request to the Non-Aligned Movement to regroup and reinvigorate its determination to restructure the global economic system, while we appeal to the industrialized nations to positively consider the debt plight of the developing countries and assist in dealing with the dangers that face us. We shall remain members of the various multilateral institutions and inter-governmental organisations which we belong to and do what must be done to enhance the membership and participation within them.

Fellow Nigerians, this country has had since independence a history mixed with turbulence and fortune. We have witnessed our rise to greatness, followed with a decline to the state of a bewildered nation. Our human potentials have been neglected, our natural resources put to waste. A phenomenon of constant insecurity and overbearing uncertainty has become characteristic of our national existence.

My colleagues and I are determined to change the course of history. This government is determined to unite this country. We shall not allow anything to obstruct us. We recognise that a government, be it civilian or military, needs the consent of the people to govern if it is to reach its objective. We do not intend to rule by force. At the same time, we should not be expected to submit to unreasonable demands. Fundamental rights and civil liberties will be respected, but their exercise must not degenerate into irrational expression nor border on subversion.

The War Against Indiscipline will continue, but this time, in the minds and conduct of Nigerians, and not by way of symbolism or money-spending campaigns.

This government, on its part, will ensure that the leadership exhibits proper example. Criticisms of actions and decisions taken by us will be given necessary attention and where necessary changes made in accordance with what is expected of us.

Let me reiterate what we said in 1984: This generation of Nigerians and indeed future generations have no other country but Nigeria. We must all stay and salvage it together. This time it shall be pursued with deeper commitment and genuine sincerity.

There is a lot of work to be done by every single Nigerian. Let us all dedicate ourselves to the cause of building a strong, united and viable nation for the sake of our own lives and the benefits of posterity.

Finally, I wish to commend the members of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police for their mature conduct during the change.

I thank you all for your co-operation and understanding.

God bless Nigeria.

Press Release: First Ebola Vaccine to Be Tested in Affected Communities One Year into Outbreak Ring Vaccination Starts in Coyah, Guinea (25.03.2015)

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Conakry, 25 March, 2015 – The Guinean Government with the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the very first efficacy trial of an Ebola vaccine this week in an affected community of the Basse-Guinée, one of the areas where most Ebola cases are found in the country. Ring vaccination tests of VSV-EBOV, a lead Ebola vaccine developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, received an excellent response from the community in a small village in the Coyah prefecture, where the trial team arrived on 23 March.

“This landmark operation gives hope to all of us, in Guinea and in the world, that we might soon have an effective public health tool against Ebola, should the vaccine prove to be safe and effective,” stated the WHO Representative in Guinea, Dr. Jean-Marie Dangou. “The start of ring vaccination clinical testing today in Guinea is therefore one of the most important milestones we have achieved in seeking a modern line of defense against Ebola.”



Trained medical staff, vaccines and other essential equipment were dispatched from Conakry to Coyah to vaccinate contacts of recently infected people who have given consent in a village of the Coyah prefecture. Vaccinations for now will include only adults, who are most at risk of infection, with the exception of pregnant women.
“We are committed to ending this epidemic,” said Dr. Sakoba Keita, National Coordinator of the Fight against Ebola in Guinea. “Combined with control measures that we are putting in place with our partners, a safe and effective vaccine will allow us to close this trying chapter and start rebuilding our country.”

The ring vaccination strategy consists in identifying recently infected patients and vaccinating all their contacts, thereby creating a ‘ring of immunity’ around them to stop the virus from spreading.

“This very same strategy was a key contribution to eradicating smallpox in the 1970’s, and allows us to vaccinate all those at greatest risk,” explained WHO Coordinator for the Guinea Vaccine Trial, Dr. Ana Maria Henao Restrepo.

Dr. Bertrand Draguez, Medical Director for the Non-governmental Organization Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) stressed that: “The trial is organized on a voluntary basis, and participation is confidential, free and non-remunerated.”



The Guinean Government is fully committed to the success of the vaccine clinical trial. In a 20 March official letter addressed to all the Mayors, Prefects and local Health Officials in Guinea, the Head of the National Coordination Against Ebola in Guinea, Dr Sakoba Keita, asked all local public actors for their full cooperation and support.
A total of around 10 000 people are planned to be vaccinated in 190 rings within a six-eight week period. Volunteers will be followed for three months. Results could be available as early as July 2015.

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Note to editors

About the vaccine and the vaccination strategy:

VSV-EBOV Vaccine was developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The vaccine was licensed to NewLink Genetics, and on November 24, 2014, NewLink Genetics and Merck announced their collaboration on the vaccine.

The concept of ring vaccination applied to the Guinea Ebola vaccine clinical trial is based on vaccinating the “rings” (group of contacts of a newly diagnosed Ebola “index case”) either immediately after confirmation of the Ebola diagnosis of the “index case”, or three weeks later (delayed vaccination). This strategy allows all the known contacts to be vaccinated within a short period of time, and it constitutes an excellent alternative to the use of a placebo. The ring vaccination trial design was developed by an international group of experts from Canada, France, Guinea, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, and WHO. This group included Professor Donald A. Henderson, who led the WHO smallpox eradication effort.

The Guinea Ebola vaccine trial is a coordinated effort among numerous international partners. The trial is implemented under the responsibility of the Guinean government. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the sponsor of the study. The Government of Guinea, Doctors without Borders / Medecins sans Frontières (MSF), Epicentre, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and WHO are coordinating its implementation. The trial is funded by MSF; the Research Council of Norway through the Norwegian Institute of Public Health; the Canadian government through the Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, International Development Research Centre and Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development; and WHO, with support from the Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom.

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For more information, please contact:

Pr Jean-Marie DANGOU, WHO Representative to Guinea
Cel : + 224 623 23 55 55
E-mail: dangouj@who.int

Dr Ana Maria Henao Restrepo
E-mail : henaorestrepoa@who.int

M. Konaté Issiaga
Tel : +224 62 59 70 42
E-mail: konatei@who.int

Rodrigue Barry
E-mail : barryr@who.int
Tel : +224 624 827 240

Koné Souleymane
Email : koneso@who.int
Tel : +224 624 827 337

Mbengue Khalifa
Tel : +224 624 827 350
Email: mbenguek@who.int

Press Release: The African Union calls for the Universalization and full implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (26.03.2015)

AUPeace

Påskeegg-Mafian

Påskeegg

I det siste har folk angrepet Freia med deres blå-lilla påskeegg pakke som de selger før påska. Samtidig som de har hatt en reklamestunt og kampanje som ikke har godt som planlagt. Jeg skal ikke diskutere den siste. Det jeg skal redegjøre for er mine tanker rundt miljø, etikk og ansvarlighet.

Vi er på vei inn til påsken. Den tiden hvor mange nordmenn går kanonas i Strømstad eller går ute i intet på fjellet med Kvikk Lunsj, kakao og appelsin. Samtidig som mange har bygget ut enorme hytter som er større enn deres hjem midt i fjellet eller ved en bortgjemt vik ved kysten. Som om det er miljøvennlig.

Jeg skal diskutere Påskeegg-mafian. Vanligvis kunne jeg ikke bry meg katten om hva tanker og ideer rosabloggere har, men dette har tatt av. Sikkert fordi over tid har det vært snakk om og ønsket om produkter ikke lengre skal inneholde Palmeolje.

Palmeolje er en smakløs olje som er smøraktig som også kan brukes til såpe, lys også videre. Den kommer fra veldig forskjellige palmetrær.

NHO lanserte allerede i September 2014 at flere norske matvareprodusenter skulle begynne å produsere produkter med «bærekraftig palmeolje» (Regnskog.no). Dette har skjedd samtidig som mange produsenter allerede har sluttet i deler av produktene sine med bruk av akkurat denne oljen.

Det jeg syntes er tragisk med hele er ikke miljømessige diskusjonen rundt palmeolje, men selve boikotten av det hele. Som er litt tragisk og fundamental er selve måten og tankesettet for dette. Hvor lettvint man klandrer Freia og deres bruk av Palmeolje. Spesielt med tanke på at Freia har en grunn til sin drift. Å få en fortjeneste og tjene penger. Kapitalismens grunnverdi er å legge en krone inn i produktet og selge det for to kroner. Så lenge man ønsker dette samfunnet, da vil dette være prisen for produktene som er i butikken. CSR eller Corporate Social Responcibility er som oftest en jippo fra bedriftene, siden de tjener ikke penger på dette. Selv med Fairtrade og merkeordninger som skal sikre at bøndene får rettferdige summer for sitt arbeid.

Å hvis vi skal være ærlige, så er det litt dobbeltmoralsk å forvente noe annet av store produsenter som vil selge mest mulig produkter til oss. Fordi det er ikke på deres agenda å lage slike produkter i grunnen til oss. Da virker det å pålegge dem slikt  litt naivt. Hvorfor går ikke de samme menneskene mot de store bryggeriene og klager å boikotter mot engangsflasker av glass og plast? Som nå selges mer og mer av. Hvorfor er det ikke diskusjon rundt aliminumsboksene? Hvor miljøvennlig er egentlig dette? Hvorfor er det ikke diskusjon rundt emballsje som helhet? I både dagligvaresektoren og annet som vi kjøper inn. Har du sett hvor store og feite boksene for Cornflakes blandingen er og hvor mange lag mann må inn i før man kan fylle en suppebolle og melk med cornflakes? Hvorfor sier ikke folk imot dette? Min teori er at det ikke er sexy eller liten nok.

Det er ironisk at vi som Nordmenn skal pålegge hvordan andre skal drive miljøvennlig i Brasil og andre steder når vi borer etter alle kilder med sort gull som eksisterer under overflaten. Det er litt som Bill Clinton på 90-tallet som snakket fred og slapp bomber hvor det passet enten i Jugoslavia eller i Sudan, og ikke minst fredsprosjekt sammen med Etiopia i Somalia med mindre hell. Det samme er det med oss. Vi pumper opp det sorte-gullet og tjener penger på det. Samtidig pålegger vi omgivelsene til å håndtere galskapen vi putter i atmosfæren. Det er som å snakke fred for deretter å selge kuler. Noe vi også er gode på. Uansett.

De som vil boikotte Freia Påskeegg. Kos dere. Jeg skjønner dere og rister litt på hode. Så håper jeg samtidig for guds skyld at du ikke plukker opp maten på Kiwi med en ny handlepose, men i sekk eller flergangspose. Slik at du ikke ødelegger miljøet med å anskaffe og forurense verden med enda mer plastikk; Som tar evig lang tid å bli jord igjen. Dette er også laget av oljen som vi tjener så flesk med penger på. Fordi om du er så miljøvennlig må du gjøre det i det store og det hele. Ikke bare si det og ikke ta ansvar. Ellers om du er som Bill Clinton på 90-tallet – sier en ting og gjør en annen – elskverdig ikke sant?

Hvis du nå lurer på hvorfor jeg kaller det Påskeegg-Mafian. En mafia er en gruppe og gjeng som er semi-strukturell som driver med ulovlig aktivitet etter indre normer(Wikipedia). Ikke at disse som boikotter Påskeeggene gjør noe ulovlig eller bryter noen etiske grenser. De gjør bare sin rett egentlig. Jeg bare syntes det er en litt forhastig aksjon som egentlig for et stort konsern som Freia ikke vil ha stort å bety. Det er som om man skal få Rema 1000 til å gå konkurs fordi ikke lenger plukker opp Algrens Biler. Vi vet, de vet og alle vi andre vet at det vil ha minimal effekt på Rema, om det i det hele tatt vil ha effekt og de da begynner heller med en kopi(av Algrens Biler) eller så ender vi opp med å kjøpe potetskruer. Verden er enkel sånn.

Så kjære dere boikottere dere ute – Boikott så mye dere vil – Slutt å kjøp Påskeegg fra Freia. Klag, mas, reklamere mot Freia! Samtidig begynner å gjøre flere ting. Snakk ut mot flere bedrifter og boikott disse om dere er seriøse, eller så bryr dere bare når en rosablogger skriver sin mening. Fordi jeg håper inderlig at det må mere til for mafian handle og reagere. Setter pris på at folk ønsker å gjøre noe positivt og engasjerer seg. Bare at det blir meningsløst og lite effektivt når man hoster opp en tåre istedenfor å rense opp en forurenset innsjø. Tårene klarer man å fake og presse ut om man vil, det tar derimot handling og planlegging for å rense en innsjø. Så om denne Påskeegg-Mafian bare er en gimmic eller er en ekte vare får vi se. Fordi vi som Nordmenn bør iallefall tenke oss om før vi klandrer andre for å drive umiljøvennlig aktivitet siden vi er skyldige og det bør ikke være en sak vi trenger å skjule.

Å håper at du for all del koser deg med kvikklunsj og appelsinen på fjellet. At du sitter i din store oppvarmede hytte og veibelagte strekning ut til intet. Hvor du kan nyte stillheten og atmosfæren. Se den hvite snøen. Kjenne vinden i lungene og tenke dette er verdt det. Fordi det er det. Men, om du da når du vet at noen har presset enorme midler for å lage veien ut i skogen, lagt rørene inn til hytta og satt opp stolper med strøm. Som pumpes fra langtvekkistan til din hytte så du kan på kvelden ha isbiter med brusen. Noe som igjen på er engangsflaske som ikke vil brytes ned på aldri den tid. Så vet du at om du boikotter Freia Påskeegg, har alle de andre prosjektet vært like miljøskadelig og forsetter å være det. Å hvis du lurer på det: Så kan du snakke fint og boikotte det fordi det er Palmeolje, men hva med alt det andre? Hvorfor tenkte du aldri på hva alt det andre du gjorde?

Det jeg vil si at om du stirrer på meg som om jeg drepte noen på Rema 1000 eller Kiwi, å da kjøper Påskeegg – tenk på alt du selv plukker opp i handlekurven eller i handlevogna. Ikke som om jeg kjøpte en atombombe eller annriker uran i hagen. Du selv plukket om flere av disse i fjor og da var det ingen problem. Så ikke se på meg som en himla synder. Jeg vet hva jeg gjør. Det vet du også. Likevel, trenger du ikke å se på meg den verste skadedyret på denne planeten. For alle andre ting jeg gjør kan være gode for alt du vet. Å alt annet du gjør kan gjøre kan være verre for miljøet. Etisk er det mange dilemmaer av når det kommer til handling og vurderinger i hverdagen. Miljøvennlighet er en av mange kriterier. Så dersom du har problem med om jeg kjøper dette. For å gå litt Bibelelsk og da siterer Matteus 7-3: «Hvorfor ser du flisen i din brors øye, men bjelken i ditt eget øye legger du ikke merke til?» Slik tenker jeg når du dømmer meg for å plukke opp en pakke Freia Påskeegg. Peace.

Linker:

Regnskogen.no – http://www.regnskog.no/no/nyheter/nyhetsarkiv/regnskogfondet/nho-vil-redusere-bruken-av-palmeolje (24.09.2014)

 

Wikipedia – http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia

‘The Ecology’ VS ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ – Underrated VS Cultural Icon

fashlamar

It isn’t often I discuss music. Today I got to. Not because Kendrick Lamar dropped a new ‘Control’ verse. This post will be about Kendrick Lamar and Fashawn. Because them both have released albums recently…

First and foremost, I have liked them both as artist K-Dot and Fashawn. Listen to their mixtapes like Section#80 and Higher Learning. Also their great projects like ‘Boys Meets World’ and ‘Good Kid M.A.A.D. City’.

Second there happen a lot over the years. I don’t listen to as much of the dropped music. So this will be more my view of it. The recent lousy projects I have listened to were Kid Inks album and Tygas random project with Chris Brown. They we’re so boring… that I gave up them both after two listening. Let me tell you. I will listen to K.Dots and Fashawns albums for so long. They are both good projects. Still I have some feelings about them.

‘The Ecology’

Let me tell you. The style of Fashawn is so old-school way. Therefore Boys Meets World is like a Boom Bap paradise. The new album is up to day. You can feel the different producers of the tracks. That he has used time to build this one up. The only boring track Confess… is a weak ass of a song. That he wants to tell he is the best man a woman can get. Let me tell you Fashawn is better to explain how he feels about his past and his glories. The way that he lyrically can address the Fresno issues… That’s when he got you blasting the tracks into a blaze. I feel he is so underrated therefore I address him first.

‘To Pimp a Butterfly’

Now let me address Kendrick and his album. This one has been discussed and addressed by all the pundits between the moon and where there is no lights burning. So for me to go wild here would be unnecessary. Let’s say it doesn’t have the same amount of big hits as the first major release. He kind of follows the preaching society issues from Section#80 and the #HighPower agenda. Which is a good thing considering this form a Markie and major artist which is coming from TDE/Aftermath and not some indie label who gets 10K sold over 100 months. So this will be listened to and also make mark on the culture. He got a bigger reach then Fashawn. His star power is gigantic. Therefore he is now addressing that as well as social circumstances. Which is refreshing, he switches between flows and genres so that the listening experience isn’t boring and it grows on you. Get better with multiple listens.

Discussion:  

Fashawn I dig his album and it will be on rotation for a god damn long time. The Same will happen with K.Dot. They are both good. But as a hip hop head. I prefer Fashawn even if he don’t have as many flows and storytelling ways. I keeps it more to formula. That’s why until recently I listened mostly to DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9” with ‘Phryme’. I am that kind of guy. I know that a few of you now expect KRS and the Juice Crew to jump into the screen and dance for you. If not BDP to drop another classic! Well, I am sorry that will not happen. Unless you’re drinking… or smoking some of Snoops righteous spliffs.

And at this point K.Dot can nearly drop any kind of project and be praised. Fashawn can do whatever and be under the radar. Nobody would mind. Therefore I have to root for the underdog. Not to undervalue the progress and the stature of K.Dot, but somebody has to love and enjoy the records of Fashawn. He has also prospered but in a slow way from the indie release until being signed by Nas.

I just wished that Fashawn would have a bigger crowed and honored the way he deserve. The same goes to Killer Mike and all the other lyricists that hasn’t gone platinum. But they gone another direction and doesn’t also ways max out. Nevertheless, as long as they drop quality product, people like me will pick it up and even pay for it.

Big up for K.Dot or Kendrick Lamar who has made it. And dropping great music. Its well deserved!

While I am talking music, where is Mos Def hiding?

Peace.