Raila Odinga to seek CORD’s Presidential ticket after ODM endorsement (Youtube-Clip)

“ODM leader, Raila Odinga will be seeking Cord’s Presidential ticket for 2017 after the Orange democratic movement endorsed his bid for the top job during this year’s party NDC held in Mombasa today.  Raila Odinga will be battling his co – principals in the Cord Coalition Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula for the chance to seek the vote” (NTV Kenya, 2016)

Press Statement on the “10 at 10” of ODM/CORD event this Weekend in Mombasa (07.09.2016)

hassan-ali-joho-07092016

Further to an announcement by the ODM Deputy Party Leader, H. E Hassan Ali Joho, regarding our “10 At 10” celebration scheduled for this Saturday, my directorate wishes to alert our members and by extension the nation at large of our arrangements for the extravaganza.

Tomorrow, the Deputy Party Leader will have an event to flag off 47 ODM branded buses from Mombasa to each of the forty seven counties of the republic. These buses will provide transport to party delegates from all over Kenya to participate in our jamboree.

Moreover, out of their deep belief in the cause, several party supporters have donated personal vehicles totaling 823 in number nationally which will converge in Mombasa. These vehicles will be branded to comb the entire country mobilizing and rallying the people around our 2017 agenda.

Upon the arrival of the Party Leader on Friday, there will be a series of roadshows as what is expected to be thousands of delegates from all over Kenya will assemble to welcome him to the county of ODM’s birth.

Later that Friday evening, the Deputy Party Leader shall host a private reception in honor of the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga and Mama Ida where 450 MCAs, 110 MPs, 18 Senators and at least 10 Governors have confirmed attendance over and above the delegates from all over Kenya. A team of expert bakers have been tasked to prepare a giant cake for guests to commemorate the event.

On Saturday, we will hold a grand convention of the party where a ground-shaking political announcement shall be made. In the evening, there shall be a celebratory procession on Mama Ngina drive where international award-winning music artist Diamond will jet in from the US to entertain guests in what is billed to be an evening to remember not just for Mombasa but Kenyans at large. The night will conclude with a dramatic fireworks display that promises to leave Kenyans breathless. All aspirants for all positions including MCAs, MPs, Senators and Governors are invited to attend

CORD coalition welcomes the Electrol Bill awaiting presidential assent (Youtube-Clip)

“The opposition CORD coalition has welcomed the move by members of parliament to pass the elections amendment bill 2016 without any amendments hence barring any politicians from party hopping after party primaries. CORD co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula have put their members on notice to make a decision on whether they will stick to CORD or join other political parties before the party primaries. The bill now awaits the president’s assent” (KTN News, 2016).

Devolution CS Kiunjuri tells Cord leader to accept poll 2017 results (Youtube-Clip)

“Devolution cabinet Secretary and Nominated MP Sarah Lekorere asked Cord Leader Raila Odinga to concede defeat if his party is beaten in the 2017 General elections. Speaking in Laikipia the duo maintained that Odinga had already supported the new law barring MPs or political leaders from party hoping and indeed if he meant it, then he should do the same if defeated during the opposition nominations as well as during the general elections” (Kenya NTV, 2016)

Blood stains, shuttered glass left over after raid on Jean Ping’s campaign headquarters (Youtube-Clip)

“The headquarters of Gabon’s opposition presidential candidate Jean Ping is a strew of broken glass and smashed furniture as a result of a raid on the office last Wednesday by security forces. The raid was said to have happened late Wednesday evening after the declaration of Ali Bongo as winner of the poll” (AfricaNews, 2016)

Statement by the Secretary-General on the situation in the Gabonese Republic (01.09.2016)

Gabon Parliament

I understand the frustration of the Gabonese people, and especially the youth.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 1, 2016 – I am deeply concerned and saddened about the crisis in the Gabonese Republic provoked by the electoral crisis, in particular the arson attacks and disproportionate response of security agencies that has led to unfortunate loss of life and property.

I understand the frustration of the Gabonese people, and especially the youth, who  aspire to better living conditions and democratic reforms. The new government will have to take into account this message and the UN will be there to support these efforts.

It is essential that all political actors and the people of the Gabonese Republic exercise restraint and overcome their differences by peaceful means in the interest of national unity. 

I call on the government to immediately restore communications, especially the Internet, SMS and the independent radio and television.

I also call on the security forces to exercise the utmost restraint and to uphold international standards of human rights. I urge the authorities to release political detainees immediately and unconditionally. Those responsible for acts or incitement to violence will be held accountable.

The UN supports the call of regional and international observers for a transparent verification of election results. I call on the responsible institutions to deal swiftly, transparently and fairly with all complaints related to the presidential election. The Gabonese people deserve a credible electoral process.

Concerned over Arson, Clashes in Gabon following Provisional Election Results, Secretary-General Calls on Political Leaders to Address Differences Peacefully (31.08.2016)

Gabon Parliament

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General takes note of the provisional results of the presidential election announced today by the Ministry of Interior of Gabon. He expresses his deep concern about the reported acts of arson and clashes between protesters and security forces in the capital Libreville.

The Secretary-General urges all concerned political leaders and their supporters to refrain from further acts that could undermine the peace and stability of the country. He also calls on the authorities to ensure that the national security forces exercise maximum restraint in their response to protests. He reiterates his call on all political leaders to address their differences peacefully and to address any disputes they may have through existing constitutional and legal channels.

The Secretary-General has requested his Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily, to accompany the political stakeholders in Gabon in their efforts to calm the situation and to peacefully resolve the contentious issues emanating from the electoral process.

The Secretary-General will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Demonstrators set Gabon parliament on fire: witnesses (Youtube-Clip)

Clashes as Gabon’s Bongo narrowly wins re-election (Youtube-Clip)

Readout of the Secretary-General’s phone calls with H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and Mr. Jean Ping, presidential candidate of the Démocratie nouvelle party (30.08.2016)

Gabon Election

He called on President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to impress upon their supporters the need to show restraint while waiting for the announcement of the provisional results scheduled for 30 August 2016.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 30, 2016 – The Secretary-General spoke on 30 August by phone to H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and Mr. Jean Ping, presidential candidate of the Démocratie nouvelle party. He commended the peaceful holding of the presidential election on 27 August 2016. He welcomed the high voters’ turnout as well as the presence of a large number of national and international observers.

The Secretary-General expressed concern about the issuance of premature declarations on the outcome of the election ahead of the official announcement of the results.

He called on President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to impress upon their supporters the need to show restraint while waiting for the announcement of the provisional results scheduled for 30 August 2016.

The Secretary-General encouraged President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to address any dispute that may arise after the announcement of the results through the existing legal means, following a transparent and democratic process.

The Secretary-General reiterated the availability of his Special Representative for Central Africa, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, to assist in defusing tensions.