RWANDESE AND ZIMBABWEAN AMBASSADORS BID FAREWELL TO THE AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2014- Two outgoing African ambassadors today bade farewell to the African Union after serving their terms as Permanent Representatives to the Union.

Prof. Joseph Nsengimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda and Dr. Andrew Hama Mtetwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe paid their farewell courtesy calls on the Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa today. Prof Nsengimana expressed his and his government’s appreciation of the election of Dr Dlamini Zuma as the first woman Chairperson of the AU Commission and commended her for the support she has extended to him during his tenure as ambassador.

Dr Dlamini Zuma thanked Prof Nsengimana for his active participation and contributions at meetings of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and remarked on the cooperation that has been extended to the AU by the Rwandese government, especially the full support pledged by President Paul Kagame.

In her meeting with Dr Andrew Mtetwa of Zimbabwe, Dr Dlamini Zuma expressed her appreciation for his active role within the structures of the AU. She wished Zimbabwe success as it leads the regional economic community SADC (Southern African Development Community). Zimbabwe assumed leadership of SADC at the regional bloc’s ordinary summit held in Victoria Falls earlier this month.

Ambassador Mtetwa, who announced that he has now retired from his country’s foreign service, commended the Chairperson for the work she has embarked on since her appointment. He also announced that he is likely to continue sharing his expertise in African development through teaching.

Both the ambassadors were presented with tokens of appreciation for the time they have spent in Addis Ababa, serving the interests of the continent.  The Chairperson wished the ambassadors success in their future endeavours, with the outgoing Rwandese ambassador declaring “I am African”, the slogan by which the AU seeks to promote African ownership of, and sense of belonging to the continental organisation.

ECOSOCC: DELEGATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION RECEIVED BY THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF BENIN

Cotonou, Benin - August 21, 2014 - Dr. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie and Benin Nationals Living Abroad, received on August 21 in his office at the Ministry, members of the African Union delegation on a working visit to Cotonou, Benin, as part of the awareness campaign of civil society in the election of the Second Assembly of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union (AU).

During the audience, which was attended by top officials of the Ministry in charge  of African integration, promotion of civil society and African issues, Dr. Bako Arifari-emphasized the importance of the lead role being played by ECOSOCC in the education of the African population, emphasizing the need to focus on the youth and women in the integration process.

The Minister called on the specialized departments of his Ministry to do their utmost for the successful sensitization of all the components of Benin civil society, including the media. "ECOSOCC is our think tank," in this respect,” the minister said, emphasizing that "our stability depends on our ability to meet the expectations of our young people." Dr. Nassirou Bako-Arifari expressed satisfaction at the resumption of ECOSOCC activities and the willingness to educate the African civil society to ensure greater participation in the elections of the 2nd General Assembly. "I would do anything in my power to support you”, he added.

Outlining the objectives of the campaign, Mr. Jalel Chelba, Chief, Division of Civil Society in the Department of Civil Society and Diaspora of the Commission of the African Union (CIDO),  in his capacity as Leader of the AU delegation, composed of Mrs. Habiba Mejri Cheikh, Director of  AU Information and Communication Directorate and Ms Mpho Porquet, member of the  ECOSOCC Assembly, expressed the gratitude of the African Union for the efforts Benin continues to exert to consolidate the gains of the continental organization in the integration and development of the continent. Mr. Chelba also congratulated the Minister on his reappointment as head of Benin diplomacy, following a cabinet reshuffle.

The meeting to which all  Benin civil society organizations were invited took place on Friday, August 22, 2014, at 10:00 at the conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration,  Francophonie and Benin Nationals Living Abroad.

On the same day in the Benin capital, Cotonou, the Third Sensitization Meeting of the countries of the West African region was held.

It is worth noting that this sensitization campaign, initiated by the Department of Citizenship and Diaspora of the AU Commission (CIDO) in accordance with the Executive Council decision (EX.CL/Dec.849 (XXV), adopted at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, kicked off on  12 August 2014 in Lusaka, Zambia and will continue until September, covering  the five regions of Africa.

Who  said  Congo  president  kabila  is  soft man?.This  is   standard  travel   for  him  when he  goes  to  regions  to  see  his  people.Nice  man. Africa  needs   strong  leaders  like  you

 It is very common to hear the imprisonment and torture of Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia every day. Workers from Ethiopia come to Saudi Arabia under a sponsorship system routinely abused by employers who subject them to what Human Rights Watch calls "slavery-like conditions". Passports are often confiscated, wages delayed or withheld, and forced labor is commonplace.

Female domestic workers suffer from confinement, food deprivation, and sever sexual, psychological and physical abuse. Male workers live in conditions most people would find unsuitable for animals. In general, Saudi is becoming a hell for Ethiopians while we offer thousands of hectares of fertile lands for their investors in our homeland, Ethiopia.

Those women and men of Ethiopia leave their motherland in search of a better life and to provide for their families. All those barbaric beatings, rape, burning women with hot oil/water, stripping them down of their humanity and so many cruelties wouldn't be happening if only the government of Ethiopia would give job opportunities to it's citizens. Regardless, the government should be responsible for the welfare of it's citizens in foreign countries. 

A crackdown on illegal immigrants in Saudi Arabia in 2013 led to the death of at least three Ethiopians and the deportation of over 150,000 Ethiopians. Many of the workers have returned to Ethiopia with psychotic related issues mainly because of the suffering they are subjected to and refusal by Arab employers to pay them as promised.

The government of Ethiopia is blaming the employment agencies in the country for engaging in illegal human trafficking of Ethiopian to Arab countries. The agencies make the domestic workers sign contracts which are not legally binding. There are over 430 registered employment agencies in Ethiopia. According to government analysis these agencies make illegal deals with their counterparts in the Arab countries where they are paid a commission of as much as 200 dollars per person once they deliver them. This amount is then deducted from the salary of the Ethiopian domestic workers without their consent. After the recent massive deportation from Saudi Arabia, a special task force has been constituted to push for an amendment of the labor law. The new laws will ensure that employment agencies if necessary will only export labor that has basic skills which can be proven by a certificate from government vocational institutions. The laws will campaign for better pay and working conditions in Arab states. In addition they will also strive to create awareness that Arab countries are not the destination for job seekers. However, despite Ethiopia efforts, routes through Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa remain porous for human trafficking of its unskilled labor by brokers.

Ayoub, In just over a month my fellow Scots and I will cast the most important vote of our lives. I’m hoping there’s a resounding vote for Scotland to stay as part of the United Kingdom. Our shared values, our history and our economic success show that Scotland is best placed as part of the United Kingdom. This referendum is crucially important for Scotland, but it doesn’t just affect Scots: it’ll affect everyone across the UK. Do you want Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom? Add your name now. People living south of the border may not have a vote, but they can have a voice and encourage Scotland to stay. It only takes a minute to show your support: http://www.libdems.org.uk/why_stay_petition Best wishes – and thank you, Jo Jo Swinson MP East Dunbartonshire PRESS RELEASE N.174/2014 2ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ECOSOCC: TOGOLESE CIVIL SOCIETY RESPONDS TO THE APPEAL BY THE AFRICAN UNION Lome, (Togo) - August 2014 : The history, role and the functions of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union (AU), its activities and procedures, especially the eligibility criteria for election to the Second General Assembly, aroused keen interest from a large number of Togolese civil society organizations at a meeting organized on the initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC)  on 14 August, 2014 at the Agora Senghor centre in Lome, Togo. Representatives of eighty civil society organizations (CSO) from all spheres of activity responded to the invitation by the African Union Commission to participate actively in the sensitization and motivation campaign being organized for CSOs of the continent  in preparation towards the 2nd ECOSOCC General Assembly elections. The sensitization campaign, initiated by the Directorate of Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) in pursuance of Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV) adopted by the 23rdOrdinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, kicked off in Lusaka, Zambia on 12 August 2014. The sensitization campaign will continue till September at the end of which all the five regions of Africa will have been covered At the opening session Mr Jalel Chelba, Head of Civil Society Division of CIDO/AUC, explained that ECOSOCC had a total membership of 150 comprising two representatives from each of the 54 Member States, 8 continental representatives, 10 sub-regional representatives, 20 members of the Diaspora and 6 representatives chosen by the African Union Commission in consultation with Member States and based on specific criteria. He added that ECOSOCC was an organ whose membership was elected by civil society and which represented civil society.  ECOSOCC was an embodiment of the principle of democracy at its highest level since it was tasked with leading grassroot civil society organizations to the corridors where decisions were taken, thus enabling them to contribute their quota to the integration and sustainable development efforts of the continent.   Mr Chelba also stated that the AUC was expediting action with a view to finalizing the elections before the end of this year so as to inaugurate the ECOSOCC Assmbly by December 2014, at the latest. The organization was therefore focusing its campaign on the States that did not have sufficient number of eligible candidates for election (read the full speech on the African Union website:www.au.int .) Officially opening the session, the Representative of the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Director of International Organizations, Mr Sébadé Toba, stated that organized civil society was very critical to ensuring good economic and political governance. He expressed his happiness with the initiative taken by the African Union to organize the sentization and mobilization tour which would not only lead to the enhancement of the prominence of ECOSOCC, but also give a fillip to the activities of civil society organizations in the interest of the population and the common organization that is the African Union. He urged Togolese civil society organizations to show keen interest in the discussions engaged and to participate in the ECOSOCC electoral process so as to ensure the quality representation of Togo on the important body. The meeting was characterized by extensive and frank discussions which was widely covered by the media. The discussions focused primarily on the practical modalities for developing partnership with ECOSOCC as well as the procedures for the submission of applications. The participants enquired extensively about the relevance of the eligibility criteria. All were unanimous on the need to mobilize and join ECOSOCC but at issue was how many of them could meet the criteria, especially those relating to funding. That was the main question that had and continues to agitate the minds of most of them.

NAMIBIAN CIVIL SOCIETY EMBRACES THE CHALLENGE OF PARTICIPATION IN ECOSOCC AND THE AFRICAN UNION

Windhoek. Namibia  August 2014 –Namibian Civil Society have been called upon to embrace the challenge of effective participation in the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union ((ECOSOCC) as an entry point for enabling the integration and development agenda of the continent as well as the progressive growth of the Namibian State and Society.

The call came in the opening statements of both the Director and Chairperson of NANGOF-TRUST, the umbrella organizations of NGOs  in Namibia, Mr. Irvin Lombadrt and Mr Sandie Tjaronda, in the course of the sensitization and motivation  campaign on ECOSOCC held in Safari Court Hotel Conference Centre, Windhoek, Namibia today.

The Chairperson of NANGOF-Trust, Mr Tjaronda observed:

ECOSOCC supports policies and programs that promote peace, security and stability in Africa and foster development and integration on the continent as well as promote and defend a culture of good governance, democratic principles and institutions, popular participation, human rights and social justice... In this context, I agree that this visit is timely and relevant in making civil society visible and it endorses the relevance of civil society to the development of Namibia and the continent at large.

Thus he added " Civil Society is an integral component of our societies and this position must be internalized in our Organs of Government and other key machineries such as the African Union and SADC."

In the same vein, Ambassador Lazarus Kapambwe, the Advisor to the AU Chairperson noted that " ECOSOCC provides a barometer for assessing the state of health of African Civil Society and the overall development of the continent. It is an Organ that embraces the active involvement of non-state actors in the continent in the policy-making environment. The ECOSOCC Assembly represents but does not replace civil society"

Mr. Chilengi, a member of the Ist ECOSOCC Permanent General Assembly (2008-2012), observed that while Namibia through NANGO-Trust hosted the last regional consultation leading to the formation of the 1st Permanent ECOSOCC Assembly, it was ironic that it had no representative in the same Assembly and that the time had come to correct that disconnect. The apparent vigor of the the civil society community in Southern Africa must  be reflected in the context of ECOSOCC and the African Union. CSOs in Southern Africa should not just seek to participate in ECOSOCC but also to play a critical role in guiding the process.

Following these presentations, Dr Adisa, the Director of the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate of the African Union (CIDO) which hosts the ECOSOCC Secretariat , then outlined the history and development of the current electoral process, related Summit discussions and decisions that paved way for this sensitization exercise and the application requirements, processes and procedures. Specifically, he underlined the eligibility requirements specified in the ECOSOCC Statutes  and the timelines set for the current exercise. He urged Namibian civil society organizations to take advantage of the process not just for the purposes of electioneering but to buttress and anchor the legitimacy of the ECOSOCC experience. Accordingly, they should seek to establish national ECOSOCC chapters that would serve as mechanisms for consultation, responsive representation and accountability. They should also seek to ensure that the next ECOSOCC  Assembly develops, as a first order of business , a framework for observer status for all CSOs on the continent to ECOSOCC  so that they can be directly associated with the conduct of their elected representatives and appreciate how that conduct conforms to the mandate that they give to them.

In the course of the interactive session that followed issues were raised regarding the requirement that fifty per cent of the resources of the intending Organizations must be internally derived. Some felt that this was very restrictive and did not take full cognizance of the realities of the African continent that did not provide appropriate funding support for Civil society activities. Indeed it was argued that the provision may be supportive of NGOs favored by Governments. It was however" noted that the provision challenged civil society groups to seek to broaden their resource base and "Africanize" funding sources but the challenge would only be reasonable in a context where  governments and continental and regional organizations also assumed critical responsibility and obligations.

The issue of the urbanization of civil society universe in Africa was also an aspect of concern. CSO groups observed that attention of the CSO community was generally focused on regional capitals and related concerns whereas the majority of the people lived in rural areas. Thus rural issues that were of major concern to the broad generality of the people were often overlooked or neglected. If ECOSOCC  is therefore to be truly representative it must avoid the phenomenon of concentration on urbanism.

The meeting was concluded with agreements on next steps and the way forward. It was agreed that the civil society organizations present at the workshop would serve as a vanguard or inner concentric circle for spreading the message to the wider rank and file as in Zimbabwe. In the same vein, the AU was invited to send a delegation to the Namibian CSO expo that would be organized by NANGOF-Trust very soon as a secondary outreach mechanism to support the ECOSOCC process.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Africa-wide seed institution revives efforts to transform African seed systems

Abidjan, 18 August 2014 - The African Seed Network (ASN), created in 1998 by 40 African countries with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has held its first Scientific and Technical Committee, and Governing Board meetings from 11 to 14 August 2014 in Abidjan, to discuss and define a continental strategy for developing effective and efficient seed systems in Africa.

Based in Abidjan, ASN is a unique pan-African seed-specialised institution created to serve as focal point for the coordination of all activities related to the Africa seed sector. Since then, challenges faced by the sector have grown in number and complexity, and the need for amore solid institution that guides the process of seed development and advocate for it is felt more than ever before.

Mandated by the African Union

During its first ten years of operation, ASN received demands from its member countries exceeding by far its capacities. Additional attention was put on the Network when in 2007 the African Union Commission (AUC) choseitfor hosting the newly defined African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP). Supported by the African Union (AU) 54 member states,ASBP provides a comprehensive framework for the seed sector development in the continent.Since then, and in spite of the crucial importance of seedsfor the overall wealth of the agricultural sector, ASN hasstruggled with inadequate resource base, loose membership and outdated mandate and structure.

“There is the need for an independent and strong structure that can tackle the current challenges of the seed sector development in Africa” said Janet Edeme, Head of the Rural Economy Division at AUC. “ASN has great comparative advantagesto take up those challenges, and the current restructuring that the institution is undergoing is the first step towards achieving significant transformations in the African seed sector”.

Restructuring

High level discussions between AU, FAO and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire resulted in appointing Dr KouameMiezan as the new Executive Director of ASN in December 2013. Taking this challenge at face value, Miezan started by gathering a task force of internationally renowned experts to help him with the renewal of the institution. As a result, on 11 and 12 August at Abidjaninternational seed professionalsand representatives of development partnerscame together for the first ASN Scientific andTechnical Committee meetingto debate on the best way to restructure, strengthen and run ASN for full and effective functioning including its lead role in the implementation of ASBP.

“Due to the highly technical nature of activities in the seed sector, it is necessary that ASN relies on a body of multidisciplinary experts encompassing the whole gamut of the seed sector components,” Miezan said. “But strategic oversight and far-reaching vision will be the key elementsin determining the success of this continent-wide enterprise.”

At a higher level of oversight, ASN has put in place a Governing Board made up of experts who have excelled in both technical and administrative domains of the seed sector. The ASN GoverningBoard, will meet once a year and, assisted with the outputs of the ASN Scientific and Technical Committee, will decide on all policy issues, agreements, budgets and staffing and major programmes and projects that are to be undertaken by ASN.

The first meeting of the GoverningBoard was held on 13 and 14 August, and allowed firm decisions on the various aspects, among which:

·         the revision of ASN’s mission, vision, structure and strategy;

·         the current state of ASN membership and ways towards its consolidation and expansion;

·         thecurrent state of ASN finances and possible ways of resource mobilization.

Resolutions

The meetings paid tribute to the Ivorian government which has sustained ASN during its difficult formative years and still continues support.

The meetings have led to the validation of acomprehensive strategyon seed sector development aiming at increasing quantity and quality of seeds available to farmers.

Other decisions relating to the strengthening and restructuring of ASN were also adopted.

The need to rename the Africa Seed Network was also felt due to the major structural and functional changes that had been decided, and therefore the Governing Board discussed the issue and agreed that the new name should from now on be “AfricaSeeds”.

A major achievement of the four-day meetings has been the adoption by ASN of the resolution to actively and effectively contribute to AU’s goal to achieve sustainable food and nutrition security by 2025 through the strengthening of national seed systems.

ECOSOCC : LA DELEGATION DE L’UNION AFRICAINE RECU PAR LE MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES DU BENIN

Cotonou, Benin  - 21 Aout 2014 – Dr. Nassirou Bako-Arifari, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, de l’Intégration Africaine, de la Francophonie et des Béninois de l’Extérieur, a reçu cet après-midi à son bureau au siège du ministère, les membres de la délégation de l’Union Africaine en visite de travail à Cotonou, Benin, dans le cadre de la campagne de sensibilisation de la société civile aux élections de la deuxième Assemblée du Conseil Economique Social et Culturel (ECOSOCC) de l’Union africaine (AU).

Au cours de l’audience, à laquelle ont pris part les haut cadres du ministère en charge des dossiers de l’intégration africaine, de la promotion de la société civile et des questions africaines, Dr. Bako-Arifari a souligné l’importance du rôle de premier ordre qui revient à l’ECOSOCC dans l’encadrement des populations africaines, mettant l’accent sur la nécessité d’accorder tout l’intérêt a la jeunesse et aux femmes dans le processus d’intégration de l’Afrique des peuples.

Le ministre a, par ailleurs, invité les structures spécialisées de son ministère à tout mettre en œuvre pour réussir la campagne de sensibilisation de toutes les composante de la société civile béninoise, y compris les medias. « L’ECOSOCC est notre machine à idées », a, en l’occurrence, dit le ministre soulignant que « notre stabilité dépend de notre capacité à répondre aux attentes de nos jeunes». Dr.  Nassirou Bako-Arifari, s’est en conclusion, réjouis de la reprise des activités de l’ECOSOCC et de la volonté de sensibiliser la société civile Africaine en vue d’une plus grande participation aux élections de la 2^eme  Assemblée Générale. « Je ferais tout pour être à vos côtés » a encore, dit le ministre.

Exposant les objectifs de la campagne de sensibilisation, M. Jalel Chelba,  Chef de la Division de la Société Civile du Département de la Société Civile et de la Diaspora de la Commission de l’Union Africaine (CIDO) a, en sa qualité de chef de la délégation, composée de Mme Habiba Mejri Cheikh, Directrice de l’Information et de la Communication de la Commission de l’Union Africaine et Mme Salimata Porquet, membre de l’Assemblée de l’ECOSOCC, exprimé la gratitude de l’Union Africaine pour les efforts soutenus consentis par le Benin en vue de conforter les efforts de l’organisation continentale  en matière d’intégration et de développement du continent. M. Chelba a par ailleurs félicité le ministre pour sa reconduction à la tête de la diplomatie béninoise, suite au remaniement ministériel intervenu aujourd’hui.

La réunion à laquelle ont été conviées toutes les organisations de la société civile Béninoise, se tiendra demain, vendredi 22 aout 2014, à partir de 10:00 à la salle de réunions du Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, de l’Intégration Africaine, de la Francophonie et des Béninois de l’Extérieur.

Demain, vendredi 24 aout se tiendra dans la capitale Béninoise, Cotonou, la troisième réunion de sensibilisation concernant les pays de la région ouest de l’Afrique. 

Notons que le coup d’envoi de cette campagne de sensibilisation, initiée par la Direction de la Citoyenneté et de la Diaspora de la Commission de l'UA (CIDO), conformément à la décision de Conseil Exécutif (EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV), adoptée lors de la 23^eme  Session ordinaire de l'Assemblée de l'UA, Malabo, Guinée équatoriale, a été donné le 12 courant, à Lusaka, Zambie. La campagne se poursuivra jusqu’au mois de septembre et couvrira, à terme, les cinq régions d’Afrique. 

Telecom operators on the spot over unsolicited SMS

• By Collins Mwai

Some of the unsolicited messages that telecom companies keep sending on the mobile phones of their clients.

Regular unsolicited text messages from telecom operators and bulk short messaging service (SMS) providers have not gone down well with a huge section of subscribers of their services, with some of them terming them a nuisance. 

The text messages mostly used to market products and services not only of the telecommunication firms but also of popular products in the market rarely come with an unsubscribe option leaving  mobile users with no option but receive and delete them.  

Edwin Tushabe, a businessman in Kigali, terms the text messages as a nuisance that refuses to go away.

 “I have never subscribed  to these messages. Most of the time, I even have no interest in what is being advertised and this makes it even more annoying,” he said.

According to Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority (Rura), sending unsolicited text messages without an unsubscribe option contraves the law relating to electronic messages, electronic signatures and electronic transactions.

Speaking to The New Times, Engineer Jean Baptiste Mutabazi, the head of communication and media regulation at Rura said as the law provides, Telecom operators and bulk service providers have been reminded to offer unsubscribe options.

“The law is clear that each telecommunication service provider sending text messages to clients to advertise or promote products and services should give them the right to unsubscribe and detail the process involved.  We have communicated with the operators to that effect,” Mutabazi said.

He also urged the public to furnish his office with information regarding such breaches so that necessary measures are taken.

Giving insights on the issue, Equity Juris Chambers,   a renowned law firm in Kigali said telecom operators are also not allowed to use personal data of their clients without written permission.

“The Rwandan Telecoms Law No 44/2001 of November 30, 2001, Article 25 states that a public telecommunications operator cannot use any personal, call traffic or billing data of a user when marketing its services without the explicit written permission of the user in question,” the firm explained.

In the event of contravention of paragraph (1) of this Article, users in the first instance request the public telecommunications operator to cease using their personal details for marketing purposes. 

In cases of continued contravention, the user may notify the regulatory board, which issues a notice prohibiting the public telecommunications operator from using the user’s personal details and may order the operator to pay compensation to the user as the board may determine.

Moussa Habineza, the managing director of Khenz Limited, an IT firm involved in electronic payments and previously involved in Bulk SMS services, said it is possible that some of the bulk SMS service providers could be colluding with the telecom operators to obtain phone numbers of users.

 “For the bulk SMS providers to send the texts, it means that there has to be a sort of coalition between the senders of the bulk SMSs and the Telecom operators.  The providers of the bulk SMSes cannot have access to the database if not allowed by the mobile operators,” Habineza explained.

Whether it is legal or not, Habineza said there has to be a sort of consent given by the client as unsolicited texts should not be forced on clients who do not want them.

Yasmin Amri Sued, the Tigo brand and communication manager, defended the firm, saying they held the client details in confidentiality, adding that they only communicate to their client base information on the product and services that might be relevant to them.

By press time,   the other telecom operators were yet to comment on the issue.

Rather than send unsolicited text messages, local firms have been urged to look into other avenues to reach their targeted clients such as social media feeds where they can engage on a professional level.

Phillip Odour, a marketing and sales consultant for a number of household products, said through the use of social media clients will not feel unnecessarily infringed upon. 

Contact email: editorial[at]newtimes.co.rw

Dear Ayoub,

Britain is the only country in the G7 to meet the UN target for international aid spending. Next year we’re at risk of spending less on international aid.  Take a look at some of the reasons below and then say you’ll back our campaign to project the UK aid:

Back the Campaign

If we want to continue meeting the target year after year we have to get 100 MPs to the Second Reading of my Private Member's Bill on 12th September.

Labour, Conservative and SNP MPs all support the idea - add your name and say you’ll help get your MP there.

Thanks for your help,

Michael

Michael Moore MP

Ebola: Africa needs support, not reckless scaremongers

Oscar Kimanuka

Nearly every corner of the African continent is currently engaged in frantic efforts to stem the tide of the deadly Ebola disease that started in Guinea, spreading to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other parts of West Africa. 

Mobile telephone companies are bombarding their clients with messages on how to avoid contracting the Ebola virus through mobile phones. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently assisting governments across the continent to be in a state of preparedness and take no chances with the current onslaught of this deadly virus.

However, despite the arrangements being put in place to thwart the unforeseen dangers of Ebola, there are people out there who are now bent on boycotting conferences and meetings as well as visits to many parts of our continent.

This is such a long-held international ignorance and the lingering perception of Africa as one country and not a continent with 54 countries!

Take the example of Namibia, so distant from West Africa, whose Chamber of Commerce and Industry was expecting a delegation from Brazil at the beginning of this week.

The said mission was cancelled at the last minute owing to fears of Ebola. Someone remarked, rather angrily, ‘Africa is a diverse continent, not just a country!’ Namibia is not alone in experiencing boycotts.

While it is true that the Ebola outbreak has so far killed more than 1,500 people in the affected areas, the risk of transmission in those countries is already having serious impact on travel to several countries, including those that are far from the affected areas. 

Ghana, while not far from the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, has reportedly cancelled any would-be international conferences in the country for three months for fear of the potential spread of the deadly Ebola virus.  

Some carriers like the Korean Air have suspended flights to some parts of East Africa. Conferences scheduled to take place in countries like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Equatorial Guinea have reportedly been cancelled, some indefinitely.

What is all this? The international media have always focused on Africa as a continent beleaguered with intractable problems of corruption, poor governance records and dysfunctional state institutions. 

The good stories that come from our continent rarely receive attention. 

While the media are understandably pre-occupied with momentous events in Europe and North America, the temptation has been strong to ignore the second largest continent and the cradle of mankind not simply because Africa still appears remote and strategically inconsequential to the rest of the world, but rather because its seemingly grave problems and acute suffering appear to be beyond redemption.

While the Ebola outbreak has reached crisis proportions, it is said to pose no particular risk to air travelers according to health officials and airlines. In fact air service should, according to experts, continue to serve affected areas to help thwart further spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

Already, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has advised that aviation constitutes a “low risk” for Ebola transmission and has gone ahead to advise airlines to screen passengers at airports in infected areas, apply rigorous procedures including isolation when handling suspected cases, and disinfect planes afterward.

It may sound easy to allay fears about a fatal disease like Ebola with no known cure or vaccine; it is quite another thing to persuade people to carry on with their normal routines and leisure trips to the affected parts of West Africa.  

What affects one part of our continent surely affects the rest of us. Our airlines should desist from issuing a blanket approach when cancelling flights to West Africa.

I have heard of Kenya Airways cancelling flights to parts of West Africa from this week. I hope that RwandAir and other East African Airlines will not follow suit.

Africa needs support not reckless scaremongers. We need to protect our tourism, trade and other endeavors that contribute to the growth of our economies and people.

Africa is a truly rich continent whose riches, oil, gas, minerals and more have driven rapid economic growth over the last decade. To sustain this growth that improves the lives of our people, the continent will need an economic transformation that taps into our other riches: the land and fertile soils, extensive fisheries and forests and, above all, the energy and ingenuity of our people.

These are the stories to tell.

The writer is a consultant and visiting lecturer at the RDF Senior Command and Staff College, Nyakinama.

Contact email: oscar_kim2000[at]yahoo.co.uk

Tackling trade-offs in the food-water-energy nexus: lessons for the SDGs

DETAILSAGENDAREGISTERDIRECTIONS

Speakers currently confirmed

Peter Newborne - Research Associate, ODI, on the Brazil case study.

Andrew Scott - Research Fellow at ODI, overview of progress in development and the water-energy-food nexus.

Chair

Prof. Melissa Leach - Director, Institute of Development Studies.

Ahead of the UN Climate Summit in September, ODI and CDKN bring you two days of events focused on environmental sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On 10 September, an event hosted by CDKN will share and discuss perspectives from the South on how climate change should be reflected in the SDGs. This will be followed, on 11 September, by a closer look at the food-water-energy nexus and how countries across three continents are managing the challenge of reducing poverty while developing sustainably. Book your places today.

Achieving poverty eradication and sustained progress in development will depend upon the use of natural resources as we enter a new era of post-2015 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The longer-term sustainability of natural resources, threatened by population and income growth, can be a low priority for many policy-makers in developing countries faced by the immediate challenges of poverty and low productivity. But how these development objectives are achieved can enhance sustainability, through appropriate policies and practices. In particular, it requires the integration of policy, planning and implementation across sectors – especially food, water and energy. National interpretation and implementation of SDG targets will also require integration across these sectors.

This event will examine how certain developing countries have tackled the trade-offs inherent within the food-water-energy nexus, balancing environmental concerns with the need for development, and it will reflect on the importance of integrating across sectors for the implementation of the SDGs. New research conducted as part of ODI’s Development Progress project will be discussed, including:

• Case studies on sustainable energy and development in Viet Nam and Brazil
• A case study on sustainable agricultural techniques in Burkina Faso
• A case study on water resource management in China
• A report on development progress and the food-water-energy nexus over the past two decades

The launch will include a public event with a panel of experts, followed by an invited roundtable to allow for further inputs and more in-depth discussion.