Valuable discussions and great atmosphere at the 3rd ECPM Congress!

donderdag 27 september 2007 13:04

The ECPM Congress of 21 and 22 September combined valuable, in-depth discussions with a fantastic atmosphere! More than 70 participants attended during either Friday or Saturday in the Novotel Brussels Airport in Diegem. The theme of the Congress was: Focusing on the Family. A Christian-democrat view on family policy in Europe.The Congress started with the announcement that 4 new parties have joined the ECPM. These parties are the Evangelical Peoples Party and the Federal Democratic Union from Switzerland, The People’s Party of Montenegro and the Belarussian Christian Democrats. The new members received a warm welcome form the other members.

After the presentation of the new members the Congress continued with a video message of Andre Rouvoet, Dutch minister of Youth and Family, followed by a presentation of the report on the evolution of families by Lola Velarde, president of the Institute for Family policies.

In the afternoon, the Congress continued with speeches from Peter Ostman (vice-chairman CD Finland) Marius and Ileana Radu (PNTCD and Areopagus, Romania), Gevorg Babayan (chairman CPUA, Armenia). The closing speech was given by Leon Meijer (Dutch Christian Labor Union).

After that all guests were transported to the center of Brussels for dinner and a some sight seeing.

The next day Kris Vleugels (Chairman, C’axent, Belgium) gave a lecture about the consequences of a lack of family policy while Rev. Okoth Otura introduced the attendants to the position of the family in Kenya.

Leo van Doesburg, the representative of the ECPM in Eastern Europe, updated us about the developments in Southeast-Europe.

Last June there has been a conference held in Lithuania for the Balkan countries. Paulius Saudargas, the vice-chairman of the Lithuanian Christian Democrats (LKD), partly organized this conference. He prepared a report about this conference and showed this to us after the presentation of Leo van Doesburg.

Three delegates from the two German parties informed us about the status of their parties, and the crucial phase they are in right now. They asked us for our prayers for the Partei Bibeltreuen Christen (PBC) and Zentrum.

Lilit Kostanyan informed us about the CPUA and several activities in Armenia.

After this, the attendants were divided in two groups in order to discuss some more about the solution for the current problems of the family in Europe (the outcomes will be published on this website soon). After lunch there was time for the member Congress where Dick van Dijk was chosen as a new executive board member and where the ECPM members accepted the changes in board structure and the future plans of the ECPM.As organizers of the ECPM Congress we would like to thank all speakers and attendants who made this a very fruitful and blessed Congress.

By Anne Marije Staat

Posted by Rev Okoth Otura,
Christian Democratic Movement of Kenya-(CDMK) &
East Africa Christians Transformation Mission Fellowship-(EACTMF), CANADA 

Published by API/APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

By Leo Odera Omolo, leooderaomolo@yahoo.com.

API/APN in Kampala, 7/11/07

Ugandan Government is making concerted effort to accelerate the construction of Bujagali power project and has recently received a timely boost from the African Development Bank (AFDB) with the signing of a loan of USD 29.7 million (about Ushs 52 billion) to facilitate the implementation of the power interconnection Project.

A press release from the bank’s headquarters in Tunis said the agreement was signed last week officials of the ADB (AFDB) Group and the government of Uganda, is part of the estimated cost of USD 75, 84 million (Ushs 32.7 billion for the BIP.

“The common goal of the government of Uganda and the AFDB for the electricity sector is to improve the population’s access to electricity for the country’s social and economic development in an environmentally sustainable manner,” said Uganda’s Ambassador to Libya Mr. Moses Sebunya who represented his country at the signing ceremony in Tunis last week.

Sebunya said the project would provide adequate transmission capacity to provide electricity to consumers from the Bujagali power station, some 87 kilometers North East of the capital Kampala.

The project is being financed by the AFDB, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd.

It involves the construction of 100 km of power transmission units for the 250 MW dam for which the AFDB also approved a loan of USD 110 million (Ushs 192.5 billion) a month earlier making the Bujagali one of the Africa’s largest hydropower projects.

The total cost of the project is estimated at USD 735.5 million / Ushs 1.2 trillion), of which the AFDB’s contribution amounts to USD 139 million (Ushs 243 billion) for the dam and the transmission lines.

During a recent tour of the project site a AFDB President Donald Kiberuka said the bank was committed to assisting member countries in their efforts to further develop their energy potential.

‘’This is the time for Africa to harness its huge project hydro – energy potential,’’ he said.

The main project beneficiaries include power distribution utilities and households. Industrial and commercial electricity consumers connected to the national grid will benefit from improved reliability and lower cost of supply as a result of this multimillion Uganda shillings project.

In addition the Bujagali power project will deliver the energy required to supply an estimated 280,000 new customers that are expected to be connected.

Uganda could also benefit from the improved supply and export potential of the system.

The project is being financed by the ADF (38.3 per cent) the Japan Bank for International cooperation 38.3 per cent and the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited 23.4 per cent.

The Bujagali Interconnection Project loan brings the Bank Group’s total cumulative commitment in the country to UA 911 million USD 1.42 billion of which UA 309 million USD 48.2 million has been disbursed.

The Bank commenced operation in Uganda in 1968 and has to date approved 302 operation for the country in agriculture (27 per cent, social sector, 19 per cent multi – sector, 14 per cent water, 8 per cent power, 6 per cent industry and mining, 3 per cent and 1 per cent in communication.

Published by API/APN africanpress@chello.no

By Leo Odera Omolo, leooderaomolo@yahoo.com.

API/APN in Kisumu, 7/11/07

Nyanza province an area which is arguably perceived to be an ODM stronghold is full of political intrigues in regards to the forthcoming party nominations of parliamentary and civic seats.

Well established and seasoned politicians have planted proxies candidates everywhere in an attempt to undercut and undermine those they perceived to be strong and credible opponents.

The name of the controversial exiled Archbishop Gilbert Deya is also featuring prominently in Rongo as one of the alleged sponsors of a parliamentary candidate in the area.

Proxies candidates are reported to be in nearly all the 21 parliamentary constituencies, but the most affected are Nyando, Kasipul Kabondo, Rongo, Kisumu Town West, Gem, Muhoroni, Rangwe, Migori, Karachuonyo, Uriri, Ugenya and to lesser extent Mbita.

The strong rumour currently making the round in Kisumu and its environs is that a good number of former Luo MPs in the ninth Parliament have deployed all tricks in the book to ensure they sail through the ODM crucial nomination exercise.

These tricks include the sponsoring of financially weak candidates who hail from the home turf areas of their strong opponents with the hope of splitting votes and weakening their political clouts perceived strong opponents either real or imaginary.

Allegations of massive bribery and corruption are so rampant. In some constituencies people who hitherto could not afford a battle of soda or a cup of tea in local hotels have surprisingly sprung up to riches and managed to deposit the colossal amount of money with the party headquarters where they duly returned their nomination papers after parting with Ksh. 120,000 nomination and membership fees.

Kasipul Kabondo is leading in having more proxies candidates, who it is being alleged to have been sponsored by the former MP Paddy Ahenda as his votes splitting strategies to outwit his opponents.

These strategies of votes splitting among the sponsored proxies candidates had worked in Kenya in the previous general elections, but at a very limited scale. May be only one or two candidates in a very special, but isolated cases had succeeded.

Those being rumoured to have been sponsored by Paddy Ahenda specifically for the purpose of votes splitting if duly nominated by the party secretariat as expected their candidature would have negative effect on the targeted candidates by way of splitting home locations voting system.

The aspirants, whose names are featuring in the allegations as being sponsored by the immediate former MP for Kasipul Kabondo included in the alleged scam are Dan Were of KENDA. He hails from Kokwanyo in North East Kasipul Kabondo, Sam Rateng Otiende from Kanyango Kowidi, Zacharia Muga from Kodumo Kabondo, a Mrs. Arogo who hails from Kotieno Kochich in West Kasipul, Paul Mboga of KENDA party who hails from Kodera in West Kasipul and Odingo Odak from Konyango in Central Kasipul.

The idea is to scuffle the influence of popular candidates in their home turf thereby weakening their chances of winning the preliminaries.

Another trick is that the former MPs have allegedly used the CDF money which they used in purchasing brandy new pick-up vehicles, which have painted in the ODM orange colour for the purpose of hoodwinking the electorate that the (former MPs) were the official candidates anointed by Raila Odinga. The vehicles are fitted with loud speaker and Raila Odinga’s name as the one who has donated them to the former MP his blessings songs reigns the air where these vehicles goes.

Uriri constituency is another area, which is full of proxies aspirants. The former MP Herman Odhiambo Omamba is alleged to have sponsored two candidates in Kamgundho in desperate attempt to cut down the influence of the Nairobi based wealthy business tycoon Mr. Cyprian Ojwang Omolo, who is on the lead and currently giving the rapidly ageing former MP sleepless nights.

Those whose names are featuring prominently as allegedly having been sponsored to split the votes include a Mr. Ondu  Abade from Kamgudho. Mr. John Oketch Awiti  an accountant by profession and a businessman in Nairobi. He hails from Kamreri in the east of North Kanyamkago location around Papori area. And so is Mr. Ondu Abade who is a man of no fixed abode, but have been an ODM operative and a youth winger.

In Rongo constituency close to six aspirants are alleged to have been sponsored by the outgoing MP George Ochillo Ayacko purposefully to split and cut down the popularity of his strongest opponent Dalmas Otieno.

The majority of the alleged proxies candidates come from Kamagambo region, which is Dalmas Otieno home turf. The alleged proxies candidates include George Odero who is a brother in law of the former MP. He hails from central Kamagambo.

A notable proxy aspirant is Mr. Job Okuna Oyugi who is the son of former powerful PS in Charge of Provincial Administration and Internal Security the late Mr. Hezekiah Oyugi. He hails from the Kanyajuok sub-clan (Oyugis) clan whose members are said to be jittery with Otieno. The MP by sponsoring Job Okuna is hoping that he would capitalize on the long-standing feuds between the late Oyugi’s family and Mr. Otieno. The aspirant hails from South Kamagambo location.

Other aspirants suspected to have been allegedly sponsored by Ayacko include Mrs. Jane Okendo a former subordinate staff with the government. She hails from Kanyawanga, central Kamagambo. Joseph Onyango Ngore from East Kamagambo. Ongondo Ngani from north Kamagambo Kamwango.

Mrs. June Okendo whose daughter is married to the elder son of the self-styled and self-exiled Archbishop Gilbert Deya is said to be loaded with money allegedly co- sponsored by the controversial clergyman who is currently trailing extradition case in a London court and Ochillo Ayacko to undercut Dalmas Otieno. The Kenya government had filed the extradition proceeding in a Britain court for Bishop Deya to be repatriated back home to face the charges of child trafficking.

Festus Oluoch Nyamula hails from south Sakwa near Mariwa Market. He is believed to be acting independently.

Judging from the long list of parliamentary hopefuls who hail from Dalmas Otieno’s home turf of Kamagambo region one can easily come to the conclusion that most of these candidates are acting under sponsorship with the purpose of locking Dalmas Otieno out of the race for Rongo seat.

The former MP Ochilo Ayacko is a resident of Sakwa East. There are several other locations in Awendo division like Sakwa West, Sakwa North, Sakwa central, Sakwa east and Sakwa South. But the field is less crowded with aspirants unlike the Kamagambo region

In the case of Kasipul Kabondo constituency the residents have issued a stern warning to the sponsored candidates who hope to act as the proxies of former MP Paddy Ahenda that they will be in for big trouble.

ODM youth leader Mr. Maurice Aguko Mayera said the electorate in the area have already been sensitized about the existence of proxies candidates.

In Kisumu Town West where the immediate former MP the Rev. Ken Nyagudi is Mr. Joshua Nyamori from Kolwa area of Kano sub-clan. Another who is suspected to have been sponsored as a proxy candidate by Rev. Nyagudi is Mr. Jagero Otiende who hails from Korombo sub-clan of Jo-Kisumo. He is an offshed of Rev. Nyagudi.

Rev. Nyagudi, according to sources in the lakeside City is facing eminent defeat by a prominent Kisumu lawyer John Olago Aluoch and has since devised new tactics of sponsoring candidates in areas he and his cronies perceived to be the strongholds of Mr. Aluoch.

He is also facing Prof. Larry Gumbe from the ODM secretariat and Mrs. Rose (Dwasi) Buyu who has put up some of the most expensive election billboards in down town Kisumu.

Also in the race is a former KANU supremo Mr. Shem (Kwega) Onyango who Rev. Nyagudi had beaten narrowly in 2002.

by API/APN africanpress@chello.no

<ODM boss, Raila Odinga unchallenged in parliamentary party nominations in his Langata constituency, as no other ODM person has dared to disturb the party’s presidential candidate. Now it remains to be seen if the other two presidential contenders, President Mwai Kibaki of PNU and ODM-K’s Kalonzo Musyoka will enjoy the same priviledge in their constituencies when their party nominations takes place. (API/APN)

——————- 

ODM publishes aspirants’ list amid quest for fairness

Published on November 8, 2007, 12:00 am

By Ayub Savula

Casablanca (Maroc) King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Tuesday firmly condemned the visit of Spanish King Juan Carlos to Ceuta and Mellila that are claimed by Morocco but under Spanish authority, and called Madrid for “open dialogue”.

During the cabinet meeting he chaired Tuesday afternoon in Casablanca, King Mohammed condemned the visit in his capacity as ” the guarantor of the country’s sovereignty and symbol of its unity” as stated in Article 19 of the Moroccan constitution.

“By this nostalgic act stemming from a gloomy and bygone era, we have to make the Spanish authorities bear the responsibility for what might undermine the future and the development of the relationship between both countries”, the King said, and rejected the use of Moroccan “sacred lands for Spain’s internal trade as well as the exploitation of Moroccan values and interests.”

He called for ” an honest, frank and open dialogue,” in a bid to resolve the conflict and this he said “will only be achieved through the adoption of a prospective approach toward the establishment of beneficial relationships between Morocco and Spain and a genuine commitment to the consolidation of their mutual respect and total confidence”.

Since Sunday evening, many Moroccan cities have been organising sit-ins and demonstrations to decry the Spanish King’s visit to the two cities under Spanish occupation since 1497.

The harshest demonstrations took place at the posts bordering the two cities Ceuta (in the north) and Mellila (in the northern-east) where thousands of demonstrators unanimously “decried” and “vigorously condemned” the King’s visit, the first ever visit for over 80 years.

Slogans were chanted for hours and hundreds of banderols brandished by demonstrators who considered the visit “an insult”, “challenging” and “indelible attack” to the Moroccan’s self-esteem”.

To protest against the Spanish King’s visit, King Mohammed VI on Friday recalled his ambassador from Madrid.

Since its independence in 1956, Morocco has been claiming control over the two cities located in the Mediterranean littoral.

In 1960, during the universal declaration on colonisation before the United Nations’ General-Assembly, Rabat urged the organisation to put an end to “the Spanish colonial’s presence” on the two territories.

Since Spain joined the European Community in 1986, the Moroccan Kingdom has always expressed reservations over the treaties and conventions signed with European Union as part of the move to preserve Morocco’s legal stand in the two cities.

Morocco had suggested in 1987 to set up a consultation body with Spain in a bid to find a solution to the “old decolonisation dossier”.

Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa

Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) The spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s office, Sindou Méïté, has hinted about the scrapping of the security networks throughout the country and compensations for ex-combatants including the militia.

During a news conference in Abidjan, Mr. Méïté said the disarmament of ex-fighters will pursue ahead of the presidential elections in keeping with the March 4 peace agreement in Ouagadougou.

An inventory of the back-up troops that fought alongside the armed forces of the New Forces and the new recruits (about 3000 to 4000) has been established, Mr. Sindou Méïté said.

«The security network was eliminated and the Prime Minister shares the same position as the Head of State on that issue. “, Mr Méîté said.

“We recommend disarming with a perspective for social reinsertion”, Mr Méïté said.

Ivory Coast is recovering from an armed rebellion that began on September 19 2002.

Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa

Monrovia (Liberia) The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Tuesday denied a report by the Russian news agency, Novisti that the UNMIL cargo helicopter which crashed near Ganta in western Liberia last Friday was shot down.

In a statement issued in Monrovia late Tuesday, UNMIL said it has no evidence of foul play in the helicopter crash.

Novosti reported in its online edition Tuesday quoting a spokesperson of the Russian air carrier that the MI-8 MTB helicopter was shot down.

“The UT Air helicopter chartered by the UN for peace keeping missions in Liberia crashed November 2, while on a routine flight from Ganta bordering Guinea to Loguatuo on the border with Ivory Coast, killing all three crew members,” the Siberia-based company said earlier.

“One of the main causes of the crash is suspected to be gunfire from the ground because a preliminary investigation discovered multiple bullet-holes in the fuselage,” Novosti quoted the spokesman as saying.

No peacekeepers were on board the MI-8 MTB aircraft which was on a mission carrying food supplies.

Meanwhile, the UN Mission has grounded its small fleet of MI-8 helicopters in Liberia “until further notice”, while Liberian and UN officials investigate the crash, the UN said in the statement.

UT Air currently has 43 helicopters on peace keeping operations led by the UN and the African Union, in Africa, including four MI-26 Halo, nine MI-8T and 30 MI-8MTB aircraft.

Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The chairperson of the African Union Commission (AU), Alpha Oumar Konaré, has sued for the respect of Chadian sovereignty in the aborted “Ark of Zoe” child trafficking saga, sources said Wednesday.

“Based on information available, the behaviour of the NGO is a drift of humanitarian interference, especially when they implemented their plans in a unilateral manner and without humility,” Konaré said.

He noted that the NGO’s action was an “irresponsible exploitation of the poverty situation, misery and distress of the African populations in situation of conflicts “.

Konaré said the episode stems from the inaccurate and demeaning information hawked on Africa, and particularly on its conflicts including Darfur.

Hence, Konare calls for «a more accountable Africa that accepts itself and relies first on itself… an Africa that accepts its principle of non-indifference for the proud resolution of its conflicts in a democratic manner so as to avoid tragedies such as the current Darfur crisis.”

Konare reasserted the solidarity of the AU Commission with the affected families and its support to the Chadian people and government.

On 27 October 2007, Konare had slammed the “reprehensible and shocking behaviour” of the NGO and hailed the firm positions of both Chad and France towards the scandal.

Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.apa