CBN Says Unconventional Monetary Policies Have Created Over 2.5m Jobs

By NAN
03 December 2019|7:45 pm
Nigeria Guardian

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says its unconventional monetary policies have supported the creation of over 2.5 million jobs across the agricultural value chain.

The CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele made this known in a keynote address he delivered at the 28th Annual Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors held in Owerri on Tuesday.

Emefiele was represented at the occasion by Mr Edward Adamu the CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2019 seminar has its theme as “Galvanizing Development Finance and Monetary Policy for Growth.”

He noted that the unconventional or heterodox monetary policies adopted by the apex bank were well thought through and had been yielding significant gains for the Nigerian economy.

He said this was evidenced in the GDP recovery in the third quarter of 2017, which had been sustained for nine successive quarters after five consecutive quarters of negative growth.


Emefiele noted that the unconventional monetary policy initiative was premised on ensuring credit delivery to critical sectors of the economy.

According to the CBN governor, the move informed the directive to Deposit Money Banks to maintain a minimum Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) of 65 per cent by the end of December 2019.

He said the apex bank was also creating the necessary eco-system to inculcate a better credit culture among Nigerians.

“In all, there is sufficient evidence of significant reductions in our annual imports bill and increased non-oil exports.

“Our Development Finance intervention has helped to bolster agricultural production by removing obstacles faced by small holder farmers.

“We have also improved access to markets for farmers by facilitating greater partnership with agro-processors and industrial firms in the sourcing of raw materials.

“So far, the programme has supported more than 1.5 million farmers across all the 36 States of Nigeria, in cultivating 16 different commodities over 1.4 million hectares of farmland.

“It has also supported the creation of over 2.5 million jobs across the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Emefiele said that considering the gains, the media had a critical role to play in conveying a deeper understanding of the bank’s commitment to economic growth and development.

“For instance, it is our game changing intervention in the rice value chain in Kebbi and other rice-producing states across the country that increased local rice production from 2.5 million tonnes in 2015 to 5.8 million tonnes in 2017.

“This was also the case in the cotton intervention with the flag-off of input distribution to 150,000 cotton farmers, cultivating 150,000 hectares in 23 states of the Federation,” he said.

The CBN governor said the theme of this year’s seminar was relevant, considering the evolving interconnectedness between development finance and monetary policy, not only in Nigeria, but in other economies across the world.

He said the CBN approach to stimulating economic development was three-pronged and centered on Agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Infrastructure.

He said the apex bank had transcended her core mandate of maintaining monetary, price and financial system stability, to undertake developmental initiatives with a view to spurring economic growth and job creation.

“Our efforts at these development finance initiatives have helped to accelerate the actualization of the Federal Government’s economic diversification programme.

“Diversifying our economic base presents a more sustainable and stable option.

“It is our conviction that focusing our developmental efforts on sectors with inherent potential for growth, employment and accretion to foreign reserves would enhance the fortune of the Nigerian economy,” he said.

Emefiele pointed out that the CBN had increased its lending to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, through targeted intervention schemes such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme and the Real Sector Support Facility.

Boko Haram: Buhari Launches Made-in-Nigeria War Vehicles 

By Maryam Ahmadu-Suka,  Kaduna 
Nigeria Daily Trust
Dec 4, 2019 3:07 AM

President Muhammadu Buhari (backing the camera), inspects one of the made-in-Nigeria military war vehicles known as Mine Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles and named Ezugwu, before he commissioned them at the opening of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Kaduna State yesterday

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday launched made-in-Nigeria military war vehicles known as Mine Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles (MRAPs).

He said the vehicles, named Ezugwu and produced by the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Command Engineering Depot (CED),would be launched into the military operation against the insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country. 

President Buhari, who launched the war vehicles in Kaduna at the opening of the 2019 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and the army in particular for their efforts in the defence of the country.

Meanwhile, President Buhari yesterday also commissioned the upgraded 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna where he tasked the Nigerian Army to be firm in their rule of engagement and in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities of protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/boko-haram-buhari-launches-made-in-nigeria-war-vehicles.html

WHO Director-General Praises Bravery of Health Workers During Visit to Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Following Fatal Attacks on Ebola Responders

1 December 2019
News release Goma
World Health Organization

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today visited health workers affected by recent armed attacks on Ebola response staff that killed four outbreak responders and injured seven others in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Dr Tedros called for improved security in the region to protect health workers trying to contain Ebola.

“I came here today to stand side by side with you, my sisters and brothers, and commend you all for your compassion and bravery in this most trying of times,” said Dr Tedros during a visit to Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. “You have put your lives on the line to protect the health and wellbeing of others.”

“I have also come here to recommit my steadfast support, and that of the World Health Organization, to the affected communities of this region and to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to bring the Ebola outbreak under control.”

Dr Tedros told responders that “ending the outbreak cannot be done without a much stronger effort to improve your security. We call on those responsible for security to recognize your extraordinary efforts by making a greater commitment to your security."

On the night of 27 November, unidentified armed attackers launched two separate attacks on a camp housing Ebola outbreak response staff in Biakato Mines and on the Ebola coordination office in Mangina. These were the latest in a series of similar incidents this year, during which WHO has documented approximately 390 attacks on health facilities that have killed 11 and injured 83 health care workers and patients in DRC.

But despite the disruptions, WHO and humanitarian partners in eastern DRC have committed to continue their Ebola response operations. Since the start of the outbreak in August 2018, over 3300 people have contracted Ebola, some 2100 of whom have died. In recent weeks, there has been an encouraging decline in the number of people confirmed with the virus.

In Goma, Dr Tedros met and thanked Ebola responders who are in hospital recovering from injuries suffered in the 27 November attacks. "You are working to save lives and you get attacked -- this is wrong," he said. 

Dr Tedros also met with National Ebola Coordinator Steve Ahuka and expressed solidarity with and support for the Government and people of the DRC, noting, "We won't give up and we will finish the job." 

Later, Dr Tedros and Professor Ahuka met with DRC Ministry of Health, WHO and other responders, including those evacuated following the violence, paying tribute to their selflessness and persistence. Several responders recounted their experiences of being confronted by the attackers and stressed their commitment to working to end the Ebola outbreak in memory of their fallen colleagues.

"You cannot face Ebola and bullets without commitment, and that's why I am so proud of you," Dr Tedros said. “Even though we shouldn't give up, your security must be ensured." Across the eastern DRC outbreak zone, WHO continues to support activities throughout the affected areas.

“There can be no more callous act than to target health professionals working to heal the sick and care for those in need,” he added. “Every time an attack like this happens, it disrupts efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak and puts the health and wellbeing of local men, women and children at greater risk.”

“Such senseless violence must stop.”

HIV Vaccine in 2021? Leading Experts 'Optimistic' About Ongoing Trials

Drs. Susan Buchbinder and Anthony Fauci, two of the world’s leading HIV experts, say three ongoing HIV vaccine trials are reason to be hopeful.

Dec. 1, 2019, 9:05 AM EST
By Tim Fitzsimons
NBC News

The global fight against the human immunodeficiency virus is poised to make important advances thanks to three experimental HIV vaccines that are entering the final stages of testing at sites across the globe.

While any of these three late-stage HIV vaccine trials — known as HVTN 702, Imbokodo and Mosaico — could fail, scientists say they are more hopeful than at any time since 1984, when Secretary of Health and Human Services Margaret Heckler raised hopes by predicting that there would be a test-worthy HIV vaccine within two years.

This is “perhaps one of the most optimistic moments we have been in," said Dr. Susan Buchbinder, director of the Bridge HIV research program at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and a chair of both the Imbokodo and Mosaico trials.

“We have three vaccines currently being tested in efficacy trials," she said, "and it takes quite a bit to actually be promising enough in the earlier stages stages of trials to move you forward into an efficacy study."

HVTN 702

The oldest ongoing HIV vaccine trial, known as HVTN 702, is based on a prior vaccine candidate, RV144, that was effective, but not effective enough. In 2009, the RV144 clinical trial released findings showing that the vaccine lowered the rate of HIV infections by about 30 percent. To this day, RV144 remains the only HIV vaccine that have ever demonstrated any efficacy against the virus.

HVTN 702, launched in South Africa in 2016, was the first vaccine trial approved after the failure of RV144. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the modified vaccination regime “aims to provide greater and more sustained protection than the RV144 regimen and has been adapted to the HIV subtype that predominates in southern Africa,” also known as HIV-1 clade C.

While RV144, at 30 percent effective, did not suffice for global distribution, it pointed the way forward for vaccine researchers, who adapted RV144’s successes to create HVTN 702. Buchbinder said even a partially effective vaccine would be “a tremendous breakthrough,” and "would really have the power to change the trajectory of the epidemic.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of NIAID and a longtime advocate for a vaccine that is at least 50 percent effective, said he feels “even more strongly now” that a partially effective vaccine would be worth deploying. He said that is because prevention strategies like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and treatment as prevention (TasP) “are being so successfully used, even in the absence of a vaccine, that if one or more of these vaccines look good, have a 50-60 percent efficacy, I think that’s going to be the game changer for turning the epidemic around.”

HVTN 702 completed enrollment this summer, and clinical results are expected in late 2020 or early 2021.

Imbokodo and Mosaico

Imbokodo, the second trial, began in five southern African nations in 2017 and completed enrollment of 2,600 women this summer. In southern African nations, heterosexual women are at extremely high risk of HIV infection.

“It’s almost unbelievable, but it’s true, women between the ages of 18 and 25 — the prevalence of infection is well over 50 percent,” Fauci said. “If ever you wanted to get a population that, if the vaccine works, you’re going to know pretty quickly, then you want to go in women.”

Unlike HVTN 702, Imbokodo uses “mosaic” immunogens, which are “vaccine components designed to induce immune responses against a wide variety of global HIV strains,” according to the National Institutes of Health.

“The presumption is that a mosaic is going to give you broader coverage,” Fauci said.

In November, the third vaccine trial, Mosaico, marked its informal start after the first study participant received an injection. Mosaico is based on Imbokodo’s unique mosaic immunogen approach.

Imbokodo and Mosaico are largely identical and consist of six injections, with slightly different vaccine formulations administered during the final two clinic visits.

In addition, while Imbokodo is only being tested in African women, Mosaico will recruit 3,800 gay men and transgender people for its clinical trials at 57 sites in the United States, Latin America and Europe. For any HIV vaccine, Fauci said there’s a need to prove it works in different at-risk populations.

Imbokodo completed enrollment of study participants this summer, marking the formal end of the recruitment process. Results from Imbokodo are expected in 2021, and results from Mosaico are expected in 2023.

Challenges ahead

Fauci noted that there has been a rapid pace of vaccine-related developments in recent years, with these three vaccine trials starting in 2016, 2017 and 2019.

“In all of these trials, intermittently the data and safety monitoring board takes a look at the data, and either says the data are so bad you have got to stop, or the data are so overwhelmingly good that you have got to stop,” Fauci said. So far, after several reviews of the data in HVTN 702 and Imbokodo, “there’s nothing there to say stop the study,” which happened in 2007 when a Merck vaccine trial was shut down after the monitoring board determined that it had no impact on prevention.

"None of these vaccines is a particularly simple regimen," Buchbinder said, "so it’s going to require quite a bit of effort to deploy.”

“They require multiple injections, and so each one would require a minimum of four different doses in its current configuration,” Buchbinder said. But an effective vaccine could be a “stepping off point” to potentially create a simpler and more effective vaccine in the future.

And if these vaccine trials all fail, public health officials say enough tools currently exist to stop the spread of HIV — if only people would, or could, use them.

PrEP, the daily pill that prevents HIV infection, is safe and effective, but not enough people are using it to slow HIV transmission and end the epidemic. And successful treatment of people living with HIV results in an undetectable viral load that they cannot transmit the virus via sexual activity, known as “treatment as prevention” or TasP.

“It goes exactly to what I have been saying for years and years — if you implement the tools that you have, you will definitely see an impact on the dynamics of the epidemic,” Fauci said. “I have been talking about this for well over a decade. If you implement, the incidence is going to go down. It happened dramatically in San Francisco, and it is happening right now in New York.”

Fauci said President Donald Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic plan, which Fauci played a central role in drafting, aims to lower new infections by 75 percent in five years and by 90 percent in 10 years “even in the absence of a vaccine.”

So, if one of the three vaccines currently being tested works, “that would be the endgame," she said.

Zambian Official Hails Progress in China-funded Milling Plant

2019-12-02 19:22:10|Editor: xuxin

LUSAKA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Zambian government official hailed the progress of a China-aided milling plant project in Chongwe, a town in the Lusaka Province of Zambia.

The Zambian government was pleased with the speedy and high-quality work of the project carried out so far, said Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo during his inspection of the plant over the weekend.

According to him, the project was at 85 percent of completion and would be operational by June 2020.

Describing the milling plant project as a game changer, Lusambo said, once completed, the plant would help stabilize the price of a mealie-meal in the province and provide employment for the locals.

The project was a clear testimony of sound relationship between Zambia and China, Lusambo added.

Bank of Zambia Raises Key Interest Rate to Curb Inflation

By Taonga Clifford Mitimingi
Bloomberg
November 20, 2019, 5:10 AM EST

 Benchmark interest rate was increased to 11.5% from 10.25%
 Central bank sees inflation above target range until 2021

Zambia’s central bank raised its key interest rate for a second time this year, bucking a global easing trend, in a bid to support its currency and tame inflation.

The Bank of Zambia increased the rate to 11.5% from 10.25%, Governor Denny Kalyalya told reporters Wednesday in Lusaka, the capital. That’s the highest level since May 2017.

Key Insights

The central bank faces a trade-off between stabilizing the kwacha to help control inflation and boosting an economy that expanded at the slowest since least the first quarter of 2016 in the three months through June.

Inflation accelerated to 10.7% in October, the highest level in three years, as the worst drought in almost four decades in the southwest of the country caused crop failure. Kalyalya said while the MPC was mindful of the slowdown in economic growth, the upside risks to inflation have increased and there is a need to restore macro-economic stability.

The central bank sees the rate staying above the 8% upper end of its target range until at least 2021.

The lack of rain also drastically curbed output at the hydropower dams that Zambia relies on for about 80% of its electricity generation, and the resultant power cuts that last more than 15 hours a day are weighing on the economy.

The electricity cuts also mean that many businesses run on generators, increasing their input costs because the kwacha’s 18% drop against the dollar this year has pushed up fuel prices. The nation’s power utility has asked the energy regulator to allow it to more than double prices, which will add to inflationary pressure. The Energy Regulation Board said it would announce new energy tariffs this month.

— With assistance by Prinesha Naidoo

The Central Bank of Tanzania Warns People Away from Using Cryptocurrencies

CRYPTOS
Dec 02, 18:30 GMT

The rise of cryptocurrencies in Africa has been nothing short of amazing. The fact that the crypto industry can help the unbanked is no doubt one of the major plus points of the industry.

Now it seems that the Central Bank of Tanzania are warning the public against the idea as it gets too big.

The Bank of Tanzania has noted with concern a growing trend of linking operations of cryptocurrencies as to have been endorsed by the bank to operate as a legal tender in the country despite a public warning issued on 12th November 2019

This is, therefore, to remind the members of public and reiterate the early position that the only legal tender issued and accepted in the United Republic of Tanzania... is the Tanzanian Shilling

Further, all other acceptable foreign currencies are traded by licenced institutions in the country in line with the Foreign Exchange Act, 1992.

Now it seems other than being opposed to the use of cryptocurrencies. The bank is not adverse to the technology. Joining the ranks of Kenya and Uganda the Tanzanian Central Bank are looking into the development of blockchain for record-keeping and ease of use. They have joined in the Africa Blockchain Alliance which will look to explore potential development opportunities in the area.

Tanzania, Namibia Agree to Revive Commission to Boost Trade, Investments

2019-12-02 22:30:40|Editor: yan

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Namibia on Monday agreed to revive the Tanzania-Namibia Joint Commission for Cooperation to boost trade and investments in the two countries.

The revival of the joint commission for cooperation which had been dormant for the past 20 years was made at the end of the 2nd session of the Tanzania-Namibia Joint Commission for Cooperation in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

The two countries signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on tourism, art, culture and youth development.

Palamagamba Kabudi, Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, said the revival of the commission for the joint cooperation marked a new chapter toward improving trade and investments between the two countries.

Kabudi said the activation of the commission will invigorate bilateral relations and friendship between the two countries.

"We should now do more to attract trade and investments between our countries," said Kabudi, adding that there was huge potential in investments in pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, tourism and mining.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, said the revival of the commission will enable the two countries to work closely in addressing challenges hindering socio-economic development.

"With the revival of the commission, Namibia and Tanzania will continue to grow from strength to strength," she said.

How Naivasha Teen Was Lured to Her Death

TUESDAY DECEMBER 3 2019
   
Valerian Njeri, the Form Three student who was stabbed to death 20 times allegedly by a friend in Naivasha, Nakuru County. PHOTO | COURTESY

In Summary
Police said the suspect hid the body inside his room before dumping it outside the family’s compound at night.

By MACHARIA MWANGI
Kenya Daily Nation

At the home of John Ndonu at Mirera in the periphery of Naivasha town, dark clouds hanging in the air personifies the gloomy moment.

Mourners, in studious silence, continue to troop to the homestead to condole with the family that lost their first-born daughter following her bizarre killing on Thursday.

Some, too emotional to cope with the moment, weep openly, as others sit forlornly on plastic chairs inside a tent.

Mr Ndonu's daughter Valerian Njeri was stabbed more than 20 times reportedly by a 17-year-old teenage boy after she turned down his request for intimacy. She was killed less than 100 metres from her family’s homestead.

Her innocent gesture to return a book earlier given out to her by a neighbour she trusted turned fatal.

The assailant, according to police investigators, used the book to bait the unsuspecting girl and lured her into the house.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Mr Ndonu is yet to come to terms with the death of his first-born child whom he described as the family’s beacon of hope.

“She was everything a parent wanted in a child. She was obedient and loved education. She wanted to become a doctor and was passionate about it,” said the mourning father.

She had scored 346 marks in the KCPE, laying bear her education prowess and secured admission at the prestigious Mary Leakey Girls’ School, and was set to join Form Three next year.

Her mother, Mary Goleti Chepleting, said she was a staunch Catholic. “We used to pray in turns whenever she was home,” she recalls.

On the fateful day, Mr Ndonu recalls reminding her daughter to complete her house chores as well as her holiday assignments.

“She promised to do so the same day and we agreed I would append my signature on the school diary as is the norm. That was the last time we spoke,” said Mr Ndonu, overcome with emotion.

UNREQUITED LOVE

The local Nyumba Kumi chairman, Daniel Gichanga, is still pained by the incident that happened a stone’s throw away from his place of business.

“I even asked the teenager arrested for the killing to get me a glass of drinking water and he did it without exhibiting any emotions,” said Mr Gichanga.

He said the boy, a Form Three student at Nanyuki High School, used to lend his books to Njeri during school holidays.

“The teenager accosted the victim after she returned one of the books at around midday. After she turned down his advances to get intimate, he turned wild and stabbed her several times,” said Mr Gichanga.

Police said the suspect hid the body inside his room before dumping it outside the family’s compound at night.

Naivasha DCIO Kenneth Njoroge said the boy is the key suspect.

Kenya Rains Continue to Leave Trail of Destruction Countrywide

MONDAY DECEMBER 2 2019
   
In Summary
In Nyeri County, a dam burst its banks, visiting misery on residents of Mikumbune Kamangura village in Gakawa ward.
Several roads have been cut off by mudslides in Tindiret sub-county in Nandi County.
Roads in West Pokot County have become impassable, making it difficult for humanitarian agencies to deliver relief food.

By NATION TEAM

Hundreds of families have been left homeless while a 35-year-old man drowned as he tried to cross the flooded Kipkaren River in Nandi County as heavy rains continued in most parts of the country.

In Nyeri County, a dam burst its banks, visiting misery on residents of Mikumbune Kamangura village in Gakawa ward.

Speaking to the media on Monday, irate residents attributed the destruction to the poor construction of the dam, which is meant to boost agricultural production in the area.

Mr Morris Kinoti said the dam now poses additional danger to children after its fence was brought down by floods.

FLOODS

Meanwhile, residents of Ngando village in Kirinyaga County lost dozens of acres of crops to the floods. “We are calling on the government to give us relief food,” said Mr David Kiberenge, whose six-acre maize farm was ruined.

“Our crops, homesteads and key roads connecting this village are flooded with water and we have been left hapless. The government should intervene and help us,” Mr Muthami said.

In the North Rift, floods hampered the distribution of relief food in some areas.

Several roads have been cut off by mudslides in Tindiret sub-county in Nandi County.

Roads in West Pokot County have become impassable, making it difficult for humanitarian agencies to deliver relief food.

Kerio Valley Director Philip Rotino and the authority’s acting Managing Director Sammy Naporos urged the government to settle the affected families in safer areas.

The rains have rendered most roads in the Kerio Valley impassable, making it impossible for farmers to access markets.

ACCESS MARKETS

“Our crops are likely to rot on the farm as we cannot access markets due to pathetic state of the roads,” said Rachael Chematia from Chesongoch, Elgeyo-Marakwet.

In Nyanza, at least 450 households have been displaced. In Kisumu County the number of households displaced in Nyando constituency has risen to 180. They are camping at Nyamasao Primary School.
Kakola-Ombaka chief Jacob Ongudi said the families are drawn from Kaloo, Giko, Wangara and Kasumba /Kamahawa villages which are the hardest hit.

"By Monday morning the water levels had increase displacing many families. The county government officials came and promised to provide food stuff," said Mr Ongudi.

Kakola-Ombaka usually suffers adverse effects of floods after River Nyando breaks its banks following continued rains in Nandi Hills, the main source of the river.

"We need a medical camp and drugs plus for food aid to be given to the affected households so that our people do not suffer from life threatening water borne diseases in flood hit areas," said the chief.

In Kobala Sub-location, Rachuonyo North Sub-county in Homa Bay, 20 families are camping at Osodo Primary School after their houses were flooded while approximately 250 people in Ugenya sub-county of Siaya County have been affected by the raging floods occasioned by the heavy rains pounding part of the county.

SUBMERGED

The affected people from Kowuor Agindo village in Kobala, mostly women and children, migrated to the school over the weekend after River Miriu busted its banks and destroyed homes and farmlands.

According to the sub county commissioner Ms Pamela Otieno farms belonging to about 50 farmers have been submerged and crops destroyed.

"The affected families are facing lack of food due to the destruction of their crops by the floods," said Ms Otieno.

Kobala Sub-location Assistant Chief George Oburu confirmed that water has covered at least 600 hectares of farmland.

“Most of the crops were about to be harvested. Farmers had planted maize and beans which have all been destroyed,” he said appealing to well-wishers to help the affected families.

In Siaya, approximately 250 people have been affected by floods in Ugenya sub-county by the raging floods occasioned by the heavy rains pounding part of the county.

Reported By George Munene, James Murimi, Tom Matoke, Barnabas Bii, Oscar Kakai, George Odiwuor, Elizabeth Ojina and Dickens Wasonga.

Why the Floods in East Africa Are So Bad

2 December 2019
BBC World Service

Rain-triggered disasters, including flash floods and landslides, have killed at least 250 people and affected some three million people across East Africa in recent weeks, with about half of the deaths occurring in Kenya.

Homes have been demolished, crops destroyed and roads swept away, hampering relief efforts in far-flung areas.

BBC Weather's Darren Bett explains the reasons behind the flooding.

Is it unusual to have rain at this time of year?

Kenya has two rainy seasons linked to the movement north and south of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). It is a zone of heavy rain and thunderstorms where north-easterly and south-easterly trade winds meet.

This zone of wet weather moves south over Kenya in the months of October to December and is known as the "short rains".

The effects of a warming world on seasonal rainfall in East Africa are unclear. As a rule of thumb (and by the laws of physics), a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapour and therefore has the potential to produce more rain.

Weather experts say the rains have been enhanced by a phenomenon called the Indian Ocean Dipole which, when positive, can cause a rise in water temperatures in the Indian Ocean of up to 2C. This leads to higher evaporation rates off the East African coastline and this water then falls inland.

The term dipole means two "poles" or two areas of differences. The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) measures differences in sea-surface temperatures between the western Indian Ocean (western pole) and the eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia (eastern pole).

The IOD is the Indian Ocean counterpart of the more well-known Pacific El Niño and La Niña.

It is normal to see warming in the western Indian Ocean relating to a positive IOD. This leads to enhanced rainfall across parts of East Africa and droughts across Australia.

The increased temperature and moisture is brought inland by a reversal of the winds near the equator, strengthening the ITCZ and leading to larger and more widespread storm clouds.

This year's sea temperature difference between the western and eastern Indian Ocean has been record-breaking and rainfall in parts of Kenya has been much higher than normal.

The relationship between the IOD and climate change and patterns of rainfall remains the subject of research, partly because the IOD itself was only identified in 1999.

Is there more heavy rain to come?

In the short term, the Horn of Africa is expected to be much wetter as a tropical disturbance moves in from the Indian Ocean.

In December the seasonal rains are expected to continue to move south to affect south-west Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and northern Zambia.

Although the positive IOD is set to decline, because the temperature difference has been record-breaking, rainfall is expected to be greater than normal.

Soil moisture levels are high so only a small amount of rain could have significant impacts.

How to stop flooding

While there can still be some rain falling in January and February, the next rainy season is March to May.

This time is known as the "long rains" when rainfall is usually more intense than during the "short rains".

History has shown us that the rains are not guaranteed to fall widely every year.

In 2016 and 2017 the "long rains" in areas of East Africa failed and plunged parts of Kenya into a food crisis as cattle starved and crops withered.

Floods: tips to remember
Fifteen centimetres (six inches) of fast-flowing water can knock over an adult
About 600 centimetres (two feet) of water can move a car
Avoid walking or driving through flood water
Move your family upstairs or to a high place with a means of escape
Do not touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water
Put plugs in sinks and baths
Weigh them down with a sandbag or a heavy object
Flood water can contain sewage, chemicals and animal waste
Wash your hands thoroughly if you touch it.
Source: UK Environment Agency

Namibia's President Hage Geingob Wins Re-election

December 01, 2019

Namibia's President Hage Geingob has been re-elected for a second term, the country's electoral commission says.

Mr Geingob polled 56.3% in Wednesday's election, well ahead of his nearest rival Panduleni Itula with 29.4%.

However, Mr Geingob's tally was well down from the 87% with which he won his first term in 2014.

He went on social media to thank Namibians for returning him to office, promising to bring tangible improvements to their lives.

His Swapo party has ruled Namibia for nearly three decades since it gained independence from South Africa.

The sparsely-populated country has suffered from economic recession, hit by serious drought and low prices for its main mineral exports, diamonds and uranium.

The Bank of Namibia is predicting a third year of recession, with the economy due to shrink by 1.7% in 2019.

Swapo has also been hit by a fisheries scandal, with two former ministers under arrest for allegedly taking bribes to give licences to the Icelandic fishing firm Samherji.

Former Justice Minister Sakeus Shanghala and former Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau have been charged with money laundering and fraud.

Parliamentary setback

"I am just a proud Namibian that we could have free and fair elections, no fighting, no attacking each other, free movement was allowed," said President Geingob after the result was announced.

His main rival Mr Itula is also a Swapo member, but stood as an independent,

The official opposition candidate - McHenry Venaani of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) - finished third with 5.3%.

He said he was considering legal action over what he called "anomalies and irregularities" in the election.

Namibia uses electronic voting machines, and Mr Venaani went to court shortly before the election, arguing they were open to manipulation. The court, however, rejected his case.

In parliamentary elections, Swapo lost its two-thirds majority in the 96-member chamber, winning 63 seats instead of its previous 77.

The PDM won 16 seats, increasing its total by 11.

BBC

editor@newtimesrwanda.com

Thumbs Up for Namibia Poll

02 DEC, 2019 - 00:12
Mashudu Netsianda
Bulawayo Bureau
Zimbabwe Herald

Elections held in Namibia last Wednesday were conducted in a peaceful and free atmosphere and the environment enabled voters to express themselves in a transparent manner, Sadc has said.

President Mnangagwa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, constituted the Sadc Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) to the elections in Namibia which deployed 59 observers in all the country’s 14 provinces.

Presenting a preliminary statement on the elections, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who headed the mission, commended the Electoral Commission of Namibia for the professional manner in which it conducted the elections.

Namibia’s incumbent President  Hage Geinbob of the ruling SWAPO party secured a second term after winning 56,3 percent of the vote. He defeated his close rival, Mr Panduleni Itula, an independent candidate who received 29,4 percent of the vote. The official opposition candidate, Mr McHenry Venaani of the Popular Democratic Movement, finished third with 5,3 percent.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was flanked by Cde Patrick Chinamasa and the Sadc Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax when she presented the statement, also praised Namibians for the political maturity demonstrated during the electoral process.

“The political and security environment in the pre-election and election period was calm and peaceful, with no visible political and security risk that could adversely affect the conduct of the election. National Voter Registration for constituencies was completed and verified without incident,” she said.

“These campaigns were by and large conducted peacefully. The police maintained a visible and discrete security presence at all campaign events that the mission observed and did not interfere with proceedings. Furthermore, events observed were largely in compliance with the laws of the country save for a few isolated incidents reported by stake- holders.”

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said they observed that the ECN was well prepared for the elections and “generally discharged” its mandate in accordance with the Constitution and Electoral Law of Namibia.

“The mission noted that the ECN generally complied with the country’s electoral laws and the electoral system in the execution of its duties. Furthermore, political parties generally showed respect for the country’s electoral laws and conducted their campaigns with due regard to the rule of law,” she said.

Namibia was using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for the second time since the 2014 elections.

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said although they noted allegations by some stakeholders that some members of the ECN were partisan, no substantive evidence was provided to support these claims.

She said the observer mission recommended that the National Assembly should consider amending the Electoral Act to ensure that the votes from special voting are counted together with those from the main election to minimise speculation and undue influence on voters.

In the legislative vote to choose 96 Members of Parliament, the ruling party lost its two-thirds majority after it secured 63 seats, down from 77, while the Popular Democratic Movement got 16 seats, an improvement from five seats in the previous general election in 2014.

Namibians went to the polls on November 27 to elect a president and National Assembly members.

The Herald Maintains Dominance

02 DEC, 2019 - 00:12
Charmaine Brown
Zimbabwe Herald Reporter

The Herald has maintained its dominance as Zimbabwe’s leading daily after it won the prestigious Superbrand of the Year 2019 Award in the print media category for the ninth year running.

Star FM, also from the Zimpapers stable, was the first runner-up in the electronic media category at the awards ceremony held in Harare last Friday.

The Superbrand awards are an annual event organised by the Marketers’ Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) to acknowledge excellence among local brands and to promote competition among organisations.

First runner-up in the best daily print media category was NewsDay, while the Daily News was the second runner-up.

In the electronic media (radio) category, Radio Zimbabwe emerged the winner again, while Power FM was the second runner-up.

In other categories, EcoCash was named the best electronic money transfer platform, while the first runner-up was OneMoney, with Telecash taking the second runner-up spot.

Seed Co retained its award in the crop production agriculture sector, while in the banking sector, Steward Bank was the winner with CBZ Bank the first runner-up.

Speaking on behalf of Vice President Kembo Mohadi at the awards ceremony, Secretary in the Vice President’s Office, Reverend Paul Damasani, implored marketers to join hands with the Government to ensure that Vision 2030 was achieved through reviving industries.

“I urge you marketers and the business sector to collaborate with the Government in ensuring that we together drive towards a common goal of ensuring that our country attains Vision 2030.

“We will achieve this as a collective and not in an individualistic manner as we put more efforts to revive our industries. Some of these efforts include addressing issues of competitiveness and resource mobilisation,” he said.

Cde Mohadi said Zimbabwe’s economy would grow through improved exports.

“Strong brands culminate in a strong economy. When we as a country produce brands that are of high standards, then our economy is strengthened through improved exports and foreign currency generation,” he said.

High Inputs Costs Threaten 2020 Season

02 DEC, 2019 - 00:12
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

Many farmers have been hit by the high cost of inputs and an erratic start to the rains.

Although the Government has put in place Command Agriculture and the Presidential Inputs schemes to help, it wants private agro-industrial companies to move aggressively into contract farming to secure raw materials and complement its programmes.

Besides the inflation in prices of inputs, with farmers being charged by tractor owners the equivalent of US$45 and 30 litres of diesel to plough one hectare, many farmers had reduced yields or no yields last season because of the drought and so do not have funds available for this season.

An outbreak of January Disease (Theileriosis) this year means significant numbers of communal farmers do not have oxen to plough and so need to pay for tillage.

Lands, Agriculture, Water, Culture and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Vangelis Peter Haritatos said the Government has been continuously reviewing producer prices to enable farmers to meet the costs.

“Producer prices offered by Government through the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), take into account input costs.

“We always meet regularly with seed, chemical and fertiliser houses to understand their challenges and also provide whatever support that we can to them. We cannot force input suppliers to reduce their prices, but instead we believe dialogue is important in order for them to know the concerns of our farmers, and to also appreciate their individual challenges.

“The Command Agriculture Programme and Presidential Inputs Scheme were more direct ways of supporting our farmers to ensure that they grow this season.

“The farmers are being supported by availing inputs and services at affordable prices, plus low interest rates to loans advanced by financiers of the programme and there is no need for collateral on the part of the farmers. We are also targeting to assist productive farmers, farmers with irrigation and in high potential areas.”

Farmers organisations have noted that Command Agriculture has stricter selection criteria.

Several months ago, the Government made it clear that while the programme would remain and be reinforced, abuses had to be rooted out and, in particular, the selling of inputs and side marketing to avoid repaying the inputs loans.

Farmers with a record of using their inputs to produce crops and then repaying the loans would have no problems.

Outlining the farmers problems, Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union (ZCFU) president Mr Shadreck Makombe said yesterday: “We are in a quagmire, that is between the hard surface and a rock.”

Mr Makombe said though some rains fell in October, farmers face unaffordable prices of inputs.

While he encouraged those who qualified for Command Agriculture inputs to take advantage of the scheme, he was concerned about the stricter selection criteria

Some contractors in the private sector had cut back because of the cost of inputs.

Under contract farming, the contractor pays for the inputs and when the farmer delivers the crop, deducts that cost before paying out the farmer.

Though he appreciated Government efforts to help farmers, Mr Makombe said this should be done on a larger scale.

Zimbabwe National Farmers Union executive director Mr Edward Dune said his farmers also faced expensive inputs and poor erratic rains at the beginning of the season.

Mr Dune accused many suppliers of inputs of using a four-tier pricing model: US dollars, bond notes, bond coins and electronic transfers.

This is illegal as well as making life difficult for farmers.

Most of Mr Dune’s farmers have to buy from small retailers in their areas rather than in bulk from the manufacturers, who obey the law.

The weather was the other big problem.

Mr Dune appealed to the Government to consider more agriculture development funding to get the country to productivity.

However, Government has said it is doing the best it can to assist farmers in a situation replete with competing national demands.

Deputy Minister Haritatos wanted to see far more support from the private agro-industrial sector to use contract farming to procure their raw materials.

This would see millers, stock feed companies and oil expressers running contract farming schemes to guarantee high production.

Pro-government Supporters Rally in Algeria to Back Planned Elections

Pro-government supporters, wearing military outfits, gesture and chant slogans during a demonstration rejecting foreign interference and in favour of a coming presidential election in Algiers, Algeria November 30, 2019. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Government supporters took to the streets in Algeria on Saturday to show solidarity ahead of next month’s elections that are opposed by a long-running mass protest movement.

The marches, organized by the General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA), attracted over 10,000 people across several cities.

They are the biggest public show of strength so far by pro-government groups in response to weekly mass protests which erupted in February, when hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets to demand that the ruling hierarchy quit power and the army step back from politics.

Pressure from the protesters forced veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflika from power in April and the authorities detained dozens of senior figures on corruption charges.

However, tens of thousands of people have continued to march weekly to demand a more thorough purge of the ruling elite. The army, the most powerful institution in Algeria, has pushed for the December 12 presidential election as the only way to end the crisis.

Protesters have rejected the vote, saying it cannot be free or fair so long as the old guard remains in power.

Saturday’s gatherings were a counter to the protests, with pro-government backers holding up banners reading, “Vote for Algeria” and “We are united forever”.

There were also chants of “The people and the army are brothers”, and “We are with Gaed”, a reference to Army chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah who has been singled out during the mass protests, with many slogans calling for him to follow Bouteflika and step aside.

“I urge all Algerians to head for polling stations,’’ said bank employee Ahmed Kaci, who joined a march in Algiers. ``This is the only solution to our crisis.”

Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed

The Two Opposed Destinies of Morocco and Algeria

Morocco has achieved a level of liberalization that is nearly unparalleled in the Arab world, while Algeria is a shambling husk of a state.

By Mohamed Chtatou
Morocco World News

Dr Mohamed Chtatou is a professor at the University of Mohammed V in Rabat.
Dec 1, 2019

Rabat – How did Morocco and Algeria, once tied together under the banner of Islam, develop so differently to the point that the two now consider themselves bitter rivals?

Before the era of French colonialism, the Greater Maghreb was a consolidated cultural entity, with a shared dialect of Arabic, similar Arab-Amazigh (Berber) ethnic roots, and, obviously, a strong sense of cultural identity. However, the different states found today in the Maghreb could not differ more in terms of political structure.

Consider the two powers in the region: Morocco and Algeria. Morocco is a parliamentary, constitutional monarchy that, despite continuous human rights abuses by the state, has in fact achieved a level of liberalization that is unparalleled in the Arab World—except maybe by Tunisia.

Algeria, on the other hand, is a shambling husk of a state, exhausted from decades of violence, a dependency on oil, and the complete fracturing of society along neo-tribal lines.

In addition, Moroccan-Algerian relations since the independence era can be characterized by tense, antagonistic exchanges broken only ever so often by all-out conflict, such as the Sand War of 1963, or during the Western Sahara War of 1975-1991.

Similar, yet so different

How did the two countries, united within the Arab Muslim world due to their similar Amazigh roots and Darija dialect, develop in such different ways, even to the point where the two are now rivals in the contest for North African hegemony?

This is, somehow, in large part due to the different styles of colonialism practiced in each country. This cannot explain away all of the differences, however, and to find the other piece of the puzzle, one must turn to some of the state-crafting techniques utilized by resistance movements in both countries during the struggle for independence and the post-independence period.

Morocco’s state-crafting process was focused on unification—starting with the Tangier Speech of 1947—while Algeria’s process was characterized by different factions vying for power, something that has permeated the political culture of Algeria and still exists today.

To discuss the process of state-crafting in Morocco, it is important to understand a major advantage Morocco possessed over Algeria in terms of stability during the transitional period.

France’s “protectorate” approach to colonialism in Morocco essentially kept Moroccan society intact. Instead of removing the monarch from power completely, which could possibly cause massive revolts, the French instead kept the monarchy alive. This means that during the independence and post-independence eras, there was no question as to who was going to take the reins of the newly free state. Power was simply to return to the monarch.

Additionally, the protectorate system also preserved the Moroccan identity, to a certain extent. While Morocco would have to consider its future relationships with Europe and what role the French language would play in Morocco, there was still an underlying consensus of what being “Moroccan” meant.

Compare this with Algeria, where a period of brutal colonialism and subjugation had left the people unsure about the Algerian identity altogether.

These two characteristics—an idea of what it meant to be Moroccan, known locally as “tamaghrabit,” plus a clear-cut ruler to lead Morocco into the age of independence—contributed to the stability of Morocco. The absence of these characteristics in Algeria also explain why the converse is true of the Algerian state right now.

But to assume that the Moroccan monarch always held such sway over the Moroccan populace is blatantly incorrect. In fact, several accounts of public perception of the Moroccan King from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were overwhelmingly negative.

Cities, upon hearing of the arrival of the King, often “fled to other regions; and the Sultan often passed through a deserted country, except that the Governor and tribal representative had to be there to pour the little wealth of the countryside into the royal coffers,” wrote Walter Harris in his 1921 book “Morocco That Was.”

Another interesting point against the unity of the Moroccan people under the banner of the monarchy is the existence of the Rif Republic, from 1921-1925. The existence of Abd Al-Karim’s localized republic provides strong evidence that support for the King was not necessarily widespread until at least after the 1920s.

The Tangier Speech changed everything

It was not until 1947, when King Mohammed V gave the Tangier Speech that he cemented the position of the monarch as an important symbol of Moroccan unity and as the proprietor of a unified push for nationalism.

Using truly amazing rhetoric, Mohammed V united his people with incendiary words, such as, “We have become alienated from our sacred rights due to our ignorance, and the unity of our country is torn apart because of the mistakes we have made in this regard.” He also referenced the Islamic traditions that define Morocco.

By affirming his own rule through the common Islamic root that all Moroccans share, he not only drew the people together under the banner of one religion but also drew attention back to the source of his own legitimacy: The Alaouite bloodline.

Not only did the Tangier Speech bring together Moroccans under the banner of Islam, it united the different nationalist causes through Islamic motivation—not being Arab, not Moroccan nationality, but Islam as the one true underlying connection all Moroccans share.

He thus brought them together in support of a monarch that drew his legitimacy from the bloodline of the prophet, as Abdelhai Azarkan noted in his article “Statecraft and sovereignty in Mohammed V of Morocco’s Tangiers Speech (1947).”

The French retaliated by promptly exiling the King, which only strengthened the dedication and loyalty of the Moroccan people to the deposed monarch.

The Tangier Speech marks the beginning of what would become a successful independence movement with overwhelming support from every sector of Moroccan society and should be considered the most important act of statecraft during the independence movement in Morocco.

The aftermath of the colonial era

In the aftermath of the colonial era, Algeria did not have the same monarchical legacy Morocco had from which she could build a nation with a legitimate form of sovereignty.

Additionally, the various Algerian independence movements had not consolidated themselves under one concept other than opposition to the French as a whole.

Where the King in Morocco had successfully rallied both Islamists and nationalists alike by positioning himself as an Islamic ruler who stood for all of Morocco, Algeria quickly fell into a period of political infighting that was almost comparable with the era of colonialism itself.

The leaders of the revolution bickered amongst themselves in attempts to hold onto power, and Ben Bella established himself not as a leader with the intent of growing Algeria into a functioning nation but rather as a dictator.

In response to escalating political threats surrounding him, Ben Bella tried more and more fervently to retain his slipping grasp on the country. The idea of legitimated political violence that had helped Algeria fight the war of independence had quickly been adapted into the political landscape and was used more in practice than actual pluralism.

The National Liberation Front (FLN) party believed that as the harbingers of the revolution, it was their right and their right alone to control the future of Algeria, John Reudy explained in his book “Modern Algeria: The Origins and Development of a Nation.”

As if these two terrible additions to the Algerian political status quo were not debilitating enough, another fatal flaw came from the socialist policies of the 1960s and 1970s. In order to pacify the people, the government began to subsidize nearly everything. While this did in fact kept the masses at bay, it also had two profound impacts on the economy of Algeria.

First, farmers stopped working the fields, because the socialist government handed out paychecks incongruent to the levels of production. Algeria, for the first time ever, had to begin importing food to feed its own people, Ray Takeyh wrote in his paper on Islamism in Algeria.

Secondly, and more sociologically, it made the people unaccustomed to the idea of working and crippled any future efforts to wean the system away from oil profits.

During Bendjedid’s presidency, as oil prices dropped, Bendjedid worked to liberalize the economy of Algeria. Suddenly, people found themselves less provided for by the government than in years past, only adding to the continuously worsening state of affairs in Algeria.

Another nail in the metaphorical coffin of Algeria’s post-independence state of affairs was their complete dedication to non-alignment.

While Algeria did open up in some way to the USSR, for the most part, they viewed any interaction with the outside world (or rather, with the West, from where most economic opportunities would have come) as a revitalized colonialism, and so they cut off their economic ties.

Without foreign investment, Algeria essentially cut itself off from all of the luxury goods they had seen during the period of French colonialism, pushing the people even further into disenfranchisement.

The path to liberalization that lies before Morocco is a long one indeed. Yet, when we compare the state of Morocco to the state of Algeria, we see just how critical the authority of the monarchy has been to the development of civil societies and the general liberalization of political affairs in Morocco.

Without a strong authority figure, it’s not inconceivable that Morocco would be where Algeria is today.

Moroccan and Algerian people: Cut from the same cloth

Although Algeria and Morocco had opposed trajectories since independence, the people of the two countries have always been bound by a strong feeling of togetherness and brotherhood.

Realizing the strength of this feeling, the late Algerian President Boumedienne (1965-1978), after throwing his support behind the Polisario Front that is fighting for the independence and self-determination of the Western Sahara, called for the establishment of the “Maghreb of the People” which from the start looked like a vacuous political initiative to offset the enmity created by the Western Sahara issue.

However, in spite of these political hurdles, the Algerian people continued to visit Morocco in thousands to buy Western consumer goods and enjoy creature comforts not available in their beleaguered socialist country in spite of the undeclared reprehension of their government.

However, following a terrorist attack in a hotel in Marrakech in 1994, masterminded by Franco-Algerian terrorists, Morocco temporarily imposed visa restrictions on Algerian citizens.

The Algerian government, in reprisal, closed off the land border with Morocco to stem mass Algerian tourism. The border is still sealed off today to disallow the Moroccan treasury from making up to $3 billion in tourist revenues, according to Algerian sources.

Since February 16, 2019, the Algerian masses have taken to the streets to force the military to relinquish power and go back to their barracks.

This peaceful uprising known as the Smile Revolution, or Hirak, is yet another manifestation of the Arab Spring of 2011 whereby the people want real democracy and political self-determination after decades of military dictatorship.

The uprising has gained momentum over the months and pushed the army to make several concessions but not to give up power.

Nevertheless, the popular revolution will ultimately achieve its aims, in the long run, because the government is on the verge of economic and political bankruptcy: The sovereign fund is depleted, and the government is resorting to massive printing of paper money to pay functionaries. The subsidies have been abolished and if people cannot have free bread, they will want a promising democracy.

In the long run this Hirak will change the face of Algeria, have positive implications on Morocco, and allow the realization of the Great Maghreb and make of it an economic powerhouse in this part of the African continent that is aspiring for real change and positive prospects.

Consequently, Algeria will achieve democracy and the rule of law and open its doors for investors and regional and world capital.

The change of heart of Algeria will greatly benefit Morocco economically by allowing Moroccan businesses to enter the lucrative market of 40 million avid consumers and politically by rubbing off the sentiment of democracy on stable Morocco to trigger, once and for all, incremental democracy that will lead to full democracy and real constitutional monarchy.

Real democracy in Algeria will undoubtedly benefit, also, the limping democracy in Tunisia and cause the political tribes of Libya to reunite and re-establish a civilian state based on power-sharing and political responsibility.

The Algerian Hirak might also unite the people of the Maghreb and make it truly great to become an important partner of Europe and America and a viable actor in the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East, not to forget, of course, Black Africa, replete with economic opportunities.

A unified Great Maghreb can become a force of stability in Africa and the Mediterranean by stopping irregular immigration, a source of problems for Europe and the West and by fighting, in unison, violent religious extremism thriving in the great expanses of the Sahara and inspiring such deadly movements as Boko Haram in Black Africa.

A democratic Maghreb can also stem at home such painful headaches as corruption, nepotism, embezzlement, abuse of power, gender inequality, and money laundering.

Wishful thinking

Hopefully, the Algerian uprising will activate full democracy and economic development in the region but also equity and equality by recognizing fully all ethnic and religious groups of the region be they Arab, Amazigh, Jewish, African, Christian or other minorities whatever they might be.

Algeria and Morocco, long opposed by ideology will, God willing, become responsible partners in democracy that will pull the Great Maghreb out of the actual quagmire into an era of wellbeing and togetherness.

Is this possible and feasible? Only time will show….

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial views.

When Refugees in Libya Are Being Starved, Europe’s Plan is Working

Kenan Malik
Guardian

The EU’s dirty work is being carried out by the UN’s scandalous policy on migrants
Sat 30 Nov 2019 14.00 EST

 Members of the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces celebrate stopping a group of migrants as they tried to cross into Libya illegally. Photograph: Ashraf Shazly/AFP/Getty Images
Ahospital that finds its patients so burdensome that it denies them medical care. A homeless hostel that turfs its residents out on the streets. A refugee agency that refuses to provide food for those under its care.

All might seem implausible. Except that there are credible reports that the third scenario is playing out in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a body that, as its name suggests, is entrusted with the care and protection of refugees. Yet it is apparently trying to shut down a centre that it opened just last year, and to “starve out” the people still inside to force them to leave.

The UNHCR’s actions, if the reports are true, are scandalous. They are also unsurprising. Starving refugees out of a place of safety is a fair metaphor for western policy towards unwanted migrants. The EU, in particular, has been adept at using suffering as a policy lever.

Central to the EU’s strategy over the past decade has been the outsourcing of immigration control, paying countries from Libya to Sudan, from Niger to Turkey, to deter potential migrants to Europe. In this process a new form of imperialism is emerging, whereby rich nations, in the name of protecting their borders from migrants, trample all over the borders of poorer neighbours.

Niger, on the southern edge of the Sahara, is now, in the words of one European ambassador, “the southern border of Europe”. Whereas immigration controls are usually about stopping people entering a country illegally, the new imperialism requires African nations to prevent people leaving their territory if they might be coming to Europe. It’s the 21st century’s version of the Berlin Wall slung across the African continent.

What is really being outsourced, as Mali’s former presidential candidate Aminata Traoré observes, is “violence and instability”. Europe has turned migrants into commodities to be haggled over in a brutal new marketplace. It presents its policies as “a response to criminality”, a recent report on EU strategy notes, but in reality it is “fuelling predatory and criminal behaviour by generating perverse incentives in ‘partner’ countries”.

The EU does not particularly care who its “partners” are, so long as they willing to stop migrants reaching the Mediterranean. Sudan’s former president, Omar al-Bashir, overthrown in a military coup this year, has been indicted by the international criminal court for war crimes in Darfur. His regime was part of the “Khartoum process”, an EU initiative to cut off the migrant route from the Horn of Africa. One of the most effective instruments in policing migrants is Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries. Until 2013 they were known as the Janjaweed, a vicious militia that pursued almost genocidal violence in Darfur. Earlier this year, the RSF was responsible for massacres against anti-government protesters in Khartoum. It also plies its trade on behalf of the EU.

Nor does the EU particularly worry about whom its “partners” lock up, so long as they lock up potential migrants to Europe. In the Sahel, 80% of migration is not to Europe but is regional, involving people who for decades have moved around an area in which borders are naturally porous. Militias and security forces don’t care to sift through different kinds of migrants, so all become targets for the new kidnap and detention industry. The result is the disruption of traditional trade routes, growing economic instability and rising discontent – feeding the desire for migration.

The EU turns a blind eye to the treatment of detainees, too. European governments are not just aware of the torture, sexual abuse and extortion to which detainees are subject but also, in the words of Amnesty International’s John Dalhuisen, “complicit in these abuses”. The whole point of outsourcing is to pay others to do Europe’s dirty work. The more hostile the climate for migrants in countries such as Libya or Niger, the more effective the policy of keeping migrants away from Europe.

The consequences of EU migration policy should, as the charity Médecins Sans Frontières puts it, “shock the collective conscience of Europe’s citizens and elected leaders”. Yet it is barely discussed. For those hostile to immigration, it’s a price worth paying. For liberals, it’s a touchy issue, for they fear feeding hostility to the EU. For Brussels, the policy is a political success. For dictators and warlords, it’s a means to riches and power. And so, the biggest scandal of our time has become an outrage that dare not speak its name.

• Kenan Malik is an Observer columnist

Protests in Tunisia Following Self-immolation of Young Man

By REUTERS 
DECEMBER 1, 2019 00:06

Tunisian police used tear gas to disperse dozens of protesters who blocked roads in the southern town of Jelma on Saturday following the death of a young man who burned himself to death, witnesses said.

Abdelwahed Hablani, 25, set himself on fire and died in hospital on Friday in protest at poverty and poor living conditions, echoing the 2010 self immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi, whose death triggered the Arab Spring.The protesters on Saturday afternoon burnt tires before police intervened to reopen roads, firing tear gas canisters, the witnesses said, but the demonstrations were continuing late into Saturday evening.

Hablani had occasional work as a casual laborer in Jelma, located near Bouazizi's home city of Sidi Bouzid in Tunisia's deeply impoverished interior. He was buried on Saturday.

Since Bouazizi's death in December 2010, numerous young men have followed his example by setting themselves alight in the face of Tunisia's chronic economic difficulties.

Mass protests that followed Bouazizi's funeral resulted in January 2011 in a revolution that pushed from power the veteran autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who died in exile in Saudi Arabia in September, and introduced democracy.

Tunisia held free presidential and parliamentary elections in September and October, but economic frustrations and perceived failures of repeated elected governments to improve state services led voters to largely reject the major parties.

Tunisia's New Government Faces Daunting Challenges

BY RJ REINHART AND IMAN BERRACHED
Gallup

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
64% of Tunisians have no confidence in their national government
79% say corruption is widespread in the government
76% say it is a bad time to find a job in their local areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Tunisia's new leaders are still in the process of trying to form a government from its deeply divided parliament, but once that's done, the government will need to tackle some even bigger longtime challenges.

Not the least of these is Tunisians' dismal confidence in their national government. Before the elections in September and October, fewer than three in 10 Tunisians said they had faith in the government.

These data come from Gallup's latest survey in Tunisia, conducted July 16-28; during the survey period, Tunisia's President Beji Caïd Essebsi died. The survey was fielded before the first round of the country's presidential election in September and parliamentary elections in October.

The current 29% of Tunisians who have confidence in their national government is near the lowest levels in Gallup's trend. The lowest reading was 25% in 2017; it came after the passage of a controversial law allowing the government to overturn corruption convictions for civil servants and the delay of long-expected municipal elections.

Government Corruption Seen as Endemic by Tunisians

Likely contributing to Tunisians' lackluster confidence in their national government is the high percentage of the country's public that sees government corruption as widespread. Nearly eight in 10 Tunisians say corruption is widespread in the country's government, which is consistent with the elevated scores since 2017. The 2017 reading came on the heels of the passage of legislation allowing the overturning of corruption convictions for government officials.

After Tunisians' overthrow of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, perceptions of government corruption shot up, peaking that year at 86%. This surge may have been attributable to a perceived freedom to speak openly after the ouster of Ben Ali's oppressive regime, rather than a surge in corruption. While the percentage of the Tunisian public that views the government as corrupt has fluctuated since, roughly seven in 10 Tunisians have consistently said there is endemic corruption in the country's government.

Tunisians do not just see corruption as endemic in their government but also in the country's businesses. More than eight in 10 Tunisians (82%) in 2019 say corruption is widespread in their country's business community, up from 69% last year and the highest level since 2013.

Economic Woes Compound Tunisia's Political Issues

In addition to Tunisians' lack of confidence in their national government and widespread views of endemic government corruption, pessimism about the country's job market is at or near record levels. More than three-quarters, 76%, of Tunisians now say it is a bad time to find a job in their local area, the highest reading in Gallup's trend that dates to 2009.

At no time during Gallup's trend have less than 53% of Tunisians said it was a bad time to find a job in their local area. And since 2015, no less than 69% have said the same. This would point to a long-term perception by Tunisians that economic conditions have been bad, likely further sapping confidence in the country's national government.

Bottom Line

Any one of these three issues would present a serious problem for a government. A combination of all three would likely prove a daunting challenge to any government, let alone one for a country that transitioned to democracy less than a decade ago.

Tunisians were primed for change before the recent election, and new President Kais Saied has set out to form a new government that would reach across party lines. Saied has tasked new Prime Minister Habib Jemli with forming a coalition government out of a deeply divided parliament. If Jemli is successful, it is unclear how strong the coalition government will be, and substantial political will and resilience will be required to pass legislation addressing the issues facing the new government.

Giza Tombs of Qar and Son Idu Open After Restoration

Nevine El-Aref
Ahram Online
Monday 18 Nov 2019

The tombs have rock-hewn structures found at the edge of the Eastern Cemetery

The Ministry of Antiquities has adopted a rotation system that ensures periodic maintenance of the Giza tombs. According to this system, the ministry opens to the public restored tombs while it closes others for maintenance.

On Monday, the tombs of Qar and his son Idu were opened to the public, while the tombs of Seshem-Nefer IV and Khufukhaf I were closed for restoration.

The newly opened tombs belong to Idu, the overseer of scribes, and Qar, the overseer of the pyramid towns of Khufu and Menkaure. They go back to the Sixth Dynasty, during the reign of king Pepi I.

Ashraf Mohi, director of the Giza Plateau explained that the restoration of the Qar and Idu tombs included the consolidation of their ceilings and weak areas on walls, filling the empty spaces between the walls to maintain their strength, and cleaning both tombs.

The tombs have rock-hewn structures found at the edge of the Eastern Cemetery.

The tombs closed on Monday for restoration include that of Seshem-Nefer IV, the overseer of the two seats of the House of Life and keeper of the king's secrets. It is the largest tomb in Giza and contains funerary, hunting and offering scenes, as well as a depiction of the Seshem-Nefer's daily life.

Khufukhaf was a priest from the Fourth Dynasty. His tomb is a double mastaba. The north chapel is dedicated to his wife and the south to himself. The only decorated part of the vestibule is the western wall from which a corridor leads to the main chamber.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/356136.aspx

Egypt Breakthrough: 3,000-year-old ‘Surprising Treasure’ Found in 13-metre Shaft Revealed

EGYPT archaeologists were brimming with joy after solving a 3,000-year-old mystery of the whereabouts of the some of the ancient civilisation’s most prestigious leaders, a documentary revealed.

By CALLUM HOARE
01:14, Sun, Dec 1, 2019

Now known as TT320, the ancient Egyptian tomb is located next to the Deir el-Bahri, in the Theban Necropolis, opposite Luxor. It is thought to have initially been the last resting place of High Priest of Amun Pinedjem II, his wife Nesikhons, and other close family members. However, Pinudjem II died around 969 BCE, in a time of the decline of the Egyptian kingdom, during which mummies from former dynasties were vulnerable to grave robbery.

So, during the reign of Ramses IX's, the High Priest did something rather sneaky, which would remain a mystery for more than 3,000 years.

The incredible story was revealed during Bettany Hughes' Channel 5 show “Egypt’s Great Treasure” – broadcast on Wednesday.

Dr Hughes said: “The mummified body of an almighty Egyptian king was discovered somewhere rather surprising.

“The trail starts here, in the ancient city of Luxor, when some rather curious things started to appear on the antiquities market.

“Incredibly valuable riches, belonging to some of Egypt’s most famous Pharaohs, but no-one knew where they were coming from.

“In the spring of 1881, the suspicious authorities started to make inquiries and they discovered that they were being sold by a local farmer called Abd el-Rassul.

“He was immediately taken in for questioning and under torture, he revealed the source of his treasures.”

Mr el-Rassul then took archaeologists to the site now known as TT320.

Dr Hughes explained: “He led investigators up here to this rocky cliff face overlooking the Nile valley.

“Back then, this remote location was entirely unexplored and he led them to this spot and to a shaft in the sheer cliff face which is now known as TT320.

“The terrified suspect claimed that one of his goats had fallen down this hole and that he’s scrambled down to rescue it.

“Rassul had made a remarkable discovery and when the investigators lowered themselves into the shaft, 13 metres deep, no one was prepared for what they found.

“Down it there were over 40 mummies and they were Pharaohs and Queens and other members of the royal family.”

Dr Hughes then explained the story of the High Priest from millennia earlier.

She continued: “Close on 3,000 years earlier, a priest called Pinedjem discovered that robbers were raiding tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens where Egypt’s pharaohs and super-rich were buried and robbers weren’t just stealing all the tomb treasure.

“Pinedjem realised they were taking the bodies, too and, for him, this wasn’t just robbery, this was a desecration, this was destroying their chances of an eternal afterlife, so he knew he had to act fast.

“Pinedjem summoned stunted followers for a high-risk mission to break into the tombs, steal the royal bodies, smuggled them up this mountainside and then stash them in this shaft.

“They hid here, undisturbed, for close on 3,000 years, until and el-Rassul’s goat gave away their hiding place.

“Today, the Pharaoh mummies are all together in Cairo and it’s a truly extraordinary sight.”