Author: admin

At least 60 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, health officials have said, including in an attack on a school sheltering displaced people and another on an Israeli-designated 'humanitarian zone', as ceasefire talks in the nearly 10-month-old conflict appeared to stall again.

The Red Crescent said on Tuesday that 17 people were killed in a bombing near a petrol station in Mawasi, an area on the Mediterranean shoreline packed with hundreds of thousands of displaced people that Israel had previously declared an evacuation zone. Another 16 were killed in a strike that targeted the UN-run al-Awda school in central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp, medics at a nearby hospital said.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hamas militants were present at the school. There was no immediate comment on the strike in Mawasi but the army said the air force had struck about 40 targets in Gaza on Tuesday, including sniping and observation posts, military structures and buildings rigged with explosives.

The armed wings of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a Hamas ally, said their fighters had attacked Israeli forces in several locations with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. Islamic Jihad's armed wing said it had fired missiles at Sderot in southern Israel, but no damage or casualties were reported.

Over the past two weeks, Israel has hit the besieged Palestinian territory with some of the fiercest bombardments in months, the deadliest of which targeted Mohammed Deif, Hamas's military commander, in a bombing in Mawasi on Saturday that killed more than 90 people. It is still unclear whether Deif, wanted by Israel for decades, was killed in the strike.

In a statement on Tuesday, the IDF said it had 'eliminated' approximately half of the Hamas leadership in Gaza and 14,000 soldiers since the war broke out after the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on 7 October in which 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage. More than 38,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory operation in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-administered territory, and the population of 2.3 million people is in dire need of food, water, medicine and shelter.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on Israel's claim. Killing Deif would be a much-needed morale boost for Israel, which in almost 10 months of fighting has so far failed to take out any of the top three Hamas leaders in Gaza.

The targeting of Deif and subsequent deadly attacks on Gaza appear to have contributed to an impasse in ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap negotiations being held in Qatar and Egypt. The talks stalled on Saturday, Egyptian mediators told local media.

Hamas has sent conflicting messages over its future participation in the talks, which were the most promising of a series of failed negotiations since an initial ceasefire and hostage release deal brokered in November. That truce broke down after a week, following what the US said was Hamas's inability or unwillingness to release more Israeli captives.

The latest statement from Hamas's Qatar-based political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, on Sunday stressed that the group was pulling out of the indirect talks in protest at the recent Israeli 'massacres' but that the group was ready to return to the negotiation table if Israel 'demonstrates seriousness in reaching a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange deal'.

A Palestinian official close to the negotiations told Reuters that Hamas did not want to be seen as halting negotiations despite the stepped-up Israeli attacks. 'Hamas wants the war to end, not at any price. It says it has shown the flexibility needed and is pushing the mediators to get Israel to reciprocate,' the official said.

The group has accused the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of seeking to derail a deal and an end to the war for his own political gain. On Tuesday, however, Israel's defence minister, Yoav Gallant, still appeared hopeful, telling the families of five female soldiers kidnapped during Hamas's 7 October attack that 'this is the closest we have ever been to a deal', according to Israel's Channel 12.

Disagreements over the identities and numbers of the Israeli hostages and Palestinians held in Israeli jails have repeatedly scuppered truce talks. The situation has been complicated by the fact that in May Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, which Hamas and international delegations insist must be returned to Palestinian control.

The US state department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, told reporters that two senior advisers to Netanyahu had said Israel was still committed to reaching a ceasefire. He also criticised the 'unacceptably high' civilian casualties of the last few days.

Washington, Israel's most important ally, has provided significant military and diplomatic cover for Israel's war in Gaza, despite domestic blowback.

Also on Monday, the EU added to a wave of international measures against extremist Israelis, announcing new sanctions on three well-known Israeli settler leaders in the occupied West Bank and a pro-settlement group, Regavim, which was founded by the current Israeli finance minister, the far-right Bezalel Smotrich.

The post At least 60 people killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza Strip appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/at-least-60-people-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-across-gaza-strip/

At least five people were killed when militiamen ambushed a convoy in central Somalia and seized heavy weapons, the local government and residents said on Tuesday, seven months after a decades-long arms embargo was lifted.

The convoy was travelling on Monday with a security escort near the town of Abudwaq when militiamen from a local clan attacked and overpowered security forces, four residents told Reuters.

They said the arms, which included machine guns, anti-aircraft weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, originated in neighbouring Ethiopia.

'It is unfortunate that five people died from both sides yesterday over weapons,' said Ahmed Shire, a security adviser to the president of Galmudug State, where Abudwaq is located. 'We understand the weapons fell into the hands of civilians.'

Rashid Abdi, an analyst with the Sahan Research think-tank, called the incident 'the single most serious incident of arms proliferation in central Somalia' and said some of the weapons would likely be bought by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate.

Writing on X, Abdi said it was a 'clear case of why lifting of arms embargo on Somalia was big strategic mistake'.

The last restrictions under an arms embargo that had been in place, in some form, for more than 30 years were fully lifted by the U.N. Security Council in December.

Somalia's government said the move would allow it to confront security threats and build up its national forces.

The country has been confronting an insurgency by al Shabaab for nearly two decades. African Union peacekeepers are drawing down their presence to hand over great responsibility to Somali forces, but the AU and Mogadishu government have warned of a possible security vacuum if that happens too quickly.

Clan-based militias have fought alongside government forces in a military campaign against al Shabaab in central Somalia. They have also turned their weapons on one another in disputes over land and resources.

The post Somali militiamen seize heavy weapons after looting convoy appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/somali-militiamen-seize-heavy-weapons-after-looting-convoy/

Kenya's anti-government street demonstrations resumed on Tuesday after a two-week break, with the country's youth demanding more reforms at both national and county governments.

Although President William Ruto succumbed to the protesters' pressure and withdrew Finance Bill 2024, sacked his entire Cabinet and attorney-general, and called national dialogue among other pledges, the youth are demanding more— with some openly calling for the resignation of the besieged head of State.

Others are demanding the sacking of county governors and executive committee members accused of corruption, accountability of both local and national leadership, and a stop to extrajudicial killings.

In the capital Nairobi, intermittent shots of teargas rent the air as police battled to disperse protesters, who set out to occupy the central business district and engaged them in cat-and-mouse games.

'Ruto must go!' the protesters chanted as they marched on Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street.

Police, who deployed to the streets as early as 7am, engaged the protesters as they battled to push them out of the city centre.

An amorphous group that constitutes Nairobi traders, under the banner of 'Nairobi Business Community', joined the police in guarding business premises against looters.

Armed with clubs, the men and women stood guard at restaurants and stalls, with some traders opening their businesses.

All roads leading to and out of Parliament Buildings and State House remained closed, with water cannons and fire engines stationed at entry points. Roadblocks were erected at all entry and exit points.

Transport in and out of the CBD was paralysed as operators withdrew their services fearing attacks from demonstrators.

However, some matatus were still operating at the Machakos Country Bus stage, Kencom stage, Ambassadeur, Accra Road, and Latema.

A tense mood engulfed Nairobi's suburbs and estates, with families keeping indoors fearing attacks, amid heightened police patrols.

Several companies in the Industrial Area and Embakasi shut down, with workers being told to stay at home.

At Kware Police Station in Embakasi, there was a heavy presence of armed police overnight and in the morning after reports emerged that protesters who were angered by the killing and dumping of women in a local quarry were planning to torch it.

Dozens of youths barricaded the quarry, hampering the search and retrieval of more bodies suspected to be underwater.

At Muthurwa and Marikiti markets, fresh produce sellers went about their business but mitumba traders shut their stalls, fearing looting.

In Kitengela, dozens of anti-government protesters barricaded the busy Namanga Road and forced businesses to close.

'We want a change in the country for the better. The political class has been taking us for a ride. It won't be business as usual henceforth,' said a youthful protester who had carried his dog to the protests.

At Kisaju and Isinya town, along the Namanga highway, youths lit bonfires in protest, inconveniencing motorists for hours.

By noon, tension was palpable with the number of protesters increasing. Police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the irate protesters.

However, the town caught the fever of the protests, with operations at the Uasin Gishu County headquarters being suspended as workers stayed away out of fear of being attacked by protesters who had threatened to occupy county offices.

The protesters who spoke to the Nation said they would demand accountability from Governor Jonathan Bii.

'We can't risk like we did during the last demonstration that left several county vehicles burnt down and vandalised by demonstrators who also set the Municipal Court on fire,' said an employee of the county government.

A heavy presence of police was witnessed in the town, and by 11am, about five youths had been arrested for attempting to stage demos and taken to Central Police Station.

Police were reluctant to justify why they arrested the youths, including a young woman.

One of the arrested youths maintained that they were determined to stage a demonstration in Eldoret town despite arrest and intimidation by anti-riot police officers.

'We are peaceful demonstrators and we will not be intimidated by fighting for the future of our country. This is our country and we are fighting for everyone, including these officers who are arresting us,' said the demonstrator upon arrest.

In Turkana County, a section of protesting youth boldly told their Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai to be wary of members of the county assembly and some senior county officials, accused of incompetence.

The youths said despite threats, they were capitalising on Tuesday's nationwide demonstrations to peacefully serve the governor and Turkana County Assembly with petitions highlighting urgent actions for a properly functioning devolved unit.

Led by Faith Ajikon and Pretty Nasia, the young protestors called out the Turkana County Public Service Board for employing people without following due process.

'The board is incompetent and corrupt as it is employing people backdoor without advertising such job opportunities. Many people have since last year been employed without following due process denying qualified youth an opportunity to participate in what should be a competitive process,' Ms Ajikon said.

They want the current board disbanded and a competent one that will overlook illegalities and only prioritize professionalism and fairness to enhance efficient and effective service delivery, constituted.

She said that many ghost workers exist in the county government pushing high the county's wage bill at the expense of qualified youth with papers but without jobs.

They claimed those without connections in the public service board are forced to dig deeper into their pockets to be employed.

Ms Nasia said that the MCAs should backtrack to their oversight role and ensure that the devolved funds are properly budgeted and utilized for development.

'At the moment, our relatives in remote villages are suffering as dispensaries lack essential drugs and yet MCAs are not putting the duty bearers to task. They should also focus on passing bills that have immediate development impact in our community,' she said.

They said that MCAs be reminded that the office of the governor and all ministries are allocated millions of money but without them discharging their duties nothing tangible will be there to show on the ground.

The youth also blamed the Ministry of Health for not advising the governor properly on the situation of health facilities calling on the devolved unit to fast-track the process of procuring drugs.

'The facilities should also be well equipped so that deployed health care workers can discharge their responsibilities in a good working environment. Some facilities that are in shamble like Namukuse dispensary that still has asbestos roof should be prioritized in the reconstruction,' Ms Nasia said.

They also called for a decentralized ambulance management system noting that most of the ambulances are found in Lodwar and therefore hard for mothers in remote areas to be referred when there is an emergency.

'The ambulances are only available when there are referrals from Lodwar to Eldoret and patients charged Sh7,000. Well-serviced ambulances should be stationed in sub-counties and provided with fuel and personnel,' the youth demanded.

They claimed that the governor was being coerced by MCAs into giving handouts at the expense of development advising him not to fear and just stand his ground and work for the people.

'Listen and lawfully accommodate the focused young generation in your administration to achieve your development agenda,' Ms Nasia advised the governor.

In Trans Nzoia County, the county government offices were highly secured with police officers keeping vigil at both entrances of the Town hall complex which houses the offices of Governor George Natembeya and other top county officials.

A few youths who had started protesting in Kitale town early on Tuesday morning were repulsed by county enforcement officers.

Business, however, was usual in Kitale town for the better part of Tuesday morning, with streets remaining a beehive of activity.

Police officers were seen in strategic areas of the Central Business District (CBD) to keep law and order in anticipation of anti-government protests that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

The entrance to the Town hall facility was restricted with only a few people allowed in after through screening.

Reported by Kevin Cheruiyot, Sammy Kimatu, Mercy Simiyu, Nyaboga Kiage, Ndobi Muturi, Evans Jaola, Tutus Ominde, Sammy Lutta, Stanley Ngotho.

The post Kenya rocked by protests appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/kenya-rocked-by-protests/

East African Community (EAC) Heads of State led by Kenya’s William Ruto and Samia Suluhu of Tanzania joined other African leaders on Wednesday to extend their felicitations to Kagame.

President Ruto said he wishes Kagame success as he continues to steer Rwanda in the “path of peace, stability and posterity”.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Kenya, I have the pleasure to convey warmest congratulations upon your re-election to serve a further term as President of the Republic of Rwanda,” President Ruto stated in a post on X.

“We celebrate with you the sovereign choice of the people of Rwanda and wish you success as you continue steering your country in the path of peace, stability and posterity.”

President Ruto committed to enriching existing ties between Kenya and Rwanda and strengthening regional cooperation.

“I look forward to continuing working with you in regional and Pan-African affairs in strengthening the bonds of solidarity and fraternity between the peoples of Kenya and Rwanda.”

Similarly, President Suluhu has also pledged to continue partnering with Kagame to foster ties between the two countries.

“On behalf of the Government and the People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Paul Kagame, on being re-elected as the President of the Republic of Rwanda. I look forward to continue working with you in fostering the relations between our two countries and in the pursuit of East Africa’s unity and prosperity,” she stated.

Filipe Nyusi, the President of Mozambique, also extended best wishes to Kagame, saying, “Wishing you the best of luck as you assume the new mandate and responsibility entrusted to you by the People of Rwanda.”

Guinea Bissau’s Umaro Sissoco Embaló wrote, “On behalf of Guinea-Bissau, congratulations President Paul Kagame on your resounding re-election! I wish you a new term filled with peace, prosperity, and progress.”

Kagame on course for landslide victory

In partial results announced on Monday, 15, 2024, Kagame is leading with 99.15 percent of the votes cast. Dr. Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, so far has 0.53 percent of the votes, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana is trailing with 0.32 percent.

At the time of the announcement of the results, Kagame had garnered 7,099,810 votes, Habineza had received 38,301 votes, and Mpayimana had obtained 22,753 votes at the national level.

The total number of votes tallied was 7,160,864, which represents 78.94 percent of the votes cast locally and in the diaspora.

The NEC will announce provisional results by July 20, with final results expected not later than July 27, 2024.

In partial results announced on Monday, 15, 2024, Kagame is leading with 99.15 percent of the votes cast.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/ruto-suluhu-lead-african-leaders-to-congratulate-kagame-on-re-election

Advocacy group Human Rights Watch called Tuesday for greater accountability of public funds in Kenya, framing it partially as a human rights issue.

Kenyans have taken to the streets for four consecutive weeks to protest the high cost of living, corruption and misuse of the country's finances. What began as a tax protest has morphed into a demand for the end of President William Ruto's government, with demonstrators saying they do not trust it to solve the country's political and economic problems.

Human Rights Watch called on the International Monetary Fund to work with the Kenyan government to ensure that IMF's support for the country is aligned with human rights — and that corruption doesn't take funds meant to improve the lives of ordinary people.

Allan Ngari, the Africa advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said, 'Our greatest concern is that the outrage sparked by the proposed taxes is something that is endemic in Kenya in the sense that corporate tax evasion, for example, is one of the issues that haven't been taken into consideration, in addition to the opulent lifestyle that we have seen among the Kenyan executive.'

Kenya's debt pressures spurred the IMF to approve $941 million for the country in January, bringing the total amount loaned to the country by the financial agency to $3.9 billion.

Kenyans have raised concerns about such heavy borrowing, saying it has done little to improve their lives. At the same time, protesters say, citizens are paying more taxes so Kenya can repay the loans.

The IMF argues that the money it provided to Kenya helped alleviate market concerns, allowing the country access to the bond market and partially rolling over a maturing Eurobond.

Ngari said the Kenyan government needs to be accountable to the IMF and other foreign loan providers, but also for the revenue it collects in the country.

'Monies that have been allocated or are within the government expenditure should be for projects and processes of development in the country,' Ngari said. 'That's the reason why these loans have been sought. So, accountability is that [the] public should be really aware of the extent of the borrowing.'

Activists have repeatedly asked the government to disclose the country's total current debt, specifically the amount owed to China, which the government has been reluctant to make public.

Ruto has formed a task force to audit the country's debt and report back by the end of September.

In the streets of many cities and towns, protesters continue to cry out about hard economic times and a government that they say has become blind and deaf to its problems.

Sharon, a Nairobi resident who gave only her first name, said that if the borrowed money can be accounted for and used for its intended purpose, it will improve the situation of many Kenyans.

'We need accountability for the money we pay and for the money we borrow,' she said. 'This will create more employment opportunities because there will be money to pay for those jobs.'

Stella Nkirote, a 31-year-old street vendor and mother of four, said corruption has hampered the country's economic growth, saying that people in power have refused to use money in the way it is supposed to be used.

In its 2016 periodic review of Kenya, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights said the country has large amounts of illicit financial flows, tax avoidance and cases of corruption involving top government officials that are not investigated.

Human Rights Watch argues that many countries' problems could be solved if they aligned their economic policies with human rights on every level — domestic and international.

The post IMF should work with Kenya to account for public funds, says rights group appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/imf-should-work-with-kenya-to-account-for-public-funds-says-rights-group/

Donald Trump's choice of JD Vance as his vice-presidential pick has reignited fears in Europe that he would pursue a transactional 'America first' foreign policy that could culminate in the US pushing for Ukraine to acquiesce to Vladimir Putin and sue for peace with Russia.

'It's bad for us but it's terrible news for [Ukraine],' said one senior European diplomat in Washington. '[Vance] is not our ally.'

Foreign diplomats and observers have frequently called Trump's actual policies a 'black box,' saying that was impossible to know for certain what the unpredictable leader would do when in power.

Some have soothed themselves by suggesting that names tipped for top positions, such as former national security Robert O'Brien, would maintain a foreign policy status quo while Trump focuses on domestic affairs.

But a prospective Trump administration now has a much more energetic surrogate who will fuel Trump's skepticism towards Ukraine and Europe, while urging on the party's aggressive trade and foreign policy elsewhere around the globe.

'Senator Vance was one of the leading opponents of the new assistance package to Ukraine last spring and has expressed indifference to what happens in that war,' said Michael McFaul, director at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and a former ambassador to Russia. 'By choosing Vance as his running mate, Trump has clarified a very clear choice for American voters in November on foreign policy.'

'President Biden's foreign policy strategy radically contrasts with M. Trump's approach,' he said. 'Biden and Harris have promoted democracy and stood up to autocrats. Trump and Vance have paid no attention to advancing democracy abroad and instead have embraced autocrats. The contrast in foreign approaches embraced by these two presidential candidates has never been clearer in my lifetime.'

In public, Vance has criticized US aid packages to Ukraine and pushed for negotiations with Russia, although Ukraine has said it did not wish to hold talks. He has accused the Biden administration of 'micromanaging' Israel's war in Gaza, and said that America should 'enable Israel to actually finish the job'.

He has advocated containment of China, saying that America was 'spread too thin' in Europe and pushing for aggressive trade restrictions and intellectual property protections against China.

And he has demanded that European countries pay a larger share of their GDP into Nato, writing this year: 'The United States has provided a blanket of security to Europe for far too long.'

'I think Vance was chosen at least in part for his foreign policy and for his trade policy,' said Emma Ashford, a senior fellow with the Reimagining US Grand Strategy programme at the Stimson Center Washington.

'Vance is very much representative of this new right wing has been growing in the Republican party. They're much more nationalist, somewhat protectionist, anti-immigration … Trump was the one who largely initiated this back in 2016 and Vance has become one of the congressional leaders of it.'

Top donors reportedly engaged in a push to secure the nomination for Vance in the final hours. According to Axios, they include Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson and David Sacks. All three have been skeptical of Joe Biden's support for Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and Sacks on stage at the Republican national convention said Biden 'provoked, yes provoked, the Russians to invade Ukraine with talk of Nato expansion'.

They are also linked to a larger set of Silicon Valley tech billionaires, including the Vance booster Peter Thiel, who have been extremely hawkish on China.

Meanwhile, the choice has scandalized some traditional Republicans.

'He [Vance] would capitulate to Russia and sacrifice the freedom of our allies in Ukraine,' wrote the former congresswoman Liz Cheney, who has become an outspoken critic of Trump. 'The Trump GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln, Reagan or the constitution.'

Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy, has presented himself as a modern success story from the American rust belt, and Trump is said to have chosen him for his backstory and stage presence as much as his policies. But he has also made a name for himself as a leading critic of aid to Ukraine.

'I think that it's ridiculous that we're focused on this border in Ukraine,' Vance said on an interview on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast in 2022. 'I gotta be honest with you: I don't really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.'

At the Munich security conference in February, he delivered what his own staffers called a 'wake-up call' to Europe, in which he played down the threat posed by Russia's leader and said that the US could not manufacture the weapons needed to supply Ukraine to continue the war.

'I do not think that Vladimir Putin is an existential threat to Europe, and to the extent that he is, again that suggests that Europe has to take a more aggressive role in its own security,' Vance said.

Vance also said he believed the Ukraine war 'will end in a negotiated peace', a view that appeared to be backed up on Tuesday by the Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán, who has been traveling on a rogue 'peace mission' to Moscow and Mar-a-Lago, wrote that Trump after the elections will begin acting as a 'peace broker immediately', even before his inauguration.

'Yes, Trump will be ultimately setting Ukraine policy,' wrote Serhiy Kudelia, a professor of political science at Baylor University, on X. 'But the choice of Vance tells us all we need to know about how Trump wants to approach Ukraine once he becomes president: no Nato membership for Ukraine, cutting military and economic assistance and forcing Zelenskiy to a [negotiating] table with Putin.'

In that speech, Vance also said he did not believe the US should pull out of Nato or 'abandon Europe,' but that Washington should 'pivot' toward Asia, meaning toward a more aggressive policy to contain China.

'The United States has to focus more on East Asia,' he said. 'That is going to be the future of American foreign policy for the next 40 years, and Europe has to wake up to that fact.'

The post Trump's choice of Vance 'terrible news' for Ukraine, Europe experts warn appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/trumps-choice-of-vance-terrible-news-for-ukraine-europe-experts-warn/

The world should address the 'root causes' that led to the 'crisis' in Europe and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a ministerial summit at the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Ending the standoff between Moscow and Kiev should be accompanied by the removal of the threat posed by the West to Russia's security, he said.

Conditions for a 'sustainable peace' between Russia and Ukraine had already been presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the top diplomat noted. In June, Putin outlined Moscow's terms for initiating a ceasefire. They involved a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from all Russian territories, including the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk, and the regions of Kherson and Zaporozhye, as well as a legal commitment from Kiev never to join NATO.

Any final deal should be recognized in Western capitals and pave the way to lift sanctions against Russia, Putin added. Both Kiev and its Western backers dismissed the offer.

Any 'political and diplomatic settlement [of the Ukraine conflict] should be accompanied by specific steps aimed at removing the threats to the Russian Federation posed by the [West],' Lavrov told the UNSC as he listed the measures needed to 'restore trust and stabilize the situation' on the international arena. 'The root causes of the crisis that has broken out in Europe should be dealt with once and for all.'

Russia and the West need mutual 'guarantees and agreements,' the minister stated, adding that 'new geostrategic realities on the Eurasian continent' should be taken into account as well. According to Lavrov, a new 'pan continental architecture of truly equal and indivisible security' was being formed on the continent.

'The global and regional balance of power should be restored as well, along with repairing injustices in the world economy,' he said. A multipolar world should not have any monopolies in the financial or currency regulation, trade or technologies, he said, calling on the World Trade Organization to be reformed to reflect the 'real weight' of non-Western centers of growth and development.

Moscow has long blamed the hegemonic aspirations of Washington and its allies for various crises in recent decades. In June, Putin said the world had missed an opportunity to create a better, more just and secure international order in the 1990s. The US and other Western nations believed they had 'won the Cold War and refused to respect the interests of others,' he said at that time.

That approach manifested itself in NATO's policy of resolving conflicts that came down to 'accusing the party they dislike of all sins and crushing it,' Putin stated. Such an approach proved to be a disaster, according to the Russian president. He also denied that Russia was the main threat to Europe, arguing that the greatest danger to European nations comes from their massive dependence on the US.

The post 'Root causes' of Ukraine conflict should be eliminated — Lavrov appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/root-causes-of-ukraine-conflict-should-be-eliminated-lavrov/

Some members of the electoral college that participated in electing the representative for persons with disabilities in Parliament, on July 16, appealed for the availability of affordable prostheses, an artificial body part, such as a limb, used to replace the damaged part of the body to help improve medical conditions for the affected person.

Vote counting had started by 1:00p.m in most districts around the country as elections for parliamentary representatives of special interest groups; women, youth, and persons with disabilities, concluded, on Tuesday.

The cost of prosthetic legs, for example, can vary significantly depending on the type and extent of the amputation. According to the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), a prosthesis costs between $468 (over Rwf400, 000) and $936 (over Rwf800, 000) depending on the type, making them unaffordable for many people with disabilities.

NEC staff take oath before starining the elections on Tuesday, July 16.

The call for affordable prostheses was made as members of the NCPD electoral college congregated in Nyakabanda Sector, Nyarugenge District, in Kigali, to elect the representative for persons with disabilities in parliament.

The election results were scheduled to be announced later in the evening.

'I have exercised my duty to vote for the candidate I believe will best represent people with disabilities in parliament. Our desire is that, if elected, they ensure prostheses become affordable given that they are not even covered by community-based health insurance scheme — commonly known as Mutuelle de Santé to reduce the cost,' said Assinah Kampire, a voter in Nyarugenge District.

People with disabilities at the polling site in Nyarugenge

In 2023, the government said it needed at least Rwf7.5 billion additional financing for the community-based health insurance scheme to adequately support people with disabilities in getting the needed prostheses and orthoses.

Kampire said the cost of prostheses is a burden especially for people with disabilities who are not financially capable.

A step had been taken under Mutuelle de Santé to ease access to prostheses and orthoses for people with disabilities, but not all of them are covered due to the scheme's limited resources.

 

The elections for people with disabilities took place on Tuesday, July 16

According to the ministry of health, it was realized that if 'expensive' prostheses and orthoses were included in the medical package covered by Mutuelle de Santé without additional funding, the scheme would not be able to help its members to get 'basic medical services'.

 

'A person with disabilities is able and they only need assistance to perform different activities,' Jean Bosco Munyabagisha, another voter, added.

 

Fabrice Karemera, the Nyakabanda polling site coordinator, said: 'The electoral college comprised 19 people in Nyarugenge District. They all, including one visually impaired person, voted.'

A voter among people with disabilities after casting his vote during the parliamentary elections in Kigali on Tuesday, July 16. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi

NEC staff interact during the elections of members of parliament represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies.

A voter is assisted to put his ballot paper in the box after casting his vote to choose MPs represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies.

A volunteer help a resident with disability after casting her vote at the polling site in Nyarugenge District. Photos by Craish Bahizi

 

 

Voters at the polling site

Voter before casting their votes to choose MPs represent persons with disabilities in the Chamber of Deputies.

The post Rwanda Decides: People with disability reiterate call for affordable prostheses appeared first on The Custom Reports.

Source : https://thecustomreports.com/rwanda-decides-people-with-disability-reiterate-call-for-affordable-prostheses/

Following elections held on Monday, July 15, 2024, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) revealed that Kagame secured a resounding victory with 99.15% of the votes.

'This election process, the campaign we conducted first, the voting, and the results that have just been released, mean something significant in a person’s life; it symbolizes trust, for which I thank you,' President Kagame said.

He emphasized that trust is not easily earned and requires time and consistent effort. 'Trust is built over time,' he added.

Reflecting on his leadership and the journey he has shared with the Rwandan people, Kagame noted the importance of facing challenges head-on.

'With this trust and all these years we have spent together solving many difficult challenges, was there ever a time when you saw me at a loss for solutions? I am never defeated by challenges,' he declared, reinforcing his commitment to overcoming obstacles with the continued support of the nation.

'Even in the difficult situations we have gone through or will go through in the future, trust is the reason for it all. Trust makes me confident that together, there is no challenge we will not surmount.'

The partial results also indicated that other presidential candidates, Dr. Frank Habineza of the DGPR party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, received 0.53% and 0.32% of the votes, respectively.

By Monday, 7,160,864 votes had been counted, with an expected turnout of over nine million Rwandans and 98% voter turnout.

NEC is set to announce provisional results on July 20, with the final results expected on July 27.

President Paul Kagame has lauded Rwandans for their trust in his leadership.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/president-kagame-lauds-rwandans-for-their-trust-in-his-leadership

Roth, a former executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), had claimed that if President Paul Kagame was re-elected with 99 percent of the vote it would be a mockery of the electoral process.

“Doesn’t Rwanda’s Paul Kagame realize that when he “wins” an “election” with some 99 percent of the vote, he mocks the whole process, making everyone realize he wanted a charade because he wouldn’t risk a real election,” the activist posted on X as Rwandans in the diaspora exercised their civic duty on July 14.

In a swift response, Makolo told the former head of the Human Rights Watch organization to stop meddling in Rwandan affairs.

“What process, whose process? People like Ken Roth need to get over the fact that they can never teach us how to live. Ever. Rwanda belongs to Rwandans. There’s a process in Ken’s country that needs serious attention – maybe focus on that?” Makolo stated in an apparent reference to the ongoing intense presidential election campaigns in the United States pitting President Joe Biden and former Head of State Donald Trump.

Rwandans in the diaspora went to the polls on Sunday to elect their president and members of parliament, while locals cast their votes on Monday.

Partial results announced by National Electoral Commission chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa on Monday night showed that Kagame of the RPF Inkotanyi party was on course to secure a landslide victory with 99.15 percent of the votes cast. His closest challenger, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, managed a mere 0.53 percent of the votes, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana got 0.32 percent.

Kagame had, during the campaign period, urged foreigners to respect Rwandans’ right to exercise their democracy by electing leaders of their choice.

Addressing a campaign rally in Muhanga District on June 24, 2024, the incumbent took issue with foreigners who claim there is no democracy in Rwanda, based on the fact that in 2003, 2010, and 2017 he was elected with nearly 100% of the votes. He explained that often in their countries, voter turnout is low.

He stated, 'There are those who do not understand us, who do not understand Rwanda, but gradually, actions will speak to them. As we said before, 100%—some do not understand that 100% is democracy. How is 100% possible? They claim there is no democracy. I asked someone the other day, 'Those governed by 15%, and those who voted are around 30% or 40% of those eligible—is that democracy? How so?’'

The RPF candidate emphasized that elections in Rwanda are solely the concern of Rwandans, as they are the ones who choose their leaders to guide them in building their nation. He urged foreign critics of Rwanda’s electoral process to address issues within their own countries instead of focusing on Rwandan elections.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo (left) told the former head of the Human Rights Watch to stop meddling in Rwandan affairs.

Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/you-can-t-teach-us-how-to-live-makolo-slams-former-hrw-boss-for-criticizing