Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia in 2018

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August 23, 2016

KERRY KENYATTA — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stands with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta before a bilateral meeting, at State House in Nairobi, Kenya, August 22, 2016.

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) will withdraw its troops from Somalia in 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced.

The announcement, made five years after Kenya first deployed soldiers to battle al-Shabaab in Somalia, was made through Secretary of State John Kerry, who was in Nairobi yesterday to hold talks with foreign affairs ministers in the region on the situation in South Sudan.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C) talks to Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta during their bilateral talks as other officials from Kenya and the U.S. listen., at the State House in Kenya's capital Nairobi, Aug. 22, 2016. — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (C) talks to Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta during their bilateral talks as other officials from Kenya and the U.S. listen., at the State House in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Aug. 22, 2016.

“Somalia is now experiencing improved security after being ravaged by civil war for more than two decades and for this, Kenya will withdraw its troops,” Uhuru was quoted as saying early today.

KDF soldiers have been part of the African Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops sent into the horn of Africa nation to bring peace as well as fight the al-Shabaab militant group.

Kenya deployed her troops to Somalia in October 2011 under the Operation Linda Nchi following a spate of kidnappings and attacks by al-Shabaab on Kenyan soil.

Kenya becomes the second Amisom troop-contributing country to announce the withdrawal of her troops from the war-ravaged Horn of Africa country.

In June this year Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Edward Katumba Wamala said the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) would withdraw her troops from Somalia by December next year.

Uganda, which provides the biggest contingent to Amisom, first deployed in Somalia in March 2007.

Meanwhile, Somalia is scheduled to elect a new president next month that will be conducted among lawmakers because the electoral commission in the country does not have the capacity to conduct a nationwide vote.

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Proline face tricky first test in Lugogo return as UPL resumes

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Our Reporter

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August 23, 2016

After a busy close season in the transfer market, freshly promoted Proline FC kick off their bid for a new lease of Uganda Premiership life at the Philip Omondi Stadium on Tuesday evening by entertaining Express FC.

The visit of Alex Gitta’s squad, third last season, will provide a tricky first examination for a Proline side that has seen change aplenty in the close season since winning the Fufa Big League.

Owner cum head coach Mujib Kasule knows his side will have a tough time breaking into a Red Eagles back three comprised of three of the Uganda’s most admired defenders, Kazibwe Ismael, Kasozi Bob, Matovu Farooque and Sam Ssenkoomi.

But he insists that is partly what Proline’s new season is about.

“There are great expectations. Apparently people are discounting our abilities but it is never that easy,” he said.

On the opposing side, former KCCA striker, Herman Wasswa, does not face his former side but comes back to the Lugogo ground that has been his home until he was let go during the offseason.

He has since joined Express, and he could not have started his Red Eagles career in a finer way. Wasswa netted a double as the Red Eagles saw off stubborn Lweza 2-1 in their opening match and will be intent on conjuring up some run. He made his season mission clear after that victory over Lweza.

“I want to be the league top scorer this season to show my former club (KCCA) what they missed in sending me away,” he said.

Proline will have taken heed. Yet, Express themselves cannot allow complacency to creep in. The Red Eagles come up against Proline talisman Edris Lubega, who helped the side back up. Gitta’s Express also know too well how hard it is to beat units set up by Mujib Kasule.

Bright Stars vs Onduparaka (Live on Azam TV @ 4pm in CS – Matugga)

Having lost a big chuck of his stars including Mathias Kigonya (Sofapaka), Jimmy Lule (URA), Anthony Bongole (Police), Bernard Muwanga, and Joseph Nsubuga (all SC Villa) among others, Bright Stars coach Fred Kajoba will have counted the point against Vipers last Friday. The Cranes goalkeeping coach has only Nicholas Ssebwato (SC Villa) and Andrew Kaggwa (Saints) as the noticeable signings but Bright Stars were not far from upsetting Abdallah Mubiru’s Vipers at Nakivubo. On Tuesday, the Stars host formidable Onduparaka counting on their decent home record. That it is their first home game will give them great encouragement to get out of the blocks. Kajoba will hope Fred Ssegujja, scorer in Bright Stars 1-1 draw with Vipers, displays the same form against Onduparaka. Yet in coach Leo Adraa’s Onduparaka they face a resilient force. The Northern Uganda side drew goalless their opener with Soana.

JMC Hippos vs Kirinya-Jinja SS – Kakindu Stadium, Jinja (4:30pm)

This Jinja derby is expected to fill Kakindu Stadium with frenzied fans. James Odoch’s JMC will be looking to pick their first point following a 2-1 opening day defeat to KCCA while Alex Isabirye’s Kirinya-Jinja SS will want to build onto their priceless point after their goalless draw with four-time league champions, URA, last Friday. Odoch will hope Vianney Ssekajugo, scorer of their sole goal against KCCA, is back to the fore while Isabirye is desperate for his strikers to get it started.

Lweza vs KCCA– Wankulukuku Stadium

This fixture has Geoffrey Sserunkuma, the KCCA striker, written all over it. The Ugandan international returns to Wankulukuku with no encouraging words for Lweza, the club he left during the offseason for KCCA. Fresh from heading in KCCA’s winner in the 2-1 victory over JMC at Lugogo last Friday, Sserunkuma is determined to add to his goal tally when his side tackle his former employers. “Scoring in my first league game, that is always good for any striker’s confidence,” said Sserunkuma after opening his account, “But we have more work to do against Lweza. I’m now in a club with title ambitions. I want to try and score in every game.” Asked about his feelings on facing his former side, Sserunkuma said, via his club website. “We will be friends off the field but become enemies on the pitch.” KCCA creative architect, Muzamir Mutyaba, missed the previous game through injury but returns for manager Mike Mutebi’s outfit. He is likely to replace Paul Mucureezi behind a three-man attack of Sserunkuma, Vincent Kayizzi and Brian Majwega. But KCCA defence will have to be awake in the face of Karim Ndugwa, the former Villa player, who also opened his scoring account against Express.

Soana vs The Saints– Kavumba R. Grounds

The two will both have been happy scampering out of their openers with a point. Soana drew goalless away to Onduparaka while Sadolin Paints posted the same result at the Saints. The impetus for Soana is in the new coach Sam Ssimbwa. The former KCCA coach was handed the reins to replace Charles Ayiekoh, who threw in the towel over a week ago, citing infringement from the club boss. Ssimbwa, who has just completed serving his eight-month ban for conducting himself in what Fufa described as “an unethical manner and uttering statements that jeopardized the authenticity of results and integrity of matches,” will take charge of his first match as Soana coach.

Sadolin Paints vs SC Villa – Bugembe Stadium, Jinja

SC Villa’s scoring woes from last season again manifested in the goalless draw away to Police. They travel to Sadolin Paints, another side looking for their first victory following aq 0-0 draw at the Saints. Mike Sserumaga, who missed a penalty against Police, will again be the man tasked by Villa coach Deo Sserwadda to make things happen for the record 16-time league champions.

Vipers SC vs Police FC – Nakivubo Stadium

New signing Ibrahim Kayiwa leapt highest to head home left-back Dan Bilikwalira’s cross on 61 minutes for an equalizer and to save Vipers and coach Mubiru blushes. Mubiru will hope for more positivity as he takes charge of his second game as Vipers coach when they host Police at Nakivubo. Mubiru will also hope striker Tony Odur is in his groove against a Police side that beat Vipers 3-1 last season. Odur, who is making a second stint at Vipers, and Brian Kakaire will make their debuts for the club having missed the opener against Bright Stars.

URA vs Bul– Mehta Stadium, Lugazi

Kefa Kisala and his URA side started on a deceptive note, drawing goalless with league newcomers Kirinya-SS. They face another side that posted the same result at home to Proline. It will be a fight to pick the first league win for either side and that alone makes for nice viewing.

@UPL

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Journalist in panic as he is named ‘TVO’

By

Shawn Davis Kawalya

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August 23, 2016

Former New Vision senior journalist, Fortunate Ahimbisibwe was yesterday thrown into panic mode after a social media post on Facebook claimed he was the most hunted Tom Voltaire Okwalinga aka TVO.

A Facebook post from a one, Amani Ivan claimed that he had information from some circles that the former journalist is Uganda’s online most wanted man.

The facebook message reads: “Hey ma brother Fortunate Ahimbisibwe, last evening in my usual kafunda I overheard a group of ‘Banyabuzaare’ argue and allege that u are the most wanted ‪#‎TVO. So Fortunate Batinti Ahimbisibwe how do u plead? Should I go for the bounty? If u are, then I salute u for your brilliance. If u are not, take it that there are some Ugandans who respect your intelligence to the level of what TVO is capable of. They spoke with a lot of confidence.‪#‎watch_thy_back.”

But Ahimbisibwe on Sunday rushed to respond to the post denying that he was the man behind exclusive leaks on Government, security and political activities of both NRM and FDC.

“I came out of church and found some malwa talk about me being TVO. Amani Ivan, I am not TVO. I do not have the capacity to do what he does. I find TVO a fascinating character though. I have received some private messages asking me after seeing your post. I didn’t want to honour the kafunda talk with a response but I have to do it,” Ahimbisibwe posted on Facebook.

He added: “whoever is saying this is dressing me up in a goat skin so that the ‘leopards’ can target me. This is hogwash, overzealous agents should look for TVO, catch him and stop engaging in malwa talk,” Ahimbisibwe wrote on his facebook wall in response to some of the comments.

Ahimbisibwe, who is known to have connections with Uganda’s security agencies, is currently undertaking further studies at a top journalism university in the United Kingdom. Sources told us that he is also carrying out some assignments for the State.

Efforts to talk to him were futile and he did not respond to our messages.

However, a source told us that Ahimbisibwe has recently been in touch with The Monitor newspaper for a possible editorial job upon return to the country.

In 2006, Radio Katwe, a defunct online publication, named Ahimbisibwe among the journalists that had links with security agencies who along their journalism work also do security work.

He quit active journalism in 2010 when he left The New Vision to work for a World Bank funded project at The Ministry of Education and Sports as a Communications Specialist until 2015 when he left the country for further studies.

‘Tom Voltaire Okwalinga’

For some years now, Tom Voltaire Okwalinga (also known as TVO) has been posting politically-charged information on his Facebook wall. His claim to know almost everything happening within the ruling establishment circles has earned him a lot of followers on social media.

Some time back, it was revealed that the Uganda government had asked Facebook to close TVO’s account. Facebook reportedly turned down the request, leaving security officers to embark on what has turned out to be a hard and long hunt for TVO.

Local political activists Robert Shaka and Charles Rwomushana have been previously been arrested and charged on suspicion that they were the TVO. Their cases are still pending in court.

The hunt for TVO intensified early this year after he claimed on his Facebook wall that former information Minister Jim Muhwezi had bribed city Lawyer Fred Muwema to sell Mbabazi’s secrets to the state.

Muwema said that a post by TVO on March 17 & 19 under the title ‘Betrayal in the city’ carried gross defamatory and offensive content against his person.

TVO’s Facebook post alleged that Muwema was given Shs900 million by government to compromise the election petition in which former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi was challenging the victory of Yoweri Museveni in February’s elections.

He further claimed that Muwema was the mastermind of his own chambers break-in where a number of documents, computers were reportedly stolen.

TVO still remains at large.

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Emma Okwi set for Europa League bow against Sparta Prague

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Our Reporter

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August 23, 2016

Emma Okwi — Emmanuel Okwi over the weekend started for SønderjyskE. Photo: Ole Nielsen

After a surprise pick by SønderjyskE coach Jakob Michelsen against FC Midtjylland on Sunday, Uganda Cranes striker Emmanuel Okwi is in line for his full European Cup debut.

Okwi who joined the Danish club over a year ago has been dogged by injuries and poor form but is likely to once again fill in for injured first choice forward Tommy Bechmann during the UEFA Europa League First playoff round, Game 2 against Czech Republic giants Sparta Prague on August 25, 2016 at Generali Arena, Prague, kickoff at 9pm East Africa Time.

The former SC Villa and Simba (Tanzania) player if selected will play alongside young Danish footballer Mikael Uhre.

Before Sunday, Okwi had featured for the senior team in only two matches with a total of six minutes of playing time besides banging goals for SønderjyskE’s reserve team.

Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic is also expected to summon Okwi for international duty in less than a week as Uganda seek to beat Group D opponents Comoros and qualify either automatically or as one of the best second-placed countries for a return to Afcon for the first time since 1978.

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US warns South Sudan of arms sanctions

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Agencies

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August 23, 2016

US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged South Sudan’s leaders to ‘get the job done’ by fully implementing a peace deal or face a UN arms embargo and sanctions.

His warning followed meetings in Nairobi with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and foreign ministers from Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan to discuss escalating violence in South Sudan and the deployment of a U.N. protection force.

“It’s really up to the people, the leadership of South Sudan to lead and to do the things that they’ve promised to do,” Kerry said in an interview early today.

“If they don’t, then obviously it may be that the UN arms embargo and sanctions are going to be the tools of last resort. It’s not what people wanted to have to do, but our hope is that the government, the transition government will seize the bull by the horns here and get the job done,” he added.

Fighting in the capital Juba last month has raised fears that the five-year-old nation could slide back into civil war.

The violence prompted the United Nations to authorise the deployment of 4,000 extra UN troops to bolster a UN mission there, warning South Sudan it would face an arms embargo if it did not cooperate.

South Sudan’s government initially said it would not cooperate with the new UN troops which will be under the command of the 12,000-strong UNMISS mission. But since then it has said it was still considering its position.

Kerry said the force was not an intervention force that would challenge the sovereignty of the country. Its main task would be to protect property and civilians in Juba.

South Sudan secured its independence in 2011, but by December 2013 the longtime political rivalry between Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and Machar, a Nuer, had led to civil conflict that often followed ethnic lines.

The two men signed a peace deal in August 2015, but spent months wrangling over details while sporadic violence flared. Crucial elements of the deal, such as integrating the government and former rebel forces, have not been carried out.

The fighting has killed thousands of people and driven more than two million people from their homes, with many of them fleeing to neighboring states.

Asked whether the United States was willing to help South Sudan’s economy recover, Kerry said it would only do so if the nation’s leaders implemented a peace agreement and was doing whatever necessary to stabilise the country.

“If they choose not to do that, then we, who have been the largest donor in the world to the government of South Sudan, will have to rethink what we’re doing,” he said.

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ANC loses stranglehold on Jo’burg politics

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Agencies

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August 23, 2016

SOUTH AFRICA MASHABA — SWEARING IN: The new Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and his councillors swear in. Photo credit/news24.

South Africa’s governing Africa National Congress (ANC) party has lost control of the country’s largest city and economic centre, Johannesburg, with the city council electing as Mayor Herman Mashaba from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).

The ANC had run the city since the fall of apartheid more than 20 years ago but it lost its council majority in the local elections, although it is still the largest party.

The party has also lost control of the capital Pretoria and Cape Town.

It follows local elections earlier this month that produced no outright winner in most districts, resulting in hung municipalities and forcing parties to form coalitions to govern.

Of the country’s six biggest cities, the ANC only won an outright majority in Durban, seen as a stronghold for South African President Jacob Zuma.

There was drama at Monday’s Johannesburg council meeting, which lasted 11 hours.

A scuffle broke out between opposition party members and electoral commission officials and an ANC councillor who was sworn in earlier in the day collapsed and died shortly after Mr Mashaba was elected.

The ANC had won 44.5% of the vote, more than the DA’s 38.4%. But the left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) with 11% found itself in the position of kingmaker and refused to give its votes to the ANC.

Mr Mashaba, a 56-year-old businessman, has promised to reform the city administration, to tackle corruption and unemployment.

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Nigerian star Kayswitch arrives for Entebbe Sands and Colours do

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Our Reporter

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August 22, 2016

Nigeria’s top artist D’banji’s brother Kayswitch D’Produkt is in town a head of his performance at the Mirinda and Red Pepper Sponsored Sands and Colour fashion show slated for Sunday August 28, 2016.

The show organized by Royal Essence Magazine will be at Lido Beach Entebbe.

According to the host Flosha Shaka, Kayshitch popular for hits like Jaburata will be performing a long side Fille and other entertainers.

“I can confirm that Kayswitch and Fille will be performing a long side other musicians. We shall also have lots of fashion designers showcasing their designs. We have lots of prizes to give and games for people to play,” said Flosha.

Sands and Colour is a monthly fashion show sponsored by Mirinda and Red Pepper.

Kayswitch born Kehinde Oladotun Oyebanjo in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria has his older brother D’banji as his greatest musical influence. A graduate in the Science of Computer Oil and Gas, Kayswitch started his musical career in 2005.

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Kerry backs plans for Ugandan, AU troops in South Sudan

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Our Reporter

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August 22, 2016

UPDF — Uganda military personnel are seen a top military and police trucks driving towards Juba in South Sudan at Nimule border point on July 14, 2016. The Ugandan Army have started an evacuation mission to extract 3000 ugandan civilians stranded by the recent fighting between army loyal to President Salvar Kiir and first Vice-president Riek Machar. AFP PHOTO/ ISAAC KASAMANI

The US backs African Union (AU) plans to deploy a 4,000 strong “protection force” to bolster the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

Uganda provides the biggest contingent of soldiers to the AU force, African Union mission fighting Islamist group al-Shabab in Somalia and joined Amisom in 2007 and has just over 6,000 troops in the 22,000-strong force.

Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Burundi also have troops in Amisom.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) flanked by Kenya"s Minister for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed (R) — US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) flanked by Kenya”s Minister for Foreign Affairs Amina Mohamed (R)

Mr Kerry was speaking in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, at the start of his tour of several African countries.

He announced the backing of the South Sudan plan at a press conference in Nairobi after meeting with Foreign minister Sam Kuteesa of Uganda and counterparts from Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan to discuss options for putting the peace process back on track.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Amina Mohamed said she wanted the force to be deployed “sooner rather than later”, Reuters reports.

The UN Security Council approved the deployment of troops to South Sudan following renewed fighting in June between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former Vice-President Riek Machar.

After the civil war erupted in 2013, Uganda’s forces also crossed into South Sudan to assist with evacuations, but in that case they also stayed on to help President Salva Kiir secure the capital Juba.

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KCCA cries foul over ‘ineligible player’ case

By

Stephen Muneza

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August 22, 2016

Reigning Uganda Premier League champions Kampala City Council FC has labelled rivals Jinja Municipal Council as “desperate” after the Busoga team lodged a complaint to Fufa questioning the registration status of left foot winger Isaac Muleme.

Muleme, a former SC Villa assistant skipper came in as a substitute in the 70th minute replacing Brian Majwega in KCCA FC 2-1 win over their Jinja counterparts on Friday at the Philip Omondi stadium, Lugogo.

But KCCA management believes all the paperwork was in order and the case is an attempt by JMC to take three points off their rivals.

“We have come across various media reports about the status of our player, Mr. Muleme Isaac who is contracted with us for a period of two seasons. We have also learnt that JMC petitioned UPL accusing KCCA FC of fielding an ineligible player,” a KCCA statement said.

Uganda Cranes international Isaac Mumele made his KCCA debut against JMC Hippos in the opening game of the 2016/2017 Azam Uganda Premier League on Friday.

Muleme and six other Villa players: Jonathan Mugabi, Nicholas Ssebwato, Misi Katende, Karim Ndugwa and Sulaiman Ochero were released before the start of the new season for what the club describes as “indiscipline.”

The said players have in the past however complained about delayed salaries at the club while others claim not to ever have been paid sign on fees.

KCCA now say they would want to clarify allegations claiming that Muleme wasn’t cleared by SC Villa as follows: “We were advised by the CEO Fufa in his circular dated August 1, 2016 to halt any process of signing up the player. Whereas the club had concluded all the negotiations and terms of the transaction with the player, we adhered to the directive and this is the very reason why he did not feature in the super cup win against Vipers SC on 14th August 2016.”

“We continued to consult with the officials at FUFA and was informed that Mr. Muleme Isaac and the other players like Mr. Sebwato Nicholas at Bright Stars were cleared to play for the clubs they wished to represent.”

“We accordingly submitted to the Fufa competitions committee an application for the licensing of Mr. Muleme Isaac which was granted vide number 921010001.

“The club was therefore granted permission by FUFA to field the player for our opening game against JMC.

Joseph Ssentume of Police (R) dribbles past ex SC Villa star Isaac Muleme during a league game in December last year.

Muleme battles Zimbabwe’s Ali Sadiki during the 2014 CAF African Nations Championships Group B clash at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town on 16 January 2014. JMC have lodged a complaint to FUFA questioning the registration status of the left foot winger at KCCA FC

KCCA vowed to go ahead and field Muleme in their Tuesday game against Lweza FC, a side the league champions are yet to beat in four league outings.

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‘New’ rebel group seeks to split DRC into two

By

Our Reporter and Agencies

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August 22, 2016

MUSEVENI KABILA — CORDIAL: Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Joseph Kabila of the DRC at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Africa’s second largest country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will be split into two if incumbent President Joseph Kabila does not step down at the end of his constitutional two-five year term in November, a new rebel group in the country has announced.

Alexis Byicaza Sebatware, an alleged leader of a new rebel group forming in the eastern DRC called Les Forces Novatrices pour Union et la Démocratie Congolaise (Innovative Forces for Union and Congolese Democracy), said his group would take up arms if President Kabila insists on standing for a third term.

SEEKING SUPPORT FROM REGIONAL LEADERS? DRC President Joseph Kabila

According to Sebatware, Mr Kabila, whose country is supposed to go to the polls in November, recently met with Uganda President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, to seek their support for his ‘third term’ project.

“We know his plan. But we have given him an ultimatum to organise elections and hand over power. If he doesn’t, we are to pick up arms against his government and our main aim will be to split the country into two independent states because he has refused to respect the Constitution,” Sebatware was quoted as saying.

KABILA CHALLENGER: DRC opposition leader Moise Katumbi going to court. He was sentenced to a lengthy jail term and faces several other charges.

President Kabila faces protests and resistance from several quarters including in eastern DRC, where his onetime ally and now rival Moise Katumbi, enjoys huge support. Mr Katumbi, a wealthy and popular businessman and leader of opposition, remains in exile after he left the country in May to seek treatment following an attack by security forces. Meanwhile, analysts of regional geopolitics see President Kabila’s quick successive visits to Uganda and Rwanda as a strategic move to pacify eastern DR Congo and use it as a stepping stone to extend his rule. Sources indicate that with resistance mounting in eastern DR Congo, President Kabila is counting on Rwanda to help contain the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese who are up in arms against his government.

TO HELP KABILA ON THIRD TERM? Rwanda President Paul Kagame.Photo credit/reuters

With the issue of M23 remaining in the way, President Kabila fears that a volatile eastern DR Congo would threaten his chances of seeking another term in office. Hundreds of M23 former fighters remain in Rwanda and Uganda, almost four years after an agreement was reached to repatriate them and reintegrate them back in the two countries.

KABILA FOE: Former M23 Commander Sultan Makenga

According to sources privy to the talks between the three heads of state, the Congolese president promised to address the matter ‘with finality’.

Mr Kabila reportedly promised Rwanda and Uganda ‘full co-operation’ in dealing with the two rebel groups — Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

In Rwanda, Presidents Kabila and Kagame committed to strengthening mutual efforts to revitalise bilateral relations, including the enhancing of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC.

Rwanda and Uganda were accused by the UN Group of Experts of backing the rebels who waged war in eastern Congo in April 2012, even though both countries denied the accusations.

Indeed, Uganda, Rwanda and DRC have been at loggerheads at different points in the past 22 years, despite the former two working together to install Laurent Desire Kabila, after deposing Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. Joseph Kabila took over in 2001 after his father was assassinated.

Meanwhile, the US has warned that President Kabila’s decision to hold onto power will escalate further violence in the already volatile mineral-rich nation.

“Countries where incumbents try to change the rules to stay in power are five times more likely to face violence and instability,” Thomas Perriello, the State Department’s special envoy to the Great Lakes region of Africa said last week.

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Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia in 2018

Proline face tricky first test in Lugogo return as UPL resumes

Journalist in panic as he is named ‘TVO’

Emma Okwi set for Europa League bow against Sparta Prague

US warns South Sudan of arms sanctions

ANC loses stranglehold on Jo’burg politics

Nigerian star Kayswitch arrives for Entebbe Sands and Colours do

Kerry backs plans for Ugandan, AU troops in South Sudan

KCCA cries foul over ‘ineligible player’ case

‘New’ rebel group seeks to split DRC into two

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