Diplomat East Africa Magazine Vol 2. Door to Region, Window on World.

1. >>The Dying Art of Oratory PG 65
May - June 2010 Volume 003
Door to Region, Window on World
Football Fiesta
South Africa Hosts Soccer's Global Party
PROTOCOL: Envoys Back Geneva Rules PG 25
BUSINESS: Regional Lobby Campaigns PG 39
Kenya KSh300 Uganda USh9000 Tanzania TSh7500 Rwanda RWFr3000 Burundi BUFr6000 South Africa R30 Rest of Africa US$4 USA $4 UK £3 Canada $5 Rest of Europe €3.5

3. •DIPLOMATIC LICENCE
South Africa Hosts
Soccer's Global Party
E
very four years the world holds a mam- have since 2006 scrimped and saved, worked early and
moth month-long party. All and sundry late, long and hard to be able to make the journey to
and from all corners of the planet are in- South Africa from the North and South, East and West
vited, usually four years in advance. corners of the continent.
There is no dress code, but most usu- Five, Africans will be able for the first time to cheer
ally flaunt their national colours and because they are their five teams on their own continent, which is also
creative with their attire this adds to the allure and spec- to say that South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, Ghana’s Black
tacle of the global party. The end of this party usually Stars, Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants, Nigeria’s Super Eagles
sets in motion a four-year-long party in one country and Algeria’s Desert Foxes will have their supporters
and a mourning period of similar length in another. within shouting distance.
While celebration and heartbreak are two sides of African players have and continue to make a mark on
any competition, Africa can’t wait to celebrate the very the European football stage, arguably the most fiercely
advent of the party. If at the end of it an African country competitive of all football the-
will celebrate for another four years that will be the ic- atres in the world. But this time
ing on the cake. round, barring injuries, these
Welcome to the FIFA 2010 World Cup, the world’s stars who dazzle the world and
greatest mass spectator sporting jamboree. their continent from worlds
This year’s cup is also the richest yet. away will be on parade before
The words of South Africa’s High Commissioner to their own adoring fans.
Kenya, HE Tony Msimanga, carried in our March/April Six, with the World Cup have
issue, will forever ring true: “Africa is living this World come tourists, most of whom
Cup and South Africa is hosting it. So this is our mo- have seized this chance to see
ment, our continent, our time and our World Cup.” more than South Africa. Afri-
We concur unreservedly. The FIFA World Cup which can hospitality has been, and
kicks off in South Africa on June 11 is Africa’s World Cup still remains, on show for all to
for several reasons. One, this is the first time the conti- Welcome to see and savour. There are busi-
nent is hosting the finals of the premier competition of the FIFA 2010 nesspeople in South Africa and
the planet’s most popular sport – football. World Cup, the on the continent at large who
Two, we of this continent have not had a chance to have travelled here because
cheer our own teams and stars or the world’s football world’s greatest of, or taking advantage of, the
powers and their stars — or our favourite stars of the mass spectator FIFA World Cup.
South American, European and Asian football leagues sporting On their way out they will
participating in this event — from close quarters. have known that Africa is the
Three, never before has an African country had the
jamboree new business frontier; they will
honour of bringing to these shores so many people and have seen and observed that
so many cultures from all corners of the globe and for a African governments are keen to attract investors and
prolonged party of friendship and passion, joyous cel- visitors to their countries. That is to say they will have
ebration and, of course, the inevitable heartbreak. noticed the vast business opportunities available and
This is a great time for Africa to show the world it is be convinced African economies are the next tigers.
made of caring and friendly and forward-looking, plan- Last, which could well be first, this is the right time
ning and purposeful, pleasant and proud people. Afri- for an African team to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy.
cans are keen to compete as well as organise, welcome It can be done. In 2002, debuting Senegal’s Lions of
as well as entertain and ready to play their rightful roles Teranga beat defending champion France and Algeria
in world affairs. outfoxed and beat mighty West Germany 2-1 in Spain
Four, the joy of the continent in hosting this World in 1982.
Cup is evident in the huge numbers of Africans who Yes, Africa’s time has come!
May - June 2010 1
1

4. •IMMUNITIES & IMPUNITIES
Heard and Quoted
“HE prayed with them and assured “THE use of the phrase ‘special relationship’ in its historical sense,
them that the church is doing, and to describe the totality of the ever-evolving UK-US relationship, is
will continue to do, all in its power to potentially misleading and we recommend that its use should be
avoided.
investigate allegations, to bring to
justice those responsible for abuse “We have a special relationship with the US, but we must remember
that so too do other countries, including regional neighbours, strategic
and to implement effective measures
allies and partners. The UK must continue to position itself closely
designed to safeguard young people in alongside the US but there is need to be less deferential and more
future.” willing to say ‘no’ when our interests diverge.”
— An April Vatican statement from Malta, where
— Mike Gapes, chairman of the then British House Foreign Affairs Committee in
the Pope met a group of clerical sex-abuse
victims March
“Many people in this world do not “The rumours regarding
recognise Nepal for its abundant my engagement simply
resources and ancient civilisation aren’t true. Jason is my
yet they know Nepal as a politically manager and dearest
unstable and economically poor friend. I love him with all
country. This is not the final truth my heart.”
about Nepal.” — Seventy-eight-year-old
— Binayuk Shah, Director of Nepal’s Elizabeth Taylor on her Twitter
National Pavilion at the Shanghai 2010 in April, quashing rumours she
Expo in China, in an interview with Xinhua was about to marry husband
News Agency. Number 9
2 May - June 2010

5. May - June 2010 3
3

6. •DIPLOSPEAK
Have Your Say
Your Headlines Thrilled Me…
YOU’VE SET THE BAR, RANT/RAVE March - April 2010
>>Damned By Omo River Dam PG 14
Volume 002
ONE-SIDED ABOUT KAGAME
NOW BEST IT! Your headline (Resurgent Rwan-
I was attracted to DEA by a re- Door to Region, Window on World
da) and kicker (The Come-back
view of it by renowned journalist
I was attracted to DEA Country) were great for your
Mutegi Njau of Citizen TV’s Power by a review of it by shop-window, but, alas, that was
Breakfast Show. it! True, President Paul Kagame
What caught my attention is the renowned journalist Resurgent has many positives going for
fact that Mutegi had good words to Mutegi Njau of Citizen Rwanda
The Come-back Country
him, but he also has many nega-
President
Paul
say about your magazine. This got tives.
Kagame
me thinking, for I know Mutegi to TV’s Power Breakfast Kenya KSh300 Uganda USh9000
UNITED NATIONS >>: Anna Tibaijuka's agenda PG 23
WORLD CUP >>: Africa's sporting bonanza PG 84
Tanzania TSh7500 Rwanda RWFr3000 Burundi BUFr6000 South Africa R30 Rest of Africa US$4 USA $4 UK £3 Canada $5 Rest of Europe €3.5 Why turn a blind eye on his
be one who does not mince words Show failures and obvious ruthless-
in his criticism of the media. ness?
From his positive commentary, But I must say I admired your
I knew this was a magazine I had coverage of Sudan and Somalia,
to lay my hands on. I have not which was brilliantly prefaced
been disappointed. will next year be Africa’s newest by the piece titled ‘Arc of Crises’.
My only worry is that you have nation?
set yourselves such enviably high All the hints are there in your ZAMBONANGA,
standards that the challenge fac- two stories, but you do not say it Arusha, Tanzania
ing you is how to maintain them. loudly and clearly. This is the era
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR
In fact, by setting such high of breaking news, isn’t it, sir? FROM YOU: Send your
letters to, letters@
standards and deciding to target diplomateastafrica.com.
PLEASE SHAPE UP!
a very segmented and special- GODFREY K, Submission of a letter Of course, you are a bi-monthly,
constitutes permission
ised market, you will have to con- Kampala to publish it in any form
but what gives you the impres-
vince everybody that you have or medium. Letters may sion that’s time enough for us to
be edited for reasons of
the energy to sustain that tempo THRILLING HEADLINES space and clarity. plough through 100 pages of a
by surpassing your already high DEA is a great read. It is your mag- magazine?
standards! azine that told us before anyone You are too fat; shape up or we
else that ticket sales for the FIFA will never ship in!
PROF HENRY BWISA, World Cup in South Africa were
DISCLAIMER: All letters
Jomo Kenyatta University, Nairobi dismal. Soon, the BBC followed submitted to Diplomat East CATHERINE KADOH,
Africa are presumed to be
and soon afterwards FIFA acted intended for publication. The Gigiri, Kenya
DON’T BE SHY to make tickets available over the editor reserves the right to
edit all letters. Readers are
Congratulations on a good-look- counter. That was a fantastic story advised to keep their letters
short and to submit their
ing magazine. But does it read as by Alex Duval Smith. names and addresses even WHAT ARRANT NONSENSE!
when these are not to be
well? But over and above all this, it is published. You gave acres of space to two
Am not sure it does. Why? Be- your headlines that thrilled me — academics to heap scorn on the
cause your story on the coming ‘Coalition of Collision’ (Kenya), ‘A age-old traditions of diplomacy,
Presidential elections in Uganda Nation’s Tension Headache’ (Nige- arguing that these are anachro-
has only incumbent Museveni pit- ria), ‘Isle of Darkness’ (Zanzibar), nistic. What arrant nonsense!
ted against his long-standing rival ‘Say it with the Kanga or Tell it on Please give the opposing side
Dr Kizza Besigye, but are they the the Leso!’ (Culture) and ‘Libido- space — same size and position
only ones who have expressed an in-Chief’ (With a Light Touch). — to sing praises to the values of
interest in this seat? Keep up the good work. the Geneva Protocols.
If there are others they deserve
a mention. And why are you shy BRENDA SUNDAY, SANE ADEBAYO,
about declaring that South Sudan Zanzibar Bujumbura
4 May - June 2010

7. >>The Dying Art of Oratory PG 65
May - June 2010 Volume 003
Door to Region, Window on World
Volume No 003 • May - June 2010
F b ll Fi
Football Fiesta
South Africa Hosts Soccer's Global Party
PROTOCOL: Envoys Back Geneva Rules PG 25
BUSINESS: Regional Lobby Campaigns PG 39
Kenya KSh300 Uganda USh9000 Tanzania TSh7500 Rwanda RWFr3000 Burundi BUFr6000 South Africa R30 Rest of Africa US$4 USA $4 UK £3 Canada $5 Rest of Europe €3.5
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EDITORIAL
Editorial Director: Kwendo Opanga
Consulting Editor: Matt K Gathigira
Managing Editor: Bob Job Wekesa
Culture Editor: Ngari Gituku
Staff Writers: Wycliffe Muga, Patrick
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BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
Cornellius Mambili
James Ngina
Chris Nyaoro
Derrick Wanjawa PG 86 PG 84
Eunice Kiarie
Serah Wamaitha
Paul Mucheru
DESIGN TEAM
Daniel Kihara DIPLOMATIC LICENSE CULTURE
William Odidi Soccer’s Global Party ...................................... 1 Is Oratory a Dying Art? ................................. 65
Raphael Mokora
EA The Cradle of intellect ........................... 66-67
PHOTOGRAPHY IMMUNITIES & IMPUNITIES.......... 2 Book Review:
Yahya Mohamed
EA's Pop Culture ................................................. 69
CONTRIBUTORS
Alex Duval Smith,Pretoria THE REGION Paulina-George:
Biko Jackson, Nairobi Elections in the Region ............................... .. 6-12 Authentic African Designer ........................ 70 – 71
Godwin Muhwezi, Arusha
Edward Githae, Kigali
Uganda’s Gays Debate .................................. 13
Francis Sang’, Nairobi Hurdles to EA Political Federation .............. 14 EDUCATION
Godfrey Musila, Johannesburg
E-Learning Empowers Africa .................... 73
John Gachie, Juba
John Mulaa, Washington DC DNA
Julius Mbaluto, London Horn of Trouble ............................................. 16-17 CONFERENCING
Manoah Esipisu, London
Mildred Ngesa, Nairobi The Sudan: New Meetings and Events as Tourism ............. 77-78
Mishaeli Ondieki, Los Angeles Nation on the Cards ...................................... 20 Opportunity in Carbon Credits ................ 79
Rodney Muhumuza, Kampala
Peter Mwaura, Nairobi Reprieve for the Jumbo ................................. 21-24 Pan-African Media Caucus ....................... 80
Robert Mugo, Alberta, Canada Nigeria, Cuba,
Wangari Maathai, Nairobi
Malaysia Envoys Speak ................................. 25-27 AT THE WHEEL
CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION Russia Celebrates China Takes Over Volvo ............................. 81
Stephen Otieno
Victory Day .................................................... 29-31
ADMINISTRATION
Josephine Wambui Ramification of UK's GLOBAL STAGE
PRINTER
Cliff - Edge Elections .................................... 33 Nigeria:
Ramco Printing Works Goodluck Jonathan takes over.................. 82-83
ECONOMY
DISCLAIMER: Diplomat East Africa World Bank President on Third World ......... 36-38 COVER STORY
may not be copied and or transmitted or
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– 0625, and Telephone 020-2525253/4/5. Competitiveness ........................................... 53-62 June-July 2010 ................................................. 95
Registered at the GPO as a newspaper.
May - June 2010 5
5

8. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
TANZANIA: Gearing for elections
Opposition Could Make Giant
Leap after October, But…
R
ecent Opposition have argued that while the Op-
Political party income chest-thumping position has not put its house in
and expenditure will to the effect that order to the extent of securing the
be monitored, as well they will increase Presidency, the number of its leg-
as candidates’ election legislator numbers islators may well increase in the
come the October General Elec- Dodoma Parliament in October.
expenses, writes tion gained momentum when the The argument is largely hinged
KIISHWEKO ORTON ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s on the recent signing of the Elec-
own outspoken MP for Kishapu, tions Expenses Act 2009 by Presi-
Mr Fred Mpendazoe, defected dent Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete,
to them. The Opposition insists which, they say, may snatch vic-
that the CCM votes will drop at tory from rich CCM MPs since it
all levels, implying that it would limits the amount of finances that
lose ground on an unprecedented may be put into an election.
basis. But CCM stalwarts are ada- In his four-and-a-half years at
mant that such claims must be the helm, President Kikwete has
dismissed without further ado. The vowed to ensure the credibility of
reason, they claim, is that they are Tanzania’s democracy by impos-
not backed by a shred of evidence ing tighter controls on election
or serious analysis of fact. financing.
PRESIDENT KIKWETE:
However, local commentators Speaking to Diplomat East Af-
Eyeing second term
rica, the Head of the Political
Science and Public Admin-
istration Department of the
University of Dar es Salaam,
Dr Benson Bana, said the Pres-
ident seemed to have left no
doubt over his commitment
to fighting electoral graft. “The
President tried to educate the
public about the Election Ex-
penses Bill he signed. This has
also left no doubts that he in-
tends to ensure there are clean
elections this year,” Dr Bana
observed.
The don, who is also co-
chairman of Research and
Education for Democracy in
Tanzania (REDET), said the
President will, after his term in
6 May - June 2010

9. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
office, among other things, be re- tensive deliberations, decided to
BRIEFLY
membered for his anti-corruption have the new Act to curb corrup-
crusade. tion in elections, noting that, if UGANDA
He argued that the law is cru- implemented properly, the new
cial to ensuring the credibility of law would make leadership in the IDPs: Uganda Scores
councillors, legislative and Presi- nation transparent to all. Uganda is the first African Union
dential elections in October, the In the new setting, political member state to ratify the AU
fourth to be held since the country party income and expenditure Convention for the Protection and
returned to a multi-party political will be monitored, as well as can- Assistance of Internally Displaced
system. didates’ election expenses. Persons in Africa, dubbed the Kam-
“The whole electoral process... The all-important new law pala Convention.
right from nomination of a candi- makes provisions for, among other Its instruments for ratification of
date by a political party to actual things, the funding of the nomina- the Convention with the Commission
election and activities after the tion process, elections campaigns were deposited on March 4, 2010.
polls, can all be subjected to legal and elections in general. It all Africa still hosts more than 17 mil-
scrutiny under the new law,” he aims at dealing with ‘dirty’ money, lion refugees and internally displaced
observed. illegal practices in the nomination persons (IDPs).
Signing the Bill, the President process. It aims at providing for
said his government, after ex- allocation, management and ac-
ADDIS ABABA
countability of funds used in
elections and campaigns. Maritime Strategy
But local observers note The AU has put together an African
that the law’s tighter con- Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIM-
trols on election funding Strategy) to foster understanding of
is what may secure some existing and potential challenges and
more Opposition members allocation of resources to identified
more places if they sell their priorities.
policies well enough to the It also aims at designing a com-
rural electorate at the cost prehensive, concerted, coherent and
of ruling party legislators coordinated approach to improving
who initially engaged in maritime conditions in respect of
vote-buying. environmental and socio-economic
Interestingly, the House development.
has lately seen a new breed
THE GAMBIA
of younger people from
higher learning institutions Architecture Matters
whose political character A Meeting of the African Governance
is more inclined to the op- Architecture in Banjul, The Gambia,
position and who seem to has agreed on the appointment of fo-
speak to the aspirations of cal points from all core institutions.
the voting class of Tanzani- The meeting also agreed on the
ans. development and circulation of the
One of the weakest links rules of procedure by the AUC as well
has been the youth, espe- as adoption of rules of procedure and
cially in the urban centres. launch of the platform by the core
This shall be one of ruling institutions. It was agreed that a com-
party CCM’s major focal munication and popularization strat-
points over the next few egy on the AGA concept be developed.
months
— Reports by Xinhua News Agency
May - June 2010 7
7

10. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
ZANZIBAR: Smooth elections anticipated
Why Karume Said CUF noted that what was really
missing in Zanzibar was the peo-
ple’s trust in institutions charged
No to ‘Third Term’ with organising and overseeing
elections. They further hinged
their arguments on a call that
Sworn enemies of yore are making up this time lasting harmony could only be
round, reports KIISHWEKO ORTON attained in Zanzibar if the source
of the mistrust that had existed
F
or the first time in tion that there was a need to allow for decades in the Isles were ad-
the last three multi- Dr Karume to consolidate peace dressed.
party elections, Zan- initiatives in the Isles. Karume According to Jussa, contrary to
zibar elections are kept silent but later came out to the views of many, the problem
apparently shaping announce that he was against the in Zanzibar was neither historical
up with a sense of calm on either move. nor did it have anything to do with
side of the political divide, save for The two seemed to lead the the perceived differences between
some reservations during the first Third Term chorus, noting that people hailing from Unguja and
phase of a voter registration exer- “there is nothing wrong in letting Pemba: “The problem in Zanzibar
cise last September. him finish what he has started”. is antagonism between followers
A calmer journey took shape Here, they meant that since they of the two largest parties in the
when President Aman Abeid Kar- had just made an agreement ISLES PRESIDENT: Isles”.
ume and Opposition leader Maa- whose content no one knew, the On the home He added that the mistrust
stretch
lim Seif broke the four-year stand- current Isles President should be dated back to 1988, when several
off by agreeing to settle their allowed to continue in office, so senior CUF officials were expelled
political differences in November. that he “can get the time” to con- from CCM.
But a month later, a high sense solidate what they just agreed A lasting solution, he said, could
of irony in every sense took shape upon in November last year. only be found through building trust
when the opposition Civic United At the time in late December, between the two political camps by
Front, who had for four years re- it was unclear whether the ruling making them work together in the
fused to recognize Karume as the party, the Chama cha Mapinduzi running of State affairs.
President of Zanzibar were the (CCM) supported calls for Dr Kar- Fears reigned high that one of
front-liners in calling for the Isles ume to be given another term. the CUF Members of the House of
to head to go for a fourth term Former Karume critic Jussa, Representatives was to table a Pri-
come this October, when the elec- made a legislator recently, ob- vate Motion during the February
tions take place. served: “Reconciliation in Zanzi- session seeking to lay the ground
bar is more important than elec- for the formation of an interim gov-
RECONCILIATION tions. We have had many elections ernment, which would have seen
The subsequent political de- in the past, but all have been a President Karume being given an-
bate on the constitutionality of source of divisions rather than President other three years in office.
the call came hardly a few weeks unity among the people.” Karume’s second But whether Dr Karume would
after CUF and CCM made a break- Zanzibar had four elections be- be given another term was a consti-
through after being at loggerheads fore the 1964 Revolution — in July
and final five-year tutional matter, which could not be
since the 2005 elections. 1957, January 1961, June 1961 and term is due to end decided by a political party.
President Karume’s second and July 1963, and three in 1995, 2000 later this year It was the CCM’s propaganda
final five-year term is due to end and 2005 after the reintroduction secretary in Zanzibar, Mr Vuai Ali
later this year, but his two former of plural politics in 1992. Vuai’s argument which seemed to
most significant critics, the CUF “With the possible exception have changed the political chess-
Secretary General Seif and the of the 1957 elections, none were board when he said that changing
party Foreign Affairs Director Is- conducted to the full satisfaction the Constitution to allow an extra
mail Jussa came over to his side of the electorate,” Jussa told this Presidential term “will curtail de-
head-over-heels, telling the na- writer. mocracy in Zanzibar”
8 May - June 2010

11. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
RWANDA: Opposition cries foul
Another Kagame
Avalanche in the Offing?
A frisson of excitement and anticipation courses through the nation, but
so does intimidation of Opposition off cials, EDWARD GITHAE reports
O
n August 9 this The incumbent President Kag- his successes of rebuilding and
year, Rwandans ame vied for the first Presidential reconciliation. During his Presi-
go to the polls to election, held in 2003. He romped dency, Kagame has always had an
elect a govern- home in the polls, which marked unpretentious yet imposing pres-
ment that will be the end of nine years of transi- ence. He is attentive, articulate
in office for the next seven years. tional government. He won a sev- and presents a clear vision for his
President Paul Kagame, the flag- en-year term after running on a country.
bearer of the ruling Rwanda Pa- platform of national unity, boost- He believes in economic de-
triotic Front (RPF), is likely to face ing economic growth, strength- velopment as the key to reducing
off with candidates from the Unit- ening governance and delivering poverty and advancing Rwanda.
ed Democratic Forces of Rwanda, justice. He has been the domi- Sixteen years after the Genocide,
the Democratic Green Party and nant figure in Rwandan politics Rwanda has embraced a new
the Parti Social Imberakuri. since the Genocide over a decade- model of economic development.
The forthcoming election, un- and-a- half ago.
like that held in 2003, has already His popularity across the coun- UNITED DEMOCRATIC
created a frisson of excitement and try is due in no small part due to FORCES (FDU-INKINGI). The
anticipation, with use of intimida-
tion targeting opposition officials
PHOTO: DEA LIBRARY
being reported. At the moment, it
is difficult to distinguish fact from
fiction in such a highly charged
environment.
In recent times, grenade ex-
plosions in Kigali have set off a
flurry of speculation about who is
to blame, and reignited a debate
about political space in Rwanda
as the elections approach. The
scenario has rather degenerated
to using rhetoric and discourses
on trivial and procedural matters
rather than substantive matters
such as the living conditions, de-
velopment, poverty alleviation,
rule of law, democratic and civic
rights, and transparency in the
use of public funds.
Below is a breakdown of the VICTOIRE INGABIRE:
main players in the race: Demanded
PRESIDENT KAGAME — Government
RWANDA PATRIOTIC FRONT protection
May - June 2010 9
9

12. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
party’s flag-bearer, Victoire Inga- from English-speaking Rwandans. He is accused of harbouring the
bire Umuhoza, left Rwanda for Its President is Frank Habineza “genocidal ideology” and is linked
the Netherlands in March 1994. and its Secretary General Charles to elements behind recent gre-
Prior to this, she worked with Kabanda, one of the founders of nade attacks in the capital. How-
the Rwandan Customs Depart- the RPF in the 1980s in Uganda. ever, Ntaganda accuses the ruling
ment of the Ministry of Finance. The Green Democratic Party RPF of being behind repeated at-
Ingabire lived in the Netherlands was launched in August 2009 in tempts to remove him as party
for 16 years before she quit her Kigali with the aim of creating a chief, with the aim of “destroying”
job as a financial manager with genuine and broad-based Op- the party.
an American firm in 2009, to vie position with a progressive and
for the August elections. She will ecological vision. The yet-to-be- ALLIANCE
be the first female Presidential registered party has also been During his monthly press con-
candidate in Rwandan history. stopped several times in its efforts ference late last month, President
“I come for peace and this to organise its meetings. Kagame stated that Rwanda ac-
peace will guide my political ac- cepts divergent political views
tion to eradicate injustice and to LOUISE MSHIKIWABO: and political parties as long as
break all the chains that imprison Kagame's RPF has they meet the requirements of
us,” Ingabire said upon landing accused Ingabire the law. Singling out Ingabire
on Rwandan soil 16 years after she of 'revisionism' and Ntaganda, Kagame added
and 'divisionism'
left the country. Ingabire is seen that it is disrespectful foreigners
concerning the
as the strongest challenger to the should view the Rwandan society
Genocide
President. However, despite the through the prism of such people.
razzmatazz of her return from ex- This presents a number of impon-
ile, she stirs controversy. derables regarding whether some
Recently, she demanded Gov- of these prospective opposition
ernment protection after an un- candidates would vie for the elec-
identified youth group attacked tions.
her aide in Kigali. Opposition PS IMBERAKURI Faced with this situation, the
groups condemned the attack A relatively new party, having three opposition parties have set
and accused President Kagame’s been formed in January 2009, the up an alliance known as Conseil de
ruling Patriotic Front Party (RPF) PS Imberakuri was created by ex- Concertation Permanent des Par-
of complicity, an allegation RPF members of the Social Democrat- tis de l’Opposition, to enable them
refutes. ic Party (PSD), who claim to have to widen the democratic space by
Ingabire also came under fire abandoned the latter due to its taking a common position on cer-
for purportedly making assertions continued alignment to the ruling tain subjects and joint lobbying
that Genocide survivor groups RPF. Until recently, it was headed nationally and internationally.
under their umbrella body IBUKA by Bernard Ntaganda, a lawyer by Presently, the group seems ap-
considered insulting.
Local political analysts say
profession, who also served as a
former chairman of a renowned
STATS pallingly frail and ill-equipped for
the elections. With Ingabire and
the latest attack against Ingabire Rwandan football club. &FACTS Habineza yet to register their re-
could have resulted from her re- Despite being the only regis- spective parties, amidst cries of
cent controversial remarks. Kag- tered opposition party, PS Im- Ingabire intimidation, they may opt to back
ame’s RPF Party has been swift berakuri has had wrangles since returned to PS-Imberakuri’s Ntaganda.
and hard-hitting, accusing her of its formation. In an idiosyncratic Before D-Day, there is interest
both “revisionism” and “division- twist of fate, Ntaganda was de- Rwanda 16 about how the canvas is likely to
ism” regarding the history of the posed as party leader during an years after unfold now until Election Day:
mass killings in Rwanda in 1994. extraordinary meeting in which she left the bittersweet, even jagged. And with
his deputy chief, Christine Muka- RPF riding roughshod over the
DEMOCRATIC GREEN PARTY bunane, assumed leadership until
country Rwandan heartland, the opposi-
The Democratic Green Party, a new chairperson is elected soon. tion is in for a real shocker
with a leadership drawn mainly
10 May - June 2010

14. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
KENYA: State versus Church
Fight Over New Constitution
By PATRICK WACHIRA
T
HE collective psyche debate and voting will assume:
of Kenyans, who are that of the retention of the Kadhi
fond of describing courts and the other on abortion.
themselves as politi- The point of departure is that in-
cal animals to the last clusion of the Kadhis courts in the
man and woman, has its sights document is akin to embracing Is-
firmly trained on a new Constitu- lam within the state while shunt-
tion by year’s end. That is only if ing the more populous Christian
the current momentum and di- faith.
rection are maintained and sus- Abortion has rubbed Christian
tained at the tempo leaders and church leaders up the wrong way,
PHOTO: DEA LIBRARY
politicians are fast losing control what with their belief that any act
of. that terminates life is evil, abomi-
And the only bridge to be nable and an affront to the core of
crossed, one that may prove to be the sanctity of life. If during retired
too far, depending on the events of president Moi’s reign, Church –
June, is a national referendum in gagement between the leaders PRESIDENT KIBAKI State relations were always rocky,
which Kenyans will either affirm and the people, which have been AND PRIME MINISTER the constitutional debate has
the new supreme law or throw out largely typical of a master-servant ODINGA: brought the two into a titanic clash
a 20-year-long endeavour that has relationship, will change drasti- Rare unity of purpose this time around, bringing into
been characterised by the shed- cally and dramatically. sharp focus the political doctrine
ding of sweat, blood and tears. Perhaps one of the biggest that government and religious in-
The journey has been long and changes in the mode of gover- stitutions are best kept separate.
tortuous, with a myriad twists and nance is the devolution of power The clause in question allows
turns. to regional and county levels, but the abortion of a foetus if the life of
The document has oscillated not in the same manner as in a the mother is in danger, but church
between the Committee of Ex- federal set-up. leaders see it as a carte blanche for
perts, Parliament and Attorney The counties, to be about 74 especially young women to en-
General Amos Wako and, in-be- in number, will exercise power at gage in casual sex. As we went to
tween all the shuffling, Kenyans distinct and inter-dependent lev- press it had been divulged that the
have lost track of what happened els and conduct their mutual rela- variegated Christian lobby now
where, with various sittings at tions on the basis of consultation coalescing around the National
Naivasha, Kilifi, the Bomas of Ke- and co-operation. Council of Churches of Kenya had
nya, Naivasha again and lately the In the new set-up, the president linked with the American pro-lifers
Kenya Institute of Administration. will have powers to appoint minis- the bottom line being the opening
It was at the latter place that ters from outside Parliament. of dollar purses to be unleashed
attempts to tamper with the Draft The country will also see the for civic education.
to amend certain clauses failed to establishment of supreme courts, The green bucks will not be flow-
garner the requisite numbers and as in the US, so that the Court of ing Kenyawards from US churches
the document was left in its cur- Appeal will cease to be the highest alone though. East Africa’s longest
rent state, with the onus being on judicial arbitration organ in the constitutional making process has
the AG to publish it ahead of the land. attracted liquidity from no less
plebiscite in June. But two clauses that have gen- than the US government vide the
If the new Constitution retains erated more heat than light in US Ambassador, Michael Ran-
its form and content, the rules of recent months might adversely neberger with millions earmarked
governance and the terms of en- affect the general direction the for, well civic education
12 May - June 2010

15. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
SEXUALITY AND POLITICS
Gays: Uganda Beats Retreats
By RODNEY MUHUMUZA
L
ong before Idi Amin quarters, including a telephone a lawmaker motivated primarily by
fled Uganda in 1979, conversation with US Secretary of politics. In fact, for proposing death
the dictator had en- State Hillary Clinton, who, like US for a crime he calls “aggravated ho-
tered the imagination President Barack Obama, has pub- mosexuality”, David Bahati, who
of many European licly criticised the proposed law. represents a rural constituency in
editors as a psychopath, mass mur- Museveni’s admission of power- western Uganda, is favoured to win
derer and, let it be said, suspected lessness was revealing on two levels. re-election.
cannibal. Amin has been dead since For the first time in his administra- Uganda’s penal law already
2003, but, for especially infamous tion, the Ugandan leader was con- criminalises homosexuality, but
reasons, he still lives in the minds ceding that donors could actually the authorities have never been
of many Ugandans. Now, thanks to tell him what to do. Even more sig- interested in arresting consenting
the anti-gay mood that is prevailing nificantly, however, he had sum- homosexuals, except in cases where
in Uganda, foreigners in far-flung moned up the courage to say so. To young boys have been allegedly
places are being re-introduced to an understand how this could happen, sodomised by adults, the authori-
PHOTO: EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY
African nation that many remem- it is important to study the wave of ties do not really care what gays are
ber as the home of Amin. As Amin anti-Uganda material that blanket- up to.
stories go, this has to be damaging. ed the international press after the If Bahati’s legislation becomes
The practical impact of the pro- Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2009 was law—and this is very unlikely, es-
posed legislation has been to in- tabled in the legislature. pecially after Museveni made his
cite the anti-gay sentiment of most Not since the days of Amin has stand known—it will not be the end
Ugandans, but the most powerful Uganda been in such negative of the world for Uganda’s gay com-
consequence, even if the law is not rendering, condemned by rights RETREAT: munity. It is hard to imagine how
passed, could well be the alienation groups and activists, newspaper ed- Museveni’s the proposed law would encourage
of Uganda in influential interna- itors, columnists, and several opin- admission of the police to raid the homes of sus-
tional circles. To put it bluntly, the ion leaders in Europe and America. powerlessness pected gays, drag them out of their
was revealing
saga could end with the Aminisa- The New York Times editorialised beds, take pictures, and proceed to
tion, if such a phrase is possible, of that Uganda should be turned into arrest them in the name of the law.
Uganda’s reputation abroad. Presi- an international pariah if the law It would be a wretched job.
dent Museveni, who is not known is passed, a position echoed by the Even if the current anti-gay sen-
to believe in gay rights, seemed Washington Post. In South Africa, timent in Uganda makes it seem like
to wake up to this reality when he the Sunday Times postulated that Ugandans are the most homopho-
recently told a gathering of ruling Uganda was ruled by “evil minds." bic people on earth, the proposed
party officials to “go slow” with the Michael Gerson of the Wash- law says more about the manipula-
anti-gay debate. ington Post, wrote: “It is sad when tive mind of one politician and less
Museveni, in comments that someone you care about threat- about the fears of a country. Here
stunned some Cabinet members ens to do a foolish and destruc- is a politician who spent five years
and shocked some anti-gay activ- tive thing... Uganda has endured in Parliament, did nothing to dis-
ists, said anti-gay efforts in Uganda the rule of a psychotic — dictator tinguish himself, and then awoke
were hurting the country’s foreign and cannibal Idi Amin — and a from his slumber thinking about
policy. As it turned out, Museveni pandemic that decimated a gen- gay sex. Coming just months before
was not opposing the proposed leg- eration..." Most of the international the General Election, his anti-gay
islation because he thought it was criticism has lacked nuance, to the efforts have vulgarised the national
not needed; rather, he was taking a extent that it is directed at Uganda. conversation at the wrong time.
stand that someone more power- The condemnation has failed to ap- Bahati’s most spectacular contribu-
ful wanted. The Ugandan leader preciate the fact that the proposal tion, however, may have been to de-
had been receiving calls from many was written, as far as we can tell, by monise Uganda abroad
May - June 2010 13
13

16. •THE REGION
Eastern Africa Beat
INTEGRATION: Enroute to single entity
Hurdles on
Path to EA
Political
Federation
By DEA CORRESPONDENT
T
he grand march to an
East African Politi-
cal Federation may
have begun in ear-
nest. So, is it time to
pop the champagne bottle? Well,
not quite. The journey may be set
back by pitfalls that could mar
progress. The founding fathers of munity, should take precedence Eminent scholar Dr Odera Outa
the East African Community had over similar ones in existence in says the East African Court of Jus-
envisaged that the penultimate the partner states. But it appears tice should assert its role and learn
stage for such a federation was the that the unity of purpose that from the European Union, which
formation of a Monetary Union, should inform such procedures adopts a “protectionist approach”
still due. may be lacking, after all. to member states’ welfare: “States
The Monetary Union caps the Even as a 15-member commit- must cede a bit of sovereignty
fruitful realisation of a Common tee of experts work on a detailed when they sign up as members of
Market protocol — already rati- review and analysis of the fears, the EAC. You cannot eat your cake
fied by four states as we went to concerns and challenges towards and have it”.
press — which in turn follows the the federation, it has emerged that Lawyer Gervase Akhaabi (EALA,
actualisation of a Customs Union. member states may be hesitant to Kenya) feels that harmonisation of
Thus, the EAC appears to have cede sovereignty. This would pose laws and disparity in national laws
acted fast and by-passed other serious problems for the opera- is yet another challenge. Another
regional bodies such as the Pref- tionalisation of the treaty. bottleneck is financial sufficiency
erential Trade Area (PTA), which That is despite the fact that and multiple membership by
are, to all intents and purposes, Section 4 Article 8 of the Treaty partner states.
moribund. establishing the Community says Throw decision-making into
Bills enacted by the East African that laws passed by the EALA shall the mix and the problem of con-
Legislative Assembly (EALA), the supersede similar laws existing in sensus and you have the ingredi-
parliamentary arm of the Com- partner states. ents of a slow paralysis. But per-
14 May - June 2010

17. SESSION:
East African Community, Mr Ama-
A meeting
son Jeffa Kingi, is upbeat that the
at the AICC,
Arusha process is on-course. He says that
the first attempt at the Commu-
nity, which collapsed in 1977, fell
for lack of political will by partner
states as well as absence of clear
pillars, among other reasons.
“We are now creating the pil-
lars. We build one, shake it, and, if
it stands firm, we move on to the
next one”, says he. With the Cus-
toms Union already almost a reali-
ty and the Common Market Proto-
col in the process of being ratified,
Kingi feels the future is bright.
In addition, EALA has passed
some 21 Bills and all partner states
have enacted laws domesticating
the Treaty but this has not been
apparent to the populace, owing
to lack of awareness.
It is with this in mind that the
EAC has embarked on a public
PHOTO: DEA LIBRARY
awareness campaign “to reach as
many people as possible”. This will
target schools, colleges and even
ordinary members of parliaments.
Indeed, there are plans to make
EAC issues an area of study at uni-
haps the biggest challenge of all is which has been in the news lately versity, with Moi having pioneered
the absence of a follow-up mecha- — and not for the right reasons — in this regard.
nism to ensure that partner states
implement the Community’s de-
is seriously underfunded, just as
are many institutions of the EAC
STATS Away from matters curricula,
the East Africa Business Council is
cisions. which rely heavily on donor fund- &FACTS also unhappy with the pace of im-
This, in effect, means that it is ing. plementation of some of the ideas
left to individual states and its af- Given the premise that donors
EALA has passed already on paper. For instance,
filiate arms to implement EAC de- fund projects they have vested some 21 Bills four years after partner states
cisions. In case of default, there is and invested interests in, it makes and all partner vowed to eliminate Non-Tariff Bar-
nothing anyone can do. sense that the EAC should look states have riers (NTBs), these are still evident
Akhaabi feels so strongly about towards a paradigm shift on fund- in various aspects.
this that, in his words, “we need ing. enacted laws The NTBs are most manifest in
to ask if we will move the way we Apathy in the populace (or is domesticating Customs and administrative pro-
are moving. This lacuna needs to it lethargy?) is another headache the Treaty but cedures, police roadblocks, weigh-
be addressed as we move towards for EAC dreams. For instance, the bridges, business registration and
deeper integration. Governments Tourism and Wildlife Manage-
this has not licensing and Immigration proce-
may not do anything but the peo- ment Bill (2008), passed early this been apparent dures.
ple should speak and ensure that year, had been on the table for a to the populace, Work permits are still required,
their problems are addressed”. year, yet, views were being sought except in the case of Rwanda,
The lawyer says that even the about it with little response.
owing to lack of which has done away with the
East African Development Bank, But the Kenyan Minister for the awareness requirement
May - June 2010 15
15

18. •DNA
Diplomacy•News•Analysis
VOLATILE: Wars on all fronts
Horn of
Plenty
of Trouble
The huge security challenges experienced, writes
WILLIAM LONGOMBA, have ramifications for the
entire region
T
HE Horn of Africa
presents a huge secu-
rity challenge that is a
source of serious con-
cern for both eastern
Africa’s diplomats and the conti-
nental African Union. The chal-
lenge the Horn poses is therefore
both regional and international.
In Somalia, the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) has
yet to establish its control over the
country and is steeped in an in-
ternal war of attrition with the Al-
Shabab Islamic militants.
Offshore pirates have created a
logistical and financial nightmare
for shipping companies and the
ports of the region and inland gov-
ernments and therefore adversely ARMED AND DANGEROUS:
affected the international mari- Unconventional fighters
time trade. display their lethal ware
In the eyes of both regional and
international diplomats, however,
the cure for the pirate problem off gain control of the country, other The militant group, which is be-
the expansive coast of Somalia and challenges plague its initiatives. lieved to have links with Al-Qaeda,
in the crucial Indian Ocean ship- Al-Shabab has threatened to attack leading to fears Somalia could be-
ping trade route lies on shore – in neighbouring Kenya and Uganda, come Africa’s pre-9/11 Afghanistan
the creation of a stable Somalia. the latter a country with which So- equivalent, regards Uganda, which
But even as the TFG struggles to malia does not share a border. has troops in Somalia, as an en-
16 May - June 2010