EAST AFRICA
KENYA: Decision of the Supreme Court or a skein of Law, Politics and Emotion.
In view of the latest developments in the political situation in Kenya, fraught with peril, one has the right to wonder whether the extremely rare, if not the only decision in the world of this institution, was relevant and valid in pure law, politically correct, in the sense noble of the term, and socially conceivable, coming mainly from the guards of the National Building, supported by the constitution. It should be remembered that the Constitution remains the backbone of all the laws of a country and the Supreme Court in charge of looking after it and its integrity, remains the incubating mother of all citizens and their collective and individual rights to through fair justice for all.
In this context the exercise of the vote remains a major right of the citizen which allows him to freely give his point of view on the affairs and the march of his country, during Local or national Elections, programmed, planned, by the State and the various actors, according to the Law and well-defined rules of the game and known to all citizens aware of their status. So it’s a two-part process that’s important to distinguish. On the one hand the electoral system which defines the set of rules and which presents more stakes for the parties in the fight against the Vote and the Vote itself which is the most decisive phase and therefore the most important for any referee or observer of the democratic game
Moreover, if this last phase opens freely with the participation of the Actors, without hindrance for the citizen to exercise his right, the Actors tacitly recognize the validity and the overtaking for the first phase, which does not exclude all possibilities of to make subsequent legal remedies. This vote often takes place with failings of the Administration in places or with clashes between Zealous militants but as long as it does not stop the process, it is difficult and unfair to cancel the right of this citizen who has shown abnegations and sacrifices to fulfill his civic obligations. That is why international observers are very vigilant on this issue using the polished formula “incidents or failures that do not affect the regularity of the vote”.
“Unfortunately in Africa, it is less the regularity of the vote that is contested than the result of the vote and this even before the provisional proclamation of the results; everyone rejoices and announces the victory.”
Unfortunately in Africa, it is less the regularity of the vote that is contested than the result of the vote and this even before the provisional proclamation of the results; everyone rejoices and announces the victory. It is at this moment that the emotion invades the whole country including, voters and non-voters who quickly, become aware of their existence as a citizen and position themselves in relation to their concerns and opportunities; the latter, less interested in politics, are often more numerous at gatherings, more zealous to occupy the spittoon, or furnish the gallery with protesting actions. Thus, as soon as the Provisional Results are proclaimed, the vanquished party naturally endeavors to demonstrate its popularity, which is often not that of the Urns, by calling for street mobilizations with the often unfortunate complicity of the Media.
As such the human tide drained by Odinga the day after the proclamation of the Results, did not depart from the rule and did not fail to make skeptical when the victory of Uhuru Kenyatta and influence the decision also cavalier that unseemly 7 wise. It is this same mobilization that was noted after the decision of the 7 wise men, so why Odinga is not reassured of his victory to the point of opting for the boycott?
It is clear that Odinga is not sure of his victory which is not given by those who are in political parties as we tend to believe but rather by the rural population. In my opinion the 7 sages acted under the influence of the emotion and made a decision unpublished with regard to Elections but especially of Right: a total cancellation of Elections of which we do not ignore the motives otherwise we take refuge behind a laconic slogan of “unreliable elections”? Is it the system if yes should not give enough time then to resume everything? Is it the vote, if so, is it possible that the vote could be tainted throughout the Territory to the point of canceling without discrimination? Are these falsified Minutes? Did not the vote take place throughout the country in the presence of political party representatives and observers? What about the opinions of foreign observers? No, there is enough to pull one’s hair to understand and accept that political elections can be totally canceled by a legal institution was it a Supreme Court, in defiance of all the opinions of all other institutions directly involved throughout the process and in defiance of the charges on the taxpayer: This is an opportunity to see potential drifts of the independence of justice in Africa where the vast site of good citizenship is still fallow. In the end, the Supreme Court of Kenya did worse than that of Côte d’Ivoire, which only partially canceled the vote in certain constituencies. More seriously, Law’s arguments on the pleadings of the opposition, articulated in form or in substance, which could base a decision as serious as dangerous for the stability of the country, were not brought to the attention of opinion. Then one seems to remain in the general turmoil resulting from the irrationality of the results, characteristic of Elections of this nature and incapable of detaching itself from this torpor that distils the movements of crowd and preventing to take in all serenity and lucidity, the right decision, in accordance with the law. Some
Senegalese quickly weaved laurels prematurely to Magistrates of Kenya whose decision, because it suffers from political maturity and professionalism, risks leading the country in an indescribable chaos even the partition . It is the place to pay tribute to the Senegalese Judiciary in General and to the Sages of our Supreme Court who act in wise, in the serenity and the lucidity, in all responsibility in spite of the attacks and pressures which they are the object in situations crucial, like those of 2012 for the third term of Wade, 2016 for the unconstitutionality of the voluntarist reduction of the Presidential Mandate by Macky, outside a referendum. Our Headquarters Magistrates with their skills and expertise must continue to deserve our trust and be proud of our country, our legendary Democracy, all of us are wood.
By Walmack Political Observer / wandiaye@gmail.com
Fighting raged on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in Khartoum between the paramilitaries threatening to take over the city and the army, which is now calling on all young people in Sudan to enlist under the flag on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Fighting between the army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and General Mohammed Hamdane Dogolo’s Rapid Support Forces (FSR), known as “Hemedti”, is now concentrated around military bases. Since the beginning of the war on 15 April, the FSR have been present en masse in the residential areas where they had long established their bases. The army, however, tries to play its main asset: the air, which it controls alone, without its infantry succeeding in gaining a foothold in the immense city crossed by two arms of the Nile.
For several days, the FSR have been trying to take the last bases of the army in the capital where millions of people are still hiding – nearly a million and a half have left, fleeing stray bullets and water and electricity cuts in a grueling heat. The FSR took the police headquarters and its huge arsenal in southern Khartoum and harassed the army on bases in central, northern and southern Khartoum on Tuesday, reported residents to AFP. If they take these last bases, they will have taken control of Khartoum, experts say.
The Chairman of the Management Board and the CEO of the Merck Foundation meet with the President of Tanzania to discuss the scaling up of their health programmes to transform the patient care landscape in Tanzania. We have provided 37 one-year and two-year master’s scholarships to Tanzanian doctors in partnership with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, and we will continue to increase the number of physician awards in many underserved and critical medical specialties,” said Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation.
The philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany, highlights its commitment to building health care capacity in Tanzania at its high-level meeting with H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The discussion led by Professor Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of the Board of the Merck BOT Foundation and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, to discuss the scaling up of Merck Foundation programs to build health care capacity and transform the patient care landscape into more than 36 critical and underserved medical specialties in Tanzania.
The Senator said: It was a pleasure to meet the President of Tanzania. Our vision is to provide quality and equitable health care solutions to underserved and vulnerable populations, leading Africa and the rest of the world to a healthier future. We are committed to transforming the landscape of patient care in Africa through our scholarship programs. To date, more than 1,580 scholarships have been awarded to young doctors in 50 countries in 36 critical and underserved medical specialties.
It was a great honour to meet with H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to highlight our continued commitment to health and social development in Tanzania. She is a great leader; we African women are truly proud of her great achievements and success. She is a true role model for all of us.”
The Merck Foundation recently hosted the Merck Foundation Alumni Summit in Tanzania to meet their alumni and an awards ceremony to recognize the winners of the Merck Foundation Awards. The Summit was co-chaired by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp and Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation. During the Summit, the Merck Foundation also organized the 2nd edition of its Media Training on Health for Tanzanian media representatives in partnership with the Media Council of Tanzania and the Dar es Salaam City Press Club (DCPC). The training was conducted to highlight the important role that the media play in influencing our society to create cultural change in order to solve a wide range of social and health problems such as: breaking the stigma associated with infertility, supporting girls’ education, empowering women, ending child marriage, ending FGM, stopping GBV, raising awareness about diabetes, etc.
In addition, the CEO of the Merck Foundation announced the call for nominations for 8 major awards for media, musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, students and potential new talent.
EAST AFRICA
AFRICA ROAD BUILDERS 2022 Babacar Ndiaye Trophy: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Super Prize Winner
This distinction recognises African personalities involved in the development of transport infrastructure on the continent. On March 31, 2022, the Selection Committee of The Africa Road Builders – Babacar Ndiaye Trophy nominated the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in Abuja, Nigeria. Samia Suluhu Hassan, laureate of the 2022 edition of this award recognizing African personalities committed to the development of transport infrastructure on the continent.
Samia Suluhu Hassan was honoured for her “personal leadership and huge commitments and investments” in expanding Tanzania’s roads and rail transportation network, the selection committee said. She succeeds President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, laureate in 2021.The only woman and current head of state in Africa, Samia Suluhu Hassan came to power in March 2021 after the death of President John Magufuli, of whom she was vice-president.
In making its choice, the Selection Committee cited the US$290 million support of the African Development Bank for the revitalization of road, rail and air transport in Tanzania. It also took into account the $172.2 million contract with China Corporation Limited for the supply of 1,430 modern freight cars to the country for the implementation of the Tanzania Railways Corporation’s ambitious railway program. Finally, the Committee noted the official start of the construction of the historic project of the outer ring road of the city of Dodoma. The project was launched on 11 February by President Samia Hassan in the presence of the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina.
“We extend our warmest congratulations to President Samia Hassan and the people of Tanzania. The award ceremony will take place at the final conference of The Africa Road Builders, which will take place on the margins of the next Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank,” the Selection Committee said.
Sponsored by the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A. Adesina, the Africa Road Builders Babacar Ndiaye Trophy is organized by Acturoutes, an information platform on infrastructure and the road network in Africa and the organization Médias pour les infrastructures et la finance en Afrique (MIFA), a network of African journalists specialized in road infrastructure.
This award was created in honour of Babacar Ndiaye, President of the African Development Bank Group from 1985 to 1995. Professor Carlos Lopes, former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is the Chairman of the Conference Bureau.
Distributed by APO Group
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