Day: June 20, 2023

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that dialogue and negotiation is the only way to build lasting peace and cooperation not only in the Ukraine-Russia conflict but throughout the globe.

The President was delivering his opening remarks at the Joint Working Visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.

“If we are to bridge the growing divides between nations, between regions and between the Global North and South then we must begin with dialogue.

“We must work to create a peaceful and prosperous world by building mutually beneficial partnerships that support the aspirations of all our peoples,” he said.

Reflecting on the African Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia, President Ramaphosa said the delegation impressed upon the two leaders the importance of finding a peaceful solution and the particularly harsh impact the conflict continues to have on African nations.

“Among other things, we called for a de-escalation of fighting and for negotiations to commence with urgency; for the release of prisoners of war and return of children; for greater humanitarian support; and for reconstruction efforts to be prioritised.

“We used the meetings to highlight the damaging effect that this conflict is having on African countries and economies, contributing to food shortages and a rise in the cost of living,” he said.

The President said the mission was “successful in registering the willingness of African leaders to contribute to a negotiated peace and to highlight the broader effects of the conflict”.

“We hope that it will contribute in some way towards international peace efforts. For us the most important outcome was the commitment on both sides to continue engaging with us to take our discussions forward so that we can join the two countries together on the road to peace,” he said.

Energy cooperation

Turning to the Working State Visit, President Ramaphosa highlighted that the visit by the two delegations presented an opportunity to engage in ways that the countries can collaborate to find solutions to South Africa’s energy challenges.

“You will be familiar with the pressure on our electricity network and the impact it has on the South African economy. For this reason, your visit and our engagements on closer cooperation in the energy space are very opportune and important.

“Renewable energy forms an increasingly important part of our energy mix and is vital to both the achievement of a just transition and greater energy security. We hope to benefit from closer cooperation with your countries in this regard,” he said.

The President welcomed the delegations and called for deepening of relations.

“This joint Working Visit is indicative of our shared objectives in the areas in which we cooperate. Both your countries have long and historic relationships with South Africa, which have grown in substance and diversity over recent years. I know that you appreciate the mutual benefit that we can derive from this relationship, but you also understand the challenges we face.

“As South Africa, we are grateful to count Denmark and the Netherlands as longstanding partners in our progress and development,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, says the Africa Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia is part of a process that will assist to usher in peace in the Ukraine-Russia war.

The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the Joint Working Visit by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, African Heads of State from Senegal, the Comoros, Zambia and South Africa, together with the Prime Minister of Egypt and envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda visited and held talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader President Vladimir Putin in Kyiv and St Petersburg.

“We’ve been very clear that this is a process. It’s not just an event or a once-off matter. So in the end, it will be a culmination of processes and of parties. We’ve called for a larger involvement. We’ve said that it cannot just be Africa and we want to see, for example, the United Nations, through the Secretary General playing a very important role, as well as other leaders including those who support one or other of the countries that are at war at present.

“We see this as a very broad process which will involve a multifaceted set of strategies and interventions,” she said.

Regarding the delays experienced by members of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS) and media personnel at Poland’s Chopin Airport last Thursday, Pandor said from DIRCO’s perspective, all arrangements had been made but the PPS does not fall under the ambit of that department.

“It is important to indicate from our side that DIRCO does not make the arrangements with respect to the President’s security. This is left to the Presidential Protection Unit and the responsible party would be the Minister of Police [General Bheki Cele].

“From the perspective of DIRCO, through the usual diplomatic processes, we made arrangements for meetings in Ukraine, all the protocol arrangements, all the necessary communications and the fact that our meetings proceeded well means that our ambassador in Russia and Ukraine, did their side,” she said.

Pandor said en route to Russia and Ukraine, South Africa held meetings with the Polish government.

“We held a meeting with the leadership of Poland and it went exceptionally well. To the degree that President [Ramaphosa] has indicated the willingness to undertake an official visit to Poland.

“So at the level of the President and DIRCO, everything went well,” Pandor said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has strongly condemned the continuation of abuse and murder of elderly people accused of witchcraft.

MEC Khoza has reiterated that witchcraft-related violence is a deeply rooted issue that requires immediate attention and concerted efforts from both the government and society as a whole.

Khoza made the remarks following the brutal murder of a 74-year-old pensioner, Solani Mchunu, from Bandlaneni area in KwaNongoma.

Mchunu was allegedly murdered by a local boy at the weekend, after accusing him of witchcraft.

It is alleged that the community also stoned the accused to death after he was seen following Mchunu.

“As the community of this province, we should understand that every individual has the right to life, dignity and freedom from violence. Therefore, targeting and persecution of individuals based on accusations of witchcraft is not only morally repugnant, but also a violation of fundamental human rights,” Khoza said.

Khoza has strongly condemned the continuation of abuse and murder of elderly people accused of witchcraft.

She said it is crucial for communities to foster understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity, recognising that myths about witchcraft do not justify violence.

The MEC has also called upon the law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this heinous crime and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

“It is essential that the legal system sends a clear message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated and that those responsible will face the full force of the law.

“We also urge community leaders, religious institutions and civil society organisations to come together and address the issue of accusing elderly people of witchcraft through education, awareness campaigns and dialogue,” Khoza said.

She emphasised the importance of dispelling myths, challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting respect for human rights, and the rule of law.

The MEC appealed to the public to prioritise the protection of vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, who may be more susceptible to accusations of witchcraft.

She further called on KwaZulu-Natal citizens to stand united in condemning the brutal murder and all forms of violence associated with witchcraft accusations.

“It is our collective responsibility to create a society that values human life, respects, diversity and upholds the principles of justice and equality. We call on all stakeholders to work together to address this pressing issue and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.”

Khoza sent her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and the local community for their loss.

She said a team of social workers has been dispatched to both families, to provide adequate psychosocial support, including trauma debriefing and trauma containment.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A coalition of 30 Anti-corruption Civil Society Organisations have called on President Bola Tinubu to revive anti-corruption fight in the country and reel out agenda to curb its spread.

Spokesperson for the group, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, who is also the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), made the call on Tuesday in Abuja.

Rafsanjani said that the nation had been plagued with corrupt practices manifesting in different forms for many years and these has resulted in slowness in the judicial process.

He listed low reporting of corrupt practices by citizens due to mistrust in the system, lack of whistle blower and witness protection law to protect whistle-blowers, underfunding of anti-graft agencies and non-adherence to laws as part of corruption.

He said that the absence of political will at the highest level of government and the lack of implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, political corruption among others as other causes of corruption.

He, therefore, said the group made some recommendations like the Federal Government should pass the Whistle-blower and Witness Protection Bill into law.

The recommendation according to him, also include full implementation of the National Strategy on anti-corruption and the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 across all the states of the Federation including the FCT.

“Compulsory capacity building exercise for staff of public institutions on the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022 and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 2011.

“Effective monitoring and implementation of the Beneficial Ownership register in full compliance with the provisions of CAMA for improved transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.

“Effective implementation of the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Money Laundering and Prohibition Act, 2022 and OGP NAP III.”

Rafsanjani called for improved funding for ICPC and Code of Conduct Bureau as well as review by the National Assembly of the provisions of the Acts establishing the ICPC, EFCC and Code of Conduct Bureau regarding the mode of appointment of the Chairman and other key laws used to prosecute cases .

He said that these would also result in increased number of convictions of politically exposed persons (PEP) by the EFCC and ICPC.

“In amending the enabling Acts of the anti- corruption agencies, we suggest security of tenure for heads of these agencies.

“Investigation of all public officers and politically exposed persons (PEP) named in the Pandora papers, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Genko scandal and FinCEN Files.

“While those found guilty be made to face the full wrath of the law as a deterrent to others,” he said.

He also called for reform of financial institutions such as CBN and commercial banks, FIRS, Nigerian Ports Authority and Maritime sector. These have become money laundering gateways.

Rafsanjani said that there was the need to take concrete steps to foster great judicial independence by institutionalisng real financial autonomy for the judiciary.

He said this currently depended on disbursements that were often delayed by the executive.

He said the group demanded that anti-corruption and security agencies demonstrated greater transparency with regards to their budgets and expenditures, developing strategic capacity-building spending plans.

He urged the government to prioritise the need to ensure that information and data in the oil and gas sector was provided.

He called for the need to engage state government to align with all anti-corruption strategies and initiatives at the federal level and in particular, get all those states that have not domesticated the Freedom of Information Act to do so,

Rafsanjani said that there was need to improve and strengthen the autonomy, independence and institutional capacity of state-level anti-corrupting agencies and create better synergy between them and their counter-parts at the federal level.

“There should be respect for civil space by those in authority. Civil Society Organisations and citizens should have the liberty of expressing themselves regarding issues of governance and well-being of citizens without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“Government should see the role CSOs play as complimentary rather than antagonistic.

“For genuinely confidential procurements in the Defense Sector, we recommend that a separate legal procedure should be designed allowing for monitoring by a confidential Senate Committee.”

Rafsanjani said the group also recommended that the National Assembly should fast tracks the process of reviewing the obsolete current audit act to empower the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation in discharging his duty.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja said it would continue to work towards removing all barriers that inhibit women’s right to access to land.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, said this at a stakeholders dialogue on combating land degradation and gender equality.

The dialogue was part of the activities to commemorate the 2023 World Desertification and Drought Day.

Idris was represented by Ms Mabel Emmanuel, the Director Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management, in the ministry.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the theme of 2023 World Desertification and Drought Day is: “Her Land. Her Right: Advancing Gender Equality and Land Restoration Goals”.

“We cannot shy away from the fact that women have unequal and limited access over the control of land. Women hold a vital stake in the health of the land, yet they often don’t have control over land.

“In all parts of the world, women face significant barriers in securing land rights, limiting their ability to thrive and prosper.

“And when land becomes degraded and water is scarce, women are often the worst affected.

“Investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity,” Idris said.

He said that the theme aimed at drawing attention to the critical role of gender equality and inclusiveness in tackling land management issues.

He added that similarly, the theme also aimed at “achieving land degradation neutrality and sustainable livelihoods and welfare of the vulnerable groups, especially the women.

“Land degradation is currently one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems and it is expected to worsen especially in Nigeria with increasing population unless remedial action is taken.

“Land degradation affects everyone through food insecurity, higher food prices, climate change, environmental hazards and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services”, he said.

The permanent secretary said that it was time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.

“It is therefore pertinent for us to join the global community to revisit and review our land laws.

“We must find ways to promote women’s access to, use of and control over land and other productive resources because it is essential to ensuring their right to equality and to an adequate standard of living.

“These resources help to ensure that women are able to provide for their day-to-day needs and those of their families, and to weather some of life’s most difficult challenges,” Idris said.

He said that the obstacles which prevent women from effectively enjoying these rights are complex and to a large extent context specific.

“We will not only identify these challenges but we must find ways of addressing them, accurately and timely.

“Women are agents of change and they are drivers of climate change adaptation as well as sustainable development.

“I am very optimistic that today’s dialogue will bring needed solutions to all the issues faced by women in today’s society,” he assured.

Speaking in her capacity, the Director Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought Management said that numerous studies and experiences worldwide have confirmed that gender inequalities must be addressed.

Emmanuel worried that women are often the most affected by drought, land degradation and desertification, notably, land is the most critical economic resource for most rural people.

“Lack of ownership and control over land by women around the world exposes them to poverty, hunger, gender-based violence, and displacement.

“Women are often excluded from land registration and ownership systems, making them vulnerable to eviction and land grabbing.

“In Nigeria and many other countries, women have unequal and limited opportunities to access, own or inherit land in their name,” she said.

The Director Programmes, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dr Akintunde Babatunde, urged stakeholders to figure how lands can be maximised based on the theme.

“At CJID, what we do is to leverage the tools for Journalism, data and research to see how we can create an environment where the media can create ideas for transformative change.

Babatunde urged that more lands be allocated to the women to increase survival value.

Dr Salisu Dahiru, Director-General of the National Council for Climate Change, said his agency would partner with the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders on land restoration.

Dahiru said that the need to restore land for prosperity is tied to human survival.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The International Press Centre (IPC) on Tuesday hosted about 80 delegates in a roundtable in Abuja, to enhance the media role in deepening democratic governance in Nigeria.

The Executive Director, IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, in his opening remarks said that the event was pursuant to the aims and objectives of Component 4: Support to Media of EU-SDGN II project.

Arogundade said the project was being implemented by the IPC (lead partner) and the Institute for Media and Society (IMS).

He said the project was to enhance the Nigerian media’s role in promoting democratic governance through fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of electoral processes and elections in Nigeria.

He added that the overall goals of the range of activities under the project, therefore, included but not limited to capacity building for journalists on issue focused, factually accurate and conflict-sensitive reporting of elections.

“It also includes capacity building for female candidates on strategic communications and media use and engagements on countering disinformation and misinformation.

“As well as to ensure that journalists and their news mediums pay maximum attention to ethics, professionalism and inclusivity, because such help to facilitate credible elections, without which democracy cannot be consolidated.”

The News Agency of Nigeria , reports that the IPC also presented a documented presidential campaign promises by President Bola Tinubu as independently monitored by the IPC media monitoring unit between October 2022 and February 2023.

In presenting the documented Presidential campaign promises, the IPC executive director expressed hope that it would give the media, the civil society and the citizens the opportunity to evaluate their implementation by the president.

“We urge the media and civil society to adopt the same approach to the elected governors and their campaign promises.

“For the media in particular, this should be done with particular reference to Section 22 of the constitution, which obligates the press to perform the watchdog role of monitoring governance and holding the government accountable to the people,” he said.

NAN reports that a lead presentation on “Beyond the Rhetoric of Campaigns: The Role of Citizens and the Media in Ensuring Democratic Accountability” was delivered by Dr Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).

Igbuzor in his presentation noted that democracy still remained the best form of government in spite of declining confidence in political leaders and institutions.

He said that election was the procedure through which people were put in positions of authority in the executive and legislative arms of government.

“It is well recognised all over the world that politicians make grand political statements and sweeping promises during campaigns which are difficult to implement while in government.

“Governing is more complex than campaigns. It is therefore imperative for citizens and the media to hold government to account for its campaign promises,” he said.

He, however, said that there were several tools that could be used to hold government and its agencies to account.

“Unfortunately, these tools are not being effectively utilised in Nigeria. Everyone interested in the development of the country must therefore popularise these tools, operationalise them and improve the transparency and accountability of government in Nigeria.

“It is clear that political leaders have a great role to play not only in providing enabling environment for just and accountable government but in facilitating the process of holding government to account.

“This is why the citizens and the media must take more than a casual interest in the political leadership selection process in the country,” he further said.

NAN further reports that the IPC used the opportunity of the event to launch the IOS/Web App of the Media Code of Elections.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria