First, forget about witchcraft….

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Read Time:4 Minute, 13 Second

The only psychiatrist working in the African country of Chad has his work cut out to convince patients their issues are medical, rather than spiritual.

The sign outside Dr Egip Bolsane's surgery in the sleepy riverside district of Chagoua in the Chadian capital N'Djamena proclaims "the pioneer".

Even by Dr Bolsane's own account psychiatry was an unusual choice: it is not a discipline that many Chadians understand.

"Going to see a psychiatrist in Chad is a difficult thing for many people," said Dr Bolsane, seated behind a sparse wooden desk with just a bunch of white plastic flowers in a gold vase as decoration.

"Public opinion here thinks that it means something is really wrong in your head, it might be because you're possessed.

"We need to demystify the more or less diabolical image of psychiatry."

A listless fan rotates erratically behind him and he wipes the sweat away from his face – Dr Bolsane himself is not in particularly good health and he can't afford air conditioning.

Mental health problems are poorly understood by the majority of Chadians who tend to conceptualise illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia as having a spiritual, rather than a medical cause.

Many people believe in the existence of witchcraft and curses, and phrases such as having a "hot head" or persistent headaches are often euphemisms for much more serious problems.

Lack of education

It is easy to see people whose mental health issues have been left untreated, and whose families can no longer cope, living rough on the streets of the capital.

Dr Bolsane said one of the biggest obstacles to changing attitudes to mental health – and getting people to understand that it is an illness and not possession – is lack of education.

"Mental health issues are not talked about in society," he said.

"I often find when people come to see me that they don't know how to discuss their problems with anyone."

Improving mental health services is not easy in Chad, a country which comes fourth from bottom in the UN's Human Development Index.

Dr Bolsane receives no state support for his services, his clients often have trouble paying his modest fees and often drugs are not available.

Anyone wishing to study psychiatry still has to go to France.

"A country of 12 million people which has lived through many years of war has enormous need for psychiatric help" he said.

"But I'm just one person. There is no way I can satisfy the demand even though I feel every day I'm trying to help people."

Civil wars

From the early 1980s until just a few years ago, Chad endured a seemingly unending succession of civil wars, rebellions and coups which have left many thousands of people traumatised.

Under the 1982-90 brutal dictatorship of Hissene Habre, who was recently indicted in Senegal on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, some 40,000 people disappeared and many more thousands were tortured and imprisoned without charge.

I have observed that cases of schizophrenia here are much more common that you would find elsewhere, and my theory is that it's linked to what the country has gone through. ” Dr Egip Bolsane

Both rebel groups and the national army are known to have persistently used child soldiers.

Dr Bolsane believes this background helps to explain what he's observed about the occurrence of certain illnesses.

"I have observed that cases of schizophrenia here are much more common that you would find elsewhere, and my theory is that it's linked to what the country has gone through."

He has also noticed unusually high numbers of cases of paranoia, possibly brought on by substance abuse, and stress within family relationships.

Very few of these people have ever received professional medical help.

In a country which is currently battling an outbreak of malaria with 14,0000 new cases over just a few weeks, where polio and measles are still very real threats to children, and where the under-five mortality rate is 169/1000 live births, it is easy to see how resources will not be directed at mental health issues.

Dr Bolsane is disappointed that the country's new found oil wealth has not contributed more towards improving all aspects of health provision in Chad – the country has earned some $10bn from oil sales in the last 10 years but many of the country's hospitals are still in a parlous state.

So how does he manage to find the motivation to continue?

"The human being is not a machine which can just be easily repaired.

"Trying to understand the full range of the human experience, how emotion links to health, is one of the most exciting and challenging things anyone can do," he said, with a smile.

Source : BBC

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Hamas in Crisis as Egypt Terror Crackdown Continues

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Read Time:2 Minute, 32 Second

Egypt’s crackdown on terrorism in the Sinai Peninsula, including weapons smuggling to Gaza, has put Hamas in a tough position. The Islamist movement has found itself cut off from both its weapons supply and much of its source of income.

A recent terrorist attack on the Egyptian intelligence headquarters in Sinai led the Egyptian army to shut down the Rafiah terminal in southern Gaza for the past several days. The terminal is the only one that has been open to normal travel in recent years; Israel’s crossings with Gaza are open to travel only in cases of humanitarian need.

Egypt’s counter-terror tactics near Gaza have mirrored Israel’s: the Egyptian army has bombed smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, has created a buffer zone, and has battled terrorist “fishermen” who try to leave Gaza waters.

The determined attempt to destroy smuggling tunnels has shut down an estimated 80% of the tunnels trade, and, according to Arab media outlets, has killed several Gaza residents who were caught in the tunnels during destruction operations.

Hamas’ response seems to show a sensitivity to its precarious position: instead of denouncing Egypt as it has denounced Israel for similar counter-terror activities, or going on the attack, as it has previously done, Hamas has reportedly thanked the Egyptian army. According to Maariv/nrg, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhari said, “Smuggling activity has almost completely ceased thanks to the welcome operation by the Egyptian army.”

However, Hamas officials who spoke to the LA Times warned that the operation had destroyed much of Gaza’s source of consumer goods. While many goods enter Gaza via Israel, the tunnels to Egypt supply cheap Egyptian fuel and other goods crucial to Gaza’s economy, said Gaza’s Ministry of National Economy director Hatem Eweda.

Military sources in both Israel and Egypt confirm that Hamas uses the tunnels to bring in the weapons it uses to arm its security forces, build its rocket arsenal, and keep up its advantage over local rivals, including both Islamic sects and anti-Islamist protest groups.

In addition, Hamas taxes goods brought in via smuggling tunnel, and the heavy blow to tunnel trade is expected to mean a sharp drop in the group’s revenue.

Egypt’s new leadership replaced the Muslim Brotherhood, a Hamas ally. The current anti-Islamist crackdown in Egypt may be affecting Hamas as well; however, the movement appears reluctant to voice criticism. A senior Hamas leader recently told Egyptian media that protests in Gaza on behalf of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi had been “mistaken.”

Morsi is accused of colluding with Hamas in staging prison breaks in which Egyptian guards were killed. Both Morsi and Hamas have denied the allegations.

A poll conducted by the Palestinian Authority's Maan news service found that over 73% of Gaza Arabs believe Egypt's crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood will have a negative impact on Hamas.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Who will be left in Egypt?

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Read Time:2 Minute, 39 Second

Two years after thousands of Egyptian protesters risked their lives to bring down the dictator Hosni Mubarak, the military-controlled government in Cairo is expanding a repressive system that may ultimately be worse than the one Mr. Mubarak built and managed.

On Thursday, with much of the world distracted by Syria, the Egyptian generals and the civilian officials they have appointed extended a countrywide state of emergency for two months. And after overthrowing Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, two months ago and trying to crush his Muslim Brotherhood allies, security forces have also begun to round up other dissenters, a chilling warning that no Egyptians should feel safe if they dare to challenge authority.

That was not the kind of country that most Egyptians envisioned during the 2011 revolution when they sought democracy and freedom and demanded jobs and education. The repression and intolerance will ensure more instability and make it impossible for Egypt to revive its economy and play a constructive role in the region.

The 1950s-era state of emergency law, which removes the right to a trial and curbs on police abuses, was for decades a hated symbol of Mr. Mubarak’s excesses. Although the law stayed on the books, the state of emergency was suspended after Mr. Mubarak’s overthrow. The military leadership revived it last month and has extended it until November, citing the security problems that have only grown worse since Mr. Morsi’s ouster.

Just as troubling, the government has moved from singling out the Brotherhood and other Islamists to going after liberal and left-leaning activists and journalists. The April 6 group, which has been praised internationally for its role in the movement that brought down Mr. Mubarak, said Wednesday that police had raided a local office without a warrant and detained several activists for hours.

That same day, the government also filed charges in a military court against Ahmed Abu Deraa, a journalist covering Northern Sinai, where the military is facing growing violence by Islamist militants and has sought to bar news coverage there. Mr. Abu Deraa’s reporting has contradicted claims from the military about operations in Sinai.

There seems to be no end to the draconian controls as the military seeks to restrain the news media, manipulate the courts, misuse security services and restrict civil society groups. If it prevents the Muslim Brotherhood from operating at all, as many expect, it will go even farther than Mr. Mubarak. The process of revising the Constitution that was put in place by the government seems as flawed as the one implemented by Mr. Morsi. The results are almost certain to be regarded by many Egyptians as illegitimate.

All this comes on top of a crackdown on peaceful demonstrators after the coup that killed more than 1,000 people. The Obama administration has quietly suspended assistance to the Egyptian government and called off military exercises, but it will soon have to decide whether to allow the transfer of other aid to the military. Given the government’s insistence on repressing its people and pursuing a self-destructive course, that money should be withheld.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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YAWA! Zimbabwean Witch Arrested After Her Powers Failed To Make her Disappear

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Read Time:14 Second

Wow! Things happen in Africa o, most traditionalists blame the presence of religion as the source of regression in the continent, but they forget to mention that the absence of Christianity or Islam is the presence of the non-sense traditional religion of voodoo and witch crafty

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Mauritania to provide electricity to power-starved Senegal

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Read Time:57 Second

Mauritania is to begin providing energy-starved Senegal with electricity within two years, both sides announced Thursday after a summit between their presidents in Dakar.

Mauritania will sell its west African neighbour 80 megawatts at cost price from March 2015, with the possibility of increasing to 120 MW, a joint statement from the two countries said.

The cost and completion dates for power lines between the two countries have not been set out yet, said the statement, released after Mauritanian head of state Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Senegal, meeting President Macky Sall.

The gas to be used to generate the electricity will be extracted from Mauritania by a British-led consortium, according to several sources in Nouakchott.

The World Bank estimates that the Senegalese endure 12 days when there are power outages during the average month, though the cost of electricity supply is among the highest in the world.

Like many African power companies, state-owned Senelec is unable to match supply with demand.

Senegal and Mauritania already have a number of agreements in place, most notably in the fields of hydrology, security and fishing

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Pastor In Ghana Rapes 22-Year Old Girl In Church During Healing Prayers

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Read Time:1 Minute, 19 Second
Admin: When will some of our so called fake pastor stop raping girls? Its alarming that on daily basis we always read about pastors raping girls.. Excerpt below
 
A 34-year old head pastor of the Agona Swedru branch of Saviour Church of Ghana, has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping a 22-year old girl.
 
This was made known by the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Nana Asomah Hinneh, Agona Swedru Divisional Police Commander, adding that the Pastor, Joseph Bondzie admitted having sexual intercourse with the girl without her consent during police interrogations and a medical report from doctors of the Agona Swedru Government Hospital proved that the girl had been raped.
 
According to the ACP, the victim, a member of the church was sick and went to the pastor for healing prayers and in the course of the prayers the pastor touched the mouth of the girl and all of a sudden she fell floppy.
 
ACP Hinneh said the victim woke up in about 15 minutes and saw that her pant was loose and her private part soaked with semen, an indication that the pastor had had sexual intercourse with her.
 
He said the girl returned home and complained to her auntie and when Pastor Bondzie was confronted by the auntie he admitted the offence.
 
ACP Hinneh said the pastor sent some elders to plead for forgiveness on his behalf but the auntie reported the matter to the Agona Swedru branch of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the police.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Up in alms: Malema finds Jesus in Lagos

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Read Time:5 Minute, 39 Second

'We are still going to see authentic men and women of God rise and say no; enough is enough!"

A manic street preacher? Not quite. Try the official spokesperson for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), speaking on behalf of its notorious leader, ousted ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

Malema's visit to "super-pastor" TB Joshua's Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos last month raised a few eyebrows. The hot-headed leader is not known for his piety.

He and the EFF spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, stayed for a week at the church doing "lots of reading, watching sermons and prophecies", according to Ndlozi. He also met the controversial Nigerian prophet privately. The contents of that session are, alas, confidential.

Malema is in influential company. Leaders who have flocked to see Joshua include Malema's one-time mentor, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Malawi's former president Bingu wa Mutharika, who later died after a prophecy by Joshua to that effect, and Zimbabwe's Morgan Tsvangirai.

South African rugby players are also regulars, though Springbok Ruben Kruger went on to die from the brain cancer he was supposedly healed of.

But it wasn't healing or prophecy that took Malema to Nigeria, his first time in the booming West African country. It was a "spiritual visit to meet and create friendship with this son of Africa and his congregation, and ask for blessings for the journey ahead", the organisation said when they left on August 9.

The pair sang the megachurch's praises on their return.

Impressive humanitarian projects

"Well, it was renewing, indeed, inspiring if anything," said Ndlozi in response to written questions from the Mail & Guardian. He listed a number of the church's impressive humanitarian projects as examples.

Details of the expedition are somewhat murky: the pair from the cash-strapped EFF went at the invitation of the church, and the trip was sponsored. But it's not clear who facilitated the invitation and Ndlozi won't reveal who paid for the trip.

But sources in the ANC are convinced Malema was on a fund-raising mission.

The theory goes that Joshua, who recently prophesied that young people would start a huge and violent revolt in South Africa, took a shine to Malema and either hooked him up with a wealthy businessperson in the church or gave him money himself, from the organisation's plentiful coffers.

But the suggestion was shot down by Malema and the church did not respond to a request for comment.

The EFF needs money if it is to have a chance in next year's election, never mind win it, as they constantly boast on their Facebook page.

"It's a sign of desperation," said one source. "They won't get the massive amount of money needed to run a campaign."

Potential contractors
The nascent party is an ace at publicising itself, but is struggling for resources.

Malema was accustomed to a steady flow of capital when he wielded enormous influence within the ruling party, not least within the Limpopo government. A company linked to him allegedly controlled the tender system for certain provincial departments and was said to benefit from kickbacks from potential contractors.

But it is cold outside the ANC, as Malema has famously said, and his new party has resorted to selling the organisation's trademark red berets and other merchandise to raise funds. Although one ANC source saw it as a sign of prosperity – "Where would he get the money to buy all that? And he has a new car and house" – others see it as signs of trouble. And his rich friend Kenny Kunene has just left the organisation.

But Malema and Ndlozi played it straight when talking about their visit, saying it was a spiritual retreat for the young leader.

That he would need one is believable. He has been through a stressful few years. He was kicked out of the ANC, his life and home, after a bruising battle with President Jacob Zuma. His name, already muddied, was further torn apart by his detractors and he haemorrhaged support overnight.

If anyone needed a spiritual pick-me-up it was Malema. So the need for a seven-day break at the church,   though a seemingly intensely long time, may not be that far-fetched.

Malema is no stranger to church either. Indeed, his sponsorship of the Seshego Baptist Church in his hometown in 2009 first brought his house of cards down. An intrepid journalist noted that it was "donated by the Ratanang Trust", remembered that Malema's beloved son's name was Ratanang and realised how the mysteriously large amounts of money Malema lived off were being channelled to him.

Churches have featured at other points in his political career, often strategically. He was prayed over by pastors from the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pimville, Soweto, before appearing in front of the ANC's disciplinary committee in September 2011, and in April 2012, just after being gagged by the ANC, he sneakily announced an address at a church, a move many said was designed to defy the mother body.

Divine values
Is he religious? Ndlozi says so.

The EFF this week talked up its faith credentials after the visit, boasting of its relationship with religious groups and speaking eloquently and at length about the tension between secular and divine values in South Africa.

"Politics falls in the realm of secular justice; premised on rationalism and its lineage of the autonomous subject of reason birthed at the table of enlightenment, the subject of self-mastery, who can, as much as possible build a self-sufficient epistemology, the very claim that all is knowable," said Ndlozi on behalf of Malema, in one dizzying mouthful.

"Here, modernity thinks we can establish an ethical framework without having to start with God and his word. But we know too well that society, especially South Africa, has a huge religious community: Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, etcetera."

Malema later told the M&G that he had sat down with Ndlozi to answer our questions so perhaps his seven-day tutelage has created a lasting impression, given the depth of that answer and others on matters spiritual.  

It would have been easy to leave it at that if it was not for one niggling thing: Ndlozi's mention of a "new development" out of the Nigeria trip, which he quickly clammed up about. A generous sponsor? God knows, they need one.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Gabon unmasks 3,000 fake civil servants

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Read Time:1 Minute, 5 Second

A corruption investigation in Gabon has revealed the existence of about 3,000 fake civil servants who receive monthly government salaries despite holding no official positions, officials said.

The oil-rich Central African nation's bloated civil service employs about 70,000 workers and serves a population of 1.5 million.

"The beneficiaries regularly received monthly salaries despite not belonging to any ministry," State Prosecutor Sidonie Flore Ouwe said on Wednesday.

"We have already seized some of them with counterfeit diplomas and fake assignments," she said, adding that those involved in the scam would be prosecuted. Some suspects had been arrested, Ouwe added.

"This mafia-like network has branches in higher education establishments and in some administrations," said Maurice Ekogha, an advisor at Gabon's Budget Ministry.

The government had estimated that there were up to 10,000 fraudulent state employees, which cost Gabon about 25 billion CFA francs ($50.3m) in salaries every year.

In 2009, it launched an overhaul of the civil service and fired 800 employees. Another 2,500 were questioned on suspicion of illegally receiving multiple government salaries.

Although its oil resources and small population give it one of Africa's highest per capita income levels, wealth in Gabon is unevenly distributed.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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ICC prosecutor: Kenya trials must go ahead

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Read Time:3 Minute, 2 Second

Justice must run its course in the cases against Kenya's president and deputy president, the International Criminal Court's prosecutor said, ahead of a vote in Kenya's parliament on whether to withdraw from the Hague-based court.

Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are accused of orchestrating violence after elections in 2007 in which 1,200 people lost their lives.

"The judicial process is now in motion at the International Criminal Court. Justice must run its course," said Fatou Bensouda, the court's chief prosecutor, in a video statement on the court's website, on Thursday.

Ruto's trial comes about two months ahead of that of Kenyatta, who faces five charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, persecution and deportation.

Both Kenyatta and Ruto have said they will cooperate fully with the court and deny the charges against them.

Also due to appear in The Hague is radio boss Joshua Arap Sang, accused of inciting violence.

Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi, reporting from Nairobi, said: "More will happen after the motion is passed," adding that another bill will be presented to parliament which then needs to be signed off by the president.

Regarding popular support for the motion, she went on to say, "It really depends on which side you look at. The ruling coalition says this debate is being supported, but surveys show that Kenyans don't want hteir own country to pull out of the court."

Many Kenyan politicians have branded the ICC a "neo-colonialist" institution that only targets Africans, prompting the debate on a possible departure from the Rome Statute of the ICC.

"Any law in this country or internationally like the Rome Statute can be repealed and can be amended," said Asman Kamama, one of the lawmakers supporting a pull-out.

"It is not cast in stone and we want to be the trail blazers in the continent."

The Jubilee Coalition of Kenyatta and Ruto dominate both Kenya's National Assembly and Senate.

Voluntary sign-up

The Hague-based court was set up in 2002 to try the world's worst crimes, and countries voluntarily sign up to join.

Any actual withdrawal requires the submission of a formal request to the United Nations, a process that would take at least a year.

A withdrawal could however preclude the ICC from investigating and prosecuting any future crimes.

Cases could then only be brought before the court if the government decides to accept ICC jurisdiction or the UN Security Council makes a referral.

Amnesty International condemned the move.

"This move is just the latest in a series of disturbing initiatives to undermine the work of the ICC in Kenya and across the continent," said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty's Africa director.

The rights group called on "each and every parliamentarian to stand against impunity and reject this proposal," warning that "a withdrawal would strip the Kenyan people of one of the most important human rights protections and potentially allow crimes to be committed with impunity in the future."

Kenya's 2007 elections were marred by allegations of vote rigging, but what began as political riots quickly turned into ethnic killings and reprisal attacks, plunging Kenya into its worst wave of violence since independence in 1963.

Kenyatta and Ruto were fierce rivals in the 2007 vote, but teamed up together and were elected in March in peaceful polls.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Kenya parliament to reconsider ICC membership

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Read Time:1 Minute, 59 Second

Legislators recalled for vote in advance of trials of president and vice president at international court at the Hague.

Kenya's parliament has been recalled to debate ending its membership of the International Criminal Court, in advance of a crimes-against-humanity trial of the vice-president starting next week.

Joyce Laboso, parliamentary deputy speaker, issued on Tuesday the order for the "special sitting of the assembly", with parliament to meet on Thursday.

However, even should Kenya choose to leave the ICC – the first country potentially to do so – it would not affect upcoming trials since legal proceedings have already begun.

The ICC trial opened of Vice-President William Ruto, who is facing three counts of crimes against humanity for allegedly organising 2007-2008 post-election unrest that killed at least 1,100 people and displaced more than 600,000.

Ruto's trial comes about two months before that of President Uhuru Kenyatta on November 12, who faces five charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, persecution, deportation and other inhumane acts.

Both Kenyatta and Ruto have said they will cooperate fully with the court but deny the charges against them.

Politicians are expected to debate and vote on a possible departure from the Rome Statute of the ICC, following a request from the senate's majority leader Kithure Kindiki.

"Any law in this country or internationally like the Rome Statute can be repealed and can be amended," said Asman Kamama, one of at least 30 legislators supporting Kindiki's petition.

"It is not cast in stone and we want to be the trail-blazers in the continent."

The Jubilee Coalition party of Kenyatta and Ruto dominate both houses of Kenya's parliament.

The Hague-based court was set up in 2002 to try the world's worst crimes, and countries voluntarily signed up to join.

Legislators will debate a motion on whether to pull out from the ICC, but any actual withdrawal requires the submission of a formal request to the UN, a process that would take at least a year.

Ruto will be the first senior politician to stand trial for crimes carried out during the violence, with Human Rights Watch this week stressing the importance of the ICC as "a court of last resort

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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