Iran marks 34th anniversary of Islamic Revolution

Via Press TV

Special ceremonies are being held across Iran to mark the 34th anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime. The ceremonies kicked off all over the country on Thursday morning at 9:33 a.m. local time (0603 GMT), the time when the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, returned to the Iranian capital, Tehran, on February 1, 1979 after a 15-year exile in Paris. 

 

High-ranking Iranian officials and people from all walks of life came together at the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic Republic in southern Tehran to renew their allegiance to the ideals of late Imam Khomeini. 

The day of Imam Khomeini's return to Iran marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Dawn, which culminates with the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution on February 10. Iranians have arranged different programs to celebrate the event by honoring Imam Khomeini's historic return and the memory of the revolution’s martyrs. On Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited the mausoleum of the late Imam Khomeini to pay tribute to the founder of the Islamic Revolution. 

 

 The Iranian nation toppled the US-backed Pahlavi regime 34 years ago, ending 2,500 years of monarchic rule in the country. The Islamic Revolution, under the guidance of Imam Khomeini, established a new political system based on Islamic values and democracy.

Dispatches from Juba: Lessons from a young city

Nicodemus Minde, Juba South Sudan

South Sudan is just one and half years old. The country is making significant strides in state building. The country is doing quite well despite its tender age. For a fragile rentier state, South Sudan has made significant progress in various fields. The capital city Juba is booming with commercial activities. Kenyans, Eritreans, Ethiopians and Somali businessmen are making their presence felt. Most of these people are engaged in the hotelier business, commercial apartment business, real estate, banking and insurance among others. 

Infrastucture

Just like many fragile post war state, Sudan is on the process of rebuilding its broken and dilapidated infrastructure. The south of Sudan has for many years been neglected by the government of Khartoum, making the southerner secondary citizens in their own country. This largely contributed to the war for independence that culminated with the signing of the CPA in 2005 and a subsequent referendum that lead to their independence in 2011. The country lacked proper roads, proper social amenities, and many other essential faculties. But the government has put a concerted amount of effort in road construction, maintenance of existing structures and other social amenities such as hospitals, schools, health centers among other things.

The University of Juba

This university has suffered a great among of neglect. Upon my visit to the university, I was shocked by the dilapidation of the structures, the lack of adequate staff, lack of facilities, dust etc. But my spirits were lifted by the desire for learning among the students, the thirst in knowledge and struggle for an education. Students were all over queing to get their notes printed out, some to photocopy due to inadequacy of funds. That desire for knowledge was further highlighted to me when I spoke to them. They were ready to listen, learn, help and be helped. Though they couldn't say it to me, I knew that they wished for better facilities, better infrastructure, better shades to sit and read and relax. I saw it on there faces that they needed a better library where they could seat and read, a well equipped library where they can borrow books and quench the thirst of knowledge. I could see them sit in groups, discussing and debating on topical issues. 

I visted the university Vice Chancellor. We spoke and he highlighted his desire to transform and build the university. For a man who was eduacted outside, worked in a prestigious university in Namibia, the desire to come back home and rebuild his country was indicative of the country's desire for progress. He explained it to me that he faced mounting challenges but he faces them with courage and determination. These are inspiring stories that we learn from South Sudan. With the little they have they take them graciously and make meaning to it through desire and progress.

Allies in Libya, Enemies in Mali

Via Al Monitor

Thanks to French President Francois Hollande, who felt the need to step in to contain the collapse of Mali, and a calamitous rescue operation by Algerian forces that resulted in the deaths of 37 hostages, the Western media has discovered Mali. 

The largest West African country is under threat of division in a war that sees government troops, along with a Western coalition led by the French, battling well-armed ethnic Tuaregs and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaruldin group, who were already at war with each other.

Once known as French Sudan, Mali is one of France's main allies in sub-Saharan Africa. Fears are growing in Paris that the chaos might spill out to neighboring states fom what was anciently called "French West Africa," drastically affecting regional and international stability and peace. But that’s not all. France is concerned the spread will put what remains of its influence in this part of the world under serious threat.

The war in Mali, many believe, wasn’t entirely unpredictable for those keeping a close eye on the situation. There were strong indicators, such as weaponry and fighters crossing the loose borders. The country was forced to face the ambitions of well-armed ethnic Tuareg fighters, who returned home after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in Libya.

Tuaregs revived their 100-year-old dream of an independent state in the Azawad territory to the north of Mali. They took advantage of a coup d'état that ousted President Amado Toumani Toure to control their area and declare independence with the help of an al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

The latter were looking for a safe haven in a hostile environment, especially amid the end of the Libyan war. The Islamists, later on, overthrew the Tuaregs and installed Shariah law in the area, a move some sources suggest was prompted by post-revolution Libya, whose leaders were keen to uproot any pro-Gadhafi sentiments near their borders. 

Post-revolution Libya is perhaps the most critical factor in the struggle for Mali; the fall of Gaddafi and the links the Ansaruldin have with the new rulers of Tripoli gave this war a different perspective. It is as if Mali were the arena where another version of the Libyan war resumed, though with different objectives.

Less than two years ago, NATO strikes helped the rebellion in Libya and paved the way for the opposition to end 40 years of Gadhafi rule. At that time foreign intervention was welcomed by Libyans, and not much opposed by Arabs and Muslims. This was in stark contrast with the reaction to foreign intervention in Iraq in 2003.

While in Libya, I had the chance to meet Abdulmonem Al Mukhtar, once a member of the Islamic Libyan fighting group, who was killed just weeks after we met in April 2011. Al Mukhtar fought against the Americans in Afghanistan and returned to Libya on March 2011 along with 100 of his loyal fighters to take part in the war.

Near Ajdabiya, to the east of Libya, I asked how he could be an enemy of NATO in Afghanistan and an ally in Libya. He laughed, told me not to be a “fanatic" and added, "In Afghanistan, they are an occupation force. Here, they are helping us topple the dictator."

It wasn’t only Abdulmonem who approached the situation this way. Everyday people gave similar answers, and mainstream media organizations weren’t far behind in that logic. There was a common belief that in a war for liberation, all means were justifiable.

Later on some of the Syrians revolting against President Bashar al-Assad started demanding foreign intervention to help them defeat the regime, and so did those who supported them around the Arab and Muslim world. People initially welcomed foreign intervention — at least, until they contemplated it further.

As a result of the Libyan war, a new war started in the region. Once again, the tables are turned. Yesterday’s allies in Libya are today’s enemies in Mali. Voices refusing foreign intervention became louder and louder, calling on the West, specifically France, to respect the sovereignty of the sub-Saharan state. Some dubbed the military intervention a new crusade, while the presidents of Egypt and Tunisia and the prime minister of Libya all warned the intervention will fuel conflict in the region.

Many didn’t realize that a war in Mali had surfaced until news of foreign intervention made headlines. Some are starting to raise questions about the consequences of foreign military intervention, and the forces it will unleash. The Libyan “success” preceded the terrorist attack on the US consulate in Ben Ghazi, which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans, and now we have Mali. 

It is not that the war in Mali started only now; it's only now that the world started thinking of its consequences.

 

Ali Hashem is an Arab journalist who is serving now as Almayadeen news network's chief correspondent.

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/mali-qaddafi-libya-terrorism.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5933#ixzz2J01Wh78c

Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba Imeshindwa kwenda na wakati

Nicodemus Minde

Tupo kwenye zama za teknolojia na utandawazi. Mambo yote maisha ya mwanadamu siku hizi yanafanya kutumia ujumuiko wa watu wote duniani. Jumuiya ya dunia kwasasa inaletwa pamoja na mbinu za kisasa ambazo hujuisha mambo kama matumizi ya wavuti, mitandao ya kijamii, tarakilishi, barua pepe na kadhalika. Matumizi haya yamesaidia sana katika ukuzaji na ukuzwaji wa biashara, taasisi mbali mbali, mashirika yasio ya kiserakali, asasi za dini, taasisi za elimu, mashirika ya kijamii. Mashirika haya pamoja na asasi hizi zimetumia jukwaa hili la utandawazi kupanuka kibiashara, kitaasisi, kijamii na kadhalika. Upanuzi huu umesaidia makampuni haya na taasisi hizi kujiuza na kuhabarisha na kusambaza habari kuhusiana na taarifa zao, hoja zao na kadhalika.

Nimeshangazwa na tovuti ya tume ya mabadiliko ya katiba Tanzania kutofuata mkondo huu ilikusaidia kuhabarisha umma ya Tanzania pamoja na jamii nzima ya kimataifa kuhusiana na maendeleo yao katika mchakato mzima wa kukusanya maoni, taarifa za tume na mambo mengine yanayohusu tume hio.

 

Tovuti rasmi ya tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba ya Tanzania imeshindwa kutoa habari muhimu zinazohusu maoni ya vyama, maoni ya taasisi mbali mbali, maoni binafsi na hata wameshindwa kuwa na kipengele (link) ya habari zinazotokana na maoni ya katiba, taarifa zitokanzo na mchakato wa katiba na hata mienendo mbali mbali ya Katiba katika mataifa mbali mbali.

Rai yangu ni kwa tume hii. Taarifa ni kitu muhimu sana katika mchakato wa kuandaa katiba. Kuna haja kubwa kwa tume hii kuweka taarifa muhimu zitokanazo na maoni kuhusu katika. Nimefurahishwa na vipengele vilivyowekwa kwenye tovuti yao. Sheria kuhusu mabadiliko ya katiba imewekwa ndani, katiba ya sasa pia imewekwa ndani, pamoja na muundo wa tume hio inayoongozwa na Jaji Mkuu Mstaafu Joseph Warioba. 

Tovuti inapaswa kujumuisha madhalani maoni kuhusiana na muundo wa nchi, maoni kuhusiana na Muungano, sera mbali mbali za chama, mustakabali wa maendeleo ya mchakato huu. Misingi ya maendeleo ambalyo ndio chimbuko la mchakato huu wa mabadiliko ya katika inajumuisha azma ya upanuzi wa matumizi ya teknojia, upasishaji habari, kuleta watu pamoja na kadhalika.

Hii ndio rai yangu.

Obama takes Oath

NYTimes: Obama Opens 2nd Term in Lower Key http://nyti.ms/Wh13r0

Meet the Tattooed Presidential Candidate of Czech Republic

Imagine your president is tattooed from head to toe. Sounds crazy? But believe it or not, Vladimir Franz a leading Czech presidential hopeful is tattooed from head to toe. Since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic has had two presidents, Vaclav Havel and Vaclav Klaus, and both were elected by Parliament. But both of those elections were plagued by charges of corruption, so the legislature handed over the vote to the general public.

Klaus, the incumbent, called the direct elections “a fatal mistake” because someone like Franz might succeed him. Klaus was at one time caught on camera 'stealing' the pen of Chilean president Sebastian Pinera.  

It seems the people of Czech are now accustomed to intricacies of their presidents.

Presidential candidate Vladimir Franz

Presidential candidate Vladimir Franz

Presidential candidate Vladimir Franz

Dk. Slaa ahofia uhai wake

Vyanzo: Nipashe na Chadema Blog

Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Dk. Willibrod Slaa, amesema anaendelea kutishiwa kuuawa na vyombo vya usalama na kwamba njama zote zinazopangwa dhidi yake amezibaini.

Hata hivyo, Dk. Slaa amesema hataacha siasa kutokana na vitisho hivyo na yupo tayari kufa kwa ajili ya kutetea umma wa Watanzania katika kupata haki yao ikiwamo kunufaika na rasilimali zao ambazo zinanufaisha watu wachache.

Aliyasema hayo katika viwanja vya Railway, Manispaa ya Moshi jana na katika viwanja vya Kwasa Kwasa mjini Same wakati wa mikutano yake ya hadhara.

“Nimetishiwa kuuawa zaidi ya mara tatu na hadi sasa wahusika wanaendelea na mipango ambayo yote inavuja na kutufikia Chadema,” alisema na kuongeza: “Sitaacha siasa kwa vitisho vyao ndiyo kwanza nasonga mbele nimejitoa maisha yangu.”

Aliongeza kuwa bahati mbaya mipango inayopangwa imekuwa ikivuja kwa kuwa nyumba yao inavuja na hivyo wenye uchungu na nchi wamekuwa wakitoa taarifa hizo.

Alililaumu Jeshi la Polisi kwamba linaminya demokrasia kwa kutolea mfano kitendo cha Jeshi hilo kuwazuia vijana kutundika bendera za Chadema katika pikipiki juzi katika Manispaa ya Moshi na jana mjini Same.

KAULI YA POLISI
NIPASHE ilipomtafuta Msemaji wa Jeshi la Polisi nchini, Advera Senso, kuzungumzia madai ya kiongozi huyo, alisema hajapata taarifa na kutaka apelekewe ushahidi ofisini kwake.
“Mimi na wewe tuko Dar es Salaam, sasa tunayajuaje mambo yanayoendelea huko Kilimanjaro?” Senso alihoji na kuongeza:

Kama wewe una ushahidi kuhusiana na taarifa hizo, ninaomba uniletee document (nyaraka) kesho (leo) asubuhi ofisini kwangu zikiwa zinaonyesha alizungumza wapi na tarehe ngapi.”

Licha ya NIPASHE kumsisitizia kwamba Dk. Slaa alitoa kauli hizo katika mikutano ya hadhara ambayo wengi walisikia, lakini hakukubali na kusisitiza kwamba apelekewe nyaraka hizo ofisini kwake.

“Jeshi la Polisi lipo kwa ajili ya usalama wa raia na mali zao na ofisi zao zipo wazi saa 24 nchi nzima, hivyo kila mtu anaruhusiwa kutoa taarifa,” alisema.

Aliongeza: “Kwa kuwa wewe unataka kutoa taarifa, ninamuomba aje ofisini kwangu asubuhi,” alisisitiza.

Dk. Slaa alipoulizwa na NIPASHE jana mjini Same kama amewahi kuripoti matukio ya vitisho dhidi yake kwa vyombo vya dola, alisema hatakwenda katika chombo chochote cha dola kwa kuwa hao hao ndiyo wanaotaka kumdhuru.

KADI YA CCM
Alisema wanaoeneza propaganda za kuwa ana kadi mbili ikiwamo ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), ni wapuuzi na wamekosa cha kuzungumza.

Alifafanua kuwa ni hiari ya anayejiunga na chama kingine kuamua kadi ya chama cha awali aliyonayo aifanye nini.

Kuhusu mauaji ya watu katika mikoa ya Arusha, Iringa, Morogoro na Tabora, Kamati Kuu ya Chadema imetoa muda (hakusema siku ngapi) kwa serikali kuhakikisha inachukua hatua ikiwa ni pamoja na kuunda tume ya kimahakama ya uchunguzi wa mauaji hayo.

“Tumeipa serikali muda wa kuunda tume hiyo na kuchukua hatua stahiki, vinginevyo nchi haitakalika, viongozi wanahubiri amani ya kinafiki huku watu wakiuawa kama kuku, hadi leo wameendelea kumkumbatia Kamanda wa Polisi wa Mkoa wa Iringa, Michael Kamuhanda, ambaye alikuwa umbali wa mita kumi wakati mwandishi wa habari wa kituo cha Chanel Ten, Daudi Mwangosi, anauawa,” alisema.

Alisema kutokana na kelele za viongozi wa Chadema, dunia nzima imejua juu ya mauaji yanayofanywa na vyombo vya dola na Umoja wa Mataifa (UN), Umoja wa Ulaya (EU), Marekani na Japan, wamejua na wanafuatilia kwa karibu.

Alisema uwezekano wa baadhi ya viongozi kufikishwa katika Mahakama ya Kimataifa ya Uhalifu (ICC) iliyopo The Hague, Uholanzi ni mkubwa na hawataacha kupiga kelele kwa kuwa raia wanauawa hovyo.

“Tumeitaka serikali kuwachukulia hatua mafisadi wote, vinginevyo hatutakuwa na muda wa kuhurumiana wala kubembelezana, Katiba imetamka wazi kuwa jukumu la kusimamia rasilimali za taifa ni la wananchi na si serikali, hivyo tutasimamia na wanaosema wamechoka kusikia suala la mafisadi, wakae chonjo kwani mpambano ndiyo kwanza umeanza,” alisema.

Dk. Slaa alisema kuanzia Januari 26 hadi 28, mwaka huu, Kamati Kuu, Baraza Kuu la Chadema, wataanza kutoa matamko makali dhidi ya serikali ya CCM kulaani mambo ya ufisadi, mauaji ya raia na mengine ambayo yanairudisha nchi kwenye umaskini wa kutisha.

UFISADI NA MAFISADI
Alisema suala la kukwapuliwa kwa mabilioni ya fedha kutoka Akaunti ya Madeni ya Nje (Epa) katika Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT) Sh. bilioni 133 na mabilioni ya Tangold, ambazo zilichukuliwa na CCM kwa ajili ya kampeni za mwaka 2005, hawataacha kulizungumzia kwani ushahidi wa fedha hizo kukwapuliwa na wachache kwa manufaa yao upo wazi kabisa.

“Tunaitaka serikali kuutumia Usalama wa Taifa na Polisi kulinda rasilimali zetu zisitoreshwe nje ya nchi kama inavyofanyika kwenye sekta ya madini na wanyama, badala ya kupoteza muda mwingi kuwafuatilia Chadema,” alisema. Alidai shehena ya meno ya tembo iliyokamatwa hivi karibuni nchini China, ikiwa ni mali ya kiongozi mmoja wa ngazi za juu kwenye CCM, ambaye hakumtaja kwa jina, ni ushahidi tosha kuwa ndani ya chama hicho hakuna aliye msafi, bali wanaendelea kutafuna nchi huku Watanzania wengi wakiteseka kwa umaskini wa kupindukia.

Alisema watatumia nguvu ya umma kuhakikisha fedha zilizoporwa zinarejeshwa na ndipo watatoa elimu bure kwa kila mtoto wa Kitanzania na kulipa mishahara ya walimu na watumishi wengine.

Alitumia mkutano huo kujibu hotuba ya Meya wa Manispaa ya Moshi, Michael Jaffary, aliyemtaka kuzungumzia suala la Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro, Leonidas Gama, Mkuu wa Wilaya, Dk. Ibrahim Msengi, kuingilia kazi za Baraza la Madiwani na Mkurugenzi wa Manispaa, Benadetha Kinabo, kukataa kutekeleza maagizo ya baraza.

Alisema Sheria namba 19 ya mwaka 1999 inaeleza RC na DC ni wahamasishaji kwenye halmashauri na vyombo vyenye maamuzi ya kisheria ni Bunge kwa ibara ya 63 na halmashauri za wilaya kwa ibara ya 45 na 46 na ndiyo maana vikao vya viongozi hao ni vya mashauriano na haviwezi kuwa juu ya vikao vya kisheria.

“Baraza la Madiwani ni Bunge kwenye eneo husika na watatunga sheria zao, mna haki ya kusimamia haki za wananchi bila kuyumbishwa, kama wanaendelea kuwasumbua, niiteni nije tuwashikishe adabu kama nilivyofanya kwenye Halmashauri ya Karatu,” alitamba Dk. Slaa.

Alisema suala la Mkurugenzi kukataa kusaini kutolewa kwa Sh. milioni 216 kwa ajili ya kulipia ada ya watoto wa watu wasiojiweza wapate elimu, ni maamuzi ya madiwani na kama Mkurugenzi huyo analipinga, wamfungie nje bila kumuonea haya.

Awali, Mbunge wa Arusha Mjini na Mjumbe wa Halmashauri Kuu ya Chadema, Godbless Lema, alisema dhambi ya woga inaitafuna Manispaa hiyo na Tanzania kwa ujumla kwani kama Mkurugenzi anawasumbua wanaweza kumchukulia hatua kwa kuwa ni Katibu kwenye vikao vya madiwani na anafanya kile anachoelekezwa na Baraza linaloongozwa na Meya na theluthi ya madiwani wanatoka Chadema.

Meya Jaffary katika taarifa yake, alisema Manispaa imefanikiwa kuongeza mapato ya halmashauri hiyo kutoka Sh. bilioni 1.8 mwaka 2009/10 hadi Sh. bilioni 4.1 mwaka 2012/13 kwa kuziba mianya ya wizi iliyofanywa huko nyuma na fedha imeelekezwa katika miradi ya maendeleo.

 Meya huyo alimuomba Dk. Slaa, kuhakikisha suala la mamlaka za chini za serikali zinafanya kazi kwa mujibu wa Katiba na si kwa matakwa ya chama tawala kwa maelezo kuwa Mkurugenzi wa manispaa hiyo anakataa kutoa fedha hizo kwa madai kuwa siyo sera ya CCM.

Hivi karibuni, uliibuka mvutano baina ya Mkuu wa Mkoa, Mkuu wa Wilaya na madiwani wa Chadema kwa madai kuwa wanaingilia utendaji wa Manispaa hiyo.

Pia madiwani hao wamekuwa wakivutana na Mkurugenzi wa Manispaa kwa madai kuwa anakaidi kutekeleza maagizo ya Baraza la Madiwani.