SA to protest military invasion of Anjouan island

[BAK]

SA to protest military invasion of Anjouan island

By Polycarp Machira
THE CITIZEN

South Africa yesterday reiterated its opposition to the invasion of Anjouan Island in the Comoros by the Tanzania-led Africa Union (AU) forces, saying it would lodge a formal protest at the next Heads of State Summit.

The South African High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Sindiso Mfenyana, said his country was opposed to the use of military force as a means to restore democracy in African countries.

Mr Mfenyana defended President Thabo Mbeki�s failed last-minute attempt to stop the military invasion.

The AU-backed troops this week routed rebel Colonel Mohammed Bacar�s forces from Anjouan to restore President Ahamed Abdallah Sambi�s control over the island.

President Mbeki opposed the military intervention, and reached out to the AU chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete, in and effort to avert the offensive.

But Tanzania�s Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Bernard Membe, then said it was too late to halt the plan as it had the full blessings of the AU.

Yesterday, Mr Mfenyana, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that President Mbeki had preferred dialogue as the best option.

�President Mbeki clearly stated that it was not wise to adopt a military invasion that would throw the common man into unnecessary trouble. We all know that during such attacks it is the innocent that suffer most, the high commissioner said.

However, Tanzania, which sent 650 of the 1,800 troops on the ground in the Comoros, insisted that the AU leaders, who included Mr Mbeki, had endorsed the military offensive.

Mr Mfenyana, speaking during the annual press briefing by the South African High Commission in Dar es Salaam, said his country would ensure that the issue is discussed at the next AU meeting.

He said ever since its inception as the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU), the African body was a tool that had been founded to promote the total liberation of the continent through dialogue as a way to foster democracy.

I think the African body will have to state clearly whether such a move would be the right measure to a prolonged negotiation for peace. There is always a need to uphold dialogue for quite some time, said the high commissioner.

He said the Kenyan election crisis was a good example on how dialogue could be used to bring warring parties to negotiations.

Briefly speaking about Zimbabwe, Mr Mfenyana said the rest of the world was waiting to see the country go to the polls today. However, he said the elections might not meet international standards.

The High Commissioner also said that the Palipehutu FNL rebels must participate in the joint verification mechanism to integrate them into the Burundi community.

This comes at a time when the UN peace building commission expressed concern on Thursday over the withdrawal of the rebel group from the mechanism established to implement the 2006 Comprehensive Cease-fire Agreement.

A South African minister of state was the chief facilitator on the refugee repatriation that began in 2006. In September that year, the agreement was signed between the Government and the last major rebel hold-out group, Forces Nationales de Lib�ration (Palipehutu-FNL).

A new political directorate comprising representatives from the Government, Palipehutu-FNL, AU, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and the European Union (EU), among others, has been established in the capital, Bujumbura. It is promoting dialogue on any obstacles to implementing the agreement.

Palipehetu-FNL has since withdrawn from the framework for the implementation of the 2006 comprehensive cease-fire agreement.

 

[Lunyungu]

SA to protest military invasion of Anjouan island

By Polycarp Machira
THE CITIZEN

South Africa yesterday reiterated its opposition to the invasion of Anjouan Island in the Comoros by the Tanzania-led Africa Union (AU) forces, saying it would lodge a formal protest at the next Heads of State Summit.

The South African High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Sindiso Mfenyana, said his country was opposed to the use of military force as a means to restore democracy in African countries.

Mr Mfenyana defended President Thabo Mbeki�s failed last-minute attempt to stop the military invasion.

The AU-backed troops this week routed rebel Colonel Mohammed Bacar�s forces from Anjouan to restore President Ahamed Abdallah Sambi�s control over the island.

President Mbeki opposed the military intervention, and reached out to the AU chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete, in and effort to avert the offensive.

But Tanzania�s Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Bernard Membe, then said it was too late to halt the plan as it had the full blessings of the AU.

Yesterday, Mr Mfenyana, told journalists in Dar es Salaam that President Mbeki had preferred dialogue as the best option.

�President Mbeki clearly stated that it was not wise to adopt a military invasion that would throw the common man into unnecessary trouble. We all know that during such attacks it is the innocent that suffer most, the high commissioner said.

However, Tanzania, which sent 650 of the 1,800 troops on the ground in the Comoros, insisted that the AU leaders, who included Mr Mbeki, had endorsed the military offensive.

Mr Mfenyana, speaking during the annual press briefing by the South African High Commission in Dar es Salaam, said his country would ensure that the issue is discussed at the next AU meeting.

He said ever since its inception as the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU), the African body was a tool that had been founded to promote the total liberation of the continent through dialogue as a way to foster democracy.

I think the African body will have to state clearly whether such a move would be the right measure to a prolonged negotiation for peace. There is always a need to uphold dialogue for quite some time, said the high commissioner.

He said the Kenyan election crisis was a good example on how dialogue could be used to bring warring parties to negotiations.

Briefly speaking about Zimbabwe, Mr Mfenyana said the rest of the world was waiting to see the country go to the polls today. However, he said the elections might not meet international standards.

The High Commissioner also said that the Palipehutu FNL rebels must participate in the joint verification mechanism to integrate them into the Burundi community.

This comes at a time when the UN peace building commission expressed concern on Thursday over the withdrawal of the rebel group from the mechanism established to implement the 2006 Comprehensive Cease-fire Agreement.

A South African minister of state was the chief facilitator on the refugee repatriation that began in 2006. In September that year, the agreement was signed between the Government and the last major rebel hold-out group, Forces Nationales de Lib�ration (Palipehutu-FNL).

A new political directorate comprising representatives from the Government, Palipehutu-FNL, AU, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and the European Union (EU), among others, has been established in the capital, Bujumbura. It is promoting dialogue on any obstacles to implementing the agreement.

Palipehetu-FNL has since withdrawn from the framework for the implementation of the 2006 comprehensive cease-fire agreement.

Baada ya Anjoun JK peleka majeshi na AU kule Zimbabwe maana uimesikia hata jeshi linasema pia ua ni Mugabe tu sasa kuna tofauti na Anjoun ama AU haina maslahi na Zimb ?

 

[Icadon]

Baada ya Anjoun JK peleka majeshi na AU kule Zimbabwe maana uimesikia hata jeshi linasema pia ua ni Mugabe tu sasa kuna tofauti na Anjoun ama AU haina maslahi na Zimb ?

Mkuu umeshatoka Comoro?

Alafu hii habari ni ya lini? I thought invasion imeshafanywa na watu wameshakabidhi kisiwa kwa wahusika?

 

[Pundit]

Mbeki kachoka,

Azimio la vita lilishapitishwa, tena katika kikao cha kamati ya AU iliyofanyika South Africa huko huko, kapigwa bao kwake mwenyewe.

Tatizo Mbeki ni ideologue ambaye huwa haangalii practicality ya mambo.Ndiyo maana akaingia katika ile HIV/AIDS debacle, sasa mtu kama huyu ambaye kashindwa kum contain mtu illiterate kama Zuma kwa sababu ya arrogance yake ana kipya cha kutuambia waafrika?

Ukweli ni kwamba Mbeki alianza na promise kubwa sana kuhusu viongozi wa African Renaissance lakini sasa ame edn up kuwa hogwash tu

 

[Mbalamwezi]

�President Mbeki clearly stated that it was not wise to adopt a military invasion that would throw the common man into unnecessary trouble. We all know that during such attacks it is the innocent that suffer most, the high commissioner said.

He said ever since its inception as the Organisation of Africa Union (OAU), the African body was a tool that had been founded to promote the total liberation of the continent through dialogue as a way to foster democracy.

I think the African body will have to state clearly whether such a move would be the right measure to a prolonged negotiation for peace. There is always a need to uphold dialogue for quite some time, said the high commissioner.

He said the Kenyan election crisis was a good example on how dialogue could be used to bring warring parties to negotiations.

Mbeki anashangaza,

1. Dialogue hata kama itachukua miaka 100?

2. Na kazi ya AU standby brigade itakuwa nini sasa? Mbona anaunga mkono hilo badala ya standby brigade ya diplomats wa kuendesha dialogue?

3.Lengo la kuikomboa nchi fulani kwenye matatizo ni kupunguza sufferings za Innocents...

4.Hivi kweli issue ya Kenya na Comoro zinafanana?

Nina wasiwasi alishikishwa kitu kidogo na Bakari, na akamhakikishia kuwa dili poa...kumbe duh!

 

[Dua]

Huu ndio mwanzo na mwisho wa SADC, kama wakubwa wanakuwa hawakubaliani je nini kitaendelea? ...............Uvundo unaonuka.

Tanzania ni wakati wa ku-concetrate na maswala yetu ya nyumbani na tuache hii mijisifa ambayo haina faida yoyote. Wamekufa wachimba madini, Je, Serikali na makampuni yanayochimba hayo madini wamefanya juhudi gani kuokoa maisha ya waliozama kwenye maji? Je, sheria za usalama kazini zilifuatwa?

 

[Mbalamwezi]

Huu ndio mwanzo na mwisho wa SADC, kama wakubwa wanakuwa hawakubaliani je nini kitaendelea? ...............Uvundo unaonuka.

Tanzania ni wakati wa ku-concetrate na maswala yetu ya nyumbani na tuache hii mijisifa ambayo haina faida yoyote. Wamekufa wachimba madini, Je, Serikali na makampuni yanayochimba hayo madini wamefanya juhudi gani kuokoa maisha ya waliozama kwenye maji? Je, sheria za usalama kazini zilifuatwa?

Mkuu Dua,

ili kuleta maana ya hii thread bora tu concentrate kwenye respective issue...tukianza kuulizana mambo ya Mererani tutapotosha. Kwa taarifa tu, ile migodi ni wachimbaji wadogo wadogo, hawana sheria za kazi kwa kuwa siyo rasmi na hawako kwenye kampuni zozote.

 

[Richard]

Hata hivo kwa muda mrefu South Africa imekuwa ikipinga suala hilo.

Kama kweli kazi waliotumwa vijana wetu imeisha basi ni kheri kurudi nyumabani haraka.

 

[Mbalamwezi]

Mbeki kachoka,

Azimio la vita lilishapitishwa, tena katika kikao cha kamati ya AU iliyofanyika South Africa huko huko, kapigwa bao kwake mwenyewe.

Tatizo Mbeki ni ideologue ambaye huwa haangalii practicality ya mambo.Ndiyo maana akaingia katika ile HIV/AIDS debacle, sasa mtu kama huyu ambaye kashindwa kum contain mtu illiterate kama Zuma kwa sababu ya arrogance yake ana kipya cha kutuambia waafrika?

Ukweli ni kwamba Mbeki alianza na promise kubwa sana kuhusu viongozi wa African Renaissance lakini sasa ame edn up kuwa hogwash tu

Anajaribu kurejesha umaarufu wake unaoyeyuka haraka kwa mzozo straightfoward kama wa Comoro? Pengine ajitahidi amfunge Zuma tu kwa rushwa za silaha ndo atarudisha jina...otherwise ataharibu regional bodies aking'ang'ana na ubishi wake.

AU na SADC sasa hivi zinaunda Standby force, yeye anazungumzia dialogue, nani hajui dialogue...?

Kwa kuwa inawezekana SA ndo mchangaji mzuri katika AU, basi wanataka wawe na maamuzi ya mwisho nadhani...Atakuwa Ghadaffi sasa hivi asipokuwa macho, tamaa zitamponza.

 

[Mbalamwezi]

Mkuu umeshatoka Comoro?

Alafu hii habari ni ya lini? I thought invasion imeshafanywa na watu wameshakabidhi kisiwa kwa wahusika?

Mkuu Icadon, Hiyo habari ya gazeti la jana, baada ya operesheni demokrasia Mbeki anakusudia kulalama AU kikao kijacho...

 

[Dua]

Mkuu Dua,

ili kuleta maana ya hii thread bora tu concentrate kwenye respective issue...tukianza kuulizana mambo ya Mererani tutapotosha. Kwa taarifa tu, ile migodi ni wachimbaji wadogo wadogo, hawana sheria za kazi kwa kuwa siyo rasmi na hawako kwenye kampuni zozote.

Huoni relation hapo? Kwani ukiwa mchimbaji mdogo huna sheria katika swala la kuchimba madini? Swala hili ni pana na usifikiri tu kupeleka majeshi ndio mwisho. Tulikuwa tumewasaidia hata hao SA leo hii hata marais wetu hawataweza kuongea. What the hell are you talking about issues?

Kwani huko Comoro wamekwenda kwa pesa ya peremende?

 

[Code X]

Huoni relation hapo? Kwani ukiwa mchimbaji mdogo huna sheria katika swala la kuchimba madini? Swala hili ni pana na usifikiri tu kupeleka majeshi ndio mwisho. Tulikuwa tumewasaidia hata hao SA leo hii hata marais wetu hawataweza kuongea. What the hell are you talking about issues?

Kwani huko Comoro wamekwenda kwa pesa ya peremende?

Hao wachimbaji wadogo wadogo wanapewa leseni na serikali, lakini mambo mengine yote wanafanya kienyeji tu, na nikama wana serilaki yao kule migodini.

Sasa wewe una relate vipi protest ya Military intervention ya Comoro na mambo ya Mererani? Umeambiwa thread hii iache kwa ajili ya mambo yaliyokusudiwa, ya Mererani ipo kule kwenye vifo vya watu 75, huelewi nini sasa?

Tujifunze kuchambua mambo kwa ufanisi, otherwise tutakuwa tunapoteza muda mwingi kuelekezana na si kujadili.

 

[Code X]

Anjouan action a big lesson to power seekers, says SA envoy

2008-03-31 10:15:13
By Njonanje Samwel and Michael Haonga


South Africa has commended the African Union-led military action in toppling Comoro`s Anjouan island`s former self-proclaimed president, Col Mohamed Abcar, as a lesson to those who erode and bypass democratic means to leadership.

Speaking at a special meeting with editors of media houses in Dar es Salaam last Friday, South African High Commissioner to Tanzania Sindiso Mfenyana commended the AU action as indispensable upon failure of a peaceful settlement of the impasse.

He said whereas negotiations were the most ideal way in avoiding bloodshed of innocent civilians, military action was unavoidable in the absence of other means to save people from dictatorship.

The South African envoy said there was therefore ``need to bank much on peaceful negotiations to resolve conflicts in the African continent, in the manner the Kenya political situation was diffused by former United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan and African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete in coming up with a peaceful settlement.``


When he was asked whether the AU military action should be used to force dictatorial regimes or those who manouevred to ascend to leadership by thwarting democratic means out of power, Mfenyana reiterated that he was of the view that `the most commendable means is through peaceful negotiations first.`

In another development, people in Africa have been reminded to strive for unity in fighting various impediments to their economic, social and political prosperity.
The reminder was sounded on Saturday through a play staged in the University of Dar es Salaam?s Nkrumah Hall where diplomats from Cuba, Angola, Namibia and South Africa based in Dar es Salaam met in memory of the African liberation struggle.
The event was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the military victory at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola on March 23, 1988 when South African soldiers were ambushed and annihilated by gallant MPLA government forces supported by Cuban comrades.
The South African envoy said the event would also be used to remember other great liberation struggle heroes such as South African Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro of Cuba and Augustino Neto of Angola.
Others are Namibia?s Sam Nujoma and Tanzania?s founding father Julius Nyerere.

SOURCE: Guardian

 

[Masanja]

Anjouan action a big lesson to power seekers, says SA envoy

2008-03-31 10:15:13
By Njonanje Samwel and Michael Haonga


South Africa has commended the African Union-led military action in toppling Comoro`s Anjouan island`s former self-proclaimed president, Col Mohamed Abcar, as a lesson to those who erode and bypass democratic means to leadership.

Speaking at a special meeting with editors of media houses in Dar es Salaam last Friday, South African High Commissioner to Tanzania Sindiso Mfenyana commended the AU action as indispensable upon failure of a peaceful settlement of the impasse.

He said whereas negotiations were the most ideal way in avoiding bloodshed of innocent civilians, military action was unavoidable in the absence of other means to save people from dictatorship.

The South African envoy said there was therefore ``need to bank much on peaceful negotiations to resolve conflicts in the African continent, in the manner the Kenya political situation was diffused by former United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan and African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete in coming up with a peaceful settlement.``


When he was asked whether the AU military action should be used to force dictatorial regimes or those who manouevred to ascend to leadership by thwarting democratic means out of power, Mfenyana reiterated that he was of the view that `the most commendable means is through peaceful negotiations first.`

In another development, people in Africa have been reminded to strive for unity in fighting various impediments to their economic, social and political prosperity.
The reminder was sounded on Saturday through a play staged in the University of Dar es Salaam?s Nkrumah Hall where diplomats from Cuba, Angola, Namibia and South Africa based in Dar es Salaam met in memory of the African liberation struggle.
The event was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the military victory at Cuito Cuanavale in Angola on March 23, 1988 when South African soldiers were ambushed and annihilated by gallant MPLA government forces supported by Cuban comrades.
The South African envoy said the event would also be used to remember other great liberation struggle heroes such as South African Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro of Cuba and Augustino Neto of Angola.
Others are Namibia?s Sam Nujoma and Tanzania?s founding father Julius Nyerere.

SOURCE: Guardian

Mbona hizi habari mbili zinatofautiana? moja inaonyesha kwamba SA ilikuwa against millitary action na italalamika kwenye kikao kijacho cha wanene wa AU, nyingine inaonyesha kwamba SA wameispport hii mission ya AU kumuondoa Bacar, so which is which? Anything to do with the source of the news?

Ukweli ni kwamba Africa tunauzwa na ndugu zetu. Mbeki awe muwazi! Hii deal la intervention Comoro, France na USA hawakulitaka kwa sababu Sambi (rais wa Comoro) anasemekana ni Muislamu mwenye siasa kali mweye kusupport magaidi kwa hiyo kiburi chote cha Bacar alikuwa anapewa na France na USA. France and USA walikuwa wanamtumia Mbeki kusudi maamuzi ya AU yasitekelezwe...proposing dialogue while we all know what happens to dialogues ikija kwetu Africa! Nadhani ndo maana Membe aliwaignore wasouth alijua ni unafiki wa international power players. Wanatumiwa.

Mpaka sasa Bacar keshatoroshwa na France! Hivi jamani Africa tunaelekea wapi? yaani hatuwezi kufanya kitu kwa maslahi yetu bila kutumiwa na watu wa nje? Inasikitisha sana unapoona msomi kama Mbeki akitoka arguments za kibinafsi kama hizi kwa nchi kama Comoro-of all countries!

 

[Sekenke]

Kama jinsi mmoja amedokeza hapo juu, Afrika Kusini (AK) ilihusika katika mazungumzo ya awali had AU wakakubaliana kwamba wanakwenda Anjoun kutembeza kibano. Sasa hili la kuibuka baadaye kujikomba utakatifu linatoka wapi?

Unajua AK wanajiona wao kama Superpower flani hivi Kusini mwa Jangwa la Sahara, na hivyo walitegemea mawazo yao ndio yangechukua mkondo ili waonekane kuwa wao ndio weledi.

Na, hivi ni lini utawala wa moja kwa moja wa Ufaransa utakoma Afrika? Kokote kuliko na mapinduzi, machafuko, umwagaji wa damu usio na huruma kwa maisha ya Mwafrika, Ufaransa nayo imo! Pwani ya Pembe (Ivory Coast), Chad, Afrika ya Kati, haya na hivi visiwa vya Komoro!

Ingawa napinga matumizi ya mabavu, kuna wakati inabidi kuwaonyesha hawa baadhi ya viongozi wa Afrika kwamba mambo si mchekea wakati wote. Nachohofia ni kwamba, Mapinduzi yatatokea tena Anjoun hivi karibuni, na usidhangae Ufaransa ikawa muhusika mkuu.