GEM Sites Bi-weekly Updated News

                                              January 29th- February 7th, 2024

Kenya

Femicide in Kenya: What’s causing an epidemic of violence against women?
The murders of two Kenyan women this month are spotlighting a worrying regularity in gender-based violence in the East African country, with activists calling for more government measures to protect women. Rita Waeni, a 20-year-old student was killed and dismembered in a shortlet apartment in the capital Nairobi on January 14. Days before, a popular Instagram figure, Starlet Wahu, 26, was found dead in an Airbnb room, bleeding out from a fatal stab wound inflicted by a man she met online.

Hyena attacks and injures Multimedia University student
The 21-year-old student, identified as Kelvin Mwenda, was attacked by the hyena along Masai Lodge Road, Olekasasi area around 8 pm.  "Stephen Romo, who is a resident of Olmeut village, rushed to rescue him and sustained very severe injuries. The two are currently at Wama Nursing Home Hospital receiving treatment," police said in a statement. The attack comes exactly a month after a pack of hyenas mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in Gwa Kigwi village in Juja, Kiambu Country. Dennis Teya, a grade four pupil, was said to have been walking home with his friends when they were attacked by the hyenas. 

UN refugee chief warns Europe of a new influx of Sudanese migrants if Sudan's conflict continues
Europe may have to deal with a new flow of Sudanese migrants if a cease-fire agreement isn't signed soon between Sudan's warring sides and relief efforts aren't strengthened, the head of the United Nations refugee agency said Monday. “The Europeans are always so worried about people coming across the Mediterranean. Well, I have a warning for them that if they don't support more refugees coming out of Sudan, even displaced people inside Sudan, we will see onward movements of people towards Libya, Tunisia, and across the Mediterranean,” Filippo Grandi said. ”There is no doubt."

Lebanon

What is UNRWA and how will funding cut affect Palestinians in Gaza The UN agency for Palestinian Refugees, known as UNRWA, has been at the centre of a political storm after major countries announced they were suspending funding to the agency. The US, UK, EU, France, Germany and Japan, among others, made the announcement after Israel alleged that UNRWA staff members took part in Hamas’s October 7 attack. The agency said it is investigating the report and has dismissed nine of the 12 staff accused by Israel. “Any UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. The suspension of funds is expected to have a major impact on nearly two million Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for support inside the Gaza Strip, according to the agency.

There is an opportunity coming up to stabilise Lebanon by finally electing a president Recently, the Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, in an interview with Al-Akhbar, said he did not oppose the election of Suleiman Frangieh as Lebanon’s president. This came after a period in which Mr Jumblatt had said precisely the contrary. To many observers, the fact that Al-Akhbar is close to Hezbollah indicated that the Druze leader was sending a message to the party of his potential willingness to endorse its candidate. Mr Jumblatt is considered a weathervane of Lebanese politics, and his step was carefully calculated. He underlined that his views of Mr Frangieh did not necessarily involve his parliamentary bloc (a useful fiction he often maintains), which is headed, officially at least, by his son Taymour. Therefore, if the bloc was to vote for Mr Frangieh, Mr Jumblatt implied, the candidate would have to make political concessions.

South Africa

Can South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ stop Israel?
South Africa’s ambassador to the US talks to Marc Lamont Hill about the implications of the case and the court’s ruling. Last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered provisional measures in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. The ruling states that Israel must prevent and punish incitement of genocidal acts and allow civilians access to humanitarian aid. The decision comes after nearly four months of war in Gaza, which has killed more than 26,000 people and caused a major humanitarian crisis.

Government does not have the money to employ South Africa’s nearly 700 unemployed doctors, says Health Minister
The government just does not have the money. That was the short answer by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla on the critical issue of unemployment among medical professionals in South Africa. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Phaahla said that this year, the South African Medical Association and its trade union counterpart submitted the names of 825 doctors to the Health Department, with the department confirming 694 as recently qualified and seeking employment. “What I'm saying is that we're not in the best of situations,” Phaahla admitted about the high number of unemployed doctors. “We would have preferred a situation where we were able to provide opportunities for everybody who wants to serve in the public service,” he said.

Malawi

Private schools urged to join SACC
Private schools in the country have been encouraged to join newly established Private Schools Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO) to boost their financial independence and help in improving the country’s education sector. This is according to Ernest Kaonga who was speaking on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in Mponela, Dowa after being elected as Private Schools SACCO President. Dr Kaonga who over the weekend also got elected as Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRISAM) president, will be deputized by Sticko Kumwenda, while Tom Bulirani was elected as treasure with  Hamida Banda being elected Secretary and Rev. Masopera Muhowe was elected as a committee member.

Education fosters lasting peace in the midst of displacement
The right to education is a lifeline for refugees and displaced persons. It provides stability and a sense of normalcy. Schools are safe places that reduce the risk of exposure to abuse and violence for the most vulnerable. Having access to education promotes healing and the acquiring of new skills, enabling refugees to unlock their full potential and easily participate in the life of their new communities. However, there are thousands of refugees and displaced persons who are denied their right to education. Without access to quality education, they are often prevented from finding hope and properly preparing for their future, uncertain as it may be.

Rwanda

Number of migrants sent to Rwanda could be ‘quite low’, home secretary admits
The number of asylum seekers sent on one-way flights to Rwanda under Rishi Sunak’s plan could be “quite low”, home Secretary James Cleverly has admitted. The cabinet minister was unable to say how many of the 33,000 people identified as potentially eligible would be sent to Rwanda if flights begin. Mr Cleverly told MPs the home affairs select committee the total number of deportations was “uncapped” – but said it could also be small if other work to reduce small boat crossings is successful. It comes as the Archbishop of Canterbury and Baroness Hale – the judge who declared Boris Johnson’s Brexit-related prorogation of parliament illegal – have joined forces to thwart Mr Sunak’s current Rwanda plan.

Water For People lays out new plan to bring clean water to 1.5 million people
Water For People in Rwanda has announced a new five-year country strategy aimed at increasing access to sustainable and resilient water supply services for 1.5 million people through direct investments in infrastructure development and rehabilitation.

The plan was unveiled during the organization's 15-year anniversary celebrations at Kigali Marriott Hotel on February 5. The Country Director of Water For People, Eugene Dusingizumuremyi, expressed excitement about the organization's commitment to bring safe water and sanitation services to an even larger portion of the population. "We are happy to have you join us here as we celebrate bringing safe water and sanitation services to over one million Rwandans in five districts. This was no small feat," he said.

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