Day: February 3, 2023

MOMBASA About 36.1 million people in the IGAD region have been affected by the current drought situation and are facing heightened levels of food insecurity.

The drought is also said to have wiped out an estimated 4.2 million head of livestock, shattering the livelihoods of entire pastoralist communities and crippling them economically across the region.

This has been described as a devastating challenge to the continent given that the region hosts almost 50 per cent of the livestock in sub-saharan Africa and livestock accounts for almost 15 percent of the region’s GDP.

In response to these extreme weather challenges, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has proposed to undertake a number of proactive measures beginning with convening a regional climate outlook forum to be held on Feb 20.

“This forum will be part of our continuing effort to remain the most climate-aware region on the continent and enhance the ability of our member states to collect and process data for disaster forecasting, in order to reduce the gap between early warning and early action,” said IGAD Executive Secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu after delivering the 3rd state of the IGAD region address.

“Already we have noted some evidence of the success of this approach. In 2021 and 2022, we noted with some satisfaction that our initiative to ‘take the data to the people’ raised the warning in good time,” Gebeyehu said.

He described 2020 and 2021 as the most challenging years in the history of IGAD, saying the period was one of the hottest, driest and most conflict-affected periods in recent memory.

He added that the drought situation and the food security challenge has been one of the most devastating non-conflict issues affecting the region, having a great impact on peace and security and stability.

Going to 2023, the regions’ climate outlook still looks worrisome as climate scientist have issued an early warning that this year could be even warmer because the la Nina climate phenomenon which was cooling global temperatures is coming to an end.

It will most likely be replaced with the El nino phenomenon which is projected to raise temperatures worldwide.

“The good news for our region from this projection is that the likelihood of a 6th consecutive season of failed rains is reduced”

“But the bad news is that it is possible that our region could rapidly change from severe drought to severe floods as the ones we had in 1996, 2016 and most recently 2019,” he said.

The prolonged drought also triggered large scale population displacement with close to two million people becoming internally displaced and increasing the refugee burden in the region.

Close to 40,000 people are said to have sought asylum from hunger in neighbouring countries in 2022.

The IGAD executive secretary also mentioned that the Russia-Ukraine war had a massive effect on the regional economy inflating food prices, fertilizer and fuel prices in the region.

It is estimated that food prices went up by 55.6 per cent, compelling the neediest people in the region to spend almost 90 per cent of their income on food alone.

To address this, Igad has proposed to review its Food Security and Nutrition Response Strategy and align it with current realities.

“As part of this initiative, we shall be investing heavily in food security data. A starting point will be a region-wide census of livestock in order to have a clear picture of the situation after the drought,” Gebeheyu said.

He added that as part of ongoing efforst to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, Igad will this year be supporting member states to access climate financing under the Green Climate Fund founded by the 2015 Paris Agreement as well as the Loss and Damage Fund established by a resolution of COP27 in 2022.

On the issue of regional integration, Gebeheyu said that it remains the core mandate of the bloc adding that the region has incredible integration potential waiting to be unlocked

According to the Africa Regional Integration Index, the region is approximately 50 per cent integrated.

He said that the bloc was committed as a regional economic community of the African Union to deliver on the tremendous potential that the Continental Free Trade Area holds for the region.

“On trade, we have also made significant progress to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers including the Igad protocols on free movement and transhumance as well as establishment of one-stop border posts,” he said.

The regional bloc also unveiled the Igad Council of eminent persons who were selected to push for peace and integration within the region.

Twelve prominent personalities were conferred to be members of the council after being approved by their member states.

They include Olympic marathon runner Paul Tergat, Major General (Rtd) John Selli the chairman of Kenya Council of Elders and former female marathon runner Catherine Ndereba from Kenya.

Others were Olympic Gold medalist Haile Gabresilassie, Deratu Tulu and Prof. Ahmed Zakira, a renowned scholar from Ethiopia. From Somalia the list included Ugas Ali Ugas, a respected cal elder and Prof. Idil Osman, a Professor of communication and regional peace advocate.

Ambassador Deng’ Alier Deng’ Ruai and reverend Dr. Gabriel Gai Riam from South Sudan, former Djibouti minister of health Kassim Issak Osman and his counterpart Aicha Mohamed Robleh were also conferred with the honors to be part of the council.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

President Cyril Ramaphosa has informed Chief Justice Raymond Zondo of his consideration to appoint Justice Mahube Betty Molemela as Judge President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The President has, through the Chief Justice, invited the Judicial Service Commission to advise on the suitability of Justice Molemela to hold the office of the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The President has undertaken this consultation in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution.

This constitutional provision sets out that the President, as head of the National Executive – and after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly – appoints the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice. After consulting the Judicial Service Commission, the President appoints the President and Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The position of the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal has been vacant following the appointment of Justice Maya to the position of the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court with effect from 01 September 2022.

Justice Molemela is currently a Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal.

She has established an illustrious judicial career spanning over 15 years, having first been appointed as a Judge of the Free State Division of the High Court in 2008.

During her 15 years on the Bench she served as a Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court for three years before her elevation to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2018.

She has also served as a Judge of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court, Acting Judge of the Competition Appeal Court and Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court for two terms in 2015.

She holds a B.Proc degree (University of Fort Hare); LLB, LLM and LLD (Honoris Causa) (all three from the University of Free State).

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Friday, 3 February 2023, conclude the first Cabinet Lekgotla for 2023, where government is currently deliberating its programme of action for the year.

Chaired by the President, the Lekgotla allows the National Executive to review the performance of government against targets and objectives set in 2022.

It is also a platform for the national leadership to agree on key actions that are needed this year to advance the country’s economic recovery and long-term development, with resolution of the electricity crisis as the top priority.

The Lekgotla resolutions will form the basis of the State of the Nation Address, which President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver to a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces – convened in the Cape Town City Hall – at 19h00 on Thursday, 9 February 2023.

The State of the Nation Address is an occasion in which the three arms of the state – the Judiciary, the National Legislature and the Executive – participate as a demonstration of the country’s constitutional dispensation and culture, and to ensure that all three arms are focused on national priorities.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON THE STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS – 14-15 FEBRUARY

Political parties will debate the President’s Address in the National Assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday 14 and 15 February, with the President replying to this debate on the afternoon of Thursday, 16 February.

MINING INDABA – 07 FEBRUARY

With its emphasis on the challenges facing the country and the role all sectors of society can play in building a better future, the State of the Nation Address has become a focal point of interaction between different sectors of civil society, the administration and legislators.

In this regard, the President will on Tuesday, 7 February, address the annual Investing in African Mining Indaba – or Mining Indaba – which is themed “Unlocking African Mining Investment: Stability, Security, and Supply”.

This event attracts more than 6 000 delegates comprising investors, innovators, companies in the mining and natural resources sector, lawmakers and Ministers associated with these sectors.

Organisers estimate the five-day conference itself contributes close to R20m to national taxes.

PRESIDENTIAL GOLF CHALLENGE – 10 FEBRUARY

Following the delivery of the State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa will on Friday, 10 February, officiate the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at Atlantic Beach Golf Club at Melkbosstrand, Western Cape.

Coordinated by the Department for the Public Service and Administration, the Presidential Golf Challenge raises funds for charities designated by the sitting President.

The Challenge allows the private sector to participate in developmental initiatives to empower society, with this year’s contributions going to the Adopt-a-School Foundation’s programme to support schools with sanitation infrastructure and services.

Th foundation is an award-winning non-profit organisation that supports the creation and enhancement of a conducive learning and teaching environment in disadvantaged schools. The foundation is a partner entity to the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.

DIRCO UBUNTU AWARDS – 11 FEBRUARY

Leveraging the participation of the international diplomatic corps based in South Africa in events around the State of the Nation Address, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation will on Saturday, 11 February, host its annual Ubuntu Awards ceremony in Cape Town.

President Ramaphosa will address this occasion which recognises South African industry leaders, eminent persons and ordinary South African citizens for their distinguished service and contribution towards promoting the country’s national interests and values across the world.

AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT – 17-19 FEBRUARY

Following his participation in an Extra-Ordinary Organ Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community on 31 January 2023, President Ramaphosa will continue his international programme by attending the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union from 17 to 19 February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Africa’s political leadership will convene under the economically focused theme, “Accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement” in a year which marks the the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the continuing 20th anniversary of the creation of the African Union in 2002 as successor to the OAU.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa

Deputy Minister Thembi Siweya (MP) will be conducting a Back-to-School Campaign at Thembelitsha Primary School and Masibambane Secondary School in the Western Cape Province.

The outreach programme is a build-up to the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 09 February 2023 at 19:00 at the Cape Town City Hall. SoNA, being a key national event where the sitting President of South Africa advises the nation on the Programme of Action for the year ahead, will also reflect on the progress made since the last address.

Deputy Minister Siweya’s Back-to-School Campaign aims to engage with District Management; School Management; Teachers; parents of the learners; School Governing Body; Civil Society and the Police amongst other stakeholders to assess the safety and security of leaners and teachers in school premises, and to rollout anti-bullying and anti-violence awareness through this programme and broadly, to foster intervention in promoting and motivating learners to stay in schools.

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa