Kenyan government tries to pass dangerous, foreign constitution

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais


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'No' side claims dirty tricks in Kenya referendum campaign | RFI

"Popular support for the new constitutition was supposed to be a fait accompli. That was until the mainstream churches threw a spanner in the works. They mobilised for a rejection of the draft, claiming that it is liberal on abortion and same-sex relationship and that it introduces Muslim Khadi courts.
Former President Daniel Arap Moi and influential politicians from the populous Rift Valley province are opposing the draft over the same issues and over the question of land.

President Mwai Kibaki, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and nearly 90 per cent of the cabinet and MPs addressed a huge rally in Nariobi’s Uhuru Park, urging a massive turn-out in favour of the draft.



[...]

The no campaign held a similar rally in the city’s Jamhuri Park. They accuse the government of using underhand methods and intimidation to get support for the draft because it senses defeat.

Tom Namwamba, who heads the no campaign secretariat, claims that the president’s side of using underhand tactics. They have used thugs to attack his office and steal material, he says, ordered civil servants to campaign for a yes vote and booked all choice venues in Nairobi to deny his side a convenient venue to hold their rallies.

“If you see anybody engaged in such petty, barbaric practices, then you know that that person has read the signs of losing,” he comments."

Radio France Internationale [RFI] (Secular; French)

01 / 08 | Aug / 2010

A no side rally was tragically bombed some time ago, as I reported then, noting that the government said not to jump to conclusions as to who bombed it. The yes side, has the backing of US president Barack Obama, who seems to have been flexing muscle to insure the constitution, which encourages homosexuality and abortion passes, Kenya may find additional aid coming their way if they acquiesce in the matter of values, and culture. Other controversial elements include "land reform" clauses which the opposition claims may cause tensions between black and white Kenyans. Kenya suffers from endemic violence and also racism, White (Caucasian) and Indian (Asian) Kenyans have both faced persecution in the past. The current government has been accused of allowing the creation of death squadrons (Agenzia Fides: The Vatican's Missionary News Service 24 / 09 | Sept / 2008), which allegedly killed and tortured rivals, and those allegedly involved in crime. The government claims that the Constitution will pass, despite Catholic and evangelical opposition to what is essentially a foreign constitution, misrepresenting the culture and values of Kenya.

In 2009 our service noted:

"Kenya: more general Overview:

Kenya, was once one of Africa's so-called: shining stars, however, electoral violence, and purported human rights abuses, along with drought, and famine: have harshly affected, what once was a nation, seen, perhaps falsely as a hope for many.

In previous articles, we have covered, the political situation in Kenya, having stabilized somewhat at this stage. Recent events, however: show a government, made up largely of people, seemingly more interested in their own political success, than in the success of their country. The global economic downturn, will likely also affect such nations: but with such a makeshift government, the chances are, that problems in Kenya, won't be ultimately solved overnight. Efforts, at helping populations make it through such trying times: however, can make differences in lives, just as efforts in Zimbabwe, and the DRC (Congo), have paid off somewhat.

Corruption, and accountability in Africa

What Kenya, and much of Africa: truly need at this point, is accountability for actions, politically, and in business. That a situation, such as the one: over, or perhaps caused by alleged vote rigging, and alleged political human rights abuses: has occurred: has made Kenya less able to deal with life threatening situations."

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13 / 01 | Jan / 2009

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CISA: Congo Bishop forced to leave Special Synod for Africa... After a parish is burnt down, hostages taken

(South African Catholic; c.f. CISA [Catholic Information Service For Africa] (Catholic; Independent; African [Continental]) Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ; Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ; CNA [Catholic News Agency] (Catholic; Independent; American) 10 / 10 | October / 2009 )


Central African archbishop, withdraws from the Vatican hosted: Special Synod for Africa, due to hostage situation in his home archdiocese.

According to the CISA news service:

"VATICAN, October 9, 2009 (CISA) - The reality of political violence in [parts of] Africa hit the ongoing Synod in Rome in its first week when a Congolese bishop-delegate was forced to cut short his participation and return home following attacks at a parish where priests were taken hostage.

The Synod is discussing justice, peace and reconciliation in Africa.

Archbishop François Xavier Rusengo [Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo] of Bukavu in the war-torn eastern DR Congo [Democratic Republic of Congo] told the [Special] Synod [for Africa] that uniformed men last Friday burnt down one of his parishes, attacked priests and took others hostage. The archdiocese had to pay a huge ransom for release of the hostages.

'Through these acts, it is the Church, remaining the only support for a terrorized, humiliated, exploited and dominated people who they would reduce to silence. Lord, may your will be done, may your kingdom of peace arrive', the Archbishop said on Tuesday.

The Synod issued a statement of solidarity with Archbishop Rusengo and the Christians of Bukavu, and expressed the hope that reconciliation and the Good News of the Gospel, as we are reminded during these days of Synod reflection, may be welcomed as the path shared by all to accomplish conditions of human life founded on the values of justice, reinforced by peace, which is a gift from God.

At the same time, the Synod called on the government to do everything possible to bring back order in justice to establish and guarantee peace, necessary for a normal life of the dear population."

(CISA [Catholic Information Service For Africa] (Catholic; Independent; African [Continental]) Friday 09 / 10 | October / 2009 ;)

Meanwhile, another archbishop, Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel of Addis Ababa, who is situated in the same city as the headquarters of the African Union (AU), suggested that the church appoint a permanent representative to the body, with the same credentials as an Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador to a political power).

This suggestion was supported by the SACBC (Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference), but possibly not by SECAM (Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagasca), which Ethiopia is a member of- which is not mentioned as supporting the idea, but may well support it.

The Archbishop, however mentioned, that SECAM in particular, in his opinion: needed a representative on the AU for its mission, if not only an observer. He claimed that 50% of the AU members (possibly, this seems to refer to the representatives at the headquarters of the AU, as Africa is not 50% Catholic?) are Catholic, and that the Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia has been given permission to sit in on all meetings in Addis Abbaba as an observer.

It is unclear who the Archbishop would recommend for the job, which would happen in his proximity.

Africa- Somali/Kenya- Somali Government asks Kenyan help in tracking down kidnappers of Italian Nuns

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08; Reuters AlertNet 11/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In the incident involving two Italian nuns kidnapped in a raid by militants, the Somali government has asked Kenya to help them track down militants, saying they would welcome a Kenyan party, if it were sent to help them.

In another blatant attack on aid workers, and a Catholic target, Somali gunmen recently kidnapped two Italian Nuns, in the northern part of politically unstable Kenya, which has large portions of its population saturated with Ethnic Somalis.

The Somali Government usually points to Islamic rebels as the source of attacks- but some Islamic sources claim it is in fact conducted by the government to discredit them. The actual attack involved sporadic gunfire, and the launching of a rocket into a police position by gunmen who fled across the border. The Kenyan authorities have enlisted the help of Somali elders, while the Somali government, crippled by a failed economy, and civil war- also cannot seem to prevent what is almost inevitable. Many aid workers are kidnapped and killed by Somali gunmen, specifically targeted for whatever purpose this is so.

Meanwhile, Somali Pirates have captured another international cargo ship off the Somali coast. 10 EU Nations recently signed a deal into effect, that will soon see at least 4 to 6 ships patrolling the coast at any time, and the use of possible surveillance aircraft. Over half of the world's ship hijackings took place in Somali territories last year. These EU Nations want to secure the well-traveled maritime path for commercial shipping lines to safely use in commerce.

Journey in a Broken World- African Nations Welcome Benedict XVI Visit announcement

(Journey in a Broken World; c.f. Agenzia Fides 27/10/08; Agenzia Fides 28/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Nuncios of both Angola and Cameroon, have joyously welcomed the announcement of plans by Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI to visit their countries.

With the first local from Angola being Baptized in 1491- before America was even discovered, and a population which is more Catholic than anything else- with a percentage of higher than 50% Catholic- not only the church, but media in the country are very enthusiastic about the visit, where the pope will bless a peace process, and economic progress in a country which still has real poverty needs.

Cameroon's Nuncio is also glad to have been chosen by the Papacy, to be the place where preparations for an African Synod in Rome will be made- noting that John Paul the Second also chose to visit the nation, which is apparently, if the Nuncio assigned to it is to be taken as a good source- ideal as it has both English and French as well used languages. Both languages are each separately, and often somewhat exclusive of one another- commonalities in many African countries.

Cameroon is about 25% Catholic.